WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 She's still in the ER. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.000 Keep this posted. 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Thank you. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.000 That's why I told Jodi and Rob if I had to leave. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.000 That's why I left this on. 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:15.000 So you can barge in the door. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:16.000 Good luck. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:17.000 Thank you. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:34.200 Good evening. Evelyn, could you please give the invocation? I just want to say it's a good feeling here tonight. It's peaceful and calm, and I thank God for that. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:44.200 What did you say? Oh, that's true. Let's keep that. 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:51.680 Let's bow our heads. Father God, as the City Council meeting begins tonight, I pray that 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:57.599 Ephesians 4 and 3, which says, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:04.920 the bond of peace. Let peace prevail over this meeting tonight. Father God, I pray that 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:11.080 the discussion of the Greater Freeport Partnership be accurate and straight on point. And let 00:02:11.080 --> 00:02:17.930 Let the memorandum of understanding discussion be an honest discussion. 00:02:17.930 --> 00:02:23.849 And last but not least, Father, let every public comment, if any are spoken tonight, 00:02:23.849 --> 00:02:29.849 be with respect on every topic that is brought to the council floor tonight. 00:02:29.849 --> 00:02:34.009 In the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray, amen. 00:02:34.009 --> 00:02:35.009 Amen. 00:02:35.009 --> 00:02:37.409 And we'll officially call this meeting to order. 00:02:37.409 --> 00:02:39.770 Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? 00:02:39.770 --> 00:02:40.770 Mayor Miller? 00:02:40.770 --> 00:02:41.770 Here. 00:02:50.770 --> 00:02:54.770 If you could please stand for the pledge led by Alderman Simmons. 00:02:54.770 --> 00:03:17.919 It is to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:20.919 Item number four is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? 00:03:20.919 --> 00:03:21.919 So moved. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:22.919 Second. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:28.919 We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:29.919 Aye. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:39.919 Opposed? That motion passes. Item number five is approval of the minutes from the Committee of the Whole held on November 10th and December 8th, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:40.919 So moved. 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:41.919 Second. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:04:00.159 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item six is public comments. There's no one signed in. So we'll move on to item number seven, which is the Greater Freeport Partnerships Porter Leap Report. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:23.480 Thank you, Kurt. Good evening. Happy New Year to you all. Tonight's presentation will provide a more detailed information around some small business support efforts that occurred in the fourth quarter. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:37.480 However, a full summary of all the partnerships detailing of our strategic plan focus areas is provided in the quarterly report that Nicole is distributing now, as well as what was linked in the agenda for this evening. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:47.480 Before we dive into business support, as you will see on the front page of the Partnerships Quarterly Report, 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:52.480 we have hired a new Economic Development Manager and a new Membership Director. 00:04:52.480 --> 00:05:02.480 Leslie Mastriani and Mercedes Joiner have joined the Partnerships team, filling vacant positions that were within the staff. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:08.899 Kurt, am I doing something or? 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:09.899 Yes. 00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:10.899 Okay. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:26.339 Do you need me to jump? 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:27.339 Alright. 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:28.339 Perfect. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.339 Thank you. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:30.339 Alright. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:34.540 Report laid out in the strategic focus areas, as mentioned before, small business support 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:35.540 efforts. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:37.860 So we're going to walk through three specific items. 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:42.220 One, the local shopping campaign, which Nicole will highlight in just a second. 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:44.819 Second will be the workforce connection with talent. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:48.620 This is an ongoing issue that all of our businesses are having. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:54.019 We'll talk about some efforts and programs that we've participated in and the last but 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:58.540 not least some grant support that we've offered to small businesses. 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:02.240 I'm going to turn it over to Nicole. 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:05.959 Again, these are just highlights of the quarterly report. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:08.319 You don't want us up here talking about eight full pages. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.379 So we just put pick out a specific focus area. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:16.480 This one happens to be on small business as it is extremely important all times of the 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:30.480 We know merchants and local retailers really depend on the fourth quarter to help them round out the year, which is why we put additional money into promoting local shopping during the holiday season. 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:36.480 That was a multi-channel campaign, everything from radio, billboards, online, social media. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:40.699 and then we always promote our Partnership Cash program, which is like a gift card that 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:45.980 can be spent at about 40 different merchants throughout the area instead of buying a Visa 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:50.300 gift card, buy Partnership Cash and then we know that that money stays local and there 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:54.180 are no fees to either the purchaser or the merchant. 00:06:54.180 --> 00:06:59.899 We also started something new this year with a county-wide cross-promotion postcard. 00:06:59.899 --> 00:07:05.319 We had 23 different businesses interested in creating a, I call it a postcard, but it 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:10.740 it wasn't sent out, it was actually placed at all 23 different distribution locations. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:15.160 So that if you happen to go to one place you picked up the card and maybe as you were looking 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:22.120 at it you learned about new things, new places in the area that you could shop and frequent. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:26.540 In addition to those there were also holiday events, Mistletoe Walk was held in downtown 00:07:26.540 --> 00:07:29.079 Freeport on November 22nd. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:34.300 New features for Mistletoe Walk this year included six living windows which were really 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:40.660 Welles, and a great addition that we hope it continues to grow, as well as starting to 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:43.259 utilize the Karcher Block Pocket Park. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:47.459 That's where Santa was, a s'more station, and you could fill out letters to Santa and 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:50.139 place them in the box there as well. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:55.180 Lena had their hometown Christmas and lighted parade on December 5th. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:59.060 Weather didn't cooperate with them quite as much this year, but they still had almost 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:07.060 We had 40 floats and a great array of businesses that stayed open and then brought vendor booths downtown as well. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:14.060 Then an additional event this year was a last minute shopping opportunity with Holly Day Hustle. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:25.060 We had about a dozen participating businesses for that promotion and we highlighted different items that each store picked out. 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:29.459 So if you were looking for a particular item for that last minute person on your gift list, 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:34.509 this would help you see what each of those merchants could provide. 00:08:34.509 --> 00:08:37.509 I'll turn it back over to Andrea. 00:08:37.509 --> 00:08:41.750 As we talked about, one of the other things that we have worked on to help support small 00:08:41.750 --> 00:08:44.350 businesses was around workforce development. 00:08:44.350 --> 00:08:49.190 So always going back to the data and taking a look and tracking our numbers here. 00:08:49.190 --> 00:08:53.950 Again, this is information that's reported from Illinois Department of Employment Securities, 00:08:53.950 --> 00:08:55.909 and this is September 2025. 00:08:55.909 --> 00:09:00.669 So I understand that this is a few months dated, but as we might remember a couple of months 00:09:00.669 --> 00:09:06.809 ago late last year, there was a government shutdown and that had a ripple effect in terms 00:09:06.809 --> 00:09:11.190 of reporting out some information on employment data was one of those. 00:09:11.190 --> 00:09:16.509 So as you will see that there were within Stevenson County in September of 2025, you 00:09:16.509 --> 00:09:22.669 had 921 individuals who were unemployed and looking for work that held about steady in 00:09:22.669 --> 00:09:29.990 Walsh, and I would say that our unemployment rates within Stevenson County and the City 00:09:29.990 --> 00:09:33.870 of Freeport were pretty comparable to the state. 00:09:33.870 --> 00:09:39.990 Within the same month, there were over 1,300 unique job postings in September by 327 different 00:09:39.990 --> 00:09:40.990 employees. 00:09:40.990 --> 00:09:47.490 The median wage for those positions, again, median, was a little over $35 an hour, which 00:09:47.490 --> 00:09:51.230 equates to a salary of $73,000 a year. 00:09:51.230 --> 00:09:53.769 Again, just for a frame of reference, 00:09:53.769 --> 00:09:56.149 and this is data reported by the census, 00:09:56.149 --> 00:10:00.110 medium household income for 2025 in Stevenson County. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:03.299 Keeley. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:07.100 And the total number of employees in 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:10.200 the state of 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:14.320 2025 in Stevenson county is just shy of $62,000 a year. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:17.620 As you can see, what's on the slide here, those were the top 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:20.720 employers that were posting and those were the top occupations. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.820 We have tracked this data pretty much for most of 2025 and I 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.919 would say that those top five occupations just rotate, you 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.000 Winslow. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:40.000 I want to just emphasize that even if 921 people were employed, that would not fill 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:42.559 all the open positions that's in Stevenson County. 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:47.120 So retaining our workforce is critical. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:53.279 Which leads to other efforts that the partnership works in collaboration with both our business 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:56.379 community as well as our educational community. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:11:00.740 So there were three different events all in the fourth quarter, Manufacturing Day, Highland 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:05.819 Community College in conjunction with Freeport High School puts on a career and job fair, 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:07.779 and then Highland does an Ag Expo. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:12.700 Again, Manufacturing Day, you're targeting students who are interested in entering into 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:16.500 a manufacturing career or working with a manufacturer. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:20.299 It's a great opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and to get into some 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:24.700 of the facilities that they drive by every day, but they might not have any idea what 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.340 McMeade, Kandie, Finish, and 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.019 Priscilla不能. 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.480 They are all at the same level, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.740 and they share the same expertise 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.319 that they do inside or what they 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:32.180 make. 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:33.279 Students are able to tour, they 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.279 end up back at Highland where 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:36.159 they're able to meet an Employer 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:38.120 Expo. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.120 Highland Community College and 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:41.259 Freeport High School Career Fair 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.080 is something similar to that just 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:45.000 at a larger scale. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:46.159 With over 637 attendees, you had 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.399 10 area high schools represented, 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:49.360 so it was a great opportunity 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.279 for area high school students 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.899 and some Highland Community 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.480 College students and members of 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:57.480 Fowler, and I think we're going to have a lot of questions 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:59.480 about how we can connect with our students throughout 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.480 Stevenson County. And again, Highland Ag Expo, 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:05.480 which happens at the beginning of December. You're looking at 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:08.480 something very similar in format to a manufacturing day, but 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:11.480 it's specifically to the ag industry. Connecting college 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:15.480 students who are already in an ag pathway and area high school 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:19.480 students who probably are also in an ag pathway at their high 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:24.240 school are connecting with employers, their understanding 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:29.440 Last but not least, a recent win that we were really happy to have played in a critical 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:34.799 part is the beginning of 2025, the state of Illinois put out a small business infrastructure 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:35.799 grant. 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:41.120 This is a tad bit unusual in the fact that small business support grants don't often, 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.220 outside of COVID times, come directly to small businesses themselves. 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:51.799 Often they will come to other entities, but typically not directly to a small business. 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:56.200 And part of the reason for that is state grants can be somewhat cumbersome or complicated 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:57.200 to apply for. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:13:02.220 But the state of Illinois, in receiving some feedback, put together a small grant program. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:06.600 We held an informational seminar for any business that was interested in applying. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.919 About 22 attended. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:10.840 This is in January of 2025. 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:15.279 We worked then with five businesses who were very serious in their application. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:20.240 We were able to work with them, put together the documentation, get them SAMS qualified 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:26.720 Gattaport and all the things you need to do to become qualified to apply for a state grant. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:34.100 From those five businesses that applied, there were three local grants that were awarded. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:40.759 So in total, the grant award in sum from all three businesses is nearly three quarters 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.639 of a million dollars. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:50.000 So $725,000 is coming back between these three businesses to help them grow. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:56.120 We are continuing to work with each one of these businesses to provide them grant administration, 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.379 project assist experience as we can. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:05.059 They have two years to expend grant funds in what they outlined in their project scope, 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:10.659 but we're very excited that we were happy to play a part of that. 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:13.720 And looking to the future, Basecamp. 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:17.680 If you know someone who is looking to start a business or has a small business but would 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:22.680 would like to grow or maybe need some resources, some support. 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:26.139 Our base camp is starting January 20th. 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:28.839 Again, that program is designed for small businesses 00:14:28.839 --> 00:14:31.000 and entrepreneurs who are looking to just deepen 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:33.559 their resources, get a little bit more education. 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:37.860 It runs for 12 weeks, six classes, Tuesday evenings 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:39.279 at the partnership office. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:42.819 Feel free to contact me or Nicole or the partnership office. 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:44.399 Just call our main line and we were happy 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:46.379 to give you more information. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.660 We continue to work with Freeport High School 00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:50.539 and the Foundation for Northwest Illinois 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:53.319 on the CEO program, which is under development, 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:56.899 but will be set to launch in fall of 2026. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:15:00.500 Again, this is almost similar to a base camp type program 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.980 that runs a year long, but it's targeted to juniors 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.779 and seniors to help them understand the skillset 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:08.940 that they need to develop small businesses. 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:10.600 And in conjunction with that, 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.259 they're not just sitting in a classroom, 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.940 they're going out and they're interfacing 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:19.940 with small businesses, they're meeting with business leaders, developing those relationships. 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:25.180 And last but not least, we are working on another grant application that, if awarded, 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:30.500 would expand our small business support efforts, enhance those, and expand the partnerships 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.500 capacity. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:34.860 So, thank you for your attention. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:38.120 Happy to answer any questions. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.120 Thank you, Andrea. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.120 Thank you. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:42.559 Any questions, counsel? 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.559 Thank you. 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.559 Thank you. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:47.920 All right, thank you. 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.920 Thank you. 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:55.480 Alderman Johnson. I did. I was looking in the report that was given out to us. Yes. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:16:01.399 And it was saying regarding the six leads for industry that we could not respond to as we have 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:07.240 no existing buildings that meet requirements or can't meet water sewer demands. And I was wondering 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:14.279 will well number 12 help that at all, the situation with water and sewer demands to get more industry 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:25.720 Yes and no. In terms of, often times, sometimes it's because the manufacturer, typically it's 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:31.120 a manufacturer, uses so much water that it would tax the city's system. It's very possible 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:35.680 that with the new well, I don't know the exact numbers in terms of the capacity, that that 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:42.839 would help with that. It would alleviate that burden. The other thing to think about too, 00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:47.920 and that's, you know, in working with conjunction with community development and the city leadership 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:54.079 is making sure that the well, the water capacity might be there, but making sure that we have 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:56.759 land available for that manufacturer. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:17:01.440 So that was kind of my other question because I wondered if there were buildings. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:06.920 Is it because the buildings they weren't able to restore them to the point where they needed 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:12.559 them or there wasn't enough room for them to expand where the existing buildings were? 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:42.559 Typically it is not. It's everyone's a case-by-case basis. So I'm going to say in a little bit more generality is it's not that they don't have room to expand adjacent to the existing facility. It's oftentimes manufacturing is looking for a much higher floor-to-ceiling height to accommodate their equipment and machinery than many of the existing facilities we have today. Yeah. Good question. All right. Thank you. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.559 Thank you 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:50.740 Item number eight is discussion regarding the MOU with the Illinois Department of Transportation for South Street. Manager Boyer 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:54.079 Thank you, your honor. Go ahead and hit the lights 00:17:55.519 --> 00:18:01.039 I'm pleased tonight to discuss an MOU between the city of Freeport and IDOT 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:09.519 related to mill and overlay of South Street. That's one of our main corridors through town. It's also in a pretty significantly deteriorated status 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:17.000 Davis. Staff has been meeting with District 2 for years, probably every, up to every quarter, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:21.779 but at least twice a year. And we've always been told that's a state unmarked route. There's 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:26.299 nothing we're going to do with it. You're going to have to deal with it locally. However, 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:33.240 what they say genius is when preparation meets opportunity. Fortunately, Representative Cabello 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:39.480 and Rick Barco had a conversation. I think Cabello oversees IDOT District 2 in some 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:44.519 part or fashion with the state level. And they were discussing how difficult it was 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:48.279 for them to deploy all of the millions of dollars that they have to deploy because it 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:53.559 just can't get enough staff. And Representative Cabello said to them, well, why don't you 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:57.720 just give the money straight to the communities? So that's what's happening on South Street. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:02.360 So we're planning to receive approximately $5 million from District 2 for the mill and 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:08.679 Overlay of South Street. The bid letting goes out this June and things should be 00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:14.240 moving forward shortly after that. I will mention that part of the deal here is 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:18.480 that we need to reconstruct the ramps in the corridor and we have budgeted for 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:23.240 that and they are will be coming before you for bid approval and construction 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:27.240 before the time before June comes. We want to make sure those are all completed 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:31.320 before June so there's nothing holding back IDOT from resurfacing South Street. 00:19:31.320 --> 00:19:43.320 So, essentially, this conversation tonight is just that we'll be receiving at least $5 million in outside funding to resurface South Street this and we'll be starting in 2026. So, thank you. 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:46.320 Any questions on the MOU? Alderman Sellers? 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:50.320 I would just like to know about how long do they think that that will take? 00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:58.320 I hate to promise anything or speculate, but I would hope we could get it done in 2026, but if it doesn't get done in 20... 00:19:58.320 --> 00:20:05.400 Will the ramps be done by Freeport staff? 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:10.779 No, they'll be done by a contractor. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:13.500 Anything else? 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:18.500 Item number nine is discussion regarding ordinance amending codified ordinance to add incentive 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:25.119 pay for lead copper samples to be taken for lead service line replacement grant application. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.119 Manager Boyer. 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.279 Thank you, Your Honor. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:33.079 As everybody knows, we've been doing lead service line remediations since probably the fall 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:39.839 of 2020. To date, I think we've remediated 1,600 lead services, and we have a few hundred 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:45.559 left to go. The problem here is we're still regulated by our total number of lead services, 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:50.119 which means we have a certain sample regime that we have to do, and we're at a place where 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:55.500 we've got so few left in the system that we're finding it difficult to find adequate people 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.500 Fowler. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:21:03.000 So what we're going to bring before council and ensuing council meeting is a proposal 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:09.059 to do like an incentive for people that have a lead service in their house to participate 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:13.380 in our program and we'd like to credit them back $40 per sample. 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:20.019 Now bear in mind years ago prior to 2020 I think we only had about 30 samples per year 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:25.500 that we had to do. EPA has changed that to every six months, and they've also doubled 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:30.099 the number of samples. So as you can see, we've got to find 60 people that could do 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:35.180 the samples correctly and also do them twice a year instead of just once a year. So I'm 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:39.900 proposing or I'm going to bring forward a request of council to change our ordinance 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:45.500 so that we can then provide that $40 reduction on an individual's water bill. So we'll have 00:21:45.500 --> 00:22:11.019 Thank you. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.019 Any questions? 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.019 Alderman Johnson? 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:17.420 I just wondered what sections of this city are the eligible homes located in that could 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.420 do the testing? 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:21.059 I can't tell you eligible areas. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:23.059 It's address by address at this point. 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:26.619 So which addresses haven't had the lead services remediated yet. 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:30.360 And like I said, it's getting to be a very few of them at this point. 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:35.420 So we've done work all over town now in one specific area or another, but it's just address 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:37.079 by address at this point. 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:38.079 So yeah. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:45.200 If there's no further discussion, I'll need a motion and a second to move this forward. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.200 So move. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.200 Second. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:51.440 A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle to move this to Manager 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.440 Boyer. 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.440 Would there be the next meeting or you got something further down the line? 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:57.200 I think it'll be coming before the next meeting. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.200 Next meeting? 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.200 Yeah. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.200 Okay. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.200 All those in favor? 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.200 Aye. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.200 Opposed? 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.200 That motion passes. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.200 Item number 10 is public comment. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.200 Is there any public? 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:12.639 Tommy. 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:20.960 I want to tell you the priest chief is doing a good job of working and Jodi Miller when you're 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:32.880 going to come and see a house where we live. Not sure Tommy. Because if because we do we they cook 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:35.880 Oaks, Food, and everything. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:38.200 Nice. 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:44.759 And, Baron, do you sign all about the cleaners in Freeport? 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.360 The cleaners downtown? 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:47.039 Oh, yep. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:50.960 We're still waiting for the approval to take it down. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.240 Approve it. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:56.329 I'm trying, sir. 00:23:56.329 --> 00:23:58.130 Any other public comments, Linda? 00:24:08.650 --> 00:24:11.730 I just want to thank the Lord for all the grants. 00:24:11.730 --> 00:24:15.569 and all the money we've gotten and all the people that did all the work because I know 00:24:15.569 --> 00:24:20.210 it's a lot of work to write to get all those grants. So I just want to say I'm really thankful 00:24:20.210 --> 00:24:24.930 for the grants and everybody who's worked on them and thankful to the Lord. And I just 00:24:24.930 --> 00:24:30.289 decree unity, prosperity and peace over this city tonight. And we're moving forward in 00:24:30.289 --> 00:24:35.349 2026. And I'm really thankful for that. The other thing is there is a Martin Luther King 00:24:35.349 --> 00:24:41.369 breakfast at St. James CME Church on Saturday, this coming Saturday. So if anybody's interested 00:24:41.369 --> 00:24:45.289 Gohan. I think you can just contact the church because you do have to have a ticket to go. 00:24:45.289 --> 00:24:48.889 It's all right. Thank you. Any other public comments? 00:24:50.250 --> 00:24:55.130 Then I will entertain a motion to adjourn. So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Seller, 00:24:55.130 --> 00:25:01.049 seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor? Aye. Have a good evening.