Rockford Community Relations Commission Meeting – April 9, 2026
Rockford Community Relations Commission Meeting – April 9, 2026
The Community Relations Commission met on April 9, 2026, at City Hall in Rockford. The meeting included updates on HUD programs, record MWBE spending, and equal employment planning. Unfinished business covered proposed ordinance revisions and housing development strategies. New business focused on engaging the City Council and researching an affordable housing pilot program. Public speaker Steven McMaster addressed the South Side Data Center.
Consent Calendar
- The Commission unanimously approved the Journal of Proceedings from March 12, 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Steven McMaster expressed concern about a disconnect between the public and the City’s legal and legislative processes. He encouraged the Commission to provide formal input on the proposed South Side Data Center, noting that the public lacks information and that the Commission could serve as a bridge.
Discussion Items
HUD Program Overview – Andrea Hinrichs, Housing and Program Manager, presented on federal and state funding. Rockford receives approximately $3.2 million annually in HUD grants: $2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $1 million in HOME funds, and $150,000–$200,000 in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG). She detailed upcoming changes to the rehab program, including a shift to a request-for-proposals model to prioritize elderly and disabled applicants and a move toward pre-priced core repairs (roof, electrical, plumbing) to streamline work. The next application round is expected in fall 2026.
MWBE Spend Report – Michaela Harris, Contract and Grant Compliance Officer, reported that Rockford’s MWBE spend reached a record $35 million in 2025, a 75% increase since 2019. Local MWBE registrations rose from 80 to 119 over three years. 92% of HUD-funded contracts were awarded to MWBE firms. The City hosted an annual public procurement event with 80 attendees, focusing on bid packets and apprenticeship requirements. Opportunities for growth include expanding subcontractor tracking, further outreach, and smaller contract opportunities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) – Michaela Harris presented the EEOP, a federal requirement for grants over $500,000. The City tracks hiring and promotions to identify workforce gaps. Underutilization areas include white males in administrative roles and female/minority firefighters. The City implements targeted recruitment plans to address these gaps.
CRC Ordinance Revision – Chairman Brown presented draft revisions requiring at least one commissioner aged 18–24, supporting youth advisory mentorships, and shifting to quarterly reporting. The draft will be sent to the City Legal Department for formal review, with a target of City Council approval by July 2026.
Housing Development Ordinances – Commissioners McDowell and Bravo reported that large-scale new construction is currently unprofitable in Rockford due to high taxes and fees. They highlighted the Rockford Community Investment Fund for property acquisition and redevelopment. A strategic pivot to modular homes is recommended, but a barrier is identifying and certifying smaller local builders for modular construction. A formal report is pending receipt of information from the Mayor’s office.
Commissioner’s Questions for Aldermen – Commissioners Kaull and Bravo proposed questions for aldermen on communication and housing. The Commission debated how to engage City Council effectively. They preferred small group meetings (3 CRC members with 3 aldermen) to ensure broader perspectives. Chairman Brown will ask the Mayor to formally reintroduce the CRC’s mission to the Council. The target is to begin small group meetings in May 2026.
Affordable Housing Pilot Program – Commissioners Pakiela and Garwick presented research on housing initiatives from peer cities, emphasizing zoning updates to support multi-unit dwellings and "marketing" Rockford’s building structure to developers. They highlighted Avivo Village in Minneapolis, a transitional housing model providing secure shelter and intensive social services. The Commission will continue discussion next month, with a video and further details.
Commissioner Reports – Commissioner Borrero committed to volunteer for five weeks with the Opening Doors Program through Rockford Public Schools (Wednesdays, two hours at Brook Road location). Commissioner Pakiela will meet with the United Way Executive Director regarding the 211 Program to improve resident access to city services; she may invite the director to a future meeting.
Key Outcomes
- The Journal of Proceedings was approved by unanimous voice vote.
- The CRC ordinance revision draft was sent to legal for review; target approval by July 2026.
- The Commission decided to ask the Mayor to reintroduce the CRC to the City Council and to schedule small group meetings with aldermen starting May 2026.
- The affordable housing pilot program discussion will continue at the next meeting.
- Commissioner reports noted progress on community engagement and upcoming meetings.
Meeting Transcript
All right, Commissioners, having reached 530, we are going to call the uh community relations commission meeting for April 9th, 2026 to order. Uh can we start with the roll call, please? Commissioner Barrero. President. Commissioner Bravo. Present. Commissioner Brown. Present. Commissioner Cruddett. Absent. Commissioner Garwick? Present. Commissioner Johnson. Absent. Commissioner Call. Present. Commissioner Martin. Commissioner McDowell. President. Commissioner Pikela? President. Commissioner Shanklin. Absent. You have a quorum. Commissioners, I would just remind you to pull the microphones down to you so that we can pick up the recording. So the next thing we're going to move to is the acceptance of the journal, the Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission meeting held on March 12th, 2026. So move. We have a motion and do we have a second? We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion related to the Journal of Proceedings? With no discussion, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed. The next thing on our agenda is public speakers. We have Steven McMaster to join us tonight. Stephen, as usual, you have five minutes for that. How's it going? So last month I kind of talked a little bit about some of the issues I've had trying to communicate with members of City Council and members of the legal team and trying to get some things like changed, some of the simple updates that I think should should make sense. We totally should. Everybody, everybody wants to, but nobody wants to put the effort forward. And just to give some insight, the reason I focus on those kinds of like little minor procedural things that shouldn't matter is because they're apolitical. It shouldn't be a big ask to get a law that we don't follow updated. Like that doesn't make any sense. Thank you. It's just little things that we don't we don't follow. I like to focus on those because the bigger issues, the things that involve like actually convincing people to, you know, agree with me and change, join my side, is a lot more difficult. And they require a more nuanced conversation. They require that pathway in order for members of the public or whoever to actually have an entry point into the legal process that is our city. Everything that shows up on the data call for the city of Rockford, I try to be there. And I try to say things like this.
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