The Rockford City Council on Aug. 4 approved a package of engineering agreements, construction awards and funding appropriations for multiple capital projects, including an engineering agreement for Fire Station 10 and appropriations for Ninth Street two-way conversion.

Council members voted to award an engineering agreement for Fire Station 10 to Willett Hoffman for $1,047,177.10, using 2022 budget surplus funds. The council also approved an appropriation of $2,500,000 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for Sixth Street and Ninth Street two-way conversion (Phase II) and separately approved an engineering agreement for the Ninth Street two-way conversion Phase II with Transystems for $1,994,350, funded by MFT. Other approvals included a $765,602.82 contract for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sidewalk repairs, a $700,000 agreement for planning/professional services for Well 46 water treatment, and several smaller drainage and channel repair contracts.

Why it matters: the measures fund near-term construction and design work that the city says will advance roadway conversions, stormwater repairs and water-system upgrades in multiple neighborhoods. Funding sources cited during the meeting included the 2022 budget surplus, MFT funds, CDBG and infrastructure sales tax.

Most important facts: Willett Hoffman received the Fire Station 10 engineering contract for $1,047,177.10; the council appropriated $2.5 million in MFT money for the Ninth Street two-way conversion; Transystems was approved for nearly $2 million in engineering services for the same project; Strand Associates was approved for up to $700,000 for Well 46 professional services; CDBG-funded sidewalk repair contract awarded for $765,602.82.

Council discussion touched on project costs and site design. Alderman Meeks asked whether the estimated total project cost for the Fire Station project included engineering; Miss Wilkerson replied that the $10,000,000 estimate in the packet did include engineering costs. Alderman Beach said he would support moving the engineering work forward but asked that designers consider potential parking alternatives and other site configuration concerns.

Votes and next steps: the council approved the items in roll-call votes. The meeting record shows Items 1–4 passed unanimously (11–0). Items identified later in the packet (items 5 and 6 in the finance list) passed with a 10–1 vote. Contract documents and ordinances will be prepared by the legal director and the vendors will move into the engineering and design phases as specified in the approved agreements.

The council also authorized staff to solicit proposals for city council chambers audio-visual upgrades; funding was identified from the Department of Information Technology and Integration Fund. Implementation schedules and contractor start dates will depend on each vendor’s contract and design timelines.