Rockford Sun

City of Rockford City Council met Feb. 5.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

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 January 16, 2024.

II. PROCLAMATIONS

III. PUBLIC HEARING

A. Public Hearing on the proposed Annexation of 4500 Spring Creek Road

IV. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding the approval of an application and award acceptance for the FY 2023 through FY 2026 Bridge Investment Program (BIP) for the 15th Avenue Bridge. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

2. Memorandum from Mitch Leatherby, Street and Transportation Superintendent, regarding the approval of an application and acceptance of the Urban and Community Forestry Grant. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

3. Memorandum from Kyle Saunders, Public Works Director, regarding an Agreement between the City of Rockford and LT Construction for the Workforce Development Initiative. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

4. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager for Permits and Special Events, regarding the 2024 Forward for Fun Initiative. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager for Permits and Special Events, regarding upcoming special events for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Lifescape 4th of July Classic. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.

2. Traffic Commission’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on February 14, 2024 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on February 26, 2024. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.

3. Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding the Final Plat of Rockford Hardrock Subdivision. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for the Whitman Street Reconstruction project. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

2. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and State of Illinois for IL-2 (South Main Street) SMART Overlay (Clifton Avenue to Pond Street). Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

3. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding the approval of a Letter of Understanding between the City of Rockford and State of Illinois for the Rockford Complete Streets Revitalization (Land Acquisition). Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

4. Memorandum from Timothy Hinkens, City Engineer, regarding the request to hire a Senior Engineering Technician. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

5. Memorandum from Owen Carter, Deputy Director of Program Operations-Community Services, regarding the of acceptance of the Integrated Mobile Partners Action Crisis Team (IMPACT) from Winnebago Co. Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) Grant Award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

6. Memorandum from John Pozzi, Police Business Manager, regarding the acceptance of the 2023 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program grant award. Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee.

V. PUBLIC SPEAKERS

1. Prophet Yusef

2. John Tac Brantley

VI. 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 Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing at 330 Bremer Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

2. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a "No Parking Any Time" restriction on the east side of N. Pierpont Avenue from 200 feet south of Auburn Street to 1,100 feet south of Auburn Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's recommendation of "No Action" on the following items:

1. A request to establish all-way stop control at the intersection of East Gate Parkway and West Gate Parkway, thus repealing the existing traffic control of West Gate Parkway stopping for East Gate Parkway;

2. A request to establish 3-way stop control at the intersection of 25th Street and Rudeen Close; and

3. A request to establish all-way stop control at the offset T intersection of 25th Street and Pleasant View Avenue, thus repealing the existing yield control of Pleasant View Avenue yielding for 25th Street.

4. Committee recommends approval of the request for an Honorary Street Name Designation on a portion of Court Street from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street to be renamed John Briggs Way, in honor of John Briggs, the first African-American hotel owner in Rockford, Illinois. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

5. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 104 Atwood Avenue. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

6. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 1945 Blackhawk Road. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

7. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 4500 Spring Creek Road. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

8. Committee recommends approval of the Final Plat of Rockford Charles Subdivision.

9. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for the renewal of Special Use Permit #047-18 for the installation of a solar farm (freestanding solar panel racks and solar panels) in an I-1, Light Industrial Zoning District at 57xx Cunningham Road (DG Illinois Solar LLC/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

10. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a hookah lounge and BYOB in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2510 South Alpine Road (Ibrahim Jamal Al-Ishawi/Lit Hookah Bar, LLC dba Lit Hookah Bar/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

11. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the:

1. Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) and;

2. Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a gas station, convenience store, and auto mechanic shop in a C-2 Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3135 North Rockton Avenue (Priyank S. Patel/K & P Beverages, Inc., dba Conoco/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

12. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L50) with a tavern, live entertainment, video gaming terminals and outdoor seating area in a C-4 Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 308 West State Street (Sheila L. Black/Derek A. Black/Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge dba Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

13. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L50) in conjunction with a bar and outdoor seating area, and video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 4846 East State Street (Colleen Therese Kowalski/Latham Tap East, LLC dba Latham Tap East/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

14. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a convenience store in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 311-313 Mulberry Street (Jaskirat Singh/Majha ASR Corporation dba Tobacco & More/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

15. Committee makes no recommendation as to the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval of the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class A) in conjunction with a tavern with outdoor smoking area, live entertainment, dancing, video gaming terminals and 100% stock purchase in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District 1609 South Alpine Road (Steve Paik/Big Foot, Inc. dba Big Foot Lounge & Gentlemen’s Club/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 $9,957,495.56 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on January 22, 2024.

2. Committee recommends approval of the release of Liens to facilitate the sale of Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 7XX Hartford Avenue, 325 North Day Avenue, 302 North Henrietta Avenue, 323 Royal Avenue, 321 Royal Avenue, 618 Maple Street, 616 Maple Street, Bishop Washington Avenue (PIN: 11-27-356-010), Horton Street (PIN: 15-01-257-012). The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends approval of the revisions to the amended 2024 Fee Schedule. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

VII. OFFICERS REPORTS

VIII. APPOINTMENTS LAID OVER

1. Appointment of Joel Zirkle to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Liquor Tobacco Advisory Board (LTAB) for a term ending June 2025. This appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dan Roszkowski. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after February 7, 2024.)

IX. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Motion to Reconsider the committee report regarding the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for a Modification of an existing Liquor License for a 50% stock purchase in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 205 West State Street (Erik Carlson/John Murray/Downtown Rockford Restaurant, LLC dba The District Bar and Grill/Applicants).

2. Motion to Reconsider the committee report regarding the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval of a Modification of an existing Liquor License for a 50% stock purchase in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 752 and 908 West Riverside Boulevard (Erik Carlson/John Murray/Northtown Restaurant, LLC dba Half Baked/Applicant).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of RFP: Utility Bill Printing to Allison Payment Systems, dba Doxim, of Indianapolis, Indiana for an annual estimated amount of $425,000.00 (including postage). The contract duration is one (1) year with four one (1) year renewals. The funding source is Finance Department Operating Budget.

2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Tree Purchases to Goodmark Nursery, of Wonder Lake, Illinois, Ack Ack Nursery, of Loves Park, Illinois, Schichtel's Nursery, of Springville, New York for an estimated contract value of $40,000.00 annually (based on unit pricing).

The contract duration is through December 31, 2024 with four (4) possible one-year extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Sales Tax.

3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Joint Purchasing Contract: West Side Tractor Sales Heavy Equipment for one (1) John Deere Backhoe Loader with breaker attachment and one (1) John Deere End Loader to West Side Tractor Sales Co., of Rockford, Illinois for the purchase price of:

Backhoe Loader $171,868.00

End Loader $357,705.00

Sub-Total $529,573.00

Less Trade-in $142,000.00

Total Cost $387,573.00

The funding sources are Street Division Operating Budget (General Fund) $252,705.00 and Water Fund Operating Budget $134,868.00.

4. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: City-Wide Pavement Preservation 10-Year Plan to Engineering Enterprises, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $67,972.00. Project is estimated to be completed by December 2024. The funding source is 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax.

5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Professional Services for Architectural Design of Emergency Operations Center to Larson & Darby, of Rockford, Illinois for an amount not-to-exceed $80,000.00. The contract duration is one-year. The funding source is Fire Department Operating Budget.

6. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Rapid Rehousing grant (RRH) Program. The grant award will provide additional funds in the amount of $70,000.00 for a total of $474,169.00. The grant does not require a cost match and the grant term is from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Eligible clients receive a direct vendor payment to their landlord, electric and/or heating bill.

7. Committee recommends approval of the application and acceptance of the Grant Award from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board in the amount of $4,864,312.16. The grant does not require a cost match and the grant term is from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027. The purpose of the grant is to provide continued funding to the Mobile Integrated Health - Mental Health Program established by the City of Rockford Fire Department in partnership with UW Health.

X. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES

A. Planning and Development Committee

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. An ordinance establishing a Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing at 330 Bremer Street.

2. An ordinance establishing a "No Parking Any Time" restriction on the east side of N. Pierpont Avenue from 200 feet south of Auburn Street to 1,100 feet south of Auburn Street.

3. An ordinance approving an Honorary Street Name Designation on a portion of Court Street from Cedar Street to Chestnut Street to be renamed John Briggs Way, in honor of John Briggs, the first African-American hotel owner in Rockford, Illinois.

4. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 104 Atwood Avenue.

5. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 1945 Blackhawk Road. 6. An ordinance approving the Annexation of 4500 Spring Creek Road.

7. An ordinance approving the Annexation Agreement for 4500 Spring Creek Road (Approval requires a 2/3 majority vote).

8. An ordinance approving the renewal of Special Use Permit #047-18 for the installation of a solar farm (freestanding solar panel racks and solar panels) in an I-1, Light Industrial Zoning District at 57xx Cunningham Road (DG Illinois Solar LLC/Applicants).

9. An ordinance approving the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a hookah lounge and BYOB in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 2510 South Alpine Road (Ibrahim Jamal Al-Ishawi/Lit Hookah Bar, LLC dba Lit Hookah Bar/Applicant).

10. An ordinance approving the Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a gas station, convenience store, and auto mechanic shop in a C-2 Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3135 North Rockton Avenue (Priyank S. Patel/K & P Beverages, Inc., dba Conoco/Applicants).

11. An ordinance approving the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a gas station, convenience store, and auto mechanic shop in a C-2 Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3135 North Rockton Avenue (Priyank S. Patel/K & P Beverages, Inc., dba Conoco/Applicants).

12. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L50) with a tavern, live entertainment, video gaming terminals and outdoor seating area in a C-4 Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 308 West State Street (Sheila L. Black/Derek A. Black/Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge dba Sheila’s Daiquiri Lounge/Applicants).

13. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L50) in conjunction with a bar and outdoor seating area, and video gaming terminals in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 4846 East State Street (Colleen Therese Kowalski/Latham Tap East, LLC dba Latham Tap East/Applicant).

14. An ordinance approving the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a convenience store in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 311- 313 Mulberry Street (Jaskirat Singh/Majha ASR Corporation dba Tobacco & More/Applicants).

15. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class A) in conjunction with a tavern with outdoor smoking area, live entertainment, dancing, video gaming terminals and 100% stock purchase in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District 1609 South Alpine Road (Steve Paik/Big Foot, Inc. dba Big Foot Lounge & Gentlemen’s Club/Applicant).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. An ordinance approving the Release of Liens to facilitate the sale of Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 7XX Hartford Avenue, 325 North Day Avenue, 302 North Henrietta Avenue, 323 Royal Avenue, 321 Royal Avenue, 618 Maple Street, 616 Maple Street, Bishop Washington Avenue (PIN: 11-27-356-010), Horton Street (PIN: 15-01-257-012).

2. An ordinance approving the revisions to the amended 2024 Fee Schedule.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

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