Rockford Community Relations Commission Meeting – December 11, 2025
Rockford Community Relations Commission Meeting – December 11, 2025
The Rockford Community Relations Commission met on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 5:33 PM in City Hall, 425 East State Street. Chairman Eric Brown presided. The meeting included discussion of the 2025 Annual Report, approval of the 2026 meeting schedule, and public comment. Commissioners also addressed snow removal and waste management concerns. The meeting adjourned at 6:11 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Journal of Proceedings (November 13, 2025): Accepted unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Commissioner William Martin, seconded by Commissioner Jurea Crudup.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Steven McMaster spoke about the $850,000 in REGROW grants approved for 2026. He urged the commission to use the funds to rebuild community trust and noted that data on the R1 Planning website could help target the grants to lower-income communities affected by the war on drugs. He thanked the commissioners for their work.
Discussion Items
- Discussion of the 2025 Annual Report: Chairman Brown presented a draft. Commissioners offered recommendations to strengthen the report: Commissioner Norma Borrero urged the commission to not only report on needs but also propose solutions. Commissioner William Martin emphasized the need for accountability and follow-up with entities that received REGROW funds. Commissioner Jurea Crudup recommended evaluating items monthly so the commission can quickly address concerns with City Council.
- Approval of 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule: The schedule (12 meetings, January through December, all at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers) was approved unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner James McDowell. A strategic planning meeting was set for January 17, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at a location to be determined.
Commissioner Reports
- Snow Removal Concerns: Commissioner Martin reported multiple complaints about inadequate snow removal on the southwest and west sides. He asked how much the city pays for snow removal and whether private contractors are held accountable. He also raised questions about the city deficit and whether property tax increases or higher parking fees were considered. The commission requested a memo from Public Works and scheduling an in-person presentation for a future meeting.
- Waste Management: Commissioner Mary Kaull noted difficulties with yard waste pickup, the landfill's 10-year remaining capacity, and a 50% rejection rate for recyclables—nearly double that of comparable cities. She requested that Public Works address these issues during their presentation on snow removal. The commission agreed to schedule a combined Public Works presentation for February 2026.
- Community Announcements: Commissioner Martin announced that Providence Baptist Church is celebrating its 78th anniversary on December 15, 2025. Commissioner Crudup noted that the Northwest Community Center is hosting a breakfast with Santa on December 13, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- The 2026 meeting schedule was unanimously approved.
- A strategic planning meeting was set for January 17, 2026 (9:00 AM–1:00 PM).
- A memo from Public Works regarding snow removal will be requested.
- Public Works will be invited to present at the February 2026 meeting on snow removal, yard waste, and waste reduction.
- The commission will continue revising the 2025 Annual Report for approval at the January 2026 meeting, with a focus on solutions, accountability, and monthly progress tracking.
Note: Commissioners Rita Bravo and Scott Garwick were absent for the entire meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Commissioner, so you know I'm gonna start turning the mics on, just so you guys know. I'm gonna start turning the mics on just so you guys know. I see one think about it, so you're definitely there. Ouch. I'm glad you're able to be here with us tonight. As I just said, and we it truthfully we've kind of run out of performance. Oh, there you go. Something on the scale. Yeah, in our women, yeah. Like I think we want to do that. Which is good. Are you guys good to go? Yep. Commission, we have reached five thirty, so I'm gonna go ahead and call the community relations commission meeting for December eleventh to order, and we can start with a roll call. Commissioner Barrero? Present. Commissioner Bravo. Absent. Commissioner Brown? Present. Commissioner Crote? Present. Commissioner Garwick? Absent. Commissioner Call. Present. Commissioner Martin? Commissioner McDowell? President. Commissioner Paquela? Present. We have a quorum. Thank you. Next thing we do. All right. That was me. Sorry. I'm always a problem. So the next thing on our agenda is the acceptance of the Journal of Proceedings for the Community Relations Commission held on November thirteenth, twenty twenty-five. We have a motion to approve. So move. And um all in favor? Say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That uh has been approved. The next thing on our agenda, we have public speakers tonight. Um so I'm gonna invite uh Stephen McMaster to the microphone. I will turn it on and um, according to this sheet of paper in front of me, have five minutes to address the commission. And the folks over there will time you and let you know when that five minutes is up.
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