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City Council

April 20, 2026 ·5:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 93 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 21:31
  3. A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  4. 3 Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
  5. B. Roll Call
  6. II. PROCLAMATIONS ▶ jump to 22:50
  7. 5 The invocation was given by Chaplain Gary Lundberg and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
  8. 1. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation declaring the month of April 2026 to be “Donate Life Month” in the City of Rockford, Illinois. 26-00440 ▶ jump to 22:53
  9. 2. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation declaring the month of April 2026 to be “Child Abuse & Neglect Awareness Month” in the City of Rockford, Illinois. 26-00441 ▶ jump to 31:37
  10. 7 PAGE BREAK
  11. 3. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation recognizing Keith Country Day School for winning the IHSA Scholastic Bowl State Championship on March 21, 2026. He congratulated the students and presented each with a Challenge Coin in recognition of their hard work and accomplishments. 26-00442 ▶ jump to 35:06
  12. III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
  13. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 40:18
  14. 1. Memorandum from Andrea Hinrichs, Housing and Program Manager, regarding amendments to the current and prior year Annual Action Plans. Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00446 Read into the Record
  15. 12 PAGE BREAK
  16. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 41:26
  17. 1. Zoning Board of Appeals’ Agenda for the meeting to be held on April 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on April 27, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00354 Read into the Record
  18. 2. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on April 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on April 27, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00355 Read into the Record
  19. 3. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the Final Plat of Bell School Crossings Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00447 Read into the Record
  20. 4. Memorandum from Alderman Tamir Bell regarding a proposed resolution establishing minimum standards, performance requirements and community benefit obligations for Data Center Development. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00449 Read into the Record
  21. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 42:31
  22. 1. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Operations for Health and Human Services, regarding the approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00386 Read into the Record
  23. 2. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Operations for Health and Human Services, regarding the approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Rapid Rehousing and Shelter Diversion Program. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00445 Read into the Record
  24. 3. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Operations for Health and Human Services, regarding the approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Homeless Prevention Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00444 Read into the Record
  25. 4. Memorandum from Tretara Flowers, Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, regarding the acceptance of Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Community Convener Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00448 Read into the Record
  26. 23 PAGE BREAK
  27. IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS ▶ jump to 43:11
  28. 1. Steven McMaster expressed his opinions regarding City Council Rule violations and the enforcement of those rules.
  29. 2. Katrina Baker voiced her opposition to the proposed AI data center and she expressed concerns about increased utility costs and a potential decrease in property values.
  30. 3. Denzil Wynter spoke about the importance of supporting and protecting children in the community. He encouraged residents to support children raising funds through the sale of bottled water.
  31. 4. Prophet Yusef recited a passage of scripture and spoke about the positive impact effective leadership can have on transforming culture.
  32. 5. John Tac Brantley shared details about an upcoming event for at-risk youth in the community and thanked those who contributed to making the trip to St. Louis, Missouri, possible for a group of young people.
  33. V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS ▶ jump to 59:35
  34. A. Planning and Development Committee
  35. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 59:36
  36. 1. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ denial for a: a. Special Use Permit for a Planned Use Development consisting of a ground mount solar array within the existing parking lot; and b. Variation to increase the white vinyl fencing height from four (4) feet to six (6) feet within the front yard along Acorn Street in an R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 609 Kilburn Avenue (Greenlink Solar Solutions for the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford/Applicants). (LAID OVER APRIL 20, 2026) 26-00313 Laid Over
  37. 2. Committee recommends approval of Plat No. 7 of Walmart Subdivision for the property located at 72xx Walton Street. 26-00363 Adopted Pass
  38. 3. Committee recommends approval of amending the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances Chapter 26, Article 1 - Restoration of Brick Paved Street (Strike Green Street). 26-00364 Adopted Pass
  39. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 62:10
  40. 1. Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $13,153,758.62 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on April 13, 2026. 26-00393 Adopted Pass
  41. 2. Committee recommends approval of the release of Liens in the total amount of $20,293.23 to facilitate the sale of the Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 3617 Preston Street (PIN: 11-20-428-016) and 2916 Custer Avenue (PIN: 11-15-209-009). 26-00371 Adopted Pass
  42. 3. Committee recommends approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Rockford Township for Emergency Rental Assistance in the amount of $25,000.00. 26-00372 Adopted Pass
  43. VI. OFFICERS REPORTS ▶ jump to 63:21
  44. VII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
  45. A. Planning and Development Committee
  46. A. Alderman Hoffman thanked Mayor McNamara and the participants who took part in the recent Rolling Green Neighborhood Association meeting.
  47. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 72:30
  48. B. Alderman Torina announced a Fifth Ward meeting would take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockford Park District Main Office located at 401 South Main Street.
  49. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Rockford City Market 26-00365 Adopted Pass
  50. C. Alderman Logemann announced a Keith Creek Neighborhood meeting would be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church. He mentioned the meeting was regarding the Region 1 Planning Council (R1PC) Livable Community Initiative Program.
  51. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Pride Alley Parade 26-00366 Adopted Pass
  52. D. Alderman Meeks reminded residents of the Third, Seventh, Ninth, and Twelfth Wards about the Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful Spring Clean-Up scheduled for Saturday, May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North End City Market. She mentioned the event coincided with Opening Day of the North End City Market and the annual Spruce-Up Day at Veterans Memorial Circle. Alderman Meeks encouraged residents interested in participating in the clean-up event to register at www.KNIB.org.
  53. 3. Committee recommends approval of the South Main Mercado and IDOT Resolution 26-00367 Adopted Pass
  54. 46 Alderman Meeks thanked Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful for hosting its recent Earth Day event and expressed her appreciation to Mayor McNamara for taking the pledge to pick up 25 pieces of litter as part of the effort to help keep the community clean.
  55. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Ironman Rockford 70.3 and IDOT Resolution 26-00368 Adopted Pass
  56. E. Alderman Wilkins announced she was partnering with the Rockford Park District to host a Pop-Up Camp at Andrews Park on Saturday, May 9. She stated the event would include a neighborhood clean-up followed by a block party. She informed residents that additional details would be forthcoming and encouraged anyone interested in helping organize the block party to contact her.
  57. 5. Committee recommends approval of the Vet’s Rock the Block 26-00369 Adopted Pass
  58. F. Alderman Granath announced a meeting was scheduled on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Third Presbyterian Church on Custer Avenue to discuss Brown Park. She encouraged residents of the Seventh, Ninth and Twelfth Wards to attend the meeting and provide input one the amenities they would like to see included in the park plans.
  59. 6. Committee recommends approval of the National Night Out 26-00370 Adopted Pass
  60. G. Alderman Bonne expressed his appreciation to the City's Building Inspectors, Fire Inspectors and Legal Department for their assistance with code enforcement efforts at the Versailles Apartments. He reported numerous projects had already been completed and he mentioned Judge Fabiano had issued an order requiring the property owner to remedy the remaining code violations by October 2026.
  61. 7. Resolution for settlement of John Johnson v. City of Rockford, et al., Winnebago County Case 2024-LA-316 in the amount of $40,000.00. (SUSPEND RULE 9) 26-00407 Adopted Pass
  62. H. Mayor McNamara announced a Tree Giveaway had been scheduled for April 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rolling Green Elementary School.
  63. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 75:48
  64. 51 Mayor McNamara encouraged residents to participate in the county-wide Earth Day Clean-Up event scheduled for April 22, 2026.
  65. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City-Wide Street Repairs Group No. 2 - 2026 (Downtown - RVC Campus) (Bid No. 226-PW-029) to N-Trak Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $787,762.60. The contract duration is through June 26, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00373 Adopted Pass
  66. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Water Division Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Patching 2026 (Bid No. 226-W-027) to DPI Construction, of Pecatonica, Illinois in the estimated amount of $450,000.00 (based on unit pricing). The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible annual extensions. The funding source is the Water Fund Operating Budget. 26-00377 Adopted Pass
  67. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Well No. 46 Water Treatment Facility (Bid No. 126-W-001) to Scandroli Construction, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $23,490,127.77. The contract duration is through December 31, 2029. The funding source is the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) State Revolving Fund (SRF). 26-00378 Adopted Pass
  68. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Contract: 2026 Light Duty City-Wide Vehicles to Anderson Rock River Ford, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $1,132,928.00. This is a one-time purchase. The funding sources are Capital Lease Funds and Various Divisions Capital Budgets. 26-00394 Adopted Pass
  69. 5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchase Contract: Backhoe Loader Equipment to Westside Tractor Sales, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $305,401.00 (after $12,000.00 trade-in allowance). The funding source is the Water Division Capital Lease Fund. 26-00374 Adopted Pass
  70. 6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchase Contract: 2026 Light Duty Vehicle to Enterprise Fleet Management Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri in the amount of $31,918.00. The funding source is Health & Human Services - LIHEAP & CSBG Grant Funded. 26-00375 Adopted Pass
  71. 7. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchase Contract: City-Wide Heavy Duty Fleet Purchases to Lakeside International, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $1,543,248.00. The funding sources are the General Fund and Water Division Capital Lease Fund. 26-00376 Adopted Pass
  72. 8. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchase Contract: Microsoft Office Suite and Security Applications to CDW Government, of Vernon Hills, Illinois in the amount of $487,597.27. The contract duration is one (1) year with two (2) annual extensions. The funding source is the Information Technology and Integration Budget. 26-00387 Adopted Pass
  73. 9. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchasing Contract: Work Management and Customer Relations Management (CRM) Software to SHI International Corp., of Somerset, New Jersey in the amount of $54,717.40. The contract duration is one (1) year. The funding sources are the Community & Economic Development and Legal Department Operating Budgets. 26-00397 Adopted Pass
  74. 10. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: Well No. 46 Water Treatment Facility to Strand Associates, Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin in the amount of $1,840,000.00. The contract duration is through December 28, 2029. The funding source is the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) State Revolving Fund (SRF). 26-00379 Adopted Pass
  75. 11. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: Corbin Street over Kent Creek Bridge Replacement (Phase 2 Engineering) to H.R. Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $163,740.00. The contract duration is through March 31, 2027. The funding source is Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds. 26-00380 Adopted Pass
  76. 12. Committee recommends approval of the Supplemental Resolution approving appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code - Corbin Street over Kent Creek Bridge Replacement (24-00670-00-BR) for an additional amount of $200,000.00, for an amended total of $360,000.00. 26-00384 Adopted Pass
  77. 13. Committee recommends approval of the Engineering Agreement Supplement #2: 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement (Land Acquisition & PE2) to IMEG Corp., of Rockford, Illinois for an additional amount of $190,772.00, for an amended total (concurrent with Supplement #3) of $426,171.76. The contract duration is through December 31, 2026. The funding sources are Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds and Federal Local Bridge Formula Program (LBFP) Funds. 26-00381 Adopted Pass
  78. 14. Committee recommends approval of the Engineering Agreement Supplement #3: 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement (PE1) to IMEG Corp., of Rockford, Illinois for an additional amount of $22,243.00, for an amended total (concurrent with Supplement #2) of $426,171.76. The contract duration is through December 31, 2026. The funding sources are Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds and Federal Local Bridge Formula Program (LBFP) Funds. 26-00382 Adopted Pass
  79. 15. Committee recommends approval of the Supplemental Resolution approving appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code - 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement (20-00637-00-BR) for an additional amount of $250,000.00, for an amended total of $300,000.00. 26-00385 Adopted Pass
  80. 16. Committee recommends approval of the Resolution approving appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code - Region 1 Planning Council FY-2026 Funding (26-00680-00-ES) in the amount of $91,308.49. 26-00383 Adopted Pass
  81. VIII. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES
  82. A. Planning and Development Committee
  83. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 81:23
  84. 1. An ordinance amending the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances Chapter 26, Article 1 - Restoration of Brick Paved Street (Strike Green Street). 26-00435 Adopted Pass
  85. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 82:03
  86. 1. An ordinance approving the release of Liens in the total amount of $20,293.23 to facilitate the sale of the Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 3617 Preston Street (PIN: 11-20-428-016) and 2916 Custer Avenue (PIN: 11-15-209-009). 26-00434 Adopted Pass
  87. 2. An ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Rockford Township for Emergency Rental Assistance in the amount of $25,000.00. 26-00443 Adopted Pass
  88. IX. CLOSED SESSION
  89. A. Motion to Convene into Closed Session in order to discuss Labor Negotiation matters.
  90. X. ADJOURNMENT ▶ jump to 82:59
  91. 78 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.
  92. 88 This meeting did not convene into Closed Session.
  93. 90 Alderman Wilkins moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Tuneberg. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Alderman Bell was absent). The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.