City Council - Regular Meeting

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

Thank you. Agenda item five. Vote to approve the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. Parker. I. And Pulis. I. Agenda item six. mental health awareness month recap and current promotion.

We are um it's May so it's mental health awareness month but we have done it for the last two years ever since uh we received the ARPA funding. Thanks to Alder person Hurt and Alder person Swanson and the rest of the uh council for voting for that. Um, I gave you guys a sheet and it shows what we've done over the past couple of years. We didn't start right at the beginning. So, it's been, I would say, two and a half years that we've been working on this. Um, the QR code is everywhere. People have put it on their cars. We've seen it out and about. Um, but I just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank everybody uh that that, you know, gave us the opportunity to do this because we really have made a difference. The numbers really don't show how people feel about what we've done. And we we put a few things on here about what they were saying about our programs, but the comfort carts with over 25,000 items distributed. I mean, it was a lifeline for some people and um we were glad to do it at all three of our locations. So, we still have a half a year left. Uh I also want to thank my adult services director Carara who really spearheaded a lot of the adult programming and then our uh youth services director at the time was Sue and now Renell they they have continued it. So we have done all ages programming for mental health awareness and to you know curb the loneliness pandemic and everything that um is going on in the world just giving people a place a safe place to sit and talk and reflect with one another. So, thank you. I hope that we can continue it next year, but you know, funding is always a thing. So, I'm just going to throw that out there. But, thanks so much.

I have signs for you in the back.

Thank you, ma'am. Agenda item seven,

proclamation declaring May 2026 is mental health awareness month. Whereas our mental health is essential to our physical health and overall health of our community, the most recent community health assessment indicates that there is a great opportunity for our community to work together to increase the mental health of our citizens. And whereas the 2024 community health assessment indicates the quad cities has a higher rate of chronic depression and persons being treated of mental health than the US average. And whereas educating the public on resources available to community, encouraging community to reach out and seek help if a mental health crisis occurs, and working to inform practices and build collaborative efforts to help strengthen the mental health of the Quad Cities will result in positively impacting the mental health of our community. And whereas in July 2022, the FCC launched 988 to replace the National Suicide Crisis Line in an effort to make it easier for people to access a lifeline anywhere. The Quad City's behavioral health coalition is working to share this message and bring community innovations and initiatives to our community to advance the behavioral health of the Quad Cities. The mental health month campaign and information about awareness including the green that green is mental health awareness color can be found at qcbhc.weebly.com We have some people here. Okay.

Hey sir.

Yeah. Wait for you to read something. Okay. Step over here. I'll just share a couple of quick words. Um, my name is Joe Lily. I'm from Robert Young Center. I'm here with Stephanie Burrow, who's also with Robert Young Center. We're proud to represent the Quad City VA Coalition. Uh we served on the steering committee for that comm uh coalition and on behalf of the Quasi Behavioral Health Coalition, we'd like to thank the city for its partnership in advancing the behavioral health and well-being of Quad Cities residents. As a bystate cross- sector coalition of organizations, our goal through this proclamation is to help ensure individuals, families, and friends have access to supports for mental health care. We also want to support suicide awareness, making sure that individuals know where they can seek help when they need it the most. We look forward to continuing our work with the city of Rock Island to shine a light on these important issues. And we thank you very much for your support during the month of May, which is mental health awareness month. Thank you so much. B. Proclamation declaring May 29th through June 5th, 2026 is building our communities week proclamation. It's a little loud. Whereas the building of our communities initiatives is a partnership between John Deere and Habitat for Humanity affiliates in De Moine, Waterlue, Debuke, and the Quad Cities. And whereas

between 2021 and 2026, John Deere and its employees have contributed over 6.46 million and over 28,000 volunteer hours to Iowa Habitat affiliates, including the Quad Cities, Illinois area. And whereas in 2026, John Deere employees in the Quad Cities will contribute hundreds of volunteer hours through panel builds in Davenport and East Molen, off-site home construction in Iowa and Illinois, restore revitalization in Davenport, and restore donation drives, a new dealer partnership with Martin Equipment in Rock Island, and enhanced financial support to advance affordable housing and strengthen our local communities. And whereas a coordinated blitz week during which eight different John Deere Quad Cities locations will host a habitat restore donation truck to facilitate employee donations will take place May 29th through June 5th with additional community activities continuing throughout June and July. And whereas John Deere and Habitat for Humanity hope to continue building and expanding this partnership in an effort to stabilize and strengthen their communities. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Ashley Harris, mayor of the city of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim May 29th through June 5th, 2026 as Building Our Communities Week. In the city of Rock Island, we could we recognize the efforts by John Deere and Habitat for Humanity and encourage our businesses and nonprofit organizations to seek collaborative opportunities to make our communities a better place. Dated this May 18th, 2026. Thank you. Oh, okay.

I'm Katie Shrader. I'm the community relations manager at John Deere for the Quad Cities. I'm so happy to be here raising awareness about building our communities. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the Quad Cities is a strong one and we're excited to be running this initiative with them. This is all about expanding access to home ownership and communities where John Deere employees work and live. So on behalf of John Deere, I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Harris and the entire Rock Island City Council for allowing us to recognize this initiative. Thank you.

Proclamation declaring June 2nd, 2026 is National Mississippi River Day. Whereas the Mississippi River is one of the one of our nation's most iconic and vital waterways, spanning approximately 2,350 miles from Minnesota, Louisiana, and uniting 10 main stem states and 32 tributary states in its watershed. And whereas the Mississippi River has been deeply woven into the lives of indigenous peoples for thousands of years, sustaining communities through nourishment, travel, and trade while also holding profound cultural, spiritual, and ancestral significance. And whereas the Mississippi River serves as a critical source of drinking water for over 20 million Americans, a vital habitat for diverse fish and wildlife, and a powerful economic engine supporting commerce, agriculture, tourism, and recreation. And whereas the river is the heart of migratory flyway for 60% of North America's bird species, provides habitat for at least 260 fish species, and sustains numerous amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, making it one of the world's most important ecological corridors. And whereas the health of the Mississippi River is under threat from pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental stressors which impact the communities, economies, and ecosystems that depend on it. And whereas protecting and restoring the Mississippi River requires collaboration across states, agencies, organizations, individuals, and communities to implement sustainable and regenerative conservation practices, restore wetlands and flood planes, and reduce agricultural and urban runoff to improve water quality. And whereas the Mississippi River connects millions of people, reflecting our shared history, culture, responsibility to ensure its vitality for future generations. And whereas One Mississippi and its network of 78 organizations and 20,000 river citizens invite everyone to take action whether through conservation efforts, advocacy, or simply enjoying the river and building community. Especially during the one Mississippi's river days of action June 1st through the 15th when people across the region come together

to restore, celebrate, and advocate for a healthier river. Now, excuse me. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Ashley Harris, mayor of the city of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim June 2nd, 2026 as Mississippi River Day in the city of Rock Island. And I urge all all citizens to celebrate, protect, and restore the Mississippi River and its watershed by participating in events, signing up as one Mississippi River citizens, and take action safeguarding this invaluable resource for generations to come. dated this May 18th, 2026. Thank you. Proclamation declaring Oh, sorry.

Thank you, Mayor Mayor Harris and members of the Rock Island City Council for recognizing the importance of a clean Mississippi River through the National Mississippi River Day Proclamation. We are honored on behalf of Clean River Advisory Coalition, CRACK, to excuse me, to create inclusive environment and ensuring clean water for our community today and for generations to come. Our vision is for the Mississippi to be a hub for recreation, spirituality, and wellness. And we're grateful that Rock Island is joining us in the commitment to protect it. Rock Island sits within the Mississippi River watershed, meaning every creek, stream, and storm drain here is part of the vast system that ultimately flows the to the river. What happens in Rock Island doesn't stay in Rock Island. Our everyday choices in our neighborhoods affect water quality both in our region and hundreds of miles downstream. The Mississippi is our nation's ecological lifeline and the backbone of American agriculture and commerce, supporting communities across the country. This proclamation is a powerful reminder that we all have a stake in the river's future. Stewardship of our land, water, and wildlife is a shared responsibility no matter how far upstream we are. So, in closing, by joining the National Mississippi River Day movement, Rock Island also stands in solidarity with river communities up and down the mighty Mississippi, many of them from disproportionately impacted communities that bear environmental degradation. This proclamation educates, unites, and inspires action. On behalf of the Clean River Advisory Council, thank you again for your leadership. We look forward to

continuing this work together. Thank you.

Proclamation declaring June 5th, 2026 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Whereas every day nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year. And whereas people in the United States are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other highincome countries. And whereas Illinois has 1,758 gun deaths every year with a rate of 14.1 deaths per every 100,000 people, a crisis that cost the state $18.6 billion each year, of which 625.5 million is paid by taxpayers. And whereas Illinois has the 30th the 30th highest rate of gun violence in the US. And whereas gun homicides and assaults are concentrated in cities with more than half of all the gun homicides in the nation occurring in 42 cities. And whereas cities across the nation, including Rock Island, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions. And whereas protecting public safety in the communities they serve is a mayor's highest responsibility. And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights of law- abiding citizens goes handinhand with keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves and others. Whereas mayors, council members, and law enforcement officers in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep their citizens safe. And whereas gun violence prevention is more important than ever as we see violence

continue to impact communities across the country. And whereas January 2013, Hadia Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15. And whereas on June 5th, 2026, to recognize the 29th birthday of Hadia Pendleton, born June 2nd, 1997, people across the United States will recognize National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute to Hadia Pendleton and other victims of gun violence and the loved ones of those victims. Excuse me. And whereas the idea was inspired by a group of Hadias friends who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange. They chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods. And orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life. And whereas anyone can join this campaign by pledging to wear orange on June 5th, the first Friday in June 2026 to help raise awareness that gun violence and whereas by wearing orange on June 5th, 2026, people across the United States will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors. And whereas we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and and pledge to all we can um to keep firearms firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe. Now therefore, it be resolved that I, Ashley Harris, mayor of the city of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim the first Friday in June, June 5th, 2026 to be gun violence awareness day in the city of Rock Island. I encourage all citizens to support their local communities efforts to prevent the tragic impact of gun violence and to save lives. Dated this 18th day of May, 2026. Thank you.

Sorry. Hi. I want to thank um first thank um Mayor Harris and the um all of the Rock Island City of Rock Island Council. Thank you for acknowledging June 5th as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Um, as a gun violence survivor, it's very important to me. Um, Moms Demand Action. We're a grassroots organization. We have chapters in every state. Um, and we bring together gun owners, non-gun owners, and survivors of gun violence through legislative advocacy, our BS smart education, which is BS Smart for Kids, political action, and corporate accountability. Um, it really is as simple as asking, say you're dropping your kids off, you just say, "Hey, are your guns secure?" It really is just that simple. Um, it's something that most people don't think about. I didn't used to. Um, but I do now. It's very important just to ask that simple question. And I want to thank you. Um, we don't have to live this way. And, um, we can end gun violence. So, thank you so much for acknowledging this.

Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Agenda item eight, public comment.

Thank you, sir. Miss Gwen uh Shraco maybe Shra. Okay, I'm sorry. I got that wrong. I should have known that. Ma'am, everybody that

it used to be Gwendel and Wen one. Let me tell you about those calls. So, um I'd like to say good evening and I would like to thank um Alderman Swanson and Glenn Evans alderman for helping me with this. I'm a retired geriatric nurse. I've been around the block a few times. So, the one thing that is a issue right now is the parking spots in the handicap areas are not um painted well in a lot of areas. So, I've talked to Miss Swanson and Mr. Evans and we have been I have been contacting um uh businesses to rectify the situation. So far, uh, Dollar Tree has done their parking lot, the entire parking lot, and, uh, it took them three months to get it done. However, it's done, and we're grateful for that. There are some other businesses. Walgreens is one of them. Eagles is another one. Well, it's not Eagles anymore. It's another place, but those areas all need to be looked at, and I have been going around town in different areas and trying to make addresses and work with Miss Johnson and getting those things done. um for it's it's an important thing for people that need to have those areas to get out of their car, have plenty of room when somebody has a wheelchair or a walker or even a cane. Sometimes people park so close you can barely get out of the car. So, it's very important that we have these things for the elderly and for the handicapped. Not everybody that is handicapped is elderly. So, I would like to thank Miss Swanson and Mr. Evans for their time and consideration in this area and anybody else that would like to jump on board K. Thank you very much.

Thank you, ma'am. Agenda item nine, update Rock Island. Centennial Bridge open house. Share your thoughts on the US67 Centennial Bridge project at an openhouse public meeting on Wednesday, May 20th. Drop by anytime between 3 and 6 p.m. at the Holiday in Rock Island downtown. The Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation are continuing to identify solutions to improve safety, connectivity, mobility, and long-term reliability across the Mississippi River. Drop by to compare potential options, see how they affect the community, and ask questions. May is mental health month. The Rock Island Public Library is stocked with mental health resources for the May mental health campaign. Pick pick up your yard sign and self self-c care tote free while supplies last at the downtown or Watts Midtown branches. Adventure Summer Camp. Sign your kids up for the Adventure Summer Camp through Rock Islands Park and Recreation June 1st through August 7th for the season full of fun, friends, and exploration. Kids will have fun taking weekly trips and swimming at Whitewater Junction. Add-on swim lessons and first te golf lessons are available. Go to riggov.org for more information. Backwater Gamblers. The Backwater Gamblers kick off their show season on Sunday, May 24th at BIM Ben Williamson's Park on the Rock River located at 544th Street in Rock Island. Shows are Sunday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and are free for the public. Thank you. Agenda item 10.

A. An ordinance to install a handicap parking space at 3225 9th Avenue. Second reading.

Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Healey. I Evans. Yes. Hurt. I Barnes. I Swanson. I Parker. I and Hulis. I. Agenda item B. report from the city clerk's office regarding a request from the Quat Cities running club to hold their annual TBK Quat Cities Marathon and a resolution for the closure of the Master Sergeant Stanley Talbot Memorial Bridge 15th Street, US Highway 67 and 1st Avenue, Illinois 92 on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Motion to approve the request and adopt the resolution.

Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the role. Alder Kristen Healey. I. Evans, yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. Parker. I. And Pulus. I. Agenda item 11. A report from the traffic engineering committee regarding a request to install speed humps on 25th Avenue between 27th and 30th Street. First reading. I'm going to mess this up. Motion to consider the ordinance, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

Yes. I would like to say this is in my ward and um I am fully in support of this. There is so much traffic and speeding that happens on 25th Avenue and it's just a matter of time before somebody gets hurt. Um, in talking with public works, the traffic and engineering committee has approved this. Um, they will do a study on the road to see where the best places to put the speed humps will be and then the road will need to be resurfaced and then the humps put in. So hopefully it will happen before the end of summer, but there's a couple steps that have to go through first, but at least it's it's going to happen because I'm urging my fellow alderman to vote for this. Any more discussion? Roll call, please.

Alder Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. I. Swanson. I. Parker. I. And Pulis. I. Agenda item 12. Consent agenda items A through E. Motion to approve consent agenda items A through E. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder Christen Healey, I. Evans, yes. Hurt, I. Barnes, I. Swanson, I. Parker, I. And Pis, I. Agenda item 13. Claims A through C. Motion to approve claims A through C. Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Al person Healey. Hold on. Wait a minute. Sorry. I was spacing out there. Sorry, I'm back on planet Earth. I need to recuse myself due to the nature of my employment. Roll call, please. Alder Healey, I. Evans, yes. Hurt, I. Barnes, I. Swanson, I. And Pulis, I. Agenda item D. Claims D through F. Motion to allow claims D through F. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please. Alder person. Healey.

I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. I. Barnes. Hi. Swanson. I. Parker. I. And Pulis. I. Agenda item 14. A. Report from the mayor's office regarding the appointment of Mayor Prom. I'd like to make a motion to elect Alder person Parker as mayor prom through May of 2027. Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Due to the obvious, I'm going to recuse myself from this vote. I'm gonna work you, buddy. I'm gonna work you, buddy. Looking forward to it. Thanks. Roll call, please. Alder person Healey. I. Evans. Yes. Hurt. Hi. Barnes. I.

Swanson. I. And Pulis. I. Thank you. Alder person Parker. Agenda item 15. Does anybody have any old business, new business to discuss?

I would just like to piggyback on what Gwen talked about and encourage my fellow aldermen that as you're visiting stores and businesses, if you see faded handicap spaces that need to be painted, um, stop in and ask for the manager and maybe bring that up. I'm also gonna put the city manager on the spot and see if there's any way we could get like a letter that we could pass out when we see something like that. Um, but I think it's really important that that we're all aware of that. Thank you. I can tell you doing it at my businesses, it's a little hard sometimes because they won't do just one or two spots. They want to do the whole entire thing. So, it can get a little expensive. So,

thank you. Anything else? All right. Before we go to agenda item 16, I would like uh Mr. Brad Cole to come up and introduce himself. He's from the IML, the Illinois Municipal League.

Good evening, Mayor and Council. I'm Brad Cole, CEO of the Illinois Municipal League. You're about to entertain a motion to recess into close session in accordance with an exception to the Illinois Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 122C16 which allows for discussion of practices and procedures self-evaluation professional ethics of the public body when meeting with a representative of statewide organization for which the public body is a member. The city of Rock Island is a member of the Illinois Municipal League. The Illinois Municipal League is authorized under statute to conduct this close session and I will be handling that process and the discussion and we'll report back in open session at the conclusion of that meeting whether or not any action has been taken. There is no action to take in this close session and I'll report that accordingly. But appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight, Mayor.

Thank you, sir. Now, we'll go on with agenda item 16, close session. Second, a first and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed.

Pretty efficient.