WEBVTT 00:00:06.540 --> 00:00:12.539 Oh, thank you, Jesus. I'm going to start out with Proverbs 21, 1, and 2. 00:00:12.539 --> 00:00:17.539 The kings are the government. Heart is in the hand of the Lord. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:23.539 Like the rivers of water, he, God, turns it wherever he wishes. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:27.539 Father God, we lift up this council meeting to you tonight. 00:00:27.539 --> 00:00:31.539 We ask you to guide this meeting by Holy Spirit. 00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:35.539 Father, every word spoken tonight, let it be for the good of our city. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:41.899 Let the goal of this council meeting be for the good of the City of Freeport always. 00:00:41.899 --> 00:00:45.780 Let humility and your divine order prevail here tonight. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:49.859 Father, we want our city to be pleasing in your sight. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:55.859 Let everything that's hidden be exposed so you can correct it. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:00:59.259 In Jesus Christ's name, amen. 00:00:59.259 --> 00:01:00.259 Thank you. 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:02.100 So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:04.060 Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:05.060 Mayor Miller. 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:16.299 Alderpersons, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Absent, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:17.299 We have a quorum. 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:21.500 And if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Shadle. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:29.140 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for 00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:36.140 for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:01:36.140 --> 00:01:44.939 Item number four is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:45.939 So moved. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:46.939 Second. 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:51.939 We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:53.939 favor signify by saying aye. 00:01:53.939 --> 00:01:54.939 Aye. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:59.299 Opposed? That motion passes. Item five is approval from the minutes from the Committee 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:02.939 of the Whole meeting on March 9th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:04.260 Sommel. Second. 00:02:06.180 --> 00:02:09.659 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson. All 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:14.460 those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:27.949 passes. Next, we have a couple of proclamations. Thank you. 00:02:28.789 --> 00:02:29.310 Bless you. 00:02:31.789 --> 00:02:41.000 But you want to turn so that the camera can see you. Okay. All 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:46.280 right. This is National Week of the Young Child. So whereas 00:02:46.280 --> 00:03:16.280 Birth to Five Illinois and other local organizations in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children are celebrating the week of the young child and whereas the week of the young child was established in recognition that early childhood years prenatal through age eight laid the foundation for children's success in school and later in life and whereas its purpose is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and caregivers and to recognize 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:17.939 and 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:19.919 the children's 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:23.060 cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and literacy 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:26.020 development are built on a foundation of children's 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:29.120 positive interactions with adults, peers, and their 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:30.620 environment. 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:34.060 And whereas the week of the young child is a time to recognize 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:37.360 that children's opportunities are our responsibilities and to 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:40.840 recommit ourselves to ensuring that every child experiences the 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:44.860 type of early learning that they need to be able to do so. 00:03:44.860 --> 00:04:08.659 Miller, Mayor of Freeport hereby declare April 11th through the 18th, 2026 as National Week 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:13.500 of the Young Child in Freeport and encourage all of our citizens to work to make a good 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:37.240 Good evening, everyone. Is this on? Hello? Yeah. Okay. Hi. Hi. I'm back to visit you 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:42.319 all again this year. I have some exciting news for you. Birth of Five Illinois is going 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:47.800 to be doing a couple of community things I want you to be aware of. In June, we are going 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:50.379 to be hosting a community meeting. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:51.379 This will be on Zoom. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:58.160 It will be in the evening and it's primarily for parents, teachers, and caregivers. 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:07.000 And it will talk about the new parent resource if they need something in particular for their 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:08.000 child. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:13.800 Therefore, United Way is hosting this website, which they will walk through and they will 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:16.800 explain to the parents and the caregivers. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:21.800 and so we will have more understanding about the availability of services throughout our 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:26.240 three county regions, Stevenson, Joe Davis and Carroll. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:34.399 Also in July, we will be hosting a grandparent parent cafe online. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:36.639 These are for grandparents raising grandchildren. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:39.519 Again, that will be on Zoom. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:44.079 Follow us on Facebook for all the details about these things. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:48.379 would love to to get the word out because we do have supports for families the 00:05:48.379 --> 00:06:06.790 supports are there we just need to make them aware of it. Thank you so the 00:06:06.790 --> 00:06:11.709 Proclamation for National Travel and Tourism Week, whereas the Greater Free 00:06:11.709 --> 00:06:15.310 Park Partnership works on behalf of Freeport and Stevenson County as the 00:06:15.310 --> 00:06:20.029 tourism partner to promote and grow our region and economic development and 00:06:20.029 --> 00:06:26.350 and tourism promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, 00:06:26.350 --> 00:06:32.829 retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable 00:06:32.829 --> 00:06:39.709 tax base. And whereas economic development and tourism fuel industry and will continue 00:06:39.709 --> 00:06:45.069 to be an essential part of Freeport and Stevenson County's economy, development, and workforce as 00:06:45.069 --> 00:06:51.990 as an essential industry that leads to economic growth, benefits businesses, and fosters mutual 00:06:51.990 --> 00:06:52.990 understanding. 00:06:52.990 --> 00:06:58.389 And whereas economic development and tourism attract and retain high quality jobs, develop 00:06:58.389 --> 00:07:03.230 vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. 00:07:03.230 --> 00:07:09.389 And whereas economic development and tourism support vibrant and safe communities in Freeport 00:07:09.389 --> 00:07:14.069 and Stevenson County by generating state state and local tax revenue 00:07:14.290 --> 00:07:18.670 to support essential services such as education, emergency response, 00:07:18.670 --> 00:07:20.410 public safety and more. 00:07:20.410 --> 00:07:23.310 So now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, mayor of the city of Freeport, 00:07:23.310 --> 00:07:28.149 hereby declare May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as National Travel 00:07:28.149 --> 00:07:32.250 and Tourism Week in the city of Freeport and urge our residents to join 00:07:32.250 --> 00:07:36.649 in recognizing the essential role this industry plays in our economy. 00:07:36.649 --> 00:07:37.649 Miller. 00:07:37.649 --> 00:07:44.600 Okay. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:45.600 Yes. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.600 I'm going to wait. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:08:00.339 Okay. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:06.300 Madam Clerk, would you please note that at 6.05, Alderman Simmons has entered. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:08.259 And then item number seven is public comment. 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:11.019 I don't think anybody's signed in, is there? 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:12.019 No. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:24.490 So then we will move on to the Greater Freeport Partnerships quarterly report. 00:08:24.490 --> 00:08:26.250 This piece will be out here by 6.30. 00:08:26.250 --> 00:08:29.649 Thank you. 00:08:29.649 --> 00:08:39.899 All right. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.899 Good evening. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:41.899 Good evening. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:46.659 Thank you for your attention. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:52.500 As Nicole passes around our quarterly report, you'll see, as in every other previous quarterly 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:58.019 report we've provided, it is outlined in our strategic focus areas that are outlined on 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:59.340 the screen above. 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:04.259 However, our agenda for this evening is going to be slightly altered, and we're going to 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:09.980 hit on some economic development, national trends, how that relates to workforce development 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:13.980 and a path to solution, and then we're going to highlight some of the initiatives that 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:19.500 are covered in our quarterly report. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:23.019 Currently, inflation is at 3.3% as measured 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:25.259 by the consumer price index. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.419 I'm gonna go back a slide here, 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:28.019 we're not quite ready for that. 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:30.820 So inflation is high, and while consumer sentiment 00:09:30.820 --> 00:09:34.679 has plunged 11% to the lowest point World War II, 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:38.320 when there is uncertainty in the market, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.580 coupled with inflation and an increased cost 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:44.080 of everyday goods, consumers will naturally spend less. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:46.440 There will be hesitancy from business 00:09:46.440 --> 00:10:11.159 and 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:12.659 about jobs and unemployment here in Stephenson County and Freeport. From 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:18.159 January 2025 unemployment excuse me January 2026 unemployment in both 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:23.440 Stephenson County and Freeport has increased. However consistently every 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:29.440 We have had more unique job postings than we have had unemployed looking for work. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:38.440 Also consistent are the top occupations looking for employees are clustered into health care, logistics, and manufacturing. 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:51.429 Just also highlight that when you look at some of the jobs, excuse me, I moved back a slide here. 00:10:51.429 --> 00:11:11.430 We had over 1,200 unique job postings in March, 2026 by 318 employers of those jobs that were posted. The median hourly wage was just over $32 per hour, which approximately equates to a 66 almost $67,000 annual salary. 00:11:11.430 --> 00:11:17.430 To put some context to these numbers, 00:11:17.430 --> 00:11:37.430 Median household income for Stevenson County in early 2025, this is from the census, is at $64,043. Per capita income, so that's per person, is at $35,305. 00:11:37.430 --> 00:11:44.430 So, what you would see here, the median, many of these jobs that we have that are available 00:11:44.430 --> 00:11:52.049 are paying above median household income wage. 00:11:52.049 --> 00:11:57.430 The key to remember workforce development is a form of business retention. 00:11:57.430 --> 00:12:02.370 Without workforce, existing businesses were not able to grow or expand. 00:12:02.370 --> 00:12:06.529 We must do something different if we want a different result. 00:12:06.529 --> 00:12:11.250 We've not corrected existing employers will hesitate to make future investments and expand 00:12:11.250 --> 00:12:17.490 because they cannot meet their future workforce needs here or they will choose to go elsewhere. 00:12:17.490 --> 00:12:20.990 What we're finding is this not a temporary hiring cycle. 00:12:20.990 --> 00:12:22.649 This is not a blip on the radar. 00:12:22.649 --> 00:12:25.210 This is a structural workforce imbalance. 00:12:25.210 --> 00:12:31.240 So what are we going to do about it? 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:36.379 This is not just an employer problem, housing problem, a marketing problem, but a regional 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:38.899 workforce alignment issue. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:42.059 All parties hold part of the solution. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:47.340 We know that workforce talent retention and recruitment is complex works. 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:53.740 Besides jobs, people have housing needs, child care needs, transportation, quality of life. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:13:01.620 All these problems and solutions are mutually reinforcing and need to be worked on concurrently. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:06.340 That's why you will find a diverse array of activities in our quarterly report. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:14.340 Ultimately, we want the job here, but we should really want the paycheck to come to a driveway in our community. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:24.340 There is more return on investment. The paycheck helps pay property taxes, generate sales tax revenue for purchases made in our community. 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:33.340 Otherwise, without having more opportunity for workers to live here, it will undercut retention and weaken our tax base. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:43.259 So we have a shared regional goal to stabilize and grow the prime workforce ages in that cohort of 25 to 44. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:51.259 So these are some key targets that were identified. Reducing the industrial turnover, increasing that population cohort, 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:57.259 increasing workforce training programs and apprenticeships, working with our educational partners to do so, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:14:02.259 increasing housing units, working with our government partners to do so, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:07.460 and reducing that commuter leakage by 10%. We want those people who are commuting into Freeport and 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:17.819 Stevenson County to also live here. So last week we were able to convene players in this field, 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:25.339 employers, government partners, educational partners to really talk about this work. We outlined 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:31.899 these four target areas. It's hard to see on this screen, but the first one and the last one are 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:37.740 Bolded. And those were what we focused on. Reviewing, we all, as I already talked about, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:43.019 we all hold a responsibility in driving towards a solution. So we talked about what are those 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:47.660 responsibilities of employers, public partners and the partnership in retaining and attracting 00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:54.059 this talent. Alongside that, we need to understand the educational and training alignment component 00:14:54.059 --> 00:15:01.259 needed. So we're going to touch upon some of the aspects that the partnership is going to be 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:12.500 We're going to create a dashboard and get feedback from our HR representatives to understand 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:22.240 their employee pool, attrition, onboarding, and other barriers to retention and attraction. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:25.579 We will lead the talent and branding and communication. 00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:31.460 We will work with area school districts to connect directly with seniors to market job 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:39.160 opportunities to those individuals who are graduating within the month or next month. 00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:45.180 And we will continue to market career pathways to underclassmen and to upper elementary and 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:50.180 middle schoolers to understand what opportunities are here within the community. 00:15:50.180 --> 00:16:00.129 Also, we understand our best business attraction tool is growth and expansion of our existing businesses. 00:16:00.129 --> 00:16:05.129 Businesses will locate in a community where they see existing businesses grow. 00:16:05.129 --> 00:16:10.129 However, as we've already discussed, there are more jobs than people to fill them. 00:16:10.129 --> 00:16:19.129 And at this time, attraction of a major employer will cannibalize our existing workforce 00:16:19.129 --> 00:16:26.730 Force, and tightening our already shrinking pool of workers for our existing employers. 00:16:26.730 --> 00:16:35.769 However, long term, we know economic development strategy necessitates green field site development. 00:16:35.769 --> 00:16:42.009 To do that, in an effort to promote that, we will continue to do environmental assessments 00:16:42.009 --> 00:16:44.649 on key green field sites. 00:16:44.649 --> 00:16:49.049 We are doing this work through a site readiness grant that we procured from the state of Illinois. 00:16:49.049 --> 00:16:56.450 Also kudos to the City. Your key investment of Well 12 now opens up new 00:16:56.450 --> 00:17:01.569 corridors for potential retail and industrial development. Early 00:17:01.569 --> 00:17:08.220 conversations with those landowners have already begun. Additionally, part of our 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:12.460 role as economic development professionals is advocating for our 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:17.619 region to be included in any new program or zone that could be beneficial to our 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:39.619 and the partnership has secured several letters of support from local businesses and property owners to demonstrate the economic potential if the Opportunity Zone were expanded into other eligible census tracts. 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:45.220 Ultimately, the Governor will decide which tracks are added into the Opportunity Zone, 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:51.299 but we will make a compelling argument that all census tracks in the City of Freeport 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:56.500 should be included where there are opportunities for investment. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:18:02.619 The map you see on the screen, the areas highlighted in green, designate the different census tracks 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.700 that meet the eligibility requirement 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:08.460 from the federal government to qualify 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.860 to be in the opportunity zone 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:14.019 or considered to be in the opportunity zone. 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:16.740 I will now turn the presentation over to Nicole, 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:23.069 who will talk about hotel and conference center development. 00:18:23.069 --> 00:18:23.910 Good evening. 00:18:23.910 --> 00:18:25.150 Good evening. 00:18:25.150 --> 00:18:26.389 Doing something a little different 00:18:26.389 --> 00:18:28.789 and talking different types of data 00:18:28.789 --> 00:18:30.829 from a tourism perspective. 00:18:30.829 --> 00:18:32.190 You hear me talk a lot about, 00:18:32.190 --> 00:18:36.309 and it's in your packet as well about our occupancy rates. 00:18:36.309 --> 00:18:38.909 And yes, this time of year in third quarter, 00:18:38.909 --> 00:18:41.389 or I'm sorry, in first quarter, they aren't as high, 00:18:41.389 --> 00:18:43.990 but we aren't in the tourism season. 00:18:43.990 --> 00:18:48.789 What we notice is on key times here in Freeport, 00:18:48.789 --> 00:18:52.070 which houses all of the hotels within Stevenson County, 00:18:52.070 --> 00:18:55.750 we are losing hotel rooms to other places 00:18:55.750 --> 00:18:57.429 because ours are full. 00:18:58.309 --> 00:19:00.349 In our top three key hotels, 00:19:00.349 --> 00:19:03.789 We only have 200 hotel rooms in the city of Freeport. 00:19:03.789 --> 00:19:05.950 Yes, there are potential for vacation rentals 00:19:05.950 --> 00:19:08.110 and other places for people to stay, 00:19:08.110 --> 00:19:10.630 but when you're looking for business travel, 00:19:10.630 --> 00:19:12.809 which is where we desperately need to bring in 00:19:12.809 --> 00:19:17.210 more people midweek, and tournaments for sports 00:19:17.210 --> 00:19:20.349 or graduations, family reunions, 00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:22.429 all of those types of things throughout the summer, 00:19:22.429 --> 00:19:24.110 we are maxed out. 00:19:24.110 --> 00:19:26.529 Hotel and conference center development 00:19:26.529 --> 00:19:29.389 are a priority for the partnership. 00:19:29.389 --> 00:19:31.309 as is spelling the word conference correctly. 00:19:31.309 --> 00:19:32.970 So apologies on that one. 00:19:32.970 --> 00:19:34.429 I was so worried about getting the graph 00:19:34.429 --> 00:19:35.269 to fit in there right. 00:19:35.269 --> 00:19:40.269 I misplaced that word, but as you'll see in this graph 00:19:40.630 --> 00:19:43.990 trying to show that is through January of 2019 00:19:43.990 --> 00:19:46.230 through June of 2025. 00:19:46.230 --> 00:19:50.349 Those deep dips are of course the times of year 00:19:50.349 --> 00:19:52.470 like first quarter when we don't have 00:19:52.470 --> 00:19:57.470 as many hotel occupancy, but those large spikes 00:19:57.470 --> 00:20:00.480 but those large spikes is where you see 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:04.039 all of the occupancy in the tourism season, 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.920 so May through October. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:08.799 What you're looking at though is those peaks, 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:11.859 that is our leakage trend over time. 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:14.839 Leakage means that people are coming to this area 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:18.079 for whatever it is that they are drawn to the area for, 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:21.319 family reunions, games, that kind of thing 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:23.680 but they're staying outside of our area 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:26.200 because there are no hotel rooms. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:30.039 So on any given weekend between May and October, 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:34.799 we are losing money because people have to stay elsewhere. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:37.160 In addition to just needing a hotel, 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:39.440 we desperately could use a conference center 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:41.359 here in Stevenson County. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:43.799 There is no place, none of our hotels currently 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:46.920 have a meeting space that can fit over 25 people. 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:49.119 It doesn't exist. 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:52.220 What we are also missing is this time of year, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:58.059 We don't have as much occupancy because we don't have anything for them to come here for. 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:03.099 If we can attract a meeting, a conference, and this is the time of year in which that's done, 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:06.700 I'm sure you've all been to some, I'm going to one at the end of the month, 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:12.859 we can attract those things here and therefore fill existing hotel rooms until we have something 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:19.259 for them during this time of year. So not only will we see an increase in hotel stays, 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:26.859 But with the conference center, we are giving them more reasons to come here in the times of year when we need to see more occupancy. 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:39.220 So we are we have a list of developers we are speaking to to continue this work forward, as well as some sites identified that are best positioned near existing amenities. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:44.660 We don't want to put up a hotel where there's nothing else to do around it or no other place for them to spend money. 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:47.619 They want to come to a hotel where you can buy gas nearby. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:50.819 There's a restaurant nearby and you can see things to do. 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:53.740 So those are the places that we are really looking for 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:58.059 to bring in the best investment for Freeport in Stevenson County. 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:03.700 Also, I asked Tim to stay after we had done 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:06.860 a photo with the mayor just as we were getting started, 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:10.579 that Lidditz, Pennsylvania, our Pretzel sister city 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:12.740 that was talked about here several months ago. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:15.920 and we are sharing a little bit of their fare. 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:20.420 Lidditz, Pennsylvania is home to Tom Sturgis Pretzels, 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:24.339 which is the oldest commercial pretzel bakery in the country 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:28.779 and therefore makes it a really fantastic sister city for us. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:31.019 Our community liaison, Tim Connors, 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.980 is going to be taking the key to the city 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:36.819 to Lidditz, Pennsylvania for this week 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:39.299 and meet our fine folks in Lidditz 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:41.660 because, well, now he's the former mayor, 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:44.099 but at the time, Mayor of Lidditz. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:46.240 Tom Snyder was here last September. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:48.420 So we're doing a little bit of an exchange program, 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.660 if you will. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:52.619 And Tim will be spreading all of the good news of Freeport 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.860 to Lidditz, Pennsylvania. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:58.299 We do hope future partnership with Lidditz continues. 00:22:58.299 --> 00:23:01.299 Pretzel Fest didn't work out for 2026. 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:03.460 They'd already picked their date of May 2nd. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:05.839 We already had our date of April 25th. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.360 So we're gonna try it again in 2027. 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:38.360 but we look forward to continuing that as well and also one of the biggest hurdles to us really claiming the moniker of Pretzel City USA is the fact that we didn't have any pretzels so now we're very excited to partner with Tom Sturges Pretzels to begin distributing these pretzels right here in Freeport so great business opportunity for small businesses as we continue to push traffic for 00:23:38.360 --> 00:24:08.360 We have pretzels right here. We're also really happy to have a new small business startup, the Freeport Pretzel Company that specializes in soft pretzels. Another great small business that we want to continue to see thrive that will be a part of our Pretzel Fest on April 25. Also similar to how we made the big pretzel in the Art Plaza last year, we're doing another community engagement event on April 25. I hope you can all make it. It's called the Great Pretzel Bite. 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:11.119 another pretzel like we gave you today. 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:13.839 And we are all going to stand in a line 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:17.779 and take a bite of the pretzels together. 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:21.839 So we, last time we had 630 people attend. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:23.880 So we are hoping for just as many, 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:26.339 if not more for great weather. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.680 And it's really about bringing positivity 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:32.279 and energy back into Freeport to show that 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:36.059 when you have community minded people together, 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:38.740 you can see all of the potential in Goodwill 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:40.259 right here in Freeport. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:45.660 Lastly, our community guide should be arriving any day. 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:49.660 It is newly titled, Simply Stevenson County. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:52.900 This is both our tourism and business publication. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:57.339 So we, tourism, one of the great things 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.259 about our collaborative organization 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:01.900 is when we talk about quality of life, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.900 there are a lot of people who live here 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:06.500 who forget about the things that there are to do here. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.980 And then when you are visiting the area, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.579 sometimes you need to know 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:12.360 where you can go get your car worked on 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:16.700 or where you can look for other amenities 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:18.440 because something happens in your life. 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:20.099 So really having the tourism 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:22.000 and the business publication together 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.700 is beneficial to both audiences. 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:28.480 This year's publication features two new highlight stories 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:33.220 because it is both 100 years of historic Highway 20 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:35.980 and also 100 years of Freeport High School. 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.539 So those are both featured in this year's guides, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:40.660 great commemorations that you'll continue 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:42.740 to see promoted throughout the year. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.579 Then when it comes to the tourism campaign, 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:48.220 it has the same name, Simply Stevenson County, 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:50.059 because we're gonna continue to promote 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:54.720 exactly what we are, which is a little bit slower pace, 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:57.380 which is what you want when you're traveling, 00:25:57.380 --> 00:26:01.860 and outdoor recreation, retail and restaurants, events. 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:08.660 and these are specifically marketed to people 25 to 45 in major metro areas that are more than 40, 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:14.819 50 miles away. So that's Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago suburbs, we get a lot of Bloomington, 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:21.380 Peoria, things like that. And we've chosen social media channels that best target those key 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:26.339 demographics of 25 to 45 because believe it or not there are enough social media channels out there 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:31.860 Now, different people check different ones. All right. And that's all we have for you 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:44.819 tonight. So we'll take any questions. Thank you, Council. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:49.980 Thank you. Next, we will move on to item number nine, which is public comment. Is there any 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:56.180 public comments this evening? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. So move. 00:26:56.180 --> 00:27:00.579 Second. Motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor signify 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.579 by saying aye. 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.579 Aye. 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.079 Opposed?