City Council - Regular Meeting

I know Sanders and Shay. I don't know about the other guy. I had him in school. I can't think of his name right now, but he's got

All right. I sure will. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Good evening. Brady, could you please give the invocation? [clears throat]

Thank you, Madame Mayor and Council. Father, show us your ways. Teach us your paths. Lead us in your truth and teach us. For you are the God of our salvation. Let Freeport be a city that is set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Let the light of Freeport shine before men that they may see its good works and glory and glorify our father in heaven. Father of heaven, let your kingdom come and your will be done in this meeting. I pray especially for blessings to every council member here today that they would be they would rule well. Oh God, make this council a godly judge like you. Help this council to give true justice to your people honorably and equal to all. Then the mountains of influence will be fruitful and from your righteousness, prosperity and peace will flow to all the people of Freeport. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank [clears throat] you, Brady. Now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam clerk, could you please take the role? Mayor Miller here. Alder persons [clears throat] Clem here. Johnson here. Simmons is absent. Parker here. Stacy here. Shadel and Sanders are absent. Sellers here. We have a quorum. Ma, Madame Mayor. Thank you. And if you could please stand for the pledge of allegiance led by Alderman Parker.

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.

Gertard, can you can you grab a recorder? That one's not working. Oh, can you grab um we'll be fine with recording. Okay. All right, then we'll go on to item number one is approval of the agenda which also does include executive session tonight. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. That motion passes. Item number two is the approval of the minutes from the council meeting on February 2nd, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? So move.

Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Parker. All those in favor signify by saying I. Opposed.

That motion passes. Item number three is the fire department appointment. Chief Cordy. [clears throat] Brad was hired in 2005, previously a member of the Lena Fire Department. He just completed his 21st year with the department. He was promoted as a lieutenant in October of 2018. Um, he served as lieutenant on a shift and was assigned as the shift investigator since May of 2019. He's a paramedic, advanced fire technician, firefighter, fire apparatus engineer, instructor to advanced fire officer, attitude materials tech, and fire and arson investigation certified. He's a member of the Mavis division 17 tactical rescue team and has received life saving awards 2015 for the Westview Housing Authority Fire and again in 2017 for 202 and a half West Main Street fire. He has a bachelor's of science in aeronautical engineering and a minor in meteorology. He hails from Lena where he lives with his girlfriend Melissa and his children Joselyn and Rose. [applause] [laughter]

[laughter]

Oops. Nice. Okay. Shift to the left. [laughter]

[applause]

We tried.

Madam clerk, could you please put for the record 604 Alderman Simmons entered? Yes. And we'll move on to item number four, which is recognition of service awards. Manager Boyer. Uh, thank you, your honor. Just wanted to uh congratulate Morgan Cook and Barbara Young on five years of dedicated service to this the to the library. Thank you.

Thank you. Item number five is excellence in service award. Um, Superintendent uh Ingram, I'd like to bring in Disher and Zacher up. microphone. I'd like to thank these two gentlemen for the vast amount of money that we save the city by [clears throat] having two well worthy mechanics that pay for themselves every day. In our last instance, we were just able to save the city over $18,000 a year by not going out and getting a new field truck. They took it upon themselves, figured it out, and that's just one of the great examples they do, not only for public works or the airport, but they help the fire department out, police department out. I just think it's a great time to acknowledge these two. [applause] [applause] Now I just left. [laughter]

Good job, guys. Good job, guys. Congratulations, [applause]

Darren. Can you look and see if anybody signed in? No.

Nope. Okay. Then we'll move on to item number seven, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion, unless there's a member of the council that like to have something removed for further discussion. The consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the minutes of boards and commissions for police pension and fire pension board of trustees both dated November 12th, 2025. The foreign fire insurance board December 11th, 2025, the board of fire and police commissioners January 27th, 26 and Liquor Commission January 29th, 26. Also is the Greater Frer Partnerships monthly report of February 26. the Greater Fruit Partnerships annual report 2025, the CDBG uh housing rehabilitation grant invoices for January 2nd to February 26th, and the approval of finance bills payable in the total of 3,146,54811 as well as approval of the payroll for pay period ending February 21st, 2026 in the total of $700,819. $1.54. Is there a motion to approve?

So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madame clerk, could you please take the role? Simmons. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry to put Johnson. What do you want from me? An approval. The approval on the consent agenda. Yes. Yes. Yes. Parker, yes. Stacy, yes. Sellers, hi. Clem. Hi. and Johnson I. The motion passes 6 to zero.

Item number eight is the second reading of ordinance 20269. Could you please read this? Well, why do my ordinance numbers not match up? I don't have a divider. Ordinance amending chapters 873 and 664 of the codified ordinance of the city of Freeport concerning the licensing of mobile food trucks. Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh this is the second uh reading. The community development department, city clerk, and other uh city staff reviewed the ordinances and then made the uh following amendments to um chapter 873 to clarify regulations, address some local specific rules, and strengthen the licensing provisions. Uh staff recommends approving uh the amended chapter 873 food trucks. Thank you. Discussion. Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons, no. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Sellers, I. Clem, I.

And Johnson, I. The ordinance passes 5 to one. And item number nine is a second reading of ordinance 202610. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01D3 of the codified ordinances regarding classification plan to add an environmental health safety and operations coordinator. Thank you manager.

Uh thank you your honor. Uh we at the last council meeting brought this uh proposal before council to um uh restructure one of the positions and adding some duties to our current u um current uh environmental safety um compliance officer. Uh so with this being said there are no questions at that time and uh staff recommends moving forward with this proposal. Thank you. Discussion madam clerk please take the role. Simmons, no. Parker, I Stacy, I. Sellers, I. Clem, I. And Johnson, I.

The ordinance passes 5 to one. And item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 202612. Could you please read this? Ordinance adopting zoning map. Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. The state law requires the city to publish and adopt an updated official zoning map annually reflecting all zoning classifications as of December 31st of the prior year. In 2025, the city adopted five zoning map amendments and identified two mapping areas. All amendments and corrections have now been incorporated and the updated 2025 official zoning map accurately reflects uh current zoning classifications within the city of Freeport as of December 31st, 2025. Adoption supports the city's strategic plan goal of efficient government by ensuring accurate and transparent land use information. There's no additional funding required. Uh staff recommends moving to a second reading and you can see the amended and official zoning map of 2025 on the screen behind you.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on this ordinance.

Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 202622. Could you please read this? Resolution approving emergency pressure booster skid installation at well number 11 by Nelson Carlson Mechanical Contractors. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh just uh following up, we have a treatment process at well 11. Uh initially when we built the plant uh the um facilities were constructed but were not equipped because we did not know what our total radium was going to be at the well. Uh over a period of time we started to track the radium levels went up a little bit necessitating um putting in an HMO um system to uh basically uh allow the filters to remove that radium through the treatment process. Um we have uh gone ahead and put in that polymer system. However, we were having some issues with the length of the lines and the chemical feed uh precipitating out in the chemical feed lines. Uh it became necessary to put in a carrier water system and a booster station uh within the plant to make sure that the uh polymer did not uh precipitate out in the transfer to the filter system. Uh we are also in need of the electrical work and this is an emergency authorization um basically because we went ahead and had the work uh has been completed. However, we brought it for council to ratify the um electrical work to connect the booster station and u effectively connect the polymer system to the treatment process. Nelson Carlson we elicit solicited three quotes. Nelson Carlson was the low lowest responsive quote at $17,13. Um staff recommends um moving forward with this resolution.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move second. A motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Stacy. Where is well 11? Uh well 11 is on Bchard Hill next to the water tower. the new water tower. Yes. And we're having all these issues now, all these problems now.

No. Uh we've been uh basically once we started up the plant in 2023, we watched the radium levels in the water, the raw water slowly increase to the point where we needed to install treatment. We installed treatment. However, the the due to the chemical feed lines and the length of the run, uh additional uh carrier water was required to transmit the treatment to the filters. So, um it's been sort of a a slow evolving situation.

Anything else? Madam clerk, please take um on his on the contract it says tax NA and bond not included. What what does that mean? Uh in some of the contracts we require performance bonds. Mhm. And those are usually higher dollar ones. Um and the other was uh it just said tax. Yeah. So we're not a taxable body, so we're not paying any tax. Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons. Hi. Parker. Hi. Stacy. No. Sellers. Hi. Clem. Hi. And Johnson. Hi. The resolution is adopted 5 to1.

Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 202623. Could you please read this? Resolution approving a customer work agreement and electric facility service acknowledgement with KMed to upgrade electrical services for well and wellhouse number 12. Thank you, manager.

Uh, thank you, your honor. The city of Freeport is uh moving forward with a $31 million water treatment plant uh situated on Forest Road uh south of the uh the the park south entrance. Um since the land has not been previously developed, a new electrical service is needed to be uh run for the new facility. Uh the South Park Boulevard well and wellhouse 12 electrical service upgrade must be designed and installed by Kameed on the public side of the service upgrade for the meter. This is a requirement for all commercial properties, bringing in large three-phase power. The contracted public works director uh worked with KMED's team to get it designed over the last several months and to reduce the cost of the upgrade of the service uh from $100,000 down to 41,000. The city uh must pay the invoice at this time for the electrical requirements to move forward with the water treatment plant. So, the city uh staff is requesting moving forward with paying of $41,7436 to KMED for the U electrical upgrade for well number 12.

Thank you. Is there a motion? Second, Tom. We have a motion made by alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. This is Stacy. This is to build another. Yes. So Bard, the water tower out on Birchard won't handle this area. Um the water treatment plant at Bard is one major step in getting away from the perfllorinated compounds or the forever.

I'm sorry. It's what? Uh well number 11 was put installed due to the fact that we in the uh brick street well we had contaminated source water with perllorinated compounds. We brought that online but that's not enough and we needed a second source of water so that we have enough water for mechanical uh maintenance and also to feed the low zone of the distribution system. So, this well has $31 million of outside funding given to the city by the EPA and also the emerging contaminants fund.

Stacy. Okay. I understand 31 million is being given by EPA. What is it costing the city? Nothing. for a whole whale 12. Yes, it cost the city nothing. Yes, we've talked about this many times. And this has to do with the comet agreement. It doesn't really have to do with the construction of Well,

what did you say? This doesn't have anything to do with the construction itself of well 12. This has to do with Kameed. There's that's never had anything there before. So, this is a KMED agreement. Okay, I understand that. So, but for you to make that statement as far as Kameed is not costing the city nothing, it is you're you're approving $41,000. It's always going to be something else that comes up. Any other discussion there? What did

the city budget for?

This this cost was always planned um in order to build the new facility. Uh anytime you build in a new development or a new area, you have to extend power to that area and that's a cost paid for item with Kameed. So uh eventually wherever this well 12 facility was built we would have had to extend power to it because there's no power at park when we looked on lamb road there was no power there either. So this is a common practice to uh pay for the utility connection. Uh this is a very large power facility um and we need to be able to do it right. We were able to cost negotiate with Kameed uh very reasonably here and this this is a very reasonable price for the the electrical extension. woman Stacey.

Okay. So, when do we plan on starting this project and when do we plan on this project being done? I was going to uh give more information about that during department head reports, but they plan to break ground uh next week and it's going to be at least a two if not two and a half year project. Any other discussion? I I I have another question. Is it on the KMED portion of it? I just want to stay on track of the actual

um to my knowledge. I would consider it part of [clears throat] my question is [sighs] we got the bridge coming up. We got on Hooker Street that building in the process of being completed. How do we start another big project like this in a week when we got so many irons already in the fire that's incomplete? J

uh we've been working on this project for two years uh at least. Um it's been designed, bid, permitted, and uh the bid award was actually um July of last year and we were waiting for the test well to be done and uh that was completed in November. Samples came back in January that were positive and then we gave permission to move forward with the construction of the wellhouse and the water and sewer extensions that go all the way over to uh Route 26. Um, so, um, as Rob implied that we've been working since we had the bid approval to get the additional, uh, forgivable funds from EPA and emerging contaminants. So, um, we were planning on this project costing the city $31 million and in the end, uh, it will cost us this electrical service.

So, what's going to go undone or what's going to be put on hold? Nothing. We This was always budgeted for

Madam Clerk, please take the role. Simmons, hi. Parker, I Stacy, I. Sellers, I. Clem. Hi. And Johnson, I. The resolution is adopted 6 to Z. Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2026 24. Could you please read this resolution approving contract for brokered natural gas for Hancock and Brick Street facilities? Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh every so many years, similar to the electrical aggregation contract that we pass, we do the same with uh gas. So in this particular case, you have some of the rates in front of you. It's a paper handout. Those were the rates today. Um but uh I need authority to do want to point out that it's this not a lot. They're very someone with five estimates.

Okay. So with that being said, uh we need to lock in with our aggregation contract for uh city facilities. Um we have a small accounts uh one and we have a large accounts one. You'll notice the large accounts one is less expensive obviously because you're using more gas. So, uh I essentially I staff needs um um resolution and move forward with the lowest u reflected gas rate tomorrow and we will lock in both our large and our small accounts. So move. We have a motion to adopt made by alderman sellers. Second seconded by alderman Clem. Discussion on the resolution.

Madam clerk, please take the role. I'm sorry, manager Borer, which which one are you recommending? Which carrier for what term? Um, I'm actually we're going to use whatever carrier is the lowest tomorrow. Oh, okay. Simmons.

Parker. Hi, Stacy. Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. Hi, and Johnson. Hi. The resolution is adopted six to zero. Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 202625. Could you please read this? Go ahead. Resolution approving contract for brokered natural gas for six various small facilities. Manager. So, as I just mentioned, we have one for large facilities. This is for the small facilities. Uh staff recommends moving forward with this resolution. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Clam, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the resolution Stacy.

So are you saying whichever one is the lowest tomorrow you will accept just the same? Yes. For the small. That's correct. [snorts] Madam clerk, please take the role. So they couldn't. Simmons together. Hi. Parker. I Stacy I sellers [clears throat] I Clem I and Johnson I and that resolution is adopted six to zero. Item number 15 is adoption of resolution 202626. Could you please read that? Resolution approving Nikam construction to perform tuck pointing and brick repair for city hall building.

Manager Ber. Uh the city of Freeport recently uh uh issued a request for qualification to uh get the tuck pointing or part of the tuck pointing done here at city hall for 2026. Uh this is a budgeted item that uh we included in the 26 budget for city hall maintenance. Uh Nikam was the u responsive um um supplier of the quote. Um so we're moving forward or staff is requesting moving forward with um Nikam as our contractor for the tuckpointing services of city hall. Motion to approve. Second.

We have a motion made by alderman Clem, seconded by Alman Sellers to move uh to adopt resolution 2026 26. Is there discussion? Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons. I Parker. Hi, Stacy. Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. Hi, and Johnson. Hi. The resolution is adopted 6 to Z. Item number 16 is adoption of resolution 2026 27. Could you please read this? Resolution approving purchase of two 10yard dump truck chassis from Rush Truck Center. Manager Ber.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh, city crews use large dump trucks for all kinds of construction projects that we do around the city, including snow removal. Uh staff uh requested a quote from Rush Truck Center, which is a Source Swell uh dealer for two 2027 uh dump truck chassis. Um the cost of uh each was at state bid and is currently $117,998 a piece. Uh, city staff, we budgeted this in the 26th budget and staff request city council move forward with uh, the budgeted uh, 200, I'm sorry, the two trucks at 117,998.

Is there a motion to adopt? Motion to approve. Second. Motion made by Alman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Yes, Alderman Clem. Sure. Uh, Alderman Johnson and I talked about this beforehand. And is are these the ones have you already purchased the the the boxes for these? So, this is just the chassis. Okay. After we receive the chassis, that could take up to 6 months, maybe a year to receive. Once those chassis come in, then we'll be coming back to you for upfitting of these two trucks. So, that'll include the box and and that type of thing.

Okay. And will the boxes that'll be on them will be like a dump only or can it be used? Um it'll it's a multi-purpose vehicle. Um I don't believe we're looking at hook lift trucks on this. Maybe Darren's got a little something else. The hook lift trucks are what you're referring to which a little more convertible um capacity. But go ahead.

Uh these two dump trucks that we're looking at are 10 yards and um one of them will be for our construction crew and one will be for our streets crew. Um uh the reason that we're moving in this uh order is because the truck industry is very far behind uh in production. And in order to order a truck right now and get it outfitted, it would be the fall of 27. And that's if we get in line today. And so um nobody sells the truck complete anymore or it's more expensive to buy them complete. So they're not just sitting somewhere. Uh we talked to Monroe Trucks and if you've ever been up by them, they have an entire lot full of trucks. Every one of those trucks on that lot is already purchased and is sitting there waiting to be outfitted. So, um very expensive endeavor for these trucks. The price just between this year and last year has gone up about $20,000 uh for for the trucks uh due to the motor changes, emission changes, things like that that are going on. So, um we have 250,000 budgeted for this year. And so we want to move forward with two chassis this year that we will not get till towards the end of this year. And we want to get in line for the outfitting so we can, you know, get our spot in line to have that done next year or we're going to be that much farther behind. Um, operation Superintendent Ingrams here, but we have trucks that are from 2002 that have frames that are cracking and breaking, and we haven't got trucks for the last few years. This truck issue has been going on since the beginning of CO and we don't see uh any sight and end in getting trucks. They just can't build them fast enough. Some of our uh I guess sister towns, things like that. I've been hearing that they've been ordering 20 trucks at a time trying to get on top of this situation because all the fleets are getting so old.

Follow up if I sure. Okay. Um and these are the ones that we've put off for a couple years already, right? Yes. In the budget each year and it's either been used or moved forward. Yes. The reason they've been moved every year is because we have um I guess we didn't think it was practical to spend money and then have it out in the future. But it's our reality. This has been two years now that we bypassed trucks because we couldn't get them the same year we wanted them. and talking to three different vendors. This is the only way we're going to get trucks replaced is to get some coming now and then have to outfit them later or we're going to be sitting here for they're predicting a 5year shortage of these types of trucks. Wow.

Oldman sellers. Yeah. Are these brand new trucks? Are they 2026 2025? There'll be 2026 Internationals, which uh I did put that in the memo, but the the reason we're sticking with international is because our great mechanics stock parts for internationals and that way we can repair most of this stuff in house and we're trying to keep the reduction of all the inventory that we have to keep in house down. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. Alman Johnson, so just to reiterate, this is the cheaper way to do it and it's more expedient. We'll get it. We'll get them quicker by doing it this way. Correct. So, the chassis are what they call the state bid price. So, you're not going to get a truck cheaper than this. Okay.

I will let you know in order to get the cheaper trucks, we're not going to be getting yellow trucks anymore. We're going back to white trucks cuz we can get those in the state bid price and they're a little bit cheaper. Okay. This is the only way to buy chassis reasonably. And um our searches, there's just no trucks sitting around. Uh city manager boy even challenged us to try to find used trucks. maybe a municipality that was getting rid of them, turning them over sooner, and we couldn't we couldn't come up with anything that wasn't Okay. as bad or worse than we already own. Great. Thank you. Mhm. Right. Madame clerk, please take the role. Simmons. [clears throat] Yes. Parker, I Stacy.

Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. I and Johnson I the resolution is adopted 6 to zero. Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 202628. Could you please read this resolution approving purchase of water system repair parts and materials from JNR supply? Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you your honor. So u as we move forward with construction uh we normally stock a number of parts for replacement during construction projects um the uh dollar volume related to these items are getting to the point where it it's exceeded uh my ability to sign off. So, we have uh before you tonight is a bit essentially just a purchase order for um valves and all the uh other pieces and bits and pieces that go along with that. Um so, the total cost of this uh uh is 133,000. Let's see. Do I have that correct? I think I do. Is that correct? 133,296 on staff. Um we have this budgeted in the uh utility budget and these are parts and pieces we need for the year's uh maintenance. So uh staff request moving forward with this uh resolution.

Thank you. Motion to adopt. So move. Second. A motion made by SER seconded by Clem. Discussion on the resolution. Karen.

Yeah, I'll just give some back facts. This is the purchase of 54 water valves. Those are the main valves that are in the street. That's what allows us to be operational when we have water mane breaks to such c shut certain areas off and allow boil orders to be smaller. Uh we have uh at least 54 valves that are broken right now. Our construction crews inhouse replace these during the year. So these parts and pieces are for those material purchases for them to do the work in house on the replacements. these getting these parts in early in the season on a bulk buy allows us to get them at a cheaper price and also allows us to have them on hand so we can schedule work out uh for the season and uh Pat can have his crews replacing so many per week to try to catch up with some of the broken uh items we're finding.

Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons. Parker, I. Stacy, I sellers. Clem I and Johnson I. The resolution is adopted 6 to zero. Number 18 is the adoption of resolution 202630. Could you please read this resolution approving the purchase of two pickup trucks for the streets and utility department from Barco Automotive? Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh thank you, your honor. The city utility department requires vehicle replacements for uh daily crew operations, including two one-tonon work trucks equipped with specific equipment. Both vehicles were budgeted in 26. City staff receives source well procurement vehicle quotes on two Chevy work trucks as specified for city daily operations. Uh one is a Silverado 3500 crew cab uh total cost of $88,55363 and the other one is a uh 50 uh 3500 uh heavyduty Silverado single cab and that would include a crane and toolbox. Uh that would be $99,64863. So uh staff recommends moving forward with the purchase of the um work trucks.

Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson to adopt resolution 202630. Discussion. I have a question. Was this a bidded job? uh source well is uh accepted by the state as it doesn't have to be bid with the police cars and stuff whichever. So if they if it's source well they're qualified through the state and that precludes our need to get three bids. We can simply go to a source word dealer and they give us the state price. Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons, hi. Parker, hi. Stacy, I Sers. Hi.

Clem. Hi. and Johnson I. The resolution is adopted six to zero. And item number 19 is approval of a bid. Could you please read? A bid opening was held on February 24th for MFTt hotmix asphalt delivered. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh, this is going to be a very, very busy um construction season this year. Our crews alone will be paving over 3 mi of roads in the city of Freeport. To do that, we need materials. Uh we need hot mix asphalt. Uh we had a uh materials bid opening and uh Helm was the low bidder at $835,000. That sounds like a lot of money, but uh per ton that was $66.80 and that's delivered. So, uh, we would, uh, ask, uh, council to move this forward and thank Helm for the, uh, very competitive bid. Is there a motion to approve? So, move. Second.

Motion made by Alderman Clam, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the bid. Alman Stacy. If this bid was to pass like you're hoping it will, [clears throat] when will we have this product? Um we'll just take it when we need it while we do each project. So Benton um when we do uh deer when we do our projects we'll be using a little bit at a time. I mean we have a project right now. Yes. Vot. So when would we have this product where we could finish what we've already started?

Yeah. I don't think this isn't doing this isn't going to impact the vioduct project at all. As soon as the temperatures and the uh construction um contractors get mobilized, the vioduct is going to get finished as soon as that happens. And besides this, yeah, this is for our road program. This is for our annual road program. Typically, what do they start in uh the asphalt plants open? May.

Yeah. the usually the last of the first week of May they open u and it's contractually with KMED that they can only open the plant at certain times due to the volume of electricity requirement. So usually around the 7th to 10th of May is when it opens up because um surface temperatures are usually not warm enough to lay asphalt till then. Um any other discussion? Madam clerk, please take the role. Simmons, hi. Parker, I Stacy, I. Shadel, I Oh, where did that come from? Sellers, I. Clem, hi. And Johnson,

I. And that bid is approved six to zero. Reports of department heads finance. Uh, not tonight. Thank you. Community development. Nothing tonight. Thank you.

Public works. Um just a reminder that the uh well number 12 project is supposed to kick off next week if the weather cooperates. Uh they'll be digging the foundation hole for the new wellhouse. Um test samples came back good. Um also uh Galina being paved from Park to Clark. We've been uh reviewing the plans with IDOT. So uh more information to come at the cow. Uh but that that project will be being let uh this summer. um very large project. They plan to not only repave that entire section, they're going to be replacing all of the uh traffic signals throughout uh that corridor as well. Um there is cost share that's coming with city of Freeport because we do own some of the utilities uh water, sewer, storm in particularly, but it's a very large project for Freeport. And um as we've been talking about South Street, South Street uh these are all additional projects to our Freeport list. Uh but South Street um the ADA uh ramps went to them uh just before I came to the meeting for review. So we plan to have those out to bid shortly and uh my meeting with them today is they've put it in their budget uh for that repaving for this fall. So uh they plan to let that in July too. So as Rob implied, this is probably going to be the busiest construction season that we've ever had in Freeport. Um I I'm sure that the volume of complaints about how many works going to be happening shortly because it's it's going to be a little bit like Armageddon driving around Freeport this summer. But uh we are planning to uh create a email line for our uh you know our our city group of fire, police, uh Freeport bus drivers, things like that to keep regular communication about what's going on because it is going to be you know very difficult. But um for the years and years and years of no work that happened, this is going to be uh you

know trying to make up for that. So it'll be very busy. Thank you. Fire. Yes, madam mayor. I just wanted to thank the uh city council and the city administration. Uh at the last meeting you approved our turnout gear which they said was going to take four months to get. It showed up today. So, um, the guys are getting fitted for that or should say making sure that the fittings are accurate and will be going into service in the next couple of days. Police, nothing tonight. Thank you. Library, I don't have anything for the library specifically, but I would like to say I'm very happy to be here in Freeport and you've all been very welcoming so far. So, thank you.

It'll help me

city manager. I do want to add on a couple of things. Uh I think the PD received their uh vehicles uh this week or maybe it was yesterday maybe it was late last week. Um at least three of them. The K9 unit hasn't arrived yet. So that'll be moving forward. We uh uh we'll be moving forward with the terminal buildout at the airport. Uh we've got um we'll be moving forward with uh more repairs to the roofs. I think that a lot of the ridge caps have been replaced and everything's working there. Um Jeff's done a great job of re uh moving individuals into different hanger spaces that make more sense for the size of aircraft that they have. So that's made more efficient use of the space that we do have. And uh Darren did mention Galina and South, but I I will say that it looks like there's a chance that we'll be moving forward with some other I doled projects this year. Uh that would include Stevenson and Lincoln and Walnut. So, uh, when we say this is going to be the busiest year, it's doesn't have anything to compare to. So, please be patient. Uh, do your best to plan accordingly, be safe, uh, as you drive through construction zones, being cognizant that we want all our staff to, uh, go home safe and sound to their families every day. And, uh, plan a little few extra minutes to get from A to B. So, thank you.

And I have nothing new for this evening. Alderman Simmons. No, I don't either. Thank you, Alderman Parker. Nothing tonight, your honor. Alderman Stacy.

Yes. I have a couple questions and I'm asking the city to assist me with answers to the following. Which well, which water well supplies each specific ward? For example, which well supplies fifth ward, which well supplies sixth ward and on and on. Secondly, I'm asking for a printed copy of the latest EPA water test results for each active well. I'm also asking um that you provide printed copies of the latest water test results conducted by the city of Freeport for each active whale. And some of this came out tonight. I will be reaching out for more information as far as what is the primary purpose for a new water treatment plant on the south end of town. And I'm still trying to understand why the water treatment on Birchard is not capable of servicing the south end of town. So if the city could assist me with answers to those questions, if you need them in an email, I'll be glad to provide them. Um um city manor did you want to

Sure. Um each well provides water to all the wards. That's the first one. The second one you asked was uh what are the constituents or the testing data that's all provided to everyone in the consumer confidence report that we send out and is available all the time. So it is on the website right now. You can look at it at any time. And what was the last question? The purpose of the new well by by bircher I don't think number one was answered what was your answer about which

all wells service all areas of the town every well is connected by one distribution system that connects the entire town together and what was the last one I thought it was the primary purpose of the new well why Bcher the primary purpose of the well is to provide potable affordable full clean drinking water to the city of Freeport. The entire city of Freeport. Yes. Well, why in some areas are totals here and in some areas totals are here?

I I'd be happy to discuss this, but um we have time once a month we are have a scheduled appointment. Yes, feel free to join us on that one. Yeah, I will. Because if you wouldn't have came back trying to give me answers, we wouldn't even be here. I just said what I wanted, what I was asking the city to assist me in which Alman Stacy, his point was that those are appropriate questions to ask during your private meetings. Alman uh Sellers, uh yes, I

um those questions can be answered at a later date. I I do want to there's a point of clarification that should be so um one of the points that I think you may be asking about is there's a Facebook post going around that is talking about I don't do Facebook

okay but there is one going around about city water quality um and it's not it's fictitious it's it's not correct it's revolving around the brick street wells that we no longer use and are in fire reserves so uh I had a friend send it to me as well asking questions about that water quality message and and we do not currently use those wells. They're for backup fire reserve only. If all he double hockey stick were to uh happen in Freeport and we needed them, we could turn them on, but we currently haven't used them for two years. I believe it is a little over two years. So, um those are what the reports are all about. Sellers.

Yes. I just wanted to say that it um I see the fencing around the old Holiday Inn and that's going to be coming down real soon. So, that's a a good sign. So, I just wanted to say thank you for that. Clim, uh nothing. Thank you very much. And Alderman Johnson, I just want to say welcome to our new library director. Thank you. Glad to have you here. And congratulations to everyone who got um promoted and got recognized. I always love to see that. So, item number 24 is public comment. Tommy,

I want to tell Jodyie Murray, you are best and and and uh you do a good job, too. Oh, thank you, Tommy. And we want to keep you for mayor cuz we don't want to get will you or nothing. Oh, thanks. [laughter] And uh they knew that's graduation for that about the good news about the hotel. Yeah. Yeah. It's good news. Any other public comments this evening? We move on to item number I'm sorry. Did you want to go to the podium

because I can't hear you? podium. Can I just uh Well, if it's public comment, it's podium.

Hi everyone. Sorry, my name is Rachel Simmons and [snorts] I did not speak when it was time for me to speak, but just to clarify, manager Ber, will you please share the website where we can always find water testing? And in addition, there is a website where we can always find out which fire hydrants have been tested and if they're working. I know you're not to respond to public comment, but it'd be great if you could just share those maybe voluntarily so that people know where to go get real information about what's. Thank you.

The EPA has all the testing data available at what's called drinking water watch on the um EPA's website. You type in Freeport, it'll pull up the Freeport drinking water testing data and you'll have it back to I don't know, [snorts] I believe at least 10 years, maybe longer. Item number 25 is executive session. Madam clerk, could you please read this?

One second, please. We are only going to executive session for um the exemption two pursuant to five ILCS 122 C2 collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Is there a motion to enter into executive? So move second. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Madame clerk, please take the role. Simmons Rick. Yes. Parker, I Stacy. Hi. Sellers. Hi. Plum. Hi. And Johnson. I. The motion passes 6 to zero.