Pastor Coverstone, could you please give the invocation this evening?

Good evening, Madam Mayor, Council. Please pray with me. Our Lord God, we give you praise and thanks for the way that you have given us life and gifted us to serve you and to serve others in this world that you've made. Lord, we praise you for your justice and pray that you would help us to live with each other in a way that reflects that justice.

and Love. Lord, we thank you for your wisdom and pray that you would give us your wisdom to carry out the jobs and the callings that you've placed upon our lives. And Lord, we pray also thanking you for your goodness and pray that you would help us to reflect that goodness in the way that we love and serve one another. And Lord, I pray all these things specifically for this mayor and this council, Lord, that you would help them to serve this city well. And Lord, with some of the things that we saw last week, we think of not just ourselves, but others. We think of Lena and pray that you would be with that town, that city as they work and rebuild. We're grateful, even as we've heard of organizations and ministries, as well as the people of that city that have come alongside and helped and cared. We pray that you give them success as they build back.

Lord, we pray that you'd bless this meeting tonight and pray that you'd give wisdom to make decisions that are good for this city and this area. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thank you. We will officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

Mayor Miller. Here. Alderpersons-Klemm. Here. Johnson. Here. Simmons. Here. Parker. Here. Stacey. Here. Shadle. Here.

Sanders, and Sellers.

Here.

If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Alderman Shadle.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Item number one is the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion?

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Clem. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number two is approval from the minutes from the council meeting on March 16th and April 6th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Clem. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes.

Next we have a couple of proclamations All right so we have a proclamation for National Library Week whereas libraries spark creativity fuel imagination and inspire lifelong learning offering a space where individuals of all ages can find joy through exploration and discovery and whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs connecting people with knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and cultural engagement. And whereas libraries provide free and accessible, equitable access to books, digital tools, and innovative programs, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the support that they need to learn, connect, and thrive. And whereas dedicated librarians, librarians, library workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all, and whereas libraries, librarians, and library workers across the country are joining together to celebrate under the theme, Find Your Joy. Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare April 19th through the 25th, 2026 as National Library Week in the City of Freeport and encourage all residents to visit the Freeport Public Library and explore its

resources as we celebrate all the ways that the library helps our community find joy. And it is a pleasure that this is your first proclamation.

I'll save it for my report.

Okay, good. And then one more proclamation for Arbor Day. So, whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and whereas the holiday known as Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than one million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world and is considered a holiday that celebrates nature with the purpose of encouraging the planting of trees and to appreciate trees. And whereas trees can reduce erosion of topsoil, lower our energy costs, clean the air, produce energy, and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable source providing paper, wood to build and heat our homes, fuel for fires, and countless other wood products, and whereas trees in our community increase property value, enhance and beautify our community. So therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day in the City of Freeport and encourage all citizens to plant and care for trees in our community and encourage you to work with our staff to help select the best trees for each area. Manager Boyer.

I'd like to invite everyone out to Crate Park on Friday, I believe it's 10 o'clock, I'll have to double check that, for our Arbor Day celebration, we'll be planting some trees, we're working with outside groups this year to do additional plantings, we have, I think, 22 trees coming in that are about five foot tall, and then we've got a whole lot of, maybe like 200 saplings, that we're going to plan. So please join us for the celebration at Crate Park. Thank you.

And item number four is recognition. Chief Frosso and State's Attorney Carl Larson.

You can learn more about the values of an organization by watching what the people within it do than by listening to what they say.

By way of brief explanation for my presence here today, I was invited to speak as a result of a letter of commendation that I wrote for the Freeport Police Department Detective Bureau. That letter recognized the substantial last-minute work they undertook in a recent first-degree murder case. Specifically, just before the trial was to begin, an important witness had gone missing. The detectives dropped what they were doing, found an address in Rockford, staked out the address for more than a day, got the Witness served with a subpoena, and when they learned that he didn't have transportation to Freeport, they transported him to court and back to Rockford afterwards. Their work significantly increased the likelihood of a just result, and a just result occurred.

their effort in that matter was not an outlier it was a part of a larger consistent pattern of excellence their work in this case and in many others reflects a group of professionals who care deeply about their community and believe at a fundamental level that every person deserves to live in a safe neighborhood their commitment is rare and it's worth celebrating.

Rating. Please join me in a round of applause to thank the Freeport Police Department Detective Bureau for a job well done. Thank you. I believe the chief has some awards for you. As I call you guys up, when you guys come up, can you just stand here for the photo op as well? Detective Eric Diemer. Detective Juan Garduno.

Corp. Dustin Groen, Detective Sergeant Andrew Good, last but not least, Detective Lieutenant Ryan Polish.

Item number five is public comment.

There was none signed in, so we'll move on to item number six, which is the consent agenda.

The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature unless someone has something they'd like to remove for further discussion.

The consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the minutes of the Board and Commission meetings from Foreign Fire Insurance Board from February 19th, the Public Library Board of Trustees, March 11th, Liquor Commission, March 12th, also is the Fire Department's monthly report and the building permits report for March of 2026. Adoption of Resolution 202660, the resolution to IDOT to request temporary street closures for the Tutty Baker Parade on July 12th, and a report of the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant payment April 17th and the finance bills payable in the total of $1,785,384.47 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending April 4th, 2026 in the total of $738,059.60. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. I just want to say it's a 70 cent on my paper just for correction. It says 70 cent. You said 60.

I didn't say 70. Oh, I apologize. That's all right. I was just making sure the record. Thanks for the catch. Second.

Yes. All right. We have a motion by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Clemm. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. And Stacy. Aye. The motion passes 8-0.

And item number seven is a reappointment. Can you please read? Reappointment of John Green to the building commission effective through April 30th, 2030. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? No moved. Second. The motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the appointment. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Plum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy.

Aye And that motion passes 8-0 as well Item number 8 is the second reading of ordinance 20-26-18 Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending section 806.20 regarding non-licensee alcoholic liquor delivery services of the liquor codes Thank you Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor This was brought to council on April 6th Attorney Cox presented and essentially this aligns our liquor code with that of the state and staff recommends moving forward with this, with the approval.

Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

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

I'm sorry, did you say something and I missed it? No. Your vote is no?

the ordinance passes seven to one item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 2026 40 I'm sorry 24 could you please read this ordinance annexing well number 12 property to the city of Freeport Stevenson County Illinois thank you manager Boyer thank your honor this came for council April 6th staff is requesting the annexation of approximately seven acres on Forest Road just to the south of Crete Park area and staff recommends moving forward with the annexation. Thank you. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. The ordinance passes 8 to 0. And item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 202626. Could you please read this? Supplemental appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning January 1-26, providing funding for new deputy clerk slash FOIA clerk position.

Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor.

April 6th, Council approved the creation of this FOIA clerk position, and staff is coming forward with a supplemental request to appropriate the funds necessary to hire this person.

We're expecting about 750 hours for the remainder of the year, 2026, at a scale between $19.59 and $2.204 an hour, working out to about $14,000. Staff recommends approval of the supplemental ordinance.

So moved.

Second.

Give a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers, to move this ordinance forward. Discussion?

Request for suspension of the rule.

Second We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadle to suspend the rules. Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and was passed by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension only?

Shadle? Aye.

Sanders? No.

Sellers? Aye.

Clem? Aye.

Johnson? Aye.

Simmons? No.

Parker? Aye.

Stacy? No.

and the suspension fails five to three. Oh. Madam Clerk, so because half the council voted in favor of. Okay. It's over four. I'm sorry. Mayor, what say you? Aye. And so that does cause the suspension to pass six. Wait, wait, wait, wait. I called that all wrong. It failed three to five. Attorney Zito, help me out. One, two, three, four, five.

it didn't it didn't have six votes so it was five to three I'm so sorry two-thirds vote is required the mayor made it six it passes six to three so now before you counsel is the final passage of this ordinance is there discussion Madam clerk please take the roll Shadle all right Sanders Sellers I Clem I Johnson I Simmons Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. And the ordinance passes 6-2. Item number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-28. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Part 4, Traffic Code Title 8, Parking, Chapter 480, Parking Generally, Section 480.24D, regarding disabled persons and veterans parking designation at 215 North Walnut Avenue. Thank you. Manager Weyer? Thank you, Your Honor.

of the City of Freeport has received a request for an 88 parking stall at 215 North Walnut Avenue for a resident with a handicapped placard.

The owner of the property is Wayne Canale and the tenant is Carmen Rios. Staff request moving forward with the additional placard and a suspension of the rules if possible.

Is there a motion to move this forward?

So moved.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Clem, discussion on the ordinance I will motion to suspend the rules Second Motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sellers to suspend the rules, again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the suspension only I'm sorry, I wasn't ready for that That was Sellers-Simmons, or the other way around, Sellers-Simmons, Simmons-Sellers, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Clemm, Aye, Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Aye, Parker, Aye, and Stacy, Aye, the suspension passes 8-0 So then now before you for the final passage, is this ordinance any further discussion on this? Alderman Johnson?

I just wondered what 229 West Clark had to do with 215 North Walnut Avenue I'll be glad to answer that So Mr. Canale owns both properties and they're adjoining right next to each other Okay So while it's the next property to the north but it has a Clark address Okay Okay So the reason is and I'll see you next time.

I just thought it was representative that I should explain that through the memo and with the photos what the existing, what appears to be a driveway on the property which actually goes with the neighboring property that Mr. Canale owns both.

Okay. Thank you.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle.

Aye.

Sanders.

Aye.

Sellers.

Aye.

Clem.

Aye.

Johnson.

Aye.

Simmons.

Aye.

Parker. Aye. And Stacy. Aye. The ordinance passes 8-0. And item number 12 is the adoption of Resolution 2026-48. Could you please read this? Resolution appropriating or allocating matching funds to Illinois Department of Transportation Street Project on FAP Route 561 or Galena Avenue. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. We've been working quite a bit this year on streets and getting things launched.

Galena Avenue is selected by IDOT to move forward from Clark to Park repaving and it is going to cost quite a bit of money, $6.3 million.

There is a match for the city's portion that is $193,030 in matching funds and staff requests moving forward.

this was budgeted in the 2026 capital projects and staff recommends moving forward with the appropriation of the matching funds. So moved. Second.

Giving motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson to approve the adoption of this resolution.

Discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye.

Stacy. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2026-49. Could you please read that? Resolution approving agreement and plans and specifications as proposed by the State of Illinois Department of Transportation for a joint city-state milling and resurfacing project on FAP Route 561 or Galena Avenue. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Very similar to the last resolution. This is one we need to adopt to accept the design and enable us to move forward with the project with IDOT.

So a staff request moving forward with this resolution to approve the design and plan set.

So moved.

Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle to adopt resolution 2026-49.

Discussion?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle.

Aye.

Sanders.

Aye.

Sellers.

Aye.

Clem.

Aye.

Johnson.

Aye.

Simmons.

Aye.

Parker.

Aye.

Stacey. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. And item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 202650. Could you please read this? Resolution in support of retaining municipal housing authority. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The Illinois Municipal League is one of the organizations that support local cities and towns and represents some of their interests at the state capitol. Recently, we became aware of some legislation that's making its way through the state at this point that would reduce local authority for municipal housing.

So staff is requesting moving forward with this resolution, essentially wanting to maintain our current local control of housing.

So move.

Second.

It would be a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle for the Adaptions Resolution. Discussion?

Yes, please.

Alderman Klemm.

Explain that a little more if you could, please.

As I understand it, the various zoning requirements, so like the spacing between houses, right now we have certain ordinances that prohibit them from being too close together or too close to the right-of-way for various reasons.

this would essentially overwrite all those local ordinances and it would essentially mean that wherever we the state wanted certain things done they could do that without considering those criteria. I'm fine. It was a whole different thought. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Parker. Aye. And Stacy. No.

The resolution is adopted, 7 to 1 Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 202651 Could you please read this?

Resolution approving memorandum of understanding between the City of Freeport and the Greater Freeport Partnership regarding street banners along Chicago Avenue Thank you, Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor each, every year or so, Greater Freeport Partnership has funded or received grant funding to put poll banners up on the streetlights in downtown.

You know, this brightens up the business district.

It's, you know, it really provides a lot of, it adds to the atmosphere of downtown and improves it.

This year, Greater Freeport Partnership has secured some grant funding and they need a resolution from the council outlining the agreement with the city that will hang the banners. If they are damaged, we'll replace the banners. In our past experience, we have really had not a whole lot of issues. Every once in a while, a banner arm will break or a banner will come loose and we have to go up and fix it. But in the big picture, it hasn't really been much of an issue.

So staff recommends approving the resolution with a creative report partnership related to the downtown street light banners. So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle for the adoptionist resolution. Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Plum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye.

Stacy. No. The resolution is adopted 7 to 1. Item 16 is the adoption of resolution 2026-52. Could you please read this? Resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the City of Freeport and Freeport Arts Center regarding Sculpture Walk. Thank you. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. We're presenting this tonight as sort of a back conversation, an ongoing conversation with the Freeport Arts Museum. We had an MOU last year for the Sculpture Walk on Chicago.

from Douglas to Jackson, sorry, Jefferson. Anyway, I'm sorry. Anyway, my apologies. Anyway, the MOU essentially outlines various responsibilities and there were some changes in the language that was requested. Also, it calls out the cultural commission as to the arts museum as the overall decider on the various sculptures that are placed.

and also we clarified some language to prohibit obscene sculptures as well as providing a $5,000 payment to the art museum to help offset some of the $10,000 of costs that they have in terms of getting these installations done.

It also adds, well, it clarifies some responsibility as far as the public works department in terms of helping with installations and working with artists to get their sculptures installed. So staff recommends moving forward with this resolution, adopting this memorandum of understanding. So move. Second. Moving motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Johnson.

I have a couple of questions. Will there be different sculptures this fall? I know that the idea was that some of them would get sold and we'd get different ones and is there any funding that the museum gets or the Arts Commission gets with this whole endeavor as far as the sculptures being put there and so forth and exactly what is the $5,000 going to be used for?

Or are they going to like let us know what they're using it for? They can use it for whatever they want regarding the sculptures. So those are my questions.

Do you want to answer? The $5,000 is an offset. Last year they spent $10,000 in order to do what they needed to in order to solicit the artists and paying them to rent the pieces for a year.

and so with the different costs that they incurred they spent $10,000 so they were asking for us to help them with the 50% on that because actually it's not it's not the art museum that is making Art Museum that is making those decisions. It's the Art and Culture Commission. And so this way, you know, that's a commission that is set in place by the city. So for the city to have some buy-in. And I forgot what your first question was.

It was, are there going to be different sculptures? Are they going to be the same? Or are these sold?

No, every year the intent is to change those seven, I believe, sculptures that are down there, and then if they, if someone does decide that they want to purchase any of those sculptures, I believe they get a 10% commission, but I'm not positive of the amount, and yes, then it goes back to the art museum for the purpose of, you know, they invested $10,000.

Yeah, I thought there was, I guess.

Sure.

I thought there was some kind of commission or some kind of money that was supposed to come in from these sculptures.

Yeah, and so really, they're the ones that took all the risk, you know, to say that they'll get even a dollar back. You don't know. So will they get 10? Highly unlikely, but I suppose there is.

Was it $1,500 for each sculpture to rent them? I thought it was $1,000 or $1,500. Joy, do you know? I know you've got a real.

I think it's in between $1,000 and $1,500. I think it depends on the sculpture itself.

The sculpture, yeah.

Manager, Boyer, did you have something to add? Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? No. Simmons? Aye. Would you like me to come back to you? Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Back to Simmons? No.

It's currently tied 4 to 4. Mayor, what say you? Aye. And the resolution is adopted 5 to 4. Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 202656. Could you please read this? Resolution approving a design and permitting engineering agreement with Fair Graham for the replacement of water main on Cottonwood from North Foley Avenue to North Apple Avenue. Manager Boyer?

Thank you, Your Honor. Exactly a week ago today, we had a large water main break on Cottonwood. The size of the hole was approximately 42 inches in length and about 12 inches tall, elliptical in shape. It was such a large hole that it posed a severe issue for the water system upon happening.

it drained both towers very quickly and put the city into a town-wide boil order. As we kind of pursue and move forward with the construction projects we can't always know what it is at the budget time period to know exactly what we need to do to like emergent issues. I believe that cottonwood and is an emergent issue we need to replace this water main and then for the research I think we came up with like about 15 different occurrences of water main breaks. It is a known poor quality spun cast pipe in the era of pipe that we have the most problems with. And in a section of town that can drain both these water towers that rapidly, it presents a real concern to public safety and health. So staff recommends moving forward with a engineering agreement with Fair Graham to put together a plan for placing that water main to the term and I we discussed, Apple to Foley, and that will remove the water main of concern.

So staff recommends moving forward with this, approve this project.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson to adopt Resolution 202653.

Discussion?

Alderman Stacy?

I don't have a problem with the water main needing to be replaced. I believe that it's old just like everything around here is. However, with all the other water mains and designs and everything that Fehr Graham have done, what makes this one $88,350?

and 50.

Director Steekel?

Sure.

This one is rather complicated on Cottonwood.

There's actually two different water mains that run on Cottonwood along with many utilities.

It's going to be a very hard place to design, and we also have to cross West Street with it, so that's going to require boring.

and this project I will tell you the design here the design cost the topography cost is about eight percent of construction this is likely a million dollar project to replace the main on this 20 it's about 2150 feet and it's going to retake by the time we dig trenches for this it's going to you know be replacement from curb to curb as well for the street.

Alderman Sanders What precipitated this survey to make this evaluation of the water main and the historical issue with the water main? Is that an outdated water main? And is there a reason why we have to replace the water main across the main highway? Is there a reason why we have to do that? Is it because of where is it going?

where is it being connected to and is it replacing an old existing water main?

Manager, Boyer.

Absolutely.

So the water main is 1959, but more importantly, less important is the age, more important is the construction method of the water main.

It is spun cast.

We have a history of breaks.

It also has a severity issue that when we had that break, it took both water towers from nearly full to nearly empty.

So, because it is old, B, it demonstrated its past failures, and C, it represents a clear health issue for the city of Freeport in terms of providing safe water to the city, I believe that it's incumbent upon us to get that replaced.

Okay, so, where's the destination of this connection going to be?

I believe it was Apple to Foley.

Apple Street to Foley, yes.

It's about five and a half blocks.

Okay.

So we're removing the bad part of it.

Alderman Clem?

Well, just a question, due to the fact that it drained both towers, will there be any kind of redesign to prevent that, or is this going to be the same result when we get done?

I know the problem with the spun.

Yeah, so this is a main transition line.

that moves water across the city. And so there'll always be the potential for issues here. That's why we don't want to just replace a small section here and we want to replace all of it. There's a lot of pressure. Cottonwood is a low-lying area compared to our towers. And this is a main direct hub of water moving from the east side to the west side of town and then west side to east side. That's why we don't We don't want to leave any sections here undone. That's why we want to continue this one to go through West Street because otherwise we're just going to leave a weak link under that street. But IDOT presents challenges. They don't allow us to open cut roadways. We have to bore under them and there's significant requirements with that. Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it. Alderman Stacy? How long of a process is this? So the design process is probably going to take four months. I mean, we'll try to accelerate it the best we can, but there's a three-month permitting window that it takes just to get the EPA permit. So this would not be a project that would be pulled off till late this year or early in the spring at the earliest. Late this year, you say?

Possibly this could be a late fall bid to get the water main replaced.

I mean that'd be the best time time frame acceptable it's not this is a very large main in Freeport I believe our biggest water main is 16 inch main and this is 12 so this is this flows quite a bit of water and to Rob's point we lost I don't know how many people saw the pictures there but we lost about a million and a half to lost about a million and a half to two million gallons of water in about 15 to 20 minutes from this break so it was it's a significant main it's in a low-lying area and we have to thank the police department because they helped us find it along with many of the emergency calls that we found the new hydrants helped but this just shows that the importance of water and the disruption that was made from that one day most of our smaller mains don't have the effect we can get them shut down into small areas, but this transmitting water from one side to the other side of town is super important to keep our systems fluctuating, and I believe Rob asked me to look, and I believe we have a total of 137 miles of water main within the system. We have about 70 miles of the Spuncast product that's within our system, and so what happens is, and you're going to hate this, but it's a Band-Aid. We fix one section, it's going to go to the next weak spot. When we fix that section, it's going to go to the next weak spot. We have been very, very good and very targeted replacing water mains in Freeport over the last five years, getting a lot of these weak links out of the system. And as you guys have seen, we haven't had very many water main breaks like we used to have. It would be nothing to have four or five a week.

we went for a long period without even having four or five in a year recently so we're getting the weak links out but as we do that the larger transmission mains are going to be identified more because there's more heavy pressure getting put on them because the other pilot pipes are much solid the PVC pipe that we're replacing it with they they believe it's a 50 year life but I will tell you that you know it's probably more like 80 to 100 year life in comparison.

Thank you There's no further discussion Is this the only area in Freeport that has this type of problem or is there another area that might get something like this again or is this the only area that has that type of stuff you were saying like low line and old pipes and 12 inch versus the 14 or whatever It's not the only area of town, you know, we're chasing grants and other items to change more water main, there's significant areas of town still that have old water main, I know Rob and I had recently talked, Fourth Ward, down by the Galena McDonald's, a lot of those streets that run north and south there are very aged, have the same type of material and are going to need to be addressed, and again, we're having water main issues, the difference between it is this one really had the unknown capability to affect so much of Freeport all at once it generally doesn't happen that quickly. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Plum. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. And Stacy. Aye. The resolution is adopted.

8-0. And item number 18 is the adoption of Resolution 20-26-54. Could you please read this?

Resolution for Allocation of Matching Funds for Lincoln Boulevard STU Project.

Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Let me first start out by saying I'm very grateful that IDOT has decided to bid some of our FAU routes this year and get them resurfaced. The challenge is we found out about these plans after January, after the budget had already been approved. So that gets to this, which is IDOT is ready to move forward with a mill and overlay of Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West Street and probably next year from West Street to probably Harvey. However, the challenge is we did not outright budget for the $80,000 match in the 2026 budget. So staff is going to be asking for the $80,000 match.

However, we will be taking that match money from the fund reserve, which we have developed a bit of a fund reserve at this time, and that will not be depleted or have a significant impact on it. But staff would request that council approve this resolution for the 20% match for the Lincoln Locust to West Street Reconstruction with IDOT.

So moved.

Second.

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

Discussion on the resolution, Darren?

Yeah, I just wanted to point out 18, 19, 20, and 21, we approved these at the last council meeting to appropriate the funds.

these are just the IDOT formal documents that we have to supply to them to move these out to bid.

Thanks, Terry.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Could I?

Oh, yeah, sure.

What would be the 20% match?

The total is $80,000.

So 20% of that or $80,000?

No, the total is $80,000.

That is our 20%.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle.

Aye.

Sanders.

Aye.

Sellers.

Aye.

Plum.

Aye.

Johnson, Aye, Simmons, Aye, Parker, Aye, and Stacy, Aye, the resolution is adopted, 8 to 0.

Item number 19 is the adoption of Resolution 202655. Could you please write this?

Resolution for allocation of matching funds for Adams Avenue STU project.

Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Your Honor. Again, so this project is from on Adams Street from Float to Main.

So as you'll recall, when we did Adams Street, we got to Float, and then we had water main replacement where we replaced the pavement on the east side of the road, but not the west. This project is also an STU route for IDON, and our matching funds would be $140,000, and that would complete the Adams project from Float to Main Street. Staff recommends moving forward with this from Fund Reserve.

So move.

Second.

Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Clem. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. And Stacy. Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0.

Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 202656. Could you please read this?

Resolution for Allocation of Matching Funds for Stevenson Street STU Project Manager Boyer Thank you, Your Honor Again, same story, different street Stevenson Street is an FAU route from Locust to Park Boulevard and IDOT will be resurfacing that and our match is $200,000 Staff recommends moving forward with the appropriation of $200,000 for the reconstruction or the repaving of Stevenson Street.

So moved.

Second.

It will be a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson for the adoption of Resolution 202656.

Discussion?

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle?

Aye.

Sanders?

Aye.

Sellers?

Aye.

Clem?

Aye.

Johnson?

Aye.

Simmons?

Aye.

Parker?

Aye.

And Stacy?

Aye.

The resolution is adopted.

adopted 8-0. And item number 21 is the adoption of Resolution 20-26-56. Could you please read this?

Resolution for allocation of matching funds for Walnut Avenue's STU project. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor.

This is the last one of this type and it is for Walnut Avenue from South Street to Empire. The match is $140,000, and staff request council approval of this resolution, allocating $140,000 for the match money for the IDOT FAU reconstruction or repaving.

So move.

Second.

It will be a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

Discussion.

Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

Shadle.

Aye.

Sanders.

Aye.

Sellers.

Aye.

Clem.

Aye.

Johnson.

Aye.

Simmons.

Aye.

Parker.

Aye.

And Stacy.

Aye. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item 22, approval of bid, could you please read? A bid opening on April 14, 2026 was held for South Street ADA ramps and storm improvement. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. We had a bid opening on April 14th related to the South Street repaving project, so obviously this is led by IDOT, but there is accessibility ramps that need to be replaced in the corridor and our agreement with IDOT was we will handle the ramps if they'll handle everything else or most everything else. I think there's a traffic signal or something in here we got to deal with. However, we bid this, we had We bid this. We had three bids, Fisher Excavating, Helm Group, and Kelsey Excavating. You'll notice the bid tab is, well, we have a summary here. We'll have to get back with the bid tab on that.

but Fisher was the, you know, here we go, anyway, Fisher excavating was the lowest responsive bidder at $382,865.60 and staff recommends moving forward with Fisher excavating. Motion approved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the bid. Alderman Shadle.

I just want to throw out that Helms' bid was $397,743 and Kelsey was $476,357 Thank you Madam Clerk, please take the roll Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Clemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy The motion is approved, 8-0 And item number 23 is another bid. Could you please read?

Also on April 14, 2026, Galena Avenue storm improvements.

Manager Boyer?

Okay, similar to the last one, this is for additional work for the stormwater system on Galena Avenue, which is getting repaved from Clark to Park.

work. We were able to receive three bids for the stormwater work. The three responsive bidders were Fisher Excavating, Helm Group, and Kelsey Excavating. Kelsey Excavating was the lowest responsive bidder at $241,040. The other bids came in at Fisher, came in at $243,418, and Helm came at $258,913.50. Staff recommends moving forward with the Kelsey as the lowest bidder. So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Alderman Sanders, would you do something? The right-of-way or the path of the connections, I mean, from, you said, Galena to Clark?

not Galena to Clark.

Park to Clark.

Park to Clark.

Clark Street goes all the way to Park Street.

Alderman Sanders is Galena from Clark to Park.

That's what I'm asking about.

Yes.

No, I.

The right, the first time, the right-of-way.

What kind of right-of-way are we using to avoid shutting that main highway down?

what are we doing there? Well, that actually IDOT's going to be managing all the traffic control there.

So essentially we're just going to... It won't shut the highway down as well. No, no. They'll probably reduce it to two lanes and then do one side and then reduce it, you know, do the other side. Existing storm? Yeah, we have existing stormwater infrastructure that needs to be replaced so that when the project is done, we won't have any issues in the future with it. All right, thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Hi.

Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers is absent. Clem? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? Aye. The motion is approved 7-0. And item 24, another bid, could you please read? Also on April 14th, Galena Avenue manhole lining for 2026. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. Again, we are moving forward with manhole lining, so of that is primarily on Galena. We had one responsive bidder for the manhole lining project and that was $106,590. So staff recommends moving forward with advanced rehabilitation technology for the manhole lining on Galena. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Okay, motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker, discussion, Alderman Sanders. What was the location again on that installation? So this is the same project, so Galena from Clark to Park, there's a number of manholes that are brick, and we're going to line those before we, you know, resurface Galena, so we don't want those caving in while we're doing the work out there, so we're going to line those first.

Are you concerned about the depth of the one that's located on, we're not talking, we're talking storms still, right?

No, we're talking about sewer.

Sanitary sewer.

Yes.

Are we concerned about the depth of that sanitary sewer located on Galena and, what's that, Galena and West? It goes south, right? It's going south to Clark.

I won't say that we're terribly concerned about it, however, it's a consideration that we need to keep in mind Oh, okay Madam Clerk, please take the roll Shadle Aye Sanders Sellers Aye Clem Aye Johnson Aye Simmons Aye Parker Aye Stacey Aye The motion passes 8-0 Reports of Department Heads Finance Yes, nothing this evening, thank you Thank you. Community Development? Public Works? Public Works? Nothing. Fire? Yes, Your Honor. I just wanted to remind everybody, last week was telecommunicators week, so the dispatchers for the city and the county. Last week, they got a workout with the storms in Pearl City and in Lena. Obviously, what we had in Freeport was nothing compared to that, but on Tuesday during the Pearl City Storm, we ended up with 14 calls in two hours, so that's just an example of the good work that they do.

Police? Yes, I do have something, Your Honor. Thank you for taking the time to be here and for continuing to stay engaged in the safety and well-being of our community. Policing today is not what it was decades ago. It has evolved, and it must continue to evolve. Modern policing is rooted not only in enforcement, but in service, accountability, and partnership.

I ask this of all of you and those that are watching would you want the practice of medicine the use of surgical techniques being prescribed medications and the continuous learning of it from 30 years ago for you or your families in 2026 or would you rather have the modern practice of medicine evolve to better assess a medical problem if you said no to the first question then why is this answer not expected for policing to be in modern times.

One of the most significant changes in modern policing is the use of technology, from body-worn cameras and real-time data systems to crime mapping and analysis.

It also allows us to make better decisions, allocate resources more strategically, and document our actions with greater accuracy, but with the advancement that comes responsibility.

capability. Technology is not only as good as the people who use it, understand it, dissect it, and train it to ensure it is used ethically, lawfully, and in a way that strengthens policing strategies. As a chief of police of the Freeport Police Department, my professional experience, as all of you have FOIA'd, in technology and data integrity has been rooted in large organizations, academia, and working with programmers.

This is the same experience I am bringing to Freeport. It is not good business to practice, to be rushed, to throw something out there because one believes that they need it.

A chief who is knowledgeable in these tools can foster a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement where data is used not only to measure performance, but to uphold fairness and professionalism.

In this way, data and technology are not just operational tools, they are critical components in preserving the integrity and legitimacy of the police department.

Modern policing relies heavily on accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting that will guide decision making and ensure transparency.

Failing to properly train my officers not defining the lines of code and allowing tech companies to run our systems without proper oversight before public release can lead to serious consequences. I have identified those issues. I repeat, I have identified those issues. And we are working with programmers now. And we have been training our officers properly to ensure that Pre- properly to ensure that previous history does not repeat itself. Responsible data management requires careful validation, redaction, and context to ensure that it is shared in an accurate, lawful, and respectful manner. To my last point, publicly weaponizing the suicide of a young child for political gain is deeply unethical because it exploits a profound personal tragedy for purposes that have nothing to do with honoring the life lost or supporting those affected. Such actions disregard the dignity of that child and the grief of their family. For those who have turned this moment into political fodder, a tool for community division and for the personal, professional, unprofessional advancement is an example of shameful actions. It shifts the focus away from the meaningful conversations about prevention, mental health, support, and community healing.

Instead, what you did is place that family and the surviving siblings at risk of inflaming emotions in a way that is neither constructive nor respectful.

Beyond the moral concerns, this behavior roads public trust in your comments.

When strategies are used, political leverage is signaled to the community that human suffering can be reduced to talking points, which can create cynicism and deepens division.

Responsible leadership requires restraint, empathy, and a commitment to addressing sensitive issues with care and integrity.

As of my department, and as this department, and as this council, and with the assistance of several churches, we extended our support to that family for the reason of moral code and not for theatrical fodder or public consumption.

We focused on solutions, education, and support rather than political hits on a web page.

Finally, none of this without strong social intelligence can be done. Policing is at its core about people.

Leadership at its core requires empathy, communication, cultural awareness, and the ability to understand the diverse perspectives within our community.

Leadership is not a noun. It is a verb. In practice, social intelligence allows individuals to navigate complex interactions, resolve conflicts, and foster trust. A social intelligent person adjusts their approach based on the situation and builds positive relationships by responding appropriately and respectfully. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your continued support.

Thank you. Library?

Yes, I promised I would save it for my report. So I just wanted to thank everybody who has supported the library and continues to. I hope to see all of you there at some point. You can come find me in my office. My door is always open. But I would also like to remind you of some of the things that we do at the library because we are more than just books. We do have those normal things, books, copying, scanning, faxing. We also have e-books, e-audiobooks, and streaming options.

all things that are used by all of us and they're all available for free we do not charge you we also offer homebound services notary republic notary services excuse me one-on-one technology and computer literacy appointments please make those appointments on the fly is not super great I have very limited staff to do that we also have multiple meeting rooms of varying sizes that you the public and other organizations are welcome to to use at any time. You can request them ahead of time. You can usually stop in and get one of them if you want to or need to. Some of them hold as few as two people, but some hold as many as 15. We have multiple story times, homeschool events, and crafts for children. We've created and are growing a teen space and events just for teenagers, so please, if you have teenagers, send them to the library.

We also have summer reading for all ages, it is not just for children, and I encourage all of you to be there this summer. And thank you.

Thank you. IT? Manager Boyer?

Thank you, Your Honor. I just have two short things. The first one is Arbor Day is at 930 at Crate Park, not 10. So just a point of correction there. So please hope to see you there.

as well as we're very proud of our forestry crew. We had a pretty substantial issue in Lena. We had great first responders. We had fire and police also help and assist. But one thing that came clear was we had a lot of downed trees and it was quite something to see our very competent and highly professional forestry crew taking those trees down, removing them and getting the right of ways opened up.

and have the trees removed. So I just wanted to specifically thank them for their efforts. Thank you.

I just wanted to share one quick thing that I learned today. The 2027 appropriation with our Congress is in the stages, the first stage of picking what their projects are, and then the next stage would be then passing for then checks to be written in 27. When I went to DC in March, I met with our congressman, I told him about the airport project, and how it's connected with economic development, and tourism, and workforce, and there's so many pieces to that. I told him that we probably had a project that was about seven million dollars, so I asked him if he would consider three and a half million dollars in that. Darren's team submitted the project in paper. I asked him in person, asked him if he could help us for three and a half million.

We received word today that he has put forward four and a half million for us. So, yes. So we thank Congressman Forensen for that. It's just the first step in the process, but we're making progress in that.

And so if it passes the House and the Senate, then should be next year, we should get a check for four and a half million. So that concludes my portion. Alderman Shadle. Awesome. I have nothing to add. Alderman Sanders. I have one question. I wanted to present it to the librarian. Yes. Director. We are in a national connection with other libraries around the world. Yes. You can get something from technically all over the world.

I have to admit you're not likely going to want to pay the postage for something that comes from New Zealand.

No, but you can get it.

But do you have access to public library in other international areas where we can observe and read via internet online as far as library connections? Is that available?

You're limited to whatever online resources we already have, which is mostly books. Digital collections and digital libraries are difficult right now. There's a lot of hopeful changes coming, at least in the state of Illinois, but it's not common across the globe yet.

Okay.

So you can get a physical item from anywhere in the world, again, pending postage.

Yeah.

But, yes, and we do have access to anything here in the United States as well.

Okay, thank you.

Alderman Sellers?

Yes, I just want to say thank you to all the city workers that went out and helped Lena.

And then I also want to say that I'm just really happy to hear of the good news with the $4.5 million.

and just all the good things that we have planned for this summer to get going on.

That's it.

Alderman Clem.

I'd just like to thank everybody that responded, especially needless to say our first responders, but also so many of the business partners from Northern Illinois that helped out not only at the Pearl City deal but at the Lena.

Many companies came together to do roofing projects, to remove trees, do lots of projects for the people.

I guess I'd say to you one thing is keep in mind as you go through these repairs that are coming up that you try to pick local people that are honest, that are going to be here to take care of your stuff.

And also a great big shout out to ComEd.

Not only were they working in Pearl City, they were working in Lena, and they were putting in poles on Upper Empire Street all at the same time. So you can imagine the size of the crew they had. And I talked to George Gaurap, and as he told me, he talked to the people in Chicago, and they absolutely can't believe how well everybody came together to help with everything going on to Lena.

So, being an old cadre that can't do that much, I shout out to all you guys that really did a bunch of stuff and were really involved in the process.

Alderman Johnson?

Yeah, continued prayers for all the people in Lena and Pro City and all the others that lost houses and things.

I'm very thankful that no longer...

things. I'm very thankful that no lives were lost. I mean, you can replace houses, but you can't replace lives. And thankful for all of our crew that went and helped out as well. And if anyone wants to or would like to give any finances, you can send it to Beloved Church in Lena because they have a near market for the people that are suffering from losses in that city. Also, I just want to thank IDOT for for giving us money for all of our road projects and for all of you. I know Darren and Rob and many of you have worked diligently with IDOT to get what we have gotten, so I'm just really grateful for what we've gotten and the amount of roads that we're going to be able to do because of it. It'll improve our city and improve travel, and it'll be great, so thank you all.

Alderman Simmons?

No, I don't have anything. Thank you.

Alderman Parker?

only to repeat what Tom Clemm said. He said it enough, so I don't need to repeat it. Thank you.

Alderman Stacy. Yes. Neighborhood Watch. Third Tuesday of every month. So tomorrow, six o'clock, the 21st, Fifth Ward, Neighborhood Watch. Item 29 is public comment. Three minutes.

Good evening. Long time no see, gang. Excuse my parents. I've been doing yard work. I had no intention of coming in here tonight, but then I had to. Last Thursday, I emailed two members of this council after one of your constituents reached out to me with a serious concern. While working, delivering for DoorDash to support herself and her family, she entered into an elevator at the Super 8 on Sleezer Home Road, and saw that its inspection had expired in August of 2024. That's in here in a couple months, that'll be three years ago. There's not a single person in this room who doesn't understand how serious that is. But that is not why I'm here tonight. Because I'm here, forget this. I'm here because I didn't get one response to that. If anybody thinks that I went into the Super 8 to go look at a hotel inspection sign. You've lost it. That's not me. I emailed two older people, one whose war that is and another one to see if you guys would do it because your constituents came to me, emailed fighting for Freeport. Hey, this is what's going on. Can you handle it? Why are they coming to me? Why are they coming to fighting for Freeport? Because you guys don't answer emails. That simple. I would, I am, trust me, after

For two years of this, I am sick of myself. I know you guys are tired of me. And I'm the first one to go to talk bad maybe about you, Jodi Miller, Rob Boyer. It is not them. It is this council. If they're doing something I don't like or the constituents don't like, that's not on them. That's on you guys. You guys allow it to happen. You guys don't return calls. You guys don't return emails.

So what does it do? It produces an environment where something like fighting for Freeport is needed. I have much better things to do with my time than worrying about an elevator inspection thing. So I pass it on to the people that are supposed to do that, right? Send it to your alderman. That is all the people want. Then we wouldn't have to, you know, Dovie and I was going to email you this and, you know, let you do it, but I was like, no, I'll just come in.

I'd put you through enough. We wouldn't have to hire FOIA request officers and all this kind of stuff if you guys would just communicate with us. This is not on Mayor Miller. It's not on Rob Boyer. It's on you guys. It was a simple email four days ago, and all you had to do was, oh, thanks for letting us know. I'll call Rob about it. It would have been that simple, and we're not doing that, and I don't know why.

If it's because you don't like me, fine, get over it, because, you know, I still pay taxes here, okay? Thank you.

Anyone else? Tommy.

I wanted to thank, uh, uh, thank you for doing too much about the holiday and it's gone and stuff.

You're welcome, Tommy. I think we're all excited to see what, what develops in that location.

And Darren, what about that, that, that, um, what's the queen news?

Oh, they're coming down slow but sure, they're working from the alley side, so just being careful that we don't create more damage And Jodi Miller, you do a good job, we don't care what they say to you, because you're different and Stacy, you, that policewoman could do a good job being police chief in Sweetport.

Any other public comments this evening?

That will move us to executive session.

Madam Clerk, could you please read this?

We'll be entering executive session tonight only pursuant to 5IL-CS-122-C2, collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Is there a motion to enter into executive? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. It's a roll call. You want roll call? Okay, roll call. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Clemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye.

Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. And Sellers is right there. I mean, Sanders is. Sanders, are you in favor of entering closed session? What's your vote? I'll mark you as yes. Thank you. The motion.