Rockford Sun

City of Rockford City Council Met April 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 7:51 p.m. Aldermen Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly and McNeely appeared via teleconference.

A. 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	Remote
Natavias Ervins	City of Rockford	Alderman	Remote
Ann Thompson-Kelly	City of Rockford	Alderman	Remote
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	Remote

II. NEW BUSINESS (ORDINANCES)

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. 2021-62-O - An ordinance authorizing the Human Service Department's request to apply for and accept: (1) $55,693 Head Start COLA funds, (2) $28,391 Early Head Start COLA funds, and (3) $7,630 Early Head Start Child Care Partnership COLA funds narrative and budget. (SUSPEND RULE 15)

Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and moved to suspend Rule 15. Alderman Durkee seconded the motion. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote. The ordinance was then placed up for passage.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely

2. 2021-63-O - An ordinance approving Head Start staff and non-represented employee COLA for 2021. (SUSPEND RULE 15)

Alderman Frost, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the ordinance and moved to suspend Rule 15. Alderman Durkee seconded the motion. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote. The ordinance was then placed up for passage.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely

III. OFFICERS REPORTS

A. Mayor McNamara

Mayor McNamara mentioned that tomorrow would mark the one year anniversary of Alderman Beck's passing. He expressed his gratitude for Alderman Beck's service to the City of Rockford and for the kindness he showed everyone. Mayor McNamara mentioned that Alderman Beck was a tremendous advocate for people with disabilities, residents of the Twelfth Ward and businesses in our community. Mayor McNamara then conducted a Moment of Silence in Alderman Beck's honor.

Mayor McNamara thanked Human Services Director Anqunette Parham and the Human Services staff for their tremendous work on the Rental Assistance Program. He reported that as of last Friday they had received over 2,200 applications. He urged anyone that was in a need of rental assistance or those that would like more information about the program to visit RentHelp.wincoil.us or call 815-979-RENT.

Mayor McNamara mentioned the new aldermen orientation would be taking place soon and he invited the existing aldermen to share any suggestions or information they feel would be helpful to the newly elected aldermen.

Mayor McNamara reported the positivity rate in Winnebago County was currently over 8 percent and he urged citizens to take precautions and to continue social distancing. He directed residents that would like to register for the vaccine to visit www.WCHD.org. He then asked the council members to share information on their social media pages about the ways citizens can register for the vaccine.

Mayor McNamara thanked City Administrator Todd Cagnoni, Craig Thomas and the RAVE Board for their efforts with the Rockford IceHogs. He announced the Chicago Blackhawks would remain the owners of the Rockford IceHogs and that the Rockford IceHogs would remain in our community until 2036. Mayor McNamara then thanked

Governor Pritzker and the State of Illinois for providing $13 million dollars that would go toward updates and repairs to the BMO Harris Bank Center. He commented that the updates to the BMO Harris Bank Center would help attract a wider diversity of entertainment which would benefit local businesses, hotels and restaurants in our community.

Mayor McNamara reported there were two officer involved shootings over the weekend. One shooting involved a Rockford Police Officer and the other incident involved a Winnebago County Sheriff's Deputy. He stated the Integrity Task Force was immediately called in to provide a fair and thorough review of both cases. Mayor McNamara shared that State's Attorney J. Hanley promised to provide frequent updates to the community. He informed the council members he would provide them with any information he received.

B. Alderman Hoffman

Alderman Hoffman reported the Department of Human Services has a new administrator and she mentioned the office is now open to the public for submitting applications, making reports and for assistance with their online system. She stated the Department of Human Services was still completing all interviews by phone at this time.

Alderman Hoffman expressed her appreciation to Assistant Deputy Chief Redd for the communication she provided to her during a violent incident that occurred in the Eighth Ward.

Alderman Beach also voiced his gratitude to Assistant Deputy Chief Redd for immediately contacting him about a shooting that took place in the Tenth Ward.

C. Alderman Rose

Alderman Rose expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Dan Nicholas and he thanked the Nicholas family for their years of dedication and generosity to this community.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

1. Motion to Adjourn

Alderman Beach moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Rose.

MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Tuneberg, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Hanley, McNeely

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