Community Relations Commission

City Hall, Second Floor

Agenda — 23 items

1. I. CALL TO ORDER
2. A. Roll Call ▶ jump to 10:58
3. 2 Chairman Eric Brown called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM.
4. B. Acceptance of the Journal ▶ jump to 11:29
5. 1. Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission meeting held on March 12, 2026 26-00362 Approved
6. II. PUBLIC SPEAKERS ▶ jump to 12:01
7. III. INFORMATION ONLY ▶ jump to 17:26
8. A. Community and Economic Development Departments Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Program - Andrea Hinrichs, City of Rockford Housing and Program Manager 26-00359 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 17:27
9. 7 Steven McMaster, spoke on the disconnect between the public and the City’s legal and legislative processes. He encouraged the Commission to provide formal input on the South Side Data Center.
10. B. Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) Spend Report - Michaela Harris, City of Rockford Contract and Grant Compliance Officer 26-00360 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 44:00
11. C. Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) Paper Plan - Michaela Harris, City of Rockford Contract and Grant Compliance Officer 26-00361 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 57:19
12. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ▶ jump to 61:03
13. A. Community Relations Commission Ordinance Revision - Draft Language - Commissioners Brown and Crudup 26-00388 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 61:16
14. B. Housing Development Ordinances - Commissioners McDowell and Bravo 26-00358 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 64:03
15. V. NEW BUSINESS ▶ jump to 68:53
16. A. Commissioner’s Questions for the Alderman - Commissioners Kaull and Bravo 26-00356 No Action Taken ▶ jump to 69:19
17. B. Affordable Housing Pilot Program - Commissioners Pakiela and Garwick 26-00357 ▶ jump to 120:57
18. VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS ▶ jump to 130:46
19. VII. ADJOURNMENT Approved ▶ jump to 133:27
20. 18 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.
21. 18 PAGE BREAK
22. 20 Commissioner Borrero shared that she has committed to volunteer for five weeks with the Opening Doors Program through the Rockford Public Schools. She will be volunteering every Wednesday for two hours at the Brook Road location as a way to increase her community involvement. Commissioner Pakiela provided an update on her recent meeting with the Mayor and an upcoming meeting with the Director of the United Way regarding the 211 Program. Her primary focus is to improve the accessibility and awareness of city services for residents. The meeting with the United Way is to understand the experience of local agencies and how the Commission can fit into the resource and referral process. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, the Commission will consider inviting the United Way Executive Director to a future meeting to share more details and how to align with the Commission's Action Plan.
23. 22 Chairman Brown asked for a Motion to Adjourn. Commissioner William Martin moved to Adjourn the Meeting, seconded by Commissioner Norma Borrero. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. (Commissioners Jurea Crudup, Zsa Zsa Johnson, and Shimere Shanklin were absent). The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.