NW Illinois News

City of Rochelle City Council met Nov. 25.

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, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor John Bearrows. Absent: Councilors Shaw-Dickey and Arteaga. A quorum of five were present. Also, present were City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh, City Clerk Rose Huéramo and Deputy City Clerk Rosie Belmonte.

III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC: None.

IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Mayor's Report: Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

2. Appoint Lance Charnock as a Voting Member of the Planning & Zoning Commission Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move the council accept the appointment of Lance Charnock to the Planning & Zoning Commission as a voting member for the term to expire July 1, 2026." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

3. Council Members: None.

V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY: None.

VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:

1. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIUS VOTE with Recommendations:

a) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes - 11/12/2024

b) Approve Payment Registers - 11/12/2024, 11/18/2024

c) Approve Payroll - 10/28/24 - 11/10/24

d) Accept & Place on File - October Financials

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

2. Budget Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Hearing and Adoption). The City of Rochelle held a Committee of the Whole meeting on November 4th. to discuss the upcoming 2025 budget. During the meeting, the City Manager presented a PowerPoint highlighting the 2025 budget and answered specific questions on various line items. As required by State law, the City Clerk published a Public Hearing Notice to consider adopting the budget at the November 25th City Council Meeting. Final action on the 2025 Budget is required on or before December 30, 2024, to be filed with Ogle and Lee Counties. The final Proposed 2025 General Fund revenues are budgeted at $14,864,471. This represents an increase of approximately 6% compared to the original approved 2024 budget. Budgeted expenses total $15,372,877, approximately 9% higher than the 2024 budget. This results in a budget deficit of $508,406. The combination of the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, Trust and Agency Funds, and Capital Project Funds results in budgeted revenues of $119,887,397 and budgeted expenses of $133,500,472. Illinois statutes require that the City conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget to allow citizens the opportunity to provide comments. After the Council returns to regular session, members of the Council can propose modifications to the proposed budget, each of which will be voted on by the Council. The proposed budget, as amended, will then be subject to a final Council vote for approval. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Valdivieso, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move the Council recess into a Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0. There were no public comments made. Motion made by Councilor Valdivieso, Seconded by Councilor D. McDermott, "I move Council return to open session." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0. Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor Valdivieso, "I move Ordinance 24-5512, an Ordinance Adopting the 2025 City of Rochelle Municipal Budget, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

3. A Resolution Approving the City's Capital Improvement Plan for 2025. The City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a multi-year planning instrument for the evaluation and identification of the capital infrastructure projects in need of renovation, repair, and/or construction along with the equipment or vehicle replacement over the next twenty years. The CIP relates these projected capital needs to the financial sources that will support their realization and the timeframe in which the financing and work will take place. Capital improvement programming is the process by which these capital projects are identified, prioritized, and selected, and thus are incorporated into the long-range fiscal and strategic planning of the City. The Capital Improvement Plan document is different from the annual budget as it sets forth a twenty-year program. The first year’s program contains projects that are included in the 2025 City of Rochelle Budget. The remaining nineteen years reflect staff’s recommended priorities in the future. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move R24- 72, a Resolution Approving the City of Rochelle's Capital Improvement Plan for 2025, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

4. A Resolution Approving the 2024-2025 Risk Insurance Renewal Package. The risk insurance policy with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT), managed by Marsh McLennan Agency, is scheduled to renew on December 1, 2024. The package includes general liability, law enforcement liability, auto, public official liability, property, inland marine, equipment breakdown, sales tax interruption, crime, and excess liability coverage. The renewal quote provided was $498,531. Marsh approached Travelers, Trident, Liberty Mutual and Glatfelter’s Public Entities Program on the City’s behalf, and the carriers declined to quote citing power generation and biomass exposure as their reasons. Workers’ compensation coverage with the Illinois Public Risk Fund (IPRF) is set to renew on January 1, 2025, and a renewal quote has been provided in the amount of $302,999. The coverage includes a 2025 Safety Grant awarded to the City in the amount of $13,377. These funds can be utilized to purchase safety equipment and provide safety training programs to employees. Cyber insurance coverage is scheduled to renew on December 31, 2024, and a quote has been procured from AmTrust (new cyber carrier) in the amount of $35,204. This figure represents a slight decrease in premium from the prior year; however, it boasts a more comprehensive plan with higher limits to further protect the City in the event of a cyber incident. Starr Tech has provided a renewal quote for the City’s electrical operations insurance. This quote includes property and equipment breakdown coverage and encompasses all electric generation and distribution operations. The highest limit of coverage available is $61,475,400 and includes a $250,000 deductible. This policy would begin on December 1, 2024, and the premium quoted is $290,531. Marsh McLennan Agency has agreed to keep their brokerage service fee of $50,000 flat due to increased pricing to the City from insurance policy changes out of the City’s control. A spreadsheet detailing the renewal and expiring premiums is attached for review. HR Risk and Safety Coordinator Brittney Zick and Broker Representative Junior Pierre were available for questions. Motion made by Councilor T. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Valdivieso, "I move Resolution R24-73, a Resolution Approving the 2024-2025 Risk Insurance Renewal Insurance, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

5. An Ordinance Amending Division 2, Right of Way of Chapter 94 - Traffic and Vehicles to add All-Way Stops for Southview Drive and Lake Lida Lane. Residents located on Southview Drive and Lake Lida Lane have expressed concerns of motorists avoiding the stop signs located along Willis Avenue resulting in additional traffic traveling on both Southview Drive and Lake Lida Lane. The addition of two new housing complexes will significantly add to this amount of traffic. Southview Drive and Lake Lida Lane are narrow roadways at 27 feet wide with parking permitted on both sides. Each block within these two roads are over 800 feet in length, twice as long as the average City block, with a combined overall length of nearly one-half mile. Both roads are long and straight with no controlled stops increasing the likelihood of speeding. Speeding on narrow roadways with vehicles parked along each side is especially concerning as visibility and reaction time of an unexpected pedestrian is reduced. After discussions with Rochelle’s City Manager, Engineer, Police and Fire Department Chiefs, and residents we believe it is in the best interest of Rochelle, its residents, and the motoring public to install an ALL-WAY Stop at the intersections of Randall Road, Cedar Brook, and Lakeland Drive on both Southview Drive and Lake Lida Lane. A controlled stop at each intersection will help equalize and better manage the flow of traffic, as well as improve motorist and pedestrian safety throughout this entire residential neighborhood. Public Works Director Tim Isley was available to answer questions. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Ordinance 24-5513, an Ordinance Amending Division 2, Right-Of-Way of Chapter 94 - Traffic and Vehicles, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

6. A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of 503 North Main Street. City Manager Fiegenschuh has negotiated a sale price of $65,000, plus closing costs, for the purchase of the property at 503 N. Main Street. The property would be demolished to create a designated parking lot for the Rochelle Fire Department. The project will be cash-funded from the Downtown & Southern Gateway TIF. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh was available for questions. Motion made by Councilor Hayes, Seconded by Councilor T. McDermott, "I move Ordinance R24-74, a Resolution Approving the Purchase of 503 N. Main Street, be approved." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, and Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: None.

VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT: At 6:59 PM. Motion made by Councilor D. McDermott, Seconded by Councilor Hayes, "I move the Council adjourn." Voting Yea: T. McDermott, Hayes, D. McDermott, Valdivieso, Mayor Bearrows. Nays: None. Motion passed 5-0.

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/rochelleil-pubu/MEET-Packet-c1c2696080824551b7438047f5f9edf7.pdf