Wetland Task Force

Regular Meeting

Rock Island, IL · January 21, 2026

Minutes

Wetland Task Force Meeting Minutes Executive Conference Room, City Hall, 3rd Floor 1528 3rd Avenue January 21, 2026 8:30 AM Task Force Members Present Nina Struss Mike Thoms Missy Gasiorowski Jon Duyvejonck Kathy Wine Hannah Alexander Task Force Members Absent Ald. Randy Hurt Mayor Ashley Harris Tim Pressly Staff Present Tom Flaherty Tanner Osing Lisa Perry Jason Upton Guests Valerie Njapa, 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. Discussion with Public Works Department regarding Land & Water Reserve boundary Osing opened up the discussion by noting concerns from the City about including land in the reserve on the east side of the expressway (IL-92). Upton and Perry highlighted operational concerns, including maintaining access to water lines and the wastewater treatment facility, ensuring adequate flow to the river and preserving flexibility to respond to future regulatory requirements without creating additional administrative hurdles. Perry noted capacity and regulatory pressures facing the treatment facility, while also emphasizing constraints related to expansion. Osing raised concerns about the potential for added regulatory complexity if the area is included in the reserve. Moorehouse and Njapa explained that these concerns can be addressed through conservation easement language, including provisions for infrastructure access, maintenance, and environmental management activities. Task Force members -1- expressed support for continuing to move forward with the original boundary area while working through these details, noting the importance of protecting the area while accommodating Public Works’ needs. The Task Force concluded by discussing next steps including INPC providing example language for review, the City coordinating internally on boundary considerations, and advancing related efforts such as survey work and an agreement with Augustana. 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 - 1.21.2026 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 ● Valerie Njapa - 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 ● Rock Island Public Works Department Agenda A. Introductions B. City of Rock Island Update - Tanner a. Discussion with Rock Island Public Works Department C. Updates on 12.10.2025 Meeting Action Items: a. Finalize webpage for the L&WR information for January 2026 b. MOA for City/Council in collaboration with Augustana D. Community Engagement Discussion (if time allows) E. Next Meeting: February 18, 2026 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 ● 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