Rockford Sun

City of Rockford City Council met Dec. 4.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The following represents, in general, the chronological order of proceedings at the City Council/Committee Meetings: Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Public Speaking and City Council/Committee Agendas.

Meeting will be live streamed on Channel 17 and via this link:

http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx.

Items appearing on the City Council Standing Committee Agendas for today's date may receive a vote at committee and come before the City Council meeting tonight held after the committee meeting. Final vote may be taken on said items at the City Council meeting.

I. CALL TO ORDER

A. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

B. Roll Call

C. Acceptance of the Journal

1. Journal of Proceedings for the City Council meeting held on November 20, 2023.

II. PROCLAMATIONS

III. PRESENTATION

1. Marathon Year End Review Presentation - Year 9

IV. PUBLIC HEARING

A. Public Hearing on the proposed 2024 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.

B. Public Hearing on the Right-of-Way Vacation for Hill Street.

V. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. Memorandum from Sarah Leys, Housing and Program Manager, regarding the 2024 Annual Action Plan. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

2. Memorandum from Sarah Leys, Housing and Program Manager, regarding the Preliminary Conditional Set-Aside of HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) funds for Lafayette Apartments at 411 Mulberry Street. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

3. Memorandum from Anna Garrison, Economic Development Manager, regarding a Redevelopment Agreement with Classic Cuts. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Memorandum from Michele Pankow, Fire Chief, regarding the acceptance of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) EMP Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

2. Memorandum from Faniqua Hughes, Head Start Director, regarding the acceptance of Head Start/Early Head Start Continuation Application Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

VI. PUBLIC SPEAKERS

1. John Tac Brantley

2. Prophet Yusef

3. Wren Medina

VII. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a “20 MPH School Zone Speed Limit” on Kishwaukee Street from Sandy Hollow Road to 1,300 feet south of Sandy Hollow Road. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

2. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to restrict commercial vehicles on Winnebago Street from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval restrict commercial vehicles on 1st Street from Oak Street to Walnut Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

4. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to repeal the “2 Hour Parking restriction" on the south side of East Jefferson Street from 40’ east of Hall Street to 125’ east of Hall Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

5. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval for a “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the south side of Broadway from 7th Street to 108 feet east of 7th Street, thus repealing the existing 2-Hour parking restriction on the south side of Broadway from 7th Street to 108 feet east of 7th Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

6. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's recommendation that “No Action” be taken on the following items:

a. A request to establish “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the south side of Fulton Avenue from Cumberland Street to Oxford Street, thus repealing the existing “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the north side of Fulton Avenue from Cumberland Street to Oxford Street;

b. A request to establish one-way stop control at the intersection of Reynolds Street and Grant Avenue;

c. A request to establish one-way stop control at the intersection of Summer Street and Grant Avenue; and

d. A request to establish stop control at the intersection of Deborah Avenue and N Church Street.

7. Committee recommends approval of the request for an Honorary Street Name Designation on Clover Avenue from Michigan Avenue to Ogilby Road to be renamed Constance Lane Way. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

8. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 2075 Leonard Road. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

9. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 1xx Garver Avenue. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

10. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 53xx and 5430 North Main Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

11. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval of a Special Use Permit for residential dwelling units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 401, 405, 407, 409, and 411 7th Street (Midtown Westtown Lofts, LLC/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

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

a. Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for residential storage units; and

b. Variation to allow a 6-foot tall black chain-linked fence along Collins Avenue in an R-1,Single-Family Residential Zoning District at 2710 Kilburn Avenue (Ed Hornbeck for B.R. Properties, Inc./Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

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

a. Special Use Permit for a bank with a drive-through; and

b. Variation to reduce the required front yard setback for a parking lot from 20 feet to 4.4 feet along South Mulford Road in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 6001 and 6007 East State Street (Terron Wright of The Architects Partnership, Ltd/Applicant).

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

14. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval of a Text Amendment to Article 90-002-A-6, Group Home for Adjustment. (City of Rockford/Applicant). The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

15. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class E) in conjunction with video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 7451 East State Street (Empire Slots E. State, LLC/Michael P. Capriola II dba Royalty Slots/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

16. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Packaged Beer and Wine (Class PKG) in conjunction with a grocery store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3801 West Riverside Boulevard (Aldi’s Inc. dba Aldi’s/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

17. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval of a Modification of an Existing Liquor License to change business hours to Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight), Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and to add video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 5801 Columbia Parkway (Harrison Marketplace Pizza, LLC/Maciano’s Pizza dba Maciano’s Pizza/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 $10,418,967.05 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on November 27, 2023.

2. Committee recommends approval of the 2024-2028 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS COMMITTEE REPORTS LAID OVER

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the 2024 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

(LAID OVER November 20, 2023)

IX. OFFICERS REPORTS

X. APPOINTMENTS LAID OVER

1. Appointment of Ken Oliver to the Community Action Agency Board for a term expiring December 2026. This appointment will fill the vacant Client Sector position. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

2. Appointment of Joan Velasquez to the Community Relations Commission for a term expiring November 2026. This appointment will fill the vacancy created by the passing of Jay Ware. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

3. Appointment of James McDowell to the Community Relations Commission for a term expiring August 2024. This appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Brett Owens. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

4. Reappointment of Scott Baier to the Electrical Board for a term expiring December 2026. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

5. Reappointment of Mark Primm to the Electrical Board for a term expiring December 2026. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

6. Reappointment of Ryan Marshall to the Mechanical Board for a term expiring December 2028. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

7. Appointment of Simone Cameron to the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) for a term expiring August 2024. This appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of NeAngela Dixon. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after December 6, 2023.)

XI. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of a resolution to grant a Temporary Easement to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at the city owed property located at 3915 East State Street.

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of a resolution for the appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax funds to be used for Streetlight Electric Energy, City Wide Salt Expenditures, and City-Wide General Maintenance in the amount of $6,166,664.04.

2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Demolition Group 27 Package to Northern Illinois Service Co., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $72,655.00 for the following properties: 1301 Auburn Court, 201 15th Avenue, 322 Underwood Street, 419 South Pierpont Avenue, and 1511 School Street. The funding source is IHDA Strong Communities Program, Community Block Grant, and Construction Services Operating Budget.

3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Tire Collection and Recycling Services to Green Road Tire Recycling, of Rockford, Illinois for an estimated annual amount of $30,000.00 (based on unit pricing). 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 Construction Services Operating Budget - Garbage Collection.

4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Collection and Packaging of Household Hazardous Waste to Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc., of Norwell, Massachusetts for 2024 in the amount of $178,145.61. 2025 (optional) - $183,489.97, 2026 (optional) - $188,995.30, 2027 (optional) - $194,664.51, and 2028 (optional) - $211,731.42. The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible one-year extension options. The funding source is Construction Services Operating Budget - Garbage Collection.

5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Well House No. 42 Improvements to Larson & Larson Builders, Inc., of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $509,800.00 (the amount includes $25,000 Contingency). The project is estimated to be completed by March 29, 2024. The funding source is Water Replacement Improvement Account (WRIA).

6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: Compressor and Blower Annual Maintenance to Delta Industries, Inc., of Downers Grove, Illinois for an estimated annual contract value of $50,000.00 (based on unit pricing). The contract duration is one (1) year with four (4) possible annual extension options. The funding source is Water Fund Operating Budget.

7. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchasing Contract: Central Business District Streetlight LED Conversion to BA Solutions, of Wauconda, Illinois in the amount of $152,444.76. The contract duration is one (1) year. The funding source is the Traffic Division Operating Budget.

8. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: FirstDue Software to Locality Media, Inc. (DBA First Due), of Garden City, New York in the amount of $33,075.00. The contract duration is one-year. The funding source is Fire Department Operating Budget.

9. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for the LIHEAP Health & Human Services Grant Award to receive additional funds in the amount of $751,423.00. The grant does not require a cost match and the grant term is from October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. LIHEAP eligible clients receive a direct vendor payment to their electric and/or heating bill. This allows clients to alleviate utility cost burdens.

10. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Grant Award for Recycling Partnership Residential Curbside Cart. The grant will reduce the cost of incorporating 65-gallon recycling carts to eligible residential units under the City's solid waste collection program. The Recycling Partnership will make cash grants in an amount not-to-exceed $125,000.00 to support the purchase and delivery of approximately 50,000 recycling carts and educational and outreach efforts to improve recycling efficiency. Additionally, the Partnership will make a material donation of resin with an approximate value of $677,500.00 to the cart's manufacturer to reduce the purchase cost of newly manufactured carts. The grant will reduce the monthly garbage collection fee for residents by approximately $0.25.

11. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchasing Contract: Body Worn Cameras, Tasers, and Digital Evidence Management System to Axon Enterprise, Inc., of Scottsdale, Arizona in the amount of $1,107,551.00 annually. The contract duration is five (5) years. The funding source is Police Department Operating Budget.

12. Committee recommends approval of the Contract Renewal - Third Party Administrator for Medical and Hospital benefits for the 2024 Health Insurance Plan with BlueCross/Blue Shield of Illinois for the contract amount/rates of $56.23 Per Employee Per Month - PPO Plan and $14.98 Per Employee Per Month - HSA Plan, (following the reduction of $41.25 for prescription rebate). Total estimated annual administration costs $655,413.00 based on 897 PPO participants and 279 HSA participants. The contract duration is one (1) year. The funding source is the Health Insurance Fund.

13. Committee recommends approval of the Contract Renewal - Dental Benefits for the 2024 Year Plan with Metropolitan Life Insurance for contract amount/rates of $29.82 Employee Only coverage, $70.43 Employee + One, $135.19 Family. At the current enrollment level the total estimated annual premium will be $1,311,084.00. The contract duration is one (1) year. The funding source is the Health Insurance Fund.

14. Committee recommends approval of the Contract Renewal - Employer paid Group Term Life Insurance for City of Rockford employees with Metropolitan Life Insurance for contract amount/rates: $.08 per $1,000 of life insurance coverage and $.025 per $1,000 of AD&D coverage. At the current employee count the total estimated annual premium will be $39,466.00. The contract duration is one (1) year. The funding source is the Health Insurance Fund.

15. Award of Engineering Agreement: Well 40 Hydrous Manganese Oxide (HMO) Room Buildout Design to Fehr Graham, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $51,500.00. The project is estimated to be completed by May 2024. The funding source is Water Replacement Improvement Account (WRIA).

16. Approval of Acceptance of a Grant Agreement with the Illinois Housing Development Authority for their Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) in the amount of $1,425,000. The grant has been awarded for the purpose of housing rehabilitation for eligible clients who are at or below 150% of the area median income which will prioritize neighborhoods around planned corridor improvements and the Colman Yards development project.

XII. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. An ordinance establishing a “20 MPH School Zone Speed Limit” on Kishwaukee Street from Sandy Hollow Road to 1,300 feet south of Sandy Hollow Road.

2. An ordinance restricting commercial vehicles on Winnebago Street from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street.

3. An ordinance restricting commercial vehicles on 1st Street from Oak Street to Walnut Street.

4. An ordinance approving to repeal the “2 Hour Parking restriction" on the south side of East Jefferson Street from 40’ east of Hall Street to 125’ east of Hall Street.

5. An ordinance approving a “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the south side of Broadway from 7th Street to 108 feet east of 7th Street, thus repealing the existing 2-Hour parking restriction on the south side of Broadway from 7th Street to 108 feet east of 7th Street.

6. An ordinance approving the request for an Honorary Street Name Designation on Clover Avenue from Michigan Avenue to Ogilby Road to be renamed Constance Lane Way.

7. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 2075 Leonard Road.

8. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 1xx Garver Avenue.

9. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 53xx and 5430 North Main Street.

10. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for residential dwelling units on the ground floor in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 401, 405, 407, 409, and 411 7th Street (Midtown Westtown Lofts, LLC/Applicant).

11. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for residential storage units and a Variation to allow a 6-foot tall black chain-linked fence along Collins Avenue in an R-1,Single Family Residential Zoning District at 2710 Kilburn Avenue (Ed Hornbeck for B.R. Properties, Inc./Applicants).

12. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a bank with a drive through and a Variation to reduce the required front yard setback for a parking lot from 20 feet to 4.4 feet along South Mulford Road in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 6001 and 6007 East State Street (Terron Wright of The Architects Partnership, Ltd/Applicant).

13. An ordinance approving a Text Amendment to Article 90-002-A-6, Group Home for Adjustment. (City of Rockford/Applicant).

14. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class E) in conjunction with video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 7451 East State Street (Empire Slots E. State, LLC/Michael P. Capriola II dba Royalty Slots/Applicant).

15. An ordinance approving the Sale of Packaged Beer and Wine (Class PKG) in conjunction with a grocery store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3801 West Riverside Boulevard (Aldi’s Inc. dba Aldi’s/Applicant).

16. An ordinance approving a Modification of an Existing Liquor License to change business hours to Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight), Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and to add video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 5801 Columbia Parkway (Harrison Marketplace Pizza, LLC/Maciano’s Pizza dba Maciano’s Pizza/Applicant).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. An ordinance approving the 2024 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=3745&Inline=True