City of Rockford Planning & Development Committee met Jan. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Alderman Meeks called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | |
| Linda McNeely | City of Rockford | Alderman | Late | 6:09 PM |
| Karen Hoffman | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Janessa Wilkins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Gina Meeks | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
II. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The invocation was led by Rev. Chad McKenna and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Meeks.
III. MAYOR MCNAMARA, ROCKFORD ARTS COUNCIL AND ROCKFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY NAMES 2023-2024 POET LAUREATE AND YOUTH POET.
Mayor McNamara, in partnership with the Rockford Public Library and the Rockford Area Arts Council, has named Jenna Goldsmith as the City of Rockford's 2023-2024 Poet Laureate and Kaila Anderson as the City of Rockford's Youth Poet.
IV. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. Enrique Bonilla was not present
2. Jillian Neece spoke about the diversity of the prairie and stated that there are $3.6 million approved funds available. She stated that they have tried to discuss with the Rockford Airport authorities and they just dismiss their requests.
3. Jessica Crow Mermel stated that the Bell Bowl Prairie is a historical prairie and spoke about the biodiversity of the prairie. She urged Council Members to save the prairie.
4. John Tac Brantley recited scripture and spoke about how he is helping others. They need a new van to transport 25 kids to school and requested funds for the new van or funds to repair his vehicle.
5. Craig Campbell spoke about preserving the Bell Bowl Prairie and stated that there are over 142 flora and fauna species that are habitat dependent on this dry gravel prairie which is 8,000 years old.
V. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. 2023-2025 Funding Agreement between the City of Rockford and Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB).
Robert Wilhelmi, Brownfields Redevelopment Coordinator stated that Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful (KNIB) has submitted a request to the City of Rockford for $50,000 annually to support its 2023 through 2025 programming. The City has previously made funding allocations to KNIB, most recently in 2020 in the amount of $50,000 per year for 2020 through 2022. KNIB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public education organization whose mission is to improve our environment through education, public awareness and community involvement. KNIB continues to operate the Recycling Centers in Rockford and Machesney Park, which provides convenient biweekly, volunteer-assisted, drop off service for a variety of recyclables and electronics. The facilities make it possible for City residents to recycle who do not have curbside bins to recycle, such as residents living in condominiums and multi-family apartments. Additionally, KNIB accepts atypical and large items such as white goods and electronics that are typically not accepted as part of curbside collection.
KNIB’s electronics recycling program has significantly reduced the City’s annual expenditure on electronics recycling and disposal. In 2016, the City spent $165,000 on a public e-waste recycling program and was projected to spend $180,000 in 2018 before KNIB allowed the program to transition from two Kelley-Williamson Mobil stations. Additional, the move to KNIB’s facilities allows for a more secure and monitored drop-off location. Furthermore, in 2019 KNIB established itself as the only Illinois Consumer Electronics Recycling Act (CERA) authorized collection facility in Winnebago County. By becoming a State-authorized drop-off site, it eliminates the City of Rockford’s need to cover the cost of e-waste collection and disposal for residents. KNIB tracks facility usage by zip code. The most recent car count data shows that between October 2021 and October 2022, 8,406 of KNIB’s users (~75%) reside in a Rockford zip code. Please find attached KNIB’s combined Work Plan and Summary of Services from October 2021 to October 2022. Staff is recommending approval of KNIB’s 2023 through 2025 funding request. The funding source is the Redevelopment Fund.Alderman Rose inquired about recycling of TVs and asked if there was a fee. Mr. Wilhelmi stated that there is a small fee for this service. Alderman Rose stated that he has noticed that there are more TVs showing up in dump sites and asked if there is any funding to bring back the free programs. Mr. Wilhelmi stated that he would look into it.
Alderman Wilkins moved to approve the committee report, seconded by Alderman Hoffman. MOTION PREVAILED with a roll call vote of 4-0.
(Alderman Durkee was absent.)
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
Next: 2/6/2023 5:35 PM AYES: Linda McNeely, Karen Hoffman, Janessa Wilkins, Gina Meeks ABSENT: Tim Durkee |
Alderman Wilkins moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Hoffman. The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Linda McNeely, Karen Hoffman, Janessa Wilkins, Gina Meeks ABSENT: Tim Durkee |
http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2218&Inline=True
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