NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met Sept. 16.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Call to Order at 5:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Audience Requests

Rock Falls Fire Department

• Retirement of Fire Chief Ken Wolf

• Badge pinning for Fire Fighter Benjamin Harvey

• Badge pinning for Fire Fighter Cameron Reuter

• Approve Mayoral appointment of Kyle Sommers to the position of Fire Chief as of January 19, 2026

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

Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of minutes from the September 2, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval of bills as presented

3. Rock Falls Township High School – Permission to hold the annual Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Ordinance for 1st Reading:

1. Ordinance 2025-2709 – Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Rock Falls Regarding Short-Term Rentals

Ordinance for 2nd Reading and Adoption:

1. Ordinance 2025-2707 – Approving Acquisition of Easement from Coloma Township Park District

2. Ordinance 2025-2708 – Sale of Surplus Property

Rock Falls Tourism

1. Approval for road closure for the Spooktacular Halloween Lighted Golf Car & UTV Parade on October 18, 2025 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Closure would be West 2nd Street from 1st Avenue to Grace Avenue.

City Administrator Robbin Blackert:

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

Alderperson Gabriella McKanna – Finance/Insurance/Investment Committee Chairman/Utilities Committee

Ward 2

Alderperson Vickey Byrd – Tourism Committee

1. Recommendation from the Tourism Committee to approve the changes to the Policies and procedures for the Façade Improvement Grant

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:

Adjournment

Next City Council Meeting – October 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

https://rockfalls61071.net/wp-content/uploads/09-16-2025-City-Council-Agenda.pdf