NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order at 5:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Audience Requests

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

Approval of Minutes

1. Approval of minutes of the April 15, 2025 City Council Meeting

Seating of Newly Elected Officials

Karen Stralow, Whiteside County Clerk, County Canvassing Board of Whiteside County, Illinois completed the Canvass of Votes cast at the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election. Results are as follows:

Rodney G. Kleckler, Mayor

Pamela J. Martinez, City Clerk

Kay M. Abner, City Treasurer

William Wangelin, Ward 1 Alderperson

Marshall Doane, Ward 2 Alderperson

Vickey Byrd, Ward 2 Alderperson (2-year unexpired term)

Steven Dowd, Ward 3 Alderperson

Cathy Arduini, Ward 4 Alderperson (2-year unexpired term)

Violet L. Sobottka, Ward 4 Alderperson

Roll Call

Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of bills as presented

2. Approve Mayor’s appointment of Robert Rank to fill the open seat on the Planning/Zoning Commission (Term to be 05-06-2025 through 04-30-2027)

Ordinances 2nd Reading & Adoption:

1. Ordinance 2025-2694 – Authorizing the disposal of a 2005 Ford Econoline E150

City Administrator Robbin Blackert:

1. Approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Board of Education of Rock Falls Township High School District No. 301 and the City of Rock Falls, Regarding School Security Equipment

2. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the Utility Office Write-Offs for January 2025 – March 2025.

3. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the request from John Watts with Touch-A-Truck to waive fees for the Touch-A-Truck event.

4. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to waive bidding for the project to locate water services under the IEPA Grant.

5. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to accept the quote received from Kirby Cable Service, 17842 Sumner Road, Pecatonica, IL in the amount of $36,500.00 to locate approximately 150 locations to verify water services material.

6. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the purchase of a 2024 Ford Super Duty F-250 from Dixon Ford, 489 IL 2, Dixon, IL for the Water Department in the amount of $57,875.70.

Rock Falls Tourism – Melinda Jones:

Information/Correspondence

Matt Cole, City Attorney

Corey Buck, City Engineer

Alderperson Reports/Committee Chairman Requests

Ward 1

Alderperson Bill Wangelin – Public Works/Public Property Committee Chairman/Tourism Committee

1. Recommendation from the Public Works/Public Property Committee to approve the bid for the Micro Parking Lot Construction & Sidewalk Connection to Martin & Company Excavating, 2456 East Pleasant Grove Road, Oregon, IL 61061 in the amount of $876,141.57.

2. Recommendation from the Public Works/Public Property Committee to approve Maintenance Engineering to be Performed by a Consulting Engineer for Section Number 25-00000-00-GM.

3. Recommendation from the Public Works/Public Property Committee to approve the Local public Agency General Maintenance Estimate of Maintenance Costs for Section Number 25-00000-00-GM

4. Recommendation from the Public Works/Public Property Committee to approve Resolution Number 2025-935 – Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code.

Alderperson Gabriella McKanna – Finance/Insurance/Investment Committee Chairman

Ward 2

Alderperson Vickey Byrd

Alderperson Marshall Doane

Ward 3

Alderperson Steve Dowd – Police Fire Committee Chairman

Alderperson Nathan Stahr

Ward 4

Alderperson Violet Sobottka – Ordinance/License/Personnel/Safety Committee Chairman Alderperson Cathy Arduini

Mayor’s Report:

Executive Session:

1. Enter into Executive Session for the purposes of:

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

Any action taken from Executive Session

Adjournment

Next City Council Meeting – May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

https://rockfalls61071.net/wp-content/uploads/05-06-2025-City-Council-Agenda.pdf