Wetland Task Force

Wetland Task Force Meeting Minutes Executive Conference Room, City Hall, 3rd Floor 1528 3rd Avenue March 18, 2026 8:30 AM Task Force Members Present Nina Struss Hannah Alexander (virtual) Mike Thoms Missy Gasiorowski (virtual) Jon Duyvejonck Kathy Wine Task Force Members Absent Mayor Ashley Harris Ald. Randy Hurt Tim Pressly Staff Present Tom Flaherty Tanner Osing Miles Brainard Guests Angella Moorehouse, IDNR/INPC Valerie Njapa, IDNR/INPC Dr. Michael Reisner, Augustana College Alyssa Klauer, Augustana College Call to Order and Roll Call Chair Struss called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM and took roll call. Approval of the Past Meeting Minutes Task Force members discussed the status of meeting minutes that had not yet been formally approved due to quorum requirements. Old Business/ New Business Update on Land and Water Reserve Process Osing presented an updated map of the proposed Land and Water Reserve boundary that removed two parcels south of the casino from consideration. Task Force members discussed the revised acreage and overall reserve configuration. Njapa provided an update on the survey process and explained the State’s quality- based selection process for retaining a surveyor. She noted that the State has committed up to $20,000 toward the work, with additional costs potentially being the responsibility of the City. Moorehouse noted that survey job specifications would need to be updated to reflect the revised reserve boundaries and acreage. -1- Task Force members also discussed parcel consolidation options, revised boundary alignments, and the potential need to maintain separate parcels in certain areas. Update from Augustana College Dr. Michael Reisner provided an update on the initial work being completed through the Augustana College partnership. Activities included ordering acoustic meters, conducting GIS mapping work, preparing inundation and habitat maps, and identifying areas of tree canopy important for bird habitat. Reisner also discussed upcoming bird point counts planned for late March and noted challenges related to accessing portions of the reserve due to ongoing construction and flooding. Other Business Task Force members discussed access challenges associated with construction activity near the reserve entrance. Potential temporary access solutions were discussed. Members also discussed coordinating with Bally’s Casino staff regarding possible use of the quarry access road for staging kayaks and equipment. Reisner provided an update regarding stakeholder engagement efforts, including interviews with nearby landowners and institutional representatives. Task Force members discussed holding a public informational meeting in late April or early May and emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and public communication throughout the process. Task Force members briefly discussed ideas related to future signage and possible naming concepts for the Land and Water Reserve. Task Force members also discussed the importance of developing a webpage on the City website to provide updates and information related to the Land and Water Reserve process Public Comment No members of the public were present to make comment. Adjournment The meeting adjourned by consensus. Minutes submitted by Tanner Osing. -2-

Wetland Task Force Meeting Agenda March 18, 2026 - 8:30 AM Executive Conference Room, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Minutes a. Approval of past meeting minutes from March 2025 to present. 4. Old Business a. Update on Land & Water Reserve process. b. Update from Augustana. 5. New Business a. Update on Wetland Task Force webpage. 6. Other Business 7. Public Comment 8. Adjourn 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.