NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met Feb. 4.

Here are the minutes 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 February 4, 2025, 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, Stahr, Arduini and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present. Absent Alderman Dowd.

Audience request:

None

Community Affairs: Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sam Smith President/CEO

None

Consent Agenda:

Consent Agenda items 1-3 were read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez.

1. Approval of the minutes of the January 21, 2025, City Council Meeting.

2. Approval of bills as presented.

3. Approve the re-appointment of John Hoffmiller to the Police Pension Board (Term to be 05-01-2025 to 05-01-2027).

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

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Ordinances 1st Reading:

1. Ordinance 2025-2679 – Amending Chapter 6 – Stormwater Management

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve Ordinance 2025-2679 – Amending Chapter 6 – Stormwater Management for first reading and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

2. Ordinance 2025-2680 – Amending Chapter 16 – Business License Fee Increases

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve Ordinance 2025-2680 – Amending Chapter 16 – Business License Fee Increases for first reading and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

3. Ordinance 2025-2681 – Amending Chapter 26 – Public Camping

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve Ordinance 2025-2681 – Amending Chapter 26 – Public Camping for first reading and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

4. Ordinance 2025-2682 – Amending Chapter 16 – Special Use Permits

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve Ordinance 2025-2682 – Amending Chapter 16 – Special Use Permits for first reading and second by Alderman Snow.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

City Administrator:

Reminded elected officials of the Statement of Economic Interest that was mailed out and needs to be mailed back to the County by May 1, 2025.

City Attorney:

None

City Departments:

None

Alderman Reports / Committee Chairman Requests

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve the recommendation from the Finance Committee for the Utility Office Write-Offs October 2024 through December 2024 and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve the recommendation from the Finance Committee to approve a 3 year extension (Fiscal Years 2025, 2026, and 2027) for Auditing Services with Sikich CPA, LLC, 1415 West Diehl Road, Suite 400, Naperville, IL 60563 and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Alderwoman McKanna reminded Council Members of the next Finance Committee meeting that has been moved to February 26, 2025, and March 25th meeting will start at 8 am.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee for changes to the administrative fees charged to liens and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to waive bidding for the replacement of manholes at the intersection of E 4th Street and Avenue C due to only one quote received and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to accept the quote received from Behren’s Trucking & Excavating, LLC., 2608 Prophetstown Road, Rock Falls, IL 61071 for the replacement of manholes at the intersection of E 4th Street and Avenue C in the amount of $26,800.00 and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the recommendation from the Ordinance/License/Personnel/Safety Committee to approve the Tourism Assistant Job Description and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Mayor’s Report:

None

Executive Session:

1. Enter into Executive Session for the purpose of:

a. Personnel – Section 2(c)(1) – Employee hiring, firing, compensation, discipline, and performance

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to move into Executive Session and second by Alderman Wangelin. (5:41 p.m.)

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Any action taken from Executive Session:

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the Tourism Assistant and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote via voice, all approve, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to approve the Building Department hire and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.

A motion was made by Snow to approve the hire of the Tourism Department Part-Time Volunteers and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Snow to adjourn and second by Alderwoman Sobottka. Vote via voice, all approved (5:49 p.m.)

https://rockfalls61071.net/download/agendas_and_minutes/2025_agendas_and_minutes/2025_city_council/2025_city_council_minutes/02-04-2025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf