WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.540
with the invocation this evening.

00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:10.240
I have two verses I'd like to share.

00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:14.400
First is 1 Timothy 2, one to two.

00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:17.399
I urge then first of all that requests, prayers,

00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.059
intercession, and thanksgiving is made for everyone,

00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:23.160
for kings and all those in authority,

00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:26.120
that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:28.960
in all godliness and holiness.

00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:32.960
And the other one is from Psalm 133.

00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:38.320
oh how wonderful how pleasing it is when God's people all come together as one

00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:42.240
it's like the sweet smelling oil that is poured over the high priest's head

00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:50.979
it's like that runs down that runs down his beard flowing over his robes

00:00:50.979 --> 00:00:54.579
it's like gentle rain from Mount Hermon falling on Mount Zion

00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:58.340
it is there that the Lord has promised his blessing of eternal life

00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:13.340
Let us pray. Our Heavenly Father, we just thank you for today. We thank you that we live in a community that can have government where the people can come and make decisions for the good of us.

00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:22.340
And Lord, we ask that you be with each one of our council members, with our mayor, with everyone that's in authority in this room.

00:01:22.340 --> 00:01:23.340
Huffins.

00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:30.379
And Lord, we ask that you give them wisdom and knowledge and common sense and good results,

00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:33.180
a plan for our city that will prosper it.

00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.260
And Lord, I pray for unity.

00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:41.900
I pray that this community would no longer murmur against each other, come against each

00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:47.019
other, but Lord, that we would be a praying community just like it is when we enter this

00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:49.739
building and it says, and God, we trust.

00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:55.340
We put our trust in you, and we praise you, and we do what your will is, and that is to

00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:57.140
love one another.

00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:03.299
And so we put aside our differences, and we ask for the good of the community, and we

00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:08.300
ask for brotherly love to flow through Freeport and Stevenson County.

00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:10.300
In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:11.300
Amen.

00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:13.259
Now we'll officially call this meeting to order.

00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:15.099
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:16.099
Mayor Miller?

00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:17.099
Here.

00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:18.099
Alderpersons, Klemm?

00:02:18.099 --> 00:02:19.099
Here.

00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:28.759
here Simmons is absent Parker here oh i thought i saw Stacy is she's out here um she's she's not

00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:37.000
at the dais at the moment Shadle here Sanders here and Sellers here thank you if you could

00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.960
please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Stacy

00:02:50.439 --> 00:03:22.810
And item number four is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Number five is the approval of the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 9th, 2026. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?

00:03:22.810 --> 00:03:27.330
Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

00:03:27.330 --> 00:03:32.729
Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Public comment.

00:03:32.729 --> 00:03:43.500
I have two, Madam Mayor. Received by email in regard to agenda item number eight. The

00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:49.060
first is from Joshua Atkinson. Good evening. My name is Joshua T. Atkinson, a resident

00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:53.699
of Freeport. First, I want to apologize for not being able to attend the first public

00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:57.719
comment session this evening and due to the limited number of items I don't

00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:03.379
think I'll make in before you adjourn I understand that I have been critical of

00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:07.620
this city government at times but even those who have been the target of that

00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:12.500
criticism must admit that I try to be fair I acknowledge the good work that is

00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.900
done and I speak up when I believe this council can and should do better

00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:21.579
tonight you are discussing amendments to chapter 660 specifically section 6 60

00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:26.500
P. 10 under this proposal the city would allow the director of public works

00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:31.300
either within 30 days notice or without notice in cases he deems as an

00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:36.259
emergency what that means in reality is that this council is considering giving

00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:39.860
someone the authority to enter the private property of every resident in

00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:43.740
this city based on their own judgment instinct and

00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:47.980
unfortunately bias the problem is that Freeport does not currently have a

00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:50.620
and the trusted public works director on staff.

00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:56.180
Instead, that responsibility has been outsourced to a third-party engineering firm, Fehr Graham,

00:04:56.180 --> 00:05:01.439
meaning the authority described in this ordinance will effectively fall to Darren Steckel, who

00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:06.540
according to an email received from our own city attorney is not a city employee, but

00:05:06.540 --> 00:05:13.019
an employee of Fehr Graham, and more importantly, this means that the city takes zero accountability

00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:19.100
Stiegel's lack of judgment, integrity, behavior, and or actions.

00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:23.740
A title alone does not make someone accountable to the residents of Freeport.

00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:28.660
And unfortunately, time after time, Mr. Stiegel has demonstrated questionable judgment in

00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:32.339
his interactions with members of this community.

00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:37.500
Each time this governing body has chosen to excuse it, forgive it, or simply look the

00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:38.899
other way.

00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:41.500
So I want to be very clear tonight.

00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.899
and Darren Steekle is the last person in the world welcome on my property.

00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:52.259
If there is a legitimate emergency at my home, send trained emergency responders, firefighters,

00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:55.139
hazmat professionals or police officers.

00:05:55.139 --> 00:06:01.019
And if I am suspected of violating a law, send a trained police officer from the beginning.

00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:05.860
Because if Darren Steekle ever steps foot on my property, a police officer is going

00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:07.980
to have to come anyway.

00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:12.980
This ordinance raises serious questions about property rights, accountability, and the wisdom

00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:17.939
of granting enforcement authority to someone who is not even a city employee.

00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:22.420
I urge this council to amend this provision and think carefully about the precedent it

00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:25.240
sets for the residents you represent.

00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:28.259
Thank you for your time, Joshua T. Atkinson.

00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:31.220
The second is from Carol Krupke.

00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:37.699
Dear council members and city officials, Regarding Chapter 660 of the City Code Hazardous Materials,

00:06:37.699 --> 00:07:05.699
I am concerned that anyone who is not an employee of the City of Freeport being given the right to enter any property for a suspected emergency, more specifically with the city's response to a past issue with Mr. Sekel impersonating a hospital employee and harassing a citizen and there being nothing they, the city, could do since he wasn't an employee of Freeport, Illinois. This is not something I can agree to.

00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:24.699
I do agree, however, that in some instances there could be a need for an emergency entry to a property, but as a citizen of Freeport, I believe this should be done by a city employee where they are governed by the laws of the city and the city is held responsible for any abuse of power, damages done, or harassment.

00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:28.699
Thank you for reading this. Carol J. Krupke.

00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:31.699
Thank you. Darren, could you look and see if anybody signed in?

00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:45.879
Okay. And then Madam Clerk, could you please note for the record at 6.05 Alderman Simmons

00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.879
entered. Thank you.

00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:52.000
We'll move on to item number seven, which is the discussion regarding ordinance amending

00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:57.319
Chapter 1448 Erosion Control Permits, City Manager.

00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:01.480
Thank you, Your Honor. Everybody's looking at this and wondering why now are we bringing

00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:07.600
and all these modifications to our ordinances related to erosion control and at least illegal

00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:13.040
discharges and that kind of thing. And kind of the purpose is we actually have to maintain

00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:22.360
a MS4 permit with the EPA. And that is municipal drainage, essentially dealing with stormwater

00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:27.199
or whether that's dealing with any kind of runoff situation. So years ago, we had an

00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:57.200
and Jodi. We have a lot of people that have been exempted from this requirement. And then in 2020, we then were notified they had changed the requirements and any community over 10,000 people had to have an MS4 permit. So we've abided by all those requirements at this time. And we're looking to the future, we're seeing where this is going. And we're just simply trying to keep pace with the challenges and in the ordinances that need to be updated according to our permit moving forward.

00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:03.159
We've got four items here that are related to this in various forms and fashion and tonight

00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:07.919
it's a COW, so we have plenty of time to discuss them and also make edits to them.

00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:13.620
So I thank the individuals who have submitted comments and we can certainly make those adjustments

00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.620
as we go forward.

00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:16.019
These are by no means perfect.

00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:19.100
And the reason we're talking about them tonight is so that we can make the appropriate changes

00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:20.960
that are correct for Freeport.

00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:26.799
So moving forward with that, I'd like to talk about item number seven, which is chapter

00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:36.320
1448, regulations, erosion control, and land distributing activities in the city of Freeport.

00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:41.000
The ordinance ensures compliance with state and federal stormwater regulations, including

00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:46.960
requirements of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the MS4 permit, and the

00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:52.639
and the NPDES, that is the National Pollution Discharge Permit that regulates wastewater

00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.840
into receiving streams.

00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:59.919
Since its adoption, staff have identified the need to clarify permit classifications

00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:04.019
P.A., permit classification, strengthen planned requirements, improve enforcement, improvement,

00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:09.840
sorry, provisions to better align with the current IEPA MS4 permit standards and the

00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.919
city's enforcement requirements.

00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:18.019
The proposed amendments here tonight for item number seven, which is chapter 1448, the proposed

00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:25.100
amendments establish clear permit classifications based on project size and type of land disturbance.

00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:32.100
The ordinance strengthens erosion and sediment control plans, requires to ensure appropriate

00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:36.940
best management practices are designed and implemented, and in addition, the ordinance

00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:42.100
expands enforcement authority, including the issuance of stop work orders when necessary.

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:47.379
These changes ensure continued compliance with IEPA and MS4 stormwater obligations while

00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:51.179
improving regulatory clarity and environmental protection.

00:10:51.179 --> 00:10:57.059
So at this time, I'd like to invite Randi Kolbauer up to the podium. As I understand

00:10:57.059 --> 00:11:01.860
in this particular one, you see quite a few changes primarily. It kind of streamlines what

00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:07.180
we, it would streamline our ordinances with communities who have already been through

00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:14.319
a fairly lengthy process and would be, make our ordinance a little more clear and easy

00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:19.860
to understand and enforce. But Randi, would you mind going through the proposed changes?

00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:29.860
So Rob has asked that I kind of walk through each section of the ordinance tonight and kind of talk about it and what the changes are.

00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:37.860
So the first part is 14-4801 is scope that just kind of lays out the entire chapter.

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:46.319
Some of the stuff in the beginning is mostly just legal jargon.

00:11:46.319 --> 00:12:00.319
So your findings, finds that excessive quantities of soil may erode areas, undergoing development, that kind of just language there talks about what is in our MS4 permit.

00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:05.319
In our MS4 permit, we have two sections. There is pre-construction and post-construction.

00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:11.919
We are required to ensure that during pre-construction and post-construction there is no soil eroding into our streams or

00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:16.000
Into our system which would impact our infrastructure

00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:19.799
So the purpose kind of lays that out as well

00:12:24.129 --> 00:12:26.930
Then it kind of it goes into the authority of the city engineer

00:12:27.490 --> 00:12:35.230
Which I did notice that in this one and in another ordinance we missed updating it to say

00:12:35.230 --> 00:12:40.750
May, the City Engineer, and or their designee.

00:12:40.750 --> 00:12:53.759
So that language will get added as well.

00:12:53.759 --> 00:13:01.440
General principles talks about how a permit needs to be sent in for any land disturbance

00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:05.159
and that all waste discarded materials generated at the site shall be prevented from being

00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:08.159
carried off.

00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:13.799
Talks about the placement of concrete and asphalt and similar materials.

00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:20.600
There are a few exemptions that are in here, things like cemetery grave sites, emergencies

00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:27.680
posing immediate danger to life or property, activity where the total area of material

00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:33.960
disturbed or stored is less than 1,500 square feet.

00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:51.639
We went from two permit classes to three because we had some issues where contractors had a

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:56.279
lot of questions and we felt that this system actually kind of clarified the system better

00:13:56.279 --> 00:14:00.539
and would work out better for both staff and contractors.

00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:05.299
So we turned it into class one, which is land disturbances that require an EPA permit for

00:14:05.299 --> 00:14:14.220
more than one acre, class two is land disturbances between 2,000 square feet and one acre, and

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:21.730
then class three is for your utility companies and land disturbances between 2,000 square

00:14:21.730 --> 00:14:26.680
feet and an acre.

00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:29.879
We went through and did manner of work.

00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:35.480
Basically this means that while you're doing that work, you need to make sure

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.899
you're doing it in a safe way.

00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:42.360
Last thing we need is for anyone to end up buried or anything like that.

00:14:44.829 --> 00:14:50.049
We went into erosion control performance standards, which per our permit, uh, with

00:14:50.049 --> 00:14:54.269
the state, we have to make sure that contractors are searching out and going

00:14:54.269 --> 00:14:56.549
after the best management practices.

00:14:56.549 --> 00:14:57.870
So the BMPs for those.

00:14:57.870 --> 00:15:13.569
We updated some definitions to kind of clarify a few things there.

00:15:13.569 --> 00:15:21.569
We put in language for the application process and permits and documents that were needed.

00:15:21.569 --> 00:15:33.370
And then we did it for each class so that it would be easily understood and easily applied for.

00:15:33.370 --> 00:15:38.370
Then we have 1448-17, which is the erosion and sediment control plans.

00:15:38.370 --> 00:15:43.889
this just lays out what you need in your plan there had been questions and we kind

00:15:43.889 --> 00:15:47.889
of put together like a cheat sheet originally but by putting it in here and

00:15:47.889 --> 00:15:51.990
just kind of having a standard that everyone can see everyone can have the

00:15:51.990 --> 00:15:55.730
same information and always have the same looking plan that way it's easier

00:15:55.730 --> 00:16:02.680
for review and everybody's on the same page. Permits are good for a year which

00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:34.920
which is the same as it was previously renewal and extensions basically after the one year if or if you think you're going to go over you're welcome to renew with us or extend the permit permits can be denied if they don't meet any of the section which is standard for most of our permits that we issue it goes through standard or conditions of approval so basically making sure that you've met everything we've asked for or everything that our permit with the state asked for

00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:56.730
We lay out the responsibilities of the permittee just to make that super clear, talk about who authorizes the permit, and then if you want to change your plan, so your erosion control plan that you've submitted, if any revisions need to be done, we now have a process for that.

00:16:56.730 --> 00:17:10.110
144826 talks about inspections and supervision, which just the state requires that we do inspections on site to ensure that everything is going the way you said it would go.

00:17:10.110 --> 00:17:24.389
Nothing's gotten away from you. Your silt fence hasn't fallen down and you didn't take care of it and that kind of stuff.

00:17:24.389 --> 00:17:31.389
Changes during construction reports are kind of the same thing. Circumstances with recommendation for corrective measures.

00:17:31.389 --> 00:17:35.670
that's just us telling you hey you've got this problem you need to get it fixed

00:17:35.670 --> 00:17:41.430
if it's fixed it's not a big deal maintenance during construct during and

00:17:41.430 --> 00:17:44.670
after construction the contractor is responsible or whoever pulls the permit

00:17:44.670 --> 00:17:50.029
is can is responsible for making sure that everything is graded and grass is

00:17:50.029 --> 00:17:55.750
coming back up or something is there to keep that from running away then it just

00:17:55.750 --> 00:18:02.630
goes into compliance and cost of recovery, stop work orders, which we didn't

00:18:02.630 --> 00:18:07.809
previously have, this just gives us the power that if there is something that's

00:18:09.630 --> 00:18:13.230
off, whether it's safety wise, or it doesn't meet our permit, we can say,

00:18:13.230 --> 00:18:15.430
Hey, you need to stop until this gets fixed.

00:18:20.970 --> 00:18:23.610
Then there's a section in here that talks about requirements

00:18:23.610 --> 00:18:25.529
for small scale land disturbance.

00:18:25.529 --> 00:18:35.200
Smith, it talks about BMPs, everything that was required by our permit to cover just additional

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:39.559
things that wouldn't fit into one of the classes.

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:44.679
That's kind of the quick highlights of everything.

00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:46.679
Thank you, Mr. Teagle.

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:49.679
I just want to give you the crib note versions.

00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:56.799
City of Freeport is required by the Illinois EPA to regulate stormwater discharges.

00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:00.340
of the reasons these things are coming up is I asked Randy to go through our

00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:02.079
existing codes, make updates.

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.880
We're getting back into construction season very shortly.

00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:08.559
Um, uh, what I want to remind everybody.

00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:11.440
So the city of Freeport is the authority for drinking water.

00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:14.579
We're also the local authority for wastewater.

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:19.759
And since 2017 now we're the local authority for, uh, storm water as well.

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:25.039
So if we don't enforce these types of policies, these fines and penalties, if

00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:30.480
get a state inspection will actually come to the city of Freeport. So we are obligated by our permits

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:36.400
to enforce these codes and ordinances. Some of the ordinances that were done when this was originally

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:41.599
brought in were not complete. It was getting the program started and Randy and I have worked

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:46.079
together for the last couple of years and we've been learning things that are good and bad about

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:51.840
the ordinances as we have gone along. And so that's why you see these updates. We have to be able to

00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:53.259
who monitor the sites.

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:56.059
The state of Illinois has always had a program

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.220
that they monitor an acre.

00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.039
that they monitor an acre and larger during construction.

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:03.299
So you have to get a state permit for that, which we honor those state permits.

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:06.500
If they get them, it's when you get under an acre of construction.

00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:09.160
But but we don't want to regulate a garden, right?

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:12.339
We have to have something in the middle that we're regulating people

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:14.099
to make sure the dirt stays on site.

00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:15.960
We're not tracking it down the roads.

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.859
It's not going down the stormway.

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:22.859
These ordinances, especially this one, allows us to effectively

00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:29.460
We communicate and effectively codified and inspect these, which Randy does the inspections

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:31.500
for our city.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:34.940
Give you a great example of a project that's been going on that we've been inspecting for

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:39.140
over a year now is the landfill project with the solar panels.

00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:43.279
She goes out there on a regular basis and checks their permitting and checks to see

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:49.039
that they have all their BMPs, which is the best management practices like the geo tubes

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:51.980
and socks in place to make sure the runoff's not coming off.

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:57.779
So, very important to the City of Freeport that we remain vigilant to this for our stormwater

00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.779
permitting.

00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.779
Thank you.

00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:05.059
Is there a motion to move this ordinance amendments forward to the next city council meeting?

00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:07.059
Second.

00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:10.660
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.660
Discussion?

00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.660
Alderman Johnson?

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.660
Okay.

00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:18.460
I just had a couple of questions and then just a comment.

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:25.059
After 1448.01 purpose on Section 2A, the original ordinance states runoff can carry sediment

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:30.980
and other pollutants and Section 2B talks about managing pollutants and water discharges,

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.980
etc.

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:36.420
In 2B.3 states we are protecting stormwater, groundwater, water bodies, watercourses, and

00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:37.420
wetlands.

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:43.759
The amended document, 1448.03 Section 2, refers to preserving and enhancing water quality

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:48.700
By preventing silt laid in water from reaching creeks, channels, streams, wetlands, and

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.700
public waterways.

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:53.819
Sediment and silt are two different things and so are pollutants.

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:58.400
So just wondered why all three are not included on the amended document and why groundwater

00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:04.960
is not included on the 1448.03 Section 2 of the amended document.

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:09.880
Second question is, I was wondering what the cost of the permits are, Class 1, Class 2,

00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:12.700
Class 3, if we have a cost for those.

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:17.420
and just the comment that I wanted to make it does appear that the amendment does give

00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:21.980
the city more leverage to stop projects that are out of compliance.

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:25.139
If I'm reading that, that's what it sounds like to me, is that correct?

00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:29.210
So those were the questions I have.

00:22:29.210 --> 00:22:33.349
Does somebody, and if you aren't prepared for that answer, you can always get back to

00:22:33.349 --> 00:22:36.230
the council at a later date too, that's fine.

00:22:36.230 --> 00:22:41.029
I might have to get back to you because I might need that in writing so I can think

00:22:41.029 --> 00:22:42.650
of what everything you just said.

00:22:42.650 --> 00:22:43.650
Is there a charge?

00:22:43.650 --> 00:22:47.650
Do we have a charge for the permits? How much they're going to be? Or do we not have that?

00:22:47.650 --> 00:22:54.650
I thought it was in here. But if it's not, then it was something that was missed and needs to be added.

00:22:54.650 --> 00:22:56.650
I believe it's a hundred dollars.

00:22:56.650 --> 00:22:58.650
I believe they're going to stay the same as previous.

00:22:58.650 --> 00:23:02.650
A hundred dollars for each one, irregardless of the one, two, or three class.

00:23:02.650 --> 00:23:06.650
Okay, then however you want to get back with when you've got that information, that'd be great.

00:23:06.650 --> 00:23:11.650
Remember, there's still two readings, so there's still time to have these discussions.

00:23:11.650 --> 00:23:13.630
I can type that out and send it to you.

00:23:13.630 --> 00:23:14.630
Sellers, I'm sorry.

00:23:14.630 --> 00:23:15.630
Yeah, I just want to ask.

00:23:15.630 --> 00:23:22.389
I know Darren had said you check the solar panels.

00:23:22.389 --> 00:23:25.250
Are they all the solar panels that are in the area

00:23:25.250 --> 00:23:28.049
or is it just the one that's by the water plant?

00:23:28.049 --> 00:23:33.049
So the project I was talking about was just at the landfill.

00:23:33.049 --> 00:23:36.610
But Randy inspects every project that pulls a permit

00:23:36.610 --> 00:23:37.690
by this requirement.

00:23:37.690 --> 00:23:40.690
So we get anybody that does a large construction.

00:23:40.690 --> 00:23:48.970
So another new project, Well 12 will have a what they call a SWP MS4 permit.

00:23:48.970 --> 00:23:53.130
So she'll have to regularly go out and do random inspections right at her

00:23:53.130 --> 00:23:57.809
schedule, unless we have a tip off or a complaint that somebody's unhappy or

00:23:58.049 --> 00:24:02.650
something, somebody saw something running in a storm, then we do a, like

00:24:02.650 --> 00:24:04.970
an emergency type request.

00:24:05.289 --> 00:24:10.369
But the way the documents work is there's actually a report that's done on

00:24:10.369 --> 00:24:36.130
and Stacey, did you have your hand up?

00:24:36.130 --> 00:24:47.500
Yes. So are you saying that right now where this ordinance stands that it's out of compliance?

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:53.500
I believe we're stating that it is not out of compliance is probably not the word we would use.

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:59.500
I think we would say that it's not as effective as what we would like it to be able to be.

00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:05.059
V. We like to make, what Randy explained is we did more tiers so it was more fair to the

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:08.740
size of project that you had, what the requirements are.

00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:15.460
And then we also made it more, I think a little bit more authoritarian.

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:21.700
So we had some legs to stand on as a city in case somebody's not doing it right.

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:26.660
Because the last thing we want to do is have a contractor dragging mud over down the streets

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:32.420
or concrete is a big thing right now, concrete washouts, there's a professional

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:38.099
washout that's required. A lot of contractors used to just dump it into a gravel pile, pick up the

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:44.099
spud they called it later and that concrete water just would work its way wherever. That's not legal.

00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:49.940
It has to be in a professional bend. It has to evaporate. There's a whole process to it and

00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:55.460
we want to enforce that the contractors that are working within the city limits are taking care of

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:57.019
or the environment.

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:59.500
And you guys should know, this isn't just a Freeport thing.

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:01.339
This is anywhere that's an MS-4,

00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:04.259
or even if you're not an MS-4, it just happens to be that

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:07.619
since we are the MS-4 authoritarian,

00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:11.380
it's up to us to provide the guidance and the inspection

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:14.980
and also the discipline on it when people don't follow it.

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.900
Alderman Sanders.

00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:22.420
Forgive my ignorance, but I'd never got an opportunity

00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:24.559
to look up what was in this for.

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:28.900
Could you explain that part to me before I proceed on?

00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.139
Sure.

00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:34.420
MS4 is just a fancy term the state uses for stormwater.

00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:34.940
Yeah.

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:43.660
And I noticed in the, um, I noticed that, um, you also specified, uh, erosion, but

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:49.059
you never specify the list of erosions or the contaminants that could enter into

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:55.220
those storm sewers by way of any for any form of waterway, whether it's sewer,

00:26:55.460 --> 00:27:25.460
Whether somebody's dumping, whether it's runoffs and things of this nature, I know those things contribute to erosion, but my question is, what are we doing to monitor to make sure those outlets are being effectively, what I want to say, monitored, tested, lab work, all of these things to make sure these biochemicals are not getting off

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:55.460
We need to know who's monitoring these these things before we start to tread down this path, because we don't have data before us to show us who's in violation. We don't have that before us. At least I don't. I'll put it like that. Maybe others do, but I don't and I and I'm the one who's I'm going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's

00:27:55.460 --> 00:28:05.680
to be the one who's going to be looking at who's qualified to do this type of inspection.

00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:14.059
What agency, what contractors, who are the people that are going to be licensed?

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:20.660
I don't care about permits, but they have to have license to check the meter data and

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:28.420
and everything else to give us a proper understanding of what has been accumulated in those storm

00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.420
sewers.

00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:42.259
Because we used to know back in the day, there has been sewer breakage contaminants entering

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:45.779
into the waterways or the storm sewers.

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:55.059
and have we done a comprehensive exploratory on these areas to indicate to us whether or

00:28:55.059 --> 00:29:00.779
not these things are looked into to show us some kind of data that check off list I should

00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:08.539
say that we are able to look at it for ourselves as council members, people of that nature

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:10.940
and who is qualified to do that.

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:15.279
I know you have this young lady going out doing these inspections, but I need to know

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:21.599
whether she's licensed to handle all of the criteria of the inspections of stormwater

00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:27.519
flow because you talk about sediments you talk about all kinds of things that might

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:32.720
can enter into it because one thing we have not done with as an exploratory

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:39.759
group or city is explore those under

00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:49.079
We have other sewer lines that runs on the railroad tracks and yeah, we have storm sewers

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:52.240
that runs on the railroad tracks.

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:55.000
So let me answer your questions because I've got five of them here.

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:56.000
I'm not sure I can keep track.

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.000
We've got five of them here. I'm not sure I can keep track of every one more.

00:29:57.000 --> 00:30:03.000
So currently we have nobody that has compliance issues because we really don't have active constructions at this point, right?

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:08.000
We're getting into construction season, so there's nobody that's not in compliance at this point.

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:17.000
There might be a couple carryover permits from last year because MS4 permits or stormwater permits are only good for 12 months from the time they're submitted.

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:22.000
We do actually do stormwater testing and it's required by our MS4 designation.

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:55.000
Miller, and we meter water, but we don't meter stormwater.

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:57.000
All the outfalls are open basins.

00:30:57.000 --> 00:31:01.000
We don't meter stormwater for the actual flows?

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.000
No.

00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.000
Why is that?

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:06.000
Because it's not required by the state to monitor it.

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.000
Okay.

00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.000
All right.

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:10.759
Thank you for that.

00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:14.279
All of the testing that you asked about is all regulated by the state.

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:20.519
So unless we get a bad stormwater sample, our testing is done for the quarter and they're

00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:36.519
and Randy has to report that annually. If we do find something that's out of line, then, of course, we've got to track it back upstream to be in a sanitary, a business, maybe even a private party that's dumping oil, something to that nature. So we do do that effects. And that's why they require a dry flow.

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.359
and Power.

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:40.700
Alderman Sanders, you're going to have to let him finish those five points.

00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:43.200
Go ahead. I just wanted to get that.

00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:46.240
So anyway, all that testing is done.

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:48.160
Randy does that all. That's part of her.

00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:51.660
If you haven't met Randy before, she's our environmental compliance

00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:54.279
and safety officer for the city of Freeport.

00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:57.619
She actually has a degree in environmental science,

00:31:57.619 --> 00:32:01.000
and she actually is the person that physically goes out and does this testing,

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:03.079
does all the reporting for the city of Freeport.

00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:06.139
That's one of the large components of her job.

00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:11.480
and do we have enough staff? Yes, at this time we have enough adequate staff to do it.

00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:19.799
That's what I wanted to know. Okay, there's no for Alderman Stacy. Yes, I thought I had

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:28.839
saw something in this ordinance that stated weekly, but how often is this test done? So the

00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:37.860
The MS4 compliance on a site has to be done weekly or anytime it rains more than a half

00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.860
an inch.

00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.860
That's the state law.

00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.860
Within 24 hours.

00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:41.860
Right?

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:45.700
Now, we don't inspect every site every time it rains a half an inch.

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:49.319
That's the contractor's requirement.

00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:54.759
Ms. Kolbauer randomly selects people to check after rainstorms to see that everything's

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.839
in place.

00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:01.339
and if she finds things that are out of compliance by state law, that person has 48 hours to

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:03.220
correct that deficiency.

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:06.940
And if they correct it and move on, it's just a warning.

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:11.680
If they are significantly deficient for a long time or they refuse to fix it, then she

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:15.380
can write a compliance ticket that comes to the code hearing.

00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:18.539
That's the whole process of the way this works.

00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:23.039
We don't have the manpower to check every construction site in Freeport every time it

00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:24.039
rains.

00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:25.360
I'm not going to lie to you about that.

00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:27.720
And nor can we afford that as the city of Freeport.

00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:30.240
So I think that expectation would be unrealistic.

00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:32.240
And that's why it's a random test.

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:38.360
Now, if we have people call in and say, you know, Gertrude's construction site

00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:41.440
has mud running down the street, then obviously we're going to send

00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:45.200
Ms. Cole Bauer out to check that specific situation.

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:48.360
If that's the case, we don't receive a ton of those phone calls,

00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:50.839
but occasionally we do on some of the bigger projects,

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:55.139
Sanders, especially when contractors start dragging mud out of the construction sites

00:33:55.139 --> 00:34:00.160
and down the street. That's usually where we start getting tip-offs on it. But the reason

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:04.680
we get behind these permits, guys, is because when we issue the permits, we enforce the

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:09.639
permits, we don't have near as many problems with them down the road. And if we start enforcing

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:13.880
the ordinances that we have in place, a lot of these issues go away because people realize

00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:15.360
that they need to be compliant.

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:18.320
Alderman Sanders, did you have another question?

00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:26.000
Yes, ma'am. When you when you say to me that there's no flow meters or any flow

00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:33.920
evaluations in storm sewers, the capacity of water flowing through these storm

00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:40.360
sewers are good indicators whether or not there's areas within the city of

00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:46.639
Freeport where there's too much of a dip of a charge coming into those storms by

00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:54.320
By way of opening manholes, storms, drainage, or whatever the case is, which increase the

00:34:54.320 --> 00:35:03.039
capacity over at the treatment plant with such a head of a water pipe.

00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:11.800
Shouldn't we be monitoring those meters to see how it's coming on rainy days and then

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:18.599
Measuring one week, how much water are we getting through storms as opposed of a rainy day?

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:23.960
So to answer that question, we're mixing two different things here. You're talking about

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:25.480
sanitary sewer flows.

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:27.159
No, I'm talking storm.

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:31.840
But you're talking about stormwater flows that are going into the sanitary. We monitor

00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:33.400
that at the wastewater treatment plant.

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:33.720
Okay.

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:38.639
The question you asked earlier were storm outfalls that discharge directly to the

00:35:38.639 --> 00:35:42.639
River. There is no way to meter those or account for those. We can take

00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:46.559
guesses off a rainstorm events on what's going through there, but they're

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:51.279
too big a discharge to meter. We do monitor how much stormwater comes into

00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:56.500
the sanitary sewer. And we do that based on every time it rains. There's a

00:35:56.519 --> 00:36:00.539
computer program that's linked up that shows how much the average rainfall was

00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:04.800
and how much our inflow comes in and how many days is projected out. And

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:08.199
due to all the lining that we've been doing in Freeport for many years, that

00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:10.039
has gotten significantly bugged.

00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.159
Okay, thank you.

00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:12.199
Thank you.

00:36:12.199 --> 00:36:15.000
I'm sorry, Alderman Stacey, you've already gone twice.

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.840
Anyone else?

00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:20.320
I didn't think there was a limit at the cow.

00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.559
There is.

00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.800
Okay.

00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:25.079
So you are more than welcome to pick up the phone.

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:26.760
We want your questions answered.

00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:29.000
It's just, that's the rule.

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.840
Yes.

00:36:32.529 --> 00:36:35.690
Okay, then this will be moving on to the next meeting.

00:36:35.690 --> 00:36:37.170
Thank you, Randy.

00:36:37.170 --> 00:36:43.650
Item number eight is discussion regarding ordinance amending part six of the General Offensive Code. Manager Boyer?

00:36:44.449 --> 00:36:46.449
Thank you, Your Honor. And just a point.

00:36:47.090 --> 00:36:54.610
Each one of these items on the agenda tonight are all related. So if you have questions, we're going to have an opportunity to ask those.

00:36:55.889 --> 00:36:57.090
So just

00:36:57.090 --> 00:36:59.090
going over this one is

00:36:59.170 --> 00:37:00.849
chapter 660,

00:37:00.849 --> 00:37:08.610
The MS4 Stormwater Additional Hazardous Material and Chapter 660 of the City Code regulates

00:37:08.610 --> 00:37:12.889
additional hazardous materials. Staff has reviewed the existing language and has identified

00:37:12.889 --> 00:37:17.970
areas that require clarification, modernization, and administrative updates to improve consistency

00:37:17.970 --> 00:37:25.090
with current practices and the updates from the MS4 Stormwater requirements. The proposed

00:37:25.090 --> 00:37:28.929
amendments are intended to update the code, eliminate outdated provisions, and ensure

00:37:28.929 --> 00:37:33.010
Miller, the ordinance reflects current operational procedures.

00:37:33.010 --> 00:37:38.650
The proposed amendments revise specific provisions within Chapter 660 to clarify regulatory requirements

00:37:38.650 --> 00:37:41.250
and improve administrative efficiency.

00:37:41.250 --> 00:37:44.449
The change updates the language for consistency within the code.

00:37:44.449 --> 00:37:49.849
And at this point, I'd allow, Randy, if you would kindly just kind of go take it, walk

00:37:49.849 --> 00:37:53.489
us through the proposed changes to Section 660.

00:37:53.489 --> 00:37:54.489
Sure.

00:37:54.489 --> 00:38:03.970
So part of the updates to our MS4 was to increase enforcement opportunities for hazardous materials, illicit discharge, a couple of the other things that you're seeing tonight.

00:38:05.010 --> 00:38:11.809
So with this one, we went through and we redefined a lot of the definitions to make them more clear.

00:38:13.849 --> 00:38:15.849
Went through and we added the

00:38:17.170 --> 00:38:19.929
layout for administrative hearings and how that looks.

00:38:19.929 --> 00:38:33.929
You'll see the access to premises. This also needs to have the and or designee added to it that was missed in the draft.

00:38:33.929 --> 00:38:46.929
This section basically is if there's an issue such as ones that we've had in the past that we haven't had good enforcement measures for were people dumping sewage in their backyard.

00:38:46.929 --> 00:38:54.769
um gentlemen dumping oil in the driveway because that's what they used to do um it's situations

00:38:54.769 --> 00:39:01.809
like this where we can go look at what's going on okay does this like create a hazard for public

00:39:01.809 --> 00:39:07.010
health does this create a hazard that could get into our drinking water does this create a hazard

00:39:07.010 --> 00:39:11.250
somebody's dumping something down their drains at home and now we're killing the bacteria at the

00:39:11.250 --> 00:39:13.369
at the wastewater plant.

00:39:13.369 --> 00:39:14.869
So that's the intent of this.

00:39:14.869 --> 00:39:19.869
It's not really access into a home necessarily.

00:39:21.789 --> 00:39:24.710
It's more so just the ability to go

00:39:25.869 --> 00:39:27.329
and look at what's happening,

00:39:27.329 --> 00:39:29.809
inspect and see just how bad it is.

00:39:32.529 --> 00:39:34.909
There's a notification of the discharge

00:39:34.909 --> 00:39:38.489
where we have to notify you of what's happening

00:39:38.489 --> 00:39:39.529
or you have to notify us

00:39:39.529 --> 00:39:41.550
if you have a hazardous materials discharge.

00:39:44.510 --> 00:39:47.909
Language on notice of violation and how that happens.

00:39:49.510 --> 00:39:53.010
Suspension of activities for emergency situations,

00:39:53.010 --> 00:39:54.269
non-emergency situations.

00:39:54.269 --> 00:39:59.079
emergency situations, non-emergency situations, and then language for the abatement.

00:39:59.079 --> 00:40:07.280
So the kind of the layout for how we require anything to be fixed and who has to bear that

00:40:07.280 --> 00:40:08.280
cost.

00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:15.000
Again, this is for anything from major hazardous material spills where we call fire department

00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:20.679
in to assist to, again, the people that are using a bucket instead of the bathroom and

00:40:20.679 --> 00:40:27.260
Dumping it in the backyard. Different spectrums but both have safety concerns

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:32.559
for drinking water, wastewater, and just public health in general. Manager Boyer? I

00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:39.159
just wanted to also comment this also is so that if we have any industrial runoff

00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:43.960
or anything like that happens to get into the sanitary or into our stormwater

00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:48.760
system then you know we have the ability to backtrack to those sources.

00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:53.440
something similar happened years ago in a different community where a large

00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:57.519
industry partner was cleaning out what's called fracking tanks. He used a lot of

00:40:57.519 --> 00:41:02.360
acid to do the actual cleaning, and then the contractors doing the cleaning just

00:41:02.360 --> 00:41:06.960
released all that acid into the sanitary system. In this case, it actually killed

00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:12.440
the plant for a community of approximately 150,000 people, which

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:17.699
resulted in all kinds of fish kill and the receiving streams and also a lot of

00:41:47.699 --> 00:42:04.420
We also had an issue in Cecelia's ward of a commercial contractor dumping sanitary waste

00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:11.380
into storm basins for a method of clean out that was caught doing that.

00:42:11.380 --> 00:42:16.860
The real evidence behind this is to protect our drinking water and our waterways.

00:42:16.860 --> 00:42:18.760
That's what it's for.

00:42:18.760 --> 00:42:25.519
When people put oil or greases or other foreign materials into the sanitary collection systems,

00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:27.880
everybody in the city of Preport pays for that.

00:42:27.880 --> 00:42:33.199
Every gallon of clear drinking water or clear storm water that goes into the sewer costs

00:42:33.199 --> 00:42:37.519
two and a half times to clean at the wastewater treatment plant that drives our cost up that

00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:39.739
will come all to the end users.

00:42:39.739 --> 00:42:46.039
So these ordinances are not about Darren Steakle or somebody from Public Works skiing on our

00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:50.039
This won't even pertain to 99% of the issues in this town.

00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:57.039
This is for the one percenters that are creating havoc or destroying our environment within the property.

00:42:57.039 --> 00:43:04.039
Again, these people that have been dumping wastewaters on properties, we're not asking to go into their residents per se.

00:43:04.039 --> 00:43:06.039
We're asking to look in the backyards.

00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:12.039
It's a violation of many different codes, but in order for us to enforce it,

00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:18.039
and the codes have to be rigid enough to allow our inspectors like Randy to be able to run the enforcements.

00:43:18.039 --> 00:43:25.039
Okay, so is there a motion to move this ordinance forward to the next meeting regarding part six?

00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:26.039
So moved.

00:43:26.039 --> 00:43:27.039
So moved.

00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:28.039
Second.

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:32.039
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:33.039
Alderman Sanders?

00:43:33.039 --> 00:43:44.840
Yeah, Mr. Stegall, in order to be effective, what you just stated, in order to be effective,

00:43:44.840 --> 00:43:51.880
you have to be preemptive in order to do that, and we can't rely on citizens of the city

00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:57.199
of Freeport to be our investigators.

00:43:57.199 --> 00:44:02.760
We can't put them in a situation where they're snitching on their neighbors and things of

00:44:02.760 --> 00:44:04.320
this nature.

00:44:04.320 --> 00:44:06.880
We can't rely on that.

00:44:06.880 --> 00:44:12.400
People are violating any ordinance as far as that is concerned.

00:44:12.400 --> 00:44:17.679
And the fact that the matter is, when I asked about whether or not we have enough manpower

00:44:17.679 --> 00:44:24.519
to do that, we have to be very critical about where we're doing our inspections in order

00:44:24.519 --> 00:44:31.220
Miller to determine whether any business formation or business company or whatever is making

00:44:31.220 --> 00:44:35.519
improper dumping and things of this nature.

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:38.960
So I'm just curious, are we able to do that?

00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:43.079
Because we have to be preemptive.

00:44:43.079 --> 00:44:51.019
We'll find out at the end of the treatment plant that somebody had been putting bad chemicals

00:44:51.019 --> 00:44:55.300
Holds, Phil Holds within the structure of the manholes,

00:44:55.300 --> 00:44:57.400
the sewer, or the storm.

00:44:57.400 --> 00:44:59.159
It's too late.

00:44:59.159 --> 00:45:03.220
Now we have to do an all-out investigation to determine

00:45:03.220 --> 00:45:05.099
where this flow came from,

00:45:05.099 --> 00:45:09.619
and my thing is if we do preemptives of all companies

00:45:09.619 --> 00:45:12.000
that have this type of any kind of chemical

00:45:12.000 --> 00:45:15.300
that they're discharging or putting into waterways,

00:45:15.300 --> 00:45:18.059
that they've received some kind of notification.

00:45:18.059 --> 00:45:20.760
I'm talking about any business that does that.

00:45:20.760 --> 00:45:50.760
Gap that in your plans. But the thing about it is I like for us to be more vigilant about that because you are right. My time here, yes, storms and sewer lines were definitely contaminated and infiltrated with all kinds of crap. And so I just want us to be cognitive of all of those things that once we start down this path, we have the right

00:45:50.760 --> 00:46:08.760
Manpower to whether or not if we have to inspect not just on a regular basis, but, you know, these companies, but periodically to go around and have these things checked because you can see the residue of some of these things like from Micro Switch,

00:46:08.760 --> 00:46:16.360
Rich, a potato chip company, all of those kinds of places, was spewing all kinds of

00:46:16.360 --> 00:46:23.480
contaminants within the city's sewer lines and storm sewers, and I'm one that went out

00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:29.380
testing and monitoring these systems to validate whether or not this is going on, because why

00:46:29.380 --> 00:46:31.500
it shows up at the treatment plants.

00:46:31.500 --> 00:46:36.480
These things demonstrate, comes out at the treatment plant, and I know they have to do

00:46:36.480 --> 00:46:49.480
We do that based up on storm sewer, simply because it's hitting the waterways and it is killing the plants and whatever that's going on in the rivers.

00:46:49.480 --> 00:47:03.480
It's doing the same thing. So whether it's storm or sewer, we need to have indicators that allow us to know whether or not waters that we're dumping back into the river is taking care of properly.

00:47:03.480 --> 00:47:09.440
that we have, and we have already notified the citizens of Freeport, any kinds of, uh,

00:47:09.440 --> 00:47:18.400
improper, uh, dumping results and fines, possibly jail, who, you know, that kind of thing.

00:47:18.400 --> 00:47:21.119
So let, let me break that down just a second.

00:47:21.119 --> 00:47:27.000
So, um, yes, uh, while you've been on council, we, we conducted a local limit study and we

00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:28.960
passed that and we've enforced it.

00:47:28.960 --> 00:47:32.960
Uh, so we have local limits expectations for all of our commercial users.

00:47:33.340 --> 00:47:38.039
Um, the significant industrial user discharges are checked regularly and

00:47:38.039 --> 00:47:39.659
they also have to report regularly.

00:47:39.659 --> 00:47:42.079
And we take independent samples and send those in.

00:47:42.099 --> 00:47:44.179
So that's part of our original process.

00:47:44.619 --> 00:47:48.579
Um, when it gets to the residential end, yes, it's much tougher, but we find

00:47:48.579 --> 00:47:50.820
evidence in manholes or storm basins.

00:47:50.820 --> 00:47:53.920
And we track those backwards to try to figure out where that's coming from.

00:47:53.920 --> 00:48:01.659
again, um, you know, if somebody wants to affect our environment or damage or, or

00:48:01.659 --> 00:48:05.659
pour something down there, it's going to be very hard for us to stop them.

00:48:05.960 --> 00:48:09.300
We're not relying on the snitchers of the world, but yes, they're

00:48:09.300 --> 00:48:11.659
helpful to stop the damage.

00:48:11.659 --> 00:48:15.940
And we do respect people, uh, for their time and their investment in helping

00:48:15.940 --> 00:48:17.460
us protect the city of Freeport.

00:48:17.800 --> 00:48:21.460
And so we take those, uh, uh, responsibilities very seriously.

00:48:21.460 --> 00:48:24.940
and Randy does the best job we can monitoring them.

00:48:24.940 --> 00:48:27.659
And I believe in the time that I've been sitting in this chair,

00:48:27.659 --> 00:48:31.179
we've done a significant job in cleaning up a lot of these issues

00:48:31.460 --> 00:48:33.539
and making this environment better.

00:48:34.619 --> 00:48:36.860
Finally, I'll tell you that how do we measure this?

00:48:37.059 --> 00:48:41.260
We measure it because the state requires us to do river testing before

00:48:41.579 --> 00:48:44.260
and behind the wastewater treatment plant.

00:48:44.260 --> 00:48:47.699
And then that testing is back up at other treatment facilities

00:48:47.699 --> 00:48:50.099
that are down the way to see if we are making an effect

00:48:50.099 --> 00:48:54.860
on the the amount of discharge and the items that are discharged and we believe

00:48:54.860 --> 00:48:59.220
that we have been making a difference with our work. Thank you. Thank you.

00:48:59.220 --> 00:49:10.039
Alderman Stacey. Since I'm limited to questions, I would like reports on the

00:49:10.039 --> 00:49:26.820
last week and reports on when they were spotted in my ward and how would you have even of

00:49:26.820 --> 00:49:39.460
known that something had been put through the storm drain if it was not seen and reported?

00:49:39.460 --> 00:49:44.900
So I can answer that for you right now, so we likely won't have any reports for this

00:49:44.900 --> 00:49:48.139
last week because we don't test like that.

00:49:48.139 --> 00:49:51.980
We would have quarterly reports because that's how we do the storm.

00:49:51.980 --> 00:49:56.960
That's how we do the storm basin testing and you're right, in your specific instance, had

00:49:56.960 --> 00:50:01.519
somebody not have reported what happened in your ward, we would not have caught that because

00:50:01.519 --> 00:50:03.460
we can't be everywhere all the time.

00:50:03.460 --> 00:50:08.880
If people want to make illicit discharges and they're going to do it at night, after hours,

00:50:08.880 --> 00:50:10.679
wherever, we can't be everywhere.

00:50:10.679 --> 00:50:12.500
We don't have cameras all over town.

00:50:12.500 --> 00:50:16.099
We would never be able to suspectly find that.

00:50:16.099 --> 00:50:21.239
We're talking about large discharges is what we're going to catch.

00:50:21.239 --> 00:50:22.860
So that was not a large discharge.

00:50:22.860 --> 00:50:23.860
No.

00:50:23.860 --> 00:50:25.699
And it was 10 o'clock in the morning.

00:50:25.699 --> 00:50:26.699
Right.

00:50:26.699 --> 00:50:32.780
But again, it was at one storm basin in the middle of 139 miles of streetway.

00:50:32.780 --> 00:50:35.760
That's pretty hard for us to track that down.

00:50:35.760 --> 00:50:40.500
But with the person that called us, we were able to get over there and take a sample.

00:50:40.500 --> 00:50:42.099
And we didn't quote enforce that.

00:50:42.099 --> 00:50:45.099
I don't want to name the contractor, but we did quote enforce them.

00:50:45.099 --> 00:50:50.820
and I think we find them five or $6,000 in damages for that dumping.

00:50:51.099 --> 00:50:55.260
So that, and that sent them a message that we weren't going to allow that to happen.

00:50:55.619 --> 00:51:04.780
So if I get copies of reports, it would show a difference that month or that

00:51:04.780 --> 00:51:08.260
quarter compared to the most recent.

00:51:09.500 --> 00:51:12.739
I think it's going to show that our stormwater quality in general is good.

00:51:12.739 --> 00:51:14.940
That's going out out of our basins.

00:51:15.099 --> 00:51:45.099
Right? I don't, I don't think you're going to see, it's not like, um, there's a, a scientific measurement. It's either the water quality is good or it's not. And we have not had any stormwater quality issues because we're trying to correct these issues as we can. Remember that dumping that happened that day in your ward was let's say a thousand gallons in the middle of the city of Freeport. It's, it's, you know, like throwing a penny into wishing well, honestly.

00:51:45.099 --> 00:51:48.280
but it does translate that that went into the river somewhere

00:51:48.280 --> 00:51:50.280
as storm discharge flows.

00:51:50.280 --> 00:51:53.199
But it could have been 3000, they said it was one.

00:51:54.679 --> 00:51:57.420
Right.

00:51:57.420 --> 00:52:00.119
Okay, Alderman Johnson.

00:52:01.460 --> 00:52:06.219
Yeah, under 660.05 prohibition, it looks like maybe,

00:52:06.219 --> 00:52:08.059
I know this is a rough draft but it looks to me

00:52:08.059 --> 00:52:09.579
like the first sentence there might have

00:52:09.579 --> 00:52:12.559
some repetitive statements we need to work on.

00:52:12.559 --> 00:52:16.239
Also under 660.09, it talks about injunctive relief

00:52:16.239 --> 00:52:18.480
Spade, and I've had an administrative hearing letter.

00:52:18.480 --> 00:52:22.039
How long do we wait for the injunctive relief, or how many days of fines?

00:52:22.039 --> 00:52:28.340
I guess I just want to see what is the progression once someone is caught or we suspect that

00:52:28.340 --> 00:52:29.780
there's hazardous dumping.

00:52:29.780 --> 00:52:30.800
What is the progression?

00:52:30.800 --> 00:52:33.360
Do we fine them starting on day one?

00:52:33.360 --> 00:52:38.400
Do we do the injunctive relief administrative hearing?

00:52:38.400 --> 00:52:41.119
What is the progression of what happens?

00:52:41.119 --> 00:52:43.380
And so I want to answer to that.

00:52:43.380 --> 00:52:50.300
and also the violation fine is $250 not to exceed $750.

00:52:50.300 --> 00:52:53.579
Violation each day shall constitute a separate violation.

00:52:53.579 --> 00:52:59.739
So I'm wondering is this how much, you know, this is stating that can be $750 up to that

00:52:59.739 --> 00:53:01.519
amount per day.

00:53:01.519 --> 00:53:06.380
What determines whether it's $250 or whether it's $750 or what the amount is that's charged

00:53:06.380 --> 00:53:09.179
for the violation for that day?

00:53:09.179 --> 00:53:13.739
So just, if you could clarify those two things for me, I would appreciate it.

00:53:13.739 --> 00:53:21.780
So as far as the amounts, a lot of times we look at how many times have, are you a repeat

00:53:21.780 --> 00:53:22.780
offender?

00:53:22.780 --> 00:53:26.639
Is this something, you know, we've talked about you, we've educated you, we find you

00:53:26.639 --> 00:53:29.400
and you just continue to do so.

00:53:29.400 --> 00:53:33.900
That will make it go up every time we talk to you.

00:53:33.900 --> 00:53:38.340
We try to shoot for, you know, depending, it's a lot of it's case by case, you know,

00:53:38.340 --> 00:53:42.460
What did you dump in there? What does it look like? What are the circumstances?

00:53:42.780 --> 00:53:46.260
Can I educate you first and gain compliance that way?

00:53:46.619 --> 00:53:49.500
Is it someone that just really honestly didn't know?

00:53:50.500 --> 00:53:53.099
That's what we shoot for. Educate compliance.

00:53:53.940 --> 00:53:57.219
After that, it goes into, OK, you knew about her.

00:53:58.059 --> 00:54:00.420
Now you get a fine for 250 and then we work from there.

00:54:01.179 --> 00:54:03.500
Ideally, if it's a situation they can clean up.

00:54:04.380 --> 00:54:07.260
Great. Have you clean it up and we'll mosey along.

00:54:08.340 --> 00:54:15.380
If it's something that we can't clean up or something that has a large impact on public

00:54:15.380 --> 00:54:20.579
health or on our drinking water or anything like that, then it's a little more serious

00:54:20.579 --> 00:54:24.579
and we look towards fines first.

00:54:24.579 --> 00:54:28.779
So the progression is fines first and?

00:54:28.779 --> 00:54:33.400
Case by case, usually I try to educate first and then go to fines.

00:54:33.400 --> 00:54:35.980
It just kind of depends on what the scenario is.

00:54:35.980 --> 00:54:49.699
I appreciate all this, but also what I'd like to see is some proactive things like maybe

00:54:49.699 --> 00:54:55.659
a letter in the, maybe like the water and sewer bill or something that states what can

00:54:55.659 --> 00:55:00.619
be flushed down toilets, what can be put down drains or what I should say what can't be

00:55:00.619 --> 00:55:30.300
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Sellers to move this forward.

00:55:30.300 --> 00:55:32.300
All those Alderman Sanders.

00:55:32.300 --> 00:55:34.300
Can I ask one question?

00:55:34.300 --> 00:55:46.470
Piggybacking off of what Sister Johnson was just saying, is this an ordinance on the 660?

00:55:46.470 --> 00:55:50.579
Is that an ordinance?

00:55:50.579 --> 00:55:54.579
Yes, it's item number 8. It's the ordinance change on those parts.

00:55:54.579 --> 00:55:58.579
And it's asking us to amend it to?

00:55:58.579 --> 00:56:00.579
What was discussed tonight.

00:56:00.579 --> 00:56:02.579
What we discussed tonight.

00:56:02.579 --> 00:56:13.380
I think we should make sure that we put more into what Mrs. Johnson was just stating.

00:56:13.380 --> 00:56:14.980
Yeah, we've got two more sessions.

00:56:14.980 --> 00:56:15.980
Do we?

00:56:15.980 --> 00:56:16.980
Yeah.

00:56:16.980 --> 00:56:17.980
Okay.

00:56:17.980 --> 00:56:18.980
This is just the cow.

00:56:18.980 --> 00:56:19.980
We're not voting on anything.

00:56:19.980 --> 00:56:20.980
We're just saying, do we want to move it forward?

00:56:20.980 --> 00:56:21.980
Okay.

00:56:21.980 --> 00:56:22.980
All right.

00:56:22.980 --> 00:56:28.460
I just wanted that to be noted because there's a lot of things that can be implemented into

00:56:28.460 --> 00:56:30.340
that that we can bring.

00:56:30.340 --> 00:56:37.900
Okay, so Alderman Simmons, did you want to share something?

00:56:37.900 --> 00:56:38.900
No.

00:56:38.900 --> 00:56:41.900
Mr. Stiegel?

00:56:41.900 --> 00:56:50.779
Yeah, just as part of Randi's everyday role with the city is she's one of our education

00:56:50.779 --> 00:56:51.779
officers as well.

00:56:51.779 --> 00:56:58.739
So she educates on water, sewer, stormwater, everything resulting in this, and we've started

00:56:58.739 --> 00:57:10.739
We've created a quarterly newsletter where we're releasing information quarterly out to everybody through their water and sewer bill, trying to educate people on these different facets of the utility business.

00:57:10.739 --> 00:57:23.739
So I would recommend that everybody look to there for information because there's lots of tidbits that we're constantly putting in there and it's usually a two to four page pamphlet that we're putting out with education materials like this.

00:57:23.739 --> 00:57:27.739
And by the way, that's required as part of our discharge permits.

00:57:27.739 --> 00:57:34.099
okay so we'll just take a voice vote on this all those in favor of moving this

00:57:34.099 --> 00:57:39.699
ordinance changes forward signify by saying aye opposed and then if we can

00:57:39.699 --> 00:57:44.159
just back up to item number seven I forgot to take a vote on that we had the

00:57:44.159 --> 00:57:48.980
motion to move that ordinance forward concerning the erosion control made by

00:57:48.980 --> 00:57:53.420
Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Klemm all those in favor signify by

00:57:53.420 --> 00:58:00.619
saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That moves forward as well. So move on to item number nine, which is the discussion

00:58:00.619 --> 00:58:08.059
discussion regarding ordinance amending part 10 with the streets utilities and public service code

00:58:08.059 --> 00:58:18.860
as well as section 1040.07a as well as b. Manager Boyer. Thank you your honor and I want to everybody

00:58:18.860 --> 00:58:38.139
Put a pause on what our conversation's been. We're going to come revisit it with item number 10, but we're going to get out of sequence just slightly and discuss new Julie laws that require new requirements from us moving forward with utility locates.

00:58:38.139 --> 00:58:53.500
So in the 2026 amendment to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act requires that all newly installed or replaced water and sewer service lines will be electronically traceable and locatable.

00:58:53.500 --> 00:58:58.940
This is now the law as of January 2026, and all communities must comply.

00:58:58.940 --> 00:59:03.900
In the past, certain private service laterals were not required to include tracer wire or

00:59:03.900 --> 00:59:09.659
any other locating technology, which creates difficulty during excavation and utility marking.

00:59:10.380 --> 00:59:16.940
Excavation work must continue to be coordinated through Julie Inc. and the updated law expands

00:59:16.940 --> 00:59:21.980
the responsibility of private service owners to ensure that underground infrastructure is

00:59:21.980 --> 00:59:27.500
properly installed, locatable, and maintained in the right of way and on private property for all

00:59:27.500 --> 00:59:32.779
New installations or repairs. So the purpose of this ordinance amends and updates the city code

00:59:32.779 --> 00:59:37.340
to reflect these state requirements. The changes will require tracer wire to

00:59:38.699 --> 00:59:44.139
tracer wire or approved locating technology for applicable water and sewer service lines

00:59:44.139 --> 00:59:48.059
and make compliance a condition of permit issuance and final inspection.

00:59:48.059 --> 00:59:49.989
Lining, local regular

00:59:49.989 --> 01:00:18.000
Lining local regulations with state law and so on. So essentially what we're looking at here is we're asking for you to consider moving this forward. Essentially what it's going to do is require any new sewer service line or water service line to be marked with electronic tape. It's basically a foil tape or wire that you can hook onto a locating device and specifically find those utilities that are buried underground. So with that, I'd like to

01:00:18.000 --> 01:00:19.280
to just open up with comments.

01:00:19.280 --> 01:00:21.599
I think Randy, Randy's gonna sit tight for,

01:00:21.599 --> 01:00:25.280
until the next agenda item, but yeah, any comments?

01:00:25.280 --> 01:00:28.320
Okay, so is there a motion to move this ordinance

01:00:28.320 --> 01:00:30.119
amending part 10 forward?

01:00:30.119 --> 01:00:31.159
So moved.

01:00:31.159 --> 01:00:32.559
Second.

01:00:32.559 --> 01:00:34.760
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm,

01:00:34.760 --> 01:00:36.800
seconded by Alderman Shadle.

01:00:36.800 --> 01:00:39.679
Discussion, Alderman Sanders.

01:00:40.880 --> 01:00:44.440
I like the fact that they're doing that now

01:00:44.440 --> 01:00:47.800
because that was talked about years ago.

01:00:48.000 --> 01:01:03.440
to do just what you just incited. But what I'd like to know is the old method of how we went about doing it. We're not, we still have to keep that in place, right?

01:01:04.119 --> 01:01:15.400
Yeah, we're still going to be locating city utilities. And if there's a house, for instance, that doesn't have locating wire on their service, we'll continue doing what we normally do,

01:01:15.400 --> 01:01:17.800
which is we find where the service connection

01:01:17.800 --> 01:01:19.900
comes in the street and it will basically

01:01:19.900 --> 01:01:21.559
paint a T heading toward the house.

01:01:21.559 --> 01:01:24.480
However, with all the new ones will be required

01:01:24.480 --> 01:01:27.619
to locate it up to the house once that tracer wire

01:01:27.619 --> 01:01:29.880
locates up is installed.

01:01:29.880 --> 01:01:30.719
And-

01:01:30.719 --> 01:01:31.539
Norman Sanders.

01:01:31.539 --> 01:01:32.380
I'm sorry.

01:01:36.380 --> 01:01:41.380
Televise inspections will result into the placement

01:01:41.380 --> 01:01:45.380
O'Connor, and

01:01:45.380 --> 01:01:49.380
so forth.

01:01:49.380 --> 01:01:53.380
That is something you know quite a bit about.

01:01:53.380 --> 01:01:58.820
So, yes.

01:01:58.820 --> 01:02:02.820
Alderman Johnson.

01:02:02.820 --> 01:02:06.820
Under section 2B, I just want to make sure I have understanding of this.

01:02:06.820 --> 01:02:10.820
It's regarding existing houses, structures, factories, et cetera,

01:02:10.820 --> 01:02:19.500
Willard, William, Matthew, Dan, Chris, Andrew, Chris, Steve, John, Chris, Tom, Will, Ben,

01:02:19.500 --> 01:02:26.260
Mark, Ben, Daniel, Chris, Tom, Will, Ben, Daniel, John, Lisa, Will, Ben, Danny, Ben,

01:02:26.260 --> 01:02:31.619
Will, Mark, Ben, Daniel, Chris, Peter, Jodi, Will, Ben, Daniel, Chris, David, Dave, Chris,

01:02:31.619 --> 01:02:36.739
Jason, David, Chris, Frank, Henry, David, Chris, John, Will, Will, Ben, Brian, Ben,

01:02:36.739 --> 01:02:37.739
Miller.

01:02:37.739 --> 01:02:42.340
So it's a good discussion, but yes, once the individuals in town are notified that they

01:02:42.340 --> 01:02:48.219
need to hook up to city sewer, because maybe they weren't originally, or they were originally

01:02:48.219 --> 01:02:53.019
in the county and the city annexed them in, when we're doing a project, the time to get

01:02:53.019 --> 01:02:56.260
people hooked up is when we were doing the construction part of it.

01:02:56.260 --> 01:03:00.219
So we would send them a notice saying, hey, we need you to hook up to the sewer.

01:03:00.219 --> 01:03:04.300
And then so much time goes by and then it needs to be hooked up.

01:03:04.300 --> 01:03:05.300
Yeah.

01:03:05.300 --> 01:03:11.719
So, Alderman Johnson, the language that you're asking questions about, that's existing language

01:03:11.719 --> 01:03:12.719
right now.

01:03:12.719 --> 01:03:16.599
So it's really not on topic as to what we're talking about tonight, which is the Julie requiring

01:03:16.599 --> 01:03:18.039
the tracer line.

01:03:18.039 --> 01:03:22.619
So the area that you're reading from is all existing language in the ordinance.

01:03:22.619 --> 01:03:23.619
It's already in the ordinance.

01:03:23.619 --> 01:03:24.619
Right.

01:03:24.619 --> 01:03:25.619
It's current ordinance.

01:03:25.619 --> 01:03:29.539
Only the stuff that's underlined and emboldened is the new language that's adding the requirement

01:03:29.539 --> 01:03:30.539
of the Julie tracer wire.

01:03:30.539 --> 01:03:31.539
Okay.

01:03:31.539 --> 01:03:34.820
I'm not saying your questions aren't valid, they're probably, but not appropriate for

01:03:34.820 --> 01:03:46.460
Okay, so we have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

01:03:46.460 --> 01:03:49.699
All those in favor of moving this forward, signify by saying aye.

01:03:49.699 --> 01:03:50.699
Aye.

01:03:50.699 --> 01:03:51.780
Opposed?

01:03:51.780 --> 01:03:53.219
That motion passes.

01:03:53.219 --> 01:04:03.300
Item number 10 is discussion regarding ordinance amending part 10 concerning section 10, 46.59

01:04:03.300 --> 01:04:33.300
Section 1050.08. Manager Boyer? Thank you, your honor. So Section 1046.59 prohibits stormwater, groundwater, sump pumps, and other clear water sources from discharging into the sanitary sewer system. So just to break it down a little bit, if you have your gutters connected to the sanitary, that would be a problem. If you have your sump pump from your basement connected to the sanitary, that would be a problem. These items need to be connected to a

01:04:33.300 --> 01:04:40.739
Outflow some place it goes to the storm. Section 1050.08 addresses illicit discharges to the

01:04:41.300 --> 01:04:47.380
municipal storm sewer system and is required under the city's MS4 permit by the Illinois Environmental

01:04:47.380 --> 01:04:53.220
Protection Agency. Recent updates to the MS4 permit require clearer ordinance requiring

01:04:53.220 --> 01:04:59.300
and strengthening enforcement authority. Staff proposes amendments to ensure the city code

01:04:59.300 --> 01:05:03.739
Huffman, Gertrude aligns with current regulated Freeport MS-4 stormwater requirements.

01:05:03.739 --> 01:05:11.940
The proposed changes in section 1046.59 clarify prohibited connections to the sanitary sewer

01:05:11.940 --> 01:05:15.460
and strengthen the city's authority to require corrective action.

01:05:15.460 --> 01:05:21.260
The amendments in 1050.08 update the definition of illicit discharge and reinforce the city's

01:05:21.260 --> 01:05:26.300
authority to investigate and enforce violation, and these recommendations are necessary to

01:05:26.300 --> 01:05:31.760
to continue with our compliance with MS4. So, Randi, if you would walk us through those

01:05:31.760 --> 01:05:32.760
changes.

01:05:32.760 --> 01:05:39.860
Sure. So, starting with 1046.59. So, we went through and added prohibited acts. Basically,

01:05:39.860 --> 01:05:45.460
this says that you can't change any natural or manmade water flow. So, you can't place

01:05:45.460 --> 01:05:55.860
or deposit any debris or fill, any construction such as ditch pipe, culvert, coursework.

01:05:55.860 --> 01:06:00.699
It's not permitted to fill, obstruct, dam, divert, or otherwise change natural or artificial

01:06:00.699 --> 01:06:04.220
flow of waters.

01:06:04.220 --> 01:06:10.059
It prohibits excessive vegetation and debris.

01:06:10.059 --> 01:06:16.179
Pretty much anything that might change how water is moving.

01:06:16.179 --> 01:06:19.300
We did put in there a correction of existing conditions.

01:06:19.300 --> 01:06:24.820
So if there's something already out there, ideally it needs to be rectified.

01:06:24.820 --> 01:06:29.179
This ensures that water continues to flow and get out to the river instead of getting

01:06:29.179 --> 01:06:31.340
dammed up and causing puddles.

01:06:31.340 --> 01:06:39.079
We went through, there's acts that are permitted, it talks about the permitting process, there's

01:06:39.079 --> 01:06:47.739
penalties and corrective action, and then we go into 10-50-08, which is illicit discharge

01:06:47.739 --> 01:06:51.380
and connection prohibited.

01:06:51.380 --> 01:07:00.929
So illicit connection prohibitions.

01:07:00.929 --> 01:07:06.690
So nothing can go into the stormwater except for normal stormwater.

01:07:06.690 --> 01:07:12.210
Construction for continued existence of illicit connections are prohibited.

01:07:12.210 --> 01:07:18.639
A person is considered in violation of this section.

01:07:18.639 --> 01:07:25.039
If a person connects a line conveying sewage to the stormwater, basically it's just protecting

01:07:25.039 --> 01:07:42.720
We do have some discharges that are exempt in here, things like firefighting flows, landscape

01:07:42.720 --> 01:07:49.360
irrigation, air conditioning condensation, that kind of stuff.

01:07:49.360 --> 01:07:56.000
Stuff that won't cause or should not cause any kind of harm to the environment.

01:07:56.000 --> 01:08:06.800
We then have a section in there for suspension of MS4 access, meaning if you were to violate any of this, we can say, hey, you're done, you're not going to send anything else to the stormwater until we get this fixed.

01:08:09.039 --> 01:08:10.679
That's kind of the basics of the changes.

01:08:12.000 --> 01:08:12.599
Mr. Stiegel.

01:08:14.159 --> 01:08:25.559
One of the reasons this is important is because the putting more teeth to this, we need to prevent clear water drainage from being pumped into the sanitary sewer.

01:08:26.000 --> 01:08:30.619
Um, per, uh, EPA that should be pumped back onto the ground.

01:08:30.979 --> 01:08:35.520
When it gets co-mingled in with our sanitary, again, we pay to clean that

01:08:35.600 --> 01:08:39.239
clean water at the drink at the wastewater treatment plant, which

01:08:39.239 --> 01:08:41.960
increases our user costs for everybody in the system.

01:08:42.479 --> 01:08:45.000
This, these changes allow Ms.

01:08:45.000 --> 01:08:51.119
Kolbauer to be more effective in, in, uh, allowing checking for illicit hookups.

01:08:51.119 --> 01:08:57.119
We know that they probably exist within Freeport and we are continuously looking for them.

01:08:57.119 --> 01:09:15.119
It's very hard to find them throughout, but this ordinance allows her to make sure that clear water that we should not be sending to the wastewater treatment plant is going back on the ground as runoff to our sanitaries and back out to the waterways.

01:09:15.119 --> 01:09:16.119
Otherwise.

01:09:16.119 --> 01:09:17.119
Okay.

01:09:17.119 --> 01:09:21.079
So is there a motion regarding this ordinance change amending part 10?

01:09:21.079 --> 01:09:22.079
So moved.

01:09:22.079 --> 01:09:23.079
Second.

01:09:23.079 --> 01:09:28.039
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.

01:09:28.039 --> 01:09:29.039
Alderman Sanders?

01:09:29.039 --> 01:09:30.039
Yeah.

01:09:30.039 --> 01:09:37.680
I'm glad you're talking about what it is that we can't see.

01:09:37.680 --> 01:09:47.680
My problem is sometimes when developers and contractors are involved, building homes with garages

01:09:47.680 --> 01:09:54.479
Homes with garages, they have the propensity to want to install sewer for runoff when people

01:09:54.479 --> 01:10:01.319
are washing cars or whatever mechanical machinery work that they're doing in their garage.

01:10:01.319 --> 01:10:09.840
And they're using that by way of discharging whatever they're using.

01:10:09.840 --> 01:10:15.960
And I'm not saying detergent is one of them, but the fact of the matter is when you have

01:10:15.960 --> 01:10:26.279
and I have a car wash or car washes or garages, private garage areas that's using storm insertions

01:10:26.279 --> 01:10:30.399
to discharge water from the property or whatever.

01:10:30.399 --> 01:10:33.920
You're right, there's no way to evaluate that.

01:10:33.920 --> 01:10:35.880
But here's the thing.

01:10:35.880 --> 01:10:44.159
New development, if we're going to start amending things and encouraging people to

01:10:44.159 --> 01:10:47.600
not just discharge any kind of solvent water or whatever,

01:10:47.600 --> 01:10:49.359
clear water, whatever.

01:10:49.359 --> 01:10:53.479
We must let them know at the time of birth of a home

01:10:53.479 --> 01:10:56.880
that you have to be legal with these new storm drains

01:10:56.880 --> 01:11:00.199
that you wanna put in your garage and your homes

01:11:00.199 --> 01:11:01.159
or whatever the case is.

01:11:01.159 --> 01:11:03.520
I'm just putting that out there

01:11:03.520 --> 01:11:06.159
simply because I know these things happen.

01:11:06.159 --> 01:11:08.880
And this is the reason why we never could find

01:11:08.880 --> 01:11:12.119
who's doing a lot of the dumping and proper dumping.

01:11:12.119 --> 01:11:19.319
and it's just just another way of saying we'd like to notify developers who are

01:11:19.880 --> 01:11:23.319
constructing new homes and things of this nature. You just can't do that.

01:11:23.880 --> 01:11:29.720
Mr. Stiegel. Yeah, that's all part of the building code and permit process now and mandatory

01:11:29.720 --> 01:11:34.920
inspection for all buildings that we work hand in hand with community development to do.

01:11:34.920 --> 01:11:40.680
Nothing gets built anymore without full compliance. We even have resources from Elgin

01:11:40.680 --> 01:11:45.800
that we bring in, plumbing and sewer and other things that we need to do, so that's all

01:11:45.800 --> 01:11:49.920
ensured through new construction, which we don't have a lot of, but hopefully that will

01:11:49.920 --> 01:11:50.920
change soon.

01:11:50.920 --> 01:11:51.920
Yeah.

01:11:51.920 --> 01:11:52.920
Thank you.

01:11:52.920 --> 01:11:53.920
Anyone else?

01:11:53.920 --> 01:11:54.920
Thank you.

01:11:54.920 --> 01:11:55.920
Alderman Johnson?

01:11:55.920 --> 01:11:56.920
Yeah.

01:11:56.920 --> 01:12:02.319
Chapter 1046.59, letter D2, line two seems to have some repetitive statements may need

01:12:02.319 --> 01:12:04.800
to be restructured.

01:12:04.800 --> 01:12:11.939
And under the violations and penalties, H, permit one, it says permit required, no person

01:12:11.939 --> 01:12:17.399
shall do any of the acts prohibited in subsection D without a permit.

01:12:17.399 --> 01:12:21.039
I just want clarification, how does that happen?

01:12:21.039 --> 01:12:25.680
Section D is things that are not permitted, so I just want that explained what that means.

01:12:25.680 --> 01:12:44.060
Would either one of you want to just get back with that?

01:12:44.060 --> 01:12:45.979
No, I mean, I can answer, right?

01:12:45.979 --> 01:12:50.979
Well, you're talking about, I just want to clarify, 1046.59D.

01:12:52.939 --> 01:12:55.220
It's H, H permit.

01:12:55.220 --> 01:12:57.979
And it says number one beside it, permit required.

01:12:57.979 --> 01:13:00.420
No person shall do any of the acts prohibited

01:13:00.420 --> 01:13:02.979
in subsection D without a permit.

01:13:02.979 --> 01:13:06.020
Right, so this is addressing people

01:13:06.020 --> 01:13:08.159
that may already have a structure,

01:13:08.159 --> 01:13:10.819
but illegally hook up without our knowledge,

01:13:10.819 --> 01:13:13.659
but then are caught during code enforcement

01:13:13.659 --> 01:13:15.140
or something that was wrong.

01:13:15.140 --> 01:13:21.420
So obviously addressing our existing structures that are already built when we do inspections.

01:13:21.899 --> 01:13:22.279
Okay.

01:13:22.279 --> 01:13:26.939
So, so when we do new construction, we're in control of that all the way through.

01:13:26.939 --> 01:13:32.460
But obviously we have 11,500 homes and businesses that are already built within town.

01:13:32.699 --> 01:13:37.300
So we have to account for people that may already be connected illegally as we

01:13:37.699 --> 01:13:39.140
figure that out or find that out.

01:13:39.800 --> 01:13:41.739
So then they have to get a permit for that.

01:13:41.739 --> 01:13:47.260
They have to get a permit or they have to disconnect from whatever utility they're hooked up to illegally.

01:13:47.260 --> 01:13:49.260
Okay, thank you for clarification.

01:13:50.579 --> 01:13:53.989
Parliament, Stacy?

01:13:54.189 --> 01:13:58.909
So people who runs a sock pump out of their basement,

01:13:59.909 --> 01:14:01.909
are you saying that

01:14:02.430 --> 01:14:07.470
they need a permit to have a sock pump in their basement and

01:14:08.550 --> 01:14:11.829
are you going to need a permit to wash your cars?

01:14:14.560 --> 01:14:18.119
So there's a difference, uh, let me do number two first.

01:14:18.119 --> 01:14:23.079
There's a difference between a commercial car wash and somebody just washing one

01:14:23.079 --> 01:14:25.319
car or two cars at their house on their driveway.

01:14:25.659 --> 01:14:29.840
So that effort at your house is not permitted when we're talking about a

01:14:29.840 --> 01:14:34.359
commercial establishment, like any of the car big car washes in town, they are

01:14:34.640 --> 01:14:37.960
permitted only because they have to have a rewashed cycles.

01:14:38.159 --> 01:14:41.640
They have to have, uh, they use a lot more soap than most people do.

01:14:41.640 --> 01:14:44.920
It's not always biodegradable and they have recycled tanks under the ground.

01:14:44.920 --> 01:14:48.119
And those are all part of the codes and ordinances when those places are built.

01:14:49.159 --> 01:14:53.720
Your first question on sump pumps. Some pumps are illegal to be hooked up to the sanitary sewer.

01:14:53.720 --> 01:14:58.920
That water is supposed to be returned to the ground and pumped outside of your home. Anybody

01:14:58.920 --> 01:15:02.439
that has those connected within the city of Freeport, that would already be considered by

01:15:02.439 --> 01:15:08.439
code an illegal connection for any sump pump in a house. We don't pump basement water into the

01:15:08.439 --> 01:15:26.319
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. All those in favor of moving

01:15:26.319 --> 01:15:33.640
this forward signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number 11 is discussion

01:15:33.640 --> 01:15:38.680
regarding overview of the 2026 road work. Mr. Stiegel.

01:15:52.100 --> 01:15:55.619
So council members, I printed out packets for you because I

01:15:55.619 --> 01:16:00.659
didn't know how well this would show up on the big board. And I

01:16:00.659 --> 01:16:03.939
want everybody to know this is just I think we don't just be

01:16:03.939 --> 01:16:13.949
more of a general conversation. So we're anticipating a very

01:16:13.949 --> 01:16:16.989
busy construction here in Freeport this year. And I just

01:16:16.989 --> 01:16:20.189
wanted to start off on this slide to remind council members

01:16:20.189 --> 01:16:21.949
because I know you guys don't do it every day.

01:16:22.649 --> 01:16:25.850
The city has 140 miles of streetway that we take care of.

01:16:26.550 --> 01:16:31.989
Just about 60 miles of alleyways, five wells currently.

01:16:32.649 --> 01:16:35.550
We're soon adding what 12 probably in about two years.

01:16:35.550 --> 01:16:39.289
The groundbreaking was today out of those five wells.

01:16:39.289 --> 01:16:40.609
Two of them are in reserve.

01:16:40.609 --> 01:16:43.949
Those are the wells that we have the PFAS traces in

01:16:44.210 --> 01:16:46.489
and they are not used to the water system.

01:16:46.489 --> 01:16:48.550
Currently, they are in reserve only.

01:16:48.550 --> 01:16:53.189
in case we had a major fire catastrophe and we needed to have extra water supply.

01:16:54.949 --> 01:17:02.390
Currently in our distribution system we have 137 miles of water main, 127 miles of sanitary sewer.

01:17:03.430 --> 01:17:11.670
We have about 2800 sanitary manholes. We also have nine list stations with another one on walnut

01:17:11.670 --> 01:17:18.310
being built right now. We have one large wastewater treatment plant capable of treating 16 million

01:17:18.310 --> 01:17:25.270
Gailens a day. We have 50 miles of stormwater within the city limits. We actually have 20

01:17:25.270 --> 01:17:31.909
stormwater basins, which basins are what lead to the waterways that take the water out to the river.

01:17:34.470 --> 01:17:41.189
We have almost 2,700 stormwater manholes. We have one bridge, the Hancock Bridge, and we have three

01:17:41.189 --> 01:17:46.710
closed landfills right now. And while I was putting this together, I wanted to remind people

01:17:46.710 --> 01:17:49.369
and our staffing levels that we have currently.

01:17:49.369 --> 01:17:52.789
So currently we take care of nearly 200 miles

01:17:52.789 --> 01:17:54.750
and we have 10 street employees.

01:17:54.750 --> 01:17:57.930
So that's about 20 miles per employee.

01:17:57.930 --> 01:17:59.989
We have three forestry people

01:17:59.989 --> 01:18:03.149
and we took down nearly 300 trees last year.

01:18:03.149 --> 01:18:06.210
So that's, you know, quite an effort.

01:18:06.210 --> 01:18:08.390
That's more than a tree per day.

01:18:08.390 --> 01:18:11.229
Out of the 300 or I think it was like 285,

01:18:11.229 --> 01:18:13.869
we only contacted about three of those trees out.

01:18:13.869 --> 01:18:15.670
Our crews did the rest.

01:18:15.670 --> 01:18:19.510
We have two members of our crew that do painting and sweeping.

01:18:19.510 --> 01:18:22.809
Street sweeping is done very early in the morning and at night.

01:18:23.069 --> 01:18:27.210
And those guys are responsible for painting the, um, lines that you see on

01:18:27.210 --> 01:18:29.829
the streets annually, uh, out of the paint budget.

01:18:30.350 --> 01:18:34.149
Uh, we have one cemetery full-time employee that takes care of the grounds

01:18:34.149 --> 01:18:36.989
and maintenance also digs the cemetery plots.

01:18:37.390 --> 01:18:42.350
Um, we have two full-time mechanics that, um, is something that, uh, city

01:18:42.350 --> 01:18:47.190
Manager, Boyer has really pushed forward that has saved the city tens of thousands

01:18:47.190 --> 01:18:49.949
of dollars in outside equipment repairs.

01:18:50.510 --> 01:18:53.750
Uh, we currently have eight construction crew members.

01:18:54.149 --> 01:18:59.510
Um, we have, uh, uh, a young crew, but learning, we have three service

01:18:59.510 --> 01:19:05.190
technicians, those are part of the meter, um, and water, uh, uh, departments.

01:19:05.190 --> 01:19:09.270
So those are shutoffs, turn ons, uh, meters that are installed,

01:19:09.270 --> 01:19:10.630
M.I.U.s that are installed.

01:19:11.190 --> 01:19:17.029
Um, operations team, we run operations 24 seven 365 here.

01:19:17.029 --> 01:19:20.930
We have eight members of our operation crew right now, uh, running the water

01:19:20.930 --> 01:19:28.050
plants, the sewer plants and everything in between, um, we have three full-time

01:19:28.050 --> 01:19:32.649
lab workers that do our lab sampling and our required water sampling daily.

01:19:33.149 --> 01:19:37.250
Uh, we have one utility worker, uh, position and we have three

01:19:37.250 --> 01:19:38.569
maintenance positions right now.

01:19:38.569 --> 01:19:41.890
so our maintenance people take care of our water plants,

01:19:41.890 --> 01:19:46.149
our lift stations, our wastewater treatment plant doing.

01:19:46.149 --> 01:19:50.920
Wastewater Treatment Plant doing the preventative maintenance schedules that saved the city quite a bit of money from hiring that out.

01:19:51.279 --> 01:19:58.920
And then we have three summer mowers that I believe the number is around 80 properties that we have to mow.

01:19:59.960 --> 01:20:09.920
We obviously we can't mow 80 properties weekly, but you can see why three people are having a heck of a time keeping up with all the lots that we have all over town to maintain.

01:20:09.920 --> 01:20:14.520
So we're trying to make plans to, um, uh, move some of them, uh, lots over

01:20:14.520 --> 01:20:15.680
to residential people.

01:20:16.359 --> 01:20:17.239
Next slide, please.

01:20:22.260 --> 01:20:26.260
Um, so the next map is, uh, pretty congested.

01:20:26.619 --> 01:20:31.340
This is the overall 2026, uh, map of projects that's going to happen.

01:20:31.699 --> 01:20:35.140
Um, I'm going to break that down in the next few slides, but I wanted everybody

01:20:35.140 --> 01:20:38.739
to see how much work is going to be happening all over the city of Freeport.

01:20:38.739 --> 01:20:45.979
Miller, we have water main replacement, street reconstructs, mill and overlays, we have some

01:20:45.979 --> 01:20:51.180
additional projects that were added, we have crack sealing that's going to happen, we have

01:20:51.180 --> 01:20:57.180
several IDOT streets in main corridors that are going to get paved, we have, we call them

01:20:57.180 --> 01:21:01.819
STU streets, there's some special federal funding that we've been able to get for some

01:21:01.819 --> 01:21:08.640
Streets, and then we have cleaning and lining that we're doing within our

01:21:08.640 --> 01:21:12.739
sanitary sewers. Additional projects that really couldn't show up on here is we

01:21:12.739 --> 01:21:16.220
still have about 200 remaining lead service lines after the last inventory

01:21:16.220 --> 01:21:21.939
was done last week. We're working on airport terminal design for that build

01:21:21.939 --> 01:21:28.260
out. We're also working on the PAPI light program at the airport and some crack

01:21:28.260 --> 01:21:38.260
and also we have various building repairs that are going to happen between the fire department and city hall and then we've already contracted 31 trees to come down on top of our crews.

01:21:38.260 --> 01:21:45.260
Those trees are the large dangerous trees that our crews don't have the equipment to take down.

01:21:45.260 --> 01:21:50.260
Next slide please. So kind of trying to break this down a little bit.

01:21:50.260 --> 01:21:59.260
So this next sheet shows the water main replacements and street constructs and mill and overlays that the city crews are planning on doing this year.

01:21:59.260 --> 01:22:04.260
This is a full complete list of everything that we've gone over.

01:22:04.260 --> 01:22:10.260
We have bid projects A, B and C that are currently out on the two of them are on the street.

01:22:10.260 --> 01:22:16.260
The other one goes out Wednesday and those bids will all be coming to council in April for approval.

01:22:16.260 --> 01:22:23.859
I'm just going to say we're doing Concord Drive, we're doing Seminole Drive, we're doing South

01:22:23.859 --> 01:22:30.979
Demeter, we're doing the Gladewood Entrances, we're doing North Stewart Drive, the Police Alley,

01:22:31.619 --> 01:22:39.859
the large municipal lot downtown, South Benton Avenue is getting done, South Carroll is getting

01:22:39.859 --> 01:22:45.859
is getting done, Pershing is getting done, and Dewey is getting reconstructed.

01:22:45.859 --> 01:22:49.859
So that's our list of city street projects for this year.

01:22:49.859 --> 01:22:56.859
And I want to remind everybody, this is probably about six, six and a half million dollars worth of work.

01:22:56.859 --> 01:23:01.859
Our streets budget annually is about three million dollars from our one percent.

01:23:01.859 --> 01:23:08.859
And we get about, we might be three and a half tops, and we get about a million dollars from MFT that we buy materials with.

01:23:08.859 --> 01:23:23.859
The next slide please. So this, this shows some additional projects that we've been able to get to Freeport. This summer, they're planning to bid Galena Avenue from Park Street to Clark Street.

01:23:23.859 --> 01:23:30.859
Oh, that's going to be an entire mill and overlay of the section. It's about three and three quarter inch mill and overlay.

01:23:30.859 --> 01:23:37.020
they're also going to replace somewhere around 75 ADA ramps in the corridor and I was

01:23:38.539 --> 01:23:42.220
I found out at a meeting last week that they're also planning to replace all of the

01:23:42.939 --> 01:23:48.220
stop signals with the new ADA detectable signals that beep and talk to people as they

01:23:48.779 --> 01:23:52.779
as they cross because that is a high traffic area of Freeport for our

01:23:52.779 --> 01:23:57.779
and our handicapped travelers.

01:24:00.420 --> 01:24:02.979
The other project that a lot of people know about is South Street.

01:24:03.779 --> 01:24:12.420
We got a commitment from IDOT, a memorandum of understanding that if the city of Freeport replaced the ADA ramps in that corridor, that they will repave that.

01:24:13.020 --> 01:24:16.020
And we're planning on having that done this fall as well.

01:24:17.420 --> 01:24:21.739
We're in the close stages to bidding the ADA ramps out now.

01:24:21.739 --> 01:24:25.180
and the project's supposed to go to bid in July of this year.

01:24:26.180 --> 01:24:28.020
Next slide, please.

01:24:28.880 --> 01:24:32.140
Additional projects, some of these are already under construction.

01:24:33.140 --> 01:24:37.779
We're looking at the Galena, Laurel and or Park Street.

01:24:37.779 --> 01:24:41.279
Some people call it a lift station renovations.

01:24:42.140 --> 01:24:45.819
We're also planning on doing Sierra Tank renovations this year.

01:24:45.819 --> 01:24:49.340
That's our two million gallon storage tank out on the west side of town.

01:24:49.340 --> 01:24:55.579
John. The Public Works Department is building a new $800,000 assault shed that we've already

01:24:55.579 --> 01:25:05.300
committed to. Galena Avenue, we're also doing about 87 manholes of storm and sanitary repairs

01:25:05.300 --> 01:25:12.140
too. City Hall is having $100,000 worth of tuck pointing done this year. The Hancock

01:25:12.140 --> 01:25:17.939
Bridge is supposed to go out to bid in July of this year. That will be nearly a two and

01:25:17.939 --> 01:25:23.500
and a half million dollar project, um, for renovations to the deck, um, wastewater

01:25:23.500 --> 01:25:26.979
treatment plant, we're in the middle, maybe a little bit over the middle of

01:25:26.979 --> 01:25:32.000
phase one, phase twos in design and the city crews are planning to do

01:25:32.020 --> 01:25:35.380
clarifier equipment upgrades this year, uh, in-house.

01:25:35.619 --> 01:25:38.899
And we're also looking at some blower building, uh, replacements

01:25:38.899 --> 01:25:42.300
because the old boiler there is beyond its useful life.

01:25:42.579 --> 01:25:45.180
And we need to go to gas heaters in the blower building.

01:25:45.220 --> 01:25:47.779
Uh, it's much cheaper than replacing the boiler.

01:25:47.939 --> 01:25:51.939
Hancock Vidoct, we're in the midst of that project.

01:25:51.939 --> 01:25:53.939
I know there hasn't been a lot of action there.

01:25:53.939 --> 01:25:57.939
City Manager Boyer and I had a meeting with Helm Group last week.

01:25:57.939 --> 01:26:01.939
They're supposed to be doing test borings there tomorrow to see if the frost is out of the ground.

01:26:01.939 --> 01:26:04.939
And we hope to see some action there shortly.

01:26:04.939 --> 01:26:13.939
I will say that that project based on the asphalt plants opening, I do not see it being completed until the end of May of this year.

01:26:13.939 --> 01:26:15.939
I know it's an inconvenience.

01:26:15.939 --> 01:26:18.939
I know we had a resident here early that is very upset about it.

01:26:19.260 --> 01:26:21.460
Um, there's nothing we can do about it.

01:26:21.500 --> 01:26:23.220
I can't open the asphalt plants.

01:26:23.220 --> 01:26:26.220
Helm can't open their plant and it, and they typically don't

01:26:26.220 --> 01:26:28.659
open till May season for paving.

01:26:28.899 --> 01:26:30.779
There's still underground work to do there.

01:26:30.939 --> 01:26:32.699
And I know it's an inconvenience for all.

01:26:33.260 --> 01:26:36.579
Um, well, number eight, we're doing a generator.

01:26:36.579 --> 01:26:38.180
The pad was poured there today.

01:26:38.739 --> 01:26:42.380
Um, obviously we're doing the ADA ramps on South street.

01:26:42.380 --> 01:26:54.380
Meadowbrook Lane is going to get new sewer and street this year, this will be a fall project and West Demeter Drive is also looking at new street and storm.

01:26:54.380 --> 01:27:03.380
Well 12, we have the groundbreaking today and the Walnut Lift Station is already under construction and should be finished late summer.

01:27:03.380 --> 01:27:10.380
Again, we have the lead service lines, the work at the airport and the trees that were just too much to make this list.

01:27:10.380 --> 01:27:20.380
Additional streets. These are kind of bonus streets. We were able to get some federal dollars to help with what the city of Freeport calls the FAU routes.

01:27:20.380 --> 01:27:31.380
And this is something that was determined by IDOT many years ago. And so we tried to figure out a way with IDOT that we could get as many miles as possible done.

01:27:31.380 --> 01:27:40.979
The targeted streets that are in approval right now is South Walnut from Empire to South Street.

01:27:42.100 --> 01:27:43.579
Again, these are mill and overlays.

01:27:43.579 --> 01:27:44.899
They're not full reconstructs.

01:27:44.899 --> 01:27:47.340
That street was determined it could be mill and overlay.

01:27:47.779 --> 01:27:52.340
And then we have Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West this year.

01:27:52.739 --> 01:27:57.100
And then we're hoping for Lincoln the second part to be on next year's schedule.

01:27:57.100 --> 01:27:58.819
We don't have a commitment to that yet.

01:27:58.819 --> 01:28:05.539
and then Stevenson Street basically from Locust all the way to where we stopped at Sunset on a mill and overlay.

01:28:05.539 --> 01:28:17.779
I can't 100% guarantee these projects will move forward this year, but it looks like in all likelihood they're going to from the advanced communication that we had.

01:28:17.779 --> 01:28:21.779
There could be a slight possibility that they all pushed to 2027.

01:28:21.779 --> 01:28:32.279
And as a reminder, we will not only be doing the surface pavement on all these streets to smooth them out, but we'll also have to replace all the ADA ramps.

01:28:32.279 --> 01:28:45.279
Michelle and I went over the numbers this afternoon, and that's approximately $3 million worth of work, and the city has a 20% match to do that work, and it was kind of a surprise that these streets got pulled forward.

01:28:45.279 --> 01:28:49.279
We were kind of planning on them possibly being extra.

01:28:49.279 --> 01:28:51.279
Next slide, please.

01:28:51.279 --> 01:28:56.279
So this is a list of streets that we're doing crack sealing on this year.

01:28:56.279 --> 01:29:00.279
As I've told you in the past, the City of Freeport has not done a lot of crack sealing.

01:29:00.279 --> 01:29:06.279
Crack sealing is effective on streets after they've been constructed between 12 and 24 months.

01:29:06.279 --> 01:29:11.279
Those original cracks, and just so everybody knows, all streets crack.

01:29:11.279 --> 01:29:14.279
Whether they're new, whether they're old, they're going to crack.

01:29:14.279 --> 01:29:19.640
Back. The sooner that we can crack seal them in the next season or two, the sooner we keep

01:29:19.640 --> 01:29:25.000
water out of them. Water is the enemy to making potholes and making streets bad. So we have

01:29:25.000 --> 01:29:29.520
made it part of our platform to come back and do the crack sealing every couple of years.

01:29:29.520 --> 01:29:35.479
This year is an awful large package. This is about $150,000 worth of crack seal. These

01:29:35.479 --> 01:29:39.260
are all to streets that have already been done in the last couple of years. So this

01:29:39.260 --> 01:29:42.559
kind of shows you how much work we've done in the city of Freeport over the last couple

01:29:42.559 --> 01:29:43.920
years. And so we're

01:29:43.920 --> 01:29:46.500
And so we're making it a point to try to maintain that

01:29:46.500 --> 01:29:48.300
so it lasts as long as possible.

01:29:51.659 --> 01:29:53.020
Cleaning and lining.

01:29:53.020 --> 01:29:56.579
So sanitary sewers within the routes that we're doing,

01:29:56.579 --> 01:29:59.579
we're having an evaluation done by a company

01:29:59.579 --> 01:30:01.739
of all the sewers looking for point repairs,

01:30:01.739 --> 01:30:04.100
things that might need to be dug up

01:30:04.100 --> 01:30:06.180
prior to doing the streets.

01:30:06.180 --> 01:30:10.140
And then we have a half a million dollar budget for lining.

01:30:10.140 --> 01:30:13.500
I don't think it's going to get all these streets done, but we'll prioritize them

01:30:13.500 --> 01:30:15.140
based on what the worst sewers are.

01:30:15.539 --> 01:30:20.079
And just doing inspections on Galena Avenue, we have 16 manholes on

01:30:20.079 --> 01:30:24.640
Galena that are brick and they all need to be lined prior to IDOT doing their

01:30:24.640 --> 01:30:28.739
project, or we would potentially have failure in those old brick manholes.

01:30:28.779 --> 01:30:31.079
Those are probably original to that section.

01:30:31.939 --> 01:30:35.060
Um, next slide, please.

01:30:35.060 --> 01:30:43.060
So this is just the same slide as we started with and no changes, but I wanted to end on it.

01:30:43.060 --> 01:30:48.060
There's not an area of Freeport here that is not getting some type of work.

01:30:48.060 --> 01:30:54.060
There is going to be havoc. We're trying to make an internal communication.

01:30:54.060 --> 01:31:01.060
So fire, police, school districts on the same page as far as construction is going for this season.

01:31:01.060 --> 01:31:05.659
and we'll do the best we can and we'll try to coordinate with the emergency

01:31:05.659 --> 01:31:07.500
people as much as possible.

01:31:07.500 --> 01:31:08.500
Question.

01:31:08.500 --> 01:31:14.539
Actually we're not done with the presentation yet, so just wait a second.

01:31:14.539 --> 01:31:19.460
Alright folks, there's a lot, there's a lot up here.

01:31:19.460 --> 01:31:23.539
It's going to take every bit of our effort to get this done this year and it is going

01:31:23.539 --> 01:31:27.680
to require complete support of council.

01:31:27.680 --> 01:31:32.880
We've got some items that didn't make it into the budget in August that we will have to

01:31:32.880 --> 01:31:38.720
somehow pay for, and we'll be coming back to you on those fundings that we need to do

01:31:38.720 --> 01:31:41.720
to complete this construction plan.

01:31:41.720 --> 01:31:46.560
I will not say that we can't reschedule some of this, and we probably could.

01:31:46.560 --> 01:31:51.260
But I believe this is what everybody in this council chamber wanted, and we've been working

01:31:51.260 --> 01:31:53.600
very diligently to provide.

01:31:53.600 --> 01:31:59.380
So I ask simply that if you feel that this is too ambitious, then let's look at it.

01:31:59.380 --> 01:32:03.880
However, if you feel like this is what we're supposed to be doing, I need your support.

01:32:03.880 --> 01:32:09.060
I need when community members have challenges driving through construction zones, when they

01:32:09.060 --> 01:32:15.220
move the barricades or they're just slowed down, just remind them that this took a tremendous

01:32:15.220 --> 01:32:21.340
amount of work to get this together, logistically, funding-wise, and it takes basically every

01:32:21.340 --> 01:32:27.340
Bidditt, all of our department staff putting in 100% plus our contractors to get all this

01:32:27.340 --> 01:32:35.739
work done. So I would like to at this time open up this for questions and go from there.

01:32:35.739 --> 01:32:36.739
Alderman Sanders?

01:32:36.739 --> 01:32:48.739
Yeah, I just have a request, I guess you might say. The next time we are doing visuals up

01:32:48.739 --> 01:32:57.340
here with these projectors or with these maps that we're trying to illustrate to the community

01:32:57.340 --> 01:32:59.180
or to council.

01:32:59.180 --> 01:33:04.300
We got to do a better job of zooming in, zooming out with these bad boys because it's hard

01:33:04.300 --> 01:33:11.260
for us to even look at the paperwork to decipher what it is that we're reading.

01:33:11.260 --> 01:33:19.979
If you can just enlarge these mappings so we can go along with you so we can read it for

01:33:19.979 --> 01:33:20.979
ourselves.

01:33:20.979 --> 01:33:25.899
Because a lot of us sitting here wondering whether we should bring binoculars the next

01:33:25.899 --> 01:33:26.899
time.

01:33:26.899 --> 01:33:32.060
You know, I'm just saying, I'm just saying, I'm just making a request, can we do better

01:33:32.060 --> 01:33:35.020
than this thing up here?

01:33:35.020 --> 01:33:37.649
Thank you.

01:33:37.649 --> 01:33:38.649
Alderman Klemm?

01:33:38.649 --> 01:33:41.529
Yes, a couple of things.

01:33:41.529 --> 01:33:45.329
Thank you for the maps and the overall view of this.

01:33:45.329 --> 01:33:51.329
I know one of the most important parts of this also that wasn't, you didn't really mention

01:33:51.329 --> 01:33:56.850
up front here, but is a cooperation with the citizens in getting this done.

01:33:56.850 --> 01:33:58.770
This is going to be a massive undertaking.

01:33:58.770 --> 01:34:03.130
I've been in the construction trade all my life and I've always said there's two seasons,

01:34:03.130 --> 01:34:04.890
there's winter and construction.

01:34:04.890 --> 01:34:10.210
And when it comes time for construction, you can only do so much in such amount of time.

01:34:10.210 --> 01:34:17.050
Derenard, Rob, one of the things kind of fill us in on you talked about when stuff was going

01:34:17.050 --> 01:34:19.329
out for bid and that kind of stuff.

01:34:19.329 --> 01:34:27.289
My question is basically when can we really start doing some of the pre-work on the streets

01:34:27.289 --> 01:34:32.569
such as, you know, as water and sewer, whether it be that kind of stuff, when does that work

01:34:32.569 --> 01:34:35.250
actually start?

01:34:35.250 --> 01:34:42.409
So currently we don't have any bids, but I anticipate with the season changing, so to

01:34:42.409 --> 01:34:46.689
speak, people are going to want to get moving sooner than later.

01:34:46.689 --> 01:34:50.850
For instance, the municipal lot, we've already seen interest in starting that in the next

01:34:50.850 --> 01:34:56.449
couple of weeks if the conditions allow, you know, we have to remind everybody it's still

01:34:56.449 --> 01:35:01.529
early March, we're still going to probably have a snow or two, we don't want to get going

01:35:01.529 --> 01:35:08.210
too early, but, uh, Rob and I strategically, uh, have been trying every year to move the

01:35:08.210 --> 01:35:10.329
bid cycle up a little bit farther.

01:35:10.649 --> 01:35:13.010
Um, these, I looked this up just recently.

01:35:13.010 --> 01:35:17.529
The bids that we took out last year were not till late April where, um, you know, a

01:35:17.529 --> 01:35:20.970
good month, month and a half ahead of that, you should have approvals in April.

01:35:21.130 --> 01:35:24.489
So we would like to see construction starting in May, which is about as soon as

01:35:24.489 --> 01:35:29.210
anybody can start, um, some of the removals and things like that can start, but the

01:35:29.210 --> 01:35:31.289
street construction is really tough before May.

01:35:31.529 --> 01:35:38.409
Especially, uh, I know last year there was lots of complaints about why we're waiting, why we're not moving water construction.

01:35:38.409 --> 01:35:46.229
When you're replacing water mains and water valves, we have to wait till the ground's unfrozen because we're digging very large and deep holes to put that stuff in.

01:35:46.569 --> 01:35:53.130
Uh, it's not just like paving out on route 20 where there's no utilities and you're buzzing the top off and you're putting more pavement down.

01:35:53.130 --> 01:35:59.970
That's, that's, you know, I don't want to call it simple, but that's the easiest kind of infrastructure you could do when you get into water and sewer.

01:35:59.970 --> 01:36:04.050
we're going to have a lot of contractors and we got to figure out how to space this out so we're

01:36:04.050 --> 01:36:08.529
not tripping over each other and that you know we don't have Stevenson closed at the same time

01:36:08.529 --> 01:36:14.850
Lincoln's closed so there's going to be a lot of scheduling and a lot of discussions after we

01:36:14.850 --> 01:36:19.649
actually have contractors that are bid about what we are going to let them do and what the time

01:36:19.649 --> 01:36:27.329
frame it takes. The street construction we're really limited to that same May to you know we'd

01:36:27.329 --> 01:36:32.689
like to be done by now November 1st, nothing later than that, especially on our street, our city

01:36:32.689 --> 01:36:37.729
street stuff. We want to be done by that because we run into leaf season and we just operationally

01:36:37.729 --> 01:36:43.329
don't have enough people to do it. So that's kind of our goal is to the three and a half miles or

01:36:43.329 --> 01:36:49.649
3.2 miles that the city has to pave. We'd like to see us actually done by October with, with all

01:36:49.649 --> 01:36:55.250
that paving city wise. So we'll push the contractors to get that some of these bit out projects with

01:36:55.250 --> 01:37:00.489
with Galena and South that's going to be determined by IDOT because we're using their dollars.

01:37:00.489 --> 01:37:05.050
So they're going to help determine, I can't tell you that some of this might not push

01:37:05.050 --> 01:37:06.050
to next year.

01:37:06.050 --> 01:37:10.250
It just depends on how many bids go out on these big IDOT contracts and what the timing

01:37:10.250 --> 01:37:11.250
is.

01:37:11.250 --> 01:37:17.289
We've requested for it to be done this year, but honestly, if some of it pushed, we don't

01:37:17.289 --> 01:37:21.010
want to get into a weather situation where we're trying to pave on frozen ground.

01:37:21.010 --> 01:37:25.569
So, um, uh, you have to remember a lot of those IDOT areas as well.

01:37:25.569 --> 01:37:28.689
They're going to go faster than our typical construction because they're not

01:37:28.689 --> 01:37:31.930
taking it all the way down and removing the base and putting that all back in.

01:37:32.170 --> 01:37:35.250
Those streets have already eight, nine inches of pavement on it.

01:37:35.250 --> 01:37:37.970
They're taking three, three and a half off, putting three and three and a half

01:37:37.970 --> 01:37:41.810
back on, um, but it is considered a long-term fix for us.

01:37:42.170 --> 01:37:45.210
And, um, I'm not going to exaggerate.

01:37:45.210 --> 01:37:50.010
We, we went to bat very hard for the city of Freeport to get this extra work done.

01:37:50.010 --> 01:37:55.350
and I'm afraid that if we don't move forward with it between the state and the federal

01:37:55.350 --> 01:37:58.430
government, this money might not have a second chance at it.

01:37:58.430 --> 01:38:03.369
So it would really behoove us to get as much as possibly done this year as possible while

01:38:03.369 --> 01:38:05.489
the while the funding is there.

01:38:05.489 --> 01:38:11.989
Olin Johnson, what could the citizens of the city do to help to cooperate and keep moving

01:38:11.989 --> 01:38:13.649
this forward?

01:38:13.649 --> 01:38:43.649
I've got mine you can give yours. So that's a great question, Linda. One thing is be informed. We'll be working with Bryan, our communications director. We'll be pushing out timely updates and communications related to what's going on and where. But I think the main thing everybody can do is kind of map out your week before you leave, kind of review what's out there in terms of communications on what's under construction for the week and

01:38:43.649 --> 01:38:48.690
do your best to avoid those areas. Make your way around. I mean, we do have, as you can tell up

01:38:48.690 --> 01:38:53.970
there, a lot of, you know, east-west corridors that are going to be under construction. And we're

01:38:53.970 --> 01:39:00.770
going to do our best to stage those so that we're not impacting, we'll be impacting at a minimum

01:39:00.770 --> 01:39:04.850
the day-to-day travel habits. But you're just going to have to keep your head in the game,

01:39:04.850 --> 01:39:09.970
be patient, plan extra time, and let our guys know they're out there doing a good job there.

01:39:09.970 --> 01:39:15.850
Miller. That is their work space and we want them to be safe in it. So, slow it down and

01:39:15.850 --> 01:39:18.609
also be patient as you navigate.

01:39:18.609 --> 01:39:19.609
Owner Parker.

01:39:19.609 --> 01:39:24.210
I just want to thank both of you for this excellent map. We started getting phone calls

01:39:24.210 --> 01:39:29.770
from our constituents. Now we have something to relay to, show them and tell them this

01:39:29.770 --> 01:39:33.649
is what our plan is. So, thank you both. This is excellent.

01:39:33.649 --> 01:39:34.649
Owner Sellers.

01:39:34.649 --> 01:39:40.770
I also want to say thank you for all of this, but I also want to ask do you think it's possible

01:39:40.770 --> 01:39:42.010
Cole, and so on.

01:39:42.010 --> 01:39:57.000
I think it's possible. I know like sometimes what Rockford does, they'll put on their, on the news that this street from here to here will be closed or whatever, just to, you know, some people to be informed that don't really look at their, on the internet or whatever.

01:39:57.000 --> 01:39:57.500
Yeah.

01:39:57.640 --> 01:40:03.399
So we have been thinking very hard about what's the best way to communicate.

01:40:03.479 --> 01:40:09.640
And, um, honestly, Freeport doesn't get as much news traffic as probably Rockford

01:40:09.640 --> 01:40:10.920
with having all the stations there.

01:40:11.159 --> 01:40:16.159
I believe this year our intent is to use Bryan Bridge with the Freeport

01:40:16.159 --> 01:40:18.119
Facebook, social media post.

01:40:18.239 --> 01:40:19.920
Uh, we've been using that.

01:40:19.920 --> 01:40:23.800
It was very successful last year and we'd like to steer all the constituents

01:40:23.800 --> 01:40:26.600
to that because we can control that communication.

01:40:27.000 --> 01:40:31.720
Bryan's really effective about getting it out quickly and we can update it quickly when things

01:40:31.720 --> 01:40:35.720
change and as you all know and Tom's been in construction forever things change every day

01:40:35.720 --> 01:40:42.199
in construction and just depending on the weather right and so I think that's the best way to do it

01:40:42.199 --> 01:40:48.680
I would also like to mention that these these sheets that we put out tonight they'll be available

01:40:48.680 --> 01:40:53.239
on the city website we'll post them up there give us a couple days and they'll be all up there for

01:40:53.239 --> 01:40:54.479
for people to look at.

01:40:54.479 --> 01:40:58.199
There's nothing but transparency, a lot of dollars,

01:40:58.199 --> 01:40:59.920
a lot of taxpayer dollars being spent,

01:40:59.920 --> 01:41:04.199
a lot of tax dollars coming back to the community

01:41:04.199 --> 01:41:05.579
to get this stuff done.

01:41:07.680 --> 01:41:10.359
It's not gonna be an easy season, it's not.

01:41:10.359 --> 01:41:13.159
And we're anticipating a lot of people being upset.

01:41:13.159 --> 01:41:14.960
I know there's a lot of people upset,

01:41:14.960 --> 01:41:18.279
but we can't make it better without making it worse first.

01:41:18.279 --> 01:41:20.000
That's construction.

01:41:20.000 --> 01:41:21.840
It's going to be a pain.

01:41:21.840 --> 01:41:25.220
As Rob said, plan your routes, try to stay out of our way.

01:41:25.760 --> 01:41:30.060
There is no, I will guarantee you, there is no town the size of Freeport

01:41:30.060 --> 01:41:33.859
doing this much work in the community for this type of the season.

01:41:34.359 --> 01:41:38.359
This is really a challenge for us, but we're going to try to make it happen.

01:41:38.899 --> 01:41:40.319
Alderman Klemm.

01:41:40.319 --> 01:41:43.119
Just to follow up, I know on Demeter,

01:41:44.000 --> 01:41:48.279
there are some areas that have people still have their own septics

01:41:48.279 --> 01:41:50.739
and wells and stuff.

01:41:50.739 --> 01:41:56.340
Is that going to, are we going to address that in this construction on Demeter?

01:41:57.699 --> 01:42:06.739
Well, Tom, yes, that's the idea here is when we do, let's see, Demeter, the east to west Demeter

01:42:06.739 --> 01:42:14.500
by the park, the idea there would be prepare that area for connections to the sewer service. There's

01:42:14.500 --> 01:42:20.340
a lot of people on SUPTIC over there, as you noted, and Wells, and we'll be sending out those notices

01:42:20.340 --> 01:42:24.699
Settlers, and letting them know that the time to hook up is going to be when we got the

01:42:24.699 --> 01:42:27.060
road tour up. So, yes.

01:42:27.060 --> 01:42:33.140
Yeah, okay. Something that's different than other projects that we've done. So, this is

01:42:33.140 --> 01:42:41.500
fully funded Freeport projects for sewer water. We can't use private dollars on or excuse

01:42:41.500 --> 01:42:45.659
me, public dollars on private property. So, some of those other projects that we did that

01:42:45.659 --> 01:42:49.300
included connections to the house, that is not something that's feasible with public

01:42:49.300 --> 01:43:19.300
dollars, unless we're getting grant money. And so, um, we've already put notices out to the residents on Meadowbrook and Demeter that sewer was coming so they could make plans and they could have conversations. And I've actually had conversations with many of the people, um, in those areas about sewer connecting. It's, it's going to be a difficult challenge for some people, but, um, ultimately, uh, some of the ordinance that Linda, uh, uh, read tonight about the connections and the spacing

01:43:19.300 --> 01:43:25.100
and all that stuff has been in our ordinance and it behooves everybody to get as many people

01:43:25.100 --> 01:43:32.020
in Freeport on the city water sewer as possible sharing the cost fire protection that's provided

01:43:32.020 --> 01:43:33.899
is for everyone in town.

01:43:33.899 --> 01:43:37.500
So those water mains go in front of those properties, whether they choose to hook up

01:43:37.500 --> 01:43:38.500
or not.

01:43:38.500 --> 01:43:39.500
Alderman Sanders.

01:43:39.500 --> 01:43:42.500
They already answered my question.

01:43:42.500 --> 01:43:43.500
Okay.

01:43:43.500 --> 01:43:44.500
Thank you.

01:43:44.500 --> 01:43:45.500
All right.

01:43:45.500 --> 01:43:46.500
Thank you, gentlemen.

01:43:46.500 --> 01:43:48.020
Thank you, gentlemen.

01:43:48.020 --> 01:43:49.939
Next, we'll move on to item number 12,

01:43:49.939 --> 01:43:51.380
which is public comment.

01:43:51.380 --> 01:43:53.340
Is there any public comment this evening?

01:43:53.340 --> 01:43:56.970
Tommy.

01:43:56.970 --> 01:43:57.810
Yoo-hoo.

01:43:57.810 --> 01:43:59.369
I want to tell Stacy,

01:44:00.810 --> 01:44:05.810
you invested all the money we put in Seller-San-Sandra.

01:44:09.359 --> 01:44:14.359
And, Darren, you said the cleaners is gonna take down?

01:44:17.600 --> 01:44:20.560
The cleaners in 1719 Main Street

01:44:20.560 --> 01:44:25.729
is going to start coming down on Friday if it's not raining.

01:44:25.729 --> 01:44:29.489
Any other public comments?

01:44:29.489 --> 01:44:31.649
Is that a yes?

01:44:31.649 --> 01:44:57.729
OK.

01:44:57.729 --> 01:44:59.250
Hi, my name is Sue Cook.

01:44:59.250 --> 01:45:03.369
And I have a question about the sign that

01:45:03.369 --> 01:45:06.369
is in front of the observatory.

01:45:06.369 --> 01:45:14.319
And it appears like there might be construction of a cell phone

01:45:14.319 --> 01:45:22.479
Tower, directly in front of the observatory. It's going to be a very tall cell phone tower

01:45:22.479 --> 01:45:29.399
in front of the observatory, which is a wonderful tourist attraction for Freeport, because we

01:45:29.399 --> 01:45:36.520
are the only one that has the Deep Space Telescope in this area, and that includes over into

01:45:36.520 --> 01:45:43.720
Chicago. Is that correct? In Chicago.

01:45:43.720 --> 01:45:49.039
The word observe is actually in that observatory, and this is going to be built right there.

01:45:49.039 --> 01:45:55.039
The people that are tracking the sky that come out for various events sometimes line

01:45:55.039 --> 01:45:57.779
the parking lot with their telescopes.

01:45:57.779 --> 01:46:01.720
And as they're moving it across, here we go, beautiful, beautiful, oh, cell phone tower,

01:46:01.720 --> 01:46:04.500
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

01:46:04.500 --> 01:46:09.079
Is there any place else, and I know that there's going to be some sort of meeting, but unless

01:46:09.079 --> 01:46:12.560
you can get right up on the sign, you can't really read it.

01:46:12.560 --> 01:46:18.100
Is there going to be another chance for possibly another place to place this instead of in

01:46:18.100 --> 01:46:22.180
front of the observatory?

01:46:22.180 --> 01:46:30.590
And so I just wondered if maybe there was a possibility of placing it elsewhere as opposed

01:46:30.590 --> 01:46:36.210
to that spot, just so that it would not obstruct view there.

01:46:36.210 --> 01:46:37.210
That's it.

01:46:37.210 --> 01:46:38.210
Thank you.

01:46:38.210 --> 01:46:39.210
Thank you.

01:46:39.210 --> 01:46:40.210
I'm sure Manager Boyer can speak to you privately.

01:46:40.210 --> 01:46:41.210
Okay.

01:46:41.210 --> 01:46:42.210
That's great.

01:46:42.210 --> 01:46:43.210
Any other public comments?

01:46:43.210 --> 01:46:45.619
Thank you.

01:46:45.619 --> 01:46:46.619
Okay.

01:46:46.619 --> 01:47:16.619
I just have a public announcement on Wednesday, March 25th at 5 30 in the council hall here, we will be having a public meeting for the Hancock bridge replacement. So anybody's invited to come to that that wants it's just a question and answer session. There'll be two paper advertisements that's going out and the post will also be on the city's website, but I wanted to make sure that everybody knew that that

01:47:16.619 --> 01:47:20.819
Public meeting is not only required, but we're going to have it here on the 25th.

01:47:21.279 --> 01:47:25.119
Thank you. Any other public comments this evening?

01:47:26.460 --> 01:47:27.920
I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

01:47:27.920 --> 01:47:29.119
So moved. Second.

01:47:29.119 --> 01:47:32.159
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:47:32.420 --> 01:47:34.359
All those in favor signify by saying aye.