God bless everyone. I'm going to pray for start this meeting. So I need a reverence to God. Proverbs 16.3 says, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Let's pray. Father God, in the name of the mighty name of Jesus, we come before you to intercede to this meeting and for every decision that will be made. We ask that your wisdom govern the projects of your city and that every plan will align with your will and justice, order, and benefit for the people. We proclaim that this city walks under your counsel and your peace. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Amen. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you, Pastor Anna. I will officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Mayor Miller? Here. Alder Persons, Klemm? Here. Johnson? Here. Simmons is absent. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Simmons is here I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for item number one is approval of the agenda we have just a couple of changes in the order of the promotions will we will go item number six five four and then we'll have two recognitions of life-saving awards before the service awards so with that is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on January 20th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion Passes. Item number three is a presentation of the Sharps Award. Mr. LeFevre, if you'd like to go to the podium. This is the first time Beth got on. Good evening. This is, you're the first public works agency, there's four fire departments and now you're the first public works agency to receive this, the Safety, Health and Recognition Award. there's a lot of work that went into it so I commend you and your people and I'd like to present the plaque and take any questions you might have. Pat, we worked very closely with Pat, the street department, with Randy, congratulations, and I bet we could get a photo with Randy. Oh, good. and then I brought a flag, I understand you have a flag already and um yeah it's it's already flying it's flying so you have a backup okay because these things get tattered tattered pretty quickly oh good well thank you very much thank you thanks for thanks for Before we move on to our next, just would like to make an announcement that we have learned that our former Fire Chief, Jim Gale, has passed away and so we would like to observe a moment of silence if we could please. Thank you. Is this ready to go? and a scammer. So, if you could raise your hand and repeat after me, I, Tom Cordy, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of Fire Chief according the Best of My Ability. So the next one up would be Hilary Broces, which is the new Deputy Fire Chief. Good evening. Good evening. I'm Robert Bush. I'm with the Fire and Police Commission. Happy to see everyone out for this wonderful occasion. And we're here to To celebrate the promotions of these fine men and women, the commission, we look for people that we know deserve and have shown great wisdom in the position that they apply for and we have found Hillary and all the rest that you will be presenting here tonight capable of doing the position that they have applied for and we are excited to have them on board on our department representing the City of Freeport and we feel much safer having them on the department here in the City of Freeport. So the official commission, the City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these present shall come, Hillary L. Broschus, having been duly appointed to to the position of Deputy Chief and for the City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson, the State of Illinois, for the term from the second day of February 2026 until her successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of her said office according to law and the ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect her in the discharge of her said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. So while they're doing that, I'm going to go through a little bit of a bio of Hillary. She has 16 years on the department as of yesterday. Pointed to Lieutenant October 5th of 2020 and Fire Marshal January 19th of 2021. She's a licensed paramedic, member of the technical rescue team, certified in rope trench confined space and structured collapse rescue, a member of the fire department honor guard, hazardous material technician, hazardous materials incident command, fire apparatus engineer, fire service vehicle operator, advanced fire officer, instructor two, incident safety officer, public fire and life safety educator, juvenile fire Kater, Juvenile Fire Center Interventionalist, Fire Inspector 1 and 2, Arson Investigator and Fire Investigator, has an Associates Degree from Highland College, and a degree from the Illinois Police Institute in Champaign for the Basic Law Enforcement. She was the Firefighter Department Member of the Year in 2023, and she received the Wife Safety Award in 2017, the husband Darrell, and children Kim, Zach, Hannah, Maddie, Avery, Delaney, and Darren. Oh wow. Oh wow. Quick photo op. Next up will be Matthew F. Kile, the official commission of the City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to all to whom these present shall come, Matthew F. Kile, have been duly appointed to the position of district chief and for the city of Freeport in the county of Steveson in the state of Illinois for the term for the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to law and the ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the board of fire and police commission. Be safe. So Matt was appointed to the department December 8th of 2006 so he's done 19 years on. Commoded to Lieutenant, June 8th, 2019. He's a licensed paramedic with the state of Illinois, member of the technical rescue team, a tactical emergency medical services member, or TEM, advanced fire officer, fire department safety, incident safety officer, fire and arson investigator, Kurtz, Pezardous Materials Technician, Instructor 2, Fire Operatis Engineer, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, has an Associate's Degree in Fire Science, he received the Fire Life Safety Award in 2022, and an EMS Life Saving Certificate in 2017. And this is his wife, Chelsea. Taking pictures already. Everybody else on that side. That's me. Nevermind. Yeah, great to see you. that's me official Commission the city of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to all to whom these present shall come Mark D McCullough having been duly appointed to the position of lieutenant in and for the city of Freeport Report, and the County of Steveson and State of Illinois for the term from the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to law and the ordinances of said city, and all persons are required to respect Heim in the discharge of his said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commissions. So Mark was appointed to the department February 3rd of 2007. So tomorrow is his 19 years. Oh wow. He's also a member of the Division of Technical Rescue team, member of the Foreign Fire Insurance Board and also a member of the Tactical EMS team. He's a He's a licensed paramedic with the state of Illinois, a fire officer one, instructor one, hazardous materials technician, hazardous materials incident command, fire apparatus engineer, fire service vehicle operator, fire department, and actually city employee of the year in 2024, and earned an EMS life-saving award in 2025. This is his wife, Amy, and he's got sons, Luke, Matthew, and Josh. Chris Brennan, Lieutenant Official Commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come. Christopher J. Brennan, having been duly appointed to the position of Lieutenant in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson and State of Illinois for the term from the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to law and the ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the board of fire and and Police Commissions. Chris has been on the department for 11 years. He was hired December 15th of 2014. He was a mechanic for the department from 2020 to 2023. He's a licensed paramedic for the state of Illinois. Again, member of the technical rescue team, member of the fire department's safety committee, certified in fire apparatus engineer, fire service vehicle operator, officer one, instructor two, Edges, Materials, Operations. He has a bachelor's degree in management systems. This is his wife Michelle. He also has quite a few children. Dillon, Mariah, Xander, and granddaughter, Alayla. Goodfair. Grab one over there. That one comes later. It's okay. Oh, he does. Oh, his wife. I sure myself in so much. Aww. I have Jean, my mother Colleen, my sister Mary, my daughter Laakani, and son Holloway. Okay next we're going to move on to police department promotions with Chief Frostow, Daniel Moore, Official Commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come, Daniel Moore, have been duly appointed to to the office of corporal in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stevenson and state of Illinois for the term from the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. Is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. Benjamin White, the official commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to all to whom these present shall come. Benjamin White, having been duly appointed to the Office of Sergeant in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Steveson and State of Illinois for the term from the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. Bryan Polish. Official Commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come. Bryan Polish, having been duly appointed to the Office For the office of Lieutenant in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Steveson and State of Illinois for the term from the second day of February 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him Huffines. That's it for the promotions. However, next we have two life-saving awards for Corporal Krieger and telecommunicator Matthews. Timothy Krieger, you are hereby commended for your swift actions on January 30th, 2026 at the scene of a structure fire. Given your own immediate danger, you assisted a female occupant who had jumped from the second floor window and was trapped between the two burning buildings, unable to walk. Your decisive actions, personal courage, and calm demeanor under extreme conditions contributed to saving her life. The City of Freeport and the members of the Freeport Police Department and myself are very proud of your actions. I hereby give you the Life Saving Award. and Sierra Matthews. Sierra Matthews, you are hereby commended for your actions on January 30th, 2026, during which you received a 911 call from a panicked caller who was trapped within a structure fire. You were able to communicate across a language barrier while maintaining control of the call, which directly contributed to the successful rescue and medical treatment of the victim. The city of Freeport and the members of the Freeport Police Department and myself are very proud of your actions. You are hereby presented with the Freeport Police Department, life-saving. with the Freeport Police Department life-saving award. Okay, I think we're done with that. Next would be service awards. Director Richter. Oh man. Oh, Kathy Westby. Excuse me everyone, if we could just remain seated while we finish up these awards, that would be much appreciated, thank you. Oh, good evening. On February 12th, Kathy Westby will be celebrating 25 years with the city of Freeport. She began her employment with the city in 2001 as a telecommunicator in the 911 Center for the Freeport Police Department. During her time at the police department, Kathy has also held the positions of leads coordinator and records clerk, but the majority of her 25 years has been as a telecommunicator. Fortunately, in last year, she decided to make a switch and joined us in the water sewer billing department as a customer service representative. She is a valued employee, and she often contributes ideas to streamline processes or to gain efficiencies. It is rare in today's world to find someone who dedicates a quarter of a century to one organization. Please join me in congratulating Kathy Westby on this incredible 25-year career milestone. Lucinda Lenore. I also have the honor of recognizing Lucinda Lenore for her 25 years of service to the city of Freeport. Lucinda is also a customer service representative in the water and sewer billing department for all of her 25 years. She has seen many changes in the department, such as software changes, technology changes, office changes, and I'm sure she has much she could share with us. Thank you, Lucinda, for your incredible dedication and for the wisdom you've shared. We're so grateful for your contributions to the department. Happy 25th work anniversary. Lucinda. Brandon Reese. Brandon Reese has been with the fire department for five years. He came to us from Lanark with a little experience from down there. He's currently on a shift. He's a licensed paramedic with the state of Illinois, advanced firefighter, fire apparatus engineer, instructor one, hazardous material technician, hazardous material incident command, rope operations, vehicle machinery operations, water technical rescue, an associate's degree. and his wife, Cassidy, and children, Kinsley and Wyatt. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, that concludes this portion of the meeting. We will move on to item number eight, which is public comment. However, there were none signed in for this evening. Moving on to item number nine, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion, unless there's a member of council that would like to have something removed for further discussion. Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the Historic Preservation Commission minutes from May 20th, 2025, Planning Commission, November 13th, 2025, the Board of Fire and Police Commission, December 23rd, 2025, the Fire Department Report, December 25th, the Greater Freeport Partnership Report, January 26th, the approval of the Finance bills payable in the total of $2,515,413.09 and approval of payroll for pay period ending July, or I'm sorry, January 24th, 2026 in the total of $610,616.81. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The motion passes 8 to 0. Item number 10 is an appointment. Could you please read for the record? Appointment of Gertrude Heimerdinger to fill a vacancy for the Housing Authority Commission effective through October 31st, 2027. Is there a motion to approve? Submove. Second. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the appointment. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. And Klemm. Aye. The motion passes eight to zero. Item number 11 is the second reading of ordinance 2026.02. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending codified ordinances chapter 1044 water rates and revenues section 1044.01 established rates to add incentive pay for lead copper samples to be taken for lead service line replacement grant application. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you your honor. This was brought before council at the last full council meeting. Staff is requesting the flexibility to move forward with a $40 credit for residents that participate in our lead copper sampling program and staff recommends moving forward with the incentive. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The ordinance passes 8 to 0. Item number 12 is the second reading of ordinance 20 2603. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 810 concerning the licensing of vacation rentals to add penalties for multiple violations of federal, state, or local regulations, also known as the Good Neighbor Policy. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. As previously discussed on January 20th, the proposed Good Neighbor Policy, Section 810.09, would suspend a vacation rental license for 30 days if the property receives two or more calls Huffines. And then when we revoke the license for three or more cars with the owner ineligible the following year. Only cars tied to violations of federal, state, or local laws, rules, or ordinances count. Unfounded neighborhood complaints are excluded. This policy holds property owners accountable for maintaining neighborhood peace, preserves community, harmony, and limits disruption. It aligns with the strategic plan for neighborhood and housing and safe and inclusive community with no additional funding required. Staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance. Thank you. Questions? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Item Number 13 is the second reading of Ordinance 2026-04. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code to allow offices of contractors as a permitted use in B1, 2, and 3 business districts. Director Heimerdinger? Thank you, Madam Mayor. As we discussed on the last council meeting on January 20th, contractor offices and shops are permitted by right only in B3, which excludes B1 and B2 areas where most downtown properties Zoned. This proposed amendment is sectioned. This proposed amendment to Section 1252.01A 39.1 would allow contractors' offices used primarily for business purposes and sample displays without fabrication or on-site storage of materials in both V1, V2, and V3 districts. This reflects modern business practices where most work is being done digitally or through design programs with only a small amount of samples needed. and reduces unnecessary regulatory barriers for new businesses. By updating this ordinance, the city can provide more move-in ready spaces downtown, streamline the processes for tenants, and align zoning with current business practicing trends. This amendment also supports the city's strategic planning goal of being responsible, efficient government. Staff recommends approval. Questions on this ordinance? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The ordinance passes 6-2. And item number 14 is the second reading of Ordinance 2026-05. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code to allow residential units as a permitted use above the ground floor of buildings in the Central Business District. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. As we discussed January 20th Council Meeting. Residential units are not permitted by right in any business district. Residential uses above ground floor require a special use permit and are only allowed if certain block composition thresholds are met. On January 15th, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended the approval of the proposed ordinance. This proposed ordinance removes outdated regulatory hurdles and allows residential uses on upper floors, that's That's two and above within the central business district when the ground floor is suitable for a business use. Outside the central business district, residential uses would still require a special use permit, but with the simplified standards as the block composition thresholds have also been removed with this ordinance change. Staff recommends approval. Thank you. Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The ordinance passes 6-2. Item number 15 is the first reading of Ordinance 20-26-06. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services Code, Title 6, Other Public Services, Chapter 1060, Waste and Recycling Collection and Disposal, Section 1060-07, Temporary Dumpsters, Trash Containers, Trailers, Construction Trailers, or Equipment Used for Construction Projects, including Trailers or Wagons, Use on Public Ways, and Section 1060-12, Construction Debris, Containers, Collection, I'm sorry, it's just those three, of the codified ordinances of the City of Freeport. Thank you. Mr. Stiegel? Yes. To summarize this change to the ordinance with many of the new streets that we're putting in around town, we have dumpsters that we're finding on streets. Matter of fact, last season we had one where the dumpster got placed two days after we got done paving. They get dropped on the pavement. We're asking them to put heavy duty plywood or something like that under the dumpsters This ordinance changed to protect the streets and the investment that we're making throughout the communities. This was cited by our public works team as something that they want to see happen. I did talk to Gill's disposal, which is probably the largest supplier of dumpsters in the area and roll off containers. The manager, local managers, Josh Kraft, he had no problem with the changes to this ordinance. Again, it's to protect our streets. And I would point out after the hopeful approval of this, Davis. We are going to educate the public by pushing this out on social media. We do do permits for dumpsters for free for the first 14 days in the city of Freeport. Unfortunately, last year we only had four permits that were filed for dumpsters. We would prefer that people, if they want to rent a dumpster, put it on their driveway or on their property instead of in the right-of-way or the city property. It's much safer. It's less dangerous. yet you don't need the permit to put it on your own property you need the permit to put it in the right away so i think this ordinance would address all of that again we only had four permits filed for all of 2025. Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Bless you. Move on to item number 16, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-07. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending various provisions of Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Service Codes, Title 4, Utilities, Chapter 1042 and 1046, regarding water and sewer connections of the codified ordinances of the City of Freeport. Thank you. Mr. Segal. Sure. This ordinance change to summarize will change the connection fees of what we put out annually to residents that connect to water and sewer. Currently, we have a mixed bag of bolts, if you will, on what we charge. This will be more consistent. I've had some of the public works team comb through the ordinances. We're planning on bringing many of them that need to be updated. To summarize, the water connection fee will go from $1,600 for a near connection to $3,200. The city is currently losing money on the $1,600 connection with everything that we have involved in it. When we build a new water main to a new area, those connections would be $1,000 unless they're waived for that particular project. We usually do waive them for a short period if they connect during the project, at least that's what we've done in recent years. for any inspections that the city is required to perform, but not do any work, we would charge just a hundred dollar fee to cover our cost for that person to go out with a vehicle in time to cover those inspections. On the sewer side, we like to clean up some of the language and we do only give estimates on sewer connections because every sewer main is a different depth. and so we actually ask for a $3,200 deposit and then we get, we actually charge whatever time and material it takes. So if it's less than $3,200, that's what they get charged. If it's more, they get charged that, including the restoration fees and everything to put the road and connections back. Just to educate you, most of the sewers within the city of Freeport are running down the center of the road. So it's quite a significant event to connect a new connection for sewer. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the ordinance. Item number 17 is the first reading of ordinance 2026-08. Could you please read this? Ordinance authorizing sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property We have public works and Alberta's airport equipment. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. As we do from time to time, we have a surplus inventory request. Right now, if you'll look at your packet, there are a number of different items that are surplus from the airport and also from the public works department, and staff is asking to move this forward to second reading so that we can go ahead and auction this surplus inventory. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Seconded. Second. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance. Item number 18 is the adaption of resolution 2026-09. Could you please read this? Resolution approving purchase and up fit of four new police vehicles from a source well provider, Stevers Ford. Thank you. Chief Frostow. Good evening. We have now currently about four to five squad cars that really are not working and functioning as we speak after I've done my complete analysis. And after we looked at what is the best pricing, going through Steve's is really the best pricing for us, especially with our canine unit that we have to outfit it. We have to put a lot of equipment in it as well because we do use our canine and our and our officers in regards to having better equipment in order to patrol out there. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman. Parker? Klemm. Alderman Klemm. Seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Stacey. Yes. Has there been money budgeted for this? As of now, we do have some budgeted money for it. Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 202610. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of two new dump bodies for the public works department's hook lift trucks from another source well provider, Bunnell Industries. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank Thank you, Your Honor. Several years ago, we purchased two hook lift trucks complete with salt spreader VBOX spreaders and leaf machines. Those trucks are useful during the winter and the fall, but during construction season, they're basically useless to us at the public works department with the intention that we always had to purchase hook lift dump bodies for these trucks. So, staff has brought to you tonight the request to purchase two dump bodies for the hook lift trucks. Total amount will be $98,717.84 and that was budgeted in the 2026 budget. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Stacy? Stacy. Is this the second time these dump trucks have come to us? No. It's not the second time for the bodies, but we also have other dump trucks besides for this. The last time we talked about it was in the capital plan when we budgeted for them. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Hi. Simmons? Parker? Hi. Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 202611. Could you please read this? Resolution approving purchase orders with PACE Analytical Services to provide annual drinking water and wastewater sample testing analysis. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. As PACE Analytical is the preeminent We have a water supply chemical testing lab within the state of Illinois. The city of Freeport has been using PACE as long as it's been in existence and before that, when it was under a different company name. As time has gone on, the testing has gotten more expensive and normally these were lab tests that would not necessarily come to council, it would just be part of a standard operating procedure. However, the total amount is exceeding $10,000 per year. So that's kind of tracking with inflation and additional cost of testing. So staff is asking for approval to move forward with purchase order, the pace analytical for drinking water wastewater lab testing for the 2026 calendar year. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Simmons, Parker, aye, Stacy, aye, Shadle, aye, Sanders, aye, Sellers, aye, and Klemm, aye. The resolution is adopted eight to zero. Item number 21 is the adoption of resolution 2026-12. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of a utility paving compactor roller from a source well provider, Altofer Cat. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, your honor. As we continue to work the road program and we are doing more and more of the paving internally, we have the need for one additional construction roller. The price is $81,000. It comes through Altofer Caterpillar, which is a source well dealer and staff requests ahead of the construction I thought we purchased the roller and if this was to happen, what exactly would it be used for? We do own a couple of different rollers and it'll be used for paving operations. The reason we need it is because we're getting proficient at paving and moving very rapidly. So we found that we also, we need, we have the need for one additional roller. Oldman Sellers? Yes, I was just going to say, I see it's a new model. How long do these, these last? Maybe Darren has one. So as I put in the memo, the current one that we're using is over 20 years old and it's needing to be retired. It's not efficient for as large a paving as what we were doing. It was designed to do small road patches where we're doing full streets now. So we did buy a roller last year and retired one that had been having lots of fire issues. And our plan was if we started paving more roads that we would need another. This is what's called the surface roller. So the final surface to get smooth coats on there, you need to have good rolling equipment. And last year we just couldn't keep up with the paper getting work done, which extends our hours. Thank you. Alderman Stacey? Yes. Well, I know a lot of this pavement work is, is contracted out. So again, what are we talking about, potholes, filling potholes? What are we talking about this roller being used for? So this specific roller that we're talking about will be used in the paving operations that were actually paving the streets like we've been doing for, I think this will be our fourth year doing it. So this will follow the paver and we lay the binder, we lay the surface and this is what rolls and compacts the stone, the actual black stone into what's the street. Well, these are essential in the process of paving and all large scale operations have at least two rollers following the pavers or you can't keep up. But a lot of our pavement is routed out of the city. No, the last, I'm going to say the last three years for sure, we have been primarily paving We've been bidding all of the packages other than one street per year with our city crews and our paver. That's how we're reducing the cost of the streets. We, as we've discussed before, we do materials bids. So we've been bidding out about 15,000 tons of asphalt per year that our street crews are laying in-house on city streets. So this is, uh, Stevenson Street would be an example. Greenfield, um, those are streets that the city all paved this year with our equipment. Any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. And Alderperson, Simmons? I'm not sure you're coming across the speaker. Yeah, thank you. And how do you vote on this one? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 22 is the adoption of resolution 2026 613. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide construction engineering services for City Municipal Lot and Police Station Alley Pavement Reconstruction. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. So as we've discussed and we were working on last year, we are now received bids. You'll see those later tonight for the reconstruction of the municipal parking lot in the alley behind the PD. As part For that, we do need construction observation and supervision, and we are bringing this for you tonight, an agreement with Fehr Graham to accomplish those items, and staff recommends moving forward. The total cost of the project is approximately, let's see, is $95,000. So staff request moving forward with the contract with Fehr Graham for construction oversight and supervision. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Yes. Alderman Sellers? This is the big parking lot downtown. Correct. Okay. Thank you. That's all. Alderman Stacy? Yes, I'm just a little disturbed that we could... that we could put so much money, the city can put so much money in a parking lot, but when it comes to our local streets, we don't even have an account. And this is very disturbing. How do we have so much for a parking lot? But we had to set up a five year to seven your plan for our streets because we had no budget. But we have budget for this. Help me understand. That's all I'm asking. We have a plan and we're working it. We have a plan. Okay. Yep. It was in the budget and it was approved last year. So the municipal Lott's in really terrible condition. It's downtown central location and it is in need of pretty serious renovation so that we can continue to support our downtown businesses and also have something that does not look terrible in the middle of downtown. And to say that we don't have money for our streets is not very accurate when we've been putting in millions of dollars and what are we up to 20 plus miles that this administration has done than any administration prior, any. So that accusation of not doing is not accurate. Yes it is. Thank you, Darren, for all the money you go out there and get, for all the money you go after and you bring back to our city so that we can do the projects that we need to do on our streets. Any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. So this $95,000 is just for the engineering services? Did I hear that correctly? I'll be happy to go over it with you. It is, the scope of service is professional full-time on-site construction Construction Engineering and Observation, as well as Contract Management Services, also GIS Survey, Collection, Staking, Layout, Storm, Sewer Piping, Curb, Gutter, Lighting, and Pavement Improvements of both project areas. Construction Observation will include Material Shop Drawings, Review and Approvals, Field Construction Engineering, Required Documentation, Specification Adherence, and required QAQC methods. Fehr Graham will ensure the project is built in accordance with city, state, and county standards and geotechnical testing services for subgrade density concrete sampling and compressive strength and HMH, I'm sorry, hot mix asphalt density testing will be provided through a third party testing agency. You could have just said yes. I just wanted to get specific, I tried that earlier. So this resolution is for the engineering service portion of it, Madam Clerk. The bid is later on the agenda. It is nearly $950,000 and isn't 10% engineering very, very typical. I mean, that's right in line, right? Alderman Sanders. Are we talking about a parking lot still? We're talking about the engineering service of it. How many dollars? If I had the evidence before me of this request of $95,000, if I had understood that and I would have studied it a little bit more in detail, my thing is what was the methodology of coming up with the total price and the bidding on it? Who's orchestrating I'm just curious. I just want to understand how did we accumulate so much for a parking lot in engineering? I think that's a fair question. This has not been analyzed. What you're presenting does not go well with me as well as it should go with the council as well. and looking in the depth of so much money into a parking lot and the engineering services that is coupled with it. I'm just at a loss right now for how we get to a parking lot with that amount of money and I don't hear my colleagues wanting to discuss that matter, whether we discuss it in public or private. We're talking about a lot of taxpayers We've got hundreds of thousands of dollars going somewhere that council has not had an opportunity to analyze, diagnose, have an opportunity to study, had not had an opportunity to do any of these things, but yet we are to take our city managers observation and approval of this and want to move it forward, but council has not stood We have not debated it, whether or not it's worthy for the City of Freeport, whether or not we're putting too much money in places where we have not taken time out to do our due diligence and any of these things. I'm just curious. I'm just trying to have an understanding of how do we come up with this method and how do we derive at a point where council is being asked to move this forward without us being able to analyze this or have any studies with this or debate with it or whatever discussion with it. I don't care if it was public or whether it was in private, we should have at least, every one of us in council should have said something long before we got here on this particular resolution, but you know, it's just my observation and my wanting to understand some things, so do as you please and we just move on. Well, this project came up first in the spring of 2024. We discussed it at length. We had it planned for the 2025 construction season. We ran out of time. We discussed pushing it to the 26 construction season. At that time, we have budgeted for this and we are completely ready to go. Everything's moving forward rapidly. And I will mention that you and I haven't had a chance to meet in better part of a year. So if you would come to those meetings with me that I schedule every month, we would have a chance to talk about these things and it wouldn't be such a surprise. You know what? You don't have the floor, Alderman Sanders, just give me one second. So this resolution, it's just for the engineering. The bid itself is coming up shortly and the bid actually came in significantly less than what we Not the comment that he's made is what I totally want to target and resent. But the point of the matter is I don't want to get into a debate with the city manager on what he talked about two years ago or a year or two ago. I'm saying right now we're asked to do something, but council has not been refreshed on this Boyer. Nor have we had a debate on this issue, nor we have not even made a decision whether we should go forward with this. Council has not done that, and so that's all I'm saying. But you can make these snide remark comments, City Manager Boyer. That does not fly with me, okay, because I'm definitely for hard understanding. When I ask a question, I want to be understood that this is what I'm asking for us to understand and that if council is not doing what council is supposed to be doing, then I don't have no argument with council. I just wanted to ask the question. and I see how we got here. So, as it may be, let it may be. So, you know, let it be. Stacy. Yes. I just want to say in reference to. Sanders, and then two years later, even though we voted and agreed and all the rigmarole, and then two years later, now here we are again, for example, the VITA, but then things happen that we're not informed about, like the permit being pulled, and we're wondering why things get held up and pushed back and pushed back and pushed back, and then you expect us to go back two years and remember. But we talked about this last fall in the budget season, so it's not like it was been two years since the words have been brought up. Well, we talked about a lot in the budget season. We did. So what's before you right now is the resolution about the engineering services. If you want to come back to that, otherwise you have expired your two times of talking. Alderman Johnson? Yeah, this is for Darren. That's okay. Darin, about how many hours do you think are put into engineering these type of projects and how many people would be required for the engineering of this type of a job? This would be at least two full-time people while this is projects going on. It's a very detailed project because the existing lot itself is in very poor condition. It's beyond its useful life. It's been overlaid numerous times. We did geocores. on the existing structure itself and the base of the HMA that's there is actually pretty much on mud. And so one of the reasons this project's so expensive is there's going to be need to be a significant undercut underneath the parking lot. And so we're not building a parking lot trying to get by for, you know, five or 10 years here. We're building a parking lot that is not going to need any work for probably the next 30. Our public works team spends a lot of time down at at this parking lot, cleaning up the loose stone and the asphalt. We have had numerous ADA complaints because the pavement's uneven. They can't traverse it. So and there's also a lot of things held down here. For instance, the farmers market is held down at this location every week during the summer. So it's a quite heavily used downtown parking lot. Linda, off my cuff, I don't know that I can give you an exact hours. As always, my estimate is usually on or high and if we get it done cheaper, we don't charge out the full amount to the city on this. The bid itself came in approximately $140,000 under estimate. So we got a really good price to do it. And the funding's there right now. We're using the downtown TIF to fund most of this project, which is an investment into to the downtown area itself with this parking lot being so heavily used. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. No. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. No. Sellers. Aye. And Klemm. Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-2. Item number 23 is the adoption of resolution 2026-14. Could you please read this? authorizing the execution of an easement agreement with the Freeport Park District at the south entrance to Crepe Park for construction of well number 12. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. As we have developed our plans, there was about a year ago the park director came to me and said they had a drainage easement that they would actually like to discuss. It's along the, it's off of Forest Road, it is the south park entrance area. So staff is essentially working with the Park District to make sure that accommodations are made for their new South Park entrance. And this is simply just an agreement saying that we're going to work together as we build out our driveway and approach and also construct the new well number 12. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-1. Item number 24 is approval of the bid. Could you please read this? A bid opening was held on January 27th for paving of Municipal Lott, and Alley behind Police Station. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. As we discussed a little bit earlier, this bid is for the reconstruction of the municipal parking lot and also the alley behind the police department. The city performed this bid opening on January 27th and we received three bids and the lowest responsive bidder is Helm at $948,714. We're using majority of the TIF funds to pay for the reconstruction of the parking lot and staff recommends moving forward with the bid from Helm. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the lowest bid? So moved. There should be a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the bid. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Is this still open for discussion? No, we've moved on. No. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. The motion is approved six to two. Item number 25 is another bid. Could you please read? This bid opening was held on January 27th for janitorial services for the police station. thank you manager Boyer periodically the city has to bid for janitorial cleaning services the last time we bid this we bid the city hall and the police department together with an optional extension that would go for two years nop cleaning services won the bid the last time but over the last year have realized that they underbid in terms of the total amount of materials they go through because of the 24-hour nature of the police department's operations. So we held a new bid. We received one bid and we opened that on January 27th. It was from Knopp Cleaning Services in the amount of nine thousand dollars and staff recommends moving forward with Knopp Cleaning Service. Thank you. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers to to approve the lowest bid for these services. Is there discussion on the bid? Alderman Stacey? What was the price of the other bids? We only received one responsive bid. So you only received one bid? That's correct. And that's the one we're looking at? Yes, correct. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Yeah, why not? Shadle? Sanders, Sellers, and Klemm. The motion is approved eight to zero. And item number 26 is the last bid. Please read. Another bid opening was held on January 28th for the City Hall elevator maintenance contract. Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport from time to time has to bid the elevator inspection and maintenance Services for City Hall. It is a state law that we certify the elevator each year and this time we had two bids. We opened them on January 28th and the winning bid was Shoemaker elevator at a cost of $2,200 annually and the bid was actually less than we had for the previous contractor which was also a bidder but Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the bid. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. the motion is approved eight to zero reports from department heads finance thank you uh community development nothing this evening thank you public works nothing fire i just I just wanted to thank everyone that helped out with our fire on December 30th between the City Administration, Public Works, and our mutual aid partners that helped out. It was definitely appreciated. Police? Nothing. Library? Nothing. Thank you. IT? That leaves us with the City Manager's report. Thank you, Your Honor. I do have a few things. Congratulations to Chief Cordy and to all the promotions on the fire side and the police side, as well as the awards that were given for going above and beyond the duty. Thank you, Chief Frostow, for bringing those. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that came tonight. It was a wonderful ceremony. And just to echo that, congratulations Chief Cordy. Also as a reminder, Council Monday, February 16th is President's Day, so we will not have council meeting on that day. It will be on Tuesday the 17th, just so making sure you don't show up as the doors will be locked. Council business would be Alderman Johnson. Yeah, I just want to say thank you to the fire department and and the police department for the entertaining basketball game. It was very exciting. They have some really good moves. It was kind of fun to watch. So thank you for all their efforts. And my heart goes out to the people on Clark Street that have lost their homes. I went through a fire as a child and lost our house. However anybody can help them, I'm sure the Salvation Army in different places are taking funds for them. So thank you. Alderman Simmons? I don't have anything. thank you. Alderman Parker? Just repeat what she said it was an excellent ballgame and the police department won so I made it a little better and congratulations to everybody that got awards tonight and recognized I thought that was excellent thank you. Alderman Stacy? Nothing tonight thank you. Alderman Shadle? Nothing tonight. Alderman Sanders? Did I misunderstand the next council meeting would B. on the 17th of this month? Correct, it's a Tuesday, because we're closed on the Monday. OK, so what's going on on the 9th? That's a call. That's the Committee of the Whole. Oh, OK. Oh, you just, OK. OK, I get it now. I didn't understand at first. Alderman Sellers? Yes, I just want to say we had fun at the basketball game, and maybe next year they can get Linda to be a cheerleader, because she was a cheerleader. But it was fun, and the police department did win, but congratulations to you, Chief, for being a part. Alderman Klemm? Just congratulations to everybody on the promotions and the awards for time in. We've got great staff here and it's awful nice to see them recognized. And that leaves us with public comments. Are there any public comments this evening? Yes, ma'am. How are you doing? My name is Akia Sanders. I haven't been up here in a while. I want to say it's cool to hear the public thanks for the fire, but I'm disturbed at why the fire lasted so long. We ignored the negligence for the fire hydrants on the east side way back a couple meetings ago, we heard that. Our fire hydrant was frozen. We could have saved one house for sure. The fire shouldn't have been that bad. I had a friend in that fire. Maybe the lady wouldn't have had to jump out the window if we would have paid attention to the fire hydrants and it wouldn't have been frozen. Rosen. That won't be made public because that's somebody else's fault. But I think it's a load of crap that we don't have enough water and we had to wait for our neighboring communities to come and put a fire out. That house is down to the ground. The owner may or may not have insurance due to the fact that maybe that house could have been saved is my point. And somebody needs to, I hope that taught the fire department a lesson to go around and look at and Miller. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody been in some of those apartments up there? Them is the most raggedy-est buildings I've ever seen. So I hope that the electrical gets fixed in there before anybody commonly tries to live up there. Pay close attention to that electrical. Then I want to say, like, about this parking lot that we want to stick so much money in. This is a city manager that knows that we are facing homelessness. A lady died. We can't find no other use for no money. Sit there, ignore, shake your head, do what you usually do. We're used to that. but what I'm saying is this, we can't find no use and get to the root of all the problems in here but we can go spend money on a very unimportant parking lot? We have a lot of root problems here, not just our streets. We don't have anywhere for people to go. What happened to the famous speech that you gave during all this election stuff? This in-field housing stuff. You don't have no, build an apartment building. House some people. Get some people in here. Get our population back up. Somebody will come here to work, live. You're inviting poverty in here. You're just not building anything. We don't have nothing. This is a thing about giving your friends money. This ain't about building Freeport. Y'all can put a pretty blanket over whatever you want, but this is a real ugly way and I hope y'all know that God is not going to help y'all get all the way to the promised land by deceiving your constituents and that you were supposed to serve. All the yes men on the panel just saying yeah, Yeah. You're ready. Are there any other public comments? Not. Yes. Mr. Tickle. Yes. You want to go to the podium? If you want me to, sure. Please. Yes. I want to address the comments on frozen fire hydrants. Those comments are untrue. We did not have frozen fire hydrants during this fire. That has been a misconception that has spread around the city of Freeport. Those are old hydrants and they operate very hard. Our Public Works team was on the scene immediately and opened those hydrants and the fire department started to use them. Everything else that has been distributed around Freeport is unfactual, not correct and should stop. Leave it to the experts. Those houses were fully engulfed before the fire department got there and we did the best we could to help in this situation. and the City of Freeport dropped what they were doing to respond and help. And so as long as we're going to deal with facts, the facts show that the fire hydrants worked in extremely rough conditions along with the fire department. So thank you. If there's no further public comments, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. So move. Second. You have a motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Have a good evening. Huffines. That was good. All right. That's good. Darren, how are you doing? Well, I'm doing good. You know what's really fun? What is? What is this? Living the dream. Living the dream. The engine was true. Was true. Was true. That did happen. Oh, yes. Oh, you will get it. Could you please unplug me? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.