City Council - Regular Meeting

Hello.

Good evening. We'll call this meeting to order at 5:45. Roll call, please. Alder person Evans, yes. Hurt here. Barnes, here. Swanson, here. Parker, here. Pulis, here. Key and Mayor Harris, present. Would everyone please stand for the pledge of allegiance and please remain standing for a moment of silence? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to theublic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Thank you. Uh before we begin, clarify, please. Uh, Alderman Healey gave notice that he would not be physically present for the meeting tonight due to illness and made a request to participate remotely under 5CS120-7 attendance by means other than physical presence. Do I have a motion to allow Alderman Healey to participate in the council meeting remotely? Move to allow. Second. It's been a first and a second. All in All in favor? All opposed? Motion carries. Thank you all. Okay. You're welcome. Uh, agenda item five. Vote to approve the agenda.

Move to approve the agenda. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

Yes. Um, I would like to go ahead and pull agenda items 17 A through D. As not all of the applicants have been called and interviewed for the appointments, the communication was not had with the department heads regarding specific needs of the organizations or the boards. Communication was not held with all the persons regarding the appointments. Procedures were not followed. We asked citizens to apply and then we didn't give them the courtesy or the respect of an interview or a call to let them know that they were or were not selected. I think the selection process needs to be restarted with the appropriate communication done.

I'll second the motion. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? So, does it apply to all the appointments? all the appointments.

I I I do know with um certain boards and commissions with the amount of applicants that we would have coming in to call to contact everyone to tell them whether they made it or didn't made it make it. That wouldn't that wouldn't necessarily be, you know, feasible for that wouldn't be that wouldn't be a sustainable process. Also, I thought, just for point of order, I thought that the mayor had the ability to make those appointments unless it went beyond 30 days. Those appointments have still need to be approved by the council. And I would probably agree with Alderwoman Swanson. And in my opinion, um, a candidate, even though they supplied a an application, I still think just like any interview process, that usually would include like an oral conversation as well, uh, maybe an oral interview at some point. So, I would probably agree to that point. Just to respond to what he just said, I still believe that it still should have came up before a vote due to the fact that the mayor did do his due diligence to have those conversations that if they choose to vote it down, so be it. Yes.

But the reality is it should come up for a vote.

Those conversations were not held with all applicants as I got a call from one on Friday and had to tell them that their name was not on the agenda. They informed me they were never called and I do not feel it is my responsibility to tell someone that they were not selected for a committee finding out they were not called and then apologize profusely for the discourtesy and the rudeness that they were shown by that. And so I am asking for it to be pulled so that the proper communication can be held with all of the applicants and with the department heads because in cases of boards, you have certain requirements and skill sets that are needed for a fine and good governing board. And you cannot just arbitrarily put anybody on it without finding out what skill sets are needed to go ahead and have a well-rounded board because the boards do governing, they set policy, they set direction. Oftent times they are involved in hiring and firing and they are involved in budget setting. So it's not as simple as putting a body on a board. It needs to be done in communication with those who are applying and also with the director and the the in all honesty the executive committee of the boards to make sure that the boards stay functioning

and I also respect what you're saying alderman. Um but the thing is is I still see that the mayor has the right to check to see who he wants on those based on the applicants that are applied. I don't think he should have to respond to everyone that applied or didn't apply whether they got it or didn't get it. Um, and if there was an issue once those names was turned in, it still comes to him and then to us. And so to deny him the ability to pass what his recommendations are at this time, I'm in disagreement. Absolutely.

Okay. So to clarify the motion that's before us is to amend the agenda to remove the appointments that the appointment the appointment appoints portion of the agenda. That's correct. And then after we approve or disapprove the amendment then we vote on the motion to approve the agenda. That's correct.

I would uh I would like the council to to vote on the agenda. I mean, if if if they are in disagreement or or if they don't have confident in in an appointment, you know, it's their privilege. It's their right to vote it down if they so choose. And I would like to just for them to vote for it or vote it down so we can move forward. My issue is not with any of the people listed for appointment. My issue is with the process and the procedure that was not followed.

Still, once again, I still believe that the procedure was done to the best of the ability of the mayor and he should have a right to pass his recommendations. If if you know if if we got even I'm not even going to throw an astronomical number out there like a 100 but even if we got 25 applicants uh depending on the number of appointments you know 23 people that would that would be you know too much to contact 23 people. Um that is not my only role and responsibility. you know, I'm working this city here and as far as calling those people back, uh, the mayor office as far as manpower for that, it's very small. So, uh, I do contact everyone that's been appointed. Um, I do contact people, um, um, who have the potential of being on the board, but contacting everyone who who who didn't who who didn't get the appointment, that's just not practical.

I'd like to make a motion to call the question. Can I get a second from anyone? Second. So what are we doing? Roll call. So we need a twothirds vote for call to question. So it's a roll call. It just means we and we finish discussion and then vote. Okay. That's what calling a question means. Sure. Roll call, please. Pulis. Yes. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I Swanson I Parker I

Okay. Now we immediately move to the pending motion which is the motion to amend the agenda and remove items was it 17 17 A through D A through E. Okay. Okay. Roll call, please. Alder personis. Yes. Healey. I. Evans. No. Hurt. I Barnes I Swanson I and Parker I Okay, now we're going back to the underlying motion to approve the agenda which would be items um 1 through 16. Is that right? Yes.

Do we need a motion? So now we now now we move to the underlying motion to approve the amended agenda with the removal of uh item 17. Motion to approve the amended agenda. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. I agenda item six, a proclamation declaring April is community development month.

All right, I got it right here. Yeah, there we go. All right. Proclamation. Whereas the week of April 6th through the 10th, 2026 has been designated as National Community Development Week by the National Community Development Association to celebrate the community development block grant CDBG program. Whereas the CDBG program is celebrating 52 years of providing local governments with the resources required to meet the needs of persons of low and moderate income. and the CDBG funds are used by thousands of neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations throughout the nation to address pressing neighborhood and and human service needs. And whereas the CDBG program provides annual funding and flexibility to local communities to offer decent, safe, and sanitary housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities to low and moderate income people. And whereas over the past 5 years, the city of Rock Island has received over 5 million in CDBG funds, which was used to fund a variety of activities and projects that have directly benefit our citizens and neighborhoods. And whereas the city of Rock Island remains committed to leveraging federal resources through the CDBG programs to build more prosperous futures for all residents. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Ashley Harris, mayor of the city of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim the month of April as community development month in the city of Rock Island dated this 13th day of April, 2026. Thank you.

B. A proclamation declaring April 19th through 20 25 2026 as National Library Week.

Pro proclamation. Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn to new possibilities. Whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive. Whereas libraries partners with schools, businesses, and organizations, connecting the dots to maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthening the entire community. Whereas libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by providing access to resources, training, and opportunities that support career growth and economic success. Whereas libraries nurture young minds through story time, steam programs and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Whereas libraries protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing as champions of intellectual freedom and free expression. Whereas dedicated librarians and library workers provide welcoming space that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Mayor Ashley Harris, proclaim April 19th through the 25th of 2026 as National Library Week in the city of Rock Island. During this week, I encourage all residents to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways that the library draws us together as a community. Dated this 13th day of April, 2026. Thank you.

It's clear as Okay. Um, it's honestly never been more important in in society uh to support your public library as well as your school libraries. We're we're under fire right now and it's it's a scary time to be a librarian, but we are on the the forefront of making sure that your freedoms um to read, your intellectual freedoms, everything is still available to you as an American citizen. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. And as those keep trying to take that away and our um just normal thinking process and learning, your library is there for you and we have uh materials for all sides of every argument, every topic. And um I really hope that you can come visit us. Next week we kick off uh National Library Week on Monday, the library citizens academy and that'll be on four Mondays in a row and where you can learn what we do. Um, we're kind of quiet. We're known as being quiet, although not me. Um, and we're going to tell people what happens in the administrative level. How do we select books? Um, how do our departments work? And I just think that's a really great way to to foster communication between us and the community. So, I hope you can attend that. You can find that on our website at rockenl.org. Thank you. C. Proclamation declaring April 24th, 2026 is Arbor Day. Proclamation.

Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can be a solution to combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling cost, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in Rock Island increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of our business area, and beautify our community. And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Ashley Harris, mayor of the city of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day. In the city of Rock Island, I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. And I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of this and future generations. Dated this 13th day, 2026. Thank you. Okay. Agenda item seven, public comment. Okay.

Peter Rick. some observations before the strategic planning process concludes and three questions. A quotation from Rock Island's economic development strategic plan that was presented to city council in February. quote, "Many residents across the Quad Cities view the city as unsafe, dilapitated, and generally unappealing as a place to live. This poor perception undermines economic development efforts, detours, deters private investment, and limits the city's ability to compete for both workforce and industry growth." End quote. But there are folks living in Rock Island who are passionate about our city. Among them, folks who grew up here and decided to stay here. Among them, Andy Campbell, principal of Eugene Field uh elementary school. Shelley Moore Guy, poet, author of children's books, local historian, Anukica Olia. Udel Watts. There are folks living in Rock Island who decided to move here. Dylan, Steven Zaborick, co-owner of Source Bookstore, and Jack Cullen.

There are folks who attended Augustana College and decided to live here. Tanner, Rob Leva, Hibiscus Ecological Services. Liva, precision uh conservation specialist among them. And there are folks who grew up here and decided to move back here. Among them me. the questions. What are the things about Rock Island that make it a preferred place to live? If a poor perception of Rock Island undermines our economic development, why doesn't city staff recognize, celebrate, protect, and enhance things that make Rock Island a preferred place to live? How can city staff help an effort to make the West End neighborhood a preferred place to live if they do not understand what makes Rock Island a preferred place to live? Thank you.

Thank you, sir, Miss Pena. Hi. Um, I am here for the speed bump on 25th Avenue. Okay. Ma'am, what's your name? Stacy Pena. Okay. I'm I'm sorry. Go ahead. Sorry. Oh, no. No. No. Go ahead, please, ma'am. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. Are there two Pyas? Yeah, I I said Yeah. I'm sorry. That's okay.

That's That's what we get for assuming. I'm sorry. Go ahead, ma'am.

I'm sorry. Um I'm here today because I genuinely am afraid that nothing if there's no changes on 25th Avenue. Someone very likely a child is going to be seriously injured or possibly killed. Um 25th Avenue is a hightraic road with no sidewalks. Yet, it is surrounded by families. It is where people walk their dogs, where parents push strollers, and kids ride their bikes and play. There is nowhere for them to go when a car comes flying through. Children have no protection here. They're completely exposed. I have stood in my yard and yelled at drivers to slow down because I see children in the street and I'm terrified for them. During the warmer months, the traffic speeds increase to the point where the roads feel more like a highway than a neighborhood. Um, our stop sign is to the point where it feels more uh is routinely ignored and treated more like a suggestion. Last summer, we had a solar speed sign for a short time, but it changed nothing. Drivers continued to speed as if it wasn't there at all. It's not just annoying, it's dangerous. Um, I've been personally w I've personally witnessed a woman having to leap into my yard with her dog to avoid being hit by a speeding car. The driver was not paying attention. Every time I leave my driveway, I risk causing an accident. Cars slam their brakes and honk their horns because we're moving too fast and it's not safe. I live with constant anxiety simply to try to go to and from my home. This is not normal. It's not safe and it's not acceptable. We should not have to wait until a child is hit, until a family is shattered, before action is taken. By then it will be too late and everyone will say, "Well, we didn't know." Even though we are standing here today saying exactly that. I have put a petition together with 74 signatures from families who

live or use the road daily for walks and bike rides. These are not random complaints. These are people who are scared. I have gathered I can gather more signatures if needed. We are asking for one simple reasonable solution, a speed bump. It will not block driveways or alleys. It will not disrupt access. It will not slow all It will slow traffic. And slowing traffic saves lives. There is no reason this request should be denied. The cost of doing nothing is far greater than the cost of prevention. Something needs to change before we are standing here talking about a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Um, that's all. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Bob Holt speaking in support of Stacy. Uh my wife and I live in Hillrest Court which is about three blocks north of 25th Avenue. Uh we walk through there two or three times a week and people come around because it's the only main through avenue between 18th and 31st. There are a lot of people that come through from 25th Street to 30th Street and they come around the corner quickly and they don't tend to slow down till they hit the stop sign at 29th Street and there's about a two and a half block through fair there. They come through really quick, right? I mean, it's a residential neighborhood and you never know when a kid's going to dart out from behind a car. You've all probably raised kids, so I I just want to second what she's saying. Uh speed bump or another stop sign at 28th Street because that's between 27th and 29th. So, they'd only be able to go a block and then they'd have to slam on their brakes. So, something Okay. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Peter Tokar.

Good evening, Mayor Council, Mr. City Manager, uh, Peter Tokar, president, CEO of the Quasity Chamber and Grow Quas's Regional Economic Development Organization. So, I'm here uh tonight to support the city of Rock Island's application to the state of Illinois site readiness program uh specifically the planning grant for the uh Sunset South site uh and encourage you to support the local match needed to move forward. Uh this has been a critical issue for us uh locally from our economic development uh efforts for the region trying to build and grow and create prosperity and in all of the cities that call Quad Cities home. And uh we've taken a lot of a lot of uh different approaches towards getting different resources to create more site ready sites. And by site ready we mean sites that are that are ready to be developed. they have all the critical infrastructure needed uh for businesses developments to uh start construction on those sites immediately. The competition right now for projects is is very real across the country and those sites that are ready to go are are going to the top of the pile uh and making those those investment decisions. And so I've only been in the Quad Cities for a few years, but uh our staff that has been serving the economic development needs of the region, Cammy Peshy back there, um they've provided us with a little bit of history. So since uh 2024, we've responded to 36 requests for informations for sites that are under 50 acres that have rail access. Sadly, Rock Island has had to pass on the majority of those due to not having any available sites that are ready for development that meet the development requirements. And so, when we're having to when your community is having to pass on those projects, when our economic development team's having to pass on those projects, it's not just passing on the project. It's passing on jobs. It's passing on

investment. and it's passing on that that thing that's most important, that property tax revenue that the city can collect. And so I'm here tonight to encourage you to uh be in favor of this. The other thing that we're doing is we we frequently take trips to the capital. Uh I'm leaving tomorrow to go to DC to on our federal trip with our chamber. And one of the things we do is we advocate for resources for the region. And we we were just in Springfield a couple weeks ago. Uh some of you attended with us. And one of the things that is always on our legislative agenda is support for site readiness because we know that is the competitive edge that will help us move our development sites forward and get those jobs, get that investment, and get that tax revenue flowing in our communities. So really encourage you to support this tonight and thank you for listening.

Thank you, sir. Mr. Jack.

Good evening, Mayor, City Council. Thanks for the opportunity here. I'm Jack Cullen, executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, and I am here tonight to highlight, celebrate a few agenda items, as well as just share a few newsworthy items uh from downtown Rock Island. The theme of my comments will be aligned with our ongoing marketing campaign. And one of the messages that we're pushing out there to the world is downtown Rock Island is showing up for all the right reasons. And we're using that specifically to talk about our business owners in this case. And regarding that, I wanted to give a a shout out to some of our businesses that are hosting upcoming events that are on the agenda for tonight. Wake Brewing this Friday has a sound amplification permit request. This is on consent agenda. They've sold 350 tickets to a concert that will be happening on their patio uh this Friday uh which is exciting. That's bringing people into the downtown purchasing tickets. They have to eat while they're downtown. Um and hopefully they go to patronize other businesses while they're while they're here as well. Uh secondly, I want to highlight the Smoking Dog Pub has a request for a street closure uh for its upcoming Buckethead celebration. This is in partnership with the fraternity at Augustana College. It's a long-standing event uh that occurs on Second Avenue. Uh it's not just an event between the Smoking Dog Pub and Augustana. However, it is also bringing other businesses into the loop and giving an opportunity to some new businesses to um be introduced to the Augustana College student body. Uh so, the Smoking Dog Pub has engaged BlueCollar Bagels, which is a new business hopefully opening uh this spring in the former dairy factory space. Uh as well as the new owners and operators of Ribco, bringing them into the fold on this event. So that is great

community collaboration on that block as and again in line with showing up for all the right reasons. In addition, we have a request for the weekly street closure May through October for the QC farmers market. Uh that will be beginning in May and going through the month of October. Uh again, a weekly event uh that hopefully builds some habitual traffic. Last year was a great success. Uh we're excited to partner with the QC farmers market again this season uh to bring folks down uh to that producers only market uh in the Quad Cities again every every Saturday downtown Rock Island. Um the other event that I want to uh give a highlight to is the YW.CA hosting a block party on June 14th. Uh again, another opportunity for folks to come downtown, u enjoy that public event, but hopefully also um go and patronize other neighbors and businesses in our downtown. From here, I want to highlight just some partnerships and some great support that we've had from some different city departments on a few different initiatives. Uh the first is today we started the installation of our sidewalk patios in the downtown. This is the second year we've done this again amenities that were part of the rebuild downtown project, but the patios went up today at Nest Cafe and Ribbco and they will be continued to be installed the remainder of the week. The QC coffee and pancake house patios on Third Avenue will be installed first thing tomorrow. So, I wanted to give a shout out to public works, uh, Mike and his team for the collaboration and the back and forth planning planning that installation and working with our businesses, uh, to make it make it a successful, uh, outdoor dining season. Uh, we'll have those patios up for half the year, six months. So, it's a great, uh, investment that the city made, that this this council

made as part of that project. Again, we're we're showing up um, for all the right reasons. In addition, uh, public works helped update the wayfinding signs around the city recently. These are the green signs that direct motorists to different parts of the city, different amenities and attractions. Uh, this council uh aligned with the downtown alliance on new branding for downtown Rock Island. Um, that included accepting the naming of downtown Rock Island and moving away from um the area formerly known as the district. So those wayfinding sounds signs around the city have been updated to read downtown Rock Island. These are the signs that are on Blackhawk Road and other primary corridors throughout the city. So again, wanted to give a a a kudos and a thank you to public works for that collaboration. And soon here in the coming weeks, uh, as we're continuing to to dive into spring, the parks department will be installing close to a hundred flower baskets u on street light poles throughout the downtown. This is an an expansion of the amount of flower baskets that we had last year thanks to again a partnership between the downtown alliance and and the parks department. Uh, in addition, sticking to our branding, uh, the colors of the flowers will also align with the the visual identity of our shared brand for Downtown Rock Island, which means we'll have reds, blues, whites, and yellows uh, in those flower baskets, which is a cool and subtle way um, to keep that visual identity uh, aligned on our our website, our marketing materials, and in our flower baskets. Um, and lastly, um, I wanted to give a shout out to city staff, um, and Mayor Harris specifically and city attorney Leslie Day, showing up for all the right reasons, approaching one of our downtown business and property owners, in this case, Nicole Watson Lamb with the Urban Reserve, and

working through uh, a specific liquor license ordinance issue that will give the business owner and operator more flexibility um, to host more events uh, as well is just flexibility with operation moving so forward. So, um to our downtown businesses, uh to city staff, council, thank you for showing up for all the right reasons for downtown Rock Island.

Thank you, Jack. Agenda item eight, update Rock Island coffee and conversation about the West End. Starting Wednesday, April 15th, the West End Revitalization Team will host office hours. Join us for monthly informal sessions every third Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Holy Grinds Coffee Shop located at 2409 11th Street to connect with neighbors and discuss community projects. Share your feedback, community ideas, and get updates on neighborhood initiatives and projects. Everyone is invited to attend Plants, Paths, and Pizza. The Hallberg State Wild Ones Quad City Chapter and Western Illinois Counselor Education Department presents Plants, Path, and Pizza on Saturday, April 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Halbar Hall Estate, 1324th Street. Learn from our keynote speaker, Botanis Grant Fesler, as he speaks on Flora of the Quad Cities, a natural history and vision for the future. You can also hear from the panel of experts on local e efforts to create sustainable environments and learn from our featured classes on nature, health, and native plants. This free community event will bring attendees together with local green initiatives. Participants will benefit from a meaningful, educational, and fun event. Pizza and desserts will be provided. Get a head start on spring gardening. The 2026 seed library is officially open at all three Rock Island Library locations. The primary catalog with the largest amount of seeds is at the downtown branch, 4019th Street. smaller catalog collections available at our south

southwest and Watts Mid Midwest branches. The giveaway is limited to five free seed packets per household to start. Thank you. Agenda item nine. A report from the economic development department regarding a resolution in support of an application for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities Regional Site Readiness Program Planning Grant. Motion to adopt the resolution. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

Um I would like to thank uh Tom and Todd for going over have um having a conversation about this and just so everyone knows this funding which was my concern that that our grant portion would be coming out of general funding will be coming out of a an adjacent tiff area. So, I just wanted to put that out there in case anybody was wondering about that. Any more discussion?

While this specific agenda item is regarding a site readiness project, what happens after we prepare a site and get it ready for development? We develop it and that usually includes a development agreement. What is the status of an incentive policy? Been asking for a policy for some time now. I do not plan on approving any development agreements for this site once it has been uh readied until we have an incentive policy in place. So, what is the status on that?

Probably within the next month, we'll have a draft to present to the council. I've been working on it with staff. It's going from not having one to having one. There's a number of different things that need to be addressed. So before I draft it and present it to the council, I want to make sure it's good based on best practices.

Uh thank you very much for that update. We've communicated a little bit. Do we plan on uh pursuing a similar policy development process that the community development department has been utilizing for uh urban gardens or uh property acquisition for this policy to allow the public to weigh in on how and when and why we provide public funds to incentivize development projects. certainly could. Uh we'll we'll present something when we uh get the draft ready in terms of public participation for the council to get your uh your thoughts on that.

Okay. Thank you very much. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder prison. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Her. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. I agenda item B report from the public works department regarding a motor fuel tax resolution for bulk rock salt procurement in 2026 in the amount of $249,690. Move to adopt the resolution. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I Evans. Hi.

Hurt. Hi. Barnes I, Swanson, I. And Parker, I. Agenda item C. Report from the mayor's office regarding a resolution approving an employment agreement with city manager Todd Thompson. Motion to adopt the resolution. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll. Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Keely, I. Evans. Hi. Hurt. I Barnes I Swanson I and Parker I agenda item 10

report from the community development department regarding the sale of city owned property at the northwest corner of Illinois 92 andia road for $1 first reading move to approve the sale authorize the city manager to execute the agreement subject to minor attorney modifications and consider suspend the rules and pass the ordinance I have a first and a second is there any discussion Clerk, please call the role. All person. Hi. Healey. I. Evans. I. Hurt. I Barnes. Hi. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item B.

Report from the community development department regarding the purchase of property at the northwest corner of Illinois 92 and Andalia Road for $1 first reading. Move to approve the purchase. Authorize the city manager to execute the agreement subject to minor attorney modifications and consider suspend the rules and pass the ordinance. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Chris Pulis. I. Keelley. I. Evans. I. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I.

Agenda item C. Report from the traffic engineering committee regarding a request to modify the parking in front of the former YW.C.A. at 22916th Street. First reading. Motion to approve the request and consider the ordinance. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. Hi. Agenda item D. Report from the traffic engineering committee regarding a request from Lois Whitaker 1912 10th Street to install a handicap parking space in front of her home for streeting.

Motion to approve the request and consider the ordinance. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. Hi. and Parker I. Agenda item E, report from the legal department regarding a special ordinance grandfathering Second Avenue Investment Group Incorporated doing business as Urban Reserve and authorizing supplemental license options for a class J license. Move to consider suspend the rules and pass the ordinance. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the role. Alder person Pulis. I.

Healey. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I Barnes. I Swanson. I and Parker. I. Agenda item 11. Consent agenda items A through H. Move to approve. Motion to approve. Consent agenda items A through H. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson I and Parker I agenda item 12 claims A through C.

Motion to allow claims A through C. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Due to the nature of my employment, I need to recuse myself from this vote. Roll call, please. All person. I Healey I Evans I hurt I Barnes I and Swanson I agenda item D

report from the public works department requesting authorization to purchase a 2026 John Deere 325G track loader from Martin Equipment Rock Island Illinois in the amount of $74,6864 to approve the purchase. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Love to see that Rock Island business. Cler, please call the role. Alder Pulis. I. Keely, I. Evans, I. Kurt, I. Barnes, I. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. I. Agenda item 13.

A report from the economic development department regarding a lease agreement with Dotto Community Artists. Move to approve the lease and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Keely, I. Evans. I. Hurt. I. Barnes. No. Swanson. No. And Parker I. Motion carries. Agenda item B.

Report from the public works department regarding bids for the 2026 2028 city mowing contract recommending the bid be awarded to finer finish grounds care Newark Illinois in the amount of $540,750. Move to award the bid as recommended and authorize the city manager to execute the contract subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Do they have a local office? I mean, are they going to be responsive to our needs in regards to finer finish ground scared the low bid? Yeah. Out of Newark.

Yes. They've actually had the contract for the city since 2014, so for the past 12 years. And they're also the contractor that'll be performing all the mowing on the Rock Island Arsenal as well. And they've been responsive. No issues. No issues. Okay. That's a lot of mobilization for mowing grass. Yeah. I think once they're here during the summer, they stay here. They're actually for the Arsenal contract outside of this agenda item. They're looking to have a local office. I don't know what that will consist of or where it will be, but they are going to have a local presence while they're working here.

I'm sure we have plenty of locations in downtown Rock Island that are available for rent. And just for a point of clarification on the all green site management uh vendor with the incomplete bid, they actually um our parks department had a um solicitation going on for bids as well at the same time and they submitted the parks bid instead of the rightway city facilities bid. So that's why that was an error. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis, I. Peely, I. Evans, I. Kurt, I. Barnes, I. Swanson, I. And Parker,

I. Agenda item C. Report from the public works department regarding bids for the 2026 Municipal Tree Contract, recommending that the bid be awarded to Advantage Tree Services, Davenport, Iowa, in the amount of $17,820. Motion to award the bid as recommended and authorize the city manager to execute the contract subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Keely, I. Evans. I. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I.

Agenda item D. Report from the public works department regarding bids for the levy vegetation control contract recommending that the bid be awarded to Tailored Turf Incorporated, Port Byron, Illinois in the amount of 171 $116,357. Move to award the bid as recommended and authorize the city manager to execute the contract subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the role. Alder Pulis. Hi Keely. Hi Evans. Hi Hurt. I Barnes. I Swanson. I and Parker. I. Agenda item E.

Report from the fire department regarding a bid from Real Co Safety Supply Bondorf Iowa for gas detection monitors in the amount of $33,165. Move to accept the bid as recommended and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item F.

Report from the police department regarding a memorandum of understanding with Rock Island County and the city of Molen for the 2025 Edward Burn Justice Assistance Grant. Move to approve theou and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. All the prison pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Kurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item G. Report from the police department regarding an agreement with Flock Safety to begin a one-year pilot program using the Raven Acoustic Gunshot Detection Platform.

Motion to approve the agreement and authorize the city manager to execute the document subject to minor attorney modifications. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Chief, did we budget for this expenditure in the 2026 budget? No. Uh for clarification, we were supposed to get this uh particular grant sometime last year. We were going to use it for some training equipment. Um but we found other sources of uh revenue for that. And then we actually didn't think we were going to get this grant until all of a sudden it was just kind of given to us at the last minute.

So this is grant funded, correct? It's entirely uh funded through the JAG grant uh which varies each year depending on our crime statistics, but we can continue to use uh each year if we feel that this is a worthwhile endeavor. And this is a one-year pilot program, presuming we find it worthwhile to continue doing. I mean, it sounds like you're planning on having this JAG grant continue paying for it. I mean, do you envision a point at which this program is needed, but we don't have gr grant funds to pay for it? And if so, how do you plan on paying for it?

There are different ways that we could possibly fund it, uh, even through forfeite funds, drug forfeite funds. Um, but at this point, uh, I think it's a little premature. Um, we just want to kind of determine really the efficiency of this program and uh just determine whether or not it is going to help us make the uh area Rock Island safer. Um, so we do get this grant every year and we can utilize this particular grant or maybe seek other grants, but that's entirely uh contingent on that. If we find the funding um if we don't have the funding then I don't I don't say that we go forward with it. Thank you very much. One last question. So, Flock has been the subject of attention from a number of residents. They've been here in city council meetings talking about our use of their automated license plate reader technology cameras. Is there any similar uh data collecting uh etc aspect to the gunshot detection platform as there is for the automated license plate reader technology?

No. Now currently you have the ability to utilize the LPR cameras with this if they are in close proximity to these sensors. uh these will not be and so there won't be any uh uh correlation between the LPR cameras. The Raven platform is using sensors that are not cameras and it's only for acoustic uh detection. Thank you for taking time to answer my questions. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis I. Keely, I Evans. I Hurt I Barnes I Swanson I

and Parker I. Agenda item 14, budget adjustments A and B. Motion. Motion to approve budget adjustments A and B. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the role. Alder person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I Hurt I Barnes I Swanson I and Parker I agenda item 15 a report from the human resources department regarding vacation benefits non-affffiliated employees motion to approve the adjustment to the non-affiliated vacation schedule as recommended second.

I have a first and second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis I. Ke. Evans I Herk I Barnes I Swanson I and Parker I agenda item 16 a report from the clerk's office regarding request from the smoking dog to close second avenue between 18th and 19th streets for the annual bucketthead fundraiser benefit in Camp Kissm on Saturday April 25th 2026 from 10 a.m. 5:00 p.m. in a request for the outdoor consumption of alcohol. Move to approve the request subject to complying with all liquor license regulations and subject to being closed down early if complaints are received. Second. Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Kurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. Hi. Agenda item 18. Rock Island Port Authority move to close the regular city council meeting and convene the Rock Island Regional Port District meeting. Second. Have a first and a second. All in favor say I. I. All I.

Mayor and the council. I wanted to give you an update that uh we are in pace uh to wrap up the port master plan yet this month or early next month. Also wanted to let the council the mayor know that uh this Thursday I'll be joining public works director Bartell's as we present the Quad Cities Business Journal's transportation and infrastructure seminar. Thank you. Thank you Tom. Is there uh any new business, old business to discuss? Anybody got any comments? Move to exit the reg rock island regional port authority and reconvene the regular city council meeting. Second. I have a first and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose.

I Okay. Agenda item 19.

Um I just want to say that the um lady Stacy PA that talked about the need for a speed hump or some kind of speed modification on 25th Avenue is in my ward. Um she does have a um petition with 76 names on it. Um I will tell you people fly down that road. They run the stop signs and so I appreciate council listening to that and I appreciate um public works and Mike Bartell is willing to um work with me and with them to try to find a solution. I would like to remind all Rock Island citizens that we do have speed limits in town. There are kids playing. There's people walking their dogs and it would just be really nice if everybody could abide by speed limits and come to a full stop at stop signs and not just coast through them.

Just want to iterate some of what she says as far as speed. We just completed um resurfacing on Fifth Street between 7th Avenue and 18th Avenue and it's a very nice road right now. I am getting some complaints that there may be some speed speeding going down because of how nice the road is. I do also want to thank public works for getting that done. Um, we do have some other roads we're looking at, but we do need to make sure we got enough stop signs or whatever is needed down through there because there are so many kids coming out of Century Woods.

Thank you. Anything else? Yes. I was going to mention this during uh 17A for police commission relations. Uh both Isabelle Pena and myself graduated from the Illinois Quad City Citizens Police Academy.

Wow. Well, it was uh it was an 11week program and I guess I didn't read it because on the first day I was like 11 weeks but we survived and it was really good just to look at different aspects of law enforcement uh throughout the Illinois Quad Cities and I was really impressed with what Molen does with their community oriented policing program. So hoping that we can implement some of those. Not saying that we don't have good ideas, but maybe look at what they're doing and implement some of that on the uh the police uh community relations. Thank you, ma'am.

All the all the person Barnes, are you ready to be sworn in because I think the chief is still looking for some officers. I don't think I'm qualified, but thank you. Thought I'd ask. Anything else? Is that all? Okay. Um, agenda item 20,

close session 5CS120-2C8, security procedure, school building safety and security and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual threatened or reasonable potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. and 5 ILCS120-2C11 litigation when an action against affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed or is pending before a quarter administrative tribunal or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent in which case the basis for the finding must be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. Motion to enter close session for the exception cited. Second. I have a first and a second. All in favor say I.

I. All opposed. All opposed. Thank you.