Good evening.

Good evening.

We will call to order the City of Rockford City Council meeting for Monday, April 20th, 2026.

We are fortunate this evening to have Chaplain Gary Lundberg to provide us with an invitation.

Let us pray.

Lord God, we have gathered tonight to build a better community for all of our neighbors.

Grant us humility to listen to your voice for the answers we know that we need.

So give us a heart to know and do your will with joy.

Amen.

Thanks for being here.

Now, therefore, I, Thomas P.

Mackmer, as the mayor of the city of Rockford do hereby proclaim April 2026 to be donate life month.

Just want to say sincerely thank you for the work that you do.

Our community recently just lost a young girl, and one of the stories that was being told was about the life and legacy that will continue on because of her organ donation.

And I know it made me go back and make sure I'm registered and just want to say thank you for the work that you do and uh genuinely thank you to all the families.

Uh can't imagine how difficult it is, but just know that you're appreciated and we're grateful.

Would you like to share a few words?

Um I would like for one of our ambassadors to say a few words to honor her son.

Good evening.

Um I'm Joy Beach.

Uh my son was 22 years old.

It was his 22nd birthday, and he was riding his motorcycle and got into an accident.

There was no way of saving him in any way, shape, or form.

Uh it was all head trauma.

Uh we had gift of hope that came up to us and said, Did you know that your son was an organ donor?

And we had no idea.

With that, we granted his wishes, and John ended up saving six people's lives with his organs.

He gave sight to one person, and he has over a hundred and sixty-six tissue recipients in 22 states and in three countries.

I'm so proud of him for making that decision unbeknownst to my husband and I, but I'm so grateful for that.

Um we have met three of his uh his organ uh recipients.

Uh, one since have died from uh lung cancer of the other lung.

But we were able to meet him.

We met a kidney recipient, and we're still friends with him, and we honor, we see him every year, and we also know a liver recipient.

The liver recipient lives very close to us, and we do a road cleanup twice a year in memory of him on the road that he had his accident on.

So we do community service in memory of him, and they both show up to the road cleanup.

So part of him is still living on.

And all I want to say is please tell your family your wishes, and please be an organ tissue and cornea donor.

Sign up.

It's so important.

Thank you.

Um, my name is Angela Rockwell.

Um, my daughter is Taylor Rockwell.

Um, she died November 9th of 2025.

Um she was 23 and leaving work on I-39 and was in um a unique and tragic car accident.

Um, we got three days with her before she was declared with an anoxic brain injury.

And so we knew gift of hope was what we wanted to go through with, and we were able to donate to three other women in the area.

Um last week I was able to meet a double recipient that got her liver and her kidney.

Um, and they're doing wonderful.

Um, I've heard back from her heart, and I've heard back from uh bone and tissue recipients.

Um, so still brand new.

Um, so waiting to hear back from from more, but same thing.

We knew she wasn't gonna make it, and the next thing that she would want to do would be to reach out and to save others.

Hello everyone, my name is Stacey, and I am here today because of recipients, donors.

Um, in 1986, I was sitting too close to campfire and it exploded and I was caught on fire.

I was burned over 90% of my body, and I needed um tissue donated to me in order for me to survive for them to heal enough of my body to know what else needed to be taken care of.

Um, when my accident happened, my dad picked me up and put me in the water and saved my life.

Um in 2022, my dad passed away and he was a donor recipient.

Everybody in my family are recipients or donor um people because of uh my story and my legacy.

And I was looking for a way to honor my dad, and he I found out recently that he has been able to save five other burn survivors with his tissue donations.

And I was looking for a way to honor my dad, and he I found out recently that he has been able to save five other burn survivors with his tissue donations.org.

Literally one minute, all you need is your ID or your driver's license.

Once you hit submit, you'll get a letter from the Secretary of State congratulating you and thanking you.

And when you update your ID or your driver's license, you'll have a beautiful red Illinois icon on there that says the word donor.

After that, we encourage you to please let your loved ones know that you are currently registered.

We don't want any surprises at the time.

And we thank you so much.

Thank you for having us.

Um it's an honor.

This is my first proclamation, and many of us up here, so we are very excited and super thankful.

Thank you all, and God bless you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks, sir.

Thank you, Brian.

Thank you.

The next uh proclamation that we have this evening is for Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month.

And I know that we have Shannon Krueger with us, uh Director of Merit at UIC.

Great to see you.

You're doing well.

Whereas throughout the month of April, the Family Violence Coordinating Council and other prevention groups will be hosting several events to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse and neglect.

And whereas in 2025, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services received more than 227,000 calls involving more than 78,000 children victims associated with abuse and neglect investigations.

Of those numbers, the Northern Illinois region recorded 22,000 investigations and 157 reported deaths from abuse and neglect in Illinois.

Of those numbers, five had active open DCFS cases.

Whereas every child is entitled to be loved, cared for, nurtured, feel secure, and be free from verbal, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse and neglect.

And whereas the city of Rockford has dedicated individuals and organizations who work daily to counter the problem of child abuse and neglect and to help parents obtain the assistance they need.

And whereas our communities are stronger when all citizens become aware of child abuse and neglect prevention and become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe and nurturing environment.

And whereas effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of the partnerships among families, social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community.

Now, therefore, I Thomas P.

McTamer, the mayor of the city of Frankford do hereby proclaim April 2026 to be Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month.

And we are really fortunate to have Shannon with us.

Shannon's remarkable.

She is a director of merit, who truthfully we're just really fortunate to have in our community.

It's run out of University of Illinois College of Medicine here in Rockford.

They do physical exams on any young person who's been six suspected of having abuse or neglect.

And Shannon, I'll let you say a few words, but just want to say we're really fortunate to have you, and thanks for all that you do.

Thank you very much for having me today and mayor in the city of Brockford for being committed continuously on combating child abuse and neglect in our community.

I think we have amazing organizations such as the Kerry Lynn Center, our Rockford Police Department, our Rockford Fire Department, all of our community members that come together and have either professionally or personally been affected by child abuse and neglect.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

So we just had two pretty somber events.

Incredibly important events and proclamations.

But now we have a very important one, but a little bit more fun.

We are really fortunate today to be amongst uh the Keith Country Day Scholastic Bowl State Champions.

So please come forward.

And if you have anyone who wants to take a photo of you, they can come right in here.

But otherwise we'll let anyone be right up here if you want to take photos.

Congratulations.

Thanks so much.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

What's up, Marin?

Congratulations.

Whereas the Keith Country Day School Quiz Bowl program currently serves both middle school and high school students with 44 participants during the 2025 and 2026 season, fostering academic excellence, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity.

And whereas since 2019-2020, they've been under the leadership of Coach Kristen Burns.

The program has experienced significant success, including four IHSA regional championships, two IHSA sectional championships, and the 2026 IHSA Scholastic Bowl State Championship title.

Whereas the program emphasizes inclusivity through a no-cut philosophy, ensuring that all students who wish to participate have the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute.

And whereas a strong culture of mentorship exists within the program as older students guide younger participants and alumni remain actively engaged and supporting current teams.

And whereas the Keith Faculty Administration and the Board of Trustees demonstrate exceptional support for their program, contributing to its sustained success and growth.

And whereas the school's rigorous Renaissance style curriculum promotes critical thinking, creativity, and a broad academic knowledge, helping to prepare students for success and growth.

And whereas the Keith Quiz Bowl teams, I have a hard time just saying it, and you guys are state champions.

So whereas the Keith Quiz Bowl teams compete in local, regional, and national tournaments, including the high school national quiz bowl tournament, where top teams from across the United States compete.

And whereas the success of Keith Quiz Bowl program reflects years of dedication, collaboration, and school-wide support, showcasing the strength and the spirit of a small school with a strong academic tradition.

Now, therefore, I, Thomas P.

McTmere, do hereby recognize the Keith Country Day IHSA Scholastic Bowl State Champions.

So for individuals and teams who do amazing things in our communities, if it's a city staff member who goes above and beyond, or if it's a resident who goes above and beyond, or if it's individuals like you who really shine a bright light on the city of Rockford and fill us with uh tremendous pride, I have the opportunity to provide each of them with a uh challenge coin to show that we appreciate you and the incredible work that you've done.

So I will provide that to you and coach, if you'd like to say a few words, we would love to hear from you.

I'll give that to you.

Thank you very much, Mayor McMahon, City of Rockford.

Um my name is Kristen Burns, and I'm incredibly proud of uh these these fine people here next to me.

These are only six of our many, many players, uh, and this is a culmination of years and years of work.

Um we're a small school, but we've got a big heart, and we are you know just a mighty uh you know, force of just uh academics and hard work and dedication and love and anything you can you can imagine.

This is these guys are a teacher's dream.

Um that came out to uh support.

Uh we cannot thank the Rockford community enough.

Um since we found out we were going to state, um, we've had number a number of people uh contacting us at the school, uh congratulating the school, wishing everybody luck, uh all kinds of local schools and folks from the community, and we just we just felt that Rockford Love, and we were very, very happy and proud to bring it home uh to you all.

And so without without you and without your support, there is no us.

So thank you very much for your support and all of the wonderful things you are doing in the city, and uh you know, helping our our young people grow and flourish and go out and do great things.

So thank you.

Thanks.

Clerk, could you please call the role?

Turkey.

Logaman?

Here.

Timber?

Frost?

Terina?

Here.

Fronty?

Wilkins?

Hoffman?

Graneth?

Beach.

Salgado.

Meeks?

Bonnie.

13 present.

Excellent.

We have a quorum this evening.

Uh next, we're gonna go to petitions and communications.

We'll go to planning and development committee and alder woman Wilkins.

Item one is a memorandum from Andrea Henriks, housing and program manager regarding amendments to the current and prior year annual action plans, referred to playing and development committee.

Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mayor.

We have four items, all of which are referred to code and regulation committee.

Item one zoning board of appeals agenda for the meeting to be held on April 21st, 2026, and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the code and regulation committee meeting on April 27, 2026.

Number two, liquor and tobacco advisory board agenda for the meeting to be held on April 21st, 2026, and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on April 27, 2026.

Item three, memorandum from Scott Capavilla, planning and zoning manager regarding the fl final plat of Bell School Crossing Subdivision.

And item four, memorandum from Alderman Tamir Bell regarding a proposed resolution establishing minimum standards, performance requirements, and community benefit obligations for data center development.

Thank you.

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

Thank you.

All these matters will be referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Number one is a memorandum from Owen Carter regarding the approval acceptance of an IDHS ESG grant award.

Number two is also memorandum from Owen Carter regarding approval acceptance of an IDHS rapid rehousing and shelter diversion program.

Number three is a memorandum Owen Carter regarding approval acceptance of an IDHS homeless prevention grant award.

And number four is a memorandum from Treatara Flowers regarding the acceptance of an IDHS IDHS community conveyer grant award.

Oh these thank you to these four members will be referred to finance and personnel.

Thank you, Alderman Frost.

Next, uh we have our public speakers.

Want to remind our public speakers that there's a microphone on the back right as well as the back left of council chambers.

You'll have uh three minutes to address uh city council at the close of that three minutes.

I'll ask that you conclude your comments.

Our first public speaker this evening is Stephen McMaster.

Hello, Lou.

Uh my name is Steve McMaster, and I've been here a lot of times.

Uh I seem to be pretty consistent whenever I'm up here.

I want to know what the rules are and if we're going to enforce them.

Uh so far here today, there have already been a number of rules violations.

Uh I'm not sure if anybody cares, but working on a list of what uh normally gets violated.

Rule 1-1, constantly violated, rule two, rule four, rule 9-1, 9-3, rule 14, rule 20, rule 21, that's a long one.

Rule 22, and rule 23.

Constantly violated in these chambers.

That leaves me questioning what rules exist, what rules do we want to follow?

I I would love to know.

Uh so today we're gonna we're gonna try something.

I'm gonna try to violate as many of the rules as possible until somebody raises a point of order or a point of information regarding the rules.

First one is uh I'm not allowed to have visual aids up here.

So here's uh here's a visual aid.

Nope.

We don't wish to enforce that.

Cool.

Sounds good.

Um another rule about signs.

Can't be larger than eight and a half by eleven.

So here's one that's uh clearly larger than eight and a half by eleven.

Nobody intends to enforce that rule.

Great.

They can't be on stakes either.

So I mean, I think you kind of understand the point.

We're not going to enforce that rule either.

Great.

I stand up here repeatedly asking what the rules are.

I we talk about respect in these chambers.

We talk about respect when members of the public attempt to address council members when they don't feel listened to.

And that's when we'll enforce some mysterious rule.

I about a month and a half ago, a number of members of the public were kicked out of these chambers.

I followed every single officer out of here asking what rule did they violate?

What rule was being enforced?

Nobody could bother to tell me what rule gives the officers or the mayor the authority to kick people out.

We have that rule, guys.

It's it's in the city council rules, it's posted online, it's in front of all of you.

The fact that nobody can tell me what the rules are and which ones we want to enforce and when, it's disgusting.

It's not government, it's vibes.

And I'm really, really tired of the vibes.

So, like, seriously, what rules do we intend to enforce?

Are are you ever going to tell us?

Am I just gonna have to do more and more brass crazy things until I get arrested and then challenge it in court?

I I've talked to the chief of police, I've talked to the gentleman sitting right there with three stars on his trest, I've talked to the mayor, I've talked to city legal, I've talked to several members of city council begging you to do something that I can understand.

And I get nothing.

I get the same blank response.

Here's me rule violating rule twenty-three.

Thank you.

Do we intend to enforce Rule 23?

Thank you.

I would love if anybody can offer any sort of explanation.

Thank you, Mr.

McMaster.

Are we going to enforce rule 23?

Is that is that what's happening right now?

I will absolutely follow whatever rules we have.

Mr.

McMaster, we don't want to have to ask you to leave.

You would have to say what rule I'm violating in order to do that.

I'm welcome for you to ask you to leave.

What rule is being violated?

Mr.

McMaster, your time is done for public participation.

We now have other public speakers who are going to come up and speak.

I don't believe you, because we can't enforce the rules.

We don't literally, we have not Mr.

McMaster.

Yes, sir.

Please don't have us have you escorted out of city council chambers.

What rule legal director Hammer, could you uh outline the rule that Mr.

McMaster is violating?

Thank you, Your Honor.

Uh Rule 21 governs the uh rules in which a member uh excuse me, a person not a member of the city council may speak to address the members of city council.

Have a good evening.

Our next public speaker this evening is Katrina Baker.

Understood.

Okay.

Uh good evening, mayor and city council, uh Rockford area residents.

Bear with me, I'm getting my voice back.

Um but my name is Katrina Baker, and I'm here to give rise or give voice to the rising concerns regarding the proposed data center.

Sorry, um, and the potential risk of putting uh profits over our future.

So certainly Rockford has pre-existing data centers, um, and they are in use, but it would be uh a naive to state that this is a reason to move forward with the proposed data center in the south of the city or in any part of the county for that matter.

Data centers use tons of resources, uh, electricity being one of those.

Kilowatts and electricity bills already increased last summer and are set to increase again this June.

Um in a time of all-around rising costs.

I'm sure you all can understand the concern with that.

These centers are not run by people, they are run by computers.

So whatever jobs will come via construction of the center will not have a long-lasting impact on the job viability of Rockford.

Excuse me.

Uh the center uses millions of gallons of water to cool the systems down, and despite whatever system is used, whether that be open or a closed loop, um sorry, less my spot.

Uh, the risk of PIFAs being introduced to our water is incredibly high.

There's also noise pollution concerns.

Uh data centers are required to be on in powered 24-7 and use backup diesel generators that create noise equal to that of a jet engine.

Um I'm sure you've heard of uh that happening in Aurora where there was a power outage and those residents had to deal with that noise for 72 hours straight.

But I will be incredibly clear here.

Um I am all for progress.

I this is my hometown, and I have seen it grow and flourish in a way that a lot of people have said was not possible.

Um I actually moved away from Rockford and then came back um a few years ago.

So I'm I'm really happy to see that we can all go outside and play in perks and drink safe drinking water.

But property values, as far as um these data centers are concerned, uh will decrease as a result.

And at a time when Radford is ranked among the best places to live and is a real estate hot spots, I'm sure you all know, um, this is the opposite direction that we want to go.

The AI market is a gamble, and the city can do better.

It's potentially a bubble, and I think that Rockford can set the example of how to move forward into the future without sacrificing your future for some money for a few years until that bubble bursts.

Um there should be no rush to get this or any other center built.

And if there is, let's question why.

Do your due diligence, place a moratorium on these projects.

Uh, consider uh I know Alderman Bell is not here today, but I know he put forth a proposal, which includes safeguards and requirements for resources, pollution, and restrictions restrictions on tax incentives.

Conduct groundwater studies.

Oh, is that me?

Sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Our next public speaker this evening is Denzel Winter.

Thank you for it.

Good afternoon, City Council.

I'm here today because there's been some stuff happening in this city that shouldn't be going on.

But I'm gonna tell you, I am a father of a neighborhood.

And the children will be out here selling water, and that's not a crime.

Because if you can have people out on the corner, uh money, these children ain't doing nothing.

We're trying to do what they need to do to get their little clothes or a bike or whatever.

We have people out there harassing them.

But I'm gonna tell you, I'm gonna put on my parent neighborhood badge, and I'm gonna walk there.

Neighborhood and make sure that these children are protected.

Because it it really gets me bent out of shape when these kids are not out here running around causing trouble.

They're taking their own little money and buying what they want or need, you know, showing showing us as adults that they don't have to wait around and ask for anything.

So I will be out there.

I will be walking the neighborhoods because I have people have been telling me that there's grown-ups going out there threatening to take the kids' money, and I'm not gonna stand for it.

I'm gonna be out there and I'm gonna be watching.

I'm not gonna cause no problems if problems don't come to the kids.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker this evening is Prophet Yusuf.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

In the book of 1 Timothy, the fourth chapter, the 12th verse, it says, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

Show yourself an example of those who believe.

What I want to speak about tonight, showing the way.

There never seems to be enough good leaders to go around.

Leaders can't take a community any higher morally or ethically than they've been themselves.

Just as a pastor can't take a church high spiritually, then he's gone himself.

That's why studying the life and accomplishment of Mia Ma is like a breath of fresh air.

Today we'll be studying how to transform culture, and we're stopping at just the right spot with the portrait of a godly leader.

Fix this picture in your mind because we need more near my leaders today.

After Nia Ma made the nobles and rulers shape up in the way they treated the poor.

Their fellow people who were in need, someone could have asked, hey, what about you, Nehemiah?

Do you practice what you preach?

The answer was yes.

Nehemiah set a great example for his people.

He looked over his 12 years governorship and concluded that he had honored his God.

Notice what he did and did not do.

First, unlike his predecessor, Nehemiah did not allow power or wealth to corrupt him because he feared the law.

That tells me you can be a Christian politician.

You can serve in the government and still fear the law.

You can be in business, law, medicine, and fear the law.

You can be anything and honor God.

Nehemiah knew that power and wealth couldn't corrupt.

So rather than lounging in the governor's mansion and enjoying all the perks of office, he set himself to work on the wall of Jerusalem.

He did not tell other folks to do what he was not willing to do.

He led by example.

We need leaders today who set the example.

I don't mean look being perfect, but making the effort to do things right and to and correct when you do wrong.

Think about it.

Every one of you in this city councils, our leaders.

Whether you know it or not, someone is watching you.

What kind of example are you setting for the people?

I also been wanting to tell my oldest brother, Robert, who made 97 years old this for a long time.

And I'm gonna get it off my chest tonight.

Brother, I don't like you.

I love you.

And you can't do nothing about it.

And happy birthday, my brother, and God bless you and your family.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday, good brother.

Happy birthday to you.

Thank you for allowing me to speak.

Thank you.

Our next public speaker this evening is John Tech Franley.

Good evening, uh, Mayor McImara, uh, Albanist and our citizens of uh Rockford, Illinois.

Uh, first off, I want to thank the Catholic Diocese, the Luton Diocese, and Second Congregational Church, and Gordman for um for supporting this event that we're getting ready to go on to take out the pyramids.

I also, before I even start talking about that, uh Bill Stokes passed away in in uh 2019 from prostate cancer.

My ex-wife passed away from cancer.

And right now, I'm in my second stage of prostate cancer.

But nevertheless, we knew a turning point as a catalyst for change within the city of Rockford.

We seek to mobilize the community to address a common obstacle that affects the city lower income youth population and to build positive future in and around our community for our youth.

In 2010, we began taking youth to local events to get them exposed to the activities that happen outside their neighborhood.

Often then taking a look at what life is possibility could be.

For example, we took them, uh uh Karen uh uh gave us some passage.

We took them to Winnebago County uh uh fair, and when they got there, they said they didn't see nothing but white people.

I'm saying, and but the white people heard them and they embraced our kids.

We had taken to the uh Freeport, we had taken them to West Consum to the Underground Railroad.

I was in the one uh uh uh million man march.

We had uh uh we had we take him to Washington, D.C.

We wanted to take them to is take them and see a pyramid that they had never seen before.

And I noticed a lot of people didn't even know we had a pyramid here.

So I had to show them the difference between a pyramid and a mile.

The mile here, right with North Maine Nine is sitting there, and Indian Terrace is uh is uh Indian now.

Where the mayor is living at was once Indian now.

The uh 251 uh was once below it road, was once Indian line.

When our biggest obstacle is getting a Van Gelder bus because it's gonna be four and a half hour ride.

That bus costs 4,000 five hundred and seventy four dollars in order to uh transport 54 of us.

When we get there, we're not only gonna check out the mile, but we also cannot go and buy East St.

Louis and not see the uh the the uh the arch.

And last but not least, we're gonna stop at Denny's, because they got that 599 Jennings, and we're gonna stop there to eat.

So in order to make change, change is not easy, but we are always see negative stuff.

You see, negative negative.

You turn on the news in the morning time, you see a black person's face negative for crime.

We need to show them that there's some positive.

That mine was built A.

G 500 AD, and even when you Google it, it's gonna show you that African Africans, we were here way before the Indians, and you would see thank you.

You will see all that all my time up.

But I'm looking for the city and the full arguments who I ask to uh help me get that get that bus.

Thank you.

And you too, Mayor.

Thank you.

Next, uh, thank you uh to all of our public speakers.

Next, we'll move to our new committee reports.

We have nothing under planning and development, so we'll move to code and regulation committee and alderman bounty.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have three items.

Item one committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals denial for A, a special use permit for planned use development consisting of a ground mount solar array within existing parking lot, and B variation to allow a chain link fence within the front yard along Acord Street and C variation to increase the fence height from four feet to six feet within the front yard along Acorn Street and in R2, two family residential zoning district at 609 Kilburn Avenue, Green Link Solar Solutions for the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford are the applicants, and I would note that the applicant has amended its request eliminating uh item B and changing um the six-foot fence from chain link to a white uh vinyl privacy fence.

Item two, committee recommends approval of plat number seven of Walmart subdivision for the property located at 72 XX Walton Street and item three committee recommends approval to amend the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article 1, Restoration of Brick Paved Streets Street.

Thank you.

Council, we have uh three items before us.

We have lots of hands at Alderman Frost, and then I'll go to Alderman Salgato.

Alderman Frost.

I would make a motion to lay over item number one.

We have a motion to lay over item one.

Is there a second?

We have a second.

Okay, item one is laid over.

Uh Alderman Salgato.

That was my oh he beat you to it.

Okay.

All right.

Um we have two items left before us, item two and item three.

Is there any discussion on either of those two or clerk?

Could you please call the roll?

Jerky.

No on three, I and two.

Ogeman.

Aye.

Tunberg.

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Aye.

Printy.

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Grandet.

Aye.

Beach.

Aye.

Salgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bonnie.

No on three I and two.

Item number two, thirteen eyes.

Item number three, eleven eyes, two no's.

Thank you.

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

Thank you, Honor.

Number one, the committee recommends approval of vouchers, the amount of 13,153, 758 dollars and 62 cents as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee being held on April 13th, 2026.

Number two, the committee recommends approval of release of lien in the total amount of 20,293.23 cents to facilitate the sale of Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 3617 Preston and 2916 Cluster.

Number three, the committee recommends approval of an IGA between the city and Rockford Township for emergency rental assistance, the amount of 25,000.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Next, uh council, we have uh three items before us.

Any discussion on those three items.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Aye.

Toomber?

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terina.

Aye.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins.

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Grandith.

Aye.

Beach.

Aye.

Salgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bonnie.

Aye.

13 ayes.

Next, uh, any aldermen have any officers reports.

Alderwoman Hoffman.

Thank you, Mayor.

And thank you for coming to Rolling Green last week.

Um, I know we had to really rush things because of the weather.

The police had advised us that we needed to get out as soon as possible, and you did an excellent job, as did Dan Murdock, I believe his name is from uh FLOC.

And so we did get it on YouTube, and I'm hoping that people that are interested will watch it.

And I have posted that on next door.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We had Alderwoman Terina and then Alderman Logan.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I did want to make an announcement to my residents that there is a fifth ward meeting coming up.

It's Thursday, May 14th at 5 30 p.m.

And we'll be hosting our meeting this time at the Rockford Park District Main Office.

And the address for that is 401 South Main Street, directly across the street from Embassy Suites.

And again, the meeting is Thursday, May 14th at 5:30.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Alderman Logan.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh yeah, good to be back.

I've had to be in and out a little bit taking care of my uh mother just um running up to Madison a little bit in the hospital.

I several of several of you have reached out, so appreciate that.

Um but uh I want to bring up uh next week, next Thursday, uh the Keith Creek neighborhood.

There's a livable community initiative neighborhood meeting.

Um so if everyone here remembers about a year and a half ago, our one R1 came in to talk about the this LCI program.

Um so if everyone here remembers about a year and a half ago, our one R1 came in to talk about the this LCI program, and so been working with um R1 uh as a staff uh trying to get some uh you know breathe a brush breath of fresh air into some of these uh more fragile neighborhoods that we have.

So um I'm excited for this meeting next Thursday, April 30th.

I put it on my I know uh Alderman Thunberg said the millions watching, the millions following my social media.

I put it out there too, but um yeah, excited about the meeting coming up to see uh what R1 PC is doing to help kind of rejuvenate uh that area in Keith Creek, which we know is one of the heaviest hit um a couple summers back uh during those big storms as we were just talking about storms, Alderman Hoffman.

Um so next Thursday, April 30th at 6 p.m.

at Redeemer Lutheran.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Alderman Meeks.

Thank you so much, Mayor.

Um I just wanted to remind uh 12th ward residents as well as 9th ward residents and 7th ward residents and third ward residents who are participating in the spring cleanup in uh partnership with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful will be at the uh North End City Market on Saturday, May 9th from 8 30 a.m.

until until 1230.

That is also the opening day for the North End City Market, and I just want to remind people that the North End City Market is way cooler than the other city market.

Um just just if you really like actual fruits and vegetables and really want to purchase you know your fruits and vegetables, this is the place to be.

So um I hope you join us on that day.

But it's also a very special day.

It is the uh annual spruce up day or um planting day for the veterans memorial circle.

And so we are all gonna gather on this day, all the wards, Alder Woman Granit, Alder Woman Wilkins, and Alderman Toonberg, as well as myself to register and participate with us.

Anyone can participate.

You don't have to just belong to those wards, but if you want to help clean up the area around Veteran Circle and those particular wards, you sign up at www.knib.org, and it's right on the front page uh spring cleanup.

And you can put your ward um and just help us clean up for the day.

So I wanted to just say thank you.

I wanted to thank Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful also for the Earth Day event that they just had and the pledge that you made, Mayor, to pick up 25 pieces of trash, and that is the request that Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful is making to the entire city of Rockford, the request to just pick up 25 pieces of garbage, and that will help us eliminate the 50 billion items of garbage that are out there in the community.

So uh we'd love your help.

Thanks so much.

Thank you.

Alderman Wilkins.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Um, I just wanted to piggyback off of Alderwoman Meeks.

Um, as she stated, it will be a very busy day on May 9th for the West Side.

Um, I am partnering with uh Rockford Park District who will be hosting a pop-up camp at Andrews Park that same day that morning.

We will also be doing a neighborhood cleanup in that area as well as kind of operating a um uh block party for that immediate area as well.

So for the residents, we will be out um flying and everything over the next couple of weeks to make you guys aware.

Um and if you are interested in helping lead these initiatives for these block parties that are coming up later on this year in the ward, please get a hold of me.

Um I'm working with residents as we speak, so we can use a lot more hands.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any Alder Woman Granit and then Alderman Bonnie.

Just a reminder for those in the 9th and 12th and probably 7th, there's a meeting this Thursday at 6 o'clock to talk about Brown Park to get citizen input on um all the fantastic things that are going to be happening in that area.

So you want to come there, you'll be able to meet the artist that is create um comed has donated a huge sculpture that is going to sit in this park.

And the artist along with um Washington kids at Washington Park were um people created the art that is going to be presented there.

But there's also then an opportunity to talk about other things that you want to see in the park.

So six o'clock this Thursday at Third Presbyterian Church on Custer.

See everybody there.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you, Mayor.

This has been going on so long I almost forgot to recognize it.

I want to thank um our building and fire inspectors and especially our legal department for their work on enforcement issues at Versailles Apartments, um, which after two years in court and three years uh trying to hold this landlord accountable.

Uh Judge Fabiano uh issued an order um for the remaining uh code violations to be uh remedied by the by October and um as of last uh the big the big one being uh elevators that have been either inoperable or um not operating properly in all three of their buildings for three years now and um the uh elevator uh repair people were on site last week, so those are that's finally happening, and then that's in addition to another number of other um life uh life safety issues that have been remedied.

Uh uh a lot of violations of um fire safety, umperable fire alarms, that kind of thing, and uh resurfacing of the parking lot, concrete um ramp leading into the underground garage was replaced.

There have been a lot of improvements made um through a very arduous uh process with a lot of work put in by a lot of our staff.

So I would on bate and I know that the residents of Versailles are very grateful, and so uh on their behalf I would like to thank everyone who's been involved.

Thank you.

Other reports just remind uh residents that on April 25th at 11 a.m.

at Rolling Green Elementary, they'll be doing a tree giveaway.

Uh that's 11 a.m.

on April 25th, a free tree giveaway as long as supplies last, and then uh love all the neighborhood cleanups uh we're hearing on April 22nd.

Uh for those who are able, uh it's Earth Day.

There will be a countywide cleanup uh as part of America's 250th celebration.

And I think the last I heard was uh about two weeks ago, and I think they had close to 300 participants.

So uh if you're able, it's Earth Day and help clean up and love hearing all these other uh neighborhood cleanups.

It's fantastic.

Uh next uh we'll go to motions and resolutions.

We have nothing under planning and development, so we'll go to code and regulation committee and Alderman Bonn.

Thank you, Mayor.

We have seven items.

Item one, the committee recommends approval of the Rockford City Market.

I guess this is the lesser known market.

Um doesn't say that, but apparently that's uh this event is scheduled to take place every Friday beginning in beginning on May 15th through August 28th from 4 p.m.

to 8 30 p.m.

The event location will be on Water Street between East State and Short Jefferson, Market Street between Water Street and the railroad tracks, which is the city market pavilion.

Item two, committee recommends approval of the Pride Alley Parade.

This event is scheduled to take place on June 6th from noon to 8 p.m.

The event location will be on 115 North 2nd Street, City of Rockford, lot number 28, 120 North Third Street, City of Rockford lot 30, and Market Street between 2nd and 3rd Street.

Item 3, committee recommends approval of the South Main Mercado and I DOT resolution.

This event is scheduled to take place on June 7th from noon to 7 p.m.

The event location will be on South Main Street between Luma Street and Kent Street.

Item 4, committee re recommends approval of Iron Man Rockford and IDOT resolution.

This event is scheduled to take place on June 14th from 4 a.m.

to 5 p.m.

The event location will be on the Rock River, Davis Park, Downtown Rockford, West Rockford, the Rock River Recreational Path, and surrounding communities.

Item five, committee recommends approval of the vets, rock the block.

This event will take place on June 20th from noon to six p.m.

The event location will be 1010 South Main Street, which is American Legion Post 340.

Item 6, committee recommends approve of the national night out.

This event is scheduled to take place on August 4th from 5 30 to 8 30 p.m.

The event location will be on Water Street between East State Street and Short Jefferson, Market Street between Water Street and the railroad tracks, which is the City Market Pavilion.

And item 7 resolution for settlement of John Johnson versus the City of Rockford et al.

Winnebago County case 2024 LA 316 in the amount of 40,000.

And to do that, we need to suspend Rule 9, and I would make that motion that we suspend rule nine.

We have a motion and a second to suspend rule nine on item seven.

Is there any discussion on that suspension?

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

Those opposed.

Okay, council.

We have uh seven items before you.

Is there any discussion on those seven items?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Turkey.

Logman.

Toonberg.

All right.

Frost.

Terina.

Frontie.

Wilkins.

Hoffman.

Grant.

Beach.

Salgado.

Meeks.

Bonnie.

All right.

13 ice.

Excellent.

Thank you.

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

Thank you, Honor.

Number one, the committee recommends approval award of bid for citywide street repairs group two to end track in the amount of $787,762.60.

The contract raising through June 26, 2026.

The funding source is the 1% infrastructure sales tax.

Number two, the committee recommends approval of award a bid for water division Portland Cement Concrete to DPI construction, the amount of $450,000.

Is a one-year contract with four possible annual extensions.

The funding sources of the water fund operating budget.

Number three, the committee recommends approval water bid for well number 46 water treatment facility to Scandrolly construction in the amount of $23,490,127.77.

The contract races through December 31 of 2029.

The funding source is the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Fund.

Number four, the committee recommends approval of award of contract for 2026 light duty citywide vehicles, the Anderson and Rock River Ford in the amount of $1,132,928.

This is a one-time purchase.

The funding sources are the capital lease funds and various divisions capital budgets.

Number five, the committee recommends approval of award joint purchase contract for backhoe loader equipment to Westside Tracker Sales in the amount of $305,401 after a $12,000 trading allowance.

The funding sources the water division capital beast fund.

Number six, the committee recommends approval award of joint purchase contract for a 2026 light duty vehicle enterprise fleet management in the amount of $31,918.

The funding sources Health and Human Services LIHEAP and CSPG grant fund.

Number seven, the committee recommends approval award of joint purchase contract for citywide heavy-duty fleet purchase to Lakeside International, amount of $1,543,240.

The funding sources are the general fund and the water division capital lease fund.

Number eight, the committee recommends approval of award of joint purchase contract for Microsoft Office Suite and Security Applications to CDW government in the amount of $487,597 and 27 cents.

The contract is a one-year with two annual extensions.

The funding sources the information technology and integration budget.

Number nine, the committee recommends approval of an award joint purchase contract for work management and customer relations management software to SHI International in the amount of $54,717.40 is a one-year contract.

The funding sources are the community and economic development and legal department operating budgets.

Number 10, the committee recommends approval and award of engineering agreement for well number 46 water treatment facility to strand associates in the amount of 1,840,000.

The contract is through December 20, 2029.

The funding source is the IEPA State Revolving Fund.

Number 11, the committee recommends approval of an award of engineering agreement for Corbin Street over Kent Creek Bridge Replacement, HR Green, in the amount of $163,740.

The contract duration is through March 31, 2027.

The funding source is the motor fuel tax funds.

Number 12, the committee recommends approval of a supplemental resolution approving appropriation of MFT funds for improvement of under the Illinois Highway Code for the Corbin Street over Kent Creek Bridge Replacement for an additional amount of $200,000 for an amended total of $360,000.

Number 13, the committee recommends approval of an engineering agreement supplement two at 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement to IMEG Corp, the amount of $190,772 for an amended total of $426,171.76.

This contract durations through December 31, 2026.

The funding sources are the MFT funds and federal local bridge formula program funds.

Number 14, the committee recommends approval of the engineering agreement supplement three, eighth avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement to IMEG for an additional amount of $22,240 for an amended total of $426,171.76.

This contract is through December 31, 2026, and the funding sources are the MFT funds and the federal local bridge formula program funds.

Number 15, the committee recommends approval of a supplemental resolution approving appropriation of MFT funds for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code and 8th Avenue over Keith Creek Bridge Replacement for an additional amount of $250,000 for an amended total of $300,000.

And number 16, the committee recommends approval of the resolution approving appropriation of MFT funds for an improvement under the Illinois Highway Code for Region 1 planning council and fiscal year 2026 funding in the amount of $91,308.49 cents.

I place these 16 matters before you.

Thank you.

Council, uh 16 items before you.

Any discussion on any of those 16 items.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Aye.

Logan.

Aye.

Frost.

Aye.

Terrina.

Aye.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Grandith?

Aye.

Beach.

Aye.

Solgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bonnie.

Aye.

Thirteen ayes.

Excellent.

Next, we're going to go to new business, and we have nothing under planning and development.

So we'll go to code and regulation committee and Alderman Bonnie.

Thank you.

We have one item.

An ordinance amending the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article 1, Restoration of Brick Paved Street.

Thank you.

We have one item before us.

Any discussion on that one item?

Clerk, please call the roll.

Durkey.

No.

Logan.

Aye.

Toomberg?

Aye.

Frost?

Aye.

Terina.

Aye.

Prunty.

Aye.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman?

Grandith.

Aye.

Beach.

Aye.

Salgado.

Aye.

Meeks.

Aye.

Bonnie.

No.

Eleven ayes, two no's.

Excellent.

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

Number one is the ordinance approving the release of liens in the total amount of $20,293.23 to facilitate the sale of Winnebago County Trustee properties located at 3617 Preston Street and 2916 Custer Avenue.

Number two is an ordinance approving an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Rockford Township for emergency rental assistance in the amount of $25,000.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Council, I need discussion on those two items.

Clerk, please call the roll.

Logan?

Toonberg?

Frost.

Terina.

Aye.

Prunty.

Wilkins?

Aye.

Hoffman.

Aye.

Granite.

Aye.

Beach.

Solgato.

Aye.

Meeks.

Bonnie.

13 eyes.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Uh council.

Uh there is no need for that closed session.

That is on the agenda, so uh we don't need to have that.

Would there happen to be a motion to adjourn?

We have a motion.

We have a second.

Without the closed session, would anyone like to discuss that adjournment?

No.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Those opposed, have a wonderful night.