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City Council

February 2, 2026 ·5:30 PM Final

City Hall, Second Floor

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 92 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
  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
  7. 5 The invocation was given by Pastor Denver Bitner and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
  8. III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS ▶ jump to 12:20
  9. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 12:21
  10. 7 Alderman Tuneberg arrived at 5:41 p.m. and Alderman Durkee arrived at 5:51 p.m.
  11. 1. Memorandum from Andrea Hinrichs, Housing and Program Manager, regarding the Conditional Preliminary Set-Aside Letter for Federal HOME and CDBG funds requested by RockRiver I, LLC for a new senior housing development. Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00137 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 12:23
  12. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 12:48
  13. 9 There were no proclamations presented during this meeting.
  14. 1. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager-Permits and Special Events, regarding a request to vacate a right-of-way. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00134 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 12:51
  15. 2. Traffic Commission’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on February 11, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on February 23, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00136 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 13:01
  16. 3. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding Plat No. 2 of Puri West State Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00138 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 13:13
  17. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 13:28
  18. 1. Memorandum from Charlotte Hoss, City Attorney, regarding Trustee Property Mowing Lien Waivers. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00135 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 13:29
  19. IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS ▶ jump to 13:48
  20. 1. John Tac Brantley spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month and expressed the importance of educating the next generation about the impact African Americans have made on this country. ▶ jump to 14:17
  21. 2. Denzil Wynter spoke about racism in the military and violent attacks against black veterans.
  22. 3. Prophet Yusef recited a passage of scripture and shared a poem entitled "One Month is Not Enough".
  23. 4. Steven McMaster shared his personal views regarding the City Council Rules and his opposition to the incentive for McDonalds.
  24. 5. Dana Briggs spoke about the council members’ responsibility to preserve the Republic and encouraged the aldermen to do what they can to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
  25. V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
  26. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 30:14
  27. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Funding Agreement with Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (NIAAA) for the establishment of a Senior Center at 5505 East State Street. The funding source is a reallocation of unspent ARPA Plan/ Major Corridor Signage Funds not to exceed $300,000. 25-00167 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 30:15
  28. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 in the amount of $125,000.00 annually for a total amount of $375,000.00. The funding source is the City’s Redevelopment Fund. (LAID OVER FEBRUARY 17, 2026) 26-00086 Laid Over ▶ jump to 30:41
  29. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 32:00
  30. 1. Final Plat of Dulgar Subdivision 26-00097 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 32:01
  31. 2. Final Plat of District 815 Subdivision. 26-00098 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 32:09
  32. 3. 3929 Broadway, Suite 7 26-00099 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 32:17
  33. 4. 1100 North Lyford Road 26-00100 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 32:43
  34. 5. 716 Indiana Avenue 26-00101 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 33:03
  35. 6. 1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street 26-00102 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 33:31
  36. 7. 1211 West Street 26-00103 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 34:12
  37. 8. 3905 Broadway 26-00104 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 34:32
  38. 9. 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue 26-00106 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 35:04
  39. 10. 2212 North Main Street 26-00107 Adopted Pass
  40. 11. Committee recommends approval of the revisions to the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances for Sections 16-127; 16-128; and 16-136 regarding references to Snow Emergencies. 26-00113 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 36:54
  41. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 37:20
  42. 1. Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $10,700,327.60 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on January 26, 2026. 26-00112 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:23
  43. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Accounting Policy. 26-00096 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:37
  44. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Capital Asset Policy. 26-00110 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:48
  45. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Police and Fire Pension Funding Policy. 26-00108 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:50
  46. 5. Committee recommends approval of the Unclaimed Property Policy. 26-00109 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:51
  47. 6. Committee recommends approval of an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for engineering and construction of sanitary utility work related to the city’s Davis Park project in the amount of $40,300.00. The cost is to be reimbursed back to the city by FRSA at 100%. 26-00089 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 37:54
  48. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER ▶ jump to 38:43
  49. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 38:44
  50. 1. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Amendment to the Development Agreement with First Midwest Group (Machesney Investment LLC) and McDonald's for the establishment of a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street in the amount of $200,000. The funding source is 2025 Casino Plan Funds / Economic Development High Risk Area. (LAID OVER JANUARY 20, 2026) 25-00172 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 38:45
  51. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  52. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  53. VII. OFFICERS REPORTS ▶ jump to 40:00
  54. VIII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS ▶ jump to 40:42
  55. A. Planning and Development Committee
  56. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  57. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 40:44
  58. 1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Auburn Street Improvements Phase 1 (Central Ave to N Main Street) (Bid No. 126-PW-002) to N-Trak Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $11,697,753.33. The contract duration is through October 2026. The funding source is General Fund 2022 Surplus. 26-00092 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 40:57
  59. A. Alderman Salgado announced Mid-Town District was hosting a meeting with Region 1 on February 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at The Collective to discuss the Livable Communities Initiative. He encouraged the Eleventh Ward residents to attend the meeting and provide feedback and ideas for the Livable Communities Initiative.
  60. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Downtown Streetscape Improvements (Main Street: Jefferson Street to Park Avenue) (Bid No. 1125-PW-128) to Copenhaver Construction, of Gilberts, Illinois in the amount of $721,475.00. The contract duration is through July 31, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00091 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 41:15
  61. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Lower Jefferson Street Storm Sewer Improvements (Bid No. 126-PW-004) to N-Trak Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $518,090.20. The contract duration is through July 10, 2026. The funding source is the CIP General Fund. 26-00093 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 41:30
  62. 4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Mason Avenue Reconstruction (Bid No. 126-PW-003) to Northern Illinois Service Co., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $457,295.44. The contract duration is through June 30, 2026. The funding sources are Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant Funds (DCEO) and 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00094 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 42:06
  63. 5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Construction Engineering Agreement: Downtown Streetscape Improvements (Main Street: Jefferson Street to Park Avenue) to H.R. Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $104,734.00. The contract duration is through July 31, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00090 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 42:07
  64. 58 PAGE BREAK
  65. 6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Sole Source Contract: Teledyne ISCO Stormwater Samplers and Rain Gauges to Gasvoda & Associates, Inc., of Calumet City, Illinois in the amount of $40,710.00. This is a one-time purchase. The funding source is the Stormwater Operating Budget. 26-00095 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 42:26
  66. 7. Committee recommends approval of the Award of RFP: Hotel Market and New Hotel Feasibility Study (RFP No. 925-CD-106) to Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. dba Hunden Partners, of Chicago, Illinois in the amount of $40,000.00. The contract duration is seven (7) weeks. The funding source is the Planning Division Operating Budget. 26-00111 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 42:45
  67. 8. Committee recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Regional Site Readiness Grant in an amount up to $3,679,551.56. If awarded, the city would provide matching funds in the amount of $919,887.89. The funding source for the matching funds would be the Global Trade Park #2 TIF Fund. 26-00088 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 43:19
  68. IX. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES
  69. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 44:11
  70. 1. An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement with Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (NIAAA) for the establishment of a Senior Center at 5505 East State Street. The funding source is a reallocation of unspent ARPA Plan/ Major Corridor Signage Funds not to exceed $300,000. 26-00115 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 44:12
  71. 2. An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 in the amount of $125,000.00 annually for a total amount of $375,000.00. The funding source is the City’s Redevelopment Fund. 26-00116 Held out ▶ jump to 44:29
  72. 3. An ordinance approving the Amendment to the Development Agreement with First Midwest Group (Machesney Investment LLC) and McDonald's for the establishment of a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street in the amount of $200,000. The funding source is 2025 Casino Plan Funds / Economic Development High Risk Area. 26-00114 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 44:55
  73. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 46:21
  74. 1. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for body art services (tattoo) in conjunction with an esthetics shop in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3929 Broadway, Suite 7 (Destiny Owens/Applicant). 26-00127 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 46:22
  75. 2. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a funeral home in a C-1, Limited Office Zoning District at 1100 North Lyford Road (BAO, LLC/Applicant). 26-00126 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 46:40
  76. 3. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for an event space for receptions, cultural events and celebrations of life in an R-4, Multi-Family Residential Zoning District at 716 Indiana Avenue (Allen & Shawn Cox/Applicants). 26-00118 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 46:54
  77. 4. An ordinance approving a Variation to modify a 4.16’ x 5.92’ reader board to allow for a 4’ x 6’ electronic graphic display sign on an existing legal non-conforming freestanding sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street (Bobby Patel for Ramdevneal, LLC/Applicant). 26-00119 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 47:11
  78. 5. An ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Zoning District to R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 1211 West Street (Carmel Smith/Applicant). 26-00120 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 47:51
  79. 6. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) in conjunction with a tavern, video gaming terminals, and outdoor seating area in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3905 Broadway (Alison Elizabeth Fuller/8th Ward Pub, LTD dba 8th Ward Pub/Applicant). 26-00121 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 47:59
  80. 7. An ordinance approving the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a gas station and convenience store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue (Kulvir Kaur/Raj Liquor & Gas, Inc. dba Raj Liquor & Gas/Applicant). 26-00122 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 48:21
  81. 8. An ordinance approving the Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a gas station and convenience store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue (Kulvir Kaur/Raj Liquor & Gas, Inc., dba Raj Liquor & Gas/Applicant). 26-00123 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 48:44
  82. 9. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) and the Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a pub and grill, outdoor beer garden with seating and video gaming terminals in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 2212 North Main Street (Christine Stewart/Mulligans of Rockford, Inc., dba Mulligan’s Pub and Grill/Applicant). 26-00124 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 49:07
  83. 10. An ordinance approving the revisions to the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances for Sections 16-127; 16-128; and 16-136 regarding references to Snow Emergencies (SUSPEND RULE 9). 26-00125 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 49:48
  84. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 51:08
  85. 1. An ordinance approving the Accounting Policy. 26-00128 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:09
  86. 2. An ordinance approving the Capital Asset Policy. 26-00129 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:16
  87. 3. An ordinance approving the Police and Fire Pension Funding Policy. 26-00130 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:18
  88. 4. An ordinance approving the Unclaimed Property Policy. 26-00131 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:21
  89. 5. An ordinance approving an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for engineering and construction of sanitary utility work related to the city’s Davis Park project in the amount of $40,300.00. The cost is to be reimbursed back to the city by FRSA at 100%. 26-00132 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:24
  90. X. ADJOURNMENT ▶ jump to 52:12
  91. 85 Alderman Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Granath. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Alderman Meeks was absent). The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.
  92. 86 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.