Silvis council approves Color Run permit, police equipment lease and four police hires; staff outline development and infrastructure plans

The Silvis City Council on Feb. 17 approved a Color Run special-event permit for GOB School, authorized a lease for a Gordon Flesh printer for the police department and voted to add three new officers from the Civil Service list.

At the Committee of the Whole, aldermen moved the four agenda items to the evening’s Regular Meeting; each item later passed the council by voice vote, with six members voting yes and one member absent. Alderwoman Chrissy Winters initiated the Color Run motion; Aldermen Chad Vroman, Rick Butts, Doug Greer, Craig Pirmann and Steve Marinaccio joined her in support.

Why it matters: the approvals enable an upcoming community event and expand department resources while the city advances several development and infrastructure projects that could affect budgeting and permitting decisions in 2026–29. City Administrator Jerry outlined multiple projects and private developments that city staff say will change Silvis’s economic footprint.

City Administrator Jerry said the IL 84, IL 92 and 1st Avenue project will hold a public Zoom meeting in late April to wrap up phase one; he said phase two will require right-of-way acquisition and is expected to take about a year, with construction slated to begin in spring 2029. Jerry also reported that Railroad Heritage of the Midwest of America purchased 39 acres of the Silvis rail yard and plans to develop a rail port for off-loading cargo.

On local business growth, Jerry told the council that Real Leaf Botanical Grow plans to expand its facility from about 13,000 square feet to roughly 48,000 square feet; "they currently have 20 jobs and after the building they will add another 20 to 25 jobs," he said. He also said Acentra Credit Union aims to build in spring 2027 and that the city has three grant applications pending and nine new housing permits in process.

Public safety and capital costs were a focus of staff reports. Police Chief Gene Karzin thanked the council for approving the new hires and described recent coordination with community service officers; he and Detective Smet are meeting with a regional Impact Program on mental-health responses. Chief Karzin said the department is introducing a small 'my eyes' form for businesses and a citizen complaint form in the lobby to document concerns.

Public Works and Parks official Joe Rockwell said staff are finalizing water and sewer replacement cost estimates ahead of the 1st Avenue work and will seek grant funding. "If we broke ground today, it was just shy of $7 million," Rockwell said; Jerry added the total could be about $10 million in two years.

Other council business and reports: Inspections staff Alex Pevich said he has been on the job seven months, is working on certifications and "is learning every day." City Clerk Amy Malmstrom said she and Chief Karzin submitted a Live Scan grant application and are working on a lead-service grant; she also confirmed an April community event, Silvis Train Days, at the rail yard.

The council briefly recessed into closed session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for imminent or pending litigation; the meeting reopened with no action reported. Mayor Bob Cervantes said the council is close to selecting a replacement for Alderman Dyer and expects an announcement the following Wednesday.

Votes at a glance: - Special Event — Color Run GOB School: Approved (motion by Alderwoman Chrissy Winters; 6–0, 1 absent). - Lease — Gordon Flesh printer for Police Department: Approved (motion by Alderman Chad Vroman; 6–0, 1 absent). - Authorize hiring 1 lateral from Civil Service list: Approved (motion by Alderman Doug Greer; 6–0, 1 absent). - Authorize hiring 2 officers from Civil Service list: Approved (motion by Alderman Rick Butts; 6–0, 1 absent).

The council adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:40 p.m. and directed staff to continue grant work and to schedule the public meeting on the roadway project.