WEBVTT

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Could you please give the invocation tonight?

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Well, the cleaners?

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Yeah, it'll probably be spring.

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It'll probably be spring.

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So with the federal government shutting down, the money, the money, the money, the money.

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All right.

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Well, good evening, Madam Mayor, Council.

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Please pray with me.

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Well, Father, we give you thanks tonight, even as in November we head towards a time of thanks

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with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Lord, we're grateful for your blessings in our lives.

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Even as we think of the words of James, that every good and perfect gift comes down from above from you,

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the Father of lights in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of change. So we thank you for your good

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gifts that you pour out on us every day, and particularly in this council chamber. Lord, we thank

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Thank you for the gifts of leadership and leaders. Lord, pray for these men and women tonight that in their respective callings and particular departments that they oversee and run on the council that you would help them to live and make decisions with integrity and character, Lord, that you'd preserve and strengthen them. Lord, help them to make the difficult decisions well.

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and that they would work together well. Lord, we realize we don't always have the same point of view,

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but we can still work together in some amount of unity, and we pray that that would be true here in

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Freeport. And Lord, we pray that you would bless our city and bless this meeting tonight. We pray in Jesus'

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name. Amen. Amen. And we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

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Mayor Miller. Here. Alder Persons Klemm. Here. Johnson. Here. Simmons. Here.

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Parker, here, Stacy, here, Shadle, here, Sanders, here, and Sellers, here.

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And if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Stacy.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Item number one is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Number two is the approval of the minutes from the special meeting on November 3rd, 2025. Is there a motion? So moved. Second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? No.

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Do you say that's 7-1? Madam Clerk? Yes, I'm fine with that. Is it Attorney Zito? Yes. And then we have public comment, which is on agenda items, Tim Davenport.

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Thank you. I think he stepped out. Yeah, he did. Okay, then we'll move on to consent agenda. The consent agenda is

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considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed for further discussion. Consent agenda. Yes, Alderman Sanders. The whole agenda for tonight, I think we should table it for another. Is this? Well, we've moved on from that already. Is somebody going to ask me a question? Well, Alderman Sanders. Is somebody asking me a question when I when I

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I'm making my case.

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Well, I think he's pointing out that we've moved on from that piece.

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We're on the consent agenda.

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The consent agenda is what you refer to.

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Am I right?

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No, the consent agenda is all of those individual little pieces of boards and commissions and reports.

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The agenda itself, we've already voted and moved on.

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Yeah, I'd like to have us table every one of the items on the agenda to further notice. And if anybody wants to ask me a question, I'd be glad to answer it for them.

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I'm going to direct this to Attorney Zito. I'm not sure how to handle that.

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I know you don't.

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So you wanted to table every item on the agenda.

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I want to table everything on the agenda.

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and that would have been appropriate motion to make when we were on the agenda item of approval of the agenda but we already passed that point. How did we get past that point? You guys voted. A motion was made to approve the agenda, it was seconded and then there was a vote on it. Okay. Number one, Alderman Sanders. I see it there now. I overlooked that. Thank you.

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that won't happen again and we'll move on to the consent agenda the consent agenda is uh the minutes from the board and commission meetings for the liquor commission dated july 10th august 19th and september 11th the board of fire and police commission september 23rd october 20th the firefighters pension board july 30th the police pension board august 26th all 2025 also is the october 2025

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reports for building permits and fire department and then August and September of 2025 for the finance department reports and the cash investment reports and approval of the finance bills payable in the total of $3,145,135.33 and payroll ending November 1st, 2025 in the total of $845,650.41. Is there a motion to approve?

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So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

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Stacey? Aye. On the consent agenda? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The motion passes 8-0.

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item number five is the first reading of ordinance 2025 61 could you please read this fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance

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manager Boyer thank you your honor each city fund and department has been presented at the finance committee

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of the whole during a series of meetings that were held starting in September attached as a fiscal year

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2026 in the appropriation ordinance format and also detailed budgets staff recommends council move this

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ordinance forward to the second reading. Is there a motion to move forward? Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the ordinance? Alderman Stacy? I just think it was a lot to have to go through so quick and fast, and I just feel that we need more time to view this ordinance and make sure that this is what

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that we want to do.

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Alderman Sanders?

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Yeah, I concur with that observation.

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There's a lot of things that has appeared to be something that has not been considered by council.

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Also, we have not considered any of these ordinances to see if they're relevant, see if they're valid, and to see which direction that these ordinances take in the city.

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and we need to be able to absolutely look at the whole agenda list of ordinances and why are they being considered and who's submitting them.

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I'd like to get down to the bottom of who's submitting these ordinances and we have not had a council discussion.

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on every one of these ordinances that are being presented to us, looking for some type of outcome

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or some type of objection or discussion on the matter, why are we here, talking about all

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of these ordinances, but we have not even debated or talked about it, even in council.

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Council is pretty much not in tune with what is going on in these ordinances, and that's my opinion right now at the moment, but I'm almost about to say that's going to be a factual statement, simply because I know this council, and the fact that we're not moving according to the legislative part of the council

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that has to understand why it is we're entering into these types of events.

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types of events or these types of programs or anything that is not relevant to the taxpayers.

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We have not had this concert conversation with each other because I understand that we're all working on the behalf of the taxpayers, the community, the citizens, and we're doing it an ingest if we are not coming to conclusions, discussion matters,

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in detail as opposed to just letting ordinances just fly out, especially on this agenda that

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I'm looking at.

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That's the reason why I wanted to sustain this thing at the very beginning, but I missed that

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vote, but I'm not going to miss the opportunity to make my case.

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I just want to make sure that we're all understanding that we're, as council, we're held accountable

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for the things that we're doing and saying before the public.

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And I want to rest my case for now, but I'll be back.

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Alderman Shadle.

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I would just like to mention, Alderman Sanders, that all of this stuff was discussed at the special meetings prior to the meetings, none of which you attended.

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so I'm not surprised you aren't aware of any of this but I feel the rest of us are well because we're your opinion because we are you're talking direct he's talking directly to me but you can't interrupt he has the floor yeah well he just can't make his statement publicly he has the floor please allow him to finish speaking okay all right I think the rest of us are here doing our job we know what's going on we're

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taking this serious, and if you're not, so be it, I guess.

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Alderman Sellers, did you have something?

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Yes, I wanted to say that we have been looking at this ever since, didn't you say, September?

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We had no public presentation to ask any questions.

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We've had special meetings.

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We've looked at it.

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We have to move on because these are things that need to be done for 2026.

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and we can't just sit back and hold and hold out because you know you didn't come to the meetings and ask the questions because you have all the time since September to now and that's what two months almost three months. We have to we got to keep business moving and rolling. So I don't have a problem with us moving this to the second reading.

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Manager Boyer

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And I'd like to comment, Alderman Sanders, that between now and second reading, I'll be making my schedule open to discuss any of the budget items

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Alderman Sanders

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This has nothing to do with budgeting

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Well, we're on that ordinance

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Okay, I know, but what I'm commenting about is the ones that are stating their opinions about what it is that council should be doing

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And the fact that you, since I'm part of council, I get to object to even your comment and insinuation that we should just move on.

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If that is the attitude of council, just to move on without having a discussion about it, which you're saying that I was not there, you can't tell me that I was not there.

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because if this has something to do with finances, of course, I'm not attending finances when we have ordinances that is rebutting all of the things that we're talking about here in council.

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Council set the agenda for the budgets and things of this nature.

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It is council who has to come together and be accountable for all of these ordinances to find out whether they are relevant,

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whether it is something that the community wants to have, we have not did a complete evaluation of all of these ordinance that I see compiled up on this agenda as though we're trying to push something through the process when we have not had an informal conversation or discussion about it.

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So if you're talking about financing, if you're talking about finance, that's a whole different story.

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I'm talking about the ordinances for today.

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I'm talking about the ordinance that I'm sitting here looking at that we have not had a full discussion on these ordinances.

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And for anyone that wants to tell me that these ordinances are valid, I'm just going to say data information is very relevant.

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in the output of what the council is supposed to be doing so if someone wants to try to push things forward well you go right ahead and have your opinion about that but I have my own opinion I feel that it shouldn't be I should think we should think about what we're saying and doing when it comes to council matters and with and and every one of these ordinance that I'm looking at is council matter it's a matter of council and when I feel that we have not done the the right thing

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for council to talk about these ordinances and why they are relevant to the city and the people of the city of Freeport.

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We should just table everything until council get its act together. And if we don't do that, then we've been injustice to the citizens of this town. And I yield my last minute.

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Okay, so just so we're clear, we've moved on from approving the agenda, and we are on a specific ordinance, so if there's any other discussion on that ordinance

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Mayor, can I make a comment?

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Well, you've already had your two times, Larry

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I have, on the same subject

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So, Alderman Stacy, do you have something on this ordinance?

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Yes

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Okay, go ahead

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I've been at the meetings, and it was a lot to take in.

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I mean, some of us are retired, some of us are not.

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And all these ordinance are just compiled to fit the benefit of what you all want.

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Just like tonight.

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For example, I asked about the airport terminals buildings being updated. It's on, it's on the paperwork, but it was skipped over. It was not discussed. Like a lot of this have been because we don't have time to go over every itemized item. And I too feel that we are moving very, very fast. I mean, anybody can say, aye, aye, aye, we got to move

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forward. But do you know what you're even moving forward to? Do you know what you're even saying yes to?

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And I just think it's too much to put before the council tonight and expect all these ordinances just

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to go through just because just because we need to have a total understanding of what all not what was just talked about but everything that these ordinances pertain to because it pertains to more that was pointed out and discussed

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The second reading isn't for two weeks, so if you want to have one-on-one discussions on them, you're more than welcome to do that. We know it's a lot. That's why we start in September. We'll move on to item number six, which is the first reading of Ordinance 20-25-62. Could you please read this?

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City of Freeport Tax Levy.

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Manager Boyer?

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Thank you, Your Honor.

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There, that's better.

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Thank you, Your Honor. We've attached a spreadsheet that calculates the city's corporate levy. We have

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received an estimated 2025 equalized assessed value from the county. The EAV for our tax district has

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decreased by $105,004 over the last year. Based on this information, the city's corporate tax levy for

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for 2025, that is paid in 2026, would be $2,976,000, a decrease of $1,400. A house valued at $100,000 would see no change in the city's portion of their property tax bill, as long as their assessed value did not change or increase. During the past nine years, the city council has kept the tax rate for the corporate levy the same or slightly lower than each year, and staff requests to move forward with the ordinance for second reading

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on the tax levy.

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Is there such a motion?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

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Discussion.

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by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on Ordinance 62? So this is... Alderman Stacy? So this is speaking of an increase on our taxes. No. This is keeping our levy the same, which we've done for the last nine years. Same or less. So we are not changing it. But you said that we're negative this year. Yeah, the EAV was down, so that affects us about $1,400.

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$1,400, yes. So where do we make up that $1,400 at? We can make it up in any number of ways. So the budget is balanced and it reflects the EAV that we currently have. So $1,400 and a $27 million budget is not very much. Item number seven is the first reading of Ordinance 20-25-63. Could you please read this? Three-part public library tax levy. Director Myers? The City Council adopts a separate levy for library operations

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each year. In 2023, the library reduced their levy requests for Medicare liability insurance, unemployment, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund in order to spend down prior reserves in these areas. At the time, we informed council that these rates would need to increase when the funds were exhausted. The equalized assessed value for the city of Freeport has decreased by $105,004 over the last year. Due to this decrease, any additional increment from rising property values is not available.

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The other alternative is to increase the tax rate. As the 2023 levy was decreased previously in order to spend down reserves, the library would like to increase the rate for 2025 paid in 2026. The library may increase their tax rate, but only to an amount under 5% of the previous level. Based on this information, the library's levy request for 2025 to be paid in 2026 is $1,114,500.

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This increase would generate $52,500 more in property taxes from last year. Property taxes make up 84% of the library's income. A house valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $6 in the library portion of their tax bill. Staff requests city council to move this ordinance forward for second reading on December 1st, 2025.

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Thank you. Is there a motion to move forward?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

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discussion on ordinance 63. Item number eight is a motion to I'll need a motion to abate all real estate proper real estate tax levies for repayment of general obligation bonds. But Madam Clerk, could you please read into the record all of those ordinances? Ordinance 202564 ordinance to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bond series 2013 a ordinance 202565 ordinance to abate

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the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the obligation bonds series 2014-B, ordinance 2025-66 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy from the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2015-A, ordinance 2025-67 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2016, ordinance 2025-68

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to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2018.

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Ordinance 2025-69 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds

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series 2019A. Ordinance 2025-70 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general

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Obligation Bonds, Series 2020. Ordinance 2025-71 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2021. Ordinance 2025-72 to abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2022. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

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Thank you, Your Honor. When the general obligation bonds are issued, they're backed by the city's ability to levy and collect property taxes. Therefore, the county automatically levies the required annual debt service from City of Freeport property owners on their property tax bills. The city has historically abated or canceled this amount on the property taxes. By passing an ordinance each year, the property taxes that would otherwise be collected from residents is abated.

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The city instead makes the debt service payments from other city revenues. Below are the, as you can note in your memo, are the individual bond issues that City Clerk Anderson just recently read and the amount to be abated and the source of revenue that will be used to make the bond payment. We have also included the potential increased cost on property taxes on an average $100,000 home if the bonds were not abated. Staff request City Council move forward with this ordinance. A second reading.

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Thank you. Is there a motion to move forward?

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A second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the abatements.

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We'll move on to item number nine, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-73. Could you please read this?

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Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city. Tonight we have equipment stored at Albertus Airport. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Albertus is currently in need of disposing of several items of property that are at the airport. One is a 1992 Ford Taurus. The other is a 1974 Lodestar fuel truck. Also a John Deere loader and a

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Wabasso 3.55-gallon sprayer.

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There's no financial commitment or effect by the city, and staff recommends moving forward

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with the ordinance for the surplus property for destruction or sale.

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Is there such a motion?

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So moved.

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Second.

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There's a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, discussion on this ordinance.

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Do you need it approved quicker, or is it okay just to go until December on that?

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Oh, yes, that's fine. Move forward to December 1st meeting. December's fine. Okay. Are we still open for discussion? Yes. Alderman Sanders. A question. Are these items up for auction or sale or are we disposing of it? Yes. In general, we use the Wisconsin surplus auction site. It seems to work good for us across the board.

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So, when we get to that place where they're, you know, being liquidated, we would probably post them on that, on that site.

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We'll also do some investigating to see if there's a better site for the, for the other items, the fuel truck in particular.

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Okay, could you submit all receipts unto the council where we may be able to discuss the matter of the, the directions of those, of those funds?

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Do you mean the listings?

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Yeah, the listings.

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Yeah, yeah, sure. Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-74. Could you please read this?

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Ordinance granting a special use permit to allow restaurants, taverns, packaged liquor stores, and any other establishment selling alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises, Section 1252.01B11 at 320 North Park Boulevard.

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Thank you. Director Heimerdinger.

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Thank you, Madam Mayor. The past owners of the Royal Pub held a special use permit allowing the sale of alcohol. Staff received a special use permit application from Mishka, Inc., the new owners of the property who wish to continue the same uses. Since special use permits are tied to the owner and the property is in the B3 Commercial District, this requires a new special use permit.

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Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission have recommended approval

00:28:55.260 --> 00:29:01.220
The proposed use continues the established operation aligns with the surrounding commercial properties

00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:07.720
Does not negatively impact public health, safety, or property values and supports community economic development

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:13.680
The staff recommends the approval of this special use permit and also we are requesting the suspension of rules

00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:15.940
Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:29:16.800 --> 00:29:17.280
So moved

00:29:17.280 --> 00:29:17.660
Second

00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:24.340
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle, discussion on this ordinance, Alderman Parker

00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.800
Motion to suspend the rules

00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:28.520
Is there a second?

00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:29.120
Second

00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:35.300
We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules

00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:38.660
Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by a two-thirds majority

00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:42.500
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension only?

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.180
Stacy

00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.100
No

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.140
Shadle

00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.520
Aye

00:29:45.520 --> 00:29:46.260
Sanders

00:29:46.260 --> 00:29:46.780
No

00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:47.640
Sellers

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:56.040
Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Aye. The motion to sustain.

00:29:56.040 --> 00:30:23.820
Aye. The motion to suspend passes six to two. So now before you counsel, it would be the final passage of this ordinance. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And the ordinance is approved eight to zero.

00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:53.800
Item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 202575 could you please read this ordinance granting a special use permit to allow a restaurant with outdoor serving areas including drive-in services unless otherwise permitted as a sidewalk cafe or park let under section 1252.01b10 at 320 North Park Boulevard. Thank you Director Heimerdinger. Thank you Madam Mayor. The past owners of the Royal Pub held a special use permit for this as well.

00:30:53.820 --> 00:31:22.900
for a restaurant with outdoor seating. Staff received a special use permit application from Mishka, Inc., the new owners of the property who wish to continue operating the restaurant with the existing outdoor dining areas. In the B3 Commercial District, special use permits are tied to the owner. This application stems from the ownership change. That's the only big change happening here. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission recommend the approval.

00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:41.080
This continues. Use in aligning with the surrounding commercial properties does not negatively impact public health, safety, or property values and supports community economic development. Staff recommends approval of the special use permit and also the we request suspension of the rules.

00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.800
Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:43.900
So moved.

00:31:44.020 --> 00:31:44.240
Second.

00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:49.600
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on this ordinance?

00:31:50.020 --> 00:31:51.260
Motion to suspend the rules.

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.320
Second.

00:31:52.320 --> 00:32:18.660
motion made by Alderman Parker seconded by Alderman Sellers for suspension of the rules against suspension of the rules is non-debatable. Madam clerk, would you please take the role on the suspension only? Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The suspension passes six to two.

00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:51.360
so then before you is the final passage for this ordinance Alderman Stacy what is 320 Park Boulevard North Park Boulevard that's the way a pub area the way the way a pub pub and so it's under new management yes so they yes so the property was purchased and it has new owners and special use permits can only be they can't be transferred to a different owner they have to be tied to the owner

00:32:51.360 --> 00:33:23.140
owner itself. So that's why this is, this is why they have submitted their application, their new owner, they want to continue running it as it was before and have the same special uses. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. And that ordinance is adopted eight to zero. Item number 12 is the first rating of ordinance

00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:53.080
20-25-76. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending the zoning classification or a map amendment at 602 Southwest Avenue from B-1-1 restricted retail business to an R-6 general residence district. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Staff received a zoning map amendment request for 602 Southwest Avenue to rezone the property from B-1-1 restricted retail business to R-6 general residence. The property

00:33:53.080 --> 00:34:23.060
property is currently legal non-conforming three-unit residential building. The owner is seeking rezoning to facilitate its sale. As lenders typically will not finance non-conforming properties, rezoning would make the property legal and conforming, allowing the new owners to obtain financing and insurance. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission recommended the approval. The rezoning aligns with the surrounding residential uses and supports community housing needs.

00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:28.860
needs. Staff recommends the approval and suspension of the rules. Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:35.800
So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:45.480
ordinance. Alderman Shadle. If I could quick. Yes. Does this R6, I'm familiar with the building and it

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:55.180
formerly had some, an insurance agency in the lower level. Does this R6 allow for that to continue or is it strictly residential?

00:34:55.860 --> 00:35:09.520
It would be, so in order for that, in order for the residential, the commercial business to continue in the downstairs unit, they just get a special variant so they would make theirs legal non-conforming.

00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:11.860
So it just flip-flops the two.

00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:16.320
So it would have to change if they would want to put a business back in.

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:41.040
Yes, it would just, yeah. And the next line item, not to get ahead of myself, but I think it's relevant to the discussion, it is the reason why they want to do this is if there was a fire, if there was, you know, in order to obtain insurance properly, most insurance providers want to be able for you to continue to use that property.

00:35:41.040 --> 00:36:11.020
as it would speak right now with the legal non-conforming what would happen is if there was a fire and something happens to the building they would have to adhere to the like residential building code and so there won't be enough area to actually get a suitable amount of square footage anymore so in order to make that happen this is the way to zone it so that the use is correct and that they can receive financing for their residential area.

00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:11.720
Okay

00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:21.500
But also to kind of hopefully still utilize the commercial setbacks so that if they had to rebuild, they couldn't build

00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:23.260
Sure, okay, thank you

00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:23.940
Alderman Parker

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:25.580
Motion to suspend the rules

00:36:25.580 --> 00:36:26.460
Second

00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:34.110
We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers for suspension of the rules

00:36:34.110 --> 00:36:37.810
Again, suspension of the rules must pass by a two-thirds majority

00:36:37.810 --> 00:36:39.710
I'll come back to you after we take the vote

00:36:39.710 --> 00:36:41.710
Madam Clerk, please take the vote

00:36:41.710 --> 00:36:42.670
I have a question about the vote

00:36:42.670 --> 00:36:50.290
about the vote? Yes. Well, it's the suspension is non-debatable. So before we get to the actual

00:36:50.290 --> 00:37:11.910
vote, then I'll, we can do that. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And the suspension passes six to two. So now before you is the final passage for

00:37:11.910 --> 00:37:44.180
for Ordinance 76. Alderman Stacy, did you have a question then? Was the suspension even asked for? Yes. Yes. Yeah, it was on here. Alderman Sanders? I, you know, I like for those that are suspending rules, couple it with an explanation so council can understand the mental state of someone that's suspending rules so we can all get the same explanation and understanding.

00:37:44.180 --> 00:37:56.660
I recommend that just throwing suspension of the rules out there without evaluating why you're doing such a thing and then not getting a full understanding.

00:37:56.960 --> 00:38:03.120
We might want to come back and talk about that particular item at any given time.

00:38:03.120 --> 00:38:29.720
But with the suspension of the rule, you're trying to make sure that that doesn't happen, that other council members can't inject their viewpoints or expressions about this particular item or any item that you're suspending. And I see a pattern here without explanation, and I think the council deserves an explanation when you're doing that.

00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:59.660
Alderman Sanders just so you know Director Heimerdinger asked for that on the last yeah I heard her okay so it's bet her recommendation in order to move it forward so it gives the council the ability to actually you could have asked questions two times within that yeah I wanted yeah I could have but what I'm saying is I see a pattern and without an explanation of the suspension of the rules and if you can't provide explanation

00:38:59.660 --> 00:39:24.980
of the suspension, then I don't think you should just liberally just be casting suspensions before council so council cannot discuss the matter of any particular suspension. So that's what I'm stating right now, and I think we should move forward even on that when we're doing that. So that's my viewpoint on that.

00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:26.680
Alderman Stacy?

00:39:26.680 --> 00:39:30.540
I don't have a problem with accepting the zoning change.

00:39:31.120 --> 00:39:34.820
I did not hear you ask for the suspension.

00:39:35.680 --> 00:39:43.760
And like Alderman Sanders is saying, every time you turn around, everything, suspension of the rules, suspension of the rules.

00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:53.470
And it just gets a little annoying because everything is rush, rush, rush, like we need this now.

00:39:53.470 --> 00:40:21.980
like we need this now. Yeah, I can, is it okay if I? Sure. Beautiful. So the reason that we are requesting the suspension of rules in these cases is because it has seen both the Zoning Board of Appeals and also has also passed through the Planning Commission. So it's already seen multiple, it's already made multiple steps forward. And so in order to do this, it also, these individuals, they would like their special use permit

00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:48.120
they like their zoning as soon as possible in order to be able to make the sale of their building and to not postpone that longer and then also to make sure that they can use the building such in the Royal Pubs case so that they can use the building in the same use and they don't have an area or a time where they can't still continue using it the way that it was used prior to their ownership.

00:40:48.120 --> 00:41:13.360
So the request, we don't make the request of suspension of rules lightly, we do this knowing that it is passed through multiple steps in order to get here, and so we're asking that in favor of all the work that was done for the two people who've requested these variants or requested a special use permit. Thank you.

00:41:13.360 --> 00:41:23.660
Alderman Sanders? Okay, even at that request that you're discussing, that doesn't mean council has to agree with it.

00:41:24.260 --> 00:41:33.720
Council can come up with other scenarios and ask other questions to debate whether or not this is a very valid thing to do for council.

00:41:33.720 --> 00:41:56.420
We don't want to set a precedent of suspending rules because anyone that comes to the development department community might also request suspensions of the rules so they can get things the way they choose to want to get it without council consulting with each other in these matters.

00:41:56.420 --> 00:42:16.080
And that's the reason why I'm saying that council should not be so quick to jump on board with a suspension without the council evaluating or understanding and listening to the full detail of this suspension.

00:42:16.080 --> 00:42:25.700
You know, I don't have no problem with it unless it's very relevant. It has to have some kind of validation to it other than just suspending it.

00:42:25.700 --> 00:42:33.300
That's the reason why I'm saying suspension just can't just be something that we throw out there and council accept it every time.

00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:44.660
Council has to get on board with the fact that a suspension has been asked or ruled or put out before council without explanation.

00:42:44.660 --> 00:42:47.880
We have to know why it is that these things are happening.

00:42:48.520 --> 00:42:50.920
And there's a pattern going on with this.

00:42:50.920 --> 00:43:12.240
And I object to it personally, but from what I'm understanding, we can't just throw it out there like it's something that we can do to get to circumvent the council in order to get some things done. I don't think we should have to go through that method, but that's my whole objection of that.

00:43:14.240 --> 00:43:15.800
You've already spoken twice on it.

00:43:17.280 --> 00:43:19.060
I spoke twice on this.

00:43:20.920 --> 00:43:55.670
at 645 and 647. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? What am I voting on? Suspension of the rules? No, we've already done it. That has passed. Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. And that ordinance passes 8-0. Item number 13 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-77. Could you please read this?

00:43:55.810 --> 00:44:23.750
Ordinance approving variance application at 602 Southwest Avenue submitted by Douglas and Karen Walker to examine the variance application to seek relief from section 1250.06E3, the minimum lot area required, 1250.06F1, the front yard requirements, 250.06F2C, the side yard requirements, and 1250.06F3 rear yard requirements.

00:44:23.750 --> 00:44:53.670
Oh, and there's one more. 1250-06G lot coverage area in a residential district. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Staff received a variance application for 602 Southwest Avenue in the R6 General Residence District to bring the existing three-unit residential structure into legal compliance. The variance would allow the property to remain residential and maintain the current setbacks even if the building were to be damaged

00:44:53.670 --> 00:45:23.110
by fire and needed to be rebuilt. This request stems from the potential new owners need to obtain financing and building insurance. Residential setbacks would make it nearly impossible to rebuild with any usable square footage. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission recommend the approval. The variance aligns with the surrounding use and does not negatively impact the neighborhood. Staff recommends the approval of the requested variance

00:45:23.110 --> 00:45:52.810
and we do request the suspension of rules. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Suspension of the rules request. Second. We have a motion made for suspension of the rules made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Again, non-debatable. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on suspension only. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No.

00:45:53.110 --> 00:46:01.930
Sellers, Aye, Kellam, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Aye, and Parker, Aye, the suspension passes seven to one.

00:46:02.590 --> 00:46:09.420
So now before you is the final passage of this ordinance. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:46:09.740 --> 00:46:18.960
Stacey, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Aye, and Parker, Aye.

00:46:18.960 --> 00:46:21.700
And the ordinance passes eight to zero.

00:46:21.700 --> 00:46:27.400
Item number 14 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-134. Could you please read this?

00:46:27.800 --> 00:46:33.460
Resolution approving concrete sidewalk sealing and staining by NICAM on Chicago Avenue.

00:46:33.880 --> 00:46:34.580
Manager Boyer.

00:46:35.200 --> 00:46:42.120
Thank you, Your Honor. Each year, we need to continue to maintain the stamp break on Chicago Avenue.

00:46:42.600 --> 00:46:48.160
Staff reached out to several qualified contractors and only received one estimate from NICAM.

00:46:48.160 --> 00:47:00.220
so the work is complete and staff is requesting to move forward with a payment of $14,795 for the ceiling and stain work for that area.

00:47:01.500 --> 00:47:02.900
Is there a motion to adopt?

00:47:03.480 --> 00:47:03.920
So moved.

00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:04.820
Second.

00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:10.400
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:47:10.500 --> 00:47:11.580
Discussion on the resolution?

00:47:12.520 --> 00:47:12.780
Yeah.

00:47:12.900 --> 00:47:13.420
Alderman Sanders?

00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:42.180
Where's this location at? Again, where are we targeting? On Chicago Avenue between Clark and Jackson? Yeah, Jefferson, I think. Jefferson? Jackson. Jackson, sorry. Oh, Jackson. At the old Raleigh building? Yes. No. That's not at the old Raleigh building? No, that was playing to Honeywell. Sorry about that. Yeah. Honeywell building. Yeah. Oh, okay. Okay.

00:47:42.180 --> 00:48:12.100
All right. Thanks. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 6 to 2. Item number 15 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-135. Could you please read this? Resolution approving payment to Freeport Industrial Roofing for repairs of three airport hangar roofs. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Honor.

00:48:12.180 --> 00:48:40.360
Sure. The Albertus Airport's got several hangar roofs that were leaking. We consulted with Freeport Industrial who does this type of repair, which is epoxying the nails back into the trusses, and they have repaired three hangars at this point, and staff is requesting to move forward with payment in the amount of $19,670 for the repair of hangars at Albertus Airport.

00:48:40.580 --> 00:48:41.920
Is there a motion to adopt?

00:48:42.180 --> 00:49:12.160
So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Do we get receipts on those items? We get invoices. Yes. Invoices. We'll get that. Okay. Would you distribute that to council, please? They're attached to your agenda. Are they? Yes. I didn't see that in my agenda. Yep. They're right here. They're here. The quote portion. Oh, okay. I see it. I see it.

00:49:12.180 --> 00:49:45.780
Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-2. Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-136. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency purchase of biological aeration filter or a bath pump for those cities wastewater treatment plant from Zimmer and

00:49:45.780 --> 00:49:51.200
Franciscan. Thank you. Manager Royer. Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport has a biological

00:49:51.200 --> 00:49:55.960
Report has a biological aeration filtration pump housing, which is broken and needs emergency

00:49:55.960 --> 00:50:00.800
replacement. The BAF is an important facility for the wastewater treatment plant to meet our treatment

00:50:00.800 --> 00:50:06.220
requirements. The city requires a pump to operate at the BAF building as part of the filter treatment

00:50:06.220 --> 00:50:11.360
process, and one of the pumps is fully worn out and needs to be replaced. The replacement cost was

00:50:11.360 --> 00:50:18.880
given for a direct replacement from Zimmer and Franciscan. Lead time is 10 to 12 weeks, and the

00:50:18.880 --> 00:50:44.940
City will, is requesting $17,120 to replace the emergency pump. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Stacy? Does this contract comes with insurance warranty and if so, for how many years?

00:50:44.940 --> 00:50:50.380
I don't believe it has a warranty, but I may be incorrect on that

00:50:50.380 --> 00:50:57.000
It's a pump housing, so it's a dynamic asset that moves, so it would not be warrantied for more than a year

00:50:57.000 --> 00:51:03.420
and this does not include an installation, this is our crews doing the installation and the teardown of the other pump and the rebuild

00:51:03.420 --> 00:51:05.760
Alderman Sanders

00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:10.180
Does that include the aeration tank all together?

00:51:11.020 --> 00:51:12.060
It's just the pump

00:51:12.060 --> 00:51:13.860
Just pumps, has nothing

00:51:13.860 --> 00:51:15.520
It's just one of the pumps.

00:51:15.620 --> 00:51:16.220
Just one pump?

00:51:16.420 --> 00:51:19.400
And it's an original, so this will be the first time the housing's been replaced.

00:51:19.860 --> 00:51:20.260
Oh, okay.

00:51:20.540 --> 00:51:21.100
All right, thanks.

00:51:23.480 --> 00:51:24.780
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:51:25.060 --> 00:51:26.520
Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it.

00:51:26.560 --> 00:51:27.400
Would you like to do that?

00:51:27.500 --> 00:51:28.560
Yeah, I have another question.

00:51:29.840 --> 00:51:34.540
This is not, are we replacing it, or are we just doing maintenance work to this item?

00:51:35.080 --> 00:51:36.580
It's a replacement of the housing.

00:51:37.020 --> 00:51:38.140
It's got a hole in it.

00:51:38.220 --> 00:51:38.960
It's fully worn.

00:51:39.040 --> 00:51:40.820
So we have to replace the whole thing.

00:51:41.040 --> 00:51:41.760
Okay, thank you.

00:51:43.620 --> 00:51:44.860
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:51:45.480 --> 00:51:45.880
Stacy.

00:51:46.520 --> 00:52:16.280
Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. And the resolution is adopted, 8 to 0. Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-137. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide polyfluoralkyl substances or PFAS testing and inventory related to city's wastewater NPDES permit. Manager Boyer.

00:52:16.520 --> 00:52:22.760
Thank you. And, Curt, if I could get that item put up on the overhead.

00:52:22.760 --> 00:52:23.480
That's it.

00:52:23.960 --> 00:52:42.260
So tonight, Council, we have several items that kind of fit in the same family related to wastewater treatment plant regulation. And I wanted to kind of hit on a few items that we'll get into in a little bit, but it does touch on this item as well.

00:52:42.260 --> 00:53:08.660
So the Environmental Protection Agency is working to improve the receiving streams to the Mississippi River Basin, and why it matters here in Freeport is the highlight of the growing concern about, and in this particular case is about nutrient pollution, but NPDES also, I'm sorry, the polyfluoroalkali is also a concern as well.

00:53:08.660 --> 00:53:38.660
essentially these nutrients and in the case of PFAS they make their way into receiving streams from our discharge and through agricultural and plant growth but when you have too much of it it enters the rivers and it impacts this area in the Gulf of Mexico which is a kind of a dead zone. The problem is you have too many nutrients that find their way down there and they're looking to remove those before they get into those receiving streams. So the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a nationwide

00:53:38.660 --> 00:53:45.520
Wadeable Streams Assessment to evaluate the health of small streams that are shallow enough to be weighted

00:53:45.520 --> 00:53:51.660
through. The study found that about two-thirds of the streams in the lowest 48 states have high levels of

00:53:51.660 --> 00:53:57.820
nitrogen and about 31 percent have high levels of phosphorus. Within the Mississippi River Basin,

00:53:57.820 --> 00:54:03.940
which covers 31 states and more than 1 million square miles, the numbers are higher. We also have

00:54:03.940 --> 00:54:33.940
40% of the streams tested showed high nutrients including phosphorus. On the upper Mississippi, which is our area where Freeport's located, had some of the most concerning results. Roughly 50% of the streams had high nitrogen concentrations and 23% had high phosphorus as well as other areas including the Ohio River Basin. So local significance for the city of Freeport, this finding carries direct meaning. Our local streams feed into the Mississippi

00:54:33.940 --> 00:55:03.940
and what we do here affects not only our community but also the water quality far downstream. Excess nutrient contribute to water quality problems across the Midwest and ultimately lead to large low oxygen zone in the Gulf of Mexico that cannot sustain life. So as we go through the rest of these items tonight, we're going to be talking about water quality at the wastewater treatment plant. So this first item that we have in front of us is the phase one study for the perfluorinated

00:55:03.940 --> 00:55:10.500
compounds or polyfluoral alkali PFAS. So within our community, we have certain industries that

00:55:10.500 --> 00:55:17.720
contribute to the waste stream, and in those streams, some of them contain PFAS. So essentially, we have to

00:55:17.720 --> 00:55:24.640
study this to find out what the scope is, where it's impacting, and then work on a remediation strategy

00:55:24.640 --> 00:55:31.440
with those, wherever those point sources are. So tonight, what we're asking for on this first item,

00:55:31.440 --> 00:55:50.520
Number 17 is moving forward with the requirements of the NPDES, that's the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit, and is required to move forward. The total cost of this study is $41,000 for our Phase I NPDES, or for our Phase I PFAS.

00:55:51.520 --> 00:55:53.580
Is there a motion to adopt?

00:55:54.020 --> 00:55:54.520
So moved.

00:55:54.700 --> 00:55:55.020
Second.

00:55:55.020 --> 00:56:03.020
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, discussion on the resolution, Alderman Sanders

00:56:03.020 --> 00:56:24.760
Yes, Director Boyer, have we had any red flags over there at the plant, as far as our discharging, any reports, any stagnant type of things happening over there where it brings us to our attention, where we are

00:56:24.760 --> 00:56:31.040
are in a position to pay $41,000 to do a study.

00:56:31.780 --> 00:56:31.920
Yes.

00:56:32.040 --> 00:56:41.340
I mean, I find that kind of expensive just to do the study when they're doing the work before the study.

00:56:41.340 --> 00:56:48.700
The work is already being evaluated by EPA, which keeps us informed about our status.

00:56:48.700 --> 00:56:58.000
that keeps us whether or not we in violation any time we're doing discharging and things of this nature, especially downriver.

00:56:59.360 --> 00:57:06.360
Have we received any acknowledgement from EPA about our discharging program?

00:57:07.040 --> 00:57:12.800
Yes, I provided you the permit that has the new requirements and the need for the study.

00:57:13.500 --> 00:57:15.380
Other communities have done their study.

00:57:15.560 --> 00:57:16.680
That's not what I'm asking.

00:57:16.680 --> 00:57:25.300
what I'm asking to start a study. Are we having problems is what I'm asking. Are we currently having

00:57:25.300 --> 00:57:34.200
issues with our discharging program? We are within current limits by our permit. However, the EPA is

00:57:34.200 --> 00:57:38.720
saying that in the future, they're going to be regulating polyfluoroalkali discharge in the

00:57:38.720 --> 00:57:45.040
wastewater stream. And we have to do a study to see if we have any coming in and of where, if it's coming

00:57:45.040 --> 00:57:49.880
in. Where is it coming from? And then what do we need to do about it? Other communities have been dealing

00:57:49.880 --> 00:57:55.700
with various other, every community that discharges to surface water is dealing with the exact same thing

00:57:55.700 --> 00:58:02.740
we are. So the answer to that is we are not having any issues currently. However, this is not, this has

00:58:02.740 --> 00:58:07.520
been an unregulated contaminant in the past and now it is being regulated. So we have to do the study to

00:58:07.520 --> 00:58:13.040
find out what it is we need to do in the next steps. Okay. Okay. And, and who's the, did you want

00:58:13.040 --> 00:58:39.200
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Did you want to? Yeah. Who's doing this study? That would be Fehr Graham. Are they licensed and certified to do such studies? They're highly qualified. They're highly qualified. Because the reason why I'm saying this, I have never heard that Fehr Graham ever got into testing waterways and discharging and things of this nature.

00:58:39.200 --> 00:59:09.200
and how did they how was they recommended to the city and have the council considered Fehr Graham to do that study and have we talked about it or discussed whether or not Fehr Graham is going to do that study there's other agencies out there that does the same study and and if we have not gone for biddings and things of this nature to determine what would be the best cost for the citizens here in Freeport I think we we're

00:59:09.200 --> 00:59:27.960
We're isolating ourselves from other agencies to come in and do a study as well. That's the reason why I find that study lucrative, expensive, because the study doesn't require no more than 24 hours or 78 hours at the max or 73 hours at the max.

00:59:28.640 --> 00:59:38.000
I think that if you'll let me jump in here, I think the majority of the cost here is actually the running of the samples at the lab. It's a very expensive sample to run.

00:59:38.000 --> 00:59:49.880
I believe it's anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per sample, doesn't that, well I've worked on this with the water side and we have to do, we have a fairly

00:59:49.880 --> 00:59:54.480
We have to do, we have a fairly expensive testing regimen, but the majority of this is going to be

00:59:54.480 --> 01:00:17.840
Are we equipped ourselves to do these kinds of testing? Absolutely, no. No. We're not equipped to do that? No, that has to be sent out to a specialized testing facility. We use PACE in general, and they're in Springfield. Springfield. Alderman Sellers? Yeah, this is something that we have to do from the EPA. Yes, the new permit that just recently came through, I gave a copy to

01:00:17.840 --> 01:00:46.800
Alderman Sanders requires us to start looking at what's coming through on the wastewater side for the Forever Chemicals. So as you'll recall, we had indication of that at the old Brick Street plant, which is basically in standby status, and unless we have like a major fire, we've replaced it with well number 11, and we're working on well number 12. So we're going to all kinds of efforts to take it out of the drinking water, and it is.

01:00:46.800 --> 01:01:03.900
However, now they're looking at the wastewater and they want to know of the people that are contributing to the waste stream, are we seeing these PFAS chemicals entering the receiving streams based upon the discharge of various factor industries or whatever?

01:01:04.740 --> 01:01:05.320
Alderman Stacey?

01:01:06.140 --> 01:01:11.960
Yes, you just said that $1,000 to $3,000 for the testing.

01:01:12.340 --> 01:01:13.880
No, $1,000 to $3,000 per sample.

01:01:13.880 --> 01:01:21.840
sample. There's so many samples that need to be required for the testing. I don't have the actual

01:01:21.840 --> 01:01:29.400
requirement in front of me in terms of what the EPA is requiring here, but the samples themselves are

01:01:29.400 --> 01:01:33.800
very expensive. That's why I wanted to highlight that. Okay, I didn't have that understanding,

01:01:33.800 --> 01:01:43.040
one to three thousand per example. How many faces will this involve in its entirety? This is speaking

01:01:43.040 --> 01:01:56.240
of phase one, costing us $41,000. How many phases will there be, and what is the guesstimate cost of this project in its entirety?

01:01:56.580 --> 01:02:05.260
Well, first we have to do this study to find out what the actual numbers are. Until we have those, we can't tell you what the severity or what the remediation is going to require.

01:02:05.260 --> 01:02:34.900
However, I'll lay out a larger term timeline here When we find out if they exist, if they're in the discharge and they're not, of course if they are, we're going to backtrack that to the contributing sources, then we're going to work with those contributing sources to remediate the perfluorimated compounds from entering the waste stream. That could be as simple as, say, changing a manufacturing technique in their plant, so they just stop using a certain product, say, a mold release.

01:02:35.260 --> 01:02:40.180
and they go to a non-perfluorinated compound one. That would solve, that's one example of how you would

01:02:40.180 --> 01:02:44.900
solve it. But there may be other ones where it actually has to be remediated from the wastewater at

01:02:44.900 --> 01:02:51.880
each facility that has it present. So it's a study so that we can understand the scope and severity of

01:02:51.880 --> 01:02:57.720
what's going into the waste stream. Okay. Oldman Sanders, you've already spoken twice on this

01:02:57.720 --> 01:03:02.800
resolution. Yeah. Darren, did you want to add to something? Yeah. I think somebody asked how many

01:03:02.800 --> 01:03:32.080
tests there are. For each sample point, there's 42 plophornated compounds that have to be tested for at the current time, and that's an ever-changing list. They've been adding plophornated compounds every year to the test. This is not a one-time test. This is a quarterly test at all the point sources in Freeport. That's what this test requires. It also requires tests of our biosolids as well, which is our sludge production end as well.

01:03:32.080 --> 01:03:42.180
And again, this is required by the NPDES permit, so it is a function that will have to be done, and it's a study that will take an entire year to do.

01:03:42.440 --> 01:04:02.050
Curt, could you pull up the NPDES permit? And it's a fairly lengthy document. You're welcome to review it. Alderman Sanders has a copy of it there, but, you know, there's quite a few things in there that we will have to do in the next ensuing years.

01:04:02.950 --> 01:04:03.670
Alderman Stacy?

01:04:03.670 --> 01:04:10.830
Yes, to say that there's 42 tests, and I'm going to keep it low on the 1,000 per test

01:04:10.830 --> 01:04:22.070
So one test is those 42 constituents, that's why the price varies, because they keep adding

01:04:22.070 --> 01:04:30.770
Two years ago there was only 20 constituents, now there's 42, so it's not each individual test, one test is the 42 parameters

01:04:30.770 --> 01:04:32.470
Does that make sense?

01:04:33.550 --> 01:04:40.090
When you go to a lab, you buy one test, which has all 42 constituents tested.

01:04:40.810 --> 01:04:45.230
These are not regulated compounds at this time in our waste streams.

01:04:45.450 --> 01:04:49.810
They're doing this study to figure out what the waste regulations will be.

01:04:50.430 --> 01:04:55.810
So the 42 test is going to guesstimate cost us?

01:04:57.880 --> 01:04:58.980
$41,000.

01:04:58.980 --> 01:05:09.980
It's quarterly at all the SIUs, significant industrial users, as well as our own facilities

01:05:09.980 --> 01:05:15.320
So you would like me to think Fehr Graham isn't getting nothing for their time and efforts in this matter

01:05:15.320 --> 01:05:16.660
No, we're doing the study

01:05:16.660 --> 01:05:21.580
That is what the proposal states is we are doing the study

01:05:21.580 --> 01:05:25.840
It's required to be done by a wastewater engineer

01:05:25.840 --> 01:05:30.060
There's no, Alderman Johnson

01:05:30.060 --> 01:05:33.060
So you said it had to be done at all the sites

01:05:33.060 --> 01:06:12.390
how many sites are there where you have to do this? I believe we have I believe the number is seven outside of the city-owned properties. Seven SIUs is what I believe we currently have. Yes. Thank you. That's a significant industrial contributor. Right. Right. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the resolution. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? I'm thinking. Would you like me to

01:06:12.390 --> 01:06:48.190
come back to you. Yes. Sellers. Aye. Plum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Sanders. That's a yes. The resolution is adopted eight to zero. Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025 138. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide design engineering services related to phase two of the construction of the wastewater treatment plant project. Thank you, manager.

01:06:48.190 --> 01:07:17.630
Thank you, Your Honor. Actually, if we want to look at the NPDES permit, there's additional requirements that are up on the screen for nutrient removal, and that is basically going to fit into our phase two wastewater treatment upgrade. So phase two is essentially removal of phosphorus. We need to go from a 2.0 parts per million phosphorus limit to a 0.5 phosphorus. So that's a significant reduction.

01:07:17.630 --> 01:07:47.610
to allow for that we need to generate or the process will generate about twice as much sludge as we currently generate so that requires us doubling the size of our sludge handle equipment now the sludge building the belt filter press the gravity belt thickener the various elements and the digesters they are already fully depreciated and the belt filter press and the gravity belt thickener have presented some issues for staff and me

01:07:47.610 --> 01:08:17.590
and that being that I believe it's over 20 years old, 25 years old. With that being said, this phase two process is approximately $45 million in total cost. And for us to be able to meet our EPA requirements in 2030, we need to have a phase two in place so that we can meet our phosphorus requirements. So tonight, I'm asking for council approval moving forward with

01:08:17.590 --> 01:08:28.870
The Phase 2 Project Design, due to the items we discussed in the NPDES program, the total cost of Phase 2 Design is $2.2 million, $950,000.

01:08:30.150 --> 01:08:31.610
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:08:32.310 --> 01:08:32.770
So moved.

01:08:35.280 --> 01:08:35.760
Second.

01:08:38.140 --> 01:08:41.880
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker.

01:08:42.020 --> 01:08:43.140
Discussion on the resolution?

01:08:44.780 --> 01:08:45.700
Alderman Sellers?

01:08:45.700 --> 01:08:50.580
So you're telling us that this whole project will take five years?

01:08:51.160 --> 01:09:09.880
It should take a little less. I think we'll be done with phase one, which is currently going on. We should be done with that in 26, early 27, but then we would roll right into phase two, which is going to be 28, 29. And then once we get that completed, then we'll be meeting our permit requirements.

01:09:09.880 --> 01:09:17.680
So, it should take two years for construction from the time that we start, but we should be starting in about 27 or 28.

01:09:18.620 --> 01:09:19.480
Alderman Sellers.

01:09:19.840 --> 01:09:24.860
And then, so, how are we looking to pay?

01:09:26.020 --> 01:09:26.800
Pay for it?

01:09:26.900 --> 01:09:27.340
Yes.

01:09:27.860 --> 01:09:28.080
Yep.

01:09:28.260 --> 01:09:33.500
We're going to continue to pursue, and we've been successful at getting outside funding.

01:09:33.500 --> 01:09:47.740
As I mentioned a couple meetings ago, we're on hold, but we're waiting for a potential opportunity of $31 million of outside funding to pay for Wall 12, which is great, but the problem is they're continuing to.

01:09:47.740 --> 01:10:15.980
The problem is they're continuing to, you know, the increased requirements that are going to be in our pollution discharge permit are going to continue to go up as well. So we will continue to pursue outside funding every opportunity and we've had relatively quite a bit of success in that. So I have no reason to think that we won't have success moving forward. However, we need to get the design done so that we're prepared and we have everything we need to show the EPA that we're moving along on their time to

01:10:15.980 --> 01:10:18.080
table, and we're cooperating with the requirements.

01:10:19.160 --> 01:10:19.720
Alderman Sanders?

01:10:22.100 --> 01:10:33.260
We're talking about an expansion, detached from the waste treatment plant itself. In order to do an upgrade, do we have to do a detachment to do so?

01:10:33.260 --> 01:10:44.120
Yes, it would be, we've acquired some property to the east of the plant, and that sludge would be conveyed to that location.

01:10:44.120 --> 01:10:50.380
It's just on the other side of the solar panels for the digesters and the things that need to be done.

01:10:51.940 --> 01:10:53.160
Did that answer your question?

01:10:53.640 --> 01:10:54.660
Yeah, yeah, you did.

01:10:55.020 --> 01:10:55.440
You want another?

01:10:58.640 --> 01:11:06.220
With the expansion detachment and everything, would there have to be any kind of remodification of the plant itself?

01:11:06.220 --> 01:11:11.760
Yes, it's going to require digesters, sludge handling equipment, sludge storage.

01:11:12.040 --> 01:11:12.940
So that's another.

01:11:12.940 --> 01:11:15.300
This is all part of this one we're talking about.

01:11:15.300 --> 01:11:16.140
All part of this one, okay.

01:11:16.460 --> 01:11:17.140
All right, thanks.

01:11:18.200 --> 01:11:18.680
Darren?

01:11:19.520 --> 01:11:24.340
Yeah, I wanted to point out the special condition 20 is up here on the screen.

01:11:24.660 --> 01:11:35.000
It's right out of our permit, and it shows the same condition that was in our 2020 permit that is updated in our 2025,

01:11:35.660 --> 01:11:40.480
that at 2030, we need to be at 0.5 milligrams per liter of total phosphorus.

01:11:40.480 --> 01:12:10.460
phosphorus. So this is that plan I talked about last week that the city has known since 2015 that this was going to be the end date for phosphorus. There's many facilities that are having this same limit put on them just like Freeport. In order to meet it, phase two and three are going to be necessary. Phase three is a biological primary filters and those are needed because our, I think I explained that last week, our biosolids, our sludge is going to increase our

01:12:10.480 --> 01:12:43.420
increased dramatically from the chemical process of removing phosphorus, so we need these facilities in order to meet the permit. If we don't meet our permit, we will start incurring fines that will come out of user fees for every month that we're not compliant because it's based on our discharge limits. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye.

01:12:43.420 --> 01:13:12.700
And Parker. Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0. Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025-139. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Berner-Schober to provide mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, or MEP, engineering, design, and permitting services related to phase 2 of construction of the wastewater treatment plant project. Thank you, Manager Boyer. Yes, thank you, Your Honor. Berner-Schober has been our, I guess that would be our tier 2

01:13:12.700 --> 01:13:35.860
We're a new design firm for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing for our utility projects. We use them at Well 11, Well 12, Phase 1 of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and we've had a good working relationship with them. They've done an excellent job, and we'd like to move forward with design for this Phase 2 project with Berner Schober.

01:13:35.860 --> 01:13:40.800
or so. Staff recommends moving forward with a design project to meet the NPDES requirements

01:13:40.800 --> 01:13:48.900
and establish our phosphorus and PFOS requirements. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman

01:13:48.900 --> 01:13:56.980
Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Stacy? This is for the

01:13:56.980 --> 01:14:05.080
east side of town? This would be, well, not on the east side per se, but we're the wastewater treatment

01:14:05.080 --> 01:14:11.960
plant. This would be the design for the mechanicals and electricals at this phase to a wastewater plant

01:14:11.960 --> 01:14:30.190
upgrade. On Hancock? Yes. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. I'm sorry, I didn't understand that.

01:14:30.190 --> 01:14:41.230
Okay. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted,

01:14:41.230 --> 01:15:11.210
7-0. Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 2025-140. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide civil engineering services related to South Street ADA ramp improvements. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Recently, Representative Capello has worked with IDOT to get direct funding to the City of Freeport to resurface South Street from Galena.

01:15:11.230 --> 01:15:18.450
to Locust. However, part of that deal is that we have to do all the ADA ramps and concrete work

01:15:18.450 --> 01:15:25.850
so they can move forward with that. I believe we have 16 ramps that need to be done and staff would

01:15:25.850 --> 01:15:31.950
like to move forward with a design of the 16 ramps on the South Street corridor so that we can get them

01:15:31.950 --> 01:15:38.690
completed and ready to go to help encourage IDOT to start the project on South Street next year, potentially.

01:15:38.690 --> 01:15:40.350
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:15:40.950 --> 01:15:41.430
So moved.

01:15:41.710 --> 01:15:42.010
Second.

01:15:43.150 --> 01:15:51.910
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Sellers?

01:15:52.370 --> 01:16:03.310
So, Fair Graham will do the ADA ramps. So, we as the city, are we going to help do any of that? And is this also paid by IDOT?

01:16:03.310 --> 01:16:30.350
So let me start with your last question first. Okay. No, it's not paid by IDOT. They're saying they're going to put in, I don't know, $4 to $7 million into South Street as long as we get the ramps done. We've budgeted about $250,000 to do the ramps. So that was already in the budget. And this is just the design work and kind of the bidding process, everything that goes along with us getting a contractor due 16. So these are 16 intersections, but not 16 ramps.

01:16:30.350 --> 01:17:00.330
Oh, okay. Correct? You got 16 total, eight intersections. Okay. So at the end of the day, we just need to put together a design and bid these projects so we can have a contractor go ahead and do this. Can our city staff do it? Yes, they can. However, they will be busy doing a lot of other things. And at this time, we didn't see, essentially, we're just putting in $250,000 here to get millions of dollars back in transportation system upgrades. So overall, I think it's a very good, very good direction for us.

01:17:00.350 --> 01:17:26.770
and staff requests move forward. Darren? Yeah, Rob is absolutely correct. Rob and I and Mayor Miller have been working on this project for probably over three years with IDOT. To give you some history, South Street is an unmarked state route, that's what they call it, which means that IDOT will not on their own put any funding into South Street.

01:17:26.770 --> 01:17:33.310
Street. So we bartered this deal to get some bipartisan money to fix that road, but they will

01:17:33.310 --> 01:17:39.070
only do it if we fix the ramps because that's money that they don't have accounted for. They want to stick

01:17:39.070 --> 01:17:45.330
that bipartisan money into pavement. So if we have any hope of getting South Street redone, this will be

01:17:45.330 --> 01:17:52.990
our one chance in the probably next decade to get it repaved and not just patch it. It's in terrible

01:17:52.990 --> 01:18:08.950
condition. We get tons of complaints on it regularly. And I think we made a significantly good move here for the citizens of Freeport to get that stretch of road replaced. And this is talking from Galena to Locust, where it turns into concrete.

01:18:10.950 --> 01:18:14.390
Yeah, I was just going to ask him, where does it extend to?

01:18:14.390 --> 01:18:36.770
Right. And the hopes are that if we can complete our project by July of 26, that the repavement would happen this fall. So, honestly, I don't think it could get any better than that. And it is probably close to a $5 million project through that corridor, just for the the removement of pavement and the relaying of it.

01:18:36.770 --> 01:18:46.920
Alderman Stacy? I'm trying to understand this. Okay, so Galena and Locust runs north and south.

01:18:47.620 --> 01:18:55.940
Where Galena wise off out by the old Ramada all the way to Locust Street on South Street, that's what will get repaved.

01:18:55.940 --> 01:18:56.760
Okay

01:18:56.760 --> 01:19:01.910
Madam Clerk, please take the roll

01:19:01.910 --> 01:19:02.790
Stacey

01:19:02.790 --> 01:19:04.030
Aye

01:19:04.030 --> 01:19:04.670
Shadle

01:19:04.670 --> 01:19:05.070
Aye

01:19:05.070 --> 01:19:05.830
Sanders

01:19:05.830 --> 01:19:06.170
Aye

01:19:06.170 --> 01:19:06.910
Sellers

01:19:06.910 --> 01:19:07.250
Aye

01:19:07.250 --> 01:19:08.090
Plum

01:19:08.090 --> 01:19:08.510
Aye

01:19:08.510 --> 01:19:09.070
Johnson

01:19:09.070 --> 01:19:09.530
Aye

01:19:09.530 --> 01:19:10.070
Simmons

01:19:10.070 --> 01:19:11.210
Aye

01:19:11.210 --> 01:19:11.890
And Parker

01:19:11.890 --> 01:19:12.350
Aye

01:19:12.350 --> 01:19:14.850
The resolution is adopted 8-0

01:19:14.850 --> 01:19:20.010
Item number 21, the adoption of Resolution 2025-141. Could you please read this?

01:19:20.010 --> 01:19:27.490
Resolution approving amendment to agreement with MSA Professional Services to provide grant administration services for housing

01:19:27.490 --> 01:19:34.710
and Urban Development, or HUD, Community Development Block Grant for Housing and Rehabilitation Grant.

01:19:35.250 --> 01:19:36.430
Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

01:19:36.850 --> 01:19:37.550
Thank you.

01:19:37.950 --> 01:19:45.850
The 2021 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant will move to the closeout period.

01:19:45.850 --> 01:20:14.000
moved to the closeout period this November, and staff recommends retaining professional services through the closeout period with the contract expiring February 28, 2026. Home rehabilitation grants are very labor intensive, require coordination with families to make improvements for safety, health, and quality of life to promote transparency in selecting homeowners and also working with the homeowners during the grant

01:20:14.000 --> 01:20:44.000
process the city hired MSA to administer the grant with staff assisting indirectly the city previously had staff members to a staff member to assist but that position was vacant since early 2025 so funds originally allocated for that staff will now be redirected and have already been redirected to MSA to complete the grant the contract is being updated to improve transparency and clarity the previous contract had no cap on expenses

01:20:44.000 --> 01:21:13.980
expenses. The amended contract lists an estimated fee of $40,000 to complete the grant with payments on a time and expense basis. Any additional work over the estimated fee will require prior authorization or a new service contract subject to council approval. Staff is requesting $64,000 of grant funds to cover administration costs, which is the maximum allowed by the grant. Staff also recommends the approval of the resolution to enter into a service contract.

01:21:14.000 --> 01:21:26.140
contract with MSA for administration and closeout of the 2021 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant, supporting efficient government and thriving neighborhoods through home rehabilitation.

01:21:26.780 --> 01:21:27.980
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:21:28.360 --> 01:21:29.000
So moved.

01:21:29.180 --> 01:21:29.460
Second.

01:21:30.060 --> 01:21:33.580
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

01:21:33.960 --> 01:21:35.200
Discussion on the resolution.

01:21:35.920 --> 01:21:36.620
Alderman Johnson?

01:21:37.500 --> 01:21:38.100
Yes.

01:21:38.100 --> 01:21:49.380
On the memo, it says the City of Freeport did have staff to assist with implementing the grant when it was applied for to offset the cost and so forth. What was that position and how much was the salary for that position?

01:21:50.040 --> 01:22:04.780
That position was a planning position. I think her name was Lorena. I don't have the salary amount, but I can always get that to you. We can look that up real quick.

01:22:04.780 --> 01:22:05.020
Okay.

01:22:06.200 --> 01:22:10.060
But that one job wasn't solely her focus.

01:22:10.440 --> 01:22:10.780
Exactly.

01:22:10.880 --> 01:22:11.120
Right.

01:22:11.460 --> 01:22:11.660
Right.

01:22:13.280 --> 01:22:15.700
Anyone else while he's looking at Alderman Sanders?

01:22:16.360 --> 01:22:16.620
Yeah.

01:22:19.360 --> 01:22:23.240
I'm looking, the service providers for this grant.

01:22:25.760 --> 01:22:32.260
Who are they and where they come from and how is it recommended to the city that we should

01:22:32.260 --> 01:22:56.780
even consider, well, grants are something we should always consider, but my thing is where's the targeting location for these types of rehabilitations of grants and who is going to benefit from these grants?

01:22:56.780 --> 01:23:20.140
is there a list of sign-ups or people that is going to be notified that these things are taking place and that such a program even exists that people can take the opportunity to sign up for these types of grants? Is that it's going to be exposed to the citizens of Freeport?

01:23:20.140 --> 01:23:45.140
So this, yes, this grant actually is in the closeout stage. So it's one that we've already been working on. It is, we have done nine homes. Seven are actually completed. We have two more that are in the works right now that MSA is currently working on. This, this is not a new company that we're working with. It's the same company we've worked with for years now on these grants.

01:23:45.140 --> 01:24:14.680
The biggest reason we're here tonight is that we noticed that there was actually no cap or no transparency about how much we were spending on these grants, and so we asked MSA to provide some more clarity on what it's going to take to finish out the grant so that everybody is aware of the amount that we're spending on their professional services in order to make sure that because we lacked a cap

01:24:14.680 --> 01:24:22.280
on the previous agreement that was signed in August of 2022. There was no cap. So we're just trying to

01:24:22.280 --> 01:24:27.960
make sure that we have a cap, we know how much it's going to be until the closeout, and just provide an

01:24:27.960 --> 01:24:34.480
extra layer of transparency to the council. So how will this be administered to the public

01:24:34.480 --> 01:24:42.360
that wants to be engaged with this kind of program? Yeah, this has already taken place. So they already

01:24:42.360 --> 01:24:57.560
requested, they already sent letters to people who probably would apply and also could, based on the information that we had, would be recommended for use of this.

01:24:57.560 --> 01:25:05.840
We then, the city back in 2021, worked with Regional 1 and they selected the homeowners.

01:25:05.840 --> 01:25:13.880
homeowners. The homeowners, after they were selected and teamed up with MSA, the state then approved all of these.

01:25:13.880 --> 01:25:20.860
Okay. So all of this was done in a third party in order to promote transparency and to make sure that

01:25:20.860 --> 01:25:29.120
equity was in the top forefront. Alderman Sanders, did you want to? Yeah. Could we get more efficient

01:25:29.120 --> 01:25:56.640
I don't want to mention detailed information on this particular program because I'm not liking some of the adjectives that you're talking about at this point because it seems like to me it's strategically designed for some program areas where most of the people in need is not going to benefit from this program.

01:25:56.640 --> 01:26:05.800
and so I like to take a little detailed study more to understand the whole process of it because

01:26:05.800 --> 01:26:26.620
I will add the applicants were already selected and we already had all the homeowners selected so this this we've already went through this entire process we're just at the closeout so we have two homes that are in the works and contractors are at those homes right now working on them and then this is

01:26:26.620 --> 01:26:39.640
is the contract with MSA to close out the grant so that they can finish all the reporting that's necessary in order so we have good standing and that the grant can close without any penalty to us.

01:26:39.640 --> 01:26:52.560
Okay, so let's stay on topic. This is about amending this agreement. It has anything to do with this grant. That's been since 2021. Alderman Stacy?

01:26:52.560 --> 01:27:18.780
MSA. Is that the organization out of Iowa? Yes. And they're the ones that chose this grant, that chose who would benefit from this grant. And so the $64,000 that we're asking for, for administration services, who would that go to? Who is the administration services?

01:27:18.780 --> 01:27:48.520
Yes. So the $64,000 is the amount that the grant gave us $550,000. And then they also said that $64,000 of that could be to administration costs. So who's reporting, who's doing all of the project management. In this case, MSA was doing those. So those funds were used.

01:27:48.780 --> 01:27:54.900
to help pay for MSA's admin costs that they would invoice to us.

01:27:55.860 --> 01:27:57.380
Holderman Johnson, did you have a question?

01:27:57.740 --> 01:28:03.260
I just wanted to say I thought it was great that we had a third-party source picking the applications.

01:28:03.540 --> 01:28:05.820
I really thought that helped with transparency.

01:28:06.340 --> 01:28:07.160
And did you have my answer?

01:28:07.520 --> 01:28:08.280
I do have your answer.

01:28:08.440 --> 01:28:11.240
So the salary for the grant manager is a little over $50,000.

01:28:11.520 --> 01:28:11.740
Okay.

01:28:11.780 --> 01:28:12.780
So that's without fringe.

01:28:12.980 --> 01:28:14.040
So that's just the base.

01:28:14.240 --> 01:28:14.380
Sure.

01:28:14.580 --> 01:28:14.780
Okay.

01:28:14.900 --> 01:28:15.300
Thank you.

01:28:15.600 --> 01:28:16.200
Holderman Stacy?

01:28:16.200 --> 01:28:23.380
So the $64,000 that we're speaking of, you're saying that MSA did not receive their pay?

01:28:23.980 --> 01:28:39.860
They did, yes. This is just as a way to ensure that that money, that counselor approves that that money goes to them that was benefited. It's just an extra step to make sure that they received that amount.

01:28:41.360 --> 01:28:43.120
What amount did they receive?

01:28:43.120 --> 01:29:08.660
They received the $64,000. It's just basically a procedure to make sure that the admin stuff, the admin clause was granted to them. So the amount that we could spend within the grant itself went to the proper agency or the proper department that was providing administration services for the grant.

01:29:08.660 --> 01:29:26.080
I don't understand because they've already been paid and so we're going an extra step that's going to cost us $40,000 to secure them with the $64,000 they have already.

01:29:26.080 --> 01:29:44.000
The $40,000 is for the proper closeout. That's the stuff that they still need to secure in order to close out the grant itself. So the $40,000 is for their administration fees until the end of February, as that is the

01:29:44.000 --> 01:29:47.780
of February as that is the project closeout. That's them wrapping up the two homes that still need to be

01:29:47.780 --> 01:29:54.280
completed. That's them closing out the grant and filing all the paperwork and making sure they do all the

01:29:54.280 --> 01:30:02.340
necessary reporting and gather all the necessary paperwork for HUD, which is the agency that's

01:30:02.340 --> 01:30:09.560
providing this grant. And grant money, the grant money will cover this, $40,000.

01:30:09.560 --> 01:30:38.970
Yes, but if you look in the memo, we have exceeded that because there was, we have exceeded that amount. If you look at the memo, because there was, you know, no cap on expenses. So, yes, but we have gone over the administration allocated amount in the grant based on how labor intensive this reporting is.

01:30:40.970 --> 01:30:53.230
How was we allowed to do that? How were we allowed to do that? If we only were allotted this much money, how were we allowed to go $40,000 over?

01:30:53.230 --> 01:31:14.590
We're not going $40,000 over, but we're going, the grant, the grant has the amount that you can spend knowing that it's probably not enough for you to finish out the grant efficiently.

01:31:14.590 --> 01:31:37.830
So grants don't give you enough to actually perform the entire grant. They give you a stipend of sorts, hoping that it helps you fulfill your grant administration needs. Every grant has a certain amount. It's never going to fulfill it completely. So there will be some funds that have to come from other sources.

01:31:37.830 --> 01:31:47.450
So why didn't we just stop? When we didn't have enough funds to do nine homes, and maybe we could only do eight, why didn't we just stop at that eight?

01:31:47.450 --> 01:32:07.770
We had enough funds for the actual, to do the work, to do the rehabilitation. It's the admin costs. You can't use, the admin costs is the stipend that they give you. You can't use the actual funds for admin costs. So that has to go to the homes.

01:32:07.830 --> 01:32:12.190
It has to go to the home owners and to the rehabilitation costs.

01:32:14.190 --> 01:32:16.590
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:32:17.470 --> 01:32:17.910
Stacy?

01:32:18.250 --> 01:32:18.570
No.

01:32:19.250 --> 01:32:19.530
Shadle?

01:32:19.790 --> 01:32:20.050
Aye.

01:32:20.570 --> 01:32:21.010
Sanders?

01:32:21.350 --> 01:32:21.550
No.

01:32:21.970 --> 01:32:22.450
Sellers?

01:32:22.670 --> 01:32:23.050
Aye.

01:32:23.350 --> 01:32:23.750
Clem?

01:32:23.990 --> 01:32:24.310
Aye.

01:32:24.530 --> 01:32:25.130
Johnson?

01:32:25.470 --> 01:32:25.730
Aye.

01:32:26.110 --> 01:32:26.390
Simmons?

01:32:26.970 --> 01:32:27.310
Aye.

01:32:27.530 --> 01:32:27.970
And Parker?

01:32:28.310 --> 01:32:28.550
Aye.

01:32:28.550 --> 01:32:30.950
The resolution is adopted 6-2.

01:32:32.190 --> 01:32:36.850
Item number 22 is adoption of resolution 2025-142.

01:32:36.850 --> 01:33:06.830
Could you please read this? Resolution approving amendment to agreement with MSA professional services to provide grant administration services for Illinois Housing Development Authority or IDA Strong Communities Program grant. Director Heimendigger. Thank you. In 2023, the city received $300,000 through the IDA Strong Communities Program for housing rehabilitation and demolition. The grant was initially managed by city staff, but the position became vacant in early 2025.

01:33:06.850 --> 01:33:36.830
staff recommended retaining MSA professional services to assist with the administration and closeout, redirecting funds originally intended for the staff. The previous contract led to end date and estimation of expenses. This new contract explains that MSA will continue through the project closeout period, which is November, which is currently going to be November 30th of 2026.

01:33:36.850 --> 01:34:04.630
This amended contract greatly improves transparency, listing a proposed fee of $35,000, and stating that any additional work over the estimation requires prior authorization of or a new contract. Staff recommends approval of the resolution to enter into a service agreement with MSA demonstrating efficient government and supporting thriving neighborhoods through blight remediation.

01:34:05.050 --> 01:34:06.430
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:34:06.850 --> 01:34:38.810
So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 6-2. Item number 23, could you please read the bids? Approval of bid, which was opened on November 13th,

01:34:38.830 --> 01:35:08.810
for four structured demolitions. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Bid CD0152025 for demolition and asbestos abatement of four properties was published November 7th in the Journal of Standard and opened November 13th with four bids received. Staff recommends awarding the contract to the lowest responsible bid for a total of $64,575. Elber and Sun Earthworks at $11,250.

01:35:08.830 --> 01:35:32.570
$1,75 for a 602 to 608 East Stevenson, Fisher excavating at $53,300 for a 28 and 29 South Joanna and 120 South Rose. Funding comes from the FEMA floodway and neighbor housing grant and aligns with a and aligns with supporting a safe community and effective land loose.

01:35:33.570 --> 01:35:36.730
Is there a motion to adopt? I'm sorry, to approve.

01:35:37.290 --> 01:35:37.730
So moved.

01:35:37.730 --> 01:36:09.880
second motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Parker discussion on the bids. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I do have a question. Alderman Stacy, I trust that these companies line up with the rules and regulations to even being able to place a bid on such a

01:36:11.120 --> 01:36:13.420
event.

01:36:13.920 --> 01:36:17.320
Has everybody been checked out?

01:36:17.420 --> 01:36:24.980
They all are in correspondent with government laws and rules and regulations?

01:36:25.520 --> 01:36:25.960
Madam Clerk?

01:36:26.760 --> 01:36:34.660
I looked up Albers and Fisher, and they have filed their annual report with the Secretary of State,

01:36:34.760 --> 01:36:35.760
and they are in good standing.

01:36:38.140 --> 01:36:39.400
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:36:39.740 --> 01:36:40.100
Stacy?

01:36:40.880 --> 01:36:41.300
Aye.

01:36:41.540 --> 01:36:41.820
Shadle?

01:36:42.040 --> 01:36:42.280
Aye.

01:36:42.640 --> 01:36:43.080
Sanders?

01:36:43.400 --> 01:36:43.620
Aye.

01:36:43.620 --> 01:37:09.020
Sellers, Aye, Clemm, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Aye, and Parker, Aye, the motion passes eight to zero. Item number 24, could you please read this discussion? Discussion regarding notice of safe streets for all or SS4A public review and comment period will be open from November 12th to the 26th. Manager Boyer.

01:37:09.020 --> 01:37:33.760
Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport participated in the SS4A, that's Safe Streets for All, planning grant with Alta Planning and Design over the last 12 months. Based on this overarching study, a draft safety action plan has been created to provide guidance on efforts to improve safety for people walking, biking, driving, and using mobility devices.

01:37:33.760 --> 01:38:03.740
This is a notice to inform the public that the draft safety action plan is now posted on the city website accessible on the homepage cityoffreeport.org under the latest news listed tile. Council members and all public members can access the link to review the safety action planning document along with the appendices. Reviewers can also post public comments and input about the plan which will be logged by our consultants and the document will be live and available.

01:38:03.760 --> 01:38:28.160
from November 12th to November 26th, 2025. After the public comment section is complete, all the planning and design will finalize the safety action plan and present it to the city council for adoption on December 1st at the regularly scheduled council meeting. Adoption of the SS-4A plan will allow the city opportunities to receive specialized funding for these corrective measures and it fits with our strategic plan.

01:38:28.960 --> 01:38:30.860
Is there any discussion on this notice?

01:38:30.860 --> 01:38:33.560
Hold on a minute, Stacy.

01:38:33.880 --> 01:38:35.700
Was this discussed at the count?

01:38:38.440 --> 01:38:39.780
Yes, last week, no.

01:38:41.120 --> 01:38:45.740
Well, we're having the November 12th to November 26th date.

01:38:46.180 --> 01:38:49.060
Is there a reason why it wasn't discussed at the count?

01:38:49.800 --> 01:38:55.500
Well, I believe this is the time for community input, so we can bring it, you know, we're going to bring it before.

01:38:55.620 --> 01:39:01.260
We've had Alta come and talk to us about the SS4A several times, and this is just an evolution of that process.

01:39:01.260 --> 01:39:31.240
so we're just doing what we need to do to advance this. Darren? Yeah so this is like Rob said it's been a 12-month process so this is the final draft if you will and we put it out on the 12th or we didn't the city put it out for the 12th it gives the public time to review it submit comments the reason we're bringing this up tonight is to remind it because it was already posted on the social website but for the council members if you would like to review it it's just a reminder that that's the location

01:39:31.240 --> 01:39:41.060
It's available. It's a very large document. So we posted it to the city's website so anybody could have access to it. So the more input, the better.

01:39:41.060 --> 01:40:08.400
input, the better. Alderman Sanders. Yeah, you know, I'd like for us to demonstrate that here at the council. I'd like for someone to really articulate that whole process right here so the open public can see it and hear it and that they're not fishing through websites trying to locate what we're talking about tonight.

01:40:08.400 --> 01:40:18.140
I would like for someone to come and introduce themselves, open it up like we're at a town hall, and talk about this particular subject.

01:40:18.800 --> 01:40:32.660
I think it would come, then the people would, because they're more, people like to see visual and audible, and want to have tangible access to what we're doing.

01:40:32.660 --> 01:41:02.540
and so I would like for them to look us in the face while we're talking about this and they can have this they can look right at us and say well yeah okay you know I'm not I'm not mitigating anything right now I'm just saying that I think it would be a great justice if we can have them to have someone to just come in and talk about it. Alderman Sanders city manager did allude to that they will be here on December 1st. Here I didn't yes here I didn't yes here December 1st.

01:41:02.540 --> 01:41:08.520
Yeah, they'll be here on the 1st, and I think we've had them come at least two other times and present a committee as a whole.

01:41:08.640 --> 01:41:13.000
Very good, very good, because I must have misunderstood that you said that.

01:41:13.360 --> 01:41:13.880
Alderman Stacy?

01:41:14.600 --> 01:41:20.880
And I'm seeing on this website that it's saying there's a public webinar November 19th.

01:41:22.240 --> 01:41:22.500
Yep.

01:41:22.980 --> 01:41:23.680
That's what it says.

01:41:23.680 --> 01:41:24.080
Yeah.

01:41:24.360 --> 01:41:30.100
So if you choose to, you can be on that webinar, and you can give your comments to them in person,

01:41:30.100 --> 01:41:38.140
or you can do it on your own time and you can submit the response form to them and they'll track all the responses.

01:41:38.780 --> 01:41:52.800
So the key here is that they would like to bring their plan, present it on December 1st, so you'll have time to review that, make any comments, and we would like to have that adopted by the council on December 1st

01:41:52.800 --> 01:42:01.020
because that program will allow us up to special funding in 2026 to try to move some of those projects forward.

01:42:01.640 --> 01:42:10.780
And I'll give you just a quick recap of the number one project on there is hopefully the realignment of Carroll and Empire at some point.

01:42:10.880 --> 01:42:17.360
That's the number one project that was selected as the number one safety concern in town is that intersection where it's offset.

01:42:17.680 --> 01:42:18.380
Walnut and Empire.

01:42:18.380 --> 01:42:20.740
I'm sorry, Walnut and Empire, excuse me.

01:42:20.960 --> 01:42:22.320
Sorry, thank you for the correction.

01:42:22.800 --> 01:42:35.000
And so that is the number one safety issue that came out of this study that has been ongoing for a long time and hopefully we can get rectified with some out of out of Freeport money to do that

01:42:35.000 --> 01:42:51.280
So there's a couple ways for you to inform yourself before the December 1st date. So we'll move on to department head reports, finance. None tonight. Thank you. Community development. None. And public works. None. Fire. Yes, thank you, Your Honor.

01:42:51.280 --> 01:42:56.940
This evening, the fire department responded to a large industrial building on Lamb Road.

01:42:57.220 --> 01:42:59.840
Upon arrival, we found a piece of machinery on fire.

01:43:00.880 --> 01:43:04.320
Companies were able to effectively extinguish the fire.

01:43:04.720 --> 01:43:06.900
However, the large building was full of smoke.

01:43:07.620 --> 01:43:18.420
So we requested a Mabus response for the large MVU, its mobile ventilation unit, and they just now arrived on the scene.

01:43:18.420 --> 01:43:50.160
but what they'll do is it's a huge fan on a truck, they back up to an overhead door, deploy that fan and just blow all the smoke out of the building so they're going to be there for a little bit longer but they did a quick job, knocked down on the fire and I was able to return back to the meeting. Police? Nothing from the police department. Library? None. IT? City manager? Thank you, Your Honor, but I will pass.

01:43:50.180 --> 01:44:06.780
tonight. And I just want to remind the viewing audience that next Thursday and Friday of November 27th and 28th is Thanksgiving holiday, so the City Hall will be closed. We will move on to Council Alderman Stacy.

01:44:06.780 --> 01:44:34.060
Yes, I have a letter that I had drafted to read last week, and by it being the cow and not going around to the individuals, I forgot that if I wanted to read it, I had to do it during public comments, and so I missed out, but I still feel a need to read my letter tonight.

01:44:34.060 --> 01:44:41.120
to the administration and city council members of the city, Freeport, Illinois.

01:44:42.020 --> 01:44:54.580
Given the public's outcry over the withholding of SNAP benefits, it is hard to believe that we, as the council of this city, have proposed nothing.

01:44:55.360 --> 01:44:59.640
Not even a plan was created to address this issue.

01:44:59.640 --> 01:45:17.940
Many community members have generously contributed food donations to local food pantries, but as the leading local government of this city, our resident looks to us for help and guidance through our leadership.

01:45:18.940 --> 01:45:28.180
Speaking of leadership, Freeport Township, another governmental entity, has demonstrated it well.

01:45:28.180 --> 01:45:55.820
Under the guidance of Supervisor Patrick Sellers, an individual who is not only designed, but destined to make a difference. Township allotted $18,000 to distribute among food bank networks and pantries within the city. This noble act will help our pantries alleviate food insecurities for some of our citizens.

01:45:55.820 --> 01:46:03.140
Freeport Township is the only governmental entity in our county to take such action.

01:46:04.400 --> 01:46:14.040
This has consistently shown, they have consistently shown that they genuinely care about our Freeport residents.

01:46:15.040 --> 01:46:17.040
This is not lip service.

01:46:18.100 --> 01:46:25.300
The Freeport Township have proved their commitment through their actions and giving time and time again.

01:46:25.820 --> 01:46:35.260
Surprisingly, the city of Rockford managed to take action, but it's a larger city, and it has more resources, right?

01:46:36.260 --> 01:46:48.680
However, Freeport Township has far few resources, yet they alone with other community members found a way to make a difference.

01:46:51.340 --> 01:46:57.060
WTVO Channel 17, you get it wrong when you said governments of Freeport.

01:46:57.200 --> 01:47:20.880
It was not government's. It was the Freeport Township, the only entity in this city that has done anything. And Mr. Patrick Sellers, if you have not received a thank you, let me say thank you. Thank you for your vision to the cries of the people and for not turning a deaf ear.

01:47:20.880 --> 01:47:49.060
What I find disheartening is that this city administration has done nothing substantial to help ease the burden of our constituents. Instead of taking action, this administration simply provided a list of places where people could seek, could maybe seek assistance, or frankly, tell them there's nothing we can do.

01:47:49.060 --> 01:48:05.940
When it comes to offering real solutions to real problems, this administration fails repeatedly, and our citizens are aware of it. Failure should be of the past and no longer an option.

01:48:05.940 --> 01:48:34.340
I have been following the conversations on social media, people are asking the same questions, what are we doing to better support our community, why the city administration is busy celebrating events like witches and wine walks, there is a segment of our population, the constituents of this city, that was generally concerned about access to food.

01:48:34.340 --> 01:48:43.820
I hope Good Morning America was correct in their speaking when they said that the government was opening back up.

01:48:44.340 --> 01:48:52.580
If not, we yet have an opportunity to stand up and to do what's right for the people by the people.

01:48:53.500 --> 01:49:01.460
Maybe it's time for this administration to prioritize the well-being of all neighborhoods and all citizens

01:49:01.460 --> 01:49:31.580
over its falsely glorified downtown. There's more to this city than downtown, and there's more government entities to assist in times of crisis than just the Freeport Township. I propose to both Mayor Miller and City Manager Boyer that when another crisis occur, because it just might, that we don't pass the buck,

01:49:31.580 --> 01:49:40.040
But we join forces with other governmental entities in our city and county to help alleviate the crisis.

01:49:40.040 --> 01:49:42.340
to help alleviate the crisis through joint effort.

01:49:43.200 --> 01:49:50.940
This will help to reassure our residents that their health and safety is a top priority

01:49:50.940 --> 01:49:58.980
and further show them that their governments are willing to work together for their well-being.

01:49:59.620 --> 01:50:00.340
Thank you.

01:50:05.750 --> 01:50:06.270
Alderman Shadle.

01:50:06.770 --> 01:50:10.440
I'm going to choose to pass.

01:50:11.680 --> 01:50:12.680
Alderman Sanders.

01:50:12.680 --> 01:50:41.800
I just want to say all that I heard I concur with from Alderman Stacy and the fact that what was said we just need to look at ourselves to reconstruct this government body which is supposed to be government

01:50:42.680 --> 01:51:09.640
to legislate all developments and everything within the city itself. It is our duty, as the alderman was stating, it is our duty to be someone who is taking up the initiatives and shining throughout our cities to show that our citizens do look forward to us to help them.

01:51:09.640 --> 01:51:33.440
We're supposed to be a helper here in this council, but we're derelict in our duties, responding to that, and I would call for or consider us reconstructing our council, come up with new meaning of what a council should look like

01:51:33.440 --> 01:51:42.020
and what the government legislators of this body should be doing to legislate for the people here in this city.

01:51:42.420 --> 01:51:57.660
We're not demonstrating any of those actions and shame on us that other townships and agencies are doing more than this administration or this council.

01:51:57.660 --> 01:52:03.560
It is the duty of the council to shine and illuminate throughout the city

01:52:03.560 --> 01:52:05.540
Not other agencies

01:52:05.540 --> 01:52:08.840
We don't shine like we should

01:52:08.840 --> 01:52:13.520
Because why? We're not doing the effective jobs for the people

01:52:13.520 --> 01:52:16.480
We got this thing upside down

01:52:16.480 --> 01:52:19.280
We come in here to work for the people

01:52:19.280 --> 01:52:21.480
Not against the people

01:52:21.480 --> 01:52:23.940
Or just deviate from them

01:52:23.940 --> 01:52:27.480
And just set them aside as if though they don't matter

01:52:27.480 --> 01:52:30.300
That's what I'm hearing

01:52:30.300 --> 01:52:33.920
And I keep saying that to my last year

01:52:33.920 --> 01:52:37.000
If we don't show some changes up here

01:52:37.000 --> 01:52:39.440
Shame on us

01:52:39.440 --> 01:52:42.160
We have to evaluate ourselves

01:52:42.160 --> 01:52:44.860
To see if we're being effective

01:52:44.860 --> 01:52:47.540
To the city of Freeport

01:52:47.540 --> 01:52:51.720
I will preach this until the cows turn blue

01:52:51.720 --> 01:52:53.760
But the fact of the matter is

01:52:53.760 --> 01:52:56.120
What are we going to do

01:52:56.120 --> 01:53:04.260
as not only the administrative part of it, but the governing legislative part of it.

01:53:04.260 --> 01:53:26.100
If you don't understand what I'm talking about, we got our whole situation upside down right now, and take my word for it, it's probably been like this for decades, and because of the fact that it's been like this for decades, people get complacent, that includes counsel, gets complacent to not do the

01:53:26.100 --> 01:53:50.260
duties of the people of the city. I think we should take an observation of this whole council, retune it, refine it, and come up with other resolutions for the council, not for the citizens of the city of Freeport, but for council, government body, and the legislation of how we're legislating throughout the city of Freeport.

01:53:50.260 --> 01:53:53.600
Oh, this thing is bigger than what we can imagine

01:53:53.600 --> 01:53:59.940
And the little work that we're doing here in this city is little, very little

01:53:59.940 --> 01:54:01.920
That's the reason why we're having people complaining

01:54:01.920 --> 01:54:07.800
So, if someone wants to take the initiative

01:54:07.800 --> 01:54:11.060
It doesn't matter which council member

01:54:11.060 --> 01:54:13.300
It can be just one person

01:54:13.300 --> 01:54:16.760
One council member could take up the initiative

01:54:16.760 --> 01:54:20.240
And have changes to be provoked

01:54:20.260 --> 01:54:37.020
through the council so things can change. This council board does not want to change. They just keep repeating the same thing, but there's no changes being made. I can't see anything being changed since I've been here for three years.

01:54:37.020 --> 01:55:03.600
And the only thing I can see is only things that happen is that we follow a format of agendas that the people have not placed on the agenda, nor have the council put this stuff together to even discuss these matters of ordinances and how we get to the point of ordinances and how we get to the point of spending the amount of dollars that the city spend.

01:55:03.600 --> 01:55:33.580
we're not we're not focused on that kind of stuff. And so I appeal to all of my colleagues that we have to reconstruct and deconstruct this council so we can do better. That's my so just a little piece of about what was spoken tonight about township. It's a part of their job description. And despite what was said, despite what was said, SNAP benefits have all been reinstated.

01:55:33.600 --> 01:56:03.580
stated, so thank you for all of your kind words. That's why I said I was going to read it last week, and I did it, and then snapped what's not reading it. Alderman Sellers? I don't have anything. And it's our job, too. Please stop disrupting. It's our job. Alderman Clem? Yes. I'd just like to remind the citizens of the First Ward, we have a neighborhood watch next week, Tuesday. We'll be there at Schwartz Chapel.

01:56:03.600 --> 01:56:12.800
If you have any questions or anything that you want to talk about, please email them to me or give me a call. Thank you very much.

01:56:13.060 --> 01:56:13.920
Ormond Johnson.

01:56:15.280 --> 01:56:22.860
Yes, second ward has neighborhood watch on Thursday at 630. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you.

01:56:23.660 --> 01:56:24.520
Alderman Simmons.

01:56:26.860 --> 01:56:27.660
Alderman Parker.

01:56:28.040 --> 01:56:32.820
Just go along. We have a neighborhood watch next Monday night on Laurel Street at 6 o'clock.

01:56:32.820 --> 01:56:36.780
That leaves us with public comment. Is there any public comments this evening? Tommy?

01:56:44.310 --> 01:56:58.070
Mayor Miller, St. Benson's CLF program and SLA is closing down, and we're moving this tomorrow and stuff.

01:56:59.980 --> 01:57:00.420
Okay.

01:57:00.980 --> 01:57:09.260
And we want to tell you, you do a good job doing the mayor in Freeport, and we proud of you, and we proud of Stacy, everybody,

01:57:09.260 --> 01:57:39.240
because he's doing a good job working the city of Freeport. Thank you, Tommy. Thank you, Tommy. And, and Don Parker went, so we'll be moving Tuesday, so. That's what you were saying, yeah. Yeah. It's not fun to move. Is there any other public comments? I'll entertain a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. Motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.

01:57:39.260 --> 01:57:39.800
Have a good evening.