City Council - Regular Meeting

Lord is the only one. Yeah. [snorts] Busy. Keep it busy. Did you have a good day at school today? Okay. Your drink, too. I told you that it was my turn today. Oh, is that what it is?

Good evening, Pastor Coverstone. Could you please give the invocation?

Good evening, Madame Mayor Council. Everyone, would you please pray with me? Well God, we thank you uh for your good gifts in our lives and we come together uh tonight to do the business of this city and are grateful uh as we come that you have given us life and breath and health as well as uh the ways that you've individually gifted and called each one of us uh and given us the capacity and the ability to uh do what you've called us to. And we confess that we are often tempted to think otherwise uh and to ignore and forget those gifts. And so we give you thanks tonight. Lord, we thank you for uh these new firefighters uh and pray that as they begin their service here in Freeport that you would bless them with wisdom and strength uh and safety. And of course, we don't ask it just for them, but for all of our first responders and city employees, uh, department heads and, uh, this council, uh, the mayor and all that work in her office. Lord, we pray for them as well for wisdom and strength and safety. And Lord, we pray that, uh, for the purposes of this city, you would grant good planning uh, and blessings uh, on the efforts that are made uh, in that good planning. Lord, as spring is just around the corner and the busyiness of summer, Lord, we do pray that uh the plans that are being made uh for the warming and what happens with it uh would go well

uh and that you'd bless us in the year still ahead. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. And we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam clerk, would you 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 Johnson.

I pledge algiance 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. Um, we would just like to take a moment this evening to observe a moment of silence for the passing of Revery Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader for more than six decades.

Thank you. Item number one is the approval of the agenda and we will be concluding executive session tonight. Is there a motion? So move a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Clem. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. That motion passes. Next we have some swearing in. [clears throat] This is Braden Scoffield. He's one one of our new firefighters we're swearing in tonight. He's he's from Orangeville. He's a Marine veteran.

Why? God bless him. All right. [laughter]

Repeat after me. I, Brighton Scoffield, I Scoffield, do solemnly swear do so that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution for Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois in the Constitution of the State of Illinois. And I will faithfully discharge the duties I will faithfully discharge the duties for the office of firefighter for the office of firefighter according to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. [laughter] [applause] [applause] [clears throat]

Is there [laughter]

This one goes on. [laughter] Congratulations.

YEAH. [applause]

Jace comes to us from Rena originally, but he's also a firefighter, EMT, and Byron fire. Come on. All right. Raise your right hand for me. I do I do solemnly swearly swear that I support the Constitution of the United States that I'll support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the Constitution the State of Illinois and I will faithfully discharge the duties and I'll faithfully discharge the duties of the office of firefight of the office of firefight

according to the best of my ability. According to Iowa [applause] picture, [laughter] [clears throat] oh wow, that tastes good.

[snorts]

Wow. [clears throat]

[applause] [applause]

Matt Thomas. He's from Freeport. Um he doesn't have any any um first responder background, but we're going to teach him and and get him going for us. All right. Awesome. All right, you can raise your right hand and repeat after me. I am Thomas. I am Thomas. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and I will faithfully discharge the duties the office of firefighter of the office for the best of my ability.

[applause] [applause] [laughter] Uhoh.

ALL RIGHT. [applause] [applause]

SO THIS IS DONOVAN. It's fall, right? Um um he does have some EMS background and uh he's coming to us and we're getting trained up also. Um, recruits will be going to the Romeo Romeo Fire Academy starting March. Okay. Repeat after me. I swearly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Support I will support the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and I will faithfully discharge the duties.

I will faithfully discharge the duties the office of firefighter.

[applause] [applause] [laughter]

All right. All right.

[applause] [applause] Oh, I was going to say they could leave their family. You don't have to stick around. [laughter] [clears throat] Anybody know? Wow. [laughter]

All right. Which flavor do you want before all this begins? Okay. Watermelon. [laughter] Okay. We'll move on to item number three, which is public comment. We have one that the clerk is will be reading in this evening.

This was received via email. To whom it may concern. I, April Leno, on behalf of myself and Patricia Lenor of 7-Eleven East Pleasant Street in Freeport, formerly report a severe infestation of raccoons and other vermin in our area. Over the last year alone, I have paid to have trapped 38 raccoons, 16 apossums, and four skunks. This has resulted in a significant financial burden, including a removal fee of $50 per animal, and a total of $800 spent on traps to help manage the issue. Additionally, we spent additional funds on labor and materials to block off the area underneath our deck. I have multiple videos available to provide as evidence of this ongoing problem. A major contributing factor is the l lack of proper waste management and the behavior of some neighbors in the area. Garbage is not being stored properly, which attracts more animals, and some residents are even feeding these wild animals as if they were pets. The situation has escalated to a point where it is no longer just a nuisance. It is a serious health and safety risk. Just two days ago, I encountered a raccoon face to face during daylight hours. We currently feel it is unsafe for our children to play outside or for our elders to join to enjoy the garden. I hope the city can take immediate action to address this problem and ensure the safety of our neighborhood. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, April Lenor.

Thank you. That concludes public comment. Number four 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 that would like to have something removed for further discussion. The consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the board of fire and police commissioners u minutes from December 23rd, 2025. The building permit report and fire department report for January 26. Greater Freeport partnerships report from January 26. approval of the finance bills payable in a total of $1,46,976.13 and for approval of payroll for for pay period ending February 2nd 7th 2026 in the total of 718,450.74. Is there a motion to approve?

Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson I Simmons I Parker I Stacy I Shadel I Sanders I Sers I and Clem I The motion passes 8 to zero. Item number five are appointments. Could you please read those? Appointment of Elaine Enriquez to the Arts and Culture Commission effective through August 31st, 2029. Appointment of Police Chief Jacqueline Frato to the Ethics Commission effective immediately. Thank you. If it pleases the council, we'll do this in one motion. Move. Second.

We have a motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Any discussion on the appointments? Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. And Clem, hi. The motion it passes 8 to zero. Item number six is the second reading of ordinance 2026. Could you please read this?

Ordinance amending part 10, streets, utilities, and public services code, title 6, other public services, chapter 1060, waste and recycling collection and disposal. Section 1060.07 07 temporary dumpsters, trash containers, trailers, construction trailers, or equipment used for construction projects including trailers and wagons, use on public ways, and section 1060.12 construction debris, containers, colle and collection of the codified ordinances of the city of Freeport. Thank you, Mr. Seel. [clears throat]

Yes. Uh we discussed this at the last council meeting. This is simply a ordinance revision to allow for protection under dumpsters to the new street areas. Uh we've seen some damage to the investment we're making in streets with dumpsters being placed um andor dropped. Probably not purposely. Um again, I did talk to Gills Disposal before uh drafting this uh ordinance and they were on board with the changes that we wanted to make. Um there is uh as a reminder, there's no permit fee for dumpsters. However, people are not abiding by getting a permit. So, we can track this situation. In 2026, sorry, 2025, there was only four permits that were issued.

Thank you. Discussion on this ordinance. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sellers, I. And Clem, I. The ordinance passes. 8 to zero. Item number seven is a second reading of ordinance 20267. Please read this. Ordinance amending various provisions of part 10, streets, utilities, and public services code, title 4, utilities, chapter 1042 and 1046 regarding water and sewer connections of the codified ordinances of the city of Freeport. Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh, we went over this at the February 2nd meeting. Um uh this is upgrading some common sense uh connection fees for water and sewer. Um we haven't revised this in over 9 years and uh it is necessary to recapture some of those costs that have been uh eroded away in inflation. So uh staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance.

Thank you. Discussion Darren. Yeah, I just wanted to comment this ordinance is not going to affect probably 90% of our clients that are already connected to the water and sewer. This is uh in effect to people that are not connected to our sewer. And there's always been connection fees involved with new homes or new properties connecting to water or sewer systems. So, um I just want to make that clear. I saw some posts that uh seemed confusing on it, but this really won't won't apply to to 90 95% of our our uh users already. Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, hi. Parker, I Stacy, I. Shadel,

hi. Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. And Clem, I. And that ordinance passes eight to zero. Okay, we have item number eight. Uh, however, we do need to have an addition to amendment A. The addition are two things. Uh, a 2006 vac truck and a 1977 Holiday Rambler office trailer. So, we'll just need to have a motion to make that amendment to add them to the list. So, second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Is there discussion on that addition? What is the addition again?

We have a list. It's called the exhibit A. There's a list of items and there are two that needed to be added before we pass it. And one is a truck and one is a trailer. Oh, okay. Madam clerk, could you please take the role on the on the Mr. Sele? Yeah, I just [clears throat] have one correction. Uh, I believe the Vector truck is a 2003 Oh, I'm sorry. Did I not say that? I believe you said. You're right. It's 2003. Yes. Madam clerk, could you please take the role? Johnson. Hi. Simmons. Hi. Parker. I. Stacy. Hi. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. I. And Sers. I. Oh, and Clem. I.

The amendment passes 8 to zero. Okay. So now item number eight would be the second reading of ordinance 202608 as the amended ordinance. Okay. I don't think I read it. Should I probably read that in the record? Okay. Ordinance authorizing sale, recycling, donation, and/or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city. Tonight, we have public works department equipment and Alberta's airport equipment. Thank you, manager Boyer. Uh, thank you, your honor. As we discussed, there's a surplus inventory. We need to uh have authorization to move forward to liquidate. We'll do that through auction site Wisconsin surplus and staff request moving forward with this surplus uh ordinance. Thank you. Discussion.

Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sellers, I. And Clem, I. The ordinance passes 8 to zero as amended. And item number nine is the first reading of ordinance 20269. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending chapter 873 and 664 of the codified ordinance of the city of Freeport concerning the licensing of mobile food trucks. Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. The city of Freeport supports food trucks and the roles they play in our local economy. However, the current ordinance has created confusion, particularly regarding distance requirements from restaurants and overall licensing regulations. In response, the staff has reviewed chapter 873 and are proposing amendments to clarify standards and improve administration. Key updates include establishing a clear $50 annual licensing fee, requiring renewal applications 30 days in advance, and clarifying that food trucks must remain at least 200 feet from restaurants without permission. This distance is measured from the nearest outside wall of a restaurant or the nearest inside wall if multiple businesses share that uh building. The amendments also clarify that trucks may only operate on occupied properties with permission and strengthen eligibility requirements, establish clear enforcement provisions for violations. These changes support public safety, fair compens compensation uh and uh competition as well. and align with the city's strategic plan with implementation funded through licensing fees and fines without impacting the general fund. Staff recommends moving to a second reading and approving the amended chapter 873. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Ser, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Uh discussion on this ordinance? Alderman Stacy. Who would this affect? This will only affect people uh those who are wishing to have a food truck and need to be licensed to operate in the city of Frequent. So, if they came from out of town, they would need to get a license. And that license is good for how long?

A one-year term. they need to um and then for the renewal they need to apply 30 days before their license is uh is up. So where this said, so the first year they get a license. Mhm. If they're coming in July, they have to get this license by June, a month in advance.

They for renewals. for renewals, they need to, if they're going to renew their license, they can't have it uh expire. They need to apply. They need to renew it within 30 days. So, if they come and they get a license in June, they can start in June. Yes. Simmons. So, if they don't do it the 30 days ahead of time, what happens? If they can't get it, where is it going? If they don't do the renewal, right?

So, if they don't renew, then they just do a new they just a new uh food truck and so it just be a longer process. So, we'd have to uh you know vindicate everything and go through the entire process. So, the renewal is just they come in, we check that they don't have any um issues with the renewal process and then they can be applied. Um Madame Clerk, no renewal, new and renewal are exactly the same. We ask for the same things every year. They need to provide proof that their truck's licensed and that they they have insurance. Okay. Okay. Sorry about that. And Stacy, what is the price for renewal? $50.

So, it's 50 for a license or 50? Yes, for renewal. And that's for the entire year. Okay. We'll move on to item number 10, which is the first reading of ordinance 202610. Could you please read this ordinance amending title 10 employment provisions chapter 290 compensation and benefits section 290.01 D3 of the codified ordinances of the city of Freeport regarding classification plan. Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh thank you, your honor. Uh the city public works team is requesting uh the creation of a new position u for the department. Uh at this time we're requesting the creation of a public works environmental health and safety operations coordinator. Uh this would not be a new position. This would essentially be a uh change of an existing position which is now the environmental compliance officer position. So we'd be adding additional duties to this um to this uh role. As part of our strategic realignment, the public works department is re-evaluating uh these key responsibilities to improve collaboration and unite the team. Creating an environmental health, safety, and operations coordinator role will enable the department to effectively manage the day-to-day operations under the direction of the operations superintendent for the lab operations and maintenance personnel while uh continuing to lead environmental and regulatory compliance for the utility operations division. This change will facilitate greater departmental collaboration and enable the division to appoint a new SA add this safety coordinator position um duties to this role as required for our compliance. So staff recommends moving forward with the creation of this uh new position.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the ordinance. Alderman Stacy, is this a union position? I'm sorry. Can you say that again? Is this a union position? No, it is not.

Would you like Yes. I'm trying to understand is this what was brought to us pertaining to the gentleman that already does this that needed [clears throat] to have someone back him up if he needed time off.

Uh this is part of it. So in in lie of replacing the operations superintendent for the utility, um we come together as a group and uh we feel that it's our best interest to have uh to add additional duties to several ex two existing positions. one we passed uh a meeting or two ago for the um uh utility I'm sorry the operations uh foreman. So that's one part of this and the second part of this is adding some duties to this role which is also non-union but um would be taking on more responsibility. Was the operation foreman position union?

Yes. Okay. Mr. [snorts] Teagle.

This position uh is currently exempt. So, non-union and the city has the need to add the safety coordinator position. We need to have a safety coordinator. We currently don't. Uh Randy does a lot of with uh compliance and regulatory requirements for us and would be very uh good at the safety coordinator spot. So, she'll cover all of public works in the utility. uh which currently um has kind of been an ad lib uh uh position where a handful of people have been trying to do it but it hasn't been done very well. So uh our team agreed that this would be a nice uh position um increase for the person that already has it. So it's again not an additional position but just giving somebody more duties and responsibilities uh within our current structure. Okay, we'll move on to item number 11, which is the first reading of ordinance 202611. Could [clears throat] you please read this ordinance granting a variance from the requirements of section 1268.07A concerning location of accessory structures uh at 1219 South Celely Avenue.

Thank you, Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Staff received a variance request for 1219 South Celely Avenue in Freeport to allow a replacement accessory garage to remain closer than the required 10-ft separation from the home. The original garage was damaged by a fallen tree and was rebuilt in the same location through an insurance claim. Because prior zoning laws did not require the current 10-ft separation, a variance is needed under today's standards. The zoning board of appeals recommended approval by a 4 to zero vote. The planning commission recommended approval by a five to zero vote. Staff presents this request for your consideration and asked the council to also consider a suspension of the rules as this request has already been reviewed by two commissions to avoid further delay for the homeowner.

Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So move second. Have a motion made by Alderman Ser, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on this ordinance. Alderman Parker. A motion to suspend the rules. Sure. We have a motion to suspend made by Alderman Parker. Is there a second? Second. Was that you, Greg? Alderman Shadel for the second. Uh all um suspension of the rules is non-debatable and was passed by two-thirds majority. So madame clerk, could you please take the role on the suspension only? Johnson. I. Simmons. I. Parker. I Stacy.

No. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. No. Sellers. I and Clem. Hi. The suspension passes six to two. Thank you. So now before you council is the final uh for this ordinance. If there's no further questions, concerns, madam clerk, please take the role on the passage. Johnson I. Simmons I. Parker I. Stacy. [cough] [snorts] [clears throat] I Shadel. Hi Sanders. Hi Sers. I and Clem I.

The ordinance passes 8 to zero. [clears throat] Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 202615. Could you please read this resolution approving purchase of Neptune water meters from Ferguson Waterworks? Thank you, manager. Uh thank you, your honor. Um we're restocking our water meters. Uh we need about a hundred new meters. M um the total cost is about $14,000 and uh this exceeds you know uh discretionary uh spending limits for myself. So uh we're bringing it to council to move forward on and staff requests moving forward with this purchase order. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So second motion made by alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Clem. Discussion on the resolution.

Just a question. Yes. Go ahead. Are these for homes? Yes. Okay. Stacy, was was this budgeted? Uh, yes. And it was stated that this was being budgeted for this reason? Well, um, we have like a a dollar amount that we budget for valves, meters, pipe, all kinds of materials. So, this falls under that budget item. Yes. Madame clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I Simmons, hi. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers,

I. And Clem, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. [snorts] Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 202616. Could you please read this? Resolution approving a licensing agreement with Cindio Networks for pole attachment and conduit occupancy.

Thank you, manager Boyer. Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh, Cindio, uh, I believe that used to be JC Wifi, I'm sorry, Arrow, I'm sorry, Arrow. Um, we got quite a few of these anymore. Um, they've they have rented the downtown city poles for use of their fiber optic cables for many years. um their agreement had expired a number of years ago and we've been working very diligently with the new company that bought out Arrow um to renew this uh license agreement. So uh this is essentially a continuation what we have been doing with um an inflation um escalator built into this new contract. So staff requests uh moving forward with the approval of this contract with Cindio network.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move second be a motion made by alderman sellers seconded by alderman Shadel. Discussion on this resolution. Alderman Stacy. What would be the main purpose for them adopting the city poles? I they had essentially installed uh their fiber years ago on the city light poles and it's still there and still being used. Uh we had an agreement that expired a number of years ago and it took us quite a while to get that resolved because the uh arrow went under new management with Cindio. So this is a new agreement with Cindio. So So okay, I'm trying to understand what does it do for the city?

Uh we receive I I believe it's what 50 bucks a pole per year for the Is that right? I believe the rent is $25 per pole per year and it has a 3% cost inflator uh every year over five years. Um the main purpose of this is a lot of the businesses in the downtown area originally had arrow uh internet because it was high speed before they were there. that connectivity was there's a map in the uh um agenda that shows that connectivity was gone through the city concrete polls but the absolute most uh significant thing that they do is they provide um 247 broadband to the ESB at the police station. So they are part of the 911 uh uh center and that is the main reason that that that network was built out. So that's that that line is currently the main feed to the ESB.

Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, oh, I'm sorry. She is absent currently. Parker, I Stacy, I Shadel, hi. Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. And Clem, hi. The resolution is adopted seven to zero. Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 202617. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the purchase of turnout gear for the fire department from Dinges Fire Company. Did I say that right? Dinges. Chief Gordy.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Since 2023, the department's been exploring replacement turnout gear. Um, and in this case, what we're talking about is the the heavy coat and pants that they wear internal in the fire. [clears throat] Um most of our current gear was purchased about eight years ago. Um but in the last few years we found out that a lot of that gear has the PAS chemicals in it

that are cancer-causing. So we we formed a turnout gear committee to try and find out uh what was the best brand and make that was out there. Uh the the committee um after going through multiple different manufacturers and vendors um have recommended the purchase of Lion Brand VForce structural firefighting turnout gear. Uh our plan current plan then is over the next six years um that we're going to purchase 16 sets every two years. instead of having one big bulk purchase, um, we're going to try and step it out that way. It'll also help the next in the next 10 years when we have to come back and do this all over again. Plus, it also allows us to re-evaluate um what we're currently purchasing and if there's anything any better um coming up over the next couple of years, we can uh we can go to that brand or that manufacturer. So currently the department's requesting approval to the resolution of purchase of 16 sets of Lion Vforce structural firefighting turnout gear from Dinges Fire Company from Amboy. The replacement will take place in like I said in phases. Um each cost each set of gear cost uh $4,465. Uh so what we're asking for is a purchase not to exceed $75,000. uh which again goes above the the uh spending limit so that we have to come um and and make a request. Um this brand and or this vendor is a Sourcewell uh vendor and we're asking to move this forward.

Thank you, Chief. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on the resolution. Miss Stacy, was this budgeted in your budget for this to happen this year? Yes, it is. It's comes out of our capital improvement fund. And how long are these outfits good for? NFPA says 10 years. 10 years. Thank you. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel Hi, Sanders. Hi, Sers. Hi, and Clem.

Hi. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 202518. Would you please? I'm sorry. 202618. Resolution authorizing memorandum of agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration or the FAF FAA facilities for incorporating runway 24 MALSR which is a runway alignment indicator into the National Airspace System at Alberta's airport. Thank you, Manager Boyer.

Uh thank you, your honor. The city has a continuing agreement with the FAA uh to operate the city-owned airport. um that is time to renew that agreement. Uh it expires September 30th, 2026. And therefore, new MOA is required to extend the agreement so that we can continue to operate the airport. Um the MOA under construction is a 20-year term expiring in 2046. The uh MOA allows the FAA the right to maintain FAA owned navigation, communication and weather aided facilities, grade and install drainage facilities, seating and remove obstructions. Um so uh city city staff recommends moving forward. There is no cost impact to this. It is just an agreement with the FAA. So staff recommends moving forward.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? Second. Alderman Clem. Motion made by Alderman Clem, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Oldman Stacy, you said this is a a 20-year commitment. Yes. And it costs the city nothing. No, it's it's no cost to the city. It's just an agreement between the city and the FAA that we're going to operate under um FAA rules. So, if it ever got to the point where they could not meet our needs. Then what?

Um well, essentially this allows us to operate legally under the FAA. So if we aren't working with the FAA, we don't have a legal airport. Okay. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I. And Clem, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 202619. Could you please read this for the record? Resolution approving an agreement with IWork systems. Thank you, Director Sutman.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, council, this is an agreement for all of our IWork modules software that staff uses. Um, a little bit of background and we started our relationship with IWork in 2018. I think it's been highly successful. We've seen a lot of efficiencies through using their software. Um over the years we started getting peace meal modules here and there. So we ended up with like three or four agreements. The main purpose of this was to get that into one agreement so we can pay it once a year, keep track of it better. Um this agreement happened to coincide with our desire to get two new modules added. So we thought while we're consolidating, let's get it all in one. So that's what you're seeing in this agreement. Um there is a cost increase this year over last year of about 22,000. That's because we've added the the new modules. Um [sighs] um the 69,100 will be split up um between city funds and water and sewer because there's the facilities management portion on there. And staff recommends moving forward with uh this agreement. I'll answer.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the resolution. Stacy, you said it was about a 22,000 increase this year. Yes, we added some automation tools for our community development and some additional features for them and then a licensing module. Is it going to be an increase yearly as things change as fast as they do? If I would assume if things are added to it, it would. Otherwise, I'd expect it to go up with inflation, but not drastically. But I can't predict the future either.

Is this drastically 22,000? Is that considered drastically? I don't think because we're adding features. Okay. If it was just a jump of 22,000, I'd have major questions if it was the same feature set. Okay. Thank you, madam clerk. Please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, hi. Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. And Clem, I. And that resolution is adopted 8 to zero.

Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 202620. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Greystone Construction for the purchase and construction of a salt storage shed. Thank you, manager. Wear. Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh, the city has two salt sheds that are in really bad condition. Kurt, I don't know if you can put those pictures up for the projector. Are they up there? Not yet.

Okay. Well, uh, as soon as we get the projector going, then we'll be able to look at those pictures. But essentially, we have two pole pole barn style sheds that are falling apart. Um, actually, they're unsafe and they're going to fall down eventually u in a very short order. So, uh staff knowing this has been working on uh replacing the salt sheds. Uh obviously, we've known for a little while that we need to replace them. Uh we have uh come looked at three different uh manufacturers and uh worked with um all three to kind of get the best analysis of how they're built and the the best layout for the city. Uh we've decided on an 80 ft x 126 um brightspan atlas building. Uh this package includes 12 inches of aggregate base, civil sight work and grading, concrete foundation and base. Concrete foundation peers, rebar mats and basically the structure. The total cost of the um salt shed is 833,795. And the building will hold up to uh 4,400 tons. And to give you a context, that is about one uh basically 1.3 years worth of salt on hand. Currently, because of the small size of our salt sheds, we take deliveries as needed. Sometimes when it's a cold winter and we have a lot of snow, um our supplier actually has to prioritize who gets salt and sometimes we don't get as much as we want. So, uh this will enable us to have an entire year's supply on hand at any given time. Uh this was included in the capital improvement um plan as in the budget and staff uh request council move forward with the uh salt uh shed.

Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Sellers. Yeah. With this shed, you're also making it that big for a little storage too, aren't you? Are you storing anything else in there besides just the salt?

No. Uh, you know, salt's corrosive, so anything we put in there would be subject to that corrosion. Um, however, this will give us operational um flexibility when the salt deliveries come in. If they're on a tilt uh like a a large truck with a tilt bed, uh the the trucks will be able to fully tilt up and dump the salt in there. Currently, we don't have enough overhead space to do that. So when a salt delivery comes in, they basically dump it on the ground and then we have manpower with moving it around and getting it put back in the salt shed. So it'll actually streamline operations to some degree as well. Okay. [cough] Alderman Stacy, would you ever order 3 years worth of salt at one time?

Um, no. Oh, I think you misunderstood. It was 1.3 years capacity. Oh, okay. Okay. Gotcha. Shadel, did you have your hand? I did. Um, just curious uh if this includes uh demolition of the existing or are we just going to have somebody like maybe hit it with a feather? I'm I'm going to leave that to Darren. I think we [laughter]

got this quote does not include demolition. Uh the city staff decided that we're going to use our own crews to do demolition of the buildings because they're in such bad shape. So, we're going to recycle, excuse me, recycle the steel and we're going to just, you know, dispose of the wood and then we have uh the ability with the clam truck and stuff to remove the concrete ourselves to kind of sweat equity, save some money uh to try to bring the cost down. Um very expensive building and we know that, but it's it's very needed and and uh we wanted to do everything possible to make sure that we could get this facility this year. Uh I really believe that by the time we empty the buildings, they'll probably fall over. It's I I looked at it. It's extremely bad shape.

Yeah. Dangerous. Alderman Stacy. Is this down on Island? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Okay. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I Clum, I. The resolution is adopted 8 to zero. Item number 18 is approval of a bid. Could you please read bid opening on February 4th, 2026 for HVAC preventative and service maintenance for equipment at 70 seven city-owned locations. Thank you, manager.

Uh thank you, your honor. So for the past three years, we've had a company doing our contract HVAC work for just city hall and for the police department. um that has been problematic and we worked very hard this time to make sure that our bid was written very specifically to cover you know we could calculate all the costs and we weren't getting uh hit with uh high uh uncalculated increases from the supplier. Um, we also added several locations to, uh, this bid, um, including the facilities down at Island. And so, uh, staff moved forward with a bid opening and, uh, Helm was the most responsive bidder. And, uh, staff request with a total cost of approximately, um, see here, bear with me one one second here.

77. Yeah. 77,73. Sorry, didn't see that. So staff recommends moving forward with this bid from uh Helm. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the bid. Alderman Stacy. So, do I understand this contract to be saying one year is 60 compared to three years being 77?

No, that's uh incorrect, but I think Darren can speak to that pretty clear.

The as what's listed in the memo, year 1's cost is uh the 60,314. Year 2 is 6978 and year 3 is 7773. So that's the total cost of the year for the preventative maintenance and all labor included. Um we did this as a three-year. The city has the right or option to approve a three-year bid and then we can opt out at any time that we want to yeartoear. It's written in the contract that we we can opt out if we feel that service isn't what we thought it would. If we decide we can't afford what we're doing. Um, based on the evaluation of how many units are in this bid, it's a very good price and the current contract we've been under has been very insufficient uh over the last 3 years that we've been dealing with a lot of problems with it. Um that's why we did an RFQ request for qualifications and Helm's packet that they submitted was far superior to the other packets uh that were submitted as far as the details and the things that we asked for uh regarding each facility within in Freeport. So um I would like to tell you that the city went away from an all-inclusive package many years ago. Um, I I would say Michelle could tell us, but I think it was about four years ago we went away from an all-inclusive package like what we're suggesting here, and that cost was over $100,000 a year that we were paying at that time um for all the labor included and all the PMS and everything that that are out here. I I was scanning my memo um here and and we have 168 touch points of uh uh heating, cooling, exhaust fans, things like that within this this contract. That's a lot of units to maintain within the city of Freeport. And to be frank with you, we don't even have a good inventory of the condition or status of the things that we have currently. So, um,

one other thing I'd like to throw out is there's refrigerant law changes that happened here in 26. And so, as units become aged, because of the new refrigeration laws, if they have anything to do with air conditioning, they won't be able to be repaired with the current refrigerant. They will have to be converted to new units because the EPA no longer allows the installation of that old refrigerant. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, hi. Barker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I Sanders, I. Sellers, I and Clem. Hi.

The motion passes 8 to zero. Item number 19 is another bid. Could you please read bid opening on February 10th, 2026 for the tree removal for the year. Thank you, manager Ber.

Uh, thank your Thank you, your honor. Um, city uh has identified 31 dead or dangerous trees within the city. We do this every year. Uh, this year we received uh multiple bids, four bids uh with the uh winning bid being TR tree landscaping of Economok. uh they are the low bidder at $68,187,000 and this is budgeted in the forestry budget staff requests moving forward with accepting the bid from tree landscaping company. Thank you. Is there a motion to move? Second.

Motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on this bid. Alderman Stacy. The company that gets this bid or these bids um they will have the necessary license and paperwork um required by the state to do these jobs. Am I correct? Um yes. All all the companies will be a licensed uh Freeport contractor with the appropriate liability coverage. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker,

I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, I. Sellers, I and Clem. Hi. The motion is approved 8 to zero. Thank you. Another bid opening. On February 11th, 2026, there was a bid opening for sanitary sewer cleaning for 2026. Manager Boyer.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Uh each year as we prepare for our road projects and our water mean replacements uh we also evaluate our our uh sanitary collection system before we move forward with any other uh work above ground. Uh so this year we had uh solicited for bids for cleaning and televising uh corridors within the city that we're going to be working on. It accounts for about 20,000 lineal feet. Uh the uh low bidder was National Power Rotting, a company we've used in the past and has been good. And uh they are the lowest responsive bidder at $76,784 and that's actually below engineers estimate. Staff recommends moving forward with this bid.

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on this bid. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sellers, I and Clem. Hi. The motion passes 8 to zero. And item number 21 is another bid opening. On February 11th, 2026, wild animal trap trapping bids were opened. Thank you, manager Boyer.

Um, thank you, your honor. Uh so u many times throughout the year we get requests of residents of Freeport um that have issues with raccoons or skunks or uh various large marsupial um you know animals and uh this the city ordinance does not allow for us to trap. We simply uh the ordinance allows our animal control officer to deal with dogs and cats. Uh with that being said, with the number of requests that we've had, uh staff solicited uh bids for um basically exterminating contract for uh up to 20 uh of these types of problematic calls. Um we received one responsive bidder uh night sight solutions. And uh the total cost per trap is going to be $300 and uh that'd be $6,000 annually. And we'll do it on a first come, first serve. And we will also be depending we'll be looking at the surrounding areas. So if you live in the woods, we're not going to be sending a trapping company out to capture possums. Uh this is simply just to deal with the um the emerging issues that come up from time to time. And uh so staff recommends moving forward with this bid from or the bid from Night Sight Solutions for a total of $6,000.

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve? So move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sers, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Discussion on this bid. Alderman Johnson. So, currently I understand the city doesn't pay anything or doesn't do any of the trapping of any wild animals. Really, we're not doing anything for that right now. Is that correct? Right. Um, it is not allowed by ordinance and we have no qualified individuals who have the proper uh ability to do that. [clears throat] Okay. Alderman Sers,

I do want to say um also in this trapping, I think we need to look at our um community development on some of the garbage and because that's what these animals feed off of where people have just throw their garbage in the back or throw their garbage on the porch or whatever. But these animals have gotten really out of control. I know one day I saw I thought it was a dog and it was a raccoon. It was that big. So, and it was 10:30 in the afternoon. I mean, in the morning. So, I I do see that there is a big problem in the community area where people live and children play. So, Mr. Seagull.

Yeah, I just want to add uh one point of context. So, um in the memo, we talked about this is going to be a co-op program. We're not as the city just going to go out and remove animals. There's going to be a co-op cost with any resident that wants to do it. Uh first of all, animals on private property present an issue. And we're also going to require uh a hold harmless agreement to the city because it's on private property like a temporary easement

um um as well just because you know uh we have to be cautious and protect the city at all lengths when we do this. And I have specifically talked to Night Sight Solutions. This is a gentleman that is a very responsible person. He's a um licensed trapper in Wisconsin and in Illinois. He works for the Rockford Fire Department and he's planning on retiring and this is kind of his um uh uh next part of his life uh for work and he he likes doing it. So, um, one of the things I'm concerned with with this is kind of the story that Dovey had wrote before that, um, you know, people think this is generally as simple as just tramping one animal sometimes when, you know, there might be a family of raccoons living under that deck. So, um, we we need to be cautious as we move forward with this and very selective in the the uses that we do with this.

Thank you, Alderman Stacy. So, is this saying it would cost the customer or the person that's in need of the service [cough] [clears throat] $300 per trap? In this case, it's a co-op. So, that $300 cost would be split 50/50 between the homeowner and the city if approved. The homeowner and the city would split the $300. And that price from NightSight is per animal trapped. the 6,000 300. What's the 6,000? That was the annual estimated cost to the

I thought you said annual, but Okay. Yeah. Which um I did some cost comparisons uh about 3 or four months ago. Rob asked me to call around and get some prices because we had quite a few complaints about how much this trapping was costing. Uh cuz there's very limited people that are actually licensed to do this. And the cost that I got from numerous calls was double this. Is there something we can change? Oh, I'm sorry.

Sure. Go ahead. Is there something we can change in the ordinance that will be more supportive in the city with this? I mean, Miss Lenor is very concerned. 38 raccoons, 16 possums, and I didn't get how many skunks or Yeah. I mean, I I think the idea here is to start start with something and see how it goes and then go from there. But would that be something the city would consider? We don't have a licensed trapper.

Right. That that's the issue right there is what she said is we do not have a licensed state of Illinois licensed trapper on staff and that has to be happening to be on private property. So you're saying the ordinance could not change. I don't believe our our or our our ordinance our city ordinance could allow us to trap on private property. I don't believe that that would be the case. That that would be a question for the attorney. [clears throat]

That is correct. We can only uh enter onto private property if we have some kind of permission from the land owner or if there's a recorded easement that would allow the city to come on uh for some maintenance aspect. So without permission uh we would we we we just can't enter onto the property unless it's an e situation like a fire aspect then obviously we can't. Alderman Johnson. Um I see here there's it says a single emergency call out less than 40hour time time is $200. So that'd be above and beyond the $300. Yeah. So $500 if it was an e situation. [clears throat and cough]

In my research, um most of these animal problems are kind of ongoing, you know, and it's not like something that's a fire. And so 48 hours seem to be a reasonable time frame to respond. If somebody just it's dire and they can't wait 48 hours for the trap. Yes. Then there is an additional $200 emergency fee to break this person away from their other work. Thank you. Okay. Yes. On what if the animal um is dead? So who picks that up? Um, in the rightway, the city of Freeport picks it up. On the private property, it would be this this

tra and that would be 300. That would be 150 bucks then just picking up a I I this you don't know yet. It's a great question. I might have to define that. I don't believe he would charge us for an animal that was already ded. This is okay. Catching animals like this and baiting them in traps takes time and effort. And there's always safety risk with uh different kinds of things like rabies and things like that. Yeah. Okay. Director Sutman, can you um check the video feed? Um we keep getting uh it's blacking out. Video stays on, but the video is blacking out.

Okay. Thank you. Um if there's no further discussion, madam clerk, could you please take the role? I have a question. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. So once we exhaust the number of calls, can you just bring it back to council and then maybe we can renew and add more or I think is that what you were getting at? Maybe could we increase the number of calls from or just bring it back once we I think it's really a starting point. That's what I'm saying. So yeah, I think this the whole point was let's let's we've not done it before. Let's go ahead and try it. Let's put a cap on it so it doesn't get out of hand. this is an unbudgeted item that we're going to have to look at other areas within a budget to pay for. So, I just wanted to make sure that it was bookended and we weren't

um you know, moving forward with something that uh that gets out of hand. Mr. Teagle. Yeah. So, we in the bid we did ask for a price over 20 uh to kind of lock it in in the bid if we choose to do more and he gave us the same price for 21 through whatever. So if council determined that there was a greater need here, uh it would still be the same price. Okay. But I think we need to also remember Alderman Seller's point of, you know, enforcement of garbage and things that draw um those types of animals in. Uh it's kind of a dual piece there. So it's a starting point. Clean up area. Uh madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson,

I. Simmons, I. Parker, I Stacy, I Shadel, I Sanders, oh, he's absent. I'm sorry. Sellers, I and Clem. The motion passes 7 to zero. And item number 22 is another bid opening. On February 12th, 2026, we opened bids for demolition of 1300 Business Route 20 East or the former Holiday Inn. Director Heimerdinger.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, last month on January 20th, 2026, I provided testimony on behalf of the city of Freeport at the Stevenson County Courthouse regarding the formal uh, Holiday Inn at 1300 Business 20 East. This property has been in the court system for years and based on all the testimony and supporting evidence. The court automat uh ultimately ruled in favor of the city determining that the structure is not suitable for rehabilitation is a life safety hazard and ordered the demolition of the building. Following the court's decision, the community development department moved forward with the demolition bid process. The bids were publicly bid. Uh, addendums were issued to clarify scope and requirements, and a walkthrough was held on February 11th so contractors could review site conditions. Bids were open on February 12th, and the city uh received six competitive bids. The lowest responsible bid was submitted by Elurn Sun's Earthworks in the amount of $169,700. The other five bid totals and contractors can be reviewed in the memo attached to tonight's agenda. This project will be funded through the demolition fund and represents an important step in removing a long-standing unsafe structure and preparing the site for future redevelopment that will generate new investment, support future businesses, and increase revenue for the city. the city will be seeking developers. And uh I encourage anyone interested to contact me at 815-2358221. And finally, I'd like to uh take a moment to thank my team, Doug, John, Ben, Elizabeth, Sadi, and Katie, as well as our city attorney for their dedication in bringing this long process to resolution. We are excited to see what the future holds for this property, and staff recommends approving the bid uh from Elurn and Suns Earthworks. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve?

So move. Second. Have a motion made by Alderman Shadel, seconded by Alderman Sers. Discussion on the bid. Alderman Stacy. If we accept this, how long is that building going to continue to sit? or better yet, when would the process start and what is uh estimated completion date?

That's a great question. Um in or big documents that were signed by the contractors, it says 25 days for the um complete demo of the building. So that means 25 days from the time that they receive the go ahead to get started. they if it takes longer than that because it's a pretty big structure they will need to submit to us an extension um and give us proper reason for why that extension is necessary. Um something that we are in the play with is that we would like to have this building down by the time that we are due back in court in April. So that's kind of the uh target is to have it completely down so that we can move forward with the next steps within the GUID system.

Completely down by April. Yes. Madam clerk, please take the role. Johnson, I. Simmons, I. Parker, I. Stacy, I. Shadel, I. Sanders, hi. Sellers, hi. And Clem, I. The motion passes 8 to zero.

Item number 23 is discussion on BIOC project updates. Alderman Stacy and Simmons. Okay. [clears throat] Several community members have expressed concerns regarding the lack of progress on the VA project. On behalf of these citizens, I am requesting answers to the following questions. Why is the project currently at a standstill? What is the project's completion date? In the event of a fire or medical emergency, will EMS be able to reach the arcade area efficiently? Four, the approved permit from 2024 was pulled from this project after being approved for two years. When was the permit for this project pulled? By whom was the permit pulled and for what reason was the approved permit pulled? [sighs] Who has had direct communication with Canadian National regarding this delay? Why was the council not informed of the permit being pulled and of delay the process would cause? What is the status of the road the city was supposed to pave for residents use west of the water treatment plant on Hancock?

And what is the current status of the Hancock Bridge and how long is it expected to sustain the extra overflow traffic? Alderman Stacy, you were given uh answers to every single one of these questions last Thursday prior to your request to put this on the agenda. So from that point there is no other updates.

Okay. Uh Mayor Miller, I was given [snorts] maybe five of the eight questions. However, the constituents are wanting to hear it from Director Boyer or Director Steel. I don't care which. I received five to eight calls in the last 3 weeks on this matter. Did I pick back up the phone and make five to eight calls? No. I put it on the agenda so they can get it firsthand directly from the horse's mouth. Now, is that a problem? Requesting that, asking that. Is that a problem? like you already know the ordinance, you have the ability, two aldermen have the ability to put anything on for discussion.

My point was that [snorts] last Thursday prior to the agenda, you knew all those answers. Director, would you like to address any? I did not know all those answers because all those answers were not asked. I'm happy to answer them.

Yep. So, uh, the current project is at a standstill. Um, the reason it's at a standstill is because we're at winter construction conditions and frost is in the ground. Um, the reason we're at the standstill that we're at is our franchise partner Nyore had a 2in high pressure gas man that needed to be relocated under the pavement. Um, unfortunately since the uh notice to proceed, they didn't complete their project till October of 2025. They hit a water man. They also hit a sewer main and created a large uh repair in that area. Um the city is a franchise partner with Nyore and we don't control their construction crews and this relocation was at no cost to the project. So the timelines that they established per the franchise agreements are what the public has to deal with on the relocations. Um we we can't control Frontier uh excuse me uh Nyore. you can only work with them. Um, additionally, CN owns all of the property that this project is going to be done on or is being done on and they have the full authority to open, close, and permanently remove this access at any time they want to. Um, CN actually has more authority than the city. Um, and then in the rank of the railroad, um, they have more authority than anyone in probably the state of Illinois to do whatever they want with their facilities. Currently, it's expected the project will be completed uh in May before June of 26. If I was going to give you a date, I would say June 1st of 26. It should be done. And the reason for that is the asphalt plants do not open up till usually the la the the end of the first week of May. And so, we're not going to get pavement down till that point. um the fire medical emergency. Um the public works department has worked with Chief Miller and the fire department has

a plan in place and alternative routes established uh to get to this area. Unfortunately, there's only one access point through the Hancock Bridge and that does deter for the rails. So, they have routes around north to get there. I've discussed that with them thoroughly when we did the project. Um that's the best the city can do at the time. I would like the city uh council to know that uh before we even undertook this project, I tried to get a new above rail crossing so we didn't ever have to deal with this again and that was turned down in whole. CN's not adding any above ground crossings on any rails due to liability issues. So this this was really our only choice. Um the approved permit being pulled. Um CN provided a permit access for one year. uh the public flagging which is required with these projects uh um paused the project um in uh December of 20 uh five at the end excuse me December 28th of 25 uh CN sent me an email asking for more information on the excavations on the uh water and storm which we provided them numerous response in the month of January and then they reissued permits on February 4th to Helm Group, which is the contractor on the project, who's had communication with them during the project. Myself and the Helm Group uh project manager have had communication with Canadian National throughout. I'm the one that got involved in January to make sure the project could continue to move forward because I want to see it get done as well as everyone else. Um I also take tons of phone calls on this constantly. Um unfortunately, this is what happens with public relocations of utilities. They're not always timely. We have to deal with the ICC and the regulations that go along with these types of utilities.

Thank you.

Um, why was the council not being a informed of the permit being pulled? Other than uh rumor statements, I have nothing in writing to inform you that they've been pulled other than that they asked for more excavation details on the water and storm uh in coordination with their abutments. Um, so that's why nothing was afforded because nothing's going to move forward. um and be finished until May of 26 because it's impossible to get hot mix asphalt to open the road up. Um so I think that answers most of those questions. Um Hancock Bridge um the Hancock Bridge is is still rated for 80,000 lbs. Uh so semi-traffick can go over that every day all day long. It is the deck and rating are in poor condition, but they're still a 409. That's why it's on the re uh uh replacement schedule for the deck and the railings. Um four out [clears throat] of nine means that there's advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling, and scouring deficiencies. ID dot is fully aware of this and that is an IDOT bridge as long as the city of Freeport. It passed the 2025 inspection and it is on hopefully the July letting to bid for the new bridge which would mean maybe a fall or spring start for the replacement. Um, until [clears throat] that can project can commence, there's nothing we can do but patch the deck and the railings. One of the holdups on the bridge, um, which I I didn't inform council this either, but the railings on the bridge are considered historical monuments. They were cast in place when the B was originally built and it has been going through a six-month review through the historical society to decide if they want to keep the railings or we can demo them which is out of our control again. That's the IDOT process. And since ID do's giving us nearly $2 million for the project, we have to follow their process through and through or we forfeit the money. um

the status of the road to the west. So the road to the west was a conversation that we had with the fire department about trying to get emergency access back there in case something happens to the Hancock Bridge that crosses private property back at the old depot of Ultrasonic. We don't have passage to cross their premises, but they told us in an emergency they would let us through. So that's the backup plan if the bridge goes out. Currently we have an access through inertia for the fire department in emergency, an ambulance in the emergency or semi- traffic that is overweighted has been permitted to use that passage since the wastewater treatment plant uh project has gone underway. And to my knowledge, it's been being used monthly at uh uh I would give inertia uh a thank you for allowing us to use that because they didn't have to.

Um but they they wanted to cooperate and and I can't guarantee you that the bridge will bid in July, but currently we're trying to ramp everything up to get it to that point. Okay. Um, so I understand that it doesn't open till the end of May or sometime during May and we're hoping for completion by June 1st. So um with the understanding that hopefully we have received in writing that the permit is back.

I have emails from CN that they authorized the flagging permits to Helm to submit. Yes, that happened on February 4th. Okay. So, if they can get out there and finish doing what they need to be doing, will it be filled up with gravel and opened back up until it can be paved?

Only if the city wants to pay the additional cost to fill it up and dig it all back out because that's not in the scope of the project. And unfortunately, with the weather conditions of winter, we cannot have the asphalt plant turn on again before about the end end of the first week of May is usually the typical time it opens. So, if we as a city want to if they can even get out there and finish it because we got to let the frost get out of the ground, we would have to pay to fill the whole thing with gravel and then we'll have to pay to remove it all and waste it. And uh I mean that's that's the council's choice. And what kind of expense is that?

I would have to ask for an expense. I'm guessing 15 20,000. Unfortunately, there's always inconvenience when you have projects that you're dealing with. So, um, let's move on to reports of department heads. Finance. Not yet. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you. I just want to be clear that an emergency situation. If there's a [snorts] train stopped on the tracks rather than going all the way around 26, emergency services have permission to use the inertia way.

They can cut the locks and go. They have bolt cutters and they can cut the locks and and go through. That's that was our agreement with Inertia. We'll have to repair anything that's damaged, but yes. Okay. Finance. Nothing this evening. Thank you.

Community development. Um, I just like to since we're talking about pest control, uh, please take your garbage to the street the night before with your toers and then make sure that you grab it. Make sure you pack it tight and then make sure that you pick your toers and you put your toers back uh to where they belong in your house, wherever you have deemed on your property they need to sit, not on the roadway, not in the rightway. Um, but we just please help us keep the uh keep animals that we don't want in here um out and everybody enjoying their lives and and can walk safely and and play in their yards. Thank you.

Public works.

Um, sure. Uh, couple updates. Um, when I left tonight, uh, two of the chargers down at the, uh, Douglas lot are now, uh, live and working. Uh other two I need to get um a couple warranty parts for and the other section is going to get commissioned um hopefully in the next two weeks. We're waiting for that schedule that be at the the state lot. Um uh so that's good news. Um we also received u Michelle and I received confirmation on getting the uh all the uh uh SEA money and all the KMED money back. We also we actually got confirmation of a of about a third of the payment already from Kameed. Um I would also like to let everybody know that the 2026 street projects uh led by the city um we have three packages coming out. The first one should be going out to bid uh around the last week of February and then there'll be one each week concurrently for three weeks. So we'll have lots of bids coming through. Um and also we appreciate uh the approvals of the salt building. It's a much needed facility for the for the street department. It's it's very deteriorated.

How does um how is it known on apps that we now have two chargers that are uh great question. Um I looked before I came and I don't believe it was live, but on the charge point site and on the car maps, um once this is fully commenced and opened, they'll actually be on the maps for people that have EV cars when they need to charge. Who's they? um people that own EBS or who will put it up? Yeah. Where's the how does the app know?

Um Charge Point and um the who was our partner in building them is loading all that information into the maps. So like right now if you went to Chargeport it has a question mark over Freeport. That's because they knew we were coming but we we had to shut them off for before commencement. So now that they're turning on I don't know if they'll be on the map tomorrow but they should be on in a couple days is what uh good people told us. So, thank you.

Yep. Uh, interesting. On the app, it should tell you how many are available. Should tell you how many are in use. Should should also be able to tell you um uh you know, maybe like it gives a time frame, you know, as in charging. So, like when when would be available if they're, you know, all utilized or something like that. So, um I have had a lot of calls over these charging units and um very very much a lot of excitement from people traveling through and asking questions. Um uh just had talks with two gentlemen this week which pass through Freeport all the time looking for these chargers to be available and uh they told me that these will be the best units uh between Chicago and Debuke. Well done.

Uh uh could you share the name of that app again?

Uh it'll be it's Charge Point. Chargeoint is like uh one of the leaders in the charging industry. And again, I wanted to point out that we specifically picked ChargePoint uh because they're uh a nationwide vendor. They're a name in the business. They're not going anywhere. So, we didn't want to get into a unit that might not be able to be serviced. Uh they Energy out of I believe it's Belvadier, who's one of our partners. They're actually a retail warranty uh distributor of them. So, when there's issues, they'll get notification as well, too, that something's not working correctly, so it can be fixed. Um it's it's a complete package and we also have the software as part of the package that Michelle's group and public works has to facilitate the finances and the payments and and the operation of the utilities. So and uh the cost structure we came up was just an average cost structure to start with with Freeport. I think it's very fair and will be advantageous to people using it.

Okay. Fire. Nothing your honor please. Nothing ma'am and library. Thank you, your honor. The new library director, Emily Shab, starts next Monday, February 23rd. We are all looking forward to her arrival. Thank you all for your support of me as interim director and your continued support of the library. And I will see you again in September for my annual summer reading wrap-up. We always look forward to that. um it city manager.

I have one thing and I I I am often surprised pleasantly with how competent and hardworking our staff here at the city is. That not only goes for everybody in this room, but everybody that works for the city. One case in point, we had an issue with the aircraft refueler. We have a very good lease arrangement that saves the city a tremendous amount of money on that. But we had a ongoing issue and it was causing a back siphoning in fuel and nobody could figure it out. And I just want to thank our mechanics specifically tonight for the work that they put into diagnosing a very difficult problem and solving it when other professionals could not. So, thank you.

I have nothing new to share. Alderman Johnson. Um, yes. This Thursday, we have our neighborhood watch meeting at 302 Farmdale Lane at 6:30 p.m. I don't have anything. Thank you. Alman Parker. Uh yeah, our neighborhood watch meeting next Monday night uh on Laurel Street where it's always been. Thank you. Alman Stacy, nothing tonight. Thank you. Shadel,

just would like to add to the neighborhood watch list. Uh it's should be scheduled for March 5th, but we're going to move that uh the police officer and myself both have something going that night. It's going to move to the second Thursday, which would be March 12th at uh Schwarz on Park Boulevard. Alderman Sanders, nothing. Alderman Sers, nothing. Alderman Clem. Uh,

I'd just like to give out a a shout out to Pat Ingram that's in the audience tonight. Pat, thank you and all your crew for all the extra work you've done on the leaf pickup and everything lately. We've know we've really ran into trouble with weather and all that and a bunch of issues, but I know the guys were out sweeping today and the guys were out also picking up in leaves and stuff. And thank you for continuing to make the effort. People appreciate it. [snorts] Item number 28 is public comment. Is there Tommy?

I want to thank you for bowling on the telling down the and Darren, you do a good job with it. Yes. And Jordy Mo, you do a good job in the mayor. Yes, sir. Hi, everyone. If you could please state your name. I'm Mike Olinger. I moved in here. I've got an answer for your raccoons. I just got done with a groundhog that took a year to solve. Put some mothballs out. I did that. Put some vinegar out.

I did that. I'm an old school certified chimney sweep by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. I was called repeatedly about animal infestation. [snorts] I have an answer for you, Rob, in regards to you mentioning that if we have another cold winter, we're not going to have one. Yale climate just said that January was our warmest on record for global temperatures. In the past three years, we have reached uh a milestone, the hottest three years on record.

We're going to have periods of yes, cold and warm. But that is a problem that our government has doled us with weather modification. It's out of control from radar from these cell towers all around that you folks had put in or you went to the tele or the telecommunication companies came and talked to you folks and put them in. I came here for three foy foy uh foy freedom of information in regards to finding out what is going on and you folks have no clue. There is a chimney of emissions going directly up towards the clouds. One of the reasons why we have all different kinds of clouds now because we're basically electrifying our atmosphere. So folks, be prepared. You're the fire chief.

Yes, sir. It's going to get worse. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

Because you're right in the front lines. So folks, I got a question for all of you sitting here. Last year in the fall, we had some of the most ridiculous amount of smoke coming down from Canada. The fires are burning right now in the ground. The amount of wood fire load that we have or Canada has up there is incredibly overwhelming. So, now that we're going to have this dry environment, again, weather modification with all this particulate matter up in the air, electrifying it, what's your [snorts] next plan for it getting really smoky and people calling the chief here? Truthfully, you don't have a plan.

Thank you, sir. Your time has expired. Thank you, ma'am. I'll be back, but take care of the raccoons, [snorts and laughter] literally. Thank you, folks. Are there any other public comments? [snorts] Next, we have item number 29, which is executive session. Madam clerk, could you please read this for the record? Pursuant to 5CS 122C5, the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. Thank you. Is there a motion to enter into executive session? So second. A motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadel. Madam clerk, could you please take the role?

Johnson I. Simmons. Was that an I? Parker. I. Stacy. Hi. Shadel. Hi. Sanders. Hi. Sers. Hi. Clem. Hi. The motion passes 8 to zero.