WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:31.420 You look excited like something. I'm going to make her take it. Yeah, her. That's me. I see. Good evening. Pastor Kupferstrom, could you please give me a vocation? I didn't have time to ask, so I had a board meeting at 3. Well, good evening, Madam Mayor, Council, everyone. Would you please pray with me? Well, Father, we give you thanks, Lord of Heaven and Earth. I give you praise tonight as the one who's given us life and health. 00:00:32.180 --> 00:00:58.320 and gifted us for service. Lord, even as I consider the people around this room, Lord, we see how you've gifted each one of them for the roles that you've given them here in the city. And Lord, we confess tonight that apart from your help, apart from your strength, we have nothing. And so it's for your help and strength that I ask tonight for this council, for this city. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:28.300 Lord, we thank you for the way that you've directed over this past year and into this new year in 2026, the plans that have been made and the things that have been laid out. Lord, we pray for your blessing and success in those plans. Lord, I know that we have differences of all sorts, but do pray that in the midst of our disagreements and differences, you would help us to move forward in unity, not unanimity perhaps, but 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:36.520 but unity with a mutual love for this city and for these people. And Lord, we do pray for this meeting 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:43.060 tonight that you would bless the proceedings, help us to please you with the way that we speak to one 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:49.260 another and the decisions that are made. And Lord, we ask all these things for your glory. In Jesus' name, 00:01:49.320 --> 00:01:54.800 amen. In Jesus' name. Now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, could you please take the 00:01:54.800 --> 00:02:14.120 roll. Mayor Miller. Here. Alderpersons Clemm. Here. Johnson. Here. Simmons is absent. Parker. Here. Stacey. Here. Shadle and Sanders are both absent. Sellers. Here. We do have a quorum, Mayor. Thank you. And if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Clemm. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:29.380 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. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:35.540 Madam Clerk, could you please note that Alderman Simmons has arrived? 00:02:36.220 --> 00:02:36.640 Thank you. 00:02:37.380 --> 00:02:38.020 Thank you. 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:40.300 Item number one is the approval of the agenda. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:03:10.080 Linda, however, we are going to remove item number three, which are the recognitions, we'll do that in February. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on January 5th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? I make a motion to approve. So moved. Second. Motion made by 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:39.360 Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Public comment? Brian, could you check? No. We'll move on to item number five, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of the council who would like to have something removed for further discussion. Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file 00:03:40.080 --> 00:04:10.060 The minutes from the Building Commission, November 13th, 2024, Planning Commission, July 10th, 2025, Finance Committee of the Whole, November 10th and 17th, 2025, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, November 25th, 2025, Art and Culture Commission, December 4th, 2025, the Building Permit Report, December 25th, the Cash and Investment Report, and the Finance Department Report, both November 2025. 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:38.000 Adaption of Resolution 20-2608, the resolution requesting temporary closure of streets for the annual Memorial Day Parade and the approval of the finance bill's total payment of $3,810,047.56 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending July 10, 2026 in the total of $773,726.64. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:05:05.820 I know there's, it's just a typo, it said 2025, but it's actually 2026. So with that, is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Madam Mayor, I'd just like to note that the Memorial Day Parade is May 25th, 2026. And who was the second on that? Sellers was the second. 00:05:05.820 --> 00:05:36.270 For roll call vote, Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye, even though I think there's a mistake. It says Committee of the Whole, November 10th and 17th? No, the Committee of the Whole was the 10th. That's Finance Committee of the Whole, Alderperson? 00:05:36.270 --> 00:06:09.630 forgive me and Sellers aye the motion passes six to zero item number six is the adoption of resolution 20 2603 could you please read this resolution approving a service sales agreement with revised for city website updates annual hosting and maintenance services thank you director bridge good evening mayor and council before I 00:06:09.630 --> 00:06:14.290 read what I have here. I just wanted to thank those responsible for getting me to the top of the agenda. 00:06:14.290 --> 00:06:21.470 I understand resolutions usually aren't this early, but family life has been shaken up recently, so I 00:06:21.470 --> 00:06:27.990 appreciate that. For close to 10 years, the city has been utilizing a website that was made with 00:06:27.990 --> 00:06:35.070 limited user-friendly tools. The old site has simply become so outdated that continuing with it may cause 00:06:35.070 --> 00:06:42.130 more technical difficulties, of which the city experienced several in 2024. The city communications 00:06:42.130 --> 00:06:47.670 director and information technology director have researched the most cost-effective and most long-term 00:06:47.670 --> 00:06:54.310 solutions for all who utilize cityoffreeport.org, such as residents and city staff. Several website 00:06:54.310 --> 00:06:59.870 design companies that specialize in local government provided quotes for their scope of work, allowing the 00:06:59.870 --> 00:07:29.850 City to bring forward the following which is the fact that Revise has written out this agreement for just under $15,000. Revise is a company that has helped launch 3,600 websites mainly focusing on local government. They've worked with nearby municipalities such as Stevenson County, Highland Park, Maywood, and Cherry Valley. Revise is prepared to do a full redesign of the website while keeping all necessary information that goes into keeping 00:07:29.850 --> 00:07:37.290 keeping our residents best informed. The funds for this update will come from the IT budget on approval by Council for 2026. 00:07:38.830 --> 00:07:57.020 Thank you, Director. Is there a motion to approve? I'm sorry, to adopt. So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 00:07:57.020 --> 00:08:27.020 Klum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. No. And Sellers. Aye. The resolution passes 5 to 1. Thank you. Thank you, Director. Item number 7 is the second reading of Ordinance 20-2601. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending various subsections of Chapter 220, Rules of Council, and the City of Freeport Code of Ordinances, Section 220.11A, 00:08:27.020 --> 00:08:56.240 4, Operation of the Committee of the Whole, Section 2, 2011 E5, Operation of the Finance Committee of the Whole, and Section 2, 2011 F5, the City Manager Recruitment Committee. Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. This is the second reading. The first reading was January 5th. At that time, we went over the various changes. There were no questions at that time, and staff requests moving forward with the ordinance amending these areas. Discussion? 00:09:00.510 --> 00:09:33.440 Madam Clerk if you could please take the roll. Clemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. No. I'm sorry. No. Thank you. Parker. Aye. Stacy. No. Shadle. Oh goodness. Sellers. Aye. Madam Mayor, we're going to need you to chime in. Aye. And the ordinance passes 6 to 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 2. Item number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 20-26-02. Could you please read this? 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:59.990 I'm sorry. Was that wrong? I think so. Just double check it again. Because we've got two people gone and there's eight aldermen and you tallied seven votes. Yeah, that's because I'm in it. Okay, thank you. Five to two equals seven. Thank you. No worries. Ma'am, clerk, can you read that next ordinance, please? Ordinance amending codified. 00:09:59.990 --> 00:10:27.460 ordinance amending codified ordinances chapter 1044 water rates and revenues section 1044.01 established rates to add incentive pay for lead and copper samples to be taken for lead service line replacement grant application. Thank you. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. We discuss this at the Committee of the Whole on January 12th. Essentially, we're having issues with getting compliance from homes that have lead services for our sampling process. 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:57.320 The root of the issue is that we started our sampling program with over 60 samples that are required, and we have removed so many lead services that we only have about 63 active services now. So staff had proposed moving, bringing forward a $40 incentive, a reduction on the individual's water bill to help us gain compliance and get cooperation from the property residents of those properties, and staff requests 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:00.120 moving this to second reading in February. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:02.660 Is there a motion to move this forward? 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:03.760 So move. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:04.500 Second. 00:11:06.430 --> 00:11:10.590 We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson. 00:11:10.930 --> 00:11:12.330 Discussion on the ordinance. 00:11:13.030 --> 00:11:13.550 Darren? 00:11:13.910 --> 00:11:15.750 Yeah, I just wanted to give everybody an update. 00:11:16.050 --> 00:11:22.450 We did some tabulations between the meetings, and we are literally at about 150 services left, 00:11:22.450 --> 00:11:25.190 and we will be complete with the lead service line replacement. 00:11:25.190 --> 00:11:54.790 So, I know there's people that have been asking me and it took us some time to get it down, but right now there's 150 left and by any luck we will be done sometime this summer. Awesome. Thank you. Could I make a motion to suspend the rules? Second. We have a motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, could you please take the vote on the 00:11:54.790 --> 00:12:31.320 suspension only. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. No. Parker. Aye. Stacy. No. Sellers. Aye. One, two, three, four. Attorney Zito, we need six, right? So the mayor wouldn't even matter. So that motion fails. Okay. The suspension fails. However, there's still the discussion on the ordinance itself. It'll just be moved to the next regular 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:38.300 scheduled meeting. Alderman Sellers? Yes, just wanted to know how long do we have to have this 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:50.460 given to EPA on what we're doing, our testing? Don't we, are we looked into about testing and stuff? Is that 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:57.920 why we have to do this? Sure. So, as I mentioned before, we have about 63 active services. We need 00:12:57.920 --> 00:13:18.680 60 of them to respond to our lead and copper sampling. So we're just asking for a $40 incentive to reduce off of the individual water bills. And we hope to have these done before the next sampling regime. This is basically just going to get us done through the next, I guess, sampling period until July. 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:43.500 So we are at this monitoring level of 60 until we reach full lead-free compliance. And then once we do another tier sample, I believe at the end of the year, then we can apply for reduced monitoring to get back to a more reasonable level. But we have to complete and then we have to do some various sampling to do that. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:14:08.080 So what Mr. City Manager Boyer indicated is we're really struggling and we get commitments from people and then we don't get follow through, which automatically is giving us violations. And so this would really help the operations and the environmental staff that is working hard to keep us into compliance. Very touchy situation. Rob actually, I commend him on his day off. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:35.180 he went to EPA and fought on behalf of the city on some violations that we received that are, it's the paperwork issues that we're having because we have so many little, so few led services right now that we are having a really hard time staying compliant. That's why we're asking for this to make sure that we, we give our operators and our environmental people a chance to get this done. Hopefully we'll go to what they call, I believe, tier five. 00:14:35.180 --> 00:15:05.020 so we'll have one through four pretty much cleared we will go to tier five which is copper services that probably won't be until 2027 and then we'll get back on a more consistent smaller scale that we can use more services in town because we have lots of copper services right now we're really down to like he said about 63 active lead services it's very difficult and these are the people a lot of these people that are left are people that haven't been responding to calls emails 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:09.300 text, you know, us showing up, trying to get in to do the services. 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:13.260 So it creates another level of complexity to the projects. 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:15.180 Ellen Sellers? 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:27.040 Yes, because it's a lot of work that goes into doing the testing, and they have to do it at a certain spot, at a certain time, for so many days, correct? 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:34.880 And then they have to, then they, then our people go there and get the water and test it and make sure everything's okay. 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:52.760 Yeah, and then there's another step to it after that if we would get a parts per billion confirmation because people can do sampling incorrectly, we may get a false positive, which requires us to go back and do even more sampling. 00:15:52.760 --> 00:16:22.440 so it is it's it is a chore for the homeowners to be involved and as we have completed these and knocked them out throughout town the people that are very favorable to helping us do this project have kind of gone away and again we're getting to the point of getting trouble to people even answer a call answer a letter schedule an appointment and so it's really becoming difficult and it's a big hassle for our staff to chase 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.440 chase this around. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:24.980 Alderman Clem? 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.500 Yeah. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:28.900 Is there a certain segment of the community? 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.860 I mean, is it like rentals? 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.980 Is it like old people? 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:33.340 Is it like, you know? 00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:40.320 Right now, so we had, we originally started with 2,300, and we're down to a various 150 kind 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:44.020 of spotted all over town that's kind of left from all the different packages we did. 00:16:44.020 --> 00:16:48.280 So there, I couldn't even pick a street that has, you know, you know, more than a couple 00:16:48.280 --> 00:16:48.820 here and there. 00:16:48.820 --> 00:16:56.480 just, you know, some of them have sold, so we had to wait for one owner to the next. I've been tracking down 00:16:56.480 --> 00:17:04.020 selling companies, leasing companies. Some of these are owned by the government housing. It's a lot more work 00:17:04.020 --> 00:17:10.060 than you can imagine. Thank you. I appreciate it. Alderman Johnson? And if we're out of compliance, 00:17:10.060 --> 00:17:18.220 there's a cost to that, right? As far as a cost to the city, it's basically if we have a violation, 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:48.200 then it goes on to our record for 11 years. The problem is we're at a place where the actual requirements and regulation has created a very pinch point for us specifically because we've been doing so many. We're also in a situation where we've already received $10 million approximately of forgivable loan to get this done, and I think it would really look bad on the community if we were in violation of the 00:17:48.200 --> 00:18:17.540 regulation that is flawed, basically. One of the other direct costs of a violation is in this, they call it a monitoring violation. So that requires us to mail every customer in town a mailer saying that we got this violation, which is like writing a $3,000 check for postage to say that we're in violation of really nothing. And so we're trying to be responsible with the taxpayer's money and not get into that position. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:32.380 One of our monitoring violations that we've got already that Rob went to fight, we really refused to send the mailer because it was an error by the lab company that got submitted. 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:40.900 So we actually submitted all the paperwork, but it was a lab error and it was going to be like writing a check for postage for $3,000 that we think is absolutely ridiculous. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:47.220 When we passed all the tests, it's just like a monitoring thing. So again, it is a hassle for the 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:52.740 people that are involved in doing these tests. This is a modest fee to get this help. It's just a short 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:58.840 period of time. It's not a permanent situation that we're looking for. We've got to get to the point where 00:18:58.840 --> 00:19:04.500 we're down to none and then be compliant for another six months and then we can reduce the sampling and 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:13.080 hopefully go back to every three years. Prior to the lead and copper rule, we only had to do compliance every 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:18.580 three years. Now, because of the new factors, we have to do every six months. So, it is a lot more work and a lot 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.640 more cost in sampling. 00:19:23.010 --> 00:19:23.450 And Stacey? 00:19:24.170 --> 00:19:36.920 Yes. How often do you have to take these samples? Like, is it monthly? And by the 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:57.960 suspension failing, is that going to affect you all in any way? The answer to the suspension is no, we can wait till the next meeting. That's not a problem. And I'm sorry, what was your first question? How often do you have to take right now until the rule changes and we get to tier five? 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:29.040 If all the rule changes and we get to tier five we have to do it every six months so we just did it in December and I believe the next ones are due in June. Thank you. Okay we'll move on to the next item number nine is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-03. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending chapter 810 concerning the licensing of vacation rentals to add penalties for multiple violations of federal state or local regulations referred to as good neighbor policy. Thank you Director Heimerdinger. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:59.440 Thank you, Madam Mayor. The City of Weport continues to support vacation rentals as lawful and beneficial use. However, recent activity has demonstrated the need for additional safeguards. The proposed good neighbor policy is intended to preserve neighborhood peace, protect quality of life, and ensure accountability when properties are used for short-term rental purposes. This policy is not based on neighbor complaints or subjective concerns. Instead, it relies on documented costs for service related to verified 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:29.420 provide violations and relies on communication and coordination with the police and fire department to ensure consistent and unbiased application. This amendment aligns with the city's strategic plans related to neighborhood housing and safe inclusive community and requires no additional funding. I'm going to briefly read the policy because it's quite short and it states any vacation rental 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:58.500 which receives two or more calls for service related to a violation of a state, federal, or local ordinance regulation rule or law within a signal license year should be subject to 30-day suspension of the vacation rental license, during which time no rental should be allowed. In the event that there are three or more calls for service related to violation of state, federal, or local ordinance regulation rule or law within a signal license year, 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:06.420 the license shall issued under this chapter shall be subject to immediate reparation and the owner of the 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:12.560 property should not be eligible for a vacation rental license for the following year. This provision is 00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:18.480 enacted for the purpose of preserving community peace and harmony, limiting disruptions to community 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:26.440 neighborhoods and requires persons designing to utilize their properties for profit to be responsible 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:32.720 for ensuring their neighbors who may not be similarly utilizing their homes are not negatively 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:40.500 impacted by the disturbances of any kind. As such, the provisions here shall apply whether or not the 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:46.940 commission of a crime or violation of an ordinance is adjudicationally determined and applies expressively 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:54.360 to the occurrence of a call for service. Any call for service based exclusively upon occurrence of 00:22:54.360 --> 00:23:00.180 domestic violence shall not be counted for the purpose of this section. The staff recommends moving 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:05.920 this ordinance forward to a second reading and amendment and amending chapter 810 to include 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:13.760 section 810.09, Good Neighbor Policy. Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move. Second. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:19.480 We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this ordinance? 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:21.980 Alderman Johnson? 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:37.160 I'm just wondering why I see that any call for service based exclusively on domestic violence, why that would not be determined as a service call? Because to me, that's pretty dangerous if there's domestic violence going on there. 00:23:37.160 --> 00:24:06.800 Yes. It's mostly for the policy and wanting to protect the victim of said call. So if there is a, we don't want backlash from, you know, that victim that they can no longer find an Airbnb or find a short-term rental in Freeport because they called for help and it was linked to domestic violence. 00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:11.140 It's to protect the victim of the domestic violence incident. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:22.940 But the service calls for service are against the I mean, it's for the person that has the property that they can't run it out again. Right. So it's not really against the person that's the victim. 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:29.780 Well, we don't want to deteriorate people from calling when they need help in domestic violence situations. 00:24:30.560 --> 00:24:37.300 Those are, you could note that those are pretty close to medical calls would be the same, right? 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:42.200 We don't, you know, medical calls are also not in violation of this policy. 00:24:42.760 --> 00:24:45.700 So we, that is pretty linked to a medical call. 00:24:45.780 --> 00:24:51.120 If somebody's in danger, their life is in danger, they're getting, you know, domestic abuse. 00:24:51.120 --> 00:25:00.260 So we don't want to deteriorate from the impact of that and we don't want individuals feeling like they can't call. 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.120 Okay. 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:13.760 Okay, then we'll move on to item number 10, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-04. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.280 Could you please read this? 00:25:15.780 --> 00:25:24.520 Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code to allow offices of contractors as a permitted use in B1, B2, and B3 business districts. 00:25:24.520 --> 00:25:25.480 Thank you. 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.360 Director Heimerdinger. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:56.380 Thank you, Madam Mayor. Currently, contractors' offices and shops are only permitted by right in B3, commercial and wholesale business districts. This restriction excludes their use in less intensive districts such as B1 restricted and general retail or B2 limited service business districts unless specifically stated. With advancements in technology, many contractor offices now operate primarily as a business office with digital tools. 00:25:56.400 --> 00:26:24.220 or client meetings, sample displays rather than on-site fabrication or storage. To reflect modern business practices and to help attract and retain businesses, the proposed amendment would allow contractor offices used primarily for business purposes and sample displays to be permitted in B1 districts, in addition to allowing them to continue being allowed in B3. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:30.400 This approach reduces red tape and provides ready-to-use spaces for businesses. 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:42.400 The amendment aligns with the strategic plan for promoting a responsive and effective and efficient government that updates ordinances to match current business practices. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:51.880 Amending staff recommends approving the amendment to the ordinance pertaining to contractor offices and shops. 00:26:51.880 --> 00:27:01.320 and this did come from Planning Commission and it was voted in favor of coming to council on January 15th. 00:27:01.780 --> 00:27:03.880 Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.120 So move. 00:27:07.850 --> 00:27:16.730 We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clemm. Discussion on the ordinance? Alderman Clemm. 00:27:16.730 --> 00:27:46.450 Director Heimerdinger, can you give me an example of this? Yes. Business X moving into Y, because obviously this has got something in mind to do it. Yeah, so this doesn't, this is not solely, you know, anybody that we are thinking about right now moving in, but we're trying to make it easier for contractors who want to have a presence, let's say there's a downtown shop, right, that's B1. 00:27:46.730 --> 00:28:03.530 And all they have, you know, nowadays when you go to talk with a contractor or talk with a designer, they don't have a big showroom, they don't manufacture anything on site, they might have a computer show you some samples, they might have some pink chips, and they may have some small countertop samples. 00:28:03.530 --> 00:28:32.530 Right now as it's currently written, they could not do that in any B1 and a lot of B1 properties are downtown and elsewhere within Fleetport. They would have to go through, you know, zoning to change it to B3 and it basically, it creates a lot of red type for a organization where they're basically operating just like a business or just like any kind of practice down on downtown. 00:28:33.530 --> 00:28:40.410 right now. They operate just like a business would operate, and because of how advanced technology has 00:28:40.410 --> 00:28:46.490 gotten that most samples are ordered online, and they're just being shown there's not fabrication on site. 00:28:47.150 --> 00:28:48.190 Follow-up, Rebecca? 00:28:48.410 --> 00:28:48.570 Sure. 00:28:49.290 --> 00:28:57.070 So really between this one and the next one coming up as far as the upstairs appropriately, 00:28:57.070 --> 00:29:03.030 it's basically going to create a different attitude or a different opportunity for people 00:29:03.030 --> 00:29:06.050 to move into downtown or any other place. 00:29:06.170 --> 00:29:06.950 Yeah, that's correct. 00:29:06.950 --> 00:29:27.190 It's supposed to help to create more ability for different types of businesses to find homes here in Fleetport and to be able to find a place that works for them and to remove, you know, unnecessary red tape for them to come in and start their business. 00:29:27.670 --> 00:29:28.350 Thank you. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.680 All right, Stacy. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:38.960 How many buildings do we have downtown that would support something like this? 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:49.440 How many? Any of them that deemed B1 on the zoning map, they could easily support this. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:53.200 I mean, do you know how many properties there is? 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:56.200 Of B1 on the zoning map, I do not know. 00:29:56.200 --> 00:30:12.170 B1 on the zoning map. I do not off the top of my head. If there's no other discussion, move on to item number 11, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-05. Madam Clerk, could you please read this? 00:30:12.650 --> 00:30:21.710 Ordinance amending Chapter 1252 of the Zoning Code to allow residential units as a permitted use above the ground floor of buildings in the Central Business District. 00:30:21.710 --> 00:30:29.470 Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Currently, residential units are not permitted by right in any business district 00:30:29.470 --> 00:30:35.130 and can only be allowed through a special use permit under restrictive conditions. To address 00:30:35.130 --> 00:30:41.350 Freeport's housing shortage and promote full occupancy of buildings in the Central Business District, 00:30:41.650 --> 00:30:49.730 the proposed amendment to Chapter 1252.01 of the B-1 Restricted Retail Business District would 00:30:49.730 --> 00:30:58.350 allow for a permit residential use, including dwelling units and lodging rooms on upper floors in the 00:30:58.350 --> 00:31:05.110 Central Business District when the ground floor is occupied or could be occupied by a permitted business. 00:31:05.710 --> 00:31:22.770 This also streamlines residential development outside of the Central Business District by removing outdated frontage and block composition requirements while maintaining a special use permit for anything outside of the Central Business District. 00:31:22.770 --> 00:31:35.110 These changes encourage housing in unutilized buildings, foster vibrant mixed-use downtown areas, and align with the city's strategic goal related to the response of government and neighborhood and housing. 00:31:36.030 --> 00:31:47.750 Staff recommends council approving the amendment to the ordinance pertaining to residential use in business districts as it was voted in favor by the Planning Commission on January 15th. 00:31:47.750 --> 00:32:13.870 and you can also see on the screen there we've just outlined it the central business district so you're going to get a sense of where residential can exist above the first floor without a special use. Everywhere outside of that area will still require a special use permit to have residential above a business. 00:32:14.370 --> 00:32:17.990 Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? 00:32:17.990 --> 00:32:26.230 So move. A second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson. I have a question. 00:32:26.490 --> 00:32:31.710 Yes. In order for second, third floor possibilities, does the first floor have to be occupied first? 00:32:31.710 --> 00:32:46.090 The first floor doesn't have to be occupied. It has to be able to be occupied, which means that it can't be a condemned building. You can't have a condemned first floor. It just means that there could be a business in there. It is in a state where a business can move in. 00:32:46.090 --> 00:32:47.210 Thank you. 00:32:47.910 --> 00:32:48.630 Alderman Clem? 00:32:50.010 --> 00:33:03.170 I guess it was about a year ago, Greater Freeport Partnership put on a program about second floors about these things, was talked about funding and what was required and all that kind of stuff. 00:33:03.170 --> 00:33:26.750 And I know one of the things problems in a lot of these buildings, and I just wanted to say that is it still in there is it's got to be approved by everybody because one of the big things I think is fire department entrance and access and ability to get out in case of anything, you know, that has handicapped a number of the buildings. 00:33:26.750 --> 00:33:40.750 But, you know, does that, once it, if you got somebody that's a, say there's a prospect to go in the building, what happens at that point? Does everybody look at the plans and go over it and they have to prove what they're going to do? 00:33:40.750 --> 00:33:52.590 It's still held to a building permit standards, which means that they will need a building permit and they'll also have the fire inspection. So there will be two ways out still. 00:33:52.590 --> 00:34:19.570 We're not, we won't jeopardize the safety of these buildings by any means. It's just removing the $200 special use permit application and then the two months of going through that process in order to hopefully engage more people to come get their building permits, work with our building inspector and our fire marshal to make sure that the building is safe and ready for residential use. 00:34:19.570 --> 00:34:27.850 but to avoid the unnecessary hold-up and time and extra costs associated. 00:34:29.050 --> 00:34:30.210 Hold on, Ms. Stacy? 00:34:31.550 --> 00:34:42.150 Would the occupants already living there on the other floors have any say-so on a business coming in? 00:34:42.730 --> 00:34:43.790 To the ground floor? 00:34:44.290 --> 00:34:44.750 Yes. 00:34:44.750 --> 00:35:14.170 The business is, that always goes to the building owner who always decides, you know, who's coming into their, to their, the property owner decides who's coming into their business. So I don't know of any system where a residential individual would decide if they let the ground floor happen unless they are the property owner. So the property owner decides the business coming in and then they work with the city to make sure that it's a proper business that can be in that district. 00:35:14.750 --> 00:35:21.070 Yes, so there still would have to be two ways in and two ways out 00:35:21.070 --> 00:35:21.910 Yes 00:35:21.910 --> 00:35:24.250 Without having to cut through a business 00:35:24.250 --> 00:35:30.030 Oh, yes, there has to be, yes, the safety is still, still top of the line 00:35:30.030 --> 00:35:31.910 That is, that is the building code 00:35:31.910 --> 00:35:35.050 We're not changing building code, we're not modifying the building code 00:35:35.050 --> 00:35:37.030 The building code will stay the same 00:35:37.030 --> 00:35:44.190 We're just removing the ordinance that we have set in place by the city of needing a special use 00:35:44.190 --> 00:35:54.640 Anything else? And we'll move on to item number 12, which is the adoption of Resolution 202604. Could you please read this? 00:35:56.560 --> 00:36:02.120 Resolution approving 2026 motor fuel tax materials. Thank you, Manager Boyer. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:07.640 Thank you, Your Honor. Every year before we start the construction season, we need to pass a resolution 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:15.360 authorizing the use of MFT funds for our construction season. This year, we're planning to install about 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:44.620 12,500 tons of hot mix. There's a slight difference here in the memo. The memo calls out 13,000. And then we're also looking at 150,000 for a crack ceiling operation. So staff asks that council move forward with the resolution approving the 2026 MFT funds. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Stacy? 00:36:44.620 --> 00:36:49.960 The total cost of this resolution would be what? 00:36:50.580 --> 00:36:51.980 About a million dollars. 00:36:53.140 --> 00:36:59.220 And I know we have done something like this every year. 00:36:59.360 --> 00:36:59.680 Yes. 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:05.940 How much of that product did we have left over? 00:37:06.540 --> 00:37:10.200 I don't think we had any left over last year. 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.560 I don't know if Darren maybe has a better idea. 00:37:11.560 --> 00:37:40.940 So we use this not only for roads, but use it for hot patch. That's the larger amount, the 900,000. And I want to say that we had just about 800 tons left. Now we didn't take those tons and we didn't have to pay for them. So we only pay for the tons we take. So we kind of estimate what we're going to need for the year. We have to estimate the maximum and then we can take 20% less or 20% more based on weather. That's the IDOT spec for it. 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:45.200 So we only pay for what we actually have delivered to the job sites. 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:51.140 When we do a project, we might have a couple tons left here and there after a job's over with, 00:37:51.220 --> 00:37:55.820 and then we use that in our recycling machine to do road patching so there's no waste anymore. 00:37:57.100 --> 00:37:57.540 Okay. 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:59.440 And thank you for visiting Liberty. 00:38:03.110 --> 00:38:04.550 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 00:38:06.370 --> 00:38:06.850 Clem? 00:38:07.450 --> 00:38:07.710 Aye. 00:38:07.950 --> 00:38:08.330 Johnson? 00:38:08.610 --> 00:38:08.830 Aye. 00:38:09.210 --> 00:38:09.530 Simmons? 00:38:09.990 --> 00:38:10.230 Aye. 00:38:10.650 --> 00:38:10.990 Parker? 00:38:11.290 --> 00:38:11.590 Aye. 00:38:11.590 --> 00:38:21.050 Stacey? Aye. And Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-0. Item number 13 is the adoption of 00:38:21.050 --> 00:38:27.030 resolution 20-2605. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of chlorine 00:38:27.030 --> 00:38:33.610 analyzers for wells 8 and 9 from Hawk Company. Thank you. Manager Warrior? Thank you, Your Honor. 00:38:33.610 --> 00:38:49.890 So we have equipment at each of the water treatment plants, they're called chlorine analyzers, they look at or they take a sample every so many seconds and then they run a quick sample and then it goes to our SCADA. 00:38:50.030 --> 00:39:02.790 Our SCADA is the supervisory data acquisition system that communicates to the operators and also to our long-term records as to what is actually what the dosage is and what the residuals are in a system. 00:39:03.610 --> 00:39:13.810 Hawk has decided to stop supporting the current models that we have at Well 8 and 9, and staff needs to move forward rapidly and ratify this agreement. 00:39:14.010 --> 00:39:23.650 Staff, this is a bit of an emergency from the standpoint of it is a regulated outcome, and we are out of supplies, so we need to move forward. 00:39:23.650 --> 00:39:29.170 But staff requests council ratify this agreement for $26,064. 00:39:29.690 --> 00:39:31.370 Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? 00:39:31.770 --> 00:39:32.330 So moved. 00:39:32.590 --> 00:39:32.890 Second. 00:39:33.610 --> 00:39:40.690 motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers, discussion on the resolution, Alderman Stacy? 00:39:41.410 --> 00:39:45.790 How long was we with the company that no longer supports our wealth? 00:39:46.550 --> 00:39:47.850 I'm sorry, can you say that again? 00:39:47.850 --> 00:39:54.070 How long were we with the company that no longer supports our wealth? 00:39:54.070 --> 00:39:59.180 Port. It's one of the only ones out there that does this type of work. I believe these have been in place at 00:39:59.180 --> 00:40:05.220 least 20 years. I don't know exactly. It was far before my time. But this has been kind of an industry 00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:11.720 standard for a very long time. And not only us, but essentially any water department that does not have 00:40:11.720 --> 00:40:19.480 the reagents and the repair tubes and things to make them work will be in the same position we're in. 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:53.080 Yeah, so the current model has been in use for many, many years and they're updating the model. That's why the model year changed. Our maintenance guys knew this was going to happen. We bought up a bunch of the parts and pieces that we've used and we've got by for a few years here knowing that we were going to have to change them out. I didn't put this information through the memo process, but the new units, while we buy them, they'll actually cost us less maintenance per month because the reagents packets that have always been able to be used. 00:40:53.100 --> 00:40:58.620 use, which is a reoccurring cost. The new models don't use those anymore. So they've kind of built a better 00:40:58.620 --> 00:41:07.100 mousetrap. Unfortunately, the chlorine analyzers at our wells, they run 24-7 as the wells run because we're 00:41:07.100 --> 00:41:11.340 constantly monitoring that through the SCADA system and it allows the operators to balance out chlorine 00:41:11.340 --> 00:41:16.620 throughout the system. So it's a very important piece of remote operations, not having to have a 00:41:16.620 --> 00:41:19.980 person at each one of our facilities, 24 hours a day. 00:41:22.260 --> 00:41:36.220 What was the location of the old or the current one that has it now compared to where is Hock located compared to where the other one was located? 00:41:37.180 --> 00:41:44.260 So Hock's a manufacturer and it's the main manufacturer for those. So are you talking about our well houses? 00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:47.400 No, I'm talking about where is Huff located? 00:41:47.860 --> 00:42:11.320 Oh, there's a branch facility in Chicago. So we strategically waited to order three of these at the same time to get a better cost on them than buying one individually. And we like to have all the equipment the same at the wellhouses that way. Our maintenance staffs, they have less parts and pieces of materials that we have to buy and have on hand. 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:41.260 because every different model you get you have to have more and more equipment sitting on the shelf to repair it so I would echo Rob's sentiment that these well number nines those chlorine analyzers were original when that was built they've never been changed out they've only been fixed and repaired well number eight is the same way that's that's a piece of equipment that might be 25 years old and and our guys work on a monthly to make sure that they're operational so this isn't something that you 00:42:41.260 --> 00:43:12.800 buy all the time. Well 11 has the newer model in it because that's what was available when we built it and well 12 will have the same models as well. How old is the parts in well 9? Well 9 was built 15 years ago, maybe 16 years ago, something like that. I think it was brought online about 15 years ago. That was a new well, new facility with the chlorine analyzers and then we had an original one and we had to add another one. 00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:18.760 one Sierra tank got put online because it wasn't meeting the EPA's operational functionality. 00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:22.360 So is it fair to say they only last like 15 years? 00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:29.380 These right here wouldn't have to be replaced if the parts and pieces were still available for them because they're still operational. 00:43:29.620 --> 00:43:34.800 It's the components that are inside of them, the wear parts, those are just not available anymore. 00:43:34.800 --> 00:43:41.700 And like I said, we bought a bunch of them when we knew they were going to be discontinued, but we've kind of rode that horse as long as we could. 00:43:41.700 --> 00:43:42.500 Okay 00:43:42.500 --> 00:43:47.470 If there's nothing else, the clerk, please take the roll 00:43:47.470 --> 00:43:48.310 Clemm 00:43:48.310 --> 00:43:48.870 Aye 00:43:48.870 --> 00:43:49.750 Johnson 00:43:49.750 --> 00:43:50.330 Aye 00:43:50.330 --> 00:43:50.910 Simmons 00:43:50.910 --> 00:43:51.750 Aye 00:43:51.750 --> 00:43:52.350 Parker 00:43:52.350 --> 00:43:52.870 Aye 00:43:52.870 --> 00:43:53.630 Stacey 00:43:53.630 --> 00:43:54.670 Aye 00:43:54.670 --> 00:43:55.710 And Sellers 00:43:55.710 --> 00:43:56.130 Aye 00:43:56.130 --> 00:43:58.770 The resolution is adopted, 6-0 00:43:58.770 --> 00:44:04.590 Item number 14 is the adoption of Resolution 2026-06. Could you please read this? 00:44:04.810 --> 00:44:10.890 Resolution approving memorandum of agreement with AFSCME regarding the creation of the position of operations foreman 00:44:10.890 --> 00:44:12.450 Thank you. Manager Boyer 00:44:12.450 --> 00:44:35.490 Thank you, Your Honor. Late last year, we moved forward with an operations superintendent, and that position was filled with Pat Ingram, with the intention of always having a number two, someone to help with the various weekend on calls and knowledge of not only the street department, but also operations of the utility. 00:44:35.490 --> 00:45:02.070 So staff has brought forward this proposal requesting the creation of a new bargaining unit position entitled operations foreman, and that would cover both streets and utility. This would be a grade 19 in the AFSCME contract, and the overall cost impact of this would be about $5,000 per year, including French benefits. So staff recommends moving forward with the resolution and the position of operations foreman. 00:45:03.070 --> 00:45:04.510 Is there a motion to adopt? 00:45:05.490 --> 00:45:34.720 So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clemm. Any discussion on this resolution? Alderman Stacy? Yes. How will the person be chosen? You know, is there a process or will they be handpicked like Pat Ingram was? 00:45:34.720 --> 00:45:42.330 Pat Ingram applied for the position, but I'm not here to discuss that. 00:45:43.730 --> 00:45:49.650 It would be based on seniority primarily and also their knowledge. 00:45:54.410 --> 00:45:54.670 Darren? 00:45:55.230 --> 00:46:06.110 So this is a union bargaining position, so anybody that's qualified within the union will be able to apply for this position because we'll have to open it up within the union. 00:46:06.110 --> 00:46:35.630 and I wanted to point out this is not a create this is a creation of a new job title but not an additional employee to the utility it's a change of duties within the responsibilities of our current staff organization remember we've been talking about reorganizing the staff a little bit to be more efficient try to save costs where we can and provide a different type of leadership organization and this is the next step there's a couple more steps in it but this is the next step in filling that 00:46:35.630 --> 00:46:44.290 to kind of some of the vacancies that we've had in reorganizing our staff to get more of a pyramid leadership organization. 00:46:45.170 --> 00:46:45.850 Alderman Sellers? 00:46:46.610 --> 00:47:05.270 Didn't we talk about this earlier and didn't we get rid of a position and made it like two positions so that's one of the, so those dollars are really split up into two positions doing this. 00:47:05.630 --> 00:47:13.070 job, correct? Correct. Well, City Manager Boyer talked about $5,000 in fringe benefits. This is actually a 00:47:13.070 --> 00:47:20.710 negative effect to the utility as far as staffing cost because we're reducing some of our supervisory 00:47:20.710 --> 00:47:28.630 management staff by condensing the utility operations and the street operations into one operations 00:47:28.630 --> 00:47:34.610 superintendent. But obviously, we can't expect that person to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 00:47:34.610 --> 00:47:39.410 We've got to give them some regular scheduled time off. This gives us an ability that we have a 00:47:39.410 --> 00:47:45.190 promotionable supervisor within the department that's very knowledgeable in both aspects and that 00:47:45.190 --> 00:47:49.870 that person that we're giving time off to can be confident that he's not going to have to answer 00:47:49.870 --> 00:47:56.670 his phone every weekend and be in working all the time. We need to allow our management staff to have 00:47:56.670 --> 00:48:02.790 quality time away from work with their family that they don't have to answer the phone. I give Mr. 00:48:02.790 --> 00:48:08.630 Ingram a lot of credit. Even any of our leadership team, they answer the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 00:48:09.150 --> 00:48:13.210 Pat, with having the street department and the utility department, he regularly gets called at 00:48:13.210 --> 00:48:19.270 midnight, one o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock in the morning. He's in plowing, helping get crews going 00:48:19.270 --> 00:48:26.050 at three and four in the morning. So we need to make sure as a quality individual that he is or anybody in 00:48:26.050 --> 00:48:32.190 that position gets time off to spend with their family that they can rest and recoup and be ready 00:48:32.190 --> 00:49:02.170 for a next week. And Mr. Ingram has, you know, been very, very easygoing during this transition. And he's been basically covering probably 90% of every weekend throughout this pace. So this is a fair resolution, in my opinion, it gives us a promotion through our ask me people to have something for our younger staff to strive for to get in. And will give us the redundancy that we need that our 00:49:02.170 --> 00:49:04.570 leadership crews can have some weekends off with their families. 00:49:07.380 --> 00:49:22.800 Okay, so when this foreman, this operation foreman have time off, a regular SME employee will be filling in those shoes? 00:49:23.980 --> 00:49:28.680 Yeah, when this person's not covering, Pat will be covering the opposite weekends. 00:49:28.680 --> 00:49:51.960 so they can share weekends and responsibility. Currently, don't quote me, but I believe the street department, utility department have like 33 employees, and so Pat can't be everywhere every day, so he needs a second lieutenant, if you will, to help him organize staff and make sure that our projects and our city functions are getting done. I will credit Pat, he's been outstanding. 00:49:51.960 --> 00:50:13.100 I will credit Pat. He's been outstanding. He's been trying to get everywhere, but we're physically burning him out, and this position creates that second person that he can hand some of the leadership in the field duties off that he doesn't have to make it to every job site, every dig, every utility or street issue that we have, and we really need that redundancy for him. 00:50:13.100 --> 00:50:14.540 Goldman, Sellers? 00:50:15.020 --> 00:50:25.600 In a way, it also would be like a job, on the job training, training this next person to maybe take Pat's place and then moving up. 00:50:25.820 --> 00:50:41.260 Exactly. That was our thinking is instead of always trying to hire from outside, maybe we can make it a promotable thing for somebody to stretch goals to maybe be the next operations superintendent if they're, you know, really good. 00:50:41.260 --> 00:50:46.120 Obviously, we all want to work for the city of Freeport for the rest of our lives, but we don't know how long that is 00:50:46.120 --> 00:50:50.180 If there's no further discussion 00:50:50.180 --> 00:50:56.660 One moment 00:50:56.660 --> 00:50:58.540 Clem 00:50:58.540 --> 00:50:59.100 Aye 00:50:59.100 --> 00:51:00.700 Johnson 00:51:00.700 --> 00:51:01.140 Aye 00:51:01.140 --> 00:51:02.100 Simmons 00:51:02.100 --> 00:51:02.740 Aye 00:51:02.740 --> 00:51:03.540 Parker 00:51:03.540 --> 00:51:04.060 Aye 00:51:04.060 --> 00:51:04.740 Stacey 00:51:04.740 --> 00:51:05.500 Aye 00:51:05.500 --> 00:51:06.420 Ann Sellers 00:51:06.420 --> 00:51:06.800 Aye 00:51:06.800 --> 00:51:09.360 The resolution is adopted, 6-0 00:51:09.360 --> 00:51:12.900 Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2026-07 00:51:12.900 --> 00:51:42.420 Could you please read this? Resolution approving a redevelopment agreement with James Schwartz and tax lien properties regarding the property located at 1452 South High Street. Thank you. Director Heimerdinger. Thank you, Madam Mayor. The single family residence located at 1452 South High Avenue was previously owned by an out-of-state property owner and experienced prolonged neglect and deferred maintenance. During that ownership period, the property accumulated 00:51:42.420 --> 00:52:03.300 $15,492.57 in liens and was ultimately designated as a chronic nuisance property. The condition of the home negatively impacts the surrounding neighborhood and requires ongoing code enforcement efforts. Without intervention, the property will soon find its way to the demo list. 00:52:03.300 --> 00:52:17.640 The home is part of an established streetscape on South High Avenue. Rehabilitation preserves the rhythm and the character of the street, while demolition could permanently disrupt it and reduce available housing stock. 00:52:18.500 --> 00:52:30.020 Staff has negotiated a redevelopment agreement with Jim Schwartz of tax lien properties to rehabilitate the property and restore the home as a healthy single-family residence. 00:52:30.020 --> 00:52:57.800 Under the proposed agreement, tax lien properties will pay all outstanding municipal liens, totaling $15,492.57, which incurred under a previous owner, complete a full renovation in coordination with a building inspector to achieve code compliance, and correct all conditions required to remove the property from chronic nuisance status. 00:52:57.800 --> 00:53:16.200 During the approved renovation timeline, the City of Freeport will pause the daily chronic nuisance fine and waive the accrued chronic nuisance fee only upon successful completion and full compliance, as these fines are preliminary administrative in nature anyways. 00:53:16.200 --> 00:53:35.700 Following rehabilitation, the home will be sold for owner-occupancy and tax lien properties will remain involved as like an escrow company, ensuring that property taxes, mortgage, and utilities, water, sewer, and trash are properly established and paid, but it will become an owner-occupied property. 00:53:35.700 --> 00:53:59.780 This redevelopment agreement advances the city's neighborhood and housing goals by stabilizing distressed property, preserving existing housing, reducing nuisance activity, and encouraging responsible home ownership. The project is funded through private investment, resolves outstanding liens, and reduces future enforcement and administrative costs. 00:53:59.780 --> 00:54:20.000 I will add that my team goes out there at least once a week. As you can see in the attached exhibits, it is boarded up with a few broken windows and the door. We have prevented and had to remove several people who have gotten into this property over the last few months. 00:54:20.000 --> 00:54:33.260 So it is a property that continues to add costs to our team to make sure that it is properly safe, that people aren't going in there and that, you know, everybody's staying out that needs to stay out. 00:54:33.960 --> 00:54:41.720 The staff recommends the adoption of this resolution and approving the redevelopment agreement for 1452 South High. 00:54:41.720 --> 00:54:59.020 Approval will eliminate a chronic nuisance property, preserve neighborhood character, as there are no other demo houses on the street, so every rhythm is still there, and returns the home to a productive use as a safe, owner-occupied, single-family residence. 00:54:59.020 --> 00:55:09.920 And then in your packets tonight, you'll find the exhibit one is kind of, you know, showcasing that there's no demos on the street, and that it's a very established streetscape. 00:55:09.920 --> 00:55:34.700 The second one shows the current property conditions, as you can see, and then the last exhibit, page three, showcases what the home could look like in a year from now, which it looks beautiful, like a nice single family home, and we're hoping that we all agree we get all the liens out. 00:55:34.700 --> 00:56:04.260 The liens do include actual costs as well. So that means when the team had to go up and board it up and take care of the nuisance and make sure that people will remove from there, it's including those prices. So we will be getting everything that this out-of-state property owner kind of did to this house and another company who is going to give some life to it has graciously 00:56:04.700 --> 00:56:14.020 going to pay those liens. So I hope we vote to approve the resolution. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. 00:56:16.100 --> 00:56:24.640 We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Alderman Klemm? Just a couple 00:56:24.640 --> 00:56:31.420 questions. I read over the thing, and it's interesting. I mean, it's a good deal if everything works. 00:56:31.420 --> 00:56:37.660 Was this developed from a program we talked earlier or just how did this come about? 00:56:38.180 --> 00:56:47.560 Oh, yes. Great. This came about through a realtor here in City of Freeport who was interested. The out-of-state 00:56:47.560 --> 00:56:56.960 property owner wanted to sell to, you know, get rid of things. And so a realtor reached out to me and there 00:56:56.960 --> 00:57:02.380 There was a few people interested in this property because it can make quite a nice home for a family. 00:57:03.400 --> 00:57:13.180 And they asked me what I thought and my team went out and we looked at it and we looked at what was going on inside, if it was something that could be worth saving. 00:57:13.400 --> 00:57:23.820 And we came to the conclusion that it could be saved, that the mold and issues inside could be remedied to create a nice home. 00:57:23.820 --> 00:57:53.820 and so they um we started just talking about how we can make that happen in in you know how could we you know understanding the burden that was kind of placed on this property uh through no fault of the people who would buy it or purchase this home but also understanding that that that money did exist that money is people's times that's money that the that the city staff has uh used to protect people from going into this home um 00:57:53.820 --> 00:58:17.760 and also, you know, those fines, you know, those, that's real money. So we tried to, we negotiated and, and we sat down with the, with the potential buyer of this property and they decided that it would be advantageous for them and so it'd be advantageous for the city as well. 00:58:18.220 --> 00:58:19.960 Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. 00:58:19.960 --> 00:58:27.940 Williams, Sellers? Yes. Is there a timeline on how long, you know, they have to take the property from A to B? 00:58:28.200 --> 00:58:36.320 Yep. So in the redevelopment agreement, it lists one year on, and that's from the time that we wrote it. 00:58:36.380 --> 00:58:44.360 So that'd be December 31st of 2026 is when it should be complete. In discussions with the company, 00:58:44.360 --> 00:58:49.680 it seems like they'll hopefully get it done faster than that. And that's their goal. And we'd love to 00:58:49.680 --> 00:58:52.200 see that too, get a family in there as soon as possible. 00:58:54.490 --> 00:58:54.970 Hold on, Parker? 00:58:55.330 --> 00:58:59.770 Yes, I went down there today and kind of walked the neighborhood, looked around, and I think 00:58:59.770 --> 00:59:03.490 it's going to be a big improvement for that area, so I'm very much in favor of it. 00:59:07.150 --> 00:59:08.430 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 00:59:10.960 --> 00:59:11.280 Plum? 00:59:11.580 --> 00:59:11.880 Aye. 00:59:12.940 --> 00:59:13.300 Johnson? 00:59:13.600 --> 00:59:13.820 Aye. 00:59:14.300 --> 00:59:14.540 Simmons? 00:59:15.060 --> 00:59:15.300 Aye. 00:59:15.660 --> 00:59:15.980 Parker? 00:59:16.300 --> 00:59:16.520 Aye. 00:59:16.880 --> 00:59:17.280 Stacey? 00:59:17.780 --> 00:59:18.160 Aye. 00:59:18.820 --> 00:59:19.380 And Sellers? 00:59:19.500 --> 00:59:19.720 Aye. 00:59:20.440 --> 00:59:23.180 The resolution is adopted, 6 to 0. 00:59:23.180 --> 00:59:49.100 reports from department heads, finance, nothing this evening, thank you, community development, nothing this evening, thank you, public works, nothing, chief Miller, no report this evening, police, nothing, thank you, library, nothing, thank you, IT, well, that was quick, city manager, I have two things, sorry, 00:59:49.100 --> 01:00:15.520 I have two things. Sorry, Anton. One, I just wanted to communicate to council. The next several meetings will be critical. We have a very busy construction season, and I would like to make sure that we get together on our scheduled time to meet with the mayor. Also, Chief Miller, I think this is your last meeting, is it not? God bless you. Thank you for your service. 01:00:15.520 --> 01:00:35.450 Yeah, Chief, I just wanted to say thank you and tell you how much we've appreciated your service for many, many years. So we wish you nothing but the best, and we hope that you'll stay in touch. Thank you. Alderman Clem? 01:00:35.450 --> 01:00:40.030 I'll diddle that remark that you did about the chief. 01:00:40.810 --> 01:00:55.330 I've learned a lot from the chief in his time, and we've worked through some stuff that I believe differently, the way things were going, and he explained it very well, and is very knowledgeable about it, and you deserve your retirement. 01:00:55.650 --> 01:00:57.450 Thank you very much for your service. 01:00:57.890 --> 01:00:59.410 We really appreciate it. 01:00:59.410 --> 01:01:04.090 The only other thing I have is next Tuesday is a neighborhood watch meeting. 01:01:04.090 --> 01:01:24.090 I'll keep posted on that to everybody that's on my list simply because of weather through the weekend it's going to be really cold and I think Tuesday or so it's supposed to be like six degrees but providing it's halfway decent and everything we'll still have it. Thank you. 01:01:25.310 --> 01:01:26.110 Alderman Johnson. 01:01:26.110 --> 01:01:52.130 I too would like to thank the chief when I first started he gave me a really good tour of everything and made sure that I understood everything that was going on in the fire department so I really appreciated that and just a reminder for the general public primary start soon so if you're not registered to vote get registered get to know the candidates and your voice matters so get out and vote all right on my Simmons 01:01:52.130 --> 01:01:54.290 I don't have anything, thank you 01:01:54.290 --> 01:01:55.250 Alderman Parker 01:01:55.250 --> 01:01:57.910 Just repeat what they've said about the chief 01:01:57.910 --> 01:01:59.250 I've been honored to know him 01:01:59.250 --> 01:02:01.870 I've learned a lot from him about fire stuff 01:02:01.870 --> 01:02:04.570 And we're going to miss you, but enjoy your retirement 01:02:04.570 --> 01:02:05.830 Thank you 01:02:05.830 --> 01:02:07.450 Alderman Stacy 01:02:07.450 --> 01:02:10.530 Yes, I just want to say, Chief Miller 01:02:10.530 --> 01:02:12.930 I knew of you 01:02:12.930 --> 01:02:16.220 But I didn't know you 01:02:16.220 --> 01:02:18.440 And when 01:02:18.440 --> 01:02:21.100 I had my two days of training 01:02:21.100 --> 01:02:22.660 Before seated at the table 01:02:22.660 --> 01:02:52.280 you welcomed me with open arms and that meant a lot any concern any question any anything has always been an open door for me to call you and talk to you and I appreciate you for being you even when the hard questions came up and you didn't know how to bring it to me and I brought it to you you was glad and we talked 01:02:52.280 --> 01:02:54.780 And that was a beautiful thing 01:02:54.780 --> 01:02:56.740 I 01:02:56.740 --> 01:03:00.460 I love you with the love of God 01:03:00.460 --> 01:03:01.900 And 01:03:01.900 --> 01:03:04.840 Just go live and enjoy life 01:03:04.840 --> 01:03:06.160 Thank you 01:03:06.160 --> 01:03:07.440 Alderman Sellers 01:03:07.440 --> 01:03:10.720 Yes, Chief, I just want to say thank you for your kind spirit 01:03:10.720 --> 01:03:12.680 Thank you for your dedication 01:03:12.680 --> 01:03:15.040 And enjoy your life 01:03:15.040 --> 01:03:16.060 And God bless you 01:03:16.060 --> 01:03:17.720 And live the good life 01:03:17.720 --> 01:03:21.580 Public comments 01:03:21.580 --> 01:03:23.060 Tommy 01:03:23.060 --> 01:03:35.860 Chief Moore, we're going to miss you, and you did a good job, and I'm glad he did a good job, too. 01:03:37.540 --> 01:03:42.180 So we're going to miss you, and you did a good job with the Freeport Fire Department. 01:03:43.560 --> 01:03:44.440 Thank you, Tommy. 01:03:46.280 --> 01:03:48.060 Any other public comments this evening? 01:03:49.340 --> 01:03:51.300 I will entertain a motion for adjournment. 01:03:51.440 --> 01:03:52.020 So moved. 01:03:52.180 --> 01:03:52.460 Second. 01:03:52.760 --> 01:03:55.780 It will be a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Parker.