WEBVTT

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It's been both ways. It wakes me up in the night because it's too low, and then if I eat the wrong things it skyrockets.

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Good evening. Debbie could you please give the invocation this evening. Today's passage

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Bridge comes from Psalm 133.

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How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony, for harmony is as

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precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head and ran down his beard

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and onto the border of his robe.

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Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls from the mountain of Zion,

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and there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

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Friendly Father, we just thank you for today.

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We thank you for our community.

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We thank you for every elected official that is here this evening, and we thank you for

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our mayor.

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And Lord, we just ask that a spirit of unity fall upon our city council.

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May each member show genuine care for one another and build lasting relationships, even

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when they disagree.

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May they engage in honest conversation and praise in public and correct in private and

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then discover others' strengths and passions and share the credit where credit is due and

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speak vision and possibility for our community.

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Lord, we just thank you for this evening.

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We ask that your blessings fall upon the City Council.

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We thank you for unity, that you are the god of unity.

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You are the god of diversity and you are the god of peace and love.

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And so we just ask that our community, our city council will operate in love because

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that is the greatest thing of all.

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We just thank you in Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

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Amen.

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Thank you, Debbie.

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Debbie, we will now officially call this meeting to order.

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Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

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Miller, Alderpersons, Klemm, Monroe, Simmons, Absent, Parker, Stacy, Absent, Shadle, Sanders,

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and Sellers.

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If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Sanders.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for

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for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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Item number one is approval of the agenda and which will also include executive session

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on C1.

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Is there a motion to approve the agenda?

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So moved.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

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All those in favor signify by saying aye.

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Aye.

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Opposed?

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That motion passes.

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The item number two is approval from the minutes from the regular meeting on April 21st, 2024.

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Is there a motion to approve?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

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All those in favor signify by saying aye.

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Aye.

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Opposed?

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That motion passes.

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Public comments on agenda items would be Rhonda Scott, you have three minutes.

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Good evening.

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Tonight I'm here to address the council.

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I read over the annual budget report that was in the consent agenda, and I am asking

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you respectfully if you could remove that from the consent agenda and ask some questions.

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This is some of the things that I noticed.

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First the good things, the city revenue that the city spends on the general fund is only

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about 26 million, and I just wanted the public to know that, that we have a very tiny budget.

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and so what we do spend has to be very thoughtful and very productive and we need to be setting

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our priorities.

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So what I noticed was that very little of our budget comes from property taxes, only

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like three million.

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Sixteen million comes from state taxes, local taxes about 2.8 million.

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Some of the things that we're spending on the general fund are for police, fire, street,

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and

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John.

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I'm going to talk about the city development, all good things,

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all appropriate functions of government. One of the things I

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called into question, which I wish you would too, is that we

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are spending $654,000 on the airport. It only serves about

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1% of our community. We're spending a lot of our money.

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It's our fourth largest expense in the general fund.

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and the Greater Freeport Partnership Fund.

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You have to dig and find out what they're getting paid.

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So their money is coming from five TIF funds

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for an amount of 234,000,

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from the hotel motel tax for 280,000,

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and from a grant from the state of Illinois for 144,000.

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That's over 600,000.

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Once again, I've said this before,

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we get no return on what we spend on them,

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and that should be something that you ask about.

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Why that isn't a budget line item on the budget,

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the public cannot see what we are spending

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and you have to dig around to figure out

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how the money is secretly being pulled out to pay them.

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There's two more things on the budget

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I wish you would question.

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The EV chargers, you have budgeted $500,000 for EV chargers.

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When I came to the meeting,

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you were talking about spending 90,000 on a survey.

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Now you're going about to approve $500,000.

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And for safe streets, another bogus study that was done

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to look at traffic accidents and figure out

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how you could get a grant to fix stop signs

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and intersections, you are budgeting $450,000 on that.

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I want you to be aware of that.

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I hope you will ask questions of that

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before you simply and blindly just vote

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to accept the consent agenda.

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These are items that the public is paying for.

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We expect you to do your due diligence and respect you what we want, and so I'm letting

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you know and I will hope that you would pull this from the consent agenda.

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There's also a very minor thing, but the minutes from the Community Development Commission

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and the Zone Commission are six months late.

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That deserves an answer, too.

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And the next one is Ikea Sanders.

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How are you doing?

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My name is Ikea Sanders.

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I wanted to talk about number seven. Coming from a person that is frequently judged or

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ridiculed for whatever thing I do, the fact that we have to appoint somebody that's riding

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around drunk strangling women and have a domestic now that he is fighting, we don't know if

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he's going to go to prison. We don't know what decisions he's going to make. It's troubling

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that a couple of you, well more than a couple of you, actually voted for it. That just shows

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is that your whole oath for the people is of question.

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I don't know what kind of person would elect a drunk

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riding around strangling females.

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This could be your mother, daughter, sister, anybody else.

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I think that really needs to be looked at.

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And anybody that is for that,

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you guys really need to be looked at as well.

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Thank you.

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Madam Clerk, could you please reflect on the time that 608 Alderman Simmons arrived and

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I couldn't see the clock when Alderman Stacy arrived. I hope you caught that. 604.

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Thank you.

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So we'll move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda

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is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless a member of council

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would like to have something removed for further discussion.

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I would...

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Alderman Stacy?

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Yes, I would like to pull out a couple of things to have further...

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discussion on the city street improvement budget,

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the airport, the chargers, the safe street study,

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the minutes being six or seven months behind

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and the GFP budget report.

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Attorney Zio.

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Ollerman, Stacy, do you know which item, so on the agenda, the consent agenda has, you

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know, certain items listed on it.

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Do you know your items, what they fall under?

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No, I don't.

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And the pages weren't numbered, so I can't even give you page numbers.

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Okay.

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Do you know if it's in the finance department report or are they cash investment reports

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or?

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Madam Clerk, do you?

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In the upper right corner there is a corresponding label, so like in the corner of every page

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of the consent agenda it will say like 4A1A, those are the planning commission minutes.

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I don't have that information.

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The finance department report is like 4A2.

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Attorney Zito?

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So hyperlink to the agenda is the consent agenda that has all the pages that Clerk Anderson

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is referencing that has all the page numbering up in the upper right-hand corner.

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So it's a hyperlink to your agenda.

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Okay.

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Yeah.

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I understand that.

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Someone knows what these things are.

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I don't.

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Well, we discussed every line having to do with the budget.

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This is nothing that's new.

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And quite honestly, poor Tommy would not be prepared.

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is not here tonight. That would not be fair to ask him these questions. Can you call Michelle

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tomorrow to talk about your concerns? Not if we're going to vote on them tonight. Madam

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Clerk.

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And this is only approval to receive and place on file a report. You're not approving a budget.

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You're not approving any dollar expenditures. It's a report from the finance department

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from March. So it's all past history that we're just placing a report on file. You're

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not approving these expenditures. The approval would have been in the budget that Mayor Miller

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discussed. So the consent, this consent is just a report

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that we will evaluate before we actually consider it.

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That's what you're supposed to do. No, it's all going to be done if it's March.

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You kind of, so like A is approval to receive and place on file, B is a proclamation, C

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is an approval of finance bills.

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So C and D are approvals.

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But some of this falls against C and D. And so how can we continue to approve stuff that

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we don't?

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Well, I mean, so at the end of the day, I mean, I guess we need to know which items

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you want pulled for further discussion.

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I'm not sure that it's vital that it has to be on this consent agenda anyway. It could

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be on the next one if you wanted to ask the finance director in depth on those questions

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since we don't even know what you're asking.

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Well, can we just postpone this agenda for tonight?

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Consent agenda, no. We need to pass the approvals.

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Well, these reports don't have to be passed tonight. These are reports that are being

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question right that's what I'm there so if you want to just remove the approval

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to receive in place on file a two three that's that's acceptable if you want to

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if you want to look further into it Darren do you have a comment on that the

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item she's referenced in our is 482 they're all in the finance department

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it's the budget report yeah it just shows the budget line item and what they

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Expenditure is for the fiscal year in total.

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So Alderman Stacey, would you just

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like to pull item A2 until you can have a chance

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to speak with the finance director?

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I'm not sure what.

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Sure.

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OK, so our ordinance says that any council member can

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have some discussion there without a vote, necessarily.

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So I don't think we necessarily need that there,

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because it'll just show back up on the next meetings agenda to approve this report.

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So I can just read the consent agenda without that item, correct.

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Okay.

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Okay, so then the consent agenda is to receive and place on file the minutes from the Boards and Commissions for Planning Commission dated July 11th, October 10th, November 14th, December 12th, 2024,

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for January 9th, February 13th, March 13th, 2025.

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The Zoning Board of Appeals, October 3rd, November 7th,

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December 5th, 2024, January 2nd, February 6th,

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and March 6th, 2025.

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And the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners,

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March 5th and 25th for 2025.

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Also is the Cash and Investment Report

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and the Building Permit Report for March 2025.

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The Greater Freeport Partnerships Monthly Report

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I have questions about that one.

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for five, I have questions pertaining to.

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Now, if that falls under the budget report, then okay.

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It does not.

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So there is someone here from the partnership

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that maybe could answer your question

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if that's what you're asking.

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I have questions.

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So is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

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No, moved.

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Second.

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A motion made by Alderman Parker,

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seconded by Alderman Shadle, discussion?

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Okay, and Tommy, I'm sorry, you may not know this, but I'm trying to figure out why is

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there no line item for GFP?

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Okay, so is that under the heading of Finance Department report?

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Budget reports.

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Right, so I took that off, so that's not on there.

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So if you'd like to have those questions at any time in the next several weeks, you have

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and Stacey.

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We have that ability to call and ask that.

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So it's not even on there.

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I just thought you just said this.

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It's not even on there.

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We took it off.

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Okay.

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Cecelia.

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Alderman Stacey, the item that you, when we came down and she read Greater Freeport Partnership

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Monthly Report, you said you had questions on that.

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So that's on the report that has enough on their monthly report to the city, not necessarily

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the question that you just asked them was about why is there no whatever, that topic

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because under the finance report, which was taken off there.

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Now, if you have a question about their monthly report

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to the city, that's what number five is there.

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Okay.

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Okay, all right.

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So there's no further discussion.

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Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

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Sanders.

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What are we voting on?

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The consent agenda minus A2,

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which is the finance department report for March.

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Everything else we're voting on.

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Yes.

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Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. And Shadle? Aye.

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The consent agenda is approved 7 to 1. Since there's a lot of reading I have to cheat on

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my classes. Okay, so on behalf of the City of Freeport I'd like to read the following

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proclamation. Whereas the Greater Freeport Partnership works on behalf of Freeport and

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and Stevenson County as the tourism partner to promote.

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Pryport, and across the United States by generating $4.3 billion in Illinois tax revenue in 2024

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to support essential services such as education, emergency response, public safety, and more.

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And whereas, travel enables success for all industries, including manufacturing, agriculture,

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:54.880
defense, healthcare, and more, by driving sales growth, innovation, education, and operations

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:58.400
that power our economy, our nation, and Freeport.

00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:00.240
And whereas Freeport in Stevenson County

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:03.880
generated $53 million in tourism spending

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:06.799
with local retailers, restaurants, transportation

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.640
expenses, and lodging.

00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:12.160
And whereas small businesses account for more than 60%

00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:14.599
of leisure and hospitality employment.

00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:16.960
And whereas hospitality and tourism

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:20.319
rank 10th among employment sectors in Illinois.

00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:22.720
And whereas travel is an essential industry

00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:26.079
and we must continue to communicate that growing travel

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.920
leads to economic growth, benefits businesses,

00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:32.319
fosters mutual understanding and connects the nation.

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.680
Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller,

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:35.599
Mayor of the City of Freeport declare

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:39.140
May 4th through the 10th, 2025 as National Travel

00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:41.380
and Tourism Week in the City of Freeport

00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:44.240
and urge our residents to join in recognizing

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:49.529
the essential role this industry plays in our economy.

00:21:49.529 --> 00:21:59.480
Thank you.

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:01.079
Wanna say a few words?

00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:03.079
She said plenty in that proclamation.

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:09.559
I'll let it stand with that, thank you.

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:20.889
And then United Way, thank you.

00:22:20.889 --> 00:22:24.529
So on behalf of the city, this is United Way

00:22:24.529 --> 00:22:29.529
of Northwest Illinois' 75th anniversary day.

00:22:29.529 --> 00:22:32.289
So whereas the United Way of Northwest Illinois

00:22:32.289 --> 00:22:37.289
was established in 1950 as the Freeport Community Chest,

00:22:37.569 --> 00:22:39.849
uniting citizens and civic organizations

00:22:39.849 --> 00:22:42.009
under the principle that working together

00:22:42.009 --> 00:22:45.029
we can accomplish so much more for our community.

00:22:45.029 --> 00:22:48.710
And whereas for 75 years, the United Way of Northwest

00:22:48.710 --> 00:22:51.730
Illinois has been a leader in providing human and financial

00:22:51.730 --> 00:22:55.170
resources to address health and human service needs,

00:22:55.170 --> 00:22:58.230
improving the quality of life in Joe Davis, Stevenson,

00:22:58.230 --> 00:22:59.650
and Carroll counties.

00:22:59.650 --> 00:23:02.650
And whereas the partnership between the community at large

00:23:02.650 --> 00:23:04.930
and the United Way of Northwest Illinois

00:23:04.930 --> 00:23:09.889
includes an emphasis on longstanding community solutions

00:23:09.889 --> 00:23:13.670
in youth opportunities, financial security,

00:23:13.670 --> 00:23:16.450
healthy communities, and community resiliency

00:23:16.450 --> 00:23:19.549
through charitable giving and volunteering engagement.

00:23:19.549 --> 00:23:22.190
And whereas the United Way of Northwest Illinois

00:23:22.190 --> 00:23:25.069
has demonstrated a commitment to community impact

00:23:25.069 --> 00:23:27.789
by mobilizing the caring power of communities

00:23:27.789 --> 00:23:30.230
to create lasting and measurable change.

00:23:30.230 --> 00:23:33.490
And whereas the residents of Freeport benefit greatly,

00:23:35.589 --> 00:23:38.150
assistance and services from the United Way

00:23:38.150 --> 00:23:44.309
and many other United Way of Northwest Illinois partner agencies and whereas this celebration

00:23:44.309 --> 00:23:50.230
will provide the opportunity for residents to reflect on the United Way of Northwest Illinois's

00:23:50.230 --> 00:23:56.549
accomplishments over the past 75 years and join United Way in continuing to build our success

00:23:56.549 --> 00:24:01.509
and move into our next 75 years. Now therefore I, Jodi Miller, Mayor of the City of Freeport,

00:24:01.509 --> 00:24:08.789
to hereby declare May 5th, 2025 as the United Way of Northwest Illinois' 75th Anniversary Day

00:24:08.789 --> 00:24:13.110
in the city of Freeport and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the

00:24:13.110 --> 00:24:18.389
significant contributions of the United Way of Northwest Illinois in our community over the past

00:24:18.389 --> 00:24:36.799
75 years. Thank you Mayor Miller, council members for all being here. I've always said there's one

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:42.160
board and one thing I will never do and it's sit on a city council or a school board. So thank you

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:46.079
Thank you all for your time and your efforts in making sure that the city is run smoothly

00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:49.139
and for the benefit of our community.

00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:52.860
On behalf of United Way of Northwest Illinois, I'm Connie Kraft, United Way of Northwest

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:54.680
Illinois Executive Director.

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:59.200
I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for this evening's proclamation recognizing

00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:01.819
our 75th anniversary.

00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:07.180
It's an honor to be acknowledged by the City of Freeport as we celebrate this milestone.

00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:11.759
For 75 years, United Way has stood alongside this community, bringing people together,

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.759
and

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:18.759
our mission has always been to improve lives by mobilizing the

00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:24.759
caring power of our community. This proclamation is more than a

00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:28.759
recognition of our history. It's a tribute to every partner,

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:33.759
volunteer, donor and neighbor who believed that united is the

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:37.759
way. It reflects the strength of collaboration between

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:39.880
It reflects the strength of collaboration

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.920
between organizations like ours

00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:46.240
and the leaders who serve our community, you.

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.960
Thank you for your continued support

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:50.160
and for helping us mark this special moment.

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:52.000
Together, we look forward to building

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.980
an even stronger future for the next 75 years,

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:57.680
which I hope to see all of you here for.

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.799
So, thank you all.

00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.639
Thank you.

00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:05.960
Well, that's not gonna happen, but thank you.

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.279
Juliette, if you can join me,

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:11.789
and whoever else you'd like to have come up.

00:26:11.789 --> 00:26:14.250
for World Migratory Bird Day.

00:26:14.250 --> 00:26:17.650
So whereas migratory birds are some of the most beautiful

00:26:17.650 --> 00:26:20.650
and easily observed wildlife that share our communities,

00:26:20.650 --> 00:26:24.349
and whereas these migrant species also play

00:26:24.349 --> 00:26:26.809
an important economic role in our community,

00:26:26.809 --> 00:26:29.329
controlling insect pests and generating millions

00:26:29.329 --> 00:26:31.970
in recreational dollars statewide.

00:26:31.970 --> 00:26:34.529
And whereas migratory birds and their habitats

00:26:34.529 --> 00:26:36.670
are declining throughout the Americas,

00:26:36.670 --> 00:26:39.690
facing a growing number of threats on their migration routes

00:26:39.690 --> 00:26:42.529
in both their summer and winter homes.

00:26:42.529 --> 00:26:44.769
And whereas public awareness and concern

00:26:44.769 --> 00:26:48.529
are crucial components of migratory bird conservation.

00:26:48.529 --> 00:26:51.610
And whereas citizens enthusiastic about birds,

00:26:51.610 --> 00:26:53.769
informed about the threats that they face,

00:26:53.769 --> 00:26:55.889
and empowered to help address these threats,

00:26:55.889 --> 00:26:57.970
can directly contribute to maintaining

00:26:57.970 --> 00:26:59.930
healthy bird populations.

00:26:59.930 --> 00:27:03.710
And whereas since 1993, World Migratory Bird Day

00:27:03.710 --> 00:27:07.369
has become a primary vehicle for focusing public attention

00:27:07.369 --> 00:27:10.250
on the nearly 350 species that travel

00:27:10.250 --> 00:27:12.569
between nesting habitats in our communities

00:27:12.569 --> 00:27:15.809
and throughout North America

00:27:15.809 --> 00:27:18.769
and their wintering grounds in South and Central America,

00:27:18.769 --> 00:27:21.950
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Southern United States.

00:27:21.950 --> 00:27:24.650
And whereas, while World Migratory Bird Day

00:27:24.650 --> 00:27:28.210
officially is held each year on the second Saturday of May,

00:27:28.210 --> 00:27:30.769
its observance is not limited to a single day,

00:27:30.769 --> 00:27:33.289
and planners are encouraged to schedule activities

00:27:33.289 --> 00:27:36.569
on the dates best suited to the presence

00:27:36.569 --> 00:27:38.410
of both migrants and celebrants.

00:27:38.410 --> 00:27:41.450
And whereas since World Migratory Bird Day

00:27:41.450 --> 00:27:44.990
is not only a day to foster appreciation for wild birds

00:27:44.990 --> 00:27:48.230
and to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation,

00:27:48.230 --> 00:27:50.369
but it's also a call to action.

00:27:50.369 --> 00:27:52.450
So now therefore, I, Jodi Miller, Mayor of the city

00:27:52.450 --> 00:27:55.769
of Freeport do hereby declare May 10th, 2025

00:27:55.769 --> 00:27:58.529
as World Migratory Bird Day in the city of Freeport.

00:27:58.529 --> 00:28:02.490
And I urge all of our citizens support efforts

00:28:02.490 --> 00:28:04.470
to protect these migratory birds

00:28:04.470 --> 00:28:06.490
and their habitats in our community.

00:28:06.490 --> 00:28:23.500
you want to say a few things that would be great you don't have to thank you

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:27.059
mayor the Northwest Illinois Bird and Nature Alliance in partnership with the

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:30.860
Freeport Park District and University of Illinois extension will host the fifth

00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:35.820
annual world migratory bird day event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 10th at

00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:39.380
Oakdale Nature Preserve the theme for this year's event is shared spaces

00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:42.539
creating bird friendly cities and communities which is a global theme

00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:46.019
determined by the organization environment for the Americas this year

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:52.759
Knoll, Hattie, Casey, Mel, David, and

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:54.259
Anthony.

00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:59.679
As communities expand, migratory birds face growing challenges, native habitat shrink,

00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:04.320
noise and light pollution escalate and domestic pets disturb and prey on a variety of species.

00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:08.480
We can all take steps to protect migratory birds that visit our communities, whether

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:13.320
they are nesting, overwintering or stopping to rest and refuel along their incredible

00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:14.320
journeys.

00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:17.519
Rainer Shine event with the use of the Oakdale Pavilion and the various trails

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:21.000
including the accessible trail. The entire event is free and open to the

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:25.200
public. Northern Illinois Raptory have an education will bring live birds of prey

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:29.159
for two hours for a meet-and-greet. Bird and Nature Alliance members will lead

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:33.639
hourly hikes at 10, 11, and 12 to birdwatch around the trails. There will be an

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:37.720
obstacle course and stations with educational games and crafts. Volunteers

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:41.320
in extension will have matching games and crafts plus a bird scavenger hunt.

00:29:41.320 --> 00:29:46.159
Schmidt, local artist, Jamie Elliott, will have bird watercolor and other crafts.

00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:49.840
There will be free giveaways to all participants while supplies last.

00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:53.960
As part of the latest resolution passed by the city council in November of 2024, a world

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.960
migratory bird day event is required as part of the resolution.

00:29:55.960 --> 00:30:06.079
We continue to thank the city for their support in the celebration and conservation of birds.

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:07.079
Thank you.

00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:14.509
Thank you, Julia.

00:30:14.509 --> 00:30:19.710
And with that, we move on to item number six, which is the explanation of a removal of Joshua

00:30:19.710 --> 00:30:21.990
Atkinson from the Planning Commission.

00:30:21.990 --> 00:30:25.349
Is there a motion to place on the floor for discussion?

00:30:25.349 --> 00:30:28.190
I make a motion.

00:30:28.190 --> 00:30:29.190
You don't need a motion.

00:30:29.190 --> 00:30:30.509
I don't need a motion? No.

00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:39.680
To Robert's rules, I think a motion would would be in order here just to get it on the floor for discussion.

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:43.400
State the Robert's rule that that falls under.

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:45.279
Well, I think that's any like any of our.

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:48.920
Any two alter persons may place anything on the agenda for a conversation.

00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:51.200
We don't need a motion to have a conversation about.

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.599
Motion is to put it on the floor.

00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:54.000
Just to have it right.

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.920
Just to bring it on the floor for discussion.

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:57.759
We've never done that in four years.

00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:01.759
Generally discussions are on the cow.

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:05.759
It's kind of a different scenario.

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:09.759
Do we have a motion? I believe Alderman Stacy, did you make that motion?

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:13.759
Yes, I have to if we're going to discuss it.

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.759
And the second?

00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:21.279
I second it.

00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:23.279
Did my voice change?

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:25.279
And seconded by Alderman Sanders?

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:28.619
Madam Mayor?

00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:32.579
Alderman Shadle?

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:37.380
Shadel. This has been discussed several times already. I would make a motion to

00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:44.339
table this indefinitely. Second. So we have a motion on the floor made by

00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:53.779
Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker to table indefinitely. Discussion

00:31:53.779 --> 00:32:04.809
discussion on the motion to table. I put this on the agenda and so I don't know

00:32:04.809 --> 00:32:06.809
and

00:32:08.049 --> 00:32:10.049
John.

00:32:11.569 --> 00:32:13.610
I'm not sure if you know what right do any other

00:32:13.610 --> 00:32:17.690
older person have just to take it off.

00:32:18.690 --> 00:32:22.000
Yeah, me too. I like to know that myself.

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:26.000
Go ahead.

00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:29.319
So they're not taking it off. So the agenda is on the agenda.

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:32.319
So they didn't take it off the agenda.

00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:35.420
So when the agenda item was called now, they made a motion

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:37.420
to table it indefinitely.

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:44.099
Oh, okay. Everybody else does, but I wonder why I can't on the floor.

00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.099
Larry.

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:47.980
Would you like to have the floor to discuss, Alderman Sanders?

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.980
Let's just take the vote.

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:52.059
All right. Yeah, we're just going to vote.

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:58.759
Okay, so the motion on the floor is to table indefinitely. If there's no further discussion,

00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:01.119
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.119
Sanders?

00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:03.119
No.

00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:04.119
Sellers?

00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:05.119
Aye.

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:06.119
Klemm?

00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:07.119
Aye.

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.119
Monroe?

00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:09.119
No.

00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.119
Simmons?

00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:18.839
Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. We have a tie at four to four. Madam Miller? No, she can't do it. Well,

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:23.880
like Alderman Shadle said, this has been discussed. I'm sorry, you're out of order. Please,

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:28.279
please refrain from speaking. You're out of order. Well, that's a conflict of interest if it happens.

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:33.480
Alderman Sanders, consider that your warning. Yeah, well. Consider that your warning. If you

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:39.720
choose to continue to be disruptive and go outside of the order of decorum, then I will ask the chief

00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.720
Miller.

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:45.839
I will gladly call on you if you have the floor.

00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:47.319
Are you threatening me, Mayor?

00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:49.759
No, I will gladly call on you when you have the floor.

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.759
Okay?

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.759
I just want to know.

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:54.680
So the question is up to me on.

00:33:54.680 --> 00:34:06.670
Okay, so to finish that, I would have to agree with Alderman Shadle, his motion of this has

00:34:06.670 --> 00:34:09.389
been discussed multiple times.

00:34:09.389 --> 00:34:13.190
And so with that, I agree with that motion.

00:34:13.190 --> 00:34:49.909
and the motion passes 5-4. It has not been discussed multiple times. It was on the agenda for the first time the last Monday of April and how convenient that you weren't here to answer the question then and even more convenient

00:34:49.909 --> 00:34:53.639
deGrasse, and Jeremy, all of the students.

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:59.320
We have worked hard to bring this

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:02.500
together, to begin, to table it forever.

00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:07.099
≫ Well, let me just clarify what you just said.

00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:10.720
It was on the agenda for April 14th.

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:17.050
It was on the agenda for April 21st, so this would make it the

00:35:17.050 --> 00:35:19.050
third time.

00:35:20.349 --> 00:35:22.150
If you think I'm conveniently avoiding, I was in the hospital,

00:35:22.150 --> 00:35:24.150
so thank you for your concern.

00:35:24.150 --> 00:35:28.150
planning commission and is there a motion to place this on the floor for discussion?

00:35:28.150 --> 00:35:37.449
So it can just be tabled again? Is there a motion to place this on the floor for

00:35:37.449 --> 00:35:43.529
discussion? A motion to place it on the floor. I second. We have a motion made by

00:35:43.529 --> 00:35:49.170
Alderman Stacey, seconded by Alderman Simmons. Madam Mayor. Alderman Shadle. This

00:35:49.170 --> 00:35:53.329
having been discussed before I would make a motion to table indefinitely.

00:35:53.329 --> 00:35:54.329
Second.

00:35:54.329 --> 00:36:01.090
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker to table indefinitely.

00:36:01.090 --> 00:36:05.010
So discussion on the table indefinitely motion.

00:36:05.010 --> 00:36:10.710
Alderman, yeah, Alderman Sellers.

00:36:10.710 --> 00:36:16.630
I mean the explanations, do you think that you can go and just have something in the

00:36:16.630 --> 00:36:23.470
conference room privately and talk about it if there's something that, I just want to

00:36:23.470 --> 00:36:45.710
We did not have conversation because the mayor was not here to render the conversation.

00:36:45.710 --> 00:36:48.829
And my phone is on 24-7.

00:36:48.829 --> 00:36:49.829
You were in the hospital.

00:36:49.829 --> 00:36:52.550
Yeah, but we talked about it before, that's what I'm saying.

00:36:52.550 --> 00:36:59.550
Yeah, we talked about it, but she was not present to answer the questions.

00:36:59.550 --> 00:37:05.590
And there was no resolution in addition to all of the conversations we've been having.

00:37:05.590 --> 00:37:08.070
So we do need resolutions.

00:37:08.070 --> 00:37:10.550
Alderman Stacy, did you have a piece on that?

00:37:10.550 --> 00:37:11.789
Yes.

00:37:11.789 --> 00:37:22.239
You know, to the constituents, the people of this fine city, I hope you see what is

00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:29.239
is happening right before you in your faces.

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:36.679
We know how to avoid and how to table things

00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:40.760
that we don't want to deal with.

00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:42.079
And it doesn't make it right.

00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:45.199
It doesn't make it fair.

00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:47.720
But it is what it is.

00:37:47.720 --> 00:37:53.260
So I work for the people.

00:37:53.260 --> 00:38:00.720
so I've tried to get answers for you

00:38:00.720 --> 00:38:04.500
and you see with your own eyes what I'm dealing with.

00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:07.480
Who's for it, who's against it,

00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:15.320
who battles with me every opportunity they get.

00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:18.239
If there's no further discussion on tabling indefinitely.

00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:22.699
Madam Clerk, please, Alderman Sanders.

00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:25.920
Yeah, what are you considering to table again?

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:30.119
But no, what I want to do is get at the,

00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:40.960
the ruts of this this motion to reconsider and we're not on that item oh

00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:46.519
you're not on that item you can only speak on being tabled okay so we must

00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:52.320
will take the vote all right madam clerk please take the role on

00:38:52.320 --> 00:39:01.480
tabling indefinitely Sanders no Sellers Clem Monroe no Simmons no

00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:08.920
Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. We're tied at four to four. Mayor, what say you?

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:15.159
And again, this appointment was approved on April 7th, discussed on the 14th, and

00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:19.400
on the 21st. Third time this would make it number four, so I would have to agree.

00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:27.679
My vote is aye. Good job. The motion passes for tabling five to four. And please know

00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:34.039
know that public comment outbursts will not be tolerated either.

00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:43.159
Item number eight is a motion to reconsider the motion to resent advice and consent of

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:50.039
the council to the appointment of Dustin Wilkinson to the Planning Commission.

00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:54.199
is there a motion to place this on this motion, right?

00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:56.260
on the floor this motion right a motion to reconsider to reconsider is there a

00:39:56.260 --> 00:40:04.599
motion to reconsider attorney zero and just for remind ounce we made by someone

00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:15.010
on the prevailing side from the last vote okay that's never happened before

00:40:15.010 --> 00:40:20.250
on a motion to reconsider it's happened every single time so a motion to

00:40:20.250 --> 00:40:23.909
reconsider is have to be made by some a party that was on the prevailing side in

00:40:23.909 --> 00:40:28.909
in this particular case, the prevailing side was the no vote.

00:40:28.949 --> 00:40:32.869
So someone who was on that prevailing side that voted no

00:40:32.869 --> 00:40:35.909
has to make the motion to reconsider.

00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:54.780
So on the original, at the last council meeting,

00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:57.800
the motion to rescind was made and it was seconded.

00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:01.420
So a motion to rescind the advice and consent.

00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:05.139
And those that voted yes were Monroe, Stacey, and Sanders.

00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:10.019
Those that voted no were Klemm, Parker, Shadle, and Sellers. Therefore, the motion failed.

00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:15.840
So the prevailing side was the fail. It did not get approved. So on a motion to reconsider

00:41:15.840 --> 00:41:21.260
now the motion to reconsider has to be made by a party that was on the prevailing side.

00:41:21.260 --> 00:41:26.780
So the motion has to be made by either Klemm, Parker, Shadle, or Sellers.

00:41:26.780 --> 00:41:33.420
So why when we dealt with the bike ramp and we voted no and won, they turned around, put

00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:36.699
and I'm going to be back on the agenda and we didn't go through all this hollow

00:41:36.699 --> 00:41:40.860
balloon. Because that time it wasn't on the immediately following city council

00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:45.739
meeting. Oh okay well it'll be back. And and I explained that to you on the phone

00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:50.699
over the weekend. No you did not say. I said a motion to reconsider. I said a motion to

00:41:50.699 --> 00:41:56.139
rescind can be put back on at the second meeting in May is what I told you but if

00:41:56.139 --> 00:42:00.739
you wanted on this meeting it had to be a motion to reconsider. Attorney Zito you

00:42:00.739 --> 00:42:01.739
Fowler.

00:42:01.739 --> 00:42:03.739
You gave me that piece of information.

00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:09.420
But the important part that you left would be one of the no's would have to say yes.

00:42:09.420 --> 00:42:11.579
I guess I'm just supposed to know that.

00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.579
Well, honestly.

00:42:12.579 --> 00:42:13.579
Right now, maybe I should have.

00:42:13.579 --> 00:42:14.579
Well, I guess I didn't.

00:42:14.579 --> 00:42:18.980
I see how you are, Attorney C. I guess I didn't tell you because you guys all went through

00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:21.980
the Robert's Rules training here.

00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:26.019
And I went over the motions to reconsider have to be made by someone on the prevailing

00:42:26.019 --> 00:42:29.739
side.

00:42:29.739 --> 00:42:30.739
Okay.

00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:31.739
So it's not going to happen.

00:42:31.739 --> 00:42:32.739
So moving on.

00:42:32.739 --> 00:42:39.380
Alderman, Monroe. Yes, may I ask you a question? What was the final vote total in that?

00:42:41.300 --> 00:42:54.070
On the motion, the rescind motion, it failed three to four. Okay, thank you. Yeah, okay.

00:42:55.670 --> 00:43:00.630
We will move on to item number nine, which is the second reading of ordinance 202525. Could you

00:43:00.630 --> 00:43:07.110
please read this? Ordinance approving special use permit application at 1601 1645 Southwest Avenue,

00:43:07.190 --> 00:43:32.469
We're here for the second reading of this ordinance.

00:43:32.469 --> 00:43:35.630
The first reading was done April 21st.

00:43:35.630 --> 00:43:37.829
I've received a special use permit application

00:43:37.829 --> 00:43:40.730
from Family Dollar LLC for a packaged liquor store

00:43:40.730 --> 00:43:45.730
selling alcoholic beverages at 1601-1645 Southwest Avenue.

00:43:46.550 --> 00:43:48.869
That's the current Family Dollar.

00:43:48.869 --> 00:43:51.469
The petitioner is applying for a packaged liquor.

00:43:52.309 --> 00:43:55.230
On April 3rd, 2025, the Zoning Board of Appeals

00:43:55.230 --> 00:43:58.829
recommended approval of the vote by seven yeas,

00:43:58.829 --> 00:44:00.389
zero nays, zero abstentions.

00:44:00.389 --> 00:44:03.150
And on April 10th, the Planning Commission

00:44:03.150 --> 00:44:06.309
recommended approval of this ordinance

00:44:06.309 --> 00:44:10.309
by a vote of eight yeas, zero nays, and zero abstentions.

00:44:10.309 --> 00:44:14.429
And staff recommends approval of the special use permit

00:44:14.429 --> 00:44:19.429
at 1601-1645 Southwest Avenue, Family Dollar.

00:44:19.429 --> 00:44:20.670
Thank you.

00:44:20.670 --> 00:44:22.710
Discussion on the Family Dollar.

00:44:22.710 --> 00:44:25.869
Alderman Sanders.

00:44:25.869 --> 00:44:30.409
Yes, can I ask you, you did a survey report,

00:44:30.409 --> 00:44:33.529
am I correct to determine the parameters,

00:44:33.529 --> 00:44:38.529
whether or not this liquor silk to happen at this location?

00:44:43.289 --> 00:44:47.610
Have we done a survey to determine whether they're in bounds

00:44:47.610 --> 00:44:50.449
or out of bounds of the parameters statues

00:44:50.449 --> 00:44:55.449
of the zoning board or the zoning of this location

00:44:55.849 --> 00:44:58.210
to make sure that it is in?

00:44:58.210 --> 00:45:03.050
it is definitely in the proper location of the zone

00:45:03.050 --> 00:45:05.289
to do a look or so.

00:45:05.289 --> 00:45:06.570
It is proper.

00:45:06.570 --> 00:45:08.769
It is in the correct zoning.

00:45:08.769 --> 00:45:11.750
The special use that we're here for

00:45:11.750 --> 00:45:14.449
that makes it the correct zoning.

00:45:14.449 --> 00:45:16.369
So we had the public hearing

00:45:16.369 --> 00:45:17.809
where everyone was able to come

00:45:17.809 --> 00:45:19.929
and say whether they wanted it there or not.

00:45:20.809 --> 00:45:22.690
No objections.

00:45:22.690 --> 00:45:23.690
No objections.

00:45:23.690 --> 00:45:26.380
Okay.

00:45:26.380 --> 00:45:28.039
There's no further discussion, Madam Clerk.

00:45:28.039 --> 00:45:38.039
Do individual businesses all have to have their own license and their own permit?

00:45:38.039 --> 00:45:48.039
For liquor sales, yes. So liquor licenses are handled by the clerk's office and they all require a license.

00:45:48.039 --> 00:45:57.320
So when you list everything like restaurants, taverns, we're just talking about a convenience store, am I correct?

00:45:57.320 --> 00:46:02.119
this is for the package yeah so this is for the package liquor store so that

00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:07.000
would be they're just basically they're adding two coolers for beer one for beer

00:46:07.000 --> 00:46:14.760
one for wine so this is allowing for the zoning to give them permission to sell

00:46:14.760 --> 00:46:24.559
that liquor thank you all remember no thank you madam mayor you know this this

00:46:24.559 --> 00:46:31.599
This is one that's a very challenging conversation, mainly because nobody really wants to talk

00:46:31.599 --> 00:46:39.199
about all of the issues that surround alcohol in various wards and parts of the city.

00:46:39.199 --> 00:46:45.400
In the western part of the city, we have several stores that shut down certain doors, certain

00:46:45.400 --> 00:46:51.639
parts of their business, so they don't have theft, they don't have smashing grabs, they

00:46:51.639 --> 00:46:54.480
they don't have those types of things.

00:46:54.480 --> 00:46:56.880
I've actually been in Sullivan's one night

00:46:56.880 --> 00:47:01.000
when somebody stole alcohol out of there

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:05.639
and it presents a big issue for the city of Freeport

00:47:05.639 --> 00:47:07.519
and for the businesses in general.

00:47:07.519 --> 00:47:09.400
And if you don't have the staffing

00:47:09.400 --> 00:47:13.760
to truly watch it and protect it,

00:47:13.760 --> 00:47:17.279
you really create an issue where that business,

00:47:17.279 --> 00:47:21.239
if they have one, maybe two people working at a time,

00:47:21.239 --> 00:47:34.239
and others, and we have a lot of information that that threat of theft and robbery, those types of things can occur, and it puts not just the store employees at risk, it puts the general public at risk as well.

00:47:34.239 --> 00:47:49.239
We have plenty of locations on the west side of Freeport, especially along the Galeena corridor, that sell alcohol, beer, wine, liquor, you know, all of it from restaurants to convenience stores to liquor stores to stores, we have a lot of information.

00:47:49.239 --> 00:47:50.239
Huffines.

00:47:50.239 --> 00:47:59.639
This is one that probably, in my opinion, is just a grab to try to get more money out

00:47:59.639 --> 00:48:01.000
of businesses locally.

00:48:01.000 --> 00:48:03.360
It doesn't really bring anything to the city of Freeport.

00:48:03.360 --> 00:48:07.119
It's something that we should not vote yes on.

00:48:07.119 --> 00:48:13.159
We should look at this as it stands and, you know, Family Dollar does sell a lot of great

00:48:13.159 --> 00:48:14.159
things.

00:48:14.159 --> 00:48:18.440
Do we really need to have alcohol in a Family Dollar store?

00:48:18.440 --> 00:48:19.440
Miller.

00:48:19.440 --> 00:48:33.279
We've already got enough crime on the west side of town that's been very rapidly moving

00:48:33.279 --> 00:48:34.279
in.

00:48:34.279 --> 00:48:37.920
We had a shots incident today.

00:48:37.920 --> 00:48:41.559
This is becoming a big problem in Freeport.

00:48:41.559 --> 00:48:42.559
and others.

00:48:42.559 --> 00:48:49.159
It's not just liquor, it's drugs, it's domestic violence, it's all of those things and alcohol

00:48:49.159 --> 00:48:54.639
plays a major role and I'm sure the chief of police would be willing to say alcohol is

00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:57.960
a major contributing factor to domestic violence in this community.

00:48:57.960 --> 00:49:01.920
The mayor seems to support it but that's a whole other issue.

00:49:01.920 --> 00:49:05.279
What I would say, I don't need more alcohol in my neighborhood.

00:49:05.279 --> 00:49:10.519
We've got enough, we've got enough places to buy it and we should end it at that.

00:49:10.519 --> 00:49:20.239
I just want to clarify this is for Family Dollar. This is on West Avenue. So this is across

00:49:20.239 --> 00:49:24.720
the street from Cubs. Cubs. Yep. Sorry. I was thinking the other one. Dollar General.

00:49:24.720 --> 00:49:28.840
I get confused. Yep. Just wanted to clarify that, that the location is Family Dollar.

00:49:28.840 --> 00:49:33.559
Thank you. Alderman Parker. I just wanted to say that why should Family Dollar have to

00:49:33.559 --> 00:49:38.159
lose sales because Cub food across the street sells it. Give their customers or in their

00:49:38.159 --> 00:49:42.360
Bion, the opportunity. Otherwise, saying, oh, I'm going to run across the street. I

00:49:42.360 --> 00:49:46.000
think they deserve it as much as any place.

00:49:46.000 --> 00:49:47.000
Alderman Sanders.

00:49:47.000 --> 00:49:52.000
Well, the thing that bothers me is the protocol for security.

00:49:52.000 --> 00:49:55.000
and I, and I'm going to talk about the protocol for security

00:49:55.000 --> 00:50:00.000
and protection from theft and of any nature, whether it's cup

00:50:03.000 --> 00:50:06.000
food, whether it's family dollar, protocol, protection,

00:50:06.000 --> 00:50:10.000
security, and all of these things are in place to make sure

00:50:10.000 --> 00:50:16.000
that they're minimizing any possibility of children or mid

00:50:16.000 --> 00:50:17.000
and John.

00:50:17.000 --> 00:50:20.960
So, I think we need to do something about creating theft because without all of the mechanisms

00:50:20.960 --> 00:50:29.119
in place, have we done an examination to make that happen, to make sure that either of those

00:50:29.119 --> 00:50:37.800
safeguards are put in place, then I don't think we should allow some store or business

00:50:37.800 --> 00:50:44.039
or whatever that can't govern their own store when it comes to liquor, because liquor is

00:50:44.039 --> 00:50:45.880
is a whole different category.

00:50:45.880 --> 00:50:49.400
And then you heighten the risk of problems

00:50:49.400 --> 00:50:52.719
coming into your area and the store itself.

00:50:52.719 --> 00:50:55.639
So I just wanted to know what are the protocols

00:50:55.639 --> 00:50:58.320
that has been put in place that we can

00:50:59.280 --> 00:51:01.920
make a good assessment on whether or not

00:51:01.920 --> 00:51:05.760
this is good for this community, especially in my district.

00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:07.360
This thing is in my district,

00:51:07.360 --> 00:51:09.960
so I don't wanna hear all the riff raff

00:51:09.960 --> 00:51:12.440
and all of the noise about

00:51:12.440 --> 00:51:13.440
and John.

00:51:13.440 --> 00:51:15.039
Why didn't we look into it?

00:51:15.039 --> 00:51:16.639
Why didn't we talk about it more?

00:51:16.639 --> 00:51:19.119
Why didn't we discuss it?

00:51:19.119 --> 00:51:25.440
I wasn't with you guys when you made the voting decision, but I'd sure like to have been there

00:51:25.440 --> 00:51:27.119
at the time that this was happening.

00:51:27.119 --> 00:51:33.480
Maybe I could have given a little more input, a little bit more insight about the danger

00:51:33.480 --> 00:51:41.920
that alcohol brings to any community or any location in the city with the potential of

00:51:41.920 --> 00:51:42.679
and

00:51:42.679 --> 00:51:49.679
I think we need to be able to help anyone being able to create risk and danger when it comes to buying liquor from a small convenience store.

00:51:49.679 --> 00:52:06.920
So that's one of the things that I like to talk about in the future and as an ongoing thing because if we hear these reports of any kind of problems from these types of venues, then we need to make sure that they have all of their

00:52:06.920 --> 00:52:27.920
I know their eyes cross and their T's, their I's are dotted and their T's are crossed, but that's what I think we should be doing in order to assure the confidence of the City of Freeport that these measures have been put, has been put in place. That's what I have to say on that.

00:52:27.920 --> 00:52:56.920
This store has had to take measures with locking down their cold and cough medicine, their cough syrup, their NyQuil because it was being stolen and people with alcohol issues were going in buying it and so I think it would be a negative.

00:52:56.920 --> 00:52:57.920
Parker.

00:52:57.920 --> 00:53:21.480
I know it's my second time, but I don't know how we can, we feel we can go in and tell a

00:53:21.480 --> 00:53:24.599
private business how to run their business.

00:53:24.599 --> 00:53:25.599
That is their business.

00:53:25.599 --> 00:53:27.539
It's their responsibility.

00:53:27.539 --> 00:53:32.219
We give them the permit to sell it. How they handle it is their business, not ours. So

00:53:32.219 --> 00:53:33.219
thank you.

00:53:33.219 --> 00:53:40.420
If there's no further discussion, if there's only sellers.

00:53:40.420 --> 00:53:46.880
I kind of agree with Alderman Parker. I just can't see how we would stop a big business

00:53:46.880 --> 00:53:54.500
like Family Dollar and we got gas stations around them. We have cubs. We have, you know,

00:53:54.500 --> 00:54:03.179
All these different places that sell alcohol, but then we stop with Family Dollar, I just,

00:54:03.179 --> 00:54:08.579
to me I just can't see saying no to Family Dollar.

00:54:08.579 --> 00:54:12.900
Actually both you and Alderman Stacey have already spoken twice, so if you want to have

00:54:12.900 --> 00:54:16.260
a side, Alderman Simmons?

00:54:16.260 --> 00:54:22.900
So I get what y'all are saying, but Cub Foods is a grocery store, Mobile is a convenience

00:54:22.900 --> 00:54:26.260
Bates, and I'm going to talk about the family dollar store.

00:54:26.260 --> 00:54:28.260
Family dollar is more of like a clothing store.

00:54:28.260 --> 00:54:32.260
So that's like you going to Marshall's and buying liquor.

00:54:32.260 --> 00:54:34.260
It just don't make sense.

00:54:34.260 --> 00:54:39.510
Like it doesn't make sense to do that.

00:54:39.510 --> 00:54:41.510
When did I speak twice?

00:54:41.510 --> 00:54:45.510
Well, I have you and Sanders down both us twice.

00:54:45.510 --> 00:54:47.510
I only spoke once about...

00:54:47.510 --> 00:54:51.510
I know I only spoke once.

00:54:51.510 --> 00:54:59.029
Unless you want to if you want me to pick a vote on the unanimous to allow further discussion that's your call

00:54:59.670 --> 00:55:01.670
Yeah

00:55:01.909 --> 00:55:04.029
Okay, so on behalf of Alderman Sanders

00:55:04.750 --> 00:55:06.750
Could we please take the vote on?

00:55:07.989 --> 00:55:11.949
Allowing additional discussion past the twice spoken

00:55:16.610 --> 00:55:18.210
Sanders

00:55:18.210 --> 00:55:23.010
Yes, Sellers. Yes, Clem. No, Monroe

00:55:23.010 --> 00:55:35.250
Monroe? Yes. Simmons? No. Parker? No. Stacy? Irrevenant. Could you state either aye, nay,

00:55:35.250 --> 00:55:45.409
or abstain? Abstain. Shadle? No. The motion fails. Okay, so unless there was someone that

00:55:45.409 --> 00:55:52.889
has not spoken twice, we'll take the roll. I'm sorry, I'm still counting votes. When

00:55:52.889 --> 00:56:02.050
you're ready. Sanders. What are we voting for? Ordinance 2025-25 for allowing the

00:56:02.050 --> 00:56:08.849
special-use permit for family dollar. Yeah, but you don't have to be condescending

00:56:08.849 --> 00:56:14.730
about that comment you just made. Okay, would you like to cast your vote? No.

00:56:14.730 --> 00:56:21.610
Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? No. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye.

00:56:21.610 --> 00:56:32.489
Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. And we are tied 4 to 4. Madam Mayor? Aye. And the ordinance passes 5 to 4.

00:56:34.010 --> 00:56:36.730
We'll move on to reports from Department Heads Finance.

00:56:38.889 --> 00:56:42.970
Thank you. Community Development? None, your honor. Thank you. Thank you. Public Works?

00:56:42.970 --> 00:56:43.970
Parks.

00:56:43.970 --> 00:56:52.250
Just one thing, the 2025 Streets program is out to bid, the 2025 Water Main project's

00:56:52.250 --> 00:56:57.690
out to bid, and we will have bid openings before the next full council meeting with results

00:56:57.690 --> 00:56:58.690
for the council.

00:56:58.690 --> 00:56:59.690
Thank you.

00:56:59.690 --> 00:57:02.409
You said 2025 Water Main.

00:57:02.409 --> 00:57:04.630
What Water Main is that?

00:57:04.630 --> 00:57:13.170
It's the Water Main Streets for this year, so it'd be Blackhawk is the number one project,

00:57:13.170 --> 00:57:19.029
Willow, and Carrolls out to bid as well.

00:57:19.029 --> 00:57:20.829
I can't think of the fourth one, I'm sorry.

00:57:20.829 --> 00:57:24.429
Okay.

00:57:24.429 --> 00:57:25.269
Oh, Harvey.

00:57:25.269 --> 00:57:26.230
Excuse me, Harvey.

00:57:26.230 --> 00:57:27.070
Harvey?

00:57:27.070 --> 00:57:30.630
Yes.

00:57:30.630 --> 00:57:31.989
Chief Miller?

00:57:31.989 --> 00:57:33.349
Nothing this evening.

00:57:33.349 --> 00:57:34.349
Thank you, Chief Shenberger?

00:57:34.349 --> 00:57:35.510
I have no report.

00:57:35.510 --> 00:57:36.869
Thank you.

00:57:36.869 --> 00:57:37.710
Library?

00:57:37.710 --> 00:57:40.570
Nothing tonight.

00:57:40.570 --> 00:57:43.610
I don't believe communications is here.

00:57:46.480 --> 00:57:48.320
IT?

00:57:48.320 --> 00:57:49.159
Thank you.

00:57:49.159 --> 00:57:50.760
So, city manager?

00:57:50.760 --> 00:57:53.000
Nothing else tonight, thank you.

00:57:53.000 --> 00:58:00.679
I just wanted to remind the Council and the viewing audience of an upcoming event for

00:58:00.679 --> 00:58:08.000
community building. It is a memorial peace march that is set for June 7th at 11 a.m.

00:58:08.000 --> 00:58:14.159
It's a Saturday, the first Saturday of June. The location is at the Madonna on Walnut,

00:58:14.159 --> 00:58:19.559
and it will be the kickoff event for the 40 Days of Peace on Community Building. And every

00:58:19.559 --> 00:58:21.559
and

00:58:22.559 --> 00:58:24.559
John.

00:58:25.599 --> 00:58:27.599
And then we have the

00:58:28.739 --> 00:58:31.739
event on June 7th. The events are the entire weekend from the

00:58:31.739 --> 00:58:35.739
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Fridays would be to beautify

00:58:35.739 --> 00:58:39.739
the block and the Saturdays would be the resource block party

00:58:39.739 --> 00:58:43.739
and then Sunday would be the church on the street. So if you

00:58:43.739 --> 00:58:47.739
would like to follow that on High Hope Freeport, that's where

00:58:47.739 --> 00:58:49.739
Perkins, and David Greene.

00:58:49.739 --> 00:58:53.739
We have a couple of announcements to make before the

00:58:53.739 --> 00:58:55.739
end of the meeting.

00:58:55.739 --> 00:58:57.739
We would like to start with the end of the meeting.

00:58:57.739 --> 00:59:00.739
We also have a memorial piece march starting at 11 a.m.

00:59:00.739 --> 00:59:16.619
Where is that again?

00:59:16.619 --> 00:59:18.619
At the Madonna on Walnut.

00:59:18.619 --> 00:59:20.619
Thank you.

00:59:20.619 --> 00:59:24.099
And so we will move on to council announcements.

00:59:24.099 --> 00:59:26.099
Alderman Sanders.

00:59:26.099 --> 00:59:28.099
I am perturbed right now.

00:59:28.099 --> 00:59:35.619
but we just don't have enough time and I don't want nobody to be upset with the

00:59:35.619 --> 00:59:40.699
things that I possibly would bring out here in this council tonight but anyway I

00:59:40.699 --> 00:59:45.980
do have things I like to discuss and I just want to make sure that that certain

00:59:45.980 --> 00:59:49.779
people are put on notice and I want our council to know that they're going to be

00:59:49.779 --> 00:59:51.820
put

00:59:51.820 --> 00:59:59.480
ethical things that we do or the things that we do or not doing here in this city.

00:59:59.480 --> 01:00:04.960
But anyway, ethics has a lot to do with a lot of things that we're doing in our council.

01:00:04.960 --> 01:00:13.519
So I just want the people to be very cognizant about all of these things that are going forward

01:00:13.519 --> 01:00:18.599
and the things that are and how we're how this council sets a pattern on how we do

01:00:18.599 --> 01:00:30.079
things and and I think we need an overhaul in taking out the never mind I

01:00:30.079 --> 01:00:34.000
just want to move on thank you. Alderman Sellers? Nothing.

01:00:34.000 --> 01:00:39.599
Alderman Klemm? Yes I'd just like to pass on to go along with the National Travel

01:00:39.599 --> 01:00:43.800
and Tourism Week that we had. I'd like to thank Jeff Johnson and the

01:00:43.800 --> 01:00:49.239
Anderson and all the groups involved in bowling. The last few weeks we have had

01:00:49.239 --> 01:00:53.639
hundreds of bowlers here in town and have spent thousands of dollars at

01:00:53.639 --> 01:00:59.840
hotels motels and food places around and big hats off for them. It was the Illinois

01:00:59.840 --> 01:01:04.739
State Tournament which they've held for quite a few years and it does bring a

01:01:04.739 --> 01:01:11.639
lot of money into Freeport. I will have a neighborhood watch meeting later on this

01:01:11.639 --> 01:01:25.639
Thank you. Alderman Monroe? Nothing, a nightmare. Alderman Simmons? Nothing, thanks. Alderman Parker? Nothing, a nightmare. Alderman Stacy? Nothing, thank you. Alderman Shadle? Nothing, a nightmare.

01:01:25.639 --> 01:01:42.940
We'll move on to public comment. Zandra, you have three minutes. Hello, my name is Zandra Bright. I'm a business owner here in town. I serve on many boards and many organizations.

01:01:42.940 --> 01:01:49.880
Huffines, I care about our city and I care about the people of our city, especially our

01:01:49.880 --> 01:01:52.179
elderly population.

01:01:52.179 --> 01:01:55.800
I started a petition about two weeks ago.

01:01:55.800 --> 01:02:04.380
The petition is to mandate our city to reconsider the excessive charges on our water bills.

01:02:04.380 --> 01:02:07.380
It's getting to be outrageous.

01:02:07.380 --> 01:02:13.420
as a senior living predominantly on disability like countless others in this

01:02:13.420 --> 01:02:20.739
community, unreasonable high water charges are at alarming burden. We live in a city

01:02:20.739 --> 01:02:28.099
with a high senior population and these costs affect us all. Unfortunately, the

01:02:28.099 --> 01:02:35.460
issue extends beyond our unique situations as individuals. SS charges are

01:02:35.460 --> 01:02:38.340
are latched onto our water bills,

01:02:38.340 --> 01:02:43.340
which notably inflates what we initially expected to pay.

01:02:44.420 --> 01:02:49.420
This burden is distressing to those of us on fixed incomes

01:02:49.500 --> 01:02:52.340
who don't have the financial flexibility

01:02:52.340 --> 01:02:56.300
to deal with these unforeseen expenses.

01:02:56.300 --> 01:02:59.820
According to the American Water Works Association,

01:02:59.820 --> 01:03:03.179
water bills have increased by at least 30%

01:03:03.179 --> 01:03:08.179
and 30 major cities and are likely to rise further.

01:03:08.639 --> 01:03:13.639
With inflation, we are paying for much more than just water.

01:03:14.280 --> 01:03:19.280
We are left wondering, are we not entitled to affordable,

01:03:19.500 --> 01:03:23.219
clean and accessible water?

01:03:23.219 --> 01:03:26.239
We are not asking for free services.

01:03:26.239 --> 01:03:30.380
We are advocating for reasonable and fair charges.

01:03:30.380 --> 01:03:33.019
We called upon our city officials

01:03:33.019 --> 01:03:37.300
to examine the extra costs added to our water bills

01:03:37.300 --> 01:03:40.699
and to consider ways of reducing them

01:03:40.699 --> 01:03:43.260
for the betterment of us all.

01:03:43.260 --> 01:03:44.099
Thank you.

01:03:45.300 --> 01:03:46.119
Thank you.

01:03:46.119 --> 01:03:48.380
Are there any other public comments this evening?

01:03:48.380 --> 01:04:01.989
Yes, ma'am.

01:04:01.989 --> 01:04:06.550
Hi, my name is Sue Cook and I am on Winchester Drive.

01:04:07.789 --> 01:04:10.269
First, I wanna thank Alderman Monroe

01:04:10.269 --> 01:04:13.670
for being our alderman for the four years.

01:04:13.670 --> 01:04:15.070
You're a fighter.

01:04:15.070 --> 01:04:15.909
Thank you very much.

01:04:15.909 --> 01:04:17.210
I really appreciate that.

01:04:18.909 --> 01:04:22.449
Now, as far as the tourism goes in Freeport,

01:04:22.449 --> 01:04:27.429
I think you're missing a huge chunk of what we have here.

01:04:27.429 --> 01:04:29.550
And I'm just gonna point out one hidden gem

01:04:29.550 --> 01:04:32.449
and that's the Douglas Fireball Observatory.

01:04:32.449 --> 01:04:36.269
They had an event the other night that was unbelievable.

01:04:36.269 --> 01:04:38.670
And I only caught it because I happened to drive by

01:04:38.670 --> 01:04:39.989
and see this little sign.

01:04:40.869 --> 01:04:42.070
And I was there late.

01:04:42.070 --> 01:04:45.829
They have a planetary, an unbelievable planetary telescope

01:04:45.829 --> 01:04:49.429
as well as a deep space telescope,

01:04:49.429 --> 01:04:53.029
a telescope that even they don't have in Chicago.

01:04:53.029 --> 01:04:54.349
This is a tourist draw.

01:04:54.349 --> 01:04:56.110
We have other tourist draws here.

01:04:56.110 --> 01:04:57.269
We have the Historical Society.

01:04:57.269 --> 01:04:58.110
We have Crate Park

01:04:58.110 --> 01:04:59.429
and I'm just gonna list a whole bunch of them.

01:04:59.429 --> 01:05:02.369
But I went into the hotel,

01:05:03.190 --> 01:05:07.349
a hotel that everybody likes to go to over by Culver's.

01:05:07.349 --> 01:05:10.029
and I asked, do you happen to have a flyer

01:05:10.029 --> 01:05:11.789
that shows the city of Freeport

01:05:11.789 --> 01:05:13.670
with all the spots in Freeport

01:05:13.670 --> 01:05:17.789
that would be kind of interesting to tourists

01:05:17.789 --> 01:05:20.989
that are coming in that we can actually capitalize on.

01:05:20.989 --> 01:05:23.869
Now they have an event coming up May 17th.

01:05:23.869 --> 01:05:26.029
I'm gonna announce that before my three minutes ends up.

01:05:26.029 --> 01:05:28.269
The observatory has in our ward,

01:05:28.269 --> 01:05:32.449
in second ward has an event coming up May 17th.

01:05:32.449 --> 01:05:35.889
That deep space telescope is amazing.

01:05:35.889 --> 01:05:37.029
You need to check that out.

01:05:37.029 --> 01:05:39.690
but we also need to get that out to Chicago.

01:05:39.690 --> 01:05:42.070
We need to get that out as a tourist draw.

01:05:42.070 --> 01:05:45.550
We need to get the Coteau House up and running

01:05:45.550 --> 01:05:47.230
because that's a draw.

01:05:47.230 --> 01:05:49.269
Although he was an assassin,

01:05:49.269 --> 01:05:51.989
he was also a contemporary of Oscar Wilde.

01:05:51.989 --> 01:05:53.510
And there's a lot of people that would come

01:05:53.510 --> 01:05:57.070
to see this building, not the inside of this building,

01:05:57.070 --> 01:05:58.550
but the outside of this building

01:05:58.550 --> 01:06:00.190
because it's a Carnegie building.

01:06:00.190 --> 01:06:02.429
We have Debate Square, we have the library.

01:06:02.429 --> 01:06:04.909
We have, like I mentioned, Crate Park before.

01:06:04.909 --> 01:06:06.150
We have Oakdale.

01:06:06.150 --> 01:06:09.550
we have things in the third ward

01:06:09.550 --> 01:06:11.309
that have not been capitalized on yet

01:06:11.309 --> 01:06:13.590
because true crime is huge.

01:06:13.590 --> 01:06:14.489
Mayor, look at me.

01:06:15.510 --> 01:06:16.349
Okay.

01:06:18.489 --> 01:06:21.789
True crime is huge, huge.

01:06:21.789 --> 01:06:25.550
And we had Al Capone coming in on the train

01:06:25.550 --> 01:06:27.429
off of Winnipeg street

01:06:27.429 --> 01:06:30.070
because the Capones lived down there.

01:06:30.070 --> 01:06:33.510
So this is something that we could capitalize on.

01:06:33.510 --> 01:06:35.989
No, it's a dark side of Freeport

01:06:35.989 --> 01:06:38.429
but it's a side of Freeport as was bootlegging,

01:06:38.429 --> 01:06:40.470
as was all kinds of things.

01:06:41.429 --> 01:06:43.550
And we could capitalize on this.

01:06:43.550 --> 01:06:45.070
You can't just say,

01:06:45.070 --> 01:06:48.650
hey, we're gonna have a Teddy Baker day and this and that.

01:06:49.670 --> 01:06:51.789
Festivals that we love,

01:06:51.789 --> 01:06:54.630
but maybe they might not know in Chicago.

01:06:54.630 --> 01:06:55.989
And if you're gonna put chargers

01:06:55.989 --> 01:06:57.150
over here by the Stewart building,

01:06:57.150 --> 01:06:58.630
so they come through here,

01:06:58.630 --> 01:06:59.789
you're gonna need to give them something

01:06:59.789 --> 01:07:01.789
because downtown isn't it.

01:07:01.789 --> 01:07:04.110
We need to start pointing at the architecture.

01:07:04.110 --> 01:07:04.929
Thank you.

01:07:04.929 --> 01:07:05.769
Thank you.

01:07:05.769 --> 01:07:06.769
Miller.

01:07:06.769 --> 01:07:07.769
Any other public comments?

01:07:07.769 --> 01:07:18.239
Yes.

01:07:18.239 --> 01:07:22.119
I want to say there is no compassion.

01:07:22.119 --> 01:07:26.119
I don't know if one of you guys have ever thought about the victim, that you guys are

01:07:26.119 --> 01:07:33.159
slapping in the face by allowing this man to get promoted and get good deeds done while

01:07:33.159 --> 01:07:36.619
he choked somebody.

01:07:36.619 --> 01:07:40.840
That's like almost murder to strangle somebody, but that's that.

01:07:40.840 --> 01:07:47.440
I want to say every time we, every time Mayor Miller intertwines with any male figure, whatever

01:07:47.440 --> 01:07:53.300
it is, friendship, business, or whatever, Freeport suffers from it in a ways that Mahoney,

01:07:53.300 --> 01:08:00.079
he still ain't paid his loan back. Mike Meade, he took a long time to pay his due diligence

01:08:00.079 --> 01:08:06.500
to downtown. I have no idea why we keep on intertwining with guys and giving them money,

01:09:14.220 --> 01:09:17.220
reminding me why I just went through the past year.

01:09:17.220 --> 01:09:21.840
You guys just showed me and why it must continue.

01:09:21.840 --> 01:09:23.440
Family dollar, I wanna address that first.

01:09:23.440 --> 01:09:25.079
Alderman Monroe, you brought up a good point

01:09:25.079 --> 01:09:27.940
that I hadn't even thought about with it.

01:09:27.940 --> 01:09:30.399
But what was really troubling is

01:09:30.399 --> 01:09:32.500
that the council didn't wanna discuss it.

01:09:33.840 --> 01:09:35.039
That was the biggest thing.

01:09:35.039 --> 01:09:36.559
Mayor, you won the election.

01:09:36.559 --> 01:09:39.000
I'm happy for you, congratulations.

01:09:39.000 --> 01:09:40.680
But the biggest thing against you,

01:09:40.680 --> 01:09:42.760
the only thing really against you

01:09:42.760 --> 01:09:48.039
It was crime in this town, and this was a perfect opportunity to move forward and

01:09:48.039 --> 01:09:49.960
We have the opportunity to move forward in a different way and talk.

01:09:49.960 --> 01:09:51.079
Actually have the conversation.

01:09:51.079 --> 01:09:54.560
Not one of our eight older people nor our mayor asked the police chief what he thought

01:09:54.560 --> 01:09:57.760
about Family Dollar serving liquor.

01:09:57.760 --> 01:10:01.279
That would have been the first go-to.

01:10:01.279 --> 01:10:02.279
But it's passed.

01:10:02.279 --> 01:10:07.960
So I guess we're just going to have to get beer at Family Dollar now.

01:10:07.960 --> 01:10:10.239
You guys work for us.

01:10:10.239 --> 01:10:12.239
You guys, the election is over.

01:10:12.239 --> 01:10:14.899
You do not work for Andrew Chesney anymore.

01:10:14.899 --> 01:10:17.819
You work for the people of Freeport.

01:10:17.819 --> 01:10:20.619
The people of Freeport wanted answers.

01:10:20.619 --> 01:10:24.800
As I told you last time, I do not care about being on the Planning Commission.

01:10:24.800 --> 01:10:26.979
The mayor made herself perfectly clear.

01:10:26.979 --> 01:10:28.819
She does not want my involvement.

01:10:28.819 --> 01:10:29.819
That is fine.

01:10:29.819 --> 01:10:31.899
But the replacement.

01:10:31.899 --> 01:10:35.920
And now the people of Freeport want an explanation.

01:10:35.920 --> 01:10:38.340
Why would you take that away?

01:10:38.340 --> 01:10:39.579
That doesn't even make sense.

01:10:39.579 --> 01:10:42.220
You should be ashamed of yourselves.

01:10:42.220 --> 01:10:45.939
You just got on your seat for another four years, and this is what we have to look forward

01:10:45.939 --> 01:10:49.529
to.

01:10:49.529 --> 01:10:50.529
Any other public comments?

01:10:50.529 --> 01:10:59.399
My name is Cheryl Alton.

01:10:59.399 --> 01:11:04.239
Since Wayne is no longer here, I guess I'm going to put this to Rob.

01:11:04.239 --> 01:11:08.720
You guys served me no warnings for my one house.

01:11:08.720 --> 01:11:13.520
Automatically, I got an issue, got up here before this little, well, people call it the

01:11:13.520 --> 01:11:15.779
kangaroo court.

01:11:15.779 --> 01:11:18.119
You're supposed to send warnings before you do anything.

01:11:18.119 --> 01:11:20.319
Of course, Wayne's here no longer.

01:11:20.319 --> 01:11:23.319
When I talked to Ben, he wasn't going to do anything for a couple months.

01:11:23.319 --> 01:11:30.319
Well, that was a lie. But I guess, you know, there's a lot of lies coming out of this meeting tonight.

01:11:30.319 --> 01:11:37.319
It's this dirty how people won't even stand up. Mayor, you're probably the biggest one involved.

01:11:37.319 --> 01:11:41.319
I mean, hope you enjoyed your meal out with Dustin. Was it pretty good?

01:11:41.319 --> 01:11:46.319
Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about. Just sit there and shake your head no.

01:11:46.319 --> 01:12:10.010
There's witnesses. People saw you. Get real. And you know, you're not doing anything. You've been in here for how long? Population has gone down. Streets are crap. No jobs. No new jobs coming in. No future for Freeport. Maybe you not getting elected would have been the best thing for Freeport.

01:12:10.010 --> 01:12:11.010
Yes, sir.

01:12:11.010 --> 01:12:24.159
I'm Bill Wagner, live in Freeport for about 60 years now.

01:12:24.159 --> 01:12:33.359
Madam Mayor, City Administrator, Council Members, I know this is going to come up.

01:12:33.359 --> 01:12:36.279
It's been hashed over way too much.

01:12:36.279 --> 01:12:45.899
I'd like to share my thoughts on the old ordinance about certain city employees living in a certain

01:12:45.899 --> 01:12:48.199
parameter of the city.

01:12:48.199 --> 01:12:49.760
I say, get rid of it.

01:12:51.439 --> 01:12:53.880
It's been enforced and it hasn't been enforced.

01:12:55.279 --> 01:12:59.060
I don't care if the police chief, the fire chief,

01:12:59.060 --> 01:13:00.520
live outside the city.

01:13:02.720 --> 01:13:06.760
As far as they want, if they don't mind driving,

01:13:06.760 --> 01:13:07.680
I don't mind them.

01:13:10.319 --> 01:13:12.359
This is 2025.

01:13:12.359 --> 01:13:15.760
We have technology today that we didn't used to have.

01:13:15.760 --> 01:13:19.760
Your cell phone is right at the end of your fingertips.

01:13:19.760 --> 01:13:23.760
These officers and other heads of departments

01:13:23.760 --> 01:13:27.760
can contact the people underneath them

01:13:27.760 --> 01:13:31.760
in a moment, just like them being there.

01:13:31.760 --> 01:13:35.760
So I say, quit beating a dead horse, get rid

01:13:35.760 --> 01:13:39.760
of the ordinance, and that's the end of my speech.

01:13:39.760 --> 01:13:43.760
Thank you. Any other public comments this evening?

01:13:43.760 --> 01:13:45.760
I'd like to take one.

01:13:53.510 --> 01:13:59.989
Paige Kerr, I don't have much to say this time since Jodi actually missed my speech last time, which is mostly for her.

01:14:00.869 --> 01:14:07.989
I just want to say I support overturning many of you on this council. I support that. We see the games that you guys play.

01:14:08.189 --> 01:14:10.630
We see that you guys are mostly all sellouts and

01:14:12.149 --> 01:14:14.149
it's it's embarrassing.

01:14:14.510 --> 01:14:16.510
There's a lot of fraud going on.

01:14:16.510 --> 01:14:25.479
Don, Conflict of Interest, Jodi, Rob, you as well.

01:14:25.479 --> 01:14:28.939
So I just really hope that you guys do what the people ask as you guys are here because

01:14:28.939 --> 01:14:34.720
you support, you represent the people and you do a very poor job at representing the

01:14:34.720 --> 01:14:35.720
people.

01:14:35.720 --> 01:14:39.479
When you hear what they say back here and you go against entirely what they're asking

01:14:39.479 --> 01:14:40.479
for.

01:14:40.479 --> 01:14:41.479
Thank you.

01:14:41.479 --> 01:14:42.479
Next.

01:14:42.479 --> 01:15:18.470
Next. Thank you. James Monroe, second ward. So I'd like to thank everyone for allowing me to serve for the last four years. It has been a challenge. It has been fun. It has been disappointing. But I will tell you that there are things that have come to light that really, really bother me. I found out in the last couple of weeks that this man, Rob Boyer, this mayor, Jodi Miller, had an opportunity to help

01:15:18.470 --> 01:15:25.430
a local business owner grow their business invest three and a half million dollars in the city of Freeport and they blocked it.

01:15:26.109 --> 01:15:28.109
No council approval.

01:15:28.109 --> 01:15:30.109
No council information.

01:15:30.630 --> 01:15:31.829
Nothing.

01:15:31.829 --> 01:15:38.630
People want to know why business isn't coming to Freeport. It's because she and he are blocking it.

01:15:38.630 --> 01:15:44.750
And if you don't know what I'm talking about, it happens to be Freeport Ford and both of you know about it.

01:15:44.750 --> 01:15:48.069
You shake your head. I had a conversation with the owner and

01:15:48.470 --> 01:15:54.470
and I will tell you and I tell by Rob's face turning red he knows exactly what

01:15:54.470 --> 01:16:00.369
I'm talking about you're like my three-year-old four-year-old kid you

01:16:00.369 --> 01:16:05.590
give it up you've been in handcuffs once buddy it's gonna happen again I've got

01:16:05.590 --> 01:16:11.869
the proof I've got the receipts the TIF district money everything else we are

01:16:11.869 --> 01:16:17.470
looking into it the fact that you asked a former employee of the city of Freeport

01:16:17.470 --> 01:16:24.510
to file a fraudulent complaint against a 43-year employee of the city of Freeport that's coming

01:16:24.510 --> 01:16:25.510
to light.

01:16:25.510 --> 01:16:26.949
And why did you do it?

01:16:26.949 --> 01:16:33.109
To appoint your neighbor to the position who still doesn't have the licenses to operate

01:16:33.109 --> 01:16:38.710
in that position, who's also been given pay raises in that position.

01:16:38.710 --> 01:16:41.029
So the day's coming.

01:16:41.029 --> 01:16:44.789
I spent four years sitting in that seat.

01:16:44.789 --> 01:16:49.350
My fighting for this city doesn't stop when I walk out of office.

01:16:49.350 --> 01:16:56.069
I have contacted everybody I can at the state, at the federal, and any other organization

01:16:56.069 --> 01:16:57.310
that will listen.

01:16:57.310 --> 01:17:01.550
And I have provided them with receipts that I talk about tonight.

01:17:01.550 --> 01:17:05.550
And I'm going to ask something be done.

01:17:05.550 --> 01:17:11.670
Because what has happened to Freeport, the decrease in the population from over 50,000

01:17:11.670 --> 01:17:17.590
and a couple other people in the county, when I was a kid, to now being under 23,000 in

01:17:17.590 --> 01:17:21.329
the city of Freeport is unbelievable.

01:17:21.329 --> 01:17:23.189
And we've lost all these great businesses.

01:17:23.189 --> 01:17:27.789
They've gone to Rockford, they've gone to Rockton, they've gone everywhere but here.

01:17:27.789 --> 01:17:29.470
They've gone to China.

01:17:29.470 --> 01:17:33.670
And it's because we don't do our part.

01:17:33.670 --> 01:17:37.829
And one or two older people can't do it on their own, because they're stonewalled by

01:17:37.829 --> 01:17:41.729
by the mayor who hides behind Robert's rules

01:17:41.729 --> 01:17:44.409
and blocking out any conversation

01:17:44.409 --> 01:17:48.250
and he will lie to your face at any moment in time.

01:17:48.250 --> 01:17:49.090
Thank you.

01:17:50.090 --> 01:17:53.210
Are there any other public comments this evening?

01:17:53.210 --> 01:17:55.649
Seeing none, we'll move on to the executive session.

01:17:55.649 --> 01:18:00.800
Madam Clerk, could you please read this for the record?

01:18:00.800 --> 01:18:01.640
Oh, okay.

01:18:04.069 --> 01:18:07.270
Cecelia Stacy, Fifth Ward.

01:18:07.270 --> 01:18:19.270
As I said at the last meeting in April, we start this city with prayer. We start these meetings with prayer. We can end them with prayer.

01:18:19.270 --> 01:18:30.270
So with that being said, Father God, in the name of Jesus, we come to you thanking you for this day, for this is the day that you have made.

01:18:30.270 --> 01:18:34.270
Before we ask you for anything, we say thank you.

01:18:34.270 --> 01:18:35.270
Miller.

01:18:35.270 --> 01:18:40.309
Now, God, your word said that we have not because we ask not.

01:18:40.309 --> 01:18:48.149
So I'm asking you, Lord, to move on behalf of this city, O God.

01:18:48.149 --> 01:18:55.829
You know, Father God, you already know what's happening, the good, the bad, and the ugly,

01:18:55.829 --> 01:18:56.829
O God.

01:18:56.829 --> 01:19:02.149
So Lord, I loose angels to the north, to the south, the east, and the west, and I ask that

01:19:02.149 --> 01:19:10.069
you take control over this your city and make it be what you created to be a free

01:19:10.069 --> 01:19:20.930
port, oh God. Father God, look down upon the alderman, help us all to look in the

01:19:20.930 --> 01:19:26.569
mirror at ourselves, oh God, and see if we're doing the work that we've been

01:19:26.569 --> 01:19:34.300
appointed to do, the work that we've been called to do. We can't do it without

01:19:34.300 --> 01:19:44.100
without your help oh God. I know that I know that I know prayer changes things. So it is

01:19:44.100 --> 01:19:45.659
in your name that I pray.

01:19:45.659 --> 01:19:51.760
is in your name that I pray, give me you all glory, honor, for you are worthy to be praised.

01:19:51.760 --> 01:19:55.319
In Jesus' name, take control. Amen.

01:19:55.319 --> 01:20:01.399
Madam Clerk, could you please read the executive session?

01:20:01.399 --> 01:20:06.880
Pursuant to 5 ILCS 122C1, the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance

01:20:06.880 --> 01:20:11.800
or dismissal of specific employees, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against

01:20:11.800 --> 01:20:15.239
an employee to determine its validity.

01:20:15.239 --> 01:20:25.319
thank you is there a motion to enter into executive session I make a motion to

01:20:25.319 --> 01:20:37.510
enter into executive session second well seeing that the motion fails oh you did

01:20:37.510 --> 01:20:44.289
okay seconded by Alderman Simmons madam clerk could you please take the role

01:20:44.289 --> 01:20:59.829
Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacey, and Shadle. The motion

01:20:59.829 --> 01:21:03.989
passes eight to zero. Okay, thank you.