Community Relations Commission Meeting – February 12, 2026
Community Relations Commission Meeting – February 12, 2026
The Rockford Community Relations Commission met on February 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM at City Hall. The meeting featured a discussion with Mayor Tom McNamara, an update from Public Works Director Scott Sanders, and continued work on the 2026 Action Plan. Key topics included the commission's role, affordable housing, the R3 grant, the Barbara Coleman redevelopment, regrow cannabis funds, lead service line replacement, snow removal, and communication protocols.
Discussion with the Mayor
- Mayor McNamara urged commissioners to drive the agenda based on community input rather than having him dictate priorities. He emphasized the need for the commission to advocate for issues they hear about, such as workforce development and housing.
- Commissioner raised concerns about affordable housing, senior housing, the R3 grant amendment, and the Barbara Coleman project. The Mayor confirmed that housing items are in the city's housing plan, noted he was unaware of the R3 amendment but would review it, and announced a February 18 press conference regarding Barbara Coleman. He stated that the developer J. Jeffers remains committed and that a local contractor (Ringland Johnson) has been hired for Phase 1B.
- Regarding regrow (cannabis tax funds), the Mayor said the funds are still available but city council lacks consensus on spending. He suggested a thoughtful communication from the commission to the Democratic Caucus would be welcome. He noted about 10 of 14 aldermen support regrow but have differing ideas.
- The Mayor committed to quarterly meetings with commissioners (subject to Open Meetings Act limits) and to improving communication about new appointments and departures. He announced two new members: Jah Johnson and Shamir Love, expected to join in March. He also noted the commission needs Republican representation.
Public Works Department Update – Director Scott Sanders
- Director Sanders gave an overview of the Public Works Department (Engineering, Streets, Water). He highlighted:
- Capital Improvement Plan: Large projects (e.g., 11th Street, Auburn Street) include multi-use paths; road diets prioritize safety over speed.
- Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR): 4,100 replaced so far; 30,000 remain. New EPA mandate requires completion by 2036. Cost per replacement ~$10,000–$15,000. Current pace is 400–500/year, but must ramp to 3,000/year. Grant funding (principal forgiveness or low-interest) covers costs now, but future federal funding is uncertain. Residents must opt in, which is often a barrier.
- Snow Removal: The post-Thanksgiving blizzard overwhelmed residential contractors (RSS). The city clears arterials and collectors with its own crews; residential plowing is subcontracted. Salt is applied by city crews. The contract will be re-bid in July 2025. Director acknowledged the need for better supervision of subcontractors and clearer communication about odd/even parking.
- Sidewalk & ADA: The city has a three-year sidewalk replacement plan, prioritizes ADA ramp complaints, and has no 50/50 cost-share program for homeowners.
- Pedestrian Safety: A pedestrian safety task force is developing an action plan; director urged commissioners to promote it.
Unfinished Business – 2026 Action Plan
- Staff presented a draft action calendar and implementation plan, building on the strategic planning session. The document includes monthly topics, speakers, action items, leads, and statuses. Commissioner requested that prior to each director update, the commission receive bullet points on key challenges and how the commission can help. They also asked to be added to the city's press release email list to stay informed. Staff will coordinate with the marketing director for regular CRC posts (not a standalone Facebook page for now).
Commissioner Reports & Discussion
- Commissioner reported attending a ward meeting and offered to share feedback.
- Commissioner noted the ongoing snow sculpting competition at Sinnissippi Park and requested input on the new layout.
- Commissioner shared concerns about the R3 grant amendment (pending in Springfield) and suggested the commission could draft a letter of recommendation on regrow fund use.
- The commission discussed creating a point person or group to coordinate with the Democratic Caucus on regrow; a volunteer offered to collect individual commissioner thoughts.
Key Outcomes
- The Mayor will schedule quarterly meetings with commissioners (in subgroups or one-on-one as needed).
- The commission will receive regular press release emails from the city.
- Staff will provide briefings ahead of department head visits, including asking what the commission can do to help.
- Two new commissioners (Jah Johnson and Shamir Love) will join in March 2026.
- The commission will develop a letter or recommendation on regrow fund allocation, to be shared with the Democratic Caucus.
- No formal votes were taken during the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Something we specifically gave you. I would also say a big intent of the Community Relations Commission is to have you help drive the discussion of what you think after listening to residents, talking to experts, what you believe are those issues. So I really want to. I mean, if you force me to, I would, but I really am hesitant to say this is the area I want you to spend the most time. I I genuinely, I mean, we have a diverse group of people on this commission for a reason. You're talking to all different folks and all different circles. What are one or two common themes that you think you should focus on as a group that you continually hear in your you know social interactions when you're at neighborhood meetings, whatever that is, and help drive that here as opposed to me saying this is what I want. I we drive a lot of the discussion at council and our aldermen do. I I would love to see you guys driving more, like if it's a workforce piece, uh, you know, how are we getting more people into the trades that are reflective of our communities? Whatever that is, I would like you to help drive some of that as opposed to me coming here saying this is what I want. I'm a MacTimmer, I'd be happy to tell you everything I want, but I really do think it's important to hear from you about this is important to the committee and to help drive that. Sorry. Commissioners are there, yeah. Well, you um you would apologize for taking so long. We certainly appreciate your time. Oh, throw the video. I want to start with that. We've touched on several things, and I'll try and encapsulate the questions I have. Uh first off the bat, in our last strategic uh planning meeting, we talk exactly about what our accommission is and how this communication should work. So I think this needs to be developed as a protocol. So we have to work together on that. And that's simply enough to say. Um your last comment about advocating. I had a meeting yesterday with uh uh significant developer in the area, and it's exactly what he said was that if you know when people come out with negatives, and the people that want to be against something are the loudest voice, and the people that are for just kind of sit back. So we need to find out more of the things that we truly need to advocate for, and we need to be that voice. So that's part of the protocol, I think, of working between this commission and the city and the council and and other players is what do we need to advocate for and what is on the table that we need to be aware of. I think we're kind of sitting down here in a little black hole where we're not really aware of what all is going on. Um to that issue, uh, like I say, I'm going to try and keep this very short, but you talked a lot about um development building, affordable housing. Now, one of my challenges and one of my charges is to to try and develop um where we should fit into the opportunities and obstacles in affordable housing and building in Rockford. And like I say, I had a meeting yesterday and I'm having meetings and I'm developing information. But you've also mentioned a lot of things that I need to know more about. So where do I, not just as a commission, but so that I can report to this commission, where do I go to get the information about what the city is doing so I'm not being redundant in my efforts of developing the opportunities and obstacles. Who do I? I mean, I know I was going to talk to Seth Summers about this, but you know, we I need to know what my best connections are to communicate with the city on this issue. Yeah. Uh I would say there's a number of different channels, uh, some easier and others. Uh one, I do think uh Laura does a good job on our Facebook page to make people aware of what those areas are. That doesn't get you all of your answers. So I would say if it's uh housing or economic development, I would go direct to Sarah Lies. She is our director. She knows the importance of the commission. She's been before the commission. Um you now have that relationship. If it is you're hearing lots of concerns, well, why did they pick this road in the Capital Improvement Plan? You have Scott Director Scott Sanders to go direct to. I think uh as commissioners, you I would genuinely just or generally just go to the department head that that falls under. And if you ever have any concern, send me an email and say, hey, I'm want to know about this rebate program. Who would I talk to? I'm most happy to get you in connection. It takes me two seconds.
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