Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Finance & Personnel Committee met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Attendee Name	Organization	Title	Status	Arrived
Kevin Frost	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Franklin C. Beach	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Jonathan Logemann	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Chad Tuneberg	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Aprel Prunty	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present

Other Attendees:

Mayor McNamara

Council Members; G. Torina, J. Wilkins, K. Hoffman, B. Rose, I. Barrios, G. Meeks, J. Bailey, M. Bonne Staff; T. Cagnoni, C. Hagerty, T. Hinkens, S. Leys, Police Chief C. Redd, Fire Chief M. Pankow, N. Meyer, S. Hunter, A. Parham, T. Hughes, L. Maher, C. Bailey, S. Alexander, O. Carter, A. Wilkerson, F. Hughes, A. Morris, M. Hakanson, J. Carter, J. Rott, M. Leatherby, N. Carter

Interested Parties and Media

Invocation

The Invocation was led by Pastor William Martin.

Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Frost.

Proclamations

1. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation signed by local Jewish and Muslim leaders to serve as a symbol of our solidarity, compassion, and commitment to supporting our local residents of Rockford with ties to Israel and Palestine, as they navigate the challenges of the ongoing conflict.

2. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation recognizing Boy Scouts of America Troop 37 100th Anniversary.

3. Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation proclaiming the month of May 2024 to be Community Action Month in the City of Rockford, Illinois.

Public Speakers

1. Wren Medina spoke about mental health awareness.

2. Glorie O'Connell spoke about humanity and leadership.

3. Prophet Yusef recited scripture and spoke about the representation of the poor.

4. Nadeem Abdulhafedh expressed feelings regarding ceasefire in Gaza.

5. Vernice Scott was not present.

II. INFORMATION ONLY

A. Financial Discussion - April 2024

C. Hagerty provided an overview of the City's financial status, highlighting several key points. Firstly, it was noted that the City finds itself $340,000 under budget year-to-date for Use Tax, largely attributed to the successfulimplementation of internet-based sales taxes. In contrast, the Replacement Tax is currently under budget by approximately $900,000 or 15%, with a historical acknowledgment of its volatility as a revenue source for the City. On a positive note, Sales Tax revenue exceeds expectations, standing at $530,000 or 12% over budget for the year. Despite fluctuations in specific revenue streams, C. Hagerty assured that the City remains on track for revenues in the general fund. However, total expenses are currently under budget by 9.4% year-to-date, although this figure is expected to adjust as planned equipment purchases are completed throughout the year. Furthermore, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) sales tax revenue is performing exceptionally well, surpassing the budget by 16%. Conversely, Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) revenue is slightly under budget. Lastly, both Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Tax revenue streams are exceeding expectations, with a combined surplus of approximately $200,000 year-to-date in the redevelopment fund.

RESULT: DISCUSSED

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Approval of the vouchers in the amount of $8,076,682.34 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on May 28, 2024.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

B. Approval of the sale of the city-owned property located at 323 Soper Avenue (PIN: 11-21-206-017) to Luretha Macklin for her bid in the amount of $1,100.00. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

C. Approval of the revisions to the City of Rockford Rules and Regulations including: Section 1 (Definitions); Section 4 (Introductory Period); Section 5B (Residency); Section 5F (Nepotism); Section 13 (Vacations); Section 14 (Sick Leave Donation Policy); Section 14D (Payment of Sick Leave Upon Retirement); Section 24F (Funeral Leave); Section 26B (Retirement); and replacing gender specific pronouns. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

Logemann questioned whether the item was tied to the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index, specifically in reference to the replacement of gender specific pronouns.

S. Hunter responded, clarifying that the item had nothing to do with that index. Instead, it was about replacing gender-specific pronouns with more neutral alternatives.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman SECONDER: Aprel Prunty, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

D. Approval of the adoption of the rewritten City of Rockford 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

Beach inquired about updates regarding the 457 plan, expressing the need for clarification to ensure accuracy. He mentioned his understanding that the 457 plan is accessible post-retirement and allows borrowing against it.

Frost contributed to the discussion, suggesting that the 457 plan is akin to a 401k plan but for the public sector, deferring to others for further elaboration.

S. Hunter affirmed Frost's point, confirming that the 457 plan is indeed similar to a 401k plan, tailored for state and local government employees. Hunteremphasized that participants can potentially borrow from the plan while still employed.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

E. Approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) for the East State Street Widening project. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

IV. RESOLUTIONS

A. Approval of the Award of Amended Engineering Agreement: Davis Park Improvements (Phase 1) (Supplement #2) to SmithGroup, of Madison, Wisconsin for an additional amount of $48,900.00 and an amended total of $1,333,900.00. The contract duration is Spring 2023 through Spring 2025. The funding sources are State of Illinois Capital Grants (70%) and City of Rockford Redevelopment Funds (30%).

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

B. Approval of the Award of Bid: Fire Panel Replacements at Metro and Concourse Parking Decks (Bid No. 424-PW-050) to Helm Electric, of Freeport, Illinois in the amount of $53,413.00. The funding source is American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman SECONDER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

C. Approval of the Award of Bid: Commercial Vehicle Body Repair (Bid No. 424- PW-058) to Dom Paris & Sons, Auto Enhancers, Anderson Collision Center, Clendening Auto Body, all of Rockford, Illinois for an estimated annual contract value of $200,000.00 (based on unit pricing). The contract duration is through June 30, 2025 with four (4) possible one-year extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is Equipment Fund Operating Budget.

Logemann inquired about the specifics of the contract, stating knowledge of its overall value at $200,000. He sought clarification on the types of city vehicles requiring rehabilitation and their annual quantities, assuming a higher demand from the police department compared to public works.

M. Leatherby responded, stating that the demand varies throughout the year, with approximately 25 vehicles already serviced this year. These include police vehicles, public works vehicles, and any other city vehicles in need of body repair. Leatherby highlighted that all body repairs are outsourced to collision centers, as the city does not handle such repairs internally.

Logemann sought further clarification, asking if the majority of vehicles serviced are police vehicles.

M. Leatherby explained that while quite a few police vehicles are serviced, it's not necessarily a majority. He emphasized that the need for body repairs arises routinely across various city departments.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

D. Approval of the Award of Bid: Concourse Parking Deck Membrane Rehab (Bid No. 424-PW-060) to Western Specialty Contractors, of Glendale Heights, Illinois in the amount of $398,750.00. The contract duration is through November 1, 2024. The funding source is American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

E. Approval of the Award of RFP: Security Services (RFP No. 424-PW-051) to Metro Enforcement, of Rockford, Illinois for an estimated annual value of $200,000.00 (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 sources are Parking Fund Operating Budget and Property Fund Operating Budget.

Logemann raised concerns about the lack of security measures, particularly regarding incidents of vehicle break-ins in city parking decks. Citing a constituent's experience of a vehicle break-in, Logemann emphasized the vulnerability of certain vehicle models like Kia, which are susceptible to theft. He queried the absence of security cameras in the parking decks to monitor such incidents.

J. Carter confirmed that currently, there are no cameras in the decks to surveil vehicles. However, he noted the presence of cameras aimed at city equipment and electric rooms to deter unauthorized access.

Logemann inquired about potential future expansions of video surveillance in the parking decks.

J. Carter stated that it would require further examination.

C. Hagerty interjected, informing the group that council had approved funding for additional surveillance cameras as part of the ARPA funds. This initiative is already in progress, indicating a proactive step towards enhancing security measures in city parking decks.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman SECONDER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

F. Approval of the Change Order: Water Treatment Plant 31 and 43 Filter Media Replacement to C&C Environmental Services, Inc. of Portsmouth, Ohio in the amount of $602,000.00 (no change from original award). The Public Works Department recommends changing the location of the filter repair work from Water Treatment Plant 31 to Water Treatment Plant 13. The funding source is the Water Replacement Improvement Account (WRIA).

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Franklin C. Beach, Alderman SECONDER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

G. Approval of the Resolution authorizing the Central Services Manager to execute a contract for Electrical Municipal Aggregation Supply.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 6/3/2024 5:30 PM MOVER: Jonathan Logemann, Alderman SECONDER: Chad Tuneberg, Alderman AYES: Frost, Beach, Logemann, Tuneberg, Prunty

V. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was closed at 6:36 AM

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