WEBVTT

00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:08.660
Okay, I think we're ready to go. Madam Clerk, are you ready?

00:00:08.660 --> 00:00:12.660
He kind of did now. He was number one when he expired.

00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:16.660
He was thinking about retiring in June.

00:00:16.660 --> 00:00:20.660
He didn't go, but now he's kind of ready.

00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:24.660
Okay, is everybody ready to take their seat?

00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:28.660
Brady, could you please give the invocation?

00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:38.909
Thank you, Madam Mayor. Father in heaven, we give you thanks tonight that your presence is with us

00:00:39.549 --> 00:00:45.789
to help and lead and guide this council according to your will and purpose. We ask for the flourishing

00:00:45.789 --> 00:00:52.270
of the businesses and the people of this city. We pray for peace, justice, hope, and access to

00:00:52.270 --> 00:00:57.789
resources. We pray for the leaders of this council to govern with wisdom and integrity.

00:00:57.789 --> 00:01:02.590
we pray for your kingdom to come and your will be done tonight in this meeting in

00:01:02.590 --> 00:01:08.069
Jesus name amen thank you now we'll officially call this meeting to order

00:01:08.069 --> 00:01:13.790
madam clerk would you please take the role mayor Miller here alder persons

00:01:13.790 --> 00:01:23.349
Clem Johnson here Simmons is absent at the moment Parker here Stacy here

00:01:23.349 --> 00:01:29.590
Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Here. And if you could please stand for the Pledge of

00:01:29.590 --> 00:01:58.579
Allegiance led by Alderman Klemm. So to start this evening, I would like to read the email that I

00:01:58.579 --> 00:02:04.019
sent to all of the Aldermen last Friday just in case someone did not have the opportunity to read

00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:05.019
and John.

00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:12.620
The email was, At our last few meetings, members of the council have been advised to comply

00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:18.939
with standards of rules of conduct and decorum, and have repeatedly refused to do so.

00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:23.099
This is a disservice to other council members who abide by these rules.

00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:27.580
It is also a disservice to members of the public, who expect their elected officials

00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:32.900
to act in a professional manner when conducting business on behalf of their constituents.

00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:37.780
I have had numerous comments from members of the public expressing concern at the lack of

00:02:37.780 --> 00:02:40.020
decorum at our meetings.

00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:45.840
This lessens all of us in the eyes of the public and negatively impacts the credibility

00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:47.500
of this council.

00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:53.819
And most importantly, failing to observe established rules of procedure leads to disruption of

00:02:53.819 --> 00:02:57.960
the effective and orderly conduct of the business of the city.

00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:02.460
For all of these reasons, we have clearly established rules of council which govern

00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:03.460
and others.

00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:12.860
I am putting everyone on notice that I intend to strictly enforce those rules until we get

00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:16.419
some decorum introduced back into our proceedings.

00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:21.939
I am saying this now so that no one will be surprised or be able to claim that they somehow

00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:24.699
were unaware of these standing rules.

00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:32.060
Specifically, but not without limitation, the following conduct constitutes a violation

00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:33.719
of the rule of order.

00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:37.699
One, speaking out of turn or when otherwise not recognized

00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:42.139
by the chair is a violation of the rule of order.

00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:47.939
Two, exceeding established time limited on the floor for an issue

00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:52.060
or failing to yield the floor once the time has expired.

00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:55.259
And three, interrupting or disrupting someone

00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:58.740
while addressing the public assembly during public comments

00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:02.099
is also a violation of the rule of order.

00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:04.819
I should not need to make these statements

00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:07.500
as these are all rules which should be followed

00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:11.139
simply out of respect for fellow elected officers

00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:13.620
and the important role that each of you plays

00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:15.020
in running our city.

00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:17.699
Unfortunately, events at the last few meetings

00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:20.800
indicate that we need to rely on stronger measures

00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:22.759
than mutual respect.

00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:25.420
All members of the council are hereby reminded

00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:30.420
that pursuant to City Ordinance 220, 10, 24, and 25,

00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:33.100
if you are declared out of order,

00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.500
you are subject to a fine of up to $250.

00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:41.060
If you are declared out of order twice at the same meeting,

00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:42.540
you will be removed.

00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:44.540
I am putting you all on notice

00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:46.220
that I will be enforcing these rules

00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:47.500
strictly moving forward,

00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:50.420
and I sincerely hope that all of you

00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:53.779
will take your responsibility to this city seriously enough

00:04:53.779 --> 00:04:56.220
to avoid being sanctioned or removed

00:04:56.220 --> 00:04:58.040
for the sake of grandstanding.

00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:02.379
So with that, we'll start with item number one,

00:05:02.379 --> 00:05:04.220
which is the approval of the agenda.

00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:05.420
Is there such a motion?

00:05:05.420 --> 00:05:06.259
So moved.

00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.360
Second.

00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:09.279
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle,

00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:11.319
seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:13.600
All those in favor signify by saying aye.

00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:14.660
Aye.

00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:15.500
Opposed?

00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:17.540
That motion passes.

00:05:17.540 --> 00:05:19.220
Approval of the minutes from the regular meeting

00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:21.180
on September 15th, 2025.

00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.379
Is there a motion to approve?

00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:23.399
So moved.

00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:25.160
Second.

00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:28.360
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.639
All those in favor signify by saying aye.

00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:31.360
Aye.

00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:32.839
Opposed?

00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:33.720
That motion passes.

00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:34.839
Do you have a question?

00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:38.160
I did not see when Alderperson Simmons came in.

00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:41.480
Did you know the time when you came in?

00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:41.980
6, 10.

00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:44.279
Thank you.

00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:46.680
Item number three is recognition of service awards.

00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:50.100
Manager Boyer.

00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:53.740
I'd like to have the chief, the fire chief,

00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.399
to acknowledge the two firemen.

00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:57.500
Yes, thank you.

00:05:57.500 --> 00:06:00.500
It's my pleasure to recognize Amos Langlois

00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:04.139
and Dylan Oberle for their careers

00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:05.339
within the fire department.

00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:08.819
Amos has just completed his 10 years of service

00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:12.420
and Dylan has completed five years of service.

00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:16.120
I can personally say both are great people,

00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:19.060
very, very good at their jobs.

00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:21.079
They're firefighter paramedics.

00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:23.959
Amis is actually on vacation this evening

00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.360
and Dylan is presently on an ambulance call

00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:29.360
serving the public, so he couldn't be here tonight.

00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:32.399
And I will be recognizing both of them

00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:35.120
at the fire station on their shift.

00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.199
They're both on the same shift.

00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:41.189
Thank you.

00:06:41.189 --> 00:06:46.189
Deputy Davis, we have, would you please, go ahead.

00:06:46.189 --> 00:06:50.029
Yes, I would recognize Officer Nikeel

00:06:50.029 --> 00:06:52.470
who has been with the Freeport Police Department

00:06:52.470 --> 00:06:53.870
for five years.

00:06:53.870 --> 00:06:57.790
She's an outstanding officer and works diligently

00:06:57.790 --> 00:07:01.779
to protect the citizens every day.

00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:02.300
Thank you.

00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:04.300
With that, we move on to public comment.

00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.540
We have three.

00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:10.420
We'll start with an email that was sent to the clerk.

00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:14.740
This was received today from Ashley Heilman.

00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:17.100
I am sorry to not be there in person this evening.

00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:20.019
I am, however, in Lombard for a realtor conference.

00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:22.339
I would like to speak against item number seven

00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:24.540
on the agenda for short-term rentals.

00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:26.519
I am here on behalf of one of my owners

00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:30.079
who has a short-term rental and myself as her manager.

00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.759
When it comes to short-term rentals,

00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:33.600
often called vacation rentals,

00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:36.519
everyone seems to become a real estate expert,

00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:38.980
quick to say they destabilize neighborhoods

00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:41.100
or create problems.

00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.959
And as we are aware, there has been one instance

00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:46.660
at one property that has caused this potential change

00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.000
to come forward.

00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:50.439
However, in reality, vacation rentals

00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.439
Huffines.

00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:53.240
These homes often serve important needs.

00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:55.720
Corporations use them to house employees.

00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:59.199
Families use them to test neighborhoods before buying.

00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:03.279
Contract workers use them for housing when traveling to fill vacant positions at places

00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:04.860
like FHN.

00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:10.040
And large vacationing families use them to stay all together, then having multiple hotel

00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:11.040
rooms.

00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:15.019
These homes are typically well maintained because owners depend on good reviews and

00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:17.879
consistent bookings to make these rentals work.

00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:22.879
I've been in real estate for eight years and have seen firsthand how vacation rentals complement

00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:27.439
housing markets rather than harm them, as I own several and try to stay at them when

00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:29.439
I travel.

00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:34.519
They provide flexibility for property owners, support local tourism, and offer families

00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.559
and employees more housing choices.

00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:43.080
Many of the issues often raised, noise, property maintenance, nuisance activity, are already

00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:47.179
addressed by city ordinances and the current short-term rental ordinance.

00:08:47.179 --> 00:08:51.700
The city has tools to address problem properties without stripping rights from responsible

00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:54.659
owners and other owners in the future.

00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:57.080
Property rights are not an a la carte menu.

00:08:57.080 --> 00:09:01.899
When the right to rent is heavily restricted, one-third of a property owner's economic rights

00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:03.399
are lost.

00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:08.379
Instead of rezoning and removing these rights, the city could cap the number of vacation

00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:13.299
rental permits in R1 to R4 zones instead of removing them completely.

00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:17.840
This would prevent over-concentration, avoid clustering rentals only on the east side of

00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:22.159
town, and create a balanced approach that respects neighborhood character and private

00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.799
property rights.

00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:29.460
Or what about making this a special use permit instead if you feel changes need to be made?

00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:34.059
Other cities like Galena have found success starting with a cap and expanding permits

00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:35.919
as things go well.

00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:40.600
Freeport has that same opportunity, balanced regulations that work for everyone.

00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:45.820
To strengthen the ordinance further, the City could add guardrails, tie guestroom limits

00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:51.440
to bedroom count and square footage, require a local property manager if the owner is not

00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:57.360
nearby, limit on-site vehicles, revoke permits after repeat violations.

00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:00.000
This approach creates accountability without overreaction.

00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.639
creates accountability without overreaching,

00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:03.759
ensuring vacation rentals remain residential friendly

00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:06.080
while protecting the rights of Freeport owners.

00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:07.200
Thank you for your time.

00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:10.960
Ashley Heilman, Welcome Home, Northwest Illinois.

00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:11.879
Thank you.

00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:18.210
Julie Whiting.

00:10:18.210 --> 00:10:19.889
I'm in agreement with everything Ashley says,

00:10:19.889 --> 00:10:23.769
but city council members, thank you for allowing me to speak.

00:10:23.769 --> 00:10:26.570
Our city's proposed ban on single-family homes

00:10:26.570 --> 00:10:29.889
being used as Airbnb's is presented as a solution

00:10:29.889 --> 00:10:35.169
to depleting our owner-occupied housing stock, but in our case, it's simply not supported

00:10:35.169 --> 00:10:36.730
by the facts.

00:10:36.730 --> 00:10:43.649
Of the six Airbnbs in our town of 22,600 roughly, three are owner-occupied homes where residents

00:10:43.649 --> 00:10:48.970
rent out a portion, such as a spare room or a suite, while living in their own home.

00:10:48.970 --> 00:10:52.490
These are not investor-owned properties being removed from the market.

00:10:52.490 --> 00:10:57.330
In reality, these homeowners are enhancing the housing stock by sharing their space,

00:10:57.330 --> 00:10:58.889
not reducing it.

00:10:58.889 --> 00:11:12.889
For example, Chicago and other major cities require that AirBnBs and short-term rentals in single-family homes be the host primary residence for most of the year.

00:11:12.889 --> 00:11:23.889
The intent behind these rules is clear. Prevent the conversion of full homes into permanent short-term rentals by investors while still allowing homeowners to host and share space in their principal residence.

00:11:23.889 --> 00:11:30.889
These laws protect neighborhoods from losing housing, yet make room for flexibility and diverse housing options.

00:11:30.889 --> 00:11:38.889
Our local reality mirrors these cities, not the tourist hotspots facing housing shortages due to mass investor purchases.

00:11:38.889 --> 00:11:44.889
Let's be clear, banning owner-occupied Airbnbs won't expand our housing market.

00:11:44.889 --> 00:11:50.889
These homes are not available for sale or for long-term rent because their owners live there.

00:11:50.889 --> 00:11:55.569
Prohibiting them has no impact on home ownership or affordability in our town.

00:11:55.569 --> 00:12:00.169
Instead, it risks punishing responsible residents, taking away supplemental income

00:12:00.169 --> 00:12:03.649
that helps cover mortgages and meeting rising costs.

00:12:03.649 --> 00:12:08.250
And with just six listings citywide, three of them part owner occupied,

00:12:08.250 --> 00:12:11.889
the policy does not address the real threat to our housing stock.

00:12:11.889 --> 00:12:15.409
Please consider a balanced approach, exempt primary residents,

00:12:15.409 --> 00:12:18.930
Airbnb's from any ban, focus instead on policies

00:12:18.930 --> 00:12:24.970
that target non-resident investors or large-scale operators, not everyday homeowners responsibly

00:12:24.970 --> 00:12:26.789
sharing their own homes.

00:12:26.789 --> 00:12:30.669
This honors both the spirit of the community and the facts on the ground.

00:12:30.669 --> 00:12:36.409
Thanks for considering an equitable and evidence-based solution.

00:12:36.409 --> 00:12:45.240
And last would be the LaFever's.

00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:49.039
Good evening, City Council members, and thank you for this opportunity to speak to you regarding

00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:51.159
short-term rentals.

00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:55.799
for Frank and Monique LaFever at 1650 West Apache Trail in Freeport.

00:12:55.799 --> 00:13:00.399
We were the very first short-term rental operation in Freeport, and we voluntarily approached

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:05.879
the city in 2019 to ensure that we were operating legally and transparency even before ordinances

00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.360
were in place.

00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:12.240
We are owner-occupied hosts living full-time in our single home, renting out our lower

00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.720
level apartment.

00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:19.200
With the current proposed zoning changes, it feels like responsible hosts like us who

00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:22.180
who have followed every rule are being penalized.

00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:24.600
The memo suggests that STRs strain the availability

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:26.419
of housing, but owner-occupied homes

00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.940
don't contribute to this strain.

00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:30.220
Our home is not on the inventory,

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:32.559
it's off the market as we live in it.

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:36.580
We asked the council to make a clear distinction

00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:39.440
in the ordinance between entire home STRs

00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:42.580
where the owner does not reside on the premises

00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:46.039
or owner-occupied STRs where the host reside full-time

00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:49.100
or at minimum grandfather in well-established

00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:52.100
and other residents of the community.

00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:59.100
I would like to further add that our STRs provide a value to the community not only to support visitors, but support local families.

00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:08.100
After a storm damage, one local family's home, they stayed with us for five and a half months, avoiding the stress of a long-term lease,

00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:12.100
renting or buying furnishings while their home was being repaired.

00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:18.420
Another guest specifically chose a short-term rental with off-street parking such as ours

00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:24.420
because their work van had thousands of dollars of equipment on the back of their van to do road

00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:30.339
integrity surveying and they were concerned about somebody accidentally backing up into their van

00:14:30.339 --> 00:14:35.779
in a crowded hotel lot. The damage could have been costly and disruptive to their work and our home

00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:41.620
offered them a driveway to park to alleviate their worries. Many guests have in fact told us that

00:14:41.620 --> 00:15:11.620
Boyer has stayed with us for a summer during his relocation to Freeport to take a job here at the city. He appreciated the conveniences and traditional hotels cannot offer such as a full kitchen and a laundry room. Since opening in 2019, we have personally had no safety issues or complaints. I vet every booking for verified state IDs, photos on profiles, and guest reviews. If I'm uncomfortable, I'll let you know.

00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:23.620
I'm comfortable. I have no problem canceling that guest. I require registration forms to be filled out like hotels. We've even had neighbors refer their own family and friends to stay at our property.

00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:35.620
In closing, please consider grandfathering a compliant homeowner, owner-occupied STR like ours, beyond January 2029, where there is a proven track record of safety and community benefit.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:42.779
We are not absentee landlords. We are residents, neighbors, and responsible hosts, and we care deeply about our community. Thank you.

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:52.740
That concludes public comment. Next, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:58.440
The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless the member of council would like to have something

00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.980
removed for further discussion.

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:09.420
The consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file board and commission minutes from the police pension board, May 7th,

00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:14.779
and the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, August 12th, 2025.

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:18.940
The Greater Freeport Partnerships Monthly Report, September 2025.

00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:32.639
Approval of the finance bills payable in the total of $4,189,115.71 and payroll for pay

00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:41.920
May period ending September 20th, 2025 in the total of $676,474.02. Is there a motion

00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.920
to approve?

00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.920
So moved.

00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.920
So moved.

00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:45.920
Second.

00:16:45.920 --> 00:16:51.000
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:55.160
the consent agenda. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:56.160
Klemm?

00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.160
Aye.

00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.160
Johnson?

00:16:58.160 --> 00:16:59.160
Aye.

00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:00.160
Simmons?

00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.160
Aye.

00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.160
Parker?

00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:11.079
Sanders, and Sellers. The motion passes 8 to 0. Item number 6 is the second

00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:15.639
reading of ordinance 2025-57. Could you please read this? Ordinance revising

00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:19.680
codified ordinances to create the position of operations superintendent.

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:24.000
Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, your honor. We've discussed this at the last

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:29.720
council meeting. This is creating a new position for the city that would allow

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:35.639
one individual to oversee both the utility and the street department and deal mainly with the

00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:39.720
field crews. However, responsibility would extend to all operations within Public Works

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:46.759
and staff recommends moving forward with this job description approval. Thank you. Any questions?

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:59.559
Alderman Stacy? It just seems like every time we change the original title

00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:09.009
and I. I went back to the original title and went to a supervisor position and that gentleman

00:18:09.009 --> 00:18:20.730
ended up quitting. And it's like here we go again with wanting to now add duties to another

00:18:20.730 --> 00:18:21.730
Huffines.

00:18:21.730 --> 00:18:34.009
Do you consider going back to the original director title and hiring someone under that?

00:18:34.009 --> 00:18:37.529
Is that all your question?

00:18:37.529 --> 00:18:40.490
I just didn't want your clock to time out a few.

00:18:40.490 --> 00:18:41.490
Yeah.

00:18:41.490 --> 00:18:42.490
Manager Boyer?

00:18:42.490 --> 00:18:46.570
You know, we currently have a public works director, and that is Darren Steakles, our

00:18:46.570 --> 00:18:48.730
contract public works director.

00:18:48.730 --> 00:18:53.490
the operations superintendent is more of a hands-on leader in the field and with

00:18:53.490 --> 00:18:59.289
day-to-day operations in mind. So it's a different job. Would you like your second?

00:18:59.289 --> 00:19:10.059
Sure. Go ahead. No, that's okay. Okay, any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take

00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:18.460
the roll. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. No. Shadle. Aye.

00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:26.799
Sanders, Sellers, the ordinance is passed six to two. Item number seven is the

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:30.779
second reading of ordinance 2025-58. Could you please read this? Ordinance

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:35.179
amending chapters 810 and 1250 concerning the licensing and zoning of

00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:40.159
vacation rentals. Thank you, Director Duckman. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So we read

00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:45.759
this last at the last meeting we this ordinance was read. I would say nothing

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:49.880
has changed except for the public comments that we've heard tonight.

00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:52.639
Just to give you a brief overview of this, staff

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:58.079
was tasked to write this ordinance in order to eliminate

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.440
the

00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.440
planning commission

00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:07.440
ordinance in order to eliminate short-term vacation rentals from

00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:13.440
the R1 through R4 zoning districts, which essentially removes the

00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:17.440
short-term rentals from single family housing, which is the intent

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:23.440
here. So after staff was directed to draft this ordinance, it was

00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:28.319
Heim, the Planning Commission put it forward to the next scheduled meeting, which was on

00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:35.119
September 11th. At that meeting, there was a supporter, Tom Klemm, Alderperson Klemm,

00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:41.319
was there as somebody supporting this ordinance, and then City Clerk Anderson was there as

00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:51.440
a resident and was basically in favor of short-term rentals, which would be opposed to this ordinance.

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:56.400
and the results of that meeting was support of this ordinance by a vote of five to zero.

00:20:56.400 --> 00:21:02.460
All that being said, as of tonight, there's obviously been people, the public comment has

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:11.519
been against this ordinance and staff has put forward information for a vote, so leave

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.960
it at that.

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.960
Thank you.

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.960
Discussion?

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.960
Yes.

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.960
Alderman Sellers?

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:24.960
I do have to agree with what Ashley Heilman presented tonight and I do agree with the other ones.

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:29.960
I stay at Airbnbs all the time and I think they're awesome.

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:39.960
I know we had one bad incident, but I don't think we should take one incident and kind of get away from all of it

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:45.119
you do look at a town like Galeno or other different places that have been

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:51.119
small towns and it is an asset to the community and like they also said we

00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:57.440
really don't have hotel space you know and that that was another thing so I

00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:02.160
will you know be against putting this through because I do think it's

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:07.639
something that we need we talk about tourism and people coming in but they

00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.639
and Stacey.

00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.639
They also have to have somewhere to stay.

00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:15.039
So I do think that they are a good thing for the community.

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.039
Any other discussion?

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:21.240
I just have a question about the ordinance.

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:24.799
Is that appropriate or?

00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:32.880
So currently the ordinance says that the owner of the property is the only one that can own

00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:35.880
this license.

00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:37.440
Director, Duckman, can you answer?

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.000
Yes, so correct.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:41.160
The owner of the property, you own a property,

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.480
you would have to get a license

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:46.319
to do a short-term vacation rental, yes.

00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:49.960
Okay, so what if you're renting to own, you know,

00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.880
or what if you're,

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:56.039
if you're renting to own,

00:22:56.039 --> 00:23:02.319
or if you're leasing property for a business purpose,

00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:11.480
purpose, why would you not be allowed to obtain, why or why

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:16.759
not would one not be allowed to obtain a license?

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.559
Director Duckman?

00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.059
Yes.

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.759
So it's 30 days.

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:23.019
Basically, what's going on here is in order for this ordinance

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:25.279
to take effect as currently written,

00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:29.079
your term of your lease would have to be 30 days or less.

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:34.519
So oftentimes rent to own is not going to be 30 days.

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:38.000
So that's why, if you're in a rent to own agreement,

00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.880
you're not going to fall under this ordinance.

00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:43.319
Because this ordinance, as it's currently written

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:46.160
and is being proposed, it's 30 days or less.

00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:48.360
You have to have an agreement that you're

00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:51.319
going to rent somebody's property for less than 30 days.

00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:53.039
Any other?

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.079
I have additional information.

00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:57.759
The rental property ordinance just states

00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:00.720
Do you have to be an owner?

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.400
So that's part of our rules.

00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:05.240
When I process those applications,

00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:08.599
I need to check that the owner matches the insurance.

00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:11.720
The owners, the applicants have to put up

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.480
a certificate of insurance.

00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:15.900
That would be an owner's responsibility.

00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:18.500
A leaseholder would only have, you know,

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:20.660
like content insurance.

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:25.000
Director Duckman, I don't know when it's rent to own

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.920
or lease to own, you know, if they're in the process

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:56.920
I understand. Sorry. No, I don't think it's, I think there's some some complication here. And I think the ordinance protects the title owner. Title owner is deed owner, fee simple owner. That owner is protected. And essentially, if you had a rent to own situation, you would, the city would just ask that the property owner sign an affidavit or just sign the paperwork that they would be doing the vacation rental.

00:24:56.920 --> 00:25:00.240
And we do that in any of our zoning applications,

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.680
any permit applications.

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:04.240
If there's a rent to own agreement or something

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:08.440
like that, we always make sure that there's

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:11.119
the actual title owner of the property

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:13.759
is aware of any permitting going on.

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.480
Oldham and Stacy, did you want to?

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:22.119
What if the person renting to own

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:26.599
have the insurance and things in their name?

00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:34.200
They would have to ask the person that they would be buying it from, the title owner would have to give them, would still have to sign off on it.

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:36.000
That makes sense.

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:43.319
The person, so when you're in a rent to own situation, there's a title, there's a fee, the person that owns the property.

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:51.079
The actual, not the person renting to own, the person that owns the property would still have to give that permission and be named on that vacation permit.

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:55.200
but you said that the person that owns the property

00:25:55.200 --> 00:26:00.200
would have to cover the insurance.

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:02.839
But if the person that's renting to own

00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:07.160
is covering the insurance, isn't that different?

00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:09.799
I think we're really getting in, yes, no, it's fine.

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.799
Just one second.

00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:13.960
If you can try to pull together all of your questions

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:16.519
instead of the back and forth, that would be helpful.

00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.160
I'll just answer the question here.

00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.000
Sure.

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:25.440
I think anytime somebody we have I believe how many of these now four or six?

00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:30.160
We have three and one in process. Okay we have three and one in process. Every

00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:35.519
single permit that gets submitted is reviewed by my department, by Clark

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:40.920
Anderson's department, and if there is any situation where we're talking about

00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:44.740
well we have to verify insurance, we have to verify a rent-to-own situation, the

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:49.360
staff, our staff is gonna review it and is going to work with the person. I

00:26:49.360 --> 00:27:05.360
I think we are looking at an outlying situation here to try to base our judgment on it. I don't think the intent here is to eliminate rent to own situations from having the ability to obtain a vacation rental license.

00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:07.360
Alderman Johnson, did you have something?

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:15.360
Yeah, I just wanted to say I did some checking to ask like how many times a month are these Airbnbs rentals or vacation rentals.

00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:17.360
and

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:20.440
John, and the person I checked with said sometimes four to five

00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:23.440
times a month. So when I think of that and how ever long

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:27.440
they've been running them and we've only had one incident, I

00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:37.250
think that maybe we need to not proceed with this.

00:27:37.250 --> 00:27:39.250
But...

00:27:40.250 --> 00:27:42.250
»» Well, Madam Clerk, Alderman Klemm, did you want to?

00:27:42.250 --> 00:27:44.250
»» Sure. »» Since I brought this up, I'll

00:27:44.250 --> 00:27:48.250
take the hit on it. Hey, I really appreciate everybody that

00:27:48.250 --> 00:27:52.809
There are two sides to this. There's no answer buts about it.

00:27:52.809 --> 00:27:59.130
The intention was not to completely take away Air B&Bs as we started out and talked about this.

00:27:59.130 --> 00:28:05.170
The thing was to take it away in single-family dwelling areas.

00:28:05.170 --> 00:28:08.970
I currently am the alderman in the area where this happened.

00:28:08.970 --> 00:28:12.049
Keep in mind this wasn't just a little incident.

00:28:12.049 --> 00:28:19.730
For about 12 pistols, automatic weapons, illegal weapons, and 15 to 20 people that walked out of the place.

00:28:19.730 --> 00:28:23.730
And it's still under investigation. Is that correct, Deputy Chief?

00:28:23.730 --> 00:28:26.730
Yes, it's still under investigation.

00:28:26.730 --> 00:28:32.730
Okay, so I bring it up because I don't put that as a minor issue.

00:28:32.730 --> 00:28:39.730
If, you know, God bless, if it doesn't go through and it isn't going to go through, it doesn't make a big difference. Life's going to go on.

00:28:39.730 --> 00:28:44.849
but I think we also ought to take a look at some of the safety things and some of

00:28:44.849 --> 00:28:51.690
the places where it's at. If you bought a house and I got laughed at for saying

00:28:51.690 --> 00:28:56.570
this last time so I'll say it again, if you got a house in a very expensive

00:28:56.570 --> 00:29:02.009
neighborhood you'd think that you could live in that house without not knowing

00:29:02.009 --> 00:29:06.090
who lives next door to you and have a whole bunch of people with cars there and

00:29:06.090 --> 00:29:07.289
and so on and so forth.

00:29:07.289 --> 00:29:09.409
And we can't say that didn't happen

00:29:09.409 --> 00:29:11.170
because the night before this happened,

00:29:11.170 --> 00:29:14.049
there was 10 cars at this place, okay?

00:29:14.049 --> 00:29:15.809
And that came from a neighbor.

00:29:15.809 --> 00:29:17.769
It wasn't the owner that called the police,

00:29:17.769 --> 00:29:19.650
it was the neighbor that called the police.

00:29:19.650 --> 00:29:21.990
So that's the reason I'm bringing on.

00:29:21.990 --> 00:29:24.210
You can sit there and shake your head, I'm sorry.

00:29:24.210 --> 00:29:27.009
I said that, I told you that I thought

00:29:27.009 --> 00:29:31.289
what you said is right, I agree with a lot of it, okay?

00:29:31.289 --> 00:29:34.049
But someplace in life, we gotta take a look at the fact

00:29:34.049 --> 00:29:35.049
Selders.

00:29:35.049 --> 00:29:38.490
Somebody could have unloaded with how many weapons and killed how many people, and we'd

00:29:38.490 --> 00:29:41.210
all been sitting there saying, oh, shucks.

00:29:41.210 --> 00:29:42.210
So that's fine.

00:29:42.210 --> 00:29:44.970
That's all I got to say.

00:29:44.970 --> 00:29:47.329
Oldham and Sellers?

00:29:47.329 --> 00:29:51.170
I'm not taking it as a light situation.

00:29:51.170 --> 00:29:55.809
My nephew, he works for Airbnb, and I called him to ask him some questions about ...

00:29:55.809 --> 00:30:00.400
and I asked him to ask him some questions about all of this and he said that even happens

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:05.440
in hotels, that they come in there with that type of ammunition and all that kind of stuff.

00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:13.559
It happens, but the thing, if you really want maybe some more clarification or some rules

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:21.079
on how, on Airbnbs in your community, you can call them and they will have a consultation

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:26.920
with you and help you come up with ideas on what you can do in your community to make

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:29.319
it safer having the Airbnbs.

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:37.599
But I've stayed at Airbnbs in places that were probably million-dollar homes, but it's

00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:46.539
all about how we perceive this and take it on and look at the one mistake that happened,

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:49.279
how are we going to prevent it from happening again?

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:55.759
but I do think it would be something really good in our community because of the hotel

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.759
situation.

00:30:56.759 --> 00:31:00.079
And this is another way people make a hustle.

00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:04.960
This is how they make extra income to take care of their families or just to have to

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.420
take care of their homes.

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.420
But I do agree.

00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:11.279
I'm not saying that it wasn't bad because it scared me when I heard it, but I'm just

00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:15.680
thinking that it shouldn't be something that we just do away with it because we had one

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:17.380
bad incident.

00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:20.779
and I'm thankful that nothing did happen.

00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:22.420
Appreciate your input, thank you.

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:24.940
Any other discussion before we vote?

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:27.420
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.019
Klemm?

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.859
Aye.

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.539
Johnson?

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.099
No.

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.980
Simmons?

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.619
No.

00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.259
Parker?

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.900
No.

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.579
Stacy?

00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.259
No.

00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.900
Shadle?

00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.059
Aye.

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.819
Sanders?

00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.299
No.

00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.019
Sellers?

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.059
No.

00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:45.309
The ordinance fails two to six.

00:31:45.309 --> 00:31:48.630
Item number eight is the adoption of resolution 2025-113.

00:31:48.630 --> 00:31:52.269
could you please read this reconsideration of resolution regarding

00:31:52.269 --> 00:31:56.869
community solar with Illinois shines which is a state administered incentive

00:31:56.869 --> 00:32:04.470
program to support the development of new solar projects okay so before we can

00:32:04.470 --> 00:32:12.900
have this manager where we need a motion to reconsider so move well it needs the

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:35.460
I do not have that. Well, it'd be in the minutes, attorney. Okay. So sorry when all

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:46.069
eyes are on me. Shadle made a motion. Klemm seconded to adopt. Motion failed by

00:32:46.069 --> 00:32:52.509
roll call vote. Ayes were Klemm, Parker, Shadle, Nays were Johnson, Simmons, Stacy,

00:32:52.509 --> 00:33:03.259
and Sanders. The motion to reconsider would be made by Johnson, Sanders, Simmons,

00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:12.259
and Stacy. So do you understand what's being asked of you?

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:18.980
Alderman Sanders. Who's asking for this reconsideration? Who's asking for that?

00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:26.180
Manager Boyer, myself. You're asking for it and who? And yourself? Yeah, so it's I

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:30.700
I don't, the reason being Alderman Sanders is I don't think there was a very good explanation

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:35.380
and it kind of tied together with Mike Mudge's two presentations and I don't think that everybody

00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.380
really understood.

00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:37.380
Yes.

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:43.139
So it's just, it's just to be able to have a little better discussion on this one piece.

00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:53.319
Before we vote on that, can we reconsider the person that was given the explanation

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:55.319
and

00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:58.400
John.

00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:01.619
So, we would need a motion to reconsider the topic first.

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:05.400
Because if you guys choose to reconsider the topic, then once

00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.519
that topic is back on the table, then you could talk about, hey,

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:12.139
since we're talking about it again, we want to bring Mr. Mudge

00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:15.239
back in to talk about it at that point.

00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:18.360
But if you guys don't want to reconsider the topic, then

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:21.480
there's no way to reconsider the topic.

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.480
Fowler.

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.480
Thank you.

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.480
Thank you.

00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.480
Thank you.

00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.480
Thank you.

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.480
Thank you.

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.480
Settler.

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:32.079
Do you want to talk more about it?

00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.079
Yes.

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:36.840
So are you making a motion to reconsider Alderman Sanders?

00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:41.400
On the premises of the fact that he would come and give us a better understanding of the

00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.400
process.

00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.400
Okay.

00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:57.279
So it would be something that maybe Manager Boyer or Mr. Siegel could give a better understanding

00:34:57.279 --> 00:35:01.760
and Linn, Dean, John, Don, John, D.J., John, Tony, and John, D.J.

00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:03.000
I want to make a motion to bring the topic back up.

00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:04.000
It's really free money to the community.

00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:05.000
No.

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:10.760
So if you are making a motion to bring the topic back up, I would need a second.

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:12.559
I'll second to bring it back up.

00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.559
Okay.

00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:15.320
So we have a motion made by ...

00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:17.739
Do we make a motion to bring it back?

00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.960
Alderman Stacy, that's kind of out of order.

00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:21.079
So he did make the motion.

00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:23.239
Alderman Johnson seconded it.

00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:26.360
So now that gives us the ability to talk about it.

00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:29.000
So what we'll do next is allow ...

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:31.059
You gotta vote on it.

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:32.779
You have to vote on the motion to reconsider.

00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:33.920
I forgot that part.

00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:38.500
So on the reconsidering itself, Madam Clerk,

00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:41.340
could you take the role on the reconsidering?

00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.179
Klemm?

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:43.000
Aye.

00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.840
Johnson? Aye.

00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.679
Simmons? No.

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.599
Parker? No.

00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:49.220
Stacy? No.

00:35:49.220 --> 00:35:50.619
Shadle? Aye.

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:52.019
Sanders? No.

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:53.840
And Sellers? Aye.

00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:56.699
One, two, three, four, it is currently tied.

00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.980
Mayor? Aye.

00:35:57.980 --> 00:36:05.119
the motion to reconsider passes five to four so now before you then is city

00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:11.980
managers being able to read the memo sure thank you your honor the city of

00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:17.360
Freeport was asked at the September 8th Cal Mike Mudge presented on the

00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:24.860
community solar bill credits with Illinois shines program so anyway if we

00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:28.300
We were to participate in the Illinois Solar Energy Incentive Program.

00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:33.340
Solar developers are often required to offer subscription incentives.

00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:38.460
The city's largest electrical counts are 100 kilowatts and under, and will be eligible

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:43.400
to receive the monetary bill credits from the program incentive.

00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:48.659
These incentive programs work on a 20-year subscription timeline, and the subscription

00:36:48.659 --> 00:36:53.159
program application will allow Freeport to participate and receive solar incentives from

00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:58.679
Soler Array projects that are being installed in the area. Freeport will not have any financial or

00:36:58.679 --> 00:37:06.279
liability participation in installing or paying for any solar build project. The city utility accounts

00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:12.440
are appealing the program due to the large inconsistent use of electricity. Many Northwest

00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:18.199
Illinois cities are joining this program. So there's a brochure included, but essentially

00:37:18.199 --> 00:37:48.199
These are credits the city would get back based on the amount of solar activity that solar projects that are being built and I don't want to quote incorrectly but I believe Mr. Mudd said we'd be the only community that did not approve this in the area so I just requested council give it some more thought and consider moving forward with the Illinois SHINES program

00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:50.559
Director Segal, would you like to add to that?

00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.760
Yes, I would.

00:37:51.760 --> 00:37:58.279
So I just want to give the basic blue collar discussion

00:37:58.279 --> 00:38:00.920
to this quickly.

00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:04.679
Every large solar array that's done

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:07.559
gets credits that they have to give back to the community.

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:09.760
And it's dollars that they have to return back

00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:10.559
to that community.

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:13.400
And it's based on usage.

00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:16.960
This is not available for, let's say, our City Hall account,

00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:20.920
because we don't pay electric for our City Hall account

00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:24.039
because we have a deal with ComEd on this.

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:27.920
This is for the utility accounts like our Wells

00:38:27.920 --> 00:38:31.279
and our bigger accounts that use a lot of electricity.

00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:34.500
And basically is what they're saying is here's free money

00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:36.300
every year for the next 20 years

00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:40.360
because we have to give this money back to communities.

00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:42.800
I cover a lot of communities in Northern Illinois.

00:38:42.800 --> 00:38:45.679
This would be the first town that didn't take this money.

00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:47.679
they can't tell you exactly what it is

00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:49.320
because we can't negotiate with them

00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:51.860
until we have an approval with the accounts

00:38:51.860 --> 00:38:53.139
that Michelle would put together

00:38:53.139 --> 00:38:55.639
that we actually pay for monthly.

00:38:55.639 --> 00:38:58.019
Not that this would be massive money,

00:38:58.019 --> 00:39:02.239
but this could be 10 to $20,000 a year of free money

00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:06.400
coming back to the utility with no commitment from us.

00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:07.239
Right?

00:39:07.239 --> 00:39:09.000
We don't have to sign up for more solar work.

00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:11.440
We don't have to do some special program.

00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:13.559
We don't have to add more solar fields.

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:15.239
We're just accepting their credits

00:39:15.239 --> 00:39:17.440
because we have high volume accounts.

00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:20.320
So it's essentially free money back.

00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:23.840
There is no subscription fee to the city,

00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:27.519
but the subscriber, which is this Illinois Shine,

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:29.279
they take a portion of the rebate

00:39:29.279 --> 00:39:32.000
as their fee for processing this deal

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:34.699
that is part of what they do.

00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:35.760
We can't do it.

00:39:35.760 --> 00:39:38.220
Illinois Shine has an agreement with them

00:39:38.220 --> 00:39:40.019
that they do all the processing.

00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:42.480
So, and what has been offered to Freeport,

00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:44.840
which has been greater than other communities,

00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:53.960
is I believe they upped the rebate percentage from 10 to 15, but I don't know how that works.

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.880
but I don't know how that works financially for us

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:56.280
other than it's a larger incentive

00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:57.780
that other communities get.

00:39:57.780 --> 00:40:00.039
There will be other opportunities for us

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.760
besides Illinois Shine as well.

00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:04.000
That's just one program that's out there.

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:07.079
There's other fields being brought around the area

00:40:07.079 --> 00:40:08.920
and they go to the bigger municipalities.

00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:13.320
So I appreciate you at least having this discussion.

00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:15.800
It is truly free money to the community

00:40:15.800 --> 00:40:17.820
that we desperately need more funding.

00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:21.000
So I don't know why we would pass this opportunity up

00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:24.159
when there's no commitment based on us spending

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:26.239
any financial money whatsoever.

00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:29.840
And if the incentives or the rebates get low enough,

00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:33.099
for instance, like our accounts, we don't use enough

00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:34.639
or they don't produce enough solar,

00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:37.559
we just don't get the rebate for that month.

00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.400
Attorney Zito.

00:40:39.199 --> 00:40:41.719
Just a point of clarification, Darren.

00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:44.539
This particular program, this has nothing to do

00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:47.840
with the actual residents of Freeport.

00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:50.579
My understanding is that we're talking just about

00:40:50.579 --> 00:40:55.579
and the city electric bills that we utilize at our buildings,

00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:57.820
not all our buildings, not like City Hall, like you said,

00:40:57.820 --> 00:40:59.420
but our utility building.

00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:02.980
So this is about our, a rebate for us

00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:05.099
and what we have to pay.

00:41:05.099 --> 00:41:07.480
This program has nothing to do with the general public.

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.320
That is absolutely correct.

00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:09.159
Correct, okay, thank you.

00:41:09.159 --> 00:41:12.800
So for an instance, one of our larger bills right now

00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:16.059
that we have monthly is our city lighting bill

00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:17.940
for all the street lights around town.

00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:19.860
That account would qualify for this.

00:41:19.860 --> 00:41:24.019
it's steady usage, it's annual usage that we have to pay for.

00:41:24.019 --> 00:41:27.340
So that rebate would come from one of those accounts.

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.820
Oldham and Sanders.

00:41:29.820 --> 00:41:34.820
Well, who's monitoring these incentives and these rebates

00:41:35.219 --> 00:41:37.539
and how do we make decisions whether or not

00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:41.800
we wanna go forward with any of this program

00:41:41.800 --> 00:41:44.619
because we don't have a measuring stick with it.

00:41:44.619 --> 00:41:46.980
There is no measuring stick, there's no monitoring,

00:41:46.980 --> 00:41:50.019
there's no oversight committees, there's no nothing

00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:53.539
to make sure that everything is above board.

00:41:53.539 --> 00:41:55.780
In other words, we're taking a risk as something

00:41:55.780 --> 00:41:59.699
that we don't fully understand at this point in time.

00:41:59.699 --> 00:42:03.860
And just them throwing out brochures and incentives

00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:07.539
and possible quick pro quals,

00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:10.099
probably hanging out there in the balance

00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:11.260
that we don't know about.

00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:14.780
We gotta make sure that we have a lockdown

00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:17.119
on everything about the understanding

00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:21.880
of how we are going to receive any kind of receivables,

00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:24.619
dividends, or whatever the case may be.

00:42:24.619 --> 00:42:28.800
We have not put that in place yet.

00:42:28.800 --> 00:42:30.460
This, what we're talking about,

00:42:30.460 --> 00:42:33.340
has not been orchestrated by council yet.

00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:36.079
We have not had a full discussion,

00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:40.500
not just because we're having one now

00:42:40.500 --> 00:42:43.079
here in this assembly,

00:42:43.079 --> 00:42:46.039
but we need to be able to have this kind of discussion

00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:50.800
to get the details of how is it benefiting

00:42:50.800 --> 00:42:52.280
the community of Freeport,

00:42:53.400 --> 00:42:57.639
who's gonna be served with these types of incentive

00:42:57.639 --> 00:43:02.079
to join in, to be part of that whole process

00:43:02.079 --> 00:43:04.239
and how the rebates are distributed.

00:43:05.239 --> 00:43:07.159
I don't think that the rebates,

00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:11.960
you narrow it down to the electric here

00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:16.960
and the facilities of our own water and sewer

00:43:18.159 --> 00:43:19.320
and everything like that.

00:43:19.320 --> 00:43:22.920
But we don't have a monitoring system to determine that.

00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:24.380
Council don't have it.

00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:29.380
We don't have what they say, alert status about rebates

00:43:30.380 --> 00:43:35.380
that are coming into the city on behalf of the solar shine

00:43:35.840 --> 00:43:37.159
or whatever who they are.

00:43:37.159 --> 00:43:38.320
We don't have that.

00:43:38.320 --> 00:43:41.480
We don't have indicators that let council know

00:43:41.480 --> 00:43:45.360
how this is being presented and being brought back each year

00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:50.199
or whenever the rebates are being submitted to the city.

00:43:50.199 --> 00:43:51.039
We don't know that.

00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:52.320
It's just like that.

00:43:52.320 --> 00:43:53.519
I'm gonna give an example.

00:43:53.519 --> 00:43:55.920
Just like the rebates that happens out in Menards,

00:43:55.920 --> 00:43:57.780
you have to sign up for rebates.

00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:01.639
Rebates may not ever come.

00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:06.199
And who knows who's using the system,

00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:08.920
the monitoring system, far as solar

00:44:08.920 --> 00:44:10.480
and everything of that nature,

00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:12.000
in order to reap the benefits.

00:44:12.000 --> 00:44:14.480
Those incentives are just out there.

00:44:14.480 --> 00:44:19.480
I just don't see how it benefits anybody at this time.

00:44:20.320 --> 00:44:22.079
Manager Boyer, would you like to respond?

00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:24.880
Yeah, I just wanted to comment Alderman Sanders.

00:44:24.880 --> 00:44:28.239
You know, Mike Mudge came September 8th

00:44:28.239 --> 00:44:30.679
and none of those questions were brought up

00:44:30.679 --> 00:44:32.380
to him at the time.

00:44:32.380 --> 00:44:35.159
So he didn't have an opportunity to answer your questions

00:44:35.159 --> 00:44:36.920
because you didn't ask them.

00:44:36.920 --> 00:44:39.840
So I will say the opportunity existed.

00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:41.579
bubbling, and a bunch of other people that really do know the

00:44:41.579 --> 00:44:43.579
history of the state.

00:44:44.659 --> 00:44:46.659
That is in a way what has happened through the years.

00:44:50.139 --> 00:44:52.139
But it just, for whatever reason, didn't happen.

00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:56.159
» I can answer a handful of those questions.

00:44:58.340 --> 00:45:00.340
If you want.

00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:05.420
So the rebate money would come directly to our director of

00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:07.699
finance. Because that is how that works.

00:45:09.840 --> 00:45:10.840
Fowler.

00:45:10.840 --> 00:45:25.900
So again, if you guys choose not to go forward, that's your take on it.

00:45:25.900 --> 00:45:30.800
But we are constantly here asking for more money and here's an opportunity to capture

00:45:30.800 --> 00:45:37.840
some extra dollars isn't going to, you know, make us rich, but over a 10-year period, it

00:45:37.840 --> 00:45:45.039
It might be another $100,000 or $200,000 of input to the utility funds or to the general

00:45:45.039 --> 00:45:50.279
fund, wherever it comes in it gets expended, but it's money that we currently don't have

00:45:50.279 --> 00:45:53.159
and they want to lock it in for 20 years.

00:45:53.159 --> 00:45:54.159
20 years.

00:45:54.159 --> 00:45:57.159
Alderman Stacey, would you like to add?

00:45:57.159 --> 00:45:58.659
Yes, Mayor.

00:45:58.659 --> 00:46:03.239
What you did was not right, Mayor Miller.

00:46:03.239 --> 00:46:09.000
who tricked Alderman Sanders into reconsidering.

00:46:09.000 --> 00:46:13.800
He never said, I make a motion.

00:46:13.800 --> 00:46:21.840
He said, yes, he would consider under the assumption that the guy could come back and

00:46:21.840 --> 00:46:24.960
express it greater.

00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:35.679
Now, Darren has been allowed to speak everything that he knows on this matter because he knows

00:46:35.679 --> 00:46:39.159
it all.

00:46:39.159 --> 00:46:51.300
And giving his input is just to promote why we should do this, do something that we have

00:46:51.300 --> 00:46:59.460
and I have already voted down and I watched the little faces and the little talks, you

00:46:59.460 --> 00:47:04.980
know, and City Manager Boyer, you're sitting there cracking up till you're red, laughing

00:47:04.980 --> 00:47:11.659
because now he got all these questions and he's wanting information and he's saying

00:47:11.659 --> 00:47:14.179
this and he's saying that.

00:47:14.179 --> 00:47:19.900
He never physically said, I make a motion that we reconsider.

00:47:19.900 --> 00:47:24.539
You promoted that, Mayor Miller.

00:47:24.539 --> 00:47:29.300
You promoted that because that's what you want and that's what you said.

00:47:29.300 --> 00:47:32.659
He never made the motion.

00:47:32.659 --> 00:47:39.900
So we just voted on a motion that really was not made and was not legal.

00:47:39.900 --> 00:47:46.460
And that is not right, pushing your values and what you want and tricking him to move

00:47:46.460 --> 00:47:49.679
forward because this is something that you want.

00:47:49.679 --> 00:47:52.800
it's just not right and it's not funny.

00:47:54.119 --> 00:47:56.039
Well, first of all, I don't think it's funny.

00:47:56.039 --> 00:47:59.559
And secondly, it was a motion to reconsider.

00:47:59.559 --> 00:48:03.039
And if the council chooses to bring Mr. Mudge back

00:48:03.039 --> 00:48:05.679
another time, that's totally acceptable.

00:48:05.679 --> 00:48:07.440
But we have two men sitting here

00:48:07.440 --> 00:48:11.019
that can easily answer a question and maybe that's enough.

00:48:11.019 --> 00:48:15.079
I just wanted to bring more clarity to the subject.

00:48:15.079 --> 00:48:15.920
That's it.

00:48:15.920 --> 00:48:17.800
He still never made a motion.

00:48:17.800 --> 00:48:18.639
He made a motion.

00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:20.639
No, you do not. You make the motion.

00:48:20.639 --> 00:48:26.639
Please. So, we have before us the discussion. Is there any more discussion on this? Alderman Sellers?

00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:28.639
No, blow me off.

00:48:28.639 --> 00:48:33.639
I would just like to know, why would we not want to get free money?

00:48:33.639 --> 00:48:37.150
Can you say it again? I hear you.

00:48:37.150 --> 00:48:40.150
How would we not want to take on free money?

00:48:40.150 --> 00:48:43.489
And it's 20 years.

00:48:43.489 --> 00:48:50.150
I just want to know, why would we say no to free money?

00:48:50.150 --> 00:48:52.150
Alderman Johnson?

00:48:52.150 --> 00:48:57.389
I've always been told you never get anything free right so I'd like to know

00:48:57.389 --> 00:49:01.829
what how can they give us something free without not us not giving them

00:49:01.829 --> 00:49:06.550
something back or what is it that's promised or what's you know what's the

00:49:06.550 --> 00:49:11.750
bottom line on this is this something that I mean from what I understood Mr.

00:49:11.750 --> 00:49:14.989
Mudge to say that there was a subscription you had to do and that

00:49:14.989 --> 00:49:19.510
subscription would build more solar farms more solar places because there's

00:49:19.510 --> 00:49:20.510
Huffines.

00:49:20.510 --> 00:49:21.510
There's not enough right now.

00:49:21.510 --> 00:49:26.070
Well, he said there isn't enough right now around here to give us the whatever we need

00:49:26.070 --> 00:49:29.650
to get the energy that they're going to give us.

00:49:29.650 --> 00:49:34.269
So I want to know what is it that they're looking for in return because you never get

00:49:34.269 --> 00:49:36.269
anything free.

00:49:36.269 --> 00:49:38.909
Attorney Zito.

00:49:38.909 --> 00:49:43.710
And Manager Boyer and Darren, correct me if I misspeak to your guys' understanding

00:49:43.710 --> 00:49:46.010
of this program as well there.

00:49:46.010 --> 00:49:49.489
But my understanding of how the program works, what they're asking, what they want in return

00:49:49.489 --> 00:49:52.010
Warren from the city is 20 years old.

00:49:52.010 --> 00:49:57.119
from the city is 20 years worth of us paying electric bills to them. So they're willing to

00:49:57.119 --> 00:50:01.440
say if you're willing to commit and subscribe to us and lock in for 20 years and you're going to

00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:06.559
pay those month after month after month ever bills that you guys are going to pay, I'm willing to

00:50:06.559 --> 00:50:11.440
incentivize you to lock in for that period of time by giving you this 10 to 15 percent discount

00:50:11.440 --> 00:50:17.920
because I locked in the otherwise all of that revenue that you're going to pay month after month

00:50:17.920 --> 00:50:18.920
and so on.

00:50:18.920 --> 00:50:20.679
That we would have paid month after month anyways there.

00:50:20.679 --> 00:50:25.960
And they take that revenue stream, that committed revenue stream, that company will say, if

00:50:25.960 --> 00:50:30.519
I know I got the city of Freeport and I know I have this other, let's say, large manufacturer

00:50:30.519 --> 00:50:36.360
that has, you know, a larger electric bill, let's say it's an industrial user, right,

00:50:36.360 --> 00:50:42.320
and I sign up 15 to 20 of those types of companies, those sorts of users, that's enough for me

00:50:42.320 --> 00:50:47.920
to justify building then my grid or my plant, my solar field there.

00:50:47.920 --> 00:50:52.679
So that's what they're looking to in exchange is they're looking for a long term commitment

00:50:53.559 --> 00:51:00.519
from from from the city of Freeport and say in exchange for that, I'm willing to to give you a discount on your bill.

00:51:04.139 --> 00:51:05.139
Did you want your second? Yeah.

00:51:06.619 --> 00:51:10.900
Would this lead to eventually everyone in the city having to go solar?

00:51:10.900 --> 00:51:22.820
Director Segal? I'm just curious. No, no, is what they're trying to do is build solar to feed the grid because we have a larger power

00:51:22.820 --> 00:51:27.699
requirement than what Comet can feed so they're supplementing the grid with this

00:51:27.699 --> 00:51:33.659
this type of power and the reason we're advantageous is because accounts that

00:51:33.659 --> 00:51:38.699
are already in aggregation are not eligible to be used for this type of

00:51:38.699 --> 00:51:40.699
and

00:51:41.940 --> 00:51:43.940
John.

00:51:45.179 --> 00:51:47.179
I am not aware of any of the

00:51:48.300 --> 00:51:50.300
people that are eligible for this type of project.

00:51:51.579 --> 00:51:53.579
≫ When you say aggregation is not fitted for this particular

00:51:53.679 --> 00:51:55.679
project, is that what you just said?

00:51:57.059 --> 00:51:59.059
I thought that's what I heard. But if I didn't, if I heard you

00:51:59.159 --> 00:52:01.860
wrong, I apologize. ≫ Accounts that are already in

00:52:01.860 --> 00:52:05.500
aggregation programs are not eligible for this type of

00:52:05.500 --> 00:52:07.500
incentive.

00:52:08.699 --> 00:52:13.539
on the City of Freeport utility accounts only.

00:52:13.539 --> 00:52:15.860
This has nothing to do with our right now.

00:52:15.860 --> 00:52:17.739
And who's governing this?

00:52:17.739 --> 00:52:22.219
Who's governing over this project to make sure

00:52:22.219 --> 00:52:28.139
that the citizens of Freeport are not being taken advantage of?

00:52:28.139 --> 00:52:30.340
This has nothing to do with our residence layer.

00:52:30.340 --> 00:52:34.019
This is just for the City of Freeport property accounts.

00:52:34.019 --> 00:52:34.519
OK.

00:52:34.519 --> 00:52:35.780
It has nothing to do with it.

00:52:35.780 --> 00:52:37.340
It does not drill down to the homes.

00:52:37.340 --> 00:52:38.380
OK, I see.

00:52:38.380 --> 00:52:39.699
Now I get the picture.

00:52:39.699 --> 00:52:43.500
Right, it has nothing to do with everyone's individual

00:52:43.500 --> 00:52:46.880
electric bill, it has only to do with the utility accounts

00:52:46.880 --> 00:52:49.860
that are done by Public Works and or

00:52:49.860 --> 00:52:50.699
Okay.

00:52:52.139 --> 00:52:56.780
Ms. Richter during our monthly bill cycles.

00:52:56.780 --> 00:52:57.619
Okay.

00:52:57.619 --> 00:52:58.739
Okay, so Alderman.

00:52:58.739 --> 00:52:59.579
Sorry, I'm sorry.

00:52:59.579 --> 00:53:02.400
Alderman Stacy, did you have another one?

00:53:02.400 --> 00:53:07.400
Yes, and so for 20 years, how much are we paying

00:53:08.380 --> 00:53:13.380
them for this little, what, 10 or 15% discount.

00:53:16.139 --> 00:53:20.440
How much is it costing us month after month after month

00:53:20.440 --> 00:53:21.780
for 20 years?

00:53:23.099 --> 00:53:25.380
The, I'm sorry.

00:53:25.380 --> 00:53:26.219
Go ahead.

00:53:26.219 --> 00:53:29.539
There's a subscription fee based on what you save

00:53:29.539 --> 00:53:30.659
every month.

00:53:30.659 --> 00:53:34.539
And I don't know that number because until we enter

00:53:34.539 --> 00:53:38.300
into something with them, that number won't be disclosed.

00:53:38.300 --> 00:53:41.619
what they're saying is there's a 15% savings

00:53:41.619 --> 00:53:45.099
on the electrical bills that will qualify for this program

00:53:45.099 --> 00:53:47.940
but they do get a subscription fee for the process.

00:53:47.940 --> 00:53:50.340
So we don't even know what the subscription fee

00:53:50.340 --> 00:53:53.380
is costing us, we don't know what we're putting into this

00:53:53.380 --> 00:53:56.699
and we're committing to 20 years.

00:53:56.699 --> 00:53:59.260
And we will not until we sign up.

00:53:59.260 --> 00:54:03.530
That's something fishy with that.

00:54:03.530 --> 00:54:08.170
And then we have all these, the solar panels and areas

00:54:08.170 --> 00:54:09.849
We have right here in town.

00:54:09.849 --> 00:54:11.409
They don't even take care of them

00:54:11.409 --> 00:54:12.889
like they're supposed to.

00:54:12.889 --> 00:54:14.970
They're not mowed and maintained.

00:54:16.529 --> 00:54:17.470
I have a question.

00:54:18.610 --> 00:54:23.090
To her point, it's not like we're paying them.

00:54:23.090 --> 00:54:25.690
They're just deducting it from what they owe us.

00:54:25.690 --> 00:54:27.210
That is the correct statement.

00:54:27.210 --> 00:54:29.769
They're deducting. At what rate?

00:54:29.769 --> 00:54:30.670
Well, that's what he said.

00:54:30.670 --> 00:54:31.710
It's kind of out there,

00:54:31.710 --> 00:54:35.470
but it's we get the payment minus the fee.

00:54:35.470 --> 00:54:38.230
so we still come out in the positive.

00:54:38.230 --> 00:54:39.070
Small communities are getting-

00:54:39.070 --> 00:54:40.470
But we don't know that.

00:54:40.470 --> 00:54:42.309
Well, that's part of the program.

00:54:42.309 --> 00:54:44.470
It's in the brochure because if there's no savings

00:54:44.470 --> 00:54:52.000
for the month then there's no fee.

00:54:52.000 --> 00:54:52.840
Okay.

00:54:53.920 --> 00:54:55.239
Alderman Simmons.

00:54:55.239 --> 00:54:58.800
So does the percentage change go up or decrease per year

00:54:58.800 --> 00:55:00.920
based on what they get?

00:55:00.920 --> 00:55:01.739
Mr.

00:55:01.739 --> 00:55:02.579
At all?

00:55:02.579 --> 00:55:04.119
Oh, I'm sorry.

00:55:04.119 --> 00:55:05.480
Director.

00:55:05.480 --> 00:55:07.519
The percentage for the city's savings

00:55:07.519 --> 00:55:09.599
or the percentage of that fee?

00:55:09.599 --> 00:55:12.519
and the percentage, the fee and the savings like.

00:55:12.519 --> 00:55:15.920
So I can only go off of what the brochure was

00:55:15.920 --> 00:55:18.480
and the brochure, I believe it's a percentage

00:55:18.480 --> 00:55:21.059
of the savings per month.

00:55:21.059 --> 00:55:23.619
And our rebate though would be locked in

00:55:23.619 --> 00:55:24.720
on a percentage of the bill

00:55:24.720 --> 00:55:27.279
because our electrical bills aren't the same amount

00:55:27.279 --> 00:55:30.159
every month, they go up and down based on seasonality.

00:55:30.159 --> 00:55:31.000
So we're not locked in?

00:55:31.000 --> 00:55:32.800
Is that what you said?

00:55:32.800 --> 00:55:35.279
The percentage was 15%.

00:55:35.279 --> 00:55:37.360
It doesn't go up or go down.

00:55:37.360 --> 00:55:39.360
You're saying that percentage though stays the same,

00:55:39.360 --> 00:55:44.279
that's what Mr. Mudge told us and again if we decide to move forward before we

00:55:44.279 --> 00:55:49.639
would sign anything with them we would get it all in writing but again it comes

00:55:49.639 --> 00:55:54.599
back to the point it's money that we can have this revenue that doesn't cost our

00:55:54.599 --> 00:56:02.970
taxpayers our citizens anything if there's no further discussion madam clerk

00:56:02.970 --> 00:56:34.599
please take the roll. Klemm? Yes. Johnson? No. Simmons? No. Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is currently absent. Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted four to three. Oh I'm sorry it has to have five positive. Right so you have half of the council voting in favor already so that triggers the situation where the mayor is allowed to vote.

00:56:34.599 --> 00:56:36.760
Okay, I forgot, Mayor?

00:56:36.760 --> 00:56:37.599
Aye.

00:56:37.599 --> 00:56:41.300
And that will make it five to three, that we need the five.

00:56:41.300 --> 00:56:44.920
Item number nine is the adoption of resolution 2025-118.

00:56:44.920 --> 00:56:46.199
Could you please read this?

00:56:48.739 --> 00:56:52.659
Resolution ratifying emergency storm sewer system repairs

00:56:52.659 --> 00:56:56.099
at Greenfield and Santa Fe by Fisher Excavating.

00:56:56.099 --> 00:56:57.139
Thank you, Manager Boyer.

00:56:57.139 --> 00:56:57.980
Yeah, thank you, your honor.

00:56:57.980 --> 00:57:00.019
The city of Freeport had an emergency repair

00:57:00.019 --> 00:57:01.619
to the storm system.

00:57:01.619 --> 00:57:04.260
The repair was much more significant in scope

00:57:04.260 --> 00:57:09.539
included sidewalk EDA ramps and curb replacement. City staff did not receive an invoice for

00:57:09.539 --> 00:57:14.340
the concrete work until recently and Fisher Excavating informed us that the concrete pay

00:57:14.340 --> 00:57:20.300
item had not been invoiced during the busy end of the 2024 season. Staff has confirmed

00:57:20.300 --> 00:57:24.220
through our own system that Fisher was never paid for the required restoration work and

00:57:24.220 --> 00:57:28.820
has verified that the work was done in line with required city compliance and standards.

00:57:28.820 --> 00:57:34.179
Due to the error, Fisher is only requesting the invoice be paid without the allowed contract

00:57:34.179 --> 00:57:39.139
Markups, and wanted to be made whole for the subcontract work.

00:57:39.139 --> 00:57:41.940
Fisher Excavating is a valuable partner of the city of Freeport

00:57:41.940 --> 00:57:44.739
and performs many emergency work scenarios for the utility.

00:57:44.739 --> 00:57:49.579
Staff recommends payment of the $19,540

00:57:49.579 --> 00:57:51.579
to Fisher Excavating for the repairs

00:57:51.579 --> 00:57:54.139
at Greenfield and Santa Fe.

00:57:54.139 --> 00:57:54.659
Thank you.

00:57:54.659 --> 00:57:55.900
Is there a motion to adopt?

00:57:55.900 --> 00:57:56.539
So moved.

00:57:56.539 --> 00:57:57.380
Second.

00:57:57.380 --> 00:58:01.659
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:58:01.659 --> 00:58:03.420
Discussion on the resolution.

00:58:03.420 --> 00:58:04.420
Aldrin Sellers?

00:58:04.420 --> 00:58:05.420
Yeah.

00:58:05.420 --> 00:58:11.900
I know I had talked with Rob earlier about this and I do think that, I know that sometimes

00:58:11.900 --> 00:58:21.099
you get busy and I know they're a big organization, but I do think that we as a city and in our

00:58:21.099 --> 00:58:28.860
finances, we need to look at something like this a little more closer to not let something

00:58:28.860 --> 00:58:33.139
like this get this far behind in paying our debts.

00:58:33.139 --> 00:58:40.659
I know that they should have given us the invoice, but we also need to look at maybe the end

00:58:40.659 --> 00:58:45.300
of the year or something to see what still we have out there outstanding to make sure

00:58:45.300 --> 00:58:55.059
that it's paid in a timely fashion so that we don't have to come back this many months

00:58:55.059 --> 00:58:57.619
later and pay for something like that.

00:58:57.619 --> 00:59:02.039
so I do think that we need to also look at making sure

00:59:02.039 --> 00:59:05.260
that if we have a bill out there or invoice out there,

00:59:05.260 --> 00:59:06.860
we need to make sure that it's in

00:59:06.860 --> 00:59:10.139
so that we can have better records too for us.

00:59:10.139 --> 00:59:11.199
Sure.

00:59:11.199 --> 00:59:12.579
Director Segal.

00:59:12.579 --> 00:59:14.699
Yeah, I appreciate your comments.

00:59:14.699 --> 00:59:16.579
I'll take the blame on this one.

00:59:18.980 --> 00:59:23.139
We did storm work in this location for a storm collapse

00:59:23.139 --> 00:59:26.500
and we did pay them during the appropriate period

00:59:26.500 --> 00:59:27.739
for the storm work.

00:59:28.619 --> 00:59:30.720
However, it led into a lot of concrete

00:59:30.720 --> 00:59:33.800
and we had a couple of other jobs going with them

00:59:33.800 --> 00:59:35.059
at the same time.

00:59:35.059 --> 00:59:40.059
And it was our area, we thought we had collected it,

00:59:40.279 --> 00:59:42.360
but, or not collected it,

00:59:42.360 --> 00:59:44.039
we thought that they had billed us for it.

00:59:44.039 --> 00:59:46.720
They thought we, we've actually been going back and forth

00:59:46.720 --> 00:59:50.239
for quite a bit of time, thinking it was placed.

00:59:50.239 --> 01:00:18.000
and I were thinking it was played but I really drilled down into this and it was unduly fair not to pay them for the work that was done and I did go back through all the invoicing and I also had the public works admin help me and we proved that we never paid them for this emergency work so you know it's unfortunate that they didn't bill us sooner but we have been negotiating on it trying to figure out whether we did or didn't and that took a little bit of time and like I said we had three or four open jobs with the

01:00:18.000 --> 01:00:24.280
at the time, so again, we'll try to do a better job trapping that, but I will take this one

01:00:24.280 --> 01:00:25.280
as my fault.

01:00:25.280 --> 01:00:26.280
Thank you.

01:00:26.280 --> 01:00:27.280
Any further discussion?

01:00:27.280 --> 01:00:28.280
Alderman Stacy?

01:00:28.280 --> 01:00:35.079
Yes, I would like to know, so when was this emergency work done and was this emergency

01:00:35.079 --> 01:00:47.840
work bided out or was it given to them to do and if it was bided out, did they bid $19,540?

01:00:47.840 --> 01:00:59.840
Yes, so no, this was emergency work. The storms that were at Santa Fe and Greenfield collapsed last fall, and they did the pipe work.

01:00:59.840 --> 01:01:00.840
When?

01:01:00.840 --> 01:01:01.840
Last fall.

01:01:01.840 --> 01:01:05.840
Okay, I understand that, but are we talking August, September, October?

01:01:05.840 --> 01:01:11.840
I'm going to say August. I don't know the month off the top of my head, Cecelia.

01:01:11.840 --> 01:01:17.199
but and we had the pipe work done but then when we did the pipe work we had to

01:01:17.199 --> 01:01:23.039
rip out significantly more curb and significant two ADA ramps that totally

01:01:23.039 --> 01:01:26.639
had to be redone at that intersection. Anyone can drive out there and see the

01:01:26.639 --> 01:01:30.960
work that was done. So this is actually a really good price when you account for

01:01:30.960 --> 01:01:37.360
us having to do probably over 100 feet of curb and two ADA ramps that

01:01:37.360 --> 01:01:38.360
Sanders.

01:01:38.360 --> 01:01:39.360
The ADA ramp.

01:01:39.360 --> 01:01:43.360
It affected the storm is what we're talking about.

01:01:43.360 --> 01:01:49.360
There was two ADA ramps that was over top of the storm and when we fixed the pipe we had

01:01:49.360 --> 01:01:51.360
to take them out and put them back in.

01:01:51.360 --> 01:01:58.360
And replacing the eight, well, the two ramps that were over top of the storm and when we

01:01:58.360 --> 01:02:01.360
fixed the pipe we had to take them out and put them back in.

01:02:01.360 --> 01:02:04.400
and we fixed the pipe, we had to take them out and put them back in.

01:02:04.400 --> 01:02:14.159
And replacing the, well, the ADA ramp is already paid for and the storm sewer material was

01:02:14.159 --> 01:02:15.159
not paid for.

01:02:15.159 --> 01:02:16.159
The opposite.

01:02:16.159 --> 01:02:18.679
We didn't get the, oh, the opposite, okay.

01:02:18.679 --> 01:02:26.059
We didn't get the invoice for the storm sewer repair and we couldn't put an ADA ramp until

01:02:26.059 --> 01:02:30.159
we got that storm sewer repair, right, am I correct?

01:02:30.159 --> 01:02:31.159
Miller.

01:02:31.159 --> 01:02:36.519
Yeah, we had to, before you can put the ADA ramp in, the storm sewer had to be repaired.

01:02:36.519 --> 01:02:37.519
Is that correct?

01:02:37.519 --> 01:02:39.840
That's what, that's what I'm asking you.

01:02:39.840 --> 01:02:43.400
The ADA ramps could not be installed until the new piping was under ramped.

01:02:43.400 --> 01:02:44.719
That's what I just said.

01:02:44.719 --> 01:02:46.159
That's exactly what I just said.

01:02:46.159 --> 01:02:53.320
So we don't have, we as a council, when that came up and you declared it as an emergency

01:02:53.320 --> 01:02:56.440
kind of deal, what was the emergency?

01:02:56.440 --> 01:02:58.699
It's just time and material.

01:02:58.699 --> 01:03:03.980
you're talking time and material we need to know the cost of we need to know what

01:03:03.980 --> 01:03:08.739
kind of material we're going to replace it with how much we're going to pay for

01:03:08.739 --> 01:03:15.940
material and what was the scope and the measurement of that project that brought

01:03:15.940 --> 01:03:23.199
us to a price that we that I feel that was an estimated cost until we

01:03:23.199 --> 01:03:31.320
We understand that we need to know how much material and work our time and material that

01:03:31.320 --> 01:03:37.079
went into that project to make sure that it was an emergency kind of deal because I don't

01:03:37.079 --> 01:03:43.360
recall us having any major storms developing and any washouts or anything like that could

01:03:43.360 --> 01:03:49.480
have prevented you from continuing with the project of the ADA ramps.

01:03:49.480 --> 01:03:56.840
I'm just looking at this from a position where what came before?

01:03:56.840 --> 01:03:59.400
It was not an ADA project.

01:03:59.400 --> 01:04:03.800
It was a storm pipe collapse under an intersection

01:04:03.800 --> 01:04:05.659
that had to be repaired.

01:04:05.659 --> 01:04:07.720
And resultingly, the two ADA ramps

01:04:07.720 --> 01:04:10.840
had to be ripped out in order to fix the pipe.

01:04:10.840 --> 01:04:11.840
OK, got you.

01:04:11.840 --> 01:04:14.440
OK, so did we get a time?

01:04:14.440 --> 01:04:15.599
Did we get a time in material?

01:04:15.599 --> 01:04:17.559
No, it was an emergency repair that

01:04:17.559 --> 01:04:21.039
was ratified by this council, and we went through with it.

01:04:21.039 --> 01:04:22.119
Time and material.

01:04:22.119 --> 01:04:24.880
OK, so I got to say, I appreciate

01:04:24.880 --> 01:04:28.079
that you're inquiring on these questions.

01:04:28.079 --> 01:04:30.920
But the back and forth conversation,

01:04:30.920 --> 01:04:32.119
it's what's a violation.

01:04:32.119 --> 01:04:35.079
So if you can pull together your thoughts

01:04:35.079 --> 01:04:37.079
and then ask something, but then just one minute.

01:04:37.079 --> 01:04:38.360
Can I say something here?

01:04:38.360 --> 01:04:39.000
One minute.

01:04:39.000 --> 01:04:41.079
And so then when I give the floor to the director,

01:04:41.079 --> 01:04:42.079
then it becomes his.

01:04:42.079 --> 01:04:43.599
So then if you want to speak again,

01:04:43.599 --> 01:04:44.480
then you have to ask.

01:04:44.480 --> 01:04:46.000
So it's just that procedure.

01:04:46.000 --> 01:04:47.480
So I appreciate the questions.

01:04:47.480 --> 01:04:52.599
but once someone else finishes speaking, then you have to be recognized in order to continue.

01:04:52.599 --> 01:04:54.119
So would you like to continue with-

01:04:54.119 --> 01:04:59.079
I'm going to have a litigation meeting with this attorney, with the attorney here, the

01:04:59.079 --> 01:05:04.079
city's attorney, because as far as I'm concerned, we are in contempt.

01:05:04.079 --> 01:05:08.000
We are in contempt right now at this moment, and you're-

01:05:08.000 --> 01:05:09.199
Okay, so let me just-

01:05:09.199 --> 01:05:14.199
Well, I'm just saying, Mayor, I want to talk to this attorney, I want to talk to this attorney.

01:05:14.199 --> 01:05:16.559
Alderman Sanders, I'm going to give you a warning.

01:05:16.559 --> 01:05:20.000
and you'd like to speak, you have to be acknowledged, okay?

01:05:20.000 --> 01:05:22.320
So let's try to keep it at that.

01:05:22.320 --> 01:05:24.519
So let's not go past the warning.

01:05:25.639 --> 01:05:26.880
Alderman Stacey.

01:05:26.880 --> 01:05:30.360
Yes, so when this emergency event happened,

01:05:30.360 --> 01:05:32.519
was it brought to council?

01:05:32.519 --> 01:05:36.440
And we voted and agreed on this,

01:05:36.440 --> 01:05:40.519
but they did the work, but they were not paid.

01:05:40.519 --> 01:05:45.519
And so now we realize they have not been paid

01:05:45.519 --> 01:05:54.159
and there a year later is coming for what is due for the service they've rendered.

01:05:54.159 --> 01:05:59.199
Correct. We only paid them for the piping portion. We never because we had to get a

01:05:59.199 --> 01:06:04.000
we there was a delay to get the concrete work done so we paid them for the piping

01:06:04.000 --> 01:06:09.119
portion and the restoration the ADA ramps were delayed so they didn't get

01:06:09.119 --> 01:06:17.279
Payde right away. That is correct adage of exactly the way it happened. Okay. Madam

01:06:17.279 --> 01:06:21.960
Clerk has some input on this. I just looked at the invoice a little bit

01:06:21.960 --> 01:06:31.519
closer. It says Stenstrom Concrete Works. So, Darren, when you say no contract,

01:06:31.519 --> 01:06:37.440
the markup for the contractor fees, so Fisher has been billed by Stenstrom

01:06:37.440 --> 01:06:52.440
Fischer is stuck with Stenstrom's bill. They've given us the courtesy of not giving their what, 10 or 15 percent markup and they're only charging us for 19,000 plus that was done over a year ago.

01:06:52.440 --> 01:06:53.440
That's right.

01:06:53.440 --> 01:06:54.440
Okay.

01:06:54.440 --> 01:06:55.440
That's right.

01:06:55.440 --> 01:06:56.440
Isn't that what I just said?

01:06:56.440 --> 01:06:59.440
Okay, so if there's no, would you like your second Alderman Sanders?

01:06:59.440 --> 01:07:06.000
Sanders. Yes. I'm glad you brought that out simply because here we go again. I'm

01:07:06.000 --> 01:07:10.880
going to speak this time and I don't want to question and answer. I

01:07:10.880 --> 01:07:17.519
just want to speak on this issue that the fact that it was something that had

01:07:17.519 --> 01:07:24.360
been repaired a year ago and we still didn't get an invoice at that time to

01:07:24.360 --> 01:07:25.360
and John.

01:07:25.360 --> 01:07:32.599
We have to determine what the time and material costs that justify the hourly wages and the

01:07:32.599 --> 01:07:34.920
material that was replaced in it.

01:07:34.920 --> 01:07:37.119
We had not received that.

01:07:37.119 --> 01:07:40.440
And a year has already gone by.

01:07:40.440 --> 01:07:43.039
This is nothing but an estimation.

01:07:43.039 --> 01:07:47.920
These are estimated, yeah, because you have not demonstrated to us the invoice.

01:07:47.920 --> 01:07:51.820
The invoice has not been looked at at this current time.

01:07:51.820 --> 01:07:53.400
We have not seen that.

01:07:53.400 --> 01:08:02.400
and so we're depending on what you're saying according to the invoice. With a non-invoice,

01:08:02.400 --> 01:08:10.880
it was estimated. These are estimated costs and I don't need this. I just know what it

01:08:10.880 --> 01:08:11.880
turned out to be.

01:08:11.880 --> 01:08:12.880
The invoice.

01:08:12.880 --> 01:08:20.720
Yeah. The invoice might be saying what you're charging, but you're not telling us why it's

01:08:20.720 --> 01:08:21.720
Huffines.

01:08:21.720 --> 01:08:22.720
That is an estimation.

01:08:22.720 --> 01:08:26.960
You don't want to say that is an estimation because that's what time and material boils

01:08:26.960 --> 01:08:28.680
down to.

01:08:28.680 --> 01:08:31.079
That's what it boils down to, Darren.

01:08:31.079 --> 01:08:37.800
Well, who's standing there monitoring the amount of time that it takes to repair a storm

01:08:37.800 --> 01:08:42.000
sewer and what material that was used?

01:08:42.000 --> 01:08:46.720
There's no one there, and if that had been the case, then we should have received that

01:08:46.720 --> 01:08:47.720
Fowler.

01:08:47.720 --> 01:08:55.760
And we're estimating this over, well, you can keep shaking your head that it's not,

01:08:55.760 --> 01:08:59.559
but the fact of the matter is that's what it boils down to.

01:08:59.559 --> 01:09:06.520
Until we get more understanding how we got these escalated charges and you had not demonstrated

01:09:06.520 --> 01:09:13.680
time and material, we don't know how much material was used, how much were we spending,

01:09:13.680 --> 01:09:16.199
and how long did this job take.

01:09:16.199 --> 01:09:22.460
We don't have that before us and so we need to know all of that before.

01:09:22.460 --> 01:09:27.420
All of the material is accounted for on the invoice by the square foot so it's easily

01:09:27.420 --> 01:09:33.600
measurable by anybody that would go out there and it was included in the packet.

01:09:33.600 --> 01:09:34.600
This is not acceptable.

01:09:34.600 --> 01:09:42.059
Okay, so unless there's any other discussion and Baldwin Sanders you were warned now you're

01:09:42.059 --> 01:09:46.239
out of order so please don't do it again because if it happens again you're going to be escorted

01:09:46.239 --> 01:09:47.239
out.

01:09:47.239 --> 01:09:49.239
Refrain from

01:09:49.239 --> 01:09:49.920
asked to

01:09:49.920 --> 01:09:50.880
refrain from talking out of order.

01:09:50.880 --> 01:09:51.439
You can talk to the attorney

01:09:51.439 --> 01:09:52.359
afterwards, but please refrain from

01:09:52.359 --> 01:09:53.840
talking out of order.

01:09:53.840 --> 01:09:55.659
Is there any more discussion on

01:09:55.659 --> 01:09:57.380
Alderman Shadle?

01:09:57.380 --> 01:09:59.960
I just would like Clerk Anderson to

01:09:59.960 --> 01:10:02.760
know that her work of attaching these

01:10:02.760 --> 01:10:07.560
memos doesn't go wasted on all eyes.

01:10:07.560 --> 01:10:09.800
If there is no further discussion,

01:10:09.800 --> 01:10:11.720
Madam Clerk, please take the role.

01:10:11.720 --> 01:10:12.479
Klemm?

01:10:12.479 --> 01:10:13.359
Aye.

01:10:13.359 --> 01:10:13.859
Johnson?

01:10:13.859 --> 01:10:14.359
Aye.

01:10:14.359 --> 01:10:14.859
Simmons?

01:10:14.859 --> 01:10:15.359
Aye.

01:10:15.359 --> 01:10:29.409
Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7 to 1.

01:10:32.579 --> 01:10:37.939
Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2025-119. Could you please read this? Resolution

01:10:37.939 --> 01:10:45.220
approving a software renewal from Ferguson Waterworks for AMI Neptune 360 utility software.

01:10:45.220 --> 01:10:50.100
Thank you, Director Shuttman. Thanks, Mayor. Council, this is the annual agreement for our

01:10:50.100 --> 01:10:52.819
are Neptune 360 software platform.

01:10:52.819 --> 01:10:54.939
That software is kind of the interface

01:10:54.939 --> 01:10:56.760
for the water meter collectors.

01:10:59.060 --> 01:11:00.279
The reading is taken at your meter,

01:11:00.279 --> 01:11:02.979
goes to MIU on your house, goes to the collector,

01:11:02.979 --> 01:11:06.260
and from there it goes to 360, Neptune 360 for processing.

01:11:07.979 --> 01:11:12.060
This agreement and proposal includes the licensing support,

01:11:12.060 --> 01:11:14.260
cloud storage, and other pertinences.

01:11:14.260 --> 01:11:19.260
The total cost is $37,138.58.

01:11:20.100 --> 01:11:25.500
has been budgeted in the fiscal year 25 water and sewer budget.

01:11:25.500 --> 01:11:26.899
Any questions?

01:11:26.899 --> 01:11:28.020
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:11:28.020 --> 01:11:29.300
So moved.

01:11:29.300 --> 01:11:32.340
Second.

01:11:32.340 --> 01:11:34.140
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm,

01:11:34.140 --> 01:11:35.579
seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:11:35.579 --> 01:11:39.909
Discussion on the resolution?

01:11:39.909 --> 01:11:41.710
Alderman Johnson?

01:11:41.710 --> 01:11:43.630
Yeah, I asked how much it would cost

01:11:43.630 --> 01:11:44.949
if we were doing all this by hand

01:11:44.949 --> 01:11:47.989
and people were going out and reading the meters and so forth.

01:11:47.989 --> 01:11:52.229
And it would cost anywhere between $130,000 and $155,000

01:11:52.229 --> 01:11:53.229
Huffines.

01:11:53.229 --> 01:11:54.229
Thank you.

01:11:54.229 --> 01:11:55.229
Any other discussion?

01:11:55.229 --> 01:11:56.229
Alderman Sanders?

01:11:56.229 --> 01:11:57.229
Yeah.

01:11:57.229 --> 01:11:58.229
How did we get to this cost?

01:11:58.229 --> 01:11:59.229
What drove this?

01:11:59.229 --> 01:12:00.229
Are we getting, is it been, is this by percentage?

01:12:00.229 --> 01:12:01.229
Did we get this by percentage?

01:12:01.229 --> 01:12:02.229
Okay.

01:12:02.229 --> 01:12:03.229
Before you answer that, Alderman Sanders, make sure that you finish whatever thought you have

01:12:03.229 --> 01:12:04.229
so it doesn't go back and forth.

01:12:04.229 --> 01:12:05.229
Are you good with that question?

01:12:05.229 --> 01:12:06.229
Yes.

01:12:06.229 --> 01:12:07.229
Thank you.

01:12:07.229 --> 01:12:08.229
Thank you.

01:12:08.229 --> 01:12:09.229
Thank you.

01:12:09.229 --> 01:12:10.229
Thank you.

01:12:10.229 --> 01:12:11.229
Thank you.

01:12:11.229 --> 01:12:12.229
Thank you.

01:12:12.229 --> 01:12:13.229
Thank you.

01:12:13.229 --> 01:12:14.229
Thank you.

01:12:14.229 --> 01:12:15.229
Thank you.

01:12:15.229 --> 01:12:16.229
Thank you.

01:12:16.229 --> 01:12:17.229
Thank you.

01:12:17.229 --> 01:12:18.229
Thank you.

01:12:18.229 --> 01:12:19.229
Thank you.

01:12:19.229 --> 01:12:53.550
Sanders, John, John, John, John, John, John

01:12:53.550 --> 01:13:23.550
Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 2025-120. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide additional civil, environmental, engineering, project management, and other professional services for the 2025 Public Works Master Services contract.

01:13:23.550 --> 01:13:28.149
Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport has various

01:13:28.149 --> 01:13:32.609
annual engineering needs. These include topographic study, infrastructure,

01:13:32.609 --> 01:13:37.470
system mapping, geotechnical, construction, survey and staking,

01:13:37.470 --> 01:13:42.590
elevation records, ADA issues, multiple grants and loan assistance, water, sewer,

01:13:42.590 --> 01:13:47.989
storm, and utility design, structural assessment, street infrastructure, airport

01:13:47.989 --> 01:13:51.770
engineering support, right-of-way permitting, Illinois Environmental

01:13:51.770 --> 01:13:55.569
Protection Agency requirements, Illinois Department of Transportation and

01:13:55.569 --> 01:14:00.050
Necessities, quality assurance, quality control inspections, observations, soil

01:14:00.050 --> 01:14:04.289
borings, and analysis, and all emergency needs for professional engineering

01:14:04.289 --> 01:14:09.649
requirements. This consultant work is performed outside of specific project

01:14:09.649 --> 01:14:13.930
contracts brought to the council and required by specific funding sources.

01:14:13.930 --> 01:14:18.489
Freeport requires an engineering firm that provides support with a staff and

01:14:18.489 --> 01:14:22.689
and technical professionals, including licensed engineers who specialize in various areas

01:14:22.689 --> 01:14:25.170
of city operations.

01:14:25.170 --> 01:14:29.250
City of Freeport annually approves various engineering contracts to meet the city's engineering

01:14:29.250 --> 01:14:30.250
needs.

01:14:30.250 --> 01:14:36.170
This support is for all city staff departments on an as-needed basis, time and material.

01:14:36.170 --> 01:14:42.210
This contract allows general engineering requirements not related to contracted projects to be

01:14:42.210 --> 01:14:45.529
performed on a day-to-day basis for the city departments.

01:14:45.529 --> 01:14:51.130
It also enables the City's staff to be reactive to our daily needs and requirements as infrastructure

01:14:51.130 --> 01:14:52.970
and emergencies arise.

01:14:52.970 --> 01:14:57.729
This year has been extremely busy due to the large amount of engineering work, grant submittal,

01:14:57.729 --> 01:15:00.890
extensive permitting requirements, etc.

01:15:00.890 --> 01:15:05.770
The original contract funds have been expunged through nine months and staff requires additional

01:15:05.770 --> 01:15:08.010
funds to complete 2025.

01:15:08.010 --> 01:15:13.569
The estimated cost is about $100,000 on a time and material basis and used as needed.

01:15:13.569 --> 01:15:18.810
The funding for these additional services was included in the 2025 engineering budget and

01:15:18.810 --> 01:15:23.090
staff recommends moving forward with the additional services contract with Fehr Graham.

01:15:23.090 --> 01:15:27.449
And I will mention that we have had a tremendous amount of work this year.

01:15:27.449 --> 01:15:31.649
We put together a partial list and it is quite extensive.

01:15:31.649 --> 01:15:38.250
I do also want to point out that some of the fees that we are paying relate back to contract

01:15:38.250 --> 01:15:45.170
review and construction permitting and we do receive revenue back on the items

01:15:45.170 --> 01:15:50.369
through fee structure for anybody requesting construction permits. We've

01:15:50.369 --> 01:15:55.289
had quite a few of those this year as we have NICOR, we have surf internet

01:15:55.289 --> 01:16:00.090
building out the fiber optic network and we have a lot of different projects

01:16:00.090 --> 01:16:04.729
going on throughout the city that aren't city-led. So staff request moving forward

01:16:04.729 --> 01:16:05.729
Settler.

01:16:05.729 --> 01:16:06.729
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:16:06.729 --> 01:16:07.729
So moved.

01:16:07.729 --> 01:16:08.729
Second.

01:16:08.729 --> 01:16:13.529
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:16:13.529 --> 01:16:14.529
Discussion on the resolution?

01:16:14.529 --> 01:16:15.529
Alderman Sanders?

01:16:15.529 --> 01:16:22.670
Did I hear somebody else?

01:16:22.670 --> 01:16:23.670
I called on you.

01:16:23.670 --> 01:16:24.670
Okay.

01:16:24.670 --> 01:16:25.670
Yeah.

01:16:25.670 --> 01:16:36.069
Well, the question I have, there's an existing contractor already on board before Fehr and

01:16:36.069 --> 01:16:44.750
Farrin Graham gets involved with this particular contractor to supplement or to engineer or

01:16:44.750 --> 01:16:49.850
to support it. Is that what we're talking about? If we're talking about that kind of

01:16:49.850 --> 01:16:59.270
occasion, then why do we need Farrin Graham services when we have not even talked about

01:16:59.270 --> 01:17:06.050
the master services contract and what's all entailed with it? Why haven't we made a discussion

01:17:06.050 --> 01:17:10.890
and evaluated what it is that the master service

01:17:10.890 --> 01:17:13.609
is even provided for even Fehr and Graham

01:17:13.609 --> 01:17:18.609
to get involved to help the supporting of this engineering.

01:17:18.890 --> 01:17:22.970
I don't see how we can engage with Fehr and Graham

01:17:22.970 --> 01:17:26.390
with a contractor collaborating together

01:17:26.390 --> 01:17:29.189
to get the support that they need

01:17:29.189 --> 01:17:31.789
in order to fulfill their duties.

01:17:31.789 --> 01:17:36.789
I don't see how we can establish that

01:17:37.630 --> 01:17:39.310
when we don't know how much it's gonna,

01:17:39.310 --> 01:17:43.050
everything is estimated, like I said before.

01:17:43.050 --> 01:17:47.609
Things get to be estimated and costs can go out the roof

01:17:47.609 --> 01:17:48.890
without a measuring stick.

01:17:48.890 --> 01:17:51.470
If you don't have something to gauge it with,

01:17:51.470 --> 01:17:54.930
estimation is don't have no borders.

01:17:54.930 --> 01:17:57.149
That's the problem with that.

01:17:57.149 --> 01:17:59.390
And so my whole thing is,

01:17:59.390 --> 01:18:09.590
I don't think councils should be involving themselves with secondary subcontractors like

01:18:09.590 --> 01:18:13.750
Fehr and Graham with a contractor called Master Service.

01:18:13.750 --> 01:18:18.430
I don't even know what all entails with Master Service until we know that.

01:18:18.430 --> 01:18:25.989
I'm going to suggest that we get more information from whoever's submitting this or suggesting

01:18:25.989 --> 01:18:31.649
or recommending that I see that your name is there, Mr. Steekle.

01:18:31.649 --> 01:18:36.550
I think we should, I think before we indulge ourself in spending more money, because it

01:18:36.550 --> 01:18:41.550
seems like to me we're spending millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of dollars

01:18:41.550 --> 01:18:47.229
just on this project or whatever this construction work is, and I'm surprised that we're not

01:18:47.229 --> 01:18:49.809
asking questions as council.

01:18:49.809 --> 01:18:56.130
How did we get to this point and the fact that who's making the recommendation?

01:18:56.130 --> 01:18:59.210
I don't know how we got here.

01:18:59.210 --> 01:19:05.449
I don't like for counsel to just lie down and just let this thing go through or talk

01:19:05.449 --> 01:19:08.489
about it because there's nothing but a resolution.

01:19:08.489 --> 01:19:09.489
It's a resolution.

01:19:09.489 --> 01:19:13.569
I understand that, but the fact of the matter is for us to adopt it so they can continue

01:19:13.569 --> 01:19:24.449
and so on, doing what they're doing by allowing Fehr Graham to impose themselves into a contract

01:19:24.449 --> 01:19:31.409
that we don't even know what the qualifications of the master service abilities are when we

01:19:31.409 --> 01:19:34.050
don't have no scope of that.

01:19:34.050 --> 01:19:37.609
And so we need to reevaluate all of that.

01:19:37.609 --> 01:19:42.210
and I think this is like a dead horse or dead dog

01:19:42.210 --> 01:19:44.329
heading down the wrong road

01:19:44.329 --> 01:19:46.529
and I don't think this should be happening.

01:19:46.529 --> 01:20:02.000
and I don't think this should be happening until we reveal who in the heck is a master service and finding out what kind of work that they're doing for the City of Freeport, then we can have another discussion about it. That's my whole thing.

01:20:02.000 --> 01:20:05.000
Thank you. Manager Boyer, would you like to respond?

01:20:05.000 --> 01:20:13.880
Wood. So let me start out Alderman Sanders. We can have these discussions anytime. We've had many of

01:20:13.880 --> 01:20:20.199
these meetings scheduled that we did not get together for, so I can answer these questions in

01:20:20.199 --> 01:20:25.720
a timely way that doesn't take up a lot of the public or the rest of council's time. But with

01:20:25.720 --> 01:20:32.439
that being said, let me start with the list here. We've had survey calculations and staking at the

01:20:32.439 --> 01:21:02.439
Fire Station improvements and there are many projects throughout the city that we've used the master services degree program to get done. That came up to about $29,000. We had utility permit reviews so that would be for all the construction going in the right of way. That came to about $45,000 but we are getting repaid for that through our right of way permit process. IDOT has a multi-year program that has to be updated that's about $5,000.

01:21:02.439 --> 01:21:06.279
Hancock Bridge, preliminary design review is about 24,000, but that's a major

01:21:06.279 --> 01:21:10.079
priority. We want to get the Hancock Bridge fixed, so we got to figure out what

01:21:10.079 --> 01:21:13.119
we're doing and then be able to apply for the IDOT funds to make that happen.

01:21:13.119 --> 01:21:18.619
That happens through a lot of diligent and careful work that goes on at Fehr

01:21:18.619 --> 01:21:25.600
Graham. Also, we required assistance with setup for the cleaning and lining

01:21:25.600 --> 01:21:29.359
contracts for all the sewer projects that we've done, and it's about 30,000,

01:21:29.359 --> 01:21:41.680
but we spent I think around close to a half a million dollars in sewer lining and that just keeps all the water out of the sewer so we don't end up at the wastewater plant, flooding out the wastewater plant. I'm sure you're familiar with it though.

01:21:42.840 --> 01:21:56.800
We've also got process optimization. So that's Tom Glenn Denning working with us at the water treatment plant and the wastewater treatment plant, getting processes in place and making sure things are running efficiently there.

01:21:56.800 --> 01:22:01.560
site development so we're talking about the city developed projects we had about

01:22:01.560 --> 01:22:06.960
6,300 there we had a crack ceiling bidding and construction oversight about

01:22:06.960 --> 01:22:12.199
2,000 there tree removal we had about $8,000 in bidding and inspections and

01:22:12.199 --> 01:22:17.640
ensuring that our that our contractors are doing appropriate work out there and

01:22:17.640 --> 01:22:22.640
getting good quality for us for the city get high value for our dollars public

01:22:22.640 --> 01:22:26.779
works fuel pump paving system we spent about $23,000 with the updated tank

01:22:26.779 --> 01:22:30.779
Hicks, and Pumps, and everything that goes on. By the way, Council, please feel free

01:22:30.779 --> 01:22:34.539
to stop me if you've heard quite enough, but I can keep going and that's fine.

01:22:34.539 --> 01:22:35.539
Okay.

01:22:35.539 --> 01:22:36.539
You can stop.

01:22:36.539 --> 01:22:37.539
Okay.

01:22:37.539 --> 01:22:38.539
Actually, yeah, I, Attorney Zeta would like to respond.

01:22:38.539 --> 01:22:39.539
Yeah.

01:22:39.539 --> 01:22:44.220
And just to give a little bit more context, Holderman Sanders, the Master, the original

01:22:44.220 --> 01:22:50.180
Master Service Contract, that's with Fehr Graham. So, the Master Service Contract, that

01:22:50.180 --> 01:22:54.699
was approved by the City Council probably near the beginning of the year, and it's with

01:22:54.699 --> 01:22:58.779
Fehr Graham. They're asking basically to add more money to that contract. That's

01:22:58.779 --> 01:23:03.100
that's the simple aspect of it because of all the work that manager Boyer just

01:23:03.100 --> 01:23:11.380
said. We've used up the contract thus far so now we need additional work done just

01:23:11.380 --> 01:23:14.260
for the rest of the year to cover the rest of the year. That's all.

01:23:14.260 --> 01:23:22.960
Oldham and Sellers did you have your hand up? No. Oldham and Stacy? In the scope of services section of the

01:23:22.960 --> 01:23:27.960
the original Public Works Master Service Contract.

01:23:28.159 --> 01:23:31.119
It states, Fehr Graham will provide

01:23:31.119 --> 01:23:36.119
various civil, environment, and engineering service,

01:23:36.680 --> 01:23:41.600
project management, and other related professional services

01:23:41.600 --> 01:23:45.720
as requested or directed by city manager

01:23:45.720 --> 01:23:51.739
representing the City of Freeport Public Works Department.

01:23:51.739 --> 01:23:55.260
Let's look at the phase, the phrase

01:23:55.260 --> 01:23:58.659
of the related professional services

01:23:58.659 --> 01:24:03.659
as requested or directed by the city manager.

01:24:05.340 --> 01:24:07.619
Hmm, what does that mean?

01:24:08.979 --> 01:24:10.720
What does that include?

01:24:11.859 --> 01:24:14.520
All the duties, please don't stop me,

01:24:14.520 --> 01:24:16.819
all the duties that the city manager, Boyer,

01:24:16.819 --> 01:24:20.220
described in the background of his memo

01:24:20.220 --> 01:24:23.699
were considered consultant work performed

01:24:23.699 --> 01:24:26.319
outside of spec contracts.

01:24:26.319 --> 01:24:29.500
However, these tags actually fall

01:24:29.500 --> 01:24:32.699
within the scope of public works.

01:24:32.699 --> 01:24:36.739
There were no limits or stipulations

01:24:36.739 --> 01:24:41.260
on the services rendered in the master service contract,

01:24:41.260 --> 01:24:44.399
nor did it allow for additional invoice

01:24:44.399 --> 01:24:47.840
for service considered outside the scope.

01:24:47.840 --> 01:25:07.840
We have already paid Fehr Graham $100,000. Now, nine months in, you're asking for another $100,000 and what is the purpose of this again, I ask.

01:25:07.840 --> 01:25:37.840
and others. The situation reflects either Fairground fell to properly price their service or the inability to produce and present a solid contract. Regardless, it is not the city's obligation to provide more

01:25:37.840 --> 01:25:38.840
and John.

01:25:38.840 --> 01:25:50.880
I believe this is, this issue should be addressed if and when council decides to renew this

01:25:50.880 --> 01:25:56.279
contract, this $100,000 contract with Fehr Graham.

01:25:56.279 --> 01:26:02.199
At that time, we can consider whether to increase funding or not.

01:26:02.199 --> 01:26:10.760
We have a contract in place, and we have honored that contract.

01:26:10.760 --> 01:26:20.399
Our end of the agreement by paying the $100,000 that the contract asks for.

01:26:20.399 --> 01:26:22.869
Okay.

01:26:22.869 --> 01:26:24.229
So you've said a lot there.

01:26:24.229 --> 01:26:27.670
Madam Clerk, did you say something about a contract that you wanted to?

01:26:27.670 --> 01:26:28.670
Yes.

01:26:28.670 --> 01:26:32.310
Did you reference the Public Works contract?

01:26:32.310 --> 01:26:35.590
is that is that what you said public works contract that this is a different

01:26:35.590 --> 01:26:41.189
kind of scope of service this is the section of the public works master

01:26:41.189 --> 01:26:45.789
this service contract this is in addition to the general yeah master

01:26:45.789 --> 01:26:51.710
services correct so this is a different like to clarify this yeah so there's the

01:26:51.710 --> 01:26:58.229
general master service agreement for city engineering which is a totally

01:26:58.229 --> 01:27:02.289
different contract than the one you're referencing the one you're referencing is

01:27:02.289 --> 01:27:05.729
is the public works director master contract,

01:27:05.729 --> 01:27:08.409
which we're not asking for any more money to that.

01:27:08.409 --> 01:27:10.510
And we are just fine on the budget of that.

01:27:10.510 --> 01:27:13.909
So whatever you stated there about those implications

01:27:13.909 --> 01:27:15.029
is not true.

01:27:15.029 --> 01:27:17.609
This is the general engineering contract

01:27:17.609 --> 01:27:19.649
for the city of Freeport.

01:27:19.649 --> 01:27:23.130
The original amount was $350,000.

01:27:23.130 --> 01:27:25.470
And with all the phases that we have done,

01:27:25.470 --> 01:27:26.729
we have expended that,

01:27:26.729 --> 01:27:29.329
and it was a time and materials contract,

01:27:29.329 --> 01:27:31.210
which all of them are.

01:27:31.210 --> 01:27:37.289
So if we don't extend it, which originally it was supposed to be $450,000 for this year,

01:27:37.289 --> 01:27:42.170
but we decided to go with $350,000 to start to see where that landed us for the year.

01:27:42.170 --> 01:27:46.970
So if you choose not to extend it, the services will stop because it's a master service agreement

01:27:46.970 --> 01:27:52.649
that's time and material for city engineering. There is a lot of day-to-day engineering that

01:27:52.649 --> 01:27:59.050
has to go on. When other people do work in the right of way, the city has to respond to that work

01:27:59.050 --> 01:28:06.529
with surveying or engineering, which you don't have a department for those. So all

01:28:06.529 --> 01:28:11.729
of these items are phased tasked, they're identified, they're billed by the phase,

01:28:11.729 --> 01:28:16.289
and they're all ordered by the city of work. We don't decide just to use them.

01:28:16.289 --> 01:28:21.890
The public works assistance that I give to public works is the contract you're

01:28:21.890 --> 01:28:25.170
talking about there, and we don't need extra money on that. We're just fine.

01:28:25.170 --> 01:28:27.170
We're right on budget for the year.

01:28:27.170 --> 01:28:29.170
Manager Boyer, did you want to add to that?

01:28:29.170 --> 01:28:33.180
I think that satisfies.

01:28:33.180 --> 01:28:35.180
Thank you.

01:28:35.180 --> 01:28:37.180
Alderman Stacy, would you like your second?

01:28:37.180 --> 01:28:39.180
Yes.

01:28:39.180 --> 01:28:41.180
Okay, so why wasn't this

01:28:41.180 --> 01:28:43.180
brought to us when you start

01:28:43.180 --> 01:28:45.180
getting close to running out of money?

01:28:45.180 --> 01:28:47.180
Is that all?

01:28:47.180 --> 01:28:49.180
So we don't have a back and forth?

01:28:49.180 --> 01:28:51.180
Yeah. Okay, Director Siegel?

01:28:51.180 --> 01:28:53.180
It is being brought to you because we're getting

01:28:53.180 --> 01:28:55.180
close to running out of money. We're

01:28:55.180 --> 01:28:58.979
We're still providing the services, even though we're beyond our contract.

01:28:58.979 --> 01:29:02.079
We haven't stopped because we work in good faith.

01:29:02.079 --> 01:29:07.500
We have had a lot of big work going on in the last three months with all of the construction

01:29:07.500 --> 01:29:09.180
going on around town.

01:29:09.180 --> 01:29:14.460
And so as work's being done, money is being accounted for towards these contracts and

01:29:14.460 --> 01:29:15.779
these phases.

01:29:15.779 --> 01:29:21.020
And when you have five or six, seven people working around town doing projects, it accumulates

01:29:21.020 --> 01:29:22.859
quickly.

01:29:22.859 --> 01:29:25.899
and so we're at a point, we're not stopping service.

01:29:25.899 --> 01:29:28.739
We continue to provide the service every day.

01:29:28.739 --> 01:29:33.819
We are at a point that we need more fee, which we could have signed up and maybe we should

01:29:33.819 --> 01:29:39.020
have done originally at a larger amount, but the city asked me to go at 350 to start with

01:29:39.020 --> 01:29:43.460
even though we projected it would be 450 and we would see how long that takes.

01:29:43.460 --> 01:29:43.960
It's been a very-

01:29:43.960 --> 01:29:45.680
It's been a very large season.

01:29:45.680 --> 01:29:48.680
We have many contractors working in Freeport,

01:29:49.560 --> 01:29:52.399
surf internet, frontier issues.

01:29:52.399 --> 01:29:56.680
And I will say that there's over $100,000

01:29:56.680 --> 01:29:58.920
that I have saved the city of Freeport

01:29:58.920 --> 01:30:03.920
just on fees and enforcement of right away permits.

01:30:04.020 --> 01:30:07.399
Well over that, I had one claim that was over $30,000

01:30:07.399 --> 01:30:09.439
that came back to the city general fund.

01:30:09.439 --> 01:30:12.260
and Michelle can verify that.

01:30:12.260 --> 01:30:14.899
Our contracts pay for themselves daily here.

01:30:14.899 --> 01:30:17.699
And the accusations that they don't really bother me

01:30:17.699 --> 01:30:19.220
with all the hard work that we put on

01:30:19.220 --> 01:30:21.100
for the city of Freeport every day.

01:30:21.100 --> 01:30:23.579
The facts are that these contracts work

01:30:23.579 --> 01:30:26.340
and we save the taxpayers money

01:30:26.340 --> 01:30:27.939
because we don't have to have a staff

01:30:27.939 --> 01:30:32.340
of 10 people running around here getting benefits and pay.

01:30:32.340 --> 01:30:35.180
And our fees are all inclusive

01:30:35.180 --> 01:30:37.619
for everything we perform for the city.

01:30:37.619 --> 01:30:40.500
and we seldomly come back and ask for more money,

01:30:40.500 --> 01:30:42.640
but we will on time and material contracts

01:30:42.640 --> 01:30:46.859
because we don't have a risk amount in those contracts.

01:30:46.859 --> 01:30:49.619
And I will also mention while we're at it

01:30:49.619 --> 01:30:52.420
that many of our lump sum contracts,

01:30:52.420 --> 01:30:54.079
we have cut short with the city

01:30:54.079 --> 01:30:55.979
and we don't bill out the full amount

01:30:55.979 --> 01:30:58.079
if the projects get done ahead of time

01:30:58.079 --> 01:31:01.140
because that's the right thing to do for our clients

01:31:01.140 --> 01:31:03.460
and that's what we've lived to with the city.

01:31:03.460 --> 01:31:04.539
I just don't come back here

01:31:04.539 --> 01:31:06.579
and brag about it every time it happens.

01:31:06.579 --> 01:31:14.140
thank you Alderman Sanders did you want your second yes yes yeah I've heard

01:31:14.140 --> 01:31:26.340
your explanation Darren I heard your explanation but when when I find out that

01:31:26.340 --> 01:31:34.869
there's been a collusion with two contracting companies that's Fehr and

01:31:34.869 --> 01:31:41.789
Farrin Graham and Master Service working in conjunction with each other because it says

01:31:41.789 --> 01:31:44.250
it's working with each other.

01:31:44.250 --> 01:31:50.069
Existing Master Service is already existing, Farrin Graham is jumping on board or they

01:31:50.069 --> 01:31:55.310
was to be integrated in order to support Master Service.

01:31:55.310 --> 01:32:00.390
And then all of a sudden we come up with this estimation, who are we estimating for?

01:32:00.390 --> 01:32:01.390
Huffines.

01:32:01.390 --> 01:32:05.109
Are we estimating for Fehr and Graham or are we estimating for Master Service?

01:32:05.109 --> 01:32:06.409
Which one is it?

01:32:06.409 --> 01:32:13.069
The fact of the matter is until we get an itemized list of everything that Master Service

01:32:13.069 --> 01:32:25.270
have been doing, what the scope of their contract, what is contracted, we need a list of all

01:32:25.270 --> 01:32:30.630
All of the services that are provided and finding out all of the things that Fehr and Graham

01:32:30.630 --> 01:32:36.390
is supporting them with to justify this cost.

01:32:36.390 --> 01:32:42.750
If council is not going to take responsibility, someone should look into that matter to find

01:32:42.750 --> 01:32:47.390
out who's dictating who.

01:32:47.390 --> 01:32:54.149
Is it Fehr and Graham to master service or is it master service to Fehr and Graham?

01:32:54.149 --> 01:32:55.149
Huffines.

01:32:55.149 --> 01:32:59.609
There's a collusion going on, and so we need to get the scope of an understanding.

01:32:59.609 --> 01:33:04.529
And right now, I just don't feel comfortable, and I don't think the people of the City of

01:33:04.529 --> 01:33:10.649
Freeport should feel comfortable with opening up the gates of an estimated cost between

01:33:10.649 --> 01:33:14.810
Fehr and Graham and master service.

01:33:14.810 --> 01:33:20.770
That whole thing should not even be entertained until we get right down to the bottom of

01:33:20.770 --> 01:33:22.770
St. Louis, and Kray.

01:33:23.810 --> 01:33:25.630
We can't spend the time on the

01:33:25.630 --> 01:33:27.630
conversation, but it's important to

01:33:28.770 --> 01:33:29.770
make sure that we're all on the

01:33:29.770 --> 01:33:31.770
cusp of everything.

01:33:32.670 --> 01:33:34.670
We should not be even entertaining

01:33:34.689 --> 01:33:36.590
this. I don't even know how he got

01:33:36.590 --> 01:33:38.590
on the agenda without Council

01:33:39.689 --> 01:33:41.689
discussing these matters in the

01:33:43.210 --> 01:33:44.210
first place.

01:33:44.210 --> 01:33:45.909
So let me bring clarity. Master

01:33:45.909 --> 01:33:47.909
services is not a business, not a

01:33:47.909 --> 01:33:53.590
that's what I was going to say. Is there any other discussion before we go to vote? Madam Clerk,

01:33:53.590 --> 01:34:04.710
please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye.

01:34:04.710 --> 01:34:12.689
Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted seven to one. Item number 12 is the

01:34:12.689 --> 01:34:16.689
The adoption of Resolution 2025-121. Could you please read this?

01:34:16.689 --> 01:34:32.689
Resolution of Final Report of Expenditure, FROE, from IDOT for Sullivan, Greenfield, Navajo, MFT Project 23-00169-00-RS

01:34:32.689 --> 01:34:33.689
Thank you. Manager Boyer?

01:34:33.689 --> 01:34:46.689
Thank you, Your Honor. As part of IDOT's process, when we complete MFT projects, we need to have a final resolution that we then submit so that we have our records all in order.

01:34:46.689 --> 01:34:59.689
So all we're asking for is to move forward with IDOT's resolution, final report for 23-00169-00-RS.

01:34:59.689 --> 01:35:32.029
that is the 2023 MFT projects. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Shadle and Klemm. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the resolution? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted.

01:35:32.029 --> 01:35:38.670
7-1. Item number 13 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-122. Could you please read this? Resolution

01:35:38.670 --> 01:35:43.789
approving the purchase of a brush mulcher attachment from Helm Truck and Equipment.

01:35:43.789 --> 01:35:49.470
Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. Many activities within the Public Works Department

01:35:50.189 --> 01:35:57.630
require brush elimination, mowing, that type of thing. Staff has requested that we bring this to

01:35:57.630 --> 01:36:04.270
Council for approval. This is the new brush mulcher that would attach to a skid steer

01:36:05.550 --> 01:36:14.430
skid steer machine. The cost is $17,878 from Helm Truck, which is a source well dealer.

01:36:14.430 --> 01:36:19.869
This would be a vital piece of equipment for maintaining the catch basins and some of the

01:36:19.869 --> 01:36:26.029
areas that get overgrown with woods and weeds and that type of thing. And right now Sioux Basin is

01:36:26.029 --> 01:36:29.689
is a project that's coming up that we'll be cleaning up and fixing.

01:36:29.689 --> 01:36:31.869
And this is a vital piece of equipment for that.

01:36:31.869 --> 01:36:33.949
This will be coming out of the utility budget.

01:36:33.949 --> 01:36:40.289
And the amount for this brush mulcher

01:36:40.289 --> 01:36:42.390
was not specifically enumerated in the budget.

01:36:42.390 --> 01:36:46.310
However, due to the fact that we saved about $30,000

01:36:46.310 --> 01:36:49.750
on our aeration equipment for the wastewater treatment plant,

01:36:49.750 --> 01:36:52.949
staff is requesting using these funds

01:36:52.949 --> 01:36:55.229
the remainder of that budget for the purchase

01:36:55.229 --> 01:36:57.069
of this piece of equipment.

01:36:57.069 --> 01:36:58.430
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:36:58.430 --> 01:36:59.229
So moved.

01:36:59.229 --> 01:37:00.470
Second.

01:37:00.470 --> 01:37:02.670
A motion made by Alderman Sellers,

01:37:02.670 --> 01:37:04.670
seconded by Alderman Johnson.

01:37:04.670 --> 01:37:05.949
Discussion on the resolution?

01:37:05.949 --> 01:37:06.630
I just have one.

01:37:06.630 --> 01:37:07.390
Alderman Johnson.

01:37:07.390 --> 01:37:08.430
I'm sorry, Alderman Sellers.

01:37:08.430 --> 01:37:10.090
Is this brand new?

01:37:10.090 --> 01:37:10.590
Yes.

01:37:10.590 --> 01:37:14.109
OK.

01:37:14.109 --> 01:37:16.109
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:37:16.109 --> 01:37:16.789
Klemm?

01:37:16.789 --> 01:37:17.390
Aye.

01:37:17.390 --> 01:37:18.069
Johnson?

01:37:18.069 --> 01:37:18.550
Aye.

01:37:18.550 --> 01:37:19.189
Simmons?

01:37:19.189 --> 01:37:20.350
No.

01:37:20.350 --> 01:37:21.029
Parker?

01:37:21.029 --> 01:37:21.630
Aye.

01:37:21.630 --> 01:37:33.159
Stacy?

01:37:33.159 --> 01:37:33.880
Aye.

01:37:33.880 --> 01:37:34.439
Shadle?

01:37:34.439 --> 01:37:34.939
Aye.

01:37:34.939 --> 01:37:35.600
Sanders?

01:37:35.600 --> 01:37:36.199
No.

01:37:36.199 --> 01:37:36.920
And Sellers?

01:37:36.920 --> 01:37:37.960
Aye.

01:37:37.960 --> 01:37:42.520
The resolution is adapted 6-2.

01:37:42.520 --> 01:37:46.859
Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-123.

01:37:46.859 --> 01:37:48.659
Could you please read this?

01:37:48.659 --> 01:37:52.600
Resolution approving construction observation engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for

01:37:52.600 --> 01:37:55.079
lift station projects.

01:37:55.079 --> 01:37:56.079
Manager Boyer.

01:37:56.079 --> 01:37:57.079
Thank you, your honor.

01:37:57.079 --> 01:38:02.880
So the city has two sanitary lift stations, rehabilitation projects that were in the capital

01:38:02.880 --> 01:38:04.520
plan for this year.

01:38:04.520 --> 01:38:10.140
is at Galena and the other one's at Laurel. And this also includes a new backup generator

01:38:10.140 --> 01:38:15.739
for the Carroll tank. If anyone is familiar with well number eight, there is no backup

01:38:15.739 --> 01:38:21.079
power there. And that was one of the items that we had identified as needing to include

01:38:21.079 --> 01:38:28.699
in this 2025 construction year. So staff is asking for approval of the construction engineering

01:38:28.699 --> 01:38:35.420
Contract with Fehr Graham for the amount of $146,750 to move forward and get

01:38:35.420 --> 01:38:42.619
these projects completed. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. We have a

01:38:42.619 --> 01:38:49.059
motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the

01:38:49.059 --> 01:39:00.220
resolution. Madam Clerk, please take... Alderman Sanders. Manager Boyer. Yes sir.

01:39:00.220 --> 01:39:12.659
We're talking about an interior, what I want to say, updating improvement when we're talking

01:39:12.659 --> 01:39:17.180
about the electrical and things like that that's going on within the lift station.

01:39:17.180 --> 01:39:24.819
We're talking about enhancing whatever this is talking, this engineering.

01:39:24.819 --> 01:39:26.819
and the rest of the board.

01:39:26.819 --> 01:39:29.819
That is really what Fehr and Graham is going to be

01:39:29.819 --> 01:39:35.819
demonstrating to help the engineering process of these

01:39:35.819 --> 01:39:39.819
lift station when it comes to planning the upgrades and the

01:39:39.819 --> 01:39:41.819
enhancement of the lift station.

01:39:41.819 --> 01:39:43.819
What exactly is the lift station?

01:39:43.819 --> 01:39:47.359
of the lift station. What exactly they're going to do and what does it cost in the city for these type of enhancements?

01:39:47.359 --> 01:39:56.840
Sure. We're going to get to that bid here a little further on. The total cost of the project is about $2 million.

01:39:56.840 --> 01:40:06.079
It's going to include new pumps, motors, drivers and controllers, backup systems, starters, electrical work and that.

01:40:06.079 --> 01:40:11.920
so the two lift stations and then of course well eight is going to have a whole new backup generator

01:40:11.920 --> 01:40:19.039
that's sufficiently sized to cover the entire electrical needs for well number eight so any

01:40:19.039 --> 01:40:28.079
other discussion madam clerk please take the role. Klemm, aye, Johnson, aye, Simmons, no, Parker,

01:40:28.079 --> 01:40:35.760
aye, Stacy, no, Shadle, aye, Sanders, no, Sellers, aye, the resolution is

01:40:35.760 --> 01:40:38.159
has adapted five to three.

01:40:38.159 --> 01:40:40.760
And item number 15 is the approval of bids.

01:40:40.760 --> 01:40:42.399
Could you please read this?

01:40:42.399 --> 01:40:45.039
A bid opening was held on September 30th

01:40:45.039 --> 01:40:49.100
for that last contract, Galena lift station renovations,

01:40:49.100 --> 01:40:52.079
Laurel lift station renovations, and well number eight

01:40:52.079 --> 01:40:53.000
generator.

01:40:53.000 --> 01:40:54.800
Manager Boyer?

01:40:54.800 --> 01:40:58.479
As we previously just discussed regarding the construction

01:40:58.479 --> 01:41:02.520
engineering observation estimate,

01:41:02.520 --> 01:41:05.359
we also have the actual work.

01:41:05.359 --> 01:41:13.119
So this was bid, let's see here, June, I'm sorry.

01:41:13.119 --> 01:41:14.199
I'm sorry, September 3.

01:41:14.199 --> 01:41:15.239
Thank you, Dovie.

01:41:15.239 --> 01:41:16.920
So we had a bid opening.

01:41:16.920 --> 01:41:18.399
Helm Group was the low bidder.

01:41:18.399 --> 01:41:24.439
And the lowest, the amount was $2,036,116.

01:41:24.439 --> 01:41:25.960
That was the base bid.

01:41:25.960 --> 01:41:29.119
And Helm frequently works with the City of Freeport

01:41:29.119 --> 01:41:30.760
on all kinds of infrastructure projects.

01:41:30.760 --> 01:41:33.960
So staff's recommending moving forward with the low bid

01:41:33.960 --> 01:41:35.399
from Helm Group.

01:41:35.399 --> 01:41:37.000
Is there a motion to approve?

01:41:37.000 --> 01:41:37.560
So moved.

01:41:37.560 --> 01:41:38.439
Second.

01:41:38.439 --> 01:41:40.840
A motion made by Alderman Shadle,

01:41:40.840 --> 01:41:43.119
seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:41:43.119 --> 01:41:45.920
Any discussion on the bid?

01:41:45.920 --> 01:41:48.720
Madam Clerk, please take Alderman Sanders.

01:41:48.720 --> 01:41:49.520
Wow.

01:41:49.520 --> 01:41:54.979
Amazement right now.

01:41:54.979 --> 01:41:59.979
But approving this bid for the renovation

01:41:59.979 --> 01:42:07.180
with any contractor as far as I'm concerned.

01:42:07.180 --> 01:42:13.579
When it comes to understanding the existing generators

01:42:13.579 --> 01:42:18.140
that we already have, have there been a deficiency

01:42:18.140 --> 01:42:21.840
in those generators where, I'm just talking right now,

01:42:21.840 --> 01:42:25.539
is there a deficiency in the generators that we already have

01:42:25.539 --> 01:42:35.460
in our in our sheds right now or on our property where we know that they are

01:42:35.460 --> 01:42:41.020
mobile we know that these generators are more the existing ones we only have one

01:42:41.020 --> 01:42:46.899
now that's all we've that's all we ever had okay does this show that uh does it

01:42:46.899 --> 01:42:56.100
show that uh the purpose of an of an extended one or an a second one does do

01:42:56.100 --> 01:43:06.100
Did we open up more lift stations to justify why we need another generator?

01:43:06.100 --> 01:43:09.600
Are you done?

01:43:09.600 --> 01:43:10.600
Yes.

01:43:10.600 --> 01:43:11.600
Okay.

01:43:11.600 --> 01:43:13.600
Manager Boyer, would you like to take that?

01:43:13.600 --> 01:43:14.600
I'll try to answer.

01:43:14.600 --> 01:43:19.600
So if you're referring to a portable generator, every time you have one portable generator,

01:43:19.600 --> 01:43:22.600
that means you've got one guy driving around in the middle of an emergency.

01:43:22.600 --> 01:43:24.600
Because when do you lose power?

01:43:24.600 --> 01:43:27.680
when you have an emergency, it's usually during an ice storm.

01:43:27.680 --> 01:43:31.439
So the idea here is all of our remote sites at some point

01:43:31.439 --> 01:43:36.439
are gonna end up with their own dedicated backup generators.

01:43:36.479 --> 01:43:39.899
Okay, so well 11 has backup generator already.

01:43:40.840 --> 01:43:43.920
Well 11 has a backup generator as part of its construction.

01:43:43.920 --> 01:43:46.039
The new well 12 will have its own.

01:43:46.039 --> 01:43:49.260
Well eight does not, and well nine does not.

01:43:49.260 --> 01:43:52.359
We need one or the other of those always functioning.

01:43:52.359 --> 01:43:56.439
as far as the lift stations well you know what happens when you run out of

01:43:56.439 --> 01:44:03.899
electricity on a lift station right it's not good so what we got currently is one

01:44:03.899 --> 01:44:07.600
guy driving around the middle of a storm trying to plug it in and start things up

01:44:07.600 --> 01:44:12.180
and I don't think that's safe and so and because it has to be sized for

01:44:12.180 --> 01:44:15.880
everything in the system it's enormous and so some things only need a little

01:44:15.880 --> 01:44:18.720
bit of power some things need a lot of power but you don't be hauling around a

01:44:18.720 --> 01:44:35.680
and John. We're going to be putting in stationary backup generators at all critical points so

01:44:35.680 --> 01:44:40.079
that our crew don't have to drive around the middle of the night with a big heavy generator.

01:44:40.079 --> 01:44:41.079
Yeah.

01:44:41.079 --> 01:44:42.079
I'm sorry.

01:44:42.079 --> 01:44:47.680
Okay. Just one second. Generator equipment isn't a part of this discussion.

01:44:47.680 --> 01:44:48.680
Johnson.

01:44:48.680 --> 01:44:49.680
It's not?

01:44:49.680 --> 01:44:50.680
No.

01:44:50.680 --> 01:44:52.119
This is about approving the bid for Helm Group.

01:44:52.119 --> 01:44:56.079
So if you have something you want to talk about, approving a bid for Helm Group, then we just

01:44:56.079 --> 01:44:58.079
need to get back on track.

01:44:58.079 --> 01:44:59.079
Okay.

01:44:59.079 --> 01:45:02.319
Would you like your second then?

01:45:02.319 --> 01:45:03.319
Yeah.

01:45:03.319 --> 01:45:04.319
Okay.

01:45:04.319 --> 01:45:11.119
On the Helm Group, did they give us a cost or I don't want to say estimate it.

01:45:11.119 --> 01:45:14.800
I don't like estimations anymore.

01:45:14.800 --> 01:45:21.479
we have a cost in mind what it would cost the city to have the helm group to to

01:45:21.479 --> 01:45:27.760
follow up with us yes two million thirty six thousand one hundred sixteen dollars

01:45:27.760 --> 01:45:34.000
this is that's the baby further discussion on approving this bid madam

01:45:34.000 --> 01:45:45.500
clerk please take the role plumb all right Johnson I Simmons Parker I Stacy I

01:45:45.500 --> 01:45:54.699
Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The bid is approved 8 to 0. And item number 16 is

01:45:54.699 --> 01:45:57.699
another approval for a bid. Could you please read this? There was a bid opening

01:45:57.699 --> 01:46:02.420
on October 3rd for the demolition of five residential properties. Thank you,

01:46:02.420 --> 01:46:09.699
Director. Thank you, Madam Mayor. City staff published a notice for a bid

01:46:09.699 --> 01:46:14.020
opening in the Journal Standard on September 28th and the bid opening was

01:46:14.020 --> 01:46:22.420
held on October 3rd at 9 o'clock in the morning, and staff received bids from five contractors,

01:46:22.420 --> 01:46:31.819
and based on those submitted bids, staff is recommending the following submitted bids

01:46:31.819 --> 01:46:40.340
to do the work for demolition asbestos abatement of five properties.

01:46:40.340 --> 01:46:48.180
So Klechner excavating in the amount of $31,500, and that would be for the demolition of 623

01:46:48.180 --> 01:46:52.899
and 625 East Oran, as well as 32 South Hooker.

01:46:52.899 --> 01:47:01.020
Albert and Son Earthworks, $15,840 for the demolition of 227 North Henderson, and Fisher

01:47:01.020 --> 01:47:10.100
excavating $33,150 for the demolition of 612 East Oran and 640 East Oran.

01:47:10.100 --> 01:47:15.180
Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt the bids as stated?

01:47:15.180 --> 01:47:16.180
So moved.

01:47:16.180 --> 01:47:18.659
Second.

01:47:18.659 --> 01:47:23.619
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on

01:47:23.619 --> 01:47:26.539
the bids? Alderman Stacy?

01:47:26.539 --> 01:47:35.140
I trust that the homework has been done and that all three of these companies are in good

01:47:35.140 --> 01:47:39.460
standing with federal and state laws.

01:47:39.460 --> 01:47:42.260
I appreciate the trust, yes.

01:47:43.880 --> 01:47:44.720
Anything else?

01:47:46.060 --> 01:47:47.340
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:47:47.340 --> 01:47:48.380
Klemm.

01:47:48.380 --> 01:47:49.699
Excuse me.

01:47:49.699 --> 01:47:50.539
Alderman Sanders.

01:47:50.539 --> 01:47:51.380
Sorry about that.

01:47:53.619 --> 01:47:58.619
Director Duckman, these abandoned homes,

01:47:59.520 --> 01:48:04.520
are they still occupied and owned by any owners at this time?

01:48:04.520 --> 01:48:19.520
At this time, we won't have a problem with somebody complaining about the demolition of a property without their consent. We won't discover anything.

01:48:19.520 --> 01:48:28.520
I can never promise that people don't complain in the City of Freeport over demolitions, so I won't make that promise.

01:48:28.520 --> 01:48:32.840
but I can promise you that we won't demolish a house with somebody living in

01:48:32.840 --> 01:48:42.559
it. If there's no further discussion. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye.

01:48:42.559 --> 01:48:49.960
Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. And Sellers. Aye. And that bid is approved 8 to 0.

01:48:49.960 --> 01:48:56.960
Move on to reports of department heads finance. Thank you. Nothing tonight Madam

01:48:56.960 --> 01:49:04.479
Mayor. Thank you, Public Works. I'd like to let everybody know that 18th Avenue

01:49:04.479 --> 01:49:09.760
reconstruction will start next week. A huge win for the city of Freeport. Be an

01:49:09.760 --> 01:49:13.800
inconvenience for the people that live out there for, you know, probably a month,

01:49:13.800 --> 01:49:21.000
but they should get that going and have it paved before the end of the season.

01:49:21.000 --> 01:49:27.319
the utility is going to continue on replacing water services on Warren and

01:49:27.319 --> 01:49:32.000
should be have that ready to pave sometime next week and we're hopeful that

01:49:32.000 --> 01:49:36.399
excuse me the week after next and we're hopeful sometime later next week we

01:49:36.399 --> 01:49:41.840
might be able to pave hands as well and I'd like to thank

01:49:41.840 --> 01:49:43.420
and Joe. And I'd like to thank all of our contractors that have worked diligently this

01:49:43.420 --> 01:49:48.420
year to get us to a point to finish this season here in October. And also our public works

01:49:48.420 --> 01:49:53.380
crews who have done a fantastic job paving streets this year, appreciate all their hard

01:49:53.380 --> 01:49:54.380
work.

01:49:54.380 --> 01:49:55.380
Thank you. Fire?

01:49:55.380 --> 01:49:59.960
Yes. Thank you, your honor. October is fire prevention month. So that means we'll be starting

01:49:59.960 --> 01:50:05.960
our school visits for all public and private grade schools. They'll be consisting of the

01:50:05.960 --> 01:50:12.640
the next three weeks will be delivering fire safety lessons to an estimated 2,500 children

01:50:12.640 --> 01:50:13.640
this month.

01:50:13.640 --> 01:50:14.640
Thank you.

01:50:14.640 --> 01:50:15.640
Police?

01:50:15.640 --> 01:50:17.960
Nothing from the police department tonight?

01:50:17.960 --> 01:50:18.960
Thank you.

01:50:18.960 --> 01:50:19.960
IT?

01:50:19.960 --> 01:50:20.960
No, thanks.

01:50:20.960 --> 01:50:21.960
Manager Boyer?

01:50:21.960 --> 01:50:23.239
Yes, I have one thing.

01:50:23.239 --> 01:50:32.000
I want to congratulate Police Chief Chris Shenberger on 27 years of outstanding service to the

01:50:32.000 --> 01:50:33.000
city of Freeport.

01:50:33.000 --> 01:50:39.239
He has announced his retirement taking effect October 24th. We will have a, we

01:50:39.239 --> 01:50:43.840
will be having a reception here at City Hall. You can contact Michelle for that

01:50:43.840 --> 01:50:48.800
details, but he's been an outstanding public servant to the city of Freeport

01:50:48.800 --> 01:50:54.720
and we all wish him very well on his future endeavors and we look forward to

01:50:54.720 --> 01:51:00.079
seeing his future successes, so thank you. Thank you and just remind council

01:51:00.079 --> 01:51:02.880
that next Monday, the 13th city hall is closed

01:51:02.880 --> 01:51:04.199
and observation of Columbus Day.

01:51:04.199 --> 01:51:06.800
So our next city council meeting,

01:51:06.800 --> 01:51:08.920
which is the committee of the whole will be on Tuesday,

01:51:08.920 --> 01:51:11.899
the 14th, starting at 5.30 with the finance cow.

01:51:12.920 --> 01:51:13.760
Alderman Clem.

01:51:16.439 --> 01:51:19.600
A big thank you to Chief Shenberger.

01:51:19.600 --> 01:51:23.199
Done a great job with working with the department.

01:51:23.199 --> 01:51:25.159
We have an excellent group there

01:51:25.159 --> 01:51:28.479
and hope we can continue on that.

01:51:28.479 --> 01:51:29.720
Nothing other than that.

01:51:30.079 --> 01:51:33.119
Ullman, Johnson, nothing tonight Mayor.

01:51:33.119 --> 01:51:41.579
Alderman Simmons, Alderman Parker, nothing, Alderman Stacy, Alderman Shadle, nothing tonight.

01:51:41.579 --> 01:51:50.960
Alderman Sanders, yes I just want to bring up the first thing that came to

01:51:50.960 --> 01:51:57.000
counsel tonight in regards to admonishment, admonishing counsel, and

01:51:57.000 --> 01:52:01.560
and the fact that the person that is admonishing council

01:52:01.560 --> 01:52:06.560
has no authoritative jurisdiction to be admonishing council.

01:52:11.560 --> 01:52:16.560
We got this cart or this horse flipped the wrong way.

01:52:16.640 --> 01:52:21.640
It is not supposed to be the mayor admonishing council.

01:52:22.640 --> 01:52:26.439
It is the council that admonishes the mayor

01:52:26.439 --> 01:52:31.439
and anybody else in this government establishment

01:52:33.520 --> 01:52:38.520
until we recognize the fact that we have not done

01:52:38.560 --> 01:52:43.239
our homework when it comes to governing, legislating

01:52:43.239 --> 01:52:47.680
and anything else that pertains to the legitimacy

01:52:47.680 --> 01:52:52.680
of council until council wakes up

01:52:52.680 --> 01:52:56.560
because I tell you at the beginning of my first tenure,

01:52:56.560 --> 01:53:01.560
my first year, we were duped by whoever orchestrated

01:53:02.840 --> 01:53:04.800
our orientation.

01:53:04.800 --> 01:53:08.439
Our orientation when we first got here was a lie

01:53:08.439 --> 01:53:11.560
because a lot of things was not disclosed

01:53:13.119 --> 01:53:17.180
or disclosed to council, potential members,

01:53:17.180 --> 01:53:21.359
and council themselves because we're still not owning up

01:53:21.359 --> 01:53:22.359
and Gertrude.

01:53:22.359 --> 01:53:24.119
I think we should be able to have those two responsibilities for our actions here.

01:53:24.119 --> 01:53:28.460
And so my point of measure is there's no policy.

01:53:28.460 --> 01:53:35.239
If you don't demonstrate policies, terms to counsel, when someone steps out of line

01:53:35.239 --> 01:53:43.840
to make admonishment to counsel, then you must be held in contempt of counsel for even

01:53:43.840 --> 01:53:49.619
acknowledging your, exerting your authority over counsel.

01:53:49.619 --> 01:53:52.140
You cannot do that until then.

01:53:52.140 --> 01:53:56.380
You have to show everything that was said in writing.

01:53:56.380 --> 01:53:59.159
Then council will stand by that.

01:53:59.159 --> 01:54:05.920
But you got to remember it is council that established the legislation of this body.

01:54:05.920 --> 01:54:11.520
It is council that runs the authorizations and duties of this council.

01:54:11.520 --> 01:54:16.899
People don't understand that yet until we get this thing in order.

01:54:16.899 --> 01:54:27.380
This is what's going to happen. I am going to have Attorney Zito to bring forth the actual

01:54:27.380 --> 01:54:36.020
order and the duties of counsel. Counsel is just not doing the homework enough to make

01:54:36.020 --> 01:54:40.380
sure that we are all in proper order. That's the reason why I get up screaming all the

01:54:40.380 --> 01:54:42.380
and the other people.

01:54:42.380 --> 01:54:46.380
We are not going to be able to do that all the time because the

01:54:46.380 --> 01:54:48.380
order of council is out of order.

01:54:48.380 --> 01:54:52.380
And then anyone that impeds up on it is in contempt of council.

01:54:52.380 --> 01:54:57.380
So until someone wants to argue that fact, show me the paperwork

01:54:57.380 --> 01:55:02.380
and show me the policies and the fact that the council don't

01:55:02.380 --> 01:55:07.380
have jurisdiction over the whole government body of these

01:55:07.380 --> 01:55:09.380
proceedings. I'm done.

01:55:09.380 --> 01:55:39.380
I would just like to say that I was down here earlier today, and it was just so sweet to see the elementary children down here learning about city government and then going over to the police station, learning about rules and regulations. I thought that was really nice, so I just wanted to say that that was really nice.

01:55:39.380 --> 01:55:42.180
that was really, it was kind of nice to see the kids.

01:55:42.180 --> 01:55:45.380
I agree and thank you, Clerk Anderson for working on that.

01:55:46.239 --> 01:55:48.460
We will move on to public comments.

01:55:48.460 --> 01:55:50.819
Is there any public comments this evening?

01:55:50.819 --> 01:55:58.460
Go ahead.

01:55:58.460 --> 01:56:02.020
Good evening, I'm Kelvin McElwain, 515 West Moseley Street.

01:56:03.819 --> 01:56:06.579
I just want to say that what was discussed here

01:56:06.579 --> 01:56:11.579
on the floor tonight definitely reinforces the perception

01:56:11.579 --> 01:56:19.340
that the city and probably the majority of this community only care about one side of the city

01:56:19.340 --> 01:56:27.420
and not the other half of the city. That incident that occurred where there was a big gun sale,

01:56:28.619 --> 01:56:35.500
party happening, within months this city council is discussing an ordinance

01:56:36.539 --> 01:56:40.539
to prevent something like that from ever happening again in that neighborhood.

01:56:40.539 --> 01:56:41.539
Wood.

01:56:41.539 --> 01:56:45.260
And the ordinance that was presented was pretty radical, basically it was to just get rid

01:56:45.260 --> 01:56:50.819
of all Airbnbs in Freeport.

01:56:50.819 --> 01:56:55.640
Now it was voted down, but I'm pretty sure that ordinance will probably come back again,

01:56:55.640 --> 01:56:59.140
just adjust it to something that's a little more reasonable.

01:56:59.140 --> 01:57:04.220
But the fact remains though, is that there was an immediate conversation on the council

01:57:04.220 --> 01:57:08.600
floor about how to use city ordinances to control the problem.

01:57:08.600 --> 01:57:14.640
There are rental properties on the other side of town that are even more problematic.

01:57:14.640 --> 01:57:22.600
There have been murders, major neighborhood disruptions, drug houses, and rental properties.

01:57:22.600 --> 01:57:29.770
That's way more significant than what looked like a possible gun sale.

01:57:29.770 --> 01:57:35.329
People on that side of town, homeowners on that side of town, are just as concerned about

01:57:35.329 --> 01:57:37.729
what's next door to them.

01:57:37.729 --> 01:57:41.770
They're just as concerned about wild parties going on next to them.

01:57:41.770 --> 01:57:45.729
They're just as concerned about drug houses next door to them.

01:57:45.729 --> 01:57:50.569
They're just as concerned about their property values dropping because of unkept rental housing

01:57:50.569 --> 01:57:54.100
on their street.

01:57:54.100 --> 01:57:59.819
But where are the ordinance discussions regarding helping those homeowners out?

01:57:59.819 --> 01:58:04.539
Now church in the street is awesome.

01:58:04.539 --> 01:58:06.720
Resource fairs are awesome.

01:58:06.720 --> 01:58:08.859
Community meetings are awesome.

01:58:08.859 --> 01:58:09.859
Fowler.

01:58:09.859 --> 01:58:12.960
All of the community action that's happening is awesome and is needed.

01:58:12.960 --> 01:58:21.380
But until this city council starts having conversations about ordinances to correct and help reduce

01:58:21.380 --> 01:58:26.260
crime in Freeport, because there are certain levers that only the city can pull, just like

01:58:26.260 --> 01:58:30.840
you tried to do tonight to get rid of all air and bees and residential properties.

01:58:30.840 --> 01:58:32.720
Only the city can pull that lever.

01:58:32.720 --> 01:58:36.800
And there was discussion on this council floor to talk about that.

01:58:36.800 --> 01:58:40.479
there are conversations on this council floor to talk about the levers the city

01:58:40.479 --> 01:58:45.680
can pull on the other side of town that perception is going to continue and from

01:58:45.680 --> 01:58:49.440
what I saw tonight it might not be perception it actually this might be the

01:58:49.440 --> 01:58:54.440
hard reality if something happens on one side of town action is taken to wipe it

01:58:54.440 --> 01:59:00.600
out immediately on the other side of town oh well thank you is there any other

01:59:00.600 --> 01:59:14.970
other public comments this evening not okay sorry I missed the meeting earlier

01:59:14.970 --> 01:59:19.449
but I made sure I put in two hours for PTO to make it here tonight I just had

01:59:19.449 --> 01:59:23.750
one question for you is there someone in mind for the new chief now since he's

01:59:23.750 --> 01:59:34.930
retiring there's a process of I came here today to please and I'm asking not let

01:59:34.930 --> 01:59:37.930
I remember him searching me falsely.

01:59:37.930 --> 01:59:43.520
I remember him searching me falsely, walking as a kid, 13, 14, plenty of times, this guy.

01:59:43.520 --> 01:59:51.039
I'd seen him in the black police detective car before he was riding in his Ford truck,

01:59:51.039 --> 01:59:57.600
making faces, you know, being really immature for what he does for a living.

01:59:57.600 --> 01:59:59.560
That's all I had to say.

01:59:59.560 --> 02:00:01.199
Any other public comments this evening?

02:00:01.199 --> 02:00:16.710
Father God, in the name of Jesus.

02:00:16.710 --> 02:00:26.850
The word in Proverbs 16-11 says the Lord demands fairness in every business deal.

02:00:26.850 --> 02:00:30.890
He established this principle.

02:00:30.890 --> 02:00:37.609
So Father God, we continue to look to you to take control of this city.

02:00:37.609 --> 02:00:43.029
Father God, you know what's been said.

02:00:43.029 --> 02:00:47.939
You know what continues to be done.

02:00:47.939 --> 02:01:02.670
Make it right, God. From A through Z, make it right. This is your city. I'm just living

02:01:02.670 --> 02:01:13.239
here right now. And without your help, without you doing it, it won't be done. Continue to

02:01:13.239 --> 02:01:24.210
search the hearts of the people. Continue to search the hearts of the people on this

02:01:24.210 --> 02:01:38.579
This Council, the leaders of our city, Father God, help us to do what's right, in spite

02:01:38.579 --> 02:01:55.880
of, for our constituents, for this city, so that we don't crumble to nothing.

02:01:55.880 --> 02:01:59.439
In Jesus' name, amen.

02:01:59.439 --> 02:02:00.600
That concludes public comment.

02:02:00.600 --> 02:02:04.920
We'll move on to item number 22, Madam Clerk, could you please read Executive Session?

02:02:04.920 --> 02:02:09.920
pursuant to five ILCS, 122C2, Collective Negotiating Matters

02:02:10.119 --> 02:02:12.239
between the public body and its employees

02:02:12.239 --> 02:02:14.640
or their representatives or deliberations

02:02:14.640 --> 02:02:16.079
concerning salary schedules

02:02:16.079 --> 02:02:18.520
for one or more classes of employees.

02:02:18.520 --> 02:02:19.359
Thank you.

02:02:19.359 --> 02:02:21.359
Is there a motion to enter into executive?

02:02:21.359 --> 02:02:22.199
Second.

02:02:22.199 --> 02:02:23.840
A motion made by Alderman Sellers,

02:02:23.840 --> 02:02:25.399
seconded by Alderman Shadle.

02:02:28.579 --> 02:02:30.300
Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll on that?

02:02:30.300 --> 02:02:31.140
Klemm?

02:02:31.140 --> 02:02:31.960
Aye.

02:02:31.960 --> 02:02:32.800
Johnson?

02:02:32.800 --> 02:02:33.640
Aye.

02:02:33.640 --> 02:02:34.460
Simmons?

02:02:34.460 --> 02:02:35.300
Aye.

02:02:35.300 --> 02:02:36.140
Parker?

02:02:36.140 --> 02:02:43.939
Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. Passes 8 to 0.

02:11:33.090 --> 02:11:51.970
Kurt, let me know when you're ready to return to open session. Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll?

02:11:52.529 --> 02:11:55.289
Mayor Miller? Here. Are these on?

02:11:56.289 --> 02:12:04.289
Okay, Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Johnson? Here. Simmons? Here. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here.

02:12:04.569 --> 02:12:06.750
Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Yeah.

02:12:07.890 --> 02:12:14.890
That leaves us with item number 23, which is the adoption of resolution 2025-123. Madam Clerk, could you please read this?

02:12:14.890 --> 02:12:19.890
Resolution to ratify 2025 to 2028 collective bargaining agreement with

02:12:19.890 --> 02:12:24.890
council 31 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees or

02:12:24.890 --> 02:12:32.529
AFSCME local 3367 AFL-CIO. Thank you manager Boyer. Thank your honor the city

02:12:32.529 --> 02:12:38.090
has reached a tentative agreement with our local AFSCME union and staff

02:12:38.090 --> 02:12:42.449
We have to request council approval of this agreement.

02:12:42.449 --> 02:12:43.729
Is there a motion to adopt?

02:12:43.729 --> 02:12:44.569
So moved.

02:12:45.970 --> 02:12:46.810
Second.

02:12:46.810 --> 02:12:47.630
We have a motion. Second.

02:12:47.630 --> 02:12:49.850
Made by Ullerman Sellers, seconded by Ullerman Klemm.

02:12:49.850 --> 02:12:51.350
Discussion on the resolution?

02:12:52.890 --> 02:12:54.649
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:12:54.649 --> 02:12:55.489
Klemm?

02:12:55.489 --> 02:12:56.390
Aye.

02:12:56.390 --> 02:12:57.229
Johnson?

02:12:57.229 --> 02:12:58.050
Aye.

02:12:58.050 --> 02:12:58.869
Simmons?

02:12:58.869 --> 02:12:59.710
Aye.

02:12:59.710 --> 02:13:00.529
Parker?

02:13:00.529 --> 02:13:01.369
Aye.

02:13:01.369 --> 02:13:02.210
Stacy?

02:13:02.210 --> 02:13:03.050
Shadle?

02:13:03.050 --> 02:13:04.609
Aye.

02:13:04.609 --> 02:13:05.449
Sanders?

02:13:05.449 --> 02:13:06.329
Aye.

02:13:06.329 --> 02:13:07.170
And Sellers?

02:13:07.170 --> 02:13:08.050
Aye.

02:13:08.050 --> 02:13:12.369
The resolution is adapted, seven to zero with one abstentia.

02:13:13.369 --> 02:13:15.250
I will entertain a motion for adjournment.

02:13:15.250 --> 02:13:16.090
So moved.

02:13:16.090 --> 02:13:16.909
Second.

02:13:16.909 --> 02:13:20.350
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

02:13:20.350 --> 02:13:22.449
All those in favor signify by saying aye.

02:13:22.449 --> 02:13:23.350
Aye.

02:13:23.350 --> 02:13:24.189
Have a good night.

