City Council - Regular Meeting

Video after or before? Yes, so I'm on JB Tool with Lucky Horses. I appreciate the opportunity to come here. Probably announcing the most exciting thing that's ever happened in my professional career and also for our city. We're bringing the Women's Professional Baseball League to town here this Saturday. So we have a couple of videos to play here before I introduce the folks from the WPBL.

Is there a sound to this?

We train hard, play tough, and never give up.

Now, it's our time. Four teams, one mission. To become women's baseball team champions. In San Francisco, we carry on the spirit of building higher levels of pitch, hockey, and football. In Boston, you prepare a strike with the courage and conviction of traditionalist position and women's rights activist, Harriet Hunt, led the Osprey that punched the Williams coastline, The queen had gone to Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play against major league players, who never waited for permission. She earned her place. The Los Angeles queen was still in care of the crown prince. We learned, if you were to rise with purpose, inspired by a woman he had known as the godmother of the city.

This is more than a game. It's a shift. This is more than a league.

Just awesome. So thank you guys for playing the video. We're just incredibly excited. We've sold out opening night and we're working on a sellout for Sunday. They'll play seven straight weeks. And with gratitude, I introduce you to the commissioner and my friend of the WPL, Justine Siegel and William Moss. William, Justine.

Thank you for having us here in Springfield. We are already settling in and finding the best restaurants and really enjoying our Airbnb's and our hotels and everything. It's great to be here. Thank you. The Women's Professional Baseball League is a long time coming. And for these women, it's their dream for this chance to play pro baseball. But also as fans, you're going to get to see the excitement, an affordable night out with your family, with your friends, and just see great ball. And I think that's what the fans are looking for. We are, as you said, four teams. We are about 30% international. And we have women who were full-time jobs, and they're going to be working remotely. We have mothers in our league. We have a great population of baseball players who are really the best in the world, and they've all come here to Springfield. And we are so excited. The field's beautiful. I know they've been working really hard on it. And I just can't thank you enough for hosting us. And I know for us, the more and more that we can get the word out, I know that the fans are going to have the best time coming. So thank you.

You're welcome. Thank you for being here.

I'll just echo the commissioner. We are thrilled to be here in Springfield and so appreciative of the warm welcome that we've gotten thus far. Not only are we excited to be here, but we're excited to bring thousands and thousands of fans, new folks to Springfield to experience your wonderful city. And we know that it will bring an immense economic impact to the area. So we're very thrilled about that. I'm thankful to Alderman Rockford for all the work that he's done on our field as well at Robin Roberts Stadium. And my ask is to come out and support our league. First time in 70 years that women's professional baseball is back. And we need the support of everyone, both as a fan. We have group packages available. And tomorrow or this afternoon, we're announcing that one of our founding partners for the league is based right here in Springfield, Illinois, which is Horace Mann, which is supporting the league in a major way financially. We'll have Educator of the Night with Horace Mann every Wednesday. So first, I come to thank you. Second, I come to ask for your support. Come to games, buy tickets, buy merchandise, tell your friends. These women are incredible athletes, all with incredible stories from all around the world that will come and experience Springfield firsthand. So we know the red carpet is already rolled out, but we ask you to come. down at Robin Roberts, experience it for yourself. We can do first pitches. We can do run the bases with your kids. Whatever you want, respectively, we can try to accomplish. So you're our guest at any time. And please, if you can't make it Saturday because it's sold out Sunday, we're getting there. So don't delay. But thank you in advance. Congratulations. Thank you.

Hold on one second, y'all. We have a few other persons who are interested in asking questions or giving comments. Alderman Conley.

Thank you. Not actually a question so much. I just want to say thank you for coming to Springfield. I'm sure, Commissioner, this has been a heavy lift to get this going, but I'm so thrilled to see another sporting opportunity in the professional arena for women today. This is something I didn't think would happen. And so very excited, very disappointed in myself for not getting my Saturday night ticket. But I will be there Sunday, so looking forward to it. And just if you need any restaurant recommendations, I can get you a list.

I'd love that.

I'm sure there's a lot of good restaurants. We have a lot of good eating in Springfield, yes.

One of the great things about coming to our games is the accessibility to our players. You'll be able to get autographs. Boys and girls will be able to take pictures with the players and just really feel like they're a part of the magic because they really are.

What you're doing is setting up role models and giving young women and girls in our community. And hopefully these are going to be broadcast, recorded. People will be able to watch them. You're setting up examples for girls across this country, and I thank you very much for that.

Because I'm sure this was a lot of work. Yeah, it's of course a lot of work, but we've been very lucky to have incredibly strong partners in Jamie and Melissa with the horseshoes, but also all of our local vendors, whether it's A Sign Company or Goodman Fence that have come in helping us transform the ballpark into the WPBL. So I'd be very remiss if I didn't thank Jamie and Melissa for their support, but you can catch all of our games online. Streaming we're yet to announce our deals one is a very well-known four-letter Network So we're careful that our four letters in words in here so anyway We'll be announcing where you can catch the games every game will be stream live So it will be lots of publicity both for Springfield and the local companies that we're working with from an advertising and sponsorship Wonderful, that's great to hear.

Thank you so much I'm not the only one. Thank you. Alderman Carlson.

Thank you, Chair. You might have said, but I'd be remiss if we didn't thank Melissa and Jamie for the last five years. I've gotten to know you two over the years, and I appreciate all the hard work and just sticking to the game plans, putting your head down and just working hard. Is it true that the overflow parking tomorrow night will be in Rockford's yard for Friday night?

At a steep price. Nice.

There are a lot of people who know how to put the parking lots in their yards in that part of town.

Yes, absolutely. Well, thank you all so much.

Thank you for coming. Thank you.

Okay. And that was our only presentation, clerk? All right. Next, we have ordinances tabled or remaining in committee. Mr. Clerk, could you please read those ordinances?

2026-294 and 2026-339.

Is there anyone who would like to remove any of these ordinances for committee consideration? Okay. Seeing none, now for ordinances for committee consideration. Mr. Clerk, would you please read the ordinances for CWLP?

CWLP 2026-346 is an ordinance accepted proposal number 25-10. with Landis GYR for CWLP Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI, communication system in the amount not to exceed $12,799,831.51 for a 15-year period for the Office of Public Utilities.

Move for consent.

Second.

Move for debate, please.

Who said debate?

Alderman Gregory for debate and Alderman Gregory for comment.

Yes, thank you. I'm happy to see this. This is definitely a next step in what we need to do to ensure reliability of information back and forth to our residents, power-wise. I just had a couple questions as far as mapping of rollout, Scott, Mr. Rogers. And I was looking through the paperwork, and I didn't see... any minority participation goals or if one of these six bidders had that information available for us.

So the ordinances tonight are for the equipment. I don't believe any of the installation, none of the labor. Yeah, so there's no labor in any of these ordinances. This is just the equipment, the software, the service. Oh, that's right. Then the service agreement for the system. So this is only for the equipment. There'll be an ordinance coming back later for the labor to install it.

Okay. And will you have a sort of a map of where we're thinking about starting? We want to make sure that we touch a little bit of that.

It's going to depend on timing of when all the equipment's installed and ready to be transferred over. Okay. So because of our billing cycles, we can only do... In a schedule according to the building cycle. So it won't be, it'll be random throughout the city. It won't be one areas and get them all at once. It'll be certain pockets as the building cycles go through.

Okay. Well, you know, I just know that, you know, oftentimes when we have storms and things, we have some communication errors and it's going to really, really help in the poor communities of our city. So, you know, I look forward to that information coming forward and I look forward to this next rollout. Thank you.

Yeah, and I would say, oh, Alderman Donlon.

Yeah, thank you, Chair. Real quick question. I'm sorry I couldn't pull up the ordinance. Is this for electric or water? Electric only. Electric only.

The network will be set up for water. So the way water is doing it, they have, the water is much more difficult because the majority of the meters are pits with an iron lid on top. So then there's what they call an earth that will sit on top of it. but then Change a water meter you got to disconnect the line shut the water off disconnect the line put the new one in Or this you go up for electric we go up pull the old meter up with a new one So water with her the plan with water is as they've been going through replacing meters. They will have They haven't started yet, but we will start putting meters in that will connect to the network as we replace it

So I hate to hesitate to talk about the water since this isn't the ordinance But I'll ask since you brought it up on the water side. What is the estimated like when the ordinance comes? Well, that is this is a significant ordinance almost 13 million. What will the water one be for the dish the equipment?

There the water the equipment for water all this equipment will work with the water meter So it's it's the meter cost which is not significant. I see what happens is the labor for the water is more significant. That's the issue

So is the water fund going to pay for any of this since it does work with water too?

No. So this network will be a little more robust, and part of it is we will be able to do some other advanced infrastructure work where we'll be able to do some logistic work on our SCADA system through this network also. So we'll be able to expand what we can do remotely with not just the meters but also with some of our equipment.

And I've heard from constituents before about Believe it or not, we have some that are enamoring about some of their meters making odd sounds, high pitches, and we won't have any of that.

I can't guarantee that. Not that I know of, anyway.

Okay. I'll take that as a no. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. You're welcome.

You're welcome. Yeah, I second Alderman Donlan's observation that this is a pretty high-dollar ordinance that we're considering here, and given that... I don't recall if I even got all the way down to the funding page, but is this going to come from the cash of the electric?

Yeah, this is when we refinanced our bond fund two years ago, I think it was. This is the cash from that, what's going to fund this whole project.

Okay, wonderful. And would you like to give us your, like, five to whatever minute rundown of this big new improvement that folks are going to see in their houses?

Well, we've got a utility meeting scheduled, presentation scheduled, 25th of August.

Here?

Yeah.

Okay. So you keep the lid on it?

That is part of that. Okay.

Okay. Well, I certainly hope I don't get any questions.

I can tell you now, but then I'd have nothing to do in the 25th.

No, I think you do have other things to talk about on the 25th.

Okay. And then I have one other very silly question out of my inexperience. So I was reading this contract and I noticed a lot of references to bankruptcy and that Is that like a normal thing for a contract of this nature and this scope?

Yeah, this is a 13, and when you include all of it, it's about a $16 million contract. It's over 15 years. So we want to protect ourselves in the event of bankruptcy, make sure that as we're investing in this infrastructure and meters that are going to be going throughout the city with this long life that the company we're working with, it's going into bankruptcy and that we're protected.

Okay, just making sure because I thought this was their information, but yeah, works. Okay, thank you very much. Anybody else? No? Okay, thank you.

Madam Chair, I will withdraw my debate. Motion for consent.

Second.

All those in favor for consent? Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026 347 is the order to accept the proposal number 25-10 with Landis G8YR for software as service SASA in the amount not to exceed $3,575,623 for a 15-year period for the Office of Public Utilities. For consent.

Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026 348 is the North's accepting proposal number 25-10 with Landis GYR for the support agreement in the amount not to exceed $40,175.92 for the 15-year period for the Office of Public Utilities. Move to consent. Second.

Any discussion? No. I would like to put on the record that that seems very inexpensive for support. But I'm sure on the 25th we'll get a rundown of why it...

Very expensive, or did you say? Inexpensive. Oh, yeah, you're right. I was going to say, that's pretty good for 15 years. Right?

$40,000, okay. But, yes, and all those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.349 is an ordinance authorizing the technical support and maintenance for the PI historian software for the power plant electric generation department of OST, Oh, something, LOC, in amount not to exceed $89,441.02. Move to consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.350 is an ordinance authorizing a purchase of Barracuda email protection with cloud email archiving. with the J4 Tech Solutions from the Omida Joint Purchase Contract in the amount not to exceed $56,952 for the Office of Public Utilities.

Move to sign. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

The ayes have it. 126351 is the north's authorizing purchase of a vacuum pump assembly from Harris Equipment Corporation for Dalman Unit 4 in the amount not to exceed $86,160.47 for the Office of Public Utilities. Move for consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.352 is an ordinance accepting bids from multiple vendors for the contract UE2704-21, supplemental electronic electrical staffing in the amount not to exceed $9 million for the Office of Public Utilities. Move to consent.

Second.

Any discussion? Alderman Conley.

Go ahead. I love the optimism of sitting in the back of the room. So can you just kind of explain a little bit about what these different contracts, what we're putting out for this $9 million? That's a lot of different contractors. What sort of work we're expecting from them?

Well, first of all, that $9 million is over three physical years.

Yes.

But it's still a lot of money. It's still a lot of money. Over three years. So currently we have contracts in place. where they'll assist with street lighting. They'll do some of our electric cuts. They don't do the commercials. They'll do residential cuts. And then we've also got them on contract for when a storm comes. So it's a lot of money, but not all of it is expended if we don't have storms.

So these are a not to exceed, and it doesn't impact the ability for us to call out our own crews? Correct. Yeah. That was a question if are we are we using our crews are we?

We use our crews now like I said for a lot of the street lighting work right now Contractors are doing that so there's other little things that will happen Right now we're calling our crews our crews are partners, and we've been fairly busy with electrical work last couple years

Okay, and I'm sorry. Okay, wait.

Four contractors, five? Okay.

I was just wondering. I wanted to make sure. And this is a not to exceed every year? Yes.

So, and the reason it's different contractors is we bid it, so like a substation. Substation is different contractors than linemen doing normal line work. So it was three different areas, so we bid it to four different companies for support.

All right. Thank you very much.

And we... We put this out for bid. This is our contract, right? Yes. Okay. So can you help me with, I was a little, I was curious about, it says specialized construction activities and other operational needs. Can you speak to that?

Off the top of my head, no. I didn't write the contract. I'll let Matt come up.

So this contract is supplement to our own our own workforce, so when we fall short storms or overabundance So these folks are just to help us Yeah, and and that is the concern that I've heard from residents that that maybe the utility has been redirecting work away from our workers to contractors, and I just wanted to make sure that that is the intention here. Alderman Gregory.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. On the topic of streetlight improvements and things and sort of investigating those, do they help out in that area? I mean, because I know I've had some communication about those different areas and stuff like that.

They can. Typically, if we get a streetlight request in, typically we'll have our troubleshooters go out at night. Troubleshooters are due. So they'll go out and troubleshoot it at night. If they can't fix it, if it's not just a light bulb, then they'll put a ticket in.

So when I hear that, I look for and I think of some of those. We talk about often, you know, we have different areas that have bad lighting or trees and lighting and things. So I thought maybe they would be helping out in that area and sort of assessing, you know, some of the areas that we know are in need.

Like the one area you said, that will go to engineering first. Okay. They'll do the assessment. Okay. Then they'll come up with a plan and they will plan that. Okay. Then they turn it over to construction to do whatever improves. If it is trees around streetlights, Public Works clears those trees around streetlights.

I appreciate you, sir.

I don't believe anyone has anything else. So all those in favor of consent?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you.

2026.353 is an ordinance authorizing payment to the Energy Authority, Inc. With a low forecasting study in the mountain, I have to exceed $25,867 for the Office of Public Utilities. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? You guys have it.

Public Works 2026354 is an ordinance authorizing purchase of real estate between the City of Springfield and Ryko Herd and Shantae Berks, located at 3210 Victoria Drive in the mountain. I have to exceed $700 for the Office of Public Works. Move for consent.

Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.355 is an ordinance authorizing the purchase of real estate between the City of Springfield and Millbrook, Inc., located at 801 South MacArthur Boulevard in the mountain out to exceed $1,400 for the Office of Public Works. Move to consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.356 is an ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2026 F-150 pickup and a 2026 Ford Ranger from Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $92,045 under the state contract number 1-416CMSBOSS4-P-29479 for the Office of Public Works. Move consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026-357 is an ordinance authorizing a re-obligation ARPA budget authority with Sangamon County Water Reclamation District for the installation of sanitary sewers in the property at Lake Springfield in the amount not to exceed $710,036.12 for the Office of Public Works.

Second. Motion for debate, please.

Okay. Any discussion? Alderman Gregory.

Yes. Can somebody explain this to me? So it says that We're reducing the sewer surplus expense line and increasing the ARPA expense line, therefore basically using all of the remaining ARPA funds.

I did send an email explaining that as well.

And so this included projects that had closed.

One of them was, I think there was $76,000 remaining for asbestos removal that was not utilized in Old Town. And the other one was for sewer lines.

The Northeast pilot project.

Okay.

So my concern is, you know, three years ago we had about $1.5, almost $2 million that was allocated to things like workforce development, et cetera, and those funds were reallocated, of course, for different things. Certainly I have no issue with sanitary sewers. It is in the federal rule that can be used, but ARPA funds was generally sent down to address areas that, were affected mostly by COVID and things. So I just feel like at the very least, if we're going to not use much of the $33 million that we received in our poor communities, we can ensure that we see some minority representation on these type of projects if we're going to continue on. That's why I stand director. Do you have any comment on the work or extra work or additional work? Do we absolutely plan on doing some additional work with this funding? Am I correct?

Yes, we're in the process of installing sanitary sewers in a variety of places around Springfield. A lot of those homes are on septic tanks. Okay. All right.

I appreciate you. Thank you, sir.

And you have a couple more. And also myself. So I sort of had a similar question when I was looking at these. So we're taking money from sewer relining. And so does that mean that Ward 6 has had a lot of sewer problems lately with the storm sewer issues with the flooding and such. So does that mean that there are going to be some sewers that will not be relined and instead... Not that are planned to be relined. Okay. So this money wasn't budgeted for relining then?

I'm confused. It was. For the Northeast pilot project, which is primarily up in Ward 4, we've been replacing a lot of those old sewers that are a combination of sanitary sewers and storm sewers. Those are not allowed under federal regulations. So this is updating and upgrading those as well as junctions and vaults.

Yeah, Ward 6 has those as well, yes. And I was just confused because it says northeast sewer, but this line item here is 22-9, and the northeast sewer project is 0224. So that's why I'm confused.

My understanding is that there is no intention of anybody.

Okay. Alderman Hanauer.

Thank you. I don't know. How many people will this get off of septic tanks? Will this pretty much complete the septic tank?

I don't want to say that it would complete it.

I don't know, maybe the clerk knows from the background, but are we under the gun with EPA on getting this done? We certainly don't want things leaching into Lake Springfield. I didn't know if Jeff knows, but I realize everybody's got work to do, but we also got to take care of our water supply too, and You know, it's something we've got to get them off of subject tanks. And I think we had some ARPA money that went to that where we got a few things, you know, quite a few people done. I'd just like to hopefully this will get most of it done.

For the most part, Alderman, we're kind of at the end of the line. Right. The last couple of three houses that are in a distant part of it, most of the areas that are more congested, if you will. Right.

Thank you Okay Alderman Connelly, thank you, and I just want to Alderman Gregory I appreciate your comments about you know ensuring Minority contractors on this project. I will say when we originally allocated money To to these projects to getting our lake residents off a septic because we say tanks They're not all tanks are they their field their septic fields out there, too, and I? No, I wouldn't. And I think some of that conversation was exactly around using this for that public health value of protecting our water supply and ensuring we're having fewer contaminants, fewer, we'll just leave it at contaminants going in. I don't mind. If you want to leave this on debate, I certainly respect that decision. I just want to say not everyone was on the council at the time, and that was the conversation at the time, was to really ensure when we had this big infusion of funds to do really critical infrastructure investment. And that was where we went with this. And I'm pleased to see this project finishing up. I would certainly hope that... as we move down the line that we get updates on exactly how many properties are left that are not connected to a sanitary system so that we can put that into our budget. We can prioritize getting everyone around the lake onto a sanitary system and doing this the right way. It's not just protecting people boating. This is our drinking water. And we're making that investment with other activities that we're doing around the lake. We have quality water. We have lower-priced water because we keep making these investments. So thank you for getting this moving forward. I'm looking forward to getting, maybe as we move into budget season, getting an estimate for what it would cost to completely close that off. Thank you, Director. Thank you, Chair. Sure.

Alderman Cox.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Director, well, first of all, Alderman Connolly, thank you. You made a few of my points. I appreciate that. And it's also my understanding, Director, that... The residents that live on the lake, they have to foot some of this bill as well, correct? It's not a freebie necessarily. And it's a fairly substantial investment. I'm thinking like $8,000 to $10,000 per house or something along those lines. That's probably not exactly right, but we can get those details. And I do echo the comment. I would like to know how many houses need to be hooked up still. But I do get a lot of comments from folks around the lake asking when's it my turn. to be hooked up to sewer because maintaining a septic system, especially how old these are, gets pretty expensive for them. But I absolutely support this, and I appreciate you bringing it forward. Thank you.

Alderman Gregory.

Yes, I just want to be totally clear. I totally support keeping our water clean and all of those good things. It's just my view of the American Rescue Funds, a.k.a. ARPA Funds, we're here to um, sent down to cities to, um, help out in the areas that COVID hurt our cities the worst. Um, and, and our obligation, um, and I'm sort of not clear on if it's, is it the city's responsibility to make sure that there's no septics on the lake or is it the homeowners or is that sort of how I don't, you know, never lived on a lake or anything. I don't know how that works.

That's the way, uh, those properties were designed. Everybody was on a septic tank or something. similar to that. So this is a plan to systematically connect everybody to the sanitary.

Okay. Um, so it sounds like we had, we had that, you know, responsibility and COVID within itself didn't slow that down as we, as we had a, um, sewer service plus expense line to, to address those things. Um, so, so, uh, again, you know, um, Some of these funds that were reallocated to other places were for good things. This is a good thing, no question. But they were also taken from things at that time that experienced hardships due to COVID, like workforce and poor communities. And it hit harder in those communities. And that's what those funds were sent down for. So at the very least, I end my conversation on at least we can see some minority representation on the project with this $700,000. It's not a lot of money, but the principle still stands. Thank you.

Okay. Yes, thank you. And I would just like to ask, perhaps, Director Metzger, you have this information, or I didn't get an email if it was sent to Alderman Gregory. But if there is any more detail as to why we, not we, I wasn't here, why council allocated the amount of money they did for the Lake Springfield sewer conversions, why it is now not enough, and then what was the rationale for allocating the money to sewer infrastructure relining writ large, non-specific, not the Northeast sewer project. Just a little clarity on that before next week would be great. Alderman Hanauer.

Yeah, sorry to speak twice. I know one of the biggest issues was that with the leaching of the tanks, it raises the phosphate level in the lake, was my understanding back then. Now, it been quite a while, but we do a lot of things to try to cut back on the phosphate levels. They're working with farmers. They're doing all kinds of things. I'm sure the water department can come out. Maybe they can talk about it when you guys have your big presentation. But one of the things, the biggest thing was the phosphate levels that come in the lake. And I guess that causes other issues when we're doing drinking water and that. But that was the number one issue of us doing this. So we certainly don't want leaching in. It's something that we have to get done. Affects the whole city in a way because if we have to use more chemicals It's going to raise water rates this way. We keep our water rates at a low low level and We just got to get this done and Arpa before with it, and there was no complaints. I think that That was early on in the arpa stage that we We got money for that. And that was, at the time, Alderman Redpath pushed hard for that, and we got that through. And so we just have to protect our lake. That's all that can really be said about it. Because it doesn't look like we're going to have a lake, too. It doesn't seem too much is happening on that. So we've got to protect the lake that we have. And if we don't, we're going to be in trouble. So thanks.

Certainly. And I don't think you'll get any argument from anyone up here on that.

Alderwoman Conley, I just I just add on just to the end of what because you guys two questions there Why didn't we put more in and it was exactly that it was like we we got us We got a certain amount of money It was enough to do a lot of things but not enough to do everything completely So some of that was also tied in with that water rate increase so that we could again maintain and improve the infrastructure of the entire distribution system and This was one that was very near and dear to my heart because, again, that emphasis on removing the nutrient loading, taking that off of our water supply, and protecting it. We knew it wasn't enough, but to make a big cut into this and really invest it in a way that would... because we weren't expecting those monies, and to use them to a way that benefited the entire community, that was the goal. So it wasn't perfect, it wasn't everything we needed, but it was close, and then we also had ARPA funds for other activities and other projects. So that was kind of the balance of what we were doing with that.

Yeah, definitely. Absolutely. Thank you so much for that. Okay, and we're voting on debate. All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

Second. Who was the second on the debate? I'll second.

All right. Ready, Chairman?

Oh, yeah.

2026.358 is an ordinance authorizing a five-year contract for Samsara, Fleet, GPS, and Telematics in the amount not to exceed $620,688.53 with Carasoft Technology Corp. for the Office of Public Works and Utilities.

Move consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.359 is an ordinance authorizing a one-year extension of lease agreement with the Springfield, Illinois African American History Foundation, DBA, the Springfield Central Illinois African American History Museum for the property located at 1440 Monument Avenue.

Second. Okay, there is discussion. Alderman Gregory.

Can I ask a question? Do we Why do we just do one year, one year, one year with them? Have we had conversations with them? I mean, they've been there for quite some time. Have we had conversations with them about long-term leases, 25-year leases, et cetera? I know they just got a grant not too long ago, and I know that we passed through and it held them to the location for a while.

No, I think both parties were just interested in doing a one-year extension. It's certainly something we can explore with them going forward.

Okay. Can we put all the woman partners, do you mind putting this on debate so we can have some conversation?

Sure.

Motion for debate.

Second.

Sure, absolutely. Director Metzger. We are looking at some options with that as well, so...

Is there any thought process on when we will have that decision? Is this something that we can talk with them about and have ready for next week? All right, thank you. Appreciate it.

All right, so the motion on the floor is for debate. All those in favor?

Aye. Any opposed?

Aye. The ayes have it.

General City Business 2026-360 is an ordinance approving the appointment of Doris Turner to the Mid-Illinois Medical District Commission.

Move to debate.

Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026-361 is an ordinance to decrease the number of Class D liquor licenses by one due to the closure of business by Eagle Golf and Grill Inc. DBA Eagle Golf and Grill located at 3941 Pentel Drive. Move for consent. Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

The ayes have it. 2026.362. Does Norris increase the number of Class D liquor licenses by one for coffee and fields? Inc. DBA Gold Leaf located at 916 West Laurel Street.

Motion for consent. Second. All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.363 is an ordinance authorizing acceptance of a proposal under RFP CS19-29 for the execution of an agreement with Kennedy and Markham LLC for the purchase of city-owned property consisting of one vacant lot at 2032 Peoria Road in the amount of $500 for the Office of Budget and Management. Move consent.

Second. Any discussion? All those in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

2026.364 is in order to approve the residential assistance homeowners utilization cannabis tax funds in an amount not to exceed $378,000 for the Office of Economic Development.

Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to adopt amendment number one.

Second.

So moved.

All right. All those in favor of adopting amendment number one, should we discuss first? Alderman Botland, do you want to?

I would appreciate it. Corporation counsel. Okay. I'm happy to explain. Amendment number one increases the amount of total assistance from $378,000 to $387,000. That corrects an error in the original ordinance. Okay.

Okay, sounds good. And Alderman Gregory, you have a discussion on the amendment?

No, I'm happy to see this. I would just say that these are 16 homeowners, not only on the east side, but in our expanded boundaries that we did just complete. So the fruits of those changes are working, and I'm happy to see this, and we'll keep moving forward. Thank you.

Awesome.

Thank you.

All right all those in favor for adopting amendment number one Any opposed the ayes have it motion for consent Any discussion seeing none all those in favor any opposed Certainly is all right any unfinished business to come before the council today.

Yes, I Alderman Rockford Thank You Dave so I got some questions pertaining to the The sewer work that was done in the north end of town We had a young lady that it had a some backup in her in her house and obviously I And to this date, my understanding is she's still living on a hotel. So I sent you and corporation council a message pertaining to why, you know, is there, is he, can you talk about that or can I call you?

And yeah, I'm, I'm happy to talk with you about it. We've been trying to work with, with miss Lee as she goes through, um, the collection process through an insurer. That's not the city. I think that the liability of what occurred with the worker was a third-party contractor who's liable for it. And their insurance company has been working with her, and we've been trying to be an intermediary in that to help her in all the ways that the city can. I think beyond that, I'm happy to talk with you. Sure.

It's been, what, 16 months, 14, 16 months in that area, and I just think that for her and her children to be in a hotel is unbelievable for this time period. I know that she's reached out to certain people with the city, and she's got no response, and I just think We should have supervisors, and I know I was told that there was supervisors, but you never get any answers when you ask. So this is why I'm bringing it out, because I believe we should do our due diligence and get this woman back in her home where she should be. So thank you. I'll give you a call, and we'll talk. Thank you.

Alderman Gregory.

That wasn't going to be my topic, but I agree with Alderman Rockford. I've been involved with the young lady, and 15 months now is 16 months. And from the actions that's taken, it's obviously their fault. But 15, 16 months with four kids in a hotel room with no fault of her own, wasn't even there, come home to this mess. So, you know... It has been disappointing because, you know, the insurance that they have been dealing with, they have been the best it is for this young lady. And, you know, for a long time, I compliment Dave and I believe it was Tyler who's been in contact. I compliment them because they have been trying to do the best that they can. But we do have a constituent that we're trying to do some type of sewer lines of that. It went wrong. It's been staying in a hotel for 15 months. 15, 16 months. Excuse me. I keep saying 15 because she just talked to me about 15 months with four kids. And I hope that it comes to some type of resolution. I won't comment legally, but it's really a shame. And I hope that company is going to be doing the work in the city of Springfield. That's my personal take. But my topic is our grass. We're back to that, but I won't spend long on it. So I've been coming to some numbers. Ms. Ramona, in our grass budget, Dave, you can help me. In our grass contractor budget or in that section, I believe before we had it at around 300, I think we raised it a little bit. Oh, sorry, you can send me that. But, you know... And I'm saying this because we've been attacking it. We've been cutting some grass and stuff. One of the lots, I don't know who cut it, but they did a horrible job. They got it down, but they didn't cut it like it needs to be cut. One grass contractor we sent, he did the front yard, but he didn't do the backyard. And, you know, I drive by and I see a lot of grass in places, 11th Street, that we see. And I just think our contractors need a little more tools. I've definitely thought about it and how we do that. I think we've got to be more proactive with that, of seeing these situations and stuff and being able to turn them in. I know that we work off a complaint-driven system. And I think Ward 7, he definitely introduced something to take us a step forward. But now I think that we have to get in a place to where we're proactively... really going after those after April, after we send that first initial letter to at least everybody that we cut year in and year out with no response or something to them. We should be sending those out, then our contractors go automatically and just go cut those. In my view, from the grass-cutting world, it's got to be auto about every 25 days, 23 to 25 days. We've got to get the lots cut. Because by the time that they cut them, it's too much. And then I believe, and you can speak to this, but I believe we have a provision in our grass about the voluntary trees and things around that.

There are voluntary trees and then there are weeds in some places that look like.

Right. So do we got like a bundle thing where they can get approval to bundle that and we pay them for that?

Yes, we do that on occasion.

Okay, okay, okay. And so I bring that up because I think some of our lots need that, have to have that. We can't send them cut it without that. There's a house on ash that we sent. They cut the grass. Of course, they didn't do the bushes. So the voluntary trees are as tall as the house. So the grass is cut, but the weeds is like this. And you know, this is a street that our young people walk past every day and Southeast is going through a makeover and we're just trying to keep it done. So it's, It's nothing on you. It's us policy-wise. We've got to make some changes on. That's where my thought process is going, so I just wanted to say this in this old business of after thinking about it for some weeks since our last discussion.

Do you have an address?

1917. I should know it. I should know it by heart. Take a look at it. Thank you. I appreciate you, sir.

Thank you. And I just wanted to say regarding the woman who's out of her house because of the sewer, I'm sure someone's already thought of that, this, but does she live in a TIF district? Is there any money that she could apply for with the city? Okay. If she's not in a TIF district, she can apply for citywide. Right, right. So I just feel like if we have resources, grants, or maybe all of hook her up with somebody in economic development to find a short-term loan or something to get this work done. We have more tools at our disposal, so it'd be nice. Just wanted to throw that out there. Okay, Alderman Hanauer.

Thank you. I could go about grass because we've got some issues too, but I'll deal with that offline. Today I got a call from a business that, once again, one of our horizontal boring companies that are putting in, God knows, fiber or whatever, went through a waterline of a business. I don't know what we can do. We've got to hold them more accountable. Now, they'll take care of it, but in the meantime, you know, They don't care. They just go full steam ahead, and whatever they hit, they just run right through. We've got to do something from the city standpoint to start holding them accountable, either fining them for stuff like this, because they blame it on it wasn't marked correctly or whatever. Well, I think that's a bunch of bull. I'm sorry, but I've had houses out... that had them go through, and I think some of us have had it, where it went through their sewage exchange, and it ends up flooding the basement with sewage. I've had it through water lines. And I mean, it's not just a few. It's happened more often than not. And I know that, by law, we can't stop them from doing the work. But I know Sherman, Mayor Clockfeld, or Trevor out there, Mayor Trevor, he stopped them from doing it because they were just going through all kinds of stuff like this. And so I don't know if Corporation Council, we can do anything. It's something we need to look into because, like I said, it just seems like they just plow through things and they don't care. Oh, you'll have to call this number. But in the meantime, you've got a business that's down because of no water. And that's unacceptable. To me, that's unacceptable. So I just wanted to bring it up.

Yeah, I'll look at that situation and we'll see what we can do.

Alderman Carlson. Thank you. Back to the liability and hold them accountable. When they come in, obviously we hire them for a contract, but it's upon, they have to call Julie, right? Yes. It's not us. So, yeah, there's got to be something with Julie that we can do. You know, because obviously, I mean, I don't know whose fault it's going to be. But if it's their responsibility to call Julie, then it's their communication. But we oversee it. But we should be able to do something there. Yeah, I'll try to figure out what happened with that. Because you're right. I mean, I know I think we've all had an incident like that.

So I'll give you the address. Thank you, Chair.

Yes, you're welcome. Alderman Cox.

Not to pile on. But, yeah, it's absolutely ridiculous. I was complaining about this several months ago when they were going through the Timberland neighborhoods area. And it's not just that they go through the pipes and they cut all kinds of stuff. They leave an absolute mess behind. I mean, everything from just empty water bottles and trash to, you know, they're supposed to make it look like before they showed up, right? They're supposed to plant grass seed and they're supposed to get all this stuff out of it. And they leave an absolute mess behind. And then it takes 100 phone calls, like you said, Alderman Hanauer, to get them to come back and get it cleaned up. And then nobody has an answer when they get on the phone. So I 100% agree. And if we can come up with some kind of an ordinance or some kind of rule change or something in the contract to hold these people accountable, I'm 100% behind it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yes, you're welcome. I would support regulations or licensing. I don't know. Yeah, like we have a contract with them. We don't.

Okay, okay, yeah that seemed wrong, but yeah, it's a home rule city we should be able to To give them some guidelines now well It's not that simple because because the General Assembly has passed the cable and video competition law which significantly Distracts our ability to prevent this type of horizontal boring, but I can see what I can

Okay, wonderful. Thank you. Any more?

Just real quick. We do have a permitting process, right? They have to come to the city to get a permit, but these permits apparently are fairly loose, I guess, because there's nothing we can, we can't seem to hold them accountable. So I don't, maybe there's something there, Corporate Council. I don't know, and I'm not, I hope you're not taking this the wrong way. I'm not yelling at you. I'm yelling at the situation, right? But anyway, that's all I've got. Thank you.

All right. And is everyone good with books? Yeah? Okay.

Thanks, Dave.

Yes.

Thank you, Drew.

Don't go far, Dave.

Okay. Any new business?

I got some.

Alderwoman Conley. Thank you, Chair. And, Dave, actually, you don't have to come back up especially. Since we're piling on corporate responsibility or lack of, I had an issue in my ward where a resident was helping – elderly parent sign up for new garbage this was resolved it's been a couple of years that the person went through Republic and they did what a lot of us do these days they go online and they signed up for their new waste under Republic services which you can't do with Lake area Lake area you call them but Republic sends you to their website on their website they charge $50 a month That is not the acceptable rate in the city of Springfield. We've reached out. Dave, your staff were very helpful. We got it sorted. And I thought it was sorted. until very recently. I've gotten multiple questions directed to me. And then I actually started New Garbage Service. So I went on to try it too. And absolutely, Republic does not offer a city of Springfield rate on their website. So I just want to put this out there for people in the community to understand. I'm hearing, oh, we aren't having problems. They're doing fine. We don't have problems because I don't know that everyone knows that $50 a month is not the established rate for the city of Springfield. The city of Springfield, you are only allowed to charge $15 a month. It's $45 a quarter, which is less than what you can get for Republic's monthly rate on their website. It's absolutely astonishing to me that they cannot modify their website. You have to know that you get the city of Springfield rate. You have to call. And I had to argue with someone for 20 minutes. to get our set rate for garbage collection. So I have asked that we do a little more research, and we do a little more investigation with Republic. I think it's incumbent upon them to prove to us that they aren't overcharging our residents. But I also want to make sure that people in the community know, reach out to your alderman. It's not just Ward 8. I'm sure this is happening across the city. If you're starting new garbage collection with Republic, they are obligated to charge only our city rate, which is nowhere near $50 a month. So I was very frustrated to see how much effort it took. Yes, you have to call Lake Area, but Lake Area doesn't even begin to offer you a $50 a month rate. And I will say that...

Because I'm sure they're going to come in.

I'm sure we're going to get Republic and Lake Area wanting some increases. I understand their costs have gone up and the price of gas isn't going down for anybody. But I am very reluctant to support any increases until Republic can prove to us definitively that they can establish their website, which is where they send everyone to go get your garbage collection service started, that there is a city of Springfield rate. And they... I... So, again, very frustrating, but I would strongly encourage people who've gotten new garbage within the last year or two, check your bill, make sure that you are paying no more than $45 a quarter, unless you're like me and you got a $5 late fee once or twice.

Oh, yeah. I moved last year, and I'm paying $54.

A quarter?

Uh-huh. Yep. I just let it go, but...

It's $15 a month. And we are capped at 45 a quarter. So I just want to make sure that other people are aware of this, because I understand Public Works is limited in how they can enforce this, because we as a city don't have access to that billing system. But Republic Waste does. And the fact that there's not more outreach and education, A, for their customer service line, and B, I want to make sure that our residents know. Ask for what you deserve. We at the city negotiated this. This is a service, a rate that we control to keep costs affordable in the city of Springfield. If anyone's paying over $15 a month for their garbage through Republic, and I've never gotten a complaint from anyone from Lake Area, please reach out to your alderman, whatever ward you're in, and let us know. Thank you, Chair.

You're welcome. Absolutely. Alderman Hanauer.

Yeah, I just have a question for Corporation Council. I'd like to know what your time was in the triathlon the other day. I think that in my 12 years or 11-plus years of being up here, you might be the first person on this thing that actually took the initiative to. finish the triathlon or even start the triathlon, Chuck, there's no way you didn't even get to the water. So congratulations, though. I was pretty impressed.

Thanks. So what was your time? In the sprint, it was an hour, 17 minutes, and 54 seconds. But I would have, Ralph would be ashamed of my swim time. Sorry.

Alderman Donlon yeah, thank you madam chair Alderwoman Conley.

Thank you for bringing that up. I was unaware of that. That's appalling when Alderman Purchase and I had a meeting with the Republic representatives probably a little over a year ago in Tim's office They were talking about rate increases and at that time I was very adamant that I don't even want to I don't want to talk about rate increases in this room until they have public meetings and Explain to the public directly why they need it and to this day. I've heard seen absolutely nothing So on top of that with what you brought up this evening I'm not even gonna talk about anymore

I will tell you the hoops that this woman had to go through to get her money refunded because she had been paying $50 a month. Absolutely inappropriate.

Thank you. Thanks for bringing it up. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Yeah, you're welcome. Okay, well, if no one has anything else, it is time for citizens' requests to address the committee. Are there any citizens?

Inpatient. Inpatient.

Bye, boys. You know, I'll give kudos to the members that always stay, even if we don't agree on things. They're going to work today. Thank you. Even if we don't agree about stuff, you guys at least stick around. It brings us towards the next election soon. People are already getting opponents, aren't we? Or worrying about opponents. I really sincerely am glad that he'll be gone. It won't matter who the opponent is.

It would be really nice if Cox gets one. Maybe they can actually get him to show up for something.

I didn't know Saputo's early bird hour was that serious. You know, it's just frustrating because I was out knocking doors as a precinct committee person this week.

You know what I hear from people about city council?

How disappointed they are.

How absolutely against his opponent, Eddington. It's a shame, man. We have this charade of results around here about what we're going to get done. But things aren't actually getting done. Other people do it for you. The wide block. Now, while we were in the negotiations, the city can't pay for that, right? Nor can we pay for some poor woman. Did you say 16 months? That is embarrassing. As a city, we shouldn't even allow that to happen. But I can't believe that only you two know about this, right? This isn't an issue that's hidden. How about that DUI? It took Sangamon County four days to investigate their DUI. That guy quit on his own, so he didn't get fired. How about the Liam Grove chief? They voted him right out. Now, granted, there's underlying factors, but the main one they fired him for was that DUI. And yet we sit in silence. It's July 4th. An entire month has now elapsed almost, with no communication from the city, from SPD. Sure, we serve their administrative duties, but where's the communications? Yet another organization, not the city itself. and then rescheduled it a week later during 11. Does that sound like they want attendees from the community? It's just frustrating, man, because you know why there's less speakers here every week? Not because they don't care, it's because they don't believe it changes anything to show up here.

Thank you. Thank you.

Robert Weiss.

First of all, let me just say that you all are one of my favorite TV programs to watch. And in kidding about that, what I'm really saying is that I do think it's important to have one's ear to the ground to know what's going on. And I'm really grateful that I do have the opportunity to, when I get home late at night, to be able to watch what has happened in the city council and to better understand the issues that are so important in my community. But that is not why I'm here. My name is Rob Weiss, and I have the privilege of serving as the President of the Board of Directors for Fifth Street Renaissance Serra Center. This has been an exceptional year for us. Fifth Street Renaissance received the Good as Gold Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award this year. Our Executive Director, Penny Pao, was recognized as the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of the Year. We have expanded our housing programs to more than 200 units serving some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community. Most in the past year have helped hundreds of people secure and maintain stable housing, expand critical health, and harm reduction services throughout Illinois. We have grown our mobile outreach program to have two mobile units and strengthened partnerships that improve the health and well-being of our community across the state. I'm very proud of the impact that this organization has had, and I've been amazed at what it has managed to do in the past year. But it does not happen alone. It takes support and relationships, and that's why I'm here. I'm here to invite you to an event, our first annual Harvest for Homes event, which will be on Friday, September 11th. I have invitations here. I'm not sure how those get to you, but I'm seeing somebody coming. Thank you. At Pull Barn Chic from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., we will have food from Luminary Kitchens. We'll have the music stylings of DJ Jeremy Harper. We'll have 1, 12, 21 photography there to take pictures and have photos of the event. There is an auction event that's attached. We'll have tickets from the St. Louis Symphony. We'll have a Royal Gourmet Two-Burner Grill from Lowe's. We'll have yoga classes from Treehouse Yoga. But this is the one that really interests me that I want you to know about. If any of you have gone to our Veterans Day soup event, you know that Penny Powell, makes her own soup, and that's what we sell. It is incredibly popular. Well, we're going to have that soup available at our auction, and I expect that it will go for pretty high numbers. We'd love to have you there to participate. Also, Penny is willing to do a catered meal for your family as an auction item as well, which I think would be very fascinating. She is an amazing cook, in case you didn't know. And so here's where the money comes into play. Tickets are $50 per person up until August 15th. After that date, tickets go up to $60 per person. You can buy a table of 10 for $500, and you can also participate as a table sponsor for $750. And for that $750, what you get is your very own table with your own branding, a mention in our marketing, a mention at the event, and presence on our web page for the coming year, your logo present on our web page for the coming year. However, I want to say that this is going to be a fun event, but events like Harvest for Homes allow us to meet needs that grant funding simply does not provide. So for example, if we have somebody who's gainfully employed and needs to get to their place of employment, we can provide them with a bike. helping a family overcome unexpected barriers in housing stability, like the cost of a birth certificate, or sustaining programs like our Veterans Family Renaissance Program, which is currently fully occupied and has a waiting list despite having no dedicated operating funding. When we cut the ribbon on that property, which is our Female Veterans Veteran Family Program, I thought, oh, yeah, surely there's going to be funding that's going to help to support this particular program. And I'm fascinated by the fact that that is not what's going on today. Join us on September 11th. You can also find details on Facebook. We'd love to have you there. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Alderman Conley. I just want to, Robin, I don't want you to have to stay up. I just want to vouch. If you have not gotten the soup, it's every year. What's the playbook? I have gone, I've gone, no, I mean, she has, they have a variety. There's chili, potato soup, yeah. Yeah, they're fabulous. I'm going to vote, I'm going to add to your recommendation. Those soups are amazing, and it's absolutely worth getting every year. Thank you, Rob. I guarantee you'll love it. Never go wrong with her soups.

All right, there we go. Who's up next?

Dennis Smith.

My church having a back-to-school bash this Saturday, noon to 3, at Sherman Church in Nazarene. We like to see y'all there with kids. We got soap, gang, food, and 70, 85, Beard of Woe, Sherman, Illinois, and I'll ever... Every Wednesday night, we have an open gym. Pickleball, Jenga, games and stuff every Wednesday night. Like she there. Support us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That's all, Chairman.

All right. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

So moved. To adjourn. Thank you.

All those in favor? Aye.