Administration & Finance Committee forwards GRCC contract, new grant program and Ryan LLC district plan to board

The Administration and Finance Committee recommended three items to the village board on a series of unanimous procedural votes and approved routine meeting business.

The committee approved the minutes of the May 4 meeting and approved a warrant totaling $550,736.75, both by voice vote. The chair said the warrant will go to tonight’s board meeting with a positive recommendation.

Kevin, a village staff member, presented Resolution 38 R 26, a proposed fee-for-services agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce for fiscal year 26–27. "This resolution proposes entering into a fee for services agreement with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, also known as the GRCC for fiscal year 2627, in the amount of $27,500," Kevin said, adding that the GRCC would assist with business retention and expansion visits, respond to site-selector requests, and promote sites in Machesney Park. Staff recommended approval, and the committee voted to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation.

The committee then considered Resolution 39 R 26, which staff described as a code-compliance matching grant program intended to help new business occupants in buildings constructed before 2010. Kevin said the village would provide matching reimbursement grants "not to exceed $25,000 per applicant" for qualifying improvements including plumbing, HVAC, structural repairs, life-safety and fire-suppression systems, and accessibility upgrades. The village has budgeted $100,000 for the program in the current fiscal year; awards would be considered by this committee and the village board and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff recommended approval and the committee voted to send the resolution to the board with a positive recommendation.

For Resolution 43 R 26, Finance and HR Director Shannon Hansen said the village uses Ryan LLC for TIF and business-district consulting and recommended retaining Ryan LLC to perform business-district services that would support redevelopment of a corridor. "Staff is recommending approval of Resolution 43 R 26 to hire Ryan LLC to perform business district services for the village," Hansen said, noting a timely evaluation is important to preserve redevelopment opportunities. The committee voted to forward the resolution with a positive recommendation to the full board.

All formal votes recorded in the meeting minutes were four ayes and zero nays, with Trustee Wilson and Trustee Strachan recorded as absent. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. The committee adjourned after the votes.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (May 4): approved (motion recorded: Mister Sainz moved; Mister Vitale seconded). Outcome: approved. - Warrant: $550,736.75 — approved. Outcome: positive recommendation to board. - Resolution 38 R 26 (GRCC fee-for-services): $27,500 — forwarded with positive recommendation. - Resolution 39 R 26 (Code-compliance matching-grant program): program budget $100,000; grants up to $25,000 per applicant — forwarded with positive recommendation. - Resolution 43 R 26 (Professional services with Ryan LLC to support business-district formation): forwarded with positive recommendation.

Next steps All three resolutions and the warrant will appear on the village board agenda for consideration on June 1.