I'd like to call to order the planning and development committee meeting for Monday, January 26, 2026.

I'd ask everyone to stand as we have Pastor Violet Johniker of Table of Grace, who will give tonight's invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, thank you for the City of Rockford and the good people who love their neighbors.

Even as we have come to this room with deep concern for the future of this country, there is so much important work to do here.

So we ask that you would give these leaders your strength and compassion to be part of building a better world and a safer community.

Lord, we especially give you thanks for the life of Rockford NAACP President George H.

Scott Jr., who will be memorialized this week, and pray that his example might inspire us to connect with one another and advocate for policies of equity and restorative justice.

We pray for teachers and the school board of our city that a fair and just contract would be reached that honors the work of those educating the next generation of Rockfordians.

And God, we give you thanks for our immigrant neighbors who make our city strong and more vibrant.

May we all do our part to fight against xenophobia and racism and fascism across the country.

We ask your blessing upon the city of Minneapolis as the people work for peace with justice.

And we pray for those grieving families torn apart by ICE.

Bless us with moral courage to stand up for those most in need here and everywhere.

Amen.

That being said, we'll start tonight's public speaking with Miss Erica Reid.

I'm providing an update on legislation that would require three graduate level semester hours and two continued education units on domestic violence for licensed counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers.

Only 15 out of 885 public programs require a class, even though the research calls for mandatory classes to help reduce their high rates of malpractice because they've ignored their own research and will not make voluntary changes.

Laws are necessary.

Finally, Representative Diane Torres Velasquez has submitted a bill for drafting in Ment New Mexico.

The legislators include Democrats and Republicans, two professors, a lawyer, and former city council members.

Illinois Senators Dodman Severson and Hilton and Representatives Bella West and Cabello have not sponsored bills.

They've said that there would be too much opposition, and paid advocates dislike the proposal.

Paid advocates have not provided valid objections.

For example, when I talked to the policy director in Iowa, she had no knowledge of relevant federal hearings and research, believes that the government should stay out of education and licensing and trust the lobbyists for the psychologist.

Last week, a legislator from New Hampshire contacted me.

She has introduced legislation to investigate the coalition because she's fed up with her perplexing and unethical positions.

Like me, she is concerned that coalitions are advocating for the decriminalization of domestic violence.

Not only is this a misuse of funding, but also it's dangerous and immoral.

When coalitions promote decriminalization, that's the equivalent of the NAACP promoting slavery.

Counseling minus jail time does not work.

Your input should be of value since you represent thousands of constituents and have knowledge about our city's high rates.

If the filing deadline has passed, what other measures can you take?

How about an ordinance or a letter to universities and the associations for the four licenses?

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker is Denzel Winter.

Good evening, City Council Meader.

I'm talking about black soldiers of the of World War II.

More than 1.2 million African Americans served in the U.S.

Army forces during World War II in segregated units fighting for the double V campaign, victory against fascism, and abroad and racism at home.

Despite facing systematic discriminations and violence, black soldiers excelled well in combat.

Roles like the Teskegee Airmen, 761, the uh uh the tank battalion and uh the 92nd infantry division, while others provided essential support, service and and segregation, while 1.2 million plus served the military served the military remained strictly segregated, with most of the blacks personnel relegated to service and supply units.

Combat units, despite initial restrictions, units like the 761 Tank Battalion led by Colonel Holters Hunt, including Jackie Robinson, served in Europe.

And the 92nd Infantry Division served in Italy.

The Tuskegee Airmen, the 990 uh 92 Fighter Squadron and other all black air units proved their capability in North Africa and Italy, winning over 150 distinguished flying medals.

So I just wanted to say that uh the stuff that they say about our the black troops is is a bunch of crack because they did do what they had to do.

They did do what they had to do, they fought with honor and integrity, even though at home they had to be face other things.

So that lets you know that we were not just uh sitting around twiddling our thumbs, cowering behind everything.

We went out and did what we had to do.

We did the job and got the job done.

And they know it.

A lot of times you can go into the archives and they will not tell you that what all we did for this country.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker is Prophet Yusu.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

In the book of Proverbs, the 24th chapter, the fifth verse, it says a wise man has great power and a man of knowledge, increase his strength.

What I'm gonna speak about tonight, what is your new year promise for 2026?

It is my hope you have made your resolution for 2026 that you really plan to keep.

It is my experience that we make resolution, but forget them a few weeks later.

Times require us to be serious about keeping many of what I hope will be in your resolution.

For example, number one, did you pray for this government to stop mistreating and killing the people in Minnesota to stop now?

Two, did you pray for this government to stop mistreating people who live in democratic cities and states to stop now?

Three, that you pray for all the broken hearts from 2025 to be healed.

Four, did you pray for all the mass shootings to stop now?

Five, will you do all you can do to prevent, prevent the senseless killing of our people, including our children?

Six, did you pray for America and homeless?

Seven, did you pray to end food desert and a way to feed help the food for all to eliminate hunger?

Eight, that you pray to end pharmacy desert so people can get their medicine.

Nine, that you pray this government opened back all the mental hospitals they closed so the mentally ill people can get the help they need.

Ten, that you pray this government opened more hospitals and pay these nurses and doctors a good wage so we won't have a nurse and doctor shortage so they can heal the people of their sickness.

Love it.

Did you pray that our people in America have a job that pay a good wage so they can take care of themselves and that 12?

Did you pray to end book bands and support educators who are taking a stand against banning books?

13 that you pray to end racism in every form and for all of our brothers and sisters, no matter where they came from.

Fourteen, that you pray meanness and hate against immigrants has got to stop now.

15.

What you do all in your power to make this a kind of gentle compassion united states for all people to live there?

This is time for powers of Jesus Christ to stand up and speak up and say we are tired of the way this government is mistreating God children, and we are not gonna put up with this garbage anymore.

Thanks for allowing me to speak.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker is Stephen McMaster.

Hello, hello.

My name is Steve McMaster.

I think everybody in front of me knows who I am at this point.

Uh I'm starting to get really annoyed at the fact that you guys don't seem to know your own rules and the ordinances that created you, the open meetings act, the freedom of information act, like you guys just don't seem to know what your rules are.

It's really frustrating.

Please read section 2-31.

That that covers your rules in the Rockford Code and ordinances.

Please read, or please redo your open meetings act training, your Freedom of Information Act training.

All of you in front of me had to do that at least once.

All of you in front of me should know what those trainings are.

You don't seem to know what the rules are, so I'm gonna I'm gonna read you a section from the Freedom of Information Act training.

This is page 22.

It's not very far in.

You shouldn't have fallen asleep at this point.

Although the Freedom of Information Act primarily addresses requests for inspections of copies of public records, blah, blah, blah.

A public body should prominently display on its website a brief description of itself, which should include but is not limited to a short summary of its purpose, a block diagram giving its functional subdivisions, the total amount of its operating budget, the number and location of its separate offices, its approximate number of full-time and part-time employees, and the identification of memberships of any board, commission, committee, or council which operates in an advisory capacity, or which exercises control over the public body's policies or procedures.

Like, that's not hard.

Why is the city website such crap?

Why does the city website not contain this information for every board, committee, and council that that is our government?

Like, I've talked to the mayor about this, I've talked to legal about this, I've mentioned this in this room before.

What do you want me to do?

It like we in lawsuit territory, are we in pack territory?

Like, what do I do to convince you guys to pay attention?

You have to.

You're required to.

Please know the information that you're required to follow.

With the remainder of my time, I'll read you section uh or rule 13 because it seemed like nobody understood that last week.

When a motion has been carried in the affirmative or negative, it shall be an order for any member who voted on the side which prevailed to move a reconsideration thereof at the same meeting or at the next regular meeting of the council, but at not at any time thereafter.

But no question that has once been decided and reconsidered shall be decided a second time.

Uh the that's what should have been invoked last week while everybody sat around being confused about what to do since we had a vote that we didn't want to do anymore.

Rule 13, not hard.

I I knew the rule.

Why didn't nobody else here make a point of order or a point of information to ask if there's a rule that's relevant?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Ken Dickens.

Thank you.

I'm not laughing at you, obviously.

I'm laughing because I find immense joy seeing an angry white man who's validated by being angry.

Because when you see angry black women in America, you they're written off as just an angry black woman, or you see an angry black man written off as just an angry black man.

But it's something something about seeing an angry justified white man.

It's refreshing.

It really is.

I want to say to the to the lady that spoke first.

If you think this is something, wait till they get into the deep into the pages of Agenda 2026 and how they redefine a woman's role in America.

Because they've already said in Agenda 2025 that it's a white man's world, and a white woman is a second class citizen.

Who literally shouldn't be able to vote, but should be a baby maker.

So if you haven't read Agenda 2026, oh there's more.

I just want to say tonight, I find it very ironic, very ironic that we protested here.

Well, one of the largest protests in America.

I don't know if I think that was lost on Rockford.

We protested in one of the largest, longest peaceful protests during the George Floyd protest, not George Floyd's riots during the George Floyd protest in America.

We went past a hundred past 173 days.

But we were an inconvenience to the city at the time.

And I find it very ironic that as I stood there with a bulletproof vest on for over a year.

I stood there with a bulletproof vest on for a year.

I stood there with a bulletproof vest on because people were perturbed that I had the audacity to stand up for 60 to 80 percent white people around me that were protesting injustice of police brutality, excessive force, and racial profiling.

But George Floyd, there's no perfect victim.

I stood up against racial profiling, excessive force, and police brutality.

Now you fast forward to where we are now.

What is ICE doing?

Excessive force, police brutality, and racial profiling.

Wow.

Wow, how did we get here?

You don't know how we got here.

Please don't tell me you're asking that because a white woman was shot.

Please don't tell me you're asking that because a white man got shot, protecting a woman that was pushed to the ground.

Please don't tell me what what are you gonna do, Black America?

What are we gonna do?

When did we stop?

It's your turn now.

And what I mean by that is it's gonna take white bloodshed to stand up against other white people that are saying, Heil Hitler, Sieg Hale, uh, we don't stand for democracy, we stand for a fascist dictatorship, but if you don't stop us, we're gonna steamroll you.

That's where we are.

Thank you.

We'll move into uh tonight's agenda, but before we do, we do have a presentation that will be given.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Here we go.

Thank you.

Would you have a 2026 current and future land use update presentation?

And I'll kick it off to you, gentlemen.

I just do want to remind you to uh remember to speak into your mic so that the audience can hear at home.

You can start whenever you're ready.

Thank you, madam chair.

Uh so um, if everyone recalls, uh back in uh October 2023, um we adopted the 2040 comprehensive plan.

So we revamped um our 20-year outlook on the city, and one of the um first major uh addendums to that plan is going to be the uh future land use plan.

So uh Colin has been diligently working on our current land use.

Uh he's mapped out the entire uh current land use of the um the entire city, the islands around us, and also all of the um uh ultimate boundaries of the city.

So everything um from the current land use standpoint is all documented, and then we took that and then we went to the future land use and then we um came up with a uh you know basically following uh somewhat of what was adopted previously in 2020.

Uh but uh we created some new districts and uh we kind of simplified things and with that I'll actually turn it over to Colin and he can explain a little bit more in detail of what we're looking at.

Thank you for your time this evening.

Um so as previously um the future land use map was originally adopted back in 2005 as part of the 2020 comprehensive plan updated that time.

Um it had been amended periodically, and the last uh major um update to our amendment to that plan was actually in 2011.

Um the 2026 um future land use update uh refines the city's long-term development visions and aligns with land use policy uh that is adopted in the 2040 comprehensive plan.

It uh we prepared by city staff internally.

We did not use a consultant.

Um GIS was used heavily this go around back in the uh you know early 2000s, GIS was just kind of a new thing.

Uh aerial photography, um, the resolution was not nearly what we have today, and the amount of digital information that we have today is that's much more substantial.

Um so that um allowed us um to make sure that the future land use decisions support sustainable growth, uh, economic opportunity, and the continued improvements to quality of life in the region.

Um again, the the revised maps uh provide an update and acting more accurate foundation for guiding development review, uh helping us with our zoning decisions and considerations, um, as well as infrastructure investment.

Um it helps with efficient uh growth within our existing development boundaries and um uh infrastructure investments, um helps with diverse housing supply, uh balanced neighborhood development, uh business expansion, long-term economic resilience, and also most uh really important too is preservation of the community character and our natural resources.

Uh the last land use plan did not um really touch on the environmental and natural resources of our area.

Um the hydrology or water of the area was not looked at very intently, and um a lot of the transition areas and areas that we want to protect were not included on there as well.

Uh so this update uh establishes a clear it's data-driven framework, uh, it helped guide coordinated land use decisions, infrastructure planning, and future growth.

And uh moving forward, the city intends to update the future land use map on a more regular basis to ensure that it remains responsive to the evolving conditions of our area.

Um, how often we update it um is something that we can discuss later.

I know this is a little bit hard to read.

I apologize for that, but ultimately what this is showing is on the left, the large amount of land use categories that there used to be.

Um, in fact, when you get down to the bottom of that list, many of the categories are combinations of the ones above it, um, which can be confusing when you've got that many colors or that many um different types of you know hatch marks, etc.

on the map to designate those, it becomes very um hard to designate what what is what.

Um so using the American Planning Association's land-based classification standards that they established around 2000 and have refined since then a couple times.

Uh, we based our future land use categories and current land use categories um off of what everybody else is using today.

Um we did add a couple other categories in there that we thought were useful and the definitions again, they're hard to read there, um, but we've we've got a uh you know a handout um for everybody to read a little bit more in detail.

Um but ultimately what this is showing is that the map has been simplified, but at the same time, there's more information, more detail on that map.

So the last 2020 plan map, uh future land use map was all done in PDF format.

There are 42 maps that make up the whole region.

So in order to find the area you're looking at, you've got to go to the key, find what map you're looking at, pull that map up, um, and then transitioning from there to other areas becomes difficult.

There is no the the digital version of this um is very low resolution because again it was done in about the year 2000, and it's very hard to read some of those designations.

So on the next page, I can show you a brief screenshot of what the new mapping system will look like.

Um it will be all online.

It's an interactive interface that we control the data and the updates internally on there.

They become live almost instantaneously when we make those updates.

You're able to zoom in, um, click on information, see what's there, see what the size or the acreage and square footage of those areas are, and it there's other information you can turn on and off, just as similar to Wingis.

We'll be adding more layers to um help with our planning endeavors moving forward.

Um, and then the next map I'm just gonna show you is just a little bit more zoomed in.

Um, this is the the Broadway corridor, and again, um because it's interactive, it's kind of hard to show all the detail, but we can zoom in and out on these maps and get right down to the street level on them.

Um so at that time, I think we're gonna be taking questions or comments.

There's no way you went that fast.

No, I'm just gonna questions or comments.

All right, thank you for your time, gentlemen.

Uh one.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you.

Alderman Salgado.

Thank you, Chairwoman.

Um, real quick, uh, can you explain to me the process?

Um, does this go through the zoning board of appeals?

Um and they make those adjustments uh based on the 2020 plan and now the 2040.

Um how do we get from that to this and you know the analysis piece of it process on that?

So the future land use plan does not have to go before the zoning board of appeals.

It's not actually changing any zoning, it's just changing the designation, future designations, or what we foresee some of these vacant parcels uh that are in the city or just outside the city, what they should develop as, and so that you know that the adoption will be made by um our internal team, which is just buttoning up what you're looking at tonight, uh, along with our our outside agency partners, uh, the park district, the forest preserve, uh, four river sanitation.

Uh, and and we're working heavily uh, you know, we're working hard with those folks on and making sure that we we have the best you know information available for everyone here.

So follow up if I may.

Um, how often do we do this?

It's uh every five years, ten years, twenty years census.

Uh, when do we typically make these uh updates?

So the comprehensive plan should be looked at every five years uh for updates.

Uh you know, I think uh as Colin stated earlier, we probably want to try to look at it more frequently as we change zoning uh on areas, things like that, so that we keep the future land use update um compatible with the current actual current land use.

So that would be one of the big things, yes.

All right, thank you very much.

Are there any other questions or comments?

Uh Madam Chair, one last comment if no one else has anything.

Um Colin's gonna be sending out an email with some more information uh that'll detail um all the uh processes that we went through this evening.

And if anyone wants to look uh at any areas, uh we're gonna set aside some time and you can reserve uh 30 minutes with Colin and I, so then we can go over any area of town or the entire uh Rockford region uh that would be in our ultimate boundaries as well.

We'll we'll we'll take the time to answer any questions and and you know hope you fill you in on what we're doing.

So Alder Woman Hoffman.

Thank you.

Um so we're going to get this in an email or no.

Yes.

Okay.

So we'll have that to look at, and then if we have questions, yes.

Okay.

He'll provide a link and uh you'll log in, and then you'll be able to zoom in and you'll be able to go all around the city and look at all the different areas.

So thank you.

And then uh lastly, then probably by the end of this week, we'll also go to our 30-day uh public comment period where we'll post this online on the city's website, and uh we'll give the public the opportunity to view this as well and provide comments.

Any other questions or comments?

Thank you.

We'll move into tonight's agenda.

We have two items here to vote on tonight.

Item one is an approval of the proposed funding agreement with Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and Illinois not-for-profit corporation in IEEE for the establishment of a senior center at 5505 East State Street.

The funding source is a reallocation of unspent ARPA plan slash major corridor signage funds not to exceed 300,000 dollars.

Do I have a motion to approve?

Sorry.

Are there any questions or comments?

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Hi.

Thank you.

The item passes.

Item two is an approval of the proposed funding agreement and lease agreement for 713 East State Street with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 and the amount of 125,000 dollars annually for a total amount of 375,000 dollars.

The funding source is the city redevelopment fund to have a motion to approve.

Are there any questions or comments?

Can you can you tell me how much we were giving?

I only saw what they're requesting for the next three years, but what how much were we giving the arts council?

The for the past four years, they've gotten 75,000 per year.

And the reason for the increase?

The increase.

Um it it helps we're running some of the same programs that we were doing before, like the I'm sorry, I just remember the summer programs and that, but they have um put in those have all gotten a little more expensive, so that's part of the increase, and then there's some admin support, and then what we call cultural plan support where they're following up on the advocacy, but particularly um when it comes to the armory and uh the work that they're putting in there, they built in a little bit more, they'll need some administrative costs covered while they're working through that project.

Thank you.

Yeah, I just want to thank uh the arts council for giving the breakdown, uh, everything that's transpired with their administrative cost, what where the funding's going.

I think this would be a good template from this perspective to see more of the reporting out when it comes to the impact that it has based on the funding.

So hopefully down the road we can you know create a policy internally to show that um what kind of reporting we're looking at since there's been some questions about you know where the money's going and do we have the the the impact the numbers and so forth uh based on the programming.

So so I do appreciate having that information.

It does give some you know uh visibility of where the money is going and how it's being used as a whole as part of it.

So um I'm gonna be in support of this, but I just I appreciate having that detailed information of where that and I think that we should do that for some other programming that we do that we do spend out that money.

So I'd like to see that more.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

Uh Clerk, will you please call the roll?

All right.

Well, thank you.

The item passes.

Do I have a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Okay.

Are there any questions or comments?

All those in favor say state by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed, same sign?

This meeting is adjourned.

And personal committee meeting held this evening, sir.

Clerk, if you can please take roll.

Okay.

Here.

All righty.

Um our first item under committee reports is approval of vouchers of the amount of ten million seven hundred thousand three hundred and twenty-seven dollars and sixty cents.

Is there a motion to approve vouchers?

Any questions or comments for staff?

Seeing none, all is in favor indicate by aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Secondly, is an approval of a new accounting policy.

Uh is there a motion to approve the new policy?

Any questions or comments for staff?

All right.

Seeing that all is a favor to keep aye.

Aye.

Item three is approval of the new capital asset policy.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Any questions for staff?

All right.

Seeing that all is a favor to keep aye.

Aye.

Post?

Mayor passes.

Item four is approval of the new police and fire pension funding policy.

So motion to approve.

Second.

Any questions for staff?

Paul and Logman.

Two quick questions.

Thank you, Chair.

Um, Director Hagerty, first one's probably really easy.

I notice the uh like our city fiscal year is January to December, the state is like July through June, and the federal one is of course like October through September.

Um, does that I'm curious what kind of does that cause any complications for like our city finance department, just these three different cycles that we're moving through?

Sure.

Um, yes, certainly it would be great if all of those were aligned, it would make things easier.

But oftentimes our um state and federal grants operate on um timelines that are even different from the federal budget cycle.

So we may have a grant that starts June 1st, July 1st, October 1st.

It's it's really kind of all over the place.

So standard there's not a there's not a standard that we could move to towards.

Um, and I think from our perspective, the calendar year fiscal year um serves us well.

We we like that um that fiscal year period.

Um it doesn't necessarily complicate um revenue collections or anything like that.

The even uh the municipal league provides us with revenue projections both on what they call a municipal fiscal year and a calendar fiscal year.

not a there's not a standard that we could move to towards um and I think from our perspective the calendar year fiscal year um serves us well we we like that um that fiscal year period um it doesn't necessarily complicate um revenue collections or anything like that the even uh the municipal league provides us with revenue projections both on what they call a municipal fiscal year and a calendar fiscal year so there are several other municipalities that operate on a calendar year cycle as well um and then one other question more related to this this is more speculative but with the discussion at the state level of like tier one tier two merging um with some of these pensions would we how drastically would we have to revisit this policy if yeah so this uh this policy really kind of centers around how we um how we just determine our actuarial contribution and how that is funded so if the the um legislature decides to change the benefit structure while that will certainly impact how those uh required contributions are calculated um it wouldn't necessarily change the methodology we go through to determine what that contribution is or how we pay for it okay thank you unless they add some new funding opportunity then we would obviously revisit the policy thank you any other questions Alden Beach thank you Mr.

Chairman uh question is the administrative costs that are taken out uh for the state to manage this uh uh for this to manage the pension funds uh yes there are administrative costs associated with the operation of the consolidated pension funds of which this the our individual funds pay a proportionate share of is it a percentage um it it they they um it's a fixed cost you know whatever their actual costs are get allocated based on our share of the total fund if that makes sense it's not uh they don't just establish a flat percentage they actually report on actual costs and then those actual costs are allocated out to the participating funds based on their percent of the total so uh may I ask one more question absolutely so what was our payment last year uh I don't recall off the top of my head those are they're they're different between the two funds I will say that the the overhead costs are less than they were when we were operating the funds individually less yes so uh one one last question um online here we have the new report as it's outlined can you come summarize perhaps the difference between what we had and what's being proposed now um this you're referring specifically to this pension funding policy we do not currently have a pension funding funding policy so this is an attempt to to sort of codify what we're doing um you know we come to council every year with an actuarial report and so this is really just an attempt to take what we're already doing and document it if you recall the the city hired new auditors uh we completed our first cycle with the new auditors um in 2024 they identified for the 2024 audit they identified some policy gaps as part of their work um pension funding policies are very common in municipalities particularly in illinois because municipalities don't have solid control over everything around the pensions um so uh outlining how we will address what the state has really dictated is our obligation is important um so we don't have a before and after I will say this reflects our current practice though this is not a deviation from what we're already doing so then um again I'm sure you've chosen uh before Carrie but have we now as a city lost control of the funds in other words they're just gone we give money into them each year but we've lost control of how they actually deal with it so the I mean city council never made decisions over how those funds are invested those decisions were made by the individual police and fire pension boards themselves those boards are no longer making investment decisions that this that investment authority now rests with the consolidated police and fire investment boards so yes we we certainly have um we have no say over how they choose to invest other than our participation in the appointment of members to that board and our comment on their their own investment policies and procedures that they undergo as a public body in Illinois um but we we have no um direct say in how that fund chooses to invest thank you thank you sir alderman to yeah I think uh I I'd just like to add thanks Chairman that uh I think the fees have in fact have come down since that consolidation yes uh I think you had stated the fees before uh 15 basis points or it varied um you know the depending on the individual boards and their individual investment decisions right we had more some more actively managed funds which obviously had higher fees associated

Thank you, sir.

Alderman Toonberg.

Yeah, I think uh I'd just like to add, thanks, Chairman, that uh I think the fees have in fact have come down since that consolidation.

Yes.

Uh I think you had stated the fees before 15 basis points.

It varied.

Um, you know, the depending on the individual boards and their individual investment decisions, right?

We had more some more actively managed funds, which obviously had higher fees associated with those.

Um with the consolidated funds, we're able to get more of that active management at sort of a volume discount, if you will.

Absolutely.

Yes.

So I I think that was a a good thing because I think it did save us in those underlying expenses and administrative fees.

Uh although I think this council or some on council know where I stand on the ESG issue when it comes to the state mandate on that, which I think is extremely hypocritical.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Aldman Slavano.

Thank you, Chairman, for allowing me to speak.

Um so Carrie, just uh I think you answered my question.

My question was, and it relates to all the policies that we currently have.

Um didn't know the timing which one would be best, but uh this is basically based off the audit recommendations that uh to establish these policies.

In part, yes.

So I think um we when we look at internal um operating policies for the department, we look at not only audit rec auditor recommendations, we also look at best practices.

We um we as a department are members of the government finance officers association, they make policy recommendations as well to to their member agencies um just to try to establish best operating practices across uh municipal government finance operations.

Um so the the pension funding policy was one that was identified to some extent.

The accounting policy was um was another recommendation of the um of our audit group.

The changes to the um the capital the capital asset policy really kind of took two existing policies we had and combined them for sort of a more holistic um lifecycle management of an asset, if you will, so that we can establish um stronger practices and procedures around acquisition and disposition of those assets over time.

Yeah, so thank you very much for saying that.

I just want everybody to understand that piece of it, and you know that's essentially how they find findings or whatever um recommendations based on our policies.

I I wouldn't say like your capital assets that we don't have one.

Sure, yes, because they fluctuate based on you know what type of asset it is.

So uh appreciate that commentary.

Those were my questions for that.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

All right, all those in favor and keep aye.

Aye, opposed, better passes.

Moving on to item five is an approval of the unclaimed property policies.

The motion to approve.

Any questions or comments?

All right.

Uh I just would now that we've gone through all of the all of the memorializing the new policies that I want to thank you and your and your staff for uh actually and and obviously Baker Tilly too for helping put this together, but it it's it's it's fantastic to learn that we didn't have to deviate or change yes any of the ways that you that we uh uh were working with respect to our accounting and financial yes, thank you.

So that's great to hear.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Uh moving on item six is an approval and agreement between the city and four river sanitation.

Um sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry, we didn't vote.

All right.

Um on item number five.

Um all those in favor and keep it aye.

Aye.

I oppose.

Better pass it.

Sorry about that.

Item six is an approval agreement between the city and Ford River Sanitation for Engineering and Construction of Sanitary Utility Work related to the city's Davis Park project in the amount of 40,300.

The cost is to be reimbursed back to the city by four rivers at 100 percent.

Is there a motion to approve?

Any questions or comments for staff?

All right.

See you not all the I'm sorry.

Help me understand why if we're gonna get 100% of the money back, we're not just getting the money from them to start with.

Because it's gonna be based on actual costs out there, they're gonna use our contractor and what it actually costs.

This is an estimated value of 40,300.

And so what it actually costs, they'll reimburse us.

Well, okay.

I what I'm saying is that regardless of what that cost is, if we're getting it all back 100%, why aren't we using their money, not ours?

It's our contract that they're using.

It's our contractor, so the well I it's a good question.

I mean, we've we've typically this is a typical type of intergovernmental agreement where we'll we'll pay up front and then ask for reimbursement on actual costs with our contractor, but I mean I'm what we're open to hear other ideas.

I don't mean to be critical about it.

I'm just asking the question.

If we're getting it all back, why are we using their money up front rather than take our money out and using it?

That's that's all I'm asking.

I don't know if I have an answer for that.

Is that we are the owner um of the project, and there's the general on the project, and probably the general doesn't want to take payment from a third-party person that isn't a vendor, maybe I can think of go ahead, Kerry.

Uh Alderman Beats, we can also um invoice at the time we approved the pay estimate, which is when it begins moving through our invoice payment period, which is takes a bit of time as you're aware to get uh council approval of vouchers.

We can invoice that partner agency at that time so by the time we're actually have cash out the door to pay the invoice, we have received the payment from them.

Thank you.

Right.

Any other questions?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor indicate by aye, aye, opposed, matter passes.

Moving on to resolutions.

Item one is award of bid for the Auburn Street Improvement Phase 1 to end track in the amount of 11,697,753.

The contract duration is through October 2026, and the funding source is the general fund 2022 surplus.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff on the auburn project?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor indicate by aye.

Aye, opposed, matter passed.

Item two is award of bid for the downtown streetscape improvements on Main Street from Jefferson the Park to Copenhager construction, the amount of 721,475 dollars.

The contract duration is through July 31, 2026, and the funding source is the one percent infrastructure sales tax.

Is there a motion to approve?

No move.

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff?

Alvin Logan.

Thank you, Chairman.

Um, one quick question.

I know with uh Rocktown Adventures.

Um there was uh some friction with the the owner um on Madison Street, uh talking about the streetscape lighting.

Um he was unaware that a light was gonna be put like right kind of in the middle of his uh the uh parking lot.

Uh what is the issue?

Of course, we want to like try to prevent this again.

I would imagine we send maybe to get maybe miss the piece of mail or something.

I would imagine the notification process includes mail, um, or what is this notification process to some of these uh businesses like um we we've had a variety of public meetings, and typically we go door to door.

Okay, um, to notify them in this particular case, we've actually walked the block with um some stakeholders and and made some of those adjustments in the design process.

Yeah, yeah.

Okay, yeah.

Unfortunate with uh Rocktown Adventures, but yeah, door to door is even better than in the mail, too.

Thank you.

All right, thank you.

Any other questions?

See none, all is in favor indicate by aye.

Aye opposed, matter passes.

Item three is award of bid for lower Jefferson Street Storm Sewer Improvements to N track any amount of five hundred and eighteen thousand and ninety dollars and twenty cents.

The contract is through July 10, 2026, and the funding source is the CIP general fund.

Is there a motion to award a bid?

Are there any questions or comments for staff from Mr.

Matson?

All right, seeing none all those in favor indicate by aye.

Aye, opposed, matter passes.

Item four is award of bid for Mason Avenue reconstruction to Northern Early Service, the amount of 457,295 dollars and forty-four cents.

The contract ratio is through June 30, 2026.

The funding sources are DCEO and the one percent infrastructure sales tax.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff?

Seeing none, all those in favor indicate by aye.

Aye opposed, matter passes.

Item five is the word of construction engineering agreement for the same downtown streetscape from on Main Street uh to HR Green and McHenry amount of 104,734 dollars.

The contract rations through July 31, 2026, and the funding source of the 1% infrastructure sales tax.

Is there a motion to approve the engineering agreement?

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff?

See none.

All is a favorite indicate by aye.

Aye.

Post?

Matter passes.

Item six is an award of a sole source contract, teledyne ISCO stormwater samplers and rain gauges to gas boda and associates in an amount of 40,710 dollars.

It's a one-time purchase, and the funding sources the stormwater operating budget.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff?

See none all is a favorite indicate by I.

Aye.

Opposed?

Matter passes.

Item seven is an award of an RFP for a hotel market and new hotel feasibility study to Hyundai and strategic partners in the amount of 40,000 dollars.

The contract duration is actually seven weeks, not months, and the funding sources, the planning division operating budget.

Is there a motion to approve the RFP?

Second.

Any questions or comments for staff?

Seeing none, all those in favor indicated by aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

Matter passes.

Item eight is a proposed resolution authorizing the application acceptance of a DCO regional slight readiness grant and amount up to 3.679 million dollars.

If awarded the city would be would provide matching funds, the amount of 919, 887.

The funding source for the matching funds would be the global trade park number two TIFF fund.

Is there a motion to move?

Second.

Any questions for staff on the global trade park?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor indicate by aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

Matter passes.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

Second.

All right.

All those in favor indicate by aye.

Aye.

This meetings adjourned.

Good evening.

I'd like to call to your order the code and regulation committee meeting for Monday, January 26th.

Clerk, would you please call the roll?

Here.

Thank you.

Uh we have 12 items on the agenda tonight.

The first item is the final plat of Dulgar subdivision.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Are there any questions or comments on item one?

Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item two is the final plat of district 815 subdivision.

Is there a motion to approve?

Are there any questions or comments on item two?

Seeing none, all those in favor, please signify by saying oh.

Alderman Bell.

Hold on.

Alderman Bell.

Uh this may be for uh Mr.

Kignoni.

Do we have an update on this project?

Where it's at Mr.

Capitol.

Mr.

Kignoni.

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were asking Mr.

Capovella.

Sorry.

I believe I mean that this was what approved maybe uh early last year or June of last year or something like that.

Just on the development as a whole.

We have an update.

Do we have an update on the district A15 subdivision project?

Sorry, I um sorry, Alderman Bell.

I believe Mr.

Cavavilla would probably have a greater update than than I would have.

Um this is going through the plating process um and previously received zoning.

We understand that they have the funds to um provide the letter credit, which is needed for the recordation of a plat.

So subject to council's approval of the subdivision plat, they would provide a letter credit in the amount of the public improvements uh which the city of Rockford would hold as a security to make sure that the public improvements are completed.

Um other than that, I have not any additional updates from the the developer on the project.

That helps, thank you.

Um before we move to Alderwoman Torina, did you want to add to that, Mr.

Capavilla?

Or um, I I mean I can I can just say that uh you know, in this my discussions with the uh engineering company who you know updated uh what we needed to do during the revision pro review process, made the revisions and I brought it forward.

He had stated to me that um you know they were realigning some of the partnerships that they had formed, and they but they were going to be moving forward with the project as Mr.

Cagnoni stated.

So thank you.

Okay, Alder Woman Torina.

Thank you.

I have a question for uh attorney Rubin.

Can you can you email me how I voted on this development initially?

Yes, I'll look into that and thank you.

Email to appreciate it.

Any other questions or comments on on this item?

Um Mr.

Capan, I did I just had one.

It was um I don't have it in front of me, but I think the there was some language in um in the uh staff report that said um uh that there would be no direct access to Malford from either lot.

And I I I was wondering if you could clarify what that meant.

I thought that the only access from Mulford was the extension of Laurel Cherry.

Um, and that and I don't, and this is all one lot, so where's the what's the other lot?

Well, if you look at the plat, it's actually two lots, one on the north side of Laurel Cherry and another one on the south side.

So it's lots one and two, and there's no direct access to those from those lots to Mulford, but their access is from Laurel Cherry Drive.

So it is that is only Laurel Cherry Drive.

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

There are any other questions or comments on item two.

Uh seeing none, um, do a roll call vote on this one, please.

Aye.

Aye.

All right.

Thank you.

Motion carries.

Item three, uh, 3929 Broadway suite seven.

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a special use permit for body art services in conjunction with an aesthetic shop in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 3929 Broadway suite seven.

Destiny Owens is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve?

So move.

There are any questions or comments on item three.

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item four, 1100 North Lifard Road.

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a special use permit for a funeral home in a C1 limited office zoning district at 1100 North Lyford Road.

BAOLC is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve?

I'll second.

All right, are there any questions or comments on item four?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item five, 716 Indiana Avenue.

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a special use permit for a planned unit development for an event space for receptions, cultural events, and celebrations of life.

And an R for multi-family residential zoning district at 716 Indiana Avenue.

Alan and Sean Cox are the applicants.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Are there any questions or comments on item five?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed motion carries.

Item 6, 1601, Sandy Hollow Road, and 3402 11th Street.

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a variation to modify a 4.16 foot by 5.92 foot reader board to allow for a 4 by 6 foot electronic graphic display sign on an existing legal non-conforming freestanding sign in the C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street.

Bobby Patel for Ram Dev Neil LLC is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve item six?

I'll second.

Is there any discussion on item six?

Sure.

Alderman Bell.

Uh thank you.

Oh my question was just answered.

It's a dairy queen.

Actually, accessing these proposals.

Yes.

All good.

My uh the Wi-Fi was running slow.

So thank you.

Okay.

Are there any other questions or comments?

Uh seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 7, 1211 West State Street.

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a zoning map amendment from R1 single family zoning district to R2, two family residential zoning district at 1211 West State Street.

Carmel Smith is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve?

Are there any questions or comments?

Alderman Bell.

Just for clarity, Chairman.

Um I made this mistake in doing research on item 7 earlier.

Uh but it is uh 1211 West Street.

I thought it was West State Street as well, but just for the record, it's 11 West Street.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Are there any questions or comments on this item?

Um I just have one.

I was a little confused reading the staff report.

If is the request to build a single one duplex on this property.

So the applicant may build two duplexes on this property and subdivide it into two lots.

So she has expressed that she may have found a model that will fit if she can, and we'd be more than happy to see that happen.

So any other questions or comments on item seven.

Seeing none, uh all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item eight, 3905 Broadway Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with the tavern, video game terminals, and outdoor seating in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 3509 Broadway.

Allison, Elizabeth Fuller, 8th Ward Pub Limited doing business as 8th Ward Pub is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve?

Are there any questions or comments on item 8?

Believe this is just a change of ownership.

Yes.

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item nine.

30 oh five and 30 oh seven North Rockton Avenue.

Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue.

Culver Cower, Raj Liquor and Gas Incorporated, doing business as Raj Liquor and Gas is the applicant.

Is there a motion to approve?

So move.

I'll second.

Are there any questions or comments on item nine?

Alderman Bell.

Yeah.

Um Ms.

Kepperville, is this a change in ownership as well?

Yes, it is.

Thank you.

Are they any any other questions or comments on item nine?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 10, same addresses, 3005 and 307 North Rockton Avenue.

Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of packaged liquor, class PKG in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C2 limited commercial zoning district.

Same address, same owners of the applicants.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Any questions or comments on item 10?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 11, 2212 North Main Street, Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for a the sale of liquor by the drink, class L50, and B the sale of packaged liquor, class PKG in conjunction with a pub and grill, outdoor beer garden with seating and video gaming terminals in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 2212 North Main Street.

Doing business as Mulligan's pub and grill is the applicant.

Any questions or comments on item 11?

This is also simply a change of ownership.

That's correct.

Okay.

Um seeing none, all those in favor signify signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 12 are proposed revisions to the Rockford Code of Ordinances, section 16-127, 16-128, and 16-136.

Is there a motion to approve?

Second.

Any questions or comments on item 12?

Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Um actually before we adjourn, I have a request from an uh alderman to allow officers reports.

Is are there any aldermen who would like to give an officer's report?

Alderman Frost.

Thank you.

Um I don't often comment really frankly on public speakers.

Uh but tonight we had a public speaker who uh no uncertain terms uh stereotyped all city council members as kind of being asleep or misinformed.

And I just I just wanted to clear the record a little bit.

Um with respect to FOIA Freedom Information Act, um, the City of Rockford has a FOIA officer that would address any and make any rulings initially on on FOIA requests, and that that's not anything that uh that I think any of us as council members have any ever been asked to to weigh in on, and there's probably good reason for that because state statutes and other legislative rulings that exist uh that created the FOIA act.

So I just um we don't make it you know we don't we don't rule on those matters with respect to our web page at Alderman Trine and I were on a committee uh to uh to work on the creation of the new web page.

It's been um I think it's been a while, but um we we worked with our our own uh information resources department and an outside vendor to create a new web page and and you know I I mean there all of the departments are listed on our webpage.

Uh if someone wanted to find our budget like I just did, uh you can type in the word budget in the search bar and pull up the 2026 budget, the 2025 budget, the 2024 budget.

Um there's a plethora of information on there, and and if you wanted if anyone wanted to see the um we we just you know we just switched over to this new system, but uh if you wanted to go and research anything that happened at a at a city council meeting, you just have to you know you just have to kind of click through the links and you can get to um either archived city council agenda and minutes as well as see future uh city council agendas once they're posted.

So uh I don't really think there's any uh issues or or lack of compliance with our web page.

Um, with respect to last week, and then I'm glad he cited rule 13 because I maybe someone was asleep at the wheel outside it, but we had an unusual situation last week where uh yes vote meant no and no vote yes, and I just it probably happens once a year, and there was some confusion on it.

But before we adjourn, we actually followed Rule 13, and I made a motion to reconsider.

And so that's exactly what rule 13 uh uh obliges us to have the ability to do either at the current meeting or at the next meeting.

We chose to address it the current meeting, and we did reconsider it and before the matter actually, I think was laid over, but uh it was complied with.

There's one more rule, however, that maybe some people don't know about.

It's called Rule 21.

And rule 21 discusses uh people speaking at City Council, and uh unless you are signed up to be a public speaker, uh no person of the members, no person not a member of the city council except city officials elective or appointed shall have the privilege of of addressing this body without the consent of two-thirds of all members present.

So that that really is the rule is designed so to have people refrain from public discourse or speaking or calling out or trying to rebut or get their get a word at a city council meeting, and and obviously um it's for it's for a number of reasons, but the council has a rule on that, and uh it should always be enforced.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are there as long as we are having officers' reports?

Do any other aldermen have an officer's report?

Alderwoman Wilkins.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, and I apologize.

Last week I didn't mean mean to um thank city staff and city council for helping to approve um the Illinois Housing Development Authority grant for the homeowners assistance fund home repair.

Um I've been advocating since I've got an office for um our working middle class, and this definitely is something that helps our working middle class to qualify for these home repair uh programs that you know ordinarily would take their gross income, and now we can look at something to where we're going up to 120 or 150 percent um AMI, um, which is a huge difference for our community.

So I just wanted to thank everyone involved for their hard work on that and city council for um supporting that initiative as well.

Thank you.

Thank you, Alder Woman Wilkins.

Uh, are there any other officers' reports?

Seeing none now may have a motion to adjourn.

Oh, I'm Alder Woman Prunti.

Oh, thank you.

Um, just wanted to take and this opportunity to thank Chief Tayo Atio and um your staff at um station seven for allowing us to have our ward meeting there.

Um had a nice turnout, it's cold as it was.

Um also had um representative West.

Uh, just want to thank you for your hospitality as well.

We had plenty of chairs and we had food.

I appreciate Alderman Salgado coming um as well as some county board members or a county board member, and um so thank you.

That's wonderful.

Thank you.

Any other officers reports?

Seeing none, can we have a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion or meeting is adjourned.