Eldridge police report good compliance with playground restrictions because of the pandemic, but some council members questioned whether officers should continue to be allowed to use the fitness center.
Council members Brian Dockery and Frank King at Monday’s meeting reported complaints from residents who had seen police using the fitness center, which the city closed to members last month.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds included fitness centers in her close order last month.
The council on Monday agreed to waive May membership fees, and apply April fees to part or all of the month when the center is allowed to reopen.
That’s when Dockery asked why some police officers continue using the center. “Why aren’t we following the governor’s recommendation?” he asked.
City administrator Lisa Kotter said she consulted with Scott County Public Health director Dr. Ed Rivers before allowing “two or three police officers” to continue afternoon workouts.
She said Rivers is awaiting feedback from the state health department, which Kotter expects this week. Kotter said she also consulted with county Emergency Management Agency director Dave Donovan, who did not object.
“We’ve consulted with other police departments in the area, and other city staff … This is not something that’s open to the public. But city employees have the ability to operate in city facilities,” she told the council.
Police Chief Dave Kopatich said officers “are looking for an outlet” to relieve stress during the pandemic shut down. “It’s kind of like no harm, no foul. If you’re going to use this facility, it’s for you and you alone. And sanitize everything after you're done with the machine or bench,” he said.
Mayor Marty O’Boyle said the city is making good on its collective bargaining commitment to provide fitness to officers.
“To me, it’s a fringe benefit, part of their package of employment,” he told the council.
Council members Adrian Blackwell and Bruce Cheek supported the officers’ continued use.
“I think we have bigger fish to fry,” Blackwell said.
Cheek, a retired Davenport police officer, said he supports the use, but wishes the council had been alerted.
Council members Dockery, Bernie Peeters and Frank King said council should have been notified before hearing complaints from residents. Peeters advised shutting officers’ access immediately until state health officials weigh in.
Dockery noted that Eldridge police officers have confronted employees still in a private fitness center in violation of the governor’s order.
“I don’t disagree officers need a place to maintain their strength … I’m just saying we went about this the wrong way,” Dockery said. “Right now we’re still doing it not knowing if it’s permitted or not … It appears to be in conflict with the governor’s order.”
Kopatich said officers are encountering more stressful calls as more people stay home.
“We’ve seen an uptick on different stuff. Believe it or not, people who stay home a little too long can’t get along with their next door neighbors all of a sudden,” he said.
Kotter said city leaders continue to participate in Monday and Wednesday briefings with county health and emergency management officials.
“We are by no means over the hump. We’re still on an increase. Still strongly encouraging people to use social distancing and stay home whenever possible,” she said.
Mayor O’Boyle also participates in the briefings.
“Hospitals seem to be fairly well prepared. We have ample amount of ventilators at the moment. We’re very fortunate in Rock Island and Scott counties that we haven’t had many deaths,” he said.
Slow down coming on South First
Council members next month will consider dropping the South First Street speed limit from 45 to 35 mph.
Diamond Builders owner Colin Wood said the higher limit makes turns in and out of the new Villas at Century Farms subdivision more dangerous.
“We have 39 homes going in, and half already are in. Residents are complaining it’s hard to get out. I wouldn’t mind extending it to 25 mph to be honest with you,” Wood told the council. “I’m looking at the safety of residents, especially with the trail coming across the road. Residents are very excited about that trail.”
Police chief Kopatich suggested dropping the limit to 35 mph beginning at Lincoln Road from the south.
“I kind of agree with Dave. There are going to be more houses there eventually,” council member Cheek said.
Council member Dockery also suggested no parking along Pinehurst and Muhs Circle for the first blocks west of First Street. Parked cars constrict traffic moving on and off First Street, he said.
The council directed city administrator Kotter to present an ordinance on speed limits and parking at the next council meeting.
YMCA agreement
Council members approved an intergovernmental agreement that will allow construction and operation of a new North Scott YMCA.
The approval of a 28E agreement under Iowa law allows the city, school district and YMCA to proceed with design, bidding and construction of the fitness center on East LeClaire Road at Third Avenue.
The agreement calls for a 20-year partnership that may be extended for two 10-year extensions upon agreement of all parties.
It allows parties to renegotiate no later than 12 months before the initial agreement expires. If a deal can’t be reached within six months of the expiration, the agreement will end.
The council unanimously approved the agreement, after council member Dockery suggested naming the bond counsel firm in the document.
The agreement limits the city and school district funding for construction to $7 million each. The city previously agreed to borrow up to $7.5 million for its share of the project.
That will cover “construction costs and all soft costs such as architect fees, engineering fees, surveys, soil investigations, and permit fees,” according to the agreement.
The YMCA is committed to equipping the center, though no dollar amount is in this agreement. Previously, YMCA leaders estimated that would cost $1 million.
The YMCA will lease the facility from the school district and city for $10 per year over the life of the agreement.
Administrator’s retirement plan
The council agreed to allow new city administrator Kotter to opt out of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, and received deferred compensation through the Iowa City Managers Association.
Kotter said the ICMA operates more like a 401K, not a defined pension benefit like IPERS. The city’s cost would be the same.
In a phone interview after the meeting, Kotter said the ICMA plan allows contributions and the city match to accumulate immediately without a vested period.
She said she was not fully vested in Illinois’ public employee retirement system after her five years of service to two Illinois cities.
Council members allowed the ICMA option during compensation negotiations before Kotter accepted the job.