Sponsors.
The Imagination Library would not happen in our community throughout our region.
Give Like Dolly Day is an opportunity to put a spotlight on our work and the Imagination Library.
There's no one right way to participate.
You can wear pink.
You can color some of the coloring pages I brought tonight with crayons from United Way.
You could donate and use September to raise awareness and celebrate our local Imagination Library.
Our 2026 sponsors of the Imagination Library in Stephenson County include the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois out of Rockford, FHN slash Mercy Health now, the Lean Alliance Club, the Freeport Kiwanis Club, and many individual donors.
Each book costs $2.60.
The state does currently pay half of that for us as affiliates.
If you were to donate just $9.25 this Friday, you will have provided seven months of books to children.
So we are going to engage the community this Friday, nine to five.
I'm sure we're all singing and hearing Dally's nine to five in our heads right now.
So on Friday, nine to five, local businesses and early childhood providers and their families will be wearing pink and coloring the coloring pages to celebrate the Imagination Library in Dally.
Watch our Facebook page as we receive the updates from local businesses and individuals and we will share these with you.
If you would like to support the Imagination Library in Freeport and our region, you can donate through our donate button at uwni.
Org or directly through the Imagination Library website.
All of the dollars donated go directly to providing the books for the children.
We celebrate our donors, volunteers, partners, and community members, and especially Dolly, all who make our local imagination library possible and we encourage others to give to support the program.
Thank you and do you have any questions for me?
Thank you.
Next we have public comment.
Madam Clerk, you have three to read.
Yes, ma'am.
Received one from Lori Myers.
Setting the record straight, there are not seven cat colonies with 800 cats in town as Mr. Steekle stated, that would be 257 cats in each colony.
City officials should not be spreading rumors and misinformation.
NIPCO helps to fund TNVR, trap, neuter, or vaccinate return.
They do not dump or relocate cats to random sites.
The cats are returned to their familiar territory where there is a designated caregiver providing adequate food, shelter, and medication as needed.
Once again, misinformation is being spread by city officials.
If NIPCO had not raised the funds and put in the work to sterilize over 2,000 cats since 2021, what would the cat population look like today?
NIPCO volunteers are not yelling at or threatening city employees.
Volunteers are spread thin and most are working jobs.
They do not have time to run around yelling at city workers.
Freeport animal control should handle all animals with compassion, that includes cats.
Why are dogs treated better and given more grace than our community cat population?
Cats did not ask to be discarded and left to survive on the streets.
This is a human created problem.
When will the city hold the root of the problem responsible?
People move from place to place, leave their cats or throw them out unaltered.
People get kittens and throw them out when they tire of them.
This is a human irresponsibility and apathy problem.
Healthy altered cats that are being cared for by a human, providing necessary food and shelter should not be euthanized.
Altered cats are much less likely to spray, fight, and will not breed and generally do not stray from their chosen territory.
They also will not allow other cats to come into said territory or colony in many cases.
TNVR, the only studied and proven long-term solution to the overpopulation problem.
City officials have been provided with information explaining this and the research is very easy to look up.
The City can choose to spend unlimited funds euthanizing all of the community cats, but it will be futile, costly, inhumane endeavor.
Getting rid of a colony will only create a vacuum for more discarded animals to fill in.
Science and stats.
There are appropriate cases for euthanasia, but giving the AC officer sole discretion on these decisions is not appropriate.
Cats need to be given the exact same consideration and efforts as dogs.
It would not cost the city one penny to coordinate with TNVR groups such as NIPCO.
Animal control and NIPCO are both desperately needed.
The entire situation needs to be handled with compassion, understanding, and knowledge of all animals.
The city should also be coordinating with the county.
Has an agreement for this not been signed yet?
Why can't you work together?
Manager Boyer met with NIPCO advocates over a year ago and was provided with a wealth of information.
I propose that city officials read the data and become informed regarding what the science says, what works and what does not.
The City of Rockford allows feeding of community cats as long as an effort to sterilize them.
The time has expired.
Next is an email from Carol Krupke.
Dear Mayor Miller, City Manager Boyer, Mr. Stiegel, and City Council Alderpersons, I am writing this email to ask the City of Freeport to begin working once again with NIPCO to address the feral cat population here in Freeport.
TNR, Trap, Neuter, and Return is a proven effective method of reducing and in some cases eliminating colonies of feral cats that have no choice but to live the life they were given.
Humans are the reason these animals are in this predicament.
It is not their fault.
May I suggest that NIPCO be put on the City Council agenda ASAP so that they can explain to those watching what they do and then allow the council to ask questions to get the correct information.
Rumors circulating that there are thousands of cats in seven colonies is not accurate.
Let's get the truth out there and then work together for the good of the animals and the city of Preport.
Please reply to verify this email has been received.
Thank you, Carol Krupke.
Lastly, from Will Hooper, or Haper, I'm sorry if I'm mispronouncing that, regarding misinformation regarding community cats and TNR.
R. At the council meeting on 9-14-26, a lot of misinformation was shared by the city spokesman about TNR and Stephenson County ordinances.
It was stated that cats are being relocated to areas of town other than where they're trapped and being cared for.
He also said that fed cats don't hunt, which is inaccurate.
TNVR is Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return, which means community abandoned cats, which are already being cared for, are trapped, sterilized, and Richard to the site where they were originally trapped, return, not release.
Citizens ask for help with these abandoned cats.
These animals are being provided with food, shelter and medical care when necessary.
If they are trapped on Harrison, they go back to Harrison.
Please research how relocating cats from their known environment is dangerous and ineffective.
TNR groups would never do this except in extreme emergencies when the cats are in danger and and then the animals have to be confined for a period of weeks or they will not remain there.
A female cat can have two or more litters a year.
In one year, a cat and her offspring can produce 12 cats.
Second year, 67.
By the fifth year, 11,801.
That's approximately $944,080 in euthanasia costs.
The city does not have a current agreement with the county to house cats at this time.
If the county does have room, why no agreement?
City Public Works Director stated that feeding more than three cats without a license is prohibited by county ordinance.
This is inaccurate.
County Code Zoning 400-6, any premises or portion thereof on which more than three dogs, cats or other household domestic animals are kept or on which more than two such animals are maintained, boarded, bred or cared for in return for remuneration or are kept for and the purpose of sale must have a special use permit.
Contact Beth Henning zoning at 815-599-0344.
In addition, this references household pets, not abandoned community cats.
I would also like to know more about amenities at city yards for cats.
How big are kennels, how many, and how long will a trapped cat be held before euthanizing?
Will there be an effort to adopt them out like dogs?
Will records be maintained regarding where cats are trapped?
Whether effort made to find owner or adopt out and will these records be made public?
Will said evaluation room be the location of euthanasia?
Will Haper.
Amir Striegel.
Good evening again.
Amir Striegel, I reside in ward one.
I'm here regarding agenda item number 12, the first reading of an updated antenna ordinance.
On September 14th, Director Heimerdinger brought before you for Insight, two versions of a verbiage regarding this ordinance.
Option one, the restrictions of this section shall apply to towers utilized exclusively for municipal services offered by the City of Freeport, continued.
Option two, the restrictions of this section shall not apply to towers utilized exclusively for the municipal services offered by the City of Freeport, continued.
So option two is what made it on the agenda tonight.
From Alderman Klemm.
No one on the council had anything to say and no questions to ask when it was brought up.
So I hope that you were able to take it.
Brought up, so I hope that you were able to take some time this week slash rainy weekend to consider the verbiage and what it meant.
The full reading for this section is the restrictions of this section shall not apply to towers utilized exclusively for municipal services offered by the City of Freeport, including but not limited to towers constructed for and used exclusively by 911 service, fire department, or police department use.
And the other governmental unit operating within the city shall be required to comply with the provisions of this section.
The proposed language that gives me pause is including but not limited to.
At first reading, the change seems arbitrary and of course we want to ensure that our emergency services and police and fire departments are able to operate effectively and efficiently.
But those five words open up potential loopholes in the implied perception.
The directors stated there are no proposed changes or new towers and this is just clearing up outdated language, which is great and I appreciate that proactive approach.
But why is there a different verbiage between the Building and Planning Commission in the first place?
While I don't generally believe there are any ulterior or nefarious intentions regarding In an era of mass surveillance, political tribulence, and global crisis, I believe that our local government and public service departments need to set a higher standard on transparency, public input, closing loopholes, and adhering to the standards that they set for others.
I would hope that the Council would take further time to explore the issue before coming to a decision.
So again, thank you all for the humans that you are and the work that you do.
And last public comment is Josh Atkinson.
Good evening, Council.
Josh Atkinson.
Alright, I'm just going to read it here.
Tonight you're being asked to approve an estimated $40,000 or $80,000 in upgrades for the animal control thing that's going on.
I'm asking you to vote no.
Not because Freeport doesn't have an animal problem.
We absolutely do but before spending another $80,000 perhaps you should figure out why your current policies aren't working.
Fighting for Freeport submitted two FOIA requests seeking records of cats being spayed and neutered in Freeport.
We received that answer today.
The city couldn't produce a single record documenting a cat being spayed or neutered through its animal control department over the past four years.
Not one.
Nor could it produce Kittens records showing how many cats NIPCO trapped, spayed, neutered, or released under the system the city's created through our ordinance.
Let me tell you what that looks like in practice.
This summer five beautiful kittens were born at an unoccupied house two doors down from my home.
My husband and I wanted to catch them, pay our vet or take them to our vet, pay our vet to spay and neuter those kittens.
Do that ourselves, but your ordinance prevented us from doing that.
So I contacted somebody from NIPCO and it's crazy that it was one of the people that wrote in a public comment.
And I asked about getting those kittens trapped and taken to the veterinarian.
I was told that's not what we do.
So now we have five cats, five more cats capable of producing litters of their own.
You restricted residents willing to help, handed authority to another organization, and apparently failed to maintain the records necessary to determine whether the policy is working or not.
And now your answer is another $80,000.
Before spending that money on your next pet project, first, change the ordinance so that responsible residents can help.
Second, redirect $20,000 of that $80,000 or $40,000 toward a spay and neuter voucher program for Freeport residents.
Invest in prevention instead of continuously paying for the consequences.
Measure whether your programs work, hold the organizations you've empowered accountable, allow residents to help, and before asking taxpayers for another $80,000, demonstrate that you're effectively using the resources and authority you already have.
Thank you.
That concludes public comments.
Next we'll move on to the consent agenda.
The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed.
The consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the ethics commission report from July 28, 2026, liquor commission from August 20, 2026, and the police and fire commissioners from July 28, August 13, and August 18, 2026.
Also is the Greater Freeport Partnership Report and the Fire Department Report both dated August 2026 and the finance bills payable in the total of $2,647,504.35 and for payroll ending September 5, 2026 in the total of $714,091.81.
Is there a motion to approve.
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Johnson?
Aye.
The motion passes 5-0.
Item number six is appointments.
Can you please read?
Appointment of Ella L. Edison to the Freeport Public Library Board Is there a motion to approve?
So move.
I second.
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the appointment?
Alderman Stacy?
Was the other person that applied last time considered for it again?
And again, I have multiple applications and it's at the choice of the Mayor.
Mayor, and approved of the council.
Okay.
However, when we had this discussion last meeting, you said there was one other person and you offered her another position and she said I would wait.
You didn't say you had multiple.
You said you had one other one but no mail.
Since the last meeting, I've had multiple.
Any other discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Stacy, Sellers, Klemm, and Johnson.
The motion passes 5 to 0.
Item number 7 is the second reading of ordinance 202653.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending section 1020.12 depositing of leaves on curb line for collection and section 1020.99 penalty.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
As we We discussed on the 7th we have brought an ordinance for your review and hopefully approval and this is just upgrading some of our practices and bringing that into our ordinances for the purposes of leaf collection and also through our MS4 permit through the EPA updating this ordinance will ensure that we are in compliance with the EPA related to stormwater.
So staff recommendation move forward with ordinance 2026-53.
Discussion?
Alderman Parker?
Yeah.
I've had several people question me on that after our last meeting and their big thing is we still can put leaves at the curb and they'll come by and pick them up as we've done forever, right?
That's correct.
We want to make sure they're not covering the stormwater inlets, you know, there are certain standards that we're trying to abide by and then also bring this ordinance up to spec with the EPA at this point.
Thank you.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Ann Johnson?
Aye.
The ordinance is passed 5 to 0.
Item number 8 is the first reading of ordinance 202655.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance declaring in surplus and authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city.
Tonight we have Police Department bicycles.
Thank you.
Chief Frosto?
Yes, thank you.
As since I've been here, I've been doing an audit on all these surplus supplies that we've had and items.
And we have identified at least 77 bikes that can be donated.
And I'm just asking respectfully that we declare at least 87 bicycles, and I'm going to add the 10 bicycles to dispose of.
So wait, let me go back.
77 To donate 10 bicycles that are just going to be disposed because they just are not working order.
They are in danger if somebody actually sits on it.
And also authorize a removal from the city's property inventory and approve the donation to the community of Freeport of the 77 bicycles and dispose of the 10 others.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Alderman Johnson.
Yeah, I just wondered if you have a specific place to donate these two or how can one get one of these bikes if they want one?
That's a great question Alderman Johnson.
I first wanted to get through this in order for it to be out into the public.
And then once we are approved to donate these bicycles, then we're going to open it up in regards to our Facebook page and at our community meetings, those that would like to have them donated to, they're gonna actually see them.
We want them to see them.
We want to see the conditions of them, which they are in pretty good conditions, so then they can make that choice.
Is this any urgency that you wanna get this done?
Or is that?
Yeah, I'm just cleaning up house.
You're just cleaning house.
Alderman Johnson.
I'd like to make a motion just to suspend the rules and just get this done with.
Okay, we have a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules.
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 only?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm, aye, and Johnson, aye.
The suspension pass well I think we need the mayor in there to have six.
Correct.
Yeah.
Mayor, aye.
We have a two-thirds vote of six to zero.
So then before you counsel is the final passage of this is any further questions for its chief.
Madam Clerk would you please take the roll.
Parker, aye.
Stacy, aye.
Sellers, aye.
Klemm, aye.
And Johnson, aye.
And the ordinance passes five to zero.
Item number nine is the first reading of ordinance 202656.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending the zoning classification of property commonly known as 404 Northwest Avenue from R5 which is two family residents to P1 professional use district.
Thank you.
Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you Madam Mayor.
Staff received a zoning Mapp amendment for 404 Northwest Avenue, Freeport, Illinois, to rezone the property from R5 to P1 professional use district.
The petitioner is requesting approval of the zoning map amendment at 404 Northwest Avenue, changing the zoning from R5 to P1.
The property was previously Tricor insurance.
It was legal, nonconforming use in a primary residential district.
As an existing business, TheraPlay is relocating into The property has always been used for professional and commercial services, but it happens to be zoned residential.
The petitioner would like to amend the zoning map to allow for the appropriate use of the property.
Building setbacks will be addressed in agenda item number 10.
On September 3rd, 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval by a vote of 4 yeas and 0 nays.
Mays.
On September 10th, the Planning Commission also approved this zoning map amendment by a vote of 4 yeas and 0 nays.
So with consideration to the Sells and Clair factors, staff recommends the zoning map amendment for 404 Northwest Avenue to rezone the property from R5 to P1 Professional Use District.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Thank you.
On to item number 10, which is the first reading of ordinance 202657.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance granting a variance from the requirements of sections 1256.05B concerning required yards in the P1 Professional Use District at 404 Northwest Avenue.
Thank you.
Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Staff received a variance application in connection with agenda item number nine for 404 Northwest Avenue to bring this existing commercial structure on to on the personal into compliance and legal conforming.
The petitioner is relocating their existing business into city limits and has chosen this location.
The property was previously considered legal nonconforming and it had the appropriate setbacks When we make the change to P1, it then does not have the required setbacks.
So we are seeking a variance in order to change it from legal nonconforming to legal conforming.
On September 3rd, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the approval of the variance by a vote of four yeas and zero nays.
And on September 10th, the Planning Commission also approved by four votes of yeas and zero nays.
So we, staff recommends the approval of the variance of the requiring a minimum side yard of no less than 15 feet for a P1 professional zone district.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Was that you?
Yeah.
Vice Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Okay.
Thank you very much.
Number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-58.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending codified ordinances regarding liquor licensing Chapter 806, alcoholic liquor sales, and Chapter 608, general offenses, alcoholic liquor.
Thank you.
Attorney Cox?
Evening Council.
Liquor Commission has tasked me with coming up with a revision to the ordinances Settlers.
In two pieces, what we're really doing here and the reason that this came to the Liquor Commission's attention is a modernization of the code.
Like everything else seems to be getting more complicated, so do liquor definitions.
We don't just have beer and wine anymore.
We have Alka Pops.
We have alcohol infused products.
We even have powdered alcohol, which I don't even understand how that works, but Illinois doesn't allow you to sell it, So we've updated the definitions to deal with alcopops, to deal with the co-branded beverages.
These are the malt type beverages you'll see that are, there's Fresca malt, things like that.
The provisions that you see here mirror the provisions that are in the Liquor Control Act and which are intended to, to the extent possible, kind of keep those things away from where kids would be looking, but still allow for refrigeration.
We ran into problems with the previous beer and wine definitions, doesn't pick up your alcohol pops or your co-branded beverages.
So we just expanded that so that it makes a little bit more sense so that what you're used to seeing in refrigerated section is in the refrigerated section and not behind some locked cage somewhere.
We did update that provision as well.
The idea is to keep high-proof beverages kind of out of general population.
So it's either behind the counter or it's in a locked cabinet.
If you've been in any convenience stores, you'll see what I mean about that.
And again, it's to prevent the shoplifting by somebody underage to just grab a pint of something simple.
The other provision here is an update to our video camera provisions.
We don't think anybody's using VHS tapes anymore and the provisions for placement, camera resolution, that sort of thing, again, is just to update things to sort of meet the requirement that we've already got.
The one expansion was to try to catch part of the parking lot.
We've had a few situations where there's been some accidents in the parking lot and it would have been nice to be able to pick that up.
Again, you've got a lot of people coming in and out of these places and it's just good to have coverage, it helps the police department track a lot of things down and it's handy to have them.
So what you see in terms of the placement is really just a codification of what we're already doing.
The cameras are going to catch the entrance, they're going to catch the exit, going to catch point of sale, and now they're going to catch the parking lot.
To the extent that any additional cameras are required, provision in there, that doesn't have to be done until July 1, which is the start of a new licensing year.
So if you currently have one or two cameras that you have to add, you've got until your next license year to do that.
That's it.
Any questions?
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
Moving motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Questions on the ordinance?
Thank you I think we're good okay move on to item number 12 which is the first reading of ordinance 2026 59 could you please read this ordinance amending chapters 1240 1248 and 1450 of the codified ordinances concerning antennas and antenna towers Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Staff presented the revised Chapter 1450, Antennas to the Planning Commission and Building Commission for review.
During the review process, the two commissions had differing recommendations regarding Section 1450.10, Governmental Services, specifically regarding the scope of exemption for governmental service towers.
Due to the differing recommendations, the matter was brought before the City Council and the National Committee of the Whole on September 14th for further discussion and direction.
The revised ordinance reflects the discussion both on the floor and privately with the council members provided through that process.
The most notable changes to Chapter 1450 include co-location, establishes co-location on existing towers as a preferred option and requires documentation of good faith efforts when co-location is not feasible.
If there is a tower where you can also team up together and get the same services out of one, we'd rather see that than another installation of a tower nearby.
Updated standards clarifies requirements for tower setbacks, construction, screening, visual impacts, and applicable building and structural codes.
This ordinance is, the one that we currently have, is so old that the structures and the codes and things don't necessarily reflect it as well as it could.
And so this cleans up that process.
Settlers.
Government services establishes specific provisions addressing towers used for municipal services including 911, fire and police services and make sure that those services can happen without delay.
And then provides for existing antennas to remain in their locations as long as they are still safe.
This ordinance supports the city's Goal of Efficient and Responsible Government by Ensuring Chapter 1450 Reflects Current Technology, Provides Clear and Consistent Standards, and Allows Staff to Administer the Regulations in a Practical and Reasonable Manner.
Updating the ordinance also helps to ensure the City's regulations remain responsive to municipal service needs while providing a clear framework for future applications.
One of the biggest changes for the residential is that in a previous one there was really no, there was nothing for residential as if you weren't supposed to have an antenna on your house.
There wasn't as much there.
And so we actually, if you read the ordinance, there's actually an allowance for antennas in residential to hit the minimum to get the broadcasting.
So if streaming services, we know that they increase in cost yearly.
And so if the budget in your home is starting to break and streaming services are no longer applicable or feasible for you, knowing that you can successfully get an antenna and we have those provisions in there that the height requirements can be met so that you will have access to broadcasting through an antenna.
Made sure that we had that and that the heights were in comparable with the and met the need of the broadcasting standards.
These text amendments themselves do not require any direct funding and staff recommends moving the proposed changes to a second reading and ultimately approving the ordinance to ensure city regulations remain current, clear, and effective.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance?
Alderman Sellers.
Yes.
So are you also saying if there's a house that already has an antenna on it, does it have to be, does somebody have to come out and look at it?
No, it's good.
Everything's grandfathered in.
Everything right now, if you had yours before, you're still good to go.
If you were to change it, then you would need to come.
Most residential ones that I've driven around and looked at, they will easily meet the threshold.
We have a very nice allowance there for antennas to make sure that they hit what the broadcasting wants in terms of meeting the broadcasting standards.
Thank you.
Hon.
Klemm?
I've got two to bring up.
Was discussed in public comment.
And the other one I passed on was from Greg Munda on the antennas and stuff for CB radio for the amateur radio people.
The other one, I'd like to have you take a look at what Amanda said was about the including but not limited to I can pass this on to you that kind of leaves things wide open.
I mean, it does down the line.
If anybody's got a question you know there it is was brought up for a reason in the building commission I believe the 9-1-1 and and the and the emergency things become a priority we don't know how things are going to change in the future but we don't want to make a mistake moving forward and there's plenty of time to add that in I can get that to you without a problem.
Anything else move on to item number 13 which is the first reading of ordinance 2026 60 could you please read this ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01 e adding city accountant back into the classification plan thank you director Richter thank Thank you.
In May of 2026, we passed Ordinance 2026-30.
It was passed to create the position of Finance Specialist and it deleted the City Accountant position within the Finance Department.
The intent at that time was to update the title of the position as the current employee was leaving and we felt the title of Finance Specialist more accurately described the position.
Shortly after the ordinance was passed, the Deputy Finance Director resigned.
We advertised for the position and we did have a well-suited candidate, but that just recently fell through.
By reinstating the city accountant position in our ordinance, it will allow us to recruit an entry-level accountant.
This approach creates a practical hiring pipeline, giving us the ability to bring someone in at an entry level with the potential to promote them to a deputy finance director in the future.
At this time, staff would like to request a suspension of the rules to pass this ordinance to reinstate the city accountant position into our ordinances.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance?
Motion to request suspension.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules.
Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable unless passed by two-thirds majority.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the suspension only?
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor Miller?
Parker, Stacey, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson.
The ordinance passes 5-0.
Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2026.116.
Could you please read this?
Authorizing Upgrades to the Animal Control Facilities on Illinois Avenue, Island Avenue.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Just a quick synopsis.
The current kennel facilities, they have some material deficiencies.
They don't have a run attached.
We essentially need to expand them a little bit to provide for cats in the kennel.
So staff is looking at this as a winter project.
We're asking for a total of 80,000, but that's going to be kind of an as needed situation.
So this will be a good winter project for the staff and it'll bring our facilities up to speed in terms of what facilities we should have, like Doc should have a run.
Right now, they're pretty much in these cages that they don't go anywhere, especially if they're aggressive and they're difficult to clean.
So anyway, staff, let's just bring this to you.
And I think Darren has got a few comments.
Darren, you want to kind of fill in on that?
Yeah, sure.
Thank you.
Several of you reached out to me this week to discuss this resolution.
This is not about the felines or the dogs.
It's really about our kennels.
We currently don't have, uh, space for any of the kiddies to, to go anywhere.
We don't have that kind of, uh, facility.
So we need to add that due to the changes that we discussed at the last meeting.
And Rob's exactly right on the.
And Rob's exactly right on the runs right now, Mark Quez, we call him Quez, our animal control officer, spends a lot of time of his day, not only cleaning kennels, but exercising the animals because we just don't have anywhere to go with them.
So while we talked about having budget money left for facilities yet this year to buy some of the materials needed, that's just to improve the facility and then the building already needs a roof and has needed a roof, which is going Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Klemm?
Yeah, it seems to be a lot of information flying around here.
Some of it real, some of it not real.
But I have no problem with what you guys mentioned is 100% correct.
It's about the facility meeting codes and the animals having a place to live that's decent and that kind of stuff.
And I've been around here long enough to know it was bad years ago.
So, I mean, it is something we need to do.
But I really hopefully in the near future, as we move forward, there can be some We've got one person, the county's got one person, and we've got zillions of animals out there of different kinds, you know, so if we just do that in the process, I believe it'd be very helpful and meaningful to the, to our constituents at the state level, you know, to the county, to the county, to the county, to the county, to the county, to the county, to the county, to the county.
Any other comments on facilities?
Cecelia, or all of them and Stacy?
Okay, so I have received so many phone calls about this.
It's just mind-boggling.
And people are not wanting to spend tax dollars on neutering and spading cats.
Bates, some others don't want to spend $80,000 fixing a building.
What, Darren?
Um, so I'd just like to say that the, the budget is a budget number that we're spitbond because we believe the roof is at least 20,000 of that figure to replace, but we're in the animal control business, right?
Which means we're in the cat and dog business, whether we like it or not.
So we have to provide professional and correct facilities to be able to house those animals.
Um, otherwise we need to disband animal control because we have to have somewhere to go with these, uh, animals as they're caught or trapped, or if they're on someone else's property, that's what our code provides for.
So in order to have that, I understand it.
I would rather spend the money on streets myself.
Um, is in my time here, we have never, uh, that I know of done Spay or Neutering program at the city of Freeport that I'm aware of, that we've participated with tax dollars on it.
And unless there's other direction, everyone that commented to me from this council has no interest in doing that.
Over Stacy.
Okay.
So this 40,000 that you spoke of last week, um, it's, I hate to say leftover for money but it's available now funds and it will be budgeted for the other 40 and 2027 budget for this and I just want to say with all the letters, with all the information, We still don't know how many colonies and where they're at.
And that's something I want to know.
I want to know how many colonies we have, and I want to know the location of the colonies.
Maybe you could contact one of those NIPCO emails.
Well, I'm hearing that it's been asked and they don't have to give us information.
Johnson.
Yeah.
And we don't have staff to go out and count cats and find out where they're at.
Well, maybe there needs to be an ordinance change.
We have to know something.
We have to, like Alderman Klemm just said, are we going to join forces and work together?
What are we going to do?
Alderman Johnson?
Yeah.
I was just wondering, what do the other cities do?
Do they have some kind of a deal where they neuter cats and all that?
Do we have any idea what other cities might do with these kind of issues?
You've got some.
Sure.
It's a mixed bag of bolts, you know, wherever you go, every community address is a little bit different.
I deal with several communities in Northern Illinois that have the exact same issue that we have.
There's different options.
Williams.
Counties can run neutering and spaying programs.
Some people do vouchers for them.
Health departments do them.
It's all over the place.
It's where the government agencies choose to spend their money and how they choose to spend it.
I'm no expert in this field obviously, and people have said I gave the wrong numbers out the last time I said I was a novice and didn't have every right number, right?
I'm, it's not, not what I specialize in.
Um, but, um, none of the methods, even if we implored all of them are not going to fix every problem with stray or feral animals.
If you can keep it on the subject of the facility.
Yeah.
Um, I agree with the facility doing the facility and kind of what, um, Tom said, Tom Klemm said is do the facility and try to work together then and see if there's something else, maybe talk to some of the other cities, see what they do and try to come to some kind of conclusion with that deal.
But yeah, I agree with that.
I mean, we've got to fix the building.
We've got to have a good place for these animals to be.
So yeah.
Thank you.
Madam Clerk, please take the Parker, Aye. Stacy, Aye.
Sellers, Aye.
Klemm, Aye.
Johnson, Aye.
And the resolution is adopted 5-0.
Item 15 is the adoption of resolution 2026117.
Could you please read this?
Resolution authorizing a change order to 17 and 19 North Main Street building demolition project for additional stabilization and repair work to adjacent building by Fisher excavating.
Manager Boyer.
Thank Thank you, Your Honor.
In the process of demoing the buildings, we've run into a few snags that couldn't really been anticipated until we got into the actual demolition of the buildings.
We're going to need to have an emergency parapet wall removal and stabilization and then about $12,800.
We've got some flashing and coping and waterproofing to do around the roof.
That's that's going to add up to about $16,700 and then that would add up to $6,200 for also masonry repair so the total dollar amount is $35,834.30.
This change order will also be paid for through the brownfields grant so we'll be reimbursed for it but as part of our new purchasing policy we need to make sure that these change orders are brought for council so staff recommends moving forward with the change.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Stacey?
Okay.
City Manager Boyer, when you spoke about Brown, Phil?
Yep.
Okay.
So you said that it would be all reimbursed?
Yes.
Okay.
You mumbled through that.
Yes.
It'll be reimbursed.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker, Stacey, Sellers, Klemm, and Johnson.
The resolution is adopted 5-0.
Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2026.118.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving an airport improvement program and aeronautics state match program grant agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Freeport regarding PAPI lights at Albertus Airport.
Thank you, Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The Precision Approach Path Indicator System has been down for a number of years.
It was put on the multi-year plan for the airport.
CMT, or Crawford, Murphy, and Tilley is our airport engineers.
The Next Project After We Completed The next project after we complete the terminal building build out which will be going on right away is going on now The next project in the queue is to repair the PAPI system The total cost of the project is five hundred and forty thousand dollars of which the city's share will be seventeen thousand six hundred and seventy dollars This was budgeted in the 26 budget and staff recommends moving forward with the agreement with the FAA for the Precision Approach Path Indicator System.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor?
Aye.
The resolution is Resolution authorizing support and commitment of funds for a grant application to the Illinois Department of Transportation's Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, or ITEP, for pedestrian bicycle facilities.
The first leg of the path is Countryside Lane and Kiwanis Drive to Pearl City Road.
Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
This is coming around.
This is the second time we've gone after this in two years.
The first opportunity we were passed over for funding, but we're reapplying for it this year.
This is for the notice of funding opportunity for us to put together a grant submission for the ITEP bike path and walk-ride infrastructure.
As was mentioned just a minute ago, this is kind of a two-phase approach.
This first resolution is for the one the first section and the resolution item number 18 is the second section so staff recommends moving forward with the application for the two grant opportunities to increase our recreational path extension for the benefit of the community and the residents so please feel free to move this forward.
Is there a motion to adopt?
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution, Alderman Sellers?
Is this the same thing that we did?
We worked with Highland and the Park District?
No, is it the Park District?
Yep.
Maybe Darren's got some comment on that.
Yeah.
So thank you for asking that question.
Yes, it is very identical to what we did last year with one exception.
Our team met with IDOT, Scott, specifically the ITEP division to see what we could do to get better chances at this grant.
And they asked us to split the sections in half and only do half as much and do two grants and to go it alone as the city of Freeport because we qualify for greater money.
So the original process before was 80-20 match.
Alone is the city, makes it a 90-10 match.
And there is a great possibility that the sections will apply for zero match, but we won't know that till awarded.
So, um, the demographics show that we actually have a better chance on our own.
That doesn't mean that we can't include them as partners after the grant's awarded.
It just is a better submittal right now on our own, split into two sections.
Alderman Johnson.
So then are you saying after the grant's awarded, they, they could give some money to the project if they wanted to.
Is that what you're saying?
We could approach them because both the projects benefit the entire community and they seem to be willing partners before, but there has been some leadership change during this process and because our demographics were better alone and it does look like it could be, you know, a hundred percent on these, which is a little unusual, but we've already ran the point score based on the new criteria.
And we have 20 some more points just off the get-go of going the program alone.
So it's a very good proposition for both programs.
Okay, thank you.
Alderman Sellers?
And this will start out by Highland and go all the way out by Walmart?
Yes.
And our hope is to tie it to the HITS grant that we also are just starting to move forward into design.
That'll be coming in front of you shortly, but this will actually connect to, if you recall, we got a HIST grant to run sidewalk or path from Cub Foods all the way to Walmart and then over to the kind of that intersection by Aldi's to try to make those connections.
So our hope is with that grant and these, it's three real viable paths that meet our strategic plan on more usable paths.
And then, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the two public hearings that are coming up soon have to do with these ITEP grants?
Yes.
They are the 24th at 4 o'clock and the 28th at noon.
So if the public has any concerns about either one of those, those are two timeframes that you can come.
Yes.
And they both, both hearings cover both sections.
Alder and Stacy?
So how much is it for this application fee again?
For both applications, it was $5,000 and they're already completed.
This is our summary of basically commitment by the city to move forward.
We need this as part of our package to submit.
Well, again, we did this two years ago, so we really had a lot of the information together.
We had to update CASA estimates and split it into two projects.
But we pay the fee then and we have to pay another fee now.
Yes.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor?
Aye.
And the resolution is adopted five to one and item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2026,120 could you please read this resolution authorizing support and commitment of funds for a grant application to IDOT for the ITEP for pedestrian bicycle facilities this one is Fairgrounds Road to Southgate Plaza Plaza, and Meadow Shopping Center.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
But this is just a continuation of our previous discussion.
So staff recommends moving forward with resolution 2026-120.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on this resolution.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
No. Klemm, and Johnson, Mayor, the resolution is adapted five to one.
Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2026-121.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving an electrical supply agreement with a supplier to be named for street lights.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The next three resolutions 121,122, and 123.
This is basically part of our contract for generation.
It keeps our overall cost low.
And staff is going to make a request to go at the maximum for the, let me see here.
When I say maximum, I'm saying the maximum duration, which I believe is five, 60 months.
And then on the street light one which is the resolution we're contemplating now let's just go forward with one year on that one as we continue to renegotiate the franchise agreement with ComEd to see what comes of that so staff recommends Moving forward with the one-year, 12-month energy contract for the Streetlight Program.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by O'Neill and Sellers, seconded by O'Neill and Klemm.
Discussion on the resolution?
Attorney Zito.
Just to clarify, Manager Boyer, who's the energy provider for that one?
That is.
Constellation.
Is this the sixth one?
Yeah, we're looking at the 12th month.
So, Dinergy, Energy, I believe that is the correct one.
This is the Streetlight one, correct?
No.
Constellation.
Constellation is the second page.
Yes, Constellation would be the correct one for 12 months.
If you want to come to the microphone.
Come to the microphone.
Constellation.
Please.
Thank you, Mayor.
For just for the record, Constellation is the lowest provider for one year, for 12 months, and they're the current supplier.
And that's the streetlight one?
Yes.
Any further discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor?
Aye.
And the resolution?
Resolution is adopted 5 to 1.
And item number 20 is adaption of resolution 2026-122.
Could you please read this?
Resolution approving an electrical supply agreement with who we will name in a moment for the wastewater treatment plant.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
The same situation.
We have 8 companies bidding on this.
Constellation is the apparent lower and staff recommends going with the 60-month price at. 03978.
So that's Constellation energy only.
Mike?
Currently, Constellation for a one-year contract, today's bid was 3.981 cents, or 0.03981.
It may change slightly by the time we get you a contract tomorrow.
So low supplier is Constellation for one year, would be your.
But he just said.
We'd be doing the five-year on this.
Five-year.
Okay, I'm sorry.
That was slightly different, 3-9, 7-8, and that should stick tomorrow, but it could deviate in the 4th, 34th place.
So the motion should be five-year consolation.
So consolation is still the lowest?
Yes.
Okay.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
Seconded by Alderman Klemm.
Seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on this resolution.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 5-1.
Item number 21 is the adoption of resolution 2026-123.
Could you please read this?
Approving an Electrical Supply Agreement with Supplier to be Named for the Water and Wastewater Utilities and EV Chargers, 24 locations Thank you, Your Honor.
In this particular one, Nextterra has the lowest 60-month rate at. 07123.
Staff recommends going with Nextterra for the pumping station contract.
For how long?
60 Months or five years.
Thank you, Mayor.
Again, the rate solidly changed from a week ago to tonight, and we're at. 6952.
We will have the rate tomorrow morning if I can get a contract.
So it could may change to the fourth decimal point again.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion.
Oh, Johnson, I'm sorry.
Any discussion on the ordinance or resolution?
Goodness.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Mayor?
Aye.
And that resolution is adopted five to one.
Thank you very much.
Number 22 is approval of the BID.
Could you please read this?
A BID opening was held on September 15th, 2026 for well number nine generator and electrical project.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
So at many of our remote sites, whether that be the water tower at Carroll, Burchard, our lift stations at Park, or the campus lift station, when the power goes down, we primarily in the past had relied upon one portable recommends moving forward with the lowest apparent bid, or the lowest winning bid, which is Helm Group.
Is there a motion to approve?
So move.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the bid.
Darren?
I'd just like to mention that this was budgeted in this year's capital improvement.
Thank you.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Sellers, Klemm, and Johnson.
The motion passes five to zero.
And item number 23 is another bid.
Could you please read?
Bid opening held on September 15th, 2026 for Clow Fire Hydrant Replacements Project.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Last winter, January, we had a large house fire that actually spread to at least one and other structure, possibly two.
We have some older Clow hydrants in the system, approximately 17 of them, and they're the same construction makeup as the one that we had trouble with that night.
And we would like to move forward with replacing those hydrants that have proven to be problematic, especially under cold weather conditions.
So staff is recommending moving forward with we had the winning bidder of the thing of the bid was Fisher excavating at $418,076.
That includes a 10% bid bond and staff recommends moving forward with with Fisher as a little better to replace the 17 fire hydrants.
We'll break those up into some this year and some next year.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the bid.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Johnson?
Aye.
The motion is approved, 5-0.
Reports from department heads.
Finance?
Nothing this evening, thank you.
Community development?
Nothing this evening, thank you.
Public Works.
Just a couple project reminders.
We had an unexpected boiler order today.
Make sure that you're following that boiler order.
If you're in the Marvin Lane or Barberry area, it should be lifted hopefully tomorrow.
Carroll Avenue.
We're looking at installing the curb on Wednesday on the west side of the street.
Please make sure your cars are moved off the street.
It'll be very heavy for construction that day.
And the city crews are planning on paving the first leg of Demeter tomorrow and Wednesday, if the weather allows.
And other than that, have a good week.
Boyer?
Nothing, Your Honor.
Lise?
Yes.
I'd like to thank everyone who came out this Saturday for our canine fundraiser at Bakker Group, AutoPlace at the Bakker and Elliot Graphics.
We're very kind enough to help us out with the fundraising.
And I especially would like to thank you, we know it was a rainy day, a lot of the Freeport community members did come out for the demonstration and they learned a lot about what we were going to do and what we want to do.
So thank you very much to those that came out.
Library?
Just some quick monthly stats , we had eight adult programs with 122 attendees, 16 youth programs with 1067 attendees, 3 teen programs with 19 attendees.
Our teen room was open 12 days with 20 teens hanging out in that room.
Study rooms were used 94 times, meeting rooms, 111.
We had 10,015 items circulated in the month of August and patrons saved $209,000 for a total of 1.5 million this calendar year.
And September is National Library Card Signup Month and obviously it is almost over.
Miller.
So if you are not a library card holder, you should stop in because you will get to spin the prize wheel and you will be entered into a drawing for a themed tote bag.
IT?
City Manager?
Thank you, Your Honor, I'm just happy to be back and I just want to thank the staff Huff, yet again for an outstanding for an outstanding week.
So keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Oldham and Parker?
Nothing, ma'am.
Oldham and Stacy?
Nothing here.
Oldham and Sellers?
Yes, I'd just like to say, if anyone hasn't been down to see the new cultural walk, the new statues that are out, they're really nice.
You got to check them out.
They're really cool.
Oldham and Klemm?
Pat's off to IT tonight to Curt and the group for a change over and all the software and sites and stuff.
We appreciate all the extra work and all the help you guys do.
Thank you.
Alderman Johnson?
Nothing tonight, Your Honor.
It leaves us with item number 28, the public comment.
Seeing none, we'll move on to, oh, I'm sorry.
Good evening, everyone.
My name is Janet Sledge.
New here in Freeport.
Good evening, Mayor, members of the City Council and City staff.
I'm here tonight to extend a special invitation to each and every one of you.
On Saturday, October 3rd at 6 PM we will be hosting the second annual Colors of Hope cancel ball at the Masonic Temple right here in Freeport.
This special evening is about more than coming together for a wonderful event.
It is about bringing our community together in support of those whose lives have been touched by Cancer.
The Colors of Hope Cancer Ball will support the Cancer Society and the Ferguson Center right here in Freeport helping to raise awareness and support for an important cause.
We would love to see our city leadership join us, Mayor, all the people, and city staff.
Your presence will mean a great deal to everyone involved in making this event possible.
We hope you will come out, enjoy the evening, and stand alongside your community in support of those fighting cancer, those who have survived it, and those who we remember.
If you have any questions or if you'd like to join us, please feel free to contact either myself or Frankie McGee.
We will be happy to provide you with additional information.
Again, we will love your support and we look forward to seeing you all on October 3rd.
Thank you.
And this is the flyer that was made.
You can leave it if you want.
Well, I'll have to make another one for you.
Okay.
Thank you.
Tommy?
Did you see a tie?
Police chief, you do a good job working at the police department.
And Cuginville, Bogomac, I hear about that.
Joe and Slathless, it's empty.
You know what they're gonna.
Somebody said beats, coatings, uh, sapping, said it?
Oh, what's going on?
Oh, I can't tell you.
Any other public comments this evening?
I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.
So move.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
All those in favor?
Aye.
Have a good day, everybody.