The Rochelle City Council agreed to help fund a community branding project. At last night’s meeting the City approved a funding commitment of $50,000 toward an agreement for professional services with Roger Brooks International. $30,000 will come from the City and the other $20,000 from Tourism. The Company, Roger Brooks, has had overwhelming success in creating public sector branding and the firm has outlined a 12-step process to help the City of Rochelle. This contribution will be the foundation for the branding initiative. GREDCO has already voted to contribute $10,000 to the project. The City and GREDCO are part of a Brand Development Team that hopes to enable Rochelle to become a destination of choice for economic development and business growth, and an outstanding place to live and a premier visitor destination. The other part of the Team are the Flagg Rochelle Park District, RTHS, Rochelle Community Consolidated District #231, Rochelle Community Hospital, and The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.
Jason Anderson of GREDCO said that by hiring and moving forward with Roger Brooks International, the City and its residents can expect to attract commercial and residential developers, downtown redevelopment, hospital growth, youth leadership and a unified state of mind. The Council approved the funding on a unanimous vote.
Also last night, the Council approved a rezoning request from Rochelle Community Hospital. The property at 800 North 2nd Street will be rezoned from R-2 to R-4 and have a special use permit issued to allow the hospital to expand its campus. The Hospital plans to demolish the existing dwelling to facilitate the expansion of its medical facility.
The Council also approved an ordinance to prohibit parking along the south side of 7th Avenue between Lincoln Highway and Main Street. Parking in that area, near Lincoln Manor, will still be available to residents on the north side of 7th Avenue and Main Street.
Also, The Council approved a resolution expressing intent to reimburse capital expenditures from proceeds of an obligation issued by the City. RMU has three capital projects for potential funding through an electric revenue bond. The approval will allow all project costs paid within 60 days prior to or any time after the passage of the resolution to be reimbursed to RMU Electric through bond proceeds. The costs of the projects are yet to be determined because original estimates were reported last night to be too low.
And the Council approved an ordinance amending Signs used by businesses and residents in the City. This will enable the City to better administer and enforce sign ordinances.
