Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Tonight, we'll be praying out of Psalm 122.
The joy of going to the house of the Lord, a song of a sense of David.
I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Freeport.
Freeport is built as a city that is compact together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
Ford.
For thrones are set there for judgment.
The thrones of the House of David.
Pray for the peace of Freeport.
May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls.
Prosperity within your palaces.
For the sake of my brethren and my companions, I will say, peace be within you Freeport.
Because of the House of the Lord our God, we will seek your good.
Amen.
Now we'll call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Mayor Miller?
Alderpersons, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons is absent, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders will be marked absent for now, Sellers, we have a quorum Madam Mayor.
If I could please get a motion to allow Alderman Sanders to attend remotely.
Make a motion.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes six to zero.
Did you want to see if he's on?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Alder Person, Sanders, can you hear us?
Yes.
And he will be marked president at 602.
If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Klemm.
Pledge of 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.
Item number one is the Approval of the agenda, however, item number 19 isn't quite ready yet.
So that will be removed Alderman Stacey.
Yes, I would like to see item number seven, eight and nine removed.
Um, we have an ordinance on this matter.
It says that the zoning administration must be a member of the city.
Andrew Winters is not an employee, I'm sorry, an employee of the city and we have these ordinances for a reason and it's not fair that every time you want to do something that's different than what the ordinance say, you hurry up and you do something like this, amend the rules, suspend the rules, change it to what you want it to be to fit what you want so you can get what you want We have ordinances for a reason.
And this ordinance says that the zone administrator must be a city employee.
Again, Andrea Winters is not a city employee, and I am asking that 7, 8, and 9 be removed at this time.
We have a motion is there a second that motion fails for a lack of a second so back to the original statement item number 19 being removed because it's not Ready.
With that, is there a motion to approve the agenda?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker.
Madam Clerk.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
No.
And Sellers?
Aye.
Pardon me, I wrote one down on one, two, three, four, five.
The motion passes five to two.
Item number two is approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on August 3rd, 2026.
Is there a motion to approve?
I so move.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Madam Clerk, please take the role.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
We'll check back in a minute.
Sellers?
Aye.
Alderperson Sanders, can you hear me?
Kurt, have we lost him?
Could you repeat that please?
We are voting on approval of the minutes for August 3rd.
What say you?
No.
And that motion passes 5 to 2.
Okay Item number three is Promotions from the Fire Department, Chief Cordy.
Over here, I don't have the other microphone tonight.
William Bacchus, having been duly appointed to the position of district chief in and for the city of Freeport, in the county of Stephenson, in the state of Illinois, for the term from the 15th day of August, 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed Will was hired in 2007, became a paramedic and a lieutenant in 2018, he's a member of the Countywide Hazmat Team, Company Fire Officer, Advanced Fire Officer, Instructor Two.
He lives in Freeport with his wife, Tiffany, children, Anthony, Evelyn, and Emerson.
Lieutenant Chad Schubert, having been duly appointed to the position of and Lieutenant in and for the City of Freeport and the County of Stephenson and the State of Illinois for the term from the 15th day of August 2026 until his successor shall have been dutily appointed and qualified, is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the Board of Police and Fire Commission.
Chad was hired in 2009 to the Freeport Fire Department.
He actually has a little bit of a legacy here With his father and uncle and a second cousin all having been retired from the department He was a department mechanic for many years Paramedic currently is a fire and arson investigator member of the Thames team, which is the tactical medics technical rescue team past vice president of the of the Firefighters Union, and in 2025, received the MS Life Safety or Savings Award for a call at the Lindo Theater.
His company, Fire Officer, an instructor, has met operations and lives in rural Lanark with his wife, Amy, daughter's Madison.
Amy, Daughters, Madison, Kaelin, and Lauren.
Okay, we will move on to item number four which is public comment.
Madam Clerk, you have one to read.
This was received from Shane Orlow, Alderperson, city staff, and collaborators.
My comment is directed towards agenda item number 24.
I want to To encourage you to vote yes for the improvements on Meadowbrook Lane.
As a resident of the ward and of Meadowbrook, we have seen many improvement projects across the city, most notably where the improvements right around us in Oak Hill and Hillcrest area and now with the Demeter Street improvements.
Our street is a mostly quiet neighborhood with many dedicated community members and civil servants.
We spend our lives giving back to the community and it is great news to see that we will possibly have improvements to our own living conditions.
Most of you have driven the roads across this town like I have.
Meadowbrook is a street living in a different time period.
With Demeter going through repair and driving past it each day, I can't help but notice their half gravel road looks like the rainbow road in Mario Kart compared to the paved road of Meadowbrook that is like a course from the original Nintendo dirt bike video game from the 80s.
It's bad.
Comparisons aside, we need this work done on multiple levels.
Now, knowing the work that needs to get done to just get on city provided water, I cannot imagine the work that needs to be done for us to be on city sewer as well.
However, it needs to be done.
We need to move our road out of the 80s and into the 2020s.
Getting sewer and road improvements to this area will vastly increase the living conditions and most importantly, the morale of those of us that dedicate our time to our community and our city.
Please vote yes to the improvements on Meadowbrook and once approved, let's make sure that we get it right.
This means a lot to the families in this area.
Thank you, Shane Orlow, a very hopeful six ward resident.
And our last one is Shante Bradford on item number 12.
Good evening, everyone.
Good evening.
First of all, I came just to say thank you specifically to Public Works.
The last time I stood before you guys, I was bringing a concern about the 200 block of Broadway Street where they were just flying up and down the street.
But since then, I did get my handicapped parking and also stop signs were placed at the corner for stop signs at Oakland Broadway.
So I came to say thank you for your diligence and your hard work and your integrity because the order had actually been in the office since twenty twenty two.
But nobody put the sign up.
But to God be the glory, we got the sign.
So everybody who was involved in that, I came to give gratitude and say thank you.
We don't always come to fuss, Mayor.
We don't always come to say thank you.
So thank you to my cousin, Wendy Pearson, who had a hand in that with the city manager.
Thank you guys.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
That's all I wanted to say was thank you.
You're welcome.
Thank you again.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Then we move on to item number five which is the consent agenda the consent agenda consists of the items being routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of the council would like to have something removed for further discussion the consent agenda is approving to receive and place on file the minutes from the firefighter pension board the police pension board and Knapp, and the public hearing for the CDBG sanitary sewer lining August 5th, all 2026.
Also for July 2026 is the building permit reports, the fire department reports, as well as the greater free partnership report.
Also for the 2026 x as well as the Greater Freeport Partnerships report.
Also for the 2026 actuarial reports for both the fire pension and police pension fund review, the adoption of resolution 2026-107, which is the temporary closure for the streets for the high school's homecoming parade, the finance bills payable in the total of $4,461,186.40 $461,186.40 and for payroll ending August 8, 2026 in the total of $721,113.51.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
No.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes five to two.
And item number six, Amanda, for the 2026 summer reading.
Good evening.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Kurt just told me that we don't have the projector tonight, so you guys won't get to see all the fun pictures of summer, but that's okay.
I can still talk about it.
This year, our summer reading theme at the library was Southerners, and so on.
So that was an Eartha story.
So there was a lot of dinosaurs, a lot of underground geology, that kind of stuff going on.
So for the reading portion of the summer reading, we had 487 kids that are birth through starting sixth grade join our summer reading program.
And of those 487,251 actually completed the program and reached their reading goals, which is a percentage of 51.54%, which is a really great finishing percentage to have.
I am super happy with anything over 50%.
So that was really good.
And our summer program participation was 8,063 people, kids, adults, teens, which is down ever so slightly from last year's 8,232, but also I feel like 8,000 is a really great number to have in the library over about nine weeks.
And that breaks down into three different types of programs.
So there's programs we do in the library, which are in-house.
That was 4,626 people.
Our outreach programs where we go to different locations to do programming was 1,313 people.
And passive programming, which is programs that are in the library, but we aren't necessarily actively doing them.
Like our scavenger hunts and we have like a sticker wall where they can just add stickers.
Those programs were 2,124 kids over the summer.
And actually in one month, we did over a thousand scavenger hunts, which was kind of like my goal, my like unwritten goal.
And they love scavenger hunting.
Like all you have to do is give them a sheet and say they get a sucker and they will scavenger hunt all day long.
And our programs remained fairly steady over the years from where we were last year to where we are this year in attendance.
This year it rained the morning of the kickoff party and then it was like one of those really humid afternoons where you don't know if it's gonna rain or not.
So we had it inside, but it did not damper anybody's spirits.
We had 30,130 kids that day.
They were all over the library.
We had stuff in the meeting room.
We had stuff in the youth services department.
We had hatching dinosaur eggs in our little program room and they got like freezer pops.
So that was a great day.
Our story time outside at Debate Square over the summer continues to be popular with between 30 and 50 kids each week.
Slime is still one of our most popular programs, it actually is our most popular program.
Our three summer slime days this year combined for 337 kids.
The biggest one was 153, which was our June, which was actually the day after the kickoff party, so it's like everybody comes Monday, everybody comes Tuesday.
It was a really great week, we made color changing slime that day, they had a great time.
Make it Monday continues to be one of our regular programs that we do each Schweek and they continue to come to make a variety of craft projects.
We did puzzle making with like dinosaur and bird like model puzzles and also like the littles could just paint puzzles if because that was much easier for them.
We did woodland creature ornaments and just all kinds of things that they can make and take home with them.
Every year we have a 4th of July crafternoon and this year we went all in because it was America's 250th birthday and we had like special hats they could make to celebrate sand art.
We even had cookies because you need cookies for a good party and we had 75 kids come to craft with us that afternoon and they had a blast and if there were any pictures that I wished you could see it was the ones of worm races because worm races were so much fun.
I had no idea what to expect.
I was like maybe I'll get 20 or 30 kids and that would be Great.
I ended up with 63.
And so we're racist.
And so, worm races are just what they sound like.
We made like a bullseye on a piece of a poster board and then they had to race.
We started them in the middle and they had to race to the outer circle.
We learned a lot about how worms like to move and they don't like to be in dirt if they're going to move quickly.
And if you spray them, they will move a lot faster and it kind of sped up the races.
So they had a really great time and the top four worms ended up racing against each other to determine the ultimate champion and the top pri- well the family with the top worm got a giant bag of gummy worms so the kids were very excited and after the races we all had like the dirt dessert you know the pudding with the Oreos and the gummy worms which they also loved and we also did our Candyland program our life-size Candyland we first did it in Huffines, David, and Dave.
So, we had 162 kids play over the course of the two days, so that was really great.
We also had two special presenters this summer.
The first one was Dave from T-Rex Explorers, and he is a paleontologist, and he's gone out digging in North Dakota numerous times.
We talked about what he does, what he's found, all his adventures as a paleontologist.
And at the end, he brought out fossils that the kids all got to touch and they loved like learning all about dinosaurs from him.
Our second performer was Jason Collum.
He's a juggler and the kids loved him.
He does like a juggling comedy show.
We had 117 people that day in the meeting room, which the capacity is like 123.
So we were like really close and the kids were so loud the entire show.
Emily said she could hear them in her office like for the whole hour.
They just love like his brand of comedy.
It is very kid friendly and yeah, they had a great time.
And they even got to practice balancing peacock feathers at the end of the show.
One of our regular outreaches is to Matt Camp, which is sponsored by Hope Winds over at the church here on Stephenson and Cherry.
And I go there each week to work with the kids.
We do different projects, different crafts.
It's approximately 50 kids each week.
And always at the end of summer, we like to make slime because slime is fun.
So Emily actually went with me the last week to help me make slime with them and they had a blast.
It was a really fun afternoon.
We also continued our outreach with the Stephenson County Fair this year.
And we both kind of had little tweaks to what we did.
So that increased our attendance a lot.
So instead of, in the past, I've always done like stories and a craft, but I was like, we don't really get that many people.
We should just make it like a make and take craft, like do your craft and then you can go so you don't slow down like your day at the fair.
And now the fair started last year, they piloted offering field trips to local day camps.
And then this year they asked if I would like to be a stop on their itinerary during their field trip.
And of course I said yes.
So we had a bunch of new kids coming through, which was great.
And most of them I know, because they're from like Mac Camp or Boys and Girls Club or somewhere else in the community.
And over the three days, we had 101 kids stop by my little station and I'm only there for like an hour every day.
So that was amazing.
And we also hosted Glow Bingo on a Friday night in the nice new little house they built right by the community tent, which was very nice air condition.
It was great.
We were full for a while.
We had to bring in more tables and stuff.
And at our end of summer party, we had 283 kids.
It was a beautiful day.
It was like perfect end of summer party weather.
Once again, we had the dunk tank.
So I got dunked for a while.
We dunked other staff members for a while.
They love the dunk tank.
They love watching us go in.
They love just knocking us in.
They love all of it.
We also had a bouncy house and an obstacle course that they could play on.
And of course, if they finish their reading for the summer, they get a coupon for free ice cream from the ice cream truck.
So the party is just a great time.
And I've already been thinking about what we're gonna add to it for next year.
And next year, I'm sure you're wondering what our theme could possibly be.
It is actually mysteries await at your library, which does not give me as many options for decorating as dinosaurs did because that was one of my favorite slides too was all our dinosaur decorations that we had at the library this year, but we are still really excited for mysteries.
We are already planning some really fun stuff.
So yeah, thank you for your support.
Hey, item number seven is the first reading of ordinance 2026-49.
Could you please read this ordinance amending section 899 08 of the codified ordinances of the city of Freeport regarding the zone administrator of the enterprise zone thank you manager Boyer thank your honor as mentioned section 899 08 governs the appointments and duties of the city county enterprise zone administrator current language limits eligibility to a city or county officer Miller, or employee.
And this ordinance was last updated in 1985.
I don't believe they contemplated the partnership or the Greater Freeport Partnership being vital in our economic development process at that time.
So the proposed ordinance that I have before you allows the Enterprise Zone Committee by a majority of vote to appoint an outside individual who is not affiliated with the city or county.
This provides flexibility to select a qualified We have a motion to move this forward.
So moved.
We have a second.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker to move this ordinance forward.
Discussion on the ordinance, Alderman Parker?
Is there a second?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules.
Suspension of the rules must pass by a two thirds majority and is non-debatable.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the role on the suspension only?
You can.
We'll come back to discussion.
This is just about suspension.
Klemm, aye.
Johnson, aye.
Parker, aye.
Stacy, no.
Shadle, aye.
Sanders, no.
And Sellers, aye.
One, two, three, four.
I have five positive.
Mayor, aye.
Motion passes six to two.
OK, so now before you is the final four Ordinance 2026-49, Alderman, Stacey.
Yes, City Manager Boyer, what makes one qualified?
According to the ordinance, anyone, a majority of vote by the Enterprise Zone Committee.
And how many members are in the Enterprise Zone?
Eight?
Andrea, do you know that?
Is there eight members of the.
You have the floor.
I just wanted to get better understanding.
As I stated at the beginning of this meeting, the ordinance say that it would be a city employee.
I can't help it that it haven't been updated since 85, is that what you said?
However, it was just one that you missed because all the other ones that you want to change got updated, but oops, we missed this one.
And who would have thought that Cecelia would have found the language that said you must be a city employee and so if what you just answered to me as far as what makes one qualified true why do you need to even have number seven if that's so.
We're just clarifying in the ordinance so that I can you know Andrea Winters can stand in as the or continue her role as the enterprise zone coordinator.
So, in spite of what the ordinance say, you're going to do what you want to do.
It doesn't necessarily appoint Andrea.
What it does is gives that zoning board the ability to appoint someone other than a city employee or a county employee because the old record may or county.
I'm sorry.
You said it was only a city employee.
Why are you giving your views?
We know how you feel and what you want.
So why are you giving your views toward the vote?
Because you said it was only a city employee and that's not accurate.
It says city employee or a county employee.
City or county employees.
She's not a city nor a county employee.
Correct.
Okay, I rest my case.
That's why this ordinance is before you.
Alderman Sellers.
Yes.
I'd just like to know, is this the first time that Ms. Winters has put through for the zoning?
This is not the first time she's asked for the zoning to be done.
Right.
I'm saying this has been going on since, who's been doing it all the other times?
I guess that's my question.
You mean prior to?
I believe it was the chairman, it was it was the chairman wasn't it?
No, we're not asking.
Yeah if you want to come to the microphone.
Since the partnership has been formed the partnership has operated the Enterprise Zone.
And prior to that do you know who it was?
Prior to that I think it was Ron Kane who was the Stephenson County Assessor.
Before that I don't know.
Thank you.
For a while it was the Community and Development Development Director when Shelly Griswold sat in that seat.
She did it at one time.
It's on the ordinance right now.
The question you're asking, the person name is on the ordinance.
So what name is on the ordinance?
It's not a name.
The person that was the administrator of the zoning name is on the ordinance.
Alderman Seller.
Is it against the law or is it not legal to come in and change this ordinance so that these different entities can get their I guess one is Lena and the other is smart auto smart to be able to expand their their boundaries it's it's not attorney Zito is that legal so while the ordinance does currently read the ordinance from 1985 does currently say that the zoning administrator for the enterprise zone is to be a city or county employee ordinances can be amended upon the will of the council that's what's currently pending before you as to whether or not the council wants to change who is who is allowed to be the zoning administrator so it is it is permissible to change the ordinance attorney said you've spoken three times already spoken twice the council it's still if the will of the council then that's fine I can't or I can't so for our ordinance every person gets to speak two Johnson, and I'm going to make a motion to allow Cecelia to speak again.
Yes there was.
Oh.
Okay.
So we have a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by Alderman Johnson to amend Okay, what I want to say is, this was put on the first meeting of August.
And it was removed by mayor you all's requests it was removed off the agenda and that was just so you could come back and add number seven to cover your butts for what you're doing well I don't know if covering my butt is the right term yes because or else it would have been out of order it's just putting it in it's it's just right we're just trying to do the right thing you're doing the right thing to cover what you want okay and I'm sorry attorney Zito that you feel like you can say that about me you need to remain neutral you're here for all of us.
Coleman Klemm?
Yes I think we have a big discrepancy in opinions here but I just like to bring up that I was notified by email of this a number of months ago and passed it on to Rob that somebody wasn't going to stop in this thing and was going to carry it forward that it had to be somebody from the city.
Knowing that, at that time, Rob started in that we needed to do something.
But I would say to you, this position, the person that's carried this position has been and the head of the partnership since it was formed in 1985.
It wasn't as though it happened yesterday.
Okay, so a person has been in that position for a long period of time.
The other thing that comes up that I would have to say is the fact that if you have something against this, I would say to you, don't bring it up at 6 o'clock on the night of the meeting.
I'd bring it up when you have all your paperwork on Friday I had no question on it.
It was a matter to resolve the issue to the best that could be done at the moment.
For the record, I brought it up the third Monday in June.
Okay.
Let's go back and forth.
Not tonight.
Yes.
Alderman Sellers.
I know this would be my third time, so I need to.
Yes.
No, it was just given as a blanket for three times.
I also want to say that I do think that we went in because we did hear your voice and we did look at the ordinance to see that it needed to be in order and properly done so that's why they went in to make it right so it would be right on the books so that it's been going this way for since 1980, whatever.
So to make it right in our books and in our paperwork, that's why they went in with the attorney and Rob and whoever to make sure that the paperwork is right and it's up to what the ordinance needs to say.
So that's why I think that it's not like they went in just just to get something done because these two places need to have their boundaries expanded.
So that's why they went in so that they can have that done, but it wasn't like it's something that they went in to do, you know, to get something, you know, under the table.
They wanted to do it right and make sure that our paperwork was right and said the right thing.
That's what I just wanted to say.
It wasn't like it was done something behind the back.
It was done to make it right on our paperwork so that it can be done correctly because that's how it has been done.
So to make it right.
There's no further discussion.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
No.
Sellers.
The motion passes one, two, three, four, five to two.
Item number eight is the second reading of ordinance 202644.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending the boundaries of the Joint Northwest Illinois Certified Enterprise Zone for expansion of AutoSmart Inc. Thank you.
Andrea?
Good evening.
Because we don't have the projector tonight, I'm going to ask you to reference the memo that's Kessler.
That's attached that will give you kind of geography and where I'm talking about.
So two weeks ago, I was up here talking about this, the first reading of this ordinance.
Again, we're amending the boundary of the enterprise zone to include a parcel that is adjacent to where Art-O-Smart is currently located, which is the former visitor center.
With the sale of that building and that property, there was an adjacent parcel that was with to sale.
For whatever reason, when the Enterprise Zone boundary was created, that parcel was not included.
The used classic car dealer would like to expand their showroom space.
They want to build another building on that adjacent parcel.
They need Enterprise Zone incentives to help lower the cost of that investment to make this project feasible.
That's why we're here tonight to amend the boundary.
Thank you.
On the ordinance.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Coyote.
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes 7-0.
And item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 2026-45.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending the boundaries of the joint Northwest Illinois Certified Enterprise Zone for expansion within the Village of Lena.
Thank you.
Andrea?
So similar request, we're amending the boundary of the Enterprise Zone to incorporate residentially zoned parcels that are within the village of Lena.
This is about 112.23 acres that would be added into the zone.
If this addition is approved, we would be at a total of about 13.8 square miles.
We have plenty of capacity within the zone for future expansions.
We can go up to 20 square miles.
So that is the request from this evening.
This request came from the Village of Lena.
Thank you.
Any discussion on this ordinance?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The ordinance passes 8-0.
Seven.
Seven to zero.
Hold on, Johnson, do you have a question?
Oh, thank you.
Yeah, Madam Mayor, I just wondered, can we suspend the rules for 7-8 and 9?
Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 202650.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance Adapting and Approving a Public Works Policy for Productive and Efficient Communication with Citizens in the City of Freeport.
Thank you.
Darren?
Good evening.
To memorialize the discussion we had at the COW meeting regarding, excuse me, two meetings ago about the interactions with public works personnel.
We've had several discussions internally with different council members over this over the last few weeks.
So we put together Miller, an ordinance to memorialize.
This is not to not allow any resident to have their hearsay or file a complaint.
We just want to do that properly, and that's not with the staff on the streets.
That's with City Manager Boyer and myself and the mayor.
We're the people that if somebody really has a problem, they should be coming to.
And with the interactions and the changes in the world today.
This is just a safety measure for our employees and give them a way out of conversations.
And it was even discussed today that this should not only extend to public work staff, but it really should extend to all employees of the city of Freeport, including city hall, our fire department, our police department.
I will say that the phrase be kind is, is not part of our daily life anymore.
And it should be.
And, uh, I want to make sure that our employees, uh, at public works know that the staff has their backs.
And, uh, again, there will be a process put in place with this.
This isn't just give somebody the ability to hang up on somebody.
Um, as this happens, there's a process in the background.
It'll have a report.
It will go into a file.
We're also looking into potentially, um, doing some call monitoring, uh, at public works dispatch.
So we have records of this because it's always a he said, she said type of event.
Um, 90% of these issues, uh, management's been able to step in, calm them down and move things forward.
Um, and sometimes we have to agree to disagree.
And Jodi.
Public Works is tasked with spending taxpayers' money on taxpayers' property, not on private property.
And we have to evaluate that as each situation arises.
We also recognize that most of the time when people come to us, they're having bad days.
So we try to have it with a grain of salt.
Nobody's ever elated or excited to have sewer in their basement.
So we're not expecting to come to their house with bonbons and, you know, a ticker tape parade of happiness, but we also recognize that we want everybody to work together and be kind to our staff members.
We have a hard enough time attracting talent to the city of Freeport.
We have a very good group of people that we want to keep, and this is just step one in honoring my work to the Public Works staff that will back them up and we'll trust that our employees are making the right decisions.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance?
Alderman Stacy?
Do we want to consider suspending the rule?
I give the floor to Alderman Excuse me.
I'm sorry.
Pardon me.
I didn't hear it.
I'm sorry.
I'm very sorry.
Director Daring, you know, I have no real problem with what you've asked to put forth.
However, just two weeks ago, you and I had a conversation with a young man who was being accused of of hanging up twice on the dispatcher and he was really convinced that he was mixed up with somebody else and that it didn't happen and and this and that and since then you and I had a conversation about one of my constituents that was harshly spoken to and when she realized she knew who he was Fowler, and then she changed her tone.
So our expectation of who's answering the phone need to be just as great as what we expect of the people in how they should be treated.
They too have got to respect.
Klemm, I'm just saying, I, I agree wholly with that, that it's, it's gotta be a two way street.
Everybody has bad days.
That's why I was promoting, uh, in next year's budget, looking into some, uh, software or material to be able to, um, I don't know if record those calls, but it record the bad ones at least.
So it's not, doesn't become a he said, she said opportunity, right?
Because remember with email and phone calls, everybody can read into something other than what you meant.
It's a very hard conversation to have, especially when, um, I know, uh, clerk Anderson won't recognize this.
Sometimes you get one call of these after another all day long, and it becomes very cumbersome in a day of people that are, are very upset.
Okay.
If there's no further discussion, I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules.
Again, non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
And Mayor?
Aye.
The motion to suspend passes 6-2.
So then before you counsel is the final for this ordinance 202650.
Any further discussion?
I just have one.
Oh, I just wanted to, what Darren had said, that he was looking for some software or whatever, so you'll get back with us if you find anything that will be compatible with what you're looking for.
Currently, um, I've been talking with, uh, IT director Suttman on looking for something for next year, but we also need to get that cleared through the attorney that that's something that we can actually do as a city.
And, and I haven't had that discussion with him yet, but, uh, we're looking for options to be able to, um, just, you know, I don't want it to be a, he said, or she said, right?
I think that leads to difficulty in how people perceive the conversation.
And again, I think it would be nice that if we were able to have one of those call traps for instances like that, but regardless of whether that comes forward or not, our staff members are going to be required to memorialize whatever issue there was, who was with, what time, so on and so forth.
So we have an internal record of that documentation.
Thank you.
Anyone want to say Stacey?
So, if we're recording, if I'm the dispatcher and we're recording, so after I answer the phone and after they say who they are and after I say how may I help you, then what?
And it goes to pop, then someone can hit record.
No, I think it would be something that would, uh, uh, probably be just automatic.
Okay.
So you can't say the bad cause cause you don't know.
No, I'm just saying saving, saving the one have to save every call, right?
That would take up a lot of space and documentation.
It would just be ones that were an issue.
And again, we have not declared that with the attorney and as if that's something we're going to do.
So for right now we have staff memorializing it with a process that we put together Klemm, Johnson, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.
The ordinance passes 7-0.
Item number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-51.
Could you please read this?
Special Use Permit to Allow Restaurants, Taverns, Packaged Liquor Stores, and Any Other Establishments Selling Alcoholic Beverages for Consumption on or off the premises at 116 South Adams Avenue, submitted by La Donia.
Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Staff received a special use application from La Donia for a restaurant selling alcoholic beverages at 116 South Adams Avenue, which is within the B22 Limited Service Business District, Section 1252.01B11 of the City of Freeport Zoning Code states that restaurants, taverns, package liquor stores, and any other establishments selling alcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the The subject property is La Dona, which is previously La's Chicken.
The business has recently opened as a Mexican restaurant.
They would like to offer alcohol beverages to their guests and attract new diners.
On August 6, 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the approval by a vote of five and Jodi.
The planning commission recommended approval by a vote of four yeas and zero nays.
This originally came from solely the request of individuals who were dining in and requesting alcoholic beverages, so they came to us to look for this special use permit so that they can provide their patrons with what they're being asked.
And so staff recommends the approval of the special use permit for the restaurant selling alcohol at 116 South Adams.
And because this is a very small business, I'd like to request suspension of the rules so that they don't have to wait on us.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
Discussion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Sellers to move this forward discussion.
Alderman Stacy.
I'm still trying to picture where is this place located?
Is it diagonally across from the Farm Bureau?
Oh no, nope.
This is right by like pretty much like Main Street and Spring.
It's like a little blue and white house.
The old Germania lot, the grass lot right there that looks like a house.
The old leaf sea breeze.
Across from the sunshine across from Raleigh building.
Across from the sunshine.
Yep, unfortunately the projector is down tonight or it would be on there, but it's in your memo.
There's a map and a picture of the building as well.
The clerk was just saying that the suspension doesn't really make any difference just because they're not on the liquor agenda for approval yet, so they're going to be, hopefully they'll be on the September agenda, which we can, I mean if you want to continue to do a suspension that's fine it just won't matter.
Yeah.
It's up to you.
To the council.
Attorney.
I don't think you can actually approve it tonight because if you look for suspension of the rules then you'll be looking to move directly to a final approval on the issuance of the special use permit but if you don't have.
It's they haven't applied for their liquor license yet.
Right and you need the special.
You have to have the special use permit.
So Usually, Dovie, you're saying that we typically have the application in hand before we approve the special use permit.
Is that what you're saying?
I think a majority of the time we have, but I don't think one's continuing upon the other.
Okay.
Just wanted to clarify.
Thank you.
The image on the memo says 123 South Adams.
116, South Adams.
It says 123.
Did it say 123?
Where at?
So the 116 is what's correct, ma'am clerk.
Sometimes when a picture is taken the camera picks up the location of the camera, not necessarily the look location of what they're taking a picture of.
Is that what's going on?
Yes, that is correct.
They're taking it from across the Street.
So it picks up whatever wherever the cameraman is at.
Okay.
Any further discussion?
Okay.
Then I guess we'll move on.
Well, she did.
She did, but they don't have liquor licensing.
It's up to the council if they want to suspend it.
Yeah.
No.
Okay.
Then we'll move on to item number 12, which is the first reading of ordinance 2026-52.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance of the City of Freeport Amending the master downtown parking map to provide for additional ADA parking stalls on the west side of Van Buren along 102-112 North Van Buren as shown on a revised master parking map.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
We've been approached about adding a couple of disabled parking spots near the courthouse, Salvation Army, and the prosthetic center.
The updated map, which which is not up here but it'll be along the west side of Van Buren next to the Salvation Army Building.
So staff recommends moving forward with this change for the additional ADA parking spaces.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
I so move.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance?
Darren.
I just wanted to point out it's two stalls.
It's one on the west side and then one on the north side of exchange as well.
That's my mistake.
Yes.
So that was the request.
Any further discussion?
Move on to item number 13, which is the adoption of resolution 202692.
Could you please read this?
Resolution to authorize an amendment to intergovernmental agreement for the operation of an enterprise zone for AutoSmart.
Thank you.
Andrea?
So this is the accompanying resolution for the amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement, which is really amending the legal description of the enterprise zone boundary to encompass the parcel for AutoSmart.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So I'll move.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution.
Resolution to authorize an amendment to intergovernmental agreement for the operation of an enterprise Zone for the village of Lena.
Thank you.
Andrea?
Similar request.
This is accompanying the second reading of the ordinance.
This is amending the legal description of the Enterprise Zone boundary to incorporate all the parcels within Lena that they've requested to have in the Enterprise Zone.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Madam Clerk, please take the Klemm, Johnson, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, the resolution is adopted 5 to 2.
And item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2026-97.
Could you please read this resolution approving letter to the board of the Northwest Illinois enterprise zone requesting expansion of the boundaries of the enterprise zone to include Wood, 836 West Stephenson Street, located within the City of Freeport.
Thank you.
Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
So a few weeks ago, we had a few properties that we wanted to add to Enterprise Zone.
The city of the city limits.
One of them that was not captured at that time because it had just gone on the market and we had not had any kind of action on it was 836 West Stephenson, which is like the rally mansion, and a couple We had a lot more interest in that in that property and we had a lot of people since it was just on the market a lot of people reaching out to ask us if there was any benefits or any kind of help that they could receive when if they were to place a bid on the property and to start to do the rehab necessary rehab to that structure and so we did explain to them that the enterprise zone is an advantage that helps with that.
With the tax freeze and also the building supplies sales tax exemption.
And so a building like that, a mansion in that sense of almost 8,000 square feet, it definitely makes a big difference if you don't have all of the building sales tax to pay.
So brought to you tonight is a resolution to add that property to the enterprise letter as well, and so that we can get that into the enterprise zone.
We do have somebody who is under contract.
There is a pending contract on this property, and I would, you know, there's a strong possibility that there will be a redevelopment agreement coming through council in the near future with that price on, and they are hoping to restore it and kind of, you know, bring it back to its former glory.
So we're excited about that.
So anything we can do to kind of help them is nice for the community to get a house rehabbed.
So- Is there a motion?
I'm sorry.
Oh, go ahead.
Okay.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on this resolution.
Alderman Stacy.
What is the address again?
836, Wes Stephenson.
In your memo, there's a picture of the home.
I don't see it.
It's the third page.
Oh, I didn't go down far enough.
Any other discussion?
Alderman Johnson.
I think this house has been in ill repair for quite a long time.
I'm talking years.
Yes.
Yes, it has.
And it's, yeah, it's also condemned at this point.
Yes.
Okay.
Thank you.
Did she say it's condemned at this point?
And so you're bringing it out of that status?
Yes, the individuals who are under contract for the home, they do understand what is necessary of them to get it out of condemnation.
And are they local?
I can't answer that.
I don't know.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson, aye.
Parker, aye.
Stacy, Shadle, aye.
Sanders, aye.
And Sellers, aye.
The resolution is adopted 7-0.
And item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2026-99.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving a license agreement with Stephen Hasselman and Colton Asche for mowing hay production and Weed Thistle Control at Albertus Airport.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank your honor.
One of the major jobs out at the airport is mowing the large amount of grass.
Staff identified working with a contractor for baling hay in the past.
We've done that.
However, we've been working on a license agreement so that we can move forward this year with a land license agreement to handle a recommended and passes all the background checks.
So this is a cost offset of approximately $18,500 when compared to what it would cost us to continue to mow.
And staff recommends this is a 10-year license agreement and staff recommends moving forward with this with Steve Hasselmann.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
I so move.
We have a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion on On the resolution, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
And the resolution is adopted, 7-0.
And item number 17 is adoption resolution 2026-100.
Could you please read this?
Resolution in support of the application to the state of Illinois for a community development block grant for sanitary sewer lining.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
As everyone's quite aware, every time we get an opportunity to line sewer mains, we do so.
We have approximately 130 miles of sanitary sewer lines that comprise our collection system.
It can get very complex when we do road programs.
Obviously, we want to make sure those sewers are lined so that we don't have any issues after the road is paved or anything like that.
Is requesting authorization from City Council to move forward with a community development block grant for sanitary sewer lining to be completed and selected by a ward.
All wards have concerns and sanitary sewer lining would improve infrastructure in these areas.
The CDBG is requesting a contiguous project that is localized to one area for a bid project.
So the current grant cycle request is for a maximum of $1.5 million and requires no matching funds outside of our design that we need to do.
So the public works directors estimated the city would install between 35,000 linear feet of sewer main and the staff plans to fund the design from the sanitary sewer budget in 2027 if awarded.
So essentially what this is, we're going for outside money to line 35,000 or 37,000 linear feet of sewer main, and we're going to pay for the design work and the application when we get into the 2027 budget cycle, which is coming soon.
But staff would like to move forward with this CDB, I'm sorry, yeah, the CDBG grant.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Okay, motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
On the resolution, Oldham and Stacey.
Yes, City Manager Boyer, can you tell us what is the total cost to the city, including the design and.
Okay, so the total cost would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $150,000 and to the city with the remainder being paid for through the CDPG grant.
So we're giving up $150,000 not knowing if we're going to even get the grant.
No, we'll apply for the grant.
If we get it, we'll be able to move into design.
So if we don't get the grant, we won't do the design.
If we don't get the grant, just applying for it don't cost us anything.
I believe that, yeah, we're figuring five to, you know, five to 10,000 on the grant application.
Five to 10,000 just to apply for it.
To $10,000 to apply for a grant that we may not even get.
Oldham and Klemm?
Yes.
How successful are we at getting these grants?
Well, I think we've received $85 million in the last five years, so I'd say that's pretty successful.
Thank you.
Darren?
Yeah.
So, specifically for this round of CDBG grants, there's what they call census track scoring, Freeport has three areas of town in a census track that qualify greatly.
They're one of them 72% low to moderate income, one of them 75% and another one's 80%.
And it doesn't match up with our award map.
So it's hard to give you the areas, but studying the qualifications for this and the point scoring system, the investment of chasing a grant like this with no matching funds is a very, a good opportunity for the city of Freeport.
We've actually received this one other time and they raised the amount this year to 1.5 million.
It was not 1.5 million in the past.
And just so everybody knows, you know, that's roughly, um, five miles to seven miles.
How many of those funds do you have?
I'm just wondering, is there any funding?
I'm just wondering if the funding that we get from the state funding system, the funding that is being paid to the state for the construction, the funding that is being paid to the construction, the funding that is being paid to the construction, is that going to be low?
Or there's no chance to get it?
We don't believe that's an opportunity that we should submit for.
And this grant you're asking 1.5 million with no matching funds?
For construction, correct.
Alderman Johnson.
So we'll plan to have the answer if we got this grant before we do our budget then?
Yeah, we're going to, yes.
Yes.
I'm getting the high sign over here, yes.
Settling funds at this grant to do construction.
So this is a, the 1.5 million is construction only.
That's why Rob had said the grant application and design you can't pay for, but they pay for up to $1.5 million in lining, right, for this.
And it, again, this can't be a grant that is taken all over the city.
We really have to focus in on those three low to moderate income census tracks, so some of our oldest infrastructure.
Okay, if there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
And that resolution is also adopted 7-0.
Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2026-101.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving a proposed agreement with Fehr Graham to provide construction engineering services for the Meadowbrook gravity sewer improvements.
Thank you, Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Meadowbrook is on the capital plan for this year.
It is time for us to move forward with design on the sewer portion.
Fehr Graham has submitted a plan for or an estimate for the design of the sewer and staff recommends moving forward with that agreement.
How many minutes will it include sewer from La Crosse to the end of the street.
So that's where it dead ends there on the South end.
So staff recommends moving forward with the agreement in the amount of $130,000.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt.
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Stacy?
Does this area cover the school out there?
No.
Okay, I know this was pertaining to Mr. Orlow's letter that you read.
What is the streets again?
What is the area?
Meadowbrook from La Cresta till it dead ends over by Oak Hill.
Meadowbrook to La Cresta.
So the sewer project is all of Meadowbrook, which is that, you know, three or four block area.
And then there's, um, Sunview while we were in there, we looked as the alternate that we're recommending later in the agenda that we approved to fix the pavement in that area as well.
It's, it's, uh, not worth saving and we don't want to go back in and ruin and, and truck over the stuff that we're putting down.
Yeah.
General Clerk, please take the role.
Klemm, aye.
Johnson, aye.
Parker, aye.
Stacy, aye.
Shadle, aye.
Sanders, aye.
Sellers, aye.
The resolution is adopted 7 to 0.
Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 2026103.
Could you please read this?
Did we skip number 9?
You removed 9.
My apologies.
Authorizing City Support to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition Development or OSLAD grant.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources administers the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant Program to support local outdoor recreation projects.
The city intends to submit an OSLAD application for a pocket park on West Stephenson.
We also intended to do this last year, but we were turned down at the last opportunity.
The OSLEAD requires governing body resolution to authorize application submittal and acknowledge the program's conditions if funding is awarded.
This year, we're resubmitting for this particular grant.
The city is listed by IDNR as a disadvantaged community, which allows application for up to $600,000 in OSLEAD funding without any local match.
The application deadline is August 31st, 2026.
So currently planned submission is August 28th.
Accountable action is needed on the 17th to meet the submittal timing.
So there's no immediate general fund impact.
The city may request up to $600,000 with no match and recommendations to move forward with the application for the West Stephenson Street Pocket Park.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
I believe it's just a carryover from last year.
I think we've already filled out the application ones.
Okay, I don't know what a carryover from last year is.
So we submitted last year and we're going to submit again this year.
We were one of the final selected last year, but the Park District got funded instead of the City Project, which was was the project pocket park, excuse me.
And the city wasn't going to get two funded applications.
So the park district project got funded last year for 600,000.
Um, and so this is a resubmittal and what you're actually approving tonight is a resolution of support by the city council, which is required as part of the grant application.
So are you saying we've already paid for this application for it last year?
Yes.
Right.
So we're, we're basically doing it for you and we're asking for a resolution of support to try to get the funding.
We've already, we've already done concepts.
We've already done all the entire application package.
We're ready to resubmit.
You know, this is kind of disappointing.
I have tried for four years to get a park in third ward or fifth ward.
And nobody never moves forward with it.
But we want to put a pocket park here and we want to put a downtown, we want to put a pocket park here.
Now on Stephenson, when are we going to support the kids of 3rd and 5th Ward?
It actually is in the 3rd Ward.
All the way out, Stephenson.
It's downtown, it's Third Ward.
By Joe's Pizza area.
That's correct, it's Third Ward.
So this is the pocket park that I thought we already established last year.
The area was given by, what's her name?
Mary Garvin.
Mary Garvin, yes.
Let's acknowledge her, she gave that space.
And so the grant that we were going for went to the Park District for whatever reason and we didn't get it.
In last year's cycle, yes, and this is a new year cycle that we're trying to get the same money because we have a very high qualifying rate for the funds.
And for Freeport, this is another no match grant for construction.
So we would, most Ozlight grants are a 50-50, so for a $600,000 project, you would put, the city would put up $300,000 and then the grant would pay $300,000 in reimbursement.
So a total $600,000 project.
In this case, Freeport has no match due to our current demographics, and so this is another project that could be bought to the residents with little to no funding.
In honor of Ms. Garvin and what she did for this city, I hope we get it.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted, 7-0.
Item number 21 is the adoption of resolution 2026-104.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving the exercise of an extension of the actuary actuarial services agreement with Howard E. Neyhart Company.
Thank you director Richter.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The City of Freeport issued a request for proposal in October of 2023 for actuary services.
The purpose of the RSPRFP was to obtain a firm to perform actuary services for the police and firefighter pension funds, Prepare, GASB 67 and 68 reports as well as reports on other post-employment benefits.
These calculations are necessary for our annual audit.
The RFP requested a cost for each of the first three years plus an option for two additional years.
Nyhart was selected from a total of four submissions.
They are a national firm that serves over 700 actuarial clients.
They serve over 60 Illinois police and fire pension plans.
And they meet all the required criteria, including staff education, license, and certifications.
Nyhart was also the lowest cost at $76,250 in total for all five years when the RFP was opened.
Neyhart has provided timely and satisfactory service over the past three years.
The finance department would like to extend the term of the agreement for a fourth and fifth year on the terms and conditions set forth in the original agreement.
The strategic plan alignment is responsive, efficient government and the staff request to extend the term of the agreement with Neyhart for two additional years at a cost of $32,400.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the resolution, Alderman Stacey.
What would make one say yes versus what would make one say no to this?
Director Richter.
I mean, no, if you did not think that the firm did a good job or didn't provide the what was requested of them.
They provided all the reports on time.
They did what was requested in the in the RFP.
If they did not do that, I would guess you'd say no.
I'm saying that they did what they were asked to do.
And, Norman, Stacey, so would it be your recommendation that we accept another two years?
It would I can't do this work.
This is actuary work.
I'm not an actuary.
The city does not employ an actuary.
We use firms to do that for us.
And the reports that they prepare are required by our audit.
And so I can't get a clean audit.
I can't get a finished audit without having these reports done.
So I need their expertise to put together.
Together these reports to then give to my auditors so we can do the audit.
They also provide reports that tell us how much money we need to be putting into the police and pension funds in order to meet our commitments in that area.
When we got the pension obligation bonds back, you know, five years ago, one of the requirements is that we meet our annual contributions and our annual contributions are determined by these reports thank you for explaining that there's no further discussion madam clerk please take the role Klemm all right johnson aye parker aye stacy aye Shadle aye sanders all right and sellers and that resolution is adopted seven to zero item 22 is the adoption of resolution 2026,105 could Could you please read this?
Resolution authorizing application for a public transportation capital assistance grant with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Freeport.
Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you Madam Mayor.
The City of Freeport receives the Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funding and is eligible to apply for and receive funding through the vehicle procurement program.
For the purchase of transportation to replace existing vehicles that have reached the applicable replacement criteria.
Currently three minivans, six light-duty paratransit buses, and one medium-duty paratransit bus operated by Pretzel City Area Transit have accumulated an average of 142,674 miles per vehicle and meet the applicable vehicle replacement criteria.
And Andrea.
These vehicles range from model years of 2016 to 2019.
As these high-mileage vehicles age, they require increased maintenance and repairs, which can reduce the number of vehicles available for service.
Reduced vehicles availability can in turn negatively affect the level and reliability of the transit service provided to the public.
The CVP program also provides an opportunity for the City to request additional vehicles to support expansions and the implementation of new transit services.
Through 2016, through 2026, CVP, the City of Freeport is seeking to replace three minivans, six light duty paratransit buses, and one medium duty paratransit bus currently in service with PCAT.
In addition, the City is requesting four new medium duty vehicles to support the planned Huffines.
The current estimate for units are $75,000 for each minivan, $126,000 for each light-duty paratransit vehicle, and $130,000 for each medium-duty paratransit.
The total estimate cost of the 2026 CVPU request is $1.7 million.
There is no local match requirement for this program.
To give you a little bit more information, there is a little over $7 million available statewide, and so we are requesting $1.7 million for our program.
The staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the City of Freeport to proceed with the submission of the 2026 CVP application to support the replacement of eligible vehicles within PCAT and the expansion of transit services within the City of Freeport.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution.
What is the cost for this application?
There's no cost.
We're just applying for this money.
And it costs nothing?
For us to do?
No.
Well, I mean, Sadie's wonderful time of preparing the application.
So that's it.
Just employee cost.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted seven to zero.
Item 23 is the adoption of resolution 2026106.
Could you please read this?
Resolution authorizing the auto renewal of the agreement with the Greater Freeport Partnership.
Manager Boyer.
In the agreement with the Greater Freeport Partnership there's an auto renewal policy that starts I think it's about 120 Dayes.
So brought to you tonight, whether it's council's desire to continue with that auto renewal policy or or do something different.
Bearing in mind the current agreement with the city and the greater fruitful partnership was approved in 24 for a term beginning in January of 24 and ending in 26 December 26.
Their agreement, as I mentioned, will automatically renew for one additional The current agreement provides annual compensation of $400,000 subject to annual appropriation by the City Council.
Huffines.
The agreement identifies the funding sources, the revenues from various TIF funds, tax and current financing districts, the hotel motel tax, tourism promotion fund, and general fund.
It also authorizes $25,000 performance bonus based on agreed upon deliverables.
No benchmarks were established in FY 24 for the FY 25 year.
No bonus has been paid during this agreement.
2018.
The city is invested.
Since 2018, the City has invested approximately $3.3 million in Greater Freeport Partnership.
The expiration of the Lamb Road TIF District will eliminate approximately $180,000 in annual revenue currently used to fund the Greater Freeport Partner Agreement.
Those revenues will instead be redistributed to the effective taxing bodies.
This reduction represents approximately 45% of the current $400,000 annual contract and Significantly Limits the City's Ability to Maintain the Existing Funding Level for FY27.
Providing Notice of Non-Renewal will not terminate the current agreement, which remains in effect through December 31st.
Rather, it will preserve the City Council's ability to evaluate available funding and determine the appropriate scope and structure of future economic development services.
At this time, there's no financial impact, and staff recommends the City Council not Authorize the Automatic Renewal of the GFP Agreement.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Sellers?
I'd like to know, with the TIF not being able to support this, how would we, what would we do?
Are there an opportunity to go back to the table and sit down with GFP and go over a new agreement and figure out how we can financially support them in what they're doing?
Correct.
So if this does not auto renew, we'll be able to review it and we'll be able to discuss, you know, based on what the funding is available, what we want to do moving forward.
You know, the director before Ms. Andrea Winters brought nothing to our city.
No businesses, no jobs.
For the last couple of years, we listened to report after report after report.
Still, what are they bringing to our city?
What jobs have been brought here, what businesses have been brought here, not taking credit for a new business that someone else brought here.
And I just don't feel that they have upheld their duties, their responsibility to the people of Freeport.
What do we have to show for it?
Any other discussion?
Attorney Zito?
No, go ahead.
Go ahead, attorney.
Go ahead.
Oh, okay.
No, I was just saying, I would like to, I would like, because it doesn't go away into December 1st, I would like for us to go back to the table and come up with either some type of agreement that we're not going to just get rid of GFP, but what can we do and and what financially are we going to support them with losing the $180,000 in the 10th?
That's what I would like to see done to figure that out.
Not give them up, but just figure out what are we going to do?
Are we going to continue certain areas or are we going to just totally dismiss the whole agreement or come back with something else?
Okay, you just said Mayor Miller December 31st, but don't something have to be decided before September 2nd?
This is about whether you want to auto renew, like there's no discussion, it's just auto renew.
Do you want that or not?
That's all this is.
If we don't do anything, then it's an automatic renewal regardless.
If it's not settled before September 2nd?
Correct.
So that's why it's before you.
Do you want to auto renew?
That's basically the question.
The attorney, Zeno.
So just before you guys vote.
So the question before you is whether or not you want to allow the agreement to automatically renew for one additional year, okay?
Settlers.
This is the best practice resolution because best practice is always to frame your resolutions in the positive, meaning that the resolution is written that you want the agreement to auto renew, okay?
If you want the agreement to auto renew, you vote yes.
If you don't want the agreement to auto renew, you vote no on this resolution, okay?
Because it's best practice to always frame the resolution in the positive, it's written so that if you vote yes, you're voting to auto renew.
Therefore, if you don't want it to auto-renew, you vote no.
Okay, so if there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
No.
Johnson?
No.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
No.
Sanders?
No.
And Sellers?
No.
And the adoption of the resolution fails seven to zero. 0 To 7 would be appropriately said.
Item number 24 is an approval of bid.
Could you please read?
Approval of bid, bid opening on July 28th, 2026 for Meadowbrook Lane Sanitary Sewer and Street.
Manager Boyer?
I thank your honor.
On Tuesday, July 28th, the city had a bid opening for the Meadowbrook Gravity Sewer Project.
There was one bid received from Fisher Excavating and that made it through the certified bid tabulation.
It is attached, the base bid including alternate one submitted by Fisher is in the amount of $1,361,847.80.
Fehr Graham and the staff recommend moving forward with the Gravity Sewer Project with Fisher excavating.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the bid.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Stacey?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes 6-0.
Item number 25 is another approval of a bid.
Could you please read?
Bid opening on August 11, 2026 for 2026 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Lining.
Boyer.
Thank your honor.
As we've been discussing tonight already, we've got about 130 miles of sanitary sewer.
We do our best to do the inspections, camera inspections for cracks and defects, inflow and infiltration sags and the like.
Our EPA mandatory CMOM, that's Sewer Capacity Management Plan requires specifically that Freeport address annual sewer rehabs for our collection system mainline piping for environmental concerns.
Sewer lining is considered the best way to do that.
On August 11th, 2026, we had a bid opening for 8,413 linear feet of sanitary sewer lining.
Let's see here, sewer lining along with another 330 linear Fitts for culvert or stormwater infrastructure.
These areas are identified as areas during our street replacements, so this is related back to our street program and where we're working.
City had four reputable bidders that specialize in sewer lining, submit competitive bids.
The certified bid, after the certified bid was done, hair construction was the low Low Responsive Bidder at $460,106.
So under the engineer's estimate of $361,343 of sewer and $98,670 for the storm.
So city staff plans to fund this work from the sewer and storm water capital improvement budget and staff recommends moving forward with the bid from hair construction.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
By Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the bid.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm.
Aye.
Johnson.
Aye.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
Aye.
Shadle.
Aye.
Sanders.
Aye.
And Sellers.
Aye.
The motion is approved seven to zero.
And item 26 is another bid.
Could you please read?
Bid opening was held on August 11th, 2026 for Central Fire Station window Wendell Replacement.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
On August 11th, the city held a bid opening for Central Fire Station Window Replacement Project.
We only received one bid, it was from NICAM Construction, and the bid tab was certified.
The bid was submitted by NICAM at $441,429, and we recommend, staff recommends awarding the Central Fire Station Window Replacement contract to NICAM Construction.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle.
Second by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion?
Madam Mayor, I just wanted to point out that we did have a second bidder, but they did not arrive in time for the bid opening and so we couldn't open their bid.
Alderman Klemm?
Yeah, one thing I noticed, you had an addendum one and you pulled it off for a couple of windows.
Yeah, I've worked with Chief Cordy and they weren't actually windows they were just full transom replacements and Chief Cordy and I met on site and agreed that the ones that are in place are good enough and they could be painted to match whatever the new transom colors were and so we I guess we valued engineered those and pulled those off.
Okay thank you.
Any other?
Yeah I was just gonna ask what's the total of windows that's If there's no further discussion, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
That bid is approved 7-0.
Finance?
Just a couple project updates.
Demeter Drive here in Freeport continues on.
They should start coring out the roadway from Empire to La Cresta.
We're putting water services in right now and then Waterbane will continue down to Hickory Hill.
I know the area is under a very large construction project, very dusty, very dirty.
Give us, you know, another 60 days and then it'll be looking a lot better.
I appreciate everybody's patience.
I just wanted to let everyone also know that we ran into some storm sewer issues over there.
Piping that was shown in the city GIS maps was actually found to be completely crushed.
We're dealing with that right now and looking for different ways to route it.
Another important announcement is Carroll.
South Carroll is under construction.
I just received a note during the meeting that Civil will be out at 6 o'clock tomorrow doing string line with pouring curb by 7 o'clock.
So please look for a public notice tonight from Mr. Bridge on exiting your cars before 6 AM so we can get that work moving.
Another point of emphasis that I wanted to make, we have said several iWorks reports for potholes.
We very much appreciate those reports that helps us cycle our daily duties and also our weekly events to try to patch these potholes.
So using iWorks is the best resort to make sure these potholes are addressed.
Some concerns that we've received recently are about parking lots.
I'm going to to use an example of the parking lot that, uh, uh, services Dunkin' Donuts.
Those parking lots are not city of Freeport property and therefore we cannot patch those because that's using public taxpayer money in private property.
So just keep that in mind as you send those responses in anytime you're in a private parking lot or, uh, another example would be the street, uh, by Taco Bell, Applebee's, those are not city owned proper streets and therefore The patching and the repairs are something that the city of Freeport cannot do.
Thank you, Mayor.
I have a question.
Sure.
All in one, Stacy.
Is there a fine for public, I mean, private owning, not keeping up their parking lots?
Unfortunately, not really.
I don't believe that we can find somebody for not upkeeping their property.
I mean, we can recommend it.
And the past, we've tried to help out with some cold patch if they get severe.
Um, but, uh, when we start filling potholes that are not city of Freeport property, we start taking liability on, and again, potholes are meant to fail again, right?
Cold patch does not stay in holes.
That's why we're trying not to use that product anymore and stay with hot patches.
So, City Manager Boyer has emphasized risk reward, right, on trying to help, and we do try to help, but we don't try to put the city in a risk of being liable for fixing something that is not our property.
Fire?
Nothing, Your Honor.
Police?
Yes, thank you.
I'd like to thank everyone that came to the beat meetings.
They were very, very successful.
I had 10 to 38 people that attended who saw the new metric style that we have for our police department that showed overall performance and management.
We also gave them a very new, we also gave them a very new, I'm sorry.
It's a pipe leak.
Oh, okay.
I wasn't sure if I had to get up or not.
Yeah, I wasn't sure.
Go ahead, keep going.
If you got a valve wrench, maybe.
Like I was saying, it actually gave them a new perspective of what community beat meetings, how they should be.
We had very positive community engagement and I'd like to thank Alderman Parker, Johnson, Klemm, Sellers, Shadle, and City Manager Rob Boyer who attended with the constituents, attended with the community members because of what we're teaching them and how we should move forward.
The second thing is we're also going to be listing out September's U-Beat meetings.
We had a lot of questions as to what they want to see further, so that engagement was very positive.
We also did yesterday the Brotherhood for Buckets versus Brotherhood Buckets, Freeport Young Hoops versus the FPD.
They got us, they ran for my money, that is for sure, these young kids.
We played basketball against them at the Boys and Girls Club, but it was very positive.
We were very well much welcomed.
It's something different that we're doing and I think it's very important that we're in within the community has we have been in the community as police department and I like to also say that we concluded our civilian police academy we started with 16 and graduated 13 when we started this in 2023 this has been the largest it's been requested again so we're going to do it in September our junior police academy we just graduated 17 which has been one of the largest as well So this is information that's been giving out to to all sets of groups on how the police department works and how they are able to work with us together.
And finally, my last public service announcement is that I need to everyone please make sure you lock your doors, you know, please lock your doors if you're going to the theater if you're going to eat.
Are crimes of opportunity that we have kind of been servicing lately where you have folks look try to see whose doors are open and and they do take items but we have been very successful and the last three incidents that our officers respond very quickly we obtain the offender we obtain the proceeds and the items that have been stolen but again please lock your doors and wherever you Go.
Thank you.
Library?
Yes.
I'm going to give you guys the CERC stats for July, but I'd also like to thank everybody who did participate in summer reading.
You made it incredibly successful.
For about 30 seconds, Amanda was upset she didn't reach the same numbers as last year.
I told her it's still an amazing number to get over 50% to finish.
So our CERC stats for the month of July were 10,819 items circulated.
The meeting room was used I think I got pretty winded yesterday, but I thought that those guys are good.
So thank you very much for reading that.
I'm going to have to go back and read some newspaper articles or magazine articles about it and then join the group to discuss.
So that way you can still participate in something, but not have to read a whole book in four weeks.
But I. T.?
City manager.
And then as you all know City Council meetings are the first second and third Monday nights of every month and there happens to be five of them in August so we won't have two Mondays where we will meet and then happens to be the first Monday in September is Labor Day so we will meet on Tuesday September 8th so have a nice couple of weeks where you don't have to Knapp be here on a Monday.
With that, Alderman Klemm.
Nothing, Your Honor, but thanks to the chief for the beat meetings.
They're very informal for the people.
I've had some feedback, asked for some feedback today and got some back.
So a lot of good things going on there.
Thank you.
Alderman Johnson.
And I just want to say also thanks to the Boys and Girls Club and William Brown and and all of those that played in the basketball game, it was very exciting to watch.
It was very exciting to watch.
It was fun to watch and it was fun before that.
They had young men that were competing in like a race and the three-point shootout and it was just fun to watch all of them and they were all enjoying it.
So thank you all of you.
Alderman Parker?
Nothing tonight.
Alderman Stacy?
Nothing tonight.
Alderman Shadle?
Nothing tonight.
Thank you.
Alderman Sellers?
Sellers.
Yes, I just want to say, yeah, it was a fun time at the Boys and Girls Club, and I hope to, they do it again next year.
And I'm sorry, Alderman Sanders, I didn't mean to bypass you.
Did you have something you wanted to say?
No.
Thank you.
Then we do have two that are signed up for public comment.
Madam Clerk, you have someone that entered in?
Yes.
This was an email.
My name is Gage Devers.
Freeport is my home even though I am currently living and working in Kuwait.
Because I cannot stand before you in person, I ask that my words be read in full and entered into the public record.
I am asking this council to end Freeport's use of flock safety cameras.
This is not an attack on our police officers and is not a claim that public safety does not matter.
It is a warning that in the name of safety, our city has crossed a line that should concern every resident Whether they have ever committed a crime or not.
These cameras do not only photograph suspects, they record ordinary people going about their ordinary lives.
They can document when we leave home, where we worship, when we visit a doctor, whose house we visit, and whether we attend a political meeting or public demonstration.
Taken together, those records can reveal a person's movements, relationships, habits, and beliefs.
Freeport's own ALPR policy states that reasonable suspicion or probable cause is not required before using an Alpr.
That means a resident does not need to be suspected of any wrongdoing before the government searches a system containing records of where vehicles have traveled.
That should frighten us, not because every officer will misuse the system, but because no government should build such a powerful tool based only on the hope that it will never be misused.
The records I received also raised serious questions about how this program was approved and Implemented.
The City produced a FLOC order form listing a 25-month initial term, a 24-month renewal term, annual recurring charges of approximately $84,500, and a total contract value of $176,041.60.
The document bears the City Manager's signature dated September 18, 2025, yet the City later told me in writing that there is no signed agreement or contract between the city and FLOC.
The city also said records identifying the number of deployed devices did not exist while its own production included a FLOC system screen showing 16 devices.
There are not, these are not minor clerical questions.
Residents deserve to know who authorized this program, how it is being funded, how many cameras are operating, who can search the data, which outside agencies can access it and whether anyone independently evaluated the privacy and cybersecurity risk before deployment.
Freedom is not only the ability to travel.
It is the ability to travel without the government quietly creating a searchable history of where we have been.
Once surveillance infrastructure is built, it rarely becomes less intrusive.
It expands, connects to more databases, reaches more agencies, and becomes harder to remove.
I ask this council to stop further payments, expansion, Renewal, and Outside Sharing of FLOC Data.
Place this program on a public agenda.
Hold a public hearing.
Require a complete legal, privacy, cybersecurity, and financial review.
Then vote to terminate the program and remove the cameras.
Your time has expired.
Next, we have Angela Spearman.
Hello, as she stated.
My name is Angela Spearman.
I have been a long lifetime I'm resident residence of Freeport, Illinois.
I do love our city, but I have some concerns about some things that happened a couple of weeks ago on July the 27th.
I was a victim of a crime.
My doors were locked.
Two young men came to my residence, they beat up the car with bats.
I called the police, made a report.
I even got videos.
I got videos of both incidents.
Brandon still came in and tried to kick in the door while my son and grandson was inside the house.
Later came back with bass and beat in both of the cars.
Again, I did make a report to the police.
And again, I have video.
I called the police.
I left a message for you and to see what would happen to these young men that did this.
I got the run around, passed the buck, had to go to the police station, speak to the state's attorney, back and forward, back and forward, got tired of it, got a message from the state's attorney, stated that he's not gonna take the case.
So what are the consequences of this happening?
It's like you can do anything, do any crime and get away with it.
Again, I have footage of this happening.
I was like, like the mayor said earlier, let's do the right thing.
Let's do the right thing and get some consequences of these young men.
I don't feel safe in Freeport anymore.
Like I lived here all my life and this hurts me.
And I just want justice, justice.
Thank you.
Are there any other public comments?
Good evening Freeport, those of you on the city council as well.
And John.
First of all, the first thing I'd like to speak on is agenda item number nine.
I'm directing my comments to Joy.
My comment is simply this, where you end those meetings.
And the next portion of that is none of us can determine what somebody's intentions are, Ms. Sellers.
The next thing I would like to talk about is Freeport Partnership.
I was in the very first meeting of the individuals that started this.
Freeport Partnerships name has changed at least five times.
And I wonder why.
I remember a number of them, one is all in.
But five times this name has changed.
Something's wrong with that picture.
In regards to the ward map, Cecelia, the ward map was changed in 2022.
And it was changed based around the censors of 2020.
And in the process of that, the reason it was changed and the amount of people that were lost in this town are these numbers.
Third ward lost 559 residents.
Second ward lost 442 residents.
Fifth ward lost 417 registered voters and residents in this town.
And so in the process based around the 2020 censors, They had to do this in order for there to be a total of 3,425 equally accessed wards or ward maps.
So in answer to your question, that's the reason that it was changed from all the way down to MetLife.
It used to stop before you got into the main downtown area, but based around the loss of residencies.
And if you notice, 3rd War 552, which means that people were dying, being displaced, or being forced out.
So there's your answers to some of the questions that they won't give you.
Any other public comments?
Tommy?
We want to keep working there.
And John Parker, you're doing good.
And we want to know about the route from Press Off Transit.
Yeah, thanks, Tommy.
So the route is still under review from IDOT.
IDOT came back to us and they wanted to take a second look at the route before giving their blessing again.
Again.
So, we are awaiting the review.
They said that they'll be as quick as possible, but their legal team is reviewing it right now.
And they're doing a good job about that cleaning.
What are they?
So they're working on repairing the buildings, and we have the brownfields dirt sampling going to happen very shortly.
Are there any other public comments this evening?
I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Second.
Motion made by Shadle, seconded by Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Johnson, aye.
Parker, aye.
Anderson, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.