NW Illinois News

City of Rock Falls City Council met Oct. 7.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Call to Order at 5:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Audience Requests

Proclamation

• Proclaiming October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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

Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of minutes from the September 16, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval of minutes from the September 30, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

3. Approval of bills as presented

4. Grant permission for the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to hold its annual 2026 Girl Scout Cookie program from January – March 2026.

Ordinance for 1st Reading:

1. Ordinance 2025-2711 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Article VI – Parking – Fire Lanes

2. Ordinance 2025-2712 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 24, Article XIII Signs - Temporary Signs

Ordinance for 2nd Reading and Adoption:

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

2. Ordinance 2025-2710 – Ordinance Acknowledging Interim Appointment of Chief of Police

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

1. Recommendation from the Public Works Public Property Committee to award 11th Street Bridge Phase III Construction Observation to Willett, Hofmann & Associates, 809 E 2nd Street, Dixon IL 61021

2. Recommendation from the Public Works Public Property Committee to approve the agreement between the City of Rock Falls and Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc., 809 E 2nd Street, Dixon IL, Concerning Sidewalk Construction at Avenue A and Dixon Avenue

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

1. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve changes to the General Procedures Governing Utility Service - change the deposit from $150.00 to $300.00 for a banking or financial institution which has taken responsibility for a residential property.

2. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve changes to the General Procedures Governing Utility Service - discontinue requiring a landlord blanket deposit and reimburse current deposits held by landlords.

3. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve changes to the General Procedures Governing Utility Service - approve the changes to the Schedule of Fees

4. Recommendation from the Utility Committee to approve the quote from Quad Plus Testing, 15941 S. Harlem Ave #222, Tinley Park, IL 60477 for repair of the South 14th Ave Transformer Tap Changer in the amount of $47,022.00 (Sole Source Provider)

5. Recommendation from the Finance Committee to approve contract to purchase a new Seagrave Capitol Pumper from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC, 7285 Solutions Center, Chicago, IL 60677 in the amount of $1,419,431.00.

6. Recommendation from the Finance Committee to approve the Rock Falls Police Department to purchase two new Chevy Tahoe PPC AWD (Patrol Vehicles) from Karl Emergency Vehicles, 5983 NE Industry Dr, Des Moines, IA 50313 in the amount of approximately $160,000.00 to be financed with Tax Exempt Leasing, Thompson’s Station, TN.

Ward 2

Alderperson Vickey Byrd – Tourism Committee

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 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

https://rockfalls61071.net/wp-content/uploads/10-07-2025-City-Council-Agenda.pdf