Rockford City Council Regular Meeting - May 8, 2026

Note: The agenda and official minutes indicate the meeting was held on Monday, December 15, 2025, but the summary is presented as per the provided meeting date of May 8, 2026.

Mayor McNamara called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Eleven aldermen were present (quorum), with Alderman Tuneberg arriving late at 5:44 PM, Alderman Prunty at 5:40 PM, Alderman Meeks absent, and Alderman Bonne absent during the closed session and adjournment. The council unanimously approved the Journals of Proceedings for the September 29, 2025 Strategic Planning Session, and the October 6 and October 20, 2025 City Council meetings. Numerous items were referred to committees, and the council then heard public comment, committee reports, resolutions, ordinances, and closed with a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Journals of Proceedings for September 29, 2025, October 6, 2025, and October 20, 2025 – all by unanimous voice vote (Aldermen Tuneberg, Prunty, and Meeks absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Goddard informed residents about James Hamilton's poetry radio show "VERSEd" on WBOMradio.com and expressed concerns about the Poet Laureate selection process, urging the Arts Council to release the selection rubric and panel identities.
• Ken Dickens voiced frustrations with the REGROW Grant program, stating he was personally threatened by a former administration official and told he would never receive the grant. He announced his intention to sue the city and claimed the grant application was unavailable for extended periods, asserting that Black and Brown residents were not cared for. He stated he would take his business to Buffalo, New York.
• Prophet Yusuf spoke against proposed Medicaid cuts, arguing they would disproportionately harm poor and minority communities, accelerate hospital closures, and increase homelessness and incarceration. He called on faith leaders to oppose the cuts.
• John Tac Brantley criticized the city for lack of construction projects on the west side, specifically mentioning the former Rockford Memorial Hospital property. He also alleged that west-side side streets are not adequately plowed compared to other neighborhoods.
• John Lawrence urged the city to contract with local companies for snow removal and alarm monitoring instead of out-of-town firms. He also questioned a $500 expenditure for pizza from a Chicago business for a preschool program.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Annual Action Plan (Planning & Development): Approved unanimously as a committee report and later as an ordinance. Alderman Wilkins presented.
• Kebby Subdivision Final Plat (Code & Regulation): Approved 12-1 (Alderman Torina voted against). Creates three lots for a solar farm and commercial use at Kilburn Avenue and North Central Avenue.
• McDonald's Special Use Permit at 1869 North Perryville Road (Code & Regulation): Approved unanimously for a fast-food restaurant with drive-thru and a variation for a trash enclosure in the front yard setback. City Administrator Todd Cagnoni explained that the dumpster was moved further east on the property to address concerns raised by Alderman Frost.
• Vouchers Approval (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously for $9,438,471.96.
• Memorandum of Understanding for Complete Streets Revitalization Project (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously (Supplement 1 between City, State, and Rockford Mass Transit District).
• FY 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) (Unfinished Business): Approved unanimously. Alderman Bell noted it is the largest infrastructure improvement plan in city history. Mayor McNamara highlighted $385 million in investments for water infrastructure, lead service lines, major road projects (Auburn Street, 11th Street, Newburgh), and neighborhood improvements.
• Resolution to Support Rockford Business District Associations (Planning & Development): Initially Alderman Torina moved to lay over, but after Director Sarah Leys explained the program standardizes funding and helps new associations form, the motion was withdrawn. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Award of Bid for Emergency and Vacant Property Board-ups (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously – five local contractors, estimated $60,000/year, one-year with four optional extensions.
• Motor Fuel Tax Appropriation for 2026 General Maintenance (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously for $7,703,328.04.
• Change Order for Communication Equipment (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously – $187,388.46 to GenComm Inc. for dual-band radios due to VHF frequency difficulties.
• Contract Renewals (Finance & Personnel): All approved unanimously:
  • Medical/Hospital TPA (BlueCross BlueShield): $59.35 per employee per month, estimated annual cost $667,560.
  • Dental TPA (BlueCross BlueShield): $3.50 per employee per month, estimated annual cost $52,500.
  • Group Term Life Insurance (MetLife): $0.08 per $1,000 life, $0.25 per $1,000 AD&D, estimated annual premium $80,823.
• Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Grant (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously – $33,600 federal grant with $33,600 city match, two-year term.
• Head Start/Early Head Start Continuation Grant (Finance & Personnel): Approved unanimously – $8,793,903 grant with $2,198,476 match; serves 714 low-income children and families for April 2026 – March 2027.
• Ordinance – 2026 Annual Action Plan: Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance – McDonald's Special Use Permit and Variation: Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance – Complete Streets MOU (Supplement 1): Approved unanimously. Alderman Durkee jokingly suggested renaming Chestnut and Walnut streets.

Key Outcomes

• All committee reports, resolutions, and ordinances were approved with large majorities. The only dissenting vote was Alderman Torina on the Kebby Subdivision plat.
• Closed Session: The council voted unanimously to convene into closed session at 6:25 PM to discuss labor negotiations and pending litigation. They reconvened in open session at 6:47 PM, with Aldermen Meeks and Bonne absent.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:49 PM.