City of Rockford City Council Met Jan. 19.
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order. This meeting was held via teleconference. A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The invocation and Pledge of Allegiance portion took place during the Legislative and Lobbying Committee meeting held prior to this meeting.
B. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Jonathan Logemann | 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 | Absent | |
| Ann Thompson-Kelly | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | |
| 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 |
1. Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on December 21, 2020.
Alderman Beach moved to accept the Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on December 21, 2020, seconded by Alderman Hervey. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote
(Aldermen Ervins and Thompson-Kelly were absent).
II. PROCLAMATIONS
There were no proclamations presented at this meeting.
III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
A. Planning and Development Committee
1. Memorandum from Deb Dorsey, Housing and Program Manager, regarding approval of the 2021 Annual Action Plan. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.
B. Code and Regulation Committee
1. Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 20, 2021 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 25, 2021. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
2. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board Agenda for the meeting to be held on January 20, 2021 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on January 25, 2021. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
3. Memorandum from Lafakeria Vaughn, Assistant City Attorney, regarding the proposed Right-of-Way Vacation Ordinance for a portion of Gardiner Avenue located east of Rural Oaks Shopping Center. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
4. Memorandum from Nicholas Meyer, Legal Director, regarding the designation of a Deputy Clerk, ex officio, Keeper of the Records and Seal for the City of Rockford. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
5. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager regarding the Tentative Plat of Kilburn Pointe Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
6. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager regarding the Final Plat of Kilburn Pointe Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. Alderman McNeely submitted a memorandum for a Resolution for Reparative Racial Justice Measures funded by tax collected from the legalization of marijuana. Referred to Finance & Personnel Committee.
IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
The public speaking portion took place during the Legislative and Lobbying Committee meeting held prior to this meeting.
V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2021-15-CR - Committee recommends approval of the vouchers in the amount of $3,686,342.85 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on January 11, 2021.
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, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
a) City of Loves Park
b) City of Rockford
c) City of South Beloit
d) Rock Valley College
e) Rockford Park District
f) Village of Cherry Valley
g) Village of Durand
h) Village of Pecatonica
i) Village of Rockton
j) Village of Roscoe
k) Village of Winnebago
l) Winnebago County
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, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
1. 2021-18-CR - Committee recommends approving the renewal of the Professional Services Contract with McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC for the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per month for 2021 Lobbying Services. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 1/25/2021 5:45 PM |
1. Appointment of Crystal Soltow to the Community Action Agency Board to fill a vacant Private Sector position. She will serve a three-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment is up for passage.)
Mayor McNamara read in the appointment and placed it up for passage.
| RESULT: APPROVED [8 TO 3]
AYES: Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley NAYS: Tim Durkee, Venita Hervey, Linda McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
| RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 1/25/2021 5:45 PM |
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
1. 2021-10-R - Committee recommends approval of the Walk For Life - Pro Life Christian Prayer Event
The Walk for Life Prayer Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 327 South Church Street.
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Code and Regulation Committee, read in the resolution and placed it up for passage.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [10 TO 1]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley NAYS: Linda McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
1. 2021-11-R - Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: Stormwater Environmental Consulting Services to Fehr Graham, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $87,500.00. The funding source is CIP General Funds.
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, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
1. 2021-12-R - Committee recommends approval and confirmation of items for City of Rockford's Legislative and Lobbying efforts in the Illinois General Assembly.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 1/25/2021 5:45 PM |
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2021-16-O - An ordinance approving the Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreements for Records Management System (RMS) Project with the Municipalities listed below:
a) City of Loves Park
b) City of Rockford
c) City of South Beloit
d) Rock Valley College
e) Rockford Park District
f) Village of Cherry Valley
g) Village of Durand
h) Village of Pecatonica
i) Village of Rockton
j) Village of Roscoe
k) Village of Winnebago
l) Winnebago County
Mayor McNamara, on behalf of the Code and Regulation Committee, read in the ordinance and placed it up for passage.
| RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
1. 2021-19-O - An ordinance approving the renewal of the Professional Services Contract with McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC for the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per month for 2021 Lobbying Services.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 1/25/2021 5:45 PM |
A. Alderman Durkee
Alderman Durkee reported the City of Rockford was featured in a news story run this morning by Fox News regarding COVID-19 vaccinations not being distributed to residents in nursing homes. He voiced his concerns about the vaccine not being administered to our most vulnerable citizens and he asked who was responsible for the acquisition and distribution of the vaccination in our region.
Mayor McNamara informed the council members that so far over 11,300 vaccines have been distributed throughout our community. He stated it was his understanding that all nursing homes in our community had been contacted except for one. He asked Chief Bergsten to provide more details.
Chief Bergsten reported the Emergency Manager, Mallory Wrenn, has been contacting the nursing homes and assisted living facilities regarding the vaccination. He indicated he received a list from Winnebago County today and they were reviewing it to make sure no facilities were missed. Chief Bergsten commented this process is constantly evolving and they are being very diligent to ensure that everyone was included. He stated the Federal Government was working with CVS and Walgreens to distribute the vaccination as well.
Mayor McNamara responded that he shares Alderman Durkee's concerns and that he would check into this matter and provide the council members with an update tomorrow morning.
Alderman Durkee expressed it was imperative to get the vaccinations distributed as quickly as possible, especially to elderly citizens, and he offered to help any way he could.
B. Alderman Logemann
Alderman Logemann thanked city staff and the Rock River Disposal employees for their collaboration to resolve the issues regarding garbage pickup in alleys.
Alderman Logemann encouraged everyone to keep the peace and safety of the National Guardsmen and the law enforcement personnel in their thoughts and prayers this week.
C. Alderman Tuneberg
Alderman Tuneberg thanked everyone who worked hard to find a solution to the alley garbage pickup issues.
D. Alderman Frost
Alderman Frost expressed his appreciation to his constituents for working together during this pandemic and for keeping Rockford on the forefront during these unprecedented times.
Alderman Hervey echoed Alderman Frost's remarks and commended the council members for their professionalism and collaboration during this very difficult time.
E. Alderman Hervey
Alderman Hervey voiced her concerns regarding the misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. She encouraged residents to do their research and to not let fear tactics keep them from getting vaccinated. She offered to share the information she has compiled about the vaccine with anyone that has questions or was uncertain about the vaccination.
Alderman Hervey expressed her hope for a peaceful transition of authority as President elect Biden takes office tomorrow.
F. Alderman Rose
Alderman Rose shared his concerns regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination to senior citizens. He mentioned most elderly people are not familiar with technology and for the vaccine, they were required to register online. He spoke about the importance of making sure all elderly residents were registered and vaccinated.
Alderman Rose announced there would be a memorial tonight for the 370 victims in Winnebago County that have passed from the COVID-19 virus. He encouraged residents to place a candle in their windows and celebrate the lives of all those we've lost and think about the families that have been impacted by this deadly virus.
G. Alderman Beach
Alderman Beach informed residents the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 1% Sales Tax is not an additional tax that would be added to what was already being charged. He clarified this was simply a renewal of the 1% Sales Tax that was currently being imposed.
Mayor McNamara reported it was a citizen lead committee that was pushing for the extension of the 1% Sales Tax.
H. Alderman Hanley
Alderman Hanley shared at Christmas time she lost her uncle due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. She then voiced her concerns about the distribution of the vaccine to elderly citizens, especially those in nursing homes.
I. Alderman McNeely
Alderman McNeely mentioned there have been over 400,000 people in the United States that have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 virus. She encouraged citizens to participate in lighting a candle and placing it in their windows tonight in recognition of those who have passed away from the virus.
Alderman McNeely expressed her frustrations with the Winnebago County Health Department and the lack of communication they have provided during this pandemic.
Alderman McNeely shared she hopes everything goes well tomorrow with the Inauguration of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
X. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn
Alderman Durkee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Rose.
MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote (Aldermen Ervins and
Thompson-Kelly were absent).
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely ABSENT: Natavias Ervins, Ann Thompson-Kelly |
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