NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met March 19.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Regular meeting minutes of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Rock Falls

The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Rock Falls, Illinois was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on March 19, 2024, in the Council Chambers by Mayor Rod Kleckler.

City Clerk Pam Martinez called the roll following the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was present including Mayor Kleckler, Aldermen McKanna, Wangelin, Snow, Byrd, Dowd, Dornes, Arduini, and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present.

Rock Falls Police Department

• Presentation of a Lifesaving Award to Officer Perez and Sergeant Gluff. Chief Pilgrim recounted the events of February 14, 2024, when a 911 call came in for assistance. Sergeant Gluff and Office Perez along with Chief Pilgrim started lifesaving measures on Tim Issac until paramedics arrived. Officer Kristofer Perez and Sergeant Betony Gluff were presented with a Lifesaving Award by Chief Pilgrim. City Administrator Robbin Blackert presented Chief Dave Pilgrim with a Lifesaving Award as well. Rock Falls Fire Fighters were recognized by Chief Pilgrim for their assistance. Alexis Echebarria and Tara Baumgartner were also presented awards by their supervisor.

Public Hearing:

• Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the construction of sanitary sewers in aa unsewered area on the west side of Rock Falls.

o The Public Hearing was entered at 5:43 p.m. and discussion was given by Matt Hansen with Willett, Hofmann & Associates. This proposal is for future planning only. This area would need to be annexed into the City of Rock Falls.

Public Hearing closed at 5:56 p.m.

Audience request:

None.

Community Affairs:

None.

Consent Agenda:

Consent Agenda items 1-2 were read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez.

1. Approval of the minutes of the March 5, 2024, City Council Meeting.

2. Approval of bills as presented.

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the Consent Agenda and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

Ordinance 2nd Reading and Adoption:

1. Ordinance 2024-2637 – Amending Chapter 16 Relating to Business License Fee Increase.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve Ordinance 2024-2637 – Amending Chapter 16 Relating to Business License Fee Increase for second reading and adoption and second by Alderwoman McKanna.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

2. Ordinance 2024-2638 – Approving Annual Fair Solar Credit.

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve Ordinance 2024-2638 – Approving Annual Fair Solar Credit second reading and adoption and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

City Administrator:

1. Authorizing Street Superintendent or City Administrator Robbin Blackert to enter into contracts, to include joint participation agreements, on behalf of the City of Rock Falls with the State of Illinois and any of its agencies and further is authorized to execute any documents which may in his/her judgement be desirable or necessary to affect the purpose of this vote, this authorization shall be for Bulk Rock Salt. A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the authorizing the Street Superintendent or City Administrator Robbin Blackert to enter into contracts, to include joint participation agreements, on behalf of the City of Rock Falls with the State of Illinois and any of its agencies and further is authorized to execute any documents which may in his/her judgement be desirable or necessary to affect the purpose of this vote, this authorization shall be for Bulk Rock Salt and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

2. Approve recommendation from Willett, Hofmann & Associate to approve the Avenue A Reconstruction and 5th Avenue Lift Station Replacement and award the bid from Martin & Company Excavating, 2456 East Pleasant Grove Road, Oregon, IL 61061 in the amount of $5,565,369.89.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve recommendation from Willett, Hofmann & Associate to approve the Avenue A Reconstruction and 5th Avenue Lift Station Replacement and award the bid from Martin & Company Excavating, 2456 East Pleasant Grove Road, Oregon, IL 61061 in the amount of $5,565,369.89 and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

3. Approve recommendation from Terracon to award the Former Micro Industries Building Asbestos Abatement Project to the lower bidder Husar Abatement, Ltd., 10215 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131 in the amount of $188,000.00. A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve recommendation from Terracon to award the Former Micro Industries Building Asbestos Abatement Project to the lower bidder Husar Abatement, Ltd., 10215 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131 in the amount of $188,000.00 and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

4. Recommendation from the Planning Zoning Commission to grant the Whiteside County Health Department’s request for the rezoning of parcel #11-28-301-008 from R-2 to B-1.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the Recommendation from the Planning Zoning Commission to grant the Whiteside County Health Department’s request for the rezoning of parcel #11-28-301-008 from R-2 to B-1 and second by Alderwoman McKanna.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

City Attorney:

None

City Departments:

None

Alderman Reports / Committee Chairman Requests

Alderman Wangelin made a motion to approve the Recommendation from the Public Property/Public Works Committee to approve the Phase II Engineering Agreement for the East 11th Street Bridge Project with Willett, Hofmann & Associates, 809 E 2nd Street, IL 61021 in the amount of $174,461.06 and second by Alderwoman McKanna. Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

Alderman Wangelin made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Public Property/Public Works Committee to approve the Motor Fuel Tax 2024 General Maintenance Materials bid from Helm Materials, Inc., 2283 Route 20 East, Freeport, IL 61032 and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

Alderwoman McKanna made a motion to approve Fire Department to purchase from ARPA Funds, 8 sets of Turn Out Gear in the amount of $30,400.00 and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried.

Alderman Snow sent condolences to Daehle Reitzel and Karen Boesen families.

Mayor’s Report:

None.

Executive Session:

1. Section 2(c)(21) – Review of Closed Session Minutes

2. Section 2(c)(2) – Collective negotiating matters and deliberations concerning salary schedules.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to move into Executive Session and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 8 aye, motion carried 6:13 p.m.

No action taken from Executive Session and return to regular session 6:35 p.m.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to adjourn and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote via voice, all approved (6:35 p.m.)

https://rockfalls61071.net/download/agendas_and_minutes/2024_agendas_and_minutes/2024_city_council/2024_city_council_minutes/03-19-2024-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf