I have elective lights and everything.

Did you eat something?

Yeah, well, Maladie, yes, that's all.

Anyway, I'd rather be in the back to you.

That's all next Monday.

Good evening.

Debbie, would you please give the invocation?

I have a Bible verse I'd like to say before I pray. It comes from Psalm 2711.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path.

Our Heavenly Father, we just thank you for today. We thank you for Freeport. We thank you for all the people that live in this town, and we're here for a reason, and we should be looking at it to make Freeport a better place. We thank you for our officials that are here tonight, all the government officials, elected officers, Mayor Jodi, and Lord, we ask that you would lead them on a plain path, help them to look to you for wisdom and for guidance, and to put aside any kind of difference that they have with each other, and look to Freeport as a whole to work together to make it a better place. We ask your blessings upon this gathering today.

We thank you for our police enforcement.

We thank you how they risk their lives to keep our community safe.

And, Lord, we ask that you put a shield of protection around everyone and bless their families.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

Thank you, Debbie.

Now we'll officially call this meeting to order.

Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

Mayor Miller.

Here.

Alder Persons Clemm.

Here.

Johnson. Here. They will be marked in person. Simmons is absent now, but will be joining us. Parker. Here. Stacey. Here. Shadle. Here. Sanders. Here. And Sellers. Here. If I could please have a motion to approve the remote attendance of Alderman Simmons. So moved. Second. The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll? Stacey.

on allowing Alderman Simmons to remote? Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Ann Parker? Aye. The motion passes 7 to 0. Did you want to see if she can hear? Oh, yes. Alderperson Simmons, can you hear us? Are you present? Yes, I'm here. Thank you. Show me mark present at 602.

Okay, if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Stacy I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all Item number one is approval of the agenda However, I'm asking for a slight change The child abuse prevention month proclamation needs to be removed from the consent agenda and read after the police department promotions and before public comments. If that's acceptable, I would ask for a motion to approve as amended. So moved. Could you repeat that again, please? Sure. The child abuse prevention month proclamation was accidentally listed on the consent agenda and those are normally read. So just wanted to put that on the agenda.

itself. After appointments, Madam Mayor? No, after the police department promotions. Thank you. So we had... I would second that motion. Who was the first? Joy? So we... Tom, was it... Who made the motion to approve? I thought it was Joy. I would make the motion. Oh, I second. Okay. All right. Well, we have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

Can we do a voice on that or would you like me to get? Oh, thank you, attorney. I'm sorry. We've got to have that every single one. My apologies.

Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Ann Parker. Aye.

Motion passes, 8 to 0 Item number 2 is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on March 2nd, 2026. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved I didn't catch that, guys. You got to talk louder Everybody got a half of one out So moved Second Okay, motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadle Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy Aye Shadle Aye Sanders Aye Sellers Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. And that motion passes 8-0. Item number 3 is the Police Department Promotions, Chief Frosto.

Good afternoon, everyone. I'll have Dustin Groen first, please. Officer Groen was hired in September 2019 and has consistently taken on roles that demonstrate initiative and professional development.

He has served as a detective, field training officer, member of the emergency response team, and as an arrest and control tactics instructor. His commitment to training, tactical operations, and investigative work highlights his potential for advancement.

My name is Robert Bush. I am a member of the City of Freeport Police and Fire Commission, and with us we have Evelyn Curry. She is a commissioner also, and it is an honor to be here to witness the promotion of these officers tonight these officers came before us and we saw the value in them and hiring them and to see them to elevate themselves within the department it is an honor to realize that we did make the right choice because they have put forth the effort to gain the knowledge and the wisdom to reach a higher level within the department. Dustin Commission, the City of Freeport Board and Fire Police Commission, to all to whom these present shall come, Dustin Groen, have been duly appointed to the Office of Corporal in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson and the State of Illinois for the term from the 6th day of April 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is hereby fully authorized and in power to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his duties by the order of the Board of Fire and Police Commission.

Now this way.

Hello.

Okay.

Where's our guy?

Officer Richard.

Officer Richard McLemill was hired in June 2014 Heired in June 2014 and brings an extensive experience across a wide range of assignments. He has served as an inspector with the state line area narcotics team, a firearms instructor, a member of the emergency response team, and a field training officer. He is also one of the original members of the department's gang unit. He is currently assigned as a canine officer with his partner, DJ. His experience and specialized skill sets make him a strong candidate for promotion.

Okay, this is my first time doing this, I'm a little nervous Official Commission Richard Macklemill Having been duly appointed to the Office of Corporal in and for the City of Freeport in the County of Stevenson, the State of Illinois, for the term from the 6th day of April 2026, until the successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to the law and ordinances of a said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the Board of Fire and Commission, Police Commission.

Blake Uppman, Corporal Uppman was hired in September 2016 and promoted to the rank of corporal in January of 2024. He has demonstrated strong leadership and initiative through his service in multiple specialized roles, including detective, field training officer, and firearms instructor. Additionally, he serves as a member of the ILEAS Mobile Field Force. His diverse experience and leadership as a corporal reflects his readiness for continued advancement with this department. Official Commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come. Officer Blake Upman, having been duly appointed to the office of sergeant in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stevenson and state of Illinois for the term from the sixth day of April 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform from all the duties of his said office, according to the law and ordinances of said city, and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the police and fire commission.

We're getting this down. Thank you.

Awesome. Yeah, that's what I said.

Support all that one day. Yeah.

That's nice, though, that many people come in to support them.

It's great.

Okay, so next we'll move on for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Whereas All Our Kids Network is a group of community stakeholders who collaboratively work to influence system changes that will strengthen the overall family well-being.

and whereas Freeport's future prosperity and quality of life depend on the healthy development of the children residing across our city and whereas preventing child abuse and neglect must be a priority that requires individuals, families, child-serving organizations, schools, faith-based groups, organizations, community, or I'm sorry, government agencies, civic leaders, and to support the physical, emotional, social, and educational well-being of all children. And whereas child abuse is a serious public health issue with wide-ranging societal consequences, as data shows the link between abuse and neglect of children and a wide range of costly medical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues into adulthood. And whereas statewide and community prevention programs serve as proven and effective ways to reduce child abuse and neglect, no matter the geography, race, ethnicity, or economic status. And whereas the All Our Kids Network and other community partners will host Blue Ribbon Week April 5th through the 11th to help spread awareness, hope, and education on the topic of child abuse. Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the second week of April as Blue Ribbon Week.

and I encourage all our residents to dedicate themselves to protecting the quality of life for every child.

Thank you very much. I'd like to take a moment just to share how AOK, which stands for All Our Kids of Northwest Illinois, is working right here in Freeport and Stevenson County to address child abuse and neglect. For us, this work is really about prevention. We know that families do better when they feel supported, connected, and not alone.

The AOK Network, that's why the AOK focuses on strengthening families early before challenges turn into crisis.

We partner with local organizations across the community to make sure that parents, especially those with young children, have access to mental health support, home visiting, parent education.

When parents are supported and emotionally well, it creates safer, more stable environments for children.

One area we've really focused on is maternal mental health, because we understand how critical those early bonds are between parents and children. When we support parents, we're directly helping to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. At the end of the day, it isn't just about a program. It's about people. It's about making sure families in our community feel seen, supported, and connected.

because when we come together as a community, we can create a safer, healthier futures for our kids.

A-OK, thank you for recognizing and shining a light on the safety of children in our community.

I just have a real quick story about the blue bows that you may see around town.

The blue bows became a symbol for child abuse prevention with Bonnie Finney, a grandmother from Virginia, connected the Blue Bowes, a child abuse prevention awareness in the aftermath of her grandson, Michael Wayne, Bubba Dickinson's death as a result of child abuse in Chicopee, Virginia in 1988. Her daughter herself was a victim of domestic violence, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment for failing to do more to protect her son. Luther Ray Phillips, Jr., who committed the crime, was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment. The following story was written by Bonnie Finney in conjunction with Prevent Child Abuse, Virginia.

I only had one child. She was a beautiful little girl, the light of our eyes. We knew she had entered into a stormy marriage where we brought her home several times in the five years it lasted. We suspected heavy use of drugs, but in those five years, three beautiful, healthy children had been born. I loved them dearly, and they loved me. The children were 16 months, three years, and four years. My grandson was hospitalized for abuse. He had bruises on his body and cigarette burns on his hands.

His doctor did not believe my daughter's story. He fell in slippery water in the bathtub. After the ordeal at the hospital, my grandson was placed in foster care for three weeks. He cried when they came to return him to his mother. He told his foster mother, my mama don't love me and begged to stay. I ached for his dilemma, but I wasn't physically able to care for him. The courts believed that home was the best place for him, but I knew better and I begged them not to return him to his mother, but I was overruled. My grandmother's instinct didn't count.

I never saw Bubba again. My 16-month-old granddaughter was hospitalized after being beaten severely, her leg broken in four places, and her hand broken.

in four places, and her hand burned from the tips of her fingers to her wrist. It was only then that the search was on for Bubba. We learned he had been killed, wrapped in a sheet, stuffed in a toolbox, and dumped into the dismal swamp canal three months earlier. My efforts to understand became a plea to stop abusing children. I tied a blue ribbon on my van antenna to make people wonder. It caught on locally with restaurants, businesses, police, and TV and radio stations supporting me in my efforts to make get a real awareness campaign. Why blue? I intend never to forget the battered bruised bodies of my grandchildren. Blue serves as a constant reminder to me to fight for our children. Please wear a blue ribbon, put one on your car, give one to your friend, tell them what it means. You may save a child's life. If you suspect anything is happening to your children, your grandchildren, the next child next door, please act. If you get no response, try again. You may not hear their screams, but you may may not see their bruises, so check for the hidden pain and watch for the silent screams in their eyes. Thank you. Thank you, ladies. We have two people signed in for public comment. Steve Carroll, you have three minutes. All right. I am Steve Carroll. This is about agenda items 16 and 17. The city wants to add a full-time FOIA officer for the police department and a part-time

FOIA officer for the clerk's office. This is due to what is claimed to be an overwhelming amount of FOIA requests from the public, numbering around 213 last year. The rise in FOIA requests over the years reflects the lack of trust that the public has in city government. In short, you have created your own problems and now the taxpayers are being asked to pay for the city's lack of transparency. In the past, the police Department used to publish every week what is known as the police blotter, which is the call log for the whole city over a week's time. This isn't done anymore. However, I have successfully submitted records requests for that very information. Hence, another FOIA request is generated due to the police department's lack of basic transparency. It should be obvious that city government is building an information wall between itself and its citizens.

And I can see where being transparent and telling the truth would be dangerous for city government because it would give lie to Jodi Miller's perpetual mantra that Freeport is a great place to live, work, and play.

And to liberally paraphrase from former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, there are two things people living in Freeport don't need. One is an appendix, the other is Jodi Miller.

Sláinte. Next is Aaron Zuberbuehler. Hi there. Good evening, everybody. And I apologize. It's Eric. I read it wrong. You're all right. No big deal. Hello, council. Hello, mayor. Hello, city manager. My name is Eric Zuberbuehler. I live right up the road at 626 West Stevenson Street. I'm here to speak on item number 11. As someone who does not use marijuana, I want to be clear that I am in favor of the dispensary at this location in Freeport. I was able to watch the city council meeting last week and just wanted to touch on a couple of the notes.

you guys had. The biggest being the key point would be traffic seemed to be a big sticking point for a lot of people. It's important to remember why this proposal is in front of you. This is a business that requires a special use permit due to the nature of its operations. Most businesses do not require that special use permit. I fully acknowledge that the previous tenant Rosati's did not generate the level of traffic that this dispensary is expected to bring. However, if another business occupies the space, especially one that does not use a special use permit, we're going to likely be in the same situation, the same traffic thing with or without a special use permit, but we won't have that added tax benefit of that extra local 3% that I think is really important to have for us. So for example, if a high traffic restaurant like a Chipotle were to move in, we're going to have the same amount of traffic, give or take, but we're going to miss out on that 3% tax revenue. So yes, traffic may increase.

I do think that's a good thing for our town, but this location already has multiple points of access and more importantly, it's not unique to this situation. It's going to bring the meaningful additional revenue to the city. I think that's the most important. And since there's only two permits allowed in Stevenson County, I truly believe this is a use it or lose it thing. And if we pass on it, another community is going to take advantage of that and use it. So I respectfully urge you to vote in favor of agenda item number 11. Thank you.

And that concludes our public comment. Next is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless the member of council would like to have something removed for further discussion. The consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the building commission minutes from October 15th, 2025, Zoning Board of Appeals from November 6th, 25th, and February 5th, 26th.

the Freeport Public Library Board, which is November 12th and December 10th, 25th, January 20th, 24th, and February 11th, 26th, Planning Commission, January 15th, February 12th, 26th, the revised Festival District Schedule approved by the Liquor Commission, 2026, the Greater Freeport Partnerships Monthly Report, March 26th, the Cash and Investment, as well as the Finance Department Report for December 25th, Cash and Investment Report, report and the finance department report for January 26th and the approval of the finance bills totaling $2,092,218.59 and payroll for pay period ending March 21st, 2026 in the total of $721,730.86. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Court. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Stacey? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons?

And Parker? Aye. The motion passes, 8 to 0. Item number 6 is appointments. Could you please read? We have several. Appointment of Deborah Leininger to the Ethics Commission of effective through April 30th, 2028, appointment of William Castle to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners through April 30th, 29, appointment of Michael Kempel to the Planning Commission through October 31st, 2030, new appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission effective through February 28th, 2029, Rebecca Quiggle, three reappointments to the Historic Preservation Commission through February 28th, 2029. They will be Scott Leiser, Ryan Walton, and Brenda Myers. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the appointments? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Sure, why not? Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem?

Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Aye. The motion passes 8 to 0. You are right. My apologies. Item number 7 is the second reading of Ordinance 2026-13. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 1448, erosion control permits. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. This ordinance came before Council March 9th for the Community the hole where it was discussed with Randy Kohlbauer.

It was moved for second reading on March 16th with no additional questions.

I haven't received any questions.

And staff requests moving forward with ordinance, this ordinance as proposed.

Any discussion on the ordinance?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Plum?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Aye. The ordinance passes 8-0. Item number 8 is a second reading of ordinance 20-26-14. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending part 6, general offenses, chapter 660, additional hazardous materials, section 660-02, definitions 05, prohibition, and adding Sections 09, Injunctive Relief and Administrative Hearing, 10.10, Access to Premises, 11, Notification of Discharge, 12, Notice of Violations, 13, Suspension of Activities, and 14, Abatement Costs. Thank you.

Manager, Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Ordinance 2026-14 is upgrading and making some changes to the MS4 Stormwater Permit, similar to the stormwater permit similar to the previous ordinance. This was brought to council March 9th. It had first reading on the 16th and was moved to second reading today. And staff recommends moving forward with this stormwater additional hazardous materials ordinance. Thank you. Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye.

the ordinance passes eight to zero and item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 202615 could you please read this ordinance amending part 10 streets utilities and public services title for utilities chapter 1046 sewers section 104659 discharge of storm surface or groundwater into sanitary sewers and amending part 10 streets utilities and public services title for Utilities, Chapter 1050, Storm Sewers, Section 1050-08, Illicit Discharge.

Thank you.

Manager Boyer.

Again, very similar to the last two ordinances.

This was brought before Council on the 9th.

It was moved to second reading on the 16th.

This was, I've not received any additional questions for the MS4, again, stormwater-related ordinance.

So staff's recommending moving this forward, adopting this tonight.

Thank you.

Discussion?

Alderman Sanders?

We're discussing the infiltration of groundwater into sanitary sewers. Is that what we're talking about, Manager Boyer?

This is just an upgrading of the stormwater requirements related to our MS4 permit. That is a municipal separate storm sewer permit. So that is a part of overall management of stormwater.

but this particular upgrade is just simply updating things that are required by our MS4 permit.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Clem?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

Parker?

Aye.

The ordinance passes 8-0.

And item number 10 is the second reading of Ordinance 20-26-16.

Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services, Title IV, Utilities, Chapter 1040, Utilities Generally, and Section 1040.07A and B, Connection Required, Aligning with New Julie Laws.

Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Again, this was brought before Council for the Committee of the Whole, also the last Council meeting.

there were no questions in between those two meetings and staff is recommending moving forward with the proposed ordinances as written. Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. The ordinance passes 8 to 0. And item number 11 is the second reading of ordinance It's 2026-17. Could you please read this?

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

Thank you. Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Staff received a special use permit application from Botavi Wellness LLC to allow adult use cannabis dispensary application at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A, in a B3 commercial wholesaler business district.

The proposed location meets all the distance requirements set forth in Chapter 1274 and is a vacant unit in a commercial shopping center with ample parking.

The petitioners provided some data from our last council meeting from four other Illinois locations showing peak traffic between 4 and 9 p.m., usually on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and there was an average of 30 vehicles per hour during that time.

This is a modest increase in traffic is expected to bring more visitors to the corridor benefiting surrounding businesses enhancing economic activity and also as noted during the last council meeting another business that does not require a special use permit could easily hit similar traffic peaks honestly I looked this up this afternoon a fast food restaurant like Chipotle could hit an average of over 100 vehicles in one hour. So that's more than three times the amount of this facility. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission recommend approval. Staff also recommends approval of the special use permit. Thank you. Discussion on this ordinance? Yes. The three whatever percent that the city is supposed to gain from this dispensary coming. What are the chances of it being put in a in a account for our road something that productive that we as a city need rather than just everything going to the general fund? Yeah, that's I'll actually share with you something that my lovely lady sitting right here printed off for me today that kind of outlines a breakdown of the taxes that the city will see.

It's actually going to be a little bit larger than 3%. Based on this, there is a half a percent that goes to county public safety. That's not us. Then there's a home rule tax, which is two and a quarter. So that would be us. Then there's a county that gets 3%. Municipal is 3%. And then state tax is six and a quarter. And we see 1% of that. So the amounts that we're receiving will be six and a quarter.

percent on the sales generated. With that, we can always open up the discussion internally to speak to that and bring that up to council if we do see that kind of, you know, out of that six percent, if some amount needs to go to roads, if some amount needs to go to community things, you know, I'm always willing to put the funding where you guys think it needs to go.

We also had some projections given to us in the first month from zero to three months.

They're looking at projections of sales, gross sales of $300,000 to $500,000, which when you have the breakdown, that means that we'll be seeing $18,750 to $31,250 every month for those first three months.

and then the projections from month four and beyond indicate $600,000 to $1 million a month in their gross sales, which gives us per month somewhere between $37,500 to $62,500. When you calculate that out, that would be about half a million to three quarters of a million dollars in extra revenue to the city.

Olin Klum?

Yes.

First of all, I'd like to thank Dan Stevens for his input that he put in, the Zuber Brillers for the input that you guys put in, his business people, and we did have some meetings, Alderman Shadle and I and the city manager and Gertrude from community development, and we do realize says that there's a problem there traffic-wise, but it's a problem that we feel as though can be fixed with some fairly minor stuff, but there will need to be some work done.

Like the lot in between there, I went out and counted spaces at a certain time just to see, and the lot size itself between the two is an abundance of room there.

There's no ifs, ands, or buts about that.

The problem becomes as the car's entering and the car's leaving and there could be some modifications made like from the car wash which way they go out, okay, from how traffic is directed into Menards, how the south end of the whole development is really not used and is not used properly the way it could.

You know, we have one business coming in here, but we instantly found out as we talked, they've got three empty lots out there that's going to be big problems when somebody does develop and what we need to do.

There are TIF funds available to work on that, and I believe also that there are plenty of people that are involved that would be willing to take a look at other opportunities for what we can do.

So, you know, we had the same discussion that Dan had, which the only difference was Dan said it would go to Lena or go someplace else.

Greg and I said it would go 50 feet out of town someplace.

You know, so either way, we would without a doubt lose it.

And it is a quite a, does put quite an effect on the amount of money coming in.

And it would be a good idea to sit back.

and it would be a good idea to sit back and determine where that goes to because of even though the general fund goes to every place in the world, remember the general fund also pays for all the retirements, pays for all the things that need to be done, pays for the equipment and pays for all that kind of stuff.

So I think before we instantly say, let's put it in this, let's make sure we know what we want to do with it, but I will vote in favor of it due to the research we've done afterwards and everything. Thank you guys for that.

Alderman Sellers?

Yes, I just want to say that I am very much in support of this. I said, but I also look at it with the revenue that's coming in. I know that there's a portion. I know it was also said something about the law enforcement part. They get theirs. And I know that there is going to be coming down the pipe pretty soon that we're going to have to get a new police station. So that right there would also help that we don't have to go out to taxpayers asking for money.

more money in that kind of way. But I do think that we need the revenue. If we've got a door open, let's try to get in it and get what we can and do what we can out of the best money that we get. So I'm in support of it. Okay, so I totally agree that, you know, we need to be thinking about where we want to allocate these monies. But that's a whole different topic. So this is about the special use permit. So if you want to have further discussions on allocating specific places, let's have that discussion and get that brought forward. So, um, Alderman Shadle. Yes, thank you. Um, I'm not making light of the fact that, uh, the discussion's been about the tax benefits here, but on to compound on top of that is going to be the traffic count and how it affects future development. Uh, that's the number one source that a business is looking at if they're looking at development is how many people are coming by my front door and this is going to significantly increase the traffic count for the three empty lots to the south end of that development and we could very much see more development coming specifically from the traffic of this establishment.

Gorman, Stacy?

You know, when this was first spoke about, you said that there would be 300 to 500 customers per day.

Now, today, you're comparing it to a food place with 100 customers an hour.

And we're always talking about development, development, development.

truth be told nobody's coming to Freeport or else they would have already been here we've been without a family restaurant for years and nothing so I don't think you can compare it to a Chipotle and say that there's going to be a hundred customers an hour to the dispensary when you already said it's going to be 300 to 500 per day. I don't know what the purpose was for that, to compare the dispensary to Chipotle.

The purpose of that was to compare that this needs a special use. We need the dispensary, needs a special use permit. Anything else, it is zoned to restaurant, which means that it's very easy for a restaurant to move in there. Based on the square footage, a Chipotle can usually, a Chipotle, a Subway, the other one that's similar to Chipotle also could fit into that kind of footprint. So that is the restaurant that I chose to look in, you know, what is the average during peak times. And that just leads into the traffic discussion from last time into understanding that, yes, there is traffic. Yes, This will produce traffic, but it won't produce as much traffic as something else where you have no control over and it doesn't need a special use and it could move in there tomorrow. So it's just to give an analysis of, you know, you see this as a traffic issue, but it could be even more of a traffic issue with a different property or a different restaurant moving in. Thank you. Alderman Sanders. Not only We're talking about traffic and the designation of how we're going to construct the enter and the exits of this building or this possible development of a building.

But we also have to consider the image.

You've got to make sure that the development and reconstructing of that area has the image that the community would want to see when even purchasing these types of products.

We just don't want to have a parking lot full of cars and the presentation of this building next to my building does not depreciate my location and that's what this might develop into and so we have to take those things into consideration.

have we done an overall outlook for such a thing from the community to determine whether or not what we're going to, how we're going to make this place presentable to the community where even the most average person wouldn't mind walking, coming to this area and looking at this location.

When we look at a Walmart and its location and the image of Walmart, it is highly congested almost throughout the week. Traffic is something that you have to hurdle through in the Walmart area or any other area.

But when we're talking this many people, cars trafficking through this area for this, we're not only just talking about this company, I'm not against it I'm just thinking about the depreciation value of the surrounding area when that happens because presence considered for all of this needs to be respectful to the community at large when they're envisioning, it has an envision of what this location, because if you don't have the proper curving, proper roadway, proper marking and logos and stands, and when I say stands, I mean signs, signs where people can say, well, I know what we're getting involved in because a lot of people in the community don't see this coming yet.

And to wake up one day and see a dispensary sitting in my backyard or sitting in my community, me, myself, I want to make sure that it looks like a normal place, you know, just a big, I don't even know what it's going to look like.

and I think the people in the city is not going to know exactly what it's going to look like.

So presentation means everything.

Yep.

There was a presentation given last council meeting where we showed not only the floor plans, but the elevations that were given to us by the company and it is going to, they're not doing much to the exterior.

They are putting up a nice appropriate sign that says Nirvana.

it will look like it does now just a just a sign that says the name and it's they're not doing anything unique with the structure it will look just like it does now just like any restaurant or any business or any office building will have a nice sign right on it and that was included in the packet and I think that you can get to that packet tonight using the hyperlink to see it again if you'd like.

Okay, all right, anyone else? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? No. Simmons? Alderperson Simmons, are we still connected to you?

do we are we still connected to you? Hello? Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay, no. Parker? Yes. The vote is a tie four to four. Mayor, what say you? Aye. And the ordinance passes five to four. Item number 12 is the first reading of ordinance 2026-18. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending section 806.20 regarding non-licensee alcoholic liquor delivery Services of the Liquor Codes. Thank you. Attorney Cox? Evening, everybody. Not a terribly exciting one here.

We're proposing an amendment which comes as a suggestion from the Liquor Commission to Section 806.20 of the codified ordinances. This regards licensee or non-licensee delivery services of liquor. We'd previously provided as part of best practices coming out of COVID, there was expected to be a need for a liquor delivery or a demand for that. Best practice at the time suggested that we enact some regulations around that so we could just prevent a free-for-all, I guess. So we enacted those regulations. We have had exactly zero applications for those licenses thus far.

And recently the Illinois Liquor Control Act was amended so that the state has preempted local permitting of these types of services probably for the purpose of promoting Grubhub, DoorDash, those sorts of things.

so the state has reserved unto itself the sole authority to license these sorts of things and taken that authority away from us. So what we're suggesting is that the ordinance not be completely deleted but simply reserved to the local authority the ability to ensure that our licensees or people operating within the city are complying with state statute. So there's no permit required anymore.

There's no specific regulations that are unique to Freeport. But if Freeport code enforcement, law enforcement needs to utilize the state statute. They can select whether they want to enforce under the ordinance or the statute, just like most of our criminal code provisions, which have adopted the state ordinances or the state statutes.

Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward to the next meeting?

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Okay, thank you.

Item number 13 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-19. Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending part four, traffic code, title eight, parking, chapter 480, parking generally, section 480.24D, regarding disabled persons and veteran parking designations. The spot we're looking at tonight is 520 South Harlem Avenue.

Thank you. Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Let me turn that on. As we do from time to time receive requests for disabled parking or ADA parking stalls at various locations. This one is at 520 South Harlem. The tenant has requested the ADA parking stall and staff is recommending moving forward with this as well as a suspension of the rules so we can get this getting the signage put up right away so that we can make sure that this is taken care of rapidly.

so. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the ordinance? Motion to suspend the rules. Second. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers to suspend the rules. Suspension of the rules is non-debatal and must pass by a two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension only? Stacy? Excuse me. Aye. Shadle?

Aye. Sanders, Sellers, Aye. Clem, Aye. Johnson, Aye. Simmons, Curt, have we lost her? We'll skip her for now. Parker? Aye. We'll give IT one second here. It passed. Should we skip it? There will be no vote. We only needed six. We got seven to zero on the suspension.

So then before you is the final passage for Ordinance 2026-19, Alderman Shadle.

I just want to add that this section of Harlem Avenue is parking only on one side of the street, and the houses are kind of tight together, and parking is at a premium, and in this person's case, they're not going to be able to make the trek from four or five doors down, and it just makes nothing but sense to give them a chance to park in front of their house.

Anyone else?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Plum?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Not yet.

Absent at the moment.

Parker?

Aye.

The ordinance still passes, 7-0.

Item number 14 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-20. Could you please read this?

Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026 for use of reserve funds for cities 20% match on STU-funded road improvements.

Thank you. Manager, Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor. Last, I guess, January, we were notified by IDOT that they were going to move forward with several STU federal route resurfacing projects. Those projects are Adams Avenue from Float to Main, South Walnut from Empire to South, Lincoln from Locust to West, and Stevenson Street, Sunset to Locust. Staff, this is obviously not budgeted. There is a match related to this. We're expecting about $2.5 million worth of funding coming through IDOT, but staff needs a million dollar authorization to cover the match with local funds so that we can get these projects completed. So staff is asking for suspension of the rules as construction season is warming up every day. We'd like to have this done and taken care of so we can move forward with these reconstructs. And so staff is asking for appropriation of a million dollars for the STU fund match.

So moved. Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. A motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Alderman Stacy? Yes. Where will this million dollar match come from? It will come from the General Fund Reserve. Anyone else? Alderman Parker? Motion to suspend the rules. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle to suspend the rules. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by a two-thirds majority. Larry, I'll get to you after this vote.

Well, my whole thing is it was open for discussion first before the suspension of the rule.

Well, correct.

I have to be able to voice my...

And you can.

No, not after the fact, before the fact.

Well, when there's a motion on the floor, it's non-debatable, so we're done talking about it.

Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension only, and then we'll come back to you, Alderman Sanders.

Stacy. Okay, I just have a question. What if his question is pertaining to the suspension?

It can't. It's a non-debatable thing. It's non-debatable. Okay, first of all, you say it's non-debatable.

My whole thing is we have not had a formal discussion. Which we can do. No, we have not had it. Before you can suspend the rule. There should have been a formal discussion so people can educate and learn why such a rule has been placed before them. I mean, you get, you're blocking other discussion matters on the subject and that is what's happening and we have to stop that.

So emotional, Attorney Zito, there was an opportunity but you didn't speak up to say you wanted to speak and then a motion to suspend was made. So sometimes you have to be, on the spot with that. That said, that said, that said, that said, you will still have an opportunity to speak on this after the suspension motion is taken up. There's still an opportunity for discussion on this. Madam Clerk, please take the role on the suspension only. Stacy? This is to suspend the rules for the STU funding. Move it to second reading. Yes. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem?

Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Yes. And Parker. Yes.

and Parker. Yes. That motion passes eight to zero. Okay. So now before you is the final reading for this, which is on the floor. So Alderman Sanders, would you like to have your time to be able to ask your questions? Well, it's not a question. It's a procedure. That's what it is on things that we have not discussed as a council to even debate or make a determination whether it's accepted acceptable between members of the council. What we're making decisions on is appropriate for the people of the city.

Okay. Okay. Alderman Sanders, I got to stop you. That's not what we're talking about now. What's on the floor is the supplemental appropriation ordinance for the STU. It's not about the order of whether or not it's appropriate to call for suspension at what time. You're right. You're right. I'm sorry. I apologize for that. Thank you. Any discussion on this ordinance? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Plum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Aye. And the ordinance passes 8-0.

and item number 15 is the first reading of ordinance 202621 could you please read this ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01 e regarding classification plan to add a full-time information technology technology technician director something thank you the IT department was formed in 2017 since that time the IT department has rapidly modernized and expanded the technology capabilities of the city of Freeport.

This modernization and expansion has also increased the workload required to maintain these capabilities while still trying to innovate and further increase capabilities.

An IET technician position was proposed in the fiscal year 26 budget.

It didn't make the cut, but a position was approved for a nuisance department in CUNY development.

Working with the Community Development Director and City Manager we now believe that the desired improvement to the nuisance violation compliance can be achieved through additional IT support and new technologies. Using IT as a force multiplier adding the position of IT technician should also allow for similar improvements across most other departments. The funding for this position will come through a combination of the budgeted nuisance person as well as water and sewer funds. The water and sewer funds funds are needed because they will inevitably perform some work on water and sewer software equipment.

This ordinance supports efficient government goal of our strategic plan and STAC recommends moving it to the second reading.

Thank you, Director Suttman. Is there a motion to move this forward?

So moved.

Second.

The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance?

Suspension of the rules.

No.

Can't do that?

Oh, if you'd like to.

Yeah, that's what I like to do Oh, well, okay Is there a second to suspend the rules?

So moved We have a motion made by Alderman Sanders Seconded by Alderman Clem, right?

Uh-huh To suspend the rules, again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension?

Stacy No Shadle No Sanders Yes Sellers Aye Clemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. And Parker. Aye. And that motion passes 6-2. So now before you is the final passage for Ordinance 20-26-21. Any further discussion on this ordinance? Alderman Stacy? So am I understanding that this is a position? Yes. And this has been budgeted for this year?

In the IT account?

The IT technician has not. What we're doing is we're swapping a person for nuisance into IT.

Ah.

And I've worked that out with Community Development Director.

Alderman Sanders?

What are the qualifications for anyone becoming an IT specialist?

And whether or not they produce all of the credentials for such a position?

I don't have the job description in front of me, but it's a lot of your basic entry level is what we're looking for, like presumably, but also some credentials or a mix of college education, work experience or credentials.

Yeah, I just want to make sure that people that we're putting in computer, because that's a very sensitive area, very sensitive, and I want to make sure that whoever is qualified carries the certification of an A plus certification, has an ATT plus certification before we even began to vet that individual.

We don't even want to take time out to vet him before we can produce those kinds of credentials, so we don't want to waste our time with someone that does not walk with those credentials, especially in our IT department areas, so I like to hear what that qualification is and whether or not they're meeting all the standards.

I believe we did put in, like, network plus.

Hurt, would you like it?

I've got a copy.

Yeah, sure.

Would that help?

I believe it was delivered to all the older persons. Yeah, I think everybody has a copy. Yeah, I have it, but I have, it's not answering my question. Yeah, we put that, I'm sorry, A plus, network plus, security plus certification or equivalent. Okay. So, yeah, we want somebody with some credentials if possible. Okay, thank you. Alderman Stacy? I don't think you were done answering my question before you were cut off. Sure.

Can you remind me, I'm sorry I had asked about it being budgeted and you were saying no, that you swamped Yes, the IT tech was not budgeted for this year An additional nuisance person for community development was budgeted We're going to use the budget for that nuisance person on the IT technician And we're not going to need this nuisance later in the year You're not going to come back and be like, oh, well, we need that money back No, I'm not coming back to you The budget was already started, like budget process was already started before I started I started in October, budget season was already well on away I have two incredible team members who do the job of more than two people And they do such a great job and they're so diligent and on top of things that I don't need another one. We've actually seen a lot of success using technology such as emailing, you know, specifically landlords because we have their emails available with rent registration. We've seen a very huge increase in compliance by emailing the landlords instead of waiting for the mail to reach them of a situation in one of their properties. So with that, I'd like to continue looking into those types of changes in just incorporating technology and modernization of the department before I introduce another team member any time in the future.

Thank you for the advancement of those funds and for opening the door for technology.

Alderman Sanders?

Can I speak again?

Well, technically you did twice, but if you can keep it short.

Yeah, I just wanted to know, are we entering into the field of AI?

Aye. Are we, are we setting up? Well, well, but Alderman Sanders has nothing to do with this. I know, but my point is. So if you want to ask her afterwards, you are more than welcome. All right. Anyone else? I just wanted to know. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. That's debatable. Answer the question. Can I argue with you first, sister?

No, you can answer I or no Oh I can move on if you need more time Yeah, come back to me Sellers Aye Clemm Aye Johnson Aye Simmons We'll give her one more minute to Parker Aye Back to Sanders Okay Aye Parker And Simmons, our technology directors double-dutying here Alderperson Simmons can you hear me I'm going to mark her absent on this one it passes seven to zero okay item number 16 is the first reading of ordinance 2026-22 ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290-01-D1 regarding classification plan to add a full-time freedom of information act officer Freedom of Information Act officer. Thank you. Chief Frosso. Good evening, everyone. We have had an influx of FOIA requests as of January of this year, and right now my officers are the ones that are answering the FOIAs, which is not in their duties and responsibilities to do. So therefore, providing an administrative support for our FOIA requests, because they have gone up as of year to date from January 1st,

to April 3rd, 173 requests and therefore the integrity investigation in accordance to state law should protect the privacy of these FOIAs and I don't have the clerk for that position. So adding this position will actually help in order for those requests and have my officers and my sergeants and my corporals to do their job as what they were sworn in to do.

Attorney Zito.

So before anyone makes a motion to move this forward, the draft of the ordinance that you have in your binders there, there was a blank because at the time that we submitted for the packets, we didn't know what the class grade was going to be for this position. We have since learned that that's going to be a class grade 12. So ultimately, if someone's going to make a motion to move this forward, I would ask that they make the motion to move it forward with the addition that this would be a class grade 12 position.

and make a motion we move it forward with the class trade 12.

I second.

Motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Sanders, or I'm sorry, Sellers, all those, oh, my goodness, discussion on the ordinance.

Yeah.

Alderman Park.

Motion to suspend the rules.

Oh, oh, he gets first.

Would you like to second it?

No, I just wanted to go first, suspending anything before anything got suspended.

Is there a second?

A second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sellers for suspension of the rules.

Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and was passed by a two-thirds majority.

Madam Clerk, please take the rule on the suspension only.

Stacy.

No.

Shadle.

Aye.

Sanders.

No.

Sellers.

Aye.

Clem.

Aye.

Johnson.

Aye.

Simmons.

No.

And Parker.

Aye.

That fails.

One, two, three, four, five to three.

We needed six for that.

So you can call the mayor because half the councils voted in favor of it.

Oh, thank you, attorney.

Mayor, what say you?

Aye.

Then that passes then, six to three.

So now any further discussion on the ordinance that's before you?

I've heard enough.

I've heard enough.

You don't have the floor.

No, I don't.

I'd just like to say to remind any council member here of the decorum in regards to the rules of 220.10, section 24, enforcement of decorum, please Who's talking? Chief Frusto of the police department Why is she talking? That's what I want to know. Who gave you that?

You don't have the floor, Alderman Santana She didn't have the floor, neither. So my point is Would you like to be a little more clear with what you're saying, Chief Frusto?

Do I have the floor now?

Sure.

Okay, thank you, ma'am.

I'm just trying to remind everyone here in council the rules of council to 20.10 enforcement of the decorum of section 24 in order for us to have a clean, valid conversation as to what we're here for in order to understand each other's points and in order for all of us to have a good dialogue and conversation.

It is just a reminder of those rules of conduct It's just an opinion, too, but you don't run Alderman Sanders, this is your warning If you continue to be disruptive, you will be out of order Please don't go to that Okay Thank you But I do need to state my case If it has something to do with this ordinance Yes For the FOIA officer Yes, her comment that she made No, that's not on the floor No That's not on the floor?

No, it's not on the floor What's on the floor before you is the full-time FOIA officer. So do you have something you'd like to add to the floor?

No, she was talking about decorum, Mayor. She was talking about decorum.

The police chief under our ordinances is the sergeant-in-arms, and she is charged with keeping decorum here, ultimately enforcing it, so that's why she was just making a comment.

Our city ordinances say that. Based on what? Our city ordinance.

But why would she bring it up based on what, though? She has to speak.

It's a reminder to be clarified on what she made her comments and that's it. She doesn't. Okay. She made her comments. That's it. All right. So the topic that is on the floor right now is this ordinance. You know, so any further discussion on this ordinance? Yes. Alderman Sanders. I don't think we should have a department that is hoarding all of the foyers that are in complaints that people are making.

throughout the community. I don't think it should come to a central location where you have a Pam Bundy taking over and deciding what gets admitted or said or submitted to the community to have clarity of knowledge of what foyers are going forward and people are understanding what foyers that in complaints that has been made, if it's held by an individual department area, they have discretion on what foyers go forth through the community or acknowledge through the public.

They have that discretion, and I don't think we as council should be allowing a department to receive all foyers and administer and disperse them out to the general public at their discretion because the council is not being acknowledged of all of the foyers that will come in, not even, in some cases, even in our own clerk office.

We are not receiving all of the foyer complaints about it, but if we allow the police department to handle our foyers at their discretion, we might as well be setting up another uh situation with the uh attorney general's office that is going on you're you're really confusing this no i'm not i'm i'm getting trying to get my point is but it's not accurate alderman sanders are not to be the madam clerk could you please shed some light on foyer so our next agenda item i'm also asking for a foyer clerk historically pd has processed those that relate to pd Fire has their own FOIA officer. Sometimes they've had two. The library has their own. I will retain my own.

This is, and do you want to take over from here for clarifying? This is removing a lieutenant from processing FOIAs and having more of a records clerk position process FOIAs. Please correct me if That's not correct. You are correct. Okay. Okay. So, Alderman, Stacy, did you have something? Yes. Where would the funding come from for such a position? Chief? The funding position will come from the police department budget within the general fund. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on ordinance 2026-22.

Stacy. I thought this was the first reading. We had a suspension of the rules. No. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. No. Sellers. Aye. Clemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. No. And Parker. Aye. The ordinance passes five to three. And item number 17 is the first reading of ordinance 2026-23. Could you please read this?

ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01 d3 regarding classification plan to add part-time deputy clerk slash freedom of information act or FOIA clerk. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. And as Tuffy mentioned, this is a part-time FOIA clerk to deal with the increasing volume of FOIAs coming into her office. I'm just going to kind of go through the memo here fairly thoroughly here. So since 2017, the clerk's office has operated with one full-time elected city clerk and one full-time appointed deputy city clerk. Since 2017 and the formation of the city manager form of government, the clerk's office has taken on additional duties and the number of existing duties has increased in volume. Additionally, duties include tracking contracts, agreements with monthly review with city manager from the time of an in-house Attorney stopped tracking these agreements back in 2015. And until 2019, this was not done until Dovie began maintaining the contract spreadsheet. It was not currently being, it was not being reviewed during that duration. In 2019, there were 40 contracts that the 40 contracts that the in-house attorney had been tracking on a spreadsheet as of March 2026 that are now 215 active contracts being maintained and tracked by the city clerk of which six-month window is reviewed monthly with the city manager. There are 200 closed contracts listed in the spreadsheet awaiting approval for or disapproval through the records retention process by the Illinois State's Archive. Two additional duties which did not exist in the clerk's office in 2017 are maintenance,

and filing of hangar leases and attendance and typing of minutes at the Finance Committee of the Whole meetings. An example of an increase in volume of work since 2017 is the diligence expended by the deputy clerk in obtaining signatures on contracts approved by resolution. A contract cannot be proven valid if unsigned. Therefore, the deputy clerk works extensively with repeated reminders to obtain signatures prior to filing resolutions. Historically, not all contracts were signed when filed with a resolution. The increase in resolutions has in turn increased the time required in processing agreements, including obtaining signatures. The number of resolutions has increased from 60 in 2019 to 159 in 2025, which is a 165% increase. Some tasks have been put on hold, such as keeping certificates of insurance up to date.

some tasks are delayed by years such as typing closed session minutes which is five years behind and some tasks are beginning to become delayed such as minutes not being available at the next council committee of the whole meeting miscellaneous licenses issued late and FOIA directory posted to website only annually instead of the scheduled quarterly updates in the planning the fiscal year 2026 budget a third part-time deputy clerk was proposed but did not make it to the final budget. Citywide, the number of employees has increased from 172 in 2017 to 188 in 2025. We've added an information technology department. Additional staff and departments generate more resolutions, more contracts, more vehicles, more equipment, gear, more filing, which citywide staff numbers have grown by 16 and a half people in the past nine years. The clerk's office has held steady at two people.

Council approved the additional of software for processing licenses in 26 and staff are currently working with iWorks representatives to get the software functional. Liquor licenses will be the first type of license processed online within the next month with the addition of other miscellaneous licenses in March of 2027. Online processing will hopefully be more expedient than paper processing and bringing some relief to the overall clerk's workload once applicants are familiar with the new procedure. In addition to the above workload, Freedom of Information Acts have recently and rapidly increased across all departments as well as across the state. In the clerk's office alone, a total of 213 FOIA requests were processed in 2025, which is a 30% increase over 2024, a 122% increase over 2021, and there have been a couple of state statute changes in the FOIA laws which benefit municipalities, but there is no significant relief in sight for the future. The addition of a part-time deputy clerk, FOIA clerk, would greatly benefit the current workload on the city clerk's office. Additional staff will help the clerk's office maintain the statutory requirements of the Freedom of Information Act as well as Open Meetings Act.

Without additional staffing, compliance with FOIA and OMA will be the main focus to reduce liability exposure to the city.

Without the addition of the deputy clerk, I'm sorry, deputy city clerk, FOIA clerk, services currently provided to city council members, co-workers, and applicants will need to be reduced or modified. Funding for the part-time deputy clerk, FOIA clerk position for the remainder of 2026 will come from the fiscal year 2025 fund reserve with the position incorporated into the 2027 budget. Staff recommends approval of this position and has requested suspension of the rules on this. Thank you. Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the ordinance? Alderman Sellers? To me, I look at it as a good thing because it's part-time and we are growing as a community and we have more things going on and they need the help so I am in support of it and I think it's a good thing to help out and get things right. I'd just like to make a comment if anybody doesn't think of this we need this position take a look at Dixon prime example number of contracts have increased how much but you're in charge Archive to close and everything else. It's been a needed thing for a while. I'm for it.

Alderman Johnson?

I know the city clerk has a multitude of duties, and I was just kind of wondering with the FOIAs, I know that different ones take different amounts of times, you know, time to complete. About how much time do you think it would take for one that's not as complicated, and how much time would it take for one that is complicated?

just to give a ballpark figure of about how many hours you put into doing like say one FOIA?

For some pretty complicated ones where I have to dig pretty deep and do a pretty detailed breakdown.

I've already spent eight hours. I've clocked, you know, I've kept track and spent eight hours on one complicated FOIA. I would say a typical one that goes to community development. I would say probably our most common is code violations to a single property is probably the most common and probably between my time and actually Jabria processes most of those but by the time she shares it and Gertrude's department processes maybe a total of four hours across the two departments if redactions are needed that takes a little bit longer. We log them. We track them. That in itself takes time. Did you want to add to that?

Yeah, I think the ones that we get are usually if they're related to fines or adjudicated cases, we have to go and search for the liens and we do our due diligence to make sure that we fine them all.

Sometimes it is a, you know, anything that was prior to a new systems or a new technology, we have to go back and look a little bit further. So, yeah, I think about for sometimes, you know, if we have to look further back, maybe add a couple extra hours to look through the paper copies in our storage and go upstairs and find them. So, yeah. Thank you.

Hold on, Parker. Motion to suspend the rule.

Second.

Is that Shadle?

We have a motion made by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules, seconded by Alderman Shadle Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the suspension only Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. We'll wait a second for Alderperson Sanders, Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye.

One, two, three, four, five, we're currently five to two Okay, Mayor, what say you? Aye We have our six votes to two, the suspension passes So then before you, Council, is the final passage for this ordinance, any further discussion?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Oh, I'm so sorry, he's absent at the moment. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. And Parker? Aye. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in favor, 5 to 2, that is enough for to pass the ordinance. Thank you. And thank you very much. Item number 18 is the first reading of Ordinance 20, 26, 24. Could you please read this?

Ordinance Annexing Well No. 12 Property to the City of Freeport, Stevenson County Thank you, Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor As everyone knows, we've been working very diligently on gaining new source water and treatment capacity The location for Well 12 was chosen from a study that was done on the aquifer quality This location at Forest Road and the South Park entrance was purchased about a year ago and we need to annex this into the city at this point so staff requests moving forward with the annexation of well I'm not going to read the parcel number because it's fairly lengthy but if you want to read it it's in your memo kindly staff request annexing this into the city motion to approve second motion made by Alderman Clem seconded by Alderman Shadle discussion on the ordinance Alderman Shadle is there any need there's no note on here here for a request of suspension. Is there any need? Okay. Thank you. There's a lot of dirt moving there. I'm okay with the suspension. No, we can't. We cannot suspend. Oh, we can't. Okay. There is a, we have to follow a, so we, we can't suspend because we have to have a, We can't suspend because we have to have a public hearing on Planning Commission.

Sorry, I got you.

Thank you.

You are so right.

Yes.

I stand corrected.

Everybody just wanted to suspend.

There's no further discussion.

We'll move on to item number 19, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-25.

Could you please read this?

Ordinance approving the city to enter into a second addendum to lease agreement with Derek Squires for airplane hangar G at Albertus Airport.

Thank you.

Manager Boyer.

Thank your honor.

Mayor, Derek Squires, operates a maintenance facility in the terminal hangar G. He has recently approached the city about allowing us to use the entire facility. Currently, his lease states that he can only use half of it. Staff agrees and requests that he's counsel on providing the other half of the hangar at an increased rent of $2,000 per month.

Motion approved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers to move Ordinance 2026-25 onto the next scheduled meeting. Discussion on the ordinance? Alderman Stacy?

Um, if I'm not mistaken, I thought there was a square footage amount determined on the cost of a hanger.

This hanger G is 80 by 100 and a hanger of this size at least is worth $4,000 per month.

Where are you getting those figures from?

And so why is it only being built for $2,000?

Why is it that the city is paying for gas and electric when the most electric we use is letting up the garage door to take out the equipment and to put it back in?

Why are the taxpayers paying their utilities?

They're being squires.

Where after April 1st do the equipment, where will it be put?

Why not remain in the hangar as it was in the past?

I don't have an answer for every single one of those because I didn't write them all down.

However, I will say that in June of 2024, we approved this hangar lease with Mr. Squires for $1,000, and he is faithfully used and abided by the terms of the lease. His business is getting larger, and we'd like the opportunity to extend that and double his square footage for $2,000.

So staff, yes, it is true that the city does pay for utilities. However, that is no different than it's been when we had the other operations, second generation aviation was operating out of this hangar. And in terms of the equipment, I think Mr. Squires has also been so generous to allow us to keep the equipment out there in that hangar. So I would recommend council move forward with this lease.

Alderman Parker. Motion to suspend the rules. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman. What's going on? If you're going to be disruptive, that'll be your warning. Let's be let's be professional. Yeah, let's be professional. That's your warning. If it happens again, you're going to be escorted. So please don't do it again. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle for suspension of the rules.

rules. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the suspension only. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Alderperson Simmons, can you hear me? We can go back to her if we need to, Parker? Aye. One, two, three, four. It's five to two. Mayor? Okay. Aye. Mayor, what is your vote? Aye. Aye.

That is now 6-2, and the suspension passes.

So now, before you, is for the passage for this ordinance, discussion on this hangar ordinance.

Alderman Stacy?

Yes, my questions were not even answered.

I think he told you, he answered them to the best of usability because he didn't write them all down.

You had an entire page.

You're more than welcome to pick up the phone and ask these questions.

Why, if our equipment is not staying in that hangar, are we paying for the gas and the electric? Why?

Manager Boyer?

I believe Mr. Squires has offered us the opportunity to leave our equipment in the hangar.

But you just said he needed more room.

Yes.

And that it would be put out.

Yes, our equipment does not take the entire half of the hangar.

Our equipment only takes a small amount of the hang.

Okay, so 50-50 then.

Why are we paying for all the electric and all the gas?

That is the arrangement.

This is taxpayers' dollars.

Okay.

We have set this up.

We're working with our utility partners to get that down just like we did at the library.

However, essentially, we just need to make sure that in the wintertime our equipment is warm and able to run.

And I don't think it's fair, Mayor Miller, for my questions to be looked over because I didn't take time to call City Manager Boyer and get an answer before this meeting.

He didn't overlook you. Alderman Parker put his hand up and I called on him like I would have anyone else.

And he answered what he wanted to answer and what he didn't want to answer. He didn't. So yes, yes, I'm a little upset about that.

I'm a little upset being put off, like my questions don't matter, they do matter, just like the next person They do Any other discussion on the ordinance?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy No Shadle Aye Sanders No Sellers Aye Klum Aye Johnson Aye Simmons No Parker Aye the ordinance passes five to three and item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 202640 could you please read this resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with Freeport Park District for reimbursement of $140,000 in paving costs for Gladewood Drive thank you manager Boyer thank you your honor as we were working the construction plans for Gladewood this year and we were approached by the park district they would like while we have our equipment and in our paving machine out there they'd like us to look at repaving the section from Gladewood to Woodside Drive so we our estimates came up at about a hundred and forty thousand and the park district appears amenable to this at this time so staff recommends moving forward with the intergovernmental agreement with the park district for the amount of hundred forty thousand dollars to repay from Gladewood to Woodside Drive in the park is there a motion to adopt so move We'll move. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clemm. Discussion on the resolution?

Yeah. Alderman Sanders?

Question. We're talking about a reimbursement of what exactly?

That would be site prep, material removal, base repair, installation of base material, and paving.

Who's requesting for this reimbursement? Is it the city?

Yes. There's a map included with your packet, if you want.

No, I just wanted to hear you talk right now because I'm just wondering, City Boyer, when you talk in reference to staff, who are these people that you're referring to?

I'm requesting it.

No, who is the staff? You always make a reference to staff. Who is staff?

In the context of the recommendation, it's me as city staff in combination with our Okay, so it's why can't you just say city Boyer as opposed to staff? Because when you say staff, you sound like you talking about a collective of people making it, wanting to move on on these things.

It's not the staff, I like to know who staff is, I like to know who these people are, if it's not council, then who is staff, and if you're running by certain titles, if you have two titles, where you're the city manager and staff, I like to know that, that's what I'm getting at, you're using that phrase, staff constantly all staff constantly all the time to push it to push an agenda. I am your staff. Okay. Okay. Staff is me and all of our folks that are working for the city that worked on this project, making a unanimous recommendation that we move forward with this. Okay. Attorneys, did you have something else? Nope. That's exactly what I was going to say that staff city staff is basically comprised of the city manager, and then every department head and employee that works for the city.

City, that is city staff. I understand that much, but my point is, and I don't like your description of that, so you make your comments, I make mine, because staff means that a collective of people came together, especially when you make it plural, when you make the term staff plural, it's not just one individual, it's a collective of people, and so that's all I wanted to get an understanding on.

I wanted to make sure that I'm hearing this right because that's all that I see that I hear that's pushing agendas and staff, staff wants to move forward, staff wants to do this, that, the other and we're sitting here saying well staff is making the decisions on whether or not we move forward or not, that's all I'm trying to get clarity on and we just can't, we just don't rely on staff if council has not gotten, has not even gotten together and talk about what council is.

Council decide to move forward. That's all I'm just saying. I'm just putting that out there. Council has not decided whether we should move forward, but, you know, that's me.

Manager, Boyer?

Alderman Sanders, I just want to mention that we had a meeting scheduled for March 26th where we could have discussed all this.

Yeah, well, you know, that's probably true.

Yes, I want to know if $140,000 is going to complete this entire project or if there's things hidden that's not covered in this $140,000.

I'll answer that. The answer is yes.

Yes, what?

$140,000 will cover the total cost of this project as proposed.

Any other discussion on the resolution?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll, Stacy, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Plum, Aye, Jensen, Aye, Simmons, I'm going to mark her as absent, we just, we've lost communication, I'm not absent, oh, what'd she say, say that again please, Alderman Persons, Simmons, Yes, yes, thank you, Parker, Aye, and the resolution is adopted, 8 to 0, Madam Clerk, can you come up here just for a second?

Do you need my notes or anything?

Oh.

Five to three.

Yes.

That is a lease.

Yes.

It's not 50%.

Is it when we do leases?

Right.

Okay.

Okay.

You just want me...

Well, we just...

The attorney caught a...

What?

I missed it.

So, Mayor, if we could go back to agenda item number 19, which is the least that we just talked about Ordinance 202625, yes, Madam Clerk There, so that one, it was my mistake, there was a vote taken, it was five to three There, I should have asked, that triggers the mayor calling just like on the other ones There, anytime half the council votes in favor of something, then the mayor is allowed to vote on it there In this particular case, because a supermajority vote of three forces needed to approve leases, this would trigger the mayor needing to cast a vote.

So back to number 19, hangar lease, mayor, what is your vote?

Aye.

So we have a total of six to three, which fulfills the supermajority. Thank you, attorney.

Item number 21 is adoption of resolution 202641. Could you please read this?

Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide construction engineering services related to the 2026 streets project Thank you, Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor, and I just wanted to mention that with 7.2 miles of reconstructs this season, a good part of that is going to require water main replacements So Fair Graham has submitted a proposal to that effect Ferrogram design permitted and bid the water main replacements along with the street reconstruction for Demeter, Benton, Concord, and North Stewart.

These four residential areas have experienced numerous water main breaks in recent years, necessitating full replacement of the aged spun cast water main, similar to our situation this morning.

Streets will be reconstructed with the roadway paving.

So this is for design engineering of water main replacement.

This agreement is for professional engineering services including construction engineering staking and full project management in the amount of $349,885 and that also would include the QAQC material testing services that are a third party as time and material and as needed only and construction engineering was part of this in the 2025, I'm sorry, the 2026 budget.

So staff recommends moving forward with the agreement with Fehr Graham for Water Main Street Reconstruction Engineering Services So move Second We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem for the adoption of Resolution 2026-41 I'm good, sorry So discussion on the resolution, Alderman Sanders Yeah, Manager Boyer I'm in favor to what the recommendation is on these waterline replacements. Are we codified with the proper scheduling of the material that we're intended to replace it with?

I think I understand what you mean. Yes, I mean, we're using the appropriate material for the construction.

Okay, that's all I wanted to know. Because I don't want us to experience those water breaks like they did before.

Any other discussion on the resolution? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Could I have the first and second again, please? Sorry.

That would have been Sellers and Clemm.

Thank you. Stacy?

Aye.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders, Sellers, Plum, Johnson, Simmons, and Parker.

The resolution is adopted, 8-0.

Item number 22 is the adoption of Resolution 2026-42.

Could you please read this?

Resolution approving an agreement with Fair Graham to provide construction engineering services related to the 2026 street projects.

Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

and very similar to the last item we have this will be the year two of our five-year plan and that includes the streets previously mentioned. We also are coming and asking for street project construction engineering services for the 2026 street reconstruction plan. As we normally do, these contracts have been extremely valuable in terms of ensuring that what we're paying for is done correctly.

It's done at the proper specification, and we are taking care of all the items along the way that need to be dealt with, and it is in large part due to the oversight and the engineering services provided by Fehr Graham during the construction season. So, staff recommends moving forward with this agreement with Fehr Graham for $265,000 for construction engineering contract through this construction season.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders.

What construction company is going to participate in this? It's further down on your agenda. Say that again?

It's further down on your agenda. Those are the construction companies. You'll be approving them soon.

Fishers got the first package, Helm got the second package, and Fishers got the third package. Oh, okay. Okay. Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacey Aye Shadle Aye Sanders Aye Sellers Aye Clem Aye Johnson Aye Simmons Thank you, and Parker Aye The resolution is adopted, 8-0 Item number 23 is the adoption of resolution Item number 23 is the adoption of Resolution 20-26-43. Could you please read this?

Resolution ratifying emergency repairs of hot mix asphalt paver by Altafer-Catt.

Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor. Every year we send the paver back to be gone through by the manufacturer rep, and then whatever repairs need to be made are made.

this year when the paver was returned they had requested that we bring it back later in the season and it got so late that we brought it back here at the very tail end of winter and then of course we were informed that there was about $16,467 worth of repairs that the paver needed so the staff is requesting you to ratify this resolution so that we can go ahead and get that paver back in time for street construction season.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

A motion made by Alderman Sellers.

No.

No?

Johnson.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Shadle.

Yeah.

Discussion on the resolution.

Yes.

Alderman Sanders.

Yeah.

Manager Boyer, how long have we had this paper?

I believe we purchased it in 2022.

That's okay.

So it had not had an upgrade, not an upgrade, but an evaluation since then?

No, it's been back every year.

It usually costs $5,000.

Just for an evaluation?

They do an evaluation and a tune-up.

Oh, and the thing is, they are, this is every projection of every year that they do this?

Well, as the equipment gets older, I'm guessing we're going to have more and more, you know, bills associated with making it ready for the next season. However, you know, as far as pavers are concerned, it's fairly minor, you know, maintenance costs associated even at $16,000.

Yeah, the paver I think knew was around $300,000 Okay, thank you Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy Aye Shadle Aye Sanders Aye Sellers Aye Clem Aye Johnson Aye Simmons Aye And Parker Aye The resolution is adopted, 8-0 Item 24 is adoption of Resolution 2026-44. Could you please read this? Resolution approving agreement and plans and specifications as approved by State of Illinois, IDOT, for a joint city-state milling and resurfacing project on FAP Route 5241, which is South Street.

Manager Boyer?

Thank you, Your Honor. So for about a year, we've been planning on the reconstruction of South Street from, or the repaving of South Street from Galena to Locust.

This will be primarily led by State IDOT District 2, and we're very fortunate to be part of a pilot program that would get that unmarked state route resurfaced.

They have come to us here within the last weeks and requested they need a $22,943 match for the $5,750,000 they plan to invest in this community.

staff requests that council approve this appropriation of $22,943 for the city's match with State District 2.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

Discussion on the resolution.

Madam Clerk, please.

This is actually approving the plans.

Oh, I apologize.

The next one is the match.

Because I don't know.

I think you're ahead. I'm sorry about that. You are correct. Yes. Staff request moving forward with the project with the plan set. Thank you. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Stacy. Okay. Sorry. Are we on the right one? We are. I'll be asking for the 20. Should I read item 25 into the record? So what manager Boyer explained was appropriating and allocating matching funds to Illinois Department of Transportation Street Project on FAP Route 5241 South Street. This is appropriating the funds for it. Okay, so can I get a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-40? So much. Second. Okay. Alderman Sellers, was that you? Mm-hmm. Do we have a second?

Yeah. Alderman Shadle? And discussion on what was just presented? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? And Parker? Aye. Resolution 2026-47 is adopted 8-0. Okay, so then let's go back to 2026-44. Do we still have the motion on the floor? Redo it? Okay. Madam Clerk, could you please read that for the record? I think we are way off here. Resolution approving agreement and plans and specifications as proposed by the state of Illinois IDOT for a joint city-state milling and resurfacing project on FAP Route 5241 South Street.

Manager, do you have something else to add?

I have nothing more to add.

This is just the agreement with District 2 moving forward.

Do we have a motion to adopt?

So move.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

Discussion on the resolution.

Alderman Clem?

Yeah, I'd just like to say that, you know, this is a road that's been in the offing for a long period of time, but I really got to congratulate the team of whoever all was involved to picking this up and getting the job done. You know, it's always been a gonna be where, you know, so it's a nice thing to have happen. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacey, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, I said Aye, I don't know if you heard me and Parker, Aye, the resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 26 is the adoption of resolution 202645. Could you please read this?

Resolution approving an opportunity zone grant agreement between the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the City of Freeport regarding sewer lining project.

Manager Boyer.

Thank, Your Honor.

Fair Graham submitted a DCEO reimbursement grant for utility sewer lining.

The City's been investing nearly $500,000 a year in our sewer lining program, which is required by EPA, C-MOM.

That's basically an infiltration requirement.

The city was recently awarded $100,000 reimbursement for a successful project completed in 2025 by Hare Construction And city staff are requesting to the city council approve a resolution to accept the funds from DCEO grant funds for accounting and transparency purposes Thank you Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved Second A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers Discussion on the resolution?

Madam Clerk please take the roll. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. And item 27 is the adoption of resolution 202646. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of a sanitary sewer lateral camera and locator from Ferguson Waterworks. Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you.

here, Honor. This is kind of a specialized piece of equipment. Our old one was, I believe, from 1988. So it failed recently, and we no longer have a camera that we can put into a sewer lateral and do checks where people's sewer connections connect into the collection system. So we have received a quote from Rigid, I'm sorry, a camera by Rigid Commercial Products, and this is through through our normal utility distributor for a price of $21,398.98.

Their Ferguson Water Works is the supplier and city staff request moving forward with this purchase of this small camera for sewer laterals.

Is there a motion to adopt?

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker.

discussion on the resolution, Alderman Sanders.

Yeah, Manager Boyer, that is pretty old, since 19, what?

88.

88, yeah, that's pretty old, does that come with the vehicle, equipped with the vehicle itself?

This is just the camera that attaches to the recording equipment, so it's a small high-res color camera that goes into the sewer laterals.

into the sewer laterals or services from people's homes, but, you know, our larger one is to do that.

So how old is the van itself? I mean, the vehicle itself. I mean, is it going to be able to withstand the longevity of the camera?

Well, you're getting two things going on here. One is the sewer lateral camera is just a small standalone piece of equipment.

The van is the sewer camera truck And so that's all Still there and we use it all the time Okay, I'm just wondering what the condition of it was Yeah, it's in serviceable condition Serviceable, okay Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy Aye Shadle Aye Sanders Aye Sellers Aye Clemm Aye Johnson Aye Simmons Aye And Parker Aye The resolution is adopted 8-0 Item 28 is approval of the bid. Could you please read?

Bid opening on March 17, 2026 for Street and Water Main Projects for 2026 Package B Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor. The City has posted a bid for our Street Reconstruction Program for Package B. We received three local bid or three bids for the project. Fisher Excavating of Freeport was the lowest response bidder in the amount of $1,604,723.40. I believe the other bidders, and Darren, correct me if I'm wrong, obviously Helm bid on this one, and who else bid on this?

Kelsey Excavating.

Right, Kelsey, okay. There was a request, and we need to incorporate this in the memos as we go with the other bidders. So essentially, staff is recommending approving this bid with Fisher Excavating for the amount of $1,604,723.40.

$0.40. Is there a motion to approve? So move. City manager. Yeah, the bidders are always attached on the certified bid tab. Yes, but there was a request to put it on the memo. Oh, all right. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the bid. Alderman Sanders? Well, it's not the bid that I'm concerned about. I'm concerned about not knowing what it is that we're excavating.

and I obviously I don't have the detailed information on the excavation part of it that justifies one million whatever odd dollars it is from one.

Darren, would you go over package B for us?

Yes, it's in the memo. West Dewey Street, South Carroll, Pershing, Gladewood and Seminole are in that package.

It's all street aggregate and pavement removal and then repaving Okay, thanks Anything else?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy Aye Shadle Aye Sanders Aye Sellers Aye Clem Aye Johnson Aye Simmons Aye And Parker Aye That bid is approved 8-0 And item 29, another bid, could you please read?

March 24th, 2026, Street and Water Main Projects for 2026, Package C.

Manager, Boyer?

Yep, thank you very much.

Again, just like Package B, this one was won by Helm Group at $614,384.30, and this includes Concord Drive from Cimarron to Middlebury.

So staff recommends moving forward with the successful bidder of Helm.

Is there a motion to approve the bid?

So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this bid.

Madam Clerk, Alderman Shadle. Again, there was a request for the other bidders if we had those available.

So again, it was Fishers, Helm, and Kelsey. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye.

Simmons. Aye. And Parker. Oh, and he is absent. That passes seven to zero. And item number 30, the final bid. Bid opening on March 31st, 2026, Street and Water Main Projects for 2026, Package A. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Mayor. It's going to be a very busy construction year. This was Package A, which includes Demeter, Benton, North Stewart, and also Water, Maine for those streets. The city received three bids, Fishers, Kelsey, and Helm. Fishers was the low bid at $2,479,388, and staff recommends moving forward with this bid.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

Second.

Second.

A motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on this approval.

Council. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And Parker? Aye. The motion passes, 8-0. And item 31, another bid. Bid opening on March 31, 2026, MFT Crack Ceiling for 2026. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. Every year, as we pay for roads a year or so later we need to go and do our first maintenance step and routing and fill those cracks with a mastic. That helps preserve the road and begins it off on the right path in terms of its wear. This year we solicited bids for the crack filling process. The winning bidder was Dendler Incorporated. The low bid was $105,777.93.

and the other bidders were Complete Asphalt Service Company and SKC Construction.

So staff recommends moving forward with the Dendler bid for $105,777.93.

So more?

Second.

Motion made by Clem, seconded by Sellers.

Discussion on the bid.

Madam Clerk, please take, Alderman Stacy So the city workers will not be doing any of this pavement, it's all going to be done through this company It's not paving, it's crack sealing, and we never do it, we don't have the equipment for crack sealing Madam Clerk, please take the roll Stacy, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders is absent Sellers, Aye, Clem, Aye Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Thank you. Parker? Aye. The motion passes 7-0. Reports from department heads, finance? Nothing this evening. Thank you. Community development? Nothing this evening. Thank you. Public works? Just a couple project updates quickly. Lift station projects are underway. Generators are being set. You'll see that happening shortly.

automatic transfer switches, electrical will be changed. The MCC cabinets are in a delay from the manufacturer, so they won't be until June. The parking lot really started under heavy construction today down at the municipal lot downtown. They're installing storm sewer and moving forward with pavement removal. The bidoc project, we've been talking about that forever. The utilities are done.

They're coring it out for roadway and hopefully the plants will open around the first week of May and that should be one of the first projects done and the demo downtown is progressing rather be it slow. They're being careful not to damage the adjacent buildings and they've been working from the alley side so you don't see a lot from the front. They're trying to take it down you know a couple feet at a time. Wastewater treatment plant project is in full swing. Lots of construction workers out there if you haven't been by and well 12 started last week with the dirt moving and the grading of the site so a lot of busy stuff happening in Freeport. Thank you. Fire. Nothing this evening. Thank you. Police. I just would like to address just one thing that we are doing and as part of my tenure and being here at Freeport which is a great city to come to. I came from Chicago to come to live here in Freeport and serve the citizens and the community and the residents of Freeport.

Freeport. So it is a great city to come to. But in regards to data integrity and regards to our systems, I need to do a whole overhaul on our systems. And that's what we're doing in regards to data, in regards to crime stats, in regards to arrests, in regards to our dispatch numbers. And in order to do that, it's to ensure accuracy, reliability across all the systems. And in order to have that regularity Compliance. It is not good practice to post something that is not ready to be posted in order to have that is not ready to be posted in order to have operational efficiencies. We will get there, but the first thing that I need to do is to ensure that all my systems and all my data capturing systems are up to par and that all my officers are trained to do so. So we will have a platform for that because what I don't want is to have data which is garbage in and garbage out because that's not fair to all the community members and it's not also fair and correct in order to have any transparency, in order to make trustworthy decisions for my department and for this community. Library? Nothing tonight. IT? City Manager? Thank you, Your Honor. I do have something for tonight. This morning, the city experienced a major water main break on cottonwood involving a 12-inch water main constructed of spun cast material. This pipe material is widely known in the industry as weak. It comprises most of our distribution system and has been the cause of nearly all

of our major water main breaks in the city of Freeport. Over the last two years, the city has been installing iHydrants throughout the system. These units are capable of monitoring pressure and temperature and they provided an important early warning this morning. According to Randy Kolbauer, our regulatory and compliance officer, the event began unfolding at approximately 6.50 a.m. when the iHydrant system began reporting low pressure at multiple locations. This signaled a significant system issue. Within minutes, Pat Ingram, our operations superintendent, was notified, and Rick Lindeman, our chief plant operator, reported that Well 8 was unable to keep up with the demand and moved to evaluate bringing additional capacity online. Staff quickly determined the problem involving a large mean break, and by 6.58 a.m., the Freeport Police Department had helped identify the location of Cottonwood. Mr. Ingram was updated immediately, Darren was briefed, and crews under direction of John Liebenstein, our utility field crew foreman, were already moving to the site to throttle the line down and reduce water loss and stabilize the system. The coordination between the utility staff, the Freeport Police Department, was especially important in the early moments of the event. Police quickly helped confirm the break location and our utility team, including John and the field crew, moved rapidly to isolate the line, reducing water loss and stabilizing that system. Because the pressure loss and out of an abundance of caution, and a Boyer order was issued for the city as a whole while staff worked to determine the full extent of the impact.

At this time, the known effects extend beyond Moss Canyon and the negative pressure was reported at the Brewster Hydrant.

Additional iHydrant alerts were received downtown and as far west as Galena.

I also want to recognize our utility administrative staff, Tony, Tiffany, Cindy, Kathy, Carey, and all the city staff here at City Hall.

and especially our communications director, Bryan Bridge, for their timely and professional communication with the public. Thoughtful, clear, and professional communication during an event like this helps build trust and reflects the quality of the team currently serving the residents of Freeport.

Overall, this was a timely and professional response to a significant infrastructure event.

Our utility team, operations staff, plant staff, and John Lievenstein and the utility field crew, building office, clerical staff, and communication staff and supporting personnel moved quickly to identify the break, manage system pressure, reduced water loss, and communicate it with the public, and take the necessary public health precautions.

Their response reflects professionalism and commitment to the city staff serving the residents of the city of Freeport.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Yes, totally agree.

Well done to all those that were involved.

Alderman Stacy?

I would just like to know, do we have a time on when?

I was just surprised that we got a phone call and school has been canceled for tomorrow because of the water issue and I didn't know if it was still off or when it got turned on or anything.

Manager Boyer.

I think you can answer many of those.

I think the water was definitely back on by one o'clock and I think it took us quite a while to do all the samples that are required.

So I think there's 27 altogether, 26 need to come back tomorrow.

midday. I would imagine by around noon or one o'clock, we'll have results on that. And if we have any kind of failure on the testing, we'll have to resample, which will take another day. So in a best case scenario, you should know by three o'clock tomorrow. In a worst case scenario, it'll be three o'clock on Wednesday. And you're talking about for the boil order? Yes, the boil order. Which is why they're just being cautious. The school district will get a notice, a call? Yes.

Ullman, Shadle, just want to thank the chief for choosing us Ullman, Sanders, no not at this moment Ullman, Sellers, I'd just like to say that I am a little excited about all the work that's going to be going on this summer and just waiting to see all the results when we get it all done Thank you to all involved in the ordeal this morning and the work getting it done. Attaboy to Brian, he got out communications early and a lot of people were happy. And keep in mind, tell me if I'm wrong, city manager, but boiling water mainly consists of any water that you drink or that you cook with.

But other than that, your water is fine to use and so on and so forth.

I did get some calls on it, but great job in getting it done, and it's tough dealing with some of the old stuff we have.

Alderman Johnson?

Thank you, Chief, for your answer.

I'm sorry.

Alderman Johnson?

I agree with Tom with everything he said, and also congratulations to all those who got promotions.

I love to see people moving forward and stepping into the things they're designed for.

Alderman Simmons?

I don't have anything. Thank you. Only Parker. Nothing tonight, Your Honor. And that leaves us with public comment. Madam Clerk, I know you have one that was to be read in.

I received an email from Carol Krupke. Dear City of Freeport Councilpersons, Mr. Boyer and Madam Mayor, a lot has been talked about in regards to the possibility of allowing animal control personnel to euthanize feral cats that are trapped by the city. I don't really understand this at all.

you have an organization NIPCO run by volunteers that Freeport has worked well with previously ready and willing to continue addressing the issue of feral cats in the city. Why is this efficient and knowledgeable organization not being allowed to work as a team with Freeport letting NIPCO work with the city is much more cost effective no additional training education for personnel and much more humane before anything is set in stone please I'm asking you for myself and on behalf of the innocent animals to come back to the table.

Cable with Nipco and work together to make the cat population naturally go down. Carol Krupke.

Yes, ma'am.

Good evening. My name is Maddie Brown. I live at 124 North Sunset. I'm kind of nervous.

The reason I'm here was because I read this newsletter and it said animal control gave information in 2025 that they trapped skunks.

This is 2026. We notified animal control in 2025. They said they didn't do skunks. He said the city has a license, but there's no trained person to carry out this problem. He said the guy has to go to Chicago to be trained, and there's no date for his training.

the breeding system has come and gone and my neighbor has hired four trappers which is $375 to $400 then when they come back it's another $100 or $175 they caught a total of four skunks and a cat let's see we call animal control they didn't help we call the alderman he referred us to the city manager no response from in that office, talked to the executive assistant of the mayor. She said, call Rockford and wild animals will be wild animals. I called the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They don't handle wildlife inside the city. They referred me to another phone number. It's not just Sunset, Herd, Stewart, Green State. I was there after hours to tell her and and the whole area was a cloud of skunk spray. I asked for a budget. Is there a budget to help my neighbors especially fight a surplus budget somewhere, discretionary funds, a grant that would help because they have one to seven and this is second year.

and they're just, they can spray one in the afternoon, in the mornings.

In the mornings, 1 to 3 a.m., you wake up with that odor all over, and it just doesn't go away in a few minutes. It lingers. So everybody says suggest trappers, suggest trappers. We've done that, and they're not effective.

So I'm asking, can we speed up the training?

Can we get some kind of committee or somebody that can tone this down, get rid of them before it gets a lot more out of hand?

Ms. Brown, your time has expired, but I'm sure that either the public works director or the city manager can answer your questions in just a couple of minutes.

Is there any other public comments?

I call the public works There's the director Did I talk to you?

And I explain to you about the neighbor Okay, but your time has expired, Ms. Brown You'll have to wait until the meeting's done and then he'll help you Anyone else?

Hi, my name is Sue Cook and I'm going to do something that's kind of out of the ordinary for me but Mayor Miller, thank you so much for being a yay on the dispensary because I have seen dispensaries in different cities and they do bring in a lot of money.

Now the traffic wasn't, it may be a little bit more the first couple weeks, but then it sort of lays itself out.

So you're going to see a lot of money coming in to the city because of it.

Also, rather than having your Freeport patients drive, medical patients, drive to Fulton or Rockford and spend their money there, we want it spent in Freeport.

So thank you very much for that.

Thank you very much for being so eloquent.

You weren't treated right.

Thank you very much for being so eloquent.

And the other thing was I was going to say something about the cats.

Carol did say pretty much exactly what I was going to say regarding the feral cat.

However, if there is a capture of a feral cat, Fortunate Souls is the place that will take feral cats and retrain them, whether they be adults or kittens, whether they're nipped and have been neutered or spayed, Fortunate Souls is the place to call.

but please don't euthanize them because I don't know how with a feral you'd be able to get into a vein and a heart stick would be horrible so especially for kittens that didn't ask to come into this world. Thank you very much. Any other public comments this evening? Seeing none I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Stacey, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Plum, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Parker,