City of Rockford City Council met June 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. The meeting was held via teleconference.
A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The invocation was given by Alderman Beach and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McNamara.
B. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Late | 5:38 PM |
| 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 | Late | 5:37 PM |
| 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 |
1. Journal of Proceedings for the City Council Meeting held on May 18, 2020.
Alderman Beach moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on May 18, 2020, seconded by Alderman Rose. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
2. Journal of Proceedings for the Special City Council Meeting held on May 26, 2020.
Alderman Beach moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the Special City Council meeting held on May 26, 2020, seconded by Alderman Rose. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote.
II. PROCLAMATIONS
There were no proclamations presented at this meeting.
III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Planning and Development Committee
1. Memorandum from Kyle Saunders, Public Works Director, regarding an Application and Award Acceptance for the 2020 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Rebuild Illinois Competitive Public Infrastructure Program Grant. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.
B. Code and Regulation Committee
1. Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda for the meeting to be held on June 16, 2020 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on June 22, 2020. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
2. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board Agenda for the meeting to be held on June 16, 2020 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on June 22, 2020. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. Memorandum from Lafakeria Vaughn, Assistant City Attorney, regarding Lease Agreement between the City of Rockford and Red Lamp Inc. d/b/a Blue Line Sports Pub for the Property located at 211 A Elm Street for a one (1) year term. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
2. Memorandum from Chief Derek Bergsten, Rockford Fire Department, regarding the approval of the request to seek bids for the replacement of an ambulance. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
3. Memorandum from Chad Baker, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the waiver or reduction of liens on several properties to be sold by Region 1 Planning Council (Land Bank). Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
4. Memorandum from Kyle Saunders, Public Works Director, regarding an Intergovernmental Agreement with Rock River Water Reclamation District (RRWRD) for Edgebrook Neighborhood Phases 1 and 2. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.
IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
1. John Tac Brantley of Rockford, Illinois recited scripture and spoke about the history of Juneteenth and the possibility of making it a national holiday.
V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
1. 2020-163-CR - Committee recommends approval of the Plat of Rockford Public Library Campus Subdivision.
Alderman Chiarelli, on behalf of the Code and Regulation Committee, read in the committee report and placed it up for passage. The committee report passed with a unanimous voice vote.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-164-CR - Committee recommends approval of the vouchers in the amount of $3,139,213.74 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on June 8, 2020.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely,
Chiarelli
2. 2020-165-CR - Committee recommends approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services and the City of Rockford for the extension of the lease of office space at 303 North Main Street for a five (5) year term.
The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
3. 2020-166-CR - Committee recommends approval of a Lease Agreement between the City of Rockford and 303 North Main Street, LLC for extension of the lease of office space at 303 North Main Street for a five (5) year term. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
4. 2020-167-CR - Committee recommends approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement for Dispatching Emergency Services between Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District and the City of Rockford E-911 Center. The anticipated revenue is $26.00 per call. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
5. 2020-168-CR - Committee recommends approval of the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Non-Federal Share Waiver Request in the amount of $143,628.00 for the grant period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
VI. APPOINTMENTS LAID OVER
1. Appointment of Reginald Alexander to the Community Relations Commission to fill the vacancy of Anqunette Parham. The term will expire in July 2022. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 8, 2020.)
Mayor McNamara read in the appointment. Alderman Chiarelli moved to suspend Rule 18, seconded by Alderman Beach. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous voice vote. The appointment was then placed up for passage and passed with a unanimous voice vote.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
VII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Planning and Development Committee
1. 2020-125-R - Authorization to apply for and accept Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure (RIPI) Program Grant funds from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for $5,000,000 if awarded. The City will offer a 34% cost match.
Alderman Rose, on behalf of the Planning and Development 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-126-R - Award of Bid: 2020 City-Wide Pavement Marking (Thermo) to Countryman Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $59,896.00. To be completed in 2020. The funding source is Motor Fuel Tax.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
2. 2020-127-R - Award of Bid: East State Street over Rock River Bridge Repairs to Martin and Company Excavating, of Oregon, Illinois in the amount of $385,414.00. The estimated completion date is October 30, 2020. The funding source is Sales Tax.
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
3. 2020-128-R - Award of Bid: Architectural, Mechanical and Emergency Furnace for the 2020-2021 Weatherization Program to Total Plumbing and Heating, of Machesney Park, Illinois for an estimated annual contract of $1,278,501.00 based on unit pricing. The contract duration is one (1) year with two (2) possible one-year extensions. The funding source is Grant funds through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Energy Assistance, Resource Solutions (utility funded weatherization).
Alderman Frost, 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, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
VIII. NEW BUSINESS (ORDINANCES)
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2020-150-O - An ordinance approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services and the City of Rockford for the extension of the lease of office space at 303 North Main Street for a five (5) year term.
Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
2. 2020-151-O - An ordinance approving a Lease Agreement between the City of Rockford and 303 North Main Street, LLC for extension of the lease of office space at 303 North Main Street for a five (5) year term.
Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
3. 2020-152-O - An ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement for Dispatching Emergency Services between Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District and the City of Rockford E-911 Center. The anticipated revenue is $26.00 per call.
Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
4. 2020-153-O - An ordinance approving the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Non-Federal Share Waiver Request in the amount of $143,628.00 for the grant period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Gasparini, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely, Chiarelli
IX. OFFICERS REPORTS
A. Alderman Chiarelli
Alderman Chiarelli reported he has received numerous complaints regarding code violations from residents in the Fourteenth Ward. He thanked city staff for their hard work and dedication to make sure each complaint was addressed.
Alderman Chiarelli informed city staff that he received some inquiries about citizens wanting to have car parades to celebrate the Fourth of July since the city’s parade and firework show has been cancelled.
City Administrator Todd Cagnoni explained those inquiries should go through the City of Rockford’s special event permit process. He stated the Legal and Public Works Departments would give guidance on how events can proceed based on the Governor’s Executive Order and the city’s ordinances for special events.
Alderman Chiarelli asked what the time frame was to submit an inquiry if a special event permit was needed.
Administrator Cagnoni stated all inquiries should be submitted right away so they can be reviewed to determine if the event can move forward pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan.
B. Alderman McNeely
Alderman McNeely gave a breakdown of the Winnebago County Health Department’s results for the number of COVID-19 case by zip code and race in the City of Rockford. She reminded residents to stay cognizant of the fact that we are still in a pandemic.
Mayor McNamara indicated the Winnebago County Health Department’s results are posted daily on their website and Facebook page and he stated the results are also posted on the City of Rockford’s social media pages.
Alderman McNeely announced the pickup locations of where residents can go to receive meals through the Summer Food Program. She directed anyone that needs more information to contact her or the City of Rockford Human Services Department.
Mayor McNamara mentioned residents could find information about the Summer Food Program on the City of Rockford's website and they could also receive information by texting foodil to 877-877.
C. Alderman Quinonez
Alderman Quinonez commended the Neighborhood Code Enforcement staff for their incredible work in the Eleventh Ward.
D. Alderman Beach
Alderman Beach shared he received a letter from a resident in the Tenth Ward regarding wild turkeys attacking cars and he asked if any of the other aldermen were having similar issues.
E. Alderman Rose
Alderman Rose thanked Ernie and Helen Redfern for organizing and leading the beautification efforts at Veterans Memorial Circle. He also thanked the numerous volunteers that helped make that area look great.
Alderman Tuneberg also expressed his appreciation to Ernie and Helen Redfern and the many volunteers that worked hard to plant flowers and made the Veterans Memorial Circle look beautiful.
F. Alderman Hoffman
Alderman Hoffman thanked the Streets Department for their hard work and for fixing several roads in the Eighth Ward.
G. Alderman Thompson-Kelly
Alderman Thompson-Kelly indicated that Kathy Brown and other community members would be serving a BBQ lunch at Police District 1 for all First Responders that would be working on the Fourth of July.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly announced there would be a series of four Aldermen Public Listening Sessions held to give the community a chance to share their feelings and concerns. She mentioned the first session would be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at the Salvation Army, 500 S. Rockford Avenue from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. She urged her fellow constituents to attend.
H. Alderman Ervins
Alderman Ervins spoke about the importance of managing our emotions and focusing on the things of God.
I. Alderman Frost
Alderman Frost thanked Matthew Flores for going the extra mile and assisting him with numerous code violation inquires over the last several weeks.
J. Alderman Tuneberg
Alderman Tuneberg thanked Director Kyle Saunders for his quick response and diligent efforts while responding to service calls in the Third Ward.
K. Alderman Gasparini
Alderman Gasparini thanked Matthew Flores, Director Kyle Saunders and Taylor Hennelly for their tremendous efforts with several recent issues in the Second Ward.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
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