WEBVTT

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Bringing us to this night, we're grateful for the ability to meet through the storm

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and the cleanup today. We're grateful for the good work of the crews and the safety there.

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And Lord, we are grateful for You who we owe our lives and our health and our safety to.

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you. Lord tonight, pray that you bless this meeting. Lord, many are the plans of man,

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but it's by your blessing that they are actually accomplished. Lord, I thank you for the servants

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here tonight sitting around these tables, these desks, and Lord, I thank you for their

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gifts and their willingness to serve. And we thank you that despite the differences

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Among Us. We serve one place, one city. We pray that you'd help us to do that or that we would keep love of neighbor alive among us, a willingness to turn the other cheek, a willingness to serve in the midst of differences for a common goal. And Father, pray that you'd give your blessings tonight on the deliberations here. Lord, we thank you for swearing in tonight. We thank

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Thank you for the fire department and the police force for our first responders. We pray that you'd continue to give them success and safety. Help them to bless our people, our city with their service and may we be a blessing to them. And so we ask your blessing tonight. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Amen.

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Thank you. The meeting will be called to order at 6.01. Mayor Miller is absent tonight. Alderpersons, Klemm?

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Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders is absent, Sellers, and in the

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mayor's absence could I have a motion to appoint a chairperson pro tem? I would

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make the motion to approve Alderman Shadle as mayor pro tem. Second. All in

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favor say aye aye anyone opposed chair the meeting is yours thank you and

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could you join us in the Pledge of Allegiance led by Parker thank you that

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That leads us to item one is the approval of the agenda.

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So move.

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Second.

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Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers.

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All in favor?

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Aye.

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Opposed?

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That passes.

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And item two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on February 17th of 2026.

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So move.

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Second.

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Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers to approve.

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All in favor?

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Aye.

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Aye.

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And opposed?

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That motion passes.

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Item three is Fire Department Promotions, prevented by Chief Cordy.

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Chief.

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Fire Department Host, on behalf of the City of Freeport Police and Fire Commission, we

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We want to honor you tonight for the work well done for the City of Freeport and the Fire

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Department.

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The City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all whom these present chair,

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Travis Holtz, have been duly appointed to the position of Lieutenant in and for the

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City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson and the State of Illinois for the term from

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from the 16th day of March, 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and

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qualified.

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He is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his

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said office according to law and the ordinances of said city and all persons are required

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to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police

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Commission.

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Be safe.

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Travis was hired August 24th 2012. He's an advanced certified firefighter, paramedic,

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instructor to fire apparatus engineer, company fire officer, and hazardous

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materials technician. He's also trained in rope operations and vehicle machinery.

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He's got an associate's degree in fire science at Rock Valley College. He

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received a life-saving award for the fire 202 and a half West Main

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Street. He previously ran the department's fire explorer program and adopt a

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hydrant programs. He's been member of the foreign fire board for four years. He's a

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lifelong Freeport resident, graduated from Freeport High School. He's married to

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Desi and this is their son Trey. Public comments on agenda items, none's listed.

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Go to the consent agenda, all items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion.

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There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member so requests in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the consent agenda.

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and it consists of approval to receive and place on file minutes of the committee board and commission meetings of

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Art and Culture Commission, January 8th, 2026, Liquor Commission, December 11th, 2025 and February 12th, 2026,

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Fire Department Report, February 2026, Building Permit Report, February 2026,

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CDBG Housing Rehab Grant Invoices, February 26, 2026, March 12, 2026

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Approval of the Finance Bills Payable, packet 8081, 8083, 8085, and 8086

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and unnamed or unnumbered packet invoices to be approved for payment

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Register February 26th of 2026 through March 12th of 2026

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Totalling $1,387,372.98

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Approval of payroll for pay period ending March 7th, 2026

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In the amount of $569,813.98

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with fringe benefit payments in the amount of one hundred and forty thousand four hundred and twenty four dollars and twenty eight cents for a total of seven hundred and ten thousand two hundred and thirty eight dollars and twenty six cents do I have a motion to approve motion by Parker second by Johnson Alderman Stacy what are the

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What are the unnumbered packets? What do they consist of? Unnumbered packets?

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Would you be able to answer that, Director Rickman?

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So, unnumbered means we haven't run them yet. So the invoices that are in your packet, there's a report of the largest packet, the million dollar one.

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There's a list of every invoice that's going to be paid there and with your approval tonight

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I'll be able to run those tomorrow.

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And what if it exceeds what was approved?

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The amounts are set, they're in your packet.

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The amount of the invoices are set, they're in the packet.

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There's a listing of every single invoice that I would like to pay and with the consent

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agenda being passed tonight.

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Then I will run them tomorrow.

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Chair.

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Oh, and Stacy, are you following?

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No, I don't, but I will.

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There's invoices that she just hasn't numbered.

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There's invoices that she just hasn't numbered into a packet.

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There's invoices that she needs to pay.

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They're just not in a numbered packet.

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I'm assuming they'd be smaller than the larger ones that have a packet assigned to them.

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The reason they don't have a number yet is the computer has not generated a number because

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they haven't been paid.

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So once I enter, tell the computer, okay, pay these invoices, it'll give me a packet

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number.

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Oh, gotcha.

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That makes sense.

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Chairman Shadle.

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Okay.

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And those amounts and those packet numbers match what all of you sign, and here that

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goes to the finance department as well, this all lines up with that.

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Okay.

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Okay.

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Okay.

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Madam Clerk, can you call the roll on that?

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Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons.

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The motion passes 7-0.

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Thank you.

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That moves to item six is appointments, appointment of Shelly Grigoroff to fill a vacant seat on

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and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, effective through April 30th of 2027.

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The appointment of Scott Arnold to the Police Pension Fund Board, effective through April

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30th of 2028.

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Appointment of Scott Arnold to the Firefighters Pension Board Fund Board, effective through

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April 30th, 2029.

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Reappointment of Robert Bush to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, effective

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through April 30th of 2029. And with approval, we'd do this in one motion.

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Yes, unless somebody wants somebody separate. And is it by voice, Attorney Zito?

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By roll call? Okay.

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Motion to approve.

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Second.

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Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers. Is any discussion? If you could take the roll.

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Parker?

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Aye.

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Stacy?

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Aye.

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Shadle?

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Aye.

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Sellers?

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Aye.

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Klemm?

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Aye.

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Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And that motion passes seven to zero. Thank you and that leads us to

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the second reading of ordinance 2026-12 if you could. Ordinance adopting zoning map.

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By Director Heimerdinger please. Thank you. The Illinois compiled statues requires a map to be

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We show this in our first reading, where we have five amendments that went through Zoning Board of Appeals and also Planning Commission, and then were approved by council.

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And then we have two inaccuracies that were identified this year.

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We staff recommends the adoption of the 2025 official zoning map.

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So move.

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Second? And is there any discussion? Madam Clerk, could you take the roll? I missed the second time, sorry. This is actually second reading up, so there'd actually be a motion to second. You're right, thank you.

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Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders?

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You're just going to abstain for that one? Okay Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye.

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And Simmons? Aye. And the ordinance passes 7-0. With one abstention. I'm sorry? With

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one abstention, 7-0 with one exemption. Thank you. Us at 6-13. Thank you. All right. Item

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Room Number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-13.

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Ordinance amending Chapter 1448, Erosion Control Permits.

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Manager Boyer.

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Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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Last meeting on March 9th, staff was available.

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We went over the amendments to Chapter 1448, MS4 Stormwater Erosion Control Permits.

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As mentioned during that time, the proposed amendments establish clear permit classifications

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based on project size and type of land use disturbance.

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The ordinance strengthens erosion and sediment control plans and requires requirements to

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ensure appropriate best management practices are designed and implemented.

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The amendments also clarify inspections, reporting, and documentation standards for

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regulated sites.

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In addition, the ordinance expands enforcement authority, including the issuance of stop

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Park orders when necessary. These changes ensure continued compliance with the IEPA

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and MS4 stormwater obligations while improving regulatory clarity and staff recommends moving

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this forward to a second reading.

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So move. Second.

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Have a motion by Sellers, second by Johnson, Ohm.

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Discussion chair.

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Discussion now.

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Discussion.

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I just wanted to mention that, uh, uh, we had a comments from, uh, Ms.

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Johnson and, uh, we took those into advisement and, and changes were made to

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the alternating MS4 ordinances that are on tonight based on her comments.

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So those changes were made on that then?

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Yes.

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Thank you.

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Any other discussion?

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Item nine, first reading of ordinance 2026-14, Madam Clerk.

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One second.

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Ordinance Amending Part 6, General Offenses, Chapter 660, Additional Hazardous Materials,

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Section 660.02, Definitions, 660.05, Prohibition, and Adding Sections, 660.09, Injunctive Relief

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and Administrative Hearing, 660.10, Access to Premises, 660.11, Notification of Discharge,

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660.12, Notice of Violation, 660.13, Suspension of Activities, and 660.14, Abatement Costs.

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Do I have a motion?

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So we would do...

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Staff will go first.

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Oh, I'm sorry.

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It's okay.

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Manager Boyer.

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Thank you, Alderman Shadle.

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The proposed amendments revise specific provisions within Chapter 660, Declare five regulatory

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So I'll move.

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Second.

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in the code and remove outdated or conflicting provisions.

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The amendments also strengthen enforcement authority

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where necessary and ensure alignment

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with current state regulations and city practices.

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Overall, the revisions improve clarity for residents,

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contractors, and staff supporting the effective implementation

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of the ordinance by our compliance officer

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and staff recommends moving forward to second reading.

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So move.

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Second.

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Motion by seller, second by Parker.

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Is there any discussion? Thank you. We'll go to item 10, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-15.

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Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services, Title 4, Utilities, Chapter 1046, Sewers Generally, Section 1046.59,

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Discharge of Storms, Surface, or Groundwater into Sanitary Sewers, and amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services,

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Title IV, Utilities, Chapter 1050, Storm Sewers, Section 1050.08, Illicit Discharge.

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Thank you, Alderman Shadle.

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The proposed changes to Section 1046.59 clarify prohibited connections to the sanitary sewer

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and strengthens the City's authority to require corrective action.

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The amendments in Section 1050.08 update the definition of illicit discharge and reinforce

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the City's authority to investigate and enforce violations.

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These revisions are necessary to maintain compliance with the updated MS-4 permit and

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protect the city's wastewater and stormwater systems.

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Staff recommends moving this to second reading.

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I need a motion and a second.

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So moved.

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Motion by Sellers.

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Second.

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Seconded by Johnson.

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Is there any discussion?

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Is this the one pertaining to going into the houses, if necessary?

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I believe it is.

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No, it's 660.

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Is it not?

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No.

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10?

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That was 660.

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You're right.

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That's what it's talking about.

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I believe that was number nine.

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Yeah, it was.

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That was number nine.

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That was, the one was item nine.

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It was one before that.

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No, so that's not this one.

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This one concerns hazardous dumping into storms or on the street or things like that.

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on the street or things like that, similar to the situation that we had over in your ward.

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Right.

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But this would also pertain to the human feces in backyards, number 10 or number nine.

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Number nine is more appropriate to that hazardous waste.

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Okay.

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Alderman Sanders.

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Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Are we also talking about dumping into the storms, storm waters by residential or commercial or manufacturers? We are making reference to those types of facilities. Am I right about that?

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What about the city doing discharges when it comes to rain back up, storm water back up, and it also compacts the sewer system as well when we have this kind of flooding going on within the city and we have to dump the water from manhole to storm sewer.

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What are the, what is the compliance there? Are we in violation when that happens?

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Because we can't say to residents, you can't do it, but yet the city has no other choice but to do it.

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I just wanted to know what kind of standards do we have for that?

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Well, as it's related to this ordinance, obviously this is basically updating our stormwater codes

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to align with best practices from the EPA because we are a MS4 community at this time

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and have been since I think 2020.

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As far as illicit discharge, illicit discharges are prohibited.

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Yeah, when you say illicit discharge.

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Not Permitted Discharges.

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I'll break it down more clearly so everybody can understand when you say illicit because

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illicit has a variance to it.

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Who can and who can't.

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And still let's be more specific when we say that because we're talking about something

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that is contaminating our water source into the river.

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I just want to know how we're handling that. What is our protocol for handling those kinds of situations?

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:54.759
I can engage you afterwards on that, but we just spent $60 million on a Phase 1 wastewater plan upgrade to deal with that.

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.759
Okay. Okay. Thank you.

00:22:56.759 --> 00:23:00.139
Anything else?

00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:02.139
I don't

00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.139
Call them in, Stacy?

00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:08.139
I don't like the idea of talking with Alderman Sanders

00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:13.380
off the record after the meeting

00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:18.380
when the public is wanting to hear answers and process now.

00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:26.819
Now I want to know the understanding of elicited

00:23:26.819 --> 00:24:03.460
and who has the right and who don't have the right and in what situations do, are you granted the right and where are we, what manholes are we poisoning and what side of town are they being directed to, City Manager Boyer?

00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:11.279
This isn't related to this, but this isn't related to this stormwater. We're basically

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:17.740
bringing stormwater regulations in line with state requirements. I'm not sure what other

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:23.339
person states he's referring to specifically. So again, this isn't an open forum to discuss

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:26.059
everything under the sun or just on this agenda item.

00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:36.000
Okay. I'm not asking him to discuss everything under the sun. And I will be respected.

00:24:36.000 --> 00:25:02.139
Okay. First reading of Ordinance 2026-17. Madam Clerk. I have 16 next in sequential order. Is that okay? Oh, did I get ahead of one? You might have. Item 11. First reading of Ordinance 2026-16.

00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:07.579
Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services Code, Title 4, Utilities,

00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:14.180
Chapter 1040, Utilities Generally, Section 1040-07A and Section 1040-07B, Connection

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:18.740
Required Aligning with New Julie Laws.

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.740
Thank you.

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.740
Manager Boyer?

00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.139
Thank you, Your Honor.

00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:28.160
So Julie is our, essentially the services does the locates for any kind of excavation

00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.839
in town.

00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.579
Many people are familiar with it.

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:37.759
You would call Julie if you wanted to fix a water service line or maybe put a deck in.

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:43.400
And the city has to respond rapidly to Julie requests that come in for contractors' work

00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:45.619
that go on throughout the city.

00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:51.259
So the 2026 amendments to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act require

00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:55.779
that all newly installed or replaced water and sewer service lines be electronically

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:57.839
traceable and locatable.

00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:02.839
What that means is from here on out we need to put locator tape or locator wire in when

00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:10.440
we do excavations and install new sewer or water service lines or sewer services.

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:14.639
This is now the laws of January 26 and all communities must comply.

00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:19.319
In the past, certain private service laterals were not required to include tracer wire or

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:25.119
other locating technology which creates difficulties during excavation and utility marking.

00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:28.319
Huffines must continue to be coordinated through Julie.

00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:33.440
The updated law expands the responsibility of the private service owner to ensure that

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:38.139
underground infrastructure is properly installed, locatable, and maintained in the right of

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:42.599
way and on private property for all new installations or repairs.

00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:48.119
The proposed ordinance amends and updates the city code to reflect the state requirements.

00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:53.440
The changes will require tracer wire, as mentioned before, or approved locating technology for

00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:57.839
for applicable water and sewer service lines and make compliance a condition of permanent

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.920
issuance and final inspection.

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:05.240
So aligning local regulations with state law improves excavation safety, reduces the risk

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:09.839
of utility damage and service disruptions, and provides clear standards for contractors,

00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:12.880
developers, and property owners operating within the city.

00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:17.160
And staff recommends moving this on to second reading.

00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.160
Thank you.

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:20.480
I have a motion to approve.

00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.480
So move.

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.480
Moving on.

00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:31.480
Motion by Johnson, second by Sellers, and discussion, Alderman Sanders.

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:41.480
Yeah, did I hear you right about even with repairs, they should sit down tracer wires, some form of tracer wire even during a repair.

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:43.480
In certain circumstances.

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:45.480
These are the new laws.

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.480
Okay.

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:56.450
Nothing else. We'll move to item 12. First reading of ordinance 202617.

00:27:56.450 --> 00:28:04.450
Ordinance approving a special use permit to allow adult use cannabis dispensing facility at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A.

00:28:04.450 --> 00:28:09.450
And presented by Director Heimerdinger, please.

00:28:09.450 --> 00:28:28.450
Thank you so much. Staff received a special use permit application on February 10th, 2026 from Botavi Wellness LLC to allow an adult use cannabis dispensary organization at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A here in Freeport, Illinois.

00:28:28.450 --> 00:28:44.450
The property is within the B3 Commercial and Wholesale Business District, Section 1252.05B4 of the City Freeport Zoning Code states that adult use cannabis dispensing organizations require a special use permit.

00:28:44.450 --> 00:28:52.450
In 2019, the City Council passed an ordinance to allow adult use cannabis facilities in the City of Freeport.

00:28:52.450 --> 00:29:01.450
The special use permit is to examine the property and determine if the physical characteristics of the site are appropriate for the proposed use.

00:29:01.450 --> 00:29:11.450
The petitioner would like to open an adult use cannabis dispensary organization, which would be the first dispensary in Freeport and the only dispensary in Stevenson County.

00:29:11.450 --> 00:29:21.450
The state of Illinois has expressively predicted local authority, including home law authority, as to the licensing and operations of cannabis businesses.

00:29:21.450 --> 00:29:29.409
The state has, however, allowed local municipalities to regulate the siting of these businesses.

00:29:29.409 --> 00:29:37.170
The City of Freeport in 2019 exercised this authority and enacted Chapter 1274, adult

00:29:37.170 --> 00:29:42.329
use cannabis, in their codified ordinances.

00:29:42.329 --> 00:29:49.250
Specifically, the City of Freeport requires 1,500 feet between a dispensary and any school,

00:29:49.250 --> 00:29:55.529
Nursery or a licensed daycare facility and 300 feet from any residential district.

00:29:55.529 --> 00:29:56.529
In addition,

00:29:56.529 --> 00:30:10.000
In addition to the distance requirement, the City of Freeport only permits adult-use cannabis dispensary organizations by use in two zoning districts, B3 Commercial and Wholesale Business, and Riverfront redevelopment zoning districts.

00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:19.000
After applying these restrictions, only a few locations in Freeport meet the established requirements, and the proposed location is one of them.

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:32.000
The property where the permit is requested is the Formal Rosati's Pizza and is the only vacant unit on the parcer and the only vacant unit in the shopping center.

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:37.000
Adequate parking exists in this location to accommodate expected occupancy.

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:42.000
Traffic to the main corridors is not expected to be significantly impacted,

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:55.759
Pacted, as even at peak, traffic flow to this type of business is small compared to the traffic already handled at this location for the big box retailers, which is Walmart and Menards, who currently operate there.

00:30:56.119 --> 00:31:03.839
The shopping center in which this dispensary would be located is situated along South Route 26 corridor.

00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:22.119
As such, visitors to the City of Freeport will be traveling through the major commercial corridors, potentially increasing businesses all along the main routes, and particularly around Route 26 West Street corridor for visitors entering the north along the heavily traveled Route 20 tourist corridor.

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:52.119
The petitioner will have to comply and adhere to the City of Freeport's ordinances regarding zoning, which in the packet that was attached to today's agenda, there's an Appendix B that outlines that, and as a condition of the licensing, the petitioner will also have to comply with all state and regulations concerning adult use dispensary organizations, some way of which can be found on Appendix B,

00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:59.279
within that packet, and then on March 5th in 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended

00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:04.799
the approval by a vote of five yeas, one nay, and zero abstentions.

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:11.559
On March 12th, the Planning Commission recommended approval for a vote of six yeas and zero nays.

00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:18.819
I will bring your attention to some of the appendix items.

00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:28.619
The first one, Appendix A, which is not on the screen yet, but this outlines the petitioner's

00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:37.940
ability to comply with Chapter 1274, which was adopted by the City of Freeport in 2019,

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:45.860
which outlines how a cannabis dispensing organization should sit within the City of Freeport and

00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:50.819
outlines its compliance within those restrictions.

00:32:50.819 --> 00:33:02.220
And then we go to Appendix B, which is a summary of security features for these types of businesses.

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:07.480
They have very stringent rules by the state.

00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:13.059
As you can see there on the very first one, the colored floor plan up above, you can see

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:17.779
that they enter that green, um, that's a check-in room.

00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:22.339
Uh, you have to be 21 to enter this facility.

00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:26.220
If you are, if you enter and you're not 21, they will immediately

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:28.339
escort you out and you will be asked to leave.

00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:33.619
Um, the first thing that you do is you come into that locked vestibule,

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:38.500
uh, the check-in space and that's where you would process your ID to verify your

00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:11.220
for the type that you want.

00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:13.539
There's no actual product.

00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:18.380
It's just kind of showing you what you could have.

00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:23.500
From there, you would then speak to the staff

00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:29.860
and ask them to show them what you are actually looking for

00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:32.059
and what the product you want.

00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:37.579
And then they would be able to go and get that from the vault.

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:43.300
Now in this floor plan, you can see a bunch of cones in the corners that outline security.

00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:48.579
So every square inch of this place is monitored.

00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:57.300
And in fact, the Illinois State Police has access to the camera system at all times without

00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:59.699
a warrant or permission.

00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:03.220
So people, everything is monitored.

00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:14.920
The vault that you see is the pink on the right side of your screen right after the yellow.

00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:18.400
And that is where all the product is kept.

00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:21.659
They have to do inventory every single day.

00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:26.679
If inventory is off, they have to immediately shut down and they have 24 hours to figure

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.679
and so forth.

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.679
So, we're going to go through the slides and see what we can do to help you figure out what

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.679
happened.

00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:33.480
And they have to be in constant communication with the state.

00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:37.720
So this is a very secure location.

00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:45.539
You can see the sales, there is no true product on the sales floor.

00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.880
It's just demo product.

00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:51.000
And then as you move through, the next page just shows you the floor plan without the

00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:53.400
security features highlighted.

00:35:53.400 --> 00:36:00.960
and then as we go through the, to the elevations, the elevations show that the biggest change

00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:06.199
of the building is just that the sign will be updated to the name.

00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:09.039
But from other than that, there's, there's nothing else.

00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:14.440
So it blends nicely into the facility and the atmosphere down there already.

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:19.360
They're not changing too much of the location.

00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:30.639
And with that, staff recommends moving on to a second reading.

00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.639
Thank you.

00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:34.119
We have a motion to move this on.

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:39.059
So move.

00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:40.059
Second.

00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:43.860
Motion by Sellers, second by Parker.

00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:44.860
Any discussion?

00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.860
All of them.

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.860
Stacy?

00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.860
Yes.

00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:54.059
I would like to know, has there been a meeting on this matter with the community?

00:36:54.059 --> 00:37:04.220
if so when was it? Yes there was a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on March 5th that

00:37:04.220 --> 00:37:13.179
the community was always able to come in and voice their concerns or support. And when

00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:18.380
was this and at what time? This was at the Zoning Board of Appeals that was March 5th

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:23.720
at 5.30 here at City Hall in Council Chambers. March 5th? March 5th, yes.

00:37:23.720 --> 00:37:29.860
Alton Sanders? Go ahead, go ahead. At 5.30, you said? At 5.30, yes.

00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:32.699
Alderman Clem. Alderman Clem.

00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:44.779
Alderman Stacy Dunn. Alderman Sellers and Alderman Johnson and I were here for the presentation

00:37:44.779 --> 00:37:51.860
that the gentleman out here gave us, very excellent presentation, very excellent facility,

00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:59.579
the way it's laid out, all the safety features involved in it and everything else.

00:37:59.579 --> 00:38:06.860
But I will tell you right now, I'm not supportive of it for one reason, because of if you stop

00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:11.380
to figure one of the things he brought up in his presentation was the fact that they're

00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:15.340
We're going to have between 200 and 500 customers a day.

00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:21.900
You add 200 and 500 customers a day to a place that already has over 1,000 over here and

00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:28.559
has 1,000 here and you've got all the other five stores up here and you've got one road

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:34.260
coming into it and it splits off and either goes to Walmart or it goes to Menard so you've

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:37.099
got all this traffic coming into there.

00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:41.300
I think you've got the major traffic jam of the century.

00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:46.300
It's just my opinion, okay, but keep in mind,

00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:50.059
I go there almost daily, okay,

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:52.539
and sometimes multiple times per day

00:38:52.539 --> 00:38:54.739
on account of the car wash, okay,

00:38:54.739 --> 00:38:56.460
and I see the traffic there.

00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:58.460
I see the condition of the road,

00:38:58.460 --> 00:39:00.340
I see the width of the thing.

00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:02.139
If you could take all the traffic

00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:04.360
and move it to the center line,

00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:06.380
you know, which is down farther,

00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:08.159
you'd have something to talk about.

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:10.599
But everybody is so inclined to come in

00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:13.320
with the one with the lights on it.

00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:16.480
I just see a major traffic problem.

00:39:16.480 --> 00:39:20.360
I have, I'm not in opposition to the product

00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:22.320
or to what's being done.

00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:24.920
It'll provide some people in Freeport,

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:27.320
we'll be able to buy stuff at Freeport

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:30.960
rather than go to Rockford or go to a neighboring place.

00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:33.539
I've also been in Rockford many times

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:35.440
by the dispensaries there.

00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:38.880
and he brought up at that period of time,

00:39:38.880 --> 00:39:41.679
during COVID and during the other thing,

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:43.279
there was a much different,

00:39:43.279 --> 00:39:46.619
was a much different, not clientele,

00:39:46.619 --> 00:39:48.679
but in bigger mass of people

00:39:48.679 --> 00:39:51.519
and there's less places and all that kind of stuff.

00:39:51.519 --> 00:39:53.800
Understand all that 100%.

00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.639
But I...

00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:56.559
and all that, 100%. But I think you have the traffic problem and such.

00:39:56.559 --> 00:40:04.119
Yeah, I can speak a little bit to that. So, it is vacant right now. Anything that would

00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:10.480
move into that location would bring traffic. Any location, if it was a restaurant, a very

00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:17.119
successful restaurant, you can see any restaurant here in Freeport that's very successful is

00:40:17.119 --> 00:40:18.400
is usually jam-packed.

00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:21.760
It would bring about the same amount of customers there.

00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:27.760
And so in that way, anything that would move into that

00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:30.480
could bring about the traffic jam.

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:35.400
And I agree with you that, yes, it is busy.

00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:37.519
That entire area is very busy.

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:39.320
Nobody wants to go.

00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:43.119
I go at 6 AM on Saturdays, not noon on Saturdays,

00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:47.000
because, yes, there's a lot of traffic.

00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:48.920
the lot and the road there.

00:40:48.920 --> 00:40:51.559
That's a private lot and a private road.

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:59.760
The city can make suggestions to help kind of move traffic

00:40:59.760 --> 00:41:03.159
in a way that keeps it less chaotic.

00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:05.519
But above all, it is private.

00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:09.679
So at any point, anything could move into that facility,

00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:14.360
and you could have the same traffic issues.

00:41:14.360 --> 00:41:23.000
this might bring about, if this moves in, if anything else moves in, maybe it brings

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:27.239
up a good point of maybe there's a second entrance that needs to be talked about that

00:41:27.239 --> 00:41:33.400
goes into that facility, but it is a private lane and a private parking lot.

00:41:33.400 --> 00:41:40.619
And so with that, it's their responsibility to make sure that they have the traffic flow.

00:41:40.619 --> 00:41:46.940
Also keep in mind, these individuals are not staying long. They come in, they get their

00:41:46.940 --> 00:41:57.139
product and they leave. They're not sitting too long. So it's not going to hold up traffic.

00:41:57.139 --> 00:42:06.219
They're coming in to get the merchandise that they want and then they are exiting.

00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:07.219
Thank you.

00:42:07.219 --> 00:42:08.219
Alderman Sanders?

00:42:08.219 --> 00:42:12.300
Yeah, you know, I sit here and I listen to that.

00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:21.250
And for the life of me, I'm looking at this and I've been studying this to the point where

00:42:21.250 --> 00:42:27.650
we're saying that the state allows this to happen without the authority of the city of

00:42:27.650 --> 00:42:35.550
Freeport, county of Freeport, nor home rule has no jurisdiction in these matters.

00:42:35.550 --> 00:42:43.670
So what are we saying that we're forfeiting our legal rights to prohibit them from starting

00:42:43.670 --> 00:42:44.670
up a business?

00:42:44.670 --> 00:42:54.760
Are we complaining that what the state is permitting that the city wants to put a hold

00:42:54.760 --> 00:43:00.840
on this issue because we have not received the proper regulation, the security, all of

00:43:00.840 --> 00:43:04.280
and all these provisions that need to be put in place

00:43:04.280 --> 00:43:07.280
before such an event even be considered.

00:43:07.280 --> 00:43:11.639
But what I'm asking is, who is preempting this

00:43:11.639 --> 00:43:15.199
according to the discussion log that I'm reading?

00:43:16.480 --> 00:43:19.719
It sounds like it's the state of Illinois

00:43:19.719 --> 00:43:24.159
or is codified that's permitting such an event

00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:27.599
to take place in the city of Freeport saying,

00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:29.840
if I understand this right,

00:43:29.840 --> 00:43:37.039
saying that Freeport has no jurisdiction, or does our homeroom has any jurisdiction?

00:43:37.039 --> 00:43:41.800
Did I read that right? Did I follow that right? I must have misunderstood that

00:43:41.800 --> 00:43:47.400
somewhere along the line. Okay, could someone completely inform those that

00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:53.199
might have misinterpreted what it really means? So if you could, please. Yes, I can

00:43:53.199 --> 00:43:54.199
Doerr.

00:43:54.199 --> 00:44:05.960
What the state has made a rule is that cannabis is legal in the state of Illinois.

00:44:05.960 --> 00:44:09.800
They are able to set up businesses.

00:44:09.800 --> 00:44:16.480
What the city has jurisdiction over is where does that business go within the city?

00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:26.960
and so the city in 2019 set up chapter 1274 which outlines where the counselor at the

00:44:26.960 --> 00:44:34.260
time thought was reasonable restrictions on where it could go and so in that way they

00:44:34.260 --> 00:44:42.840
did 1500 feet from any daycare, nursery, childcare facilities and then an additional 300 feet

00:44:42.840 --> 00:44:46.159
from any residential district.

00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:51.159
And that was the statues that were in place

00:44:52.199 --> 00:44:53.599
that the city could impose.

00:44:53.599 --> 00:44:57.599
So what the state did was say cannabis is legal,

00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:03.760
businesses can operate to sell cannabis,

00:45:03.760 --> 00:45:08.760
cities have the jurisdiction to indicate in what locations

00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:10.840
and put restrictions on it.

00:45:10.840 --> 00:45:12.159
And so those are the restrictions

00:45:12.159 --> 00:45:20.079
I did hear you say restrictions.

00:45:20.559 --> 00:45:21.039
Yes.

00:45:21.320 --> 00:45:23.920
The city has the rights to make restrictions.

00:45:23.960 --> 00:45:25.159
On where it's located.

00:45:25.279 --> 00:45:27.599
Just on that particular-

00:45:27.840 --> 00:45:29.199
1,500 feet and-

00:45:29.199 --> 00:45:36.840
That's, you're saying that the city, and who are the petitioners that should be

00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:42.119
here before us, making that statement, making that claim of opening up a

00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:46.019
business and how they're going to help safeguard the citizens of the city of

00:45:46.019 --> 00:45:54.079
Freeport. Even if they're 21 years of age, I don't care, those ages can be

00:45:54.079 --> 00:46:02.400
obfuscated and people can become props for younger adults when it does that.

00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:06.559
and who is regulating those securities?

00:46:06.559 --> 00:46:07.559
The state.

00:46:07.559 --> 00:46:08.559
The state regulates.

00:46:08.559 --> 00:46:13.559
Oh, so they're going to come in here and do the regulations and set up all safeguards

00:46:13.559 --> 00:46:14.559
and...

00:46:14.559 --> 00:46:15.559
Yes.

00:46:15.559 --> 00:46:22.679
And if, in my presentation, the Illinois State Police has access to the cameras within the

00:46:22.679 --> 00:46:28.720
facility 24-7 without permission or without warrants, so they are looking into that.

00:46:28.720 --> 00:46:29.720
Yeah.

00:46:29.720 --> 00:46:59.720
We're hearing more clarity to the people of Freeport. If I can misconstrue what you just talked about, those kind of variables that did not come out initially in this discussion, how this is going to be handled, those are the things the citizens of the Freeport needs to be able to hear, that there are safeguards all over this thing, and that we should not be as citizens intimidated by

00:46:59.720 --> 00:47:07.720
All kinds of things that could cause harm onto the children and to the city of Freeport.

00:47:07.720 --> 00:47:19.720
And so I think we need to be, as council members, to be more vigilant in studying that as well as what the state is imposing upon the city of Freeport.

00:47:19.720 --> 00:47:26.720
It's not one of those things that we're just going to be happy and just go along with it without challenging it.

00:47:26.720 --> 00:47:32.800
you know because we have to do that in order for us to maintain the respect that we need to maintain

00:47:32.800 --> 00:47:42.079
here in the city of Freeport because other agencies coming in here running over Freeport

00:47:42.079 --> 00:47:48.800
without consulting the council of Freeport I think that's a sole disrespect if I don't

00:47:48.800 --> 00:47:55.279
hear them standing up both at that podium talking to us directly not only directly to council but

00:47:55.279 --> 00:48:25.279
Alderman, Sellers, I would just like to say that I am in agreement with it. I did come to the meeting that they did, excuse me, do the presentation. The young people, the young people, the young people, the young people, the young people, the young people, the young people, the young people, the young people,

00:48:25.279 --> 00:48:31.480
Youngman did an excellent presentation. He answered all the questions. I know that my

00:48:31.480 --> 00:48:38.559
job is to listen to the information that the young man gave and he gave and there were

00:48:38.559 --> 00:48:46.679
other just a very few citizens that came in. No one got up. No one said anything. I do

00:48:46.679 --> 00:48:52.920
understand about the parking incident, but I do think that the time and the money that

00:48:52.920 --> 00:48:56.260
that they're going to put into this establishment,

00:48:56.260 --> 00:48:58.579
they kind of know what they're doing.

00:48:58.579 --> 00:49:00.619
This is not their first one.

00:49:00.619 --> 00:49:04.220
After listening to all the things that the young man said.

00:49:04.220 --> 00:49:09.019
And then my other thing is because of our,

00:49:09.019 --> 00:49:14.019
my job is to listen to what we already said

00:49:14.539 --> 00:49:18.840
we could have in Freeport, and that was in 2019.

00:49:18.840 --> 00:49:35.840
My job is to make sure that where they want to put it, maybe it might not be where I like, but if it meets the criteria of what we said, where they need to be at in places, I have to agree with it because it does meet those standards.

00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:43.840
If it was something that, I don't know, but it's not. It's where we said they have to be in order to have it.

00:49:43.840 --> 00:49:49.039
David. So, I wish that that night when we were there that maybe that question came up

00:49:49.039 --> 00:49:52.000
about the traffic coming in and out. I can't remember because

00:49:52.000 --> 00:50:05.000
I can't remember because there was a lot going on, but about the safety and the security that's there, it will be a lot of money put into that place to take care of all those concerns.

00:50:05.000 --> 00:50:13.000
So that's why I would have to say yes, because they did meet the qualifications that we did ask them to meet.

00:50:13.000 --> 00:50:27.050
Stacey. Okay. I believe that we the council have say so in allowing this to happen. Am

00:50:27.050 --> 00:50:35.250
I wrong in thinking that? You have the right to approve a special use for the cannabis.

00:50:35.250 --> 00:50:43.550
So if we voted down, then it don't come. Am I correct? If you chose to do that? Yes. Okay.

00:50:43.550 --> 00:50:52.429
So we do have right under this home rule or whatever you're saying, Mr. Sanders, because

00:50:52.429 --> 00:50:55.469
if it's voted down, then it won't happen.

00:50:55.469 --> 00:50:59.429
And if we didn't have a choice in the matter, it wouldn't be on the floor.

00:50:59.429 --> 00:51:07.590
And I don't care how much money they make, how much money is brought to the city, what's

00:51:07.590 --> 00:51:09.590
that got to do with us?

00:51:09.590 --> 00:51:13.190
Just because it's brought to the city, how do we benefit?

00:51:13.190 --> 00:51:21.380
What do we get out the deal?

00:51:21.380 --> 00:51:22.380
Mr. Stecco?

00:51:22.380 --> 00:51:23.380
Yeah.

00:51:23.380 --> 00:51:27.900
Um, I've just been involved in this in a handful of communities that have, have approved these

00:51:27.900 --> 00:51:28.900
dispensaries.

00:51:28.900 --> 00:51:32.840
So just some items that I wanted to give you.

00:51:32.840 --> 00:51:37.059
So, um, the permits are regulated by the state.

00:51:37.059 --> 00:51:41.619
The company would have to file a very large bond, millions of dollars with the state of

00:51:41.619 --> 00:51:45.239
Illinois to be approved for a facility like this in Freeport.

00:51:45.239 --> 00:51:48.619
There are two licenses, I believe, available for Stevenson County.

00:51:48.920 --> 00:51:56.219
So choosing no here would probably allow it to go to another town in our, in our region.

00:51:56.760 --> 00:52:00.480
Um, that, that is a choice, but that may be good, uh, may happen.

00:52:00.920 --> 00:52:03.719
Um, this is state controlled substance.

00:52:03.719 --> 00:52:07.840
So there are many rules that were presented at the commission meetings.

00:52:07.840 --> 00:52:11.920
Like for instance, they have to have a security guard on site 24 seven of

00:52:11.920 --> 00:52:15.360
of operation or while they're operating or they can't be open.

00:52:15.880 --> 00:52:20.000
Um, it's a scan in only with a license, uh, with the scan bar on it.

00:52:20.000 --> 00:52:22.239
Not just anybody can walk in the facility.

00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:25.400
They only limit amount of people that are in the facility.

00:52:25.960 --> 00:52:32.079
Um, there is a safety, uh, tax to this, uh, uh, cannabis purchase that goes

00:52:32.079 --> 00:52:36.960
directly to the police department to, uh, help increase standards for the police

00:52:36.960 --> 00:52:39.639
department and not standards, but funding for the police department.

00:52:39.639 --> 00:52:56.239
There's also a city tax that comes from the cannabis that is much larger than our other percentages of taxes and I believe it was presented at the planning commission that there is really three pockets in Freeport that would be available for this.

00:52:56.239 --> 00:53:00.420
It's either north of town, south of town, or somewhere in the downtown.

00:53:00.420 --> 00:53:06.400
Those are the only three available based on our zoning right now that that are available for this type of facility.

00:53:06.400 --> 00:53:10.400
So, those are just facts. You can do with them what you will.

00:53:10.400 --> 00:53:14.639
All their instruments.

00:53:14.639 --> 00:53:18.639
So, I'm not against the dispensary coming to Freeport.

00:53:18.639 --> 00:53:22.639
If I vote no, it will be because I'm against the placement.

00:53:22.639 --> 00:53:25.639
We need to be strategic of where we're going to allow.

00:53:25.639 --> 00:53:28.639
Like you said, it's the first dispensary in Stevenson County.

00:53:28.639 --> 00:53:31.639
Here we are right on the border of Wisconsin.

00:53:31.639 --> 00:53:34.639
It is going to drive traffic.

00:53:34.639 --> 00:53:37.639
And this is an area that already sees plenty of traffic.

00:53:37.639 --> 00:54:08.220
and McClenn did you have another?

00:54:08.220 --> 00:54:15.019
Not really, but I would echo what has been discussed. The presentation, the security

00:54:15.019 --> 00:54:21.340
of the site, all that kind of stuff, I don't have an issue with whatsoever. I mean, the

00:54:21.340 --> 00:54:30.340
design of it, the thing that threw the red flag up to me was 200 to 500 customers a day.

00:54:30.340 --> 00:54:34.460
Just knowing the area, just knowing what's going on, and the only thing I could say to

00:54:34.460 --> 00:54:43.139
and so forth, but two wrongs don't make a right. I mean, you and I both know Rosati's

00:54:43.139 --> 00:54:45.820
didn't have 200 to 500 customers a day.

00:54:45.820 --> 00:54:46.820
Okay.

00:54:46.820 --> 00:54:47.820
Thank you.

00:54:47.820 --> 00:54:55.099
Okay. So that's a considerable amount of difference. You know, the parking lot, you know, so to

00:54:55.099 --> 00:55:02.739
speak is debatable size on it. You know, one of the problems I would foresee that it happens

00:55:32.739 --> 00:55:44.179
I would like to also know that is this if they purchase that or are they renting

00:55:44.179 --> 00:56:11.110
those places? It's a lease. Okay. How did I have to? I think you were the first to

00:56:11.110 --> 00:56:15.190
I've spoken one time on this matter.

00:56:15.190 --> 00:56:19.750
Okay, I believe you're wrong. Alderman, Stacy.

00:56:19.750 --> 00:56:25.820
So there was a couple things said.

00:56:25.820 --> 00:56:29.539
You yourself stated that

00:56:29.539 --> 00:56:34.059
they are not going to be here long.

00:56:34.059 --> 00:56:39.500
I did not say that. Customers were not going to be there long.

00:56:39.500 --> 00:56:49.179
yes okay and um Darren you spoke about the city tax from the cannabis what percent of the city tax

00:56:49.179 --> 00:57:03.860
and and and where is that money going to go in account for our roads attorney zito so the amount

00:57:03.860 --> 00:57:08.900
of tax that goes directly to the city is a three percent tax that is a city ordinance that we were

00:57:08.900 --> 00:57:13.460
allowed to adopt back when the cannabis laws were first uh are when they first when the state first

00:57:13.460 --> 00:57:32.659
Thank you.

00:57:32.659 --> 00:57:39.739
Item 13, adoption of Resolution R-2026-31.

00:57:39.739 --> 00:57:43.579
Resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation Aviation Fuel

00:57:43.579 --> 00:57:52.260
Thank you Alderman Shadle. The city receives the aviation fuel tax grant from the Illinois

00:57:52.260 --> 00:57:57.840
Department of Transportation for the past four years. It does not require a match. Grant

00:57:57.840 --> 00:58:02.900
funds are to be used for local governments for airport related purposes. In the case

00:58:02.900 --> 00:58:07.260
of the city of Freeport, we've utilized the funds as reimbursement for expended airport

00:58:07.260 --> 00:58:13.260
management expenses. So the city of Freeport has received a notice for the grant for 2025

00:58:13.260 --> 00:58:26.500
Ferts, and the city will submit invoices and proof of payment of airport management expenses

00:58:26.500 --> 00:58:29.139
in order to receive the grant funds.

00:58:29.139 --> 00:58:33.059
Upon review and approval of the invoices submitted to IDOT allocations will be distributed to

00:58:33.059 --> 00:58:38.260
the city and staff requests moving forward with resolution to accept the aviation fuel

00:58:38.260 --> 00:58:39.260
tax grant.

00:58:39.260 --> 00:58:42.269
Motion approved.

00:58:42.269 --> 00:58:45.190
Motion first.

00:58:45.190 --> 00:58:54.619
Motion first and motion do we have a second? Second. Motion by Klemm, second by Johnson.

00:58:54.619 --> 00:59:07.690
Any discussion? The aviation fuel grant. Who is presenting that to the city? Is that something

00:59:07.690 --> 00:59:14.489
that the city is regulated to do each year or at any point in time that we are obligated to

00:59:14.489 --> 00:59:24.409
to buy a few for what purpose or how has it been used throughout the city?

00:59:24.409 --> 00:59:35.730
Is it for city purposes or just the airport or how is that presented to the city of Freeport?

00:59:35.730 --> 00:59:41.650
I think IDOT is trying to support the aviation industry and they're doing it through this

00:59:41.650 --> 00:59:46.130
It's basically a fuel grant, so yeah.

00:59:46.130 --> 00:59:46.970
Thank you.

00:59:50.829 --> 00:59:54.909
Nothing further. Madam Clerk, can you take the roll?

00:59:54.909 --> 00:59:57.070
Parker? Aye.

00:59:57.070 --> 00:59:58.590
Stacy? No.

00:59:58.590 --> 01:00:00.030
Shadle? Aye.

01:00:00.030 --> 01:00:01.309
Sanders? No.

01:00:01.309 --> 01:00:02.670
Sellers? Aye.

01:00:02.670 --> 01:00:03.949
Klemm? Aye.

01:00:03.949 --> 01:00:05.150
Johnson? Aye.

01:00:05.150 --> 01:00:06.670
And Simmons? Aye.

01:00:06.670 --> 01:00:08.829
The resolution is adopted six to two.

01:00:10.429 --> 01:00:17.630
Thank you. Item 14, adoption of resolution R-2026-32. Madam Clerk.

01:00:17.630 --> 01:00:23.590
Resolution approving a Certificate of Authority to vote regarding Rock Salt Contract Joint

01:00:23.590 --> 01:00:26.630
Participation Agreement with the State of Illinois.

01:00:26.630 --> 01:00:31.030
Thank you Alderman Shadle.

01:00:31.030 --> 01:00:36.909
The City purchases rock salt each year for snow removal operations.

01:00:36.909 --> 01:00:42.469
The State of Illinois has made a procedural requirement for municipalities to be included

01:00:42.469 --> 01:00:44.710
in the Rock Salt Program.

01:00:44.710 --> 01:00:49.750
The City must submit its Rock Salt Contract Joint Participation Agreement by April 7th

01:00:49.750 --> 01:00:52.090
with City Council resolution approval.

01:00:52.090 --> 01:00:56.309
By passing this resolution, it essentially gives the City Manager me the authority to

01:00:56.309 --> 01:01:00.070
submit and sign the agreement for this year's participation.

01:01:00.070 --> 01:01:04.769
And just to give you a heads up, the state bid on salt is essentially the most efficient

01:01:04.769 --> 01:01:06.989
way to acquire salt.

01:01:06.989 --> 01:01:11.630
We're working very diligently to put in a new salt shed that can handle more volume

01:01:11.630 --> 01:01:14.590
and lower our overall cost of storage.

01:01:14.590 --> 01:01:17.110
and so staff is recommending moving forward

01:01:17.110 --> 01:01:21.469
with this joint participation agreement.

01:01:21.469 --> 01:01:24.429
We need a motion and a second to move this.

01:01:24.429 --> 01:01:25.269
So moved.

01:01:25.269 --> 01:01:26.750
Second.

01:01:26.750 --> 01:01:29.869
Motion by Sellers, second by Klemm.

01:01:29.869 --> 01:01:31.989
Discussion, Alderman Sanders.

01:01:31.989 --> 01:01:37.139
Yeah.

01:01:37.139 --> 01:01:42.139
Manager Boyer, do we have any other option

01:01:42.659 --> 01:01:45.699
other than using rock salt because of the consequences

01:01:45.699 --> 01:02:05.139
of the New Roads that it can affect putting down a new road and using rock salt really diminishes the new asphalt that is being put, that we're putting out now as new streets and whatever roads or whatever.

01:02:05.820 --> 01:02:14.659
Is there any other effective way of doing that without it diminishing too much of the highways and roads and things of that nature?

01:02:15.699 --> 01:02:45.699
Obviously there's other snow melt products out there that are much more costly and I think in the past we've mixed in sand with salt. I think that creates another problem which is it fills up all of our storm water catch basins with sand. So this is really not, although maybe not perfect, it is the best that we have not just here in Freeport but across the Midwest for maintaining safe right of ways during winter snow removal operations.

01:02:45.699 --> 01:03:01.289
I would like Director Steekle input on that matter and what's out there or what isn't

01:03:01.289 --> 01:03:12.730
out there that could help save the new asphalt on our streets.

01:03:12.730 --> 01:03:18.969
Some of the state trucks use liquid application, it's very expensive, it's really probably

01:03:18.969 --> 01:03:21.670
not in the affordable range, uh, for us.

01:03:21.670 --> 01:03:25.710
And we don't have equipment to spread it either, but it's a liquid applied.

01:03:26.289 --> 01:03:30.030
Um, and then they still sometimes have to spread salt on days like today that

01:03:30.030 --> 01:03:34.150
we have, you know, far too much snow than what can melt fast enough.

01:03:34.710 --> 01:03:40.869
Um, so unfortunately in Northern Illinois, um, there's not a lot of options

01:03:40.869 --> 01:03:42.829
that are cost effective for municipalities.

01:03:42.829 --> 01:03:47.590
This, uh, Rob actually brought us back to going to the state bid, uh,

01:03:47.590 --> 01:03:51.150
Forrest Rock salt, uh, for some years, we weren't involved in it.

01:03:51.150 --> 01:03:54.489
And the cost, uh, really got, uh, very heavy.

01:03:54.590 --> 01:03:57.789
Um, I'd also like to remind you that we did approve a new salt

01:03:57.789 --> 01:04:00.869
shed just recently that's, uh, being built for salt.

01:04:00.869 --> 01:04:06.329
So, um, really, uh, the effective use is not to overspread it.

01:04:06.329 --> 01:04:11.250
So on a day like today, we tried to spread as little salt as possible,

01:04:11.250 --> 01:04:16.550
just enough to get by, um, uh, because we have, you know, 60, 50, 60 degree

01:04:16.550 --> 01:04:18.230
Temps coming towards the end of this week.

01:04:18.230 --> 01:04:21.710
So we wanted to have safe travel, but we don't want to overspread it.

01:04:21.710 --> 01:04:24.150
So we were very light on salt over the next two days.

01:04:24.150 --> 01:04:29.909
And that's kind of been a practice, um, 10 years ago, seven years ago, we, we

01:04:29.909 --> 01:04:35.449
did the sand salt mix to try to stretch our sand salt, but what Rob said is

01:04:35.449 --> 01:04:38.150
exactly right, the sand never goes away.

01:04:38.150 --> 01:04:39.909
It gets swept into the storm sewers.

01:04:40.150 --> 01:04:44.590
Then it floats out to the rivers and, or we have to clean all the storms, um, if

01:04:44.590 --> 01:04:47.829
if it doesn't, and it really created a lot of extra work.

01:04:48.150 --> 01:04:52.690
Um, uh, Randy could speak to the Randy Kolbauer, our environmental compliance

01:04:52.690 --> 01:04:55.710
officer could speak to the salt, but we're already supposed to be rationing

01:04:55.710 --> 01:04:59.130
our salt back as we can or ratcheting it back as we can, because they're

01:04:59.130 --> 01:05:03.309
concerned about salt water going out to the, uh, storm basins, right.

01:05:03.389 --> 01:05:04.789
Um, as it melts down.

01:05:04.789 --> 01:05:08.230
So, um, you know, conservation is the best way to go.

01:05:08.230 --> 01:05:15.989
The enemy of roads is heavy trucks, salt and water damage, and we have the trifecta up

01:05:15.989 --> 01:05:21.389
here in Northern Illinois, right, with the seasonal change of frost and heave of ground.

01:05:21.389 --> 01:05:22.389
So

01:05:22.389 --> 01:05:34.190
Isn't it cheaper to clean out the sand than it is to keep trying to overlay, redo, refix

01:05:34.190 --> 01:05:35.710
all these roads?

01:05:35.710 --> 01:05:42.849
Um, yes and no, uh, yes, it costs money to, uh, take the sand out.

01:05:42.889 --> 01:05:47.170
And we used to do that and try to reuse the sand, you know, take it out and we

01:05:47.170 --> 01:05:50.970
would recycle it, take it back down to the plant, what we could, and try to

01:05:50.970 --> 01:05:55.630
filter it back in the next year without buying more, um, the issue is that sand

01:05:55.630 --> 01:06:00.789
is not a melt, melting product, so it doesn't work by itself, it just sits

01:06:00.789 --> 01:06:04.409
there, so if we don't put salt with it, it doesn't do anything.

01:06:04.409 --> 01:06:10.590
and, uh, I believe Rob's first year here in Freeport, we actually bought, uh, the

01:06:10.590 --> 01:06:15.010
higher content salt, uh, I think that some people call it blue salt.

01:06:15.010 --> 01:06:18.869
And we tried to use that and mix that into, to be more effective as well.

01:06:18.869 --> 01:06:22.470
But the cost of it just got out of control and really kills our budget.

01:06:22.510 --> 01:06:25.829
Uh, we have a, a very large expenditure on salt annually.

01:06:28.730 --> 01:06:35.029
Oh, and Sanders, uh, bringing that out like that, you just sparked it.

01:06:35.029 --> 01:06:53.150
We don't have a program for storm excavation when it comes to vacuuming for those concentrated

01:06:53.150 --> 01:06:57.470
areas that absorb more salt and sand.

01:06:57.470 --> 01:07:04.309
Do we have a program that will help us to eliminate more sand during the spring weather

01:07:04.309 --> 01:07:34.309
Great question, starting in 2026. Part of our EPA MS4 requirements is that about 20 to 25% of our storm basins and storm system have to be cleaned annually. We've always tried to clean them. We have gotten behind in the last several years. We've had a lot of employee turnover in public works. As you guys are quite well aware of, we've had a hard time keeping a full staff. We are up to

01:07:34.309 --> 01:07:36.590
to full staff now, uh, finally.

01:07:36.909 --> 01:07:41.789
And, uh, uh, again, we'll be planning on cleaning 20% of the catch basins

01:07:41.789 --> 01:07:43.710
and 20% of the piping annually.

01:07:43.750 --> 01:07:47.150
Uh, that's why we have our own vector trucks that, that we do that

01:07:47.150 --> 01:07:50.029
routine maintenance and we're getting people trained to do that.

01:07:50.029 --> 01:07:54.989
And as seasonal, uh, abilities allow spring and fall, we'll be cleaning those.

01:07:56.070 --> 01:07:56.470
Thank you.

01:08:00.730 --> 01:08:01.210
Parker.

01:08:01.849 --> 01:08:02.130
Aye.

01:08:02.489 --> 01:08:03.090
Stacy.

01:08:03.369 --> 01:08:03.769
Aye.

01:08:03.929 --> 01:08:04.409
Shadle.

01:08:04.489 --> 01:08:04.769
Aye.

01:08:05.050 --> 01:08:05.650
Sanders.

01:08:05.650 --> 01:08:12.849
Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0.

01:08:13.730 --> 01:08:21.250
Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-2026-33. Resolution approving an extension and renewal

01:08:21.250 --> 01:08:26.529
of purchase of service agreement with the Stevenson County Senior Center doing business

01:08:26.529 --> 01:08:31.970
as Senior Resource Center. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger? Thank you. The City of Freeport

01:08:31.970 --> 01:08:58.069
has contracted the Senior Resource Center operational services for the Pretzel City Transit program since 2018. The purchase of service contract between the city and SRC is affected from July 1st, 2024 through July 30th, 2026 with the option to extend and renew for one additional year beginning on July 1st, 2026 and ending on June 30th, 2027.

01:08:58.069 --> 01:09:05.069
We need to renew in order to have Senior Resource Center continue operational management.

01:09:05.069 --> 01:09:18.069
The City functions as the Rural Transit System Administrator for Stevenson County and has selected the Senior Resource Center to provide public transportation services as a non-for-profit pass-through provider via Pretzer City Area Transit.

01:09:18.069 --> 01:09:28.069
The Senior Resource Center has the employee space and experience necessary to continue to provide public transportation services needed for the City of Leapwood and Stevenson County.

01:09:28.069 --> 01:09:35.069
The City has provided the necessary vehicles via the Ordinance 2022-28.

01:09:35.069 --> 01:09:46.069
Staff recommends the approval of the extension of the purchase of service contract between the City of Leapwood and Senior Resource Center for the operation of Precious City Area Transit.

01:09:46.069 --> 01:09:46.569
Sett.

01:09:46.569 --> 01:10:21.149
Zett. We have a motion for this. So moved. Harker. Motion by Seller, second by Klemm. Discussion? Madam Clerk? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent, Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted seven to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-2026-30.

01:10:21.149 --> 01:10:29.270
Resolution Accepting Special Warranty for 5311 Grant Application Regarding Pretzel City Transit

01:10:29.270 --> 01:10:30.270
Director Heimerdinger

01:10:30.270 --> 01:10:31.270
Thank you.

01:10:31.270 --> 01:10:35.109
As part of our annual transportation grant application to the State of Illinois under

01:10:35.109 --> 01:10:42.590
the 5311 Transportation Program and Downstate Operating Assistance Program, DOAP, the City

01:10:42.590 --> 01:10:46.989
of Freeport is required to have the Council approval for the following.

01:10:46.989 --> 01:11:15.989
Adopting the Transportation Services within the Freeport and Stevenson County. A resolution authorizing an application to be made to the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, IDOT, for a financial assistance grant under Section 5311 for a physical year of 2026 for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the Public Transportation Program operating deficiencies of the City of Freeport.

01:11:15.989 --> 01:11:45.989
Deficits of the City of Report. A resolution accepting the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms the transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty and resolution accepting the City of Report is participating in said grant programs and will provide local and matching funds which are obtained through service contracts, grant funding, allocations from Senior Resource Center, and donations. The City of Report does not provide local matching funds to these operations.

01:11:45.989 --> 01:11:53.710
in the 1, 2, 3, 4 list above. It was approved by City Council on June 17, 2024,

01:11:53.710 --> 01:12:01.949
ordinance 2024-32. Items 2 and 3 are what we are going to be voting on in

01:12:01.949 --> 01:12:10.949
resolutions for this number 16 agenda item and number 17. They will now be

01:12:10.949 --> 01:12:14.189
required in conjunction with the ordinance in order to complete the

01:12:14.189 --> 01:12:21.710
application. A resolution to apply for a DOAP funding is not required but a

01:12:21.710 --> 01:12:26.869
resolution accepting funds after approval will be required and so that

01:12:26.869 --> 01:12:31.069
will bring number four will be eventually in the future will come to

01:12:31.069 --> 01:12:37.630
counsel for that. For this one we are really focusing on number three which is

01:12:37.630 --> 01:12:41.109
the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms

01:12:41.109 --> 01:13:08.270
Thank you. We have a motion. So moved. Second. Motion by Klemm. Second. Second by Parker.

01:13:08.270 --> 01:13:09.270
Any discussion?

01:13:09.270 --> 01:13:14.560
Madam Clerk?

01:13:14.560 --> 01:13:15.560
Parker?

01:13:15.560 --> 01:13:16.560
Aye.

01:13:16.560 --> 01:13:17.560
Stacy?

01:13:17.560 --> 01:13:18.560
Aye.

01:13:18.560 --> 01:13:19.560
Shadle?

01:13:19.560 --> 01:13:20.560
Aye.

01:13:20.560 --> 01:13:21.560
Sanders?

01:13:21.560 --> 01:13:22.560
Aye.

01:13:22.560 --> 01:13:23.560
Sellers?

01:13:23.560 --> 01:13:24.560
Aye.

01:13:24.560 --> 01:13:25.560
Klemm?

01:13:25.560 --> 01:13:26.560
Aye.

01:13:26.560 --> 01:13:27.560
Johnson?

01:13:27.560 --> 01:13:28.560
Aye.

01:13:28.560 --> 01:13:29.560
And Simmons?

01:13:29.560 --> 01:13:30.560
Aye.

01:13:30.560 --> 01:13:31.560
The resolution is adopted 8-0.

01:13:31.560 --> 01:13:32.560
Thank you.

01:13:32.560 --> 01:13:35.279
Adoption of Resolution R-2026-35.

01:13:35.279 --> 01:13:39.960
Resolution authorizing execution and amendment of Federal 5311 Grant Agreement for Fiscal

01:13:39.960 --> 01:14:09.960
year, 2027. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you. This is number 10, which is the this is number two of what I was just discussing. It has the same memo attached. And this is for resolution authorizing an application to be made to the office of Intermodal Project Implication IDOT for financial assistance grant under section 5311 for physical year of

01:14:09.960 --> 01:14:32.720
Piquette, Precious City Area Transit offered 49,846 trips covering 250,000 miles within

01:14:32.720 --> 01:14:39.039
Stevenson County. Of those trips, approximately 21,000 were for employment,

01:14:39.039 --> 01:14:46.720
9,600 for medical visits, and 8,200 for shopping in the area. As you can see, this provides a

01:14:47.520 --> 01:14:58.159
countless amount of travel for those who need it, especially for employment. So you can see how

01:14:58.159 --> 01:15:06.000
how we would like to apply and continue providing public transportation to Stevens County and

01:15:06.000 --> 01:15:15.680
the City of Freeport and this resolution is passed yearly in order for us to provide information

01:15:15.680 --> 01:15:20.760
and to complete our application.

01:15:20.760 --> 01:15:21.760
Do we have a motion?

01:15:21.760 --> 01:15:22.760
So move.

01:15:22.760 --> 01:15:23.760
Second.

01:15:23.760 --> 01:15:24.760
Motion by Johnson.

01:15:24.760 --> 01:15:25.760
Second by Sellers.

01:15:25.760 --> 01:15:29.420
Discussion?

01:15:29.420 --> 01:15:30.420
Madam Clerk?

01:15:30.420 --> 01:15:31.420
Parker?

01:15:31.420 --> 01:15:32.420
Aye.

01:15:32.420 --> 01:15:39.859
Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye.

01:15:39.859 --> 01:15:47.140
The resolution is adopted 8-0. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-2026-36.

01:15:48.739 --> 01:15:51.539
Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide

01:15:52.500 --> 01:15:59.300
bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue.

01:15:59.300 --> 01:16:07.619
Thank you Alderman Shadle. The city owns two bridges, Hancock and Van Buren. They have

01:16:07.619 --> 01:16:13.460
to be inspected annually. And Fehr Graham is the city's bridge engineer, so we have

01:16:13.460 --> 01:16:18.899
a team with certified licensed personnel for especially inspection work. All inspections

01:16:18.899 --> 01:16:24.439
must be completed and finalized within reporting to the state of Illinois. So the bridge inspections

01:16:24.439 --> 01:16:31.060
were expected in 2026 and given current structure ratings to ensure travel safety and staff's

01:16:31.060 --> 01:16:32.319
recommendation.

01:16:32.319 --> 01:16:39.359
City Council move to move forward with the agreement with Fehr Graham for the bridge

01:16:39.359 --> 01:16:40.840
inspections for 2026.

01:16:40.840 --> 01:16:43.239
Do I have a motion?

01:16:43.239 --> 01:16:44.239
So moved.

01:16:44.239 --> 01:16:45.239
Second.

01:16:45.239 --> 01:16:47.720
Motion by Klemm, second by Johnson.

01:16:47.720 --> 01:16:48.720
Discussion?

01:16:48.720 --> 01:16:49.720
Yeah.

01:16:49.720 --> 01:16:50.720
Alderman Sanders?

01:16:50.720 --> 01:16:51.720
Yeah.

01:16:51.720 --> 01:16:52.720
Manager Boyer.

01:16:52.720 --> 01:16:53.720
Yes.

01:16:53.720 --> 01:17:01.399
Are we in compliance with the reports that are coming from Fehr and Graham, whether or

01:17:01.399 --> 01:17:08.279
not we're still meeting the standards for inspections of reporting?

01:17:08.279 --> 01:17:15.520
And if it's annually, how long have this been ineffective, if it's been annually,

01:17:15.520 --> 01:17:22.680
that we receive any reports on these inspections of other conditions of these bridges?

01:17:22.680 --> 01:17:25.319
Are we in compliance with that?

01:17:25.319 --> 01:17:26.319
We are in compliance.

01:17:26.319 --> 01:17:28.039
I'll just give you some background.

01:17:28.039 --> 01:17:31.800
The Hancock Bridge, I believe it used to be every 10 years.

01:17:31.800 --> 01:17:38.340
And recently that was reduced by IDOT requiring it every year due to the guardrail and the

01:17:38.340 --> 01:17:39.340
deck condition.

01:17:39.340 --> 01:17:44.319
And the Van Buren Bridge, I believe that's every two years.

01:17:44.319 --> 01:17:45.319
Okay.

01:17:45.319 --> 01:17:46.319
Thank you for that.

01:17:46.319 --> 01:17:51.479
So the Van Buren Bridge is basically the walk-ride bridge that used to be an old train trestle.

01:17:51.479 --> 01:17:57.000
So yeah, but all this infrastructure has to be inspected periodically, and this year both

01:17:57.000 --> 01:17:58.000
of them need it.

01:17:58.000 --> 01:18:01.239
So we're just asking to move forward with this agreement.

01:18:01.239 --> 01:18:02.720
Alderman Sanders?

01:18:02.720 --> 01:18:12.600
Do you guys have knowledge of a trussle or some form of apparatus behind this city sewer

01:18:12.600 --> 01:18:14.560
located over there?

01:18:14.560 --> 01:18:17.800
I know it's abandoned, but it's a railroad type trussle.

01:18:17.800 --> 01:18:22.000
and that's been removed and what's coming of it.

01:18:22.000 --> 01:18:24.680
You guys recall any of that?

01:18:24.680 --> 01:18:27.559
It's over by the Peckotonic River by

01:18:27.559 --> 01:18:30.539
in back of the treatment plant.

01:18:30.539 --> 01:18:32.819
You guys have any recollection of that?

01:18:34.800 --> 01:18:37.039
There's nothing that exists there currently.

01:18:37.039 --> 01:18:39.279
The only two bridges we have is Hancock and Bay.

01:18:39.279 --> 01:18:42.279
No, it's not a bridge, it's a railroad trussle.

01:18:42.279 --> 01:18:43.800
Are we?

01:18:43.800 --> 01:18:45.319
I believe we're talking about the viaduct

01:18:45.319 --> 01:18:46.479
and that's under construction.

01:18:46.479 --> 01:18:48.000
and it should be completed by May.

01:18:48.000 --> 01:18:49.000
Okay.

01:18:49.000 --> 01:18:50.000
Yep.

01:18:50.000 --> 01:18:51.000
No, it's not the Vita.

01:18:51.000 --> 01:18:54.000
That's not what we used to call the Tressel.

01:18:54.000 --> 01:18:57.340
It's not the Vita.

01:18:57.340 --> 01:18:59.340
Are you ready?

01:18:59.340 --> 01:19:00.340
Parker?

01:19:00.340 --> 01:19:01.340
Aye.

01:19:01.340 --> 01:19:02.340
Stacy?

01:19:02.340 --> 01:19:06.140
If it has to be done, it has to be done.

01:19:06.140 --> 01:19:07.140
Yes.

01:19:07.140 --> 01:19:08.140
Shadle?

01:19:08.140 --> 01:19:09.140
Aye.

01:19:09.140 --> 01:19:10.140
Sanders?

01:19:10.140 --> 01:19:11.140
Aye.

01:19:11.140 --> 01:19:12.140
Sellers?

01:19:12.140 --> 01:19:13.140
Aye.

01:19:13.140 --> 01:19:14.140
Klemm?

01:19:14.140 --> 01:19:15.140
Aye.

01:19:15.140 --> 01:19:16.140
Johnson?

01:19:16.140 --> 01:19:17.140
Aye.

01:19:17.140 --> 01:19:25.659
to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-202637. Resolution accepting a safety grant

01:19:25.659 --> 01:19:30.279
from the Illinois Public Risk Fund and authorizing the use of grant funds to purchase portable

01:19:30.279 --> 01:19:37.380
message boards from road safe traffic systems. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Alderman

01:19:37.380 --> 01:19:43.640
Shadle. City staff received a source well procurement quote for two IDOT approved message

01:19:43.640 --> 01:19:46.039
Bridge Board. So those are the toe behind.

01:19:46.039 --> 01:19:48.880
so those are the tow behind boards we set up that say you know river level is

01:19:48.880 --> 01:19:54.720
this high or you know construction in this area till such and such a date. We

01:19:54.720 --> 01:19:59.600
had one at recently the motherboard some of the electronics burned out on it

01:19:59.600 --> 01:20:05.359
rendering it useless. So this quote is from the road safe traffic systems and

01:20:05.359 --> 01:20:09.680
includes a message board trailer controller chargers solar panel solar

01:20:09.680 --> 01:20:15.159
Miller Panel Generator Power to run the unit completely. The purchase of the two units

01:20:15.159 --> 01:20:23.319
is $32,750, delivered to Freeport. This is a source well quote, which means the company

01:20:23.319 --> 01:20:29.600
that's involved already has an established relationship with the state of Illinois and

01:20:29.600 --> 01:20:36.479
is considered a source well dealer, enabling us to move forward with their source well

01:20:36.479 --> 01:20:43.800
L. Quote. It was also $8,000 cheaper than the other quotes received for the same units.

01:20:43.800 --> 01:20:51.439
City staff also requires the City Council staff to accept the Illinois Public Risk Fund grant.

01:20:51.439 --> 01:20:57.239
So this is a grant we receive once a year from our insurance company to purchase safety-related

01:20:57.239 --> 01:21:03.239
equipment, and this qualifies as safety-related equipment with the funds to be used toward

01:21:03.239 --> 01:21:06.319
for the purchase of the city-owned construction message board.

01:21:06.319 --> 01:21:15.560
The IPRF grant award will be $16,244 and the remaining funds of $16,506 were budgeted in

01:21:15.560 --> 01:21:23.060
the street department budget this year, including water and sewer for the 2026 planned purchase.

01:21:23.060 --> 01:21:29.159
So staff will use IPRF grant funds for essentially one and pay for the other with budgeted funds

01:21:29.159 --> 01:21:32.680
and staff recommends moving forward with the purchase of this equipment.

01:21:32.680 --> 01:21:33.680
Thank you.

01:21:33.680 --> 01:21:34.680
Motion to approve.

01:21:34.680 --> 01:21:35.680
So moved.

01:21:35.680 --> 01:21:36.680
Motion by Klemm.

01:21:36.680 --> 01:21:37.680
Second.

01:21:37.680 --> 01:21:38.680
Second by Johnson.

01:21:38.680 --> 01:21:39.680
Any discussion?

01:21:39.680 --> 01:21:40.680
Aldermen so.

01:21:40.680 --> 01:21:48.640
I know you had mentioned that the other one that we used to have is broke or whatever.

01:21:48.640 --> 01:21:49.640
What does that cost?

01:21:49.640 --> 01:21:52.119
What does that cost to get something like that fixed?

01:21:52.119 --> 01:21:55.960
I think we've had it fixed several times and I think at this point the parts availability

01:21:55.960 --> 01:22:03.140
are not, the parts aren't available anymore to get it repaired. And Darren, if that sounds right.

01:22:03.140 --> 01:22:08.020
The current one that we have, Rob's correct, has been fixed several times and it's kind of obsolete.

01:22:08.020 --> 01:22:14.180
It's old. We've had it for a while. Um, I believe the motherboard and the electronics on it have

01:22:14.180 --> 01:22:19.460
burned up at least three times. I want to say we might've spent 5,000 on it the last time repairing

01:22:19.460 --> 01:22:25.539
it. So we did budget for two of them this year. Uh, this just allows us to only, you know, buy

01:22:25.539 --> 01:22:41.189
For the $16,000, how long does something like this last?

01:22:41.189 --> 01:22:48.710
I'm going to guess with good care, probably get 12 to 15 years out of them.

01:22:48.710 --> 01:22:54.149
I believe the one that we have now is close to 15 years, if I recall.

01:22:54.149 --> 01:22:59.449
this one the the last one that we had didn't have like the solar part of it

01:22:59.449 --> 01:23:03.329
those are fairly new so we decided to go with that you know save on the

01:23:03.329 --> 01:23:06.789
generators and stuff and and be more respectful but with the kind of

01:23:06.789 --> 01:23:10.109
construction that the city crews have been doing this is a safety mechanism

01:23:10.109 --> 01:23:14.029
them to to almost direct people from staying out of the areas that we're

01:23:14.029 --> 01:23:21.789
working in. Yeah is that also included with speed

01:23:21.789 --> 01:23:29.710
trafficking and strategic locations where, uh, hazard for hazardous kind of areas

01:23:29.710 --> 01:23:36.789
that, uh, that deemed, uh, necessary for public awareness like that.

01:23:36.909 --> 01:23:37.189
Yeah.

01:23:37.189 --> 01:23:42.869
So, uh, our other sign board, we were trying to use that for maybe some public

01:23:42.869 --> 01:23:47.390
events, or I believe Rob mentioned when the, when the flooding was going on over

01:23:47.390 --> 01:23:50.550
the East side, we had posted a board, you know, stay out in the flooding levels

01:23:50.550 --> 01:23:54.149
that were going on, um, that is the intent of these boards.

01:23:54.510 --> 01:23:59.350
Uh, there is a component to where, um, and we did not buy this and did not recommend

01:23:59.350 --> 01:24:03.029
it, these could be added for, you know, speed components on it to show how

01:24:03.029 --> 01:24:07.350
fast you're traveling, but that's another very expensive option that we just

01:24:07.350 --> 01:24:09.430
didn't think provided to the safety of it.

01:24:09.470 --> 01:24:13.069
Um, and the police department has their speed trailers.

01:24:13.069 --> 01:24:18.909
So these are really going to be for events and, or, um, really construction,

01:24:18.909 --> 01:24:23.810
primarily for construction or, or where we're working with city crews that we

01:24:23.810 --> 01:24:28.350
can post this as, you know, uh, uh, Dewey street, you know, we're coming, this

01:24:28.350 --> 01:24:33.250
road's going to be closed for, you know, 30 to 60 days, you know, please avoid

01:24:33.250 --> 01:24:34.270
this area type stuff.

01:24:34.270 --> 01:24:34.590
Yeah.

01:24:34.710 --> 01:24:35.109
Okay.

01:24:35.630 --> 01:24:35.909
Okay.

01:24:35.909 --> 01:24:36.310
Thanks.

01:24:39.109 --> 01:24:43.970
I should mention too, that these boards are technically required whenever we work

01:24:43.970 --> 01:24:48.449
on any of the IDOT corridors doing our hot patching, our work, those are part of

01:24:48.449 --> 01:24:50.050
and the traffic control requirements.

01:24:50.310 --> 01:24:53.609
And so renting these are very expensive to bring in for a day.

01:24:53.609 --> 01:24:56.329
They're, they're, they're upwards of $3,000 a day to rent.

01:24:56.409 --> 01:24:56.770
Wow.

01:24:56.770 --> 01:24:57.449
That's crazy.

01:25:01.250 --> 01:25:02.810
What have we done in the past?

01:25:03.529 --> 01:25:04.130
Rented.

01:25:04.770 --> 01:25:08.810
I mean, we've, we've had one, uh, but it hasn't worked for the last,

01:25:10.130 --> 01:25:12.890
uh, I believe last summer is when it burned up.

01:25:13.170 --> 01:25:15.090
Uh, so we just did without last year.

01:25:15.090 --> 01:25:18.609
Rented one as we work on the I-DOT corridors.

01:25:21.739 --> 01:25:22.699
Parker?

01:25:22.699 --> 01:25:23.539
Aye.

01:25:23.539 --> 01:25:24.659
Stacy?

01:25:24.659 --> 01:25:25.220
Aye.

01:25:25.220 --> 01:25:26.300
Shadle? Aye.

01:25:26.300 --> 01:25:27.420
Sanders? Aye.

01:25:27.420 --> 01:25:28.500
Sellers? Aye.

01:25:28.500 --> 01:25:29.539
Klemm? Aye.

01:25:29.539 --> 01:25:30.539
Johnson? Aye.

01:25:30.539 --> 01:25:32.180
And Simmons? Aye.

01:25:32.180 --> 01:25:34.460
That resolution is adopted eight to zero.

01:25:36.020 --> 01:25:40.260
Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-202638.

01:25:40.859 --> 01:25:45.100
Resolution authorizing the purchase of portable handheld police radios

01:25:45.100 --> 01:25:47.100
from Motorola Solutions.

01:25:47.100 --> 01:25:50.760
Thank you, Lieutenant Weichel.

01:25:50.760 --> 01:25:52.760
I'm Lieutenant Polish.

01:25:52.760 --> 01:25:54.760
That's alright. No, there was a last minute change.

01:25:54.760 --> 01:25:56.760
So, the Freeport Police Department

01:25:56.760 --> 01:25:58.760
is currently in the fifth year of a five-year plan

01:25:58.760 --> 01:26:00.760
to replace the portable handheld

01:26:00.760 --> 01:26:02.760
Motorola radios currently being utilized

01:26:02.760 --> 01:26:04.760
by all sworn police officers.

01:26:04.760 --> 01:26:06.760
Their main radios in circulation still function,

01:26:06.760 --> 01:26:08.760
however, they have reached end of life.

01:26:08.760 --> 01:26:10.760
Currently, Motorola is the only supplier

01:26:10.760 --> 01:26:12.760
of portable handheld police radios.

01:26:12.760 --> 01:26:14.760
The police department has received a quote

01:26:14.760 --> 01:26:22.960
to replace 10 Motorola handheld police radios and accessories at a total cost of $63,596.10.

01:26:22.960 --> 01:26:27.680
Funding for the 10 portable handheld Motorola radios and accessories is provided in fiscal

01:26:27.680 --> 01:26:36.199
year 2026, police department capital budget 331-302-7000, where $65,000 was budgeted for

01:26:36.199 --> 01:26:38.960
this purchase.

01:26:38.960 --> 01:26:39.960
Thank you.

01:26:39.960 --> 01:26:40.960
Do I have a motion?

01:26:40.960 --> 01:26:41.960
So moved.

01:26:41.960 --> 01:26:42.960
Second.

01:26:42.960 --> 01:26:58.800
The radios, the Motorola's, they're not the only competitors on the market because they

01:26:58.800 --> 01:27:07.039
can be integrated with Motorola or replacement of Motorola at very cheap prices, am I correct?

01:27:07.039 --> 01:27:10.399
Not from the information I was given today by Lieutenant Weichel.

01:27:10.399 --> 01:27:12.520
He said Motorola was the only supplier.

01:27:12.520 --> 01:27:19.539
I understand being the only supplier, but they don't hold Monopoly on competitors' radios

01:27:19.539 --> 01:27:27.479
that could be standards also for replacement of Motorola's for a better option.

01:27:27.479 --> 01:27:31.079
Have we inspected that option as well?

01:27:31.079 --> 01:27:32.079
Manager Boyer?

01:27:32.079 --> 01:27:38.159
Alderman Sanders, these are Starcom radios, so they're not available on the open market.

01:27:38.159 --> 01:27:42.119
They're specific for law enforcement.

01:28:02.560 --> 01:28:05.399
is adopted 8-0 as well.

01:28:05.399 --> 01:28:06.399
Thank you.

01:28:06.399 --> 01:28:11.000
Adoption of resolution R-2026-39.

01:28:11.000 --> 01:28:15.579
approving a quote from J&R Supply for the purchase of sewer and storm system manhole

01:28:15.579 --> 01:28:19.899
replacement castings and materials.

01:28:19.899 --> 01:28:20.899
Thank you.

01:28:20.899 --> 01:28:21.899
Manager Boyer?

01:28:21.899 --> 01:28:22.899
Yes.

01:28:22.899 --> 01:28:23.899
Thank you.

01:28:23.899 --> 01:28:24.899
Alderman Shadle.

01:28:24.899 --> 01:28:28.059
This year we've got a lot of construction and we've got a lot of manholes that need

01:28:28.059 --> 01:28:33.760
to be repaired, fixed, whatever is part of our street program.

01:28:33.760 --> 01:28:38.239
So the city staff has received quotes from our sewer castings and lid material supplier

01:28:38.239 --> 01:28:46.159
for the knee-high representative. The utility staff requested a large order for most of

01:28:46.159 --> 01:28:52.600
the 2026 material in single purchase this year to achieve further cost savings. So the

01:28:52.600 --> 01:28:59.319
quote is for 109 castings and lids, and the total cost of the material and components

01:28:59.319 --> 01:29:06.399
is $43,648. There's an eight to 10-week lead time for the production. The final cost is

01:29:06.399 --> 01:29:11.840
Settlers, about 50% of what they normally cost on a project bid, so staff will use sewer

01:29:11.840 --> 01:29:17.680
and storm utility CIP funds to purchase these items and staff recommends moving forward

01:29:17.680 --> 01:29:20.279
with the material purchase.

01:29:20.279 --> 01:29:21.279
Thank you.

01:29:21.279 --> 01:29:22.279
Do we have a motion?

01:29:22.279 --> 01:29:23.279
So moved.

01:29:23.279 --> 01:29:24.279
Second.

01:29:24.279 --> 01:29:25.279
Motion by Klemm.

01:29:25.279 --> 01:29:26.279
Second by Sellers.

01:29:26.279 --> 01:29:27.279
Discussion?

01:29:27.279 --> 01:29:28.279
Yeah.

01:29:28.279 --> 01:29:29.279
Alderman Sanders.

01:29:29.279 --> 01:29:30.279
Yeah.

01:29:30.279 --> 01:29:36.260
There's one item probably, maybe not at all important, but what about the water boxes

01:29:36.260 --> 01:29:44.020
to the water mains when they are defective and need to be repaired and replaced.

01:29:44.020 --> 01:29:48.239
and need to be repaired and replaced, especially on the new main roads, the new highways, the

01:29:48.239 --> 01:29:53.720
new whatever that we are installing right now.

01:29:53.720 --> 01:29:59.520
Those have to have the, at the first initial installment of that road, they should have

01:29:59.520 --> 01:30:06.220
the adequate water boxes when they install that where they don't have to come back and

01:30:06.220 --> 01:30:11.859
make repairs to it tearing up the street on a second time around on the very same

01:30:11.859 --> 01:30:18.300
street to replace water boxes I just I was just curious are we adding that in

01:30:18.300 --> 01:30:33.819
that we including those items yes in the we're replacing that stuff as we go nothing

01:30:33.819 --> 01:30:50.899
further? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted eight to zero. Thank you.

01:30:50.899 --> 01:31:03.699
Moving on to item 22 is reports of department heads. Finance? Nothing this evening. Community development. Hi. I just wanted to remind everybody it snowed a lot today.

01:31:03.699 --> 01:31:11.460
I hope that you are safe, but keep in mind that we do want sidewalks shoveled so that

01:31:11.460 --> 01:31:16.260
kids can get to school and anybody who needs to walk on the sidewalk can get to work tomorrow

01:31:16.260 --> 01:31:17.260
morning.

01:31:17.260 --> 01:31:22.420
So please help your neighbors out and get those sidewalks shoveled so that everybody

01:31:22.420 --> 01:31:24.100
can get where they need to go safely.

01:31:24.100 --> 01:31:25.100
Thank you.

01:31:25.100 --> 01:31:28.300
And that's a 24-hour from the snowfall?

01:31:28.300 --> 01:31:32.699
Yeah, 12 hours, yeah.

01:31:32.699 --> 01:32:02.699
Works. Yeah, just a few things. I'd really like to thank our Public Works crews for starting around, actually, they work Sunday night salting and they started this morning around three o'clock plowing streets and didn't finish up till this afternoon. Appreciate their dedication to getting it done. I want to let everybody know that we're not going to continue to haul snow out over the next few days. We're not going to do major plowbacks. It's going

01:32:02.699 --> 01:32:07.819
to be up in the fifties by Thursday. So a lot of this is going to melt away quickly. So we don't want

01:32:07.819 --> 01:32:15.819
to waste city fuel and manpower hauling snow away that's going to melt. I'd like to thank Randy

01:32:15.819 --> 01:32:21.819
Kolbauer who came to this meeting and the last meeting shows her interest in the department and

01:32:21.819 --> 01:32:29.500
helping us rewrite the ordinances for the MS4 and the erosion and the Julie stuff. She didn't have

01:32:29.500 --> 01:32:31.439
have to come, but she's been at the last two meetings.

01:32:31.979 --> 01:32:38.819
The 1719 Main Street demo, uh, obviously with the weather, it's slowed down a little

01:32:38.819 --> 01:32:39.039
bit.

01:32:39.039 --> 01:32:42.560
So as the snow melts away, we hope to see some action there next week.

01:32:43.079 --> 01:32:47.920
Um, you'll see probably fences coming in this week if, if they haven't got in there.

01:32:48.199 --> 01:32:52.600
And then just a reminder to all the Aldermen that at the next meeting, uh, we

01:32:52.600 --> 01:32:57.079
will have had three bid openings for street projects, uh, for this year.

01:32:57.079 --> 01:33:02.760
so be package A, B, and C that'll be on the next agenda to move forward so we can

01:33:02.760 --> 01:33:08.600
start the construction process earlier this year hopefully. Thank you. IT.

01:33:13.479 --> 01:33:17.239
Nothing tonight. Fire. Nothing this evening.

01:33:19.000 --> 01:33:23.159
And I don't think I forgot anybody. City manager.

01:33:23.159 --> 01:33:29.239
Thank you Alderman. I just wanted to also put a little highlight on what something

01:33:29.239 --> 01:33:33.359
Niren just mentioned. So over the last 24 hours Freeport and Stevenson County

01:33:33.359 --> 01:33:38.760
experienced a significant late season winter storm with the National Weather

01:33:38.760 --> 01:33:43.119
Service placing our area under a blizzard warning and reporting hazardous

01:33:43.119 --> 01:33:47.079
conditions that included accumulating snow, blowing and drifting snow, and wind

01:33:47.079 --> 01:33:52.800
gusts up to 40 to 45 miles per hour. Official snow fall reporting in Illinois

01:33:52.800 --> 01:34:00.119
Show's 24-hour total is topping over 9 inches in parts of the border storm area, and locally

01:34:00.119 --> 01:34:04.199
this was made more challenging by reduced visibility, bitter cold, and difficult travel

01:34:04.199 --> 01:34:10.399
conditions. In that environment, our public works team performed very well. At this time,

01:34:10.399 --> 01:34:15.800
it is my understanding that we completed snow removal operations without any property damage

01:34:15.800 --> 01:34:20.600
or employee injuries, which reflect a safe, disciplined, and highly professional response

01:34:20.600 --> 01:34:24.159
Spire, Cruz, and I just want to personally thank them very much for their hard work

01:34:24.159 --> 01:34:31.560
this last this last 24 hours. Thank you. Thank you. That takes us to council

01:34:31.560 --> 01:34:39.399
announcement. Alderman Klemm. Okay we have a neighborhood watch coming up next week

01:34:39.399 --> 01:34:47.420
on 423 at Schwartz Funeral Home and also I want to echo the good job that the

01:34:47.420 --> 01:34:52.380
Public Works done. I did see him out last night, probably about seven o'clock,

01:34:52.420 --> 01:34:56.220
putting salt down on all the main thoroughfares and stuff. So they really

01:34:56.220 --> 01:34:59.619
did do a good job and we're by this morning. So thank you guys.

01:35:00.979 --> 01:35:01.779
Hollerman Johnson.

01:35:02.659 --> 01:35:07.100
Yes, we have a neighborhood watch meeting this Thursday at 630 p.m. at

01:35:07.100 --> 01:35:09.020
3002 Farmedale Lane.

01:35:10.539 --> 01:35:12.220
Thank you. Hollerman Simmons.

01:35:13.260 --> 01:35:16.500
I don't have anything. Well, I do want to say

01:35:17.420 --> 01:35:26.420
That the street crews did an awesome job. It was a lot of snow, and by the afternoon we were all able to get out and move around like it never happened.

01:35:26.420 --> 01:35:28.420
It was pretty awesome. Good job, guys.

01:35:28.420 --> 01:35:30.420
Thank you. Hallerman Parker?

01:35:30.420 --> 01:35:34.420
Just our Neighborhood Watch meeting is next Monday night, the fourth Monday of the month.

01:35:34.420 --> 01:35:36.420
Thank you. Hallerman Stacey?

01:35:36.420 --> 01:35:46.579
Yes, I would like to announce my Fifth Ward neighborhood watch tomorrow at the church on

01:35:46.579 --> 01:35:57.979
the corner of Carroll and Empire at six o'clock and also I believe Alderman Johnson, if you

01:35:57.979 --> 01:36:02.979
You can help me with this. That there's a public forum meeting this week.

01:36:04.979 --> 01:36:08.979
What are you talking about? Are you talking about for the tower?

01:36:08.979 --> 01:36:09.979
Yes.

01:36:09.979 --> 01:36:12.979
I believe that's April 2nd, isn't it?

01:36:13.979 --> 01:36:19.979
So the Zoning Board of Appeals for the JCWiFi tower will be on April 2nd.

01:36:19.979 --> 01:36:25.979
They are hosting a, JCWiFi is going to host a town hall here at City Hall.

01:36:25.979 --> 01:36:32.899
Shaw, that will be announced tomorrow, the day and time.

01:36:32.899 --> 01:36:39.739
What I would like to see happen is when we have a meeting of that nature coming up that

01:36:39.739 --> 01:36:49.739
the community have say so, that it's announced so that we know what is coming up.

01:36:49.739 --> 01:36:53.899
It's always publicly noticed on the website.

01:36:53.899 --> 01:37:03.699
Okay, I understand that, but I'm just asking that they be announced here at the council.

01:37:03.699 --> 01:37:08.739
If that's asking too much, then I'll take it from the rep and announce it myself.

01:37:08.739 --> 01:37:11.140
But I'm just trying to...

01:37:11.140 --> 01:37:16.340
There is a schedule of regular meetings on the website when you can go to any zoning

01:37:16.340 --> 01:37:17.619
board meeting.

01:37:17.619 --> 01:37:22.340
And when I post agendas on Friday, emails go to over 100 people.

01:37:22.340 --> 01:37:29.260
they go on the website and the board back here by OMA regulations.

01:37:29.260 --> 01:37:33.260
Do we have a time on that?

01:37:33.260 --> 01:37:34.260
On the town hall?

01:37:34.260 --> 01:37:35.260
Yeah.

01:37:35.260 --> 01:37:36.260
No.

01:37:36.260 --> 01:37:38.340
That will be announced tomorrow.

01:37:38.340 --> 01:37:40.260
It will be published on the website tomorrow.

01:37:40.260 --> 01:37:41.260
Okay.

01:37:41.260 --> 01:37:44.840
We're just finalizing some details today.

01:37:44.840 --> 01:37:45.840
Thank you.

01:37:45.840 --> 01:37:46.840
I have nothing.

01:37:46.840 --> 01:37:47.840
Alderman Sanders?

01:37:47.840 --> 01:37:56.159
One request and recommendation that I'd like to propose to council that we get behind senior

01:37:56.159 --> 01:38:05.319
citizens within our city and create a program that will allow us or them if they're a certain

01:38:05.319 --> 01:38:11.039
age can't get before they get out of their house because of massive snow like we have

01:38:11.039 --> 01:38:12.039
today.

01:38:12.039 --> 01:38:17.680
I don't know if they have a sign-up program where they can call in and say that they need

01:38:17.680 --> 01:38:25.960
to get out because in the case of emergencies, you have elderly stuck in the home. They can't

01:38:25.960 --> 01:38:32.319
get out on the sidewalks and things of that nature, even onto the vehicles. I was just

01:38:32.319 --> 01:38:38.159
wondering if there's a program that we can put together that will allow them to call

01:38:38.159 --> 01:38:46.039
in or because you have to be a certain age that you can't get out and physically get

01:38:46.039 --> 01:38:47.039
and I.

01:38:47.039 --> 01:38:48.039
I was out there in the snow like today was.

01:38:48.039 --> 01:38:56.079
You know, I saw older people out trying to mask that snow, trying to get as much as they

01:38:56.079 --> 01:38:57.079
can out.

01:38:57.079 --> 01:39:03.119
But you know how snow is, it can affect their health in trying to remove snow.

01:39:03.119 --> 01:39:09.840
So I was just wondering if we can make, we can adopt something, put something together

01:39:09.840 --> 01:39:14.720
to allow them to be able to call in and ask for a little help.

01:39:14.720 --> 01:39:15.720
That's all I have to say.

01:39:15.720 --> 01:39:24.239
Alderman Sellers. I have nothing. Thank you. It leads us to public comments, agenda or

01:39:24.239 --> 01:39:33.800
non-agenda. My name is Marcus Signer. I've been here my whole life. A lot of things

01:39:33.800 --> 01:39:39.600
have changed. I had a question. Something happened today and I have a real real

01:39:39.600 --> 01:39:43.800
concern on it. I was wondering

01:39:43.800 --> 01:39:46.319
on it. Um, I was wondering, you're a lieutenant and everything is, what's your schedule working

01:39:46.319 --> 01:39:52.319
at the police station? They can't answer questions. This is comments only. Okay. So I can't ask Stacy

01:39:52.319 --> 01:39:56.000
a question because I feel she was the only one who will actually answer the question.

01:39:56.560 --> 01:40:02.000
Well, this is not a forum for questions. This is a forum. Well, all I have to say is today I got

01:40:02.000 --> 01:40:09.039
threatened for my life. Uh, individual got a shovel while I was on a property, um, removing snow,

01:40:09.039 --> 01:40:15.199
called the police. Police came. Basically, the guy, police officer was a straight

01:40:16.800 --> 01:40:23.920
mean person to me. I had other witnesses there that said they seen this individual hit my truck with

01:40:23.920 --> 01:40:30.960
a shovel. I showed the officer the trail of my truck where I wasn't going towards him. I was

01:40:30.960 --> 01:40:34.720
going the opposite way so he can't try to say that was the excuse for hitting my vehicle.

01:40:34.720 --> 01:40:40.640
So, I had one of his officers there, basically went up to the guy, basically, hey, put in

01:40:40.640 --> 01:40:42.560
no trespassing on him.

01:40:42.560 --> 01:40:48.239
So then he can't even do the property that he has a contract on.

01:40:48.239 --> 01:40:53.399
When I was the victim today, there wasn't no arrest, there was nothing done.

01:40:53.399 --> 01:40:56.760
What they do with me, if someone was assaulting me, they wouldn't even be arrested that day.

01:40:56.760 --> 01:41:01.119
I have a problem with Freeport police, like they target me.

01:41:01.119 --> 01:41:02.880
When I call them, they won't help me.

01:41:02.880 --> 01:41:06.439
All they would do is say, we'll do a police report, we'll send it to Carl Larson.

01:41:06.439 --> 01:41:11.859
Carl Larson is friends with also Steve Stovall who said he was going to harm me and when

01:41:11.859 --> 01:41:14.279
he sees me on a four wheeler he was going to harm me.

01:41:14.279 --> 01:41:19.880
So Carl Larson I feel is really close to certain individuals.

01:41:19.880 --> 01:41:23.539
That's why we're not getting the right justice here.

01:41:23.539 --> 01:41:27.380
If I was to threaten somebody today, I would be arrested like this.

01:41:27.380 --> 01:41:32.420
There wouldn't be no can we send the paperwork to Carl Larson to see if there's enough evidence.

01:41:32.420 --> 01:41:35.420
Like, what is it gonna take?

01:41:35.420 --> 01:41:40.800
And then all that happens is if I call the police and say someone did something to me,

01:41:40.800 --> 01:41:44.180
the police will write it up like he wants to press charges on me for something I never

01:41:44.180 --> 01:41:47.039
did just for calling for help.

01:41:47.039 --> 01:41:48.619
That's crazy to me.

01:41:48.619 --> 01:41:50.020
That's crazy to me.

01:41:50.020 --> 01:41:54.699
And Carl Larson is number one in charge, and he's friends with Steve Stovall, who threatened

01:41:54.699 --> 01:41:55.699
me.

01:41:55.699 --> 01:41:56.699
Of course he ain't gonna like me.

01:41:56.699 --> 01:41:57.699
He still affiliates with them.

01:41:57.699 --> 01:41:59.500
And I come here to say, too.

01:41:59.500 --> 01:42:04.859
My worry right now is if Thurman gets in there, I'm definitely screwed.

01:42:04.859 --> 01:42:08.380
They will put me under the bus and put false stuff on me.

01:42:08.380 --> 01:42:10.699
Thurman is real, real close to Steve Stovall.

01:42:10.699 --> 01:42:16.699
So if they are colleagues together, you think I have a shot at real justice?

01:42:16.699 --> 01:42:17.699
No.

01:42:17.699 --> 01:42:18.699
It's a setup.

01:42:18.699 --> 01:42:25.579
And I learned in this city, we can all come to about safety and all this.

01:42:25.579 --> 01:42:29.380
How can we do safety when law enforcement is threatening us?

01:42:29.380 --> 01:42:31.779
They're the one who's supposed to serve and protect.

01:42:31.779 --> 01:42:35.739
We can't do nothing because it's up to Carl Larson, and Carl Larson will not do a damn

01:42:35.739 --> 01:42:39.739
thing about it if it has something with law enforcement.

01:42:39.739 --> 01:42:41.699
Sir, your time's up.

01:42:41.699 --> 01:42:44.939
Three minutes, thank you.

01:42:44.939 --> 01:42:47.890
Anyone else?

01:42:47.890 --> 01:42:50.729
I would take a motion for adjournment.

01:42:50.729 --> 01:42:51.729
So move.

01:42:51.729 --> 01:42:52.729
Second.

01:42:52.729 --> 01:42:55.810
Motion by Sellers, second by Johnson.

01:42:55.810 --> 01:42:56.810
All in favor?