# Meeting Events

Meeting: `5g8nyr_bfsg.finance_committee_of_the_whole_11-12-24`

Meeting date: `2024-11-12`

Meeting type: `committee_of_the_whole`

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

## Decisions and Votes

- **Approval of Agenda Item Four** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve item four on the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “And item four would be approval of the agenda. So moved. Second.”
  - **Evidence:** “All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=34s)

- **Approval of Minutes (Sept 16, Oct 7, Oct 15, Oct 21, 2024)** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve minutes from multiple dates.
  - **Evidence:** “Item five would be approval of the minutes from September 16, October 7, October 15, October 21, 2024 meetings. Yes... So we never approved these other dates before? No. Approved prior to the meeting. We haven't approved the minutes of the meeting. Okay. Do we get a motion? So move.”
  - **Evidence:** “Motion by Klemm, second by Parker.”
  - **Evidence:** “All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion to carry.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=52s)

- **Recess until after regular council meeting**
  - **Summary:** Vote on recessing the meeting.
  - **Evidence:** “So we would need a motion to recess this meeting until after after the regular council meeting could I get a motion to recess this”
  - **Evidence:** “motion by Sellers second second by Klemm all in favor aye opposed”
  - **Source timestamp:** [59:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3590s)

## Procedural Actions

- **Pledge of Allegiance**
  - **Summary:** The committee recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  - **Evidence:** “Could everyone join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Sure. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and student republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=0s)

- **Ordinance Dates for Bond Abatements**
  - **Summary:** Ordinances to abate these bonds will be on the council agenda November 18th, with a second reading scheduled for December 2nd, 2024.
  - **Evidence:** “Ordinances to abate these bonds will be on the council agenda November 18th, so the next council meeting 2024, and then we'll be second reading December 2nd, 2024.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [30:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1851s)

## Financial and Contract Events

- **Fund Reserve Allocation for Grants**
  - **Summary:** The committee plans to bring in $1 million from Fund Reserve to cover one-time grant matches for projects including EV Chargers, the ITEP grant, the flood mitigation grant, and safe streets for all.
  - **Evidence:** “However, we are bringing in a million dollars from Fund Reserve to pay for one-time grant matches for projects that we're working on. One of them is the EV Chargers, the ITEP grant, the flood mitigation grant, the safe streets for all. These are all one-time expenses that we want to pull from Fund Reserve to go ahead and cover our match on those.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2256s)

- **Single family housing rehab grant match transfer**
  - **Summary:** A $55,000 transfer out was identified as the grant match for the single family housing rehab grant.
  - **Evidence:** “And the $55,000 transfer out, that is the grant match for the single family housing rehab grant right there. That's where the grant match comes from for that particular grant.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [56:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3400s)

## Presentations and Reports

- **Public Comments on Agenda Items**
  - **Summary:** Speaker presented budget analysis concluding governmental funds will expend about $67,819,000.
  - **Evidence:** “I did some time, put a lot of time into the budget as it currently exists, and I come to the conclusion that our governmental funds will expend about $67,819,000, which includes capital procurement of $14,919,000, leaving the cash Kessler, and John. The budget for the cash reserve is approximately $31 million, 312,000, which is about 59% of the normal operating expenditures.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=103s)

- **Budgetary Suggestions**
  - **Summary:** Speaker suggested reviewing budget items to align costs with functions and recommended removing interdepartmental department expenses.
  - **Evidence:** “So far, I'm cautiously optimistic. Thank you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=317s)

- **OVW Grant Details**
  - **Summary:** The Office Against Violence of Women (OVW) grant supports a portion of special victims unit detectives wages and training, and also supports wages of the state's attorney office and voices.
  - **Evidence:** “The OVW grant, so that's the Office Against Violence of Women. The police department has received this grant for the past seven years. The funds support a portion of the special victims unit detectives wages and training. And the grants also support wages of the state's attorney office and voices.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [06:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=383s)

- **Brownfield Grant Details**
  - **Summary:** The EPA grant is for the demo and remediation of the dry cleaners at 1719 West Main Street, with no match required.
  - **Evidence:** “Brownfield's grant, so we've got the EPA grant for the demo and remediation of the dry cleaners at 1719 West Main Street. There's no match, and there's about three years left to complete this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [06:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=407s)

- **Bulletproof Vests Grant Details**
  - **Summary:** The Department of Justice grant pays 50% of bulletproof vests for officer replacement vests and requires a 50% match.
  - **Evidence:** “Bulletproof vests, that's through the Department of Justice grant, so that pays 50% of bulletproof vests for officer replacement vests. It requires a 50% match.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=422s)

- **Illinois Department of Natural Resources grants for demolitions**
  - **Summary:** These are grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for demolitions, and there is no match required.
  - **Evidence:** “Illinois Department of Natural Resources, round two. These are grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for demolitions, so there's no match on these.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=601s)

- **Explorer Club funding source**
  - **Summary:** Funds received through donations support the Explorer Club at the police department and introduce young people to policing.
  - **Evidence:** “Explorer Club, these are restricted. Funds received through donations. And they're used to support the Explorer Club at the police department. The Explorer Club introduces young people to the field of policing.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=615s)

- **Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants for demolitions**
  - **Summary:** A $200,000 grant was received from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for demolition purposes with no match required; this was gained through Senator Stewart's involvement.
  - **Evidence:** “Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants. We received about a $200,000 grant. It was received for the purposes of demolitions and there's no match for this. This was gained through Senator Stewart's involvement in the appropriation process.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=623s)

- **Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity demo grants (Bivens)**
  - **Summary:** A $100,000 grant from Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity via Bivens is available for demolition with no match required.
  - **Evidence:** “Next. Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity demo grants and this is through Bivens. It's a $100,000 No match and it would also go toward demos.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=640s)

- **Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation**
  - **Summary:** A $500,000 grant is available for housing rehabilitation with a required $55,000 match.
  - **Evidence:** “Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Development Block Grant. So this is for housing rehabilitation. It's a $500,000 grant with a $55,000 match.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=640s)

- **Police Auxiliary Restricted Fund funding source**
  - **Summary:** These funds are received through donations and support Auxiliary Police Department activities.
  - **Evidence:** “Next, we've got the Police Auxiliary Restricted Fund. So these funds are received through donations and they're used to support the Auxiliary Police Department activities.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=733s)

- **Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Grant for demolition**
  - **Summary:** A $300,000 grant is available from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for home demolition with no match required.
  - **Evidence:** “Next is the Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Grant. So this is a $300,000 grant for demolition of homes, and there's no match for this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=745s)

- **Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board Recruitment and Retention Grant**
  - **Summary:** A $52,000 grant is available to recruit and retain police officers and does not include a match.
  - **Evidence:** “Next is the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board Recruitment and Retention Grant. This is $52,000 to be used to recruit and retain police officers, and this does not include a match.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=757s)

- **911 emergency telephone system board funding**
  - **Summary:** This is a restricted fund per resolution 2024-68 for the operation of the city's 911 system.
  - **Evidence:** “Next is the 911 emergency telephone system board. This is a restricted fund per resolution 2024-68 and the funds are to be used for the operation of the city's 911 system.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=771s)

- **Illinois EPA grant for EV chargers**
  - **Summary:** A $320,000 grant is available with a required match of $180,000 for installing EV charging stations downtown.
  - **Evidence:** “Illinois EPA grant for EV chargers. There's a $320,000 grant with a match of $180,000 that's required and this is going to be part of our our first opportunity to install some EV charging stations downtown.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=771s)

- **DOT Safe Streets for All grant details**
  - **Summary:** The DOT Safe Streets for All plan involves a $400,000 grant with a required match of $100,000, split between 2024 and 2025.
  - **Evidence:** “Manager Boyer. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on, let's see, we're at the DOT Safe Streets for All. So the creation of a plan to increase transportation safety throughout the city. So there's a $400,000 grant. It's a match of $100,000 and that's split between 2024 and and 2025.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [23:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1388s)

- **Federal portion of the Pretzel City Transit grant**
  - **Summary:** The federal portion for Pretzel City Transit requires no city match; the grant amount is $198,000.20, with project compliance and oversight monitored by Miller and provided by the Senior Resource Center.
  - **Evidence:** “All right, moving on. A federal portion of the Pretzel City Transit. So there's no city match required for this. The grant amount is $198,000.20. The city employees a project compliance and oversight monitor Miller, and the Senior Resource Center provides the service here.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [23:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1388s)

- **IDOT state pension portion of DOPA grant**
  - **Summary:** The IDOT state pension portion for Provincial City Transit Downstate Operation Assistance Program (DOPA) requires no city match, with a grant amount of $1,268,740.
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, moving on to IDOT state pension, portion of the Provincial City Transit Downstate Operation Assistance Program, or DOPA. There's no city match for this, and the grant amount is $1,268,740.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1441s)

- **Federal Capital Grant for Provincial City Transit**
  - **Summary:** This grant is designated for cameras on buses and requires no match.
  - **Evidence:** “Next is the Federal Capital Grant for Provincial City Transit. This is for cameras on the buses and there's no match for this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1453s)

- **Illinois Emergency Management Agency Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant**
  - **Summary:** This grant, which has been worked on since 2019 for property purchase and demo in the floodway, requires a 25% match.
  - **Evidence:** “The Illinois Emergency Management Agency Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant. We've been working on this grant since 2019 for the purchase and demo of properties as we previously discussed in the floodway and it requires a 25% match.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1465s)

- **Firefighters Pension Fund budget acceptance**
  - **Summary:** The presented budget was accepted by the Firefighters Pension Fund Board of Trustees on October 30th, 2024, projecting over $2.3 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.
  - **Evidence:** “The Fire Pension Fund. The presented budget has been accepted by the Firefighters Pension Fund Board of Trustees at their meeting on October 30th, 2024, and includes a projection of over $2.3 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1488s)

- **Police pension fund budget acceptance**
  - **Summary:** The presented budget was accepted by the police pension fund board of trustees on October 30th, and projects over $2 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.
  - **Evidence:** “The police pension fund, the presented budget has been accepted again by the police pension fund board of trustees at their meeting October 30th, and includes a projection of over $2 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1508s)

- **Foreign Fire Insurance Fund collection method**
  - **Summary:** Funds are collected and remitted by the Illinois Municipal League from insurance companies outside of Illinois that provide insurance within Illinois.
  - **Evidence:** “The foreign fire fund, these funds are collected and remitted to us by the Illinois Municipal League, insurance companies that are outside of Illinois that provide insurance within Illinois to pay into the fund.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1525s)

- **Library FY 25 budget status**
  - **Summary:** The presented budget is a draft for FY 25 and will not be final until the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is received from the county.
  - **Evidence:** “Good evening. And first of all, I want to remind you that this is a draft of the library's FY 25 budget. We will not have a final budget until we receive the EAV, which is the equalized assessed value from the county.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1556s)

- **Library revenue sources and funding limitations**
  - **Summary:** Library revenue includes property taxes, personal property replacement taxes, miscellaneous grants, and donations. All capital improvement projects are funded only by library funds; no revenue is received from the City of Freeport for operations or capital improvements.
  - **Evidence:** “The library revenue lines include income from property taxes, personal property replacement taxes, miscellaneous grants, and donations from the Freeport Public Library Foundation. We make a transfer from our restricted reserve accounts to balance our budget. All capital improvement projects are funded with library funds only. We do not receive any revenue from the City of Freeport's funds for our operations or capital improvement projects.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [26:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1580s)

- **Tax Abatement for General Obligation Bonds**
  - **Summary:** General obligation bonds are backed by the city's ability to levy and collect property taxes, leading the county to automatically levy required annual debt service from Freeport property owners. The city historically abates or cancels this amount via an ordinance.
  - **Evidence:** “so when the general obligation bonds are issued they are backed by the city's ability to levy and the City's ability to levy and collect property taxes. Therefore, the County automatically levies the required annual debt service from the City of Freeport property owners on their property tax bills. The City has historically abated or canceled this amount on the property taxes. By passing an ordinance each year, the property taxes that would otherwise be collected from residents is abated. The City instead makes the debt service payment from and other city revenues.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1744s)

- **Specific Bond Abatement Amounts**
  - **Summary:** Detailed amounts abated for various bond series were presented.
  - **Evidence:** “We have bond 2013A, and that is the fire improvement source. It is the amount abated is $87,875. So now we'll be moving forward. And in addition to that, we have series 2014B. That's for $1,083,143. And that is through the Sanitary Sewer Fund. We have a series 2015A, and that is $753,365. And the funding source for that is TIF, General Fund, Storm, and Sewer Funds. Series 2016, the amount abated is $181,855. And that is abated by the General Fund. Series 2018 is $90,215. That is abated by the downtown TIF revenue. The Series 2020-19A at $236,268.76 is abated through the Street Improvement Fund. Series 2020 is $3,299,368.10, and that is abated through the General Fund. And then Series 2021 is $240,800, and that is abated through the Street Improvement Fund as well. Series 2022 total amount is $252,232.50 and that is funded through the Fire Improvement Fund.”

- **Administration Recommendation for Bond Abatement**
  - **Summary:** The administration recommends moving forward with the annual bond abatement process.
  - **Evidence:** “He said administration recommends something. Just recommending moving forward with the bond abatement that we've done every year. That's all.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2116s)

- **Budget Revision Process Status**
  - **Summary:** The budgeting process started in August and has been narrowed down to final revisions to align income with expenses.
  - **Evidence:** “We started the budgeting process in August, and then we've kind of got whittled down to our final revisions. Higgins. There's been a number of different changes to make sure that income is aligned with expenses.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2206s)

- **Budget Revisions Overview**
  - **Summary:** The budgeting process started in August, and the revisions aim to align income with expenses.
  - **Evidence:** “Miller. We're going to move on to discussions of the budget revisions. We started the budgeting process in August, and then we've kind of got whittled down to our final revisions. Higgins. There's been a number of different changes to make sure that income is aligned with expenses.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2206s)

- **Departmental Budget Changes Summary**
  - **Summary:** Summary of minor changes across several departments including Education and Training (small increase on travel), Communications (no change), Finance (very little change), Legal (slight reduction), Public Works (no budget/changes), Government Buildings ($200,000 removed for storm windows), Airport (no significant changes), Department (tweaks to withholdings/wages, reductions in contracted building repair and maintenance and infrastructure repair and maintenance), Engineering ($100,000 taken out due to project scope change), Street Budget (equipment reduced from $70,000 to $45,000; salt shed removed from capital outlay).
  - **Evidence:** “Mayor, City Manager, a small increase on the education and training travel item with everything else pretty much being level. Communications department, no change there. Finance, very little change, very minute changes there. Legal, we did reduce legal slightly to line up with our activity for this last year and our anticipated activity. Public Works, this is the Public Works Director, there's no budget there and no changes. Government Buildings, we had $200,000 in for storm windows, those were removed, hoping to get that finished up yet this year, if possible. Airport, we had no significant changes, no changes at all for the airport. Department. We made some changes on just tweaks on the withholdings and the wages and that we reviewed that several times. We did take some out of contracted building repair and maintenance. We pulled a little bit out of infrastructure repair and maintenance. Engineering, we did take a hundred thousand dollars out of engineering. We're changing project scope. So in addition on street budget, we We also removed on equipment, we made some changes on the equipment, so it was originally budgeted at $70,000 out at $45,000. And then lastly, we had made some adjustments to the capital outlay, one of which was the salt shed, we took that out of the budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [43:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2628s)

- **Minor Budget Adjustments (Cemetery, Forestry, Traffic Engineering)**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation of small adjustments in the cemetery budget and no notable changes for forestry or traffic engineering.
  - **Evidence:** “There's just been a few small adjustments to the cemetery budget. Nothing notable there. Same thing with forestry. Traffic engineering, similar situation. No changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [45:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2730s)

- **Departmental budget adjustments (General)**
  - **Summary:** The speaker reported several downward adjustments in Education Training Police and noted efforts to control overtime. They also mentioned removing a position that would not be filled and reflecting the decrease in PEP due to police negotiations.
  - **Attribution:** Community development
  - **Evidence:** “We made some adjustments there nothing earth-shaking but there was an adjustment downward on education training Police. We made several adjustments. Several of them are down slightly. We're looking at various overtimes, doing our best to control that. Also, we had some other upward pressure on the budget, and then we also had a position that we removed from there that was not currently, was not going to be filled. I'm also reflecting here the decrease in PEP as our negotiation goes forward that will be impacted by our police negotiation.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [51:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3118s)

- **Fire department budget adjustments and grants**
  - **Summary:** The report noted potential savings identified with Chief Miller, programming funds for recruit training through the safety grant, and removing a project for sewer line updating at the park fire station.
  - **Attribution:** Fire
  - **Evidence:** “Again, working with Chief Miller, identified areas, potential savings. However, we are looking at the safety grant. We've We've programmed in some funds for training for recruits that could be funded through the safety grant. We'll have to see where that goes. And we also did some, we removed a project from the contracted building repair and maintenance. There's a sewer line that needs updating over at the park fire station.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [51:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3118s)

- **Information systems budget adjustment**
  - **Summary:** The request for a full-time helper with IT was removed from the budget to keep things level, alongside ancillary wage level changes.
  - **Attribution:** Information systems
  - **Evidence:** “Information systems, it was requested a full-time helper with IT, again, we're We're looking to kind of keep things level. Therefore, that was removed from the budget. We also had a few, you know, ancillary wage level changes, you know, the withholdings and things changed in combination with that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3270s)

- **Interdepartmental fund adjustments**
  - **Summary:** Adjustments related to retirees dropping off group insurance were reflected. Capital improvement and grant match funds were added. The sidewalk grant was reduced from $20,000 to $10,000.
  - **Attribution:** Interdepartmental
  - **Evidence:** “Interdepartmental, some of this is related to our retirees. We believe we have a couple of people dropping off of group insurance this year, so that's reflected We've also got capital improvement and grant match. Those have been added. The grant match there is the projects we talked about earlier. And the last one is the landfill withholding. We're reducing the amount going back to the landfill fund. Projects fund, basically we're taking the sidewalk grant down from $20,000 to $10,000 and so that's essentially some savings that we were able to gain there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3294s)

## Metrics

- **City Capital Budget Estimate**
  - **Summary:** Estimated capital budget is approximately $69 million.
  - **Evidence:** “I was able to determine from the budget documents that I received through the emails that we have a capital budget of approximately $69 million.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=179s)

- **Projected Year-End City Balance**
  - **Summary:** The city should end up with $176,430,000 at the end of the next physical year.
  - **Evidence:** “In the end the city should end up with $176,430,000 at the end of the next physical year of which 121,871,000 belongs to the pension funds, leaving a balance of approximately 50, if I can see these numbers, 54,500,000 in our cash bank, which will meet almost all of our ongoing operating requirements for the fiscal year, for this physical year and for the next physical year.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=179s)

- **Projected staff expenditure change in library budget**
  - **Summary:** Staff expenditures are projected to spend about $16,000 less than what is on the report.
  - **Evidence:** “I've updated a couple of staff expenditures since this report was created and we are projected to spend about $16,000 less than what's on the report in front of you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [26:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1609s)

- **Overall library budget deficit projection (pre-EAV adjustment)**
  - **Summary:** Without EAV numbers, the library is projected to spend $24,000 over its revenue amounts.
  - **Evidence:** “Overall, this report shows we will overspend by $40,000 if you subtract the 16,000 I mentioned and earlier without the EAV numbers, we are projected to spend $24,000 over our revenue amounts.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [27:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1647s)

- **Bond Abatement Details**
  - **Summary:** The total amount to be abated across several bond issues is $6,225,122.36.
  - **Evidence:** “So the total amount abated is $6,225,122.36”
  - **Source timestamp:** [32:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1966s)

- **Potential Property Tax Increase without Abatement**
  - **Summary:** If the abatement were not passed, it would automatically incur an increase to property taxes of $832.88 on an average $100,000 home.
  - **Evidence:** “We have also included the potential increased cost in property taxes on an average $100,000 home if these bonds were not abated.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [30:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1842s)

- **Total Revenue Budgeting**
  - **Summary:** The originally budgeted total revenue was about $20 million, and after analysis, it should be slightly over $26 million.
  - **Evidence:** “And Curt, I'm just going to pop us over here just to kind of show you the total revenue we originally budgeted was about 20, a little over $25 million. And upon further analysis, it should be a little over $26 million.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2235s)

- **Salary Increase Impact**
  - **Summary:** The salary increases reflected in the budget show an impact of about $2,000.
  - **Evidence:** “You'll see the salaries have been, the salary increases are reflected there. Not a tremendous amount, looking like about $2,000 impact to the budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2256s)

- **Street Lights Contract Equipment Repair Maintenance Reduction**
  - **Summary:** The budget for contract equipment repair maintenance for street lights was reduced from $20,000 to $10,000.
  - **Evidence:** “Street lights, we did reduce street lights. Originally, we had $20,000 in for contract equipment repair maintenance. We dropped that to $10,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [45:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2742s)

- **AFSCME rate increase estimate**
  - **Summary:** The city manager stated that the approximate rate increase for AFSCME is 5%.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager
  - **Evidence:** “City manager, yeah, it's approximately 5% is there now.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [51:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3118s)

## Discussion

- **Discussion of Budgets (Grants, Pensions, Insurance)**
  - **Summary:** Director Richter began the review of various budgets including grants and pension funds.
  - **Evidence:** “Item seven would be discussion of the following budgets by city manager, Boyer and director Richter. It's grants, fire pension, police pension, foreign fire insurance and library.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=317s)

- **Bulletproof vests funding source**
  - **Summary:** The Department of Justice grant pays 50% of the cost for officer replacement bulletproof vests and requires a 50% match.
  - **Evidence:** “Bulletproof vests, that's through the Department of Justice grant, so that pays 50% of bulletproof vests for officer replacement vests. It requires a 50% match.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=422s)

- **Laundry mat demolition funding**
  - **Summary:** The EPA grant for the laundry mat covers remediation and demolition; it is a reimbursement grant, meaning the capital must be outlayed first.
  - **Evidence:** “So, that's an EPA grant for demolition, so it has to be remediated and demolished. We're getting a EPA grant for that, no match, and we've, I think the total amount's about, was it 3 million? 1.7 Million we received. 1.7 Million? And we have received it. Yes, we've confirmed it. We don't have the money in our account, it's a reimbursement grant, so we outlay the capital and they reimbursed us up to 1.7 million dollars, which should be more than enough to complete the project.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=486s)

- **DUI forfeitures fund distribution requirements**
  - **Summary:** Funds received through Stephenson County Clerk from DUI forfeitures are restricted for use by PD and K-9 enforcement, requiring specific distributions: City of Freeport (35%), Sex Offender Management Board (5%), Illinois State Police Sex Offender Fund (30%), and Illinois Attorney General (30%).
  - **Evidence:** “So that's restricted use. The funds received through Stephenson County Clerk used by the PD and the enforcement of K-9, K-9, K-9, K-9, K-9, K-9, K-9, Sex Offender Account. So these funds are received from the resignation, or I'm sorry, the registration of sex offenders in the local area. Funds are required to be distributed to City of Freeport at 35%, the Sex Offender Management Board at 5%, Illinois State Police Sex Offender Fund at 30%, and the Illinois Attorney General at 30%.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=533s)

- **Housing rehabilitation grants usage**
  - **Summary:** The city used the grant on Center Street and has two more coming up at 1010 South Adams.
  - **Evidence:** “Wayne, could you join and just mention some of the uses for it? That's what you've been seeing lately with the housing rehabilitation grants. We just did one on Center Street. Got another two more coming up 1010 South Adams is another one so that's the line item right there that you see that's grant that we received to fund those housing rehabilitations okay thank you yes what did you say it was a five hundred thousand dollar grant yes and what was you what did you say after that Yeah, the match was $55,000. So the city pays $55,000, we get $500,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=640s)

- **Status of $300,000 demolition grant usage**
  - **Summary:** The remaining balance on the $300,000 demolition grant is substantial; approximately 10 houses are expected for approval next meeting, and another six are anticipated after that.
  - **Evidence:** “The $300,000 grant for demo of homes, has that grant been used all up? We still got grant money for that. There's going to be another 10 houses coming here for approval in next council meeting to be using that money. How much do we have left on that? We have most of it left at this point. I have 10, like I said, there's 10 houses coming that'll spend it and then probably I think I'm working on another six after that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=803s)

- **Identification of $300,000 grant in question**
  - **Summary:** Clarification was sought regarding whether the discussion about the remaining balance referred to the SCP grant or the demolition grant for the $300,000.
  - **Evidence:** “Are we speaking about the SCP grant or the demolition grant for the $300,000? Is that what we're talking about? Okay. Or I'm asking which one it is. That's what I was speaking of.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=905s)

- **Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Program grant usage**
  - **Summary:** One house has been demolished using the Strong Communities Program grant funds to date.
  - **Evidence:** “Yep. So the Strong Communities Program grant, we've spent, we demolished one house with those grant funds to date.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=920s)

- **Status of grant funds for demolition**
  - **Summary:** The discussion covered which specific grant (SCP or demolition) the remaining unspent money relates to and confirmed that the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Strong Communities Program grant was used for demolishing one house, with plans to use it for nine more properties.
  - **Evidence:** “Are we speaking about the SCP grant or the demolition grant for the $300,000? Is that what we're talking about? Okay. Or I'm asking which one it is. That's what I was speaking of. Okay. Yes, you're speaking of the Illinois Housing Development. Yep. So the Strong Communities Program grant, we've spent, we demolished one house with those grant funds to date. We had, I have nine properties coming forward where we're going to be using those funds for the demolition.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=905s)

- **Demolition process requirements and title acquisition**
  - **Summary:** The initial delay in spending grant money was due to the Illinois Housing Development Authority requiring deeds to properties, leading the speaker to acquire 12 properties from a trustee. Working with IDA allowed the use of a fast track demolition process letter, eliminating the need for immediate property title.
  - **Evidence:** “Part of the reason in the delay was when we first received this grant, the Illinois Housing Development Authority wanted us to have deeds to the property. So I had, I believe, 12 properties coming through that I bought from the trustee so that we would actually have title or a deed to the properties. Working with IDA, I was able to use the fast track demolition process, which is those orange signs. We had a letter from our attorney that they were able to accept so that we no longer have to actually have title to the properties. So all that being said, I anticipate now that I don't actually have to acquire title first to demolish the properties.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=938s)

- **Upcoming property bids and demolition plans**
  - **Summary:** The speaker anticipates spending grant money quickly. Of the nine upcoming properties for bid, one listed is 217 Henderson, located in the third ward or east of the river.
  - **Evidence:** “So of the nine coming up that are going to be up for the next bid, I have the bid openings the 14th. So of those, one of them is 217 Henderson is going to be on that list, is going to be in the third ward or east of the river.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1001s)

- **Use of remaining grant funds for other houses**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding whether any leftover funds could be used for demolishing other houses, to which the speaker confirmed this is part of their plan.
  - **Evidence:** “So you're telling me that with whatever is left, you could use that for other houses, correct? That's my plan.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1018s)

- **Historical requirements for grant funding**
  - **Summary:** Initially, the speaker had to use this grant money for properties purchased from a tax sale trustee and required clean title. The process was expedited by having an attorney write a letter stating legal authority through the statutory fast track demolition process.
  - **Evidence:** “So what ended up when this grant started, we had to have, as I was stating, clean title. So I was using this grant money for properties that we would purchase from the tax sale from the trustee. I was working with IDA to try to expedite our process because unfortunately we have a large amount of blighted properties to demolish and I worked with them and had our attorney write a letter stating that we had legal authority through the statutory fast track demolition process and they said, they looked at that letter and said that would be enough for us”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1032s)

- **Demolition funding limitations based on property title**
  - **Summary:** The speaker explained that previously, the inability to use orange signs due to clean title requirements meant those funds could not be used for demolitions.
  - **Evidence:** “Barts, Swann, Daniel, Dan, Collin, Kikwam, Carl, Heroes, Raine, Howie, “ I had to have clean title to the property at that point. And in our purposes, we were not able to use those orange signs to fund those demolitions. So I anticipate this grant funding being spent quicker moving forward.””
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1046s)

- **Total number of demolished properties using different funds**
  - **Summary:** The speaker stated that in the whole year, one house was demolished with $300,000. Another individual mentioned a potential count of 26 demolished properties.
  - **Evidence:** “So in this whole year, we've had one house with the $300,000. Huffines. That is correct. We obviously, I believe the numbers are at this point 26 demolished properties. I don't have the number in front of me, but that's what comes to my mind.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1089s)

- **Rules governing demolition funds (FEMA vs. City Funds)**
  - **Summary:** The city has multiple pools of money for demolition with different rules. FEMA money requires voluntary sale by owners before demolition on the east side, while another pool requires the city to have proper title or legal authority and that the property must be residential.
  - **Evidence:** “The city is very fortunate to have many pools of money to demolish properties But each pool of money has a different set of rules so the There's FEMA money that comes and it says here's a set of rules for you to demolish properties on the east side that's acquisition and demolition people who own the properties have to voluntarily sell those properties before we can demolish them that's one pool of money that's most of most of your Eastside demolitions that we talked about are in that pool of money this pool of money has a requirement that says the city has to have proper title or have proper title or legal authority to demolish it and it has to be a residential property.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1156s)

- **Orange signs and FEMA buyout process history**
  - **Summary:** The speaker explained that in 2019, the building inspector condemned properties with orange signs. The city manager at that time advised stopping because the city was pursuing FEMA funds for a buyout, which offered aid funding to residents instead of immediate demolition.
  - **Evidence:** “So back in the story I was told from my building inspector is that the building inspector went around in 2019 and condemned properties for demolition, put a lot of orange signs up. And the city manager at that time told him to stop because they were in the process of getting the FEMA funds for a buyout. For a buyout. So when you put an orange sign on somebody's property, you give them 30 days notice and if they don't fix the property, here comes a bulldozer, they're knocking it down, too bad, so say you didn't fix your house up, here's the bill. That's what happens when the orange sign goes up. Well, the city manager at that time said we would like to work with FEMA so that the person doesn't just get their house demolished, they get actual funding from FEMA to buy the property and then also the city gets money to demolish it. That's why you see many orange signs that didn't get demolished.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [20:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1242s)

- **FEMA funding for property demolition and aid**
  - **Summary:** A former city manager's move was to offer aid by having FEMA fund the purchase of properties slated for demolition, which also provided money to the city.
  - **Evidence:** “Well, the city manager at that time said we would like to work with FEMA so that the person doesn't just get their house demolished, they get actual funding from FEMA to buy the property and then also the city gets money to demolish it. That's why you see many orange signs that didn't get demolished. It was a move by a former city manager to actually offer aid to some of those people.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [21:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1261s)

- **East side abandoned houses for demolition grant use**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding the use of separate FEMA money for approximately three clearly abandoned houses on the east side that have not been successfully purchased for demolition in previous years, suggesting using some of the current grant funds for this purpose.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Simmons. Well, just a quick question before you We move on from this for Director Duckman. So my question is, I understand that you have separate money from FEMA, but there are about three houses on the east side that you have not been successful in the past few years purchasing to demolish with this grant. They are clearly abandoned and they are houses that are frequently being dumped at. So my suggestion is that you use some of this for that seeing as it has different stipulations to get those houses tore down to prevent some dumping.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [21:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1311s)

- **Tax abatement general obligation bonds backing**
  - **Summary:** General obligation bonds are backed by the city's ability to levy and collect property taxes.
  - **Evidence:** “manager boyer and we should be moving on to item eight so this is the discussion of the tax abatement bear with me for a minute so when the general obligation bonds are issued they are backed by the city's ability to levy and the City's ability to levy and collect property taxes.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1744s)

- **Budget Deficit Management**
  - **Summary:** The reason for not pushing hard to address the deficit is that it could be captured with EAV numbers; without those, the budget cannot be finalized.
  - **Evidence:** “Maybe I missed it in your last statement, but you said there's gonna be a deficit, so you're gonna keep, you're gonna get back to us as you figure out how to manage that? Yeah, so right now the reason why we're not pushing too hard to take care of the deficit is because we could be able to capture that deficit with the EAV numbers, but without that we can't finalize the budget. Okay so once we have that piece we will be able to report back”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1680s)

- **Scope of Bond Repayment**
  - **Summary:** Bonds typically take several years to pay off (usually 20 or 30 years), with payments structured over time, similar to a car loan.
  - **Evidence:** “Michelle, could you describe the scope of repayment? So these bonds will take several, several years to pay off. When we take out a bond, it's usually 20 or 30 years.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2036s)

- **Bond Payment Structure and Reduction**
  - **Summary:** The payment for one sewer bond going off this year will roll into another sewer bond due to its structure, meaning there is no major savings, but the total number of bonds decreases from 10 to 9.
  - **Evidence:** “So the one bond that is going off this year, the amount that we pay for that bond is really just gonna roll into the other sewer bond that we have because it was structured that way. So really we don't have a real big savings on that because now we have to increase the amount on the other sewer one, but we do get rid of one bond. So now we're down to nine, but unfortunately it will be many years before we get rid of these.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [34:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2079s)

- **Ordinance Purpose for Bond Abatement**
  - **Summary:** The ordinance is needed to state that property tax funds will not be used for these payments, as budget money is available.
  - **Evidence:** “We're going to have to vote on an ordinance at the next council meeting next week on an ordinance to abate the tax level. Saying that we're not going to put it on the property tax, that we've got money in the budget to pay these payments, that we don't have to put it on property tax.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2130s)

- **Tax Levy Status and Budgeting Basis**
  - **Summary:** The city's tax levy has not been received yet; budgeting was done based on last year's tax levy figures.
  - **Evidence:** “I want to just uh move on to the discussion on the tax levy and as ashley pointed out we have not received the city's tax levy yet we anticipated any day now but uh we have uh budgeted according to last year's tax levy we expect it might go up slightly but we're not we're not looking at those funds as uh as solid so we budgeted as of last”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2175s)

- **Tax Levy Status**
  - **Summary:** The city's tax levy has not yet been received, and budgeting was done using last year's figures, anticipating a slight increase.
  - **Evidence:** “as ashley pointed out we have not received the city's tax levy yet we anticipated any day now but uh we have uh budgeted according to last year's tax levy we expect it might go up slightly but we're not we're not looking at those funds as uh as solid so we budgeted as of last”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2175s)

- **Part-time Clerk Position Status**
  - **Summary:** A change was made removing funding for a part-time clerk position.
  - **Evidence:** “City Clerk, we've had a couple of small changes. Oops, I'm sorry about that, Curt. I'm stepping on you. We, one change we made here was we had a part-time clerk to help Dovie. We've we've removed that and there's a few other little changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2256s)

- **Part-time Clerk Funding Removal Confirmation**
  - **Summary:** The removal of the part-time clerk funding was based on reevaluating the budget to align everything.
  - **Evidence:** “Well for budget we went back through the budget to line everything up and we had to take out the part-time person the part-time clerk.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [38:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2319s)

- **Part-time Clerk Funding Status Clarification**
  - **Summary:** Manager Boyer clarified that the deputy clerk is still budgeted for, but the removed funding was specifically for a part-time assistant position.
  - **Evidence:** “Manager Boyer, can I clarify? We have a, I think, the misunderstanding is the deputy clerk that we have now. No, no, we still have a deputy clerk. She's budgeted for, but this was in and above that. The original budget showed funding for a part-time. Yes. Yeah, it showed up for a part-time assistant. Yes. So that'd be two and a half. In reevaluating the budget, that was removed.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [39:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2369s)

- **Need for Part-time Clerk Staffing**
  - **Summary:** The discussion centered on whether the department needs a part-time clerk given current workload demands.
  - **Evidence:** “Are you said that? That was a statement. That wasn't a question. Okay. So we can afford a part-time or we don't need a part-time? Well, I mean, I'll let Dovie speak to that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [39:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2396s)

- **Clerk Workload Capacity**
  - **Summary:** The clerk stated that she is still behind and that the budget has no room for additional work if more tasks are required.
  - **Evidence:** “That's hopeful however I mean it basically means I'm still behind if more work needs to be done and I have to do it I'm salaried so I just make less per hour while I do it. There's no room in the budget for it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2412s)

- **Part-time Clerk Funding Recommendation**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Klemm advised that if a part-time clerk is desired, the request should be formally raised.
  - **Evidence:** “So the moral of this story is if you want a part-time clerk, speak up. If you want a part-time clerk, what? Speak up. It's your budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2452s)

- **Part-time Clerk Funding Priority**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Sellers suggested that the need for extra help should be weighed against other budgetary priorities.
  - **Evidence:** “I guess at that point if it was put in there the first time at the original time and and we did discuss that Dovie did need the extra help if she says she's behind. There's no need in, if you're already behind, and we got more coming down the pipe, you're gonna get even more behind.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [41:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2476s)

- **Budgetary constraints and departmental needs**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding budget limitations, with acknowledgment of the deputy clerk's work and a general agreement to re-evaluate certain items in the next year's budget.
  - **Evidence:** “I know we have the deputy clerk, and she's doing a wonderful job, but I guess it's, if it was on there originally, what was, I know you're saying, Dovie is saying, that we don't have the money in the budget. You know, I guess I'm getting from the, you saying that we don't need it or I don't know? I'm not saying we don't need it, I'm just saying in all the priorities that we have that did not rise to the top of the priority list. We have a street department, we've had a number of different cuts plus we're looking at other future things for AFSCME so we're trying to do everything we can on this end of things, taking out things in the budget that we can live without. Okay and and so I know Dovie does a tremendous job and she does deserve as much help as she she needs but the budget is kind of demanding this and chair yes let me add I'm okay with that I mean there's other things that got cut I'm okay and I'm certainly okay with giving it a year re-evaluating and seeing what next year's budget looks like seeing what our current workload and and the new deputy is doing I'm fine with that thank you okay thank you Thank Thank you, Clerk Anderson.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [42:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2523s)

- **Salt Shed Repair Timeline**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation that repairs for the salt shed will likely occur next spring at the soonest.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders. Manager Boyer, is that going to happen soon? The salt shed? Yes. It'll probably be next spring at the soonest. But we can get by? Yes. I mean, we'll get by. We're going to have to look at some other alternates to make that salt shed last.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [45:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2711s)

- **Residential Street Lighting Ownership and Maintenance**
  - **Summary:** Discussion clarified that most downtown street lighting is ComEd-owned (via a grant) and the reduction was due to balancing the budget; residential lights are primarily owned by ComEd, which uses 35 watt LEDs.
  - **Evidence:** “When you talk about the street lights, are we talking about just the bulbs are changing or are we, is there anything out there for adding more lights? So all of the lights, most of the lights that are out in the city are actually ComEd lights. We, a couple of years ago, we redid all the downtown street lights and that was through a grant through ComEd. And then we budget us so much money per year to maintain the lights that we maintain. So IDOT corridors in the downtown are primarily all of them. So just to give you an example, there wasn't a tremendous amount coming out of this budget item. And in order to get things balanced out, we reduced that by 10,000. But. Oh. Alderman Shanner. Yeah, manager. Yep. Boyer, would that also include residential? No, sir. Residential? No, sir. No, it doesn't. OK, I didn't hear you. No, it's primarily our downtown street lighting power bill. That's what most of this budget is. Have there been requests or complaints about lighting in residential areas? Well, yes. Right now, I think most of the light bulbs in the residential areas are owned by ComEd, and they're 35 watt LEDs.”

- **Funding for IDOT corridor street lights**
  - **Summary:** The speaker noted that they are seeking outside money to fix IDOT corridor lights, specifically mentioning the intersection of West and South on Galena, by pursuing changes in status as a preferred community with ComEd.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “we're gonna be we're searching outside money for getting the IDOT corridor lights fixed so like the intersection of West and South you know up and down on West Street on Galena these are areas that are IDOT controlled and we're looking for changes to our status as a preferred community with ComEd that will open up dollars that will give us grant money to take care of those lights in the IDOT corridors.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [48:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2890s)

- **Adding more residential street lighting**
  - **Summary:** A request was made to find ways to add more lights to residential areas due to complaints about darkness and associated crime concerns, suggesting a need for funding beyond the $300,000 allocated for downtown.
  - **Attribution:** Sellers
  - **Evidence:** “Oh, and Sellers. I would like for us to try to find out how we can add more lights to residential areas because I do get a lot of complaints about how dark areas are, and then even how dark they are where they're committing crimes because it's dark there. And I'm telling you, that's everywhere. So if there was some way that we can, I know $300,000 for downtown, but we need to get, you know, Maybe if there's something out there that we can get more bright lights all over the city.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [49:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2953s)

- **AFSCME wage increase budget line item**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding a nominal figure inserted for the ASME union, specifically asking if it represented a wage increase and whether the number was fabricated.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Stacey. The ASME union went from 168 to 177. What is that? Wage increase? We put in a nominal figure just to get, you know, to have something in the budget for that. What does that mean?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [50:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3001s)

- **Budgetary increases and negotiations**
  - **Summary:** The city manager explained that the slight increase for AFSCME was due to upcoming negotiations with police, noting that past processes involved rebudgets after negotiations were settled.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager
  - **Evidence:** “So did, like city manager said, we did put in a slight increase for AFSCME. We know we're and we're going into negotiations next year. We are negotiating right now with police. So those were two things that are really, I don't know, pressing upon me and the city manager as far as moving forward and getting a balanced budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [50:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3039s)

- **Neighborhood housing fund purpose**
  - **Summary:** The speaker explained that the real estate tax line item was added because the department is usually liable for a portion of property taxes when acquiring a property, which is more appropriate in this fund than the general fund.
  - **Attribution:** Huffines
  - **Evidence:** “Michelle did you want to comment on any of those neighborhood housing we just added the real estate tax line item so when we acquire a property we take on the property taxes for that property until we can get it exempted so we have to fill out some paperwork to get it Huffines. So we're usually liable for a little portion of the property taxes for a property when we acquire it. So I thought it more appropriate to be in this fund rather than the general fund because we're going to, you know, usually demo it out of this one or a grant.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [55:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3351s)

- **reading printed numbers**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding reading specific line item numbers.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders. Yeah, I can barely read that last line you were speaking of. What is those numbers? Alderman Sanders, we actually have a printed out hard copy there at your desk.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [56:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3410s)

- **Health Care Fund status**
  - **Summary:** The Health Care Fund has no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “oh health care oops health care fund no changes there”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3433s)

- **Office of Violence Against Women Grant for the Police Department**
  - **Summary:** Discussion confirmed that the grant was for the Office of Violence Against Women Grant for the Police Department.
  - **Evidence:** “What is the VW for? That was the Office of Violence Against Women Grant for the Police Department. We talked about that earlier.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3433s)

- **Library funds status**
  - **Summary:** Library funds have no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “It's library funds. No changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3433s)

- **Motor fuel tax funds status**
  - **Summary:** Motor fuel tax funds are being realigned some of the revenue figures, with no major changes.
  - **Evidence:** “What about that? Motor fuel tax funds. Just realigning some of the revenue figures here. No major changes.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3433s)

- **Downtown revitalization loan funds status**
  - **Summary:** The Downtown revitalization loan funds are set up for downtown redevelopment and have no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “Downtown revitalization loan funds. That is a set up to for downtown redevelopment. No changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3433s)

- **Public safety fund status**
  - **Summary:** The Public safety fund has no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “Public safety fund, no changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3516s)

- **Cemetery care fund status**
  - **Summary:** The Cemetery care fund has no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “Cemetery care fund, no changes there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3516s)

- **Downtown TIF and Lamb Road TIF status**
  - **Summary:** Downtown TIF had a couple of small changes but everything lines up; Lamb Road TIF has no changes.
  - **Evidence:** “Downtown TIF, we had a couple of small changes but pretty much everything lines up. Lamb Road TIF, no changes”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3516s)

## Follow-ups

- **Finalizing library budget deficit management**
  - **Summary:** The finalization of the budget depends on receiving the EAV numbers; otherwise, the current deficit cannot be fully addressed.
  - **Evidence:** “Yeah, so right now the reason why we're not pushing too hard to take care of the deficit is because we could be able to capture that deficit with the EAV numbers, but without that we can't finalize the budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=1731s)

- **Improving Residential Area Lighting**
  - **Summary:** A request was made to investigate methods for adding more lights to residential areas due to complaints about darkness.
  - **Evidence:** “Oh, and Sellers. I would like for us to try to find out how we can add more lights to residential areas because I do get a lot of complaints about how dark areas are, and then even how dark they are where they're committing crimes because it's dark there.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [49:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=2953s)

- **Remaining items discussion**
  - **Summary:** The remaining summary discussion and public comments will be addressed after the meeting.
  - **Evidence:** “I think so, yeah. If we have to finish this out, it's not time for public comments yet, I would say so.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [59:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=3573s)

## Attendance

- **Committee Attendance Check**
  - **Summary:** Confirmed quorum presence for the committee meeting.
  - **Evidence:** “Monroe and Simmons are absent. Parker? Here. Stacy? Present. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers is absent. We do have a quorum, Chair. Thank you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8nYR_bFsg&t=0s)