WEBVTT 00:00:00.690 --> 00:00:18.440 He was first chair, and he was also the drone, the thing, the thing on his ass. 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:20.440 I'm getting the sheet, yeah. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:21.440 Okay. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:23.440 Did somebody else do it? 00:00:23.440 --> 00:02:18.110 Huffines, yes, since it's 6 o'clock, Ruth, could you please give the invocation? 00:02:18.110 --> 00:02:27.909 Good to be here after my short retirement. You guys are wonderful. Thank you for having 00:02:27.909 --> 00:02:35.210 me. I just want to read something from Psalm 116. It says, I love the Lord because he hears 00:02:35.210 --> 00:02:41.310 my voice and my supplications. Because he has inclined his ear to me, therefore I shall 00:02:41.310 --> 00:02:47.590 call upon him as long as I live. So let's all pray together and call upon the Lord. 00:02:47.590 --> 00:02:55.310 Our Heavenly Father, God, we are so thankful for the spring weather today, for the thoughts 00:02:55.310 --> 00:02:57.110 of new beginnings. 00:02:57.110 --> 00:03:00.469 Lord, we thank you that you are omnipresent. 00:03:00.469 --> 00:03:07.469 Father, we know that you are within the city, that you are looking over Freeport, and we 00:03:07.469 --> 00:03:11.909 know you're within these walls at this meeting tonight. 00:03:11.909 --> 00:03:17.030 So our Heavenly Father, I just pray that we all open our hearts to you, because you have 00:03:17.030 --> 00:03:23.270 have all the wisdom, and you know the plans you have for this city. And so, Father, give 00:03:23.270 --> 00:03:32.810 us that wisdom. May our words give glory to you with whatever we say. May we show love 00:03:32.810 --> 00:03:41.150 for one another, and may, Lord, we represent our wards well, our department heads' teams 00:03:41.150 --> 00:03:48.860 Well. Father, you have given us so much to be thankful for and yet there's so much yet 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:58.139 to be done. And so be with all of these here at this council. Lord, thank you for their 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:04.500 willingness to serve you in this manner. Thank you, Lord, for their families who give up 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:12.020 this evening for them to be here to represent the city, to represent you, Lord. Thank you, 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:13.020 Miller. 00:04:13.020 --> 00:04:31.100 I thank you again, Lord, for our mayor, our city manager, our beautiful city clerk, all 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:35.860 our elder persons, all our department heads and their teams. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:41.259 I've had the privilege, Lord, of working with them, and I know how hard they all work, and 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:44.519 and I know the love they have for this city. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:47.319 So now Lord bless this agenda. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:50.019 May it bring glory to you Lord. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:54.480 And may it prosper the city of Freeport in a mighty way. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:56.699 In Jesus name, amen. 00:04:56.699 --> 00:04:57.540 Amen. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:58.360 Thank you Ruth. 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:00.079 So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:02.019 Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:02.860 Mayor Miller? 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:03.980 Here. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:05.019 Alder persons, Klemm? 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:05.860 Here. 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:06.680 Monroe? 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:07.519 Here. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:08.339 Simmons? 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:09.180 Here. 00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:10.019 Parker? 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:10.839 Here. 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:19.839 Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Here. If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Monroe. 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:38.000 The flag of the United States of America, and the Missouri Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:44.000 And Alderman Monroe, the meeting is yours. Thank you, Madam Mayor. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.920 So we'll move on to item number four, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion? 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.439 So move. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:55.860 Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Parker. 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:58.839 All in favor? Aye. 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:01.800 Motion passes. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.519 Sorry. 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:05.519 Any opposed? 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:14.730 Motion passes. 00:06:14.730 --> 00:06:20.329 Item number five is the approval of the minutes from the committee of the whole meeting held on February 10th, 2025. 00:06:20.329 --> 00:06:21.329 Settler. 00:06:21.329 --> 00:06:23.769 Do I have a motion to accept those? 00:06:23.769 --> 00:06:25.209 So move. 00:06:25.209 --> 00:06:27.009 Motion by Alderman Sellers. 00:06:27.009 --> 00:06:28.009 Second. 00:06:28.009 --> 00:06:30.129 Seconded by Alderman Parker. 00:06:30.129 --> 00:06:32.009 All in favor, please say aye. 00:06:32.009 --> 00:06:33.009 Aye. 00:06:33.009 --> 00:06:34.009 Opposed? 00:06:34.009 --> 00:06:39.220 Motion carries. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:42.920 Item number six is public comments for agenda items. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:45.560 This is limited to three minutes per person. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:51.680 We have several people signed up on the public comments. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:07:00.560 We'll start with Matt Summers with comments about item number 13, sir, the podium is yours 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:01.560 for three minutes. 00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:06.240 Hello, my name is Matthew Summers, I'm from the second ward, I'm a resident. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:10.680 I just want to talk quickly and briefly about the residency requirements, and I'm going 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:12.560 to end with a little story. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:17.680 This ordinance is antiquated, it should be removed. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:21.160 We're one of the only communities that I'm aware of that still require this, that are 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:24.439 and many other small communities like this. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:27.759 Nobody really knows, there's a couple people in the room 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:31.040 that it's had the honor to wear the chief's badge 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:32.160 and do different things. 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:37.000 And I've seen this ordinance used as an attack on officers, 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:39.839 both at the fire department as well as the police department. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:41.560 When we haven't wanted somebody in a chair, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:44.160 we say, hey, you gotta live in the city. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.959 When we want somebody from who doesn't live in the city 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.120 says, I'm not gonna move there, it's all right, 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.480 we'll change the ordinance. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:52.399 and I live where you want to live. 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:58.839 And now we're down to, again, attacks on people and the negativity that goes along with that. 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:04.620 I had a lot written down that I wanted to share, but I knew I only had three minutes. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:08.720 So I just want to share a little story, my story. 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:17.370 The reason I left the police department is I couldn't get away. 00:08:17.370 --> 00:08:20.970 I couldn't go to my kids' football games without somebody sitting next to me and saying, 00:08:20.970 --> 00:08:24.449 when are you going to get that boy that shot my brother? 00:08:24.449 --> 00:08:29.089 I couldn't play catch with a football in my yard 00:08:29.089 --> 00:08:34.029 without people driving by throwing some hand signals out the window 00:08:34.029 --> 00:08:39.909 We had a 12 and 13 year old boy and I was playing catch and they had to look at me and go what's that all about, do they know who you are? 00:08:39.909 --> 00:08:49.639 And I had to explain to them, they knew who I was and that's why they were there 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:55.279 I had to start walking at 4 o'clock in the morning because people would flag me down and I couldn't even go for a walk 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:58.799 and even at 4 o'clock in the morning, 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning people would just 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:36.980 are used for attacks, just because we don't like somebody 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.139 who's sitting in a seat. 00:09:39.139 --> 00:09:43.340 And I'll tell you what, to the people that I've worked with, 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:45.419 my colleagues, yes, in transparency, 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:47.080 Chris Shenberger is a very good friend of mine. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:49.299 I've known him for 29 years. 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:51.019 I've worked with him for about 28. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:54.340 And that man has never missed anything 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:57.299 that I'd ever ask him or where to go. 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:00.019 So those of you who 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:01.029 So those of you who feel like you're being attacked 00:10:01.850 --> 00:10:07.070 Just because we don't have anything else let them attack you let them attack your integrity chief 00:10:07.070 --> 00:10:11.110 I know but another a lot of other people stand up here and talk 00:10:11.490 --> 00:10:14.789 So he can call some officers over here and drag me out of here if he needs to 00:10:15.669 --> 00:10:19.299 but there's been 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.759 You people put up with so much and 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:31.120 For to be attacked for that let them attack you let them attack your integrity let them attack your character 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:33.429 Miller. 00:10:33.429 --> 00:10:37.620 Because it's not going to do anything with you. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:41.379 Let them show us who they really are when they want to attack everyone. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:47.620 Just because you live somewhere and you can't be a parent or a father because of an ordinance 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.659 because they don't like the seats you sit in. 00:10:51.659 --> 00:10:57.399 That ordinance needs to go. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:01.600 Gary Melky, pro for county fair. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:06.000 Good evening. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.200 For those of you that don't know me, I am Gary Melky, I am president of the Students 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:11.159 Stevenson County Fair Association. 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:13.799 I've held that position for seven years, 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:16.680 been involved with that fair for over 30. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:19.000 I also sit on the Illinois State Association 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:21.240 of Agricultural Affairs as Vice President. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.440 We govern 104 county fairs. 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:27.399 We answer to Director of Ag, Jerry Costello. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:29.879 But I'm here on the item 12. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:33.519 Stevenson County Fair is a non-for-profit. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:37.519 We are a 501C6 agriculture. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:42.519 We've been in this county, fair has ran for 170 years 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:46.379 and has been very beneficial to this community and county. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:50.000 So I'm here just to answer questions. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.960 The door at the fairgrounds is always open. 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:54.759 If any of you wish to come down, see something, 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:58.159 have a question, I'd be glad to meet anytime, anywhere 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.240 and talk, take you around the fairgrounds, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.159 whatever you wish. 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:04.620 But I've seen this was on the agenda today, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:08.659 So I wanted to say I'm here to represent the Stevenson County 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:11.180 Fair and answer your questions. 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:12.860 Thank you very much. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.460 Thank you. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:20.990 Aubra Palermo, pro for Tutti-Baker. 00:12:20.990 --> 00:12:22.430 Hi, my name is Aubra Palermo. 00:12:22.430 --> 00:12:26.029 I'm one of the committee chairs for Tutti-Baker Festival. 00:12:26.029 --> 00:12:28.470 And I just wanted to, I saw this was on the agenda tonight. 00:12:28.470 --> 00:12:30.190 I wanted to point out a few things. 00:12:30.190 --> 00:12:33.710 And what other event in the community 00:12:33.710 --> 00:12:38.430 brings 40 to 50,000 people into our community. 00:12:38.430 --> 00:12:41.509 Many people, as I've worked in real estate since 1998 00:12:41.509 --> 00:12:43.870 in the Freeport area, ask what is there 00:12:43.870 --> 00:12:46.789 to do in Freeport and Stevenson County. 00:12:46.789 --> 00:12:49.269 Companies, people who want to live here, 00:12:49.269 --> 00:12:51.430 people who want to relocate here. 00:12:51.430 --> 00:12:54.509 We had people from all over the region 00:12:54.509 --> 00:12:58.389 and from 26 different states that came here. 00:12:58.389 --> 00:13:00.909 Some of them were coming back for family get-togethers. 00:13:00.909 --> 00:13:02.350 Some of them were born and raised here 00:13:02.350 --> 00:13:06.470 Miller, and they were coming back to see the festival that had not happened in over 20 00:13:06.470 --> 00:13:07.470 years. 00:13:07.470 --> 00:13:10.149 Some of those people might think about, do I want to relocate here? 00:13:10.149 --> 00:13:12.149 Do I want to come back home? 00:13:12.149 --> 00:13:17.509 Not to mention the people that stayed for two, four, five, six hours. 00:13:17.509 --> 00:13:19.470 Most people stayed for over two hours. 00:13:19.470 --> 00:13:23.450 Forty-five percent of the people said they stayed for three to four hours. 00:13:23.450 --> 00:13:25.230 We did surveys after the event. 00:13:25.230 --> 00:13:28.669 Thirty-two people said they stayed for over five hours. 00:13:28.669 --> 00:13:35.950 How much money did those people spend in retail, in restaurants, hotels, things like that? 00:13:35.950 --> 00:13:38.509 So how much money did that bring into the city? 00:13:38.509 --> 00:13:43.629 The first year back, it was 30,400 people attended that weekend. 00:13:43.629 --> 00:13:49.889 Second year, 41,000 people attended that weekend, just in a three-day weekend festival. 00:13:49.889 --> 00:13:55.149 And it's all ranges from people 18 and older to little children. 00:13:55.149 --> 00:14:00.309 So it's something that retirees enjoy, adults enjoy, parents and families enjoy. 00:14:00.309 --> 00:14:06.950 The whole mission of the nonprofit organization is for family-friendly. 00:14:06.950 --> 00:14:10.870 Downtown businesses that we surveyed after and other businesses that participated as 00:14:10.870 --> 00:14:14.990 vendors, we asked them how many people do they think came into their store. 00:14:14.990 --> 00:14:18.610 Many of them said anywhere from 50 to 500 people. 00:14:18.610 --> 00:14:21.350 Some of them said everyone that walked by came in. 00:14:21.350 --> 00:14:25.549 and we asked them how many people do you think were new people that came into your store? 00:14:25.549 --> 00:14:29.930 They were all saying a good majority of those people were new to their businesses and new 00:14:29.930 --> 00:14:33.170 to their stores that had never been in before. 00:14:33.170 --> 00:14:36.789 So how many of those businesses stayed in business because of that one weekend because 00:14:36.789 --> 00:14:38.549 of the revenues they made? 00:14:38.549 --> 00:14:44.309 How many of those businesses had new business continue and good exposure for their business? 00:14:44.309 --> 00:14:47.170 Not to mention the exposure that it brought for the city. 00:14:47.170 --> 00:14:49.710 Many people even thought the city put that event on. 00:14:49.710 --> 00:14:52.629 they got credit in a lot of different avenues that the city, 00:14:52.629 --> 00:14:55.549 thank you to the city for bringing this event. 00:14:55.549 --> 00:14:58.950 So we're happy to answer questions and I'm here 00:14:58.950 --> 00:15:01.870 if you need anything, it's a very small committee 00:15:01.870 --> 00:15:04.430 that helps coordinate this event every year 00:15:04.430 --> 00:15:07.809 and a few other volunteers that form the crafters 00:15:07.809 --> 00:15:10.350 and the vendors and things like that. 00:15:10.350 --> 00:15:12.009 And thank you for your time. 00:15:12.009 --> 00:15:12.850 Thank you. 00:15:14.230 --> 00:15:20.980 Our next person up on item number 12 as well is Mike Martin. 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.940 Good evening everybody. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:25.980 Thank you Mayor Miller, council, city staff. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.460 Appreciate all the hard work you guys 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:29.940 put into every Monday, every day. 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.860 Really means a lot to me. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.940 Again, I'm Mike Martin. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.420 I was previously on the board of directors 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.899 for the Greater Freeport Partnership. 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:39.259 I served two terms and I was on there for six years. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:41.639 I'm currently on the Highland Foundation Board 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:44.539 for the college and I'm also on the Winnipeg Theater Board. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:47.500 For the last 10 years, my wife and I have also been 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:49.220 the proud owners of Mort's Bar and Grill 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:50.740 here in downtown Freeport. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:57.059 I'm obviously joining you as Alderman Monroe said to speak about agenda item 12 as a small business owner 00:15:57.059 --> 00:16:01.740 I understand the reality of finding ways to cut costs to streamline processes 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:07.220 Produce efficient results and maintain a strong bottom line. I think about this daily 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:13.940 But I have been able to achieve these goals without jeopardizing my product or customer experience 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:19.579 Over time I realized that not every investment can be quantifiable or even tangible 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:20.579 Miller. 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:24.819 Most dollars and cents can be accounted for, but it's the intangibles that make a long 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:27.019 lasting impact. 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:32.579 When it comes to the direct impact that events like Music on Chicago, Wine Fest, Brew Fest, 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:40.139 and Tutti Baker Fest have on my business, it's upwards to 200% positive increase in 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:46.220 gross sales for that day, that weekend, sometimes even more. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:50.899 And because of that added revenue, I am able to invest in my business, my community, and 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.899 my city. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:56.819 I have extra funds for building upgrades, employee bonuses, and that added sales tax 00:16:56.819 --> 00:17:04.380 goes right back to the city for your investment in our infrastructure and hopefully our safety. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:09.579 Indirect impact comes in form of new customers, both local and not local, that come to downtown 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:12.299 to be shown a great experience. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:16.900 Now that produces some pressure on us to make sure that experience is fulfilled, but as 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:23.380 As always taught, pressure is privilege, and I look forward to these chances. 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:28.819 They make a trip here and they see the charm, the history and the progress that they might 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:31.779 not have noticed without these said events. 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:37.279 New and reoccurring customers base is a long-term investment worth realizing. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.279 They keep coming back. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:42.500 They spend money not only at Mort's, but they buy gas, they stay in hotels, they go 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:44.360 to other restaurants. 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:51.900 The ROI of added revenue and positive perception of our city because of these events is infectious. 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:54.299 With that, I just want to thank you guys one more time. 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:56.819 Your hard work does not go unnoticed. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:18:02.880 All their people, council, mayor, I just want to be able to keep using these opportunities 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:08.480 to show the positive impact that we can do as community members for small business, for 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:12.660 the city, both quantifiable and intangible. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.119 Thank you for your time. 00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.559 Thank you. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:19.079 And that concludes public comments. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.079 Item number six. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:26.400 Mr. Chair, Madam Clerk, would you please let be known on the record, it was 606 when Alderman 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.000 Sanders is in attendance. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:30.079 I did get that, thank you. 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:32.619 Thank you. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:35.539 Item number seven. 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:40.700 Discussion regarding Nordic residential and small business electrical aggregation contract 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:43.740 presented by Mike Mudge, Rock River Energy, 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:46.299 and I believe Mike is on the phone. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:48.420 Is that correct, Director Suttman? 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.900 Yes. 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.779 Awesome. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.900 Yes, I'm here. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.820 Awesome. 00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:58.340 Mike, would you like to speak? 00:18:58.340 --> 00:19:03.059 Yes, I'd like to give a brief summary of why we're back 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:06.220 talking about this when we signed the two-year contract 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:14.429 Kupnodik, and then discuss the action item you needed. 00:19:14.429 --> 00:19:17.150 I didn't get that. 00:19:17.150 --> 00:19:18.190 None of us did. 00:19:18.190 --> 00:19:25.769 Can everyone hear me OK? 00:19:25.769 --> 00:19:28.210 We can now. 00:19:28.210 --> 00:19:29.289 OK. 00:19:29.289 --> 00:19:31.490 I'll briefly give a summary of why 00:19:31.490 --> 00:19:34.250 we're back talking about this when we signed the contract 00:19:34.250 --> 00:19:38.450 last May for a three-year contract. 00:19:38.450 --> 00:19:44.179 So what happened after the contract was signed, 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:46.820 and we're going to be switching people over in August. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.500 During that interim period, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:52.380 PTM, the people that operate the grid, 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:54.740 had a capacity auction. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:57.579 Those capacity auction results came out. 00:19:57.579 --> 00:20:00.799 and results came out at the end of July, the first part of August. 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:07.799 Nordic notified us, uh, to the Freeport along with, uh, three other governmental 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:13.039 agencies that signed contracts with Nordic stating that they could not adhere 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:19.309 to those price increases, we started looking for alternatives. 00:20:19.549 --> 00:20:27.230 One of us tonight is an agenda and I believe Kurt was going to put that up on 00:20:27.230 --> 00:20:42.519 on the screen, there's an agenda item that I sent last week to Dovie and to Rob, the 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:54.339 city manager and it simply states that we do not want to the replacement cost that Nordic 00:20:54.339 --> 00:21:04.950 offered us for the next 12 months that replaces the three-year contract that we had at 8.315 00:21:04.950 --> 00:21:05.950 Smith. 00:21:05.950 --> 00:21:15.210 The council thought that it was prudent to sign a contract for three years knowing that 00:21:15.210 --> 00:21:17.470 energy rates were going to go up. 00:21:17.470 --> 00:21:25.109 Let me talk about what capacity rates are and what that has to do with our energy rate. 00:21:25.109 --> 00:21:32.839 Capacity is a rate that all rate payers pay, all kinds of rate payers, and also from states 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:38.480 from Illinois all the way to the East Coast and 13 states altogether. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:46.319 Capacity is a charge that we all pay to ensure that there's adequate generation, 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:52.119 that the present existing plants are maintained, and there's an incentive 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:57.619 for new plants being constructed, so we're having no supply. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:22:13.339 and that rate came back tenfold. That's knocking the whole market out of whack. What we needed 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:17.980 to do was find, okay, if Nordic was going to do that, what would the replacement rate 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:24.619 be? And it took time to do that. We also looked at what other suppliers would do and we're 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:29.539 also looking at what the cognitive rate was and to determine what the best 00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:31.279 options are for the city. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:39.019 But the first thing is to, is to pass this resolution. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:47.099 Uh, that was before, before the council stating that we do not want to accept, 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:55.680 accept Nordics replacement offer and, and, uh, drop us, drop us from their 00:22:55.680 --> 00:23:05.250 and the contract. We can go to a second supplier. We can go to a different supplier. We can 00:23:05.250 --> 00:23:14.250 go back to ComEd. There's a third program, the MC Squared has, that says, we will give 00:23:14.250 --> 00:23:21.930 you a price guarantee that our price will not be any more than ComEd. And with the way 00:23:21.930 --> 00:23:28.329 the market's at, the uncertainty and the volatility of the market, that would be our 00:23:28.329 --> 00:23:37.250 or second. Tonight, we would need to have this resolution go to the full council for 00:23:37.250 --> 00:23:48.960 your full review and discussion. Any questions? 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:51.519 Any questions? Alderman Stacey. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:24:06.000 Okay, so are you saying that the price you offered us when we agreed to a two-year account 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:31.950 It's no longer on the table. That's correct. Nordic cannot hold that price, nor can ComEd, if they were at that price, or any other supplier, hold that price because of the capacity cost that's a regulated item is passed on to everyone. 00:25:01.950 --> 00:25:36.079 and I have been asked to release the citizens back to comment, just like a letter came out, and if we did not say no, we were automatically changed, so now a letter needs to come out, putting us back into the hands of comment, and if we don't want that, then we have to say no, 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:42.079 and the two-year contract is in violation. Am I correct? 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:54.079 Yeah, there was a three-year cancellation at the rate of 8.315 cents, and that contract 00:25:54.079 --> 00:26:04.079 is, like, Nordica's not going to, cannot hold that price or they'll virtually cease 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:21.009 We need to pass a resolution that releases them, in other words, that for lack of a better 00:26:21.009 --> 00:26:29.369 term, no, we do not want your contract, nor your thing, so our residents and the council 00:26:29.369 --> 00:26:34.089 is free to look at an alternative. 00:26:34.089 --> 00:26:39.529 So Mike, it sounds like we need two motions tonight, one motion to do away with the Nordic 00:26:39.529 --> 00:26:47.230 agreement and a second motion to have staff look at a secondary option for electrical 00:26:47.230 --> 00:26:49.210 supply for Freeport. 00:26:49.210 --> 00:26:50.210 Is that correct? 00:26:50.210 --> 00:26:51.210 That's correct. 00:26:51.210 --> 00:26:57.930 And that's what the other three entities are currently doing also. 00:26:57.930 --> 00:26:58.930 Alderman Sanders? 00:26:58.930 --> 00:26:59.930 Huffines. 00:26:59.930 --> 00:27:04.529 What about individuals, suppliers with Nordic? 00:27:04.529 --> 00:27:09.970 Does that affect, I know we're talking about the city, but does that affect individuals 00:27:09.970 --> 00:27:15.210 that have signed up with Nordic and is that the same thing? 00:27:15.210 --> 00:27:16.730 Yeah, that goes away. 00:27:16.730 --> 00:27:17.730 That goes away. 00:27:17.730 --> 00:27:24.049 Okay, because I've been having trouble with Nordic just here recently and I had to turn 00:27:24.049 --> 00:27:35.089 and the men to the ICC of Illinois simply because some shady things were happening with my account 00:27:35.089 --> 00:27:45.610 and I had to, what I want to say, I had to make a complaint to the ICC department and 00:27:45.610 --> 00:27:49.049 they're working on this issue at this current time. 00:27:49.049 --> 00:27:58.690 and so I am, I am, I would be glad to cancel my service with them if the ICC department 00:27:58.690 --> 00:28:03.369 does not follow the complaint and everything. 00:28:03.369 --> 00:28:11.509 But the thing about it is the way that you're bringing it to the council and to the community 00:28:11.509 --> 00:28:34.509 Fremont, and I think we have all of the detailed information regarding to how you guys are 00:28:34.509 --> 00:28:36.509 providing service. 00:28:36.509 --> 00:28:46.750 and now I'm looking at the fact that the rate can possibly go from 6 point to 10 point and 00:28:46.750 --> 00:28:54.029 I understand that you want to cancel this, but the point is we had an agreement until 00:28:54.029 --> 00:28:58.470 what month was that, May, for two years? 00:28:58.470 --> 00:28:59.470 Two more years. 00:28:59.470 --> 00:29:00.470 It's a three-year agreement. 00:29:00.470 --> 00:29:04.549 Three years and you want to cancel that. 00:29:04.549 --> 00:29:12.309 Well, are you being fair to the people at that rate when ComEd is trying to and other suppliers are trying to 00:29:13.349 --> 00:29:14.869 raise that 00:29:14.869 --> 00:29:21.470 Rate at least 10 above and we don't even know how we're going to deal with another supplier 00:29:21.470 --> 00:29:24.509 But is that is that that's a problem? 00:29:24.509 --> 00:29:30.110 I believe that we're gonna have down the road down the line. And so if that is the case 00:29:30.110 --> 00:29:40.070 Bates, it would be appropriate to receive a letter in writing that your reasoning for 00:29:40.070 --> 00:29:47.190 justifying what you want to do, and as far as I am concerned, council is not really obligated 00:29:47.190 --> 00:29:54.110 to be doing this today, we can suspend this or sustain this, if not, okay, Mike. 00:29:54.110 --> 00:29:56.029 We have to move it to a regular scale. 00:29:56.029 --> 00:29:57.720 We have to move it to a regularly scheduled council meeting. 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.519 Council meeting, okay. 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.980 Well, I tell you what, I am going to 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:05.640 wait for that to happen. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.660 Alderman Stacey. 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:09.940 I would like to ask City Manager Boyer 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:12.799 this piece of paper that he's speaking about 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:15.759 that was received that we're supposed to be looking at. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.460 Do you all have it? 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:22.119 I'm gonna refer to Mike on that one. 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:27.559 Essentially what we're doing here is Nordic is saying they can't support the contract that was previously approved 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:32.920 They're asking to be voluntarily released from their from their contractual agreement 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:38.839 And we're looking at whether or not a to release B. Then what do we do from there? Okay? 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:43.079 I understand all that but I'm asking about the piece of paper 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:46.480 that he said that he sent to you and 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:49.440 Miss Dovie Anderson and 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:54.440 and why isn't that paper available for us to see? 00:30:55.799 --> 00:31:00.740 We, the council and the citizens deserve the right 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:05.359 to see the breakdown and understand exactly what he's saying. 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:09.480 So what is it gonna take for us to get a copy of that paper? 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:15.880 Adjudicator, yeah, that's what we're gonna need. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:19.440 We'll get it to you right away. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.279 Thank you. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:28.799 so that said do we it sounds like we need a motion to attorney Zito go right 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:34.519 so I think what Mike is asking for is a motion be made that a resolution be put 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:40.359 on the next council agenda basically for lack of a better term ending the the 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:44.039 agreement with Nordic and then authorizing staff to move forward at 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:51.279 looking at alternatives to potentially replace Nordic quick question for city 00:31:51.279 --> 00:32:21.279 Manager. No, one second. That's correct. That's correct. You'll be able to see this agenda item on the full council. And then also, we can discuss alternatives. My thinking with the way the market is and so on and so forth, ComEd, or a company guaranteeing a price guarantee with the 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:26.639 Price's ComEd will be a good place to be in the next year because there's a lot of 00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:33.400 uncertainties out there in the market and the best thing that we can do for the citizens 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:42.000 and the small businesses of the city of Freeport is to look at ComEd or price guarantee from 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:50.000 the supplier as a safe harbor until the whole energy market activity settles down. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:33:00.490 Just my opinion and we want to do the best. We want to do the best for that. And as far 00:33:00.490 --> 00:33:11.529 as the comments about no one expected the auction results, those fully regulated to come 00:33:11.529 --> 00:33:20.049 out so high for what they would normally be, which essentially is going to add three cents 00:33:20.049 --> 00:33:21.049 and John. 00:33:21.049 --> 00:33:22.049 And that's the real world that we're in. 00:33:22.049 --> 00:33:23.049 No one had any control over that. 00:33:23.049 --> 00:33:24.049 Over that time. 00:33:24.049 --> 00:33:25.049 Yeah. 00:33:25.049 --> 00:33:47.509 I think there's two things that have really impacted this significantly. 00:33:47.509 --> 00:33:54.389 A, the adoption of, you know, electric automobiles, things like that, but these data centers that 00:33:54.389 --> 00:33:56.389 and 00:33:57.569 --> 00:33:59.569 John. 00:34:00.849 --> 00:34:02.849 We have a lot of people that are being spun up for AI-driven 00:34:03.170 --> 00:34:07.170 information are expanding at rates that are unbelievable in 00:34:07.170 --> 00:34:10.170 some areas around us, and they're drawing an intense 00:34:10.170 --> 00:34:13.170 amount of energy. But there's other reasons, too. 00:34:13.170 --> 00:34:18.170 But I think what we need now is a motion to put this on a 00:34:18.170 --> 00:34:22.170 regularly scheduled agenda item to do away with the agreement 00:34:22.170 --> 00:34:29.590 provider and with Nordic thank you and also a and it will deal with that one 00:34:29.590 --> 00:34:42.130 first. Okay and then we'll also along with that get a motion for staff city 00:34:42.130 --> 00:34:47.550 manager and staff to come up with a plan B for us kind of moving forward. Is it 00:34:47.550 --> 00:34:54.309 Still so moved? Second. Alderman Klemm and Alderman Simmons. Sellers? Sellers, I'm 00:34:54.309 --> 00:35:01.029 sorry. I had the S right. If we have a question. Yes, let me, yeah, can we move 00:35:01.029 --> 00:35:06.909 this to executive session? No. We can't do that. Okay, so it'll be the next 00:35:06.909 --> 00:35:13.070 council meeting. Next council meeting, okay. Anybody else before we, I'm gonna go 00:35:13.070 --> 00:35:38.300 Do you want to take a roll? Okay. Do you want to start it? Thank you, ma'am. Sure. Aye. Simmons. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Abstain. Shadle. Aye. 00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:49.460 Sanders, Sellers, Klemm. The motion passes 6 to 1 with one abstentia. 7-0-1. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:54.940 Thank you very much. You're welcome. Math in my head is not my strong suit. That's 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:59.579 awesome. So that'll carry over to the next regularly scheduled meeting. Item 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:03.739 number, Mike Mudge, thank you again for joining us remotely and explaining kind 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:11.820 Thank you everyone for providing me the time to go down this path and share it with you. 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:12.820 Thank you. 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:13.820 Thank you, sir. 00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:14.820 Have a good night. 00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:19.980 Item number eight is a discussion regarding firefighter health and safety screenings presented 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.980 by Chief Miller. 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:28.820 There's a memo as well as a screening of UDS screening view agreement, or Chief Steekle. 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:30.820 Says Miller on here. 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.820 Yeah. 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:55.820 Thank you all. I'm here tonight on Chief Miller's behalf. He's finishing up with the COVID and will be able to return to us here shortly, but this was very important to our members and he wanted me to make sure that we presented this to you. 00:36:55.820 --> 00:37:25.820 I'll probably need a little assistance from Mr. Zito in what this will may or may not have to form into in the end but I'll just go forward with Chief Miller's thoughts to the Honorable Mayor and members of City Council from Scott Miller, Fire Chief dated March 4th this subject is firefighter health and safety discussion the background Freeport Fire Department has been proactively taking measures to identify 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.820 Fowler. 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:29.940 We have identified and minimized potential exposure to occupational hazards within the 00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:31.300 fire service. 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:37.300 PFAS, or known as Forever Chemicals, have been identified as potential carcinogenic 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.300 sources. 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:39.300 Discussion. 00:37:39.300 --> 00:37:45.500 The department has adopted several policies to diminish exposure to various carcinogens. 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:51.059 Current practices include prompt extracting, which is laundering of our turnout gear after 00:37:51.059 --> 00:37:53.059 and 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:56.079 John. 00:37:57.779 --> 00:37:59.679 We have been working on changing every fire, changing our 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:03.059 protective hoods that protect our head and neck areas and 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:09.059 inhalation pathways of smoke particles via our SCBA. 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:11.059 Additionally, the fire department has eliminated all 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:15.059 storage and use of toxic firefighting foam and replaced 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:19.059 with an environmentally safe class A firefighting foam. 00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:20.059 Huffines. 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:48.420 We are monitoring the development currently of turn out gear and closely meeting with 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:49.420 Fowler. 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:50.420 Thank you. 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:55.340 Thank you to the representatives from each manufacturer to try to understand the timeline 00:38:55.340 --> 00:39:00.320 for when we can possibly purchase the safest gear available. 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:05.019 Members of the Department and the Department Safety Committee have researched this topic 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:12.840 and have found that the Freeport Fire Department has adopted to now industry best practices. 00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:18.720 In addition to reduction of PFAS exposure, monitoring and testing of air quality have 00:39:18.720 --> 00:39:24.920 proven to reduce firefighter mortality by early testing and health examination specifically 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:27.820 related to firefighting operations. 00:39:27.820 --> 00:39:35.400 Such examinations include blood testing, x-rays, and ultrasound examination of certain organs. 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:39.360 The request we are making, members of the department have looked into various health 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:44.360 Health and Safety Testing Companies and have approached the Department's Foreign Fire Insurance 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:51.360 Board to authorize and sponsor health exams for the testing of 45 members of our department. 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:53.920 The safety committee is recommending contracting 00:39:53.920 --> 00:40:00.619 is recommending contracting with United Diagnostic Services UDS for on-site 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:05.619 firefighter health screening funding funding would be available from the 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:10.860 foreign fire insurance board the cost the total cost would be fourteen thou is 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:15.820 is estimated to be fourteen thousand six hundred and twenty five dollars the 00:40:15.820 --> 00:40:19.699 foreign fire insurance board has approved the expenditure to not exceed 00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:20.699 Huffines. 00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:30.780 This is a strategic plan for safe and inclusive community and I'd be happy as much as I am 00:40:30.780 --> 00:40:35.099 able to answer any questions you might have. 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:36.099 Alderman Sanders? 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:48.059 Yeah, I just wanted to understand that at the current state right now, are we going 00:41:48.059 --> 00:41:55.099 to answer your question. We do not currently do any screening of this type within our business. 00:41:55.099 --> 00:42:02.179 Okay. The committee, the board or whoever, is this request something that you guys are 00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:09.900 making after we're discussing this matter tonight? Are you guys are going to continue 00:42:09.900 --> 00:42:17.340 screenings and have a regular type of scheduling program going on that will subject all of 00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:18.340 and the other guys. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:19.340 And I think that's a very important part of the 00:42:19.340 --> 00:42:23.059 firefighter's to these types of screenings where they're, you know, since the insurance 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:31.119 is there and the funding is there, it would be appropriate for us to continue a regular 00:42:31.119 --> 00:42:38.340 type of schedule on the screening process because we don't want guys sick and not notifying 00:42:38.340 --> 00:42:41.059 anyone about what's going on in our lives. 00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:42.139 Yeah, thank you. 00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:44.739 Thanks for asking that. 00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:47.500 This is currently the first screening. 00:42:47.500 --> 00:42:49.139 We have yet to determine whether or not 00:42:49.139 --> 00:42:52.699 this will be annual or every two years. 00:42:52.699 --> 00:42:54.019 This will be the baseline. 00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:57.380 This will be the first for us, 00:42:57.380 --> 00:43:00.900 but it is the hopes of the safety committee 00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:04.179 that we can continue to do this in an ongoing basis. 00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:07.980 This will keep our people safer in the long run, 00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:11.659 and it will, you know, any cancer that's caught early 00:43:11.659 --> 00:43:12.659 Stieckle. 00:43:12.659 --> 00:43:17.780 So I think it's much easier to manage and to deal with if you find it early rather than 00:43:17.780 --> 00:43:18.780 later. 00:43:18.780 --> 00:43:22.500 You're into stage three or stage four and you're not aware of that. 00:43:22.500 --> 00:43:23.500 Absolutely. 00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.500 Absolutely. 00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:25.500 All right. 00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:26.500 Yes, that's... 00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:28.059 Chief Stieckle, a question for you. 00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:36.500 So many years ago, we went through something similar in buildings with wrapped pipes, the 00:43:36.500 --> 00:43:37.500 same type. 00:43:37.500 --> 00:43:38.500 Huffines. 00:43:38.500 --> 00:43:44.760 Does washing the gear is consistently treating and does the gear need to be replaced more 00:43:44.760 --> 00:43:45.760 often? 00:43:45.760 --> 00:43:48.260 Is it dislodging the fibers? 00:43:48.260 --> 00:43:53.039 Is it presenting a greater risk doing some of the things that we're doing or do we know 00:43:53.039 --> 00:43:55.320 yet? 00:43:55.320 --> 00:43:59.239 That's a loaded question and I'll answer it as best as I'm able to. 00:43:59.239 --> 00:44:04.360 So we are taking seriously our gear. 00:44:04.360 --> 00:44:10.800 Some of what we're experiencing with the PFAS is baked in the cake, literally. 00:44:10.800 --> 00:44:20.760 Anything that makes firefighting gear waterproof so that it sheds water or it doesn't allow 00:44:20.760 --> 00:44:28.440 petrochemicals to be absorbed into the material, things like that, are the very products that 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:30.360 have the PFAS in it. 00:44:30.360 --> 00:44:39.239 Foss is essentially any forever chemicals is what makes something waterproof. And so the industry 00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:46.760 is trying at all speed to deal with this. I'm aware of the fact that I believe the state of Illinois 00:44:46.760 --> 00:44:55.000 is going to make it illegal to purchase turnout gear that is not PFOS free in the year 2027. 00:44:55.000 --> 00:45:01.320 With the caveat, if the technology has not been found yet in the textile industry to 00:45:01.320 --> 00:45:06.019 make that possible, they would extend that on a year-by-year basis. 00:45:06.019 --> 00:45:08.599 This seems to be where the industry is heading. 00:45:08.599 --> 00:45:16.159 It is happening with great certainty out on the East Coast. 00:45:16.159 --> 00:45:18.880 Large cities are already pushing this forward. 00:45:18.880 --> 00:45:20.679 They recognize. 00:45:20.679 --> 00:45:24.559 On our department, we're taking the steps to get guys out of their gear. 00:45:24.559 --> 00:45:26.720 if they're not in a fire, if it's not necessary, 00:45:26.720 --> 00:45:29.000 a fire once conditions are safe, 00:45:29.000 --> 00:45:31.760 you know, get your gear off and stuff like that. 00:45:31.760 --> 00:45:35.360 The things that we can change out that touch our skin 00:45:35.360 --> 00:45:37.880 that's mostly exposed, our necks and our heads 00:45:37.880 --> 00:45:40.079 and stuff like that, you know, 00:45:40.079 --> 00:45:44.079 we're putting greater emphasis on cleaning. 00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:47.599 After the fire with wipes, as soon as we get done 00:45:47.599 --> 00:45:49.960 putting all our gear back together and we're back in shape, 00:45:49.960 --> 00:45:52.279 getting back to the stations and showering, 00:45:52.279 --> 00:45:55.480 You know, we're utilizing all the best practices we can. 00:45:55.480 --> 00:45:59.320 Some fire departments are putting saunas in 00:45:59.320 --> 00:46:01.840 because that's where the industry is going. 00:46:01.840 --> 00:46:05.119 That's not where we're at right now, 00:46:05.119 --> 00:46:07.119 but we're doing everything short of that. 00:46:07.119 --> 00:46:12.119 So again, we're already meeting with manufacturing reps. 00:46:12.400 --> 00:46:15.239 We're trying to find out where the industry is at, 00:46:15.239 --> 00:46:17.119 where it will go. 00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:19.159 There is a lot of language out there 00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:24.159 that suggests that gear, no additional PFAS is added, 00:46:25.900 --> 00:46:29.480 known PFAS, a key term, but they won't, 00:46:29.480 --> 00:46:31.519 no one will actually tell you 00:46:31.519 --> 00:46:33.619 that their gear is PFAS free right now. 00:46:33.619 --> 00:46:36.460 And I actually believe personally 00:46:36.460 --> 00:46:39.539 that if the golden unicorn were to be found, 00:46:40.400 --> 00:46:43.679 everybody would be the path to its door. 00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:44.739 Thank you. 00:46:44.739 --> 00:46:46.720 Any other questions? 00:46:46.720 --> 00:46:48.860 Do we have a motion to move this forward? 00:46:48.860 --> 00:47:21.779 Second. We have Alderman Klemm. Yes, because there's an agreement with, um, U.S. UDS. UBS. That wouldn't be approved by the Foreign Fire Board? It already was, right? They've authorized the payment there, but the agreement, there's an agreement with the City of Freeport also. Okay. So we have Klemm and Sellers. Voice vote okay for this one? All of those in favor, please say aye. Aye. 00:47:21.779 --> 00:47:27.539 Opposed? Motion carries, 8 to nothing. Thank you very much, Council. Welcome, thank 00:47:27.539 --> 00:47:32.220 you. Discussion regarding ordinance amending various parts of City of 00:47:32.220 --> 00:47:36.500 Freeport Code of Ordinances regarding the regulation of wells and septic 00:47:36.500 --> 00:47:42.820 systems presented by the other Steele tonight from Fehr Graham. 00:47:42.820 --> 00:47:49.699 So I want to give just a background before I get into the memo. So the City of Freeport 00:47:49.699 --> 00:47:50.699 Freeport. 00:47:50.699 --> 00:47:54.500 Currently we do have some wells and septics within the city limits. 00:47:54.500 --> 00:48:00.400 Those are at residence mostly that are grandfathered in until they don't work anymore. 00:48:00.400 --> 00:48:06.099 So we already have within our codes and ordinances that you can't replace a septic and you can't 00:48:06.099 --> 00:48:08.539 replace a well at this time. 00:48:08.539 --> 00:48:11.940 So I'll get into the background here. 00:48:11.940 --> 00:48:16.579 The public works staff of the city of Freeport conducts ordinance audits throughout the year. 00:48:16.579 --> 00:48:21.579 I've been pretty adamant about doing this here in 2025. 00:48:21.619 --> 00:48:23.820 I have one of our staff members combing through 00:48:23.820 --> 00:48:26.059 all of the water and sewer ordinances. 00:48:26.059 --> 00:48:28.679 A recent audit determined that the ordinances concerning 00:48:28.679 --> 00:48:31.380 private wells and septic systems within the city of Freeport 00:48:31.380 --> 00:48:34.059 show they are outdated and pose potential risks 00:48:34.059 --> 00:48:35.940 to the city's water supply. 00:48:35.940 --> 00:48:39.579 The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 00:48:39.579 --> 00:48:42.860 is requesting all municipalities renew codes and ordinance 00:48:42.860 --> 00:48:45.900 to limit potential contamination and liability 00:48:45.900 --> 00:48:52.820 to city-serve drinking water aquifers by updating these ordinances to 2025 protection standards. 00:48:52.820 --> 00:48:59.019 Freeport has recently invested over $20 million in drinking water wells due to forever chemical 00:48:59.019 --> 00:49:05.139 contamination issues, and this ordinance revision is another method in securing the water supply 00:49:05.139 --> 00:49:08.059 for all the residents and businesses in Freeport. 00:49:08.059 --> 00:49:12.920 I also would like to remind you that we're on the cusp of bidding a new well in Wellhouse 00:49:12.920 --> 00:49:13.920 Huffman. 00:49:13.920 --> 00:49:21.000 So the discussion point is the city is making significant progress in improving water quality 00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:25.400 and continually seeks to provide citizens with safe and clean drinking water. 00:49:25.400 --> 00:49:29.800 To achieve this, the city adheres to strict regulations and guidelines set forth by the 00:49:29.800 --> 00:49:36.720 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal United States Environmental Protection 00:49:36.720 --> 00:49:39.760 Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health. 00:49:39.760 --> 00:49:44.079 The proposed changes to this ordinance align with the regulatory agencies and enhance our 00:49:44.079 --> 00:49:50.860 city's ability to manage stressors and competing demands for our water supply and address potential 00:49:50.860 --> 00:49:52.039 pollutant sources. 00:49:52.039 --> 00:50:20.000 We're trying to protect our investment in our water. The city and the residents and the council have made significant improvements. And we want to make sure that we stay there. There is no financials for this. This is just updating an ordinance that's currently on the books. And the staff recommends that we make sure that the water is clean and that the water is clean. 00:50:20.000 --> 00:50:32.860 Harris, Clarke, Lee. It's just not clear to people that are coming to town that we don't allow wells or subjects. 00:50:34.380 --> 00:50:41.460 fuck this is an old foot discussion yeah okay 00:50:41.460 --> 00:50:46.699 Director Derrick what prompting this when you talking about contamination 00:50:46.699 --> 00:51:06.699 What is prompting this when you're talking about contaminations and the fact that we're ready to invest so many millions of dollars to do a relocation of the existing well? 00:51:06.699 --> 00:51:11.699 What is prompting this? Because I heard the term contamination. 00:51:11.699 --> 00:51:20.500 Are we having a contamination issue at this current time with our water supply and the 00:51:20.500 --> 00:51:24.340 distribution of our water supply throughout the city? 00:51:24.340 --> 00:51:26.460 Are we having an issue with that? 00:51:26.460 --> 00:51:27.460 No. 00:51:27.460 --> 00:51:29.539 Unequivocally, no, we don't have an issue. 00:51:29.539 --> 00:51:30.820 We had an issue. 00:51:30.820 --> 00:51:31.820 It's been resolved. 00:51:31.820 --> 00:51:32.820 It has been resolved. 00:51:32.820 --> 00:51:33.820 Yup. 00:51:33.820 --> 00:51:37.699 And we've been talking about that for several years with the addition of Well 11. 00:51:37.699 --> 00:51:42.659 Levin, and when it came online, we have completely eliminated those sources. 00:51:42.659 --> 00:51:44.340 They're in emergency standby. 00:51:44.340 --> 00:51:47.860 That's why we still need one more water plant, right? 00:51:47.860 --> 00:51:53.179 So we currently do not serve Brick Street to the system unless there's an emergent need. 00:51:53.179 --> 00:51:54.659 So it's kept on standby only. 00:51:54.659 --> 00:52:03.579 Yeah, there is a funding program to install this new well that you're requesting that 00:52:03.579 --> 00:52:04.699 we're opting to do. 00:52:04.699 --> 00:52:11.460 There is a lot of funding in place, not completely funded, but $13.2 million is what we've secured 00:52:11.460 --> 00:52:12.460 for the new well. 00:52:12.460 --> 00:52:16.840 And this is not going to cost the taxpayers anything at this time? 00:52:16.840 --> 00:52:20.940 This ordinance change is just a housekeeping event for the city of Freeport. 00:52:20.940 --> 00:52:27.059 This has nothing to do with anything but protecting the city water supply within the city. 00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:31.699 The county also has ordinances, which right now they have a setback of a thousand feet 00:52:31.699 --> 00:52:36.940 and many others, and we want to create well within this thousand feet of this city. 00:52:36.940 --> 00:52:41.940 And this is just something that is not clear to people that are coming here because it's 00:52:41.940 --> 00:52:44.019 embedded within some of our other codes. 00:52:44.019 --> 00:52:49.400 We want to be clear that wells and septics will no longer be acceptable in the city. 00:52:49.400 --> 00:52:58.039 We serve – I did a quick little study, which I know you're going to be proud of – without 00:52:58.039 --> 00:53:01.639 the exception of the west end of Stevenson Street. 00:53:01.639 --> 00:53:06.280 We serve water to almost every corner of Freeport or we have the ability to get water there 00:53:06.280 --> 00:53:09.440 now with the exception of that one leg of Stephenson Street. 00:53:09.440 --> 00:53:13.000 That's the only kind of area that we don't connect city water to right now. 00:53:13.000 --> 00:53:16.119 So there is a study in progress at this time. 00:53:16.119 --> 00:53:19.119 It's right up here, buddy. 00:53:19.119 --> 00:53:21.960 What if you're not here tomorrow? 00:53:21.960 --> 00:53:24.599 You'll remember it, right? 00:53:24.599 --> 00:53:32.380 Well, my thing is, my thing is, we did a complete survey of the land, property, and everything 00:53:32.380 --> 00:53:42.119 that we want to do the installation and all of these things, there's, what I want to say, 00:53:42.119 --> 00:53:48.920 plan and scheduled for the progress to move it, proceed with it, we have all of that in 00:53:48.920 --> 00:53:49.920 place. 00:53:49.920 --> 00:53:50.920 That's why we approved it last week. 00:53:50.920 --> 00:53:51.920 Oh, okay. 00:53:51.920 --> 00:53:52.920 Okay. 00:53:52.920 --> 00:53:53.920 All right. 00:53:53.920 --> 00:54:03.320 I have a couple questions. How many septic tanks do Freeport house? 00:54:03.320 --> 00:54:12.039 It's an unknown number. I would say we have about roughly 11,000 customers in 00:54:12.039 --> 00:54:22.360 Freeport, maybe, I don't know, maybe five percent. We still have some areas in the 00:54:22.360 --> 00:54:25.920 B. Arcade, I know that are still on septic. 00:54:25.920 --> 00:54:30.159 We had areas like Oak Hill where Greg lives. 00:54:30.159 --> 00:54:33.039 They were completely on septic till we did that. 00:54:33.039 --> 00:54:35.199 I believe some of the houses on Meadowbrook 00:54:35.199 --> 00:54:38.519 are still on septic that I know of. 00:54:38.519 --> 00:54:42.860 There's certain pockets of town that still have septics. 00:54:42.860 --> 00:54:47.440 Are you saying that there's a potential risk 00:54:47.440 --> 00:54:50.000 if this language is not adopted? 00:54:50.000 --> 00:54:50.800 Certainly. 00:54:50.800 --> 00:54:52.000 Yeah, and I'll explain that. 00:54:52.000 --> 00:54:57.720 So anybody that has a residential well, those are not monitored by the city of Freeport directly. 00:54:57.720 --> 00:54:59.440 Those are homeowners property. 00:54:59.440 --> 00:55:07.119 So anybody could go open one of those well caps unbeknownst to us, go over, you know, 00:55:07.119 --> 00:55:10.559 dump antifreeze or whatever they want that would eventually silt down into the city's 00:55:10.559 --> 00:55:11.559 aquifer. 00:55:11.559 --> 00:55:16.360 That is the primary reason it's health and water safety protection. 00:55:16.360 --> 00:55:22.139 the city of Freeport, our public work staff checks our water seven days a week, various 00:55:22.139 --> 00:55:27.340 spots throughout the system to make sure that all the water is up to EPA standards, safe 00:55:27.340 --> 00:55:29.900 and drinking water. 00:55:29.900 --> 00:55:34.159 Somebody that could potentially contaminate or throw a bucket of oil down in the aquifer, 00:55:34.159 --> 00:55:39.500 that could cost the city residents millions of dollars just by look at what PFAS has done. 00:55:39.500 --> 00:55:43.179 We've spent $20 million and we're heading for another $20 million. 00:55:43.179 --> 00:55:46.980 So what we're trying to do is make sure that the aquifer that we're taking our primary 00:55:46.980 --> 00:55:51.739 drinking source water out of has no contaminants, no potential. 00:55:51.739 --> 00:55:56.300 That's why the ordinances that we already have say wells that were within the city. 00:55:56.300 --> 00:56:00.380 Once your well dries up or it needs repair or capping it off and you've got to connect 00:56:00.380 --> 00:56:04.019 to city water because we've already invested in that city water. 00:56:04.019 --> 00:56:10.019 The other thing is an ancillary source of our drinking water is our fire protection. 00:56:10.019 --> 00:56:14.139 So if you are not on the city drinking water, you're really not paying for that infrastructure 00:56:14.139 --> 00:56:18.220 that's going in front of your house, but yet we're going to use it to put your house out. 00:56:18.220 --> 00:56:21.659 Everybody inside the city needs to share that cost, right? 00:56:21.659 --> 00:56:24.340 That's why we have the ready to serve fees that we've passed. 00:56:24.340 --> 00:56:30.000 This is just bringing everything all together, saying if you're in the city of Freeport, 00:56:30.000 --> 00:56:32.300 you're going to eventually connect to the city, right? 00:56:32.300 --> 00:56:34.300 Because your well's not going to last forever. 00:56:34.300 --> 00:56:35.300 Nobody's does. 00:56:35.300 --> 00:56:37.300 Alderman Klemm is next. 00:56:37.300 --> 00:56:38.779 No, I was on target. 00:56:38.779 --> 00:56:39.779 Okay. 00:56:39.779 --> 00:56:44.779 yeah wasn't there a program to do the very thing that we're talking about 00:56:44.779 --> 00:56:54.340 right now in regards to septics and wells and and the program was mandated by 00:56:54.340 --> 00:56:59.059 the federal government or yeah the state order that was the unsecured communities 00:56:59.059 --> 00:57:05.179 grant we've got they want all septics and wells within corporate limits to be 00:57:05.179 --> 00:57:06.179 and John. 00:57:06.179 --> 00:57:08.940 I just wanted to say that we're going to be eliminating it in every town plus that thousand-foot buffer. 00:57:08.940 --> 00:57:16.860 Okay, so what I understand you saying earlier that there was a five percent of those items 00:57:16.860 --> 00:57:20.059 still exist in the ground at this point in time. 00:57:20.059 --> 00:57:22.460 What are we doing to eliminate those? 00:57:22.460 --> 00:57:26.220 So actively, we can't do anything till their systems fail. 00:57:26.220 --> 00:57:29.579 They're grandfathered in, they can keep their system as long as it's active. 00:57:29.579 --> 00:57:33.099 But septics don't last forever, so once they go to a replacement... 00:57:33.099 --> 00:57:40.340 We can't force them to connect if they were already grandfathered in, but once they go 00:57:40.340 --> 00:57:45.139 for a renewal, we don't issue any more permits for wells or septics within the city, so they 00:57:45.139 --> 00:57:46.139 can't renew. 00:57:46.139 --> 00:57:47.139 Okay. 00:57:47.139 --> 00:57:48.139 Okay. 00:57:48.139 --> 00:57:49.139 Paul McLean. 00:57:49.139 --> 00:57:57.099 However, if work's done in that area and the new water and sewer goes through there, 00:57:57.099 --> 00:57:59.820 they have the option to hook up at that time. 00:57:59.820 --> 00:58:00.820 Yeah, correct. 00:58:00.820 --> 00:58:07.820 Stepping back, I guess I should explain this. When we did Bradmar in town, there was people out there with wells and septics. 00:58:07.820 --> 00:58:19.820 When we do new installations of water and sewer, at that time we do heavily discounted and even basically free connections of water and sewer at that time to the houses. 00:58:19.820 --> 00:58:20.820 You didn't say free, did you? 00:58:20.820 --> 00:58:24.820 Well, we do it free to the right of way. We don't do it free on their property. 00:58:24.820 --> 00:58:25.820 Fowler. 00:58:25.820 --> 00:58:30.420 It's up to each person to spend that money from their house to the street to connect, 00:58:30.420 --> 00:58:33.619 but we stub it to their house for nothing as part of the project. 00:58:33.619 --> 00:58:39.380 But there's also connection fees that we have, and connection fees are real fees that people 00:58:39.380 --> 00:58:44.159 pay to connect to the municipality's water or sewer system. 00:58:44.159 --> 00:58:48.940 When we're in an area and we renew the entire street, we run services to every property 00:58:48.940 --> 00:58:53.500 and we give them one time to connect that we don't charge them those fees. 00:58:53.500 --> 00:58:55.900 if they choose not to connect at that time, 00:58:55.900 --> 00:58:57.340 then they have to pay them the next, 00:58:57.340 --> 00:58:59.380 whenever they do hook up, they have to pay them at that time. 00:58:59.380 --> 00:59:01.739 Do we have a program for homeowners, 00:59:01.739 --> 00:59:05.940 residential property owners at the time 00:59:05.940 --> 00:59:08.220 that this kind of construction take place? 00:59:08.220 --> 00:59:09.059 No. 00:59:09.059 --> 00:59:12.460 And if so, you'll find a lot of homeowners 00:59:12.460 --> 00:59:14.420 just can't pay that fee. 00:59:15.539 --> 00:59:18.380 There should be a mechanism in place or program 00:59:18.380 --> 00:59:20.420 or something of that nature 00:59:20.420 --> 00:59:25.019 where they want to connect to the municipality 00:59:25.019 --> 00:59:26.980 but they can't afford to. 00:59:26.980 --> 00:59:31.980 We need something in orbit to allow them to do so. 00:59:32.619 --> 00:59:35.260 People, you know, we've faced this throughout 00:59:35.260 --> 00:59:38.659 some of the projects we've done, Alderman Sanders. 00:59:38.659 --> 00:59:40.820 Realistically, that's, you know, 00:59:40.820 --> 00:59:42.940 a lending option from a bank. 00:59:42.940 --> 00:59:44.220 That's their choice to go to. 00:59:44.220 --> 00:59:45.860 The utility doesn't have the money 00:59:45.860 --> 00:59:48.500 nor the financing mechanism to finance homeowners 00:59:48.500 --> 00:59:50.159 on a five-year payment. 00:59:50.159 --> 00:59:52.239 and the owners on a five-year payment plan for their connection. 00:59:52.239 --> 00:59:57.000 You'll see the city, when we go through and do these connection plans under new, 00:59:57.000 --> 01:00:02.480 we are very reasonably charged for the work as in comparison to somebody renewing this 01:00:02.480 --> 01:00:04.440 with a contractor just doing it on their own. 01:00:04.440 --> 01:00:06.599 It's very, very expensive anymore. 01:00:06.599 --> 01:00:10.599 You can't hardly even do a sewer repair anymore without it costing $6,000. 01:00:10.599 --> 01:00:14.119 So we're very cognizant of that. 01:00:14.119 --> 01:00:15.320 We advertise. 01:00:15.320 --> 01:00:15.920 We get out. 01:00:15.920 --> 01:00:19.119 We publicly let people know, hey, we're coming. 01:00:19.119 --> 01:00:21.840 Now's the time to connect. 01:00:21.840 --> 01:00:23.940 We've had some people fight it, and they find out 01:00:23.940 --> 01:00:25.440 that it ends up costing more later. 01:00:25.440 --> 01:00:28.960 But this ordinance really brings everything full circle, right? 01:00:28.960 --> 01:00:29.760 We all live here. 01:00:29.760 --> 01:00:31.239 We want to protect the water. 01:00:31.239 --> 01:00:33.840 We don't want our water rates and sewer rates 01:00:33.840 --> 01:00:35.440 to continue to climb. 01:00:35.440 --> 01:00:37.719 If we get more contamination, I mean, 01:00:37.719 --> 01:00:39.360 it's up to all of us to pay for it. 01:00:39.360 --> 01:00:42.760 So this type of ordinance protects our system 01:00:42.760 --> 01:00:47.280 from anybody, you know, dumping anything into the ground. 01:00:47.280 --> 01:00:48.840 We have a lot of different codes 01:00:48.840 --> 01:00:50.960 that relate back to this type of ordinance. 01:00:50.960 --> 01:00:53.239 And really it's just a housecleaning item 01:00:53.239 --> 01:00:55.639 to make sure that it's very confident. 01:00:55.639 --> 01:00:58.000 And I will tell you, I didn't make this up on my own. 01:00:58.000 --> 01:01:00.599 I worked with attorney Zito and attorney Cox 01:01:00.599 --> 01:01:03.199 to come up with this along with the compliance as an officer. 01:01:03.199 --> 01:01:05.840 And we all agreed that this met the matrix 01:01:05.840 --> 01:01:06.880 that we think we need. 01:01:06.880 --> 01:01:07.880 Huffines. 01:01:07.880 --> 01:01:08.880 Okay. 01:01:08.880 --> 01:01:09.880 Alderman Stacey. 01:01:09.880 --> 01:01:10.880 Yes. 01:01:10.880 --> 01:01:16.400 So, are you saying rates are climbing due to contamination? 01:01:16.400 --> 01:01:25.320 No, I'm saying that we had to invest in new wells and new water plants, A, because they 01:01:25.320 --> 01:01:31.719 are 100 years old, and B, because of the location that they're at, the PFAS showed up in those 01:01:31.719 --> 01:01:37.960 Wells and obviously as Scott just mentioned PFAS is the hot button for EPA anymore we can't we can't 01:01:37.960 --> 01:01:42.280 serve that in drinking water there's actually legal limits that you can serve we we've chosen 01:01:42.280 --> 01:01:46.840 not to do that to the residents and that's why we've shut that plant off and only have it in 01:01:46.840 --> 01:01:53.960 emergency backup we're we're trying to be as safe and as resident conscious as possible so that's 01:01:53.960 --> 01:01:58.679 why we we test that plant we actually flush that plant and don't turn the water over to the citizens 01:01:58.679 --> 01:01:59.679 Huffines. 01:01:59.679 --> 01:02:02.000 We actually dump it just to keep it for emergency. 01:02:02.000 --> 01:02:07.079 Once well 12 is completely done online and operating well, the Brick Street plant that 01:02:07.079 --> 01:02:13.800 has become the nemesis of it will be completely shut down and we'll have to go after a grant 01:02:13.800 --> 01:02:19.710 to remove it completely and whole. 01:02:19.710 --> 01:02:22.230 Any other questions, comments? 01:02:22.230 --> 01:02:26.730 I'm asking that you guys move this forward to the next meeting and I would like at the 01:02:26.730 --> 01:02:31.889 next meeting to ask if it's potential that we could suspend the rules and adopt this. 01:02:31.889 --> 01:03:03.940 I would like to make a motion that we gather and collect more information. We understand what the ordinance is saying and what is being asked and at the meeting next week we can 01:03:03.940 --> 01:03:04.940 Huffines. 01:03:04.940 --> 01:03:12.380 We're not suspending the rules tonight. 01:03:12.380 --> 01:03:14.099 We have to do that at that meeting. 01:03:14.099 --> 01:03:15.099 So there will be an additional... 01:03:15.099 --> 01:03:17.579 But I don't want them to say, oh, at the cow you are ready. 01:03:17.579 --> 01:03:18.579 No, we... 01:03:18.579 --> 01:03:19.579 Suspended. 01:03:19.579 --> 01:03:20.579 It doesn't count. 01:03:20.579 --> 01:03:21.579 Okay. 01:03:21.579 --> 01:03:22.579 Correct? 01:03:22.579 --> 01:03:23.579 Correct. 01:03:23.579 --> 01:03:24.579 Okay. 01:03:24.579 --> 01:03:27.340 So tonight would just be moving this forward to the next regularly scheduled meeting, 01:03:27.340 --> 01:03:31.659 and then we would have to take a vote to suspend the rules at that time when that meeting comes 01:03:31.659 --> 01:03:32.659 around. 01:03:32.659 --> 01:03:36.960 The only thing I would ask and I'm fine with that motion totally if you have 01:03:36.960 --> 01:03:40.059 questions please reach out to me during the week so we can get those answered 01:03:40.059 --> 01:03:44.619 because if you ask me next Monday I might not be prepared for the question so 01:03:44.619 --> 01:03:49.260 I'm fine to get any answers you wish I just need to know what they are. Okay 01:03:49.260 --> 01:03:56.300 thank you. Sounds good. Regular voice vote. All of those members in favor say 01:03:56.300 --> 01:04:27.610 Aye. Opposed? Motion carries, eight to zero. Item number nine, discussion regarding ordinance amending various, oh, wrong one. Item number 10, discussion regarding bike path status update involving the Freeport Park District Highland Community College and City of Freeport presented by Alderpersons Monroe and Stacy. Do you want to start us off? Yes. I just wanted some discussion 01:04:27.610 --> 01:04:32.110 on where we're at with this matter. 01:04:32.110 --> 01:04:35.130 It was brought to the council. 01:04:35.130 --> 01:04:35.970 It failed. 01:04:35.970 --> 01:04:38.610 It was brought back to the council 01:04:38.610 --> 01:04:44.170 with Mayor Miller breaking the tie. 01:04:44.170 --> 01:04:45.230 It passed. 01:04:46.849 --> 01:04:50.730 The people running for Highland are talking 01:04:50.730 --> 01:04:52.970 about how it's already moving forward 01:04:52.970 --> 01:04:57.610 and in the process of, and nothing has even been said 01:04:57.610 --> 01:04:59.610 are brought back to the council. 01:04:59.610 --> 01:05:01.650 So I would just like some information 01:05:01.650 --> 01:05:03.570 on where we're at with this. 01:05:04.909 --> 01:05:06.369 Manager Boyer. 01:05:06.369 --> 01:05:07.250 Thank you. 01:05:07.250 --> 01:05:09.489 As far as our current status, 01:05:09.489 --> 01:05:11.869 we applied for the ITEP last year, 01:05:11.869 --> 01:05:16.980 I believe that was August? 01:05:16.980 --> 01:05:19.059 They're about, they're about August. 01:05:19.059 --> 01:05:22.260 They're, you know, this is a two year cycle 01:05:22.260 --> 01:05:24.340 and there hasn't really been any updates 01:05:24.340 --> 01:05:26.539 and we haven't received confirmation 01:05:26.539 --> 01:05:29.639 that the ITEP grant has been accepted, so. 01:05:29.639 --> 01:05:35.199 So you're saying it takes two years to find out if? 01:05:35.199 --> 01:05:37.039 I'm not saying it takes two years to find out, 01:05:37.039 --> 01:05:39.679 but it's like a two-year process. 01:05:39.679 --> 01:05:42.679 So as far as the acceptance is concerned, 01:05:42.679 --> 01:05:45.119 I'm sure we'll hear something at some point very soon. 01:05:45.119 --> 01:05:48.119 Yeah, we didn't submit till fall, 01:05:48.119 --> 01:05:49.440 and we don't expect to hear. 01:05:49.440 --> 01:05:51.440 I believe their time frames that they even put out 01:05:51.440 --> 01:05:54.440 is like summer of 2025 before we'll find out, 01:05:54.440 --> 01:05:56.159 and then you get two years to do it. 01:05:56.159 --> 01:05:58.960 So as the status of Freeport, I'm surprised 01:05:58.960 --> 01:06:04.320 By, what you heard because I'm the main communication person and I've heard nothing and said nothing about this project so 01:06:04.840 --> 01:06:11.679 The only thing that's moved forward is the memorandum of understanding that if we get the grant that all three partners would 01:06:11.880 --> 01:06:19.279 Contribute to the match money that is the only thing that's happened there has been no design moving forward there has been no action 01:06:19.279 --> 01:06:21.279 Because there's no project without a grant I 01:06:21.760 --> 01:06:23.760 Thought you did a design 01:06:23.760 --> 01:06:29.840 We just did a concept preliminary of the route, but we don't we haven't done any design money or anything with that that you can't 01:06:30.880 --> 01:06:33.960 IDOTs their type of grants that they do you can't do design 01:06:33.960 --> 01:06:41.440 You can only do concepts if you do grant or if you do designs before the grant you eliminate yourself from receiving the grant 01:06:41.440 --> 01:06:45.099 So you you actually have to pause and wait till you're awarded. Okay, so the 01:06:45.720 --> 01:06:49.039 $90,000 we paid you to do a design was not a design. I 01:06:49.039 --> 01:06:56.440 I don't think you've paid me $90,000 for this. I don't believe we, no, I don't 01:06:56.440 --> 01:07:04.279 You had said it was going to take six to eight months to do a design. They voted on just 01:07:04.279 --> 01:07:05.279 the design. 01:07:05.279 --> 01:07:15.179 I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. What, when was it? 01:07:15.179 --> 01:07:19.659 There was no vote taken on you doing a design only. 01:07:19.659 --> 01:07:26.670 No, ma'am. Not on that project. 01:07:26.670 --> 01:07:30.670 Okay, so can you tell me what project am I mixing this up with? 01:07:30.670 --> 01:07:32.670 It might be the water main. 01:07:32.670 --> 01:07:33.670 No. 01:07:33.670 --> 01:07:34.670 No? 01:07:34.670 --> 01:07:41.099 No. Maybe you're right. 01:07:41.099 --> 01:07:45.099 The 90,000 sounds like the... 01:07:45.099 --> 01:07:47.099 Designed for the water main? 01:07:47.099 --> 01:07:48.099 The water main, yeah. 01:07:48.099 --> 01:07:49.099 Forgive me. 01:07:49.099 --> 01:07:50.099 Yeah. 01:07:50.099 --> 01:07:51.099 Forgive me. 01:07:51.099 --> 01:07:53.099 I mean, it sounds close to that number, yeah. 01:07:53.099 --> 01:07:55.340 So it could be another year and a half 01:07:55.340 --> 01:07:59.940 before we even find out if we get that grant 01:07:59.940 --> 01:08:01.420 for the bike path. 01:08:01.420 --> 01:08:03.920 I will say that I think we will find out 01:08:03.920 --> 01:08:07.420 sometime in the summer of 2025, 01:08:07.420 --> 01:08:11.420 whether we are awarded or denied one of the two. 01:08:11.420 --> 01:08:13.220 And then we'll have up to two years 01:08:13.220 --> 01:08:16.159 to design it and get it to construction. 01:08:16.159 --> 01:08:17.819 That's the way those grants work. 01:08:18.720 --> 01:08:20.460 Alderman Sanders. 01:08:20.460 --> 01:08:21.920 Director Darin. 01:08:21.920 --> 01:08:30.239 speaking of that bike route what I assumed what I understood the last time 01:08:30.239 --> 01:08:39.840 we had this discussion is that this bike path is supposed to be something that 01:08:39.840 --> 01:08:47.920 highlights the whole city of Freeport or the residents of Freeport to have access 01:08:47.920 --> 01:08:52.920 to this bike path, and that it's not designated 01:08:53.479 --> 01:08:57.760 for a particular area, because there's no plan. 01:08:57.760 --> 01:09:01.000 If there's no plan, it's not set in stone yet. 01:09:01.000 --> 01:09:02.720 Am I correct? 01:09:02.720 --> 01:09:04.880 Not exactly, and I'll clarify, 01:09:04.880 --> 01:09:07.739 because when you approved the grant submission 01:09:07.739 --> 01:09:09.119 for this particular project, 01:09:09.119 --> 01:09:11.319 there was a concept plan put out there, 01:09:11.319 --> 01:09:14.479 and this particular grant had, I believe, 01:09:14.479 --> 01:09:16.180 two or three key components. 01:09:16.180 --> 01:09:19.500 you had to tie to schools, you had to tie to neighborhoods 01:09:19.500 --> 01:09:21.000 and you had to tie to shopping. 01:09:22.220 --> 01:09:25.819 And so the project that was laid out at that time 01:09:25.819 --> 01:09:30.020 was connecting from, I'm gonna call it 01:09:30.020 --> 01:09:32.600 West Cherokee Hills, Sandy Point area 01:09:32.600 --> 01:09:34.699 where there's the bike path out there, 01:09:34.699 --> 01:09:39.340 going around Highland, back down Pearl City Road 01:09:39.340 --> 01:09:41.920 through Reed Park and going out the back of Reed Park 01:09:41.920 --> 01:09:44.500 to connect to the mall area. 01:09:44.500 --> 01:09:47.940 and then there was another leg that was shown that would connect out to the Walmart. 01:09:47.940 --> 01:09:50.319 So that was shown that would connect out to the Wal-Mart segment, so there was walking 01:09:50.319 --> 01:09:51.319 or... 01:09:51.319 --> 01:09:52.319 You mean Crate Park? 01:09:52.319 --> 01:09:53.319 Crate Park. 01:09:53.319 --> 01:09:54.319 Yeah, excuse me. 01:09:54.319 --> 01:09:55.319 Okay. 01:09:55.319 --> 01:09:58.319 So that is not serving all of Freeport. 01:09:58.319 --> 01:10:02.000 We're talking about residential as well, am I correct? 01:10:02.000 --> 01:10:03.000 Yes. 01:10:03.000 --> 01:10:09.439 That is what my mindset was on when I last talked to you about that. 01:10:09.439 --> 01:10:14.439 is that cover the Freeport residents here in Freeport 01:10:15.039 --> 01:10:18.479 where it's not placed in a particular area 01:10:18.479 --> 01:10:20.600 where it only serve a few. 01:10:20.600 --> 01:10:24.039 And so my understanding was when we talked 01:10:24.039 --> 01:10:27.920 is that it will serve the residents of Freeport. 01:10:29.399 --> 01:10:30.479 That's my understanding. 01:10:30.479 --> 01:10:32.199 There's residents all over Freeport. 01:10:32.199 --> 01:10:33.560 Yeah, I understand, but. 01:10:33.560 --> 01:10:38.359 And that map was supplied with the packet that you voted on. 01:10:38.359 --> 01:10:40.479 We never give any of that without the packet. 01:10:40.479 --> 01:10:45.720 So that was the entire route was laid out in the packet for the grant. 01:10:45.720 --> 01:10:50.720 So I can't speak to what we talked about eight months ago, but that path was completely laid 01:10:50.720 --> 01:10:52.020 out. 01:10:52.020 --> 01:10:55.560 And that's what we voted on was the grant with those three partners. 01:10:55.560 --> 01:10:59.680 Because remember, we're using Highland to help pay for the Highland portion. 01:10:59.680 --> 01:11:03.079 We're using the park to help pay for the park portion, right? 01:11:03.079 --> 01:11:04.079 and John. 01:11:04.079 --> 01:11:08.840 We can't single-handedly absorb that much match money and or grant money at the same 01:11:08.840 --> 01:11:09.840 time. 01:11:09.840 --> 01:11:10.840 So we had to bring partners. 01:11:10.840 --> 01:11:16.239 So what is the city portion of this discussion? 01:11:16.239 --> 01:11:17.720 What do we talk about then? 01:11:17.720 --> 01:11:23.479 Because if we're talking about shares, if we're talking about shares, then when you 01:11:23.479 --> 01:11:24.479 start... 01:11:24.479 --> 01:11:27.079 I believe it's a total match of $360,000, right? 01:11:27.079 --> 01:11:28.079 Yeah. 01:11:28.079 --> 01:11:34.000 All of it, regardless of where you're getting the grant, if the city of Freeport has to 01:11:34.000 --> 01:11:43.000 participate, are we a part of that grant, if the city is part of that grant, and then 01:11:43.000 --> 01:11:50.840 inclusion of the residents, if this is coming from the city, whatever share the city is 01:11:50.840 --> 01:11:52.840 Miller, and John. 01:11:53.960 --> 01:11:56.060 And I would like to ask you, if you're implementing for this 01:11:56.060 --> 01:11:58.060 program, 01:11:59.340 --> 01:12:02.760 we're talking taxpayers, dollars, and more. Am I correct on 01:12:02.760 --> 01:12:04.760 this? 01:12:05.859 --> 01:12:09.800 My point is if the city begins to implement in this project 01:12:09.800 --> 01:12:15.720 program, it takes funding to do so. And if that is the case, 01:12:15.720 --> 01:12:17.720 where do those funds come from? 01:12:17.720 --> 01:12:24.720 We created 120,000 out of the 360,000 matches in the city. Each partner's match, I believe, was 120. 01:12:24.720 --> 01:12:28.720 But where's the fundings coming from? That's what we need to know. 01:12:28.720 --> 01:12:34.720 General fund. City Freeport General Fund. That was what was assigned in the MOU that the council approved. 01:12:34.720 --> 01:12:36.720 Okay. Okay. 01:12:36.720 --> 01:12:43.720 And that's what's in the budget for when the project, if we are awarded the project. If we're not awarded, then it won't be used. 01:12:43.720 --> 01:12:45.720 Year over year. 01:12:45.720 --> 01:12:49.800 it'll revolve back into the central. 01:12:49.800 --> 01:12:53.520 Well, these types of grants are only available every other year. 01:12:53.520 --> 01:12:54.600 They're not available. 01:12:54.600 --> 01:12:56.000 They're only available on the evening. 01:12:56.000 --> 01:12:57.159 No, I'm talking about the city funding. 01:12:57.159 --> 01:12:57.659 Yeah. 01:12:57.659 --> 01:13:01.079 So when we did the strategic planning of the budget, 01:13:01.079 --> 01:13:04.640 we budgeted some money in 25 and some money in 26 01:13:04.640 --> 01:13:05.800 to spread it out because it's not 01:13:05.800 --> 01:13:07.039 going to get done in one year. 01:13:07.039 --> 01:13:07.539 Right. 01:13:07.539 --> 01:13:09.720 And the way these grants work is the city 01:13:09.720 --> 01:13:12.880 has to expend their match money and Highland 01:13:12.880 --> 01:13:15.159 and the park would have to expend their match money 01:13:15.159 --> 01:13:17.020 before you'd get any grant money, right? 01:13:17.020 --> 01:13:19.479 The match money gets spent first. 01:13:19.479 --> 01:13:20.380 Okay. 01:13:20.380 --> 01:13:21.399 Yep. 01:13:21.399 --> 01:13:23.479 Any additional questions? 01:13:23.479 --> 01:13:25.220 Any comments? 01:13:26.119 --> 01:13:27.899 This does not need a motion to move forward, 01:13:27.899 --> 01:13:32.140 so we will move on to item number 11. 01:13:32.140 --> 01:13:36.100 Discussion regarding a status update 01:13:36.100 --> 01:13:38.659 on the Watermain extension on West Stevenson Street, 01:13:38.659 --> 01:13:40.460 including Open Bible. 01:13:42.300 --> 01:13:43.720 Alderman Stacey, would you like to? 01:13:43.720 --> 01:13:44.560 Thank you. 01:13:44.560 --> 01:13:52.180 Alderman Monroe, and it should have read discussion regarding status update on the 01:13:52.180 --> 01:14:02.000 open Bible water main. That's what it should have read. And so I would like to 01:14:02.000 --> 01:14:16.739 know where we're at with that process. Director, Darren, our city manager, Boyer? 01:14:16.739 --> 01:14:23.140 Sure, I'd be happy to update you. First of all, the water main extension, it does 01:14:23.140 --> 01:14:27.899 provide water to Open Bible, but it also provides water to approximately ten 01:14:27.899 --> 01:14:33.979 households and also Highlands Project research field there. With that being 01:14:33.979 --> 01:14:39.380 said, the permit was... What was that last part? Highland is working on a, like a 01:14:39.380 --> 01:14:45.300 field, like a research field there to the east of the Open Bible property in 01:14:45.300 --> 01:14:47.819 between the park and Open Bible. 01:14:47.819 --> 01:14:51.060 So there's gonna be bathroom facilities and things 01:14:51.060 --> 01:14:53.100 that that water would go to. 01:14:53.100 --> 01:14:55.859 With that being said, the permit was approved 01:14:55.859 --> 01:15:00.859 by the US or the IEPA and we're currently working 01:15:00.859 --> 01:15:05.859 on a plan to bring before council to construct that. 01:15:05.939 --> 01:15:10.939 Okay, so when will we gonna find out that it was approved? 01:15:14.859 --> 01:15:16.739 When was it approved? 01:15:16.739 --> 01:15:19.699 We're just saying the permit was approved, not construction. 01:15:19.699 --> 01:15:23.260 So Illinois EPA has to approve our design plans 01:15:23.260 --> 01:15:26.500 to be constructable, which they've done. 01:15:26.500 --> 01:15:27.699 Nothing else has been done. 01:15:27.699 --> 01:15:29.899 OK, that's what I'm saying. 01:15:29.899 --> 01:15:34.619 When was the design plans approved? 01:15:34.619 --> 01:15:36.420 January, I believe. 01:15:36.420 --> 01:15:37.859 In January, they were approved. 01:15:37.859 --> 01:15:40.380 And we've been looking for funding since then. 01:15:40.380 --> 01:15:43.539 And so why couldn't we receive an update on that? 01:15:43.539 --> 01:15:46.260 And it's like you've already planning, 01:15:46.260 --> 01:15:48.619 and we have not gone that far. 01:15:48.619 --> 01:15:50.420 You're planning for Stevenson Street. 01:15:50.420 --> 01:15:52.819 You're planning for Open Bible. 01:15:52.819 --> 01:15:58.140 Now you're planning for Highland. 01:15:58.140 --> 01:16:01.619 Council approved the putting together the plan 01:16:01.619 --> 01:16:03.939 and submitting for the permit with IEPA. 01:16:03.939 --> 01:16:05.659 That's what we've done. 01:16:05.659 --> 01:16:09.340 We approved for the design, Darren did only. 01:16:09.340 --> 01:16:11.939 We approve for design and that was part of submitting 01:16:11.939 --> 01:16:13.579 to the EPA to get a permit. 01:16:13.579 --> 01:16:17.420 Okay, but you just named three different avenues 01:16:17.420 --> 01:16:18.939 that's moving forward. 01:16:19.979 --> 01:16:23.180 I'd simply redefined the title of this, 01:16:23.180 --> 01:16:25.739 which is Yes, Open Bible. 01:16:25.739 --> 01:16:30.300 It's also several, probably seven homes 01:16:30.300 --> 01:16:33.380 and Highland College's research plot. 01:16:33.380 --> 01:16:35.579 So I just wanted to make sure that was clear. 01:16:35.579 --> 01:16:39.140 Okay, you can make sure that that's clear. 01:16:39.140 --> 01:16:42.979 However, when it was brought to the council, 01:16:42.979 --> 01:16:47.979 We were asked to put in a water main at Open Bible 01:16:50.279 --> 01:16:52.920 because 25 years ago, 01:16:54.319 --> 01:16:59.319 the public works person shook hands with a principal 01:17:01.100 --> 01:17:07.319 and said the city would do it for free. 01:17:07.319 --> 01:17:26.300 And when we didn't go for it, 01:17:26.300 --> 01:17:30.479 then you started adding Stevenson Street, 01:17:30.479 --> 01:17:35.479 then you started adding nine or 10 other residents. 01:17:35.680 --> 01:17:42.319 And my questions, Director Darren, 01:17:44.000 --> 01:17:47.359 about this ordinance and the language change 01:17:49.300 --> 01:17:51.340 was all due to this question. 01:17:52.479 --> 01:17:59.439 Because what's gonna happen now to open Bibles well 01:17:59.760 --> 01:18:02.720 so that we don't have no choice 01:18:02.720 --> 01:18:05.180 but to give them a water main. 01:18:06.819 --> 01:18:11.520 So just to be absolutely clear with everyone, 01:18:12.399 --> 01:18:15.760 item number nine has nothing whatsoever to do 01:18:15.760 --> 01:18:17.479 with open Bible or their well. 01:18:17.479 --> 01:18:20.140 They have a well, they are grandfathered in 01:18:20.140 --> 01:18:22.960 to have that well and they can have it as long as it works. 01:18:22.960 --> 01:18:25.760 It has nothing to do with this item whatsoever. 01:18:25.760 --> 01:18:28.840 That other ordinance pertains to everything 01:18:28.840 --> 01:18:30.699 within the city limits. 01:18:30.699 --> 01:18:33.539 I had nothing in mind with Open Bible whatsoever 01:18:33.539 --> 01:18:34.559 with this situation. 01:18:34.559 --> 01:18:36.859 So I want to be absolutely and totally clear 01:18:36.859 --> 01:18:39.619 has nothing, one has nothing to do with the other. 01:18:40.579 --> 01:18:42.420 Open Bible gets to keep that well 01:18:42.420 --> 01:18:45.100 as long as they don't have city water 01:18:45.100 --> 01:18:46.979 because when we bring water up there 01:18:46.979 --> 01:18:49.359 they'll have the ready to serve fee if they don't connect 01:18:49.359 --> 01:18:52.779 which obviously they will, but until we bring it there 01:18:52.779 --> 01:18:54.539 they have the right to keep that well. 01:18:54.539 --> 01:18:58.539 And anybody that connect is at their expense 100%. 01:18:58.539 --> 01:19:03.539 to, yeah, they will have to connect from the right away. 01:19:04.460 --> 01:19:09.180 So again, when we build water mains, we run new water main, 01:19:09.180 --> 01:19:11.500 which is our responsibility in the services. 01:19:11.500 --> 01:19:13.619 We run them to every house to the right away. 01:19:13.619 --> 01:19:15.539 That is our responsibility as a city. 01:19:15.539 --> 01:19:17.579 That's what we own. 01:19:17.579 --> 01:19:21.260 And then the connection from that piece to the house, 01:19:21.260 --> 01:19:24.199 that becomes the owner's cost, no matter who it is. 01:19:24.199 --> 01:19:27.420 We can't, that's spending public money on private property 01:19:27.420 --> 01:19:31.409 and we can't do that. 01:19:31.409 --> 01:19:32.869 Alderman Sanders. 01:19:34.609 --> 01:19:36.750 Let me help you out. 01:19:38.470 --> 01:19:39.510 I need a lot of help. 01:19:39.510 --> 01:19:44.130 Yeah, yeah, because as we're speaking, things are changing. 01:19:44.130 --> 01:19:45.890 The same, the same. 01:19:45.890 --> 01:19:50.399 the same the same information we talked about last year about this particular 01:19:50.399 --> 01:19:57.600 program and we did not go forward with it the languages are still changing what 01:19:57.600 --> 01:20:06.039 was said back then is not being said today but my thing is what is prompting 01:20:06.039 --> 01:20:12.520 this water main at one point some million dollars to be installed first of 01:20:12.520 --> 01:20:20.640 of all. What is prompting this taxpayer's dollars for running such a water main if we're 01:20:20.640 --> 01:20:28.159 not obligated to put a water main down this particular, I don't know how many feet it 01:20:28.159 --> 01:20:29.640 is or whatever it is, but- 01:20:29.640 --> 01:20:31.539 Twenty-two hundred feet. 01:20:31.539 --> 01:20:38.520 Whatever it is, it's not something that taxpayers just want to take 1.7 million dollars and 01:20:38.520 --> 01:20:41.239 just stick it in the ground, just to stick it in the ground 01:20:41.239 --> 01:20:46.239 unless we're requested to do so, a purpose for it, 01:20:48.119 --> 01:20:49.840 unless we're obligated. 01:20:49.840 --> 01:20:54.600 If there's a mandate that the city is liable to do this, 01:20:54.600 --> 01:20:56.560 where is this coming from? 01:20:57.479 --> 01:21:01.760 Who is making this motion that we do such a thing? 01:21:01.760 --> 01:21:03.920 To install something in the ground 01:21:03.920 --> 01:21:08.359 that specifically don't serve anyone 01:21:08.359 --> 01:21:14.479 before it is even put in the ground at one point some million dollars. 01:21:14.479 --> 01:21:20.960 My thing is, why are we opening up the ground for one point some million dollars just to 01:21:20.960 --> 01:21:23.960 stick a pipe in there? 01:21:23.960 --> 01:21:24.960 I'd like to answer that. 01:21:24.960 --> 01:21:26.100 Yeah, go ahead. 01:21:26.100 --> 01:21:31.560 So there is absolutely some confusion with this council, and it's getting very taxing. 01:21:31.560 --> 01:21:33.560 No, I'm talking right now. 01:21:33.560 --> 01:21:35.560 You can respond. 01:21:35.560 --> 01:21:39.020 There is no intent to build this main at this time. 01:21:39.020 --> 01:21:41.079 Nobody's asked to build it. 01:21:41.079 --> 01:21:43.199 Nobody has ever said we're building it. 01:21:43.199 --> 01:21:48.319 We designed it so we could have it shovel ready, which is where we're at right now. 01:21:48.319 --> 01:21:53.319 If you go back to the comments from when we approved the design, we said we would move 01:21:53.319 --> 01:21:58.720 it forward, get it shovel ready, get it EPA permitted, and look for funds to do it. 01:21:58.720 --> 01:22:00.039 That is where we're at. 01:22:00.039 --> 01:22:01.460 That is what we've done. 01:22:01.460 --> 01:22:03.560 We fulfilled our promise. 01:22:03.560 --> 01:22:06.439 Nobody's asking to build this today. 01:22:06.439 --> 01:22:08.960 Nobody's asking to build it tomorrow. 01:22:08.960 --> 01:22:11.279 We're trying to figure out a way to get it done. 01:22:11.279 --> 01:22:17.039 We have been weekly shopping, if you will, for grants, looking for any avenue to get 01:22:17.039 --> 01:22:20.319 this paid for, and we have not been successful so far. 01:22:20.319 --> 01:22:21.319 So that's the status. 01:22:21.319 --> 01:22:28.119 Well, my thing is, why are we investing our time trying to install a water main that's 01:22:28.119 --> 01:22:34.359 it's not going to serve nobody currently or what's the purpose of it for it's not 01:22:34.359 --> 01:22:38.579 going to serve why are we sticking it in the ground that's 1.4 million or 01:22:38.579 --> 01:22:43.279 whatever million dollars that we're using of taxpayers dollars to install 01:22:43.279 --> 01:22:47.739 something in the ground just to let it sit there until someone decides they 01:22:47.739 --> 01:22:54.659 want to connect to it why are we doing that well because if we build it open 01:22:54.659 --> 01:22:58.640 Bibles going to connect to it immediately because they've requested it. So you asked 01:22:58.640 --> 01:23:03.579 who requested it, they requested it. They requested it 25 years ago. There's 12 other 01:23:03.579 --> 01:23:08.539 residents of the city of Freeport that live in that corridor, and they will connect. They 01:23:08.539 --> 01:23:13.539 did not request that 25 years ago. It doesn't matter what they requested. It does. We have 01:23:13.539 --> 01:23:18.859 a responsibility. It does matter. Let them answer. We have a responsibility as the city 01:23:18.859 --> 01:23:26.220 Freeport to feed our constituents water, potable water, if they want it. We have a responsibility. 01:23:26.220 --> 01:23:30.220 That's what these ordinances are right. They can't just go drill new wells. We're not going 01:23:30.220 --> 01:23:35.619 to let them. We have a responsibility to serve water and sewer to anyone within the city 01:23:35.619 --> 01:23:40.779 limits that wants it. That is our job as a municipality. That's why we charge for it. 01:23:40.779 --> 01:23:46.539 That's what utility rates are all about. Well, from my discussion and everything about this, 01:23:46.539 --> 01:23:51.220 they didn't want this water main to connect to initially. 01:23:51.220 --> 01:23:54.539 I don't know why you're digging up stuff that is not true. 01:23:54.539 --> 01:23:55.539 That's not true. 01:23:55.539 --> 01:23:56.699 Oh, okay. 01:23:56.699 --> 01:23:57.699 They wanted it. 01:23:58.939 --> 01:23:59.819 They wanted it. 01:23:59.819 --> 01:24:00.659 Okay. 01:24:00.659 --> 01:24:02.020 But they wanted it for free. 01:24:03.460 --> 01:24:04.859 Okay. 01:24:04.859 --> 01:24:07.460 They wanted it, but they wanted it for free. 01:24:07.460 --> 01:24:11.380 They wanted it at taxpayers money, dollars, 01:24:11.380 --> 01:24:13.500 and it's a not for profit organization. 01:24:13.500 --> 01:24:16.300 My complaint was all the time is, 01:24:16.300 --> 01:24:25.100 Do the city accommodate any establishment entity at all if they're non-for-profit? 01:24:25.100 --> 01:24:30.939 We're in the business of installing things like that when it comes to other non-for-profit 01:24:30.939 --> 01:24:39.500 entities to invest taxpayers' dollars to put in the ground just for the notion that 01:24:39.500 --> 01:24:43.460 an open Bible might want to connect to it because they still may not want to connect 01:24:43.460 --> 01:24:48.779 as far as I know but the point of the matter is there's there's money going 01:24:48.779 --> 01:24:54.579 into the ground and yeah well that's the that's the whole requesting the whole 01:24:54.579 --> 01:24:59.380 premise of our discussion. Let me let Mayor Miller. I just want to bring a 01:24:59.380 --> 01:25:03.460 little clarity just in discussions that I've had with the director there they've 01:25:03.460 --> 01:25:07.659 never asked for something for free they've always had the intent that when 01:25:07.659 --> 01:25:11.939 the line is there they would be like anyone else any other business any other 01:25:11.939 --> 01:25:30.899 I'm just curious if we're actually having discussion on the update of this or whether we're arguing 01:25:30.899 --> 01:25:34.739 the point that isn't even in front of us yet. 01:25:34.739 --> 01:25:39.060 Well, we're discussing the update. 01:25:39.060 --> 01:25:44.060 However, when it was first brought to the council, 01:25:46.390 --> 01:25:51.390 City Manager Boyer asked us to do this 01:25:52.390 --> 01:25:54.989 for open Bible for free. 01:25:56.149 --> 01:25:58.369 That's what he was asking. 01:25:58.369 --> 01:26:05.670 Because we needed to respect what 01:26:05.670 --> 01:26:09.149 this community development person had promised 01:26:09.989 --> 01:26:14.989 but as long as they were getting those inspections 01:26:15.350 --> 01:26:20.350 waived for not having a sprinkler system, it was okay. 01:26:22.989 --> 01:26:27.989 But when it came down to our firemen doing the inspection 01:26:28.390 --> 01:26:32.710 and realizing there was no water sprinkler, 01:26:32.710 --> 01:26:42.949 then the ball changed and that was the 25 years later. 01:26:42.949 --> 01:27:01.510 Yeah, so I think we have discussed this area a lot and everybody involved, which is I think no one here admits that there's a major error 25 years ago that this didn't get pulled forward. 01:27:02.390 --> 01:27:07.630 We can't blame people that aren't here anymore and we fully take responsibility for it. 01:27:07.630 --> 01:27:12.329 but I take responsibility for calling it the open Bible water main extension that's completely 01:27:12.329 --> 01:27:19.909 my fault 100% Darren Stiegel's fault I called it that because I didn't have a better name 01:27:19.909 --> 01:27:26.569 for it at the time but that's what it came to council as yeah but but so I just picked 01:27:26.569 --> 01:27:32.130 the name to put on the permit said it wasn't a title it wasn't a mission it was just a 01:27:32.130 --> 01:27:36.329 A name of the project, just like we named Adams Avenue. 01:27:36.329 --> 01:27:39.729 Is the city liable for that water main to be installed? 01:27:39.729 --> 01:27:42.529 Is there an ordinance saying that we are liable for that? 01:27:42.529 --> 01:27:44.210 We are responsible to serve water. 01:27:44.210 --> 01:27:45.810 No, answer my question. 01:27:45.810 --> 01:27:47.090 It's not a liability thing. 01:27:47.090 --> 01:27:48.130 Nobody else can install it. 01:27:48.130 --> 01:27:53.050 Are we liable as taxpayers to put that water main in that ground? 01:27:53.050 --> 01:27:54.250 Are we liable? 01:27:54.250 --> 01:28:02.810 Answer that question. 01:28:02.810 --> 01:28:06.050 I'm not going to get into it on an open floor as to whether or not 01:28:06.050 --> 01:28:08.649 the city is obligated, responsible, liable 01:28:08.649 --> 01:28:12.649 for something because that's not to the city's advantage to admit anything whatsoever, okay? 01:28:13.310 --> 01:28:19.409 So, but I will say that there are potential obligations of the city based off prior acts, comments, 01:28:19.609 --> 01:28:21.770 affirmations made by city staff back then. 01:28:22.649 --> 01:28:25.510 Whether or not a judge would say that we are absolutely responsible for it, 01:28:25.690 --> 01:28:27.210 I don't know unless and until we're in court. 01:28:27.750 --> 01:28:30.130 I don't want to find out if we're in court, you know, necessarily. 01:28:30.130 --> 01:28:33.069 I don't think the city wants to necessarily go that route, but maybe it does. 01:28:33.229 --> 01:28:35.550 That's for you guys to decide at the end of the day. 01:28:35.550 --> 01:28:41.970 there's a lot of talk around this this project talking about you know should we 01:28:41.970 --> 01:28:45.309 do this are we obligated to do this you know from from what was said in the past 01:28:45.309 --> 01:28:47.850 at the end of the day it really doesn't matter what happened in the past it's 01:28:47.850 --> 01:28:50.630 good to know I'm not saying that we should not talk about what happened in 01:28:50.630 --> 01:28:55.029 the past but what it all boils down to is what the elected City Council wants 01:28:55.029 --> 01:28:58.789 to do now if you don't want to extend the water don't extend the water if you 01:28:58.789 --> 01:29:02.909 want to extend the water extend the water you can have whatever reason you 01:29:02.909 --> 01:29:03.069 Shea, and 01:29:03.170 --> 01:29:06.309 you want for it. Justification for how you vote, that's fine. But that's the bottom 01:29:06.309 --> 01:29:10.630 line. If the council votes to not move it forward, then you don't move it forward. But 01:29:10.630 --> 01:29:15.390 if you guys choose to the majority says build it, then you build it. That's it. It's simple. 01:29:15.390 --> 01:29:21.909 Well, let me interject this mischaritization of what this is all about and what we're talking 01:29:21.909 --> 01:29:28.550 about to even be talking about it at this time on the floor, we have already visit that 01:29:28.550 --> 01:29:35.190 area. And what we're trying to do is bring something up where misinformation is being 01:29:35.190 --> 01:29:43.750 provided at this time. And so my thing is, I object to the fact that this is being brought 01:29:43.750 --> 01:29:44.250 B. 01:29:44.250 --> 01:29:47.399 So I think that this is being brought before us again without understanding whether we 01:29:47.399 --> 01:29:53.760 are liable or there's an ordinance that we promised something or made an agreement. 01:29:53.760 --> 01:29:56.239 We have not seen anything in writing. 01:29:56.239 --> 01:30:02.079 We need to explore this a little bit more before we commit the taxpayers money. 01:30:02.079 --> 01:30:04.079 We're not there, honey. 01:30:04.079 --> 01:30:05.079 Yeah. 01:30:05.079 --> 01:30:06.079 We're not there. 01:30:06.079 --> 01:30:07.079 Okay. 01:30:07.079 --> 01:30:08.079 We're not there yet? 01:30:08.079 --> 01:30:09.079 Okay. 01:30:09.079 --> 01:30:10.079 We're not there. 01:30:10.079 --> 01:30:11.079 I'd like to point out that- 01:30:11.079 --> 01:30:20.079 So, at this time, Alderman Sanders, there's nothing being moved forward. What's on the agenda right now was simply an update. 01:30:20.079 --> 01:30:29.079 The nutshell summary of the update is that Fehr Graham has gone and designed the work, which is what was authorized by council, 01:30:29.079 --> 01:30:39.079 and then the permit's been issued, and now they are looking for funding for that. That was all that was agreed to back then, a few months ago, there. 01:30:39.079 --> 01:30:45.039 there if they're if they find no funding then it's gonna have to come back to the 01:30:45.039 --> 01:30:48.239 council and say hey we didn't find any funding what do you guys want to do and 01:30:48.239 --> 01:30:52.699 then the council will decide okay well we didn't find funding then maybe we vote 01:30:52.699 --> 01:30:56.319 and say no we're not moving forward or the council can say well even without 01:30:56.319 --> 01:31:00.680 funding you know we're gonna find the money somewhere and we're gonna move 01:31:00.680 --> 01:31:04.039 forward with it that's up for you guys to decide at that time that's that's not 01:31:04.039 --> 01:31:34.039 I have to object with you, attorney Zito. Rocky, that's how it is honey. No, no it isn't. That is how it is right now. Yeah, oh okay, well what I'm, what I'm, what I'm trying to say is this, we're speaking in like, we're speaking as though we're going to make a move or vote for something that we have not even. We're not. Okay. Nothing's, nothing's happening tonight. It was just a status update where we're at, what's going on. 01:31:34.039 --> 01:31:35.640 that's all it was supposed to be. 01:31:35.640 --> 01:31:39.079 So we will move on to item number 12. 01:31:39.079 --> 01:31:42.439 Discussion regarding the costs and impact of events 01:31:42.439 --> 01:31:45.960 on city of Freeport services presented by myself 01:31:45.960 --> 01:31:47.640 and Alderman Sanders. 01:31:48.960 --> 01:31:50.720 I'll start this off if that's okay. 01:31:50.720 --> 01:31:52.439 Yes, sir. 01:31:52.439 --> 01:31:57.159 So there's been a lot of discussion about different events 01:31:57.159 --> 01:32:00.760 and things happening, you know, that in a lot of ways 01:32:00.760 --> 01:32:05.479 would require council, you know, approval, 01:32:05.479 --> 01:32:08.680 as well as spending money on services, 01:32:08.680 --> 01:32:11.520 may it be police, fire, whatever it might be, 01:32:11.520 --> 01:32:13.079 city services, blocking roads, 01:32:13.079 --> 01:32:15.399 doing all the types of things it takes away 01:32:15.399 --> 01:32:18.159 from our daily tasks, the planning meetings, 01:32:18.159 --> 01:32:19.279 things like that. 01:32:19.279 --> 01:32:22.640 So the questions that really came to my mind, 01:32:22.640 --> 01:32:25.119 you know, what were the actual costs to the city 01:32:26.199 --> 01:32:28.479 for these events that we've done? 01:32:28.479 --> 01:32:32.680 you know I've heard a lot of different things you know kind of back and forth 01:32:32.680 --> 01:32:38.640 question I had popped up was overtime you know things like that were there 01:32:38.640 --> 01:32:41.600 overtime were people scheduled to work those shifts did we bring in extra 01:32:41.600 --> 01:32:47.960 patrols you know did we you know put city services at you know a point that 01:32:47.960 --> 01:32:53.840 we you know probably needed more you know or was everything okay and I that's 01:32:53.840 --> 01:32:54.840 Miller. 01:32:54.840 --> 01:32:59.199 So that's why I put this on here, put an end to the discussion and the concerns, hopefully 01:32:59.199 --> 01:33:04.479 be able to get to the bottom of where we are and what it actually cost us and if this is 01:33:04.479 --> 01:33:09.899 something we should budget in on a regular basis or have discussions about moving forward 01:33:09.899 --> 01:33:17.359 because I have heard from a couple of people that I've heard, yes, we would approve anything 01:33:17.359 --> 01:33:21.319 for anybody who brought a festival or something forward, but I've also heard from other people 01:33:21.319 --> 01:33:23.619 that said they've been denied these services. 01:33:23.619 --> 01:33:28.180 So the question that I'm bringing to the table now is to have a conversation about, you know, 01:33:28.180 --> 01:33:32.420 what we spent on each of these, you know, what we kind of did. 01:33:32.420 --> 01:33:36.720 And that's why, you know, I put on here, you know, just a couple just to have a conversation 01:33:36.720 --> 01:33:43.180 about city manager, mayor, fire chief, police chief kind of go over this because, you know, 01:33:43.180 --> 01:33:48.159 I think our public works even, you know, because we are blocking streets are we are taking 01:33:48.159 --> 01:33:49.159 time to do things. 01:33:49.159 --> 01:33:50.619 There are clean up things like that. 01:33:50.619 --> 01:33:55.579 and I just wanted to make sure all of it was captured. 01:33:55.579 --> 01:33:59.460 Do we, I don't know if staff had a chance 01:33:59.460 --> 01:34:02.140 to kind of take a look and see if. 01:34:02.140 --> 01:34:05.180 Staff has actually not had a chance to look this over 01:34:05.180 --> 01:34:09.140 and do the research necessary and if it's council's will 01:34:09.140 --> 01:34:11.500 to move forward with an effort to do so, 01:34:11.500 --> 01:34:15.109 I'll be happy to comply. 01:34:15.109 --> 01:34:16.310 Ask a question. Sure. 01:34:17.310 --> 01:34:19.029 Why are we just picking these two? 01:34:19.029 --> 01:34:22.149 Why wouldn't we also want to look at what it would cost 01:34:22.149 --> 01:34:25.750 Yoo, can I just add for like, don't they do like, cruise night, paint the port, you 01:34:25.750 --> 01:34:30.329 know, all those different activities that we have that also takes city time too, so 01:34:30.329 --> 01:34:31.789 why just these two? 01:34:31.789 --> 01:34:37.189 I think these two, it was more of a, I picked the two bigger events, the one that was, you 01:34:37.189 --> 01:34:41.930 know, out the county fairgrounds, we do have a lot of city police officers, we, you know, 01:34:41.930 --> 01:34:45.810 auxiliary, other pieces, I know auxiliary doesn't have a cost to it, but just trying 01:34:45.810 --> 01:34:52.289 to understand from that kind of a standpoint. It was not necessarily to isolate these two 01:34:52.289 --> 01:34:57.489 organizations. It was more of just to pick one that was a for-profit, which I didn't even know 01:34:57.489 --> 01:35:01.810 before I started looking into this that Stevenson County Fair wasn't part of Stevenson County. It's 01:35:01.810 --> 01:35:08.529 a Stevenson County Fair Association, which is a for-profit entity, not a not-for-profit entity, 01:35:08.529 --> 01:35:12.130 and Freeport Festival because it's, gentlemen says wrong. 01:35:17.649 --> 01:35:20.930 OK, interesting. 01:35:20.930 --> 01:35:22.210 So that would be wrong on there. 01:35:22.210 --> 01:35:23.810 OK, understood there. 01:35:25.250 --> 01:35:28.689 But the other was the Freeport Festivals does take a lot more. 01:35:28.689 --> 01:35:31.489 Well, I would say cruise night also takes quite a bit. 01:35:31.489 --> 01:35:35.970 So, you know, I I would like to make a motion, at least at this point. 01:35:35.970 --> 01:35:38.369 I know you've got questions, but I'll let you ask a question. 01:35:38.369 --> 01:35:40.930 Yeah, I just wanted to chime in on this one. 01:35:40.930 --> 01:35:50.409 to find out who's organizing the festivals and cruise nights and things of this nature 01:35:50.409 --> 01:36:00.770 because there's funding that has to be exhausted in order to conduct these type of events. 01:36:00.770 --> 01:36:07.710 So my thing is who's organizing it, what committee that's in charge of it, and any monies that 01:36:07.710 --> 01:36:21.710 and others that are being fundal to these particular programs or these events, where the funding is coming from, and who's the oversight or overseers of these particular events. 01:36:21.710 --> 01:36:28.710 I like to get right down to the basics of how we got here, how we got here and how it was organized. 01:36:28.710 --> 01:36:58.710 and John. I would like to explain a lot of things to me to understand what is really happening and how do we get where we're at and why we're having these events and who's constructing them. That's what I like to understand. Who are the individuals that are making these proposals that we should have these events? I like to get right up to the basics of the foundation of it, you know, which right now we're just floating over things and just letting it happen. 01:36:58.710 --> 01:37:05.829 and we can't do that we have to we got a whole whoever it is responsible for the 01:37:05.829 --> 01:37:11.470 outcome and not only that the managing of the funds and how it is dispersed where 01:37:11.470 --> 01:37:16.010 where's these funds coming from because taxpayers that are involved in this some 01:37:16.010 --> 01:37:22.029 kind of way but I have not explored it completely but the thing about it is we 01:37:22.029 --> 01:37:30.590 need to know where the nuts and bolts are that's operating this machine. So what 01:37:30.590 --> 01:37:35.390 would you need manager Boyer to kind of move forward with direction on this to 01:37:35.390 --> 01:37:40.350 kind of pull forward at least since it sounds like everything is not-for-profit 01:37:40.350 --> 01:37:45.630 to pull forward you know what each of these events cost the city how much 01:37:45.630 --> 01:37:49.789 time would you need you know what what would it take to pull this together I 01:37:49.789 --> 01:37:55.789 I think just the authorization to direct staff to do the research and come back with the report. 01:37:55.789 --> 01:37:57.789 How much time? 01:37:57.789 --> 01:37:59.789 A couple of months. 01:37:59.789 --> 01:38:03.789 It could be a little while. I'm not precisely sure. 01:38:03.789 --> 01:38:07.789 And just for a point of clarity, are you talking about everything that's permitted? 01:38:07.789 --> 01:38:13.359 By state, I don't understand the question. 01:38:13.359 --> 01:38:15.359 and the rest of the board. 01:38:15.359 --> 01:38:17.359 Thank you. 01:38:17.359 --> 01:38:19.359 Thank you. 01:38:19.359 --> 01:38:21.359 Thank you for the question. 01:38:21.359 --> 01:38:24.359 Well, the clerk receives a lot of permits from the memorial day 01:38:24.359 --> 01:38:27.359 parade to, you know, music on Chicago stuff. 01:38:27.359 --> 01:38:31.359 I mean, there's just a ton of things that are permitted that 01:38:31.359 --> 01:38:33.359 are you looking at? 01:38:33.359 --> 01:38:36.359 I mean, if you're going to evaluate, you might as well 01:38:36.359 --> 01:38:38.359 evaluate everything. 01:38:38.359 --> 01:38:40.359 Sure. 01:38:40.359 --> 01:38:41.359 Huffines. 01:38:41.359 --> 01:38:46.680 Where are the taxpayers, to what extent, to what extent are the taxpayers paying for these 01:38:46.680 --> 01:38:47.680 events? 01:38:47.680 --> 01:38:55.039 I don't care what it is that the city is doing, what entity, whatever organization doing anything, 01:38:55.039 --> 01:39:00.619 where does the taxpayers at the end of the day, where are their fundings, where are the 01:39:00.619 --> 01:39:05.159 fundings for these events and programs? 01:39:05.159 --> 01:39:06.159 Where is it coming from? 01:39:06.159 --> 01:39:07.159 Go ahead. 01:39:07.159 --> 01:39:12.760 I'd just like to as long as we're discussing this and adding everything in 01:39:12.760 --> 01:39:17.319 the world into it that we've never talked about before I'd like to also see 01:39:17.319 --> 01:39:23.079 how much money this brings into the city of Freeport for all the businesses and 01:39:23.079 --> 01:39:27.079 everything else that's been mentioned by the two or three people that spoke 01:39:27.079 --> 01:39:31.520 beforehand. Tourism dollars are a big thing here and last year I believe we 01:39:31.520 --> 01:39:34.800 we bought 50 some million dollars worth then. 01:39:34.800 --> 01:39:37.399 So I think that justifies some of this, 01:39:37.399 --> 01:39:40.239 but as long as we're looking at what everything costs 01:39:40.239 --> 01:39:41.840 and why we're doing everything. 01:39:41.840 --> 01:39:44.439 Knauss, and why we're doing everything, let's take a look at how beneficial it is to us. 01:39:44.439 --> 01:39:48.720 Yeah, I don't disagree with that. I think the concern right now is that we don't know 01:39:48.720 --> 01:39:55.520 if we spend $10 or $10 million. We have no clue how many dollars are being spent on these 01:39:55.520 --> 01:40:03.979 events, personnel, hours, vehicle time, all of that. And I do think whenever you're running 01:40:03.979 --> 01:40:09.979 a business, there is a cost benefit analysis that goes into this. And we want to make sure 01:40:09.979 --> 01:40:10.979 Fowler. 01:40:10.979 --> 01:40:15.399 I want to make sure that what we're doing isn't the best interest of Freeport and quite honestly 01:40:15.399 --> 01:40:20.899 Cruise Night, this is my opinion, everybody's got an opinion, Cruise Night used to be a 01:40:20.899 --> 01:40:22.060 lot better than it is. 01:40:22.060 --> 01:40:27.300 Now it's all spread out, it's not as tight, used to be a lot more stuff going on downtown, 01:40:27.300 --> 01:40:29.520 it's kind of an afterthought. 01:40:29.520 --> 01:40:34.699 But I think what we've had, some of these events have been really positive for the city, 01:40:34.699 --> 01:40:36.000 others haven't been. 01:40:36.000 --> 01:40:41.359 and I think it's wise to at least step back and at least have the conversation to look 01:40:41.359 --> 01:40:46.880 into, do we want to continue to do all of these different events and are we using a 01:40:46.880 --> 01:40:51.920 fair amount of taxpayer dollars to make these happen that we could be putting toward, you 01:40:51.920 --> 01:40:57.279 know, the question came up a few weeks ago about $25,000 for lights, where's that going 01:40:57.279 --> 01:40:58.279 to come from? 01:40:58.279 --> 01:41:04.479 Well, if we're spending $25,000 on something that isn't bringing as much to the city as 01:41:04.479 --> 01:41:14.779 Bates, and Mark, and I think that's the only conversation that's coming up. 01:41:14.779 --> 01:41:21.220 And at least make sure what we're doing, you know, because even with 503-C1s, you know, 01:41:21.220 --> 01:41:24.899 you do have the potential for money to be paid out to individuals. 01:41:24.899 --> 01:41:30.979 And I think it's important that we ensure that if we're providing something at no charge 01:41:30.979 --> 01:41:31.979 Miller. 01:41:31.979 --> 01:41:43.539 I think that's a smart thing to do, you know, there are rules for all of these things within 01:41:43.539 --> 01:41:45.680 the IRS and everything else. 01:41:45.680 --> 01:41:51.760 Under certain amounts, things are not reportable, and I just want to make sure that what we 01:41:51.760 --> 01:41:55.659 are doing is the best interest of the City of Freeport and its citizens and every tax 01:41:55.659 --> 01:41:56.659 dollar that we spend. 01:41:56.659 --> 01:41:57.659 Alderman Sellers? 01:41:57.659 --> 01:41:58.659 Sellers. 01:41:58.659 --> 01:42:06.659 I just want to say also that we know that you have to spend money to make money. 01:42:06.659 --> 01:42:12.539 And you know that any time we have, you have any events within our community, we're going 01:42:12.539 --> 01:42:17.579 to have to have police and fire, we're going to have to have these people working to make 01:42:17.579 --> 01:42:19.539 sure that it's safe. 01:42:19.539 --> 01:42:24.699 We want to have events in our community to draw people into our community to see what 01:42:24.699 --> 01:42:25.699 we have. 01:42:25.699 --> 01:42:30.619 you don't want us to, I mean I think Tutti Baker days or whatever Freeport 01:42:30.619 --> 01:42:34.859 festival whatever they want to call it it has brought a lot of people into our 01:42:34.859 --> 01:42:41.579 community the the fair has brought a lot of people what is it the cruise night I 01:42:41.579 --> 01:42:45.739 mean paint the port all of those things have and we have to spend money to make 01:42:45.739 --> 01:42:46.739 Huffines. 01:42:46.739 --> 01:42:48.079 We make money, and we know that. 01:42:48.079 --> 01:42:57.739 So I think it's just something we're just kind of fussing about. 01:42:57.739 --> 01:43:01.579 I mean, when has it ever come up before? 01:43:01.579 --> 01:43:02.579 That's what I want to know. 01:43:02.579 --> 01:43:07.979 When has these items with cruise night, as long as it's been, a night on Chicago, how 01:43:07.979 --> 01:43:14.460 long has that been, all these different nights, when did it ever come up before? 01:43:14.460 --> 01:43:15.460 That's what I just want to know. 01:43:15.460 --> 01:43:17.380 Why is it such a problem now? 01:43:17.380 --> 01:43:21.579 Where there's new sheriffs in town, you know. 01:43:21.579 --> 01:43:24.260 You can't keep doing things the old way. 01:43:25.180 --> 01:43:29.079 Sometimes you gotta go with the change of the atmosphere. 01:43:29.079 --> 01:43:32.319 And my thing is when someone says, 01:43:32.319 --> 01:43:36.319 I need a permit for this, I need a permit for that, 01:43:36.319 --> 01:43:41.340 and then the city gets involved in what these permits 01:43:41.340 --> 01:43:43.699 for whatever committee, entity or whatever, 01:43:43.699 --> 01:43:51.380 that's information that is data information that if we as council wants to know who are these 01:43:52.260 --> 01:43:59.220 permitters and who are requesting permits for any event or anything that is happening 01:43:59.859 --> 01:44:07.220 then council has a right to ask the question and get the answers of who are the permittees and 01:44:07.220 --> 01:44:12.819 then we can follow up from there and how things are organized. We've given our permits without 01:44:12.819 --> 01:44:14.819 and John. 01:44:15.819 --> 01:44:18.819 I don't believe that I'm hearing this. And if it's not organized, 01:44:19.819 --> 01:44:22.819 there's something that we want to do that's not organized. We 01:44:23.819 --> 01:44:26.819 got to have a permit to do so. So I'd like to know who are these 01:44:27.819 --> 01:44:29.819 individuals who are getting permits to do anything throughout 01:44:30.819 --> 01:44:32.819 the city. 01:44:33.819 --> 01:44:36.819 And I'll put this out there. So if I, as an employee at a 01:44:37.819 --> 01:44:40.819 company, I go to a national convention and there's a group 01:44:40.819 --> 01:44:44.260 and there's a group of people from my company goes to that national convention. 01:44:44.260 --> 01:44:52.220 We know down to the penny about everything that was spent at that event and we are accountable 01:44:52.220 --> 01:44:56.899 for that spending and here in the city of Freeport we are not and the question that 01:44:56.899 --> 01:45:03.220 I've got for you, I'll tell you why it's got to change because I keep getting told 01:45:03.220 --> 01:45:09.739 it's another cup of coffee that I'm going to get charged for a $200 water bill, for 01:45:09.739 --> 01:45:14.899 and I have a $150 fee to have some clown from Chicago roll out here and look at my pipe 01:45:14.899 --> 01:45:20.100 connected to my house that it's not going to backwash into the sewer. 01:45:20.100 --> 01:45:26.100 All of the costs come to me, the people putting these festivals on need to pay for them themselves. 01:45:26.100 --> 01:45:27.739 That's where it's coming from. 01:45:27.739 --> 01:45:33.500 And what we've gotten ourselves into a hole, and you're defending, which it doesn't surprise 01:45:33.500 --> 01:45:34.500 me. 01:45:34.500 --> 01:45:39.060 No, no, no, no, no, I'm telling you why, I'm giving you the why. 01:45:39.060 --> 01:45:46.939 it's because it's because is Rand Jodi and the Stevenson County Fair is Rob's 01:45:46.939 --> 01:45:52.420 wife is that what fair that's a fair question and I'm telling you straight up 01:45:52.420 --> 01:45:58.939 I think all of them have to be questioned and and the reason why is if 01:45:58.939 --> 01:46:04.739 I'm going to pay for it I need to know what my costs are as a person who lives 01:46:04.739 --> 01:46:05.739 Huffines. 01:46:05.739 --> 01:46:24.539 We've raised all the fees for that, that's why this is coming up because the people in 01:46:24.539 --> 01:46:30.819 this community want our leaders held accountable and we've not been doing a good job. 01:46:30.819 --> 01:46:31.819 Fowler. 01:46:31.819 --> 01:46:34.899 I take as much credit as anybody would get on that. 01:46:34.899 --> 01:46:38.300 I should have been holding people more accountable from the get-go. 01:46:38.300 --> 01:46:39.300 There's not enough. 01:46:39.300 --> 01:46:44.260 What I'm saying is, why wasn't the question saying for every event? 01:46:44.260 --> 01:46:46.180 Well, I just put these down as examples. 01:46:46.180 --> 01:46:47.180 Transparency. 01:46:47.180 --> 01:46:48.180 Yeah, I'm trying... 01:46:48.180 --> 01:46:50.020 Hey, if you would have said every event... 01:46:50.020 --> 01:46:51.020 There's not enough transparency. 01:46:51.020 --> 01:46:52.500 That's where I'm at. 01:46:52.500 --> 01:46:53.500 Yeah. 01:46:53.500 --> 01:46:55.579 So once we establish transparency... 01:46:55.579 --> 01:46:56.579 Alderman Clems. 01:46:56.579 --> 01:46:57.579 He's got the floor. 01:46:57.579 --> 01:46:58.579 Sorry. 01:46:58.579 --> 01:46:59.579 ...then we might get somewhere. 01:46:59.579 --> 01:47:00.579 Alderman Clems. 01:47:00.579 --> 01:47:07.060 I just like to, as everybody's tallying up all this stuff, okay, for everybody, keep 01:47:07.060 --> 01:47:10.739 track of how much time you waste and how much it costs you, because every one of 01:47:10.739 --> 01:47:16.100 you guys got another job to do also. So when you ask for this X amount allowance, 01:47:16.100 --> 01:47:21.340 ask for something down the line, and they say, I can't, I'm working on how much it 01:47:21.340 --> 01:47:26.260 costs to have the fire department have a fire truck downtown that you guys got 01:47:26.260 --> 01:47:32.100 Tattou. Let's stop and take where we're really going here. First, you've got a 01:47:32.100 --> 01:47:36.739 motion and you've got a second. You haven't passed it to move forward yet. 01:47:36.739 --> 01:47:45.520 Alderman Shadle? Was there a motion? Not yet. I don't think so. Yeah, we're having a 01:47:45.520 --> 01:47:51.840 discussion. I make a motion to table it indefinitely. Well, that's your opinion. 01:47:51.840 --> 01:48:02.640 is there a second we have a motion to table it from Alderman Clem and a 01:48:02.640 --> 01:48:10.399 second from Alderman Parker discussion actually what discussion just on the 01:48:10.399 --> 01:48:26.800 We just allowed Boyer a month or so to get information gathered up for us, and he committed 01:48:26.800 --> 01:48:27.800 to that. 01:48:27.800 --> 01:48:30.720 Well, that wasn't the direction of the council, though, Cecelia, it hadn't gotten to that 01:48:30.720 --> 01:48:32.279 point. 01:48:32.279 --> 01:48:35.960 We need a resolution for this. 01:48:35.960 --> 01:48:36.960 We need a resolution. 01:48:36.960 --> 01:48:37.960 Hang on one second. 01:48:37.960 --> 01:48:38.960 Okay. 01:48:38.960 --> 01:48:39.960 Okay. 01:48:39.960 --> 01:48:47.159 Alderman Monroe had asked about wanting to he said I want to make a motion to 01:48:47.159 --> 01:48:53.079 direct staff to look into the cost sounds like the revenues as well of all 01:48:53.079 --> 01:48:57.640 festivals there he asked Alderman Boyer how long do you think it would take he 01:48:57.640 --> 01:49:01.520 said he wasn't sure you know they might could take a little bit there but you 01:49:01.520 --> 01:49:05.199 didn't actually make that motion and there wasn't because conversations was 01:49:05.199 --> 01:49:06.720 still discussing there. 01:49:06.720 --> 01:49:10.239 So there wasn't a motion yet made on that, okay? 01:49:10.239 --> 01:49:11.559 You would agree with that? 01:49:11.559 --> 01:49:12.399 I would agree. 01:49:12.399 --> 01:49:13.220 So make the motion. 01:49:13.220 --> 01:49:14.239 I can't, no, he's tabled it. 01:49:14.239 --> 01:49:15.420 Of course you can. 01:49:15.420 --> 01:49:16.840 Well, he's made a motion. 01:49:16.840 --> 01:49:17.680 Alderman Klemm now has made a motion. 01:49:17.680 --> 01:49:20.159 But you can make a motion on top of a motion. 01:49:21.199 --> 01:49:23.640 Not these motions yet. 01:49:23.640 --> 01:49:27.239 So you have to deal with the subsidiary motion first there. 01:49:27.239 --> 01:49:29.720 So he has a motion to postpone indefinitely, 01:49:29.720 --> 01:49:31.100 seconded by Alderman Parker. 01:49:31.100 --> 01:49:32.800 We're in discussion on that. 01:49:32.800 --> 01:49:35.300 if that passes, then the item is postponed indefinitely. 01:49:35.300 --> 01:49:37.440 If it doesn't pass, then you guys are right back 01:49:37.440 --> 01:49:40.079 to where we were and Alderman Monroe can. 01:49:40.079 --> 01:49:43.920 where we were and Alderman Monroe can then make his motion to instruct staff to look 01:49:43.920 --> 01:49:45.840 into this, okay? 01:49:45.840 --> 01:49:48.279 This is a trip. 01:49:48.279 --> 01:49:54.560 What's on the floor is just a motion to table it indefinitely. 01:49:54.560 --> 01:49:55.560 That's the motion. 01:49:55.560 --> 01:49:56.560 Yeah. 01:49:56.560 --> 01:49:58.760 I have something to say. 01:49:58.760 --> 01:50:00.239 Go ahead. 01:50:00.239 --> 01:50:01.239 Sure. 01:50:01.239 --> 01:50:02.760 It has to be on the table. 01:50:02.760 --> 01:50:07.840 It's about other person, Klemm, would you be willing to withdraw your motion to table 01:50:07.840 --> 01:50:14.920 if the request was just for what did the city directly write a check towards versus all 01:50:14.920 --> 01:50:21.239 the indefinite costs? Would you be willing to have that information revealed? 01:50:21.239 --> 01:50:25.640 Say that exactly what you said again. Say it in your mic. 01:50:25.640 --> 01:50:33.279 Versus being buried with numbers and information, we really just would like to know what amount 01:50:33.279 --> 01:50:39.359 has the city given like we voted to give a large amount to the Tutti-Baker Day 01:50:39.359 --> 01:50:43.680 organization to make sure that that happened if we're asking for those 01:50:43.680 --> 01:50:48.319 amounts how much did the city actually pay towards this or that which would 01:50:48.319 --> 01:50:52.840 eliminate a lot of work for city staff but it was still answer the question of 01:50:52.840 --> 01:51:04.960 what is the city directly contributing if you're asking for no 01:51:04.960 --> 01:51:05.960 Huffines. 01:51:05.960 --> 01:51:06.960 You just don't know. 01:51:06.960 --> 01:51:07.960 Period. 01:51:07.960 --> 01:51:08.960 No. 01:51:08.960 --> 01:51:09.960 You're just not going to answer? 01:51:09.960 --> 01:51:10.960 Larry. 01:51:10.960 --> 01:51:11.960 Oh. 01:51:11.960 --> 01:51:12.960 Larry. 01:51:12.960 --> 01:51:13.960 I made a motion. 01:51:13.960 --> 01:51:14.960 Yeah. 01:51:14.960 --> 01:51:15.960 I mean, we can vote on it. 01:51:15.960 --> 01:51:16.960 That's the question? 01:51:16.960 --> 01:51:17.960 Sometimes it's good to be silent. 01:51:17.960 --> 01:51:21.399 Why don't you try it once? 01:51:21.399 --> 01:51:22.399 Sometimes it's just that. 01:51:22.399 --> 01:51:23.399 Alderman Monroe? 01:51:23.399 --> 01:51:24.399 Yes. 01:51:24.399 --> 01:51:25.399 Alderman Sellers. 01:51:25.399 --> 01:51:33.239 So, are you also saying, Alderman Simmons, just on these two things to find out how much 01:51:33.239 --> 01:51:39.880 We're paying or for any event what do we if the city has written a check to that 01:51:39.880 --> 01:51:44.640 organization to sponsor that event yes okay I doubt there will be that many 01:51:44.640 --> 01:51:54.479 events that fall under that category don't yeah that's not yeah I just see 01:51:54.479 --> 01:52:02.920 what what we have given any event okay W you want to okay you start us off 01:52:02.920 --> 01:52:07.159 Monroe. So this is just so everyone knows what we're voting on right now. This is 01:52:07.159 --> 01:52:12.399 strictly the motion to postpone this topic indefinitely, okay? A no vote would 01:52:12.399 --> 01:52:16.960 be to vote against tabling it. Correct. A yes vote is in favor of tabling it. 01:52:16.960 --> 01:52:34.930 Monroe? No. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Sorry, am I interrupting you? 01:52:34.930 --> 01:52:40.930 No. I can make my own motions. I can move. I'm not bothering you. I believe you are. 01:52:40.930 --> 01:52:42.930 Oh, you got a problem. 01:52:44.930 --> 01:52:45.930 Sanders? 01:52:45.930 --> 01:52:47.930 Uh, no. 01:52:47.930 --> 01:52:48.930 Sellers? 01:52:48.930 --> 01:52:55.930 The only reason why I'm saying no is because I would like to see what we have given other ones, so... 01:52:55.930 --> 01:52:56.930 Klemm? 01:52:56.930 --> 01:52:58.930 Why do you have to give an explanation? 01:52:58.930 --> 01:52:59.930 Because I want to. 01:52:59.930 --> 01:53:01.930 Don't worry about what I do. 01:53:01.930 --> 01:53:03.930 That's what I want to do. 01:53:03.930 --> 01:53:04.930 Shhh! 01:53:04.930 --> 01:53:07.449 Alderperson Klemm, what say you? 01:53:07.449 --> 01:53:08.449 Aye. 01:53:08.449 --> 01:53:11.130 Yeah, go to the back. 01:53:11.130 --> 01:53:16.050 It fails, five to three, well wait a second, is that the correct terminology? 01:53:16.050 --> 01:53:17.050 Yeah. 01:53:17.050 --> 01:53:18.050 Yeah, the postponement fails. 01:53:18.050 --> 01:53:21.289 Okay. 01:53:21.289 --> 01:53:22.729 Don't leave the room yet. 01:53:22.729 --> 01:53:24.890 Save yourself 30 seconds. 01:53:24.890 --> 01:53:26.729 I'm going to make a motion. 01:53:26.729 --> 01:53:28.770 Excuse me, can I interrupt? 01:53:28.770 --> 01:53:39.770 I took the floor a substantial amount of time ago, never said a word, got interrupted with a motion, so we just took care of that. 01:53:39.770 --> 01:53:43.770 Can I at least have a chance? 01:53:43.770 --> 01:53:44.770 I gave you the floor. 01:53:44.770 --> 01:53:46.770 Well and I got interrupted. 01:53:46.770 --> 01:53:47.770 Okay. 01:53:47.770 --> 01:53:49.770 So here we are. 01:53:49.770 --> 01:53:59.850 I was going to make a motion to give staff ample time to get this figured out in amongst 01:53:59.850 --> 01:54:08.569 their daily workings and bring it back at say the June or July COW and talk about it 01:54:08.569 --> 01:54:14.060 then. 01:54:14.060 --> 01:54:18.220 If you have a motion then you have to ask the question. 01:54:18.220 --> 01:54:23.699 So when he had a motion, why wasn't the question asked? 01:54:23.699 --> 01:54:25.300 I got her interrupted as well. 01:54:25.300 --> 01:54:26.300 So I... 01:54:26.300 --> 01:54:27.300 Yeah. 01:54:27.300 --> 01:54:29.300 And then I think you said, well, I'll wait to make a motion. 01:54:29.300 --> 01:54:30.300 Yeah. 01:54:30.300 --> 01:54:31.300 So... 01:54:31.300 --> 01:54:32.300 Because of discussion. 01:54:32.300 --> 01:54:37.390 He asked, he said that he would. 01:54:37.390 --> 01:54:40.829 Because I had a couple of hands, that's why. 01:54:40.829 --> 01:54:41.829 Yeah. 01:54:41.829 --> 01:54:46.840 Do we have a second to that motion? 01:54:46.840 --> 01:54:47.840 Second to Shadle's? 01:54:47.840 --> 01:54:48.840 Third. 01:54:48.840 --> 01:54:49.840 I'll second it. 01:54:49.840 --> 01:54:50.840 Yeah. 01:54:50.840 --> 01:54:51.840 Klemm did too. 01:54:51.840 --> 01:54:56.199 We have Shadle made a motion, Klemm seconded. 01:54:56.199 --> 01:55:05.600 The motion is to delay until July, June, I don't know whenever, is it July or June? 01:55:05.600 --> 01:55:07.720 Let's say July for clarification. 01:55:07.720 --> 01:55:08.720 Okay. 01:55:08.720 --> 01:55:09.720 Discussion? 01:55:09.720 --> 01:55:12.159 Do what? 01:55:12.159 --> 01:55:17.720 So to basically to instruct staff to look into the costs of all the various festivals 01:55:17.720 --> 01:55:26.470 and events, no matter. 01:55:26.470 --> 01:55:30.390 So discussion? 01:55:30.390 --> 01:55:31.390 Alderman Stacey? 01:55:31.390 --> 01:55:32.390 Yes. 01:55:32.390 --> 01:55:37.550 I don't think we should wait until June or July. 01:55:37.550 --> 01:55:50.430 As I recall, one council meeting, we had 460 plus pages that we had to read through and 01:55:50.430 --> 01:56:01.239 had to be prepared from 540 on a Friday and we had to be prepared Monday. 01:56:01.239 --> 01:56:13.739 What we're asking should not be that hard and I don't see why we need four or five months 01:56:13.739 --> 01:56:17.539 to get that answer. 01:56:17.539 --> 01:56:19.979 If we take a month, we take a month. 01:56:19.979 --> 01:56:23.300 for four or five month is absolutely ridiculous 01:56:25.619 --> 01:56:30.619 compared to what is expected of us as older people. 01:56:33.300 --> 01:56:34.420 Alderman Klemm. 01:56:34.420 --> 01:56:36.739 Yeah, if I take a look at this agenda, 01:56:39.539 --> 01:56:43.060 as of Wednesday or so, there were four items on it. 01:56:44.300 --> 01:56:47.220 There are certain people that it's Monroe in this 01:56:47.220 --> 01:56:50.500 or Monroe in that or Sanders in this 01:56:50.500 --> 01:56:56.479 and Stacy in that that have brought up at least eight items in an executive session that we've 01:56:56.479 --> 01:57:02.260 had no time to repair for, no information to look at. 01:57:02.260 --> 01:57:05.060 We never know when there's an executive session. 01:57:05.060 --> 01:57:10.020 We never know until after we adjourn and it's said executive session. 01:57:10.020 --> 01:57:17.439 And I have asked that it be stated on the agenda that we know in advance when there's 01:57:17.439 --> 01:57:18.439 Huffines. 01:57:18.439 --> 01:57:19.439 It's an executive session. 01:57:19.439 --> 01:57:23.039 And I understand that you guys asked for one. 01:57:23.039 --> 01:57:28.880 I don't know nothing about it, so all these eight things that you brought up from Friday 01:57:28.880 --> 01:57:37.000 or whatever are all new to all of us, so we're just discussing them just like you went to. 01:57:37.000 --> 01:57:44.159 Executive session, it tells you the last bullet point tells you what the executive session 01:57:44.159 --> 01:57:45.159 is about. 01:57:45.159 --> 01:57:53.890 it's right there on the agenda any other conversation about this one could you 01:57:53.890 --> 01:58:01.170 repeat that so basically this is a vote to look into the expenditures associated 01:58:01.170 --> 01:58:07.090 with the actual costs to the city of Freeport for all of the events that we 01:58:07.090 --> 01:58:12.529 you know each and every event yeah well yeah I I want us to make sure that the 01:58:12.529 --> 01:58:21.270 who are in charge of these events give us some kind of acknowledgement that such an event 01:58:21.270 --> 01:58:28.309 is going to take place and who's in charge, what organization is running these committees 01:58:28.309 --> 01:58:37.329 and things of this nature, what is the breakdown of how much it would take taxpayers' involvement 01:58:37.329 --> 01:58:41.829 in these particular programs and I'd like to know who's the committee or organizations 01:58:41.829 --> 01:58:49.130 Huffines that are running these programs. That's what I'd like to know. And if council know 01:58:49.130 --> 01:58:56.590 anything about that, I would appreciate them talking to council members so we're not out 01:58:56.590 --> 01:59:02.750 here on limbo land trying to figure out what is going on with festivals and events. 01:59:02.750 --> 01:59:05.270 Alderman Sanders, that's what we're trying to find out. 01:59:05.270 --> 01:59:06.270 That's what we're doing. 01:59:06.270 --> 01:59:07.750 I know. I know. I know that's what we're trying to find out. 01:59:07.750 --> 01:59:09.250 So let's move forward with Mr. Dovie. 01:59:09.250 --> 01:59:37.989 We're gonna take a vote. I just want them to hear that. So this is on instructing staff to gather info to be reported at the July COW. Monroe? No. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. We have a four to four vote. Mayor? Wilson. 01:59:37.989 --> 02:00:02.000 Mayer. Well, since I am the president of one of these organizations, I will stay in. Oh, you are? Oh, that's news. That's not news Alderman Sanders. That ain't old news. That was a lie. I make a motion that we move forward with what Alderman Simmons. Yeah, that was a strategy move. 02:00:02.000 --> 02:00:12.420 Axe. Yes. The motion fails for lack of a majority. Yeah that was a strategy move. 02:00:12.420 --> 02:00:19.819 So just I think a point of clarity here had the city spent any money towards any 02:00:19.819 --> 02:00:24.300 festival it would have had to come past this council get approved. Absolutely. I 02:00:24.300 --> 02:00:29.180 kind of think that's a ridiculous question in nature. It is absolutely you 02:00:29.180 --> 02:00:30.899 would have had to approve it. 02:00:30.899 --> 02:00:39.420 Hey, so the authorization of using vehicles, gas, trucks, 02:00:39.420 --> 02:00:42.220 your department was one of the ones that actually did support 02:00:42.220 --> 02:00:46.979 that we do know that it drove all the way to Chicago and back. 02:00:46.979 --> 02:00:50.380 So yes, it is happening. 02:00:50.380 --> 02:00:54.500 The police department has brought in extra patrols. 02:00:54.500 --> 02:00:56.220 That wasn't the question. 02:00:56.220 --> 02:00:58.699 If the city has wrote checks to these was the question. 02:00:58.699 --> 02:01:02.060 That's not the question that was asked between just now. 02:01:02.060 --> 02:01:03.180 It was expenditures. 02:01:03.180 --> 02:01:04.859 Alderman said that's what she brought it up, 02:01:04.859 --> 02:01:05.699 but that's not what- 02:01:05.699 --> 02:01:07.060 That's the answer to that question. 02:01:07.060 --> 02:01:07.899 Yeah. 02:01:07.899 --> 02:01:09.100 Make your motion. 02:01:09.100 --> 02:01:11.859 Make your motion that was skipped over. 02:01:11.859 --> 02:01:13.340 All right, it's not gonna pass. 02:01:13.340 --> 02:01:16.260 So at this point, we know where we're at. 02:01:16.260 --> 02:01:20.260 So we'll just, I'm just gonna move on to item number 13. 02:01:20.260 --> 02:01:23.619 So then we're still expecting that information 02:01:23.619 --> 02:01:25.420 from City Manager Boyer. 02:01:25.420 --> 02:01:39.760 So, but that did clear up something though. Discussion of codified ordinance section 240.31 02:01:39.760 --> 02:01:43.739 residency requirement for specific members of various departments and failure to adhere 02:01:43.739 --> 02:01:50.500 to the ordinance, various ordinances, and this is presented by myself and Alderman Sanders. 02:01:50.500 --> 02:01:59.899 I've received several contacts with respect to employees that do not live in the city. 02:01:59.899 --> 02:02:08.619 We heard earlier from the former chief of police voicing his opinion, but right now, 02:02:08.619 --> 02:02:13.460 and I was a little bit shocked to read into the ordinances a little bit further, that 02:02:13.460 --> 02:02:20.439 certain members of departments are required to live within city limits and some are required 02:02:20.439 --> 02:02:23.039 Bickert, Scott, and Jeff, and more. 02:02:23.039 --> 02:02:31.140 I know that there are a number of people who are trying to live within a radius of the 02:02:31.140 --> 02:02:32.560 city of Freeport. 02:02:32.560 --> 02:02:38.800 It has been brought to my attention that there are more than 10 that are in violation of 02:02:38.800 --> 02:02:45.760 the ordinance, and I wanted to bring this forward to at least have a conversation. 02:02:45.760 --> 02:02:46.760 Fowler. 02:02:46.760 --> 02:02:54.640 The men and women on patrol, you know, with each of the various entities, with the unions, 02:02:54.640 --> 02:02:57.319 that they no longer have that requirement. 02:02:57.319 --> 02:03:00.199 I don't know if we went to a mileage distance. 02:03:00.199 --> 02:03:02.520 I'm going to defer to the attorney. 02:03:02.520 --> 02:03:10.199 But there's only one ordinance that's issued here is 240.31, which I believe goes to the 02:03:10.199 --> 02:03:11.199 police. 02:03:11.199 --> 02:03:21.159 and then there's also a fire that's 242.25 or 26 something along those lines and at least 02:03:21.159 --> 02:03:28.359 the fact that it's been brought up via contact with email and a letter sent to myself I thought 02:03:28.359 --> 02:03:34.699 it was worthwhile to have the conversation on the floor and see about what changes or 02:03:34.699 --> 02:03:37.279 what we do about it. 02:03:37.279 --> 02:03:41.939 you kind of I'll let you head the floor to explain what the ordinance is say and 02:03:41.939 --> 02:03:46.859 then so currently right now in a nutshell just looking at the police one 02:03:46.859 --> 02:03:51.319 as the example there the chief of police there's a requirement that the chief of 02:03:51.319 --> 02:03:58.119 police reside within the city limits and then for certain ranks all deputy chief 02:03:58.119 --> 02:04:03.039 lieutenants and sergeants they have to live within a certain radius of city of 02:04:03.039 --> 02:04:07.119 the fire of the police station excuse me there the code then goes on to 02:04:07.119 --> 02:04:19.119 and I think that's what we're trying to provide though that if those particular officers lived outside or outside of those radius areas prior to that ordinance back then being adopted, they were allowed to still stay there. 02:04:19.119 --> 02:04:23.119 They didn't have to go move or buy a new house or anything like that. 02:04:23.119 --> 02:04:32.119 Alderman Rowe, I think what you and I discussed ahead of time was, you know, does this ordinance make sense to even have on the books anymore? 02:04:32.119 --> 02:04:34.880 Miller, or does it make more sense just to get rid of the residency requirement? Because 02:04:34.880 --> 02:04:40.119 as you noted, for in our police union contracts and our fire contracts and our ASME contracts 02:04:40.119 --> 02:04:45.319 that used to have the residency requirement, we ultimately negotiated those out there because 02:04:45.319 --> 02:04:49.560 we found that they didn't make sense anymore to have them. Again, I think that only applies 02:04:49.560 --> 02:04:53.199 right now to, as you call it, the boots on the ground, the rank and file there. So the 02:04:53.199 --> 02:04:59.239 question now is, do we want to apply, does the council want to kind of make it uniform 02:04:59.239 --> 02:05:04.979 and say, hey, this applies to department heads and then the other officers that are not rank 02:05:04.979 --> 02:05:08.380 and file, the lieutenants, the sergeants, et cetera, there. 02:05:08.380 --> 02:05:11.460 Good synopsis. 02:05:11.460 --> 02:05:12.460 Any comments? 02:05:12.460 --> 02:05:14.960 Any thoughts? 02:05:14.960 --> 02:05:21.180 So basically, the conversation is about the residency requirements for sergeants, lieutenants, 02:05:21.180 --> 02:05:28.199 battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, chiefs of police, chiefs of fire, you know. 02:05:28.199 --> 02:05:29.640 and other department heads actually too. 02:05:29.640 --> 02:05:32.520 Yeah, and department heads. 02:05:32.520 --> 02:05:38.239 Do we want to at least have a conversation to kind of move forward with either updating 02:05:38.239 --> 02:05:44.560 this based on, you know, current situation within the city limits of Freeport? 02:05:44.560 --> 02:05:49.079 You know, are there, you know, because right now the way it reads, it says any officer 02:05:49.079 --> 02:05:50.079 Miller. 02:05:50.079 --> 02:05:57.039 They're hired to a rank or title listed in the subsection, has to, within the effective 02:05:57.039 --> 02:06:04.279 date of accepting the position, they have six months to meet the residency requirement 02:06:04.279 --> 02:06:11.840 or it can be extended for an additional six month period based on the city manager's approval. 02:06:11.840 --> 02:06:21.600 So the question that I've got is, you know, do we want to re-evaluate kind of the situation 02:06:21.600 --> 02:06:28.640 or you know, at least have a conversation about where we're at right now. 02:06:28.640 --> 02:06:37.899 I'd like to make the motion to move it on to re-evaluate it, whether it's to keep it 02:06:37.899 --> 02:06:38.899 or get it re-evaluated. 02:06:38.899 --> 02:06:39.899 Second. 02:06:39.899 --> 02:06:40.899 It makes sense. 02:06:40.899 --> 02:06:51.979 Can I just question I guess I have as to Alderman Parker's motion there because 02:06:51.979 --> 02:06:58.020 are because your motion is to say to reevaluate it like to have staff come 02:06:58.020 --> 02:07:00.739 back with a recommendation is that what you mean or are you making a motion to 02:07:00.739 --> 02:07:11.300 say amend it this way? Oh okay so to get rid of the residency requirement for the 02:07:11.300 --> 02:07:13.699 The department heads, the chiefs, the 02:07:14.500 --> 02:07:16.500 Everybody but the city manager. 02:07:16.579 --> 02:07:18.220 Okay 02:07:18.220 --> 02:07:20.220 Okay 02:07:20.939 --> 02:07:27.319 Yeah, yeah, he didn't say motion you did no he said a motion and I second 02:07:29.319 --> 02:07:34.750 You have to remember this isn't passing anything this is just saying to bring it forward, okay 02:07:37.270 --> 02:07:42.949 Just to the next next meeting for discussion for yeah, so I have that discussion about it 02:07:44.470 --> 02:07:53.869 Do we want, I mean, are you basically asking staff to provide their input into this or, because right now we're having the discussion. 02:07:53.869 --> 02:07:55.369 Yeah. 02:07:55.369 --> 02:08:00.369 If the staff wants to give their input, that would give them time to do it. Otherwise, we, go ahead, Rob. 02:08:00.369 --> 02:08:03.369 Yeah, I'm in agreement with your proposal. 02:08:03.369 --> 02:08:10.680 Can I clarify, are you saying to the next COW or the next City Council meeting? City Council, thank you. 02:08:10.680 --> 02:08:22.500 No, it's already seconded. 02:08:22.500 --> 02:08:24.500 You mind if I ask a question? 02:08:25.500 --> 02:08:29.819 You know, we've had this on the books for a while. Why haven't we been enforcing that? 02:08:34.059 --> 02:08:36.059 Number one, there's been a number of 02:08:37.539 --> 02:08:42.300 personnel that have been outside of the area and it was staff's 02:08:43.539 --> 02:08:49.979 Intention to bring that before council to get this adjusted changed. So we just hadn't gotten that far along yet and 02:08:50.659 --> 02:08:56.340 Was looking forward to doing that 02:08:56.340 --> 02:09:16.940 is okay so we have a motion a second I'm gonna have Dovie go ahead and we're good 02:09:16.940 --> 02:09:26.779 Monroe hi I'm sorry that was yes hi okay Simmons Parker hi Stacy I Shadel hi 02:09:26.779 --> 02:09:36.619 Sanders, Sellers, and Klemm. Motion passes 8 to 0. Next one. 02:09:36.619 --> 02:09:54.000 Next one. Discussion regarding resolution, R 202530 authorizing an agreement with MSA Professional Services to provide IHDA home repair and accessibility program grant writing services and use for new structures inside the city of Freeport. 02:09:54.000 --> 02:10:02.000 This was brought forward because the last council meeting we had a question was asked to the city manager about new structures. 02:10:02.000 --> 02:10:03.000 and others. 02:10:03.000 --> 02:10:18.680 So I'm just trying to get some clarification into, it sounded like we'd already gone down 02:10:18.680 --> 02:10:27.760 the road a little bit of the way with, you know, building new houses on city lots, city 02:10:27.760 --> 02:10:31.079 owned lots at this point. 02:10:31.079 --> 02:10:36.720 that was a just happen to see a video on social media you spoke it somewhere I'd 02:10:36.720 --> 02:10:45.539 forget where was it the Eagles Club or I don't remember where it was well I will 02:10:45.539 --> 02:10:49.720 say that infill housing is an important priority to kind of redeploy the vacant 02:10:49.720 --> 02:10:53.720 lots that are owned by the city especially in some of our more 02:10:53.720 --> 02:10:57.619 challenged words you know third fifth seventh word a lot of vacant lots that 02:10:57.619 --> 02:11:05.420 but that was not the idea behind this HTA home repair and accessibility program and I believe 02:11:05.420 --> 02:11:14.340 that these funds can't be used for new construction but I would ask for Wayne to follow up on 02:11:14.340 --> 02:11:15.340 that. 02:11:15.340 --> 02:11:23.659 I mean the short answer is just no, you can't use IDA HRAP funds for it, I mean that's the 02:11:23.659 --> 02:11:53.659 for building new homes. You can't do it. You can't do it. I mean, I've got a couple of slides here I can show you just to kind of put your mind at ease. But I wish we could use some money to help people build new homes, at least partially fund new homes, because I know we had a housing plan done in 2022. And I think there's many people that would like funding that would help them start to build new homes. The good news is 02:11:53.659 --> 02:11:54.659 Huffines. 02:11:54.659 --> 02:11:55.659 We're going to move on to the next slide. 02:11:55.659 --> 02:11:56.659 This is being directed by council. 02:11:56.659 --> 02:12:04.819 When we look here, the housing development authority, the housing rehabilitation and 02:12:04.819 --> 02:12:10.539 accessibility program, these activities, the program aims to preserve existing affordable 02:12:10.539 --> 02:12:14.500 housing stock, provide investment in underserved communities, improve the health and well-being 02:12:14.500 --> 02:12:19.100 of occupants, help low income and disabled or mobility and impaired persons in their 02:12:19.100 --> 02:12:20.100 homes. 02:12:20.100 --> 02:12:25.720 and the next slide. 02:12:25.720 --> 02:12:27.600 There's really three project types here. 02:12:27.600 --> 02:12:31.560 And then I give a source that you can go to to kind of. 02:12:31.560 --> 02:12:32.039 Hold up. 02:12:32.039 --> 02:12:33.920 I can't see anything up there. 02:12:33.920 --> 02:12:38.359 OK, so I'll just, sorry. 02:12:38.359 --> 02:12:40.840 This grant, and they talked about this 02:12:40.840 --> 02:12:44.760 at the presentation, there's full rehabilitation projects, 02:12:44.760 --> 02:12:49.239 which is that you get $50,000 to help with your home 02:12:49.239 --> 02:12:50.800 rehabilitation. 02:12:50.800 --> 02:12:59.560 you have accessibility projects which discusses accessibility if you have mobility issues 02:12:59.560 --> 02:13:04.020 and also other disabilities and then you also have roof only projects that's really that's 02:13:04.020 --> 02:13:09.399 really all you can I that answers everything okay I didn't know that's all you can stand 02:13:09.399 --> 02:13:17.159 okay perfect Alderman Stacy you have a can you tell me if that's covering all underserved 02:13:17.159 --> 02:13:43.539 and 02:13:43.539 --> 02:13:45.539 Winn, Will, and Stacey. 02:13:45.539 --> 02:13:47.539 They have their own form. 02:13:47.539 --> 02:13:59.539 And then when it's presented to the city, IDA has to approve the scoring for any income. 02:13:59.539 --> 02:14:03.539 So anyone that feels they're eligible can sign up? 02:14:03.539 --> 02:14:08.539 They can sign up, certainly, but they have to meet the income requirements. 02:14:08.539 --> 02:14:10.539 And we talked about that at the last meeting. 02:14:10.539 --> 02:14:12.539 Yeah, we talked about that. 02:14:12.539 --> 02:14:13.380 and Stacey. 02:14:13.380 --> 02:14:16.340 When will these applications be available 02:14:16.340 --> 02:14:18.100 for our constituents? 02:14:18.100 --> 02:14:19.260 I'm hoping soon. 02:14:19.260 --> 02:14:22.500 I know you voted against it, but I'm really hopeful that- 02:14:22.500 --> 02:14:24.659 Oh, you had to put that in there, didn't you? 02:14:24.659 --> 02:14:28.100 Well, you asked and you voted against it. 02:14:28.100 --> 02:14:29.340 I voted against a lot. 02:14:29.340 --> 02:14:31.699 That don't mean it doesn't pass. 02:14:31.699 --> 02:14:35.260 So since it passed, I mean, I just, you asked the question. 02:14:35.260 --> 02:14:36.739 I still want information. 02:14:36.739 --> 02:14:38.460 I understand it. 02:14:38.460 --> 02:14:40.939 We're writing our application now. 02:14:40.939 --> 02:14:42.420 We're writing our application now. 02:14:42.420 --> 02:14:44.699 and we're hopeful to hear back by August. 02:14:44.699 --> 02:14:46.680 Duckman, you're toying with me. 02:14:46.680 --> 02:14:47.720 I don't play with toys. 02:14:47.720 --> 02:14:48.500 I'm too old. 02:14:48.500 --> 02:14:49.739 OK. 02:14:49.739 --> 02:14:51.199 Oh, boy. 02:14:51.199 --> 02:14:52.859 Any other questions? 02:14:52.859 --> 02:14:55.859 So when is the application coming out? 02:14:55.859 --> 02:14:57.460 We're going to find. 02:14:57.460 --> 02:15:00.140 Ida says, what Ida is saying now is 02:15:00.140 --> 02:15:02.060 that they plan to let communities 02:15:02.060 --> 02:15:05.060 know between June and August. 02:15:05.060 --> 02:15:07.220 OK. 02:15:07.220 --> 02:15:08.380 Yeah. 02:15:08.380 --> 02:15:09.140 Perfect. 02:15:09.140 --> 02:15:11.659 Any other questions, comments? 02:15:11.659 --> 02:15:13.380 We can put that one to bed. 02:15:13.380 --> 02:15:16.380 Item number 15, discussion regarding status update 02:15:16.380 --> 02:15:19.420 on contracts with both fire and public works unions 02:15:19.420 --> 02:15:23.119 presented or actually being asked for from myself 02:15:23.119 --> 02:15:24.739 and Alderman Sanders. 02:15:24.739 --> 02:15:26.239 I know we've got both of those. 02:15:27.760 --> 02:15:33.109 Okay, perfect. 02:15:33.109 --> 02:15:37.789 So with regards to the fire union contract with IAFF, 02:15:37.789 --> 02:15:39.189 our current contract is good 02:15:39.189 --> 02:15:41.989 through December 31st of 2025. 02:15:41.989 --> 02:15:44.189 So we wouldn't begin to bargain 02:15:44.189 --> 02:15:45.189 Huffines. 02:15:45.189 --> 02:15:47.390 That's what the contract calls for. 02:15:47.390 --> 02:15:51.470 So that wouldn't be until October 31st when we could even get a request to bargain from 02:15:51.470 --> 02:15:52.470 the union. 02:15:52.470 --> 02:15:58.050 So we're still, we're still good right now on the fire contract, okay. 02:15:58.050 --> 02:16:03.090 On the public works contract, that's what they asked me there. 02:16:03.090 --> 02:16:07.210 So they gave us a request to bargain. 02:16:07.210 --> 02:16:12.449 And that first, the very first and only so far negotiations took place in February there. 02:16:12.449 --> 02:16:18.090 So just this past February they had the first meeting and they gave us just a handful of 02:16:18.090 --> 02:16:21.869 non-economic points there. 02:16:21.869 --> 02:16:25.970 They have more coming there so we are just waiting for them to provide us with their 02:16:25.970 --> 02:16:31.770 other non-economic proposals there and then we'll be able to start dealing with those 02:16:31.770 --> 02:16:35.889 and addressing those and bringing those forward to council but they have not given us a complete 02:16:35.889 --> 02:16:36.889 list. 02:16:36.889 --> 02:16:40.370 They've only given us like a very handful of their proposals. 02:16:40.370 --> 02:16:42.069 They're still working on the rest of them. 02:16:42.069 --> 02:16:47.889 So as we get all of those, and that's not even the economic proposals yet there. 02:16:47.889 --> 02:16:52.469 So it's in process, but we've only had one meeting since in February so far. 02:16:52.469 --> 02:16:53.469 Awesome. 02:16:53.469 --> 02:16:57.540 Okay. 02:16:57.540 --> 02:16:58.540 Any questions? 02:16:58.540 --> 02:17:01.420 Anybody got anything on that one? 02:17:01.420 --> 02:17:03.459 Sorry. 02:17:03.459 --> 02:17:07.299 Next meeting is scheduled for March 20. 02:17:07.299 --> 02:17:08.299 320. 02:17:08.299 --> 02:17:10.159 Perfect. 02:17:10.159 --> 02:17:14.860 So that takes us to item number 16, which is public comments, agenda, or non-agenda items 02:17:14.860 --> 02:17:15.860 Huffines. 02:17:15.860 --> 02:17:16.860 We have three minutes per person. 02:17:16.860 --> 02:17:20.860 We have Willie Graham, who has signed up first. 02:17:20.860 --> 02:17:30.040 Oh, sorry, I didn't know you had one. 02:17:30.040 --> 02:17:31.040 Yes, I'm sorry. 02:17:31.040 --> 02:17:32.040 I shouldn't have spoke up. 02:17:32.040 --> 02:17:41.579 That's okay. 02:17:41.579 --> 02:17:44.899 First, I'd like to say good evening to everyone. 02:17:44.899 --> 02:17:55.379 My name is Willie Graham, I live in the third ward here in Freeport, and I have some complaints. 02:17:55.379 --> 02:18:29.510 and I was asked for y'all to listen to me and consider my complaints. First of all, I want to start off with, I need a house that I, about a year or so ago, that I was trying to get tore down, and I had a private contractor to do it. That didn't work out for me, because I found out that he wasn't the right kind of person that I wanted to do the 02:18:29.510 --> 02:18:30.510 and others. 02:18:30.510 --> 02:18:41.180 And I'm not able to do it myself. And I hear that the city charged so much money, and so 02:18:41.180 --> 02:18:48.959 I won't say how much I was told, because I don't know if it's right or not. But I'm not 02:18:48.959 --> 02:18:57.120 able to get it told out. I got three lots right there. I have some living in. It's in 02:18:57.120 --> 02:18:58.120 and others. 02:18:58.120 --> 02:19:03.399 I had to have some work done on it and I still got some more to do on it, but I think I can 02:19:03.399 --> 02:19:04.399 do that myself. 02:19:04.399 --> 02:19:14.399 But the house that needed to be torn down that I had a letter telling me that they haven't 02:19:14.399 --> 02:19:20.600 put any signs or anything on it yet, but I think they're going to warn me that I need 02:19:20.600 --> 02:19:23.479 to do something with it. 02:19:23.479 --> 02:19:31.950 I'm not able to do it. So, to get it towed out, I'm gonna need some help with it. 02:19:32.000 --> 02:19:45.000 I'm going to need some help with it, and I've been talking to some other people that got their house towed out and they charge a fee to do it that I just don't have to do it. 02:19:45.000 --> 02:19:54.000 I wanted to keep the, and I also wanted to keep the lot and with it to my kids. 02:19:54.000 --> 02:20:06.170 I need some information on how to do that, and I need someone to help me out with this. 02:20:06.170 --> 02:20:14.170 I know that you guys, I've heard, I don't know, I've heard that you guys have helped other people out. 02:20:14.170 --> 02:20:21.170 Well, I'm the one that needs help out. I tried to keep the lots in pretty decent shape, all three of them. 02:20:21.170 --> 02:20:30.610 I am not able to cut the lots, but I try to get someone to cut the grass and try to keep 02:20:30.610 --> 02:20:37.610 as much stuff up off the lots as I can. If someone will provide me with that information, 02:20:37.610 --> 02:20:40.129 I would appreciate it. 02:20:40.129 --> 02:20:49.129 Also, I have a pickup truck that is not in running condition right now. My wife has a 02:20:49.129 --> 02:20:54.729 Car's not a running condition. Now we had planned on trying to get that done, they 02:20:54.729 --> 02:21:00.590 were sitting on the side of the street. Mr. Graham, your time is up, sir. If you 02:21:00.590 --> 02:21:04.329 stick around after the meeting, I'm sure we can chat with you and see what we can 02:21:04.329 --> 02:21:12.579 do to help you out, sir. Okay, thank you. Very welcome. Thank you for coming. That's 02:21:12.579 --> 02:21:18.739 all I've got that's signed up with any... Yes, ma'am. Wait, Ms. Dovie, let Dovie go 02:21:18.739 --> 02:21:48.739 I probably should have said it earlier. I'm sorry. Yes. I apologize. I received two public comments by email one last week came in from Amber Patterson. Dear City Council Animal Control Department, I am writing to express my concern regarding the welfare of animals at the Freeport City Pound. As a concerned citizen slash resident of Freeport, I believe it's crucial to ensure that all animals in your care are treated humanely and provided with adequate resources. 02:21:48.739 --> 02:21:50.739 and 02:21:51.739 --> 02:21:53.739 others. 02:21:54.739 --> 02:21:56.739 I would like to address the following living conditions. 02:21:57.739 --> 02:21:59.739 The cleanliness of kennels, access to clean water and food, 02:22:00.739 --> 02:22:02.739 adequate shelter from the elements. What are the daily 02:22:03.739 --> 02:22:05.739 cleaning and sanitation protocols? How often are animals 02:22:06.739 --> 02:22:09.739 provided with fresh water and food? Veterinary care. Is there 02:22:10.739 --> 02:22:12.739 access to veterinary care, including vaccinations, spaying, 02:22:13.739 --> 02:22:15.739 neutering, and treatment for illnesses or injuries? What 02:22:15.739 --> 02:22:17.739 or through contracted providers? 02:22:17.739 --> 02:22:20.739 What is the protocol for addressing medical emergencies? 02:22:20.739 --> 02:22:22.780 Are animals provided with opportunities 02:22:22.780 --> 02:22:24.940 for exercise and socialization? 02:22:24.940 --> 02:22:26.799 What enrichment activities are provided 02:22:26.799 --> 02:22:28.620 to prevent boredom and stress? 02:22:28.620 --> 02:22:30.319 Adoption and rehoming. 02:22:30.319 --> 02:22:32.840 What are the adoption rates, adoption procedures, 02:22:32.840 --> 02:22:35.899 and efforts to find suitable homes for the animals? 02:22:35.899 --> 02:22:39.559 What procedures are in place to screen potential adopters? 02:22:39.559 --> 02:22:42.899 What outreach efforts are being made to promote adoption? 02:22:42.899 --> 02:22:45.340 Makeup, Hurry, 02:22:45.340 --> 02:22:47.399 What are the criteria for euthanasia? 02:22:47.399 --> 02:22:51.840 Are all other options exhausted before euthanasia is considered? 02:22:51.840 --> 02:22:57.000 I understand that animal control facilities face many challenges, and I appreciate the 02:22:57.000 --> 02:22:58.180 work that your department does. 02:22:58.180 --> 02:23:02.559 However, I believe that open communication and transparency are essential for ensuring 02:23:02.559 --> 02:23:04.659 the well-being of the animals in your care. 02:23:04.659 --> 02:23:08.739 I'm also interested in exploring ways that the community can support the Pound, such 02:23:08.739 --> 02:23:11.239 as through volunteering, donations, or fostering. 02:23:11.239 --> 02:23:15.639 Thank you for your time and consideration, Amber Patterson. 02:23:15.639 --> 02:23:21.200 The second email was received today from a Gmail address from Richard Chesney, received 02:23:21.200 --> 02:23:26.559 at 2.55 this afternoon, the subject was public comment, 3.10, 2025. 02:23:26.559 --> 02:23:30.040 The salutation began high. 02:23:30.040 --> 02:23:34.920 The remainder of the email was determined to be too personal and libelous to be read 02:23:34.920 --> 02:23:36.440 during public comment. 02:23:36.440 --> 02:23:42.200 Okay. 02:23:42.200 --> 02:23:43.200 Yes, ma'am. 02:23:43.200 --> 02:24:01.510 Good evening, City Council, officials of Freeport. I've got three points, possibly four that 02:24:01.510 --> 02:24:06.790 I'd like to make. The first one is that in the process of talking about the houses, I've 02:24:06.790 --> 02:24:16.129 heard seven to ten houses. The next thing we heard was nine to eleven. How many really 02:24:16.129 --> 02:24:20.690 is there? What are we talking about when we keep changing our numbers on how many houses 02:24:20.690 --> 02:24:22.389 as you're talking about building, 02:24:22.389 --> 02:24:26.569 on land that you bought from, put it this way, 02:24:26.569 --> 02:24:28.889 on lots that you bought. 02:24:28.889 --> 02:24:29.930 How many houses are we talking about? 02:24:29.930 --> 02:24:32.329 This is the second time I've heard about housing. 02:24:32.329 --> 02:24:34.969 I heard a program that was supposedly gonna happen 02:24:34.969 --> 02:24:37.370 with some 20 houses where individuals who came in 02:24:37.370 --> 02:24:41.690 to buy those houses would not have to pay taxes for a year. 02:24:41.690 --> 02:24:44.209 So now we've got two different programs here 02:24:44.209 --> 02:24:47.049 and I'm wondering what the heck is going on here. 02:24:47.049 --> 02:24:49.290 The other thing I'm asking is, 02:24:49.290 --> 02:24:51.250 I'm saying to you is simply this. 02:24:51.250 --> 02:24:54.729 Do you think we're stupid that we don't realize 02:24:54.729 --> 02:24:57.290 that the votes that you guys are doing are happening 02:24:57.290 --> 02:24:58.770 and you're trying to put them off 02:24:58.770 --> 02:25:02.149 until after the elections? 02:25:02.149 --> 02:25:02.989 Think about it. 02:25:03.969 --> 02:25:07.110 You wanna totally not tell us how much money was spent 02:25:07.110 --> 02:25:10.989 to clean up the town after major events. 02:25:10.989 --> 02:25:13.069 It's not, it should be the easiest thing in the world to do. 02:25:13.069 --> 02:25:14.750 You should have a ledger 02:25:14.750 --> 02:25:16.750 that talks about what was brought in 02:25:16.750 --> 02:25:18.909 and what went out after the fact 02:25:18.909 --> 02:25:28.909 So we had to clean up, pay for police, pay for firemen, pay for gas so that the mayor could ride around in a buggy downtown, a golf cart. 02:25:28.909 --> 02:25:36.440 The next thing I'd like to say is, for as much as I appreciate you and like you, 02:25:36.440 --> 02:25:46.809 Amber talks about there being somewhere between 40,000 to 50,000 people attending Tutti-Baker, okay? 02:25:46.809 --> 02:25:51.809 But, how much they loved it, how much the out of towners loved it. 02:25:51.809 --> 02:25:55.489 but here's what you need to understand all of us need to understand this what 02:25:55.489 --> 02:26:03.170 they didn't see is the deterioration the shootings the lack of diversity the 02:26:03.170 --> 02:26:07.889 manner in which our kids move away and don't come back what they didn't see is 02:26:07.889 --> 02:26:12.930 the lack of transparency and trust in City Council and the city officials in 02:26:12.930 --> 02:26:17.610 this town what they didn't see is the eyes of the people who live here and 02:26:17.610 --> 02:26:20.889 and have to dodge a bullet walking down the street 02:26:20.889 --> 02:26:26.489 or dodge a rock that's being thrown at a car by Latin kings. 02:26:26.489 --> 02:26:28.450 I've asked the question over and over again 02:26:28.450 --> 02:26:29.909 and I'm waiting on an answer. 02:26:29.909 --> 02:26:31.370 And I'm sure I'll get it because I 02:26:31.370 --> 02:26:33.690 asked the chief for this answer. 02:26:33.690 --> 02:26:35.850 We have an ordinance on the book. 02:26:35.850 --> 02:26:38.129 That ordinance is called bad building ordinance. 02:26:38.129 --> 02:26:39.250 That's what we know it is. 02:26:39.250 --> 02:26:41.610 And you guys know what ordinance I'm talking about. 02:26:41.610 --> 02:26:45.409 Why is it that a citizen like me has 02:26:45.409 --> 02:26:46.409 Piersen. 02:26:46.409 --> 02:26:50.690 Why do I have to put her life on the line to shut down buildings in this town that are 02:26:50.690 --> 02:26:56.239 shooting, gambling, selling drugs? 02:26:56.239 --> 02:27:00.780 Why do I have to put myself out on the line to ask you to shut a building down, to shut 02:27:00.780 --> 02:27:01.920 a house down? 02:27:01.920 --> 02:27:03.479 Ms. Piersen. 02:27:03.479 --> 02:27:09.059 I want the City Council to take responsibility for shutting down a house in the 900 block 02:27:09.059 --> 02:27:12.920 of oak that continues to cause this town problems. 02:27:12.920 --> 02:27:18.569 Why haven't you done it? 02:27:18.569 --> 02:27:19.569 Tommy. 02:27:19.569 --> 02:27:32.120 Jodi Miller, you did a good job being Mayor of Sweet and I want to ask, uh, uh, 02:27:32.120 --> 02:27:37.120 Dwayne Dickman, you got an update about the Jodi, Mr. Jodi Mike in Sweetville? 02:27:37.120 --> 02:27:44.120 Uh, you know what, uh, Tommy, I think you got a better update. I saw a picture of you outside with that sign and I was pretty impressed. 02:27:44.120 --> 02:27:48.120 So, I'm looking forward to a sandwich pretty soon. That sign looks pretty good. 02:27:48.120 --> 02:27:51.120 And so do you in front of it. 02:27:51.120 --> 02:28:04.120 And Chief, I want to tell you, you do a good job, too. You're the best police department in the world. And the whole bunch of police departments do a good job, too. 02:28:04.120 --> 02:28:05.120 Thank you. 02:28:05.120 --> 02:28:13.780 How are you doing? My name is Zakiya Sanders. 02:28:13.780 --> 02:28:23.780 The last time we spoke about my house, which everybody is familiar with, the 402-404 Shawnee, Wayne Duckman spoke on it was an emergency because there was a fire in 2021. 02:28:23.780 --> 02:28:53.780 I wanted to point out and ask him, what about 476 Kenwood, that also set fire February 15th of 2021, you took that down, but guess what the difference was, you brought that in front of the council for approval, my house wasn't brought in front of the council, and then your buddy next to you, he plain just said, if you spend money in the city of Freeport, it has to come through the council first, so every time you open your mouth, you contradict something, then what about the other house on Kenwood, 02:28:53.780 --> 02:28:59.299 St., Little Ways. It caught fire in 2022. A man passed away in there. That was an abandoned 02:28:59.299 --> 02:29:02.879 house. His family still has to look at that house standing. It's not even in the phases 02:29:02.879 --> 02:29:09.459 of your fast track emergency or anything like that. I want you to just be honest. You targeted 02:29:09.459 --> 02:29:14.260 me. The people under you told me you said you was going to knock down everything that 02:29:14.260 --> 02:29:20.379 I own or have something to do with. And you went out of your way to knock my house down 02:29:20.379 --> 02:29:26.620 that was not approved by council that wasn't on the list at all and you made some big presentation 02:29:26.620 --> 02:29:30.139 and I want this not to be rocket science for a bunch of you that agree with them. 02:29:30.139 --> 02:29:32.020 You cannot use a state law. 02:29:32.020 --> 02:29:33.520 you cannot use a state law for an ordinance. 02:29:34.879 --> 02:29:39.219 Thank you. 02:29:39.219 --> 02:29:48.510 Any other comments? 02:29:48.510 --> 02:29:50.510 Hearing your discussion on funds, 02:29:50.510 --> 02:29:53.670 I just wanna clarify the city does not fund 02:29:53.670 --> 02:29:55.610 Steams County Fair at all. 02:29:55.610 --> 02:29:58.750 We pay our way, we have police protection 02:29:58.750 --> 02:30:03.190 from the Sheriff's Department and City Auxiliary, 02:30:03.190 --> 02:30:04.190 we pay them. 02:30:05.950 --> 02:30:09.350 Same thing, city water out there to the road, 02:30:09.350 --> 02:30:12.510 we paid if it ran everything in our property. 02:30:12.510 --> 02:30:15.190 So we stand on our own. 02:30:15.190 --> 02:30:18.629 You can check the books, but we do stand on our own. 02:30:18.629 --> 02:30:22.489 And 65,000 people attended last year's fair 02:30:22.489 --> 02:30:25.569 between Farm and Fleet, Walmart, gas stations. 02:30:25.569 --> 02:30:27.229 They all benefit. 02:30:27.229 --> 02:30:31.770 So thank you for your time. 02:30:31.770 --> 02:30:39.959 Yes, ma'am. 02:30:39.959 --> 02:30:43.479 I just, good evening, council and staff 02:30:43.479 --> 02:30:48.040 and Mayor Miller and, and lawyer Zito. 02:30:48.040 --> 02:30:52.420 I just want to make you aware there's also another organization in Freeport that works 02:30:52.420 --> 02:30:54.340 as a non-profit organization. 02:30:54.340 --> 02:31:00.579 I'm grateful to hear about the housing money that you're trying to receive, the grant and 02:31:00.579 --> 02:31:01.819 so forth. 02:31:01.819 --> 02:31:05.620 And this one is called Rebuilding Together, Stevenson County. 02:31:05.620 --> 02:31:11.559 And they work together, you can look it up on Facebook and also on their website. 02:31:11.559 --> 02:31:16.100 And they have lots of community links that are working together to make this happen. 02:31:16.100 --> 02:31:22.020 They've received grant monies from, I think, to help even with veterans' homes. 02:31:22.020 --> 02:31:26.700 And their mission statement is this, to bring volunteers from numerous organizations together 02:31:26.700 --> 02:31:31.420 to build communities that improve the lives of low-income homeowners. 02:31:31.420 --> 02:31:35.860 The vision is to work hand-in-hand to address the growing blight and make Stevenson County, 02:31:35.860 --> 02:31:41.940 Illinois safe and vibrant, and to repair homes in Stevenson County, Illinois, falling into 02:31:41.940 --> 02:31:44.760 and 02:31:44.760 --> 02:31:45.920 Erika, 02:31:45.920 --> 02:31:47.620 and 02:31:47.620 --> 02:31:48.620 a 02:31:48.620 --> 02:31:49.620 couple 02:31:49.620 --> 02:31:50.620 of 02:31:50.620 --> 02:31:51.620 guys 02:31:51.620 --> 02:31:52.620 that 02:31:52.620 --> 02:31:53.620 are 02:31:53.620 --> 02:31:54.620 right 02:31:54.620 --> 02:31:55.620 now 02:31:55.620 --> 02:31:56.620 and 02:31:56.620 --> 02:31:57.620 they 02:31:57.620 --> 02:31:58.620 can 02:31:58.620 --> 02:31:59.620 do 02:31:59.620 --> 02:32:00.620 a 02:32:00.620 --> 02:32:01.620 lot 02:32:01.620 --> 02:32:02.620 of 02:32:02.620 --> 02:32:03.620 the 02:32:03.620 --> 02:32:04.620 inside 02:32:04.620 --> 02:32:05.620 work 02:32:05.620 --> 02:32:06.620 on 02:32:06.620 --> 02:32:07.620 them, 02:32:07.620 --> 02:32:08.620 they 02:32:08.620 --> 02:32:09.620 have 02:32:09.620 --> 02:32:10.620 ramps 02:32:10.620 --> 02:32:11.620 put 02:32:11.620 --> 02:32:16.620 and their phone number or contact number is 815-235-2824. 02:32:18.620 --> 02:32:20.260 So if there's anyone in the community, 02:32:20.260 --> 02:32:21.899 you might want to check in about that 02:32:21.899 --> 02:32:25.620 to get on their schedules for this next coming year. 02:32:25.620 --> 02:32:26.940 I don't know if it's filled up yet, 02:32:26.940 --> 02:32:29.260 but it is the whole of Stevenson County. 02:32:29.260 --> 02:32:31.219 It's not just for report. 02:32:31.219 --> 02:32:33.659 So I just wanted to share that information 02:32:33.659 --> 02:32:34.819 with you all tonight. 02:32:34.819 --> 02:32:35.659 Thank you. 02:32:35.659 --> 02:32:37.100 Thank you. 02:32:37.100 --> 02:32:38.299 Anyone else? 02:32:38.299 --> 02:32:43.299 Ms. Dovie? Yes, ma'am. 02:32:43.299 --> 02:33:02.299 Tonight we have pursuant to 5 ILCS, 122C1, the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity. 02:33:02.299 --> 02:33:09.180 C. Also pursuant to 5-ILCS-122-C11 litigation where an action against, effecting, or on 02:33:09.180 --> 02:33:13.899 behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative 02:33:13.899 --> 02:33:18.959 tribunal or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which 02:33:18.959 --> 02:33:22.819 case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed 02:33:22.819 --> 02:33:23.819 meeting. 02:33:23.819 --> 02:33:26.819 Do I have a motion to go to executive session? 02:33:26.819 --> 02:33:27.819 So move. 02:33:27.819 --> 02:33:28.819 Do I have a second? 02:33:28.819 --> 02:33:29.819 To do what? 02:33:29.819 --> 02:33:30.819 To go to executive session. 02:33:30.819 --> 02:33:37.780 Second. Second. We have a first and a second. Stacy is the second. Sellers is the first. All in 02:33:37.780 --> 02:33:57.920 favor? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Simmons. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? No. Sanders? Hold it. 02:33:57.920 --> 02:33:59.920 What a second. 02:33:59.920 --> 02:34:01.920 Uh, no. 02:34:01.920 --> 02:34:03.920 Sellers? 02:34:03.920 --> 02:34:05.920 Aye.