Rockford Sun

City of Loves Park City Council met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Greg Jury called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Pastor Anthony Maynard of First Born Ministries opened the meeting with an invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Aldermen Robert Schlensker, Doug Allton, Mike Owens, John Jacobson, Clint Little, John Jacobson, John Pruitt, Jim Thompson, Mark Peterson, Frank Laudicina

Also Present: City Clerk Bob Burden

City Attorney Gino Galluzzo

1. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

The Journal of Proceedings for the regular meeting of April 21, 2025, were approved as submitted by the City Clerk on a motion by Alderman Schlensker. Second by Alderman Allton. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

2. COMMUNICATIONS, MAYOR’S REPORT & ANNOUNCEMENTS

3. WELCOME ALDERMAN LAUDICINA

Mayor Jury welcomed Fifth Ward Alderman Frank Laudicina to City Council.

4. KIWANIS PORK CHOP DAY

Mayor Jury announced that Kiwanis Pork Chop Day will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Loves Park City Hall.

5. LETTER OF RESIGNATION

Received a letter of resignation from Loves Park Water Department employee Luci Lilja, effective May 15, 2025. Placed on file.

6. SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR TREE-RIPE FRUIT CO.

Received a Special Event Permit application from Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. to sell produce at Farm & Fleet parking lot, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd., on July 5 and August 2, 2025 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Referred to Alderman Thompson of the Codes and Regulations Committee.

Alderman Thompson of the Codes and Regulations Committee moved to approve the Special Event Permit application from Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. to sell produce at Farm & Fleet parking lot, 7300 E. Riverside Blvd., on July 5, and August 2, 2025 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried by voice vote.

7. COMMISSION HEARING

Received a notice from the Illinois Commerce Commission of a hearing regarding Commonwealth Edison, to be held May 12 and May 15, 2025, via WebEx. Placed on file.

8. FIRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION

A presentation was given by the Loves Park Fire Department about their recent study in coordination with Mercy Health called the CARES Study (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival Study). It was reported that there were 34 cardiac arrests in Loves Park in 2024, and of those, 16 returned to spontaneous circulation, 47.05% with the national average being much lower at 30.6%, a 55% higher chance of ROSC in Loves Park than the national average.

9. APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS

10. GENERAL FUND BILLS

Alderman John Jacobson presented the General Fund and all other bills dated May 5, 2025, in the amount of $430,289.23 and moved that they be paid. Second by Alderman Peterson. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

11. WATER FUND BILLS

Alderman John Jacobson presented the Water Department bills dated May 5, 2025, in the amount of $66,975.37, and moved that they be paid. Second by Alderman Peterson. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

12. OFFICER’S REPORT

13. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT

Alderman Allton presented the Police Department Report for May 5, 2025; presented the Fire Department Report for May 5, 2025, to be placed on file.

14. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT

Alderman Schlensker presented the Street Department Report for May 5, 2025; presented the Water Department Report for May 5, 2025, to be placed on file.

15. COMMITTEE REPORTS

16. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Alderman John Jacobson of the Finance and Administration Committee presented the minutes from the committee meeting held on April 21, 2025, to be placed on file.

17. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Alderman Schlensker of the Public Works Committee presented the minutes from the committee meeting held on April 21, 2025, to be placed on file.

18. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Alderman Pruitt of the Community Development Committee presented the minutes from the committee meeting held on April 7, 2025, to be placed on file.

19. RESOLUTIONS & MOTIONS

20. DONATION TO SKI BRONCS WATER SKI SHOW TEAM

Alderman John Jacobson presented the following Resolution and moved for its approval, RESOLVED, that the City Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay the Loves Park Ski Broncs Water Ski Show Team a donation of $30,000.00 to be paid in fiscal year 2026 and $30,000.00 to be paid in fiscal year 2027 in support of our premier local ski team and to help offset costs associated with promoting tourism in the greater Loves Park area. The funds shall be drawn from Account No. 01-01-6489 (General Administration/Tourism). Second by Alderman Peterson. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina) RESOLUTION NO. 25-040

21. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH SB MERRILLVILLE HOSPITALITY LLC

Alderman John Jacobson presented the following Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement settling certain claims with Loves Park Investment, LLC. WHEREAS, the City of Loves Park (“City”) pursuant to Ordinance 4149-17, entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with SB Merrillville Hospitality, LLC, which was subsequently assigned to Loves Park Investment, LLC (the “Developer”), regarding the development of a hotel at 4150 N. Bell School Road, Loves Park, Illinois; and WHEREAS, a dispute has arisen between the City and the Developer as to whether Developer remains entitled to the funds described in the Redevelopment Agreement; and WHEREAS, the dispute has led to litigation which has left the City and the Developer with uncertainty and which has resulted in litigation costs to each party which both the City and the Developer wish to bring to a close; and WHEREAS, the City believes it to be in the best interests of the City to settle this matter as set forth in the Settlement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the Developer has agreed to the terms of the Settlement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Loves Park, Illinois, that by adoption of this resolution, whose recitals are incorporated herein, that the City hereby agrees:

1. The above recitals are hereby incorporated into this Resolution as if fully stated herein.

2. The City Council hereby approves the Settlement Agreement to be entered into by and between the City and the Developer and authorizes the Mayor, or his designee, to execute that Agreement in substantially the same form as it is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and that thereafter, the City Treasurer shall pay the amount designated therein to Developer.

3. This Resolution will be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication in pamphlet form in the manner provided by law.

Second by Alderman Peterson. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina) RESOLUTION NO. 25-041

22. TEMPORARY SEASONAL EMPLOYEES

Alderman Schlensker presented the following Resolution and moved for its approval, RESOLVED, that the Street Department Manager is hereby authorized to hire temporary seasonal employees within the Department of Public Works. Employment shall not exceed eight (8) and shall be for a period of May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. A wage rate of $15.00 to $20.00 per hour, depending upon experience, shall be drawn from Street Department Account No. 01-11-8012. Second by Alderman John Jacobson. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

RESOLUTION NO. 25-042

23. FINAL PLAT ROCK CUT BUSINESS PARK

Alderman Pruitt presented the following Resolution and moved for its approval, RESOLVED, that Final Plat Rock Cut Business Park No. 12, being a subdivision of the Northwest Quarter of section 2, Township 44 North, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian, and in the Southwest Quarter of section 35, Township 45 North, Range 2 East of the Third Principal Meridian, City of Loves Park, Winnebago County, Illinois, be approved as recommended by the City of Loves Park Community Development Committee. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

RESOLUTION NO. 25-043

24. ORDINANCES

25. AMENDMENT I-90 OVERLAY DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

Alderman Pruitt presented an ordinance amending Chapter 102 Zoning, Article IX Planned Developments, Section 102-338 East Riverside/I-90 Overlay District, (C) established boundaries of the Loves Park Code of Ordinances, and moved for approval. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

ORDINANCE NO. 4707-25

26. VARIANCE FOR 4801 ILLINOIS STREET

Alderman Pruitt presented an ordinance providing a Variance in setback for the property known as 4801 Illinois Street, and moved for approval. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

ORDINANCE NO. 4708-25

27. AMENDING FENCE REQUIREMENTS

Alderman Pruitt presented an ordinance amending Chapter 102, Zoning, Article III, Districts, Division 1, Generally, Section 102-132, Site Area and Dimension; requirements and exceptions, (E) of the Loves Park Code of Ordinances, and moved for approval. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

ORDINANCE NO. 4709-25

28. SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 4170 BELL SCHOOL ROAD

Alderman Pruitt presented an ordinance providing a Special Use Permit for a hotel at the property known as 4170 Bell School Road, and moved for approval. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

ORDINANCE NO. 4710-25

29. MARSH HAWK DRIVE NO PARKING

Alderman Schlensker presented an ordinance establishing no parking on portions of Marsh Hawk Drive, and moved for approval. Second by Alderman Owens. Motion carried. 10 Ayes (Aldermen Schlensker, Allton, Owens, John Jacobson, Little, Dan Jacobson, Pruitt, Thompson, Peterson, Laudicina)

ORDINANCE NO. 4711-25

30. ADJOURNMENT

Alderman John Jacobson moved that the meeting be adjourned. Second by Alderman Schlensker. Motion carried by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

https://cityoflovespark.com/minutes-agendas/city-council/