Good evening. Welcome to the March 9th uh code and regulations committee meeting. Uh we actually have a fair fairly light agenda uh this evening. Um but before we proceed into the agenda, uh I'm going to ask since we don't have um Chaplain Miller here uh for our invocation if Alderwoman Torino would deliver that followed by the pledge. Once there we go. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this council meeting tonight. We invite you into this space, Lord, and we just ask that you give us wisdom to make the best decisions that we can for the people of Rockford. We ask that you protect um our first responders and again, just give us wisdom and insight for us to make the best decisions for our city. In your name we pray. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. And uh we also before we proceed into the agenda uh I'm going to have uh Mayor McNamera come up to present a proclamation and a special recognition. >> Thank you chairman. Uh this evening we have one proclamation and uh one very special recognition. Uh this evening to begin with we have a proclamation for the Irish Marching Society week and we have the Irish Marching Society with us or members of the Irish Marching Society. I'm not going to bite any of you. I'm Irish. You're all right. give that to you. >> Whereas Irish Marching Society Rockford is strictly a notfor-profit organization chartered in 1976 and was established to preserve and promote Irish heritage within our community. And whereas the Irish Marching Society continues to preserve, promote, and educate Irish and Celtic culture in the greater Rockford community. And whereas the Irish Marching Society's 50th annual St. Patrick's Day parade will be held on East State Street on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at 3 p.m. starting at 7th Street and 4th Avenue and ending on Water Street. Patty Fest will be held at Prairie Street Brewing Company from 400 p.m. This says to 900 p.m. I'm guessing it goes a little bit longer. Uh with live Irish music and food. Now therefore, I Thomas P. Maximmer as a mayor of the city of Rockford do hereby proclaim the week of March 9th 2026 to be Irish Marching Society week. I just want to say sincerely thank you for the work that you do every year. I mean not just the parade, not just Patty Fest, but all the work you do throughout the community throughout the year. Uh 50 years is really remarkable. Just want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And Tyler, would you like to share a few words? >> Yeah. Uh thank you. uh your administration's been incredibly uh great to work with um and supportive. Uh thank you to the council as well. I think this is my 10th year coming here and getting the proclamation. But uh it's our 50th year. So it's a it's a big celebration for us and you know 50 years ago your dad was amongst one of those uh few hundred members that marched down State Street in the rain and and started this tradition. So it's really cool to come full circle and and and and have you here. Um so we made it to 50. uh looking forward to the next 50 years and I I hope to see everyone come down and celebrate us or celebrate uh St. Patrick's Day with us. So, thank you. >> AWESOME. >> Appreciate I'll take it. Looks like >> we'll see you much. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Next, we have a really special recognition. Uh we are fortunate to be joined today by coaches and members of the Chicago Storm Special Hockey Team. If you would like to come forward and if you're folks want to take photos, you can come on in. We want you to be able to come in and take the best photo that you can. You can keep coming this way. Yep. >> You can come right in here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for being here. Hi. Thanks for being here. Oh, man. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Great. How are you? So, we are so thrilled that you you are here. I want to make sure that I tell our audience uh here as well as at home uh a little bit about this amazing team. So, the Chicago Storm Special Hockey team just got back, like literally just got back from a competition in Toronto, which by the way, they went undefeated. They had three wins and one tie. If you can't see at home or in the audience, they're doing a little bit of a humble brag with their uh medallions that they have around their neck. I'm loving it. Um, but this team is really remarkable. It provides children and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to play hockey. This serves about a 100 players from ages 5 to 55. It also focuses on much more than just hockey. It focuses on sportsmanship, team spirit, confidence, and pride. All of this in a really supportive environment. And it's all led by volunteers. I just want to say sincerely thank you to the coaches and mentors and thank you to the amazing athletes and congratulations. You are making us proud every single day and you're going internationals. That's amazing. But just want to say congratulations and thank you for all that you do and wanted to see if any of the coaches would like to say anything. And while while you say a few words, I want to make sure that we bestow a special gift to each one of the players and the coaches and by way of the form of a challenge coin where we provide individuals in our committee who have went way above and beyond and this team certainly has. So, thank you. >> My name is Mike Riley. I'm the head coach for the Rockford location. um the difference that this makes in these kids' lives. And I say kids even though when you include all five rinks, some of them are as old as I am. It it's just unbelievable the difference that it makes. Um every time I'm out on the ice with them, I see something that every single one of them does better than they've ever done before. And I mean that just how could you not keep coming back after that? and the difference it makes in their socialization. Um I at the closing ceremonies up in Toronto, I had one of the moms say that I mean their their son is in his second year and he for the first time in his life actually has friends. I mean how how can you not love that? You guys, you do all the hard work. All I do is just steer the ship. THANK YOU GUYS. WELL, THE ONE THING WE WANTED TO KNOW is these are spread rinks, five ranks all over the Chicagoland area. So, there's well over a 100 players in this program. It's also been more than 25 years, so it's one of the oldest programs. And the neat thing about it is a lot of these kids have benefited from the city services that you guys have provided, whether it was learning to skate through the programs here through our city. And it's one of the very few cities that do have programs out there for special needs. So that's a highlight on Rockford in itself. >> Just want to say again, congratulations. You guys are so inspiring and keep out there working your skills and it it's just really remarkable and coaches just want to say um I say it quite a bit but number one thing all of our kids need is people who care and love on them and you obviously do that and we're really grateful for you. Thank you. Thank you, chairman. Do you mind if I just have one more second? >> Absolutely. Go ahead. >> So, yesterday uh Thank you. yesterday la late last night was made aware of longtime family friend and longtime Rockford advocate and Sil Piri passed away. Uh Sil was one of a kind. He was a remarkable human who gave uh an immense amount of his time and his treasure to our community. He, as many will know, has done quite a bit of development in our city. Uh, you're hardressed to go to a portion of our community to not see where he's had an impact. If you put that aside, all the professional and business portion, you can look at organizations from the YMCA, the YWCA, Rockford Family Peace Center, Remedies, Renewing Lives, the Puri Peace Plaza, uh, Rockford University, and dozens and dozens of other organizations. You can look at the fact that he spent 15 years as a member of the Rockford Public Schools financial task force giving literally hundreds if not thousands of hours of his own time to our school district. You can look at the fact that he paid for every single one of our high school students for years to get free ACT and SAT prep classes. uh he did a remarkable job serving our community and I would ask if council would join me in a moment of silence as we remember the contributions that Mr. Pri provided our city. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh before we had proceed into our agenda, we also um have five public speakers. Um I will call your name. You can uh proceed to either microphone uh at the uh back of the room. Um you will have three minutes to address the council and then you will be um u notified by alarm on on my phone uh that your time is up. And uh our first speaker this evening is Erica Reed. In 2014, President Carter declared that male violence against women and girls is the greatest humanitarian crisis of modern times and the most unressed. He wrote a book, a call to action, urged religious and government leaders to get involved, and met with press at home and abroad and held meetings at the Carter Institute. For a brief overview, I recommend an interview with the stream on YouTube. During his presidency, he established a commission on the civil rights of battered women. In 1982, during President Reagan's term, the commission issued a final report. In 1984, the attorney general's office issued the federal response. And in 1985, the Senate conducted hearings entitled domestic violence and public health. These reports are of particular interest to me because they substantiate the need for mandatory domestic violence classes and continuing education for mental health licenses. It's been almost 50 years and these requirements haven't been implemented. As a result, their malpractice rates remain the same or have worsened. Based on recent testimony to the Arizona Congress, it's gotten worse. It's not an oversight. Last month, the mental health boards opposed minimal requirements, specifically one class and two continuing education hours. They had a year to prepare. They didn't use the year making improvements. Instead, they spent it crafting more arguments or excuses. To make matters worse, the coalition, which was paid to lobby, did not lobby for the requirements or even write a letter of support. This isn't surprising. Lawmakers and citizens from New Hampshire recently testified in favor of an investigation into the collition due to ongoing policy positions that harm victims. They claim that the collision doesn't operate independently, and I agree. For example, I recently spoke with a policy director from Mississippi who told me that he went to the lobbyist for the social workers and adopted their position. Since 2023, the coalition advocates have advised Illinois lawmakers not to address this matter. This happened again last week. An agency from Chicago advised representative Hershower not to sponsor legislation. They are not entirely at fault because the lawmakers have had plenty of evidence to act upon. They've ignored it along with the welfare of citizens. It isn't just mental health. They've also ignored Senator Halpin's bill to train lawyers for the last two years and banned over-the-counter rape kits. They claimed that the ban was for victims. Meanwhile, the higher education administrators have laid low. I believe that if President Carter and Reagan were alive, they would condemn these failures as a dereliction of duty that must be corrected immediately. In the spirit of President Carter's call to action, I will email the council more information along with practical recommendations. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And our next uh our second uh speaker this evening is Norma Joseph. One second. Okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. My name is Joseph and I am here to present our clinic and I am asking for your support and helping us to put on this clinic. Swim 1922 was incorporated to increase the um swimming participation and decrease drowning rates within African communic AfricanAmerican community by engaging local communities with swimming programs. Um it was again founded with swim n with us swimming foundation and ours is a outside um clinic that we do at the um Harkkins aquatic pool where it used to be the fairgrounds pool and based on the incidents that happened with the um little boy that drowned there years ago. We decided to have our clinic there so that this will never happen again. So again I'm asking for your financial assistance and supporting it. We want to make this an annual event. The children that come to this clinic every year love the clinic. They learn a lot from it. The parents are appreciative of it. According to the um reports that we got from our exit interviews this year, we're bringing in a special guest on Olympian 2004 silver medal Olympian that's going to come in and train the class. She tried to came come last year, but the storm the night before. We didn't even know if we were going to have a clinic because the storm's so bad. But she's excited and coming back again this year. I have a letter with information on it about the clinic for everyone in here with my contact information. So again, please thank you. We're asking for the community support on this program. Thank you. >> Thank you. And our third speaker this evening is Prophet Yousef. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In the book of Proverbs, the 31st chapter, the 10th verse, it says, "Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies?" What I want to speak about tonight, women's history month, remind us of women leaders overlooked. There's an African proverb that says, "Women hold up half the sky. Women constitute half the world's population, but still have not realized half of the world's potential." receive half of the world's resource or exercise half of the world's power. But women have always been the invisible backbone unseen but strong of transforming social movements and of anchoring institution and society our families, congregation, schools and community. March is Women's History Month in our nation and a chance to reflect on women's transformation impact on American history and turn it to inspiration and action for the future. The National Women's History Alliance which champions whipping women's history across the United all year long put it this way. History learned us who we are. But when you when we don't know our own history, our power diminish, our dreams diminish. Multiculture American women's are overlooked, and most mainstream approaches to United States history. So the National Women History Project champions their accomplishment and leads the drive to write women's back into history. The impact of women's history might seem abstract to some and less pressing than the neat struggles of working women today. But to ignore the vital role that women's dreams and accomplishment play in our own lives would be a GREAT MISTAKE. WE DRAW STRENGTH AND inspiration from those who came before us and those remarkable women working among us to offer the women who helped build American contribution went unnoticed. But the achievement, leadership, courage, strength, and love of women that I have is as vital as that of the men whose names are known. So, as Dr. Gera Learner has noted, women history is women's right, an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, conf courage, and long range. I URGE ALL HOMES, SCHOOLS, LIBRARY, COMMUNITY, ORGANIZATION, CHURCHES, POLITICIANS to focus their observance on women's who struggle for equality. your mothers, YOUR WIFE, YOUR SISTERS, YOUR AUNT, your nieces. Thank God for women. I also been want to tell my nephew Cedric, who retired from the army in the police department, and my good friend, the United States Senator Tammy Duckworth, this for a long time. And I'm going to get 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 friend. Happy birthday to you. Thank you for allowing me to speak. >> Thank you. Didn't want to cut you off in the middle of your song. >> Uh next up is Denzel Winter. Hi, I'm Denzel Winter and uh I'm here to say this is women's month and you guys are our backbones and I thank you for being that for us. If it wasn't for you guys, it would be no us. And I just want to say thank you because you know my mother when I was a young fell teenagers she would always say son I'm going to teach you how to take care of yourself because you don't need a woman. You don't have to marry a woman just to take care of yourself. I'm going to show you. And not only did I have a strong mom, I had a strong grandma. And my sisters were all strong, you know. And the only thing I can say is, you know, you guys helped this country to be what it is today. I know that people don't always look to you guys, but they should because y'all to mean a whole lot to us whether some of us men realize it or not. You are our backbone. And I just want to say thank you. >> Thank you. And our final uh speaker this evening is John Teac Brantley. >> Good evening uh mayor, all the person of Rockford, Illinois. First, I want to give honor to Reverend Jesse Jackson because I'm still carrying on uh his uh legacy uh um uh uh keep hope alive and we are somebody during the uh during the 60s during the riot uh we um the black Sunday that happened in Alabama, black bloody Sunday that happened in Alabama, we did not allow that to happen in Chicago. We was the vanguards at the age of 12 years old when we marched in Garfield uh in the uh and we marched in Garfield. Dr. King, Rethy and Jesse Jackson was there. We was the vanguard, but we stood up against the white supremist. We went toe to toe that day. We fought for seven hours straight fighting them and what have I. I went home battered, beaten, but nevertheless, we were successful at uh defeating them. Now, I just want to bring up the fact that we going to be in the St. Patrick's Day parade. And uh I had two flags on my van parked across in the parking lot and next to the Emerson uh building. Now I knew the innocent building I consider white supremist because the police came there and they told me they banned me from being in that building. But anyway, I park in the parking lot across from them. Someone decided to break both of the flags off of my van and what have you. I don't know what they thought they would get out of that, but nevertheless, I still going to get some more flags and put back up there. But I want to get at uh what's happening with us. Bible school perished from that lawsuit. And then I was eliminating racism can talk about racism. The YMCA can talk about racism. The um the uh uh uh Rock Valley College can talk about racism. Uh uh Illinois un Rockford University can talk about racism. But when we talk about racism, why is this a problem when we talk about racism? And I'm going tell you one of the reason why. The Woody Lynch letter said the making a slave I have a foolproof method for controlling the black slave. I guarantee you every one of you that if installed correctly it would control the slave for at least 300 years. It's been 400 years since then. My nephew is simply any member of your family or your overseers can use it. I have outlined a number of different among the slaves and I take these differences and I make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, envy for control purpose. their intellectual sex, size and plantation status on plantation attitudes of owners. Whenever the slave live in the valley on the hill, east, west, north, or south, have fine hair, coarse hair, or as tall or short. Don't forget, you must pitch the old against the young, the young against the black, the dark skin against the light skin. And I can go on and on, but I'm going to talk about right here. Why is it that we had two lawsuits and I'm not going to be able to finish. I'm going to come back cuz I want to talk about our uh we got a election coming up. We need everybody that's black to vote cuz if you don't vote, our vote don't count. And that's why our politicians don't uh don't look out for us. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh can we have a roll call, please? >> Here. Thank you. So, the first item on our agenda under resolutions is the Memorial Day parade. This event is scheduled for May 25th from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Organizers request city support for police, fire, and traffic control assistance. Organizers anticipate costs similar to the 2025 event, approximately $17,000. The parade will step off at 9:00 a.m. and the route will begin at 7th Street and Fifth Avenue ending at Memorial Hall on Wyman Street. Is there a motion to approve? >> Second. >> Any questions or comments on item one? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item two is coffee and cars. This event is scheduled for the following dates. April 5th, May 2nd, June 6th, July 4th, August 1st, September 5th, and October 3rd from 9:00 am to noon. The event will take place on 7th Street between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue, and on 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue between 6th Street and 7th Street. Is there a motion to approve? >> Are there any questions or comments on item two? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item three is Nokings 3.0. The event is scheduled for March 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Roads will close at 9:00 a.m. The event will take place at 116th North Water Street, which is City Market Pavilion. Is there a motion to approve? Second. >> Are there any questions or comments on item three? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. And item four is the Churchill Grove sale. This event is scheduled for May 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will take place in the Church Hill Grove neighborhood. Is there a motion to approve? >> Are there any questions or comments? Is that a Is that a request? Alderman Jun. >> All right. Um, seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Motion or meeting is adjourned. Welcome to the finance and personnel committee meeting. Uh sir clerk please take role. >> Here >> all right thank you. Uh first item is anformational only item. It is a the quarterly investment report uh for the quarter end of December 31 2025. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you sir. Uh so again this is through the end of 2025. So, uh, obviously we've had some, uh, changes since then, but we'll highlight where the portfolio ended at the end of the year. Um, just sort of generally, the Feds cut, uh, rates by 50 basis points or half a percent in the last quarter of the year. Unemployment trended higher, resulting in net new job creation near zero. Uh, but on the positive side, signs of growth in disposable personal income and resilient consumer spending. Our uh portfolio performance is outlined in the memo. Um year end for our core account total return of 6% um in our short-term account which we are in the process of closing um is at 4.18% and our motor fuel tax account at 4.62%. Uh the portfolio is in compliance with our investment policy. Um and I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has. >> Thank you. Are any questions? >> All right, seeing none, thank you for summarizing that lengthy report. >> Alderman >> Tunberg and I thought Director Hagerty sir writed me. Um, you know, I think to point out also that in the 12 months ended, uh, there was 2 million in the core account, 2,843,419 in interest earned. Uh, short-term account, $149,37. MFTt account, $280,322. So we have uh over $3 million in interest earned. Um and so again going back that I've insinuated before is is a thank you to all council and administration at the time that uh got this going. I also want to give a a a thank you to to PFM management, asset management. Um they're they're very transparent on these on the portfolios. Uh you know to have which are generally because of this strictly fixed income um to have the par value coupon uh yield to maturity at cost is is uh very transparent. You don't see that in some other manner so or in some other institutions. So it does create transparency which I think not only we but the taxpayers like as well. So thank you >> and as as well PFM they're also very uh not just transparent but very uh frugal on their fees which is nice as a taxpayer to see that as well. >> It is thank you. >> All right. Uh moving on. Uh item one under quarterly reports or committee reports is approval of vouchers in the amount of $8,477,4767 cents. Is there a motion to approve vouchers? >> Second. >> Any questions or comments on vouchers? Seeing none, all those in favor in keep I opposed. Matter passes. Item B is an approval of the eth amendment to the agreement with Associated Bank to extend the lease on a line of credit for an additional year. Is there a motion to approve? >> Move. Any questions or comments for staff? >> Seeing none, all I'll reach. Go ahead. >> What does that do to be paid off? >> Uh so uh Rave is making uh monthly payments towards principal. I would estimate based on the balance we have today and the rate at which they're uh making payments that we've got about two years left. >> Thank you. >> All right. Seeing no further questions, all those in favor I I opposed. Matter passes. Item three is an approval of the lean reduction request for 2213 Wentworth Avenue in the amount of $7,933.40. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments for staff? All the log. >> Just a quick comment. Um I know Mr. Nuse, he owns a business, Toad Hall in my word. Um I've talked with him a little bit on this. sent an email to all the finance and personnel uh talking about a little bit of the miscommunication here that went on. Uh a letter was mailed as I understand it to the address where the lean reduction request was happening. Uh Mr. Nuse didn't receive it and so just a little miscommunication here. I think it's an effort in good faith on Mr. Nuse's part to um kind of have the amounts for the lean reduction request. So um yeah, given all that, I'll be supporting this. Thank you. Yes, I also received the same email and I uh when it was broken down all the work and efforts and what what took place and what his future investments and I think what he had to do to clear up um the first demo to make it right to build on it. It it it made sense versus not knowing last week. Yes. Alman Grant, do >> we have a list of what thing because wasn't something posted on the house? Wouldn't that have been part of that process? >> Who can answer that? Mr. Ki, >> go ahead. >> Thank you, Chairman. I'm sure director lies could al could also answer, but we did have our legal department review um the statutory requirements related to the demolition notice and we did comply, but I would concur um that we have been working with the the property owner as well through the zoning process and development process and he's been immutable um with all the requirements. Any other questions? All right. See, all those in favor I I opposed. >> Matter passes. Item four is an approval of a hearing a hiring request for the water division for two project managers and one water utility technician and an estimated annual amount of $394,100. The estimated total cost which includes vehicles is $513,100 and the funding source is the water fund operating budget. Is there a motion to approve? >> Second. >> Any question or comments for staff? >> Alvin Derky. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a question of the position comes with cars. >> We're buying three cars. It's a an auto. >> We'll get to it later in the agenda, but yeah. Yes, I believe so. >> Yeah, there is a request a little bit later for to purchase vehicles for the employees. So each each of the three employees is going to get a full-time vehicle. >> They will not be taking it home. They'll be utilizing it just during working hours. >> So there's nothing once they're on call. >> There's nothing available at all in our stable of vehicles. We have to buy three more cars for these guys. >> That from what I understand there is not. Um, however, I know that when that agenda item comes up, I know that um, Mitch Leatherby may be able to answer that, but from what I understand, there are no fleet available that we would be able to utilize. >> Great. Thanks, >> chairman. I'm I'm sure I could provide additional clarification or director Hagerty better. Um, but you know, city council had approved a vehicle purchase plan. um a number of years ago which we have been following where we identified the the life cycle of the various vehicles vehicles and equipment for our organization. So we are readily um replacing those on a regular basis and taking the old vehicles to auction. Um you know with that we have now a much more limited supply of vehicles. So, we do have uh fleet vehicles which any department could check out if um they're not assigned uh their own vehicle. Um and these individuals will be out in the field significant portion um if their day of their day. >> Thank you, Chairman. Director, uh we had a conversation about this earlier in the week. Thank you for that time spent. Could you elaborate just a little bit more on the each position, the two and the one? >> Yep. So, the two project managers will be overseeing our lead service line replacement program. So, they'll be directly involved with that. And the one position, the water utility technician is um locating our storm and water facilities within the rightway. So, when a Julie locate comes in, they would be handling that. >> Okay. And I think as a reminder uh so we do have one essentially Julie locator. Uh the other the other two are not really directly related with this one person. Now sorry there was a uh electrical electric snafu there technical snafu there. Uh so on the on the two positions that are needed, >> if you could again just briefly explain why they're needed and it's not necessarily because of our municipality, it's due to federal regulations coming down the >> Y. So beginning in >> and the cost of that. >> Yep. So in beginning in 2027, we will have approximately 10 years to replace all lead service lines within the city. We if we anticipate that there will there are approximately 30,000 lead service lines. So in 2027 we need to replace 3,000 lead service lines per year. Uh with that additional workload, we've identified that we need the additional employees for you know public engagement um regulatory data tracking um you know just following up and sampling. They're managing our in-house replacement program from start to completion. So when somebody signs up, they're dealing with that paperwork. Um dealing with the paperwork, dealing with meeting with the customer, discussing how the lead service line will be installed, um working with the contractor, scheduling that. Um and that's more of that in-house. For the in-house program, they follow that lead service line replacement from start to finish. With our grant and loan program, they would be managing the data that's coming in from our contractors and consultants and managing that data, reporting that on a regulatory basis. Um, every year we have to sub submit a report to the IEPA. >> What are we at the current time? How many lead service lines do we generally replace a year on average? >> Oh, sorry. Uh, last year was a banner year. We replaced approximately 850. >> And we're going to have to crank that up to 3,000 >> to the tune over 10 years of $500 million. >> Yes. >> Thanks. on the grant. >> Um, have we worked with ori figured out where are the contractors for this additional time? I mean, I know we have current contractors doing the 850. We need more contractors to do it. Where are we going to find those? >> So, we have seen with our bidding process a few outside contractors that have bid on a few of these projects. I would anticipate that we'll see more and more contractors starting to bid on the work as um as we post more and more contracts. and they have very specific requirements. I we don't want somebody coming in and all of a sudden seeing extra money sitting around something that we know that we need. We have requirements and process to make sure that they are an approved provider for all these things. >> Yeah. So there are there are requirements with each of the bidding processes. You also have um you know everything that's installed has to be done by a licensed plumber. Um there are specific contract requirements through purchasing as well as the building department. Although mix, >> thank you so much for allowing me to speak on your committee. Um, I'm just wondering, um, we have the program with the sidewalks where we have worked with a contractor to bring a workforce development program to sidewalks. Is lead service lines a possibility for the creation of a workforce development program? I know that one of the contractors, and I I'll leave the name out for now, but one of the contractors I did have an opportunity to speak to to see if there was any appetite or any interest in kind of being similar to a tank in running a workforce development program that would allow um younger individuals to take advantage of a pre-apprenticeship plumbing or plumbing pre-apprenticeship and then possibly utilizing those services to help us replace lead service lines. Is is there a possibility within um kind of the framework and what we're doing here with adding project managers? Um is there a possibility to implement something like that? >> We'd have to take a look at um have a couple conversations, see if there are contractors that are willing to explore that opportunity um with lead service line replacements. I mean we are entering people's homes. So it's one of those things I think we could definitely explore that opport you know that that opportunity um but being conscious of the work that's being performed and that we are invading people's privacy so it's not we're not just performing work in the right of way >> that is a difference. >> Thank you so much. >> All right. >> Thank you chairman for allowing me to ask a question. Um Jamie, just real quick, um these positions that you're um going to hire, um are these permanent? Are these temporary 10 years? Um what are we looking at potentially? >> So these will are planning to be permanent. However, at the end of 10 years, we'll re-evaluate everything and take a look. Is it something that we continue to fill them or with a retirement, we just don't fill that position. So at the end of 10 years, we will re-evaluate. >> Yeah. So, so my So we're we're 800, right? And a year last year, whatever we did, 800, 900, um we're supposed to get up to 3,000. >> So, um yeah, I think it's uh well needed from that perspective. Uh knowing the fact that uh I have gotten two letters and I have not responded yet and uh that's bad on me. Um but uh but yeah, so I I see the frustration from that standpoint. Um but most definitely I just wanted to ask that if you know after 10 years, you know, if if it's going to be permanent going forward from that perspective. So thank you for that. >> All right, seeing no further questions, all those in favor keep I posted. Matter passes. Moving on to resolutions. Number one is an award of a soul source contract for generator and switch gear services to uh alt offer in the estimated annual amount of $100,000 based on unit pricing is a one-year contract with four annual extension options. The funding sources the water fund operating budget motion to approve. >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor to keep I opposed. Matter passes. Item two is award of professional services for the 2026 water system improvements design and inspection services to fair for an estimated budget of 2.5 million in 2026 6.25 million for 2027 and 2028. Um the contract duration is through February 28th, 2027 with two possible one-year extension options upon mutual consent of the city and the consultant. The funding sources are the water replacement improvement account and the state revolving fund. Is there a motion to approve? >> Uh any questions or comments? Alvin Salgado. >> Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to ask a question. Um do we know this one out for bid? Correct. Is that >> So this these um we've been working with fair Graham um for as long as we've been completing lead service lines. So since 2019. So they have an established history with us. They currently perform our scheduling and all of the work scope that is with our observations and we've been working very closely with them on our funding, seeking funding, obtaining that and uh managing that funding too as well as the reimbursements. So we work very closely with fair. >> Okay. Um so yeah, so just I that was my question to see if there was any other individuals that applied for this uh engineering design and inspection. I believe are the two things that they'll be doing. Is that correct? >> Yep. Yep. So, yeah, loan management, design, um project plan, making sure our project plan is good to go with the uh IEPA submitt, and then construction observation >> and scheduling. Scheduling is a large a large part of what they're working on. >> Cool. And then real quick, uh, so Antra is the the folks that are doing the the lead base plumbing and then they subcontract that out, I'm assuming. >> Yeah. So Entra is uh they were the awarded contractor for 8, N, and 10. So, but moving forward in the next phases that we advertise, it could be a different uh contractor. >> Oh, okay. Cool. I just wanted to link the pieces, you know, because there's a lot >> Yeah, there's a lot of work going on. Thank you. Miss Hag, did you want to weigh in on that? >> Yeah, I just wanted to clarify engineering services falls under a specific state statute called the professional services selection act that allows or requires us to use a qualificationsbased selection services for engineers, architects, and attorneys. Um, and also, you know, factors heavily in the previous experience that we have with a firm like fair Graham as part of that process. >> Yes, if I may ask a question. So, do we uh internally have a list of approved engineering firms that have gone through the list? Is that what you're pretty much saying? And then out of that list is how you guys make that determination. Correct. >> Okay. Cool. Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you. And I I take it this item uh as well as the previous item and the and the the the three vehicles below are all part of the the diligence and ramp up that you're trying to do to get in in front of this federal law. I'm I'm hopeful that that law changes between now and then, but I do appreciate like I said the diligence you're working on trying to to keep up with with the the law that stands right now. >> Yeah. >> Right. Seeing for no further questions, all those in favor I I opposed. Matter passes. Item three is award of RFP for water main capacity, fire hydrant flow testing and assessment to ME Simpson uh in the estimate estimated amount of $73,000. The contract is through December 31, 2026 with four annual extension options. The funding sources are the fire and water department operating budgets. Motion to approve. >> Any questions for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate I I opposed. Matter passes. Item four is award of joint purchase contract for 2026 light uh duty citywide vehicles to Enterprise Fleet Management in amount of $117,729. It's a 4-year contract for one vehicle and 60 months for two vehicles. The funding source is the water division capital lease budget. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments? All right, seeing none, all those in favor to give I opposed. Matter passes. Item five is award of bid for sidewalk and ADA repair package to TCI contract amount of $112,894.75. The contract is due May 15, 2026. The funding source is the 1% infrastructure sales tax. There motion to approve. >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor keep I opposed. Matter passes. Item six is award a bid for citywide pavement preservation and microsurfacing to AC pavement striping in the amount of $490,89.90. The contract ranges through October 2nd, 2026. The funding source uh are MFT funds. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate I opposed. Matter passes. Item seven is award bid for citywide pavement rejuvenation. uh 2026 to con connect corrective asphalt materials uh in the amount of $342,26.96. The contract duration is through July 31, 2026 and the funding source is also the MFT funds. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor to keep I opposed. Matter passes. Item eight is award a bid for citywide bridge preservation to Eminem con concrete in the amount of $59,940.85. The contract is through July 31, 2026. The funding source is also the motor fuel tax funds. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate by I. I oppose. Matter passes. Item nine is an award of design engineering agreement for the Beverly Park floodplane reconnection to HR Green in amount not to exceed $15,936. The contract is through July of 2027. The funding source is the CIP general fund. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor to keep I opposed. Matter passes. Item 10 is an approval and acceptance of the ILSB fiscal year 2026 camera grant award in the amount of $262,464. This grant does not require a cost match. The grant term is from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030. The grant award, if accepted, will be used to cover the fiscal year 26 cost related to licensing fees and device storage costs of the current Axon Body One cameras. So motion to approve. Uh any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate I I opposed. Matter passes. Item 11 is award of non-competitive contract for police vehicles to Rock River Ford in the amount of 1,582,589. This is a one-time purchase for 37 vehicles. The funding sources are capital lease funds and the police department operating budget. Is there a motion to approve? >> Any questions or comments for staff? Alderman Tubber. >> Thank you, Chairman. I would just like to say thank you uh to the individuals who are looking into this uh in the fact that I see that the investigators have a little bit smaller and more budget friendly vehicle than the regular police cruisers. So, thank you for uh the work on that. >> All right. Duly noted. Any further questions? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate I. I opposed. Matter passes. Item 12 is award of soul source contract for fire apparatus and ambulance supplies to McQueen Equipment and estimated annual amount of $120,000. The contract rations through December 31, 2026 with four annual extension options. The funding source is the fire department operating budget. Is there a motion to approve? >> Are there any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor indicate by I. I. Opposed. Matter passes. Item 13 is an award of a sole source contract for fire apparatess supplies and service repair to JX Truck Center in estimated annual amount of $100,000 based on unit pricing. The contract is through December 31, 2026 with four annual extension options. The funding source is the fire department operating budget. Is there a motion to approve? Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor I I opposed. Matter passes. Item 14 is a resolution authorizing the central services manager to execute an extension of the electrical municipal aggregation supply contract. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? >> Any questions or comments for staff? Seeing none, all those in favor to keep I opposed. Matter passes. Is there a motion to adjurnn all them? >> He recorded as a no on committee report three. >> I was kind of remembering the vote was only one against opposed to that. >> Are you saying you said no? Because I thought I only heard what >> reported as a no on that uh committee report number three. >> I I I don't know. I don't know what the initial vote was. Are you asking to change it or or are you saying that you said no? >> I was recorded as an Ivy, but it was really a no. >> I'll I'll defer to legal whether that's possible not or not. >> Correct. >> We can go back and change it without approval of council. >> Sorry. >> I don't think we can go back and change it without council approval. This is a committee report but yeah uh yeah I I guess all beach perhaps next week uh when it comes to um I don't know if it's possible to change your >> let's leave it alone we'll take care of >> take care of next week. >> Okay. >> All right. So is there another motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> All right. All those in favor of adjourning indicate by I. >> I. This means a jury.