City Council
Sep 21, 2026
The lede
- The City Council held its regular meeting on September 21, 2026, with nine members present and one absent.
- Most public comment focused on concerns about a proposed data center project called “Project Hawkeye” near Genoa Road, with residents raising questions about property values, health impacts, water usage, and infrastructure strain.
- The council honored code enforcement officer Cara Wetzel, who is retiring after 20 years with the city.
- The council approved nearly $6 million in general and special fund expenditures, including pension payments and a $2 million certificate of deposit.
Decisions & votes
Four-way stop installation (Ordinance 783H) - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council approved converting the intersection of East Perry Street and Webster Street from a two-way stop to a four-way stop intersection.
Engineering proposal for Safe Routes to Schools - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council approved a proposal from CES, Inc. not to exceed $31,000 for preliminary and design engineering for the 2025 Safe Routes to Belvidere Schools project, to be paid from public benefit funds.
Fiscal year 2026 audit - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council accepted and approved the audit presented by Sikich for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026.
City Hall flooring project - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council approved a proposal from Lonnie Carpet Max for $63,845 for interior flooring at City Hall, to be paid from impact fees.
Fire department open house helicopter landing - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council authorized closure of State Street from Meadow Street to the north side of 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 a medical helicopter landing location for the fire department open house.
General and special fund expenditures - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council approved $5,972,955.49 in expenditures.
Water and sewer fund expenditures - Passed unanimously 9-0 The council approved $1,197,959.18 in expenditures.
Meeting minutes - Passed (voice vote) The council approved minutes from the September 8, 2026 regular meeting and the September 14, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Discussion items
Data center concerns: Multiple residents raised questions about Project Hawkeye, a proposed data center development. Residents asked whether the project had been part of the mayor’s campaign platform, requested a referendum vote, asked about annexation status and land purchases, and raised concerns about property values, noise pollution, health impacts from electromagnetic waves, water consumption, electricity demands, and traffic on Genoa Road. One resident suggested people file Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain more information.
General fund expenditure inquiry: Alderman Burton asked why the month’s general and special fund expenditures totaled nearly $6 million, unusually high for a single month. Finance Director Turnipseed explained this included payments to fire and police pensions plus opening a $2 million certificate of deposit.
Fire engine repairs: Alderman Peterson asked about $13,055 in repairs to Engine 102. Fire Chief Shadel explained these were accumulated maintenance items that built up while Engine 101 was out of service for four and a half months following an accident, including regular annual maintenance, pump test, brake work, siren repair, mirror replacement, and cab seat replacement.
Helicopter landing safety: Discussion about safety protocols for landing a medical helicopter at the fire department open house. Fire Chief Shadel outlined FAA guidelines, explained the flight crew makes the final go/no-go decision, noted they only successfully land about a third of the time due to weather, and committed to a 200-foot setback (increased from the previous 150 feet) and a safety checklist that must be completed before the event.
City Hall flooring bids: Alderman Burton asked why Stateline Flooring, which had done previous fire department work, was not included in bids. Staff explained they had reached out to four companies but Stateline did not submit a proposal. Alderwoman Gracowski asked about local companies; staff said they had asked one other local company (Gary’s) but did not receive a proposal.
Financial / operational notes
The general and special fund expenditures of nearly $6 million included fire pension payment, police pension payment, and a $2 million certificate of deposit investment.
The Safe Routes to Schools engineering work will be paid from public benefit funds.
The City Hall flooring project will be paid from impact fees. The winning bid of $63,845 was approximately $20,000-$30,000 lower than the other three bids received.
Engine 102 repairs totaled $13,055, with the largest items being rear brakes ($3,800) and siren repair ($3,494).
The city uses Legacy Fire for engine repairs because they are an authorized dealer for Alexus fire engines and have direct access to parts.
The library reported issuing 166 new library cards during September (Library Card Signup Month).
City Hall’s front sidewalk on Day Street was torn up for cement replacement work, with doors closed temporarily. The work had been delayed because cement contractors were busy throughout the summer.
The library’s bookmobile shelter construction is complete and awaiting electrical work for security cameras and motion detector lights.
Public comment
Jeff Holy (7272 Huber Road): Asked what benefits the data center would provide to Belvidere, Boone County, and Spring Township. Said his property directly adjoins the proposed site and expressed concern about property values, lifestyle impacts, and traffic disruption on Genoa Road for five to eight years. Asked if the project could be placed on a referendum for the November ballot. Noted he did not get to vote for the mayor and didn’t hear about the data center during campaign season. Encouraged residents to file Freedom of Information Act requests.
Kay Wilson (525 Appleton Road): Said she has lived in Boone County for 87 years and is concerned about data center effects on family and community. Called for research on existing data centers before building more, including impacts on animals, wildlife, environment, air and water quality, noise, and economy. Noted concerns about AI dangers and referenced a Cherry Valley meeting where Microsoft showed a map indicating construction would start in 2027. Asked if annexation has already occurred and if Project Hawkeye has purchased land. Thanked the mayor for gathering facts and asked that the public be kept informed.
Doug Weir (4623 Fernwood Road): Said he is 76 years old with all his money invested in his house and property. Expressed concern that property values will “drop like a rock” and nobody will want to buy his house if the data center is built. Suggested putting it in an industrial area like Route 20 near Cherry Valley instead. Questioned whether residents would get tax breaks, noting that data centers typically receive large tax incentives. Said his tax bill never went down when Walmart, a tollway gas station, General Mills, and other developments were built. Called the project “a total eyesore.”
Cheryl Buck (8635 Huber Road): Asked how the center would benefit Belvidere and Boone County and how long before benefits are realized. Asked about tax decreases. Inquired whether there is a local law addressing buffer zones due to large generators running 24/7. Listed health concerns including hearing loss, stress, insomnia, high blood pressure, headaches, respiratory and heart risks, and childhood leukemia linked to electromagnetic waves. Noted schools are close to the proposed site. Raised concerns about farming impacts, wildlife habitat loss, decreased water availability, and increased electricity demands. Said she and her husband retired to live in the country and wants her grandchildren to experience the wildlife.
Ruth Hobstich: Said she Googled information about AI and data centers, finding “systemic community” problems embedded throughout the entire system. Cited environmental and infrastructure concerns from hundreds of data centers operating or planned in Illinois (estimates vary from 164 to over 244 projects). Listed problems including massive energy consumption, high utility bills, grid upgrade costs shifted to residential customers, millions of gallons of daily water use, noise pollution from cooling fans, and diesel generator emissions producing odors and particulates. Referenced Thailand stopping 166 data centers after one leaked oil into city drains. Noted at least six counties and nine cities in Illinois have enacted temporary moratoriums. Criticized the mayor’s statement about not having facts, saying representatives should research on their own. Criticized what she characterized as the mayor’s unprofessional treatment of an alderman’s question at the previous week’s meeting.
Teresa Stein: Reiterated concerns expressed by previous speakers and asked the mayor why he is “bringing this to our attention” and trying to do “anything.”
One audience member also asked from the floor “Do you even hear us out here?” The mayor responded that he heard fine but that public comment is not a debate and the council has a meeting to run.
Notable moments
Community Development Director Craig Wilcox announced the retirement of code enforcement officer Cara Wetzel after 20 years with the city. He praised her work as “so out of character” because she is kind and not confrontational, saying she “wins over” property owners “with her charm” and for those she fails to win over “she just meets them in court.” The mayor agreed, calling hers “probably the toughest job in the city” because people don’t always see rules the way they’re written and enforced. The announcement received applause.
Ida Public Library Director Mindy Long and Assistant Director Daisy gave a presentation on library programs and services. Long reminded county residents they can get no-fee library cards for digital services and that children ages 3-18 in Boone County can get free cards. She brought treat bags for council members containing craft kits, pens, and chocolate from the “staff stress drawer” (the library keeps two chocolate drawers labeled “staff stress drawer” - one regular chocolate, one zero-sugar). Long joked about her retirement plans: “hopefully in a year. Maybe two years. It might end up being two years. I hope it’s a year.” She also reminded attendees that library events are free and no library card is required to attend.
During discussion of a chess club, Alderman Burton noted Rockford Public Library has been promoting theirs. Long explained they tried a chess night for six months but got very low attendance of two to three people, though said “maybe we could try it again in the winter.”
Fire Chief Shadel explained extensive safety protocols for the helicopter landing at the open house, noting the helicopter only successfully lands about a third of the time due to weather restrictions and that “the only way to not have any risk is to not do anything.” He committed to not allowing the landing if safety requirements couldn’t be met, saying “The last thing I would want to do is take a risk for something that is a family fun community event and have it go against our mission of saving lives and property.”
The meeting opened with an invocation that prayed for military service members “heroes in the war against Iran in hopes of finally securing a safe future for America, the Middle East, and the entire world.”
The mayor noted at the end that he was still hopeful for an executive session on an unspecified matter but “progress is slow.”