City Council - Regular Meeting

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Memorandum from Andrea Hinrichs, Housing and Program Manager, regarding the Conditional Preliminary Set-Aside Letter for Federal HOME and CDBG funds requested by RockRiver I, LLC for a new senior housing development.

Referred to Planning and Development Committee. 26-00137

Memorandum from Martin Bloom, Project Manager-Permits and Special Events, regarding a request to vacate a right-of-way.

Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00134

Traffic Commission's Agenda for the meeting to be held on February 11, 2026 and Minutes from that meeting for consideration at the Code and Regulation Committee meeting on February 23, 2026.

Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00136

Memorandum from Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, regarding Plat No. 2 of Puri West State Subdivision.

Referred to Code and Regulation Committee. 26-00138

Memorandum from Charlotte Hoss, City Attorney, regarding Trustee Property Mowing Lien Waivers.

Referred to Finance and Personnel Committee. 26-00135

John Tac Brantley

Denzil Wynter

Prophet Yusef

Steven McMaster

Dana Briggs

Committee recommends approval of the Funding Agreement with Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (NIAAA) for the establishment of a Senior Center at 5505 East State Street.

The funding source is a reallocation of unspent ARPA Plan/ Major Corridor Signage Funds not to exceed $300,000. 25-00167

Committee recommends approval of the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028.

In the amount of $125,000 annually for a total amount of $375,000. The funding source is the City's Redevelopment Fund. 26-00086

Final Plat of Dulgar Subdivision.

Committee recommends approval of the Final Plat of Dulgar Subdivision. 26-00097

Final Plat of District 815 Subdivision.

Committee recommends approval of the Final Plat of District 815 Subdivision. 26-00098

3929 Broadway, Suite 7.

Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for body art services (tattoo) in conjunction with an esthetics shop in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3929 Broadway, Suite 7 (Destiny Owens/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00099

1100 North Lyford Road.

Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for a funeral home in a C-1, Limited Office Zoning District at 1100 North Lyford Road (BAO, LLC/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00100

716 Indiana Avenue.

Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for an event space for receptions, cultural events and celebrations of life in an R-4, Multi-Family Residential Zoning District at 716 Indiana Avenue (Allen & Shawn Cox/Applicants). Subject to conditions. 26-00101

1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street.

Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Variation to modify a 4.16' x 5.92' reader board to allow for a 4' x 6' electronic graphic display sign on an existing legal non-conforming freestanding sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street (Bobby Patel for Ramdevneal, LLC/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00102

1211 West State Street.

Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Zoning District to R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 1211 West State Street (Carmel Smith/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00103

3905 Broadway.

Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board's approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) in conjunction with a tavern, video gaming terminals, and outdoor seating area in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3905 Broadway (Alison Elizabeth Fuller/8th Ward Pub, LTD dba 8th Ward Pub/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00104

3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue.

Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s approval for: a. The Sale of Tobacco Products; and b. The Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a gas station and convenience store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue (Kulvir Kaur/Raj Liquor & Gas, Inc. dba Raj Liquor & Gas/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00106

2212 North Main Street.

Committee recommends sustaining the Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board’s approval for: a. The Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50); and b. The Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a pub and grill, outdoor beer garden with seating and video gaming terminals in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 2212 North Main Street (Christine Stewart/Mulligans of Rockford, Inc., dba Mulligan’s Pub and Grill/Applicant). Subject to conditions. 26-00107

Committee recommends approval of the revisions to the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances for Sections 16-127; 16-128; and 16-136 regarding references to Snow Emergencies.

26-00113

Committee recommends approval of vouchers in the amount of $10,700,327.60 as approved at the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting on January 26, 2026.

Committee recommends approval of the Accounting Policy.

26-00096

Committee recommends approval of the Capital Asset Policy.

26-00110

Committee recommends approval of the Police and Fire Pension Funding Policy.

26-00108

Committee recommends approval of the Unclaimed Property Policy.

26-00109

Committee recommends approval of an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for engineering and construction of sanitary utility work related to the city’s Davis Park project in the amount of $40,300.00.

The cost is to be reimbursed back to the city by FRSA at 100%. 26-00089

Committee recommends approval of the proposed Amendment to the Development Agreement with First Midwest Group (Machesney Investment LLC) and McDonald's for the establishment of a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street.

In the amount of $200,000. The funding source is 2025 Casino Plan Funds / Economic Development High Risk Area. (LAID OVER JANUARY 20, 2026)

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Auburn Street Improvements Phase 1 (Central Ave to N Main Street) (Bid No. 126-PW-002) to N-Trak Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $11,697,753.33.

The contract duration is through October 2026. The funding source is General Fund 2022 Surplus. 25-00172

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Downtown Streetscape Improvements (Main Street: Jefferson Street to Park Avenue) (Bid No. 1125-PW-128) to Copenhaver Construction, of Gilberts, Illinois in the amount of $721,475.00.

The contract duration is through July 31, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00092

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Lower Jefferson Street Storm Sewer Improvements (Bid No. 126-PW-004) to N-Trak Group, of Loves Park, Illinois in the amount of $518,090.20.

The contract duration is through July 10, 2026. The funding source is the CIP General Fund. 26-00091

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Bid: Mason Avenue Reconstruction (Bid No. 126-PW-003) to Northern Illinois Service Co., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $457,295.44.

The contract duration is through June 30, 2026. The funding sources are Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant Funds (DCEO) and 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00094

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Construction Engineering Agreement: Downtown Streetscape Improvements (Main Street: Jefferson Street to Park Avenue) to H.R. Green, Inc., of McHenry, Illinois in the amount of $104,734.00.

The contract duration is through July 31, 2026. The funding source is the 1% Infrastructure Sales Tax. 26-00090

Committee recommends approval of the Award of Sole Source Contract: Teledyne ISCO Stormwater Samplers and Rain Gauges to Gasvoda & Associates, Inc., of Calumet City, Illinois in the amount of $40,710.00.

This is a one-time purchase. The funding source is the Stormwater Operating Budget. 26-00095

Committee recommends approval of the Award of RFP: Hotel Market and New Hotel Feasibility Study (RFP No. 925-CD-106) to Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. dba Hunden Partners, of Chicago, Illinois in the amount of $40,000.00.

The contract duration is seven (7) weeks. The funding source is the Planning Division Operating Budget. 26-00111

Committee recommends approval of a resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Regional Site Readiness Grant in an amount up to $3,679,551.56.

If awarded, the city would provide matching funds in the amount of $919,887.89. The funding source for the matching funds would be the Global Trade Park #2 TIF Fund. 26-00088

An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement with Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation (NIAAA) for the establishment of a Senior Center at 5505 East State Street.

The funding source is a reallocation of unspent ARPA Plan/ Major Corridor Signage Funds not to exceed $300,000. 26-00115

An ordinance approving the Funding Agreement and Lease Agreement for 713 East State Street (Shumway Building) with Rockford Area Arts Council for 2026 through 2028.

In the amount of $125,000 annually for a total amount of $375,000. The funding source is the City's Redevelopment Fund. 26-00114

An ordinance approving the Amendment to the Development Agreement with First Midwest Group (Machesney Investment LLC) and McDonald's for the establishment of a McDonald's at 4103 West State Street.

In the amount of $200,000. The funding source is 2025 Casino Plan Funds / Economic Development High Risk Area. 26-00116

An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for body art services (tattoo) in conjunction with an esthetics shop in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3929 Broadway, Suite 7.

Destiny Owens/Applicant. 26-00127

An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a funeral home in a C-1, Limited Office Zoning District at 1100 North Lyford Road.

BAO, LLC/Applicant. 26-00126

An ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for an event space for receptions, cultural events and celebrations of life in an R-4, Multi-Family Residential Zoning District at 716 Indiana Avenue.

Allen & Shawn Cox/Applicants. 26-00118

An ordinance approving a Variation to modify a 4.16' x 5.92' reader board to allow for a 4' x 6' electronic graphic display sign on an existing legal non-conforming freestanding sign in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 1601 Sandy Hollow Road and 3402 11th Street.

Bobby Patel for Ramdevneal, LLC/Applicant. 26-00119

An ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment from R-1, Single-Family Zoning District to R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District at 1211 West State Street.

Carmel Smith/Applicant. 26-00120

An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) in conjunction with a tavern, video gaming terminals, and outdoor seating area in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3905 Broadway.

Alison Elizabeth Fuller/8th Ward Pub, LTD dba 8th Ward Pub/Applicant. 26-00121

An ordinance approving the Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a gas station and convenience store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue.

Kulvir Kaur/Raj Liquor & Gas, Inc. dba Raj Liquor & Gas/Applicant. 26-00122

An ordinance approving the Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a gas station and convenience store in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 and 3007 North Rockton Avenue.

Kulvir Kaur/Raj Liquor & Gas, Inc., dba Raj Liquor & Gas/Applicant. 26-00123

An ordinance approving the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L-50) and the Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a pub and grill, outdoor beer garden with seating and video gaming terminals in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 2212 North Main Street.

Christine Stewart/Mulligans of Rockford, Inc., dba Mulligan's Pub and Grill/Applicant. 26-00124

An ordinance approving the revisions to the City of Rockford Code of Ordinances for Sections 16-127; 16-128; and 16-136 regarding references to Snow Emergencies (SUSPEND RULE 9).

26-00125

An ordinance approving the Accounting Policy.

26-00128

An ordinance approving the Capital Asset Policy.

26-00129

An ordinance approving the Police and Fire Pension Funding Policy.

26-00130

An ordinance approving the Unclaimed Property Policy.

26-00131

An ordinance approving an Agreement between the City of Rockford and Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA) for engineering and construction of sanitary utility work related to the city's Davis Park project in the amount of $40,300.00.

The cost is to be reimbursed back to the city by FRSA at 100%. 26-00132