Wetland Task Force

Regular Meeting

Rock Island, IL · December 10, 2025

Minutes

Wetland Task Force Meeting Minutes Executive Conference Room, City Hall, 3rd Floor 1528 3rd Avenue December 10, 2025 8:30 AM Task Force Members Present Nina Struss Mike Thoms Missy Gasiorowski Tim Pressly Jon Duyvejonck Kathy Wine Task Force Members Absent Ald. Randy Hurt Mayor Ashley Harris Hannah Alexander Staff Present Tom Flaherty Tanner Osing Miles Brainard Guests Lorraine Foelske, INDR/INPC Angella Moorehouse, INDR/INPC Dr. Michael Reisner, Augustana College Alyssa Klauer, Augustana College Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am. Introductions The meeting began with Foelske introducing Angella Moorehouse, who will serve as the primary contact with INPC while she is on maternity leave. Updates on Land & Water Reserve process Foelske provided updates on the LWR process, noting that the City is finalizing boundary survey job specifications and preparing to release the RFP. Foelske also shared an updated project map and indicated that the site will likely consist of three parcels rather than two due to a drainage feature. Updates on prior action items Osing reported that a draft Memorandum of Agreement with Augustana has been received and reviewed, with plans to present it to City Council in January. Osing also shared a draft webpage with the Task Force, which includes background information, an overview of the LWR process, and anticipated next steps. Osing noted the webpage will continue to be refined. -1- Other Business The Task Force discussed Augustana’s proposed community engagement strategy. Additional discussion focused on tools to support engagement, including the City’s website. The Task Force also discussed the potential for a press release to announce the Augustana partnership. Public Comment No members of the public were present to comment. Adjournment The meeting adjourned by consensus. Minutes submitted by Tanner Osing. -2-

Agenda

Wetland Task Force Meeting Agenda - 12.10.2025 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM @ RI City Hall Wetland Task Force Members and Key Roles Attended meeting ● Ashley Harris - RI Mayor ● Miles Brainard - RI Community Economic Development ● Thomas Flaherty - Assistant to RI City Manager & Economic Development Director ● Todd Thompson - RI City Manager ● Sarah Hayden - RI Community Engagement Manager ● Randy Hurt - RI Second Ward Council Member ● Tanner Osing - Planning & Zoning ● Missy Gasiorowski - General contractor with Hodge construction with the development ● Hannah Alexander - NTI Representative ● Mike Thoms - Resident ● Nina Struss - River Health & Resiliency Organizer with Prairie Rivers Network ● Tim Pressly - Land owner ● Jon Duyvejonck - Retired Wildlife Biologist (USFWS), Sierra Club ● Kathy Wine - Executive Director at River Action ● Lorraine Foelske - IDNR/INPC ● Angella Moorehouse - IDNR/INPC ● (Optional) Alyssa Klauer - Sustainability Program Manager, Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities (UMC) at Augustana College ● (Optional) Dr. Michael Reisner - Director, Upper Mississippi Center for Sustainable Communities, Co- Chair Environmental Studies Program, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Augustana College Timeline ● Fall/Winter 2025: a. City information: historical, utility, boundary work, deeds/title work b. Ecological information from other groups c. City/Task Force proposal for what is desired for the L&WR in terms of public uses d. Important Dates: ■ October 15 - Task Force & Augustana & Upper Mississippi River Center ■ November 12 - Task Force & INPC (Lorraine) ■ December 10 - Task Force & INPC (Lorraine/Angella) ■ January 7, 2026 - Task Force & INPC (Lorraine/Angella) ● Spring/Summer 2026: a. Proposal & Management plan writing process begins b. Recommended ecological assessments c. Finalize easement design d. Finalize recreation/hunting plans e. Important Dates: ■ Feb-April 2026 - Community engagement opportunity ■ June 2026 - L&WR Designation Progress Review to the City Council. ● Fall/Winter 2026: a. Finalize Proposal and Management Plan b. Obtain signatures on documents c. Important Dates: ■ Thanksgiving 2026 - Deadline for draft to INPC of Management Plan & Proposal ■ September 2026 - Management Plan & Proposal to City Council for Discussion/Approval ● January 2027: a. Present final proposal to the commissioners at the INPC meeting. b. Once approved - sign installation and activation of management plan c. Important Dates: ■ TBD - INPC Presentation for L&WR Designation Agenda A. Introductions B. Land & Water Reserve Process Updates - Lorraine C. Updates on 11.12.2025 Meeting Action Items: a. Remove recurring TF meetings (added by Colleen) and create new invites to occur on the first Wednesday of each month (except for January). Add a virtual component to these meetings for TF members & INPC/Augustana staff. b. RFP/boundary work - to be completed by the end of 2025 c. Draft MOA for City/Council in collaboration with Augustana d. Create a draft webpage for the L&WR information to present to the TF at the December 2025 meeting. D. Community Engagement a. Open House/Forum/1:1 Meetings - Any updates? b. Litter Clean-Up i. Potentially move to late summer/fall? - Nina has more insight to share E. Other Updates F. Next Meeting: January 7 or 21 – Need to decide as a group if we want to meet on the first Wednesday or the third Wednesday moving forward.