NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met March 18.

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 March 18, 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, Dowd, Stahr, Arduini and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present. Absent Alderman Snow and Byrd.

Public Hearing:

• For the purpose of discussing the proposed water system improvements, which includes water treatment plant improvements, water tower painting and a water main looping project.

Willett Hofmann & Associates gave a presentation on water system improvements.

Audience request:

None

Rock Falls Police Department:

• Presentation of Officer of the Year Award

Chief Pilgrim presented the Officer of the Year Award to Officer Matt McKanna for 2024 outstanding performance.

Community Affairs: Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sam Smith President/CEO None

Consent Agenda:

Consent Agenda items 1-5 were read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez.

1. Approval of the minutes of March 4, 2025, City Council Meeting.

2. Approval of bills as presented.

3. Approve Mayor’s appointment of Alderman Nathan Stahr to the Police Fire Committee, Finance/Insurance/Investment Committee and the Tourism Committee.

4. Approve Mayor’s appointment of Donnie Chappel to the Fire Police Commission (Term 03/18/2025 through 04/30/2028).

5. Authorize Mayor Kleckler to sign the Public Water Supply Loan Program’s loan application forms and supporting documents.

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

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

Resolutions:

1. Resolution 2025-932 – Transferring Jurisdiction and Control of Real Property to the Industrial Development Commission (1605 5th Ave)

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve Resolution 2025-932 – Transferring Jurisdiction and Control of Real Property to the Industrial Development Commission (1605 5th Avenue) and second by Alderwoman McKanna.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

2. Resolution 2025-933 – Transferring Jurisdiction and Control of Real Property to the Industrial Development Commission (420 Haskell Avenue)

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve Resolution 2025-933 – Transferring Jurisdiction and Control of Real Property to the Industrial Development Commission (420 Haskell Avenue) and second by Alderwoman Sobottka. Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

Ordinance 1st Reading:

1. Ordinance 2025-2689 – Amending Chapter 18 – Handicap Parking Designations on Avenue A.

A motion was Alderwoman Sobottka to approve Ordinance 2025-2689 – Amending Chapter 18 – Handicap Parking Designations on Avenue A for first reading and second by alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

Ordinance 2nd Reading & Adoption:

1. Ordinance 2025-2686 – Adopting Revised Zoning Map

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve Ordinance 2025-2686 – Adopting Revised Zoning Map for second reading and adoption and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

2. Ordinance 2025-2687 – Addition of Article VIII for the Implementation of a Municipal Grocery Retailer’s Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve Ordinance 2025-2687 – Addition to Article VIII for the Implementation of a Municipal Grocery Retailer’s Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for second reading and adoption and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

3. Ordinance 2025-2688 – Amending Chapter 18 – Relating to Numbering Municipal Parking Lots

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve Ordinance 2025-2688 – Amending Chapter 18 – Relating to Numbering Municipal Parking Lots and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

City Administrator:

1. Approval of request from Ben Phillips (Ben’s Phresh Kutz Barbershop) to waive the City’s Storm Water policy for construction of a barbershop at 217 2nd Avenue, Rock Falls.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the request from Ben Phillips (Ben’s Phresh Kutz Barbershop) to waive the City’s Storm Water policy for construction of a barbershop at 217 2nd Avenue, Rock Falls and second by Alderman Wangelin. Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

2. Approve updates to the City’s Purchasing Policy

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the updates to the City’s Purchasing Policy and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

3. Approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates, 809 E. 2nd Street, Dixon, IL 61021 in the amount of $52,000.00 for the Rehabilitation of the Industrial Park and Water Treatment Plant Water Towers

A motion was made by Alderwoman Arduini to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates, 809 E. 2nd Street, Dixon, IL 61021 in the amount of $52,000.00 for the Rehabilitation of the Industrial Park and Water Treatment Plant Water Towers and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

4. Approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates, 809 E 2nd Street, Dixon, IL 61021 in the amount of $109,000.00 for Water Treatment Plant Improvements.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Arduini to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Willett Hofmann & Associates, 809 E 2nd Street, Dixon, IL 61021 in the amount of $109,000.00 for Water Treatment Plant Improvements and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

A reminder of the Finance meeting, Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, at 8:15 am. Budget meeting.

City Attorney:

None

City Departments:

None

Alderman Reports / Committee Chairman Requests

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the recommendation from the Tourism Committee to approve the following road closures:

a. Thursday, June 19, 2025 – Sick the Mag Rock Falls Block Party – 1 pm to 10 pm

b. Saturday, June 28, 2025 – Touch A Truck concert – 2 pm to 9 pm

c. Thursday, July 3, 2025 – Independence Day Celebration – 2 pm to 11:30 pm

d. Saturday, July 12, 2025 – Eats ‘N’ Beats @ The District – 2 pm to 11 pm

e. Saturday, August 23, 2025 – Art in the Park Sculpture Walk – 8 am to 6 pm

f. Friday, September 26, 2025 – Taco Throwdown – 1 pm to 11 pm

And was second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote via voice, all approved, motion carried.

Alderwoman McKanna reminded council members of the Finance Committee meeting on March 25, 2025, starting at 8:15 am.

A motion was made by Alderwoman McKanna to approve the Recommendation from the Building Code Committee to approve the updated Building Valuation Data received from the International Code Council and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote via voice, all approved, 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 Alderwoman Sobottka to move into Executive Session and second by Alderwoman Arduini. (6:02 p.m.)

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

Any action taken from Executive Session:

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the hire for the Water Department and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to adjourn and second by Alderwoman Arduini. Vote via voice, all approved (6:08 p.m.)

https://rockfalls61071.net/wp-content/uploads/03-18-2025-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf