Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met April 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Tim Durkee	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Gabrielle Torina	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Gina Meeks	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Mark Bonne	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Isidro Barrios	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present

Other Attendees:

Ald. Torina called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. The invocation was given by Chaplain Ken Hendley. SPEAKERS:

Sarah Salem

Ms. Salem stated that she is a student at NIU. She shared her discontentment with the war in Gaza, and America’s involvement with the war.

Prophet Yusef

Mr. Yusef quoted scripture, and talked about food insecurities, and how it affects children.

Marc Hooks

Mr. Hooks talked about his discontentment with the lack of sidewalks in his neighborhood. II. COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Committee recommends approval of the Annexation of 4518 West State Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

Ald. Meeks wanted clarification on the section of property that will be annexed. Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager for the City of Rockford stated that there is a church that requested this annexation, and the section that will be annexed is at the corner of Atwood and West State Street. He further explained

that the other half of that block is not in the city. He noted that other parcels in that area will be annexed in the near future.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Tim Durkee, Alderman AYES: Durkee, Torina, Meeks, Bonne, Barrios

2. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with an axe throwing venue in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 301 South Main Street (David Hammack/Joseph Hammack/Kyle Giron/Big Timber Axe Throwing, LLC dba Big Timber Axe Throwing/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

Jake Rubin, Attorney for the City of Rockford explained that this item was previously before the Committee and was laid over because there were some concerns regarding the safety of axe throwing and the consumption of alcohol. After some research, Attorney Rubin stated that he learned that there are many axe throwing establishments that also serve alcohol within the State of Illinois. He did not find that there were any alcohol related injuries at these establishments. Security measures such as having coaches, required wristbands and keeping the alcohol separate from the axe throwing areas were some of the preventative measures used to keep patrons safe. For these reasons, Staff recommends approval.

Ald. Meeks concurred with Staff’s approval. She asked about the applicant’s operation of hours. Attorney Rubin responded that axe throwing stops at 10 p.m., but the business remains opens after that time, and the service of alcohol continues until closing time.

Ald. Bonne asked about liability insurance. Attorney Rubin stated that proof of insurance has been received. Ald. Bonne voiced his support for this request.

III. RESOLUTIONS

1. Committee recommends approval of the National Night Out

This event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event location will be Water Street between East State Street and Short Jefferson; Market Street between Water Street and the railroad tracks; City Market Pavilion. There were no questions, or concerns regarding this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Tim Durkee, Alderman AYES: Durkee, Torina, Meeks, Bonne, Barrios

2. Committee recommends approval of the Rockford City Market

This event is scheduled for every Friday beginning May 17th through September 27th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event location will be Water Street between East State Street and Short Jefferson; Market Street between Water Street and the railroad tracks; City Market Pavilion.

There were no questions, or concerns regarding this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman SECONDER: Tim Durkee, Alderman AYES: Durkee, Torina, Meeks, Bonne, Barrios

IV. ADJOURN

With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.

http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2525&Inline=True