WEBVTT

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I got one. Absolutely. I was in the doctor's office here a few weeks ago and she gave me a motion.

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Let's go. Yep.

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Are you doing, are you working at home? Are you doing a good job on that? Because we want

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I'm going to keep you there.

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Maybe some of you, not all of you.

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No, I like you there.

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Somebody told me to give this to you.

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I have to refresh myself.

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This is from them?

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Yes.

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Okay, it's six o'clock. Pastor Justin, could you please give the invocation this evening?

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Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council, and everybody with us tonight, would you please pray with

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me?

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Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, it is in you that we live and move and have our

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existence, the very breath of life, as well as the unique gifts and abilities that characterize

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each one of us.

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You have made us and so we are yours, not our own in life and in death and body and

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soul.

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So Lord, you have provided and set in place whatever powers and governments exist.

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You've placed a calling on each one of us sitting here tonight and gifted us with the

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ability that we have to carry out those callings.

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And so you encourage us to turn to you for wisdom and strength.

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And you are kind to hear and answer our prayers generously.

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and so I pray for this council tonight for its work

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but also outside of these doors for our city workers

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across each department especially with the cold weathers

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and the difficulty that that brings

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and for first responders throughout our city and our county

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and Lord we ask that you'd move each one

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to call upon your name for help and safety

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and wisdom for strength even as we ask for it here tonight.

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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

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Amen. Thank you. So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk,

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could you please take the roll? Mayor Miller? Here. Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Monroe? Here. Simmons?

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Here. Parker? Here. Stacy will be marked absent for the moment. Shadle is absent.

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Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Yes. We have a quorum. I'll entertain a motion to allow

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How Alderman Stacy to attend remotely, is there such a motion?

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So moved.

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Is there a second?

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I'll second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe,

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seconded by Alderman Simmons.

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Any discussion?

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Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

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Simmons?

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Aye.

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Parker?

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Aye.

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Shadle is absent, Sanders?

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Here.

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Aye.

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Sellers?

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Aye.

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Monroe. The motion passes 6 to 0. So then at 6.03 Alderman Stacey

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is attending remotely. So if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

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led by Alderman Simmons. Item number one is the approval of the agenda, however we

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will not be having executive session tonight. Is there a motion to approve? So

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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.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

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Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

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Simmons? Aye.

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Parker? Aye.

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Stacy? Aye.

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Sanders? Aye.

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Sellers? Aye.

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Klemm? Aye.

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And Monroe? Aye.

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The motion passes 7-0.

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Item number 3 is public comments. We have one signed up for item number 5, Steve Carroll.

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I'm Steve Carroll.

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and Steve Carroll.

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This is about street lights.

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So apparently we're still talking about it and I would like us to stop talking and act

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on it.

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At the last council meeting I talked about the poor lighting and the multiple reports

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of shots fired over the years on Oak where I've lived for the last 47 years.

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Last month there was gunfire 15 feet from the north side of my house and this was about

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9.30 in the evening.

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Prior to that, there's been shots fired in the 1200 and 1400 block of Oak. Sandwiched

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in between the 1400 and 1200 block of Oak is the quarter of Empire and Oak, which is

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very busy during school hours and after school events. There are school buses going through

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that intersection and stopping on multiple locations on Oak. There are children walking

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and

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John.

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I have been to and from school during school hours and during

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school events. That area is very dangerous, but I have every

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confidence in the Freeport Police Department to do their

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part to keep that area safe. I wish I could say the same thing

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about the Freeport School District. They have been made

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aware of the situation, but I frankly doubt their ability to

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Huffines.

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I have no idea why she would say that when over the years there's been multiple reports

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of shots fired and two homicides near where she lives.

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The last one was 13 months ago, just three houses from her residence.

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Disingenuous is the kind euphemistic word I will use here.

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Apparently, I'm the only one on Oak drawing gunfire.

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Settlers.

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It's obvious that Joy Sellers has turned her back at our neighborhoods and maybe our neighborhoods

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should turn their collective backs on her.

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And that concludes public comment.

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We will move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda.

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This consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion.

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Unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed for further

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discussion.

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Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the

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and

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finance bills in the total of $1,318,015.77. The approval of payroll for pay period ending

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February 8th, in the total of 669,000.

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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

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So move. Second.

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A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.

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Any discussion?

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Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

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Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye.

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Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The motion passes 7-0.

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Thank you. Item number five is a discussion regarding upgrading streetlights. Manager Boyer.

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Thank you, Your Honor. Just to kind of update Council on where we stand with this and specifically

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in relation to observations and requests by Alderman Stacy, the discussion around street

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light improvements has been going on for some time. 2021, the street light improvement project

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provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd that was

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for the downtown lighting.

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Grant eligibility and recent success includes, essentially we've been looking for a similar

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grant and applying for anything available through ComEd for additional lighting in the

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city.

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So city staff's been working since 2022 to qualify for another grant.

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Recently the city was awarded a new ComEd grant to fund community lighting projects.

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That's the select communities grant.

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In addition to that, some of the large trees in the parkways tend to shade out light from

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street lights inhibiting their effectiveness.

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So in the previous years, but especially last year, forestry was trimming trees along major

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street and corridors where we were doing street renovations.

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So that includes Adams, Oak, Iroquois, and Ridge just as an example, but that improved

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the street light visibility to some extent.

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Moving forward, we're looking to deploy our new plan, which is deploy brighter lights

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in law enforcement advised areas that require additional illumination.

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So these were areas that were identified by law enforcement as trouble areas that would

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certainly benefit by increasing the lumen output.

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Those include the 700 block of South Kenwood, 700 block of South Float, 300 block of East

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Pleasant, 500 Block of South Carroll, 400 Block of South State, Broadway at Locust and

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Walnut, 500 Block of South Chicago, the All-in-One Convenience Store on Locust, South Chicago

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Avenue in Frank, 1200 Block of South High, and 1130 South Galena.

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In addition, as Mr. Carroll just noted, Oak Street as well, we're working toward getting

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that taken care of.

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So recently we had a public works meeting to review and discuss the street illumination

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improvements and address immediate needs while continuing to work with ComEd on the newly

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awarded select communities grant plan.

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So our first steps are to replace lower lumen lights with brighter lights currently available

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at the public works inventory.

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These were lights that were recycled during the Chicago Avenue streetscape project and

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we have some on hand that we can deploy right away so we'll be moving forward on that.

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also replaced streetlights on police Shenberger's concern areas and that would be, I think we've

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got about 22 in inventory and we need about 84 so we're going to be looking for and those

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fixtures are fairly expensive so the total cost is going to be including oak is going

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to include something like about $40,000 total for the fixtures and installation costs.

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So we've got ownership and collaboration streetlights are owned by ComEd requiring

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and the public works director Steekl has initiated discussions with George Galrap and we're moving

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forward with a meeting later this week to nail down plans there.

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ComEd will be scheduling, as I mentioned, will be scheduling a meeting shortly.

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Funding and grants, so the higher wattage fixtures do not qualify for the standard grants

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that we received already, so there will be a cost impact to the city.

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If funding is delayed, we're going to do what we can with the lights that we currently have.

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Miller. We're looking at the new fixtures, not necessarily, we did not include in last

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year's budget, so we are going to need to make a decision on what we're going to do

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in terms of funding. However, I'll bring that proposal to you when we get closer to

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that point. Anyway, in addition, so we've got, we can add those brighter fixtures to

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some areas. However, it may also draw attention from other areas of the community that feel

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Miller.

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So that's a consideration we're working with right now.

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And then, of course, what that financial impact is, whether that is just the cost of the fixtures

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and the additional electricity costs, where that'll come from and if that will be moved

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on through the ComEd bill.

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So our current estimated cost for what we've just discussed, which is the areas that are

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and

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the other funds that are provided by police chief Shenberger

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and also oak is above $45,000. These are essentially the

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electricity is also going to go up to some degree. And right

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now we have about 10,000 allocated in the street light

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repair budget, so we're going to need to figure out where those

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funds are coming from.

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So we may require the use of emergency funds to make that

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and things will have to be budgeted for the future.

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And we're not completely sure what those costs would be,

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but it'll depend on the number of lights we deploy.

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So that's kind of my update on where we stand with the street

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light update.

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I have a question.

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Alderman Sellers?

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She can go.

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OK, Alderman Stacy?

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Yes, a grant, or is this discounted?

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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

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replaced. Okay, will we be using the 20,000 that's in a light funding escrow and the 23

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that was saved from the other job that Darren Stegall saved 2300? I'm not positive of what

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you're saying there could you repeat that Alderman Stacy we have 10,000 budgeted

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in the in this year's budget for light repairs and Alderman Stacy that's for

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light repairs not light replacement we could I mean that's what it's in the

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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

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would probably want lighting and stuff.

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Are we gonna try to make that like a program

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like we did with the streets and broadened it out

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and Darren came up with a plan on how we can get lights

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for everybody all over or how are we gonna,

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have we looked into that yet or no?

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Right now we're addressing the emergent request.

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I'm not sure where we're going,

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but I do know there's lots of parts of town

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that don't have really any lights to speak of, more of rural cross-sections.

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So certain wards don't even have poles every 1,500 feet or so.

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They have like one in a corner and there's not very much lighting in certain neighborhoods.

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So that could get very expensive because of the fact that the poles don't exist.

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But just to answer your question, we're doing what we need to do right now to deal with

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the issue at hand.

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Darren, did you want to add to that?

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Wait a minute.

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by the money portion of it.

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So the $23,000 that we saved at the last meeting

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in that bid, that's water and sewer CIP money.

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So by ordinance, it can be used.

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We have CIP money, so by ordinance it can't be moved to the lighting program.

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The $10,000 that's budgeted for light repairs, if we spend it on this program, we won't be

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able to replace or repair any of the light ballasts that we currently do.

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I guess my suggestion is if we move forward with this, it's going to have to come from

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emergency funds, just like if we had another emergency that wasn't budgeted.

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That's where this funding will end up having to come from, because I believe by ordinance

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and

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the

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President.

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The

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programs that cannot be taken out of CIP.

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Olderman Sanders?

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Yeah.

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Following up with the scheduling for these programs, have we estimated how long will

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it take to start the process of this programming?

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Because we're not even talking scheduling dates and we need to get started whatever

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and the other initiatives are right now when we start talking about the lighting program

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and things like that.

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Are we scheduling and estimating time and date when we start these processes, when we

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start these procedures of getting these lighting started, whatever we have, that we can get

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Huffines.

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I don't want to hear that we're still working on it. This guy

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came up here twice already making a complaint about Oak

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Street.

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And so I had not heard any feedback in regards to when

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we're going to get started. We have looked into it and we have

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done a survey to actively be, to extradite anything that we

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and I want to see us doing something, talking about it, because that is a priority. And

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where is it on the priority list? And I wanted to know, since we're getting this thing together,

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:17.059
are we prioritizing anything? That's the whole thing, to get this thing started. So I'm just

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.059
Miller.

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:23.860
We're just looking for the active part of it, of the progress that we are stepping into

00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:26.299
and we have an estimated time and date.

00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:30.180
We're not going to prolong this for a year or two years.

00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:37.460
We want to see, we want to give the citizens an absolute kind of estimated time that we

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:43.069
can get started and start this process.

00:22:43.069 --> 00:22:45.509
Alderman Klemm?

00:22:45.509 --> 00:22:47.990
I think we ought to stop and back up a second here.

00:22:47.990 --> 00:22:50.230
We don't even know what we're gonna do yet,

00:22:50.230 --> 00:22:51.389
or when we're gonna do it,

00:22:51.389 --> 00:22:54.150
and if the lights, we gotta work to do it.

00:22:54.150 --> 00:22:57.389
And when it was mentioned about other places in town

00:22:57.389 --> 00:23:01.190
that need electricity or need places, yes, there are some.

00:23:01.190 --> 00:23:04.309
Do we need to go where we're specifically having problems?

00:23:04.309 --> 00:23:06.710
The answer to that is 100% correct.

00:23:06.710 --> 00:23:08.869
There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

00:23:08.869 --> 00:23:10.910
But you got a process that you gotta go through

00:23:10.910 --> 00:23:13.670
to figure out what you're gonna put lights where,

00:23:13.670 --> 00:23:16.789
where they will fit to the ones that we have.

00:23:16.789 --> 00:23:20.789
Wait a minute, do we have- No, I don't need you to do that.

00:23:20.789 --> 00:23:21.789
You don't even do that.

00:23:21.789 --> 00:23:23.789
Yeah, you're- Alderman Sanders, he has support.

00:23:23.789 --> 00:23:26.789
Don't say a damn thing. It's time you sit back and listen.

00:23:26.789 --> 00:23:27.789
No, I'm not gonna sit back and listen.

00:23:27.789 --> 00:23:29.789
Alderman Sanders, you do not have the floor.

00:23:29.789 --> 00:23:31.789
He does not have the right- You do not have the floor.

00:23:31.789 --> 00:23:32.789
Yeah, well- It is Alderman Klemm.

00:23:32.789 --> 00:23:35.789
I'm not gonna let him attack me and insult me.

00:23:35.789 --> 00:23:36.789
Well, you do it to everybody else.

00:23:36.789 --> 00:23:40.789
No, I don't insult you, but I will start doing so.

00:23:40.789 --> 00:23:41.789
That's enough, Alderman.

00:23:41.789 --> 00:23:45.789
Yeah, yeah, you're a very disrespectful person

00:24:15.789 --> 00:24:16.789
Fowler.

00:24:16.789 --> 00:24:21.029
So tell me what you're going to do to solve the problem before you do it.

00:24:21.029 --> 00:24:26.230
Everybody's for doing it, but you've got to figure out what you need to do.

00:24:26.230 --> 00:24:44.630
I would imagine we'd get started on it probably by the 1st of April there about.

00:24:44.630 --> 00:24:48.910
So the one thing that everyone has to keep in mind at the council level is the City of

00:24:48.910 --> 00:24:54.630
Freeport doesn't own the poles or the lights on these streets, Commonwealth Edison does,

00:24:54.630 --> 00:24:59.769
so we can't do anything without their direct permission.

00:24:59.769 --> 00:25:06.049
So we can talk about this and we can move it forward and we need their assistance to

00:25:06.049 --> 00:25:10.289
actually install them or give us at least permission to do them because they're live

00:25:10.289 --> 00:25:23.289
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.

00:25:23.289 --> 00:25:32.289
We were able to get the one light changed at Iroquois at that intersection as a favor from Mr. Gullwrap, we pushed that forward.

00:25:32.289 --> 00:26:05.039
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

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:16.039
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.

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:29.039
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.

00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.039
Miller.

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:32.700
And we're asking for movement.

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:34.759
We're asking for something to happen.

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:39.839
And while I agree with you, the lights belong in the poles, belong in the power, belongs

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:45.839
to Commonwealth Edison, there are other options available to improve the lighting in some

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:50.639
of these areas, especially where there's no poles existing, where we could put in poles

00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:56.680
that have 24-hour guaranteed uptime, 365 days with solar power.

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.680
They're out there.

00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.680
Are they expensive?

00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.680
and I, and I'm a lawyer and I'm a lawyer.

00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:03.860
I'm a lawyer and I'm a lawyer. I do.

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:07.319
It's not my job to look it up. But I did get two calls after we

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:11.319
talked about this in the last week from companies that want to

00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:13.319
pitch these services.

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:17.000
So I think as a council, what we're

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:21.220
all asking for is a plan that put the paper much like you did

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:25.019
with the roads, which was exactly what we needed and what

00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:27.019
we wanted, and it allowed us to then start attacking the

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.680
Huffines.

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:37.639
I think that's where we're kind of sitting right now is we need that plan to kind of

00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:44.079
move forward so that we can say, okay, well, maybe we need to kill this in the budget because

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.680
this is a higher priority.

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:49.680
This is that need versus want conversation that we'd never want to have here.

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:56.500
We just want to buy, you know, $1.5 million pieces of equipment and not have real conversations

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.500
Huffines.

00:27:57.500 --> 00:28:02.259
We've got to give the police department a fighting chance.

00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:16.619
We've got to give the community a chance, and we've got to come together and come up

00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:18.139
with a solution.

00:28:18.139 --> 00:28:22.480
And it may not be what we want, but it's what we need.

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:24.740
And I think we've got to bring that together.

00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.740
Fowler.

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:31.000
I think it's simple to just work together, come up with a plan, and you'll get seven

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:35.740
or eight yeses to come up that will back you on this.

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:38.500
But we've got, we can't do that.

00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:40.659
That's not our task.

00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:42.740
We don't know how much each one of these costs.

00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.980
We don't know how much time.

00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:47.619
We don't know how long it takes ComEd.

00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.619
We need your help.

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:53.900
And that's what I think we keep asking for and why this keeps coming up.

00:28:53.900 --> 00:29:00.139
So I agree with most of what you said without with the one exception we have

00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:06.400
had no vote or unanimous or direction from council to put that plan together

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:11.619
because it's not budgeted so if we make that plan and council addresses us to do

00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:15.820
that like they did with the street plan we will absolutely do that I am afraid

00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:22.220
to be honest with you I agree with most of what you said the city of Freeport

00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:25.759
Right now, while I agree the safety areas are a priority,

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:28.299
we cannot afford to replace every light in this town.

00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:30.740
And I think the taxpayers would be pretty upset

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:32.619
with what that ultimate cost would be.

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.320
I did a little bit of research

00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:37.539
and so we'll give some facts here.

00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:42.500
The lights were approved by City Manager Crow

00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:44.940
to be replaced and I believe it was 2018

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.500
and most of that project was done

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:49.860
somewhere between the end of 2018 and 2019.

00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:52.940
Those lights have only been installed for five years.

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:55.940
ComEd doesn't do any light replacement within five years.

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.359
That's their minimum.

00:29:57.359 --> 00:30:00.920
You can't get any light changes out for five years at a minimum because I think that's

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:05.559
probably the lifespan of their fixture or the payoff of their fixture.

00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:10.359
If we want to replace every light in town with increased wattage, that will be at 100%

00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:15.000
cost to the city of Freeport because they only give the discounts or whatever you want

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:18.779
to call them, grants discounts or anything like that, for people that are reducing wattage

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:22.839
and saving energy consumption.

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:27.079
I did do the math and I've said it up here two or three times at council a new

00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:33.519
pole and a new light are about $13,000 a piece to install mid-block wherever we

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:37.440
want to put them again we don't have those types of things in the budget

00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:40.480
right now but if we get direction that that's what we want to do we will put

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:45.839
those plans together I'm trying to put a stopgap to the safety stuff and move

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:52.119
this safety priority ahead as quickly as possible but not every one of our

00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.119
Selders.

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:57.799
We have to give our partners work as fast as we try to do and, you know, when we're dealing

00:30:57.799 --> 00:31:02.759
with larger companies like this, we have to give them time to be able to react.

00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:05.869
Oldman Selders?

00:31:05.869 --> 00:31:11.990
Yeah, I wanted to say I do agree with, you know, a lot of the things that you said, because

00:31:11.990 --> 00:31:15.430
we have to give our, you know, police department a chance.

00:31:15.430 --> 00:31:19.549
We have to get us a chance to get together and put the plan together.

00:31:19.549 --> 00:31:29.170
but I do also think that when the police department do their jobs and get these people, we also

00:31:29.170 --> 00:31:33.269
have to realize there's another component, there's the judicial system.

00:31:33.269 --> 00:31:37.710
They have to not just slap their hands, they have to do what they have to do to help us.

00:31:37.710 --> 00:31:38.869
I'm sorry.

00:31:38.869 --> 00:31:41.509
And if we don't do that, they're back.

00:31:41.509 --> 00:31:44.630
So we're going to have repeated problems.

00:31:44.630 --> 00:31:46.170
So we all have to work together.

00:31:46.170 --> 00:31:51.769
So I do agree with, Chief, I'm glad you guys are out there doing what you do.

00:31:51.769 --> 00:31:57.569
And it's not that I said that I feel safe because I don't live in fear.

00:31:57.569 --> 00:32:03.170
So I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, feeling that I didn't feel that I didn't

00:32:03.170 --> 00:32:05.789
feel compassion because that's where I live.

00:32:05.789 --> 00:32:07.690
So I have the passion.

00:32:07.690 --> 00:32:13.170
But I'm saying I feel safe and have peace because if I see something, I'm going to say

00:32:13.170 --> 00:32:14.170
something.

00:32:14.170 --> 00:32:16.610
I have lights around my house, security lights.

00:32:16.610 --> 00:32:21.049
We also have to chip in on that also as residents.

00:32:21.049 --> 00:32:22.930
You know, we can look for the city lights

00:32:22.930 --> 00:32:25.970
and that's perfect and I know we need them.

00:32:25.970 --> 00:32:28.529
But we also have to get spotlights around our house,

00:32:28.529 --> 00:32:30.569
a security camera around our doors.

00:32:30.569 --> 00:32:34.650
We have to also tell what's going on in our neighborhoods

00:32:34.650 --> 00:32:36.049
and be a part of it also.

00:32:36.049 --> 00:32:39.450
So that's my take on that.

00:32:39.450 --> 00:32:40.289
Thank you.

00:32:40.289 --> 00:32:41.130
Alderman Sanders.

00:32:41.130 --> 00:32:42.769
I have a question.

00:32:42.769 --> 00:32:51.569
Alderman, Sanders. Yeah, I'm listening to everything collectively and I'm listening

00:32:51.569 --> 00:32:57.889
to a lot of good things and it sounds like a lot of good detail information is

00:32:57.889 --> 00:33:05.089
coming forward. My question is, and I like the fact that putting a plan in

00:33:05.089 --> 00:33:11.089
motion and we have to be able to have the council to begin to talk about

00:33:11.089 --> 00:33:21.130
and others, and then we need someone in place to get these plans in motion.

00:33:21.130 --> 00:33:30.289
And so we're talking about it great, great, great concepts, great ideas, great understanding

00:33:30.289 --> 00:33:40.190
of how to proceed and things of that nature, but we also need that one startup and who

00:33:40.190 --> 00:33:43.750
who is the person that leads us in those areas

00:33:43.750 --> 00:33:48.750
to give us a final understanding of how we're gonna proceed.

00:33:50.110 --> 00:33:54.110
We need that individual and I'm looking for those people

00:33:54.110 --> 00:33:59.110
who are the people we as council have to look to

00:34:00.430 --> 00:34:03.549
to understand is there a strategic plan in place

00:34:03.549 --> 00:34:05.069
about these lightings?

00:34:05.069 --> 00:34:06.230
Is there a plan?

00:34:06.230 --> 00:34:08.489
I'm wondering if we're working on one.

00:34:08.489 --> 00:34:20.489
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.

00:34:20.489 --> 00:34:30.489
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.

00:34:30.489 --> 00:34:32.849
and so I'm just one of those kind of guys

00:34:32.849 --> 00:34:36.289
who's gonna say talk is enough.

00:34:36.289 --> 00:34:40.210
We know what we need to do as a council.

00:34:40.210 --> 00:34:43.449
We know what we need to do as city manager,

00:34:43.449 --> 00:34:45.529
public works or whatever the case is.

00:34:45.529 --> 00:34:49.570
We're not collaborating together

00:34:49.570 --> 00:34:54.570
to get this resolutions started and to get it resolved.

00:34:54.769 --> 00:34:59.769
And so my thing is where does the starting point start?

00:34:59.769 --> 00:35:03.769
who's in charge and how do we begin to proceed?

00:35:04.929 --> 00:35:07.050
Alderman Simmons, did you have something?

00:35:07.050 --> 00:35:07.889
Thank you.

00:35:08.949 --> 00:35:12.929
So before I do what I wanna do,

00:35:12.929 --> 00:35:15.730
I would like to note that when we were all gung-ho

00:35:15.730 --> 00:35:17.949
about getting in on the grant

00:35:17.949 --> 00:35:20.449
to have a walkway put behind Highland,

00:35:20.449 --> 00:35:23.409
that was gonna cost us about $300,000.

00:35:23.409 --> 00:35:25.269
Nobody mentioned cost.

00:35:25.269 --> 00:35:28.210
Nobody talked about other neighborhoods needing sidewalks.

00:35:28.210 --> 00:35:29.730
It was never an issue.

00:35:29.730 --> 00:35:44.730
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?

00:35:44.730 --> 00:35:49.730
You want that plan before the March Cowl?

00:35:49.730 --> 00:35:51.730
By, like, the March Cowl.

00:35:51.730 --> 00:35:52.730
I'll give them time.

00:35:52.730 --> 00:35:55.730
I'll second that.

00:35:55.730 --> 00:36:03.730
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?

00:36:03.730 --> 00:36:06.730
I have it, thank you.

00:36:06.730 --> 00:36:11.730
Manager Boyer, did you have some input on that?

00:36:11.730 --> 00:36:12.730
Darren?

00:36:12.730 --> 00:36:21.730
Yeah, I'll ask or answer Alderman Sanders' questions. The memo that was in the packet for tonight outlined who's in charge,

00:36:21.730 --> 00:36:27.889
what the plan is and how we're moving forward all that was in the memo and so Rob and I are in charge

00:36:28.449 --> 00:36:34.210
we're moving forward already we started last Thursday with his direction and after this

00:36:34.210 --> 00:36:39.250
motion tonight we'll have it all together for you I can't tell you how soon it will happen

00:36:39.250 --> 00:36:43.650
and we're going under the emergency authority to fund the lights you guys will just have to figure

00:36:43.650 --> 00:36:50.610
out how to pay for them yeah thank you on that that's part of our job and uh I'm sorry yeah

00:36:50.610 --> 00:36:54.809
actually you I'm sorry thank you so so we have the motion is there any

00:36:54.809 --> 00:37:00.610
discussion on the motion itself about the plan for the 22 lights etc could

00:37:00.610 --> 00:37:06.809
yeah can we just restate the motion says I can hear it well sure madam clerk can

00:37:06.809 --> 00:37:12.610
you restate that the motion is to direct staff to to study the best use of the

00:37:12.610 --> 00:37:21.010
and the 22 lights come up with the plan, even beyond the 22 lights.

00:37:21.010 --> 00:37:22.650
By the March cow.

00:37:22.650 --> 00:37:24.130
By March cow, yes.

00:37:24.130 --> 00:37:26.570
Darren, is that possible?

00:37:26.570 --> 00:37:28.690
Sure, by the cow.

00:37:28.690 --> 00:37:30.849
We'll do the best we can.

00:37:30.849 --> 00:37:34.329
I believe Ms. Stacy had a question as well.

00:37:34.329 --> 00:37:38.210
I'm sorry, Alderman Stacey, did you have something?

00:37:38.210 --> 00:37:49.570
I did have a question pertaining to if Darren was saying we needed to make a motion to get

00:37:49.570 --> 00:38:01.269
it moving or moving forward with the emergency clause. But now that Alderman Rachel has already

00:38:01.269 --> 00:38:07.289
made the motion, I guess I'm just ready for a vote.

00:38:07.289 --> 00:38:11.019
Yeah, that's what we're, that's our next step.

00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.860
Okay.

00:38:12.739 --> 00:38:15.019
If there's no further discussion,

00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:16.659
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:17.619
Simmons.

00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.460
Aye.

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:19.279
Parker.

00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.119
Aye.

00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:21.500
Stacy.

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.320
Aye.

00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.159
Sanders.

00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:24.000
Aye.

00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.820
Sellers.

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.659
Aye.

00:38:25.659 --> 00:38:26.500
Klemm.

00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.320
Aye.

00:38:27.320 --> 00:38:28.159
And Monroe.

00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:28.980
Aye.

00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:30.880
The motion passes seven to zero.

00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:33.800
Item number six is the first reading of ordinance 2025-10.

00:38:33.800 --> 00:38:36.900
Could you please read this?

00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:39.039
Ordinance approving zoning map amendment

00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:42.940
at 18th South Chicago Avenue, submitted by Mitch Brito

00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:45.220
to examine the proposed zoning map change

00:38:45.220 --> 00:38:47.860
from a B-1-2 general retail business

00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:51.260
to a B-2 limited service business district.

00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:53.340
Thank you, Director Duckman.

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.539
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:58.460
So staff received a request for a zoning,

00:38:58.460 --> 00:39:00.220
a petition for a zoning map amendment

00:39:00.220 --> 00:39:02.779
at 18th South Chicago Avenue.

00:39:02.779 --> 00:39:05.039
And essentially what is going on here

00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:08.099
is the Lieutenant started,

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:11.699
I have a picture of the location up here on the map,

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:13.980
in case anybody was interested to see that.

00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:17.340
The tenant here started a dojo.

00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:22.739
And essentially before checking with our zoning ordinance

00:39:22.739 --> 00:39:28.860
and came to us and said, hey, I have this dojo.

00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:30.900
I need to get my certificate of occupancy.

00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:32.739
And I don't have the zoning.

00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:36.659
And so staff worked with the property owner

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:40.559
to figure out a solution for this situation.

00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:44.220
And the solution here was a zoning map amendment.

00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:46.760
So currently, it's zone B1.

00:39:46.760 --> 00:39:49.000
And it would need to be zone B2 in order

00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:53.559
to allow for this dojo that the tenant currently is operating.

00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:58.639
Tennant currently is operating. So this went to our Zoning Board of Appeals on February 6th

00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:05.360
and it was recommended for approval of 5 to 0 with zero abstentions and on February 13th it went

00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:11.039
to our Planning Commission with a vote of 6 to 0 with zero abstentions and in looking at this

00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:17.599
zoning map amendment to go from B1 to B2 in line with our Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning

00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:23.159
and Commission staffs recommending approval are moving this ordinance to the next for

00:40:23.159 --> 00:40:24.159
a second reading.

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:25.159
Thank you.

00:40:25.159 --> 00:40:28.159
Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:29.159
Second.

00:40:29.159 --> 00:40:30.159
Okay.

00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:38.440
We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Monroe.

00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:42.519
Is there discussion on this ordinance, Alderman Stacy?

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.519
Yes.

00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.519
What is it?

00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:45.519
Dojo?

00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:51.880
it's a it's karate or it can be jiu-jitsu karate it's essentially a

00:40:51.880 --> 00:41:03.489
martial arts studio Oldham and Simmons you're gonna have to speak into your

00:41:03.489 --> 00:41:08.090
microphone I she said or sorry go ahead I didn't just the difference between B1

00:41:08.090 --> 00:41:17.610
and B2 it's slightly more intense of a business use it essentially would allow

00:41:17.610 --> 00:41:23.449
Howell for when this ordinance came out and was created,

00:41:23.449 --> 00:41:25.369
the writers of the ordinance thought

00:41:25.369 --> 00:41:28.969
that martial arts studios were more of an intense use

00:41:28.969 --> 00:41:33.409
than, per se, a retail store.

00:41:33.409 --> 00:41:37.610
So you would have to get higher zoning, less restrictive zoning

00:41:37.610 --> 00:41:39.929
to have a martial arts studio.

00:41:39.929 --> 00:41:41.170
That's essentially what it is.

00:41:41.170 --> 00:41:44.489
So there's a few uses that are more intense.

00:41:44.489 --> 00:41:45.250
Yep.

00:41:45.250 --> 00:41:47.090
Alderman Sanders.

00:41:47.090 --> 00:41:52.090
This is not on topic, I just wanted to ask you

00:41:52.090 --> 00:41:57.090
something in regards to zoning, and I just wanted

00:41:57.929 --> 00:42:02.929
to make sure that our ordinance identify what areas

00:42:03.809 --> 00:42:08.050
that are supposed to get zonings and recognize

00:42:08.050 --> 00:42:12.809
whether or not residential can also be considered

00:42:12.809 --> 00:42:13.809
and others.

00:42:13.809 --> 00:42:16.809
I'm just asking that question in general about what you would do if you were to start a business

00:42:16.809 --> 00:42:36.690
in a residential area or whatever and is that considered where he needs a permit or need

00:42:36.690 --> 00:42:40.650
to be in the proper zoning locations?

00:42:40.650 --> 00:42:42.809
I'm just asking that question in general

00:42:42.809 --> 00:42:46.389
because that question came up to me.

00:42:46.389 --> 00:42:46.969
Sure.

00:42:46.969 --> 00:42:50.849
I think you can always do a home-occupied business, which

00:42:50.849 --> 00:42:54.010
essentially would be small accounting firm, person

00:42:54.010 --> 00:42:56.769
working for themself.

00:42:56.769 --> 00:42:57.929
Maybe you're an architect.

00:42:57.929 --> 00:42:58.969
You're working for yourself.

00:42:58.969 --> 00:43:01.530
You're working out of your house, smaller law firm.

00:43:01.530 --> 00:43:04.190
Essentially, that's what you would call a home-occupation

00:43:04.190 --> 00:43:04.809
business.

00:43:04.809 --> 00:43:05.309
OK.

00:43:05.309 --> 00:43:06.329
That's allowed.

00:43:06.329 --> 00:43:08.489
Usually what happens is by the time

00:43:08.489 --> 00:43:11.170
you start having more than one client at your house

00:43:11.170 --> 00:43:14.969
at one time, that's when you would fall,

00:43:14.969 --> 00:43:17.090
you would become more of an intense land use

00:43:17.090 --> 00:43:20.250
and you would be required to, you know, get into,

00:43:20.250 --> 00:43:24.449
start your business in a business zone property,

00:43:24.449 --> 00:43:25.610
commercial zone property.

00:43:25.610 --> 00:43:29.010
So the answer to your question is there's, you know,

00:43:29.010 --> 00:43:31.809
our ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses

00:43:31.809 --> 00:43:32.650
ran out of their house.

00:43:32.650 --> 00:43:34.369
And when I, if somebody were to call me,

00:43:34.369 --> 00:43:36.050
my advice to them is always,

00:43:36.050 --> 00:43:47.050
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.

00:43:47.050 --> 00:43:49.050
Right. Well, that was...

00:43:49.050 --> 00:43:55.050
Okay, so actually, I appreciate you wanting to have a better understanding, but you are correct that has nothing to do with this ordinance.

00:43:55.050 --> 00:43:56.050
Yeah.

00:43:56.050 --> 00:44:01.050
So, if you want to discuss this offline, I'm sure he'll pick up his phone anytime you want to discuss it.

00:44:01.050 --> 00:44:03.050
Yeah, that's what I would do.

00:44:03.050 --> 00:44:04.050
Totally.

00:44:04.050 --> 00:44:07.409
So is there any further discussion concerning this Alderman-Munroe?

00:44:07.409 --> 00:44:11.010
No, I'm good right now.

00:44:11.010 --> 00:44:14.449
No, not discussion.

00:44:14.449 --> 00:44:17.170
Can I make a motion, though?

00:44:17.170 --> 00:44:21.489
We have a motion on the floor to move it forward.

00:44:21.489 --> 00:44:22.610
Oh, never mind.

00:44:22.610 --> 00:44:29.289
Or actually, can I make a motion on this to suspend the rules?

00:44:29.289 --> 00:44:30.289
You can do what you want.

00:44:30.289 --> 00:44:31.529
Sure, I'll do that then.

00:44:31.529 --> 00:44:36.369
Is there a second motion for the suspension of the rules?

00:44:36.369 --> 00:44:37.130
Alderman Parker.

00:44:37.130 --> 00:44:39.409
So suspension of the rules is non-debatable

00:44:39.409 --> 00:44:41.610
and must pass by two-thirds majority.

00:44:41.610 --> 00:44:44.970
And so, Madam Clerk, could you please take the role

00:44:44.970 --> 00:44:47.449
on the suspension only?

00:44:47.449 --> 00:44:50.010
Simmons?

00:44:50.010 --> 00:44:50.690
Parker?

00:44:50.690 --> 00:44:51.250
Aye.

00:44:51.250 --> 00:44:53.130
Stacy?

00:44:53.130 --> 00:44:54.329
Aye.

00:44:54.329 --> 00:44:55.210
Sanders?

00:44:55.210 --> 00:44:55.929
Aye.

00:44:55.929 --> 00:44:56.570
Sellers?

00:44:56.570 --> 00:44:57.210
Aye.

00:44:57.210 --> 00:44:57.730
Klemm?

00:44:57.730 --> 00:44:58.329
Aye.

00:44:58.329 --> 00:44:59.050
And Monroe?

00:44:59.050 --> 00:44:59.730
Aye.

00:44:59.730 --> 00:45:02.730
The suspension of the rules passes seven to zero.

00:45:02.730 --> 00:45:06.489
So then council before you is the final reading of this ordinance.

00:45:06.529 --> 00:45:10.449
So if there's no further discussion on this, Madam Clerk,

00:45:10.449 --> 00:45:14.529
please take the role on the passage of Ordinance 2025-10. Simmons.

00:45:15.889 --> 00:45:17.849
Parker. Aye.

00:45:17.849 --> 00:45:20.050
Stacy. Aye.

00:45:20.889 --> 00:45:22.409
Sanders. Aye.

00:45:22.409 --> 00:45:23.849
Sellers. Aye.

00:45:23.849 --> 00:45:25.929
Klemm and Monroe. Aye.

00:45:26.250 --> 00:45:28.570
And the ordinance passes seven to zero.

00:45:29.730 --> 00:45:33.449
thank you item number seven is the first reading of ordinance 2025 11 could you

00:45:33.449 --> 00:45:40.050
please read this ordinance approving hanger leases for a one Dennis Miller H1

00:45:40.050 --> 00:45:48.769
Alexander Glockler J Matt Van Bergen L1 Ron Jansen L2 heritage aviation L3

00:45:48.769 --> 00:45:58.989
Tango 34 LLC L5 Paul Oda L7 Pam Maness M1 John Inc M3 Greg

00:45:58.989 --> 00:46:07.150
Manuel, M4, Ken and Paula Irwin, M8, David Hayes, and N10, John Staben.

00:46:07.150 --> 00:46:14.070
Second. Is there a second? Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:46:14.070 --> 00:46:21.730
Any discussion on this ordinance? Alderman Sanders? Yeah, I had to look at this

00:46:21.730 --> 00:46:51.730
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.

00:46:51.730 --> 00:46:58.690
and gör, let me cut you off since you cut me off

00:46:58.690 --> 00:47:05.529
while I was right in the middle of midsentence. Yes, I was cut off right in

00:47:05.529 --> 00:47:11.529
the middle of mid-sentence. I've never got a chance to complete my thoughts.

00:47:11.529 --> 00:47:17.610
No, I didn't ask for that kind of help. I know what I want

00:47:17.610 --> 00:47:18.610
Huffines.

00:47:18.610 --> 00:47:19.610
Thank you.

00:47:19.610 --> 00:47:20.610
Thank you.

00:47:20.610 --> 00:47:21.610
Thank you.

00:47:21.610 --> 00:47:51.610
Don't do that. Don't do that. 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

00:47:51.610 --> 00:47:52.409
and

00:47:52.409 --> 00:47:53.610
the

00:47:53.610 --> 00:47:54.610
other

00:47:54.610 --> 00:47:55.610
people.

00:47:55.610 --> 00:47:56.610
So we have

00:47:56.610 --> 00:47:57.610
a lot of

00:47:57.610 --> 00:47:58.610
information

00:47:58.610 --> 00:47:59.610
about

00:47:59.610 --> 00:48:00.610
what

00:48:00.610 --> 00:48:01.610
is going

00:48:01.610 --> 00:48:02.610
to

00:48:02.610 --> 00:48:03.610
be

00:48:03.610 --> 00:48:04.610
done

00:48:04.610 --> 00:48:05.610
within

00:48:05.610 --> 00:48:06.610
those

00:48:06.610 --> 00:48:07.610
leases.

00:48:07.610 --> 00:48:08.610
When I'm looking through

00:48:08.610 --> 00:48:13.610
those leases, the comparisons with those leases does not conform with the whole process

00:48:13.610 --> 00:48:18.610
on who is signing off on these leases and who is coming up with the detailed information

00:48:18.610 --> 00:48:19.610
about

00:48:19.610 --> 00:48:20.610
what

00:48:20.610 --> 00:48:21.610
and so on.

00:48:21.610 --> 00:48:28.529
And I'm like, any of the leases that are being presented to us today, and I'm like, this

00:48:28.529 --> 00:48:33.610
should not even be on the agenda to even talk about it until we have covered all of those

00:48:33.610 --> 00:48:40.250
areas of those leases and had the detailed information that we need about it because

00:48:40.250 --> 00:48:46.289
the lease does not sound like a read to me adds up.

00:48:46.289 --> 00:48:48.849
It does not add up to me.

00:48:48.849 --> 00:49:06.769
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.

00:49:06.769 --> 00:49:12.409
I understand they're there, but the comparison from one hanger to the next one,

00:49:12.409 --> 00:49:17.409
it does not justify why certain lease amounts

00:49:17.429 --> 00:49:21.250
are being charged to certain hangers and not the other ones.

00:49:21.250 --> 00:49:23.610
And we need to understand why that is.

00:49:23.610 --> 00:49:27.529
And so that's the reason why I brought this up

00:49:27.529 --> 00:49:30.449
because I'm not getting full understanding

00:49:30.449 --> 00:49:32.650
of why we're talking about the leases

00:49:32.650 --> 00:49:37.489
when we have not been able to explain each, every item

00:49:37.489 --> 00:49:41.289
and the reason why we're having disparaging

00:49:42.409 --> 00:49:48.909
and I have a lot of questions about these amounts that are being produced within these leases.

00:49:48.909 --> 00:49:50.269
That's all I need to know.

00:49:50.269 --> 00:49:51.269
That's all I need to know.

00:49:51.269 --> 00:49:52.269
Mr. Boyer, would you like to give your presentation?

00:49:52.269 --> 00:49:56.000
would you like to give your presentation? Absolutely. So the lease amounts are in

00:49:56.000 --> 00:50:02.159
ordinance set by council. Those amounts were reviewed by council with the airport

00:50:02.159 --> 00:50:06.960
manager who came to council and discussed that they were in line with

00:50:06.960 --> 00:50:13.519
the region in terms of what they what the lease rates are and then we have

00:50:13.519 --> 00:50:22.159
have been updating all the hanger leases with existing tenants who are already there and

00:50:22.159 --> 00:50:24.119
already had signed leases.

00:50:24.119 --> 00:50:29.920
All we're doing here is updating the lease form to more modern wording that has been

00:50:29.920 --> 00:50:33.800
brought to council and approved already.

00:50:33.800 --> 00:50:35.559
Does that answer your question?

00:50:35.559 --> 00:50:36.559
Not fully.

00:50:36.559 --> 00:50:37.559
I want more.

00:50:37.559 --> 00:50:39.559
I want more detail.

00:50:39.559 --> 00:50:41.679
Okay.

00:50:41.679 --> 00:50:43.039
This is kind of a formality.

00:50:43.039 --> 00:50:44.039
St. Louis.

00:50:44.039 --> 00:50:47.719
These leases already exist and we're putting them on a new format at the same rate we have

00:50:47.719 --> 00:50:51.719
currently because that's been deemed to be the correct amount and we're just asking for

00:50:51.719 --> 00:50:54.360
approval on these leases, that's all.

00:50:54.360 --> 00:50:55.599
These people are already here.

00:50:55.599 --> 00:50:57.639
Alderman Parker, your hand was up.

00:50:57.639 --> 00:51:01.159
Yeah, it makes sense to me and I want to make a motion.

00:51:01.159 --> 00:51:04.239
We call the question and also to suspend the rules.

00:51:04.239 --> 00:51:13.059
I just said I have a question.

00:51:13.059 --> 00:51:19.199
Alderman Stacey did, she informed us that she had a question, but Alderman Parker, you got

00:51:19.199 --> 00:51:21.199
and

00:51:22.440 --> 00:51:24.440
Dovie.

00:51:25.880 --> 00:51:29.679
So we have a motion on the floor to call the question. Is there a

00:51:29.679 --> 00:51:31.679
second to that?

00:51:33.500 --> 00:51:37.739
I second.

00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:41.000
So my question means nothing.

00:51:45.199 --> 00:51:47.659
That's a good point, Dovie. That's a good point because we

00:51:47.659 --> 00:51:51.659
only have a motion and a second to move this forward right now.

00:51:51.659 --> 00:51:52.659
O'Neill.

00:51:52.659 --> 00:51:53.659
Thank you.

00:51:53.659 --> 00:51:56.099
So your motion's not ready yet.

00:51:56.099 --> 00:51:58.099
But he did say suspending the rules.

00:51:58.099 --> 00:52:00.099
So is that what you want to?

00:52:00.099 --> 00:52:01.099
Yes.

00:52:01.099 --> 00:52:02.099
Okay.

00:52:02.099 --> 00:52:04.539
So my question, I don't have a question.

00:52:04.539 --> 00:52:05.539
Right.

00:52:05.539 --> 00:52:10.820
We're in the middle of a discussion what the previous aldermen, we know you're there, Alderman

00:52:10.820 --> 00:52:11.820
Stacy.

00:52:11.820 --> 00:52:14.860
So we have a motion to suspend the rules.

00:52:14.860 --> 00:52:16.420
Do we have a second to that?

00:52:16.420 --> 00:52:21.639
So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm to suspend the rules

00:52:21.639 --> 00:52:22.639
Settlers.

00:52:22.639 --> 00:52:25.639
Suspension of the rules is non-debate and must pass by two-thirds majority.

00:52:25.639 --> 00:52:30.880
So with that alone, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll and Alderman Stacy will

00:52:30.880 --> 00:52:32.559
come back to you.

00:52:32.559 --> 00:52:33.559
Simmons?

00:52:33.559 --> 00:52:34.559
Aye.

00:52:34.559 --> 00:52:35.559
Parker?

00:52:35.559 --> 00:52:36.559
Aye.

00:52:36.559 --> 00:52:37.559
Stacy?

00:52:37.559 --> 00:52:38.559
No.

00:52:38.559 --> 00:52:39.559
Sanders?

00:52:39.559 --> 00:52:40.559
No.

00:52:40.559 --> 00:52:41.559
Sellers?

00:52:41.559 --> 00:52:42.559
Aye.

00:52:42.559 --> 00:52:43.559
Klemm?

00:52:43.559 --> 00:52:44.559
Aye.

00:52:44.559 --> 00:52:45.559
Monroe?

00:52:45.559 --> 00:52:46.559
No.

00:52:46.559 --> 00:52:47.559
That fails.

00:52:47.559 --> 00:52:53.719
One, two, three, four to three.

00:52:53.719 --> 00:53:11.710
Yeah. So Alderman Stacy, you had a question. Yes, I have a question. L2 and L3. Now I thought L2 and L3

00:53:12.590 --> 00:53:24.840
was both heritage. Am I wrong? Manager Boyer, do you know? Let me refer to the-

00:53:24.840 --> 00:53:31.559
Probably me. We worked from the spreadsheet that we have on file that the airport manager

00:53:31.880 --> 00:53:36.639
Reviewed. I don't have the records in front of me.

00:53:36.639 --> 00:53:56.039
Anytime we've spoken of heritage, we spoke of two. Heritage Arrow is in 0, 1, 2, and 3, and I know.

00:53:56.039 --> 00:54:08.039
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.

00:54:08.039 --> 00:54:20.150
okay so I'm being told that L2 and L3 is the same well in parentheses it says it's

00:54:20.150 --> 00:54:26.510
a different hanger can you see Tango 34 LLC just went into L3 that that is not

00:54:26.510 --> 00:54:32.389
that is not a redo of an old lease that is a new lease and they've moved to a

00:54:32.389 --> 00:54:37.349
different hanger so that one I'm quite certain because Angie dropped that off

00:54:37.349 --> 00:54:52.279
was that in the presentation excuse me nothing so you're saying Rob whoever is

00:54:52.279 --> 00:55:05.779
in L3 and here's which aviation is not in L2 and L3 that is not my

00:55:05.779 --> 00:55:18.139
understanding so the ones with names are they individual names or is some

00:55:18.139 --> 00:55:20.139
Bates, and the other two.

00:55:21.300 --> 00:55:23.300
I have a question.

00:55:24.699 --> 00:55:26.699
I have some businesses, but their name is listed.

00:55:30.579 --> 00:55:32.579
If there is a business, it is listed.

00:55:42.409 --> 00:55:44.409
If there is no business, it is not listed.

00:55:45.750 --> 00:55:47.750
Okay.

00:55:49.269 --> 00:55:51.269
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

00:55:52.769 --> 00:55:54.769
Why did we omit or black out the information of the LESI?

00:56:01.550 --> 00:56:07.690
that information by the tail number correct you can if you want I am I am

00:56:07.690 --> 00:56:20.500
going to blackout personal addresses okay Oldman Sanders yeah the observing

00:56:20.500 --> 00:56:28.860
some of those leases when I when I kept saying that uh it didn't things didn't

00:56:28.860 --> 00:56:37.929
look right to me within those leases and my one question would be is why why the

00:56:37.929 --> 00:56:42.929
there's stenciling writing with a marker pen

00:56:43.329 --> 00:56:46.449
or whatever the case is within the lease.

00:56:48.130 --> 00:56:50.050
I don't know if it's the last moment

00:56:50.050 --> 00:56:55.050
of when that was cited, but I don't know the date.

00:56:55.650 --> 00:56:59.690
When was that written into that lease?

00:56:59.690 --> 00:57:02.809
The lease has some kind of signature going on,

00:57:02.809 --> 00:57:07.369
but there's no date to it when that was put into a lease.

00:57:07.369 --> 00:57:09.970
and I looked at that, I'm like, wait a minute,

00:57:11.110 --> 00:57:15.650
we can't follow this because the fact that it's not dated,

00:57:15.650 --> 00:57:17.650
we don't have a point of origin

00:57:17.650 --> 00:57:21.329
of when this signature got put into these leases.

00:57:21.329 --> 00:57:25.449
The lease begins, this lease agreement is made

00:57:25.449 --> 00:57:28.050
and entered into this first day of March

00:57:28.050 --> 00:57:32.090
and all of the renewals are being done as of March 1st.

00:57:32.090 --> 00:57:37.090
But the signature of the person at the end of the lease

00:57:37.369 --> 00:57:53.369
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.

00:57:53.369 --> 00:58:02.369
This lease agreement was approved by council and drafted by legal council. Attorney Zito?

00:58:02.369 --> 00:58:08.099
So the signature, you don't have to date your signature.

00:58:08.099 --> 00:58:09.099
No, I'm reading it.

00:58:09.099 --> 00:58:12.179
So if the signature is on there, then the factor is at the beginning of the lease.

00:58:12.179 --> 00:58:15.420
It says that the lease is effective March 1.

00:58:15.420 --> 00:58:24.199
That becomes the date is March 1, because that's put up at the top there.

00:58:24.199 --> 00:58:29.639
Now, if we didn't have this lease goes into effect March 1, we didn't say that at the top.

00:58:29.639 --> 00:58:34.079
And typically then, if you date the signatures, then the effective date

00:58:34.079 --> 00:58:40.639
is the the date that the second person to sign it signs it you know and then date it there so it's just

00:58:40.639 --> 00:58:52.599
that's kind of format versus you know anything substantive. Any further discussion? Do I

00:58:53.159 --> 00:59:01.559
understand what Attorney Zito just said is that all these leafs listed on the agenda tonight

00:59:02.279 --> 00:59:11.829
will go in effect March 1st. They're proposed so they're drafted these so again these are just

00:59:11.829 --> 00:59:13.829
and

00:59:14.829 --> 00:59:15.829
the

00:59:15.829 --> 00:59:16.829
next

00:59:16.829 --> 00:59:17.829
meeting.

00:59:17.829 --> 00:59:18.829
I think the

00:59:18.829 --> 00:59:19.829
next meeting

00:59:19.829 --> 00:59:20.829
is going to be

00:59:20.829 --> 00:59:21.829
on

00:59:21.829 --> 00:59:22.829
March

00:59:22.829 --> 00:59:23.829
1, which

00:59:23.829 --> 00:59:24.829
is why

00:59:24.829 --> 00:59:25.829
on the

00:59:25.829 --> 00:59:26.829
agenda, they

00:59:26.829 --> 00:59:27.829
were

00:59:27.829 --> 00:59:28.829
being

00:59:28.829 --> 00:59:29.829
proposed to

00:59:29.829 --> 00:59:30.829
be presented

00:59:30.829 --> 00:59:31.829
to you

00:59:31.829 --> 00:59:32.829
guys for

00:59:32.829 --> 00:59:33.829
first

00:59:33.829 --> 00:59:34.829
read with

00:59:34.829 --> 00:59:35.829
a

00:59:35.829 --> 00:59:36.829
request to

00:59:36.829 --> 00:59:37.829
suspend

00:59:37.829 --> 00:59:38.829
the

00:59:38.829 --> 00:59:39.829
rules so

00:59:39.829 --> 00:59:40.829
you

00:59:40.829 --> 00:59:42.929
There's been a vote to not suspend the rules.

00:59:42.929 --> 00:59:45.070
These would have to go to the next council meeting.

00:59:45.070 --> 00:59:48.309
So we would have to just update all these lease forms

00:59:48.309 --> 00:59:49.550
to change the start date.

00:59:49.550 --> 00:59:56.539
So is that your preference, counsel? To change all

00:59:56.539 --> 01:00:05.199
these formats of behaving like we're changing the start date? If it's not approved it?

01:00:05.199 --> 01:00:12.719
If it's not approved by the council then yeah! Alderman Sellers.

01:00:12.719 --> 01:00:21.199
this stop them from working in those in those what are these called hangers I

01:00:21.199 --> 01:00:25.599
mean would it stop these people's businesses or these people would have to

01:00:25.599 --> 01:00:32.800
move their airplanes or whatever from a practical standpoint no because we're

01:00:32.800 --> 01:00:36.800
literally I mean we're talking about March 1 versus March 3rd I don't think

01:00:36.800 --> 01:00:41.199
that anyone would kick anyone out for for two days mostly says you would just be a

01:00:41.199 --> 01:01:12.510
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?

01:01:12.510 --> 01:01:23.309
that is correct okay so we're not denying delaying anything they're already in them correct you're

01:01:23.309 --> 01:01:29.469
just adding to whatever they want to do you're adding to the clerk's work and the cost of

01:01:29.469 --> 01:01:34.510
postage if you don't if you don't do the suspension of the rules these already have the dates

01:01:34.510 --> 01:01:40.030
of the first and the next council meeting isn't until the 3rd of March which then means that

01:01:40.030 --> 01:01:43.989
She's going to have to change all of these dates.

01:01:43.989 --> 01:01:47.349
OK, so it's just like a scratch out on the first

01:01:47.349 --> 01:01:50.789
and put the third, correct?

01:01:50.789 --> 01:01:53.090
And then that has to be initialed by the party who

01:01:53.090 --> 01:01:55.429
has already signed.

01:01:55.429 --> 01:01:58.309
This will add a lot of work.

01:01:58.309 --> 01:02:04.710
And I understand what you're saying, Ms. Dovie.

01:02:04.710 --> 01:02:12.599
However, we've done it like this all along.

01:02:12.599 --> 01:02:19.559
they always have already been in there existing and it's something that we had

01:02:19.559 --> 01:02:32.340
to do a vote was taken it did not pass so I say we move forward and it carries

01:02:32.340 --> 01:02:37.179
over to the next council meeting well that's where the motion stands right now

01:02:37.179 --> 01:02:40.940
to move it to the next council meeting my question was do you want to

01:02:40.940 --> 01:02:45.500
reconsider the suspension of the rules so that way we don't add unnecessary

01:02:45.500 --> 01:02:47.500
and

01:02:48.500 --> 01:02:50.500
Mr.

01:02:51.500 --> 01:02:53.500
Miller.

01:02:54.500 --> 01:02:59.500
I will add postage. I will have to get initials from the other

01:02:59.500 --> 01:03:10.159
party. This is not a tiny thing. These cost like $1.50 to mail

01:03:10.159 --> 01:03:12.159
each one.

01:03:12.159 --> 01:03:18.760
I still don't have an understanding on my question for L3.

01:03:18.760 --> 01:03:24.889
Well, look what it says in the packet.

01:03:24.889 --> 01:03:38.380
Okay, Mayor, I'm looking at it. So don't discredit my ability to see.

01:03:38.380 --> 01:03:48.380
I'm not discrediting anything. It says who L2 is and it says who L3 is. They're not the same.

01:03:48.380 --> 01:03:50.820
Boyer.

01:03:50.820 --> 01:03:59.980
When I spoke with City Manager, I was informed that L2 and L3 are the same people.

01:03:59.980 --> 01:04:02.980
Manager Boyer, do you have a response?

01:04:02.980 --> 01:04:08.380
Alderman, Alderperson, I'm not aware of what you're referring to.

01:04:08.380 --> 01:04:12.929
Okay.

01:04:12.929 --> 01:04:18.840
Alderman Klemm, did you have your hand up?

01:04:18.840 --> 01:04:23.119
I was going to bring up for 50 years, we never saw these and never had a problem and never

01:04:23.119 --> 01:04:27.679
We had hours of discussion and all you got to do is hold two people accountable for it.

01:04:27.679 --> 01:04:30.320
Why did we change this whole thing?

01:04:30.320 --> 01:04:36.599
This is asinine to sit here and go through these and we care less who's in them.

01:04:36.599 --> 01:04:39.920
All anybody's worrying about is X number of dollars rental.

01:04:39.920 --> 01:04:40.920
Are they full?

01:04:40.920 --> 01:04:41.920
Are they taken care of?

01:04:41.920 --> 01:04:46.159
You've got a person that already manages the airport.

01:04:46.159 --> 01:04:51.519
You don't have the commission anymore, but you've got a city manager that oversees it.

01:04:51.519 --> 01:04:57.380
This is just a complete slow up of everything and we're sitting here now going back to redo

01:04:57.380 --> 01:04:58.880
what we've already done.

01:04:58.880 --> 01:05:05.380
I mean, don't get me wrong, I may be alone, but I can't see where it makes absolutely

01:05:05.380 --> 01:05:07.960
any sense for us to go over these.

01:05:07.960 --> 01:05:13.279
We spent hours, not just this time, on every lease that's come around.

01:05:13.279 --> 01:05:45.099
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.

01:05:57.739 --> 01:06:00.820
of the Council to ask for another suspension.

01:06:00.820 --> 01:06:04.980
Please indicate, manage, or I'm sorry, Alderman Sanders.

01:06:04.980 --> 01:06:12.260
Yes, it was before you made that statement or that comment.

01:06:12.260 --> 01:06:17.059
Are we in the business of just making general commentary

01:06:17.059 --> 01:06:21.739
about a particular item on the agenda,

01:06:21.739 --> 01:06:24.659
that someone can just go off and start

01:06:24.659 --> 01:06:25.659
Fowler.

01:06:25.659 --> 01:06:26.659
Thank you.

01:06:26.659 --> 01:06:29.820
Thank you for having commentary of his concept and what he believes in without bringing any

01:06:29.820 --> 01:06:30.820
kind of solutions.

01:06:30.820 --> 01:06:34.420
If you're referring to me, I just discussed it.

01:06:34.420 --> 01:06:36.739
I'm not talking to you.

01:06:36.739 --> 01:06:37.739
But I'm asking a question.

01:06:37.739 --> 01:06:39.300
Make sure we were all clear.

01:06:39.300 --> 01:06:40.300
No.

01:06:40.300 --> 01:06:41.300
You make sure you're all clear.

01:06:41.300 --> 01:06:42.300
Come on, gentlemen.

01:06:42.300 --> 01:06:47.699
It's not about making commentary on the subject of topics on the agenda.

01:06:47.699 --> 01:06:51.300
It's not your business to do that to us, preach to us.

01:06:51.300 --> 01:06:57.360
We're just as equal as you are or maybe more but the point I'm making is can you

01:06:57.360 --> 01:07:04.739
officially make commentaries like that doing counsel without adding a question

01:07:04.739 --> 01:07:12.260
to it or why you're stating what you're stating? Attorney Zito. Alderman Klemm's

01:07:12.260 --> 01:07:17.019
was regarding the agenda topic about the airport leases so from that standpoint

01:07:17.019 --> 01:07:20.220
he was on point he didn't have a question he didn't want to be just

01:07:20.220 --> 01:07:24.400
Keyer, Tony, Stephen, spare that is on-point image up there.

01:07:25.300 --> 01:07:29.760
So that said, mayor, you asked me where we at,

01:07:31.139 --> 01:07:33.039
right now where we stand is there's a notice

01:07:33.039 --> 01:07:37.320
from the鐘istics board to next council meeting.

01:07:37.340 --> 01:07:40.619
The motion to suspend the rules,

01:07:40.619 --> 01:07:42.179
if there wants to be a motion to reconsider

01:07:42.179 --> 01:07:43.340
the suspension of the rules,

01:07:43.340 --> 01:07:46.039
it has to be made by someone on the prevailing side,

01:07:46.039 --> 01:07:49.119
which was anyone who voted no on the suspension of the rules.

01:07:49.119 --> 01:07:51.119
and

01:07:52.220 --> 01:07:54.699
John, and we move on to the next topic because this goes on to

01:07:54.699 --> 01:07:56.699
the next council meeting.

01:07:57.920 --> 01:07:59.920
» I make a motion that we move it on just to move it on.

01:08:02.000 --> 01:08:04.000
Sorry, Joe. Okay.

01:08:09.239 --> 01:08:11.239
Well, let's take it out. » Okay. Sorry, clerk.

01:08:13.659 --> 01:08:15.659
Item number 8 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-12.

01:08:16.760 --> 01:08:19.760
Could you please read this? » Ordinance amending chapters

01:08:19.760 --> 01:08:25.279
Report Concerning Storage Facilities and Business and Agricultural Districts.

01:08:25.279 --> 01:08:26.279
Thank you.

01:08:26.279 --> 01:08:28.079
Director Duckman.

01:08:28.079 --> 01:08:29.800
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:08:29.800 --> 01:08:36.039
I put up the zoning map for the city so everyone can kind of see here and get a better idea

01:08:36.039 --> 01:08:39.800
of what this text amendment is proposing.

01:08:39.800 --> 01:08:47.239
So our industrial, what's in purple here are manufacturing districts, and what's in red

01:08:47.239 --> 01:08:49.359
is our business districts.

01:08:49.359 --> 01:08:50.800
And then what's in yellow?

01:08:50.800 --> 01:08:53.119
I know all the person Sanders had a question earlier

01:08:53.119 --> 01:08:54.800
about residential zoning districts.

01:08:54.800 --> 01:08:57.880
What's your yellow is your residential zoning districts.

01:08:57.880 --> 01:09:01.520
And this is pretty much a typical of a city.

01:09:01.520 --> 01:09:05.720
You have your retail business corridors in red

01:09:05.720 --> 01:09:08.119
along major thoroughfares in the city.

01:09:08.119 --> 01:09:12.039
And then you have most of your industrial manufacturing

01:09:12.039 --> 01:09:14.359
isolated into industrial parks.

01:09:14.359 --> 01:09:17.960
and then most of your city is going to be residential.

01:09:17.960 --> 01:09:20.880
So with that being said, this text amendment

01:09:20.880 --> 01:09:25.880
is to limit self-service storage facilities

01:09:27.800 --> 01:09:30.520
only to the areas in purple,

01:09:30.520 --> 01:09:31.920
which would be your industrial,

01:09:31.920 --> 01:09:34.640
your manufacturing zoning districts.

01:09:34.640 --> 01:09:37.420
Currently, if you're in a B3 zoning district,

01:09:37.420 --> 01:09:39.960
which many of these red areas are, not all of them,

01:09:39.960 --> 01:09:46.960
but many of the red areas are going to be in your B3 zoning district.

01:09:46.960 --> 01:09:47.960
What we've had...

01:09:47.960 --> 01:09:49.300
What we've had in the last year here

01:09:49.300 --> 01:09:53.060
is we've had an influx of self-storage facilities.

01:09:53.060 --> 01:09:57.180
First one would be the old Moose Lodge on South Street

01:09:57.180 --> 01:09:58.699
across from La Petrona.

01:09:58.699 --> 01:10:01.380
That got turned into an indoor storage facility,

01:10:01.380 --> 01:10:04.899
large area on a commercial corridor.

01:10:04.899 --> 01:10:10.020
And then also most recently, also off of South Street

01:10:10.020 --> 01:10:13.060
along that same corridor on Eym Boulevard.

01:10:13.060 --> 01:10:14.300
Sorry, take that back.

01:10:14.300 --> 01:10:17.180
that's Rosentiel off of Locust.

01:10:17.180 --> 01:10:20.960
You have our CubeSmart there recently coming to town

01:10:20.960 --> 01:10:24.140
and they're in the process of doing another large expansion.

01:10:24.140 --> 01:10:27.640
And so with that coming in staff has worked

01:10:27.640 --> 01:10:31.180
with our planning commission and has really investigated

01:10:31.180 --> 01:10:34.560
this influx into our business corridors

01:10:34.560 --> 01:10:36.060
of the self-storage facilities

01:10:36.060 --> 01:10:38.279
that take up large geographic areas,

01:10:39.500 --> 01:10:41.939
don't offer much employment

01:10:41.939 --> 01:10:46.939
and certainly not a fit with many of our residential

01:10:47.800 --> 01:10:49.500
slash shopping type areas,

01:10:49.500 --> 01:10:52.539
especially along these corridors here.

01:10:52.539 --> 01:10:53.420
So with that being said,

01:10:53.420 --> 01:10:58.420
staff brought this text amendment to the Planning Commission,

01:10:58.659 --> 01:11:00.260
which was held on February 13th

01:11:00.260 --> 01:11:05.260
and it was recommended for approval by a vote of six to zero.

01:11:05.500 --> 01:11:08.960
So in line with our Planning Commission,

01:11:08.960 --> 01:11:11.100
staff is recommending approval

01:11:11.100 --> 01:11:29.300
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker to move Ordinance 2025-12

01:11:29.300 --> 01:11:31.100
onto the next meeting.

01:11:31.100 --> 01:11:32.100
Any discussion?

01:11:32.100 --> 01:11:40.310
Move on to item number nine.

01:11:40.310 --> 01:11:47.890
Approving Retainer with Napoli and Skolnick for potential litigation of PFAs at Albertus

01:11:47.890 --> 01:11:48.890
Airport.

01:11:48.890 --> 01:11:49.890
Thank you.

01:11:49.890 --> 01:11:50.890
Manager Boyer.

01:11:50.890 --> 01:11:52.210
Thank you, Your Honor.

01:11:52.210 --> 01:11:58.470
So as we've talked about in the past, the forever chemicals that are in the ground in

01:11:58.470 --> 01:12:04.430
certain areas in Freeport, we've worked very diligently to get source water that is completely

01:12:04.430 --> 01:12:08.789
free of these forever chemicals, and we've been very successful with that.

01:12:08.789 --> 01:12:15.029
and Napoli Shikolnik is our legal representation related to the class action lawsuit against

01:12:15.029 --> 01:12:20.989
all the manufacturers of these forever chemicals and they've approached the city about representing

01:12:20.989 --> 01:12:28.229
us related to airports. So this is a little different than what we did in the past, which

01:12:28.229 --> 01:12:35.109
was essentially source water for the city. This relates back to these firefighting foams

01:12:35.109 --> 01:12:40.010
and others, and things in the past have been used on airports because they're very helpful

01:12:40.010 --> 01:12:45.550
in terms of extinguishing fires, fuel fires, that type of thing. At this time, staff does

01:12:45.550 --> 01:12:50.710
not believe there's actually any use of these at the airport. However, it really doesn't

01:12:50.710 --> 01:12:56.869
hurt anything to be a part of this suit, especially if we, as part of this suit, we end up doing

01:12:56.869 --> 01:13:03.590
some core samples and maybe there was something there that no one knew about. However, I think

01:13:03.590 --> 01:13:06.710
this just provides an opportunity and if there is a settlement there's no

01:13:06.710 --> 01:13:11.149
guarantee that it would exclude the city free port so staff's request is to move

01:13:11.149 --> 01:13:16.470
forward with the agreement when the police should Colnick for the airport is

01:13:16.470 --> 01:13:21.789
there a motion to adopt so move a motion made by Alderman Seller seconded by

01:13:21.789 --> 01:13:27.750
Alderman Clem discussion here just wanted to point out that I emailed

01:13:27.750 --> 01:13:33.029
everybody the question at the last meeting was if we had had a test out

01:13:33.029 --> 01:13:41.000
out there recently and we've had one within the last two months with no detect.

01:13:41.000 --> 01:13:43.479
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:13:43.479 --> 01:13:44.479
Simmons?

01:13:44.479 --> 01:13:45.479
Aye.

01:13:45.479 --> 01:13:46.479
Parker?

01:13:46.479 --> 01:13:48.850
Aye.

01:13:48.850 --> 01:13:49.850
Stacy?

01:13:49.850 --> 01:13:50.850
Sanders?

01:13:50.850 --> 01:13:51.850
Aye.

01:13:51.850 --> 01:13:52.850
Sellers?

01:13:52.850 --> 01:13:53.850
Aye.

01:13:53.850 --> 01:13:54.850
Klemm?

01:13:54.850 --> 01:13:55.850
Aye.

01:13:55.850 --> 01:13:56.850
And Monroe?

01:13:56.850 --> 01:13:57.850
Aye.

01:13:57.850 --> 01:13:58.850
The resolution is adopted, 7-0.

01:13:58.850 --> 01:14:01.329
Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2025-16.

01:14:01.329 --> 01:14:03.770
Could you please read this?

01:14:03.770 --> 01:14:04.770
Resolution...

01:14:04.770 --> 01:14:07.890
Oh, that doesn't read right.

01:14:07.890 --> 01:14:13.170
ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS three years. Director

01:14:13.170 --> 01:14:19.189
Sutman. Hello council. This is the three-year agreement for the GIS software

01:14:19.189 --> 01:14:25.489
that we discussed last week at the COW. We believe this will greatly improve

01:14:25.489 --> 01:14:31.970
the record-keeping, drafting, and field reference of field staff as well as make

01:14:31.970 --> 01:14:37.409
for a valuable project planning tool and we recommend moving forward this

01:14:37.409 --> 01:14:38.409
G.

01:14:38.409 --> 01:14:39.409
H.

01:14:39.409 --> 01:14:40.409
K.

01:14:40.409 --> 01:14:41.409
T.

01:14:41.409 --> 01:14:42.409
D.

01:14:42.409 --> 01:14:43.409
D.

01:14:43.409 --> 01:14:44.409
S.

01:14:44.409 --> 01:14:45.409
T.

01:14:45.409 --> 01:14:46.409
D.

01:14:46.409 --> 01:14:47.409
S.

01:14:47.409 --> 01:14:48.409
T.

01:14:48.409 --> 01:14:49.409
D.

01:14:49.409 --> 01:14:50.409
S.

01:14:50.409 --> 01:14:51.409
C.

01:14:51.409 --> 01:14:52.409
N.

01:14:52.409 --> 01:14:53.409
D.

01:14:53.409 --> 01:14:54.409
D.

01:14:54.409 --> 01:14:55.409
S.

01:14:55.409 --> 01:14:56.409
D.

01:14:56.409 --> 01:14:57.409
S.

01:14:57.409 --> 01:14:58.409
C.

01:14:58.409 --> 01:14:59.409
N.

01:14:59.409 --> 01:15:00.409
D.

01:15:00.409 --> 01:15:01.409
D.

01:15:01.409 --> 01:15:02.409
D.

01:15:02.409 --> 01:15:03.409
D.

01:15:03.409 --> 01:15:04.409
S.

01:15:04.409 --> 01:15:05.409
D.

01:15:05.409 --> 01:15:06.409
S.

01:15:06.409 --> 01:15:07.409
Huffines.

01:15:07.409 --> 01:15:30.920
Do you have a big enough staff to incorporate this GIS study or GIS program?

01:15:30.920 --> 01:15:39.640
Do you have a big enough staff that can do an effective job of running that particular

01:15:39.640 --> 01:15:48.640
Do you have the quality people or the people that has the proper training to run that particular

01:15:48.640 --> 01:15:58.640
software program and how to make sure that data is not tainted in any way, shape or form?

01:15:58.640 --> 01:16:04.479
Do we have people like that, or are we working on it, or do we have people on staff that

01:16:04.479 --> 01:16:06.479
and

01:16:07.579 --> 01:16:09.579
Eric.

01:16:10.899 --> 01:16:12.899
I'm wondering if there's anything that is looking into it

01:16:14.939 --> 01:16:16.939
or to increase the staffing that is going to be required to do

01:16:18.159 --> 01:16:20.159
this complete study of all that data information?

01:16:21.359 --> 01:16:23.359
» Yeah, so I think the IT department has the ability on

01:16:24.380 --> 01:16:26.380
the back end, between me and Eric, we have something like 30

01:16:28.100 --> 01:16:30.100
years of experience in GIS and then the IT systems.

01:16:32.020 --> 01:16:34.020
Most of the training will have to be done for the field staff

01:16:34.479 --> 01:16:36.479
and

01:16:37.640 --> 01:16:39.479
the rest of the

01:16:39.479 --> 01:16:41.479
community.

01:16:43.479 --> 01:16:45.479
So, we're going to be

01:16:47.479 --> 01:16:49.479
monitoring that data. Since it's a, think of it as a map of the

01:16:51.479 --> 01:16:53.479
database behind it, we can set data integrity rules on it to

01:16:55.479 --> 01:16:57.479
where maybe a person in the field types in the information, a

01:16:57.479 --> 01:17:00.479
date when an inlet was cleaned or something. We can monitor

01:17:00.479 --> 01:17:03.479
that and check it in. So, there's like a secondary check on

01:17:03.479 --> 01:17:09.319
talking about here so we already have a program this would expand it greatly right now we're over

01:17:09.319 --> 01:17:14.840
using the program that we currently have the GIS the IT department and the utility shares

01:17:15.399 --> 01:17:22.760
we use this data every day for Julie locates for design plans for NICOR ComEd we supply the

01:17:22.760 --> 01:17:26.920
information in the area they're working to make sure that they're not damaging our utilities

01:17:26.920 --> 01:17:33.319
it also goes hand in hand with our projects that fair graham does for the city because we use

01:17:33.319 --> 01:17:38.319
G.I.S. to locate everything and we can update that data to Curt with the expansion of this

01:17:38.319 --> 01:17:42.880
system and it can be automatically updated in their system after he approves it.

01:17:42.880 --> 01:17:47.640
So it'd be a lot more valuable data for the city.

01:17:47.640 --> 01:17:51.880
We've already invested a ton of money in G.I.S. systems over the years.

01:17:51.880 --> 01:17:57.399
That's how Curt actually got his start with the city was a grant program to build G.I.S.

01:17:57.399 --> 01:18:03.560
and he expanded it, so we, for a town our size, we have a very good GIS system, but

01:18:03.560 --> 01:18:06.920
again it was meant for one user when we got it.

01:18:06.920 --> 01:18:11.640
We currently have probably eight plus people on it, and so we're overusing the system

01:18:11.640 --> 01:18:16.560
that we have now, and what he's proposing will have a lot more data for us.

01:18:16.560 --> 01:18:19.430
Oldham and Sanders?

01:18:19.430 --> 01:18:21.510
Yeah, very good, Darren.

01:18:21.510 --> 01:18:27.989
I didn't see that coming, but it's good to know that that's out there, that we had those

01:18:27.989 --> 01:18:31.710
Greene, and I think that's a really good example of how we

01:18:31.710 --> 01:18:36.569
can continue to do this type of people in place that we can

01:18:36.569 --> 01:18:40.670
continue to do surveys and studies that will improve our

01:18:40.670 --> 01:18:44.229
data consumption and strategy, how we're going to be planning.

01:18:44.229 --> 01:18:51.350
One of my things was what you brought out to us, whether or

01:18:51.350 --> 01:18:57.210
not anything else that that GIS will do for the city, I know you

01:18:57.210 --> 01:19:04.449
What you brought to my understanding that that is part of the equation during these real

01:19:04.449 --> 01:19:12.050
high quality studies of whatever project programs that you're doing for the city and that we

01:19:12.050 --> 01:19:18.409
have the proper staffing to make sure that we're providing proficiency throughout the

01:19:18.409 --> 01:19:19.409
city.

01:19:19.409 --> 01:19:20.409
I appreciate that.

01:19:20.409 --> 01:19:21.409
Thank you.

01:19:21.409 --> 01:19:25.970
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:19:25.970 --> 01:19:26.970
Simmons.

01:19:26.970 --> 01:19:46.000
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

01:19:46.000 --> 01:20:00.000
We have a resolution adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as a part of participating in Stevenson County's application to the USDOT Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All, or SS4A, grant.

01:20:00.000 --> 01:20:02.000
Thank you, Darren.

01:20:02.000 --> 01:20:07.800
We discussed this at the COW last week, this is simply a resolution stating that if the

01:20:07.800 --> 01:20:13.199
county moves forward, when they move forward with the project that's already underway,

01:20:13.199 --> 01:20:18.000
if there's any implementation money, Freeport would be part of the planning to use that

01:20:18.000 --> 01:20:20.439
implementation on the project.

01:20:20.439 --> 01:20:27.060
We have a handful of draft projects, it's all in draft mode at this time that could

01:20:27.060 --> 01:20:29.439
or could not be included in the program.

01:20:29.439 --> 01:20:34.819
So again, this resolution is just uniting fronts to show that we're part of the program

01:20:34.819 --> 01:20:37.000
and we want to be part of the program.

01:20:37.000 --> 01:20:41.239
We've already put a lot of time and effort into that program to make sure that when implementation

01:20:41.239 --> 01:20:42.640
comes that we would get it.

01:20:42.640 --> 01:20:46.680
So this is just the council approval to be part of that.

01:20:46.680 --> 01:20:50.239
There is no financial for this, it's just a resolution approval.

01:20:50.239 --> 01:20:51.479
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:20:51.479 --> 01:20:52.479
So moved.

01:20:52.479 --> 01:20:53.479
Second.

01:20:53.479 --> 01:20:56.880
The motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:20:56.880 --> 01:21:01.199
on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the role.

01:21:01.199 --> 01:21:16.079
I have a question. Okay Alderman Stacey. Yes, is this what the guy spoke about, Matt I believe was his name?

01:21:16.079 --> 01:21:23.920
No, it is not. This is a separate program that the city is a small part of with six other counties.

01:21:23.920 --> 01:21:30.479
The program that Matt talked about is very similar to this, but that one is only focused on the City of Freeport only.

01:21:30.479 --> 01:21:36.590
no other partners in it okay so can you tell me like who are the partners in

01:21:36.590 --> 01:21:45.029
this one sure I might not get them all but it's Stevenson County city of Freeport

01:21:45.029 --> 01:21:53.989
Lee County Joe Davies County Ogle County and I believe there's one more Carol in

01:21:53.989 --> 01:21:59.189
Whiteside and Whiteside so those are all the partners in there they're going

01:21:59.189 --> 01:22:06.989
after you know it's a giant traffic study we started our project with the

01:22:06.989 --> 01:22:10.829
county they asked us to be part of it and then we realized the potential for

01:22:10.829 --> 01:22:15.189
Freeport could be a lot bigger that's why we we went in and started our own

01:22:15.189 --> 01:22:19.189
plan to see if we couldn't get more implementation money for the city of

01:22:19.189 --> 01:22:20.189
Freeport.

01:22:20.189 --> 01:22:28.750
Okay, so I understand that there's no cost up front, but in the long run, is this

01:22:28.750 --> 01:22:36.430
something that the city chose to be a part of? What are we looking at? There was

01:22:36.430 --> 01:22:41.229
no cost for this study, which is what what this program was. We had no

01:22:41.229 --> 01:22:46.029
involvement in any cost or fee for it. They just asked us to be part of the

01:22:46.029 --> 01:22:48.029
and

01:22:49.029 --> 01:22:50.029
the

01:22:50.029 --> 01:22:51.029
county.

01:22:51.029 --> 01:22:52.529
If there's implementation money, we'll have to see what those rules are at the time.

01:22:52.529 --> 01:22:54.590
It may be 80-20 for a project.

01:22:54.590 --> 01:22:56.369
It might be 90-10.

01:22:56.369 --> 01:23:04.750
It might be 100% based on disadvantaged community status, but we won't know that until there's

01:23:04.750 --> 01:23:07.770
an offer.

01:23:07.770 --> 01:23:16.630
With the current president, some of those rules may be changing along the way.

01:23:16.630 --> 01:23:17.630
Okay.

01:23:17.630 --> 01:23:20.670
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:23:20.670 --> 01:23:21.670
Simmons?

01:23:21.670 --> 01:23:22.670
Aye.

01:23:22.670 --> 01:23:23.670
Parker?

01:23:23.670 --> 01:23:24.670
Aye.

01:23:24.670 --> 01:23:25.670
Stacy?

01:23:25.670 --> 01:23:26.670
Aye.

01:23:26.670 --> 01:23:27.670
Sanders?

01:23:27.670 --> 01:23:28.670
Aye.

01:23:28.670 --> 01:23:29.670
Sellers?

01:23:29.670 --> 01:23:30.670
Aye.

01:23:30.670 --> 01:23:31.670
Klemm?

01:23:31.670 --> 01:23:32.670
Aye.

01:23:32.670 --> 01:23:33.670
Monroe?

01:23:33.670 --> 01:23:34.670
Aye.

01:23:34.670 --> 01:23:35.670
The resolution is adapted 7-0.

01:23:35.670 --> 01:23:38.109
Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 2025-18.

01:23:38.109 --> 01:23:39.989
Could you please read this?

01:23:39.989 --> 01:23:43.949
Resolution approving audit engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amon to provide auditing

01:23:43.949 --> 01:23:45.750
services to the city.

01:23:45.750 --> 01:23:46.750
Thank you.

01:23:46.750 --> 01:24:00.750
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.

01:24:00.750 --> 01:24:07.750
On February 6th of 2023, City Council approved the bid from Lauterbach and Eamon.

01:24:07.750 --> 01:24:13.750
Past practice has been to obtain multi-year proposals during the RFP process.

01:24:13.750 --> 01:24:19.750
However, individual engagement letters are signed for each of the fiscal years to be audited.

01:24:19.750 --> 01:24:30.750
Lauterbach and Amons fees for the City's 2024 audit year are $44,100. This is a 3% increase from 2023.

01:24:30.750 --> 01:24:41.750
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.

01:24:41.750 --> 01:24:48.750
In addition, the City of Freeport's 2023 audit was prepared accurately, on time, and all interactions were professional.

01:24:48.750 --> 01:24:52.590
Their team is very experienced in the area of municipal government.

01:24:52.590 --> 01:25:00.470
The purpose of an engagement letter is to define the scope of the audit, specify the timeline of the audit and related deliverables,

01:25:00.470 --> 01:25:06.029
define the fee arrangement, and outline the auditors and management's responsibilities.

01:25:06.029 --> 01:25:16.310
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.

01:25:16.310 --> 01:25:18.310
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:25:18.310 --> 01:25:20.310
So moved.

01:25:20.310 --> 01:25:24.710
A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm.

01:25:24.710 --> 01:25:26.710
Discussion on the resolution?

01:25:26.710 --> 01:25:28.710
Alderman Sanders.

01:25:28.710 --> 01:25:41.189
Okay, approving an audit engagement letter with this particular agency.

01:25:41.189 --> 01:25:48.300
How long have the city been involved with this particular agency?

01:25:48.300 --> 01:25:52.279
We have been involved with them on this agreement since 2022.

01:25:52.279 --> 01:25:58.420
So the audit for 22 and 23 were done by LNA, Lauterbach and Eamon.

01:25:58.420 --> 01:26:03.539
We also did work with them previously before our past auditors.

01:26:03.539 --> 01:26:12.619
Our past auditors were Whitley and Lauterbach and Eamon were here 2016, 2017.

01:26:12.619 --> 01:26:15.060
I'm sorry to have to look up the dates, but they had been here before.

01:26:15.060 --> 01:26:16.060
Yeah.

01:26:16.060 --> 01:26:23.420
Well, do we make a practice of using the same auditors every time an auditing session takes

01:26:23.420 --> 01:26:24.420
place?

01:26:24.420 --> 01:26:31.060
and do we, and I understand this last one that you was referring to, do a full scope of the whole

01:26:31.500 --> 01:26:38.300
auditing process. I just wanted to find out how involved are these auditors

01:26:39.100 --> 01:26:42.819
into the whole lucrative of the city and

01:26:44.060 --> 01:26:49.899
the whole business of the city and who is pointing directions to auditors?

01:26:49.899 --> 01:26:56.659
Sanders, who is giving them their guidance to where to look and do the auditing surveys

01:26:56.659 --> 01:26:57.859
and things of this nature.

01:26:57.859 --> 01:27:05.260
Who is the individuals that do that to help them through the process?

01:27:05.260 --> 01:27:10.020
So kind of two things here.

01:27:10.020 --> 01:27:17.539
The GFOA, which is my professional organization, one of their best practices is to be with

01:27:17.539 --> 01:27:20.399
and I have been with a certain auditor at least five years.

01:27:20.399 --> 01:27:22.319
You don't have to be, it's just a guideline,

01:27:22.319 --> 01:27:23.680
but it's a best practice.

01:27:25.699 --> 01:27:30.579
As far as who directs them,

01:27:30.579 --> 01:27:34.119
they have their own guidelines and requirements

01:27:34.119 --> 01:27:35.939
when they're doing an audit.

01:27:35.939 --> 01:27:39.899
Now, as far as, I mean, I give them what they ask for,

01:27:39.899 --> 01:27:42.199
me and my staff, they come to me

01:27:42.199 --> 01:27:43.600
and wanna see accounts payable,

01:27:43.600 --> 01:27:46.039
they wanna see payroll, any of that.

01:27:46.039 --> 01:27:52.439
We give it to them. But they are, they have their own standards and

01:27:52.439 --> 01:27:56.399
guidelines that they need to do in order to perform the audit. That's not dictated

01:27:56.399 --> 01:28:02.359
by me. Yeah, can you submit that to counsel of what their tasks, what their

01:28:02.359 --> 01:28:08.199
tasks are, that we can do some observations ourselves in terms of how

01:28:08.199 --> 01:28:13.520
they're doing their practices, as far as auditing is concerned. I'd like to see us

01:28:13.520 --> 01:28:24.520
We just want to be able to indulge, engage our auditors who are auditing the city of Freeport, especially in this administration.

01:28:24.520 --> 01:28:33.520
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.

01:28:33.520 --> 01:28:37.520
I just want us to be more informed, is what I'm getting at.

01:28:37.520 --> 01:28:48.050
and some council people are not okay with just auditors showing up and we don't understand

01:28:48.050 --> 01:28:51.529
the whole process of it.

01:28:51.529 --> 01:28:58.050
Some council might be fine with whatever they do or say, you know.

01:28:58.050 --> 01:28:59.729
All of us are not the same.

01:28:59.729 --> 01:29:07.029
And so I'm just asking for a demonstration of a soft task of what they're doing so we

01:29:07.029 --> 01:29:11.109
We get the logistics of what they're presenting to us.

01:29:11.109 --> 01:29:12.590
Can we do that?

01:29:12.590 --> 01:29:13.550
I'll get you something.

01:29:13.550 --> 01:29:17.729
Okay, thank you.

01:29:17.729 --> 01:29:18.809
If there's no further discussion,

01:29:18.809 --> 01:29:21.609
Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the resolution.

01:29:21.609 --> 01:29:24.489
I'm sorry, first mayor, who made the motion?

01:29:24.489 --> 01:29:26.010
Parker, Klemm.

01:29:26.010 --> 01:29:29.050
Okay, and on roll call, Simmons?

01:29:29.050 --> 01:29:29.890
Aye.

01:29:29.890 --> 01:29:30.710
Parker?

01:29:30.710 --> 01:29:31.550
Aye.

01:29:31.550 --> 01:29:32.690
Stacy?

01:29:32.690 --> 01:29:33.970
Aye.

01:29:33.970 --> 01:29:34.809
Sanders?

01:29:34.809 --> 01:29:35.649
Aye.

01:29:35.649 --> 01:29:36.470
Sellers?

01:29:36.470 --> 01:29:37.309
Aye.

01:29:37.309 --> 01:29:38.130
Klemm?

01:29:38.130 --> 01:29:38.970
Aye.

01:29:38.970 --> 01:29:43.970
The resolution is adopted 6 to 1.

01:29:43.970 --> 01:29:49.300
item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2025 19 could you please read

01:29:49.300 --> 01:29:54.000
this resolution approving the purchase of a street painting machine from Sherwin

01:29:54.000 --> 01:29:59.380
Williams thank you manager Boyer thank your honor our current paint machine

01:29:59.380 --> 01:30:04.300
that stripes the lanes on the streets I think it's like 25 years old it's very

01:30:04.300 --> 01:30:08.619
old it's worn out and it's time to be replaced we plan for the purchase in the

01:30:08.619 --> 01:30:25.619
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.

01:30:25.619 --> 01:30:31.619
So staff request, council approval of this resolution.

01:30:31.619 --> 01:30:33.619
Is there such a motion?

01:30:33.619 --> 01:30:37.060
Second.

01:30:37.060 --> 01:30:44.260
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution?

01:30:44.260 --> 01:30:45.260
Alderman Monroe.

01:30:45.260 --> 01:30:46.260
I have a question.

01:30:46.260 --> 01:30:47.260
Alderman Monroe.

01:30:47.260 --> 01:30:49.960
Alderman Stacy.

01:30:49.960 --> 01:30:50.960
Yes.

01:30:50.960 --> 01:31:04.119
I'm just curious why something of this nature purchased through Sharon Williams.

01:31:04.119 --> 01:31:05.279
That didn't come through very clear.

01:31:05.279 --> 01:31:06.279
Can you say it again?

01:31:06.279 --> 01:31:11.640
Yes, why is it purchased through Sherwin-Williams?

01:31:11.640 --> 01:31:14.920
Manager Boyer?

01:31:14.920 --> 01:31:19.720
The answer is they're a dealer for Graco, and I believe they're local, so, and being

01:31:19.720 --> 01:31:24.600
a source well dealer, they offer the state pricing on this equipment.

01:31:24.600 --> 01:31:29.000
So you are going with the Sherwin-Williams local?

01:31:29.000 --> 01:31:30.000
Yes.

01:31:30.000 --> 01:31:33.720
Alderman Monroe?

01:31:33.720 --> 01:31:37.359
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:31:37.359 --> 01:31:46.939
Manager can you just briefly describe what being a source well state appropriated or

01:31:46.939 --> 01:31:51.359
whatever you know what I mean sure thank you source well dealers are

01:31:51.359 --> 01:31:57.319
qualified by the state to provide lowest pricing for municipalities so when you

01:31:57.319 --> 01:32:02.199
have that certification it's no longer necessary to pursue other bids on a

01:32:02.199 --> 01:32:07.199
and a piece of equipment, that is the state approved price.

01:32:07.760 --> 01:32:10.510
Thank you.

01:32:10.510 --> 01:32:11.350
Darren.

01:32:12.949 --> 01:32:14.810
Just because I wanted to know,

01:32:14.810 --> 01:32:16.250
we don't buy a lot of paint machines,

01:32:16.250 --> 01:32:18.250
we did actually get three prices on this,

01:32:18.250 --> 01:32:20.029
just to back it up that the Sourcewell price

01:32:20.029 --> 01:32:21.270
was the cheapest price.

01:32:24.829 --> 01:32:25.989
If there's no further discussion.

01:32:25.989 --> 01:32:26.829
Yeah.

01:32:26.829 --> 01:32:28.430
Alderman Sanders.

01:32:28.430 --> 01:32:30.390
I'd like to see this machine.

01:32:31.770 --> 01:32:33.310
I wanna see this machine.

01:32:33.829 --> 01:32:39.750
yeah I like to see whether or not it provides the adequate environment

01:32:39.750 --> 01:32:46.550
protection and safety with this equipment because the one that you

01:32:46.550 --> 01:32:54.390
referred to 25 years ago and still running it's not all that adequate for

01:32:54.390 --> 01:32:59.390
this time and age you know with the traffic that we got going on and these

01:32:59.390 --> 01:33:04.350
These guys are out there trying to do their task, but I'm wondering if we're doing it

01:33:04.350 --> 01:33:13.189
in a safe manner, whether or not this equipment puts them in that kind of safety zone for

01:33:13.189 --> 01:33:17.529
the purchase of that type of equipment.

01:33:17.529 --> 01:33:18.529
Darren?

01:33:18.529 --> 01:33:20.529
Our city manager?

01:33:20.529 --> 01:33:23.529
Yeah, that's a great concern.

01:33:23.529 --> 01:33:25.010
Safety is really important.

01:33:25.010 --> 01:33:29.369
We have a trace vehicle, flaggers and stuff that go along with the operator of the machine.

01:33:29.369 --> 01:33:31.869
Good.

01:33:31.869 --> 01:34:36.760
Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe, The resolution is adopted 7-0.

01:34:36.760 --> 01:34:42.760
Number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-20. Could you please read this? Resolution approving

01:34:42.760 --> 01:34:49.960
the transfer of property commonly known as 431 and 437 South Adams Avenue from Stevenson County

01:34:49.960 --> 01:34:55.560
to the city of Freeport. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, your honor. As discussed, the January

01:34:55.560 --> 01:35:02.600
cow. We went over these two parcels. The county would like the city to take those over for a

01:35:02.600 --> 01:35:09.920
for $1, and the city would like to keep them for future development potential, so the staff

01:35:09.920 --> 01:35:15.119
recommends moving forward with the agreement, the resolution for the transfer of property.

01:35:15.119 --> 01:35:17.159
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:35:17.159 --> 01:35:18.159
So move.

01:35:18.159 --> 01:35:19.159
Second.

01:35:19.159 --> 01:35:22.319
Moving motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.

01:35:22.319 --> 01:35:23.319
Discussion on the resolution?

01:35:23.319 --> 01:35:26.319
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:35:26.319 --> 01:35:27.319
Simmons.

01:35:27.319 --> 01:35:28.319
I have a question.

01:35:28.319 --> 01:35:29.319
Alderman Stacy?

01:35:29.319 --> 01:35:30.319
Yes.

01:35:30.319 --> 01:35:40.840
yes what the city consider using that area for a park what are your plans with

01:35:40.840 --> 01:35:47.600
that merchandise there there's a couple of options obviously public spaces is

01:35:47.600 --> 01:35:54.079
one however we're also looking at infill housing as another potential purpose of

01:35:54.079 --> 01:36:27.729
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?

01:36:27.729 --> 01:36:31.970
Thank you your honor this year during snow removal operations we had one of our

01:36:31.970 --> 01:36:40.010
older plows that's fully depreciated fail in a way that is not repairable. Staff, due

01:36:40.010 --> 01:36:44.750
to the fact that we have to maintain snow removal operations, staff went to

01:36:44.750 --> 01:36:49.850
Monroe truck and replaced that plow and staff is requesting ratification of that

01:36:49.850 --> 01:36:50.850
and Stacey.

01:36:50.850 --> 01:36:51.850
I have a question.

01:36:51.850 --> 01:36:52.850
Alderman Stacey.

01:36:52.850 --> 01:36:53.850
Yes.

01:36:53.850 --> 01:36:54.850
If I'm not mistaken, we budgeted a $11,598 purchase at $11,598.

01:36:54.850 --> 01:36:55.850
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:36:55.850 --> 01:36:56.850
So moved.

01:36:56.850 --> 01:36:57.850
Second.

01:36:57.850 --> 01:37:03.850
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:37:03.850 --> 01:37:04.850
Alderman Sanders.

01:37:04.850 --> 01:37:06.850
Would this be new or used?

01:37:06.850 --> 01:37:07.850
Oh, it's new.

01:37:07.850 --> 01:37:08.850
New?

01:37:08.850 --> 01:37:09.850
Yeah.

01:37:09.850 --> 01:37:15.170
That's all I needed to know.

01:37:15.170 --> 01:37:16.170
I have a question.

01:37:16.170 --> 01:37:19.020
Alderman Stacey.

01:37:19.020 --> 01:37:20.020
Yes.

01:37:20.020 --> 01:37:28.100
Ullman, Stacy. Yes. If I'm not mistaken, we budgeted for this last year, but it didn't

01:37:28.100 --> 01:37:41.060
happen. I don't recall other person, Stacy. You don't recall? No. Okay. So, you know,

01:37:41.060 --> 01:37:52.100
we're approaching the end of the winter season. Would it be a difference in cost if we did

01:37:52.100 --> 01:38:05.979
I don't believe there would be any change in cost. The situation with plows are essentially

01:38:05.979 --> 01:38:09.420
the manufacturing for the chassis. They cost the same whether you buy it in the summer

01:38:09.420 --> 01:38:16.329
or you buy it. They're not sitting on a shelf somewhere.

01:38:16.329 --> 01:38:20.770
So in season compared to out of season means nothing.

01:38:20.770 --> 01:38:27.210
Aaron. So Monroe Trucks is a source well price. So the 2025 price would have been the same

01:38:27.210 --> 01:38:34.449
price for all of 25. It's a locked in state source well price. Um, we did price this plow

01:38:34.449 --> 01:38:40.449
last year and it was, I believe $300 more than it was in, in the 2024 when we priced

01:38:40.449 --> 01:38:49.329
it. So we did budget into 20 in 2024, but we did. Um, if I'm not mistaken, we actually

01:38:49.329 --> 01:38:54.210
We did buy a plow last year, but we couldn't afford to buy multiple plows, so I think we

01:38:54.210 --> 01:39:00.510
actually did buy one under emergency authority again last season, and this one, we tried

01:39:00.510 --> 01:39:05.250
to repair, but the mechanics sent me an email that they could not repair it any further.

01:39:05.250 --> 01:39:08.970
Thank you.

01:39:08.970 --> 01:39:12.809
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:39:12.809 --> 01:39:20.850
Simmons?

01:39:20.850 --> 01:39:27.140
So, this isn't coming out of the budget, this is coming out of emergency funds?

01:39:27.140 --> 01:39:30.539
This item will have to be bought through the streets budget.

01:39:30.539 --> 01:39:35.059
We'll just have to move some priorities around to be able to pay for it because we really

01:39:35.059 --> 01:39:38.619
didn't have a choice with the season that's upon us.

01:39:38.619 --> 01:39:42.020
With a truck being drowned like you had text me, we can't get all the routes.

01:39:42.020 --> 01:39:44.960
You had text me. We can't get all the routes done in a reasonable time. We don't have extra snow equipment

01:39:44.960 --> 01:39:46.960
We only have enough for the trucks that we have

01:39:47.079 --> 01:39:51.189
This will be coming out of streets

01:39:52.550 --> 01:39:56.279
Thank You Parker, Stacy

01:39:57.760 --> 01:39:59.760
Aye

01:39:59.920 --> 01:40:02.640
Sanders is currently absent, Sellers? Aye

01:40:03.399 --> 01:40:04.920
Klemm? Aye

01:40:04.920 --> 01:40:06.720
And Monroe? Aye

01:40:06.720 --> 01:40:09.239
The resolution is adopted six to zero

01:40:09.239 --> 01:40:15.439
Nero. Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-23. Could you please read this? Resolution

01:40:15.439 --> 01:40:20.279
approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the

01:40:20.279 --> 01:40:26.079
city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue. Manager Boyer. Thank

01:40:26.079 --> 01:40:29.720
you, Your Honor. The city's got two bridges that we have to inspect every year. One is

01:40:29.720 --> 01:40:35.880
Hancock and the other one is the Van Buren Walk-Ride Bridge that goes north of town.

01:40:35.880 --> 01:40:40.800
We used to have three, the Park Court Bridge which was removed a couple years ago because

01:40:40.800 --> 01:40:46.880
of its degraded structure and so unsafe condition.

01:40:46.880 --> 01:40:52.520
Fehr Graham is the city bridge inspector and they have a team of certified licensed personnel

01:40:52.520 --> 01:40:53.960
for this work.

01:40:53.960 --> 01:40:59.399
All inspections must be completed and finalized and reported to the state before June 30th

01:40:59.399 --> 01:41:04.840
and staff recommends the city move forward to approve the agreement.

01:41:04.840 --> 01:41:10.659
is there a motion to adopt? Second. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman

01:41:10.659 --> 01:41:18.199
Klemm. Discussion on the resolution. I have just a question. Alderman Sellers? It's also

01:41:18.199 --> 01:41:25.899
about, I know you mentioned a couple different, the two bridges, is it the city's responsibility

01:41:25.899 --> 01:41:33.340
to check the bridge that is over by Tuddy Crossing or does that bridge? That is ours

01:41:33.340 --> 01:41:35.739
Settlers, but Darren, did you want to comment on that?

01:41:35.739 --> 01:41:37.220
Yeah.

01:41:37.220 --> 01:41:39.380
Those structures are a little bit different

01:41:39.380 --> 01:41:42.619
because they're connected to parks.

01:41:42.619 --> 01:41:46.619
So parks has their own contracts that have bridges

01:41:46.619 --> 01:41:48.939
inspected, like the Crate Park Bridge

01:41:48.939 --> 01:41:51.380
and the other crossing bridge down there.

01:41:51.380 --> 01:41:53.380
And they're actually on a different schedule.

01:41:53.380 --> 01:41:57.699
So because they connect to the trail,

01:41:57.699 --> 01:42:00.340
those are inspected as part of the trail projects.

01:42:00.340 --> 01:42:01.020
OK.

01:42:01.020 --> 01:42:06.939
and then just one, how about the bridge that's Stevenson, is that checked, do we ever check

01:42:06.939 --> 01:42:07.939
that or?

01:42:07.939 --> 01:42:12.460
That's an IDOT bridge, they own Route 75, so they have their own inspectors of that

01:42:12.460 --> 01:42:13.460
one.

01:42:13.460 --> 01:42:14.460
Okay, thank you.

01:42:14.460 --> 01:42:15.460
Good question.

01:42:15.460 --> 01:42:16.460
All right.

01:42:16.460 --> 01:42:19.979
Ms. Stacy, did you have a question?

01:42:19.979 --> 01:42:22.619
No, I'm good.

01:42:22.619 --> 01:42:25.939
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:42:25.939 --> 01:42:30.170
Simmons?

01:42:30.170 --> 01:42:34.439
Okay.

01:42:34.439 --> 01:42:42.829
Inspection, is that?

01:42:42.829 --> 01:42:43.829
Yeah.

01:42:43.829 --> 01:42:51.869
Yep, the IDOT has a series of special documentation practices that have to be done on each bridge

01:42:51.869 --> 01:42:57.590
and it's, and I might have misstated it, it's every other year that you have to do it so

01:42:57.590 --> 01:43:00.029
we've done it two years ago.

01:43:00.029 --> 01:43:04.989
Hancock Bridge is actually one that has to be done right now every year because of the

01:43:04.989 --> 01:43:09.310
poor condition until we have it replaced, which that's on the replacement schedule.

01:43:09.310 --> 01:43:13.550
We're working with IDOT to try to get that bid yet this year.

01:43:13.550 --> 01:43:17.550
but it still requires an inspection because they're due at a certain deadline date no

01:43:17.550 --> 01:43:22.149
matter once it's under construction there won't be another one till it's finalized

01:43:22.149 --> 01:43:29.750
from construction and then that'll be go back on a every other year analysis but it

01:43:29.750 --> 01:43:36.439
is required to do the paperwork and have a certified bridge inspector do that paperwork.

01:43:36.439 --> 01:43:37.439
Parker?

01:43:37.439 --> 01:43:38.439
Aye.

01:43:38.439 --> 01:43:39.439
Stacy?

01:43:39.439 --> 01:43:40.439
Aye.

01:43:40.439 --> 01:43:41.439
Sanders?

01:43:41.439 --> 01:43:42.439
Aye.

01:43:42.439 --> 01:43:43.439
Sellers?

01:43:43.439 --> 01:43:44.439
Aye.

01:43:44.439 --> 01:43:45.439
Klemm?

01:43:45.439 --> 01:43:53.199
Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0. Thank you. Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-24.

01:43:53.199 --> 01:43:59.439
Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency salt spreader purchase from Monroe truck

01:43:59.439 --> 01:44:06.560
equipment. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, your honor. This season we had, we were during snow

01:44:06.560 --> 01:44:12.640
removal operations, there was damage to one of our salt spreaders, I believe it was a one ton

01:44:12.640 --> 01:44:21.720
Chassie, Spreiter, yeah. So staff received a quote for $10,223 to purchase a new one

01:44:21.720 --> 01:44:30.359
and staff recommends council emergency ratification of this resolution. Is there a motion to adopt?

01:44:30.359 --> 01:44:38.000
So moved. Second. Okay motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Monroe. Discussion

01:44:38.000 --> 01:44:42.239
on the ordinance or the resolution Alderman Sanders.

01:44:42.239 --> 01:44:47.239
Yeah, just wanted to ask you, you quoted $10,000

01:44:47.239 --> 01:44:50.199
to have it repaired or have it replaced?

01:44:50.199 --> 01:44:51.960
It needs to be replaced.

01:44:51.960 --> 01:44:56.279
So it's a plastic poly box with a large stainless steel

01:44:56.279 --> 01:44:59.920
impeller situation and auger set up in the back.

01:44:59.920 --> 01:45:02.840
And it was damaged during salt or during a foul.

01:45:02.840 --> 01:45:04.399
Unrepairable.

01:45:04.399 --> 01:45:04.920
Correct.

01:45:04.920 --> 01:45:05.720
And not repaired.

01:45:05.720 --> 01:45:09.680
OK.

01:45:09.680 --> 01:45:13.279
No further discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Oh, I'm sorry, Alderman Monroe.

01:45:13.279 --> 01:45:19.159
It's all good. City Manager and Public Works Director, the question I have is we seem to

01:45:19.159 --> 01:45:27.119
be applying salt at a varying, I don't even know how to explain it. It's like we salt

01:45:27.119 --> 01:45:31.920
for a second, we stop salting, then we salt again, especially on some of the hilly sections

01:45:31.920 --> 01:45:37.680
of the northwest side of town. Is there, you know, will this help us spread the salt better

01:45:37.680 --> 01:45:44.960
So it's more consistent or that we can maintain because to give you kind of an example there's a couple of

01:45:45.840 --> 01:45:49.439
Areas in the second ward where it's very hilly

01:45:50.319 --> 01:45:54.779
People park on the street and it's it really creates a significant hazard

01:45:55.439 --> 01:45:59.439
Driving on that side of the town just looking for some yeah

01:45:59.439 --> 01:46:05.439
So the specific item that we're talking about on the agenda that it's a water and sewer salt spreader

01:46:05.439 --> 01:46:06.439
Miller.

01:46:06.439 --> 01:46:09.380
So it's used for all of our water sewer facilities because they do all the plowing.

01:46:09.380 --> 01:46:13.960
This isn't a street unit because of the amount of streets that we have, we have segregation

01:46:13.960 --> 01:46:14.960
of duties.

01:46:14.960 --> 01:46:17.500
So the water and sewer guys actually plow their own properties.

01:46:17.500 --> 01:46:19.739
That's what this spreader is for.

01:46:19.739 --> 01:46:21.819
But I will talk to the street department.

01:46:21.819 --> 01:46:25.840
I have noticed, you know, we do have some new people plowing this year.

01:46:25.840 --> 01:46:31.039
So I don't know what wars they're on, but we have been with the events that were coming.

01:46:31.039 --> 01:46:35.340
We were trying to pre salt and get salt out there that gets kicked around by cars to make

01:46:35.340 --> 01:46:36.340
Miller.

01:46:36.340 --> 01:46:39.220
We're trying to make sure that we can buy some more time at night.

01:46:39.220 --> 01:46:43.640
So you probably saw in the last events, Pat Ingram had all the crews out pre-salting the

01:46:43.640 --> 01:46:48.220
day before, trying to get, you know, as much down as possible to keep the streets clear.

01:46:48.220 --> 01:46:49.220
Okay.

01:46:49.220 --> 01:46:50.220
Thank you.

01:46:50.220 --> 01:46:51.220
Overman Sanders.

01:46:51.220 --> 01:46:56.380
What type of vehicle are we using to apply the salt spreading?

01:46:56.380 --> 01:46:57.859
Is it one of our?

01:46:57.859 --> 01:47:02.979
For this project here, this is actually a one ton vehicle that has a salt spreader box

01:47:02.979 --> 01:47:03.979
that sets right in.

01:47:03.979 --> 01:47:04.979
That's what I thought.

01:47:04.979 --> 01:47:09.619
the old combination unit was a salt spreader that we used the bed of the

01:47:09.619 --> 01:47:13.859
truck and then this was an attachment that was on the back during water and

01:47:13.859 --> 01:47:16.739
sewer construction it because continuously getting beat up because we

01:47:16.739 --> 01:47:21.020
use it for main repairs as well so the new unit that we've got was a complete

01:47:21.020 --> 01:47:24.300
box that can be set in set out so it doesn't get damaged during construction

01:47:24.300 --> 01:47:32.899
so that's just one vehicle yes sir one vehicle and and have we done an

01:47:32.899 --> 01:47:37.619
assessment with all of the vehicles to determine whether or not they need to be

01:47:37.619 --> 01:47:43.739
upgraded as well. We are, yes, we continuously evaluate the fleet to see

01:47:43.739 --> 01:47:47.819
if there's anything we can do to update them and actually this style of box is

01:47:47.819 --> 01:47:53.220
part of that upgrade. Okay, yeah. These are corrosion resistant other than the some

01:47:53.220 --> 01:47:57.460
of the moving parts that are made of plastic. Okay, good, good. There's no

01:47:57.460 --> 01:48:03.399
further discussion. Madam Clerk please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.

01:48:03.399 --> 01:48:14.260
Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7 to 0.

01:48:14.260 --> 01:48:19.699
Thank you. Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 20-25-25. Could you

01:48:19.699 --> 01:48:23.899
please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure

01:48:23.899 --> 01:48:36.819
Thank you, Madam Mayor. 402-404-E Shawnee was declared a chronic nuisance on May 16th

01:48:36.819 --> 01:48:42.559
of 2024, as well as a dangerous and unsafe structure. The city posted its notice for

01:48:42.559 --> 01:48:49.260
statutory fast-track demolition on September 3rd of 2024, and due to the immediate health

01:48:49.260 --> 01:48:55.699
Health and Safety Concern bids were solicited on December 11th, 2024 from three contractors.

01:48:55.699 --> 01:49:01.539
I attached those three solicitations as part of the memo.

01:49:01.539 --> 01:49:08.180
And then in accordance with our ordinances, I selected Albert and Son Earthworks who submitted

01:49:08.180 --> 01:49:13.760
the lowest responsible bid of $19,700.

01:49:13.760 --> 01:49:18.880
The other bids that were brought back were Northern Illinois Service Company provided

01:49:18.880 --> 01:49:26.880
a bid of $29,837 and Fisher Excavating did not return a, did not respond to our request

01:49:26.880 --> 01:49:28.979
for bid.

01:49:28.979 --> 01:49:32.920
The city moved forward with Elburn Sun Earthworks as the lowest responsible bidder to perform

01:49:32.920 --> 01:49:38.800
the emergency demolition work which was subsequently completed on December 27th of 2024 and this

01:49:38.800 --> 01:49:40.000
this property was demolished with

01:49:40.000 --> 01:49:43.920
Moore, and this property was demolished within the 120 days of the original posting in accordance

01:49:43.920 --> 01:49:46.380
with Illinois statute.

01:49:46.380 --> 01:49:50.720
Staff recommends approval to remit payment to Elver and Son Earthworks for the emergency

01:49:50.720 --> 01:49:54.880
demolition of 402-404-E Shawnee.

01:49:54.880 --> 01:49:56.840
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:49:56.840 --> 01:49:57.840
So move.

01:49:57.840 --> 01:49:58.840
Second.

01:49:58.840 --> 01:50:05.039
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:50:05.039 --> 01:50:07.039
Discussion, Alderman Sanders.

01:50:07.039 --> 01:50:14.960
yeah how much did that demolition cost and and whether or not it cost the city

01:50:14.960 --> 01:50:21.760
to have that demo it's the nineteen thousand seven hundred dollars okay

01:50:21.760 --> 01:50:29.239
that was the lowest bid that you come up with yes yes and and all of the bidders

01:50:29.239 --> 01:50:47.840
or the people that apply, they had a, well what I wanted to say is did we get the property

01:50:47.840 --> 01:50:55.840
regulated like it should, as far as old utilities, possible damaged structures and things of

01:50:55.840 --> 01:51:03.359
and this nature to the to the primary grounds itself and in adjunction to the

01:51:03.359 --> 01:51:09.159
city's utilities. Everything was properly inspected during this demolition. There

01:51:09.159 --> 01:51:16.000
was also an asbestos inspection performed. Okay. So all of the requirements in that

01:51:16.000 --> 01:51:23.590
aspect were met. Thank you. There's no further discussion. I have a question.

01:51:23.590 --> 01:51:41.590
Oldham and Stacy? Director Duckman, when you did your presentation, why wasn't these totals presented at that time?

01:51:41.590 --> 01:51:54.319
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.

01:51:54.319 --> 01:51:54.819
Payments.

01:51:54.819 --> 01:51:59.119
So at that time, the focus of the conversation, I believe,

01:51:59.119 --> 01:52:04.359
was the status of 402-404-E Shawnee, which I went into.

01:52:04.359 --> 01:52:07.479
At that time, I certainly could have provided this process.

01:52:07.479 --> 01:52:09.760
And in the memo, I provided the emails

01:52:09.760 --> 01:52:11.199
that were sent to the contractors.

01:52:11.199 --> 01:52:14.899
I provided the bids that came back.

01:52:14.899 --> 01:52:18.760
So it was really just a matter of not

01:52:18.760 --> 01:52:21.760
requested to present that information,

01:52:21.760 --> 01:52:25.600
but certainly I could have presented at that time.

01:52:25.600 --> 01:52:30.119
OK, to my knowledge and understanding,

01:52:30.119 --> 01:52:40.380
there was a lot of things done that were not approved

01:52:40.380 --> 01:52:42.020
to be done.

01:52:42.020 --> 01:52:51.220
There was things that had been halted that was not halted,

01:52:51.220 --> 01:52:52.819
according to the owner.

01:52:52.819 --> 01:52:54.699
Am I correct?

01:52:54.699 --> 01:52:56.659
I've not spoke with Tiffany Sanders

01:52:56.659 --> 01:52:58.819
on this, who's the property owner.

01:52:58.819 --> 01:53:02.060
So Tiffany Sanders hasn't brought anything to my attention.

01:53:02.060 --> 01:53:07.859
There was a motion or a petition filed on October 27,

01:53:07.859 --> 01:53:08.939
which was dismissed.

01:53:08.939 --> 01:53:11.539
And there was another on December 19.

01:53:11.539 --> 01:53:14.220
And on December 19, there was a motion

01:53:14.220 --> 01:53:17.420
which was dismissed on December 27, which

01:53:17.420 --> 01:53:19.420
is when the demolition occurred.

01:53:19.420 --> 01:53:24.100
And there was another petition filed on December 27,

01:53:24.100 --> 01:53:29.859
which has a status hearing on March 28th at the Circuit Court.

01:53:29.859 --> 01:53:37.220
So the city was not given her judge request at heart?

01:53:37.220 --> 01:53:38.500
No, the sit no.

01:53:38.500 --> 01:53:39.539
Yeah, sorry.

01:53:39.539 --> 01:53:40.140
I apologize.

01:53:40.140 --> 01:53:43.100
Go ahead.

01:53:43.100 --> 01:53:46.539
I had the understanding that a judge had

01:53:46.539 --> 01:53:56.300
Kirk, a stock demo on this property, and it was taken down anyway.

01:53:56.300 --> 01:54:01.100
No, actually the complete opposite is true.

01:54:01.100 --> 01:54:05.260
There were two actual petitions that were dismissed.

01:54:05.260 --> 01:54:06.579
And when were those?

01:54:06.579 --> 01:54:08.060
When were those?

01:54:08.060 --> 01:54:10.739
There was a petition on October 19th,

01:54:10.739 --> 01:54:14.100
which was dismissed on December 19th.

01:54:14.100 --> 01:54:18.260
and then on December 19th another petition was filed which was dismissed on December

01:54:18.260 --> 01:54:19.260
27th.

01:54:19.260 --> 01:54:31.670
Oldham and Klemm?

01:54:31.670 --> 01:54:36.710
Director Duckman, how long had this house been on the list for chronic nuisance and

01:54:36.710 --> 01:54:41.069
how long had the penalties been going on?

01:54:41.069 --> 01:54:42.069
Just a ballpark.

01:54:42.069 --> 01:54:50.109
It became a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024 when it was also deemed dangerous and

01:54:50.109 --> 01:54:56.350
and I'm safe and then it was it's it's been well over a year where it's received several

01:54:56.350 --> 01:55:02.510
code violations and right now it has a lien on it for over fourteen thousand dollars for

01:55:02.510 --> 01:55:04.789
the code violations.

01:55:04.789 --> 01:55:05.789
Thank you very much.

01:55:05.789 --> 01:55:08.039
There's no Alderman Simmons.

01:55:08.039 --> 01:55:17.220
I'm sorry what did you say about March 28 something about you got another hearing or

01:55:17.220 --> 01:55:18.220
March 28.

01:55:18.220 --> 01:55:31.220
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 Stevenson County Circuit Clerk on March 28th.

01:55:31.220 --> 01:55:36.159
Alderman Monroe?

01:55:36.159 --> 01:55:45.159
So, Director Duckman, are you saying you weren't served that paperwork at the courthouse on the 27th of December?

01:55:45.159 --> 01:55:49.159
That is correct.

01:55:49.159 --> 01:55:50.159
Okay.

01:55:50.159 --> 01:56:51.939
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

01:56:51.939 --> 01:56:52.939
Fowler.

01:56:52.939 --> 01:56:57.220
I understand this work has already been done and we have an invoice to pay.

01:56:57.220 --> 01:57:01.699
This is going to give us, the city, a bad reputation that we are not paying for the work that we've

01:57:01.699 --> 01:57:02.699
done.

01:57:02.699 --> 01:57:05.739
Is this really where we're standing, Alderman Duck?

01:57:05.739 --> 01:57:12.260
I think the alternative would just be that the contractor could just file suit and we

01:57:12.260 --> 01:57:14.960
would just settle it in a closed session.

01:57:14.960 --> 01:57:19.819
So it's really, however, if the council wants to send the message that we're going to have

01:57:19.819 --> 01:57:21.819
and

01:57:22.819 --> 01:57:24.819
the

01:57:26.819 --> 01:57:35.819
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.

01:57:35.819 --> 01:57:43.659
Wilson, Michael, and Dr. Huff, Rodriguez, and David, and

01:57:43.760 --> 01:57:48.739
you know, you know, we've been there for a while and you know,

01:57:48.840 --> 01:57:50.979
we've had quite a lot of people that are out there, you know,

01:57:51.079 --> 01:57:56.140
where we know, black men, women, and the money, black men,

01:57:56.239 --> 01:57:56.939
do have their guns on.

01:57:57.039 --> 01:57:57.520
We know them.

01:57:57.619 --> 01:57:58.340
We know them.

01:57:58.460 --> 01:57:59.319
We know them.

01:57:59.420 --> 01:58:00.220
We know them.

01:58:00.319 --> 01:58:01.319
We think they're the most important guys you know,

01:58:01.420 --> 01:58:03.180
because you know, they've got the things that are, you know,

01:58:03.180 --> 01:58:57.239
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

01:58:57.239 --> 01:59:00.840
3 that's still not a majority on a resolution because we need five so it

01:59:00.840 --> 01:59:06.760
still fails. So you're saying we need a majority of those seated not those

01:59:06.760 --> 01:59:30.619
present? Correct. Oh I see. I got a comment. Deren. Yeah I think just to back Wayne up

01:59:30.619 --> 01:59:34.420
because we do contract work all the time this will just cost the city more money

01:59:34.420 --> 01:59:39.819
because we will be paying attorney fees and their attorney fees

01:59:39.819 --> 01:59:40.159
and their attorney fees for the demo that happened.

01:59:40.159 --> 01:59:41.479
This was a bid project.

01:59:41.479 --> 01:59:43.560
This wasn't a handshake agreement.

01:59:43.560 --> 01:59:45.859
He has a signed contract to move forward.

01:59:45.859 --> 01:59:47.760
So this is a bill that we will pay

01:59:47.760 --> 01:59:49.560
regardless of our feelings on it.

01:59:52.520 --> 02:00:00.970
So those that voted no, is there any reconsideration?

02:00:00.970 --> 02:00:05.649
Okay, I guess we'll move forward.

02:00:07.470 --> 02:00:11.069
Item number 19, could you please read this discussion?

02:00:12.109 --> 02:00:14.869
Discussion regarding resolution approving engineering

02:00:14.869 --> 02:00:17.869
agreement with Fehr Graham to apply for surface transportation

02:00:17.869 --> 02:00:19.270
program.

02:00:19.270 --> 02:00:23.510
That's the urban program, STU funding for 2026 Street

02:00:23.510 --> 02:00:24.789
program.

02:00:24.789 --> 02:00:26.470
Manager Boyer.

02:00:26.470 --> 02:00:29.069
Thank you, Your Honor.

02:00:29.069 --> 02:00:32.010
Being that we've accrued a certain amount of federal

02:00:32.010 --> 02:00:36.869
funding in our MFT accounts, we would

02:00:36.869 --> 02:00:39.510
like to deploy those funds as rapidly as possible.

02:00:39.510 --> 02:00:46.029
We're hoping to get that done yet this year. However, due to environmental requirements,

02:00:46.029 --> 02:00:53.189
that will not be possible yet this year. However, we can set ourselves up for 2026. So the public

02:00:53.189 --> 02:00:58.789
work staff has had adequate time to assemble a full proposal. We don't have it completely

02:00:58.789 --> 02:01:04.989
for you tonight, but just an abbreviated version, we're looking at Lincoln Boulevard from Locust

02:01:04.989 --> 02:01:10.989
to West, Stevenson Street from Locust to Sunset, Adams Avenue that would be the

02:01:10.989 --> 02:01:14.909
west half so the part that was not completed in the Adams Avenue project

02:01:14.909 --> 02:01:19.630
get that finished up from Exchange to Float and then Walnut Avenue from Empire

02:01:19.630 --> 02:01:26.670
to South. So staff is asking this to be moved forward to the March 3rd agenda.

02:01:26.670 --> 02:01:34.500
Is there a motion to move this forward to the March 3rd agenda? Second.

02:01:34.500 --> 02:01:40.420
of the motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this?

02:01:42.859 --> 02:01:51.550
Yes, I have a question. Alderman Stacy? Maybe it's not a question, maybe it's a statement.

02:01:53.439 --> 02:02:00.319
I have nothing against this federal money and the street program. However,

02:02:03.569 --> 02:02:10.930
I think it's deployed to take our eyes off of what we really need to be looking at.

02:02:10.930 --> 02:02:47.989
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.

02:02:48.989 --> 02:02:59.619
not creating another avenue to go down, but it's not a priority.

02:03:07.100 --> 02:03:08.319
Darren, you wanna?

02:03:08.319 --> 02:03:10.819
Yeah, so this is the program that we talked about

02:03:10.819 --> 02:03:11.920
at the Cal meeting.

02:03:13.180 --> 02:03:17.880
This is the surface transportation program.

02:03:17.880 --> 02:03:21.300
This money can't be used for anything other than roads.

02:03:22.260 --> 02:03:25.020
This was the 2.5 million that we talked about

02:03:25.020 --> 02:03:26.819
that we need to do the design on.

02:03:28.340 --> 02:03:41.340
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.

02:03:45.340 --> 02:03:54.340
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.

02:03:54.340 --> 02:03:56.340
and

02:03:57.340 --> 02:03:59.340
Dean.

02:04:00.539 --> 02:04:02.539
I'm not sure if we can move forward with the

02:04:03.640 --> 02:04:05.640
surface transportation funds for these streets of $2.5 million.

02:04:06.939 --> 02:04:08.939
The city needs to do the design for that to get the funding

02:04:10.039 --> 02:04:12.039
allocated to these streets.

02:04:13.340 --> 02:04:15.340
So I just want to make sure nobody thought this was a

02:04:16.439 --> 02:04:18.439
different program.

02:04:18.439 --> 02:04:25.640
No, it is not. This is the surface transportation funds that we talked about

02:04:25.640 --> 02:04:30.800
at the COW last week. This is strictly mill and overlays and ADA ramps on the

02:04:30.800 --> 02:04:47.600
streets that were listed in the in the agenda memo. No, that's incorrect. We have,

02:04:47.600 --> 02:04:53.920
I couldn't give you an exact number, but it's over 10,000 ramps that are not

02:04:53.920 --> 02:04:54.920
Bannack, Rockford.

02:04:54.920 --> 02:05:17.729
Okay, so if there's no further discussion, this will be moved to the next, Alderman Sanders.

02:05:17.729 --> 02:05:19.289
I didn't know you had your hand up.

02:05:19.289 --> 02:05:20.289
Alderman Sanders.

02:05:20.289 --> 02:05:21.289
Waving the white flag.

02:05:21.289 --> 02:05:23.289
You didn't see me waving the white flag?

02:05:23.289 --> 02:05:24.289
I did not.

02:05:24.289 --> 02:05:26.729
Are you, are you going to tell me you're going to tell me?

02:05:26.729 --> 02:05:28.329
Alderman Sanders, would you like to say something?

02:05:28.329 --> 02:05:33.600
You going to be colorblind on me?

02:05:33.600 --> 02:05:49.449
Yeah, I just want to ask, is there planning to apply this particular grant, and what does

02:05:49.449 --> 02:05:56.279
Urban STU stand for, funding, what is that all about?

02:05:56.279 --> 02:06:02.359
So the memo has the four streets that we've aligned, which, let me pull it up, again it's

02:06:02.359 --> 02:06:07.079
Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West which is about 1,500 linear feet.

02:06:07.079 --> 02:06:13.539
Stevenson Street from Locust to Sunset excluding West Street we won't do I-DOT

02:06:13.539 --> 02:06:17.979
corridors. Adams Street which would be from Float to Exchange so it's the

02:06:17.979 --> 02:06:21.279
portion that we weren't able to finish this year we wanted to finish that

02:06:21.279 --> 02:06:29.720
project. And then Walnut Avenue which would be the south leg from Empire to

02:06:29.720 --> 02:06:37.460
and the reason the north side is not on here is the north side of Empire needs a full reconstruct

02:06:37.460 --> 02:06:39.619
and we don't have that many dollars to do it.

02:06:39.619 --> 02:06:44.560
The south end is in a repair that we think we can mill and overlay it and do some base

02:06:44.560 --> 02:06:51.260
repairs and fix the south section, which that's for a later discussion, but Walnut Avenue

02:06:51.260 --> 02:06:56.979
has to be probably one of the bigger discussions on how we are going to repair the, I'm calling

02:06:56.979 --> 02:07:03.380
at the Northleg, but it would be from Maine to Empire, because it's in really bad shape,

02:07:03.380 --> 02:07:07.060
and that's going to be a full reconstruct, and it's going to be a lot of money.

02:07:07.060 --> 02:07:14.840
So the grant will facilitate any, for the accomplishment that the grant is presented

02:07:14.840 --> 02:07:24.180
to do, any access will be utilized in other areas, reallocated for other areas?

02:07:24.180 --> 02:07:54.180
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,

02:07:54.180 --> 02:07:59.619
with the cost, if there's any additional

02:07:59.619 --> 02:08:03.859
fundings that are left over, I'll put it in layman's term.

02:08:03.859 --> 02:08:06.500
If it's left over, it has to go back into the SDU account.

02:08:06.500 --> 02:08:09.859
It has to go back. Okay, that's what I wanted to find out. Thank you.

02:08:09.859 --> 02:08:12.579
Alderman Monroe. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

02:08:12.579 --> 02:08:18.500
Darren, why are we stopping at sunset and not trying to figure out that last

02:08:18.500 --> 02:08:22.899
little block? Sure, because park intersection

02:08:22.899 --> 02:08:27.859
is on this year and we're planning on extending that to Sunset because we have to do the 8A

02:08:27.859 --> 02:08:33.100
ramps anyway, so I just was going to extend that project up to Sunset and then pick it

02:08:33.100 --> 02:08:34.100
up there.

02:08:34.100 --> 02:08:36.899
Gotcha.

02:08:36.899 --> 02:08:37.899
Thank you.

02:08:37.899 --> 02:08:38.899
Okay.

02:08:38.899 --> 02:08:39.899
So there's no further discussion.

02:08:39.899 --> 02:08:43.579
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the motion to move this to the next council

02:08:43.579 --> 02:08:44.579
meeting?

02:08:44.579 --> 02:08:45.579
Simmons?

02:08:45.579 --> 02:08:46.579
Aye.

02:08:46.579 --> 02:08:47.579
Parker?

02:08:47.579 --> 02:08:48.579
Aye.

02:08:48.579 --> 02:08:49.579
Stacy?

02:08:49.579 --> 02:08:50.579
Aye.

02:08:50.579 --> 02:08:51.579
Sanders?

02:08:51.579 --> 02:08:52.579
Aye.

02:08:52.579 --> 02:08:53.579
Sellers?

02:08:53.579 --> 02:08:54.579
Aye.

02:08:54.579 --> 02:08:55.420
Aye.

02:08:55.420 --> 02:08:58.059
The motion passes seven to zero.

02:08:58.059 --> 02:08:59.260
And item number 20,

02:08:59.260 --> 02:09:01.539
could you please read the next discussion?

02:09:01.539 --> 02:09:04.819
Discuss discussion regarding the fundraising money

02:09:04.819 --> 02:09:07.779
collected for downtown decorations.

02:09:07.779 --> 02:09:12.090
Alderman Stacey Orr-Munroe.

02:09:12.090 --> 02:09:14.890
On October 17th, 2024,

02:09:15.850 --> 02:09:20.609
the city of Freeport communication department

02:09:20.609 --> 02:09:24.529
shared a post originally posted

02:09:24.529 --> 02:09:28.090
by Greater Free Court Partnership Facebook account.

02:09:29.229 --> 02:09:33.409
The original post included a flyer promoting

02:09:33.409 --> 02:09:34.989
the Christmas wizard.

02:09:34.989 --> 02:09:39.000
Christmas wizard event being held December the 13th, 2024.

02:09:41.180 --> 02:09:42.960
On the bottom of the flyer,

02:09:43.939 --> 02:09:48.000
it's stated the following Christmas wizard

02:09:48.000 --> 02:09:53.000
is a fundraising concert for three point holiday decoration.

02:09:53.479 --> 02:09:58.479
Tickets for the concert were sold for 25 to $50 each.

02:09:58.479 --> 02:10:11.810
including on the flyer was the City of Freeport logo along with GFP logo. My first two concerns

02:10:11.810 --> 02:10:21.609
slash questions to City Manager Boyer. Is the City of Freeport partner with GFP on this

02:10:21.609 --> 02:10:24.659
event?

02:10:24.659 --> 02:10:31.270
I'm not aware of anything the City of Freeport did on this event.

02:10:31.270 --> 02:10:38.470
Okay. Can you explain why our logo would have been on that flyer?

02:10:41.210 --> 02:10:44.329
I really don't have an explanation why it is. I haven't seen the flyer.

02:10:47.260 --> 02:10:52.170
Okay. Do you remember the flyer?

02:10:54.579 --> 02:10:56.180
No, I have never seen it.

02:10:56.180 --> 02:10:58.340
Do you remember the event I'm speaking of?

02:10:59.060 --> 02:11:02.180
I didn't attend the event and I know nothing about the event.

02:11:02.180 --> 02:11:18.819
I imagine that, okay. Is there a signed contract between the City of Freeport and Greater Freeport

02:11:19.460 --> 02:11:30.659
partnership for this Christian Wizard event? Can anybody tell me? Mayor? There is not. Anybody?

02:11:30.659 --> 02:11:38.420
There is not. There is not. No, the purpose of having the city's logo on that flyer was

02:11:38.420 --> 02:11:47.619
was simply because the intent was that whatever would be purchased from the fundraising would

02:11:47.619 --> 02:11:52.220
be turned over as ownership of the city.

02:11:52.220 --> 02:11:54.819
That was the only reason that the city was on there.

02:11:54.819 --> 02:12:08.819
Ok, well I have asked the question at the last time GFP spoke and gave their report and they

02:12:08.819 --> 02:12:14.939
were not prepared to give me an answer at that time because things hadn't been totaled

02:12:14.939 --> 02:12:17.180
or something of that nature.

02:12:17.180 --> 02:12:22.300
Well it wasn't because they weren't, they didn't have all the invoices in at the time

02:12:22.300 --> 02:12:29.039
so they didn't have anything accurate to give you that was on their fourth quarter report.

02:12:29.039 --> 02:12:34.819
So I'm sure on their first quarter report, I'm sure they'll have that finished up. I

02:12:34.819 --> 02:12:37.420
don't know. It was there. It was GFP Financial.

02:12:37.420 --> 02:12:45.359
Okay. But wasn't money turned over to the city since it was for the city?

02:12:45.359 --> 02:12:48.899
No. This was not a city event.

02:12:48.899 --> 02:12:55.899
I know that it's not a city event, but it was an event held for the city.

02:12:55.899 --> 02:12:57.899
Can you say that again?

02:12:57.899 --> 02:13:06.899
I know that it was not a city event, per your statement and for Rob Boyer's statement.

02:13:06.899 --> 02:13:10.899
But it was an event for the city.

02:13:10.899 --> 02:13:16.899
No, it was an event that the city would have been a recipient of when it was done.

02:13:16.899 --> 02:13:23.460
Dunn. It was not, this was not an event of any means on behalf of the city of Freeport.

02:13:24.579 --> 02:13:41.300
It was held for the city of Freeport. No, it was a GFP event. Okay. Mayor Miller, why was the

02:13:41.300 --> 02:13:55.779
council not made aware of your personal business? Freeport Festival, Inc. partnered with GFP for

02:13:55.779 --> 02:13:58.260
for this Christmas wizard event.

02:13:58.260 --> 02:14:01.180
Why weren't we made aware of that?

02:14:02.100 --> 02:14:06.420
Not only was it not disclosed to the council,

02:14:06.420 --> 02:14:09.220
it was not disclosed to the public

02:14:09.220 --> 02:14:13.659
and some other event donors as well.

02:14:13.659 --> 02:14:16.220
Why was that kept secret, Jim?

02:14:16.220 --> 02:14:19.220
Okay, so let me make some corrections here.

02:14:19.220 --> 02:14:22.739
The Freeport Festival is not a business.

02:14:22.739 --> 02:14:24.619
It is a not-for-profit.

02:14:24.619 --> 02:14:30.420
So obviously there is some confusion as far as what the roles are happening here.

02:14:30.420 --> 02:14:32.819
I'm sitting here as the mayor.

02:14:32.819 --> 02:14:34.220
I'm not sitting here as a citizen.

02:14:34.220 --> 02:14:37.340
I'm not sitting here as the president of the Freeport Festivals.

02:14:37.340 --> 02:14:43.300
However, I will take a moment to speak as the president of the Freeport Festivals.

02:14:43.300 --> 02:14:51.659
So let me clarify that this event was fully funded and operated independently of the city.

02:14:51.659 --> 02:14:55.220
there was no taxpayer money involved.

02:14:55.220 --> 02:14:59.180
The council does not oversee private organizations

02:14:59.180 --> 02:15:02.640
and this matter is outside of the scope

02:15:02.640 --> 02:15:05.180
of the city's governance.

02:15:05.180 --> 02:15:08.220
So while I appreciate all the enthusiasm

02:15:08.220 --> 02:15:10.319
concerning community events,

02:15:10.319 --> 02:15:12.859
this discussion really does not belong

02:15:12.859 --> 02:15:14.739
on the city council floor.

02:15:14.739 --> 02:15:17.659
So if there is really a genuine interest

02:15:17.659 --> 02:15:19.699
in supporting the Freeport Festivals

02:15:19.699 --> 02:15:25.300
and having an understanding of that, I would be happy to provide any information outside

02:15:25.300 --> 02:15:30.899
of this meeting as you know that my phone is always on or better yet you can call the

02:15:30.899 --> 02:15:36.739
greater Freeport partnership as all of the financials as I stated before were under their

02:15:36.739 --> 02:15:41.939
leadership which you already know because these were questions that you asked during

02:15:41.939 --> 02:15:43.600
the fourth quarter report.

02:15:43.600 --> 02:15:50.640
So if that is suffice, I will conclude my remarks as the President of the Freeport Festivals

02:15:50.640 --> 02:15:55.920
and resume my role as the Mayor of Freeport and let's continue with city business.

02:15:55.920 --> 02:15:57.399
This is not city business.

02:15:57.399 --> 02:16:04.199
Okay, so maybe it would have been more appropriate to have your business logo on with Greater

02:16:04.199 --> 02:16:07.960
Freeport Partnership and not the Freeport logo.

02:16:07.960 --> 02:16:08.960
Thank you.

02:16:08.960 --> 02:16:10.800
Well, that's your opinion.

02:16:10.800 --> 02:16:11.800
Thank you.

02:16:11.800 --> 02:16:18.880
to item number 21 which is an update from the Maguire Woods manager Boyer. Thank

02:16:18.880 --> 02:16:23.560
you your honor. For several months now we've been working with Maguire Woods

02:16:23.560 --> 02:16:27.680
looking for grant and grant opportunities through state and other

02:16:27.680 --> 02:16:33.360
areas. To date we have an update we've looked at rise grants for infrastructure

02:16:33.360 --> 02:16:37.479
through the US Department of Transportation, also the protect program

02:16:37.479 --> 02:16:41.719
for resiliency projects, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, we've

02:16:41.719 --> 02:16:50.360
We've coordinated discussions with the city and IHDA regarding housing matters.

02:16:50.360 --> 02:16:56.719
We've also discussed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants, including the Justice Grant,

02:16:56.719 --> 02:16:58.719
Urban Forestry Grant.

02:16:58.719 --> 02:17:07.860
We've also looked at research funding for water main replacements or installations and alternative

02:17:07.860 --> 02:17:37.860
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

02:17:37.860 --> 02:17:42.459
is going out to the state and federal level that impact funding, and then federal and

02:17:42.459 --> 02:17:43.700
state appropriations.

02:17:43.700 --> 02:17:49.139
So assisting the city in refining projects, funding requests into one-page formats for

02:17:49.139 --> 02:17:54.700
legislators, communicating with the Illinois General Assembly budget staff regarding fiscal

02:17:54.700 --> 02:18:00.819
year 2026 funding, including water main projects flagged by city staff.

02:18:00.819 --> 02:18:07.420
In addition, engaging with congressional representatives regarding future earmarks and appropriations.

02:18:07.420 --> 02:18:13.100
In conclusion, McGuire Woods is actively identifying and assisting with multiple grants and funding

02:18:13.100 --> 02:18:20.139
opportunities across transportation, environmental, law enforcement, arts, and municipal infrastructure.

02:18:20.139 --> 02:18:23.920
They are also supporting the city, state, and federal funding requests for upcoming

02:18:23.920 --> 02:18:28.510
fiscal years.

02:18:28.510 --> 02:18:29.950
Any discussion on the report?

02:18:29.950 --> 02:18:40.639
So, with all that being said, they have not found any money for us, yet.

02:18:40.639 --> 02:18:48.030
They're identifying potential funding sources that were not really completely in the cycle

02:18:48.030 --> 02:18:51.309
yet or that that would be coming to a conclusion.

02:18:51.309 --> 02:18:55.670
So right now we've been studying, looking, and providing information to them and they

02:18:55.670 --> 02:19:01.629
have been continuing to interact with legislators and other program managers.

02:19:01.629 --> 02:19:09.670
Yes, but that was that was known when we first started the project that we were

02:19:09.670 --> 02:19:15.350
signing with them at the end of the appropriations process and that we would

02:19:15.350 --> 02:19:20.870
likely see movement in the summer time.

02:19:20.870 --> 02:19:28.870
So, how often do you say that they update you and give you an updated memo? How often?

02:19:28.870 --> 02:19:33.870
We have an update at least once a month with other updates.

02:19:33.870 --> 02:19:34.000
and

02:19:35.000 --> 02:19:39.620
the other updates as necessary.

02:19:40.620 --> 02:19:50.620
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?

02:19:51.620 --> 02:19:56.600
Please and thank you.

02:19:57.600 --> 02:20:03.200
Any other discussion on the report? Darren, did you have something?

02:20:03.200 --> 02:20:13.559
We did a funding forum, I think a week and a half ago, something like that.

02:20:13.559 --> 02:20:18.920
All federal and state processes right now have been frozen by the federal government,

02:20:18.920 --> 02:20:23.680
so there will be no money moving that is not already appropriated or allocated.

02:20:23.680 --> 02:20:30.399
All the notice of funding opportunities have been frozen until the presidential order changes

02:20:30.399 --> 02:20:31.440
on that.

02:20:31.440 --> 02:20:38.280
There is no funding nominations or ability to get right now other than local estate funding

02:20:38.280 --> 02:20:40.959
type stuff that's already been sent out.

02:20:40.959 --> 02:20:44.620
Alderman Sanders?

02:20:44.620 --> 02:20:45.620
I saw your hand up.

02:20:45.620 --> 02:20:46.620
Go ahead.

02:20:46.620 --> 02:20:47.620
Okay.

02:20:47.620 --> 02:20:50.540
All right, my sister.

02:20:50.540 --> 02:20:52.020
Okay.

02:20:52.020 --> 02:21:00.299
You are not hitting the nail right on the head, okay, with your assessment of what state

02:21:00.299 --> 02:21:02.719
and federal is doing.

02:21:02.719 --> 02:21:16.409
and I have one question that I have. Let me get it right. Did we vote as council for consulting

02:21:16.409 --> 02:21:23.290
services? I'm trying to recollect. Yes, we did. We did. And was it approved? Was it, it

02:21:23.290 --> 02:21:30.329
was not approved? I hope so. It was. You're messing with me. Okay. All right. Okay. It

02:21:30.329 --> 02:21:34.469
it was approved and that's what that's what my my concern was I know we're

02:21:34.469 --> 02:21:42.110
talking like they're they're in the mix of doing consulting services for the city

02:21:42.110 --> 02:21:46.950
of Freeport and that's what that's what my understanding signed contract yeah

02:21:46.950 --> 02:21:51.909
okay okay I didn't get a copy of it but that's okay I think you probably did in

02:21:51.909 --> 02:22:24.219
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?

02:22:24.219 --> 02:22:39.100
Are we still looking at...didn't you say Darren there was state funding that they can

02:22:39.100 --> 02:22:40.659
look at while they're down in Springfield?

02:22:40.659 --> 02:22:41.659
Is it state?

02:22:41.659 --> 02:22:44.299
We just can't look at federal but we can look at state.

02:22:44.299 --> 02:22:45.299
Correct?

02:22:45.299 --> 02:22:46.299
Yes and no.

02:22:46.299 --> 02:22:50.700
Like motor fuel tax money, those types of items like that, ITEP, things like that are

02:22:50.700 --> 02:22:55.340
We're not frozen at a local level, but anything that has federal dollars attached to it,

02:22:55.340 --> 02:22:59.899
Robin and I went to a little mini conference today and anything that has any federal dollars

02:22:59.899 --> 02:23:05.219
attached to it, that includes one dollar, if that is all, and basically in the ice box

02:23:05.219 --> 02:23:07.739
right now until further notice.

02:23:07.739 --> 02:23:10.100
All in favor?

02:23:10.100 --> 02:23:11.180
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

02:23:11.180 --> 02:23:18.479
I actually will go right now because this pertains to this conversation of federal funding.

02:23:18.479 --> 02:23:19.479
and others.

02:23:19.479 --> 02:23:26.719
This week, our police department decided to put out a trust act letter that essentially

02:23:26.719 --> 02:23:31.000
will probably block us from most federal funding.

02:23:31.000 --> 02:23:35.239
And the reason why is because we're refusing to work with federal law enforcement when

02:23:35.239 --> 02:23:42.680
it comes to enforcement of civil immigration laws, especially when it pertains to criminal

02:23:42.680 --> 02:23:43.680
Fowler.

02:23:43.680 --> 02:23:58.680
So, we've seen in the last week or two both the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois

02:23:58.680 --> 02:24:05.079
have the Department of Justice now breathing down their neck.

02:24:05.079 --> 02:24:09.120
The same is going to happen in Freeport.

02:24:09.120 --> 02:24:18.459
because we have decided to side with the law of Illinois and ignore the federal laws.

02:24:18.459 --> 02:24:26.159
So it's disappointing that on one hand, we say we're going to hire this firm to go out

02:24:26.159 --> 02:24:32.780
and get federal funding and on the other hand, without the consent, without the advisement

02:24:32.780 --> 02:24:37.440
from the council, we're going to go out and put a letter out that then puts us aligned

02:24:37.440 --> 02:24:55.159
and John. We have to figure out what it is we want to do as a city and how we want to

02:24:55.159 --> 02:25:00.680
be viewed and how we want to go about getting these federal funds because without the federal

02:25:00.680 --> 02:25:01.680
Fowler.

02:25:01.680 --> 02:25:04.840
We can't rebuild our infrastructure.

02:25:04.840 --> 02:25:11.120
And thumbing our nose at the President of the United States in a Facebook post without

02:25:11.120 --> 02:25:15.920
having a discussion in here first to make sure it's the right thing to do, we all agree,

02:25:15.920 --> 02:25:22.159
we're just going to go out and do it, kind of goes against what we as a community have

02:25:22.159 --> 02:25:24.479
been about.

02:25:24.479 --> 02:25:27.479
We've worked through most of our issues in here.

02:25:27.479 --> 02:25:28.620
We don't always see eye to eye.

02:25:28.620 --> 02:25:30.399
We don't always agree.

02:25:30.399 --> 02:25:31.399
Fowler.

02:25:31.399 --> 02:25:35.719
But we have to work together as a community in order to get these funds that are going

02:25:35.719 --> 02:25:37.559
to build our community back.

02:25:37.559 --> 02:25:42.239
We have no hope from the state of Illinois, who is now billions and billions of dollars

02:25:42.239 --> 02:25:48.319
in debt, hopelessly in debt.

02:25:48.319 --> 02:25:52.280
It's a race to figure out between us, California, and a couple of other states who's going to

02:25:52.280 --> 02:25:54.280
file bankruptcy first.

02:25:54.280 --> 02:25:59.799
But these federal funds and this organization that we're talking about here, who is now

02:25:59.799 --> 02:26:00.799
and John.

02:26:00.799 --> 02:26:07.120
And now going out and fundraising, essentially, consulting us for lobbying and government

02:26:07.120 --> 02:26:12.180
relations is now in the middle of our politics.

02:26:12.180 --> 02:26:16.399
We put our politics on the front page.

02:26:16.399 --> 02:26:24.899
And now this organization is stuck trying to fight through that, and we've put ourselves

02:26:24.899 --> 02:26:29.639
Jones, and Aline Dershelves in a way that quite honestly may prohibit us from getting

02:26:29.639 --> 02:26:31.440
federal funding.

02:26:31.440 --> 02:26:33.500
That's where my problem is.

02:26:33.500 --> 02:26:35.239
It's that point.

02:26:35.239 --> 02:26:40.139
Okay, so that was totally off topic.

02:26:40.139 --> 02:26:42.180
Chief, would you like to respond?

02:26:42.180 --> 02:26:43.180
Sure.

02:26:43.180 --> 02:26:49.739
Just in response to the reason why that was released, I was approached by our school resource

02:26:49.739 --> 02:26:50.739
officer.

02:26:50.739 --> 02:26:52.879
There was some angst in school.

02:26:52.879 --> 02:26:59.079
I was also made aware of people in the community thinking we had a pretty heavy presence on

02:26:59.079 --> 02:27:05.879
Oak for a long time and still do and seeing us out there in plain clothes with vests on

02:27:05.879 --> 02:27:08.459
thought that immigration was in town.

02:27:08.459 --> 02:27:15.840
I was just clarifying what the rule of law is, how we're governed at this point and that

02:27:15.840 --> 02:27:21.219
you know there were no ICE agents in Freeport just to put the facts out there instead of

02:27:21.219 --> 02:27:23.780
of having this fester and cause problems

02:27:23.780 --> 02:27:26.299
within the school and the community.

02:27:26.299 --> 02:27:28.540
And so that was the reason for that, so.

02:27:28.540 --> 02:27:30.000
Thank you.

02:27:30.000 --> 02:27:31.100
Is there any other discussion

02:27:31.100 --> 02:27:33.680
concerning the McGuire Woods report?

02:27:35.459 --> 02:27:38.979
Seeing none, we'll move on to department head reports,

02:27:38.979 --> 02:27:45.620
which would be finance.

02:27:45.620 --> 02:27:47.000
You're not at your seat, I can't.

02:27:47.000 --> 02:27:49.370
Well, I have to be at my seat.

02:27:49.370 --> 02:27:52.729
That's kind of, nobody will be able to hear you, Larry.

02:27:52.729 --> 02:27:57.690
Well, if I go back to my seat.

02:27:57.690 --> 02:28:19.250
No, there's not been any motion. It was just an ask for an update of a report. And so that's

02:28:19.250 --> 02:28:24.549
what the city manager was doing. Thank you. Finance.

02:28:24.549 --> 02:28:29.629
Thank you, Your Honor. I would just like to take a moment to congratulate Gladys Hilton.

02:28:29.629 --> 02:28:34.909
She retired today after 25 years of service to the city of Freeport.

02:28:34.909 --> 02:28:38.629
We're so happy for her, and she will be greatly missed.

02:28:38.629 --> 02:28:39.629
We agree.

02:28:39.629 --> 02:28:40.629
Water department?

02:28:40.629 --> 02:28:41.629
Community development.

02:28:41.629 --> 02:28:42.629
Yes, water.

02:28:42.629 --> 02:28:49.770
Community development?

02:28:49.770 --> 02:28:52.690
Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor.

02:28:52.690 --> 02:28:53.690
Thank you.

02:28:53.690 --> 02:28:54.690
Public works?

02:28:54.690 --> 02:28:56.250
I have one thing.

02:28:56.250 --> 02:28:59.430
The street superintendent asked me to relay some information.

02:28:59.430 --> 02:29:05.530
There was quite a few Facebook posts on Friday, so we want to clarify some information.

02:29:05.530 --> 02:29:08.930
The street department is not scheduled like fire police departments.

02:29:08.930 --> 02:29:15.690
We don't have people on shift 24 hours a day, but we do have people on call 24 hours a day.

02:29:15.690 --> 02:29:19.209
Friday's event was a winter weather warning for our area.

02:29:19.209 --> 02:29:20.209
We all knew it.

02:29:20.209 --> 02:29:23.290
It didn't come in the same time as they predicted.

02:29:23.290 --> 02:29:26.090
The city issued a snow emergency earlier in the week.

02:29:26.090 --> 02:29:31.409
When these are ordered, it strongly encouraged for people to stay home during the squall events.

02:29:31.409 --> 02:29:32.010
being said.

02:29:32.010 --> 02:29:34.959
Huffines. That being said, we had six guys that were called in to plow priority routes.

02:29:34.959 --> 02:29:41.079
Those six guys promptly came in at 7.30 on Friday night to do primary routes. Everyone

02:29:41.079 --> 02:29:45.399
came in again at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning and plowed all the streets, parking lots,

02:29:45.399 --> 02:29:51.760
cul-de-sacs, primary alleys, along with the city-owned sidewalks. Pat was hired to be

02:29:51.760 --> 02:29:56.840
resourceful as possible with spending taxpayers' money. It's not feasible to be out wasting

02:29:56.840 --> 02:30:01.940
Salt and overtime money during a squall event at night. We're best off to wait

02:30:01.940 --> 02:30:06.239
till after it runs its course the best we can and then attack it at night when

02:30:06.239 --> 02:30:10.219
people are not around. I want to give a little history of the plowing that

02:30:10.219 --> 02:30:16.399
happened last week. The guys worked from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. They worked 4 a.m.

02:30:16.399 --> 02:30:22.600
to 3 p.m. Friday. They were called back in at 730 to 11 o'clock on Friday night

02:30:22.600 --> 02:30:28.520
and then they were in again at 4 a.m. to 1130 on Saturday to remove all the snow

02:30:28.520 --> 02:30:33.959
and ice again. Due to OSHA standards we have to have have to let the guys have

02:30:33.959 --> 02:30:39.200
time off to rest because they have CDL licenses required by law and also we

02:30:39.200 --> 02:30:41.959
were trying to be good partners to them to give them some time with their

02:30:41.959 --> 02:30:46.000
Valentine partners that they hadn't seen since they were at work at 4 a.m. on

02:30:46.000 --> 02:30:52.799
Friday. I'm not going to read the rest of the email but it doesn't pertain to

02:30:52.799 --> 02:31:00.799
We do our best that we can. We have a very lean crew, and they deserve times with their family too.

02:31:00.799 --> 02:31:05.799
And if people are out risking their own lives during a snow event, that choice is on their own.

02:31:05.799 --> 02:31:07.799
Thank you.

02:31:07.799 --> 02:31:09.799
Thank you. Boyer?

02:31:09.799 --> 02:31:11.799
Nothing this evening.

02:31:11.799 --> 02:31:12.799
Thank you. Police?

02:31:12.799 --> 02:31:13.799
I have no report. Thank you.

02:31:13.799 --> 02:31:14.799
Thank you. Library?

02:31:14.799 --> 02:31:21.799
I just want to remind everybody that we have our rescheduled board meeting tomorrow night from last week.

02:31:21.799 --> 02:31:30.979
So it'll be at the library at 6 p.m. Thank you. IT? Thank you. City Manager? I just like to echo

02:31:30.979 --> 02:31:35.860
Michelle's comments about Gladys. Gladys, you will be missed. Thank you. Yeah, that was

02:31:35.860 --> 02:31:39.379
exactly what I was going to say too. So yeah, 25 years of service with the city,

02:31:39.379 --> 02:31:50.530
so we appreciate her. Alderman, I think it would be Simmons, you were at the start? No,

02:31:50.530 --> 02:31:57.049
but thank you. Alderman Parker? I'm gonna keep my mouth shut on one subject, but I do

02:31:57.049 --> 02:32:01.049
We want to thank the street department, they did an excellent job. Thank you.

02:32:01.049 --> 02:32:03.049
Alderman Stacey?

02:32:03.049 --> 02:32:06.329
No, thank you.

02:32:06.329 --> 02:32:08.329
Alderman Sanders, I'll wait until you get to your chair.

02:32:08.329 --> 02:32:10.329
Okay.

02:32:10.329 --> 02:32:12.329
Or your seat.

02:32:12.329 --> 02:32:14.329
Yeah.

02:32:14.329 --> 02:32:22.329
I have an array of things I want to comment on.

02:32:22.329 --> 02:32:24.329
Or statements.

02:32:24.329 --> 02:32:31.540
Thank you.

02:32:31.540 --> 02:32:32.540
Miller.

02:32:32.540 --> 02:32:33.540
Alderman Sellers.

02:32:33.540 --> 02:32:45.139
Yes, I got a text message that would like me to let everyone know to join the Citizens

02:32:45.139 --> 02:32:51.379
Utility Board, CUB, Environmental Study Group, and State Representative Jab Cabello to learn

02:32:51.379 --> 02:32:57.379
about how to reduce your utility bills and tap into money-saving clean energy programs.

02:32:57.379 --> 02:33:01.680
it will be Thursday, March 6th, 530 to 730

02:33:01.680 --> 02:33:03.819
at the Freeport Public Library.

02:33:03.819 --> 02:33:06.340
And she would like everyone to come out

02:33:06.340 --> 02:33:08.340
and bring some of your utility bills

02:33:08.340 --> 02:33:11.260
that they could also look at and help you out on.

02:33:11.260 --> 02:33:12.540
Thank you, that's about it.

02:33:12.540 --> 02:33:14.819
Yeah, thank you for mentioning that.

02:33:14.819 --> 02:33:18.700
I forgot, also with Representative Cabello,

02:33:18.700 --> 02:33:22.500
he is doing an event here at City Hall on Friday,

02:33:22.500 --> 02:33:27.500
I believe 830, the entire business hours of City Hall

02:33:27.559 --> 02:33:30.920
for I-Pass where you can turn in your old I-Pass

02:33:30.920 --> 02:33:34.680
and get the new, however they had that worked out.

02:33:34.680 --> 02:33:35.799
I'm not sure of the details.

02:33:35.799 --> 02:33:37.000
But anyway, you can come here.

02:33:37.000 --> 02:33:41.440
That's an event sponsored by Representative Cabello as well.

02:33:41.440 --> 02:33:42.920
What time?

02:33:42.920 --> 02:33:45.920
Business hours, 830 to five.

02:33:45.920 --> 02:33:47.840
Friday to six, is it?

02:33:47.840 --> 02:33:49.840
It's kind of long, yeah.

02:33:49.840 --> 02:33:51.840
Friday, all day here, Friday.

02:33:51.840 --> 02:33:58.799
Alderman Klemm? I'd just like to add a couple things kudos to the street

02:33:58.799 --> 02:34:04.840
department and thank you to the guys that really worked hard on the water main

02:34:04.840 --> 02:34:10.280
breaks that we had and and things going going south on a couple of those as we

02:34:10.280 --> 02:34:14.319
all know they go out and pretty in climate weather and take care of things

02:34:14.319 --> 02:34:20.000
for us we appreciate their work also on March 5th mark your calendars there's

02:34:20.000 --> 02:34:27.239
is going to be a candidate for him, again, at the Eagles Club, whatever you do, please

02:34:27.239 --> 02:34:30.440
get involved, whatever you do, vote.

02:34:30.440 --> 02:34:31.440
Thank you.

02:34:31.440 --> 02:34:33.399
Alderman Monroe.

02:34:33.399 --> 02:34:34.399
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

02:34:34.399 --> 02:34:38.479
I would like to thank all those people that were able to fight their way home after work

02:34:38.479 --> 02:34:43.760
so that they could pay their taxes to the city of Freeport, and they made it home safe

02:34:43.760 --> 02:34:46.799
as best they could.

02:34:46.799 --> 02:34:53.799
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.

02:34:53.799 --> 02:35:00.799
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.

02:35:00.799 --> 02:35:06.799
A ton of taxes. And, you know, I think about half the public works probably doesn't even live in the city of Freeport.

02:35:06.799 --> 02:35:12.799
But we all do. And we all pay taxes. Well, some of us do and don't.

02:35:12.799 --> 02:35:13.799
Fowler.

02:35:13.799 --> 02:35:18.479
But with that said, you know, the expectation is, is when the snow is two inches deep on

02:35:18.479 --> 02:35:22.440
the roads, that somebody's out plowing them and that we know that's coming.

02:35:22.440 --> 02:35:26.719
We've got partners in the federal government that know it's coming and they tell us it's

02:35:26.719 --> 02:35:27.719
coming.

02:35:27.719 --> 02:35:31.620
We got apps that tell us, we've got the weather service, the Stevenson County Sheriff's Office

02:35:31.620 --> 02:35:37.280
app tells you it's, but it's dangerous and those people have to get home and to expect

02:35:37.280 --> 02:35:41.520
them not to get home during a rush hour as we would call it here in Freeport, even though

02:35:41.520 --> 02:35:42.520
Fowler.

02:35:42.520 --> 02:35:58.639
And I think it's time that we expect more of our government.

02:35:58.639 --> 02:36:00.479
We're seeing that happen at the federal level.

02:36:00.479 --> 02:36:04.620
We should expect the same at the state and local level as well.

02:36:04.620 --> 02:36:07.079
And that means you have to work.

02:36:07.079 --> 02:36:10.319
And sometimes you have to work really hard, and sometimes you get to work a little bit

02:36:10.319 --> 02:36:11.319
easier.

02:36:11.319 --> 02:36:18.319
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.

02:36:41.319 --> 02:36:44.260
Next is public comment. Are there any public comments this evening?

02:36:45.459 --> 02:36:46.459
Go ahead.

02:36:46.459 --> 02:36:56.579
My name is Cheryl Altman. First I wanted to touch on the lighting system.

02:36:57.860 --> 02:37:02.700
For everybody that has a child that's been shot, because you guys, you say you got

02:37:04.100 --> 02:37:07.420
$13,500, so you're telling me that your child's life wouldn't be worth that

02:37:08.639 --> 02:37:10.219
$13,500 to put a light up?

02:37:10.219 --> 02:37:15.239
I'm a mother who lost her son at 21 years of age, he was, and I guarantee you, any mother,

02:37:15.239 --> 02:37:22.159
Miller, that next time you find a child that's been shot on there, you go tell that parent

02:37:22.159 --> 02:37:26.840
that the city didn't want to put up these lights, but yet they can go and spend all

02:37:26.840 --> 02:37:33.040
this money on snow plow, which you could have used, snow spreader, if it was hit, you could

02:37:33.040 --> 02:37:34.840
have got insurance money.

02:37:34.840 --> 02:37:39.840
So you're telling me that kids' lives are important or the citizens of Freeport are

02:37:39.840 --> 02:37:40.840
important.

02:37:40.840 --> 02:37:41.840
Dugman.

02:37:41.840 --> 02:37:56.360
You keep saying that the building you tore down on Shawnees that belonged to Akia Sanders

02:37:56.360 --> 02:37:58.379
was in terrible shape.

02:37:58.379 --> 02:38:00.180
It was bad shape.

02:38:00.180 --> 02:38:04.739
But why aren't you putting a sticker on the Rowley building that's been in that condition

02:38:04.739 --> 02:38:05.739
for years?

02:38:05.739 --> 02:38:07.200
You refused to tear that down.

02:38:07.200 --> 02:38:08.760
It had asbestos in it.

02:38:08.760 --> 02:38:13.040
You won't tear that down because you're thinking you might get something along.

02:38:13.040 --> 02:38:16.780
That train might come through and you might be able to sell that property.

02:38:16.780 --> 02:38:22.500
And like Albers, you gave all this, you gave Albers a chance to buy that other Raleigh building

02:38:22.500 --> 02:38:24.620
for a hundred bucks.

02:38:24.620 --> 02:38:28.600
And then you tore down her place.

02:38:28.600 --> 02:38:32.280
And you and I know, and you're not going to like this Mayor, but it's who you know and

02:38:32.280 --> 02:38:34.440
who your friends are.

02:38:34.440 --> 02:38:35.920
Because I know who your friends are.

02:38:35.920 --> 02:38:37.920
I went to school with you.

02:38:37.920 --> 02:38:42.489
Are there any other public comments?

02:38:42.489 --> 02:38:54.469
I'm Makia Sanders along with Tiffany Sanders. I own 404 and 402 Shawnee.

02:38:54.469 --> 02:39:07.469
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.

02:39:07.469 --> 02:39:10.469
And every time you open your mouth Wayne, you help me out.

02:39:10.469 --> 02:39:15.829
and you helped me out. You sat up there and told Monroe that you didn't get served a stop

02:39:15.829 --> 02:39:22.750
demolition order. That was a lie. If anybody want copies, I have the time, I have a video

02:39:22.750 --> 02:39:27.829
of speaking to you before you demoed my house, after I served you papers, stating that I

02:39:27.829 --> 02:39:29.870
served you papers, you're going to knock my house down anyway.

02:39:29.870 --> 02:39:37.559
And then you got to ask, like, why was it an emergency to knock that house down when

02:39:37.559 --> 02:39:39.760
you already had 10 approved?

02:39:39.760 --> 02:39:40.760
There was no fire.

02:39:40.760 --> 02:39:41.760
It was not falling down.

02:39:41.760 --> 02:39:45.200
It wasn't in, you know, the shape no motors was in passing recently.

02:39:45.200 --> 02:39:46.200
Don't know.

02:39:46.200 --> 02:39:47.200
That's one.

02:39:47.200 --> 02:39:48.840
Then I wanted to address the lighting issue.

02:39:48.840 --> 02:39:52.440
It disturbed me last time that I didn't get to comment.

02:39:52.440 --> 02:39:57.680
I was bothered by Stacy or by Joy saying she was safe.

02:39:57.680 --> 02:40:00.559
When did Oak Street become about you being safe?

02:40:00.559 --> 02:40:04.020
You don't even comment or you don't say anything about when people email you.

02:40:04.020 --> 02:40:05.639
You don't respond back.

02:40:05.639 --> 02:40:11.680
And then Miller, you addressed Stacy like why was it only a fifth word problem?

02:40:11.680 --> 02:40:13.680
She's a fifth word ultimate.

02:40:13.680 --> 02:40:14.940
You are the city of Freeport.

02:40:14.940 --> 02:40:19.799
I have not once heard you say you have circled any block in that neighborhood.

02:40:19.799 --> 02:40:21.319
And we became a distressed city.

02:40:21.319 --> 02:40:24.000
I'm not going to take the new name that y'all tried to soften up.

02:40:24.000 --> 02:40:29.340
We became a distressed city and y'all used the money to pretty up where you hang at by

02:40:29.340 --> 02:40:31.340
the Wagner house.

02:40:31.340 --> 02:40:34.920
Somebody got shot and I know for sure it was because of the light issue and they can't

02:40:34.920 --> 02:40:36.280
find the shooter.

02:40:36.280 --> 02:40:42.000
And I watched you go to an event where that family celebrated celebration of life and

02:40:42.000 --> 02:40:49.379
you used that statement, you attending that and smiling was diabolical to me.

02:40:49.379 --> 02:40:54.059
and this is the weakest display of leadership I've ever seen to wait and say let's become

02:40:54.059 --> 02:40:59.340
a distressed city, let's stand, let's wait till somebody else gets shot, beat up or killed.

02:40:59.340 --> 02:41:06.459
Just I mean, what the heck. Nice going. Y'all doing a real great job up here. Nobody likes

02:41:06.459 --> 02:41:09.829
you though.

02:41:09.829 --> 02:41:16.299
Next.

02:41:16.299 --> 02:41:18.940
I don't really have anything in particular to comment on.

02:41:18.940 --> 02:41:20.379
Can you identify yourself please?

02:41:20.379 --> 02:41:21.780
McKaya, Stacy, sorry.

02:41:22.860 --> 02:41:26.860
I moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa

02:41:26.860 --> 02:41:29.500
and spent four years there getting my degree.

02:41:29.500 --> 02:41:32.059
I recently went to Des Moines and talked to my friends

02:41:32.059 --> 02:41:34.819
that live in Des Moines, even one in a trailer park,

02:41:34.819 --> 02:41:36.639
and told them what's happening in Freeport.

02:41:36.639 --> 02:41:39.540
And they were flabbergasted at the least.

02:41:39.540 --> 02:41:40.659
I love this city.

02:41:40.659 --> 02:41:42.620
I wanna continue living in the city.

02:41:42.620 --> 02:41:46.379
I want people my age to not feel like we have to leave.

02:41:46.379 --> 02:41:48.739
So when there's little things about,

02:41:48.739 --> 02:41:54.620
Oh, shouldn't all the city get lights? Yeah. Duh. That's not the problem.

02:41:54.620 --> 02:41:59.299
The problem is we're focusing on all these small other petty things to be like,

02:41:59.299 --> 02:42:01.620
oh, look at our crime rate compared to Chicago.

02:42:01.620 --> 02:42:04.899
Look at the crime rate compared to Des Moines. I pulled it up.

02:42:04.899 --> 02:42:07.500
It is astonishing.

02:42:07.500 --> 02:42:10.739
And even downtown Des Moines lit up like a Christmas tree.

02:42:10.739 --> 02:42:13.340
And that helps. But even the trailer park my friend lives in,

02:42:13.340 --> 02:42:16.659
she could go stand on the street and I can see her in a trailer park.

02:42:16.659 --> 02:42:19.059
We can't do the same for our streets.

02:42:19.059 --> 02:42:21.260
I don't want to leave here again,

02:42:21.260 --> 02:42:24.180
but this council and the city in general

02:42:24.180 --> 02:42:27.540
is making it very hard to want to stay for my safety

02:42:27.540 --> 02:42:29.579
and the safety of my family.

02:42:29.579 --> 02:42:31.260
My mom has put roots down here.

02:42:31.260 --> 02:42:33.379
My brother may have put roots down here.

02:42:33.379 --> 02:42:36.379
I don't want to spend the rest of my nephew's life

02:42:36.379 --> 02:42:38.219
only seeing him once a month,

02:42:38.219 --> 02:42:42.139
like I did from 2020 to 2024.

02:42:42.139 --> 02:42:45.059
Can we please figure something out for the love of the city,

02:42:45.059 --> 02:42:51.299
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

02:42:51.459 --> 02:42:53.540
Please do something about this. Thank you

02:42:55.920 --> 02:42:57.920
Is there any other public comment Tommy?

02:43:10.309 --> 02:43:12.309
Holiday Inn is not open Tommy

02:43:13.350 --> 02:43:17.190
We are we are working on getting that one torn down as well. What about that Lincoln?

02:43:17.190 --> 02:43:34.590
We're working on demolishing that one as well, Tommy.

02:43:34.590 --> 02:43:40.870
That jersey mic was looking good, that's why I buy that.

02:43:40.870 --> 02:43:45.270
Jersey mic, yep, by the old GameStop, yep, we're still working on that one.

02:43:45.270 --> 02:43:47.430
I had a talk to our building inspector.

02:43:47.430 --> 02:43:49.469
They're full steam ahead on that one.

02:43:49.469 --> 02:43:52.629
So I hope you're hungry.

02:43:52.629 --> 02:43:55.629
Are there any other public comments?

02:43:55.629 --> 02:43:57.510
If not, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment.

02:43:57.510 --> 02:43:58.270
So move.

02:43:58.270 --> 02:43:59.069
Second.

02:43:59.069 --> 02:44:02.790
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Monroe,

02:44:02.790 --> 02:44:03.549
all those in favor.

02:44:03.549 --> 02:44:04.430
Oh, it has to be a vote.

02:44:04.430 --> 02:44:05.190
It has to be a vote.

02:44:05.190 --> 02:44:07.430
Simmons?

02:44:07.430 --> 02:44:08.270
Parker?

02:44:08.270 --> 02:44:08.770
Aye.

02:44:08.770 --> 02:44:09.270
Stacy?

02:44:12.750 --> 02:44:14.629
Sanders?

02:44:14.629 --> 02:44:15.190
Aye.

02:44:15.190 --> 02:44:18.989
Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye.