Rockford Sun

City of Rockford City Council met Feb. 3.

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 Special City Council meeting held on January 13, 2025.

II. PROCLAMATIONS

III. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. Memorandum from Kelly Nokes, Engineering Operations Manager, regarding the renewal of an Intergovernmental Agreement with GoRockford for the Forest City Beautiful Program. 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 Creekside Apartments at 310 South Avon Street. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

3. Memorandum from Sarah Leys, Housing and Program Manager, regarding the Preliminary Conditional Set-Aside of HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) and CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Funds for Riverwoods Apartments at Harrison Avenue and South Main Street. Referred to Planning and Development Committee.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Traffic Commission’s Agenda for the meeting to be held on February 12, 2025 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on February 24, 2025. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.

2. Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager-Permits and Special Events, regarding upcoming special events which include: Memorial Day Parade, 2025 Rockford Area Pride Parade and Lifescape 4th of July Run. Referred to Code and Regulation Committee.

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

IV. PUBLIC SPEAKERS

1. Prophet Yusef

2. Kimberly Corley

3. John Tac Brantley

V. NEW COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Development Agreement with Premier Woodworking, Inc., an Illinois corporation, for the demolition of 1512 7th Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

2. Committee recommends approval of the Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Chick House, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 119-121 South Main Street (former Chick Hotel) for mixed-use residential / commercial / retail development at the southwest corner of South Main Street and Elm Street. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a "No Parking Any Time" restriction on both sides of Montana Avenue from Florida Drive to 30 feet south of Florida Drive. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

2. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development consisting of a 68-unit, 3-story apartment building, two (2) 67-unit, 3-story apartment buildings and a 3-story assisted living building in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District and R-4 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District at 3104, 3118 and 3212 South Main Street, 360 Harrison Avenue, and 3151, 3162 and 3165 Express Lane (Alfred McConnell for Rock River-Harrison, LLC/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Residential Zoning District to C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 4427 Auburn Street (Gerardo Castillo/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

4. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for outdoor U-Haul truck rental in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3329 Auburn Street (LaTanya Cross/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

5. Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for an event space with a small catering kitchen in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Suite 128 (Anthony Artale/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

6. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for a Modification of an existing Liquor License to include an expansion of the liquor store to include an event space with a small catering kitchen with the Sale of Liquor by the Drink in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Suite 128 (Anthony Artale/Artale Wine & Spirits, LLC dba Artale & Company/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

7. Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink, Packaged Liquor Sales and Outdoor Seating Area in conjunction with a hotel and restaurant in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 7676 East State Street (Mohee Uddin/Vishna Rockford, LLC dba Courtyard by Marriott/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 $12,192,015.34 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting held on January 27, 2025.

2. Committee recommends approval of the sale of the city-owned property located at 4640 West State Street (PIN: 11-19-228-029) to Taurus Investors, LLC for their offer in the amount of $42,000.00. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

3. Committee recommends approval of the sale of the city-owned property located at 121 South Main Street (commonly known as The Chick Hotel) (PIN: 11-23-308-015) to Urban Equity Properties for their offer in the amount of $64,000.00. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

4. Committee recommends approval of the State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) Interagency Agreement. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

5. Committee recommends approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and the Village of Cherry Valley for the annual city-wide Pavement Marking (Paint) Project. The agreement is through December 30, 2028 with two (2) one-year renewal options. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

6. Committee recommends approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and the City of Belvidere for the annual city-wide Pavement Marking (Paint) Project. The agreement is through December 30, 2028 with two (2) one-year renewal options. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.

VI. OFFICERS REPORTS

VII. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the REGROW Tier 2 $50,0000.00 Award recommendations from the Community Relations Commission.

The four (4) $50,000.00 awards shall be awarded to:

a. Bridges to Prosperity, Getting Ahead Classes

b. Brooke Road UMC Community Center, Peace Programs in Southeast Rockford

c. Comprehensive Community Solutions, ALPHA

d. The Music Academy of Rockford, After School Music Program at Constance Lane

The funding source is the 3% local tax on adult-use cannabis retail sales.

2. Committee recommends approval of the REGROW Tier 2 $100,000.00 Award recommendations from the Community Relations Commission.

The two (2) $100,000.00 awards shall be awarded to:

a. African-American Resource Center at Booker, AARCB Youth Program

b. Patriot’s Gateway, Gateways of Opportunity

The funding source is the 3% local tax on adult-use cannabis retail sales.

3. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant in the amount of $500,000.00 to implement the Rockford Products Redevelopment Project at 2720 Kishwaukee Street and 711 Harrison Avenue. The city will act as a pass-through on this grant, receiving grant funds from the DCEO and reimbursing the Developer (First Midwest Group). This grant is in addition to a prior $150,000.00 grant received from the DCEO for the same project. There will be no cost to the city.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the request to allocate $140,000.00 for the Forward for Fun Initiative and an expedited special event permit process for multiple events throughout the city in partnership with Aldermen and the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City-Wide Street Repairs Group No. 1 – 2025 (Arterials) (Bid No: 1124-PW-122) to Rock Road Companies, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $9,064,962.81. The contract duration is through August 1, 2025. The funding source is the Fiscal Year Budget Surplus Funds.

2. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City-Wide Sidewalk Repairs Package 1 (East) (Bid No: 1224-PW-127) to Norwest Construction, of South Beloit, Illinois in the amount of $215,929.20. The contract duration is through June 13, 2025. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax.

3. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: City-Wide Bridge Preservation 2025 (Bid No: 1124-PW-115) to M & M Concrete, of Stockton, Illinois in the amount of $59,814.00. The contract duration is through August 1, 2025. The funding source is Motor Fuel Tax.

4. Committee recommends approval to rescind the Award of Bid and award a new Contract (Well House No. 40 Improvements) (Bid No. 1024-W 101) rescinding the award of bid to Sjostrom and Sons, of Rockford, Illinois. The company stated that due to an error in their bid, they would need to remove themselves from the project. The city shall award a new contract to Scandroli Construction, of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $696,696.21. The contract duration is through August 2025. The funding source is the Water Replacement Improvement Account (WRIA).

5. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Engineering Agreement: Keith Creek Widening to HR Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $640,060.00. The contract duration is from February 3, 2025 to December 30, 2025. The funding source is the CIP General Fund.

6. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Design Engineering Agreement: Rock River Stabilization at Jefferson Street Bridge - Esplanade Seawall Repairs to HR Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $74,410.00. The contract duration is through August 2025. The funding source is Sales Tax.

7. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Design Engineering Agreement: Lower Jefferson Street Rock River Storm Sewer Outlet Reconstruction (East Bank) to HR Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $114,508.00. The contract duration is through August 2025. The funding source is the CIP General Fund.

8. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Construction Engineering Agreement: City-Wide Street Repairs Group 1 2025 (Arterials) to Willett Hofmann and Associates, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $135,026.84. The contract duration is through August 29, 2025. The funding source is Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Surplus Funds.

9. Committee recommends approval of the Award of Non-Competitive Contract: Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (VCISO) and a Security Analyst to Illumination Consulting, Ltd., of Cherry Valley, Illinois in the estimated annual amount of $170,000.00 (based on hourly rates). The contract duration is one (1) year with three (3) possible one year extension options. Annual price adjustments for CPI considered at contract renewal only. The funding source is the Information Technology Fund Operating Budget.

10. Committee recommends approval of the Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Consultation - River District North TIF District to Ryan, LLC, of Dallas, Texas in the amount of $62,500.00. The amendment expands the engagement scope of the original agreement to add additional parcels to the River District North TIF District. The funding source will be the newly created Main and Mulberry TIF.

11. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) Emergency Management Performance Grant Award in the amount of $42,884.93. The grant requires a cost match in the amount of $42,884.93. The grant term is from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The grant funds will be used to pay a portion of the already budgeted salary of the individual designated as the City of Rockford Emergency Management Director.

12. Committee recommends approval and acceptance of the Administration of Children and Families, Office of Head Start Change in Scope of Services Application for Head Start/Early Head Start Services in the amount of $8,793,903.00. The grant requires a cost match in the amount of $2,198,476.00. The grant term is from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028. This application seeks to reduce our required enrollment, while maintaining our current funding levels.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCES

A. Planning and Development Committee

1. An ordinance approving a Development Agreement with Premier Woodworking, Inc., an Illinois corporation, for the demolition of 1512 7th Street.

2. An ordinance approving a Development Agreement with Urban Equity Properties (UEP Chick House, LLC) for the rehabilitation of 119-121 South Main Street (former Chick Hotel) for mixed-use residential / commercial / retail development at the southwest corner of South Main Street and Elm Street.

B. Code and Regulation Committee

1. An ordinance establishing a "No Parking Any Time" restriction on both sides of Montana Avenue from Florida Drive to 30 feet south of Florida Drive.

2. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development consisting of a 68-unit, 3-story apartment building, two (2) 67-unit, 3-story apartment buildings and a 3-story assisted living building in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District and R-4 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District at 3104, 3118 and 3212 South Main Street, 360 Harrison Avenue, and 3151, 3162 and 3165 Express Lane (Alfred McConnell for Rock River-Harrison, LLC/Applicant).

3. An ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single Family Residential Zoning District to C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 4427 Auburn Street (Gerardo Castillo/Applicant).

4. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for outdoor U-Haul truck rental in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3329 Auburn Street (LaTanya Cross/Applicant).

5. An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for an event space with a small catering kitchen in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Suite 128 (Anthony Artale/Applicant).

6. An ordinance approving a Modification of an existing Liquor License to include an expansion of the liquor store to include an event space with small catering kitchen with the Sale of Liquor by the Drink in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Suite 128 (Anthony Artale/Artale Wine & Spirits, LLC dba Artale & Company/Applicant).

7. An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink, Packaged Liquor Sales and Outdoor Seating Area in conjunction with a hotel and restaurant in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 7676 East State Street (Mohee Uddin/Vishna Rockford, LLC dba Courtyard by Marriott/Applicant).

C. Finance and Personnel Committee

1. An ordinance approving the sale of the city-owned property located at 4640 West State Street (PIN: 11-19-228-029) to Taurus Investors, LLC for their offer in the amount of $42,000.00.

2. An ordinance approving the proposed sale of the city-owned property located at 121 South Main Street (commonly known as The Chick Hotel) (PIN: 11-23-308-015) to Urban Equity Properties for their offer in the amount of $64,000.00.

3. An ordinance approving of the State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) Interagency Agreement.

4. An ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and the Village of Cherry Valley for the annual city wide Pavement Marking (Paint) Project. The agreement is through December 30, 2028 with two (2) one-year renewal options.

5. An ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Rockford and the City of Belvidere for the annual city-wide Pavement Marking (Paint) Project. The agreement is through December 30, 2028 with two (2) one-year renewal options.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

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