WEBVTT

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Good evening. Pastor Vandenberg, could you please give the invocation?

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Father, we come to you humbly, and we're asking that you would bring this community together underneath the banner of your love. Father, we're thankful for every member of this council and this committee and this city that serves. In the midst of difficulty, God, we ask that there would be peace that surpasses understanding, even as decisions are made.

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We ask for wisdom from the Holy Spirit in everything that would be take place tonight and that would encounter on the benefit of the citizens of this city. God, we speak blessing just on this city. Even in disagreements, God, we pray that there would be love that would abound. Help this city to overcome its difficulties and challenges. God, bring unity out of division.

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we need your help, God, and we ask you just to move upon each one of these members, department heads, and citizens that care about what happens in this city. We love you in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, when you're ready, could you please take the roll?

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Did anyone else need an agenda?

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We can write an out.

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Okay.

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For roll call, Mayor Miller.

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Here.

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Alder Persons-Klemm.

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Here.

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Johnson.

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Here.

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Simmons.

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Here.

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Parker is absent.

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Stacy.

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Here.

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Shadle.

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Here.

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Sanders is absent.

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Sellers.

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Here.

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

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I pledge allegiance.

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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. However, I have three changes. Item number eight is going to be moved to the June 15th agenda.

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agenda, and then following the item number two, the approval of the minutes, we have a 30-year service anniversary recognition of Chief Cordy, and then we also have an honorary resolution, which we will treat like a proclamation for Pastor Threadgill. So with that, if you could please give a motion to adopt, or I'm sorry, to approve the agenda. Second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Alderman Stacy?

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I'm asking that agenda item number nine be removed from the agenda indefinite.

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I believe Attorney Zeta would have a response on that.

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So ultimately, if you want to make a motion to table an item indefinitely, that would require a motion and a second to do that in the alternative, because this is an item that was brought forth by two older people, they would have the ability to remove the item, because they're the ones who asked that it be placed on, otherwise it would take a motion and a second and a vote then on a motion to table indefinitely.

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All right, well then I make a motion.

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would that be appropriate to do in that item or before on the agenda it would be more appropriate to do that during the the agenda item okay any other discussion on the agenda

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all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed that motion passes item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on May 18th 2026 is there a motion to approve so moved

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Second A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Clem. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Next is the 30-year service anniversary. Manager Boyer. Chief Tom Cordy has given nearly three decades of service to the city of Freeport Fire Department and a larger emergency response for the overall community.

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He's, his career with the department started on in June 3rd, 1996, serving as a firefighter and engineer before advancing to lieutenant in 2017, district chief in 2020, and interim deputy chief in 2025, and now fire chief in 2026.

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Chief Cordy's career reflects the kind of steady service that communities depend on without seeing the full measure of the work behind it.

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He has helped maintain the city's fire station and grounds, supported radio communication systems, strengthened reporting programs, and contributed to the daily readiness of the department.

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His service has also reached well beyond Freeport. Chief Cordy has been deeply involved with the mutual aid box alarm system known as Mabus, including Mabus Division 17 and the State Executive Board.

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Through Mavis, he deployed to the Gulf Coast in 2008 for Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike relief efforts where he received a humanitarian award.

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He also responded to the Galena BNSF crude oil train derailment of 2015.

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And Chief Corey has significant technical rescue experience.

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He served for many years as the Freeport Fire Department's technical rescue coordinator.

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and also has been a member of the technical rescue team since 1999. That's a couple days ago. He has also served with the Illinois Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, number one, including logistics, assignments, and deployments for flooding events in Illinois and Hurricane Ida in Louisiana.

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Chief Cordy has contributed to regional preparedness through the Stevenson County Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Stevenson County Unified Command Committee, the Countrywide Disaster Drill Committee, and he also served as an instructor and trained firefighters in technical rescue and wildland firefighting. In 2018, Chief Cordy was recognized as Freeport's Firefighter of the Year and his career is a strong example of public service preparation and partnership and I would

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I'd like everyone to recognize Chief Cordy at this time for his 30 years of service.

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And then next is the honorary resolution for Pastor Threadgill, the manager, Boyer.

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Thank you, Your Honor. Reverend Charles D. Threadgill, Jr. has had a meaningful and lasting impact on the Freeport community through more than 25 years of pastoral leadership at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church.

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A Freeport High School graduate, Reverend Threadgill returned to serve the community that helped shape him, bringing with him a deep commitment to faith, education, service, and spiritual leadership.

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Since being called to preach in 1994 and installed as pastor at Mount Carmel in 2001, he has served as a dynamic preacher, teacher, mentor, and community leader.

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His influence extends beyond the walls of the church through his service as past president of the Freeport Ministers Fellowship Alliance, first vice moderator of the Rockford and Vicinity Baptist District Association, the director of evangelism of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois.

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He has also participated in missionary work, including service in Haiti, reflecting his heart for ministry, both locally and beyond.

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Reverend Threadgill's life and work have strengthened families, encouraged faith, supported community

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service, and provided steady spiritual leadership for Freeport, his legacy of one of servant leadership

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and dedicated to God's people. I would like to read the honorary resolution, whereas Charles D. Threadgill,

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Jr. is celebrating his 25th pastoral anniversary in 2026 and whereas Reverend Thredgill is a 1982 graduate of Freeport High School before attending Rock Valley Junior College and the University of Dubuque and whereas Reverend Thredgill was called to preach in 1994 and delivered his first sermon in May of 1994 and whereas in June 2001 he was called and accepted to call to pastor the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist

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Church of Freeport, and whereas he is the past president of the Freeport Minister's Fellowship Alliance and is involved in various community services in Freeport, and now therefore be it resolved by the city council and the mayor of the city of Freeport, Illinois, that we recognize and commend Reverend Threadgill for his 25 years of dedication to the people of Freeport and bringing to joy and peace to their lives, and resolved by the mayor and city council this day.

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City Council this day of June 2026. Thank you. And then next we have public comment. Joe, I apologize. I can't read your last name. If you would like to go to the podium, you have three minutes. I'm up here to talk about this resolution against CC Stacy. Can I ask a question? No, there's no interaction. Okay. You get to speak. Well, I know for a fact.

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I don't know who did this report, but I know whoever did it, they were not at that meeting, so I cannot believe you would do a resolution like this if that person never attended the meeting, because I was at the meeting, we had our normal talks, and about three quarters way through the meeting, we talked about the lighting in bad areas of town where a lot of crime is, and we all discussed it for quite a few minutes, and she said,

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said that she would like to see a piece of paper that she thought Rob Boyer had that pertained to that, said she could never get a chance to see it.

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So I don't know what the problem is with that or what goes on with that, but she never, ever berated any of the police officers.

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She never did anything against any council member or anything during the meeting.

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so I don't know where they came up with these comments about say she should be ready to police offers or anything because if they really want to find out what went on in that meeting then this resolution should be held over until somebody can come and talk to us at the next meeting and get everybody's comments about actually what went on at that meeting. So that's what I want to say I think to make it fair I think it should be held over so everybody can actually find out what actually went on at that meeting.

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because it's not what is in this resolution as far as I'm concerned.

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Thank you.

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And then the second one, if you could please, the audience really needs to be quiet when there's a meeting going on.

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Thank you.

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The clerk, you have one to be read.

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Alderman Parker was unable to attend tonight, so he wanted this read on record regarding agenda item number nine.

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I think berating and disrespecting someone in law enforcement in general is unacceptable.

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Putting up with how the public sometimes treats an officer is one thing, but coming from an elected

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official should never happen. Even though I am not here to vote tonight, I am in support of this

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resolution. Don Parker, Alderman Ward 4. And next would be Jeanne Elmasi. Hello, everyone. Thank you

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for all you do. And thank you for that beautiful prayer. That was outstanding. We all want to get

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along, and thank you. The other day the EMTs called. Our son was hit by a car and backed over out by higher

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grounds, and they called a year later to see how he was. That's our community at the heart. Well, I'm here to

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represent CC, and I have to say that berate is a huge word. I was there, and it was just a discussion, but

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our policeman was just a tad late getting there, and by that time we had new people there where we've had

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hardly anybody there, and we had a whole table full of people, and the fire was started before anybody walked in the door, and I think it was his first time, and he's just the nicest guy, I hope he doesn't not want to come back, because I don't know how this got so, to me it's out of proportion, but it was a feisty, everybody was wound up about alleys and lighting and stuff like that, but, and cars in the backyard that were

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were abandoned. So they really were speaking their pieces and I feel bad that this happened and I hope that we can resolve this. But Cece, I know sometimes she gets passionate but I didn't see anything inappropriate. Thank you. Thank you. Akia Sanders. How you doing? I'm Akia Sanders. I just want to be clear. I'm trying to understand why is this being brought to the council floor where this is supposed to be city business?

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she's you you forget that she still has freedom of speech, whatever went on, I don't know. Y'all confusing that with, I guess, being bullied or something like that. She's one thing is consistent about this panel that there is no working together. There's always bullying and there's always some type of segregated issue. Joy Sellers, the first time you got an opportunity to stand by your sister in God's eyes, you showed that you just again, it's still like the beginning, doing

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what you do best is not help your people. Cecelia is the only one that has got an opportunity to get the

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lighting in the areas that needed it. She fought hard against everybody up here. Everybody up here,

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she argues. I ain't seen no alderman besides Cecelia and Rachel bringing real issues to this panel. And I

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just don't get why the first thing y'all want to do is try to talk about what you're talking about at a

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Neighborhood Watch meeting where that's really, to me, I ain't never been to one, but it's a lot of y'all

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hobbies. Anybody go out, did Clem go out in the dark areas with his crew and go try to pick up some

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trash, go try to do anything for any community? Y'all do a lot of talking around here. Cecelia do a lot of

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action. It's really appalling that a group of adults can't work together in a community where we need so,

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so much help, so much help, the only community where a lot of us is segregated from even the closest thing, Lena, they work way better than Freeport, you gotta show y'all natural up in here, and don't have no respect for the jobs that Cecelia do do, the first thing y'all wanna try to do is dissect her words, find something to do, productively and respectfully, and I'm gonna pray for the ones that don't, you know, do that as well,

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And last is Josh Atkinson.

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Good evening, gang. Josh Atkinson. I wasn't at the meeting, but I read Joy Sellers and Tom Clemm's piece about it. And the one thing that really stuck out to me when I was reading that was they're accusing her of eroding public trust in this government. You guys all need to hold up a mirror to your faces.

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Every person that I'm looking at right now has done something along the time that they've been here to erode public trust, whether that be when Tom Clemm put his hands on Alderman James Monroe last year, when Greg Shadle consistently and always perfect timing wants to, anytime somebody wants to talk about something that's real, he pushes it, tables it forever, tables it indefinitely. Everybody has done something.

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Cecelia, I know her. I love her. We don't get along very well right now, but she cares. She cares so much for this community, for not just her ward, but all of Freeport. You guys could have had a conversation. You weren't there. You weren't there. As far as I know, if I'm wrong, please correct me.

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But somebody needed to have a conversation with her about whatever happened and get the real story before you just do stuff like this. It's appalling. You guys need to talk about everything else that you guys have done. Are you going to hold yourselves accountable to any of this stuff? No. So don't, quit being bullies. You get whatever you want anyway. You have the votes to do whatever you guys want. Let it go. You don't have to keep beating dogs when they're down.

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but yet you continue. Do something better for the city. That concludes public comment and you can wait

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until after the meeting's done for the last. I'm sorry you didn't sign in. It's already done

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because it was already done. And I'm telling you what the what the rules are. You didn't get signed in.

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the meeting was already started. You are more than welcome to wait until the end. Please refrain or I'm

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going to have you removed. Please stop talking or here's your warning. You are out of order. You are

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out of order. You are out of order. Please wait until the end. You are more than welcome to say what you

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I'm going to wait. And when I get done, you are welcome to. But again, I'd like to know when the rules change. Sergeant at Arms, would you please help me with this? Ma'am, if I was just for you, you were given a first warning. Am I correct, Erin? You are out of order. Is this your second warning? I haven't had a warning and I have seen you in every meeting. Let people come and talk. Why is it different today? Whose name is not on the paper.

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We're going to move on. She is more than welcome to speak what she wants to.

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welcome to speak what she wants to at the end of the meeting. I'm not prohibiting her. I'm following the

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rules. And you are out of order. If you continue to talk, you are out of order. We'll move on to the

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consent agenda. The consent agenda will be considered to be routine in nature unless someone would like to

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have something removed for further discussion. Seeing not, the consent agenda is approval to receive

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and place on file the minutes from the board and commission meetings from the board of police and

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Fire, Commissioners, April 28th, 2026, the Greater Freeport Partnerships Report of May 2026,

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Proclamation for the Motorcycle Awareness Month of May 2026, the Finance Bills in the total of $1,850,002.27

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and the Payroll for Pay Period ending May 16th, 2026 in the total of $727,510.41. Is there a motion to

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approve. So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sellers. Aye. And Clemm. Aye. The motion passes six to zero. Item number five is appointments for FOIA officers. Could you please read that? Pursuant to the Illinois freedom of

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Information Act. The following individuals have been designated as Freedom of Information Officers of the

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City. For City Hall, myself, Dovie Anderson, Clerk, Jabria Pearson, Deputy City Clerk, Audrey Stiegler, FOIA Clerk slash

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Deputy City Clerk. For the Police Department, Kurt Schnorr, Lieutenant, and Justine Day, FOIA Officer.

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Fire Department, Denise Scudder, Administrative Assistant, and Hillary Brocious, Deputy Fire Chief.

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Library, Emily Schaub, Director, Kaya Eckert, Administrative Assistant.

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Thank you.

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Is there a motion to approve?

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So moved.

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Second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

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Discussion on the appointments.

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Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

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Johnson.

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Aye.

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Simmons.

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Aye.

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Stacey.

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Aye.

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Shadle.

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Aye.

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Sellers.

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Aye.

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And Clem.

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Aye.

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The motion passes 6-0

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Item number 6 is a second reading of Ordinance 20-26-30. Could you please read this?

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Ordinance amending Title 10, Employment Provisions, Chapter 290, Compensation and Benefits, Section 290-01-D3, Regarding Classification Plan to Change Title of City Accountant to Finance Specialist

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Thank you. Director Richter?

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Thank you, Your Honor. This is the second reading of this ordinance, and the Finance Department is requesting a change simply in the title of a position from city accountant to finance specialist. I'm not adding positions or changing anything else. I just would like to change the actual title. I'm afraid there's maybe a little confusion as to what the actual job duties are with the title of city accountant.

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I would like to change it to finance specialist. Thank you. Discussion on the ordinance? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Clemm? Aye. The ordinance passes 6-0. And item number 7 is the second reading of Ordinance 2026-33. Could you please read this?

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ordinance adding a chapter 1480 to the codified ordinances of the city of Freeport concerning outdoor lighting regulations.

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Thank you. Director Heimerdinger.

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Thank you, Madam Mayor. Good evening. This is the Senate reading. The first reading was on the Senate Council meeting in May. The Community and Economic Development Department was directed by Planning Commission to draft an ordinance that you guys will be voting on tonight for

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outdoor lighting regulations. After discussing the lack of lighting ordinances, the Chapter 1480 establishes new outdoor lighting regulations for the City of Fleetport to reduce nuisance lighting to improve public safety, minimize light pollution, and create consistent standards for outdoor lighting installation throughout the community. As stated in our first reading,

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this does not impact residential or four units or below so those are completely exempt from it it's mostly for commercial structures and overlight lighting that is abutting a residential district we have in a commercial district and it's feeding light into people's homes or other businesses that otherwise would prefer that it wasn't in order to kind of

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you know maintain some lighting respect to neighboring properties and then it also has some provisions on billboards and lighting signages and signs so that we don't have flashing lights that could distract vehicular travel within the city. Thank you. Discussion on this ordinance? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? Aye.

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Simmons, aye, Stacy, aye, Shadle, aye, Sellers, aye, and Clemm, aye, the ordinance passes six to zero. And item number nine is the adoption of resolution 202681. Could you please read this? Resolution of the city of Freeport imposing censure on council member. Thank you. Aldermans Clemm and Sellers. It was brought to our attention after a

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neighborhood watch meeting a couple weeks ago. It was held in the Fifth Ward that Officer Miguel Diller was there and received quite a bit of criticism or criticism or not being respected as he should as a police officer and things didn't go very well and we're here to discuss that tonight.

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I was not there. You're correct. I was not there. But the officer at the first neighborhood watch meeting that he attended happened to me at Bine at Schwartz Chapel. People absolutely loved him, did a great job answering all the questions that anybody answered, so on and so forth.

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in fact we talked about other things that had gone on in his time and the force and his background and his history in the city of Freeport and I even wrote a note the next day to the mayor, the city manager and the chief on what a great job he did and that he was a real gentleman and it just really surprised me that if this has happened it obviously shouldn't have happened

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and we should take a look at what should be done, what could be done, what things are on the board to do.

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And I think that I also talked with Officer Miguel and he talked about, because he was at a neighborhood watch that I was at, and he also, before, he didn't know that I knew any of the things, and he presented to our neighborhood watch, I did for Ms. Johnson,

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and he did talk about a little bit of the things that he said hurt his feelings at the neighborhood watch meeting but I don't think we're having a problem with asking the questions. I think the questions that were asked to him that caused him hurt was questions that should have come from the community development department and the nuisance people.

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but I do what I would like to know what our chief had and what the report that she got from the officer and I would like to hear her part of because there's always three sides to every story and I would like to hear what she had heard also. Chief Foster would you like to add something? Yes. Good evening mayor city council members and members of our community. I stand before you to

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tonight, not only as your chief of police, but as a leader of an organization comprised of dedicated public servants who place themselves in harm's way every day to protect this community. Leadership is not simply a title or an elected position. Leadership is the ability to influence others through integrity, accountability, professionalism, and a commitment to truth. Likewise,

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Diplomacy is a practice of addressing disagreements respectfully.

00:29:54.930 --> 00:30:22.580
agreements respectfully, constructively, and with a focus on solutions rather than division. Both leadership and diplomacy requires restraint, responsibility, and recognition that our words carry weight. Recently, at the Fifth Ward Neighborhood Watch meeting, the present alderwoman chose to publicly, as you may say, be feisty. Others may say berate. Others may say being unprofessional.

00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:52.560
to a police officer and I will answer the questions as to what was said. She made false accusations against the department that are not supported by facts such as showing a picture of recovered guns from a search warrant with no arrests, demand reason as to why the Freeport Police Department does not cut the grass and pick up trash at certain locations because it is our responsibility.

00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:59.880
She demanded to know the information of individuals who are part of all domestic violence incidents

00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:05.700
to know the information of these individuals for unknown reasons in Freeport

00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:12.160
She stated that the police department has not done enough with suicides

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:19.540
and demanded that we should place bars or bolts on the windows of buildings such as the Lincoln Tower

00:31:19.540 --> 00:31:44.740
An alderman's decision to publicly berate or become feisty or become unprofessional or raise your voice is a decision that is unknown over matters unrelated to law enforcement, which undermines the professionalism and mutual respect necessary between elected officials and public safety personnel.

00:31:44.740 --> 00:32:06.440
Public criticism of an officer, especially in a setting where the issues fall outside of the officer's responsibilities, outside of the Freeport Police Department, can create unnecessary tension, damage morale, and erode public confidence in both leadership and government operations.

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:21.040
Constructive concerns should be addressed through the appropriate channels with professionalism and factual understanding rather than through public confrontation that serves little purpose beyond the embarrassment of the division.

00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:35.320
Public criticism of the police department and an officer without complete information undermines not only that individual officer but the men and women who serve the city with honor.

00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:47.920
Officers deserve accountability when warranted, but they also deserve fairness, due process, and the support of community leaders who understand the tremendous responsibility carried by those who wear the badge.

00:32:49.360 --> 00:33:02.200
Public humiliation is not leadership. It is not diplomacy. It serves only to erode trust and damage morale.

00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:09.860
Equally concerning a public statement suggesting that this police department is responsible for suicides within our community

00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:18.640
Suicide is a tragic and complex issue that affects families, friends, schools, workplace, and entire communities

00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:28.240
To assign blame without evidence is not only public irresponsibility, but it also diminishes the very mental health challenges faced by those involved

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:38.920
If I had a magic wand to help out those as to why they commit suicide, I will make sure that everyone in this nation and the world would know what the magic wand is.

00:33:39.860 --> 00:33:50.720
Our officers routinely respond to these heartbreaking incidents, grieving families, and work alongside mental health professionals and community partners in an effort to prevent future tragedies.

00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:59.620
and let us not forget the dispatchers who had to hear the heartbreaking voices of children and adults when faced with this.

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:08.660
To weaponize such laws for political purposes does such a disservice to those who have suffered and to those who work tirelessly to help.

00:34:09.700 --> 00:34:18.260
The Freeport Police Department's responsibility is not in building infrastructure or to add hardware to windows such as bolts or bars.

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:44.640
We are not in the job of construction. We are not. There have also been accusation that our officers are failing to make arrest or refusing to enforce the law. The reality is that law enforcement decisions are guided by facts, evidence, constitutional protections, state law, and prosecutorial standards, not by public pressure or political demands.

00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:52.460
Every arrest must be lawful, supported by probable cause, and capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny

00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:58.300
Our officers are sworn to upheld the law impartially, not selectively

00:34:58.300 --> 00:35:04.460
Suggesting otherwise without evidence, such as the recovery of weapons with no arrest

00:35:04.460 --> 00:35:11.500
Unfairly damages the reputation of the department and the professional men and women who serve this community every day

00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:43.160
I don't know what picture was passed around from the alderman's phone because I did not give that picture to her my officers did not give that picture to her and I'm telling you the community I don't know where she got this picture of guns and to make a statement that no arrest was done we did not send that to her currently as of January 1st through May 31st we've had a

00:35:43.160 --> 00:36:12.600
86 warrant arrests and 57 firearms recovered. Furthermore, the other one's demands for information regarding domestic incidents cannot be legally disclosed. Domestic violence investigations often involve protected information, victims' rights, juvenile information, medical information, and ongoing criminal investigation.

00:36:12.600 --> 00:36:24.720
State Law 750 ILCS 61-5 and Privacy Protection exist for a reason to protect victims and preserve the integrity of investigation.

00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:32.240
No elected official, regardless of position, is entitled to information that the law prohibits us from releasing.

00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:38.560
I don't know why the alderman would want that information as it endangers the community members.

00:36:38.560 --> 00:36:44.220
and I know those that actually call when they're on a domestic violence call that they would want that

00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:49.940
information to be given out. We need to protect those people in that type of incident.

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:57.500
My oath as chief of police requires me to follow the law not political pressure. The citizens of this

00:36:57.500 --> 00:37:02.820
community deserve factual information, thoughtful discussion and leaders who seek solutions rather

00:37:02.820 --> 00:37:07.800
than conflict. They deserve public officials who understand that the words can either strengthen

00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:15.780
confidence in local government, reasonable people. People may disagree with policy. Reasonable people

00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:22.820
might set different priorities or strategy and have a healthy debate. However, accusations of unsupported

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:29.660
facts, attacks on public servants, and the spread of misinformation are harmful to the very community

00:37:29.660 --> 00:37:37.320
we will serve. As chief of police, I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and professionalism

00:37:37.320 --> 00:38:07.300
I will continue meaningful dialogue and to answer the question I did call Alderman Stacy that night with a witness in my office she started screaming I did not know what was happening and I was in fear for her life I asked her if she needed help I thought she was in a car accident I asked if she needed 911 and the next thing she decided to say was I don't want to talk to you and the phone was disconnected as I was concerned for your safety

00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:34.460
I asked if you needed help. I do know that within my years there's always good to have a witness in an office when I speak to others and I speak to people. I will continue to defend the integrity of this department and the officers who serve with honor when they are subjected to unfair attacks. Leadership requires courage. Diplomacy requires respect. Our community deserves both and the truth. Thank you.

00:38:34.460 --> 00:39:03.860
Thank you, Chief, and just for the record, Alderman Simmons asked if there was a time limit, and on presentations, there is not. So with that, is there a motion to adopt Resolution 202681? So moved. Second. With a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion, Alderman Stacy. I make a motion that this number nine agenda item be removed from the agenda indefinitely. I'll second it.

00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:15.280
Okay, so before you counsel, is a motion to remove indefinitely made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Simmons? Discussion on the removal? Alderman Simmons?

00:39:16.120 --> 00:39:31.480
So the reason I agree with this, and if Alderperson Stacy hadn't said it, I would have made the motion is because we don't know what happened. We're all going for hearsay, and none of us were there, except for the audience members who spoke and said, this is not what happened.

00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:54.060
we have the chief's words which I agree with you completely when it comes to the traits and characteristics of leadership you should be you should do things based on facts none of us have that because none of us were at the meeting and if you spoke to all the person Stacy maybe you might have her side of the story as all the person seller said you have three side

00:39:54.060 --> 00:39:58.200
as Alderperson Sellers said, you have three sides, but did you get her side? Then you spoke about evidence.

00:39:58.320 --> 00:40:04.920
We have none except for what you say happens, which again was refuted by two different people in the

00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:13.340
audience. Respect. Respect would have been to ask her or let her know, hey, when you talk to somebody and

00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:17.320
you're recording them, same as if you have somebody listening in, you give them the respect to let them

00:40:17.320 --> 00:40:23.440
know. Hey, just for my safety, I have someone else here listening to this conversation. But to then get up

00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:29.940
there and try to insinuate that she was having some type of mental issues because she did not talk to you

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:35.320
the way that you expected her to is totally disrespectful and out of line. But we are not

00:40:35.320 --> 00:40:44.040
here censoring you. And we just all witnessed that on public record. And it's, again, this censure as

00:40:44.040 --> 00:40:52.500
as council members and as leaders in this community, we need to be very clear on what we are voting for.

00:40:53.160 --> 00:40:58.760
We don't have a real clear explanation of what happened. None of us have spoken with that officer.

00:40:59.840 --> 00:41:06.200
I'm glad you had a great experience, older person, Clemm, but that has nothing to do with what happened at that meeting.

00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:13.480
And for you to censor her because you had a great experience, again, does not back up what we're trying to do here.

00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:35.040
Now, if she acted out of order as an alder person, and we have proof of that, and we've spoken to her about it, then okay, we censor an alder person who does that, but we have not, and thank you so much, Josh, for giving all of those examples. We also had another example of the mayor today acting out and going back and forth with a member of the audience. However, that is okay.

00:41:35.040 --> 00:42:05.020
but if Cecelia asks questions about policing at a neighborhood watch meeting that is not okay let's censure her that like none of that makes sense and the resolution contains a whole lot of conclusions and no facts so please take that in mind as you vote as a council you may not like all the person Stacy and that's fine but when we take moves like this it affects all of us and it sets the precedent so that none of us can ask questions

00:42:05.020 --> 00:42:12.280
of the officers without being met with censor and the chief questioning our mental stability in front of the town.

00:42:12.640 --> 00:42:13.760
So thank you for your time.

00:42:14.360 --> 00:42:18.960
Is there any other comments concerning the removal? Alderman Johnson?

00:42:20.240 --> 00:42:33.120
I was not at the meeting. That's true. I do know that Alderman Stacy does get feisty at times and disrespectful at times

00:42:33.120 --> 00:43:00.580
to people on the council, the mayor, other people. If that did occur, that was wrong to do that. Would you agree, Cecelia? That would be wrong. I mean, to get disrespectful to someone or point to them and say, you should take care of this. And why aren't you giving this? And why aren't you giving us this information? I mean, there are things, that information that none of us are privy to in police cases because it would endanger people.

00:43:00.580 --> 00:43:08.600
to if you I do believe that you want the best for your ward and you try to do the best for the people in your ward.

00:43:08.600 --> 00:43:18.560
I do believe that. But sometimes with the accusations that come across and anger and we're not out to get you, we're not out to destroy you or anything.

00:43:18.560 --> 00:43:27.960
We just want peace and want things to be done, respectful with everyone. So with that said, take that in consideration.

00:43:27.960 --> 00:43:35.140
Okay, so does this have to do with the removal portion? Because that's what's on the floor. If it's removal, yes?

00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:40.180
Well, it was just maybe commenting after what Linda kind of said.

00:43:41.400 --> 00:43:45.120
I think we can give some latitude on this.

00:43:45.120 --> 00:43:45.820
Okay, go ahead.

00:43:45.820 --> 00:43:58.840
No, I just wanted to say that, you know, it's not about who likes and who don't like. It's about what's right. And I do know that Alderman Stacy does get feisty.

00:43:58.840 --> 00:44:17.060
but I also wanted to know everybody to understand what happened. That's why I wanted it to be brought to the council and on the floor so people can hear the story. No, I wasn't there but I do know everybody knows how Cecelia can get when she wants her wife.

00:44:17.060 --> 00:44:18.440
That's all to Ms. Stacy to you.

00:44:18.440 --> 00:44:47.960
Well, well, whatever. Anyway, but, and it wasn't about, let me talk because you talked. Okay, so let me talk. So the other thing was, it wasn't question, be quiet, please. You don't have the floor. Yes. Yes. This is your warning. You don't have the floor. Right. Yes. But that's what I'm saying. It wasn't about you asking police questions. It was about you asking questions that he had no knowledge about.

00:44:47.960 --> 00:45:13.860
And that's what was disrespectful to him and hammering him down on questions that after being here three and a half years, you should know that it comes from the community development department and the nuisance department. Those grass being done, cars being removed, all those things, that's community development. It's not going against you. It's going against what we should know when we come to this table.

00:45:13.860 --> 00:45:29.300
And when you go to your neighborhood watch meetings, knowing your information when you get there and not asking the officer the information, you already know the information. And that's what I'm saying. So that's what my reason for all of this.

00:45:29.540 --> 00:45:30.300
Ormond Stacy?

00:45:30.900 --> 00:45:34.620
Oh, I finally get to speak. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

00:45:34.660 --> 00:45:36.720
Yes, it's in the correct order. You had your hand up.

00:45:36.720 --> 00:45:38.840
No, it wasn't. But anywho.

00:45:38.860 --> 00:45:39.240
Would you like to say something?

00:45:39.620 --> 00:45:42.600
Yes, I would like to say something and I'm going to say something.

00:45:42.600 --> 00:45:43.560
You're welcome to

00:45:43.560 --> 00:45:46.520
Um, this is a blatant lie

00:45:46.520 --> 00:45:50.480
All these allegations are allegations

00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:59.120
For the record, Fifth Ward Neighborhood Watch on May 19th had a great meeting

00:45:59.120 --> 00:46:03.480
The officer was welcomed with open arms

00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:09.140
We had a very good meeting

00:46:09.140 --> 00:46:10.700
And we communicated

00:46:10.700 --> 00:46:44.840
and we got to know him as he got to know us so all this nonsense about me belittling or begrating or talking about bars on windows and suicide that never even happened but you can believe what you want to believe because you're believing a bunch of people that weren't even at the meeting and I received not one

00:46:44.860 --> 00:46:58.240
but two calls. And when I returned a phone call, I was disrespected. I was mistreated. And as I was told

00:46:58.240 --> 00:47:10.600
on my answering machine, have a good night. All this crap about do you need 911 and all this and that

00:47:10.600 --> 00:47:24.620
did not happen. I said, I tell you what, you have a good night. And I hung up because I will not be harassed and belittled

00:47:24.620 --> 00:47:38.720
by anyone accusing me of something that I did not say nor do. And you know how I can be.

00:47:38.720 --> 00:48:18.820
What does that mean? Passionate for my ward? Caring for the people? Want to get things done? Want to see things happen that ain't happened in 15, 16 years? You will not label me. None of you will label me as that black angry woman.

00:48:18.820 --> 00:49:00.670
I'm not your black angry woman I am a person that was elected by my peers that took on a position and have a job to do and I'm going to do my job like it or not and if you want to take this further trust and believe we can and we will thank you

00:49:00.690 --> 00:49:19.000
If there's no further discussion on the motion of removal, yeah, the motion is removing the item for indefinite, postponing indefinitely. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on postponement indefinitely?

00:49:19.820 --> 00:49:20.460
One second.

00:49:24.230 --> 00:49:24.670
Johnson.

00:49:26.510 --> 00:49:26.990
No.

00:49:27.790 --> 00:49:28.270
Simmons.

00:49:28.870 --> 00:49:29.170
Aye.

00:49:30.170 --> 00:49:30.610
Stacy.

00:49:31.190 --> 00:49:31.610
Aye.

00:49:32.130 --> 00:49:32.370
Shadle.

00:49:32.670 --> 00:49:32.910
No.

00:49:34.070 --> 00:49:34.470
Sellers.

00:49:34.750 --> 00:49:35.150
No.

00:49:36.430 --> 00:49:36.710
Clem.

00:49:36.990 --> 00:49:37.310
No.

00:49:38.870 --> 00:49:48.790
We have four. We have two in favor, four opposed. Do we need five votes? Or is that doesn't matter? That motion fails.

00:49:49.590 --> 00:49:51.890
So now before you is the

00:49:51.890 --> 00:49:54.900
So now before you is the adoption of Resolution 2026-81.

00:49:55.260 --> 00:49:59.220
That motion was made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

00:49:59.540 --> 00:50:02.000
Any further discussion concerning the resolution?

00:50:03.060 --> 00:50:03.560
Alderman Shadle.

00:50:04.280 --> 00:50:17.300
I just would like to add that there's been numerous occasions over the last three years where department heads have been passionately spoken to.

00:50:17.300 --> 00:50:42.090
that I've felt were out of line, Manager Boyer's been attacked, loud voices yelling, it seems to me to be commonplace, and in no way acceptable.

00:50:42.090 --> 00:51:15.640
different viewpoints the officer who by the simple fact that he is a sworn police officer has some credibility with what he said happened from someone that attacks people on the council floor fairly regularly I don't see that viewpoint as having

00:51:15.640 --> 00:51:46.620
that kind of credibility. Thank you. Any other discussion? Alderman Simmons? You have all shared your opinions, and I get it. Be seen and not heard. But again, none of you were at that meeting. You're going off of what you hear second and third hand. We cannot vote to, you know, censor her, and none of us saw that.

00:51:46.620 --> 00:52:13.180
And again, if you saw her on the council floor berate or disrespect a department head, that would be when you bring this censure. We've seen it. I've seen it. I don't like how you handled yourself. And we all have record of it. None of us have that right now. And if again, if we vote and accept to censure her, it is not about procedure. It is not about protocol. It is not about following the rules.

00:52:13.180 --> 00:52:40.720
It is about doing what we feel like we want to do when we want to do it, just like with the public comments. Any other time, it's okay. But because it's Wendy, she didn't sign in. She can't come speak. And it's the same thing, and I hate to say that, but I'm trying to stick to the facts that we don't have any facts to be trying to say, you know what, you're in trouble for what you did. I don't know what you did, but I know I didn't like what you did before, so now you're in trouble. Like, nothing about this is okay.

00:52:40.720 --> 00:53:17.760
Aye. No. There's no further discussion? So I can't speak. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Johnson? No. Simmons? No. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Clemm? Aye. Um, I have a, am I tied? I'm tied at three to three. Mayor, what say you? Aye. And the motion passes, uh,

00:53:17.760 --> 00:53:49.530
four to three. Actually, no, it doesn't. It does not. I stand corrected. We need five. It's a resolution, so you need five. Right. You need a majority. It fails because we did not reach a majority of five votes. Move on to item number 10, which is the adoption of resolution 202682. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the grant of a stormwater easement from the James and Joyce Peters Trust to the city. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. We're in the process of repaving Glades.

00:53:49.550 --> 00:54:18.850
Wood. There is a drainway on the property, and as this was recently accepted as a city street, we're currently working with an easement granted by the adjacent landowner, however, we need to basically make this a drainway easement, so staff recommends moving forward with the permanent easement and to be recorded for the future. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second.

00:54:19.550 --> 00:54:28.350
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:54:30.030 --> 00:54:51.220
Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Oh. And she is absent. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sellers. Aye. And Klemm. Aye. We have five to zero. The resolution is adopted.

00:54:51.220 --> 00:55:21.200
Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 202683. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with revamped fence and deck for safety fence replacement at municipal parking lot. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The city municipal lot has a deteriorating aluminum black fence. Actually, it has been removed due to its condition. During construction, the fence had multiple failures, so it needed to be removed so that it didn't present a public hazard.

00:55:21.220 --> 00:55:31.740
ReVamp. Jeff Geer from ReVamp has stepped up to help the city with this project. The estimated cost of it is

00:55:31.740 --> 00:55:44.020
$68,373 and essentially Jeff is asking for $30,000 to basically purchase the materials and the city will

00:55:44.020 --> 00:55:50.800
pay ReVamp $30,000. Staff recommends moving forward with this fence. Is there a motion to adopt?

00:55:50.800 --> 00:55:51.920
So, second.

00:55:52.460 --> 00:55:55.700
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

00:55:57.600 --> 00:55:58.440
Director Siegel.

00:55:59.260 --> 00:56:02.760
Yeah, I just want to reiterate the importance of this fence.

00:56:02.860 --> 00:56:08.540
It's a safety fence, and we're required to put fencing at any elevation that somebody could fall off of.

00:56:09.760 --> 00:56:14.160
The original fence had been many years old.

00:56:14.300 --> 00:56:17.560
They didn't duplicate, or we couldn't replicate it anymore.

00:56:17.760 --> 00:56:20.560
And as we did construction, it fell apart farther and farther.

00:56:20.800 --> 00:56:51.510
So at this point it's a safety and a liability to the city without replacing this fence. We had looked at it previously and this is a very good cost and a thankful donation from a local business to help us get it done. Any discussion on the resolution? I would just like manager Boyer to also mention that he is doing the labor for free. That's correct. He's covering the cost between the total estimated cost was like a 68,000 and he's

00:56:52.150 --> 00:57:01.560
asking for $30,000 to cover the materials. Any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:57:03.930 --> 00:57:16.070
Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sellers. Aye. And Clemm. Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-0.

00:57:16.890 --> 00:57:21.590
And item number 12 is the adoption of Resolution 2026-84. Could you please read this?

00:57:21.590 --> 00:57:31.630
Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide construction engineering and quality assurance services related to the IDOT U.S. Business 20 Galena Avenue reconstruction project

00:57:31.630 --> 00:57:32.990
Thank you. Manager Boyer

00:57:32.990 --> 00:57:49.330
Thank you, Your Honor. Obviously, when we are doing large projects, we require construction oversight inspection services. This particular resolution pertains to Galena and South Street that we're working with IDOT on right now.

00:57:49.330 --> 00:58:04.390
that's a total of $14 million of investment going on, and staff requests moving forward with this resolution for $147,000 for construction, engineering, and contract oversight through 2026 with Fehr Graham.

00:58:05.210 --> 00:58:06.190
Is there a motion to adopt?

00:58:06.210 --> 00:58:06.650
So moved.

00:58:07.330 --> 00:58:07.690
Second.

00:58:08.610 --> 00:58:12.210
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

00:58:12.630 --> 00:58:13.890
Discussion on the resolution?

00:58:16.560 --> 00:58:18.040
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

00:58:18.280 --> 00:58:18.680
Johnson.

00:58:19.100 --> 00:58:19.380
Aye.

00:58:20.000 --> 00:58:20.360
Simmons.

00:58:20.800 --> 00:58:50.640
Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Clemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-0. Reports from department heads, finance? Nothing this evening, thank you. Thank you. Community development? Nothing this evening, thank you. Public works? Let's talk about something fun like streets. Just want to give a few updates. Municipal lot construction looks

00:58:50.640 --> 00:59:10.960
that if weather holds this week, Helm will be paving probably Thursday and Friday. The southwest steps at the lot fell apart as well as the retaining wall, so we had to do a repair to the steps and the wall, and actually they weren't a repair, it was a total replacement for just under $25,000.

00:59:10.960 --> 00:59:18.580
dollars. We also have the fence that will be buying the materials and some manhole diamonds that we need to do

00:59:18.580 --> 00:59:26.640
around the storm since we plow that lot with large equipment. So that should clean that project up.

00:59:26.640 --> 00:59:34.420
We have an electrical service issue that probably will be resolved sometime towards the end of June.

00:59:34.420 --> 00:59:50.000
Dewey Street is another large project that we've undertaken and Dewey Street has extreme soil issues on that street. We are already three times over our undercut estimate for that street.

00:59:50.000 --> 00:59:53.840
undercut estimate for that street. We haven't found a piece of soil on that street that we did not have to go

00:59:53.840 --> 01:00:01.880
down at least two feet on. Just the undercut alone is projected to be about $100,000 over the bid price,

01:00:01.880 --> 01:00:07.720
but still under our budget price. We had a very good bid on that street, so I just wanted to keep

01:00:07.720 --> 01:00:13.120
everybody on the loop with that. And then the South Street improvements for the ADA ramps and storms,

01:00:13.120 --> 01:00:42.700
we've been out marking those out the last few days and Fishers is supposed to start removals on Wednesday that project should last till about July 31st and IDOT is putting an estimated start date of their project on South Street around June or excuse me August 1st might be a little bit beyond that but that's their projected date anybody that's been downtown by 17 and 19 Main Street we'll see that that building has totally those two buildings have been totally removed

01:00:42.700 --> 01:01:12.680
we're doing some retaining wall it's actually a poured in place wall down in the lower foundation to protect the neighboring building and there'll also be some structural that's done on the conjoining buildings for security of both buildings before it's back backfilled Gladewood and and the Park Street are planned to be paved Wednesday through Monday of the next week and then the following week

01:01:12.700 --> 01:01:42.680
the one leg of Cimarron from sorry the one leg of Concord from Cimarron to Laurel should be paved Tuesday or Wednesday that following week and then the following week behind that we hope to be able to pave the other section that projects going really well and outside of that have a blessed week. Fire? Nothing your honor. Police? Yes, I'm going to just address

01:01:42.680 --> 01:02:12.320
We're going to address the items that were brought up at the neighborhood watch meeting. So 725 East Empire, it was stated that there's a blue tarp, long grass. Everybody here knows that it should be brought up to community development and public works, not the police department. 1326 South Carroll, it stated that there's trash on the lawn. That's nothing to do with the police department's community development and public works. If there are multiple vehicles, we can help with that, but you need to call us.

01:02:12.320 --> 01:02:34.000
for that, but the aldermen also know to make us aware of it. We were not aware of it. 700 to 800 East Garden, there's overgrown grass, a car, and a toilet in the alley. That doesn't have to do with the police department. It has to do with the community development and public works, but as far as I'm concerned, those were never brought up to community development or public works.

01:02:34.000 --> 01:03:03.980
Streetlights on Walnut and Garfield light is out that has nothing to do with the police department that's community development and possible public works. There was an issue at 720 East Empire Center School playground of a fence that kids are jumping over the fence in regards to the playing on the playground. As far as we're concerned that we went over there, the kids have stated to my police officers that the man that closes up

01:03:03.980 --> 01:03:11.360
Locks Up Defense allows the kids to play on the playground, so therefore that's why they're on the playground.

01:03:12.340 --> 01:03:26.900
High crime, low light areas, I was never given a list. I don't know what list is they're talking about. I have no idea. I was never spoken to about a list about high light, low light crime and Pleasant and Blackhawk.

01:03:26.900 --> 01:03:51.400
There is a list that was given to about the water department that was addressed at this meeting that is public works or maybe community development, Miami and Empire bright yellow house to dog out with no leash. We have cited her plenty of times for that. And that is now not in our hands, but is now in the hands of, you know, the the building across the street.

01:03:51.400 --> 01:04:19.520
And in regards to the ComEd lines, we have nothing to do with ComEd lines, to be honest with you, the police department has nothing to do with that, older people know that who to go to, either you go to iWorks electronically in order to field all those community concerns by their ward and by their community, also, they also know if they could also send that to Rob Boyer or Community Development and Public Works.

01:04:19.520 --> 01:04:42.530
Library? Just a reminder that summer reading kicks off on Monday the 8th. There's a huge party in the parking lot for children, but summer reading is for all ages and goes until August 8th. So June 8th to August 8th. I encourage everybody here, adults and children, to read this summer and potentially win prizes.

01:04:44.870 --> 01:04:45.430
IT?

01:04:46.990 --> 01:04:47.870
City Manager?

01:04:47.870 --> 01:05:17.450
Thank you, Your Honor. At the conclusion of the Spring 2026 Illinois Legislative Session, the Illinois Municipal League reported on several issues of importance to municipalities across the state. The major themes included the protection of local control, preservation of municipal revenue, housing policy, and new or proposed mandates that could affect local government operations. Housing remained one of the most significant issues during the session in response to the governor's billed proposal.

01:05:17.450 --> 01:05:27.570
IML advanced the Real Housing Act as a municipal alternative that emphasized affordability, property tax relief, and local input and practical tools for communities.

01:05:28.190 --> 01:05:39.470
IML also continued to monitor legislation related to electric mobility devices, local revenue, administrative fees, and other issues that may directly affect municipal operations.

01:05:39.470 --> 01:05:45.270
Overall, the session reflected the ongoing importance of municipal advocacy in Springfield.

01:05:45.770 --> 01:05:55.470
Decisions are made at the state level, have a direct impact on our ability to deliver services, manage costs, and so on, and response to specific needs of our community.

01:05:55.650 --> 01:05:56.730
So that's all I have tonight.

01:05:57.510 --> 01:05:59.350
And I have nothing new to report.

01:05:59.690 --> 01:06:00.350
Alderman Johnson?

01:06:01.270 --> 01:06:02.310
Nothing tonight, Mayor.

01:06:02.750 --> 01:06:03.270
Alderman Simmons?

01:06:03.870 --> 01:06:05.050
I don't have anything, thank you.

01:06:05.630 --> 01:06:06.310
Alderman Stacy?

01:06:06.310 --> 01:06:42.810
did you want me to treat this as public comment I'm a little confused why you're standing up I just chose to come to the mic is that okay or is that a problem wondering no okay thank you Mayor Miller city manager Boyer and members of the council I rise to formally oppose resolution number two zero two six eighty one this resolution mischaracterizes the lawful exercise of my elected duties.

01:06:42.810 --> 01:07:12.790
and constituents an improper attempt to punish protected speech. I ask that this rebuttal be entered into the permanent record. On May 19th, I attended a Fifth Ward watch meeting. A core function of my, of representing my constituents under Illinois' law and all the person duty is to

01:07:12.790 --> 01:07:29.050
serve as the direct link between residents and city government. Raising constituents' concerns about public safety at a neighborhood watch meeting is not misconduct.

01:07:29.050 --> 01:07:54.310
It is the definition of this office according to 65 ILCS 5 slash 3.1 dash 40 dash 5 Illinois Municipal Code. Council members are elected to represent the interests of their constituents before the full legislative body of the municipality.

01:07:54.310 --> 01:08:13.900
advocacy on behalf of constituents about public safety is protected political speech under the U.S. Constitution and the Illinois Constitution, the highest law in the land.

01:08:13.900 --> 01:08:27.120
The Illinois Constitution provides speech protections that are in some circumstances border than even federal guarantees.

01:08:27.220 --> 01:08:55.340
According to U.S. Constitution Amendment 1, Illinois Constitution Article 1, Section 2 and 4, no person shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law. All persons may speak freely. These protections bind the counsels and apply with full force to an elected official advocating for her ward.

01:08:57.220 --> 01:09:19.760
Lane v. Frank, 2014 U.S. Supreme Court, elected official retained First Amendment rights to speak on matters related to their public roles. Constituent's advocacy is not a ministerial, it is protected speech at the heart of the First Amendment.

01:09:19.760 --> 01:09:48.030
the resolution is unconstitutionally vague this resolution chain charges me with berating an officer but cites no adopted rules no city policy and no defined standards of conduct under this vagueness doctrine government bodies cannot punish conduct

01:09:48.030 --> 01:10:04.320
punish, conduct without clear pre-existing standards. What is berating? Who defines it? The resolution provides no answer, making it arbitrary exercise of power.

01:10:04.320 --> 01:10:33.030
Graham v. the City of Rockford, 1972. U.S. Supreme Court government bodies may not punish conduct without fair notice and clear standards. Vague government actions that lack defined boundaries violates due process.

01:10:33.030 --> 01:10:40.800
Censors does not silence me or Fifth Ward.

01:10:41.480 --> 01:10:54.320
I am aware that the Supreme Court held in Wilson 2022 that a peer censor does not itself violate the First Amendment.

01:10:55.320 --> 01:10:59.440
I acknowledge that ruling, but it cuts both ways.

01:10:59.440 --> 01:11:31.300
just as the council may express its views I retain my full rights to speak back here now and at every future meeting more importantly what this resolution signals to every other person in this chamber is deeply troubling that raising uncomfortable constituent concerns may result in formal punishment

01:11:31.300 --> 01:11:44.280
That chilling effect is unethical to democratic governance and directly contrary to Illinois public policy.

01:11:44.280 --> 01:12:10.540
Illinois' Open Meeting Act, 5 ILCS 120, is the public policy of the state that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to conduct of their business.

01:12:10.540 --> 01:12:40.540
In conclusion, I did not berate anyone I attended a neighborhood watch meeting As any responsible elected representative should do I listened to my constituents who raised their concerns This resolution is factually unsupported, legally defiant

01:12:40.540 --> 01:13:16.540
and sets a dangerous precedent for suppressing elected officials who advocate vigorously for the people they serve. I have sent an email to my colleagues urging them to vote against this. I will not be silenced. The fifth ward will be heard and I look forward to taking

01:13:16.540 --> 01:13:38.820
I'm taking this further because it hit the council floor and it was a direct disrespect against me as who I am. I tried to stop it and it was ignored. So thank you.

01:13:38.820 --> 01:13:41.520
Owen Shadle?

01:13:43.810 --> 01:14:12.090
Yes, just want to pass along also as Darren pointed out the street projects are well underway and we have a new setup this year where you can get a text message for and you get messages with the progress of the individual projects and it's if you want to sign up for it it's very basic

01:14:12.090 --> 01:14:42.070
it gets in the newsletter. As the projects start, you put the name of the street that's being worked on and the word Freeport and you send it to a text at 91896. You'll be prompted to say yes and you will get text message updates as the work progresses. So you won't be caught with the roads closed and if it's not necessarily

01:14:42.070 --> 01:15:07.390
not necessarily a project in your area, but as you're traveling to work or you're going shopping, please keep up with this and you can get the text messages so that you're fully aware of road closures and where the construction is so you can avoid delays in your day and hopefully take some traffic away from the area where the gentlemen are working.

01:15:07.390 --> 01:15:25.550
Um, I also might add that every fall we get a report from the library about their summer programs and they are phenomenal. Get your kids there. Thank you.

01:15:26.110 --> 01:15:26.770
Allerman Sellers.

01:15:27.130 --> 01:15:34.070
Yes, I just want everyone to remember that this weekend is the electronic, uh, disposal out at the fairgrounds.

01:15:34.070 --> 01:15:38.290
So if you've got some electronics you've got to get rid of, take them to the fairground

01:15:38.290 --> 01:15:40.190
Honorable Clemm

01:15:40.190 --> 01:15:42.430
Nothing, Your Honor

01:15:42.430 --> 01:15:43.730
Thank you

01:15:43.730 --> 01:15:45.990
And that leaves us with public comment

01:15:45.990 --> 01:15:48.130
Ms. Pearson

01:15:48.130 --> 01:15:55.800
I'm going to start this off with a positive note

01:15:55.800 --> 01:15:59.440
Rob Boyer, I'd like to thank you for

01:15:59.440 --> 01:16:05.580
doing what I asked you to do in regards to Reverend Charles Straykill, Jr.

01:16:05.580 --> 01:16:12.760
here. I appreciate that very much, honoring of my pastor. Now, I want to make it very clear

01:16:12.760 --> 01:16:21.080
to certain people in this room who have not been here, that are new here. When we talk

01:16:21.080 --> 01:16:30.060
about morality, integrity, when we talk about bringing down the status quo of people's minds

01:16:30.060 --> 01:16:37.620
based around what is happening in our community. Some of you need to understand that the reason that these

01:16:37.620 --> 01:16:43.000
things are happening is because they've always happened in this town. They have happened to the

01:16:43.000 --> 01:16:49.800
degree that the Department of Justice has been here two times. Some of those times, majority of those

01:16:49.800 --> 01:16:56.120
times, had to do with the city and the sheriff and the police department. Now, we talked about

01:16:56.120 --> 01:17:28.180
removal of cars. I'm going to tell you something. City of Freeport is going on people's private property, pulling their cars because they don't have a tag on them. Yesterday, I got a phone call about a domestic battery situation. I went to the police department. There was one officer on duty. One. I was told that he was on break. He'd be back an hour later. An hour later, I came back. I was told he was at home. Okay? I want to take this a little bit further.

01:17:28.940 --> 01:17:38.220
When we start talking about people being disrespectful, let's start with the mayor, who rolls her eyes on a regular basis.

01:17:38.980 --> 01:17:45.500
She can be compared to the Department of Justice individual that was sitting in Washington, D.C. a couple days ago.

01:17:46.420 --> 01:17:57.020
Let's talk about Parker, who had the audacity to tell me to shut up in a city council meeting, as I spoke as a citizen and a taxpayer who owned three houses in this town.

01:17:57.020 --> 01:18:04.180
No one in the city council other than those individuals spoke when he said that

01:18:04.180 --> 01:18:13.700
When an alderman puts his hands on another alderman, nobody at the city council said a word about it

01:18:13.700 --> 01:18:21.380
Today, I was denied the ability to speak on an issue that is on public agenda

01:18:21.380 --> 01:18:52.380
This has never occurred in the history of my being in city council meetings for over 40 years. Never has that occurred. You are not allowed to speak before city council if it was not about something on the agenda item. When did the rules change in this town? Or do they change based around who you are and who you think you are? Need you to understand. No disrespect.

01:18:52.980 --> 01:19:16.280
But you need to sit down and talk. Ms. Pearson, your time has expired. Thank you. Furthermore, Ms. Pearson, this is your warning. You can put me out and I'll be back next week. But the fact of the matter is, is that everybody. You are out of order. You are out of order. Please be silent. Sergeant at Arms, she's been warned twice. Okay, I needed to remove you.

01:19:22.980 --> 01:19:32.360
I'll be back next week, y'all. Wow. With some more information. Are there any other public comments? Wow.

01:19:40.000 --> 01:19:46.000
I'm going to start off by saying y'all got to know God like I know God. I'm going to do with that. And then I'm going to say

01:19:46.000 --> 01:20:12.160
I'm going to do with that. And then I'm going to say this, like some of y'all are supposed to be Christians and I be, you do not have the spiritual authority to judge nobody from their past. All I heard was somebody say this is who she used to be. Confuse her feistiness for passion. Y'all should have the same feistiness. Y'all ain't did nothing. Half of nothing. Clarem, all you do is sit over there and keep your hair on top of your head. You ain't did nothing for nobody but say neighborhood watch at the end of this meeting.

01:20:12.160 --> 01:20:16.020
I'm really surprised that Linda, because you're a Christian

01:20:16.020 --> 01:20:20.400
for you to pass judgment on her, that was ridiculous

01:20:20.400 --> 01:20:24.160
it's bad that Joy's not here, but she said yes so hard

01:20:24.160 --> 01:20:28.380
she almost ate the mic, but I'm going to say God prevailed

01:20:28.380 --> 01:20:32.220
in every way, that was not supposed to be a mark on

01:20:32.220 --> 01:20:36.180
Miss Stacy, and y'all better hope that that police officer have what he

01:20:36.180 --> 01:20:40.320
did say on some type of recording, because what

01:20:40.320 --> 01:20:44.920
Shaw did today is walked her right in the money, and if I was her, I'd walk right in there.

01:20:45.300 --> 01:20:54.080
The only one that had a little legitimacy is the chief that was bringing what her officer had told her as her job to do.

01:20:55.720 --> 01:21:05.940
I've been here numerous occasions and going through all kinds of stuff where, honestly, the police have been called to a car, to a wire, because it's public safety.

01:21:06.300 --> 01:21:10.240
If there's a wire down in the street and the street needs to be blocked off, you've got to call the police.

01:21:10.320 --> 01:21:35.600
You gotta get somebody, cause if a car run over or the kid touch it, that's, you know, I mean, there's a couple things, and I'm sorry, welcome to the mess, there's no consistency, structure, like it's supposed to be in a town like this, there's no work together, nowhere here, this, you witnessed today, first hand, now I believe that you was legitimately trying to do your job,

01:21:35.600 --> 01:21:43.260
You witnessed a bunch of people tried to judge Miss Stacy from her past and I pray to God that you know God like I know God

01:21:43.260 --> 01:21:48.660
He seen victory in what was supposed to be today

01:21:48.660 --> 01:21:51.840
In what was supposed to be today

01:21:51.840 --> 01:21:55.460
Y'all ain't did nothing but judge her

01:21:55.460 --> 01:21:56.980
Sad

01:21:56.980 --> 01:21:58.700
Sleep well

01:21:58.700 --> 01:22:00.440
Sleep well, Miss Stacy

01:22:00.440 --> 01:22:01.420
God bless

01:22:01.420 --> 01:22:05.360
Any other public comments?

01:22:06.360 --> 01:22:06.840
Tommy?

01:22:07.260 --> 01:22:18.790
I just want to say happy birthday, Tommy

01:22:18.790 --> 01:22:32.400
Yes

01:22:32.400 --> 01:22:40.630
Hi everybody

01:22:40.630 --> 01:22:42.850
I'm Brianna Simmons

01:22:42.850 --> 01:22:48.630
Honestly, this is my first meeting I've been to and this is embarrassing guys

01:22:48.630 --> 01:22:49.450
This is a shame

01:22:49.450 --> 01:22:53.150
We have people arguing, we're calling her feisty

01:22:53.150 --> 01:22:57.130
We have to be careful with our words, especially Sellers, Simmons

01:22:57.130 --> 01:22:59.090
We all know why

01:22:59.090 --> 01:23:01.110
We should not be up here calling her feisty

01:23:01.110 --> 01:23:02.350
You should not be up here saying

01:23:02.350 --> 01:23:05.850
Fallacies in your argument, an ad hominem, by the way, if you don't know

01:23:05.850 --> 01:23:09.690
Oh, I know the police officer, so this can't be the case

01:23:09.690 --> 01:23:12.270
That's nothing to do with the argument

01:23:12.270 --> 01:23:14.910
So that was crazy from you, Thomas Klim

01:23:14.910 --> 01:23:20.890
To the people, honestly, I feel like you guys need to take this meeting and use it to open your eyes

01:23:20.890 --> 01:23:22.510
Because these people don't know what they're doing

01:23:22.510 --> 01:23:24.090
And I'm sorry to tell it to y'all

01:23:24.090 --> 01:23:25.870
But they need to get it together

01:23:25.870 --> 01:23:28.750
Okay, take some courses, learn political science

01:23:28.750 --> 01:23:58.110
you're a job, chief. You say that you are for the people, you're an amazing leader. I've never, I don't, I didn't even know you were the chief, sorry. You can't get up here and say you are a leader and then also say, well, I was on the phone with her and she was yelling and screaming and again, what does that have to do with the argument? As a leader, you should know that doesn't even have anything to do with anything. But again, people, again, open your eyes, use this as an example, the mayor, I don't know you well, but

01:23:58.750 --> 01:24:28.730
The point of order, the world in your eyes, I witnessed it today, everything, it's your demeanor as a mayor, not very welcoming. So again, I would just say this one last time, use this meeting to open your eyes, tell your peers, get more people here to see this mess of a council that we have, and use my voice today to make sure that y'all, again, go home, do some research, learn some things, learn the fallacies, so that y'all can know how to do a proper argument, instead of getting up here and saying your opinion on

01:24:28.730 --> 01:24:36.790
something that you weren't even there to see. Again, if you weren't even there, why is this a topic of discussion?

01:24:37.470 --> 01:24:55.770
Who was, can anybody raise their hand if you were at the neighborhood to watch meeting? Look around, look around, one person, but everybody pretty much except for Simmons got up here and voted that she should be silenced for something that y'all didn't hear about.

01:24:55.770 --> 01:25:27.120
Also, when did freedom of speech become, I mean, isn't that in the Constitution? Your freedom of speech, like you said, you got up here, you said freedom of speech, Constitution, you had the different laws, the different everything to back up the fact that you shouldn't be silenced. Gang council, this has nothing to do with her personally, whether you like her, whether she's feisty, whether her history of whatever she said, that has nothing to do with that night. And again, it's not illegal to say your opinion, it's not illegal to say it by screaming, by yelling,

01:25:27.120 --> 01:25:36.560
you can say it however you want, your opinions, your freedom of speech. So again, use this to open your eyes and use this as your sign to learn something and become a better council member. Thank you, God.

01:25:38.120 --> 01:25:39.620
Is there any other? Yes.

01:25:40.220 --> 01:25:43.480
Let's go.

01:25:43.780 --> 01:25:44.320
Come on, Diane.

01:25:45.480 --> 01:25:45.880
Yeah.

01:25:46.700 --> 01:25:47.780
You can please state your name.

01:25:47.780 --> 01:25:48.540
Thank you, everyone.

01:25:49.860 --> 01:25:51.100
I'm Diane Abraham.

01:25:51.900 --> 01:25:53.440
I live in the Fifth Ward.

01:25:53.440 --> 01:25:54.740
I was at the meeting.

01:25:54.740 --> 01:26:28.550
it is the first meeting that I was at but I have also known Stacy for more than 20 years I've worked with her I've worked with her husband I've worked with her family there are people she is outspoken if she sees something that she believes needs attention she'll say it in the way that she says it some people have their own opinions and

01:26:28.550 --> 01:26:58.530
She'll Be Feisty, Spicy, I get that way, I think we all do at one point or another, and it's going to do with how deeply we believe on something, as far as some of the things that were said at that meeting or were not said, I have, I'm getting an education tonight, and at the same time, when I was a kid, I was in Girl Scouts, and we did a thing,

01:26:58.550 --> 01:27:07.050
we would give one word or three words of tiny sentence. The first person would whisper something

01:27:07.050 --> 01:27:14.230
in the next person's ears. By the time it gets back to the one who said the first word, it's nothing like

01:27:14.230 --> 01:27:23.250
what it was. And I see this tonight. I am very, very sorry. Very, very, very sorry that we're not all

01:27:23.250 --> 01:27:53.110
adult enough to say okay something did happen somebody took it out of context I would have really appreciated seeing that it kept very quiet and low-key when I'm at home and someone starts screaming at me I'll put my hand up when you are ready to talk I'm here and I walk away I

01:27:53.110 --> 01:28:19.810
I'm sorry, I don't have the energy for that kind of a feedback and I don't appreciate seeing it here either. I look at everybody here as officials of the city, people who have voted you guys in, everybody, and we should all show respect for everybody around, whether we like them or don't.

01:28:19.810 --> 01:29:00.170
Cece, I'm so sorry this happened. I don't see reason for it. I hope it'll get resolved at a point and everyone here will understand and appreciate as it should be. Thank you, Diane. Thank you. Any other public comments? Good evening. First two thank yous. Thank you, city. I don't know who's in charge of it, but the mosquito spraying.

01:29:00.750 --> 01:29:29.750
Thank you so much, because that was amazing. And then thank you, Linda, for tonight. I want to tell you this, this is I'm excited right now, which you never see me excited, but I'm excited because we actually, in the real world, have an opportunity to find out was tonight about Cecilia Stacy as a human being? Or was it about her conduct? Because I heard a lot of people talking about professionalism and how leaders should act and all that kind of stuff.

01:29:29.750 --> 01:29:43.990
Police Chief gave a great speech up here. And during all that, I happened to turn to this officer right here in the corner, right? And all I did was whisper is the officer here that this

01:29:43.990 --> 01:29:47.340
is the officer here that this is involving because I'd expect him to, you know, come talk to you guys if

01:29:47.340 --> 01:29:52.860
something. And he wouldn't, he looked at me out of the corner of his eyes, rolled his eyes and put them

01:29:52.860 --> 01:30:00.200
right back forward. Not a smile, not a, not a no or, or can't talk right now. That's how he just treated me

01:30:00.200 --> 01:30:06.720
in the public. So if we are serious about how we expect people to be treated in this town, there you

01:30:06.720 --> 01:30:12.360
go. I've got three aldermen that are definitely serious about it. Let's get it handled. I've got a

01:30:12.360 --> 01:30:17.160
police chief that's definitely serious about it. Let's get it handled. That's not okay. Do I want to

01:30:17.160 --> 01:30:25.480
see him punished? No, I'm not a bully, but that's not okay. And I hope you can agree with that. He could

01:30:25.480 --> 01:30:32.120
have easily answered. If I were to ask you right now, you'd probably say, no, he's not. Great. It took one

01:30:32.120 --> 01:30:39.120
Wirt, and that's how he treated me back there. I don't know him, but rude as hell. Absolutely rude.

01:30:40.800 --> 01:30:48.040
So I hope all the people, Tom Clemm, all the women at large sellers, you guys get that taken care of,

01:30:48.100 --> 01:30:52.780
please. Okay. Again, I don't want to see him punished, but nobody should be treated that way.

01:30:53.640 --> 01:30:59.380
Not the public and the police chiefs, right. We should treat our officers with some respect.

01:30:59.380 --> 01:31:04.680
And if this officer wasn't treated with respect, you owe him an apology, and you know that

01:31:04.680 --> 01:31:07.780
He was treated with the utmost respect

01:31:07.780 --> 01:31:08.440
I'm just saying

01:31:08.440 --> 01:31:12.620
We need to handle ourselves like adults and grown-ups

01:31:12.620 --> 01:31:16.660
Because if we're going to start punishing everybody for hurt feelings, hold my beer

01:31:16.660 --> 01:31:19.970
Any other public comments?

01:31:21.210 --> 01:31:23.370
Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn

01:31:23.370 --> 01:31:23.990
So moved

01:31:23.990 --> 01:31:24.330
Second

01:31:24.330 --> 01:31:28.510
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle, all those in favor?

01:31:28.890 --> 01:31:29.150
Aye

01:31:29.150 --> 01:31:59.130
Thank you.