I got one.
Absolutely.
I was in the doctor's office here a few weeks ago and she gave me a motion.
Let's go.
Yep.
Are you doing, are you working at home?
Are you doing a good job on that?
Because we want I'm going to keep you there.
Maybe some of you, not all of you.
No, I like you there.
Somebody told me to give this to you.
I have to refresh myself.
This is from them?
Yes.
Okay, it's six o'clock.
Pastor Justin, could you please give the invocation this evening?
Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council, and everybody with us tonight, would you please pray with me?
Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, it is in you that we live and move and have our existence, the very breath of life, as well as the unique gifts and abilities that characterize each one of us.
You have made us and so we are yours, not our own in life and in death and body and soul.
So Lord, you have provided and set in place whatever powers and governments exist.
You've placed a calling on each one of us sitting here tonight and gifted us with the ability that we have to carry out those callings.
And so you encourage us to turn to you for wisdom and strength.
And you are kind to hear and answer our prayers generously.
And so I pray for this council tonight for its work but also outside of these doors for our city workers across each department especially with the cold weathers and the difficulty that that brings and for first responders throughout our city and our county and Lord we ask that you'd move each one to call upon your name for help and safety and wisdom for strength even as we ask for it here tonight.
So we pray Lord that you would help us to live with compassion and patience for others even in these council chambers as we might have differences of opinion even strong differences but we pray that you'd have help us to have respect in regard for each other so we seek your grace and your forgiveness that you alone can grant and that that would pour out of us towards one another so we pray that you would help us tonight we ask in the name of your son Amen.
Thank you.
So now we'll officially call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Mayor Miller?
Here.
Alderpersons, Klemm?
Here.
Monroe?
Here.
Simmons?
Here.
Parker?
Here.
Stacy will be marked absent for the moment.
Shadle is absent.
Sanders?
Here.
And Sellers?
Yes.
We have a quorum.
I'll entertain a motion to allow How Alderman Stacy to attend remotely, is there such a motion?
So moved.
Is there a second?
I'll second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Simmons.
Any discussion?
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Shadle is absent, Sanders?
Here.
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Monroe.
The motion passes 6 to 0.
So then at 6.03 Alderman Stacey is attending remotely.
So if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Simmons.
Item number one is the approval of the agenda, however we will not be having executive session tonight.
Is there a motion to approve?
So So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Simmons?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The motion passes seven to zero.
Item number two is the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on February 3rd, 2025.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The motion passes 7-0.
Item number 3 is public comments.
We have one signed up for item number 5, Steve Carroll.
I'm Steve Carroll.
And Steve Carroll.
This is about street lights.
So apparently we're still talking about it and I would like us to stop talking and act on it.
At the last council meeting I talked about the poor lighting and the multiple reports of shots fired over the years on Oak where I've lived for the last 47 years.
Last month there was gunfire 15 feet from the north side of my house and this was about 9.30 in the evening.
Prior to that, there's been shots fired in the 1200 and 1400 block of Oak.
Sandwiched in between the 1400 and 1200 block of Oak is the quarter of Empire and Oak, which is very busy during school hours and after school events.
There are school buses going through that intersection and stopping on multiple locations on Oak.
There are children walking and John.
I have been to and from school during school hours and during school events.
That area is very dangerous, but I have every confidence in the Freeport Police Department to do their part to keep that area safe.
I wish I could say the same thing about the Freeport School District.
They have been made aware of the situation, but I frankly doubt their ability to Huffines.
I have no idea why she would say that when over the years there's been multiple reports of shots fired and two homicides near where she lives.
The last one was 13 months ago, just three houses from her residence.
Disingenuous is the kind euphemistic word I will use here.
Apparently, I'm the only one on Oak drawing gunfire.
Settlers.
It's obvious that Joy Sellers has turned her back at our neighborhoods and maybe our neighborhoods should turn their collective backs on her.
And that concludes public comment.
We will move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda.
This consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion.
Unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed for further discussion.
Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the and finance bills in the total of $1,318,015.77.
The approval of payroll for pay period ending February 8th, in the total of 669,000.669,159 dollars 49 cents and also the cash and investment report and the finance department report for December 2024 and the adaption of resolution 2025 21 which is corrected renewal of agreement invoice with locality media first due for the fire department record management software and modules is there a motion to approve So move.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Any discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
Aye.
The motion passes 7-0.
Thank you.
Item number five is a discussion regarding upgrading streetlights.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Just to kind of update Council on where we stand with this and specifically in relation to observations and requests by Alderman Stacy, the discussion around street light improvements has been going on for some time.
2021, The street light improvement project provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd that was for the downtown lighting.
Grant eligibility and recent success includes, essentially we've been looking for a similar grant and applying for anything available through ComEd for additional lighting in the city.
So city staff's been working since 2022 to qualify for another grant.
Recently the city was awarded a new ComEd grant to fund community lighting projects.
That's the select communities grant.
In addition to that, some of the large trees in the parkways tend to shade out light from street lights inhibiting their effectiveness.
So in the previous years, but especially last year, forestry was trimming trees along major street and corridors where we were doing street renovations.
So that includes Adams, Oak, Iroquois, and Ridge just as an example, but that improved the street light visibility to some extent.
Moving forward, we're looking to deploy our new plan, which is deploy brighter lights in law enforcement advised areas that require additional illumination.
So these were areas that were identified by law enforcement as trouble areas that would certainly benefit by increasing the lumen output.
Those include the 700 block of South Kenwood, 700 block of South Float, 300 block of East Pleasant, 500 Block of South Carroll, 400 Block of South State, Broadway at Locust and Walnut, 500 Block of South Chicago, the All-in-One Convenience Store on Locust, South Chicago Avenue in Frank, 1200 Block of South High, and 1130 South Galena.
In addition, as Mr. Carroll just noted, Oak Street as well, we're working toward getting that taken care of.
So recently we had a public works meeting to review and discuss the street illumination improvements and address immediate needs while continuing to work with ComEd on the newly awarded select communities grant plan.
So our first steps are to replace lower lumen lights with brighter lights currently available at the public works inventory.
These were lights that were recycled during the Chicago Avenue streetscape project and we have some on hand that we can deploy right away so we'll be moving forward on that.
Also replaced streetlights on police Shenberger's concern areas and that would be, I think we've got about 22 in inventory and we need about 84 so we're going to be looking for and those fixtures are fairly expensive so the total cost is going to be including oak is going to include something like about $40,000 total for the fixtures and installation costs.
So we've got ownership and collaboration streetlights are owned by ComEd requiring and the public works director Steekl has initiated discussions with George Galrap and we're moving forward with a meeting later this week to nail down plans there.
ComEd will be scheduling, as I mentioned, will be scheduling a meeting shortly.
Funding and grants, so the higher wattage fixtures do not qualify for the standard grants that we received already, so there will be a cost impact to the city.
If funding is delayed, we're going to do what we can with the lights that we currently have.
Miller.
We're looking at the new fixtures, not necessarily, we did not include in last year's budget, so we are going to need to make a decision on what we're going to do in terms of funding.
However, I'll bring that proposal to you when we get closer to that point.
Anyway, in addition, so we've got, we can add those brighter fixtures to some areas.
However, it may also draw attention from other areas of the community that feel Miller.
So that's a consideration we're working with right now.
And then, of course, what that financial impact is, whether that is just the cost of the fixtures and the additional electricity costs, where that'll come from and if that will be moved on through the ComEd bill.
So our current estimated cost for what we've just discussed, which is the areas that are and the other funds that are provided by police chief Shenberger and also oak is above $45,000.
These are essentially the electricity is also going to go up to some degree.
And right now we have about 10,000 allocated in the street light repair budget, so we're going to need to figure out where those funds are coming from.
So we may require the use of emergency funds to make that and things will have to be budgeted for the future.
And we're not completely sure what those costs would be, but it'll depend on the number of lights we deploy.
So that's kind of my update on where we stand with the street light update.
I have a question.
Alderman Sellers?
She can go.
OK, Alderman Stacy?
Yes, a grant, or is this discounted?
Ulderman, Stacy.
Could you repeat that?
Yes.
Is this a grant or is this discount?
So right now we're working with Comet on the grant.
We haven't fleshed that that information out completely.
What I'm suggesting tonight is that we've got about twenty two lights in inventory to go ahead and deploy those as soon as possible and then work through the grant process to get the remaining of those.
I guess that would be about sixty replaced.
Okay, will we be using the 20,000 that's in a light funding escrow and the 23 that was saved from the other job that Darren Stegall saved 2300?
I'm not positive of what you're saying there could you repeat that Alderman Stacy we have 10,000 budgeted in the in this year's budget for light repairs and Alderman Stacy that's for light repairs not light replacement we could I mean that's what it's in the For, so it's a matter of where the council wants to take it from.
Okay but the 20 went down to 10, is that what I'm understanding?
The budget was approved in December with 10,000 in this specific line item, so we'll be having to look at other line items or looking at current fund reserve to pay for this.
Okay, Alderman Sellers, did you have?
Yes, I know that you had said a little bit about other neighborhoods would probably want lighting and stuff.
Are we gonna try to make that like a program like we did with the streets and broadened it out and Darren came up with a plan on how we can get lights for everybody all over or how are we gonna, have we looked into that yet or no?
Right now we're addressing the emergent request.
I'm not sure where we're going, but I do know there's lots of parts of town that don't have really any lights to speak of, more of rural cross-sections.
So certain wards don't even have poles every 1,500 feet or so.
They have like one in a corner and there's not very much lighting in certain neighborhoods.
So that could get very expensive because of the fact that the poles don't exist.
But just to answer your question, we're doing what we need to do right now to deal with the issue at hand.
Darren, did you want to add to that?
Wait a minute.
By the money portion of it.
So the $23,000 that we saved at the last meeting in that bid, that's water and sewer CIP money.
So by ordinance, it can be used.
We have CIP money, so by ordinance it can't be moved to the lighting program.
The $10,000 that's budgeted for light repairs, if we spend it on this program, we won't be able to replace or repair any of the light ballasts that we currently do.
I guess my suggestion is if we move forward with this, it's going to have to come from emergency funds, just like if we had another emergency that wasn't budgeted.
That's where this funding will end up having to come from, because I believe by ordinance and the President.
The programs that cannot be taken out of CIP.
Olderman Sanders?
Yeah.
Following up with the scheduling for these programs, have we estimated how long will it take to start the process of this programming?
Because we're not even talking scheduling dates and we need to get started whatever and the other initiatives are right now when we start talking about the lighting program and things like that.
Are we scheduling and estimating time and date when we start these processes, when we start these procedures of getting these lighting started, whatever we have, that we can get Huffines.
I don't want to hear that we're still working on it.
This guy came up here twice already making a complaint about Oak Street.
And so I had not heard any feedback in regards to when we're going to get started.
We have looked into it and we have done a survey to actively be, to extradite anything that we and I want to see us doing something, talking about it, because that is a priority.
And where is it on the priority list?
And I wanted to know, since we're getting this thing together, are we prioritizing anything?
That's the whole thing, to get this thing started.
So I'm just Miller.
We're just looking for the active part of it, of the progress that we are stepping into and we have an estimated time and date.
We're not going to prolong this for a year or two years.
We want to see, we want to give the citizens an absolute kind of estimated time that we can get started and start this process.
Alderman Klemm?
I think we ought to stop and back up a second here.
We don't even know what we're gonna do yet, or when we're gonna do it, and if the lights, we gotta work to do it.
And when it was mentioned about other places in town that need electricity or need places, yes, there are some.
Do we need to go where we're specifically having problems?
The answer to that is 100% correct.
There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
But you got a process that you gotta go through to figure out what you're gonna put lights where, where they will fit to the ones that we have.
Wait a minute, do we have- No, I don't need you to do that.
You don't even do that.
Yeah, you're- Alderman Sanders, he has support.
Don't say a damn thing.
It's time you sit back and listen.
No, I'm not gonna sit back and listen.
Alderman Sanders, you do not have the floor.
He does not have the right- You do not have the floor.
Yeah, well- It is Alderman Klemm.
I'm not gonna let him attack me and insult me.
Well, you do it to everybody else.
No, I don't insult you, but I will start doing so.
That's enough, Alderman.
Yeah, yeah, you're a very disrespectful person Fowler.
So tell me what you're going to do to solve the problem before you do it.
Everybody's for doing it, but you've got to figure out what you need to do.
I would imagine we'd get started on it probably by the 1st of April there about.
So the one thing that everyone has to keep in mind at the council level is the City of Freeport doesn't own the poles or the lights on these streets, Commonwealth Edison does, so we can't do anything without their direct permission.
So we can talk about this and we can move it forward and we need their assistance to actually install them or give us at least permission to do them because they're live We have 25 lights, so we can't send our crews out to just change these lights out, so it's a process and it's not going to happen tomorrow, it's not going to happen next week, it's going to take some time to coordinate this.
We were able to get the one light changed at Iroquois at that intersection as a favor from Mr. Gullwrap, we pushed that forward.
And I'm not saying that we can't get this done because we have 22 of the 25 lights in place for Oak Street we actually have them we're not sure that they all work but we have them in the warehouse but again we will not and cannot move forward without their direct permission because they own the poles and the lights we only pay for the electricity.
Alderman Monroe.
Thank you Madam Mayor.
I think time is something that's passed by four years worth since I've been We've been on the council.
We've been talking about this.
We've been asking for more lights.
We've been asking for better, you know, it goes back to the previous chief of police.
We had these conversations with Matt Summers.
So time is of the essence now.
We've been dragging our feet from the previous public works director, who's now the city manager, to the new public works director.
Miller.
And we're asking for movement.
We're asking for something to happen.
And while I agree with you, the lights belong in the poles, belong in the power, belongs to Commonwealth Edison, there are other options available to improve the lighting in some of these areas, especially where there's no poles existing, where we could put in poles that have 24-hour guaranteed uptime, 365 days with solar power.
They're out there.
Are they expensive?
And I, and I'm a lawyer and I'm a lawyer.
I'm a lawyer and I'm a lawyer.
I do.
It's not my job to look it up.
But I did get two calls after we talked about this in the last week from companies that want to pitch these services.
So I think as a council, what we're all asking for is a plan that put the paper much like you did with the roads, which was exactly what we needed and what we wanted, and it allowed us to then start attacking the Huffines.
I think that's where we're kind of sitting right now is we need that plan to kind of move forward so that we can say, okay, well, maybe we need to kill this in the budget because this is a higher priority.
This is that need versus want conversation that we'd never want to have here.
We just want to buy, you know, $1.5 million pieces of equipment and not have real conversations Huffines.
We've got to give the police department a fighting chance.
We've got to give the community a chance, and we've got to come together and come up with a solution.
And it may not be what we want, but it's what we need.
And I think we've got to bring that together.
Fowler.
I think it's simple to just work together, come up with a plan, and you'll get seven or eight yeses to come up that will back you on this.
But we've got, we can't do that.
That's not our task.
We don't know how much each one of these costs.
We don't know how much time.
We don't know how long it takes ComEd.
We need your help.
And that's what I think we keep asking for and why this keeps coming up.
So I agree with most of what you said without with the one exception we have had no vote or unanimous or direction from council to put that plan together because it's not budgeted so if we make that plan and council addresses us to do that like they did with the street plan we will absolutely do that I am afraid to be honest with you I agree with most of what you said the city of Freeport Right now, while I agree the safety areas are a priority, we cannot afford to replace every light in this town.
And I think the taxpayers would be pretty upset with what that ultimate cost would be.
I did a little bit of research and so we'll give some facts here.
The lights were approved by City Manager Crow to be replaced and I believe it was 2018 and most of that project was done somewhere between the end of 2018 and 2019.
Those lights have only been installed for five years.
ComEd doesn't do any light replacement within five years.
That's their minimum.
You can't get any light changes out for five years at a minimum because I think that's probably the lifespan of their fixture or the payoff of their fixture.
If we want to replace every light in town with increased wattage, that will be at 100% cost to the city of Freeport because they only give the discounts or whatever you want to call them, grants discounts or anything like that, for people that are reducing wattage and saving energy consumption.
I did do the math and I've said it up here two or three times at council a new pole and a new light are about $13,000 a piece to install mid-block wherever we want to put them again we don't have those types of things in the budget right now but if we get direction that that's what we want to do we will put those plans together I'm trying to put a stopgap to the safety stuff and move this safety priority ahead as quickly as possible but not every one of our Selders.
We have to give our partners work as fast as we try to do and, you know, when we're dealing with larger companies like this, we have to give them time to be able to react.
Oldman Selders?
Yeah, I wanted to say I do agree with, you know, a lot of the things that you said, because we have to give our, you know, police department a chance.
We have to get us a chance to get together and put the plan together.
But I do also think that when the police department do their jobs and get these people, we also have to realize there's another component, there's the judicial system.
They have to not just slap their hands, they have to do what they have to do to help us.
I'm sorry.
And if we don't do that, they're back.
So we're going to have repeated problems.
So we all have to work together.
So I do agree with, Chief, I'm glad you guys are out there doing what you do.
And it's not that I said that I feel safe because I don't live in fear.
So I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, feeling that I didn't feel that I didn't feel compassion because that's where I live.
So I have the passion.
But I'm saying I feel safe and have peace because if I see something, I'm going to say something.
I have lights around my house, security lights.
We also have to chip in on that also as residents.
You know, we can look for the city lights and that's perfect and I know we need them.
But we also have to get spotlights around our house, a security camera around our doors.
We have to also tell what's going on in our neighborhoods and be a part of it also.
So that's my take on that.
Thank you.
Alderman Sanders.
I have a question.
Alderman, Sanders.
Yeah, I'm listening to everything collectively and I'm listening to a lot of good things and it sounds like a lot of good detail information is coming forward.
My question is, and I like the fact that putting a plan in motion and we have to be able to have the council to begin to talk about and others, and then we need someone in place to get these plans in motion.
And so we're talking about it great, great, great concepts, great ideas, great understanding of how to proceed and things of that nature, but we also need that one startup and who who is the person that leads us in those areas to give us a final understanding of how we're gonna proceed.
We need that individual and I'm looking for those people who are the people we as council have to look to to understand is there a strategic plan in place about these lightings?
Is there a plan?
I'm wondering if we're working on one.
We should be talking about it constantly because just coming back to council each week, bringing this thing up again, we're back at square one all over again talking about the same subject.
So we need to be able to make moves, get things started.
Let's not be talking about it.
Let's get it.
Let's be about it.
And so I'm just one of those kind of guys who's gonna say talk is enough.
We know what we need to do as a council.
We know what we need to do as city manager, public works or whatever the case is.
We're not collaborating together to get this resolutions started and to get it resolved.
And so my thing is where does the starting point start?
Who's in charge and how do we begin to proceed?
Alderman Simmons, did you have something?
Thank you.
So before I do what I wanna do, I would like to note that when we were all gung-ho about getting in on the grant to have a walkway put behind Highland, that was gonna cost us about $300,000.
Nobody mentioned cost.
Nobody talked about other neighborhoods needing sidewalks.
It was never an issue.
So, I would like to make a motion to direct staff to draw up a plan on what they plan to do with those 22 lights and additional, after we run out of those lights, what areas do you plan to hit by the March Cowl?
You want that plan before the March Cowl?
By, like, the March Cowl.
I'll give them time.
I'll second that.
So we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Monroe as stated.
Madam Clerk, do you need that reset?
I have it, thank you.
Manager Boyer, did you have some input on that?
Darren?
Yeah, I'll ask or answer Alderman Sanders' questions.
The memo that was in the packet for tonight outlined who's in charge, what the plan is and how we're moving forward all that was in the memo and so Rob and I are in charge we're moving forward already we started last Thursday with his direction and after this motion tonight we'll have it all together for you I can't tell you how soon it will happen and we're going under the emergency authority to fund the lights you guys will just have to figure out how to pay for them yeah thank you on that that's part of our job and uh I'm sorry yeah actually you I'm sorry thank you so so we have the motion is there any discussion on the motion itself about the plan for the 22 lights etc could yeah can we just restate the motion says I can hear it well sure madam clerk can you restate that the motion is to direct staff to to study the best use of the and the 22 lights come up with the plan, even beyond the 22 lights.
By the March cow.
By March cow, yes.
Darren, is that possible?
Sure, by the cow.
We'll do the best we can.
I believe Ms. Stacy had a question as well.
I'm sorry, Alderman Stacey, did you have something?
I did have a question pertaining to if Darren was saying we needed to make a motion to get it moving or moving forward with the emergency clause.
But now that Alderman Rachel has already made the motion, I guess I'm just ready for a vote.
Yeah, that's what we're, that's our next step.
Okay.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Simmons.
Aye.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
Aye.
Sanders.
Aye.
Sellers.
Aye.
Klemm.
Aye.
And Monroe.
Aye.
The motion passes seven to zero.
Item number six is the first reading of ordinance 2025-10.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance approving zoning map amendment at 18th South Chicago Avenue, submitted by Mitch Brito to examine the proposed zoning map change from a B-1-2 general retail business to a B-2 limited service business district.
Thank you, Director Duckman.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
So staff received a request for a zoning, a petition for a zoning map amendment at 18th South Chicago Avenue.
And essentially what is going on here is the Lieutenant started, I have a picture of the location up here on the map, in case anybody was interested to see that.
The tenant here started a dojo.
And essentially before checking with our zoning ordinance and came to us and said, hey, I have this dojo.
I need to get my certificate of occupancy.
And I don't have the zoning.
And so staff worked with the property owner to figure out a solution for this situation.
And the solution here was a zoning map amendment.
So currently, it's zone B1.
And it would need to be zone B2 in order to allow for this dojo that the tenant currently is operating.
Tennant currently is operating.
So this went to our Zoning Board of Appeals on February 6th and it was recommended for approval of 5 to 0 with zero abstentions and on February 13th it went to our Planning Commission with a vote of 6 to 0 with zero abstentions and in looking at this zoning map amendment to go from B1 to B2 in line with our Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Commission staffs recommending approval are moving this ordinance to the next for a second reading.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
Second.
Okay.
We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Monroe.
Is there discussion on this ordinance, Alderman Stacy?
Yes.
What is it?
Dojo?
It's a it's karate or it can be jiu-jitsu karate it's essentially a martial arts studio Oldham and Simmons you're gonna have to speak into your microphone I she said or sorry go ahead I didn't just the difference between B1 and B2 it's slightly more intense of a business use it essentially would allow Howell for when this ordinance came out and was created, the writers of the ordinance thought that martial arts studios were more of an intense use than, per se, a retail store.
So you would have to get higher zoning, less restrictive zoning to have a martial arts studio.
That's essentially what it is.
So there's a few uses that are more intense.
Yep.
Alderman Sanders.
This is not on topic, I just wanted to ask you something in regards to zoning, and I just wanted to make sure that our ordinance identify what areas that are supposed to get zonings and recognize whether or not residential can also be considered and others.
I'm just asking that question in general about what you would do if you were to start a business in a residential area or whatever and is that considered where he needs a permit or need to be in the proper zoning locations?
I'm just asking that question in general because that question came up to me.
Sure.
I think you can always do a home-occupied business, which essentially would be small accounting firm, person working for themself.
Maybe you're an architect.
You're working for yourself.
You're working out of your house, smaller law firm.
Essentially, that's what you would call a home-occupation business.
OK.
That's allowed.
Usually what happens is by the time you start having more than one client at your house at one time, that's when you would fall, you would become more of an intense land use and you would be required to, you know, get into, start your business in a business zone property, commercial zone property.
So the answer to your question is there's, you know, our ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses ran out of their house.
And when I, if somebody were to call me, my advice to them is always, Once you start having multiple clients in your house, multiple times per day, you know, that's when you really want to think about transitioning to an office space or more intense.
Right.
Well, that was.
Okay, so actually, I appreciate you wanting to have a better understanding, but you are correct that has nothing to do with this ordinance.
Yeah.
So, if you want to discuss this offline, I'm sure he'll pick up his phone anytime you want to discuss it.
Yeah, that's what I would do.
Totally.
So is there any further discussion concerning this Alderman-Munroe?
No, I'm good right now.
No, not discussion.
Can I make a motion, though?
We have a motion on the floor to move it forward.
Oh, never mind.
Or actually, can I make a motion on this to suspend the rules?
You can do what you want.
Sure, I'll do that then.
Is there a second motion for the suspension of the rules?
Alderman Parker.
So suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority.
And so, Madam Clerk, could you please take the role on the suspension only?
Simmons?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The suspension of the rules passes seven to zero.
So then council before you is the final reading of this ordinance.
So if there's no further discussion on this, Madam Clerk, please take the role on the passage of Ordinance 2025-10.
Simmons.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
Aye.
Sanders.
Aye.
Sellers.
Aye.
Klemm and Monroe.
Aye.
And the ordinance passes seven to zero.
Thank you item number seven is the first reading of ordinance 2025 11 could you please read this ordinance approving hanger leases for a one Dennis Miller H1 Alexander Glockler J Matt Van Bergen L1 Ron Jansen L2 heritage aviation L3 Tango 34 LLC L5 Paul Oda L7 Pam Maness M1 John Inc M3 Greg Manuel, M4, Ken and Paula Irwin, M8, David Hayes, and N10, John Staben.
Second.
Is there a second?
Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Any discussion on this ordinance?
Alderman Sanders?
Yeah, I had to look at this We're going to have to do this very carefully.
This, there's not enough detailed information for the reason why we're bringing this ordinance to the council at this particular moment, and yeah, I, okay, okay, okay, let's let him give his presentation, then we'll, Manager Boyer, did you have one?
It's going to be fairly concise.
Last year, council asked that we get these leases squared away.
We have a new lease format.
And gör, let me cut you off since you cut me off while I was right in the middle of midsentence.
Yes, I was cut off right in the middle of mid-sentence.
I've never got a chance to complete my thoughts.
No, I didn't ask for that kind of help.
I know what I want Huffines.
Thank you.
Don't do that.
Well, actually, we were slightly out of order and the attorney.
No, I was talking.
I was in the midst of talking and trying to get my thought out when I was interrupted.
That's what I'm trying to say to you.
You're not listening.
That's all.
But what I'm saying is I had an opportunity to look at this, this particular ordinance 2025 11.
And I saw I was I was looking at the disparities that was and the other people.
So we have a lot of information about what is going to be done within those leases.
When I'm looking through those leases, the comparisons with those leases does not conform with the whole process on who is signing off on these leases and who is coming up with the detailed information about what and so on.
And I'm like, any of the leases that are being presented to us today, and I'm like, this should not even be on the agenda to even talk about it until we have covered all of those areas of those leases and had the detailed information that we need about it because the lease does not sound like a read to me adds up.
It does not add up to me.
So when I come in here and I need to have questions on it, I don't want to vote on something that is half vague, have been presented, and the leases are not fully looked at to be talking about these leases.
I understand they're there, but the comparison from one hanger to the next one, it does not justify why certain lease amounts are being charged to certain hangers and not the other ones.
And we need to understand why that is.
And so that's the reason why I brought this up because I'm not getting full understanding of why we're talking about the leases when we have not been able to explain each, every item and the reason why we're having disparaging and I have a lot of questions about these amounts that are being produced within these leases.
That's all I need to know.
Mr. Boyer, would you like to give your presentation?
Would you like to give your presentation?
Absolutely.
So the lease amounts are in ordinance set by council.
Those amounts were reviewed by council with the airport manager who came to council and discussed that they were in line with the region in terms of what they what the lease rates are and then we have have been updating all the hanger leases with existing tenants who are already there and already had signed leases.
All we're doing here is updating the lease form to more modern wording that has been brought to council and approved already.
Does that answer your question?
Not fully.
I want more.
I want more detail.
Okay.
This is kind of a formality.
St. Louis.
These leases already exist and we're putting them on a new format at the same rate we have currently because that's been deemed to be the correct amount and we're just asking for approval on these leases, that's all.
These people are already here.
Alderman Parker, your hand was up.
Yeah, it makes sense to me and I want to make a motion.
We call the question and also to suspend the rules.
I just said I have a question.
Alderman Stacey did, she informed us that she had a question, but Alderman Parker, you got and Dovie.
So we have a motion on the floor to call the question.
Is there a second to that?
I second.
So my question means nothing.
That's a good point, Dovie.
That's a good point because we only have a motion and a second to move this forward right now.
O'Neill.
Thank you.
So your motion's not ready yet.
But he did say suspending the rules.
So is that what you want to?
Yes.
Okay.
So my question, I don't have a question.
Right.
We're in the middle of a discussion what the previous aldermen, we know you're there, Alderman Stacy.
So we have a motion to suspend the rules.
Do we have a second to that?
So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm to suspend the rules Settlers.
Suspension of the rules is non-debate and must pass by two-thirds majority.
So with that alone, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll and Alderman Stacy will come back to you.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sanders?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
No.
That fails.
One, two, three, four to three.
Yeah.
So Alderman Stacy, you had a question.
Yes, I have a question.
L2 and L3.
Now I thought L2 and L3 was both heritage.
Am I wrong?
Manager Boyer, do you know?
Let me refer to the- Probably me.
We worked from the spreadsheet that we have on file that the airport manager Reviewed.
I don't have the records in front of me.
Anytime we've spoken of heritage, we spoke of two.
Heritage Arrow is in 0, 1, 2, and 3, and I know.
Let me just look it up here.
Okay, but this says L-2 Heritage.
That's Heritage Aviation.
That does not say Heritage Arrow.
I believe it's a different entity.
Okay so I'm being told that L2 and L3 is the same well in parentheses it says it's a different hanger can you see Tango 34 LLC just went into L3 that that is not that is not a redo of an old lease that is a new lease and they've moved to a different hanger so that one I'm quite certain because Angie dropped that off was that in the presentation excuse me nothing so you're saying Rob whoever is in L3 and here's which aviation is not in L2 and L3 that is not my understanding so the ones with names are they individual names or is some Bates, and the other two.
I have a question.
I have some businesses, but their name is listed.
If there is a business, it is listed.
If there is no business, it is not listed.
Okay.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Why did we omit or black out the information of the LESI?
That information by the tail number correct you can if you want I am I am going to blackout personal addresses okay Oldman Sanders yeah the observing some of those leases when I when I kept saying that uh it didn't things didn't look right to me within those leases and my one question would be is why why the there's stenciling writing with a marker pen or whatever the case is within the lease.
I don't know if it's the last moment of when that was cited, but I don't know the date.
When was that written into that lease?
The lease has some kind of signature going on, but there's no date to it when that was put into a lease.
And I looked at that, I'm like, wait a minute, we can't follow this because the fact that it's not dated, we don't have a point of origin of when this signature got put into these leases.
The lease begins, this lease agreement is made and entered into this first day of March and all of the renewals are being done as of March 1st.
But the signature of the person at the end of the lease Recipient of that lease.
I can see where it's not dated.
I can even see where it is where the city does not have dates on the leasing that I can see.
This lease agreement was approved by council and drafted by legal council.
Attorney Zito?
So the signature, you don't have to date your signature.
No, I'm reading it.
So if the signature is on there, then the factor is at the beginning of the lease.
It says that the lease is effective March 1.
That becomes the date is March 1, because that's put up at the top there.
Now, if we didn't have this lease goes into effect March 1, we didn't say that at the top.
And typically then, if you date the signatures, then the effective date is the the date that the second person to sign it signs it you know and then date it there so it's just that's kind of format versus you know anything substantive.
Any further discussion?
Do I understand what Attorney Zito just said is that all these leafs listed on the agenda tonight will go in effect March 1st.
They're proposed so they're drafted these so again these are just and the next meeting.
I think the next meeting is going to be on March 1, which is why on the agenda, they were being proposed to be presented to you guys for first read with a request to suspend the rules so you There's been a vote to not suspend the rules.
These would have to go to the next council meeting.
So we would have to just update all these lease forms to change the start date.
So is that your preference, counsel?
To change all these formats of behaving like we're changing the start date?
If it's not approved it?
If it's not approved by the council then yeah!
Alderman Sellers.
This stop them from working in those in those what are these called hangers I mean would it stop these people's businesses or these people would have to move their airplanes or whatever from a practical standpoint no because we're literally I mean we're talking about March 1 versus March 3rd I don't think that anyone would kick anyone out for for two days mostly says you would just be a Holdover in that situation for a couple of days there.
So, so is it appropriate to ask again for suspension of the rules or can you not do that a second time?
If someone from the prevailing side, because we're at the same session, so this would be like a motion to reconsider, but we have questions.
Alderman Stacy, actually, this is your third question.
So to my knowledge, these people are already in these hangars.
Am I correct?
That is correct okay so we're not denying delaying anything they're already in them correct you're just adding to whatever they want to do you're adding to the clerk's work and the cost of postage if you don't if you don't do the suspension of the rules these already have the dates of the first and the next council meeting isn't until the 3rd of March which then means that She's going to have to change all of these dates.
OK, so it's just like a scratch out on the first and put the third, correct?
And then that has to be initialed by the party who has already signed.
This will add a lot of work.
And I understand what you're saying, Ms. Dovie.
However, we've done it like this all along.
They always have already been in there existing and it's something that we had to do a vote was taken it did not pass so I say we move forward and it carries over to the next council meeting well that's where the motion stands right now to move it to the next council meeting my question was do you want to reconsider the suspension of the rules so that way we don't add unnecessary and Mr. Miller.
I will add postage.
I will have to get initials from the other party.
This is not a tiny thing.
These cost like $1.50 to mail each one.
I still don't have an understanding on my question for L3.
Well, look what it says in the packet.
Okay, Mayor, I'm looking at it.
So don't discredit my ability to see.
I'm not discrediting anything.
It says who L2 is and it says who L3 is.
They're not the same.
Boyer.
When I spoke with City Manager, I was informed that L2 and L3 are the same people.
Manager Boyer, do you have a response?
Alderman, Alderperson, I'm not aware of what you're referring to.
Okay.
Alderman Klemm, did you have your hand up?
I was going to bring up for 50 years, we never saw these and never had a problem and never We had hours of discussion and all you got to do is hold two people accountable for it.
Why did we change this whole thing?
This is asinine to sit here and go through these and we care less who's in them.
All anybody's worrying about is X number of dollars rental.
Are they full?
Are they taken care of?
You've got a person that already manages the airport.
You don't have the commission anymore, but you've got a city manager that oversees it.
This is just a complete slow up of everything and we're sitting here now going back to redo what we've already done.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I may be alone, but I can't see where it makes absolutely any sense for us to go over these.
We spent hours, not just this time, on every lease that's come around.
Well, it is my desire that every lease don't even have to come to the council and that they can be signed off by the manager of the airport until that happens and until we get stable to a place where that can happen, it is what it is.
Of the Council to ask for another suspension.
Please indicate, manage, or I'm sorry, Alderman Sanders.
Yes, it was before you made that statement or that comment.
Are we in the business of just making general commentary about a particular item on the agenda, that someone can just go off and start Fowler.
Thank you.
Thank you for having commentary of his concept and what he believes in without bringing any kind of solutions.
If you're referring to me, I just discussed it.
I'm not talking to you.
But I'm asking a question.
Make sure we were all clear.
No.
You make sure you're all clear.
Come on, gentlemen.
It's not about making commentary on the subject of topics on the agenda.
It's not your business to do that to us, preach to us.
We're just as equal as you are or maybe more but the point I'm making is can you officially make commentaries like that doing counsel without adding a question to it or why you're stating what you're stating?
Attorney Zito.
Alderman Klemm's was regarding the agenda topic about the airport leases so from that standpoint he was on point he didn't have a question he didn't want to be just Keyer, Tony, Stephen, spare that is on-point image up there.
So that said, mayor, you asked me where we at, right now where we stand is there's a notice from the鐘istics board to next council meeting.
The motion to suspend the rules, if there wants to be a motion to reconsider the suspension of the rules, it has to be made by someone on the prevailing side, which was anyone who voted no on the suspension of the rules.
And John, and we move on to the next topic because this goes on to the next council meeting.
» I make a motion that we move it on just to move it on.
Sorry, Joe.
Okay.
Well, let's take it out. » Okay.
Sorry, clerk.
Item number 8 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-12.
Could you please read this? » Ordinance amending chapters Report Concerning Storage Facilities and Business and Agricultural Districts.
Thank you.
Director Duckman.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
I put up the zoning map for the city so everyone can kind of see here and get a better idea of what this text amendment is proposing.
So our industrial, what's in purple here are manufacturing districts, and what's in red is our business districts.
And then what's in yellow?
I know all the person Sanders had a question earlier about residential zoning districts.
What's your yellow is your residential zoning districts.
And this is pretty much a typical of a city.
You have your retail business corridors in red along major thoroughfares in the city.
And then you have most of your industrial manufacturing isolated into industrial parks.
And then most of your city is going to be residential.
So with that being said, this text amendment is to limit self-service storage facilities only to the areas in purple, which would be your industrial, your manufacturing zoning districts.
Currently, if you're in a B3 zoning district, which many of these red areas are, not all of them, but many of the red areas are going to be in your B3 zoning district.
What we've had.
What we've had in the last year here is we've had an influx of self-storage facilities.
First one would be the old Moose Lodge on South Street across from La Petrona.
That got turned into an indoor storage facility, large area on a commercial corridor.
And then also most recently, also off of South Street along that same corridor on Eym Boulevard.
Sorry, take that back.
That's Rosentiel off of Locust.
You have our CubeSmart there recently coming to town and they're in the process of doing another large expansion.
And so with that coming in staff has worked with our planning commission and has really investigated this influx into our business corridors of the self-storage facilities that take up large geographic areas, don't offer much employment and certainly not a fit with many of our residential slash shopping type areas, especially along these corridors here.
So with that being said, staff brought this text amendment to the Planning Commission, which was held on February 13th and it was recommended for approval by a vote of six to zero.
So in line with our Planning Commission, staff is recommending approval We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker to move Ordinance 2025-12 onto the next meeting.
Any discussion?
Move on to item number nine.
Approving Retainer with Napoli and Skolnick for potential litigation of PFAs at Albertus Airport.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
So as we've talked about in the past, the forever chemicals that are in the ground in certain areas in Freeport, we've worked very diligently to get source water that is completely free of these forever chemicals, and we've been very successful with that.
And Napoli Shikolnik is our legal representation related to the class action lawsuit against all the manufacturers of these forever chemicals and they've approached the city about representing us related to airports.
So this is a little different than what we did in the past, which was essentially source water for the city.
This relates back to these firefighting foams and others, and things in the past have been used on airports because they're very helpful in terms of extinguishing fires, fuel fires, that type of thing.
At this time, staff does not believe there's actually any use of these at the airport.
However, it really doesn't hurt anything to be a part of this suit, especially if we, as part of this suit, we end up doing some core samples and maybe there was something there that no one knew about.
However, I think this just provides an opportunity and if there is a settlement there's no guarantee that it would exclude the city free port so staff's request is to move forward with the agreement when the police should Colnick for the airport is there a motion to adopt so move a motion made by Alderman Seller seconded by Alderman Klemm discussion here just wanted to point out that I emailed everybody the question at the last meeting was if we had had a test out out there recently and we've had one within the last two months with no detect.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted, 7-0.
Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2025-16.
Could you please read this?
Resolution.
Oh, that doesn't read right.
ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS three years.
Director Sutman.
Hello council.
This is the three-year agreement for the GIS software that we discussed last week at the COW.
We believe this will greatly improve the record-keeping, drafting, and field reference of field staff as well as make for a valuable project planning tool and we recommend moving forward this G. H. K. T. D. D. S. T. D. S. T. D. S. C. N. D. D. S. D. S. C. N. D. D. D. D. S. D. S. Huffines.
Do you have a big enough staff to incorporate this GIS study or GIS program?
Do you have a big enough staff that can do an effective job of running that particular Do you have the quality people or the people that has the proper training to run that particular software program and how to make sure that data is not tainted in any way, shape or form?
Do we have people like that, or are we working on it, or do we have people on staff that and Eric.
I'm wondering if there's anything that is looking into it or to increase the staffing that is going to be required to do this complete study of all that data information? » Yeah, so I think the IT department has the ability on the back end, between me and Eric, we have something like 30 years of experience in GIS and then the IT systems.
Most of the training will have to be done for the field staff and the rest of the community.
So, we're going to be monitoring that data.
Since it's a, think of it as a map of the database behind it, we can set data integrity rules on it to where maybe a person in the field types in the information, a date when an inlet was cleaned or something.
We can monitor that and check it in.
So, there's like a secondary check on talking about here so we already have a program this would expand it greatly right now we're over using the program that we currently have the GIS the IT department and the utility shares we use this data every day for Julie locates for design plans for NICOR ComEd we supply the information in the area they're working to make sure that they're not damaging our utilities it also goes hand in hand with our projects that Fehr Graham does for the city because we use G. I. S. To locate everything and we can update that data to Curt with the expansion of this system and it can be automatically updated in their system after he approves it.
So it'd be a lot more valuable data for the city.
We've already invested a ton of money in G. I. S. Systems over the years.
That's how Curt actually got his start with the city was a grant program to build G. I. S.
And he expanded it, so we, for a town our size, we have a very good GIS system, but again it was meant for one user when we got it.
We currently have probably eight plus people on it, and so we're overusing the system that we have now, and what he's proposing will have a lot more data for us.
Oldham and Sanders?
Yeah, very good, Darren.
I didn't see that coming, but it's good to know that that's out there, that we had those Greene, and I think that's a really good example of how we can continue to do this type of people in place that we can continue to do surveys and studies that will improve our data consumption and strategy, how we're going to be planning.
One of my things was what you brought out to us, whether or not anything else that that GIS will do for the city, I know you What you brought to my understanding that that is part of the equation during these real high quality studies of whatever project programs that you're doing for the city and that we have the proper staffing to make sure that we're providing proficiency throughout the city.
I appreciate that.
Thank you.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 7-0.
Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 2025-17.
Could you please read this?
Resolution adopting the Northwest Illinois We have a resolution adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as a part of participating in Stephenson County's application to the USDOT Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All, or SS4A, grant.
Thank you, Darren.
We discussed this at the COW last week, this is simply a resolution stating that if the county moves forward, when they move forward with the project that's already underway, if there's any implementation money, Freeport would be part of the planning to use that implementation on the project.
We have a handful of draft projects, it's all in draft mode at this time that could or could not be included in the program.
So again, this resolution is just uniting fronts to show that we're part of the program and we want to be part of the program.
We've already put a lot of time and effort into that program to make sure that when implementation comes that we would get it.
So this is just the council approval to be part of that.
There is no financial for this, it's just a resolution approval.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
On the resolution.
Madam Clerk, please take the role.
I have a question.
Okay Alderman Stacey.
Yes, is this what the guy spoke about, Matt I believe was his name?
No, it is not.
This is a separate program that the city is a small part of with six other counties.
The program that Matt talked about is very similar to this, but that one is only focused on the City of Freeport only.
No other partners in it okay so can you tell me like who are the partners in this one sure I might not get them all but it's Stephenson County city of Freeport Lee County Joe Davies County Ogle County and I believe there's one more Carol in Whiteside and Whiteside so those are all the partners in there they're going after you know it's a giant traffic study we started our project with the county they asked us to be part of it and then we realized the potential for Freeport could be a lot bigger that's why went in and started our own plan to see if we couldn't get more implementation money for the city of Freeport.
Okay, so I understand that there's no cost up front, but in the long run, is this something that the city chose to be a part of?
What are we looking at?
There was no cost for this study, which is what what this program was.
We had no involvement in any cost or fee for it.
They just asked us to be part of the and the county.
If there's implementation money, we'll have to see what those rules are at the time.
It may be 80-20 for a project.
It might be 90-10.
It might be 100% based on disadvantaged community status, but we won't know that until there's an offer.
With the current president, some of those rules may be changing along the way.
Okay.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
Aye.
The resolution is adapted 7-0.
Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 2025-18.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving audit engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amon to provide auditing services to the city.
Thank you.
Thank you, Your Honor.
In January of 2023, the Finance Department issued a request for a proposal for auditing services for the fiscal years of 2022 and through 2026.
On February 6th of 2023, City Council approved the bid from Lauterbach and Eamon.
Past practice has been to obtain multi-year proposals during the RFP process.
However, individual engagement letters are signed for each of the fiscal years to be audited.
Lauterbach and Amons fees for the City's 2024 audit year are $44,100.
This is a 3% increase from 2023.
At the time of the RFP, the communities of Rockford, Rock Island, and East Moline all gave positive responses in favor of Lauterbach and Amons performance.
In addition, the City of Freeport's 2023 audit was prepared accurately, on time, and all interactions were professional.
Their team is very experienced in the area of municipal government.
The purpose of an engagement letter is to define the scope of the audit, specify the timeline of the audit and related deliverables, define the fee arrangement, and outline the auditors and management's responsibilities.
The strategic plan alignment here is responsive and efficient government and staff requests approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 Engagement Letter from Lauterbach and Eamon.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Sanders.
Okay, approving an audit engagement letter with this particular agency.
How long have the city been involved with this particular agency?
We have been involved with them on this agreement since 2022.
So the audit for 22 and 23 were done by LNA, Lauterbach and Eamon.
We also did work with them previously before our past auditors.
Our past auditors were Whitley and Lauterbach and Eamon were here 2016, 2017.
I'm sorry to have to look up the dates, but they had been here before.
Yeah.
Well, do we make a practice of using the same auditors every time an auditing session takes place?
And do we, and I understand this last one that you was referring to, do a full scope of the whole auditing process.
I just wanted to find out how involved are these auditors into the whole lucrative of the city and the whole business of the city and who is pointing directions to auditors?
Sanders, who is giving them their guidance to where to look and do the auditing surveys and things of this nature.
Who is the individuals that do that to help them through the process?
So kind of two things here.
The GFOA, which is my professional organization, one of their best practices is to be with and I have been with a certain auditor at least five years.
You don't have to be, it's just a guideline, but it's a best practice.
As far as who directs them, they have their own guidelines and requirements when they're doing an audit.
Now, as far as, I mean, I give them what they ask for, me and my staff, they come to me and wanna see accounts payable, they wanna see payroll, any of that.
We give it to them.
But they are, they have their own standards and guidelines that they need to do in order to perform the audit.
That's not dictated by me.
Yeah, can you submit that to counsel of what their tasks, what their tasks are, that we can do some observations ourselves in terms of how they're doing their practices, as far as auditing is concerned.
I'd like to see us We just want to be able to indulge, engage our auditors who are auditing the city of Freeport, especially in this administration.
I'd like for us to be able to be more detailed in what they're doing and how they're going about doing their task.
I just want us to be more informed, is what I'm getting at.
And some council people are not okay with just auditors showing up and we don't understand the whole process of it.
Some council might be fine with whatever they do or say, you know.
All of us are not the same.
And so I'm just asking for a demonstration of a soft task of what they're doing so we We get the logistics of what they're presenting to us.
Can we do that?
I'll get you something.
Okay, thank you.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the resolution.
I'm sorry, first mayor, who made the motion?
Parker, Klemm.
Okay, and on roll call, Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 6 to 1.
Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2025 19 could you please read this resolution approving the purchase of a street painting machine from Sherwin Williams thank you manager Boyer thank your honor our current paint machine that stripes the lanes on the streets I think it's like 25 years old it's very old it's worn out and it's time to be replaced we plan for the purchase in the We're bringing this to you for approval.
The price of the new striping equipment is $11,706.50, and this is a source well dealer, so that is state approved there.
So staff request, council approval of this resolution.
Is there such a motion?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Monroe.
I have a question.
Alderman Monroe.
Alderman Stacy.
Yes.
I'm just curious why something of this nature purchased through Sharon Williams.
That didn't come through very clear.
Can you say it again?
Yes, why is it purchased through Sherwin-Williams?
Manager Boyer?
The answer is they're a dealer for Graco, and I believe they're local, so, and being a source well dealer, they offer the state pricing on this equipment.
So you are going with the Sherwin-Williams local?
Yes.
Alderman Monroe?
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Manager can you just briefly describe what being a source well state appropriated or whatever you know what I mean sure thank you source well dealers are qualified by the state to provide lowest pricing for municipalities so when you have that certification it's no longer necessary to pursue other bids on a and a piece of equipment, that is the state approved price.
Thank you.
Darren.
Just because I wanted to know, we don't buy a lot of paint machines, we did actually get three prices on this, just to back it up that the Sourcewell price was the cheapest price.
If there's no further discussion.
Yeah.
Alderman Sanders.
I'd like to see this machine.
I wanna see this machine.
Yeah I like to see whether or not it provides the adequate environment protection and safety with this equipment because the one that you referred to 25 years ago and still running it's not all that adequate for this time and age you know with the traffic that we got going on and these These guys are out there trying to do their task, but I'm wondering if we're doing it in a safe manner, whether or not this equipment puts them in that kind of safety zone for the purchase of that type of equipment.
Darren?
Our city manager?
Yeah, that's a great concern.
Safety is really important.
We have a trace vehicle, flaggers and stuff that go along with the operator of the machine.
Good.
Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe, The resolution is adopted 7-0.
Number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-20.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving the transfer of property commonly known as 431 and 437 South Adams Avenue from Stephenson County to the city of Freeport.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, your honor.
As discussed, the January cow.
We went over these two parcels.
The county would like the city to take those over for a for $1, and the city would like to keep them for future development potential, so the staff recommends moving forward with the agreement, the resolution for the transfer of property.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So move.
Second.
Moving motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons.
I have a question.
Alderman Stacy?
Yes.
Yes what the city consider using that area for a park what are your plans with that merchandise there there's a couple of options obviously public spaces is one however we're also looking at infill housing as another potential purpose of Okay.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 7-0.
Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-22.
Could you please read this?
Resolution ratifying emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe Truck Equipment.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you your honor this year during snow removal operations we had one of our older plows that's fully depreciated fail in a way that is not repairable.
Staff, due to the fact that we have to maintain snow removal operations, staff went to Monroe truck and replaced that plow and staff is requesting ratification of that and Stacey.
I have a question.
Alderman Stacey.
Yes.
If I'm not mistaken, we budgeted a $11,598 purchase at $11,598.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Alderman Sanders.
Would this be new or used?
Oh, it's new.
New?
Yeah.
That's all I needed to know.
I have a question.
Alderman Stacey.
Yes.
Ullman, Stacy.
Yes.
If I'm not mistaken, we budgeted for this last year, but it didn't happen.
I don't recall other person, Stacy.
You don't recall?
No.
Okay.
So, you know, we're approaching the end of the winter season.
Would it be a difference in cost if we did I don't believe there would be any change in cost.
The situation with plows are essentially the manufacturing for the chassis.
They cost the same whether you buy it in the summer or you buy it.
They're not sitting on a shelf somewhere.
So in season compared to out of season means nothing.
Aaron.
So Monroe Trucks is a source well price.
So the 2025 price would have been the same price for all of 25.
It's a locked in state source well price.
Um, we did price this plow last year and it was, I believe $300 more than it was in, in the 2024 when we priced it.
So we did budget into 20 in 2024, but we did.
Um, if I'm not mistaken, we actually We did buy a plow last year, but we couldn't afford to buy multiple plows, so I think we actually did buy one under emergency authority again last season, and this one, we tried to repair, but the mechanics sent me an email that they could not repair it any further.
Thank you.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
So, this isn't coming out of the budget, this is coming out of emergency funds?
This item will have to be bought through the streets budget.
We'll just have to move some priorities around to be able to pay for it because we really didn't have a choice with the season that's upon us.
With a truck being drowned like you had text me, we can't get all the routes.
You had text me.
We can't get all the routes done in a reasonable time.
We don't have extra snow equipment We only have enough for the trucks that we have This will be coming out of streets Thank You Parker, Stacy Aye Sanders is currently absent, Sellers?
Aye Klemm?
Aye And Monroe?
Aye The resolution is adopted six to zero Nero.
Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-23.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The city's got two bridges that we have to inspect every year.
One is Hancock and the other one is the Van Buren Walk-Ride Bridge that goes north of town.
We used to have three, the Park Court Bridge which was removed a couple years ago because of its degraded structure and so unsafe condition.
Fehr Graham is the city bridge inspector and they have a team of certified licensed personnel for this work.
All inspections must be completed and finalized and reported to the state before June 30th and staff recommends the city move forward to approve the agreement.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution.
I have just a question.
Alderman Sellers?
It's also about, I know you mentioned a couple different, the two bridges, is it the city's responsibility to check the bridge that is over by Tuddy Crossing or does that bridge?
That is ours Settlers, but Darren, did you want to comment on that?
Yeah.
Those structures are a little bit different because they're connected to parks.
So parks has their own contracts that have bridges inspected, like the Crate Park Bridge and the other crossing bridge down there.
And they're actually on a different schedule.
So because they connect to the trail, those are inspected as part of the trail projects.
OK.
And then just one, how about the bridge that's Stephenson, is that checked, do we ever check that or?
That's an IDOT bridge, they own Route 75, so they have their own inspectors of that one.
Okay, thank you.
Good question.
All right.
Ms. Stacy, did you have a question?
No, I'm good.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Okay.
Inspection, is that?
Yeah.
Yep, the IDOT has a series of special documentation practices that have to be done on each bridge and it's, and I might have misstated it, it's every other year that you have to do it so we've done it two years ago.
Hancock Bridge is actually one that has to be done right now every year because of the poor condition until we have it replaced, which that's on the replacement schedule.
We're working with IDOT to try to get that bid yet this year.
But it still requires an inspection because they're due at a certain deadline date no matter once it's under construction there won't be another one till it's finalized from construction and then that'll be go back on a every other year analysis but it is required to do the paperwork and have a certified bridge inspector do that paperwork.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 7-0.
Thank you.
Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-24.
Could you please read this?
Resolution ratifying emergency salt spreader purchase from Monroe truck equipment.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, your honor.
This season we had, we were during snow removal operations, there was damage to one of our salt spreaders, I believe it was a one ton Chassie, Spreiter, yeah.
So staff received a quote for $10,223 to purchase a new one and staff recommends council emergency ratification of this resolution.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Okay motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Monroe.
Discussion on the ordinance or the resolution Alderman Sanders.
Yeah, just wanted to ask you, you quoted $10,000 to have it repaired or have it replaced?
It needs to be replaced.
So it's a plastic poly box with a large stainless steel impeller situation and auger set up in the back.
And it was damaged during salt or during a foul.
Unrepairable.
Correct.
And not repaired.
OK.
No further discussion.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Oh, I'm sorry, Alderman Monroe.
It's all good.
City Manager and Public Works Director, the question I have is we seem to be applying salt at a varying, I don't even know how to explain it.
It's like we salt for a second, we stop salting, then we salt again, especially on some of the hilly sections of the northwest side of town.
Is there, you know, will this help us spread the salt better So it's more consistent or that we can maintain because to give you kind of an example there's a couple of Areas in the second ward where it's very hilly People park on the street and it's it really creates a significant hazard Driving on that side of the town just looking for some yeah So the specific item that we're talking about on the agenda that it's a water and sewer salt spreader Miller.
So it's used for all of our water sewer facilities because they do all the plowing.
This isn't a street unit because of the amount of streets that we have, we have segregation of duties.
So the water and sewer guys actually plow their own properties.
That's what this spreader is for.
But I will talk to the street department.
I have noticed, you know, we do have some new people plowing this year.
So I don't know what wars they're on, but we have been with the events that were coming.
We were trying to pre salt and get salt out there that gets kicked around by cars to make Miller.
We're trying to make sure that we can buy some more time at night.
So you probably saw in the last events, Pat Ingram had all the crews out pre-salting the day before, trying to get, you know, as much down as possible to keep the streets clear.
Okay.
Thank you.
Overman Sanders.
What type of vehicle are we using to apply the salt spreading?
Is it one of our?
For this project here, this is actually a one ton vehicle that has a salt spreader box that sets right in.
That's what I thought.
The old combination unit was a salt spreader that we used the bed of the truck and then this was an attachment that was on the back during water and sewer construction it because continuously getting beat up because we use it for main repairs as well so the new unit that we've got was a complete box that can be set in set out so it doesn't get damaged during construction so that's just one vehicle yes sir one vehicle and and have we done an assessment with all of the vehicles to determine whether or not they need to be upgraded as well.
We are, yes, we continuously evaluate the fleet to see if there's anything we can do to update them and actually this style of box is part of that upgrade.
Okay, yeah.
These are corrosion resistant other than the some of the moving parts that are made of plastic.
Okay, good, good.
There's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 7 to 0.
Thank you.
Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 20-25-25.
Could you please read this?
Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure Thank you, Madam Mayor.
402-404-E Shawnee was declared a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024, as well as a dangerous and unsafe structure.
The city posted its notice for statutory fast-track demolition on September 3rd of 2024, and due to the immediate health Health and Safety Concern bids were solicited on December 11th, 2024 from three contractors.
I attached those three solicitations as part of the memo.
And then in accordance with our ordinances, I selected Albert and Son Earthworks who submitted the lowest responsible bid of $19,700.
The other bids that were brought back were Northern Illinois Service Company provided a bid of $29,837 and Fisher Excavating did not return a, did not respond to our request for bid.
The city moved forward with Elburn Sun Earthworks as the lowest responsible bidder to perform the emergency demolition work which was subsequently completed on December 27th of 2024 and this this property was demolished with Moore, and this property was demolished within the 120 days of the original posting in accordance with Illinois statute.
Staff recommends approval to remit payment to Elver and Son Earthworks for the emergency demolition of 402-404-E Shawnee.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So move.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion, Alderman Sanders.
Yeah how much did that demolition cost and and whether or not it cost the city to have that demo it's the nineteen thousand seven hundred dollars okay that was the lowest bid that you come up with yes yes and and all of the bidders or the people that apply, they had a, well what I wanted to say is did we get the property regulated like it should, as far as old utilities, possible damaged structures and things of and this nature to the to the primary grounds itself and in adjunction to the city's utilities.
Everything was properly inspected during this demolition.
There was also an asbestos inspection performed.
Okay.
So all of the requirements in that aspect were met.
Thank you.
There's no further discussion.
I have a question.
Oldham and Stacy?
Director Duckman, when you did your presentation, why wasn't these totals presented at that time?
Well, to approve this resolution, I would need the actual invoice for approval.
So that's what you're approving today is the invoice for payments.
Payments.
So at that time, the focus of the conversation, I believe, was the status of 402-404-E Shawnee, which I went into.
At that time, I certainly could have provided this process.
And in the memo, I provided the emails that were sent to the contractors.
I provided the bids that came back.
So it was really just a matter of not requested to present that information, but certainly I could have presented at that time.
OK, to my knowledge and understanding, there was a lot of things done that were not approved to be done.
There was things that had been halted that was not halted, according to the owner.
Am I correct?
I've not spoke with Tiffany Sanders on this, who's the property owner.
So Tiffany Sanders hasn't brought anything to my attention.
There was a motion or a petition filed on October 27, which was dismissed.
And there was another on December 19.
And on December 19, there was a motion which was dismissed on December 27, which is when the demolition occurred.
And there was another petition filed on December 27, which has a status hearing on March 28th at the Circuit Court.
So the city was not given her judge request at heart?
No, the sit no.
Yeah, sorry.
I apologize.
Go ahead.
I had the understanding that a judge had Kirk, a stock demo on this property, and it was taken down anyway.
No, actually the complete opposite is true.
There were two actual petitions that were dismissed.
And when were those?
When were those?
There was a petition on October 19th, which was dismissed on December 19th.
And then on December 19th another petition was filed which was dismissed on December 27th.
Oldham and Klemm?
Director Duckman, how long had this house been on the list for chronic nuisance and how long had the penalties been going on?
Just a ballpark.
It became a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024 when it was also deemed dangerous and and I'm safe and then it was it's it's been well over a year where it's received several code violations and right now it has a lien on it for over fourteen thousand dollars for the code violations.
Thank you very much.
There's no Alderman Simmons.
I'm sorry what did you say about March 28 something about you got another hearing or March 28.
There is another, so there's another petition filed after the demolition, there's another petition filed which is going to have a status hearing at the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk on March 28th.
Alderman Monroe?
So, Director Duckman, are you saying you weren't served that paperwork at the courthouse on the 27th of December?
That is correct.
Okay.
Okay, if there's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
No.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sanders?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
I abstain.
We are tied three to three.
Does this just need simple majority?
Mayor?
No.
Okay, you you understand Fowler.
I understand this work has already been done and we have an invoice to pay.
This is going to give us, the city, a bad reputation that we are not paying for the work that we've done.
Is this really where we're standing, Alderman Duck?
I think the alternative would just be that the contractor could just file suit and we would just settle it in a closed session.
So it's really, however, if the council wants to send the message that we're going to have and the city manager Rob Boyer and ask for me to be disciplined, terminated and I can live with that because I stand behind my decision on what I did to hire this contractor, punishing this contractor and making them sue the city to be paid.
Wilson, Michael, and Dr. Huff, Rodriguez, and David, and you know, you know, we've been there for a while and you know, we've had quite a lot of people that are out there, you know, where we know, black men, women, and the money, black men, do have their guns on.
We know them.
We think they're the most important guys you know, because you know, they've got the things that are, you know, it was all from my direction and I'll take any you know criticism discipline from you know my direct or from City Manager Boyer I can live with that but I just don't think council and I don't think it's fair to punish a contractor taking direction from a city employee it's a three to three tie so you can call for the mayor's vote okay mayor what say you I but that's four to 3 that's still not a majority on a resolution because we need five so it still fails.
So you're saying we need a majority of those seated not those present?
Correct.
Oh I see.
I got a comment.
Deren.
Yeah I think just to back Wayne up because we do contract work all the time this will just cost the city more money because we will be paying attorney fees and their attorney fees and their attorney fees for the demo that happened.
This was a bid project.
This wasn't a handshake agreement.
He has a signed contract to move forward.
So this is a bill that we will pay regardless of our feelings on it.
So those that voted no, is there any reconsideration?
Okay, I guess we'll move forward.
Item number 19, could you please read this discussion?
Discussion regarding resolution approving engineering agreement with Fehr Graham to apply for surface transportation program.
That's the urban program, STU funding for 2026 Street program.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Being that we've accrued a certain amount of federal funding in our MFT accounts, we would like to deploy those funds as rapidly as possible.
We're hoping to get that done yet this year.
However, due to environmental requirements, that will not be possible yet this year.
However, we can set ourselves up for 2026.
So the public work staff has had adequate time to assemble a full proposal.
We don't have it completely for you tonight, but just an abbreviated version, we're looking at Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West, Stephenson Street from Locust to Sunset, Adams Avenue that would be the west half so the part that was not completed in the Adams Avenue project get that finished up from Exchange to Float and then Walnut Avenue from Empire to South.
So staff is asking this to be moved forward to the March 3rd agenda.
Is there a motion to move this forward to the March 3rd agenda?
Second.
Of the motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on this?
Yes, I have a question.
Alderman Stacy?
Maybe it's not a question, maybe it's a statement.
I have nothing against this federal money and the street program.
However, I think it's deployed to take our eyes off of what we really need to be looking at.
And this is what we mean when we talk about prioritizing.
There's so much, for example lighting, for example crime, crime prevention plan that we need to be given our focus to and directing and finding funds to deal with what needs to be prioritized for our cities.
Not creating another avenue to go down, but it's not a priority.
Darren, you wanna?
Yeah, so this is the program that we talked about at the Cal meeting.
This is the surface transportation program.
This money can't be used for anything other than roads.
This was the 2.5 million that we talked about that we need to do the design on.
Not to be disrespectful, the streets are in our 24 to 26 strategic plan, so I tried to find a creative way to get more money to do, I believe this totals a little over two and a half miles of roadway.
It was moved forward to this meeting, I just didn't have time to assemble the proposal, so I asked for, until the March meeting, to assemble the proposal.
And Dean.
I'm not sure if we can move forward with the surface transportation funds for these streets of $2.5 million.
The city needs to do the design for that to get the funding allocated to these streets.
So I just want to make sure nobody thought this was a different program.
No, it is not.
This is the surface transportation funds that we talked about at the COW last week.
This is strictly mill and overlays and ADA ramps on the streets that were listed in the in the agenda memo.
No, that's incorrect.
We have, I couldn't give you an exact number, but it's over 10,000 ramps that are not Bannack, Rockford.
Okay, so if there's no further discussion, this will be moved to the next, Alderman Sanders.
I didn't know you had your hand up.
Alderman Sanders.
Waving the white flag.
You didn't see me waving the white flag?
I did not.
Are you, are you going to tell me you're going to tell me?
Alderman Sanders, would you like to say something?
You going to be colorblind on me?
Yeah, I just want to ask, is there planning to apply this particular grant, and what does Urban STU stand for, funding, what is that all about?
So the memo has the four streets that we've aligned, which, let me pull it up, again it's Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West which is about 1,500 linear feet.
Stephenson Street from Locust to Sunset excluding West Street we won't do I-DOT corridors.
Adams Street which would be from Float to Exchange so it's the portion that we weren't able to finish this year we wanted to finish that project.
And then Walnut Avenue which would be the south leg from Empire to and the reason the north side is not on here is the north side of Empire needs a full reconstruct and we don't have that many dollars to do it.
The south end is in a repair that we think we can mill and overlay it and do some base repairs and fix the south section, which that's for a later discussion, but Walnut Avenue has to be probably one of the bigger discussions on how we are going to repair the, I'm calling at the Northleg, but it would be from Maine to Empire, because it's in really bad shape, and that's going to be a full reconstruct, and it's going to be a lot of money.
So the grant will facilitate any, for the accomplishment that the grant is presented to do, any access will be utilized in other areas, reallocated for other areas?
I don't understand what you mean by access or excess?
Yeah, that money can only be used on the targeted projects that we submit.
So if this is just a high level estimate, if it's 2.3 million, that's all we'll use.
If it's 2.7, we have that much reserved.
So the estimate said 2.5.
So that's what I'm going with until we do some more.
Yeah.
And if there's any overlay, with the cost, if there's any additional fundings that are left over, I'll put it in layman's term.
If it's left over, it has to go back into the SDU account.
It has to go back.
Okay, that's what I wanted to find out.
Thank you.
Alderman Monroe.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Darren, why are we stopping at sunset and not trying to figure out that last little block?
Sure, because park intersection is on this year and we're planning on extending that to Sunset because we have to do the 8A ramps anyway, so I just was going to extend that project up to Sunset and then pick it up there.
Gotcha.
Thank you.
Okay.
So there's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the motion to move this to the next council meeting?
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes seven to zero.
And item number 20, could you please read the next discussion?
Discuss discussion regarding the fundraising money collected for downtown decorations.
Alderman Stacey Orr-Munroe.
On October 17th, 2024, the city of Freeport communication department shared a post originally posted by Greater Free Court Partnership Facebook account.
The original post included a flyer promoting the Christmas wizard.
Christmas wizard event being held December the 13th, 2024.
On the bottom of the flyer, it's stated the following Christmas wizard is a fundraising concert for three point holiday decoration.
Tickets for the concert were sold for 25 to $50 each.
Including on the flyer was the City of Freeport logo along with GFP logo.
My first two concerns slash questions to City Manager Boyer.
Is the City of Freeport partner with GFP on this event?
I'm not aware of anything the City of Freeport did on this event.
Okay.
Can you explain why our logo would have been on that flyer?
I really don't have an explanation why it is.
I haven't seen the flyer.
Okay.
Do you remember the flyer?
No, I have never seen it.
Do you remember the event I'm speaking of?
I didn't attend the event and I know nothing about the event.
I imagine that, okay.
Is there a signed contract between the City of Freeport and Greater Freeport partnership for this Christian Wizard event?
Can anybody tell me?
Mayor?
There is not.
Anybody?
There is not.
No, the purpose of having the city's logo on that flyer was was simply because the intent was that whatever would be purchased from the fundraising would be turned over as ownership of the city.
That was the only reason that the city was on there.
Ok, well I have asked the question at the last time GFP spoke and gave their report and they were not prepared to give me an answer at that time because things hadn't been totaled or something of that nature.
Well it wasn't because they weren't, they didn't have all the invoices in at the time so they didn't have anything accurate to give you that was on their fourth quarter report.
So I'm sure on their first quarter report, I'm sure they'll have that finished up.
I don't know.
It was there.
It was GFP Financial.
Okay.
But wasn't money turned over to the city since it was for the city?
No.
This was not a city event.
I know that it's not a city event, but it was an event held for the city.
Can you say that again?
I know that it was not a city event, per your statement and for Rob Boyer's statement.
But it was an event for the city.
No, it was an event that the city would have been a recipient of when it was done.
Dunn.
It was not, this was not an event of any means on behalf of the city of Freeport.
It was held for the city of Freeport.
No, it was a GFP event.
Okay.
Mayor Miller, why was the council not made aware of your personal business?
Freeport Festival, Inc.
Partnered with GFP for for this Christmas wizard event.
Why weren't we made aware of that?
Not only was it not disclosed to the council, it was not disclosed to the public and some other event donors as well.
Why was that kept secret, Jim?
Okay, so let me make some corrections here.
The Freeport Festival is not a business.
It is a not-for-profit.
So obviously there is some confusion as far as what the roles are happening here.
I'm sitting here as the mayor.
I'm not sitting here as a citizen.
I'm not sitting here as the president of the Freeport Festivals.
However, I will take a moment to speak as the president of the Freeport Festivals.
So let me clarify that this event was fully funded and operated independently of the city.
There was no taxpayer money involved.
The council does not oversee private organizations and this matter is outside of the scope of the city's governance.
So while I appreciate all the enthusiasm concerning community events, this discussion really does not belong on the city council floor.
So if there is really a genuine interest in supporting the Freeport Festivals and having an understanding of that, I would be happy to provide any information outside of this meeting as you know that my phone is always on or better yet you can call the greater Freeport partnership as all of the financials as I stated before were under their leadership which you already know because these were questions that you asked during the fourth quarter report.
So if that is suffice, I will conclude my remarks as the President of the Freeport Festivals and resume my role as the Mayor of Freeport and let's continue with city business.
This is not city business.
Okay, so maybe it would have been more appropriate to have your business logo on with Greater Freeport Partnership and not the Freeport logo.
Thank you.
Well, that's your opinion.
Thank you.
To item number 21 which is an update from the Maguire Woods manager Boyer.
Thank you your honor.
For several months now we've been working with Maguire Woods looking for grant and grant opportunities through state and other areas.
To date we have an update we've looked at rise grants for infrastructure through the US Department of Transportation, also the protect program for resiliency projects, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, we've We've coordinated discussions with the city and IHDA regarding housing matters.
We've also discussed U. S. Environmental Protection Agency grants, including the Justice Grant, Urban Forestry Grant.
We've also looked at research funding for water main replacements or installations and alternative We've also talked about and worked on National Endowment for the Arts to identify possible funding sources for our programs potentially impacting the downtown area, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, we've discussed body camera grants and so forth, in addition, we've done federal and state updates, providing ongoing updates, they've provided us updates every several weeks on development is going out to the state and federal level that impact funding, and then federal and state appropriations.
So assisting the city in refining projects, funding requests into one-page formats for legislators, communicating with the Illinois General Assembly budget staff regarding fiscal year 2026 funding, including water main projects flagged by city staff.
In addition, engaging with congressional representatives regarding future earmarks and appropriations.
In conclusion, McGuire Woods is actively identifying and assisting with multiple grants and funding opportunities across transportation, environmental, law enforcement, arts, and municipal infrastructure.
They are also supporting the city, state, and federal funding requests for upcoming fiscal years.
Any discussion on the report?
So, with all that being said, they have not found any money for us, yet.
They're identifying potential funding sources that were not really completely in the cycle yet or that that would be coming to a conclusion.
So right now we've been studying, looking, and providing information to them and they have been continuing to interact with legislators and other program managers.
Yes, but that was that was known when we first started the project that we were signing with them at the end of the appropriations process and that we would likely see movement in the summer time.
So, how often do you say that they update you and give you an updated memo?
How often?
We have an update at least once a month with other updates.
And the other updates as necessary.
Okay.
Could you give me a copy of your memo that you spoke of tonight and a copy of the six months worth of updates?
Please and thank you.
Any other discussion on the report?
Darren, did you have something?
We did a funding forum, I think a week and a half ago, something like that.
All federal and state processes right now have been frozen by the federal government, so there will be no money moving that is not already appropriated or allocated.
All the notice of funding opportunities have been frozen until the presidential order changes on that.
There is no funding nominations or ability to get right now other than local estate funding type stuff that's already been sent out.
Alderman Sanders?
I saw your hand up.
Go ahead.
Okay.
All right, my sister.
Okay.
You are not hitting the nail right on the head, okay, with your assessment of what state and federal is doing.
And I have one question that I have.
Let me get it right.
Did we vote as council for consulting services?
I'm trying to recollect.
Yes, we did.
We did.
And was it approved?
Was it, it was not approved?
I hope so.
It was.
You're messing with me.
Okay.
All right.
Okay.
It it was approved and that's what that's what my my concern was I know we're talking like they're they're in the mix of doing consulting services for the city of Freeport and that's what that's what my understanding signed contract yeah okay okay I didn't get a copy of it but that's okay I think you probably did in I'll wait Mayor.
I'm good.
Okay.
I have a question.
Well, you got that be like number six for you.
So Council, do you mind?
Don't mind.
Okay, go ahead.
Okay.
So why would we continue?
Why would we continue?
Knowing that fine.
I had a hawk.
Why would we continue?
Are we still looking at.
Didn't you say Darren there was state funding that they can look at while they're down in Springfield?
Is it state?
We just can't look at federal but we can look at state.
Correct?
Yes and no.
Like motor fuel tax money, those types of items like that, ITEP, things like that are We're not frozen at a local level, but anything that has federal dollars attached to it, Robin and I went to a little mini conference today and anything that has any federal dollars attached to it, that includes one dollar, if that is all, and basically in the ice box right now until further notice.
All in favor?
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
I actually will go right now because this pertains to this conversation of federal funding.
And others.
This week, our police department decided to put out a trust act letter that essentially will probably block us from most federal funding.
And the reason why is because we're refusing to work with federal law enforcement when it comes to enforcement of civil immigration laws, especially when it pertains to criminal Fowler.
So, we've seen in the last week or two both the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois have the Department of Justice now breathing down their neck.
The same is going to happen in Freeport.
Because we have decided to side with the law of Illinois and ignore the federal laws.
So it's disappointing that on one hand, we say we're going to hire this firm to go out and get federal funding and on the other hand, without the consent, without the advisement from the council, we're going to go out and put a letter out that then puts us aligned and John.
We have to figure out what it is we want to do as a city and how we want to be viewed and how we want to go about getting these federal funds because without the federal Fowler.
We can't rebuild our infrastructure.
And thumbing our nose at the President of the United States in a Facebook post without having a discussion in here first to make sure it's the right thing to do, we all agree, we're just going to go out and do it, kind of goes against what we as a community have been about.
We've worked through most of our issues in here.
We don't always see eye to eye.
We don't always agree.
Fowler.
But we have to work together as a community in order to get these funds that are going to build our community back.
We have no hope from the state of Illinois, who is now billions and billions of dollars in debt, hopelessly in debt.
It's a race to figure out between us, California, and a couple of other states who's going to file bankruptcy first.
But these federal funds and this organization that we're talking about here, who is now and John.
And now going out and fundraising, essentially, consulting us for lobbying and government relations is now in the middle of our politics.
We put our politics on the front page.
And now this organization is stuck trying to fight through that, and we've put ourselves Jones, and Aline Dershelves in a way that quite honestly may prohibit us from getting federal funding.
That's where my problem is.
It's that point.
Okay, so that was totally off topic.
Chief, would you like to respond?
Sure.
Just in response to the reason why that was released, I was approached by our school resource officer.
There was some angst in school.
I was also made aware of people in the community thinking we had a pretty heavy presence on Oak for a long time and still do and seeing us out there in plain clothes with vests on thought that immigration was in town.
I was just clarifying what the rule of law is, how we're governed at this point and that you know there were no ICE agents in Freeport just to put the facts out there instead of of having this fester and cause problems within the school and the community.
And so that was the reason for that, so.
Thank you.
Is there any other discussion concerning the McGuire Woods report?
Seeing none, we'll move on to department head reports, which would be finance.
You're not at your seat, I can't.
Well, I have to be at my seat.
That's kind of, nobody will be able to hear you, Larry.
Well, if I go back to my seat.
No, there's not been any motion.
It was just an ask for an update of a report.
And so that's what the city manager was doing.
Thank you.
Finance.
Thank you, Your Honor.
I would just like to take a moment to congratulate Gladys Hilton.
She retired today after 25 years of service to the city of Freeport.
We're so happy for her, and she will be greatly missed.
We agree.
Water department?
Community development.
Yes, water.
Community development?
Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor.
Thank you.
Public works?
I have one thing.
The street superintendent asked me to relay some information.
There was quite a few Facebook posts on Friday, so we want to clarify some information.
The street department is not scheduled like fire police departments.
We don't have people on shift 24 hours a day, but we do have people on call 24 hours a day.
Friday's event was a winter weather warning for our area.
We all knew it.
It didn't come in the same time as they predicted.
The city issued a snow emergency earlier in the week.
When these are ordered, it strongly encouraged for people to stay home during the squall events.
Being said.
Huffines.
That being said, we had six guys that were called in to plow priority routes.
Those six guys promptly came in at 7.30 on Friday night to do primary routes.
Everyone came in again at 4 AM on Saturday morning and plowed all the streets, parking lots, cul-de-sacs, primary alleys, along with the city-owned sidewalks.
Pat was hired to be resourceful as possible with spending taxpayers' money.
It's not feasible to be out wasting Salt and overtime money during a squall event at night.
We're best off to wait till after it runs its course the best we can and then attack it at night when people are not around.
I want to give a little history of the plowing that happened last week.
The guys worked from 4 AM to 6 PM Thursday.
They worked 4 AM to 3 PM Friday.
They were called back in at 730 to 11 o'clock on Friday night and then they were in again at 4 AM to 1130 on Saturday to remove all the snow and ice again.
Due to OSHA standards we have to have have to let the guys have time off to rest because they have CDL licenses required by law and also we were trying to be good partners to them to give them some time with their Valentine partners that they hadn't seen since they were at work at 4 AM on Friday.
I'm not going to read the rest of the email but it doesn't pertain to We do our best that we can.
We have a very lean crew, and they deserve times with their family too.
And if people are out risking their own lives during a snow event, that choice is on their own.
Thank you.
Boyer?
Nothing this evening.
Thank you.
Police?
I have no report.
Thank you.
Library?
I just want to remind everybody that we have our rescheduled board meeting tomorrow night from last week.
So it'll be at the library at 6 PM Thank you.
IT?
Thank you.
City Manager?
I just like to echo Michelle's comments about Gladys.
Gladys, you will be missed.
Thank you.
Yeah, that was exactly what I was going to say too.
So yeah, 25 years of service with the city, so we appreciate her.
Alderman, I think it would be Simmons, you were at the start?
No, but thank you.
Alderman Parker?
I'm gonna keep my mouth shut on one subject, but I do We want to thank the street department, they did an excellent job.
Thank you.
Alderman Stacey?
No, thank you.
Alderman Sanders, I'll wait until you get to your chair.
Okay.
Or your seat.
Yeah.
I have an array of things I want to comment on.
Or statements.
Thank you.
Miller.
Alderman Sellers.
Yes, I got a text message that would like me to let everyone know to join the Citizens Utility Board, CUB, Environmental Study Group, and State Representative Jab Cabello to learn about how to reduce your utility bills and tap into money-saving clean energy programs.
It will be Thursday, March 6th, 530 to 730 at the Freeport Public Library.
And she would like everyone to come out and bring some of your utility bills that they could also look at and help you out on.
Thank you, that's about it.
Yeah, thank you for mentioning that.
I forgot, also with Representative Cabello, he is doing an event here at City Hall on Friday, I believe 830, the entire business hours of City Hall for I-Pass where you can turn in your old I-Pass and get the new, however they had that worked out.
I'm not sure of the details.
But anyway, you can come here.
That's an event sponsored by Representative Cabello as well.
What time?
Business hours, 830 to five.
Friday to six, is it?
It's kind of long, yeah.
Friday, all day here, Friday.
Alderman Klemm?
I'd just like to add a couple things kudos to the street department and thank you to the guys that really worked hard on the water main breaks that we had and and things going going south on a couple of those as we all know they go out and pretty in climate weather and take care of things for us we appreciate their work also on March 5th mark your calendars there's is going to be a candidate for him, again, at the Eagles Club, whatever you do, please get involved, whatever you do, vote.
Thank you.
Alderman Monroe.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
I would like to thank all those people that were able to fight their way home after work so that they could pay their taxes to the city of Freeport, and they made it home safe as best they could.
I probably should thank myself for working 12 hour days, five days a week as well because that's what the Public Works Department wants to do.
We have a responsibility to this city.
We pay a ton.
I want to add a word in front of that to add a little color to it.
A ton of taxes.
And, you know, I think about half the public works probably doesn't even live in the city of Freeport.
But we all do.
And we all pay taxes.
Well, some of us do and don't.
Fowler.
But with that said, you know, the expectation is, is when the snow is two inches deep on the roads, that somebody's out plowing them and that we know that's coming.
We've got partners in the federal government that know it's coming and they tell us it's coming.
We got apps that tell us, we've got the weather service, the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office app tells you it's, but it's dangerous and those people have to get home and to expect them not to get home during a rush hour as we would call it here in Freeport, even though Fowler.
And I think it's time that we expect more of our government.
We're seeing that happen at the federal level.
We should expect the same at the state and local level as well.
And that means you have to work.
And sometimes you have to work really hard, and sometimes you get to work a little bit easier.
We've got a lot of CDL drivers in this city who could potentially help us out in these events who could come in and help out and I think we need to look at some of those options kind of moving forward.
Thank you, Mayor.
Next is public comment.
Are there any public comments this evening?
Go ahead.
My name is Cheryl Altman.
First I wanted to touch on the lighting system.
For everybody that has a child that's been shot, because you guys, you say you got $13,500, so you're telling me that your child's life wouldn't be worth that $13,500 to put a light up?
I'm a mother who lost her son at 21 years of age, he was, and I guarantee you, any mother, Miller, that next time you find a child that's been shot on there, you go tell that parent that the city didn't want to put up these lights, but yet they can go and spend all this money on snow plow, which you could have used, snow spreader, if it was hit, you could have got insurance money.
So you're telling me that kids' lives are important or the citizens of Freeport are important.
Dugman.
You keep saying that the building you tore down on Shawnees that belonged to Akia Sanders was in terrible shape.
It was bad shape.
But why aren't you putting a sticker on the Rowley building that's been in that condition for years?
You refused to tear that down.
It had asbestos in it.
You won't tear that down because you're thinking you might get something along.
That train might come through and you might be able to sell that property.
And like Albers, you gave all this, you gave Albers a chance to buy that other Raleigh building for a hundred bucks.
And then you tore down her place.
And you and I know, and you're not going to like this Mayor, but it's who you know and who your friends are.
Because I know who your friends are.
I went to school with you.
Are there any other public comments?
I'm Makia Sanders along with Tiffany Sanders.
I own 404 and 402 Shawnee.
You gotta wonder how would you need your permission to, need the council's permission to pay for a demolition and you didn't even need their permission to address the situation first.
And every time you open your mouth Wayne, you help me out.
And you helped me out.
You sat up there and told Monroe that you didn't get served a stop demolition order.
That was a lie.
If anybody want copies, I have the time, I have a video of speaking to you before you demoed my house, after I served you papers, stating that I served you papers, you're going to knock my house down anyway.
And then you got to ask, like, why was it an emergency to knock that house down when you already had 10 approved?
There was no fire.
It was not falling down.
It wasn't in, you know, the shape no motors was in passing recently.
Don't know.
That's one.
Then I wanted to address the lighting issue.
It disturbed me last time that I didn't get to comment.
I was bothered by Stacy or by Joy saying she was safe.
When did Oak Street become about you being safe?
You don't even comment or you don't say anything about when people email you.
You don't respond back.
And then Miller, you addressed Stacy like why was it only a fifth word problem?
She's a fifth word ultimate.
You are the city of Freeport.
I have not once heard you say you have circled any block in that neighborhood.
And we became a distressed city.
I'm not going to take the new name that y'all tried to soften up.
We became a distressed city and y'all used the money to pretty up where you hang at by the Wagner house.
Somebody got shot and I know for sure it was because of the light issue and they can't find the shooter.
And I watched you go to an event where that family celebrated celebration of life and you used that statement, you attending that and smiling was diabolical to me.
And this is the weakest display of leadership I've ever seen to wait and say let's become a distressed city, let's stand, let's wait till somebody else gets shot, beat up or killed.
Just I mean, what the heck.
Nice going.
Y'all doing a real great job up here.
Nobody likes you though.
Next.
I don't really have anything in particular to comment on.
Can you identify yourself please?
McKaya, Stacy, sorry.
I moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa and spent four years there getting my degree.
I recently went to Des Moines and talked to my friends that live in Des Moines, even one in a trailer park, and told them what's happening in Freeport.
And they were flabbergasted at the least.
I love this city.
I wanna continue living in the city.
I want people my age to not feel like we have to leave.
So when there's little things about, Oh, shouldn't all the city get lights?
Yeah.
Duh.
That's not the problem.
The problem is we're focusing on all these small other petty things to be like, oh, look at our crime rate compared to Chicago.
Look at the crime rate compared to Des Moines.
I pulled it up.
It is astonishing.
And even downtown Des Moines lit up like a Christmas tree.
And that helps.
But even the trailer park my friend lives in, she could go stand on the street and I can see her in a trailer park.
We can't do the same for our streets.
I don't want to leave here again, but this council and the city in general is making it very hard to want to stay for my safety and the safety of my family.
My mom has put roots down here.
My brother may have put roots down here.
I don't want to spend the rest of my nephew's life only seeing him once a month, like I did from 2020 to 2024.
Can we please figure something out for the love of the city, Not for our own well-being or whatever it is.
You love this city.
You want to live in it.
You want to be the mayor Please do something about this.
Thank you Is there any other public comment Tommy?
Holiday Inn is not open Tommy We are we are working on getting that one torn down as well.
What about that Lincoln?
We're working on demolishing that one as well, Tommy.
That jersey mic was looking good, that's why I buy that.
Jersey mic, yep, by the old GameStop, yep, we're still working on that one.
I had a talk to our building inspector.
They're full steam ahead on that one.
So I hope you're hungry.
Are there any other public comments?
If not, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment.
So move.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Monroe, all those in favor.
Oh, it has to be a vote.
It has to be a vote.
Simmons?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Monroe?
Aye.