City Council Study Session

Regular Meeting

Rock Island, IL · May 19, 2025

Minutes

CITY OF ROCK ISLAND CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION City Council Chambers, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 5/19/2025 - Minutes 1. Call to Order Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone. 2. Roll Call Mayor Harris asked Deputy Clerk Amanda Torres to call the roll. Present: Alderpersons Evans, Hurt, Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos, Healy, and Mayor Harris. Absent: Staff: City Manager Todd Thompson, Attorney Leslie Day, Deputy Clerk Amanda Torres, and other City Staff. 3. Presentations a. Urban Ag Ordinance Presentation. Planning and Zoning Manager Tanner Osing explained that the urban agriculture ordinance includes a wide range of topics including gardening, beekeeping, livestock and chickens, among other things in an urban setting. Currently, the City has no regulations on gardening, beekeeping, raising livestock, or other agricultural activities other than chickens. He explained that urban agriculture is growing in popularity and is already present in Rock Island. The benefits of regulating urban agriculture activities include food access, community engagement, sustainable land management strategies and learning and entrepreneurial opportunities. The ordinance provides general rules that ensure compatibility and promote health, safety and welfare. Mr. Osing discussed the details of the ordinance, including prohibiting activity on lots with foreclosed vacant or abandoned structures. He displayed a graphic to depict what a vacant lot would look like with a 5-foot lawn buffer where no crops would be allowed to be planted. The 20-foot setback would be for vegetables 4-feet and higher. More and more residents are interested in urban agriculture and simple rules should be implemented to reduce compatibility issues and be a selling point for the City. Community Development Director Brainard clarified that although the First Ward has a higher concentration of gardens, they are not community gardens and are for private use. He noted that the City has several vacant lots on the tax roll and much of the interest in purchasing these was from residents wanting gardens. He noted that the City Council can restrict this, but it comes at a cost as the City will be responsible for the maintenance and taxes of the lots. Some Council members expressed concern over the abundance of lots being purchased for gardens. Director Brainard explained the state garden law that states the right to garden on property that you own. However, the law allows municipalities to put in place reasonable regulations. He said one acre was used for code consistency but not set in stone. He clarified that residents indicate what the intended use of the property is when completing the application to purchase City-owned property. He noted staff are working on a map that would depict exactly what the properties are being purchased for and whether they are in a 1 concentrated area. Director Brainard clarified that hypdroponic farming is a form of urban agriculture, but there are no negative consequences of having one. He discussed native plants and pollinators and the code allows people to have them, but it is vague. b. Rental Registration Ordinance Presentation. Community Development Director Miles Brainard discussed the history of the rental registration program and noted the program started in 2004 and that 37% of the housing stock in the City is rental properties. He said inspections and rental registrations have been on the increase and are anticipated to continue to trend upward. Director Brainard explained the changes to the ordinance, including short-term rentals, rent-to-own properties, clarification and framework for applications, fees, fines and violations. It was noted that the proposed fees align with neighboring cities. Additional changes to the rental registration ordinance include requiring the rental license to be displayed in a common area as well as clearly defining the revocation process and appeals process. Director Brainard explained the changes to the ordinance help provide a level playing field for owners by requiring a minimum housing standard, help to maintain and stabilize property values, strengthen the enforcement structure to encourage compliance and the ability to adjust the inspection schedule to a more achievable standard. Director Brainard clarified that the owner or an appointed designated property manager must live or maintain an office within 50 miles of the City boundary. He explained that each unit would need to be inspected at a minimum of 5 years, but staff could show up at any time with any level of frequency to address problems. The language allows for the inspections team to take a holistic approach to enforcement. City Attorney Day explained the eviction process and said rent can be withheld until the property becomes habitable. The City would not get directly involved, but the tenant would be made aware of their defense. Alderperson Parker suggested that the City should partner with organizations regarding tenant education to bring awareness of the regulations. Director Brainard clarified that each property gets a separate license, which is issued to the person as a business license and is non-transferable. It was noted that the staff would explore adding language to the ordinance that ensures the landlord is licensed by the state. Alderperson Parker suggested adding a tenant to the commission. Director Brainard explained that if a property is found to be code deficient, then the property owner is responsible for addressing those deficiencies. Attorney Day explained the liability of the condition of the building is on the property owner. 4. Public Comment No one was signed up for public comment. 5. Adjourn 2 a. Motion: Motion to adjourn. VV Voice Vote is needed. MOTION: Alderperson Poulos moved to adjourn; Alderperson Healy seconded. VOTE: Motion PASSED on a 7-0-0 voice vote. Aye: Evans, Hurt, Barnes, Swanson, Parker, Poulos and Healy. Nay: None. Absent: None. The Study Session concluded at 6:37 p.m. [MIN_SIGNATURES] 3

Agenda

Packet

City Council Study Session Agenda May 19, 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. Urban Ag Ordinance Presentation. b. Rental Registration Ordinance Presentation. 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 23 Urban Agriculture Ordinance Beets, Chickens, and Bees. Oh My! Page 2 of 23 What Is Urban Ag? • Includes gardening, chicken keeping, and raising livestock in an urban setting. • The ordinance defines two main types. – Urban Gardens are smaller lots located mainly north of the Rock River that could used for gardening, chicken keeping, and beekeeping. – Urban Farms are larger lots located south of the Rock River where livestock and large machinery would also be allowed. Page 3 of 23 How Is Urban Ag Regulated In RI? • City currently has an Urban Chicken Ordinance. • State has the Illinois Bee and Apiaries Act and the Right to Garden Act. • City has no other regulations on gardening, beekeeping, raising livestock, or other agricultural activities. Page 4 of 23 More On The Right To Garden Act… • Adopted in 2022 under 505 ILCS 87/1 • Preempts municipalities from prohibiting vegetable gardening on private property. • Allows home rule units to have regulations on setbacks, water use, control of weeds/grass, etc. Page 5 of 23 Why Regulate This? • Urban Agriculture is growing in popularity and is already present in Rock Island. – 17 of 30 properties sold by the City in 2025 are planned to be gardens. – 16 Urban Chickens licenses. • Benefits include food access, community engagement, sustainable land management strategies, and learning & entrepreneurial opportunities. • Ordinance provides general rules that ensures compatibility and promotes health, safety, and welfare. Page 6 of 23 What Will This Help? Page 7 of 23 The Meat & Potatoes • Prohibit activity on lots with foreclosed, vacant, or abandoned structures. • Allow gardening, chicken keeping, and beekeeping on all lots with occupied structures. • Allow gardening only on vacant residential lots less than 1 acre and require a special use permit in other districts. • Allow gardening on vacant residential lots less than 5 acres only in SW Rock Island and require a special permit for that size in other parts of the City. • Allow urban agriculture of any kind on vacant residential lots 5 acres or larger in SW Rock Island. Page 8 of 23 A Second Helping of Meat & Potatoes... • Urban Gardens & Urban Farms: Provides standards for maintenance, setbacks, structures, and other activities. • Chicken Keeping: Generally, follows the current ordinance but will no longer require a license. • Bee Keeping: Includes basic best practices, similar to existing the Urban Chicken Ordinance, and references out State requirements. • Livestock Keeping: Adapts some standards from the County with specific requirements on setbacks and number per property. • Controlled Grazing: Allows the activity under with certain parameters on a temporary basis. Page 9 of 23 5ft Cultivated Area 5ft 5ft House House Required front yard setback/20ft STREET/AVENUE - Water tank - 5ft Lawn buffer Property lines Page 10 of 23 Summary • More and more residents are interested in urban agriculture. • Simple rules should be implemented to reduce compatibility issues. • Allowing urban agriculture benefits the community and is a selling point. Page 11 of 23 Questions? Page 12 of 23 REGISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RENTAL HOUSING Proposed updates to Rock Island city ordinance Page 13 of 23 Overview of Rental Registration • According to Census data, rentals make up 37% of housing in the City of Rock Island. • The Rock Island rental inspection program started in 2004. • There have not been any major changes to the ordinance since the start of the program. Page 14 of 23 • Rental Inspections: Increased from 1,030 in 2023 to 1,711 in 2024. • Rental Registrations: Expanded to 2,058 properties covering 4,613 units, reflecting continued growth. • New Rental Registrations, continued upward trend, 333 new registrations in 2024. • New Short-Term Registrations: 17 registrations. • 2024 saw increased inspections & housing and nuisance enforcement across multiple areas. Page 15 of 23 Application & Licensing Requirements Current Ordinance Proposed Ordinance • Requires a license for all rental • It gives specific provisions for properties, but does not short-term rentals (Airbnb), specifically differentiate between including: one off-street parking short or long-term rentals. spot per unit, restrictions on • (Sec. 4-177) signage, and the requirement for an owner to comply with zoning and building codes. (Sec 4-189) • Rent-to-own or lease purchase properties shall not require a rental license if said agreement is recorded with the county recorder’s office. (Sec. 4-178) Page 16 of 23 Fees & Fines Current Ordinance Proposed Ordinance • Includes a penalty structure for • Proposed Ord. will align with our non-compliance, but has an ill- neighboring cities’ fee structures. defined fine structure. (Sec 4-181) (Sec 4-186) • Describes fees for inspections and license issuance, with charges per License and Inspections Fee Cost unit. Short-term rentals are currently $100 annually, long-term Application Fee for First Dwelling Unit $100 rentals are $35 base plus $12 per Application Fee Per Additional Dwelling Unit $15 Late Application or Late Renewal Fee $50 unit, a single family home $47. This Missed Inspection or Re-Inspection Fee $50 fee has remained the same for the Minor Infraction $100 past 12 years. (Sec. 4-183) Moderate Infraction $150 Major Infraction $200 Page 17 of 23 Page 18 of 23 Page 19 of 23 Inspection Frequency Current Ordinance Proposed Ordinance • Properties are inspected at • Requires an initial inspection varying frequencies based on before issuing a license, with classification Class: A, B, or C. subsequent inspections at a • Inspections range from 1 - 4 minimum of every 5 years. years. (Sec. 4-179) However, inspections may occur more frequently depending on complaints or observed violations. (Sec. 4-180) Page 20 of 23 License displayed • No current ordinance on a rental • It is proposed that a copy of the license certificate. rental license be on display or provide all tenants a copy of the license. At a multi-unit property it shall be displayed in a common area. (Sec. 4-182) Page 21 of 23 License Suspension & Revocation Current Ordinance Proposed Ordinance • Suggests conditions under which • Clearly defines the revocation a license can be suspended or process. revoked. • The appeals process now has • Appeal does not afford due due process. (Sec 4-184) process. • Unclear what revocation means. (Sec. 4-182) Page 22 of 23 Summary • Help provide a level playing field for owners by requiring a minimum housing standard. • Helps to maintain and stabilize property values. • Strengthen the enforcement structure to encourage compliance. • Ability to adjust the inspection schedule to a more achievable standard. Page 23 of 23