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City Council

August 17, 2026 ·5:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 80 items

  1. 1 The following represents, in general, the chronological order of proceedings at the City Council/Committee Meetings: Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Public Speaking and City Council/Committee Agendas. Meeting will be live streamed on Channel 17 and via this link: https://rockfordil.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Items appearing on the City Council Standing Committee Agendas for today's date may receive a vote at committee and come before the City Council meeting tonight held after the committee meeting. Final vote may be taken on said items at the City Council meeting.
  2. I. CALL TO ORDER ▶ jump to 20:33
  3. 2 Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
  4. A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  5. B. Roll Call
  6. 4 The invocation was given by Alderman Torina and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
  7. II. PROCLAMATIONS ▶ jump to 21:45
  8. III. PUBLIC HEARING ▶ jump to 21:47
  9. 6 Alderman Tuneberg arrived at 5:42 p.m., Alderman Durkee arrived at 5:48 p.m. and Alderman Prunty arrived at 5:57 p.m.
  10. 1. Public Hearing on the Annexation of 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). 26-00938
  11. IV. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS ▶ jump to 23:31
  12. 8 There were no proclamation presented at this meeting.
  13. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 23:31
  14. 1. Memorandum from Andrea Hinrichs, Housing and Program Manager, regarding authorization to designate Sarah Leys as Certifying Officer for Environmental Reviews submitted to HUD. Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-01005
  15. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 23:52
  16. 1. Zoning Board of Appeals’ Agenda for the meeting to be held on August 18, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on August 24, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00956
  17. 2. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on August 18, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on August 24, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00957
  18. 3. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the Plat No. 2 of Hopkins Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00997
  19. 4. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the Plat No. 5 of Hickory Crest Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00998
  20. 5. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the Final Plat of Culver’s 11th Street Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00999
  21. 6. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager-Permits and Special Events, regarding upcoming special events which include the Labor Day Parade and Boylan Homecoming Parade. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-01011
  22. 7. Memorandum from Anthony Cisneros, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the Annexation of 2010 New Milford School Road. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-01012
  23. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  24. 1. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the Rockford Complete Streets Revitalization. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00995
  25. 2. Memorandum from Sarah Leys, Director of Community and Economic Development, regarding a rebate to the Rockford Area Arts Council for property taxes paid for the Armory located at 605 North Main Street. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-01004
  26. 3. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Operations for Health and Human Services, regarding the acceptance of two grant awards for Continuum of Care (COC) PY25. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-01009
  27. 4. Memorandum from Joshua Versluys, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the transfer of City-Owned property located at 638 Whitman Street to the City’s Mow-to-Own Program. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-01010
  28. 5. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Operations for Health and Human Services, regarding the approval and acceptance of the Family Crisis Grant Award from Community Foundation of Northern IL (CFNIL). Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-01014
  29. 6. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding a City-State Intergovernmental Agreement for 15th Avenue over Rock River Bridge Replacement. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-01015
  30. V. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
  31. 1. Denzil Wynter ▶ jump to 26:57
  32. 2. John Tac Brantley ▶ jump to 29:51
  33. 3. Larry Washington ▶ jump to 33:05
  34. 4. Kirk Weitzel ▶ jump to 36:24
  35. 5. Bianca Sanders
  36. VI. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS ▶ jump to 38:46
  37. A. Planning and Development Committee
  38. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 38:47
  39. 1. Committee recommends approval of the request for the Annexation of 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). The owner of the subject property has requested annexation to the City of Rockford. If approved, the owner agrees to obtain a Special Use Permit for a solar farm. 26-00974 Adopted Pass
  40. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation Agreement for 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). 26-00975 Adopted Pass
  41. 3. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Landmark Designation for the property located at 1202 Eddy Avenue (A & E Tool & Gage). 26-00976 Adopted Pass
  42. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 40:02
  43. 1. Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $12,305,598.22 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on August 10, 2026. 26-00985 Adopted Pass
  44. VII. OFFICERS REPORTS
  45. VIII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS ▶ jump to 46:34
  46. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 46:35
  47. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Spaces to Places Program, which is intended to reduce commercial vacancies and support small business growth by providing temporary rent assistance for new or expanding businesses. The city will reimburse security deposits and 50% of rent for up to 12 months for a total funding level of up to $20,000.00 per business. The program will have $300,000.00 designated from 2026 and 2027 Casino Funds. 26-00763
  48. 2. Committee recommends approval of the authorization for acceptance of the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) in the amount of $613,551.00 to implement the Beverly Park Floodplain Connection. The City would match $333,384.00 of local CIP Funds. 26-00970 Adopted Pass
  49. A. Mayor McNamara
  50. 3. Committee recommends approval of the authorization for acceptance to utilize an allotment of Region 1 Planning Council’s (R1PC) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the amount of $4,349,410.00 for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2028 to implement the Harrison Avenue Reconstruction Project. The City will match $4,000,000.00 and will continue to seek STBG and other federal grants to make up this gap by FFY28. The funding source is the Motor Fuel Tax. 26-00971 Adopted Pass
  51. 45 Mayor McNamara
  52. 4. Committee recommends approval of the authorization for acceptance to utilize an allotment of Region 1 Planning Council’s (R1PC) Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds received from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the amount of $1,271,066.00 for the Federal Fiscal Year 2028 to implement the Highcrest Multi-Use Path project. This grant is in addition to the $3,000,000.00 grant received from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for the same project. The City’s match of $317,767.00 will come from Motor Fuel Tax Funds. 26-00973 Adopted Pass
  53. 46 Mayor McNamara
  54. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  55. 47 Mayor McNamara
  56. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 60:18
  57. B. Alderman Torina
  58. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Rockford Fire Department Headquarters Renovation (Bid No. 626-FD-057) to L&L Builders, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $481,590.00. The contract duration is through February 2027. The funding source is 2022 Budget Surplus Funds. 26-00986 Adopted Pass
  59. C. Alderman Granath
  60. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: Legal Research Services to West Publishing Corporation, of Eagan, Minnesota in the annual amount of $29,609.16, with a 6% increase of fees annually. The contract duration is three (3) years. The funding source is the Legal Department Operating Budget. 26-00987 Adopted Pass
  61. D. Alderman Hoffman
  62. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Contract: Permit and Code Enforcement Software (RFP No. 226-CD-020) to GovPilot, of Brick, New Jersey in the amount of $305,320.00 in year one and $212,000.00 annually in years two and three. The contract duration is three (3) years with two (2) possible one-year extension options, with a 5% increase in fees during the extension years. The funding source is the Information Technology and Integration Fund. 26-00915 Adopted Pass
  63. 51 Alderman Hoffman
  64. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: State West Parking Deck 2027 Maintenance Repairs to Walker Consultants, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois in the amount of $37,510.00. The contract duration is through December 2026. The funding source is the Parking Fund Operating Budget. 26-00988 Adopted Pass
  65. 5. Committee recommends approval of the authorization of funding for Concrete Improvements at BMO Center in the amount of $1,152,116.20. The funding source is the Redevelopment Fund. 26-00994 Adopted Pass
  66. 6. Committee recommends approval of the resolution declaring intent to form the Rockford Regional Tourism Improvement District (TID), fixing the time and place of a public hearing and advancement. 26-00993 Adopted Pass
  67. 7. Committee recommends approval of the Application and Award Acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity State Designated Cultural Districts Grant Award in the amount of $200,000.00. The grant does not require a cost match. The grant term is from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028. The grant award, if accepted, will provide funds used to develop district identity and branding, support new and existing businesses, and promote visitor attraction. 26-00990 Adopted Pass
  68. 8. Committee recommends approval of the Grant-Funded Subrecipient Agreement with the Winnebago County Probation Department in the not-to-exceed amount of $35,000.00. The agreement period is from August 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. If approved, the grant funds will be utilized to provide funding to appoint a probation officer to fulfill office hours at the Family Peace Center (FPC) and will assist in strengthening the existing Multidisciplinary Team Response Program (MDT), expedite and streamline services for survivors, and allow for continued collaborative efforts. 26-00991 Adopted Pass
  69. 9. Committee recommends approval of the Grant-Funded Subrecipient Agreement with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office in the not-to-exceed amount of $175,000.00. The agreement period is from August 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. If approved, the grant funds will be utilized to hire a full-time Victim Services Provider and allow the Domestic Violence Assistant State’s Attorney to oversee the needs of the grant program. 26-00992 Adopted Pass
  70. IX. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES ▶ jump to 88:57
  71. A. Planning and Development Committee
  72. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 88:58
  73. 1. An ordinance approving a Variation to increase the maximum allowed business identification wall signs from two (2) to three (3) in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3218 11th Street (Jimmy Smith/Applicant). 26-00982 Adopted Pass
  74. 2. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). 26-01001 Adopted Pass
  75. 3. An ordinance approving the Annexation Agreement for 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). 26-01002 Adopted Pass
  76. 4. An ordinance approving the Landmark Designation for the property located at 1202 Eddy Avenue (A & E Tool & Gage). 26-01003 Adopted Pass
  77. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  78. X. ADJOURNMENT
  79. 67 THE CITY OF ROCKFORD INTENDS TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, PERSONAL P.A. SYSTEM, OR OTHER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED, PLEASE CALL THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AT (779) 348-7391 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN BE PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU.
  80. 78 Alderman Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Granath. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Aldermen Neal and Meeks were absent). The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.