Good evening, Madam Mayor, everyone. Would you please pray with me?

Lord of all, it is the glory of every human being to seek your wisdom and strength.

You are admirable in your power and wisdom and truth and for your mercy and grace.

Every truly good thing that we know is sourced in you.

So thank you tonight for your gifts that you've given each one here of life, of health, of community, of gifts for leadership and governance.

Lord, we thank you for this city, our home, and for those that you have put in place to be servants for the public interest here.

Lord, we thank you for this mayor and this council for these department heads, this city manager, and for so many others even in the seats here tonight that you give their time and talent for the welfare of this city.

Lord, you care about integrity, about wise planning, about justice, and we ask that you give both the leaders of this city and its citizens the humility To seek these things from you and may they find your mercy and grace that you offer freely and so tonight We ask that you'd help each one of us here to act honorably before you and with deference and grace toward each other For you have made us to speak and act with both love and truth. I Ask all this in Christ the Lord. Amen So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, could you please take the role? Mayor Miller? Here. Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Johnson? Here. Simmons is absent. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Here. And we'll wait until Alderman Stacy is able to get up to her chair because she leads the pledge. Madam Clerk,

Can you please make note that 603 Alderman Simmons arrived and then if you could all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Stacy.

I pledge allegiance 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.

Item number one is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number two is approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on July 21st, 2025, is such a motion. So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion Passes. Item number three is recognition of service awards. Manager Boyer. Thank your honor. Rick Lineman has been with the city for ten years. He started out as a swing shift operator at the wastewater treatment plant. He is now the chief wastewater operator. He's also received his class one wastewater license as well as his class B water treatment license and we're very appreciative for his and the city.

That basically concludes my remarks.

Thank you.

Item number four is public comments.

Madam Clerk, did you have one that you had for reading?

I did.

This one was emailed in and relates to agenda item number 24.

It is from Kelly Hobak.

Please consider the following as my letter of support for grievance 01-2025.

Huffines.

I am writing to emphasize the necessity of stalling curb ramps to ensure accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs and others with mobility challenges.

Curb ramps are essential for safe and independent navigation across sidewalks and streets.

Without them, wheelchair users face significant physical barriers that can prevent them from accessing public spaces freely and safely.

These barriers not only compromise mobility, but also dignity and independence.

I would also like to reference a previously submitted grievance, 01-2025, specifically concerning the corners of Park Boulevard and Church Street. The lack of curb ramps at these intersections continues to pose serious accessibility issues for community members with mobility impairments. While I appreciate any steps taken so far, this location remains a critical area in need of attention. Installing curb ramps is not only a matter of legal compliance Miller.

It is a matter of equity and inclusion.

These ramps benefit not only wheelchair users, but also individuals using walkers, strollers, bicycles, and delivery carts.

They make public spaces safer and more accessible for everyone.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

I urge you to prioritize the installation of curb ramps at Park Boulevard and Sure Street and take meaningful steps towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment.

Sincerely, Kelly Habach.

and then we have Ernestine Edmond on a bid package.

I'm not sure if I said that name correctly.

Did you want to comment on a bid package?

Yeah, that's a bid package.

I just wanted to be here because I am in the midst of all this because we're in a rental and the property. And months ago I got letters saying that the property had been sold.

» Okay, so that doesn't have to do with the bid package. So if you want to talk about rental properties, then you have to wait until the end. » Okay.

» Okay. » Which item number are we talking about? » I asked if I could address you and the council. » Okay. According to public Huffines.

These are your constituents that are being gentrified out of this town based around properties that have been sold and is increasing their rents.

These are your constituents that are going to be homeless with their children, one of whom has been hurt in one of these pieces of property.

You guys don't want to hear us?

You will hear us one way or the other.

You're going to either hear us today and not make these people stay here all night, they got to go home to their kids and their family and their homes that they will no longer be able to exist.

I'm passionate about this simply because I've been in that situation.

I've been in transitional housing for 18 months, not under the same conditions that they're going through.

And you guys need to hear them. All of you need to hear them.

You need to listen to what your constituents are saying and what I'm saying to you guys simply.

If they don't listen to you, get them out of here. Register. Everybody need to register.

Vote them out of their seat. They need to hear you. If you're not going to hear you, leave out of this door.

Don't let them wait until the last minute to do what they're doing.

Okay you you you are out of order it has nothing to do well then you will be asked to leave could you please escort her out for those of you that are standing for those of you that are standing I just want to say we are sorry for the and the hardships that you are going through.

But please know that the city has...

Can I...

You...

You...

I want you to know, you can talk at the end of the public comment if you'd like.

You can talk at the end of public comment if you'd like.

If you would like to be escorted out as well, that's your choice.

You touched enough on this damn channel. I have a good PC.

Chief, if you could handle this. For those of you that have stayed, I would just like to say I'm sorry for what you're experiencing, but please note that the city has no rent control. We have no right to govern what another business puts out for a price. We don't. There's nothing. We feel bad that you're being increased, but we have no authority to stop them from Doerr.

Well, we could.

So we will move on.

We have other public comments that are on agenda items.

I believe Rhonda Scott, you are item number 14.

Yes, I'm going to speak on item 14, but I do think that demolition item 26 is an important issue and that we are demolishing properties that could be turned into useful rentals, and that is a concern that we should be talking about.

I'm here to talk about the lift station. I was upset about it last time because I've been knowing about the Lamb Road TIF and this lift station which just came up but that TIF has been in existence since 2003 and Walmart and Menards were forced out there by a handful of white men who bought up land cheap and stuck them out there so that they could collect their property taxes. This is not Walmart or or Menard's fault. This is this group of creepy men who dictate what happens in Freeport and steal our property taxes and so that's what's happening in the Lamb Road Tiff. Walmart and Menard's property taxes are now funding a lift station to pump sewage out of there. Now when that development went in in 2005 I sat on the Planning Commission. I questioned all of this. Guess what? I was Kessler.

This is what happens to people who look up and find out the facts.

So here we are today paying for a lift station.

I just talked to Mr. Stekel, Darren, and I asked, why do we not know how much this is going to cost?

Tonight you're about to approve $234,000 for engineering services.

Do you know what that means?

Means you're going to pay him to oversee construction for a lift station. Do you know how much a lift station is going to cost you? Do you know how much it costs to run a lift station?

I asked Mr. Stegall, and he gave me an answer, which I appreciated. He said it's going to cost around $2.8, $2.3 million, which we do have in the TIF. But that's not the point.

Why are we spending the money on a lift station? When they put that development out there, they should have paid for water and sewer.

If they didn't have sewer out there, they had no business putting Walmart and Menards out there.

And Mr. Boyer, I'm telling you this for your benefit because you weren't here.

I'm not blaming you.

I'm bringing you historical information that I hope you will appreciate.

So right now we've got this same group of creepy thugs who are running developments who want a lift station to get water and sewer out to Mill Race Crossing four or 500 acres, which they bought the land cheap, had no water out there and guess what?

Now we're gonna pay for it with those property taxes that Walmart and Menards are paying that are supposed to be coming to our police water, not water, we pay for water.

Our police, fire, schools, city, we're supposed to be using those property taxes to pay for our expenses here.

But instead, you're being asked to vote now to approve engineering costs so that we can put a lift station so that these, these thug developers who are sitting over at the county can run water and sewer out to their development which doesn't even exist.

I'm sorry, your time has expired.

Thank you.

I'm not sure if the next one is Miranda Blessing.

Are you actually going to speak?

No?

On demolition, you wanna wait?

Kinsey Graham, item number 10.

Good evening, council.

Hello, my name is Kenji Graham with State Line Solar on behalf of Harmony UMC.

I'd like to address you in terms of item number 10, the approval of the ground-mounted solar array on the property.

Mostly, I just wanted to answer the questions that came up from the first reading.

That being, why not put solar panels on the roof?

Main reason to not put panels on the roof is because it's due to be replaced soon, and that would add extra cost to the church to have to remove them and put them back up at that time.

We also moved it to the back of the property to remain out of sight as per the code request and our sizing of that ground mounted system does comply with the current ordinances as they are today.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Akia Sanders on item number 23.

Let me try to make this as quick as possible.

It's a lot to cover.

Cover. I'm going to show you how God revealed everything on this agenda that you say that don't have nothing to do with it. The root is Wayne Duckman. Wayne is responsible for knocking down these houses that does not have to be knocked down. We are in a housing crisis right now, and we're looking at the man to give him some money, a contract. After he quit on Freeport, he quit, put his two weeks in, don't want nothing to do with us, but Boyer.

He won $1,000 for 16 hours a week.

That's insane.

Insane.

We're in a housing crisis.

Rob Boyer, it's your time to put on a Superman cape.

Try to act like you care about the community.

We are a rural community.

Rural means you guys have made the rules to fit your needs.

Now it's time to make the rules to fit the community needs and what they actually need.

Farmer, Don, Mara, Nat King.

So we all need to know this.

And have you worked through those properties and seen if they honestly need to be knocked down?

Wayne Duckman is very vindictive.

He harasses a lot of people.

He gives all kinds of hell to a lot of people only because they are consistent and hustling.

He mad because he got to do a job.

He the left his job five times.

And now you, putting on a contract, you want to give him some money for begging him to stay.

Fowler.

I can't believe out of those nine people we don't have one that can do more than 16 hours a week.

He's a reason that all of our whole community is failing.

He's a reason that the progress for the Eastside projects, he's trying to stop that.

And your whole election was ran off Chicago slum landlords and I ain't going to believe that you can't do nothing about one coming here and trying to fix it.

Make it so it fits the cap.

Dugman. You cannot do 500 to 1,000. You cannot make somebody pay that much. You are in control.

Maybe you guys don't care because half of y'all are living good. But it's people that need help. Social Security, low-income jobs. You ain't got no jobs here, Rob. Freeport Partnership ain't created a thing, I see. It's time for somebody to do something that's done for the community. Keep your topic on the contract. It is the contract. Wayne Dugman needs to Duckman has to go. Wayne Duckman has to go. Don't beg a man to stay that has torn down the community in a way we can't live. Go through the properties once. How often do you go over there? How often do you trail those properties that have been torn down? Mine, for one, didn't need to be torn down. It couldn't want to some of these families. But instead, he wanted Don't look down, look up, look at the people you're about to fail, but 2027 you can count your blessings and get out of here.

Cheryl Altman on item number 23.

Mine is also concerning Wayne Duckman and Rob.

I've tried to talk to Rob.

I have an eight-unit apartment building that can get fixed up, but because Wayne's got to bug up his ass against me too.

Anikia, shake your head yes, Wayne, I know it.

All these people, eight units, can you imagine how many families I could put in that eight unit?

Get off your ass and let us fix this property so that these people have a place to live.

Okay, let's not swear or you're done.

Don't swear at him.

At all.

But it's okay that he can rip people off.

What am I talking about?

Rans, and you can also go to the website, there's another exception too.

But you guys sit here, these people are looking for homes.

Give me the permit so that I can fix this back up.

You already stole one of my houses.

If you think you're going to get this one, you're going to have a fight.

Next is Joseline Risley.

I'm sure I'm saying that terribly wrong.

I did want to speak on the impact of demolitions and outside takeover.

Okay, but the item that you spoke on is the contract.

Yes, and that's part of the demolitions, correct?

No.

No, from 23, 26, and 27?

You wrote down item number 23.

Oh, I'm sorry.

So if you want to talk about the bid package, you want to talk about those eight bid package things?

Yes, the eight and the nine.

Is it 23?

We have something specific about bid package stuff.

You can talk about it.

Yes, it's in addition to the recent rent hikes, it also is including the several properties that have been demolitioned over the last few years.

Is this not the appropriate time to speak about that?

So those items that are on the agenda about demolition, they're voting to accept a bid to demolish a certain group of properties here.

So if you're talking about old properties, then it's not on point.

if you're talking about these properties then you can that's on point it's in addition to that it's it's the the big picture of it I know that there are additional properties that are proposed to being demolitioned but it's in addition to what's already been done it's they kind of go hand in hand if you will probably then you can certainly talk about that but it's probably meant for the public comment at the end of the meeting because it's a non-agenda item but it's an addition to what and I don't mean to go back and forth with you and and John.

I'm not going to waste more of my allotted time. But it's in addition to the properties that are looking to be demolitioned because it's causing just a greater strife for the residents of the Freeport community because it leaves even less areas for them to reside. And it is related to the rent increase, which of course is not on the agenda.

Yes, I understand.

I think your comments are going to have to wait till the end because I just don't think they're really not about the bid packet. The bid packet is who's the lowest bidder? What's the price to demolish it?

I understand that that's your perspective on it, and I will respect that. So I'd be happy to see that.

I understand that that's your perspective on it, and I will respect that, so I'd be happy to speak later in the meeting. Thank you.

Thank you. That concludes public comments.

We don't have executive session. It's always a standing item. We don't have anything on there.

Just so you know we're not going into executive session Okay, go ahead. My name is Robert Holt. I am the AFSCME Council 31 staff representative for local 3367 the municipal employees of the city of Freeport. I Received this letter that they've asked me to read today So I'll begin over the past few years public works has been promised a $5 an hour increase Thomas, that they have not received.

And now that the city does not want to come through, now the city does not want to come through on their problems.

In 2019, the local took a 0% increase because the city said they did not have the funds to give us our negotiated increase.

And after the city got their COVID money, they only gave it to the police and fire pensions and no one else.

Without the street department, the city would be paying millions more to get streets paved.

Winter, the streets would not get plowed to ensure safe traveling for our citizens and police and fire. Without the water and sewer construction crews, we would have to pay someone else thousands to fix main breaks. You would also have to figure out who was going to run sewer lines when they get backed up and don't flow properly. Without the telecommunicators, all the calls would be directed to other agencies, which would take even longer to dispatch our are officers and fire department personnel.

Without the water treatment crews, there would not be safe drinking water.

If there is no fire, if there is a fire, no one will be there to turn up the pumps to help support the water supply needed to put out fires.

So pay us what you owe us, because if you don't pay, we don't stay.

Okay, item number five is the consent agenda.

The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature unless there's a member of the council who would like to have something removed for further discussion.

The consent agenda is approving to receive in place on file the board and commission minutes from the Planning Commission, May 8th, June 12th, 2025, the Zoning Board of Appeals, June 5th, 2025, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, June 24th, July 1st, 2025, Finance and Cash and Investment Reports for June 2025, the Greater Freeport Partnership, July 2025, Building Permit, Fire Department, and Police Department Reports for July 2025, The finance bill is payable in the total of $5,658,211.16 and payroll for pay period ending July 26, 2025 in the total of $685,042.99 and payroll for ending August 8, 2025 in the total of $671,983.85 Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Oh, I'm sorry. Ann Parker? Aye.

The motion passes 5 to 2. Item number 6 is appointments. Could you please read?

Conny Kraft to the ADA Commission, effective immediately through May 31st, 2029.

Is there a motion to approve?

So move.

Second.

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

Discussion?

Alderman Stacy?

Why Conny Kraft?

She served previously on an old commission that was stood up years ago.

She expressed interest, asked if she could be a part, and I had an opening.

She's an outstanding citizen in this city.

Is she what?

Is she an outstanding citizen in this city?

She's very involved in this city.

I wouldn't put somebody on that I didn't think was outstanding.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Johnson, Simmons, still absent and Parker. Motion passes seven to zero. Item number seven is the second reading of ordinance 2025-44. Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending chapter 460, section 460.16, written permits required for overweight vehicles of the City of Freeport's code of ordinances. Thank you.

Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Just following up, we had our first reading in July. This is our second reading and now in August. The staff requests moving forward with some changes to the ordinance for oversized vehicles, so that'd be creating an overweight and oversized permit form. Permitting required within city limits no matter what roads are used within the city. Also adding $150 for individual one-time permits, $1,200 for an annual permit. That would be for individuals licensed within the city and then $500 penalty for non-compliance of permitting. Staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance. Discussion? Alderman Shadle?

I had a conversation with Garrett Miller from Merrick Crane's, the Crane Service. Yes. He He brought to my attention that the state fee, the yearly fee is $1,400 and he felt ours was excessive at $1,200 and was hoping we could get that somewhere down more towards a $500 range.

Any other discussion?

I would just comment we'll make it whatever the council decides to be I'll make it whatever the council decides to be.

I did a little bit of research on different types of fees and other communities charged by the overage of weight over the 80,000 pounds.

That would be very difficult for us to do.

We don't have that kind of employees or tracking time.

I tried to, you know, make it a break rather than doing individual permits.

There is still time and expense into the city every time these vehicles move, but it's whatever your guys' pleasure is, mine was just a recommendation.

I'd just like to mention we could probably do something like $500, that's unreasonable to council.

At this time, you know, we don't have anything on the books so something's better than nothing, so.

Alderman Stacey.

I don't think it's fair to just make up a price here based upon what someone is wanting.

If we need to move it to the next meeting and re-look at this, then let's all re-look at it.

But to sit here and change 1200 to 500 tonight, I don't think that that's right nor fair.

Manager Boyer.

One thing I might want to mention is I've only been contacted by one older man who is concerned and expressed some interest from a local business that will be operating overweight within the city.

And so from that standpoint, we did look at various other options, but $500 would be a good start on any kind of annual permit and that would also keep some of the overhead lower for operators that are overweight.

Alderman Klemm.

Yes, I know in this, you had eliminated certain vehicles.

The example that Alderman Shadle used is needless to say this guy does a lot of work with the cranes a lot around the area and needless to say it's got a place in town so he'd be using it all the time. Would there be a possibility of putting him into that group that with the garbage trucks so on and so forth?

I don't believe so. The cranes he operates are fairly large and completely different than a garbage truck. They're enormous. So I don't know if Darren wants to chime in on some of that or...

I talked to the one business they called and they typically run over the weight limit.

Huffman.

That's the size of a crane.

They have multiple cranes, but the one that they, I think, use very regularly is significantly overweight.

Our roads are permitted between 60 and 80,000 pounds, and I think the unit that we discussed was about 125,000.

So the permitting process is really to control where these vehicles operate within the city.

So for instance, unless we had a crane job at somewhere on Locust Street, I would not permit somebody to go drive a hundred thousand pound load down Locust Street because we just replaced it.

So the whole idea behind this permitting process is to map the exact routes that they're traveling.

It's not just a free pass to do whatever they want whenever they want.

It is actually to map it out to say, okay, we're, we fixed these streets, so please don't operate on these streets.

as we move through the network and cycle of it, right?

And that's the people that, cause we actually have an ordinance.

This ordinance is already on the books.

So we do have people that already submit for permits all the time out of town, crane carriers and stuff.

We just don't have any fees tied to this ordinance.

It actually already exists.

I reviewed it with the attorney and it just says the fees will be made up by the public works director at the end of it.

and there was no fee schedule and I didn't feel like it was right to impose a fee schedule that wasn't approved by council.

Oh, Mr. Sanders?

Yeah, I'm listening to the scenario that you got or the comprehensive conversation that you guys are trying to establish before council.

But we have no comprehensive scaling chart for over the road driving here in the city and I think we should establish that.

If we don't have one, we should have one, okay?

We have one, it's 80,000 pounds.

No, what I mean is we as council need to be able to examine and do an accessibility of those charts to see if we're within the guidelines of scaling prices, fees and whatever the nine yards is on that matter.

so what I am saying is before we set fees and try to impose these fees based upon coming out of our head, I like to see this in writing.

I like to see a chart mapping of the city where trucks can drive and cannot drive and I like to see that visually and I think the people of the city would like to see that visually as well.

When they see trucks driving in certain areas that knowing that they have no business in these areas but not fine for this kind of traveling, I think we need to have a complete overall view of what the chart should look like when it comes to censoring what trucks are doing within the city itself.

And I think that's, yeah, I'm gonna hold this thing for a second until I get done here because I may not be able to come back.

and I like for us to get this thing prioritized before we decide to allow this thing to be done.

I don't know if there's a time limit on it or whenever you guys want to implement this program or whatever the case may be, but if it's not in effect as of now today, then before we do that, let's have all of our tools in place and making sure that council is very aware and John.

We want to have what is being done on these matters and not have us listening to something that may happen or may not have happened. And things are changing.

So we want something established that has some form of foundation that we can go to all together, not only that, but even be placed on our website where people can have accessibility to these kinds of things.

So that's my recommendation.

to keep the integrity of the ordinance valuable to the city of Freeport.

Oldham and Stacy.

I would just like to make a motion that we move this to the first meeting in September where we can get clarity for those who need clarity or want clarity.

And I don't think it's fair to start adjusting prices.

We support who we want and who we don't, we don't.

This is a prime example of willing to drop from $1,200 to $500 because of one business, which Director Darren Steckel said is over a thousand pound truck.

Okay, we have a motion on the floor to move this ordinance to the next regular scheduled meeting. Is there a second?

Second.

Mayor?

Sure.

Can I respond to Mr. Sanders' comment just for some clarity?

So currently, the way the ordinance exists, anybody can drive anywhere they want without any issue, right?

and so if you're a truck that's under the legal moving weight which is 80,000 pounds they can drive up and down every street in Freeport without any control and it's not illegal for them to do it we don't have routes that are cars only or or non truck routes right so they can go wherever they want this is really for the oversized overweight loads to ensure that they're just not cruising down our streets that we're repairing without any control we have no control mechanism Right now, we have an ordinance that can't be enforced, because we have no penalty.

So we're trying to put some teeth to it.

I have done research on this.

What I have proposed is what most communities have.

The fee can, I don't want to say it's negotiable, but it's whatever you guys feel is fair.

I personally, I did not talk to this business, but I talked to other businesses.

And the fee that I proposed, they felt was fair, based on other communities and how they move their loads.

currently the way the state moves vehicles around the city excuse me the the the state of Illinois moves vehicles they fill out a permit and in that permit that they supply to the state it says you have to get permission or permitting from local jurisdictions we have found many trucks that drive down our residential streets with no permitting process that are way overweight i'm trying to get control of this because we're investing millions and millions of dollars into streets that we Don't Want Destroyed. This is just an extension of our street program. I will say that the one person that called in, now if he's doing an RDA to develop his business in the future, we know where he's going to be at. So when we reconstruct that street, we will make that street of heavier pavement and size to handle those loads day in and day out. That doesn't That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be a permitting process.

That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be a permitting process for it.

This is very typical per community.

Some places have automated systems.

We don't have enough truck traffic to have these automated systems to do the work.

So again, just my clarity on it.

Manager Boyer.

The purpose of first and second reading is to allow time for people to have things settle in.

I think this was one of the points that was brought up after the first reading was this seems excessively high.

because we have nothing now. I personally don't see an issue with Lower Oregon to making it $500 and then we'll see how things go in the future. But whether it's 500 and 1200, it's not going to change the our ability to repair roads and that will continue to do that. So staff just recommends moving forward with the amended the amended amount. I made a motion. Why are we still talking? I want to come back to that. That was that's why I let them say as department heads to say what they want to. But we do have a motion on the floor. You're correct. Okay. So the motion on the floor, seconded by Alderman Sanders, is to move this on to the next regular scheduled meeting.

So, if there's any discussion on that motion itself, otherwise, Madam Clerk, would you please take the role?

On that?

Yes, on that.

I'm just wondering, if it was the first reading on, well, I wasn't here on the committee as a whole, and that was on 7-14?

So we've had a whole week or so to look over all of this. I do think that just staying at the 1,200, if that's what they brought it the first time, just stand at that and moving forward to keep things moving. But I think if we already looked at it at 714 and they talked about it as a committee as a whole, why are we...

You're correct. This is our third meeting of discussion. Yes, that's what I'm saying.

So on Alderman Stacey's motion to move this, Madam Clerk, could you please take May I say something? If we stick at what was given to us, if we stick at what we've looked at for the last three weeks, I would withdraw my motion.

But we haven't made an amendment yet. So are you withdrawing your motion then?

Are we going to move forward with this as is? Someone would have to make a motion to amend and the change.

No, I'm not talking about changing it.

I'm talking about leaving it at $1,200 and moving forward.

That's the way it is right now.

As is.

As is.

That's what I'll say.

Alderman Sanders?

That's what I'll say.

Comment on reestablishing what this sounds like is being placed in a position of hastiness.

That's what it sounds like to me right now at this moment.

And I don't like that kind of feeling that I'm getting.

I like all the data information that Bryan is recommending, what he is stating right now before us.

All of this data information and related to this issue should be brought before us so we can see that.

Well, for three weeks we have not seen tangible data.

I'm looking for tangible data assessment, the assessment of what we're discussing right now.

and I think it requires more than just us having these small discussions here at council.

These type of things needs to be overviewed by a larger agenda far as how are we gonna get down to the nitty gritty of all of the things that we're trying to recommend to the city and suggest for the city.

I think there's more variations of data that could be implemented to the council and it's not done.

This is not coming forward.

So I'm just giving, I'm just saying I love Boyer, Darren to give us a little bit more information on how we're going to assess all of this and let the people of the city know where the clarity comes in so they can digest what we're trying to do here.

And I'm just saying, I don't like us coming to council just talking about something, and I also want to direct my attention to our city clerk as much as I can.

Any time that we are having these meetings, I know she brings it out in a format for council to see, not only for council to see or to hear, but she brings it in a format of tangible documents so we can revert back to it, recite back to it, or go back over what it is that we've been discussing.

When I see this kind of format that is happening within the city council by the clerk, I prefer us to have that before us so we can go line by line knowing exactly what was said, how it was said, what was being done, and what the citizens of the city of Freeport is listening to.

I think it's more, it brings us back to the center to where all of this came from, because right now we have nothing tangible before us.

And so I would like for us to continue that sequence of documents or data before council, before we even start the process of anything on the agenda.

and let the council be able to briefly look over the things that we have been discussing through council on a weekly basis so we can keep it refreshed in our mind of what we've talked about because trying to say that what we've done two weeks ago does not all the time is retained of information that should be there.

And we're talking about it and we're discussing it.

So I think the council should be able to revert back to it and refresh their memory on things that has been said over the council chamber.

And that's my recommendation.

I think that should happen.

And let's move forward with that because I'm listening to it, but I'm not getting enough data.

That's what I'm not getting.

We're talking about things that does not have a track record.

Alderman Sanders.

I didn't know I had a time.

Yes, you have a time late.

Manager Boyer, did you want to respond to that?

And then we have to go back to the motion.

I did, just a quick minute.

Alderman Sanders, we've talked a couple of times Johnson.

We have had scheduled times for a minimum of six to eight months, and we have not had a time to sit down.

So I haven't had the opportunity to discuss those questions with you.

So we have an upcoming meeting, and I hope we can get together then.

Okay.

Okay.

So back to there's still a motion on the floor, Alderman Stacey, what do you want to do with that?

Okay.

I have a question.

or if I pull my motion in hopes that it move forward as it is, but then someone else make a motion to amend it, that can happen?

Yes, it can.

You know, it's like we respect Darren's opinion on everything.

I mean, it's like Fehr Graham runs this city.

He has an opinion on everything and we give him the floor to express and respect his opinion.

And so I don't understand why it can't be respected now.

So in good faith that we're going to move forward as we have talked about the last three Weeks, as well has been presented.

I will remove my motion.

Oldman Sanders, will you remove your second?

I will.

I like to do that based upon what our city clerk presents to us from this day forward.

She's been doing the job.

I commend her for that because it does keep us and John.

So, I'm asking you if you'll remove your second.

Oh, yes, I will remove it.

Okay.

So, now we're back to the original ordinance on the second reading.

Is there any discussion?

Alderman Klemm.

Yes.

Deren, this is a question. Understanding the ordinance, basically, do I see two parts of this? One is basically the financial end of it, but the main thing is, if this goes through, basically, then you're going to work with that person on it, whether it be daily or whatever basis, to plan their route of where they're going with their heavy equipment, correct?

Correct. Our process, and I've talked to a couple people on that, is they submit an email with their route, if they're an annual.

with their route. If they're an annual, they submit it with a route and we approve it if there's no issues with that route. If it's, I keep using Locust Street because everybody knows it. If it would be down Locust Street, I would say no reroute and go down West Street, right? Which we have with the permit process, we have that opportunity to do that because we're reviewing their path. You also have to remember, you know, the local people that truck through Freeport all the time, they're moving trucks, you Fowler.

I don't, I guess I tend to agree with City Manager Boyer that I don't think the amount is as important as the process, right?

So, but I'm fine with whatever I suggested.

but myself and the public works team, what little research we could do because you have to remember something in a city of Freeport, whether we're talking about water or sewer or roads, the city of Freeport has its own DNA, right?

Our costs are different than other towns costs.

Our staff size is different than other staff size.

So what may work for one town won't work for another.

That being said, you know, I'm flexible.

We're not trying to drive people out of Freeport.

We're just trying to make it a system that's used and can be monitored and tracked by the public works team and the movements through town to eliminate failing roads and issues.

That's what it's for.

Alderman Johnson.

So like you just said, the main purpose of this is to try to protect our roads that we've already done and try not to break down the roads that we haven't been able to get to and to try to make them so they're at least drivable.

Also you have, you said you've asked other cities kind of what they, you've done some research other places kind of what they charge and that sort of thing.

And again, some of the bigger towns that we have to compare to, they have very sophisticated systems similar to the state where it's all automated processes, people get an annual thing and then they and they turn in their routes and things like that.

And some of them like Rockford's, if you look at theirs, they pay by the pound.

We don't have scale systems and those would cost an immense amount of money to put scale systems in.

So we actually have the owners figure out their weight on their own and show that to us if they're overweight.

Again, I mean, we spent a lot of time talking about this.

We're probably talking in the neighborhood of five to 10 trucks a month, honestly, and others that are running overweight, right?

Most of them run legal weights and this does not pertain to them.

Okay.

Alderman Johnson, if you want to.

Just two more questions.

If we pass it with the amount that we designated at this time, what was it, 1,200 instead of 500, would there be any time possibly that we could change that if we felt like it was, I mean, the council could come back together and renegotiate that if we felt like that was a problem.

also I was wondering where does the money from the permits what what does that money go toward when we get get the money for the permits where does that money go sure so yes it could come back to council at any time just like any other ordinance and have the cost change to a lower amount higher amount whatever the pleasure of the council and it just takes city manager the mayor or any council people to bring that back up to the meeting and then all of our permit fees doesn't matter what department it comes from or goes back to the general funds they're paid in and finance believe brings them all back through the general fund. Okay thank you much.

Alderman Sanders you've already spoke twice. Have I? Is there any other discussion? Alderman Shadle?

I just would like to reiterate that this gentleman mentioned this because the state fee is $1400.

The city came in at $1200.

He felt that was exorbitant for what it was, state versus the city.

the 500 he felt would have been more appropriate.

Another comment on to our city clerk that I think she's doing a fine job.

The notices on this agenda under item seven says view memo, view state statute and view permit application I think was pretty much everything you were saying Mc over here, which he didn't have there, but it's there.

If there's no further discussion?

Yeah.

Well, you spoke twice, so I'd have to get.

No, I'm not speaking.

I'm just saying, is it prudent that someone makes a derogatory comment to another Council sitting right in his ear about something that's not on the agenda?

That's what I want to make reference to.

And that, and just because he made that comment, I think there should be some kind of discretion DeWitt, Frank, Kasey, Thomas, Peter, Andrew, Nick, and Paul.

And I think when we're talking about being presented, when a council does that, you know, when he has no more, he's not agenda, he's not on the agenda, I should not have been implemented in that agenda.

That's what I'm getting at.

And he put me there.

All right, Sanders, I think you had indicated that you wanted the clerk to do certain things there.

To give you that information, I think Alderman Shadow was just pointing out the fact that Boyer.

I think that's all he was saying.

He was kind of answering your question.

Okay.

All right.

I'll accept it today.

I'll accept that.

Okay.

So is there any other discussion?

If not, we'll take a vote.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Alderman Simmons?

Manager Boyer, what is the amendment?

Is it stand as was?

There is no amendment.

It's the way it stands.

Unless you want to make an amendment.

We're voting on an amendment.

No.

You're voting on an ordinance that there's no amendment that has gone forward.

if you'd like to put an amendment on, that's up to you.

Okay, my bad.

Yeah, it says amending.

Exactly, that's what I'm saying.

The amending of this ordinance that we are voting on.

Okay, attorney Zito will answer that.

So the ordinance itself, the ordinance that's been presented at Cal and first read and now second read, it isn't an ordinance that is amending the existing ordinance to add a process there.

and in that ordinance that's amending the current version of the code, it has a fee of $1,200 in it.

During tonight's discussion, there were talks about an amendment to the underlying ordinance to change it to 500, but there was no motion to actually change the dollar amount to tweak the ordinance as presented.

That's what I'm saying.

Okay, no, there was no motion, but manager Boyer agreed to doing it.

No, he can't.

Just said, that's fair, city recommends that.

So as long as that's not being changed.

Correct.

Okay.

It needs the council's, manager Boyer has made, he said that he's fine with it being 500 as a recommendation of his, but it's still up to you guys to decide whether or not you want to make the motion to change, actually implement that $500 change.

That's all I wanted to clarify, okay, thank you.

That it wouldn't be changed once we voted yes.

The ordinance passes 8 to 0.

Item number 8 is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-48.

Could you please read this?

and Dr. Dockman.

I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Dockman.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

So this ordinance, nothing has changed since the first reading, but there were some questions about number of actual physical cultural centers slash gyms that have come into the area and how often a subject like this would occur.

And in the past year, we've had four athletes that have come into the area and they've been For, actual athletic centers, physical cultural centers, gyms come through the city of Freeport.

We've had, in March 3rd, we approved it in council.

18th South Chicago was Magicians Academy, MMA, so that was in March 3rd.

Then we also had a new gym who's still working on their build-out, so they haven't given their name yet, but that was at Cub Foods.

So that was July 7th at 25.

We just recently had the Studio Elan Pilati Studio at 2 to 6 East Stevenson, that was July 21, 2025.

And then we also had the Freeport Martial Arts at 105107 West Main Street.

So those are, and that was called Freeport Martial Arts, that was July 21, 2025.

So that gives a little background on why staff has presented this, what's known as a text amendment.

of Planning Commission.

We brought it to Planning Commission and we looked at our comprehensive plan and we stated that we're seeing an influx of what is a positive land use, which is physical activity.

There's plenty of complaints that our community doesn't have enough positive activities to do and we're seeing quite a bit of an influx of these gyms, physical cultural centers, Settlers, Settlers, Settlers and the city.

So I think it's a good thing for them that they're allowed to do it by right and certainly anybody in this city is subject to building codes.

They would still have to get their certificate of occupancy.

They would still have to pass their fire code inspections, etc.

So I think it's a good thing for them that they're allowed to do it by right.

Fiercote inspections, etc. So that's really what's before you today.

Thank you. Alderman Sanders? Yeah. Are you receiving complaints from these business owners?

I would say 9 out of 10 business owners complain on any permit they have to fill out.

and John.

So, I'm going to ask you a question about that.

Okay.

And so, does the permit stipulate exactly what the criteria is for them to meet certain things within side of this permit?

Does that, is that presented within side of the permit itself?

Every permit states what is requested and what's going to be reviewed, yes.

and John, and I'm going to ask you a question.

If we're not going to be able to do that, why are we not allowing people that is trying to alter the permit, if they don't want to work inside of the guidelines of the permit, why are we allowing the permit to be altered to be convenient to some and not to others?

That's not true. That's not true? Well, that's what I'm hearing. I can explain again.

and I have to meet all of the things that are within this guideline.

Why are we having a complaint issue with owners or business perspective owners about the permit?

To answer your question quickly, most business owners would prefer not to have to pay for permits, so this costs money.

And most business owners would like to be efficient and start opening up their business right away.

So in general, a general answer to your comment is less regulation.

From a business owner's perspective, they're going to want less regulation.

from a staff perspective, I brought four physical cultural centers before council this year.

And I will gladly do four more, 20 more.

This department will stand by and bring every single Jim Pilati studio to city council.

That's what's before you today.

This measure was brought not for one specific owner, not because people complained.

Huffines.

It simply was brought because when a land use, when you see an influx of people wanting to start gyms, studios, and you're looking at it and saying, does every gym that opens up, it does that warrant having to come to council and delay opening their business every time a gym comes to the city to get their proper permits?

And we've seen four people do it in the past year.

If that's what the pleasure of council is, I'm not arguing that.

Mr. Duckman, the permits are self-explanatory, and the fact that you are, I understand that you have to listen to the business owners and put things like that, if it's better to serve them in a particular way, I can understand the alterations in permits if it's all agreed and John.

If it's not a permanent permit, it's not something to put a date up on, especially coming from the Council. If there's any changes in the permit that satisfy them altogether, I don't want it to be one side and the other side. And if that's the case, we need to be able to look at it again, have another assessment about it, talk about it again like we're doing now.

Neather. I want them to be able to be comparable in what they're doing and being able to serve the city of Freeport. And so when we're doing that, that's all I wanted to do is bring clarity to and let the people know and not only let the council know, but let the citizens of Freeport know that we are looking into these matters with our eyes open, you know, that kind of thing. So that's all I'm saying.

I just have some information because I know we had a question of what physical culture center means.

The definition is a place dedicated to the systematic cultivation of physical fitness and health through various exercises and practices.

The concept is rooted in the belief that physical development and health are interconnected with cultural values and contribute to a holistic sense of well-being.

and I just went through and hunted how many of these are in the city of Freeport and what I could find online, there was 22 that includes your martial arts, that includes exercise places, that includes yoga places.

So just to let you know, there are 22 already in the city.

Also, I have a question, is there a place where they can open up these without having to come to the Council for rezoning without having the permit.

There is.

It's more restrictive because any time you have, right now it's in the B2, B3, or manufacturing districts.

So any time when you're creating the plan of your city, when you get into more intense business districts, B2, B3, the city is going to typically have smaller areas where Miller, John, John, John, John, John We're not seeing it the same as those more intense uses and they would have to go to those more intense uses and find locations where they could put them to fit there.

So that's really what this is about is seeing an influx in this use, which staff thinks is a positive for the city.

We're happy that people want to bring physical health to our community.

We're just trying to be more business friendly to say we shouldn't have to bring these every Every single gym that opens up would be bringing it to council for approval.

Thank you.

Yep.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

No.

Simmons?

No.

Parker?

Aye.

The ordinance passes 6-2.

Item number 9 is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-49.

Could you please read this?

Dixie.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

So nothing here has changed yet.

Nothing has changed on this since the first reading.

And so essentially what this is is our codified ordinances state, serve, and not sell alcohol.

So currently what we're saying is that you would not need to get a special use permit if you are in a BYOB bring your own alcohol establishment because our current ordinances say sell as opposed to serve.

So what this is essentially, this is a cleaning up of the language review by our legal counsel saying that we're trying to be, we're trying to hold our BYOB establishments to the same Bates, and then, of course, we have a number of other stakeholders, and I think that's a good way to understand the same standard that our bars and restaurants in town are, and that's to make sure that they would still have to get a special use permit.

Any additional discussion on this?

In reading?

Alderman Sanders?

Can you repeat that again on the last thing that Right, so you know we've had plenty of discussions over the past year and over the past year and meeting halls are typical use where you're going to have a bring your own alcohol establishment and you're going to serve it you're not going to charge a fee you're not going to go buy a glass of wine or a beer yeah and so all of the liquor licenses are required to have a special use permit first mm-hmm okay so there's a loophole that currently exists where if you're in and a BYOB or you're not charging per drink, they are not, it's a loophole, we're cleaning up the language that says, it says sell alcohol. So since that establishment, the meeting hall is not selling alcohol, they would not have to go get the special use permit. And our attorney did a review of the, our code and said we really should clean this up to make sure that they're on the same playing field to make it fair.

Miller.

What you're saying is, at these meeting halls, I'm trying to get the interpretation of where this product can be served.

Is it meeting halls or is it in any other establishment type of venue or establishment that this BYOB?

BYOB.

Yeah.

And do we have the correct meaning of interpretation of where this can be served?

I mean, is that established? Have we established that?

Yes.

Because we need to be able to make a differentiation of which one is which.

And that's why we're here. That's why this is here.

Okay.

Is that it's been reviewed and anywhere that's serving or selling, either one, they're going to have to be on the same playing field. That's why this is here, to make sure we're fair and we're treating everyone the same.

Okay.

Now, my question also is.

Did you want to use your second time?

Yeah, let me do that.

These meeting venues or meeting places, as you make reference to, are not always established.

Restaurants, what we call bars or whatever the case is, and people are just out having a convention or an event or an event.

but they're actually in those type of meetings alcohol is being served but they're also being charged. What's the difference between the two because if a person wants to bring his own and the venue already established a prop bar for sale, is there a problem there? Yes, there's two different, there's Petit, and Matt.

There's different classes of liquor licenses.

And a meeting hall is not supposed...

If a meeting hall gets their BYOB liquor license, they are not allowed to sell alcohol.

Okay.

So that takes care of your concern.

You know, if you soon as you say I'm going to sell a drink to you as a bar or restaurant would, that's a different class of liquor license.

Fowler.

When at a meeting, people want to have something at the bar, and they're normally charged.

They should be.

Yeah.

And they should have a permit for that.

Am I correct?

You are correct, and they do.

Yeah.

And how do we determine whether they are eligible to do so?

We have, well, that's part of this, right?

We have a Liquor Commission.

Mm-hmm.

And if somebody wants to sell alcohol, serve alcohol, they know what they would like to do.

They come to City Hall.

They talk to my department.

Huffines.

And then we go to a liquor commission meeting, which would determine if you meet the requirements for a liquor license, you have to go through a special use permit process, which is through the community development department.

And what this is saying is the language is clearing it up from sell to serve because and some establishments don't serve, don't charge for alcohol.

Right, right.

Well, my point is there are a lot of them that does.

And they're taken care of.

And I like to know whether or not they're receiving permits that allows them to be eligible to do so.

Because in that same sector, a BYOB, whatever that is, I don't know the right term.

Bring your own alcohol.

Might want to be able to walk into an establishment of that nature and bring his own liquor without notifying the bar, whoever, to find out whether the eligibility is okay to bring their own liquor into an establishment or an event that they're in, if there's a bar in place, which one governs over the whole event when it comes to sale of liquor or service of liquor?

I'm sorry, I don't understand what's going on.

Okay. So, Madam Clerk, would you like to say something?

So when the meeting hall ordinance was rewritten, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol are exempt from getting a meeting hall license. So what would be an example? The bowling alley.

If they had a banquet room, we are not going to require them to get a meeting hall license for their banquet room, it was decided that places that sell liquor are pretty heavily regulated and we would not put them through the meeting hall process.

So if they are a bar or a restaurant, they're not a meeting hall.

If they are a meeting hall, they have the option to have a BYOB or there can be a meeting hall that doesn't have BYOB.

but if you are bringing your own liquor.

My point is how do you establish that?

How does a person not knowing what the establishment permitted, if they don't have a posting notification sign before they enter into any event venue or banquet or whatever the case is, if there's no sign posted saying that this is not a B-O-Y-B whatever establishment, We are a permit to sale, and that's what you get at these establishments, and you have to be able to distinguish the difference when a person come off the street and want to attend this event, they need to know whether they can, wait a minute, are you?

So Alderman Sanders, you've actually spoken like four times now, so. Oh, have I?

Yeah, so if you wanna.

Well, I just wanted to bring that up, I just needed clarity on that, that's all I wanted.

Well, I mean, yeah.

Rest assured that it's a process.

We have a Liquor Commission meeting.

And anybody who is serving or selling alcohol is regulated through our department.

And whatever concerns you have, I mean, certainly, if there's ever a major concern the next time there's a Liquor Commission meeting, I would suggest going.

Because they will talk about, you know, they talk about all that at the Liquor Commission.

Very good, very good.

That's all I was looking for.

Understood, understood.

OK, so if there's no further discussion on this text amendment, would you please take the vote?

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

No.

And Parker?

Aye.

The ordinance passes seven to one.

Item number 10 is the second reading of ordinance 2025-50.

Could you please read this?

Ordinance approving special use permit application Kessler.

We're going to talk about a special use of an R3 one-family resident zone property to allow for solar energy systems which utilize ground-mounted PV arrays per section 1250.01 B20.

Alderman Shadle, or who wanted to present this?

Director Duckman, is it you?

I guess I would just bring it up.

I'll speak on behalf of this.

So essentially, this was brought originally to council on July 21st.

And it essentially was brought to the floor, and there was no motion made on it for a vote or discussion at all.

It was just brought, and there was never a motion or a second to discuss it.

So what we're talking about here, it's been brought again to council.

and essentially what we have here is, this is the church here and you can see these are the existing panels on a shed roof which is allowed by right.

They don't have to go to council to ask for permission here, but they're asking for 120 feet here, I'm sorry, it's 120 feet from the property line here which is, you have a natural We have a little barrier of trees, and you have the building line here, and you can see that the solar panels are back further away from the view screen from the road here.

So essentially, this is Pearl City Road here. As you come down, originally the developer or the church and State Line Solar were discussing filling this entire area with solar panels, as well as this entire area with solar panels.

That's a lot of electricity there.

A lot of electricity there.

They now are down to this small area right in here.

So it's been brought again on the floor.

And it's up for approval.

Any discussion?

Alderman Johnson.

So this will not be seen from Pearl City Road, right?

It's pretty well hidden.

I would say you really have to look for it.

You know what I mean?

You see where, like, if you're coming down here, Huffines.

You might get a shot of it right through there, but you would have to be looking for it, because you are going by here so fast. And then from the other direction, if your eyes are focused, I don't think you would see it going eastbound.

Thank you.

You are welcome.

They are not asking for major changes there in that area.

My opinion is no. You can see these are the changes. See that little section of solar panels right there? That is what they they're asking for.

Yeah, so that's not an eyesore or anything.

Not in my opinion.

OK.

There's no further discussion.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

No.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Abstain.

And Parker?

Aye.

The motion passes.

5, 6, 6-1-1. Thank you. Item number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-51. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Part 4, Traffic Code, Title 8, Parking, Chapter 480, Parking Generally, Section 480.24, Disabled Persons and Veterans of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Freeport at 304 to 310 West Garfield.

Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Mayor.

The tenant at 304 through 310 West Garfield contacted the city requesting an accessible parking space.

The actual property doesn't have a driveway, and they have on-street parking only in that location.

The neighbors generally park along the street edge and block the only accessible sidewalk there is, walkway to the residence.

And staff is inspected and is making and the recommendation that we move forward with adding a parking restriction, which includes the disabled parking spot on Garfield.

So also staff is requesting suspension of the rules so we can move forward with this.

Is there a motion to move this forward?

So move.

Second.

A motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle to move this ordinance forward.

Alderman Shadle?

Yes.

The only question I have, I'd be all for this.

we need to take care of people that need that.

The only question I have is in our ordinances, is there any stipulations that as these people, if they would move or if they would, I guess ultimately not be disabled anymore, is there any provisions for them to contact us so that we can move this back into a normal parking space if it's no longer needed?

Yeah, and I agree with that. I'm not aware of any, but maybe the clerk has, yeah, I'm not aware of any requirement for them to notify the city that they've moved.

Yeah, understood.

Hold on, Ms. Stacy.

Is this something that would be considered, no matter where you lived in the city? Do everybody have this right?

Well, if you're mobility challenged, I think we've got to do our due diligence to ensure that we can do this for them, because, I mean, there are a lot of people here in town that we've done this for.

This person doesn't have a driveway, correct?

This person does not have a driveway.

Okay, but I'm just saying, would this apply to everyone that had mobility problems that lived in this city, regardless of where they lived?

Well, so far, we have not had very many requests, and of the ones that we've had, we've granted.

Yeah.

Alderman Sanders?

Yeah, I'm very aware of that, and the fact that it's been done expeditiously, considered, I think, like the recommendation for all citizens in the City of Freeport that has immobility to manage their exiting, their entry and exit to be efficient enough for them to get in and out of their property and I like the fact that Alderman Shadle brought up the fact that if there's any changes in their status, will it go back to normal status of that property or that particular area.

I like that. I think that should be something that we should continue to look at and to continue to consider.

And I think it should be applied to all people in that condition, in that situation.

Alderman Klemm.

I make a motion to suspend the rules.

Second.

A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules.

Suspension of the rules is non-debatable. It must pass by two-thirds majority.

Madam Clerk, could you please take the vote on the suspension only?

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

Parker?

Aye.

The motion passes 8-0.

And before your council, is the final passage for this ordinance, is there any further discussion?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Simmons, Parker, and the ordinance passes 8 to 0 as well. And item number 12 is the first ring of ordinance 2025-52. Could you please read this? Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city, police department abandoned personal property and bicycles, and an old chair in my office. Police Department. Thank you Madam Mayor. The background is the Freeport Police Department is currently in need of disposing property at the Freeport City Yards 1001 North Island Avenue and auction off abandoned property being held by evidence and property. In discussion there are abandoned bikes that have been in the possession of the Freeport Police Department for at least six months being stored at the Freeport Miller.

There are also items being held by evidence and property that can be considered abandoned property.

These items have been in the custody of the police department for at least six months.

The owners of the items have been notified to pick up the property.

However, the owners have been unresponsive.

The Freeport Police Department would like to use propertyroom.com to auction off abandoned property.

Any proceeds earned would go to the City of Freeport General Fund.

Additionally, the clerk has one office chair that can be added to the disposal list.

Funding, there is no funding necessary. Request, staff is requesting to recycle the bicycles, dispose of the clerk's chair, and auction off the abandoned property.

Strategic plan alignment for responsive and efficient government.

Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second.

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

and I'm going to ask you if you want to wear a pair of these here.

I'm just going to turn my hearing aids up.

Well, I wanted to ask, is this the notification that went out to the community that you guys are going to do this disposal or auctioning?

Fowler, and I'm going to ask is this the notification that went out to the community that you guys are going to do this disposal or auctioning and things of that nature where they can get more data information about if they want to come take a look to see if they want to take an opportunity to look at items that could be sold and I just wanted to make sure that our community is well informed about this and not only that, whatever the proceeds are that is generated from that, I think we should let the community know exactly what we've received from those donations, those sales that we're making.

Is that okay with you?

To answer your question, this is the notification that we're doing. If anybody in the community would like the opportunity to bid on those items, they are on, or will be on, PropertyRoom.com.

PropertyRoom.com, when items sell, they then provide record of what it was sold for, what the amount was, and then those funds go back to the city, period.

Period. So yeah, that's all I think. Alderman Parker? Motion to suspend the rules? Second. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm for suspension of the rules. Well, before we do a suspension of the rules, Mayor. That's what's on the motion right now. Yeah, I know the motion has been made, but are we done having a discussion before? We can come back to it if you want. Okay, that's what I'm getting at. So a suspension of the rules must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, could you please take Make the roll on the suspension only.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Tracy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons?

Sint and Parker? Aye. The suspension passes seven to zero. Okay, so now before you is the second reading. So Alderman Sanders, did you have another question? You know, Mayor, when I get interrupted like that... Well, there was a motion on the floor, so The ordinance passes 7-0.

number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2025 86 could you please read this resolution authorizing execution and amendment of downstate operating assistant program or dope grant agreement for fiscal year 2026 director duckman thank you madam mayor what is before you right now is a resolution for an agreement to with the illinois department of transportation to accept the 2.1 million dollars in funding for the operation of the pretzel city area transit program so we I've looked through the proposed budget it's been approved with through the Illinois Department of Transportation and staff is recommending approval of this resolution is there a motion for Settler.

So moved.

Second.

There will be a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

Discussion on the resolution?

Alderman Sanders.

The grant, how is that prioritized throughout the city and who's receiving this grant and and how it's going to be beneficial to the constituents of the city, where when everyone should have the opportunity to utilize all of the services of this grant opportunity, I just don't want it to be a targeted type of grant for any particular department, entity or whatever the case may be, I want to know how we're prioritizing all of these kinds of things.

So this city manager, would you like to address that, please?

Yes, I would. Alderman Sanders, I just wanted to reassure you, this is Pretzel City Transit.

Everybody has access to it, and that is what this is for.

Well, you may make a short statement like that, but that's not what I heard last week, okay?

Okay, so are you asking for your second round of questions?

Well, no, he's making a statement toward me. He's making a comment toward me.

It's not me using my time.

Okay, then I haven't given you the floor.

Johnson.

So I'm asking you, would you like to have your second time?

Why would I want to do that when I'm answering?

Okay, then I will move on.

You can't do that, Mayor, because I am answering him.

He didn't ask you a question.

He's making a, as far as I'm concerned, he's making a comment that is making a reference to what I'm talking about already.

And my point of the matter is, if he's going to say stuff like that, I should be able to rebut it.

That's all I'm saying.

I should be able to rebut what he is saying without using my own question.

Okay, so you're using your second turn.

I'm not using a second turn.

Okay, then we're going to move on.

Do we have anything else on this?

You know what?

Alderman Stacy.

Explain to me what this grant agreement consists of.

Who weeps the benefits from it and what does it do for our city?

sure the short answer very you know to not complicate things but I'll get complicated later the short answer is if we do not enter this agreement pretzel city area transit does not exist so we need this agreement to fund the pretzel city area transit for 2.1 million dollars so if we don't it I mean it's I can't say it any more plain than that it's very simple if we don't approve and John.

And if we don't do this, pretzel city area transit will not exist. Pretzel city area transit exists because of this grant.

That money goes to nowhere else.

So we've gotten this grant before.

Always. And all of this 2.

1 million goes to pretzel city. Yes.

And that's how they've been able to exist all this time in Freeport? That is correct.

I can make it simple make it plain it says we need this for pretzel city to exist without it there is none I thought it was clear in the memo but I can say it more I said it more plain now I can certainly make it more plain next time next round I like to make us yeah I hope what I said earlier was not ignored okay because of the fact that I asked the priorities of entities that are gonna be utilizing this grant.

That's what I did bring to the floor.

I wanted to make sure that we had clarity to what entity in this city is using that particular grant, not just to Pressell City, but whether or not any other department or whatever that's throughout the city gonna be utilizing this grant.

that's the part that I wanna stay focused on.

Don't discard that or dismiss it like I didn't even mention it.

I would like to know if there's any other establishment or department heads or whatever department are gonna be using this grant.

And I hear of Pressell City, I understand that.

But the breakdown of this grant, is it just for the Pressell City or any other governing body?

The only, this grant stands for DOAP, stands for Downstate Operating Assistance Program.

And that grant is specific for rural communities, which we are, per their grant guidelines, and it's for public transportation.

So that is the only, this grant money is only used for Pretzel City Transit.

That's all it can be used for, and we apply for it every year.

Petzl City Area Transit provides on-demand transportation services within Freeport and Stevenson County.

Funding to provide transportation services are obtained through annual applications under Under the State of Illinois 5311 and Downstate Operating Assistance Program grants.

So to your point, Alderperson Stacy, that's where I had said it does not exist without this grant assistance.

Then I go on to discussion and I say as part of our annual transportation grant application to the State of Illinois under the 5311 Transportation Program and Downstate Operating Assistance Program, the City of Freeport is required to have council approve the following.

One, an ordinance adopting transportation services within Freeport and Stevenson County.

Two, a resolution authorizing an application to be made to the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, Department of Transportation, State of Illinois, for a financial assistance grant under Section 5311 for fiscal year 2026 for the purchase of offsetting a portion of the public transportation program operating deficits to the City of Freeport.

3. A resolution accepting that the City of Freeport is participating and said operating assistance programs will provide local and matching funds once application is approved.

That is what you are on right now.

Items 1 through 2 were approved prior to the submittal of the transportation grant applications.

Resolution authorizing the execution of the Downstate Operating Assistance Program grant is now presented to accept and enter into the grant agreement.

and the recommendation is staff recommends approval of the resolution in order to move forward with the grant agreement.

Thank you. Alderman Shadle, did you have more?

I just would like to say that that was in the memo hyperlinked by our city clerk.

Mayor, you've already spoke twice.

Yeah, but you didn't ask me if I had more. You did not ask me if I had more.

Well, that's because you just interrupt all the time.

Yeah, well, you can't say that. My point is when I was on the floor...

Alderman Sanders, will you please wait until you are called on.

Yeah, but you didn't ask me if I had more to say.

You're being disruptive.

Please don't make me call you out of order.

Alderman Stacy, did you have something?

Is there any other discussion on this particular resolution?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

And Parker?

Aye.

The resolution is adopted eight to zero.

Item number 14 is adoption of resolution 202587.

Could you please read this?

Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide construction engineering services for Walnut Avenue lift station.

Manager Boyer.

Thank you, your honor.

Just to touch on Walnut Street lift station, the idea is would the St. Lift Station. The idea is the lift station we put near the corner of Land Road and Walnut Road.

The purpose of the lift station is to convey waste under pressure from that location to the interceptor on the other side of the bridge on Walnut Road to the north side. The reason this is necessary is because we currently have industry in that area that utilize a very old part, a lateral that connects to the interceptor. That if ever failed, it would be very challenging to work on due to its depth of over 20 feet and its proximity to the landfill. Therefore, that is one aspect. The other aspect is there's additional development that needs to be done there. There's empty lots that need to be brought online. And when we add additional demand on the system, we will be challenged to convey that waste to the interceptor. And lastly, as we build the well 12 We have a lot of projects on Forest Road. Designs are including the Walnut Street lift station as a way to convey the waste from that area of Walnut and Lamb to the interceptor.

So with that being said, we need to have a construction over supervision contract so that we can make sure that the lift station is built appropriately and correctly.

So, Fehr Graham has designed and bid the sanitary sewer lift station, forced main piping and gravity piping improvements on the land road area sanitary sewer flow.

The sewer system on land road district carries a significant flow to the city interceptor on the daily basis and a public bid was opened and was held on Tuesday, July 22nd at 1030 in the morning.

I might also add that our largest water customer uses this section of lateral every day to dispose of the waste for the processing of food. This is very important because they go through a lot of water and their contribution to our utility is what helps keep our utility rates at a reasonable level. The Fehr Graham scope service will provide professional full-time on-site construction engineering and observation as well as a contract management services for the the City of Freeport. Fehr Graham shall additionally provide GIS survey collection, staking layout for the sewer piping, roadway boring, and road improvements. Construction observation will include materials, shop drawings, field construction engineering, required documentation, specification adherence, and the required QAQC methods. Fehr Graham will ensure the is built in accordance with the city, state, and county standards along with filling all required documentation in accordance with IEPA water pollution policies.

Buy America, Build America certification and material compliance will be tracked to infrastructure requirements, geotechnical testing services for aggregate density and hot mix asphalt QAQC testing will be provided by Fehr Graham through a third-party professional geotech agency as required.

The City plans to fund the $224,250 construction engineering contract through the Lamb Road TIF.

Staff recommends moving forward with the contract with Fehr Graham.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

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

Discussion on the resolution?

Alderman Sellers?

Could you also explain what TIF, the money for TIF out there at the Lamb Road can only Beard, Sabael, and Erika, who's also the new President of the City of Michigan.

I'm going to ask you if you have a budget for the TIF money.

Can it be used for economic development?

Yes.

The TIF money is for economic development, and this is necessary infrastructure as we move forward with additional economic development.

My second.

Sure.

So you also, the TIF money cannot go to any of the citizens or anything.

The money has to go to redevelopment of that area, correct?

Yeah.

In line with TIF, the use of Lerner.

We have a lot of TIF funds that can be used for economic development incentives.

It can be used for infrastructure improvements, but things that are related to the Land Road TIF in the form of economic development.

Lawrence Sanders?

Yeah.

I've been studying this whole process, and as far as I am concerned, we don't have the and the historical fact of that development area.

I'm talking about council.

I'm directing this information and things like that to council since we're the ones that are voting to move forward on these matters.

And I don't hear no one speaking out on the real issues that are being considered here and we have not evaluated.

and I feel that we are being incompetent not looking into these matters because obviously that's the reason why I always want the clerk from this point on to submit to council what we discussed previously and the fact that we're not hearing what they're talking about.

We're just being passive at this point of not really getting down to the real point of the Matter, whether or not we should be moving forward, whether or not we're not addressing the historical facts about that whole area, that whole development area and why it's there and is it causing the city any complication that creates the taxpayers to have to fund these particular matters.

We have not discussed how much material stuff We have not talked about what's going to be involved, how much it's going to cost.

We have not talked about who's running the project.

We know that we have engineers who's doing a survey of it, but my point is who's in charge of the project.

And so we have not established our own understanding of what's going on out there because we have and I have no clue to why these things are put in place or trying to implement these things to put them in place.

Is it necessary?

Absolutely, if it's necessary, I can understand it.

I understand what Bob Boyer was talking about.

Future development.

This thing has been in place for over 30, 40 years.

There has not been a disruption.

There has not been any complication.

I don't even know if they're still doing monitoring which I know that the city used to monitor those areas and then not only that go into those areas of the sectors and the sanitary and all these, they usually monitor these things and there should be reports, data on who's keeping this type of material before the people of the city of Freeport.

I know these things are in place but are we getting the right proper information at this current time to establish why we should put a lift station that's only gonna serve probably one or two entities and then not only that, not to talk about the capacity of the flow that's supposed to be pushing through these force mains or through these lift stations.

We're not talking about that.

is it necessary?

If we're not talking about that, then why are we setting up a lift station that we have no understanding of why we need this because of lack of capacity or lack of industries that have not utilized this area?

So to put a lift station in at this current time does not have us in a position where we should be voting for something to move forward on this until we have done an assessment evaluation to understand the whole historical point of it all.

Four minutes is up.

Four minutes?

Yep, your four minutes is up.

Okay.

Holden and Shadle?

Yes, this is all coming about because when Snack King does their washout, this does run at virtual capacity.

That's why we're here.

No, that is not why we're here.

And- Please stop lying.

I would at this point as the fact of the matter I was been called a liar sitting on the floor I would like to ask manager Boyer or Mr. Steekle to clarify my statement please. I think what you're talking about Greg is the the fact that we have a human dependent process at Snack King and if that human dependent failed at any time that would complicate things substantially there at the corner of Lamb and Walnut Road, right near an important facility, the county nursing home. So in addition to the benefits of having the proper capacity for our existing industry, having the availability for the build out of future industry, and also the convenience of wastewater backwash Cash from the new Well 12, and then a potential for build out along the way.

and then the potential for build out along Forest Road.

I mean, these are all the reasons that this is an important project.

Alderman Parker.

We already have it.

Alderman Stacey.

Okay.

I need some real numbers.

Not a portion.

Because truth be told, the 234,000 is engineering fees only, am I correct?

There is 11 other processes that have to be completed, and they're not little things, they're big things, so we can approve this 234,000, but to have this project completed in full with all these things that's not mentioned, that's not talked about to the public, the traffic studies, the permit fees, the utilities, We haven't had no issues. There's no government, nothing that we're violating. So, do we need We can't make this now?

Can we afford this now?

No we can not.

Darin, did you want to address those questions?

Certainly.

So with every contract, there's always exclusions that are put on there for unforeseen.

But realistically, this project should come in at this amount with our fees or even under.

We have lots of projects where we get a fee here and we end up coming in under and not charging the whole amount.

so we put those exclusions in we wrote a scope that we think will complete the entire project but we always have to put exclusions because I can't put those items in on every thing without charging more every contract without charging more money we don't need a traffic study we we don't do restaking we only stake one time and then the contractors responsible for it the second time so those are expenses that don't come back to the city but we have to clarify that and a contract so we know where we stand and we know what the city's paying for okay so shouldn't we put on the side not need it do not apply that's that's what an exclusion is it's assume that it's not needed assuming it's not needed correct well you have to make some assumptions we're working underground so i can tell you right now we don't need a traffic study we already met with the county the county owns the road they're not asking for a traffic study so that won't be one that's Southerland.

We always exclude staking and restaking because the city is not going to pay for it twice.

We pay for it once, and then if it has to be restaked, it's on the contractor to pay for it the second time.

So we put exclusions in there to protect the city, not to provide other costs.

You can ask anybody involved with the city.

We typically never come back for additional costs.

We try to write good scopes that include everything from the get-go.

So I can tell you that the amount that we put here should complete the construction.

The $234,000 should complete this whole project.

Yes.

It's already been designed and bid.

This is the construction resident engineering services.

This is the quality assurance, the construction part of getting the station built and getting all the piping in the ground for an active running station.

And all this money is coming from the Land World TIF.

Walsh.

Okay.

So let me remind you when the back and forth, so if you have several questions, you should ask them all at once.

That is correct.

And there's no debt on that TIF?

Is there a debt on the land road TIF?

Is there an existing debt?

I can't answer that, but I believe there's no debt.

I know there's no debt.

It's 2.3 million is what you're having to pay for it.

So there's actually money in the bank.

There's no debt service that I'm aware of on that.

I mean, I actually think it's closer to three million.

It might.

Shadle, did you have?

I did, please.

Manager Boyer mentioned the future expansion.

This new well that we're putting out, well, 12, there's gonna be sewer added, water added out.

This is the opportunity that we've been looking for, for quite some time to have shovel ready land for development.

One of the main reasons we haven't seen a new factory in this town is we don't have a place shovel ready to put it.

We can put the sewer pipes in, We can put the water pipes in, but if we don't have this lift station, there's not enough capacity in the existing to handle the future development.

That's why we need this.

Yes, that's called forward thinking.

Alderman Sanders.

Yeah, well, Alderman Shadle was making these comments about something that has not had a survey to them, first of all.

and he does not have what we call a prediction, a pendant or crystal ball.

He don't have any of those things before him and the city is not just going to have items sitting out in the field for God knows for how long waiting for a manufacturer to show and John.

And I think that's why I'm so happy to be here and to be able to show up to make a development or whatever the case is that the council don't have no clue about any kind of manufacturing even being considered.

And so my thing is we're dumping money into a ground and then we're going to wait while the taxpayers are suffering from all angles of this city needing all kinds of grant program fundings and others.

So I think what we have not done was looked at the whole scope of the matter, whether or not we're using the money considered here to put on these projects for future, for future advancements.

And I don't think that should be something that we should be doing at this time if it's Winslow.

If it's not an emergency need, if it's not anything that is going to help the city currently, right now kind of project, then there shouldn't be shovel readies to come in unless we have perspective prospects that are considering moving to this city and then we would make those alterations or those changes as necessary and as needed.

but before then, the funds should not go anywhere until these things are absolutely needed.

That's my opinion on that and I think that's how we should move forward.

Darren, did you want to add to?

Yes, so you're entitled to your opinion but I would like to give you some facts.

So this station wouldn't be in reserve, it would be put into operation the day it was constructed because the waste from all of the Lamb Road TIF district would be going Fowler, and I think we've got a lot of people that are looking into that as soon as it was built because we have the need now. The line, the capacity of that line is at max capacity. We've even had to go to Snack King and ask them to throttle down their flow so we can effectively serve that entire district. I would like to put another question out there. I've heard numerous times mentioned in the last two weeks because we talked about this at the COW.

Huffines.

It was a once in a lifetime deal with the county money.

The counties expended all of their money.

There is no way the city of Freeport nor the county can effectively cost to run out to mill race.

It would require two or three more lift stations to even get that far.

So that project's never going to happen in our lifetimes unless somebody comes and gives us a massive gift of free money.

The station is truly to service the Lamb Road District area and probably some development probably from Baileyville Road and then maybe on Forest Road.

That is what this station will serve.

The City of Freeport currently has nine lift stations in service that we service flow from all different areas of the town because of our elevations.

This is adding another lift station to our capacity.

We do and have talked for years since I've been around here about having shovel ready Sites that we currently don't have. If we don't want to have shovel ready sites, we don't want any expansion, then we should just fold up because we're not going to get more business here. We don't have ground available for somebody to build that we can...

for somebody to build that we can put the waste into, and if we don't have that ready, no one's going to come here.

They're not going to wait for us to say, hey, we can construct this in a year and a half if you come.

That's not the way shovel-ready sites work.

And so those are just facts.

Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but the facts are that the TIF money is for the TIF money is for the Lamb Road District.

They created this.

This lift station is to service that area that they created the money from.

And so that's why it's an eligible expense.

If we were trying to put this in for a project at Mill Race or at the airport or something, the funds would be ineligible.

We just created the station big enough to handle expansion in the future, which is just good planning.

That is all it is.

If there's no further discussion.

Yeah.

You've already spoken twice.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

You don't have to cut me off, so.

So.

Sorry.

You didn't have to cut me off like that.

I don't agree with what you just did.

Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

Stacy?

No.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

No.

Sellers?

Aye.

Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. The motion passes five to three. Item number 15 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-88. Could you please read this? Resolution approving acceptance of a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation Aviation Fuel Tax Program. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. The city's received the aviation fuel tax grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the past three years. The grant does not require a match and the grant funds are to be used by local governments for airport-related purposes. In the case of the City of Freeport, we have utilized the funds as a reimbursement of expanded airport management expenses.

There's a small table in the memo for your review. The City of Freeport has received a Notice of Grant Award for the 2024 Aviation Fuel Tax Grant in the amount of $49,078.77.

There is not a requirement for the match and once approved by City Council, the City will submit invoices and proof of payment of airport management expenses in order to receive the grant.

Upon review and approval of the invoices submitted to IDOT, allocations will be distributed to the City of Freeport and staff request approval of the resolution moving forward with the fiscal year 2024 aviation fuel tax grant.

Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second.

A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Stacy?

What is the match? You keep saying there's a match. What is the match?

Zero. You said there is no match? That's correct.

but when you were speaking and was reading, you said match. Gotcha. It is in the memo, it is written and I said it in the same way I read it from the memo, so there is no match.

Was that being smart? Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy, I'm sorry did I miss your vote? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye.

Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-90. Could you please read this? Resolution approving redevelopment agreement with Kendall and Grace at 712 West South Street. Thank you, Director Duckman. So what we have before you currently is a redevelopment agreement. The name of the company is Kendall and Grace, but this is Witt Plastics, right behind Aldi, to kind of give you a little background of where they're actually located. And their proposed project is a almost 5,000 square foot warehouse facility. There's also going to be some paving, and they're We're proposing a project that would total $150,000.

If we scroll down a little bit, or I can see if I could do it, this is an image of the proposed project that they have here.

So staff has reviewed this proposed development and sees that it is eligible for TIF financing.

And in particular, it's within the Meadows TIF district.

and what staff is proposing is in line with our other redevelopment agreements.

Upon completion of this project, staff would reimburse the developer $5,000 and upon the lifetime of the TIF district, which sunsets in 2037, they would be eligible for the TIF increment they produce.

So once this structure is built, it's assumed, and it's reasonable to assume that their taxes are going to increase, and they would receive 75% of that increase in taxes until 2037.

There's a cap on how much money they can get, and that would be $50,000, and this is typical for the lifetime of a redevelopment agreement.

The reason you have these caps is Some developments will drastically increase the taxes on a parcel, and a city does not want a developer to receive a windfall of an economic development incentive.

So it's capped to say that they will never, if the tax is increased astronomically from this development, they would be capped for a lifetime of $50,000.

So this is a great opportunity.

For our community, a long-time developer and staff is recommending approval of the resolution.

Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second.

Moving motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the resolution?

Yeah. Alderman Johnson? I have about three questions here. Yeah. Where exactly on the and the property there, as you're showing it there, is that building going to be placed?

Back in- Do you have more than one question you wanna- Yeah, I have three.

Okay. Okay, go ahead.

And how do they get in and out of that building and will it be the driveway that's used to get in and out of all these or how will they enter and exit from that building?

And the third one is what is the benefit to this city- Sure.

By them having this building?

several okay I'll try to answer them in sequence the location is going to be this is Aldi down down here the guardrail you can see the guardrail there that's your Aldi and then there's the drive behind Aldi that's going to take you up here and they own the so you come in you turn right and then this would be your view right here and then this parcel here is where they're and others.

They're going to be putting this facility, this 5,000 square foot storage facility.

A couple different, and you're going to say, well, how are they going to get there?

Well, they've agreed to pave this area in here, so they won't be dragging gravel in and out of our city streets.

So they've already agreed to pave this area.

So that's how they're going to be accessing it, and then obviously they would be coming back out onto this road and then heading towards South Street.

to the City. Several economic development benefits here. I've talked with the owners, they're lovely, delightful people. They're building and expanding and they're running out of room. One of the biggest complaints as all their people, as a community development director you're going to receive is businesses leave and then they say, well, what did you do? Well, if you were presented a redevelopment agreement and you said, absolutely not, the The answer is you did nothing.

This business has come to the city and said we need help, we need to expand our business.

They potentially, and if the city is not working with them, if they go somewhere else, somewhere else might say we got a better deal than the city, leave this for the city to figure out what to do with, come to our community, we've got a better deal.

So this is the city working to keep its business in the city of Freeport, that's one.

Or two, the business owners have told me that to, they're also looking to add a few employees to also help this, they're getting busy, they're just, they need more room, they need more space, it's going to also help potentially add jobs, not just directly for the plastic, with plastics, but also, you know, the company that's going to end up building this is going, you're going to have construction jobs back into the economy as well.

So that's something to keep in mind any time a redevelopment agreement comes up when your constituents say to you, why are businesses leaving? What are you doing?

And the answer is, well, you have a choice to vote to help people expand and keep their business in the community.

So that's my answer to that question.

Oldham and Sellers.

I would just like to know, I know that you said they're gonna be coming in and out of South, already right there by Aldi's is a lot of congestion, just getting in and out, how are they gonna make that easier?

Because I've seen even some people driving, trying to come out of Aldi's because it's such a tight turn, they have went over the cliff a couple of times.

So how can we make that wide enough where it won't be so much congestion there with this business coming in and out of there also.

Well, we can't change the congestion.

We know that Aldi is a very successful business.

They're going to have many people coming in and out.

So this development is not going to, you know, this is not going to be able to change the traffic.

The only thing that it can do is add some paving to the area and it could help them Fowler, and the city of Aldi.

The city of Aldi is the city that has the capacity to add more storage for their facility.

They've stated that they want to stay here.

They want to stay in Freeport. They want to expand at their location, and they're looking for the city to partner with them, but I'm not going to sit here and tell you that this is going to aid in the, you know, the traffic issues we have at First of all, I don't like the fact that when you are addressing counsel that someone is expressing their sentiments about how we are proceeding on any measures and talking about on anything because I can hear it by the conversation that you had with her.

She had a complaint.

It was subtle, but it was a complaint on top of it.

Now, working with the city is one thing.

We can talk about the possibilities and whether or not the city wants to look into these matters, but we don't even know what type of business.

We don't even know what the purpose of it is all about.

We don't have no objection for anyone trying to bring in a business, but to make it a business that sounds like like it's putting us under pressure to make something happen because that's your sentiment that I feel that you're presenting to us right now at this time.

Is there conversation with you and you're expressing it here at the council?

And I reject all of that, but I like to just be able to talk to a person so we can come to a conclusion or resolution where we can move further down the road, but I don't like the expression that you're presenting to council when these folks are, when anyone is talking to you about what we should be doing, that kind of thing.

And what, no, no, no, no, I'm still talking.

And the fact that we are not listening or we have not acted on something that we don't have privy to yet.

And my point is, is that a private property?

I wanted to ask that question, is that private property, why is the city looking into complying with someone that has that type of view?

And I just wanted to make sure that I see it very clearly in my own head that this is what this particular business owner wants to be able to do without any agitation, without any over-expressing or any of those kinds of things because the council has an antenna.

And when that kind of rhetoric start filtering in through the council, our antennas goes up.

And so we're saying that if any business is consulting with you in that manner, then you should not present it here to council.

That's all I'm saying.

I'm not against it, it's just the fact that I just didn't like the way that it was presented.

Any other discussion?

Alderman Stacey.

So, you know, Culver's the biggest fast food place here in Freeport.

They took advantage of this money through a tip.

through a TIF. Now here we come again with a different TIF. So is anybody that wants to advance their establishment going to be able to use TIF money and get a yearly salary or yearly whatever to do what they want to do for their business with our tax dollars?

the answer is yes please wait clarify this is not about tax dollars this is this is tax yes this is the tip this is tax increment financing I can go back and answer it anybody looking if you have a business within the geographic area of a TIF district you are eligible for TIF financing when you're expanding your business and you're saying every year you're going to get dollars that's what Lets me make a shot of you. Get-out-de-work and bloodsweep. Wanted a job and that's what you're referencing.

Well when you go above, if you create and you build and expand your business, you're property taxes are going to increase, correct?

So you're going to give it right back anyway.

That's correct. That's why we're having this redevelopment agreement is to provide incentives for businesses to expand.

and I have a business downtown and I wanted to advance my business and add to it and make it bigger and fix the inside and this and that I would have access to downtown TIF money.

you would want to come in and see visit the city staff and make sure what you're doing is an eligible, um, eligible expenses, but potentially yes. So again, it has to do with your property tax assessment. If you're saying I would like to paint the inside of my building, my answer to you would be you're not doing an improvement that's going to increase the and John.

So you have to essentially improve your business so that your taxes, your property taxes are going to increase because you're paid on the increment of those taxes going up.

Okay. So this business is investing $150,000 to build, expand their business. Their taxes are going to go up and they're going to be eligible for that repayment.

Powers.

Just to understand, the tax money comes from the taxing body of the group.

Like the Lamb Road, it comes from the money of all the industries out there.

Like downtown, it comes from the taxing of the stores and stuff downtown.

And usually, downtown, you would only be able to do like a facade, like the outside.

Sure.

Yes.

and John.

It's just the outside. So you can't get the taxing dollars and it doesn't come from the citizens. It comes from the taxing of the people that are in that TIF district.

≫ So you have a geographic area. This is the Meadows TIF district. There's a map. And essentially when this would have Huffines.

We're going to talk about the guidelines on how the money can be spent.

It could be spent for business expansion.

It could be spent for business retention, professional services, things of that nature.

Alderman Shadle?

The essence of this is they're getting back 75 percent of an increase in their taxes.

So if this hypothetically, this building generates a tax bill of Huffines.

They're going to get a return from their property taxes of $1,500 out of the hypothetical $2,000.

We're not laying out money to them.

We're just diverting taxes back so that they have an incentive to make this investment.

An investment that's always going to be there when the 75% sun sets out, we get all that tax money then.

And it's on the increase.

Where I shouldn't say we, the taxing bodies, get it.

It's on the increase.

Alderman Statham.

Aldermen, Increase. Alderman Stacy. So are you telling me that this business paid into the Meadows TIF? Yes.

Their property taxes are paying into the Meadows TIF, yes. There's no further discussion.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? I'm sorry, was that abstain? Shadle? Aye. Sanders?

Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted seven to zero with one abstentia. Item number 17 is adoption of resolution 2025-91. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of poly tetrafluoroethylene or PTFE membrane discs for wastewater facility aeration basins from Dryden Equipment. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank your honor. I don't know how familiar everybody is with wastewater treatment, but this is one step in the wastewater treatment process. It's called aeration. There are mechanicals in the bottom of the aeration tank that send bubbles of air through the effluent as it goes to the treatment process. Every 7 to 10 years these need to be replaced and we are at that time where we need to replace them. They are specific to the equipment that's in the aeration basin and the city's received an estimate from SSI aeration for $20,048 I'm sorry from Dryden Equipment. The project was budgeted in the wastewater for budget for 2025 and staff recommends moving forward with the membrane purchase.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

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

Discussion on the resolution.

Deren.

I just wanted to comment that we had $60,000 in the budget for this year and so this is, we got a good price on doing the total amount that we needed.

Holderman Sanders. Yeah I know this is a very necessary it is something that we should let you know have no problem with and if it's an annual thing or or is it not I think it is an annual thing that we go through it's not an annual thing what is that every five years or something seven to ten years okay but I know it's necessary I don't know what the cost is do we have a cost factor for and Stacey.

Do you have a budget for all of that?

Do we have a?

Yes.

$20,000.

Okay.

Okay.

Well, anyway, I know it's necessary, so I just wanted to see where we were at with that.

Okay.

Hold on.

Stacy?

So if it's going to cost $20,000, but Darren, you said we have 16.

60.

Six zero.

Okay.

That's what was budgeted for this year.

And this is just materials only.

Our crews actually do the replacement themselves.

But all of it to complete this project has been budgeted for.

Yes ma'am.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers is currently absent.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

And Parker?

Aye.

The resolution is adopted 7-0.

Huffines.

Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-92.

Could you please read this?

Resolution authorizing payment of an invoice from T&T Iron and Metal for Electronic Recycling Services.

Director Bridge.

Thank you, Your Honor.

I thought you were...

Oh, I'm sorry.

Director Bridge.

Okay.

That's okay.

That's okay.

Sorry about that.

So that we don't have to ask these questions.

My name is Bryan.

I'm the Communications Director.

I was one of the three to four people here in City Hall that was in charge of getting an electronic recycling event together.

Not only that, but I'm also tasked with kind of getting out to the public, not only stuff for electronic recycling, but also Refresh Freeport, which is our monthly dumping event that we do.

The City of Freeport conducted Giles Freeport Disposal recommended T&T Iron and Metal to be the main collector of electronic materials. At the event, they collected 1,096 tons of iron and metal to be disposed of.

and the city received positive feedback from residents and surrounding communities. The full amount of the invoice has been budgeted for and will be paid from the health and environment fund, which the cost of this specific invoice is just over $27,000 and the budget is in the $300,000 range.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Sanders.

Where's the dumping ground is that with this material?

So the the event was held at the fairgrounds on July 19th and the dumping grounds I I do not know the specific area the company TNT Iron and Metals took the stuff away from Freeport. So is this is are they currently still established it's just one one-time event or how does that work? That's a good question we are currently working towards a more regular event of this sort yeah and and I know I I know that there should have been a notification that went out to the general public about this we broadcast this and everything yeah plenty of people showed up did they okay and I like to see who's doing the Collecting of anything, is there residuals that comes from this?

You're talking about money?

Yeah, because there's a lot of gold.

There's a lot of gold and a lot of other material that can be broken down and be converted into monetary value.

The city of Freeport is not.

We're not just giving the factory away, are we?

This is scrap metal that they're giving away.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

But we're not looking at the real intricate parts of that electronic equipment because there's value in there where the city could be recouping from or gaining something from it.

I don't care if it went to a charity We're not doing a complete assessment of how this program should be brought up because we're saying we want to give you all our electronics that got gold and aluminum, whatever, copper, whatever the case may be. We're going to give all that to you. We're just going to just let you dispose of it. And we don't have any and my friend, Bill. We don't have any residuals from all of that because it belongs to the citizens of Freeport. I don't care who picks it up, who gets it or whatever the case is.

That is a fortune that is being sent out of here. That's all I'm just saying. Are we in a position to recoup anything?

So the residents of Freeport took their own stuff to the event.

In all respect, that's the way the event was organized, and so we have full confidence that the residents of Freeport understand what they're giving up.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Shadle?

Sanders?

Sellers?

Klemm?

Johnson?

Simmons?

Simmons, and Parker. And if I may before I move on tire recycling event this Saturday same deal tires if you need more information website Facebook email thank you thank you oh at the fairgrounds yes and do you have a time eight o'clock thank you item number 19 is adoption of resolution 2025 93 could you please read Resolution Approving Transportation Services Agreement with Pretzel City Transit to Sell Punch Cards at the Library Thank you, Director Huffine.

Thank you.

The library is always seeking collaborations and partners to help improve our services and resources for our community.

Pretzel City Transit is heavily used by library users.

We are seeking to make access to ride vouchers and punch cards more accessible by becoming a location for people to purchase ride vouchers and punch cards for Pretzel City Transit.

Although the Freeport Public Library is a department of the City of Freeport, we are We are a separate taxing district.

It is important to demonstrate the library's commitment to selling these vouchers to IDOT.

So we are entering into a formal agreement.

The city of Freeport's responsibilities under this agreement are to provide reliable on-time transportation to the Freeport Public Library users in a timely manner and to supply the Freeport Public Library with vouchers and punch cards for sale at the library.

The Freeport Public Library's responsibilities under this agreement are to maintain an inventory of vouchers and punch cards to notate the vouchers to indicate they were purchased at the library to maintain accurate inventory on hand and sold vouchers and punch cards and provide inventory reports to the city upon request.

The library will compensate the city monthly for all vouchers and punch cards sold.

There is no impact on the city or library finances.

The city staff recommend approving the agreement with the Freeport Public Library and the strategic plan that supports strong public and private partnerships.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

Discussion on the resolution.

Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Parker?

Aye.

That resolution is adopted 8 to 0.

Item number 20 is adoption of resolution 2025-94.

Could you please read this?

Resolution approving purchase of two refurbished power load systems from Rowland Energy refurbished equipment and clock emergency vehicles for the fire department.

Chief Miller?

Thank you, Your Honor.

Before you this evening is the request to approve the purchase of power load systems for ambulances 3 and 4.

are in need of power load systems which securely fastens the stretcher into the back of the ambulance. When the vehicles were purchased in 2015 and 2016, the floors of the vehicles were built to accept this system, but the cost of the system was too excessive. It was not added when the vehicles were ordered. So the power load system consists of an arm that extends out of the back of the ambulance and loads the stretcher into the ambulance Huffines.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We want the stretcher to the floor of the ambulance ensuring crash and roll over protection for a patient that may be on the back of that stretcher.

Our two newer ambulances are equipped with this feature.

So that being said, it's important that the ambulances have the same similar equipment to avoid any confusion or operational errors during emergencies.

We want each vehicle to be outfitted exactly the same, all the equipment is located in and the same cabinets in the back of the ambulance.

So the initial plan or budget provided funds to purchase one new power load system.

The key is new.

One new power load system for this year for ambulance three and then we'd rebudget another one for ambulance four next year.

So my guys did some research on this and as we were obtaining pricing, we discovered that we could purchase two refurbished units for less than the cost of one brand new unit.

So the refurbished ones also come with a one year warranty.

So do the new ones.

So it makes perfect sense to save money by some refurbished ones that are operate just as well as the newer ones do.

So the financial component of this is the fire capital improvement fund will cover the costs for the power load system and the installation.

The total cost for two refurbished power load systems installed $34,217.96.

So comparatively, the cost for one new power load system is $35,857.

So we're already about $1,600 less expensive for twice the equipment.

So no dollars from the general fund will be used for this purchase.

So the fire department is requesting approval of the resolution to purchase two refurbished power load systems for the back of Ambulance 3 and 4.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Oh, so moved.

Parker.

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

Discussion on the resolution.

Alderman Parker.

This is almost mandatory as a major safety issue for our firemen, and at 34,000, if one of our officers' break is back trying to do it, it's going to cost us more than that to take care of it, so this is a great issue and I'm very much in favor.

There's no further discussion?

I just want to know how long will it take for these refurbished systems?

How long will it take to get all this, or are they already ready?

So they have them in stock already. We've already looked into it and confirmed that installation is available locally from the ambulance provider we purchased our two new ones from. So this is ready to go as soon as we have your approval.

Holderman Sanders?

Yeah, these are not new items, am I correct?

and I.

I'm just curious, when you say when this is refurbished, that means that we're purchasing used items at one point in time.

And I'm just curious, we couldn't budget new platform power load systems. I'm just curious why we're venturing into a refurbished type unit and whether or not it would be feasible one way or the other.

Husserlitz.

Anything that's been refurbished that had been, that was an issue the very first time when it was brand new.

So I'm just curious, I would like to know if you can bring some little clarity to me on that part.

Sure.

I understand your concerns and I had the same myself initially, but looking into it, these are as good as factory replacements.

So they've gone back to factory, they've been completely reworked, rebuilt, repainted, to make us feel more comfortable, they offer a one-year warranty and even the brand new ones have a one-year warranty.

So this is being fiscally responsible, getting two for less than the price of one.

Okay.

All right.

That's all I want.

There's no further discussion.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Zero.

Item number 21, the adoption of resolution 202595.

Could you please read this?

Resolution approving purchase of Ferris ISX 2200 mower with Kawasaki motor and 60-inch mower deck from Peabuddy's North, Pecatonica, Illinois for the fire department.

Chief Miller.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Again, before you this evening is the request to approve the purchase of a commercial lawnmower for the fire department.

So the central fire station has nearly two and a half acres of land that we maintain ourselves. Each Friday, the lawn is cut by our members that are on duty and only interrupted by emergency calls. So in 2018, the fire department acquired the lawnmarts you see up on the screen from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, IDNR. What they had at the time was an excessive Huffines.

We did receive that lawnmower and is now 15 years old and is experiencing several system failures.

So the hydraulic system is what's used to steer each of the rear wheels, that's why Boyer.

You'll see, it looks like handlebars by the seat.

One steers the left rear wheel, that one steers the right rear wheel.

So there is, it's hydraulically driven and the left steering mechanism, left wheel is starting to fail.

So as you're going in a straight line, your hands are dissimilar.

You're not like this, your arms are like this.

So that's a hazard to the person who's operating that lawnmower.

Also the frame and the mower deck have been repaired and welded numerous times in the past.

So again I'd like to remind council that this moor does not belong to this city.

It was obtained from the IDNR and it will need to be returned once we do acquire a replacement.

So discussion on this, the moor is 15 years old and struggles to complete weekly mowing Tasks.

We have been fortunate.

We have been fortunate that it has serviced our needs for the past seven years at no cost other than maintenance and repairs.

So we looked into this and yes, the mower does have to be returned to the IDNR, but that program no longer exists.

We went to them trying to get a second free lawn mower and they said, no, we don't do that anymore.

So, we have to return that to their excess property program and then so the finances of this acquisition, seven different more manufacturers were looked into and staff has determined that the Ferris 2200 model, the Kawasaki motor, best suits our needs and will accommodate us well into the future.

So the cost of this commercial lawnmowers $12,348. So there's money in this year's budget for this purchase and it's also be funded by the fire department capital improvement fund using no dollars from the general fund for this purchase. So also I'd just like to add that this is the same Brand of Moore that they use in city yards for city properties. They stock various belts and filters and have experience working on this model. So we did compare this to John Deere and this was the least expensive more as well. So that's why we chose this one and we're proposing it to you this evening for approval. Sir, motion to adopt. So moved. Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle, discussion.

Alderman Sanders.

Chief, for the more we're considering the one that you put on the agenda here, would this only be utilized for fire department areas and not being loaned out to other departments and Stacey.

Are we going to designate this for their program or property or whatever the case is? Are we just going to designate this directly to the fire department usage?

That would be my intent, yes. Okay.

All right. Hold on, Stacy.

I was just wondering why can't public works go mow the lawn?

So that is a question that I had considered and discussed it with Manager Boyer and we realized that the folks that do the cutting, the lawn cutting for the city, two of them are part-time summer employees and the other ones are mostly used in resurfacing streets and doing sewer work and so they all have their other priority tasks to do.

I've got my staff that are there if they're not out running emergency calls, they can be perched on that lawn mower and they'll take care of it. It would be nice though to have our firemen area taken care of and I hope you get it and I hope it lasts 15 years plus. Thank you. There's no further discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the role.

Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye.

and Parker. Aye. The resolution is adopted eight to zero. Item number 22 is adoption of resolution 2025-96. Could you please read this? Resolution approving to accept the conveyance of the property commonly known as 17 West Stevenson Street from Marianne Garbans. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Curt, if there's any way you could do a Google map of the area, I'd appreciate that. Marion Garverns has offered to convey 17 Stevenson Street to the city of Freeport for one dollar. We have an adjacent city-owned parcel that's right next door used to be the Wave Salon ABET books location. This property will qualify the site for significant outside grant funding for a new downtown pocket park. The acquisition will complete site control and the city to pursue park and placement grants. Also recently, Greater Freeport Partnership secured a large T-Mobile grant, I believe it was $50,000.

So, Ms. Garvin's request that the park be named after the historic building once located on the site and a small raised flower garden be included in the design for her use.

Staff recommends honoring these and all other minor requests consistent with city policy.

upon approval staff will proceed with the acquisition, update the plan to reflect these features and apply for the Oslide grant which is the one I am referring to so staff requests approval of the acquisition of 17 Stevenson Street for one dollar. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. A motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the resolution? I do have one more. Sure.

and I do want to thank the GFP for their effort leading that that transfer. Thank you. There's no discussion? I would like to say. Okay, Alderman Stacey? I just want to say that this lady is a giver. We all make mistakes. We all lose our cool, but to give this property for a dollar speaks Williams, and so I hope that that be acknowledged and recognized in more ways than one, and I want to be the first one to say thank you.

Alderman Sanders?

Yeah.

I have an awareness factor forming in my frontal lobe, I should say. I see you, Parker.

But I have a question in regards to the fact that it was given for a dollar, but what's the initial reason why it was given?

and in the generosity that the city is supposed to look at this as a as a generous kind of thing but we have not looked at the cultural, I'm talking right now, we have not looked at the cultural background of what I'm reading here in the memo of the people that are that are running this, and we're not looking at the full scope of why we're inventing taxpayers' dollars until we do an investigative probe of what's going on. And I'm looking at this memo, and I'm looking at the wordings, and I'm looking at the, I'm hoping the interpretation is not what and so on.

I don't know what I'm thinking it is, but from my position, if we're not aware of certain things, we should not vote on things until we have a complete clarity of the background nature.

Listen to what I just said, the background nature and cultural aspect of this, even to give it as a generosity, what will the city get in return?

and John.

And that's the reason why I'm bringing this awareness point up, is that we should be looking Anderson.

And I just wanted to make sure that that council is very astute to what is being talked about here today on this matter, on this particular matter.

Oren, Parker. Greater Freeport Partnership, this lot, there's three sections in it. They just had a grand opening and got a big grant to fix the leather to make it a park. This is just adding 30 feet to it. So it's a great thing that she did for us and I'm sure it'll help Greater Freeport Partnership and it'll make the area really nice. Well, I put it like this here. Would you like your second? Yeah, I put it like this here. Obviously you you weren't listening to me and no that's my point you weren't listening to me so you didn't hear all the Indian all the subscripts or the subject matter that underscores the things that I was talking about that comes out of this discussion memo that I'm looking at and if we have not looked at this memo this memo clear enough to understand the interpretation of Certain Things.

We don't want to venture into something or be labeled something that is supporting something that is put in this memo, that's my whole point, and if we have not done a background study of the things that have been put in this memo and don't know who the characters are, we don't understand the process and the culture of this character and the background of this character. We need to understand who the characters are.

to do our study more efficiently because words do matter, you know, words do matter and I just want you to know everything that we sometimes supposed to look at, we're supposed to define certain things that we don't understand.

That's all I'm saying.

Thank you.

That's all I'm saying.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

No.

Sellers?

Aye.

Williams, and Parker, aye. The resolution is adopted seven to one. Item number 23 is adoption of resolution 2025-99. Could you please read this? Resolution approving independent contractor agreement with Ultimate Surveying Application Corp for Wayne Duckman for consulting services for community and economic development department. City manager. Thank you, your Miller. As many of you know, Wayne has submitted his letter of resignation as a community development director. I asked him to stay on and we worked out about 16 hours a week until we get his position filled, which is currently being evaluated and we're in the process of interviewing candidates. So Mr. Duckman, for his own ease of accounting and so forth, asked that we We use his LLC which is Ultimate Serving Applications Corp as essentially to pay for his services at 16 hours a week through that way.

So staff recommends moving forward with an agreement with Ultimate Serving Applications Corporation on a basically a week by week until we get the community director position filled.

As of right now, that would be about $1,040 per week, plus any additional hours that are required.

So far, we haven't asked for anything, but if some emergent issue comes up, I wanted to make sure to include that in case we need his services in addition.

So.

Is there a motion to adopt?

It's all moved.

Second.

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

Discussion on the resolution.

Alderman Stacey?

So do I understand?

I just want to remind you to try to put all your questions together instead of the back and forth.

Please.

Okay.

So, do I understand you to be saying that we have agreed to, because I believe it's is already happening. Pay Duckman $140,000 for 16 hours. $140,000? No, $1,040. Oh, yes, per week. For 16 hours. Yes, that works out to about as current and Pam benefits at this time.

And also that you had nine applicants, qualified applicants that have applied.

So why haven't they, the interviewing process started, and why don't we have someone knowing that he was leaving in the 31st of July, lined up to pick up the pieces and carry this load?

Because if he go over that 16 hours, and then it goes up to how much an hour?

I mean, it goes to $90 an hour if we go over 16 hours a week.

So your other question was Wayne tendered his resignation and we began the process of posting the job very shortly thereafter, within days.

In our conversation, you told me that you had nine qualified applicants.

My question is, why haven't we started?

We have started.

The interviewing process?

Yes.

It's a multi-phase process.

What does that mean?

There's more than one interview.

Any other discussion?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

No.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Yes.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Can't do this with 9-1-1.

Parker?

Aye.

The resolution is adopted six to two.

Item number 24 is the adoption of resolution 2025-100.

Could you please read this?

Resolution approving the Americans with Disabilities Acts Grievance Commission to repair certain sidewalks in the city and authorizing the city manager to budget for such repairs.

Darren.

Good evening.

This is the same topic that we talked about at the COW, just bringing it back for a formal vote.

we have the ramps at park and church that are not compliant.

We also had a petitioner write a letter to the council that was read in public comments.

I will review anything that anybody wants to discuss.

I'm not gonna go through the entire thing again.

The intersection is not compliant.

We started the 88 grievance policy to address situations like this.

The commission voted unanimously to bring this to council for a resolution.

And currently we don't have funding marked because this program started in the middle of the year.

I do think we might be able to have city construction workers do these intersections later this fall as time permits.

Otherwise they would be pushed to spring, but it is a necessary outcome that needs to happen here.

Again, we have in the safe routes of school zone, or next to an eye doctor, a park view nursing home.

This route connects to the park systems and we have a petitioner that's actually driving his mobility device out in the street to have safe access for him and his family during their enjoyment of the community.

So I think this is a needed project and I appreciate your support.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So move.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle, and I'm looking at your map and I remember talking about the fact that we had this discussion last week, I believe it was, sidewalk to nowhere kind of program and then I look at the agenda and then I look at your map and then I look at your map and then I look at your and I noticed something was added in this particular agenda on this particular article resolution, I should say.

Let me clarify that. Nothing's changed.

Nothing's changed?

This is exactly what was presented at the COW word for word. It's the same exact memo.

Okay. If nothing's changed, then when we're specifying certain things about the public property, I'm gonna put it like that sidewalks are public property, right?

Only the ADA corners.

Just only because that's not what it specifies inside of this ordinance agenda.

That's the reason why I'm bringing it up.

It doesn't specify or designate every aspect of what this is supposed to accommodate.

And the reason why I asked that question is that is it feasible for a homeowner or public citizen to make a formal complaint about a sidewalk that sometimes you know sometimes they are lifted and you can trip and fall and break your leg, break your knee or whatever the case is.

This is public property.

When does it become ownership property and not only the ownership property, how do we take care of the concerned adjacent property owners?

Concerns about people walking down this path or this sidewalk and possibly tripping because we heard the story for many years.

We know that's out there and that's the reason why I brought this subject up.

Will we be tentative to most residents or public property or public streets or sidewalks that will get attention to be rectified so these kinds of incursion does not cause any hazards or anything of that nature to the general public?

That's basically what I'm asking because if homeowners or whoever wants something to be looked at, it's our obligation to make sure it's not about where, where do, where does that come in at?

Well, we just, we covered that at the COW. Okay. The homeowners in Freeport own the sidewalks in front of their residence. Okay.

in front of their residents or their businesses.

We only own the ADA corners, the city.

Well, when I talked about sidewalk to nowhere, that's part of property, that's someone's property, sidewalk to nowhere, and you're making a declaration of extending sidewalk, well, that's what I'm getting.

That's how I'm understanding that.

If I'm understanding it wrong, then it must be worded wrong, or it's gotta be interpreted wrong.

So we'll show you a couple of pictures quickly, quick review, there we go.

This is a sidewalk to nowhere.

There's no ramp that crosses the street to go out here.

This is called a carriage walk and they were popular back in the 90s, 80s, but they're no longer illegal because a handicapped person that is visually impaired could go down this sidewalk and they would not know that they can't cross the street.

Ok, that's a sidewalk to nowhere. Ok, that's your definition of a sidewalk to nowhere.

Well, there's also the sidewalks to nowhere. Kirk, could you go to the St. John's picture, please?

So that's one definition of a sidewalk to nowhere.

This is another sidewalk to nowhere. That's what I'm talking about.

That's not our responsibility. That is the responsibility of the homeowner to finish that sidewalk, not the street.

Ok, that subject, that right there, did not come up in the last discussion.

Yes, we discussed it. That's why I put the sidewalk to nowhere.

I know it came up for discussion, but it was addressed as a sidewalk to nowhere, according to what I was listening to. And that's the reason why I'm mentioning it, because there's a lot of residents throughout the city that have sidewalks to nowhere in front of their residents. And that's the reason why I'm addressing it now, because if you can do that, if you can Our current ordinances have the ability to cite homeowners and our businesses for not extending their sidewalks.

We have never chosen to do that in the city of Freeport.

Financially, it's not feasible for all these people, but the city could cite someone for not connecting their sidewalks.

This sidewalk, I called it, goes to nowhere because it stops here.

Baxley, Willow, and Richard.

It doesn't connect to the church property and there's no sidewalk across the school property either.

Those choices were made many, many years ago and it is not the city's responsibility to connect them.

Okay, so we do have that part of an ordinance.

No, Goldman Sanders, you're form and it says far exceeded.

I'm sorry.

I just wanted to make sure that the citizens of Freeport are getting all the accommodations that they need.

Okay, but do you understand this isn't about all the sidewalks in Freeport?

I know, but...

This is about an ADA commission.

People have a complaint or an issue. Just like I brought up the lift elevation of sidewalks, people can be in a hazard situation in front of their property, but they don't have the finances to rectify the problem, but the point of the matter is, where does the city come in at? Because if somebody trips and falls, somebody is liable.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Parker?

Aye.

Approval of a bid. Could you please read this?

Bid opening on July 22nd. Lift station on Walnut Avenue.

Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Fehr Graham designed and bid sanitary sewer lift station forced main piping and gravity improvements for the land road area sanitary sewer flow at the request of the city.

The existing sewer system has an issue, a significant issue near the landfill perimeter and cannot be accessed for repairs due to IEP regulations, Williams, Landfill closure requirements and extreme depth of the sewer main from grade.

This sewer area carries a significant flow to the city's interceptor on a daily basis and a public bid opening was held on July 22nd at 1030 a.m.

City staff received four bids for the project from Martin and Company, Entrec Group, Kelsey Excavating and Fisher Excavating.

Fisher excavating was missing required bid item.

So it was deemed non-responsive and Kelsey's excavating was the lowest responsible bidder at $2,847,451 and 50 cents.

Kelsey excavating is currently working on the 2025 city street project and has completed other sewer force main work for the city of Freeport with positive results.

The project completion is estimated for June, 2026, taking into account equipment lead times.

This project is planned to be paid for with Land and Road TIF funds and staff recommends moving forward with this bid.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

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

Discussion on the bid.

Alderman Sanders.

On the bid?

On the bid.

Okay.

I feel absolutely, absolutely feel that there should not even been a bid entertained, first and John.

First of all, on the landfill excavation, pro a bid, far as work that is going to be supposedly done without a complete survey and evaluation to determine the future of the landfills that are out there at the landfill on Walnut.

There has to be information to the reason why we're working on a landfill sewer line that is possibly connected to the interceptors, and I don't think a bid should go out for any of that kind of a project until we have done a complete evaluation and study on that and I think the people of the city of Freeport should know that there's sewer lines out at and I think that the landfill that has not had a study to determine its existence and that thing could be still open to the city, the public causing all kinds of habits and problems so I think it needs to be re-evaluated.

I don't like this, I don't like an incomplete study to determine whether or not we should be bidding on anything and I'm surprised a bid like that even hit the floor, hit this council floor.

I am so surprised and the derelict of duty that we have not done anything to make that discovery happen and I'm looking at it here on the agenda and I'm saying to myself, where's the rest of the background noise?

Where's the rest of the background information?

Why haven't we had a formal discussion about these issues?

We're just throwing money away without doing what we should be doing here and I don't like like the fact that it's been dismissed as if though we don't have a problem that could cause us problems within the near future. So I don't get it. I'm just, I'm just frustrated with that.

Are you asking us to vote tonight on giving Davis, Illinois 2,847,451.50 cents. That's the bid. That's the lowest bid. I can't believe I'm here. Help me understand. It's not Davis, Illinois, that's where the contractor, that's their home address is Davis, Illinois. It's Kelsey Excavating. They're already doing work for the City of Freeport. They're doing our street projects and they were the low responsive bidder to the project. So yes, that is exactly what we're asking is to award money to them as the low bidder. Any other discussion? I would like to We had an entire meeting at the COW last last week that we went over these exact topic with the council that was here. We went through the flow and the gallons. And this has been an issue since city manager Bucus was on the staff. He's actually one that started the project. And there is a need for sewer flow and force made out there. And it's resulting in the landfill, Not because of the landfill, the flow problem is through the landfill.

This station will bypass the landfill, and all the landfill flow from the leachate system will go into this station, as well as all of the lamb road tipped to stick and any expansion that happens in either direction.

We have an expansion that happens in either direction, east or west.

Mike?

Okay, now remember this is about the bid.

Well, he wasn't talking. Oh, well.

All right, Mayor.

You know, this, this, this stuff can become comical.

If you don't know exactly what is being said.

And then it'll just fly right over your head.

Will, you understood just what he was just saying. I'm just going to, if it's not about the bid, I just want to make a comment about what he just said. Is that okay? Without the term, without the word of bidding coming out of my mouth, I just want to make a comment about what he just said. Is that okay? Because he makes comments about what we say.

and that whole landfill situation going around the situation, but you never talked about how you're going to disconnect from the interceptors or how you're going to abandon that whole system throughout the whole process of doing anything.

We're just going to abandon something that has nowhere to go and yet it is still alive and it's still functionable but yet we're still going to make an investment to divert the line away from its normal path already to accommodate what type of flow are we trying to demonstrate here because if it's not broke, then why trying to and so on.

And so if we're closing the landfill down, if the landfill is being closed down and excavation and all these kinds of things are going to take place over at the landfill, then we must do something about the existing sewer lines that are flowing to the interceptor out of all places and not talking about the disconnect.

Miller.

There has to be a disconnect there because if not, there could be infiltration at the intercept, wherever this thing dumps off to.

I'd like to know how you're going to reroute it and reconnect it, whatever you're thinking about doing.

I'm just baffled with all of that.

So if there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, did you have something?

I wanted an answer.

The answer is it's all in the plan and it's in the details, but the details are are too great to explain at a council meeting.

These questions should be asked throughout the week so they can be answered, not at this floor.

That discussion would take hours.

You got that right.

But you haven't asked me any questions except for here.

I won't.

Alderman Sanders, you need to stop being out of order, please.

Okay, I'm sorry.

I apologize, Mayor.

If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. The motion passes 5 to 3. Item number 26 is another bid. Could you please read?

Bid opening on July 30th, CD007-2025, demolition of eight properties.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Excuse me. Eight properties were published in the Journal Standard on July 24th, or a bid opening that occurred on July 30th at 9 o'clock in the morning at City Hall, and it was for the demolition of eight blighted properties.

Bates, and on July 30th, staff received bids from four contractors, and based on the submitted bids, staff is recommending issuing a contract for the demolition of all eight properties to Albert and Sun Earthworks for the amount of $100,610, as they are the lowest responsible bidder.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

The money used for these demolitions are coming from what?

So yeah, I put that in the memo as well, scroll down here a little bit.

Better yet.

Yeah.

We had a meeting at the library. There was money that we had from the east side of town, money and grants that were given to us to destroy property over there.

Park Street, Crocker Street, Wilbur Avenue, Adelbert Avenue are all on the east side of town. We had money we had to use or lose.

Why are we using that money for those streets when we have money that we have to use or lose?

I'll make it a little easier to see because it's a little bright, but maybe you can see it a little easier now.

Funding for the demolitions comes from FEMA floodway grant programs.

Okay, but wasn't that FEMA floodway grant program for housing on the east side of town?

Correct. So the demolitions are funded by the FEMA floodway grant programs, and then these are the houses that the property owners receive money for for selling their property and the city is demolishing it now as part of the FEMA program. But Carroll, Prospect Terrace, Pleasant Street, and Williams Road, wherever that is, it's not in the FEMA, it's not in the area where the FEMA money was granted. So funding for the demolitions comes from the Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Program, which the city has now spent most of it, but there's still money left.

That program is $300,000 for the demolition of blighted properties and the FEMA floodway grant program.

So if it's on the east side and eligible, it receives the FEMA floodway grant program money.

If it is not, it has fallen into the Ida Strong Community Program and that's where the funding comes from.

But what about the, what was it, 10 or 12 houses that was not on the east side of town that were scheduled to come down this year, and none have come down?

I have no idea. Well, you'd have to give me specific properties. We now have 17 properties that are, this is at first 8, and I have another 9, and this department, I believe, has another bid opening coming for 10 more properties.

I spoke with you and City Manager Boyer and I asked for a list. So are you telling me this is 8 of the 17 on the list?

I would say probably yes. I don't have that list in front of me, but I don't know what properties...

I'm still waiting for it to...

I don't know I mean I could tell you that there's eight properties being demolished in this bid package there's about to be nine more coming up after this and then my staff is working on another 10 there's going to be another bid opening so that would be 27 properties probably in the next two months they're going to be demolished. Okay. Madam Clerk Alderman Klemm. Just because it was As mentioned before, Wayne, many of us know about the properties on the east side, but could you explain, because some of the renters have come forward, could some of these houses be rebuilt, so on and so forth, tell them the status of what these houses, the condition of them, just so we...

Well, the short answer is any property on the east side, these properties, I've walked through the majority of these personally, because I have to let in our asbestos contractor.

So many of these properties have a water line through the house, actually, on the walls.

Many of them do.

Many of them also have soggy floors from water damage.

So practically speaking, they're beyond repair.

But then if you want to go into actual government regulation, FEMA, at the federal level, is not Huffines.

We're not going to let a government entity, like the city, issue permits for fixing a property for more than 50 percent of its value.

So there's a practical implication which basically says the buildings are gone too far, but there's also the federal government which is saying you cannot redevelop it.

Another common complaint, I've read some of the complaints from our community, is that there's poor living conditions.

The truly unfortunate part is, many of these properties are picked up, now the ones up here that were talked about, the non-FEMA Eastside properties, the sad thing is, many of these properties are picked up for back taxes, they're not properly repaired, and people are renting them, and then the city ultimately comes by, has to do inspections and finds out that these properties that are so far gone are not completely repaired to to an adequate level, and it's sad that our community is actually renting these properties.

is actually renting these properties so many of these properties are all of these properties are so far gone that they cannot be repaired. Thank you very much I appreciate it. You're welcome. And what you're also stipulating that they're that that these properties are since they are at the point of demolition there shouldn't be any occupiers even in those buildings and that we as we speak today, is that what you're saying?

Yes, that is correct.

And that we should be moving forward to having those property tore down.

Have we had any complaints about any of the properties that we're tearing down to be reconsidered for rehab or rehabilitation and that kind of thing?

Have we had that kind of expression down at the development, at the community development to reconsider anything that someone was interested in.

All of these Eastside properties here that you're seeing here were purchased at a closing.

Paperwork was signed.

And the property owners, if they lived, they received appraised value plus $31,000 if they lived in the property during the time of the flood.

The other properties up here are either fast track demolitions or they are purchased off of the back Huffines.

So, any property up here that is purchased for back taxes was owned by the county.

The city owns it.

There's not going to be a complaint.

Any property that is a fast-track demolition has had proper notice and there's due process for that property owner to file a complaint and stop demolition.

So at any point in time, every one of these properties has had an opportunity to talk and Paul.

I think it's a good time to talk about development, et cetera, and they're no longer at that point.

Holderman Sanders, please remember we're talking about a bid. This is about approving a bid.

Okay. You know, sometimes I have to navigate myself through the process.

Even though it might be inconvenient to a lot of folk to the bidding portion of it all.

Only thing I'd like to know is when you're looking at bids for these properties that are supposed to be demoed and people have not any complaints about these property and reconsideration, are you receiving anything about these properties that should make you say, question it or reconsider or anything, is anybody making any kind of proposals to the community about these properties?

No, there is nothing substantive about these properties that's being proposed for redevelopment, et cetera.

Okay, all right then.

Okay, Alderman Johnson.

I just wondered what makes the difference in the price of the bid, is it just the size of the house, the material it's made out of Miller.

What makes the difference between...

Your biggest, sorry, go ahead, I apologize.

Your biggest, truly the biggest gap that you're going to see up here on prices, majority of it's going to be asbestos abatement.

So every single property on here has an asbestos inspection and on the bid packet there is a list from a contractor that says what has asbestos on the property and if there's asbestos Southerners, Somerset, Item number 27 is another bid approval. Could you please read this?

Bid opening on July 30th, CD008-2025, demolition of nine properties.

Director Duckman.

Excuse me. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

As promised, here are the other nine properties that are up for demolition.

And these nine properties were published in the Journal Standard on July 24th.

And the bid opening was held at City Hall on July 30th and 915.

Huffines.

The city staff received bids from four contractors and this, based on the submitted bids, the lowest responsible builder was Alber and Sun Earthworks and they submitted a bid for $121,570 to demolish all properties and staff recommends issuing them the contract as the lowest responsible bidder.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the bid.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker?

Who is absent? The motion passes seven to zero. Item number 28 is another bid. Could you please read?

bid opening on August 1st 2025 CD 009 2025 fence installation and board up at 114 122 South Liberty Avenue hey thank thank you madam mayor so talk a little bit about what we have going on here have a site plan here kind of showing what what's going on at the Raleigh complex as everybody knows the Raleigh We've been working with city manager Boyer and discussed options on how we can better secure the site, and so we put out to bid a site plan illustrating what we could do to secure the site, so essentially that's what we've been working on for the past couple of years.

We put out to bid a site plan illustrating what we could do to secure the site.

So essentially there is a six foot high chain link fence that's going to go around the Raleigh Complex.

It's going to connect.

There's an existing garage here, another existing building here, and essentially it's going to close off the entire structure with a six foot high fence.

There's going to be one six foot gate here that they could enter or see staff will have a key to enter in hopes that we can better secure the site.

If we scroll down a little bit, I kind of show you some of the windows were also part of this bit is also going to include a board up.

So I've drawn in red the building the okay, he's going to full screen mode.

I showed the essentially it's going to be all of the first floor windows on the Raleigh complex are going to be I Highlighted in red here what it's going to look like these windows will be boarded up and Then if you scroll up there will be a few more that will be boarded up that basically essentially all of the windows on the first floor will be boarded up and So the city staff At the bid opening it was published in a journal standard on July 27th and the bidding Bid opening occurred on August 1st at 10 a.m. at City Hall and City staff received bids from three contractors.

Fence Peoria was eliminated as they did not submit all the required documents.

And the lowest responsible bidder was Winter Construction at a proposal of $78,000.

Sellers, and staff is recommending moving forward with winter construction for the installation of a fence and board up of all of the first floor windows at the Raleigh Building.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

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

Discussion?

Alderman Stacy?

If we're putting up a fence, why do we have to worry with the windows if there's going and John.

» I'm wondering if you're going to be a fence around the whole building and better yet, why not just tear it down?

» Well, the demolition would probably push close to $10 million. So with budget season coming up, it might be a good idea for you to possibly propose that. But until then, just a fence it's important that staff is trying to secure the area as much as possible so we have broken windows in glass and it's an easier way that if somebody were to get in through the fence they could still climb into the building so we're doing everything we can staff wants to do everything they can to secure the site and protect it from further vandalism so this is going B. What, a four-foot fence? Six-foot-high fence. Six-foot-high fence. Um, link or? Chain link.

Ormond, Sanders Pullerman, Sanders. Mr. Duckman, that building been in place for how many years?

Probably close to a hundred years. Yeah and the main reason why and I want the general public to know the main reason why it hasn't been considered to be Demoed at this time, and the outbreak or the outcome or the environment that this particular building could bring unto the city and why haven't we made proposal for grants to do it the proper way, and if there's a reason why that is, kind of educate us a little bit on why this building is still standing, and we're taking $5 to try to mend it up with Band-Aids, and there should be appropriate grants for this kind of hazard.

This building is a complete hazard.

It's been here, like you say, over 100 years, but been out of commission, I'm gonna say, about over 50 years, you know, that kind of thing.

But the point that I'm making is, How come we have not looked into this particular matter instead of throwing band-aids up against it and see what the outcome is that we are considering because that building has been an eyesore to the city of Freeport for decades and we need to be trying to be tentative even about that as opposed to if we can take $10 million and find grants for $10 million to tear down a building and I should be able to take $10 million to erect housings, apartments, complex or whatever where they should be designated.

I'm just saying are we considering any of those aspects at this point in time?

A couple things.

Well, you had a lot there, so I'll try to address all of your comments.

The first comment is when you walk down this alley, I don't know the last time you walked down this alley, it's full of stone.

and what it is is the cap up here is likely, we know people are breaking into this area.

We have evidence of that.

We have proof of that.

There's quite a bit of vandalism for people breaking in and it's likely that they're pushing all of the cap and stone into this alley and right now, after observing and knowing that, I find it just irresponsible to continue to allow, God forbid somebody walks down there and that stone hits a person.

So at that point, the most immediate action to do is to lock off this alley and the surrounding area.

That's truly the honest reason why this quote unquote band-aid is being done is to protect the public.

That's the almost honest answer that I can give right there.

Now we're talking about demolition, certainly that's a budget discussion to bring up with City Manager Boyer that if the city wants to try to find $10 million taxpayer dollars to demolish, and I'm only giving you the estimate, it could be more.

It is, I mean if the city demolishes this, I heard all the persons say, Stacy, say taxpayer dollars, yes, if the city demolishes this, it would be city taxpayer funds.

Now, is it possible that we could go after grants for this demolition, yes and we can investigate that, yes that takes time, yes it takes time.

Other part to that is brownfield reuse, other communities have had success in redeveloping, this is a brownfield site, an old industrial building that has lacked use in 50 years let's Say, okay. I have been part of bringing developers, potential developers into this site with ideas of redevelopment. I have. It's a tough sell. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that that's an easy sell. So the tough decision city staff has is and should also look at in parallel at the same time is looking to redevelop it, which would eliminate the need for a Demolition or also and I'm saying parallel so at the same time and also investigate grants for its demolition and that's what we're doing.

That's exactly what we're doing.

I'm glad to hear that we are on the move with that as something that has been put on the back burner for decades and nobody has brought the subject matter up and I think it's a good We're throwing lift stations and water wells and places like that, and we're getting grants for all these kinds of things, but one thing that we have not focused on is the haphazardly, haphazard things that is being in our community that it really is an environment problem. It's not an environmental problem. It's not an environmental problem.

it's not going to go away and the thing about it is we need to pursue grants that rectifies and take care of these kinds of things that we need to get rid of.

I can see that.

I can see the environment of these building calls.

Health breathing problems within the city without the city doing a full evaluation of of the air of the city.

I don't even think we test our air here in the city of Freeport.

To be honest with you, we should start, but you know, I don't think we do, but just to get an idea of what a building can do to the city without knowing that certain agents are floating around out there in the community, we need to do a study on that as well.

I'm just venting right now, but.

Understood, understood.

We wanna get back to this is about a bid.

Alderman Johnson.

Do we have any bids at all of how much it would cost? Have we actually put it out for a bid how much it would cost to demolish that building?

We've not, but what was our demolition, what was the, what did we just receive for two, the dry cleaner downtown?

So the, yeah, the dry cleaner in the building next door that the city owns is going to cost a little over 1.2 million dollars to demo just those two buildings and they're not built anywhere close to the solidness of this structure.

and I want to remind everyone when we got the 1.7 million dollars that was the by far largest award in the state of Illinois to take down any buildings they don't have grants of 10 million dollars to take down a building this size so the city will be footing the bill at some point along with a grant to take something like this down it's a very large cost here it's a complete concrete Johnson.

Okay, so if there's no further questions, did you have another one, Alderman Johnson?

The low bidder, that bid, they didn't include some information, can we not ask them for that information?

No, that's not something we can do.

We looked and actually, I looked into that matter with council and discussed it at length and we looked through our rules and regulations and it was determined that that's not, it's It's not fair to the, you know, during the open bidding, in an open bidding process, it wouldn't be fair to have everybody else submit a complete submittal.

And this happens quite a bit where somebody forgets in a document and they can't come back later and submit it.

That's common practice in not just Freeport, but any community, you know, we list out if there's 10 items you have to submit, you have to submit all 10 items or else you're thrown out of the open bid.

Alderman Sellers?

Yes.

I just want to know, when all the fencing and everything is around, are we also going to have enough signs around it to keep out?

Yes, we will have signs, no trespassing signs put up, and anything else necessary.

Okay, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

No.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Simmons? Oh, I'm sorry, she's absent. And Parker? Aye. So we have 6 to 1 passes. Item number 29 is another bid. Could you please read this? Bid opening on August 1st, CD 010, Huffines.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

So I have a couple of pictures coming up here shortly, but essentially what we have is Hanger D is at the Albertus Airport and it's quickly deteriorating building and it truly needs to be demolished and staff is going to self-perform this public works department will self-perform the demolition.

However, asbestos abatement has to be done by a licensed contractor for that work and so staff put out a bid for asbestos abatement for hanger D at Alberta's airport and it was published in the journal standard on July 27th and the bid opening was held August 1st at 1015, and staff.

West at 1015 and staff received bids from two contractors and the one contractor did not submit a bid bond as required and so therefore their bid was eliminated and the staff is recommending going with the lowest responsible bidder of environmental management services of Iowa and they submitted a bid of $27,750.

Is there a motion to approve?

So move.

Second.

made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

Discussion on this bid.

Alderman Sanders.

I understand that bid, but there's an environmental issue with that bid.

And what you're saying, they are certified to do the asbestos for demolition?

Yes.

Fowler.

Yes.

That was part of their submit it.

They were required to submit their licenses as part of this bid.

So when we opened it, and Clerk Anderson was a witness, can attest to it, had seen that they submitted their proper licensing.

Okay.

Any other city property have received any bids for demolition with asbestos?

Okay.

We're not going there.

This is about this particular bid at the airport.

Not all the other stuff.

I don't like what you just said to me. You know what, you keep going in a direction that's not according to what is on. I'm talking about a bid.

You just asked about a bid for the entire city. I don't care. So we were talking about a bid. What goes for one property goes for all property. Hangar D. Hangar D.

Would you like to ask a question about Hangar D? Why are you directing my focus to just Hangar D? Because that's what the agenda is.

Hanger D is not the only problem.

It is the only thing that's on this bid.

Okay. All right, Mayor.

You are asserting yourself into- Is there any other discussion?

If not, Madam Clerk, could you please take the role?

You can't be doing that, Mayor.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

No.

Sellers?

Aye.

Klemm?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

And Parker?

the motion passes seven to one item number 30 is another bid approval please read this bid opening on august 13th resurfacing of 18th avenue manager boyer thank you your honor recon corporation worked with the city of freeport to reach an agreement for the development of the solar field at the end of 18th avenue that's in the arcade as part of the agreement recon corporation was to assist with roadway improvements to 18th Avenue because the idea is there they'll be using 18th Avenue to do this the installation they'll be running trucks in and out of there and the road was somewhat deteriorated and the point is to restore the road once they're completed with the solar field project so as part of the agreement Recon Corporation will contribute $440,000 toward improvements on 18th Avenue and provide the city of Freeport with with improvement plans prepared by Bowman for the improvements to 18th Avenue.

A public bid opening was held on August 13th at 10 a.m. at City Freeport.

City staff received three bids for the project, one from Martin and Company, one from Helm and Fisher's Excavating.

Fisher's Excavating was the lowest responsible bidder at $511,212.00.

Fisher Excavating is currently working on the 2025 city water and streets projects and has completed other street improvements within the city of Freeport with positive results.

Project completion is estimated for October of 2025.

This project is planned to be paid with the $440,000 in funds from the Solar Developer Recon Corporation with the remaining amount through local funds.

it should be noted that $133,000 of Fisher's total bid is contingency for unsuitable soils that may be encountered during the construction.

Staff recommends moving forward with the bid.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

Discussion on the bid.

Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders is absent, Sellers?

Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, and Parker. The motion passes 7 to 0. Item number 31 is reports of department heads. Finance? Oh none tonight. Public Works? Byer? Yes thank you your honor. I know it's been a long meeting but I feel I have the need to acknowledge and recognize two of my paramedics from a job well done. On August Huffines.

And then on August 14th, Ambulance One was dispatched for an elderly male who a gas station at Shell Gas Station in Glena, those folks thought something just isn't right with this gentleman.

So, our paramedics responded there.

They took the time to have a discussion with the gentleman, find out why he was in our area here, where he was from, and then they looked even further to gather his name and and his wife.

They were a couple.

They were going to have to call the police.

They called the police and they were going to have to call the ambulance crew and they had to go to the federal police.

They had to go to the police, they went to the police with their family members and they went to the ambulance crew.

They made a phone number for family members so one of the paramedics phoned police dispatch, ran the gentleman's name.

It turned out that he was endangered and missing from the city of Chicago for four or five days.

He had no idea how he got out here, why he was here.

So they checked him out.

They phoned the gentleman's daughter.

They were elated that he's finally been located and he's safe.

the ambulance crew, Adam Holtz and Nathan Stepp transported the gentleman to the hospital just to be checked out and that's where the reunion of his family members took place.

So 84 year old gentleman disoriented to know how he got to Freeport from city Chicago.

So those turned out to be a good outcome for the gentleman and my paramedics.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Police?

Nothing from the police department.

Thanks.

Library?

community development nothing tonight madam mayor IT airport city manager just one thing mayor I just want to reflect on the the wonderful work that was done on 18th Avenue I know it was a kind of a the last thing on the agenda but that is one way the city was able to use our work with the various solar contractors to flip that around and turn that into new infrastructure. So I just want to thank all the staff that were involved with that negotiations. Excellent job.

Then I just want to remind everyone about take advantage of the tire recycling if that's something that it could be helpful to you and then reminder of two events this weekend is Paint the Port is on Friday night as well as Eats and Beats is Friday night and Saturday night. So two great events in the downtown at the Cain, and the arty plaza and in the streets.

Alderman Stacy?

Nothing.

Alderman Shadle?

Yes.

Thank you.

Last week, the committee of the whole meeting there was mention made at public comment at the end that statements that myself and Director Steakil had made that were to quote lies, and it had to do with the lift station on Walnut Road.

Our comments were that it has been talked about for two years and I just wanted to mention that I did a little digging and there was a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, January 9th of 2023 where there was discussion regarding Walnut Lamb Road, Forest Main and Lift Station.

and a week later on Tuesday, January 17th of 2023 it was passed to a resolution approving engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for design services. So that's all. Thank you.

Sanders. On that particular note that I was just hearing with other issues, nothing has not been conformed completely. We have incomplete work that needs to be re-evaluated and to to be studied, and I don't care how many times we talk about the subject matter, it doesn't matter as long as we are understanding what it is that the city is trying to push the citizens of Freeport into, and we need to not only evaluate what council is doing, but we need to evaluate ourself as far as anything else, are we cohesive on any matter that the the city might have on the agenda and do we all conform together to come to a resolution of anything?

And that's what I've been sitting here for over two years now and I watched, I learned, I figured out how the game is pretty much played and we need to change our thinking and this is why.

and I have been thinking and this is why I don't know how many minutes I got but if you shut me down I'm gonna go up to the podium and talk some more but the thing is we need to relook at ourselves in the mirror every day to say are we doing this citizens of Freeport justice because I sit here and I listen to lies sometimes people flagrantly lie about things and don't come out and tell the I don't call no names, but the point of the matter is you know who you are.

And if you're not serving the people of the city of Freeport, you should get off the council.

You should go do something else with the rest of your time and die off into the wood and maybe grab a fishing pole or something like that and dwindle away the rest of your life.

But this is how I feel at this point, and I'm quite sure a lot of our constituents feel the same way.

Are we looking at, are we considering the people Miller.

I feel that we're here, that voters us in here to make a decision-making, proper decision-making, you know, that's something that needs to be reevaluated amongst ourselves.

And we should ask ourselves that same very question.

And you're going to hear me talk about stuff like this on occasion when I feel that we're doing things that is not within, in the fines of the people, and people can criticize me Settlers.

I don't care about none of that stuff.

It's just the fact that am I talking to the people to gain their trust about whatever I learned that I will expose to them or divulge to them so they will be as educated as I am because I'm learning.

I'm learning the ropes around here and we need to stop it.

I would just like to say I know we had a lot of people that came in and was talking about you know the housing and the and the rents and all those things and I totally get it and I understand because I've been on both sides I've been a single mom renting and I've also been a landlord so I do understand but we have no control of what people charge on their rents that's just like if I wanted to sell my house I don't they can't can't tell me how much I can sell my house for.

So I do understand and my heart goes out because I hate that it's happening.

But we as city council, we cannot tell people what they can charge for rent.

And my heart goes out to everybody.

But like I said, I've been on both sides.

I've been a single mom renting and I've been a landlord.

So I just wanted everybody to know that we do have, we have compassion on what's going on, but we have no control.

Coleman, Clem, I agree 100% with Joy. Thank you.

Coleman, Johnson, my heart also does go out for those um that they've raised their rent on. It's a horrible thing. Um also wanted to remind um second ward we have neighborhood watch meeting at 3002 Farmedale Lane at 6 30 p.m on Thursday evening.

Orman-Simmons? Orman-Parker? Yes, just a reminder, we have our neighborhood watch next Monday night at 6 o'clock. That concludes to public comment, okay?

Oh, yeah, wait one second. I'm so sorry. She was, though, Mayor. She, well, I'm sorry, Akiya.

Miller.

I have an email from Carol Krupke.

I've lived in Freeport my entire life and I've lived in my current location for almost 22 years.

I've lived here for so long because it's what I can afford.

While at the moment I am not one of the people who are being threatened with rent increases, I would still like the members of the council, Mayor Miller, and whoever else is necessary Bain, Mark, and M.S.

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Miller.

I think the crime rate is going to go anywhere but up.

This is going to affect more than every, not just these guys.

They might move next door, down the street, around the corner from all of you, opposed to the ones that, let's say, let's see the home rule benefited that you guys don't have to live here anymore, or say, or whatever you do.

And that means that you guys can't use home rule to benefit the community, but you can Miller, Wayne, you can use it to say that Mayor Miller doesn't have to live here, Wayne don't have to live here, you guys can use it for all of that.

And I'm so tired, let's get on another topic, I'm so tired of hearing shovel-ready sites.

Nobody is coming here.

Is this, you gotta be rocking, nobody is coming here.

This is a public online meeting and it looks a mess.

We got Darren impersonate himself as FHA worker, we got Wayne tearing down the city for no and I. And we got a bunch of neighborhood watch meetings and ain't nothing getting watched.

I'm just trying to figure this out. This ain't rocket science, man. Dig in and do the due diligence for the community or like he said, get up and move around. You have something to do. You have a job to do. You work for us. They, Rob, he don't, he's such a nonchalant Fowler.

You don't care about nothing.

Nothing.

You have proved that so many times.

You have to be inviting to walk up to.

Nobody wants to talk to you.

You sit up there like an angry ball right now because you get your name wrung out.

You get read every time somebody says something that you want to speak on.

You have to be approachable.

Nobody wants to talk to you, bro.

That's just period.

You have to be approachable, not have an attitude when somebody asks you a question that you have to repeat.

Repeat it.

Next. My name is Cheryl Altman. My question is, why is Wayne getting, well, for 16 hours at $62.50 an hour? That is three to four times more than what an average person makes in this town, and it's a shame, but you guys voted for that. You're wrong.

also 2.1 million dollars for Pretzel City Transit.

It's three dollars in town each way. Out of town, it's six dollars each way.

But the worst thing is you forgot to mention that all those vans and buses are given to the city of Freeport for free.

And then not even to mention all their donations because I used to drive the bus.

I could bring in $400 in donations every two weeks. Easy.

Huffines.

So where's that money?

The worst part is you're making that money and you've got people out here who are ready to strike but you won't give them a raise.

For shame on you guys.

And next, Wayne, you say that you walked through all these buildings, wrong.

You made me get an engineer, a structural engineer.

You didn't like what you said because you said my building was structurally sound more than most.

But yet you sit there and going to bash and tear my place down?

You've got the roofs are falling in on the rally building.

You've got freaking trees.

Plus, you already got a $500,000 grant for that place.

So what you do with that?

And why are we getting Elbers and sons?

Because Mayor Miller, you're related to them.

Your mom was an Elber.

That's a conflict of interest.

You have your nieces, matter of fact, I got a picture with you and Sherry at her nephew's Huffines.

Next.

Hello, I just want to introduce myself and talk a little bit about what's going on and see what we all can do to come together and help.

My name is Jocelyn. I'm a mother and a long time Freeport resident and someone who is now along with many others fighting just to keep a roof over our family's heads. First, I do want to thank you Mayor Miller for responding to my previous emails and suggesting that I fill out the inspection request form here at City Hall. I do appreciate the acknowledgement and the apology for my hardship, but respectfully, sympathy does nothing to- Pied Piper Realty has taken over properties once managed by Chapman Properties and others, creating a monopoly of sorts. Many of us are now being told to sign new fixed term leases within seven days or face a 30-day notice to vacate. The rent increases are as high as 50%. These are not proposed numbers. These are actually happening. Some families are seeing jumps in rent from $650,000 to $650,000.

Huffines.

I'm here to ask you to act and urgently.

Some things that you can do are pass a local ordinance requiring 60 or 90 days to notice before significant rent increases or lease terminations.

Also you could conduct immediate inspections of properties with sharp rent hikes to ensure that they meet health and safety codes, especially for any property raising rent by more than 10%.

You could even host a public forum with tenants and landlords so our voices are heard and to hopefully avoid the lack of actions done by landlords to help tenants with what matters to those living in these properties.

My last suggestion is to pass a resolution urging the state of Illinois to lift the rent control ban and return the power to cities like ours.

I'm not asking for special treatment.

I'm asking for fairness for families, seniors, and working people who just want to stay in their homes, especially as we send our children back to school.

We deserve better than the, we deserve better than to be pushed out of the city that we've helped build.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Anyone else?

Giving me this opportunity.

I noticed I've never been here to a meeting before.

Can you state your name, please?

Ernestine Etman.

I've never been here to a meeting before.

I've watched you guys sometime on TV, but I didn't notice that you have prayer before you begin.

Is that right?

I am a believer in Christ.

I don't know what's gonna happen from this day because my heart is just so heavy right now after seeing all those comments of people that it's gonna have to leave from where they're living right now because they can't afford it and I just want to say I'm not going to talk too long but I want to say this to all of you I stayed I stayed and I listened to all that you guys had to say and those some important things but to me right now what's most important is not seeing Huffines.

I want to see all of you do more than what you're doing.

I know you may not can pull a string here or there, but it is something you can do as our leaders in this community.

And I want to say this and I'm done.

I know that none of you are in these positions because somebody just voted you in.

I know that the God of heaven allowed you to be in these positions.

And He expects you to do what you're supposed to do.

This is not going to be good for nobody in the city of Freeport.

There's a lot of families, a lot, that has been hurt by this.

and so in the days to come you're going to feel it.

We might feel it, but you're going to feel it too.

And I want you to keep that in your mind that you're not here just because somebody voted you in.

You're here because God put you here.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Hi, my name is Sue Cook, Winchester Drive.

I was home and I was watching online and thought, no, no, no. There are children, there were children standing here begging for their home in Freeport. We've never been a distressed city before. Don, you know that. This city was flourishing and beautiful and huge and Good, and there were homes and places for people.

There were not children standing in front of the City Council begging for their homes.

I know you can't do anything with the landlords.

You can talk to them.

I know you can talk to them, Rob.

I know you can.

You may not be able to tell them where, excuse me, to put or how much to charge, but you can keep the kids and these people in their homes.

You can, you're powerful.

You cannot say that you're a pastor and not be able to do this.

You are powerful.

You are the city of Freeport council.

You are powerful and Freeport cannot be distressed.

And here we stand distressed.

The second thing, for God's sakes, for the people that are disabled in this town, don't take 911 away from them.

Rob, give them the five bucks.

Five bucks are a life.

Five bucks are a life.

It could be my husband, it could be me, it could be Cece, it could be the mayor.

We've had head-ons.

Here I am crying, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry.

But we've had head-ons.

We've had multiple head-ons.

I've driven that road.

I've had to drive off the road to avoid head-ons.

Guys, we can't have no 911 in Freeport.

We can't have roads where our cars go into the potholes, and we have to pay $3,200 for an undercarriage, which has happened.

We can't be distressed, and we can't let kids be out on the street, and these people lose their homes.

we just can't because we're free port.

We never were distressed, Jodi.

Excuse me, Mayor Miller.

We never were distressed.

We never were distressed.

We don't have to be distressed now.

Thank you for letting me stand here and cry.

I'm very sorry.

Anyone else?

Yeah, I'd like to make a public comment.

Well, then you have to get up to the podium.

Do I?

You wanna speak as a citizen.

I feel the compassion of those that are in distress. And if we have a heart or any empathy for what the community brought to us tonight, we should look, like I said earlier, we should Conform as council people for the greater good of the people.

We should conform to come together on a topic issue that is hurting folk.

If it's hurting people within our community, we should stand up and lend our voice to all of the causes and distress and the anxiety that folks are going through because of this one particular issue.

I like to see us all gather together, have an executive meeting on issues.

It doesn't have to be an executive, it could be the whole force of the City of Freeport.

Having a common cause to rectify something that we have, as they say, the power we have to come together to help folk who are having issues.

My heart went out, I'm like this woman, I'm about to shed tears because of what we're lack of doing.

We have avenues, we have pathways, we have areas that we can go into to seek out whatever it is that our community needs and the fact that they don't know, they're not educated to finding these programs and we're not lending our opportunity to help establish any programs that actually help people.

I have not heard anything from our council that talks about a program that can benefit everyone that has a desire to want to better themselves in this community.

I don't wanna see people talking about I'm gonna be homeless.

How do you come to the Council of Freeport and someone standing before you talking about I'm losing everything and I don't have no place to go?

How could we just sit in our seat and after we adjourn tonight, have no way of talking to one another, calling each other up, say hey, we need to get up, we need to have a hall, a town hall meeting or some form or something to talk about that helps to help people.

I'm talking, and if there's something like that going on, everybody should be involved.

Your time has expired.

I know that.

Thank you.

I hear you.

Anyone else?

Cecelia?

May I do it from here?

Yes, I think that would be an exception.

You know, I don't know what we can do.

I know that there's things that we have to do.

I know that there's apartments out there that's not worth half of what they were already charging.

And to go up double is ridiculous.

But as renters, you have rights.

And you had a right, I don't know, we might need inspectors to come in and look at these houses because they have to be valued.

at a level to be charged what they're charging.

And so I don't know what we can or can't do.

I'm gonna find out what we can or can't do.

But one thing I know how to do and that's pray.

So Father God, in the name of Jesus, hear the hearts and the cries of your people.

Father God, make a way out of no way.

we're looking to you for a miracle yeah you change is not so just like you fed many with five fish and two loaves of bread I'm asking you to work a miracle in this city on behalf of these your children your people help us as a council Winslow.

To do any and everything we can do to make that difference.

To show ourselves strong.

To show the value we have and the value that we carry.

Give us the words to say and the ability to do what needs to be done.

And we'll be sure to give you all honor, glory, and praise in advance for victory is ours.

and I stand on that, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Is there any other public comments?

I'll entertain a motion for adjournment.

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Shadle, seconded by Parker.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Good night.