NW Illinois News

City of Rochelle City Council met Sept. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER:

1. Pledge to the Flag lead by Mayor Bearrows

2. Prayer said by Pastor Doug

II. ROLL CALL: PRESENT Councilor T. McDermott, Councilor Hayes, Councilor D. McDermott, Councilor Gruben, Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Councilor Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Also, present City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, Deputy City Clerk Rose Huéramo and City Attorney Dominick Lanzito.

III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC:

1. Public Power Week – October 3-9, 2021

2. National Fire Prevention Week – October 3-9, 2021

3. Good News – Generation – Blake Toliver and his team- Transformer went out and the team was able to generate 15 days straight with no outages & having no issues with the turnover on the transformer.

4. Good News – Hiring Expo - Peggy Friday & Jason Anderson

5. City Manager – Couple months ago joined the Demand Response Reduction Program through CPower – received the cost savings, only one private amenity, Americold participated. The total cash savings of $383K. Americold set to receive for almost $27K.

IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Mayor’s Report – Thanked all partnerships, RTHS, Hormel Foods, News & Radio Ads and Chamber of Commerce for the Hiring Expo. Announced Officer Kovacs’ fundraiser for late mother, Tammy, who battled breast cancer. Funds will be donated to LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, Geneva, IL.

- Appoint Dennis Swinton as an At-Large, Non-Voting Member of the Airport Advisory Board with a term to expire on 7/1/23. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move the council accept the appointment of Dennis Swinton as an At-Large, Non-Voting Member of the Airport Advisory Board with a term to expire on 7/1/23.” Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

- Appoint Dennis Swinton as an At-Large, Non-Voting Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term to expire on 7/1/26. Motion made by Councilor Gruben, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, “I move the council accept the appointment of Dennis Swinton as an At-Large, Non-Voting Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term to expire on 7/1/26.” Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

2. Council Members – Councilor Tom McDermott was pleased with a great festival for Fiesta Hispania on Sat. 9/18, one of the best family-oriented festival.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.

VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:

1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE with Recommendations:

1) Approve Minutes of City Council Meeting – 09/13/21

2) Approve Exceptions 09/08/21-09/13/21, 09/14/21-09/20/21

3) Approve Payroll 09/06/21-09/19/21

4) Accept and Place on File Financial Statement – August 2021

5) Approve Special Event Request – VFW Midwest Steak Challenge 11/20/21

6) Approve Special Event Request – Hay Day 10/16/21

Motion made by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move consent agenda items (1) through (6) be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended.” Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

2. Ordinance Accepting and Approving the Proposal of Bruns Construction, Inc. for the Replacement of the Steel Roof for the Peaker Building Pursuant to the Request for Proposal. A request for proposal was released August 25th, 2021, for the Peaker building steel roof replacement located at 1015 S Caron Rd. One bid was received and opened September 13th, 2021. Bruns Construction, Inc. was the sole bidder and quoted the amount of $44,430 to replace the steel roof according to specifications. Since Peaker engine #1 repairs are underway, we want to take advantage of replacing the steel roof while it is being removed as engine #1 is put back in place. Director of Electric Operations, Blake Toliver was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move Ordinance 21-5292, an Ordinance Accepting and Approving the Proposal of Bruns Construction, Inc. for the Replacement of the Steel Roof for the Peaker Building Pursuant to the Request for Proposal in the amount of $44,430, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed: 7-0.

3. Resolution Approving the Sale of Surplus Real Property Located at 860 and 890 South 7th Street, Rochelle Illinois. We are requesting approval to market and sale the real-estate properties located at 860 South 7th Street and the adjacent lot 890 South 7th Street. The approximately 30,000 SF commercial building is currently used by the Water and Water Reclamation department as their maintenance shop. With the recent acquisition of the former Johnson Tractor building, the Water, Water Reclamation and Electric department will be consolidating facilities and move to the new building located at 1030 South 7th Street. An appraisal was completed on the above referenced properties by Currier Appraisal Services, LLC, the simple market value evaluation for the building was $195,000 and $315,000 for the adjacent lot. Utilities Superintendent Adam Lanning was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Resolution R21-43, a Resolution Approving the Sale of Surplus Real Property Located at 860 and 890 South 7th Street Rochelle Illinois, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

4. Resolution Authorizing Grant Application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for Well #8 Iron Treatment Plant Project. We are in the process of applying for a federal grant through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to construct an iron removal treatment plant for the water well house #8 located at Wiscold Dr and Caron Rd. The well is centrally located in the industrial area and is a high capacity well (1800 gpm) that can supply over a dozen industries that employ over 2,000 people. Due to the elevated levels of iron this well is only used as a backup during emergencies. The rough estimate cost for the project is about $5 million. Blackhawk Hills Regional Council is assisting with the application process for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Economic Adjustment Assistance. The grant can cover up to 80% of the project cost whereas the City is committed to fund the 20% match. Adam Lanning was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Resolution R21-44, a Resolution Authorizing Grant Application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for Well #8 Iron Treatment Plant Project, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed. 7-0.

5. Bid Proposals for the City of Rochelle 2021 4th Avenue Storm Sewer Drainage Improvements Project Phase 1. Several projects were identified to be funded in part or whole with the $4M Infrastructure Bond as approved by City Council in 2019. One major project that the Engineering Department staff has been working on over the past year is the 4 th Avenue Storm Sewer Drainage Improvements Phase 1 project. This project will be completed in two phases from Kyte River to 6th Street along 4th Avenue. The project will consist of complete removal of existing mainline storm sewer and limited laterals that are nearly 80 years old within the street right of way. The new system will consist of larger improved storm sewer and manhole structures to provide more efficient drainage and some inline stormwater detention. This in turn will help alleviate most of the localized flooding, along this particular 4 th Ave Street corridor, that has been occurring over the past 5 years. The plans, specifications and estimate of costs were developed by the Engineering Department and will be a multi-year project being completed in 2022. The above referenced project was advertised in the Rochelle News leader, and on the City website. Bids were publicly opened and read aloud on September 20, 2021 at 10am for the above referenced project. Seven separate bids were received as follows: ¬ Northern Illinois Service Company submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $956,462.10 ¬ Martin and Company Excavating submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $1,192,711.20 ¬ Fischer Excavating submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $1,217,349.05 ¬ N-TRAK Group, LLC submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $1,149,815.00

Queens Trucking and Construction, Inc. submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $1,255,671.25 ¬ Helm Civil Group submitted a bid for making the entire improvements in the amount of $1,403,488.50 The low bid is approximately 26% lower than the Engineer’s estimate of cost of $1,205,000.00. The project will be funded through the CIP fund with any remaining infrastructure bond revenues and then utility tax funds. Furthermore, given the favorable contract unit prices for multiple construction items it is recommended that approval be given to the City Manager and/or the City Engineer to negotiate further change order work, not to exceed $219,000, within the proposed contract to facilitate other improvements and upgrades to streets adjacent to this project. It is anticipated the construction project will be 172 Section VI, Item 5. substantially complete by the end of June 2022 with certain milestones to be completed by the end of 2021. However additional time will be granted for any additional work. City Engineer Sam Tesreau was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move Council approve the low bid proposal and award the contract for the 2021 4th Avenue Storm Sewer Draining Improvements Project Phase 1 to Northern Illinois Service Company in the amount of $956,462.10 and reject all other bids received." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0. Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Council authorize a not to exceed $219,000 improvement add on (contract change order) to be negotiated by the City Manager for improvements to City Streets and drainage systems adjacent to the project limits." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

6. Ordinance Amending Chapter 94 Article IV Entitled "Parking Prohibited at Specified Times on Designated Streets." Residents and motorist have expressed safety concerns with narrow travel ways due to vehicles parking on both sides of 10th Avenue between Lincoln Highway and IL Route 251. Currently this section of road has parking on both sides and is 31’ from back of curb to back of curb. To improve safety for motorist and maintain 11’ driving lanes parking needs to be eliminated from one side of 10th Ave between Lincoln Highway and IL Route 251. The south side of 10th Avenue has only 3 housing structures located within this area, 2 of which are located along N. 6th Street allowing for additional parking. Posting No Parking on the south side of 10th Avenue will disturb the least number of residents and increase safety for all motorist, especially during the school year. Street Superintendent Tim Isley was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw-Dickey, "I move Ordinance 21-5295, an Ordinance amending Chapter 94 Article IV to prohibit parking on the south side of 10th Avenue between Lincoln Highway and IL Route 251, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed. 7-0.

7. Resolution Approving a Streaming Webcam Agreement with Virtual Railfan, Inc. The Rochelle Railroad Park is one of the community’s most active tourist destinations due to its unique location at the intersection of the BNSF & Union Pacific railroads. In early 2021, staff reached out to Virtual Railfan, Inc. to propose that the Rochelle Railroad Park be included as a webcam location on their website. The site has over 17million views each month and is a way to promote the Park and the community to railfans across the US and internationally. Upon approval of this agreement, Virtual Railfan, Inc. will initiate the process to obtain a fiber internet connection via RMU to connect a webcam at the Railfan Park at Virtual Railfan, Inc.’s cost. Virtual Railfan, Inc. will maintain all aspects of the webcam including maintenance and cleaning once installed. There will be no cost to the City to establish the webcam at the Railroad Park. Jenny Thompson, Director of Marketing, Public Relations & Tourism was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Resolution R21-45, a Resolution Approving a Streaming Webcam Agreement with Virtual Railfan, Inc., be approved.” Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS:

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 7:26 PM. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Shaw Dickey, "I move the Council recess into executive session to discuss purchase or lease of real property for City’s use, Section (c) (5), pending or imminent litigation, Section (c) (11), and collective negotiating matters. Section (c) (2) and discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated, Section (c) (21)." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed. 7-0. At 8:35 PM. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, “I move the Council return to open session." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 8:36PM. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga., “I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Gruben, Shaw-Dickey, Arteaga, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 7-0.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-580fa4e4e79049e6a063e1c74ca9b863.pdf