City Council - Regular Meeting

call the meeting to order at 5.45 p.m. Roll call, please.

Alderperson Evans.

Present.

Hurt.

Here.

Barnes. Here. Swanson. Here. Parker.

Here.

Polis. Here. Healy.

Here.

And Mayor Harris. Present. Would everyone please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence?

Agenda item five. Vote to approve the agenda.

must show further agenda second I have a first and a second is there any discussion roll call please Alderperson Barnes yes Swanson aye Parker aye Polis aye Healy aye Evans yes and Hurt aye agenda item six a oath of office ceremony for police chaplain Charles Butler

Good evening. So the Rock Island Police Department chaplain program was started in the 1960s with the late Sergeant Roy Shrake as our police chaplain. In 2002, Chief Terry Dove started a new civilian chaplain program, swearing in Pastor Donald Johnson of Destiny Baptist Church and Pastor Richard Berger of the First Church of the Nazarene as police chaplains. And then in 2006, Chief John Wright added Chaplain Robert Griffin. After two retirements, Chaplain Johnson was our sole police chaplain for many years until 2025 when we swore in Chaplain Margie Mejia Caraballo and Chaplain Melvin Grimes. Today we have the honor of swearing in our fourth police chaplain, Charles Butler. The job of police chaplain is essential to the well-being of both the community and the men and women who are sworn to serve it. Our volunteer police chaplains aren't just ceremonial, they provide spiritual guidance and counseling to all department members and their families in times of need, and their ministries provide support, comfort, and direct connection with the citizens of Rock Island. As members of our community, police chaplains provide a needed conduit between officers and the public, and in this essential role, they are always willing to respond to emergencies and assist the citizens of Rock Island during times of crisis. Chaplain Butler is already very well known in our community, and he has worked for the Rock Island Mile and School District for 25 years. In fact, that is how Charles and I first met. When I was a young detective serving as the SRO at Rocky, he was a new security guard there, and we worked side by side every day. We were able to develop a strong friendship and mutual trust, and since then, Charles has ridden to the head of security for the entire school district. The connections and relationships that Chaplain Butler has made over the years are invaluable to the police department and to the community. Even though we've known each other for over 20 years, I just last year learned that he's a pastor and had pastored his own church in South Carolina for six years before moving here. So today it is my honor to add my friend, Charles Butler, to the ranks of the Rock Island Police Department Chaplain Program.

. . . . . Thank you.

Thank you.

agenda item B proclamation declaring August 16 2026 is backyard barbecue day Whereas the eighth annual Backyard Barbecue is a combined effort of HAP Houston and the Sunset Cruisers alongside Word of Life Church in Rock Island to provide a day of music, food, and fun for the people of the Quad Cities. And whereas it is a free event where families can enjoy good food, live music, inflatables, cotton candy, popcorn, a car show, and a barbecue competition with great prizes for the top three finishers. And whereas the goal of this event is to serve the people of the Quad Cities and provide an opportunity for people to enjoy the summer weather and engage in fellowship. And whereas the Word of Life First youth group will sell drinks to help pay for their events and trips, while also accepting school supplies and donations for the local math and science school. And whereas many high-quality competitors will participate in the rib cook-off with many of them also selling food on the day of the event. And whereas Hap Houston and the Word of Life have partnered in this event for the past eight years with food and prizes being provided by Hap Houston, Word of Life, and the Sunset Cruisers.

now therefore i ashley harris mayor of the city of rock island do hereby proclaim sunday august 16 2026 as backyard barbecue day in the city of rock island and encourage all residents to bring a lawn chair and their appetite to this exciting event dated this 10 10th day of august 2026 thank you proclamation. Whereas Polyrhythm is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to community and cultural arts advocacy. They believe every community is enriched when its members can share in and participate in the arts. Through their programs, they provide exposure to the arts while cultivating imagination, inner strength, cultural heritage, and the resources of our community. and whereas they create projects and events that use the arts as a gateway to teach cultural, technical, and life skills with a special focus on youth in underserved neighborhoods. Their work is intentionally accessible to all, ensuring that the transformative power of the arts strengthens the entire community by highlighting the Quad Cities' rich heritage of gifted musicians, artisans, and craftsmen. They remind, inspire, and motivate people to live up to the high standards and character of our ancestors. And whereas, It is in their mission to educate and entertain by presenting first-class local, national, and global arts. Their organization provides outstanding, high-quality, and affordable experiences that add immeasurability to the quality of life in our region. And, whereas, Polyrhythms remains committed to building and assisting the Bill Bell Jazz and Heritage Festival, an event reflective of our cultural diversity that has shaped and continues to sustain the Quad Cities. They honor the legacy of our grandparents and the indigenous people and communities whose music, culture, and sacrifice contribute to the growth and success of this region through their blood, sweat, and tears. And whereas, For 24 years, the Polyrhythm's Third Sunday Jazz Series has served as a cultural cornerstone. And for over a decade, the Bill Bell Jazz and Heritage Festival has cared for the legacy of our unique heritage. Together, these programs sow rich seeds for generations to come. Now, therefore, I, Ashley Harris, Mayor of the City of Rock Island, do hereby proclaim Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, as Bill Bell Jazz and Heritage Festival Day in the City of Rock Island, dated this 10th day of August, 2026. Thank you.

Okay, ready to sign?

So thank you very much again for welcoming me to Kali Rhythm and the Bill Bell Jazz and Heritage Festival. This will be our 12th year in the city of Rock Island, primarily at the Martin Luther King Center. So we're very proud of this relationship that we started 12 years ago. We have been committed to not only the music, but as Mary Harris read, culture, education. You three authors this year will be on a panel on August 21st to talk about their books, their process, sell their books, and all of that. We're very proud of that because You know, there was a time when we didn't see black authors even globally or nationally, and now we see that we're uplifting and motivating people to write their own stories. We also, from the very beginning, from the beginning of the start of the festival, we always would present a helpful various topics, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, lupus. This year, we are going to focus on prostate cancer. And we have a speaker, two speakers, one from, the main speaker is from Waterloo, Iowa, and then we have Reverend Hale, who comes from from Mount Zion Baptist Church in East Moline. We'll talk about his experiences as a prostate cancer survivor. So we're very happy to be here. We thank the city of Rock Island again for all of your support at Evolving Rock Island. who have always been very helpful. And so thanks again, I think you all have a flyer. You're welcome to come, please come, let us know that you're there and we'll put you in front of a mic. Okay, thank you.

Proclamation declaring August 23rd, 2026 is Sophia Stevenson Day.

Proclamation. Whereas, Othea Stevenson, a Rock Island native, born and raised in the city she continues to serve and love, now residing in Shiloh, Illinois, is a woman of deep faith, a devoted member of the Church of Christ, and a servant-hearted advocate whose love for others has guided her life's work. And whereas, Othea remains a tireless champion for the city of Rock Island, making the four-hour drive from Shiloh repeatedly and without hesitation to serve her community. and has worked faithfully alongside both former mayor Mike Tomes and current mayor, myself, Ashley Harris, to advance the well-being of Rock Island's residents. And whereas each year, Othea organizes two community events in Rock Island, one in May, honoring the birthday of her beloved son, Demar D'Angelo Bester, and one in August, marking the anniversary of his passing, ensuring that his memory lives on and that the community continues to gather in love, unity, and remembrance. And, whereas, on the night of August 23, 2016, Othea received the most devastating news a mother can receive, the loss of her youngest son, DeMar DeAngelo Bester, age 24. And rather than succumb to grief, she channeled her pain in a purpose and declared she would never give up. And whereas, in the wake of that tragedy, Othea organized a candlelight prayer virgil, a community breakfast bringing together residents and city officials to address gun violence and community concerns, and spearheaded a petition drive that resulted in the installation of lights and security cameras in the neighborhood where her son lost his life. And Whereas, Othea raised funds for and dedicated a memorial bench in honor of DeMar DeAngelo Bester, placed outside of the Church of Peace in Rock Island, Illinois, giving his daughters and the community a place of remembrance and reflection. And whereas, she established a player line 309-527-9690, open to the entire country on Mondays and Wednesdays evenings, providing spiritual support to grieving families, young people, and all who call. And whereas, through her tireless advocacy, she worked with UnityPoint Health Trinity Hospital in Rock Island to establish a compassionate care policy and develop a staff training video to ensure that no family would ever again be denied the opportunity to say a final goodbye to a loved one in crisis. and whereas othea successfully petitioned the city of rock island to designate an honorary street name demarsway as a permanent tribute to her son and a symbol of love unity and remembrance and whereas her compassion extends far beyond grief ministry as Othea has dedicated herself to serving senior citizens in her community, witnessing vulnerable elderly individuals waiting for hours after medical appointments with no means of transportation home. She began driving them herself, an act of simple selfless love that grew into a full transportation and advocacy business dedicated to the dignity and well-being of our senior citizens. Whereas, she has published a book titled From Joy to Mourning, 2024, sharing her journey of faith, loss, resilience to bring comfort and courage to others walking a similar road. And whereas, the city of Rock Island recognizes that Althea Stevenson embodies the very spirit of community, a woman who turned unspeakable loss into lasting legacy, whose faith, perseverance, and compassion continue to bless this city and beyond. Now, therefore, I, Ashley Harris, Mayor of the City of Rock Island, do hereby declare August 23rd of each year as Othea Stevens Day in the City of Rock Island, dated this 10th day of August, 2026. Thank you. moving right along agenda item seven public comment miss Sharon Davis miss Sharon Davis

Thank you.

My name is Sharon Davis. I've been a resident of Rock Island for the last 35 years. I'm 82 years old. I have lived on the West End all these years I've lived in Rock Island. My issue is with public safety, and it's in regards to the criminal element that is in Rock Island, especially on the West End. I'm not going to bore you or put you to sleep. I'm just going to give you a concise report of what happened with me, my neighbor across the alley, and a very close friend of mine. About three to four weeks ago, they were trying to steal my car. They didn't get in it. I had a quick response from the police department when I woke up that morning. They were very thorough. When they came out, they dusted the car for fingerprints. However, they couldn't lift any because whomever did that in all probability wore gloves and probably had a mask on. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera. Then the same night that they tried to break into my car, they broke into the neighbor's truck directly across the alley from me and stole her wallet with her credit cards, her driver's license, everything. She spent the next week trying to replace everything. Not 10 days after that, my best friend, who lives three blocks over, and then four blocks towards Seventh Avenue, her house was fired by a barrage of bullets, which were nine millimeter. They went through two doors, they went through into her kitchen, and we're about four inches from hitting a gas line. I could have lost my best friend, her significant other, and her 90-year-old brother. Now what is the solution? The police are stretched so far with all the budget cuts. It's trickle-down economics. But there needs to be more police presence on the west end of Rock Island, especially in the hours between 12 and 6 o'clock in the morning. Also, my very next neighbor next to me is petrified. She goes to work at 4 in the morning. She is afraid to walk out to her car. What kind of environment do we live in? And this is mainly on the west end of Rock Island. But you never hear anything of it. People say, oh, well, I live so and so. Maybe I live about a quarter of a mile away. I've never heard anything like that. This has not made the news, any of the media. And I'm the one that will go to the media and express my opinion about getting this in the newspapers and on television so the citizens of Rock Island know what is going on. Because virtually, you go out of the nucleus of the West End of Rock Island and people aren't aware of what's going on. And I speak for all law abiding citizens. I don't care if they're senior citizens, if they're working class people. I speak for my neighbor who is petrified to walk out her back door to go to work. I speak for a lot of people. Whenever this happens to somebody, and I pay insurance, so whenever a criminal going to damage my property, I'm going to have to pay a $500 deductible for whomever to try and steal something from me or do damage to my home. or whatever, it doesn't set right with me. And I don't know what the solution is. You can't talk about a curfew because a curfew only covers somebody of a certain age. When you get to be a certain age, I guess the older people have a right to be out beyond a certain point. So what is the solution? I'd really like for you to think about that. What is the solution? I'm just trying to speak for people who don't want to get up and speak for themselves. I stand up and be heard, and I stand up for what I believe in, and thank you very much for your time. Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Jack Cullen.

Good evening, mayor, city council, city staff. My name is Jack Cullen. I'm the executive director of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance. And my pleasure to speak with you tonight. Thank you for your time. I am here to speak in support of a few agenda items. But for starters, I would like to also recognize a few members of the audience who are with us here tonight. We have a few board members of the Rock Island Downtown Alliance. Our chair, Brandy Vandy Wally of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques. Our vice chair of the board, Greg Stecker of Stecker Graphics, as well as a fellow board member, Deanna Freeman Foster of Big T Wear. So board members, thank you for being here tonight as well. For everyone's awareness, Todd, as the city manager, also sits on the board of the Downtown Alliance and is our sole permanent board member. So we are first here tonight to speak in support of agenda item 10, which is regarding the TIF funded business assistance programs. So we were honored to expand our partnership in this way with the city of Rock Island in form of a pre-development rebate program and property improvement rebate programs for downtown properties and businesses within the downtown tiff district this is a great partnership because we have proven that the downtown alliance is set up to help facilitate programs such as this so as of the end of our last fiscal year which just ended june 30th our board has approved close to 50 different projects equating to an allocation of just over eighty thousand dollars since the formation of our organization this partnership is a strategic one where now that the downtown tiff has been established we can use those funds to reinvest into the downtown tiff by offering small businesses and property owners assistance while leveraging the funds that come into the Downtown Alliance through the special service area and our other revenue streams to impact other programs and services. So it's a great way to work together, expand the partnership between the city and the Rock Island Downtown Alliance, and stretch our collective dollar for a deeper impact downtown. So thank you in advance for the consideration and support of this partnership. Again, as it's made clear, those funds, the funds that will be fueling these programs will go from the city, to the project, to the recipient of those funds. The Downtown Alliance is here as a 15 host venues, one of which is a unique one in the city of Rock Island's parking lot across the street, which is on the agenda tonight for consideration to host a roller derby showcase there on Friday, which I think speaks to the uniqueness of this event. Everything from a new mural going up on the backside of Bent River Brewing Company, being facilitated in partnership with our friends at Quad City Arts, to this roller derby showcase, to a slate of live music, different private businesses and public spaces, to professional wrestling, to a 5K, and beyond. So thank you again in support of our partnership in the realm of economic development, as well as in the realm of events and promotions. Two different areas of work that the Rock Island Downtown Alliance is laser focused on for the betterment of downtown. Thank you.

Thank you, Jack. Mr. Gary Bradley.

your mayor members of the city council uh my name is gary bradley i am the founder and ceo of broken stone which is located in kewanee illinois after 27 years in city management, so let me say first that I appreciate and understand what you guys do, because I spent 27 years in city management. Before that I spent eight years in public service in the military. So after 35 years of combined service in the public, I went into the private sector and founded my own company, doing screenplays, writing, art, music, just living my best life. Part of that's travel. I went to the NFL Draft, I went to the Hall of Fame, and I went to Douglas Park. If you're wondering what those three things have in common, that's kind of a sign. Douglas Park was the first place that NFL players stepped onto a field. I would like to see you guys put some kind of commemorative plaque, something small. I know you've had plans in the past to do something bigger, but something small. I said I do art. I took the liberty, this is clearly art because it doesn't exist, but something this simple on a plaque that you then put on the internet, people will come. They will look at it. They will come to Rock Island because the first time anybody stepped on a field as an NFL player, they were from the Rock Island Independence. And it was at Douglas Park here. People will come. People will travel. They will see that kind of stuff. I might be wrong. Like I said, I'm not from here. I don't have a vested interest. Just came to help. Just came to offer a suggestion because there are people like me who like to go out and see Civil War battlefields or nature trails or sports things, and this is one of them. So best of luck to you guys. I wish you the best in everything you do, and I hope to see this next time I go to Douglas Park. Thank you, sir.

agenda item eight update rock island Update Rock Island. Coffee with a Cop. Join the Rock Island Police Department for Coffee with a Cop at the King's Cafe tomorrow morning at the Martin Luther King Center, 639th Street from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Coffee with a Cop helps to break down barriers by bringing police officers and the community together over coffee so we can make better connections and learn from one another. Thursday Night Groove. Thursday Night Groove kicks off the Alternating Currents Arts Festival this Thursday, August 13th at Schwebert Riverfront Park with two live shows. Enjoy a full night of live music, starting with Chicago's Lowdown Brass Band from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by Adam Gruel and the Space Burritos from 9 to 11 p.m. We have everything you need to make it a night of, food from Nescafe, Quad Cities, and La Flama, beer from Bent River Brewing Company, and also Stan's ice cream. Come early, stay late, and kick off the Thursday night groove series with us. Red, white, and boom. Grab your lawn chairs and coolers and head to Schreiber Riverfront Park for the Red, White, and Boom this Saturday night, starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy food concessions, Bent River Beer Garden, and dance to the music of DJ Jeff James. Then sit back and enjoy fireworks at 9.30 p.m. Thank you. Agenda item nine.

A, an ordinance to install a handicapped parking space at 1910 16th Street, second reading.

Motion to approve the ordinance.

Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alder Prison Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos.

Aye.

Feeley.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item B.

An ordinance rezoning the property with pin 1616305004 from B4 district to C2 district. Second reading.

Motion to pass the ordinance.

Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye.

Agenda item C. An ordinance rezoning the properties with pins 16202-00004 and 16204-00002. Second reading. Motion to pass the ordinance. second there's been a first and a second is there any discussion clerk please call the roll alderperson barnes aye swanson aye parker aye poolis aye healy aye evans yes and hurt aye agenda item d in ordinance amending chapter 9 of the rock island code of ordinances by creating a new article 7 entitled unauthorized motorized vehicles and reckless operations second reading motion to pass the ordinance

there's been a first and a second is there any discussion yes i do have do have uh questions comments i originally two weeks ago voted no on this particular ordinance because i had other questions so i have communicated with the city attorney over the past couple of weeks One of my residents was concerned about the impact to e-bikes, so I told her I would look into it. So Leslie, do you kinda wanna just touch on the e-bikes, the low speed, high speed e-bikes and how that's impacted by the ordinance?

Yes, so the low speed e-bikes are actually going to be regulated under state law. So this ordinance does not, does not regulate or legislate anything that is covered by state law. The high speed electronic bicycles, if they are not covered by the state law, then the ordinance would impact them. And the ordinance would also impact any other motorized bicycle or electronic vehicle that's not covered under state law. So the high speed ones would be impacted. The low speed ones are still regulated under state law, although there is the provision in terms of reckless operation as well. So even if you have a low speed e-bike, you still can't have reckless operation of the vehicle.

So I guess kind of looking at the high-speed bikes, would that be impacted as far as registration, titles, insurance? So if this passed tonight, all the owners of high-speed bikes would have to immediately get insurance, registration, title. and have a valid driver's license.

That would be correct. An important note to make is under the state law, anything above those speeds that they are regulating, they also would then consider it basically like a motor vehicle. So they should also be licensed and registered under state law. But this ordinance would give us an ability to go after those unlicensed e-bikes, the unregulated e-bikes, the high-speed ones that we're talking about.

So I guess given those circumstances, the state is allowing people several months to make adjustments and whatever else they need to do. So I would also recommend that the city council allow sufficient time by requesting a proposal to the amendment.

Yes. So the state law goes into effect on January 1st of 2027. Right. So are you making a formal motion to amend the ordinance for the effective date, January 1st, 2027?

Yes, just specifically for the e-bikes so that residents have sufficient time.

So just specifically the e-bike portion? Yes. Okay. Is there a second for that?

Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

To clarify, city attorney, police chief... What are your thoughts? Do you have any objection or concern regarding delaying implementation specifically for the e-bike portion of the ordinance until it matches state regulation implementation of January 1st?

There's nothing from a legal standpoint in terms of when that portion takes effect. So you are able to do it or you don't have to do it. So yeah, legally there's no issue from it.

And there's no objections from the police department.

Thank you.

And this is for the bikes that go like over 28 miles.

Yeah, I would be it. Correct me if I'm wrong. Alderwoman Barnes, you're wanting to do all e-bikes. Any portion as it relates to e-bikes would not take effect until January 1st of 2027.

When the state law kicks in. OK. Yeah.

But to be clear, the reckless portion begins immediately.

Exactly.

Yes.

Any more discussion? Does everyone know where we are? All right. Okay. All right. Roll call, please.

Alder Prison Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Aye.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item E. Hold on.

Now we have to vote on the underlying amendment or we'll go back to the discussion base of that.

I still have discussion of the underlying.

Sorry, I said underlying amendment. I meant underlying ordinance, but yes, go ahead.

Right, the original ordinance. We still have not got a full signed anything from the governor's office based on this yet. They're still hammering out their feelings about some of the regulations. And I'm still a no when it comes to what's going on due to the fact that I think we're overreaching. um so i just have real problems with what's going on i think that we're stepping on some places that may cause some problems for the city and i just i'm in disagreement any more discussion roll call please

Aye. Swanson? Aye. Parker?

Aye.

Poulos? Aye. Healy?

Aye.

Evans?

No.

And Hurt?

Aye.

Agenda item E. Repurposing Community Development Department regarding an inducement resolution for planning and redevelopment expenditures for the proposed Southport District TIF.

Motion to pass the resolution.

Second.

There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the roll.

Alderpers and Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker. Aye. Hulis.

Aye.

Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item 10.

Report from the Economic Development Department regarding TIF-funded business assistance programs. First reading.

Move to approve the proposed business assistance programs, consider, suspend the rules, and pass the ordinance.

Second. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

so if we are suspending the rules there will not be a second reading okay because i do have a lot of questions not as far as the actual money being spent but the process that is being requested so i'm wondering if we is it necessary for us to suspend the rules if there's no immediate need for it can we just do a first reading to allow me amper time like i did with the

motorized ordinance to review ask questions and then make a I respect your thoroughness and desire for information there are projects that are chomping at the bit to begin due to that I have made the motion that I've made people want to see development in downtown Rock Island

motion still stands I also have a vested interest in the downtown area Alderman Parker's motion still stands but one of you guys could make a motion to postpone it to a certain date if you would like I have no problem postponing it to the next city council.

So you're making a motion to postpone it to the next city council date? Is there a second on that motion?

Yes.

Okay, so we have a first and a second on that. So we need to vote on the postponement to the next city council meeting.

Discussion or roll call?

Discussion.

Okay. Is there any discussion? Well, I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

As far as... Just on the postponement.

Oh, on the postponement.

Yes. Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. No. Parker.

No.

Polis. No. Healy.

No.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

No.

Okay. So we move back to Alderman Parker's motion to consider suspend the rules and pass the ordinance.

we have additional questions at this time okay so I guess I had talked to the city manager about this there seems to be some conflict in here I can get to it so I guess the Rita board would review and approve applications correct yes correct okay and then it would come to the city manager to approve also they would make sure they make a recommendation so if that's how it is written in the ordinance seems like the ordinance would need to be corrected to show that that they are not actually approving but making recommendations otherwise it's pretty much a mute point

Great question. Alderman Barnes. And I look to colleagues in the city's economic development department as well. We've worked with Tom and Miles in addition to Todd. I meet with the city's economic development team. We have a weekly sit down on Mondays. As Alderman Parker mentioned, we have already a running list of projects that we know are out there. that we're eager to send the application to once the programs are approved. Due to the timing of it, the plan would be to share any applications that come in on that rolling weekly basis, and giving the city manager The full approval is overseeing the city's downtown TIF funds while keeping our downtown alliance board up to date on those projects and of course in turn the city council as well. These are not downtown alliance funds. We're using Downtown Alliance staff to help facilitate the programs. So all parties will be kept up to date, of course. But the actual approval, ongoing approval of projects as they come in, my understanding would be that the city manager would have the full approval there.

Alderperson Barnes, are you saying that that's not how the ordinance is written?

I have to go back and look. I was focusing on the motorized vehicle so much I didn't have a lot of time to really look at this. But I thought it said the board would also approve. Am I mistaken? That's not in there.

So these are all under $10,000, correct? right and so because of that anything under ten thousand dollars does not have to come to council correct and the ordinance for the property improvement rebate program

the city council does hereby authorize the rock island city manager to administratively approve projects recommended to them upon completion of the review processes outlined in the program policies and procedures we can move forward i just wanted i was just hoping to have another two weeks um so i mean we can move forward with the vote

For our economic development team, I received a request from

a constituent and a member of the Rock Island Preservation Commission regarding our recently developed design guidelines that the city is now in, I believe we're in possession of the new design guidelines. The request was that recipients of this program be shared the city's design guidelines. Not as a restriction, not saying that in order to qualify for the funds you need to adhere to the guidelines or anything like that. but simply that the guidelines be proactively shared with program recipients to make sure that they're aware of our new guidelines which could be helpful to them this could be included in the program application for when people are filling out the application for the program that they are proactively informed of the city's design guidelines Staff, does that sound okay to you? Can you guys commit to work with Jack to make sure that Jack can get the guidelines to program recipients?

Yeah, we can make that work, yes.

And I think just generally, I don't want to speak for Jack, but it sounds like Jack is not aware of our new design guidelines document, would be helpful for our downtown stakeholders to be aware of. So maybe a meeting to discuss what that is would be helpful. Jack, are you okay with facilitating that as well? Okay. Then in that case, sounds good, thank you.

Is there any more discussion?

no just to say i'm going to vote no and that's mainly because i just would prefer that we had went to a second reading so that's my concern clerk please call the roll alders and barnes no swanson are we voting or is somebody voting yeah sorry roll call please

Alderperson Barnes. No. Swanson.

Yes.

Parker.

Aye.

Polis.

Aye.

Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

No.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item 11.

Consent agenda items A through J.

Motion to approve consent agenda items A through J.

Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker. Aye. Poulos. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item 12.

A, report from the Public Works Department regarding payment to Layman Construction, Rock Island, Illinois, for the 28th Street Court and 32nd Avenue Court reconstruction project in the amount of $28,018.98. Motion to allow the claim. Second. Second.

There's been 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 Prison Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Poulos.

Aye.

Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item B.

Report from the Public Works Department regarding payment three and final to Green Space Associates, Bettendorf, Iowa, for the 2025 sod replacement program in the amount of $241,415. Motion to allow the client.

Second. There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alder Prison Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans. Yes. And Hurt.

Aye.

Agenda item C. Report from the Public Works Department requesting authorization to purchase an automated testing system for the water treatment plant lab from IDEXX Westbrook, Maine in the amount of $17,172.69. Motion to approve the purchase. Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alder Prison Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker. Aye. Kulis. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item 13.

A report from the clerk's office and legal department regarding a hold harmless agreement with Quad City Rollers to use the city-owned parking lot between 16th and 17th streets on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. for a roller derby exhibition game during alternating currents. second there's been a first and a second is there any discussion roll call please alder prison barnes aye swanson aye parker aye holus aye healey aye evans yes and hurt aye agenda item b Report from the clerk's office and legal department regarding a hold harmless agreement with Second Baptist Church to use city-owned property at 511th Street on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for their anniversary celebration.

Second. It's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please call the roll.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos.

Aye.

Healy.

Aye.

Evans. And Hurt.

Aye.

Agenda item C. Report from the Public Works Department regarding a proposal from IMIG for the 40th Street Phase 1 and 2 construction staking and material testing in an amount not to exceed $62,600.00.

Second.

We have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Hulis. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item D.

Report from the Public Works Department regarding a supplement to the Engineering Services Agreement with Hutchinson Engineering, Moline, Illinois, for the 30th Street, 9th to 18th Avenue resurfacing project in the amount of $5,861. Second.

There's been a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Kulis. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye.

Agenda item E. Report from the Parks and Recreation Department regarding bids for the installation of an ADA concrete pathway with a curb for the Sunset Park East Boat Ramp, recommending the bid be awarded to Quad City Fix-It Incorporated, Moline, Illinois, in the amount of $13,000.

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.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Hulis. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans. Yeah. And Hurt.

Aye. Agenda item 14. Budget adjustments A through C. Motion to approve budget adjustments A through C. I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Roll call, please.

Alderperson Barnes. Aye. Swanson. Aye. Parker.

Aye.

Poulos. Aye. Healy.

Aye.

Evans.

Yes.

And Hurt.

Aye.

Agenda item D. Report from the Finance Department regarding a budget adjustment to the TIF 4 Parkway I-280 Valley Casino Fund 402 in the amount of $62,600.

Motion to approve the budget adjustment.

Second.

I have a first and a second is there any discussion roll call please Alderperson Barnes aye Swanson aye Parker aye Hulis aye Healy aye Evans yes and Hurt aye agenda item 15 a report from the mayor's office regarding an appointment to the fire and police commissioners board much to approve the appointment

So we actually need you to say that whole thing.

Motion to amend this. Wait a minute. Motion to amend the city council July 13th, 2026 action.

Opposing. Motion to amend.

Mayor's appointment to delete the fire until August 24th, 2026.

called by changing the date for consideration to August 10th, 2026, considering the approval of the mayor appointment to the Police and Fire Commission by the Board of Conservatives. Second.

I have a first and a second. Is there any discussion?

Yeah. It's 15A.

is there any more discussion everyone know where we are clerk please call the roll elder prison barnes aye swanson aye parker aye pulis haley aye evans yes and hurt aye agenda item 16 rock island port authority

motion to close the regular city council meeting and convene the rock island regional port district meeting second i have a first and a second all in favor say aye aye all opposed good evening mayor and council just wanted to share some good news uh last week the city was awarded a hundred and twenty thousand dollar site readiness grant so we can study we can further study the sunset south site

Second.

First and the second I have, is there any discussion? Or excuse me, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Agenda item 17.

I just want to call out Jack and the Downtown Association for their second Saturdays in downtown Rock Island. I went Saturday. I did the yoga and Pilates class. It was a lot of work, but it was fun. But I just want to say kudos to you guys. There were a lot of people down there, a lot of vendors down there. And I think what you're doing is absolutely wonderful to bring people in. And I think with alternating currents, again, an amazing event with lots of venues to bring people to downtown. So kudos to all of you for what you're doing.

i just want to piggyback on that i did hear the commercial today very nice commercial you guys did a good job and it's nice uh saying rock island highlighted for something positive and uh one more one more quick thing uh when was it when when did demetrius johnson receive his award Yes, that was Friday on 6th Street, on 5th Street, and I think that was a great honor that was teamed up with Crawford Company that the city also participated in. I just want to congratulate Demetrius for all of his hard work, as well as the partners that helped to award him this Friday. Demetrius Johnson.

Thank you. Anything else? All right. Motion to adjourn.

Second.

I have a first and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed?