bringing us to this night. We're grateful for the ability to meet through the storm and the cleanup today.

We're grateful for the good work of the crews and the safety there. And Lord, we are grateful for you who we owe our lives and our health and our safety to.

Lord, tonight, pray that you bless this meeting, Lord, many are the plans of man, but it's by your blessing that they are actually accomplished, Lord, I thank you for the servants here tonight, sitting around these tables, these desks, and Lord, I thank you for their gifts and their willingness to serve, and we thank you that despite the differences among us, we serve one place, One City. We pray that you'd help us to do that. Lord, that we would keep love of neighbor alive among us, a willingness to turn the other cheek, a willingness to serve in the midst of differences for a common goal. And so, Father, we pray that you'd give your blessings tonight on the deliberations here. Lord, we thank you for swearing in tonight.

we thank you for the fire department and the police force for our first responders we pray that you'd continue to give them success and safety help them to bless our people our city with their service and may we be a blessing to them and so we ask your blessing tonight we pray in Jesus name amen amen amen thank you the meeting will be called to order at 601 Mayor Miller is absent tonight Alderpersons Clemm Johnson, here, Simmons, here, Parker, here, Stacy, here, Shadle, here, Sanders is absent, Sellers, here, and in the mayor's absence, could I have a motion to appoint a chairperson pro tem?

I would make the motion to approve Alderman Shadle as mayor pro tem. Second. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Chair, the meeting is yours. Thank you.

And could you join us in the Pledge of Allegiance led by Parker?

Pledge of Allegiance to the fight 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.

Thank you. That leads us to item one is the approval of the agenda. So move.

Second.

Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? That passes. And item two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on February 17th of 2026. So move. Second. Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers, to approve, all in favor? Aye. And opposed?

That motion passes.

Item three is fire department promotions prevented by Chief Cordy.

Chief.

Firefighter hosts, on behalf of the City of Freeport Police and Fire Commission, we want to honor you tonight for the work well done for the City of Freeport and the Fire Department.

the City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to all whom these presents shall Travis Holtz have been duly appointed to the position of Lieutenant in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson in the State of Illinois for the term from the 16th day of March 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assess assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to law and the ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. Be safe.

Travis was hired August 24th, 2012. He's advanced certified firefighter, paramedic, instructor two, fire apparatus engineer, company fire officer, and Hazardous Materials Technician. He's also trained in rope operations and vehicle machinery. He's got an associate's degree in fire science at Rock Valley College. He received a life-saving award for the fire 202 and a half West Main Street. He previously ran the department's fire explorer program and adopted hydrant programs. He's been a member of the Foreign Fire Board for four years. He's a lifelong Freeport resident, graduated from Freeport High School, is married to Desi, and this is their son, Trey.

Public comments on agenda items, none's listed, go to the consent agenda.

All items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion.

There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member so requests, and in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the consent agenda and it consists of approval to receive and place on file minutes of the committee board and commission meetings of art and culture commission January 8th, 2026 liquor commission December 11th, 2025 and February 12th, 2026 fire department report February 2026, Building Permit Report, February 2026, CDBG Housing Rehab Grant Invoices, February 26, 2026, March 12, 2026.

Approval of the Finance Bills Payable, Packet 8081, 8083, 8085, and 8086, and unnumbered packet invoices to be approved for payment register February 26th of 2026 through March 12th of 2026, totaling $1,387,372.98, approval of payroll for pay period ending March 7th, 2026 in the amount of $569,813.98 with fringe benefit Payments in the amount of $140,424.28 for a total of $710,238.26.

Do I have a motion to approve?

So moved.

Motion by Parker, second by Johnson.

Yeah, that's what I had in question.

Alderman Stacy.

What are the unnumbered packets? What do they consist of? Unnumbered packets.

Would you be able to answer that, Director Rick?

So unnumbered means we haven't run them yet. So the invoices that are in your packet, there's a report of the largest packet, the million-dollar one.

There's a list of every invoice that's going to be paid there, and with your approval tonight, I'll be able to run those tomorrow And what if it exceeds what was approved?

The amounts are set, they're in your packet, the amount of the invoices are set, they're in the packet There's a listing of every single invoice that I would like to pay, and with the consent agenda being passed tonight, then I will run them tomorrow Chair?

Oh, and Stacy, are you following?

No, I don't, but I will.

There's invoices that she just hasn't numbered in.

There's invoices that she just hasn't numbered into a packet. There's invoices that she needs to pay. They're just not in a numbered packet. I'm assuming they'd be smaller than the larger ones that have a packet assigned to them.

The reason they don't have a number yet is the computer has not generated a number because they haven't been paid. So once I enter, tell the computer, okay, pay these invoices, it'll give me a packet number.

Oh, gotcha.

That makes sense.

Chairman Shadle.

Okay.

And those amounts and those packet numbers match what all of you sign here that goes to the finance department as well. This all lines up with that.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Uh, Madam Clerk, can you call the roll on that? Could everyone pull their microphones down and talk? Thank you, ladies. Uh, Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. Aye. The motion passes seven to zero. Thank you. That moves to item six is appointments. Uh, appointment appointment of Shelly Grigeroff to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, effective through April 30th of 2027. The appointment of Scott Arnold to the Police Pension Fund Board, effective through April 30th of 2028. Appointment of Scott Arnold to the Firefighters Pension Board Fund, the Fund Board, effective through April 30th, 2029.

reappointment of Robert Bush to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners effective through April 30th of 2029 and with approval we do this in one motion yes unless somebody wants somebody separate and is it by voice attorney Zito by roll call okay motion to approve second motion by Clemm second by Sellers is any discussion if you could take the roll Parker aye Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And that motion passes 7 to 0. Thank you. And that leads us to the second reading of Ordinance 2026-12, if you could. Ordinance Adopting Zoning Map. By Director Heimendinger, please.

Thank you. The Illinois compiled statues requires a map to be published annually. We showed this in our first reading where we have five amendments that went through zoning, board of appeals, and also planning commission, and then were approved by council. And then we have two inaccuracies that were identified this year. We staff recommends the adoption of the 2025 official zoning map.

So move, second And is there any discussion? Madam Clerk, could you take the roll? I missed the second time, sorry This is actually second reading up, so there'd actually be a motion in a second You're right, thank you Parker Aye Stacey Aye Shadle Aye Sanders You're just going to abstain for that one Okay, Sellers Aye Clem Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. Aye. And the ordinance passes 7-0. With one abstention. I'm sorry? With one abstention, 7-0, with one exemption. Thank you.

That's at 6-13. Thank you. All right. Item number eight is the first reading of ordinance 2026-13.

Ordinance amending Chapter 1448 Erosion Control Permits Manager Boyer Thank you, Mr. Chair Last meeting on March 9th, staff was available We went over the amendments to Chapter 1448 MS4 Stormwater Erosion Control Permits As mentioned during that time, the proposed amendments established clear permit classifications based on project size and Type of Land Use Disturbance. The ordinance strengthens erosion and sediment control plans and requires requirements to ensure appropriate best management practices are designed and implemented. The amendments also clarify inspections, reporting, and documentation standards for regulated sites. In addition, the ordinance expands enforcement authority, including the issuance of stop work orders when necessary. These changes ensure continued compliance with the IEPA and MS for stormwater obligations while improving regulatory clarity, and staff recommends moving this forward to a second reading.

So move. Second.

I have a motion by Sellers, second by Johnson.

Discussion, Chair.

Discussion now.

I just wanted to mention that we had comments from Ms. Johnson, and we took those into advisement, and changes were made to the alternating MS-4 ordinances that are on tonight based on her comments.

So those changes were made on that then?

Yes.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Item 9.

First reading of Ordinance 2026-14, Madam Clerk.

One second.

Ordinance amending Part 6, General Offenses, Chapter 660, Additional Hazardous Materials, Section 660.0.

0-2, Definitions, 660-05, Prohibition, and Adding Sections, 660-09, Injunctive Relief and Administrative Hearing, 660.10, Access to Premises, 660-11, Notification of Discharge, 660-12, Notice of Violation, 660-13, Suspension of Activities, and 660.14, Abatement Costs.

Do I have a motion?

So we would do...

Snap of one first.

Oh, I'm sorry. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Alderman Shadle. The proposed amendments revise specific provisions within Chapter 660 to clarify regulatory requirements and improve administrative efficiency. The changes update the language for consistency within the code and remove outdated or conflicting provisions. The amendments also strengthen enforcement authority where necessary and ensure alignment with current state regulations and city practices. Overall, the revisions improve clarity for residents, contractors, and staff.

staff supporting the effective implementation of the ordinance by our compliance officer and staff recommends moving forward to second reading.

So moved.

Second.

Motion by Sellers, second by Parker.

Is there any discussion?

Thank you.

We'll go to item 10, which is the first reading of ordinance 2026-15.

Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services, Title IV, Utilities, Chapter 1046, Sewers Generally, Section 1046.59, Discharge of Storm, Surface, or Groundwater into Sanitary Sewers, and amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services, Title IV, Utilities, Chapter 1050, Storm Sewers, Section 1050.08, Illicit Discharge Manager, Boyer. Thank you, Alderman, Shadle. The proposed changes to section 1046-59 clarify prohibited connections to the sanitary sewer and strengthens the city's authority to require corrective action. The amendments in section 1050.08 update the definition of illicit discharge and reinforce the city's authority to investigate and enforce violations. These revisions are necessary to maintain compliance with the updated MS4 permit and protect the city's wastewater and stormwater systems.

Staff recommends moving this to second reading.

I need a motion and a second.

So move.

Motion by Sellers.

Second.

Second by Johnson.

Is there any discussion?

Is this the one pertaining to going into the houses if necessary?

I believe it is.

660. Is it not? 10? You're right. That's what it's talking about. I believe that was number nine. Yeah, it was. That was number nine. That was the one was item nine. There was one before that. Okay, so that's not this one. This one concerns, sorry, this one concerns hazardous dumping into storms or on the street or things like that.

on the street or things like that, similar to the situation that we had over in your ward. Right, and. But this would also pertain to the human feces in backyards, number 10 or number 9. Number 9 is more appropriate to that hazardous waste. Okay, thanks. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Are we also talking about dumping into the storms, stormwaters by residential or commercial or manufacturers. We are making reference to those types of facilities. Am I right about that? What about the city doing discharges when it comes to water storm, when it comes to rain backup, stormwater backup?

and and it also compacts the sewer system as well when when we have this kind of flooding going on within the city and we have to dump the water from manhole to storm sewer what are the what is the compliance there are we in violation when that happens because we can't say to resident you can't do it but yet the city has no other choice but to do it. I just wanted to know what kind of standards do we have for that?

Manager Boyer.

Well, as it's related to this ordinance, obviously, this is basically updating our stormwater codes to align with best practices from the EPA because we are a MS4 community at this time and have been since, I think, 2020.

As far as illicit discharge, illicit discharges are prohibited Yeah, when you say illicit discharge Not permitted, not permitted discharges Break it down more clearly so everybody can understand when you say illicit because illicit has a variance to it who can and who can't. And still, let's be more specific when we say that, because we're talking about something that is contaminating our water source into the river. I just want to know how we're handling it. What is our protocol for handling those kinds of situations?

I can engage you afterwards on that, but we just spent $60 million on a phase one wastewater plan upgrade to deal with that.

Okay. Okay. Thank you. Anything else?

I don't like the idea of talking with Alderman Sanders off the record after the meeting when the public is wanting to hear answers and process now.

Now I want to know the understanding of elicited and who has the right and who don't have the right and in what situations are you granted the right and where are we, what man holds are we poisoning?

and what side of town are they being directed to? City Manager Boyer? I believe you answered that prior. This isn't related to this, but this isn't related to this stormwater. We're basically bringing stormwater regulations in line with state requirements. I'm not sure what other person Stacy's referring to specifically. So again, this isn't an open forum to discuss everything under the sun or just on this agenda item.

Okay, I'm not asking him to discuss everything under the sun, and I will be respected.

Okay, first reading of ordinance 2026-17, Madam Clerk.

I have 16 next in sequential order.

Is that okay?

Oh, did I get ahead of one?

You might have.

Item 11, first reading of ordinance 2026-16.

16. Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services Code, Title IV, Utilities, Chapter 1040, Utilities Generally, Section 10407A and Section 10407B, Connection Required, Aligning with New Julie Laws. Thank you.

Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. So Julie is our, essentially the services does the locates for any kind of excavation in town. Many people are familiar with it. You would call Julie if you wanted to put a fix a water service line or maybe put a deck in. And the city has to respond rapidly to Julie requests that come in for contractors work that go on throughout the city. So the 2026 amendments to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act require that all newly installed or replaced water and sewer service lines be electronically traceable and locatable.

What that means is from here on out, we need to put locator tape or locator wire in when we do excavations and install new sewer or water service lines or sewer services.

This is now the laws of January 26 and all communities must comply. In the past, certain private service laterals were not required to include tracer wire or other locating technology, which creates difficulties during excavation and utility marking.

excavations must be continued to be coordinated through Julie. The updated law expands the responsibility of the private service owner to ensure that underground infrastructure is properly installed, locatable, and maintained in the right-of-way and on private property for all new installations or repairs. The proposed ordinance amends and updates the city code to reflect the state requirements. The changes will require tracer wire, as mentioned before, or approve locating technology for applicable water and sewer service lines and make compliance a condition of permanent issuance and final inspection.

So aligning local regulations with state law improves excavation safety, reduces the risk of utility damage and service disruptions and provides clear standards for contractors, developers, and property owners operating within the city.

And staff recommends moving this on to second reading.

Thank you.

I have a motion to approve.

So move.

Move it on.

second motion by Johnson second by Sellers and discussion Alderman Sanders yeah I did I hear you right about even with repairs they should sit down tracer wires some form of tracer wire even during a repair in certain circumstances these are the new laws okay see nothing else we'll move to item 12 first reading of ordinance That's 2026-17.

Ordinance approving a special use permit to allow adult use cannabis dispensing facility at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A.

And presented by Director Heimerdinger, please.

Thank you so much.

Staff received a special use permit application on February 10, 2026 from Botavi Wellness LLC to allow an adult use cannabis dispensary organization at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A, here in Freeport, Illinois. The property is within the B-3 Commercial and Wholesale Business District, Section 1252.05B-4 of the City Freeport Zoning Code states that adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations require a special use permit. In 2019, the City Council passed an ordinance to allow adult-use cannabis facilities in the city of Fleetport. The special use permit is to examine the property and determine if the physical characteristics of the site are appropriate for the proposed use. The petitioner would like to open an adult use cannabis dispensary organization, which would be the first dispensary in Fleetport and the only dispensary in Stevenson County. The state of Illinois has expressively predominated local authority, including home rule authority, as to the licensing and operations of cannabis businesses. The state has, however, allowed local municipalities to regulate the siting of these businesses. The city of Freeport in 2019 exercised this authority and enacted Chapter 1274 adult use cannabis in their codified audiences. Specifically, the city of Freeport requires 1,500 feet between a dispensary

in any school, nursery, or licensed daycare facility and 300 feet from any residential district.

In addition, residential district. In addition to the distance requirement, the city of Freeport only permits adult use cannabis dispensary organizations by use in two zoning districts, B3 Commercial and Wholesale Business and Riverfront Redevelopment Zoning Districts. After applying these restrictions, only a few locations in Freeport meet the established requirements and the proposed location is one of them. The property is where the permit is requested is the Formal Rosati's Pizza and is the only vacant unit on the parser and the only vacant unit in the shopping center.

Adequate parking exists in this location to accommodate expected occupancy. Traffic to the main corridors is not expected to be significantly impacted as even at peak traffic flow to this type of business is small compared to the traffic already handled at this location for the big box retailers which is Walmart and Minerva.

who currently operate there. The shopping centers in which this dispensary would be located is situated along South Route 26 corridor. As such, visitors to the city of Freeport will be traveling through the major commercial corridors, potentially increasing businesses all along the main routes, and particularly around Route 26 West Street corridor for visitors entering the north along the heavily traveled Route 20 tourist corridor. The petitioner will have to comply and adhere to the city of Freeport's ordinances regarding zoning, which in the packet that was attached to today's agenda, there's an appendix B that outlines that, and as a condition of the licensing of the petitioner, we'll also have to comply with all state and regulations concerning adult use dispensary organizations, Summary of which can be found on Appendix B within that packet. And then on March 5th in 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the approval by a vote of five yays, one nay, and zero abstentions. On March 12th, the Planning Commission recommended approval for a vote of six yays and zero nays.

I will bring your attention to some of the appendix items.

The first one, appendix A, which is not on the screen yet, but this outlines the petitioner's ability to comply with chapter 1274, which was adopted by the city of Fleetport in 2019, which outlines how a cannabis dispensary organization should sit within the city of Freeport and outlines its compliance within those restrictions.

And then we go to Appendix B, which is a summary of security features for these types of businesses.

They have very stringent rules by the state. As you can see there on the very first one, the colored floor plan up above, you can see that they enter that green, that's a check-in room. You have to be 21 to enter this facility. If you enter and you're not 21, they will immediately escort you out and you will be asked to leave.

the first thing that you do is you come into that locked vestibule the check-in space and that's where you would process your ID to verify your age and then from there you'd be ushered on to the area that is yellow on the screen which outlines the sales floor. Now the sales floor is very it's not what you expect it's not like when you go to Walmart or Minoids or anything where there's all the everything is out and you can grab what you want.

In this case, it's actually all dummy products, which means that everything is packaged like it would exist, but you are just looking for the type that you want. There's no actual product. It's just kind of showing you what you could have.

from there you would then speak to the staff and ask them to you know show them what what you are actually looking for and what the product you want and then they would be able to go and get that from the vault. Now in this floor plan you can see a bunch of cones in the corners that outline security so every square inch of this place is monitored and in fact the Illinois State Police has access to the camera system at all times without a warrant or permission so people everything is monitored. The vault that you see is the pink way the pink on the right side of your screen right after the after the yellow and that is where all the product is kept. They have to do inventory every single day. If inventory is off, they have to immediately shut down and they have 24 hours to figure out what happened. And they have to be in constant communication with the state. So this is a very secure location. As you can see, the sales, there is no true product on the Sayers Floor. It's just demo product. And then as you move through, the next page just shows you the floor plan

without the security features highlighted. And then as we go through to the elevations, the elevations show that the biggest change of the building is just that the sign will be updated to the name. But from other than that, there's nothing else. So it blends nicely into the facility and the atmosphere down there are ready. They're not changing too much of the location. And with that, staff recommends moving on to a second reading.

Thank you. We have a motion to move this on. So move. Second. Motion by Sellers, second by Parker. Any discussion? Alderman Stacy.

Yes, I would like to know, has there been a meeting on this matter with the community? And if so, when was it?

Yes, there was a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on March 5th that the community was always able to come in and voice their concerns or support.

And when was this and at what time?

This was at the Zoning Board of Appeals. That was March 5th at 5.30 here at City Hall in Council Chambers.

March 5th?

March 5th, yes.

Alderman Sanders?

Go ahead, go ahead.

At 5.30, you said?

At 5.30, yes.

Alderman Clinton.

Clinton.

Alderman Clinton.

Is Alderman Stacy done?

Alderman Sellers and Alderman Johnson and I were here for the presentation that the gentleman out here gave us.

Very excellent presentation, very excellent facility, the way it's laid out, all the safety features involved in it and everything else. But I will tell you right now, I'm not supportive of it for one reason, because of, if you stop to figure, one of the things he brought up in his presentation was the fact that they're going to have between 200 and 500 customers a day.

You add 200 and 500 customers a day to a place that already has over 1,000 over here and has 1,000 here and you've got all the other five stores up here and you've got one road coming into it and it splits off and either goes to Walmart or it goes to Menard so you've got all this traffic coming into there.

I think you've got the major traffic jam of the century it's just just my opinion okay but keep in mind I go there almost daily okay and sometimes multiple times per day on account of the car wash okay and I see the traffic there I see the condition of the road I see the width of the thing if you could take all the traffic and move it to the center one you know where it which is down farther you'd got something to talk about. But everybody is so inclined to come in with the one with the lights on it. I just see a major traffic problem. I'm not in opposition to the product or to what's being done. It'll provide some people in Freeport will be able to buy stuff in Freeport rather than go to Rockford or go to a neighboring place. I've also been in Rockford many times by the dispensaries there, and he brought up at that period of time, you know, during COVID and during the other thing, there was a much different, was a much different, not clientele, but a bigger mass of people and there's less places and all that kind of stuff. I understand all that, 100%.

and all that 100%. But I think you have the traffic problem as such. Yeah, I can speak a little bit to that. So it is vacant right now. Anything that would move into that location would bring traffic. Any location, if it was a restaurant, a very successful restaurant, you can see any restaurant here in Freeport that's very successful is usually jam-packed. It would bring about the same amount of customers there, and it's you know and and so in in that way anything that would move into that could bring about the traffic jam and I agree with you that yes Minoids is is busy that entire area is very busy nobody wants to go I go at 6 a.m. on Saturdays not noon on Saturdays because yes there's a lot of traffic though that the lot and the road there that's a private lot in a private road the city can make suggestions to help kind of move traffic in a way that keeps it less chaotic but above all it is private so at any point anything could move into that facility and you could have the same traffic issues. You know this might bring about you know if this moves in if anything else moves in Maybe it brings up a good point of maybe there's a second entrance that needs to be talked about that goes into that facility, but it is a private, it's a private lane and a private parking lot. And so with that, it's, it's their responsibility to make sure that they have the, the, the traffic flow. Also keep in mind, these individuals are not staying long. They, you know, they come in, they get their product and they, they leave. They're not, they're not sitting too, they're not sitting too long.

so it's not you know it's not gonna hold up traffic it's they're coming in to get the merchandise that they want and then they exiting. Thank you. Alderman Sanders. Yeah you know I I sit here and I listen to that and for the life of me I'm looking at this and I've been studying this to the point where we're saying that the state allows this to happen without the authority of the city of Freeport, county of Freeport, nor home rule has no jurisdiction in these matters.

So what are we saying that we're forfeiting our legal rights to prohibit them from starting up a business?

Are we complaining that what the state is permitting that the city wants to put a hold on this issue because we had not received the proper regulation, the security, all of these provisions that need to be put in place before such an event even be considered?

but what I'm asking is who is preempting this according to the discussion log that I'm reading?

It sounds like it's the state of Illinois ordinance codified that's permitting such an event to take place in the city of Freeport saying, if I understand this right, saying that Freeport has no jurisdiction or does our home rule has any jurisdiction?

Did I read that right? Did I follow that right? I must have misunderstood that somewhere along the line. Okay, could someone completely inform those that might have misinterpreted what it really means?

So if you could, please. Yes, I can do that. What the state has made a rule is that cannabis is legal in the state of Illinois. They are able to set up businesses. What the city has jurisdiction over is where does that business go within the city?

and so the city in 2019 set up chapter 1274 which outlines where the counselor at the time thought was reasonable restrictions on where it could go and though so in that way they did 1500 feet from any daycare nursery child care facilities and then an additional 300 feet from any residential district.

And that was the statues that were in place that the city could impose.

So what the state did was say, cannabis is legal, businesses can operate to sell cannabis, cities have the jurisdiction to indicate in what locations and put restrictions on it.

And so those are the restrictions that we can place on it.

I did not, I did hear you say restrictions. Yes. The city has the rights to make restrictions. On where it's located. Just on that particular. 1500 feet. And that's, that's, uh, you're saying that the city and who are the, uh, petitioners that, that should be here before us making that statement, making that claim of opening up a business and how they're going to help safeguard the citizens of the city of Freeport. Even if they're 21 years of age, I don't care, those ages can be obfuscated and people can become props for younger adults. When it does that, who is regulating those securities?

The state. The state regulates.

So they're going to come in here and do the regulations and set up all safeguards?

Yes, and if, in my presentation, the Illinois State Police has access to the cameras within the facility 24-7 without permission or without warrants.

So they are looking into that, yeah.

Yeah, we need to bring more clarity to the people of Freeport.

If I can misconstrue what you just talked about, those kind of variables did not come out initially in this discussion, how it's going to be handled.

Those are the things the citizens of the Freeport needs to be able to hear, that there's safeguards all over this thing, and that we should not be as citizens intimidated by all kinds of things that could cause harm unto the children and to the city of Freeport.

And so I think we need to be as council members to be more vigilant in studying that as well as what the state is imposing upon the city of Freeport.

It's not one of those things that we're just going to be happy and just go along with it without challenging it, you know, because we have to do that in order for us to maintain the respect that we need to maintain here in the city of Freeport because other agencies coming in here running over Freeport without consulting the council of Freeport, I think that's a sole disrespect.

I don't hear them standing up at that podium talking to us directly, not only directly to council, but the cities, the citizens of Freeport.

I like to see their faces. I like to see these agencies that wants to come in and violate the premises of the city of Freeport.

Even if it's lawful, you know, I still like to see their faces so we can hold them accountable.

Alderman Sellers I would just like to say that I am in agreement with it. I did come to the meeting that they did, excuse me, do the presentation. The young man did an excellent presentation. He answered all the questions. I know that my job is to listen to the information that the young man gave and he gave.

and there were other just a very few citizens that came in. No one got up. No one said anything.

I do understand about the parking incident, but I do think that the time and the money that they're going to put into this establishment, they kind of know what they're doing.

You know, this is not their first one after listening to all the things that the young man said.

And then my other thing is because of my job is to listen to what we already said we could have in Freeport, and that was in 2019.

my job is to make sure that where they want to put it maybe it might not be where I like but if it meets the criteria of what we said where they need to be at in places I have to agree with it because it does meet those standards if it was something that I don't know but it's not it's where we said they have to be in order to have it.

So I wish that that night when we were there that maybe that question came up about the traffic coming in and out. I can't remember because coming in and out. I can't remember because there was a lot going on. But about the safety and the security that's there, it will be a lot of money put into that place to take care of all those concerns. So that's why I would have to say yes, because they did meet the qualifications that we did ask them to meet.

Alderman, Stacy.

Okay.

I believe that we, the council, have say-so in allowing this to happen.

Am I wrong in thinking that?

You have the right to approve a special use for the cannabis.

So if we vote it down, then it don't come.

Am I correct?

If you chose to do that, yes.

Okay, so we do have right under this home rule or whatever you're saying, Mr. Sanders, because if it's voted down, then it won't happen, and if we didn't have a choice in the matter, it wouldn't be on the floor, and I don't care how much money they make, how much money it's brought to the city, what's that got to do with us?

Just because it's brought to the city, how do we benefit? What do we get out the deal?

Mr. Steekel?

Yeah, I've just been involved in this in a handful of communities that have approved these dispensaries.

So just some items that I wanted to give you. So the permits are regulated by the state.

The company would have to file a very large bond, millions of dollars with the state of Illinois to be approved for a facility like this in Freeport.

There are two licenses I believe available for Stevenson County. So choosing no here would probably allow it to go to another town in our region. That is a choice, but that may happen. This is state-controlled substance. So there are many rules that were presented at the commission meetings, like for instance, they have to have a security guard on site 24-7 of operation while they're operating, or they can't be open. It's a scan in only with a license with the scan bar on it. Not just anybody can walk in the facility. They only limit the amount of people that are in the facility. There is a safety tax to this cannabis purchase that goes directly to the police department to help increase standards for the police department. Not standards, but funding for the police department. There's also a city tax that comes from the cannabis that is much larger.

I believe it was presented at the Planning Commission that there is really three pockets in Freeport that would be available for this. It's either north of town, south of town, or somewhere in the downtown. Those are the only three available based on our zoning right now that are available for this type of facility. So those are just facts. I mean, do with them what you will.

All airmen, Simmons.

So I'm not against the dispensary coming to Freeport.

If I vote no, it will be because I'm against the placement.

We need to be strategic of where we're going to allow.

Like you said, it's the first dispensary in Stevenson County.

Here we are right on the border of Wisconsin.

It is going to drive traffic.

And this is an area that already sees plenty of traffic.

Where do we want to drive our traffic in Freeport?

and clearly the other aldermen agree we have enough in that area so I think north of town or even like you said downtown is a business district those are areas we are trying to drive more traffic to and that will be better placement and you make it more agreement.

Oh and McClemm did you have another?

Not really, but I would echo what has been discussed, the presentation, the security of the site, all that kind of stuff, there's, I don't have an issue with whatsoever, you know, I mean, the design of it, the thing that threw the red flag up to me was 200 to 500 customers a day, you know, just knowing the area, just knowing what's going on, and the only thing I could say to you, to your thing is, you know, it's private property and so on and so forth but two wrongs don't make a right I mean you and I both know Rosati's didn't have 200 to 500 customers a day okay thank you best day okay so that's a considerable considerable amount of difference you know the parking lot you know so to speak is debatable size on it you know one of the problems I would foresee that that it happens every day now on account of the car washes everybody uses is Menard's parking lot and you'll have people running across the street there back and forth.

I believe there's just some issues to be worked out or something that can be done.

The idea of putting it someplace else is not a bad idea.

You know, I'm, in general, I'm not opposed to it.

It's just, you know, where it's at, I just think it's going to be a bad deal.

Yeah.

All the members, Sellers.

Um, I would like to also know that is this, um, did they purchase that or are they renting those places?

It's a lease.

Oh, okay.

Already?

How did I have to?

I think you were the first to talk and then.

I've spoken one time on this matter.

Okay, I may be wrong.

Alderman Stacy.

So there was a couple things said you yourself stated that they are not going to be here long I didn't I did not say that customers were not going to be there yes okay and Darren you spoke about the city tax from the cannabis what percent of the city tax and and and where is that money going to go So, in account for our roads.

Attorney Zito.

So, the amount of tax that goes directly to the city is a 3% tax.

That is a city ordinance that we were allowed to adopt back when the cannabis laws were first, or when the state first authorized cannabis, they allowed municipalities to impose a tax up to 3% that would go directly to the general fund of the municipality.

And that's what the city of Freeport did.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes.

Okay.

Item 13, adoption of resolution R-2026-31. Resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation Aviation Fuel Tax Program. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Alderman Shadle. The city receives the Aviation Fuel Tax Grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the past four years. It does not require a match. Grant funds are to be used for local governments, for airports, related purposes. And in the case of the city of Freeport, we've utilized the funds as reimbursement for expended airport management expenses. So the city of Freeport has received a notice for the grant for 2025 airport fuel tax grant in the amount of $44,098.58. There's no match. And once approved by the city council, the city will submit invoices and proof of payment of airport management expenses in order to receive the grant funds upon review and approval of the invoices submitted to IDOT allocations will be distributed to the city and staff requests moving forward with a resolution to accept the aviation fuel tax grant. Motion approved. Motion first. Motion. Do we have a second? Second. Motion by Clemm, second by Johnson. Any discussion? Alderman Sanders. The aviation fuel grant. Who is presenting that to the city?

Is that something that the city is regulated to do each year or at any points in time that we are obligated to buy fuel for what purpose or how has it been used throughout the city? Is it for city purposes or just the airport? How is that presented to the city of Freeport?

I think it's IDOT is trying to support the aviation industry and they're doing it through this basically fuel grant. So thank you.

Nothing further. Madam Clerk, can you take the roll? Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Plum? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-2. Thank you. Item 14, adoption of resolution R-2026-32. Madam Clerk.

Resolution approving a certificate of authority to vote regarding rock salt contract joint participation agreement with the state of Illinois Manager Boyer Thank you, Alderman Shadle The city purchases rock salt each year for snow removal operations The state of Illinois has made a procedural requirement for municipalities to be included in the rock salt program the city must submit its rock salt contract joint participation agreement by April 7th with city council resolution approval by passing this resolution essentially gives the city manager me the authority to submit and sign the agreement for this year's participation and just to give you a heads up the state bid on salt is essentially the most efficient way to acquire salt we're working very diligently to put in a new salt shed that can handle more volume and so staff is recommending moving forward with this joint participation agreement.

We need a motion and a second to move this.

So moved.

Second.

Motion by Sellers, second by Clemm.

Discussion, Alderman Sanders.

Yeah.

Manager Boyer, do we have any other option other than using rock salt because of the consequences of the new roads that it can affect?

putting down a new road and using rock salt really diminishes the new asphalt that is being put, that we're putting out now as new streets and whatever roads or whatever.

Is there any other effective way of doing that without diminishing too much of the highways and roads and things of that nature?

Obviously there's other snowmelt products out there that are much more costly and I think in the past we've mixed in sand with salt. I think that creates another problem which is it fills up all of our stormwater catch basins with sand. So this is really not although maybe not perfect is the best that we have not just here in Freeport but across the Midwest for maintaining safe right-of-ways during winter snow removal operations.

Okay All of it, Stacy I would like Director Steakle input on that matter and what's out there or what isn't out there that could help save the new asphalt on our streets The state, some of the state trucks use liquid application. It's very expensive. It's really probably not in the affordable range.

for us. And we don't have equipment to spread it either, but it's a liquid applied. And then they still sometimes have to spread salt on days like today that we have, you know, far too much snow than what can melt fast enough. So unfortunately, in northern Illinois, there's not a lot of options that are cost effective for municipalities. This Rob actually brought us back to going to the state bid forest rock salt for some years. We weren't involved in it and the cost really got very heavy. I'd also like to remind you that we did approve a new salt shed just recently that's being built for salt. So really the effective use is not to overspread it. So on a day like today, we tried to spread as little salt as possible, just enough to get by because we have, you know, 60, 50, 60 degree temps coming towards the end of this week. So we wanted to have safe travel, but we don't want to overspread it. So we were very light on salt over the next two days. And that's kind of been a practice.

10 years ago, seven years ago, we did the sand salt mix to try to stretch our sand salt. But what Rob said is exactly right. The sand never goes away. It gets swept into the storm sewers, then it floats out to Rivers, and or we have to clean all the storms if it doesn't, and it really created a lot of extra work.

Randy could speak to the, Randy Kohlbauer, our environmental compliance officer could speak to the salt, but we're already supposed to be rationing our salt back as we can or ratcheting it back as we can because they're concerned about salt water going out to the storm basins, right, as it melts down.

So, you know, conservation is the best way to go The enemy of roads is heavy trucks, salt, and water damage And we have the trifecta up here in Northern Illinois, right, with the seasonal change of frost and heave of ground So Isn't it cheaper to clean out the sand than it is to keep trying to overlay, redo, refix all these roads? Yes and no. Yes, it costs money to take the sand out, and we used to do that and try to reuse the sand, you know, take it out and we would recycle it, take it back down to the plant what we could and try to filter it back in the next year without buying more. The issue is that sand is not a melting product, so it doesn't work by itself. It just sits there.

so if we don't put salt with it it doesn't do anything and I believe Rob's first year in here in Freeport we actually bought the higher content salt. I think that some people call it blue salt and we tried to use that and mix that into to be more effective as well but the cost of it just got out of control and really kills our budget. We have a very large expenditure on salt annually.

Palmer, Sanders.

And bringing that out like that, you just sparked an idea or a thought in my head.

Our, we don't have a program for storm excavation when it comes to vacuuming for those concentrated areas that absorb more salt and sand.

Do we have a program that will help us to eliminate more sand during the spring weather time?

Yeah, great question. Starting in 2026, part of our EPA MS4 requirements is that about 20 to 25 percent of our storm basins and storm system have to be cleaned annually.

We've always tried to clean them. We have gotten behind in the last several years. We've had a lot of employee turnover in public works. As you guys are quite well aware of, we've had a hard time keeping a full staff. We are up to full staff now, finally. And again, we'll be planning on cleaning 20% of the catch basins and 20% of the piping annually. That's why we have our own factor trucks that we do that routine maintenance and we're getting people trained to do that and as seasonal abilities allow, spring and fall, we'll be cleaning those. Thank you. Madam Clerk. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-33.

resolution approving an extension and renewal of purchase of service agreement with the Stevenson County Senior Center doing business as Senior Resource Center. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you. The City of Freeport has contracted the Senior Resource Center operational services for the Pretzel City Transit Program since 2018. The purchase of service contract between the City and SRC is affected from July 1st, 2024 through July 30th, 2026 with the option to extend and renew for one additional year beginning on July 1st, 2026 and ending on June 30th, 2027. We need to renew in order to have Senior Resource Center continue operational management. The city functions as the Rural Transit System Administrator for Stevenson County and has selected the Senior Resource Center to provide public Transportation Services as a non-for-profit pass-through provider via Pretzer City Area Transit.

The Senior Resource Center has the employee space and experience necessary to continue to provide public transportation services needed for the City of Freeport and Stevenson County.

The City has provided the necessary vehicles via the Ordinance 2022-28.

Staff recommends the approval of the extension of the purchase of service contract between the City of Freeport and Senior Resource Center.

Resource Center for the Operation of Pretzel City Area Transit.

set. We have a motion for this? So move. Motion by Seller, second by Clemm. Discussion? Madam Clerk? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-34. Resolution accepting special warranty for 5311 grant application regarding Pretzel City Transit. Director Heimendinger. Thank you. As part of our annual transportation grant application to the state of Illinois under the 5311 Transportation Program and Downstate Operating Assistance Program, DOAP, the city of Freeport is required to have the council approval for the following an ordinance adopting the transportation services within the Freeport and Stevenson County a resolution authorizing an application to be made to the office of intermodal project implementation IDOT for a financial assistance grant under section 5311 for a physical year of 2026 for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the public transportation program operating deficiencies of the city of Freeport Sorry, deficits of the City of Freeport. A resolution accepting the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms the transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty and resolution accepting the City of Freeport is participating in said grant programs and will provide local and matching funds which are obtained through service contracts, grant funding, allocations from Senior Resource Center and donations. The City of Freeport does not provide local matching funds to these operations.

Item 1 in the 1, 2, 3, 4 list above was approved by City Council on June 17, 2024, ordinance 2024-32.

Items 2 and 3 are what we are going to be voting on in resolutions for this number 16 agenda item and number 17.

they will not be required in conjunction with the ordinance in order to complete the application a resolution to apply for a DOAP funding is not required but a resolution accepting funds after approval will be required and so that will bring number four will be eventually in the future will come to council for that for this one we are really focusing on number three which is the special Special Warranty for Public Transportation Funding, which affirms that transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty. This is something that is passed every year in order to properly fill out the application for the following year. An application process is ongoing right now. Thank you. We have a motion. So moved. Second. Motion by Clem. Second. Second by Parker. Any discussion?

Madam Clerk, Parker, Aye, Stacy, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clemm, Aye, Johnson, Aye, and Simmons, Aye, the resolution is adopted 8-0.

Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-35.

Resolution authorizing execution and amendment of federal 5311 grant agreement for fiscal year 2027.

Director Heimerdinger. Thank you. This is number 10, which is the, this is number two of what I was just discussing. It has the same memo attached, and this is for a resolution authorizing an application to be made to the Office of Intermodal Project Implication, IDOT, for financial assistance grant under section 5311 for physical year of 2026.

Um, and, uh, because I didn't say it the last time and I don't need to repeat the other stuff, I'll add, um, that, uh, the last physical year, uh, PCAT, uh, Pretzel City Area Transit, uh, offered for 49,846 trips covering 250,000 miles within Stevenson County.

Of those trips, approximately 21,000 were for employment, 9,600 for medical visits, and 8,200 for shopping in the area.

As you can see, this provides a countless amount of travel for those who need it, especially for employment.

so you can see how we would like to apply and continue providing public transportation to Stevens County and the City of Freeport.

And this resolution is passed yearly in order for us to provide information and to complete an application.

Do we have a motion?

I so move.

Second.

Motion by Johnson, second by Sellers.

Discussion?

Madam Clerk?

Parker?

Aye.

Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Plum? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-36. Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue.

Manager, Boyer. Thank you, Alderman Shadle. The city owns two bridges, Hancock and Van Buren. They have to be inspected annually, and Fehr Graham is the city's bridge engineer, so we have a team with certified licensed personnel for specialty inspection work. All inspections must be completed and finalized within reporting to the state of Illinois.

So the bridge inspections were expected in 2026 and given current structure ratings to ensure travel safety. It's staff's recommendation. City Council move to agree with the to move forward with the agreement with Fairground for the bridge inspections for 2026.

Do I have a motion?

So moved.

Second.

Motion by Klemm, second by Johnson. Discussion?

Yeah.

Alderman Sanders?

Yeah.

Manager Boyer, upon the inspections for these bridges, are we in compliance with the reports that are coming from Fehr and Graham, whether or not we still meeting the standards for inspections of reporting, and if it's annually, how long have this been ineffective, if it's been annually that we receive any reports on these inspections of other conditions of these bridges. Are we in compliance with that? We are in compliance. I'll just give you some background. The Hancock Bridge, I believe it used to be every 10 years, and recently that was reduced by IDOT requiring it every year due to the guardrail and the deck condition. And the Van Buren Bridge, I believe that's every two years. Okay, thank you for that. So the Van Buren Bridge is basically the walk-ride Bridge. It used to be an old train trestle. So yeah, but all this infrastructure has to be inspected periodically, and this year both of them need it. So we're just asking to move forward with this agreement. Alderman Sanders? Do you guys have knowledge of a trestle or some form of apparatus behind this city sewer located over there? I know it's abandoned, but it's a railroad type trestle.

that's been removed and what's becoming of it? You guys recall any of that? It's over by the Pecatonica River in back of the treatment plant. You guys have any recollection of that?

There's nothing that exists there currently. The only two bridges we have is Hancock and Baker. No, it's not a bridge. It's a railroad trussle. Are we? I believe we're talking about the viaduct, and that's under construction. That should be completed by May. Okay. Yep. No, it's not the viaduct.

That's not what we used to call the trussel. It's not the viaduct. Are you ready? Parker? Aye. Stacy?

If it has to be done, it has to be done. Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye.

The resolution is adopted 8-0 Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-37 Resolution accepting a safety grant from the Illinois Public Risk Fund and authorizing the use of grant funds to purchase portable message boards from road safe traffic systems Thank you. Manager Boyer Thank you. Alderman Shadle City staff received a source world procurement quote for two IDOT approved message boards So those are the toe behind Board. So those are the tow-behind boards we set up that say, you know, river level is this high or, you know, construction in this area until such and such a date. We had one recently, the motherboard, some of the electronics burned out on it, rendering it useless. So this quote is from the Road Safe Traffic Systems and includes a message board trailer, controller chargers, solar panel, generator power to run the unit completely.

The purchase of the two units is $32,750 delivered to Freeport This is a source well quote which means the company that's involved already has an established relationship with the state of Illinois and is considered a source well dealer enabling us to move forward with their source well quote It was also $8,000 cheaper than the other quotes received City staff also requires the city council staff to accept the Illinois Public Risk Fund Grant. So this is a grant we receive once a year from our insurance company to purchase safety-related equipment, and this qualifies as safety-related equipment with the funds to be used for the purchase of the city-owned construction message board.

The IPRF grant award will be $16,244 and the remaining funds of $16,506 were budgeted in the street department budget this year, including water and sewer for the 2026 planned purchase. So staff will use IPRF grant funds for essentially one and pay for the other with budgeted funds and staff recommends moving forward with the purchase of this equipment.

Thank you. Do we have a motion? So, Mo? Motion by Clemm. Second. Second by Johnson. Any discussion? Alderman Sellers. I know you had mentioned that the other one that we used to have is broke or whatever. What does that cost? What does that cost to get something like that fixed? I think we've had it fixed several times and I think at this point the parts availability are not, the parts aren't available anymore to get it repaired. And Darren, if that sounds right.

The current one that we have, Rob's correct, has been fixed several times, and it's kind of obsolete. It's old. We've had it for a while. I believe the motherboard and the electronics on it have burned up at least three times. I want to say we might have spent $5,000 on it the last time repairing it, so we did budget for two of them this year. This just allows us to only, you know, buy one with the grant and buy one with some of the money that we budgeted.

Alderman Sanders.

Don't, don't.

For the $16,000, how long does something like this last? How long do they last?

I'm going to guess with good care, probably get 12 to 15 years out of them. I believe the one that we have now is close to 15 years, if I recall. And this one, the last one that we had didn't have like the solar part of it. Those are fairly new.

So we decided to go with that, you know, save on the generators and stuff and be more respectful.

But with the kind of construction that the city crews have been doing, this is a safety mechanism then to almost direct people from staying out of the areas that we're working in.

Holder, Ms. Sanders.

Yeah. Is that also included with speed trafficking and strategic locations for hazardous kind of areas that deem necessary for public awareness like that?

Yeah, so our other sign board, we were trying to use that for maybe some public events, or I believe Rob mentioned when the flooding was going on over the east side, we had posted a board, you know, stay out in the flooding levels that were going on.

That is the intent of these boards. There is a component to where, and we did not buy this and did not recommend it. These could be added for, you know, speed components on it to show how fast you're traveling, but that's another very expensive option that we, just didn't think provided the safety of it and the police department has their speed trailers so these are really going to be for events and or really construction primarily for construction or where we're working with city crews that we can post that says, you know, Dewey Street, you know, we're coming, this road's going to be closed for, you know, 30 to 60 days, you know, please avoid this area type stuff.

Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thanks.

I should mention, too, that these boards are technically required whenever we work on any of the IDOT corridors doing our hot patching our work. Those are part of the traffic control requirements. And so renting these are very expensive to bring in for a day. They're upwards of $3,000 a day to rent.

Wow.

That's crazy.

What have we done in the past?

Rented. I mean, we've had one, but it hasn't worked for the last, I believe last summer is when it burned up, so we just did without last year. Rented one as we work on the IDOT corridors.

Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. That resolution is adopted, 8-0.

Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-38.

Resolution authorizing the purchase of portable handheld police radios from Motorola Solutions.

Thank you. Lieutenant Weichel.

I'm Lieutenant Polish.

That's all right. No, there was a last minute change. So the Freeport Police Department is currently in the fifth year of a five-year plan to replace the portable handheld Motorola radios currently being utilized by all sworn police officers.

The remaining radios in circulation still function, however, they have reached end of life Currently, Motorola is the only supplier of portable handheld police radios The police department has received a quote to replace 10 Motorola handheld police radios and accessories at a total cost of $63,596.10 Funding for the 10 portable handheld Motorola radios and accessories is provided in fiscal year 2026, police department capital budget 331-302-7000 where $65,000 was budgeted for this purchase. Thank you. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers. Discussion? Yeah. Lieutenant, you say? Yeah. The radios, the motor rollers, they're not the only competitors on the market because they can be integrated with motor roller or replacement of motor roller at Very cheap prices, am I correct? Not from the information I was given today by Lieutenant Weichel. He said Motorola was the only supplier. I understand being the only supplier, but they don't hold monopoly on competitors' radios. That could be standards also for replacement of Motorola's for a better option. Have we inspected that option as well?

Manager, Boyer Alderman Sanders, these are Starcom radios, so they're not available on the open market. They're specific for law enforcement. Motorola has a pretty good clamp on that market. Yeah. Madam Clerk. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. Aye.

And that resolution is adopted 8-0 as well Thank you Adoption of resolution R-2026-39 Resolution approving a quote from J&R Supply for the purchase of sewer and storm system manhole replacement castings and materials Thank you, Manager Boyer Yes, thank you, Alderman Shadle This year we've got a lot of construction We've got a lot of manholes that need to be repaired, fixed whatever is part of our street program. So the city staff has received quotes from our sewer castings and lid material supplier for the NEHI representative. The utility staff requested a large order for most of the 2026 material in single purchase this year to achieve further cost savings. So the quote is for 109 castings and lids and the total cost of the material and components is $43,000.

for $6,648. There's an 8-10 week lead time for the production. The final cost is about 50% of what they normally cost on a project bid. So staff will use sewer and storm utility CIP funds to purchase these items and staff recommends moving forward with the material purchase. Thank you. Do we have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by Clemm, second by Sellers. Discussion? Yeah. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. There's one item.

probably, maybe not at all important, but what about the water boxes to the water mains when they are defective and need to be repaired and replaced?

and need to be repaired and replaced, especially on the new main roads, the new highways, the new whatever that we're installing right now, those have to have, at the first initial installment of that road, they should have the adequate water boxes when they install that where they don't have to come back and make repairs to it, tearing up the street on a second time around on the very same Street to replace water boxes.

I was just curious, are we adding that in, are we including those items?

Yes.

In the...

We're replacing that stuff as we go.

Oh, okay.

Yep.

Okay.

I didn't know he saw his hand.

Okay.

Nothing further?

Parker?

Aye.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. And Simmons. Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8 to 0. Thank you. Moving on to item 22 is reports of department heads. Finance? Nothing this evening. Community development. Hi. I just wanted to remind everybody it snowed a lot today. I hope that you are safe. But keep in mind that we do want sidewalks shoveled so that kids can get to school and anybody who needs to walk on the sidewalk can get to work tomorrow morning so please help your neighbors out and and get those sidewalks shoveled so that everybody can get where they need to go safely thank you and that's a 24 hour from the snowfall yeah 12 hours yeah yeah public works yeah just a few things I'd really like to thank our public works crews for uh starting around uh Actually they work Sunday night salting and they started this morning around three o'clock plowing streets and didn't finish up till this afternoon. Appreciate their dedication to getting it done. I want to let everybody know that we're not going to continue to haul snow out over the next few days. We're not going to do major plowbacks. It's going to be up in the fifties by Thursday. So a lot of this is going to melt away quickly. So we don't want to waste city fuel and manpower hauling snow away.

that's going to melt. I'd like to thank Randy Kolbauer who came to this meeting and the last meeting shows her interest in the department and helping us rewrite the ordinances for the MS4 and the erosion and the Julie stuff. She didn't have to come but she's been at the last two meetings. The 1719 Main Street demo, obviously with the weather, it's slowed down a little bit so as the snow melts away we hope to see some action.

there next week. You'll see probably fences coming in this week if they haven't got in there. And then just a reminder to all the aldermen that at the next meeting, we will have had three bid openings for street projects for this year. So it'll be package A, B, and C that'll be on the next agenda to move forward so we can start the construction process earlier this year. Hopefully.

Thank you. IT?

Nothing tonight Fire Nothing this evening And I don't think I forgot anybody City managers Thank you, Alderman I just wanted to also put a little highlight I want something Darren just mentioned So over the last 24 hours Freeport and Stevenson County experienced a significant late season winter storm with the National Weather Service placing our area under a blizzard warning and reporting hazardous conditions that included accumulating snow, blowing and drifting snow, and wind gusts up to 40 to 45 miles per hour. Official snowfall reporting in Illinois shows 24-hour total is topping over 9 inches in parts of the border storm area, and locally this was made more challenging by reduced visibility, bitter, cold, and difficult travel conditions.

In that environment, our public works team performed very well.

At this time, it is my understanding that we completed snow removal operations without any property damage or employee injuries, which reflect a safe, disciplined, and highly professional response by our crews, and I just want to personally thank them very much for their hard work this last 24 hours.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That takes us to council announcement, Alderman Clem.

Okay. We have a neighborhood watch coming up next week on 423 at Schwartz Funeral Home. And also, I want to echo the good job that the Public Works done. I did see them out last night, probably about 7 o'clock, putting salt down on all the main thoroughfares and stuff. So they really did do a good job and were by this morning. So thank you, guys.

Hallerman-Johnson.

Yes, we have a neighborhood watch meeting this Thursday at 6.30 p.m. at 3.002 Farmdale Lane.

Thank you.

Hallerman-Simmons.

I don't have anything.

Thank you.

Well, I do want to say that the street crews did an awesome job.

It was a lot of snow, and by the afternoon, we were all able to get out and move around like it never happened.

It's pretty awesome.

Thank you.

Alderman Parker. Just our neighborhood watch meeting is next Monday night, fourth Monday of the month. Thank you. Stacey. Yes. I would like to announce my fifth ward neighborhood watch tomorrow at the church on the corner of Carol and Empire at six o'clock. And also, I believe Alderman Johnson, if you could help me with this.

that there's a public forum meeting this week.

What are you talking about?

Are you talking about for the tower?

Yes.

I believe that's April 2nd, isn't it?

So the Zoning Board of Appeals for the JC Wi-Fi Tower will be on April 2nd.

They are hosting a, JC Wi-Fi is going to host a town hall here at City Hall that they will, that will be announced tomorrow, the day and time.

What I would like to see happen is when we have a meeting of that nature coming up that the community have say so that it's announced so that we know what is coming up.

It's always publicly noticed on the website.

Okay, I understand that, but I'm just asking that they be announced here at the council. If that's asking too much, then I'll take it from the rep and announce it myself, but I'm just trying to There is a schedule of regular meetings on the website when you can go to any zoning board meeting, and when I post agendas on Friday, emails go to over 100 people.

they go on the website and the board back here by OMA regulations.

Do we have a time on that?

On the town hall?

Yeah.

No.

That will be announced tomorrow.

It will be published on the website tomorrow.

Okay.

We're just finalizing some details today.

Thank you.

I have nothing.

Alderman Sanders?

Yeah, I have one request and recommendation that I'd like to propose to council that we get behind senior citizens within our city and create a program that will allow us or them, if they're at a certain age, can't get out of their house because of massive snow like we have today.

I don't know if they have a sign-up program where they can call in and say that they need to get out because in the case of emergencies, you have elderlies stuck in the home, they can't get out on the sidewalks and things of that nature, even onto their vehicles.

I'm just wondering if there's a program that we can put together that will allow them to call in or because you have to be a certain age that you can't, you know, get out and physically get out there in that snow like today was.

I saw older people out trying to mask that snow, trying to get as much as they can out, but you know how snow is, it can affect their health in trying to remove snow. So I was just wondering if we can adopt something, put something together to allow them to be able to call in and ask for a little help. That's all I have to say.

I have nothing. Thank you. It leads us to public comments. Agenda or non-agenda? Hi, my name is Marcus Signer. I've been here my whole life. A lot of things have changed. I had a question. Something happened today, and I have a real, real concern on it. I was wondering, on it. I was wondering, you're a lieutenant and everything is, what's your schedule working at the police station?

They can't answer questions. This is comments only.

Okay. So I can't ask Stacy a question because I feel she was the only one who will actually answer the question.

Well, this is not a forum for questions. This is a forum for comments.

Well, all I have to say is today I got threatened for my life. An individual got a shovel while I was on a property removing snow, called the police, um, police came, um, basically the guy, police officer was a straight, mean person to me, um, I had other witnesses there that said they seen this individual, hit my car, hit my truck with a shovel, um, I showed the officer the trail of my truck where I wasn't going towards him, I was going the opposite way, so he can't try to say that was the excuse for hitting my vehicle.

I had one of his officers there basically went up to the guy basically hey put a no trespassing on him so then he can't even do the property that he has a contract on when I was the victim today there wasn't no arrest there was nothing done what they do with me if someone was assaulting me they wouldn't even be arrested that day I have a problem with Freeport police like they target me if when I call them they won't help me they all they would do is say we'll do a police report will send it to Carl Larson. Carl Larson is friends with also Steve Stovall who said he was going to harm me and when he sees me on a four-wheeler he was going to harm me. So Carl Larson I feel is really close to certain individuals. That's why we're not getting the right justice here. If I was to threaten somebody today I would be arrested like this. There wouldn't be no can we send the paperwork to Carl Larson to see if there's enough evidence. Like what is it going to take?

And then all that happens is if I call the police and say someone did something to me, the police will write it up like he wants to press charges on me for something I never did, just for calling for help. That's crazy to me. That's crazy to me. And Carl Larson is number one in charge, and he's friends with Steve Stovall, who threatened me. Of course he ain't going to like me. He still affiliates with him. And I come here to say, too, my worry right now is if Thurman gets in there, I'm definitely screwed.

They will put me under the bus and put false stuff on me. Thurman is real, real close to Steve Stoball.

So if they if they are colleagues together, you think I have a shot at real justice? No, it's a setup.

And I learned in this city, we can all come to about safety and all this. How can we do safety when law enforcement's threatening us?

They're the one who's supposed to serve and protect. We can't do nothing because it's up to Carl Larson.

and Carl Larson will not do a damn thing about it if it has something with law enforcement.

Sir, your time's up.

Three minutes.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

I would take a motion for adjournment.

So move.

Second.

Motion by Sellers, second by Johnson.

All in favor?