City Council
Sep 14, 2026
The lede
- The City Council voted 9-0 to designate Perry Elementary School at 633 W. Perry Street as a local landmark following discussion of the building’s history.
- Three residents spoke during public comment opposing a potential data center in Belvidere, prompting Mayor Morris to address the possibility of such a facility coming to the city.
- The council approved $63,845 to replace flooring inside City Hall, to be paid for with impact fees.
- The council accepted the city’s annual audit for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026.
Decisions & votes
Landmark designation for Perry Elementary School — The council voted 9-0 to designate the school building at 633 W. Perry Street as a local landmark. (Ayes: Albertini, Brereton, Fleury, Frank, Gramkowski, Hoiness, McGee, Peterson, Stevens)
Safe Routes to Belvidere School engineering contract — The council voted 9-0 to approve a proposal from C.E.S. Inc. for up to $31,000 to complete preliminary and design engineering for the 2025 Safe Routes to Belvidere Schools project, to be paid from Public Benefit Funds. The grant will be funded with Federal and IDOT money. (Ayes: Brereton, Fleury, Frank, Gramkowski, Hoiness, McGee, Peterson, Stevens, Albertini)
City audit approval — The council approved the audit presented by Sikich CPA LLC for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026, by voice vote. Discussion included matters related to Ida Public Library.
City Hall flooring replacement — The council voted 9-0 to approve a $63,845 proposal from Lonnie’s Carpet Max for interior flooring replacement at City Hall, to be paid from Impact Fees. Discussion covered where carpet and tile will be installed. (Ayes: Fleury, Frank, Gramkowski, Hoiness, McGee, Peterson, Stevens, Albertini, Brereton)
Fire Department Open House street closure — The council approved by voice vote closing State Street from Meadow Street to the north side of the State Street Bridge on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and authorized use of the State Street Bridge as the landing location for a medical helicopter during the Fire Department Open House. Discussion addressed public safety concerns with a helicopter landing on the bridge.
Discussion items
Three residents—Teresa Stein, Bonita Gerdes, and Ruth Haberstich—spoke during public comment in opposition to a data center. Mayor Morris responded by speaking about the possibility of a data center coming to Belvidere.
The Building Director, Community Development Planner, and Public Works Director each presented updates to the council.
The council did not move into executive session despite it being listed on the agenda to discuss collective bargaining matters.
Financial / operational notes
The $31,000 engineering contract for the Safe Routes to Belvidere Schools project will be paid from Public Benefit Funds, with the actual grant funded by Federal and IDOT money.
The $63,845 City Hall flooring replacement will be paid from Impact Fees.