City of Rockford City Council met May 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. This meeting was held via teleconference.
A. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Tony Gasparini | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Chad Tuneberg | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Kevin Frost | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Venita Hervey | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Natavias Ervins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Ann Thompson-Kelly | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Karen Hoffman | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Bill Rose | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Franklin C. Beach | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Tuffy Quinonez | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Linda McNeely | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Joseph Chiarelli | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-138-CR - Authorization to execute the application for Human Services Department's request for (1) $86,725 Head Start COLA funds; (2) $44,582 Early Head Start COLA funds; (3) $11,577 Early Head Start Partnership COLA funds; (4) $142,044 Head Start Quality Improvement funds; (5) $53,436 Early Head Start Quality Improvement funds; and (6) $35,000 in Early Head Start Partnership Quality Improvement funds to be used to offset increased operating costs of the program.
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the committee report and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson, Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, McNeely, Chiarelli
III. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-108-R - Award of Bid: Demolition of 116-120 S. 2nd Street A.K.A. City Body Shop to N-TRAK Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $35,893.00. The contract duration is 45 days. The funding source is Property Fund.
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the resolution and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson, Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, McNeely, Chiarelli
IV. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-128-O - An ordinance approving the authorization to execute the application for Human Services Department's request for (1) $86,725 Head Start COLA funds; (2) $44,582 Early Head Start COLA funds; (3) $11,577 Early Head Start Partnership COLA funds; (4) $142,044 Head Start Quality Improvement funds; (5) $53,436 Early Head Start Quality Improvement funds; and (6) $35,000 in Early Head Start Partnership Quality Improvement funds to be used to offset increased operating costs of the program.
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance. Alderman Frost moved to suspend Rule 15, seconded by Alderman Durkee. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. The ordinance was then placed up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson, Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, McNeely, Chiarelli
V. OFFICERS REPORTS A. Alderman Durkee
Alderman Durkee expressed his personal feelings regarding reopening businesses in our community and Governor Pritzker’s Five Phase Plan to restore Illinois. He mentioned it is his belief that Governor Pritzker was exceeding this authority by extending this shutdown past 30 days. He encouraged Governor Pritzker to be open to discussions with elected officials about reopening businesses and moving forward. Alderman Durkee voiced his concerns about businesses that may not reopen or that may move out of Illinois.
Mayor McNamara commented he understands Alderman Durkee’s frustrations. He then explained the Winnebago County Health Department has been completing Contact Tracing since the first positive case of COVID-19 in this area. Mayor McNamara indicated the Rockford Rebound Work Groups would be utilized to provide strategies and recommendations to assist the city as they work through details of reopening businesses in our community.
B. Alderman Tuneberg
Alderman Tuneberg asked Chief Bergsten if he has seen a rise in calls for emergency assistance for drug overdoses and suicides.
Chief Bergsten reported that local data has not shown an increase in calls for drug overdoses or suicides but he mentioned they are seeing an increase in the seriousness of calls. He stated this is due to individuals staying home longer than they should before seeking medical attention because they are scared to go to the emergency room or their doctor’s office for fear of contracting the coronavirus. Chief Bergsten encouraged anyone that was experiencing a serious medical condition to seek medical attention right away.
Alderman Tuneberg expressed his concerns regarding suicides and the increase in youth crimes and domestic violence in our community. He shared his belief that Governor Pritzker has moved slow to reopen Illinois. Alderman Tuneberg reported that recent economic data was showing better results than first predicted.
C. Alderman Thompson-Kelly
Alderman Thompson-Kelly asked if the casino license had been approved by the Illinois Gaming Board yet.
Mayor McNamara reported the Illinois Gaming Board has begun their review process but has not yet approved the casino license.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly requested that Alderman McNeely schedule a Democratic Caucus meeting via Webex.
Alderman McNeely asked that Alderman Thompson-Kelly give her a call to discuss details of a possible meeting.
D. Alderman Hoffman
Alderman Hoffman thanked Barb Chidley for her assistance with scheduling a Zoom meeting last week. She also thanked Assistant Deputy Chief Dalke and Assistant Deputy Chief Pann for speaking to her neighborhood group.
E. Alderman Rose
Alderman Rose expressed his desire to find responsible and safe ways to reopen businesses in Rockford. He thanked Chairman Haney for his efforts in trying to encourage Governor Pritzker to reconsider his position.
F. Alderman Beach
Alderman Beach shared his desire for the City Council members to unite together and prepare a resolution expressing their frustrations and outlining some suggestions they would like to see Governor Pritzker take into consideration.
G. Alderman McNeely
Alderman McNeely voiced her support for Governor Pritzker and she thanked Mayor McNamara and Dr. Martell for their leadership, guidance and hard work to keep the COVID-19 curve down in our community.
Alderman McNeely extended her deepest sympathies and prayers to the family of Mary Allen. She spoke of the positive work Mary Allen and her sisters did through Let’s Talk It Out and how they helped impact lives of troubled youth.
Mayor McNamara shared she was a remarkable woman who positively impacted our community through her work with numerous organizations.
H. Alderman Chiarelli
Alderman Chiarelli encouraged everyone to stand united during this pandemic so we can see our community restored.
Alderman Chiarelli indicated he received a request for information regarding the number of police and fire calls for service that have taken place at two properties that had recently been annexed into the City of Rockford.
Mayor McNamara replied and indicated Chief Bergsten and Chief O’Shea would provide that information to him right away.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=1819&Inline=True
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