City of Rochelle Council Chambers
420 N 6th Street, Rochelle, IL 61068
I. CALL TO ORDER:
• Pledge to the Flag
• Prayer
II. ROLL CALL:
III. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC:
IV. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:
• Mayor
• Council Members
• Financials – pdf November 2015 (855 KB)
V. PUBLIC COMMENTARY:
• Ogle County Clerk and Recorder Candidate Tiffany O’Brien
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS:
1) CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS BY OMNIBUS VOTE with Recommendations:
a) Approve Minutes of City Council Meeting – pdf December 14, 2015 (118 KB)
b) Accept and Place on File Minutes of Planning and Zoning Commission – pdf November 2, 2015 (147 KB)
c) Approve Bills – pdf 120415-121015 (89 KB) , pdf 121115-121715 (85 KB) , pdf 121815-122315 (101 KB) , pdf 122415-123015 (76 KB)
d) Approve Payroll – pdf 112315-120615 (49 KB) , pdf 120715-122015 (52 KB)
2) Special Use Permit for Outdoor Storage – 1310 N 7th Street (Public Hearing and Action)
3) Ordinance Approving the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project
4) Ordinance Designating the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act
5) Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Downton and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Tax Increment Financing District
6) Solicitation of Bids for Development of Downtown Plaza and Pavilion Renderings, Budget and Timeline
7) Engineering Agreement - 20th Street and 8th Avenue Water Main Extension
8) Skid Load Generators Permit Application Fee, Control Systems Quote and Unit Readiness Quote
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Brand Style Guide
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Item #2 Special Use Permit for Outdoor Storage – 1310 N 7th Street (Public Hearing and Action)
References:
pdf Planning & Zoning Commission Report of Findings (74 KB)
Recommended Action:
Consider Special Use Permit for Outdoor Storage – 1310 N 7th Street
History and Fact:
Keith Scott has petitioned the City for a Special Use Permit to allow outdoor storage at 1310 N 7th Street. This property is approximately 0.86 acres in size and includes the former Pizza Hut restaurant facility. The lot fronts Illinois Highway 251 on the east and North 8th Street on the west.
The petitioner plans on using the former restaurant for a similar use. In addition, Mr. Scott would like to use the additional parking area to the west, not required for the restaurant, for vehicle storage associated with his towing business. If approved the area will contain perimeter fencing and pervious paving. The property is currently zoned B-2, Highway Commercial, and “Storage Outdoor” is a permitted use in this zoning district if a special use permit is issued.
The Planning and Zoning Commission, on November 2, 2015, heard the original petition and recommended that the City Council deny the request for a special use permit. On November 23, 2015 the Mayor and Council referred the petition back to the Planning and Zoning Commission in order for the petitioner to appear before the Commission, which had not occurred on November 2nd.
Discussion:
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing to review the petition at its meeting on January 4th. Following some discussion, the Planning and Zoning Commission prepared a report of findings which includes:
• The proposed use is allowed in the proposed zoning district with a special use permit
• The proposed use is detrimental or dangerous to public health due to the possible infestation of rodents, fluid run off that might leak in to the ground and stormwater drainage.
• The proposed use will impair property values in the neighborhood because you wouldn’t want to own property there with concerns of rodents and an empty restaurant with only an outdoor storage facility.
• The proposed use will not impede on the normal development of the surround properties because the properties are already developed with consistent land uses.
Based on these findings, the Planning and Zoning Commission, by a vote of 6-0, recommended that the City Council deny the issuance of a special use permit for outdoor storage at 1310 N 7th Street.
Recommendation:
Deny a Special Use Permit for Outdoor Storage – 1310 N 7th Street
Agenda Item #3-5
Ordinance Approving the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project
Ordinance Designating the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act
Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Downtown and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Tax Increment Financing District
References:
pdf Ordinance Approving the Redevelopment Plan and Project (3.38 MB)
pdf Ordinance Designating the Redevelopment Project Area (349 KB)
pdf Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing (250 KB)
Recommended Action:
Consider Ordinances
History and Fact:
On June 8, 2015 the Mayor and Council approved a Development Agreement with MTI, Inc. to facilitate the redevelopment of the Hub Theater and the Graber buildings in the downtown. The Development Agreement contained a provision that the City would pursue the formation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, to include these properties, and reimburse MTI a percentage of TIF-eligible costs for renovation of both buildings.
Discussion:
Several steps were taken in 2015 to prepare for the establishment of a TIF District including Council approval of an Inducement Resolution on June 8th, presentation of a draft redevelopment plan to the Mayor and Council on August 24th, a public meeting on September 15th, a Joint Review Board on October 20th and a Public Hearing conducted on November 19th.
In order to comply with TIF regulations it is necessary for the council to take action on three additional ordinances. The Ordinance Approving the Redevelopment Plan and Project outlines the requirements contained in the TIF Act, indicates that those have been followed and approves the redevelopment plan. The Ordinance Designating the Redevelopment Project Area defines the area associated with the plan. The Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing adopts the provisions of the TIF Act for the redevelopment plan and area as defined.
Recommendation:
Approve Ordinance Approving the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project
Approve Ordinance Designating the Proposed Downtown and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act
Approve Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Downtown and Southern Gateway Redevelopment Project Area Tax Increment Financing District
Agenda Item #6 Solicitation of Bids for Development of Downtown Plaza and Pavilion Renderings, Budget and Timeline
Recommended Action:
Consider authorizing the solicitation of bids for the development of Downtown Plaza and Pavilion renderings, budget and timeline.
History and Fact:
In 2014 the City of Rochelle along with the Flagg-Rochelle Park District, Rochelle Township High School, Rochelle Community Consolidated District #231, Rochelle Community Hospital, the Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation and the Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces to pursue the development of a unique community brand. The Roger Brooks International firm was selected to lead this initiative due to their experience and overwhelming success in creating public sector community branding.
Following multiple public meetings, a community survey, stakeholder meetings, and extensive meetings with the Brand Development Team, Brooks unveiled the new brand in May of 2015. The associated brand promise states “Providing an enriching social experience in an amazing downtown: An intimate gathering place alive with music, food, an incredible year-round public market, and multi-cultural entertainment more than 250 days a year for every resident of Greater Rochelle.”
Discussion:
The Brooks firm has since provided the City with a Branding, Development and Marketing Action Plan which is the road map to transforming our community. Per the Plan, a Brand Leadership Team (BLT) has been formed to champion the vision of a new community brand. The BLT’s focus has been to educate and inform the people of Greater Rochelle on the importance of the branding initiative and the programmed downtown public plaza and pavilion.
The Plan calls for the Brand Leadership Team to work with the City of Rochelle for funding to jump start the recommendations made in the plan. The proposed next step will transform the concepts provided by the Brooks team into a unified vision that will showcase the architectural design of the public plaza and pavilion as it will be in Downtown Rochelle. The Brand Leadership Team is requesting that the City Council authorize the solicitation of bids for urban architectural guidance that will produce standard renderings of the plaza and pavilion, a realistic budget and timeline at a cost not to exceed $25,000. These renderings would be on display throughout the City to create awareness for the project and to illustrate the functionality and beauty of the downtown design.
Members of the Brand Leadership Team will attend the meeting to respond to questions from the Mayor and Council members.
Recommendation:
Authorize the solicitation of bids for the development of Downtown Plaza and Pavilion renderings, budget and timeline at a cost not to exceed $25,000.
Agenda Item #7 Engineering Agreement - 20th Street and 8th Avenue Water Main Extension
References:
pdf Memo from Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation Adam Lanning (28 KB)
pdf Engineering Agreement (198 KB)
Recommended Action:
Consider an Engineering Agreement with Fehr Graham for 20th Street and 8th Avenue Water Main Extension.
History and Fact:
RMU Water/Water Reclamation staff has planned a project to extend the existing 12 inch water main along 20th Street from 10th Avenue to 8th Avenue and along 8th Avenue from 20th Street to 15th Street. In addition, the project will include the replacement of approximately 1,000 feet of 6” galvanized main that is known to be a problem. This water main extension will provide a critical path for water to travel from the north side of town to the central part of the city.
Discussion:
At the request of RMU staff, Fehr Graham Engineering has submitted an engineering agreement for the design and construction phase assistance, including observation, for the water main extension project. The total project will include the construction of 2,700 feet of 12” water main.
Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation Adam Lanning recommends proceeding with the scope of work as outlined at an estimated cost of $54,000. Funding for this agreement is available in the 2015-16 Water Department Capital Outlay Budget.
Recommendation:
Authorize the City Manager to sign an Engineering Agreement with Fehr Graham Engineering for 20th Street and 8th Avenue Water Main Extension.
Agenda Item #8 Skid Load Generators Permit Application Fee, Control Systems Quote and Unit Readiness Quote
References:
pdf Memo from Director Utilities Business Management and Energy Production Dan Westin (159 KB)
Recommended Action:
Consider permit application fee, control systems quote and unit readiness quote.
History and Fact:
Council approved the overall project for 6 MW of additional peak shaving generation at its October 27th meeting.
Discussion:
RMU staff, Altorfer and BHMG have created a project for these generators which includes a highly efficient integration into RMU’s distribution network with a large amount of reuse of the initial skid load project.
This recommendation is for executing the purchase of the following components for the skid load generators so they can be readied for implementation into the overall project in the spring of 2016:
- Payment of EPA Permit application: $ 24,000
- Control Systems for Remote Control per BHMG quote: $ 349,200
- Additional work on the units for readiness per Altorfer Quote: $ 98,460
Funds for the units are in the budget as part of the transmission line upgrade which is now moved out of FY16 and the rest coming from the Depreciation, Improvement and Extension account (DIE) account. RMU staff and BHMG have created a project for these generators which includes a highly efficient integration into RMU’s distribution network with a large amount of reuse of the initial skid load project.
Recommendation:
Approve the payment of $24,000 to the Illinois EPA for an expedited review of permit application.
Authorize the City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with BHMG for Caterpillar Power Module Control System Upgrade at a lump sum cost of $349,200.
Authorize the City Manager to sign the Proposal from Altorfer for additional work on the units at a cost of $98,460.
Discussion Item #1
As mentioned earlier, the Roger Brooks International firm has provided the City with a Branding, Development and Marketing Action Plan. In addition, Brooks has created a Brand Style Guide which sets the parameters and guidelines for creating a cohesive visual identity for our community. The Plan recommends that the City adopt the Rochelle branded community-wide “Style Guide” and begin the process of transitioning to the new brand identity. According to Brooks, “The Style Guide will be the bible every organization (City and city departments, Chamber of Commerce, GREDCO, the Main Street program, and visitor industry private marketing) will use to create continuity with your brand direction.”
The Brand Steering Committee will meet with the Funding Partners of the Roger Brooks International Community Branding Project later this month. The Committee will discuss next-steps and how our partner organizations can embrace the downtown public plaza and pavilion project and the new look and feel of the community-wide brand.
