City council approves $11.9 million contract for transmission line, rejects low bid

RMU Electric Department earns national safety and reliability award

Council approves land sale for new hotel development

Deadline extended for South Main Street development

Railroad expansion land leased to local farmers

Moratorium on residential building permit fees extended

City extends economic development agreement with LCIDA

Industrial Task Force to meet regarding commercial sector

City council approves $11.9 million contract for transmission line, rejects low bid

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The Rochelle City Council voted 6-0 to award an $11,890,929 contract to Michels Power for the construction of a new transmission line connecting Ritchie Road and the Centerpoint Substation. The council rejected a lower bid of approximately $10.1 million from Helm Electric following a recommendation from BHMG Engineers. Blake Toliver, representing Rochelle Municipal Utilities, stated that while Helm Electric is a capable contractor, engineering consultants determined the firm did not have a demonstrated track record for transmission projects involving 69-kV poles and comparable technical complexity.

RMU Electric Department earns national safety and reliability award

ROCHELLE, Ill. — City officials announced that the Rochelle Municipal Utilities Electric Department has earned the RP3 Gold Designation Award from the American Public Power Association. The award recognizes public power utilities for proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvement. During the announcement, officials publicly thanked RMU staff and Blake Toliver for their dedication to maintaining high standards for the city's utility infrastructure.

Council approves land sale for new hotel development

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The council unanimously approved the sale of 2.5 acres of surplus city-owned land along Technology Parkway to Up Next Hospitality for the development of a new hotel. The land was sold for $2 per square foot, totaling $218,000. Pratyush Patel, representing Up Next Hospitality, is expected to lead the development near the city's tech center, where the city will facilitate the platting process to subdivide existing parcels for the new construction.

Deadline extended for South Main Street development

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The council granted an extension to Rochelle Hub, LLC regarding the development of a property at 1663 S. Main St., moving the Phase 1 completion deadline to June 30, 2026. The phase includes hard surfacing the corner area at Main Street and Stewart Road. City staff noted the developer requested the delay due to previous weather constraints, while the timelines for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the project remain unchanged.

Railroad expansion land leased to local farmers

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The council approved farm lease agreements with Kevin Herrmann and Petry Farms to cultivate approximately 55 acres of city-owned land originally purchased for future expansion of the Rochelle Intermodal Transload Center and a rail bridge. Interim City Manager Sam Tesreau explained that while plans for rail infrastructure are ongoing, the city will continue to generate revenue by leasing the land for agricultural use, receiving 6 percent of gross revenues.

Moratorium on residential building permit fees extended

ROCHELLE, Ill. — In an effort to stimulate housing growth, the council voted to extend a moratorium on imposing fees for residential building permits through the 2026 calendar year. The ordinance waives fees for new construction and substantial renovations of vacant properties that have been empty for over six months, provided the renovation costs exceed $15,000. City officials noted that the waiver is a strategic move to encourage development in the local housing market.

City extends economic development agreement with LCIDA

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The council approved a resolution extending an agreement with the Lee County Industrial Development Association (LCIDA) to provide economic development services through April 30, 2027. Under the extension, LCIDA will provide up to 25 hours per week of assistance to the city manager, with Tom Demmer continuing to oversee economic development duties. This arrangement follows the retirement of the city's former full-time economic development director in late 2024.

Industrial Task Force to meet regarding commercial sector

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The city announced the revival of the Industrial Task Force meetings, now organized in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, with a meeting for commercial and industrial stakeholders scheduled for Thursday at 8 a.m. at The 302, located at 410 Cherry Ave. The task force aims to facilitate communication and address issues relevant to the city's industrial base.

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