Test test test. Good evening. We will call to order the city of Rockford's regularly scheduled city council meeting for Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Uh this evening we are fortunate that we have Curtis Conrad of Bahigh of Rockford with us to provide an invocation. Oh thou kind Lord, this gathering is turning to thee. These hearts are radiant with thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of thy glad tidings. Oh God, let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees and render this just government victorious. confirm this revered nation to up raise the standard of the oneness of humanity to promate the most great peace to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. Oh God, this American nation is worthy of thy favors and is deserving of thy mercy. Make it precious and near to thee to thy bounty and bestow. To the flag of the United States of America to the stands, indivisibley. >> Clerk, could you please call the role? >> Frost >> here. >> Tina >> here. >> Prunty >> Wilkins >> here. Hoffman >> here. >> Granite >> here. >> Beachch. >> Salgado. >> Meeks. >> Bell. >> Bonnie >> here. >> Tunberg >> here. >> 12 present. >> Excellent. We have a quorum this evening. Is there a motion to approve the journal of proceedings for special city council meeting held on October 14th, 2025? >> We have a motion. We have a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor say I. I. All those say I. >> Those opposed? Okay. All right. We're moving right along. We have no proclamations this evening. So, we're going to move to petitions and communications. We'll begin with planning and development committee and Alderwoman Wilkins. Thank you, your honor. Item one is a memorandum from Timothy Henkins, city engineer, regarding a grant award acceptance, excuse me, from Deco for Davis Park referred to Planning and Development Committee. >> Thank you. Next, we're going to go to code and regulation committee and Alderman Bonnie. >> Thank you, mayor. We have four items, all of which are being referred to the code and regulation committee. Item one is a memorandum from Jeremy Carter, traffic and development engineer, regarding regarding the honorary street name change for Court Street from Monagu Road to Nolton Street to Paul Lwixom Way. Item two is a memorandum from Scott Capavilla, planning and zoning manager, regarding the final plat of Mercy Health Rockton campus subdivision. Number three, memorandum from Scott Kappa Villa, planning and zoning manager regarding plat number six of Walmart subdivision. And item four, memorandum from Jacob Rubin, assistant city attorney, regarding an amendment to the city of Rockford code of ordinances prohibiting the sale of 70. >> Thank you. Next, we're going to go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost. >> Thank you, Honor. All these matters will be for the finance and personnel committee. Number one is a memorandum from Timothy Henkins regarding an agreement between the city and Port Sanitation Authority for Madison Street phase two. Number two is a memorandum from Charlotte Hos regarding proposed third amended and restated lease agreement between the city and 303 North Main Street LLC for the lease of that property. Number three is a memorandum from Charlotte Hos regarding proposed intergovern intergovernmental agreement to utilize space between the city and the state of Illinois for 303 North Main Street. Number four is a memorandum from Carrie Hagerty regarding the approval of the 2025 levy ordinance, the 2025 property tax abatement ordinance, the 2026 appropriation ordinance, the 2026 fee schedule and salary ordinance. Number five is a memor from Angela Hammer regarding this consideration of an IMF resolution to allow service credit for military leave prior to participation. Number six is a memorandum from Jamie Rot uh regarding an IGA with four river sanitation authority addendum three for city well wastewater discharge ordinance. Number se seven is a memorandum from Owen Carter uh regarding acceptance of the Omni Rockford LLC lease agreement. Number eight is a memor from Alderman Timothy Derky regarding a funding request for land purchase for a new fire [clears throat] station. And then there is a number nine uh your honor which is an add-on which is regarding a proposed funding of $100,000 to food pantries as a reallocation of ARPA funds from major quarter signage program. This will also be for defiance personnel. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we're going to move to our public speakers. This evening we have five public speakers. Want to remind uh each of the public speakers there's a microphone on the back right as well as the back left of council chambers. I am going to set an alarm on my phone and at the end of three minutes it will, if I'm fortunate, beep. Um, and at that time that it beeps, I'd ask that you close your comments. If for some reason my phone uh does not function appropriately, which it may not, uh, I will then ask you to please close your comments. Our first public speaker this evening is Moren Kershman. >> Hi, good evening, Mayor and members of the council. Uh, my name is Moren Kershman and I serve as a member of Rockford's Historic Preservation Commission and I am here tonight to respectfully request that council pause any demolition action on the Elks Club and provide an opportunity for another buyer to acquire this property. This building was construction in 18 I'm sorry 1912 and is a local landmark and part of the National Register of Historic Places. It has long been recognized as a gateway to Rockford's historic um west downtown historic district. And unfortunately, years of neglect and code violations under the current ownership have left the building deteriorating and at risk for demolition. The structure still holds tremendous potential and its location makes it an eligible eligible for state and federal historic preservation tax credits and places it within um an area that has already seen successful redevelopment projects nearby, including the beautiful Coronado Theater and our wonderful new Rockford Public Library. Demolition would permanently erase a piece of our city's architectural history. But a change in ownership could unlock new possibilities for restoration and reuse. And so I urge council to hold demolition in obeyance long enough to allow for a legitimate preservation-minded buyer or developer to step forward. Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to preserving the history and character that make Rockford unique. >> Thank you. Our next public speaker is Prophet Yousef. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In the book of Psalms, the 27th chapter, the 1st to the second verse, it says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is a stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?" This is a poem for veterans cuz I'm a veteran. V is for victory. We always win because people like you are there to defend. E eternal love from God above is displayed our in our veterans unconditional love. T time after time you make up your mind to putting your life on hold leaving the confinement and comfort of your home families and friends not knowing if you will see them again. Each every time I think of you the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine too. My hearts swell with pride and love for all of you and what you do. are remember all you've done never wanted to forget anyone for the ones that come back home pick up the pieces and carry on. You are to be commended for all you have done. A angels are watching over our country in the form of you and you. He works through people he surely do in no weapons formed against us shall win. Our armed forces prove this time and time again. Sunrise and sunset. We salute our veterans. You have done your very best. Now it's time for you to rest. We love you. You are THE GREATEST. I THANK God for all veterans and first responders for your service for the United States of America. Welcome back home my brothers and sisters in arms. I also been want to tell my niece Kim and Mr. Tim Hansen who used to work for public works and Mr. Burgger who works for Rockwood school district this for a long time and I'm going to get it off my chest tonight. I DON'T LIKE YOU. I love you and you can't do nothing about it. And happy birthday my good friends and I wish you many more and God bless you and your family. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to my good friends. Happy birthday to you. Thank you for allowing me to speak. >> Thank you. Our next public speaker this evening is Denzel Winter. Don't see Mr. Winter with us. Yeah. Um we'll come back in case he gets here late. Uh our next public speaker this evening is John Tac Brantley. Good evening. uh Tom McNamera, our residents and our citizen of Rockford, Illinois. This past weekend, I was at Rockford Moy Hospital at the uh town hall meeting and they interrupted me uh twice when I was speaking. I just want to uh uh uh bring up the fact that Rockford is practicing what we call a South Africa apatai and also white privilege. I'm bringing point right uh in New York, Chicago, uh LA, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. A black person can own or get two or three million dollars, and they praise them. They support they support their business. In them cities, we got blackowned hospitals, blackowned McDonald's, blackowned banks, black own Walmart. I can go on down the line. right here in Rockville, we don't have anything that's blackowned. For uh Pastor Brown to be threatened about uh purchasing that building, that'll be a icon. That' be the first thing that black was ever owned, that blacks own that's giving back into the uh community. I watched last night project 2025, Donald Trump talked about his uh time in office. It it didn't surprise me. But the fact remain that the in the person that uh helped founded project 2025 back in April of 2023, his his plans came from Hitler. He talked about that this weekend. His plans also came from uh uh Stalin, but Donald Trump had the nerve to talk about a black individual that's running from there and talk about him being a communist. How can you talk about somebody being a communist when you praise Putin and you in love with uh North Korea? Then I'm going to go back to the fact that what's going on now with the Costapos was going on back during the 60s. We called it the Jim Crow law and uh and they said it was a riot, but it wasn't a riot. It was us fighting back. We had 329 riots in 257 cities from 1964 to 1968. 11 riots in 2000 in 2003, 19 in 2009. The insurrection that happened on January the 6 on 2021, the 14th amendment, he just blew that out the water. 15 million to 26 million people participated in protest making Black Life Naida the largest protest movement in American history. He even said he encouraged his custoapos the uh ISIS to do what they do and he said they not doing anything wrong. Then he want to take our military and use them for personal use to attack the blue states and you say is that or is that not a civil war? If it's not a civil war it's going to what we call uh um martial law and we and they not going out to criminal. 84% of the people that was arrested didn't have a a criminal background at all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for allowing me to speak. I'll be back to finish talking about project 2025. >> Thank you. >> Our next public speaker this evening is Diana Mosley. >> Good afternoon. First, I want to thank the mayor and his team for being for Community Action and I am Diana Mosley and your assistant administrator. I greet you as you come through the door. I'm here to ask and appeal to you for funding for our safety and security. On October 24th, the unthinkable happened, one of our mentally challenged homeless, who was sitting in our lobby and has been for the last three and a half years, was very close to being housed. Unfortunately, he wasn't happy. He received a phone call. He left our building and midafter afternoon. He came storming through, grabbing my counter. By the way, cardboard is is more safe and telling me, "I'm coming for you now." I tried to talk him down. I squared him in the eyes and I said, "Are you sure you want to do that? Give me a couple minutes. Let me see what's going on." He dropped his shoulders. I thought I had deescalated him. Then he grabbed the grabbed the counter, hit the glass, and said, "I'm coming for you now." He from here to the mayor, kicked in our door, got into our building, headed around the corner for me. My choice would have been kill or be killed because there's no way out for me. Thank God for Eron. Thank God for Dwight coming down the hall and blocking him. And the whole time he's screaming, "Big boss. Where's the big boss? He's after Owen." Owen showed down the quarter and he turned and he went for Owen. Now we have Owen, Avery, Eron, and Dwight subduing this man while we wait for the police to come. We had people screaming. It was horrific. And the last thing I wanted to do was run into my husband's arm and tell him, "Honey, I was afraid I wasn't coming home tonight. Please help us. We deal with your community. Your constituents walk through our door and every day we're there to help them for their lights, for their rent, for what everything else, and for our homeless and are mentally challenged. I love what I do, but I need your help. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you uh to all of our public speakers this evening. Next, we're going to move to our new committee reports. There is nothing under planning and development. So we'll move to code and regulation committee and alderman B. >> Thank you mayor. We have 12 items. Item one committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval to establish a 30 mph speed limit on Lynen Road from South Alpine Road east to the city limits, thus repealing the existing 45 mph speed limit. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item two, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval to establish a no parking at any time restriction on the east side of Lee Street from Roosevelt Road to 200 ft north of Roosevelt Road. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item three, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's recommendation that no action be taken on the request to establish traffic control at the intersection of Ronales Avenue and Buckingham Drive. Item four, committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a variation to reduce the minimum required rear yard setback from 30 feet to 11 ft in an R1 single family residential zoning district at 1334 Holland Street. Don Denell Kelly is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Committee rec item five committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a special use permit for a drive-th through coffee restaurant in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 7131 East State Street DH Core Rockford LLC is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item six, committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a special use permit for a mosaic mural in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 211 Elm Street. City of Rockford and the Rockford Area Arts Council are the applicants. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item seven, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the smoke shop in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 4477 Lynden Road unit D. Ankit Patel Buddies Alpine LLC doing business as Buddy Smoke is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item eight, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for a the sale of package liquor class PKG and B the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 4477 Lynen Road Ankit Patel Aver Mobile LLC doing business as mobile gas station is the applicant subject to condition subject to conditions The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances. Item nine, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for a the sale of package liquor PKG and B the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a convenient store and gas station in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 5333 East State Street. MD Amanur Rashid Khan, US Pro Incorporated, doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances. Item 10. Committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for a the sale of packaged liquor class PKG and B the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the convenience store and gas station in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 3730 North Alpine Road. MD Almanure Rashid Khan US Metro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item 11. The committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for a the sale of package liquor class PKG and b the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a convenience store and gas station in a C3 general commercial use zoning district at 4106 Harrison Avenue MD Amanur Rashid Khan US Metro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances. And item 12, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of packaged liquor by the drink class NGL and the sale of packaged liquor PKG in conjunction with the restaurant and bar in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 87 or 67 68 76 Spring Creek Road. Scott William Carlson, Brent Eugene Hayes, and Randall Raymond Baker, the Raven LLC are the applicants. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. >> Thank you, Alderman Bonnie. Council, we have uh 12 items before us. Is there any discussion on those 12 items? >> Clerk, will you please call the role? >> Tunberg. Hi. >> Frost. Hi. >> Tina. >> Fronty. Is that an I? >> Thank you. Wilkins. >> Hi, >> Boffman. >> Hi, >> Granth. >> Beachch. Salgado. >> Hi, >> Meeks. Hi, >> Bell. >> Hi, >> Bonnie. >> Hi. >> Item number one, 11 eyes. Item 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 I's. Item 8 9 10 11 11 I's and 12 B. 11 I's. >> Thank you. Next, we'll go to Finance and Personnel Committee. Alderman Frost. >> Thank you, Honor. Uh the committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $10,88,27910 as approved at the finance and personnel committee meeting held on October 27th, 2025. >> Thank you. We have one item before us. Is there any discussion on that one item? >> Clerk, will you please call the role? >> Tunberg. Hi. >> Frost. I. >> Tina. Hi. Fronty >> Wilkins. >> Hi >> Hoffman. >> Hi >> Granith. >> Hi >> Beachch. >> Hi >> Salgado. >> Hi >> Meeks. >> Hi >> Bell. >> Hi >> Bonnie. >> Hi. >> 12 eyes. >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh Alderwoman Fronty. >> Um agenda seems to be different from others. >> Um, could I get an updated agenda? >> You got the right. >> It's the right date, but it's the wrong agenda. Okay. Thank you. >> Next, we will move to officers reports. Any council members have reports? Otherwise, >> thank you so much for allowing me to speak. I just wanted to give a thank you to the public works department, Scott Sanders and the entire team for um using the streetscape project in uh starting in the Edgewater neighborhood and moving on to a couple more streets on the west side uh for or I think one other street um for the brick restoration. And I just want to thank you. It I've gotten nothing but amazing feedback from the residents. It looks amazing and I'm just really grateful that you guys set aside the time, made it a priority to make it happen this year. So, thank you very much for that. And um I think I just I don't know if I can ask a question on officers reports. I just wanted clarity if the forward for fun dollars are they being funded for next year? I don't think I saw that in the uh proposed budget. Is that something that um would need to be proposed if we wanted to see it again for next year? Can anyone answer that question for me? >> I can answer it in the budget that you have. It is not in there. Yes, it would be need to be proposed. >> Thank you so much for that answer. >> Uh Alderwoman Hoffman. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh last week I just happened to meet people from the United Wnebago County United Way and they pointed out to me a great program that they are supporting. So anybody who has children under five or grandchildren under five or in my case great grandchildren under five, please check out Dolly Parton Imagination Library. And if your children are under five and you sign up, that child will get a free book every month until their fifth birthday. One of the biggest problems in Rockford is our reading level. And this is a way to get books to all children. They're free and they'll just come every month. So I really encourage people to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, Alderman Tunberg. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, we are privileged to have the Leatherneck Invitational here this weekend. Uh, it was a I think for 22 23 years was down in the Quad Cities and we landed it last year for the first time. Uh it will be at uh four different I think four different of our bowling alleys and there's 45 colleges and universities from all over the country over a hundred teams. Uh thank you to the summer family uh especially for really being uh an anchor at at landing this uh thanks to RACVB as well or go Rockford as uh contributing as well. uh city of Loves Park, city of Rockford and uh a lot of hotel rooms booked for this and uh so and there will be someone special uh playing on the Witchah State team coming back to his hometown. Thank you. >> Thank you, Alderman Beach. >> Thank you, Hunter. Like to just welcome a new restaurant into the Miracle Mile U called the Riverside Family Restaurant. It's one of seven they have in the chain around this area. Uh they just opened I think it was on Friday at 11 o'clock in the morning and um just wanted to take a shout out to them and thank them for choosing Rockford. >> Thank you. Any other reports? Alderman Salgado. >> Thank you, mayor, for allowing me to speak. Um just real quick, uh November 8th there is uh a memorial for Tffy. Uh the ethnic Heritage Museum is honoring him for Veterans Day. Um so for those that would like attend, uh it's going to be from 2:00 to 4:00 um at the ethnic heritage uh museum um November 8th on that perspective. So um that's one. The second piece I also want to thank uh uh the staff um for the housing ease especially for blight property. Uh there's been a couple properties that have been cleaned up. Um and uh a lot of the residents uh have been uh happy about that and wanted to pass that on. So I just wanted to share your team and everybody Jessica and Vic uh just let them know that very thankful for what they do. I know it's hard to get out there and to clean some of these properties because of we got to contact landlords and so forth. Uh but uh very positive feedback on that. So thanks again for all the hard work that you guys do for that. Thank you, >> Alderman Timber. >> Thanks, Mayor. Sorry. Uh, I'd also be remiss not to mention Tony Hall, uh, Rock Valley coach, our local community college national championship team, as well as, uh, instrumental at landing Leatherneck Classic. Thank you. >> Other uh, reports? >> Just want to provide a quick update. We uh this evening heard from Diana uh employee here. Uh want to say sincerely thank you to you Iran for your uh historic or heroic actions. Really horrific incident took place uh two Fridays ago at Health and Human Services where someone who had a host of challenges uh began to attack staff. uh a number of things just council so you're aware took place since then and not in this specific order but uh providing uh the EAP services to staff uh for the first few days making sure police presence was there in the morning when they came back uh getting back up that temporary wall and door uh and then this morning working to with contractors and our public works teams to make a permanent security uh wall there as well as a security desk and other procedures so that uh such things as like buzzing in and other items that will help make it more secure for our employees who work there. Uh as well as uh having police at outreach efforts uh and speaking with staff there. Obviously, there is a lot going on in the world right now and people are getting more and more anxious and uh frustrated and uh sometimes showing that frustration to our employees. So, making sure that they're safe during those outreach efforts. Also working on a protocol for banning uh individuals uh for from uh the space as well as processes for potentially handling uh callers who verbally assault the staff uh that are over there attempting to help. Um, as well as I know our legal department, I believe today was in court, uh, filing for an order of protection, uh, against the individual. Uh, there's a host of things going on, uh, from a security standpoint, uh, but want you to know it's being taken seriously. Uh, and there'll be even more updates which I'll provide you. And I know Director Parham was able to provide you one earlier, but I don't see her here. and I was going to let her provide that update to you, but I want to make sure that you're aware of it. Uh, with that, we will move to motions and resolutions. We have nothing under uh planning and development, so we will go to code and regulation committee. Alderman Bonnie. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. We have one item item. That item is code and the committee recommends approval of the 2026 city council and committee calendar. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion on the one item before you? >> Clerk, please call the role. >> Timber. >> Hi. >> Frost. >> Hi. >> Terrina. >> Fronty. >> Hi. >> Wilkins. >> Hi. >> Hoffman. >> Hi. >> Granite. >> Hi. >> Beachch. >> Salgado Meeks. >> Hi Bellonnie. >> Hi. >> 12 eyes. >> Next we'll go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost. >> Thank you. Uh, with respect to number one, I move to amend it as follows. I move to reject all bids for the North Main Street handrail replacement. Uh, number two, um, >> second, >> I believe before I move on, should we can we vote on that, your honor? >> On number one, >> we can. Uh, so yes, we can. We have a motion. We have a second by Alderwoman Terrina. Is there any discussion on that item? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> One. No. Alder one. >> Thank you. Uh with respect to number two, the committee recommends approval and award of bid for the Elks Club demolition package to Northern Illinois service in the amount of 233,18 for the properties at 221 North Main, 210 West Jefferson, and 222 North Wyman Street. The contract rations through the completion of of the demolition project. Uh the funding source is the American Rescue Fund uh plan act funds. Uh number three, the committee recommends approval of award a bid for city yards fence installation, the classic fence of AoE in the amount of $29,22. This is a onetime purchase. The funding source are ARPA funds. Number four, the committee recommends approval of change order for the emergency operations center to scandrely construction. The change order is $170,381.18. it ensures that the facility will meet federal grant requirements, provide an efficient layout for emergency coordination, and deliver a fully functional and sustainable space for long-term citywide operations. The funding source is the congressionally directed spending grant funds. Number five, the committee recommends approval and acceptance of a DCO weatherization Department of Energy grant the amount of $57,424. This grant does not require a cost match. The grant term is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. place those five matters before you. >> Thank you. Is any do we have any discussion on items before you? Alderman Bonnie. >> Uh yes. Uh regarding item two um the Elks Club. I just uh wanted to elaborate on a point I've made previously about the that um if the council were to rather than um accept these demolition bids acquire the property um there's definitely precedent for this. I um mentioned some of those cases previously. Uh uh the finance director provided me with some additional information and I won't go over all of it again, but um of eight um buildings that I requested information for. Um we held we acquired some of them as long ago as long ago as 2002, the Sports Factory and Barbara Coleman. Um, and we uh purchased them for various amounts of money. Um, from as little as $195,000 for the Chick Hotel to as much as $1.99 million for the sports factory. Um, and in only of those eight, although they're all landmark worthy properties, only one was an actual national landmark at the time and that was the Coronado Theater which is the only one that was donated. Um and they all had uh various costs of holding them maintenance maintenance costs. um finance director can correct me if I'm misinterpreting that, but um the Coronado Theater was the most expensive to maintain for the period of time that uh prior to it being restored, which um cost the city almost $2.8 million prior to the restoration. So um you know an embass um embassy suites I don't think we have a my understanding is we don't have a we didn't track maintenance costs for that building those you know all these have had various um degrees of success but I don't I don't think anyone would say we should not have um taken possession of the Coronado or probably Embassy Suites. So um I over since in the as we have laid this over for uh twice now I've spent hours in conversations with uh four potential buyers of various um experience levels and with various levels of resources. Um most recently a um very very credible buyer um who as a you know who I've talked to met met with today this afternoon as well as um staff that was involved in that meeting and uh also on Friday and um the problem that we face is that this this buyer at least one of the other nobody nobody wants to deal with the current owner. He has a reputation. He has a track record. I mean, just in his dealings with the city of Rockford, but but beyond that, um, this particular buyer is well aware of that and will not um will not um is very interested in saving the building, but only if he can acquire it through the city and not through the current owner. So, it's crystal clear to me that if we want to save this particular landmark that we have to eliminate the middleman somehow. Um, it's I don't think it's a it's not a question of this of the architectural or historic significance of the building because it's already a landmark. I think we need to try to look beyond the challenges of repairing it or stabilizing it and look at the potential for what it could be. If you combine the estimated demolition cost of 250 with the fines and judgments that we likely will not be able to collect from the current owner of 150 that as well as the demolition costs. We're looking at spending $400,000 or spending at com and losing $400,000 versus a maximum um estimated uh stabilization cost of $450. So, if the city were to somehow take possession of the building, we could for another an additional $50,000 potentially preserve a national landmark versus the alternative of demolishing it and quite likely because the owner will not cover the costs being awarded the pop property back as a pile of rubble. So, I'm going to be voting no for this, but I think um if demolition passes, you know, um we have a national landmark that's really dangling by a thread. And I hope that the current owner um comes to his senses and accepts the offer that the city has already made to wave those demolition costs and uh sell the building to the city for a dollar, which he said in public meeting of the historic preservation commission probably two months ago now um that he would do. So, I hope that he will um be making a phone call to us if if this motion passes, but I will be voting no. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Alderwoman Wilkins. >> Thank you, your honor. Um to my understanding, um we had city administration that took part in the meeting that was referenced before. So, I wanted to direct a question to administrator Kagnoni to see his stance on what the city is um I'm sorry, the city's stance on um what the the conversations were in terms of um any potential buyers. >> Mr. Kegn, >> thank you, your honor. Um so, I I did have a a meeting today uh with Alderman Bonnie um related to the Elks Club with individuals that certainly would like to see the building preserved. Um, however, a qualified buyer has not come forward at at this point in time um to be fully vetted out to determine if there is a path forward for for rehabilitation and we would recommend that we move forward with the demolition uh this evening. >> Thank you. >> Any other uh discussion on the items before you? Other oney. >> Yeah. Um, may I address this to the 14th board alderman or should I address it to the chair? >> You could address it to me and then others. >> Chairman, I thought I heard something different from the 14th W alderman as it relates to a potential buyer. Could you ask the 14th W alderman to clarify that, please? >> Thank you. >> Yes. If uh someone here has clarifying information, that would be time appropriate. It would be great to hear from I'm not sure what you mean by conflicting information unless it has to do with whether the buyer is qualified. I think that the buyer is experienced potential buyer is experienced um potential buyers as I should say experienced um established people with um I think but a they only became involved in this Friday afternoon and would need more time. So they are not prepared at this at the moment to be able to um commit to anything specific with the extremely tight timeline. But and so I think maybe that is why um city administrator is calling them un unqualified. But um I think that the you know the other problem is that they this potential these potential buyers will not deal with the current owner. So essentially would the result of the meeting was it essentially will if we wanted to even consider that path it would involve us having to acquire the property somehow. >> Thank you. Alderman Bill. >> Yeah. uh just would like the alderman in the 14th ward to uh kind of share with this council who the potential buyers are can you direct that question to him please? >> Uh Alderman Bonnie, would you have the opportunity or would you be able to share who the buyers are? Well, we agreed not to do that, but even if that weren't the case, um I've asked similar questions of the 13th W alderman before and he's declined to to reveal information, so I would not. >> Okay. Is we have several items before us. Is there any discussion on the other items? Uh did you I'm sorry, Alderman Bell, I'll go back and get to you, Alderman Tunberg. Alderman Bell. >> Yeah, thanks. I I just wanted to ask since we have here on city council a middleman negotiating this deal. Um maybe we should eliminate the middleman and have conversations with with those potential buyers. At least I I would have liked to have those conversations, but um items before us today. So guess we're going to have to take a vote. >> Thank you, Alderman Tunberg. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I guess a question whether it's administration or the 14th word alderman uh has there been any proof given uh of these interested party or parties having the financial means necessary to undertake such a project. >> Thank you Mr. Kegnoni. Uh is there any additional information that you can provide uh council regarding the meeting that you were part of today? >> Thank you. [laughter] >> No thank you at this at this time. No, there there wasn't um you know a plan brought forward that would demonstrate sufficient resources to advance the the project. Um I can't say that whether those individuals do or don't have resources, but as it relates to this project and taking it on, um that has not been been indicated. >> Okay. That and that wasn't a gotcha, put you in a corner type question. It's >> No, mine was to him. >> Yeah, I left that up to you, mayor. Uh, but yes, I mean, a transparent I guess I was alluding to more a a a very transparent uh proof that there was uh not only financial means necessary, but also uh you know, indications of a capital stack being put together or anything that would indicate their uh experience and such, but it doesn't sound like that was the case. So, thank you, >> Alder Meeks. >> Thank you. I I don't know how long this potential buyer has been interested in this property. From what I'm hearing, they just came to the table on Friday. I guess my question is, what does it cost us to allow for this to play out? If there's even the morsel of potential that someone could come in and redevelop this property, what does it cost us to pause for just a moment? >> Thank you. Uh either Mr. or director lies, could you uh provide us an update on what it would cost uh the city of Rockford to I don't want to put words in your mouth, pause or delay this, >> just delay. Just pause, >> Mr. >> So, a couple things we'd want to take into consideration should council be considering a pause. our existing demolition contract um timeline requires us to award it um no later than November 13th I believe was the date. Um not suggesting if council did want to delay it that we couldn't go ask to the the low bidder if they're willing to honor that bid for an extended period of time. Um we are coming into the winter months and the concern is that we need to take action on the building to stabilize it. Um, so that would be, you know, you know, the the landmark report for full stabilization, I believe, was approximately $450,000. Um, could portions of that be scaled back? You know, quite possibly, but until a more thorough review, um, we're relying on the information that Landmark Illinois had identified in the estimated cost. So, I would go with the 450,000. Um, alternatively, we could put a fence um around it and close a lane uh of traffic. um you know potentially because we want to have enough of a buffer zone should there be uh debris falling from the the building on the freeze thaw that it doesn't land in the pedestrian pla p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p path or the vehicle path. We've already had experiences in the past where portions of the roof have landed um in the rightway and we want to be um certain that that you know any loose debris from the building is secure. other one. >> Yeah. I I mean I'm just the the whole debris conversation. When did that take place? When the debris fell from the >> Mr. >> I don't know the exact date is one of our wind storms. It um wasn't immediately recent. It it's been some time. >> Been a little bit of time. So has there been any incident since that brick falling from the sky or the building? I'm sorry. It was a portion of the roof that um is is loose that got that blown off um into the rightway and there's been on and off um periods where there's been you know specifically in the winter months u when there's been free thaw. So that's the concern coming up to this winter month. >> Yeah, I I don't have too much more feedback or anything to say. This is this is kind of a a mixed bag here, I have to say. But I will say that the majority or the bulk of people that are coming to me speaking about this would want to save it. So I I I can't help but to feel like I would love an opportunity to pause just to be absolutely certain that there's no real uh possibility even though I know everyone can make the assumption because we've been here over and over and over again. But you know Christmas time's coming. Maybe it's a Christmas miracle. You never know. >> Alderman Salgado. >> Yeah. Sorry to keep uh asking questions, but uh uh it's good discussion. Um the question that I have is have we had any groups come forward like the Friends of Zak when they were doing the embassy suites and uh some of those buildings that they were trying to save. um maybe Barbara Coleman as well as part of those groups that have come together that formalized that are saying hey you know we have a credible buyer um we want to save uh the the building itself and I don't know if there has been any history on that but I don't know if anybody can answer that question but I think from my perspective right if you know we really want to save this building and we there's a historical um piece of it um there should be some sort of group from my perspective, right, to be able to come forward and fund raise and work with the city and work with buyers, potential buyers, developers uh to save that, right? So, I asked that question because I've seen groups come together like that and um you know, we can go as far as we can, but also with the support from the community uh from those groups uh would obviously shift that in that direction. And so I I asked that question if we have that information or for quite some time now. >> Uh to my understanding there is no formalized group. Uh, I would say many of the individuals that have spoken out regarding saving the property have either they currently serve on the historic preservation uh commission or I would put them into the category of being longtime Rockford historic preservationists. Uh, some more so than others. Um I I that's probably the best way I think I could describe it unless staff has other other thoughts but I am not aware of any formalized group as there has been in other initiatives if it was Coronado uh Francis and many others. >> Thank you. Uh, Alder Ron Crunchy. >> Um, this is just a um, could we pass this but then still move the demolition date? >> Just so I understand your question, Alderwoman Prunty, could we approve the demolition while still requesting a later demolition date? Yes, >> we could approve the demolition first and we could always not authorize it till the last day of the the 13th or the 14th, whatever that official last day is, which would provide a potential uh buyer uh additional time uh that we could do. Um, am I missing other aspects? I mean it would get a little bit convoluted if approving this and then asking staff to do something on the contrary but we could uh approve this and provide you by writing if we've heard any response. Is there something else I'm missing Mr. Kegnoni? No, your honor. U that would be an acceptable path if the council wanted to award the demolition um and allow anyone to come forward prior to the 13th with a reasonable plan that demonstrates financial wherewithal to get it done. >> Thank you for that. >> Uh Alderman Bonnie, >> thank you. A couple of things. I I want to clarify who who was at the table today. So, we had two um well-known business people who would be the as um who as Alderman Salgado um asked about whether there are any groups organizing. These would be to businesses that would be hoping to bring buyers to the table. They have talked to these potential buyers. The potential buyers were not in the roof. They've talked to potential buyers who are interested, but these conversations occurred Friday afternoon and over the weekend, and they are just simply not prepared to make a commitment on such a short period period of time. So again, if there's I'm not I don't think there's an intent between the city administrator and I to be giving mixed messages. I just don't think that we're not quite looking at this the same the the same way. But I think the two people who were in the room today representing this potential group of buyers are credible, reputable people. Um I um at this point I do not think we should lay this item over again. I think we either need to approve the demolition bids and send a message to the current owner that this building is likely coming down or we need to vote the demolition bids down and start talking about another plan. I think um I believe the 13th W alderman is trying to negotiate a layover which I think is just more showboating on his part and I take exception to him talking about cutting out the middleman. I'm the middleman because these potential buyers have contacted me who for whatever reason felt that they didn't want to speak for the to the 13th W alderman who represents the Elks Club who I might remind was rejected and I'm also on the historic preservation committee representing the council which is probably another reason I've been contacted and I would remind the 13th word alderman that he was rejected by this body for appointment to that commission before he became an alderman. And finally, as far as groups come organizing, as the mayor noted, as the mayor noted, the as the mayor noted, the historic preservation commission has recommended to this body that we not demolish the building. So, there is a group of people or advocating for us to save the building. Thank you. >> So, I'm going to recall everyone's I'm going to recall everyone's uh memory, at least those that were present to an email most of you uh received uh which was Monday, September 11th, 2023. In that email, a previous legal director outlined several rules. One was directing all questions and remarks to or through the chair. Second is refraining. So not doing uh from attacking a member's motives to which you are not aware of. I added you are not aware of confining remarks to the merits of the pending question avoiding the use of members names. I'd ask again some civility and decorum when we're talking about council members motives. Alder men bell and then alerwoman Wilkins. You probably won't get that from the 14th W alderman, but uh I'd like to call the question if we could. >> Okay. >> So, council, uh we have five items before you. Clerk, please call the role. >> Tunberg. Correct. >> We had a motion and a second and we voted on >> correct. So >> on the amendment, we voted on the amendment. So we're rejecting the bids for item one. >> All right. So we're going through >> five. Yes, sir. >> Frost. >> Hi. Terrina >> Prunty >> Wilkins >> Hoffman >> Granith >> Beach Elgato Meeks >> Bell. >> No on two I on the rest. >> Bonnie, >> no. On two, I on the rest. >> Six to six on item two. >> Excellent. Does that automatically move forward or do you need me to vote? >> Okay. I >> Seven eyes, six nos. Next we'll go to legislative and lobby and older woman >> fronty. >> All right. Um >> expect me. >> Thank you honor. Committee recommends the approval. Excuse me. >> So next we have alderman alderwoman speaking. Um, the committee recommends approval of a resolution opposing federal truck size or weight increasing, asking Rockford City Council federal representatives in Washington DC to oppose increases in truck size or weight at the federal and state levels and encouraging our elected delegations to oppose related legislation. >> Any discussion on the one item before you? >> Clerk, please call the role. >> Tunberg, >> I. Frost. >> Hi, >> Terrina. >> Fronty. >> Hi, >> Wilkins. >> Hi, >> Hoffman. >> Granite. >> Beachch. >> Is that an I? I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> Salgado, >> Meeks, >> Bell, >> Bonnie, >> 11 eyes, one no. >> Thank you. Next, we're going to go to new business. We have nothing under planning and development, and we'll move to code and regulation. >> Thank you, mayor. We have 15 items. Item one, an ordinance establishing a 30 mph speed limit on Lynen Road from South Alpine east to the city limits, thus repealing the existing 45 mph speed limit. Item two, an ordinance establishing a no parking at any time restriction on the east side of Lee Street for Roosevelt Road to 200 feet north of Roosevelt Road. Item three, an ordinance approving a variation to reduce the minim minimum required rear setback from 30t to 11 ft in an R1 single family residential zoning district at 1334 Holland Street. Denell Kelly is the applicant. Item four, an ordinance approving a special use permit for drive-thru coffee restaurant in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 7131 East State Street, DLH Core Rockford LLC is the applicant. Item five, an ordinance approving a special use permit for a mosaic mural in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 211 Elm Street. The city of Rockford and the Rockford Area Arts Council are the applicants. Item six, an ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the smoke shop in the C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 4477 Lynen Road, Unit D, Ankit Patel, Buddies Alpine LLC, doing business as Buddies Smoke is the applicant. Item seven, an ordinance approving the sale of package liquor class PKG in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 4477 Lynen Road and Kip Patel Aver Mobile LLC doing business as mobile gas station is the applicant. Item eight, an ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C3 general commercial do zoning district at 4477 Lynen Road and Cap Patel Aver Mobile LLC doing business as mobile gas station is the applicant. Nine, an ordinance approving the sale of package liquor PKG in conjunction with the convenience store and gas station in C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 5330 East State Street, MD Amanure, Rasheed Khan, US Pro Incorporated, doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. Item 10, an ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the convenience store and gas station in the C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 5330 East State Street, MD Amanur, Rasheed Khan, US Pro Incorporated, doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. 11. An ordinance approving the sale of package liquor class PKG in conjunction with the convenience store and gas station in the C3 general commercial zoning district at 3730 North Alpine Road MD Almanure Rasheed Khan US Petro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. 12. An ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the convenience store and gas station in the C3 general commercial zoning district at 3730 North Alpine Road. MD Amanura Rasheed Khan US Petro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. 13. An ordinance approving the sale of package liquor class PKG in conjunction with the convenience store in gas station and a C3 general commercial zoning district at 4106 Harrison Avenue MD Amanur Rasheed Khan US Petro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. Item 14, an ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a convenience store and gas station in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 4106 Harrison Avenue, MD Amanur, Rasheed Khan, US Metro Incorporated doing business as Luna Food Mart is the applicant. and 15. An ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL and sale of package liquor PKG in conjunction with the restaurant and bar in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 6876 Spring Creek Road Scott William Carlson Brent Eugene Hayes Randall Raymond Baker the Raven LLC are the applicants. >> Thank you council. We got 15 items before us. Is there any discussion? Clerk, please. Or Alderman Beachch. >> Thank you, your honor. Um, under the committee reports here, they're different. Not committee reports, but the new new business is different. The committee reports, they separated these items A and B. >> Yep. >> And on the full report, they're not. How do I deal with that? >> Dr. H. >> Thank you, your honor. I believe each item is separated. Um, for instance, one, um, item six, for instance, is the sale of tobacco products at 4477 Lynden, Unit D. Um, I'm sorry, that's that's not a good example because that's the only one. Um, item seven is the sale of package liquor at 4477 Lynen Road. And then item eight is the sale of tobacco products for that same address. So, they're separated by item number. All right. >> One is a tobacco request and one is a liquor request. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other uh discussion on the 15 items before you? >> Clerk, please call the role. >> Tunberg. >> Hi. >> Frost. >> Hi. >> Tina. >> Fronty. >> Hi. >> Wilkins. >> Hi. >> Hoffman. >> Hi. >> Granth. Delgado >> Meeks >> Bell. >> Bonnie. >> Hi. >> Item 1, 11 eyes. Item 2 3 4 5 6 12 eyes. Item seven, 11 eyes. 8 12 eyes. 9 11 eyes. 10 12 eyes. 11 11 eyes. 12 12 I 13 11 I 14 and 15 12 I >> excellent thank you is there a motion to adjourn we have a motion we also all crunchy >> um would now be an appropriate time to ask staff to delay um the demolition until at least the 13th >> uh you probably missed that time uh but I know >> we're in discussions uh And I appreciate your comments. Um, but you're passing time. >> I'm passing time. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? We have a motion. We have a second to adjourn. >> Alderman Bell. >> Yeah. Are you able to uh print off Sorry. Are are you able to print off that email? I wasn't here in 2023 to receive that. >> Make sure it's resent to everyone. A big bold letter so you all can read it. Is there any other discussion?