City Council
Jun 15, 2026
The lede
- Approved approximately $3 million in expenditures ($1.76M General/Special Fund; $1.26M Water/Sewer Fund)
- Passed ordinance transferring Santa Claus House to Belvidere Township Park District for permanent display at Dottie Park
- Approved equipment purchases including walk-behind saw ($21,132), Bobcat Toolcat work machine ($80,195), and SCBA fill station/storage system ($23,145)
- Accepted $20,180 grant from Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal for fire equipment
- Placed four special use permit ordinances on file for first reading (oversized garage, outdoor storage, commercial entertainment, mural)
Decisions & votes
Expenditures approved (10-0 on each):
- General & Special Fund: $1,756,804.92
- Water & Sewer Fund: $1,260,065.15
Ord. #766H (10-0, with Brereton voting nay per minutes but transcript indicates 10 in favor): Authorized intergovernmental agreement transferring Santa Claus House structure to Belvidere Township Park District. Note: Scrivener’s error identified - “Santa Clause” should read “Santa Claus.”
Equipment purchases (all 10-0):
- Husqvarna walk-behind saw from Esch Construction Supply: $21,132.12 (Water Depreciation Account)
- 2026 Bobcat UWS6 Toolcat from Bobcat of Rockford: $80,194.84 (split between Depreciation $79,355.04 and Sewer Expense $839.80)
- MAKO SCBA fill station and cascade storage from Air One Equipment: $23,145 ($20,180 from FY26 Small Equipment Grant; $2,965 from capital funds)
Res. #2026-18 (10-0): Directed Planning Department to publish annual City of Belvidere Zoning Map (note: numbered 2026-17 on resolution but 2026-18 on agenda)
Minutes approved unanimously: June 1, 2026 regular meeting; June 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole
Discussion items
Santa Claus House transfer: Originally an Eagle Scout project by Charlie Beckel, structure currently housed in Leith building but difficult to move (required staying until after 1:00 a.m. during last transport). Park District will pour permanent slab at Dottie Park; structure already wired with breaker panel. Will enhance Christmas walk programming.
Fire equipment grant: State Fire Marshal grant for $20,180 was unexpected—city did not initially think it would receive award.
Zoning map updates: Annual publication required by state. Changes include boundary line cleanups near St. James Cemetery and Walmart area, plus recent annexations.
Block party/street closure request: Alderman Peterson inquired; item scheduled for next council meeting for final approval.
Executive session: Scheduled executive session for collective bargaining matters cancelled due to absent parties; will reschedule when all participants available.
Financial / operational notes
Total appropriations approved: $3,016,870.07 across all funds
Equipment procurement: Husqvarna saw was low bid with all bidders quoting same specifications.
Grant leverage: Fire department successfully leveraged $20,180 state grant to cover 87% of $23,145 SCBA equipment cost, with only $2,965 local match required.
Water/Sewer capital: Major equipment purchases funded from depreciation accounts rather than operating budgets.
Public comment
No content.
Notable moments
Mayor Morris corrected spelling error during council discussion, changing “Santa Clause” to “Santa Claus” in ordinance title after Alderman Peterson’s observation about the “clause” versus Christmas icon.
Mayor joked about the spelling correction, quipping “I can spell Mayor Peter…Alderman Peterson, Mayor Peterson, Ex-Mayor Peterson.”
Meeting adjourned efficiently at 6:20 p.m., only 20 minutes after 6:00 p.m. start time.