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City Council

January 20, 2026 ·5:30 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 83 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 ▶ jump to 6:47
  6. II. PROCLAMATIONS ▶ jump to 7:28
  7. 5 The invocation was given by Chaplain Kenneth Hendley and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
  8. A. Poet Laureate Presentation ▶ jump to 7:29
  9. III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
  10. 7 Alderman Frost arrived at 5:42 p.m. and Alderman Logemann arrived at 5:48 p.m.
  11. A. Planning and Development Committee
  12. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  13. 1. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the approval of the Final Plat of District 815 Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00048 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 17:23
  14. 2. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the approval of the Final Plat of Dulgar Subdivision. Referred Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00066 Read into the Record
  15. 3. Zoning Board of Appeals’ Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 26, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00056 Read into the Record
  16. 4. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 21, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 26, 2026. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00057 Read into the Record
  17. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 18:30
  18. 1. Memorandum from Carrie Hagerty, Finance Director, regarding the consideration and approval of Finance Policies. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00047 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 18:38
  19. 2. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for Davis Park. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00084 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 18:41
  20. 3. Memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding the proposed Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Regional Site Readiness Grant Application Authorization and Award Acceptance. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00085 Read into the Record ▶ jump to 18:46
  21. IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS ▶ jump to 19:04
  22. 1. Denzil Wynter spoke about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all African American female unit in the U.S. Army that served overseas during World War II. He shared the history of the unit and highlighted the significant role African Americans have played in defending this country. ▶ jump to 19:26
  23. 2. Prophet Yusef recited a passage of scripture and gave honor to the outstanding African Americans heroes serving with the Chicago Fire Department, specifically those on Trucks 19 and 21.
  24. 3. Ken Dickens voiced his concerns regarding the lack of urgency surrounding the future of Rockford, Illinois. He also shared his ideas of how to address the food insecurity in the region.
  25. 4. John Tac Brantley shared Renewed Turning Point’s mission statement and vision for building a positive future for children in the City of Rockford, Illinois.
  26. V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS ▶ jump to 32:31
  27. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 32:41
  28. 1. Committee recommends approval of the 2026 - 2028 Funding Agreement between the City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) in the amount of $60,000 annually. The funding source is Garbage User Fees. 25-00166 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 32:41
  29. 2. 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 Laid Over ▶ jump to 32:57
  30. 3. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Supplemental Marketing Services Agreement between the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (GoRockford) and City of Rockford for $100,000 annually for two years (2026 and 2027). The funding source is 2026 and 2027 Casino Foundation Funds. 25-00174 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 33:17
  31. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 47:53
  32. 1. Committee recommends approval of the sale of the vacant city-owned property located at 5798 Logistics Parkway to 5728 Logistics Parkway LLC, the neighboring property owner, for the amount of $124,000 plus costs. 26-00004 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 47:54
  33. 2. Committee recommends approval of the Plat No. 6 of Green Estates. 26-00005 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 48:20
  34. 3. Committee recommends approval of Plat No. 2 of Ardmore Subdivision 26-00007 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 48:27
  35. 31 PAGE BREAK
  36. 4. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals’ approval for a Special Use Permit for an off-premise business sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2102 McFarland Road (First Perryville Development Corporation/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00008 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 48:35
  37. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  38. 1. Committee recommends approval of the vouchers in the amount of $8,285,662.57 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on January 12, 2026. 26-00012 Adopted Pass
  39. 2. Committee recommends approval of an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Awaken Foundation L3C to provide on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities within the City’s Weatherization Program. There is no fiscal impact to the City. Participant wages are paid entirely by Awaken Foundation using Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (ICEJA) Grant funds. The agreement is from February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. 26-00041 Adopted Pass
  40. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER
  41. A. Planning and Development Committee
  42. 1. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Tower Lofts, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 99 East State Street as News Tower Lofts (former Rockford Register Star) for mixed-use residential / commercial development. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. (LAID OVER JANUARY 5, 2026) 25-00170 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:14
  43. 2. Committee recommends approval of the proposed Amendment to the Development Agreement with Oliver Emerson Development (Oliver Emerson Development, LLC) for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 325 South Madison Street (The Watch Factory) as residential. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. (LAID OVER JANUARY 5, 2026) 25-00171 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 51:38
  44. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 56:37
  45. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  46. VIII. OFFICERS REPORTS
  47. VII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
  48. A. Planning and Development Committee
  49. B. Code and Regulation Committee
  50. 1. 2026 Forward for Fun Initiative 26-00010 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 56:44
  51. 2. Resolution for settlement of Isaac Cornelius Fricks, Sr. vs. Officer Brian Prine, Case No: 22-CV-50410 in the amount of $32,000. (SUSPEND RULE 9) 26-00061 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 57:03
  52. C. Finance and Personnel Committee ▶ jump to 58:12
  53. 1. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair (HAFHR) Grant extension in the additional amount of $549,000 (the new total is $3,009,000). 25-00182 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 58:13
  54. 2. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Rebuild Downtowns and Main Streets Grant Award in the amount of $2,000,000. The grant requires a 25% cost match which will be paid for using the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. The grant term is from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. If accepted, the grant funds will be used to reimburse construction costs of the Madison Street Corridor Improvements Project (Phase 2). 25-00183 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 58:29
  55. 3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Professional Services for Family Peace Center Architectural Services for Renovation of 214 North Church Street to Larson & Darby Group, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $525,805.36. The contract duration is through December 31, 2026. The funding source is the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Accelerator Grant. 26-00021 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 58:53
  56. 51 PAGE BREAK
  57. IX. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES
  58. A. Planning and Development Committee ▶ jump to 69:16
  59. 1. An ordinance approving the 2026 - 2028 Funding Agreement between the City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) in the amount of $60,000 annually. The funding source is Garbage User Fees. 26-00050 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 69:17
  60. 2. An ordinance approving the Supplemental Marketing Services Agreement between the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (GoRockford) and City of Rockford for $100,000 annually for two years (2026 and 2027). The funding source is 2026 and 2027 Casino Foundation Funds. 26-00053 Adopted Pass
  61. 3. An ordinance approving the Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Tower Lofts, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 99 East State Street as News Tower Lofts (former Rockford Register Star) for mixed-use residential / commercial development. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. 26-00060 Adopted Pass
  62. 4. An ordinance approving the Amendment to the Development Agreement with Oliver Emerson Development (Oliver Emerson Development, LLC) for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 325 South Madison Street (The Watch Factory) as residential. The funding source is Redevelopment Funds and TIF Funds. 26-00058 Adopted Pass
  63. A. Mayor McNamara announced the passing of NAACP President George Scott. He spoke about President Scott's many accomplishments and extended his heartfelt condolences to his family and the NAACP community. Mayor McNamara conducted a Moment of Silence for the individuals that have lost loved ones this past week.
  64. B. Code and Regulation Committee ▶ jump to 73:19
  65. B. Alderman Salgado announced on February 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. the Mid-Town District will hold a meeting with Region 1 to discuss details of the Livable Community Initiative. He indicated the meeting will take place at The Collective located at 309 7th Street and he encouraged residents to attend.
  66. 1. An ordinance approving the sale of the vacant city-owned property located at 5798 Logistics Parkway to 5728 Logistics Parkway LLC, the neighboring property owner, for the amount of $124,000, plus costs. 26-00054 Adopted Pass ▶ jump to 73:20
  67. C. Alderman Meeks announced that a city-wide Town Hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rockford Country Club. She shared that Carla Redd, Chief of the Rockford Police Department, and Jennifer Cacciapaglia, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention, will be presenting information during the meeting.
  68. 2. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for an off-premise business sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2102 McFarland Road (First Perryville Development Corporation/Applicant). 26-00055 Adopted Pass
  69. D. Alderman Prunty extended her condolences to the Scott family and the additional families that have recently lost loved ones.
  70. C. Finance and Personnel Committee
  71. 61 Alderman Prunty announced the Six Ward meeting will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fire Station 7 located at 2323 Sawyer Road. She shared Fire Chief Rebecca Tyo and Illinois State Representative Maurice West will be presenting information at the meeting.
  72. 1. An ordinance approving an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Awaken Foundation L3C to provide on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities within the City’s Weatherization Program. There is no fiscal impact to the City. Participant wages are paid entirely by Awaken Foundation using Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (ICEJA) Grant funds. The agreement is from February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. 26-00051 Adopted Pass
  73. E. Alderman Tuneberg reminded the Churchills Grove residents the neighborhood meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
  74. 63 PAGE BREAK
  75. F. Alderman Bell mentioned he was hosting a Coffee & Conversations event at Mr. C's Family Restaurant on West State Street on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
  76. X. CLOSED SESSION
  77. G. Alderman Bonne thanked Calvin Wesley and Youth Build for the opportunity to speak to the students regarding politics and journalism. He shared that the conversations were meaningful and the students were highly engaged.
  78. 1. Motion to Convene into Closed Session in Order to Discuss Pending Litigation Matters
  79. H. Alderman Hoffman thanked Francisca French and Jeremy Carter for their participation in the recent Eighth Ward meeting. She mentioned both staff members did an excellent job of presenting information to the residents.
  80. XI. ADJOURNMENT ▶ jump to 75:28
  81. I. Alderman Durkee expressed his appreciation to the Public Works staff who worked through the night in extreme cold conditions to repair a water main break in the First Ward.
  82. 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.
  83. 78 PAGE BREAK