City of Rockford Planning & Development Committee met June 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Alderman Meeks called the meeting to order at 5:41 p.m.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Linda McNeely | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Karen Hoffman | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Janessa Wilkins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Gina Meeks | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
The invocation was given by Chaplain Kenneth Hendley and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Meeks.
II. PROCLAMATIONS
1. Alderman Meeks presented a proclamation proclaiming the month of June 2022 to be "Juneteenth Month" in the City of Rockford, Illinois.
III. PUBLIC SPEAKERS
1. Prophet Yusef of Rockford, Illinois recited scripture and he referenced the 1968 Kerner Commission Report regarding poverty and institution racism. He spoke about how we are still facing the same situations today that were mentioned in the 1968 report.
2. Stanley Curly Thompson of Rockford, Illinois shared he served 16 years in the United States Marine Corp. He expressed his frustrations and disgust about Leslie Rolfe's behavior and disruptive actions during the Memorial Day Parade. He urged the council members to do something that would prohibit that type of behavior from taking place during future parades. He stated Mr. Rolfe should have been arrested because of his actions.
3. Rev. Earl Dotson, Sr. of Rockford, Illinois quoted scripture and spoke about racism and violence against African Americans.
4. Ray Richmond of Rockford, Illinois encouraged the council members to review the scoring and application process for the REGROW Grant applications. He stated he submitted a grant application and his program received a 93 out of a possible 100 points but because his program is a for profit organization he did not receive the grant.
5. John Tac Brantley of Rockford, Illinois recited scripture and voiced his frustrations regarding systematic racism.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Amendment to the Workforce Development Agreement between the City of Rockford and LT Construction to add additional funding up to $250,000 utilizing Revenue Replacement American Rescue Plan Funds.
Alderman Meeks read in the committee report. Public Works Director Kyle Saunders provided details about the Workforce Development Agreement with LT Construction and he stated the program was working well. He reported the crews have already installed approximately 2,500 lineal feet of sidewalk and 600 square yards of driveway aprons along Clover Avenue and Rose Avenue. Director Saunders mentioned they are working ahead of schedule and he stated the first focus area was anticipated to be completed by June 17, 2022.
Director Saunders indicated staff was requesting an additional amount of $250,000 to continue this program which would allow for the estimated completion of an additional 3,500 lineal feet of sidewalk and 700 square yards of driveway apron repairs. He informed the council members the additional amount would bring the total workforce development program value to $452,500.
Director Saunders stated the work group has made tremendous progress with the first focus area and he shared the young adults were picking up the skills very quickly.
Alderman Durkee made a motion to approve the committee report and Alderman Wilkins seconded the motion. MOTION PREVAILED with a unanimous roll call vote.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, McNeely, Hoffman, Wilkins, Meeks |
1. Motion to Adjourn
Alderman Durkee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Wilkins.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, McNeely, Hoffman, Wilkins, Meeks |
http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2138&Inline=True
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