City Council - Regular Meeting

We have electrons and everything [clears throat] that's okay. Yeah, they're really good. The only thing I don't like is that the parts. Yeah, I was breaking up a big yogurt.

When I like [snorts] Is it hot in here or am I having a hot flash? Good evening. Uh Debbie, would you please give the invocation?

I have a Bible verse I'd like to um say before I pray. Comes from Psalm 27:11. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path. Our heavenly father, we just thank you for today. We thank you for Freeport. We thank you for all the people that live in this town and we're here for a reason and we should be looking at it to make Freeport a better place. We thank you for our officials that are here tonight, all the government officials, elected officers, Mayor Jodie, and Lord, we ask that you would lead them on a plain path. Help them to look to you for wisdom and for guidance and to put aside any kind of difference that they have with each other and look to Freeport as a whole to work together to make it a better place. We ask your blessings upon this gathering today. We thank you for our police enforcement. We thank you how they uh risk their lives to uh keep our community safe. And Lord, we ask that you uh put a shield of protection around everyone and bless their families. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thank you Debbie. Now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam clerk, would you please take the role? Mayor Miller here. Older persons Clem here. Johnson here. They they will be marked in person. Simmons is absent now but will be joining us. Parker here. Stacy here, Shadel here, Sanders here, and Sers here. If I could please have a motion to approve the remote attendance of Alderman Simmons. So moved. Second. The motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Um, Madam Cler, could you please call the role?

Stacy on allowing Alderman Simmons to remote. Yes. Shadel. Hi, Sanders. Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. Hi, Johnson. Hi, and Parker. Hi. The motion passes 7 to zero. Did Did you want to see if she can hear? Oh, yes. Alder person Simmons, can you hear us? Are are you present? Yes, I'm here. Thank you. Uh, show me mark present at 602. Okay. If you could please stand for the pledge of allegiance led by Alderman Stacy. I pledge aliance

to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Item number one is approval of the agenda. However, I had I'm asking for a slight change. the child abuse prevention month proclamation needs to be removed from the consent agenda and read uh after the police department promotions and before public comments. If that's acceptable, I would ask for a motion to approve as amended. Could you repeat that again, please?

Sure. The um child abuse prevention month proclamation was accidentally listed on the consent agenda and those are normally red. So just wanted to put that on the agenda itself. Okay. After appointments, madam mayor. Uh no, after the police department promotions. Thank you. So we had I would second that motion. Who was the first? Joy. Uh so we Tom, was it who who made the motion to approve? I thought it was Joey. I would make the motion then. Oh, I'll second it. Okay.

All right. Well, we have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Madam clerk, could you please take the role? Can we do a voice on that or would you like me to get electronic certifications? Oh, thank you, Attorney. I'm sorry. We've got to have that every single one. My apologies, Stacy. I Shadel, hi, Sanders. I Sers. I Clem. I Johnson. I Simmons. Hi. And Parker. I. Motion passes 8 to zero. Item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on March 2nd, 2026. Is there a motion to approve?

I I didn't I didn't catch [laughter] that, guys. You got to talk louder. Everybody got a half a [laughter] move. Second. Okay. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sers, hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. I. Simmons. I. And Parker. I. And that motion passes 8 to zero. Item number three is the police department promotions. Chief Frostto. Thank you. [clears throat]

Good afternoon everyone. I'll have uh Dustin Groin first please. Officer Gran was hired in September 2019 and has consistently taken on roles that demonstrate initiative and professional development. He has served as a detective, field training officer, member of the emergency response team, and as an arrest and control tactics instructor. His commitment to training, tactical operations, and investigative work highlights his potential for advancement.

My name is Robert Bush. I am a member of the uh city of Freeport Police and Fire Commission. And with us, we have uh Evelyn Curry. She is commissioner also. And it's an honor to to be here to witness the promotion of these officers tonight. These officers came before us and we uh um saw the value in them and hiring them and to see them to elevate themselves within the department. It is an honor to realize that we did make the right choice [laughter] in hiring them because they have put forth the effort to gain the knowledge and the wisdom to uh reach a higher level within the department. Dustin, official commission, the city of Freeport Board and Fire Police Commission, to all to whom these present shall come. Dustin Groan have been duly appointed to the office of corporal in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stevenson in the state of Illinois for the term from the 6th day of April 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 the law and ordinances of said and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his duties by the order of the board fire and police commission. [applause]

[laughter]

Now this way. [laughter] Okay. [cough] Where's our guy? Officer Richard. Officer Richard Meccl was hired in June 2014 and brings an extensive experience across a wide range of assignments. He has served as an inspector with the state line area narcotics team, a firearms instructor, a member of the emergency response team, and a field training officer. He is also one of the original members of the department's gang unit. He is currently assigned as a K-9 officer with his partner DJ. His experience and specialized skill sets make him a strong candidate for promotion. [applause] Okay, this is my first time doing this, so I'm a little nervous. Official [sighs and gasps] Commission Richard

Ml having been duty having been duly appointed to the office of corporal in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Steven Stevenson in the state of Illinois for the term from the 6th day of April 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 the law and ordinances of a said city and all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the board of fire and commission police commission

[applause] [applause] [cough]

fail. [laughter] Good. Blake Upman. Corporal Upman was hired in September 2016 and promoted to the rank of corporal in January 2024. He has demonstrated strong leadership and initiative through his service in multiple specialized role roles including detective, field training officer, and firearms instructor. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Alias mobile field force. His diverse experience and leadership as a corporal reflects his readiness for continued advancement with this department. Official Commission, City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission. to all to whom these present shall come. Officer Blake Utman, having been duly appointed to the office of sergeant in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stevenson and state of Illinois for the term from the 6th day of April, 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 the law and ordinances of said city. And all persons are required to respect him in the discharge of his said duties by the

order of the police and fire commission. [applause] [applause]

[laughter] Thank you. Awesome. Yeah, that's what I see all day. Yeah, [clears throat] that's nice though. That many people coming to support them.

It's great. ones that

okay so next we'll move on uh for a child abuse prevention month whereas all our kids network is a group of community stakeholders who collaboratively work to influence system changes that will strengthen the overall family well-being and whereas Freeport's future prosperity and quality of life depend on the healthy development of the children residing across our city. And whereas preventing child abuse and neglect must be a priority that requires individuals, families, child serving organizations, schools, faith-based groups, organizations, community or I'm sorry, government agencies, civic leaders, and to support the physical, emotional, social, and educational well-being of all children. And whereas child abuse is a serious public health issue with wide ranging societal consequences. As data shows, the link between abuse and neglect of children and a wide range of costly medical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues into adulthood. And whereas statewide and community prevention programs serve as proven and effective ways to reduce child abuse and neglect, no matter the ge geography, race, ethnicity, or economic status. And whereas the Allur Kids Network and other community partners will host Blue Ribbon Week April 5th through the 11th to help spread awareness, hope, and education on the topic of child abuse. Now therefore, I, Jodie Miller, hereby declare April 2026 as as child abuse prevention month and the second week of April as blue ribbon week. And I encourage all our residents to dedicate themselves to protecting the quality of life for every child. [applause]

Thank you very much. Um, I'd like to take a moment just to share how AOK, which stands for All Our Kids of Northwest Illinois, is working right here in Freeport and Stevenson County [snorts]

um to address child abuse and neglect. For us, this work is really about prevention. We know that families do better when they feel supported, connected, and not alone. the AOK network. Um, that's why the AOK focuses on strengthening families early before challenges turn into crisis. Um, we partner with local organizations across the community to make sure that parents, especially those with young children, have access to mental health supports, home visiting, parent education. When parents are supported and emotionally uh emotionally well, it is create um it creates safer, more stable environments for children. Um, one area we've really focused on is maternal mental health because we understand how critical those early bonds are between parents and children. When we support parents, we're uh directly helping to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. At the end of the day, it isn't um just about a program. Um it's about people. It's about making sure families in our community feel seen, supported, and connected. Because when we come together as a community, we can create a safer, healthier futures for our kids. AOK thanks you for recognizing and shining a light on the safety of children in our community. I just have a real quick story about the blue bows that you may see around town. Um, the blue bo bows became a symbol for child abuse prevention with Bonnie Finny, a grandmother from Virginia, connected the blue bows, a child abuse prevention awareness in the aftermath of her grandson, Michael Wayne Bubba Dixon Dickinson's death as a result of child abuse in Chapi, Virginia in 1988. Her daughter herself was a victim of domestic violence, was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment for failing to do more to protect her son. Luther Ray Phillips Jr., who committed the crime was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment. The following story was written by Bonnie Finny in conjunction with pre P

prevent child abuse Virginia. I only had one child. She was a beautiful little girl, the light of our eyes. We knew we we knew she had entered into a stormy marriage for we brought her home several times in the five years it lasted. We we suspected heavy use of drugs, but in the those five years, three beautiful, healthy children had been born. I loved them dearly and they loved me. The children were 16 months, 3 years, and four years. My grandson was hospitalized for abuse. He had bruises on his body and cigarette burns on his hands. His doctor did not believe my daughter's story. He fell in slippery water in the bathtub. After the ordeal at the hospital, my grandson was placed in foster care for 3 weeks. He cried when they came to return him to his mother. He told his foster mother, "My mama don't love me," and begged to stay. I achd for his dilemma, but I was but I wasn't physically able to care for him. The courts believed that home was the best place for him, but I knew better, and I told no. I begged them not to return him to his mother. But I was overruled. My grandmother's instinct didn't count. I never saw Bubba again. My 16-month-old granddaughter was hospitalized after being beaten severely, her leg broken in four places, and her hand burned from the tips of her fingers to her wrist. It was only then that the search was on for Bubba. We learned he had been killed wrapped in a sheet, stuffed in a toolbox, and dumped into the dismal swamp canal three months earlier. My efforts to understand became a plea to stop ch stop abusing children. I tied a blue ribbon on my van antenna to make people wonder. It caught on locally with restaurants, businesses, police, and TV and radio stations supporting me in my efforts to make it a real awareness campaign. Why Blue? I intend never to forget the battered, bruised bodies of my grandchildren. Blue serves as a constant reminder to me to fight for our children. Please wear a blue ribbon. Put one on your car. Give one to your friend. Tell them what it means. You may save a child's life. If if you suspect anything is happening to your children, your grandchildren, the

next child next door, please act. If you get no response, try again. You may not hear their screams, but you may not see their bruises. So, check for the hidden pain and watch for the silent screams in their eyes. Thank you. God bless. God bless. [applause] Thank you, ladies. Uh, we have two people signed in for public comment. Steve Carol, you have three minutes.

All right. I am Steve Carroll. [clears throat] This is about agenda items 16 and 17. The city wants to add a full-time foyer officer for the police department and a part-time foyer officer for the clerk's office. This is due to what is claimed to be an overwhelming amount of foyer requests from the public numbering around 213 last year. The rise in foyer requests over over the years reflects the lack of trust that the public has in city government. In short, you have created your own problems, and now the taxpayers are being asked to pay for the city's lack of transparency. In the past, the police department used to publish every week what is known as the police blott, which is the call log for the whole city over a week's time. This isn't done anymore. However, I have successfully submitted records requests for that very information. Hence, another foyer request is generated due to the police department's lack of basic transparency. It should be obvious that city government is building an information wall between itself and its citizens. And I can see where being transparent and telling the truth would be dangerous for city government because it would give lie to Jodi Miller's perpetual mantra that Freeport is a great place to live, work, and play. And to liberally paraphrase from former French prime minister George Clemenso, there are two things people living in Freeport don't need. One is an appendix. The other is Jodi Miller Slancha.

Next is Aaron Zuber. Hi there. Good evening. I apologize. It's Eric. I read it wrong. You're all right. No big deal. [clears throat]

Hello, council. Hello, mayor. Hello, city manager. Uh, my name is Eric Zuber. I live right up the road at uh 626 West Stevenson Street. I'm here to speak on item number 11. Um, as someone who does not use marijuana, I want to be clear that I am in favor of the dispensary at this location in Freeport. I was able to watch the city council meeting last week and just wanted to touch on a couple of the notes that you guys had. Um the biggest being the key point would be traffic seemed to be a big sticking point for a lot of people. Um it's important to remember why this proposal is in front of you. Um this is a business that requires a special use permit due to the nature of its operations. Most businesses do not require that special use permiss uh that special use permit. Um, I fully acknowledge that the previous tenant, Rosadius, did not generate the level of traffic that this dispensary is expected to bring. However, if a another business occupies this space, especially one that does not use a special use permit, we're going to likely be in the same situation, the same traffic thing with or without a special use permit, but we won't have that added tax benefit of that extra local 3% that I think is really important to have for us. So, for example, if a hightraic restaurant like a Chipotle were to move in, um we're going to have the same amount of traffic, give or take, but we're going to miss out on that 3% tax revenue. So, um yes, traffic may increase. I do think that's a good thing for our town. Uh but this location already has multiple points of access and more importantly, um it's not unique to this situation. Um it's going to bring the meaningful reh additional revenue to the city. I think that's the most important. And since there's only two permits allowed in Stevenson County, I truly believe this is a use it or lose it thing. Uh, and if we pass on it, another community is going to take advantage of that and use it. So, I respectfully urge you to vote in favor of agenda item number 11. Thank you. And that concludes our public comment. Next is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless the member of council would like to have something removed for further

discussion. The consent agenda consists of receive approval to receive and place on file the building commission minutes from October 15, 2025. Zoning board of appeals from November 6th, 25 and February 5th, 26. The Freeport Public Library Board, which is November 12th, and December 10th, 25, January 20th, 24th, and February 11th, 26. Planning Commission, January 15th, February 12th, 26. The revised festival district schedule approved by the Liquor Commission, 2026. The Greater Freeport Partnerships monthly report, March 26. the cash and investment as well as the finance department report for December 25, cash and investment report and the finance department report for January 26 and the approval of the finance bills totaling 2,92,21859 and payroll for pay period ending March 21st 2026 in the total of $721,73086. Is there a motion to approve? So move

second. Have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Madam clerk, could you please take the role? Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. And Parker, I. The motion passes 8 to zero.

Item number six is appointments. Could you please read? We have several. Appointment of Deborah Lineer to the Ethics Commission effective through April 30th, 2028. Appointment of William Castle to the board of fire and police commissioners through April 30th, 29. Appointment of Michael Kemple to the planning commission through October 31st, 2030. New appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission effective through February 28th, 2029. Rebecca Quiggle. three reappoints to the Historic Preservation Commission through February 28th, 2029. They will be Scott Lizer, Ryan Walton, and Brenda Meyers. [cough]

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the appointments. Madame clerk, please take the role. Stacy, sure, why not? Shadel, I. Sanders. I abstain. Sellers. I Clem I Johnson I Simmons I and Parker I The motion passes 8 to zero. Seven. Ah you are right. My apologies.

Item number seven is the second reading of ordinance 202613. Could you please read this ordinance amending chapter 1448 erosion control permits? Thank you, manager Ber. Uh thank you, your honor. Uh this ordinance came before council March 9th for the committee of the whole where it was uh discussed with Randy Colbower. It was moved for uh uh first or second reading on March 16th with no additional questions. I haven't received any questions and staff requests moving forward with uh ordinance uh this ordinance uh as as proposed. Any discussion on the ordinance? Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy,

I Shadel, hi. Sanders, hi Sers. Hi, [clears throat] Plem. Hi, Johnson. Hi, Simmons. I and Parker, I. The ordinance passes 8 to zero. Item number eight is a second reading of ordinance 202614. Could you please read this

ordinance amending part six general offenses chapter 660 additional hazardous materials section 6602 definitions 05 prohibition and adding sections 09 injunctive relief and administrative hearing uh 10.10 10 access to premises. 11 notification of discharge. 12 notice of violations. 13 suspension of activities. And 14 abatement costs. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh ordinance 2026-14 is uh upgrading and uh making some changes to the MS4 storm water permit. Uh similar to the previous ordinance, this was brought to council March 9th. Uh it had first reading on the 16th and was moved to second reading today. and staff uh recommends moving forward with this uh uh storm water additional hazardous materials ordinance. Thank you. Discussion, madame clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sers, I. Plum, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. And Parker, I. The ordinance passes 8 to zero.

And item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 202615. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending part 10, streets, utilities, and public services. Title 4, utilities, chapter 1046, sewers. Section 104659, discharge of storm, surface, or groundwater into sanitary sewers, and amending part 10, streets, utilities, and public uh services. Title 4, utilities, chapter 1050, storm sewers, section 10508, elicit discharge. Thank you, manager.

Again, very similar to the last two ordinances. This was brought before council on the 9th. It was moved to second reading on the uh 16th. Uh this was I've not received any additional questions for the MS4 again storm water uh related ordinance. So staff's recommending moving this for uh adopting this tonight. Thank you. Discussion, Alderman Sanders, we're discussing uh the infiltration of groundwater into sanitary sewer. Is that what we're talking about? Uh manager Bora?

Uh this is just an upgrading of the storm water permit or the storm water requirements related to our MS4 permit that is a municipal storm uh separate storm sewer um permit. So uh that is a part of overall management of storm water. But uh this particular uh upgrade is just simply updating things that are required by our MS4 permit. Okay. Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I Sanders. Hi. Sellers. I. Clem. I. Johnson. I. Simmons. Hi. Parker. I.

The ordinance passes 8 to zero. And item number 10 is the second reading of ordinance 202616. Could you please read this ordinance amending part 10 streets utilities and public services title 4 utilities chapter 1040 utilities generally and section 1040.07A and B connection required aligning with new Julie laws. Thank you manager. Uh thank you your honor. Again this was uh brought before council for the committee of the whole uh also the last council meeting. Um there were no questions in between those two meetings and staff is recommending moving forward with uh the proposed ordinances as written. Discussion. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy,

I. Shadel, I Sanders. Hi. Sellers. Hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. Hi. Parker. Hi. The ordinance passes 8 to zero. And item number 11 is the second reading of ordinance 202617. Could you please read this? Ordinance approving a special use permit to allow adult use cannabis dispensing facility at 2725 Illinois Route 26, unit A. Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Staff received a special use permit application from Botavi Wellness LLC to allow a dot use cannabis dispensary authorization at 2725 Illinois Route 26 unit A in a B3 commercial wholesale business district. The proposed location meets all the distance requirements set forth in chapter 12 uh 74 and is a vacant unit in a commercial shopping center with ample parking. The petitioners provided some data um from our last council meeting um from four other uh Illinois locations showing peak traffic uh between 4 and 900 p.m. usually on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and there is a average of 30 vehicles per hour during that time. This is a modest increase in traffic is expected to bring more visitors to the corridor benefiting surrounding businesses, enhancing economic uh activity. And also, as noted during the last council meeting, another business that does not require a special use permit uh could easily hit similar traffic peaks. Um, honestly, I looked this up this afternoon, a fast food restaurant like Chipotle um could hit an average of over a 100 vehicles in one hour. Um, so that's more than three times the amount of this uh facility. Both the zoning board of appeals and the planning commission recommend approval. Staff also recommends approval of the special use permit.

Thank you. Uh discussion on this ordinance.

Yes. um the three whatever percent that the city is supposed to gain from this um dispensary coming uh what are the chances of it being put in a in a account for our road something that productive that we as a city need rather than just everything going to the general fund. Yeah, that's um I'll actually um uh share with you something that my lovely lady sitting right here printed off for me today that kind of outlines a breakdown of the taxes that the city will see. Um it's actually going to be a little bit larger than 3%. Um based on this, there is a half a percent that goes to county public safety. That's not us. Um then there's a home rule tax which is two and a and a quarter. Um so that would be us. Then there's a county that gets 3%, municipal uh is 3% and then state taxes six and a quarter and we see 1% of that. So the amounts that we're uh receiving will be six and a quarter

percent on the um sales generated. Um, with that, I we can always open up uh the discussion internally to speak to that and bring that up to council if we if we do see um that kind of, you know, out of that 6% if some amount needs to go to roads, if some amount needs to go to community things, you know, um we're always willing to uh to to put the funding where where you guys think it needs to go. Um we also had some projections given to us um in the first month um from 0 to 3 months. They're looking at projections of sales gross sales of 300K to 500K which when you have the breakdown that means that we'll be seeing 18,750 to $31,250 um every month uh for those first three months. And then the production the projections um from month four and beyond uh indicate $600,000 to $1 million a month in their uh gross sales which uh gives us per month somewhere between $37,000 and $500 to $62,500. When you calculate that out, um, that would be about half a million to threequarters of a million dollars in extra revenue to the city.

Clum.

Yes. [clears throat] First of all, I'd like to thank Dan Stevens for his input that he put in, the Zuber brothers for the input that you guys put in as business people. Uh, and we did have some meetings, uh, Alderman Shadel and I and and, uh, the city manager and, uh, Gertrude from community development. And we do realize that there's a problem there traffic-wise, but it's a problem that we feel as though can be fixed with some fairly minor stuff, but there will need to be some work done. like the lot in between there. I went out and counted spaces at a certain time just to see and the lot size itself between the two is abundance of room there. There's no ifs, ends, or buts about that. The problem becomes is are the cars entering and the cars leaving and there could be some modifications made like from the car wash which way they go out. Okay. from how traffic is directed into Menards, how the south end of the uh the whole uh the whole development is really not used and is not used properly the way it could. You know, we have one business coming in here, but we instantly found out as we talked, they've got three empty lots out there. That's going to be big problems when somebody does develop and what we need to do. There are tiff funds available to work on that. And I believe also that there are plenty of people that are involved that would be willing to take a look at [laughter] other opportunities for what we can do. You know, we had the same discussion that Dan had was the only difference was Dan said it go to leaner, go someplace else, Greg and I said it go 50 feet out of town someplace, you know. So either

way, we would without a doubt lose it. And it it is a uh quite a does put a quite effect on the amount of money coming in. And it would be a good idea to sit back and determine where that goes to uh because of uh even though the general fund goes to every place in the world. Remember the general fund also pays for all the retirements, pays for all the things that need to be done, pays for the equipment, and pays for all that kind of stuff. So, I think before we instantly say, "Let's put it in this, let's make sure we know what we want to do with it." But I will vote in favor of it, uh, due to the research we've done afterwards and everything

and thank you guys for that. Sers,

yes. I just want to say that I am um very much uh in support of this. I said, but I also look at it with the revenue that's coming in. I know that there's a portion I know it was also um said something about the um law enforcement part they get theirs and I know that there is going to be coming down the pipe pretty soon that we're going to have to get a new police station. So that right there would also help that we don't have to go out to taxpayers asking for more money in that kind of way. But I do think that we need the revenue if we got a door open. let's try to get in it and get what we can and do what we can out of the best money that we get. So, I'm in support of it.

Okay. So, um I I totally agree that you know we need to be thinking about where we want to allocate these monies. Um but that's a whole different topic. So, this is about the special use permit. So, if you want to have further discussions on allocating specific places, let's have that discussion and get that brought forward. So, um Alderman Shadel Yes, thank you. Um I'm not making light of the fact that uh the discussion's been about the tax benefits here,

but on to compound on top of that is going to be the traffic count and how it affects future development. Uh that's the number one source that a business is looking at if they're looking at development. uh is how many people are coming by my front door. And this is going to significantly increase the traffic count for the three empty lots to the south end of that development. And we could uh very much see more development coming specifically from the traffic of this establishment. Alderman Stacy,

you know, when this was first spoke about, you said that there would be 300 to 500 customers per day. Now, today, you're comparing it to a food place with 100 customers an hour. And we're always talking about development, development, development. Truth be told, nobody's coming to Freeport or else they would have already been here. We've been without a family restaurant for years and nothing. So, I don't think you can compare it to a Chipotle and say that there's going to be 100 customers an hour to the dispensary when you already said it's going to be 300 to 500 per day. I don't know what the purpose was for for that to compare the dispensary to Chipotle.

Yeah. The the the purpose of that was to compare that uh this needs a special use. We need the dispensary needs a special use permit. Anything else? It is zoned a restaurant, which means that it's very easy for a restaurant to move in there. um based on the square footage, a Chipotle can usually a Chipotle, a Subway, um the other one that's similar to Chipotle also could fit into that kind of footprint. Um so that is the restaurant that I chose to look in, you know, what is the average um during peak times and that just leads into the traffic discussion from last time into understanding that yes, there is traffic. Yes, this will produce traffic, but it won't produce as much traffic as something else where you have no control over um and it doesn't need a special use and it could move in there tomorrow. Um, so it's just uh just to give a uh analysis of uh you know, you you see this as a traffic issue, but it could be even more of a traffic issue with a different property or a different restaurant moving in.

Thank you, Alderman Sanders. Not only um we're talking about traffic and the and the designation of um how we going to construct uh the the enter and the exits of these uh of this building or pro or this possible development of a building. But we also has to consider the uh the image You got to you got to make sure that the um the development and reconstructing of that area has the image that the community would want to see when even purchasing these types of products. Uh we just don't want to have a parking lot full of cars and the presentation of this building next to my building does not uh uh depreciates my location and that's what that's what this might develop into. And so we have to take those things into consideration. Have we done a have we done a uh an overall uh outlook for such a thing from the community to determine whether or not what we going to how we going to make this place presentable to the community where even the most average person wouldn't mind walking uh coming to this area and looking at this location. When we look at a Walmart and its location and the uh the image of Walmart, it is highly

congested almost throughout the week. Traffic is is uh something that you have to hurdle through in the in the Walmart area or any other area. But when we're talking this many people cars trafficking through this area for this, we're not only just talking about this company, I'm I'm not against it. I'm just thinking about the uh depreciation value of the of the the surrounding area uh when that happens because uh presence uh considered for all of this uh needs to be respectful to the community at large when they're when they're envisioning has an envision of what this location because if you don't have if you don't have the proper curving proper roadway uh proper uh uh marking and uh logos and and and stands and and uh when I'm when I say stands, I mean signs signs where people can say, "Well, I know what we're getting involved in because a lot of people in the community don't don't see this coming yet." and to wake up one day and see a dispensary sitting in my backyard or sitting in my community. I me myself, I want to make sure that it it looks like a normal place, you know, just a big I don't even know what it's going to like. I don't even know what it's going to look like. And uh and I think the people in the city is not going to know exactly what it's going to look like. So, presentation means everything.

Yep. There was a presentation given last um last council meeting where we showed not only the floor plans but the elevations that were given to us by the uh company and it is going to they're not doing much to the exterior. They are putting up a a nice appropriate sign that says Nana. It will look like it does now. Just a just a sign that uh says the name and um it it's they're not doing anything. uh unique with the structure. It it will look just like it does now, just like any restaurant or any business or any office building will have a nice sign um right on it. And that was um included in the packet. And I think that you can uh get to that packet tonight using the hyperlink to see it again if you'd like.

Okay. All right. Anyone else? Madame Clerk, please take the role. Stacy, no. Shadel, hi Sanders, no Sers, hi Clem, hi Johnson, no Simmons. Aler person Simmons, do we are we still connected to you?

Hello. Can you hear me? Yes, we can. Okay. No. Parker, yes. The vote is a tie four to four. Mayor, what say you? I. And the ordinance passes 5 to 4. Item number 12 is the first reading of ordinance 202618. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending section 806.20 regarding non-licensy alcoholic liquor delivery services of the liquor codes. Thank you, Attorney Cox.

Evening everybody. Uh not a terribly exciting one here. Uh we're proposing an amendment um which comes as a suggestion from the liquor commission to section 806.20 of the codified ordinances. This regards lency or non-licensy delivery services of liquor. Um we had previously provided as as part of best practices uh coming out of COVID there was expected to be um a need for liquor delivery or demand for that. Um best practice at the time suggested that we enact some regulations around that so we could um just prevent a free-for-all I guess. So we enacted those regulations. We have had exactly zero applications for those licenses thus far. Um and uh recently uh the Illinois Liquor Control Act was amended so that this the um the the state has preempted local permitting um of these types of services probably for the u the purpose of uh promoting GrubHub um Door Dash those sorts of sorts of things. So the state has reserved unto itself the sole authority to license these sorts of things and taken that authority away from us. We've So what we're suggesting is that the ordinance not be completely deleted but simply reserve to the local authority the ability to ensure that um our licences or people operating within the city are complying with state statute. So there's no permit required anymore. There's no specific regulations that are unique to Freeport. But if Freeport code enforcement law enforcement needs to utilize the um the state statute, they can select whether they want to enforce under the ordinance or the statute just like most of our criminal code um provisions which have adopted the the u the state ordinances or the state statutes.

Uh is there a motion to move this ordinance forward to the next meeting? So move second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the ordinance. Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] Item number 13 is the first reading of ordinance 202619. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending part 4, traffic code, title 8, parking, chapter 480, parking generally, section 480.24D, regarding disabled persons and veteran parking designations. The spot we're looking at tonight is 520 South Harlem Avenue. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Thank you, your honor. Let me turn that on. Um, as we do from time to time receive requests for uh disabled parking or ADA parking stalls at various locations. This one is at 520 South Harlem. Um, the tenant is is has requested the ADA parking stall and staff is uh recommending moving forward with this as well as a suspension of the rules so we can get this uh getting the signage put up right away so that we can make sure that uh this is taken care of rapidly. So, is there a motion to move this forward? So, second a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the ordinance. Motion to suspend the rules.

Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sers to suspend the rules. Suspension of the rules is non-debate. Must must pass by two/3s majority. Madam clerk, would you please take the role on the suspension only? Stacy, excuse me. I Shadel, I Sanders, I Sers, I Clem. I Johnson. I Simmons

Kurt. Have we lost her? I think we might have. Um, we'll skip her for now. Parker, hi. We'll give it one second here. It passed. Should we Should we skip it? There will be no vote. Um, we only needed six. We got 7 to zero on the suspension. So then before you is the final uh passage for ordinance 202619. Alderman Shadel,

I just want to add that this section of Harlem Avenue is parking only on one side of the street and the houses are kind of tight together and parking is at a premium. Um, and in this person's case, they're not going to be able to make the trek from four or five doors down. Um, and it just makes nothing but sense to give them a chance to park in front of their house. Anyone else? Madam clerk, please take the role. Uh, Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, not yet. absent at the moment. Parker,

I um the ordinance still passes seven to zero. Item number 14 is the first reading of ordinance 202620. Could you please read this? Supplemental appropriation ordinance for fiscal year uh 2026 for use of reserve funds for city's 20% match on STU funded road improvements. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. Um last I guess January we were notified by IDOT that they were going to move forward with several uh STU federal uh route um resurfacing projects. Those projects are Adams Avenue from float to Maine uh South Walnut from Empire to South Lincoln from Locust to West and Stevenson Street Sunset to Locust. Um staff this is obviously not budgeted. There is a match related to this. We're expecting about a $2.5 million uh worth of funding coming through IDOT, but staff needs approxim uh needs an a million dollar authorization to uh cover the match with uh local funds so that we can get these projects um completed. So staff is asking for suspension of the rules as construction season is um it's warming up every day. We'd like to have this done and taken care of so we can move forward with these uh reconstructs. And so staff is asking uh for um appropriation of a million dollars uh for the STU fund match.

So thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Stacy. Yes. Where will this million dollar match come from? Uh it will come from the general fund reserve. Anyone else? Alman Parker. Motion to suspend the rules. Second. We have a motion made by Alman Parker, seconded by Alman Shadel to suspend the rules. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by a two-thirds majority. Larry, I'll get get to you after this vote. Um,

well, my whole thing is it was open for discussion first before suspension of the rule. Well, correct. I have to be able to voice the and you you can No, not after the fact. Before the fact. Well, when there's a motion on the floor, we're going to It's non-debatable. So, we're done talking about it. Madam clerk, could you please take the role on the suspension only and then we'll come back to you Sanders. Stacy. Okay. I just have a question. What if his question is pertaining to the suspension? It can't. It's a non-debatable thing. I it's non-debatable.

Okay. First of all, you say it's non-debatable. My whole thing is we have not had a formal discussion which we can do. We have not had a before you can suspend the rule, there should have been a formal discussion [clears throat] so people can educate and learn why such a rule has been placed before them. I mean you get you you're blocking other discussion matters on the subject and that is what's happening and we had to stop that. So a motion had the discussion attorney Zto there was an opportunity but you didn't speak up to say you wanted to speak and then a motion to suspend was made. So sometimes you have to be on the spot with that. That said,

that said, constructive that said, you will still have an opportunity to speak on this after the suspension motion is taken up. There's still an opportunity for discussion on this. Madam clerk, please take the role in the suspension only. Stacy, [snorts]

this is to suspend the rules for the STU funding. Move it to second read. [snorts] Yes. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. Hi. Sers. I. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. Yes. And Parker. Yes. Uh that motion passes 8 to zero. Okay. So now before you is this is the final reading for this which is on the floor. So Alderman Sanders, would you like to have your time to be able to ask your questions.

Well, it's not a question. It's a it's a procedure. That's what it is. on things that we have not discussed as a council to to even debate or make a determination whether it's acceptable between members of the council what we're making decisions on is appropriate for the people of the city of Okay, Alderman Sanders, I got to stop you. That's not what we're talking about now. What's on the floor is the supplemental appropriation ordinance for the SDU. It's not about the order of whether or not it's appropriate to call for suspension. Okay, you're right. What time?

You're right. You're right. I'm sorry. I apologize for that. Thank you. Any discussion on the on these on this ordinance? Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. Plum, I. Johnson, I. Simmons I and Parker I and the ordinance passes 8 to zero and item number 15 is the first reading of ordinance 20 2621 could you please read this

ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 2901e regarding classification plan to add a full-time information techn technology technician Dr. something. Thank you.

The IT department was formed in 2017. Since that time, uh the IT department has rapidly modernized and expanded the technology capabilities of the city of Freeport. This modernization and expansion has also increased the workload um required to maintain these capabilities while still trying to innovate and further increase capabilities. Um, an IET technician position was proposed in the fiscal year 26 budget. It didn't make the cut, but a position was approved for uh nuisance department in community development. Working with the community development director and city manager, we now believe that the desired improvement to the nuisance violation compliance can be achieved through additional IT support and new technologies. Using it as a force multiplier, adding the position of IT technician should al also allow for a similar improvements across most other departments. The funding pos for this position will come through a combination of the budgeted nuisance person as well as water and sewer funds. The water and sewer funds are needed because they will inevitably perform some work on water and sewer software equipment. Um, this ordinance supports efficient government goal of our strategic plan and stack recommends moving it to the second reading.

Thank you, Director Summit. Is there a motion to move this forward? Second. Be a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the ordinance. Suspension of the rules. No, you can't do that. Oh. Oh, if you'd like to. Yeah, that's what I'd like to do. Oh, well, okay. Uh, is there a is there a second to suspend the rules? So move. We have a motion made by Alderman Sanders, seconded by Alderman Clem, right? Mhm. To suspend the rules. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by twothirds majority. Madam clerk, would you please take the role on the suspension? Stacy, no. Shadel, no. Sanders, yes. Sellers, I. Clem, hi.

Johnson, hi. Simmons I and Parker I. And that motion passes uh 6 to2. So now before you is the final passage for ordinance 20 2621. Any further discussion on this ordinance? Alderman Stacy. So am I understanding that this is a position? Yes. And this has been budgeted for this year in the IT account. The IT technician has not. What we're doing is we're swapping a person for nuisance into IT. And I've worked that out with um community development director.

Alderman Sanders. What's what are the qualification for anyone become a uh IT specialist? um and uh and whether or not they produce all of the credentials for for such a position. I don't have the job description in front of me, but it's a lot of your basic entry level is what we're looking for like presumably, but also some credentials or a mix of um college education, work experience, or credentials. Yeah. I I just want I just want to make sure that uh people that we're putting in computer because that's a very sensitive area. Yes.

Very sensitive. And I want to make sure that whoever is qualified carries the certification of an at of an A+ certification has an at a a plus certification before we even began to vet that individual. We don't even want to take time out to vet him before we can produce those kinds of credentials. So, we don't want to waste our time with someone that does not walk with those credentials, especially in our IT department areas. So, I I like to hear what that what that qualification is and whether or not they're meeting all the standards.

I believe we did put in uh like network. Would you like it? I've got a Sure. that help. Believe it was delivered to all the older persons. Yeah, I think everybody has a copy. Everybody? Yeah, I have it, but I have It's not answering my question. Yeah, we put that I'm sorry. Um A+ Network Plus Security Plus certification or equivalent. Okay. So, yeah, we want somebody with some credentials if possible. Okay. Thank you, Alderman Stacy. I don't think you were done answering my question before you were cut off. Sure. Can you remind me? I'm sorry.

I had asked about it being budgeted and you were saying no that you swamped. Yes. The IT tech was not budgeted for this year. A new an additional nuisance person for community development was budgeted. We're going to use the budget for that nuisance person on the IT technician. And we're not going to need this nuisance later in the year. You're not going to come back and be like, "Oh, well, we need that money back."

No, I I'm not coming back to you. Um it the budget was already started be like budget process was already started before I started. Um I started in October. Budget season was already well on our way. Um I have two incredible team members who do the job of more than two people. Um, and they do such a great job and they're so diligent and on top of things that I don't need another one. Um, we've actually seen a lot of success using technology such as emailing um, you know, specifically landlords because we have their emails available um, with uh, rent registration. and we've seen a a very huge increase in compliance by emailing the landlords instead of waiting for the mail to reach them of a situation in one of their properties. So, with that, I'd like to continue looking into those uh types of changes and and just incorporating technology and and modernization of um of the department um before I introduce another team member anytime in the future. Thank you for the advancement of those funds and for opening the door for technology.

Alderman Sanders, can I speak again? Well, technically you did twice, but if you can keep it short. Yeah. I just wanted to know are we entering into the field of uh AI? Are we are we setting up? Well, well, but Sanders has nothing to do with this. I know, but my So, if you want to ask her afterwards, you more than welcome. Yeah. All right. Anyone else? I just wanted to know. Madam clerk, please take the role. Yeah. Uh Stacy, I Shadel, hi. Sanders, um that's debatable. Answer the question. Um can I argue with you first, [clears throat] sister?

No, you can answer I or no. Oh, I can move on if you need more time. Okay. Yeah, come back to me. Sellers. I Clem. Hi, Johnson. I Simmons who we'll give her one more minute too. Parker I back to Sanders. Okay. I agree with Parker and Simmons. Our technology director's double dutying here.

Alder person Simmons, can you hear me? I'm going to mark her absent on this one. It passes 7 to zero. Okay. Item number 16 is the first reading of ordinance 202622. [cough] Please read this. Ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 2901D1 regarding classification plan to add a full-time freedom of information act officer.

Thank you Chief Roso. Good evening everyone. Um we have had an influx of FOYA requests um as of January of this year and right now my officers are the ones that are answering the FOYAS which are is not their in their duties and responsibilities to do. So therefore having um providing an administrative support for our FOYA requests because they have gone up as of year to date from January 1st to April 3rd 173 requests.

Wow. And therefore the integrity investigation in accordance to state law should protect the privacy of these foyas and I don't have the the clerk for that position. So adding this position will actually help um in order for those requests and have my officers and my sergeants and my corp roles to do their job as what they were sworn in to do.

Uh attorney Zto. Um so before we uh anyone makes a motion to move this forward uh there uh the draft of the ordinance that you have in your um binders there there was a blank because at at the time that we submitted for the packets we didn't know what the class grade was going to be for this position. Uh we have since learned that that's going to be a class grade 12. So ultimately, if someone's going to make a motion to move this forward, I would ask that they make the motion off to move it forward with the addition that this would be a class grade 12 position. I make we move it forward with a class grade 12. I [clears throat] second.

Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sanders or I'm sorry, Sers. All those in Oh, I'm My goodness. Discussion on the ordinance. Yeah. Alman Park. Motion to suspend the rules. Oh. Oh, he gets the first time. Would you like to second it? No, I just wanted to go first suspending anything before anything got suspended. Is there a second? I think you may have that unfair. We have a motion made by Alman Parker, seconded by Alderman Sers for suspension of the rules. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by a two-thirds majority. Madam clerk, please take the role on the suspension only. Stacy, no. Shadel, hi. Sanders, no. Sellers, hi.

Clem, hi. Johnson, hi. Simmons, no. And Parker, hi. That fails. One, two, three, four, five to three. We needed six for that. So, you can call the mayor because half the council's voted in favor of it. So, Oh, thank you, Attorney. Mayor, what say you? I then that that passes then six to three. Okay. So now any further discussion on the ordinance? I've heard enough that's before you. I've heard enough. I've heard enough. You don't have the floor. No, I don't.

I just like to say to remind any council member here of the decorum in regards to the rules of 220.10 section 24 enforcement of decorum. Please who who talking? Chief Frto of the police department. Is talking. That's what I want to know. Who gave you You don't have the you don't have the floor. Alderman S. She didn't have the floor neither. So my point is is what would you like to be a little more clear with what you're saying, Chief Roso? Um I'm Do I have the floor now? Sure.

Okay. Thank you, ma'am. I'm just trying to remind um everyone here in council of the rules of council of 220.10 10 enforcement of the decorum of section 24 in order for us to have a a clean valid conversation as to what we're here for in order to understand each other's points. You don't make that and order and in order for all of us to have a good dialogue and conversation. It is just a reminder of those rules of conduct. An opinion too, but you don't run. Alderman Sanders, if this is your warning, if you continue to be disruptive, you will be out of order. Please don't go to that. Okay. Thank you. But I do need to state my case.

If it has something to do with this ordinance for the foyer officer. Yes. Her her her uh comment that she made. That's not on the floor. That's not on the floor. No, it's not on the floor. What's on the floor before you is the full-time FOYA officer. So, do you have something you'd like to add? No, she was talking about the courtroom. Mayor, she was talking about the corroom. [clears throat] The police chief under our ordinances is the sergeant in arms and she is charged with keeping the quorum here. Ultimately enforcing it. So that's why she was just making a comment. Our city ordinances say that based on what? Our city ordinance. But why would she bring it up based on what though? She has it's a reminder.

She has to be clarifying on what? She made her comments and that's it. She doesn't Okay. She made her comments. That's it. All right. So the topic that is on the floor right now is this ordinance. You know, so any further discussion on this ordinance? Yes. Alderman Sanders?

I I don't think uh we should have a department that is uh hoarding all of the foyers that are and complaints that people are making throughout the community. I don't think it should come to a central location where uh you have a Pam Bundy taking over and deciding what gets admitted or said or submitted to the community to have clarity of knowledge of what foyers are going forward and people are understanding what foyers that complaints that has been made if it's held by an individual department area. They have they have discretion on what foyers go forth

through the community or acknowledge through the public. They have that discretion and I don't think we as council should be allowing a department to receive all four years and administer and disperse them out to the general public at their discretion because the council is not being acknowledged of all of the foyers that are will that will come in. Not even in some cases even in our own clerk office. We are not receiving all of the foyer complaints about it, but if we allow the police department to to handle our foyers at their discretion, we might as well be setting up another uh situation with the uh attorney general's office that is going on.

You're you're really confusing this. No, I'm not. I'm I'm getting trying to get my point is but it's not accurate. Alderman foyers are not to be the madam clerk could you please shed some light on foyer.

So our next agenda item I'm also asking for a foyer clerk. Historically PD has processed those that relate to PD. Fire has their own FOYA officer. Sometimes they've had two. Um the library has their own. I will retain my own. This is and do you want to take over from here for clarifying? This is removing a lieutenant from processing foyers and having more of a records clerk position process foyers. Please correct me if that's not correct. You are correct. Okay.

Okay. Uh so, uh Alderman Stacy, did you have something? Yes. Where would the funding come from for such a position, Chief? Um, the funding position will come from the police department budget within the general fund.

If there's no further discussion, there are funds. Madam clerk, please take the role on ordinance 202622. Stacy, I thought this was the first reading. Uh, we had a suspension of the rules. No. Shadel, hi Sanders. No. Sellers. Hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. No. And Parker. I. The ordinance passes 5 to three.

And item number 17 is the first reading of ordinance 2026 23. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01D3 regarding classification plan to add part-time deputy clerk/freedom of information act or foyer clerk. Thank you manager.

Um thank you your honor and uh asy mentioned this is a part-time FOYA clerk to deal with the increasing volume of foyas coming into her office. I'm just going to kind of go through the memo here uh fairly uh um thoroughly here. So, since 27 I'm sorry, 2017, the clerk's office has operated with one full-time elected city clerk and one full-time appointed deputy city clerk. Since 2017 and the formation of the city manager form of government, the clerk's office has taken on additional duties and the number of existing duties has increased in volume. Additionally, duties include tracking contracts agreements with monthly review with the city manager. Uh from the time of an in-house attorney uh stopped tracking these agreements back in 2015 and until 2019, uh this was not done until Duby began maintaining the contract spreadsheet. Uh it was not currently being it was not being reviewed during that duration. In 2019, there were 40 contracts uh that the in-house attorney had been tracking on a spreadsheet. As of March 2026, there are now 215 active contracts being maintained and tracked by the city clerk, of which six-month window is reviewed uh monthly with the city manager. There are 200 closed contracts listed in the spreadsheet awaiting approval for or disapproval through the records retention process by the Illinois State's archive. Two additional duties which did not exist in the clerk's office in 2017 are maintenance and filing of hanger leases and attendance and typing of minutes at the finance committee of the whole meetings. An example of an increase in volume of work since 2017 is the diligence expended by the deputy clerk in obtaining uh signatures on contracts approved by resolution. Uh a contract cannot be proven valid if unsigned. Therefore, the deputy clerk works extensively with repeated reminders to obtain signatures prior to filing resolutions. Historically, not all

contracts were signed when filed with a resolution. The increase in resolutions has in turn increased the time required in uh processing agreements, including obtaining signatures. The number of resolutions has increased from 60 in 2019 to 159 in 2025 uh which is 165% increase. Some tasks have been uh put on hold such as keeping certificates of insurance up to date. Some tasks are delayed by years such as typing close session minutes which is uh 5 years behind and some tasks are beginning to become delayed such as minutes not being available at the next council committee of the whole meeting. miscellaneous licenses issued late and foyer directory uh posted to website only annually instead of the scheduled quarterly updates. Uh in the planning uh the fiscal year 2026 budget a third part-time deputy clerk was proposed but did not make it to the final budget. Uh citywide the number of employees has increased from 172 to in 2017 to 188 in 2025. We've added an information technology department. Additional staff and departments generate more resolutions, more contracts, more vehicles, more equipment, gear, more filing, which citywide staff numbers have grown by uh 16 and a half people in the past nine years. The clerk's office has held steady at two people. Council approved the additional um of software for processing licenses in 26 and staff are currently working with IWorks representatives to get the software functional. Liquor licenses will be the first type of license processed online within the next month with the addition of other miscellaneous licenses in March of 2027. Online processing will hopefully be more expedient than paper processing and bring some relief to the overall clerk's workload once applicants are familiar with the new procedure. In

addition to the above workload, freedom of information acts have recently and rapidly increased across all departments as well as across the state. In the clerk's office alone, a total of 213 foyer requests were processed in 2025, which is a 30% increase over 2024, a 122% increase over 2021. And there have been a couple of state statute uh changes in the foye laws which benefit municipalities, but there is no significant relief in sight for the future. The addition of a park part-time uh deputy clerk foyer clerk would greatly benefit the current workload on the city clerk's office. Additional staff will help the clerk's office maintain the statutory requirements of the freedom of information act as well as open meetings act. Without additional staffing, compliance with FOYA and OMA will be the main focus to reduce liability exposure to the city. Without the addition of the deputy clerk, city I'm sorry, deputy city clerk, foyer clerk, services currently provided to city council members, co-workers, and applicants will need to be reduced or modified. Funding for the part-time deputy clerk foyer clerk position uh for the remainder of 2026 will come from the fiscal year 2025 fund reserve with the position incorporated into the 2027 budget. Staff recommends approval of this position and has at requested suspension of the rules on this.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? So second motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Sers. Um to me, I look at it as a good thing um because it's part-time and um we are growing as a community and we have more things going on and they need the help. So, um I am in support of it and I think it's a a good thing to help out and get things right.

I'd just like to make a comment. [clears throat] If anybody doesn't think of this, we need this position. Take a look at Dixon. prime example. Number of contracts have increased how much, but you're in charge of to to close and everything else. It's been a needed thing for a while. I I'm for it. Alderman Johnson,

I know the city clerk uh has a multitude of duties and I was just kind of wondering with the FOYAS, I know that different ones take different amounts of times, you know, time to complete. um about how much time do you think it would take for one that's not as complicated and how much time would it take for one that is complicated just to give a ballpark figure about how many hours you put into doing like say one foyer

um for some pretty complicated ones where I have to dig pretty deep and do a pretty detailed breakdown I I've already spent eight hours I've clocked you know I've kept track and spent eight hours on one complicated foya I would say a typical one that goes to um community development. I I would say um probably probably our most common is code violations to a single property is probably the most common and probably between my time and actually Jabria processes most of those. Okay. Um, but by the time she shares it and Gertrude's department processes, it may be a total of 4 hours a across the two departments. If redactions are needed, that takes a little bit longer. We log them. We we track them. That in itself takes time. Did you want to add to that? Yeah, I think the the ones that we get are usually if they're related to fines or adjudicated cases, we have to go and search for all the leans. Um, and we do our due diligence to make sure that we find them all. Sometimes it it is a uh, you know, anything that was prior to uh, a new systems or a new technology, we have to go back and look a little bit further. So yeah, I think about four sometimes, you know, if if we have to look further back, maybe add a couple extra hours to look through the paper copies in our storage and go upstairs and find them. So yeah, thank you.

Parker motion to suspend the rules. Second, is that Shadel? We have a motion made by Alderman Parker for suspension of the rules, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable. Madam clerk, please take the role in the suspension only. Stacy, no. Shadel, I. We'll wait a second for older person Sanders. Sellers, I. Clem, hi. Johnson, I Simmons, no. Parker, I. One, two, three, four, five. We're currently five to two.

Half the council is voting in favor. So that triggers the mayor being Okay. Mayor, what say you? I we have our six votes to two. The suspension passes. So then before you council is the final passage for this ordinance. Any further discussion? Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, no. Shadel, I. Sanders, oh, I'm so sorry. He's absent at the moment. Sellers, I. Clem, hi. Johnson, hi. Simmons no. And Parker I. One, two, three, four, five in favor. Five to two. That is enough for to pass the ordinance. Thank you.

And thank you very much. Item number 18 is the first reading of ordinance 2026 24. Could you please read this? Ordinance annexing well number 12 property to the city of Freeport, Stevenson County. Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh, thank you, your honor. As uh everyone knows, we've been working very diligently on uh uh gaining new source water and treatment capacity. Uh the location for well 12 was uh chosen from uh a study that was done on the aquifer quality. Uh this location at Forest Road and the South Park entrance uh was uh purchased um about a year ago and uh we need to annex this into the city at this point. So, uh, staff, uh, requests moving forward with the annexation of, well, I'm not going to read the partial number because it's fairly lengthy, but if you want to read it, it's in your memo. Um, kindly, uh, staff request annexing this into the city. Motion to approve. Second.

A motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Shadel, is there any need? There's no note on here for request a suspension. Is there any need? Okay. Thank you. [cough] There's a lot of dirt moving there. I I'm okay with the suspension. No, we can't we cannot suspend. Oh, we can't. We There is a We have to follow. So, we we can't suspend because we have to have a public hearing on planning commission. Very good. Gotcha. Thank you. You are so right. Yes. I stand corrected.

Everybody just wanted to speak. No further discussion. We'll move on to item number 19, which is the first reading of ordinance 202625. Could you please read this ordinance approving the city to enter into a second addendum to lease agreement with Derek Squires for airplane hanger G at Alberta airport. Thank you, manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh Derek Squires operates a uh maintenance facility in the uh uh terminal hangar G. Uh he has recently approached the city about uh allowing us to use the entire uh facility. Currently his lease states that he can only use half of it. Uh staff agrees and request city's council on uh providing the other half of the hanger at an increased rent of $2,000 per month. Motion to approve.

Second. Have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers to move ordinance 2026 25 onto the next scheduled meeting. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman [snorts] Stacy. Um, if I'm not mistaken, I thought there was a square footage amount determined on the cost of a hanger. This hanger G G is 80 by 100 and a hanger of this size at least is worth 4,000 per month.

Where you getting those figures from?

And so why is it only being built for 2,000? Why is it that the city is paying for gas and electric when the most electric we use is letting up the garage door to take out the equipment and to put it back in? Why are the taxpayers paying their utilities? They're being squires. Um where after April 1st do the equipment where will it be put? Why not remain in the hanger as it was in the past? Uh I don't have an answer for every single one of those because I didn't write them all down. However, I will say that uh in June uh June of 2024, we approved this uh hanger lease uh with uh uh with Mr. Squire's um for $1,000, and he is uh faithfully used and abided by the terms of the lease. His business is getting larger, and we'd uh like the opportunity to extend that and double his square footage for $2,000. So um staff yes it is true that uh the city does pay for utilities. However uh that is uh no different than it's been when we had the other you know operation second gener aviation was operating out of this hanger. Um and in terms of the equipment I think uh Mr. Squires has also been so generous to allow us to keep the uh equipment out there in that hanger. So um I would recommend city or uh council move forward with this uh with this lease. Alderman Parker.

Motion to suspend the rules. Second. Sick of this. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman What's going on? You okay, ma'am? If you're going to be disruptive, that'll be your warning. Let's be Let's be professional. Yeah, let's be professional. That's your warning. If it happens again, you're going to be uh escorted. So, please don't do it again. Do we have a motion ba made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadel for suspension of the rules? Madame clerk, please take the role on the suspension only. Stacy, no. Shadel, I. Sanders, no. Sers, hi. Clem, hi. Johnson, hi.

Simmons. Alder person Simmons, can you hear me? Um, we can go back to her if we need to. Parker, I One, [snorts] two, three, four. It's 5 to two. Mayor. Okay. I, Mayor, what is your vote? I

I that is now 6 to2 and the suspension passes. So now before you is for the passage for this ordinance discussion on this hangar ordinance. Alderman Stacy. Yes. My questions were not even answered.

I think he told you he he answered them to the best of his ability because he didn't write them all down. You had an entire page. You're more than welcome to pick up the phone and ask these questions. Why, if our equipment is not staying in that hanger, are we paying for the gas and the electric? Why? Manager [clears throat] Boyer, I I believe Mr. Squires has offered us the opportunity to leave our equipment in the hanger. So, but you just said he needed more room. Yes. And that it would be put out.

Yes. Our equipment does not take the entire half of the hanger. our our equipment only takes a small amount of the hand. Okay. So 5050 then why are we paying for all the electric and all the gas. That is the taxpayers dollars. Okay. We have set this up. We're working with our utility partners to get that down just like we did at the library. However, um essentially we just need to make sure that in the winter time our equipment is is warm and able to run. And I don't think it's fair, Mayor Miller, for my questions to be looked over because I didn't take time to call city manager Ber and get an answer before this meeting.

He He didn't overlook you. Alderman Parker put his hand up and I called on him like I would have anyone else. And he answered what he wanted to answer and what he didn't want to answer, he didn't. So yes. Yes. I'm a little upset about that. I'm a little upset being put off like my questions don't matter. They do matter just like the next person. They do. Any other discussion on the ordinance? Madame clerk, please take the role. Stacy, no. Shadel, I Sanders, no. Sellers, hi. Clem, hi. Johnson, hi. Simmons, no. Parker,

hi. The uh ordinance passes 5 to three. And item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 202640. Could you please read this resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement with Freeport Park District for reimbursement of $140,000 in paving costs for Gladewood Drive. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh as we were working uh the construction plans for Gladewood uh this year, uh we were approached by the park district that they would like while we have our equipment and uh and our paving machine out there, they'd like us to uh look at repaving the section from Gladewood to uh Woodside Drive. Uh so we uh our estimates came up at about 140,000 and uh the park district uh appears amendable to this at this time. Uh so staff recommends moving forward with the intergovernmental agreement with the park district for the amount of $140,000 to repay from Gladewood to Woodside Drive in the park. Is there a motion to adopt? So move.

Motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion on the resolution. Yeah. Alderman Sanders. Question. Um, we're talking about a reimbursement of of uh what exactly? Uh, that would be uh site prep, uh, material removal, um, base repair, um, installation of base material and paving. So, who's requesting for this reimbursement? Is it the city? Yes, there's there's a map included with your uh packet if you want.

No, I I I I just wanted to hear you talk right now because I'm just wondering uh uh uh city warrior uh when you when you talk in reference to staff, [snorts] who are these people that you're referring to? Uh I I'm requesting it. No, who is the staff? you always make a reference to staff. Who is staff? Uh in the context of the recommendation is me as city staff in combination with our

So is why can't you just say uh city boy as opposed to staff? Because when you say staff, you you sound like you talking about a uh collective of people uh making the uh want to move on on these things. It's not it's not the staff. I'm like I like to know who staff is. I like to know who these people are. If it's not council, then who is staff? And if you running by certain titles, if you have two titles where you're the city manager and staff, I like to know that. That's what that's that's what I'm getting at. You're using that phrase staff constantly all the time to push it to push an agenda. I I am your staff. Okay.

Okay. staff is me and all of our folks that are working for the city that worked on this project making a unanimous recommendation that we move forward with this. Okay. Attorney Z, did you have something else? Nope. That's exactly what I was going to say. That staff, city staff is basically comprised of the city manager and then every department head and employee that works for the city. That is city staff.

I understand that much. But my point is, and I don't like your uh I don't like uh your description of that. So you make your comments, I make mines, because staff means that a collective of people came together, especially when you make it plural. When you make the term uh staff plural, it's not just one individual. It's a collective of people. And so that's all I wanted to get an understanding on. I wanted to make sure that I'm hearing this right because that's all that I see that that I hear that's pushing agendas and staff staff wants to move forward. Staff wants to do this that the other and we're sitting here saying, "Well, staff is making the decisions on whether or not we move forward or not." That's all I'm trying to get clarity on. And we just can't we we just don't rely on staff if council has not gotten has not even gotten together and talk about what council decide to move forward. That's all I'm just saying. I'm I'm just putting that out there. Sta council has not decided whether we should move forward. But you know that's manager just me.

Um Alderman Sanders I just want to mention that uh we had a meeting scheduled for March 26th where we could have discussed all this. Yeah. Well, you know, probably true. Yes. I want to know if 140,000 it's going to complete this entire project or if there's things hidden that's not covered in this 140,000.

I'll answer that. The answer is yes. Yes. What? 140,000 will cover the total cost of this project as proposed. Any other discussion on the resolution? Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders. Hi. Sellers. I. Plum. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. I'm going to mark her as absent. We just we've lost communication. Absent. Oh, what' you say? Say that again, please. Alder person Simmons. Yes.

Yes. Thank you, Parker. I. And the resolution is adopted. 8 to zero. Madam clerk, can you come up here just for a second? Do you need my notes or anything?

[clears throat] five to three. Yes, that is a lease. Yes, it's not 50% is it when we do leases? Okay. Okay. You just want me uh well, we just the attorney caught a what? I missed it. So, uh Mayor, if we could go back to agenda item number 19, which is the lease that we just talked about, ordinance 2026 25. Yes, madame clerk.

Uh there. So, that one um it was my mistake. There was a vote taken. It was 5 to three. uh there I should have asked uh that triggers the mayor uh calling just like on the other ones there anytime half the council votes in favor of something then the mayor is allowed to vote on on it there in this particular case because uh a supermajority vote of three forces needed to approve leases this would trigger the mayor needing to cast a vote uh so back to number 19 hanger lease mayor what is your vote I [clears throat] so we have a total of six to three which fulfills the super majority. Thank you. Attorney item number 21 is adoption of resolution 202641. Could you please read this?

Resolution approving an agreement with fair Graham to provide construction engineering services related to the 2026 streets project. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. And I just wanted to mention that with 7 and a half or 7 7.2 miles of reconstructs this season, a good part of that is going to require water main replacement. Um so fair Graham has submitted a uh proposal to that effect. Uh Fair Graham uh designed permitted and bid the water main replacements along with the street reconstructions for Demiter, Benton, Concord and North Stewart. These four residential areas have experienced numerous water mane breaks in recent years necessitating full replacement of the aged spuncast water mane similar to our situation this morning. Uh streets will be reconstructed with the roadway paving. So this is for design engineering of water mane replacement. Um this uh pro uh this agreement is for professional engineering services including construction engineering staking and full project management in the amount of $349,885 and that also would include the QAQC material testing services that are a third party as uh time and material and as needed only. and construction engineering um was part of this in the 2025 uh I'm sorry the 2026 budget. So uh staff recommends moving forward with the agreement with fair for uh water main uh street reconstruction engineering services.

So move second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sered by Alderman Clem for the adoption of resolution 202641. Are you good? I'm good. Sorry. So, discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders.

Yeah. Uh, manager Ber, um, I'm in favor to what uh the recommendation is on this uh this water these waterline replacements. Are we uh codified with the uh proper um scheduling of the of the material that we're in intending to replace it with? Um I think I understand what you mean to what? Yes. I mean we we are using the appropriate material for the construction. Okay. Yeah, that's all I wanted to know cuz I I don't want us to experience those water breaks like they did before.

Yeah. Any other discussion on the resolution? Madam clerk, please take the role. Could I have the first and second again, please? Sorry. Uh, that would have been Sers and Clem. Thank you. Stacy, I. Shadel, I Sanders. Hi, Sers. Hi, Clem. Hi, Johnson. I Simmons, I and Parker, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 22 is the adoption of resolution 202642. Could you please read this resolution approving an agreement with fair Graham to provide construction engineering services related to the 2026 2026 street projects.

Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you your honor. And very similar to the uh the last uh item, we have a f this will be the year two of our five-year plan and that includes the streets previously mentioned. Uh we also are coming and asking for street project construction engineering services for the 2026 uh street re reconstruction plan. Um as we normally do these uh contracts have been extremely valuable in terms of ensuring that what we're paying for is done correctly. It's done at the proper specification and we're we are uh taking care of all the items along the way that need to be dealt with. And that is in large part due to the oversight and uh the engineering services provided by fair during the construction season. So city uh staff recommends moving forward with this agreement with fair Graham with two for $265,000 for construction engineering contract through this construction season.

Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders, what construction company's going to participate in this event? It's further down your on your agenda. Say it again. It's further down on your agenda. Those are the construction companies. You'll be approving them soon. I I happy to answer. Uh Fisers uh got the first package, Helm got the second package, and Fischers got the third package. Oh, okay. Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, [snorts] I. Sanders,

I. Sellers, I. Plum, I Johnson. I Simmons. I thank you and Parker. Hi. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 23 is the adoption of resolution 202643. Could you please read this resolution ratifying emergency repairs of hot mix asphalt paver by Altea Cat? Manager Ber.

Uh thank you your honor. Um, every year we send the PA back to be uh gone through by the the manufacturer uh rep and then whatever repairs need to be made are made. Uh, this year when the uh PA was returned uh they had requested that we bring it back uh later in the season and it got so late that were we brought it back here at the very tail end of winter. Um, and then of course we were we were informed that there was about $16,467 worth of repairs that the PA needed. So, uh, the staff is requesting you to ratify this this, uh, um, resolution so that we can go ahead and get that paver back in time for street uh, construction season. Is there a motion to adopt?

So, second motion made by Alderman Sers. No. Oh, I'm sorry. Made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Shadel. Yeah. Discussion on the resolution. Yes. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Um, manager Boyer, how long have we had this paper? I believe we purchased it in 2022. That's okay. So, it had not had an upgrade, not an upgrade, but a evaluation since then. No, it's been back every year. usually cost $5,000

just for an evaluation at this they they do an evaluation and tuneup. Oh, and and the thing is they are this is every projection of every year that they do this. Well, as the equipment gets older, I'm guessing we're going to have more and more, you know, bills associated with uh making it ready for the next season. However, um you know, as far as pavers are concerned, it's fairly minor um you know, maintenance uh cost associated even at 16,000. Um yeah, the PA I think new was around 300,000. So, okay. Thank you.

Any further discussion? Madame clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I Shadel, I Sanders, I Sers, I. Clem. Hi. Johnson I Simmons I and Parker I the resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item 24 is adoption of resolution 202644. Could you please read this resolution approving agreement and plans and specifications as appro as approved by state of Illinois ID doat for a joint citystate milling and resurfacing project on FAP route 5241 which is south street. Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you your honor. So for about a year we've been planning on the reconstruction of South Street from or the repaving of South Street from Galina to Locust. This will be primarily led by state ID do district 2 and we're very fortunate to be part of a pilot program that would uh get that unmarked um state route re resurfaced. uh they have come to us here in within the last weeks and uh requested they need a 22,943,000 I'm sorry uh 22,943 uh match for the $5,750,000 they plan to invest in this community. Uh staff requests that uh council approve this uh appropriation of 22,943 for the city's um uh match with uh state district 2.

Is there a motion to adopt? So second a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Madam clerk, please. This is actually approving the plans. The next one is the match. I know. I think you're ahead. I'm sorry about that. You are correct. Okay. Um yeah, staff request moving forward with the project with a plan set. Thank you. Madam clerk, could you please take the role? Stacy. Okay. So, are we on the right one? U we are. You I'll be asking for the 20. This is not what [clears throat] it

should I read item 25 into the record. So, what manager Ber explained was appropriating and allocating matching funds to Illinois Department of Transportation Street project on FAP Route 5241 South Street. This is appropriating the funds for it. Okay. So, can I get a motion to adopt resolution 20264? Second. Okay. Alderman Sers, was that you? Mhm. Do we have a second? Yeah. Alderman Shadel. and discussion on what was just presented. [snorts] Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I Sanders.

Hi. Sers. Hi. Clem. Hi. Johnson. Hi. Simmons. Hi. And Parker. Hi. Resolution 202647 is adopted 8 to zero. Okay. So then let's go back to 202644. Do we still have the motion on the floor? Redo it. Okay. Madam clerk, could you please read that for the record? I think we are way off here. Resolution approving agreement and plans and specifications as proposed by the state of Illinois ID do for a joint city-state milling and resurfacing project on FAP Route 5241 South Street. And words, you have something else to add on that.

I have nothing more to add. This is just the agreement uh with uh District 2 moving forward. Do we have a motion to adopt? So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sers, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the resolution. Alman Clem. Yeah. I'd just like to say that uh you know this is a road that's been in the offing for a long period of time, but I really got to congratulate the team of whoever all was involved to the picking this up and getting the job done. Uh, you know, it's always been a going to be we're, you know, so it's it's a nice thing to have happen. Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I Shadel,

I Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons. I said I. I don't know if you heard me. And Parker, I. The resolution is adopted. 8 to zero. It it must be item number 26 is the adoption of resolution 202645. Could you please read this resolution approving an opportunity zone grant agreement between um the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development and the city of Freeport regarding sewer lining project? Manager Ber.

Uh thank you your honor. Uh fair submitted a uh de DCEO uh reimbursement grant for utility sewer lining. Uh the city's been investing nearly 500,000 a year in our sewer lining program which is uh required by EPA SEOM. That's a basically a infiltration uh requirement. The city was uh recently awarded $100,000 reimbursement for a successful project completed in 2025 by hair construction and city staff are requesting city council approve a resolution to accept the funds uh from de uh DCEO uh grant funds for um accounting and transparency purposes. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt?

So move second. Motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Madame clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. And Parker, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. And item 27 is the adoption of resolution 202646. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of a sanitary sewer lateral camera and locator from Ferguson Waterworks. Thank you, Manager Warrior.

Uh thank you, your honor. This is kind of a specialized piece of equipment. Um our old one was, I believe, from 1988. So, uh it uh failed recently and we no longer have a camera that we can put into a sewer lateral and do uh checks uh where people's sewer um connections uh connect into the uh collection system. So, we have received a quote uh from Rigid uh a u m I'm sorry, a camera by Rigid commercial products and this is uh through um uh through our normal uh utility distributor uh for a price of $21,398.98 there. Ferguson Waterworks is the supplier and city staff uh request um moving forward with this purchase of this uh uh small camera for sewer laterals.

Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Sec. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders. Oh, yeah. Manage your board. Um, that is pretty old. Since 19 what? 88. 88. That is pretty old. Um, does that come with the vehicle? equipped with the vehicle itself. This is just the camera that attaches to the recording equipment. So, it's okay. So, the

it's a small high-res color camera that goes into the sewer um laterals or services from people's homes, but you know, our larger one is to do that. So, how what how old is the van itself? I mean, the the vehicle itself, I mean, is it going to be able to withstand the uh the longevity of the camera? Well, the the you're getting two things going on here. One is the sewer lateral camera is just a small standalone piece of equipment. [clears throat] The van is the the sewer camera truck. And so that's that's all still there and we use it all the time. Okay. I'm just wondering what the condition of it was.

Yeah. Uh it's in serviceable condition. Serviceable. Okay. Right. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy I. Shadel. I. Sanders I Sers I Clem I Johnson I Simmons I and Parker I the resolution is adopted 8 to zero item 28 is approval of the bid could you please read bid opening on March 17th 2026 for street and water main projects for 2026 package B

manager Ber uh thank you honor uh the city uh has uh posted a bid for our street reconstru construction program for package B. Uh we received three local bid or three bids for the project. Uh Fiser Excavating of Freeport was the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of 1,64,723.40. I believe the other biders and Darren, correct me if I'm wrong. Obviously Helm bid on this one and who else bid on this? Kelsey Xav,

right? Kelsey. Okay. Uh there was a request and we need to incorporate this in the memos uh as we go with the other biders. So, uh, the essentially staff is recommending, uh, approving this bid with Fisher Excavating for the amount of 1,64,72340. Is there a motion to approve? Some move city manager. Yeah, the the biders are always attached on the certified bid, too. Yes, but there was a request to put it on the memo.

Oh, we have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the bid. Alderman Sanders. Well, I I it's not the bid that I that I'm concerned about. I'm concerned about not knowing what it is that we're excavating. And I I I obviously I don't have the detailed information on the excavation part of it that justifies 1 million, whatever uh dollars it is. Someone Darren, would you go over package B for us?

Yes, it's in the memo. West Dewey Street, uh, South Carol, Persing, Gladewood, and Seol are in that package. It's all street, street, um, uh, aggregate and pavement removal and then repaving. Okay. Thanks. Anything else? Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I Shadel, I Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. Clem, hi. Johnson, I Simmons, I. and Parker I. That bid is approved 8 to zero. And item 29, another bid. Could you please read

March 24th, 2026, street and water main projects for 2026, package C. Manager Boyer? Yep. Thank you very much. Again, just like package B, uh this one was uh won by Helm Group uh at $614,384.30 30 cents and this includes Concord Drive from Simmeron to Mbury. Um so staff recommends moving forward with the uh the successful bidder of Helm. Is there a motion to approve the bid? So move second. Motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on this bid. Madam clerk. Oh

sh again there was a request for the other biders if we had those available. So again, it was Fischer's home in Kelsey. Thank you, madam clerk. Please take the role. Stacy, I Shadel, I Sanders, hi. Sers, I Clem. Hi, Johnson. Hi, Simmons. Hi. And Parker. Oh, and he is absent. Uh, that passes seven to zero. [snorts] And item number 30, the final bid. Bid opening on March 31st, 2026, street and water main projects for 2026, package A. Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, mayor. It's going to be a very busy construction year. Uh this was uh package A which includes uh Deer, Benton, North Stewart, and also Water Main for those streets. Uh the city received three bids, Fisers, um Kelsey, and Helm. Uh Fisers was the low bid at $2,479,388 and staff recommends moving forward uh with this bid. Is there a motion to approve? So move second. A motion made by Alman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on this approval. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel, I.

Sanders, I. Sellers I Clem I Johnson I Simmons I and Parker I the motion passes 8 to zero and item 31 another bid bid opening on March 31st 2026 MFTt crack ceiling for 2026

manager Ber thank you honor uh every year as we pave roads a year or so later we need to go and do our first maintenance step and route and fill those cracks with a mastic that helps preserve the road and begins it off on the right um the right path in terms of its wear. Um this year we uh solicited bids for uh the crack uh filling process. Uh the winning bidder was Dendler Incorporated. Uh the low bid was $15,777.93 [sighs] and the other biders were um complete asphalt service company and SKC construction. So staff recommends moving forward with uh the Dendler bid for $15,77.93.

Move to approve. Second. Motion made by Clem, seconded by sellers. Uh discussion on the bid. Madam clerk, please take all Miss Stacy. So the city workers will not be doing any of this pavement. It's all going to be done through this company. It It's not paving. It's crack sealing and cracking. And And we never do it. We don't have the equipment for crack sealing. Madam clerk, please take the role. Stacy, I. Shadel,

I Sanders is absent. Sellers, I Clem. Hi, Johnson. I Simmons. [snorts] I thank you, Parker. I the uh motion passes 7 to zero. Reports from department heads finance. Uh nothing this evening. Thank you. Community development. Nothing this evening. Thank you.

Thank you. Public works. Uh just a couple project updates quickly. Um lift station projects um are underway. Generators um are being set. Uh you'll see that happening shortly. Uh automatic transfer switches, electrical will be changed. The MCC cabinets are in a a delay from the manufacturer, so they won't be until June. The parking lot uh really started under heavy construction today uh down at the municipal lot downtown. Uh they're installing storm sewer um and and moving forward with the pavement removal. Uh the vi project, we've been talking about that forever. The utilities are done. They're uh cing it out for uh roadway and uh hopefully the plant will open around the first week of May and that should be one of the first projects done. And the demo downtown is uh progressing rather be slow. They're being careful not to damage the adjacent buildings and they've been working from the alley side so you can see a lot from the front. They're trying to take it down, you know, a couple feet at a time. Um wastewater treatment plant project is uh in full swing. Um, lots of construction workers out there if you haven't been by and well 12 started last week with the uh uh dirt moving and the grading of the site. So, a lot of busy stuff happening in Freeport.

Thank you. Fire. Nothing this evening. Thank you. Police.

Um, I just would like to address uh just one thing that we are doing and as part of my tenure and being here at Freeport, which is a great city to come to. that I came from Chicago uh to come to live here in Freeport and serve the citizens and the community and the residents of Freeport. So, it is a great city to come to. But in regards to data integrity in regards to our systems, I need to do a whole overhaul on our systems and that's what we're doing in regards to data, in regards to crime stats, in regards to arrests, in regards to our um dispatch numbers. And in order to do that, it's to ensure accuracy, reliability across all the systems. And in order to have that regularity compliance, it is not it is not good practice to post um something that is not ready to be posted in order to have operational efficiencies. We will get there, but the first thing that I need to do is to ensure that all my systems and all my data capturing systems are up to par and that all my officers are trained to do so. So we will have a platform for that because what I don't want is to have data which is garbage in and garbage out because that's not fair to all the community members and it's not also fair and correct in order to have any transparency in order to make trustworthy decisions for my department and for this community

library nothing tonight it council city manager

uh thank you honor I do have something for tonight. Uh this morning, the city experienced a major water mane break on cottonwood involving a 12-in water mane constructed of spuncast material. This pipe material is widely known in the industry as weak. Uh it comprises most of our distribution system and has been the cause of nearly all of our major water main breaks in the city of Freeport. Over the last two years, the city has been installing eye hydrants throughout the system. These units are capable of monitoring pressure and temperature, and they provided an important early warning this morning. According to Randy Cobbower, our regulatory and compliance officer, the event began unfolding at approximately 6:50 a.m. when uh the ihydrant system began reporting low pressure at multiple locations. This signaled a significant system issue. Within minutes, Pat Ingram, our operations superintendent, was notified and Rick Lindamman, our chief plan operator, reported that Well 8 was unable to keep up with the demand and move to evaluate bringing additional uh capacity online. Staff quickly determined the problem involving a large main break and by 6:58 a.m. the Freeport Police Department had helped identify the location of Cottonwood. Uh Mr. Ingram was updated immediately. Uh Darren was briefed and crews under direction of John Leestein, our utility field crew foreman, were already moving to the site to throttle the line down and reduce water loss and stabilize the system. The coordination between the utility staff, the Freeport Police Department, was especially important in the early moments of the event. Police quickly helped confirm the break location and our utility team, including John and the field crew moved rapidly to isolate the line, reducing water loss and stabilizing that system. because the pressure loss and out of an abundance of caution, a boil order was issued for the city as a whole while staff worked to determine the full extent of the impact. At this time, uh the known effects

extend uh beyond Moss Canyon and the negative pressure was reported at the uh Brewster Hydrant. Additional Ihydrant alerts were received downtown and as far west as Galina. Uh, I also want to recognize our utility administrative staff, Tony, Tiffany, Cindy, Kathy, Carrie, and all the city staff uh here at city hall and especially our communications director, Brian Bridge, for their timely and professional communication with the public. Thoughtful, clear, and professional communication during an event like this helps build trust and reflects the quality of the team currently serving the residents of Freeport. Overall, this was a timely and professional response to a significant infrastructure event. Our utility team, operations staff, plant staff, and John Levenstein, and the utility field crew, billing office, clerical staff, and communication staff and supporting personnel moved quickly to identify the break, manage system pressure, reduced water loss, and communicated with the public and take the necessary public health precautions. Their response reflects professionalism and commitment to the city staff serving the residents of the city of Freeport. Thank you, M. Madame Mayor.

Yes, totally agree. Well done to all those that were involved. Alderman Stacy, I would just like to know um do we have a time on when I was just surprised that we got a phone call and school has been cancelled for tomorrow because of the water issue. And I didn't know if it was still off or when it got turned on or anything. manager board. Uh

I think I can answer many of those. I think the water was been definitely back on by 1:00 and I think it took us quite a while to do all the samples that are required. So I think there was 27 alto together 26 um need to come back tomorrow uh midday. I would imagine by around noon or 1:00 we'll have uh results on that. If we have any kind of failure on the testing we'll have to resample which will take another day. So in a best case scenario you should know by 3:00 tomorrow. You know, worst case scenario, it'll be 3:00 on Wednesday. And you're talking about for the boil order. Why they're just being cautious. The school district will get a notice, a call, a Yes.

Alman Shadel, just want to thank the chief for choosing us. [laughter] Alman Sanders. Um, no, not at this moment. Alman Sellers, I just like to say that I am a little excited about all the work that's going to be going on this summer and just waiting to see all the results when we get it all done.

Clim uh thank you to all involved in the the ordeal this morning and and the work getting it done. Uh boy to uh to Brian. uh he got out communications early and uh a lot of people were happy and and the keep in mind and tell me if I'm wrong, [cough] city manager, but boiling water mainly consists to any water that you drink or that you cook with. Other than that, your your water is fine to use and so on and so forth. I did get some calls on it, but uh great job in getting it done and it's tough dealing with some of the old stuff we have. Johnson for I'm sorry. Alderman Johnson,

I agree with um Tom with everything he said and also congratulations to all those who got promotions. I love to see people moving forward and stepping into the things they're designed for. Alman Simmons, I don't have anything. Thank you. Only Parker. Nothing tonight, your honor.

And that leaves us with public comment. Madame Clerk, I know you have one that was to be read in. I received an email from Carol Krookkey. Dear City of Freeport council persons, Mr. Boyer and Madame Mayor, a lot has been talked about in regards to the possibility of allowing animal control personnel to euthanize feral cats that are trapped by the city. I don't really understand this at all. You have an organization, NIPCO, run by volunteers that Freeport has worked well with previously ready and willing to continue addressing the issue of feral cats in the city. Why is this efficient and knowledgeable organization not being allowed to work as a team with Freeport? Letting NIPCO work with the city is much more cost-effective, no additional training, education for personnel, and much more humane. Before anything is set in stone, please, I'm asking you for myself and on behalf of the innocent animals to come back to the table with Nipco and work together to make the cat population naturally go down. Carol Krookkey.

Yes, ma'am. Good evening. My name is Maddie Brown. I live at 124 North Sunset. I'm kind of nervous. The reason I'm here was because I read this newsletter and it called said animal control gave information in 2025 that they trapped skunks. This is 2026. We notified animal control in 2025. They said they didn't do skunks. He said the city has a license, but there's no trained person to carry out this this job, this problem. He said the guy has to go to Chicago to be trained and there's no date for his training. The breeding system has come and gone. And my neighbor has hired four trappers, which is $375 to $400. Then when they come back, it's another $100 or $175. They caught a total of four skunks and a cat. Let's see. We call animal control. They didn't help. We called the alderman. He referred us to the city manager. No response from that office. Talk to the executive assistant of the mayor. She said, "Call Rockford and wild animals will be wild animals." I called the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They don't handle wildlife inside the city. They referred me to another phone number. It's not just Sunset Herd Stewart Green State. I was there after hours at detailer and if the whole area was a cloud of skunk

spray. I asked for um a budget. Did was is there a budget for to help my neighbor especially fight a surplus budget somewhere? Dis discretionary funds. uh a grant that that would help because they have one to seven and this is second year and they're just in they can spray 1 in the afternoon in the mornings 1 to 3:00 a.m. you wake up with that odor all over and it just doesn't go away in a few minutes. It lingers. So everybody says suggest trappers, suggest trappers. We've done that and they're not effective. So I'm asking, can we speed up the training? Can we get some kind of committee or somebody that can tone this down, get rid of them before it gets a lot more out of hand? My voice is

Miss Brown, your your time has expired, but I'm sure that either the public works director or the city manager can answer your questions in just a couple of minutes. Is there any other public comments? I Yeah, your time is excit when we're over. Can I talk to you and I explain to you about the neighbor and then leaving the house?

But but your time has expired, Miss Brown. You'll have to wait until the meeting's done and then he'll help you. Anyone else [clears throat] [snorts] Hi, my name is Sue Cook and I'm going to do something that's kind of out of the ordinary for me, but Mayor Miller, thank you so much for being a yay on the dispensary because I have seen dispensaries in different cities and they do bring in a lot of money. Now, the traffic wasn't it may be a little bit more the first couple weeks, but then it sort of weighs itself out. So, you're going to see a lot of of money coming in to the city because of it. Also, rather than having your Freeport patients drive, medical patients drive to Fulton or Rockford and spend their money there, we want it spent in Freeport. So, thank you very much for that. Thank you very much for being so eloquent. um you weren't treated right. Thank you very much for being so eloquent. And the other thing was I was going to say something about the cats. Carol did say um pretty much exactly what I was going to say regarding the feral cats. However, if there is a capture of a feral cat, fortunate souls is the place that will take feral cats and retrain them. Whether they be adults or kittens, whether they're nipped and have been neutered or spay, um, fortunate souls is the place to call.

But please don't euthanize them cuz I don't know how with a feral you'd be able to get into a vein and a heart stick would be horrible. So, especially for kittens that didn't ask to come into this world. Thank you very much. Any other public comments this evening? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So second. Have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Madam clerk, please take the role. Good job. Stacy. I Shadel. I Sanders. Hi. Sellers. Hi Pllem. Hi Johnson. Hi Simmons. Parker.

Yes. Oh