WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.240 I got one. Absolutely. I was in the doctor's office here a few weeks ago and she had a motion. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:17.920 Yep. Let's go. Yep. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:24.500 I have a question. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:38.140 Are you doing good at home? 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:41.680 Are you doing a good job on that? 00:00:42.300 --> 00:00:42.660 Oh, yeah? 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:43.260 Yeah. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:43.840 Oh, okay. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:44.460 Thank you. 00:00:44.540 --> 00:00:46.320 Because we want to keep you there. 00:00:46.480 --> 00:00:46.700 Yeah? 00:00:47.180 --> 00:00:48.660 Maybe some of you, not all. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:51.180 No, I like you there. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:01:03.500 It had blue lights on the roof. 00:01:03.660 --> 00:01:05.620 So I think maybe he... 00:01:05.620 --> 00:01:07.020 Somebody told me to give this to you. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:10.340 This is from... 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:11.940 They can have... 00:01:11.940 --> 00:01:13.860 It's the front desk. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.080 It's from here, the front desk, she wanted you to have that. 00:01:18.080 --> 00:01:19.660 So it was kind of... 00:01:19.660 --> 00:01:20.360 And the lights were on? 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:23.920 Yeah, and people were like trying to figure out if they were supposed to turn or not. 00:01:24.500 --> 00:01:40.720 Okay, it's six o'clock. Pastor Justin, could you please give the invocation this evening? 00:01:45.600 --> 00:01:51.120 Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council, and everybody with us tonight. Would you please pray with me? 00:01:51.120 --> 00:02:22.700 Lord God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit it is in you that we live and move and have our existence the very breath of life as well as the unique gifts and abilities that characterize each one of us you have made us and so we are yours not our own in life and in death and body and soul so Lord you have provided and set in place whatever powers and governments exist you've placed a calling 00:02:22.700 --> 00:02:29.000 on each one of us sitting here tonight and gifted us with the ability that we have to carry out those 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:37.600 callings. And so you encourage us to turn to you for wisdom and strength, and you are kind to hear and 00:02:37.600 --> 00:02:46.940 answer our prayers generously. And so I pray for this council tonight for its work, but also outside of 00:02:46.940 --> 00:02:53.500 these doors for our city workers across each department, especially with the cold weathers and 00:02:53.500 --> 00:03:00.180 the difficulty that that brings, and for first responders throughout our city and our county, and 00:03:00.180 --> 00:03:07.620 Lord, we ask that you'd move each one to call upon your name for help and safety and wisdom, for strength, 00:03:08.980 --> 00:03:16.300 even as we ask for it here tonight. So we pray, Lord, that you would help us to live with compassion 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:45.130 and patience for others, even in these council chambers as we might have differences of opinion, even strong differences, but we pray that you'd help us to have respect and regard for each other so we seek your grace and your forgiveness that you alone can grant and that that would pour out of us towards one another. So we pray that you would help us tonight. We ask in the name of your son. Amen. 00:03:45.130 --> 00:03:47.630 Thank you 00:03:47.630 --> 00:03:49.890 So now we'll officially call this meeting to order 00:03:49.890 --> 00:03:51.390 Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll 00:03:51.390 --> 00:03:54.100 Mayor Miller 00:03:54.100 --> 00:03:54.900 Here 00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:57.260 Alderpersons, Clem 00:03:57.260 --> 00:03:57.620 Here 00:03:57.620 --> 00:03:58.300 Monroe 00:03:58.300 --> 00:03:58.940 Here 00:03:58.940 --> 00:03:59.660 Simmons 00:03:59.660 --> 00:04:00.300 Here 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:00.900 Parker 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:01.440 Here 00:04:01.440 --> 00:04:04.780 Stacy will be marked absent for the moment 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:06.380 Shadle is absent 00:04:06.380 --> 00:04:06.880 Sanders 00:04:06.880 --> 00:04:07.540 Here 00:04:07.540 --> 00:04:08.840 And Sellers 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:09.180 Here 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:10.960 We have a quorum 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:11.460 Sorry 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:15.640 I'll entertain a motion to allow Alderman Stacy to attend remotely 00:04:15.640 --> 00:04:46.740 is there such a motion? So moved. Is there a second? I'll second. We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Simmons. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, can we roll? Could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Shadle is absent. Sanders? Here. Aye. Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Even though everybody voted against me coming in, I'll vote aye. 00:04:46.920 --> 00:05:02.600 Monroe? Aye. The motion passes, 6 to 0. So then at 6.03, Alderman Stacy is attending remotely. So if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Alderman Simmons. 00:05:25.890 --> 00:05:33.710 Item number one is approval of the agenda. However, we will not be having executive session tonight. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. 00:05:33.710 --> 00:05:42.760 Report. We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? 00:05:43.260 --> 00:06:00.170 Simmons, Parker, Aye, Stacy, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye, and Monroe, Aye. The motion passes 7-0. 00:06:00.670 --> 00:06:06.190 Item number 2 is the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on February 3rd, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? 00:06:06.190 --> 00:06:08.230 Move. So moved. Second. 00:06:09.370 --> 00:06:12.490 There will be a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. 00:06:13.310 --> 00:06:16.490 Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons. Aye. 00:06:17.290 --> 00:06:21.130 Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. 00:06:21.950 --> 00:06:25.910 Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. 00:06:26.210 --> 00:06:29.590 And Monroe. Aye. The motion passes 7-0. 00:06:30.310 --> 00:06:34.970 Item number 3 is public comments. We have one signed up for item number 5. Steve Carroll. 00:06:34.970 --> 00:07:11.890 Carol. I'm Steve Carol. This is about streetlights. So apparently we're still talking about it and I would like us to stop talking and act on it. At the last council meeting I talked about the poor lighting and the multiple reports of shots fired over the years on Oak where I've lived for the last 47 years. Last month there was gunfire 15 feet from the north side of my house and this was about 930 in the evening. 00:07:12.110 --> 00:07:33.290 Prior to that, there's been shots fired in the 1,200 and 1,400 block of Oak. Sandwiched in between the 1,400 and 1,200 block of Oak is the corner of Empire and Oak, which is very busy during school hours and after school events. 00:07:33.290 --> 00:07:39.810 There are school buses going through that intersection and stopping on multiple locations on Oak 00:07:39.810 --> 00:07:46.590 There are children walking to and from school during school hours and during school events 00:07:46.590 --> 00:07:56.350 That area is very dangerous, but I have every confidence in the Freeport Police Department to do their part to keep that area safe 00:07:56.350 --> 00:08:00.590 I wish I could say the same thing about the Freeport School District 00:08:00.590 --> 00:08:07.150 They've been made aware of the situation, but I frankly doubt their ability to do much of anything 00:08:07.150 --> 00:08:16.690 At the last council meeting, I listened to Joy Sellers, who lives up the street from me, tell us how safe it is where she lives and how adequate the lighting is 00:08:16.690 --> 00:08:26.330 I have no idea why she would say that when over the years there's been multiple reports of shots fired and two homicides near where she lives 00:08:26.330 --> 00:09:06.540 the last one was 13 months ago just three houses from her residence disingenuous is a kind euphemistic word I will use here apparently I'm the only one on oak drawing gunfire it's obvious that joy sellers has turned her back at our neighborhoods and maybe our neighborhoods should turn their collective backs on her and that concludes public comment we will move on to item number four which is the consent agenda 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:36.520 The consent agenda is considered to be 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. Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the boards and commission minutes from the foreign fire board of trustees dated December 12, 2024, liquor commission, January 9, 2025, building permit reports of January as well as the fire department reports, the schedule of regular meetings for the city of Freeport for 2025, 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:45.240 The CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant Report dated December 12th, 2024, and February 14th, 2025. 00:09:46.020 --> 00:09:52.560 Approval of the finance bills in the total of $1,318,015.77. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:10:00.020 The approval of payroll for pay period ending February 8th in the total of $669,100. 00:10:00.020 --> 00:10:07.940 $669,159.49 and also the cash and investment report and the finance department report for December 2024 00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:18.780 and the adoption of resolution 2025-21 which is corrected renewal of agreement invoice with locality media 00:10:18.780 --> 00:10:26.980 first due for the fire department record management software and modules. Is there a motion to approve? 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:28.920 So moved. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:29.680 Second. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:38.220 A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:38.860 Simmons. 00:10:39.520 --> 00:10:39.780 Aye. 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:40.500 Parker. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.100 Aye. 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:41.900 Stacey. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:43.780 Aye. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:44.880 Sanders. 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:45.580 Aye. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.680 Sellers. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.380 Aye. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:48.100 Clem. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:48.560 Aye. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:49.240 And Monroe. 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:49.780 Aye. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.860 The motion passes 7-0. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:57.340 Thank you. Item number 5 is a discussion regarding upgrading streetlights. Manager Boyer. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:23.580 Thank you, Your Honor. Just to kind of update Council on where we stand with this, and specifically in relation to observations and requests by Alderman Stacy, the discussion around street light improvements has been going on for some time. 2021, the street light improvement project provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd that was for the downtown lighting. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:53.560 Grant eligibility and recent success includes essentially we've been looking for a similar grant and applying for anything available through ComEd for additional lighting in the city. So city staff has been working since 2022 to qualify for another grant. Recently, the city was awarded a new ComEd grant to fund community lighting projects. That's the select communities grant. In addition to that, some of the large trees in the park, 00:11:53.580 --> 00:12:23.320 Parkways tend to shade out light from streetlights, inhibiting their effectiveness. So in the previous years, but especially last year, forestry was trimming trees along major street and corridors where we were doing street renovations. So that includes Adams, Oak, Iroquois, and Ridge just as an example, but that improved the streetlight visibility to some extent. Moving forward, we're looking to deploy our new plan, which is 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:52.080 Deploy Brighter Lights in law enforcement advised areas that require additional illumination. So these were areas that were identified by law enforcement as trouble areas that would certainly benefit by increasing the lumen output. Those include the 700 block of South Kenwood, 700 block of South Float, 300 block of East Pleasant, 500 block of South Carroll, 400 block of South State, Broadway at Locust and Walnut, 500 block of South Chicago, 00:12:52.080 --> 00:13:22.080 Mario, the all-in-one convenience store on Locust, South Chicago Avenue in Frank, 1200 block of South High, and 1130 South Kalina. In addition, as Mr. Carroll just noted, Oak Street as well, we're working toward getting that taken care of. So recently we had a public works meeting to review and discuss the street illumination improvements and address immediate needs while continuing to work with ComEd on the newly awarded 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:28.000 Communities Grant Plan. So our first steps are to replace lower lumen lights with brighter lights currently 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:32.540 available at the Public Works Inventory. These were lights that were recycled during the Chicago Avenue 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:39.180 Streetscape Project, and we have some on hand that we can deploy right away, so we'll be moving forward on 00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:48.140 that. Also, replace street lights on Police Shenberger's concern areas, and that would be, I think we've got 00:13:48.140 --> 00:14:17.940 We've got about 22 in inventory, and we need about 84, so we're going to be looking for, and those fixtures are fairly expensive, so the total cost is going to be, including oak, is going to include something like about $40,000 total for the fixtures and installation costs. So we've got ownership and collaboration. Streetlights are owned by ComEd, requiring direct coordination, and the Public Works Director, Stiekel, has initiated discussions with George Galrap, and we're moving forward with a meeting later this week to 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:23.680 nail down plans there. ComEd will be scheduling, as I mentioned, will be scheduling a meeting shortly. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:30.120 Funding and grants, so the higher wattage fixtures do not qualify for the standard grants that we received 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:37.020 already, so there will be a cost impact to the city. If funding is delayed, we're going to do what we can 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:43.660 with the lights that we currently have. However, we're looking at the new fixtures, not necessarily, 00:14:43.660 --> 00:15:13.400 we did not include in last year's budget so we are going to need to make a decision on what we're going to do in terms of funding however I'll bring that proposal to you when we get closer to that that point anyway in addition so we've got we can add those brighter fixtures to some areas however it may also draw attention from other areas of the community that feel that they need brighter lights as well so that's a consideration we are considered we're working with right now and 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:25.900 and then, of course, what that financial impact is, whether that is just the cost of the fixtures and the additional electricity costs, where that will come from and when, if that will be moved on through the ComEd bill. 00:15:25.900 --> 00:15:39.940 So our current estimated cost for what we've just discussed, which is the areas that are identified by Police Chief Schemberger and also Oak is above $45,000. 00:15:39.940 --> 00:16:09.440 dollars these are essentially the electricity is also going to go up to some degree and right now we have about 10,000 allocated in the street light repair budget so we're going to need to figure out where those funds are coming from so we may require the use of emergency funds to make that happen ongoing electrical expenses and things will have to be budgeted for the future and we're not completely sure what those costs would be but it'll depend on the number of lights we deploy 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:56.250 so that's that's kind of my update on where we stand with the street light update I have a question Alderman Sellers she can go okay Alderman Stacy yes Alderman Stacy could you repeat that yes a grant or is this discount so right now we're working with 00:16:56.250 --> 00:17:16.890 comment on the grant. We haven't fleshed that information out completely. What I'm suggesting tonight is that we've got about 22 lights in inventory to go ahead and deploy those as soon as possible and then work through the grant process to get the remaining of those, I guess that would be about 60, replaced. 00:17:16.890 --> 00:17:38.260 Okay, will we be using the $20,000 that's in a night funding escrow and the $23,000 that was saved from the other job that Darren Steegall saved, $2,300? 00:17:43.150 --> 00:17:45.630 I'm not positive of what you're saying there. 00:17:46.750 --> 00:17:48.470 Could you repeat that, Alderman Stacy? 00:17:48.470 --> 00:17:57.130 The funding, will we be using the $20,000 in the light funding that we already have? 00:17:57.390 --> 00:18:02.650 We have $10,000 budgeted in this year's budget for light repairs. 00:18:03.650 --> 00:18:07.030 And Alderman Stacey, that's for light repairs, not light replacement. 00:18:09.450 --> 00:18:14.930 We could, I mean, that's what it's in the budget for, so it's a matter of where the council wants to take it from. 00:18:14.930 --> 00:18:21.700 Okay, but the $20 went down to $10. Is that what I'm understanding? 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:34.740 The budget was approved in December with $10,000 in this specific line item, so we'll be having to look at other line items or looking at current fund reserve to pay for this. 00:18:36.870 --> 00:18:37.390 Okay. 00:18:42.610 --> 00:18:44.030 Alderman Sellers, did you have? 00:18:44.590 --> 00:18:52.550 Yes, I know that you had said a little bit about other neighborhoods would probably want lighting and stuff. 00:18:52.550 --> 00:19:22.010 are we going to try to make that like a program like we did with the streets and and broadened it out and Darren came up with a plan on how we can get lights for everybody all over or how are we going are we have we looked into that yet or not right now we're addressing the emergent request I'm not sure where we're going but I do know there's lots of parts of town that don't have really any lights to speak of more of rural cross-section so 00:19:22.550 --> 00:19:27.510 Certain wards don't even have poles every 1,500 feet or so. 00:19:27.650 --> 00:19:31.990 They have like one in a corner, and there's not very much lighting in certain neighborhoods, 00:19:32.250 --> 00:19:35.630 so that could get very expensive because of the fact that the poles don't exist. 00:19:35.830 --> 00:19:40.530 But just to answer your question, we're doing what we need to do right now to deal with the issue at hand. 00:19:41.390 --> 00:19:42.670 Darren, did you want to add to that? 00:19:43.270 --> 00:19:44.050 Wait a minute. 00:19:45.570 --> 00:19:47.350 Clarify the money portion of it. 00:19:47.350 --> 00:19:57.730 So the $23,000 that we saved at the last meeting in that bid, that's water and sewer CIP money, so by ordinance. 00:19:57.730 --> 00:20:02.580 CIP money, so by ordinance it can't be moved to the lighting program. The $10,000 that's budgeted for light 00:20:02.580 --> 00:20:07.620 repairs, if we spend it on this program, we won't be able to replace or repair any of the light ballast that 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:13.900 we currently do. So that would, I guess my suggestion is if we move forward with this, it's going to have to 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:20.680 come from emergency funds, just like if we had another emergency that wasn't budgeted. That's where 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:25.560 this funding will end up having to come from because I believe by ordinance it cannot be taken out of CIP. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.140 Alderman Sanders. 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:55.980 Yeah, following up with the scheduling for these programs, have we estimated how long will it take to start the process of this programming because we're not even talking scheduling dates and we need to get started whatever the initiatives are right now when 00:20:55.980 --> 00:21:23.140 we're starting talking about the lighting program and things like that. Are we scheduling and estimating time and date when we start these process, when we start these procedures of getting these lighting started, whatever we have that we can get in place and start the program, get it started. 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:53.120 I don't want to hear that we're still working on it. This guy came up here twice already making a complaint about Oak Street and so I had not heard any feedback in regards to when we're going to get started. We have looked into it and we have done a survey to actively to extradite anything of that kind of concern because I want to 00:21:53.120 --> 00:22:22.940 to see us doing something, talking about it, because that is a priority. And where is it on the priority list? And I wanted to know, since we're getting this thing together, are we prioritizing anything? That's the whole thing, to get this thing started. So I'm just looking for the active part of it, of the progress that we might, that we 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:53.390 are stepping into and we have an estimated time and date. We're not going to prolong this for a year or two years. We want to give the citizens an absolute kind of estimated time that we can get started and start this process. Alderman Clem? I think we ought to stop and back up a second here. We don't even know what we're going to do yet or when we're going to do it and if the lights, we've got to work to do it. 00:22:54.190 --> 00:23:00.730 And when it was mentioned about other places in town that need electricity or need places, yes, there are some. 00:23:01.090 --> 00:23:06.170 Do we need to go where we're specifically having problems? The answer to that is 100% correct. 00:23:06.630 --> 00:23:15.010 There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. But you've got a process that you've got to go through to figure out what you're going to put lights where, where they will fit. 00:23:15.010 --> 00:23:18.010 Do the ones that we have, wait a minute, do we have- 00:23:18.010 --> 00:23:20.530 No, I don't need you to do that. 00:23:20.530 --> 00:23:21.390 No, wait, he's coming off for me. 00:23:21.390 --> 00:23:22.430 Yeah, you're- 00:23:22.430 --> 00:23:23.810 Alderman Sanders, he has the floor. 00:23:23.810 --> 00:23:24.610 Don't say a damn thing. 00:23:24.730 --> 00:23:26.750 It's time you sit back and listen. 00:23:26.930 --> 00:23:28.010 No, I'm not going to sit back and listen. 00:23:28.010 --> 00:23:29.670 Alderman Sanders, you do not have the floor. 00:23:29.810 --> 00:23:30.950 He does not have the right to. 00:23:30.950 --> 00:23:32.050 You do not have the floor. 00:23:32.130 --> 00:23:33.210 It is Alderman Klemm. 00:23:33.290 --> 00:23:35.570 I'm not going to let him attack me and insult me. 00:23:35.810 --> 00:23:37.250 Well, you do it to everybody else. 00:23:37.330 --> 00:23:40.930 No, I don't insult you, but I will start doing so. 00:23:40.930 --> 00:23:51.490 You're a very disrespectful person and trying to be subtle with it as if though you're so intelligent about what you're talking about. 00:23:51.490 --> 00:23:59.870 and you didn't even listen to what was being said. And so obviously your observation is incorrect. 00:23:59.950 --> 00:24:04.830 Alderman Sanders, you do not have the floor. Alderman Clemm, do you have something more you'd like to say? 00:24:04.990 --> 00:24:09.870 No, I'd just like to say first you got to have a plan before you do something. Last time you jumped it 00:24:09.870 --> 00:24:15.310 and you put a light in some place, the alderman that said you put the light in it said it wasn't bright 00:24:15.310 --> 00:24:20.450 enough after it was done. So tell me what you're going to do to solve the problem before you do it. 00:24:20.450 --> 00:24:24.630 Everybody's for doing it, but you've got to figure out what you need to do. 00:24:25.970 --> 00:24:26.730 Alderman Monroe. 00:24:28.250 --> 00:24:30.090 You never answered the timeline. 00:24:32.870 --> 00:24:33.670 Manager Boyer. 00:24:34.990 --> 00:24:41.210 I would imagine we'd get started on it probably by the 1st of April there about. 00:24:42.290 --> 00:24:42.770 Darren. 00:24:44.210 --> 00:24:52.670 So the one thing that everyone has to keep in mind at the council level is the city of Freeport doesn't own the poles or the lights on these streets. 00:24:52.690 --> 00:25:00.850 Commonwealth Edison does. So we can't do anything without their direct permission. So we can talk about 00:25:00.850 --> 00:25:08.270 this and we can move it forward and we need their assistance to actually install them or give us at 00:25:08.270 --> 00:25:13.450 least permission to do them because they're live lights. So we can't send our crews out to just change 00:25:13.450 --> 00:25:19.270 these lights out. So it's a process and it's not going to happen tomorrow. It's not going to happen 00:25:19.270 --> 00:25:25.650 next week. It's going to take some time to coordinate this. We were able to get the one light changed to 00:25:25.650 --> 00:25:33.590 Iroquois at that intersection as a favor from Mr. Gulrap. We pushed that forward. And I'm not saying 00:25:33.590 --> 00:25:39.550 that we can't get this done because we have 22 of the 25 lights in place for Oak Street. We actually 00:25:39.550 --> 00:25:46.670 have them. We're not sure that they all work, but we have them in the warehouse. But again, we will not 00:25:46.670 --> 00:25:51.690 and cannot move forward without their direct permission because they own the poles and the lights. 00:25:51.830 --> 00:25:53.410 We only pay for the electricity. 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:57.560 Alderman Monroe. 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.780 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:02.740 I think time is something that's passed by. 00:26:03.540 --> 00:26:04.400 Four years worth. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:07.000 Since I've been on the council, we've been talking about this. 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:09.060 We've been asking for more lights. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.240 We've been asking for better. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:13.860 You know, it goes back to the previous chief of police. 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:15.840 We had these conversations with Matt Summers. 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:45.820 So, time is of the essence now. We've been dragging our feet from the previous Public Works Director, who's now the City Manager, to the new Public Works Director, and we're asking for movement. We're asking for something to happen. And while I agree with you, the lights belong and the poles belong and the power belongs to Commonwealth Edison, there are other options available to improve the lighting in some ways. 00:26:45.840 --> 00:27:15.820 of these areas, especially where there's no poles existing where we could put in poles that have 24-hour guaranteed uptime, 365 days with solar power. They're out there. Are they expensive? I have no clue. It's not my job to look it up. But I did get two calls after we talked about this in the last week from companies that want to pitch these services. So I think as a council, what we're all asking for is a place 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:45.180 We had a plan that put to paper, much like you did with the roads, which was exactly what we needed and what we wanted, and it allowed us to then start attacking the problem in a systematic way. We knew the cost, we knew the timelines, you know, we could come up with a plan. And I think that's where we're kind of sitting right now, is we need that plan to kind of move forward so that we can say, okay, well, maybe we need to kill this in the budget, because this is a higher priority. 00:27:45.180 --> 00:28:14.140 This is that need versus want conversation that we'd never want to have here. We just want to buy, you know, $1.5 million pieces of equipment and not have real conversations about what the community needs. And there is, without a question, he comes here all the time talking about gunshots in his neighborhood. We've got the same streets. It's the same areas. We've got to give the police department a fighting chance. We've got to give the community a chance. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:42.580 And we've got to come together and come up with a solution. And it may not be what we want, but it's what we need. And I think we've got to bring that together. I think it's simple to just work together, come up with a plan, and you'll get seven or eight yeses to come up that will back you on this. But we've got, we can't do that. That's not our task. We don't know how much each one of these costs. 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:51.880 We don't know how much time, we don't know how long it takes ComEd. We need your help. And that's why what we're I think we keep asking for and why this keeps coming up. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.360 Darren. 00:28:54.680 --> 00:29:13.160 Yeah, so I agree with most of what you said, without with the one exception, we have had no vote or unanimous or direction from council to put that plan together because it's not budgeted. So if we make that plan and council addresses us to do that, like they did with the street plan, 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:43.140 we will absolutely do that I am afraid to be honest with you I agree with most of what you said the city of Freeport right now while I agree the safety areas are a priority we cannot afford to replace every light in this town and I think the taxpayers would be pretty upset with what that ultimate cost would be I did a little bit of research and so we'll give some facts here the lights were approved by city manager crow to be replaced 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:55.720 replaced in I believe it was 2018 and most of that project was done somewhere between the end of 2018 and 2019. Those lights have only been installed for five years. ComEd doesn't do any light replacement within five years. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:59.300 light replacement within five years. That's their minimum. You can't get any light changes out for five 00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:03.720 years at a minimum because I think that's probably the lifespan of their fixture or the payoff of their 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:10.520 fixture. If we want to replace every light in town with increased wattage, that will be at 100% cost to 00:30:10.520 --> 00:30:15.600 the city of Freeport because they only give the discounts or whatever you want to call them, grants 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:20.740 discounts or anything like that for people that are reducing wattage and saving energy consumption. 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:49.880 I did do the math and I've said it up here two or three times at council a new pole and a new light are about $13,000 a piece to install mid block wherever we want to put them again we don't have those types of things in the budget right now but if we get direction that that's what we want to do we will put those plans together I'm trying to put a stopgap to the safety stuff and move this safety priority ahead as quickly as possible but 00:30:50.740 --> 00:31:02.480 Not every one of our partners work as fast as we try to do. And, you know, when we're dealing with larger companies like this, we have to give them time to be able to react. 00:31:05.290 --> 00:31:06.090 Alderman Sellers? 00:31:06.630 --> 00:31:19.110 Yeah, I wanted to say I do agree with, you know, a lot of the things that you said, because we have to give our, you know, police department a chance. We have to get us a chance to get together and put the plan together. 00:31:19.110 --> 00:31:46.010 But I do also think that when the police department do their jobs and get these people, we also have to realize there's another component, there's the judicial system. They have to not just slap their hands. They have to do what they have to do, too, to help us. I'm sorry. And if we don't do that, they're back. So we're going to have repeated problems. So we all have to work together. 00:31:46.010 --> 00:32:15.670 So I do agree with, Chief, I'm glad you guys are out there doing what you do, and it's not that I said that I feel safe, because I don't live in fear, so I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, feeling that I didn't feel that I didn't feel compassion, because that's where I live, so I have the passion, but I'm saying I feel safe and have peace, because if I see something, I'm going to say something, you know, I have lights around my house, 00:32:15.670 --> 00:32:39.190 We also have to chip in on that also as residents, you know, we can look for the city lights and that's perfect and I know we need them, but we also have to get spotlights around our house, a security camera around our doors. We have to also tell what's going on in our neighborhoods and be a part of it also. So that's my take on that. 00:32:39.190 --> 00:32:41.190 Thank you. Alderman Sanders. 00:32:41.190 --> 00:32:41.510 I have a question. 00:32:42.510 --> 00:32:43.390 Alderman Sanders. 00:32:43.390 --> 00:33:13.090 Yeah, I was, I'm listening to everything collectively, and I'm listening to a lot of good things, and it sounds like a lot of good detail information is coming forward. My question is, and I like the fact that putting a plan in motion, and we have to be able to have the council to begin to talk about implementing these plans that are 00:33:13.090 --> 00:33:43.070 being brought up. And then we need someone in place to get these plans in motion. And so we're talking about it great, great, great concepts, great ideas, great understanding of how to proceed and things of that nature. But we also need that one startup and who is the person that leads us in those 00:33:43.090 --> 00:34:13.070 to give us a final understanding of how we're going to proceed. We need that individual, and I'm looking for those people who are the people we as council have to look to to understand is there a strategic plan in place about these lightings? Is there a plan? I'm wondering if we're working on one. We should be talking about it constantly because just 00:34:13.070 --> 00:34:42.530 coming back to council each week, bringing this thing up again. We're back at square one all over again, talking about the same subject. So we need to be able to make moves, get things started. Let's not be talking about it. Let's be about it. And so I'm just one of those kind of guys who's going to say talk is enough. We know what we need to do as a council. We know what we need to do as a city. 00:34:42.530 --> 00:35:12.510 Manager, Public Works, or whatever the case is. We're not collaborating together to get this resolution started and to get it resolved. And so my thing is, where does the starting point start? Who's in charge? And how do we begin to proceed? Alderman Simmons, did you have something? Thank you. So before I do what I want to do, 00:35:12.530 --> 00:35:42.490 I would like to note that when we were all gung-ho about getting in on the grant to have a walkway put behind Highland that was going to cost us about $300,000 nobody mentioned cost nobody talked about other neighborhoods needing sidewalks it was never an issue so I would like to make a motion to direct staff to draw up a plan and what they plan to do with those 22 lights and additional after we run out of those lights what areas do you plan to hit 00:35:42.490 --> 00:35:43.890 by the March Cal. 00:35:45.390 --> 00:35:49.570 You want that plan before the March Cal? 00:35:49.910 --> 00:35:51.490 By the March Cal. 00:35:51.670 --> 00:35:53.950 I'll second that. 00:35:55.830 --> 00:36:01.350 So we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Monroe, as stated. 00:36:01.610 --> 00:36:03.390 Madam Clerk, do you need that reset? 00:36:04.150 --> 00:36:05.210 I haven't, thank you. 00:36:07.290 --> 00:36:09.330 Manager Boyer, did you have some input on that? 00:36:11.570 --> 00:36:12.010 Darren? 00:36:12.010 --> 00:36:36.690 Yeah, I'll ask or answer Alderman Sanders questions. The memo that was in the packet for tonight outlined who's in charge, what the plan is and how we're moving forward. All that was in the memo. And so Rob and I are in charge. We're moving forward already. We started last Thursday with his direction. And after this motion tonight, we'll have it all together for you. 00:36:36.690 --> 00:37:06.670 I can't tell you how soon it will happen and we're going under the emergency authority to fund the lights. You guys will just have to figure out how to pay for them. Yeah, thank you on that. That's part of our job and I'm sorry. Yeah, actually, I'm sorry. Thank you. So we have the motion. Is there any discussion on the motion itself about the plan for the 22 lights, etc.? Could we just restate the motions as I can hear it well? Sure. Madam Clerk, 00:37:06.670 --> 00:37:15.690 can you restate that? The motion is to direct staff to study the best use of the 22 lights, come up with a plan 00:37:15.690 --> 00:37:27.490 even beyond the 22 lights. Okay, thank you. By the March? By March Cal, yes. Darren, is that possible? Sure, by the Cal. 00:37:28.410 --> 00:37:35.470 We'll do the best we can. I believe Ms. Stacy had a question as well. I'm sorry, Alderman Stacy, 00:37:35.470 --> 00:38:05.450 did you have something? I did have a question pertaining to if Darren was saying we needed to make a motion to get it moving or is it moving forward with the emergency clause but now that Alderman Rachel has already made the motion I guess I'm just ready for a vote. 00:38:05.470 --> 00:38:38.220 yeah that's what we're that's our next step okay if there's no further discussion madam clerk would you please take the roll Simmons Parker I Stacy I Sanders I Sellers I Clem I and Monroe I the motion passes seven to zero item number six is the first reading of ordinance 2025 10 could you please read this ordinance approving zoning 00:38:38.220 --> 00:39:08.200 Map Amendment at 18 South Chicago Avenue submitted by Mitch Britto to examine the proposed zoning map change from a B-1-2 general retail business to a B-2 limited service business district. Thank you. Director Duckman? Thank you, Madam Mayor. So staff received a request for a zoning, a petition for a zoning map amendment at 18 South Chicago Avenue and essentially what is going on here is the lieutenant started, I have 00:39:08.200 --> 00:39:13.260 We have a picture of the location up here on the map in case anybody was interested to see that. 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:32.400 The tenant here started a dojo and essentially before checking with our zoning ordinance and came to us and said, you know, hey, I'm opening, I have this dojo, I need to get my certificate of occupancy and I don't have the zoning. 00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:53.420 and so staff worked with the property owner to figure out a solution for this situation and the solution here was a zoning map amendment so currently it's zoned B1 and it would need to be zoned B2 in order to allow for this dojo that the tenant currently is operating. 00:39:53.420 --> 00:40:00.040 tenant currently is operating. So this went to our Zoning Board of Appeals on February 6th and it was 00:40:00.040 --> 00:40:05.720 recommended for approval of five to zero with zero abstentions and on February 13th it went to our 00:40:05.720 --> 00:40:11.740 Planning Commission with a vote of six to zero with zero abstentions and in looking at this zoning map 00:40:11.740 --> 00:40:18.080 amendment to go from B1 to B2 in line with our Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission 00:40:18.080 --> 00:40:23.860 staffs recommending approval are moving this ordinance to the next for a second reading. 00:40:25.060 --> 00:40:27.080 Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? 00:40:30.260 --> 00:40:30.780 Second. 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:39.600 Okay, we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Monroe. Is there discussion on this 00:40:39.600 --> 00:40:42.420 ordinance? Alderman Stacy? 00:40:43.420 --> 00:40:45.360 Yes. What is a dojo? 00:40:45.360 --> 00:41:20.590 It's a it's karate or it can be jujitsu karate. It's essentially a martial arts studio. Oh, Alderman Simmons. Okay. You're going to have to speak into your microphone. I she said or sorry, go ahead. Just the difference between B1 and B2. I really could have asked him off to the side. It's slightly more intense of a business use. It essentially would allow for when this ordinance came out, 00:41:20.590 --> 00:41:50.170 and where it's created, the writers of the ordinance thought that martial arts studios were more of an intense use than per se a retail store. So you would have to get higher zoning, less restrictive zoning to have a martial arts studio. That's essentially what it is. So there's a few uses that are more intense. Yep. Alderman Sanders. This is not on topic. 00:41:50.590 --> 00:42:20.070 I just wanted to ask you something in regards to zoning and I just wanted to make sure that our ordinance identify what areas that are supposed to get zonings and recognize whether or not residential can also be considered as commercial zoning if it comes from a residential. 00:42:20.590 --> 00:42:28.610 location. Is there a difference when a person wants to start a business in a residential area 00:42:28.610 --> 00:42:39.250 or whatever? And is that considered where he needs a permit or need to be in the proper zoning locations? 00:42:40.270 --> 00:42:45.470 I'm just asking that question in general because that question came up to me. 00:42:45.470 --> 00:43:04.610 Sure. I think you can always do a home-occupied business, which essentially would be small accounting firm, person working for themself. Maybe you're an architect, you're working for yourself, you're working out of your house, smaller law firm. Essentially, that's what you would call a home-occupation business. 00:43:04.610 --> 00:43:32.470 and that's allowed. Usually what happens is by the time you start having more than one client at your house at one time, that's when you would fall, you would become more of an intense land use and you would be required to, you know, get into, start your business at a business, a business-owned property, commercial-owned property. So the answer to your question is there's, you know, our ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses ran out of their house. 00:43:32.470 --> 00:44:02.270 and when I if somebody were to call me my advice to them is always once you start having multiple clients in your house multiple times per day you know that's when you really want to think about transitioning to a office space or more intense right well that was okay so so actually I appreciate your you you wanting to have a better understanding but you are correct that has nothing to do with this ordinance so if you want to discuss this offline I'm sure he'll pick up his phone anytime you want to discuss it yeah that's what I 00:44:02.270 --> 00:44:31.490 That's what I would do. Totally. So is there any further discussion concerning this, Alderman Monroe? No, I'm good right now. No, not discussion. Can I make a motion, though? We have a motion on the floor to move it forward. Oh, never mind. Okay. Or actually, can I make a motion on this to suspend the rules? You can do what you want. Sure. I'll do that, then. 00:44:31.490 --> 00:44:34.610 Is there a second to motion for the suspension of the rules? 00:44:36.210 --> 00:44:40.910 Alderman Parker, so suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority 00:44:40.910 --> 00:44:46.090 and so Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension only? 00:44:47.450 --> 00:44:47.850 Simmons? 00:44:49.850 --> 00:44:50.370 Parker? 00:44:50.690 --> 00:44:50.930 Aye. 00:44:51.290 --> 00:44:51.810 Stacey? 00:44:53.030 --> 00:44:53.510 Aye. 00:44:54.290 --> 00:44:54.770 Sanders? 00:44:55.190 --> 00:44:55.450 Aye. 00:44:56.010 --> 00:44:56.490 Sellers? 00:44:56.630 --> 00:44:56.910 Aye. 00:44:57.270 --> 00:44:57.670 Clemm? 00:44:57.790 --> 00:44:58.010 Aye. 00:44:58.350 --> 00:44:58.730 And Monroe? 00:44:59.050 --> 00:44:59.290 Aye. 00:44:59.290 --> 00:45:02.630 The suspension of the rules passes 7-0 00:45:02.630 --> 00:45:13.370 So then, counsel, before you is the final reading of this ordinance, so if there's no further discussion on this, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the passage of Ordinance 2025-10 00:45:13.370 --> 00:45:14.250 Simmons 00:45:14.250 --> 00:45:15.250 Aye 00:45:15.250 --> 00:45:16.250 Parker 00:45:16.250 --> 00:45:16.870 Aye 00:45:16.870 --> 00:45:18.530 Stacey 00:45:18.530 --> 00:45:20.010 Aye 00:45:20.010 --> 00:45:21.370 Sanders 00:45:21.370 --> 00:45:22.050 Aye 00:45:22.050 --> 00:45:23.050 Sellers 00:45:23.050 --> 00:45:23.330 Aye 00:45:23.330 --> 00:45:24.330 Clem 00:45:24.330 --> 00:45:24.650 Aye 00:45:24.650 --> 00:45:25.330 and Monroe 00:45:25.330 --> 00:45:25.890 Aye 00:45:25.890 --> 00:45:28.450 And the ordinance passes 7-0 00:45:28.450 --> 00:45:34.150 Thank you. Item number 7 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-11. Could you please read this? 00:45:34.970 --> 00:45:57.570 Ordinance approving hangar leases for A1, Dennis Miller, H1, Alexander Glockler, J, Matt Van Bergen, L1, Ron Jansen, L2, Heritage Aviation, L3, Tango 34, LLC, L5, Paul Oda, L7, Pam Maness, M1, John Eink, 00:45:57.570 --> 00:46:05.330 M-3, Greg Manuel, M-4, Ken and Paula Irwin, M-8, David Hayes, and M-10, John Staben. 00:46:06.090 --> 00:46:06.930 Motion to approve. 00:46:07.630 --> 00:46:07.950 Second. 00:46:07.950 --> 00:46:08.390 Is there a second? 00:46:09.730 --> 00:46:14.010 Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. 00:46:14.610 --> 00:46:16.290 Any discussion on this ordinance? 00:46:17.130 --> 00:46:17.870 Alderman Sanders? 00:46:18.630 --> 00:46:22.430 Yeah, I had to look at this carefully. 00:46:22.430 --> 00:46:52.430 this there's not enough detailed information for the reason why we're bringing this ordinance to the council at this particular moment and yeah I okay so yeah let's let him give his presentation then we'll manager board did you have one it's going to be fairly concise last year council asked that we get these leases squared away we had a new lease format council approved the new lease 00:46:52.430 --> 00:46:58.950 format. We've been systematically getting as many. Hold it. Let me cut you off since you cut me off 00:46:58.950 --> 00:47:07.430 while I was right in the middle of mid-sentence. Yes, I was cut off right in the middle of mid-sentence. 00:47:07.430 --> 00:47:16.250 I never got a chance to complete my thought. Okay, but he's just trying to help. No, no, I didn't ask for 00:47:16.250 --> 00:47:21.630 that kind of help. I know what I want to actually say. I don't need no support bracket or whatever. 00:47:21.630 --> 00:47:51.510 Don't do that. Don't do that, Mayor. Don't do that. Well, actually, we were slightly out of order, and the attorney- No, I was talking. I was in the midst of talking and trying to get my thought out when I was interrupted. That's what I'm trying to say to you. You're not listening. That's all. But what I'm saying is, I had an opportunity to look at this particular ordinance 2025-11, and I was looking at the disparities that was 00:47:51.630 --> 00:48:21.610 We have not had an opportunity to revise any of that, any of the leases, any of the leases, within those leases, when I'm looking through those leases, the comparisons with those leases does not conform with the whole process and who's signing off on these leases and who's coming up with the detailed information about what's going to these leases. We have not had an opportunity to revise any of that, any of the leases 00:48:21.630 --> 00:48:45.770 And I'm like, this should not even be on the agenda to even talk about it until we have covered all of those areas of those leases and had the detailed information that we need about it because the lease does not sound like a read to me adds up. 00:48:45.770 --> 00:49:06.190 I don't want to vote on something that is half vague, half been presented, and the leases are not fully looked at to be talking about these leases. 00:49:06.190 --> 00:49:15.550 I understand they're there, but the comparisons from one hanger to the next one, it does not justify why certain leases, 00:49:15.550 --> 00:49:45.530 and I think these amounts are being charged to certain hangers and not the other ones, and we need to understand why that is, and so that's the reason why I brought this up, because I'm not getting full understanding of why we're talking about the leases when we had not been able to explain each, every item, and the reason why we're having disparaging amounts that are being predicted. 00:49:45.550 --> 00:49:50.550 Mayor Boyer, would you like to give your presentation? 00:49:50.550 --> 00:50:20.000 would you like to give your presentation? Absolutely. So the lease amounts are in ordinance set by council. Those amounts were reviewed by council with the airport manager who came to council and discussed that they were in line with the region in terms of what they what the lease rates are. And then we have been updating all the hangar leases with existing 00:50:20.000 --> 00:50:26.760 tenants who are already there and already had signed leases. All we're doing here is updating the lease form 00:50:26.760 --> 00:50:34.300 to more modern wording that has been brought to council and approved already. Does that answer your 00:50:34.300 --> 00:50:43.700 question? Not fully. I want more. I want more detail. Okay, this is kind of a formality. These leases already 00:50:43.700 --> 00:50:49.060 exist and we're putting them on a new format at the same rate we have currently because that's been 00:50:49.060 --> 00:50:53.100 deemed to be the correct amount, and we're just asking for approval on these leases, that's all. 00:50:54.200 --> 00:50:55.240 These people are already here. 00:50:56.020 --> 00:50:57.280 Alderman Parker, your hand was up. 00:50:57.620 --> 00:51:00.960 Yeah, it makes sense to me, and I want to make a motion. 00:51:01.140 --> 00:51:03.740 We call the question and also to suspend the rules. 00:51:04.220 --> 00:51:08.260 I just said I have a question. 00:51:12.900 --> 00:51:18.220 Alderman Stacy did, oh, she did say she had, she informed us that she had a question, but 00:51:18.220 --> 00:51:23.520 Alderman Parker, you got the floor and you made a motion to call the question there, but 00:51:23.520 --> 00:51:25.280 you need a second on that and a vote. 00:51:25.400 --> 00:51:30.400 So we have a motion on the floor to call the question. Is there a second to that? 00:51:31.360 --> 00:51:31.860 I second. 00:51:34.260 --> 00:51:40.100 So my question means nothing. 00:51:43.560 --> 00:51:55.400 That's a good point, Dovie. That's a good point because we only have a motion and a second to move this forward right now. So actually, thank you. Yeah, so your motion's not ready yet. 00:51:55.400 --> 00:52:24.940 But he did say suspending the rules, so is that what you want to? Yes. Okay. So my question, I don't have a question. We're in the middle of a discussion what the previous alderman, we know you're there, Alderman Stacy. So we have a motion to suspend the rules. Do we have a second to that? So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Clem to suspend the rules. Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. 00:52:25.400 --> 00:52:31.400 so with that alone uh madam clerk could you please take the role and Alderman Stacy will come back to you 00:52:32.440 --> 00:52:50.200 Simmons aye Parker aye Stacy no Sanders no Sellers aye Clem aye Monroe no that fails uh one two three four to three 00:52:50.200 --> 00:52:54.040 Yeah 00:52:54.040 --> 00:52:57.910 So, Alderman Stacy, you had a question 00:52:57.910 --> 00:53:00.690 Yes, I have a question 00:53:00.690 --> 00:53:07.430 L2 and L3 00:53:07.430 --> 00:53:14.290 Now, I thought L2 and L3 was both heritage 00:53:14.290 --> 00:53:17.400 Am I wrong? 00:53:21.680 --> 00:53:22.660 Manager Boyer, do you know? 00:53:22.960 --> 00:53:24.800 Let me refer to the 00:53:24.800 --> 00:53:25.540 Probably me 00:53:25.540 --> 00:53:32.520 We worked from the spreadsheet that we have on file that the airport manager reviewed 00:53:32.520 --> 00:53:36.600 I don't have the records in front of me 00:53:36.600 --> 00:53:45.150 Anytime we've spoken of heritage, we spoke of two 00:53:45.150 --> 00:53:52.790 Heritage arrow is in 0, 1, 2, and 3 00:53:52.790 --> 00:53:57.620 Let me just look it up here 00:53:57.620 --> 00:54:00.740 Okay, well this says L-2 heritage 00:54:00.740 --> 00:54:07.140 Heritage. That's Heritage Aviation. That does not say Heritage Aero. I believe it's a different 00:54:07.140 --> 00:54:20.470 entity. Okay. So I'm being told that L2 and L3 is the same. Well, in parentheses, it says it's a different 00:54:20.470 --> 00:54:30.650 hangar. Can you see that? Tango 34 LLC just went into L3. That is not a redo of an old lease. That is a new 00:54:30.650 --> 00:54:37.130 Lease, and they've moved to a different hangar. So that one I'm quite certain because Angie dropped that off. 00:54:38.270 --> 00:54:39.130 Was that in the presentation? 00:54:40.330 --> 00:54:40.810 Excuse me? 00:54:44.020 --> 00:54:44.420 Nothing. 00:54:49.620 --> 00:55:03.860 So you're saying Rob, whoever is in L3, and Harrisage Aviation is not in L2 and L3? 00:55:04.820 --> 00:55:06.480 That is not my understanding. 00:55:06.480 --> 00:55:20.600 So, the ones with names, are they individual names, or is some businesses, but their name is listed? 00:55:22.120 --> 00:55:24.900 Is the business listed? 00:55:26.180 --> 00:55:32.140 If there is a business, it is listed. If there is no business, it is not listed. 00:55:36.040 --> 00:55:42.490 Okay. 00:55:42.950 --> 00:55:44.030 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 00:55:44.030 --> 00:55:52.670 Why did we omit or black out the information of the lessee? 00:55:53.630 --> 00:55:54.830 It's home addresses. 00:55:55.330 --> 00:56:03.410 You know that you can find that information by the tail number, correct? 00:56:06.010 --> 00:56:11.330 You can if you want. I am going to black out personal addresses. 00:56:12.870 --> 00:56:13.170 Okay. 00:56:16.660 --> 00:56:17.260 Alderman Sanders? 00:56:17.260 --> 00:56:46.210 Yeah, observing some of those leases, when I kept saying that things didn't look right to me within those leases, and my one question would be is why there's stenciling writing with a marker pen or whatever the case is within the lease. 00:56:46.210 --> 00:57:15.090 I don't know if it's the last moment or when that was cited, but I don't know the date, when was that written into that lease? The lease has some kind of signature going on, but there's no date to it when that was put into a lease. And I looked at that and I'm like, wait a minute, we can't follow this because the fact that it's not dated. 00:57:15.090 --> 00:57:20.990 We don't have a point of origin of when this signature got put into these leases 00:57:20.990 --> 00:57:27.430 The lease begins, this lease agreement is made and entered into this first day of March 00:57:27.430 --> 00:57:32.050 and all of the renewals are being done as of March 1st 00:57:32.050 --> 00:57:39.590 Yeah, but the signature of the person at the end of the recipient of that lease 00:57:39.590 --> 00:57:42.970 I can see where it's not dated 00:57:42.970 --> 00:57:53.590 I can even see where it is where the city does not have dates on the leasing that I can see. 00:57:53.590 --> 00:58:00.110 This lease agreement was approved by counsel and drafted by legal counsel. 00:58:00.330 --> 00:58:01.070 Yeah, that's the funny thing. 00:58:01.070 --> 00:58:01.530 Attorney Zito. 00:58:02.490 --> 00:58:07.680 So, does the signature, you don't have to date your signature? 00:58:08.120 --> 00:58:09.120 No, I'm reading. 00:58:09.120 --> 00:58:39.620 the signature on there, then the fact that at the beginning of the lease, it says that the lease is effective March 1, that becomes both, and the date is March 1, because that's put up at the top there. Now, if we didn't have this lease goes into effect March 1, we didn't say that at the top, and we just, then typically then, if you date the signatures, then it's, the effective date is the date that the second person to sign it, signs it, you know, and then you date it there. 00:58:39.620 --> 00:58:44.100 So it's just, that's kind of format versus, you know, anything substantive. 00:58:49.070 --> 00:58:49.890 Any further discussion? 00:58:51.940 --> 00:59:05.180 Do I understand what Attorney Zito just said is that all these leases listed on the agenda tonight will go in effect March 1st. 00:59:08.410 --> 00:59:14.650 They're proposed, so they're drafted. So again, these are just draft leases that you guys need to approve there. 00:59:14.650 --> 00:59:38.350 But yes, as proposed, they would go into effect March 1, which is why on the agenda, they were being proposed to be presented to you guys for first read with a request to suspend the rules so that you guys could go to second read, and then if it was approved, ultimately, all that happened today, then we're obviously in February right now, so then them starting March 1 would make sense. 00:59:38.350 --> 00:59:49.350 but obviously if there's been a vote to not suspend the rules these would have to go to the next council meeting so we would have to just update the all these lease forms to change the start date. 00:59:49.350 --> 00:59:57.740 forms to change the start date. So is that your preference, Council, to change all these formats? 00:59:57.740 --> 01:00:15.420 If it's not approved by the Council, then yeah. So. Alderman Sellers. So would this stop them 01:00:15.420 --> 01:00:28.180 from working in those hangars? I mean, would it stop these people's businesses or these people would have to move their airplanes or whatever? 01:00:30.020 --> 01:00:45.200 From a practical standpoint, no, because we're talking about March 1 versus March 3. I don't think anyone would kick anyone out for two days. Most leases, you would just be a holdover in that situation for a couple of days there. 01:00:45.420 --> 01:00:52.100 So is it appropriate to ask again for suspension of the rules or can you not do that a second 01:00:52.100 --> 01:00:58.750 time? If someone from the prevailing side, because we're at the same session, so this would be 01:00:58.750 --> 01:01:03.610 like a motion to reconsider, but we have questions. Alderman Stacy? Actually, this is your third 01:01:03.610 --> 01:01:12.630 question. To my knowledge, these people are already in these hangars. Am I correct? That 01:01:12.630 --> 01:01:13.170 That is correct. 01:01:14.290 --> 01:01:21.950 Okay, so we're not denying, delaying anything. They're already in them. 01:01:22.510 --> 01:01:27.450 Correct. You're just adding to the clerk's work. 01:01:28.690 --> 01:01:30.010 And the cost of postage. 01:01:30.010 --> 01:01:42.130 If you don't do the suspension of the rules, these already have the dates of the 1st, and the next council meeting isn't until the 3rd of March, which then means that she's going to have to change all of these dates. 01:01:42.630 --> 01:01:49.830 Okay, so it's just like a scratch out on the first and put the third, correct? 01:01:50.530 --> 01:01:57.070 And then that has to be initialed by the party who has already signed. This will add a lot of work. 01:01:57.730 --> 01:02:11.440 And I understand what you're saying, Ms. Delvie. However, we've done it like this all alone. 01:02:11.440 --> 01:02:46.200 they always have already been in there existing and it's something that we had to do a vote was taken it did not pass so I say we move forward and it carries over to the next council meeting well that's where the motion stands right now to move it to the next council meeting my question was do you want to reconsider the suspension of the rules so that way we don't add unnecessary work 01:02:46.200 --> 01:02:51.880 to the clerk. That was my only question. So if that's the case, if someone wants to make 01:02:51.880 --> 01:03:01.240 that motion, we'll move in that direction. Mayor, we'll also add postage. I'll have to get initials 01:03:01.240 --> 01:03:15.440 from the other party. This isn't a tiny thing. These cost like $1.50 to mail each one. I still 01:03:15.440 --> 01:03:53.160 don't have an understanding on my question for L3. Well, look what it says in the packet. Okay, um, Mayor, I'm looking at it, so don't discredit my ability to see. I'm not discrediting anything. It says who L2 is and it says who L3 is. They're not the same. When I spoke with City Manager, 01:03:53.500 --> 01:03:57.640 I was informed that L2 and L3 are the same people. 01:03:59.460 --> 01:04:00.960 Manager Boyer, do you have a response? 01:04:01.480 --> 01:04:06.800 Alderman, Alderperson, I'm not aware of what you're referring to. 01:04:08.300 --> 01:04:08.780 Okay. 01:04:13.190 --> 01:04:16.330 Alderman Clem, did you have your hand up? 01:04:18.700 --> 01:04:24.420 I was going to bring up for 50 years, we never saw these and never had a problem and never had hours of discussion, 01:04:24.420 --> 01:04:27.600 and all you got to do is hold two people accountable for it. 01:04:27.600 --> 01:04:29.660 Why did we change this whole thing? 01:04:30.040 --> 01:04:35.420 You know, this is asinine to sit here and go through these and we care less who's in them. 01:04:35.960 --> 01:04:39.520 I mean, all anybody's worrying about is X number of dollars rental. 01:04:39.520 --> 01:04:41.760 Are they full? Are they taken care of? 01:04:42.000 --> 01:04:44.420 You've got a person that already manages the airport. 01:04:44.940 --> 01:04:50.220 You don't have the commission anymore, but you've got a city manager that oversees it. 01:04:50.760 --> 01:04:56.100 You know, this is just a complete slow up of everything, and we're sitting there now 01:04:56.100 --> 01:04:58.640 going back to redo what we've already done. 01:04:59.040 --> 01:05:07.820 I mean, don't get me wrong, I may be alone, but I can't see where it makes absolutely any sense for us to go over these. 01:05:07.920 --> 01:05:12.960 We spent hours, not just this time, on every lease has come around. 01:05:21.780 --> 01:05:22.240 Okay, so. 01:05:22.240 --> 01:05:33.580 Well, it is my desire that every lease don't even have to come to the council and that they could be signed off by the manager of the airport 01:05:33.580 --> 01:05:45.240 until that happens, and until we get stable to a place where that can happen, it is what it is. 01:05:50.160 --> 01:05:59.840 Okay, so is it the desire of the council to just move this to the March council, or is it the desire of the council to ask for another suspension? 01:06:00.740 --> 01:06:01.440 Please indicate. 01:06:02.160 --> 01:06:04.240 Manage, or I'm sorry, Alderman Sanders. 01:06:04.240 --> 01:06:31.600 Yes, it was before you made that statement or that comment. Are we in the business of just making general commentary about a particular item on the agenda that someone can just go off and start having commentary of his concept and what he believes in without bringing any kind of solutions? 01:06:31.600 --> 01:06:34.220 If you're referring to me, I just discussed it. 01:06:34.240 --> 01:07:04.220 I'm not talking to you, but I'm asking a question. Make sure we were all clear. No, you make sure you're all clear. Come on, gentlemen. It's not about making commentary on the subject of topics on the agenda. It's not your business to do that to us, preach to us. We're just as equal as you are, or maybe more. But the point I'm making is, can you officially make commentaries like that during council without adding a 01:07:04.220 --> 01:07:09.420 question to it or why you're stating what you're stating. Attorney Zito. 01:07:11.020 --> 01:07:17.740 Alderman Clem's comment was regarding the agenda topic about the airport leases so from that standpoint he was on 01:07:17.740 --> 01:07:22.140 point he didn't have a question he didn't whether he was just making a comment that was on point on the 01:07:22.140 --> 01:07:30.460 agenda topic there so that said mayor you asked me where are we at right now where we stand is there's 01:07:30.460 --> 01:07:34.860 there's a motion in a second to move this forward to next council meeting. 01:07:35.600 --> 01:07:41.200 The motion to suspend the rules, if there wants to be a motion to reconsider the suspension of the rules, 01:07:41.280 --> 01:07:46.960 it has to be made by someone on the prevailing side, which was anyone who voted no on the suspension of the rules. 01:07:46.960 --> 01:07:53.600 If no one makes that motion from the prevailing side, then we move on to the next topic because this goes on to the next council meeting. 01:07:54.820 --> 01:07:58.160 I'll make a motion that we move it on just to move it on. 01:07:58.160 --> 01:08:14.760 Sorry, Jeff. Oh, okay. Well, let's take a vote. Okay. Sorry, Clerk. Item number eight is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-12. Could you please read this? 01:08:15.200 --> 01:08:24.420 Ordinance amending Chapters 1248 and 1252 of the Zoning Code of the City of Freeport concerning storage facilities and business and agricultural districts. 01:08:24.760 --> 01:08:26.160 Thank you. Director Duckman. 01:08:26.160 --> 01:08:54.660 Thank you, Madam Mayor. I put up the zoning map for the city so everyone can kind of see here and get a better idea of what this text amendment is proposing. So our industrial, what's in purple here are our manufacturing districts, and what's in red is our business districts. And then what's in yellow, I know Alderperson Sanders had a question earlier about residential zoning districts. 01:08:54.660 --> 01:09:17.700 what's your yellow is your residential zoning districts and this is pretty much a typical typical of a city you have your retail business corridors in red along major thoroughfares in the city and then you have your most of your industrial manufacturing isolated into industrial parks and then most of your city is going to be residential. 01:09:17.700 --> 01:09:33.560 So with that being said, this text amendment is to limit self-service storage facilities only to the areas in purple, which would be your industrial, your manufacturing zoning districts. 01:09:33.560 --> 01:09:47.980 Currently, if you're in a B3 zoning district, which many of these red areas are, not all of them, but many of the red areas are going to be in your B3 zoning district, what we've had 01:09:47.980 --> 01:09:52.720 Zoning District. What we've had in the last year here is we've had an influx of self-storage facilities. 01:09:52.960 --> 01:09:59.800 First one would be the old Moose Lodge on South Street across from La Petrona. That got turned into an indoor 01:09:59.800 --> 01:10:09.960 storage facility, large area on a commercial corridor, and then also most recently also off of South Street 01:10:09.960 --> 01:10:16.300 along that same corridor on I'm Boulevard. Sorry, take that back. That's Rose and Teal off of Locust. 01:10:16.740 --> 01:10:22.680 You have our CubeSmart there recently coming to town and they're in the process of doing another large 01:10:22.680 --> 01:10:29.760 expansion. And so with that coming in, staff has worked with our planning commission and has really 01:10:29.760 --> 01:10:36.800 investigated this influx into our business corridors of the self-storage facilities that take up large 01:10:36.800 --> 01:10:47.060 geographic areas don't offer much employment and certainly not a fit with many of our residential 01:10:47.060 --> 01:10:54.180 slash shopping type areas especially along these corridors here. So with that being said staff brought 01:10:54.180 --> 01:11:01.740 this text amendment to the planning commission which was held on February 13th and it was recommended for 01:11:01.740 --> 01:11:31.560 for approval by a vote of six to zero. So in line with our planning commission staff is recommending approval or this is an ordinance recommending moving this ordinance forward to the next to the next meeting. Thank you, Director Duckman. Is there such a motion? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Parker to move ordinance 2025 12 onto the next meeting. Any discussion? 01:11:31.740 --> 01:11:37.010 Move on to item number nine 01:11:37.010 --> 01:11:48.230 Resolution approving retainer with Napoli and Skolnick for potential litigation of PFAs at Albertus Airport 01:11:48.230 --> 01:11:49.830 Thank you. Manager Boyer 01:11:49.830 --> 01:11:51.390 Thank you, Your Honor 01:11:51.390 --> 01:11:59.530 So as we've talked about in the past, the forever chemicals that are in the ground in certain areas in Freeport 01:11:59.530 --> 01:12:07.970 We've worked very diligently to get source water that is completely free of these Forever Chemicals, and we've been very successful with that. 01:12:08.810 --> 01:12:24.590 Napoleon Chikolnik is our legal representation related to the class action lawsuit against all the manufacturers of these Forever Chemicals, and they've approached the city about representing us related to airports. 01:12:24.590 --> 01:12:54.490 So this is a little different than what we did in the past, which was essentially source water for the city. This relates back to these firefighting foams and things in the past have been used on airports because they're very helpful in terms of extinguishing fires, fuel fires, that type of thing. At this time, staff does not believe there's actually any use of these at the airport. However, it really doesn't hurt anything to be a part of this suit, especially if 01:12:54.490 --> 01:13:23.370 if we, as part of this suit, we end up doing some core samples and maybe there was, you know, something there that no one knew about. However, I think this just provides an opportunity and if there is a settlement, there's no guarantee that it would exclude the city of Freeport. So staff's request is to move forward with the agreement with Napoleon Shikolnik for the airport. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion? 01:13:24.490 --> 01:13:59.350 Darin? I just wanted to point out that I emailed everybody the question at the last meeting was if we had had a test out there recently and we've had one within the last two months with no detect. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0. Item number 10 is the adoption of 01:13:59.350 --> 01:14:29.130 Resolution 2025-16. Could you please read this? Resolution... Oh, that doesn't read right. Resolution ESRI, Municipal and County Enterprise Agreement for GIS, three years. Director Suttman. Hello, Council. This is the three-year agreement for the GIS software that we discussed last week at the Cal. We believe this will greatly improve the record-keeping, drafting, and field reference 01:14:29.130 --> 01:14:36.950 of field staff, as well as make for a valuable project planning tool, and we recommend moving 01:14:36.950 --> 01:14:45.530 forward this agreement. Any questions? Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Yes. Motion made by 01:14:45.530 --> 01:14:57.010 Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Monroe. Discussion, Alderman Sanders. He asked a question. Yeah, but he, well, he, I was honored. He needed to have, that wasn't the right protocol, so. 01:14:57.010 --> 01:15:29.680 The right protocol. So did you have something? Yes. Alderman Sanders. Yes. Let me have my thought before I spill my beans. Do you have a big enough staff to incorporate this GIS study or GIS program? 01:15:30.440 --> 01:15:39.600 Do you have a big enough staff that can do an effective job of running that particular program? 01:15:39.740 --> 01:15:49.700 Do you have the quality people or the people that has the proper training to run that particular software program 01:15:49.700 --> 01:15:57.640 and how to make sure that data is not tainted in any way, shape, or form? 01:15:57.640 --> 01:16:16.380 Do we have people like that? Are we working on it? Or do we have people on staff that is looking into it or to increase the staffing that is going to be required to do this complete study of all that data information? 01:16:16.860 --> 01:16:24.220 Yeah, so I think the IT department has the ability on the back end. Between me and Eric, we have something like 30 years of experience in GIS. 01:16:24.220 --> 01:16:54.220 I guess. And then the IT systems. Most of the training will have to be done for like the field staff and other office people who are using the software. As far as ensuring the data, since it's a, think of it as a map with a database behind it, we can set data integrity rules on it to where maybe a person in the field types in the information a date when an inlet was cleaned or something. We can monitor that and check it in. So there's like a second 01:16:54.220 --> 01:17:24.040 secondary check on that data before it enters the live system. Oh, okay. Okay, thanks. Yep. Darren. So the beauty of the data that Kurt's talking about here, so we already have a program. This would expand it greatly. Right now, we're overusing the program that we currently have, the GIS, the IT department, and the utility chairs. We use this data every day for Julie locates, for design plans, for NICOR, ComEd. We supply the information in the area they're 01:17:24.040 --> 01:17:29.240 working to make sure that they're not damaging our utilities. It also goes hand in hand with our 01:17:29.240 --> 01:17:36.160 projects that Fair Graham does for the city because we use GIS to locate everything and we can update that 01:17:36.160 --> 01:17:41.260 data to Curt with the expansion of the system and it can be automatically updated in their system after 01:17:41.260 --> 01:17:49.500 he approves it. So it'd be a lot more valuable data for the city. We've already invested a ton of money 01:17:49.500 --> 01:18:16.300 and GIS systems over the years. That's how Curt actually got his start with the city was a grant program to build GIS and he expanded it. So we, for a town our size, we have a very good GIS system. But again, it was meant for one user when we got it. We currently have probably eight plus people on it. And so we're overusing the system that we have now. And, and what he's proposing will have a lot more data for us. 01:18:18.250 --> 01:18:19.010 Alderman Sanders. 01:18:19.010 --> 01:18:39.350 Yeah, very good, Darren, I didn't see that coming, but it's good to know that that's out there, that we have those type of people in place that we can continue to do surveys and studies that will improve our data consumption and strategy, how we're going to be planning. 01:18:39.350 --> 01:19:09.250 One of my thing was is what you brought out to us, whether or not anything else that that GIS will do for the city, I know you can't explain the whole program, but I'm talking about the significant parts and what you brought to my understanding that that is part of the equation of doing these real high quality studies of whatever project programs that you're doing for the city. 01:19:09.350 --> 01:19:20.030 and that we have the proper staffing to make sure that we're providing proficiency throughout the city. I appreciate that. Thank you. 01:19:21.570 --> 01:19:25.150 If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:19:25.650 --> 01:19:35.910 Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Monroe. Aye. 01:19:35.910 --> 01:19:38.530 The resolution is adopted 7-0 01:19:38.530 --> 01:19:43.330 Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 2025-17. Could you please read this? 01:19:43.790 --> 01:19:45.850 Resolution adapting the Northwest Illinois 01:19:45.850 --> 01:19:58.340 Resolution Adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as a part of participating in Stevenson County's application to the U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All or SS4A Grant. 01:19:59.340 --> 01:20:00.520 Thank you. Darren? 01:20:00.520 --> 01:20:30.500 yeah so we discussed this at the cow last week this is simply a resolution stating that the if the county moves forward when they move forward with the project that's already underway if there's any implementation money Freeport would be part of the planning to use that implementation on a project we have a handful of draft projects it's all in draft mode at this time that that could or could not be included in the program so again this resolution 01:20:30.500 --> 01:20:36.280 is just uniting fronts to show that we're part of the program and we want to be part of the program. 01:20:36.680 --> 01:20:40.980 We've already put a lot of time and effort into that program to make sure that when implementation 01:20:40.980 --> 01:20:47.040 comes that we would get it. So this is just the council approval to be part of that. There is no 01:20:47.040 --> 01:20:53.520 financial for this. It's just a resolution approval. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. The motion 01:20:53.520 --> 01:21:00.060 made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Madam Clerk, 01:21:00.060 --> 01:21:31.600 please take the role. I have a question. Okay, Alderman Stacy. Yes, is this what the guy spoke about, Matt, I believe was his name? No, it is not. This is a separate program that the city is a small part of with six other counties. The program that Matt talked about is very similar to this, but that one is only focused on the city of Freeport, only no other partners in it. 01:21:31.600 --> 01:21:37.310 Okay, so can you tell me, like, who are the partners in this one? 01:21:38.230 --> 01:21:53.530 Sure. I might not get them all, but it's Stevenson County, City of Freeport, Lee County, Joe Davies County, Ogle County, and I believe there's one more. Carol. 01:21:53.530 --> 01:21:54.510 And Whiteside. 01:21:54.950 --> 01:22:02.770 And Whiteside. So those are all the partners in there. They're going after, you know, it's a giant traffic study. 01:22:03.070 --> 01:22:33.070 um we started our project uh with the county they asked us to be part of it and then we realized the potential for Freeport could be a lot bigger that's why we we went in and started our own uh plan to see if we couldn't get more implementation money for the city of Freeport. Okay so I understand that there's no cost up front but in the long run if this was something that the city chose to be a part of 01:22:33.070 --> 01:22:34.870 What are we looking at? 01:22:35.790 --> 01:23:01.870 There was no cost for this study, which is what this program was. We had no involvement in any cost or fee for it. They just asked us to be part of the process in the county. And if there's implementation money, we'll have to see what those rules are at the time. It may be 80-20 for a project. It might be 90-10. It might be 100% based on disadvantaged community status. 01:23:01.870 --> 01:23:10.630 status, but we won't know that until there's an offer, and with the current president, some 01:23:10.630 --> 01:23:19.690 of those rules may be changing along the way. Okay. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, 01:23:19.750 --> 01:23:31.110 please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye. 01:23:31.110 --> 01:23:33.890 The resolution is adapted 7-0 01:23:33.890 --> 01:23:38.950 Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 2025-18. Could you please read this? 01:23:39.390 --> 01:23:45.210 Resolution approving audit engagement letter with Lauterbach and Eamon to provide auditing services to the city 01:23:45.210 --> 01:23:46.610 Thank you. Director Richter? 01:23:47.030 --> 01:24:00.130 Thank you, Your Honor. In January of 2023, the finance department issued a request for a proposal for auditing services for the fiscal years of 2022 and through 2026. 01:24:01.110 --> 01:24:30.030 On February 6th of 2023, City Council approved the bid from Lauterbach and Eamonn. Past practice has been to obtain multi-year proposals during the RFP process. However, individual engagement letters are signed for each of the fiscal years to be audited. Lauterbach and Eamonn's fees for the City's 2024 audit year are $44,100. This is a 3% increase from 2023. 01:24:31.110 --> 01:24:51.850 At the time of the RFP, the communities of Rockford, Rock Island, and East Moline all gave positive responses in favor of Lauterbach and Eamon's performance. In addition, the City of Freeport's 2023 audit was prepared accurately, on time, and all interactions were professional. Their team is very experienced in the area of municipal government. 01:24:51.850 --> 01:25:05.110 The purpose of an engagement letter is to define the scope of the audit, specify the timeline of the audit and related deliverables, define the fee arrangement, and outline the auditor's and management's responsibilities. 01:25:06.010 --> 01:25:16.050 The strategic plan alignment here is responsive and efficient government, and staff request approval of the fiscal year 2024 engagement letter from Lauterbach and Eamon. 01:25:16.710 --> 01:25:18.130 Is there a motion to adopt? 01:25:18.370 --> 01:25:18.830 So moved. 01:25:18.830 --> 01:25:27.250 motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Clem, discussion on the resolution, Alderman 01:25:27.250 --> 01:25:27.790 Sanders. 01:25:28.570 --> 01:25:41.510 Yeah, we're, okay, approving an audit engagement letter with this particular agency, how long 01:25:41.510 --> 01:25:44.910 have the city been involved with this particular agency? 01:25:44.910 --> 01:26:14.960 We have been involved with them on this agreement since 2022, so the audit for 22 and 23 were done by LNA, Lauterbach and Neyman. We also did work with them previously before our past auditors. Our past auditors were Whitley and Lauterbach and Neyman were here 2016, 2017. I'm sorry to have to look up the dates, but they had been here before. 01:26:14.960 --> 01:26:44.940 Yeah, well, do we make a practice of using the same auditors every time an auditing session takes place? And do we, and I understand this last one that you was referring to do a full scope of the whole auditing process. I just wanted to find out how involved are these auditors into the whole lucrative of the city and the whole business. 01:26:44.960 --> 01:27:03.800 who is the business of the city and who is pointing directions to auditors, who is giving them their guidance to where to look and do the auditing surveys and things of this nature? Who is the individuals that do that to help them through the process? 01:27:03.800 --> 01:27:23.380 So, kind of two things here, the GFOA, which is my professional organization, one of their best practices is to be with a certain auditor at least five years. You don't have to be, it's just a guideline, but it's a best practice. 01:27:23.380 --> 01:27:52.200 as far as who directs them they have their own guidelines and requirements when they're doing an audit now as far as I mean I give them what they ask for me and my staff they come to me and want to see accounts payable they want to see payroll any of that we give it to them but they are they have their own standards 01:27:52.200 --> 01:27:56.940 and guidelines that they need to do in order to perform the audit. That's not dictated by me. 01:27:56.940 --> 01:28:05.540 Yeah. Could you submit that to council of what their tasks are, that we can do some observations 01:28:05.540 --> 01:28:12.940 ourselves in terms of how they're doing their practices as far as auditing is concerned? I'd like 01:28:12.940 --> 01:28:21.740 to see us be able to indulge, engage our auditors who are auditing the city of Freeport. 01:28:21.740 --> 01:28:50.090 and especially in this administration, I'd like for us to be able to be more detailed in what they're doing and how they're going about doing their task. I just want us to be more informed is what I'm getting at. Some council people are not okay with just auditors showing up and we don't understand the whole process of it. 01:28:50.090 --> 01:29:22.730 some council might be fine with whatever they do or say. All of us are not the same. And so I'm just asking for a demonstration of a soft task of what they're doing so we get the logistics of what they're presenting to us. Can we do that? I'll get you something. Okay. Thank you. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the resolution. I'm sorry, First Mayor, who 01:29:22.730 --> 01:29:42.110 made the motion. Parker, Clem. Okay. And on roll call, Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Emonroe. No. The resolution is adopted six to one. 01:29:42.110 --> 01:30:13.960 Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2025 19. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of a street painting machine from Sherwin-Williams. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank your honor. Our current paint machine that stripes the lanes on the streets, I think it's like 25 years old. It's very old, it's worn out, and it's time to be replaced. We plan for the purchase in the 2025 street budget, and so we're bringing this to you, 01:30:13.960 --> 01:30:46.120 for approval. The price of the new striping equipment is $11,706.50, and this is a source well dealer, so that is state approved there. So staff request council approval of this resolution. Is there such a motion? Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Monroe. I have a question. 01:30:46.120 --> 01:30:50.500 Alderman Monroe, Alderman Stacy 01:30:50.500 --> 01:30:54.580 Yes, I'm just curious 01:30:54.580 --> 01:31:00.620 Why something of this nature purchased through 01:31:00.620 --> 01:31:02.740 Sherwin-Williams 01:31:02.740 --> 01:31:05.920 That didn't come through very clear, can you say it again? 01:31:07.640 --> 01:31:13.020 Yes, why is it purchased through Sherwin-Williams 01:31:13.020 --> 01:31:13.920 Manager Boyer 01:31:13.920 --> 01:31:18.180 The answer is they're a dealer for Graco and I believe they're local 01:31:18.180 --> 01:31:50.660 so and being a source well dealer they offer the state pricing on this equipment so you are going with the Sherwin-Williams local yes Alderman Monroe thank you madam mayor city manager can you just briefly describe what being a source well state appropriated or whatever you know what I mean sure thank you source well 01:31:50.660 --> 01:32:20.970 dealers are qualified by the state to provide lowest pricing for municipalities. So when you have that certification, it's no longer necessary to pursue other bids on a piece of equipment. That is the state approved price. Thank you. Darren? Just because I wanted to know, we don't buy a lot of paint machines. We did actually get three prices on this just to back it up that the source well price was the cheapest price. 01:32:22.290 --> 01:32:52.290 if there's no further discussion yeah yeah Alderman Sanders I'd like to see this machine I want to see this machine oh yeah I I like to see whether or not it provides the adequate environment protection and then and safety with this equipment because the one that you referred to 25 25 years ago and still running it's not 01:32:52.290 --> 01:33:14.970 all that adequate for this time and age, you know, with the traffic that we got going on, and these guys are out there trying to do their task, but I'm wondering if we're doing it in a safe manner, whether or not this equipment puts them in that kind of safety zone for the purchase of that type of equipment. 01:33:14.970 --> 01:34:25.140 Darin, our city manager. Yeah, that's a great concern. Safety is really important. We have a trace vehicle, flaggers and stuff that go along with the operator of the machine. Good. That answers my question. So we'll just pause for a moment, waiting for the clerk to come back to take the roll. When you're ready, you can go ahead and take the roll for the adoption of resolution 2025-19. Simmons. Parker. Aye. Stacey. 01:34:27.180 --> 01:34:31.940 Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye, and Monroe, Aye. 01:34:32.840 --> 01:34:35.220 The resolution is adopted 7-0. 01:34:36.220 --> 01:34:40.320 Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-20. 01:34:40.460 --> 01:34:41.400 Could you please read this? 01:34:41.800 --> 01:34:51.120 Resolution approving the transfer of property commonly known as 431 and 437 South Adams Avenue from Stevenson County to the city of Freeport. 01:34:51.600 --> 01:34:52.640 Thank you. Manager Boyer. 01:34:52.640 --> 01:34:53.680 Thank you, Your Honor. 01:34:53.680 --> 01:35:23.080 as discussed the January cow we we went over this these two parcels the county would like the city to take those over for a dollar and the city would like to keep them and for future development potential so staff recommends moving forward with the agreement the resolution for the transfer of property is there a motion to adopt some move second motion made by Alderman sellers seconded by Alderman Clem discussion on the resolution 01:35:23.680 --> 01:35:25.940 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:35:26.660 --> 01:35:28.540 I have a question. 01:35:28.800 --> 01:35:29.400 Alderman Stacy. 01:35:30.600 --> 01:35:31.280 Yes. 01:35:32.900 --> 01:35:37.460 Would the city consider using that area for a park? 01:35:37.980 --> 01:35:42.040 What are your plans with that merchandise? 01:35:43.940 --> 01:35:45.920 There's a couple of options. 01:35:46.080 --> 01:35:48.140 Obviously, public spaces is one. 01:35:48.140 --> 01:36:21.790 however we're also looking at uh infill housing as another potential purpose of it. Okay. Madam Clerk please take the roll. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. And Monroe. Aye. The resolution is adopted seven to zero. Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-22. Could you please read this? 01:36:21.790 --> 01:36:51.770 ratifying emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe truck equipment. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. This year during snow removal operations we had one of our older plows that's fully depreciated fail in a way that is not repairable. Staff, due to the fact that we have to maintain snow removal operations, staff went to Monroe truck and replaced that plow and staff is requesting ratification of that purchase at $11,599. 01:36:51.790 --> 01:37:00.530 $98. Is there a motion to adopt? Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by 01:37:00.530 --> 01:37:16.170 Alderman Sellers. Alderman Sanders. Would this be new or used? Oh, it's new. Yeah. That's all I needed to know. 01:37:18.800 --> 01:37:27.380 I have a question. Alderman Stacy. Yes. If I'm not mistaken, we budgeted for this last year, 01:37:27.380 --> 01:37:28.580 but it didn't happen. 01:37:32.900 --> 01:37:34.960 I don't recall all the persons, Stacy. 01:37:36.280 --> 01:37:37.620 You don't recall? 01:37:37.880 --> 01:37:38.060 No. 01:37:38.920 --> 01:37:39.460 Okay. 01:37:39.800 --> 01:37:45.800 So, you know, we're approaching the end of the winter season. 01:37:46.220 --> 01:37:56.060 Would it be a difference in cost if we did this in July compared to now? 01:37:57.660 --> 01:38:00.140 I don't believe there would be any change in cost. 01:38:00.140 --> 01:38:08.460 cost. The situation with plows are essentially the manufacturing for the chassis. They cost the same 01:38:08.460 --> 01:38:11.760 whether you buy it in the summer or you buy it. They're not sitting on a shelf somewhere. 01:38:16.270 --> 01:38:19.790 So in season compared to out of season means nothing. 01:38:20.590 --> 01:38:20.910 Darren. 01:38:21.870 --> 01:38:31.270 So Monroe Trucks, the source well price. So the 2025 price would have been the same price for all of 25. It's a locked in state source well price. 01:38:31.270 --> 01:38:40.930 We did price this plow last year, and it was, I believe, $300 more than it was in 2024 when we priced it 01:38:40.930 --> 01:38:45.410 So we did budget in 2024, but we didn't 01:38:45.410 --> 01:39:01.030 If I'm not mistaken, we actually did buy a plow last year, but we couldn't afford to buy multiple plows, so I think we actually did buy it one under emergency authority again last season, and this one we tried to repair 01:39:01.030 --> 01:39:09.850 but the mechanics sent me an email that they could not repair it any further. Thank you. There's no further 01:39:09.850 --> 01:39:23.690 discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. So this isn't coming out of the budget. This is coming 01:39:23.690 --> 01:39:30.780 out of emergency lines. This item will have to be bought through the streets. The budget will just 01:39:30.780 --> 01:39:35.760 have to move some priorities around to be able to pay for it because we really didn't have a choice 01:39:35.760 --> 01:39:41.700 with the season that's upon us. With a truck being drowned like you had texted me, we can't get all 01:39:41.700 --> 01:39:41.980 the route. 01:39:41.980 --> 01:39:50.590 You had texted me, we can't get all the routes done in a reasonable time, we don't have extra snow equipment, we only have enough for the trucks that we have. This will be coming out of streets. 01:39:50.590 --> 01:40:13.520 Okay. Aye. Aye. Thank you, Parker. Stacey? Aye. Sanders is currently absent. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 6-0. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-23. 01:40:13.520 --> 01:40:43.500 3, could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fairgram to provide bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The city's got two bridges that we have to inspect every year. One is Hancock and the other one is the Van Buren Walk Ride Bridge that goes north of town. We used to have three, the Park Court Bridge, which was removed a couple years ago because of its degraded structure and 01:40:43.500 --> 01:40:45.880 and so unsafe condition. 01:40:46.780 --> 01:40:53.140 Fairgram is the city bridge inspector and they have a team of certified licensed personnel for this work. 01:40:53.900 --> 01:41:03.640 All inspections must be completed and finalized and reported to the state before June 30th and staff recommends the city move forward to approve the agreement. 01:41:04.420 --> 01:41:05.800 Is there a motion to adopt? 01:41:06.740 --> 01:41:07.220 Second. 01:41:07.220 --> 01:41:11.100 A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Clem. 01:41:11.640 --> 01:41:12.820 Discussion on the resolution. 01:41:14.940 --> 01:41:16.780 I have just a question. 01:41:16.920 --> 01:41:17.480 Alderman Sellers? 01:41:17.660 --> 01:41:22.300 It's also about, I know you mentioned a couple different, the two bridges. 01:41:23.740 --> 01:41:32.240 Is it the city's responsibility to check the bridge that is over by Tutty Crossing, or does that bridge, or that park? 01:41:32.700 --> 01:41:35.620 That is ours, but it, Darren, did you want to comment on that? 01:41:35.620 --> 01:41:42.520 Yeah, those structures are a little bit different because they're connected to parks, 01:41:42.520 --> 01:41:59.680 So Parks, Parks has their own contracts that have bridges inspected like the Crate Park Bridge and the other crossing bridge down there and they're actually on a different schedule. So because they connect to the trail, those are inspected as part of the trail projects. 01:42:00.440 --> 01:42:07.480 Okay. And then just one more. How about the bridge that's Stevenson? Is that checked? Do we ever check that or? 01:42:07.480 --> 01:42:12.520 That's an IDOT bridge. They own Route 75, so they have their own inspectors of that one. 01:42:12.640 --> 01:42:13.640 Okay, thank you. 01:42:16.640 --> 01:42:18.220 Hold on, Stacy, did you have a question? 01:42:19.720 --> 01:42:20.920 No, I'm good. 01:42:22.200 --> 01:42:25.320 If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? 01:42:25.800 --> 01:42:26.120 Simmons? 01:42:30.350 --> 01:42:30.550 Okay. 01:42:31.030 --> 01:42:35.180 Inspection, is that? 01:42:35.180 --> 01:42:43.090 Yeah. 01:42:43.690 --> 01:42:51.350 Yeah, the IDOT has a series of special documentation practices that have to be done on each bridge. 01:42:51.370 --> 01:43:21.370 Bridge, and I might have misstated it. It's every other year that you have to do it, so we've done it two years ago. Hancock Bridge is actually one that has to be done right now every year because of the poor condition until we have it replaced, which that's on the replacement schedule. We're working with IDOT to try to get that bid yet this year, but it still requires an inspection because they're due at a certain deadline date. Once it's under construction, there won't be another one until it's 01:43:21.370 --> 01:43:53.720 finalized from construction and then that'll go back on every other year analysis. But it is required to do the paperwork and have a certified bridge inspector do that paperwork. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted seven to zero. Thank you. Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-24. Could you please 01:43:53.720 --> 01:44:22.740 Please read this. Resolution ratifying emergency salt spreader purchase from Monroe truck equipment. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. This season, we had, during snow removal operations, there was damage to one of our salt spreaders. I believe it was a one-ton chassis spreader. Yeah. So staff received a quote for $10,223 to purchase a new one. And 01:44:23.720 --> 01:44:55.220 Staff recommends council emergency ratification of this resolution. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Monroe. Discussion on the ordinance or the resolution, Alderman Sanders. Yeah, just wanted to ask you, you quoted 10,000 to have it repaired or had it replaced? It needs to be replaced. So it's a plastic poly box with a large 01:44:55.220 --> 01:45:02.580 Stainless Steel Impeller Situation, an auger set up in the back, and it was damaged during salt, or during a plow. 01:45:02.580 --> 01:45:03.540 And it's unreparable. 01:45:04.240 --> 01:45:04.680 Correct. 01:45:04.740 --> 01:45:05.660 Cannot repair it. 01:45:05.740 --> 01:45:05.940 Okay. 01:45:09.380 --> 01:45:10.560 No further discussion. 01:45:10.680 --> 01:45:11.800 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:45:12.080 --> 01:45:12.540 Oh, I'm sorry. 01:45:12.660 --> 01:45:13.140 Alderman Monroe. 01:45:13.140 --> 01:45:14.120 It's all good. 01:45:14.640 --> 01:45:25.800 City Manager and Public Works Director, the question I have is, we seem to be applying salt at a varying, I don't even know how to explain it. 01:45:25.800 --> 01:45:55.800 it's like we salt for a second, we stop salting, then we salt again, especially on some of the hilly sections of the northwest side of town. Is there, you know, will this help us spread the salt better so it's more consistent or that we can maintain? Because to give you kind of an example, there's a couple of areas in the second ward where it's very hilly, people park on the street, and it really creates a significant hazard driving 01:45:55.800 --> 01:46:02.380 on that side of the town, just looking for some. Yeah, so the specific item that we're talking about on the 01:46:02.380 --> 01:46:08.160 agenda, it's a water and sewer salt spreader, so it's used for all of our water sewer facilities because 01:46:08.160 --> 01:46:13.060 they do all the plowing. This isn't a street unit because of the amount of streets that we have. We 01:46:13.060 --> 01:46:17.660 have segregation of duties, so the water and sewer guys actually plow their own properties. That's what 01:46:17.660 --> 01:46:23.680 this spreader is for, but I will talk to the street department. I have noticed, you know, we do have 01:46:23.680 --> 01:46:47.800 We have some new people plowing this year, so I don't know what wards they're on, but we have been, with the events that were coming, we were trying to pre-salt and get salt out there that gets kicked around by cars to make sure that we can buy some more time at night. So you probably saw in the last events, Pat Ingram had all the crews out pre-salting the day before, trying to get, you know, as much down as possible to keep the streets clear. 01:46:47.800 --> 01:46:49.600 Okay, thank you 01:46:49.600 --> 01:46:50.320 Alderman Sanders 01:46:50.320 --> 01:46:57.360 What type of vehicle are we using to apply the salt spreading? Is it one of our 01:46:57.360 --> 01:47:03.860 For this project here, this is actually a one-ton vehicle that has a salt spreader box that sits right in 01:47:03.860 --> 01:47:04.780 That's what I thought 01:47:04.780 --> 01:47:12.260 The old combination unit was a salt spreader that we used the bed of the truck and then this was an attachment that was on the back 01:47:12.260 --> 01:47:42.260 during water and sewer construction it is continuously getting beat up because we use it for main repairs as well so the new unit that we've got was a complete box that can be set in set out so it doesn't get damaged during construction so that's just one vehicle yes sir one vehicle and and have we done an assessment with all of the vehicles to determine whether or not they need to be upgraded as well we are yes we continuously 01:47:42.260 --> 01:48:11.360 evaluate the fleet to see if there's anything we can do to update them and actually this this style of box is part of that upgrade. Okay. Yeah. Okay. These are corrosion resistant other than the some of the moving parts that are made of plastic. Okay. Good. Good. There's no further discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Monroe. Aye. 01:48:11.360 --> 01:48:13.960 The resolution is adopted 7-0 01:48:13.960 --> 01:48:15.400 Thank you 01:48:15.400 --> 01:48:19.000 Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 20-25-25 01:48:19.000 --> 01:48:20.400 Could you please read this 01:48:20.400 --> 01:48:28.460 Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure located at 402-404 East Shawnee Street by Albert and Son Earthworks 01:48:28.460 --> 01:48:29.640 Director Duckman 01:48:29.640 --> 01:48:31.320 Thank you, Madam Mayor 01:48:31.320 --> 01:48:39.720 402-404 East Shawnee was declared a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024 as well as a dangerous and unsafe structure 01:48:39.720 --> 01:49:09.720 the city posted its notice for statutory fast track demolition on September 3rd of 2024 and due to the immediate health and safety concern bids were solicited on December 11th 2024 from three contractors I attached those three solicitations as part of the memo and then in accordance with our ordinances I selected Albert and Sun Earthworks who submitted the lowest responsibility 01:49:09.720 --> 01:49:17.200 responsible bid of $19,700. The other bids that were brought back were Northern Illinois Service Company 01:49:17.200 --> 01:49:27.300 provided a bid of $29,837 and Fisher Excavating did not return a did not respond to our request for bid. 01:49:28.500 --> 01:49:33.020 The city moved forward with Alber and Sun Earthworks as the lowest responsible bidder to perform the 01:49:33.020 --> 01:49:39.140 emergency demolition work which was subsequently completed on December 27th of 2024 and this property 01:49:39.140 --> 01:49:39.980 was demolished with 01:49:39.980 --> 01:49:44.300 and this property was demolished within the 120 days of the original posting in accordance with 01:49:44.300 --> 01:49:50.340 Illinois statute. Staff recommends approval to remit payment to Albertson Earthworks for the 01:49:50.340 --> 01:49:57.720 emergency demolition of 402-404 East Shawnee. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. 01:49:59.860 --> 01:50:06.860 We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion, Alderman Sanders. 01:50:06.860 --> 01:50:17.100 Yeah, how much did that demolition cost, and whether or not it cost the city to have that demoed? 01:50:17.460 --> 01:50:19.820 It's $19,700 01:50:19.820 --> 01:50:24.420 Okay, that was the lowest bid that you come up with? 01:50:24.420 --> 01:50:25.680 Yes, yes 01:50:25.680 --> 01:50:55.660 and all of the bidders or the people that was they had a well what I wanted to say is did we get the properly properly regulated like it should as far as all utilities possible damage structures and things like that? 01:50:55.680 --> 01:51:05.020 of this nature to the primary grounds itself and in the junction to the city's utilities. 01:51:05.340 --> 01:51:11.480 Everything was properly inspected during this demolition. There was also an asbestos inspection 01:51:11.480 --> 01:51:22.010 performed. Okay. So all of the requirements in that aspect were met. Thank you. There's no further 01:51:22.010 --> 01:51:41.410 Other discussion? I have a question. Alderman Stacy? Um, Director Duckman, when you did your presentation, why wasn't these totals, um, presented at that time? 01:51:41.410 --> 01:52:11.040 Well, to approve this resolution, I would need the actual invoice for approval. So that's what you're approving today is the invoice for payment. So at that time, the focus of the conversation, I believe, was the status of 402-404-E Shawnee, which I went into. At that time, I certainly could have provided this process. And in the memo, I provided the emails that were sent to the contractors. 01:52:11.040 --> 01:52:44.220 I provided the the bids that came back so it was really just a matter of not requested to present that information but certainly I could have presented at that time. Okay to my knowledge and understanding there was a lot of things done that were not approved to be done there was things that 01:52:44.620 --> 01:53:16.680 had been halted that was not halted according to the owner. Am I correct? I've not spoke with Tiffany Sanders on this, who's the property owner. So Tiffany Sanders hasn't brought anything to my attention. There was a motion or a petition filed on October 27th, which was dismissed. And there was another on December 19th. And on December 19th, there was a motion which was dismissed on December 27th. 01:53:16.700 --> 01:53:22.740 7th, which is when the demolition occurred, and there was another petition filed on December 01:53:22.740 --> 01:53:28.740 27th, which has a status hearing on March 28th at the circuit court. 01:53:29.400 --> 01:53:36.400 So the city was not given, per judge, request a halt. 01:53:37.120 --> 01:53:40.360 No, the city, no, yeah, sorry, I apologize, go ahead. 01:53:40.360 --> 01:53:54.220 I had the understanding that a judge had put a stop demo on this property, and it was taken down anyway. 01:53:56.320 --> 01:53:58.560 No, actually, the complete opposite is true. 01:54:00.040 --> 01:54:03.920 There were two actual petitions that were dismissed. 01:54:05.160 --> 01:54:06.120 And when were those? 01:54:06.120 --> 01:54:15.660 there was a petition on October 19th which was dismissed on December 19th then on December 19th another 01:54:15.660 --> 01:54:33.250 petition was filed which was dismissed on December 27th Alderman Clem uh Director Duckman how long had 01:54:33.250 --> 01:54:39.110 this house been on the list uh for as a chronic nuisance and how long had the penalties been going on 01:54:39.110 --> 01:55:10.360 just a ballpark it became a chronic nuisance in May on May 16th of 2024 when it was also deemed dangerous and unsafe and then it was it's it's been well over a year where it's received several code violations and right now it has a a lean on it for over $14,000 for the code violations thank you very much there's no Alderman Simmons I'm sorry what did you 01:55:10.360 --> 01:55:34.360 say about March 28th? Something about, you got another hearing? March 28th. So there is another, so there's another petition filed after the demolition. There's another petition filed which is going to have a status hearing at the Stevenson County Circuit Clerk on March 28th. 01:55:34.360 --> 01:55:35.240 Alderman Monroe 01:55:35.240 --> 01:55:44.500 So, Director Duckman, are you saying you weren't served that paperwork at the courthouse on the 27th of December? 01:55:45.200 --> 01:55:45.880 That is correct 01:55:45.880 --> 01:55:49.720 Okay 01:55:49.720 --> 01:55:59.990 Okay, if there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll 01:55:59.990 --> 01:56:03.040 Simmons 01:56:03.040 --> 01:56:03.640 No 01:56:03.640 --> 01:56:04.760 Parker 01:56:04.760 --> 01:56:05.360 Aye 01:56:05.360 --> 01:56:06.480 Stacey 01:56:06.480 --> 01:56:07.840 No 01:56:07.840 --> 01:56:09.720 Sanders 01:56:09.720 --> 01:56:10.480 No 01:56:10.480 --> 01:56:11.600 Sellers 01:56:11.600 --> 01:56:12.180 Aye 01:56:12.180 --> 01:57:05.680 Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? I abstain. We are tied 3-3. Does this just need simple majority? Yes. Mayor? No. No? Okay, you understand this work's already been done and we have an invoice to pay. This is going to give the city a bad reputation that we are not paying for the work that we've done. Is this really where we're standing? Alderman Duck? 01:57:05.680 --> 01:57:35.660 I think the alternative would just be that the contractor could just file suit and we would just settle it in a closed session so it's really however if that if the council wants to send the message that we're going to have our staff direct them solicit bids and then have them do the work and then this council is not going to pay them I mean honestly if the issues with me directing the work have the issue with me I mean you can talk to city manager Rob Boyer and ask for me to be 01:57:35.660 --> 01:58:04.260 Be Disciplined, Terminated, and I can live with that because I stand behind my decision on what I did to hire this contractor, punishing this contractor and making them sue the city to be paid. I mean, if the issue's with me, understood, I mean, I could take, you know, any punishment that comes my way up to termination, but I don't believe a contractor who was solicited a bid, did the work, bid on the project, I don't think they should be punished because it was all from my direction. 01:58:04.260 --> 01:58:20.360 and I'll take any, you know, uh, criticism, uh, discipline from, you know, my director, uh, from city manager, Boyer, I'm, I can live with that, but I, I just don't think council, I, I don't think it's fair to punish a contractor taking direction from a city employee. 01:58:48.780 --> 01:58:50.940 It's a three to three tie, so you can call for the mayor's vote. 01:58:52.480 --> 01:58:53.980 Okay, mayor, what say you? 01:58:54.440 --> 01:58:54.640 Aye. 01:58:55.260 --> 01:58:55.480 Aye. 01:58:56.000 --> 01:58:57.520 But that's four to three. 01:58:57.520 --> 01:59:37.980 that's still not a majority on a resolution because we need five so it still fails so you're saying we need a majority of those seated not those present correct oh I see I got a comment Darren yeah I think just to back Wayne up because we do contract work all the time this will just cost the city more money because we will be paying attorney fees and their attorney fees 01:59:37.980 --> 01:59:42.060 attorney fees and their attorney fees for the demo that happened. This was a bid project. This wasn't a 01:59:42.060 --> 01:59:47.660 handshake agreement. He has a signed contract to move forward. So this is a bill that we will pay 01:59:47.660 --> 02:00:02.170 regardless of our feelings on it. So those that voted no, is there any reconsideration? Okay, I guess we'll 02:00:02.170 --> 02:00:10.710 move forward. Item number 19, could you please read this discussion? 02:00:12.110 --> 02:00:41.990 Discussion regarding resolution approving engineering agreement with Fair Graham to apply for surface transportation program, that's the urban program STU funding for 2026 street program. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Being that we've accrued a certain amount of federal funding in our MFT accounts, we would like to deploy those funds as rapidly as possible. We're hoping to get that done yet this year. 02:00:42.110 --> 02:01:12.110 however due to environmental requirements that will not be possible yet this year however we can set ourselves up for 2026 so the public works staff has had adequate time to assemble a full proposal we don't have it completely for you tonight but just an abbreviated version we're looking at Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West Stevenson Street from Locust to Sunset Adams Avenue that would be the West half so the 02:01:12.110 --> 02:01:45.320 part that was not completed in the Adams Avenue project. Get that finished up from Exchange to Float and then Walnut Avenue from Empire to South. So staff is asking this to be moved forward to the March 3rd agenda. Is there a motion to move this forward to the March 3rd agenda? Second. The motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this? Yes, I have a question. Alderman Stacy? 02:01:45.320 --> 02:02:17.210 Maybe it's not a question. Maybe it's a statement. I have nothing against the federal money and the street program. However, I think it's deployed to take our eyes off of what we really need to be looking at. And this is what we mean when we talk about prioritizing. 02:02:17.210 --> 02:02:56.550 There's so much, for example, lighting, for example, crime, crime prevention plan that we need to be given our focus to and directing and finding funds to deal with what needs to be prioritized for our cities, not creating another avenue to go down, 02:02:56.550 --> 02:03:02.440 but it's not a priority. 02:03:06.780 --> 02:03:07.720 Darren, you want to? 02:03:08.280 --> 02:03:11.520 Yeah, so this is the program that we talked about at the Cal meeting. 02:03:12.840 --> 02:03:17.220 This is the surface transportation program. 02:03:17.680 --> 02:03:20.840 This money can't be used for anything other than roads. 02:03:21.820 --> 02:03:26.540 This was the $2.5 million that we talked about that we need to do the design on. 02:03:26.540 --> 02:03:41.100 Not to be disrespectful, the streets are in our 24 to 26 strategic plan, so I tried to find a creative way to get more money to do, I believe this totals a little over two and a half miles of roadway 02:03:41.100 --> 02:03:54.700 I was moved forward to this meeting, I just didn't have time to assemble the proposal, so I asked for, until the March meeting, to assemble the proposal 02:03:54.700 --> 02:04:14.580 But again, at the cow it was stated that if we want to move forward with the surface transportation funds for these streets of two and a half million dollars, the city needs to do the design for that to get the funding allocated to these streets. So I just want to make sure nobody thought this was a different program. 02:04:16.460 --> 02:04:18.780 This is the program with the Mac guys. 02:04:18.780 --> 02:04:22.560 No, it is not 02:04:22.560 --> 02:04:26.720 This is the surface transportation funds that we talked about at the cow last week 02:04:26.720 --> 02:04:34.240 This is strictly mill and overlays and ADA ramps on the streets that were listed in the agenda memo 02:04:34.240 --> 02:04:42.700 I thought that we were up on our ADA ramps 100% for our city 02:04:42.700 --> 02:04:46.180 No, that's incorrect 02:04:46.180 --> 02:04:54.420 We have, I couldn't give you an exact number, but it's over 10,000 ramps that are not compliant 02:04:54.420 --> 02:05:08.200 within the city limits, probably closer to 15,000, excuse me, 1,500, sorry, 1,500, one too many zeros. 02:05:09.340 --> 02:05:16.510 We've annexed Rockford. Okay, so if there's no further discussion, this will be moved to the next, 02:05:16.670 --> 02:05:20.930 oh, Alderman Sanders, I didn't know you had your hand up, Alderman Sanders. I'm waving the white flag, 02:05:21.650 --> 02:05:27.270 you didn't see me waving the white flag? I did not. Are you, you want to tell me? Alderman Sanders, 02:05:27.270 --> 02:05:53.890 Chris, would you like to say something? You're going to be colorblind on me? Yeah. I just want to ask, is there a planning to apply this particular grant, and what does Urban STU stand for funding? What is that all about? 02:05:53.890 --> 02:06:22.060 So the memo has the four streets that we've aligned, which, let me pull it up, again, it's Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West, which is about 1,500 linear feet, Stevenson Street from Locust to Sunset, excluding West Street, we won't do IDOC corridors, Adams Street, which would be from float to exchange, so it's the portion that we weren't able to finish this year, we wanted to finish that project, 02:06:22.060 --> 02:06:52.040 and then Walnut Avenue which would be the south leg from Empire to South Street and the reason the north side's not on here is the north side of Empire needs a full reconstruct and we don't have that many dollars to do it. The south end is in in a repair that we think we can mill and overlay it and do some base repairs and fix the south section which that's for a later discussion but Walnut Avenue has to be probably going to do it. 02:06:52.060 --> 02:07:06.260 one of the bigger discussions on how we are going to repair the, I'm calling it the Northleg, but it would be from Maine to Empire, because it's in really bad shape, and that's going to be a full reconstruct, and it's going to be a lot of money. 02:07:06.260 --> 02:07:23.920 So the grant will facilitate any, for the accomplishment that the grant is presented to do, any access will be utilized in other areas, reallocated for other areas 02:07:23.920 --> 02:07:28.080 I don't understand what you mean by access, or excess? 02:07:28.480 --> 02:07:29.760 Yeah, the access funding 02:07:29.760 --> 02:07:34.620 No, that money can only be used on the targeted projects that we submit 02:07:34.620 --> 02:08:03.840 submit. So if the, if it, if there's any, this is just a high level estimate. Yeah. If it's 2.3 million, that's all we'll use. If it's 2.7, we have that much reserved. So the estimate said 2.5. So that's what I'm going with until we do some more. Yeah. And if there's any overlay, uh, uh, with, with the cost, if there's any X, X, uh, any additional fundings that are left over, I'll put it in layman's term. 02:08:03.840 --> 02:08:06.500 If it's left over, it has to go back into the SDU account 02:08:06.500 --> 02:08:07.400 It has to go back 02:08:07.400 --> 02:08:09.060 Okay, that's what I wanted to find out 02:08:09.060 --> 02:08:09.980 Thank you 02:08:09.980 --> 02:08:10.600 Alderman Monroe 02:08:10.600 --> 02:08:11.680 Thank you, Madam Mayor 02:08:11.680 --> 02:08:19.180 Darren, why are we stopping at Sunset and not trying to figure out that last little block? 02:08:19.180 --> 02:08:25.960 Sure, because Park intersection is on this year and we're planning on extending that to Sunset 02:08:25.960 --> 02:08:26.760 Yep, thank you 02:08:26.760 --> 02:08:33.580 Because we have to do the ADA ramps anyway, so I just was going to extend that project up to Sunset and then pick it up there 02:08:33.580 --> 02:08:34.580 Gotcha, thank you 02:08:34.580 --> 02:08:43.880 Okay, so there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the motion to move this to the next council meeting 02:08:43.880 --> 02:08:44.840 Simmons 02:08:44.840 --> 02:08:46.220 Aye 02:08:46.220 --> 02:08:46.900 Parker 02:08:46.900 --> 02:08:47.480 Aye 02:08:47.480 --> 02:08:48.460 Stacey 02:08:48.460 --> 02:08:49.860 Aye 02:08:49.860 --> 02:08:50.880 Sanders 02:08:50.880 --> 02:08:51.440 Aye 02:08:51.440 --> 02:08:52.240 Sellers 02:08:52.240 --> 02:08:52.660 Aye 02:08:52.660 --> 02:08:53.260 Clem 02:08:53.260 --> 02:08:53.700 Aye 02:08:53.700 --> 02:08:54.220 Monroe 02:08:54.220 --> 02:08:54.720 Aye 02:08:54.720 --> 02:08:56.940 The motion passes 7-0 02:08:56.940 --> 02:09:00.740 And item number 20, could you please read the next discussion? 02:09:00.740 --> 02:09:06.900 Discussion regarding the fundraising money collected for downtown decorations 02:09:06.900 --> 02:09:09.520 Alderman Stacy or Monroe 02:09:09.520 --> 02:09:14.330 On October 17, 2024 02:09:14.330 --> 02:09:19.610 The City of Freeport Communications Department 02:09:19.610 --> 02:09:21.710 Shared a post 02:09:21.710 --> 02:09:26.230 Originally posted by Greater Freeport Partnership 02:09:26.230 --> 02:09:27.850 Facebook account 02:09:27.850 --> 02:09:31.070 The original post included 02:09:31.070 --> 02:09:34.630 a flyer promoting the Christmas wizard. 02:09:34.630 --> 02:10:03.740 Christmas Wizard event being held December the 13th, 2024. On the bottom of the flyer, it stated the following, Christmas Wizard is a fundraising concert for Freeport holiday decoration. Tickets for the concert were sold for $25 to $50 each, including on the flyer was the city of Freeport logo, 02:10:04.000 --> 02:10:21.850 along with GFP logo. My first two concerns slash questions to City Manager Boyer, did the City of Freeport partner with GFP on this event? 02:10:24.740 --> 02:10:27.800 I'm not aware of anything the City of Freeport did on this event. 02:10:31.310 --> 02:10:38.430 Okay. Can you explain why our logo would have been on that flyer? 02:10:38.430 --> 02:10:43.510 I really don't have an explanation why it is. 02:10:43.570 --> 02:10:44.390 I haven't seen the flyer. 02:10:47.340 --> 02:10:47.660 Okay. 02:10:48.320 --> 02:10:52.330 Do you remember the flyer? 02:10:54.440 --> 02:10:56.260 No, I have never seen. 02:10:56.340 --> 02:10:58.480 Do you remember the event I'm speaking of? 02:10:58.840 --> 02:11:01.800 I didn't attend the event, and I know nothing about the event. 02:11:04.200 --> 02:11:05.300 I imagine that. 02:11:05.400 --> 02:11:05.740 Okay. 02:11:09.230 --> 02:11:22.480 Is there a signed contract between the City of Freeport and Greater Freeport partnership for this Christian Wizard event? 02:11:22.480 --> 02:11:54.380 Can anybody tell me? Mayor, Miller? There is not. Anybody? There is not. There is not. No, the purpose of having the city's logo on that flyer was simply because the intent was that whatever would be purchased from the fundraising would be turned over as ownership of the city. That was the only reason that the city was on there. 02:11:54.880 --> 02:12:16.460 Okay, well, I have asked the question at the last time GFP spoke and gave their report, and they were not prepared to give me an answer at that time because things hadn't been totaled or something of that nature. 02:12:16.460 --> 02:12:37.060 Well, it wasn't because they weren't, they didn't have all the invoices in at the time, so they didn't have anything accurate to give you. That was on their fourth quarter report. So I'm sure on their first quarter report, I'm sure they'll have that finished up. I don't know. It was their, it was GFP financial. 02:12:38.740 --> 02:12:44.100 Okay, but wasn't money turned over to the city since it was for the city? 02:12:44.100 --> 02:12:48.780 No, this was, this was not a city event 02:12:48.780 --> 02:12:55.620 I know it was not a city event, but it was an event held for the city 02:12:55.620 --> 02:12:57.040 Can you say that again? 02:12:57.960 --> 02:13:09.660 I know that it was not a city event, per your statement and per Rob Boyer's statement, but it was an event for the city 02:13:09.660 --> 02:13:23.440 No, it was an event that the city would have been a recipient of when it was done. It was not, this was not an event of any means on behalf of the city of Freeport 02:13:23.440 --> 02:13:26.960 It was held for the city of Freeport 02:13:26.960 --> 02:13:32.100 No, it was a GFP event 02:13:32.100 --> 02:13:46.900 Okay, Mayor Miller, why was the council not made aware of your personal business? 02:13:47.340 --> 02:14:01.020 Freeport Festival, Inc. partnered with GFP for this Christmas Wizard event. Why weren't we made aware of that? 02:14:02.220 --> 02:14:02.840 Okay, so... 02:14:02.840 --> 02:14:15.480 Not only was it not disclosed to the council, it was not disclosed to the public and some other event donors as well. Why was that kept secretive? 02:14:15.480 --> 02:14:37.160 Okay, so let me make some corrections here. The Freeport Festival is not a business. It is a not-for-profit. So obviously there is some confusion as far as what the roles are happening here. I'm sitting here as the mayor. I'm not sitting here as a citizen. I'm not sitting here as a president of the Freeport Festivals. 02:14:37.160 --> 02:14:42.800 However, I will take a moment to speak as the president of the Freeport Festivals 02:14:42.800 --> 02:14:51.240 So let me clarify that this event was fully funded and operated independently of the city 02:14:51.240 --> 02:14:54.720 There was no taxpayer money involved 02:14:54.720 --> 02:14:58.760 The council does not oversee private organizations 02:14:58.760 --> 02:15:04.580 And this matter is outside of the scope of the city's governance 02:15:04.580 --> 02:15:34.580 so while I appreciate all the enthusiasm concerning community events this discussion really does not belong on the city council floor so if there is really a genuine interest in supporting the Freeport festivals and having an understanding of that I would be happy to provide any information outside of this meeting as you know that my phone is always on or better yet you can call the the greater Freeport partnership as all of the financials 02:15:34.580 --> 02:16:04.580 as I stated before were under their leadership which you already know because these were questions that you asked during the fourth quarter report so if that is suffice I will conclude my remarks as the president of the Freeport Festivals and resume my role as the mayor of Freeport and let's continue with city business this is not city business. Okay so maybe it would have been more appropriate to have your business logo on with Greater Freeport 02:16:04.580 --> 02:16:34.560 Partnership and not the Treesport Local. Thank you. Well, that's your opinion. Thank you. We'll move on to item number 21, which is an update from the McGuire Woods Manager, Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. For several months now, we've been working with McGuire Woods looking for grant and grant opportunities through state and other areas. To date, we have an update. We've looked at RISE grants for infrastructure through the U.S. 02:16:34.580 --> 02:17:03.700 U.S. Department of Transportation, also the Protect Program for Resiliency Projects, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, we've coordinated discussions with the city and IHDA regarding housing matters, and we've also discussed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants, including the Justice Grant, Urban Forestry Grant, and we've also looked at researched funding for Water Main 02:17:03.700 --> 02:17:09.960 replacements or installations and alternative fundings that may be available through state and 02:17:09.960 --> 02:17:15.780 federal appropriations. We've also talked about and worked on National Endowment for the Arts to identify 02:17:15.780 --> 02:17:22.060 possible funding sources for our programs potentially impacting the downtown area. Illinois Law Enforcement 02:17:22.060 --> 02:17:30.240 Training and Standards Board, we've discussed body camera grants and so forth. In addition, we've done 02:17:30.240 --> 02:18:00.220 federal and state updates providing ongoing updates. They've provided us updates every several weeks on developments going out at the state and federal level that impact funding, and then federal and state appropriation, so assisting the city in refining projects, funding requests into one-page formats for legislators, communicating with the Illinois General Assembly budget staff regarding fiscal year 2026 funding, including water main projects flagged by city staff. 02:18:00.240 --> 02:18:34.660 in addition engaging with congressional representatives regarding future earmarks and appropriations in conclusion McGuire Woods is actively identifying and assisting with multiple grants and funding opportunities across transportation environmental law enforcement arts and municipal infrastructure there they are also supporting the city state and federal funding requests for upcoming fiscal years any discussion on the report so with all that being said 02:18:34.660 --> 02:18:40.360 They have not found any money for our city yet. 02:18:43.370 --> 02:18:51.030 They're identifying potential funding sources that we're not really completely in the cycle yet where that that would be coming to a conclusion. 02:18:51.030 --> 02:19:01.490 So right now we've been studying, looking, and providing information to them, and they have been continuing to interact with legislators and other program managers. 02:19:01.630 --> 02:19:03.650 It's been six months, correct? It's been six months. 02:19:03.650 --> 02:19:19.050 Yes, but that was that was known when we first started the project that we were signing with them at the end of the appropriations process and that we would likely see movement in the summertime. 02:19:20.550 --> 02:19:28.350 So how often do you say that they update you and give you an updated memo? How often? 02:19:28.350 --> 02:19:33.990 We have an update at least once a month with other updates. 02:19:33.990 --> 02:19:35.780 with other updates as necessary. 02:19:39.200 --> 02:19:39.360 Okay. 02:19:39.520 --> 02:19:50.160 Could you give me a copy of your memo that you spoke of tonight and a copy of the six-month worth of updates? 02:19:51.180 --> 02:19:52.220 Please and thank you. 02:19:54.260 --> 02:19:54.440 Okay. 02:19:56.760 --> 02:19:58.540 Any other discussion on the report? 02:20:01.080 --> 02:20:02.020 Darren, did you have something? 02:20:02.360 --> 02:20:05.200 I'll make a comment on the McGuire Woods. 02:20:05.200 --> 02:20:30.900 So just so everyone knows, and we did a funding forum, I think a week and a half ago, something like that, all federal and state processes right now have been frozen by the federal government, so there will be no money moving that is not already appropriated or allocated. All the notice of funding opportunities have been frozen until the presidential order changes on that. 02:20:30.900 --> 02:20:40.320 There is no funding nominations or ability to get right now other than local, you know, estate funding type stuff that's already been sent out. 02:20:41.100 --> 02:20:41.680 Alderman Sanders? 02:20:42.580 --> 02:20:45.920 I saw your hand up. Go ahead. 02:20:45.920 --> 02:20:48.520 All right, my sister. 02:20:49.900 --> 02:21:01.420 Okay, you are not hitting the nail right on the head, okay, with your assessment of what state and federal is doing. 02:21:01.420 --> 02:21:32.990 one question that I I have let me get let me get it right did we vote as counsel for consulting services I'm trying to recollect yes we did we did and was it approved was it it was not approved I hope so it was you messing with me okay all right okay it was approved and that's what that's what my 02:21:32.990 --> 02:22:02.970 my concern was I know we're talking like um they're they're in the mix of doing consulting services for the city of Freeport and that's what I that's what my understanding they have a signed contract yeah okay okay I didn't get a copy of it but that's okay I think you probably did in your packet oh okay uh Alderman Monroe I I'll wait mayor I'm good okay I have a question well you yeah that'd be like number six for you so 02:22:02.970 --> 02:22:07.160 So, counsel, do you mind? 02:22:07.800 --> 02:22:08.420 Don't mind. 02:22:11.100 --> 02:22:12.140 Okay, go ahead. 02:22:13.360 --> 02:22:15.660 Okay, so why would we continue? 02:22:16.540 --> 02:22:21.580 Why would we continue knowing that funds are at a halt? 02:22:21.780 --> 02:22:29.360 Why would we continue putting money into something that we're not going to be able to reap any benefits from? 02:22:31.780 --> 02:22:32.760 Holderman Sellers. 02:22:32.760 --> 02:22:44.200 Are we still looking at, didn't you say, Darren, there was state funding that they can look at while they're down in Springfield? Is it state? We just can't look at federal, but we can look at state, correct? 02:22:45.120 --> 02:23:02.260 Yes and no, like motor fuel tax money, those types of items like that, ITEP, things like that are not frozen at a local level, but anything that has federal dollars attached to it, Rob and I went to a little mini conference today, anything that has any federal dollars attached to it, that includes one dollar, 02:23:02.260 --> 02:23:07.220 or if that is all in basically in the icebox right now until further notice. 02:23:08.620 --> 02:23:10.660 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 02:23:10.900 --> 02:23:17.100 I actually will go right now because this pertains to this conversation of federal funding. 02:23:17.920 --> 02:23:30.060 This week, our police department decided to put out a trust act letter that essentially will probably block us from most federal funding. 02:23:30.060 --> 02:24:00.060 and the reason why is because we're refusing to work with federal law enforcement when it comes to enforcement of civil immigration laws especially when it pertains to criminal migrants who they are trying to track down. So we've seen in the last week or two both the mayor of Chicago and the governor of Illinois have 02:24:00.060 --> 02:24:30.040 and the Department of Justice now breathing down their neck. The same is going to happen in Freeport because we have decided to side with the law of Illinois and ignore the federal laws. So it's disappointing that on one hand we say we're going to hire this firm to go out and get federal funding and on the other hand without the consent 02:24:30.060 --> 02:24:59.680 Without the advisement from the council, we're going to go out and put a letter out that then puts us aligned with the same people who are now facing federal retribution. And it's very concerning. We have to figure out what it is we want to do as a city and how we want to be viewed and how we want to go about getting these federal funds. 02:24:59.680 --> 02:25:29.340 because without the federal funds we can't rebuild our infrastructure. And thumbing our nose at the President of the United States in a Facebook post without having a discussion in here first to make sure it's the right thing to do, we all agree, we're just going to go out and do it, kind of goes against what we as a community have been about. We've worked through most of our issues in here. We don't always see eye to eye. We don't always agree. 02:25:29.680 --> 02:25:36.980 but we have to work together as a community in order to get these funds that are going to build our community back. 02:25:37.280 --> 02:25:45.980 We have no hope from the state of Illinois who is now billions and billions of dollars in debt, hopelessly in debt. 02:25:47.880 --> 02:25:53.420 It's a race to figure out between us, California, and a couple of other states who's going to file bankruptcy first. 02:25:53.420 --> 02:26:11.340 But these federal funds and this organization that we're talking about here, who is now going out and fundraising, essentially, consulting us for lobbying and government relations, is now in the middle of our politics. 02:26:11.340 --> 02:26:13.780 We put our politics on the front page 02:26:13.780 --> 02:26:23.520 and now this organization is stuck trying to fight through that 02:26:23.520 --> 02:26:27.640 and we've put ourselves and aligned ourselves in a way that quite honestly 02:26:27.640 --> 02:26:30.260 may prohibit us from getting federal funding. 02:26:31.020 --> 02:26:32.440 That's where my problem is. 02:26:33.220 --> 02:26:34.940 It's that point. 02:26:37.600 --> 02:26:39.680 Okay, so that was totally off topic. 02:26:40.580 --> 02:26:41.880 Chief, would you like to respond? 02:26:41.880 --> 02:27:11.540 Sure, just in response to the reason why that was released, I was approached by our school resource officer, there was some angst in the school, I was also made aware of people in the community thinking we had a pretty heavy presence on Oak for a long time, and still do, and seeing us out there in plain clothes with vests on, thought that immigration was in town, I was just clarifying what the rule of law is, 02:27:11.880 --> 02:27:40.520 how we're governed at this point and that there were no ICE agents in Freeport just to put the facts out there instead of having this fester and cause problems within the school and the community and so that was the reason for that. Thank you. Is there any other discussion concerning the McGuire Woods report? Seeing none, we'll move on to department head reports, which would be finance. 02:27:40.520 --> 02:28:26.590 you're not at your seat I can't that's kind of nobody will be able to hear you Larry well I don't know what to tell you no there's not been any motion it was just an ask for an update of a report and so that's what the city manager was doing thank you finance thank you your honor I would just like to take a moment 02:28:26.590 --> 02:28:33.730 to congratulate Gladys Hilton. She retired today after 25 years of service to the city of Freeport. 02:28:34.570 --> 02:28:38.290 We're so happy for her, and she will be greatly missed. 02:28:39.370 --> 02:28:39.770 We agree. 02:28:41.290 --> 02:28:42.250 Community Development. 02:28:49.530 --> 02:28:50.370 Community Development. 02:28:51.050 --> 02:28:52.130 Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor. 02:28:52.510 --> 02:28:53.570 Thank you. Public Works? 02:28:54.290 --> 02:29:00.450 I have one thing. The street superintendent asked me to relay some information. There was quite a few Facebook 02:29:00.450 --> 02:29:30.110 book posts on Friday, so we want to clarify some information. The street department is not scheduled like fire police departments. We don't have people on shift 24 hours a day, but we do have people on call 24 hours a day. Friday's event was a winter weather warning for our area. We all knew it. It didn't come in the same time as they predicted. The city issued a snow emergency earlier in the week when these are ordered. It strongly encouraged for people to stay home during the squall events. 02:29:30.450 --> 02:29:31.950 That being said, 02:29:31.950 --> 02:29:49.200 That being said, we had six guys that were called in to plow priority routes. Those six guys promptly came in at 7.30 on Friday night to do primary routes. Everyone came in again at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning and plowed all the streets, parking lots, cul-de-sacs, primary alleys, along with the city-owned sidewalks. 02:29:49.200 --> 02:30:11.060 Pat was hired to be resourceful as possible when spending taxpayers' money. It's not feasible to be out wasting salt and overtime money during a squall event at night. We're best off to wait until after it runs its course the best we can and then attack it at night when people are not around. I want to give a little history of the plowing that happened last week. 02:30:11.060 --> 02:30:41.020 the guys worked from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. They worked 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. They were called back in at 7.30 to 11 o'clock on Friday night and then they were in again at 4 a.m. to 11.30 on Saturday to remove all the snow and ice again. Due to OSHA standards we have to let the guys have time off to rest because they have CDL licenses required by law and also we were trying to be good partners to them to give 02:30:41.020 --> 02:31:11.860 and give them some time with their Valentine partners that they hadn't seen since they were at work at 4 a.m. on Friday. I'm not going to read the rest of the email, but it doesn't pertain to that subject. We do our best that we can. We have a very lean crew and they deserve time with their family too. And if people are out risking their own lives during a snow event, that choice is on their own. Thank you. Thank you. Fire. Nothing this evening. Thank you. 02:31:11.860 --> 02:31:43.540 Police? I have no report. Thank you. Thank you. Library? I just want to remind everybody that we have our rescheduled board meeting tomorrow night from last week. So it'll be at the library at 6 p.m. Thank you. IT? Thank you. City Manager? I'd just like to echo Michelle's comments about Gladys. Gladys, you will be missed. Thank you. Yeah, that was exactly what I was going to say, too. So yeah, 25 years of service with the city, so we appreciate her. Alderman, I think it would be 02:31:43.540 --> 02:32:18.190 Simmons, you were at the start? No, but thank you, no. Alderman Parker? I'm going to keep my mouth shut on one subject, but I do want to thank the street department. They did an excellent job. Thank you. Alderman Stacy? No, thank you. Alderman Sanders, I'll wait until you get to your chair. Okay. Or your seat. Yeah. I don't have a, I have an array. 02:32:18.530 --> 02:32:31.020 of things I want to comment on or statement. Thank you. 02:32:33.020 --> 02:32:34.060 Alderman Sellers. 02:32:35.260 --> 02:32:53.660 Yes, I got a text message that would like me to let everyone know to join the Citizens Utility Board, Cub, Environmental Study Group, and State Representative Jabba Cabello to learn about how to reduce your utility bills. 02:32:53.740 --> 02:33:12.460 and tap into money-saving clean energy programs. It will be Thursday, March 6, 530 to 730 at the Freeport Public Library, and she would like everyone to come out and bring some of your utility bills that they could also look at and help you out on. Thank you. That's about it. 02:33:12.460 --> 02:33:40.960 Yeah, thank you for mentioning that. I forgot, also with Representative Cabello, he is doing an event here at City Hall on Friday, I believe 8.30, the entire business hours of City Hall for iPass, where you can turn in your old iPass and get the new, however they had that worked out. I'm not sure of the details. But anyway, you can come here. That's an event sponsored by Representative Cabello as well. 02:33:40.960 --> 02:33:41.840 What time? 02:33:42.640 --> 02:33:45.740 Business hours, 8.30 to 5. 02:33:45.740 --> 02:33:47.100 Friday is 6, isn't it? 02:33:47.140 --> 02:33:49.020 It's kind of long, yeah. 02:33:49.540 --> 02:33:51.500 Friday, all day here, Friday. 02:33:51.720 --> 02:33:52.320 All day Friday. 02:33:52.860 --> 02:33:53.680 Alderman Clem? 02:33:54.400 --> 02:33:56.380 I'd just like to add a couple things. 02:33:56.740 --> 02:34:09.340 Kudos to the street department and thank you to the guys that really worked hard on the water main breaks that we had and things going south on a couple of those. 02:34:09.340 --> 02:34:39.340 as we all know they go out in pretty inclement weather and take care of things for us we appreciate their work also on March 5th mark your calendars there's going to be a candidate for them again at the Eagles Club whatever you do please get involved whatever you do vote thank you Alderman Monroe. Thank you madam mayor I would like to thank all those people that were able to fight their way home after work so that they could pay their 02:34:39.340 --> 02:35:09.320 and I'm a member of the City of Freeport and they made it home safe as best they could. I probably should thank myself for working 12-hour days, five days a week as well because that's what the Public Works Department wants to do. We have a responsibility to this city. We pay a ton. I want to add a word in front of that to add a little color to it. A ton of taxes. And, you know, I think about half the Public Works probably doesn't even live in the City of Freeport, but we all do and we all pay taxes. 02:35:09.340 --> 02:35:11.500 Well, some of us do and don't 02:35:11.500 --> 02:35:14.620 But with that said 02:35:14.620 --> 02:35:16.840 You know, the expectation is 02:35:16.840 --> 02:35:18.980 When the snow is two inches deep on the roads 02:35:18.980 --> 02:35:20.180 That somebody's out plowing them 02:35:20.180 --> 02:35:22.020 And that we know that's coming 02:35:22.020 --> 02:35:23.920 We've got partners in the federal government 02:35:23.920 --> 02:35:24.740 That know it's coming 02:35:24.740 --> 02:35:26.820 And they tell us it's coming 02:35:26.820 --> 02:35:28.700 We've got apps that tell us 02:35:28.700 --> 02:35:29.980 We've got the weather service 02:35:29.980 --> 02:35:32.460 The Stevenson County Sheriff's Office app tells you 02:35:32.460 --> 02:35:34.300 But it's dangerous 02:35:34.300 --> 02:35:36.320 And those people have to get home 02:35:36.320 --> 02:35:38.160 And to expect them not to get home 02:35:38.160 --> 02:36:08.140 during a rush hour as we would call it here in Freeport even though compared to Chicago it's not really a rush hour they still have to get home from work they have to get home from the store wherever it may be and to not have the main thoroughfares at least getting touched is a problem and I think it's it's time that we expect more of our government we're seeing that happen at the federal level we should expect the same at the state and local level as well and that means you have to work and sometimes you have to work really 02:36:08.160 --> 02:36:38.160 I think it's really hard, and sometimes you get to work a little bit easier. All of us do the same thing. The fire department, they do the same. The police department, although the police department tends to run from call to call a bit more, that's a lot of work, and those agencies were stretched as well, but I think we've got to think outside the box and come up with a plan. We've got a lot of CDL drivers in this city who could potentially help us out in these events who could come in and help out, and I think we need to look at some of those options kind of 02:36:38.160 --> 02:36:44.240 moving forward. Thank you, Mayor. Next is public comment. Are there any public comments this evening? 02:36:45.500 --> 02:37:13.540 Go ahead. My name is Cheryl Altman. First, I wanted to touch on the lighting system. For everybody that has a child that's been shot, because you guys, you say you got $13,500, so you're telling me that your child's life wouldn't be worth that $13,500 to put a light up? I'm a mother who lost their son at 21 years of age, she was. 02:37:13.540 --> 02:37:34.000 And I guarantee you, any mother, that next time you find a child that's been shot on there, you go tell that parent that the city didn't want to put up these lights, but yet they can go and spend all this money on snowplow, which you could have used, snow spreader, if it was hit, you could have got insurance money. 02:37:34.000 --> 02:38:03.960 So you're telling me that kids' lives aren't important or the citizens of Freeporn aren't important. More important is you watching that little tiny dollar. But we all pay taxes here. Second, I'm going to address this to Wayne Duckman. You keep saying that the building you tore down on Shawnees that belonged to Akia Sanders was in terrible shape. It was bad shape. But why aren't you putting a sticker on the Raleigh building that's been 02:38:03.960 --> 02:38:10.080 in that condition for years. You refused to tear that down. It had asbestos in it. You won't tear that down 02:38:10.080 --> 02:38:14.720 because you're thinking you might get something along. That train might come through and you might 02:38:14.720 --> 02:38:21.940 be able to sell that property. And like Albers, you gave Albers a chance to buy that other Raleigh 02:38:21.940 --> 02:38:30.280 building for a hundred bucks. And then you tore down her place. And I know, and you're not going to like 02:38:30.280 --> 02:38:36.840 this, Mayor, but it's who you know and who your friends are because I know who your friends are. I went to school with you. 02:38:38.200 --> 02:38:53.950 Wow. Are there any other public comments? So I'm Akia Sanders along with Tiffany Sanders. I own 404 and 402 02:38:53.950 --> 02:39:00.830 Shawnee. You got to wonder, how would you need your permission to need the council's permission to 02:39:02.190 --> 02:39:07.870 pay for a demolition and you didn't even need their permission to address the situation first 02:39:07.870 --> 02:39:29.830 And every time you open your mouth, Wayne, you help me out. You sat up there and told Monroe that you didn't get served a stop demolition order. That was a lie. If anybody want copies, I have the time, I have a video of speaking to you before you demoed my house, after I served you papers, stating that I served you papers, you're going to knock my house down anyway. 02:39:29.830 --> 02:39:57.060 served you papers, you're going to knock my house down anyway. So you lied. I mean, anything I mean to do. And then you got to ask, like, why was it an emergency to knock that house down when you already had 10 approved? There was no fire. It was not falling down. It wasn't in, you know, the shape Milton Motors was in passing recently. Don't know. That's one. Then I wanted to address the lighting issue. It disturbed me last time that I didn't get to comment. I was bothered by Stacey or by Joy saying she was safe. 02:39:57.060 --> 02:40:26.940 when did Oak Street become about you being safe you never you don't even comment or you don't say anything about when people email you you don't respond back and then Miller you you addressed Stacy like why was it only a fifth word problem she's a fifth word ultimate you are the city of Freeport I have not once heard you say you have circled any block in that neighborhood and we became a distressed city I'm not going to take the new name that y'all tried to soften up we became a distressed city and y'all use the money to 02:40:26.940 --> 02:40:56.920 pretty up where you hang at by the Wagner house. Somebody got shot and I don't know for sure it was because of the light issue and they can't find the shooter. And I watched you go to an event where that family celebrated celebration of life and that statement, you attending that and smiling was diabolical to me. And this is the weakest display of leadership I've ever seen to wait and say let's become a distressed city. That's saying let's wait to somebody 02:40:56.920 --> 02:41:05.200 else gets shot, beat up, or killed. Just, I mean, what the heck? Nice going. Y'all doing a real great job up here. 02:41:05.780 --> 02:41:34.360 Nobody likes you, though. Next. I don't really have anything in particular to comment on. Can you identify yourself, please? Micaiah Stacy, sorry. I moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa, and spent four years there getting my degree. I recently went to Des Moines and talked to my friends that live in Des Moines, even one in a trailer park. 02:41:34.760 --> 02:42:04.360 and told them what's happening in Freeport. And they were flabbergasted at the least. I love this city. I want to continue living in the city. I want people my age to not feel like we have to leave. So when there's little things about, oh, shouldn't all the city get lights? Yeah. Duh. That's not the problem. The problem is we're focusing on all these small other petty things to be like, oh, look at our crime rate compared to Chicago. Look at the crime rate compared to Des Moines. I pulled it up. 02:42:04.360 --> 02:42:28.860 It is astonishing, and even downtown Des Moines lit up like a Christmas tree, and that helps, but even the trailer park my friend lives in, she could go stand on the street and I can see her in a trailer park. We can't do the same for our streets. I don't want to leave here again, but this council and the city in general is making it very hard to want to stay for my safety and the safety of my family. 02:42:28.860 --> 02:42:53.600 My mom has put roots down here. My brother may have put roots down here. I don't want to spend the rest of my nephew's life only seeing him once a month like I did from 2020 to 2024. Can we please figure something out for the love of the city, not for our own well-being or whatever it is? You love the city. You want to live in it. You want to be the mayor. Please do something about this. Thank you. 02:42:53.600 --> 02:42:57.460 Is there any other public comment? Tommy? 02:42:57.460 --> 02:43:02.690 Wayne Dickerman 02:43:02.690 --> 02:43:06.290 You got an update about the 02:43:06.290 --> 02:43:07.530 Holiday Inn 02:43:07.530 --> 02:43:11.890 Holiday Inn is not open, Tommy 02:43:11.890 --> 02:43:16.010 We are working on getting that one torn down as well 02:43:16.010 --> 02:43:17.170 What about that Lincoln 02:43:17.170 --> 02:43:19.730 What Don Parker said 02:43:19.730 --> 02:43:20.450 That Lincoln 02:43:20.450 --> 02:43:22.950 Lincoln St. 02:43:23.150 --> 02:43:25.130 That what? 02:43:25.130 --> 02:43:26.010 That Lincoln 02:43:26.010 --> 02:43:27.350 The school in Chicago 02:43:27.350 --> 02:43:28.490 That old school 02:43:28.490 --> 02:43:29.170 Oh 02:43:29.170 --> 02:43:32.230 Oh, we're working on demolishing that one as well, Tommy 02:43:32.230 --> 02:43:38.610 And that Jersey Mike was looking good, that's why I buy that 02:43:38.610 --> 02:43:44.850 Jersey Mike, right, yep, by the old GameStop, yep, we're still working on that one 02:43:44.850 --> 02:43:49.170 I had a talk to our building inspector, they're full steam ahead on that one 02:43:49.170 --> 02:43:50.810 So, I hope you're hungry 02:43:50.810 --> 02:43:54.030 Are there any other public comments? 02:43:55.310 --> 02:43:57.450 If not, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment 02:43:57.450 --> 02:43:58.070 So move 02:43:58.070 --> 02:43:58.510 Second 02:43:58.510 --> 02:44:18.950 Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Monroe, all those in, oh, it has to be a vote, it has to be a vote, Simmons, Parker, Aye, Stacy, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye, Monroe, Aye,