Rockford Sun

City of Rockford City Council met Feb. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER 

A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance 

B. Roll Call 

II. PROCLAMATIONS 

1. Proclamation proclaiming the week of March 6, 2022 to be "Irish Marching Society" week in the City of Rockford, Illinois.

III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

A. Planning and Development Committee 

B. Code and Regulation Committee 

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Memorandum from Brooke Benoit, Assistant City Attorney, regarding a request to reduce the fines for the property located at 2307 Mulberry Street. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

2. Memorandum from Anne Wilkerson, Central Services Manager, regarding a resolution to take proposals for website design. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

3. Memorandum from Michele Pankow, Fire Chief regarding the Northwest Rescue Agreement. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee

4. Memorandum from Michele Pankow, Fire Chief regarding an Agreement for ALS Ambulance Services. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS 

1. John Tac Brantley

2. Rev. Earl Dotson, Sr.

V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS 

A. Planning and Development Committee 

1. Committee recommends approval of the Second Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between the City of Rockford and Longwood Zion Apartments for the parking lot located at 1041 East State Street (aka Parking Lot Z). The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

B. Code and Regulation Committee 

1. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals denial for a Special Use Permit for a used car lot in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 601 East Jefferson Street (Attorney Andrew Vella for Jose F. Serrrano/Applicant).

2. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 4650, 4680, 47xx, 48xx, 4848 and 49xx South Main Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals approval of a:

a. Zoning Map Amendment from Winnebago County RMH and CC to City R-3, Multi-family Residential; and

b. Special Use Permit for a mobile home park in an R-3, Multi-family Residential Zoning District at 4650, 4680, 47xx, 48xx, 4848 and 49xx South Main Street. (Saratoga Group, Inc./Applicant).

Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

C. Finance and Personnel Committee 

1. Committee recommends approval of the vouchers in the amount of $10,661,837.63 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on February 14, 2022.

2. Committee recommends approval of an ordinance of the City of Rockford, Illinois, authorizing the City to Execute a Loan Agreement And Taxable General Obligation Promissory Note, Series 2018, Fourth Modification Agreement in the amount of $12,000,000.00 with Associated Bank, National Association. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends approval of the updated 2022 Fee Schedule for Ambulance Transport Fees. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

4. Committee recommends approval of the Children's Home and Aid Sub Awardee Agreement #921633 (Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Grant Award to provide a child development specialist and safe program therapist to provide therapeutic and child development services to clients of the Family Peace Center through the R3 Grant. The City of Rockford was approved to receive an additional designation of up to $520,790, which includes an additional $64,652 for a Child development specialist and safe program therapist. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

5. Committee recommends approval of an Agreement with Winnebago County and 17th Judicial Circuit Courts for Placement of an Abuse in Later Life Advocate through the Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program Grant. Winnebago County agrees to pay City for the advocacy services for a total amount not to exceed $64,440, mileage for travel in the amount of $1,495, and a Deputy Director to provide one hour per week of supervision in the amount of $2,406.80 over the term of the Agreement. This position is one hundred percent grant funded. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

6. Committee recommends approval of an Agreement with Winnebago County and 17th Judicial Circuit Courts Justice for Placement of Legal Advocate through the Justice for Families Grant. Winnebago County agrees to pay City for the project over a three (3) year period a total not to exceed $129,817.80. This position is one hundred percent grant funded. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

7. Committee recommends approval of a Professional Service Agreement with Region 1 Planning Council to build a Domestic and Community Violence Data Infrastructure for assessment of strategy, development and deployment. The total amount charged for work performed under this Agreement shall not exceed $35,360. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

8. Committee recommends approval of a Memoranda of Understanding to Implement the Community Program to Improve Minority Health Grant Award (Rockford Citywide Health Literacy Initiative).

1. UIC College of Medicine’s Office of Health Literacy

2. CURA Strategies

3. Rockford Regional Health Council

4. Providence Missionary Baptist Church

5. New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

6. Hope Fellowship Church

7. Wabongo Leadership Council

The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER 

A. Planning and Development Committee 

B. Code and Regulation Committee 

1. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommendation of denial for a Modification of an existing Liquor License to allow video gaming terminals in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 505-507 East State Street (Julie Kylesa Rankin/J & K’s Lounge, LLC dba J & K’s Lounge/Applicant). (LAID OVER FEBRUARY 7, 2022)

C. Finance and Personnel Committee 

VII. OFFICERS REPORTS 

VIII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS 

A. Planning and Development Committee 

1. Committee recommends approval of the Forward for Fun Initiative. 

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Irish Marching Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This event is scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with parade step off at 3:00 p.m. (The parade will follow the traditional route beginning at 7th St. and 5th Ave.; north on 7th St. to State St.; west on State to Madison; north on Madison St. ending at Prairie St.)

2. Committee recommends approval of Trucks and Tunes.

This event is scheduled for 5/4/22, 5/29/22, 6/1/22, 7/4/22, 7/6/22, 8/3/22, 9/4/22, 9/7/22, and 10/5/22 from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Corner of Walnut and N. 2nd St. - Old City Body lot)

3. Committee recommends approval of the Over the Edge 4 Girl Scouts and IDOT Resolution.

This event is scheduled for June 3rd & 4th, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (303 N. Main St. in front of SupplyCore Bldg.)

4. Committee recommends approval of the Winter Bonfire - Black History Celebration.

This event is scheduled for Sunday February 27, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (100 block of N. Main St.)

C. Finance and Personnel Committee 

1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Tree Removal, Pruning and Emergency Response to Flying W Tree Service, of Belvidere, Illinois (Primary Vendor) and Tree Care Enterprises, of Rockford, Illinois (Secondary Vendor) for an estimated contract value of $250,000 annually, based on unit pricing. The contract duration is through December 31, 2022 with four (4) possible one-year annual extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Street Division Operating Budget.

2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Banner Placement, Repair & Storage Services to Smart Signs, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois for an estimated contract value of $40,000 annually, based on unit pricing. The contract duration is through December 31, 2022 with four (4) possible one-year annual extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Traffic Division Operating Budget.

3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Turf Slope Mowing and Restoration to JJ Paris, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois for an estimated annual value total of $152,400 as shown on the bid tabulation. The contract duration is through December 31, 2022 with four (4) possible one-year annual extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Street Division Operating Budget.

4. Committee recommends approval of the Rejection of Bid: Page Park Dam Electrical Upgrades. Staff recommends rejecting the bid received. The bid received was $51,656, much higher than expected. Engineering is currently reevaluating this project and may consider going out to bid again in the future.

5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: Tracking and Reporting of Wage Data for State and Federal Requirements to LCPTracker, of Orange, California in the amount of $25,300. The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible one year extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Legal Department Operating Budget.

6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: Purchase of Three (3) Police Vehicles to Anderson Rock River Ford, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $45,859 each for a total amount of $137,577. The funding source is Capital Lease Funds/Police Department Operating Budget.

7. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement Phase II Design Engineering to IMEG Corp., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $103,685.00. The project is estimated to be completed in 2022. The funding source is Motor Fuel Tax Funds ($20,737.00) and Surface Transportation - Bridge ($82,948.00).

8. Committee recommends approval of the Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code - 8th Avenue Over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement for Phase II Design Engineering authorizing the use of Motor Fuel Tax Funds in the amount of $25,000.

IX. NEW BUSINESS (ORDINANCES) 

A. Planning and Development Committee 

1. An ordinance approving the Second Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between the City of Rockford and Longwood Zion Apartments for the parking lot located at 1041 East State Street (aka Parking Lot Z).

B. Code and Regulation Committee 

1. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 4650, 4680, 47xx, 48xx, 4848 and 49xx South Main Street.

2. An ordinance approving the Zoning Map Amendment from Winnebago County RMH and CC to City R-3, Multi-family Residential and a Special Use Permit for a mobile home park in an R-3, Multi-family Residential Zoning District at 4650, 4680, 47xx, 48xx, 4848 and 49xx South Main Street. (Saratoga Group, Inc./Applicant).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee 

1. An ordinance approving the authorization for the City of Rockford to Execute a Loan Agreement And Taxable General Obligation Promissory Note, Series 2018, Fourth Modification Agreement in the amount of $12,000,000.00 with Associated Bank, National Association.

2. An ordinance approving the updated 2022 Fee Schedule for Ambulance Transport Fees.

3. An ordinance approving the Children's Home and Aid Sub Awardee Agreement #921633 (Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Grant Award to provide a child development specialist and safe program therapist to provide therapeutic and child development services to clients of the Family Peace Center through the R3 Grant. The City of Rockford was approved to receive an additional designation of up to $520,790, which includes an additional $64,652 for a Child development specialist and safe program therapist.

4. An ordinance approving an Agreement with Winnebago County and 17th Judicial Circuit Courts for Placement of an Abuse in Later Life Advocate through the Enhanced Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program Grant. Winnebago County agrees to pay City for the advocacy services for a total amount not to exceed $64,440, mileage for travel in the amount of $1,495, and a Deputy Director to provide one hour per week of supervision in the amount of $2,406.80 over the term of the Agreement. This position is one hundred percent grant funded.

5. An ordinance approving an Agreement with Winnebago County and 17th Judicial Circuit Courts Justice for Placement of Legal Advocate through the Justice for Families Grant. Winnebago County agrees to pay City for the project over a three (3) year period a total not to exceed $129,817.80. This position is one hundred percent grant funded.

6. An ordinance approving a Professional Service Agreement with Region 1 Planning Council to build a Domestic and Community Violence Data Infrastructure for assessment of strategy, development and deployment. The total amount charged for work performed under this Agreement shall not exceed $35,360.

7. An ordinance approving a Memoranda of Understanding to Implement the Community Program to Improve Minority Health Grant Award (Rockford Citywide Health Literacy Initiative).

1. UIC College of Medicine’s Office of Health Literacy

2. CURA Strategies

3. Rockford Regional Health Council

4. Providence Missionary Baptist Church

5. New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

6. Hope Fellowship Church

7. Wabongo Leadership Council

X. CLOSED SESSION 

A. Motion to Convene into Closed Session in order to discuss Collective Bargaining Negotiation matters. 

XI. ADJOURNMENT 

https://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=3252&Inline=True