City of Rockford City Council met July 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived | Departed |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Jonathan Logemann | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Chad Tuneberg | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | ||
| Kevin Frost | City of Rockford | Alderman | Late | 6:58 PM | |
| Venita Hervey | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | 7:12 PM | |
| Natavias Ervins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Ann Thompson-Kelly | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Karen Hoffman | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Bill Rose | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Franklin C. Beach | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Tuffy Quinonez | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| John C. Beck | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | 7:06 PM | |
| Linda McNeely | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | ||
| Joseph Chiarelli | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
A. Planning and Development Committee
B. Code and Regulation Committee
C. Finance and Personnel Committee
1. 2019-150-R - Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute Professional Services Agreements related to review and negotiation of casino proposals and other issues related to the casino project in an aggregate amount not- to-exceed $150,000. The funding source is the Legal and Community Development Departments Operating Budgets.
Alderman Beck, on behalf of the Finance and Personnel Committee, read in the resolution and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Beck, McNeely, Chiarelli
ABSENT: Chad Tuneberg, Kevin Frost
III. APPOINTMENTS LAID OVER
1. Appointment of Jenna Ewing to the Community Action Agency Board to serve a three-year term. This appointment will fill the vacant Private Sector position. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment is up for passage.)
Mayor McNamara read in the appointment and placed it up for passage.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, Beck, McNeely, Chiarelli
ABSENT: Chad Tuneberg, Kevin Frost
2. Appointment of Todd Burton to the Community Relations Commission for a three-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
3. Appointment of Anqunette Parham to the Community Relations Commission for a three-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
4. Appointment of Ricardo Montoya Picazo to the Community Relations Commission for a three-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
5. Appointment of Jurea Crudup to the Community Relations Commission for a two-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
6. Appointment of Victoria De La Rosa to the Community Relations Commission for a two-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
7. Appointment of William Martin to the Community Relations Commission for a two-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
8. Appointment of Charles Prorok to the Community Relations Commission for a two-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
9. Appointment of Eric Brown to the Community Relations Commission for a one- year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
10. Appointment of Erin Hannigan to the Community Relations Commission for a one-year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
11. Appointment of Nikki Lynch to the Community Relations Commission for a one- year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
12. Appointment of Jay Ware to the Community Relations Commission for a one- year term. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this appointment will be up for passage after July 24, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
13. Reappointment of Val Olafson to the Historic Preservation Commission for a three-year term, expiring in June 2022. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after August 1, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
14. Reappointment of Jeff DiBenedetto to the Rockford Housing Authority Board for a five-year term, expiring in June 2024. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after August 1, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
15. Reappointment of Mokhtar Mohamed to the Building Board of Appeals for a five- year term, expiring in June 2024. (Pursuant to Rule 18, this reappointment will be up for passage after August 1, 2019.)
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/15/2019 5:30 PM
IV. OFFICERS REPORTS A. Mayor McNamara
Mayor McNamara announced that he would be appointing Kyle Saunders to serve as the next Director of Public Works for the City of Rockford. He indicated that Director Mark Stockman is retiring on August 9, 2019 after a 30 year career working in various positions in the Public Works Department. Mayor McNamara thanked Director Stockman for his years of service and dedication to the City of Rockford. He shared that Kyle is passionate about his work and has the ability to lead the talented Public Works Department.
Alderman Hervey agreed that Kyle Saunders is very passionate and extremely knowledgeable of the city's water operations. She shared that one time she met with Kyle and he thoroughly explained the water procedures to her and she mentioned how interesting he made the process.
B. Alderman Hervey
Alderman Hervey expressed her concerns regarding Winnebago County Animal Services' new policy that they are no longer picking up deceased animals in the City of Rockford and she asked Mayor McNamara what he is planning to do to resolve this issue.
Mayor McNamara replied that he understands Alderman Hervey's concerns and frustrations. He indicated that Winnebago County Animal Services did not notify him or anyone from the City of Rockford about the changes to their policy. He stated that he has been working on a possible resolution to this issue and that he hopes to have more information by the end of this week. He stated that the Public Works Department is trying their best to assist with some of the calls and he directed Alderman Hervey to contact them.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly thanked Mayor McNamara for the update regarding animal services.
C. Alderman Thompson-Kelly
Alderman Thompson-Kelly indicated that the aldermen need to compile a list of priorities in our community to submit to Mayor McNamara. She directed the council members to contact her or Alderman Frost with the issues that are a priory to them and the residents in their wards. She shared that once the list has been finalized they will share it with Lobbyist Michael Cassidy so he is aware of the most important issues in our community.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly expressed her concerns regarding the incident that took place on July 4, 2019 involving the young gentleman. She inquired if the Community Service Officer or someone from the Police Department contacted the boy's mother to discuss this situation.
Chief O'Shea replied that to his knowledge no one from the Police Department contacted the boy's mother but that the Use of Force Complaint is in the process of being reviewed.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly voiced her concerns regarding the uproar this incident is making in the community and how it will affect relations with Community Service Officers in the future. She requested that someone from the Police Department contact the boy's mother and listen to her concerns.
Alderman Ervins inquired if it is common practice to use the type of force described by the public speaker on a 16 year old child.
Chief O'Shea replied that this is an ongoing criminal investigation and that he is very limited on what he can say.
Alderman Frost advised that this is not the proper time to discuss this incident or any investigation that may be going on.
D. Alderman Beach
Alderman Beach thanked Ted O'Donnell and Tom Luepkes for the outstanding Fourth of July Fireworks display. He mentioned there were approximately 200 people who attended the Patrotic Breakfast and he thanked the individuals who organized that event and Mayor McNamara for allowing him to present the proclamation. Alderman Beach shared it is always wonderful to see the tremendous crowds and families who attend the Fourth of July Celebration in the downtown area.
V. CLOSED SESSION
1. Closed Session for the purposes of Labor Negotiations and Ongoing Litigation.
Alderman Chiarelli moved to convene into Closed Session in order to discuss labor negotiation and pending litigation matters, seconded by Alderman Thompson-Kelly. MOTION PREVAILED with a roll call vote (Aldermen Tuneberg and Beck were absent). The meeting convened into Closed Session at 7:12 p.m.
Mayor McNamara called the meeting back into Open Session at 7:27 p.m. and the following aldermen were present: Durkee, Logemann, Frost, Ervins, Thompson- Kelly, Hoffman, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, McNeely and Chiarelli (Aldermen Tuneberg, Hervey and Beck were absent).
RESULT: APPROVED [11 TO 0]
AYES: Durkee, Logemann, Frost, Hervey, Ervins, Thompson-Kelly, Rose, Beach, Quinonez, McNeely, Chiarelli
ABSENT: Chad Tuneberg, John C. Beck
AWAY: Karen Hoffman
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m
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