City Council
Feb 2, 2026
The lede
- Council approved electricity purchasing contract authorization through Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative for street lighting and commercial accounts
- Approved $1.67 million Federal Railroad Administration grant for Phase I engineering of Appleton Road Grade Separation Project
- Awarded $1.38 million contract to Fisher Excavating for Parking Lot #7 and Kishwaukee Overlook Project (9-1 vote)
- First reading of ordinance updating ward boundary descriptions to reflect annexations since 2011
- Resident requested city develop public service announcement/plan regarding ICE enforcement
Decisions & votes
Resolution 2026-1 (Electricity purchasing contract): Passed 10-0. Authorizes Mayor to contract with lowest-cost electricity provider through NIMEC bid process for street lighting and commercial accounts.
Resolution 2026-2 (Annual parades): Passed 10-0. Authorizes seven annual parades for 2026 including Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th/Heritage Day, Homecoming, Halloween, Veterans Day, and Christmas parades.
Brycer compliance termination/First Due agreement: Passed 10-0. Authorizes termination of Brycer Compliance Engine agreement and entering agreement with First Due for compliance reporting services (no cost to city; paid by business owners).
Midwest Refrigerated Services donation: Passed 10-0. Accepted $1,000 donation for Eagle Scout Project - Santa Claus House.
Federal Railroad Administration grant: Passed 10-0. Approved $1,666,279 grant agreement for Phase I engineering and environmental review of Appleton Road Grade Separation Project.
Fisher Excavating contract: Passed 9-1 (Brereton voted no). Approved low bid of $1,380,432.25 for Parking Lot #7 and Kishwaukee Overlook Project, funded by grants and capital funds (estimated $700,000 city cost in FY2027 budget).
Discussion items
Ordinance 751H (First Reading): Updates ward boundary descriptions in City Code Sections 34-1 through 34-5 to reflect territory added through annexations since 2011. Will require second reading for passage.
IT & VOIP Phone Services: Proposals postponed to February 9, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Financial / operational notes
- Electricity procurement: Commonwealth Edison no longer offers fixed rates for larger power accounts and street lighting; rates now float hourly based on market conditions. Fixed rates only available through alternative suppliers via NIMEC collaborative.
- Fisher Excavating project: City’s estimated cost is $700,000, budgeted in fiscal year 2027; remainder funded by grants.
- Eagle Scout Santa Claus House project: After $1,000 donation and all credits/payments applied, approximately $300 will remain in project account.
- Well #11: Will be added to electricity contract once operational.
- First Due compliance reporting: No cost to city; businesses pay for their own compliance reporting.
Public comment
Mitch McCauley (1747 Pearl Street) requested the city develop a public service announcement or plan to inform residents about their rights if ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) comes to Belvidere. He suggested coordinating countywide, potentially with Winnebago County, and emphasized advance planning. Council did not respond during the meeting per standard public comment protocol.
Notable moments
- Alderperson Rory Peterson presided over the meeting (not Mayor Morris)
- Council expressed appreciation for Midwest Refrigerated Services’ generous $1,000 donation to the Eagle Scout project
- Meeting adjourned quickly at 6:13 p.m. after efficiently handling all business items
- Full council attendance (10 members present, 0 absent)