Mechanical Board - Regular Meeting

I think the difference is now that we see it.

Thank you. Thank you. hey there what's your plan

Thank you.

Testing, one, two, three. Testing, one, two, three. Thank you.

Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Codes and Regulations Committee for May 26, 2026. Claire, will you please call the roll?

Here.

Here. Here. Here.

Present. Next, we'll have our invocation from the pastor in the hands of Gomez Chapel AME Church.

thank you for bringing us here father on one accord tonight allow us to understand what you want in addition to the rules and regulations of this board, in addition to the resolutions, in addition to the agreements that are being made tonight. Thank you, Father, for allowing us to have pliable hearts. Allow us to understand each other. Allow us to love one another as you have loved us. Allow us to be in agreement when we leave this meeting and not have anything not done that we say here. Father, we thank you that you're so great in the city of Rockford. We thank you for our mayor, and we thank you for our aldermen, that they're doing the job that you want them to do. We thank you for each pastor that is here holding this city up in the name of Jesus. We thank you for everyone is here to be right and to get things done decently and in order. Father, we thank you for what you are about to do as we go into our future. We thank you for every grievance. We thank you for every acclamation on this roster tonight. We ask that you open doors that we've not seen before. We ask that you bless each and every one that is coming in your name to do the right thing, Father. We ask these things in Jesus' name, and for his sake, amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Next, we have two proclamations from Mayor McNamara this evening. I don't think these mics must cover the mic.

Thank you. So we have two proclamations this evening.

Our first proclamation is for Community Action Month. Whereas community action agencies were created when the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was signed into law and now have a 60-year history of promoting self-sufficiency for those with a limited income. And whereas community action creates pathways to prosperity by helping hard-working families achieve economic independence rather than keeping them reliant on government assistance. And whereas community action is built on innovative, responsive, and efficient programs that are uniquely tailored to meet local needs. And whereas community action delivers high-impact, cost-effective results that generate a significant return on investment for local communities. And whereas community action invests in private sector job creation and career training, ensuring ensuring that communities grow through free market solutions. And whereas community action agencies are trusted pillars of the community that engage volunteers who donate their time to advance local progress, support working families, and contribute to lasting community success. And whereas community action programs are both necessary and popular, delivering effective, high-quality assistance that strengthens communities' resilience and fosters local prosperity. Now, therefore, I, Thomas P. Maxmer, as mayor of the city of Rockford, do hereby proclaim May 2026 to be Community Action Month. Director Parham, would you like to say a few words?

Thank you, Mayor. I'm glad to have some of our staff from both our Head Start program and our Community Services Division, as well as our current Community Action Advisory Board President here with us this evening, and just grateful for the support of our city and for City Council in doing the work of the Community Action Agency. We are committed to helping families and changing lives, and we've been privileged to do that in this community for over six decades. And so we look forward to continuing to do that and to provide innovative services and opportunities for families who are working to get out of poverty to continue to advance. I think our board chair.

Thank you, Director Parham. Again, I am the board chair, Tiana McCall, and she stole a little of my thunder, but again, I just want to thank you guys for all the support that you provide for this endeavor. You know, there is, in these economic times, you know, hardship falls upon a lot of people, and it's just great to make sure that we have a whole department and a city's support as far as being able to try to alleviate some of that. So thank you guys again. I want to again thank the great staff that works and goes out every day here in Winnebago and in Boone counties. So thank you all again.

Next, we have a proclamation for Veterans Drop-In Center. And I believe we have a host of volunteers and team members with us. If you don't mind. Since you're to my right, I'm going to hand that to you. Whereas in 2009, a group of caring, compassionate people decided that Rockford area veterans and families needed a place to gather and meet with their peers. And whereas a drop-in center is a flexible space where individuals can access essential services without appointments and be provided with immediate support, such as housing assistance, food, and mental health services. And whereas the Rockford Veterans Drop-In Center's mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and positive social environment where all veterans and their families with local veteran service organizations can give and receive help transitioning into and continuing to adapt to a post-service life. And whereas, the drop-in center functions with a wonderful team of volunteers that provide veterans with everything from meals and food pantry items, clothing, hygiene products, haircuts to job and housing resources. And whereas, the volunteers of the drop-in center also plan social events and bonding activities as well as provide access to computers and the internet to help veterans build connections and belonging. And whereas, on April 25th, 2026, Veterans Drop-In Center was presented with the Hempstead Humanitarian Award by the Montford Point Marine Association. Now, therefore, I, Thomas P. McNamara, as the Mayor of the City of Rockford, do hereby recognize the Veterans Drop-In Center. Would you like to share a few words? I'm going to sneak over here.

First of all, thank you, Mayor McNamara. I appreciate that. We definitely could not be where we are today without all of these amazing people. Sheila Fleming, my right-hand person, Stacy Young, Kathy Easton, Arendt O'Farris, Ron Sotko. These folks do an amazing, amazing job down there. If you ever want to stop in, we're open Monday through Friday from 1130 to 530. We offer lunch and dinner. Alderman Salgado has been there as well. Please drop in and see us at any point in time. Thank you.

I just want to say thank you to all of you. Our veterans are in tremendous need as volunteers who stand up and give so selfishly or so unselfishly of your time. Your talent and all of your experiences and connections to make every veteran's life a little bit better. And I just want to say, as the city of Rockwood, we recognize and appreciate it. And we want to provide each of you with a challenge point, a symbol saying thank you for the work that you do.

And we certainly recognize and appreciate your service.

Thank you.

Thank you. Before we move forward with our public speakers, please know that last week our audio system failed, and we've rented audio equipment, as you can see, to ensure that our staff and speakers and council members are heard on our live stream. With that, we'll move forward into our public speakers for this evening. Tonight we have five public speakers. Just a reminder, you have three minutes. And... Public speakers are reminded to follow the committee's public comment rules 21 22 and 23 in Rockford ordinance section 2-31 including time limits and decorum Failure to comply with the public comment rules may result in removal from the meeting and may include exclusion from future meetings and penalties permitted by law First up we have Craig's Craig Campbell Craig Campbell here Craig Campbell. Denzel Winter.

Good afternoon, city council people. I'm here today. Our children are out of school. We have a problem on the west side. We've got too many people. And I'm talking about the pedophiles. I'm just going to put it out there. Every time you turn around, you're going to put them on our side of town. And that's not fair. Why not the east side? Why not the north side? Why not the south side? Our kids are going to be playing in their parks over there. Our kids are going to be playing at the schools over there. What is it going to take for y'all to get on the ball and start protecting our kids? Now, if the parents get up and get in the arms and they go over there and start protecting their kids, they're going to be in the park. We're always told that we don't have enough manpower. Oh, I know you probably don't. But I witnessed today a young lady that was at Jubilee Center having a mental breakdown. Where are the health people? They got money for that. I know what happened to them. They only got two of them. And both of them on night shift. You need to do a better job. You're going to end up hurting somebody. You're going to end up killing somebody. Because y'all are going to want to take the time to get out there and have a health person with you. I done seen people get beat up for no reason, because they was going through a health problem. You police officers don't know nothing about the health problems these people go through. All you see is somebody acting up, and you want to get on them and beat them up. And I seen that too. You can't tell me I didn't see it, but I seen it with my own eyes. I was right there. It don't make no sense. You guys got to start protecting your peoples. It's not fair that you leave these people. And another thing, when my house got broken into, y'all told me, the police told me, oh, we ain't got time to roam around in the neighborhoods. to protect the vacant house. It wasn't a vacant house. I had important papers there. I had passports there. My marriage license was in there.

Thank you.

So y'all need to start doing your job like you're supposed to.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Prof. Youssef.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In the book of 2 Timothy, the second chapter, the third verse, it says, endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. This poem is for all of us. We came to quell the fire and fury. We stayed until the job was done. We fought and died our loved ones' crimes. And still we didn't run from Vietnam, Bosnia, Syria, the Middle East, and back. I ran in Afghanistan and the desert in Iraq. We've seen the movies in all these theaters spill our blood upon the stage. So when others start to invite them in, you can imagine our fits of rage. How many flights must angels make before they get a clue? How many lives must conflict take before the flights are through? The answer here is simply not. When the enemies of freedom are gone, only then will we rest in peace, which is best. And with our lives moved on, we stood with honor on the field of battle. We fell and dealt for humans' rights. We followed no fanatics, like sheep and cattle, and give no quarter in freedom's fight. And if we fall in the line of duty, where our duty may cause us to roam, we know an angel has come to carry the first and last and the bravest home. We hope and pray for the final flight when the need to fight is gone. Till then, we watch the C-130 lift the fallen to the dome. Let no man or woman speak ill of our dead, nor trample this nation's color. If you do not serve, you do not deserve the right to respect my fallen brothers. Enjoy your freedom and your liberty. Maybe show some gratitude. Support our military and our troops, because America, they died and fought for you. Thank God for all veterans. Welcome back home, my brothers and sisters. I was in the Navy. I did 19 years, 11 months, 29 days, one hour, 10 minutes, and 15 seconds. I did three tours in that hellhole of River Division 53. Thank you for allowing me to speak.

Thank you. Our next speaker is Stephanie Snyder.

hi i recently attended the public hearing regarding the tiff restructuring in south rockford and when it was continued many of you guys were not able to be there so i wanted to follow up with that i am a directly impacted resident of that proposed area the street i live on will be surrounded on by three sides by that map i live in the cutout area that a lot of people have ignored Have recent reached out to recent many of you recently and consistently the response is that there's nothing to discuss because there's no formal proposal however, there's a lot of confusion because FOIA records are showing that there's been weekly meetings with monarch and the city for some time and Most importantly why are we discussing changing the TIF now if there's nothing to discuss the timing is really hard to ignore and It's my understanding that the current TIF is in place has the criteria of bringing jobs to the area. I have yet to hear the problem with that plan. And if the TIF that's in place is to bring jobs, and we have a business already committed to buying that land, why are we wanting to change the criteria at this time? Monarch's video was released in October of 2025 and demonstrates they are aware of the current TIF and seem agreeable to the terms. based on their words. To me, the reason to move away from that TIF is because it requires job growth. The city and Monarch do not seem to be planning on job growth on this development and have to find new criteria. So at the hearing, I repeatedly heard that the area's blighted. My property value and the property taxes disagree, as do those of my neighbors. My taxes for 2025 were just under $8,700, which increased from $5,000 only eight years ago. My property was purchased for $102,000, and now it's Nearing four hundred thousand dollars in value that does not tell me that that's a blighted area It's the same for all of my neighbors I did a quick Google search the houses in Rockford have not tripled in value like it has in that particular area So again that does not qualify as blighted so Unfortunately, because that particular street is cut out from being taken into consideration, it's easy to skew the reports and make it based on what the desired outcome is. There are several areas in Rockford that absolutely qualify as blighted and could use the city's focus. However, this area in particular seems to be a huge focus right now. And why? Citizens have overwhelmingly expressed concern about the plans that have been shared. There's been lack of transparency, so there's not many. So many concerns are raised that have a lack of adequate response, and one can't help but wonder who is actually benefiting from this deal. It certainly is not the ordinary residents of the area. I'm not opposed to growth, and particularly growth in that area, but we need to be speaking about actual growth and actual jobs, not businesses that do not employ following short construction periods. that doesn't help the Rockford area in the long run. The information available is not showing that a restructuring of the current TIF in South Rockford is actually warranted. At the end of the day, the most important thing in Rockford and the surrounding area is the people. Thank you.

Our next speaker is Ken Dickens.

Good evening to everyone here. Is this on? OK.

It's for the livestream.

All right. I want to say respectfully to everyone here, I was away because I was making plans, some business plans in upstate New York, as far as what was not moving forward here, what I was proposing, which is a shame. Because it is a very big project, and it will be national. And I was trying to do that here, and it was completely shut down through the regrowth grant. So I am taking it elsewhere to Buffalo, New York. So with that being said, what I do want to say is I have an apology to make. I said on one of my speaking engagements that Rockford, Illinois sold its soul when it agreed to put the Justice Center downtown when it shouldn't have, because most of you don't know that when you put a jail in the middle of a city, you will not garner Fortune 300 and Fortune 500 companies within a five-mile radius of any jail anywhere in America. And they knew that when they put the Justice Center here. That's strike one. Because knowing that and then still doing that means they did not keep you all in mind. So why am I here now? Because when I heard what was being proposed, I said, they did it once, they'll do it again. I need the city to prove to us as citizens, pull up an impact study that proves that any data center has a positive impact towards the water, natural resources, and the ecosystem in any city in America that it's been built. Pull up one, one case study. They don't exist. The water's completely contaminated. You can find charting for cancer spiking. The water's barely drinkable. The fish die. Now my issue is, if you do it here, are you concerned about the people that can afford to live on the waterfront? Because I'm sure they won't want to live there anymore. I don't know how many of you here know that Rockford is in the top, Illinois is in the top five states of foreclosures in America. It's number five. That's without a data center. That's without a data center. Where's the growth? I came here year after year over the cannabis grant because I was focusing on an opportunity. The growth that you see in America today are cities that are focusing on championing opportunities for their people. They're putting their people first. They're putting job creation first. They are growing in an environment where the government is cutting everything for everyone of any meaning or substance to any citizen anywhere in America, white, black, and otherwise. My concern with Rockford is if you choose this, this will be the nail in the coffin for the city. Rockford will not be able to come back because I'm already reading case studies in other cities where they're saying they don't know how many years it will take to even try to correct the issues with the water, if it's possible at all. Because once you go down that road, It's not a quick fix. You're not talking five years, 10 years, 20 years. You're talking at least a lifetime. So yeah, they may throw some money at you, but is it worth the future of your very city? That will be the nail in the coffin for Rockford. Because why is the casino seven miles away? It's conveniently seven miles away because they knew where the Justice Center was. How do I know this stuff? Because I'm a business consultant.

Is Craig Campbell here? All right, we'll move on to committee reports. We have seven items under committee reports. Item number one, quantum plat, number one of South Avon subdivision for the property located at the southwest corner of South Avon Street and Chestnut Street and the southeast corner of Shore Elm Street and South Avon Street. Do you have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second. I'll second that. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Those opposed, same sign. Item passes. Item 2, 3382 South Alpine Road. A, special use permit for the outdoor storage of operable passenger vehicles, and B, variation to eliminate concrete or asphalt paving and replace with gravel for outdoor storage of operable passenger vehicles. Area in the I-1 Light Industrial Zoning District at 3382 South Alpine Road. Kamal Abedrabo is the applicant. Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second. Second. Any discussion? Seeing none, clerk, can you please call the roll? Item number 353XX, the State Street Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a special use permit for a planned unit development consisting of a mixed use development of 350 residential dwelling units with lower level parking, a courtyard with open space and recreational facilities, and three freestanding commercial buildings in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 53XX East State Street. Place foundry for Kevin Olsen is the applicant. Do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. Second.

Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Those opposed? The item passes. Item number four, 3011 Auburn Street Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class L50 in conjunction with a video gaming facility in a C3 general commercial zoning district. Stacey Johnson in Fat Daddy's Gaming Hall LLC doing business as Fat Daddy's Gaming Hall is the applicant. Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Do I have a second?

I'll second.

Any discussion? All there are women to read them.

Thank you, Chairman. I do not plan to support this item. Thank you any other discussion

Seeing none, clerk, can you please call the roll?

Carina? No. Francis? Aye. Neal?

Aye. Bill? No. Two ayes, two noes. Moving to item number five, 714 Broadway. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of tobacco products in conjunction with a tobacco store in a C4 urban mixed use district at 714 Broadway. Damien Lyman, Lyman Enterprises, doing business as Dollar Dan. Smoke Shop is the applicant. Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second? Second? Seeing none. Director? I don't see a second.

Thank you.

Moving on to item 6, 2614 and 2600 Kilburn Avenue. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of packaged liquor class PKG in conjunction with a grocery store in a C2 limited commercial zoning district at 2614 and 2600 Kilburn Avenue. Somabai Patel, Shiv Drishti, LLC, doing business as Jasmine Pantry are the applicants. Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Is there a second? Is there a second? Is there a second? Seeing none, is the director saying anything for this item? Correct. We'll move on to item seven. Item 716 and 7XX, Indiana Avenue. Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the sale of liquor by the drink class NGL in conjunction with an event space and an R4 multifamily residential zoning district at 716 and 7XX, Indiana Avenue. Sean Cox, Elizabeth Cox, Copper Lantern, LLC doing business as Copper Lantern are the applicants. Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion on this item? All the women to read them.

Thank you, Chair. I just wanted to speak on this item. This is the old Lithuanian club and has a lot of history. I'm sure many people in this room can talk about their attachment or a time that they went. I happen to have lots of old pictures of myself there and just different family members. Anyways, I get a lot of questions about, does anybody ever do anything with this event center, and I'm excited about the new owners. Sean and his wife, Libby, I have met with them a few times. Haven't actually been in the building yet. They're out of town, so I wasn't able to get there this week before the vote. However, I know that they've invested a lot. I know that they have a background in hospitality. And what I do know is that if anyone knows how the building is set up, upstairs is an event venue, and then the lower level is like a club, like a bar. They don't plan to open up the bar, the lower level bar, as of yet, so they're just looking for a liquor license now to open it up as an event operation. And I'm just excited to see that building not sit and be blighted, to not get calls from the neighbors about the overgrown weeds around the fence. Yeah, I'm just looking forward to This business opening up, I can also appreciate that Sean, one of the owners, did attend my award meeting last week So they're already just trying to be intentional about engaging with the community and with me and with South Rockford. So I am excited about this business and their potential for success. Thank you.

Thanks. Any further discussion? Alderman Salgado? Yeah. Thank you.

I just want to echo Alderman Tarina's comments. On the aspect of the Lithuanian club, I know that before they were struggling, I know they reached out to the county when I was on the county board for close fee money to support that. Fortunately, they're not a 501c3, they're a social club, which excludes them from applying, same with the community foundation. I have a couple of social clubs as well. And I'm glad that someone decided to purchase this building to put a function to it. So just like as Alderman Tarina said, I'm excited that those social clubs will continue to exist. Obviously not no longer as a Lutheran club, but as something else that obviously is going to be development and we won't have an empty building. So I just urge everybody to support this. I have a couple social clubs as well that are struggling in my ward as well that do need some help and support. Unfortunately, they're a social club, so they're not qualified for 501c3 status for some of these funds. So I encourage that we vote on these and keep the buildings going.

Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion on this item? Seeing none, clerk, can you please call the roll?

Carino? Aye. Conte? Aye. Neal? Aye. Beall? Aye.

Gassman?

Aye.

Thank you. Moving on to resolutions. We have two under resolution. One, Rockford Fire 9-1-1 run. This event is scheduled for June 6th from 8.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The run will be held at 391 North Traynor Road. Can I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second. All those in favor? Aye. Second. Oh, I'm so sorry. Sorry, all of you. Any discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Those opposed? OK, that item passes. Item 2, cycle on 2nd Street. This event is scheduled for September 13th from 8 AM to 10 AM. Roads will close at 7 AM. The route will be as follows. Southbound on North 2nd Street, Illinois 251 from Auburn Street to East 8th Street. Can I have a motion to approve, please?

So moved. Second.

Any discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor?

Aye.

Those opposed? That item passes. Can I have a motion to adjourn, please? Motion to adjourn. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Those opposed?