City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'll call our meeting to order here in council chambers at 6 pm. Roll call please. Aler person Silus present. MSAS present. Rosac present. Timian present. Finch present. McNeel present. Castro present. Schmidt present. Right. We do not have any remote electronic attendance necessary tonight. So we start with public comment.

No names. Is there anyone in the audience for public comment? Okay. Hearing none. We'll move to board appointments. Uh, mayor's reappointment of Rico Navaro to the park and recreation board for a 5-year term expiring May 31, 2031. Any questions? Hearing none, we'll move to our presentations. And we start tonight with a signing ceremony between the city of Molen, Illinois, USA, and the city of Obach, Germany to join together as sister cities. So, if you would join me, Mayor Chris, at the table. I think I don't need any more of that. I'd like to start once again by thanking you all for joining us here in for um actually reaching out and offering to get this relationship restarted after initial conversations have happened before the pandmic. Um, we've very much enjoyed your visit. I know from conversations you've enjoyed the visit as well. Um, and hopefully we can come and visit you and learn from your um, municipality, your city, your industry, um, your culture and people as well. We're very excited to be connected and to really um, support John Deere and its global enterprises. This is really wonderful suggestion and I'm glad to be in partnership with so many of you about this. So I think you had did you have something to say?

Must read it. I'm sorry I didn't do that in German.

Okay. Dear friends of mine, first of all, I would like to apologize for my bad English. We have a perfect translator at our side with Janet for which we are very grateful. And if my words make absolutely no sense, she can and she will take over. Our entire litigation has been speechless since Sunday. Okay. You have given us such an infinity warm welcome. Okay.

Thank you very much. The program you have worked out. We all work every day.

You have done infinity amount work and efforts to give us a great time in movie. and I can officially certify you as mayor that you have succeeded more than 100%. I can only say thousand thanks for our group and for myself for every minute of our visit with over 9,000 employees worldwide and a turnover of about $3.5 billion. The welcome group is by far the largest and most important employee in the province the district of as well as in the federal state of Rh in our community is a headquarter with about 2,500 employees said yes who don't who just not work have friends and relatives. I as mayor must say quite honestly I also love the taxes that thank you. The web group has been part of the DNA of the for many in the 60s family business was founded by us. The company was able to establish itself very quickly on the market and escape into a world market leader for road machine with the purchase of the great importance and the central economy position.

That is why we are very very happy that we can now develop the region, the people and the many similarities together. If a subsidiary such as a different group, then this relationship of mother and daughter now also passes to us through common DNA which is actually only logical. I'm proud and is a great honor for me to represent the citizens of the Madasa today and to officially sign this government for this very special occasion. We are also brought our city seal from Germany. See, no one is watching us tonight because our seal is supposed to always remain in our town hall. But special moments require special measures. I don't want to torture you anymore with my betting. I can only say once again with all my heart thousand times thank you everything we can experience through you and very important we invite you to us with the largest largest possible litigation hopefully it will work out next year then John here and the group will celebrate their 10 years we would be very happy to welcome come all you have met knowing you in us. Ashley, Dawn, Tony, and Duna will once

again give everything to create perfect. George Kennedy said in Berlin in 1963, I'm a winner. We all from Aspa say today, I'm very proud to be your sisters. So this leads us to reading our memorandum of understanding to everyone. I will read it word for word and then they'll sign them and you'll be able to take one. So the memorandum of understanding is entered into by and between the city of Molen Illinois USA and the city of Obot Germany here and after referred to collectively as the cities effective April 28, 2026. The purpose of this memorandum of understanding is to formally establish and affirm a sister city relationship between the cities promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange and international friendship. The cities agree to encourage and support cooperative activities and exchanges in areas of shared interest, including but not limited to education and youth engagement, arts and cultural initiatives, civic and community development, tourism promotion, economic and business development, municipal best practices and governance. And both cities intend to foster meaningful connections among residents, community organizations, businesses, and local leaders. Through this sister city relationship, the cities expressed their shared commitment to strengthening bonds of goodwill and cooperation, promoting

cultural awareness and global understanding, encouraging reciprocal visits and exchanges, and supporting collaborative initiatives that benefit both communities. Thisou reflects the goodwill and intentions of the cities and does not create legally binding obligations or financial commitments for either party. Any specific projects or exchanges may be subject to separate agreements as necessary. This memorandum of understanding shall become effective April 28, 2026 by approval of the city council of the city of execution by authorized representatives of both cities. Would you like to sign first? Thank you so much.

Yes. But while she comes up to do that, finish that, I wanted to say I have one parting gift. I know we have other gifts for you. This gift is a what we call a challenge coin that we have specially made for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. And so you see our logo there, city of Molen and the 250 here. And so each one of you will have one of these to take back.

Thank you very very much. We have some gifts. Maybe not. Thank you very much. All gifts are already here. Some in Cincinnati are customers. Oh, customs. Oh, yeah. Yes. I hope they arrived time. Chocolate in this. Maybe it's not so good as it was. vanish.

Sure. Customs.

Yeah. We will get with

you. Thank you. Do you mind if I open it for every It's very big. Thank you.

In the last two days, I very often said it's very big here in the US. And so that's special one. This rock is basal. Oh, it's from a volcan. And so here is a and you can read and see where it comes and where it is.

Thank you. so much lovely

and the company who connect us is working and so I have

wonderful We'll put it we'll leave it up here for the duration of meeting and for you. Oh my goodness. What's What is here and what is in Cincinnati? This is a ball.

Scarf.

Completed. And the rest. and chocolates and that's very generous. Thank you.

Take these. Thank you very much. Perfect.

One, two, three.

Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, we'll move now, thank you everyone, to um 6.2 water art contest winner announcement. Charles Brown. Oo, the third grade third graders of Molen were invited to participate in this year's water art contest with the theme of water connects us all. Do you see? So Josiah Clinty at Butterworth Elementary was our overall winner this year with his depiction of a fire truck along with our one of our water towers. So as you gaze upon and appreciate Josiah's art, I would like to remind you all that it's a fool's errand to try to get into the mind of a true artist, but I do encourage you to appreciate it. Of course, Josiah couldn't do this alone, right? He needed the help and the guidance of a of a more seasoned artist. And with that, he was lucky to have Miss Joan Sppy. Here she is. She is a third grade art teacher with the Molen Cole Valley School District. So for Josiah to win this overall contest, he beat out 450 other third graders. So it was a gauntlet. First he had to win his class and then he had to win his school and then he had to win the citywide vote.

But he was able to do all that. Um, all the class winners have been displayed downstairs as you've seen walk-in and at the public library. What we're also going to do is all the class winners will be in our consumer confidence water report and Josiah's art will be featured in that. Along with that, Josiah's art will go onto the walls of the water administration building for people to see for decades to come. So, if you've been to the water admin building, it's kind of walking through a time capsule. You can see how the minds of third graders have progressed through the decades and what they uh consider art. I guess you can say that uh Josiah is um a good Josiah is a thoughtful young man and what he's a promised me is with his talent and with his creative ability, he's going to use that to help his teacher Miss Sppy. So he's not just going to be the best artist in the class. He's kind of stepped into this mentor apprentice. So when Missy needs help keeping the other ones inside the lines, Josiah will come over and say, "Let me show you how it's done." Right? So um so Josiah is this year's big winner and I would like to uh welcome you all in congratulating me uh in Josiah's win. As as you can see, Josiah has a very supportive family. So, we're gonna get pictures with the mayor. So, whoever would like whichever members of his family

of course

Misty needs a seeing eye human. you I think you'll be more like Josiah, whoever you want to be in the

Mayor, can I have you everyone turn this I know. Thank you.

Yeah. Actually would be awesome. Yeah. Tilt too. Oh, that's great. That's good. Perfect. Thank you. One, two, three. Thank you. He's so proud of him.

Perfect. Thank you. Okay, we move to 6.3. The of our advisory council, Don Temple and Mitchell Walker.

Hello everyone. Been seeing a lot of you guys this week. Um, yep. I uh am here to talk about the Clean River Advisory Council. Um, I'm going to introduce the council briefly and then uh Mitchell's going to tell you about uh our survey that we did last year. So the the council is made up of kind of a holistic group including Walton Family Foundation, QC Community Foundation, IM Man Consulting, and then a council of representatives. Um so this um so in 2025 you know we really were focused on um outreach and engagement to deepen awareness uh and participation in naturebased solutions. Um one of the things that we did was a community survey. So that's what we're going to be reviewing this evening. Um, but I did want to just share some other things that we're um working on like the seed library is pretty cool and a lot of tree planting and litter cleanups um around in the community. So, C-Rex priorities include um it's basically a regional partnership focused on water quality um specifically to the Mississippi River. Um natural focusing on natural uh infrastructure projects uh like rain gardens, pollinator gardens, um you know, things that you hear me talk about up here um often. um also community engagement and youth education. So the role is really to connect projects, partners and priorities. So yeah, we're just helping move ideas to

like boots on the ground solutions. Um so we'll scoot through this. Um scoot through this. This is kind of a repeat of the slides. Um but to note the 102 volunteer hours um 300 plus trees planted across the Quad Cities last year are pretty significant contributions for a volunteer um uh network. Um, another part of what, uh, CARAC does is push out money that, uh, Walton Family Foundation is providing to support projects like this within Quad Cities. Um, so over two cycles of grants now, um, 25 different, uh, well, there's a couple repeats in there, but, uh, 25 projects have been funded, uh, for a total of $682,000, uh, distributed directly to community organizations. Um, so that's pretty cool. Um, right in our community. Um, so pretty proud of that. I do serve on the grants subcommittee, um, as well. So, um, proud of this um part of the the commission. Uh I had a video that I made on PowerPoint but I could not get it to go to the PDF slides. So that it's just a image. So it's kind of a weird image. So if that if you're wondering why that is um that is why um but we did do the survey like I mentioned um we had about 500 responses. The purpose was really to understand community priorities and concerns related to the Mississippi River and to help guide neighbor neighborhood level strategies. So, I'm going to introduce Mitchell Walker

now, who is kind of in a pollinator role himself with uh multiple, pun intended, by the way, um with multiple uh garden positions uh with Tapestry Farms, Illinois Extension, and Palomarus in Molen. So, he's going to talk about the results. They're worn out.

Cool. Hi guys. Uh, I'm Mitchell. Uh, yeah, like Don said, I work for Illinois Extension, Tapestry Farms, and Palamari Social Justice Center, collectively equating to some sort of gardenish full-time job. Um, but I also serve on the Clean River Advisory Council on the Government Relations Committee. Um, new to that role. I was on the special projects and education committee before. Um but this is my first uh shindig as a member of the government relations committee so bear with me. Yeah, we did a survey last year um with almost 500 respondents. Um the slides here kind of show uh what the different questions were um and the whole spread of answers. Um and we we're trying to take these results and sort of read between the lines um with what folks said. Um, so looking at this slide here, 65% at least 65% of respondents feel a strong or very strong connection to the Mississippi River. That's great. Um, how about the 31% who don't? Um, so what projects can we look at to increase that level of connection for residents of Molen and across the Quad Cities? Um, yeah, 52% saying that they've got a personal or family memory tied to the Mississippi River. Okay. So, the other side of that is how do we get more of those memories and connections made to the river? Um, in what ways do you connect to the river was uh the the second question on there. Um, a lot of people acknowledged that it's um obviously for recreation. Um, personal memories tied to the river and visiting the reg river regularly. Um, and a not surprising degree of a responsibility for protecting the river. people seeing that as an asset in the Quad Cities and you know having a degree of ownership for the river. Um also a lot of folks acknowledge that it's our source of drinking water. Um clearly

very important um cultural and historical ties to the river as well. Um and recognizing its presence in our everyday life whether we're you know commuting to work or jumping across the river to go to the movies or whatever you know it's it's in our lives daily. Um, this is my favorite question that was on there because I feel like this can actually guide projects that can be done um, with these results. What prevents you from fully connecting with the river? I don't have enough free time is a very difficult hurdle to get over. Um, but I think that's a note of accessibility. You know, how do we make the river convenient to visit in your free time, you know, when you do have it? Um, that's talking more access points, um, different events and activities that are during the times that people have free along the river. Um, there's some other interesting ones up there, too. Um, not knowing what community events are occurring along the river. Um, lack of public facilities, parking and restrooms. Um, yeah, 40% indicate that they regularly visit the river and indicate no barriers. Okay. Conversely, what are those barriers that these other 60% are talking about? It's these um unsurprisingly, trash and litter is a very primary concern for this question. What concerns you have about the river's environment or condition? Um lack of safe water quality, potential flooding, um lack of habitats for plants and animals. Um, I do not work for the city, so I don't know exactly what solutions are feasible for this information, but that's what people are concerned about. Um, I like this slide a lot, too. How important is it to you that nearby cities and local governments work together to address problems and concerns related to the Mississippi River? Um my experience is limited but from what I have experienced a lot of

the times uh cities tend to either work in silos or within their own um subgroups on certain projects and community organizations work on their own siloed projects and subgroups. So we should bring them together and then bridge gaps across cities too working on the same initiatives. Um these next few slides all are very comparable. This this one kind of gets to the heart of it though. Um, which of the following do you believe is most important for this question was being asked for people in their neighborhoods specifically, but the results were, like I said, pretty comparable across all cities in the QC. Planting trees, restoring wetlands, building rain gardens, protecting places that flood, and making green walking or biking trails. Um, you can see this here's a breakdown by priority neighborhoods. One thing that the CER act does is identify particularly vulnerable populations along the Mississippi River corridor um and put efforts toward improving the lives of the people who live in those neighborhoods. Um Molen's most relevant one being Floriente. Um priorities listed there, building rain gardens, um protecting places that flood naturally and planting native plants. Um to those ends, proud to say as a recipient of the um Clean River Advisory Council grant, we're building a rain garden in our Floricient Garden this year. Um one of the hats that I wear is operating the floriciente community garden and we're installing a rain garden this year. We planted um a native plant garden two years ago. So those projects are alive and well. Um, this basically says the same thing that the important thing that we're hitting on here is nature-based solutions, um, storm water management, native planting, and restoring wetlands. Um, and this is what people hope to see in their neighborhoods. Um, very much echoing what we've already talked about, planting trees, building gardens, and

restoring wetlands. Um and then same thing echoed across the entire landscape of the Quad Cities. Um and this is this is the other slide that I wanted to make sure we we talked about. Open-ended responses reveal a forward-looking vision for restoration, education, and access. Um and I think my two cents on it is the education and access seem to be the the two things that people are driving home most in these survey results. Um, so what does that look like? More community river cleanup activities. Um, restoration of native plants and habitats and protected public access points the riverfront and more educational opportunities. Um, looking at those priority neighborhoods, we had most of our results coming from West End and Rock Island, Bentonorf and the Floriente neighborhood. Um, lowest number of responses coming in from downtown Davenport um and West End Davenport and East Molen. So, good job, Molen. Um, and then continued interest and engagement. We want to set up focus groups in 2026. Um, but again, this speaking on the diversity of professions we have on the Clean River Advisory Council, I think it's a really good opportunity to bring a bunch of really smart people together who are involved in this work directly and meet with city officials to get some of these projects off the ground.

Stay connected. We have a website and a QR code and bunch of other social channels that you can find our stuff on. I'm gonna hand it back over to Don to talk more about why we're important.

Yeah. So, I'm just going to wrap up. Um, you know, we've already started here in Molen. Um, as you all are well aware and very supportive of thus far, uh, solid environmental work. Um, so we've got some momentum here in Molen and you know we're seeing other active volunteer uh stewardship at Silven Island, at Peterson Park and interest is expanding to other areas. Um, this shows that there's a real community capacity to support this work. Um, through our B City USA efforts, we're advancing pollinator habitat and community education while also building staff capacity to support more sustainable uh, land management practices. We're also developing new partnerships including work with Prairie Rivers Network and the National Wildlife Foundation to pursue funding for a resiliency hub feasibility study. and CRAC plays an important role in helping connect partners, support outreach, and coordinate these efforts into a broader strategy. Um, together, these efforts can position us to scale this work through partnership, community involvement, and coordinated implementation. So, we're not starting from scratch. We already have a strong momentum and this is really an opportunity for us to continue building on what's working and continue scaling these efforts through partnerships and community engagement especially as we move to finalize and hopefully approve the environmental resiliency plan this summer. Um yeah, just exploring um aligning these efforts under a shared framework and really leaning into the public private partnerships. So we look forward to continuing this work with your support.

Thank you so much for listening. Thank you. Does anyone have questions for them at this time? Well done. All right. Thank you very much everyone. Thank you. So, we'll move next to item 7.1, which is a public hearing, text amendments to chapter 35 of the Molen Code of Ordinances. Um, so at 6:36, I hereby open this public hearing for item 7.1, text amendments, chapter 35 of the Mulling Code of Ordinances. Mr. Matias, would you please proceed?

Thank you, your honor. So, I'll go ahead and give you an overview of the two text amendments here that are the subject of the public hearing. These are both amendments to chapter 35 and they both pertain to economic development. We're trying to remove barriers for economic development. Um, as you all know, uh, the economy and housing are main pillars of our strategic plan and all of our strategic goals, not all of them, but a lot of them come out of that. So um so the first amendment that's proposed here is to uh division three of article 4 of chapter 35. Those are the public art requirements for private development. Currently uh development along certain corridors in the downtown that would be 6th Avenue, 12th Street, River Drive, and 19th Street. Development along those corridors is subject to a 1% uh public art contribution. and you can either do 1% of the project in public art or 8% as a payment in lie of effectively into the the fund. Um we've heard from multiple developers that this is uh effectively to them as a tax and it is a barrier for more development to happen. If you look in the code too, there's also some specific things that pertain to like this has to happen before a building permit or this has to happen before a uh certificate of occupancy. and I strongly recommend that we remove things like that because that's a barrier for me to get permits issued and get development to happen. Um, second, the second amendment pertains to public improvements in the ride of way. So, this would be this could be anything from a street subdivision for a excuse me, a new subdivision where a street goes in, utilities go in, could be streetscaping along in the downtown. Um, currently you're going to as the developer, you're going to provide a um a financial guarantee to us while you do that work of 110% of the cost of the work. We're not proposing to change that, but we also have a provision in here for after we accept the work, you know, after our engineers review it and they say, "That's good. We accept it."

We're now saying that they need to keep a 20% a bond valued at 20% on that for the next year as a maintenance guarantee. So, um, this is something else that Chris Parr and I talked about and what he's seen in other cities. We've reviewed this with engineering. We'd like to lower that down to 10% as well, um, to, uh, as another barrier that we've seen for economic development. So, any questions you have for me, happy to answer those, but this is a public hearing and so I just wanted to make sure you understand what we're talking about today.

Thank you. Is there any testimony from those in favor of the text amendments to chapter 35 of the Mullen Code of Ordinances? Okay. Hearing none, is there any testimony from those in opposition to the text amendments to chapter 35 of the Molen Code of Ordinances? Okay. Are there any other questions or statements? Council, yes, Mr. Schmidt.

Um, thank you for bringing forward both of these changes. I think it is good when we see the challenges that we try and help get them out of the way. um in particular the public art piece um you know that came on midstream just as I was sitting down in my seat at the council and was talked into it at the time and I think removing it is is a very very good choice. Um I do remain committed to us having public art and I fought for that in every budget when when it comes time to discuss what that number is. But I just think uh we don't need to be setting aside this tax which it is a tax in in this particular way that stops us from something we're trying to accomplish and that we can bring that from our general fund or wherever is appropriate.

Thank you all the person Timian.

Thank you your honor. I I want to echo what older person Schmidt said. I want to relate this a little bit to my work professionally. We run a team that is called an agile team. And the whole idea is that when things don't work, we adapt and we acknowledge it and there are no mistakes. Everything is an opportunity to learn. We win. We went into this funding mechanism for public arts with the best intentions and it didn't work the way we thought it would. So, I want to commend the staff for adapting and coming to a different conclusion. And this council will continue to fund public arts through budgetary means. That's my commitment that I'm I'll fight for. But I just really want to commit the sta commend the staff for adapting and and leading by example that we can we're not stuck in our ways if things don't work out.

Thank you. Any other questions or statements? Hearing none, this public hearing is closed at 6:41 p.m. And we move to presentations. 8.1, a proclamation request by or sorry, not presentations, proclamations by Darren G, Chief of Police to observe the week of May 10, 2026 as National Police Week. Do you have anything you want to say on behalf of Chief G? Uh, no. Just on behalf of come come on up. Come on, Mr. Vanheisen. Trying to avoid

if I knew I was going to speak, I would have sent Ry here. So, uh, on behalf of Chief G and the 80 plus sworn police officers, uh, we thank you for your support and the proclamation.

Okay, I'll read the proclamation. Whereas in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. And whereas established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. And whereas each day more than 700,000 police officers across our country put on their badge and go to work knowing they may face extremely dangerous situations with 97 officers giving their lives in the line of duty last year. And whereas the men and women of the Molen Police Department make difficult decisions every day to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Molen and provide a vital public service. Now therefore, I Sangeita Rayapati, mayor of Molen, do hereby call upon all citizens of Molen and upon all patriotic civic and educational organizations to observe the week of May 10th, 2026 as National Police Week. Thank you so much. Would you mind passing that? Thank you. 8.2 Two is a proclamation from the American Waterworks Association to declare May 3 through 9, 2026 as drinking water week. And this proclamation reads, "Whereas water is our most valuable natural resource. And whereas only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for our economy, and the quality of life we enjoy. And whereas any measure of a successful society are in some way related to access to safe water. And whereas we are all stewards of the water infrastructure upon which future generations depend. Now therefore I Sitha Rayapati, mayor of the city of Molen, Illinois, do hereby proclaim the week of May 3rd through 9, 2026 as drinking water week. Is Mr. Brown still

here? Laura's here. Laura Laura's here. Yes. Madame director, if you wouldn't mind coming up and receiving this on behalf of the department. Did you have anything you wanted to add? Yes, please. Yes. I want to thank the council and the mayor for this proclamation and I know our utility team really prides itself on putting all of the quality water that we are known for and I really want to put a shout out for the water treatment plant staff and our lab staff who make this happen. Thank you so much. All right. And I don't believe there are any questions on the agenda or adjustments. So we will launch into our uh committee of the whole agenda items

too late. And really I don't want to make our friends from Germany have to sit through everything. So they should feel free to go if they would like but we're happy to have you for the entire time as well.

If you need a minute to decide that's okay. Thank you, Dr. Savage, for everything you also contributed this week. Okay. 10.1. An ordinance amending chapter 31 taxation of the mulling code of ordinances by repealing section 31-7102 tax and report transmitt in its entirety and enacting in lie thereof new sections 31-7102 entitled tax and report transmitt dealing with the same subject matter Mr. Vas. Uh,

with regards to this particular change, we currently require that um there be a a payment and a reporting with regards to food and liquor tax.

Uh, that is supposed to be done consistent with the reporting to the state and they're supposed to give us a copy of what they report to the state. However, for motorized food vendors, uh they don't do as much business as your typical restaurant. And so they are typically told to report to the state every quarter or every uh year rather than every month. And so the change here is to have their reporting and their payment to us in line with what they do for the state. So, we are recommending that you pass this so that it becomes possible for motorized food vendors to comply with our ordinance because right now it kind of isn't.

Yeah. Thank you for catching that. You do. Motion to approve. Thank you. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.2. actually um can someone from staff give um the agenda to our guests? I think that would be more meaningful.

Thank you so much, Mr. Daisen. 10.2. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a licensing agreement with Phineas of Molen LLC DBA Riverhouse Bar and Grill for use of public rightway for use of the historic block courtyard for the outdoor service of alcoholic liquor and food from May 16, 2026 to October 3, 2026. Yeah, mayor and council very happy to report that you're seeing the reactivation of the historic block courtyard which has been very very quiet since the co pandemic. So, bringing it back to life, you have a new little bar that's opening up uh where the other bar was that took over the Galina uh bar short distance away, but then placing themselves front and center on the patio and looking for approval tonight. And we're recommending approval as a staff.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by MSUS. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.3. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a licensing agreement with 1522 River Drive LLC DBA Sins Tavern for use of city-owned property located at 1520 River Drive and better known as the historic Black Courtyard adjacent to the property located at 1522 River Drive to install and maintain an existing barrier fence, tables, and chairs on premises for outdoor service of alcoholic liquor and food. Mr. test. Now I'm going to say the right one in the right order. This is

Sorry, you didn't catch that. You didn't catch me. So that was actually didn't say anything. So mayor and and older persons, we are looking for approval this evening so that the new bar owners of Sin's Tavern on the historic lock courtyard can reestablish themselves. This is a a fenced in area that is already in place has been in place and this is basically giving them the opportunity to use that space which basically doubles their their uh their sales area because it's a very small small space to begin with and the prior one was so Riverhouse who's doing great business could actually start their business up again in the outdoors. So we're recommending approval of item 10.3. Motion to approve.

Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by MSUS. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.4. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to licensing agreements with Bent River Brewing Company and Three Bros Hospitality LLC DBA Poor Bros. craft tap room for use of public rightway for use of the Bass Street Landing Public Plaza to sell alcoholic liquor in conjunction with the Bass Street Landing summer concert series from May 21, 2026 through August 13, 2026. Mayor and council staff is recommending approval of the request from both of these companies uh who are well established here in Molain so that they can participate alongside others at the Bass Street Landing Summer Concert Series which will kick off uh Thursday, May 21st. Don't miss it. Opening night is always the best night. Recommending approval.

To approve second motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. A resolution declaring I'm sorry 10.5. A resolution declaring a portion of 2800 48th Avenue Molen, Illinois as surplus and authorizing the mayor to execute a warranty deed and do all things necessary to convey a portion of the above reference city owned property to the people of the state of Illinois Department of Transportation for the amount of $12,000 and authorizing the city attorney and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the city's responsibilities concerning said conveyance of property. Mr. Vas. Yes, mayor and council. These this item as well as the next item were brought to us by the Illinois Department of Transportation looking for the conveyance of property that is city-owned specifically to accommodate two very specific projects that the state is working on related to the new I74 interchange improvements which are scheduled to start I believe in 2027

later this year. Later this year. Don't say that. It's too soon. We got construction everywhere, Laura. Um hopefully it'll be mild. Um but uh both of these conveyances, item 105 and 106 will allow that actually to take place. Um the uh the state is paying us $12,000 on item 10.5 to acquire a strip of land for that purpose and it's for storm water basically as I understand it. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Schmidt. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

I. Any opposed? The motion passes. 10.6. A resolution declaring a portion of 3620 38th Avenue Molen, Illinois as surplus and authorizing the mayor to execute a warranty deed and do all things necessary to convey a portion of the above referenced city-owned property to the people of the state of Illinois. Department of Transportation for the amount of $9,600 and authorizing the city attorney and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the city's responsibilities concerning said conveyance of property. Mayor, council staff is recommending approval for the same reason as stated in the item 10.5. Motion to approve. Second motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion

hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.7 a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to an independent contractor agreement with economy roofing and ins insulating company for the Molen City Hall roof project for the amount of $265,300.

Good evening. Thank you. Um so we bid this project uh about this time last year. Um we knew that the the roofing system was at its end of useful life. um the drainage system was causing some issues interiorly um and office spaces where there would be water coming in. Um but at the same time, we're also looking at other um issues within city hall. So, we decide to delay this project um to get some of those items figured out. Um but at this time, we would like to move forward. Um Economy Roofing has honored their price. Um they continue to be the the lowest and most um responsive bidder, so we are recommending them for approval. Motion to approve. Second motion by Finch, seconded by Tumian. Discussion

hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.8. A resolution accepting a proposal from Johnson Controls for the public works heating, ventilation, and air conditioning retrofit project utilizing source contract 080824-JHN for the amount of $480,132 and authorizing assistant director of public works to execute any necessary documents and do all things necessary to implement said project.

Thank you, your honor. Um, currently the HVAC system at the public works department building has uh reached the end of its reliable and useful life. There are several components within the HVAC system that have become obsolete. So, replacing them or repairing them at this point um is not an option with what is there. So, we reached out two years ago in anticipation of this project to get pricing and we've built it into the budget. Um, and we are also utilizing a source well contract to make sure that we are getting the best pricing possible. Thank you. We are looking for approval. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion. Mr. Schmidt,

could you just walk me through? I want to make sure I understand why we're not taking it out to bid, especially on a project so large. Um we have a total maintenance contract currently with Johnson Controls and because they have honored that Sourcewell pricing which is on a joint purchase contract um we offered it to them first to be able to give us that pricing. So Sourcewell is already competitively bid, right? Thank you. That's the piece I was missing in my head. Thank you. Anything further? All right. Hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.9. A resolution declaring vehicles and non-motorized assets as shown in exhibit A, attached here two and incorporated herein by reference as surplus property and authorizing the disposal of said vehicles and non-motorized assets by the assistant director of public works through the legal disposal process that it is most advantageous to the city whether sealed bid, auction, negotiation or otherwise.

Thank you. Um, at this point, we have either placed all orders or received all orders for vehicles and equipment that were budgeted for the 2026 fiscal year. And so, it is time to send those that are at the end of their life onto their next slides. So, we are looking for approval to declare these items as surplus. Motion to approve. Um, motion by Timmy and seconded by Fent. You I do see you raising your hand so I'm not confused this time. Thank you. Oh my goodness. Um, did you catch that? It was too many. All right. Uh, anything comments, questions? Yes.

Just so I I ask this every year and I never remember the answer. What is the process by which you dispose of the vehicles? So for larger purchases, I try to obtain a tradein value beforehand and then I send it to auction to see if it's possible for us to get a better return through the auction process. Um this year we didn't really have a whole lot that was going to be um high dollar that we felt was going to be competitive through the dealers. So we'll go to auction this time. And so is the auction a third party or do we do it in house and kind of It's a third party. Okay. Thank you. Anything further hearing? None. All in favor? I Any opposed? That motion passes. Thank you.

10.10 a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a rental service agreement with Phelps Uniform Specialists Inc. for uniform and floor mat rental services for a period of five years. Mr. Schmidt, thank you. Um, so Phelps has provided us excellent service um customer service and very timely um service for these uh products. Um so at this time we are looking to extend um this agreement five more years. At that point we will reevaluate the contract to see if it's still working for the city. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.11. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a contract with Walter D. Law, Inc. for project 1515 2026 intersection reconstructions for the amount of $492,963.50.

Thank you. Um, this project is to reconstruct two intersections in town, 12th Avenue and 12th Street and 10th Street and 11th Avenue. Both of these locations were included in our 2026 CIP. We bundled them together into one contract in order to get the best possible pricing. Both will be reconstructed this summer with new concrete pavement, new sidewalks, and improved drainage systems. Motion to approve. Second motion by Finch, seconded by Rach. Comments, questions. Thank you. Very excited to see this improved. That 12th and 12th is awful. They they both need it. Yes.

Thank you. Uh if there's nothing further, all in favor? I. Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.12. A resolution accepting a quote from Tri City Electric Company for project 1531 Avenue of the Cities signal upgrades to provide labor and equipment for $69,700 and materials for five $59,600 for the total amount of $129,300 and authorizing the director of engineering to provide notice of acceptance of the quote and do any and all things necessary in order to complete this project.

Thank you. This um this project is to upgrade the traffic signals at 48th Street and Avenue of the Cities. They will install new mast arms for northbound and southbound traffic and install new pedestrian signals and what we call APS push buttons. Those push buttons that talk to you, which is uh required now through ADA rules. Um we received two quotes. Tri city electric was the lesser of the two quotes and we're asking for your approval. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Silus. Discussion hearing none. All in favor?

Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.13. A resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a construction and maintenance agreement 15th Street atgrade signals with Iowa Interstate Railroad LLC, a Delaware limited liability company for the 15th Street at Grade Signal project. Thank you. This um this agreement is necessary in order to proceed with the quiet upcoming quiet zone project which is scheduled in 2027. This is an agreement between the city and Iowa Interstate Railroad. They will install new gate arms at the 15th Street intersection. Those what we call quad gate arms, which I believe these will be the first in the Quad Cities. Y um yes,

it's those gate arms that completely block the intersection so no vehicles can go around the arms when they're down. So, it's a safety improvement um necessary to make the intersection the install the quiet zone. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Timmyian. Discussion. Yes, Mr. S. Thanks, honor. Um I would just say that if a taxpayer were looking at this item, it it looks like a heavy cost. Um, but I do think that it's going to be worth it for the safety and the quiet zone. So, thanks for bringing this. Thank you, Mr. Tim. I you mentioned I'm glad I was going to ask this. We set aside money for this years ago. Is this still coming out of that fund?

It's been carried over. Okay. Year after year. So, it's included in the 26 CIP under special CIP funds. So, this is but it's money that we set aside years ago. So it's not a new expense really. Okay. Thank you. That's that was Yeah. It's old money. Old it's eastern. Yeah. Okay. It's old money. Carry over. It's a carryover fund technically is what we've had it restricted for this project. Oh, also a lot of the quiet zone stuff has been in all of our budgeting for quite some time, right? And we've tried to find grants and all of that. just to answer, you know, a little more context.

Okay. Thank you. If there's nothing further, all in favor? Any opposed? The motion passes. 10.14, an ordinance amending chapter 22 offenses miscellaneous of the moling code of ordinances, section 22-105, tobacco products, tobacco accessories, smoking herbs, and alternative nicotine products by increasing the number of class B incidental tobacco dealers licenses in the city of Molen at the request of Rosy's Watering Hole, Inc., DBA Ros's watering hole. Mr. Atkins,

uh, this particular, uh, request is similar to one that you had previously. It's another, uh, machine selling vapes in a bar. Uh, basically, it is, uh, already in a location where those under 21 shouldn't be able to get to it. But it also these machines have um technology in order to require a uh an ID of some kind that demonstrates that you are uh old enough to to buy. So there's a double protection and we are recommending approval. Thank you to approve. Motion by Finch. Is there a second? Second. Second by Schmidt. Discussion. Yeah.

Go ahead, Mr. Silence. Thanks, honor. Um since the uh the requesters in a ward one I I feel a need to say uh I would entertain a larger policy discussion maybe about increasing our cap for class B incidental tobacco dealers licenses but I don't want to approach it kind of ad hoc and by request. So I am inclined to vote against Mr. Mas.

Thank you. So this vending machine company is probably going to hit up more and more bars right? I I would fully expect that there will be more of these coming. Yes. Okay. And it is the the vending machine company is not the one that we are granting the license to. The the particular location where the vending machine goes in will be the responsible party. um whatever their uh contract is with the vending machine company, it is the actual owner of that location or the tenant of that location at least who will be the one that is a responsible lency.

And just as a followup, so this is kind of like the modern-day cigarette machine u that will set at the bars. Um don't we have some uh taverns that sell food that we do have they parents can bring their kids? um if if you're talking about being able to get in at a certain point of of time, if you're um certain classifications until 9:00, u you can have individuals who are under 21 in there. So far, uh the ones that we have had requesting this, I don't believe serve food. I cannot recall with this one. Does this

so if they're if they do not have food then typically uh that's treated as a prohib prohibition 24 hours. They they you can't have anyone in there under 21 period. Okay. Well, just for I I guess my my question is like if we do get those what's the process? Um is it a case by case basis? I imagine we're going to see these more and more as more of Barts get wind up another revenue of uh income

and part of part of u we had to look at these very carefully because our ordinance is not as robust as I would like it to be in its explanations. Um it is clear that the the information given to us about how these machines function that it should be uh if the machine works properly impossible for anyone who is not of the proper age to to obtain vapes from this machine. if they had someone uh giving them a license to use perhaps,

but it should be impossible to simply uh you can't just walk in and tell someone you're 21 uh and get by with that with this type of a technology. Miss Castro, how um I understand that these are, you know, there's a company that's how are we making sure that they're doing and selling what they are supposed to be? I mean, is there any kind of oversight from the city? Is that part of like a liquor commissioners's um role? How are we making sure that they are in compliance? I I'm not I'm not sure that I can answer that. Um I can tell you from the liquor commissioner.

I I understand your concern. I can only give you the information that that I have from the application and I'm I'm just not sure of the answer to that. I don't go in and check on what they're selling. You know, that's that's an enforcement issue. And as we know, not all of our code is as enforceable as it might be or could be. Of course, that takes staff time as well. They do if there's a complaint. We have had staff go and check on particular license holders to see that they're complying. So, that sort of after the fact. But I I wanted to respond and I did see your hand, Mr. McNeel. But um as I mentioned in my email to you all, I think and what you point to as a broader conversation that we should ask staff, I as liquor commissioner will probably very directly be asking staff to see what else we can do because this same situation of as I mentioned down the street, you know, they want to sell alcohol in a mostly tobacco shop. I think it's a

maybe a B shop. um uh or license. And in when I first took office, we had a liquor we had one class of liquor license that were complaining that their business was getting impacted because another class of in the similar class was right next door and was taking their business. And so I can imagine these two just in in this situation are on the same street and you could walk down the street to get a vape at that shop as opposed to buy it right there when you're at the bar. I I'm just saying that I've entertained these conversations with license holders previously who didn't want to see their business cut into. Um, and that might be another broader level conversation that we have to have before we find ourselves just like willy-nilly, you know, approving different licenses and then certain license holders are very upset because their business is impacted

and and I would gladly work with with all of you on crafting uh, like I said, a more robust ordinance. What we have they're meeting our requirements, frankly. Uh that's that's why I'm recommending approval, but that's not to say that you there isn't a way that you could change this to uh take care of any any problems that you perceive. Okay. I I did see your hand and then your hand. So Mr. Rosak, please Mr. This would not uh go over our caps, right? Caps is the same. The gap we have that is same

but it will facilitate uh the businessman to sell more. Is that my understanding? They don't they don't have it right now. So it's not selling more. They just want to be able to sell it in house. Yeah. So if they if they sell it through the banding machine that that will facilitate them to sell more of to the No, it's they don't it it currently does not exist in that business. They want to add it to the business. More is relative. How many people come in the bar that's how it turn you know that it's it's not there's no direct relationship. Sorry,

Mr. McNeel.

Um, so I I know that we've discussed trying to avoid a cluster of these licenses and um my concern comes back more to the class C licenses which kind of I consider the wild west of products. Um, a lot of which we don't fully understand yet. Um, I think is now illegal in Iowa. Um, but Delta 8 just the language in the business plan says products not contemplated for sale and in that I I'm glad they have a list of these products that they're not contemplating for sale, but you know, I would like something in place to ensure I'm less concerned about a new style cigarette machine than I would be if it included these other products. Anything further, Mr. Tamian, and then Mr. Schmidt?

Thank you, your honor. I'm hoping we can get everyone to comment tonight. That would be But um I so many funny things to say about, you know, me buying cigarettes from vending machines as a teenager uh at the uninforcable uh vending machine in the back of the bowling alley, you know, or the doughnut shop that gave them to me anyway, you know, there. And people do steal IDs from older siblings. And so I mean like the eight this is not new. My concern is this is a new form and I as we were discussing this thought maybe we should have a new classification of tobacco license just for vending machines because a proliferation of vending machines is different than a proliferation of smoke shops. However, they are different enough and distinct enough that I think it should warrant discussion and and I don't know if that's wise or not. But I do feel this is an easy venue to start selling vape products because now they don't have to specialize. They don't have to stock it. The company does it all for it. They just set up a machine. And if we're lowering the barrier for entering this market, we have to be very cautious about saturation. And instead of looking at a map and seeing this, because there's Walgreens right there, too, you know, I mean, there there's a lot. I I would like to take a step back and say, should this be a different classification of license that we can decide if we want or not? I don't know.

Well, you always have the option to table. Yeah. Mr. Schmidt and sorry, and then Mr. V.

Sure. I think as we look at these machines and I think equating it to just a new type of a cigarette machine and of course there are ways around it although I think these machines are way more secure than the ones that had been in place in the past. I mean just the technology makes it a little different. I also think when we think about that enforcement, I mean it's no more enforceable than in any existing place besides um occasionally you know when the police does we get grants specifically for tobacco enforcement go around and I would not try to direct the staff but I'd love to see that we included these in some of our investigation in that. Um, you know, to my mind, the biggest question about when we think of these business classes and where they go is if it's going to change the nature of what's in the location, change kind of how you would think of that space, right? Is it going to to cause an impact? And to me, allowing tobacco products to be sold in a bar does not change the nature of the establishment at all. And to as a counterpoint to, you know, maybe they'd have to leave if we don't allow these machines. they might drive somewhere to get smokes and come back to the bar. Um, so I just I don't think that's nearly as as straight a line and and for to my mind it it has to do with that overall impact. So I intend to support though I welcome a larger conversation. Um, but I would hate to say we approve the last one and turn around and deny this one kind of arbitrarily.

Mr. Vas and then M. Castro.

Sure. Um, I would en encourage council to let staff take a close look at this. I think the city attorney is correct. Uh, state of Illinois has very, very strict legal requirements regulating vape vending machines. You can pull it up online on your computer simply by typing vape vending machines in Illinois. And you'll see they talk about all of the subjects that you're talking about right now in terms of their placement, in terms of their monitoring, in terms of what's required of the license holder, what's required of anybody involved or engaged in the practice or the business. It's all there. So, it's not like we have to invent the wheel. It becomes much more of a policy matter. Do you want to regulate the number as we do with liquor licenses or with tobacco licenses? I think that's really a bigger issue and we know how you address that very conservatively at this moment. But this is not a place that could never be placed where there's food being sold. That is in the law. It cannot go where a minor is going to be. It must be strictly 21 and over facility. No exceptions to those rules. So I would like to have Bill take the time to look at this very carefully and then bring something back.

Okay. Anything further from the council? Anybody? Oh, yeah. Anna, I'm sorry. Oh, you have my You don't have anything? No, I'm just Okay. So, the motion is on the floor. You're either going to vote for it or against it or you can choose to table. Okay. Hearing nothing. All in favor? I I nay. I didn't ask for nays yet. I'm glad you're passionate about your vote. I'm going to have to do a roll call vote for this so we get it right. Roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt. I. Silus. Nay. MSAS. I. Rosac. Nay. Timmyian. Nay. Finch. I.

McNeel. I. Castro. I. Eyes. And three. It passes five to three. All right. Uh but I think staff has heard clearly that we need a better policy around this and not be caught flatfooted at so to speak uh as we were with previous licenses that we had to gain control over. Yes, Mr. Ms. and maybe you can share the knowing um what Bob even in advance of whatever we prepare for you. at least

the provisions that we have with regards to um machines dispensing vapes or or tobacco. Uh they seem to be very old requirements and there certainly is a lot that we could do to to make it better. Um it's just that it wasn't something that was on my radar until we had people start applying uh for these.

Thank you. All right. 10.15. A resolution approving the special event application for the Quad City's distance classic half marathon and 5K run event scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026 that is sponsored by the Cornbelt Running Club and authorizing a grant to the Cornbelt Running Club for the amount of $1,000 from the special events fund for event marketing efforts and closing certain streets more particularly described herein to vehicular traffic and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a licensing agreement with Cornbelt Running Club for the use of public rightway in conjunction a set event. Mr. Vidas,

mayor and council count staff is highly recommending approval of this annual event that is held here in the uh city of Main. And this item needs to appear as well because of timing of tonight's meeting in relationship to the date of the race. So it will appear as an item on non-consent. So we're recommending approval. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by MSAS. Discussion

hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.16, a resolution authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and sta city staff to apply for an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency public water supply energy efficiency grant program round two for the addition of variable frequency drives on pumps at the water treatment plant and authorizing director of utilities to do all things necessary to submit the subsequent grant application currently available through the EPA PWS grant program. Miss Williamson. Yes.

Staff is requesting the approval to submit a grant for the water treatment plant. This will help us with continued energy efficiency at the plant. We have five pumps total. Two of them do not have these variable frequency drives on them by submitting this grant application. If we are awarded that will help us to actually look at reducing our utility costs at the treatment plant. The project cost is estimated to be $190,000. Um, the funding request is 171 from this 171,000, excuse me, from the state. We would provide a 10% match of 19,000. We do need to submit the grant by May 4th, which is why staff is requesting to have this also considered at the city council. This is part of an assessment that we did back in 2023 that was looking at energy efficiency at the water treatment plant.

Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Um just that was Finch followed by MSAS. Thank you. Um discussion. Yes, Mr. Silus. Thank you. I just want to commend staff for going after grants like this. This is good planning and a good idea. So I just want to thank you. Thank you. I'll let Thank you.

Anything further? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? That motion passes. 10.7 A resolution declaring the property located at 2002 to 202 20th Street Molen uh and the identified portions of easterly adjacent parcels 0832206006 um 083226004 and 08322 05006 Molen Illinois as surplus and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a purchase and sale agreement and do all things necessary to convey the above referenced city-owned property to 321 Partners LLC and authorizing the city attorney and staff to do all things necessary to complete each of the city's responsibilities and enforce each of the city's expected benefits as referred to in such agreement. Mr. Park,

thank you honor. Um, city issued a request for proposals for redevelopment of 200 to 2220th street. Uh, specifying the rehabilitation of the 200 building and received two proposals from qualified firms, evaluated, interviewed, and ranked those firms based on the requirements of the RFP. Uh staff recommends proposal from 321 Partners LLC with a purchase price of 350,000 and a proposed rehabilitation of the building and site into mixeduse development with projected 27 residential units and approximately 10,000 ft of ground floor commercial to contain restaurant retail space. Project will utilize the incentives available through the recently approved river entry development zone. So this is uh that approval in in action uh for being attractive specifically the set aside of the historic tax credits that with the river department uh development will commence upon approval of the historic tax credits right now is targeted for late 2026 and early7 staff recommends approval of the PSA with 321 apartments.

Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by MSAS. discussion. Mr. Msia, at what point uh do they have a very specific plan of everything that's going in and uh just a very specific plan of everything that's going in?

Yeah. So, um they have their their concepts. They basically have their model. So, it's three floors of residential, 27 units. So, it's nine units per floor, ground floor commercial, 1500 square feet of patio. Uh they're doing the financing with that based on River's Edge. uh they have equity um it's using TIFF 13. So it is in TIFF 13 uh which expires 2039. So they have the balance of TIFF which is uh more advantageous than the River Edge redevelopment property tax period. Um but they're so they'll launch into design approval of this. They'll go spend spend money and launch straight into design. They need to get in uh for the long haul of the approval of the historic tax credits. Again the good news is it's a set aside because further edge they won't have to compete. So it will go as fast as it can but that still takes time. Uh they have a consultant that they've used before for tax credit sorry tax credit consultant uh that they've engaged. So is that

Yeah. And then it'll follow the PMT process. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So half the council will see plans a little bit ahead of time etc. Give feedback and and that's also public. So Okay. Thank you. Uh yes Mr. McNeil. So, in thinking about our housing goals, do we project that there'll be market rate apartments? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Anything further from the council? Oh, yes, Mr. Timmy.

Is there any and maybe maybe you can't answer this. Is there any commercial demand already for this spot? Uh, I mean, everyone I know wants to work like set their business up there knowing it's a it's a huge project, but it's such a great location. So, um, of course, my answer would be yes, but you can't say who you're talking.

So, but here here's what's true about that. We are uh very specifically not uh approaching this as a land banking opportunity. That is not what this building is about. We've had too many years of it being there. So this is truly an early adopter conversation. So this is urban pioneer um on display uh urban pioneer activity on display that will be with the uh the commercial as well. So there is interest um but we're looking at the site so that it is self-contained uh and it self parks on day one. So this will be a rehab uh building uh with a site that serves parks. Um so that's why dialing in at this number of units and the projection for the activated commercial car

and that that works it to do it that way self-contained as you said because all of our other riverfront development it will happen around it and it won't be a problem. It that is the those are the rules that go now that will not we're not saying that that's going to be easy. We're not saying that's there's not going to be dust. We're not saying we're going to have to adjust the traffic pattern to get to the site um every few months as development occurs. Mr. Timmy, then Mr. Rosac, uh two questions, couches. One, um I I want to make sure we retain parking for the riverhead uh the the trail head.

And second, can you speak about parking concepts as it pertains to minimum parking for minimum parking requirements for the residential? So technically our minimum parking is zero. Zero is what's required. That's what you're Well, because it's in this this um zone. You're right. But uh lenders investors reality does not probably lend itself to zero. Are you are you suggesting that despite no requirements people still have parking? Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Probably one probably one to one. Okay. One to one. Okay. And then but parking for the trail head will that be

Yeah, that's a that's a great piece. So right now we have uh that easterly edge available for park the trail head parking could probably happen in two spots. We just have to get further down the road with the site plan and we're also going to be gauging uh I do um just with some boundary management as we reservey. Okay, Mr. Ros, your honor, nothing as such. I just want to thank Gri from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful job. Yeah, I think the public will love to see it not look as bad as it does, Mr. Sh.

Yeah. And I I think the our conversations and curiosities I am uh glad to see that there were two people interested in bidding on it because that shows to me that I think that is more likely to be successful and that's that's a good blessing there. I'd also like to mark down today as a day when Alderman Tibian asked for more parking. Oh boy. All right. With that said oh you have another question. I didn't ask for more part, but anyway. Um is is it viable for us to put a sign up that says coming soon? Yeah. Or or just like coming down soon

projected uh you know just something because obviously we have planning there's blueprints there's a lot of red tape but we can communicate this and social media is not adequate but drive by. Do we also have a plan for the artwork possibility part of the discussion? So that needs to be in Thank you. I really I I from the bottom of my heart, I love that phrase. I love the style that it's in. I think we could be really really creative about public art if we're allowed to keep that. I know there was a partnership with Renew Molen through that, but I I don't want to see that go away. That's just dollars down the drain. So

yeah, and they've already talked about uh repurposing in a in a way during the during that construction. So it's kind of the completion of the possibility. So there's an interesting thought. We'll bring it forward. Okay. Thank you. Uh if there's nothing further, all in favor? Any any opposed?

That motion passes. 10.18. A resolution approving a professional services independent contractor agreement with Planetaria Media, Inc. in response to the city of Molen website and branding request for proposal to provide economic development branding and website services and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a professional services independent contractor agreement with Planetaria Media uh for the amount of $48,750 for professional services necessary to support economic development, branding, and website development plus annual managed maintenance and hosting services not to exceed $8,000 per year and authorizing city staff to do all things necessary to implement a professional services independent contractor agreement and advance the economic development branding and website development process.

Mr. Yes. Uh on this item I will be recusing myself. Uh this is the field in which I work in which my firm could be competitive. So I will be recusing myself. Thank you.

Thank you your honor. uh city issued an RFP uh for branding website services to support economic development initiatives. 14 firms responded. Staff evaluated, ranked and interviewed those firms and then shortlisted uh two firms. Planetary Media was deemed the highest ranked responsive firm based on requirements of the RFP. Uh staff recommends entering into a professional service independent contractor agreement with Planetary Media in the amount of 48,750 to complete the branding and website development scopes of work. Uh this res resolution also requests approval of additional administration uh administration and hosting cost not to exceed 8,000 annually. Um with this proposal standard maintenance and hosting is currently projected to be 3,250 a year. Um which we think that is where it will land on an annual ongoing basis. Um first year may have some additional hourly hourly work. So that 8,000 allows that to gives us some ceiling room there.

Is there a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. discussion. Mr. Silence, thank you. Is this intended to be more like a tool for economic development or more like a advertising for what's happening for the public?

Yeah, great question. So, um, as you'll find is, uh, uh, municipalities, many municipalities as they're active, there's growth, there's development activity, again, just as like we were talking about here, communication, um, being able to put our projects out there, um, uh, be able to, uh, convey what's happening, what the incentives are, what the tools are. uh development successes so it doesn't just pop up on social media and disappear. Um but it's a way for us to communicate what's coming, what the opportunities are, what the successes are and then also bring in from small businesses to development. So this is truly uh take it's not to be different. It's to be a cousin uh to our current website. Obviously we every city needs their technical compliant municipal website. This is not to replace that. Even the branding component is going to be highly it's highly intertwined. There's going to be a lot of I think we're going to have a lot of discussion on that,

but it's to convey not something completely different. It's to compl to convey that there is this activity by the city of Molina that gives a corral to put it in and be a great communication tool for. Excellent. Thanks. I think there's already been established some good interest and so much information that I'm like, when is this happening? We need to have it so we can keep referring people to it. Any other comments? No, just note if if done right. Sorry. This is something hopefully we can all point to. This is that tool we've all been asking. Great. Nothing further. All in favor? I.

That motion pass. Oh, sorry. Any any opposed? That motion passes. All right. We'll call our regular council meeting to order. And I do want to assure our guests this portion is a lot faster. So, we'll be done shortly. I believe council call to order a pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Is there an invocation this evening? Mr. Schmidt? No. Okay. Roll call, please. Aler person, Silus, present. MSAS, present. Razak, present. Timmyian,

present. Bench, present. McNeel, present. Castro present. Schmidt present. All right. Uh there's no remote electronic attendance. Any final chance for public comment this evening? I do have one to read that I received before 5:00. It was 5:33. This doesn't comply. It doesn't. You're right. Then we'll do it next time.

Thank you. Um so we move to 17 consent agenda. Your honor, I request the approval of committee of the whole and council meeting minutes of April 7, 2026. Committee of the whole meeting minutes of April 14, 2026. Appointments made at committee of the whole on April 28, 2026. And consent agenda items 18.1 through 19.12 inclusively. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Rzach. Roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt. I. Silus. Hi. MS. I. Razak. I. Timian. Hi. Finch. I McNeel I Castro Hi.

Eight eyes and no Naz. That motion carries. Non-consent agenda resolutions. Item number 21.1, a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to attest to execute and attest to a memorandum of understanding between the city of Molen, Illinois, USA, and the city of Osbach, Germany, to establish and affirm a sister city relationship between the cities promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and international friendship. Motion to approve. There we go. Motion by Schmidt I first and Mr. Timian is seconded. Uh discussion hearing none. Roll call please. Aler person Schmidt. Hi. Silas. Hi. MSAS. Hi. Ros. Hi. Timmyian. Hi Finch. Hi.

McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi. Eight eyes. No nays. That motion carries. Item number 21.2 Two, a resolution approving the special event application for the Quad City's distance classic half marathon and 5K run event scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026 that is sponsored by the Cornbelt Running Club and authorizing a grant to the Cornbelt Running Club for the amount of $1,000 from the special events fund for event marketing efforts and closing certain streets more particularly described here into vehicular traffic and authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute and attest to a licensing agreement with Cornbelt Running Club for the use of public rideway in conjunction with said Motion to approve. Second.

Motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Um, roll call, please. Sorry. Discussion. What the heck? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt. Hi. Silus. Hi. MSAS. Hi. Rosac. Hi. Timmyian. Hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel. Hi. Castro. Hi.

Eight eyes. No nazs. And that motion carries. Item number 21.3, a resolution authorizing the mayor, city clerk, and city staff to apply for an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency public water supply energy efficiency grant program. Round two for the addition of variable frequency drives on pumps at the water treatment plant and authorizing the director of utilities to do all things necessary to submit the subsequent grant application currently available through the PWS grant program. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Finch, seconded by Silus. Discussion hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt, I. Silus, hi. MSAS, hi. Razak, I. Timmyian, hi. Finch. Hi. McNeel, I. Castro,

I. Eight eyes, no nays. And that motion carries. Non-consent agenda. First reading ordinances. Item number 22.1, an ordinance approving a preliminary/final development plan for a planned unit development site and resoning from NC neighborhood center to NCPUD neighborhood center planned unit development. an approximately 1.25 acre tract of land commonly known as 27012715 Avenue of the Cities pins 17-04-415-001 17-4-415-002 and 17-04-415-003 motion to approve measure of integrity

second try to do it fast that was miss followed by Finch I mean Timian. Thank you, your honor. We do look alike. All right. Discussion hearing. I just I'm super excited about this. Yeah. It's so great. Been waiting my life. It's wonderful. Your whole life. All right. Um if there's nothing further, roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt. Hi. Silus. Hi. Mas. Hi. Razak. Hi. Timmyian. Hi. Bench. I McNeel. Hi, Castro. Hi.

Eight eyes, no nays. Motion to advance to second reading carries. Item number 22.2, an ordinance amending chapter 20, motor vehicles and traffic of the mulling code of ordinances, appendix 5 thereof, allway stop intersections by adding the intersection of 54th Street and 11th Avenue C. Motion to advance the second reading. Second motion by Finch, seconded by Castro. Discussion hearing none. Roll call, please. Alder person Schmidt. Hi. Silus. Hi. MSAS. I Rosach. Hi, Timmyian. Hi, Finch. I McNeel. Hi, Castro. Hi. Eight eyes, no nays. Motion to advance to second reading carries. And that's all I have this evening.

Thank you. We're to miscellaneous business. I once again thank all of you all for joining us this this week and for sitting through our meeting to see what we had to discuss. Um the other items I want to share is I have been receiving information and the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance has reached out about the loss of um 100 or so jobs at the Arsenal um trying to gain in more information about the impact of that. The the the Riata Alliance is trying to do that. So I know we had some staff sit in on that when I couldn't. Um there's an additional meeting this Thursday that is exact at the exact same time as the first big regional conversation about a permanent homeless shelter um that Richard Brunk at the county is organizing. So we're going to have to work with staff to split up. Um, I'll be for sure be at the um shelter conversation and staff is also um going to represent us uh KJ and Chris at the um the homelessness conversation that's happening sponsored by the chamber and the community foundation. Um I continue to reiterate my preference for small solutions on our side of the river. I am not anti- regional solutions, but as someone pointed out to me, uh, regional solutions, saying that everybody should do it sometimes is saying that you don't want to do it. And I think we've proven our track record of taking on the challenge. And I don't feel that we should stop doing that. Um, and so we should just continue to work with the partners that we do have. Um, while taking in new information that that Chris is going to bring back, Chris and KJ. So happy to hear all of it, but I wanted you to know that the the perspective I'm taking into our conversations is we know we can do stuff

on this side of the river. We need to get that done. Um that's all I have. Do you have anything? Um I've had some questions here being new and my residents have had some questions. I just wanted to thank staff for being so responsive and welcoming during this first few weeks here. So thanks. Thank you, Mr. Ms.

Thank you, your honor. Uh I actually will be at the regional um momentum building event the foundation tomorrow. Uh I'll be with my capacity for my work working at the credit union which is an idea of credit unions that were born in Germany and went to Canada and eventually here. So thanks to our friends in Germany. It's uh influenced the whole industry. Uh but it just goes to show that uh that's what led me to serve also in council. uh just the idea of uh not just for-profit business but also you can do good in in the community. So uh I I'll be there and but again I just want to say uh thank you for visiting us. Thank you for extending um you know the invitation for us to uh basically uh become friends. So now you have friends in Molen and I can say we have friends in Germany. So uh again thank you for being here

Mr. Rosa. Thank you your honor. I feel very happy today for two things. Once after a long time we were unable to enact the contract with our counter for Germany and second thing and importantly building to 200. Yes. Thank you Mr. Tian.

Thank you your honor. I have two items. Um one is I was able to represent the city for the Arbor Day tree planting at the high school last week. This is the second time I've done it. Uh it's always a great event when the high school was great because there were um members of the green club that were there and they were thrilled about it and the kids were grabbing the shovels and digging the holes and it was it was really great to see them. Um the second item is I I was invited by the one of the pastors of River City Church, which is the large round church off of 6th Avenue. uh where by Riverside Park and um we talked about the church and the number of jobs that are there and the private school which they run and uh just the amount of investment they put into the grounds. And then he walked me around and showed me the sidewalks that are some of the worst I've seen. uh a house that was burned down and someone bought through the county. But there are a number of abandoned homes and or empty lots and pretty pretty bad roads and sidewalks in that area. He was leveraging to me that if the city would do our our part, they would invest more. I I'm not going to do a tit fortat conversation. I think that it's really our obligation to do that. Um, I I I walked away with questions about how can we partner with with any organization, religious or not, that want to host events and the city can do it. They have a lot of parking lots there. There's a lot of space for Touch a Truck or, you know, any of these things and it could be a good opportunity to get people in these different areas throughout the city. Uh, so I I don't really have any big takeaways other than, you know, and I was asking why don't you

build a house there? And he said that the houses in that neighborhood are they sell for $70,000. So he couldn't sell a $150,000 house. I disagree with that, but it the a lot of these things are just connected and I I just feel like it would be interesting to start exploring opportunities that could benefit faith communities and the city at the same time. So

that thanks for bringing that up. I if Ashley was in here, she has the date for when the next faith leader summit is. It I I think I asked her to put it in May. Um, but the topic was going to be more focused on youth services, but that doesn't mean there can't be an one that's focused on sort of neighborhood vitality and revitalization, which Thank you. So, thank you for bringing that up. Do you have any other points? Just I No.

Okay. Well, you're reminding me that this is the first meeting we've had since uh staff and I went to the Just City final um session at Harvard. and exactly what you're talking about with activating spaces in some of our neighborhoods that don't have a lot of amenities. That was one of the main takeaways from our presentation is that we have to start small and I was so pleased to have the example of Marcato on Fifth that started small and look what it grew into, right? And that's so that was like the biggest the biggest takeaway is that that's what we need to do in the East End and your location you're talking about is the beginning of the East End. Not too far away. Not too far away. So, thank you for that. Spending your own.

I think your honor, Castro, Mr. Schmidt, just thank you to our guests for being here. It's been a great pleasure to meet you and uh really appreciative of of your presence. That's it. Seth,

happy to just jump in and again congratulate this council and the city council from Obach in forming this long awaited sister city relationship that was just a phone call a year ago, almost less than a year ago, and turned into a meaningful relationship establishing new new new uh friendships across the seas from continent to continent. Um, this is the beginning of what should be a a long and lasting relationship that's meaningful uh that generates, you know, exchange between our two cities and uh I couldn't be happier knowing that you invited us next year. We plan on budgeting for it and being there.

Thank you. Any other course it has to be adopted in the budget. Yeah, we all have to vote for it. I'm never going to second guess council's vote. Any other staff with updates? Okay, hearing none, we move to the last time for public comment. Um, if you didn't quite hear, there was a late submission and just to follow the rules, I will we'll make sure it's read um at the next council meeting. No executive session, correct? Not this evening. Thank you. So, I need a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion by Castro, seconded by Finch. All in favor? Any opposed? We are journed.