We can do it together.

We will go ahead and call the community relations commission meeting to order.

We can start with a roll call.

Commissioner Barrero.

Commissioner Bravo.

Present.

Commissioner Moran?

Present.

Commissioner.

Present.

Commissioner Barrow?

Present.

Commissioner Call.

Present.

Commissioner Martin.

Present.

Commissioner McCow.

President.

Commissioner Burke.

President.

The first piece of business that we have is the acceptance of the journal, so the Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission held on January 8th, 2026.

We have a motion to approve.

We have a motion.

Do we have a second?

Second.

Is there any sort of discussion on those proceedings?

And all in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Those proceedings have been approved.

Does not appear that we have any public speakers tonight, so we'll move on to our information only section.

We have the mayor with us tonight.

So we wanted to have a conversation with you, Mayor, and we'll we'll kind of start off and kind of walk you through some of the things that we talked about during our strategic planning, and then open it up for you if you have questions for the commission, and then for the commissioners should they have questions for you.

Sorry.

These are our passion areas.

You'll see that uh we want to continue to be very welcoming.

I think one of the things that we all saw as commissioners this last year was really opening the doors to our community and asking them to come in as part of those listening sessions and an opportunities to speak back to us, really give us an opportunity to hear what's really happening in our community and be able to give you some some feedback.

And I know that you were just sent the other day our annual report, so that has some of that information in it.

Um obviously equity and inclusion continue to be important.

One of the things that that you'll hear all of us talk about is moving forward as a commission, we want to have measurable action.

We've spent a lot of time listening in our community, and that that is very important.

But we are now at a point where we want to take some action.

We want to start really making some change in the community and really advising you all, um, you and then the council on those changes.

Pastor Martin, is there anything that you want to throw in there?

You're good?

Okay.

Um accomplishments.

So again, the expanded community engagement.

Um you know from the beginning of our time as a commission, the increased transparency around the body cameras and the use of force.

As a commission, we talked about those of us that have been around since the beginning.

That's when we really felt like we were doing valuable work is when you gave us something very specific and said, I need you to solve this issue, and we work together to make that happen.

Um some of our challenges is there's some communication gaps.

Right?

I think that things happen where community members will come to us, will express a concern.

We will then let city staff know we have a great team over here that that works with us, but sometimes getting that response back, there's a little bit of a delay, and I think it's hard then when we try to communicate to the community what's happening.

We don't always have a place to send them, right?

So we we're working on trying to improve that communication, making sure that if something comes up during a meeting that we're saving space for it on the next meeting agenda and and pulling folks in on your team to get those answers to the community quickly.

Can I ask questions now?

Absolutely can.

I guess thank you, Chairman.

Um question is could you be sp maybe give me an example of one of those I it sounds like we need to do a better job closing the loop, and I think through reading the report, uh you mentioned some specific ones about maybe two residents or three residents who came to you with like drainage issues, and you didn't hear back fast enough.

Is that what you're referring to?

Examples like that, right?

So so I know, and and I think we know as a commission that city staff were on it, but we didn't hear until much later what the actual result was.

So if those residents would have returned that next month, we didn't have an answer for them.

Even though your team did exactly what they should have done and reached out and made sure it happened.

Thank you.

So and then I think limited awareness of programs.

I I think that you know we we hear a lot about what's happening at the city, but there are still things that we're kind of out of the loop on, right?

Or or feel like we're on the out of the loop on right away, and the community does come to us and um ask questions.

So just making sure that we continue to stay aware of the programs.

So just making sure that we continue to stay aware of the programs, strengthening the relationships with the aldermen.

I think we all in our strategic planning conversations felt like it might be time to reintroduce us to the aldermen and make sure that they understand the value of our commission and understand that that that's a partnership that we want.

We want to work with them, we want them to be part of the process.

Um just really needing them to see the value in the work that we do, and then continuing that consistent community networking.

Again, I think we found the most value of this last year of having the community come talk to us.

Okay.

So this addresses some of the challenges.

We're looking towards having that one to three day response, and how do we make sure that if someone does come out to us with an issue, we're responding to them, um, getting updates from staff when there are inquiries directed to the CRC.

So you'll see later on in the agenda that we have folks coming from your team to share with us some of the things that they're working on related to some of those concerns that were brought to us, um wanting to do some more round tables and listening sessions, improving those updates, and then really I think for those of us who've been on the commission for a while and are getting to the point where we're getting ready to transition off, there's conversations around youth engagement and and in two ways.

One, how do we get youth around the table so that we can mentor them?

But then also, what about those youth that already have the mentors that are ready to be part of this commission?

How do we make sure that we create opportunities for them to be successful in those spaces?

Focus areas, housing.

Housing continues to be a focus area for us.

I would say for the last two years, we have heard, if not longer, we have heard from residents around housing and how those barriers exist for residents in our community.

Uh, one of the things that that they talked about was some of the ordinances not necessarily being the best for housing.

So we we are open to reviewing those, uh, looking at some pilot programs for affordable housing, uh, getting regular updates from the housing authorities.

We understand the role that they play, so wanting to make sure that we connect with them more regularly, uh, workforce development, wanting to do some round tables around that, exploring some pilot programs that have worked in some other communities, and again, listening sessions about those barriers.

I think before we can really make real headway in workforce development, what are the barriers?

What are the things that are stopping our residents from from being successful?

Um getting regular updates to staff, uh addressing that follow-up gap, and then also we talked about, you know, we give you a yearly report.

We talked about expanding that to a more regular that way, as we're developing the relationships with the aldermen, they're not just hearing from us once a year.

They're getting a regular report from us saying, Here's what we worked on in the last three months, here's what we plan to work on moving forward.

So I think expect to see more from us from that side, and then also just getting the aldermen to engage with us on that same level.

So some of them great come in and they're part of the process, but we really want to speak with all of them.

So and there are some commissioners working on questions uh that will be sent to the aldermen so we can better understand the work that they're doing.

And then um youth engagement, again, really we we really recognize that our future leaders are already in this community, and this is a great spot for them to develop those skills, whether that means that we're mentoring them, and we talked about narrow strategic planning meeting having a young person assigned to each one of us, and we also talked about if there's a young person who's ready to be on the commission, let's create space in the ordinance that allows them that access and key priorities, uh increase access to community programs and services, strengthen that community participation.

I think we've seen the community here most when there's something that the community is passionate about, right?

Body cameras, community was here.

Uh when we started doing the listening sessions, once they they knew that they could come tell us anything, they were here, right?

So more opportunities to engage with them, more opportunities to really be the voice for them, and then turning that community input into an actual measurable action.

So next steps, we're finalizing our action plan, we're assigning uh the initiative leads.

We each have agreed to take on different initiatives that we're going to focus on, and then launch those communication improvements and begin some more outreach.

So is there anything from the commissioners that I missed that you all want to bring up to the mayor before we get into questions?

Could we back up the slide to the the last one?

Okay.

This one?

Yes.

Please.

Thank you.

For a second.

No problem.

I just had one example, because the mayor asked for some examples of where the communication might be sharpened a little bit.

I think in terms of the the regrow grant, uh the regrow program and and how that impacts us as a commission.

I felt like I was learning things from the news media and just kind of left to figure out how that impacted us and indeed whether the regrow program would uh you know would continue and whether we would continue doing that work.

So Larry and Michaela do a phenomenal job.

I I think it's just a matter of starting new habits in terms of having the commission perhaps learn things first from you know from uh from city from city staff from you, mayor, you know, however that would work.

But that was another you know, you ask for example, so that was one of the ones where I I felt, you know, myself that I was kind of guessing.

Sure.

Anything else that we want to add or any questions that you all have for the mayor while he's here.

Can I go through a couple of the things and then that may also spur some questions of me?

So one, I just want to say thank you uh for letting me be here and thank you for volunteering.

Sincerely appreciate it.

Um these may not be in the best order, and then I was also sent a couple of questions I want to make sure I address as well, but happy to take any questions that you have.

Um I really liked this update.

Also really like the report and the information that you provided, so thank you for that as well.

Uh this will be a little bit all over the place because I'm just going through uh base on that uh PowerPoint.

I think that communication uh I think can absolutely be improved.

I I would say starting with me, it should be improved.

Um and I will commit to doing that.

Uh but I will also at our department head meeting on Monday.

I'm just gonna reiterate to our department heads because truthfully, I don't think I've done that.

Like I mean, we've had a number of new department heads that were not here when this was created.

They did not sit through the amazing and wonderful council meetings that this was created.

Uh and I think they need to just be reminded of the importance of it and the importance of communicating to you and the importance of when they do get an item that comes from Michaela or Larry that we need to make sure that we close that loop.

Um and that is something I talk a lot about to our team on that closing the loop because they do amazing stuff.

Uh in their defense, uh I'll be full disclosure.

We have less staff than our comparable cities, and so they're just done and they're on to the next, done on to the next in that one second of hey, you know, one, two, three main street, we did take care of that drainage issue.

Ms.

Smith or Mr.

Smith seems happy.

Uh that simple thing would be a big help.

And so I will make sure that I work to close that loop.

Um I would also say I would be open.

I don't know if it's with the chairman uh or with members or to have an open door policy at some point of just direct communication with me.

If it's, you know, hey, quarterly, you know, in the mayor's office on the fourth Tuesday of the quarter from four to five or four to six, you can stop in and share anything that you're hearing directly.

Uh I'll let you guys determine how you would want to do that, or if you would want to do that.

Um I would also say uh I think there's varying levels of that communication.

I think regrow is at a different level than maybe some of the other initiatives that may be coming out.

We should, if you're not, get you added to some of the the press releases that Laura is developing.

Uh if that is the press releases of the items that are um starting, but also uh getting you into some of the information she's been starting to do it on social media uh and we're working hard this year.

Uh goal is for me to do more videos and recaps, which I hate, and also for her to do more uh committee and council meeting recaps, which I think are helpful, and I think if you just got those, it was it's quick enough information.

You know, a sentence about each program that if you had additional thoughts, you can always email me too directly, like hey, I saw this in the recap.

What is this?

Can I I would like the flyer on this, or is there a flyer?

Um getting contacted, I'd like to share that information.

Um I had another thing on communication.

I'm gonna circle back to regrow, okay.

Um another uh item is talk to youth engagement.

I would love that.

Uh I think we could put forward uh something.

I guess a question don't need an answer today, is but with the number of uh commissioners we have now.

Do you want to use one of those commissioners?

Um just gonna pick on you, Chairman Brown, but if the chairman steps down, do you want that slot to be uh now a youth spot?

Or do you want to add a commissioner and have that be a youth spot?

I think you guys gotta think through that.

Uh I'm not fighting either way.

I do think uh we have an odd number, and typically odd numbers help in case there's a tie.

I've had to break a couple of those.

Um and so that may be helpful.

Uh I will tell you, I think there's lots of different places that we could be looking.

Um I mean, we do have a mayor's and chairman's youth advisory council.

Uh it's a good group.

Maybe there's someone that they select and they're now the appointment.

I don't know.

Uh I was also, I will say at Roosevelt just this morning, and any one of those kids who asked questions, I mean, they asked incredibly thoughtful, deep questions.

They are engaged.

They are reading, they were following the news nationally and locally and statewide.

They knew a lot.

Uh and so I would absolutely be supportive of getting that a youth member in some capacity.

And I think you guys need to think of four as we draft any potential ordinance.

Do you want them to be a voting member?

Do you not want them to be a voting member, just an advisory, like a learning member?

I know uh when uh me and former director Meyer were talking about uh the creation of this.

Um, there are uh I'm sorry, former now honorable Meyer.

I just gave me a nasty look.

Um I don't know if like we genuflect when we see you or what we do, but there you are.

Um but there are uh truthfully, there's city councils across the nation that have youth members that aren't voting members, and we've talked about that in the past.

Uh I guess if you could put some thought in how you want that brought forward, uh you would find support from staff in doing that.

Um I think re-in education people uh I feel like doing the Jay-Z of reintroducing yourself uh to uh city council would be important.

I think we can do that in a lot of different ways.

I think having you ask them questions, that'll do it.

I think this report will do it.

I think as we bring forward any potential new member, uh uh youth member, that will also be a great opportunity to do it.

I don't think it should be like a forced thing at council, like hey, we now want to tell you that you don't know that you have this, but here it is.

I think as we brought forward a youth member, it would be a really good opportunity for if the chairperson, uh whoever it is and our staff want to say, hey, this is when it was created, this is why it was created.

Uh now we're asking to add a youth member to fully reflect all the voices in our city.

I think would also be a pretty natural way to reintroduce as well.

I will tell you you have members of uh the city council and Democrat caucus, I'll say specifically at our last meeting uh there was uh very brief discussion on the CRC of making sure that they get more engaged with the CRC and you're more engaged with them.

Uh at the meeting prior to that, it was a much more lengthy conversation, and I think you have many members who want to be more engaged with you as well uh from at least the Democrat caucus.

Um thing, and I don't know if it's a suggestion or just something to throw on the table and walk away, is I do like the listening sessions.

I do appreciate that you did that.

I think one thing that may be beneficial is coming here is uh for many members of our community as something a little intimidating to come to City Hall.

Um I think maybe if your goal is to do two listening sessions this year or three, maybe you do one here and you you know go to West Gateway coalition uh and just ask them at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Go sorry, Jaria's like, I'm sorry, Commissioner Krude's like, not that one.

Um or go to rolling green.

Go to these neighborhoods that already have kind of um a built-in audience and just get different parts of the city, and maybe you know, this year you're gonna do the West and the North and or the West and the East, and next year you're gonna do the North and the South.

I don't know how you want to break that up, but I think even getting you out, letting people know and see you could be a benefit as well.

Umgagement, uh another thing on that youth engagement.

If it's mayor and chairman's or uh very selfishly, I'm a huge fan of Rockford Promise.

If there was a promise scholar that uh you know is living here and commuting to NIU or going to Rockford University, it could be a really nice way to get a whole nother touch of younger people.

Um I did I do like uh those uh areas, the housing, the workforce, the communication, youth, and I I think I would be most happy to help in all of those areas.

Uh regrow.

Should have communicated, I should have communicated better with you uh from the beginning on that.

Um I will commit to doing so uh in the future.

Right now, we have in it I don't know if I played a role in the confusion of it or if just communication out and the media played a role in it, but I think people are really confused on what is cannabis funding and what is regrow funding.

Because I consistently be asked uh in any question I get, it's people think they're one and the same.

So just not saying you don't know this, but we get we can tax recreational canvas up to 3%, so we tax it at 3%.

Uh we get roughly about 800, $850,000 a year.

All of that funding is in our existing budget.

The funding that was utilized was the surplus funding uh that was left in that account.

Uh all of that funding could be used for regrow.

Uh we put forward maybe three or four weeks ago uh regrow funding, I believe at 500,000, there was not a motion or a second to advance it.

And so it has quote unquote died.

It doesn't mean it's dead, it means that attempt didn't move forward.

Um I will tell you, I think our again, the Democrat caucus, and I'm not saying I'm favoring one caucus or another, that caucus meets regularly.

Um that caucus uh has stated that they would like your thoughts on the regrow funding.

Um so I think if you wanted to provide those thoughts at least to that caucus, even before you provided them to the full council, I think it would be welcome.

They typically uh if you wanted to do it in writing initially, that would be fine.

Uh they typically meet, I believe it's the first committee Monday of the month.

I believe, yes.

All right, our parliamentarian says yes.

Um I believe it's the first committee Monday of the month.

Our caucus will typically meet.

Truthfully, I would say putting it in writing initially, just because it's a caucus, it they can cancel that caucus right away, they can meet for five minutes, they can meet for five hours.

It is up to the caucus to decide that.

Um so I think putting it in writing, and then if they want some feedback, then taking your time to be there in person, as opposed to showing up and maybe their meetings two minutes and you spend an entire evening waiting on it.

Um last thing, just taking a step back.

So getting a little bit into the weeds.

So we uh and talking about regrowth, so there you go.

There's a pun.

Um several years ago allowed our firefighters to participate in something called VIBA, voluntary employee benefits.

Uh I don't know if it's ACT uh is uh uh, which allows them to get uh employee benefits uh earlier through their retirement.

It's something the employees wanted, something we supported.

That comes up here in 2026 uh and in 2027.

And so you will see more retirements from our firefighters in 2026 and in 2027.

And so the last several years, if you've you probably haven't, most people haven't, but we have been hiring literally double the amount of firefighters uh at each one of our hiring uh selection processes.

We've been doing that to prepare for a number of these employees to leave.

So we've been carrying an additional cost.

That additional cost is this one-time cost to get us caught up in 2026, and I believe ultimately ends in 2027.

That money from the regrow, obviously, you can't use a one-time fund to balance a budget.

It was a one-time fund to help balance this one-time expense.

Just I don't know if I've ever explained, I know I haven't explained that to you, but just so you have a thought on that.

Um I'm gonna get to the use of force in a second.

Uh I had a couple of questions that were sent to me.

Um, and then I'll wrap up.

Sorry if talk's alone.

There were really good questions, you know, based on priorities and vision for housing, where do you see uh the greatest opportunity for the CRC members to contribute uh as it relates to tangible housing solutions?

Um then another question somewhat related is are there areas in the city of Rockford that in your opinion would benefit from one or all of the following a revitalization of current homes, alternative housing options.

Uh and that was stated there was a precursing paragraph to that that you have heard a lot about, uh a top concern being housing from both staff as well as residents, um, and how the market has increased.

Uh a couple of things.

Um, I think it would be it's really important that we have great staff.

I think Sarah Lies is uh really perfectly chosen at the perfect time.

Um she has housing expertise, uh incredibly competent at a time that we have a housing crisis.

Um I think making sure that this body is in lockstep.