We're Monday, March 2nd, 2026.

We've already had our invocation and pledge.

So, clerk, could you please call the roll?

Jerkey.

Logeman?

Toomberg?

Frost.

Terina.

Prunty?

Wilkins?

Hoffman.

Granit.

Beech.

Salgado.

Meeks?

Bell.

Bonnie.

Fourteen present.

Thank you.

Next, uh, we will go to petitions and communications, and we'll go to Planning and Development Committee and Alderwoman Wilkins.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Item one is a memorandum from Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator, regarding a proposed funding agreement with FANSOM Regiment Inc.

and Illinois Not For Profit Corporation located at 5608 International Drive, referred to Planning and Development Committee.

Thank you.

Next we'll go to Code and Regulation Committee and Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have two items.

Both are uh being referred to the code and regulation committee.

Item one, the traffic commission's agenda for the meeting to be held on March 11th, 2026, and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the code and regulation committee meeting on March 23rd, 2026.

And item two, a memorandum from Martin Bloom, project manager permits and special events regarding upcoming special events, which include the Memorial Day Parade, Coffee and Cars, No Kings 3.0, and the Church Hill Grove Garage Sale.

Thank you.

Next, we're gonna go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost.

These two items will both be referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Number one is a member from Jamie Rott, Water Superintendent regarding a hiring request from the water division for two lead project managers with one water utility technician.

Number two is a member from Carol Jarowski regarding the acceptance of the Illinois Law Enforcement Standards Board Fiscal Year 2026 camera grant award.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, we're gonna move to our public speakers.

Uh to our public speakers, there's microphones on the back right on the back right as well as the back left of council chambers.

You'll have three minutes to address uh the city council.

If all works well in the world, an alarm will go off on my phone.

If it doesn't, I will just ask that you close up your comments uh when the alarm goes off or me telling you that your time is up.

So give me one second and we'll get this set up.

Okay, our first public speaker this evening is Joshua Valdez Doyle.

Hello.

Hi Well, again, my name is Josh, and I live in the third ward here in Rockford.

I'm up here to talk about my opposition with the uh contract for the flock safety cameras.

Um I understand the goal with Flock.

I understand that we all want to be safe in our citizen in our city and protect our citizens and get all the information that we can possibly get, but these aren't just license plate cameras or regular cameras that are monitoring our intersections.

These are a citywide tracking system capable of monitoring every single person in the city and every single person that walks through our city or comes to our city.

And that also includes all of you too.

Now we've already built the capability on how we're uh uh and now we are on a slippery slope of expansion.

Uh the conversation shifts from should we to how are we going to use it?

And that this part should be terrifying to anyone who cares about our civil civil liberties.

Um my concerns are is that this is the beginning of mass surveillance.

This is going to create a profile on every person that it tracks, every car that goes through it, um, who is in the car, license plates, stickers, everything.

And it's going to continue to do that for everyone that it tracks.

Um is also not a hypothetical.

It's already happened.

This information is a readily available to anyone who has access to these systems, and we've seen it across the country be used for nefarious purposes and um in ways that we don't want them to.

Uh even in our own uh our own state has said that you're not supposed to use this information in specific ways, and we've had towns that have done it.

Um this is not crime solving, this is power being used like a weapon, pointing it at its citizens and monitoring them, basically having a security guard at crucial points at our in our city.

Um this is a violation of our fourth amendment right to privacy.

Every single one of us deserves to be able to go about our day without having someone follow us or watch us and track our movements.

Um, just as an American citizen, we should be allowed to do that.

The data sharing concerns with this are already happening, including in Illinois.

Mount Prospect has publicly stated that it was notified about the investigation to misuse this flock data.

And it was accessed by immigration enforcement, which again violates the Illinois law.

I would like to understand more about what's going on here.

Who is auditing this?

Who is sharing it?

Who gets tracked?

What happens with when policy shifts?

You don't build a permanent citywide tracking infrastructure that touches everyone's daily lives without overwhelming transparency and strict limits, which the public has not seen in the expansion proposal.

Where is this transparency and where is the plain language explanation of exactly who can access this data?

Where's the public map of current and proposed placements?

Where is the misuse discipline policy?

And is this data available to be free of information act requested?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Our next public speaker this evening is Laura Ekman.

Hello.

I'm Laura Ekman.

I'm the executive director of the Music Academy in Rockford.

I'm here advocating for funding for the Arts Council.

As I was preparing to talk about the importance of the Rockford Area Arts Council, I caught myself doing what so many of us in the arts have done for years.

Searching for yet another way to defend the arts.

To explain why they matter.

And then I thought to myself, I'm not going to trivialize the arts by explaining why they matter.

Instead, I'm going to talk about how unique the arts community is in Rockford.

It's easy to take for granted because it's so well integrated into our everyday lives, and that is because of the leadership and vision of the Rockford Area Arts Council.

Four years ago, my family and I decided to move here.

We are a family that values a growth mindset, love of learning, and art.

We wanted to make sure that our kids' childhoods could be filled with easy access to arts experiences, and we landed on Rockford.

When we looked at Rockford, we saw a community that believes art belongs to everyone.

The arts organizations in Rockford are special.

They work hard to meet the needs of all and do it with a truly welcoming spirit.

They work together to solve problems, create new innovative experiences, and bring more art to more people.

They are consistently evolving to be better.

At the heart of these organizations is the Rockford Area Arts Council.

They are a facilitator of growth.

They build bridges to collaboration among fellow artists and across disciplines.

They promote support, not competition.

They inspire a spirit that is truly collaborative.

And that is a big win for our kids, for our underrepresented neighborhoods, and for all of us.

In the past few years, the music academy has collaborated with over 25 local organizations, including Rock House Kids, the Rockford Public Library, Constance Lane Elementary School, the Luther Center, and many more.

We have seen the pride of students bowing after their first violin performance in a school where nobody else plays the violin yet.

Seen the joy of kids dancing freely to classical music at one of our free family recitals, and heard the pure excitement of students composing a song with Emily Heard at one of our summer camps.

These experiences are because of the leadership and guidance of the Rockford Area Arts Council.

Places like the Music Academy, the Discovery Center, the Rock and Roll Institute, Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, Spectrum Progressive School, The Dance Company, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and many more are unique because they believe in creating a community that is welcoming to anyone, because they authentically care about bringing the best experiences, and because they understand that working with others strengthens their mission.

The Rockford Area Arts Council anchors these initiatives and creates a community where the arts are so embedded in our everyday lives that we forget to notice them in a good way.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker this evening is Victor Rivera.

Good evening, everybody.

My name is Victor Rivera.

I'm a resident of Rockford's most historic neighborhood for almost 40 years.

I'm the proud father of three dollars who are all in RPS 205, and I'm also proud UAW Union member.

Today I want to talk about something that's very important to me, and that's the Rockford Area Arts Council, but more importantly, the mission statement.

Keeping art accessible to every man, woman, and child in Rockford seems like a very simple ask.

More importantly than that, you all see it, you all drive by it, you all live through it.

And this is coming from a guy who grew up in a neighborhood whose only access to public art was whose term was it to tag in neighborhood, the land kings or land counts.

In recent years, because of the Rockford Area Arts Council and various uh collaborative partners, we've been able to see public art designed by Rockford's for Rockford, um, like the electrical units you see around town, the one designed by Christian Pacheco, internationally uh known artist, the Rockford Loteria.

Um wearing by Rockford artist Greg Lang, uh, whose studio was on South Maine, the fatherless studio, who is internationally recognized artists.

Not only does this bolster uh community pride, but it's also another opportunity for our local artist, and of course, on the corner of South Maine than Morgan on the side of Clea Stay and so the uh mosaic butterflies that were designed by Susan Burton but put together by students of Rockford at zero cost.

Now, these are the things we see, but here are some of the cold hard facts.

Research shows that children who participate in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized in academic achievements.

They hold uh they score higher on standardized tests, maintain better GPEs, and are less likely to drop out of school.

Now, why would anyone want to take those possibilities from my three dollars?

Now, uh, this one right here applies to all you guys.

Long-term impacts profound.

Students uh who engage in the arts are 20% more likely to vote as adults.

Um, this isn't just about fostering artists, it's about engaging citizens who care about their community long-term citizens.

Uh so Rockford, I hope you could come together and champion for the arts.

Let's ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to explore their creativity and realize their potential.

Together, we can build a brighter future.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you.

Our next uh public speaker.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker this evening is Patricia Chavez.

Is Patricia Chavez with us.

I know she won a big award today.

She's celebrating.

All should know that Patricia Chavez won a really well-earned award today from the YWCA, but we'll come back and see if she's back with us in a moment.

Is Christopher Baer with us.

Before I begin, I'd like to mention I have a handout for everybody here that has examples of some of the details that I'll be getting into in just a moment.

Good evening.

My name is Chris Bayer, and I'm a resident of Rockford, Illinois.

I'm speaking to you this evening to voice my deep opposition to the Flock safety contract up for vote tonight.

I'd like to focus on two reasons why the city should not only reject passing this contract, but cease all business with Flock and the use of automated license plate readers.

Number one, Flock broke Illinois state law and was found in direct violation of the Trust Act.

Number two, Flock and similar platforms are vulnerable to misuse and abuse.

In August, the Illinois Secretary of State performed an audit and discovered that Flock broke Illinois state law, and Flock violated the Trust Act by allowing U.S.

Customs and Border Patrol to access license plate cameras and surveil drivers.

As a result of this audit, the City of Evanston ended their relationship with Flock by deactivating their cameras and issuing a termination notice.

This is the same company that we are currently giving our money to and are voting to give even more money to.

In closing, there are simply better ways to spend our taxpayer money to improve safety and the well-being of this community.

We all want a safer community, but surveillance is not safety.

Please vote no on the flock contract.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is uh Patricia Chavez with us?

Patricia Chavez.

Okay.

Thank you to all of our public speakers this evening.

We'll move to new committee reports and we'll go to Planning and Development Committee and Alderwoman Wilkins.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Item one, committee recommends approval of the 2026 funding agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce as the regional economic development organization in the amount of $75,000.

The funding source is the redevelopment fund.

Thank you.

Council, we have uh one item before us.

Is there any discussion on that one item?

Alderman Meeks.

Thank you so much.

Um I know that we have had a past history of funding the chamber or whatever the name is for the chamber prior to it being.

Well, when they joined together REDC and the chamber.

Um, but we funded up to 150,000 at that point.

Is there plans or future plans?

I'm just trying to get a scope of the future of increasing the funding for this organization.

Director wise.

So their plan is to um so they they've hired, you know, they've set the roadmap and now this year to start proving their case, basically, right?

Just to show that they'll the output that they deserve is worth more funding.

So, yes, I think at some point they will ask for probably a higher amount, but at this point, right now where they're where they stand with staffing, where they stand in their actual roadmap is right at the beginning, and they know it, they're asking us to help them ramp that up.

Um, they've proven and they have already carried out some of the activities, so we can point to that.

Um, and think it's a good investment for first year for 75.

That was my question.

Thank you so much.

Sir, any other questions.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Durke Logaman?

Aye.

Toomber?

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terrina.

Aye.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins.

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Granit.

Aye.

Beach.

Salgado.

Aye.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

14 eyes.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Next we'll go to Code and Regulation Committee and Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have three items.

Item one is committee recommends approval of plat number five of Perryville Promenade Subdivision.

Item two, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with the restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 2525 Auburn Street, Colleen Therese Kowalski, and Michelle Kines, Eurohouse and more incorporated doing business as the your house is the applicant, subject to conditions.

And item three committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a special use permit for a standalone coffee shop with a drive-thru with deviations from the regulations for parking and landscape in a C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 73 XX East Riverside Boulevard 2018 DT Sandy Hollow LLC is the applicant subject to conditions.

Thank you.

Council, we have uh three items before us.

Any discussion on those three items?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durky.

Logan.

Tumber.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Frontie?

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Graneth.

Aye.

Beech.

No one through.

Salgado.

Aye.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Aye.

Item one, fourteen eyes.

Item two, twelve ayes, two no's.

Item three, fourteen ayes.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Next we'll go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost.

Thank you, Honor.

Number one, the committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of 11,838,332.59 cents as approved at the finance and personnel committee meeting held on February 23, 2026.

Number two, the committee recommends approval of the 2026 intergovernmental agreement for a three-year property tax rebate program for newly built residential construction for single-family townhome, two-family, three-family, and multifamily structures located within the City of Rockford and Rockford School District 205.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any discussion on those two items, Council?

Alder Woman Trina.

Thank you.

Uh Mayor.

On item number two, can we just get a maybe just a little mini update on the success of the program, please?

Mr.

Kegnoni.

Thank you, Chairman.

So in 2024 was the first year that we had the new construction program.

So not only did we have the IGA with some of our vaccine body partners, we also had the fee waiver for building permit construction plan review and water connection fees, which is also later on the agenda.

But in 2024, we had 131 new construction residential units that was broken down to 71 single family homes, eight duplexes, and 12 multifamily buildings.

Last year in 2025, we had 161 new construction residential units, 91 single family homes, 24 duplex, and five multifamily buildings.

Prior to the program, we were averaging a little bit less than 20 uh new single family homes a year.

So we've seen a significant increase in our housing stock as a result of this.

And this is a very welcomed and needed tool to help uh drive new residential construction.

Um thank you for that.

That that's the kind of story we should be telling.

That would be a great social media thing or something we need to be telling the media.

Um that's excellent.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Any other uh discussion?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Aye, Logan, Toomberg, Frost, Terina, Prunty, Wilkins, Hoffman, Granit, Beach, Salgato, Meeks, Bell, Bonnie, 14 eyes.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Next, we're gonna go to unfinished business and we'll move to planning and development committee and Alderwoman Wilkins.

Thank you.

Item one committee recommends approval of the 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 annually for the total amount of 375,000 dollars.

The funding source is the city's redevelopment fund.

Thank you.

Council, there's one item before you is there any discussion on that item?

Alder One Meets.

Um Mayor, I would like to amend the committee report approving the funding agreement and lease agreement to reduce the funding provided by the city to the Rockford Area Arts Council from 125,000 per year to 75,000 per year for the 2026 through 2028 calendar year.

Thank you.

We have an amendment on the floor.

Is there a second to that amendment?

We have a motion, we have a second.

So council, there's an amendment on the floor that would take what is on the agenda from 125,000 a year for 26 through 2028 to uh 75,000 a year.

Uh is there any discussion?

Alder One Meeks.

Thank you so much.

So I just want to be really clear because I am absolutely an advocate for the arts, but I have sat in this seat for long enough to say that I consider this budget and I take it very seriously.

And knowing that we're in a deficit year, knowing that this particular fund that we're pulling from is already in a deficit based off of the spending that we've done since the beginning of this year.

Knowing that over 10 years we've given half a million dollars, knowing that there's additional funding that's taken place over the course of the years, including 132 other partner organizations for arts in the community, knowing that we have set aside 250,000 of the casino revenue as well, these are all strong showings of support for the arts, and I believe that while we're in this deficit year, we need to carefully consider how we're funding nonprofit organizations, and that is why I put this on the table.

And that is why I put this on the table.

It in no way, shape, or form diminishes the wonderful work that the Arts Council has done over the years.

I think it's very, very important.

I think it's shown by the support that we've given over the years, how we've been able to grow arts in this community.

And I'm proud of the work that we've done.

And I do feel like as we continue to look at our budget, we will be able to make these increases over time to organizations such as this one.

I just feel like right now timing isn't on our side.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Council, uh, any further discussion on the amendment to reduce the funding.

Alderman Thunberg.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I was actually under the impression that they were going to present tonight, but uh I could have sorry on that.

Um I guess uh in in points to Alderwoman Meeks, uh, you know, this isn't a this isn't a slashing of funding for the arts.

We started out with $50,000 to the arts uh just a few short years ago.

We increased that to 50 by 50 percent uh to 75,000 dollars.

Uh there was some conversation that this was going to go towards uh solidifying uh the undertaking of the armory.

Uh haven't confirmed that, but uh I think that I I foreshadow there's going to be a request for city funding for the armory.

Uh again, could be wrong, but um I I if there is a if that is the case, uh I would rather see money that is specifically designated for that purpose.

It goes to that purpose specifically for that purpose.

Uh that's a whole nother conversation to have than just coming and wanting a 66 percent increase uh in your funding.

So uh I would uh support what Alderwoman Meeks says.

Uh again, some may find that intriguing, but uh I think she has some valid points there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alderman Durkey.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I also would agree with uh Alderwoman Meeks, um, except for one caveat, and that is uh I don't see uh our budgets increasing for some of these uh organizations that we fund through the year.

Our state reimbursements are going down, federal government uh is out of money, and um that's troubling because some of the some of the uh things that they would fund uh such as weatherization or other uh projects that we have, we will see decreased funding in it.

Our the future of our budget is going to be stressed.

Um I uh I agree with reducing this.

Uh I would have preferred to see it done on an voting on this on an annual basis like many of our other uh grants.

But uh we're I think in the future we're gonna be retreating into funding things that are the core uh the core uh responsibilities of the city, such as public safety, pensions, and infrastructure.

Um we don't uh I don't foresee us having uh a lot of money.

I foresee us uh as being very stressed.

Uh state of Illinois's budget is stressed.

So government government bodies uh there's just not a lot of money floating around out there, and so I I think we just sort of have to prepare for uh paring some of these grants back down.

No they all have value, um, but the government can't help everybody uh unfortunately, but that's uh that's where I uh I stand on that issue.

So thank you.

Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I'm wondering if um I can call on Director Hagerty to explain again uh the situation with the redevelopment fund and why it may be um projected to be negative, but that that's only temporary and that is Director Hagerty.

Thank you.

Uh we're projecting a small deficit, just over 100,000 by the end of this fiscal year that increases to over a million dollars next year.

We have a significant amount of debt that's retiring this year that will create surpluses in the fund moving forward.

So we while we do anticipate uh a shortfall over the next two years, after that we will have operating surpluses and we are projecting operating surpluses in the redevelopment fund.

What's this item?

Sorry, can I add a question?

Was this item in uh the budget for the it is, yes.

Thank you.

Sorry, Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you.

Um I'm gonna support this request because for a lot of reasons, but we are we we ask for um results when we give out funds, and I think without being able without citing anything specific, I think anecdotally anybody who is paying attention in Rockford would know that the Arts Council has gone gone from um you know its origin under Susan Williams as a robust active organization through many sleepy years where you couldn't point to much of anything that the Arts Council was doing, but passing out money that the that they received from the state back to being a robust organization again under um Mary McNamara.

And I think that you know that's evident in a lot of ways, large large, like the armory project.

I mean, this is a very important historic building that is sat vacant for decades and has is now you know poised to potentially be renovated because of the arts council's leadership.

Now that may not come to pass, but it's a lot closer than it ever has been before, down to small things like um, I think uh one of the speakers mentioned the um utility box wraps.

And those are super popular.

I mean, for in terms of positive comments that I've gotten from people in my ward over the years, there is a lot of excitement about little utility box wrapping project, because it's all over the city, and you know it's it's a curiosity point and people talk about it.

But the other thing that bothers me about this is I'm wondering about why we're opposing this and talking about giving money out to nonprofits when we just passed through a $75,000 increase for the Chamber of Commerce with no discussion, and we took them from zero.

They currently are at zero, and we're now um we just agreed to give them $75,000.

That's a $75,000 increase without comment.

And during the YW luncheon, I emailed the director some questions that I had that I chose not to ask uh or bring up in the council floor um because I decided to go along with it.

But I don't think that um that presentation last week was particularly transparent, and I'm gonna bring them up now because I wonder why we again scooted that through without conversation when last week the 13th Ward Alderman asked about request to other units of government, and um there was mention that asks were being made to Winnebago County, Loves Park, and Machesny Park.

But there was no comment, there was no um uh did you have something to say?

You can keep going.

Okay.

Um there was no this is not an attack on you, despite what you think is coming.

There was no there was no mention of how much is being asked for or what.

So the the answer is that Loves Park pays a membership fee, which I believe the city of my understanding is we also pay, which is fifteen thousand dollars.

That would be, I assume, on top of the 75,000 that we just agreed to give them, so that's $90,000.

Machosney Park pays a $500 membership fee, and Winnebago County pays a $2,500 membership fee.

Um that they've agreed and and that they and that according to the director, Matt Chesney Park has agreed to an additional $27,000 in economic development funds.

There's no mention of whether Love's Park is committing any additional money.

Um it is stated that Winnebago County may commit $100,000, but they're awaiting that response.

That information couldn't have been offered to council last week when we were in public in open session.

Well, to Radek.

And so asking for I asked what was the historical contribution level of any other units of local government, and the answer is zero.

We've contributed as much for many years as 100,000, 300,000, and up until potentially this year, no other unit of local government has contributed any money.

Director Lies made a comment about the chamber having brought in a company a month ago that had been looking at two sites in Iowa and two sites in Illinois.

I asked, did we in fact land that company?

If so, what is the company and where is the company located?

The response is the company has not made a final decision.

Alderman Durkey asked for data on companies that rejected us.

He asked, for example, uh, what are the top three reasons given for not relocating here?

The response was that there hasn't been a lot of activity, and so there isn't a track record.

Uh I asked if some successes rather than rejections could be cited, and I got a answer that I'm not sure I fully understand, but that there are eight active expansion and retention projects since we returned to tracking in May of 2025.

So we're talking about giving $75,000 to an organization that hasn't even been tracking anything for except for less than a year.

Um then that uh and then there is uh a bunch of information about uh leads that are forwarded to the organization uh from the state of Illinois, state of Illinois.

And I just again I I voted for that, but I don't see it seems really incongruous that we are um pushing that through without conversation with uh very non-transparent presentation last week, and now we are um uh um squirming over a smaller increase to the arts council, which has been far more transparent and has a much uh more proven track record.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh just wanted there's no clapping in the audience, I'm really sorry.

Um so moving forward, uh doesn't cover any comments you want to work.

Thank you.

Uh moving forward, I just wanted to address a couple of the other items.

Um, I do believe that uh Rockford Area Arts Council would be uh putting a lot more of their time towards the armory, which I think was mentioned in the uh staff report uh and at committee, thus requesting additional funding.

Uh also I think you know we say the federal government has no money.

I lean more towards they are not prioritizing their money towards uh the arts.

And I think when we look at the items that are being cut, arts and culture, a whole host of other things are being cut.

Will we ever be able to step in and fill that gap?

No.

Uh, but I think we can make incremental changes here, and these dollars do allow many of these nonprofits, arts council in this case, but many of these nonprofits to provide that matching funds to help them secure other grants.

Um I agree that uh the state of Illinois is cutting our funds.

They've done that every year since 2012 for the most part.

Um, but there again, I think it's a prioritization of funds.

I think their budget back around then was around $43 billion, now it's $56 billion.

I don't know if it's not having the funds.

I think it's more where they're prioritizing.

And I also agree that infrastructure and public safety certainly are core responsibilities for municipalities.

Uh undeniable, and I will support both uh to the Hills, but I also think so many other things help attract people and retain them and help our youth grow, and I think one of those is the arts.

Uh is there other public comments?

Alderman Bell, did you have Alderman Bell?

Well, thank you, Mayor.

Yeah, I would just say first thank you to the Arts Council and all of the creatives in our community for all that you do in bringing life and breathing life into our neighborhoods.

We know that when our kids are exposed to the arts, they're more likely to graduate.

All of the statistics have shown us that, and that's why this body has approved funding for the arts.

One of our public speakers made a comment today in the mission or or um slogan of our arts council, and that art is for everyone.

I just also want to remind us that art is all across the city and in our each of our wards.

And uh again, tonight I think we need to put our focus that this funding is to increase continue to increase the quality of life across this community.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there Alderman Toomberg?

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh 14th Ward Alderman is uh, you know, comments accepted.

The again it is not we are defunding the arts.

We have 75,000 that we've I well, we haven't voted on it yet on that part either, but that is something that would continue to go to the arts.

Like I said last week, uh with the chamber here, uh I would say that yes, we were giving a hundred and upwards to a hundred and fifty thousand, three hundred thousand to three hundred three hundred thousand to the chamber at one point.

Uh you know, I think that we were in a holding pattern in a sense to see how RAIDAC and the chamber uh merged, how that came about.

Uh they are beyond that now.

Uh and I think that 75,000 for them is justified.

Uh like I said last week, the the government does not produce.

They may lay the groundwork, uh, the infrastructure, but again, that is even built by the private sector.

We need more private sector companies and jobs coming to Rockford.

We need to uh make sure that the chamber has the uh necessary items and tools in place to help make that happen.

Uh my business is more in the private sector.

Uh I'll readily admit that I am not uh as well versed in the non-for-profit sector as the private sector when it comes to looking at numbers.

I know that they're they're very skewed in a not in a negative way I should say, but they are much different.

Whereas administrative costs in a in the private sector should only be at this much, maybe 20.

Uh administrative costs in the non-for-profit sector may go up 50 percent, and that's acceptable.

That would never be acceptable in the private sector.

Uh so I'm not disputing that.

The but looking at a just a profit loss statements from the arts council, uh, you know, I I see what seems just from the viewpoint, uh, and I that's where I I thought they were gonna maybe present tonight, we could get it uh more answers on that.

But uh just from a financial standpoint, looking at the profit loss statements, uh they are running a net operate a negative net operating income in the six figures these past three years.

Their net income is a loss of six figures.

Now, maybe there is an answer to that, uh, and I'm welcome to hear that, but just from a fiscal standpoint, if you look at a profit loss statement, and you see an and in conjunction with the balance sheet, which was provided, a entity that's running a net income loss of six figures and a net operating income loss of six figures throws up a red flag.

Um again, I know that you know, I give not-for-profits, they necessarily shouldn't be showing a profit.

Like a private sector, you look at a profit loss statement, they let me take a step back.

You look at the private sector, and they should show a profit.

Uh that profit can go towards more capital investment, go towards uh employees pay bonuses, what have you.

Uh, but in the non-for-profit sector, you don't want to show too much profit because then it shows that you're not giving the money away to the actual causes that you are that your organization is there for.

So I'm not looking at this as a wow, where's your big net income?

Where's your where's your positive net income on this and your profit and all that?

But it does show when I look at a negative operating income in the six figures and a net income loss in the six figures, it just throws up a red flag again.

I would be happy to hear if there's an explanation to that.

Uh, but that's just what the numbers show.

And it's just plain and simple, it it's right in your face.

So that's where I had some issues with as well.

Again, 75,000, we're not cutting funding to the arts.

If we want to talk about funding from the city level for additional monies that are needed for the armory, I'm happy to have that uh that conversation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And appreciate that.

I think some of it is for nonprofits that uh it's a snapshot in time, and I think sometimes their grants will come in, you know, February 18th, and this was a snapshot of January 1st.

That's typically when I'm looking at nonprofits, that's where I'm seeing the discrepancy of where you think where we can all think.

Maybe this isn't producing, you know, even flat revenue, that it's a timing issue.

I know many people have had that question with the arts council as well as other nonprofits.

Nine times out of ten, that is what the response is back with the nonprofits.

Sorry.

Uh Alderman Bell.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um I've done this a few times since being on council.

We do have representatives in the uh gallery, would love to, without objection of this body, uh request uh either uh one of their staff members uh that that are willing to uh step forth and and maybe answer questions from this body or myself uh if that's okay.

What's the vote total we need to have someone come forward?

Uh two-thirds vote.

Okay.

Uh if council members are willing to have a member of the arts council uh staff come forward to answer a question or more, uh would you please raise your hand?

Does not look like we have two-thirds.

Okay.

Thank you.

Sorry.

Uh is there other discussion?

And I'm sorry, really quick word, did you have another item?

I I did.

Yeah.

Um you can throw it over and then I I'll I'll be next.

You can pass it.

Alderman Logan.

Just real quick.

I uh really appreciate the work that the Arts Council has been doing over the past three to four years.

You know, when we're talking a lot about the uh um quantitative metrics, you know, we all take a look at that, but then also I know I've seen um residents speaking about qualitative data, um, residents reaching out to me uh asking about utility box wraps.

Um, and just I'm hearing from more and more of my residents uh about the Rockford Area Arts Council, which I did not hear from them, you know, five, six, seven years ago.

Um so I think that's that's uh really good feedback for both like us as aldermen and then also for the Rockford Area Arts Council.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Other discussion, Alderman Durkey.

And just a matter of clarity, I heard it um mentioned twice that we're relating uh the Rockford Arts Council funding to youth art.

I think District 205 to which we already pay taxes for does a pretty good job with the arts and music.

So I don't think they're in danger of being deprived of the arts.

I'm sure there's some special things that go on.

But um, but I think the the bulk of what our our students are are learning in art comes from 205.

And they have some pretty outstanding art teachers there and music folks.

We definitely have outstanding staff.

I think mainly it's summer and after school.

Uh Alderman Bell.

Sure.

Um just to the first word alderman's um statement uh just to provide a little bit more context as it relates to Rockford Public Schools and yes, we pay taxes.

I do think we can do a better job, or they can do a better job uh providing uh an increasing support when it comes to the arts inside of their schools, as we know that it has been a proven fact that it increases reading and math scores.

Um I can say that at uh Jackson Charter School, I've been fortunate to um volunteer there and see um over the last five years and how the arts has uh increased attendance um by way of investment from the Rockford Area Arts Council um and their gracious support with uh funding and insight um to providing um programming for their students.

Um and so I I just think that you know our schools can do better, and we we all know that, um, but it is up to us to I think uh support our students outside of the classroom as well and in in the neighborhoods, and that's what we see with the arts council's investment.

Um so yeah, I think it is very important that we acknowledge the fact that uh the arts council is serving our youth um but also trying to save a building that uh has been sitting for decades.

Thank you so much.

So I just want to say I knew when I introduced the idea of sustaining this funding that I would be vilified for even saying the words.

So I I knew that going into this.

We've talked about the infrastructure that's needed, we've talked about the lead service lines.

There are issues throughout this commit this community that we still have yet to know what's coming.

And so that's why to me, sustaining funding is a practical decision that I believe that we should be making.

It has nothing to do with with wanting to cut any funding.

And what I can speak to is I I continue to be so proud of what we've been of how we've invested in this community.

We've talked about it, everyone's talked about all the wonderful things that they've seen from the arts council over the last five years, and I stand on the fact that it is because there has been such a support coming from this city council and other entities in this community.

And I just don't want to forget about the funding that we set aside from casino revenue.

And I don't want to also forget that though we're getting upwards to seven million dollars from the casino every year, there are still implications to having a casino in your community.

And there are repercussions, I want to say, to having them.

And those repercussions are things that we have to consider every you know, every single year.

And so the casino funding that we talk about continuously as being that cushion that we're gonna use whenever something happens.

Um we're absolutely gonna need that.

And there are people that need it in this community.

I sit on certain boards, and and I have to be honest with you, there are a lot of people uh probably 99% of the people that absolutely love the arts in this community.

And they want to see more youth programming or more programming for people getting out of the um criminal justice system.

So I just had to say that because I like I said, I knew going into this that this was not going to be a popular decision, but I felt it was necessary because I've seen some of the things that we have done already on this council since we started the year with regards to funding.

And it hasn't been so intelligent in my opinion, if we're going to start bashing people.

So I just want to say that.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Alderman Frost and Alderman Bell.

So full disclosure, my wife is a former uh Rockford Public School uh art teacher teaching at King, Barber, and even teaching all the way up to APR at Auburn High School.

So I I do recognize that with some of the speakers I thought uh were very eloquent about it, you know, what what arts bring uh to our community to any community.

Um and yes, we do have great teachers at our schools, and we're fortunate for that.

But I I do think it's important, you know, to look at other programs, whether it goes back to the days whether when I was a kid in the park district used to have a program, it taught lots, so to speak, uh, and and kids could go there and start getting some early art education.

Uh I don't know if those exist or not.

I know that the Rockford Arts Area Council does uh offer some summer programs that are available uh to kids.

I'm not really that concerned about the um uh the wrapped utility boxes.

I'm not a fan of some of them, some of them, but uh I I won't digress on my opinions on on the art on all of them because that's obviously subjective.

Um so I I I am in favor though of of this.

When and as a council, we are going to have to look and Alderman Meeks raises many valid points uh at what we decide to fund, what we decide to cut, what we decide to keep the same, and it's gonna obviously gonna depend on on our specific budget and where we're where we lie.

Um and you know, I don't know if if uh you know if I mean me being in favor of of keeping or increasing the funding, if we could get, and I I don't want I don't want to have public policy uh or we as a council always um look over everyone's budgets, but for instance in the budgets we received from from our city staff, it was difficult to see how the arts uh arts council specifically spends money in specific areas.

And and that's one thing I I'd like to make sure that they're spending you know as much, like I said, uh, on fine arts for kids as they are on music programs, as they are in theater, because I I do believe that they they touch a lot of these programs that would be nice would be it'd be just I think uh be nice to have more information available to us and see where where the spending goes because in the current way we receive the information, you know, is is Alderman uh uh of the third word indicated, you know, it shows like let's say that shows uh a negative one hundred thousand dollar uh at the end of the year.

I want when I ask questions about that, I think the information I I was told was that well, it's because we got it we we actually received a grant in the next month, and our fiscal year ends in August, which is a little bit unusual, but but so the next month they receive money, and so it it wasn't negative.

Um so you know there are nuances like that.

But I I just think it'd be important to to have.

I mean, it seems like everyone has uh a high interest in in whether it's in your ward and specific arts programs uh that perhaps you know uh you know kind of like Go Rockford does.

You we we get a little bit more information provided to us on a on a quarterly or semi-annual basis on on where we're what projects are are getting funded because I let's face it.

If if if if if I don't particularly like um uh a particular policy of a program or what it's going to, you know, I know I know today I think we all received an email from someone that talked about art.

I think I don't even think it was in rock, I think it was in Freeport, frankly.

But look, I mean I I I don't want to see our uh our money that we're giving away to to to any entity, not just not picking on the arts council, but going to fund and bring someone here that's you know speaking or doing X, Y, and Z when it's something that I really don't think is is germane to why we gave them the money.

So uh I'm I'll be voting to um a no on the amendment and and with with the with the caveat that I will be supporting the increased funds, but I I would ask that we um feeder held to the fire and we get we get uh more information on seeing specifically where where uh where it's being spent and what programs it's being spent on.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Alderman Bell then Alderman Bonney.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um this may be for uh Director Hagerty.

Uh comments were made about uh which fund this these dollars will be coming from.

Um can you clarify for us, please?

Director Agate?

Yes, the the funding uh for this pro uh proposal and historically has come from the redevelopment fund.

Okay, thank you.

And just heard a few comments and I know it's been a um pressing issue um across the nation at the state level and and here locally about lead service line replacement.

Um can you clarify for us the these dollars cannot be used to replace lead service lines, correct?

That is correct.

Thank you.

Alderman Bonney.

Thank you.

I I just wanted to address the 12th Ward Alder woman's comment about being bashed and being vilified.

I don't know who she was referring to, but she looked this way when she made the comment.

Uh this was I had nothing I had to say was directed at any specific alder person.

Um but I would just re-emphasize that all this concern and hand ringing over fifty thousand dollars for the arts council was completely absent of in our conversation about the chamber, and so it all rings pretty hollow to me.

And I'm wondering if I could ask our legal director if I could make a motion to reconsider the vote on the chamber at this moment.

So we have an amendment right now.

Can we please, legal director, get through this amendment?

And then can we come back to if well answer if we can reconsider and then we'll go through this amount.

So the item uh for the chamber of commerce is a committee report.

So the committee report was approved, and then later on the agenda is the ordinance approving the the item.

So you rather than reconsidering it, I would suggest can the motion be made at this meeting versus our next meeting, somewhere else in the agenda.

Well, the only thing that's passed at this point is the committee report approving it.

And then later on today on tonight's agenda is the ordinance for this item.

So that will determine the final outcome.

So I could make a motion to reconsider that time.

Well you I think what we're saying is that you wouldn't need to because it hasn't been officially approved.

And facts underlining all of it.

Good news is we're gonna get to have this conversation again tonight.

Um we're moving along.

Uh Alderman Salgado.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um just want to make a couple comments uh real quick.

Um I've worked with the arts council a little bit when they did their cultural plan.

Um so from my perspective, I've seen the the tremendous growth.

Um, and despite some uh the folks that may disagree with the utility polls or whatever, that was an idea that came out of that cultural plan and the 12 different things that they want to focus on.

Where's the separation between the schools and how we it's an economic driver, it's a crime reduction, it's the whole sp gamut.

So for my perspective, you know, it it's a well-done plan that was put into place.

Um I think they they are a kind of like I would treat it almost like a foundation where everything grants flow through that, and then they uh reach out to different programming grants, awards, and so forth.

Um what I like about it is you know, specifically, and I've heard there's statistics out there, but really is um addressing some of the issues um when it comes to juvenile um crime or engagement and school performing well, GPAs go up and so forth.

I I think that's a collective good argument for us, and we've heard it from other um aldermen, alder women in regards to that.

Um it also creates that mental health awareness that we see that out there.

It gives them something to do.

So I really I really appreciate all the hard work um that they've done.

I know that you know we've seen the murals across you know the city with Growl Rockford funding some of it, creative.

There's this collaboration, and I think this is great momentum from that perspective, and I do truly think you know it's been going now.

It's the armory.

We're talking about the armory.

What's next?

You know, what's maybe we'll have a better museums, you know, whatever the case may be, more artists coming into this place, uh, the city of Rockford and attracting um that collection, maybe bigger collections, you know, um, just like we see in Chicago or across you know everywhere on the nation.

So I'm in the same boat as Mr.

Frost here.

Um I'm gonna not support the amendment, and I am gonna support the the original request of the 125.

Um based on the conversations I've had, I reached out to uh um County Board uh Valdez in regards to the financial pieces, you know, just trying to get an understanding as some folks might say net loss um profit that occurred and that there maybe administrative costs, you know, are a little bit higher than what we anticipate for regular non-for-profit.

So have had good discussions and it's all positive from my end, it addresses some of the issues that we can't ultimately just do with the technology that we receive from law enforcement and so forth that we will talk about a little bit later down the road.

So I think this is just uh an additional piece that addresses and helps address some of that.

And I'm a big advocate from that and try to reduce some of the you know the gaps that we have out there.

So that's helpful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Other uh discussion.

Alderman Wilkins.

I guess I'll join in.

Um I did wrestle with this one a little bit, um, kind of just going back and forth.

Uh, but something that kind of pushed me over the edge was um uh again, we've all stated the Rockford Area Arts Council um has been doing great things in our community and has good partnerships within our community.

And so me working with a nonprofit um and anyone paying attention to the news, uh, we're not getting funding into the city like we were, especially the nonprofits who have been hit.

Um a lot of funding that goes to the state, probably about 20 percent of it is actually going outside of that Chicago area, um, which hurts us all, and it's hurting our nonprofits here.

And so the fact that we have an entity like the Rockford Area Arts Council who does provide that funding and those opportunities for these organizations who are struggling, and to provide that pipeline for us to provide that support to these other nonprofits through the work of arts, um, that is why I will be supporting this tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Alderman Beach.

Thank you, Your Honor, for letting me speaker.

Uh one of the things that's concerning me is not the fact that it's not just a one-year ask, it's a three-year ask here.

And I think I would be feeling a lot better about it if this was just for this year, and to address some of the issues that have been around this chamber, we could take a look at that again next year to whether this could go to a sunset for three every we come back uh every year to renew this, or whether we simply uh re redo this to a one-year ask.

Um I've I'm part of the arts too, with playing the band, the city band for years.

And uh the snow sculpture is part of the arts.

16 land music is part of the arts.

Everything we can see, the the unstuff the thing.

I get it, but I also understand the fact that it is hard to take a look at this uh five financial statement and dig it apart.

And I think that that's kind of fair to even be concerned about that.

So I don't know how we could redo this uh to make it be one year or with a sunset, have it for three years with a sunset every year to come back and have this discussion again, if that's what would be the pleasure of this council.

But I would be interested in hearing uh from my colleagues how they feel about that.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Alderman Toomber.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh obviously, with so much discussion on this issue, I think it would make sense going forth.

We do have multiple organizations within our community that do look for the city of Rockford to provide funding.

We do have them, it's not uncommon for them to come before city council uh on an annual basis.

Some come even more than that to basically give their give their update.

Uh you know, I I know as mentioned earlier about uh this money going towards uh possibly the the organization working harder when it comes to various things regarding the armory, whether that's securing grant funding, uh more grant funding or what have you.

Uh there's been many of us that have been asked to step up to the plate, work harder for whatever reason.

Uh there's a project due.

Uh there's whatever the cases within your own jobs, and I don't think many of us would be apt to, it would look kindly to say, well, if I'm gonna work harder, I deserve a raise or I deserve more money.

You just when you are confronted with something and possibly the armory coming, which would be a major transformation, buckle down, work harder, and it doesn't necessarily mean you can come to the city and ask, you know, to get more money from the city trough.

So it's I again wouldn't have an issue with this 50,000 if I knew exactly what it was going to.

If it went to the armory, let's have that discussion.

If it's going to programs, and specifically 50,000 is gonna go out and the kids of our community.

Uh I would be more apt to support this.

But I don't know.

Is it gonna go to raises?

I don't know.

I don't know where this there was never really to my knowledge where this 50,000 is going to within the organization, and that's part of the issue I have from a fiscal standpoint.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh other discussion, Alderman Bell.

Uh yeah, two things.

Um I to the third word alderman's point uh just a little bit ago.

Uh that was actually one of my questions so that it was laid out for us, but unfortunately, the members were unable to speak today.

So, mayor, I'd call the question if we could.

Oh, well, thank you.

Uh so we have the vote coming up, just so council members are aware.

You are voting on the amendment that would take the funding on this agenda from 125,000 to 75,000 for the Rockford Area Arts Council.

A yes would be that you want that funding to be on the agenda reduced from 125 to 75,000.

A no means that we can have this discussion again in just moments.

So, Clerk, could you please call the roll?

Durkey.

Aye, Logan, nobody frost, no?

Aye, Prunty, Wilkins?

No.

Hoffman?

No.

Beach?

No.

Salgato.

Meeks, Bell.

Bonnie.

No.

Okay.

Do you mind give the total?

Sorry.

Nine eyes.

I'm sorry.

Four eyes, five.

Sorry.

Five eyes, nine no's.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Good news.

We're back at it.

Got one item in front of you.

Uh is there any discussion on the one item before us?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Logan?

Toomberg?

Frost?

Aye.

Terina.

Prunty?

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman?

Aye.

Granit.

Beach?

Solgano.

Meeks?

Bell?

Bonnie.

Thirteen ayes, one no.

Thank you.

Next we're going to go to Finance and Personnel Committee, Alderman Frost.

Thank you, guys.

Number one, the committee recommends approval of an IGA between the city and Rockford Public School District for a vacation of an existing right-of-way to RPS 205 construction of revised access to Lincoln Middle School from Charles Street as part of the city's 11th Street Phase 2 project and reimbursement of improvement costs by RPS 205.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council, there's uh one item before us.

Is there any discussion on that one item?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Logan.

Toonberg?

Frost.

Terina.

Prunty.

Wilkins?

Hoffman?

Granit.

Aye.

Beach.

Salgato.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

No.

13 ayes, one no.

Thank you.

Next, we'll go to officers' reports.

Council members, you have any uh officers' reports.

Alder Woman Granite.

Um I would like to let the constituents of the ninth ward know that I'll be having a ward meeting on Thursday, March 19th at 1 p.m.

at the United Lutheran Church on 3630 North Rockton.

Um we'll be having a presentation by the Rockford Park District about proposal for Brown Park and also learn about Brownfields.

Got a big packed agenda.

And uh Sarah will lays will be there also talking about economic development.

So it's uh please come.

And there are three two other dates, but I'll save that for future for future notes.

I like that play on the words Brown Park, Brown Fields, I like it.

Uh other reports.

Alderman Toomberg.

Thanks, Mayor.

Uh and probably behalf of the rest of the city council, I'd like to thank Director Scott Sanders uh for much of the work he has been doing, especially uh in the third ward in the last week with none else than water main breaks.

And uh it's it's an aging infrastructure out there, so I know we're all dealing with it unfortunately on it seems like a regular basis.

So thank you for uh keeping me updated on some of that.

Uh another one is from Four Rivers Sanitation, of course.

That uh many people don't know.

That's their own that's separate taxing body, they have their own board of directors, it's not part of the water department of Rockford.

Uh, but I had some issues and uh with Four Rivers and Chris Beale, or is it Chris?

Sorry.

Chris Bear.

Uh Chris Bear really stepped up to the plate and uh his pro active approach uh really helped me out, and it's uh in turn really helped out uh the constituent that had this issue.

So uh Chris Bear, thank you.

Appreciate it.

Thank you.

Alder Woman Trina.

Sorry, I was trying to find my flyer.

Um a bit under the weather, so my energy is just not here tonight.

Um I just wanted to alert uh fifth ward residents um and anyone else that'd like to come that there is a fifth ward meeting coming up Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30, and the ward meeting will be at Clem Arboretum.

The address is 2715 South Main Street, and we'll have lots of good topics to discuss, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Other uh reports, Alder Woman meets.

Thank you so much.

I also want to thank uh public works, water department, um, and um director Scott Sanders for your update.

Uh we had a we also had some water main issues.

Um a lot of people without water this morning, so it wasn't easy, but emergencies happen, and so I appreciate everybody's patience.

It was literally about an hour at the most that they waited till water was shut back on.

So um I'm just really thankful to your team for that.

Um, but I I will say that I don't have information, but as soon as I do have information, I will be sharing it on my social media with my residents personally via text message and email.

But we are putting together a town hall.

Um I got a call today from uh Angela Fellers, um County Board representative to speak about a the potential data center that's coming to the Rockford area, and so we will be having a town hall to really talk about what we know and to allow for community feedback early on in this process while we don't have any information um to share, but we share what we have, and so I just want to put that on people's radars for this town hall meeting.

It will be in the next couple of weeks, location to be determined, date to be determined, but it is coming up very very soon, so just keep an eye out for that information.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Uh other reports.

I would just say I want to say sincere congratulations to all those that were nominated.

Uh we have one in our presence, uh, an older woman prunty who was nominated for an award.

Uh but sincerely, thank you for all that you do here, but also out in our community.

Really appreciate it.

But today it was a YWCA uh women's leader luncheon, and it was just awesome to see.

We have so many amazing leaders and so many amazing women leaders in our community, and to see so many of them honored today was really wonderful.

Any did I miss any reports?

No.

Okay.

Uh next we'll go to appointments.

The appointments council.

These are laid over till after the first city council meeting after March 4th.

So we have Zaza Johnson and Shamir Shanklin, both for the committee relations commission, but those who would come up at the next meeting.

Alder Woman meets.

I would like to suspend rule 18 and move this forward if possible.

We have a motion.

We have a second to suspend rule 18 and move forward.

Jaj Johnson as well as Shamir Shanklin.

Is there any discussion on the motion to suspend the rule?

All those in favor of suspending the rule say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed?

Okay.

So we'll suspend the rule.

Now, Council, you have two items before you.

Uh appointment of Jaj Johnson to the community relations commission to fill the seat vacated by Nikki Lynch for the term expiring December 2026.

Then we have appointment of Shamir Shanklin to the Community Relations Commission.

That's item two, appointment of Shamir Shanklin to the Committee of Relations Commission to fill the seat vacated by Jordan Lindville for the term expiring August 2028.

Is there any discussion on those two appointments?

Alderman Durkey, what would you have to say?

Thank you, Your Honor.

I know you struggle to get people to volunteer on uh community boards, and uh you find some good people, and I'm sure these are two good people, but again, I can't support staffing that this commission I was opposed in its creation.

So that's my annual.

I should sign.

Yeah, just for you to sign it.

Yep.

No, appreciate you.

Thank you.

Uh any other discussion.

Clerk, please call the roll.

No.

On both.

Yes.

Okay.

Logan.

Aye.

Toomberg?

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Fronty.

Wilkins.

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Granit.

Aye.

Beach.

Salgado.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Aye.

Thirteen ayes.

One no one both.

Thank you.

Next we'll go to motions and resolutions and we'll go to planning and development committee.

Alderwoman Wilkins.

Thank you, Honor.

Item one, committee recommends approval of the resolution, calling for the public hearing and convening a joint review board in connection with the new South Rockford Industrial Tax Increment Financing District.

Thank you.

Council, is there any discussion on the one item before us?

Seeing no discussion, clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Aye.

Ogaman.

Aye.

Toomberg?

Frost.

Aye.

Torina.

Prunty.

Wilkins.

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Grandith.

Aye.

Beach.

Aye.

Salgado.

Aye.

Meeks.

No.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Aye.

13 ayes, one no.

Thank you.

Next, we're going to go to code and regulation committee.

Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have eight items.

Item one is committee recommends approval of the Irish Marching Society.

St.

Patrick's Day Parade.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th from noon to 5 p.m.

The parade will step off at 3 p.m.

The parade route is as follows.

The parade will begin on 7th Street and Fifth Avenue, north on 7th Street to State Street, West on State Street to Madison Street, and North ending at Prairie Street.

Item 2, committee recommends approval of the Spruce Up Day at the Veterans Roundabout.

The event is scheduled for May 9th from 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

The event location will be at the Veterans Roundabout located on North Main and Main Street and Auburn Street.

Item 3, committee recommends approval of the Rockford Area Pride Parade.

This event is scheduled for June 6th from 11 a.m.

to 1.30 p.m.

The parade will step off at noon with a route as follows.

The parade will begin on East State Street at 6th Street, West on State Street to Wyman Street.

Item 4, committee recommends approval of the Lifescape Classic July 4th run walk.

The event is scheduled for July 4th from 6 a.m.

to 11 a.m.

The run walk will begin and end at Northwater Street in front of the Riverview Ice House.

And follow Madison Street to the recreation path to Illinois Street and back.

Item five, committee recommends approval of the 4th of July celebration.

This event is scheduled to take place on July 4th from 4 p.m.

This event is scheduled to take place on July fourth from four PM to ten P.M.

The parade will begin at four forty-five PM and the fireworks will display display will begin at nine thirty PM.

The parade route will be Seventh Street to Second and Second Avenue, ending at State Street and Church Street.

Item six committee recommends approval of the one table and open air dining experience.

The event location will be on Water Street from Market Street to Lower Jefferson to the Lower Jefferson Street Bridge.

Council, uh, without objection from you, I'd like to separate items one through six.

Is there any objection to me separating items one through six?

Okay.

We'll just discuss one through six right now.

Any discussion uh on items one through six.

Hoffman.

Granted.

Beech.

So Gato.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Thirteen ice.

Excellent.

Uh, we now have two items before us, and Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

I would move we convene into close session in order to discuss pending or threatened litigation matters, real estate acquisition matters, and labor negotiation matters.

Second.

Sounds like a full agenda.

Uh, we have a motion.

We have a second.

Is there any discussion?

All those in favor of breaking for closed session say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, we'll recess the closed session, be right back.

So they're going to disappear for a little while.

They will come back.

They will just stop when they come back.

But for some reason, we're going to have to

Okay, thank you.

We are back into open session for our city council meeting, March 2nd, 2026.

Clerk, could you please call the roll?

Turkey.

Logaman.

Toomber.

Frost.

Terina.

Wilkins.

Here.

Hoffman.

Here.

Granite.

Beach.

Salgato.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Prenti.

Fourteen present.

We all left and we all made it back.

All right.

So Alderman Bonnie will go back to code and regulation.

I believe you have items seven and eight before us.

Yes, item seven, resolution for a settlement of to Shailen Moton et al.

versus City of Rockford et al.

Case number twenty-three C V five oh one-two zero in the amount of forty thousand dollars and item eight resolution of a settlement of for settlement of Michael Orrers at al.

versus City of Rockford at all.

Case number twenty-five C V five oh one six nine, also in the amount of forty thousand dollars, and both of those require us to suspend rule nine.

Is there a motion to suspend rule nine?

I would make that motion.

We have a motion, we have a second.

Uh is there any discussion?

All those in favor of suspending rule nine, please say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to suspending rule nine.

Okay.

Council, we have two items before us, items seven and eight.

Is there any discussion on those two items?

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Aye.

Logaman.

Aye.

Tomberg.

Aye.

Frost.

Serena.

Prunty.

Wilkins?

Hoffman.

Meach.

Salgato.

Meeks?

Bell.

Bonnie.

Item number seven fourteen eyes.

Item eight thirteen eyes one no.

Thank you.

Next we're gonna go to finance and personnel committee, Alderman Frost.

Thank you.

Number one, the committee recommends approval of water construction engineering agreement for various projects citywide to Willet Hoffman in the amount of two hundred and forty-four thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight dollars and sixty-eight cents.

The contract ratios through November thirty, twenty twenty-six.

The funding sources one percent infrastructure sales tax.

Number two, the committee recommends approval of the sale of vehicles for two Ford Explorers to BMO police in the amount of seven thousand dollars each.

Number three, the committee recommends approval of an award of RFQ for weatherization and mechanical services to Geostar Mechanical and estimated amount of one point two million the contract rations through September 30, 2026, with one possible one-year extension options.

The grant does not require a cost match.

The grant term is from November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026.

Number six, committee recommends approval of award of sole source contract to Flock Safety to Flock Group in the amount of 443,998 dollars and sixteen cents.

The contract duration is one year with three additional one year extension options.

The funding sources are the organized retail crime grant and the Rockford Police Department Intel unit budget.

Number seven is an award of RFP for actuarial services of the NIH Company of Indianapolis and the contract amount of 14,200 in year one, 14.6 in year two, 15,000 in year three, and 15-4 in year four.

The contract duration is one year with three one year extensions.

The funding source is the finance department operating budget.

Number eight is an award of an RFP for investment management services to PFM asset management in estimated annual amount of $69,500.

The contract duration is three years with two one-year extensions with the ability to terminate for convenience by either party at any time.

The funding sources, the finance department operating budget.

I place those eight mayors before you.

Thank you.

So council, there's eight items before us.

Uh understanding that we'll probably have some discussion over item six.

Is there any council members who would be opposed if I just separate that item so we can move through items one through five and seven and eight and come back to six?

Is anyone opposed to that?

Okay.

If we could move through items one through five and seven and eight, we'll come right back and uh discuss six, probably a more robust discussion.

Uh any discussion or questions on items one through five or seven and eight.

Alderman makes.

I just wanted to know for item number two.

What is the value of the vehicles being sold?

Director Hagerty.

The the estimated value at auction is seven thousand dollars each.

That's where that number came from.

Thank you.

Any further uh discussion?

Alderman Toomberg.

Uh this would go to Director Haggity Haggerty on the item number eight.

Uh do you have just offhand what the city has gotten in revenue since we made this change a few years back offhand?

Uh I do not, but um the investment report will be presented next week.

So we will give you through inception as of the end of 2025 next week.

Terrific.

It's like your super bowl, Alderman.

I love it.

We're excited.

Uh, and again, hats off to all the aldermen that were on council that uh made that decision and mayor you as well.

Uh it the city of Rockford was uh it was a big win for the city of Rockford.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alderman Frosty, do you have questions?

Oh, I just I would I again would commend um our finance department for being able to negotiate such a great rate with that company.

It's it's almost unheard of.

And I mean I've I've asked other people actually in this room whether or not that uh local level, whether they could match those rates, and they're not interested.

Thank you.

Uh any other discussion on items one through five as well as seven and eight.

Clerk, could you please call the rolls just on one through five and seven and eight?

Turkey.

Logan.

Toomber?

Hi.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Prentice.

Wilkins.

Hoffman.

Granit.

Beach.

Solgato.

Meeks.

Bell.

Bonnie.

14 eyes.

Excellent.

Council, we have uh one item before us.

That's item six.

Is there any discussion?

Alderman Frost.

Sure.

I I was wondering if anyone uh on staff could you know we heard some uh questions tonight, and and if there's a possibility that um some items could be addressed with respect to our our own city of Rockford, which is what I'm most concerned about, uh internal uh policies and procedures that would ensure that um any data or or or content it is actually protected and not getting into the wrong hands.

Thank you.

We'll start with Mr.

Cagnoni and move to Chief Fred.

Uh thank you, your honor, and uh thank you, Alderman.

I know a number of you had the opportunity to speak to myself, Chief Fred, uh, Director Hammer or the Mayor over the last week to get additional information as it relates to our existing uh flock uh agreement as well as this expansion of license plate readers and cameras at certain intersection that's under consideration tonight.

I'll touch on a few points.

I'll touch on a few points as we've reviewed this information and confirmed some of the questions asked, and certainly defer to Chief Red and Director Hammer for any additional clarification or follow-up questions that may not be appropriate for me.

But one of the fundamental questions that we continue to receive is whose data is this.

That you know, one understanding that this data is owned and controlled by the city of Rockford under our agreement with Flock.

But Flock does have the responsibility to maintain and protect our data.

So individuals do not get the Rockford data without first going through the Rockford Police Department for their process and authorization.

And certainly they have practices that are in place as well as a general order under the chief signature that sets forth how we manage and control those internal processes.

A 30-day auto-delete.

Back in, I believe they began the audit in June of 2025, published some information in August of 2025.

And indeed, they they did audit a number of police stations within the city of Rockford, or sorry, within the state of Illinois, and identified that data had had been shared and some of the concern was that in violation of the Trust Act.

The Flock system.

I did also want to confirm that we did speak with leadership of the Secretary of State and confirmed our understanding of what took place during that audit.

And it was police departments had open data sharing logged within the system.

And so a direction from the Secretary of the State was for the police departments to protect that or turn that off and make sure that they understood how their data was being shared, in addition to the request that the Secretary of State uh made to Flock and that Flock changed.

Well, you know, as it relates to some of the ownership or licensing agreements that we have with Flock.

You know, they don't have licensing right to the to the Rockford data unless they are working to improve the system and directly have approval from the Rockford uh police department.

Um that data remains strictly under the city rules and state laws as previously mentioned.

Um another common question that we've received is under what circumstances can Flock access or share information with other agencies?

They can't.

Um that is the responsibility of Rockford Police Department in regards to how data is going to be shared and to whom.

Um that includes you know, making sure that there's no misuse internally uh with it, the Flock data, as well as how they are gonna share data with other agencies in the state of Illinois.

Uh another common question is what changes were made after Illinois law violation and what changes are in the contract, and it's referenced to flaw Flock violating the law.

It hasn't been demonstrated that lock flock violated the law for the earlier statements.

What took place was police departments had opened their data and shared it with other agencies, arguably and understood to be in violation of the trust act and the steps that were taken to to correct that.

Um, is ICE use customs and border patrol pilot program still paused?

Yes, there was a pilot that Flock had facilitate, and that remains paused in addition to the other protections that were were put into place.

I'm going to hand it over to the chief a little bit to talk about some of the benefits that she has seen and her department has seen related to how Flock has been utilized and how it's improved some of our crime reduction strategies.

Chief Red?

Thank you.

I do want to step back a little bit and just talk about some of our policies and procedures that are in place that has essentially made us a model agency and that Flock has shared out with other departments.

Also I want to add that in regards to the grant that we're looking at tonight is from the Illinois Attorney General's office.

So City Administrator covered a lot of that in regards to the audits that took place, but mind you also Illinois is finding that Flock is in compliance.

And the grant that's on the docket tonight is from the Illinois Attorney General's office.

Also, I'll touch real quick on some of the most heinous crimes that we see in the city of Rockford around our murder rate.

In 2022, we signed onto a contract with Flock at the close of that year, and we were early on into that contract.

Since our implementation of the system and moving forward, 23, 24, and 25, her clearance rates for homicides has been 90 percent and higher.

So you know it's important that you understand our only purpose, I won't say our only purpose, but our main focus is crime reduction and ensuring that we are equipped with the technology that we need to take the offenders into custody.

I will say that our license plate readers is part of that puzzle.

It's a big part of that puzzle.

Uh, and it's proven instrumental.

And I will add to that our robberies, our retail thefts, which is the reason why that's on the agenda tonight.

This specific grant is to focus in the retail areas, and I will add to some of the more vulnerable areas that don't have the infrastructure or the technology in those particular areas.

So we were intentional about what areas we're focusing on for this next grant.

Um I think that's a yeah.

I just can't reiterate enough around our checks and balances that are in place.

So and we do not open shared data.

And when you think about it was mentioned earlier, Mount Mount Prospect, and how that whole thing came to play.

I've done my research, I've done my homework.

I will tell you right now, if this company was not a credible company, I would not look for the city to invest any money with them.

Because when it's all when it's all said and done, I'm the individual that has to sit here and I have to answer for.

Thank you.

Other uh discussion questions from council?

Any other questions or counsel?

Alderman Meeks.

Thank you so much.

And I I want to thank you, Chief, for you know, responding to the questions and everything.

There is a lot of lots of community feedback that has taken place since this was introduced.

Um I I have a few questions.

I don't know what order I'm gonna kind of start with them, but I'd love for you to kind of divulge a little bit more about the City of Rockford's auditing process.

How does that kind of work?

How are you auditing the officers and who's looking into the data?

So we have an intelligence unit within the Rockford Police Department.

Those audits take place there.

There is a lieutenant that runs that unit.

He has two civilian personnel that works in there with him, as well as two sworn officers.

So uh every month, if not twice a month, they're in there auditing exactly what's what um who's running the license plate, checking the license plate readers and why.

I will add to you one thing that was not mentioned.

Our information is only shared in the state of Illinois because it's turned on for the state of Illinois.

Our information is only shared in the state of Illinois because it's turned on for the state of Illinois, because I know we are all governed by the Trust Act.

We are compliant with the Trust Act.

So if there's another agency that should reach out inquiring for information, my team will have to check the system for them.

So we're not our data is not out there for everyone to access.

So when it comes to the audit trail, we'll be able, we would be able to see who's asking for data, who's looked at data.

Our yes, yes.

From just our department or from our department because of the system that they they have to run things through, yes.

Okay.

Um so help me understand kind of the justification for the expansion of adding cameras.

Okay.

Because we we have discussed crime being lowered, retail theft maybe getting better, I would have to assume after having over a hundred cameras over the course of three years.

I would assume that things are getting better.

Um help me understand kind of where we got to the part where we needed to expand what we have.

So this is a grant that's offered through the Illinois Attorney General's office.

Um we've done work with them before, and specifically it's around organized retail theft, where you have groups of individuals that come in and they operate.

It's an entire industry that they operate within.

And so the Attorney General's office is very specific about wanting to take those offenders in custody.

I will be honest, they've done um, and it's state lines have it doesn't have no boundaries with these individuals.

Um they cross state lines.

We work with Wisconsin, we work with Indiana, we work with Iowa because these individuals will cross the state lines and commit these offenses.

So in writing this grant, we noticed very specifically there were some areas that lack the technology needed.

So we looked at placing cameras in those specific areas.

Um area would be your uh North Rockton, North Rockton Avenue is one of the areas.

Uh West Riverside would be another.

So there's multiple areas that we're looking to place those additional 27 cameras.

Uh license plate readers, I should say.

Do you find that the cameras that we already have placed are being utilized?

They're definitely being utilized, and I would say that was a would be a reflection in the crime data that I provided last week at the press conference.

Are there areas where the cameras are not being utilized as much as other areas?

Um to say not utilized as much, not necessarily, because when we search our system, we're searching our system.

So we're not going in necessarily and checking for one particular location, we're checking the system as a whole.

Okay.

So going into this, I got all the information, took a little bit, but I got all the information related to the policy and procedures.

So I do have in front of me the general order from you or from your department, I should say.

Um how binding is this general order for FLOC?

Do they have to follow what we designate under the city?

Yes, they do.

Angela, I don't know if you want to tap in at this point or director Hammer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Yes, so the the requirements that are in our the terms and conditions of the contract.

We have provisions in there that allows us to terminate the contract if we can show that FLAC is violating the law.

So we have some safety measures in there in the event that you know there are allegations that FLAC is violating the trust act, for instance, that would allow us to terminate the agreement.

Now, what happens in the situation where I've read an articles where contracts have been terminated, but cameras never went away.

And then cameras came back up.

I I would have to look at the contract, but in our contract, um they're required to um essentially um deactivate and um remove the the equipment.

And so and so I I'll say it again.

As regards to how we handle policy and procedures.

The word pause gives me pause because I question how this company that is already violated.

Or, you know, I I hear I hear what you were saying with regards to did they violate, was it just a matter of not training properly, where people didn't check a particular box and do exactly what they were supposed to do.

So I'm I'm curious to know the level of training, how many people are able to kind of access this information?

Do we have a level of training for all of our officers?

Is it only some officers?

Um can I ask that question?

Chief Red?

Yes, all of our officers are trained.

All of them.

So it's not just certain ones, they're all trained.

Okay.

So they all know not to just access data.

And you have to commit a crime.

Is that correct?

Can you clarify that?

Um we primarily use our uh license plate readers for those we're looking for who have committed crime, also missing persons, uh silver alerts.

So yes, we're not out looking at the silver alert.

Yeah, for a missing senior person or someone who a loved one has called in and reported missing.

Or medical care provider or what have you.

Okay.

Okay.

Just one more.

You're good.

Take your time.

These are good questions.

Thank you.

Um, and this is something that has kind of come from me, come to me.

Uh related to just kind of that unsurety and the lack of trust.

I I'm sure that the department feels very confident in this technology.

They have used it, it has helped them become so much more efficient in solving crime, so I can totally understand from your perspective why you would want to keep this, grow this.

But with the unsurety of this company, it was it was asked if um there was a potential of putting in a clause for damages if something were to happen, if they were to share information without being authorized to do so, or if there was some kind of issue that came into play.

Is there something like that in place?

And if not, is that something that we can put into this contract?

Thank you.

Great questions.

Uh Director Hammer, uh, do you know uh I I guess if you could address Alder Woman Meeks question?

Sure.

I I would have to review the contract specifically if there is a provision for damages, but um if there's not a provision, it would constitute a breach and and then they they are subject to liability for a breach.

What happened when they do that?

Thank you.

Other questions?

Your Honor, just Mr.

Cagnoni.

If I may um add to Director Hammer's um comment, I believe there is a requirement um for them to carry a five million dollar policy related to uh what Director Hammer discussed.

Thank you.

No, not at the moment, thank you so much.

Okay, Alder Woman Hoffman.

Thank you.

I'd like to know is there any way that ICE can come in and just take the information?

Chief Red?

Um, let me let me add to that.

Um, they can't come in and just take our data.

I will I will add to that that I've been very transparent as far as information that comes to me when I know that um homeland security or there's some immigration enforcement that's taken place in our city.

It's federal government, they don't have to tell me when they're coming in, but I've been as transparent as possible if information gets to me and um letting you all know when they are in town and know we have not participated in any immigration enforcement when they've come to the city.

And there's no way for them to just come in and have access to the no, there is not.

Thank you.

Other questions from council Ulderman Toomberg.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh I appreciate Director Hammer and the Chief for uh answering a lot of questions that I've had going back well before uh became such a public item and clarifying a lot of my questions.

Uh Chief, I I know that uh even going back uh a few years back, and I wonder if you could elaborate on that.

But very more very importantly innocent civilians that could be caught caught in the middle of that.

I recall a bank up at Riverside and North Maine, Chase Bank, maybe in the 12th ward.

And Chief, I I if you could elaborate on if you're aware of if you recall that incident where there was a vehicle description that was accurately given and how the police responded to that.

Chief Red?

Looking at my team here because I don't know if we know which specific robbery you're referencing.

Okay.

So and and I can't recall whether it was Chief O'Shea that was here at the time.

Well, I've been here for 27 years.

So who was sitting in your seat.

Okay.

But the story given to me was that this individual had robbed the bank, uh, fled in the car, and they were able to, between LPRs and cameras, able to track this person as they went through our city.

Uh my knowledge of the story is that they did not have to give high-speed pursuit, and this individual is apprehended uh within a block or so uh of the area where the car stopped.

Um that just I know there has been incidents in the past where innocent civilians have been uh injured or killed in some of these pursuits, and I just know that this is uh one of the tools that the police have uh to use to prevent that.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Alder Woman Treen.

Thank you, man.

My question is for Chief Red.

Um I think my question is is it possible for us to pursue another camera company?

And if so, um I'm not asking for you to have knowledge of every tech company on the market.

Um, but do you have knowledge that perhaps other companies have these similar types of issues, or is this just a very flock specific issue with data sharing?

Chief that you know of so um I do not know if it's an issue with some other companies.

Um I will add that we did have a different LPR company.

Um kind of when we made the transition to flock, we I wanted to compare apples to apples.

And understandably the questions that have come to the forefront now definitely were not an issue in 2022.

But we did a comparison apples to apples with another LPR company, and um flocks can't their LPRs performed much better.

Um I feel like Automek's kind of maybe alluded to this question, but should we should this vote not go through tonight?

I mean, what is what will we do next?

You know what I'm saying?

Um Chief Fred?

Do we have to sort of like reinvent an entirely new system?

Um maybe I'm asking this.

Let's just say this vote doesn't go through tonight, and but we still need more cameras.

I mean that it doesn't negate the need for new cameras, right?

Is another uh the talking has to stop.

We're being respectful to you.

I need I need you all to be respectful to us.

So I guess on what I want to know is I lost my train of thought.

So guys, in the audience, really appreciate we've all received a tremendous amount of engagement, really thoughtful engagement, um, which I asked that you don't comment as audience members.

Thank you.

Okay.

Are other like systems compatible with the current flock cameras we have as well?

I guess I'm trying to figure out what what happens if this just if this dies tonight, we still need new cameras, and we still have existing flock cameras.

So it's kind of like there's a lot of situations here that I'm trying to figure out what do we do next.

So there's the other cameras, LPR systems that are out there are not compatible with flock.

So if this does not pass tonight, uh you're definitely going to affect those areas that we were looking to put the additional cameras within.

So I'm looking at my team.

Do you guys know anything else?

No.

Okay.

Yeah, so you would be back to the drawing board, I guess.

Um we would be back at the drawing board to try and figure out um how do you get it wouldn't be through that grant, I would say.

Okay.

Thank you.

Mr.

Cagnoni, did you want to add anything to that?

So I I could thank you, Your Honor.

I can add some clarification to the Alder Woman's um question.

You know, what before us this evening is an extension of an existing contract to add additional license plate readers and cameras.

Um in spring of 2025, um city council approved a four-year agreement with Flock with one two-year, yeah, one two-year renewal option.

So six years from 2025, including the renewal option for the existing license plate readers that are in place.

So you know, absent direction from city council to terminate that agreement and cause with the organization.

We would continue to have flock license plate uh readers throughout the community in their in their current locations.

Um and just for full transparency, would also make sure that council recalls that you know we do have contracts with other companies that provide license plate readers, um specifically Axon, who is also our our our body worn cameras, uh our police officers all are in squad uh cameras have license plate reader capability as well that's utilized by our by our police department, um additional license plate readers that are not directly utilized by our police department would include those with our contractor ABM, their contractors, Genitech.

Um, as you know, we have license plate readers when you go into our parking decks.

We have um parking control officers that drive in a number of different areas, and their vehicles are also um fixed with license plate readers.

I say all that so we fully understand the scope of all the license plate readers within our community and understand that you know just the growing use of data not only within the city of Rockford, um, but that the country is recognized that we have used technology as an extensive tool.

Um I mean, we have record management systems for our police department that holds a significant amount of sensitive data.

Um we have other data betas that databases that include um you know, for example, health and human services with our lie height, LIHEAP services that we provide, our water utility related to every water account, the individuals associated with that, and some of the personal information that comes um along with that.

We take securing our data extremely sensitive and serious, and that's why we work with Director Hughes and our IG department, um, make sure that our cybersecurity insurance is in place, that we're following best practices related to cybersecurity.

Could a breach take place?

Absolutely.

I mean, that's the world that we live in.

Um, with any of the databases that we have.

Um we've seen breaches in regards to our our health insurance or our providers on health insurance, um, but there's a process to protect that in protocols when those instances take place.

Again, fortunately, we have not seen flock breached um their data that their data breached um at this time.

Thanks.

Okay, um, thank you.

Uh you answer a couple of my questions.

Um because it's kind of sounds like we kind of gave up our privacy a while ago, and then lots of people, not just us, but lots of people are utilizing cameras.

Is that lots of there are more, it's more than just um the flock cameras?

That's what I thought I heard.

Okay.

Okay.

And I'm just wondering, and I heard you mention some of the places, and I I'm pretty sure that we I know we have access to that information.

Um are there ones that maybe we um that um that aren't owned by us, but we do we still have access to that information?

In a sense, are we duplicating?

I guess maybe that's Mr.

Cagnoni.

Oh, thank you, Chair.

All right, I'm looking over there, but yeah, no, you're great.

Thank you, Chairman Oliwoman.

I I'm I don't I'm not certain I completely understand the the question.

Um I I believe you're asking is is there hardware that we own that we don't own, but we have access to kind of like people do with the rings.

If you say you're you turn over your ring information, then somebody can look at it.

So in the the specific contract with Flock, we don't own the hardware or the cameras, we own the the data and control of the data.

Okay.

Is that what you're asking?

Can I restate it when you tell me if I am getting I was I think you have a really thoughtful question.

I I believe, and I'll use an example.

Okay.

If uh there's a license plate reader of let's say in a Walmart parking lot, do we have access to that license plate reader in Walmart parking lot?

I'll believe what all the woman in front is saying is we don't own that station, that hardware, that probably contract.

Do we have access to get it or do we have relationships to get that and is that duplicative?

Yeah, is that fair?

Thank you very much.

Uh who wants to Mr.

Kegner, or I was gonna defer that to the chief, she can talk about the existing programs that her department has.

So we are not duplicating, I guess, services or paying for dual access.

Um we don't have uh license plate readers in private spaces.

I would say now we do have some companies in the city of Rockford that have their own license plate readers, but they're not ours, and we're not paying for them.

But can you do you have relationship with those people where if something were to happen in those place, the people ended up on their space?

Could you or travel through their space that was a part of what you were trying to discover?

Do you have relationship with others where you can get that information?

Yes, we do.

Any other questions, discussion?

Alderman Salgado.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh similar question to Ms.

Prunti.

Um in regards to I've heard that this is a shared through the state.

Correct.

So the question that um might come around is anyone else within a different county, you know, that you know can track those particular that data is you know within the state of Illinois, like say um Ogle County or Kane County can access Winnebago, like the city of Rockford uh data um in regards to Flock.

Okay.

So all right.

So yeah, that that's that's a good question because then you know what what so how can we tell if someone else is looking at our data from another county or throughout the state of Illinois?

Um I know there's audit trails, right?

That we do, we make sure that we're monitoring who's accessing you know the information on the readers.

So I just wanted to see if there's anything in there that kind of is a control mechanism for that, right?

Um I asked because you know there's um collaboration.

Um I I do think it's good in a sense where you know I I don't know.

I if I recall the Ohio murder um was caught here in Rockford or Winnebago County of that that kind of you know collaboration from that standpoint.

I don't know if the license plate reader was uh used to find that person and track that person down to the city of Rockford, right?

And so and I'm not saying that that's what happened, but somehow he was tracked back to here to Rockford, right?

And so where I'm going with this is you know what that takes a federal agency um to look at that data.

I know you said it's only strictly on the trust act, and it's only for Illinois, you know, purposes that we share that information, but um you know, to make sure that no one else is using that data is my concern, you're right, and kind of trying to understand what controls we have in place, right?

And I think that's one of the questions that a lot of our ourselves are are dealing with, right?

And this particularly because of ICE, right?

That's let's just be frank, right?

And you know, how do they track these folks?

You know, obviously they have addresses, they have locations where they can track them, but I'm not saying that you know they they went in there and they tracked down that perceptive license plates because I heard ICE got in trouble flipping license plates and stuff like that through the state.

Um but that is really the question, and I'm more concerned about the control um aspect of it, right?

How do we make sure that no one's reviewing our data?

Because let's be frank, there's counties out here or sheriff's departments that you know don't want to comply with the trust act, right?

And then so from my perspective, if if, like, say, and I'm I I'm not saying they are or not, but say Ogre County, right?

And they're pro, you know, working with ICE and so forth.

Um, how do we you know protect ourselves from that, right?

That they go through Old County and go through Winnebago and now Kane County and so forth and so forth.

So you know, is there a mechanism or am I thinking too far, you know, um that really doesn't make sense, but I'm just trying to see what if there's a control in that perspective to make sure that no other county or throughout the state of Illinois that might be more susceptible to working with ICE from this perspective, um, that kind of violates the trust act um uh from that perspective that you know they could access that data.

Okay.

So I'm gonna back up a little bit because when you mention and not get too granular, but you mentioned the Ohio murder.

I can tell you that the agency investigating the case in Ohio, they reached out to the Rockford Police Department.

So they didn't have access to our data.

So essentially, we worked with them on that case.

Now, once again, when I say our controls are on for the state of Illinois, I would like to believe everyone's gonna follow the Trust Act.

I'm definitely responsible for the Rockford Police Department.

If you follow the news around the license plate readers, there's another agency that terminated an officer last week.

Our policy says that you will be disciplined if you're found in violation up to and including termination.

Um with that, with our audits, um, we do look for who else is accessing our data out, you know, outside of Rockford.

Because if I've got another agency that's running plates consistently, it's like, what are you looking for?

We're not above or beyond being able to reach out to them and find out what what is this about?

We have the ability to turn it off and it just be the city of Rockford.

That's something we can do as well.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh Director Hammer, I guess this would be towards you.

Uh, as many times we sit in council, we have to kind of remind ourselves that sometimes it feels like we're on another planet, but uh we're not.

And we're in Illinois, and I know that there has been individuals that have talked about incidents in Texas or Tennessee, what have you?

Uh would you elaborate or agree what have you with Illinois to my knowledge is one of the strictest states, if not the strictest state with laws pertaining to this issue.

And if those laws are broken, obviously there's a reason we have laws, and so those individuals breaking the laws of Illinois would face consequences.

Is Illinois, to your knowledge, one of or the strictest state in the union when it comes to this topic.

Director Hammer?

Thank you, Your Honor.

Related to the prohibition on law enforcement agencies assisting with immigration enforcement, or is that what your question is directed at in terms of the streets?

As far as the sharing of data uh when it comes to the issue at hand here, i.e.

flock.

Yes.

So uh Illinois is one of a handful of states that I would say has um more strict um laws regarding this data um and sharing of information.

Thank you.

Other uh questions from council.

Uh Alderman Bill.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um wrote down a few questions here.

Just first want to say thank you to all of the residents who have uh shared your thoughts around this item tonight.

Um those who've called, texted, emailed, stopped us in the grocery store, all of the things.

Um and also who showed up tonight, a packed house here uh in the chamber.

And um just have to say would love to see more individuals show up like you all did today on a more consistent basis.

Um but back to the item.

I wrote down a few questions um here while hearing all of the all of the uh each perspective of of my colleagues here.

Um Chief, how many flock cameras do we currently have in the City of Rockford?

Uh we have 130 license plate readers.

Okay.

And how many murders have, if you do know this, how many murders have been solved with the help of a flock in the last I guess maybe year since we've seen uh a decrease in the I'd say uh consistently every homicide that we've had where we know there was an individual that fled in the vehicle flock has been utilized.

Okay.

Do we do we have stats on on increased um retail thefts across our community?

I know that um this proposal before us is specifically to expand cameras for retail or areas with with retail.

Yes, we have seen an increase in retail defenses.

Do we have any specific numbers around that?

I don't have them on hand right now.

Okay.

Um I guess to that, wrote down a few more.

Uh and this may be for um director Lies or uh Mr.

Kignoni around um our retail stores and and specifically grocery stores as an advocate for uh trying to recruit um more retail uh development um as an advocate for uh trying to recruit a fresh market uh grocery store on the west side of Rockford.

Um I I've had several conversations with uh the store managers um at Save a Lot on Central and West State around retail theft.

Um Mr.

Kidoni or Chief or Director Lise, have you seen an impact on uh retail or grocery store recruitment as it relates to uh maybe the uh talks around the city of Rockford's um increased retail retail thefts?

Is has it has it put a burden on you all as this administration is seeking uh bringing forth uh more retail uh development.

Mr.

Cagnoni and then Director Lyas, if you want to add.

Um I'll I'll state on my experience.

I think Director Lysa's experience would would be good as well.

Um, in my communication with retailers, um certainly crime uh retail crime has been a concern related to their overall operations, no doubt about it.

Um have in our conversations with potential retailers, have they specifically mentioned that as being a barrier um to advancing retail and or grocery store?

Um I have not heard them specifically state that.

Not that it isn't a concern when they do their research, I just I haven't heard them say it directly.

But definitely I've heard our existing retailers concerned about uh uh retail theft.

Director Lyons.

I would concur with what he said.

I would just add that if um you know, in trying to attract, we first have to look at shopping patterns, incomes, traffic patterns, all those sorts of things.

But if we had all of that in place and didn't were not able to show robust methods of of engaging with the retail community and in what the efforts are in providing safety and those sorts of things, it would be it's so maybe they're not mentioning it right now, but it'd be the second wave of questions that they're they're thinking about.

So it's definitely part of the planning attraction process.

Thank you.

Chief Fred, did you want to add something to that?

I do have the data where there was a 75% increase in retail theft from 2024 to 2025.

Thank you.

No more comments from the audience, otherwise we're gonna have to start asking you to leave, and no one wants that, so please no more comments.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Prez, you can keep talking and we're gonna ask you to leave.

I recalling the time.

You can sign any resident can sign up to speak.

With that, we're gonna guys, we're not gonna have all the conversation from the audience.

We're gonna start asking you to leave, and I don't want that.

Mr.

Belton?

That does not help.

I am interrupted again, can you please?

We'll go back to Alderman Bell.

All right.

Um Chief.

Was there well, I guess a little bit.

Oh I'll wait.

That's fine.

I will wait.

Alderman Hoffman.

I mean, I would I do want to.

You want me to circle back to you?

No, I'd like to.

Okay.

Um worry, I can't.

Alderman Hoffman.

I think this might have been answered, but I just want to make sure we know that Flock is on pause for some things.

Would we know very quickly if they broke that pause?

Great question.

Would that go to uh Director Hammer?

Or would it so we're gonna take a step back?

Chief, the question was just asked uh that uh Flock is on pause uh with uh federal program, I believe uh Alderman Hoffman is referring to.

Would we know the question is would we know if that pause stops and that partnership continued or changed in some material way?

Is that a fair about how quickly I mean would we know quickly or three years later?

Understood.

Uh I don't know if that's a question for you, Chief Rad, or for director.

I feel safe in saying that if it did go off pause, the Illinois Secretary of State were they were clear in their statement with the audit that was done.

Thus Illinois was removed from that.

So if it resumed, I feel confident in saying Illinois would not be part of that.

Because they were clear in what they wrote out.

So Illinois would not allow, even if somebody else does, Illinois would not allow it.

Correct.

Alderman Bell, I'm gonna go back to you after you got it.

Sorry about that.

No, you're fine, thank you.

Uh just a few more, Chief.

Um was this uh a part of a you know one, three or five year strategy for the police department?

In regards to increasing like expanding the program.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Um and then is there a time frame or deadline in accepting the grant from the Attorney General's office?

I'm looking at one full.

So give us a minute and we'll get you an answer.

No, you're good.

It's a good question.

Mr.

Cagnoni.

Chairman, thank you.

I believe I can answer this question, and certainly the chief can correct me.

Um I will state that it's not uncommon for the State of Illinois to be behind in regards to the providing of the documentations and implementation of grants, but the grant was effective from July 1st, 2025, and in June 30th, 2026.

So the the premise is, you know, should council approve this, then it would be eligible under the grant time period.

Okay.

Um can I just add a question maybe for clarity?

Uh Mr.

Cagnoni, are you stating, which we've often seen that you have to expend those dollars by June 30th or whatever you stated in 2026?

I believe that to be the case, and as it currently is stated, we would be in compliance with grant period.

Thank you.

Alderman Bell did that help clarify it.

Yeah, and I guess I believe I know the answer to this, but I'm gonna ask it anyways.

We've already been given a green light for this grant.

Now we're voting to expend via contract.

Okay, cool.

Yes.

Um where was I here?

Okay.

Uh thank you for that.

And then uh obviously, you know, sworn in May 5th, these cameras were already in our community.

So I'm speaking from that perspective here.

Um was the initial vote for the current um was the initial vote for the current full amount of flock cameras that we currently have on today?

Whenever the vote was maybe three years ago.

What's the I'll ask it again.

Was the initial vote for uh providing the flock cameras or you know, installing flock cameras uh in our community?

Was that for the full amount of the flock cameras?

I believe you said over 100.

I believe she said 130.

I believe there's been expansions of that network.

Thank you.

And I mean, do you guys have a breakdown of the phased approach that you've I guess taken?

Like what what was the first uh batch, second, maybe third?

Yeah.

We certainly have all that.

We can absolutely get it.

If they don't have to, yeah.

Mr.

Cagnoni?

I I don't believe either the chief or I have all the specifics in regards to all the the number of cameras that was in each contract, but the original contract was in 2020 2022 and then expanded again in 2025, as well as the the new contract for the extension that um I articulated earlier, and then this is the 2026 expansion.

Um for flock.

Obviously, we've had license plate readers going back prior to that date, but it was under different companies.

Thank you.

Um is there currently a plan in place for expanding further than these 25 flock cameras?

I we talked about uh if you ask if a question uh um earlier about you know, was this in a one, three or five year strategy plan, strategic plan?

I just want to know um, have not seen that plan, would love to talk more about that.

But is this uh is there currently a plan in place for expanding further than these 27?

Not currently.

Okay.

Then my last question.

Yeah, uh maybe.

Um sorry.

Uh this obviously has raised significant amount of concern, um debate, all of that, right?

I I do want to ask, have we consulted with our community relations commission on this item?

Good question.

I don't believe the FLOC cameras specifically have gone to the community relations commission.

I know since we've had it, our police department has gone and met with the community relations commission and provided updates where I know they've discussed license plate readers, but specifically FLOC.

No, I can't recall that that was an item at community relations commission.

Okay.

I will say um the community relations commission has done, I think, uh an awesome job over the last five years now, since 2020, 2021, um, and uh providing an opportunity.

Some are laughing, I'm very serious uh when it comes to providing an opportunity for individuals to in our community, residents in our community to have uh conversations with other community members.

And then for that commission to uh obviously talk with uh the the subject matter experts from the city and uh have deep dialogue and where Alderman can come in and also be a part of those conversations, a public and a public meeting prior to the vote uh taking place.

Uh I in light of some of the the uh I would say frustration um with um city council rules uh stating that there are only uh five slots to speak.

Um I am going to make a motion that we lay this or send this item to community relations commission and then hopefully bring it back so that our community can have deeper dialogue around this.

Um if I could make that motion for I could formalize it, but would like to made it, I believe.

So you've made the motion.

Uh let me restate it and Alderman, you've let me know if I've got your motion accurate.

So Alderman Bell is making a motion to send item six back to the community relations commission for them to review and have a dialogue with the community and provide guidance uh to this body.

Uh so it would go to community relations commission and then back to the city council.

Do I have your yes?

It wouldn't go back to committee, it would go to council.

That's unfortunate.

Yep.

Yep.

Community relations committee to council.

Perfect.

The only thing I would ask is uh, and then I'll ask Mr.

Cagnoni is there would be need there would need to be some time frame in your motion, uh my recommendation, just because if you wanted to take advantage of the grant dollars, there's only so much time.

I know June seems like a ways away, but it's coming quick.

Um is that Mr.

Cagnoni what you were gonna reference as a timing of it?

I I I would probably provide a little bit of a clarification.

I believe you're making a motion to lay the item over as well as refer it to the CRC for their discussion and input.

And then that should be a time frame with the layover.

Alderman Bell did them satisfy your thoughts.

So I I would ask um when is the next CRC meeting?

No, they just they just met.

I'm sorry.

We just um they just met, but I don't know at all.

It may be in three weeks, two weeks, right?

Second Thursday?

March 12th.

So we could lay this over for the week after March 12th if if that's a city council day.

If not, it would be the last Monday, I believe, in March.

So the Chairman, the next just uh I got my calendar up.

So this today's the second, which is uh regularly scheduled six city council meeting.

Um if CRC is on Thursday, March 12th, that would be next week, and then uh March 16th would be the next regularly scheduled city council meeting.

So it would be uh a lay all a layover um to the next council meeting.

So essentially two-week layover and providing an opportunity for CRC, uh the commission that we have voted to support, and uh for our residents to have a space in a platform to speak.

Yep.

Okay, so there is a motion on the floor.

There is no second.

Is there a second?

We have a motion, we have a second.

Now there's discussion.

We're gonna go with Alderman Frost and Alder Woman Trina, then Alderman Silgato.

If our our legal director could just tell us how the power would be to send it back to a non-binding commission that's not a committee of the city.

Director Hammer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

So if I understood the motion correctly, I think the motion is for a layover and the recommendation that the community relations commission um add this item to their agenda at the next meeting for input and consideration.

I just don't know if that's within the parameters of our I don't have a the text of the community relations commission in front of me what what auspices and what areas that it looks at, but I don't know if really I've never known that to look at a an issue or spending money in excess of $25,000, which requires the approval of the Finance Committee.

I if I may Yeah, of course.

I I know the the Community Relations Commission had subcommittees related to um body worn cameras and and those types of recommendations, so I'll see if I can pull the ordinance up to see if this was be within its purview.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor.

I think I was like a little more clarification about once this does go to the community relations commission, like what sort of data would come back to this council?

Would it be a report?

Would it be a vote?

What what does that look like as far as us to be able to take whatever information was gathered so that we could use it well?

Cool.

What does that look like?

I've actually never attended one of those meetings.

Yep.

Um if you could remind me, Mayor, how many individuals are even on that committee?

Yep.

There's 11 individuals appointed by the City of Rockford uh to the community relations commission.

They have looked at a host of items, some that uh and they've provide us an annual report.

They have looked at uh from their beginnings uh use of force policy where they provided us, I believe, 17 to 19 different recommendations, and we I believe this body took 15 or 16 or 17 of those recommendations uh and put them into our policy.

Uh they have looked at everything from uh mental health uh concerns throughout our community to housing concerns uh in our community, uh hosts of different matters.

They did look at body worn cameras at one point.

Uh but that those are items that they look at.

I do not know and I'm not gonna speak for Alderman Bell uh the on what you information you would like them to provide to you.

Yeah, as I mentioned um previously, we would love to have our community uh the residents of this community have a an opportunity to publicly share uh on a public meeting here in the chambers uh their concerns with um with our commission, but also any alderman who wishes to come and listen on that day or watch virtually if they cannot make it to better understand uh residents.

Um I know that we've all been uh certainly inundated or uh with emails and calls and uh would certainly like more time for uh our community to have a voice in this matter uh as it's been uh I mean we've had several controversial um items in the last few weeks.

Um and I would say that uh even over the McDonald's I've had way more conversations around Flock than I have the McDonald's.

So uh would love to love to have um an opportunity for our community to have a voice in this platform.

So just so I can try to take what you're saying.

Don't want to change it.

I want to be uh true to your thoughts.

Getting back to Alder Woman Terina's thought, uh provide a space, being the community relate first, you're asking for a layover.

Second, you're asking for the community relations commission to hear from the police department about uh the use of license plate readers, and also at that have an opportunity for more residents to share publicly their thoughts and concerns over it, uh, and then have that body send you all some information.

That's the only part I'm waiting on you what that information should be.

So that body has a chairman and that body can uh come up with an agreed on consensus uh as what right minutes uh to provide director lies, uh city administrator, your administration, and this body uh with their perspective from all of the uh comments that were shared with them on that evening.

Um that's one, but also I would like to note I mean we've I think I think we have at least uh done this when it comes when it came to the uh historic preservation commission uh months ago um and and pushing back uh to get more insight from from those subject matter experts that again this body of points to that commission.

So yeah, just um I mean we're in no rush, like what it was stated, uh, that you know we're not in a rush to provide more time for our community to have a voice.

Um and so I think the community relations commission that we have and appointed two new individuals on that commission just tonight uh that they would have an opportunity to uh hear from our community.

Okay.

So uh we have this up for a we have a motion, we have a second for a layover.

And then the recommendation would be to provide an update from our police department to the community relations commission uh about our use of license plate readers at that same meeting would be an opportunity for residents to come and state their thoughts about license plate readers and the use of those that piece that technology in our community.

Do I have it fair?

And that they would provide us the minutes and the what they received at that meeting.

Yes, the same way they did with the body cameras.

So yes.

Uh Director Hammer, uh I think it's changed to touch from a direct send to uh and that being it to a layover with a request to have our team go there, which I think would fall in line with what they do as opposed to what I believe Alderman Frost and I took as the initial of sending the item directly there and then back.

I've repeated it, and I think initially I was I would agree with you, Alderman Frost that you can't do that.

But Director Hammer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Yes, that's that's my understanding, and and based on my review of ordinance section 11-43, uh subsection C, which outlines the functions of the community relations commission, it would be appropriate for them to weigh in on this matter.

Um of the their areas of purview is to assist city departments in establishing and maintaining good community relations and to serve all segments of the community in an equitable and professional manner.

Excellent.

So council, we have a motion, we have a second.

The motion is to lay this item over with a recommendation that uh the police department provides an update to the community relations commission regarding the use of license plate readers and uh towards our public safety efforts in the city of Rockford.

To which then the community relations commission would have to very quickly turn that information around, including meeting meeting minutes, and additional information to the city council.

Yes.

Am I getting it?

Perfect, sir.

I'm never gonna be able to repeat that.

So we have a motion, we have a second, is there discussion on the motion.

I have alderman Bonnie and I have Alderman Salgato.

I'm sorry, I'm coming right back to you.

Alderman Bonnie and then Alderman Salgado.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um first of all, I want to correct the comparison to what happened with the Preservation Commission and the Elks was the Elks Club.

The this body did not refer anything to the Preservation Commission for its recommendation.

The present preservation commission took it upon itself to place an item on the agenda that resulted in uh the meeting occurring in council chambers actually against advice of staff because the preservation commission wanted to make its opinion known to the council.

So the council did not refer anything back.

Um I don't disagree with the layover, but um I would I think what the public really wants is to be able to have a hearing in this chamber before us, not before another body.

And that um that I I don't know why we wouldn't, if we're gonna lay it over, just schedule a public hearing.

I think the mayor's in inadvertently I think hit on something is if we're not prepared to make a decision, why would the community relations commission be prepared in that short timeline to make a recommendation to us?

And if we've only laid it over until the 16th, and they're gonna and they want more time to consider it themselves, then we're gonna have to lay it over again.

So I don't uh director hammer, I believe we have a 30 if we were to have a public hearing, is there a 30-day notice requirement?

I would have to look at that.

I I don't know under what authority the public hearing would be held.

Um typically it's required by statute for the the joint review board and annexations and so forth, but I don't I can't think of a mechanism by which a public hearing would be appropriate on this item.

So that I I can look into that more um and get back to the board, the um council.

Thank you.

I I think that would be the better option that we just we lay it over for a longer period of time and let the and let the director research whether we can have the public speak to us directly rather than have it filtered through another body.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alderman Salgato.

Um it's not related strictly to the layover itself, but I'd like a clarification if I can now.

Um or do I have to wait?

Um my question that I have is uh for Chief Red.

She mentioned um, you know, through the state of Illinois, they did an audit, they found out that it was open to everybody essentially, um, and uh sharing the information.

Uh, but then it was also mentioned that the city of Rockford could also shut it off.

Um is that a true statement, not a true statement uh within the system itself.

Chief Red.

So let me back up.

Um the state of Illinois was not open for sharing per se.

It was that agency.

So I want to clarify that.

In regards to Rockford itself not being able to share, yeah, we could turn it off, and Rockford would be the only one that had access to our data.

But right now, we share within the state.

So if I may extend this, so similar to the Ohio, just like I brought it up.

Um we can't share it with other states.

They had to come in and ask for participation, correct?

Yes.

We could share if we wanted to, but we do not.

Right.

No that's what I'm saying.

So similar situation would occur in any other incident where unfortunately there would be more paperwork, uh, more phone calls and having that conversation whether uh we're allowing them to access our data um uh by county to county uh per se, because the city of Rockford, you know, is the only municipality that is going to be able to look at it that information.

No one else will be.

Is that correct?

What I'm saying?

All right.

So um so that could be a fix.

I don't think that is, and the only reason why I think we're in this situation, and let's be honest, right?

Um, it's because you know we've had ice incidents where this has occurred, right?

And and so not necessarily does that mean that m all these individuals are criminals or that they're going after, right?

Um, from that perspective.

Um, and so having access to that information, right, almost seems like an infringement on someone's privacy, right?

And so um, and and so where I'm going with this, I don't know, that could be a solution.

Um I don't know what their replications are if we would be in violation if we're not open to sharing that throughout the state of Illinois, because that's been mentioned, right?

That this is shared throughout the state of Illinois.

I don't know if there's a violation, but I would think that we would be quasi to make that determination whether we shut it off completely and just keep it within the city of Rockford, right?

And so I don't know if if there's a state statute that says that we if we have this flock reader license by state law, you know, we have to keep that button that says share with the state of Illinois.

So I I just make it seem like that could be a solution to this.

Um I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you.

Yeah, no, I could go ahead.

Alderman Sellgado.

My understanding that what you just said is really you would like to see it just shared with City of Rockford, not with the state of Alfred.

Yeah, and if we get requests from outside saying, hey, we really need access to this because there's an amber alert, there's uh silver, whatever you mentioned, there's um someone's out there on the loose, and we really need to catch this guy, it goes to the city of Rockford, they say, okay, here's the paperwork, whatever they have to fill out, or you know, whatever triggers it, right?

And then you make that determination, your department makes that determination, and and that goes from there.

But I don't know.

That's just I make it sound so simple.

I don't know if it is or not, but just wanted to make that recommendation if that's a possibility.

I think for the public general public.

Yes, I think that is absolutely a possibility.

Um Alderman Bell and then Alderman Beach.

I'll yield over to Alderman Beach.

Thank you, Your Honor.

First of all, I want to thank uh the chief uh the confidence that we've placed in her in her to bring us information to help keep this community safe, and the training our officers go through to be among the finest.

If we are going to take that decision away from her, essentially, although we know from previous discussions that the recommendation can come in, the final is in her hands.

If we're going to send it to the commission, then I would imagine we as a council ought to formulate the five, six, eight, twenty-seven questions that we didn't get answered here tonight in a forum.

So when that commission convenes, these are the 15 things we want answers to.

And I I just I mean, I've listened for almost an hour better.

It seemed like every question that came up from an alderman was answered by the authority over all of this.

You've got the mayor and we've got the chief.

As far as I'm concerned, not that any of us is not fallible.

We trust this person to give us credible information.

And I'm just simply saying, for one, I feel safer in our community.

Seriously, we're gonna start asking people to leave.

It's not it's not polite, really, to be honest with you.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

All right, knock it off.

You're gonna be asked to leave.

You are being asked to leave.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Yeah, real.

They were for us.

The city works for us.

The police work for us.

Nobody survived.

Nobody trusts.

You're gonna be asking to believe it.

I'll see my cell phone.

It's too late.

What are we doing?

It doesn't matter when we're talking does it doesn't violate this.

Alderman Bonnie.

There's a motion to recess.

We have a motion, we have a second.

All those in favor say aye.

No.

Clerk, please call the roll on the motion to recess.

Turkey.

Why are you waiting for the case?

Chief Red, can you uh have Mr.

Prez?

Sure.

Oh, these white people's both correct.

You're in recess.

Durkey.

I didn't know that.

Durky?

No.

Logan?

No.

Toomberg?

No.

Frost?

No.

Terina?

No.

Frontier?

Wilkins?

No.

Hoffman?

Grandith?

Beach?

No.

Salgato.

I'm sorry, what was that?

Meeks?

Bell?

Bonnie.

No.

Ten eyes, four no's.

I'm sorry.

Opposite.

Four eyes, ten no's.

All right.

We're back here.

All right.

Alderman Salgado, did you have or okay?

Alderman Bell, did you have additional questions?

Uh yes.

Can you remind us which where we're at?

We have a motion and we have a second on your amendment.

On your motion to lay over, I should say.

Alderman Bonnie, then Alderwoman Meets.

Actually, was Alderman Beach done before he was interrupted?

Alderman Beach, would you like us to get do you have additional questions?

Alderman Beach, would you like to share some of those thoughts?

Okay.

Alderman Bonnie.

I would like to make a motion to amend the amendment to separate the two questions so that we are voting on the motion to lay over separately from the motion to refer it to the community relations commission.

I don't believe there's a mechanism by which council can refer it to the community relations commission.

It's just as a request that the community relations commission would hear hear this item in the meantime.

So you council would just be voting on a motion to lay over for two weeks.

So that we're voting to lay it over separately from where voting.

So you're not voting on it.

Is there a so we are only voting on laying it over?

Yes, you are.

Yes.

But it will get brought to the community relations commission based on Alderman's request.

Unless we don't lay it over.

Unless you don't lay it over, then it will not be uh brought to the commission.

You're correct.

Alder Woman Meeks.

Thank you so much.

Russ, really quick.

How much would 111,000?

How many cameras would that supply us?

Chief Fred, there's a microphone right there if you so it's in the packet you're at.

27 license plate readers at seven intersection cameras.

And that's the whole hundred and eleven.

It's there, I I thought I saw maybe I'm conflating the two different um proposals in 25 and then the one now.

There was a like a 250,000 dollar sum in total.

There was a certain portion coming from the grant, and then the rest was coming from the intel operating funds.

Correct.

Correct.

Okay.

So is do we know if this grant is continuing through 2029?

I think is how long this contract lasts for?

So what happens is they typically open the grant every year.

Okay, so it's standard that it's here every year.

Okay.

All right.

I don't have any more questions.

I do want to call the question though.

Okay.

Call to question motion to lay over for two weeks.

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Durke.

No.

For a call.

This is to vote on the layover for two weeks.

Lugerman.

No.

Toomberg.

No.

Frost.

No.

Terina.

Aye.

Prenti?

Wilkins?

No.

Hoffman?

No.

Graneth?

Beach?

No.

Solgado?

Meeks?

Bell.

Bonnie.

Aye.

So it fails for a lack of the majority.

I have eight to seven.

Oh, okay.

Wait, that can't be right.

No, two.

Seven.

It's seven-seven, I think.

It is, yes.

And it fails for a lack of the majority.

Okay.

So we're back.

We have, is there any discussion on the item before us?

Alderman Bell.

I'm maybe new to this, but uh just wanted to ask, are you able to vote on that, sir?

You can, and you're not going to there's some lack of a majority, and I'm not voting on it.

You is there any discussion for Alderman Bell.

So I'm not going to speak out of emotions.

We're here for business.

So I I would just say, you know, that was that that was, and obviously it failed.

But again, to reiterate what that was is to give our community, who obviously you saw here tonight want to have more conversations around this.

It failed.

Um I will note like after going through all of the numbers, this is the smallest investment in Flock uh for this body over the last few years and 27 cameras.

Um I just want the community to know that there are individuals who uh want to hear more of you, and so I would say continue to show up and share share your perspective.

Thank you.

Alderman Meeks.

Sorry, I do have to ask about the motion because I'm just a little bit confused.

Um, and maybe it's because this is in motions and resolutions, but when we took the Barbara Coleman vote and you broke the tie, they didn't talk about the eight votes at that point.

I just want to understand why it's being discussed now.

So during the Barbara Coleman vote, and correct me if I'm wrong, Director Hammer, I did not need to vote.

I chose to vote.

Okay.

That's what you said.

You choose not to vote this time.

Yes.

I think other discussion.

Alderman Toomberg, Mayor.

I just want to uh ask one more time that Chief has this helped deter crime in our community.

Could you repeat that I didn't have your mic?

Unequivocally, yes.

Thank you.

Uh this and and Director Hammer.

Uh Illinois has one of, if not the strictest laws in the union when it comes to this kind of information that is provided by Flock getting out to other parties.

Penalty with prosecution by law.

Director Hammer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Yes, that's correct.

Illinois and and a handful of other states have what are considered more strict than average laws regarding these types of data collection and breaches.

You can't be this uh but let me just make sure I'm clear on this.

That the Secretary of State has a lawsuit against Flock, but this grant is coming from with a recommendation per se of their support from the Illinois Attorney's General Office.

I don't know that the Illinois Secretary of State filed a lawsuit.

They conducted an audit of law enforcement agencies in the state of Illinois to determine which agencies, if any, were sharing data with the federal agencies.

Okay, so the Secretary of State has had issues with Flock, but the Attorney General of our state, that office is behind this grant to our police department.

Yes, that's my understanding.

Thank you.

Alderman Salgado.

Thank you, Honor.

I'm gonna go back to my recommendation.

Um I hope that Chief Red Um would be able to shut it off and just limit it to the City of Rockford at this point in time being based on the circumstances that from the different um state of Illinois audit sharing the with other agencies when you know violating the trust act and so forth.

Um I just think that due process is very uh you need a search warrant, you go get a search warrant.

I'm not an attorney like Frost Alderman Frost, but I would think that that's the proper mechanism to do that in order to enter someone's home or ask for a subpoena through the court, they you furnish the information or whatever the case may be.

I feel the same situation in these instances when um they need information about individuals or license plate in this case, where they're the police department make that decision whether you know it's a legitimate um, just like I mentioned the Ohio murders here and there, whatever the uh Savannah got three, you know, in Arizona, whatever the case may be.

Um I I think that's the discretion up to the police department um to make that decision.

Um, but I I think that would be the easiest solution at this point in time.

Um, because then we know for sure 100 percent.

The only individuals that are touching that information is our own department, our police officers, and that's it.

Um, and we can certainly go from that direction.

Do I think that it's a crime reducer?

Absolutely.

Um, you know, you see it with Amber Alert, Silver, whatever.

It makes sense, right?

But at the same time, like I said, I keep saying this is the sharing with other agencies that are causing some of the things nationwide, right?

Um, and I think that's what really spurred this and this conversation, which I think is great now going forward.

You know, where's Homeland Security, this, that, how do we define that and and break it down?

It's good.

Uh, it's a great problem to have.

Um, no one's perfect from that perspective, but I do hope that we can make that recommendation because that will certainly help this go forward.

Thank you.

I just want to add with that um just be mindful.

As we if we come to that point where we're not sharing with anyone, that's reciprocated, so no one would share with us.

As we've had individuals want it for various crimes flee Rockford, and we have to reach out as well and share information uh in regards to suspects, suspect vehicles, things of that nature, and we want them to help us look for those offenders as well.

Thank you.

Uh-woman meeks.

Thank you so much.

Um, had this gone to community relations commission, some of the questions that I feel like I would have posed to them would have been uh we talked about the damages clause and the potential of punitive damages.

Um question that I did pose prior was the location of the cameras.

And I did make that request to you, Chief.

Have you been able to secure that information to share with even just the active alderman?

Chief Red Dr.

So I do have that information.

Um I have some concerns for investigative purposes, as they have been instrumental in helping us solve crime and reduce crime in the city of Rockford.

So per our conversation, I still need to follow up with the legal around that.

Yeah.

I just, you know, with it being in a public place, you know.

Um I I don't quite understand why we can't know where the public cameras are.

So I will say that again, and I'll wait until we can get release of that information because I feel like we've earned our seats and and I should be trusted just as much as we trust you, so therefore that information would be very helpful.

So therefore that information would be very helpful because the comments are these consolidated in certain areas.

And so in order for me to review that, I would need to know where the cameras are.

Um potential of independent auditing, if there is another company or anyone that goes outside of Rockford that does review the audit list, um, that is potential.

Um just being a little bit more public with the transparency as regards to the reporting and um data sharing limitations and and kind of what we saw or what some of us saw in the general order, just uh shared a little bit more publicly.

And then the potential of shortened retention periods.

So right now we're sitting at 30 days, there are other communities that have limited that to 21 days, other communities that have limited it all the way down to 14 days.

So I don't know how that benefits or hurts an organization, but those are the things that I would like that I would have liked for the community relations commission to review before we continued with this organization, and I just want to clarify you said it as well.

We weren't talking about these things in 2022.

We we didn't have the information that we had.

I don't even know in 2025 in May when we approve the additional cameras, if we knew kind of some of the information as well.

And so now that we know people are moving differently, and so I would have loved to have this opportunity for all of the feedback that has come from this community to every single one of us, I'm sure of it, for them to really have an outlet to share those feelings, and I just I think it's unfortunate that we did not approve it here on council alone, and I also really think it's unfortunate that you did not vote.

Thank you.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with many of the things that Alderwoman meeks it.

Um I will just say um if we are going to uh appoint individuals in this community to serve on a volunteer basis monthly, taking time away from their family, taking time away from work, what have you.

Uh it's already hard enough to recruit.

I think this again signifies, right?

We talk about pushing away developers, this pushes away volunteers in our community that want to be a part uh and matter of fact that have put their name out there on a huge platform to advocate for their community.

Um, I I certainly will be looking into uh how we can uh better utilize um our awesome commissioners on community relations commission, um, have been uh very engaged with uh their chairman and several of their members and super excited about the uh the new uh members that will be joining uh specifically around addressing food insecurity and having more conversations with uh director lies about housing and so you know certainly working on that, and I I think that you know what it seems like is that we're uh maybe giving them uh different priorities, which is fine, but I think that this body needs to um come to a consensus around what we utilize our commission for.

Um and things change, right?

So in 2020, 2021, when um the previous council um created uh the commission it I from what I understood uh at that time as as you know uh just a resident uh and not on city council that there were conversations specifically around use of force and um increasing technology for our men and women in blue who first off I had to say thank you for all that you all do uh to keep our city safe.

Um I understand also that there's a lot of political controversy around conversations like this, and I'd just uh be remiss if I didn't acknowledge our men and women in blue, and also uh that I I do support, but how we support is very important when it comes to preventative uh and reactive investment um to reduce crime.

Um so I mean, I don't think I I want to share more about how disappointed I am and and not having one more opportunity uh in a few days for our our residents to have conversations with the appointed body that again that we appoint.

Um so I mean I don't think I I want to share more about how disappointed I am and and not having one more opportunity uh in a few days for our our residents to have conversations with the appointed body that again that we appoint um but as a suggestion and and I highly recommend that um in order to not waste people's time that we really look at how we utilize that commission um as I've heard from several of their members that you know they're they're just on the commission because they've been asked to be and they want to they want to engage further but um I'd also add as a suggestion that uh we we uh uh look at the makeup of that um or the the priorities of the commission and reprioritize maybe what they uh ought to do um with their time around this horseshoe um so again I I I I do support um continuing to invest in technology to reduce crime in this community um especially around the retail areas that we've seen an increase uh by 75 percent as chief uh alluded to earlier uh and and also again as an advocate uh to uh recruit development and retail and in a grocery store to the west side um I don't see how I could not support this however now the question becomes are we going to prioritize the people that we appoint to commissions in this city so thank you thank you alderman Bonnie point of order can we restrict the comments please ms parliamentarian to the ordinance instead of editorializing I thought we're talking about director Hammer Thank you the the comments should be germane to the issue before the council thank you alderman Bonnie thank you mayor I just I've spoke not to procedural issues on this and not the underlying issue and I just want to make sure that my support for a motion to reconsider or rather layover is not construed as not supporting the underlying issue I think um Alderman Beach before he was interrupted made a very good point about respecting the recommendation of our chief and our chief made a very good point about her reputation being on the line with this decision but at the same time so is ours I mean we were here to approve the chiefs and the administration's recommendation and to lay it over for two weeks so that we're not taking that recommendation lightly so that everybody can have a little more time to offer input or consider their opinion I don't think was unreasonable but um I think at the end of the day um the chief has out made very valid arguments for why we should approve this and I and I do support that I just didn't think it was unreasonable for us to deliberate for two more weeks thank you thank you older woman Trina thank you um can we please have um rec I'm I'm asking if both our communications from the city level could give us talking points um because I would like to respond to the many emails that I did receive um to from the residents also I think it would be um based off the amount of public opinion that has been expressed police departments also put out a statement with just some of the points that you know answer some of these questions that the community is asking about I think just I wanted to offer that suggestion I think that'd be great as another layer of transparency to offer to the residents as well.

So we will certainly be able to do that and I think we could also put out like a frequently asked questions as well as and that will probably grow with more and more questions and I also don't think it stops us from going to the community relations commission uh with this item even on a broader context.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh alder woman Wilkins thank you honor um I've read a lot about uh the grant pretty much sustaining this program through 2029 can you give us some context on the sustainability of this center after this grant is over or the unit budget is over in 29 Chief Red So we are having some internal conversations in regards to how much we continue to participate in as I mentioned earlier there's no conversation around expanding um the license plate readers at this point so uh there we look internally to see where we're getting the best bang for our buck and I will tell you prior to this grant ever being on the table we had monies allocated for license plate readers so let's not fully sustained by grants.

And I will tell you prior to this grant ever being on the table, we had monies allocated for license plate readers.

So it's not fully sustained by grants.

Thank you.

Other discussion.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durke.

I remember that.

Logan.

So we're not gonna have comments, you're gonna be asked to leave.

Could we please escort the gentleman?

Thank you.

How do you know that we checked the adult share button on the software?

And that'll just work.

How do you know we're gonna obey that check button?

Clerk, could you begin the role again?

Turkey.

Logman.

Toonberg.

Frost.

Terina.

Prunty.

Wilkins.

Hoffman.

Granet.

Beech.

Solgato.

Meeks.

No.

Bell.

Bonnie.

13 eyes, one no.

Thank you.

Next we'll move on to new businesses, new business ordinances, planning and development committee of Alder Woman Wilkins.

Thank you.

You know what's item number one is an ordinance approving surveillance state every law of that?

What about the next guy?

Item one number one is an ordinance approving the 2026 funding agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce as the regional economic development organization in the amount of $75,000.

The funding sources the redevelopment fund.

Item two is an ordinance approving the funding agreement and lease agreement for 713 East State Street, Shumway Building with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028 in the amount of 125,000 annually for the total amount of 375,000.

The funding sources the city's redevelopment fund.

Thank you.

Council, there's two items before us.

Is there any discussion on those two items?

Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you.

I'll we've already discussed this, so I'll be brief, but I think the third word alderman did a uh fantastic job of educating us all on how the private sector organizations uh should have uh positive uh results, and I think we should hold the Rockford Chamber to the same scrutiny that we held the Arts Council to.

I would like to see the financial performance of the chamber over the last few years.

I'd like to see a detailed budget on how our money will be spent.

I would like to see um who are other funders, public and private, and does does even any private funder reach the level of commitment that that we are being asked to make, which is actually ninety thousand dollars when you include our $15,000 membership.

So I would like to make a motion that we lay over item one.

So we have a motion to lay over item number one.

I will also state we can absolutely get you that information.

So there's a motion, is there a second?

Okay.

There's a motion and a second.

Is that a two alderman automatic?

No.

Okay.

Uh is there any discussion on the layover?

Alderman Bell.

Yeah, I um think we had an awesome conversation during committee.

Um as relates to item one.

And um I think you know we needed all of their uh financial reports over the last year or two or three, could have been asked long time ago.

Um I just can't support this layover.

We we've had uh an extensive amount of information, and I would argue as well that um uh the chamber is always willing to have conversations, and they're doing great work in our community.

Um I think the argument could have been had maybe a few weeks ago.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Alderman Meeks.

I don't know how this will help the conversation, but um we have to recognize that the chamber has had a lot of transition over the several years.

I used to work at Rockford Area Economic Development Council prior to it dissolving and becoming a part of the chamber.

I remember when I worked there, the what the economic development department looked like at the city of Rockford and how we partnered and how we teamed up during that time and the need for site information and data and everything that they are talking about providing for this community that we all know that we need.

So this funding is an investment.

I want to remind our state to the council, you know, kind of where funding was for this organization back in 2016.

We funded 150,000 through 2018.

So 2016, 17, and 18, we hundred we funded 150,000 to the chamber of commerce.

2019, 100,000.

2020, we dropped that down to 50,000.

When I came into council and many others on this council, we dropped it to zero because we were unsure of how they were going to perform.

2022, we wanted to give them a little shot in the arm, so we gave them $50,000.

Since then, 2023, $0, $24, $0,25, $0.

We have funded to this organization.

We know that we need economic development in this community.

That's a need.

This isn't a want.

This isn't about anything other than what we need to be focused on, and this organization is gonna help us get us there.

So I don't think we need to waste time on this one.

I think we need to move it forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Alderman Prunty.

Um thank you for those reminders.

Um to the Alder um woman from the 12th ward.

I would like to remove my second, rescind my second.

Okay, so we have a motion on the floor.

Thank you.

We have a motion on the floor to lay this over.

Is there a second to that?

I took my second.

Yep, I know.

I'm just making sure.

See if anyone else wanted to replace it.

No?

Okay.

So now council, we have uh two items before you.

Is there any discussion on those two items?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Aye.

Lugerman?

Aye.

Toonberg?

Aye.

Frost?

Aye.

Terina?

Aye.

Prunty?

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman?

Aye.

Granit.

Aye.

Beach?

Aye.

Solgato?

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bell?

Aye.

Bonnie.

No on one item two.

Item number one, thirteen eyes, one no item two, fourteen ayes.

Thank you.

Next, we're gonna go to code and regulation committee and Alderman Bonnie.

We have two items.

Uh item one is an ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink, class L 50 in conjunction with the restaurant and video gaming terminals in the C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 2525 Auburn Street, Colleen Therese Kowalski, Michelle Kines, your house, and more incorporated doing business as Eurohouse are the applicants.

And item two, an ordinance approving a special use permit for a standalone coffee shop with a drive-thru with deviations from the regulations for parking and landscaping in a C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 73XX, East Riverside Boulevard 218 DT, Sandy Hollow, LLC is the applicant.

Thank you.

Council, two items before you is there any discussion on those two items?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

Aye.

Ogemann.

Aye.

Toonberg?

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Granit.

Aye.

Beach.

Solgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bell.

Bonnie.

Aye.

Item number one, twelve eyes, two no's.

Item number two, fourteen eyes.

Thank you.

Next, we're going to move to finance and personnel committee and Alderman Frost.

Thank you.

Number one is an ordering the 2026 IGA for a three-year property tax rebate program for newly built residential construction in the city of Rockford and School District 205.

Number two is an ordinance approving an IGA in the city and Rockford Public School District for vacation of existing right-of-way for construction of revised access to Lincoln Middle School on Charles Street, a part of the city's 11th Street plan with reimbursement provided by the RPS 205.

And number three is an ordinance approving an ASPE Local 1058-C collective bargaining agreement for April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.

Looks like we need to suspend rule nine on that item.

So we have a motion to suspend Rule 9 and a second to suspend rule 9 on item 3.

Is there any discussion on suspending rule 9?

All those in favor of suspending rule nine, please say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed to suspending rule nine.

Okay.

Council, we have three items before us.

Is there any discussion?

Clerk, could you please call the rule?

Durkey.

Aye.

Logan.

Aye.

Toomberg?

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina?

Aye.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Granit.

Aye.

Beach.

Salgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bell?

Aye.

Bonnie.

No on two.

Aye on one on three.

Item number one, fourteen ayes.

Item number two, thirteen ayes, one no.

Item number three, fourteen ayes.

Thank you.

Uh we do not need to go into closed session.

That took place earlier this evening.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

So we have a motion.

We have a second.

Is there any discussion?