Good evening everyone. We will call to order the city of Rockford's committee and council meetings this evening for Monday, July 7th. We do have a busy evening for us. Uh we are fortunate this evening uh that we will have a special code and regs meeting, a special code and regulation meeting, a special finance and personnel meeting. We do have a proclamation uh we have a full city council meeting and we are also fortunate that we have Anne Rundle of the Bahigh Center of Rockford to provide us with our invocation this evening. If everyone could take a deep breath, prepare yourself for a busy evening. Oh God, my God, shield thy trusted servants from the evils of self and passion. Protect them with the watchful eyes from all rank, ranker, hate, and envy. Oh God, make our souls dependent upon the verse of thy divine unity, our hearts cheered with the outpourings of thy grace that we may unite even as the waves of one sea. That our thoughts, our views, our feelings may become as one reality manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nationis I'm going to turn it over to Alderman Frost for our special finance personnel meeting. But prior to him starting, I just want to say, Alderwoman Hoffman, we are happy to see you back here and happy to see you back here. With that being said, I'm going to turn you over to Chairman Frost of the Finance and Personnel Committee. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first, can we call the meeting to order? We have um there is one item on the special U. Sorry, just Roll call. Can we do a roll call? Mhm. Alderman Logerman here. Tunberg here. Frost here. Granth Beach. Five present. Thank you. Under committee reports, we have one matter. It's a request to purchase uh for Head Start classroom materials from Discount School Supply of $94,99944. They will be used to set up three new Head Start classrooms at the parent and child education center at the fairground site. and the funding source is a Head Start grant. Is there a motion to approve? Second. Are there any questions or comments for staff? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor indicate by I. I opposed. Matter passes. Is there a motion to adjourn? Right. This matter this meeting is adjourned. Thank you. All right. We're moving now. Uh next we're going to move to code and regulation special meeting. I'll turn it over to Chairman Bonnie. Thank you, Mayor. Uh we also have one item under committee reports. Uh 58. Oh, I'm sorry. Can we also have a roll call? Alderman Bonnie here. Tina, Wilkins here. Bell here. Four present. Thank you. And we also have one item. Uh 5801 Columbia Parkway Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the modification of an existing liquor license for a 40% stock transfer in a C3 general commercial district commercial zoning district at 5801 Columbia Parkway Diego Cervantes Gooseman Luis Montesa Santos Ocelot ROS LLC Harrison Marketplace Place LLC doing business as Masano's Pizza and Pastasteria are the applicants. Do I have a motion to approve? So are is there any discussion on this item? Seeing none, uh will you call the role clerk, please? Bonnie, yes. Terrina, Alderman Princy, do you want to vote or Okay. All right. Thank you, Wilkins. Bell. Four eyes. Thank you. Motion passes. Is there a motion to adjurnn? Second. All in favor? I meeting is adjourned. Great job, Jake. Thank you. Next, we're going to call to order the city of Rockford's regularly scheduled city council meeting for Monday, July 7th, 2025. Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky here. Logan here. Tunberg here. Frost here. Tina here. Prunty here. Wilkins here. Hoffman, Granith Beach, Salgado, Meeks, Bell, Bonnie, 14 present. Excellent. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the journal of proceedings for the city council meeting held on May 19th, 2025? We have a motion. We have a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor say I. Those opposed. Excellent. Thank you. Next, uh want to take a little step away from the printed agenda and just obviously a tremendous devastation uh and pretty unimaginable loss of life took place in Texas this weekend. Uh the last numbers I saw were that at least 89 had perished uh due to the floods, many of which were young people. Uh and I know that many children are still uh missing at this time. Uh including also not just from my last look at least 10 campers, but also counselors and countless other residents in Texas. Um really if you watch the news or seen any of the footage, it's absolutely devastating on nearly every level you can think of uh of just unimaginable loss of life. And I would just ask this council if we could do a moment of silence uh in honor of uh the lives lost, all the heroic uh first responders and just incredibly courageous citizens who have stepped in to help save lives uh during that horrific devastation. Thank you for that. Next, uh we do have one proclamation this evening. It is for disability pride month and we are fortunate that we have Amy Newell, the executive director of ARC as well as Shauna Augustson. How are you? Um, whereas Disability Pride Month is celebrated each July to honor the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and affirms their right to full participation in all aspects of community life. And whereas more than 61 million Americans live with a disability, including thousands of Rockford residents, contributing their talents, perspectives, and leadership to every area of our community. And whereas disability pride month recognizes the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and the inherent dignity of every person while celebrating the diversity, culture, and accomplishments of people with disabilities. And whereas people with disabilities have historically faced and continue to face barriers to education, employment, health care, housing, and civic engagement. And whereas the city of Rockford affirms its commitment to promoting policies and practices that create a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible community for individuals of all abilities. And whereas we honor the work of local organizations, advocates, self- advocates, and families, especially those served by the Ark of Wnebago, Boone, and Ogle counties who lead efforts in advancing disability rights, independence, and community living. Now, therefore, I, Thomas P. Maxmmer, as mayor of the city of Rockford, do hereby proclaim the month of July 2025 to be disability pride month. Amy, would you like to share a few words with us? Thank you. Thank you so much. Um we just love to be here for July celebrating disability pride month. We have yard signs for everybody. Um last year our project art organization um made a beautiful mural that was outside our offices on Pville um for the month of July. And then this year it's actually up in front of the community foundation right on North Second Street. It just looks stunning in front of their building. We're so thankful for their partnership and um commitment to the disability world right here in our area. But this year, we wanted to get it uh get the kind of the word out about disability pride month a little bit more widespread. And so our artists made all of these great yard signs. We have one for each of the alder people as well as you, mayor. Um and uh people can um make a donation for these. However, we brought these as a gift to each of you um that you can put up for the month in your yard. We are asking people that if you put it up to take a picture um tag the ark and with a hashtag of disability pride 815 um just so that you can kind of see where all it is. Um we're getting ready to ship some to Michigan. Um we're we're reaching all over. So, but each of these are different as each person with a disability is different and each of them um have all of the symbols of disability pride month as well as the colors um of the disability pride flag. Um you can find all of that information on our website as well as on our social medias. Um I won't bore you with all of that. So, I know you have a full agenda. I just appreciate everyone's um commitment to people with disabilities. Um, we're one of those minorities that anybody can join at any time in their life. Um, and um, one of my good friends once said that if you live long enough, this will be one of those uh, minorities that you do join. So, we hope that everybody will stand behind disability pride and uh, share our signs. So, thank you very much. Someone want to make a donation. If you would like to make a donation, you can go to our website which is just the arcw.org. uh or you can call our office and anyone that answers the phone will be happy to take your your credit card information. So, thank you so much. We appreciate it. [Applause] Thank you. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Council members, uh, with your permission, I'd like to take one other step that is not on the agenda this evening. Um, Chief Panko, how are you? Good to see you. Um, could you come and join me? So, as the chief's making her way up, uh, Chief Panko was sworn in as our 11th fire chief of the Rockford Fire Department on September 8th, 2021. She made history as she became the first woman in the existence of the department to ever serve as our fire chief. Before serving as fire chief, she was the division chief of operations, which included the emergency services disaster agency coordinator for the city of Rockford. Additionally, since starting with the department in 1992, Chief Panko uh has served as a firefighter, a training officer, an EMS operations chief, a lieutenant, a captain, and a district chief. Chief Panko has a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. She also holds a certificate as an Illinois Professional Emergency Manager from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the designation as a fire chief officer through the Center of Public Safety Excellence. Chief Panko was awarded the American Red Cross Disaster Services Hero in April 2021, an award given by the Red Cross of Illinois to honor individuals for great acts of bravery, dedication, and service to our community. Overall, uh, Chief Panko, you have just done an amazing job as a leader of our fire department. Uh you have served every single one of your roles with tremendous professionalism, integrity, and compassion. I believe the city of Rockford and our fire department is better because of the service you've provided all of us. I know the state of Illinois is getting an absolutely wonderful leader. Uh we here in Rockford could not be more proud of the work that you have done and that you will be doing on behalf of the state of Illinois. Uh with that, we want to provide you with a plaque to say thank you and to express our gratitude for your service uh to the city of Rockford and and also Chief, I'd like to provide you with a key to the city of Rockford just by saying thank you for the amazing work that you have done throughout your entire career, but also most specifically as chief. You've done an amazing job and we certainly have the best fire department in the state and you're a big part of that. Thank you so much. [Applause] Well, thank you. Very unexpected. I'll keep it short because my eyes will start to sweat if I'm too long. Um, it's been a wonderful ride. 32 plus years here. I will miss you all. I'm going to miss my family. Thank you. [Applause] So, there's no smooth transition to the next item. Uh, we're going to go to saying farewell to our uh, fire chief to saying hello to the 2024 audit presentation. the city of Rockford. So, uh we are so fortunate to have uh Director Hagerty with us uh this evening to provide an introduction to that auditive presentation. Oh, I have Yeah, give me one second. Yeah, great. Thank you. So, I don't think this will be quite as uh emotionally engaging, but um this is this is uh Mike Malat from Baker Tilly. Um this is our first audit with Baker Tilly. If council recalls, we went out for a competitive RFP and made the decision to change uh auditors and uh have gone through a really uh robust process with Baker Tilly uh this round. They've been great partners so far. Um, and I will hand it over to Mike to kind of talk through some highlights and then we'll take any questions you all have. Great. Thank you, Carrie. And thank you everybody for your time this evening. I'll keep it nice and brief. Um, you know, and hit some of the high points kind of what the audit process is, kind of what the end results are, some of the reports you have in front of you, some of the reports that are in process to be issued. Before I get started, I do want to thank Carrie, Patty, and their team for all the efforts they put in through the course of the audit process. The process is a six, seven-month process. um on top of the day job and we come in ask a million questions, have them pull a million things for us and then we leave and they have to kind of clean up behind us. So without their professionalism, responsiveness and you really dedicate effort to ensuring we have what we need to do our job, we wouldn't be here today with a final report. So I really want to thank them for all the hard work they put in. And with a first year audit, it's it's a lift for sure. So I just want to say thank you to you guys for all the work you put in. So today in front of you there are several reports that were issued as part of the 2024 audit. Um I don't really get into numbers specifically. Obviously we have questions we'll answer them but I'm going to go over kind of what what I do what my audit job is as the auditor and what some of the nice and easy to read language and some of the reports we issue mean. Um so first for the annual comprehensive financial report that is the complete record of your financial performance for calendar year 2024 and where you stand financially as of December 31st 2024. That report, all 200 something pages of that is your information, your numbers that are being put out to users of the financial statements for your purposes, for the public, for fine holders, for whoever. The information in that report that comes from us as the auditor is the three pages called the independent auditor's report. In that is where we say the information that follows can be used and relied upon to to reflect the accurate financial position of the city. Um, we issue what's called an unmodified opinion on that report. That is the highest level of assurance we can provide. What that means is not we don't look at every dollar. It's not to the penny in terms of what we look at, but we do do a diligent amount of work and dive into the numbers into their processes and systems and controls to be able to say that we're comfortable that the information in there can be used and relied upon to paint an accurate picture of the city's financial health. That is your kind of your gold star. You get the unmodified opinion. That means you can use that information. That's not a rubber stamp as Gary can attest to. we beat him up real good. Um, and to give that opinion means we're very comfortable with that information. Um, as part of that, there are some other elements that are encompassed in that report that we don't audit. So, the the Met authority um is audited by another firm. We incorporate that information into the report. Uh, as well as the mass transit mass transit district, it's actually audited by Becker Tilly but a different team. So, we do take other information from other auditors, bring that in to paint the full picture. Uh there are a couple changes in this year's report as compared to prior years. Um so the library is now presented as a component unit. Basically what that means it moved from being kind of mixed in with all the other funds and operations into its own separate entity kind of outside the primary form. Long story short, it's governmental accounting fund. It doesn't change anything operationally. It's just how it's presented in the overall picture of the city. Uh, additionally there were some changes related to um just revenue fund accounting stuff in terms of uh pension contributions from the general fund to the pension funds. Not that anything was necessarily not matter of contributions not being made. It's just timing windows have to flow through and show. So there are some changes that are reflected in that opinion. So I'm calling that out um as it is a change from past practice. You'll see it. It's plastered everywhere because we have to plaster it everywhere in that report. Um doesn't mean you can't rely on the information in this report. Um I think that's to make people we still give that unmodified opinion but we made those changes to ensure that your starting point reflects where the ending point is and it's a complete picture from beginning to the end of the year. Um other than that you I think if there's two area or any area in that report you read because I know there's a lot of integrated detail in there reading transmitt letter and the managed discussion and analysis sections those are basically the big summary sections. one represents more numbers. Here's the big changes during the year. Whereas one is more non-financial context of what's happening in the city. Reading those two sections in conjunction with each other really kind of gives you the big big bang, you know, big bang for your buck on terms of what sections you're going to read. So, I do always recommend reading at least those sections of the report if you're not going to dive into the nitty-gritty that follows after that because it's very detailed. Uh, but that really paints a really good picture both financially and non-financially what's going on. So again, I won't get into any of the details of the numbers in there, but again, if you have questions later on, certainly speak to that. In addition to the annual comprehensive financial report, there's a number of other reports and submissions that have to take place in accordance with all the statutes. The first is the Illinois comprollers annual financial report, which is basically a distillation of some of the financial information from the financial statements into a prescribed format by the state that has been submitted and with the state covered. Everything's good to go there. There's also another filing with the government accountability and transparency unit which is called the the cipher is a document. It's another way of kind of chopping up and presenting the information. It that is used by other state agencies for their monitoring purposes as they pass state and federal funds to the city. Uh that has been through our final reviews. It will be submitted um with an opinion we issue on that. So they'll have a clean opinion on it when we finalize that. And that has a nine-month window versus a six-month window. In addition, we issued 31 opinions related to your various uh tax increment financing districts. So, everyone every tiff you have that has accumulated over the course of its life over $100,000 in incremental revenue. So, none of your new tiffs or anything like that or ones that haven't generated revenue that kind of comes down the road. But the ones that are fully active, we have to do a deep dive into them, how their money is spent and other compliance aspects on each one of those tests we have to look at individually. Um, so it's it's a lot. Uh, we really go deep into that and we were able to issue clean opinions of each one of those tiffs in compliance with state ed. That's fantastic. Um, because it's really easy to mess those up, especially with how many different tips you have operating. One other section and report we will be issuing subsequent to tonight's meeting in probably the next week or so, hopefully, fingers crossed, is the federal compliance audit, which is the single audit. That's where we look at your federal spending during the year. Um we looked at five programs this year which is a big uh bump from historical norms just how the numbers rolled out. Um we are going to be we looked at the CDBG program uh your lie he program uh your drinking water revolving loan program the Brownsville assistance program and the continuum of care programs. So with all the ARPA funding kind of rolling away it's basically creating a situation where we're looking at pretty much everything else that's of subst of substantial amounts. So we are looking at that you know as of right now I have not finalized my reviews of that but we don't have any findings of yet seems like it will be a clean bill health but it is preliminarily in draft phase. So that recorded so yeah yeah no you'll come back to me later on that no that went very smoothly it's just we're finalizing that it's kind of the thing that follows after the financial audit's done because of uh an extended time when those can be issued. So that kind of covers all the different reports and opinions we issue. All those reports have your numbers, your information, and we just kind of give the opinion that says, "Yep, you can rely on this." The one final document we do issue that you have in front of you, it's the one with pretty or it used to have pretty pictures, now it's just colorful. Um, is the audit results and insights letter. And what that is is a letter from us to you as the governing body. Um, and what that is is basically instead of sending you different communications throughout the course of the pro audit process, we like to pull them into one document. It covers all the different required communications as part of the audit process we have to do to meet our standards. Um it includes a lot of fun exciting things like our audit plan and the risks that exists in some of the things we do. Basically communicating to you here's what we plan to do. Here's our responsibilities. Did things go according to plan and were there any big issues we observed. Generally speaking my my statement on that letter is that nothing good ever is in that letter. Right? You you don't get congratulations for a job well done in that letter. That's what the unmodified opinion on the audit is. This letter is to call anything of of issue. So boring is good and with the exception of us having to communicate something in there related to the uh the changes in the reporting um you have a clean bill health. It is a boring letter. It is a lot of hey nothing happened bad. Um which is great. It's exactly what you want. Um so overall we did a deep dive into your processes your controls how things work. Especially in a first year we really make sure we've captured everything. Um as we're getting that fresh set of eyes and the first time getting kind of know how everything goes around here. um we really try to poke holes and the fact that we other than some accounting fund um in the report we had no substantial findings to report to you from a control perspective means you have a really good smooth operation going um because we're not shy about those comments. Um so overall that letter has a lot of things went well. Um and that's a testament to how things went and how the city's finances are being operated. Um with that there's also communication at the back in preparation for next year's audit. Um, and also I just always remind you, you know, while we work with Carrie and Patty and their team for the autumn and the day-to-day, ultimately you're the ones who engaged us to complete the audit for the city. So, if you have any questions, you know, any just want to know of something or concerns or anything of that nature, we're I'm always available. They know how to find me. I cannot escape even if I wanted to. Um, and I I say that in all seriousness, we're always available. So, if there's any questions you ever to have, um, just want you to know I'm not here just tonight for the meeting. I'm always available for you if you have anything you'd like to discuss. With that, that concludes my remarks. Any uh council members have any questions? Alder Fronty, thank you. Um I'm sorry, I was um a little bit distracted. Could you just explain the part again about the library fund and the RMTD portion of it or not fund but portion of it? Right. So for the library port so so when we have to look at things so your financial statements it's supposed to report they call it the primary government the entire reporting any of the city so you have this whole big umbrella of the city itself and related entities and there's a standards that govern what goes where in this report so think about it as kind of chairs on the deck right and with the library as we go through the evaluation due to the nature of it and this is standard for cities in Illinois on there was a standard about 10 years ago that that was passed that changed how certain organizations are present. Basically, the rules around where things go and the way the library structured with a separate board and some other characteristics, it being reported in the past is a a governmental fund. So, kind of like next to your general fund and some of your other things like that, it really belongs as its own separate entity. It's not really in that primary government. I know I'm getting kind of theoretical. basically it belongs kind of separate because it's a while it's certainly related and under the purview of the city it's got enough separation in how it's structured um legally and financially and other aspects that it really needs to be separated out still presented in the report but its own separate thing. So that's where you have uh mass transit um the the rave and now the library because of how they're structured they're part of it but they're a little separate I guess are they getting their own are they getting their own audit so they're not required to have their own audit no they are not now the other two have historically had their own audits and there's often legal reasons why or various reasons why they would have their own audit the library generally speaking when we've had the situation where which is 90% of Illinois cities we work with they usually do have a product because they're not required to. They're still in that overall reporting. We still have disclosures specific to the library. So, all the reporting stuff for the library is still captured in the city's report. It's just organized differently. Thank you. Any other questions? Alder one Meeks, I just wanted to catch you said there were two sections that we should uh review in the report. Can you repeat those? So, it's the letter of transmitt or transmitt letter and the management discussion and analysis or MDNA. Um, so they're both near the front of the report. Thank you so much. Any other uh questions from council, director? Yeah, I'd just like to take a a moment. Patty Roodie, our accounting manager, is in the audience uh here and she uh and her team in the accounting division have done a a massive amount of work this year in particular with a new audit uh firm in place, but every year to make sure that um we can account for every dollar that comes in and every dollar that goes out. Um it's not a simple task in an organization of the size and complexity of the city. Uh, but Patty does it very very well. Um, and I just want to acknowledge her and her team u for the hard work that they do. Thank you, Dad. Yep. That's it. Certainly, if um as you know, as you all go home and read this tonight, um if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me, to Mike, um Baker Tilly, we'd be happy to share our contact information uh with you all and and answer any questions that you have. Well, thank you both so much. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everybody. Thank you. Next, uh we're going to move to a public hearing that'll be chaired by Alderman Bonnie. Thank you, Mayor. Um, a public hearing is being held tonight pursuant to 65 Illinois compiled statutes 5/11-15.1-3 for the pre-anexation agreement for the following property 4075 Kilburn Avenue. Notice of this hearing was given by publication in the Rockford Register Star on June 11th, 2025. That notice informs citizens of Rockford that the Rockford City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 7th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers on the second floor at Rockford City Hall, 520 425 East State Street for the consideration of a proposed pre-anexation agreement for 4075 Kilburn Avenue. Are there any questions or comments from the city council members regarding this pre-anexation agreement? Seeing none, are there any questions or comments from the public? Seeing none, that concludes the hearing and it is now closed. Well done. All right, we are moving right along. We'll go to petitions and communications. We'll begin with planning and development committee and Alderwoman Wilkins. Thank you, Adam. We have three items. Item one is a memorandum from Todd Kagnoni, city administrator, regarding the proposed funding agreement with International Women's Baseball Center for Field and Capital Improvements at 3115th Avenue. All items, I'm sorry, will be referred to playing and development committee. Item two is a memorandum from Anna Garrison, economic development manager, regarding a proposed development agreement with Etna Building Solutions. And item three is a memorandum from Anna Gar Garrison, economic development manager, regarding the adoption of ordinances for the second amendment to the River District North TIFF district and ordinances for the creation of the Maine and Malbury TIFF district. Thank you. Next, we'll go to code and regulation committee and alderman Bonnie. Thank you. We have seven items all referred being referred to code and regulation committee. Number one is a me memorandum from Angela Hammer, legal director regarding the review of city council close session minutes. Number two is a memorandum from Scott Capavilla, planning and zoning manager regarding the final plat of remedies subdivision. Number three is the zoning board of appeals agenda for the meeting to be held on July 15, 2025 and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the code and regulation committee meeting on July 28th, 2025. Number four, liquor and tobacco advisory board's agenda for the meeting to be held on July 15, 2025 and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the code and regulation committee meeting on July 28th, 2025. Number five, memorandum from Martin Bloom, project manager, permits and special events regarding upcoming special events which include Ramp River Run, Tough Mutter Chicago, Labor Day Parade, and Screw City Beerfest. And number six, traffic commission's agenda for the meeting to be held on July 9th, 2025 and minutes from that meeting for consideration at the code and regulation committee meeting on July 14th, 2025. Number seven, memorandum from Jacob Rub Rubin, assistant city attorney, regarding the annexation of 13XX Linda Avenue. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we're going to go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost. Thank you. All three matters will be referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee. Number one is the memorandum from Todd Kegnon, city administrator, regarding the Cornado lease between Friends of Cornado and the city of Rockford. Number two is a memorandum from Todd Kegnoni regarding an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Rockford and the Rockford area venue and entertainment authority. And number three is a memorandum from Anna Garrison, economic development manager, regarding a professional services agreement with Ryan LLC for TIFF consultation. Thank you. Thank you, Alderman Frost. Next, we're going to move to our public speakers. I want to remind our public speakers that there's a microphone on the back left as well as the back right of council chambers. You'll have three minutes to address city council. Uh at the end of your three minutes, I'll ask that you close your comments. Uh and we appreciate you being here. Our first public speaker this evening is Prophet Ysef. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. In the book of Acts the first chapter the 8th verse it say you shall receive power when the Holy Ghost come upon you. What I want to speak about tonight Medicaid cuts will hurt poor people. Medicare and Medicaid was were hard one concession to decades of organizing not gifts. Stripping them away is a violent act of economic and social warfare. Particular in a country where black people already die younger, suffer longer, and receive less care. These cuts will accelerate deaths from preventable disease, drive elders into unpayable debt, and throw disabled people into crisis. This policy is crafted to hurt poor people beyond the meat aid that Medicaid provides. There is a snowball effect of this erosion. Medicaid isn't just a program. It's a lift for a fragile unequal society. Remove it and the whole thing collapse. When you defund Medicaid, you accelerate eviction, school dropouts, homelessness, poverty, hunger, untreated trauma, and preventable deaths. Since 2015 to 2024, 230 hospitals have closed in the United States. By cutting Medicaid, more hospitals will be closed in the United States and more nursing home, dialysis because they depend on Medicaid to pay them. You also push people into the criminal justice system where jails become psychiatric holding cell. The snowball turns into the ambulance. Emergency rooms overflow. Community clinics shut down. And black families are left with funerals instead of follow-ups to see a doctor. This is done intentionally, stripping care from poor people and fun public funds and to private insurance is how capitalism enforced obedience. It's also set up for the rich to get richer and the poor stay poor. My solution to solve this problem. All followers of Jesus Christ to stand up and speak up and say we are tired of this cryptic government mistreating poor people. We should also unite and put our money together and resource so we can open up our own hospital especially Rockwood Memorial on the west side because it saved many people lives in Rockwood. I also been want to tell Mr. Denzel but he ain't here tonight. and my sister-in-law, Miss Irma Nafrey, 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. 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. Thank you. Our next public speaker this evening is John Tac Brantley. Good evening, Mayor Mer and our most of all she's not here right now, but we uh miss Karen because Karen is always inviting us to different events. Um Bonita Herby, Linda Magniv, and Ann Thompson. And I uh was one of the few peoples who went before that board for Mercy Hospital when they told that big lie. Um, Victory Bell, Maurice West, uh, Lisa uh, uh, Wallace, and a few others got mud in their face because they allowed to get a sucker punch by Mercy Hospital shutting down Rockford Memorial Hospital. They said they was going to put 50,000 $50 million on the west side of Rockford. That was a big lie. And also, they even said to the board that they was not going to shut it down. I don't know if we can do anything about that. nightmare about them shutting me down, but they was dead wrong. I'm going to go on to talk about our uh our young people stop running from the police. One of my uh one of my young moms ran from the police this weekend. Now she in she in jail. There's a better way to handle this problem by example. When you get in trouble, call brother John. Just like driving white being black, I won my first case in court uh with the judge. The judge threw it out. I'm going to win my second case in court. And now I want to go to uh talking about the Nation of Islam. The last time we had a free medical clinic was I was a me I'm the last member of the Ninka Warriors of the Black Panther Party. We was the vanguards. We protected our neighborhood. We had the free medical clinic in our neighborhood. Now I'm proud to u be a part of the Nation of Islam which gave our flyer is going to have a free clinic every Saturday and also they got free food on that day. Mind you, we got project 2025 in the mix. If you look what happened in California, that's just a example of of what the ISIS is doing. But what I am so proud of is the Haiti. The Haiti stood up when ISIS came into their community and they beat the hell out of ISIS. I'm not saying they'll be able to do it again because next time ISIS go into Hades in New York, they probably going to go in there with tanks the same way they did when they came into the Black Panther neighborhood. They came in there with uh tanks. What is Rockford going to do? Hopefully Rockford is prepared for when ISIS come in. A lot of Hispanics have already told me they're not calling the police. They not going to work because they afraid that ISIS going to arrest them. Also going to the Winnebago County board because they said they voted against ISIS using the Winnebago County jailhouse and they using it as we speak and that's dead wrong. And u I want to thank everybody that supported us. We took 66 kids, 27 adults to the shed aquarium and to Rainbow Beach and n you 98% of them never been before. So our next project coming up, we going to Alpine Pool, but we also want to take them to Magic Water. Magic Water's tickets is high. So I'm looking for y'all to help me out. Thank you for allowing me to speak. Thank you. Our next public speaker is Dr. Sana Sadik or I'm sorry, Sana Sadik. Good evening, Mayor McNamera and alderman. Um, I'm here today to raise awareness about an organization on the west side of Rockford that has been serving the community since 2014. The Islamic Circle of North America or IKNA is a national organization first established in 1968 with the vision of being a grassroots organization of diverse Americans in age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status that provides institutional support for connecting with one another. The Rockford chapter of IKNA was founded in 2014 and in 2017 we purchased our current building on the west side of Rockford. That building is located at 1110 Arthur Avenue which is a short walk away from the Auburn Street and Kilburn Avenue bus stop on both the Kilburn and School Street bus routes and it's in the seven seventh ward represented by Alderman Wilkins. We neighbor the Telecott Page Park and we're a block behind the Dollar General off Auburn Street. Since its inception, IKNA has focused on community outreach to all neighborhoods in Rockford with the goal of providing food, a safe place for people to ask questions about Islam, and referrals to social services, a lot of which we do inhouse. Today, I'd like to bring awareness to our clinic. Every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we host a free medical clinic. Our clinic is staffed by a licensed physician and two volunteers. We perform basic medical services such as checking vision, vitals, and blood glucose. And we can write prescriptions for certain medications based on the discretion of the provider. Our physicians offer care with compassion, taking time and listening to patient cons concerns and help refer patients when appropriate to additional care. Our clinic is called the Shifa Clinic, which means healing in Arabic. To help fulfill our mission, we believe that healthc care should be accessible to everyone. To new residents of Rockford who might not have any insurance yet, to recently incarcerated individuals who have not reestablished Medicaid since their release, and anyone else who might be uninsured or underinsured. All are welcome to bring themselves and their family to our clinic. In an effort to support our patients and the community, we also offer a free hot lunch served every Saturday from 11 to 1 while the clinic is running. Since it's more difficult for people to get access to a free lunch on the weekends than on the weekdays, we wanted to ensure that anyone who stops by our building can get a warm meal, see our doctor, or engage with any of our other services such as a food pantry, free clothing, and more. Um, I'd like to close out my comment by mentioning one upcoming initiative we have on July 26th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We're hosting a free backpack giveaway for kids getting ready to go back to school this fall. We've given away hundreds of backpacks within the last few years at similar backpack drives and we want to continue this fun event which is going to be hosted at our building. We also plan to have food and fun for the family community organizations ready to connect with our attendees and even a barber to provide haircuts for kids before the fall semester begins. Please stop by at 1110 Arthur Avenue, which again is just off of Auburn Street and Kilburn Avenue. Thank you so much for your time and allowing me to endorse this organization that has been supporting Rockford residents for over 10 years. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Our next uh speaker this evening is Marva Louise Brown. Hello everyone. My name is Marva Louise Brown. I am founder and president of Harkkins Community Memorial Foundation. I am here to thank Mayor Magnamer for the wonderful proclamation that he uh gave to Harkkins uh uh community memorial foundation. Uh in case you don't know about Harkkins, Harkkins uh community foundation was established in 2003 after I lost my grandson at Fairgrounds Pool. And um there was a a young uh girl that died and it was weeks and weeks before they were able to bury that child and I decided no family should have to suffer like that. Uh that night I went to sleep. God gave me the vision to start Harkkins Community Memorial Foundation. We have since um helped over uh 80 90 families with burial assistance. Had my grandson lived to be 18 years old, I wanted to further his memory by honoring students who were doing a outstanding job in the community schools and churches to get them involved to get them out of the streets to get them to do things uh in in the community. and it's uh our outstanding youth award banquet. Uh I want to thank Rockford Community, Rockford Park District, uh Pon Funeral Home, uh Total Faith Community Church, and other great organizations who have assisted us uh since we have been uh started. And again, I want to thank you for allowing me to be here to tell you about um Harkkins and my wonderful grandson who died at at the age of seven years old who we miss. I have here my son Karandis Brown and the vice president of Harkkins Community Memorial Foundation, Nikki Lynch. Thank you all so much for your hope we get your continued support with Harkkins. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you. Our next speaker this evening is John Lawrence. Evening to our elected officials and our appointed officials. I do realize that uh the alderman did get warning letters on me speaking tonight. Um, I'm going to speak on the water department. $600 bill for the month of March. My normal bill is closer to $41. It went up from uh to be honest with you, I don't know what it was in uh April or excuse me, February, but it did go up to 600 the month of March and it went right back down to the normal of $41 for the following month. I talked to somebody who had a swimming pool. They told me that they filled their swimming pool and it cost them $89 in addition to the normal bill. You could fill a lot of swimming pools with $600 worth of water. Went to the water department about this after I spoke to somebody that morning that they shut off my water. And I was quite upset to find out about this. And yes, I did probably say a few things that I shouldn't have said, but who wouldn't when they find out that their water bill is 10 times what it should be, more than 10 times what it should be. I, you know, like I say, I was upset. I've gone back trying to get this straightened out. Just want a reasonable solution to this. I'm told that the water meters are accurate. It's a mechanical device. They can't break. Come on. Mechanical devices break all the time. Let's get reasonable about this. $600 for one month when the normal bill is closer to 40 to $45. Let's get reasonable on this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next, we'll move Thank you to all of our public speakers this evening. Next, we'll move to our new committee reports, and we'll begin with Planning and Development Committee and Alderwoman Wilkins. Thank you, your honor. Item one, committee recommends approval of the funding agreement with Midtown District Association in the amount of $30,000 of TIFF funding through the Midtown TIF District to support the 2025 work plan. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Item two, committee recommends approval of the funding agreement with Miracle Mile Rockford in the amount of $30,000 of TIFF funding through the East State and Alpine TIF District to support their 2025 work plan. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Thank you. Council, we have about two items before us. Any discussion on those two items? Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky. Hi. Logan, hi. Tunberg. Hi. Frost. Hi. Tina, hi. Pruny. Hi Wilkins. Hi Kaufman. Hi Granth. Hi Beachch. Salgado. Hi Meek. Hi Bell. Hi Bonnie. Hi 14. I thank you. Next we're going to go to code and regulation committee and alderman Bonnie. Thank you mayor. We have 24 items. Um, number one, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval for a restriction that will require traffic on Mary Court to yield prior to entering the intersection with Martha Avenue. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number two, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval to repeal the one-way street designation on Colombia Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number three, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval for a no parking at any time restriction on the south side of Columbia Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number four, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval for a no parking at any time restriction on the north side of Herbert Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street, thus repealing the two-hour parking restriction on the north side of Herbert Avenue from 12th Street to 1 half block west of 12th Street. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number five, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval to repeal the two-hour parking restriction on the south side of Herbert Avenue from 11 Street to 12th Street. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number six, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's approval to repeal the one-way designation on Herbert Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number seven, committee recommends sustaining the traffic commission's recommendation that no action be taken on the request to establish a no parking at any time restriction on the west side of Lucille Street from Clara Avenue to Sylvia Avenue. Number eight, committee recommends approval of the request for an honorary street name change on Johnston Avenue, renaming a portion of a portion from West State Street to Jefferson Street, Carl E. Pon's Way, in honor of Mr. Carl E. Ponds, founder of Pond's funeral home. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number nine, committee me recommends approval of the revision to the intergovernmental agreement for environmental services with Rockford Housing Authority. Legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 10. Committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a pre-anexation agreement with a zoning map amendment from county IL to city I1 light industrial zoning district. and a special use permit for the installation of a solar farm. Freestanding solar panel wrecks and solar panels for proposed lot 2 and zoning amendment from county IL to cityc3 general commercial zoning district for proposed lot 3 at 4075 Kilburn Avenue. Gambrell Solar LLC for FP development LLC is the applicant. Subject to conditions, con legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 11. Committee recommends approval of the pre-anexation of 475 Kilburn Avenue. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 12. Committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a special use permit for a mural on the southside building wall in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 602 North Madison Street. Becky Hadad for Mary's Place is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 13. The committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a zoning map amendment from C1 limited office zoning district to R3 multifamily residential zoning district and special use permit for a planned unit development for four three units and three four units in an R3 multif family residential zoning district at 5918 Elaine Drive. Welcome Home Residency Incorporated is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 14. Committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a variation to reduce the site triangle setback from the required 20 feet to 18 feet in a C2 limited commercial zoning district and C3 general commercial zoning district at 7475 East State Street Smart Signs Incorporated or Machine Shed LLC is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number number 15. Committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a special use permit for a planned unit development consisting of 68 singlestory duplexes, 60 two-story duplexes, and 52tory 4-unit buildings for a total of 180 units in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 6507, 6557, 6597, 65 5XX 6640 6660 66 XXX 6730 6770 6783 and 58 I'm sorry 6819 Fincham Drive 886 and 891 White Chapel Lane 6785 Mil Road and 9XX High Groove High Grove Place LVS LLC for AC Johnston William Charles Real Estate LLC is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. 16. Committee recommends sustaining the zoning board of appeals approval for a zoning map amendment from C2 limited commercial zoning district to R2 two family residential zoning district and special use permit for a planned unit development consisting of five two family structures in an R2 two family residential zoning district at 4228 Nard Boulevard. Coral Coral Dine LLC applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal should director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number 17. Committee recommends denial of the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the neighborhood deli market and grocery store in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 3217th Street. Mohammed Sade Zatar Olivio Delhi Market Incorporated doing businesses doing business as Olivo Delhi Market applicant thus reversing the liquor and tobacco advisory board's recommendation for approval. Number 18. Committee rec recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for liquor for the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL and package liquor sales class PKG in conjunction with a restaurant bar and outdoor seating area in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 519 East State Street. Paul Slutton, Harvey Wallbangers LLC, doing business as Harvey Wallbangers is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. 19. Committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with a bar and grill and video gaming terminals in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 620 Marcus Street. Tyler Smith Rare doing business is the Rare is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. 20 committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL in conjunction with the sitdown restaurant in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 6905 East State Street. Doug Banks, Wesley Banks, Tyler Boser, Nick Rafen, Midwest RT LLCD, DBA Rusty Tacos is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Committee number 21, committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale sale sale of package liquor class PKG and sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the grocery store in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 3118 North Rockton Avenue. Right. Ritz Ritkuskumar Patel Suman Market Incorporated doing business as lowcost groceries is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances. Number 22. Committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of packaged liquor class PKG and sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in the C3 general commercial zoning district at 4307, 4311, 4315, 4317, 43XX, 43 4417, and 44x Auburn Street Ma Mahag Dukamar Patel Cayenne Incorporated doing business as gas is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances. 23. Committee recommends sustaining the liquor and tobacco advisory board's approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with the restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 3130 North Rockton Avenue Harwinder Cower A Groceries Incorporated doing business at Wicked Wings is the applicant. Subject to conditions, the legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. And 24, the D81 Columbia Parkway liquor and tobacco advisory board recommends approval for the modification of an existing liquor license for 40% stock transfer in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 5108 Columbia Parkway. Diego Servantes Gooseman, Luis Montz, Santos Oelot, ROSV LLC, Harrison Marketplace LLC doing business as Masanos Pizza and Pasteria are the applicants. Would anyone like Alderman Bonnie to repeat those? All right, we got uh 24 items before us. Any discussion on those 24 items? Alderman Salgado. Thank you, your honor. Um, I'd like to move to um for item 17 um for the deli market, uh, I'd like to make a motion. Um, I would like to move to reverse the committee report for the sale of the tobacco products in conjunction with the neighborhood deli market and grocery store in AC4 Urban Mix Use Zoning District at 3217 Street from a recommendation of denial to approval subject to the following conditions of approval as recommended by the Liquor Tobacco Advisory Board. And I'll read these. Um, there's I believe 10 of them, 12 actually. Um the first one, meet all applicable building and fire codes. Two, compliance with the city of Rockford of ordinance, including uh tobacco codes. Three, submittal of revised inter interior floor plan that shows the location of the tobacco products for sale for staff's review and approval. The sale of tobacco products shall be limited to the location as shown on the revised interior floor plan. Uh, five, window display signage is limited to 20% of the window area. Six, the window shall shall not be covered with bars and other devices that block the windows. Seven, the sale of rose tubes, airplane size bottles, 50 mg, 1.7 ounces or less, or any other products that can be deemed to be easily manufactured into drug paraphamilia is prohibited. Number eight, the sale of water pipes and hookah or hookah pipes are prohibited. Number nine, hours of operation would be Monday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Uh, number 10, any pending general ordinance cases must be resolved prior to the issuance of the license. Number 11, all outstanding general ordinances fines must be paid prior the issuance of the license. Number 12, all conditions must be met prior to the issuance of the license and establishment of the use. And I so move on that. Thank you. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Just so I can understand your motion, you're just simply making it from a denial to an approval so that those who vote yes know that they're voting yes in favor of it. Those who vote no know that they're voting not in favor of it. Correct. Thank you. Uh there's a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on that motion and only that motion? All those in favor of that motion, please say I. I. Those opposed? No eyes have it. So that has been No. Okay. Alderman Bell and Alderwoman Torino were the nose on that. Uh that number 17 has been amended to be in the affirmative as an approval. Any other questions on the 24 items before us? Alderman Derky. Thank you, your honor. I would request the 30-day layover for item 15. We have a motion to request a 30-day layover on Second. We have a motion to request a 30-day layover on item 15. We have a second. Is there any discussion on that item? All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Okay. Item 15 is laid over. Now we have 23 items before us. Is there any discussion on the 23 items that are before us and item 17 being amended? Clerk, can you please call the role? Jerky. I. Hi. Tunberg. Hi. Frost. Hi. Tina 21. 13. Prunty Wilkins. Hi, Kaufman. Granth. Hi, Beach. Delgado I all Meeks I Bell no on 17 I Bonnie I items 1 through nine 14 I's item 10 and 11 13 eyes, one no. Item 12, 14 eyes. Item 13, 13 eyes, one no. Item 14, 15 was laid over. 16, 14 eyes. Item 17 is 12 eyes, two nos. Item 18, 19, 13 eyes, one no. Item 20, 14 eyes. Items 21, 22, 13 eyes, one no. Item 23 is 12 eyes, two nos. And 24. Thank you. Uh, thank you, clerk. Uh, Alderman Bell, I missed one. I apologize. No on 21 for me. If that is without any objection, Alderman Bell is voting no on what was that number? 21. 21. Is there any objection? Okay, that new vote is 12 eyes, two nos. Thank you. Next, we are going to go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost. Number one, the committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of 8,673,695.84 as approved at the finance personnel committee meeting held on June 23, 2025. Number two, the committee recommends approval of the retention of the 1% grocery tax to be implemented by local ordinance. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number three, the committee recommends approval of the request for funding in the amount of $23,168.14 pursuant to the 2020 amended and restated intergovernmental cooperation agreement for assessment complaint intervention. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. Number four, the committee recommends approval of the for the addition of city-owned property located at 319 Heath Street to the city's MOT to own program. The legal director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. And number five is a request of purchase for the Head Start classroom materials from Discount School Supply amount of $94,99944. I place the Oh, I'm sorry. The funding source of the Head Start grant. I place these five matters before you. Thank you, council. We have uh five items before us. Is there any discussion on those five items? Clerk, will you please call the role? Derky. Hi, Logan. Hi. Tunberg. Hi Frost. Hi Tina. Hi Prunty. Hi Wilkins. Hi Kaufman. Hi Granith. Hi Beachch. Hi Salgado. Hi Meeks. Hi Bell. Hi Bonnie. Hi 14 eyes. Next we will move to officers reports. Is there any council members with the report? Alderwoman Hoffman. Thank you mayor. I just want to say that uh tomorrow night at 6:30 Broadway Covenant Church we will again be having a rolling green meeting and two of the subjects are one we have a neighbor who has been very successful with eliminating dirt bike riders in our neighborhood and she wants to talk to other people and show them how it can be done. I understand there's actually a reward uh when you help get rid of some of these dirt bikes. And then uh we have I believe Jeremy Carter is coming to talk about the South Alpine Road improvement project because there's going to be meetings going on and this is an amazing project and we want everybody to have their voice heard. Thank you. Thank you. Other uh reports. Alderwoman Trina, did you have your hand up? Uh we it's been a couple weeks since Iron Man since we had it off. Um, but I definitely wanted to just make mention of just the excellence of Iron Man. Um, just wanted to publicly thank anyone that touched it from our volunteers, our entire community, everyone that was behind the scenes working on this project for I believe it was two years, more than actually one. Um, just an amazing display of what Rockford is. Um, the way that we welcomed our guests into the city. Um it just we we really showed that we're a classy town when we want to be. So um it was really excellent to be a part of it firsthand to to as a volunteer, but just to be down there as a spectator, it just was really really inspiring and I just want again to thank everyone that touched this project. It was really really well done. Um and we really should be very very proud of ourselves. Um I have a friend that lives in Africa that saw it on my website. He was like that wasn't that was in Rockford. like that's something that I follow around the world. Um so we're being noticed on a global stage as a result. So we really really should be proud of it. Um I also just want to acknowledge Chief Panka. Um you're just wonderful and I just want to congratulate you and um I just wish you all the best. I really do. Um I know being a woman in leadership that people don't realize all that you have to go through. So, just know that I know I know what you have to go through and um I just appreciate you and respect you and I'm just excited that our state gets to have a taste of your wisdom and the things that you're going to bring. So, I just want to congratulate you and thank you that all that you've done for our city. Thank you. Thank you. Alder Prunty, did you have your hand raised? Yes. Thank you. Um Ditto Chief, um you will be missed. Um thank you for your service. Um, want to welcome back Karen. Uh, good to see you. Oh, excuse me. The eighth ward alder woman. Um, older woman Hoffman. Welcome back. Good to see you. Uh, in good health. Um, just wanted to um also um I want to extend a sincere thank you to our code enforcement department for doing a lot of the heavy lifting over the past several weeks in the six ward. Your efforts to identify and address properties with high grass, debris, and illegal dumping have not gone unnoticed. I truly appreciate the extra attention you've given to um the six ward and the followth through on these issues um that matter deeply to six residents. I also want to encourage our residents, six residents to keep reporting these violations. Your eyes and voices help us stay on top of these concerns. And to those who are dumping or neglecting your property, please stop. It's unfair to your neighbors and disrespectful to the communities you're harming. To the repeat offenders who continue to let their grass grow high year after year, especially near sidewalks and pedestrian areas. This is more than an eyesore. It's a public safety hazard and contributes to neighborhood blight. I challenge both code enforcement and the legal departments to work together to explore additional tools and strategies to encourage faster, more consistent compliance. Whether it means new penalties, earlier interventions, or creative policy solutions, let's find ways to make this less convenient to delay mowing or dumping illegally and more rewarding to maintain clean and safe properties. several. Just want you all to know that um I've reached out to um um administrator Kagnoni a couple of times this week because I've had calls from constituents who are calling. Some have been in tears. Others are talking about taking matters into their own hands. be it taking risks and doing something that could um be illegal um as well as um even thinking about cutting people's property or cleaning people's property and taking on that expense. I just really um hope that we will do something and can do something um impactful um that will encourage people to um clean up and stay cleaned up and stay in compliance because year after year I think it does become frustrating for people and um we need to um do what we can um to make this um better for our community and to make sure that these repeat offenders um get the job done sooner so that we can have safe neighborhoods. Thank you. Thank you. Any other uh reports? Alderman Beachch. Thank you, your honor. Just to say thank you again to the Fourth of July committee. Um fireworks were spectacular this year. those that like fireworks, those that like loud fireworks, but for Tom Lupus and Ted O'Donnell and all of the staff that put that thing together again for our community, another plus for Rockford. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Alderman Tunberg. Thank you, Mayor. Uh to piggy back on the fifth uh fifth w older woman's uh comments, uh the Iron Man. Terrific. Uh, I'd like to extend another thank you to all those in the Church Hills Grove neighborhood who came out and really supported a lot of those athletes. Uh, I've firsthand heard from many of them uh as they ran by uh I know the millions around the world that watch us every Monday night uh council meetings. Uh the one that I accidentally uh hit right in the uh with that stream of water right in her ear. I apologize for that. Um, had bad aim on that one. But, uh, I'd like to thank our public works department speaking in the Churchill's Grove neighborhood. Uh, we have had a multitude of water breaks in the past seven days. Uh, some of you may have been inconvenience driving through there. Uh, but thank you to public works on getting on those right away. And the director of public works, our very own Scott Sanders. thank you for some work done on First Street on your uh hands-on uh work on that as well. And that of course that's not in the Churchill's Grove neighborhood of course. But um another thing I noticed with the presentation tonight from the audit is when I was when I was scaling through there is that in 2014 UPS was the 10th highest employer uh as far as number of employees in Rockford and now 2024 it's fifth. Collins Aerospace and Woodward Governor and Amazon were not even on their listed as a top 10 employer uh in 2014. And I like to say now that that Collins Aerospace is sixth, Woodward Governor is seventh, Amazon is eighth. And the reason I mention that is just it's it it really is a testament to our city and uh administration and council in helping in any way we can to uh encourage and uh these these businesses to continue to employ more people. And to so to see that where they weren't even on the list 10 years ago and now those private companies uh not a knock to government uh and our employees here but uh far from that but it's encouraging to see the private sector within our community uh continue to grow. So thank you. Thank you. Alderman Bonnie, did you have your hand? And then Alderman Bell. Oh, I'm sorry. Alderman Bell. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, would like to thank Jeremy Carter. Don't think he's here today, but like would like to thank Jeremy Carter for assisting with the Carl Eon's Way um honorary street sign. I hope to see that go through on this evening. Um, would also like to thank Director Sanders for taking a tour through the 13th ward with me. um be remiss if I didn't shout out his jump shot. He was playing basketball with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club uh where my office is and prior to our meeting he uh took a step back three and made it. Um so just want to say thank you again for addressing some of the issues in the 13th ward. Um and also just being being a being a cool guy to the kids at the Boys and Girls Club. They really appreciated that. um across the street. Um and Miss Marva Brown talked about um Harkkins Pool today um during public comment, but this Saturday on July 12th at the Harkkins Aquatic Center at 910 Acorn Street. Uh there's a free event for uh children ages 5 to 16 hosted by the ladies of Sigma Gamma Roll sorority uh as well as the four city chapter of Jack and Jill of America who my stepmother actually is a founding member uh is presenting the third annual swim 1922 in JJ swims water safety clinic at the same pool uh as you heard this um earlier this evening uh where there has been a a tragic drowning uh previously. And so in honor again of the Harkkins family um they're hosting this event, this water safety clinic. And this year's clinic will feature a special guest appearance by 2024 Olympic silver medalist. Uh so you don't want to miss that. I'd encourage anyone to share this. I'll be posting it on my uh Facebook and social medias and would hope that you all if you have children or know of any uh come on out to the 13th ward and have uh a good time. Thank you. Thank you. I just want you also to know Alderman Bell there lot of debate at uh department head meeting uh this morning and last week. I bet the overunder that was over 10 tries for that video of Director Sanders to make that shot. I just have that out there. Um, with that being said, Alderman Bonnie, thank you, Mayor. Um, I actually wanted to uh thank you for your attempts to um resolve the um runaway number of complaints we've been getting about our delays in our um fiber optic cable installation. Um back in May, you sent the council a very thorough um email detailing uh conversations you had with Sci-Fi and with their subcontractor Always Underground and um that explains some of the reasons for the delays and that they were um going to make a concerted effort to I believe hire more staff and um be caught up by and that email was May 7th and be caught up by June 12th. But um you know I I I think um some of us have been dealing with this for longer depending on where the and uh I know I think uh the 14th ward is kind of late in the game. So I know some aldermen have been going um dealing with complaints about this for far longer. I don't think the installation reached the 14th ward until very late last year. Um, but I would have I have to say that the number of complaints I'm receiving has is as high or growing since they were supposedly going to be caught up. And um I forwarded eight of them um over the yesterday to staff. Um, fortunately, you know, staff, uh, I know in at least one case, um, um, contacted Sci-Fi, which contacted the resident and is talking about making some sort of interim, um, restoration of their lawn until a permanent restoration takes place. But, I'm sorry, but this is just really shameful. Um, this company's been doing this for I I don't even remember when they started, but it was um I I I believe this is the the third construction season we've been dealing with it. And um you know I don't know if if another meeting would do do any good, but I just feel like the need to express publicly that um you know I person I mean great that we're going to have more competition for internet and but I'd be skeptical about signing up for their $55 offer based on this kind of customer service. And um uh I think we're very fortunate. You know, it's both the slowness in completing the installation, but I think even more so, it's the, you know, um manhandling of of everybody's yard to get the job done and the, you know, lack of explanation, lack of um any kind of um of um of um attempt to make the customer feel confident that their lawn is going to get restored. And many people of course are um myself included doing it themselves. And I just um want to share one um email or text message that I received this morning. It's um from uh Luke Vetera who lives on Village Court in the 14th Ward. Uh dear Alderman Bonnie, I'm writing to you as my representative in the 14th ward. I'm concerned over the recent fiber optics installation in my neighborhood. On May 6th of this year, a crew was in my neighborhood. They dug up multiple holes in my yard and everyone else's. I have pictures of this. I'm sure we've all gotten many of these photos. It's been over two months and the holes remain. Unsightly patches filled with gravel. Grass does not grow in gravel. Nothing grows in gravel. I've tried reaching out to the company. They've been less than helpful. I've lived here for over 25 years. I'm proud of my home and I do my very best to keep it looking presentable both inside and out. I'm also proud of Rockford. I spent over 24 years on the Rockford Fire Department serving our community. It's frustrating for me when I do my best to uphold a certain standard and then see the city lower that standard right in my front yard. The holes are unsightly and there are literally hundreds of them all over the neighborhood and thousands throughout the city. Is there a plan to fix this? If so, what does that plan look like? Thank you for your time and commitment to the city of Rockford. And I just think it's a shame that we have to receive that we're receiving complaints like that and um that we are lucky to have people who care about the curb appeal of their properties. And I, you know, I I don't have an answer for it, but I just um other than to call out these two companies. Thank you. Thank you. We uh certainly have been frustrated. I'm going to ask Director Sanders to provide some uh input on that. Thank you, Mayor um council. Thank you, Alderman Bonnie, for giving public voice tonight to something that I'm sure everyone based on text and emails and phone calls I get something that I think everyone sitting around you endorses and shares that opinion and it's helpful to have it said from that from that dis um that we're two years into I believe to my understanding about two years maybe it's a little more maybe into our third uh year of this four-year initiative that is noble right in its effort it is going to bring fiber to uh the entire community um regardless of of of demographic. I think we're about 50% done. I I've got numbers say that just the sheer scale of it is surprising. 3.2 million feet more than 3.2 million feet of of conduit and fiber has been put in the ground so far. that's of 6.5 million uh that will involve the entirety of the project and over 10,000 homes served um or have the availability to hook up right now. So there's there's admirable qualities to this pursuit. There have been over 60 individual permits and each one of those permits is for a cluster of properties. 60 permits issued to the combination of sci-fi and AUI um to do this work and it is a partnership. It's a public private partnership with the city but um there's times when partners need to acknowledge when issues have arisen and mobilization and work of this scale it comes with challenges but they have been revealed prominently through failed restoration and the holes that were referencing that are are ancillary to that. They're part of that process. Those holes are the way by which they investigate the presence of other utilities. They call that potholeing. So they will use a vac truck and they'll suck out a little hole through the dirt to find out where say a Nycore gas service is coming in. Uh and those are not adequately sufficiently repaired. And I have had a picture last summer I had a picture of my son kneedeep in one of those holes in our front yard. So I'm aware of that issue as well. um 60 permits have been issued. What I think is telling is only four have been closed. I mean only four of them have we as a um city said, "Yep, it's done. We've restored that." And it's something that we we collectively take seriously. The city takes it seriously. The department, the elected officials take it seriously. I personally uh from my design background take it seriously. And so meetings have been held and promises have been made and we need to take it to another step from there now. And without going into specifics and still vetting specifics and you'll be probably playing a role in approving some of those specifics, I can tell you variables that we are looking at would involve slowing the issuance of any further permits. We've gotten into a kind of issue one when one is closed but with 50 some open that just leaves you know trading one for one leaves far too much uncompleted work. Um someone the text mentioned gravel. We have become aware of and are being more sensitive to the appropriateness of the material the seat of of the seeding medium and the seed prep that occurs. Uh there's no point in going through these restoration efforts if we're just putting it into unsuitable soils or not properly raking them out and if we're just covering that with with with fiber blanket when we're not fiber it's fiber blanket but no pun intended the fiber mulch blanket when we're done. Um, and we're looking at better delineating the start time of the window for restoration because these projects are ongoing and our ordinance sort of vaguely speaks to restoration occurring at the conclusion of active construction. But for some of these processes, you might have the conduit directionally bored and then it sits and waits maybe for months and then someone comes and puts the handhole. another branch of a company comes and puts in the handhold connections and then it sits and waits maybe for a couple months and finally the fiber is pulled and that's when we when we the applicant would say we've concluded our our active work and restoration starts and that leaves it disturbed for far too long. So I think that we collectively as a department are going to be better about identifying um periodic completions through those different stages and certainly upon uh installation of the handhole boxes demanding that that kick off what is really by ordinance a fairly tight window of just a couple weeks after which restoration is supposed to be completed. Thank you. We're aware of it. We're not pleased with the outcomes we're getting and we we will um work to achieve a better outcome. Thanks, Alderman Beach. Uh thank you, your honor. Just a couple of questions. Uh just to follow up in this discussion, um are we required by law to issue permits going forward to any of these companies? because I asked that question because if they're not able to have us give us performance bonds or something so that at a certain time if these things aren't corrected that we can correct it and bill against them. Um I mean we do that kind of thing when we do the neighborhood standards on the on the grass. They don't cut it, we cut it, we bill it. Someday down the road we get paid. But I don't understand how they're allowed to just do this and get away with it and create all the tension with the people. And I mean, I'm not trying to stir this up, but good grief when people call us and write letters and we don't know what to tell them. And and and the people that are helping the city, they they're probably frustrated, too. They don't know what to tell them. They try the best they can. And it's one thing to have it done on the terrace. It's another thing when they go in their yard. And so, uh, I just want to ask the question, are we, uh, obligated by law to issue permits to these companies? Thank you, Mr. Keoni. Thank you, Mayor. um sort of to sort of separate the discussion a little bit. Um we started talking about Sci-Fi which we have a development agreement with Sci-Fi to install fiber across the entire city. Um we went into that development agreement to ensure that fiber went across every home and every business and that um we didn't leave out certain parts of our of our city. There are other companies that are also installing fiber within the city of Rockford and they are cherrypicking um areas in which to install um fiber and excluding other areas of our community. Many of those are we are required to issue them uh right away permit under the Illinois statute um because they were previously existing and operating within the state of Illinois when the legislation was adopted. So in short to your answer we are required to issue permits for many of the fiber installations that are being um either have been put or are being put in the city of Rockford as it relates to sci-fi. they weren't previously established and we did a development agreement that required it to be installed um across the entire city. And when director Sanders talks about additional steps um that's the steps that him and his team are looking at as it relates to making sure they're performing um in regards to development agreement because what might be efficient for uh business installation is not meeting our community standard for restoration. So we need to get that aligned. Thank you. Are do we or should we or can we require performance bonds then with these new companies? I believe we already have them. We have there is there is part of the work within the right of way permit. So, have we have we have we then drawn on those four properties are not put back in shape. Mr. Kegoni, we have not at this time. No. Well, I guess I understand why you wouldn't want to, but on the other hand, there's a lot of people up out in Rockford that are upset. And when you get a email, and we've all got them, I'd imagine if someone is willing to write, there's probably 35 or 40 or 50 that would have right but are afraid to or to call or not to call. So, u I wouldn't want to have your job try to take all these calls, but I I think we really have to come down harder than we are. And if we have performance bonds, I think we need to put it in their face and say, "If you don't get it done by this date, we're going to do what you're paying it." Period. We got to take care of our people. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Alderman Bon. Thank you. Um, the questions that Alderman Beach is asking just kind of sparked a question in my mind. I've only received complaints about sci-fi and always underground. are the are we not receiving any significant number of complaints from those companies that are doing the cherrypicking? So, I can answer some of that and correct me if I'm wrong. No, we're getting a lot of complaints on them as well. And that's why getting the addresses and the information from all the aldermen is so incredibly helpful because uh it hasn't always been the company that the resident thinks it is. uh because you know company A will come in and do work not restore it then company B will be right behind them uh and so they'll only see company B but company A didn't restore it so there has been a lot of confusion with that uh and the number of companies that are in town doing it versus that no one wants to cherrypick in 14 is that I'm not saying it okay all right thank you uh other reports alderman Frost I just want to take a moment also not to be redundant, but to thank our chief panco for um not just being chief, but I I' I've gotten to know her over the years and knew her when she wasn't chief and was a hardworking, diligent member of the Rockford Fire Department, wearing many hats. So, we wish you the best of of luck and don't forget where you came from and hopefully you can still continue to live in Rockford. I thought you were going to say make sure we get all of our elevators approved or something like and then I just noticed tonight that it's the first time in a long time looking around here that everybody's here and uh we had um you know we've had u I know I'm going to violate the rules but we've had Alderman Logman that was that was not with us for an extended amount of time uh helping serve our nation. And then we've had uh oh I guess Alderman Hoffman isn't sitting here right now. Uh uh She heard you were coming up to Where did she go? Uh but uh I just wanted to welcome her and all them in Beachack who who you know uh had uh uh some health reasons why they couldn't join us for a while. And it's nice to see everybody healthy uh and back. And uh and on that note, I guess it uh it's nice to see all of us here getting along and and being professional and and hopefully having some camaraderie. So, um, again, not using names, but Alderman Tunberg suggested that perhaps we all go get a drink and he's going to pay for it. Uh, and so I I think we should take him up on that. Uh, and if uh either if we if we're able to get together tonight or or maybe in a week before summer, uh, if some people can't make it, but it would be nice to have a kind of an impromptu or if we have to abide by Mr. Kagnon's rules and and put it on the agenda, um, then, uh, we we can do so. and maybe all get together for a little bit of summer fun. So, thank you. Fun killer. He always is. Okay. Thank you. Other uh reports, seeing no other reports, we'll move forward. Uh all the appointments are laid over till after July 16th. Um then we will go to motions and resolutions and we will go to planning and development committee. Alderwoman Wilkins. Thank you, honor. Item one, committee recommends approval of the city of Rockford residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan. Item two, committee recommends approval of the policy to establish a citywide framework to reduce food insecurity in Rockford by designating funding and improving access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. Thank you, council. We have uh two items before us. Is there any uh discussion on those two items? Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky, hi. Logan, Tunberg, hi. Frost, hi. Tina, Crunchy, Wilkins, hi Hoffman. Hi, Granth. Beachch. Uh, one second, Alderman Beachch. I don't know if that is possible. Uh, Director Hammer. Once the uh, roll call starts for voting, it's not proper to take any questions. Thank you. Salgado, Meeks, Bell, Bonnie. Hi. Item number one, 14 eyes. Item number two, 13 eyes, one no. Thank you. Next, we'll go to code and regulation committee and alderman Bonnie. Thank you, mayor. We have one item. Uh committee recommends denial of the request for authorization to allow the zoning officer to file a text amendment to remove the special use permit option for residential storage warehouse in C3 and C4 zoning districts. Uh this was laid over uh from June 16th, 2025. Thank you, council. We have uh one item before us. Is there any discussion on that one item? Alderman Frost, just for clarification, it's still it's still a a yes vote is to deny it. Correct. Or was there a motion made? I didn't hear the motion. Did I miss it? Alderman Bonnie? No. I would like to make that motion though. A motion to amend this denial to approval for the same reason we did um uh for the item that Alderman Sogado requested to just avoid confusion in voting. So, we have a motion to switch it from a denial to an approval. Is there a second to that motion? Second. We have a second. Uh, is there any discussion on just the motion to change that? All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? One no. Okay. And two nos. Okay. Uh so now it's a committee uh the committee recommends approval. So a yes vote is a yes and a no vote is a no. Uh is there any discussion on the one item before us? Alderman lo just uh procedurally what if I could ask to the uh city legal director what's the purpose of um you know committees if you know if we I mean we continue to do this and I guess no harm no follow but um it seems like we're kind of circumventing the committee's decision overall which again is fine but it just begs the question of kind of what is the purpose of the committee then director Hammer thank you mayor um just Keep in mind that the vote would still be reflective of the intent of council as to whether it's supported or not um based on whether it's an approval or a denial. Um but I understand your point, but I think for ease of um voting and convenience factors um that's why it's being considered. There are some jurisdictions that only allow affirmative motions. Um, and so that's something that we could consider moving forward if it was the will of of the council to do so. Okay. Thank you. So, we have uh one item before us. Any discussion? Alderman Bonnie? I mean, just I I don't disagree with that. I think, you know, we the committee denies something, it moves to council anyhow. The only difference is that the if there's an ordinance required, the ordinance doesn't come simultaneously. It comes two weeks later, which I think is confusing for the public. Is the vote when is the vote actual? Um when we approve the committee report or approve the ordinance, it's the ordinance, but um the and then and then we we do this. I mean, I'm doing it to avoid the confusion because it's the practice that we seem to to do all the time. Although, personally, I don't think we should bother, but I just don't want to risk confusion on this vote since we just did it on the last one. Thank you. Any other discussion on the one item before us? Clerk, could you or Alderman Bell? Uh, I don't know who to point to for this one. Maybe administrator Kegnoni. Can you uh I guess remind me this vote is to send uh the recommendation over to ZBA. Correct. This is not to finalize the the text amendment. Mr. Koni. Thank you, Henry. That that would be correct. This authorizes the zoning officer to file the text amendment application. It will then be scheduled to upcoming zoning board of appeals meeting, come back to codes and rags and ultimately city council for a final decision for approval or That is correct. Okay. Any other followup? Alderman Bill. Uh, he can go. I'll probably go again. Alderman Bonnie. Go ahead. Oh, so just to clarify then the the a yes vote is now to have the zoning officer send this to ZVA to come back to council. Correct. Okay. Is there any other discussion on the one item before us? Alderman Bell, I'd like to really quick acknowledge uh Alderman in the 14th ward for his advocacy on this topic uh since being sworn in. I think I've heard about this every single week. Um for that reason to learn from I think uh and we appoint um subject matter experts to a committee to hear more. Uh I will be attending uh the ZBA meeting uh if this goes through. Um so I'll be in support of this going to ZBA today so that we can have uh all for myself at least to have more of a clarification on on this topic. Thank you Sarah. Any other uh discussion on the one item before us? Clerk, could you please call the role? Jerky. Hi. Logan. Hi. Tunberg. Hi. Frost. No Tina. Prunty. No Wilkins. No. Hoffman. Yes. Granite. Hi. Beachch. Salgado. Meeks. Belle. Hi. Bonnie. I eight I eyes, six nos. Excellent. Thank you. Next, we're going to go to Finance and Personnel Committee and Alderman Frost. Thank you. Uh number one, the committee recommends approval of award of an RFP for the Head Start Transportation Services to First Student in the amount of $546,762. Um it is a one-year contract with two possible one-year extension options pending funding annual price adjustments for CPI will be considered a contract renewal only and the funding source is the Head Start grant. Number two, the committee recommends approval award of joint purchase contracts for citywide heavy duty fleet purchases to Lakeside International and Bird Camp uh in amount of $1,285,167. This is a one-time purchase. The funding sources are the capital fund street division and water fund capital budgets. Number three, committee recommends approval award of joint purchase contract for cellular services to T-Mobile in an estimated annual amount of 500,000. It's a one-year contract with four possible one-year extensions. The funding source are various departmental operating budgets. Number four, committee recommends approval of award of non-competitive contract for city lighting retrofit to BP contractors at no cost to the city. The contract is through December 31, 2025. The funding source is actually the COMMED energy efficiency program. Number five, the committee recommends approval of a change order for firewall replacement upgrades to SER technology. The original contract was $234,500. The change order is $51,821. This uh includes support of newly added equipment that has been deployed within the city's network environment. The funding source is the information technology fund operating budget. Number six, the committee recommends approval of an engineering agreement for the Ninth Street 2-way conversion phase 2 to Trans Systems. The amount of 1,994,350. The contract duration is through 2026. The funding source is the motor fuel tax funds. Number seven, the committee recommends approval of a resolution authorizing payment to Alignment Rockford, the amount of $25,000 in support of public school strategies. Number eight, committee recommends approval of the extension of the IDA strong communities uh program round two grant to November 14th, 2026 and acceptance of an additional 76,000 in Ida grant funds. This grant does not require a cost match. The funds will be used to cover the cost associated with the demolition of substandard residential properties. And number nine, the committee recommends approval and acceptance of the IDHS homeless prevention grant award in the amount of $1,110,414. This grant also does not require a cost match. The grant terms from July 1, 2025 through July 30, 2026. I place these nine matters before you. Thank you, Alderman. Uh council, we have uh nine items before us. Any discussion on those nine items? Clerk, please call the role. Turkey. Logan. Oh, sorry. I missed a question. Did I miss a question? Alderwoman Torina. Thank you. Sorry. Uh number seven, can we just get an explanation of of why we are wanting to support this? I thought this program was like something that the was funded by the school system. School district provides $125,000 to it. It also gets uh about $600,000 in grants and other sponsorships including Swedishamean uh and Associated Bank I believe are their two largest corporate uh donors to it. Uh we then serve on by putting money towards this we serve on their board and support their efforts from early childhood uh education and health and wellness of young people. They've just did a partnership with uh I'm going to miss a lot of partners. Many of the health systems, Wnebago County Health Department uh for putting a nurse at every single household that has a baby within Wnebago County. That's one of their programs that they've done among a number of others. But if uh any other staff member wants to provide input, you can. I think you covered it well, Mayor. Okay. Okay. Um, that those are good programs. Um, for me, I'm I'm likely not I'm probably not going to be supporting this just because with all that's happening in our country right now. Um, I don't know what the state of our particular programs are around children and I'd rather see this type of money going towards Head Start. Um, so for that reason, I'm not going to be supporting this one. But thank you. Thank you. Alderwoman Meeks, do you have your hand raised? Thank you so much. I was just wondering how does Alignment Rockford work with the city of Rockford and our departments directly? Good question. Thank you. Uh I don't know how much direct involvement they have with our city uh departments. I know, you know, I have the opportunity to attend their board meetings uh and it provides an opportunity to be there with uh Rockford public schools uh Rockford University, the main health systems and other business leaders uh throughout the committee, including some of those that I've mentioned and some not. uh everyone from technology businesses to manufacturing uh businesses but direct uh involvement with uh department I'm not aware of that like direct partnership involvement so so I guess maybe the question I want to ask is directed to the department of health and human services that runs the head start program does alignment rockford have any direct connection to any program. Director Paran. Um, thank you for allowing me to ask the question. I, you know, I don't want to make it seem like I am not an advocate for our students and the hard work that Aligner Rockford does. I actually very much agree with with regards to us not knowing what is coming for our funding our funding for this city and the departments that we have under our city and so I'm just a little reluctant right now and it is it is a small amount of money which makes me know that this organization that was created under the Rockford public school district since they are doing or at least created to support the Rockford Public School District. And so we can all agree that that is the intention. Um I'm not quite sure what this very small amount of funding is intended to do. Um and I didn't I mean I know what Alignment Rockford does um but I just don't want to get into the precedence of continuing to understand we have funded this organization in the past. Yes, we have at the level of $10,000. So now we're increasing it to 15,000. Yeah. And truthfully in past years well over the $25,000 level like when they this particular organization Yeah. Tell me at Rockford. So when in recent years Yes. 10,000 and then four or five years ago it was 25 and I think at one point it was 50 or 75,000. Uh so yes, it's an increase from the most recent years, but it's certainly a pretty dramatic cut from what it once was. Okay. I guess I didn't. Where do you recall where that funding came from? General funding. Well, I don't have any other questions. I think I'm just against, you know, spending this funding for this particular organization at this time. Thank you. Thank you, Alderman Bell. Sure. Uh, as we're in the discussion for allocating funding to programs and initiatives under our city umbrella, would like to also make mention of the community healing center and the folks that uh work out of uh the 13th Ward Irving Strong House. um would love to see uh some of this funding or other uh pull from other uh streams to help and and increase or or really support uh to to make that program uh or initiative uh sustainable given the uh potential outcomes of uh the lack of funding uh provided to that initiative. It's a fantastic initiative that we are very proud of for sure. Any other uh questions? Sorry about missing those. Uh, clerk, could you any other questions? Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky, hi. Logan, hi. Tunberg, hi. Frost, Tina, Fronty, Wilkins, Hoffman, Granith, Beach, Salgado, Meeks. No. Bell. Hi. Bonnie. Hi. Items 1 through 5 14 I's. Item number six 13 eyes. One no. Items seven 12 eyes, two nos. Items eight and nine, 14 eyes. Excellent. Thank you. Next, we're going to go to new business ordinances. We'll go to planning and development. Alderwoman Wilkins. Item one is an ordinance approving. Okay. Item one is an ordinance approving a funding agreement with Midtown District Association in the amount of $30,000 of TIFF funding through the Midtown TIF District to support their 2025 work plan. An ordinance, excuse me. Item two is an ordinance approving a funding agreement with Miracle Mile Rockford in the amount of $30,000 of TIFF funding through the East State and Alpine TIF District to support the 20 25 work plan. Thank you. Council, we have uh two items before us. Any discussion on those two items? Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky, I log. Hi. Tunberg. Hi. Frost. Hi. Tina, hi. Prunty. Hi Wilkins. Hi Hoffman. Hi Granith. Hi Beachch. Salgado Meeks. Hi Bell. Hi Bonnie. Hi 14 I. Thank you. Next we'll go to code and regulation committee and alderman Bonnie. Thank you mayor. Um item one is an ordinance approving a restriction that will require traffic on Mary Court to yield prior to entering the intersection with Martha Avenue. Number two, an ordinance repealing the one-way street designation on Columbia Avenue from 11th to 12th Street. Number three, an ordinance approving a no parking at any time restriction on the south side of Columbia Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. Four, an ordinance approving a no parking at any time restriction on the north side of Herbert Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street, thus repealing the two-hour parking restriction on the north side of Herbert Avenue from 12th Street to a half block west of 12th Street. Five, an ordinance repealing the two-hour parking restriction on the south side of Herbert Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. Six, an ordinance repealing the one-way street designation on Herbert Avenue from 11th Street to 12th Street. Seven, an ordinance approving an honorary street name change on Johnston Avenue, renaming a portion of West State Street to Jefferson Street, Carl E. Pond's Way in honor of Mr. Carl E. Ponds. Uh, eight, an ordinance approving the revision of the intergovernmental agreement for environmental services with the Rockford Housing Authority. Nine, an ordinance approving the pre-anexation agreement with the zoning map amendment from county IL to city I1 light industrial zoning district, a special use permit for the installation of a solar farm, freestanding solar panel racks and solar panels for proposed lot two and a zoning map of amendment from county IL to city C3 general commercial zoning district for proposed Swap three at 4075 Kilburn Avenue, Gambrell Solar LLC for FP Development LLC is the applicant. Number 10, an ordinance approving the pre-annexation of 4075 Kilburn Avenue. 11. An ordinance approving a special use permit for a mural on the southside building wall in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 602 North Madison Street. Becky Hadad for Mary's Place as the applicant. 12. An ordinance approving a zoning map amendment from C1 limited zoning limited office zoning district R3 multifamily residential zoning district and a special use permit for a planned unit development for four three units and three four units and an R3 multifamily residential zoning district at 5918 Elaine Drive Welcome Residency Incorporated is the applicant. 13. an ordinance approving a variation to reduce the sight triangle setback from the required 20 feet to 18 feet in a C2 limited commercial zoning district and C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 7475 East State Street. Smart Signs Incorporated for Machine Shed LLC is the applicant. 14 has been laid over. 15. an ordinance approving a zoning map amendment from C2 limited commercial zoning district to R2 two family residential zoning district and a special use permit for a planned unit development consisting of five two family structures in an R2 two family residential zoning district at 4528 Nard Boulevard Coral Dine LLC is the applicant 16 an ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL and package liquor sales class PKG in conjunction with a restaurant, bar, and outdoor seating area in a C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 519 East State Street. Paul Sletton Harvey Wallbangers LLC doing business as Harvey Wallbangers is the applicant. 17. an ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with a bar and grill and video gaming terminals in a C3 C4 urban mixeduse zoning district at 620 Market Street. Tyler Smith Rare Incorporated doing business as the Rumar is the applicant. 18. An ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL in conjunction with the sitdown restaurant in a 2 Limited Commercial Zoning District at 6905 East State Street. Doug Banks, Wesley Banks, Tyler Boser, Nick Rufino, Midwest RT LLC doing business as Rusty Taco is the applicant are the applicants. 19. An ordinance approving the sale of packaged liquor in conjunction with a grocery store in a C3 General Commercial Zoning District at 3118 North Rockton Avenue. Reichkes Kumar Patel Suman Market Incorporated doing business as lowcost groceries is the applicant. 20. An ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a grocery store in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 3118 North Rockton Avenue. Rights writes Kumar Patel Suman Market Incorporated doing business at lowcost Grocery is the applicant. 21. 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 437 4311 4315 4317 43XX 4417 and 44XX Auburn Street Mayan Draumar are Patel and Ken Incorporated doing business as Sitco gas is the applicant. 22. An ordinance approving the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with the gas station and convenience store in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 40307 4311 4315 4317 43XX 4417 and 44XX Auburn Street. Mayan Drakumar RP Patel Kian Incorporated doing business as Sitco gas is the applicant. 23. An ordinance approving the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with the restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 3130 North Rockton Avenue. Hard winder cower a Groceries Incorporated doing business as Wicked Wings is the applicant. and 24 an ordinance approval of or an ordinance approving the modification of an existing liquor license for 40% stock transfer in a C3 general commercial zoning district at 51 5801 Columbia Parkway Diego Cervantes Gooseman Luis Montes and Quesia Sat or I'm sorry Satos Ocelot ROSV LLC Harrison Marketplace LLC see doing business as MSO's Pizza and Pasteria are the applicants. Thank you. Is there any discussion on items before us? Alderman Bell. Yeah, I'd like to just ask um colleague to the right of me. Uh him and I both see this. I hope all of us do. And maybe I'm missing something. Um the the item um for the 7th Street Olivo brothers is not on this section. Is there a reason why? Dr. Hammer. Thank you, your honor. Um yes. It came out of committee as a denial. So it would not have an ordinance associated with it. So the ordinance approving that item will appear on the next council meeting on July 21st. Gotcha. Does that play any part of us changing the way we vote uh approving out of committee or changing it how we did earlier? Well, if it if it's a denial, it would not have an ordinance associated with it. So, if the um council voted to adopt the denial, the matter would be closed. Thank you. But because of the reversal, it would be held over for two weeks. Thank you. Thank you. Any other uh discussion? Clerk, could you please call the role? Derky. Hi. Logan, hi. Tunberg. Hi. Frost. Hi. Tina. 12. Hunty. Hi Wilkins. Hi Kaufman. Hi Graness. Hi Beachch. Was that 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21? Thank you. Salgado Meeks Bell. Bonnie items 1 through 8 13 I's item number 9 10 12 I's one no item third I'm sorry 11 13 I's item 12 11 I's one no items 13 14 15 13 I's item 16 17 18 12 eyes, one no. Items 19 20 21 I's two nos. Item 21 12 eyes, one no. Item 23, 11 eyes, two nos. Item 24, 13 eyes. Thank you. Next, we're going to go to finance and personnel. Alderman Frost. Thank you. Number one is an ordinance approving the retention of the 1% grocery tax to be implemented by local ordinance. Number two is an ordinance approving funding in the amount of $23,168.14 pursuant to the 2020 amended and restated intergovernmental cooperation agreement for assessment compliant intervention. Number three is an ordinance approving addition of the city-owned property located at 319 Heath Street to the city's moto program. And number four is an ordinance approving the purchase of Head Start classroom materials from Discount School Supply in the amount of $94,99944. The funding source is the Head Start grant. I place these four matters up for passage. Thank you, council. Is there any questions on the four items uh before us? Alderman Salgado. Thank you, your honor. Uh just real quick, I know the 1 uh% um grocery sales tax, uh there's been talk about the insecurity, the food insecurity framework, uh about the funding sources for that, whether it's coming out of the casino, whether it's coming out certain pockets. I'd like to see if you know um going forward if uh some of that money could be used towards that insecurity framework. Um if it's the general fund that where that's being held, if we could potentially do that. uh going forward whether we put through a resolution or ordinance uh for that piece of it for the funding source for the uh food insecurity uh framework that we're currently doing um from that perspective to I I know there's grants out there. I know there's state, you know, grants and so forth for that. But I'd like to, you know, put ourselves the city some skin in the game when it comes to that. Um and so I just think the grocery sales tax part of that, you know, coincides with that for uh potentially looking at the food insecurity um framework that's kind of being developed uh looking at different options. I know we have the mobile uh piece right now that's that's happening across uh the city uh from that perspective. So just wanted to throw that out there. I'm in support of the 1% uh sales tax. Um 68 to8 million is what we're talking. Um, but I just want to see uh hopefully, you know, being part of a funding source for that inst food insecurity uh framework that we're currently working with some of our partners that we currently have out there. So, thank you. That's appreciate it. Any other uh discussion? Seeing none, clerk, could you please call the role? Derky, hi. Logan, hi. Tunberg. Hi, Frost. Hi. Tina, hi. Prunty. Hi Wilkins. Hi Hoffman. Hi Granith Beach. Salgado Bell. Bonnie. 13 eyes. Excellent. Is there a motion to adjurnn? We have a motion. We have a second. Any discussion? Seeing no discussion, all those in favor say I. Those opposed have good