WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:20.699 Good evening. Debbie, could you please give the invocation this evening? 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:34.679 Let us pray. Our verse comes from Matthew 5 16. Let your light shine before others that 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:39.520 that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. 00:00:39.520 --> 00:00:41.280 Father God, we just thank you. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:43.439 We thank you for who you are. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:48.960 We thank you that your glory shines throughout our country, throughout the world. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:56.000 And Lord, thank you that in our buildings, our municipal buildings, say, in God we trust. 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:02.359 And Lord, with that comes a responsibility from every elected official that they walk 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:03.359 Huffins. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:07.879 We walk in light and be a source of light to others by doing good and glorifying the Father 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:08.879 in heaven. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:16.640 Father God, we just asked that our city council members would realize and walk in the authority 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:20.840 that you have given them that they are an example to others. 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:25.480 Their behavior reflects the tone of our city. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:31.480 So Lord, we just ask in your name that Holy Spirit would fill each person that is here 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:37.879 and Lord that they would walk in love brotherly love to each other that you would give them 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:45.000 wisdom discernment and knowledge and Lord that they would have a desire to work together to 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:52.120 make good laws and ordinances we thank you for our police our fire department every department head 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:59.719 Lord we ask you give them wisdom and knowledge and discernment Lord we thank you for how you 00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:04.760 are prospering Freeport and Lord we give you all the glory in Jesus name we pray 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:09.400 amen amen thank you Debbie now we'll officially call this meeting to order 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:13.280 madam clerk would you please take the role Mayor Miller here Alder persons 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:21.400 Clem here Johnson here Simmons Parker here Stacey here Shadel here Sanders 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:27.199 and Sellers here thank you before we get started I would like to address what 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:59.199 and 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:02.199 John. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:06.319 I would like to remind you that the 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:10.319 Pledge of Allegiance is a flag of the United States of America and 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:14.319 to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:18.319 one nation under God, one nation under God. 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.319 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:26.319 and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:40.769 We have one person signed in, Shante Bradford. I hope I didn't just butcher your name. 00:04:40.769 --> 00:04:45.769 Yes, if you would like to stand to the podium, you have three minutes. 00:04:45.769 --> 00:05:12.480 Good evening to all. Good evening. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:21.480 Madam Mayor and to all of you in your respective places. I just had three questions really quickly and then I'm done. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:22.519 and I'm done. 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:27.519 I would like to know how I can reside at an address 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.279 that doesn't exist. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:35.279 I've lived in Freeport now a little bit over a decade. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:37.959 I had asked for a handicap parking 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:41.600 and I was told I had to go to Public Works. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:45.319 Went to Public Works, they said my address didn't exist. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:50.319 So I had to go back and provide utility bills and a lease 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:56.600 and the police that shows my address is 218 West Broadway Street, which apparently was 00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:02.360 a house prior to them reconstructing and making it a two-apartment building. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.160 Ma'am, can I ask a question? 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:07.600 You signed in that you wanted to speak about the streetlights. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:08.600 Were you getting to that? 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:09.600 This is part of it. 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:10.600 Okay. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:16.199 So in asking that question about the handicapped park and I was dismissed, I went back to talk 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:17.199 about streetlights. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:22.000 6, 218 West Broadway, I'm not sure if you guys know where that is, sits right behind 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:24.000 Faith Center Church. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.879 It is a speedway track. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:29.600 People fly through there like it's a autobahn. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:34.660 I've had two vehicles totaled sitting in front of my house and my cameras couldn't catch 00:06:34.660 --> 00:06:42.199 it because there's only one street light on the whole 200 block of Broadway Street. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:44.639 So who am I to address with that issue? 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:55.959 Ma'am, so public comment is an opportunity for the public to give their comments. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:58.040 It's not a question and answer session, though. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:00.839 However, if you state your question, someone will be taking notes 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:03.600 and the appropriate person from the city will get in contact with you 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:05.959 or can talk to you after the meeting. 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:07.680 OK, well, that's that's my comment. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.360 I'm asking for help, been asking for help for over a decade. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:15.279 So my comment is, who do I address to get help? 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:21.339 It's clearly you can see I'm disabled and need the parking. 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:57.870 Okay. So like the attorney said, Darren, do you want to? Yeah, I'll be glad to help you. Yep. Thank you. And that concludes the public comment portion. Next is the approval of the agenda. I apologize. I skipped the public comment portion of it. I didn't realize I was out of order on that. So I apologize. So item number four is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? So moved. 00:07:57.870 --> 00:08:02.910 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. 00:08:02.910 --> 00:08:08.589 Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number five is approval of the minutes from the committee of 00:08:08.589 --> 00:08:12.670 the whole meeting on May 11th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. 00:08:12.670 --> 00:08:19.310 Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson. All those in favor, signify 00:08:19.310 --> 00:08:25.550 by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? And that motion passes. Since we did item number six already, 00:08:25.550 --> 00:08:29.949 We'll move on to item number seven which is the quarterly report by the Arts and Culture Commission, 00:08:30.589 --> 00:08:40.190 Commissioner Jessica Modica. Great, good evening. Thank you for allowing me to provide a brief 00:08:40.909 --> 00:08:47.070 review of the first Sculpture Walk for Downtown Freeport. I won't take up too much of your time 00:08:47.070 --> 00:08:56.990 tonight. Hopefully you've all had a chance to walk along Chicago Avenue and take in on your own the 00:08:56.990 --> 00:09:04.750 and the Seven Sculptures that we were able to install downtown in September of 2025. 00:09:04.750 --> 00:09:08.549 If you have not, I encourage you to do that. 00:09:08.549 --> 00:09:15.710 So this event represents a partnership between the Freeport Art Museum, which I represent, 00:09:15.710 --> 00:09:21.049 the City of Freeport, and the fairly new Arts and Culture Commission for the city. 00:09:21.049 --> 00:09:28.330 So it is the Freeport Art Museum's role to solicit and manage the artists' entries, and 00:09:28.330 --> 00:09:32.370 we maintain a database of artists that we reach out to. 00:09:32.370 --> 00:09:37.389 And then we also advertise on professional art call sites to reach out to artists who 00:09:37.389 --> 00:09:40.129 might be interested in participating. 00:09:40.129 --> 00:09:45.789 And then from there, the Arts and Culture Commission is the group that selects the works 00:09:45.789 --> 00:09:52.070 from those submissions to be included in the sculpture walk. 00:09:52.070 --> 00:09:57.950 So you each have a packet in front of you that shows the same slides, the PowerPoint 00:09:57.950 --> 00:09:59.950 that are is available up. 00:09:59.950 --> 00:10:00.320 that is available up top. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:02.559 So I don't know as far as advancing. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.460 Ah, thank you. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:06.080 Yeah, that's great. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:09.600 So like I said, in September of 2025 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.519 was the first time that we've been able to do this. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:14.039 There are seven sculptures 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:17.120 that were placed along Chicago Avenue 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.639 from beginning at Douglas Street 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:22.440 and then ending at Spring Street 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:24.940 on the concrete pads that were included 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:27.480 as part of the Streetscape project. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:40.000 So together, these created an outdoor exhibition of art that adds distinction to our downtown and helps create more walkability. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:49.000 And if you can go to the next one there. Another thing that we were able to do, which was really important for interactive, 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:57.399 Dibb, being able to interact with the sculptures, as at each stop there is a QR code that people 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:04.559 can use to access a free audio tour that describes each piece, and this description is provided 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:08.200 by the artists themselves. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:14.240 So and if the viewers wish, they can download an app, the AutoCast app, on their phone, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:21.740 And if they do that, it not only plays the tour, but it automatically senses where they're 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:25.440 at in the tour and will automatically play. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:31.220 Another thing that I noticed about the AutoCast app that I really like, especially when we're 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:40.039 talking about how art adds to economic development and walkability, is that on that app, it 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:44.519 also highlights area businesses downtown, 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:48.240 ones that are open at the time that the person is walking 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.840 and interacting with the artwork. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:55.480 So that's a really great feature of the AutoCast app. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:58.919 As far as the seven sculptures that were selected 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:03.919 for the 2025-2026 year, like I said, there were seven. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:09.399 We had two artists represented from Freeport, 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:12.319 and then we had one artist from New York, 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:17.319 one from Dubuque, Iowa, one from St. Joseph, Missouri, 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:20.960 one from Lutherville, Maryland 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:25.340 and one from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, just north of here. 00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:31.319 All in all, we had 31 submissions by 22 artists 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:37.039 and seven, like I said, were selected by the commissioners. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.379 you can go to the next one if you don't mind. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:45.279 And so all of these are the sculptures that are downtown. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:50.659 The idea here is to change out the artwork each year. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:53.120 And that is important for a couple 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:55.399 of very important reasons. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:13:00.399 First, it keeps the exhibition dynamic. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:03.080 You see different artworks every year 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:06.080 and keeps people engaged and interested. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:09.720 and then also allows us to explore a much broader range 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:13.279 of interesting and beautiful artwork. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:16.600 But the second reason is a little bit more practical. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:21.600 It is a lot more affordable to do a sculpture walk this way 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:26.919 because we are essentially renting the artwork 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:29.419 from the artists instead of trying to purchase 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:30.980 artwork from the artists. 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:40.860 So, that's the key reasons that informed the way that we went about this work. 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:50.899 So the 2025 to 2026 Sculpture Walk was made possible by a grant that I wrote to the Illinois 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:53.340 Arts Council Agency. 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:58.700 It's a state agency and they have a specific program called the Catalyst Program. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:04.980 And the idea behind that is to launch, help get started projects like these. 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:08.740 And so they awarded us money to get it started. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:14.799 It also was supported greatly by funds from Cornerstone Credit Union. 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:18.039 They paid for the AutoCast app. 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:24.059 And then two supporters from our Paint the Port event that the museum puts on every year 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.860 in August. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:35.259 and so all of that, those monies were put together to put on this year's Sculpture Walk. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:43.100 And then the last slide there, if you want to go to that, just real briefly, the importance 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:50.660 of Sculpture Walks downtown, I will say that the biggest thing is that beyond the beauty, 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:57.240 They encourage more walkability and the way that they do it is they encourage people to 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:03.220 slow down and we know that when people slow down while they're walking through downtown, 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.799 they will spend more money. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:11.539 They'll spend more time means spending more money downtown and we also know from research 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:19.200 from the Americans for the Arts who gathered information on this, communities that include 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:28.480 We did sculpture walks in their downtown. People that visit contribute 15 more to those businesses 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:34.799 than communities that don't have sculpture walks. So it all adds to all of the other 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:40.240 work that we're doing to improve economic development in our community. If anybody has 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:44.079 questions, I'm here. Otherwise, thank you for your time tonight. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:52.879 Thank you, Jessica. Any questions? Thank you. Item number eight is discussion 00:15:52.879 --> 00:16:00.980 regarding ordinance amending ambulance rates. Chief Cordy. Thank you, Mayor. As 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:06.180 we all know, the fire department is one of the essential functions of the city 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:15.180 and the ambulance service is a large portion of what we do. In reviewing some 00:16:15.180 --> 00:16:24.440 Some of our data this year, we realized that we were leaving money on the table for some 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:27.600 of the fees that we were charging. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:34.299 The last time the ambulance rates were reviewed were in 2022. 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:42.559 In that ordinance, there is a clause that says that we can increase those rates either 00:16:42.559 --> 00:17:11.559 We started looking into what our options were and what some of the things in the area are, 88% or actually 88.5% of our clientele or our patients that we transport are either Medicare or Medicaid patients. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:30.559 which is fine. That's part of the demographic of the city. 5.7% is insurance pays, 3.8% is self-pay, and 1.1% is government pay, so like VA insurance. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:43.559 We got a hold of a survey from the area, basically, Winnebago and Stevenson County that shows some of the current rates. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:52.559 Our current rate for residents is $1,200, whether it's a basic call or an advanced life support call. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:56.559 $1,700 for non-residents. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:08.160 As we look at the spreadsheet, we found out that we're in the bottom third of the 22 departments that were surveyed. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:17.759 And we also participate in what's called a GEMT program, which is Government Emergency Medical Transport. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:23.559 I think it was Chief Liggett that got us involved in that. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:32.159 Basically what they do is they evaluate different departments on different criteria and then 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:41.840 they set a rate that they will assist to pay the difference for Medicare and Medicaid patients. 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:59.320 Our current rate that we received back this year was $1,317 for an ALS Type 1 and $1,322 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.840 for an ALS Type 2. 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:07.519 Difference between a Type 1 and a Type 2 is the severity of the call, the amount of treatment 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:12.720 and the amount of things that need to be taken care of for the patient. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:22.679 At this point with a rate of $1,200, we're leaving $117 on the table basically at a minimum 00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:33.000 for every one of the Medicare Medicaid patients that we haul, which is about $3,500. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:38.700 We run about 4550 calls a year for the ambulance. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:45.440 About 550 of those are refusals that we don't charge for. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:50.400 That brings us down to 4,000 calls. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:56.740 And then, like I say, about 3,500 are Medicare-Medicaid. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.900 That leaves quite a bit of money. 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:02.960 That leaves quite a bit of money on the table that is available to us that we're not taking 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:06.079 advantage of. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:16.759 As we go through the spreadsheet, you see what the average is, $1,874 for a basic call 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:32.410 and $1,971 for a non-resident basic call. Up to $2,306. So like I say, we're significantly 00:20:32.410 --> 00:20:41.210 under that. Also, we can charge for mileage when we transport a patient. Sorry, that's not really 00:20:41.210 --> 00:20:55.210 We're charging $14 a mile. The average is $19. We charge $450 for an ALS intercept, which is just a little bit over the average. 00:20:55.210 --> 00:21:07.210 Our lift assists are actually $145 charged at a half hour, so it's $72.50, and we don't charge for refusals. 00:21:07.210 --> 00:21:20.579 What we would like to increase to would be $2,000 for resident calls across the board 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:26.420 and $2,500 for non-residents across the board. 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:32.539 Increasing the mileage to $20, keeping the ALS intercept the same, and then changing 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:08.619 and we got kind of behind on some of those. 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:11.579 So the idea is we're just gonna turn that over 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:13.880 to the billing company and let them handle it. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:18.220 They said that to do the ALS intercepts through them, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.639 we had to have a signed agreement 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:25.019 from the departments that we do those with, 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:29.779 which we have written up part of your packet, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:32.599 has been approved by the attorneys 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:34.960 and willing to move forward with. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:41.680 The lift assists, like I said, we're looking to go to 150 across the board. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:45.680 Most of them take more than half an hour. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:50.680 So it's just kind of a more of a straightforward type of approach with that. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:55.680 Also, there was a law that was passed in Illinois this year 00:22:55.680 --> 00:23:03.680 that allows departments to charge for lift assists if they weren't already doing it. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:16.680 those are for facilities only and for other ambulance services. We do not charge and we have no intention of charging the citizens or the customers themselves. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:24.680 It's only the facilities that have staff on site that then they call us in to do their lift assist for them. 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:28.680 So that's the only change in that. 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:36.000 and the refusals. We don't charge for refusals. There are some departments on here that do. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:41.960 Basically, our intentions are if we don't transport you, we will treat you at the scene, 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:49.639 we will respond to your scene. But if either your injury and illness don't warrant transport, 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:54.920 you decide on your own that you don't want to be transported. There is no charge, 00:23:54.920 --> 00:24:02.039 George, there is no bill for those. Like I said, I'm sure there's going to be quite 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:10.420 a few questions, so anybody has any? Chief, did you say that some departments 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:16.299 do have Lyft assist charges, but we do not? No, we have Lyft assist charges. We've had 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:24.099 those since 22, I think, either 19 or 22. It's the refusals. It was the refusals that 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:29.539 we do not charge for that a lot of other departments do okay and and so this new change in the ordinance 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:35.380 won't does not affect the refusals even though some departments do correct correct and what 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:42.819 do some departments charge for um refusal uh anywhere from a hundred dollars to four hundred 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:58.819 We have a lot of citizens that we respond to multiple, multiple times throughout the year. 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:06.819 There's one that I know of that we looked at. It's been 43 times already just this year that we've responded. 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.819 And we don't charge for those. 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:14.619 and you also said that the lift assist charges are for facilities like assisted 00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:21.059 living yes yes we've got a we've got a list Liberty Village Oakley Court Park 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:26.460 View Pearl Point Heritage Woods Wind Prairie Serenity Estates the Citadel at 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:32.180 st. Joseph's where we included the hospital in there because we've gone 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:36.299 there a few times to to help move patients inside the hospital and then 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:42.460 Star Ambulance, which we've done lift assists in moving patients with before. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:44.639 And we currently do charge or do not? 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.639 We do. 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:49.180 And are you proposing an increase in that amount as well? 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.180 Yeah. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:56.980 Well, the ordinance right now states $145 charged in half hour increments. 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.980 Okay. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:03.500 So what I'm proposing is $150, just a one-time fee, no matter how long it takes. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:07.160 Gotcha. 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:08.160 Aldrin Johnson. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:14.480 This is just some things that I looked up. The UCPI, according to the ordinance, it 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:19.319 says the Adopted Ordinance provides for an annual increase based upon the UCPI 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:30.299 not exceeding 5%. And for the four years that we didn't increase, in 23 the UCPI 00:26:30.299 --> 00:27:00.180 I was 3.4% and 24 it was 2.9% and 25 2.7% and this year 3.8%. So totaling all those up would be an increase of if you do it every year would be an increase of $152.80 which would make it $1,352.80 for resident rate and $1,852.08 for non-resident rate. 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:04.319 and I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to see us follow what the ordinance says 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:11.139 that says we can raise it up to five percent rather than raise it up to the 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:13.660 amount that's listed on the 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:15.779 papers and 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:21.779 Does that ordinance then reflect that that that can automatically happen each year or is that always have to come back to council? 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:24.000 That's supposed to be an annual adjustment 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:27.700 So that doesn't need to come back before council if you're just going to do the CPI 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:33.099 and do you know why the adjustments didn't just happen I do not I think they 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:43.740 were just overlooked anything else I think the other ones are fine you know 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:48.700 oops yeah you sure yeah the other one I understand all the other ones with gas 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:54.779 and everything and with having the lifts and then there was a one for a 00:27:54.779 --> 00:28:01.400 recipient the person a provider goes and helps in a situation where they need 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:08.759 More, and the money that's charged for that. I think that's fine too. Just that other thing 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:14.079 is I'm concerned about. Did you need anything from us at the moment, Chief? No, this was 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:19.619 just informational with the intent to bring it back for first reading next week. So the 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:27.119 only other comment that I've got is the fact that, you know, everything is getting more 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:30.799 and more expensive, especially when you put emergency on it. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:39.639 You know, the department keeps 46% of the revenue from this and that will eventually 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:47.639 start to deteriorate as far as the replacement of vehicles, replacement of buildings. 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:54.400 I think it was Chief Jim Gale that implemented this back in the late 80s, early 90s with 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:58.720 the intent of being a capital improvement fund for the fire department. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:03.960 And from that point on, every building that we've purchased, every vehicle 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:08.079 that we've purchased, all the major repairs and things have all come out 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:10.799 of that fund rather than coming out of the general fund. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:14.759 So it's, it's a good, good tool for us. 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:15.840 Okay. 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:20.000 Uh, item number nine is discussion regarding second list of street 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:23.559 lighting locations, Alderman's, uh, Stacy and Simmons. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:50.990 Yes. We are seeking to start on the second list. There was a second list. I had asked that it be connected to my memo. It never made it. 00:29:50.990 --> 00:29:55.869 Chief Shenberger before he retired. He did a 00:29:55.869 --> 00:30:08.799 Heard, he did a second list of high crime areas with low lighting. 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.960 I had asked for this. 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:19.359 It was sent to City Manager Boyer per his request. 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:27.759 I continue to seek copy, and I had hoped that it would have been here tonight, City Manager. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:38.740 so that we can talk about moving forward with the second list. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:42.740 Manager Boyer, would you like to shed light on that, please? 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:49.740 Sure. At this time, I'm not aware of this list that Alderman Stacy is talking about. 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:57.740 I do know that in the last two weeks, we've reopened the franchise agreement with ComEd. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:31:06.380 One item on the request is to upgrade not only 5th Ward lighting but lighting in all 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:11.539 wards with a schedule of light replacements. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:17.460 And this is because over a course of time LEDs lose approximately 5% of their lumens 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:25.519 each year and the ComEd lights that are installed not only in 5th Ward but in many of the wards, 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:49.119 We need to make sure that we're using the right tools to accomplish the goal, which is making sure that those lights are properly maintained, which in many cases are dim due to their age and the fact that they haven't been replaced since they originally installed. 00:31:49.119 --> 00:32:08.119 So, we are working with the ComEd to address those issues, not just 5th Ward, but in all wards, and we did do a first kind of go-around in 2024 with Chief, and he identified areas that some additional lighting would be beneficial. 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:17.119 Those areas really included areas of high traffic and access where permanently mounted cameras are located. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:26.420 So at this time, we are working on this, but it's a little more comprehensive and it's doing our best to use outside funding to accomplish this. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:29.119 So, yes, that's what I've got. Thank you, Mayor. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:36.360 Chief Rostow, do you have anything you want to say about high crime, low light or the list that was referred to? 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:45.119 Yes, thank you. I was not made aware or given of any first list, second list or any list thereof 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:49.619 with the potential of locations or addresses. 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:53.200 I was not given a single thing or given a phone call. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.639 But I will say this. 00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:56.319 I think what we're all looking for 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:58.839 is some type of heterogeneous result, 00:32:58.839 --> 00:33:02.079 and that means data, that means intervention, 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:05.880 that means some type of outcome or variability of it. 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:08.680 Street lighting is one of the earliest forms 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:10.880 of situational crime prevention, 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:14.599 and it dates back as antiquity. 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:17.880 People understand darkness equals fear. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:20.680 However, with our social climate 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:22.740 and the way things have changed, 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:26.400 the investment really has to be all encompassing. 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:29.319 And that investment is that crime, 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:31.680 all over big cities and small towns, 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:33.759 occurs at all times of the day, 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:38.360 with the sunlight and with the moon. 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:42.400 So, such as substance abuse, gun violence, 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.839 narcotic transactions, 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:46.680 and we've had them over the weekend in broad daily 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:49.680 of domestic violence and of gun violence. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:52.240 So really I think what everyone is thinking 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:54.720 is a theory of change that is encompassing 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:58.519 of changing behavior and a changing behavior 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:02.380 for anything potential such as stopping offenders, 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:04.539 changing the behavior, stopping the cycle 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:08.159 of domestic violence, social impact issues. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:11.279 And again, it's really, as I said again, 00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:13.420 it's not just one encompassing 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:15.340 and there's really no police department 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:18.619 that just says one equals another 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:20.239 because that's why I said earlier 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:23.000 it's really a heterogeneous result for it 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:25.079 and lighting really is an antiquity 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:31.289 in regards to having some type of result for that. 00:34:31.289 --> 00:34:32.130 Thank you. 00:34:33.130 --> 00:34:33.970 Alderman Stacey. 00:34:33.970 --> 00:34:39.090 For the record, City Manager Boyer, 00:34:40.150 --> 00:34:45.150 I had no hands-on creating either list. 00:34:46.849 --> 00:34:53.849 and it's not fair for you to insinuate that it was just for Fifth Ward. 00:34:53.849 --> 00:34:56.849 It was not just for Fifth Ward. 00:34:56.849 --> 00:34:58.849 There's crime all over. 00:34:58.849 --> 00:35:07.849 So for you to say or make a statement about all of Freeport or all of the wards, 00:35:07.849 --> 00:35:13.849 it was not something that was just done for Fifth Ward. 00:35:13.849 --> 00:35:32.380 and Director Stico, you were a very big part of this in 2024 with ComEd. Is there anything you would like to say? 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:44.380 I believe it was 2026 is when we finally replaced 63 lights at a cost of $374 per each, so it was about $24,000. 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:46.380 2025? 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:51.059 2425 is when we first started talking about it, but I pulled the memo from 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:56.779 2026 when we did the replacements, excuse me, 2025, you're correct. 00:35:57.779 --> 00:36:04.420 Um, and, um, there is an additional cost, uh, for the electric and there 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:09.139 is, uh, uh, an upkeep cost that goes to the monthly charge for the comment bills. 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:16.779 And so, um, currently I don't believe we have anything, uh, listed in the 00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:21.260 and the budget for light replacements, but with the direction of council, obviously 00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:22.579 those things can be done. 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:29.480 Um, I would echo, uh, city manager Boyer's idea of the franchise agreement, 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:33.820 cause that's the best scenario for us to get the done through the lowest cost. 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:38.019 And, um, I would agree back. 00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:44.739 It's been several mayors ago when the LEDs, uh, were picked, most towns 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:48.400 around here signed the same agreement that Freeport did, and they're finding 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:56.019 out that many of the LEDs while they were used to reduce electric usage have 00:36:56.019 --> 00:37:01.720 also become very poorly lit on the streets and basically the street lights 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:07.079 are there to illuminate stop signs and in small parts of intersections with a 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:11.840 very narrow path of light rather than a flood type approach like an incandescent 00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:19.679 used to be. So I will say, um, we replaced the 14 watt LEDs, I believe with 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:26.880 149 watt LED on the streets that we did in 25. Um, and I believe that that's 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:31.840 probably some type of city wide resolution that needs to be done to, uh, 00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:37.159 increase lighting throughout. But, uh, with the franchise having a unique 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:42.239 opportunity of having the franchise agreement expiring and opening that 00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:46.079 would be our opportunity to try to negotiate something that would be more 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:47.720 powerful than just a small project. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.679 Alderman Simmons. 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.000 Okay. 00:37:57.000 --> 00:38:03.320 So a few things, when will that program that you were speaking of begin manager 00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:08.239 Boyer, if you said it and I missed it, I'm sorry, and to address what the 00:38:08.239 --> 00:38:12.000 chief said, I agree with you, crime occurs at all time, no matter of the 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:39.119 and Stacey. We do understand that lighting does not cure crime. However, as the young 00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:43.720 Lady that came up here and spoke mentioned, her car's been hit twice. 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:49.659 We would have gotten a suspect had the street been lit enough for her ring camera to catch 00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:50.659 the assailant. 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:56.139 So in areas where there's high traffic and high accidents, it is more than beneficial 00:38:56.139 --> 00:38:58.960 to add lighting in those areas. 00:38:58.960 --> 00:39:01.599 As far as the social programs, I totally agree. 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:03.800 I would love to see more of those. 00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:09.039 Hopefully we'll have your support in starting additional social programs to catch kids before 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:13.440 or they turn to crime to prevent the crime in that way. 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:15.079 So I do agree with you on that. 00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:17.920 But I think what we're asking is a different reason 00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:21.199 than we want lights to prevent crime. 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:26.519 Some areas, the safety would be much greater 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:29.199 if there was additional lighting. 00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:31.079 And then as far as the cost, 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:34.159 I understand that adding lights may be costly, 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:38.239 but we had no problem sinking millions of dollars 00:39:38.239 --> 00:39:43.239 into adding waterway to benefit one business. 00:39:43.739 --> 00:39:46.400 So costs should not be the issue. 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:48.159 It is just how do we budget for it 00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:50.079 and how do we implement it? 00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:52.480 And that is why this discussion is on the floor 00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:54.159 at this time so that we can. 00:39:54.159 --> 00:39:58.039 on the floor at this time so that we can gauge everyone's temperature, see where you are 00:39:58.039 --> 00:40:02.360 with this, and hopefully when we do bring you back, once the chief recommends some areas 00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:06.380 that would benefit for additional lighting, that we would have everyone's support in 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:13.019 it. 00:40:13.019 --> 00:40:15.900 And just a quick point of order on a couple items there. 00:40:15.900 --> 00:40:20.320 So there have been some requests that have been made by other people on this topic directly 00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:24.820 to the department heads there, so I just want to remind everyone that per our council rules 00:40:24.820 --> 00:40:30.739 is there any requests for city staff to do something, do homework, find anything, should 00:40:30.739 --> 00:40:34.900 be directed to the city manager first and then he can dole out the homework according 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.900 to our ordinance. 00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:36.900 Okay. 00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:37.900 That's fine. 00:40:37.900 --> 00:40:42.900 She's just telling you what the procedure is. 00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:51.719 If I had the directive for staff, I would make a motion during that, so thank you. 00:40:51.719 --> 00:40:52.719 Darren. 00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:55.099 Yeah, I just wanted to clarify something I said. 00:40:55.099 --> 00:41:01.800 So replacing Cobra heads last year were $374 a piece. 00:41:02.260 --> 00:41:06.260 If we're looking at additional lighting that's not on an existing 00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:11.099 ComEd facility, which would be one of their poles, we're probably looking 00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:16.820 at more like $14,000 to add a new pole, new light fixture to a streetway. 00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:28.739 So, um, I just want everybody to understand adding fixtures that are not already there are much more costly than replacing existing light packages that are already are in place. 00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:36.219 I just want to say that at the time when we were going over the budget 00:41:36.219 --> 00:41:47.139 and creating a budget for this year. I did openly ask and request that money be set aside 00:41:47.139 --> 00:41:54.820 for lighting alone. And City Manager Boyer, you referred to me that we would talk about 00:41:54.820 --> 00:42:00.460 that and we would get that done, but we have not talked about it and we have not got it 00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:11.059 Dunn. So I brought it tonight in hopes to talk about it and get it done. And I don't 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:22.420 know what happened to the list that you were emailed by Chief Shenberger. However, I have 00:42:22.420 --> 00:42:33.079 access and I can get that list and make it happen. But I know it was emailed directly 00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:41.920 to you, per your request. 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.920 Manager Boyer? 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:51.059 Yeah, we just have to agree to disagree. 00:42:51.059 --> 00:42:54.150 And that's okay. 00:42:54.150 --> 00:43:04.210 So do we need to go back to a point of procedure, Alderman Stacey wants to have a discussion 00:43:04.210 --> 00:43:13.369 on adding street lighting to the budget, however, just one older person can't do that. 00:43:13.369 --> 00:43:20.869 So what's the right procedure to make that discussion happen? 00:43:20.869 --> 00:43:25.670 I think ultimately right now, this is the opportunity for the council to discuss whether 00:43:25.670 --> 00:43:31.730 or not they are in favor of kind of having staff walk down a path of looking into this, 00:43:31.730 --> 00:43:36.829 which would entail everything from, you know, what are possible solutions, and then what 00:43:36.829 --> 00:43:41.329 are the costs of those solutions, and then how do we find money for those solutions there. 00:43:41.329 --> 00:43:47.050 If the council as a whole is in favor of walking down that path, doing that homework in support 00:43:47.050 --> 00:43:53.170 of the proposals from Alderman Stacey and Simmons there, then, you know, they can articulate 00:43:53.170 --> 00:43:54.170 that here. 00:43:54.170 --> 00:43:58.369 If they're not in favor of all of that, then they can also state that position as well. 00:43:58.369 --> 00:44:03.530 So that staff has some direction as to what the council is supportive of as a whole or 00:44:03.530 --> 00:44:04.769 not in support of. 00:44:04.769 --> 00:44:14.130 Right. So Manager Boyer has proposed that the franchise agreement might be the right procedural to start. 00:44:15.449 --> 00:44:25.409 And he's opening that and he's starting that. So I don't know if that's what the wish of the council is or if it's to just, you know, Manager Boyer. 00:44:25.409 --> 00:44:45.409 Thank you Madam Mayor. So the franchise agreement talks about a lot of different items that the city and ComEd work together on. Some of that's tree removal. Some of that is what the buildings, the city buildings that the city does not have to pay ComEd for electricity. 00:45:15.409 --> 00:45:20.889 and which time if we are unable to get what it is or we're looking for in terms 00:45:20.889 --> 00:45:27.610 of improved street lighting then we maybe look at our existing budget. However, if 00:45:27.610 --> 00:45:34.329 we were to jump ahead of the process and start putting in street lights we would 00:45:34.329 --> 00:45:39.769 be bearing the cost of those right now and we may be able to get those taken 00:45:39.769 --> 00:45:44.090 care of. It's unclear at this time but I think it's best if we follow through 00:45:44.090 --> 00:46:01.720 and I are going to work through with the franchise agreement process and do our best to negotiate that and then at that time, if we don't get our desired result, then we look at budgeting and installing lights at the city's expense. 00:46:01.720 --> 00:46:04.720 Alderman, did you have something on your phone? 00:46:04.720 --> 00:46:06.720 Did you get your question answered, Alderman Sanders? 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.720 No, I have not. 00:46:07.720 --> 00:46:09.720 You had your hand up. 00:46:09.720 --> 00:46:11.720 You got it fresh in your head? 00:46:11.720 --> 00:46:13.720 Go ahead, Alderman Klemm. 00:46:13.720 --> 00:46:15.720 Yeah, what you got to say? 00:46:15.720 --> 00:46:24.360 A couple things that, Darren, I wanted to ask you something about what you brought up, because 00:46:24.360 --> 00:46:29.800 as we discuss this, as we all know, there's numerous areas all over town. 00:46:29.800 --> 00:46:35.960 What is really, as we look at the lights, what is the intent? 00:46:35.960 --> 00:46:44.099 You mentioned traffic, you mentioned stop signs, you mentioned et cetera, like that. 00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:51.539 I'll just pick up one area that's absolutely terrible and we all kind of laugh at it, but 00:46:51.539 --> 00:46:57.559 it is what it is and that's Qantas Drive, you know. Somebody did a beautiful job in putting 00:46:57.559 --> 00:47:02.300 in Qantas Drive, they only forgot to put in the street lights. There's one street light 00:47:02.300 --> 00:47:07.900 on the whole thing by an intersection, okay. So that's why I'm asking, you know, what 00:47:07.900 --> 00:47:12.099 What is the real intent of street lighting? 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:15.940 We've discussed it on La Cresta years ago. 00:47:15.940 --> 00:47:20.960 We discussed that there's a set of condos that are out behind a manual that don't have 00:47:20.960 --> 00:47:26.739 enough and it's gone through two city managers and whatever, and no, we won't put them in. 00:47:26.739 --> 00:47:33.579 I understand it, but I guess the question is, what is the real intent of street lighting 00:47:33.579 --> 00:47:37.340 and what's the, what should it go by? 00:47:39.019 --> 00:47:45.900 But I think if you would review most of town, you'll see that most of the lighting reflects areas 00:47:45.900 --> 00:47:51.980 around intersections or traffic signals to highlight them. And that's, that's part for the 00:47:51.980 --> 00:48:01.340 course of most communities. You know, in today's age, the lights have changed a lot with the, 00:48:01.340 --> 00:48:31.340 There's something called the dark sky lighting, where they don't want any light protruding up in the air, you know, to save the planet. And there's a lot of been a lot of changes, especially with LEDs and power savings, right? And consumption to the grid. And right, wrong or indifferent, I will tell you that from 20 years ago to now, there's just probably as many as many, if not a few more lights in town. 00:48:31.340 --> 00:48:35.000 and there used to be the difference was the incandescence lit up a flood 00:48:35.000 --> 00:48:37.039 pattern or a long distance. 00:48:37.039 --> 00:48:40.500 So when they were measured out between blocks, the light was lighting up 00:48:40.500 --> 00:48:46.539 100 or 150 feet, where today it's only lighting up about 25 feet at max. 00:48:47.300 --> 00:48:49.539 And that's designed by commonwealth 00:48:49.539 --> 00:48:52.139 that it's in that way to keep the directional lights down 00:48:52.539 --> 00:48:55.940 to more signal the lights right, wrong or indifferent. 00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:58.659 That that's that's what they are for. 00:48:58.659 --> 00:49:04.199 I know if you talk to most residents, including myself, you feel more secure 00:49:04.199 --> 00:49:08.079 when there's a light by your facility or it's, it's not completely dark. 00:49:08.699 --> 00:49:10.220 That's just human nature, right? 00:49:10.239 --> 00:49:14.519 Um, going back to the chief's point of, you know, we all have, you know, lights 00:49:14.519 --> 00:49:17.380 at our house that we turn on when people come, it makes you feel safe. 00:49:17.380 --> 00:49:18.519 You can see where you're going. 00:49:18.940 --> 00:49:24.380 Um, we'll put up as many lights as the council directs us to do. 00:49:24.960 --> 00:49:26.579 Um, it's very costly though. 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:32.260 Um, especially the pole additions and we've had several requests for additional lights. 00:49:32.260 --> 00:49:34.940 So I'm very confident in that number. 00:49:35.300 --> 00:49:39.659 Um, there's even some of our, um, I'm going to call it our newest areas that 00:49:39.659 --> 00:49:42.940 didn't have lights either that, that there's several people out there that 00:49:42.940 --> 00:49:44.500 would like lights added as well. 00:49:44.500 --> 00:49:49.019 So that's where I just had got that cost last year for additional pole lights. 00:49:49.019 --> 00:49:52.139 I think some of the changes 00:49:52.139 --> 00:49:57.280 I think some of the changes that we made in 2025 with the brighter lights at the 00:49:57.280 --> 00:49:58.840 areas have helped. 00:49:59.039 --> 00:50:00.159 They're a little bit different. 00:50:00.159 --> 00:50:02.320 You can get different flood patterns to lights. 00:50:02.639 --> 00:50:08.559 And I think that's primarily the problem that I do think that the program that we 00:50:08.559 --> 00:50:14.280 did in 25 was very successful and people seem to be much happier with the brighter 00:50:14.280 --> 00:50:16.519 light with the wider flood pattern. 00:50:16.519 --> 00:50:22.039 So I, I do think that that's probably the package or the product that Freeport can 00:50:22.039 --> 00:50:26.519 afford the most at this time without major renovations to our lighting system. 00:50:26.840 --> 00:50:32.199 And even with what city manager Boyer mentioned, the franchise agreement, if 00:50:32.199 --> 00:50:36.039 we were to do a blanket agreement that every light in town got changed, that's a 00:50:36.039 --> 00:50:37.159 very large project. 00:50:37.960 --> 00:50:42.519 I don't know if Clark Anderson remembers how many lights there are in town because 00:50:42.519 --> 00:50:46.199 we do an annual lighting survey of it, but it's, it's a lot. 00:50:46.519 --> 00:50:57.230 Thank you. Anyone else? Alderman Johnson? Yeah, I just wondered if there's any 00:50:57.230 --> 00:51:02.110 relationship like to the handicapped areas, you know, like where you've got the 00:51:02.110 --> 00:51:05.750 ramps and stuff, if there's a relation between lighting and those areas. Is 00:51:05.750 --> 00:51:10.269 there any relation with that at all or no? I mean, yes, because they're trying 00:51:10.269 --> 00:51:14.869 to identify the stop signs and traffic intersections where, you know, they don't 00:51:14.869 --> 00:51:18.030 want people to miss those signs for a stop bar, so that's mostly around your 00:51:18.030 --> 00:51:23.789 Intersections. But again, it's the change in lighting from incandescent 00:51:23.789 --> 00:51:28.869 to LED. They can't they can't reduce the lumen to reduce the energy 00:51:28.869 --> 00:51:32.070 without narrowing the scope of the light. So much of that doesn't 00:51:32.070 --> 00:51:39.389 get lit anymore. My personal opinion is this isn't really relegated 00:51:39.389 --> 00:51:42.989 to one spot or another in town as you drive around at night, which 00:51:42.989 --> 00:51:47.730 I do quite often with my dogs just for, you know, fun time. 00:51:47.730 --> 00:51:52.250 It's very dim and very, you know, all over quadrants of Freeport. 00:51:53.190 --> 00:51:55.630 Way different with the change from incandescence. 00:51:58.670 --> 00:52:02.869 Thank you. I think I can also add, I don't remember the numbers, 00:52:02.869 --> 00:52:07.969 but I believe our energy bills, Michelle's not here tonight, really reflect that, too. 00:52:07.969 --> 00:52:12.869 I think our power usage is about 30%, 30 or 35% 00:52:12.869 --> 00:52:19.880 of what it used to be, too, back when we had incandescence. 00:52:19.880 --> 00:52:23.239 OK, there's no further discussion. 00:52:23.239 --> 00:52:25.239 Alderman Sanders? 00:52:25.239 --> 00:52:30.199 Yeah, I listen to the comments and things. 00:52:30.199 --> 00:52:34.440 And the one thing that we have not focused on 00:52:34.440 --> 00:52:38.000 is trying to come up with a resolution of all 00:52:38.000 --> 00:52:42.119 of the requests and suggestions that are made tonight. 00:52:42.119 --> 00:52:45.039 And I hear reflections are coming out 00:52:45.039 --> 00:52:55.039 We're out of order, as far as I am concerned, in the process of making the decision on the request that is being put before us. 00:52:55.039 --> 00:53:10.039 The Council is not colluding or collaborating with each other in order to come up with a scenario, a resolution for what is being asked of us to proceed with. 00:53:10.039 --> 00:53:39.039 We're out of order, as far as I am concerned, in the processing of how we go about to do move forward on any suggestion or request, even if we bring what it is out on the floor as individuals, as collective, we're not focusing on together to make the statement together, whether we're voting or 00:53:39.039 --> 00:53:50.280 For, whether we're discussing it or not, where does it conform to anything that we're discussing 00:53:50.280 --> 00:53:51.280 here? 00:53:51.280 --> 00:54:00.079 Because once we stop talking about it tonight, we have not made a clear statement on anything, 00:54:00.079 --> 00:54:02.360 on how we're going to move forward. 00:54:02.360 --> 00:54:09.260 So what we need to do is, before we start bringing up things to do, council needs to 00:54:09.260 --> 00:54:17.800 be able to get their hands dirty in the process of all of the requests that are being made 00:54:17.800 --> 00:54:20.320 to us to make decisions. 00:54:20.320 --> 00:54:24.320 Council has to make the decision for staff to move forward. 00:54:24.320 --> 00:54:30.159 If they're not getting this kind of information, they're throwing their hands up as well. 00:54:30.159 --> 00:54:36.760 Black is throwing their hands up as well because if council is not saying anything on how we 00:54:36.760 --> 00:54:40.639 to move forward, then we're stagnated. 00:54:40.639 --> 00:54:47.800 We're stagnated because we're going to be here talking on assumptions on how we're going 00:54:47.800 --> 00:54:49.159 to get things done. 00:54:49.159 --> 00:54:52.360 Well, that's not what we're here to do. 00:54:52.360 --> 00:55:00.119 And so I'd just like to make sure that council is in collaboration with each other as opposed 00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:19.119 We're not coming up with resolution as councilmen together to solve any problems that we have. We are acting as individual councilmen, but we're not coming up with resolution as councilmen together to solve any problems that we have. 00:55:19.119 --> 00:55:25.199 Huffines. That's not what we're doing. We're acting as individual councilmen, but we're 00:55:25.199 --> 00:55:31.119 not coming up with resolution as councilmen together to solve any problems and issues that 00:55:31.119 --> 00:55:38.320 are going forward before council and for the public. Yeah, council needs to meet with each 00:55:38.320 --> 00:55:46.199 other. So city manager knows our directive and he's going to try to fulfill all of the 00:55:46.199 --> 00:55:53.159 Blanks and the questions that we have and things of this nature but if we're not moving as a council 00:55:54.360 --> 00:56:01.639 to help him move down the road then we're still clueless about a lot of things that are happening 00:56:01.639 --> 00:56:08.360 throughout the city if we have not collectively gotten together to even make discussion matters 00:56:08.360 --> 00:56:18.679 on these issues. So it's that we, as council members, need to be able to help and do our job 00:56:19.960 --> 00:56:27.480 to help move the resolution, the agendas and the resolution that is created. We have not been, 00:56:27.480 --> 00:56:33.239 as a council... Alderman Sanders, your time has expired. Oh, I didn't know I was on the time. Yep. 00:56:33.239 --> 00:56:42.220 Okay. All right. Anyone else? City manager? I just want to make one comment and try to address 00:56:42.220 --> 00:56:50.539 what you said Alderman Sanders. So when it basically I look at it as you've got two options here 00:56:50.539 --> 00:56:57.179 moving forward. One kind of takes precedent over the other. The first one is a 50-year opportunity 00:56:57.179 --> 00:57:02.940 to renegotiate our franchise agreement with ComEd and then inculcate those benefits into 00:57:02.940 --> 00:57:08.619 that agreement moving forward. And then kind of waiting for some of the resolution of that process 00:57:08.619 --> 00:57:14.220 before we throw money at a problem that we've kind of dealt with for a number of years. Now, 00:57:14.940 --> 00:57:20.940 that's basically how I see the process going. I hope you kind of see my point. And if not, 00:57:21.900 --> 00:57:25.420 if you can respect it, I would greatly appreciate it. But at the end of the day, 00:57:25.420 --> 00:57:32.779 I think we need to exercise outside resources as often as we can before we use inside resources 00:57:32.779 --> 00:57:39.019 For example, we have received something on the order of like $80 million in the last five years. 00:57:39.820 --> 00:57:46.860 Had we not pursued the options of outside funding first, well, the ratepayers and the taxpayers of 00:57:46.860 --> 00:57:51.179 Freeport would be paying that $80 million instead of outside funding that's come in. 00:57:51.820 --> 00:57:57.420 So in my mind, the first step is you try to spend other agency money or state money or grant money 00:57:57.420 --> 00:58:02.659 First, and then if you have a need and you still can't get it done, then you look at 00:58:02.659 --> 00:58:09.300 what we have for our local budget, and do the best you can with that, but my focus is 00:58:09.300 --> 00:58:14.079 always going to be try to bring the outside resources into the community before I start 00:58:14.079 --> 00:58:17.940 solving the problems with local funds, because if we solve the problem, we no longer have 00:58:17.940 --> 00:58:21.900 a need that we can justify to an outside funding agent to provide it. 00:58:21.900 --> 00:58:50.900 Well, adding to that, City Manager, is that you are one of our forerunners to gather the information so we can move forward as council to make a determination to help you facilitate those areas that we don't have no clue about 00:58:50.900 --> 00:58:53.659 and understand the process of all of that 00:58:53.659 --> 00:58:58.659 and what it would take to create an agenda for that 00:58:59.099 --> 00:59:03.000 so you'd be able to do your job adequately 00:59:03.000 --> 00:59:05.739 and then that way you have the confidence 00:59:05.739 --> 00:59:10.539 and counsel knowing that you get virtually everything 00:59:10.539 --> 00:59:13.659 that we needed to move forward with. 00:59:13.659 --> 00:59:16.300 Well, that's not what we're doing. 00:59:16.300 --> 00:59:18.940 I know it's like you got your hands tied 00:59:18.940 --> 00:59:27.220 when we come to this point to talk about what it is necessarily and then what is necessary 00:59:27.220 --> 00:59:35.159 and then council we're sitting on our hands with no help moving forward to work with you 00:59:35.159 --> 00:59:36.860 on any issue. 00:59:36.860 --> 00:59:43.980 And so that's my whole problem is that we as council collectively is not really gathering 00:59:43.980 --> 00:59:49.820 up enough information from you to make rational and in. 00:59:49.820 --> 00:59:58.239 Rational and making decisions on whatever program, whatever problems that we're trying to solve, 00:59:58.239 --> 01:00:09.400 we can stand as individuals, as councils, trying to help you solve resolutions as individuals. 01:00:09.400 --> 01:00:15.420 Maybe collectively, if council got together and talked about the subject or the problems 01:00:15.420 --> 01:00:18.500 and the others that we're having that you want to address. 01:00:18.500 --> 01:00:21.619 Then we will move forward with getting things done 01:00:21.619 --> 01:00:24.179 because you have a clear understanding, 01:00:24.179 --> 01:00:27.139 council have a mission of clear understanding 01:00:27.139 --> 01:00:29.940 of what you're trying to achieve. 01:00:29.940 --> 01:00:34.940 And the same goes with our public works director. 01:00:37.539 --> 01:00:41.260 If anybody was really truly listening to him, 01:00:41.260 --> 01:00:46.099 He's making appeals on things that he would like to do. 01:00:46.099 --> 01:00:48.139 And he's addressing council. 01:00:48.139 --> 01:00:51.300 But at the end of the day, at the end of the discussion, 01:00:52.539 --> 01:00:56.679 we still haven't came together to give him his resolution. 01:00:56.679 --> 01:00:59.739 There's no resolution coming from his appeal. 01:00:59.739 --> 01:01:04.320 And council has to address whatever director departments 01:01:04.320 --> 01:01:07.280 are trying to address to a council. 01:01:07.280 --> 01:01:11.980 We have to talk about it as a council, as a collective, 01:01:11.980 --> 01:01:16.000 not as an individual because you never get anything done 01:01:16.000 --> 01:01:19.900 individually because we're not coming together 01:01:19.900 --> 01:01:21.880 to discuss the whole thing. 01:01:21.880 --> 01:01:23.960 And that's what my problem is. 01:01:23.960 --> 01:01:28.920 I just have a different reflection and viewpoints 01:01:28.920 --> 01:01:31.840 on what we're really doing and how we're gonna help 01:01:32.920 --> 01:01:36.639 to address these problems that you're trying to pursue. 01:01:36.639 --> 01:01:44.880 and to help you get the necessary fundings that is necessary from council as a whole. 01:01:44.880 --> 01:01:51.119 Because we're not addressing it all together as collectively as a council. 01:01:51.119 --> 01:02:00.199 We're stagnated between all of us and nobody wants to help solve the issues that you're talking about. 01:02:00.199 --> 01:02:02.000 Olloman Johnson. 01:02:02.000 --> 01:02:25.880 The way I'm understanding this is that we get the franchise agreement with ComEd which will help us in doing our budgeting regarding the lighting situation to maybe help with that and then we'll again identify possibly those sections or intersections or whatever that need the extra lighting so that we can put the plan in place. 01:02:25.880 --> 01:02:33.019 So that's kind of, in my understanding, right, that's kind of our direction or the direction to go to bring resolve to the situation. 01:02:33.019 --> 01:02:33.760 Incorrect. 01:02:33.760 --> 01:02:34.260 Thank you. 01:02:34.260 --> 01:02:36.760 Donald, Klemm? 01:02:36.760 --> 01:02:55.760 Yes. I just have a question just on the whole subject. If I could ask Aaron. Aaron, last year, I believe, in Rockford, the mayor at one point, I believe, was asking to remove the whole 01:02:55.760 --> 01:02:58.519 and a whole bunch of street lights and stuff over there. 01:03:01.679 --> 01:03:04.139 And maybe it's been longer than a year ago. 01:03:05.400 --> 01:03:08.440 Just kind of curious if you knew how that came out 01:03:08.440 --> 01:03:12.079 and naturally it was in the budgeting thing 01:03:12.079 --> 01:03:15.400 of how much they were spending on electricity 01:03:15.400 --> 01:03:17.960 so on and so forth in some of these areas. 01:03:17.960 --> 01:03:20.960 And it seems to me like they either did 01:03:20.960 --> 01:03:23.760 or were gonna take a bunch out 01:03:23.760 --> 01:03:29.159 and maybe, you know, our contacts with ComEd would know that, you know, to find out more. 01:03:29.159 --> 01:03:31.440 But I was just curious how that turned out. 01:03:31.440 --> 01:03:33.079 Tom, I apologize. 01:03:33.079 --> 01:03:39.219 I'm unaware of that situation in Rockford, but I'll look into it to see if they actually 01:03:39.219 --> 01:03:44.000 ever removed any streetlights in Rockford. 01:03:44.000 --> 01:03:48.420 Thank you. 01:03:48.420 --> 01:03:49.420 Okay. 01:03:49.420 --> 01:03:53.099 Move on to item number 10, which is public comment. 01:03:53.099 --> 01:03:54.099 Tommy? 01:03:54.099 --> 01:04:07.429 Jodi Miller is doing a good job as mayor and you're going to come and see my group on something? 01:04:07.429 --> 01:04:09.429 Well, we'll have to see about that. 01:04:09.429 --> 01:04:15.429 And Stacy did a good job there. 01:04:15.429 --> 01:04:21.429 And you too, Chief, you did a good job of being the pre-station of the Freeport. 01:04:21.429 --> 01:04:31.110 How you doing? I'm Kia. 01:04:31.110 --> 01:04:43.110 A couple things, I don't know really how to connect the dots, but the art thing, I don't have any problem with art, but I'm just a little concerned about why the art is mainly on Chicago Street if it says Freeport. 01:04:43.110 --> 01:04:52.110 I mean, I ain't got no problem with it even being downtown, but why is it only being on Chicago Street? It's for everybody to enjoy, everybody to spend money. 01:04:52.110 --> 01:04:54.110 I mean, you can spend money all over Freeport. 01:04:54.110 --> 01:04:58.750 Porter. So I'm just thinking like if we got to do something like that and you got to get 01:04:58.750 --> 01:05:02.389 brought to us in front of us, all the wards are up here. Art should be in every ward. It 01:05:02.389 --> 01:05:08.670 brightens up everybody day, don't it? That was one thing. And then I'm thinking like 01:05:08.670 --> 01:05:13.750 the connection with these street lights that nobody's actually, I mean they're connecting 01:05:13.750 --> 01:05:17.789 with it, but it's kind of, I feel like it's getting brushed under the rug. We had a lady 01:05:17.789 --> 01:05:23.389 that died. It was plenty of cameras on the street. Nobody could see nothing. It was a 01:05:23.389 --> 01:05:24.710 and a big party on the streets. 01:05:24.710 --> 01:05:26.470 She left three kids behind. 01:05:27.750 --> 01:05:30.150 We are losing, let me tell you, I'm gonna keep it real. 01:05:30.150 --> 01:05:33.369 We losing black people to violence 01:05:33.369 --> 01:05:34.909 in the areas that y'all know better 01:05:34.909 --> 01:05:37.309 than to just keep on talking about this everywhere. 01:05:37.309 --> 01:05:40.150 That's crap. 01:05:40.150 --> 01:05:42.190 Y'all know where this crime is happening at. 01:05:42.190 --> 01:05:44.849 Y'all know where it's high at and where it's low at. 01:05:45.869 --> 01:05:47.610 I feel like y'all just sweeping under the rug 01:05:47.610 --> 01:05:49.909 because I didn't remember this being in depth 01:05:49.909 --> 01:05:52.809 when Chicago, you can't even tell downtown. 01:05:52.809 --> 01:05:54.349 if it's day or night down there 01:05:54.349 --> 01:05:56.949 with all the brightest lights in the world down there. 01:05:57.989 --> 01:05:59.230 So I'm just trying to figure out 01:05:59.230 --> 01:06:02.449 why is it so deep to just put some lights. 01:06:02.449 --> 01:06:06.550 Y'all find money for everything, I mean everything. 01:06:07.389 --> 01:06:10.909 How come we couldn't put lights in the darkest places? 01:06:10.909 --> 01:06:13.389 She said it's only one light on her block. 01:06:13.389 --> 01:06:15.869 That should have been discussed. 01:06:15.869 --> 01:06:17.970 It's streets right now, I'm missing street signs 01:06:17.970 --> 01:06:19.470 and you know why you don't know 01:06:19.470 --> 01:06:20.989 is because half of y'all talk about it 01:06:20.989 --> 01:06:22.230 and don't go over there. 01:06:22.230 --> 01:06:24.590 You can walk your dog all day long, 01:06:24.590 --> 01:06:25.869 but I don't believe for two seconds 01:06:25.869 --> 01:06:28.449 as you being the representative of the street department 01:06:28.449 --> 01:06:32.529 that you missed every era in the fifth and third ward. 01:06:33.610 --> 01:06:35.510 It's a bunch of crap that you up here talking 01:06:35.510 --> 01:06:38.769 that it's just mom and pop brush under rug stuff. 01:06:38.769 --> 01:06:40.670 These is real concerns. 01:06:40.670 --> 01:06:44.250 Get it done. 01:06:44.250 --> 01:06:45.550 Any other public comment? 01:06:49.309 --> 01:06:50.869 You might want to wait till you get to the microphone. 01:06:50.869 --> 01:07:00.460 It's okay, we'll wait. 01:07:00.460 --> 01:07:03.659 I feel things really quick that I wanted to kind of 01:07:03.659 --> 01:07:13.019 which means that as a community we help each other so here's one of the issues 01:07:13.019 --> 01:07:17.619 that I have and I want to address you sir with this billing thing that you have 01:07:17.619 --> 01:07:24.920 going on it sounds like to me you need a specialist who does credential because 01:07:24.920 --> 01:07:29.380 for somebody who has over 30 years in the field it seems like you're billing 01:07:29.380 --> 01:07:33.380 on an outdated system maybe you don't know this because you're the fire 01:07:33.380 --> 01:08:03.380 Department. But there are two books that deal with medical billing. One is the CPT, which is the current procedural terminology book. The other one is the ICD, which is International Classification of Diseases. We're up to edition 11 right now. So if you don't have a credentialer who can negotiate with these insurance companies to get you the best dollar for whatever the procedure is, come see me. I got you. As a 01:08:03.380 --> 01:08:06.380 community member, I would extend that to you. 01:08:06.380 --> 01:08:09.940 And as she was saying, talking about these lights, 01:08:09.940 --> 01:08:13.019 now city manager, would you rather spend the money 01:08:13.019 --> 01:08:15.559 on the lights or would you rather spend the money 01:08:15.559 --> 01:08:17.619 on wrongful death suits? 01:08:17.619 --> 01:08:21.059 Cause let one of my grandkids get hit on this dark street. 01:08:21.059 --> 01:08:23.859 I'm coming for the city, understand that. 01:08:23.859 --> 01:08:27.420 Because we have an opportunity to do something about it. 01:08:27.420 --> 01:08:29.020 That's why we're here. 01:08:29.020 --> 01:08:31.739 That's why we're voicing these problems. 01:08:31.739 --> 01:08:34.800 and this nepotism that happens in Freeport 01:08:34.800 --> 01:08:37.479 and let's not all sit here and act like it doesn't happen. 01:08:37.479 --> 01:08:38.880 That's why he's not getting paid 01:08:38.880 --> 01:08:40.520 and we're not getting the money 01:08:40.520 --> 01:08:42.319 because you're putting people in positions 01:08:42.319 --> 01:08:44.460 and they have no idea what they're doing. 01:08:44.460 --> 01:08:46.680 They're your best friend's niece 01:08:46.680 --> 01:08:49.440 and you say, hey, I got you, I'm gonna get you a job. 01:08:49.440 --> 01:08:53.319 And they have no idea how to do the job. 01:08:53.319 --> 01:08:57.800 Ask me how I know I sat in Freeport Memorial Hospital 01:08:57.800 --> 01:09:01.000 three weeks ago with neuropathy pain 01:09:01.000 --> 01:09:06.000 and I had to instruct the nurse on how to handle me 01:09:06.720 --> 01:09:10.600 because she didn't know what she was doing. 01:09:10.600 --> 01:09:12.319 She couldn't get the IV started, 01:09:12.319 --> 01:09:14.239 I had to walk her through it. 01:09:14.239 --> 01:09:16.920 And then they felt inferior 01:09:16.920 --> 01:09:19.440 because here I am this young black girl 01:09:19.440 --> 01:09:21.119 coming to tell them how to do their jobs. 01:09:21.119 --> 01:09:23.559 Well, if you had paid attention in school, 01:09:23.559 --> 01:09:25.800 we wouldn't have this problem. 01:09:25.800 --> 01:09:29.239 And then to have a doctor walk out of the room on me 01:09:29.239 --> 01:09:33.359 because he felt, well, if you know how to treat yourself, 01:09:33.359 --> 01:09:34.619 what'd you come here for? 01:09:34.619 --> 01:09:37.520 If I had the equipment at home, I wouldn't have to come here. 01:09:37.520 --> 01:09:41.359 However.com, to talk about Medicare and Medicaid, 01:09:41.359 --> 01:09:43.039 I'm medically retired. 01:09:43.039 --> 01:09:45.399 Somebody who's been in the healthcare field 01:09:45.399 --> 01:09:47.779 for over 30 years, I wish I could work. 01:09:47.779 --> 01:10:14.000 I wish I could work. So those monies come from, you have people like myself who, well, I've survived seven strokes. So to be able to even stand here today is a blessing. And our Bible tells us as the one, the lady who prayed, in God we trust. It says, in all thy getting, get an understanding. So that's why I'm here tonight, because I watched this atrocity of a council meeting last week. 01:10:14.000 --> 01:10:24.000 Ma'am, your time has expired. Thank you. Okay. You're good for doing that. Madam Mayor, nepotism. 01:10:24.000 --> 01:10:34.000 Any other public comments? I'm done. Please, please. I'm done. I'm walking to the door. I'm leaving. 01:10:34.000 --> 01:10:43.000 And if you want to continue to talk out of order, you could be removed as well. Are there any other public comments this evening? 01:10:43.000 --> 01:10:45.680 If not, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. 01:10:45.680 --> 01:10:46.520 So moved. 01:10:46.520 --> 01:10:47.359 Second. 01:10:47.359 --> 01:10:49.239 All those in favor signify by saying aye.