City Council Study Session

Regular Meeting

Rock Island, IL · May 12, 2025

Minutes

CITY OF ROCK ISLAND CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 5/12/2025 - Minutes 1. Call to Order Mayor Thoms called the Study Session to order at 5:34 p.m. 2. Roll Call Mayor Thoms asked City Clerk Samantha Gange to call the roll. Present: Alderpersons Moses Robinson, Randy Hurt, Randy Tweet, Jenni Swanson, Dylan Parker and Mayor Mike Thoms. Absent: Alderpersons Mark Poulos and Bill Healy. Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, Attorney Leslie Day, City Clerk Samantha Gange, and other City Staff. 3. Presentations a. Presentation on Proposed Amendments to the Tobacco Ordinance. City Attorney Leslie Day provided a detailed background on the timeline and progression of changes to the City's tobacco ordinance over the past several years. She said that in October 2024, the Council adopted a moratorium on vape shops through June 30, 2025. Ms. Day provided background information on the potential regulation of hemp-derived THC products at the state level. She noted that 13 other states have adopted a regulatory framework for hemp products. Gov. Pritzker introduced a bill in January 2025 that would limit the sale of most hemp-derived products, but it stalled in the House. She discussed the possible enforcement challenges the City would face and noted the effectiveness of the ban would be minimal as it is offered by all of our surrounding communities, like Moline. She discussed the challenges of regulating flavored tobacco products, including enforcement concerns as well as potential First Amendment issues. She emphasized the current lack of clear state or federal guidelines and the difficulty of local enforcement without a regulatory framework. She recommended that the City wait for the adoption of a regulatory framework at the state or federal level. Clerk Gange provided an overview of the proposed changes to the tobacco ordinance. The proposed amendments include: revisions and additions to tobacco definitions; restrictions on vape product sales by reducing the sales threshold for Class B tobacco licenses (vape/specialty) to 50 percent and including a 20 percent threshold for floor/display space; limiting the number of Class A licenses (general retail/incidental) to 30 and limiting Class B licenses to 2; recommended $50 fee adjustment for each license class; removal of outdated language and designate the City Council the authority to increase or decrease the number of tobacco licenses. Attorney Day clarified that if a convenience store or vape shop closes or leaves, we will not have a license available, so it automatically reduces the number of licenses until the limit is achieved. 1 Alderperson Parker said he supports a flavored tobacco ban and a ban on hemp-derived THC products in the City. He noted he is sympathetic to having the staff and resources to enforce the bans and asked for further clarification. Clerk Gange noted the shortage in the police department and Attorney Day said there is difficulty with testing the hemp-derived THC and noted pending litigation with a municipality in Illinois who banned these products. She warned about banning hemp-derived THC products at this time, given the lack of regulatory framework and litigation risk. Attorney Day said she would be more comfortable waiting to ban hemp-derived THC products until the state implements a regulatory framework. She suggested Council adopt the proposed amendments to the tobacco ordinance now, and she can begin researching and drafting language for a flavored-tobacco ban similar to Chicago's if that is the desire of council members. Chief McCloud remarked that they are short staff, but could enforce tobacco regulations during their annual underage sales of tobacco checks. b. Presentation on the Martin Lukther King Center Prevention Program. MLK Director Jerry Jones introduced Carlos Jimenez and stated that they would be providing an overview of the MLK Prevention Program. Mr. Jimenez then introduced Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Adrianna Rubio and Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Specialist Adriana Blanco. He described the prevention program as a proactive, comprehensive educational initiative aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to make informed decisions regarding substance use and teenage pregnancy. He outlined the program’s evidence-based curriculum, which emphasizes the development of social skills, resistance to peer pressure, anti-drug attitudes, and education on mental, emotional, and sexual health. Ms. Blanco shared recent data from Rock Island High School, noting that 24 percent of students were suspended during the 2023–2024 school year due to vaping and tobacco-related incidents. She also reported that the program has reached over 1,500 students to date. The prevention team highlighted their community outreach efforts and outlined their goals for the 2025–2026 academic year. These include expanding research efforts, increasing the number of students served, staying up to date with best practices, and strengthening their partnership with the Rock Island-Milan School District. Mr. Jimenez added that the program is active in junior high schools and referenced a recent survey indicating a concerning prevalence of vaping among junior high students. Director Jones concluded by noting that the Illinois Department of Human Services provides both funding and support for the program. 4. Public Comment No one signed up to speak. 5. Adjourn MOTION: 2 Alderperson Tweet moved to Adjourn; Alderperson Swanson seconded. VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 5-0-2 roll call vote. Aye: Robinson, Hurt, Tweet, Swanson, Parker. Nay: None. Absent: Poulos, Healy. The meeting concluded at 6:22 p.m. a. Motion: Motion to adjourn. VV Voice vote is needed. [MIN_SIGNATURES] 3

Agenda

Packet

City Council Study Session Agenda May 12, 2025 - 5:30 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL Click Here to Watch Live 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Presentations a. Presentation on Proposed Amendments to the Tobacco Ordinance. b. Presentation on the Martin Lukther King Center Prevention Program. 4. Public Comment 5. Adjourn a. Motion: Motion to adjourn. VV Voice vote is needed. This agenda may be obtained in accessible formats by qualified persons with a disability by making appropriate arrangements from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, by contacting the City Clerk's Office at (309) 732-2010 or visiting in person at: 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201. Page 1 of 18 Introduction and Background • In December 2022 the City Council adopted a six-month moratorium on new vape shops due to concerns with the number of vape products, flavored tobacco products and shops in the City. • In June 2023 the City Council passed an ordinance amending Article XVIII Sale/Possession of Tobacco Products, which included the creation of Class A and Class B licenses and revised and added definitions. • In October 2024 the City Council adopted another resolution issuing a moratorium on vape shops after continued concerns with the number of vape products and shops in the City. Staff were also directed to investigate Hemp-derived THC products and the possibility of a flavored tobacco ban. Page 2 of 18 Hemp-derived THC Regulation • January 2025 - Hemp Consumer Products Act or HB 4293 – Gov. Pritzker bill that would limit sales of most-hemp derived products; passed the Senate but stalled in the House. It is anticipated similar legislation will be reintroduced in 2026. • IL cities that have adopted bans contend that statewide regulatory framework is needed for better regulation and effectiveness. • Effectiveness of ban in Rock Island would be limited as it is offered by all of the surrounding communities. • Enforcement and regulation challenges (i.e. personnel) ➢ Recommendation: Wait for state and/or federal government to adopt regulatory framework. Page 3 of 18 Flavored Tobacco Regulation • In April 2025 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a FDA decision banning flavored vapes. • Communities who have enforced flavored tobacco bans cite difficulty in enforcement due to the inability to determine which products are flavored. (i.e. tobacco companies increased push for concept flavor product labels like “blue” “royal” and jazz”) • Litigation risk – enforcement of concept flavors could raise First Amendment concerns. ➢ Recommendation: Wait for state and/or federal government to adopt regulatory framework. Page 4 of 18 Proposed Changes to the Tobacco Ordinance 1. Amendments and Additions to Tobacco Definitions: The proposed amendments to the City’s tobacco ordinance include updating and adding terminology and language that mirror other Illinois cities that have been proactive in addressing the sale and use of tobacco and vape related products. ➢ The changes introduce or revise definitions for: Tobacco products, vaping devices, tobacco accessories, alternative nicotine products and smoking herbs. ➢ These updates ensure the ordinance clearly distinguishes between different types of tobacco products and delivery methods, making it more understandable and easier to enforce. Page 5 of 18 Proposed Changes to the Tobacco Ordinance 2. Vaping Product Restrictions: The proposed amendments to the ordinance strengthen restrictions on vape product sales by revising the sales threshold and adding enhanced enforcement mechanisms. The current ordinance lacks a defined threshold for floor/display space, and the existing sales threshold is set at 80%. ➢ Class A: Less than 50% of total sales derived from tobacco-related items and less than 20% of floor/display space allocated to tobacco products, tobacco accessories, vaping and alternative tobacco products. ➢ Class B: More than 50% of total sales from tobacco-related products or 20% or more of floor/display space dedicated to these products. Page 6 of 18 Proposed Changes to the Tobacco Ordinance 3. License Limitations: Currently, Rock Island has 35 Class A and 4 Class B tobacco licenses. The proposed amendments include capping each class of license similar to the liquor code. ➢ Class A: (general retail/incidental): Limit 30 ➢ Class B: (tobacco specialty shops) Limit 2 Page 7 of 18 Proposed Changes to the Tobacco Ordinance 4. Fee Adjustments: Based on research of tobacco license fees at other comparable cities, it is recommended that Class A and Class B license fees be increased as follows: ➢ Class A: From $150 to $200 annually ➢ Class B: From $250 to $300 annually 5. Other Proposed Amendments: ➢ Removal of outdated language from the 1990s (i.e. minor from 18 to 21) ➢ Designates the City Council the authority to increase or decrease the number of tobacco licenses in each class. Page 8 of 18 Next Steps, Comments & Questions • May 19, 2025 City Council Meeting – Consideration of the amendments to the tobacco ordinance. • June 9, 2025 City Council Meeting – Passage of the amendments to the tobacco ordinance. • June 10, 2025 The City Clerk’s Office notifies all tobacco licensees of the changes and will work with PD for enforcement. • June 30, 2025 – Vape Moratorium set to expire. Comments or Questions? Page 9 of 18 Page 10 of 18 Prevention Team Carlos H. Jimenez Adrianna Rubio Joanna Perez Adriana Blanco Prevention Manager Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Specialist Prevention Specialist Prevention Specialist Page 11 of 18 What is Prevention? Page 12 of 18 Evidence Based Curricula Page 13 of 18 Seniors 2 RIHS SUSPENSION RATES Juniors & STUDENT USE 2023-2024 13 Freshmen 27 359 days of suspension WHO? YOUTH for substance AND use/possession/sale TOBACCO Seniors 5 Sophomores Freshmen 174 of these 359 16 10 24% days were for vape/tobacco Juniors 10 WHO? 185 of these 359 YOUTH AND POESSESION, 25% days were for USE OR SALE. other drugs Sophomores 12 Page 14 of 18 Prevention Success 01 100% Rating on yearly TPP program Evaluation 02 100% Rating on yearly SUPP Program Evaluation 03 Invited to national TPP Conferences 04 Reached over 1,500 unduplicated students Page 15 of 18 Community Outreach RISMD Ready to Rock Event Drug Take Back Day Annual Community Bike Ride Soul of the City PADS - Product Donation Drive Tabling Various Events RIHS Open House Youth Wellness Coalition Back to Agenda Page Page 16 of 18 2025-2026 Broaden Reach Increase numbers served Stay current on best practices Strengthen relationship with RIMSD Page 17 of 18 Thank you for listening! Q&A Page 18 of 18