[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6258416,"mediaKeyId","3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc","parentId",3148307,"title","Council issues proclamations honoring library trustee, credit union, auditors and small businesses","audioSeconds",775,"startMs",109000,"endMs",884000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc&start=109&end=884","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc/thumbnail_109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6258416/Rock-Island/Rock-Island/Illinois/Council-issues-proclamations-honoring-library-trustee-credit-union-auditors-and-small-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258416-cd1abdc10ae0f08574c0711c8b8eb2f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164926&Signature=nX86fNelzCkbnl5pAOCXcYdnMOsDZ4jtR4yUoFPos3U~irCUeKeMDXEu5lCndcDB-l6-OL9cFx3t-xdvBUdPcg6Tgs0nST-z24nIHGmdocCl6fJVZLMiGVFtQ3m1PWIjzRNpwS9oPapCB8~670Czpmgj7uLkHLVNEygEaFJGWiUpsl7Mxt3hGDSa7Sm4~nrM375-Aa~jRR5grwPQpHUfJ0IqE6HdzGOstaPNp8md9NQQ68YPwsM19T6yrT-sh48ZohDzpjjBqhzzvEW86AXqSynQ7MJyXY9gRUyzEZMJEN-yviGgaCa2CA6uS5ngAuWbE5SPN6~0-VtRkv2yurHKfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Rock Island, IL","date","2025-04-29T16:34:57.77Z","article","Mayor Mike Tomes read several proclamations and invited honorees to accept them and briefly address the council.

The council declared Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as Udell Watts III Day in Rock Island, honoring Udell Watts III for his service as a Rock Island Public Library trustee and his fundraising work through the Lorraine Evans Watts Children's Book Fund. Mr. Watts accepted the proclamation but declined to make extended remarks.

The council also proclaimed Gas & Electric Credit Union’s 90th anniversary and invited credit-union representatives to speak. Nancy (last name not specified in the transcript) thanked the city for support in acquiring and improving the credit union’s current location at 2300 Fourth Avenue and recounted how the location and surrounding area have evolved.

The city proclaimed May 2025 as Internal Audit Awareness Month and recognized the Institute of Internal Auditors Heartland Iowa chapter. Roberto Leone, representing the chapter, spoke about the role of internal auditing in promoting transparency and governance.

Finally, the council proclaimed May 4–10, 2025, as National Small Business Week and invited several local small-business owners to comment. Taylor (last name Denton), a local small-business owner, described his residential and commercial remodeling business and urged residents to support local shops.

The meeting also included community announcements and upcoming events: an MLK Center open house on West End revitalization (open house April 29), Free Comic Book Day at the downtown library (May 3) and a Broadway Historic District Mother’s Day home tour (May 11).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rock Island City Council recognized Udell Watts III, Gas & Electric Credit Union’s 90th anniversary, Internal Audit Awareness Month (May 2025) and National Small Business Week (May 4–10, 2025), and announced community events and a West End Revitalization open house.","taxTitle","Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois","taxId",53963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6258421,"Council approves multiple ordinances, sets TIF hearing date and adopts legal retainer; consent agenda passes",705,4331000,5036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc&start=4331&end=5036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc/thumbnail_4331000.jpg","/articles/6258421/Rock-Island/Rock-Island/Illinois/Council-approves-multiple-ordinances-sets-TIF-hearing-date-and-adopts-legal-retainer-consent-agenda-passes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258421-00662ded9b15032384837b93d0497708/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164926&Signature=Qvh4D~Dv~rWW8IHHeNVvAur~PYRkUwryUOX4~qqVc~v4hj~VmEyoceg6aNZyLBUxfpXSVfsUT2aTRZyLj9AdAy6NLz1IShK5CnORlbEoqLmeW41HVRCPv5Y1EY3yaNpRn12a2YV0fm~5mM-G~vUmIF5O1f1UWsnrhWLZHcDYM-98R~Bh3GfaBUi4ovW8sZjBKpS4H99gdMFnFvoPmoT0TVztOuG69~AfOPj1cEh98R7a6x2J0X3i4MtyjVfOGrrU6W9o~lg1NVdVO7mT4Ss5NI8NI5E8CC4b3vJo5h3jSIlQPm28MFw5PNt3kDPop2Xsa-KZjfHFAO1OFmiogw118A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rock Island City Council on April 28 took votes on several ordinances, approved an amended right-of-entry agreement for the Casino West project and adopted a legal retainer for dioxin litigation. Most measures were approved on voice or roll-call votes; the consent agenda (items 10a–i) passed as presented.

Key votes at a glance
- Item 8b (traffic engineering): Approve request to remove no-parking zone in front of 3011 Eleventh Avenue (first reading, ordinance consideration suspended). Vote: unanimous (Alderson Robinson Aye; Hertz Aye; Tweed Aye; Swanson Aye; Parker Aye; Pulis Aye; Healy Aye). Outcome: approved.

- Item 8c (traffic engineering): Approve request to ban parking on the north side of 80 Sixth Avenue West (first reading; ordinance consideration suspended). Vote: unanimous (Alderson Robinson Aye; Hertz Aye; Tweed Aye; Swanson Aye; Parker Aye; Pulis Aye; Healy Aye). Outcome: approved.

- Item 9a: Municipal grocery retailers occupational tax and municipal grocery service occupational tax (second reading). Motion to pass the ordinance. Vote: 6–1 (Yes: Alderson Robinson, Hertz, Tweed, Swanson, Pulis, Healy. No: Parker). Outcome: approved.

- Item 9b: Repeal chapter on horse-drawn carriages (second reading). Vote: unanimous (Alderson Robinson Aye; Hertz Aye; Tweed Aye; Swanson Aye; Parker Aye; Pulis Aye; Healy Aye). Outcome: approved.

- Item 9c: Add section on collection fees and costs to municipal code (second reading). Motion to pass. Vote: 6–1 (Yes: Alderson Robinson, Hertz, Tweed, Swanson, Pulis, Healy. No: Parker). Outcome: approved.

- Item 9d: Amend chapter 3 alcoholic liquor section (administrative hearing) (second reading). Motion to pass. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Item 9e: Amend chapter 3 to establish mayor pro tem as deputy liquor commissioner (second reading). Motion to pass. Vote: 6–1 (No: Alderson Robinson; others Aye). Outcome: approved.

- Item 9f: Establish public hearing date for proposed amendments to Parkway I-280 Casino TIF redevelopment plan (public hearing set for 06/18/2025). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved; hearing date amended to June 18, 2025.

- Item 10a–i: Consent agenda (various routine items). Motion to approve. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Item 11a: Approve amended right-of-entry agreement with Ahana Ilwa LLC and authorize city manager to execute the document (amendment removed fencing reference). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Item 11b: Adopt a 1,4-dioxin litigation retainer agreement and authorize execution subject to minor attorney modifications. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

What the votes mean
Most items on the evening's agenda were routine ordinance updates or procedural actions voted on at second reading. Parker cast the only recorded dissenting votes on two financial/fee-related ordinances (9a municipal grocery tax and 9c collection fees). The council also unanimously authorized the city to enter the amended right-of-entry agreement that permits the developer to complete contracted environmental studies (see related article).

Roll-call source
Vote tallies and individual votes are taken from the meeting's roll-call statements recorded in the official transcript and read aloud by the clerk during each item.","At its April 28 meeting the Rock Island City Council passed a series of ordinances on second reading, approved a right-of-entry agreement for the Casino West project, and authorized a dioxin litigation retainer. The consent agenda passed and a public hearing date for proposed TIF amendments was set.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6258426,"Rock Island council approves developer right-of-entry after public objections over Milan Bottoms habitat",3919,933000,4852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc&start=933&end=4852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3148307-4eb01112109fae245dd840977e91c5bc/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6258426/Rock-Island/Rock-Island/Illinois/Rock-Island-council-approves-developer-right-of-entry-after-public-objections-over-Milan-Bottoms-habitat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6258426-d9c660b74cb6aee27d514af456cc28f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164926&Signature=nSG4gByjdwGwKDdTJ4GyPC2lEJHPn-JohHzbylYzUnHYywUdIGMY7El4BQEOaiuJA5~Yjqm8KQ9VG8ELWMT7vnCUZNVA9CDuaeYjDmxhtREXe8toPRhRPA0CEVYJ1mXd86b7UaF-enZNCw2biNARHSmU~T7H8cyhjbUqI4wdAQ17LJo45vwm4LDnUHrZ4Xcy1g~DLLpxQxvp5PnTgqApgiDy~eSU8LKV9odin4ndz9nOfioEXzQPCBioAOber1fafv6xGj8jbkDkLKkWzuApCx~BcH5LeNhMgUQCs2i67ytTfpeUtk9nPsAeOM5Ey-eIGDJnuQy-eiU75P3bT4hvMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rock Island City Council approved an amended right-of-entry agreement for the proposed Casino West development on April 28, allowing the developer site access while removing a previously proposed fencing requirement and moving a gate closer to the access point.

Opponents of the project told the council the proposed 10-acre site near the expressway would harm nearby wetlands and important wildlife habitat known locally as Milan (sometimes referenced as Mylan) Bottoms. Council members and staff said the developer, Ahana Ilwa LLC, has signed a contract with environmental consultant Terracon to perform on-site studies to verify wetlands, survey protected species and document compliance with federal laws.

The amended right-of-entry motion, moved and seconded during the meeting, passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting in favor. The amendment removed language about permanent fencing and clarified that the developer may relocate a gate closer to the parcel entrance rather than install the fence described in the initial draft.

Why this matters: Residents and biologists told the council that on-site surveys have been insufficient and that the site is connected to roosting and nesting areas used by bald eagles and may hold state-listed species including Blanding's turtle. Council approval of right of entry grants the developer limited access to perform additional testing while preserving the city’s regulatory review and permitting process.

Public comment and scientific concerns
Kelly McKay, identified in public comment as a wildlife biologist from Hampton, Illinois, told the council she and other researchers had not been asked to participate in previous assessments and said the environmental review relied on databases rather than field surveys. “If this document represents such sound science, then why doesn't any representative of the DNR or Shive Hattery come to one of these meetings and defend its integrity?” McKay asked. Later in her remarks she said, referring to the city and developers, “Is it simply because you haven't consulted any other researchers and your claim is simply a load of crap, which is what I suspect it is?”

Landowner Tim Presley, who owns property adjacent to the site, said the access road is controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation and that any locked gate or changed access would require state coordination. Presley urged the council to wait for state permissions and questioned several assumptions in preliminary site plans, including proposed truck scale and parking counts.

Justin Booker, who spoke in support of preserving Milan Bottoms, said protesters were not categorically opposed to development but sought “thoughtful and sustainable development” and asked the council to consider alternate locations or sale to land trusts.

City update and Terracon work plan
During the council meeting a city representative provided a summary of additional environmental work Terracon will perform under a contract the developer signed. The city’s summary noted the studies Terracon will do include:
- Aquatic resource delineation with on-site verification and, if needed, soil sampling to identify wetland boundaries and vegetation issues that could affect Clean Water Act (Section 404) and Rivers and Harbors Act (Section 10) compliance.
- Agency verification and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine permit needs or receive jurisdictional determinations.
- A protected-species habitat assessment including desktop (database) review and boots-on-the-ground inspections, aerial imagery, GIS mapping, and reporting to address compliance with the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
- A focused bald-eagle nest survey with GPS mapping of nest locations and documentation of distances from construction activities.
- On-site species examinations for state-threatened or endangered species; the city’s summary listed mussels (including Higgins eye), a listed butterfly, and Blanding's turtle. The staff summary said Terracon will pursue necessary state permits for Blanding's turtle and schedule on-site surveys timed to May–June hatching and nesting windows.

Parcel release and conservation language
The city representative also said the developer agreed that, on sale, “Parcel 4” — a small portion of the project site that the city has described as containing wetland features and possible mounds of archaeological or natural interest — would be released back to the city to be added to a proposed conservation easement totaling approximately 5.28 acres.

The council’s action
The council voted to approve the amended right-of-entry agreement after discussion; the roll call recorded all members voting in favor. Council members emphasized that right-of-entry grants limited access for study and does not, by itself, approve any land use change or final development plan.

What remains
Speakers asked for more transparency and for the city and developers to include independent researchers in field work. Multiple public commenters asked that the city withhold final approvals until on-the-ground surveys, agency verifications, and any needed permits are complete. The Terracon scope described by the city included those steps; the council’s approval allows the developer to complete them under the terms of the amended right-of-entry but does not authorize construction or final land-use decisions.

Next steps noted in the meeting record include Terracon’s field work and agency coordination; the city will continue permitting and public-notice steps before any development approvals or TIF amendments are finalized.","After more than an hour of public comment about potential harm to wetlands and wildlife, the Rock Island City Council approved an amended right-of-entry agreement for the proposed Casino West project and outlined additional environmental studies the developer has contracted to complete.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council issues proclamations honoring library trustee, credit union, auditors and small businesses

Council approves multiple ordinances, sets TIF hearing date and adopts legal retainer; consent agenda passes

Rock Island council approves developer right-of-entry after public objections over Milan Bottoms habitat