NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met May 6.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Rock Falls, Illinois was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on May 6, 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 Wangelin, Snow, Byrd, Dowd, Stahr, Arduini, and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present. Absent Alderwoman McKanna.

Audience request:

None

Community Affairs: Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sam Smith President/CEO Sam Smith, President/CEO presented updates on many events happening this summer in Rock Falls. Mother’s Day Shop Hop until May 11, 2025, May 13th, 2025, ribbon cutting for Cledy’s House of Hope noon, May 16-18, 2025, Garage Sale days, Summer Splash, June 21, 2025 – One day only.

Approval of Minutes:

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

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve minutes of the April 15, 2025, City Council Meeting and second by Alderwoman Byrd.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

City Administrator Blackert:

City Administrator Blackert presented Alderman Brian Snow with a gift for appreciation for his 20 years of civic duty to the residence of Rock Falls.

Alderman Snow thanked the residence of Rock Falls and the City Council for the past 20 years for allowing him to serve the City of Rock Falls.

Seating of Newly Elected Officials:

Karen Stralow, Whiteside County Clerk, County Canvassing Board of Whiteside County, Illinois completed the Canvass of Votes cast 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 Dows, Ward 3 Alderperson

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

Violet L. Sobottka, Ward 4 Alderperson

Mayor Kleckler gave the Oath of Office to Pamela Martinez, City Clerk.

City Clerk Pamela Martinez gave the Oath of Office to Mayor Rodeny Kleckler

City Clerk Pam Martinez gave the Oath of Office to:

William Wangelin, Ward 1 Alderperson

Marshall Doane, Ward 2 Alderperson

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

Steven Dows, Ward 3 Alderperson

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

Violet L. Sobottka, Ward 4 Alderperson

Roll Call

City Clerk Pam Martinez called the roll following the Oath of Office. A quorum was present including Mayor Kleckler, Aldermen Wangelin, Byrd, Doane, Dowd, Stahr, Arduini, and Sobottka. In addition, Attorney Matt Cole and City Administrator Robbin Blackert were present. Absent Alderwoman McKanna.

Consent Agenda:

Consent Agenda items 1-2 were read aloud by City Clerk Pam Martinez. 1. Approval of bills as presented.

2. Approve Mayor’s appointment of Rober Rank to fill the open seat on the Planning/Zoning Commission (Term to be 05-06-2025 through 04-30-2027). A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the Consent Agenda and second by Alderman Wangelin.

Vote 6 aye, 1-Recused (Doane), motion carried.

Ordinance 2nd Reading and Adoption:

1. Ordinance 2025-2694 – Authorizing the disposal of a 2005 Ford Econoline E150. A motion was Alderman Wangelin to approve Ordinance 2025-2694 – Authorizing the disposal of a 2005 Ford Econoline E150 for second reading and adoption and second by Alderman Dowd.

Vote 6 aye, 1- Recused (Doane), motion carried.

City Administrator:

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

Mayor Kleckler Removed from Agenda.

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

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the Utility Office Write-Offs for January 2025 – March 2025 and second by Alderman Dowd.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

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.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the request from John Watts with Touch-A-Truck to waive fees for a Touch-A-Truck event and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

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

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee to waive bidding for the project to locate water services under the IEPA Grant and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, 1-Recused (Doane), motion carried.

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.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to approve the 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 and second by Alderman Dowd.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

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.

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the 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 and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

City Attorney:

None

City Departments:

None

Alderman Reports / Committee Chairman Requests

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the 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 and second by Alderman Dowd.

Vote 6 aye, 1-Recused (Doane), motion carried.

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

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

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

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to approve the Recommendation from the Public Works/Public Property Committee to approve Resolution Number 2025-935 – Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code and second by Alderwoman Sobottka.

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Alderman Doane thanked Brian Snow for his service to the City of Rock Falls.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Kleckler read the Proclamation for Municipal Clerk week, May 4 to May 10, 2025 and presented City Clerk Pam Martinez and Deputy Clerk Michelle Conklin with the Proclamation.

Executive Session:

1. Enter into Executive Session for the purposes of:

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

A motion was made by Alderman Wangelin to move into Executive Session and second by Alderwoman Sobottka. (5:56 pm)

Vote 7 aye, motion carried.

Any action taken from Executive Session:

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to hire the paid part time for the Tourism Department and second by Alderwoman Arduini.

Vote 6 aye, 1-Recused (Doane), motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderwoman Sobottka to adjourn and second by Alderwoman Arduini. Vote via voice, all approved (5:59 p.m.)

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