WEBVTT

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I apologize for the delay in our start time. Justin, could you please give the invocation this evening?

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All right. Well, good evening. Good evening, Madam Mayor, everyone. Please pray with me.

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The Lord of heaven and earth, we praise you for your power and wisdom, for your mercy and grace.

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And thank you, Lord, for every good and perfect gift that you send down freely, even as we ask from you.

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So we thank you for your gifts of life and health. Thank you for community and relationships. And with tonight in mind, we thank you for governance and leadership. We thank you for this city. And we thank you for all of our public servants throughout City Hall, throughout our various departments. We thank you too for various organizations and nonprofits and skilled citizens.

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that help our city and the people of Freeport. Lord, you actively rule the nations and you give freely to those who ask you the knowledge to live well and the skill to apply that knowledge. So I ask that you would grant that to us and to our leaders. May they find your mercy and grace as well for their own faults and your help in their weaknesses. Lord, please help each one of us tonight.

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to act honorably before you and that we would be patient and gracious towards each other and again I pray that you'd give Mayor Miller as our moderator the wisdom, grace, and strength that she needs to lead this meeting well as well as to each council member and department head and father you've designed us you have gifted each one of us we are entirely dependent upon you for success in our work and so

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So we ask for your help tonight. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you. So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Mayor Miller. Here. Alderperson Clem will be marked absent for the moment. Monroe is also absent. Simmons. Here. Parker. Here. Stacy. Here. Shadle. Here. Sanders. Here. And Sellers. Here. If I could please get a motion

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to allow Alderman Clem to remote access. So moved. Second. Parker? Is there a second? Second. So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers to allow Alderman Clem in remote. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. And Sellers? Aye. And if you could please note that at 614, Alderman Clem is present.

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

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That I had a Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

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I don't have an agenda

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Okay, item number one is approval of the agenda, however, we're going to move item number 16 to the next meeting, and then there is no executive

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So with that, is there a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Clem? Aye. Motion passes, 7-0. Item number 2 is approval from the minutes from the regular meeting on October 7th, 2024. Is that a motion to approve? So moved.

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I wouldn't be yours looking. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Motion passes, 7-0. Okay, we have quite a few that are signed up for public comment. And I forgot, I received one this afternoon via email that I should have written on that. May I go first? Yeah, go first.

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This public comment was received this afternoon from John Cook. Good evening, members of the Freeport City Council and others. First reading of Ordinance 2024-57 is before you tonight asking for the boundaries of the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone to be amended. This ordinance should be rejected as written because of three glaring omissions within the body of the ordinance. The first whereas paragraph offers no numerical citation to the previous ordinances that this ordinance relies upon to be reflective.

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The second rare-as paragraph contains no citation to any meeting of the Enterprise Zone Committee where the request for this amendment originated. Section 2 of the ordinance refers to, quote, benefits created by the ordinance of the original Enterprise Zone, end quote, yet contains no specific citation to the ordinances. Without proper, direct, and specific citation within the ordinances, it is practically impossible for the Freeport City Council or any member of the public to know what specific incentives

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Ordinance 2024-57 grants the developer. How would anyone know what ordinance to ask the municipal clerk for in an effort to learn what benefits are being given away? To be honest, in 30-plus years of following local government, Ordinance 2024-57 is the most shoddily incomplete ordinance I've ever read. Completely lacking citation from any previously passed ordinance, Ordinance 2024-57 can have no legal meaning in this layman's view.

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Please, City Council, remember you are passing a written ordinance, not what City Manager Boyer presents. Thank you very much for your time and attention. John Samuel Cook.

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Okay, there's quite a few that are signed in for this evening. However, I do have one that's added on here that is not on the agenda, and Mr. Fullgate comes every year to talk a little bit. Would that be okay if he talks at this time instead of waiting to the end? Anyone object? Okay, so we'll start at the top of the list.

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and each one of you have three minutes. Cecilia Stacey. Cecilia Stacey, Fifth Ward, Alderwoman.

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It has come to our attention that there was a FOIA request for all documents pertaining to the Open Bible Water Main

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Extension. Per your email response, Ms. Anderson, you stated that you had looked for these documents

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and there are none. This is concerning because on September the 3rd, City Manager Boyer sent the council a memo stating that, and I quote, through a series of documents, the information details the city agreed upon regarding the water main extension in 1999 to be installed between three to five years.

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When I asked you directly at the October 14th cowl if you had looked for these same documents, you told me the council, you told this council and the people of Freeport that you had not looked for them and that you had not been directed to.

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Can you explain to the council why we have a series of discrepancy?

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our city manager said we had the documents you told a four-year request that they did not exist and last week you said you hadn't looked what are the people of Freeport supposed to believe thank you Lynn Folgate good evening your city council members thanks for allowing me to speak to you to our guests and the TV audience as well most of you know I'm Lynn Folgate

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because I have spoke to you before for our Freeport Moose Lodge, the oldest lodge in Illinois. It was established in 1909. Remember the moose supports the moose art, the child city near Chicago. Also know that moose art has provided a home for over 2,000 children since its origination in 1913. I spoke about the moose lodge before, this time speaking about

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asking your help for the Freeport area for North Carolina that was hit by the Hurricane Helene. Also needing help is Florida's devastation by Hurricane Milton with over 230 known dead from the recent hurricanes and flooding. The reason Freeport Lodge is asking for your help is due to the many lodges requested special dispensation from

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Mozart,

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Dispensation from Moose Heart to support North Carolina and Florida, devastation costing over $50 billion.

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Consequently, the officials at Moose International authorized a blanket dispensation so that all the Moose Lodges doing care for the cause can do so without separate dispensations needed.

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Accordingly, our Freeport Moose Lodge Board officers wanted to also do our part to help the hurricane victims of these states.

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It was decided that we will act as a donation coordinator so that even small donations can be collected and sent to help these states in their rebuilding efforts.

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To make it easy for everyone to donate to this cause, checks your cash can be dropped off at the Freeport Moose Lodge.

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Our new address is 440 East Challenge Street, Freeport, Illinois.

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By the way, I got copies of this because I got other addresses and phone numbers you don't have to write down.

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You get a copy of this speech.

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The Freeport Moose Lodge new location is one block north of a former lodge across the street from the Super 8 Motel

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It's a white building and we have a sign up on a nearby post

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For Florida, checks can be made payable to the Florida Moose Association or simply FMA

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If you choose to mail directly to FMA, mail to FMA, Post Office Box, 2863, Sanford, Florida, I got the zip here, attention, Dan O'Neill, FMA Secretary, for more information, you can call Ken Cotts and Bayer, Freeport's Moose Lodge Administrator, his phone number is area code 815-232-1516.

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or his cell phone 815-238-1555. Thanks for your attention and thanks for supporting and help for Florida and North Carolina.

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Thank you, Len. Please note that 623 Alderman Monroe entered. And next on the list is Andrea

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Schultz-Winter. He gave me two of them. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Andrea Schultz-Winter, 521 South Harvey, Freeport, Illinois. When we think about the infrastructure needed for economic development and growth, child care is imperative. Residents cannot go to work if they don't have a place for their child to go. Open Bible currently has 174 students enrolled. 43 children attend their

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their school age program, kindergarten to fifth grade. The remaining 131 children are aged three to five years of age and attend their preschool child care program. The demographic makeup of those students are 62% are Caucasian, 37% are African American, 1% are Asian. 49% of those children qualify for free and reduced lunch. 47 families qualify for child care assistance program. Last summer,

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Open Bible offered safe, dependable childcare for 170 children. This allowed families to remain in the workforce while their children were out of school. Birth to Five is a regional organization that serves Northwest Illinois and has collected data around childcare. Currently, there are 5,132 children in Stevenson, Carroll, and Joe Davis counties that are 0 to 5 years of age. Currently, there are childcare slots for approximately 25% of those children.

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or 1264 children. Data from the Bipartisan Policy Center dated from 2019, so quite a dated, five years old, this data, for Stevenson County alone, there was 870 child care slots needed. It is estimated that the annual economic burden of child care gaps within Stevenson County alone is $18 million.

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This is made up of three separate impacts. The loss of income for individual households, business impact due to direct productivity losses for businesses, as well as future lost earnings from turnover cost and inability to take advantage of growth opportunities. And also, lastly, tax revenue impacts, the proportion of lost household and business income that would have contributed to government

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revenues. Our child care crisis isn't just holding back working parents and their children, it's actively harming our economy. Many Freeport families make ends meet because both children, both parents, excuse me, are employed outside the home. That can happen when we have safe, dependable child care options. Child care is a necessity, a necessary infrastructure for our households and our businesses. Thank you.

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Thank you

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And next on the list is Dee Sanders

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Good evening, I'd first like to thank the council for allowing me to stand

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I am not Dee Moore, but I am Elder Charlene Williams

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And I'm standing here tonight on behalf of the renaming

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Not renaming, but adding to the sign

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On Armstrong and State, Bishop James Arthur Wade

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We have filed all our paperwork

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We have met the 51% requirement

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We have been working on this for over a year. Many of you on the city council know Bishop James Wade. He's been a pillar within this community. His children were raised here. His wife was a school teacher. Bishop Wade was a part of the school board. He's a part of the Minister's Fellowship Alliance. And not only that, I'm sure many of you have seen him driving with his truck and wagon trailer where he helps the elderly that can't afford to mold

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their lawns and he also helps with other things throughout the community. The funeral homes here in

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the city of Freeport know him by name personally because when COVID hit and other things happened he was one of the pastors in the community that would allow those who couldn't afford it to come in and have services there. We have met all of the requirements and we're simply asking that this petition be granted for us. Thank you so much for hearing me.

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Thank you, Charlene. So does that mean that, Dee, you don't want to speak? Okay. Then we will move on to Jennifer Fuller.

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I would like to thank the council for letting me speak tonight. I am the current daycare director at Open Bible Learning Center. I am very nervous. That is why I went into education, because children don't judge you. So please bear with me.

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A little bit of history. Robert Bush and Irene Bush had First Church of the Open Bible located on West Chestnut Street from 1944 to 1969 when they moved to our current facility at 3,800 West Stevenson Street. In 1970, First Church of the Open Bible Day Nursery opened to serve the public. In 1975, they broke ground for a new educational center to provide larger facilities for the Open Bible Day Nursery.

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In 1999, ground was broken for the new Open Bible Family and Learning Center, which is the building we are talking about

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In 2005, Dr. Burlis Parker took over as senior pastor and administrator for the Bushes

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In 2009, I took over as child care director

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And when Burlis Parker retired in 2022, Derek Strickland took over as senior pastor and administrator

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Center. Open Bible Learning Center is a non-profit licensed child care center with the Department of Children and Family Services, also known as DCFS. Because of all these changes over the years and the size of our building, we are currently licensed capacity of 217 children for ages 2 through 12. We are open year-round full-time from 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are only closed six major holidays.

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We are open year round full time for families that have to work and need somewhere for their children to go. After COVID, we decided to close on Black Friday and now starting next year, we will be closed on Good Friday. Yes, we were even open on a religious holiday for parents who still need to work. License inspections occur every three years with yearly monitoring inspections or more with DCFS.

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Both myself and the pastor handle the license inspections depending on the materials or paperwork needed. At the three-year license renewal, DCFS contacts the state fire marshal for

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contacts the state fire marshal for inspection of the facilities. Violations of any type noted by DCFS or the fire marshal require fixing and corrective action plans for license continuation. Previous license inspections addressed the fire sprinkler system in the capacity that annual tests of the sprinkler system are to be conducted. This was first noted on our 2021 license review from all the paperwork that I have gone through for our previous

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license renewal. When it was brought up by the fire marshal that there was no water access for the

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system to be hooked up, Dr. Parker, as senior administrator, was instructed to post a sign on

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the system at access points so the local fire department was aware they would have to hook

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up to the system in case of an emergency. Jennifer, your three minutes has expired. Okay. Are you close

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to being done? I'm close to being done, yes. Like, what, two lines? I don't want to... Okay, I can stop.

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I can give you guys a printout. I don't have copies tonight, but I can definitely give it. Good. Thank you. And then we have Luann Hayes. Good evening, everyone. Luann Hayes, 1021 West Douglas Street, Freeport, Illinois. As many of you know, I am with Burt the Five, Illinois, which Andrea referenced a little bit ago. I'm just here for statistics. That's all I'm here for. Right now in Freeport, we have 646

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six spots for child care. That includes Open Bible. We have 2,170 children who need it, ages zero to five.

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That leaves a gap right now, not from 2019 was 500 and some. Our gap now is 1,524. 70% of our kids do not

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have child care, access to child care, or day care. Now, that's here in Freeport, and Andrea talked about the region as well, but we cannot afford, our community cannot afford, throwing stuff around, to lose any slots here, especially in Freeport. I have a flyer for you, and I'm under my three minutes.

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Thanks for all the times I went over. Thank you. Oh, I like your top, too. Okay. Oh, and just to make it rounded, I like your top, too. Okay. You still have 50 seconds if you want to use it. I could do a little song and dance. No, we'll end it. Okay. I could. I could. Okay. Okay, last on the list is Ashley Harms. Hi, y'all. I'm Ashley Harms. I am from Amity here in Freeport. I also live in Freeport. The address of Amity and the King Community Campus is 511 South

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I know we're competitors, right? Us and Open Bible. I serve on the Birth to Five committee. We've been

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looking at these numbers for a really long time and the state and everybody else is working on focusing

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on building up child care. The last thing we need to do is make a center close. It doesn't look good for

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Freeport. It's not good for our working families. I could enroll double my enrollment tomorrow with my

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waiting list. I'm sure Open Bible could too. I understand that it is very costly. Everything

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these days is extremely costly. If Open Bible is willing to do their piece and pay from the street

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to their building like any of the rest of us would, I think the right solution here is to run the line

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for the kids. It's for the kids. It's not just for the kids. As Andrea said and as Luann said, it's an

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infrastructure issue. Our families need to be able to go to work. We are already struggling to enroll

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families every day. We can't get them all in now. What would happen if Open Bible were to close and we

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lost 170 more slots of child care? How many more employers are you going to have that don't have

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workers coming in because they don't have child care? We should be building up child care. In fact,

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I don't think it's far off to hear ask later for you guys to help us expand some of our buildings or to help us do more. This is not the time at all to do less that I can say and I hope the right decision is made to save their program. Have a great night. Thank you. That concludes public comments. We'll move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of the council like to have something removed for further discussion.

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Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file minutes from boards and commissions for foreign fire minutes dated August 8th, the library board of trustees dated September 11th, and the liquor commission dated September 12th and 27th, 2024. The building permit report and the fire department report dated September 2024. The Freeport Housing Authority monthly report dated September 18th, 2024. The greater Freeport Partnership monthly report dated September

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September 25th, 2024, the finance report and cash and investment report for August 2024, the approval of the finance bills payable in the total of $2,836,656.02 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending October 5th, 2024 in the total of $641,274.96. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle. Second.

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by Alderman Sellers. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Ed Monroe? No. Motion passes, 7 to 1. Thank you. Item number 5 is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54A. Could you please read this?

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ordinance amending chapter 220 council section 220.06 compensation of the code of ordinances thank you manager Boyer thank you your honor at the last council meeting it was requested to break up these three positions into three separate ordinances so that has been done and I think we were at a we're at a position where council should move forward with the direction that they

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they so choose. And can you refresh what the dollar change or what was what was given on the first reading for council members?

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Dovie, would you have that? Would you be able to go through the minutes on that? Aaron, Attorney Zito?

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Sure. So for the the first item on the agenda for with regards to the pay for elected officials is for the city council.

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currently our code provides that the annual pay to the alderman is $3,800 per year the direction from the council was to increase that to $4,500 per year any further discussion council seeing none madam clerk would you please take the roll did you have a question Alderman Stacy I'm just I'm just kind of lost on okay could you please take the roll Simmons

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Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Today. Shadle? No. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? No. Clem? No. Monroe? No. I have a tie, don't I? One, two, three, four, four, two, four. Mayor, what say you?

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Can I stay? No. Up to you.

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Okay, the council has not received any pay increase for a long time of any significance. I know that this is an 18% increase, but the dollar amount is pretty small. It's a very small increase on a yearly basis. When you break it down in the month, it's barely anything, so aye.

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The motion passes, 5 to 4.

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Item number 6 is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54B. Could you please read this?

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Ordinance amending chapter 226, Mayor, section 226.03, compensation of the code of ordinances

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I have nothing else to add to the previous discussion

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Okay, can

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I believe both the mayor's salary and the clerks were a 5% increase, is that accurate?

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Michelle, were these 5% increases? Yes, that's right

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So what's before you right now, the next, this agenda item is for the clerk, for the mayor's compensation. So it is a five percent increase for the four years, each of the four years. So it'll go from 29,330. Then in the second year, it will go to 32,030. In the third year, it goes to 33,630. And then the fourth year, it goes to 36,670.

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So is there discussion on the salary package for mayor? Seeing none. Yeah. Alderman Sellers. I guess I was okay with the 3%, but not with the 5. That's me. She did not hear you, honey. What? I said I was okay with the 3%, well, with the first proposal, but not with the 5. Alderman Stacy. I did some homework on this.

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and what I'm okay with is 5% the first year, 4% the second year, 3% the third year, and 2% the fourth year.

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Well, it seems we have a different of opinions. I know that what was moved forward was the 5% like was stated.

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So, um, I really thought that, um, week before last, 3% was stated, not 5%. There was a motion? I concur. I believe there was an actual motion for the 5% that was motion made, seconded, and then voted on for 5% for both the mayor and the clerks. And who made that motion? Oh, I believe it was Alderman Clem.

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I'm looking it up

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Alder McClemm said zero for the mayor

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Hang on, the clerk is checking

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He's not really

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There was a motion to have it remain the same that failed

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Monroe moved

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Alderperson Sanders seconded that the mayor's salary be increased to 555

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The motion passed, 5 to 3

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Well, if there's no further discussion

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Simmons

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What are we voting on?

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On the 5-5-5-5 as presented upon second reading of the ordinance.

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Okay, so if I am not mistaken, we were told that we could come back and bottle that.

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And so Alderman Sellers just said that she was okay with the 3%, but not the 5, am I correct?

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So we're not discussing that?

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That's what the pause is. I'm waiting for you to tell me what you want to do. Nobody's saying anything.

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Right. So if at this point you guys are in discussion, so if someone wants to make a motion to change it, to propose a change from 5% to something other than 5%, people can do that.

00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:22.840
I make a motion that we change the 5% to 5 the first year, 4 the second year, 3 the third year, and 2 the last year.

00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:25.040
I second it.

00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:39.200
Okay, so we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Sanders to change the ordinance as how it was moved forward to 5, 4, 3, 2.

00:35:40.040 --> 00:35:41.600
Discussion on the change.

00:35:41.600 --> 00:35:58.780
Okay, I guess if there's no discussion, then, Madam Clerk, would you take the roll on passing the mayor's package to be 5% increase down to 2?

00:35:58.980 --> 00:36:03.440
Nope, it's just on the amendment. It's just on a proposed amendment.

00:36:03.540 --> 00:36:04.860
On a proposed amendment.

00:36:05.040 --> 00:36:06.120
To 5, 4, 3, 2.

00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:07.440
Okay.

00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:07.920
Right.

00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.660
What does that mean?

00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:12.700
You have to make an amendment first.

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:13.920
Right.

00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:16.460
We're not finalizing the ordinance.

00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:45.940
Well, right now, there's a, it was presented to you guys as a 5% increase. There's been an intervening motion now to change it to 5432. That's been seconded. Now there's looks like there's not any discussion, further discussion on that proposed change. So now there's a vote on just the change. If it is approved, then you guys will go back to the vote as amended with 5432. If it fails, the proposed change to 5432, then you're back to

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:51.820
5%. There can be another motion if someone wants to propose something different or you ask them to vote on the 5%.

00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:58.100
So could you please take the roll on the amendment only?

00:36:58.740 --> 00:37:00.520
Simmons? No.

00:37:01.020 --> 00:37:01.900
Parker? No.

00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:03.340
Stacey? Aye.

00:37:03.780 --> 00:37:04.780
Shadle? Aye.

00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.320
Sanders? Aye.

00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.720
Sellers? No.

00:37:08.540 --> 00:37:10.500
Clem? No.

00:37:11.500 --> 00:37:13.100
Edmund Rowe? Aye.

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:16.880
We are tied at 4-4.

00:37:17.700 --> 00:37:18.340
Mayor?

00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:21.680
I vote no on the amendment.

00:37:25.120 --> 00:37:28.180
The proposed amendment fails five to four.

00:37:28.640 --> 00:37:30.040
You don't want to go home, do you?

00:37:32.330 --> 00:37:38.830
So because the proposed amendment motion failed, we're back to the underlying, which is the five percent.

00:37:39.370 --> 00:37:41.690
If someone wants to make a different motion, they can do that.

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.880
Alderman Sanders.

00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:48.780
I'm sorry.

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:51.060
Can we express it differently?

00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:52.980
Word it differently?

00:37:52.980 --> 00:38:17.560
come to the same conclusion of 5-4-3-2? But if we frame it a different way, maybe that would be satisfactory to some people or some council members. I don't know. We haven't had a chance to deliberate with each other on the discussion.

00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:44.920
did. You had a chance. Well, I mean, all together, collectively. You can't bring it back up again for the same thing. Collectively, we have not had that. Okay, that's what I'm trying to establish because we had not made, that's why we're at the 404 constantly all the time. And if that keeps going on, we have to reword something so it would satisfy the council. So what would be your rewording?

00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:51.860
All right, that's what I'm saying. We have not had a chance to discuss none of that. Maybe we should

00:38:51.860 --> 00:39:18.660
suspend it for no reason. No, it actually has to, something has to go forward tonight. Something has to go forward. By law. Yeah. Alderman Sellers. I make a motion that we go back to the original 3% that we had offered. Is there a second? Second.

00:39:18.660 --> 00:39:39.600
So now before you is an amendment to move it to the original 3333. Any discussion on that amendment? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? No. Stacy?

00:39:59.660 --> 00:40:21.500
No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. And Monroe? No. And we are again tied four to four. Mayor? No. The motion fails four to five.

00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:58.480
hmm you want to go ahead all right so you guys are back to the underlying as proposed five percent I'm just speaking out loud ignore me for now this is this is messing with me if there's no further discussion yeah yeah you have something yeah I have something I I

00:40:58.480 --> 00:41:36.840
Well, do I have your attention? Let's not waste time. Well, Mayor, we're talking about your wages. No, it's a mayor's salary. A mayor's salary, I put it like that. So we do need to take time, since we don't take time, to come up with conversation or discussions before this event takes place or this.

00:41:36.840 --> 00:42:12.960
this is the third meeting we've talked about it okay um i have no further discussion thank you madam clerk please no okay go ahead i i will just for the for the council though you mean you guys have to come to some conclusion here because the way that our ordinance is drafted right now it provides for the compensation for four years the last one being this year if you guys don't approve something

00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:45.360
whoever the mayor is come next term doesn't have a compensation whatsoever so you guys have to come up with something mine was rejected so what's before you right now is the original that was put forward at the last meeting madam clerk there's no further discussion would you please take the role and could you state what that is five percent that be correct year

00:42:45.360 --> 00:43:16.450
That'd be correct. 5% increase each year. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? No. Clem? No. Monroe? Aye. The motion passes. Six to two. So we will move on to item number seven, which is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54C. Could you please read this?

00:43:16.450 --> 00:43:53.700
ordinance amending chapter 228 city clerk section 22803 compensation of the code of ordinances you recap that it's the same as the mayor package it was a five percent increase correct it's also as it moved out from first read it was a five percent increase to the clerk's salary that provides for then in the first year it'd be a compensation of fifty eight thousand two fifty five in the second year it goes to sixty three thousand six fifteen

00:43:53.700 --> 00:44:29.900
and the third year it goes to 66,795 and in the fourth year it goes to 72,830 which are 5% increases. Discussion? Seeing none, Madam Chair. I would like to make a motion that we oppose 2% each year for the next four years. 2%. Is there a second? I second it.

00:44:29.900 --> 00:45:01.720
So now before you is the amendment proposed for a 2% increase each year versus the 5%. Is there anything to discuss on that amendment? Yes. So the original was 4%, right? The original? Five. Five. Well, the original was 4% that we first came. I believe staff's original proposal

00:45:01.720 --> 00:45:08.400
was 4%, then council made the motion at the last meeting to raise it to 5%.

00:45:08.400 --> 00:45:09.800
I believe staff was 3%.

00:45:09.800 --> 00:45:11.720
Oh, I'm sorry, staff requested 4%.

00:45:11.720 --> 00:45:12.240
Okay.

00:45:12.360 --> 00:45:12.580
Thank you.

00:45:12.640 --> 00:45:13.660
Council did 5%.

00:45:13.660 --> 00:45:14.600
There you go.

00:45:18.380 --> 00:45:22.000
So if there's no further discussion, yes, go ahead.

00:45:23.180 --> 00:45:23.380
All right.

00:45:23.380 --> 00:45:23.580
All right.

00:45:26.080 --> 00:45:31.620
So city clerk, Dovie, you said you, it was 3% and then you requested 4?

00:45:33.020 --> 00:45:33.960
Yes, I'm sorry.

00:45:33.960 --> 00:46:03.040
I didn't say that into the microphone. Staff's recommendation was three. I requested four. And then upon first reading, a council member suggested five. Which I believe was still comes back to it was Monroe and Sanders, correct? I'd have to look it up. I think it was a whole package done that way. Yeah. Clem proposed five. Can you repeat that, Alderman Clem?

00:46:03.040 --> 00:46:19.440
Clem. I proposed five last time. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. So before you is a motion for a 2% amendment. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the 2%?

00:46:19.440 --> 00:46:33.340
Could I have discussion? Oh, sure. Could I? Okay. I think that this is one of the positions that has really changed over the years and the amount that the person has to do.

00:46:33.340 --> 00:46:39.660
We've gone from zero gaming license to 40 gaming licenses.

00:46:39.660 --> 00:47:02.680
We have, I don't know how many liquor licenses, and I'm sure in the 60s at this point, that this person all has to handle, plus has to have everything ready for every meeting, and you guys want to demand that they have a draft agenda out three days before it normally used to come out,

00:47:02.680 --> 00:47:06.840
and you're not offering to give her any kind of raise or compensation for doing that.

00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:08.280
I just don't think that's right.

00:47:08.820 --> 00:47:09.960
Thank you, Alderman Clem.

00:47:10.440 --> 00:47:11.160
Alderman Stacy.

00:47:11.560 --> 00:47:30.340
Let's also keep in mind that this year it was approved for a part-time worker, helper, part-time city clerk to help city clerk Anderson.

00:47:30.900 --> 00:47:32.500
So let's keep that in mind.

00:47:32.500 --> 00:47:42.720
Could you repeat that? Because I can't hardly hear you. I'm very sorry. The system is absolutely terrible. I hated to say that, but it's absolutely terrible.

00:47:43.800 --> 00:47:47.000
I said, let's keep in mind, can you hear me?

00:47:47.920 --> 00:47:48.840
I can hear you.

00:47:48.840 --> 00:48:02.260
Let's keep in mind that it was approved to hire a part-time city clerk to help city clerk Anderson out with her duties.

00:48:02.500 --> 00:48:06.890
Let's keep that in mind

00:48:06.890 --> 00:48:10.280
Madam Mayor

00:48:10.280 --> 00:48:11.640
Yes, Alderman Klemm

00:48:11.640 --> 00:48:20.640
Am I correct in saying that the person that assisted her before just retired and that person took that position

00:48:20.640 --> 00:48:29.900
there's been an assistant that worked back and forth with the person that works with the mayor and the city manager

00:48:29.900 --> 00:48:32.800
and the city court for a number of years

00:48:32.800 --> 00:48:34.680
It isn't as though it happened yesterday.

00:48:34.880 --> 00:48:37.760
So she didn't get any big bonus of hiring somebody.

00:48:45.920 --> 00:48:47.080
Respond to Clemm?

00:48:47.660 --> 00:48:47.860
Yeah.

00:48:48.900 --> 00:48:51.960
His knowledge on the part-time.

00:48:52.820 --> 00:48:55.060
He's referring to Luann retiring.

00:48:57.780 --> 00:49:00.960
Yes, I just had a retirement in the office, so I'm training.

00:49:01.960 --> 00:49:08.260
So I have a brand new person, so my helper will be trained.

00:49:09.520 --> 00:49:32.360
I guess I don't understand what Alderperson Clemm was saying, I guess, that the new person is not to be a backup to the assistant to the mayor and city manager. The current deputy clerk does that. If, and a budget has not finally been proved, it has been recommended in the budget, but I don't definitely have a part-time person.

00:49:32.360 --> 00:49:51.860
But as I will agree with Alderperson, Clem, that the workload has increased greatly this year, we also have had by the end of September, we had more Freedom of Information Act requests by the end of September than in any year since I've kept a FOIA log all through, you know, through December.

00:49:51.860 --> 00:50:18.940
all through December, by the end of September, the FOIAs were higher. I'm getting behind in typing closed session minutes. I'm about four years behind on that, and I am behind in filing. So between me, a full-time clerk, and a part-time clerk, those duties would be redistributed to include backup to the assistant, to the mayor, and city manager.

00:50:20.000 --> 00:50:45.640
Yes, that good explanation. Thank you. Alderman Stacy. Am I wrong in thinking that we approved for a part-time city clerk? Did we approve? Well, it was discussed in the budget, but nothing's been approved in that. That was for the 25 budget. But is it something that passed? The budget hasn't passed, though. Director Richter, can you answer that?

00:50:45.640 --> 00:51:13.680
So, actually, the conversation was, and I might give you more than you want to know, but both Dovie and I talked together and we were going to ask for a full-time person. I backed off a little bit, and I've also talked to Dovie about I don't know if her halftime is going to make it through. We got a lot to go with the budget yet, and as I said, it hasn't been approved yet.

00:51:13.680 --> 00:51:27.120
It is something we very much need, Dovie needs, but when it comes to some of the other priorities that the budget needs, that might not make it all the way through.

00:51:28.580 --> 00:51:34.040
Okay, so I understand that the budget has not been approved.

00:51:34.040 --> 00:51:56.670
approved. However, was getting her a position helper approved? Did we discuss and talk about her receiving a part-time city clerk?

00:51:58.250 --> 00:52:04.450
Was there, so you're asking if there was an ordinance that was, no, it was discussion in budget. Manager Boyer, do you want to add to that?

00:52:05.450 --> 00:52:28.750
As I understand it, we had basically an additional position that was going to split 50-50 between the finance department and the city clerk. The finance department looked at it and said, I'm going to withdraw my request, but I think we still put that in the budget for the city clerk. The budget hasn't been passed yet, but the intention is to have a part-time person.

00:52:28.750 --> 00:52:31.690
The intention is to have a part-time person

00:52:31.690 --> 00:52:40.640
And also just for recollection purposes

00:52:40.640 --> 00:52:43.820
The current term I'm in

00:52:43.820 --> 00:52:47.840
I had an increase of 1%, 1%, 1%, 1%

00:52:47.840 --> 00:52:50.580
This was set at a time during COVID

00:52:50.580 --> 00:52:53.600
When we were freezing public works wages

00:52:53.600 --> 00:52:57.520
If I recall

00:52:57.520 --> 00:52:59.980
I asked the finance director

00:52:59.980 --> 00:53:02.980
Non-elected people

00:53:02.980 --> 00:53:30.740
non-bargaining during that same time got two, two, four, and four. A comparison of other clerks were also given and I am paid lower than any of the two, four, six, eight, nine municipalities. Dixon has a population of 15,000. Sterling has a population of 14,000 and I still make less than them.

00:53:30.740 --> 00:53:54.060
I don't know how many deputy clerks they have. If you do increase this position, and not me, I do intend to run, but think of it as a position, if you can increase this position by 5, 5, 5, 5, I believe someone did a calculation and it would add $10,000 more than what you were given.

00:53:54.060 --> 00:54:03.000
Adding $10,000 on to me, I still make less than the 10 municipalities that you were given as comparisons

00:54:03.000 --> 00:54:12.080
So before you, counsel, is an ask for an amendment of 2, 2, 2, and 2

00:54:12.080 --> 00:54:19.460
Any further discussion on the 2? Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the amendment for 2?

00:54:19.460 --> 00:54:28.160
Simmons? No. Parker? No. Stacy? Yes. Shadle? No. Sanders? Yes. Sellers?

00:54:28.180 --> 00:55:06.800
No. Clem. No. Monroe. No. The motion fails two to six. So now before you, counsel, is the original that was put forward the last time you met at five. Simmons. I think Alderman Stacy might had something she wanted to say. I am not wanting the five, so

00:55:06.800 --> 00:55:41.940
No. Since my two failed, do I have the right to make another motion? I make a motion that we just go three across the board. Is there a second? I second it. Okay, we have a motion made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Sanders to do five percent, I'm sorry, three percent, three, three, three, three. Discussion on the three. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on a three percent increase.

00:55:41.940 --> 00:56:00.170
Simmons, Parker, no, Stacy, yes, Shadle, no, Sanders, yes, Sellers, no, Clem, no, Monroe, no, the motion fails, two to six.

00:56:00.170 --> 00:56:10.060
Okay, so again, before you is the 5555. Any further discussion? Yeah.

00:56:10.060 --> 00:56:44.740
I have a point of clarification. Sure. From the discussions earlier, could someone answer how many years we've employed a deputy clerk? Because I don't remember not having one. Do you know that? Yes, from 2017 when I started. I was the first full-time deputy clerk. Prior to that, there was a part-time on occasion or the clerk at times would appoint a deputy to see some duties

00:56:44.740 --> 00:57:34.860
through where or to take a vacation. But going back through the files, there's a deputy clerk signature on many, many files as one was needed. Michelle, do you have more recollection than that or is that pretty accurate? No further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. Parker. No. Stacy. This is for the 5%? No. 5%? No. Well, I thought it was still talking to 4%.

00:57:34.860 --> 00:58:04.420
Um, okay, let's clarify what the motion is. So, the underlying, this is on the underlying five. Okay. Okay. Can I change my view? And remember, something has to pass tonight or there'll be no salary set for the clerk's position. So, before you is what the original was at five, five, five, five. I'm sorry. I thought it was four percent. Do you want me to start over? Yeah. I'll vote yes.

00:58:04.860 --> 00:58:34.610
I will start with Simmons first. I'll start completely over so we're even. No. Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Yes. Clem? Yes. Monroe? Sorry. Yes. Let me see if I have enough here. One, two, three, four, five yeses. The motion passes. Five to three.

00:58:34.610 --> 00:59:06.400
okay let's move on to item number eight which is the second reading of ordinance 2024 55 could you please read this ordinance approving revised lease with Illinois Central Railroad also known as CN Railroad for brick street water treatment plant manager Boyer thank your honor just following up part of the old brick street plant that was built around 1870 is encroaching on the CN rail yard for years we've paid a modest amount of rent

00:59:06.400 --> 00:59:29.660
just to ensure that they've asked for a modest amount of rent. So the city would like to renew that again this year, obviously, but they have raised it to $2,000. So staff is requesting this council approve the payment of the $2,000 rent for CN. Is there any discussion on this second reading?

00:59:29.660 --> 00:59:49.910
Madam Mayor, so based on Alderman Sanders' request, communications director went out and was able to get a drone photo of the area. This is the area in question on the back side of the existing water plant. As you can see, the structure is

00:59:49.910 --> 01:00:24.080
can see the structure is built right on top of the railroad embedment. Again, this was for years ago when coal was delivered to the buildings. I really don't think we have much of a choice but to approve this until we can have the water plant removed, which is hopeful to have done within the next five years. And we've let CN know that we're working towards that goal. Okay. Okay. Superimposing. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take

01:00:24.080 --> 01:00:55.870
Take the roll. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Ed Monroe. Aye. The motion passes 8 to 0. Actually, it's the ordinance that passes 8 to 0. Item number 9 is the first reading of ordinance 2024-56. Could you please read this? Ordinance approving special use permit for La Guerra. Oh, I missed part of the address. 1802

01:00:55.870 --> 01:01:02.010
Shawnee. Thank you, Director Duckman. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Staff received a special use application from

01:01:02.010 --> 01:01:08.910
Leguera Freeport, LLC for a restaurant selling alcohol beverages outdoors for outdoor service at their

01:01:08.910 --> 01:01:18.170
location at 1802 East Shawnee. And on October 3rd, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended for approval by a

01:01:18.170 --> 01:01:25.070
vote of four to zero with zero abstentions. The Planning Commission met on October 10th, 2024, and they

01:01:25.070 --> 01:01:33.710
recommended approval by a vote of five to zero with zero abstentions. And there was some discussion at the

01:01:33.710 --> 01:01:38.550
Zoning Board of Appeals meeting between Angelina Dominguez, the proprietor of the establishment,

01:01:38.970 --> 01:01:45.770
and some members of the public. And normally the after hours outside would be 11 o'clock, but

01:01:45.770 --> 01:01:50.790
they agreed to, the owner agreed after talking with some of the neighbors that they would

01:01:50.790 --> 01:01:54.890
close their operations at 10 o'clock. So that's one of the conditions that was imposed

01:01:54.890 --> 01:02:00.970
through that. So that being said, though, staff in line with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning

01:02:00.970 --> 01:02:07.030
Commission is recommending approval of this, or is, excuse me, there's two recommendations here.

01:02:07.530 --> 01:02:13.950
We are recommending approval, but the property, the proprietor is also recommend, has asked for a

01:02:13.950 --> 01:02:19.710
suspension of the rules. They have a large party. I'm sure you've seen the advertising signs November 2nd,

01:02:19.710 --> 01:02:24.330
so they're looking to help with their business, move this along with the suspension of the rules.

01:02:24.330 --> 01:02:32.250
so staff is making that recommendation as well as approval. Okay so before discussion I need a motion to

01:02:32.250 --> 01:02:42.470
move this ordinance to the second reading. So moved. Is there a second? Second. We have a motion made by

01:02:42.470 --> 01:02:46.290
Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Monroe to move this ordinance forward. Is there discussion on the

01:02:46.290 --> 01:03:15.450
ordinance. Yes. Yep. Is the closing at 10 p.m., is that going to be written into? Yes, that's what we're proposing. We propose that and normally other communities do conditional use permits as part of their special use permits. That's not a typical, not typically done, but in this situation, based on what came from the Zoning Board of Appeals discussions with the public, staff is recommending that.

01:03:16.290 --> 01:03:48.190
that's just one of our recommendations as part of this that's and yeah the owner approached me whether a special permit was required for this and it's not because it's on private property it's not on city property will that 10 o'clock closing be for any outdoor event or any time their outdoor patio area is in use that's in in conjunction with this special use permit it's a condition based on this serving of outdoor alcohol

01:03:48.190 --> 01:04:01.090
so it's not just that one event no it's for this and for their their special use permit is for outdoor you know serving alcohol outdoors and that's part of all of it yes okay good to know thank you yes

01:04:01.090 --> 01:04:14.830
question um Alderman Simmons so is that the same for the bars downtown that have outdoor seating it's different they

01:04:14.830 --> 01:04:35.710
have an actual, there's a parklet, there's a parklet application, is that what it, and I get them mixed up, but there's an actual parklet application they can do, so this is a little bit different, it's on their property, this is a, I put up a, their property here, you can see they have a large property, and obviously it's different than a downtown location.

01:04:35.710 --> 01:05:00.380
So I have a follow-up question. So if they were to, I'm familiar with it. Can you talk more into the microphone? Sorry, so I'm familiar with the restaurant. So if they were to fill out the same permit that the other restaurants downtown that have the same sort of setup have, would they be allowed to sometimes stay open later?

01:05:00.380 --> 01:05:27.520
Well, it's different. What you got going on here is they don't even have a sidewalk here. So they wouldn't even be able to do and put, you know, something in the right of way here, like a set of tables and picnic benches. They and I do want to be clear, the property, the neighbors came in and had a discussion at the Zoning Board of Appeals and the proprietor, Mr. Ming, as she said that she would would close at 10 o'clock.

01:05:27.520 --> 01:05:40.260
So that's per her suggestion at the, she said that, it wasn't staff imposing it, she said that she would close, staff actually said to be in line with our regular ordinances and do 11, she, after talking with the public, she said she would close up at 10.

01:05:40.780 --> 01:05:42.580
She, you know, she agreed to do that.

01:05:44.860 --> 01:05:45.580
Alderman Stacy?

01:05:46.520 --> 01:05:48.160
Where is the water?

01:05:49.580 --> 01:05:50.740
This, you see the red line here.

01:05:50.740 --> 01:05:51.380
That's the water.

01:05:51.460 --> 01:05:52.100
That's right, correct.

01:05:52.120 --> 01:05:55.320
Okay, where are they talking about putting seating?

01:05:55.320 --> 01:06:16.680
Well, I'm always careful about this, Ms. Alderperson, Stacy, because it's not technically part of this approval process, but, and I've said, you know, we've been down this road before, you're not approving where they're going to have their alcohol served, but what I'm being told is it's going to be in this area here, that's what

01:06:16.680 --> 01:06:22.660
That's the grass area, like, kind of behind the front of the building?

01:06:22.660 --> 01:06:53.890
correct that's what I'm being told that's yeah I got pretty stable hand I I actually has been it's not that I was told it's going to be in this parking area here so I apologize all the person Stacy but it's going to be in this parking area in here where is the front door I was yeah it's sorry it's over in here sorry I'm a little yeah a little because there used to be seating on the opposite side of what you're saying that's what again and I want to be clear

01:06:53.890 --> 01:07:02.990
I don't want to get too far in the weeds on this because this is not part of basically it's a blanket approval for them to have an outdoor cert, you know, to serve out.

01:07:03.050 --> 01:07:08.490
So I don't want to get too far in the weeds on that, you know, because you're not saying, well, I approve it here or approve it there.

01:07:08.490 --> 01:07:14.070
It's it's it's a blanket approval. And what if they ever never what if they didn't close at 10?

01:07:14.450 --> 01:07:18.810
Would that be a violation? It would. And essentially what would happen is right.

01:07:18.810 --> 01:07:43.710
The neighbors were here, and they said, hey, you agreed to close at 10, and so if they start having parties at 11 or midnight, I can guarantee you the neighbors who talk to them, they're going to be the ones calling, saying there's a noise violation, and then that would be up to the officers who went on site to assess the situation and proceed accordingly with noise violations.

01:07:49.010 --> 01:07:49.770
Alderman Sanders?

01:07:49.770 --> 01:08:09.610
Also, will there be any safety rails or safety protection? That's not part of this. This is a simple zoning approval that basically says, can they serve alcohol outside? That's not part. You know what I mean? That's not part of this.

01:08:09.610 --> 01:08:25.770
Yeah, well, I'm thinking about the fact that if that property is exposed to the public at any given time, is there any safety guardrail?

01:08:25.850 --> 01:08:31.750
Sure. No, I will say if your concern is safety, I mean, you can vote on this however you see fit.

01:08:31.750 --> 01:09:00.870
I just know that when it comes to what they can do on their property and zoning-wise, we don't take into effect the guardrails and things of that nature. So I don't want to mislead you down a path that that was part of this zoning process. Well, my thing is we need to reassess that whole idea of allowing that particular kind of zoning take place.

01:09:00.870 --> 01:09:09.550
when we're serving alcohol and whatever's going on like that without any fencing or guardrails or whatever the case may be.

01:09:10.070 --> 01:09:18.670
I think it would become hazardous to the adjacent community, but that's my concern.

01:09:19.450 --> 01:09:26.050
That is something that I can foresee that might happen in that particular part of the area.

01:09:26.050 --> 01:09:30.450
So, you know, I'm looking at the whole spectrum of it.

01:09:30.870 --> 01:09:47.810
Madam Clerk, would you want to chime in? Sure. The liquor sales portion is overseen by the liquor commission, and they also have an outdoor application submitted to the liquor commission, and they provided all of that.

01:09:47.810 --> 01:09:58.600
provided all of that on the drawing, and the Liquor Commission approved that contingent upon whether council believes that this is an appropriate use of outdoor liquor at this location.

01:09:59.600 --> 01:10:13.860
Well, all of the things that I just said factors into that equation, and the fact of the matter is we don't have a lot of detailed information in regards to any of that,

01:10:13.860 --> 01:10:31.760
because we're exposing that property to the general public and without any safety guardrails or anything of that nature that the community or the neighborhood or whatever that's out there is subjected to.

01:10:31.760 --> 01:10:41.480
They could be intruded upon, unwelcome visitors and things like that to that community area.

01:10:41.480 --> 01:10:50.360
so my thing is have we taken a look at that whole concept? Yes, so when it comes to zoning and land use

01:10:50.360 --> 01:10:58.320
and this would be land use in this situation here, in order to serve alcohol outside your first step is

01:10:58.320 --> 01:11:03.760
you have to get the zoning for it. In this situation or in the city of Freeport you have to have a special

01:11:03.760 --> 01:11:10.300
use permit and the special use permit looks at and also provides the members of the public an opportunity

01:11:10.300 --> 01:11:16.040
to come and speak. And actually in this case, it went above and beyond where members of the public said,

01:11:16.120 --> 01:11:22.160
hey, we think this could be a noise issue. We think you should close early. And the owner, the proprietor

01:11:22.160 --> 01:11:27.600
said, okay, well, yeah, I can do 10 o'clock and agreed to do that. So there are situations for the

01:11:27.600 --> 01:11:34.080
public to say, here's what we think. And that's a large component of our zoning process. So I do want

01:11:34.080 --> 01:12:03.840
to be clear that this was contemplated there was staff time put into this and it was presented to a zoning board of appeals and a planning commission all that being said it's up tonight for you know your choice to decide if you if you you know disagree with the zoning board of appeals and planning commission I you know that's your right to do so but I just in working on this application working with the owner for months on this I think she's done her

01:12:03.840 --> 01:12:08.480
work. She's done her due diligence and she's presented to the public. She's been working with

01:12:08.480 --> 01:12:13.520
the public. And I, I stand behind the, you know, recommendations of the zoning board and planning

01:12:13.520 --> 01:12:25.000
commission. Okay. Madam Mayor? Norman Clem? Madam Mayor? Yes. Just keep in mind that I was a building and

01:12:25.000 --> 01:12:31.060
grounds person at that particular address for the VFW for a number of years. And I know special uses

01:12:31.060 --> 01:12:44.680
Don't Go On With The Sales, but there had been a special use for outside dining and in the same area and that stuff for the VFW and also for Junior's Place before that.

01:12:45.900 --> 01:12:59.540
So this is the first time that anybody's looked at it, and if there is some housing right there, and if the people came and objected and said that they believed it should be shut down early and that agreed,

01:12:59.540 --> 01:13:01.200
I believe it could be a good decision.

01:13:02.380 --> 01:13:03.080
I agree.

01:13:10.460 --> 01:13:14.980
So we have the motion to move forward to a second reading.

01:13:14.980 --> 01:13:26.260
However, it has been asked by the owners of the property if we could suspend the rules so they can actually do this for their next event, which is prior to the next council meeting.

01:13:26.960 --> 01:13:27.300
So moved.

01:13:28.260 --> 01:13:30.160
Is there a motion to suspend the rules?

01:13:31.700 --> 01:13:32.180
Second.

01:13:32.440 --> 01:13:32.960
So moved.

01:13:34.820 --> 01:13:35.300
Everybody.

01:13:35.300 --> 01:14:04.840
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Monroe to suspend the rules, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension only? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The suspension passes 8-0. Okay, so now before you is the final passage to be able to get this ordinance put into place.

01:14:04.840 --> 01:14:34.820
Is there any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the passage. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye. And the ordinance passes 8-0. Item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 2024-57. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending boundaries of the Joint Northwest Illinois Certified Enterprise

01:14:34.820 --> 01:14:40.260
Enterprise Zone for the operation of an Enterprise Zone to add Pearl City Elevator Fueling Station

01:14:40.260 --> 01:14:46.660
near U.S. Route 20 and Wagner Road. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Just a quick summary.

01:14:46.820 --> 01:14:52.380
Enterprise Zone is a zone set up to help spur economic activity and support business development.

01:14:53.340 --> 01:15:00.380
The ordinance 2024-57 proposes an expansion of the joint Northwestern Illinois Enterprise Zone

01:15:00.380 --> 01:15:12.540
involving collaboration between multiple jurisdictions, that is the City of Freeport, Stevenson County, Joe Davis County, City of East Dubuque, the Villages of Hanover, and Alina.

01:15:13.180 --> 01:15:28.020
This amendment aims to incorporate an additional 8.57 acres of contiguous land into the existing enterprise zone, pending approval from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or DECO, and relevant local governing bodies.

01:15:28.020 --> 01:15:38.540
The expansion increases the zone size from 13.5017 square miles to 13.515 square miles.

01:15:39.420 --> 01:15:50.260
Project, the Pearl City Elevator, Inc. is acquiring the property at 9432 West Wagner Road to build a fueling station and convenience store.

01:15:50.260 --> 01:15:57.260
Project cost estimates at $4.5 million with net savings to the enterprise zone incentives.

01:15:57.260 --> 01:16:04.580
Over 40 years, the project is expected to generate approximately $5.6 million in property taxes.

01:16:05.280 --> 01:16:10.900
The fuel station is positioned to attract tourism and business traffic along Route 20.

01:16:11.720 --> 01:16:20.440
A job creation includes the project will have eight full-time jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $400,000 a year,

01:16:20.440 --> 01:16:25.780
seven part-time jobs with a payroll of $240,000 a year.

01:16:25.780 --> 01:16:55.360
construction will generate 15 temporary jobs contributing $200,000 in payroll to the local economy and the fueling station will support regional agriculture through the use of ethanol and corn oil products at Atkins Energy sourced from local farmers. The enterprise zone expansion requirements, all enterprise zone benefits will apply to the expanded area except for properties within a TIF district where property tax abatements are excluded.

01:16:55.780 --> 01:17:24.880
Approval by DECO is required to finalize the expansion, and if passed, the ordinance will be submitted to Gary Quinn's own administrator for inclusion in the DECO application. This ordinance will become effective immediately upon passage of the publication, and staff request council approve ordinance 20-24-57. It is in alignment with our strategic plan, strong public-private partnerships.

01:17:24.880 --> 01:17:54.880
the public and private partnerships are aligned to create clear value for the citizens of Freeport and its partners we work closely with local regional statewide economic development partners by aligning our work with shared resources is there a motion to move this forward so move second we have a motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Shadle discussion on the ordinance Alderman Stacy can you tell me how do this project

01:17:54.880 --> 01:18:26.170
help us. This project is in support of our other communities that are in the enterprise zone. As you can see here up on the screen, originally when the enterprise zone was set up, the property owners of the yellow striped areas were not wanting to be part of the enterprise zone. They've apparently been acquired by new owners who want to set up the truck stop and they're requesting those two parcels be included with the enterprise zone. So it benefits us

01:18:26.170 --> 01:18:31.590
by supporting our local partners in economic development and future expansions.

01:18:31.910 --> 01:18:34.570
How do this project hurt us?

01:18:35.950 --> 01:18:38.070
I'm not aware of how it hurts us.

01:18:38.850 --> 01:18:39.290
Okay.

01:18:40.290 --> 01:18:48.760
Do we make money off of the gas tax revenue?

01:18:49.560 --> 01:18:50.000
Yes.

01:18:50.440 --> 01:18:50.680
Yeah.

01:18:50.680 --> 01:18:58.020
Were we told that that money would get us qualified grants?

01:18:58.020 --> 01:19:04.080
I'm sorry, just to clarify, we make 2% gas tax on our fueling stations within city limits.

01:19:08.560 --> 01:19:12.920
Isn't this money currently paying for our street repairs?

01:19:14.000 --> 01:19:15.940
No, this is Pearl City.

01:19:18.090 --> 01:19:18.530
Okay.

01:19:20.150 --> 01:19:21.170
I'm sorry, Lena.

01:19:21.170 --> 01:19:25.130
So what is it going to cost us to support that project?

01:19:25.770 --> 01:19:26.090
Nothing.

01:19:28.890 --> 01:19:35.490
But we're allowing, we're supporting something being built.

01:19:36.930 --> 01:19:39.310
Attorney Zito knows where you're going with this. He'll answer it.

01:19:40.070 --> 01:19:42.590
I think I do. So this.

01:19:43.350 --> 01:19:45.570
Can we have the light on so I can see you?

01:19:45.570 --> 01:19:45.600
slide on so I can see you.

01:19:48.240 --> 01:19:53.980
So the Enterprise Zone, when it was originally created, it was done through an intergovernmental

01:19:53.980 --> 01:19:59.440
agreement with multiple municipalities, right, because the Enterprise Zone is bigger than just

01:19:59.440 --> 01:20:04.580
Freeport. It extends into, you know, Lena, Pearl City, whatever, but it was an agreement that was done by

01:20:04.580 --> 01:20:11.080
all those communities that set the boundary, right, that extends bigger than just Freeport. So if it

01:20:11.080 --> 01:20:40.760
ever wants to be changed because there are, let's just hypothetically say there were five entities that were a party to that agreement that created the enterprise zone. If we ever want to change it, all five communities have to agree to change it. So now one of those communities, Pearl City, has asked because they have a, Lena, excuse me, has a proposed development that the developer is asking, hey, can I be included in the enterprise zone?

01:20:41.080 --> 01:21:10.920
and so Lena is now saying okay we think this will be a benefit you know we were asking for everyone to agree all the other communities to agree to expand the enterprise zone boundaries to include this additional property here does it hurt us probably not does it benefit us probably not other than you know maybe general rising tide raises all ships but I think where the benefit comes in is or what we're doing in being a partner with our surrounding communities is

01:21:11.080 --> 01:21:27.460
There may be a day one day where we are going to ask, because there's a development in Freeport that is not within the enterprise zone, and we're going to ask, hey, guys, can we add this into the enterprise zone, this property that's in Freeport, and we're going to look to our partners, and we're going to need their blessing to add it in.

01:21:27.460 --> 01:21:57.280
So that's kind of probably the bigger picture. I don't know if that answers your question as to because I think you're kind of doing a pro and con there. There's really not. It's not really that it's really about they need all five of us to agree to amend the boundary. So that's why they're asking the director. Yes. I also want to add all the person Stacy. We went through this for the city of Freeport with the metals mall project. We had to redo our boundary to incorporate that. And so we needed the approval of Lena in that process.

01:21:57.280 --> 01:22:27.260
Yes, that was 2022. So you're dealing with regional governance, correct? So the argument there is people come together, you're working together, but you're taking advantage of, example, sales tax abatement for construction materials. And if you're in this situation, you have a project that just happens to be surrounded by Enterprise Zone. And since it's regional governance, it's local municipalities working together to have a benefit in development, they need to work together to say, does this make sense?

01:22:27.280 --> 01:22:55.380
and that's what's being voted on here but to Attorney Zito's point we were in that situation a few years ago with the Meadows Mall development and adding we had to do the similar project where we had to redo that legal description. I wrote the legal description for the Meadows Mall project so I remember fondly adding that boundary to the enterprise zone. So it is a situation where we do we are working with other communities in this situation. We aren't exactly

01:22:55.380 --> 01:23:03.220
benefiting directly here, but we relied on each other in similar situations. Andrea, is there

01:23:03.220 --> 01:23:16.370
something in addition that you have to add to that? So the only thing I will add, and I think that we

01:23:16.370 --> 01:23:21.270
talk about benefit, thank you for Director Duckman, Manager Boyer. It was a great explanation as to what

01:23:21.270 --> 01:23:26.070
the enterprise zone is and the process that we went through two years ago to add the Meadows Mall

01:23:26.070 --> 01:23:33.050
that facilitated the redevelopment there. Pearl City Elevator is a large employer. Many of their

01:23:33.050 --> 01:24:02.690
employees live in Freeport. Also, Pearl City Elevator takes grain from area farmers. That grain is then often sold to Atkins Energy, which produces ethanol, which then will be sold at the gas station that will be nearby. So when you think about the idea that, yes, it probably will affect some Freeport City residents because they work, they are farmers themselves or they work for Pearl City Elevator, they will benefit by having their company be able to expand and diversify their business portfolio.

01:24:03.050 --> 01:24:22.650
So when you think about it that way, it is a benefit to people of Freeport. It's not going to cost the city of Freeport anything. And I think, to attorney Zito's point, it is a regional, it's a way of working with our regional partners, other governments, to spur economic development activity within the region. Thank you.

01:24:22.650 --> 01:24:51.820
Alderman Monroe, did you have your hand up? I do, Madam Mayor. I'm going to ask a question. Who owns the land? Because right now I'm looking at it. Part of the land is owned by Pearl City Elevator Incorporated. The other land is owned by Old Mill LLC. Do we know who the people are? They're involved in those zones? Andrea? The Old Mill LLC, that parcel was purchased by Pearl City Elevator. Both parcels are now owned by Pearl City Elevator.

01:24:51.820 --> 01:25:02.220
Okay, follow up? Go ahead. Awesome. So the proposal is to put in a large truck stop, is that what I'm understanding?

01:25:02.640 --> 01:25:06.260
It's going to be a convenience store and truck stop, yes, fueling station.

01:25:06.620 --> 01:25:17.960
Follow up. So we've been here in Freeport trying to get that same type of opportunity built here. It does seem a little bit perplexing that we would lose nothing.

01:25:17.960 --> 01:25:46.760
I would be willing to bet that we would probably lose gas tax revenue as trucks and vehicles bypassing Freeport which the bypass in its name has done to us for many years. So there is a, I would put almost a net negative on the opportunity that's going into the Lena area. Do we need a truck stop west of the Rockford area, west of Winnebago Corners? Absolutely.

01:25:46.760 --> 01:26:16.740
and I think that's been the question that's been asked for a lot of years. I know that there's been talk off Springfield Road. I know there's been talk on 26. There's been discussions even at the west connection of the business 20 bypass area. And, you know, my concern, and I think a lot of people's concern in here, and I know they're dancing around the subject, is that will,

01:26:16.760 --> 01:26:23.120
without question mean a significant amount of traffic will bypass Freeport and not get gas because really the

01:26:23.120 --> 01:26:30.720
only place to get gas after you pass Winnebago Corners is Stockton and so people are kind of forced to go into

01:26:30.720 --> 01:26:37.960
the towns and get fuel, get food, get supplies, things like that as they drive west to Dubuque or

01:26:37.960 --> 01:26:44.060
wherever they may be going so that is a concern. You did make a lot of good positives but I think

01:26:44.060 --> 01:27:17.180
You're not making enough light of the negatives that come along with that. There is potential opportunity that's lost, right, opportunity cost. But right now, Pearl City Elevator, based on the proximity they have to their existing facility, this is why they chose the location that they did. And I can't tell you today that if you said no and you voted this down, then that means in six months you're going to get a truck stop developed off of the bypass. So, you know, I think that we need to look at

01:27:17.200 --> 01:27:47.180
at the greater good, working with our regional partners, it is likely within the next year that I will be in front of you again asking for you to approve an enterprise zone boundary expansion to facilitate other development within the city of Freeport. I'm going to have to go to our government partners asking them to do the same. And they might ask the same thing of me. Why would I want to agree to do this? Because it might hurt our municipality. I think we need to consider the idea that yes, this is the city

01:27:47.180 --> 01:27:52.640
City of Freeport, but there are many people who don't work here, that they live here, that there are

01:27:52.640 --> 01:27:57.980
boundaries that we cross every single day, and that we need to think about this in terms of the

01:27:57.980 --> 01:28:05.200
regional good as well. Alderman Sellers? Yes, I'd like to, with the job creation that you read,

01:28:06.320 --> 01:28:17.160
City Manager, the eight full-time jobs and the 15 temporary jobs, is that all for, is it Lena or

01:28:17.160 --> 01:28:47.140
or Freeport? Are these all new jobs? I'm happy to answer that question. They referred to construction jobs and those would be they're looking to use area contractors. So I would assume some would be Lena, Stevenson County, Freeport. I'm sure they'll draw from Freeport as there's just more contractors coming from Freeport. In terms of the full-time and part-time positions, I think it was eight and seven. It depends on who applies for the position, right?

01:28:47.160 --> 01:28:51.540
It could be anyone from Stevenson County, it could be a Lena resident, it could be a Freeport resident

01:28:51.540 --> 01:28:54.740
I'm sure they will not have that barrier on that application

01:28:54.740 --> 01:29:06.800
And then I'd like to maybe if we could get the answer for Mr. Cook without proper direction

01:29:06.800 --> 01:29:14.620
and if you could clear that up so that we can understand his question

01:29:14.620 --> 01:29:19.140
Boyer, he's the city manager.

01:29:21.940 --> 01:29:34.060
So my understanding of the items that Attorney Cook referenced here, he was looking for just some citations to some previous ordinances that, you know, created the original Enterprise Zone.

01:29:34.060 --> 01:29:44.060
So to reference ordinance one, two, three, back from 2000-whatever there, again, I don't think this ordinance as written necessarily right now is deficient.

01:29:44.060 --> 01:29:47.260
was written necessarily right now is deficient. Do I think that his points that he brings up could add

01:29:47.260 --> 01:29:53.200
some clarity, some additional information, make it more robust? Sure. So I mean, if the council wants,

01:29:53.200 --> 01:30:00.040
I can certainly add some references into this draft of the ordinance. So I would only add that this is

01:30:00.040 --> 01:30:04.460
the same model ordinance that we've used for every enterprise zone application that we've put in front

01:30:04.460 --> 01:30:13.580
of council. Same model ordinance was used for the Meadows Mall. Okay. I would like to make a motion

01:30:13.580 --> 01:30:42.920
that Attorney Zito add the needed language to the ordinance and we bring this back to the November cow for further discussion and understanding of what is actually being said and asked of us and further discussion at the cow.

01:30:43.580 --> 01:31:26.740
and then it can appear on the agenda the third week of November. So if that's a motion I'd need a second. I made a motion that this be taken to the cow. I second it. And that attorney Zito add whatever needs to be added to the language. So we have a second on that? Yes. Okay. So you have a motion before you for adding the

01:31:26.740 --> 01:31:37.420
language that's been asked for and then to move it to the November cow. So is there a discussion on that motion?

01:31:39.810 --> 01:31:59.690
Alderman Clem? Madam Mayor, is there a time element on this involved? Andrea? I would like to move it all the way through all units of government by the beginning of December so we could submit this by the end of the year to DCEO. This is the second unit of government that we're at.

01:31:59.850 --> 01:32:05.150
East Dubuque is reading this ordinance and resolution tonight as well, and we held a public hearing

01:32:05.150 --> 01:32:10.570
Friday where there was no members of the public who came in opposition to the project. No one, no one in

01:32:10.570 --> 01:32:16.630
opposition? Correct. And your opinion as far as changing the way that we put language in there,

01:32:16.710 --> 01:32:22.770
is that going to be in hindrance, any hindrance in future things within Freeport to do that? Well, I

01:32:22.770 --> 01:32:28.530
think that it might, since all units of government have to have the same ordinance and resolution, it

01:32:28.530 --> 01:32:33.810
require me to then send out a revised ordinance and resolution to every unit of government.

01:32:34.410 --> 01:32:38.830
Lena has already passed this through their village board, so they would have to approve and pass a new

01:32:38.830 --> 01:32:47.430
resolution and ordinance. So there is a possibility that this could not make the cutoff? Correct.

01:32:48.350 --> 01:33:03.690
Alderman Stacy? I don't think that whether we make the cutoff or not,

01:33:04.190 --> 01:33:36.600
is the most important angle here. We, as the council, need to understand what we are saying and what we are doing. And if we're asking for additional information to make it appear better, sound right,

01:33:37.140 --> 01:33:55.450
then I don't feel that it should be denied just because it may delay your date as into when you would like to see this prosper.

01:33:56.190 --> 01:34:04.590
I understand that it might be appearing as it is my date, but I am working in response to a business that's looking to expand

01:34:04.590 --> 01:34:09.890
and has already expended money to get this development underway by purchasing this property.

01:34:09.890 --> 01:34:39.650
in an effort to be responsive to business, move at the speed of business to create a business friendly environment for Northwest Illinois to increase the level of economic development we have here. I think it's imperative that sometimes when we ask things to happen, I'm happy to meet with anybody one on one to answer any questions you have about this project, the enterprise zone in general. But this is delaying this, the project, they will not break ground.

01:34:39.890 --> 01:34:46.090
until the state of Illinois approves this enterprise zone. The longer we delay, the more money it costs this

01:34:46.090 --> 01:34:55.670
company. Does one person's opinion really have that much weight? I mean, this has been the way that these

01:34:55.670 --> 01:35:01.670
enterprise zones have worked forever. One person's opinion to change the whole thing. Aldermen,

01:35:01.770 --> 01:35:07.590
Sellers? And I think that's what I was getting ready to say. I said, this is just the only thing,

01:35:07.590 --> 01:35:37.470
reason why I asked for this to be clarified for this one person but if you already said that you had a meeting and no one showed up to disagree on the job and the whatever I'm trying to say. You had a meeting when? They had a meeting when? Friday morning in our office, public hearing, there was notice put in the village

01:35:37.470 --> 01:35:45.250
voices that ran. We did everything per statute. Everything is done per statute, and things are

01:35:45.250 --> 01:35:51.870
threw at us, threw at us, threw at us, and we want them now, now, now, now, now, and then you expect us

01:35:51.870 --> 01:36:04.180
to make, you expect us to make right decisions for our city and for our constituents. When you know

01:36:04.180 --> 01:36:35.110
Dock on well, we don't have a clue of what all this is saying or requiring of us. And all this commotion comes from this concerned resident. And so again, I have a motion on the floor that's been seconded. And attorney Zito, I don't know how long it will it will take you to make those additives to the ordinance.

01:36:35.430 --> 01:36:56.910
Well, your motion is to add it to the COW, which sets it back even further, and the discussion is how that's going to impact all of the other Enterprise Zone partnerships. So the bottom line is, do you want economic development in our region? That's really what this is about.

01:36:56.910 --> 01:37:00.950
The language alone will delay that.

01:37:00.950 --> 01:37:32.400
I guess it's just one person that's really complaining that I mean not complaining but one person that doesn't understand it so that the only reason why I really did ask about getting clarification is because the one person I just wanted if he needs to go to them to ask them then he can do that but it is but we don't understand it we don't understand it as a council manager where you want to show Alderman Stacy I just wanted to reiterate that I am of

01:37:32.400 --> 01:38:01.620
available from the time you get the agenda until the time council meeting starts. If there's a question on anything on that agenda, I will make myself available and have always made myself available. So I just want to reiterate that. I did not get a single call about this. And all we're asking for is first reading that still gives us three weeks, two solid weeks to review and get all our questions answered. Then we can come back to this thing on the fourth and get it moving forward.

01:38:02.400 --> 01:38:11.440
So let's go back to what Alderman Stacy put on for a motion of adding language and moving to the cow.

01:38:12.620 --> 01:38:26.040
That particular motion itself, if there's any further discussion on that motion, if not, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on moving it to the cow with the added language?

01:38:26.760 --> 01:38:32.280
Simmons. Aye. Parker. No. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. No.

01:38:32.400 --> 01:39:00.380
Sanders, Aye. Sellers, No. Clem, No. Monroe, No. The motion fails, 3 to 5. Okay, so now back to the original that has been put out there for moving it to the next regular scheduled meeting. If there's no further discussion, we'll move on to item number 11. Alderman, I'm sorry, Alderman Parker.

01:39:00.380 --> 01:39:12.120
This here is basically a routine thing they all do. They want to build in our county, and we're going to benefit from it. So I think this is pretty routine and do it. Do we need a motion to move this on?

01:39:12.140 --> 01:39:14.260
No, it already is being moved to the second reading.

01:39:14.760 --> 01:39:16.020
I think it's pretty routine.

01:39:16.180 --> 01:39:16.300
Yeah.

01:39:16.480 --> 01:39:26.080
I would like to know why this same number 10 and number 16 you asked earlier at the beginning to be moved. Are they the same thing?

01:39:26.080 --> 01:39:30.840
No, not exactly the same, and it's a procedural thing. Attorney Zito, you want to shed some light on that?

01:39:31.340 --> 01:39:41.980
So my understanding is that this item right now before you is to amend the ordinance that designated the boundary. So there was an ordinance originally that designated the boundary.

01:39:41.980 --> 01:40:09.280
originally that designated the boundary from however many years ago there. Now that's step one. The resolution is that there's an intergovernmental agreement between all those municipalities that also has a boundary in it, the same boundary. So we have to update both. But on the second one, we don't actually have the amendment drafted. That wasn't anything that was attached. So that's why. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.

01:40:09.280 --> 01:40:48.060
Alderman, Stacy? So will there be language added to this ordinance, yes or no? It has not been a part of any motion. Oh, and because I made the motion, it failed. So what's before you is moving on to the second reading at our next council meeting, the way it states. And if you have questions about things, Manager Boyer said you can contact him at any point, on any agenda item.

01:40:48.060 --> 01:40:53.770
Well, after it leaves here tonight, it's irrelevant

01:40:53.770 --> 01:41:02.260
What's irrelevant? Mayor

01:41:02.260 --> 01:41:10.980
Well, tonight is just first read, so this is an ordinance, so it's still going to come back before you at the first meeting in November for second reading

01:41:10.980 --> 01:41:25.470
So if the discussion is done, we'll move on to item number 11, which is the first reading of Ordinance 20-24-58

01:41:25.470 --> 01:41:26.710
Could you please read this?

01:41:26.710 --> 01:41:31.630
ordinance amending newly revised building code to 2018 ICC additions.

01:41:32.250 --> 01:41:33.170
Director Duckman.

01:41:33.970 --> 01:41:34.730
Excuse me.

01:41:34.830 --> 01:41:35.430
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:41:38.490 --> 01:41:46.650
So on August 5th of this year, the city of Freeport adopted the 2018 edition of the International Code Council building codes.

01:41:47.730 --> 01:41:57.990
And so upon review of the ordinance that had passed at that time, staff determined that a few additions needed to be mated in order to address all of the items that were agreed upon by the building commission.

01:41:57.990 --> 01:42:27.690
and so this proposed ordinance addresses these items and so example because there's a few mostly typographical clerical errors that were in this ordinance that are it's being corrected but for example one of the bigger ones is that there's a fuel and gas code which is essentially your appliances gas stoves hot water heaters furnaces etc when we originally passed this code

01:42:27.690 --> 01:42:57.530
we were under the understanding that this was incorporated in the mechanical code it's not incorporated in the mechanical code so we have to pass this ordinance to make sure that when people are our contractors are installing furnaces hot water heaters etc they're following the fuel in gas code so that's one of the highlights of this ordinance there's a few other clerical changes that were made so staff is recommending moving this ordinance forward.

01:42:57.690 --> 01:43:27.950
Thank you. Is there a motion to move it forward? So moved. Second. Moving motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Seeing none, we'll move on to item number 12, which is the first reading of ordinance 2024-59. Could you please read this? Ordinance approving two airport farm leases with Matt, Phil, and Will Kemple and Dan Julius. Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you, Honor. Staff has been working

01:43:27.950 --> 01:43:37.370
and meeting with all the farmers that are interested in engaging with ag leases at the airport.

01:43:38.570 --> 01:43:42.430
We've got three of the farmers set up here.

01:43:42.530 --> 01:43:46.870
We've got three in hand, and we'd like to move forward and get council's approval on those.

01:43:47.490 --> 01:43:49.730
The Kemple lease is four-plus acres.

01:43:49.930 --> 01:43:56.230
We'll generate approximately $150 an acre for a total of $610.50 annually.

01:43:56.230 --> 01:44:22.390
the Julius lease of 3.21 acres will generate $150 per acre for a total of $481.50 annually. So staff would like to move forward with these leases. Is there a motion to move these forward? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Is there a discussion? Alderman Stacy? Are these the farmers that we're paying?

01:44:22.390 --> 01:44:52.370
is this the farmers that we're paying? I don't understand your question are we paying the farmers? No, no she she wants to know are those the ones that have actually paid their their amount Darren? These are ones that were not paying that that did not realize that they were renting this area. This is the north area that's by the lighting system. So it's kind of a grassy area that really doesn't have a lot of crop value.

01:44:52.390 --> 01:45:23.630
value and is realistically the entrance to both of those fields. Is that what you were looking for? It has no crop value? Not much, no. It's, like I said, it's right off the north end of the light system and a very small acreage. As a matter of fact, they can barely turn equipment around in the little acreage that they have because it's kind of a narrow path with the light system that gets them down to the field. So the other leases are coming.

01:45:23.890 --> 01:45:33.250
We just met with the final person last week, and their attorney's reviewing it, but the rest of them are coming shortly.

01:45:33.930 --> 01:45:36.610
And how did you come up with this price?

01:45:37.330 --> 01:45:47.830
I believe these are the exact prices that were discussed at the council meeting a month ago, a month and a half ago, something like that, that we did the crop evaluations.

01:45:47.830 --> 01:46:23.400
There's other ground that's going for more, but this ground is really not that great of ground. I think the highest rent that we have out there, I think it's two and a quarter an acre. Thank you. It is a three-year lease too. If there's no further discussion, we'll move this on to, oh, I'm sorry, go ahead. And this is 610 for the entire year.

01:46:27.910 --> 01:46:32.030
and $481.50 for the entire year.

01:46:32.230 --> 01:46:32.550
Annually.

01:46:33.510 --> 01:46:35.850
And it's a three-year contract, so times it by three.

01:46:35.950 --> 01:46:38.310
That's the income for the city on those couple of parcels.

01:46:38.310 --> 01:46:55.690
If there's nothing further, we'll move on to item number 13, which is the adoption of Resolution 2024-109.

01:46:56.370 --> 01:46:57.370
Could you please read this?

01:46:58.570 --> 01:47:06.310
Resolution authorizing and approving a software renewal from Ferguson Waterworks for AMI Neptune 360 utility software.

01:47:06.310 --> 01:47:36.290
Thank you. Director Suttman. Hello, Council. This is an annual agreement we do with Ferguson, who's the vendor. Neptune is the actual equipment provider. It's for our automated water meter reading software platform, and this is the annual support contract for it. It's for $34,133.26, and it's already in the budget for this year.

01:47:36.310 --> 01:48:08.870
Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on this resolution? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 14 is adoption of resolution 2024

01:48:08.870 --> 01:48:38.770
410. Could you please read this? Resolution approving placing an order for a replacement a replacement fire engine. Chief Miller. Thank you, Mayor. Last week at the cow we had a long detailed conversation about our vehicle replacement replacement plan. We indicated that our current engine one will be due to be downgraded to reserve status in four years and then last week we also talked about

01:48:38.870 --> 01:48:48.170
the four-year wait for an apparatus to be built and delivered, and also we discussed the pricing of the vehicle.

01:48:49.090 --> 01:49:06.090
So by placing an order to be delivered four years from now, we'll avoid a November 1st price increase and also subsequent increases in next February, May, August, and November, which will save the city over $92,000.

01:49:06.090 --> 01:49:30.730
and it seemed that there was overwhelming support in placing that order for a four-year delivery last week and so the only question that was raised back last week for today's consideration was what type of financing should the city consider taking advantage of?

01:49:30.730 --> 01:49:40.050
a 100% prepayment option was available, a 50% prepayment option was available, or pay for the entire vehicle at the time.

01:49:40.050 --> 01:50:07.980
or pay for the entire vehicle at the time of delivery. So this past week I met with the finance director. We looked over the account where this would be funded by. We also looked at anticipated expenses coming up. We both agreed that a 50% prepayment discount would be to the advantage of the city, yet still keeping adequate funds available for any subsequent and anticipated costs coming up with the next calendar.

01:50:08.000 --> 01:50:38.000
calendar year. So tonight we're seeking the approval of Council to adopt a resolution to place an order for four years from now. Thank you, Chief. So what's before you then, Council, is there a motion to adopt the resolution for placing the order? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Any discussion

01:50:38.000 --> 01:51:05.600
Alderman Monroe. Madam Mayor, this is one of the most egregious requests I've ever seen come in front of us as a council. Having brand new equipment every day, having brand new gear, brand new everything, when similar size or larger communities are getting by with significant less spend. I started doing some research on this.

01:51:05.600 --> 01:51:29.180
I will tell you, you know, we talk every year, and I've been a big proponent, big backer of the fire department, I think they do a lot of great work, but I think the chief has overextended himself, and I started looking around, and these types of requests, we just bought a brand new ladder, we bought a brand new engine, we bought two new ambulances, we got a grant for one of them,

01:51:29.180 --> 01:51:59.180
and we've replaced so much gear and equipment since I've come on the council it's time to seriously look at cutting back and saving money and yes voting this forward is just another way that you know several of our council members want to just continue to tax the people of Freeport into oblivion I will tell you two communities Sun Prairie Wisconsin 36,000 people they have

01:51:59.180 --> 01:52:28.700
17 full-time firefighters, 65 paid-on-call firefighters, they have a brand-new fire station, they have all of the gear. Geneva, Illinois, 24,500 people service, 20 full-time firefighters, 46 paid-on-call, and they have lots of great equipment. And every year, this fire department comes back and asks for more and more and more and more, and they can't stop. And it's time that we as a council,

01:52:28.700 --> 01:52:36.660
say no. You know, these are multi-million dollar spends. It's the, you know, sitting here looking

01:52:36.660 --> 01:52:44.140
through earlier, the fire department's budget for this year is over six million dollars and we have so

01:52:44.140 --> 01:52:48.960
much infrastructure that needs help. What are you going to run a fire truck to when the infrastructure

01:52:48.960 --> 01:52:54.500
under the streets don't, don't, doesn't work? The pipes break. We can't handle the water pressure.

01:52:54.500 --> 01:53:00.840
We're just now getting to a point where my water doesn't break three, four, five, six, seven times a year

01:53:00.840 --> 01:53:08.840
and it's time to like get real and have a conversation just because you're going through

01:53:08.840 --> 01:53:13.140
the checkout line at the grocery store doesn't mean you need to get a pack of candy every time you go

01:53:13.140 --> 01:53:18.920
through for your kids. The same thing's true for the fire department. Okay, I'm sorry it's a four-year

01:53:18.920 --> 01:53:27.220
time frame to buy a new engine. But we can make do without it. But if this is the direction we're

01:53:27.220 --> 01:53:32.560
going to go, then I think we need to look at cutting other parts of the fire department. And that comes

01:53:32.560 --> 01:53:40.460
down to saying no to this or looking at other options. Because the way I average this out, about

01:53:40.460 --> 01:53:48.380
18 or 19 firefighters full time and then 46 to 70 paid on call firefighters, we could do something

01:53:48.380 --> 01:54:14.800
along with Freeport Rule and save this city millions and millions of dollars. And we would actually catch up on getting the roads, the infrastructure, the water, the sewer, the things done that we need. And most of our calls, and I sat and I watched. I actually went around. I heard the fire engines a couple times, two, three times in the last week. And I went. It was an ambulance call. And there was an engine sitting right there with the ambulance every single time.

01:54:14.800 --> 01:54:23.180
and so I started thinking about what are these calls and I know this is a little bit long and kind

01:54:23.180 --> 01:54:28.780
of hard to understand but we take this equipment that we spend millions and millions of dollars on and we run

01:54:28.780 --> 01:54:33.540
it all over the city we go to Cub Foods to get groceries we go all over the city to help the

01:54:33.540 --> 01:54:42.740
ambulance out and at some point I can't sit back and say it's okay it's not okay we've got three

01:54:42.740 --> 01:55:12.600
ambulances, we've added multiple firefighters, we had grants to add those in, and now we're asking for another, and let me get my numbers right, I've got to open it back up on this app, you know, million plus, I'll say, let me pull the proposal up, thank you, Madam Mayor, 1.2 million dollars, and quite honestly, you want a brand new engine, cut it out of your personnel and payroll, start looking hardcore

01:55:12.600 --> 01:55:42.580
Show it what you've got. You're going to about three fires a month and most of those aren't really real fires. I would be, I'd venture to say we maybe do one, one and a half on average house fires or building fires in the city of Freeport a month and quite honestly the amount of money we're spending to do that is absolutely preposterous and you know I see Freeport Rule, I see some of these other departments around the area, they're able to do it with much less money and to budget it much better.

01:55:42.600 --> 01:56:12.440
We can't be adding these costs to us every year. We're still paying for the ones that we got and we've got to make sure we're doing the right thing as a city. There's no way I'm voting yes on this. Chief Miller. Yes, thank you, Mayor. Algerman Monroe, I appreciate your emotional response here. However, there's a lot of facts that you're not aware of. Our operations, I'd be happy to sit down with you and explain to you how the fire department runs because you have no clear concept on that right now. So you talk about

01:56:12.440 --> 01:56:24.540
these other agencies that have brand new stations, brand new equipment, part-time, volunteer, they don't have the call volume, they don't have the violence, they don't have the responses that we have here in town.

01:56:25.200 --> 01:56:40.340
So, and then to address your remarks about our equipment, we just replaced, out of the new engine that we received, we just replaced a 31-year-old engine that had no useful life left in it.

01:56:40.340 --> 01:57:06.680
The latter truck that we replaced that you cited that was 21 years old. You could not get parts for it. We were dumping good money after bad into that vehicle. It was falling apart. In my presentation to justify replacing it, there was a big sign on the door, this vehicle's out of service. That was for 10 months. Now, if we had a structure fire in Hosmer, Lincoln Towers, or anywhere else, there's a high probability we would not be able to affect any rescues off of balconies.

01:57:06.680 --> 01:57:36.460
So, I consider myself the subject matter expert with regard to the fire operations. I'd be happy to sit down with you and explain that at great detail so you'd have a better understanding. So, this engine that we're looking to replace, you seem to support it at the finance cow when we talked about fire. It's 14 years old now, four years from now it'll be 18. Typically they go into reserve around 15. And then we're going to put it in a response reserve mode so it'll still be

01:57:36.680 --> 01:58:06.660
I'm showing how it's paid for, I'm showing the cost and its savings, and then the talking about, you know, the streets and things like that, the city takes 54% of fire ambulance billing and puts it in the general fund. So that money is also being recycled back into the general fund. Fire department's the only department that brings in revenue and that money is also being recycled back into the general fund.

01:58:06.680 --> 01:58:11.680
and assists with the day-to-day costs of running city services.

01:58:13.820 --> 01:58:14.700
Alderman Shadle.

01:58:16.200 --> 01:58:23.200
Just to reiterate that the money for this is coming from those ambulance fees.

01:58:25.580 --> 01:58:36.580
And second of all, I don't want a truck or an ambulance to break down on the way to my parents' house.

01:58:36.680 --> 01:58:41.280
or mine. Thank you.

01:58:41.880 --> 01:58:42.520
Oh, Ms. Stacy.

01:58:43.580 --> 01:58:52.480
Chief Miller, you were saying, what did you say again about the 54%? Did you say 54% or 54 what?

01:58:53.480 --> 01:59:03.160
I said 54%. So each year at the end of the year, the Finance Department looks at the revenues brought in by the Fire Capital Improvement Fund.

01:59:03.160 --> 01:59:37.680
and by ordinance 54% of those revenues are transferred over the city's general fund. And what are we at the city doing with that money? Manager Boyer. It goes back into general fund and we use it from everything for paying payroll to buying materials. Okay. And that's not new. That's been set by ordinance. I understand that. But originally when that account was created.

01:59:37.680 --> 02:00:04.420
account was created. Was it created for the fire department to have the monies they need to do what they need to do? Or was it originally created with the idea that the city would take 54% at the end of every year? It's changed over time. Michelle, do you have specifics on that? No, I was just going to look up the ordinance and see how old it was.

02:00:04.420 --> 02:00:11.160
because maybe we need to look at the ordinance and do something different.

02:00:14.200 --> 02:00:17.440
So that's probably off topic.

02:00:18.340 --> 02:00:18.720
Oh.

02:00:18.720 --> 02:00:25.280
So you can, if Michelle, when you have that answer, could you put that out there so we have that knowledge?

02:00:25.520 --> 02:00:25.640
Okay.

02:00:28.120 --> 02:00:32.040
So the city is that dependent upon that 54%?

02:00:34.090 --> 02:00:35.610
And you said for wages?

02:00:39.120 --> 02:00:41.940
It goes into gentle fun as used from soup to nuts.

02:00:41.940 --> 02:01:03.850
Go ahead, go ahead. No, I was just going to ask, this replacement fire engine, what station would it go to?

02:01:04.290 --> 02:01:20.070
It'd be going to the Park Boulevard station, and that vehicle there is a smaller ladder truck, and as a cost savings measure, we're seeking to replace it with just a pump or a fire engine, not another ladder truck.

02:01:20.070 --> 02:01:47.510
So, an example that the brand new engine that we just received, we ordered in 2022, that came in just under $900,000. That same vehicle, with the same equipment, same build sheet on it, two years later, it's $1.2 million. It's gone up $150,000 per year for a total of $300,000. And this escalation of cost is what we're trying to avoid. That's why it's before you tonight.

02:01:47.510 --> 02:01:56.910
And Chief Miller, you were saying that this vehicle right now that you want to replace is 14 years old, you said?

02:01:56.990 --> 02:01:58.690
It's currently 14 years old.

02:01:58.750 --> 02:02:03.410
And you said the average time limit is 15 years, you said?

02:02:03.410 --> 02:02:15.370
For frontline use, approximately 15 years, depending on condition and use. So if it's run hard and not maintained appropriately, it could be less.

02:02:15.370 --> 02:02:38.390
But we've got a real good maintenance program, and we're looking to keep that vehicle in reserve status, a functional reserve, so if a second ladder was needed, that most personnel would jump from that engine over to the ladder, short ladder truck, and respond in that, so it would still have a useful value to us. But by doing this would extend that useful life.

02:02:38.390 --> 02:02:49.970
Okay, and then one more question. And then you did talk with the finance director on it was affordable. It was with the 50%?

02:02:49.970 --> 02:03:10.230
Yes, she was comfortable with a 50% prepayment discount, which would reduce the cost of the vehicle by $61,456, on top of saving the $92,000 of anticipated price increases.

02:03:14.020 --> 02:03:21.940
The funding will be at a later date. This is just about the approval of the order. Alderman Monroe.

02:03:21.940 --> 02:03:26.200
Thank you, Madam Mayor. Chief, how many times has that ladder been run into the building?

02:03:27.480 --> 02:03:28.680
It's three times.

02:03:29.500 --> 02:03:31.400
And how much were the damages each time?

02:03:31.960 --> 02:03:40.840
I'm not familiar with what the invoices were on that, but it has been rebuilt and it's gone to the factory, so it's been factory certified.

02:03:41.420 --> 02:03:50.180
Additionally, our aerial devices and our ground ladders have to be certified and tested annually, so it's in good working shape,

02:03:50.180 --> 02:03:53.840
But that's why we're looking to extend the useful life of that vehicle

02:03:53.840 --> 02:03:56.790
Manager Boyer

02:03:56.790 --> 02:04:01.330
Chief, could you also just let council know

02:04:01.330 --> 02:04:03.050
The worst case scenario

02:04:03.050 --> 02:04:06.610
If you had to, if we had an emergency need for funds

02:04:06.610 --> 02:04:08.390
Can that order be canceled?

02:04:11.310 --> 02:04:13.930
Yes, being that it's a four-year bill time

02:04:13.930 --> 02:04:15.430
So we could

02:04:15.430 --> 02:04:18.670
De-obligate ourselves from that purchase

02:04:18.670 --> 02:04:20.370
Up until

02:04:20.370 --> 02:04:24.150
When we have the meeting

02:04:24.150 --> 02:05:01.640
for the pre-build which is about nine months before it goes to construction and after that if it was actually on the assembly line and we tried to cancel then there could be could be a 30 percent penalty but that's if they can't sell it to another agency which is why we're at four years because there's a waiting line but we're trying to avoid all these subsequent price increases. Is there any further discussion? I'd like to make one more comment. I just

02:05:01.640 --> 02:05:07.560
Let's hope the water, the water lines can work because we have zero, zero tanker trucks. Is that correct?

02:05:09.080 --> 02:05:12.440
That's correct. We have hydrants. We don't, we don't have tanker trucks.

02:05:12.700 --> 02:05:20.080
Mm-hmm. So if the water pressure goes off and the line breaks, the hydrants don't work. Is that correct?

02:05:20.760 --> 02:05:22.560
Since I'm not a subject matter expert.

02:05:22.780 --> 02:05:30.320
It could be correct, but we have mutual aid agreements with other agencies providing they have personnel that can respond to us during daytime hours.

02:05:30.320 --> 02:06:02.020
and our vehicles have 750 gallons of water and a tender they're actually called tenders have up to 3,000 gallons so based on our fleet we we can sustain our water flow until neighboring departments can come and join us so follow-up question so with water being such an important piece when city lights went up was which was a

02:06:02.020 --> 02:06:31.880
Very large fire. Were you on the department at that time? No, I don't even know where City Lights was. Yeah, it was downtown. Huge fire. Unbelievable. I would guess that millions and millions of gallons of water were put on that fire. I can't even imagine the building went to the ground. But my point is, is if the infrastructure can't handle the transport of the water to the hydrants, which is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in this city, the fire engines and

02:06:31.880 --> 02:07:01.440
Ladder Trucks, you can have all the great equipment in the world. You can't get enough water to them to affect a really a meaningful attack on a fire without huge support from our rural communities, which they always come to our aid. And I believe the bigger issue we've got moving forward or have it revolve around the ambulance service. I think you and I probably would agree on that because the rural agencies just don't have the support and the qualifications and the training to

02:07:01.440 --> 02:07:18.500
to keep their departments running and it being harder and harder to find people. I think this is well-intentioned, but I think this is very misplaced money, and I'll leave it at that, Mayor.

02:07:22.930 --> 02:07:31.710
Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the adoption of Resolution 2024-110?

02:07:32.890 --> 02:07:33.290
Simmons?

02:07:34.890 --> 02:07:35.910
She stepped out.

02:07:35.910 --> 02:08:10.220
Oh, I am so sorry, she is currently absent. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? No. The motion passes 6 to 1. Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2024-111. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency repairs to wastewater treatment

02:08:10.220 --> 02:08:40.120
Plant Raw Sewage Pump and Engagement of Precision Drive and Control, or PDC. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Recently, the wastewater treatment plant influent pumps, which are the main pumps that convey the raw wastewater through the treatment process, one of them catastrophically failed. Recently, the city maintenance crews pulled the affected pump motor and found that a bearing had catastrophically failed, causing the commutator to impact the stationary magnets.

02:08:40.120 --> 02:09:06.180
inside the motor. This requires an emergency repair, so having gone to PDC, the cost of a full repair is $25,489, and that is compared with the cost of a new pump. Unfortunately, this is untimely, being that we're in the process of working on our headworks, but it does highlight the fact that the headworks is very old and in degraded condition.

02:09:06.180 --> 02:09:16.120
so staff requests support from the city council for the PDC invoice for the pump repair of $25,489.

02:09:16.700 --> 02:09:18.040
Is there a motion to adopt?

02:09:18.060 --> 02:09:18.740
I'll make a motion.

02:09:19.580 --> 02:09:20.100
Second.

02:09:20.660 --> 02:09:24.420
A motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

02:09:24.780 --> 02:09:25.260
Discussion.

02:09:26.040 --> 02:09:26.860
Alderman Sanders.

02:09:29.580 --> 02:09:35.240
Manager Boyer, those pumps that you're referring to,

02:09:35.240 --> 02:09:35.340
Thank you.

02:09:35.340 --> 02:10:03.980
you're referring to do they have a scheduling for maintenance and do we have a maintenance crew that if it is scheduled before anything breaks down is it being maintained on a schedule basis monthly or whatever the case may be I don't know how you do your scheduling but as someone out there routine as a routine to look at the situation to have the city

02:10:03.980 --> 02:10:26.980
not to be spending these expenditures if we have a maintenance department that actually look into those kinds of areas because I know from what I understand you have to keep the bearings that you're referring to that needs to be replaced and things like that.

02:10:26.980 --> 02:10:53.340
And then if we had someone in there to maintain those kinds of things, we wouldn't be asking the council to, well, I know it gets old, I know they get old, but the thing about it is if it kept up the maintenance, those machines, those pumps will run for years, decades, if we had someone to maintain it. Do we have any staff people?

02:10:53.340 --> 02:11:14.620
Manager, Boyer? Yes, we have an excellent maintenance staff. They do maintain all the oils and bearings and maintenance that's required on these pumps. So there was apparently some type of material defect in the bearing that caused it to fail prematurely. But I do believe the pump has been in service for years on top of that.

02:11:14.620 --> 02:11:44.260
Okay, and we do this routine scheduling for maintenance on a regular basis? What would you say? Monthly? Every two? Three? Quarterly? Whatever? Well, we maintain it based on the manufacturer's specification. Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye.

02:11:44.260 --> 02:12:19.490
Aye. Sanders, Aye. Sellers, Aye. Clem, Aye. Monroe, Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2024-113. Could you please read this? Resolution designated honorary street name of Bishop James Arthur Wade Way to Armstrong Avenue. Thank you. Director Duckman. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. So the honorary street name program allows residents the opportunity

02:12:19.490 --> 02:12:25.090
to honor those leaders that are steadfast in their endeavors, making significant contributions

02:12:25.090 --> 02:12:31.670
to the city. Once approved, the sign will be displayed at the requested block, commemorating that leader's

02:12:31.670 --> 02:12:41.230
dedication and hard work within the city of Freeport. Bishop James Arthur Wade has been a resident

02:12:41.230 --> 02:12:46.990
in the community since the 1960s, and when he heard his calling to minister, he answered and has been

02:12:46.990 --> 02:12:53.050
serving his community for close to 50 years. He founded the Faith of Miracle Deliverance and Worship

02:12:53.050 --> 02:12:58.310
Center. He is known for his faith, caring for the less fortunate, and counseling those in the community

02:12:58.310 --> 02:13:03.730
seeking spiritual and secular guidance, and as we heard earlier, the public has attested to that.

02:13:05.390 --> 02:13:10.890
Bishop Arthur Wade is known in the community for his innovative and profound teachings. So,

02:13:10.950 --> 02:13:16.290
Ms. D. Sanders-Moore approached the City of Freeport last year and has been working diligently

02:13:16.290 --> 02:13:26.850
to do all of the work to bring this act to fruition. So staff is recommending approval of this resolution and

02:13:26.850 --> 02:13:34.150
there's two pages here or essentially I'm going back and forth here to kind of show where this sign is

02:13:34.150 --> 02:13:40.190
going to go. So on the first slide, yep, on the first slide we're going to kind of go here. You can see

02:13:40.190 --> 02:14:10.190
that this is Armstrong and this is South Street and there's a star here but I'm pointing it out that is the corner where we're going to see the sign and if you go to the next page this kind of shows that intersection they're adding an honorary sign right below this sign so that's what is before you. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Shadle

02:14:10.190 --> 02:14:40.190
discussion on this resolution. Alderman Sanders. I'll wait. Go ahead. No, no, go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah, I just want to say the street sign Armstrong, would that also be part of the Bishop Arthur Wade sign? That sign would be posted, but Armstrong would still be in

02:14:40.190 --> 02:14:44.810
Yes, yes, all the person Sanders, it's an honorary sign, we'll just be underneath it

02:14:44.810 --> 02:14:47.770
Okay, got you, all right, thank you

02:14:47.770 --> 02:14:49.730
Alderman Shadle

02:14:49.730 --> 02:14:55.850
The church next to PDC, is that the reverend's church there?

02:14:58.890 --> 02:15:02.770
No, Bishop Wade's church is out on Baileyville

02:15:02.770 --> 02:15:05.810
Yes, to the south

02:15:05.810 --> 02:15:12.190
Okay, thank you

02:15:12.190 --> 02:15:13.250
Any further discussion?

02:15:15.600 --> 02:15:15.820
Yeah

02:15:15.820 --> 02:15:28.020
Yes. Where does Armstrong, because I just wanted to know, and where Armstrong and Baileyville Road intersect.

02:15:28.440 --> 02:15:40.400
In the city limits, it's Armstrong. In the county, it's Baileyville. So that sign postage would be where the Barco Carlot, that's where that is, Barco, and then there's a cemetery there.

02:15:40.400 --> 02:15:45.740
Right. Okay. Okay. Then you cross that as Baileyville. Right there would be Baileyville.

02:15:45.820 --> 02:16:18.260
of Baileyville, south of there. So Bailey, excuse me. It's the same street. One is county, you know, county can't call streets the same name as the city, so the city has its name Armstrong and then this is county road. There's no further discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is

02:16:18.260 --> 02:16:46.500
adopted unanimously, 8 to 0. Thank you, ladies. Item number 18 is adoption of resolution 2024-114. Could you please read this? Resolution approving engineering agreement with Fair Graham to create Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, Transition Plan, and Compliance Inventory. Manager Boyer. I'm going to yield my time to Director Darren Steeper.

02:16:46.500 --> 02:17:16.480
Good evening. This is the item that we discussed at the COW. This is the ADA transition plan that's required by IDOT. It's part of our MFT agreement. It's required for communities that have more than 50 full-time employees and over 20,000 people. We delayed this as long as we could this year, looking for some type of funding to create it, but we ultimately were not successful to get funding.

02:17:16.500 --> 02:17:46.320
funding. Our desire is to get this moving. It will be due before next year's allotments, and I would like to get moving on the survey and topo that needs to be done within the city before snow flies so we can write the plan during the winter months. I believe the agreement is for $81,750. The vast majority of that is field survey time along with

02:17:46.320 --> 02:17:54.480
writing the plan. And with that, I'll take any questions. Again, this is MFT gives us about $1 million

02:17:54.480 --> 02:18:00.360
average per year. So this is one of their requirements that transitions plans must be created.

02:18:01.100 --> 02:18:08.900
We must create a transition compliance team, if you will, or commission. And we also must have a

02:18:08.900 --> 02:18:13.820
grievance policy when we're done. So we'll do the inventory, create the plan, and then we'll bring a

02:18:13.820 --> 02:18:43.720
plan back to council to adopt and then that plan will be posted on the city's website for anybody with disabilities to research, look at, create a grievance and then we'll have a committee that will review those grievances and I'm suggesting that we don't budget any funds for 2025 for these grievances because by the time we get this adopt we have street work going next year but the following year we will probably have to start budgeting some money for grievances to address situations that the committee may find need to be resolved.

02:18:43.820 --> 02:18:45.740
Is there a motion to adopt?

02:18:46.040 --> 02:18:46.620
So move.

02:18:47.140 --> 02:18:47.480
Second.

02:18:48.160 --> 02:18:51.340
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

02:18:51.780 --> 02:18:52.300
Discussion.

02:18:53.300 --> 02:18:54.180
Alderman Sanders.

02:18:56.660 --> 02:19:13.180
Public Works Director Darren, while you're making these plans over the winter, if the survey allows you to, while you're in the process of doing so, is it okay for council members

02:19:13.180 --> 02:19:26.340
members to visit the planning stages of when you guys begin to do the drawing of the plan. So we have a little insight.

02:19:27.920 --> 02:19:33.760
So this is different than a construction plan. So there won't be a construction plan. This is more of a study.

02:19:33.760 --> 02:20:00.680
construction plan. This is more of a study and evaluation. So we'll actually take robotic equipment out and do the measurements on the field corner by corner. Okay. And so you're welcome to see all that data when it's done because it's going to turn into a giant clip down menu per corner. I can wait until you condense it. Yeah. And I think I skipped it in this one, but this is going to be a living document for Freeport. So once it's created, as we do construction work every season, we'll have to update it.

02:20:00.680 --> 02:20:09.800
It shouldn't take near as amount of work to do it, but the GIS system itself will need to be updated as they're corrected in the dates that they're done.

02:20:10.360 --> 02:20:23.520
What IDOT's looking for is for the city to come up with a 20-year transition plan for all the ramps. As I've stated before, that's probably not ultimately affordable, but we are making great lengths with the amount of street work we've done.

02:20:23.520 --> 02:20:50.960
I believe this year alone we did I think it was like 82 ramps so and I think the year before we did 76 just on the ramp project so so we've made some great strides in short period of time and we're committed to doing the ramps as we do the streets as long as they're not technically infeasible when we run into vaults and things like that we just can't afford to fix a ramp at a vault area of they get really expensive fast.

02:20:50.960 --> 02:21:19.440
There's no further discussion? Alderman Monroe? Yes, Mr. Stiekel, as you're going through this, are we going to be looking at various grants that are available, you know, to help, because this is significant. Last I remember, you said about $7,500 per, you know, rough estimate, but we're going to be looking for grants to help cover that, because we have to replace all of them in the city, correct?

02:21:19.440 --> 02:21:49.280
Yeah. So as we do the street projects, we're incorporating the ramps into the projects and using a combination of the 1% and MFT money to replace ramps. But this will also give us the ability to do like we did with the CDBG grant and take blocks of areas that are underserved and try to get more ramps done in quadrants with that kind of money. I believe the grant that we got 76 done on was about a half a million dollars.

02:21:49.440 --> 02:21:53.260
and we have plenty of target areas in Freeport that we can utilize that grant money.

02:21:53.540 --> 02:21:54.740
Perfect. Thank you.

02:21:55.680 --> 02:21:56.300
All right, Stacy.

02:21:56.300 --> 02:22:01.120
When you say combination of the 1%, you're talking about the 1% for our streets?

02:22:01.380 --> 02:22:14.160
Yes, ma'am. That is part of every street project that we do in Freeport. If they have ramps, we have to update the ramps as part of the street project. That's not something that we have a choice with.

02:22:14.160 --> 02:22:23.120
The only way we can't update them is if we give ourselves a variance on them and we have to prove that it's technically not buildable

02:22:23.120 --> 02:22:30.800
I thought we had discussion on that matter and that it was said that grant money would cover ADA ramps

02:22:30.800 --> 02:22:41.430
I don't remember that piece. We don't have grant money to cover every ramp. We had the grant before that covered 76 of them

02:22:41.430 --> 02:23:10.830
but this year the ramps that we did this year were part of the street program. Okay so how much is it for the city to do it the city crew compared to somewhere else someone else? I would say it's definitely cheaper for the city crews to do them if we can. What does that mean if we can? If we have enough staff to do them currently we do not have enough staff

02:23:10.830 --> 02:23:18.330
to do the work we're doing and do ADA ramps. ADA ramps are very time-consuming, and out of the

02:23:18.330 --> 02:23:25.550
construction process right now, that's one of the skills. Can we do them with help? Yes. Can we do

02:23:25.550 --> 02:23:30.970
them effectively and efficiently? No, we just don't have a dedicated concrete crew that can go around

02:23:30.970 --> 02:23:38.670
and do ramps currently. If we had the crew, what would it cost the city compared to paying someone

02:23:38.670 --> 02:24:09.600
else? I would say right now if I put a number on it probably about 4,000 4,500 per corner compared to the probably 65 to 7,500 we're paying. Depends on each corner is a little bit different with how far we have to go back on sidewalks. Manager Boyer. All the person Stacy right now the 1% does not allow us to pay wages from it and that was purposeful as I understand it.

02:24:09.920 --> 02:24:25.100
In addition to that, our crews do do ADA ramps from time to time, however, they did do some on Center Street, when we did Center Street, so we do do them when we need to, but, yeah.

02:24:25.100 --> 02:24:33.700
Okay, the 1% was never meant for wages. The 1% was meant for our roads.

02:24:33.700 --> 02:24:41.060
Exactly, that's why we can't hire more staff to do them less expensively, that's one reason

02:24:41.060 --> 02:24:54.350
Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll

02:24:54.350 --> 02:25:11.690
Simmons, Parker, Aye, Stacy, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clemm, and Monroe

02:25:11.690 --> 02:25:12.250
Aye

02:25:12.250 --> 02:25:14.770
The resolution is adopted, 8-0

02:25:14.770 --> 02:25:20.990
Item number 19 is adoption of resolution 2024-115, could you please read this?

02:25:21.170 --> 02:25:28.550
Resolution, Resolution, Approving Agreement with Fairgram for 2025 Street Design Engineering Services

02:25:28.550 --> 02:25:29.750
Manager Boyer

02:25:29.750 --> 02:25:30.610
Thank you, Your Honor

02:25:30.610 --> 02:25:38.030
The City of Freeport is prepping the design plans for Reconstruct for the 2025 Street Program

02:25:38.030 --> 02:25:43.690
The City plans to use a combination of funding including IDOT motor fuel tax, the 1% Street Fund

02:25:43.690 --> 02:25:47.950
and Congressman Sorensen's Water Main Funds for this year's road program

02:25:47.950 --> 02:25:54.130
Current identified streets were brought forward from the 1% layout approved by City Council in 2024.

02:25:54.870 --> 02:26:03.690
The 2025 projects include three linear miles of roadway and is estimated at a total cost of approximately $5 million in local work.

02:26:03.690 --> 02:26:16.510
Four streets need water main replacement, including Carroll Avenue, and that's from 1882, Black Hawk Avenue, 1954, and known poorly constructed

02:26:16.510 --> 02:26:36.670
material, and Willow Avenue, 1956, and Harvey, 1925, with all the breaks or water quality history. So, in general, that's what's moving forward for water main replacements. Street planning requires professional design, engineering, and surveying services.

02:26:36.670 --> 02:27:06.310
Ferra Graham's scope of service will include topographical study, street profiling and structure design, ADA ramp intersection design, permitting requirements to the EPA, IDOT, and PROAG standards, along with bidding solicitation and negotiation of all contracts. An allowance for geotechnical services for pavement and ground borings is provided by Ferra Graham through a third-party professional geotech agency as needed for design parameters.

02:27:06.670 --> 02:27:29.970
It is important to the design process that street and ADA topographical and borings are picked up before winter weather to keep the project timelines moving in an early summer project start in 2025. It is also vital to get potential utility relocations identified with NICOR and Comet franchise partners not to slow the progress during the construction season.

02:27:29.970 --> 02:28:08.680
and staff is requesting moving forward with the contract program the amount of $396,250 so that the 2025 street program can move forward and there's a list of the projects that are identified. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. Parker. Aye.

02:28:08.680 --> 02:28:41.600
Aye. Stacey, Shadle, Aye. Sanders, Aye. Sellers, Aye. Clem, Aye. And Monroe. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Thank you. Item number 20 is the ratification of approval of a bid. Could you please read this? This is ratifying a bid opening on May 22nd, 24 Ridge Street and Westwood Avenue. Manager Boyer. During the project, the Ridge and Westwood Avenue

02:28:41.600 --> 02:28:49.100
project. Staff received three bids for Ridge Street and Westwood Avenue improvements, Helm Group, or Civil.

02:28:49.680 --> 02:28:58.940
Freeport, Illinois was the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of $983,845.50. This bid was below engineering estimates.

02:28:59.300 --> 02:29:10.080
The water and street project was planned in the 2024 budget, and the project funding will come from water, streets, and storm funds to complete the project.

02:29:10.080 --> 02:29:31.120
is staff recommendation to city council move forward with the home group bid. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

02:29:31.120 --> 02:30:05.810
please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Abstain. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. And Monroe? No. The motion passes 6 to 1 to 1 absentia. Item number 21, could you read the next approval? This bid opening was on October 16th, 2024 for sewer lining.

02:30:07.010 --> 02:30:36.990
Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport has nearly 130 miles of sanitary sewer in the collection system. During annual project evaluations, cure and place lining locations are identified to rehabilitate sanitary sewer piping with cracks, defects, inflow and infiltration issues, or sags and settlement. Our EPA mandatory CMOM sewer capacity management plan specifies that Freeport addresses annual

02:30:36.990 --> 02:30:43.570
Sewer Rehabilitations, our collection system mainline piping for environmental concerns. Sewer lining is

02:30:43.570 --> 02:30:50.070
considered an industry-accepted method for sewer main pipe rehabilitation, and it is more economical than

02:30:50.070 --> 02:30:56.330
open-cut excavation methods. Sewer lining is over 10 times cheaper to install, and industry standards

02:30:56.330 --> 02:31:03.530
estimate over 60 years of sustainable, useful life will basically come from the lined pipe. In October

02:31:03.530 --> 02:31:32.430
In October 2016, Ferro Graham and the city staff had a public bid opening for 9,509 linear feet of sanitary sewer lining. These sewer areas are identified as Oak, Chicago, Uroquois, as of a section of Dirk and Grove. The city had three reputable bidders that specialized in sewer lining cement bids. National Power Rotting was the lowest responsive bidder at $382,712.24.

02:31:32.430 --> 02:32:01.670
significantly under the engineer's estimates. City staff requests city council to approve the national power riding estimate as the low response to bidder. And just FYI, this is just following up our current road program. We're just a little behind on this part of it, but it was budgeted. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle. Discussion? Alderman

02:32:01.670 --> 02:32:31.670
Sanders. Yeah, Manager Boyer, how are we doing our data gathering to determine how much lining that is necessary throughout the city, and are we inspecting those deteriorating lines, sewer lines, to determine who gets what in certain

02:32:31.670 --> 02:33:00.990
certain sectors of the city as far as rehabilitation is concerned. How do you come about your data to determine this kind of a program for liners to come in? And then on top of that, are these, is this project up for bidding? Yeah, you said it's up for bidding. We're looking for bidders to come in and circumvent that.

02:33:00.990 --> 02:33:19.930
Okay, and well, I just wanted to know that because we're doing an investment of lining if we don't get the right bidders who can do a professional, efficient job at doing this kind of work. That's all I had to comment on.

02:33:19.930 --> 02:33:43.730
Just see if I can answer that question. As you know, having worked in the utility a long time ago, you know we have really good records on the material type and locations of all our sewer mains. In general, we have a large percent that's clay. The clay is, we line the clay. If it's concrete, we'll evaluate it. If it's plastic, we don't line it. Does that answer your question?

02:33:43.730 --> 02:34:12.530
Yeah, that pretty much did it. Well, can I come back? Are we doing a visual? Yes. Inspections? Yes, we do a camera inspection of every street that we repave. Okay. So we'll, like on Iroquois this year, we had a, I want to say a 200-foot cave-in on Iroquois that had to be fixed before we did the road work. We did that. But then we lined it. Okay. All of it. So. All right. Thank you.

02:34:13.730 --> 02:34:18.410
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:34:20.190 --> 02:34:22.790
Simmons? Aye.

02:34:23.490 --> 02:34:27.490
Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye.

02:34:27.750 --> 02:34:30.890
Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye.

02:34:31.070 --> 02:34:34.050
Clem? Aye. Monroe? Aye.

02:34:34.390 --> 02:34:36.370
The motion passes 8-0.

02:34:37.770 --> 02:34:41.490
And Madam Clerk, if you could read the item number 22.

02:34:41.490 --> 02:35:04.970
Discussion and approval to establish an ordinance providing for the submission to the electors of the City of Freeport, Stevenson County, Illinois, a binding referendum question of whether to provide public funding for a 12-foot water main extension to open Bible daycare located at 3800 West Stevenson Street to be placed on the ballot at the April 1st, 2025 consolidated election.

02:35:06.230 --> 02:35:07.990
Alderman Stacy, did you want to take this?

02:35:07.990 --> 02:35:42.810
This has been all over the place with information, truths and untruths, and at this point, I feel that it's only fair and just that the people have say so over this project happening or not.

02:35:45.190 --> 02:36:20.200
If we have a million dollars to give a private organization, then I hope we can match that in our street fund.

02:36:20.200 --> 02:36:29.020
Our taxes went up 1% so that we could get streets fixed.

02:36:33.400 --> 02:36:46.920
And are you saying that we have a million dollars somewhere that we can just give for a project that should not be our responsibility?

02:36:52.660 --> 02:36:55.940
I don't know. Do paperwork exist or if it don't exist?

02:36:57.360 --> 02:37:00.340
I guess that's neither here nor there anymore.

02:37:00.340 --> 02:37:20.930
Mayor Getz said it all when he came and he spoke at the mic and he indicated that nothing never came to the council.

02:37:22.270 --> 02:37:24.830
Nothing hit the council floor.

02:37:25.510 --> 02:37:28.910
Nothing was addressed to the council.

02:37:28.910 --> 02:37:52.610
Council. So if Open Bible really felt, wanted, expected the city to house this million-dollar project, why didn't they come correct? Why didn't they do right by the council?

02:37:52.610 --> 02:38:22.080
Council. We didn't have city manager then. We was full-time mayor and council, and that never happened, and I just don't feel that tax dollars should be taken from our constituents to fund this project, and I feel that the people of Freeport should have say-so in that matter.

02:38:22.080 --> 02:38:48.300
Okay, so there's a few things that I'd like to say on the topics that you just said. I have absolutely no idea what the untruths are. Maybe you could bring those to us so we could address whatever those might be, because I don't know any of the untruths. And as far as people having a say-so, that's the responsibility of the aldermen to hear what their constituents are saying. That's why you were elected to that spot, to hear what your constituents say.

02:38:48.300 --> 02:39:17.300
and as far as giving private and a private organization a million dollars that's not true we're not handing them a million dollars we are obligated to our constituents that live within the city limits doesn't matter which side of town you live on if water is a need for you then we are obligated to say it's not our responsibility I don't believe that that's true and as far as tax dollars being taken

02:39:18.300 --> 02:39:29.880
We are working daily on trying to find funding, so there's no tax dollars being taken. This is no different than, you know, any street project out there.

02:39:29.880 --> 02:39:32.640
any street project out there. We're going to be spending over a million dollars on Carroll Street

02:39:32.640 --> 02:39:37.600
next year. Do you think that that should have to go to a referendum to see if the rest of the people want

02:39:37.600 --> 02:39:45.680
to do that? So the responsibility lies with the aldermen to make the decisions of what's best for

02:39:45.680 --> 02:39:57.980
the whole. The tax, 1% tax, was taken for our streets so we could do the Carrolls.

02:39:58.000 --> 02:40:15.580
so we could do the locusts, so we could do the Iroquois, so we could do the Dewey. We were taxed for that. This is not a community. This is a business.

02:40:16.440 --> 02:40:22.940
Actually, it's one business, 11 residents, and Highland.

02:40:22.940 --> 02:40:50.840
However, the residents are not asking for this. You went from saying Water Main for Open Bible to now west of Stevenson Street. No, let's just keep it real plain and simple. It's a Water Main you all want to put in for Open Bible.

02:40:50.840 --> 02:41:45.980
not the community not the constituents because they're not asking for nothing Alderman Clem well that might be a question to attorney Zito so as far as the referendum question goes one well let me answer let me answer the first question Alderman Stacy you had asked what's the deadline for having the council adopt a resolution or ordinance in order to place a referendum question on the

02:41:45.980 --> 02:42:13.240
the April 1st ballot. The deadline is January 13th, 2025. Okay. So that's the deadline that the city council, if you guys were to want to put something on the ballot, that's when we would have to adopt the resolution or ordinance by. With regards to whether or not that referendum should be a binding referendum or an advisory referendum, the research that my office has done leads me to believe that this referendum would not be a binding referendum.

02:42:13.240 --> 02:42:17.780
referendum. It could be an advisory referendum, but it would not be a binding referendum based off of the

02:42:17.780 --> 02:42:23.920
research that we've done as to what the case law and the statutes say. So ultimately, if the council did

02:42:23.920 --> 02:42:28.060
want to put this to the people, it would just basically be to gauge the temperature of what the

02:42:28.060 --> 02:42:33.360
people want there, and then you guys would still make a decision as to whether or not to move forward

02:42:33.360 --> 02:42:38.400
with it or not. There. I know several hands went up. I'll just start over here. Alderman Parker,

02:42:38.400 --> 02:42:43.140
and we'll work our way around. One thing is, this is something our city officials, 25 years ago,

02:42:43.240 --> 02:42:49.800
agreed to. The city was obligated. The city did nothing. And now, all of a sudden, it's come up again.

02:42:50.320 --> 02:42:56.140
And my concern is, regardless of what we do here, if we don't permit what we're supposed to do and take

02:42:56.140 --> 02:43:02.840
care of city and people with their water, where we supply the other 20,000 people, they're going to

02:43:02.840 --> 02:43:07.260
take it to court. And we're going to have a judge, no matter what we decide or the referendum, a judge

02:43:07.260 --> 02:43:12.600
is going to order us to do it anyway. So I think this is, it's sad. It's right. We don't have the money.

02:43:12.600 --> 02:43:25.720
but we've got several young kids out there every day and we none of us want to see any of them die from a fire or anything. So I totally agree. We got to fix it and we got to do it as soon as we can. Thank you.

02:43:26.020 --> 02:43:26.620
Alderman Monroe.

02:43:27.040 --> 02:43:42.520
Thank you, Madam Mayor. This goes back to the conversation I just had. $1.2 million for a fire engine. $1 million for a water line out to a school. This 174 students currently enrolled. They have a max enrollment of 217.

02:43:42.600 --> 02:43:49.260
and there is a lot of room for daycare and that's all walks of life. That's all people of Freeport.

02:43:49.620 --> 02:43:55.440
This is helping families who can't find daycare elsewhere. Daycare is one of the most expensive

02:43:55.440 --> 02:44:02.700
things out there for a family, a working family to provide support for and it's harder and harder

02:44:02.700 --> 02:44:09.740
every day and we've got to do the things. Look, I hate this as much as you guys do. I wish it was done.

02:44:09.740 --> 02:44:39.720
I wish it was taken care of but it wasn't and I am disappointed that you know somebody's feet weren't held to the fire excuse my you know connection here sooner because this is something that should have been done and I asked a question many many a couple of years ago where did all the money go over the last 30 years and I've never gotten a good answer matter of fact I'd like to see line items of where the money was spent but we only go back to

02:44:39.720 --> 02:44:48.240
to about 2017. Before that, we can't even get accurate, clear information of where this money has been spent.

02:44:48.820 --> 02:44:56.440
And that's a problem. And now we're going back 25 years, which who knows where documents and emails or

02:44:56.440 --> 02:45:05.140
whatever may have gone. But we have to look at, you know, this is a nonprofit. Am I right? This is a

02:45:05.140 --> 02:45:13.400
nonprofit. Is that right? So, you know, we're not talking about a pro for profit business. We've got

02:45:13.400 --> 02:45:19.400
another one on the west side of town that needs water, but that's a business. That's a profitable profit

02:45:19.400 --> 02:45:26.680
business. This one is not. And this one really is geared toward children zero to five years of age,

02:45:27.160 --> 02:45:32.680
you know, that kindergarten, even up to fifth grade. And, you know, they really want to have

02:45:32.680 --> 02:45:38.400
more students come out there. I don't know if a lot of people know what they do there. Until a few years

02:45:38.400 --> 02:45:44.060
ago, I didn't know what they did. But it's something that we've got to figure out. It does provide water

02:45:44.060 --> 02:45:50.540
to other entities. At first, you know, I thought it was a little bit ridiculous, the cost. And then I

02:45:50.540 --> 02:45:55.880
talked to Mr. Stiekel about that, and he kind of filled me in on where the cost was going and how

02:45:55.880 --> 02:46:02.660
much it typically costs to do it. But getting that water to the school does provide a great service

02:46:02.660 --> 02:46:18.680
for the citizens of Freeport, and that's where we really have to make a judgment, and quite honestly, I think if this goes to referendum, or if it comes from this floor, the answer is going to be the same from the community. Let's get this done, let's figure this out, let's find a way to make it happen, and go from there.

02:46:18.680 --> 02:46:48.660
Oh, okay. No, I know that in the beginning I was more just trying to figure out the responsibilities of all the people that were supposed to take care of this 25 years ago and, you know, it didn't happen. But I did go to Amity. I did go to and talk to different people that I knew.

02:46:48.680 --> 02:47:10.380
in the community about the situation and I do agree it is children and it is families that need to have somewhere to take their children and I do know that there's a lot of children that are on waiting lists to get into daycares.

02:47:10.380 --> 02:47:31.560
So my first answer was, you know, what are they going to do to help us? And I still would like to know, I mean, not Amity, but Open Bible also trying to look for financing to help with the situation.

02:47:31.560 --> 02:48:01.280
and I know that we already spent the $69,000 on putting the plan together but I do know that it is something that we do need to have more daycares and I do know talking with Ashley Harm that they would even like to build more on to Amity because they don't have the room. So my heart would feel heavy knowing that these children don't have anywhere to go to be protected

02:48:01.280 --> 02:48:31.260
and have somewhere to be and I know a lot of people that's what they came to me with is where would the children go you know where would these families have you know parents that you know you don't have anywhere to send your kids so you can't go to work so I do understand that my big concern is I would also like to just see open Bible do some type of also grant looking at to try to help us as the city

02:48:31.260 --> 02:48:53.560
So, I am in agreement with us trying to help Open Bible and the other people that live on Stevenson Street to have the water so that they can have clean, fresh water like everybody else does. So, I do understand the concern. So, that's my point of view.

02:48:53.860 --> 02:48:54.740
Alderman Sanders?

02:48:54.740 --> 02:49:24.740
I just wanted to find I just want to find out when does the city become liable to not-for-profit organizations I heard your I heard the testimonies and the reasons why but we're not social workers and we're not the kind of organization or community who's going to put something in

02:49:24.740 --> 02:49:26.180
the Texpeers.

02:49:26.180 --> 02:49:44.600
and put this burden on the taxpayers, and that's what the general conversation is considering without looking at the burden that the taxpayers have to endure when all of these things try to take place.

02:49:44.600 --> 02:50:02.810
Now, I can understand why the referendum was proposed because there's been a lot of negative understanding about how we should go about something that the taxpayers are not liable for.

02:50:02.810 --> 02:50:22.210
and we're trying to dress it up as if though we don't know about the past 25 somewhat odd years that the city fire marshals have been put on notice to validate this place because they had been in violation.

02:50:22.210 --> 02:50:26.750
That's the whole purpose of us having this conversation.

02:50:27.610 --> 02:50:45.970
If we're going to allow one organization to receive that kind of money for service rendered for a non-for-profit organization, even though I understand it's for the sake of the children and whatever the case may be,

02:50:45.970 --> 02:51:12.250
but everybody in the city don't have the same opinion as our council members does and so the thing about it is we're going to exclude the opinions and the thoughts of the people, the constituents of the city and then put ourselves in a religious type or aura spectrum.

02:51:12.250 --> 02:51:42.230
If we're trying to do that, then we're failing the people. For all of the ones that are not part of not-for-profits, the ones that are not part of churches, one does not believe in the things that these types of organizations are doing, we're putting them in a situation making them liable to spend their tax dollars on a program that they're not into.

02:51:42.250 --> 02:52:12.010
in tune with. So my thing is, if it's going to happen for one non-for-profit organization and other non-for-profit organizations want you to address their problems and issues and whatever the case is, are we going to be committed to do that for these particular non-for-profit organizations with taxpayers' dollars? And that's where I draw the line at, because

02:52:12.250 --> 02:52:30.990
The city, from what I understood all the time that I've asked for support, I was told the city does not support not-for-profit organization or any organization when it comes to funding for some entity.

02:52:30.990 --> 02:52:47.770
Now, this is what I was told, and when I think about this, I'm saying to myself, well, I wanted to make an impact within the city, but the funding does not allow me to do that when I ask for donations from the city itself.

02:52:47.770 --> 02:52:59.290
I can't even get a donation from the city to make an impact with all of the taxpayers who want to be a part of an event to make a difference within the city of Freeport.

02:52:59.290 --> 02:53:28.550
I was told, no, that cannot happen. Well, here we are again, someone coming to the podium asking for this kind of consideration. And the first thing I'd like to know is, are we going to talk about all of the violations for years that this one particular organization had been involved in? We never got around to any of those kinds of things. And then for someone to present

02:53:29.290 --> 02:53:57.130
to the council as if though there's a paper trail that has been involved for I don't know how long. We have not been introduced to these kinds of things. There's no introduction to the paper trail of the liabilities, first of all, being discussed with the council. The council has not discussed this matter fully, and there's nothing to document it.

02:53:57.130 --> 02:54:23.250
So my thing is, which direction are we going with this? Because you can't do for one and can't do for the others. And you can't take taxpayers' dollars to take and use it for not-for-profit organizations. And I was told that you can't do that. And I'm sitting right here today wondering why we're even having this discussion.

02:54:23.250 --> 02:54:35.730
I would like for somebody to reverberate the fact that I couldn't do it for Mr. Sanders, why am I doing it for the Open Bible School?

02:54:35.730 --> 02:54:51.910
You know, if that is the case, then we need to look at this thing a little bit closer, because it bothers me, it disturbs me if we decide, or everybody is trying to voice their opinion about it,

02:54:51.910 --> 02:55:21.890
and be swayed by the council to push this thing through because we're talking about over a million dollars of taxpayers' dollars and we cannot look our constituents in the eye and ask them was that okay, how you feel about that and that's the reason why the referendum was proposed to give the people the majority to look at the situation and hear the thing out because everybody in the city

02:55:21.890 --> 02:55:26.230
does not see the views and the opinions of everybody in the council.

02:55:27.230 --> 02:55:30.670
Okay, so I'm going to try to answer what I think you're asking.

02:55:30.870 --> 02:55:35.290
So we cannot and will not show favoritism towards one entity.

02:55:35.290 --> 02:55:50.690
We will treat every single one alike when every constituent, every existing business, however you want to look at that, is responsible for taking the line to the water main,

02:55:50.690 --> 02:55:56.790
and then they're responsible in hooking that up. It's no different. So that's what they would be responsible for.

02:55:57.690 --> 02:56:01.030
So we're not treating them differently. We're not handing them a million dollars.

02:56:01.250 --> 02:56:02.330
Yeah, that's what we're doing.

02:56:02.410 --> 02:56:03.210
No, we're not.

02:56:03.230 --> 02:56:05.050
Your argument fails on that point.

02:56:05.050 --> 02:56:11.230
No, we're not handing them a million dollars. We are obligated to all constituents to provide water.

02:56:11.230 --> 02:56:14.890
The taxpayers have not had a say-so in the matter.

02:56:14.970 --> 02:56:19.570
Well, their say-so comes to you standing for whatever they have.

02:56:19.570 --> 02:56:38.410
And we're arguing, we're having this argument for the constituents of the city of Freeport so they know that we're in correspondence with the laws of this city and how we conduct ourselves when it comes to doing one for one and one for the other differently for the others.

02:56:38.690 --> 02:56:48.210
Yeah, this is what the argument is. And if we're saying that, well, it's okay for us to just chunk out a million dollars to run a lot of money.

02:56:48.210 --> 02:56:50.510
Well, we're not. So, Darren, you want to say something?

02:56:50.890 --> 02:56:53.580
It's my turn, yes.

02:56:53.800 --> 02:56:53.980
Yeah.

02:56:54.680 --> 02:57:02.200
So, I just want to bring this back to what I think is a common grounder clarification.

02:57:04.420 --> 02:57:11.900
Two years ago, we replaced all the water main on Laurel Street from Park up to Lincoln-Nouglas School.

02:57:11.900 --> 02:57:18.520
It was bad. And that project was a million dollars. And it was defective water main that was aged.

02:57:18.520 --> 02:57:48.400
and so nobody had a problem with that project that's feeding water within our let me finish it's feeding water does not it does not yeah well different than it's irrelevant for what you're talking about you don't have the floor I know I don't but it's irrelevant comply with the rules you're not complying you need to be quiet or you can excuse yourself well I'm not going to excuse myself I just back up your chair I like fair justice

02:57:48.400 --> 02:58:17.120
to be done. Yeah. Anyway, my point is we replaced infrastructure that needed to be replaced. We've been doing this for the last seven years in town. Next year, we're going to replace more water main that's defective, Blackhawk Street. We're going to replace Carroll Street. We're going to replace Willow. We've done some water main on Dewey Street. It's our responsibility as a community to provide the public water service to our constituents.

02:58:17.120 --> 02:58:43.740
We are not just supplying a line to Open Bible. They happen to be a result no different than Lincoln Douglas School being able to have the water supply. If the main wasn't there, they wouldn't have been able to have it either. So it doesn't bother me either way. I'm just throwing facts out there. The facts are that we build mains throughout town within the city limits to provide service in the city limits.

02:58:43.740 --> 02:59:11.780
If a business went out next to Open Bible, we would not let them drill a well. It's against our code. So what will we do at that point? We still have to provide the water main on the street or the sewer main to get to those locations and they are within the city limits. So while this is a bad pill to swallow, this is the point of doing main replacement all over town. It's an investment. It's a costly investment and it takes lots of time to get back.

02:59:11.780 --> 02:59:25.920
That investment is no different if it's on Carroll Street, if it's on Laurel Street, if it's on Stevenson Street, or any other street in town. It's the same dollar of investment. We're going to move on to Alderman Shadle. It's his turn. Thank you.

02:59:25.920 --> 02:59:53.980
Shadle. It's his turn. Thank you. You can't dominate the meeting later. I had a question. I've been waiting patiently, Mr. Sanders. I'm going to ask you to just sit back. That might be true, but I had a follow-up. Okay, Alderman Shadle has the floor. Well, what's going to happen to my follow-up? It's Alderman Shadle's floor. First off, I have talked to one of the homeowners out there that will get service.

02:59:54.000 --> 02:59:58.220
from this, and he was adamant that he would be the first one to hook up.

03:00:01.800 --> 03:00:16.120
Looking back 25 years, that church did absolutely everything that the city of Freeport asked them to do to get their building permit.

03:00:17.180 --> 03:00:23.760
They were told if they were going to build that church, they had to put in a sprinkler system, and they wrote the check.

03:00:24.000 --> 03:00:49.040
have no idea for a fact what money they spent, but I'm guessing probably $20,000, $30,000 that they put out, and we can try to put blame on who said what, but at the end of the day, somebody told that church that that water would come, or they wouldn't have spent that money putting a sprinkler system in.

03:00:49.040 --> 03:01:18.640
that's right it's just plain and simple they not only put it in they put the run to the right of way it's ready for the city to hook up they did absolutely everything they were asked to do somehow you're thinking that they should have been knocking at our door maybe they should have but at the end of the day somebody here

03:01:19.040 --> 03:01:50.700
told them that they were going to get water and they didn't get it and nobody here took care of that what it all comes down to is we're sitting here and it's up to us it should have been taken care of 25 20 15 10 it should have been taken care of but it wasn't and here we are and we have it a

03:01:50.700 --> 03:02:29.660
responsibility and I feel we have a obligation and we need to get it done. Alderman Stacy. Darren, every example you gave was replacement defected water mains. This is not a replacement. And last week you made a comment

03:02:29.660 --> 03:02:39.230
that was unfair. If it was on the other side of town, would we even be having this conversation?

03:02:44.260 --> 03:02:57.280
Alderman Parker, not a city official, community development person, not someone that had authority

03:02:57.280 --> 03:03:07.730
to even say or shake hands again, why didn't they bring it to the council?

03:03:07.730 --> 03:03:39.660
and also, if they were going to do right by the city and expected the city to do right by them, why didn't they come forward and ask the city? Now all you hear about, what about the kids? What about the kids? What about the kids 25 years ago? I've worked with kids at the Freeport School District for 20 years. Yeah. What about the kids?

03:03:39.660 --> 03:04:20.110
Why are they even still out there? Why haven't they made arrangements with Aquin or somewhere to get the kids out there and still give them what they need? They're still in danger. There was a letter that was rejecting this happening by Blackburn, who came and had his say last week, but he didn't talk about that.

03:04:20.110 --> 03:05:09.210
he didn't talk about him rejecting it but he did there's a church unpleasant in Galena and Amity was supposed to move in that church and open up a daycare however all that was denied because the water sprinkler isn't compliant

03:05:09.210 --> 03:05:57.560
so watch what you're saying what you do for one are you willing to do for another you do know that we are responsible to put in a sprinkler right Alderman gets came here and he spoke and he said there is no legal binding contract nothing that holds the city responsible Blackburn said

03:05:57.800 --> 03:06:25.590
Oh, I remember the handshake. Okay, you remember the handshake. A handshake don't make the city responsible. And what is the fear in giving the constituents the say-so? This is their tax dollars.

03:06:25.590 --> 03:07:07.670
I guess I'd like to say I understand, but I think everybody that came tonight was for helping Open Bible, and we didn't have anyone that came to say no, so I guess that's me.

03:07:07.670 --> 03:07:26.990
I guess I look for if the people have something to say, I mean, just like we do or the people that are out there now, I think they should have came and said something, you know, that it's not right or we shouldn't do it.

03:07:26.990 --> 03:07:48.070
But like I said, my second thought after talking with a lot of people, you know, they understood the process. So I don't see anyone here that is out in the audience or came or said anything that are saying no.

03:07:48.070 --> 03:08:11.690
You know, I guess if I heard some people saying, you know, no to the project, I guess I would have a different take on it, but I don't see anyone that has come to say no. So I guess that's what I would like to, you know, I would like to have some people say that, you know, that think it's wrong or think we shouldn't do it.

03:08:11.690 --> 03:08:36.210
So I haven't, all the people that I've talked to and made conversation with, that as long as they can make the connection and we can make our connection, then I guess I know it's 25 years and I hate it because it probably would have been way cheaper 25 years ago, but hey, this is where we're at now and I just

03:08:37.830 --> 03:08:38.750
Alderman Clem

03:08:38.750 --> 03:09:23.940
that we do or do not. Okay, so is there a second to that? Okay, is that? So the agenda item was to discuss and approve to establish an ordinance providing the submission. So this was really just about giving direction, right? This is actually not to put it on the

03:09:23.940 --> 03:09:50.940
not to put it on the to put it on authorized to put it on the the ballot. Well, because we don't even have the ordinance or resolution drafted. Right. So Alderman Clemmen, this would now. Right. So though I would frame it in the same way that it's on the agenda. So I would frame it in the positive the way that Alderman Stacy had it. So if she wanted to make the motion to put it to a vote,

03:09:50.940 --> 03:10:23.510
and then if you were in favor of it you would vote yes if you were not in favor of of having a go to reference then you would vote no so it's basically the same thing it's just different wording correct you always want to phrase in the in the positive so how do we handle this with the motion that's on the table with the second I heard Alderman Clem yeah and Alderman Parker seconded it oh so it's basically the same thing it's just a twist in the wording I guess Alderman Clem would you would you have any objection to phrasing your motion

03:10:23.510 --> 03:11:01.030
in the affirmative. That's the opposite of what he's asking. He wants a no. Okay. Well, that's fine. I mean, it's just a best practice to frame in the positive, so you don't, it's not, it's not a rule. Right. Yeah, right. I get, I get what you're, where you're going with it. So do you want to keep your motion and it's just voted on in an opposite thought? I mean, there's nothing, it's not like it's voting on an ordinance. It's just, it basically is, are we moving this forward or are we not?

03:11:01.990 --> 03:11:43.000
on an agenda. I mean, we were putting it up for a vote or not. Correct. Alderman Stacy, are you willing to make your motion to have this placed on an agenda to have a resolution placed on the agenda to put this to the vote of the people? I would like to make a motion. Okay. All right. So Alderman Clem, Alderman Stacy's is willing to make the motion. So are you withdrawing your motion then? Sure. All right.

03:11:43.000 --> 03:11:45.260
Okay, Alderman Parker, are you going to withdraw your second?

03:11:45.440 --> 03:11:45.600
Sure.

03:11:45.960 --> 03:12:04.580
All right, so Alderman Stacy, if I understand right, you're making a motion to instruct staff to prepare a resolution or ordinance to have the question of whether or not to extend the water main place on the ballot at the April 1st election, correct?

03:12:05.100 --> 03:12:07.020
Mm-hmm. Is there a second?

03:12:08.880 --> 03:12:09.360
Second.

03:12:09.360 --> 03:12:11.880
All right, we have a motion and a second.

03:12:13.000 --> 03:12:14.120
Any further discussion?

03:12:16.590 --> 03:12:19.590
All right, let's put it to a vote and move on to our next item.

03:12:25.620 --> 03:12:26.220
No.

03:12:27.780 --> 03:12:28.420
Oops.

03:12:28.820 --> 03:12:29.220
Parker?

03:12:29.540 --> 03:12:29.820
No.

03:12:30.540 --> 03:12:30.940
Stacy?

03:12:31.660 --> 03:12:32.340
Yes.

03:12:32.740 --> 03:12:33.060
Shadle?

03:12:33.340 --> 03:12:33.580
No.

03:12:34.020 --> 03:12:34.460
Sanders?

03:12:34.900 --> 03:12:35.180
Yes.

03:12:35.620 --> 03:12:36.140
Sellers?

03:12:36.380 --> 03:12:36.700
No.

03:12:37.140 --> 03:12:37.540
Clem?

03:12:39.600 --> 03:12:40.280
And Monroe?

03:12:40.600 --> 03:12:40.920
No.

03:12:41.840 --> 03:12:44.640
The motion fails two to six.

03:12:45.800 --> 03:12:50.520
Move on to item number 23, which is reports of department heads, finance.

03:12:50.680 --> 03:13:20.680
nothing your honor thank you community development nothing tonight madam mayor thank you public works just like to tell you that at the end of the season here we will have paved 7.5 miles of roads this year hydrant flushing started today will last about three weeks and leaf pickup starts on November 1st thank you fire nothing this evening thank you police nothing from the police madam mayor thank you library nothing tonight and I'm

03:13:20.680 --> 03:13:52.360
guessing communication. It doesn't have anything. IT? We move on to city manager's report. Nothing tonight, Your Honor. And I have nothing to report, so we'll move on to Alderman Simmons. No, nothing, thanks. Alderman Parker? Nothing. Alderman Stacy? No. Alderman Shadle? Nothing. Alderman Sanders is not at his desk. Alderman Sellers? No. Alderman Clem? Alderman Monroe?

03:13:52.480 --> 03:13:54.680
Thank you, Madam Mayor, I'm good

03:13:54.680 --> 03:13:59.340
We'll go on to item number 27, which is public comment

03:13:59.340 --> 03:14:05.620
Tommy, say something positive, Tommy

03:14:05.620 --> 03:14:13.480
Jodi Miller, you got out there about the beef roof you told me

03:14:13.480 --> 03:14:15.320
I'm sorry?

03:14:15.780 --> 03:14:17.420
That beef roof you said are going to

03:14:17.420 --> 03:14:22.340
Yeah, I don't know what happened there, I hear there was an issue with some of their equipment, so hopefully soon

03:14:22.340 --> 03:14:27.470
I think Doreen Dickerman knows the update

03:14:27.470 --> 03:14:31.250
I know everything, Tommy

03:14:31.250 --> 03:14:35.010
Is there any other public comments this evening?

03:14:36.570 --> 03:14:38.810
Then we will move on to adjournment

03:14:38.810 --> 03:14:39.730
Is there such a motion?

03:14:39.850 --> 03:14:40.170
So moved

03:14:40.170 --> 03:14:41.890
All those in favor?

03:14:42.210 --> 03:14:44.190
Wait, I think I got a call

03:14:44.190 --> 03:14:45.070
Oh, and W wants a call

03:14:45.070 --> 03:14:45.990
Simmons

03:14:45.990 --> 03:14:47.830
Aye

03:14:47.830 --> 03:14:48.310
Parker

03:14:48.310 --> 03:14:48.910
Aye

03:14:48.910 --> 03:14:49.530
Stacey

03:14:49.530 --> 03:14:50.170
Aye

03:14:50.170 --> 03:14:50.770
Shadle

03:14:50.770 --> 03:14:51.130
Aye

03:14:51.130 --> 03:14:51.850
Sanders

03:14:51.850 --> 03:14:53.150
Is they absent?

03:14:53.290 --> 03:14:53.750
Sellers

03:14:53.750 --> 03:14:54.050
Aye

03:14:54.050 --> 03:14:54.650
Clem

03:14:54.650 --> 03:14:59.030
He might be absent too. Monroe. Thank you.