City Council - Regular Meeting

Pastor Justin, could you please give the invocation? Thank you.

Good evening, Madame Mayor. I choked myself up there. Good evening, Ma Mayor, council, and everyone. Would you please pray with me? Lord God, we bow before you tonight. I'm grateful for your gifts in our lives. And even as the sun shines tonight and we begin to enter the season of summer, Lord, we're thankful for this season as a season of celebration. Uh even with Freeport High School uh last night and other high schools throughout our communities, our young people uh graduating or even coming home from college for the summer. Lord, we thank you as families and friends prepare to celebrate uh this season, this summer. Lord, we thank you uh even as uh city workers uh have a season uh to work on things long planned uh and carefully funded up till now. And Lord, we are grateful that uh part of the celebration this year is the 250th anniversary of our great nation. Lord, we do pray that you'd continue to guide uh and bless, Lord, that you would help us uh to live as a good people uh even as whether it's Freeport or this country, we are only great as long as we are good. And so, Father, we pray that you would give us wisdom uh wisdom to see our great and deep need uh of your assistance and wisdom. Lord, we pray that you'd help us to be a self-giving people uh ready and willing uh to serve others uh more than ourselves. And Lord, we pray that you would help us and this council uh in all these ways uh but to also be a people of integrity. Um Lord, we confess our regular faults, but we pray that you'd help us to move uh

forward together as a people of integrity who live lives uh that can count for for goodness and honor. And pray that you'd bless the decisions tonight. Uh help this council to make wise ones and to honor one another in the discussions and the challenges before them. And so we thank you for your help in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam clerk, please take the role. Mayor Miller here. Alder persons Clem here. Johnson here. Simmons here. Parker here. Stacy here. Shadel here. Sanders here. And Sers here. If

you could please stand for the pledge of allegiance led by Alderman Clem. I 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 the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? So move. Second. Have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. opposed. That motion passes. Item two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on May 4th, 2026. Is there a motion? So move. Second. Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Johnson. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. That motion passes. Well, as you can see, this is National Public Works Week. So, thank you, Pat, for bringing all of your crew along tonight. So on behalf of the city of Freeport, whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life, and the well-being of the people of Freeport. And whereas these infrastructure, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated effort of public works professionals who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential to our citizens. And whereas it is in the public's interest for the citizens, civic leaders, and children in Freeport to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their prospective communities. Now, therefore, I, Jody Miller, hereby declare May 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the city of Freeport. And I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and

government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contributions that they make to protect our public health, safety, and advancing quality of life for all. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. Next is public comment. However, the two signed in are non-aggenda, so they'll have to wait until the end. Which leads us then to item number five, which is the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there's a member of council would like to have something removed for further discussion. The consent agenda is approval to receive and place on file minutes from the board and commission meetings from the police pension and fire pension boards February 4th, 2026. Art and culture commission March 12th, 2026. Then liquor commission April 9th, 2026. the Freeport Greater Freeport Partnership monthly report, April 26th, and the building permit report. Also is the adoption of resolution 202677, which is the request for temporary

closure of streets for cruise night on August 15th. And also is the approval of the finance bills payable in the total of $3,593,9704 cents and payroll for pay period ending May 2nd, 2026 in the total of $714,63455. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. We have a motion made. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Any discussion? Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy,

I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. And Sers, I. The motion is approved, 8 to zero. Item number six are reappointments. Could you please read those? All of these reappointments are to the board of library trustees, all effective through May 31st, 2029. Alan Green, Betty Butler, and Tasha Mazique. Thank you. Uh council, what's your pleasure? You want to do this all in one or separate? Only one. All in one. All in one. Yeah. Okay. Uh is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. discussion on the appointments. Alderman Johnson.

Um I just wondered now when they're reappointed, do they have to reapply to be on the board or um well the process is usually in in communication with the library director and myself and um you know just checking attendance, seeing about their um you know their involvement and then they're asked if if they're in good standing. And then they're asked if they would like to continue and all three of them said yes. Okay. One more question. Sure. Um what if someone else would like to be on the board and these people are up for

like any of our commissions, they just need to fill out the form that's online and um you know let us know what particular commission they're looking at and then we just keep a file. Okay. Thank you. Madam clerk, would you please take the role? Clem. I Johnson. No Simmons. Hi, Parker. I Stacy. I Shadel. I Sanders. Hi. And Sers. I. The motion is approved 7 to1. Item number seven is the second reading of ordinance 202629. Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending chapter 806 liquor section 806.02 2C1 tier 3 licenses to clarify parameters of class R caterer license. Thank you, manager Ber. Uh, thank you, your honor. This ordinance came through the liquor commission. It was presented to council on May 4th. Uh, Steve Cox was here to present and also to take questions. And this basically clarifies parameters of the uh, CR class liquor license. And, uh, the liquor commission and staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance. discussion. Alderman Sanders, what is a CR? That's a caterer's license. Is that what that stands for?

Yes. And uh who's going to uh give a pres a presentation for that? Well, who's going to present that? other than uh council voting on it. Is is there uh more detailed information on this item? Um we had that presentation. I think it was on the cow. It was presented by attorney Cox and then there was first reading at the last meeting. Oh, okay. I just needed a a refreshment summary of it if I can get that. That's Yep. It's in your memo. The the whole thing. Uh background discussion. Okay. All right. Thank you.

You're welcome. Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, hi. Shadel, hi. Sanders, hi. And Sers, hi. The ordinance is approved 8 to zero. Item number eight is the first reading of ordinance 202630. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01D3 regarding classification plan to change title of I think it's just city accountant is that correct to finance specialist director Richtor.

Thank you your honor. The finance department currently employs one staff person title of city accountant. The main duties of the position include payroll processing, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The current title of city accountant may lead a potential applicant to believe that the job duties associated with the position would include budgetary compliance, maintaining the general ledger, and preparing financial statements. As the position is currently being recruited, we thought now would be the appropriate time to change the title of the position. The finance department is requesting a change to ordinance 290.01D3 to remove the position of deputy city accountant and replace it with finance specialist. We would also like to remove um the title city accountant from section 2901 um E. Um there will are no changes to the job description or increases in staffing levels um related to this change. It's strictly just the title of the position I would like to change.

Is there a motion to move this on to the next council meeting? So move second. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sers, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion on the ordinance. Item number nine is the first reading of ordinance 202631. Could you please you up for a second? I'm sorry. Can I back you up for a minute? Sure. Um, why do we need an ordinance for this declaration that you're making? Uh, attorney Zto.

Um, because the name of the position is set forth in our city code of ordinances. In order to change an ordinance, you need to use an ordinance to change it. That's why it's has to be an ordinance to kind of even though this is a very just a simple housekeeping item to change a name, you still need an ordinance because the original name is set forth by ordinance. Okay. Good. Good. Good. Item number nine is the first reading of ordinance 202631. Could you please read this? Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal items owned by the city. Uh this for this ordinance it's fire department turnout gear. Chief Cordy,

thank you. According to the National Fire Protection Association, all of the gear that the firefighters wear has a life expectancy of 10 years. Uh at the end of that 10 years, to be compliant, um we have to um no longer use that equipment. Uh back in February, uh this board voted to purchase some replacement gear. Um in the meantime, we've had quite a bit that has been uh accumulating in the station. Um and we've got a listing of it. Um 40 set 40 coats, 45 sets of pants, 11 sets of boots, and a helmet. all that equipment has run it run its useful life uh through the NFPA. So, we can no longer use that. Um we have two different options of what we can do with it. Uh we can either throw it in the in the landfill or we can donate it. Uh there's other countries that do not abide by the same NFPA standards that we do. So, a lot of the Central America, Southern America, um are able to utilize this gear because in many cases it's still very useful. It's just that based on our standards, we can no longer use it. Uh so, at this point, um we've found a group called Hearts in Motion. It's a nonprofit organization based in Sherville, Indiana that uh collects and then donates this type of equipment um to those countries. and we'd uh like to uh have this ordinance approved to follow through with that. At this point, um the gear has no dollar value to anybody in the United States. Um and it has no um cost to the city to donate this.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move. Second. Motion to suspend. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. And we have a motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Parker. Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madame clerk, could you please take the role on suspension only? Clem I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. And Sers, I. The motion for suspension passes 8 to zero. So then before you then is the final passage for this ordinance. Is there any further discussion? Alderman Johnson.

Okay. Chief, you said it was still useful. So it would still protect those people when they go into a fire. It's just that according to our standards, we can't use it anymore. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem. I. Johnson. I. Simmons. I. Parker. I. Stacy. I. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. I and sellers I and the ordinance passes 8 to zero. And item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 202632. Could you please read this

ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and/or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city. For this ordinance, there's some city hall office furniture and police department office furniture uh located at 709 South Liberty. Thank you, Chief Rosto. Hi. Do you have the pictures? Yep.

Please. 709 um South Liberty as you entered in there um it was used for a community policing um office and it has not been used in the last 15 years under Chief Whitmore. If you go into the building it everything has been destroyed either by water, mold, rodents, fleas and nothing can be used out of there. There are miscellaneous furniture that has been rusted. As you can see with all the pictures that are there, there's nothing that is useful for the Freeport Police Department. There's great damage that they have there. We did go through there. There are no records that are there. They only have paperwork that is full of mold. And that paperwork is um really booklets from DARE, a program that we don't even use. And so we are seeking for this to be at least on the list for sale recycling and donation.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? So move second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the ordinance. Mayor, yes. There is some IT equipment as well. Okay. And I don't have that in front sellers. Does this need to be amended to I'm sorry. Would you like this one to be amended also? Yes. Okay. I make a motion to amend. You mean to suspend? Suspend. Second.

Okay. We have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadel for suspension. And again, it's two-thirds majority and non-debatable. Uh, madam clerk, would you please take the role on the suspension only? Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons,

no. Parker, I Stacy, I. Shadel, I Sanders, no. And Sers, I. The motion to suspend passes 6 to two. and mayor. I missed the first and the second on the original motion. Um, Clem Sellers. Thank you. So then before you Yes. Alderman uh Simmons. Well, I'll wait till you say what you say. Say it again. I'll wait till you say what you were about to say. Okay. So now before you is for the final reading for this ordinance. Is there discussion? I have a question.

So what's the plan with this? You plan to sell it, give it to somebody, have it demolished? Well, I don't plan to sell it. I believe that a group, an organization, a religious organization within Freeport Police Department, within Freeport, I'm sorry, Misspoke, wants to purchase it, a ministry group. But this ordinance is only about the surplus. Yes, it's only about the surplus. So, all those pictures of what's inside. So, she's talking about the building. Um, Sanders, uh, do we have a list? Well, I I just heard something about something technical in nature part of this recycling disposal and we're

I don't know if I

uh is being asked to dispose of it in a way that allows someone else to intercept it. And I don't understand what is the criteria for disposing such gear or such technology to a facility or whoever that's asking for this donation. We don't have a list of items uh listed before us to determine whether or not we should make sure that it's not that anything that we're uh disposing is in a compromising position. So, we don't want to have that out there without us having an opportunity to expose what it is in the technical field of what we're about to get rid of.

Yep. Everything we're getting rid of it wise will be disposed properly. So hard drive shredded, you know, devices wiped, all that good stuff. Okay. Oldman Stacy.

Yes. I'm just disappointed because I'm sure this house was given to the police department and for it to be in the shape that is in is really discouraging. to see that where was the care? I mean, and you've spoke about rust, mold, rodents, and and we still want to give it to somebody. Well, there are organizations that desire it.

Yeah. However, that isn't what this topic is. This is about the surplus that's inside. So, there's no further discussion. Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. And Sers, I. The ordinance passes 8 to zero. Item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 202633. Could you please read that ordinance adding a chapter 1480 to the codified ordinances concerning outdoor lighting regulations? Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh the community and economic development department was directed by the planning commission to draft an ordinance for outdoor lighting regulations after discussing uh the lack of lighting regulations within the city of Freeport. Uh there is currently not a policy in place for outdoor lighting regulations. Staff presented a draft chapter 1480 outdoor lighting regulations to planning commission where input and corresponding edits were made after being uh approved by the planning commission on May 8th. The newly drafted ordinance was then presented to the building commission for further edits uh last Wednesday on May 13th. Chapter 1480 uh establishes new outdoor lighting regulations for the city of Freeport to reduce nuisent lighting, improve public safety, minimize light pollution, and create uh constant standards for outdoor lighting installations throughout the community. Key ideas of the ordinance is that it establishes a maximum um light spillover limit onto property lines and other nearby uh residents. Um, so if you're in a commercial district, it limits how much can spill into residential so that those who are living at um in the homes are not impacted by commercial lighting um in a negative way. It uh requires outdoor lighting to be properly shielded um for the neighboring properties but also traffic and uh make sure that it's shielded for uh glare for the uh drivers. prohibits uh flashing lights, search lights, laser lighting, and other lighting that may be uh distracting. Establishes um exceptions for uh residential properties, holiday lighting, public street lights, ADA requiring ADA required lighting, recreational facilities, and temporary permitted events. And then it creates standards

for illuminated signs and electric messaging centers, which are all the new billboards that you see in town. and and it's technology that's going to be pushing that even even more into the future and then establishes enforcement procedures and penalties for violation. Uh the lighting ordinance supports the city's goal for safe and inclusive community as it ensures neighborhoods and vehicles are not negatively impacted by lighting on signs and buildings. Uh this does not require any additional funding and staff. The building commission, the planning commission recommend approval of the addition of chapter 1480 outdoor lighting regulations following a first and second reading by the city council.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move second. We have a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Johnson, just to clarify, Gertu, for those that are listening, who all does this affect? Just the businesses, residents, or who all does it?

Yes, absolutely. So, this affects everybody except for residential structures containing less than four dwelling units. So, if you live in a singlestory or a duplex up to four units, uh this will not apply to you. Um this is for everybody else. um churches, commercial structures, uh you know, big apartment buildings and uh manufacturing. Thank you.

Okay, we'll move on to item number 12, which is the adoption of resolution 202675. Could you please read this resolution approving the purchase of a mulching head attachment from Westside Tractor Sales? Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh, thank you, your honor. The current public works department has a mini excavator uh among the equipment that we inventory and use. Uh, we'd like to buy a mulching head for the mini excavator that allow us to do mulching and brush and uh nuisance weeds and small trees, uh, removals and ditches and areas that are very difficult to get to with our other equipment. So, um, this is in the 2026 capital budget. Uh we have a source well um uh quote for $23,500. Uh that is from um oh gosh, let's see here. Pardon me. Uh Westside Tractor Sales. Sorry, wanted to verify that. So, uh staff recommends moving forward with the acquisition of the new mulching head for the John Deere mini excavator.

Is there a motion to adopt? So, move second. Second. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Stacy. Yes. Can you tell me if this was budgeted for and if so, what budget would it be coming out of? It was budgeted in the capital equipment.

Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem. I. Johnson. I. Simmons. Hi Parker. Hi Stacy. No Shadel. Hi Sanders. Hi. And Sellers. I. The resolution is adopted 7 to1. Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 202676. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency engagement of precision piping and fabrication to fabricate steel backwash gate at the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Thank you, manager. Wear. Uh thank you your honor. Uh staff uh requests the ratification of this uh expenditure. We had to replace a 72in x 72 in electrically actuated slle gate at the wastewater plant once we installed the um uh the new UV disinfection um lighting system. We b we ran into a situation where the existing slle gate was not holding um enough back pressure and unfortunately it's because the old one was uh very deteriorated and the uh gate mechanisms had uh essentially corroded away and it created the uh backflow of water which uh impacted the UV um the UV process. Uh the actual gate that is manufactured was I believe that was um quite a bit more than our local source. We were able to find or um we were able to uh have that manufactured for us um at a substantial u reduction in cost. I believe the uh the actual gate system is $135,000 and we were able to have that um uh made for us for $59,232.50. So staff recommends moving forward with the ratification of this emergency repair.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. Have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Madame clerk, please take the role. Clem. I. Johnson. I. Simmons. I. Parker. I. Stacy. Hi. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. Hi. And Sers. I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 202678. Could you please read this resolution authorizing emergency box culvert repairs by Nikam construction on Celely Avenue. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. And uh for in Reed Park, there's a small bridge that goes over what becomes the Homer drainage district. uh the Homer drainage uh box culvert that runs all the way to the Benton and Jackson outfall. Uh unfortunately, there's a uh the the box culvert is kind of falling apart and uh we've been uh we want to make sure we catch it before it gets too bad. We don't want there to be a damaged vehicle driving by and hit uh hit a section that's uh caving in. So, uh staff went out and uh found um a local contractor that could take care of the work for $9,212. Um there is uh we did some estimating and it probably will last 5 to 10 years where the uh total cost of a uh total replacement will be over $60,000. So staff recommends moving forward with the box um paying the uh box cover repair invoice.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders. Um manager, do we have qualified people who can work on coverts, box covers? We do, but this is a repair to a fairly large one. So, and we're very busy with all the other work we're doing throughout the city. What's the What's the cost of that again? Uh, a little over $9,000. 9,000? Yes.

For was it replacement with cement piping? And I might have to turn that over. Darren's probably got more of the details on that one.

Yeah. Uh the repair was a concrete repair. The wing wall basically had eroded and broke off of the structure. So, uh we we had Nikam Construction come in and pin it with epoxy dow bars and then pour the wall back in and remove everything. And then um we also had public works go in after they were done and we rip wrapped the um east side of the culvert. There's where the homer drainage ditch goes under ground uh near the mobile station uh that it creates this almost washing effect down in that basin and it was eroding the structure away. Um to my knowledge we've never worked on it before. It's been eroding more and with the cost of a complete wall wing wall replacements being 60,000, I thought this was the prudent choice to get us by for 10 years so we could plan for for the next step. The box culvert itself is in good shape. It's the wing walls that are are really starting to fall apart

with the uh Would you like your second? Yeah. Would the uh construction interfere with traffic? How much traffic flow do we have in this area? And would it and and will it be obstruction to any form of traffic after repair? I you know I'm I just want to make sure if we're going to invest that kind of money into that kind of project that uh it is still going to be you know road work road uh safety and uh and whether or not we're whether whether we go through go through with the process of it.

Oh well the repair has already been completed or has

and yes in my opinion it was the prudent thing to do. The street is used as a connection to the park. Um, heavily traveled. No, it's not one of our heavier traveled streets. Do we have an obligation to fix it and repair it? We do. The park district put us on notice that they were uh considering it a hazard. Uh there are a lot of children that are right next to the pool area and and I thought that they were correct. And the repair probably obviously I think will last more than 10 years and so it would buy us quite a bit of time um for us to decide what the next step is. The box we actually crawled through the box coverver ourselves and the box culvert doesn't need to be replaced. There's a couple patches that are required in it but other than that it's good shape. My belief is that the box cover was replaced at some point but the wing walls were reused. Um, they look very aged and maybe original from, you know, probably over 50 years, maybe maybe even longer than that ago.

Alderman Stacy. Yes. Why bring this to the council if it's already done? And what determines 5 years compared to 10 years? And is there a warranty, a guaranteed warranty on the work?

Sure, I can answer all those questions. So, the first one was warrant or last one was warranty. All contracts in Illinois for construction can only have a one-year warranty. That's the state statute limit. So, that's what you get as one year. Um, I believe based on the repair that we did uh with concrete and epoxy dowel bars um that it will easily last 10 years. Um, in my opinion, uh, we fixed it, right? We didn't cut corners. We filled it in, right? It oxy epoxy doll bars. I would estimate that that box culvert's probably been there for at least 50 plus years. Um, so fixing with concrete and doing it right uh, at that time was the prudent choice. And the reason we brought it to council was to be transparent about the expenditure of the repair. um we have the emergency authority to fix things that we think are going to cost the city a lot more money in the future. And if the wing well would have fell off, we would have been a total replacement of that side. So, we would have been, you know, well up uh at a lot more money than this. So, um I just wanted to be transparent that the repair was needed. The park district put us on notice that it was an issue. Um we we we knew that the issue was there. We just it it got severely worse over the last year and so we wanted to make sure it got repaired.

Stacy, so this this was one of those director decisions. Yep. Yeah. That director Michelle spoke about last week as an emergency. Yeah. Mhm. That that's nothing new. Just so you know. Excuse me. That that's nothing new. You you get multiple emergency repair um thoughts things brought to council. It happens all the time. I understand that. Okay. I just want to make sure you know.

It was nothing new. I mean that's why it was spoke about last week about increasing different dollar amounts so that if something needs to be done the director along with city manager Ber can make that decision and do it correct. Yes. That's all I'm saying.

Y so one thing that we didn't note in there is obviously this wasn't budgeted. So we will move budget items around um things that we were hoping to do that we will have to use this money on towards it now. And that's part of the emergency authority. When we fix stuff, we have to figure out where that money is going to come from. And so we'll have to move things around in our budget to make sure that uh I I just prudently as not just a somebody working for the city um as a resident, it's the right choice to try to minimize the future cost of this and carry it out farther so we can plan long term for for a real replacement when the box cover itself is needed, not just when the wing walls fall apart. Thank you.

All right, madam clerk, please take the role. Clem, I. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. And Sers, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 202679. Please read this resolution um granting authority emergency repairs to HVAC system of the blower building of the wastewater treatment plant by Nelson Carson Mechanical Contractors. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh recently the uh boiler at the wastewater treatment plant that heats heats the plant and primarily the uh the uh blower building which contains a number of large screw air compressors uh recently uh failed. that basic it it uh has it's very old and it it sprung a leak in the main cool or the main boiler section. Uh so staff investigated a couple of different uh ways to get this taken care of. Um one of the options was to put in some heating units and cooling units in the blower building uh instead of replacing the boiler which is substantially more expensive than to do that. So uh staff moved forward. there was uh about a $15,000 penalty uh if this was not approved right away. So staff moved forward with an emergency repair of the boiler by replacing it uh with uh exterior or units added to the building and total cost of that was $74,238 and uh it'll come from the capital budget. We were budgeting for this in the capital budget. There was $400,000 set aside for this boiler replacement. Um and we we were able to uh do it for $74,000. A significant savings. So staff's recommending moving forward or ratifying this emergency repair.

Nice job on that. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sanders. Yeah, manager Boyer, that blower um are we talking about replacement, repair? How did you indicate that? Uh the the boiler failed. Uh you know, the heat exchanger started leaking and failed. Um so we replaced it with uh set aside units in the building. Okay. So we just basically don't use the we're not going to use the boiler anymore for we're going to just replace the whole item.

Yes, we're not going to replace the boiler. We're simply going to uh replace it with um with heaters essentially instead of a boiler. Okay. Madam clerk, please take the role. Clem. I. Johnson. I. Simmons. Hi. Parker. I. Stacy. I. Shadel. I. Sanders. Hi. And Sers. Hi.

The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Madam Number 16 is the adoption of resolution 202680. I'm sorry. So, sorry. I I wanted to just uh give some credit to one of our staff members for that last item. Um Brandon Wells, which is the head of our maintenance department. Um he really came up with the solution to save over $300,000 on the repair to that building. And I wanted to make sure that he got credit for it. Um it was his idea that we didn't need to replace the methane boilers. And that's the value of having some of our own maintenance staff and some of our own people that think out in our departments. Um, so I wanted to make sure the council understood the value that Brandon brought on that project.

Thank you. Awesome. Yeah. Thank you. Good job, Brand. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 202680. Could you please read this? Resolution authorizing the city to dispose of surplus city real property at 709 South Liberty Avenue. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Thank you, your honor. Uh, as previously discussed, it's the city's intent to uh um liquidate the 709 South Liberty um police department. Um it's been vacant for many years, and we've kind of had a brief conversation already this evening regarding it. Um but first, we have to um approve it as surplus inventory for us to move forward with uh getting it into the right hands. right now. Uh we've been talking with the ministers alliance about their interest in the structure and fixing it and uh and using as a classroom for their training program. So, but that is what we have right now and we're working with uh with the community to get that done. So, we'll have a separate resolution um giving this to uh that that uh entity. So, uh, with that I staff recommends moving forward with this resolution to, um, declare it surplus inventory.

Is there a motion to adopt? So, move second. The motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Stacy. Yes. Can you say who will be purchas who will be receiving? Right. At this time, the plan is to uh essentially gift it to the ministers alliance, but that's not in the writing on this particular resolution. This is just declaring it as surplus. Right. That is correct. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. Identify the ministers of alliance and uh is that

um and who is acquiring it, who who's really bringing it uh to our attention. Uh well, it's a group of uh ministers who have been working to do uh I guess a a vote program to teach students about uh installing windmill farms, doing electrical work and that kind of thing. And they've expressed interest in this property for use as a classroom for their efforts. Okay. There's no further discussion. Madam clerk, please take the role. Clum. Hi, Johnson. Hi, Simmons. Hi, Parker. Hi, Stacy. Hi, Shadel. Hi, Sanders. Hi.

And Sers, I. The resolution is adopted. 8 to zero. Reports from department heads. Finance. Uh, nothing this evening. Thank you. Community development, nothing this evening. Thank you. Public works.

Oh, yes. Always. So, um, I have a couple announcements and then I actually have something I'd like to say about public works week that I probably should have said earlier, but, uh, I appreciate some of the guys staying. So, officially today, the Hancock Shauny Videoc was opened. Um, the the paving done. There might be a little, uh, grass and dirt seating that needs to be done over there yet, but in all intents and purposes, uh, it's wrapped up. The new height of the bridge is normal height at 14T uh, uh, 6 in. So, uh, all commercial vehicles that are, uh, under state law should be able to underpass that now. Um, which is a huge accomplishment and, uh, gives us two accesses for the businesses back there and the residents should be, uh, very happy. As a reminder, there is a stop sign out there that needs to be used by our residents. There's many people in two days, we've counted 17 cars that have not stopped at that stop sign just while we've been on site. Um, so, um, just want to make sure that everybody's reminder there's a stop bar and a stop sign. Um, we're proud of that project. It's been a long time coming. If anybody's been counting, it's been probably close to two years, probably three years since we've been talking about it. So, it's nice to have that one done. Uh, the municipal lot uh is uh really uh making uh good progress. There was plantings done down there. I've had a lot of questions why so many plantings. Uh the city of Freeport has requirements with municipal parking lots, parking lots in general that you have to have green space. Uh so there's a lot more plantings and islands that were put in there. It should be paved hopefully by the end of next week if the weather allows. It still won't be open. There'll be striping and things going on um um uh to finish it up. Uh but for all intents and purposes, it's going very well. Um and then um we're about ready

to kick off our 26th paving operation. Uh it looks like Seol will be uh paved sometime um this week. Um I believe then the following week we'll hopefully be doing some of the paving in Gladewood and the Crate Park agreements that we had. Um and then we should be moving to uh Concord between SE uh Simol and um Laurel uh sometime around the first week of June. And also Dwey uh the street replacements uh should be starting over there very shortly as well. So uh please uh we are passing out uh neighborhood um flyers if you will that have specific text codes for your area on that. Please sign up for those text codes. You'll get the latest information. We still have people from the areas calling in. We'd prefer to work through these uh text codes that are on your sheets specific for your area. If uh you don't have one, please reach directly out to me. Um and then I'd just like to read something that I prepared for uh National Public Works Week. Um I'm very lucky and proud to be part of the public works team here in Freeport. Appreciate the role. I really look work uh enjoy working with this crew and these people and I want to tell you how important it was the raises that we gave these people to recognize them last year for the quality of work that they're doing. How important that is to uh not only the morale but the work that we can get done. Um as we celebrate National Public Works Week, I'd like to extend a sincere gratitude and appreciation to the outstanding men and women who serve our community through public works. These dedicated professionals are the backbone of the city's daily operations and their commitment helps ensure that the Freeport remains a safe, functional, and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. Public works employees are

often the first to arrive and the last to leave when our community faces challenges. Whether it's maintaining streets, sidewalks, managing water, wastewater, caring for public facilities, clearing snow during harsh winter weather storms, repairing infrastructure through all types of weather, or responding to emergencies at all hours of the day and night. Their work is essential to the quality of life we sometimes take for granted. What makes public works staff truly exceptional is not the skill and professionalism they bring to the jobs, but also the pride they take in serving the residents of Freeport. Much of their work happens behind the scenes without any recognition. Yet their efforts touch every neighborhood, every business, and every resident during their daily tasks. Their dedication, teamwork, and willingness to serve often in difficult weather and demanding conditions deserves our deepest respect and appreciation. National Public Works Weeks gives an opportunity to recognize the people who keep our city moving forward every day. On behalf of the city of Freeport, I thank I provide a thank you to our incredible public works team for your hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our community. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for everything you do for the citizens of Freeport. Thank you.

Fire. Yes. Al along with public works week, this is also emergency medical services week. Uh EMS is about 80% of what the fire department does here in Freeport. And those guys put a lot of time and effort into uh going on all the calls um all times of the day and night and um see lots of things that most people don't want to see and have to deal with it. So um we appreciate you and we uh um are honored to have you working with us.

Thank you. police. Well, I'll be sharing the public works and fire EMS because ours was last week. I'll allow that. Um, so I'd like to thank the public and the community who came out in order to have our Dunkin Donuts Cop on top um initiative. Uh, we were able to raise $4,816.80 and all those proceeds will be going to the Special Olympics. So, a lot of the department members that were here came out to support. So I really do appreciate that. Thank you very much. I also want to acknowledge Fiser Exchange and ABSME who donated quite a bit of money for this cause and the cause was very important and also to the community members who came out on National Police Week and donated and made terrific cookies. Uh they actually brought us plants. They brought us flowers. They brought us cards in order to recognize all the work that my officers do. So, I greatly appreciate that and I'll allow you to to fight it out this week.

Library. I also greatly appreciate public works. They've been helping us at the library as well as EMS and police la since last week was police week. Um, but I would also like to encourage the community to make sure that they check out our website to keep on top of all of our events. It city manager. Uh, well, thank you, honor. I actually have nothing for tonight, although I think it's been fairly well covered by everyone. Thank you.

I would agree. And just a reminder, Monday is Memorial Day, so city hall will be closed. Uh the parade downtown starts at 10:00. So if you are part of the council and would like to walk in the parade, you should be at the corner of Maine and Walnut by 9:15. And Alderman Clem.

Yes. Uh once again, thank you to all the employees of the city. You guys do a great job and it's uh nice to be able to recognize all of you. Especially want to announce police chief tonight. Uh she's got a corporal and three new recruits out in the audience and it was very good to see them here and I hope they learn something in democracy in action here. Uh, also the 26th, next week, Tuesday night is a neighborhood watch at Schwarz's. I believe manager Blair will be there and Darren, thank you guys and uh, all the alerts you put out. It's really neat for the people that live in those areas, especially like in use of Gladewood for example where you had one end or the other end closed off to know what was going on. So, so thank you,

Alderman Johnson. I say ditto to everything that Tom said. I appreciate everybody, the public works, the police, the fire department, all of them. It takes takes a whole team to make a city move. So, we appreciate all of you. Um, also on Thursday evening will be the neighborhood watch for the second ward and it is at 1833 West Laurel Street at the Laurel Street Community Church. So, it's a new location. So, thank you, Foreman Simmons. I don't have anything. Thank Parker.

Uh we happen to use the same church they do for our neighborhood watch. It is being cancelled because it's set for next Monday um Labor Day, Memorial Day. So we will not have one. Alderman Stacy.

Yes. I want to thank the police officers for their extra effort at graduation last night. It was totally changed. I've worked for this district almost 25 years and it's never been like that. Um, but it was a good safe way of doing things and for that I thank you. Um, yeah, we never been able to not bring in our purses or unless they were clear or so. Yeah, I embrace the extra security that went forth for graduation. Um, tomorrow, Tuesday the 19th, will be my neighborhood watch at the church on Carol and Empire at 6:00 with Officer Shadel. Um, I just want to reiterate what Darren had said about the text message uh notification system. I signed up for it for the Gladewood project and I getting very detailed text as Tom said there was uh instances where the south entrance was going to be closed and so that the residents knew that they needed to come in the north entrance. Um there's going to be one of those for each and every project that we have this summer. Uh you can go to the the city website, navigate through from there at gov. If you have trouble with it, call the uh the city and we'll get you through the the process of getting it on there. But it's going to make all of

these projects go tremendously smoother if everybody knows what's going on and and how to navigate through these projects. So, thank you. Alderman Sanders, nothing at this time. Alderman Sers, I just want to say thank you public works, thank you fire department, and thank you police department. Thank you for all that you guys do. Really appreciate it. We have two that are signed in for public comment. Uh Ryan Walton,

I'm just here to give thanks. Um one for you, Mayor Miller. Thank you for your tenorship and your leadership through everything that you've served here for the community. I I believe you make it better every single day. And then also for the uh police department uh year to date was told that they've seized over more than 40 illegal firearms and 65 uh um search warrants. Uh which is impressive, which I think they don't get enough thanks for the hard work they do. You guys literally make my community safer every day and it's inspiring to, you know, call this place home and one day have a family here. So, thank you.

Thank you, Ricky Steedman. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Yeah, I was given information for a street uh name on South 700 South Liberty Street. uh the person that was doing it got ill so they pass it over to me. I have all the signatures of the homeowners that were required to get this done. Also have the financial cost also. So I'm here to see where we go forward from here. I'm sure they they can see you after the meeting. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Who see at the meeting? Um Director Heimerdinger. Okay. Thank you.

Is are there any other public comments this evening? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion for adjournment. So move second. Motion made by Alderman Celler, seconded by Alderman Shadel.