Rochelle local news summary

City plans public meeting on data center after resident opposition

City considers $2.7 million bond for airport hangar, tech center upgrades

Council awards contract for new electrical substation

Storm sewer improvements on North 14th Street approved

Tech center partners with local firm to generate new revenue

Renovations progressing at historic courthouse

City plans public meeting on data center after resident opposition

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The Rochelle City Council will hold a public meeting in November to address a potential data center project after several residents voiced strong opposition during Monday night’s meeting. One resident and Daniel Van Kirk raised concerns about the facility’s high water and electricity consumption, potential for noise and a perceived lack of transparency from the city. In response, city officials said a draft agreement would cap water usage at 100,000 gallons per day. They clarified that Rochelle Municipal Utilities' system averages about 3 million gallons per day with capacity around 9.5 million gallons per day, so the cap would be a small fraction of current production. Mayor Pro Tem Tom McDermott assured the public their questions would be addressed.

City considers $2.7 million bond for airport hangar, tech center upgrades

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The city is exploring issuance of $2.7 million in alternate revenue bonds to fund an eight-unit airplane hangar at the Rochelle Municipal Airport and critical electrical upgrades at the city’s Technology Center. Airport Manager Mike Hudetz said hangars are full with a waiting list of pilots. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said the bond would provide immediate capital while spreading repayment over a decade, preventing a strain on operating budgets. The council gave staff consensus to proceed with exploring bond rates.

Council awards contract for new electrical substation

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The City Council unanimously approved a contract with an electrical contractor for construction of the new Centerpoint Substation. The total approved expenditure is $7,673,358, which includes a 10 percent contingency for unforeseen site conditions. The bid came in just under the engineer’s estimate. The project includes the substation, an access road, fencing and related infrastructure. Officials said the immediate priority is building the foundation for the switchgear, which is scheduled for delivery in late November.

Storm sewer improvements on North 14th Street approved

ROCHELLE, Ill. — A contract for the first phase of the North 14th Street storm sewer improvement project was awarded to a local excavating firm for $374,069. The project will replace old and undersized storm sewers in the area. City Engineer Sam Tesreau said the work will traverse an easement on the St. Paul Lutheran School property and will be scheduled during colder months near the playground to minimize disruption; safety fencing will be installed. The contract includes a contingency of up to $73,000 for additional related improvements in the area.

Tech center partners with local firm to generate new revenue

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The City Council approved a licensing agreement with Digital Network Access Communications Inc., a local company, to generate new revenue at the city-owned Technology Center. The agreement allows the firm to co-locate equipment and use the city’s fiber network to provide services that Rochelle Municipal Utilities does not offer. The move follows efforts to find new revenue streams for the facility after the departure of a major tenant last year.

Renovations progressing at historic courthouse

OREGON, Ill. – The Ogle County Board received an update on ongoing renovations at the Historic Courthouse. Board member Don Griffin reported that an insurance adjuster has approved the painting of the basement and that revisions are being made to the office layouts for Animal Control and the Veterans Assistance Commission. The projects are part of a larger effort to update and maintain the landmark county building.

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