February 28, 2018 – According to Sarah Gardner, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) staff coordinator, Rock Island County is served by two privately-owned and operated landfills.  The county aims to achieve the state goal of a 25% diversion rate of material from the landfill, and historically has reported a rate between 22% and 31%.  Nine communities in the county offer curbside recycling, and four additional drop-off sites are maintained by Republic Services and coordinated through RICWMA.

January 24, 2018 – Every 8 minutes in the United States, someone is affected by disaster, usually a home fire.  Home fires kill more people than all natural disasters combined.  In fact, 7 people die in home fires every day, mostly in homes that do not have working fire alarms.  A person only has 2 minutes to exit a burning home, so it is vital to have working smoke detectors on each floor of the home.  Working smoke alarms double the chances of surviving a home fire, and an escape plan for the whole family further increases the survival odds.

January 24, 2018 – The Hearts Open, Sleeves Up, All In initiative is to encourage people to donate blood and get organizations to sponsor drives.  Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood.  Therefore, the Red Cross must collect 14,000 blood donations every day.  The Red Cross provides blood donations to the national inventory, Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, Blue Tie Tag drives, and is a secondary provider to the military.

January 24, 2018 – Denise Bulat, Executive Director of Bi-State Regional Commission, provided an overview of how the Bi-State work connects with planning for resilience.  The definition of resiliency planning is “the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions.”  It also includes “the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents.”

December 20, 2017 – In 2015, Interstate 80 carried 46,700 vehicles per day in the Quad Cities Area.  This is an increase of 32% from 2002.  In addition, truck traffic is increasing in the Quad Cities at a greater rate than many other portions of the state at 37%.  Local representatives believe 6-laning of I-80 would allow for merging and weaving movements at interchanges.  Because of these issues and others, the Iowa Department of Transportation conducted an Interstate 80 System Study.  The need for this study was identified in the last two Quad Cities long range transportation plans.  The study included an analysis of geometry, physical condition, traffic operation, and safety.  The study has found that:

• 21 of 28 ramps are rated poor in safety due to crashes
• Crash rates are expected to increase
• The right shoulder of I-80 is rated poor throughout the Quad Cities
• Reconstruction would eliminate left hand exits that don’t meet current interstate design standards

December 8, 2017 – Bi-State Regional Commission and QC public transit agencies, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation will launch a regional rideshare portal called QC Rideshare.  As a sub-portal of the Iowa state rideshare site, QC Rideshare is specific to the Quad Cities Metro Area and will help champion the Iowa DOT’s mission to “enhance and expand sustainable transportation options for commuters,” support Bi-State’s Clean Air Initiative, and promote eco-friendly public transit efforts.  Commuters from the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities Metro Area are encouraged to register on the website and “share your ride” to help decrease traffic congestion and also lower greenhouse gas emissions.

December 8, 2017 – A thriving local airport contributes to, and benefits from, a growing economy and prosperous region.  Area employers, small business owners, corporate travel planners, and travel agents all have a significant impact on our airport's vitality.  When more travelers buy and fly local from the Quad City International Airport, the more air carriers consider this region when planning flight, aircraft, and destination expansions.  Our airport is only as good as the amount we use it.  The more we use it, the better it will be for all. 

November 15, 2017 – Brandon Melton, Senior Planner, provided a presentation regarding hazard mitigation planning.  He said that a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is required per the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to access certain FEMA Grant Programs such as Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA).  FEMA requires that natural hazards with potential impact to a location be considered when creating a plan.

August 23, 2017 – Bruce Carter of the Quad City International Airport in Moline (MLI) provided a status overview of the services being offered, new items of interest, and potential revenue increasing methods.  Currently, MLI offers service for three of the top four largest airlines; including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.  Allegiant Airlines is also on the list of service providers and has become a popular airline for many to utilize.  In December 2017, service to Punta Gorda, Florida will be offered once again via Allegiant Airlines.  Mr. Carter explained that ridership has decreased since 2011, when AirTran (now a part of Southwest Airlines) discontinued service from MLI.  However, from 2015 to 2016, ridership only decreased by 0.9%.  MLI still strives to see that percentage increase.

October 25, 2017 – Lisa Miller, Bi-State Data/GIS Director, gave an update on activities and programs in preparation of Census 2020.

The Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Program is held annually and is an opportunity for local jurisdictions to provide input to the Census Bureau on boundary and name changes for their area.  Accurate boundaries mean that population counts gathered in Census surveys and estimate programs are attributed to the correct jurisdictions.  Invitations to participate in the 2018 BAS will be sent to the highest elected officials in December 2017. 
Learn more - https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/bas.html.