WEBVTT

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raised. But he says, no, he got out of there before the first of the year. I did then. And sure enough, one year later, I got that 3% raised.

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Good evening. Pastor Ramos, would you please give the invocation?

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Good evening.

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How are you doing? Hey, how are you? Good. Shut up. Madam Mayor and City Manager, Boyer, and all the City Council, if you would all join me and bow your heads and let's pray before we begin this meeting. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with gratitude and humility. Thank you for the opportunity to gather as leaders, servants, and members of this community.

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Lord, we acknowledge that every good gift comes from you. We seek your wisdom as we begin this meeting.

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Lord, grant these council members discernment, integrity, and unity as they make decisions that

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affect the lives of the people they serve. Help them to lead with fairness, compassion, and genuine desire

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to promote the well-being of every resident in this city. Give them wisdom beyond their own

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understanding, courage to do what is right, and humility to listen to one another with respect.

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Let every discussion be guided by truth, every decision by justice, every action by commitment

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to the common good. We pray for peace and prosperity in our city. Bless our family, business, schools, first responders, health care workers, and all who labor for the welfare of our community. Protect those who serve and strengthen those who are in need. May this meeting be productive, respectful, and beneficial to all. Let your favor rest upon this city.

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May we work together to build a community marked by hope, by unity, and opportunity. As your word says, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all who will find, to God, who generously will all find fault. In James 1.5, we ask for the wisdom today. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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Amen

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Thank you

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Thank you, Pastor

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Now we'll call this meeting to order

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Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll

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Mayor Miller

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Here

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Alderpersons, Klemm

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Here

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Johnson

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Here

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Simmons is absent

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Parker

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Here

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Stacy

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Here

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Shadle is absent

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Sanders

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Here

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And Sellers is absent

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But we do have a quorum

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If you could please stand for the Press of Allegiance

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Alderman Parker, I'll pass that to you

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

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

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

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Aye.

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Opposed? That motion passes.

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Item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on June 1st, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Parker. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Public comment? Is there one signed in? Scott Corbin. Is it on an agenda item? Yes. Mr. Corbin? Yeah. Okay. Good evening. Good evening.

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Thank you. I came here to address our city ambulance rate increase. They say they haven't raised the rates for four years and want to make them comparable to other communities. That charge as much as $2,000. Right now, we charge $1,200 for a citizen and $14 a mile, and they want to raise it to $2,020 per mile. Going from $1,200 to $2,000 is a 66.67.

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667% increase or 16.667% for the last four years. The Freeport Fire Chief, Tom Quartz, said to capture a little bit extra from the insurance companies and then to match up to what our CMT rates is so we're able to capture the proper amount. Are we talking about capturing like we're hunting or something? He said, he goes on to say it hasn't caused us to have a cutback, but there's always that possibility. So we're not having any shortages.

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A new ambulance costs over $400,000 and a new fire truck costs up over a million dollars. We have 4,000 ambulance calls. Let's assume they're all citizens and not out of county residents. Take $4,000 times $1,200. That's $4.8 million a year. Raising the rates to $2,000 at 4,000 ambulance calls is $8 million, a $3.2 million increase per year.

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That would buy two new fire trucks, or I'm sorry, one new fire truck and three new ambulances every year, or I'm sorry, maybe I was right the first time, two new fire trucks, that would be two million bucks, and three at 400 would be, what, 3.2 million dollars, so we could buy three new fire trucks, or two new fire trucks and three new ambulances every year with that increase, they act like this is free insurance money, we pay insurance premiums, and this is actually why our premiums are skyrocketing, and our people can't afford health care insurance,

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Then say rather than increasing property taxes, this would only affect the users of the service. That's the six sick, the disabled, and the elderly. Anyone on Medicare without purchasing a supplemental insurance like Advantage, if you just have the standard Medicare program, it owes 20% of this bill, meaning a trip that once cost you $240 will now cost $400 out of your pocket for that ambulance ride.

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And also, the additional money will go to our Capital Improvements Fund that historically pays for the vehicles and facilities

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Every Freeport home through their water bill already pays $38 to Capital Improvements and 9.98% to the City of Freeport Corporation out of our property taxes

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Freeport's 3.03% property taxes nearly triple the national mean property rate of 1.02% and Freeport pays 1.15% higher property taxes than the mean rate of 1.88% in the state of Illinois.

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Mr. Corbyn, your time has expired. You're welcome to finish that at the public comment at the end of the session. Thank you.

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We'll move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda. Consent agenda consists of, or is considered to be routine in nature and is considered to be done in one motion, unless a member of council would like to have something pulled for further discussion.

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The consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the minutes from the board and commission meeting of the arts and culture, May 7th, the fire department report, April, building permit report of May, and the approval of finance bills in the total of $3,701,363.37 and payroll for pay period ending June 5th in the total of $724,319.64.

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Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Parker. Motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll? Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Clem. Aye. And Johnson. Aye. The motion passes, 5 to 0.

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and item number five are some appointments could you please read those for the record the appointment of Catherine Smith to fill a vacant seat for the Arts and Culture Commission effective through August 31st 2029 the next two are reappointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective through June 30th 2031 for Andrew reader and Ron Kane thank you is there a motion to approve these appointments so moved motion made by Alderman Johnson

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Johnson, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the appointments. Madam Clerk, Alderman Stacy? I do have a question because you always ask if there's a question. You choose these people. We have no say so. That's correct. You have the vote of approving or not approving. So ultimately you do. The mayor is the one that brings them before the council and the council then either approves or denies. Okay.

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So, okay

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Okay. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Should I go back to Simmons since she was the elder person on the agenda who was to lead the votes and then have her call first and then the next meeting will be elder person Parker? Okay. Elder person Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Clem?

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aye and Johnson aye the motion passes six to zero item number six is the first reading of ordinance 2026 34 could you please read this ordinance adopting the purchasing policy and procedure manual and amending sections 20 24 04 20 not 20 239.04 239.5 830.01 and chapter 238 of the codified ordinances

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Thank you. Director Richter? Thank you, Your Honor. The purchasing policy was first discussed at the Committee of the Whole earlier this year in May. At that meeting, we went through the major topics of the purchasing policy. I just highlight them briefly. I won't go into as much detail as I did previously.

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The objective of this policy is to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently, economically, impartially, while obtaining the highest standard of public trust and integrity. All procurement must adhere to the Illinois statutes, city code, and the Illinois employee handbook, and also ethical guidelines.

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Currently the city operates on a decentralized purchasing model that means each of the individual departments within the city handle their own purchasing of all items for their department. The policy also includes exceptions waivers and special procurements including formal bidding exemptions, bid waivers, definitions

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of what a sole source purchase would be. It also includes emergency purchases. It identifies when a change order occurs and what we are to do in that event. The timeline for adjustments, if there are change orders, you know, those must go to the city council, must be immediately notified of any

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Change Order that extends a project's completion date by 180 days or more. The policy also identifies ethics and logistics and other miscellaneous rules such as gifts and gratuities, budgetary control, which is at the department level, year-end spending. Departments are required to pay attention to when goods are received.

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If it's in the fiscal, this current fiscal year, 2026, if those items were received by December 31st, they are expensed in 2026. If they're received after that, they're expensed in the next year. We also have a breakout for sales tax, letting each department know that we are tax exempt and they're required to use our tax exempt status when purchasing items.

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Disposal of Surplus Property is also in the Purchasing Policy and also guidelines for when items need to be bid.

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The policy is meant for each is a guidebook for each of the departments who purchase items.

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For example, the Purchase Authority Dollar Limits are identified in the policy.

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those are ones I would like to read each right now for buying items that are under $500 the department director has the authority dollar limit to authorize that purchase the department director under $500 between $501 and $5,000 that's also the department director so under $5,000 department director from

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from $5,000 to $10,000, the department director and the finance director. So the finance director will be required to sign off in purchases between $5,000 and $10,000. $10,000 to $24,999 is the department director, the finance director, and the city manager. So it requires three levels of authority to purchase items between those levels.

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between $10,000 and just short of $25,000. Anything $25,000 and above is required to go also to those three

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levels plus city council. $25,000 and above goes to city council. I would also like to identify the

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procurement methods and how many quotes or whether bidding is involved. I like to just go over those

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Under $500 would be one verbal quote. Between $500 and $5,000, three verbal quotes. $5,000 to $10,000, three written quotes. Also $10,000 to $24,999, three written quotes. And at $25,000, that would be the amount that we are required to go out for bid.

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and I'd like to specifically say I think I misspoke at the cow I'd like to confirm with Attorney Zito that's the state statute is 25,000 on the bidding process. Correct. Okay. And that's all I'd like to identify at the moment and I'd be open to any questions. Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? So moved. Second.

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A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker.

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Director Richter, when you were talking about the dollar limits, do those purchases have to be in the budget?

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Definitely, yes.

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Thank you.

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Yes.

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I'd like to clarify, anything that is not budgeted, that's not included in the budget, would need to come to an additional appropriation by the city council.

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Yes.

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Just wanted to make that clear.

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Thank you.

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Any discussion? Alderman Johnson?

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I just wondered why under their procurement from 501 to 5000, it was changed from written quotes to three verbal quotes from 501 needed for those purchases.

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Do you mean changed from the cow?

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No. In 2007, it says written quotes. In 2026, it says three verbal quotes.

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That was just our discussion and putting the policy together. Things have changed in this. The original policy was 2007. So it's almost been 20 years since we've updated this policy. And so we felt it was adequate or appropriate to change that to verbal quotes.

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Okay.

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Sure, go ahead.

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I have a couple things I'd like to see amended on it so do I do that one at a time or yeah if you just want to talk about them in one thing because you know I don't want you to go past your twice time okay under the purchase authority dollar limit five thousand to ten thousand dollars I would like to see that amended and have city manager's name on there as well I think the more people you have looking at something the more transparent

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see it is for the people. We're more transparent and we can justify what's being done. And also under the

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$10,000 to $24,999, I would like to see that amended to add city council to that except for emergent

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situations. So you don't want anything to change? That's the way it is now? Well, no. Under the 2007,

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it just had city council down for the $10,000 to $24,000 and under the $2007 for the $25,000 and above it just had city council.

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Now you have several people under there and I didn't change the $25,000. So it'd be just the $10,000 to $24,999.

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It would be department director, finance director, city manager, and city council except for emergent

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situations, and then. Alderman Johnson, that is the way it is. It's right now at 10,000, you already have that, and then it's approved by the council. On here on 2026, the change, it says department director, finance director, and city manager.

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currently the only amount that I'm authorized to move forward with this $10,000 currently so by that change that would stay the same so just be clear about that so yeah so in 2026 it 10,000 to 24,000 it says the people that need to make that decision

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decision are department director, finance director, and city manager. So city council has nothing to do with

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that decision, correct? Or no? Am I wrong on that? No, that's what it's listed here, but we currently have

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that in place. So right now, if the city manager, if anything comes before me that's over $10,000,

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we bring it to council for approval. Okay. Okay. So essentially, if we're going to add city council

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Council to that item, which is entirely your prerogative, that would effectively not really

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change anything on his purchasing policy. Because you already do bring it to city council over

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10,000. Yes, that's correct. Okay, I was misunderstanding on this sheet. It's just a different group of

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words, but it means the same thing. Is it possible that we didn't have a city manager in 2007, so

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that probably wasn't listed? Correct, we did not. Yeah. Alderman Simmons? Question. Is this city

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So what we're looking at is right now things over $10,000 do come to city council. With this change, things over $10,000 would no longer come to city council. I believe what Aldo Person Johnson is asking is that city council still remain on there unless it's an emergency, which is already happening, and we approve the invoice after it's been taken. Am I correct in that?

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Right. So what it boils down to is you don't want anything to change in that. You still want to have everything brought to you that's $10,000 or greater. The purpose behind that was just to have an updated reflection of what mirrors the state. What mirrors the state is $25,000. If you don't like it, that's your vote. I mean, that's all this little piece of it is.

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You're right. Okay. I'm just saying $10,000 to $25,000 is a lot of money and I think council should have a say in it. Okay. So let me make sure I understand you correctly. You're looking at two amendments or were you not done? Yeah, just two. Okay. So your first amendment, you want to add the word city manager to the $5,000 to $10,000 bracket. Right. And you want to just do away with $10,000 and above in all of it and leave it the way it originally was.

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The way it was, okay, question, the way it was, was the department director still has a say in it, right? The 10,000 to 20,000, 25,000. That's the way it was. The department director still has a say in it. Finance director still has a say in it. City manager still has a say in it. And then city council would have a say in it. That's what I'm saying.

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Yeah, but ultimately the bottom line ends with city council. It isn't right. Yeah. So it's just, it's, it would just be updating it to reflect the city manager form of government versus how it was written in what, 2008 or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Darren.

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I just want to maybe make a point of clarity here.

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So the purchasing policy that Director Richter had put out here, what is stated there is for purchases that are budgeted, right?

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So they're already budgeted.

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If they're not in the budget, it doesn't matter what the amount is, they have to come back to council.

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So one of the things that the utility would point out is when we buy water main materials, everyday supplies that we buy, we are trying to buy them in bigger lots to save money. So we're buying more units at a time, which raises those prices up. Honestly, $10,000 worth of material for the utility anymore is not a lot of money with the way the costs have gone up.

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So when we budget for water main materials for the year, it gives the director the allowance to go out and get those bids and get those materials ordered under $25,000, which is state statute. And most communities go by that under budgeted items still. So if I wanted to buy a mower that wasn't in the budget already and wasn't planned for in 26, that would still have to come back here, even if it was $10,000.

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Right. So that's the difference of what we're talking about. This is for budgeted items that have already been approved in the master budget, trying to streamline the city getting our work done because the cost of everything, these amounts are very dated in today's dollars. And what I will tell you is public works and the utility especially are the ones that use this purchasing policy the most because we buy the most material of every department here.

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other departments for police fire their vehicles and things like that are their big purchases and that's all

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through the budget. We're talking about water main gates, valves, manholes, things that are not going to

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change within the utility. It's just giving us the ability to operate quicker, faster to get more

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materials here without going through these different policies. $10,000 worth of material is not much

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anymore. And then just to piggyback on that, let's just pretend that, you know, there's a $15,000 already

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budgeted mower. You still have that knowing and the approval because it has to show up on the consent

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agenda. Okay. Alderman, Stacy? Yes. The consent agenda is umpteen pages long. So an

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item like what you just said could easily be missed. I agree with Alderman Johnson and Alderman Simmons and wanting it back the way it was on those two items because you're taking away the power of the council. That's what's happening. We're not having say so until we reach $25,000 and

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I don't think that that's fair. And we could talk about other areas or other cities, but are they what we are? Do they have a city manager? Or do they have a full-time mayor? All that needs to be considered and looked at. Because right now, what you're doing is taking away the power of the council.

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Ultimately, the council has the power because you set the budget

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We set what you bring to us

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We set what you ask of us

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I asked for budget to be set aside for lighting

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It didn't happen

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So we don't set the budget

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We set what you bring to us

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Manager Boyer, did you want to add something?

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So every year, like for equipment, let's use that as an example. And Darren brought up the example of the mower, but there's lots of examples like the mower. We might have budgeted to rebody a truck, and that might be $15,000 to $20,000. The council gets a chance to approve that budget when we do budget time. And then it also, as Mayor's mentioned, it also ends up in the consent agenda.

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And sometimes the consent agendas get pulled for further analysis. So this really is only talking about items that we move forward within the budget. It's also items that can be pulled out for review by council. So it's council's prerogative, whether you want to make a change or not. But I think in the interest of keeping business working efficiently, I think it's a good change.

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Alderman, Stacy?

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Yes.

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I think it was probably a year, year and a half ago, it was brought to council to order two dump, dump, scoop things.

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Darren, what were they?

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Dump bodies?

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Dump bodies.

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And then they were never ordered, even after we approved.

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So, how do we know what's really coming and going if it don't have to hit the council other than the consent agenda, if it doesn't hit the council until after 25,000?

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Manager, Ward?

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That's really what those one-on-one meetings are for.

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No, don't go there.

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Yes, those are what the reasons for those meetings.

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I mean, as I, you know, I'm sure Alderman Clemm and Alderman Johnson can attest to this, but when we talk about what's going on, if there's a major expenditure coming through on council that is maybe a large amount, and we're going to be bringing it to council, we have an opportunity to discuss it that time. So that's just a cross-check. That's just an opportunity for more information without, you have to read the entire consent.

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you have to read the entire consent agenda, right? So that's one answer. City manager, Boyer. Actually, you don't have the floor.

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If the council wants to go a third round on it, there's been twice. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, go ahead. City manager, Boyer. I just lost it.

00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:59.630
I just lost my hope on the meetings you say one-on-one meetings it's not one-on-one we have met and we used to meet okay and so please don't continue to say one-on-one when it's you wanting me to meet with you and the mayor when Alderman Simmons and I used to

00:30:59.630 --> 00:31:26.930
and meet with you. And we did. But now, since you want the mayor there, there's a conflict in Robert's Rules. And it can't happen. So don't say, please, don't continue to talk about, well, that's the purpose of these meetings. Because it's not a one-on-one meeting. And they used to happen. And you

00:31:26.930 --> 00:31:31.230
made it where that's not possible now.

00:31:32.870 --> 00:31:33.590
Manager Warrior.

00:31:34.930 --> 00:31:44.550
Alderman Stacy, you and Alderman Simmons and I have met like twice, but I meet with all the aldermen with the mayor.

00:31:47.190 --> 00:31:49.770
So that's not unusual.

00:31:49.870 --> 00:31:50.610
Not one-on-one then.

00:31:51.930 --> 00:31:52.630
That's correct.

00:31:52.730 --> 00:31:53.330
You are correct.

00:31:53.450 --> 00:31:54.410
It is not one-on-one.

00:31:54.570 --> 00:31:57.710
It's the mayor, myself, and the alder person from that ward.

00:31:57.710 --> 00:32:21.060
Can I speak? Alderman Sanders, yes. Yeah, all of that that's happening on these one-on-one meetings with isolating aldermans in one particular meetings and things of this nature, that is not the appropriate way to do council governing.

00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:37.640
You cannot take individuals from council, move them and isolate them to make decisions that the whole council body is supposed to be able to inject their views and opinions and amendments and decisions.

00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:43.800
It does not steer from the projection of city manager

00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:53.180
What needs to happen with council because of the way it is being conducted in this fashion is because we permit it to happen

00:32:53.180 --> 00:33:00.980
There's no foundation to this structure is the reason why we're going about things the way that we are going about it

00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:14.720
And if we don't want to hear these things about one-on-one meetings, then council has to change the way things are going

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:23.180
City managers only trying to indulge us on what decision and appearances and things are happening

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:53.140
but council needs to set that structure up and set any kind of meetings at all before council, before any isolation of council members to conduct any business, straight business with city managers until we recognize collectively that it's inappropriate for us to be singled out or going into office with, especially if the mayor is there,

00:33:53.140 --> 00:34:23.040
That is a complete conflict of interest with the mayor is with you guys doing that she is not supposed to be there or he is not supposed to be there this is council meetings not the mayor's meeting with the council not with the not with the city manager and the no it's council let us drive that let us drive that whole perception in our mindset so we can put things in order it is out of whack right now.

00:34:23.140 --> 00:34:24.980
Things are totally out of order

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:29.060
And we're not saying anything

00:34:29.060 --> 00:34:31.360
Simply because we are allowing

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:34.060
Administrators

00:34:34.060 --> 00:34:37.880
To conduct what council is supposed to be doing

00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.620
That is not supposed to

00:34:39.620 --> 00:34:41.080
That is not the procedure

00:34:41.080 --> 00:34:44.220
Or the proper etiquette of this council

00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:46.240
And we're being

00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:48.020
Pacified

00:34:48.020 --> 00:34:49.800
Or a better term

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:52.500
We're being asked to do these things

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:58.220
Without any objections

00:34:58.220 --> 00:35:01.860
We're not objecting to nothing the administration is doing

00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.080
We're just accepting it

00:35:03.080 --> 00:35:04.080
We're just going along

00:35:04.080 --> 00:35:07.140
And we can look at ourselves in the mirror

00:35:07.140 --> 00:35:10.420
And see the fact that council is ineffective

00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:13.740
We're not doing what council needs to be doing

00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:16.100
And until somebody stands up

00:35:16.100 --> 00:35:17.940
Or collectively all together

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:20.940
Saying, no, we have to get a handle on this thing

00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:22.040
As council

00:35:22.040 --> 00:35:51.320
This is the reason why you're having this discussion about the finance and decision and amendments and things of this nature because it's not coming from council, this is coming from administration and we're asked to vote on things that is inappropriate until we understand what it is that council is supposed to be doing when it comes to governing then we will stay stagnant altogether in where we're at at this point in time and not moving forward

00:35:51.320 --> 00:36:21.040
Now, City Manager Boyer is wanting to get things moving forward. Are we holding them back from moving forward? We don't know. As a council, we don't know if we're holding. Alderman Sanders, your four minutes has expired. Thank you. Let's circle back to your discussion of amendment. You want to? Can I speak a third? Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you, Darren,

00:36:21.040 --> 00:36:21.680
for what?

00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:22.820
The approval of the council.

00:36:23.060 --> 00:36:23.560
Oh, sorry.

00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:26.420
I thought that's what we just said.

00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:27.080
No.

00:36:27.560 --> 00:36:27.820
Okay.

00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:32.480
Then my mistake, I thought it was anybody wanted to speak a third time.

00:36:32.680 --> 00:36:34.320
Is it okay if Linda speaks a third time?

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:34.840
Yes.

00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:36.560
Okay.

00:36:36.640 --> 00:36:36.960
Yes.

00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.440
Yeah.

00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:37.940
Okay.

00:36:38.020 --> 00:36:43.180
Darren, thank you for your explanation to me, and I'm connecting it here now.

00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:49.300
So when the budget comes out, there's so much budgeted.

00:36:49.300 --> 00:37:19.160
and so if it's within the budget you know they're allowed to spend that much within the budget and sometimes it's not itemized because you don't know for sure what that how much everything will be and you know prices change and all that and anything that's over the 10,000 comes to the city anyway to the city council we approve it the budget or approve that purchasing of that item correct yeah I'm correct

00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:27.420
on that. And that will continue. No. Right? Not according to what's been proposed. Okay. Go ahead, City Manager.

00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:36.300
Just to clarify, you do get a chance to vote on that through the consent agenda. So if there's

00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:42.560
something that came up that you have an issue with that needs to be looked at, you can pull that out of

00:37:42.560 --> 00:37:48.200
the consent agenda. Now, Alderman Stacy just mentioned that there's a lot in there. And yes, there is a lot

00:37:48.200 --> 00:38:18.180
in there. But I will say there is that opportunity. Okay. And to add on to that, I think the meetings that we do have, whether with Manager Boyer or whether with the mayor, they are good for us to ask questions about different things that we have lack of understanding about or whatever. It's not really for them to push us one way or the other or anything like that. It's just a time for us to ask.

00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:45.920
questions. So how do you want to leave your amendment? Okay. So since it is on there and we do vote on it under the consent agenda, we just have to read our consent agendas. Correct. And make sure that we know what's on there. I, however, would still like to see the city manager underneath the 5,000 to 10,000 department director, finance director, and city manager, because that's a lot of money.

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:47.960
Okay, so you'd like to make an amendment

00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:49.980
Make an amendment that city managers

00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:52.240
On the portion of $5,000 to $10,000

00:38:52.240 --> 00:38:52.600
Yeah

00:38:52.600 --> 00:38:55.720
Adding city manager to that terminology

00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:57.260
And is that a motion?

00:38:57.660 --> 00:38:58.000
Yes

00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:59.780
Is there a second?

00:39:14.250 --> 00:39:15.730
I think we'll just leave it

00:39:15.730 --> 00:39:17.450
The way it is

00:39:17.450 --> 00:39:19.630
Because we do get to see it

00:39:19.630 --> 00:39:21.030
So, okay

00:39:21.030 --> 00:39:22.390
So there's a motion on the floor

00:39:22.390 --> 00:39:23.090
Is there a second?

00:39:24.710 --> 00:39:26.370
And then it dies for a lack of second

00:39:26.370 --> 00:39:28.780
Okay

00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:30.580
So, yes

00:39:30.580 --> 00:39:35.120
I'd like to just maybe give a different perspective.

00:39:35.380 --> 00:39:43.860
I can see how you can look at the numbers and say, well, it used to be 10,000, and now it's

00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:48.020
25,000 for city manager's portion.

00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:52.940
And, you know, the math, it looks like we're giving him two and a half times spending power.

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:59.360
spending power. But I'm going to disagree a little bit on it taking away from council with all due respect.

00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:10.050
I look at it more as an adjustment for inflation. I've sat here, I've been in bid openings for nine years.

00:40:10.470 --> 00:40:17.390
I can see the cost of the projects going up. Concrete always just blows my mind. Nuts and bolts that now

00:40:17.390 --> 00:40:47.030
Need to Be Made in America are 10 times, 10 times more sometimes. I don't look at it as taking away spending power from council. Back in 2007, council looked at things that were over $10,000, but you could get a lot more for $10,000. I mean, sometimes 10,000. I mean, sometimes 10 times more when you're talking some of the nuts and bolts.

00:40:47.030 --> 00:41:15.010
concrete has at least tripled in that amount of time. So you're still kind of getting the same project, the same dump body, the same equipment, that you're still approving the same mower that cost $10,000 in 2007 is now going to cost $25,000. So you're not, it's an adjustment for inflation, not removing anything from council, in my humble opinion.

00:41:15.010 --> 00:41:16.750
Alderman Sanders

00:41:16.750 --> 00:41:21.530
Yeah, it is an opinion, exactly, but here's what the problem is

00:41:21.530 --> 00:41:32.270
There's no oversight for finance budgeting or the spending power of a city manager or directors or anyone of that nature

00:41:32.270 --> 00:41:39.610
We're just giving the power to these departments without oversight

00:41:39.610 --> 00:41:46.690
That means that we're not justifying even the spending policy

00:41:46.690 --> 00:41:52.450
I don't get how we just let departments just spend at will

00:41:52.450 --> 00:41:59.810
Because you can kill a city under $10,000 if it's a expenditure like that

00:41:59.810 --> 00:42:01.190
But here's the problem

00:42:01.190 --> 00:42:09.530
We're not getting to talk about anything procedural when it comes to financial budgeting

00:42:09.530 --> 00:42:38.890
or budgeting to purchase, but we're not getting the opportunity to even have a location where council can actually go to an individual or department area and talk about these spending things, not administration, something totally independent of the council that can govern to help us understand where the monies are flowing because all reports do not come to council.

00:42:39.530 --> 00:43:08.990
When it's spending, all reports do not make it to our even knowledge to even know that these kinds of expenditures are needed on what they're for and all of these. Council needs to be able to look at things from another perspective to know whether or not we are not mishandling the taxpayers' dollars and spending it fibrillously, not putting the money appropriate to the locations where they're supposed to be.

00:43:08.990 --> 00:43:14.750
We don't have an individual that stands guard over the taxpayers' dollars, in other words.

00:43:14.990 --> 00:43:21.890
We don't have that mechanism where we can just come and say, where's the money going?

00:43:22.510 --> 00:43:27.590
There's nothing in the council that says, where is the money going and how is it being spent?

00:43:27.930 --> 00:43:36.050
We're just being told what is happening, but we're not looking at it from another area.

00:43:36.050 --> 00:44:03.550
So we're told what is being spent, whether it meets the standards of the council or not, but the point is, there's no kind of oversight about the financial budget. That is one of the most important items throughout council, is the budgeting. That is your most important thing that we should have safeguarded for the citizens of this county.

00:44:03.550 --> 00:44:19.750
And until we adopt that kind of a policy or mechanism into inserting it right into the financial department, then we just allow budgeting to just happen.

00:44:19.750 --> 00:44:31.090
And then any director that wants to come up and spend dollars, they can do so without any repercussions or any rebuttal about it.

00:44:31.090 --> 00:44:43.550
So, in other words, like it was said earlier, we're giving all the power unto the departments without council able to scrutinize it

00:44:43.550 --> 00:44:53.830
Well, if we have a department that scrutinizes every dollar, every penny, I don't care what it is, we have to know what that penny was spent on

00:44:53.830 --> 00:45:03.290
We're not trying to spend the people money or taxpayers dollars blindly and just giving them, just giving departments the power to do so

00:45:03.290 --> 00:45:12.330
What I am saying is there's no safeguards, there's no rails, there's none of these kinds of things

00:45:12.330 --> 00:45:18.790
I'm not talking about certain individuals, we got this thing already in place and it's been in place for so many years

00:45:18.790 --> 00:45:48.790
but we have not all these years had oversight committee over finance and why that is not established within Alderman Sanders your foreman since expired I'm sorry manager Boyer Alderman Sanders you said there's no oversight there is so the oversight starts with the budget then department heads know what they can spend

00:45:48.790 --> 00:46:15.850
for projects that we've already defined and approved through the strategic plan, then when those bills come due, our receiving process reviews the invoice for accuracy. When it's done or said to be accurate, then it goes to the finance department where it is in process for payment. Not only the department head is involved, obviously, but the finance director is involved in paying all the bills.

00:46:15.850 --> 00:46:45.310
there is a lot of oversight then those bills come to you every meeting in the consent agenda which you have multiple days to review if you feel like you want to review it that far okay but also a justification of spending that comes through the strategic plan that comes through the budget process that comes through the consent agenda and at the end of the day you have all the power

00:46:45.850 --> 00:47:15.010
You have all the power. You don't want to pay a bill. You can pull a bill for review. You can decide that you don't want to pay it. You don't have to pay it. Okay. We are getting to talk. You and I used to meet, but we have not met in years. Okay. And if there's questions, I'm always available. And you can call me anytime. And I have answered calls from you not that long ago regarding various handicap placards.

00:47:15.010 --> 00:47:16.130
Okay

00:47:16.130 --> 00:47:20.610
There's no location to talk about the administration

00:47:20.610 --> 00:47:24.190
I'm guessing you want to talk with other other persons about it

00:47:24.190 --> 00:47:26.550
That is at the committee of the whole

00:47:26.550 --> 00:47:28.550
That is your place to talk about things

00:47:28.550 --> 00:47:30.210
At the budget planning meetings

00:47:30.210 --> 00:47:32.330
We have multiple budget planning meetings

00:47:32.330 --> 00:47:36.450
We have multiple opportunities for the community to provide input

00:47:36.450 --> 00:47:39.770
So there's ample opportunities to provide that

00:47:39.770 --> 00:47:42.070
Okay, where's the money going?

00:47:42.070 --> 00:48:12.050
okay we have the largest surplus we've ever had in this city we have the largest utility surplus we've ever had we have auditors that do an audit that tell you where the money's going and this year we're doing what's called an ACFER which is a narrative that goes with the audit that will then help you describe to anyone in this city where the money's going if the audit's not good enough then the ACFER will be a part of this okay all reports

00:48:12.070 --> 00:48:19.610
reports aren't coming to your attention. They are. They are coming in multiple forms on demand whenever it is you would like them.

00:48:20.910 --> 00:48:38.010
Okay, where is the money going? Again, I mentioned it to you. We are spending it on projects. We are paying for payroll. We are dealing with emergency services. We are paying for police protection. We are paying for community development. We are getting grants.

00:48:38.010 --> 00:48:43.510
and I might add we've received over $80 million in grant fundings in the last five years.

00:48:43.890 --> 00:48:49.350
Our budget is $27 million and we've got $80 million in the last five years.

00:48:50.170 --> 00:48:52.270
Okay, so that's where the money's going.

00:48:52.530 --> 00:48:53.850
See the new water plant on Burchard?

00:48:54.110 --> 00:48:55.950
See the new water plant out at Forest Road?

00:48:56.270 --> 00:48:59.130
See a new wastewater plant over on Hancock?

00:48:59.490 --> 00:49:03.830
Do you see the 8.8 miles of roads that are getting built this year?

00:49:04.010 --> 00:49:06.150
Do you see the three and a half miles we did last year?

00:49:06.150 --> 00:49:07.690
Do you see all the water main replacements?

00:49:08.010 --> 00:49:14.570
Do you see all the demos? That's where the money's going. Please do not make a point that the money is disappearing.

00:49:15.210 --> 00:49:24.210
It is going to needs in the community that we have defined through the strategic planning process, which it would be great if you would come to those because that would be a little clearer.

00:49:26.590 --> 00:49:28.470
Alderman Clemmen and then Alderman Parker.

00:49:29.250 --> 00:49:36.250
Okay. If I could, please keep in mind for all of us here, this is a first reading of this.

00:49:36.250 --> 00:49:44.390
If everybody really has any questions, let's get together and say, hey, I'd like to do this.

00:49:44.390 --> 00:49:51.950
I can completely understand the feelings on the consent agenda and something being

00:49:51.950 --> 00:49:57.860
and somebody being, something being in there. Rob just pretty well ran over all of the budget and that kind of stuff.

00:49:58.180 --> 00:50:11.920
Any changes in the budget we see and we vote on? I've been here too long and that's 20 years and we have the most honest financial person that we've had along the line.

00:50:11.920 --> 00:50:21.740
and when I say honest, I mean Randy Bukas and Director Richter have been right on target on the monies they've given us and everything else.

00:50:21.940 --> 00:50:27.940
If we need to come back at the next meeting, come back and say, I want to amend this.

00:50:28.580 --> 00:50:39.000
You know, if you really feel that as though you need to see something, please don't sit back and say, well, I'll look at it in the consent agenda.

00:50:39.000 --> 00:50:41.720
because it is easy to get buried in there.

00:50:41.820 --> 00:50:43.300
There's a lot in there, okay?

00:50:43.680 --> 00:50:48.480
But if you have the feeling that you want to add something, please think about it.

00:50:48.540 --> 00:50:49.260
Talk to Rob.

00:50:49.400 --> 00:50:51.660
Talk to the financial director.

00:50:52.240 --> 00:50:55.260
Do whatever you need to have that clear.

00:50:55.260 --> 00:51:00.500
So as you move forward, there isn't really an issue every time we come up here and say,

00:51:00.620 --> 00:51:05.420
I know we did this and that, or this was buried here and there, and it isn't.

00:51:05.420 --> 00:51:34.220
this is just being refined to take these guys take a look at what all is going on this year you know these guys deal with something you know like we talked to if something happens today I need an answer today to get it fixed we don't want to sit for three months so we need that momentum to keep going but I think there's an opportunity here for all of us that if we've got questions take a look at it if you want to amend it next time please do it's going to come back to it.

00:51:34.220 --> 00:52:02.700
Alderman Parker? Yes. I'm thinking, you know, it comes down to trust. Now, we have department heads that we all know. We have a city manager, have a finance director, and we pass that budget, and we go over it for hours and hours. There's a thousand bills a month to go out of this city. We cannot expect every penny to be passed by us, and that's why if it goes through them steps that they're not in the budget, they're going to stop, or we get all the people we can go to.

00:52:02.700 --> 00:52:31.320
We can go to every department head and say, what's this about? What's this about? We can come here. She has an answer to every question she always has. And so the money is being spent on the bills it takes to run the city. And they cannot, every penny, come to us. So we got to have some trust in the people we have. If we can prove that they're not being faithful and truthful, then we make changes. But right now, every department, the city, the department heads, they got a thing they got to take care of.

00:52:31.320 --> 00:52:35.760
them budgets come to them. They got to pay them. It's in the budget. They argue every year for it.

00:52:36.120 --> 00:52:42.560
The city manager goes over them. And here, this young lady, she spends, doesn't spend one penny that she

00:52:42.560 --> 00:52:47.820
shouldn't be spending that hasn't been passed through the budget or she brings it to us. So I just think that

00:52:47.820 --> 00:52:54.820
we are pushing this way out of line. Thank you. Second. You've already had your second. So what is

00:52:54.820 --> 00:53:01.260
it? Is it on the same subject? We're on the same item. You're on the same item. Okay. So are you

00:53:01.260 --> 00:53:33.590
asking for a third time? Yes. Counsel? Yes. I'm getting no response. Is this a yes or a no for the third time for Alderman Sanders? Yes. I guess. Yeah. All right. Go ahead. Yeah. I just wanted to make, I just want to make one thing clear. When I, when I was referring to oversight committees and being able to move throughout the city departments at, at a city council's discretion, that means

00:53:33.590 --> 00:54:03.490
Every individual without being impeded upon should be able to visit every department because we are the oversight whether we know it or not. We don't have to establish an oversight. We are the oversight. And until we decide to want to go to any department, someone say that we're not. I just want someone to oppose that thought because if that is

00:54:03.490 --> 00:54:30.810
If that's the case, then we're derelict in duties if we don't feel that we're the oversight committee. We are, and we have the confidence to go to any department administrator and talk with them without being impeded upon. And my thing is, it doesn't matter whether we visit the Department of Finance, Public Works, City Manager, or the Mayor's Office, it doesn't matter.

00:54:30.810 --> 00:54:34.550
City Council does not have to have an appointment

00:54:34.550 --> 00:54:38.010
To visit these department heads

00:54:38.010 --> 00:54:40.550
There's nothing in council

00:54:40.550 --> 00:54:44.690
Have a structure where it says

00:54:44.690 --> 00:54:47.970
We have to make appointments

00:54:47.970 --> 00:54:49.750
To talk to anyone

00:54:49.750 --> 00:54:51.730
Within the city council

00:54:51.730 --> 00:54:53.930
Within the city, period

00:54:53.930 --> 00:54:56.950
And so until someone refutes that

00:54:56.950 --> 00:54:58.930
Then we have to recognize

00:54:58.930 --> 00:55:17.910
that we have the discretion to meet department heads, to talk to them individually on any subject matter, whether it's finance, utilities, or community, any of those forms.

00:55:17.910 --> 00:55:28.810
So if we're not doing that as council, then we're missing the point that we're the oversighters who are the people who are supposed to be asking the questions.

00:55:28.930 --> 00:55:52.150
Not receiving the dictation. Council does not receive dictation. We give what it is that needs to be talked about and directed toward Administrative Department. It is not the mayor, and this is where people have the misconception that it's the mayor that's giving us our marching orders.

00:55:52.150 --> 00:55:57.790
We have the wrong concept of what governing is all about

00:55:57.790 --> 00:56:03.790
And that's why I say when we're talking about the taxpayers' dollars, that's who you are

00:56:03.790 --> 00:56:11.090
You are the oversight committee who has to guard every penny of a taxpayer's dollars

00:56:11.090 --> 00:56:13.250
Whether how we do it

00:56:13.250 --> 00:56:15.850
That is how government is structured

00:56:15.850 --> 00:56:24.010
We don't allow power to come from the administration to dictate unto the council, that is not how it's done

00:56:24.010 --> 00:56:32.370
If you need to get a revision of how governing is supposed to happen, maybe we need another educational course

00:56:32.370 --> 00:56:39.610
Because a lot of us are just sitting here pandering whether or not what it is that we are supposed to be doing

00:56:39.610 --> 00:56:56.270
But one thing for sure, you and everyone else that's in council are the oversight committee, whether you know it or not. But that's neither here nor there. I retreat.

00:56:58.090 --> 00:57:01.890
Attorney Zito would like to remind everyone what the rules of council actually are.

00:57:01.890 --> 00:57:31.490
All right, so just to clarify for everyone that to the extent that an older person does have a question for a department head that those questions per our rules of council are to run through the city manager so you would submit your question to the city manager he'll get it to the appropriate department head and then they'll get their answers and that is I'm reading the city ordinances right now it's not it's not by council that's disruptive please stop okay it's not by council that ordinance I'm just okay I'm sorry thank you but I will rebut that unless there's

00:57:31.490 --> 00:57:45.930
Yeah. I think we have a motion to move this forward to the next council, so we have another time to discuss this, so we're good with that. Let's move on to item number seven, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-35. Could you please read this?

00:57:47.870 --> 00:57:51.910
Ordinance providing for additional stop signs at the intersection of Broadway and Oak.

00:57:52.470 --> 00:57:53.410
Thank you. City Manager?

00:57:53.410 --> 00:58:17.210
Thank you, Your Honor. The intersection of Broadway Oak, there's a lot of people running very rapidly through that intersection and it's been requested to improve safety. I believe we've had two accidents there over the past many years and community has come around asking for two additional stop signs and so staff recommends, you know, moving this forward to second reading.

00:58:17.210 --> 00:58:45.110
sir. Motion to move this forward. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Parker. I drive through that intersection a lot. Who's asking for a four-way stop? I believe that was Alderman. Well, Darren, do you recall offhand? Yes. Last week, Ms. Bradford that was in here that lives close to that intersection had

00:58:45.110 --> 00:58:58.810
noted that the traffic is very heavy there, and there's been a lot of incidents there, and we've been keeping an eye on that intersection, and I actually have some stats that I want to share from the last two years alone.

00:59:00.670 --> 00:59:11.390
Since January 1st of 2025, the police department had changed their software, so we really can't go beyond that time, but Chief Frosto pulled this.

00:59:11.390 --> 00:59:18.810
So since January 1st of 25, there has been 52 calls of service involving that intersection.

00:59:19.070 --> 00:59:19.490
Wow.

00:59:19.610 --> 00:59:24.710
There's been 38 self-initiated traffic stops at that location.

00:59:24.990 --> 00:59:31.370
There's been two vehicle crashes, including one that was a rollover that involved the hospitalization.

00:59:31.650 --> 00:59:37.970
And there's been 34 citations written at that intersection since September 16th of 2025.

00:59:37.970 --> 00:59:48.990
So, obviously, with those statistics, the traffic is moving way too fast from Galena onto Broadway, creating an unsafe situation, and

00:59:48.990 --> 00:59:57.340
and Public Works reviewed that where the best spot would be to help slow traffic and that's the only

00:59:57.340 --> 01:00:04.400
intersection except for an odd dog-legged intersection to actually slow traffic down. This would be my first

01:00:04.400 --> 01:00:09.320
step to do this and if this doesn't work then I would come back and ask for a three-way stop at the

01:00:09.320 --> 01:00:15.020
dog leg as well but we do need to slow traffic in this. It's a very condensed area and there's more

01:00:15.020 --> 01:00:29.320
Almost all homes through there have parking on the street as well, so it really condenses the section and a very fast traffic going through there. I wanted to note as well that Chief Frosto, who could not be here tonight, was in full support of this.

01:00:30.360 --> 01:00:31.160
Alderman Stacy?

01:00:31.820 --> 01:00:38.760
I would like to make a motion that we not wait to the first week that we move this forward tonight.

01:00:39.100 --> 01:00:41.340
So are you asking for a suspension of the rules?

01:00:41.700 --> 01:00:42.840
Suspension of the rules.

01:00:43.720 --> 01:00:44.660
Is there a second?

01:00:45.020 --> 01:01:15.000
Second. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Stacy and seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules. Suspension is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension only? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacey? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Clemm? Aye. And Johnson? Aye. The motion passes, six to zero. Then before you, Council, is the final for this ordinance. Any further discussion?

01:01:15.020 --> 01:01:44.160
this can get passed this evening. Alderman Sanders. Since there's been a suspension of the rule, there's not much to chatter about. I just want to say that whoever's making that study, if that was you, Director, that's a great move because you're absolutely right. It was bound to happen eventually. It just had not happened back then. Maybe we had had incident.

01:01:44.160 --> 01:02:13.660
and maybe we've had some but has not heard about it, you know, but what I'm saying, what I concur with is the fact that it's brought attention and awareness to a situation like that and I don't know who's doing, who can do these types of studies around the city to determine what is effective when it's, when we're protecting the citizens at these crossing

01:02:13.660 --> 01:02:18.420
areas and things of this nature. I don't know who's doing these kinds of studies, but I think we should

01:02:18.420 --> 01:02:24.240
incite ourselves a little bit more about it, you know, be a little bit aggressive about it,

01:02:24.240 --> 01:02:31.840
even that much more. So, yeah, that's all I wanted to say. If there's no further discussion,

01:02:32.800 --> 01:02:40.720
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Clem. Aye. And

01:02:40.720 --> 01:03:10.280
Johnson. Aye. The ordinance passes six to zero. Item number eight is the first reading of ordinance 202636. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending section 1048.02 of the codified ordinances regarding charges for normal domestic strength waste and hours of operation for wastewater haulers. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. At the wastewater treatment plant, we accept bulk haulers. When they say evacuate a septic tank, we give them a place to dump it at

01:03:10.280 --> 01:03:16.400
the wastewater treatment plant. We're reviewing the fees attached to that and would like to make some

01:03:16.400 --> 01:03:24.160
adjustments. At this time, we charge $40 for a 500-gallon tank or less, and we'd like to adjust that

01:03:24.160 --> 01:03:32.560
to $50. And then for over 500 gallons, we'd like to increase it from $0.08 per gallon to $0.12 per gallon.

01:03:32.560 --> 01:03:51.080
and we'd also like to adopt a new portion of the ordinance that identifies a $20 disposal fee for campers and people that are just dumping domestic waste from their campers. So staff has reviewed this and recommends moving forward with this change.

01:03:52.080 --> 01:03:53.900
Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward?

01:03:54.500 --> 01:03:54.820
Second.

01:03:56.000 --> 01:04:00.820
We have a motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Alderman Sanders.

01:04:00.820 --> 01:04:30.580
Yeah, Chief Boyer, with the dumping that we were, I don't know how we got that, I know it was in place for years, and it always was a question to me, and we always talk about those digesters and the possibilities of somebody putting something in our waste treatment line and killing off our good bacteria

01:04:30.580 --> 01:04:37.400
and destroying the digesters and then we have to shut them down and start all over again and all of these kinds of things.

01:04:37.740 --> 01:04:43.520
Do we have protection measures to prevent a thing of that nature from happening?

01:04:43.520 --> 01:04:49.360
Are we doing inspections or examines of all of those kinds of things that is happening?

01:04:52.880 --> 01:04:55.700
Yes, we do run a sample at the lab.

01:04:56.340 --> 01:04:59.660
So if there's anything unusual, we would have the right to refuse it.

01:05:00.580 --> 01:05:05.860
and yeah that but we're basically trying to cover the difference in our time from the last time this

01:05:05.860 --> 01:05:15.000
ordinance was updated which has been many years ago. Okay and we'll move on to item number nine which is the

01:05:15.000 --> 01:05:20.720
first reading of ordinance 2026-37. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending part two administrative

01:05:20.720 --> 01:05:29.840
code title six administration chapter 242 fire department section 242.46 charges for ambulance service.

01:05:30.160 --> 01:05:30.960
Chief Cordy.

01:05:30.960 --> 01:05:33.780
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:05:35.940 --> 01:05:50.840
Our last ordinance change was in 2022, which at that time, our rates were set at $1,200 for residents, regardless of the level of care, and $1,700 for non-residents.

01:05:50.840 --> 01:06:03.120
Approximately 88% of our clients or customers that we service, transport, are Medicare, Medicaid.

01:06:04.260 --> 01:06:13.780
We have a couple of different ways that we're able to recuperate or recover money from Medicare, Medicaid.

01:06:13.780 --> 01:06:43.760
part of it is directly from those entities and then there's another agency called GEMT which stands for Ground Emergency Medical Transport it's a kind of a federal grant program that actually comes out and actually comes out but they send out questionnaires and they based on the information that we provide they come up with a level that they're willing to reimburse

01:06:43.780 --> 01:07:09.080
Versus 4, which is a higher level. At this point, that rate is approximately $1,307. When we're charging $1,200 for a transport, we're losing out on revenue from the difference.

01:07:09.080 --> 01:07:13.640
There's a little bit of a stipulation and a difference there.

01:07:14.200 --> 01:07:27.840
The GMT rates get set at the beginning of the year, and the CPI rates that we have are set at the end of June, beginning of July.

01:07:29.960 --> 01:07:32.360
And actually, let me backstep here.

01:07:32.920 --> 01:07:36.060
Our GMT rate is $1,317.

01:07:36.060 --> 01:07:58.780
If in the current ordinance, it allows us to increase the rate based on the CPI or 5%, whichever is lower, with the rates according to CPI, that rate is the $1,307.

01:07:58.780 --> 01:08:08.200
So we're missing approximately $10 per transport on 88% of the transports that we do.

01:08:08.660 --> 01:08:27.220
We looked at a regional study which showed that we're in the lower third of the agencies in the area, the highest rate being $3,900 for every patient they transport.

01:08:27.220 --> 01:08:49.220
Court, and like I said, ours are $1,200 and $1,700. The proposal that the department is putting forward is to raise our basic, our resident rate to $2,000, our non-resident rate to $2,500, and the mileage rate to $20.

01:08:49.220 --> 01:09:20.070
dollars. Um, so it, you know, the, this money does go into our capital improvement fund that's specific to the fire department, um, and it does, uh, go to replace, uh, buildings and vehicles, which we have on a, on a rotation, um, replacement schedule, ambulances, approximately every 12 years, and fire trucks, approximately every 20 years.

01:09:20.070 --> 01:09:25.110
So that's the proposal that we're putting forward at this time

01:09:25.110 --> 01:09:27.190
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?

01:09:30.850 --> 01:09:31.650
So move

01:09:31.650 --> 01:09:34.590
No, sorry

01:09:34.590 --> 01:09:36.470
Sorry, Alderman Clem

01:09:36.470 --> 01:09:39.750
So move, because we have to discuss it anyway

01:09:39.750 --> 01:09:42.630
Okay, so we have a motion made by Alderman Clem

01:09:42.630 --> 01:09:43.210
Is there a second?

01:09:44.330 --> 01:09:44.850
Second

01:09:44.850 --> 01:09:47.770
And a second by Alderman Johnson

01:09:47.770 --> 01:10:17.750
and I'll see you next time.

01:10:17.750 --> 01:10:26.060
that the resident rate will be what it should be by our ordinance for the resident and the non-resident rather than raising it to $2,000.

01:10:26.300 --> 01:10:27.660
Do you know what those amounts are?

01:10:28.320 --> 01:10:39.640
The amount, well, I took and added it up and I got $1,352.80 when I went through the last four years for the UCPI.

01:10:39.640 --> 01:10:49.480
but I see down here it says $1,305 but I got $1,352.80 and $1,852.80 for the non-resident.

01:10:50.080 --> 01:10:58.820
So you're asking for an amendment to reflect what's written in this memo of what the current rate should be at $1,305 and $1,850?

01:11:00.400 --> 01:11:03.520
Yeah, maybe want to redo the math to see if it's...

01:11:03.520 --> 01:11:04.200
And check the math.

01:11:04.200 --> 01:11:09.520
Yeah, check the math to make sure that that's accurate because I went through each year and looked up the

01:11:09.520 --> 01:11:41.960
percentage what each year was to see what the rate should be and I added up a total of 152.80 should be added to both of our previous rates. Is that a motion to amend? Yes. Is there a second? And it dies for a last second? I second it. No? Yeah? You second it. I second it. Oh, you did second it? You didn't hear me. Uh-uh, I'm sorry. My voice is a little gravelly. Okay, so we have the amendment made by Johnson seconded by

01:11:41.960 --> 01:11:46.040
Alderman Sanders?

01:11:47.080 --> 01:11:47.280
Yeah.

01:11:47.760 --> 01:11:54.280
Do we, do we, let's, let's discuss just the amendment of moving it to those dollar amounts.

01:11:54.660 --> 01:12:09.940
Can I, I just want to understand that you're wanting to move it to the dollar amounts that represent the five, the up to five percent that did not happen.

01:12:09.940 --> 01:12:10.700
For the last four years.

01:12:10.780 --> 01:12:11.360
For four years.

01:12:11.360 --> 01:12:12.960
happen for four years, yeah.

01:12:14.800 --> 01:12:17.940
And, Alderman Sanders.

01:12:18.120 --> 01:12:27.060
In other words, we shouldn't be expecting too much of a change in that ordinance structure

01:12:27.060 --> 01:12:36.060
because what we're saying is, does it do the city or the constituents of this community

01:12:36.060 --> 01:12:40.660
to have a rate charge like that because you're only going one way?

01:12:40.660 --> 01:12:49.000
And that's a very, very costly amount going one way for that kind of dollar.

01:12:49.000 --> 01:13:03.740
I don't know what's the procedure tactics that are being used in moving a patient or client or customer to a facility at that expense.

01:13:03.740 --> 01:13:27.540
That's a hell of a lot of expense that we're asking an individual one way to put in their budget and that might be all they can put in their budget throughout the whole year and the 5%, I will agree with that because it doesn't really hurt the pockets of the citizens of Freeport if they need that kind of transportation.

01:13:27.540 --> 01:13:57.520
It is very important, but when I hear the competitiveness from other counties to bring our cost of living in a prospective way that we measure up with other counties and other communities, that we impose upon our citizens to jack the costs up without justification or anything like that that itemizes those types of costs.

01:13:57.540 --> 01:14:23.760
And until we can see as council members what is driving that cost per item that is being requested of us to do, I think we should abstain from even discussing that matter at this time, you know, so we should, that's my point of view on that.

01:14:23.760 --> 01:14:44.940
We can look at it from another perspective, but I think we should all get together and find out whether or not this type of action is really necessary and really needed for the people imposing this kind of financial strain on people here in this county or in this city or county, period.

01:14:44.940 --> 01:14:47.020
Yeah, because we're asking it

01:14:47.020 --> 01:14:53.800
But anyway, I just wanted to inject my perspective on that

01:14:53.800 --> 01:14:54.980
Alderman Stacy

01:14:54.980 --> 01:15:04.420
Who is responsible for this 5% that did not happen?

01:15:04.780 --> 01:15:06.420
Why did it not happen?

01:15:06.540 --> 01:15:10.500
Why wasn't it added to the budget?

01:15:10.500 --> 01:15:13.160
Who is over that?

01:15:13.160 --> 01:15:17.760
and who failed to make that happen.

01:15:18.200 --> 01:15:21.530
I assume it was the fire administration.

01:15:21.890 --> 01:15:22.690
I do not know that.

01:15:23.430 --> 01:15:33.190
But ultimately, it comes down to our department to advise finance and our billing company on what the charges are.

01:15:36.270 --> 01:15:36.790
Okay.

01:15:38.070 --> 01:15:38.890
I have another.

01:15:40.330 --> 01:15:41.330
May I use?

01:15:41.330 --> 01:16:16.900
I know from last year when something happened and all this was discussed that 46% of every call goes to the fireman capital account and 54% of every

01:16:16.900 --> 01:16:40.560
Fireman's Call goes to the city capital account. And so instead of raising rates, maybe we need to reverse that. Maybe 54% need to stay with the fire department and 46% go to the city.

01:16:40.980 --> 01:16:45.800
That's really a budget discussion that has absolutely nothing to do with this amendment.

01:16:45.800 --> 01:16:54.920
I know, but I'm just saying, aren't we weighing differences here? Like what we can do to make a difference? Go ahead.

01:16:55.420 --> 01:17:10.540
So right now, what's on the floor is just Alderman Johnson's amendment. However, once you guys vote on that, whether that fails or passes, then we'll get back to the underlying motion, which then this would, that was more about the underlying motion.

01:17:10.540 --> 01:17:12.920
Okay, so scratch that, because I'm coming back.

01:17:12.940 --> 01:17:14.680
Yeah, let us go ahead on and do the voting.

01:17:14.680 --> 01:17:44.260
but but go through the voting process no percentages he said what goes to the fire department versus general fund is not what this ordinance is about yeah it's not so let's stay on track yeah let's so let's just target let's go back to this amendment yeah that has been first and second or instead of it going from 2000 to 2000 it goes to 1305 instead of going to 2500 it goes to 1850.

01:17:44.260 --> 01:17:49.580
that's what's on the floor. So if there's any further discussion on that, Chief?

01:17:50.480 --> 01:17:59.600
Yeah, the only addition I wanted to add onto that, the CPIs, the medical CPI, which is what we have to use

01:17:59.600 --> 01:18:08.460
for that, is a little bit different than what the general public rates are. And then, like I had said

01:18:08.460 --> 01:18:38.340
earlier the we also have a rate that's set by GEMT which they will reimburse us up to if our rates are at that level which is right now currently $1,317 okay that gets set at the beginning of the year the CPI doesn't get set until the I think it's June 30th of each year so we're like we're running six months

01:18:38.340 --> 01:18:46.280
behind every time. So the idea behind this was to get ahead a little bit because we also don't know what

01:18:46.280 --> 01:18:55.280
those rate increases are going to be every year so that we aren't missing out on revenue that we could

01:18:55.280 --> 01:19:06.330
be utilizing. Alderman Johnson? I would think after we vote on this, maybe we need to come back and revisit

01:19:06.330 --> 01:19:13.190
what we need to do as far as our percentages and stuff, change the ordinance to incorporate

01:19:13.190 --> 01:19:23.820
it so that we have what we need later on. Alderman Klemm on the amendment? Yeah. On the amendment

01:19:23.820 --> 01:19:31.380
would be my understanding if you put in the amendment, then the fee will be, what was the

01:19:31.380 --> 01:19:38.320
dollar figure on that? For a resident? Yeah. 1305. And it's going to stay there then?

01:19:38.340 --> 01:19:46.080
right? That's what this amendment is. With the already in the ordinance that says that it can be raised 5% each year.

01:19:46.080 --> 01:20:13.980
says that it can be raised 5% each year. Right. And the chief is basically talking about raising it over above that for other reasons because of last week at the meeting of the cow, we discussed at some length where those fundings went and how they Medicaid paid and all that kind of good stuff. So I guess one thing I'm saying to you is keep in mind if you raise

01:20:13.980 --> 01:20:41.080
raise it to this and you stay there, okay? I can't go off into other budget issues and stuff, but there's far more things than the capital fund. There's a whole bunch of bonding and other stuff that all needs to be paid out of this funding. So I guess what I'm saying is if you stick to this, okay, you're going to extremely limit the amount of funding you're going to bring in.

01:20:41.080 --> 01:21:09.700
I'm not saying that there's, it should be $2,000. I'm not saying it should be $10,000. Okay. I can give you an example simply because, so you keep things in line here. My wife took a little trip to the ambulance, came from Rockford to Freeport to Chicago to drop her off. And the fee was a mere $11,500. And it was far more, Chief Miller and I talked about it at the time.

01:21:09.700 --> 01:21:14.320
It was far more per mile than what we have set up.

01:21:14.960 --> 01:21:21.580
I'm not here to tell you that going to the hospital for $1,300 is a deal.

01:21:21.800 --> 01:21:25.740
I'm not saying going to the hospital for $2,000 is a deal.

01:21:26.240 --> 01:21:35.120
But keep in mind, if you really restrict this, you've got to take a look at where the mathematics is going to come for the whole rest of the department and stuff.

01:21:37.370 --> 01:21:37.930
Manager Boyer?

01:21:37.930 --> 01:22:01.290
I would like to just thank Chief Cordy for doing a very thorough job and presenting a very complex and difficult communication or to communicate issue. I will just point out at what Chief is asking for or advising that we move forward with that would simply put us between Oregon, Illinois and Belvedere.

01:22:01.290 --> 01:22:09.010
We would still be less than Boone, County, Cherry Valley, Northwest Fire, North Park, New Milford, Blackhawk, and Rockford.

01:22:09.170 --> 01:22:29.690
That would basically place us in the middle, and I think that's a fairly reasonable approach, especially given that everybody below us would be like Leaf River, Byron, Duran, Pecatonica, smaller communities, you know, that may not be as professional as our department.

01:22:29.690 --> 01:22:52.270
So, for what it's worth, I feel like this is a good compromise, moving things in the right direction, and bear in mind, if we allow rates to continue to essentially inflate away, then we will have less and less opportunity to not only maintain our professional department, which it very much is, and keeping our equipment up to speed. So, I just wanted to share my thoughts on that.

01:22:54.050 --> 01:22:59.210
Okay, so let's go back to what's the motion on the floor, if we're ready for a vote on the amendment.

01:22:59.210 --> 01:23:01.650
Yeah, we are

01:23:01.650 --> 01:23:04.990
Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the amendment only

01:23:04.990 --> 01:23:09.570
I'm sorry

01:23:09.570 --> 01:23:20.650
That would be, again, to move from 2000 to 1305, from 2500 to 1850, making sure that the math is correct

01:23:20.650 --> 01:23:24.830
Simmons

01:23:24.830 --> 01:23:26.250
Hold it, hold it

01:23:26.250 --> 01:23:27.650
It's already called

01:23:27.650 --> 01:24:18.210
Mayor, hold it, can I, well the procedure is once it's called it's called yeah it is but but my thing is you changed I didn't I the first and second you were the second I said exactly what you cannot change or nor can you inject into counsel what your perspective or your thoughts

01:24:18.210 --> 01:24:48.070
says this is counsel, this is not the mayor. Okay, okay, let's stop. Attorney Zito, is what I said for an amendment correct? So when the mayor restated what the motion was for amendment, the person to go to is Alderman Johnson. Did she accurately reflect what your amendment is? That's right. Yeah, she did. Okay. Does that satisfy your concern? Did you think that she said something different? Well, I felt that the mayor spoke out of turn is what I was thinking. Well, what you felt is not accurate.

01:24:48.210 --> 01:25:25.760
That's what I'm saying. She's the chair. She has the chair. I know she did because she's not supposed to be talking while she's making the motion. You made the motion and now you're still speaking. You can't be doing that. And you don't have the floor any longer so let's refrain from talking. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the amendment only. Simmons. No. Parker. No. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Sanders. You second.

01:25:25.820 --> 01:25:59.340
did you have to say yes? I know, yes. Clem? No. And Johnson? Aye. I am at three to three, Mayor? No. And the amendment fails? You know what? Three to four. Okay, so we're back at the original, so are we ready to move on to the next ordinance? Because this is going on to the next one, the way it's written. Okay.

01:25:59.980 --> 01:26:04.780
Then we'll go on to item number 10, which is the first reading of Ordinance 20, 26, 38.

01:26:05.140 --> 01:26:06.260
Could you please read this?

01:26:06.740 --> 01:26:17.660
Ordinance amending part 2, Administrative Code, Title VI, Administration, Chapter 242, Fire Department, Section 242.54, Charges for Lift Assistance.

01:26:18.480 --> 01:26:19.360
Thank you. Chief Cordy?

01:26:19.900 --> 01:26:20.660
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:26:20.660 --> 01:26:38.440
This ordinance is to change an ordinance that has been on the books and has been passed by the state of Illinois for us to charge facilities for lift assists.

01:26:39.820 --> 01:26:50.160
We currently charge $145 based on half-hour increments.

01:26:50.660 --> 01:26:57.760
The proposal is to change it to $150 at a straight fee, regardless of the amount of time.

01:26:58.400 --> 01:27:05.600
This is not intended to charge residents in their homes or in the public for lift assist.

01:27:06.360 --> 01:27:14.080
And lift assist is when somebody's fallen, can't get up, basically.

01:27:14.080 --> 01:27:43.220
It also includes ambulance services that either don't provide enough help to move their own patients and require us to help, but it's only intended for facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, where the resident is paying the facility to provide service and they're not able to provide that.

01:27:43.220 --> 01:27:47.240
and then they rely on the fire department to provide that service for them.

01:27:47.660 --> 01:27:49.820
Chief, what was the current amount?

01:27:50.460 --> 01:27:53.660
It's $145, but we charge it in half hour increments.

01:27:54.620 --> 01:27:58.800
So it was $72.50 every half hour.

01:28:00.240 --> 01:28:02.000
And your proposal is?

01:28:02.120 --> 01:28:04.640
It was $150 without any time limit.

01:28:04.640 --> 01:28:05.500
Without, no, okay.

01:28:06.380 --> 01:28:09.340
And this would just be two facilities?

01:28:09.640 --> 01:28:12.300
Facilities and other ambulance services.

01:28:12.460 --> 01:28:12.600
Okay.

01:28:13.220 --> 01:28:14.900
Is there a motion to move this forward?

01:28:15.300 --> 01:28:15.820
So moved.

01:28:17.700 --> 01:28:20.820
A motion made by Alderman Clemm, seconded by Alderman Parker.

01:28:21.000 --> 01:28:22.760
Discussion, Alderman Sanders.

01:28:23.560 --> 01:28:42.640
Yeah, Chief, at these facilities, this lift assistance, at these facilities, are we, before we accept these kinds of things, are they considered under emergency power of the city to help at these facilities,

01:28:42.640 --> 01:29:14.200
Or is it that we have, how do I want to put it, we have this mechanism in place for those facilities, but what about ordinary residents, is there a separate policy ordinance structure, anything like that for,

01:29:14.340 --> 01:29:14.980
No.

01:29:14.980 --> 01:29:16.280
A lift assistance?

01:29:16.860 --> 01:29:21.600
For a resident in their home, or like I stated, in the public, it's a free charge.

01:29:21.920 --> 01:29:23.020
Or I shouldn't say a free charge.

01:29:23.120 --> 01:29:31.340
It's free to any resident or anyone within the city limits of Freeport that's not in a residential facility.

01:29:32.000 --> 01:29:32.760
It's free.

01:29:33.020 --> 01:29:33.740
We do not charge.

01:29:33.800 --> 01:29:35.920
Is it based on insurance at these facilities?

01:29:35.920 --> 01:29:36.120
No.

01:29:36.580 --> 01:29:37.560
It has no base?

01:29:37.920 --> 01:29:42.540
Is it just plain hard cash or write a checkout, credit card?

01:29:42.540 --> 01:29:43.700
No, it's...

01:29:43.700 --> 01:29:43.940
Hallelujah.

01:29:43.940 --> 01:30:03.900
credit card? No, we don't charge the resident in the facility, we charge the facility. Oh, the facility? Yes. Not the residents in the facility, the facility. I got you. Okay. Okay. Nice. Chief, could you tell me how many of these we do here? Just a ballpark.

01:30:03.900 --> 01:30:35.540
Ballpark as far as residential ones we probably do a dozen residential ones we probably 10 to 12 a week okay facilities probably six or eight a year it all depends it runs in streaks we've we also have a ramp system

01:30:35.560 --> 01:30:40.040
that we've utilized with other ambulance services before.

01:30:40.040 --> 01:31:01.200
If there's a patient that they have that takes extra manpower to move, we purchase these ramp systems that we can put through the doorways so we're not having to try and carry a large cot out through the doorway and then up and down stairs.

01:31:01.200 --> 01:31:22.980
So we've, that's one of the situations where we've built another service for a lift assist and that usually takes, we've done it with probably six or seven of our personnel. So it's not always just a two person job for five minutes.

01:31:22.980 --> 01:31:30.740
The reason I asked that and my concern was, are we talking a minor detail here or are we talking a big deal?

01:31:31.080 --> 01:31:33.660
You know, to me, technically it's a minor detail, yes.

01:31:33.820 --> 01:31:46.740
You know, to me, if you're going from 140 or this or that, you know, I'd say God raise it more than that, you know, considering the fact that you're going to a facility that already should have the personnel to do it, theoretically.

01:31:47.500 --> 01:31:47.740
Correct.

01:31:48.040 --> 01:31:49.980
That's the only reason I asked the question.

01:31:49.980 --> 01:31:54.760
Yes, and that's why the state of Illinois passed a law to allow us to do that.

01:31:55.080 --> 01:32:03.500
Because we were a home rule, we already had that ordinance in place, but now everyone in the state of Illinois can do it.

01:32:03.780 --> 01:32:05.760
Okay, thank you. Appreciate it.

01:32:06.980 --> 01:32:09.380
Okay, we'll move on to the next meeting.

01:32:09.580 --> 01:32:14.800
Item number 11 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-39. Could you please read this?

01:32:14.800 --> 01:32:21.980
Ordinance amending the master parking map to provide for additional ADA parking stalls at the intersection of Spring and Chicago

01:32:21.980 --> 01:32:23.300
Thank you, Manager, Boyer

01:32:23.300 --> 01:32:24.840
Thank you, Your Honor

01:32:24.840 --> 01:32:33.560
It has come to our attention that we don't have sufficient ADA parking spaces in the vicinity of Lindo and the Wagner House

01:32:33.560 --> 01:32:43.540
So staff has reviewed the map and has proposed adding two ADA parking stalls adjacent to the Wagner House

01:32:43.540 --> 01:32:50.440
and the Lindo Theater, and the map is in your packet. Staff recommends moving this forward to second reading.

01:32:51.660 --> 01:32:53.200
Is there a motion to move forward?

01:32:54.600 --> 01:32:55.120
Second.

01:32:55.660 --> 01:33:00.240
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the ordinance.

01:33:03.660 --> 01:33:08.540
Item number 12 is the first reading of Ordinance 202640. Could you please read this?

01:33:08.540 --> 01:33:23.780
Ordinance Amending Chapters 1240, 1256, 1258, 1259, 1442, and 1468 of the codified ordinances concerning display and construction of signs.

01:33:24.220 --> 01:33:25.040
Director Heimerdinger.

01:33:25.040 --> 01:33:26.300
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:33:26.620 --> 01:33:34.180
The Community and Economic Development Department periodically reviews city ordinances to improve clarity, usability, and effectiveness.

01:33:34.180 --> 01:33:41.140
A draft ordinance was reviewed by both Planning Commission and Building Commission for both edits and approval.

01:33:41.720 --> 01:34:02.360
The primary purpose of the ordinance is to consolidate most of the sign-related regulations into a single chapter, which is now Chapter 1468, to improve clarity and ease of navigation for property owners and contractors who are seeking to construct or modify signage.

01:34:02.360 --> 01:34:10.080
Some additional amendments and clarifications were also incorporated and I'll just run through some key changes.

01:34:10.080 --> 01:34:28.460
We updated the sign permit fees and fee structures just slightly. We established regulations for temporary and exempt signs, permitted wall art citywide and clarified what signage and a mural definitions are.

01:34:28.460 --> 01:34:55.280
moderized illuminated sign regulations by incorporating the lighting standards that was passed at the last council meeting, established roof signs as a prohibited sign type, but then also we do have a variance and exemptions section, which is section 1468.28, and then established new standards for home occupation signs,

01:34:55.280 --> 01:35:02.940
and then reduce the maximum signs of new billboards. That one was significant, but that is also because

01:35:02.940 --> 01:35:10.640
billboards are becoming smaller in general as they're moving to electric. They do not need to be as big to

01:35:10.640 --> 01:35:18.580
give this same emphasis and to catch people's eye. And then we streamlined approvals by allowing some

01:35:18.580 --> 01:35:25.020
administrative reviews of minor sign variances. That's like if it's slightly over 10, if it's at

01:35:25.020 --> 01:35:33.660
under 10% slightly over. Then it gives us a little bit of leeway into that. This supports and fosters safe and

01:35:33.660 --> 01:35:39.880
inclusive community by ensuring that signage is installed and maintained in a safe manner. And then

01:35:39.880 --> 01:35:46.420
it's also responsible and efficient government by addressing some discrepancies between chapters and

01:35:46.420 --> 01:35:52.140
also it used to be all over. And so we're just kind of bringing it together so that it's in one clear

01:35:52.140 --> 01:35:59.940
space and we don't have different language telling you different things. Amending doesn't require any

01:35:59.940 --> 01:36:05.360
additional funding. Staff, the Building Commission, the Planning Commission recommend approval of amending

01:36:05.360 --> 01:36:10.980
all the existing chapters pertaining to signs following a first and second reading by the City

01:36:10.980 --> 01:36:18.320
Council. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman

01:36:18.320 --> 01:36:31.610
Clemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on this ordinance. Item number 13 is the first reading. Alderman Simmons, did you have something?

01:36:32.850 --> 01:36:57.170
Director Heimerdinger, do you want us to suspend the rules on that? On the signed ones? Well, we could. Yeah, let's do that. Okay. I'll make a motion to suspend the rules. What did you say? I couldn't hear you. I am making a motion to suspend the rules. Second. And to tell you, Alderman Stacy, were you the second?

01:36:57.310 --> 01:37:03.070
Okay, before you is the suspension of the rules.

01:37:03.210 --> 01:37:06.270
Again, it's non-debatable and is passed by two-thirds majority.

01:37:07.190 --> 01:37:09.350
Madam Clerk, would you please take the suspension only?

01:37:11.070 --> 01:37:13.770
Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.

01:37:14.130 --> 01:37:16.950
Stacey? Aye. Sanders? Aye.

01:37:17.510 --> 01:37:19.970
Clem? Aye. And Johnson? Aye.

01:37:19.970 --> 01:37:22.830
The motion passes six to zero to suspend.

01:37:22.830 --> 01:37:51.530
So before you is the final passage. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Clem. Aye. And Johnson. Aye. And the ordinance passes six to zero. Mayor, before you move on, I have a question. Because for the parking spaces, I just assumed Clem or someone would suspend the rules. Is it possible for us to go back to that?

01:37:51.530 --> 01:38:03.140
How would I, how would I do that? Let's take a council vote. Like, how would I, would I have motion to revisit? Or like, what would I do?

01:38:10.080 --> 01:38:11.600
Sure. Sure, I know.

01:38:16.120 --> 01:38:22.600
I suppose if it be a procedural motion made second to recall that item.

01:38:23.120 --> 01:38:23.380
Okay.

01:38:24.780 --> 01:38:28.340
Yeah, that was right. Motion to recall that agenda item.

01:38:28.380 --> 01:38:29.580
Number 11.

01:38:29.580 --> 01:39:01.560
thank you is made and that vote passes then we can it'll be back on the floor okay so uh Alderman Simmons made a motion to revisit go back to item number 11 is there a second second so there's a motion made by Alderman Simmons seconded by Alderman Stacy Madam clerk please take the role on going back to item number 11. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Clem. Aye. And Johnson. Aye. The motion to recall passes

01:39:01.560 --> 01:39:31.500
6-0. Okay, so this ordinance is now on the floor? I am making a motion to suspend the rules and move this floor to second reading. Is there a second? I have the floor to do it. Motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Please take the roll. So this is on item number 11. Master parking map for

01:39:31.500 --> 01:39:41.940
for an ADA stall at Spring and Chicago. Simmons. Simmons. I, and this is suspending the rules.

01:39:41.940 --> 01:40:12.050
and this is suspending the rules. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? What if I want to debate that? You can't. It's non-debatable. It's yes or no. I knew that was going to come. I knew that was going to happen. Yeah, go ahead. Clem? Aye. And Johnson? Aye. Okay. The rules are suspended. Council is the second reading of ordinance 2026-39. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the rule.

01:40:12.050 --> 01:40:46.720
Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. If you don't, you better be a stinker. What kind of gum are you eating? Please stay focused. I am focused. Come on. Okay. Clem. Aye. And Johnson. Aye. And the ordinance passes six to zero.

01:40:46.720 --> 01:40:56.260
Okay, so now let's move on to where we were before, which would be item number 13, which is the first reading of 2026-41. Could you please read this?

01:40:56.260 --> 01:41:22.580
Ordnance approving special use permit application at 1001 West Galena Avenue submitted by Domino Liquors doing business as Tony's Bar to examine the special use of a B-1-1 restricted retail business to allow restaurants with outdoor serving areas unless otherwise permitted as a sidewalk cafe or parklet 1252.01B10

01:41:22.580 --> 01:41:24.620
Thank you, Director Heimerdinger

01:41:24.620 --> 01:41:48.200
Thank you, Madam Mayor. Tony's Oyster Bar is the subject property who has came in for a special use permit, which is a well-established restaurant and tavern along West Galena Avenue corridor. The business would like to offer its patrons an option of outdoor seating. Tony hosts food trucks at the property, an outdoor seating option would be able to attract more guests.

01:41:48.200 --> 01:42:00.720
On June 2nd, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval with the condition that the seating is limited to the proposed area, which is 80 feet south of Galena Avenue, right away and east of the building.

01:42:00.900 --> 01:42:13.940
If you scroll down just a bit, I think there's a image on the screen that kind of shows you. It is that red box right there. Thank you, Don. I appreciate it.

01:42:13.940 --> 01:42:23.060
So that is the location where the outdoor lighting, the outdoor seating would occur, not on the Galena side.

01:42:25.380 --> 01:42:40.900
It was voted by five yays, zero nays for Zoning Board of Appeals, and then on June 11th, the Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of six yays, zero nays, and zero absumptions,

01:42:40.900 --> 01:42:49.580
and it passed all LaSalle and Claire factors. Staff recommends the approval of the special use

01:42:49.580 --> 01:42:59.720
for the restaurant to allow for outdoor dining at 1001 West Galena Avenue. We are requesting a suspension

01:42:59.720 --> 01:43:06.820
of rules as council is, the next council is three weeks away and this is a small business and so I

01:43:06.820 --> 01:43:36.720
usually ask for a suspension of rules for small businesses and residential so that they don't have to wait especially since it's you know summertime and they want to be outside. Is there a motion to move this forward? Second. A motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Motion to suspend the rules. Second. And then we have a motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Same rules

01:43:36.720 --> 01:44:04.760
apply. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the suspension only. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Clemm. Aye. And Johnson. Aye. The suspension passes six to zero. So then before you is the final for this ordinance. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, Alderman Sanders. Where is this? I really can't get this.

01:44:04.760 --> 01:44:07.020
It's on Galena and Whistler

01:44:07.020 --> 01:44:09.320
Right across from Maria's and the car wash

01:44:09.320 --> 01:44:11.480
Galena and Whistler

01:44:11.480 --> 01:44:13.720
Across from Maria's Pizza

01:44:13.720 --> 01:44:14.260
Yeah

01:44:14.260 --> 01:44:15.480
And the car wash

01:44:15.480 --> 01:44:16.720
Oh, okay

01:44:16.720 --> 01:44:19.420
Okay, Maria's Pizza

01:44:19.420 --> 01:44:21.660
There's a car wash up there?

01:44:23.800 --> 01:44:26.140
You say car wash

01:44:26.140 --> 01:44:29.040
Oh, okay

01:44:29.040 --> 01:44:31.000
I know where it is now

01:44:31.000 --> 01:44:31.940
Okay

01:44:31.940 --> 01:44:34.180
Madam Clerk, please take the roll

01:44:34.180 --> 01:44:42.940
Simmons, Aye, Parker, Aye, Stacy, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Clemm, Aye, and Johnson, Aye, and the ordinance passed

01:44:42.940 --> 01:44:53.480
is six to zero. Item number 14 is an update on a request for an ADA parking stall on West Broadway

01:44:53.480 --> 01:44:59.000
made during the public comment at the committee of the whole meeting. Manager Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor.

01:44:59.000 --> 01:45:22.540
At the last committee, the whole meeting, one of our residents came and requesting this parking space, having also noted that she had requested it in the past, and in looking into it, it was approved by council on April 1st. For whatever reason, the signage was not installed, so staff will be installing that right of way. Darren, did you have anything you wanted to add to that?

01:45:22.540 --> 01:45:49.240
Yeah, I would like to apologize to Ms. Shanae Bradford. Like Rob said, it was approved prior and we didn't get the signage up. She was correct. So we went ahead and moved forward with ordering the sign and doing the locate. So I would hope that the sign would be put up yet this week. But again, our apologies to her and thank you for her bringing it to our attention. Just something that slipped through the cracks.

01:45:49.240 --> 01:45:52.880
Thank you. Reports of department heads. Finance?

01:45:53.900 --> 01:46:14.440
Thank you, Your Honor. I would just like to let Council know that in July we should be having the presentation of our audit for 2025. And as Manager Boyer referenced, it will contain additional details as we put it together. It's called an annual comprehensive financial report.

01:46:14.440 --> 01:46:21.380
He'll have a lot more statistics and information about the past year and the future year for the city of Freeport.

01:46:21.800 --> 01:46:23.260
Thank you. Community Development?

01:46:23.840 --> 01:46:30.640
Thank you. I just wanted to announce Freeport FindFest is this week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, June 18th through the 20th.

01:46:31.000 --> 01:46:41.640
We have 150 garage sales registered. You can find them either one of two ways. The first way is that you can use the Google Map, the Freeport FindFest Google Map.

01:46:41.640 --> 01:47:11.600
and if you click on the pins and you click you can expand the details and know when all individual sales what days and times they're available you can also in addition to that we have a PDF map so if you don't really want the Google map if you don't really like that one we also have a PDF and it lists the same thing it also lists you know what every individual sale is gonna be offering to you so hopefully you can go out and do some shopping and find some some great

01:47:11.600 --> 01:47:41.580
finds here in Freeport. Thank you. Public Works? Just a few project updates. The municipal parking lot, the infamous missing drains should be cut in later this week. They are actually under the pavement, so we won't be installing them. They're already installed, and so that should fix all the issues. It was repainted over the weekend and looks pretty good, and hopefully we'll be able

01:47:41.580 --> 01:47:47.760
to get that opened up pretty soon. We have railings to install and the fence coming yet. So that should end up

01:47:47.760 --> 01:47:54.700
wrapping up that project other than the electrical panel that's still on that corner. Tomorrow we'll be

01:47:54.700 --> 01:48:04.860
paving Concord from Cimarron to Laurel. Shaping is left on the other section from Laurel to Middlebury.

01:48:05.340 --> 01:48:11.560
I think the last driveway was poured today. So that street's coming along nicely and we'd like to

01:48:11.560 --> 01:48:37.720
Thank the Helm Group for all their hard work on that project. Gladewood, with the excessive rains that we had last week, we had some damage to the edge of the roads that we're going to have to repair and add some curb to. It's one of those things that happens this time of the year when you get extreme rainfalls, which we had back to back. So we will be addressing that with the construction team.

01:48:37.720 --> 01:49:03.380
Dewey Street, I believe it's the north half of the curb, will be done tomorrow. So we're asking all the residents to be on the other side of the street and evacuate early because the curb machine will be coming. That project's coming along nicely. We're probably, I'm going to say a couple weeks away from final paving through that corridor, but we're making good progress.

01:49:03.380 --> 01:49:32.580
We are having some difficulties with the ComEd polls and we're making some design adjustments to deal with those so we would like to thank Fishers for all their hard work on those projects this season. The Park Street is pretty much completed. There's some restoration going on out there. We will be moving to Carroll, Dewey, and I believe Benson shortly. So lots of busy works on the streets this year.

01:49:33.380 --> 01:49:34.620
I'm trying to keep up with it all.

01:49:35.940 --> 01:49:36.340
Fire?

01:49:38.000 --> 01:49:38.720
Nothing, Your Honor.

01:49:39.080 --> 01:49:39.480
Please?

01:49:39.780 --> 01:49:39.960
No.

01:49:39.960 --> 01:50:07.220
Nothing, Your Honor. Please? Nothing, Your Honor. IT? City Manager? Just one thing I would like to highlight, and Darren, feel free to jump in on this. We are looking at some pretty extensive issues with the collection system on Benson. So just bear in mind, we have a number of streets where there's, we're seeing collapse of the sewer system and or the stormwater system. So I anticipate we're going to have to contend with some of those things.

01:50:07.220 --> 01:50:22.580
The scope of which is not fully defined right now because we haven't put the camera down there to visually inspect it yet, but I just wanted the council to be aware of that in the next several meetings we may have some change orders related to that coming forward on those projects. Thank you.

01:50:23.640 --> 01:50:31.260
And we won't be meeting as a council again until July 6th, so have a safe and happy 4th of July and happy birthday, Alderman Clem.

01:50:31.520 --> 01:50:32.020
Thank you.

01:50:32.900 --> 01:50:33.700
Alderman Simmons?

01:50:33.700 --> 01:50:55.940
So we have the Juneteenth celebration, there's a Juneteenth celebration coming up this weekend, it will be Friday morning, Friday morning and afternoon, Saturday and Sunday in Taylor Park, so hopefully everyone can make it out there

01:50:55.940 --> 01:50:57.240
and that's all, thank you.

01:50:58.120 --> 01:50:58.720
Alderman Parker?

01:50:59.300 --> 01:51:03.220
Only that our neighborhood watch meeting is next Monday night, so thank you.

01:51:03.220 --> 01:51:04.180
Alderman Stacy?

01:51:05.040 --> 01:51:24.820
Yes, Director Michelle, it's not a lack of trust or a lack of ability for you to do your job.

01:51:25.900 --> 01:51:28.020
It's a lack of communication.

01:51:28.020 --> 01:51:40.640
Not all aldermen have the liberty to speak to some directors, and I'll keep it nice and sweet right there.

01:51:42.100 --> 01:51:52.680
As Alderman Simmons said, Juneteenth this coming weekend, Friday will be Kids Day in the Park.

01:51:52.680 --> 01:52:22.660
Saturday we will be having a parade and an all-day event and Sunday we will be having praise and worship in the park so we ask that you all come out and join us and let's have some fun and a fifth ward neighborhood watch meeting will be tomorrow at six o'clock the Nazarene church on the corner of Empire

01:52:22.660 --> 01:52:50.080
and Carol. Thank you. Alderman Sanders? Yeah, I just want to emphasize on the project that, like Darren was mentioning earlier, is on the way in my neighborhood, which is something that should be recognized and notable at this time, knowing that

01:52:52.660 --> 01:52:56.820
My constituents is silent.

01:52:58.760 --> 01:53:08.460
That's a good thing because they can see things are getting done in my neighborhood or in my community or my district, and that's a good thing.

01:53:08.520 --> 01:53:10.120
I just wanted to throw that out there.

01:53:12.340 --> 01:53:20.160
Yeah, Juneteenth is a very great day to have for all of Freeport to be there.

01:53:20.160 --> 01:53:23.020
I expect to see all the council faces there.

01:53:23.940 --> 01:53:55.570
on that day. I expect all of those things. And I'm making an appeal to all councilmen. You're laughing right now. But I expect to see Chief Parker there. Exactly. He's one of the biggest cheerleaders for these kinds of events and things like that. So I'd like to see the mayor there. I'd like to see Sister Johnson and Brother Clemm and the

01:53:55.570 --> 01:54:00.930
Fire Department, especially the Fire Department, to be there.

01:54:01.490 --> 01:54:11.290
And so whatever community events are going on throughout the community, we expect to see everybody being a part of it on that day.

01:54:12.750 --> 01:54:13.550
Alderman Clem?

01:54:14.210 --> 01:54:20.330
I'd just like to thank the police for the work they did this week on recovering a couple weapons.

01:54:20.870 --> 01:54:22.790
Thank you guys for the great work you're doing.

01:54:23.450 --> 01:54:24.750
We appreciate it.

01:54:24.750 --> 01:54:54.750
only other thing I'd say before we come up to the July meeting let's make sure we have our discussions on the fire thing so if there's any questions that you need answered please contact Rob to get to the chief or however we want to do it but you know it's some important stuff that we need to talk about and get figured out thank you Alderman Johnson yes we have our neighborhood watch meeting this Thursday at 630

01:54:54.750 --> 01:54:56.230
at the Laurel Street Church.

01:54:56.730 --> 01:55:00.160
That concludes council announcements.

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Public comment?

01:55:11.430 --> 01:55:11.630
Okay.

01:55:11.670 --> 01:55:17.090
First off, regarding the ambulance service, I wasn't aware of 88% were our citizens, so I

01:55:17.090 --> 01:55:23.850
couldn't make exact details, but a 5% increase according to my $4.8 million original estimate,

01:55:23.850 --> 01:55:25.250
it'd be $240,000.

01:55:25.450 --> 01:55:26.910
I'm not against an increase.

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I'd suggest about a 7.5%.

01:55:29.090 --> 01:55:32.310
This is directly for Mr. Boyer.

01:55:33.190 --> 01:55:36.050
Mr. Boyer, I know you recognize my family name.

01:55:36.110 --> 01:56:05.190
from your time in Freeport business and civic circles. However, my 87-year-old stepmother, Betty Corbin, does not own 417 South Hancock Avenue. I do. By passing me to contact her regarding my personal assets, especially giving her past service on the Freeport Water and Sewer Commission from 2008 to early 2013, and her concurrent role chairing the City Hall Building Task Force from 2011 until April of 2012 was entirely inappropriate.

01:56:05.190 --> 01:56:33.390
Tempting to leverage her past civic connections, capital planning expertise, or exploiting my family dynamics to circumvent the actual property owner ends today. All future communications regarding this property must come directly to me in writing. All communications can be sent to me, Scott Corbin, at 417 South Hancock Avenue, Freeport. Regarding my property, it is a legally zoned M1 light industrial, meaning standard residential setbacks and yard rules do not apply.

01:56:33.390 --> 01:56:58.370
Furthermore, your contractor, Darren Steakl, threatened regarding a forced setback demolition and his verbal intimidation that a judge will only award $57,000 assessed market value if I reject your informal $100,000 offer are legally inaccurate, coercive, and border on bad faith extortion.

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My shop, my shop, my four-foot, my four-star garage extended over the rear boundary line. The city of Freeport just purchased that underlying lot, thereby inheriting the encroachment. More importantly, my shop footprint was officially authorized under the admissible building permit voted and approved by the Freeport City Council itself back in 2010 for the prior owner during my father's tenature as ultimate at large.

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The city cannot legally or retroactively penalize me for an infrastructure footprint it officially permitted on the public record over a decade ago, nor can its representatives weaponize arbitrary tax assessment numbers to scare me out of a constitutional right to just compensation.

01:57:43.250 --> 01:57:52.730
Three years ago, your economic developer, Wayne Duckman, told me the city isn't into selling land. We are into buying more and told me I needed to bring more to the table.

01:57:52.730 --> 01:57:55.650
Well, Mr. Boyer, I'm bringing it to the table today

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I've already secured independent industrial contract replacement bids and historical corporate insurance replacement profiles

01:58:02.210 --> 01:58:10.870
Those figures combine with the 25 to 30 percent market appreciation Freeport has experienced since the city first froze my property life three years ago

01:58:10.870 --> 01:58:13.150
Thank you, Mr. Corbin, your time has expired

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Your informal $100,000 offer is fundamentally deficient

01:58:16.290 --> 01:58:20.570
Mr. Corbin, your time has expired

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records. You are causing a disruption, Mr. Corbin. Please abide by the council rules. Thank you very much. I need us two statements signed, two legal statements before I leave this office. Are there any other public comments? Go ahead. Well, Tom, yeah, go ahead, Tommy. By the time she gets up there, you'll be fine.

01:58:44.540 --> 01:58:49.690
Police Department, you do a good job.

01:58:50.590 --> 01:58:51.430
Thanks, Donnie.

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And you, because you know what to do, you are smart on the road and everything.

01:59:01.390 --> 01:59:10.810
And once, told Jodi Miller, she's, he does a good job, a mayor, and was that Teddy Baker Day, you said?

01:59:11.190 --> 01:59:11.910
I saw the sign.

01:59:11.930 --> 01:59:13.910
It's July 10th, 11th, and 12th.

01:59:13.910 --> 01:59:21.890
like 10th and 11th and 12th and Darren, you did a good job pulling that cleaner down.

01:59:21.990 --> 01:59:24.010
We want to thank you very much to do that.

01:59:27.280 --> 01:59:28.100
Go ahead, Sue.

01:59:33.910 --> 01:59:37.490
Hi, my name is Sue Cook and I am over on Winchester.

01:59:37.490 --> 02:00:05.960
I am over on Winchester and I just want to let you guys know that there was something spectacular out at the observatory this past summer and we had they offered a class there it was phenomenal this class should be getting out through GFP because it was a phenomenal class we have brilliant scientists out there Jim Bill and Tom opened the heavens it was amazing absolutely amazing so I definitely want to give the observatory a

02:00:05.960 --> 02:00:34.860
Shoutout because they deserve this shoutout. They should be listed as a tourist attraction because that is what they are. They're amazing. Also, if you're going out for the Freeport Fines, there are vendors as well. So when you're buying the stuff at the Freeport Fines, go over to the Juneteenth celebration because there are vendors going to be at the Juneteenth celebration as well in Taylor Park, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please show up, folks.

02:00:34.860 --> 02:01:06.890
really please show up thank you very much any other public comments oh yeah you do I'm sorry go ahead there's other in person we received an email back in February that did not get read so we're trying to make up for that my name is Robert and I'm a resident of Ward 5 Freeport Illinois I sent you an email about a city ordinance with the following subject line on February

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February 8, 2026, 5.11 p.m. The subject was request to be read at meeting on February 9, 26 during public

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comments. I listed the violations by highlighting and commenting on the ordinance as well as posing my

02:01:20.850 --> 02:01:27.350
question at the end and it was not read at the meeting that was held on 2-9-26. I was curious as to

02:01:27.350 --> 02:01:32.670
why it was not read. Below you will find the original email. The question is at the bottom in bold,

02:01:32.670 --> 02:01:38.330
italicized and in brackets. Please read this document at your next meeting. Thank you.

02:01:39.110 --> 02:01:47.670
What was request to be read on February 9th, King's Tobacco and Market Dispensary Permit. Under Illinois law,

02:01:47.670 --> 02:01:54.790
the penalty for a drug-related crime can be upgraded if you committed that offense on or 500 feet from any

02:01:54.790 --> 02:02:05.790
Church, Synagogue, or Other Building, Structure, or Place Used Primarily for Religious Worship. See 720 ILCS 570-407.

02:02:06.810 --> 02:02:13.070
A church or synagogue are clearly places of worship within the meaning of the law, but what about other

02:02:13.070 --> 02:02:20.470
structures where it's less than obvious? To determine whether a church is a place of worship, a building

02:02:20.470 --> 02:02:27.090
need not have a particular physical characteristic of a church. Instead, the court looks at whether the

02:02:27.090 --> 02:02:33.670
structure is primarily used for religious purposes. Thus, a Salvation Army building was deemed a church

02:02:33.670 --> 02:02:38.330
because people came to its chapel solely for the purpose of attending religious services,

02:02:38.950 --> 02:02:44.990
see people versus sparks. Even where a building is a place of religious worship, it must be one

02:02:44.990 --> 02:02:51.110
on the date of the offense. In highlight, there is a church next door to King's Tobacco and Market.

02:02:52.570 --> 02:02:59.470
Another heading, Cannabis Dispensing Organization definition. Scope of sales. They are authorized

02:02:59.470 --> 02:03:06.910
to sell cannabis flower, cannabis infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia, and related supplies.

02:03:07.710 --> 02:03:14.530
Just references of Freeport Ordinance. 127406, Adult Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization.

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In those zoning districts in which an adult-use cannabis dispensing organization may be located, the proposed facility must comply with the following.

02:03:23.870 --> 02:03:36.770
A. Facility may not be located within 1,500 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private nursery school, preschool, primary or secondary school, or licensed daycare.

02:03:36.770 --> 02:03:49.030
In another highlight, Faith Academy Learning Center is located as a private school by the school board of the state of Illinois. Back to the ordinance. Learning Center.

02:03:49.030 --> 02:03:55.430
Madam Clerk, your time has expired. Is there any other public comments? Yes. Alderman Stacy?

02:03:55.430 --> 02:04:30.820
I stand before you tonight as a citizen I don't know who I need to speak with on this matter however I was totally blown when I opened up my water bill and it was two hundred and ninety dollars and twenty three cents and I am the only one who lives in my home

02:04:31.960 --> 02:04:47.310
I was told that it was a guesstimate and not a true reading. Why are we having guesstimates? I was also told that

02:04:47.310 --> 02:05:03.590
next month it will balance out and I would probably have a credit. I don't know what all this is about,

02:05:03.590 --> 02:05:25.320
but I will know and I hope and trust that I have no bill and a credit because it was $20 shy of tripling this month and it was a guesstimate reading.

02:05:25.320 --> 02:05:34.800
How often do we have these guesstimate readings? I'm told that the system just automatic does it.

02:05:35.160 --> 02:05:44.460
I need some understanding on this matter and I would like to know how often does it happen?

02:05:44.460 --> 02:06:04.440
Are people aware that this is happening? You better be opening up your water bill because you will not know from one month to the next if you're being built correctly. Thank you.

02:06:04.440 --> 02:06:08.180
There's no further public comments.

02:06:08.400 --> 02:06:10.420
I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

02:06:11.700 --> 02:06:12.560
So moved.

02:06:13.420 --> 02:06:13.900
Second.

02:06:14.460 --> 02:06:17.100
Motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Parker.

02:06:17.240 --> 02:06:19.260
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

02:06:19.400 --> 02:06:19.600
Aye.

02:06:19.600 --> 02:06:20.600
Have a good.