City Council - Regular Meeting

Roll call, please. Alder person Evans present. Hurt here. Barnes here. Swanson here. Parker here. Pulis here. Keely here. And Mayor Harris present.

Would everyone To the flag of the stands nation, indivisible with liy and justice for all. Agenda item five. Agenda item five.

Vote to approve the agenda. I make a motion to remove agenda item 12 C. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

Yes. I would actually like to make a statement about this, please. I am requesting this item be removed from the agenda as Bridges Catering is withdrawing from consideration for this contract. I want to be absolutely clear about the facts. I do not personally own Bridges Catering. This business is owned by my parents, William E and Evelyn Healey. I work there in an operating capacity as an employee and I do not receive any profits, distributions, or financial benefit tied to this potential contract. Bridges Catering was approached by Ryfac and it was requested that a bid be submitted for RIFFAC's preschool program. Bridges Catering did not seek this contract out. This is not a violation of the city's policy and not a violation of any state laws. Despite that, this issue has been mischaracterized publicly and on Facebook and has created a distraction for the city's work. I am not going to continue to engage in that. This decision is not based on any legal conflicts or wrongdoings, but simply because it is not worth pursuing under these circumstances. It is unfortunate that this will likely in the contract be awarded to a business that is now outside of the city of Rock Island instead of supporting a local city company where we do not even receive the sales tax dollars. But I am confident this is the right decision so the city can move forward. Thank you.

Thank you, Bill. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. Hi. Healey. I. Evans. I. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Okay. Back to agenda item five. Move to adopt the agenda. Okay. All right. All in favor say I. I. I. All opposed. We actually need a roll call vote on that. Sorry. Excuse me. Uh clerk, please call the role. Alder person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. I. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker.

I. Agenda item six. Public comments. First name. I Mr. Amir. Yes, sir. Yes. Come on. Yeah. I got I got

Hi, how are you everybody? That's my first time coming over here and talk to you guys because I'm little bit little bit just pissed off you know for my own self. I got agenda. I have a business in 11 street couple southern businesses and these kids baking car baking store. same kids again again again so city or the police not taking I don't know why not taking nobody action I just get a damage last yesterday $10,000 so anybody willing to pay city or police the kids around there every day why you know getting arrested these kids other day they break in my store took all the stuff and next day he walking in 11 street because he's a homeless. So I'm my concern like all these damages going every day. I get another four car last my friends own it in Rock Island. Same kids breaking in cars. My car get stolen day before and today I went to police station is nobody follow up yet. So I know where the kids everybody know every single kids know persons knows in Rock Island who these kids. So why are you not getting arrested? Anybody have answer?

No. Sorry. There's no back and forth during public comment. Excuse me. There's no back and forth during public comment. So they can't answer you during this time.

Oh, okay. So my bad. That's why I say I'm my first time because I'm pretty upset. You know, it's no follow up for the things. You know, I got like four or five businesses like in 11 street only. So if you keep doing that thing non-stop, so I have to move my business to some other cities. And my last time is here, I asked him like if you guys not want to do nothing or you don't like me, just let me know. I can just sell out my businesses. I got two car lots, I got chicken shack, I can just sell out and go to Davenport. So I'm trying to be help everybody. You go outside and see in 11 street and around for chicken shack he tell you these people help everybody. These people my customer right here. So and like I have another agenda like how get called when I find my car you know but I don't want to discuss over here in front of everybody but that's the thing and people get car stolen and get towed and then I have to pay for my pocket again to took my car out in the yard. I got a call from police station other day yesterday and he say your car get fine. I say, "Okay, I can tow it my car or you can tow it to my yard, but you tow it in the yard. So, I have to go pay 300 bucks to take my own car." And people ask me like, "You got 10 minutes to come down, grab your car or take your plates out." The plate is not even mine. A stolen plate. The guy driving a stolen plate. The guy is stoling. I I I looked up and I called the police again yesterday. The car is running around. this kid running around in front of my car in my lot and he never get arrested nothing until he smashed the car and left it in Maple Ridge. So I want to know like something be like going on because a lot of people get mad right now. You got no idea how many people get

mad because I'm dealing with every day 600 people all in only 11 street people is very very mad. So if I know that I'm coming like I can bring three 400 people want to come over here to talk about this matter because everybody get tired for this thing you know in last maybe 3 months I get like 15 $20,000 damage and it's scheme continues I can't afford it I have to be like out of business very soon you know we're getting close to time sir huh we're getting close to your time

yeah that's my agenda you know and I talk to you later about the police situation can do. All right. Thank you. Thank you for your time, sir. The next speaker, uh, Miss Emily, uh, Jawski or Oh, okay. I tried. I'm sorry.

That's all right. You got pretty close. I've heard heard it butchered words. Um, it's a pleasure to actually meet and see some of of local council men and women in person for the first time. Um, so my name is Emily Jowish. I'm a concerned citizen and mother with limited resources who resides in Rock Island. This is a call to action regarding the food desert that has been affecting the downtown Rock Island neighborhoods between the West End and the full stretch of the 11th Street below the hill for the for over two decades. I have been told that this lot is currently owned by the city and have since discontinued plans to build a grocery store. The goal of my petition is to recruit city support and permission to utilize this space as a community garden. This ambition embodies the historical spirit of QC grassroots act grassroots activism and community empowerment while aiming to address the specific needs of food insecurity. This outline provides solutions within the people's locality combined with practical efforts and the resources currently held by the city of Rock Island. Food security drastically impacts the quality of life for all ages and demographics regardless of location in the United States. However, about 20% of children living in Rock Island counties alone suffer from inadequ inadequate nutrition. And this is just one of the four cities that make up the Quad Cities. Many of these people who live in the affformented areas simply do not have options or access to the necessary resources to supplement a healthy diet. Since the city has not prioritized building or expanding businesses on the 11th Street lot, then we, the citizens of the Southside community, propose implementing a solution for this problem ourselves. Our vision addresses the desperate need of fresh food options by means of building a community garden. Support has already been recruited and local nonprofits and other progressive green garden organizations have expressed their support in extending this as a potential gift garden. I have had a very very busy few weeks and have connected with multiple individuals within a large umbrella of shared interest. This will

pro this will provide much neededed produce annually and be a supplement to any other local charities the area already has. Ideally, a grocery store would have been made from this vacancy of this space years ago when the proud and mighty statue of Chief Blackhawk was still standing, but even he has since been removed. This space remains empty as previous plans to build a Walmart have since ceased. The question remains as to whether the city has any future plans to build upon or zone it for anything and whether or not it will address the food desert that is impacting the families below the hill. We feel that it's time that this matter be addressed and that it should be a priority of the city to provide accessible, healthy, and provide uh nutritious food options for its citizens regardless of where they reside in Rock Island. The 11th Street stretch currently has $3 discount stores within a mile and a McDonald's as its primary food option. This is unacceptable and continues to greatly affect the nutritional access of the various residents along this stretch. Our current numbers show a high food insecurity rate and do not meet the nutrition recommendations outlined by the USDA. Outside of the Martin Luther King Center in the West End and a small handful of food pantries, there are simply no fresh produce options for its residents. The burden is simply too much for the current charities and gift gardens alone to supplement the growing number of needs along a stretch of neighborhoods. Consider the potential use for this space when Brock Island community members ultimately come together to advocate for accessible, tangible green initiatives that will benefit benefit its own residents on the southside. This is not only practical but empowers those in its neighborhoods to become responsible leaders and advocates for themselves. Eventually, there will be educational workshops led by interested locals on a weekly basis, consistent food distribution through various locations designated as dropoff points to expand reach, and a consistent rotation of seasonally seasonally appropriate projects for volunteers to participate in, all while reflecting agricultural independence and promoting self- sustainability. By participating

in this solution, you are taking a proactive stance in reshaping the future of the south and west end portions of Rock Island community. Your support is instrumental in driving forward necessary in initiatives that reflect our needs and aspirations of our resident residents by making Rock Island a better place that reflects self- sustainability ambition and will additionally be an educational space within the neighborhoods all while working in tandem with the city to benefit the future families that live in Rock Island. So, let's unite our cooperative efforts to bring about meaningful change that will benefit these many affected families living in Rock Island. Your involvement in this local initiative petition is a testament to your commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities. So join us in championing initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of our neighbors and future generations of the Quad Cities. We the city the citizens of the Rock Island have a vision of improving this unused and desolate space off of the 11th street lot for use by the patrons of these neighborhoods and furthermore believe without exception that access to nutritional food should never be an afterthought but be a right to all. Thank you.

Thank you ma'am.

Well said. And ma'am uh before before you leave, can you leave your contact information somewhere? Thank you. Thank you. Agenda item seven, update Rock Island. Update Rock Island yard of the month. Do you have a neighbor with a beautiful yard? The public is invited to help the arts and beautifification commission by nominating a a property for the 2026 Yard of the Month Awards. This award is vote voted on each month from April until September. Submit an address with a photo to Kathy Douglas at douglas.cathaniggov.org. During the commission's monthly meeting, a slideshow of the submitted properties will be reviewed and a winner will be chosen. A certificate will then be presented in person to the to the winning homeowner. A decorative wooden sign will also be placed in the yard until the next month's winner is selected. Join us in celebrating our beautiful Rock Island neighborhoods and the care and hard work done by our neighbors. Deadlines for the monthly submission of the property are May 12th, June 9th, July 7th, and August 11th, and also September 9th. The summer activity guide for the parks and recreation department is here. Summer camp, swim lessons, youth sports, fitness classes, special events, golf, and more. There's something for all ages to enjoy. Registration opens today, April 27th. View the guide and just click on the activity and register at www.iggov.org/activity guide. Make plans now for summer fun or excuse me, make plans now for a fun summer. Learn about the Southwest Rock Island wetlands. The city of Rock Island and Augustana College will host a public information meeting on our partner on our partnership to study the Southwest Rock Island wetlands and the status of

the proposed land and water reserve of 550 acres. The public information meeting will be held Tuesday, May 5th at 5:30 p.m. at Augustana College, Hansen Hall, room 234. Through the partnership, Augustana students and faculty will contribute applied research and data analysis to help inform the city's long-term conservation and management discussions. Thank you. Agenda item eight, a an ordinance to modify the parking in front of the former YWCA at 229 16th Street. Second reading. Motion to pass the ordinance.

Second. We have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the role. Alder Preston Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item B. An ordinance to install a handicap parking space in front of 191210th Street. Second reading. Motion to pass the ordinance. Second. We have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker.

I. Great. Agenda item nine. A report from the community development department regarding a funded housing rehabilitation pilot program. First reading. Motion to consider the ordinance. Second. There's been a first and a second. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Keelley. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item B. Report from the legal department regarding an amendment to chapter 3 alcoholic liquor section 3-11 A3 license options live entertainment continuous. First reading. Move to consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance. Second.

First and the second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Keelley. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item 10. Consent agenda items A through D. Motion to approve consent agenda items A through D. Second. I have a first and second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder President Pulis. I. Haley I Evans yes Hurt I Barnes I Swanson I and Parker I agenda item 11 claims A through C motion to allow claims A through C

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 I Parker I agenda item D report from the public works department regarding a payment in the amount of $26,6849 cents to Miller Trucking and excavating Sylvvis Illinois for an emergency sewer main repair. Motion to allow the claim. 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. Alder President Pulis. I Keely, I

Evans, yes. Hurt I, Barnes. I and Swanson. I agenda item 12, a report from the community development department regarding a an agreement with Streamline Architects for design services for gateway improvements near Illinois 92 and I280 interchange. Move to approve the agreement 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 personis, I. Healey, I. Evans, yes. Hurt, I. Barnes, I. Swanson, I. And Parker, I. Agenda item B.

Report from the community development department regarding the bids for the Central Fire Station ADA bathroom renovation at 1313 Fifth Avenue. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Miles or chief? Who was who is the contractor? doesn't say

the contractor for this uh uh scope of work is sorry I'm pulling it up here because I'm going to say their name wrong Chennowith we haven't worked with them before if that's what you're wondering Never heard of them. Are they local? I believe I don't remember if they are or not. I assume we went through our responsible bidder ordinance. Correct. Okay.

This was part of and forgive me for my memory lapse here. This was actually a contract that we put out quite a while ago. Uh and part of this project has been stalled as we've been trying to find some gap funding. So they've been holding uh firm on their price this whole time. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. All the person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Kurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. I. Agenda item D.

Report from the police department regarding approval to enter in a two-year agreement with Quickit Solutions for the city's parking enforcement program. Move to approve the agreement 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? Well, adopting this uh or entering into this contract. Is this moving towards resuming parking enforcement in our downtown?

Correct. Once this is is awarded, it'll take several months to uh get up and running and during that period, we'll we'll finalize any potential changes that we want to recommend regarding the parking limits. So, chief, correct me if I'm wrong, but two to three months probably be ready to start enforcement. Yeah, it might even be a little bit longer than that depending on once we get everything up and running. Yeah. And we'll do a public information campaign, make sure everybody's aware of it. We'll we'll have a period of, you know, warning tickets and things like that. So, we'll we'll ease our way back into it once we begin.

Thank you, Chief. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. Hi. And Parker. Hi. Agenda item 13. Budget adjustments A through D. Motion to approve budget adjustments A through D. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item 14.

A report from the community development department regarding the allocation of the 2026 public service funding. Motion to approve the 2026 public service funding applications and amounts. Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Yes. I need to recuse myself from this vote because my husband sits on the MLK board. Okay. Thank you. Any more discussion?

Yes. So, I um I want to express my support for the recommended public service funding all allocations and be clear that I am not proposing any reductions to the awards for our partner agencies. I believe that each of these organizations provide valuable services to our community and deserves the support outlined in the proposal. However, I do have concerns regarding the $20,000 reduction in funding to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. Uh the center plays a unique and essential role as a city operated department. Uh so providing critical after care. They provide critical after school and summer programming that supports youth development, academic success, and community safety. And because the MLK community center is part of our city operations, I respectfully request that the city staff explore and identify additional funding sources to address this shortfall of $20,000. Uh and practice when critical needs arise within city departments. We have historically worked to find solutions and I think everyone would agree that investing in our youth is one of the most impactful decision decisions we can make as a city.

Thank you, Miss Barnes. Any more discussion? I just want to reiterate what Mrs. Barnes is saying. Uh, I was kind of looking at the fact of the cut that was given to the King Center as well and I know that they do do a lot within our community and we went through this last time and here we are once again still taking money away from them. Um, I just want to make sure that we actually give them the same level of respect we did when they came and did their proposal to us that we actually do stand behind them. And so that means we've got to do it first of all with finances. They do a lot for our city.

Um when we look at the situation with the homeless, they stepped right in. There's been several times that they've went over and above for our community and I just believe that we need to make sure that we send them back uh the resources to make sure they can continue to do that. If I recall, the recommendation last year was $50,000 and we gave the King Center an additional 25. So, we actually raised it last year. So, to say there was a cut is kind of missing.

Well, they initially was getting the whole aotment and over the years it's been cut down and dwindled down to the 50,000. uh their program has not decreased. They actually have increased within our community as we're still seeing them try to do the same level of service as we've watched their money get dwindled into other programs. So I just want to make sure that we're sending a message to those young people as well as to the King Center that does do a lot in within our community, not just for the West End of Rock Island, but for the whole city of Rock Island that we do support them. I guess I just want to add that staff does a pretty good job when like I said there are you know uh critical uh there's a need to find additional funding for other departments. So this is just an example of a department that uh I feel that needs the funding.

I want to make a nuanced position. It is a good thing that we have, shall we say, improved the community public service portion of our CDBG budget and process. There are plenty of nonprofit organizations that serve the Rock Island community that are worthy of support through our CDBG program that also serve specifically the youth of our community. So it is a good thing that we have diversified the organizations that we are supporting through our CDBG program. However, that has resulted in a reduction of that CDBG funding that used to go pretty much entirely to the King Center. With respect to the public service, I don't think it's a bad thing that we have diversified the CDBG program, the public service aspect. However, the King Center is a city department and they do do good work. I would say that we continue with our improved public service process through our CDBG program, but then we consider additionally supporting the King Center through other city resources, right? I mean, really, the CDBG program is one of the major ways that the city supports the King Center. very few if any locally collected tax dollars supports the King Center. It's supported through federal CDBG and state grants, usually like a pass through through the city government. So, I'm not opposed to continuing the CDBG program, the public

service diversification that we've been engaged in, but I'm not sure that this specific, you know, debating the CDBG program is the right way to talk about how do we get more resources for the King Center. Like I said, there's plenty of other organizations that formerly were not supported through the CDBG program that now are being supported, which is a good thing. But as we consider the city budget in future years, we should consider more appropriately resourcing the King Center through other revenues and resources that the city has. Any more discussion? Roll call, please. Alder personis, I. Healey,

I. Evans, yes. Hurt, hi. Barnes, I. And Parker, I. Agenda item B, report from the community development department regarding the 2026 community development block uh grant annual action plan. Motion to approve the 2026 CDBG annual action plan as recommended. Second. We have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person pulis. I. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. Hi, Swanson. Hi. And Parker, no. Agenda item 15.

A report from the city clerk's office regarding a request from Lupia to use sound amplification in a close second avenue between 18th and 19th streets on Saturday, May 16th from 12:00 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a festival and a request for the outdoor alcohol consumption. Move to approve the requests subject to complying with all liquor license regulations and subject to being closed down early if complaints are received. 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. I. And Parker. I. Agenda item 16.

Other business. New business. Does anyone have anything to discuss? Seeing nothing. Nothing. Okay. Agenda item 17. Close session 5CS120-2 C11. litigation when an action against affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed or is pending before a court or administrative tribunal or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting

session second and the second all in favor say I. All opposed. No session.