Community Relations Commission
City Hall, Second Floor
Agenda — 28 items
- I. CALL TO ORDER
- A. Roll Call
- 2 Chairman Eric Brown called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM.
- B. Acceptance of the Journal
- 1. Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission meeting held on June 11, 2026
- 4 Commissioner Shanklin arrived at 5:45 PM.
- C. Communications
- 1. Mayor’s “Open Door” meeting hours with Commissioners are set for September 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 12 PM
- II. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
- III. INFORMATION ONLY
- A. City of Rockford Community & Economic Development Department, Planning and Zoning Division Update - Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager
- IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- 10 There were no registered Public Speakers.
- A. Bi-Annual Report - Chairman Eric Brown
- B. Community Relations Commission Ordinance Revision - Updated Language Review - Commissioners Eric Brown and Jurea Crudup
- C. Modular Homes Pilot Programs/Housing Development Ordinance Update - Commissioners Rita Bravo and James McDowell
- D. Affordable Housing Pilot Program Video - Commissioners Mary Jude Pakiela and Scott Garwick
- V. NEW BUSINESS
- VI. UPCOMING ACTION PLAN ITEMS
- A. Food Insecurity Panel Discussions, August 14, 2026 - Commissioners William Martin and Rita Bravo
- VII. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
- VIII. ADJOURNMENT
- 19 No new business was presented.
- 20 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.
- 22 Chairman Brown reminded the Commission of the Food Insecurity Panel discussion scheduled for the August 14th meeting.
- 24 Commissioner Pakiela reported on her and Commissioner Johnson’s meeting with Aldermen Granath, Prunty, and Logemann. Key take-a-ways are that community priorities are primarily focused on immediate quality-of-life and property maintenance concerns with a lack of knowledge to access resources. Also Wards vary in neighborhood interactions. Some have a lack of a sense of community while others have block parties and community events. She saw a potential of creating a city endorsed list of vendors and service providers for the community, communicating to the community the availability of social and city services, and organizing an event where volunteers would offer minor repairs and clean up in designated areas. Michaela Harris recommended having the attorney in the Legal Department who oversees the Code Enforcement cases to speak on the process and the work done before a citation is issued. Commissioner Pakiela also reported on her meeting with Mayor McNamara. They discussed how to help residents understand what housing assistance is available in the community. They also discussed the possibility of holding a Housing Fair for the community where it can get information on various programs available. She is currently working to connect with people with knowledge of housing resources to see if this is something that could happen.
- 25 PAGE BREAK
- 27 Chairman Brown asked for a Motion to Adjourn. Commissioner Martin moved to Adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Crudup. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. (Commissioners Zsa Zsa Johnson, Mary Kaull, and James McDowell were absent). The meeting adjourned at 6:44 PM.
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