City Council - Regular Meeting

bringing us to this night. Uh we're grateful for the ability to to meet uh through the storm and the cleanup today. We're grateful for the good work of the the crews and the safety there. Uh and Lord, we are grateful for you uh who uh we owe our lives and our health and our safety to. Lord, tonight pray that you'd bless this meeting. Lord, many are the plans of man, but it's by your blessing that they are actually accomplished. Lord, I thank you for the servants here tonight um sitting around these tables, these desks. And Lord, I thank you for their gifts and their willingness to serve. And we thank you that uh despite the differences among us, uh we serve uh one place, one city. We pray that you'd help us to do that. or that we would keep love of neighbor uh alive among us, a willingness to uh turn the other cheek, a willingness to serve uh in the midst of differences uh for a common goal. And so, Father, we pray that you'd give your blessings tonight uh on the deliberations here. Lord, we thank you for uh swearing in tonight. We thank you for the fire uh department and the police force, for our first responders. We pray that you'd continue to give them success and safety. Uh help them to bless our people, our city, uh with their service. And may we be a blessing to them. And so we ask your blessing tonight. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Amen. Thank you. The meeting will be called to order at 6:01. Uh Mayor Miller is absent tonight. Alder persons Clem here. Johnson here. Simmons here. Parker here. Stacy here. Shadel here. Sanders is absent. Sellers here. And in the mayor's absence, could I have a motion to appoint a chairperson prom? I would make the motion to approve approve alderman Shadel as mayor prom. Second. All in favor say I. I. Anyone opposed? Chair, the meeting is yours.

Thank you. And could you join us in the pledge of allegiance led by 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. Thank you. That leads us to item one is the approval of the agenda. So move second motion by Clem, second by sellers. All in favor? I opposed.

That passes. And item two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on February 17th of 2026. So move. Second. Motion by Clem, second by Sellers to approve. All in favor? I I

and opposed. That motion passes. Item three is uh fire department promotions prevented by Chief Cordy. Chief Firefighter host, on behalf of the city of Freeport Police and Fire Commission, we want to honor you tonight for the work well done for the city of Freeport, the fire department. The city of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to all whom these presents child Travis Holtz have been duly appointed to the position of lieutenant in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stevenson in the state of Illinois for the term from the 16th day of March 2026 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office according to law and the ordinances of said city. And all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by order of the board of fire and police commission. [clears throat] Be safe. [applause]

Travis was hired August 24th, 2012. He's advanced certified firefighter, paramedic, instructor to fire apparatus engineer, company fire officer, and hazardous materials technician. [snorts] He's also trained in rope operations and vehicle machinery. He's got an associates degree in fire science at Rock Valley College. He received a life safe saving award for the fire 202 and a half West Main Street. He previously ran the department's fire explorer program and adopt a hydrant programs. He's been member of the foreign fire board for four years. He's a lifelong Freeport resident, graduated from Freeport High School. He's married to Desi and this is their son, Trey.

[applause] [applause] [laughter] [clears throat]

Very good. Um, public comments on agenda items. None's listed. Go to the consent agenda. Uh all items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member sole requests in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the consent agenda. And it consists of approval to receive and place on file minutes of the committee, board, and commission meetings of art and culture commission January 8th, 2026. Liquor Commission December 11th, 2025 and February 12, 2026. Fire department report February 2026. Building permit report February 2026. CDBG housing rehab grant invoices February 26 2026 March 12th 2026 approval of the finance bills payable packet 8081 8083 80085 and 8086 and unname unnumbered packet invoices to be approved for payment register February 26th of 2026 6 through March 12th of 2026 totaling 1,387,372.98. Approval of payroll for pay period ending March 7th, 2026 in the amount of 569,813.98 with fringe benefit payments in the amount of $140,42428

for a total of $710,23826. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Motion by Parker, second by Johnson. Yeah, that's what I had a question. Um, Alderman Stacy, what are the unnumbered packets? What do they consist of? Unnumbered packets. Would you be able to answer that, director Rick?

So, um, unnumbered means we haven't run them yet. So, the invoices that are in your packet, um there's a report of uh the the largest packet, the million dollar one. There's a list of every invoice that's going to be paid there. And with your approval tonight, I'll be able to run those tomorrow. And what if it exceeds what was approved?

The the amounts are set. They're in your packet. the the amount of the invoices are set. They're in the in the packet. There's a listing of every single invoice that I would like to pay. And with the consent agenda being passed tonight, then I will run them tomorrow. Chair.

Oh, and Stacy, are you following? No, I I don't. But I will because there's invoices that she just hasn't numbered into a packet. There's invoices that she needs to pay. They're just not in a numbered packet. They're I'm assuming they'd be smaller than the larger ones that have a a packet assigned to them. that um the reason they don't have a number yet is the computer has not generated a number because they haven't been paid. So once I enter tell the computer, okay, pay these invoices, it'll give me a packet number. Oh, gotcha. That makes sense. Chairman [snorts] Shadel.

Okay. And those amounts and those packet numbers match what all of you sign [clears throat] here. That goes to the finance department as well. This all lines up with that. Okay. Okay. Okay. Uh, Madam Clerk, call the role on that. Could everyone pull their microphones down and talk? Thank you, ladies. Uh, Parker, I Stacy I, Shadel, I, Sers, I, Clem. I, Johnson, I, and Simmons, I. The motion passes seven to zero.

Thank you. That moves to item six is appointments. Uh appointment of Shelley Griggeroff to fill a vacant seat on the board of fire and police commissioners effective through April 30th of 2027. The appointment of Scott Arnold to the police pension fund board effective through April 30th of 2028. Appointment of Scott Arnold to the firefighters pension board fund. the fund board effective through April 30th, 2029. Reappoint of Robert Bush to the board of fire and police commissioners effective through April 30th of 2029. Uh, and with approval, we do this in one motion.

Yes, unless somebody wants somebody separate. And is it by voice, Attorney Zo? By roll call. Okay. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Clem. Second by Sellers. Is any discussion? If you could take the role. Parker. I. Stacy. I. Shadel. I. Sellers. I. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. I. And that motion passes 7 to zero. Thank you. And uh that leads us to the second reading of ordinance 2026-12. If you could. Ordinance adopting zoning map

uh by director Heimandinger, please. Thank you. Uh the Illinois compiled statues uh requires a map to be published annually. Um we showed this in um a first reading where we have five amendments that went through um zoning board of appeals and also planning commission and then were approved by council. And then we have two inaccuracies that were identified this year. Um, we staff recommends the adoption of the 2025 official zoning map. So move second. [clears throat] Uh, and is there any discussion?

Madame clerk, could you take the role? I missed the second. I'm sorry. This is actually second reading out. So there actually need to be a motion in a second. You're you're right. Thank you, Parker. Hi, Stacy. I Shadel I Sanders. Excuse. You're just going to abstain for that one? Yeah. Okay. Sellers. I Plum I. Johnson. I. And Simmons. I. And the ordinance passes 7 to zero. With one absention. I'm sorry. With one abstension. Seven to zero. With one exception. Thank you.

At uh 6:13. Thank you. All right. Item number eight is the first reading of ordinance 2026-13.

Ordinance amending chapter 1448 erosion control permits. Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you. Um uh Mr. Chair, last meeting on March 9th, uh staff was available. We went over uh the amendments to chapter 1448 MS4 storm water erosion control permits. Uh as mentioned during that time, the proposed amendments uh establish clear permit classifications based on project size and type of land use disturbance. The ordinance strengthens erosion and sediment control plans and requires requirements to ensure appropriate best management practices are designed and implemented. Uh the amendments also clarify inspections, reporting and documentation standards for regulated sites. In addition, the ordinance expands enforcement authority including the issuance of stop work orders when necessary. These changes ensure continued compliance with the IEPA and MS4 storm water obligations while improving regulatory clarity. And staff recommends moving this forward to uh second reading.

So move second. Have a motion by sellers, second by Johnson. own discussion chair. Discussion. I just wanted to mention that uh uh we had a comments from uh Miss Johnson and uh we took those into advisement and and changes were made to the alternating MS4 ordinances that are on tonight based on her comments. So those changes were made on that then? Yes.

Thank you. Any other discussion? Item nine, first reading of ordinance 2026-14. Madam clerk,

one second. Ordinance amending part six, general offenses, chapter 660, additional hazardous materials. Section 660.02, 02 definitions 6605 [clears throat] prohibition and adding section 6609 injunctive relief and administrative hearing 660.10 access to premises 66011 notification of discharge 66012 notice of violation 66013 suspension of activities and 660.14 abatement costs. Do I have a motion? Uh, so we would do staff first.

Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, manager Boyer. Uh, thank you, Alderman Shadel. Uh, the proposed amendments revise specific provisions within chapter 660 to clarify regulatory requirements and improve administrative efficiency. The changes update the language for consistency within the code and remove outdated or conflicting provisions. The amendments also strengthen enforcement authority where necessary and ensure alignment with current state regulations and city practices. Overall, the revisions improve clarity for residents, contractors, and staff supporting the effective implementation of the ordinance uh by our compliance officer and um staff recommends moving forward uh to second reading.

So move second. Motion by seller, second by Parker. Is there any discussion? Thank you. We'll go to item 10, which is the first reading of ordinance 2026-15.

Ordinance amending part 10, streets, utilities, and public services. Title four, utilities. Chapter 1046, sewers generally. Section 1046.59 discharge of storm surface or groundwater into sanitary sewers and amending part 10 streets utilities and public services title 4 utilities chapter 1050 storm sewers section 1050.08 08 elicit discharge. Manager Boyer.

Thank you, Alderman Shel. Uh the proposed changes to section 104659 clarify prohibited connections to the sanitary sewer and strengthens the city's authority to require corrective action. The amendments in section 1050.08 update the definition of illicit discharge and reinforce the city's authority to investigate and enforce violations. These revisions are necessary to maintain compliance with the updated uh MS4 permit and protect the city's wastewater and storm water systems. Staff recommends moving this to second reading. I need a motion, a second. So move. Motion by sellers. Second.

Second by Johnson. Is there any discussion? Is this the one pertaining to um going into the houses if necessary? I [cough] believe it was 660. Is it not? 10. You're right. You're right. That's what it's talking about. Believe that was number nine. Yeah, it was. That was number nine. That was the one was item nine, right? this one before that. So that's not this one.

This one concerns Sorry. [clears throat] This one concerns uh hazardous dumping into storms or on the street or things like that. Uh similar to the situation that we had over in your war, right? And but this would also pertain to the human feces in backyards number 10 or number nine. Num number nine is more appropriate to that hazardous ways. Okay. Alderman Sanders.

Yeah. Are we also um talking about dumping into the uh storms storm waters by residential or commercial or manufacturers. we are uh making reference to those types of uh facilities. Am I right about that? What about the city uh doing discharges when it comes to water storm when it becomes to rain backup, storm [clears throat] water backup? Uh and uh and it also compacts the sewer system as well when it when we have this kind of flooding going on within the city and we have to dump the water from manhole to storm sewer. What are the what is the compliance there? Are we in violation when that happens? Cuz we can't say to resident, you can't do it, but yet the city has no other choice but to do it. I I just wanted to know what kind of standards do we have for that,

manager boy? Um well, as it's related to this ordinance, um obviously the uh this is basically updating our stormwater codes to uh align with best practices from the EPA because we are a MS4 community at this time and have been since I think 2020. Um as far as the illicit discharge, elicit discharges are prohibited. Yeah. When you say elicit discharge,

not permitted, not permitted discharges. uh uh break it down uh more clearly so everybody can understand when you say illicit because illicit has a variance to it. Uh who who can and who can't and still uh let's be more specific when we say that because we're talking about something that is contaminating our water source into the river. I just want to know how we're handling it. what we what is our protocol for handling those kinds of situations?

Um, if you're I can engage you afterwards on that, but we just spent $60 million on a phase one wastewater plant upgrade to deal with that. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Anything else? I don't Alderman Stacy

I don't like the idea of talking with Alderman Sanders off the record after the meeting when the public is wanting to hear answers and process now. Now I want to know the understanding of elicited and who has the right [clears throat] and who don't have the right and in what situations do are you granted the right and where are we what manholes are we poisoning and what side of town. Are they being directed to

city manager Ber? I I believe you this isn't related to this, but manager Ber uh this isn't related to this storm water. We're basically bringing storm water regulations in line with state requirements. Um I'm not sure what uh Alder person Stacy's uh referring to specifically. So again, this isn't an open form to discuss everything under the sun or just on this agenda item. So

okay, I'm not asking him to discuss everything under the sun and I will be respected. Okay. First reading of ordinance 2026-17. Madam clerk, I have 16 next in sequential order. Is that okay? I Oh, did I get ahead of one? Yeah, you might have. Item 11, first reading of ordinance 2026-16,

ordinance amending part 10, streets, utilities, and public services code, title 4, utilities, chapter 1040, utilities generally, section 10407A and section 10407B, connection required, aligning with new Julie laws. [snorts] Thank you, manager Boyer.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Um, so, uh, Julie is our, uh, essentially the services does the locates for any kind of excavation in town. Many people are familiar with it. You would, uh, call Julie if you wanted to put a fix a water service line or maybe put a deck in. Um, and the city has to respond rapidly to, um, Julie requests that come in for contractor's work that go on throughout the city. So, the uh 2026 amendments to the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act require that all newly installed or replaced water and sewer service lines be electronically traceable and locatable. What that means is from here on out, we need to put uh locator tape or locator wire in when we do excavations and install new sewer or um or water service lines or sewer services. Uh this is now the law as of January 26 and all communities must comply. In the past, certain private uh service laterals were not required to include tracer wire or other locating technology which creates difficulties during excavation and utility marking. Excavations must be continued to be uh coordinated through Julie. The updated law expands the responsibility of the private service owner to ensure that underground infrastructure is properly installed, locatable, and maintained in the right ofway and on private property for all new installations or repairs. Uh the proposed ordinance amends the and updates the city code to reflect the state requirements. The changes will require tracer wire as mentioned before or approved locating technology uh for applicable water and sewer service lines and make compliance a condition of permanent issuance and final inspection. So aligning local uh regulations with state law improves excavation safety, reduces the risk of utility damage and service disruptions and provides clear standards for contractors, developers, and property owners operating within the city. And staff recommends moving this

on to second reading. Thank you. I have a motion to approve or so move. Move it on. Second. Uh motion by Johnson, second by sellers and discussion. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Uh I did I hear you right about even with repairs, they should sit down tracer wire, some form of tracer wire even during a repair in certain circumstances. Okay. These are the new laws. Excuse. Okay. [clears throat] See nothing else. We'll move to item 12. First reading of ordinance 202617.

Ordinance approving a special use permit to allow adult use cannabis dispensing facility at 2725 Illinois Route 26 unit A. And present [clears throat] but presented by Director Heimerdinger. Please.

Thank you so much. Uh staff received a special use permit application on February 10th, 2026 from uh Boavi Wellness LLC to allow an adult use uh cannabis dispensary organization at 2725 Illinois Route 26 unit A here in Freeport, Illinois. The property is within the B3 commercial and wholesale business district section 1252.05B4 05B4 of the city freeort zoning code states that adult use cannabis dispensary organizations require a special use permit. In 2019, the city council passed an ordinance to allow adult use cannabis facilities in the city of Freeport. The special use permit is to examine the property and determine if the physical characteristics of the site are appropriate for the proposed use. The petitioner would like to open an adult use cannabis dispensary organization, which would be the first dispensary in Freeport and the only dispensary in Stevenson County. The state of Illinois has expressively preempted local authority, including home rule authority as to the licensing and operations of cannabis businesses. [clears throat] The state has however allowed local municipalities to regulate the sighting of these uh businesses. The city of uh Freeport in 2019 exercised this authority and enacted chapter 1274 adult use cannabis uh in their uh codified ordinances. Uh specifically the city of Freeport uh requires 1,500 ft between a dispensary and any school nursery or licensed daycare facility and 300 ft from any residential district. In addition to the distance requirement, the city of Freeport only permits adult use cannabis dispensary organizations by use in two zoning districts. B3 commercial and

wholesale business and riverfront development redevelopment zoning districts. After applying these restrictions, only a few locations in Freeport meet the established uh requirements and the proposed location is one of them. The property is where the permit uh is requested is the formal uh Rosadi's Pizza and is the only vacant unit on the parser and the only vacant unit in the shopping center. Adequate parking exists in this location to accommodate uh expected occupancy. Traffic to the main corridors is not expected to be significantly impacted um as even at peak traffic flow to this type of business is small compared to the traffic already handled at this location for the big box retailers which is Walmart and Menoids who currently operate there. The shopping center is with uh in which this dispensary would be located is situated along south route 26 corridor. As such, visitors to the city of Freeport will be traveling through the major commercial corridors, potentially increasing businesses all along the main routes and particularly around Route 26 West Street corridor for visitors entering the north along the heavily traveled Route 20 tourist corridor. The petitioner will have to comply and adhere to the city of Freeport's ordinances regarding zoning which um in the packet that was attached to uh today's agenda um there's an appendix B um that uh outlines that and as a condition of the licensing the petitioner will also have to um comply with all state and regulations concerning adult use dispensary organizations uh summary of which can be found on appendix within that packet. And then on March 5th in 2026, the zoning board of appeals uh recommended the approval by a vote of

five yays, one nay and zero abstensions. On March 12th, the planning commission recommended approval for a vote of six yays and zero nazs. I will um bring your attention to some of the appendix items. Um the first one, appendix A, which is not on the screen yet, but this outlines um the petitioners um the petitioner's ability to comply with uh chapter 1274, which was uh adopted by the city of Freeport in 2019, which outlines um how a cannabis dispensary organization um should sit within the city of Freeport and outlines its compliance within those uh restrictions. And then we go to appendix B um which is a summary of security features for um these types of uh businesses. They have very stringent rules uh by the state. Um, as you can see there on the very first one, the colored floor plan up above, you can see that they enter that green. Um, that's a a check-in room. Uh, you have to be 21 to enter this facility. If you are if you enter and you're not 21, they will immediately escort you out and you will be asked to leave. Um, the first thing that you do is you come into that locked vestibule, uh, the check-in space, and that's where you would process your ID to verify your age. And then, um, from there, you would be ushered on to the area that is yellow on the screen, which outlines the sales floor. Now, the sales floor is very, um, it's not what you expect. It's not like when you go to Walmart termoids or or anything where there's all the dis

everything is out and you can grab what you want in in this case. It's actually all uh dummy products which means that everything is packaged like it would uh exist but you are just looking for the type that you want. There's no actual product. Um it's just um kind of showing you what you could have. Um from there you would then uh speak to uh the staff and um ask them to um you know show them what what you are actually looking for and what the product you want. Um and then they would be able to go and uh get that from the vault. Now in this floor plan you can see a bunch of cones in the corners that outline security. So every square uh inch of this place is monitored. Um and in fact the um Illinois State Police has access to the camera system at all times without uh without a warrant or permission. So um people uh everything is monitored. Um the vault that you see is the pink um way uh the pink on the right side of your screen right after the after the yellow and that is where all the product is uh kept. Um they have to do inventory every single day. If inventory is off they have to immediately shut down and they have 24 hours to figure out what happened. um and the and they have to be in constant communication with the with the state. So this is um a very secure location. Um as you can see uh the sales the there is no um true product on the sales floor. Um it's just demo product. And then as you move through um the next page just shows you the floor plan without the security features

highlighted. And then as we go through the um to the elevations, the elevations show that the biggest change of the building is just that the sign will be updated to the name. Um but from other than that, there's there's nothing else. So it blends nicely into the facility and the atmosphere down there already. Um they're not changing too much of the location. And with that, um, staff recommends, uh, moving on to a second reading. Thank you. We have a motion to move this on. So move.

Second. Motion by seller, second by Parker. Any discussion? Alderman Stacy. Yes. I would like to know has there been a meeting on this matter with the community and if so when was it? Yes, there was a zoning board of appeals uh public hearing on March 5th that the community was um always able to come in and voice their concerns or uh support. And when was this and at what time? This was at the zoning board of appeals. That was March 5th at 5:30 here at city hall in council chambers.

March 5th. March 5th. Yes. Sanders. Go ahead. Go ahead. At 5:30. You said 5:30. Yes. Alderman Clinton. Alderman Clinton.

Alderman Stacy D. Alderman Sers and uh Alderman Johnson and I were here for the presentation that the gentleman out here gave us. Very excellent presentation. Uh very excellent facility, the way it's uh laid out. uh the all the safety features involved in it and everything else. But I'm I will tell you right now I'm not supportive of it for one reason because of if you stop to figure one of the things he brought up in his presentation was the fact that they're going to have between 200 and 500 customers a day. You add 2500 customers a day to a place that already has over a thousand over here and has a thousand here and you've got uh all the other five stores up here and you've got one road coming into it and it splits off and either goes to Walmart or it goes to Menard. So you got all this traffic coming into there. I think you've got the major traffic jam of the century. That's just just my opinion. Okay. But keep in mind, I go there almost daily. Okay. Yep.

And sometimes multiple times per day on a cut at the car wash. Okay. And I see the traffic there. I see the condition of the road. I see the width of the thing. If you could take all the traffic and move it to the center one, you know, where which is down farther, you'd have something to talk about. But everybody is so inclined to come in with the one with the lights on it. I I just see a major traffic problem. I have I'm not in opposition to the product or to what's being done. It'll provide some people in Freeport will be able to buy stuff at Freeport rather than go to Rockford or go to a neighboring place. I've also been in Rockford many times by the dispensaries there and he brought up at that period of time you know during co and do the during the other thing there was a much different was a much different uh not clientele but in bigger mass of people and there's less places and all that kind understand all that 100%. But I think you have the traffic problem.

Yeah I I can speak a little bit to that. So, um it is vacant right now. Anything that would move into that location would bring traffic. Um any location, if it was a restaurant, a very successful restaurant, you can see any restaurant um here in Freeport that's very successful is usually jam-packed. It would bring about the same amount of customers there. And it's um you know and and so in in that way anything that would move into that could uh bring about the traffic jam and I agree with you that yes minors is is busy. That entire area is very busy. Nobody wants to go. I I go at 6:00 a.m. on Saturdays, not noon on Saturdays because yes, there's a lot of traffic. Though that um the lot and the road there, that's a private lot and a private road. Uh the city can make suggestions to uh help um help uh kind of move traffic in a way that keeps it um less chaotic. But uh above all, it is private. So at any point anything could move into that facility and you could have the same traffic

[snorts]

uh issues. Um you know this might bring about uh you know if if this moves in if anything else moves in um maybe it brings up a good point of maybe there's a second entrance that needs to be talked about that goes into that facility. But it is a private it's a private um lane and a private parking lot. And so, um, with that, it's it's their responsibility to make sure that they have the the the traffic flow. Um, also keep in mind, uh, these individuals are not staying long. Um, they, you know, they come in, they get their product, and then they they leave. They're not they're not sitting too they're not sitting too long. So, it's not uh, you know, it's not going to hold up traffic. It's they they're coming in um to get the uh merchandise that they want and then they are exiting.

Thank you, Alderman Sanders. Yeah. You know, I I sit here and I listen to that and for the life of me, I'm looking at this and I've been studying this to the point where we're saying that the state allows this to happen without the authority of the city of Freeport, County of Freeport, nor home rule has no jurisdiction in these matters. So what are we saying that we're we're we're uh forfeiting our legal rights to uh prohibit them from starting up a business? Are we complaining that what the state is uh permitting that the city wants to

put a put a hold on this issue because we have not received the proper regulation, the security, all of these provisions that need to be put in place before such an event even be considered. But what I'm asking is who is preempting this? Uh, according to the the discussion log that I'm reading,

it sounds like it's the state of Illinois ordinance codified that's permitting uh such an event to take place in the city of Freeport saying if I'm read if I understand this right saying that Freeport has no jurisdiction or does our home rule has any jurisdiction. Did I read that right? Did I follow that right? I must have misunderstood that somewhere along the line. Okay. Could someone uh completely inform those that might have misinterpreted what it really means? So, if you could please all

Yes, I can do that. Um, what the state has uh made a rule is that cannabis is legal in the state of Illinois. They are able to set up uh businesses. What the city has jurisdiction over is where does that business go within the city. And so the city in 2019 set up chapter 1274 which outlines where uh the council at the time thought was reasonable uh restrictions on where it could go. And though so in that way they did 1,500 feet from any daycare, nursery, child care facilities and then an additional 300 ft from any residential district. And that was the um the uh statues that were in place that the city could impose. So what the state uh did was say uh cannabis is legal. the businesses can operate to sell cannabis. Cities have the jurisdiction to indicate in what locations and put restrictions on it. And so those are the restrictions that we can place on it.

Yeah. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I did not I did hear you say restrictions. Yes. The city has the rights to make restrictions on where it's located

just on that particular 1500 ft. That's that's uh you're saying that the city and who are the uh petitioners that that should be here before us making that statement making that claim of opening up a business and how they're going to sa help safeguard the citizens of the city of Freeport when even if they're 21 years of age I don't care uh those those ages can be offiscated and put and uh people can uh become prompt s for younger adults. When it when it does that, who is regulating those securities?

The state. The state regulates. So, they're going to come in here and do the regulations and set up all safeguards. Yes. And and if um in my uh presentation, the state the Illinois State Police has access to the cameras within the facility 247 without permission or without warrants. So they are looking into that. Yeah. Yeah. We need to bring more clarity to the people of Freeport. If I can misconrue what you just uh talked about those those kind of variables that did not come out initially in this discussion how how it's going to be handled.

Uh those are the things the citizens of the Freeport needs to be able to hear that there's safeguards. Yes. All over this thing. Yeah. and that we should not be as citizens intimidated by all kinds of uh uh things that could cause uh harm onto their children and to the city of Freeport. And so I think I think uh uh we need to be as council members to be more vigilant and studying that as well as what the state is imposing upon the city of Freeport. It's not one of those things that we're just going to be happy and and just go along with it without challenging it,

you know, because we have to do that in order for us to maintain the respect that we need to maintain here in the city of Freeport because uh other other um agencies coming in here running over Freeport without consulting the council of Freeport. I think that's a dis a sole disrespect if I don't hear them standing up that at that podium talking to us directly not only directly to council but the cities the citizens of Freeport. I like to see their faces. I like to see these agencies that wants to come in and violate the the premises of uh of the city of Freeport. Even if it's lawful, you know, I still like to see their faces so we can hold them accountable. Alderman Sers,

I would just like to say that um I am in agreement with it. I did come to the meeting that they did, excuse me, do the presentation. The young man did an excellent presentation. He answered all the questions. I know that my my job is to listen to the information that the young man gave and he gave and there were other um uh just a very few uh citizens that came in. No one got up. No one said anything. I do understand about the parking in incident, but I do think that the time and the money that they're going to put into this establishment, they kind of know what they're doing. you know, this is not their first one after listening to all the things that the the young man said. And then my other thing is is because of our my job is to listen to what we already said we could have in Freeport and that was in 2019. Mhm.

My job is to make sure that where they want to put it, maybe it might not be where I like, but if it meets the criteria of what we said where they need to be at in places, I have to agree with it because it does meet those standards. If it was something that uh I don't know, but it's not. It's where we said they have to be in order to have it. So, I wish that that night when we were there that maybe that question came up about the traffic coming in and out. I can't remember because there was a lot going on. But about the safety and the security that's there, it will be a lot of money put into that um uh place to take care of all those concerns. So, that's why I would have to say yes because they did meet the qualifications that we did ask them to meet. Hold Stacy.

Okay. I believe that we the council have say so in allowing this to happen. Am I wrong in thinking that you have the right to approve a special use for the cannabis? So if we vote it down then it don't come. Am I correct? If you chose to do that. Yes. Okay. So, we do have right under this home rule or whatever you're saying, Mr. Sanders. Yeah.

Because if it's voted down, then it won't happen. And if we didn't have a choice in the matter, it wouldn't be on the floor. And I don't care how much money they make, how much money is brought to the city. What's that got to do with us? Just because it's brought to the city, how do we benefit? What do we get out the deal? [clears throat] [snorts] Mr. Steel.

Yeah. Um I've just been involved in this in a handful of communities that have have approved these dispensaries. So, just some items that I wanted to give you. So, um the permits are regulated by the state. The company would have to file a very large bond, millions of dollars with the state of Illinois to be approved for a facility like this in Freeport. There are two licenses, I believe, available for Stevenson County. So, choosing no here would probably allow it to go to another town in our in our region. Um, that that is a choice, but that may be good may happen. Um, this is state control substance. So there are many rules that were presented at the commission meetings like for instance they have to have a security guard on site 247 of operation or while they're operating or they can't be open. Um it's a scan in only with a license uh with a scan bar on it. Not just anybody can walk in the facility. They only limit amount of people that are in the facility. Um, there is a safety uh tax to this uh uh cannabis purchase that goes directly to the police department to uh help increase standards for the police department. U not standards, but funding for the police department. There's also a city tax that comes from the cannabis that is much larger than our other uh percentages of taxes. And um I believe it was presented at the planning commission that there is really three pockets in Freeport that would be available for this. It's either north of town, south of town, or somewhere in the downtown. Those are the only three available based on our zoning right now that that are available for this type of facility. So those are just facts. You mean do with them what you will? So, I'm not against the dispensary coming to Freeport. Um, if I vote no, it

will be because I'm against the placement. We need to be strategic of where we're going to allow. Like you said, it's the first dispensary in Stevenson County. Here we are right on the border of Wisconsin. It is going to drive traffic. And this is an area that already sees plenty of traffic. Where do we want to drive our traffic in Freeport? And clearly the other alderman agree we have enough in that area. So I think north of town or even like you said downtown is a business district. Those are areas we are trying to drive more traffic to and that would be better placement and you may get more agreement.

MLM did you have another? Uh, not really. But I would I would echo what [clears throat] has been discussed that the presentation, the the security of the site, all that kind of stuff. There's I don't have an issue with whatsoever. You know, I mean, the design of it to where it the thing that threw the red flag up to me was 200 to 500 customers a day. You know, uh, just knowing the area, just knowing what's going on. And the only thing I could say to you to your thing is, you know, it's private property and so on and so forth, but two wrongs don't make a right. I mean, you and I both know Rosadis didn't have 200 to 500 customers a day.

Okay. Their best day. Okay. So, that's a a consider considerable amount of difference. You know, the parking lot, you know, so to speak, is debatable size on it. You know, one of the problems I I would foresee that that it happens every day now on account of the car wash is everybody uses Menard's parking lot and you'll have people running across the street there back and forth. I believe there there's just some issues to be worked out or or or something that can be done. The idea of putting it uh someplace else is not a bad idea. You know, I'm I'm uh in general, I'm not opposed to it. It's just, you know, where it's at. I just think it's going to be a bad deal.

Yeah. Home owner sellers. Um I would like to also know that is this um did they purchase that or are they renting those places? It's a lease. Oh, okay. Okay. All right. I don't know. I mean, how did I have to? I think you were the first to talk and then

I've spoken one time on this matter. Okay. I may be wrong. Alderman Stacy. So there was a couple things said um you yourself stated that they are not going to be here long. I didn't I did not say that. She's talking about customers were not going to be there long. Okay. And um Darren, you spoke about the city tax from the cannabis. What percent of the city tax and and and where is that money gonna go in account for our roads?

Attorney Zo. So the amount of tax that goes directly to the city is a 3% tax. That is a city ordinance that we were allowed to adopt back when the cannabis laws were first uh or when when they f when the state first authorized cannabis, they allowed municipalities to impose a tax up to 3% that would go directly to the general fund of the municipality and that's what the city of Freeport did. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. Okay. Uh, item 13, adoption of resolution R 2022631.

Resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation Aviation Fuel Tax Program. Manager Boyer. [snorts]

Uh, thank you, Alderman Shadel. Uh, the city receives the aviation fuel tax grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the past four years. Uh, it does not require a match. Grant funds are to be used for local governments for airport related purposes. And in the case of the city of Freeport, we've utilized the funds as reimbursement for expended airport management expenses. So the city of Freeport has received a notice for the grant for 2025 airport fuel tax grant in the amount of $44,98.58. There's no match. And once approved by the city council is submitting uh the city will submit invoices and proof of payment of airport management expenses in order to receive the grant funds. Upon review and approval of the invoices submitted to ID do allocations will be distributed to the city and staff request moving forward with the resolution to accept the aviation fuel tax grant.

Motion to approve. Motion first and motion. And do we have a second? Second motion by Clem, second by Johnson. Any discussion? Sanders.

Um the aviation fuel grant. Who who is uh presenting that to the city? Uh do is that something that the city is regulated to do each year or at any points in time that we are obligated to uh buy few for what purpose or or how is it being uh used throughout the city? Is it for city purposes or or just the airport or how how is that how is that uh uh presented to the city of Freeport? manager boy.

I think it it's IDA is trying to support the aviation industry and they're doing it through this uh uh basically uh fuel grant. So thank you. Nothing further. Clerk, can you take the role? Parker, I. Stacy, no. Shadel, I. Sanders, no. Sers, I. Clem, I. Johnson, I. and Simmons I. The resolution is adopted six to two. Thank you. Item 14, adoption of resolution R 2026-32. Madam clerk,

resolution approving a certificate of authority to vote regarding rock salt contract joint participation agreement with the state of Illinois. Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, Alderman Shadel. Um the city uh purchases rock salt each year for uh snow removal operations. The state of Illinois has made a procedural requirement for municipal for municipalities to be included in the rock rock salt program. The city must submit its rock salt contract joint participation agreement by April 7th with city council resolution approval. By passing this resolution, it essentially gives uh the city manager, me, the authority to submit and sign the agreement for this year's participation. And just to give you a heads up, uh the the state bid on salt is essentially the most efficient way to acquire salt. Uh we're working very diligently to put in a new salt shed that can handle more volume and lower our overall costs of storage. And so, um staff is recommending moving forward with this joint, uh participation agreement. We need a motion and a second to move this.

So move second. Motion by sellers, second by Clem. Discussion. Alderman Sanders.

Yeah. Um, manager boy B Boyer, do we have um uh any other option other than using rock salt because of the consequences of the new roads that uh it can affect uh putting down the new road and using rock salt uh uh really diminishes the new asphalt that is being put that we're putting out now. has new streets and whatever roads or whatever. Is there any other uh effective way of doing that without it diminishing too much of the highways and roads and things of that nature?

Obviously there's other snow melt products out there that are much more costly. Um and I think in the past we've mixed in sand with salt. I think that creates another problem which is it fills up all of our storm water catch basins with sand. So this is really not although it maybe not perfect, it is the best that we have not just here in Freeport but across the Midwest for uh maintaining uh safe uh rideways during winter snow removal operations. Okay. Oh, Stacy,

I would like um Director Sto input on that matter and what's out there or what isn't out there that could help save the new asphalt on our streets. Um there the the state uh some of the state trucks use a liquid application. It's very expensive. Um it's really probably not in the affordable range uh for us and we don't have equipment to spread it either, but it's a liquid applied. Um and then they still sometimes have to spread salt on days like today that we have, you know, far too much snow than what can melt fast enough. Um, so unfortunately in Northern Illinois, um, there's not a lot of options that are cost-effective for municipalities. This, uh, Rob actually brought us back to going to the state bid, uh, force rock salt, uh, for some years. We weren't involved in it and the cost, uh, really got, uh, very heavy. Um, I'd also like to remind you that we did approve a new salt shed just recently that's, uh, being built for salt. So, um I really uh the effective use is not to overspread it. So, on a day like today, we tried to spread as little salt as possible, just enough to get by. Um uh because we have, you know, 60 50 60°ree temps coming towards the end of this week. So, we wanted to have safe travel, but we don't want to overspread it. So, we were very light on salt over the next two days. And that's kind of been a practice. um 10 years ago, 7 years ago, we we did the sand salt mix to try to stretch our sand salt, but what Rob said is exactly right. The sand never goes away. It gets swept into the storm sewers, then it floats out to the rivers andor we have to clean all the storms. Um if it doesn't, and it really created a lot of

extra work. Um, uh, Randy could speak to the Randy Kobower, our environmental compliance officer, could speak to the salt, but we're already supposed to be rationing our salt back as we can or ratcheting it back as we can because they're concerned about salt water going out to the, uh, storm basins, right? Um, as it melts down. So, um, you know, conservation is the best way to go. The enemy of roads is heavy trucks, uh, salt and water damage. And we have the trifecta up here in Northern Illinois, right, with the seasonal change of frost and and heave of ground. So all states,

isn't it cheaper to clean out the sand than it is to keep trying to overlay, redo, refix all these roads?

Um, yes and no. Uh yes, it costs money to uh take the sand out and we used to do that and try to reuse the sand, you know, take it out and we would recycle it, take it back down to to the plant what we could and try to filter it back in the next year without buying more. Um the issue is that sand is not a melt melting product. So it doesn't work by itself. It just sits there. So if we don't put salt with it, it doesn't do anything. And uh I believe Rob's first year in here in Freeport, we actually bought uh the higher content salt uh I think that some people call it blue salt and we tried to use that and mix that in to to be more effective as well, but the cost of it just got out of control and really kills our budget. We have a a very large expenditure on salt annually.

Okay, Sanders. And uh bringing that out like that, you just sparked u an idea or a thought in my head. Our um we don't have a program for storm uh excavation when it comes to vacuuming for those concentrated areas that absorb more salt and sand. Do we have a program that will help us to eliminate more sand uh during the spring weather time? And

yeah, so um great question. Uh starting in 2026, um part of our EPA MS4 requirements is that uh about 20 to 25% of our storm basins and storm system have to be cleaned annually. We've always tried to clean them. Uh we have gotten behind in the last several years. We've had a lot of employee turnover in public works. Um, as you guys are quite well aware of, we've had a hard time keeping a full staff. We are up to full staff now. Uh, finally. And, uh, uh, again, we'll be planning on cleaning 20% of the catch basins and 20% of the piping annually. Uh, that's why we have our own trucks that that we do that routine maintenance. And we're getting people trained to do that. And as seasonal uh abilities allow, spring and fall, we'll be cleaning those.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Parker, I Stacy, I Shadel, I Sanders, I Sers, I Clem. Hi, Johnson. I and Simmons, hi. The resolution is adopted 8 to Z. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R2026-33. Resolution approving an extension and renewal of purchase of service agreement with the Stevenson County county senior center doing business as senior resource center. Thank you, director.

Thank you. The city of Freeport has contracted the senior resource center operational services for the PZO city transit program since 2018. The purchase of service contract between the city and SRC is affected from July 1st, 2024 through July 30th, 2026 with the option to extend and renew for one additional year beginning on July 1st, 2026 and ending on June 30th, 2027. We need to renew in order to have uh senior resource center continue operational management. The city functions as the rural transit system administrator for Stevenson County and has selected the senior resource center to provide public transportation services as a non-forprofit pass through provider via prezer city area transit. The senior resource center has the employee space and experience necessary to continue to provide public transportation services needed for the city of Freeport and Stevenson County. The city has provided the necessary vehicles via the ordinance uh 2022. Uh staff recommends the approval of the extension of the purchase of service contract between the city of Freeport and Senior Resource Center for the operation of Przer City Area Transit.

We have a motion for this. So move second. Motion by seller, second by Clem. Discussion.

Madam clerk. Parker. I. Stacy. I. Shadel. Hi. Sanders is absent. Sellers. Hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. And Simmons. I. The resolution is adopted. 7 to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R2026-34. Resolution accepting special warranty for 5311 grant application regarding pretzel city transit. Director Heimddinger.

Thank you. As part of a annual transportation grant application to the state of Illinois under the 5311 transportation program and downstate operating assistance program DOAP. The city of Freeport is required to have the council approval for the following. An ordinance uh adopting the transportation services within the Freeport and Stevenson County. A resolution authorizing an application to be made to the office of intermodal project implementation ID do for a financial assistance grant under section 5311 for fiscal year of 2026 for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the public transportation program operating uh deficiencies of the city of Freeport. um sorry deficits of the city of report. A resolution uh accepting the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms the transit employees will be treated fairly uh under the terms of the warranty and resolution accepting the city of Freeport is participating in said grant programs and will provide local and matching funds which are obtained through service contracts, grant funding allocations from senior resource center and donations. The city of Freeport does not provide local matching funds to these operations. Item one um in the 1 2 3 4 list uh above uh was approved by city council on June 17, 2024, ordinance 2024-32. Items two and three are what we are going to be uh voting on in resolutions for um this uh number 16 agenda item and number 17. um they will not be required in conjunction with the ordinance in order to complete the application. A resolution to um apply for a DOAP funding is not required but a resolution accepting funds after approval will be

required and so that will bring number four will be eventually in the future will come to council for that. Um, for this one we are really focusing on number three which is the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms that transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty. Um, this is something that is passed every year in order to uh properly fill out the application for the following year and application process is um ongoing right now. [snorts] Thank you. We have a motion. So move second. Motion by Clem.

Second. Second by Parker. Any discussion? Madam clerk. Uh Parker. [clears throat] Hi. Stacy. I. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. Hi. Sers. Hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. And Simmons. Hi. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R2026-35. Resolution authorizing execution and amendment of federal 5311 grant agreement for fiscal year 2027. Uh, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you. This is uh number 10, which is the uh this is number two of uh what I was just discussing. It has the same memo attached. Um, and this is for a resolution authorizing an application to be made to the office of intermodal project implication ID do for financial assistance grant under section uh 5311 for fiscal year of 2026. Um, and uh, because I didn't say it the last time and I don't need to repeat the other stuff, I'll add um, that uh, the last physical year uh, PCAT Pretzer City Area Transit uh, offered 449,846 trips covering 250,000 miles within Stevenson County. Of those trips, approximately 21,000 were for employment. uh 9,600 for medical visits and 8,200 for shopping in the area. As you can see, this provides a uh countless amount of um uh travel for those who need it, especially for employment. So, you can see how um we would like to apply and continue providing public transportation to uh Stevens County and the city of Freeport. And uh this resolution is passed yearly in order for um us to provide um information and to complete our application.

Do we have a motion? I move second. Motion by Johnson, second by Sers. Discussion. Madam clerk. Parker. I. Stacy. I. Shadel. I. Sanders. I. Sellers. Hi. Clem. I Johnson I and Simmons I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R2026-36. Resolution approving an agreement with fair Graham to provide bid bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Beerren Avenue. Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you Alderman Shadel. Uh the city owns two bridges, Hancock and Van Beurren. Uh they have to be inspected annually and uh Fair Graham is the city's bridge engineer. So we have a team with certified licensed personnel for specially inspection work on all inspections must be completed and finalized within reporting to the state of Illinois. So the uh bridge inspections were expected in 2026 and given current structure ratings to ensure um travel safety and staff's recommendation, city council move uh to um uh agree with the uh to move forward with the agreement with fair grant for the bridge instructions for 2026. Do I have a motion? So move

second. Motion by Clem, second by Johnson. Discussion. Yeah. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Amener. Yes. Upon the inspections for these bridges, y are we in compliance with the reports that are coming from fair and gram whether or not uh we still meeting the standards uh for inspections of reporting? And if it's annually, how long have this been in effective? Uh if it's been annually that we receive any reports on these inspections of of the conditions of these bridges, are we uh in compliance with that?

Uh we are in compliance. I'll just give you some background. The Hancock Bridge, I believe, used to be every 10 years and recently that was reduced by IDOT requiring it every year due to the the guardrail and the deck condition. Um, and the Van Beern bridge, um, I I believe that's every every two years. Okay, thank you for that. Um, so the Van Beern bridge is basically the walk ride bridge. It used to be an old uh old train trestle. Yeah. So yeah, but all this infrastructure has to be inspected uh periodically and this year both of them need it. So um we're just asking to move forward with this agreement. Al Sanders,

uh do you guys have knowledge of a trussle or or some form of apparatus behind this uh this city sewer located over there on a I know it's abandoned, but it's a railroad type truss. So, have that's been removed and uh and what's becoming of it? Do you guys recall any of that? It's over by the Peekatonica River by in back of the uh treatment plant. You guys have any recollection of that? There's nothing that exists there currently. The only two bridges we have is Hancock and V. No, it's not a bridge is a railroad tussle. You you are we are we

I believe we're talking about the vioaduct and that's under construction. That should be completed by May. Okay. Yep. No, it's not divided out. That's not what we used to call the trestle. It's not divided out. Are you ready Parker? I Stacy. If it has to be done, it has to be done. Yes. Shadel. Hi, Sanders. Hi, Sers. I Clem I Johnson I and Simmons. Hi. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. 86. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R 202637.

Resolution accepting a safety grant from the Illinois Public Risk Fund and authorizing the use of grant funds to purchase portable message boards from Road Safe Traffic Systems. Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh thank you, Alderman Shadel. uh city staff received a source wall procurement quote for two ID dot approved message boards. So those are the tow behind boards we set up that say you know river level is this high or you know construction in this area till such and such a date. Um we had one it recently uh the motherboard um some of the electronics burned out on it rendering it useless. So this quote is uh from the road safe traffic systems and includes a message board trailer controller chargers solar panel solar panel generator power to run the unit completely. Uh the uh purchase of the two units is $32,750 delivered to Freeport. Uh this is a source well quote which means the uh company that's involved already has an established relationship with the U of with the state of Illinois and uh is considered a source well dealer um requiring enabling us to move forward with their their source well quote. Um it was also $8,000 cheaper than the other quotes received at the same for the same units. Uh, city staff also requires the city council staff to accept the uh, Illinois public risk fund risk fund grant. So, this is a grant we receive uh, once a year from our insurance company to purchase safety related equipment and this qualifies as uh, safety related equipment uh, with the funds to be used toward the purchase of the city-owned construction message board. The IPRF grant award will be $16,244 and the remaining funds of $16,56 were budgeted in the street department budget this year uh including water and sewer for the 26 uh 2026 plan purchase. So staff will use IPF grant funds for essentially one and pay for the other with budgeted funds and staff recommends uh moving forward with the purchase of this equipment.

Thank you. Do we have a motion? So move. Motion by Clem. Second. Second by Johnson. Any discussion? Alderman. I know you had mentioned that the other one that we used to have is broke or whatever. What What does that cost? What does that cost to get something like that fixed? I think we've had it fixed several times and I think at this point the parts availability are not the parts aren't available anymore to get it repaired. And Darren, if that sounds right to you.

The current one that we have, Rob's correct, has been fixed several times and it's kind of obsolete. It's old. We've had it for a while. Um, I believe the motherboard and the electronics on it have burned up at least three times. I I want to say we might have spent 5,000 on it the last time repairing it. So, we did budget for two of them this year. Uh, this just allows us to only, you know, buy one with the grant and buy one with some of the money that we budgeted. Alderman Sanders. No, don't. So, for for the $16,000, how long does something like this last? How long do they last?

I'm going to guess with good care, um probably get 12 to 15 years out of them. I believe the one that we have now is close to 15 years if I recall. Um, and this one, uh, the the last one that we had didn't have like the solar part of it. Those are fairly new, so we decided to go with that to, you know, save on the generators and stuff and and be more respectful. But with the kind of construction that the city crews have been doing, this is a safety mechanism them to to almost direct people from staying out of the areas that we're working in. Sanders.

Yeah. Is that also included with um uh speed trafficking and strategic locations where uh hazard area for hazardous kind of areas that uh that deem uh necessary for public awareness? Yeah, like that.

Yeah. So, uh, our other sign board, we were trying to use that for maybe some public events or I I believe Rob mentioned when the when the flooding was going on over the east side, we had posted a board, you know, stay out in the flooding levels that were going on. Um, that is the intent of these boards. Uh, there is a component to where um, and we did not buy this and did not recommend it. These could be added for, you know, speed components on it to show how fast you're traveling, but that's another very expensive option that we just didn't think provided to the safety of it. Um, and the police department has their speed trailers. So, these are really going to be for events andor um really construction primarily for construction or or where we're working with city crews that we could post this as you know uh uh Dewey Street you know we're coming this road's going to be closed for you know 30 to 60 days you know please avoid this area type stuff.

Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thanks. Mhm. I should mention too that these boards are technically required whenever we work on any of the ID do corridors doing our hot patching our work. Those are part of the traffic control requirements and so renting these are very expensive to bring in for a day. They're they're they're upwards of $3,000 a day to rent. Wow. That's crazy. Oh, [clears throat] what have we done in the past? Rented. I mean, we've we've had one uh but it hasn't worked for the last uh I believe last summer is when it burn up. Uh, so we just did without last year.

Rented one as we work on the ID do corridors. Parker, I Stacy, I Shadel, hi Sanders. Hi Sers. Hi Clem. Hi Johnson. Hi. And Simmons. Hi. That resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R 202638. Resolution authorizing the purchase of portable handheld police radios from Motorola Solutions. Thank you, Lieutenant Michael. I'm Lieutenant Polish. Sorry,

that's all right. No, there was a last minute change. So, uh, the Freeport Police Department is currently in the fifth year of a 5-year plan to replace the portable handheld Motorola radios currently being utilized by all sworn police officers. The remaining radios in circulation still function, however, they have reached end of life. Currently, Motorola is the only supplier of portable handheld police radios. The police department has received a quote to replace 10 Motorola handheld police radios and accessories at a total cost of $63,59610. Funding for the 10 portable handheld Motorola radios and accessories is provided in fiscal year 2026 uh police department capital budget 331-302-7,000 where $65,000 was budgeted for this purchase.

[clears throat] Thank you. Do I have a motion? So move. Second. Motion by Clem, second by Sers. Discussion. Yeah. Sanders. Lieutenant, you say? Mhm. Yeah. Um the radios, the uh the Motorrollers, they're not the only competitors on the market [snorts] because they can be integrated with motor roller or replacement of motor roller at very cheap cheap prices. Am I correct? Not from the information I was given today by Lieutenant Wel. He said Motorola was the only supplier.

I understand being the only supplier, but they don't hold monopoly on competitors radios. That could be standards also for replacement of motor rollers for for better option. Have we inspected that option as well? Manager Boyer. Um, Alderman Sanders, these are Starcom radios, so they're they're not available on the open market. They're okay. Specific for law enforcement. Motorola has a pretty good clamp on that market. Yeah. [snorts] Madam Clerk, Parker, I, Stacy, I, Shadel, I, Sanders, Hi, Sers. Hi,

Clem. Hi, Johnson. Hi, and Simmons. And that resolution is adopted 8 to zero as well. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R2026-39. Resolution approving a quote from JNR Supply for the purchase of sewer and storm system manhole replacement castings and materials. Thank you, Manager Ber.

Yes. [snorts] Uh thank you, Alderman uh Shadel. Um this year we've got a lot of construction. Uh we've got a lot of manholes that need to be uh repaired, fixed, whatever. as part of our our street program. So, the city staff has received quotes from our sewer castings and lid material supplier for knee uh the kneeh high uh representative. The utility staff requested a large order for more for most of the 2026 material in uh single purchase this year to achieve further cost savings. So the quote is for 109 casting castings and lids and the total cost of the material and components is $43,648. There's an 8 to 10 week lead time for the production. The final cost is about 50% of what they normally cost on a project bid. Uh so staff will use sewer and storm utility uh CIP funds to purchase these items and staff recommends moving forward with the material purchase.

Thank you. Do we have a motion? So move second motion by Clem, second by sellers. Discussion. Yeah. Alderman Sanders.

Yeah. There's one item probably maybe not maybe not at all important, but what about the water boxes to the water manes? uh when they when they are defective and need to be repaired and replaced, especially on the new main roads, the new highways, the new whatever that we're installing right now. Um those have to have the at the at the first initial installment of that road, they should have the adequate uh water boxes when they install that where they don't have to come back and make repairs to it,

tearing up the street on a second time around on the very same street to replace water boxes. I just I was just curious, are we adding that in? Are we including those items? Yes. in the uh we're replacing that stuff as we go. Oh, okay. Yep. Okay. I didn't know you saw his handle. Okay. Uh nothing further Parker. Hi, Stacy. Hi, Shadel. Hi, Sanders. Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. Hi, Johnson. Hi, and Simmons. Hi.

The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Thank you. Moving on to item 22 is reports and department heads. Uh finance. Uh nothing this evening. Community development. Hi. I just wanted to remind everybody it snowed a lot today. I hope that uh you are safe. Um but keep in mind that we do want uh sidewalks shoveled so that kids can get to school and anybody who needs to walk on the sidewalk can get to work tomorrow morning. So, please help your neighbors out and and get those sidewalks shoveled so that everybody can get where they need to go safely. Thank you.

And that's a 24hour from the snowfall. Yeah. 12 hours. Yeah. Yep. Public works.

Um yeah, just a few things. I'd really like to thank our public works crews for uh starting around uh actually they worked Sunday night salting and they started this morning around 3:00 plowing streets and didn't finish up till this afternoon. Um appreciate their dedication to getting it done. I want to let everybody know that we're not going to uh continue to haul snow out over the next few days. We're not going to do major plowbacks. It's going to be up in the 50s by Thursday. So, a lot of this is going to melt away quickly. So, we don't want to waste city fuel and manpower hauling snow away that's going to melt. Um, like to thank Randy Kobower who came to this meeting and the last meeting shows her interest in the the department and uh helping us uh rewrite uh the ordinances for the MS4 and the erosion and the Julie stuff. Um, she didn't have to come, but she's been at the last two meetings. the 1719 Main Street demo. Uh obviously with the weather, it's slowed down a little bit. So, as the snow melts away, we hope to see some action there next week. Um you'll see probably fences coming in this week if if they haven't got in there. And then just a reminder to all the alderman that at the next meeting uh we will have had three bid openings for street projects uh for this year. So, uh be package A, B, and C. Uh that'll be on the next agenda to move forward so we can start the construction process early this year hopefully.

Thank you. It you please nothing tonight. Fire. Nothing this evening and I don't think I forgot anybody. Uh city managers report.

Uh thank you alderman. Um, I just wanted to also put a little highlight on what something Darren just mentioned. So, over the last 24 hours, Freeport and Stevenson County experienced a significant late season uh winter storm with the National Weather Service placing our area under a blizzard warning and reporting hazardous conditions that included accumulating snow, blowing and drifting snow, and wind gusts up to 40 to 45 mph. Official snow uh fall reporting in Illinois shows 24-hour totals topping over 9 in in parts of uh the border uh storm area and locally this was made more challenging by reduced visibility, bitter cold and difficult travel conditions. In that environment, our public works team performed very well. At this time, it is my understanding that we completed snow removal operations without any property damage or employee injuries, which reflect a safe, disciplined, and highly professional response by our crews. And I just want to personally thank them very much for their hard work this last uh this last 24 hours. Thank you.

Thank you. That takes us to council announcement. Uh Alder McCcle. [laughter] Okay. Uh we have a neighborhood watch coming up next week on 4:23 at uh Schwarz Funeral Home and also uh I want to echo the good job that the public works done. I did see him out last night uh probably about 7:00 putting salt down on all the main thoroughares and stuff. So they really did do a good job and we're by this morning. So thank you guys. Alderman Johnson. Um, yes, we have a neighborhood watch meeting this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at 302 Farmdale Lane.

Thank you, Hollerman Simmons. I don't have anything. Thank you. Well, I do want to say um that the street crews did an awesome job. It was a lot of snow and by the afternoon, we were all able to get out and move around like it never happened. It's pretty awesome. Thank you, Herman Parker. Just our neighborhood watch meeting is next Monday night, fourth Monday of the month. Thank you Stacy.

Yes. Um I would like to announce my fifth ward neighborhood watch tomorrow at the church on the corner of Carol and Empire at 6:00. And also I believe um Alderman Johnson if you could help me with this that there's a public forum meeting this week. What which are you talking about? Are you talking about for the tower? Yes. I believe that's April 2nd, isn't it?

So the zoning board of appeals uh for the JC Wi-Fi tower will be on April 2nd. They are hosting a JC Wi-Fi is going to host a town hall here at city hall. That day will that uh will be announced tomorrow the day and time. What I would like to see happen is when we have a meeting of that nature coming up that the community have say so that um it's announced so that we know what is coming up. It's always p it's always uh publicly noticed in um on the website.

Okay, I understand that. But I'm just asking that they be announced here at the council. [clears throat] If that's asking too much, then I'll take it from the rep and announce it myself. But I'm just trying to there there is a schedule of regular meetings on the website when you can go to any zone zoning board meeting and when I post agendas on Friday emails go to over a hundred people they go on the website and the and the board back here by OMA regulations. Do we do we have a time on that on the town hall? Yeah. Not yet. No,

that that will be announced tomorrow. It will be published on the website tomorrow. Okay. We're just finalizing some some details today. Thank you. I have nothing. Alderman Sanders.

Yeah. I have uh one uh request and recommendation that I'd like to propose to council uh that we uh get behind senior citizens within our city and create a program that will allow us or them if they're a certain age can't get before their get out of their house because of massive snow like we have today. I don't know if they have a sign up program where uh they can call in and say that they need to get out because in in case of emergencies uh you have elderly stuck in the home, they can't they can't get out on the sidewalks and things of that nature even onto the to their vehicles. I'm just wondering if there's a program that we can put together that will allow them to call in or because of the you have to be a certain age that you can't, you know, get out and physically get out there in that snow like today was. You know, I saw older people out trying to mask that snow, trying to uh get as much as they can out, but you know how snow is, it can affect the health and in trying to remove snow. So, I I was just wondering if we can make we can uh adopt something, put something together to to allow them to be able to call in and ask for a little help.

That's all I have to say. Alderman Sers, I have nothing. Thank you. Uh, it leads us to public comments, agenda or non-aggenda. My name is uh, Marcus Signner. I've been here my whole life. Um, a lot of things have changed. Um, I had a question. Um, something happened today and I have a real real concern on it. Um, I was wondering, you're a lieutenant and everything. is what's your schedule working at the police station? They they can't answer questions. This is comments only. Okay. So, I can't ask Stacy a question because I feel she was the only one who will actually answer the question.

Well, this is not a forum for questions. This is a forum for comments.

Okay. Well, all I have to say is today I got uh threatened for my life. Uh individual got a shovel while I was on a property um removing snow, called the police. Um, police came. Um, basically the guy, police officer was a straight mean person to me. Um, I had other witnesses there that said they seen this individual hit my hit my truck with a shovel. Um, I showed the officer the trail of my truck where I wasn't going towards him. I was going the opposite way so he can't try to say that was an excuse for hitting my vehicle. I had one of his officers there. um basically went up to the guy basically, hey, put a no trespassing on him. Um so then he can't even do the property that he has the contract on. Um I when I was the victim today, um there wasn't no arrest. There was nothing done. Um what they do with me if someone was to assault me, they wouldn't even be arrested that day. Um I have a problem with Freeport police like they target me. Um if when I call them, they won't help me. They all they would do is say, "We'll do a police report. We'll send it to Carl Larson." And Carl Larson is friends with also Steve Stovall who said he was going to harm me. And when he sees me on a four-wheeler, he was going to harm me. So, um, Carl Larson, I feel, is really close to certain individuals. That's why we're not getting the right justice here. Um, if if I was to threaten somebody today, I would be arrested like this. There wouldn't be no can we send the paperwork to Carl Larson to see if there's enough evidence. Like, what is it going to take? And then all and then all all that happens is if if I call the police and say someone did something to me, the police will write it up like he wants to press charges on me for something I never did just for calling for help. That's that's crazy to me. That's crazy to me. And Carl Larson is number one in charge and he's friends with Steve Stovall who threatened me. Of course he ain't going to like me. He

still affiliates with him. And I I come here to say too my worry right now is if Thurman gets in there, I'm definitely screwed. They will put me under the bus and put false stuff on me. Thurman is real real close to Steve Stowball. So if they if they are colleagues together, you think I have a shot at real justice? No. [snorts] It's a setup. And I learned in this city, we can all come to um about um safety and all this. How can we do safety when law enforcement's threatening us? They're the one who's supposed to serve and protect. We can't do nothing because it's up to Carl Larson. and Carl Larson will not do a damn thing about it if it has something with law enforcement.

Sir, your time's up. 3 minutes. Thank you. Anyone else? I would take a motion for adjournment. So move. Second. Motion by seller, second by Johnson. All in favor?