City Council - Regular Meeting

Line item 1533. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Tuesday, February 17th city council meeting. Please call the role. Alderwoman Bainy here. Alderman Glad here. Alman Dhy here. Alwoman Messi here. Alderman Davis here. Alman Cook here. Alderwoman Miller here. Please stand for the pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

At this time, I open up for public comment. Is there anyone that would like to make a public comment uh this evening? This is for items that are not on the agenda. Moving on to the presentation for TIFF District's redevelopment plan eligibility reports, Tesco Associates. How are you, sir? Good. Good. If you could hit that middle button. There we go. You're live. Close yours, sir. Can you hear me? We hear you.

All right. So, uh, thanks for your time, everybody. Um, so I'll just take a couple of minutes. I just want to talk about uh the TIFF project. Uh, some of you might remember me. I was here a couple of months ago and I gave uh like a kind of general presentation about TIFF and we did a um uh just a kind of brief highle overview of a couple areas you were looking at. Uh just trying to kind of look at if it was worth pursuing uh looking at tiff. Um since then there were two areas that uh the city kind of settled on that you wanted to evaluate further. uh and I have since then been working with uh staff uh and we have prepared actual draft uh eligibility reports for the two areas um that you guys suggested. Uh the first area was north going uh there's the map right there going north uh on Richmond Road north of the downtown. Uh the second area was going west along uh Route 120. Um there's just a couple of things I want to uh focus on here tonight. Uh there's a couple of changes to the maps since we since I initially um presented to you guys and since I started the evaluation process. Um and actually before I get to that, the first thing I want to talk about there's two primary ways to qualify an area uh for a tiff district. One is what we call a conservation area and one is what we call a blighted area. Uh and if you'll notice in the reports that I prepared um there's 13 eligibility criteria that are laid out in the act um that we're supposed to evaluate areas for eligibility. Uh so I went through in each one of those reports I went through each one of those categories. Um to be

designated as a blighted area you need to meet five out of those 13 criteria. uh and to be designated as a conservation area. If at least 50% of the buildings are over 50 years in age, then you only have to meet three of those eligibility criteria. Um so the first point that I wanted to uh to focus on tonight was uh we hit the eligibility standards on both of them. Um, I tried everything I could and I we couldn't get to that higher level blighted area standard uh for either one of the areas. So, we used the conservation area standards. Uh, and that kind of leads me to my second point on the changes to the maps. Uh, particularly in the North Richmond Road area. Um some of the buildings in the initial study area were on the newer newer side as far as age wise. Um so that's why we ended up tweaking the boundary around out. We took a couple parcels off on the top that were newer buildings. We added some older buildings at the south so that we could hit that 50% uh age over 35 year threshold so we could use the lower um conservation area standards. So, that's why that map was tweaked around for the Richmond area, uh, the North Richmond area road study area. Um, the west on Route 20. Oh, someone's on the ball. Thank you, sir.

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, you can go to the other one. A little bit more right there. That's the area I wanted to talk about. Primarily for the original study area for Route 120 was primarily west along Route 120. Um, after discussions with staff, um, they requested that we try to add these parcels in as well. These are kind of going to the southwest off of Route 120 along Boone Creek. Um, so we I changed the boundary. We evaluated those. The main thing to um to keep in mind for this area is there's it's pretty much undeveloped floodplane properties. Um tiff is primarily intended for developed areas and so v what we call vacant undeveloped parcels are much harder to qualify uh for tiff designation. Um so I was a little skeptical when I first looked at this. Um there are very few ways to qualify these types of properties and one of them is chronic flooding um which has to be determined by a registered engineer. So, we I had some meetings with staff and with the city engineer um and we ultimately did get that determination from the engineer and there's a letter that I included in the report uh on these properties in particular uh because uh I evaluated them separately than the initial study area. I just wanted to kind of call that out. Um so those are the main things that I wanted to focus on as far as eligibility goes. Uh again, we need to meet three criteria. Uh I we met it in both categories. You'll see in the reports that I prepared there are I put a little summary up front and at the end

with a table just so everything was crystal clear. Um and I broke the categories down into what I call primary eligibility factors and secondary factors. Um, so we hit three categories in both of the areas and then there were some other areas that I called out as secondary characteristics um that were present within the area uh but not really to a meaningful extent to qualify them as primary factors but every little bit helps as far as eligibility goes. Um so ideally what we're looking at we're not looking at any one category in particular um obsolescence or deterioration what we're really looking at is a combination of factors as we evaluate the area as a whole uh that tends to inhibit redevelopment of the area. Um, so that's kind of the main things that I wanted to point Oh, the and the last thing I wanted to say was uh we did meet three criteria in both areas. Um, and that's kind of the minimum what we need. So, I've been working with staff with Doug primarily and a couple of other people here. Um, and so we have been making revisions to the report over the last couple of weeks. Uh, Doug caught a couple of little errors that I'm going to fix. uh in the next day or two. Um so these are draft reports. Nothing is finalized. Um we are kind of at the point right now is when I do these uh tiff projects. Typically I'll break it up into phases where we'll just do phase one eligibility and then I stop. And so this is kind of the point now uh where the city can take a break uh take a look at what we have make sure that you're comfortable with the areas uh and decide if you want to move forward. Um so that's kind of I think that might be coming up later on the agenda if you want to move forward. That's kind of the

question tonight um is do you want to move on to phase two? Uh at that point we would prepare the actual redevelopment plans uh which is the meat of the the these reports are just kind of an appendix to the actual report that we'll generate uh if you guys decide you want to move forward uh in the redevelopment plan. That's where we'll identify potential uh redevelopment opportunity sites. That's where we'll project out the impact on any of the taxing districts. Uh that's where we'll project out the potential increment that can be generated over the life of the tiff. So that's all in the heart the meat of the actual plan. Um so this is just to determine if the areas qualify. So the areas have to qualify or or there's no point in moving forward. So I'm comfortable with the reports as I prepared them. Uh like I said, we meet three, you need three. I I'd be a lot more comfortable if we could hit four instead of just meeting the three minimum. Um, but I think with the secondary factors that I also highlighted, um, I'm comfortable. I think both of the areas qualify. Again, after we had to tweak the boundaries around a little bit to come up with an area that I was ultimately comfortable saying that qualified. Um, so I'm comfortable moving forward. Um, so the question would then be is is um, well, first I'll take any obviously any questions that you guys have. Again, these are draft reports, so I can make any changes. None of this stuff is locked in at this point. Once we get once we move on to phase two, if you decide to move on to phase two, that's where everything kind of locks in. So, once we get past this phase, we kind of really can't start keep changing boundaries around. You can, but you kind of have to kind of start the process back from the beginning and notify everybody of the new maps. So, this is kind of the point where we're just gonna where I'm just gonna um take a break, let you guys review everything, and then

let me know if you want to move forward. And I'm happy to answer any questions if you have I know I got a list of questions from one of you uh I think yesterday. Uh so, I got a bunch of that. I got a bunch of that info. I haven't gotten everything yet. Um but I'm happy to try to answer any questions that you might have. And uh so Pete, if I could just jump in, the other um kind of significant change that was made um from the initial maps that the council saw was pulling out some of those downtown parcels um and placing them into this new tiff district. So can you touch on that a little bit just to explain exactly what the rationale was behind that and which parcels we're talking about?

Yeah. So again, that was primarily that was the uh North Richmond Road area tiff and that map is coming back up and there was like a block or so. Keep going. Yeah.

Yeah. Any of these maps. Yeah. If you scroll down a little bit more, those two blocks at the far south there, those are in your existing downtown TIF district. Um, and after discussions, we had uh after I initially prepared these reports, we had a big meeting with all the staff and we went through everything. Um, and it was suggested to try to potentially take these parcels out of your existing TIFF and put them into this new TIF. Um, so that accomplished a couple of things. Um, number one, it helped for eligibility because it got more buildings that were over 35 years in age. That helped us get over that threshold. Um, so it helped with eligibility of this proposed new area. Um, and then it also helps with um I believe a lot of them were city acquired properties. Um and then if you uh if you take those out of the existing tiff and put them into the new tiff, they'll have a full 23 years to generate increment on any potential new development. So, uh we kind of killed two birds with one stone on that one. Um the one

as as the council is aware, as we've talked about um potential development on Green Street, um along these and this includes Landmark School, it includes 11-1ven North Green. Um we've talked over and over about um potentially having to detiff and retif these properties. And so if the city council elects to do that as part of this process, then we save the time and money and effort to do that at a later date and then we're much closer to being able to redevelop those properties with the full 23-year clock. So that's that was the rationale behind that, but obviously that can change um if the council would prefer to see those uh stay in the tiff that they are currently in.

And if you do want to do that, if you do want to include these into the new tiff, it's a pretty simple process. Um, taking parcels out of a TIFF district is is just just simply pass an ordinance that we want to take these parcels out and file it with the county. Um, adding the parcels into the new TIF or creating a new TIF with those parcels is the same process. It's this whole thing that we're going through right now. All the notices, public meetings, uh, joint review board with the taxing districts, all of that stuff, which is generally a four to six month process. Correct. Right. Is there any questions Miller?

Um, thank you for your report. This is my first trip through creating trip tiffs. Although I understand them, I didn't understand that there were two different ways to be eligible and clearly your report defined why and the requirements. Does the eligibility piece of the puzzle affect the ultimate outcome of creating a tiff and the financing available?

No. Uh so hi under which set of criteria you use uh that the only thing that affects is whether there qualifies or not. Um once the TIFF is ultimately created, if it if you move forward and you ultimately create the TIFF district, nothing changes whether it was uh qualified as a blighted area or a conservation area. It's it's strictly for eligibility purposes. Primarily being a blighted area, you're you're talking about much more distressed properties, blighted u dilapidated properties, public safety issues, buildings that have to come down, that type of thing. where a conservation area if if the buildings are old enough and they meet a a lesser standard. It's essentially we're trying to conserve the area and prevent it from becoming a blighted area. But it has no once the tiff is ultimately created there's no difference

but it doesn't set any restrictions going for forward how it was deemed eligible. No. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Alderman Davis?

Yeah. on the two parcels that we're thinking about taking out of the TIFF and adding into this into the new one, the proposed one. If this doesn't pass, what happens with those? Can those get added back into the TIFF or those Well, that's where you want to play it very carefully. Um you you can't put you can't put if a parcel's in an existing tiff, you have to take it out before you can put it into the new one. Um so yes, you there's always the risk. I've done this a couple of times where where the municipality has basically done it the same night where they took the parcels out and then the next thing on the agenda put them into the new TIF. Uh but yes, you definitely run the risk of uh taking those parcels out of the TIFF and once they're out, they're out and then if you don't ultimately pass the new TIFF, you can't put them you could put them back in, but you have to go through this whole process to put them back in. Um, so if that's something you want to do, make sure everybody's on board and you want to do that or you could end up in limbo. That's a good question.

Aldo embassy.

Hi. Um, okay. Um, I have a few concerns um that are consistent with both of the tiffs. My first concern is both tiff project areas site deterioration as qualifying criteria. Examples of building deterioration cited are broken windows and doors, chipped exterior paint, and poor conditions of dumpsters and enclosures. Buildings in both project areas are eligible for city business improvement grants program. So there is already an option in place to address without a tiff funding. Based on the eligibility report, it is fair to state that the majority reasons for the building deterioration is primary owner neglect. This can be addressed through more vigorous code in code enforcement and if necessary additional um ordinances. Examples of surface deterioration are poor quality of streets, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. This could be addressed by a more robust public public works funding in the upcoming budget. My second concern is the EAB for both TIFF project areas is consistently increasing every year and more years than not at a significantly greater percentage than the city's EAV and less the project area. One of the main goals of a TIFF is to increase the EAV and this is already happening without the TIFF funding. If the tiff if the taxing bodies do not collect on the already present an anticipated increase to the EAV for the next 24 years that shortfall will be covered and will most like will need to be covered and will most likely be covered through an increase of the resident's property taxes for just the Richmond road tiff. I have two other

main concerns. My first concern is the reason the project area meets the criteria that 50% of the buildings be 35 years or older is because 10 or more of these homes connecting Green Street and the commercial and the commercial cord along Richmond Road and it should have said my concern is one of the reasons. Um I confirm that residential homes within the tiff are eligible for TIFF funds. We should not be using these homes for eligibility without giving them the same benefits. If these homes are not guaranteed the same benefits, they should request removal from the project area. My second concern for the downtown tiff projects being included in this project area means the properties will be in a tiff for a total of 47 years. The boundary of the tiff includes Boone Creek along Green Street to 120, which is a planned next phase for the River Walk. Any expectation that this tiff will be meaningfully used for anything other than the Green Street area and the next phase of the Riverwalk is not realistic. The majority of the businesses along Richmond Road are large chains. And if a developer is interested in one of the strip malls, they will most likely request their own tiff and a generous financial incentives. For the um West 120 tiff, I have two main concerns. My first concern is the large portion of the open land area included in the wetlands. To include this area in the TIFF, the vacant land criteria meets chronic flooding. The function of a wetland is to absorb and temporarily store water to protect the surrounding community from damage. Chronic flooding is a normal

function of a wetland. While I confirm the city's intent is to preserve and enhance the natural area, there are many public and private grants available that could be pursued in lie of including the land in the tiff. My second concern is that the agenda supplement that states the city cannot certify that the rede redevelopment will not result in the displacement of 10 or more housing units. Because of this, a housing impact study is required. While the city is legally prohibited from displacing lowincome and very lowincome persons without ensuring comparable and affordable housing is provided. I'm not comfortable with any possibility of our neighbors being forcibly removed from their homes. Illinois law states Illinois law allows the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes and the properties being located within the tiff would strengthen the city's ability to claim that. Because of these reasons, I cannot support continuing with either tiff. Thank you. Can I ask you a question?

Uh, one of your comments, I believe you said, and maybe I misunderstood you, um, that residential property is not eligible for TIFF incentives. Is that No, they are eligible. I confirm that if you include homes in a TIFF, residential homes, they are eligible for TIFF money. Absolutely. Yes. Okay. I thought I misunderstood you. I apologize if that being so hard but yes but yes they are eligible. Thank you. Any other questions, comments by councel?

Yes, a couple things. Uh, of course, uh, and I've stated this before as far as the fact that, uh, uh, it ultimately basically goes back to where everybody else pays more tax, uh, if we create a tip because they're not basically paying uh, the uh, schools and and all the other taxing bodies and even uses as far as uh, uh, So it's spread out to all the other taxpayers. So basically, you're increasing the taxes for all the residents that are in each of these taxing districts. That's one concern. Uh another concern, and I think I saw it in your report that we really don't have any really true um visions of exactly what it is we want. Uh the third thing is is the fact that there are buildings out there that should be up to par as it is right now with our not following our building codes. And I don't want to be dumping city t or uh taxpayer money through the tip for those buildings that uh should be uplifted as it is because of the fact that uh they need to be up to the city standards as far as the city goes and I don't think that's what tiff should be for. if it is basically to develop uh areas and not just uplift the buildings that are there as far as the fact that uh you've got landlords out there that just aren't maintaining the buildings that they should be maintaining in the first place. So those are the three main

things that uh concern me. Can can you repeat the second one? Do you recall what your second comment was? Basically, it was uh the which whichever order it was. I know which it was. Vision. I'm sorry. Vision. Vision. Oh, yes. Oh, the vision. Yeah.

Yeah. So, uh um on that point, um again, this is we're at the point in this project where we're just at the eligibility stage. So the actual vision will come in when we act if you decide to proceed on to write the actual redevelopment plans. That's when we would actually articulate what the city intends to happen in the tiff, how much increment uh we project to be generated and what the city wants to spend that money on. So that that all comes in the next phase. All these reports were intended to do was to eva I just objectively evaluated the area and and applied it against the criteria in the act to determine if I think that the areas qualify or not.

Sounds to me like the cart before the horse. So, we know what we want. Why would we go out for a tip? We're going to create a tiff area and we don't know what what we're looking for for for the results down the road. That's what we need to know. We need we need as a city and as a council to take and decide exactly well you can't say exactly but pretty much where we're going with this tip where we're going with these areas and what are the end results that we want to see. We don't want to have create a tip and have developers come in and tell us how we're going to develop our city. I

we should be the we should be the the leaders to decide what it is we want to see in this city, not the developers. I absolutely agree with that and I'll just say that um you know the eligibility is always the first step. Um if if we have to determine if the area actually qualifies. If the area doesn't qualify, then there's no point in doing anything. Um so the first step is always identify the area that needs help that could benefit from tiff. determine if it qualifies. Um, and then we would move on to the more uh to exactly what you're talking about.

Thank you for the comprehensive report. Just like Alderman Miller, this is my first time going through this. I I truly appreciate the work that's gone into this. Um, the only concern I have is the 120 corridor. I'm not following the logic of why we want those wetlands, you know, into the plan. Otherwise, fully endorse the plan. Those wetlands would be my only area I don't agree with at this point. But thank you very much. Yeah, we we added those in uh just recently. Um maybe staff can discuss why they they wanted those in. If I can hear more of the thought process of why the

we wanted to form a continuous greenway, possibly enhance the Boone Creek area with pass, maybe do some shoreline restoration projects along the Boon Creek area that ties in with the property the city owns along Boone Creek to the south. It ties into Foxridge Park. So, it's all connected with the property that's uh going to be donated. So, all that's connected. So, we want to just enhance it. So, would we would we be looking at a developer coming in to do that enhancement or would that give us the benefit of doing it? I I'm still I we could do that. We could leverage grants through the tiff.

Okay. by enhancing with with pathways, enhancing shoreline stabilization of the creek, um enhancing the creek so it stays in its natural state, enhancing the areas around the creek, but not like a developer coming in and building stuff around there because it's not really developable.

Yeah. So, what Doug is um kind of talking about are are theoretical ways that this land could be improved at some point in the future. The only thing that we uh the only reason really that we're including this is because we have nothing to lose by including it. Um we know it's not developable. Um but if at some point this council or future council wanted to use TIFF funding to improve those areas, if it's in the TIFF, we have that flexibility. If it's not in the TIF, we don't. So this is not because this is anticipated to be developed in any um kind of uh larger way. It's more just, you know, as Doug said, to preserve the ability of the city council to do something really cool. There's a lot of potential here for paths and other things for the future, but if it's not in the tiff, then obviously that limits the options.

Makes sense. Okay. And that particular area, it looks really big, but it has a very minimal impact on the actual tiff as far as the values of all those. I think the the total area of all those pens was like a couple thousand dollars. I appreciate the explanation of why you would want to include it. Okay. Thank you.

Um during the conversation and thank you again. I did lean over to Doug just as a reminder to myself about how a potential developer gets included in a tiff district. And of course it's not an automatic. It is by the development request and ordinance. So ultimately, you know, thank you Andy for the reminder, but we always have the ability to say yes or no of someone's use or inclusion in a TIFF district. So again, I first trip through on the development of a TIFF, although we've worked with a TIFF, um I needed to be reminded by Director Martin that it's not a automatic inclusion. It's by ordinance and by developmental agreement which gives us the ultimate to control of saying yay or nay. You're inside the boundary but it's not a automatic inclusion.

Yeah. The city will control the tiff fund. You will evaluate projects on a project by project basis. Um so even if something is in the tiff uh that doesn't you don't have to give anyone any incentives. It's just another It's a tool that you're able to use within these designated boundaries. Oh, Danny, go ahead. I'm not sure who this question is for, but if we place properties in a TIFF, and I know staff has worked pretty hard on finding opportunities for revenue through grants and things like that, does this inhibit that from happening if there was a grant opportunity, but a property is within a tiff district?

Typically, it it can help. Uh well depending on which grants you're talking about, but most grants it helps if you have a comprehensive plan. It helps if you have a corridor plan. It helps if you have a redevelopment plan. A lot of grants like to see that you've thought about things before just we saw this grant so now we're going to try to get it like we actually thought through these issues and we have this project and we have this plan. So it can help in that way. Um and um I had another point and I just lost it. That's okay. Thank you very much.

Yeah, you know, you take a look at all this conservation area and yes, it can be developed, but it doesn't necessarily be brick and mortar. It could be developed golf course. I brought that up to you, mayor, uh on a couple different notes. You know, granted, it was 60 years ago that they planned to put a 9-hole golf course on that side of Boom Creek on the west side. Uh that's a possibility. Uh you know, uh different types of amenities like that could be developed. You know, the big question is is okay, if we're going to create a tip and we're going to have all this open area in there, what is the value that is going to come back to the city as far as to to the tip buds? Because if we're using the money to upgrade this area along the creek, how is that increasing the EAV in order to fund it the tip to keep it going?

I can I can bite that a little bit. Uh, typically, and I'm I don't work for the city, so I'm not speaking for the city here, but typically when I'm working with a municipality and a developer comes in and they request a tiff incentive, uh, the rule of thumb that I typically recommend is 50%. So, if a if I was going to develop a property and I was asking you for some tiff money to help me with some infrastructure improvement or whatever, typically as a city, I would I wouldn't go over 50. uh give you 50% of the increment that your site generates. That other 50% municipalities typically hold back to help fund projects that don't generate any increment like a road improvement project or a a sewer project or there's a lot of infrastructure projects that the tiff is intended to fund that won't generate any increment. Um, so you want to be careful as you're evaluating individual projects that if you give if you give give a developer 100% of the increment that that his project is going to generate, then there's nothing left over for any of that type of thing. But I mean, you know, you take a look and when you're creating a tip, I mean, it's so important to see uh the EAVs and the the tax dollars generated or the property tax dollars generated back to the tip. My another concern of mine I really forgot to bring up is the fact that I still remember our first tip and I remember 2007 and what it did to it. It stimied it for what several years, three or four years I think before we finally recovered from that.

Probably closer to 10 time. And you know what? If you if you go back and you studied real estate uh pricing and everything else, eventually you go back to uh where all of a sudden you're going to have a drop in uh in values. I mean, it it cycles, you know, takes 10 years, sometimes it takes 30. That can always happen. I remember when they have no crystal ball to say when that is going to absolutely and I economy isn't going to

I've been doing these tiffs long before the 2008 crash and yes that caused a lot of problems with a lot of tiff districts but it doesn't really cause a lot of dam it didn't really cause a lot of damage. Basically it dropped a bunch of tiff districts under that established base. So the tiffs weren't generating any increment, but none of the taxing districts were losing anything because the properties all fell below the established baseline. So it didn't really do any harm, but it it it rendered a lot of tiff districts basically not generating any increment. And I remember the second point I had for you regarding conflicts. There is one that I uh know off the top of my head is enterprise zones um which I don't think it'll be an issue here but there is a specific provision in the Illinois enterprise zone act that if you give a incentive through the enterprise zone then you can't also receive an incentive from a tiff. So there could be other specific grants or programs that have provisions like there's nothing in the tiff act that says anything about conflicts with any other but some other programs do have specific provisions that say if we give you money through here then you can't take tiff money too.

Any other questions though? Go ahead.

Could I just add for these parcels that you're looking at right now? Much of this is city- owned property already. I mean, Fox Ridge Park comprises a lot of that and so I think that's something to keep in mind as well as the greenway on the south portion of that map. Uh, that's already city-owned property. So much of this is not on the tax roles anyway in terms of an impact on an EAV. Um, if we were to receive that land donation, if that was finalized, you're probably looking at I mean 90% of this being city-owned property and not being on the tax role. So, I think that's just something to keep in mind when you're worried about an impact on an EAV. Yeah, most of that property was exempt and there were a couple parcels that had extremely like extremely in the thousands of dollars in EAB. Any other questions, comments? I just want to make a comment. You know, as far as the tiffs go, um you know, if you look at our downtown, if it wasn't for the tiff, our downtown wouldn't be where it's at. It really wouldn't be. Um and if you think otherwise, then I suggest you do some research on the projects that took place in our downtown over the years. um you know, developers looking to uh purchase the bank property or developers looking to I mean, talk about um Landmark School, you know, uh we have someone that's uh I don't know if they closed on the property yet or not, but they're going to they're going to need something, I'm guessing, you know, and if this tiff doesn't get extended, uh what's going to happen with that building? Uh, so I encourage everyone to do their research, talk to uh property owners and know what what they're going through on those uh sites. You know, strip malls down uh where Angelos is, that strip mall. Talk to Rick Hener that owns that property. Um, you know, uh people don't really understand that the uh the amount of money they're losing because tenants aren't paying and the type of tenants you're actually getting with these type of properties that aren't taken care of. So, um, yes, there's, uh, situations with, you know, uh, community development, uh, hitting them on a lot of their situations and and what they're doing with the buildings. And I I got to

say, our department does a hell of a job doing that. Uh, so to sit here and say that we need to go harder on them. Uh, once again, maybe um, meet with staff and and see what exactly staff is doing to go after these property owners. It's not easy to say the least. Um, and sometimes your hands are tied on a lot of projects uh, or a lot of properties. So, um, but I think this these tiffs are, you know, Aldo and Bassie, you know, you talk about 120 West. I mean, those that area is horrible. Um, you you ran on that um, you know, during the election and I think we should all be on the same page that Route 120 West, Main Street, 31 North, a lot of those areas are garbage and we need to fix them up. And if we don't, this area will continue to die. And that's just my honest truth. And uh I think everyone should be on the same page here. And I think the residents would be on the same page. The taxing bodies that we've talked to are on the same page. They understand how important it is. Um you know, you you heard District 15 as far as not a lot of these are what 95% of this is commercial, so it's not going to be uh you know, affecting the school districts. Uh, so I I I think this is a a no-brainer to really move the city forward in in the right direction, develop the properties, come up with a plan with council and staff. You know, we have time to do that. I think this is the right process to go in. Uh, and then, you know, can we take a break after we go through this process? We uh if we agree to the agreement moving forward in the uh on the agenda here, does it have to go in fast motion after that? Right.

No, it's all it's up to you. Right. So, with that being said, then we can have, you know, several meetings, committee the holes, figure out what we want. That's the whole process. Like, these are process that we have to talk about and to move forward. But the longer we wait, the longer these buildings are going to be sitting here, the longer they're going to be torn down, and I think the community wants better from us. So, that's my opinion. Um, so I figured I'd give it. The only thing I would say to that is, and I don't think this is what you're talking about, but I mean, if you took an extended break, like, you know, a year, I might have to go out and reservey all the properties again. Um, but yeah, if you want to take your time and that's not a problem. Sounds good. Thank you. Any other questions, comments? other than that.

Well, like you said, take a break, but I mean, if we create the tip, then that doesn't necessarily mean I mean that there's still another portion after the eligibility, but it doesn't necess it's just the eligibility. It doesn't necessarily mean we're spending the money right off the bat that we have to spend the money. It's just the fact that we are creating the clock ticking.

We still have time to discuss what avenues we want to go, the the directions we want to go, where we want to invest. You know, like at the beginning naturally, uh you're not going to want to invest into the open properties probably because you want to get something developed that will give you a return on the dollars you spend and the council makes that decision every single project. Correct. So, so what I'm getting at is is a lot of times go in with your comp, correct? Which we have. The comp plan's a a guide. I mean, well, we spent a lot of money on it, so I hope we're going by it. Well, it's it's it's a guide on paper, too, believe

should probably go by it. So, all right. And you can you can you you can wait to to sign the contract for phase two or if you want to sign the contract for phase two, I'm not going to bill you anything unless I actually do something. So, you know, if it if you wait a couple of weeks or a month or whatever and you decide I don't want to move forward, it's not going to cost you anything. Thank you for that. Any other questions, comments? All right. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time, everybody. We appreciate it. Hit the button. Thank you, sir. Thank you.

All right. Next item on the agenda, we're going to talk about consent agenda items 6A through 6G. Uh we are going to pull 6 AB uh for separate consideration. So I am asking for approval for to approve 6 A A Gez. Geez. All right. Go ahead. Could we also pull B, please? Oh, B. Okay. 6B. Yep. Got it. All right. So, now I'm looking for approval and a motion to approve 6 A A 6 A CDE E 6 C through G. I'm looking for a motion to approve. Alder,

I'll make that motion as suggested. Thank you. Second, Aldwin Bainy. I'll second that motion. Thank you. Discussion on these items by city council. Trish, please call the RO. Alderwoman Miller, yes. Alderwoman Bainy, yes. Alderman Glab, yes. Alman Dhy, yes. Alwoman Bassie, yes. Alman Davis, yes. Alman Cook, yes. Okay. Thank you, council. Next item on the agenda was pulled with 6B is a lease agreement with the Bower family.

I'm going to open up for discussion by city councilman Davis. Yeah, just because uh when we were when I was going through this, I noticed there's a huge discrepancy in the costs um of the property, some investigation that you uh conversations that I had with the the farmers and staff and stuff. Uh it doesn't seem that there's any reason that it would be $63 an acre more. Um so my proposal is to lower their lease at least for this year if this is something that um from 195 to 150 the next highest is 132. So they're still paying premium over everybody else. Um, and then if we want to re-evaluate this, because there have been some comments from other council members about costs and um, re-evaluating this cost, then that gives us this entire year to do that because that's not something that's going to happen before March 1st. So, okay. Any other discussion? Yeah, this I I believe the entire thing needs to be pulled and go back to the family at this point since we're referencing Kevin Bower and his mother Georgia who are both deceased.

We're aware of that. Okay. Yeah, that'll be modified in the lease. Go ahead. Yeah. Can you tell me what kind of uh property taxes do we pay on this property? I don't have that information. Well, we should we should know, huh? I mean, if we're leasing this out, it's commercial. So, therefore therefore, we're we should be paying property taxes, and we should know what the property tax is for what we're charging rent. I mean, we might be charging less in rent than what we're paying for the property tax. Yeah, I I could have that information available if I would have known ahead of time. I I don't have that information.

You can't expect them to know it right off. This property, this property was negotiated by a company CMI, I think it was or CML. And then in 2015, the Bowers took over uh the same thing. I tried to check the packet and Monty's going to correct the problem, but I couldn't get to the packet that staff explained when when the Bowers took over. But basically they they knew what the what the charges were at that time and and you know what every one of these agreements were negotiated at the time when they were first started wasn't any you know to where the city had a hammer or anything else and say well this is what we want. No, I'm sure every one of them was negotiated and to me uh that we just take and start reducing it especially in the fact that looking at the archives and going back there were discussions about the fact a few years back the fact that uh uh we're way under what the normal county rental is for for farmland and Uh I think in the future we need to look at uh for next year as far as you know what the county is is and I'm not saying we're going to just hike it all the way up to doubling it or tripling it or whatever but that that needs to be looked at too but we do need to look at if we're paying property taxes how much are the property taxes you know if nothing else rents should leases should definitely cover that we shouldn't be at a loss. You know, it is an advantage to have people um use the land rather than it turning into buckthorns and everything

else. I mean, at least it's it's being properly maintained, but it's still a fact that it shouldn't be a losing cause on on our our side. Thank you. Other one, Benny.

I 100% agree with you, Alderman Glab. Um, I just I think that exactly what you said that this was negotiated. This family hasn't come to us asking us to lower the rent. So, I'm it kind of concerns me that we would just reduce revenue in the city um when they haven't even asked it. And to Alderman um DH's point, I just don't see how we even move forward with this when there aren't parties assigned to the lease right now. And instead of lowering it this year and having a year to negotiate, I it seems to me that we need to negotiate with the property owners that have taken this property from um the family members that have deceased and then move forward with a new lease.

It it is it is my error just in moving forward with it and in not changing that lease in terms of the owner. We are we have been negotiating with Steven Bower who is the son. Again, my my error in not changing Kevin and Georgia off of that. So, I I'll take blame for that and we can pull it and as it's been pulled and change it or at least have some direction moving forward. I I just think it is clear that um from like it's not staff that's suggesting that we lower the rates. I understand we've had numerous discussions about raising the rates to to what's listed. I still would stand by the fact that I don't think that any of our farm properties generate what the average Mckenry County uh price per acre lease uh would hold up to. And so I do think that we have fair amounts here. Um I just wanted to add those couple of points.

Alman Davis, I just want to make a clarification. So in the packet, so the summary was incorrect and had Kevin and uh Georgia. The lease itself has Kevin and Steve. So Steve is on the lease. So it's not that there's two deceased people on the lease. It just needs to be updated and have Kevin removed. So correct. So the lease is correct. The summary in the packet was incorrect. Thank you for that. How do I

I just want to speak to the real estate perspective. Um the larger the parcel, the more you charge because the yield is greater. These parcels are tiny in comparison to what we would call large agricultural parcels. And if you look at Route 47 is really the division between people and property. West of 47, you're going to see extraordinary prices on a per acre basis because you have thousands of acres being tilled and farmed. And the yield is greater because of the technology, the combines, the fact that you're not going into an 8 acre parcel, which is teeny weeny, with a little bitty tractor, a plow, and a disc and a bor cedar. Um, the efficiency of a larger parcel is what yields a higher price. So when I look at these leases, and I have for now seven years, the price hasn't bothered me at all because they're inferior to all other large parcel egg pieces. Um, so again, just speaking it from a real estate perspective, larger gets more because you have a potential yield. And I would say if I looked at these five parcels as well, this is not premium agricultural soil. We don't have a lot of that in Mckenry. We were a glacier runoff. We have a lot of sand, gravel, we have rocks growing up on a farm. Every spring, our first month was rock picking. Um because they come out of the ground through the winter frost and in order to make the ground usable, you had to go out there and literally walk and pick rocks. So, I am not bothered by this. Um, but I do think and I again I I talked to Alderman Davis. If we're going to do something

with this, we probably need to take a deep dive into all of these and make sure that we're prepared for again revising them if necessary. But as far as getting to a average of agricultural per rent acre, we're never going to be there because these are itty bitty parcels in the big picture of making yield. Thank you.

6B. I'm looking for a motion for lease agreement with the Bower family by removing Kevin from the lease. I'll make the motion to uh withdraw this from tonight and take it off and we can discuss this because it sounds like we need some more discussion on it. Just remove it totally. Just that one.

Just that one. Okay. All right. So, there's a motion on the floor to remove 6B. Is there a secondass? I'll second it. Thank you. Uh discussion once again by city council. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Alman Dhy. Yes. Alman Cook. Yes. Aloma Miller.

Yes. I'll make the motion to approve um everything you just mentioned for fiesta days. I turned my mic on now. Sorry. Second. Alman Dhy.

I'll make a second to the motion. Thank you. Discussion by city council. Al uh passing. Go ahead.

Okay. Um, I did not vote to approve and I don't see Molly here. So, I'll just say the Chambers permit last year because their liquor license requests included hard liquor in a VIP tent and a liquor license for the entire free family day. I know the chamber is inflexible about the liquor license or the liquor license on the family day, but I am not inflexible about creating the two tiers of residents at the community event separated by who can and cannot afford VIP tickets. It does not look like their request for V VIP tent with hard liquor is in it this year. Is that correct? They have the whiskey tasting.

They do. Excuse me. They have they do have the whiskey tasting on Thursday night that obviously has hard liquor to it. So that's Thursday night that they have the uh the cask and barrel evening does have hard liquor but that's not a VIP where you pay more. I think VIP they are doing mixed liquor in VIP section which which last year they had a VIP tent that would cost extra. So my question is is that I did not see it. I read this. I did not see their request. Is that in fact correct that they are not requesting it? I would say that's incorrect. I would say they're going to do they would like to do exactly the same as they did last year. Correct. Uh in terms of structure of the event. So there will be a VIP tent. It's I don't

that's what how they called it last year. Yeah. So the V the VIP area is they have a tent setup that does liquor, all liquor and beer. So I don't know. I'm just want to make sure you but yes VIP seats just like Rise Up. You have VIP seats, VIP pit. those people can go and get VIP liquor in the VIP section. Okay. So, to confirm, it's going to be the exact same as last year even though it's not in correct. I don't think they're changing anything current last year. Financially, they they concerts aren't making money unless you do stuff like this. Okay. That because I did not see that in their request at all.

My from my talking to her, nothing has changed. It's her understanding that the exact same format as last year in all aspects would be carried forward to this year. Whether she specifically called out that as a as an element of the event um to run it exactly the same as the last year. Okay. Would they need to have a special permit because it is hard liquor? No, the the alcohol alcohol is alcohol. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. Any other discussion, questions by city council? Clerk, please call the RO. Okay. I apologize. I was still typing. Who was the first motion on that one? Bainy and then Alman Dhy. Thank you. I apologize. No, you're good. Okay. Alwoman Bainy, yes. Alman Dhy,

yes. Alman Glab, yes. Alwoman Bassie, no. Alman Davis, yes. Alman Cook, yes. Alwoman Miller, yes. Thank you, council. Next item on the agenda is 7A is a tiff agreement with te uh Tesca Associates. I'm looking for a motion to approve a professional services agreement with Tesco Associates Incorporated in the amount not to exceed $25,000. Looking for a motion. Alman Dory. I'll make a motion to approve item 7A the tiff agreement with Tesa Associates as presented. Thank you. Second Aldor Miller. I'll second that motion. Thank you. Discussion by city council. Open up for public for public comment. Clerk, please call the role. Alman Dhy,

yes. Alwoman Miller, yes. Alman Cook, yes. Alman Davis, yes. Alwoman Bassie, no. Alderman Glab, no. Alderwoman Bainy, yes. Thank you, council. Thank you for your time. We'll get moving. Thank you. Thank you. You too. Next item on the agenda is 7B is Route 31 I do intergovernmental agreement. Motion to authorize the mayor to execute an IGA between the city of Mckenry and the state of Illinois to approve the funding resolution in reference to IDOT contract 80C85 to replace the IGA and funding resolution previously executed for contract 62 K69. Looking for a motion to approve. Aldwin Miller,

I'll make Go ahead. I'll make the motion that we approve the route 31 I do intergovernmental agreement. Thank you. Second, Alden Dhy. I'll make a second to the motion. Thank you. Discussion by city council. Alderman Miller. So, I just have a quick question. Um, in reading the packet, they're now splitting the cost of the 176 north and this is our portion of that split. Is that what I'm reading?

Yes. So, the original contract uh 62K69 that we already approved an intergovernmental agreement for that was for Bull Valley Road south to 176. That contract is being split into two contracts now. So, there will be a total of three contracts for the whole route 31 project. Ames road is the dividing line. So, that portion from Ames Road to 176, they retained that 62K69 contract number for that stretch. They had to assign a new contract to the portion from Ames to Bull Valley, which is where our portion is contained. Same scope, same cost, nothing changed except the contract number, but because it's a new contract number, we need a new uh IGA and funding resolution that reflects that number.

Perfect. Thank you. Any other questions by city council? Any public comment regarding this item? Trish, please call the RO. Aluminum Miller, yes. Alman Dhy, yes. Yes. Alumoman Bainy. Yes. Alman Glad. Yes. Alumoman Bassie. Yes. Alman Davis. Yes. Alman Cook. Yes. Thank council. Next item on the agenda is 7 C Nikos on the Fox economic incentive agreement. Motion to pass an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an economic incentive agreement between the city of Mckenry and Nikos on the Fox LLC. Looking for a motion to approve. Aldorin Miller. I'll make that motion to approve the Nikos on the Fox economic incentive agreement. Thank you. Second, Alderman Cook,

I'd like to second that motion. Thank you, sir. Uh, Nico is here uh in the audience this evening if you have any questions for him. Is there any questions, comments by city council? Aldo Bassie.

Thank you. It's just a comment. Um, the most important criteria for evaluating economic incentives should be necessity. Specifically, would this property realistically be developed without an incentive? It was stated at the January meeting that you had approached the owner of Vickiy's Place for five to six years about selling the restaurant and it was the mayor who approached you about creating an economic incentives. The city has multiple sales tax rebates already in place with Castle Motive Group being the largest recipient with over a half a million dollars rebate in the last fiscal year per the city's last audit. Overuse of economic incentives are race to the bottom that result in redux in reduced public revenue. If one of the improvement plans was the addition of a sprinkler system to increase capacity beyond the current 100 total, the amount of sales tax revenue collected would realistically increase and a sales tax rebate would be a more attractive option. But that is not um a planned improvement. I understand why you requested it, but as I stated in January, this is a desirable location on the water with boat access and not a long-term um vacancy in a blighted area. So, any financial incentives would be inappropriate. Additionally, because Vickiy's Place is a recent closure, the city will be losing money it received in previous years if this incentive is approved.

Thank you. Um I'm trying to figure out a way to say this without um so that business has been in business, but let's be real, it hasn't generated a ton of sales tax at all. very minimal. Uh Carolyn, do we have any kind of idea? I know I don't normally do this. That's usually I call you, but I didn't know this was going to go this way. So, she doesn't know because I already know, but I'm not allowed to say, right? So, my guess So, my guess it's low

um just based off of uh knowing the owner and talking to the owner and the struggles that she had over the years. Um, so getting something that was getting nothing, it just sitting vacant is just going to deteriorate that property even more. Um, especially with the amount of money that they're requesting for the property, the uh redevelopment of the property to fix up the property to upgrade the kitchen. Um, so yes, I 100% uh recommended that we incentivize Nico to get this um developed. I think after it's completed, uh, it will be a great location for people to visit and, uh, look spectacular on the other side of the river, which right now doesn't look the best. So, um, so anyway, uh, that's my comment on that. Uh, so I hope the council uh, gets behind us on this and I think this is um, the right thing to do and let's get this uh, property redeveloped and make it active again. Alderman Glenn.

Yeah, I just want to state that uh you know I'm very tight on these type of situations. However, uh uh there are times when uh uh I I do bend. Um I don't know Nico, but I know of him probably for the last 25 to 30 years. used to be a contractor rep for Menards and I I knew uh one or two of his landlords. So, um he's got quite a great reputation out there and I'm glad to see him coming to Mckenry. Thank you. Thank you, Aldo Miller.

Thank you. Um first of all, thank you for the renderings, Nico. They're beautiful. Uh, and I know that this really speaks to the volume of money that you're going to be putting in the property. As a lifelong resident of Mckenry, I have seen that property sore. I have seen that property not do so well. and an investment in this property. This minimal capped tax rebate of $142,000 is really just a small amount that we are thanking this investor to come to Mckenry and and do something amazing in this property. This is one of the premium properties on the river that we have. And unfortunately, it's out of the tiff district. Otherwise, we could do something different. We can't. And I think it's important to support businesses that are going to grow, help us recover, and provide an opportunity to economically do much better right there. So, I'm all in support of this incentive agreement to again thank Nico for coming to Mckenry, taking a beat up property and making it incredibly beautiful. Thank you. Any other comments, questions? Alderman Cook?

I agree with Alderman Miller. Plus, it's going to draw eyes to the Riverwalk and that gives incentive and all that. I've been to one of your finest establishments, Mr. Nico, and uh you run a first class joint. Okay. So, uh you're right. It's nice that you come in here and beef up the city. I like that. Any other questions, comments? Open up for public comment. Trish, please call the RO. Alwoman Miller, yes. Alman Cook, yes. Alman Davis, yes. Alwoman Bassie, no. Alman Dhy, yes. Alderman Glad, yes. Alwoman Bainy,

yes. Thank you, council. Thank you, Nico. Appreciate it, sir. Have a good evening.

All right. Next item on the agenda is 7D. Shamrocks the Fox temporary use permits. Uh looking for a motion to approve temporary use permits for Foxhole Pizza, 3308 West Elm Street, Courthouse Tavern, 1401 Riverside Drive, and Toast and Rose, 1250 to 1252 Green North Green Street with the following conditions. Uh D1, all outside liquor sales, unless otherwise approved, shall end by 6 p.m. to coincide with approved open carry hours. All amplified outdoor music shall end by 7 pm. Uh D2 is approval from the Mckenry County Department of Health is required for any food served outdoors. D3 is all temporary signs and banners shall be authorized through the standard temporary sign permit process. D4, open liquor carry is approved for the downtown area on March 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All liquor must remain on private property outside those hours. No liquor may leave the premises during the bridge closure associated with the river dying event. D5, no open flame cooking is permitted under tents. Uh D6, propane heaters must be used in accordance with the manufacturer spec specifications including required clearances and combustible materials and tent structures. This time looking for a motion to approve 10D1 or sorry 7D1 through six. Aldo Miller. I'll make the motion to approve the shamrocks on the Fox temporary use permits.

Thank you. Second, Aldwin Bainy. I'll second the motion. Thank you. At this time, open it up for uh council comments and questions, and I'll open up for public comment. Ross, go ahead. I just wanted to add to that that uh Foxhole is requesting a 1000 p.m. uh stop time for live music and liquor sales. Um, the other two applicants are uh okay with what was approved last year, which was the 7 o'clock uh ending to the music and then a six o'clock outside uh liquor sales. It coincides with our open carry for that weekend. So, um Foxhole, they are here tonight um but they are requesting a 10 p.m. uh event closure.

Thank you. Discussion by city council on that one. Um, last year we did adjust the foxhole. They also requested until 10:00. Then we adjusted it to coincide with the others, which was six for liquor and seven for outdoor. Um, I don't know if we need to pull this, but I would like it to match the others. So, can we vote individually on these or how would we do that? I guess because for Foxhole is the only one that I would have issues with. Hm. If if you just approve this vote, there's a motion on the floor to approve approve as is. Yeah. So, that would that would limit them. That would limit them

if you just approve this. Yeah. Or you where But it also says um that it shall end at 6 um unless otherwise approved. So, we do have it in the packet for 10:00 for them. Right. So, okay. So, we would have to pull amend amend the motion amend the motion. Well, but right now there's a motion on the floor. The motion includes the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Yes. Right. For all for all of them. For all of them. Yes. For all three. Okay. Then I will Yes. So, so you would need to amend the motion. Amen. The motion if you want to change it to what they want.

Okay. Thank you for explaining that. Okay. Uh any questions, comments? Though any of you that made the motion and second want to change your motion. All right. Any public comment? If you hit the center button.

I'm one of the uh owners of Foxhole. We went the 10pm just because of the cost of putting everything together, the tent, the entertainment, the staff, paying the residents, all that stuff is very expensive for us. So that extra 3 hours during dinner time would help us offset that cost. That's why we're asking. We did the same thing for Halloween. We were open till 10:00. Um, no incidents, no problems, no complaints. So, and we always overstaff with uh security and everything. And then once the open carry ends, you know that basically that courtyard where we put the tent is a natural barrier with a main entrance and then our security would make sure no one would leave without alcohol after the time if that's a concern. Um, any questions?

Any questions, comments? All right. Alman Davis, I was gonna say just a comment. Um I think last year we had this discussion also and I think basically it was more because of the police presence and the hours that they're going to be, you know, you know, around the city and stuff like that. So to have somebody that you know one outlier just causes more confusion around you know for everybody and and so uh that that's I think well Miller Point's going to be open till 11 or later which is a block away and I'm sure there's going to be police presence there right but it's can yeah

I don't know

and that was my thought I saw your application Um, again, our discussion in the past always has to influence my decision for the future. And Chief Burke brought many points forward last year that still resonate in my head about controlling the environment and how how do we make it safe for all? And when that hour arrives, and I so appreciate that you're trying to generate revenue and the cost of putting on events, we all know what that is. Um, but we have to protect the city and we have to protect the others, not just your people. So, I respect your request, but in light of conversations that we've had, that was why I made the motion to respect what staff was recommending and leave us all with a singular cut off time so that at the end of that cuto off time, all outdoor con I can't say all outdoor consumption stops because we know that's not true, but that organized outdoor consumption stops. So,

who who are the other? It's Courtthouse, which has an outside area that's usually open anyways. And then who was the other one? Toast and Roast. Toast and Roast. Can you just move them all the tent? They aren't using a tent. They're using the deck. I mean, till 10:00 so we could all be open till 10. That wasn't their request. Shouldn't Miller Point close at 7? Yeah. I'm sorry. Shouldn't Miller Point close at seven? I mean, they get to stay open. Can you come up to the podium? Sorry. Oh, what? Sue, your mic as well.

Oh. Um, why is Miller Point staying open till 11:00? Shouldn't they close at 7 as well? Is it only has a special consideration because it's ran by the city? I can answer that. Yeah, go ahead, John. It's open till 11:00. You're open till 2 a.m. You're just not allowed to sell it. It's an inside tent at Miller Point and that's where the sales and the consumption occur there at 11 o'clock as well. They don't roam through the park. Ours will be inside tent, too. Your your license is 2 a.m. inside your building. The city's approved license is for their tent at the 11 p.m. time. It still doesn't make sense. Okay.

Okay. All right. All right. So, any other questions, comments by councel? Chair, please call the role. Alderwoman Miller, yes. Alderwoman Bainy, yes. Alman Glab, yes. Alman Dhy, yes. Alwoman Bassie, yes. Alman Davis, yes. Alman Cook, yes. Thank you, council. Uh, next item on the agenda is staff reports. Any staff reports this evening? Russ, go ahead.

Just one real quick. The contractor has resumed working on Venice Avenue on the storm sewer installation. So, the goal is to get that wrapped up before Shamrocks, have it back to gravel and then everything will resume once weather permits after Shamrocks. Thank you very much. Any other staff reports? No. Uh I have nothing uh tonight. Any city council comments? Aldman Glenn? Yeah. Uh, I guess this could be directed to Russ there for public works is uh where are we as far as leaf pickup for the spring? Exactly what my question

I mean the thing is is our residents need to know ahead of time because you take a look and a lot of those leaves have now been spread back out. Some people have started to pile them back into a pile and others haven't. and we need to let our residents know ahead of time that when we're going to pick them up so that uh they have time to to get get out there, you know.

Correct. So, we've already posted the program dates for 2026 to the city website. I believe um about a month ago, we also included those program dates in one of the updates that went to council and they will be advertised in the city newsletter that will be going out in March. But the leaf pickup will begin the first week of April. It will it will resume when yard waste pickup begins with Flood Brothers the first week of April. So we're talking one week uh or No, it will begin each each zone will be completed. So it'll they will be out there till they're done. If it takes two weeks, two and a half weeks, they'll be out there till they're done. Right.

But it will begin with zone two because that was the one that was missed and we're expecting the heaviest volume. It will begin with zone two the first week of April. Okay. Just so we can get it out there, like I say, more so than anything else. Thank you. And it is on the city website. Thanks, Monte. Why can't they do that sooner? I thought the whole concept was as soon as snow melted and early spring they would come pick. I mean, Green Street's a mess and people's lawns are dying.

So, there's there's a couple parts to that. First, we had like to Alderman Glab's point, we had to give people notice and we had to pick a date that we thought was going that we felt comfortable we would be able to complete it if we we didn't know we were going to have 60° in February. Um the other thing that we have to contend with is like right now, you know, if you walk out in your yard, the ground is really squishy right now. It's really wet. So when it starts to get cold again like it's going to get next week and the over overnight temps drop below freezing, those leaves will freeze back to the ground and half of them if the truck goes by at 7 in the morning are going to be frozen to the ground and not get picked up and then we've got another problem to deal with. So that was trying to account for all of this and pick a time and a season when we felt we could thoroughly do the best job possible. You know, the thing is too is is uh you want those time the leaves to have time to dry out too. Otherwise, it's going to be very difficult for anybody to rake them up or or whatever. Uh you know, not just sticking to the ground, but to actually collect them up. And uh on another thought, uh G, I know it's not a real exciting uh um editorial, but maybe uh the Herald could take and uh uh help us get it get the word out to the the residents. So, I'll leave it at that.

There you go. Janelle, there's your headline. Get a raise on that one. any any other uh city council comments this evening? Go ahead, Trisha.

Super excited about Vickiy's place and with Nico. Um I have a lot of really good memories there and I think it's going to be beautiful that we're fixing it up and it definitely needs it there. as like a resident. Speaking as a resident, I had my first date there with my husband. So, I'm like super excited to see it like renovated and because it doesn't it really doesn't look that great right now. So, I'm excited that we're going to fix it up over there. So, yay. Awesome. Thank you. Sure.

Any other comments? Motion to adjurnn. Allelu just called on you. Alman Glad will make a motion to adjourn. Second by Alderman Dhy. Alderman Glab. Everybody vote no. Alderman Glab. Yes. Alman Dhy. Yes. Alwoman Bainy. Yes. Alderwoman Bassie. Yes. Alderman Davis. Yes. Alman Cook. Yes. Alwoman Miller. Yes. Have a good night.