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City Council

August 3, 2026 ·5:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 123 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 15:30
  3. A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  4. 3 Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
  5. B. Roll Call
  6. C. Acceptance of the Journal ▶ jump to 16:52
  7. 5 The Invocation was given by Alderman Torina and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
  8. 1. Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on April 20, 2026.
  9. 2. Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on May 18, 2026.
  10. 3. Journal of Proceedings for the Special City Council meeting held on July 13, 2026.
  11. II. PROCLAMATIONS ▶ jump to 18:15
  12. 9 Alderman Beach moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on April 20, 2026, seconded by Alderman Torina. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
  13. 1. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation declaring August 4, 2026, to be “NATIONAL NIGHT OUT” in the City of Rockford, Illinois. 26-00939
  14. III. INFORMATION ONLY ▶ jump to 20:48
  15. 11 Alderman Beach moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on May 18, 2026, seconded by Alderman Bell. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
  16. 1. Actuarial Presentation 26-00918 Discussed
  17. IV. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
  18. 13 Alderman Bell moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the Special City Council meeting held on July 13, 2026, seconded by Alderman Beach. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
  19. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 49:07
  20. 1. Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding a proposed funding of $300,000.00 to support the establishment of a Senior Center in partnership with Living Well Center of Northern Illinois located at 1111 South Alpine Road. Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00934
  21. 2. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding a Grant Award acceptance for the IEPA - GIGO (Beverly Floodplain Reconnection). Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00961
  22. 3. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding a Grant Award acceptance for the R1PC - STBG (Harrison Avenue Reconstruction). Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00962
  23. 4. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding a Grant Award acceptance for the R1PC- TAP (Highcrest MUP). Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00963
  24. 5. Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding amendments to the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (DBA GoRockford) Contract for Service Agreement and Lease. Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00964
  25. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  26. 1. Memorandum from Rudy Moreno, Historic Preservation Commission Secretary, regarding a proposed Landmark Designation for 1202 Eddy Avenue. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00922
  27. 2. Memorandum from Joshua Versluys, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the Annexation of 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00933
  28. 3. Memorandum from Joshua Versluys, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the Annexation Agreement of 14xx Export Road, 34xx Export Road and 36xx Prairie Road (3598 Export Road). Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00936
  29. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  30. 1. Memorandum from Anna Carlson, Economic Development Director, regarding an application approval and award acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity State Designated Cultural Districts Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00940
  31. 2. Memorandum from Jennifer Cacciapaglia, Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, regarding the approval of a Grant-Funded Subrecipient Agreement with Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00955
  32. 3. Memorandum from Jennifer Cacciapaglia, Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, regarding approval of a Grant-Funded Subrecipient Agreement with Winnebago County Adult Probation. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00954
  33. 4. Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding authorization of funding for Concrete Improvements at BMO Center in the amount of $1,152,116.20. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00965
  34. 5. Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding the approval of a resolution declaring intent to form the Rockford Regional Tourism Improvement District fixing the time and place of a public hearing. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00966
  35. V. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
  36. 1. John Tac Brantley ▶ jump to 52:47
  37. 2. Julia Seidlinger ▶ jump to 55:53
  38. 3. Eve Kirk ▶ jump to 59:27
  39. 4. Denzil Wynter was not present. ▶ jump to 62:46
  40. 5. Prophet Yusef ▶ jump to 62:56
  41. VI. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS ▶ jump to 65:45
  42. A. Planning and Development Committee
  43. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 65:46
  44. 1. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission’s approval to establish a restriction requiring that traffic on Calderwood Drive be required to stop prior to entering the intersection with Palo Verde Drive, thus repealing the existing traffic control of Calderwood Drive yielding for Palo Verde Drive. 26-00892 Adopted Pass
  45. 2. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission’s recommendation of No Action be taken on the request for additional street lights on 1640 Albany Lane. 26-00894 Adopted Pass
  46. 3. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for six (6) residential units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 134 North Main Street (Oliver Emerson Development/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00867 Adopted Pass
  47. 4. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for residential units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 325 South Madison Street (Oliver Emerson Development/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00868 Adopted Pass
  48. 5. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ denial for a Variation to reduce the side yard setback for a covered patio from six (6) feet to zero (0) feet in an R-1, Single-Family Residential Zoning District at 1232 Soper Avenue (Luis E. Perez/Applicant). 26-00869 Adopted Pass
  49. 6. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for body art services in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 210 North Longwood Street (Everardo Rodriguez/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00870 Adopted Pass
  50. 7. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for a Planned Mixed Use Development consisting of ten (10) apartments, a restaurant and banquet hall in an R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 219 South 2nd Street (Jennifer Spencer of Studio GWA for Centennial United LLC/Applicants). Subject to conditions. 26-00871 Adopted Pass
  51. 8. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for body art services in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 1010 East State Street (Tom Baclet/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00873 Adopted Pass
  52. 9. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Residential Zoning District to C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3218 11th Street (Jimmy Smith/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00874 Adopted Pass
  53. 10. Committee recommends denial of 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), thus reversing the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval. 26-00919 Adopted as amended Pass
  54. 11. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval of the following Text Amendments to the City of Rockford Zoning Ordinances: a. Table 20-1 Use Classification Table b. Article 20-005 Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Density) c. Article 20-005-G Rear Setbacks d. Table 21-1 Use Classification Table e. Article 30 Mandatory Planned Unit Developments f. Article 35 Infill Overlay District g. Article 50-003 Off-Street Parking Ratios h. Article 50-016 Access Locations and Article 80-003 Nonconforming Uses i. Continuance of Nonconforming Uses 26-00876 Adopted Pass
  55. 12. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s approval for Modification of an existing Liquor License to add packaged liquor sales in conjunction with a restaurant in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 1603 North Alpine Road (Randall Raymond Baker/Baker Street Burgers, LLC dba BD4: A Burger Joint/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00879 Adopted Pass
  56. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 73:22
  57. 1. Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $9,205,558.55 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on July 27, 2026. 26-00904 Adopted Pass
  58. 2. Committee recommends approval of the State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) Interagency Agreement. 26-00906 Adopted Pass
  59. 3. Committee recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the City of Rockford to utilize funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Application of Loan for Lead Service Line Replacements. 26-00908 Adopted Pass
  60. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER ▶ jump to 74:34
  61. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 74:35
  62. 1. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Funding Agreement with Goodwill in partnership with IBEW Local 364 for Electrical Workers Trades Program to better prepare individuals for IBEW application process in the amount of $85,172.00. The funding source is Casino Funds. 26-00663 Adopted Pass
  63. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  64. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  65. VIII. OFFICERS REPORTS ▶ jump to 79:12
  66. IX. ELECTION ▶ jump to 85:44
  67. 1. Election of alderperson to serve as Acting Mayor pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-50(f). 26-00937 Laid Over ▶ jump to 85:46
  68. X. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS ▶ jump to 89:00
  69. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 89:01
  70. 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 Laid Over
  71. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 113:03
  72. A. Alderman Granath announced the Ninth Ward meeting would be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at ....
  73. 1. Committee recommends approval of the request from the Traffic Commission for the City of Rockford, Illinois to approve the installation of a street light near 2415 Quincy Circle. 26-00893 Adopted Pass
  74. B. Alderman Logemann shared
  75. 2. Committee recommends approval of the 815 Day Block Party This event is scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. The location of the event is the 100 block of North 1st Street and the event time is 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 26-00883 Adopted Pass
  76. 68 Alderman Prunty
  77. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Polish Fest This event is scheduled for Sunday, August 16th. The event will be held on the grounds of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church located at 201 Buckbee Street, and the event time is 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 26-00884 Adopted Pass
  78. C. Alderman Torina
  79. 4. Committee recommends approval of the PCI Employee Picnic This event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th. The location of the event is 4545 Assembly Drive, and will take place during open business hours. Assembly Drive will be closed from Research Parkway to Airport Drive during the picnic. 26-00885 Adopted Pass
  80. 70 Alderman Torina announced the next Fifth Ward meeting would take place on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at Tinker Swiss Cottage.
  81. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 114:39
  82. D. Alderman Prunty
  83. 1. Committee recommends approval of a plan of acquisition of 4100 East State Street by the Rockford Board of Library Trustees. (LAID OVER JULY 20, 2026) 26-00835 Adopted Pass
  84. 72 Alderman Prunty
  85. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Demolition Water Material Dump Site (Bid No. 526-W-046) to N-TRAK Group, of Loves Park, Illinois, and TR Equipment, of Rockford, Illinois in the combined estimated annual amount of $100,000.00 (based on unit pricing). The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible annual extension options. Annual price adjustments will be reviewed and considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is the Water Operating Fund. 26-00909 Adopted Pass
  86. 73 Alderman Prunty
  87. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City Wide Drainage Repair Package 1 (Bid No. 626-PW-054) to DPI Construction Inc., of Pecatonica, Illinois in the amount of $113,879.46. The contract duration is through October 2, 2026. The funding source is the CIP General Fund. 26-00910 Adopted Pass
  88. E. Alderman Neal
  89. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City Wide Sidewalk and ADA Repairs Package #2 2026 (Bid No. 626-PW-053) to T.C.I. Concrete, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $440,806.15. The contract duration is through September 18, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00911 Adopted Pass
  90. 75 Alderman Neal
  91. 5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Head Start and Early Head Start Child Care Meals (Bid No: 626-HS-056) to Delicious Unlimited, of Gurnee, Illinois in the not-to-exceed annual amount of $100,000.00. The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible one-year extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Head Start Grant Funds. 26-00914 Adopted Pass
  92. F. Alderman Tuneberg thanked Vick Wilder and Jessica Anderson
  93. 6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchasing Contract: Squad Car Cameras to AXON Enterprises Inc., of Scottsdale, Arizona in the total amount of $71,318.41. This is a one-time purchase. The funding source is the Police Department Operating Budget. 26-00917 Adopted Pass
  94. 77 Alderman Tuneberg
  95. 7. Committee recommends approval of the Fifth Supplemental Indenture Resolution regarding the Industrial Project Revenue Bonds (Wesley Willows Project), Series 2011. 26-00913 Adopted Pass
  96. 8. Committee recommends approval of the Grant-Funded Subrecipient Agreement with Comprehensive Community Solutions in an amount not-to-exceed $30,359.45. The agreement period is from July 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. If approved, the grant funds will be used to provide community outreach, trauma-informed case management, victim support services, and administration costs of the Emergency Victims Flex Fund. 26-00907 Adopted Pass
  97. 9. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Illinois Fiscal Year 2027 Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Grant Award in the amount of $100,000.00. The grant does not require a cost match. The grant term is from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The grant award, if accepted, will provide funds used to partially pay for the 2027 annual subscription renewal fees for Flock Safety License Plate Reader Video Wing Enhanced and officer attendance to the Cook County Regional Organized Crime Conference. 26-00912 Adopted Pass
  98. D. City Council ▶ jump to 146:21
  99. 1. Motion to Discharge the Code and Regulation Committee from Consideration of the Committee Report to Establish Moratorium on Data Centers and Complete Evaluation of Best Practices to Regulate the Development, Expansion, and Operation of Data Centers in the City of Rockford. 26-00958 Approved Pass ▶ jump to 146:22
  100. XI. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS - CONTINUED ▶ jump to 147:54
  101. D. City Council ▶ jump to 147:56
  102. 1. Request for a moratorium on data centers and directing the City Administrator, and designees to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of best practices for regulating the development, expansion, and operation of data centers within the City of Rockford. 26-00902 Adopted Pass
  103. XII. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES ▶ jump to 167:50
  104. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 167:51
  105. 1. An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement with Goodwill in partnership with IBEW Local 364 for Electrical Workers Trades Program to better prepare individuals for IBEW application process in the amount of $85,172.00. The funding source is Casino Funds. 26-00785 Adopted Pass
  106. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 168:56
  107. 1. An ordinance establishing a restriction requiring that traffic on Calderwood Drive be required to stop prior to entering the intersection with Palo Verde Drive, thus repealing the existing traffic control of Calderwood Drive yielding for Palo Verde Drive. 26-00924 Adopted Pass
  108. 2. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for six (6) residential units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 134 North Main Street (Oliver Emerson Development/Applicant). 26-00925 Adopted Pass
  109. 3. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for residential units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 325 South Madison Street (Oliver Emerson Development/Applicant). 26-00926 Adopted Pass
  110. 4. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for body art services in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 210 North Longwood Street (Everardo Rodriguez/Applicant). 26-00927 Adopted Pass
  111. 5. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Planned Mixed Use Development consisting of ten (10) apartments, a restaurant and banquet hall in an R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 219 South 2nd Street (Jennifer Spencer of Studio GWA for Centennial United LLC/Applicants). 26-00928 Adopted Pass
  112. 6. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for body art services in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 1010 East State Street (Tom Baclet/Applicant). 26-00929 Adopted Pass
  113. 7. An ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Residential Zoning District to C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3218 11th Street (Jimmy Smith/Applicant). 26-00930 Adopted Pass
  114. 8. An ordinance approving the following Text Amendments to the City of Rockford Zoning Ordinances: a. Table 20-1 Use Classification Table b. Article 20-005 Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Density) c. Article 20-005-G Rear Setbacks d. Table 21-1 Use Classification Table e. Article 30 Mandatory Planned Unit Developments f. Article 35 Infill Overlay District g. Article 50-003 Off-Street Parking Ratios h. Article 50-016 Access Locations and Article 80-003 Nonconforming Uses i. Continuance of Nonconforming Uses 26-00932 Adopted Pass
  115. 9. An ordinance approving a Modification of an existing Liquor License to add packaged liquor sales in conjunction with a restaurant in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 1603 North Alpine Road (Randall Raymond Baker/Baker Street Burgers, LLC dba BD4: A Burger Joint/Applicant). 26-00931 Adopted Pass
  116. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 173:00
  117. 1. An ordinance approving the State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) Interagency Agreement. 26-00920 Adopted Pass
  118. 2. An ordinance authorizing the City of Rockford to utilize funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and Application of Loan for Lead Service Line Replacements. 26-00921 Adopted Pass
  119. D. City Council ▶ jump to 173:50
  120. 1. An ordinance approving a moratorium on data centers and directing the City Administrator and designees to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of best practices for regulating the development, expansion and operation of data centers within the City of Rockford. 26-00959 Adopted Pass
  121. XIII. ADJOURNMENT
  122. 105 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.
  123. 122 Alderman Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Torina. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.