NW Illinois News

City of Rochelle City Council met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER: Pledge to the Flag and prayer were led by Mayor Bearrows.

II. ROLL CALL: Present were Councilors T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor John Bearrows. Absent were Councilors Hayes & Shaw-Dickey. A quorum of five was present. Also, present City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Clerk Rose Huéramo, and City Attorney Dominick Lanzito.

III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: Fire Prevention Week: October 6 – 12, 2024

IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Mayor's Report: Thank you to the RMU crews for assisting with power restoration after the hurricanes. The Police Department is selling shirts, hats, and patches for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The electronic drop-off event is on November 2nd from 8 AM to noon at the Street Department. Leaf vacuuming has begun; please place leaves on the parkway, not in the street, to prevent clog of storm drains. The Veterans Day Celebration is on November 9th from 7:30 AM to noon at the Airport, with breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. The Food Truck Festival is on October 19th from 11 AM to 2 PM at 4th Avenue and Main Street. The City of Rochelle has pledged support for Domestic Violence Awareness this October. Lastly, Ruth Carter from HOPE will retire after 32 years, and her retirement party is on October 16th at Fat Cats in Hillcrest from 4-6 PM.

2. Council Members: None.

3. Appointment to Planning & Zoning Commission - Tim Bowerman

Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I approve the Mayor's appointment of Tim Bowerman to the Planning & Zoning Commission as an at-large, non-voting member with a term to expire July 1, 2026." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.

VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:

1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:

a) Approve Payment Registers - 9/23/24, 9/26/24, 9/30/24, 10/7/24

b) Approve Payroll - 9/2/24-9/15/24, 9/16/24-9/29/24, Back Pay

Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move consent agenda items (a) through (b) to be approved by Omnibus vote as recommended." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

2. An Ordinance Establishing the Rank of Captain in the Fire Department. This proposal establishes the rank of Captain at the Rochelle Fire Department. The captain position will function as the shift commander and will be tasked with incident command roles and responsibilities during emergency incidents supporting the Fire Chief or as the Incident Commander in his absence. The Lieutenant rank on each shift will function as a company officer, supervising the company on their daily tasks and as their direct officer during incidents under the command of the captain. The key benefits of this leadership structure expansion include separating command officer and company officer responsibilities for increased safety for citizens and firefighters, increased effectiveness in managing emergency incidents, focus for rank/responsibility appropriate professional development, increased administrative leadership, and multi-level mentorship and succession planning. The current staffing structure of the Rochelle Fire Department consists of the Fire Chief supervising three Lieutenants assigned one of three 24-hour shifts (Red/Black/Gold), each supervising 4 career firefighters and any paid-on-call firefighters working during those shifts. The implementation of this proposal would coincide with hiring one additional career firefighter per shift supported by SAFER funds. The result would provide, on each of the three shifts: one Captain, one Lieutenant, and four firefighters. This aligns with the new staffing model approved by the city council in the current CBA. The budgeted amount/expenditure listed below reflects a detailed projection of all differential costs associated with the promotion of three current Lieutenants to the rank of Captain and the promotion of the three firefighters on the Lieutenant eligibility list to the rank of Lieutenant. These costs include the impact on base salary, holiday pay, and projected overtime. If approved in October, the new staffing model will go into effect on January 1, 2025. The estimated expenditures are included in the proposed budget for the Fire Department 2025. Fire Chief Sawlsville was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor Valdivieso, "I move Ordinance 24-5493, an Ordinance establishing the Rank of Captain Within the Fire Department, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

3. An Ordinance Designating the Proposed Eastern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area, Redevelopment, A Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. The City of Rochelle, Illinois desires to implement a tax increment financing district pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, 65 ILCS 5/11-74,4-1. As described in the TIF Redevelopment Plan and Project, the proposed Rochelle Eastern Gateway TIF consists of approximately 82 acres and 10 parcels. In creating the Eastern Gateway TIF, the City of Rochelle hopes to address property blight and vacancy, aging infrastructure and assist with overall redevelopment of the district. Community Development Director Micelle Pease was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Valdivieso, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 24-5494, an Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Eastern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Tax Increment Financing District, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

4. A Resolution Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Authorizing the Purchase of a Heavy-Duty Truck for the Water/Water Reclamation Department. In 2023 the Water Department purchased a mini excavator for the Water/Water Reclamation Departments to perform small construction jobs throughout the city. Extensive research was done to find truck options that would meet multiple needs. Many considerations were taken regarding the size of the truck, the versatility of the truck, towing capabilities, and cost. Our goal was to find the best option to meet the needs of the Water/Water Reclamation Department, seeking a truck that had enough towing capability and was compact enough to use for other jobs along with minimizing the impact for the residents of Rochelle taking in consideration the size of the truck that might interfere with right of way traffic, prohibit access to street parking and driveways. To meet the towing demand and consider a smaller, more versatile truck, only the Ford F350 meets that need. Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation Adam Lanning was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Arteaga, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Resolution R24-62, a Resolution Waiving Competitive Bidding Requirements and Authorizing the Purchase of a Heavy-Duty Truck for the Water/Water Reclamation Department, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

5. A Resolution Authorizing Professional Services Agreement with Peralte-Clark Engineering for Water Main Design as Part of the Route 251 Construction Project. As part of the IDOT IL Route 251 Improvements, the Water Department will be replacing a section of the watermain from IL 38 to North of Flagg Rd. The state of Illinois has signed a contract with Peralte-Clark LLC for engineering services. Peralte-Clark LLC has subcontracted with Willett Hofmann. This will serve the city of Rochelle best as Willett Hofmann is expertly familiar with the City of Rochelle water system. Willet Hoffman will design watermain replacement for approximately 2,800 feet of 12” water main on IL Route 251 from IL Route 38 to Flagg Road and approximately 1000 feet of 6” water main on IL Route 38 from Il Route 251 to Lincoln Highway, at Carrie Avenue and Fairview Drive. There will also be new water service lines constructed for 25 customers. Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation Adam Lanning was available of questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Resolution R24-63, a Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Peralte-Clark Engineering for Watermain design as part of the Route 251 Construction, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

6. A Resolution Authorizing an Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Singh and Associates, Inc. for Lighting Design as Part of the Route 251 Project. With IDOT in the planning stages for the reconstruction of route 251 staff thought it would be best to engage the same engineering firm as IDOT to develop the new lighting design. This design will allow for new fixtures to be placed on both sides of the roadway from Walgreens to Flagg Rd. By using the same firm as IDOT we will avoid any conflicts with the drainage and other utility installations being performed with the new construction. TIF funds will be utilized for the design and construction of this lighting. We intend on using the same style of fixtures placed near Walmart and 20th St. Superintendent of Electric Operations Blake Toliver was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Valdivieso, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move Resolution R24-64, a Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Singh and Associates, Inc. for lighting Design and part of the Route 251 Construction Project, be approved."Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

7. An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Renewable Energy Credits. Rochelle Municipal Utilities accumulates Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the solar arrays at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Village of Hillcrest, and the rickhouse. RECs can generate revenue by being sold to companies seeking to lower their emissions footprint. Staff has met with Allstate Insurance to formalize an agreement to sell the RECs generated from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, at a rate of $34 per solar REC. The contract with the current buyer has expired. The new contract is estimated to generate nearly 3x the revenue of our expired contract. In previous years, the revenues have been utilized to fund the income assistance program. Superintendent of Electric Operations Blake Toliver was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 24-5495, an Ordinance Authorizing a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Allstate Insurance for the Sale of Renewable Energy Credits, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

8. A Resolution Accepting Bid Proposals from Anixter, WESCO Distribution, and Raukman/Prysmian for Electric Materials. RMU received competitive quotes for long lead material procurement, as part of the Ritchie-CenterPoint-Twombly 34.5kV line project. A total of six (6) quotes were collected. The quotes were reviewed on cost, lead time, manufacturer origin, and ability to satisfy requirements established in the RFQ. If placed on order as soon as possible, most material should arrive by end of year. Three (3) separate POs would be required from Rochelle for Anixter, Wesco, and Raukman/Prysmian. It is the recommendation of BHMG to award these vendors the specified material to satisfy the requirements of these projects. Superintendent of Electric Operations Blake Toliver was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Valdivieso, "I move Resolution R24-65, a Resolution Accepting Bid Proposals from Anixter, Wesco and Raukman/Prysmian doe Electrical Materials, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: None.

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 6:58 PM. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Arteaga, "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, D. McDermott, Arteaga, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-08076edd769e4db68ff0686607b1517b.pdf