City of Rockford City Council met June 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 6:21 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 | Absent | |
| 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 | |
| Ginger Hanley | 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. 2020-123-R - Award of RFP: Summer Food Program to Quality Catering for Kids Inc., of Gurnee, Illinois for an amount not-to-exceed $392,053.90. The contract duration is one year with three one-year extensions. The funding source is United States Department of Agriculture grant funds through the Illinois State Board of Education.
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the resolution. Alderman Hervey moved to amend the resolution to reflect the following changes:
The contract duration is one (1) year with three (3) possible one-year extensions.
Alderman Durkee seconded the motion.
MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote (Alderman Frost was absent).
The resolution, as amended, was then placed up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
ABSENT: Kevin Frost
2. 2020-124-R - Authorization to accept CARES Act funds from the Office of Head Start Administration for Children and Families for $632,741 if awarded. The grant does not include a cost match. 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, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
ABSENT: Kevin Frost
III. OFFICERS REPORTS
A. Alderman Durkee
Alderman Durkee reported he attended several protests over the weekend. He shared while dining at a restaurant he witnessed some protesters begin to provoke several Rockford Police Officers. He commended the police officers for the outstanding job they did and the professionalism in which they handled the situation.
Chief O’Shea thanked Alderman Durkee for his comments. He indicated the officers are trying to provide safe passage for protesters as well as protect the general public while the protests are taking place.
Alderman Durkee expressed his frustrations and concerns about the Winnebago County Board voting on an ordinance to give the Winnebago County Health Department the power to shut down businesses they feel are unsafe due to COVID-19. He shared his personal feelings about why he was opposed to this idea. He asked the council members to contact members of the Winnebago County Board and encourage them to vote against this.
B. Alderman Gasparini
Alderman Gasparini thanked Mayor McNamara, Chief O’Shea and the Rockford Police Department for their hard work during the last two weeks.
C. Alderman Tuneberg
Alderman Tuneberg shared his concerns regarding the streets being overtaken by protesters and first responders having to take alternate routes in order to respond to emergency calls for service. He mentioned that everyone has the right to protest but he felt when the protests turn violent and destructive, that behavior was unacceptable.
Alderman Tuneberg expressed his frustrations about small businesses that were negatively impacted due to COVID-19 and now they are having to hire security to protect their property.
Alderman Tuneberg thanked the Rockford Police Officers for their professionalism when violent protesters are provoking them.
Chief O’Shea explained the Police Department, Fire Department and the hospitals are working together and are in constant communication so they are able to reroute emergency personnel as needed.
D. Alderman Hervey
Alderman Hervey commended the Rockford Police Department for the way they have handled these challenging circumstances. She also stated she was proud of the peaceful protesters. Alderman Hervey stated the City of Rockford Police Department has prohibited choke hold techniques for years.
Chief O’Shea indicated the Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (LVNR) is not a technique that is utilized by the Rockford Police Department and it is not part of any training used and has not been for a very long time.
Alderman Hervey asked if the Rockford Police Department uses any tactics that cut off a person’s airways.
Chief O’Shea replied, “Absolutely not”.
Alderman Hervey stated that Chief O’Shea has her support and she thanked him for taking the time to discuss her concerns regarding the comments he made. She mentioned she believes there are things that the City of Rockford can do better and some things that systemically need to be changed. She expressed her desire for everyone to work together to see change happen.
E. Alderman Ervins
Alderman Ervins expressed his belief this was an opportunity to sow good seeds and he encouraged everyone to work hard to see positive change in our community.
F. Alderman Thompson-Kelly
Alderman Thompson-Kelly extended her condolences to Alderman Frost and his family on the passing of his mother.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly thanked Chief O’Shea for providing her with the information she requested.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly inquired if city staff was behind on mowing foreclosed and vacant properties due to the recent rain.
Director Karl Franzen replied and confirmed the city was behind on the mowing schedule due to the rainy weather. He indicated that Matthew Flores reported the city was current on mowing properties that they have received complaints on but they are behind schedule for other properties.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly advised the council members she forwarded an email, which contained information regarding the Public Listening Sessions, and she invited the aldermen to take part in the sessions. She directed anyone with questions to contact her and she thanked City Administrator Todd Cagnoni for his assistance with the sessions.
G. Alderman Rose
Alderman Rose expressed his feelings regarding the recent protests and he thanked the Rockford Police Officers for their service during these difficult times. He encouraged residents to unite together and work to address the racial issues we have in this community. He urged Governor Pritzker to consider calling back the State of Illinois Representatives to session in order to work through some of the difficult issues communities are facing.
Alderman Rose announced he would be meeting with the Northwest Development Corporation to discuss the possibility of creating a Go Fund Me account for donations that would go toward the purchase of body cameras for our City of Rockford Police Officers.
H. Alderman Beach
Alderman Beach thanked Matt Knott for his help resolving a neighborhood issue in the Tenth Ward.
Alderman Beach shared his frustrations regarding the process of reporting mowing complaints on foreclosed properties and the current response time.
Alderman Beach reported that he and Alderman Chiarelli spent three nights riding along with Rockford Police Officers and he complimented the officers for the professional manner in which they have handled themselves during the riots and protests.
Alderman Beach thanked city staff for their assistance with organizing the Public Listening Sessions.
I. Alderman Quinonez
Alderman Quinonez expressed his gratitude to Mayor McNamara, Chief O’Shea and the Rockford Police Officers for their hard work during the protests.
J. Alderman Hanley
Alderman Hanley thanked Mayor McNamara for organizing the Public Listening Sessions and she expressed how important it was for the elected officials to listen to the community.
Alderman Hanley reported she has been contacted by numerous residents who have indicated they are in support of Chief O’Shea.
K. Alderman McNeely
Alderman McNeely thanked Mayor McNamara for sharing the pledge he made with My Brother’s Keeper. She shared her desire to have a safe place in the Thirteenth Ward where the African American community could meet and she offered several possible locations that she felt could be used.
Alderman McNeely urged Mayor McNamara and members of the community to push for a solution and encourage Rock Valley College to reconsider their decision to open a facility off South Main Street. She stated she is holding out hope that the facility would still be opened on the west side of Rockford.
Alderman McNeely thanked Chief O’Shea for explaining how the emergency personnel communicate about street closures caused by the protesters and how they are able to keep emergency personnel aware of clear routes when responding to emergency calls.
Alderman McNeely expressed her gratitude to the Rockford Police Officer for their service even during times when people are disrespecting them. She commended the protesters for proving that they are capable of taking care of this country in the future. She indicated she would like to have some direct discussions with the protesters and she asked Mayor McNamara if he has had any real discussions with them.
Mayor McNamara responded and indicated he shares Alderman McNeely’s frustration with the lack of direct communication with the different groups who are protesting. He commented he felt direct communication could be very beneficial for everyone.
L. Alderman Chiarelli
Alderman Chiarelli requested that Mayor McNamara switch the order of Officers Reports some time so that he doesn’t have to go last every time.
Alderman Chiarelli reported he has been contacted by numerous residents that have extended their appreciation for our Rockford Police Officers. He commented they are doing a fantastic job during these very challenging circumstances.
Alderman Chiarelli informed residents he is committed to work towards whatever change needs to take place to make this community a better place. He stated he is hopeful the Public Listening Sessions would be a way to determine what changes need to be made and then build a strategy for change that would positively impact all citizens.
Alderman Chiarelli encouraged residents to contact the Winnebago County Board Members and share their thoughts and ideas with them.
M. Mayor McNamara
Mayor McNamara thanked the council members for their patience and he apologized for not keeping them as informed as he would like. He stated things have been changing very rapidly over the last 10 days and he does not always have a chance to communicate with them. He indicated he would try to keep them updated as much as possible.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjournment at 7:07 p.m.
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