Pastor Justin, could you please give the invocation?
Thank you.
Good evening, Madam Mayor, I joked myself up there.
Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council, and everyone.
Would you please pray with me?
Our God, we bow before you tonight.
I'm grateful for your gifts in our lives and even as the sun shines tonight and we begin to enter the season of summer, Lord, we're thankful for this.
This season is a season of celebration, even with Freeport High School last night and other high schools throughout our communities, our young people graduating or even coming home from college for the summer.
Lord, we thank you as families and friends prepared to celebrate this season, this summer.
Lord, we thank you even as city workers have a season to work on things long planned and We pray that you continue to guide and bless, or that you would help us to live as a good people, even as whether it's Freeport or this country, we are only great as long as we are good.
And so, Father, we pray that you would give us wisdom, wisdom to see our great and deep need of your assistance and wisdom.
Lord, we pray that you'd help us to be a self-giving people ready and willing to serve others more than ourselves.
And Lord, we pray that you would help us and this council in all these ways, but to also be a people of integrity.
Lord, we confess our regular faults, but we pray that you help us to move forward together as a people of integrity who live lives that can count for goodness and honor.
And pray that you bless the decisions tonight, help this council to make wise ones and to honor one another in the discussions and the challenges before them.
And so we thank you for your help.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Thank you.
Now we'll officially call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, please make your roll.
Mayor Miller?
Here.
Alderpersons, Klemm?
Here.
Johnson?
Here.
Simmons?
Here.
Parker?
Here.
Stacy?
Here.
Shadle?
Here.
Sanders?
Here.
And Sellers?
Here.
If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Alderman Klemm.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, one for God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Johnson all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed that motion passes well as you can see this is National Public Works Week so thank you Pat for bringing all of your crew along tonight on behalf of the City of Freeport whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure facilities and services that are of vital importance to and Gertrude.
And to the public health, high quality of life and the well-being of the people of Freeport.
And whereas these infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated effort of public works professionals who are engineers, managers and employees at all levels of government and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential to our citizens.
And whereas it is in the public's interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children in Freeport to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their prospective communities.
Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare May 17th through the 23rd, 2026, as National Public Works Week in the City of Freeport and I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions that they make to protect our public health, Thank you.
Next is public comment.
However, the two signed in are non-agenda, so we'll have to wait until the end.
Which leads us then to Item Number 5, which is the Consent Agenda.
The Consent Agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion.
Unless there's a member of council would like to have something removed for further discussion.
The Consent Agenda is approval to receive and place on file minutes from the Board and Commission meetings from the Police Pension and Fire Pension Board, and the commission meetings from the police pension and fire pension boards February 4, 2026, art and culture commission March 12, 2026, the liquor commission April 9, 2026, the greater Freeport partnership monthly report, April 26, and the building permit report.
Also is the adoption of resolution 2026-77, which is the request August 15th, and also is the approval of the finance bills payable in the total of $3,593,970.04 and payroll for pay period ending May 2nd, 2026 in the total of $714,634.55.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Any discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion is approved, 8-0.
Item number six are reappointments could you please read those?
All of these reappointments are to the Board of Library Trustees all effective through May 31st, 2029, Alan Green, Betty Butler, and Tasha Mazik.
Thank you.
Council what's your pleasure you want to do this all in one or separate?
All in one.
Okay is there a for a motion to approve.
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion on the appointments.
Alderman Johnson.
I just wondered, now, when they're reappointed, do they have to reapply to be on the board or?
Well, the process is usually in communication with the library director and myself and just checking attendance, seeing about their involvement.
And then they're asked, if they're in good standing, then they're asked if they would like to continue.
And all three of them said yes.
OK, one more question.
Sure.
What if someone else would like to be on the board and these people are up?
Like any of our commissions, they just need to fill out the form that's online and let us know what particular commission they're looking at.
And then we just keep a file.
Okay.
Thank you.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the role.
Klemm.
Aye.
Johnson.
No.
Simmons.
Aye.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
Aye.
Shadle.
Aye.
Sanders.
Aye.
And Sellers.
Aye.
The motion is approved seven to one.
Item number seven is the second reading of Ordinance 2026.
Is the second reading of Ordinance 202629.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Chapter 806, Liquor, Section 806.02C1, Tier 3 licenses to clarify parameters of Class R Caterer License.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
This ordinance came through the Liquor Commission.
It was presented to Council on May 4th.
Steve Cox was here to present and also to take questions.
And this basically clarifies parameters of the CR Class Liquor and the License, and the Liquor Commission and staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance.
Discussion?
Alderman Sanders?
What is a CR?
That's a Caterer's License.
Is that what that stands for?
Yes.
And who's going to give a presentation for that?
Well, who's going to present that other than council voting on it?
Is there more detailed information on this?
We had that presentation, I think it was on the COW, it was presented by Attorney Cox, and then it was first reading at the last meeting.
Okay, I just needed a refreshment summary of it, if I can get that.
It's in your memo, the whole thing, background discussion.
Okay.
All right.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The ordinance is approved, 8 to 0.
Item number 8 is the first reading of ordinance 202630.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Title 10, Employment Provisions, Chapter 290, Compensation and Benefits, Section 290.01d3, regarding classification plan to change title of, I think it's just city accountant, is that correct, to finance specialist.
Director Richter.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The finance department currently employs one staff person, title of city accountant.
The main duties of the position include payroll processing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
The current title of City Accountant may lead a potential applicant to believe that the job duties associated with the position would include budgetary compliance, maintaining the general ledger, and preparing financial statements.
As the position is currently being recruited, we thought now would be the appropriate time to change the title of the position.
The Finance Department is requesting a change to Ordinance 290.01d3 to remove the position of Deputy City Accountant and replace it with Finance Specialist.
We would also like to remove the title City Accountant from Section 290.01e.
There are no changes to the job description or increases in staffing levels related to this change.
It's strictly just the title of the position.
I would like to change Is there a motion to move this on to the next council meeting?
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Item number nine is the first reading of ordinance 202631.
Can I back you up for a second?
I'm sorry.
Can I back you up for a minute?
Sure.
Why do we need an ordinance for this declaration that you're making?
Attorney Zito?
Because the name of the position is set forth in our city code of ordinances in order to change an ordinance, you need to use an ordinance to change it.
That's why it's has to be an ordinance to kind of even though this is a very just a simple housekeeping item to change the name, you still need an ordinance because the original name is set forth by ordinance.
OK, good, good, good.
Item number nine is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-31.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal items owned by the city.
This for this ordinance is fire department turnout gear.
Chief Cordy.
Thank you.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, All of the gear that the firefighters wear has a life expectancy of 10 years.
At the end of that 10 years, to be compliant, we have to no longer use that equipment.
Back in February, this board voted to purchase some replacement gear.
In the meantime, we've had quite a bit that has been accumulating in the station.
And we've got a listing of it, 40 coats, 45 sets of pants, 11 sets of boots and a helmet.
All that equipment has run its useful life through the NFPA, so we can no longer use that.
We have two different options of what we can do with it.
We can either throw it in the landfill or we can donate it.
There's other countries that do not abide by the same NFPA standards that we do.
So a lot of the Central America, Southern America are able to utilize this gear because in many cases, it's still very useful.
It's just that based on our standards, we can no longer use it.
So at this point, we found a group called Hearts in Motion.
It's a nonprofit organization based in Shererville, Indiana that collects and then donates this type of equipment to those countries.
And we'd like to have this ordinance approved to follow through with that.
At this point, the gear has no dollar value to anybody in the United States, and it has no cost to the city to donate this.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
Motion to suspend the bill.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, and we have a motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker.
Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on suspension only?
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.
The motion for suspension passes eight to zero.
So then before you then is the final passage for this ordinance.
Is there any further discussion?
Alderman Johnson.
Okay, Chief, you said it was still useful.
So it would still protect those people when they go into a fire.
It's just that according to our standards, we can't use it anymore.
The Ordinance passes 8-0 Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-32.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the City.
For this ordinance, there's some city hall office furniture and police department office furniture located at 709 South Liberty.
Thank you.
Chief Rostow.
Hi.
Do you have the pictures?
Yep.
Please.
709 South Liberty, as you entered in there, it was used for a community policing office and it has not been used in the last 15 years under Chief Whitmore.
If you go into the building, everything has been destroyed either by water, mold, rodents, fleas and nothing can be used out of there.
There are miscellaneous furniture that has been rusted.
As you can see with all the pictures that are there, there's nothing that is useful for the Freeport Police Department.
There's great damage that they have there.
We did go through there.
There are no records that are there.
You only have paperwork that is full of mold and that paperwork is really booklets from DARE, a program that we don't even use.
And so we are seeking for this to be at least on the list for sale, recycling and donation.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?
So moved.
Second.
You have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, Seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Mayor.
Yes.
There is some IT equipment as well.
Okay.
And I don't have that in the same frame.
Alderman Sellers.
Does this need to be amended too?
I'm sorry, Samark.
Would you like this one to be amended also?
Yes.
Okay.
I make a motion to amend.
You mean to suspend?
Suspend.
Second.
We have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension.
And again, it's two-thirds majority and non-debatable.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the suspension only?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.
The motion to suspend passes 6-2 and Mayor, I missed the first and the second on the original motion.
Klemm, Sellers.
Thank you.
So then before, yes Alderman Simmons.
Well I'll wait till you say what you say.
I'll wait till you say what you were about to say.
Okay so now before you is for the final reading for this ordinance.
Is there a discussion?
So what's the plan with this?
Do you plan to sell it, give it to somebody, have it demolished?
Well I don't plan to sell it.
I believe that a group, an organization, a religious Sander, Do we have a list?
I just heard something about something technical in nature, part of this recycling disposal and is being asked to dispose of it in a way that allows someone else to intercept it and I don't understand what is the criteria for disposing such gear or such technology to a facility or whoever is asking for this donation.
We don't have a list of items listed before us to determine whether or not we should make sure that anything that we're disposing is in a compromising position.
So we don't want to have that out there without us having an opportunity to expose what it is in the technical field of what we're about to get rid of.
Yep.
Everything we're getting rid of IT wise will be disposed properly.
So hard drives strided, you know, devices wiped, all that good stuff.
Okay.
And Stacy.
Yes, I'm just disappointed because I'm sure this house was given to the police department and for it to be in the shape that it's in, it's really discouraging to see that Where was the care?
I mean, and you spoke about rest, mold, rodents, and we still want to give it to somebody?
Well, there are organizations that desire it.
However, that isn't what this topic is.
This is about the surplus that's inside.
So, there's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The ordinance passes 8-0.
Item number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-33.
Could you please read that?
Ordinance Adding a Chapter 1480 to the Codified Ordinances Concerning Outdoor Lighting Regulations.
Thank you.
Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
The Community and Economic Development Department was directed by the Planning Commission to draft an ordinance for outdoor lighting regulations after discussing the lack of lighting regulations within the City of Freeport.
There is currently not a policy in place for outdoor lighting regulations.
Staff presented a draft, Chapter 1480, Outdoor Lighting Regulations to Planning Commission, where input and corresponding edits were made.
After being approved by the Planning Commission on May 8th, the newly drafted ordinance was then presented to the Building Commission for further edits last Wednesday on May 13th.
Chapter 1480 establishes new outdoor lighting regulations for the City of Freeport to reduce nuisance lighting, improve public safety, minimize light pollution, and create constant standards Sanders for outdoor lighting installations throughout the community.
Key ideas of the ordinance is that it establishes a maximum light spillover limit onto property lines and other nearby residents.
So if you're in a commercial district, it limits how much can spill into a residential so that those who are living in their homes are not impacted by commercial lighting in a negative way.
It requires outdoor lighting to be properly shielded for the neighboring properties but also traffic and make sure that it's shielded for glare for the drivers.
Prohibits flashing lights, searchlights, laser lighting, and other lighting that may be distracting.
Establishes exceptions for residential properties, holiday lighting, public street lights, ADA Fiering, ADA Required Lighting, Recreational Facilities, and Temporary Permitted Events.
And then it creates standards for illuminated signs and electric messaging centers, which are all the new billboards that you see in town and it's technology that's going to be pushing that even more into the future.
And then establishes enforcement procedures and penalties for violation.
The lighting ordinance supports the city's goal for a safe and inclusive community as it ensures neighborhoods and vehicles are not negatively impacted by lighting on signs and buildings.
This does not require any additional funding, and staff, the building commission, the planning commission recommend approval of the addition of chapter 1480 outdoor lighting regulations following a first and second reading by the city council.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Alderman Johnson.
Just to clarify, Gertrude, for those that are listening, who all does this affect?
Just the businesses, residents, or who all does it affect?
Yes, absolutely.
So this affects everybody except for residential structures containing less than four dwelling units.
We'll move on to item number 12, which is the adoption of resolution 2026-75.
Could you please read this?
Approving the purchase of a mulching head attachment from Westside Tractor Sales.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The current Public Works Department has a mini excavator among the equipment that we inventory and use.
We'd like to buy a mulching head for the mini excavator that'll allow us to do mulching and brush and nuisance weeds and small trees, removals and ditches in areas that are very difficult to get to with our other equipment.
So this is in the 2026 capital budget.
We have a source well quote for $23,500.
That is from, oh gosh, let's see here, pardon me, Westside Tractor Sales, sorry, wanted to verify that.
So staff recommends moving forward with the acquisition of the new mulching head for the John Deere mini excavator.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Moe.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion on the resolution.
Alderman Stacy.
Yes.
Can you tell me if this was budgeted for and if so, what budget would it be coming out of?
It was budgeted in the capital equipment.
Madam Clerk, please take the The resolution is adopted seven to one.
Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2026-76.
Could you please read this?
Resolution ratifying emergency engagement of precision piping and fabrication to fabricate steel backwash gate at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Thank you.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Staff request the ratification of this expenditure.
We had to replace a 72 inch by 72 inch electrically actuated sluice gate at the wastewater plant.
Once we installed Water plant.
Once we installed the new UV disinfection lighting system, we ran into a situation where the existing sluice gate was not holding enough back pressure and unfortunately it's because the old one was very deteriorated and the gate mechanisms had essentially corroded and I.
And it created the backflow of water, which impacted the UV process.
The actual gate that is manufactured was, I believe that was quite a bit more than our local source.
We were able to find or we were able to have that manufactured for us at a substantial reduction in cost.
I believe the actual gate system is $135,000 and we were able to have that made for us for $59,232.50 so staff recommends moving forward with the ratification of this emergency repair.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 8-0.
Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2026-78.
Could you please read this?
Resolution authorizing emergency box culvert repairs by NYCAM construction on Seeley Avenue.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
And for Seeley, in Reed Park, there's a small bridge that goes over what becomes Williams, the Homer drainage district, the Homer drainage box culvert that runs all the way to the Benton and Jackson outfall.
Unfortunately, the box culvert is kind of falling apart and we've been, we want to make sure we catch it before it gets too bad.
We don't want there to be a damaged vehicle driving by and hit a section that's caving in.
Staff went out and found a local contractor that could take care of the work for $9,212.
We did some estimating and it probably will last five to ten years where the total cost of a total replacement will be over $60,000.
So staff recommends moving forward with the bucks, paying the box cover repair invoice.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
The motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Sanders?
Manager Boyer, do we have qualified people who can work on culverts, box culverts?
We do, but this is a repair to a fairly large one, and we're very busy with all the other work we're doing throughout the city.
What's the cost of that again?
A little over $9,000. $9,000?
Yes.
Of course, was it replacement with cement piping and I might have to turn that over.
Darren's probably got more of the details on that one.
Yeah.
Uh, the repair was a concrete repair.
The wing wall basically had eroded and broke off of the structure.
So, uh, we, we had an ICAM construction come in and pin it with epoxy doll bars and then pour the wall back in and remove everything.
And then, um, we also had public works go in after they were done and we Ripp wrapped the, um, east side of the culvert.
There's where the Homer drainage ditch goes underground, uh, near the mobile station, uh, that it creates this almost washing effect down in that basin.
And it was eroding the structure away.
Um, to my knowledge, we've never worked on it before.
It's been eroding more.
And with the cost of a complete wall, wing wall replacements being 60,000, I I thought this was the prudent choice to get us by for 10 years so we could plan for, for the next step.
The box culvert itself is in good shape.
It's the wing walls that are, are really starting to fall apart.
With the, uh, would you like your second?
Yeah.
Would the, uh, construction interfere with traffic?
How much traffic flow do we have in this area?
And would it, and will it be obstruction to any form of traffic after repair?
You know, I just want to make sure if we're going to invest that kind of money into that kind of project that it is still going to be, you know, road safety and whether or not we're, whether we go through with the process of it.
Oh, well, the repair has already been completed.
Oh, it has.
And yes, in my opinion, it was the prudent thing to do.
The street is used as a connection to the park.
Um, heavily traveled.
No, it's not one of our heavier traveled streets.
Do we have an obligation to fix it and repair it?
We do.
The park district put us on notice that they were considering it a hazard.
Uh, there are a lot of children that are right next to the pool area.
And, and I thought that they were correct.
And the repair probably, obviously I think will last more than 10 years.
And so it would buy us quite a bit of time for us to decide what the next step is.
The box, we actually crawled through the box culvert ourselves and the box culvert doesn't need to be replaced.
There's a couple of patches that are required in it, but other than that, it's good shape.
My belief is that the box culvert was replaced at some point, but the wing walls were reused.
They looked very aged and maybe original from, you know, probably over 50 years, maybe, maybe even longer than that ago.
Alderman Stacey?
Yes.
Why bring this to the council if it's already done?
And what determines five years compared to 10 years?
And is there a warranty, a guarantee warranty on the work?
Sure, I can answer all those questions.
So the first one was, or last one was warranty.
All contracts in Illinois for construction can only have a one year warranty.
That's the state statute limit.
So that's what you get is one year.
Um, I believe based on the repair that we did, uh, with concrete and epoxy dowel bars, um, that it will easily last 10 years.
Um, in my opinion, uh, we fixed it right.
We didn't cut corners.
Williams, we filled it in right, epoxy dowel bars, I would estimate that that box culvert's probably been there for at least 50 plus years.
So fixing with concrete and doing it right at that time was the prudent choice.
And the reason we brought it to council was to be transparent about the expenditure of the repair.
We have the emergency authority to fix things that we think are going to cost the city a lot more money in the future.
And if the wing well would have fell off, we would have been a total replacement of that side.
So we would have been, you know, well up, uh, at a lot more money than this.
So, um, I just wanted to be transparent that the repair was needed.
The park district put us on notice that it was an issue.
Um, we, we, we knew that the issue was there.
We just, it got severely worse over the last year.
And so we wanted to make sure it got repaired.
So this was one of those director decisions that director Michelle spoke about last week.
As an emergency, yes.
That's nothing new, just so you know.
Excuse me?
That's nothing new.
You get multiple emergency repair thoughts or things brought to council.
It happens all the time.
I understand that.
I just want to make sure that you know it wasn't new.
I was just saying it was nothing new.
I mean, that's why it was spoke about last week about increasing different dollar amounts so that if something needs to be done, the director along with City Manager Boyer can make that decision and do it, correct?
Yes.
That's all I'm saying.
Yep.
So one thing that we didn't note in there is obviously it wasn't budgeted.
So we will move budget items around, things that we were hoping to do that we will have to use this money on towards it now.
And that's part of the emergency authority.
When we fix stuff, we have to figure out where that money is going to come from.
And so we'll have to move things around in our budget to make sure that I just prudently as not just somebody working for the city as a resident, and it's the right choice to try to minimize the future cost of this and carry it out farther so we can plan long term for a real replacement when the box culvert itself is needed, not just when the wing walls fall apart.
Thank you.
Great.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
8-0.
Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2026-79.
Please read this.
Resolution granting authority emergency repairs to HVAC system of the blower building of the wastewater treatment plant.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
Recently the boiler at the wastewater treatment plant that heats the plant and primarily the blower building, which contains a number of large screw air compressors, recently failed.
It's very old and it sprung a leak in the main boiler section.
Also staff investigated a couple of different ways to get this taken care of.
One of the options was to put in some heating units and cooling units in the blower building instead of replacing the boiler, which is substantially more expensive than to do that.
So staff moved forward.
There was about a $15,000 penalty if this was not approved right away.
So staff moved forward with an emergency repair of the boiler by replacing it with exterior units added to the building and the total cost of that was $74,238 and it will come from the capital budget.
We were budgeting for this in the capital budget.
There was $400,000 set aside for this boiler replacement and we were able to do it for $74,000, a significant savings.
Nice job on that.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution.
Alderman Sanders.
Yeah, Manager Boyer, that blower, are we talking about replacement, repair?
How did you indicate that?
The the boiler failed you know the heat exchanger started leaking and failed so we replaced it with set-aside units in the building okay so we just basically don't use the we're not gonna use the boiler anymore we're going to just replace the whole item yes we're not gonna replace the boiler we're simply gonna replace it with with heaters essentially instead of a boiler Madam Clerk please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 8 to 0.
Madam Mayor.
Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 202680.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
I wanted to just give some credit to one of our staff members for that last item.
Wells, which is the head of our maintenance department.
Um, he really came up with the solution to save over $300,000 on the repair to that building.
And I wanted to make sure that he got credit for it.
Um, it was his idea that we didn't need to replace the methane boilers and that's the value of having some of our own maintenance staff and some of our own people that think out in our departments.
Um, so I wanted to make sure the council understood the value that Brandon brought on that project.
Thank you.
Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2026-80.
Could you please read this?
Resolution authorizing the city to dispose of surplus city real property at 709 South Liberty Avenue.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
As previously discussed, it's the city's intent to liquidate the 709 South Liberty Police Department.
Schmidt.
It's been vacant for many years and we've kind of had a brief conversation already this evening regarding it.
But first, we have to approve it as surplus inventory for us to move forward with getting it into the right hands.
Right now, we've been talking with the Ministers Alliance about their interest in the structure and fixing it and using it as a classroom for their training program.
So, but that is what we have right now and and we're working with the community to get that done, so we'll have a separate resolution giving this to that entity.
So with that, staff recommends moving forward with this resolution to declare it a surplus inventory.
So your motion to adopt.
So move.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution.
Alderman Stacey?
Yes, can you say who will be receiving this?
Right, at this time the plan is to essentially gift it to the Ministers Alliance.
But that's not in the writing on this particular resolution, this is just declaring it as surplus.
Right, that is correct.
Alderman Sanders?
Yeah, identify the Ministers of Alliance and who is is acquiring it, who's really bringing it to our attention?
Well, it's a group of ministers who have been working to do, I guess, a VOTEC program to teach students about installing one-mill farms, doing electrical work and that kind of thing, and they've expressed interest in this property for use as a classroom for their efforts.
There's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 8-0.
Reports from department heads.
Finance?
Nothing this evening, thank you.
Community Development?
Nothing this evening, thank you.
Public Works?
Oh yes.
Always.
So I have a couple announcements, and then I actually have something I'd like to say about Public Works Week that I probably should have said earlier, but I appreciate some of the guys staying.
So officially today, the Hancock Shawnee Vidoc was opened.
The paving is done.
There might be a little grass and dirt seating that needs to be done over there yet, but in all intents and purposes, it's wrapped up.
The new height of the bridge is normal height at 14 foot, six inches.
So All commercial vehicles that are under state law should be able to underpass that now, which is a huge accomplishment and gives us two accesses for the businesses back there and the residents should be very happy.
As a reminder, there is a stop sign out there that needs to be used by our residents.
There's many people.
In two days we've counted 17 cars that have not stopped at that stop sign just while we've been on site.
Um, so, um, just want to make sure that everybody's reminder, there's a stop bar and a stop sign.
Um, we're proud of that project.
It's been a long time coming.
If anybody's been counting, it's been probably close to two years, probably three years since we've been talking about it.
So it's nice to have that one done.
Uh, the municipal lot, uh, is, uh, really, uh, making, uh, good progress.
There was plantings done down there.
I've had a lot of questions.
Why so many plantings?
The city of Freeport has requirements with municipal parking lots, parking lots in general that you have to have green space.
So there's a lot more plantings and islands that were put in there.
It should be paved hopefully by the end of next week.
If the weather allows, it still won't be open.
There'll be striping and things going on to finish it up.
But for all intents and purposes, it's going very well.
And then we're about ready to kick off our 26 paving operation.
It looks like Seminole will be paved sometime this week I believe then the following week we'll hopefully be doing some of the paving in Gladewood and the Crate Park agreements that we had and then we should be moving to Concord between Seminole and Laurel sometime around the first week of June, and also Dewey, the street replacements should be starting over there very shortly as well.
So please, we are passing out neighborhood flyers, if you will, that have specific text codes for your area on that.
Please sign up for those text codes.
You'll get the latest information.
We still have people from the areas calling in.
We'd prefer to work through these text codes that are on and your sheets specific for your area.
If you don't have one, please reach directly out to me.
Um, and then I just like to read something that I prepared for a national public works week.
Um, I'm very lucky and proud to be part of the public works team here in Freeport.
I appreciate the role.
I really look, uh, enjoy working with this crew and these people.
And I want to tell you how important it was the raises that we gave these people to recognize them last year for the quality of work that they're doing.
How important that is to not only the morale, but the work that we can get done.
As we celebrate National Public Works Week, I'd like to extend a sincere gratitude and appreciation to the outstanding men and women who serve our community through public works.
These dedicated professionals are the backbone of the city's daily operations and their commitment helps ensure that the Freeport remains a safe, functional, and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family.
Public Works employees are often the first to arrive and the last to leave when our community faces challenges, whether it's maintaining street.
Whether it's maintaining streets, sidewalks, managing water, wastewater, caring for public facilities, clearing snow during harsh winter weather storms, repairing infrastructure through all types of weather, or responding to emergencies at all hours of the day and night, their work is essential to the quality of life we sometimes take for granted.
What makes Public Works staff truly exceptional is not the skill and professionalism they they bring to the jobs, but also the pride they take in serving the residents of Freeport.
Much of their work happens behind the scenes without any recognition, yet their efforts touch every neighborhood, every business, and every resident during their daily tasks.
Their dedication, teamwork, and willingness to serve often in difficult weather and demanding conditions deserves our deepest respect and appreciation.
National Public Works Weeks gives an opportunity to recognize the people who keep our city moving forward every day.
On behalf of the City of Freeport, I thank, I provide a thank you to our incredible Public Works team for your hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our community.
Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for everything you do for the citizens of Freeport.
Thank you.
Fire.
Yes, along with Public Works week, this is also We are honored to have you working with us.
Thank you.
Police?
Well, I'll be sharing the public works and fire and emergency medical services week.
EMS is about 80% of what the fire department does here in Freeport and those guys put a lot of time and effort into going on all the calls all times of the day and night and see lots of things that most people don't want to see and have to deal with it.
So we appreciate you and we are honored to have you working with us.
Thank you.
Police?
Well, I'll be sharing the Public Works and Fire EMS because ours was last week.
I'll allow that.
So I'd like to thank the public and the community who came out in order to have our Dunkin' Donuts Cup on Top initiative.
We were able to raise $4,816.80 at all those proceeds.
We'll be going to the Special Olympics.
So a lot of the department members that were here came out to support, so I really do appreciate that.
Thank you very much.
I also want to acknowledge Fisher Exchange and AFSCME who donated quite a bit of money for this cause and the cause was very important and also to the community members who came out on National Police Week and donated and made terrific cookies.
They actually brought us plants, they brought us flowers, they brought us cards in order to recognize all the work that my officers do.
So I greatly appreciate that and I'll allow you two to fight it out this week.
I also greatly appreciate Public Works.
They've been helping us at the library, as well as EMS and police, since last week was police week.
But I'd also like to encourage the community to make sure that they check out our website to keep on top of all of our events.
IT?
City Manager.
Well, thank you, Your Honor.
I actually have nothing for tonight, although I think it's been fairly well covered by everyone.
Thank you.
I would agree.
And just a reminder, Monday is Memorial Day, so City Hall will be closed.
The parade downtown starts at 10 o'clock, so if you are part of the Council and would like to walk in the parade, you should be at the corner of Main and Walnut by 915.
And Alderman Klemm.
Yes.
Once again, thank you to all the employees of the city.
You guys do a great job and it's nice to be able to recognize all of you.
Especially when it's the police chief tonight, she's got a corporal and three new recruits out in the audience and it was very good to see them here and I hope they learn something in democracy in action here.
Also the 26th, next week, Tuesday night is the Neighborhood Watch at Schwartz's.
I believe Manager Boyer will be there and Darren, thank you guys and all the alerts you put out.
It's really neat for the people that live in those areas, especially like use a gladeway for example, where you had one end or the other end closed off to know what was going on.
So thank you.
Alderman Johnson.
I say ditto to everything that Tom said.
I appreciate everybody, the public works, the Police, the Fire Department, all of them.
It takes a whole team to make a city move, so we appreciate all of you.
Also on Thursday evening will be the Neighborhood Watch for the Second Ward, and it is at 1833 West Laurel Street at the Laurel Street Community Church.
So it's a new location, so thank you.
I want to thank the police officers for their extra effort at graduation last night.
It was totally changed.
I've worked for this district almost 25 years and it's never been like that.
But it was a good, safe way of doing things.
And for that, I thank you.
Yeah, we never been able to not bring in our purses or unless they were clear or so, yeah.
I embrace the extra security that went forth for graduation.
Tomorrow, Tuesday the 19th, will be my Neighborhood Watch at the church on Carroll and Empire at 6 o'clock with Officer Delvalli.
Alderman Shadle?
I just want to reiterate what Darren had said about the text message notification system.
I signed up for it for the Gladewood project and getting very detailed text.
As Tom said, there was instances where the south entrance was gonna be closed so that the residents knew that they needed to come in the north entrance.
There's gonna be one of those for each and every project that we have this summer.
You can go to the city website, navigate through from there at GoGov if you have trouble with it.
Call the city and we'll get you through the process of getting it on there.
But it's going to make all of these projects go tremendously smoother if everybody knows what's going on and how to navigate through these projects.
So thank you.
Alderman Sanders?
Nothing.
Alderman Sellers?
I just want to say thank you Public Works, thank you Fire Department, and thank you Police Department.
Thank you for all that you guys do.
Really appreciate it.
We have two that are signed in for public comment.
Ryan Walton?
I'm just here to give thanks.
One for you, Mayor Miller, thank you for your tenureship and your leadership through everything that you've served here for the community.
I believe you make it and then also for the police department year-to-date it's told that they've seized over more than 40 illegal firearms and 65 search warrants which is impressive which I think they don't get enough thanks for the hard work they do and you guys literally make my community safe for every day and it's inspiring to We call this place home and one day have a family here.
So thank you.
Thank you.
Ricky Steadman.
Thank you, Mayor.
Good evening, everyone.
Yeah.
I was given information for a street name on South 700 South Liberty Street.
The person that was doing it got a yield, so they passed it over to me.
I have all the signatures of the homeowners that were required to get this done.
Also have the financial costs also.
So I'm here to see where we go forward from here.
I'm sure they can see you after the meeting.
Okay.
Thank you.
See you after the meeting.
Director Heimerdinger.
Okay, thank you.
Are there any other public comments this evening?
Seeing none, I will entertain a motion for adjournment.
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
All those in favor.