WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.199
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. Could everyone join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Sure.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:51.519
and item four would be approval of the agenda. Motion by Klemm, second by Parker. All in favor?

00:00:51.520 --> 00:01:03.080
Hi. Opposed? Motion carried. Item five would be approval of the minutes from September 16,

00:01:03.080 --> 00:01:14.879
October 7, October 15, October 21, 2024 meetings. Yes. Why so many dates? I would assume that it

00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:20.159
It just took a while for the clerk. Go ahead. I think you just answered it. It just took

00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:27.199
a while for her to get them done. So we never approved these other dates before? No, prior

00:01:27.199 --> 00:01:38.199
to the meeting. We haven't approved the minutes of the meeting. Okay. Did we get a motion?

00:01:38.199 --> 00:01:43.879
So moved. Motion by Klemm, second by Parker. All in favor?

00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:44.920
Aye.

00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:46.959
Opposed?

00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:48.679
Motion to carry.

00:01:48.679 --> 00:01:52.039
Public comments would be on agenda items,

00:01:52.039 --> 00:01:55.019
limited to three minutes.

00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:55.519
Bernie?

00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:07.159
I'll make this relatively quick.

00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:10.840
I did some time, put a lot of time into the budget

00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:12.800
as it currently exists.

00:02:12.800 --> 00:02:23.960
and I come to the conclusion that our governmental funds will expend about $67,819,000

00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:33.280
which includes capital procurement of $14,919,000 leaving the cash reserve approximately $31,312,000

00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:43.800
which is about 59% of the normal operating expenditures, 52,903,000 not including one-time

00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:47.360
capital requirements.

00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:52.879
If our fund balance policy calls for six months of cash for operating expenditures, I think

00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:54.879
we are okay.

00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:02.159
The same pretty much is true for the proprietary funds as it is.

00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:08.120
I was able to determine from the budget documents I received through the emails that we have

00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:13.039
a capital budget of approximately $69 million.

00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:18.400
That may have changed a little bit because I'm not privy to the current new information.

00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:25.000
I see it is entirely possible to execute all of this according to the way that the city

00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:37.180
had put the capital into place with using reserves and within using loans and grants.

00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:52.520
In the end, the city should end up with $176,430,000 at the end of next fiscal year of which $121,871,000

00:03:52.520 --> 00:04:21.519
who 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 this physical year and for the next physical year.

00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:29.479
So, I have, there are some things that are wrong in the budget itself. I have a whole

00:04:29.479 --> 00:04:36.399
list of suggestions that we should be looking at seriously to align the cost to the functions

00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:42.919
so we can determine exactly what the function, the service that the function is providing

00:04:42.919 --> 00:04:49.259
is actually costing. I'd like to get rid of the interdepartmental department and even

00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:54.259
and there's retirements in there, they should belong to our current operating departments.

00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:57.420
There's still expenses to those departments.

00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:00.099
Having said all that, I think I've said enough.

00:05:00.099 --> 00:05:03.459
You guys have a good day with this budget.

00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:08.539
When I get the next set of information, I can put it all together into my model.

00:05:08.539 --> 00:05:15.980
My model can look at things and do some what if analysis on what we can do and what we

00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:17.500
cannot do.

00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:21.720
So far, I'm cautiously optimistic. Thank you.

00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:25.160
Thank you, Bernie. Thank you, Bernie.

00:05:25.160 --> 00:05:30.720
Item 7 would be discussion of the following budgets by City Manager Boyer and Director

00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:39.720
Richter. It's grants, fire pension, police pension, foreign fire insurance, and library.

00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:40.720
Fowler.

00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:41.720
All right.

00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:42.720
Good evening, everyone.

00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:55.800
Kurt, if you could go ahead and pull up the grants starting with the, yeah, OVW grant.

00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:59.060
So this is the, we're going to go through all the grants and everything on the agenda

00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:03.440
for tonight, and if there's any time left over, we're going to discuss the tax abatements,

00:06:03.440 --> 00:06:06.160
tax levies, and any revisions.

00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:07.160
and others.

00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:11.840
The revisions would be anything that's needed to be changed since we started this process

00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:12.840
through today.

00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:15.640
We have pretty much finalized everything in the budget.

00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:17.980
Everything's looking good and it's balanced.

00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:23.700
We have made some necessary cuts in certain areas and we have made adjustments where necessary.

00:06:23.700 --> 00:06:27.760
So anyway, let's go ahead and move forward with the grants.

00:06:27.760 --> 00:06:32.400
The OVW grant, so that's the Office Against Violence of Women.

00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:35.760
The police department has received this grant for the past seven years.

00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:41.599
The funds support a portion of the Special Victims Unit, Detectives, Wages and Training,

00:06:41.599 --> 00:06:45.920
and the grants also support wages of the State's Attorney Office and Voices, so that's one

00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.120
of our partners there.

00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:51.680
There is no match on this.

00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:52.839
Brownfields grant.

00:06:52.839 --> 00:07:01.240
So we've got the EPA grant for the demo and remediation of the dry cleaners at 1719 West

00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.860
Main Street.

00:07:02.860 --> 00:07:08.100
There's no match, and there's about three years left to complete this.

00:07:08.100 --> 00:07:12.900
Bulletproof vests, that's through the Department of Justice grant, so that pays 50 percent

00:07:12.900 --> 00:07:17.060
of bulletproof vests for officer replacement vests.

00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:19.220
It requires a 50 percent match.

00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:20.220
Rob?

00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:21.220
Yes?

00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:26.020
We got a question?

00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:30.500
I just wanted to let Council know, I didn't rerun, this was from last week, when we didn't

00:07:30.500 --> 00:08:00.360
move on what were you saying about this the the laundry mat so that's

00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:02.920
That's an EPA grant for demolition.

00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:06.240
So it has to be remediated and demolished.

00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:09.439
We're getting a EPA grant for that, no match.

00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:13.759
And I think the total amount's about, was it $3 million?

00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.120
$1.7 million we received.

00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:18.199
$1.7 million?

00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.280
And we have received it.

00:08:20.280 --> 00:08:21.680
Yes, we've confirmed it.

00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.280
We don't have the money in our account.

00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:26.040
It's a reimbursement grant.

00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:28.520
So we outlay the capital, and they reimburse us up

00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:31.440
to $1.7 million, which should be more than enough

00:08:31.440 --> 00:08:32.680
to complete the project.

00:08:32.680 --> 00:08:34.480
You said it's a reimbursement?

00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:34.980
Mm-hmm.

00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.840
What portion of it is to cities?

00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.340
Zero.

00:08:48.560 --> 00:08:51.960
OK, so leaving off, any more questions on that Brownfields

00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:53.480
grant?

00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.440
OK.

00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:57.160
Moving on, we had the DUI forfeitures.

00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:59.559
So that's restricted use.

00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:02.600
The funds received through Stevenson County Clerk,

00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:06.879
used by the PD and the enforcement of DUIs.

00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.959
Items include software and equipment,

00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:12.039
plan to utilize a portion for the implementation

00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:13.799
of the e-citation.

00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.919
So that's a new electronic ticketing.

00:09:18.959 --> 00:09:19.879
Moving on.

00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:23.360
Canine, again, this is a restricted fund

00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:28.360
and it's funded through donations for police dogs.

00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:31.759
This is a use to support the purchase of those dogs,

00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:34.820
the supplies, care and kenneling of the Cana.

00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:40.519
And moving down to the sex offender account.

00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:43.320
So these funds are received from the resignation,

00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:45.279
or I'm sorry, the registration of sex offenders

00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.639
in the local area.

00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:48.560
Funds are required to be distributed

00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:51.639
to City of Freeport at 35%.

00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:57.439
the Sex Offender Management Board at 5%, Illinois State Police Sex Offender Fund at 30%, and

00:09:57.439 --> 00:09:59.240
the Illinois Attorney General at 30%.

00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.759
and Attorney General at 30 percent.

00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:08.080
Okay, moving on, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, round two.

00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:12.440
These are grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for demolitions, so there's

00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:17.120
no match on these.

00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:22.120
Explorer Club, these are restricted funds received through donations, and they're used

00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:24.919
to support the Explorer Club at the police department.

00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:30.120
The Explorer Club introduces young people to the field of policing.

00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:39.600
Okay, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants.

00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:42.220
We received about a $200,000 grant.

00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:46.840
It was received for the purposes of demolitions and there's no match for this.

00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:55.799
This was gained through Senator Stewart's involvement in the appropriation process.

00:10:55.799 --> 00:11:03.759
Next Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity demo grants, and this is through Bivens.

00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:11.399
It's a $100,000 grant, no match, and it would also go toward demos.

00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:14.680
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Development Block Grant.

00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:17.000
So this is for housing rehabilitation.

00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.399
It's a $500,000 grant with a $55,000 match.

00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:28.320
Wayne, could you just mention some of the uses for it?

00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.680
That's what you've been seeing lately with the housing

00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:32.240
rehabilitation grants.

00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:35.440
We just did one on Center Street.

00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:37.680
Got another two more coming up.

00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:40.120
1010 South Adams is another one.

00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:44.080
So that's the line item right there that you see.

00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:48.200
that's grant that we received to fund those housing

00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:49.320
rehabilitations.

00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:51.519
OK, thank you.

00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.159
Yes.

00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:57.399
What did you say it was a $500,000 grant?

00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.039
Yes.

00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:03.279
And what was, what did you say after that?

00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:06.279
The match was $55,000.

00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:11.920
So the city pays $55,000, we get $500,000, approximately 10%.

00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:24.080
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.

00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:36.080
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.

00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:43.080
Next is the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board Recruitment and Retention Grant.

00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:52.080
This is $52,000 to be used to recruit and retain police officers, and this does not include a match.

00:12:52.080 --> 00:13:07.080
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.

00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:24.580
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 first opportunity to install some EV charging stations downtown.

00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:26.080
Rob?

00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.580
Yes.

00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.580
Oh, got another question. Yes.

00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:34.080
The $300,000 grant for demo of homes?

00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.080
Yes.

00:13:35.080 --> 00:14:05.080
has that grant been used all up? We still got grant money for that. There's going to be another ten houses coming here for approval and 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 ten, like I said, there's ten houses coming that will spend it and then probably I think I'm working on another six after that. So you'll see houses

00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:10.639
is coming up for demolition using those funds so those funds will be used up

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:19.059
this year I anticipate close to it if not it'll leak over probably into the first

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:24.519
quarter of 25 director Dutman do you know how much we spin of that thus far I

00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:32.559
think it's right around 25,000 the numbers on the screen left the balance of

00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.220
and

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.460
the

00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:37.420
neighborhood of 29.

00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:38.220
Pretty close.

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:41.220
Have we started on this paperwork today?

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:45.799
I'm sorry, I don't understand.

00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:47.259
Have we get to this yet?

00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.259
No.

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:51.259
Okay. So you just saw that on the screen.

00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.259
Yeah.

00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:54.259
And you said 27,000?

00:14:54.259 --> 00:15:00.259
29, the balance was 270 and change.

00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:25.139
are we speaking about the this SCP grant or the demolition grant for the 300,000 is that what we're talking about or or I'm asking which one it is that's what I was speaking of yes she's speaking of the Illinois housing yeah okay

00:15:25.140 --> 00:15:32.140
So the Strong Communities Program grant, we've spent, we've demolished one house with those grant funds to date.

00:15:32.140 --> 00:15:39.140
We had, I have nine properties coming forward where we're going to be using those funds for the demolish.

00:15:39.140 --> 00:15:43.140
We're going to be using the funds for that grant to demolish them.

00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:48.140
Part of the reason in the delay was when we first received this grant,

00:15:48.140 --> 00:15:53.140
the Illinois Housing Development Authority wanted us to have deeds to the property.

00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:59.820
So I had, I believe, 12 properties coming through that I bought from the trustee so that we

00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:03.820
would actually have title or a deed to the properties.

00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:09.660
Working with IDA, I was able to use the fast track demolition process, which is those orange

00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:10.660
signs.

00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:14.460
We had a letter from our attorney that they were able to accept so that we no longer have

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:18.300
to actually have title to the properties.

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:24.100
So all that being said, I anticipate now that I don't actually have to acquire title first

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:26.259
to demolish the properties.

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:30.420
I anticipate this money being spent quite quickly.

00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:42.860
Are the houses you're speaking of on the east side of town, the nine coming soon?

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:50.259
So of the nine coming up that are going to be up for the next bid opening is the 14th.

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:56.500
So of those, one of them is 217 Henderson is going to be on that list, is going to be

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.299
in the third ward or east of the river.

00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:02.420
Hold on a second.

00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:12.460
Yes, so you're telling me that with whatever is left, you could use that for other houses,

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:18.860
correct that's my plan I mean so what ended up when this grant started we had

00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:23.079
to have as I was stating Kleem title so I was using this grant money for

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:27.660
properties that we would purchase from the tax sale from the trustee I was

00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:32.380
working with IDA to try to expedite our process because unfortunately we have a

00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:37.360
large amount of blighted properties to demolish and I worked with them and had

00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:39.360
and I have a question for you.

00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:53.360
You said that our attorney write a letter stating that we had legal authority through the statutory fast track demolition process and they said, they look at that letter and said that would be enough for us to use on those orange signs to fund those demolitions.

00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:58.360
So I anticipate this grant funding being spent quicker moving forward.

00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:59.360
Yep.

00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.360
Yes.

00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:05.360
So in this whole year, we've had one house with the $300,000.

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:10.299
That is correct because I had to have clean title to the property at that point.

00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:18.079
So there were no houses that were available to be condemned, I mean to be torn down previous

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:20.460
before getting the 12.

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.460
That is correct.

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:25.079
We obviously, I believe the numbers are at this point 26 demolished properties.

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:28.200
I don't have the number in front of me, but that's what comes to my mind.

00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:33.579
So we were using the city funds to demolish the properties as opposed to the $300,000

00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:37.880
is the state put the requirement that that said if I put an orange sign on it that's

00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:42.960
fast track demolition that means the public or the person who owns the property actually

00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:48.480
still owns it but we put the orange sign on it which allows us to demolish it Ida at one

00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:53.780
point said you cannot do that you know you need to have clean title to the property to

00:18:53.780 --> 00:18:58.019
demolish it so I worked with them and said hey we've got plenty of blighted properties

00:18:58.019 --> 00:19:28.019
Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:36.740
Biles. So there's FEMA money that comes and it says here's a set of rules for you to demolish

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:42.220
properties on the east side. That's acquisition and demolition. People who own the properties

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:45.980
have to voluntarily sell those properties before we can demolish them. That's one pool

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:52.480
of money. That's most of your east side demolitions that we talk about are in that pool of money.

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:59.159
This pool of money has a requirement that says the city has to have proper title or

00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:01.159
Fowler,

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:34.439
permission,

00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:40.079
So back in the story I was told from my building inspector is that the building inspector went

00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:46.679
around in 2019 and condemned properties for demolition, put a lot of orange signs up and

00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:50.999
the city manager at that time told him to stop because they were in the process of getting

00:20:50.999 --> 00:20:55.619
the FEMA funds for a buyout so when you put an orange sign on somebody's property you

00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:59.619
give them 30 days notice and if they don't fix the property here comes a

00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:03.099
bulldozer they're knocking it down too bad so say you didn't fix your house up

00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:07.999
here's the bill that's what happens when the orange sign goes up well the city

00:21:07.999 --> 00:21:12.819
manager at that time said we would like to work with FEMA so that the person

00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:17.499
doesn't just get their house demolished they get actual funding from FEMA to buy

00:21:17.499 --> 00:21:22.019
the property and then also the city gets money to demolish it so that's why you

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.019
and I.

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.179
We've had a lot of conversations with the city about how you see many orange signs that

00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:26.359
didn't get demolished.

00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:32.599
It was a move by a former city manager to actually offer aid to some of those people.

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:39.739
Council, if you would be so kind, we do have quite a bit to get through, and this is a

00:21:39.739 --> 00:21:41.739
topic that we can definitely talk about.

00:21:41.739 --> 00:21:43.699
I can always come in and ask.

00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.699
Is that okay?

00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:45.699
Yeah, no problem.

00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.699
Thank you.

00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:47.699
Excuse me, Chair?

00:21:47.699 --> 00:21:48.699
Yes.

00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:50.259
Director Duckman, my recorder died.

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:56.259
could I borrow yours to finish up the meeting thank you we need to have a pause

00:21:56.259 --> 00:22:02.499
while you exchange that Kurt are we recording okay back there okay no pause

00:22:02.499 --> 00:22:09.599
needed thank you okay just moving along we're at the EV grants just one second

00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:18.039
Alderman Simmons well just a quick question before you move on from this for

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:48.039
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

00:22:48.039 --> 00:23:12.819
and

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:22.019
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Moving on, let's see we're at the DOT Safe

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:27.379
Streets for All. So the creation of a plan to increase transportation safety

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:32.299
throughout the city. So there's a $400,000 grant. It's a match of $100,000

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:38.659
and that's split between 2024 and 2025. So we actually just had a meeting on that

00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:48.979
this afternoon. All right, moving on. A federal portion of the Pretzel City Transit, so there's

00:23:48.979 --> 00:23:57.019
no city match required for this. The grant amount is $198,000.20. The city employs a

00:23:57.019 --> 00:24:03.279
project compliance and oversight monitor, and the Senior Resource Center provides the

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:13.039
Service here. Okay moving on to IDOT State portion of this Provincial City Transit

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:18.000
Downstate Operation Assistance Program or DOPA. There's no city match for this and

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:27.199
the grant amount is $1,268,740. Next is the Federal Capital Grant for

00:24:27.199 --> 00:24:30.899
Provincial City Transit. This is for cameras on the buses and there's no

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:47.899
for this. 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.

00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:58.399
The Fire Pension Fund, the presented budget has been accepted by the Firefighters Pension

00:24:58.399 --> 00:25:04.279
Fund Board of Trustees at their meeting on October 30th, 2024 and includes a projection

00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:11.639
of over $2.3 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:17.319
The Police Pension Fund, the presented budget has been accepted again by the Police Pension

00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:25.319
Fund Board of Trustees at their meeting October 30th and includes a projection of over $2 million in earnings for fiscal year 2025.

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:35.319
The Foreign Fire Fund. These funds are collected and remitted to us by the Illinois Municipal League.

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:42.319
Insurance companies that are outside of Illinois that provide insurance within Illinois to pay into the fund.

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:50.919
The Foreign Fire Insurance Board meets regularly and uses the funds for equipment to meet the department's needs and we've gone over the

00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:53.119
we've gone over this earlier and

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:55.159
then last I'm gonna

00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:59.259
Send give over the podium to Ashley to go over the library budget

00:26:00.719 --> 00:26:07.819
Okay, good evening. And first of all, I want to remind you that this is a draft of the library's FY 25 budget

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:14.819
We will not have a final budget until we receive the EAV, which is the equalized assessed value from the county.

00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:23.819
Once Director Richter receives these numbers, I'll finalize the Library's budget and present it to the Library Board of Trustees for approval.

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:34.819
The Library revenue lines include income from property taxes, personal property replacement taxes, miscellaneous grants, and donations from the Freeport Public Library Foundation.

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:38.819
We make a transfer from our restricted reserve accounts to balance our budget.

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:45.939
All capital improvement projects are funded with library funds only. We do not receive any revenue

00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:51.219
from the City of Freeport's funds for our operations or capital improvement projects.

00:26:52.179 --> 00:27:01.219
All our personnel expenses are on lines 213-000-5000 through 213-000-5295.

00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:05.179
I've updated a couple of staff expenditures since this report was

00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:10.219
created and we are projected to spend about $16,000 less than what's on the

00:27:10.219 --> 00:27:16.539
report in front of you. The only large difference in the 24 and 25 budget line

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:24.339
expense lines is 213-000-7010 and because this was moved to line

00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:26.339
and

00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.339
the

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:30.339
EAB numbers.

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:35.339
Overall, this report shows we will overspend by $40,000.

00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:45.339
If you subtract the 16,000 I mentioned earlier without the EAB numbers, we are projected to spend $24,000 over our revenue amounts.

00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:51.339
This number will continue to decrease as I work with the library board and the finance director.

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.899
Finance Director.

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:54.579
As the budget becomes more balanced,

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:57.939
I'll continue to share it with you.

00:27:57.939 --> 00:28:00.699
So I can go up there and move the slide around

00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:03.059
if you want me to.

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.379
But do you have any questions?

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:36.019
Any questions, comments on the library?

00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:44.059
Thank you.

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:49.899
Maybe I missed it in your last statement, but you said there's going to be a deficit,

00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:54.899
So you're gonna keep, you're gonna get back to us as you figure out how to manage that?

00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.899
Yeah.

00:28:55.899 --> 00:29:00.559
So right now the reason why we're not pushing too hard to take care of the deficit is because

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:06.619
we could be able to capture that deficit with the EAV numbers, but without that we can't

00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:08.819
finalize the budget.

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:13.500
So once we have that piece, we will be able to report back.

00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.500
Okay.

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.500
I did miss that.

00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.500
Thank you.

00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.500
You're welcome.

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:21.500
Thank you.

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:25.500
Manager Boyer.

00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:29.500
And we should be moving on to

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:33.500
item eight. So this is the

00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:37.500
discussion of the tax abatement.

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:41.500
Bear with me for a minute.

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.500
Bear with me for a minute.

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:58.500
So when the general obligation bonds are issued, they are backed by the city's ability to levy and collect.

00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:03.940
the City's ability to levy and collect property taxes. Therefore, the County automatically

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:08.980
levies the required annual debt service from the City of Freeport property owners on their

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:15.299
property tax bills. The City has historically abated or canceled this amount on the property

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:19.539
taxes. By passing an ordinance each year, the property taxes that would otherwise be

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:24.539
collected from the residents is abated. The City instead makes the debt service payment

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:26.859
from other city revenues.

00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:29.059
So what you'll see, and I don't know,

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:31.460
Kurt, if you can pull that table up.

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:34.220
And if everybody could flip into their agenda

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:36.380
and pull up this memo, there's a table

00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:38.779
that I'm referring to here.

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:42.380
Below are the individual bond issues, the amounts

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:44.420
to be abated, and the source of revenue

00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:46.700
that will be used to make the bond payment.

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:50.019
We have also included the potential increased cost

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:53.940
in property taxes on an average $100,000 home

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.859
if these bonds were not abated.

00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:59.259
Ordinances to abate these bonds will be on the council agenda

00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:02.900
November 18th, so the next council meeting 2024,

00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:06.980
and then we'll be second reading December 2nd, 2024.

00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:09.099
So we have several of them here, and I'll just

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:11.579
go over them briefly.

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:19.940
We have bond 2013A, and that is the fire improvement source.

00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:25.299
The amount abated is $87,875.

00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:27.579
So now we'll be moving forward.

00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:30.900
And in addition to that, we have Series 2014B.

00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:35.259
That's for $1,083,143.

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:39.339
And that is through the Sanitary Sewer Fund.

00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:46.059
We have Series 2015A, and that is $753,365.

00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:49.579
And the funding source for that is TIFF, General Fund, Storm,

00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:51.420
and Sewer Funds.

00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:59.099
Series 2016, the amount abated is $181,855.

00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:01.700
And that is abated by the General Fund.

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:07.660
Series 2018 is $90,215.

00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:12.539
That is abated by the downtown TIF revenue.

00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:23.819
The Series 2020-19A at $236,268.76 is abated through the Street Improvement Fund.

00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:33.299
Series 2020 is $3,299,368.10, and that is abated through the General Fund.

00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:39.460
And then Series 2021 is $240,800, and that is abated through the Street Improvement Fund

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:41.099
as well.

00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:51.339
Series 2022. Total amount is $252,232.50 and that is funded through the Fire Improvement Fund.

00:32:51.339 --> 00:33:01.740
So the total amount abated is $6,225,122.36. And if the abatement for some reason was not passed,

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:08.940
then that would automatically incur an increase to property taxes of $832.88. However, we will not

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:13.619
do that because we're moving forward, you know, staff is recommending moving forward

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:16.299
with the abatements.

00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:32.420
Yes. I'd like to know how long or what is the plan to this six million two

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:37.259
hundred and twenty five thousand? What is the plan to get that down and get that a

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:48.099
We're paying on the bonds the payments that were generated at the beginning of the bonds. We're making those payments and then we're

00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:54.420
Continuing to service that debt. So each one of those I Michelle might want to fill in some details

00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:58.579
But as far as the total amount, we have some coming due soon

00:33:58.579 --> 00:34:03.900
But there's quite a few there that will be a number of years what Michelle could you kind of describe the scope of repayment?

00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:11.900
So these bonds will take several, several years to pay off. When we take out a bond, it's usually 20 or 30 years.

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:20.900
We did have, there's nine bonds listed here right now. We currently have 10. We make the last payment on one of our sewer bonds this year.

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:29.900
But the way the bonds are structured, there's a, so like if I compare it to a car loan or house or something, you're paying a set amount every month.

00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:59.900
and others.

00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:21.720
Paulen and Stacy?

00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:22.720
Holden and Stacy.

00:35:22.720 --> 00:35:24.820
I just didn't hear what he said when he was at the end.

00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:28.800
He said administration recommends something.

00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:32.440
recommending moving forward with the bond abatement that we've done every year.

00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:40.340
That's all. We're gonna have to vote on, not tonight, an ordinance on, at the next

00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:48.800
council meeting next week, on an ordinance to abate the tax level, saying that we're

00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:53.880
not gonna put it on the property tax, that we've got money in the budget to pay

00:35:53.880 --> 00:36:03.880
and Davey's Payments, that we don't have to put it on property tax.

00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.880
Alderman Sanders.

00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:08.880
Yeah.

00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:13.880
Manager Boyer, you look like you might be a little perplexed a little bit there.

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.880
Nope.

00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:15.880
You okay?

00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:17.880
You got clarity there?

00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.880
Crystal clear.

00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.880
You're all right with it in other words?

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.880
Yeah.

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.880
Oh, yeah.

00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.880
Okay.

00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:33.139
anything else okay with that I want to just move on to the discussion on the

00:36:33.139 --> 00:36:37.079
tax levy and as Ashley pointed out we have not received a city's tax levy yet

00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:42.679
we anticipated any day now but we have budgeted according to last year's tax

00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:46.320
levy we expect it might go up slightly but we're not we're not looking at those

00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:52.000
funds as a solid so we budgeted as of last year's tax levy for the purposes of

00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:54.000
and the rest of the board.

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:56.000
So that's the kind of discussion tonight.

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:58.000
Any questions on the tax level?

00:36:58.000 --> 00:37:00.000
When that comes out, we'll bring it to council.

00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:02.000
Do you have anything?

00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:06.000
Okay.

00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:08.000
Kurt, if you could go ahead and just flip by.

00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:10.000
We're going to start, so we're going to move on to

00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:12.000
discussions of the budget revisions.

00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:16.000
So these are, we started the budgeting process in August

00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:20.000
and then we've kind of got whittled down to our final revisions.

00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:21.000
and others.

00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:25.599
There's been a number of different changes to make sure that income is aligned with expenses.

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:29.239
So I'm just going to hit the high points as we go through this, and I'd like to start

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:30.239
with revenue.

00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:36.000
And, Kurt, I'm just going to pop us over here just to kind of show you the total revenue

00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:43.679
we originally budgeted was a little over $25 million, and upon further analysis, it should

00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:46.519
be a little over $26 million.

00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:48.039
So that's a main change.

00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:56.340
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.

00:37:56.340 --> 00:38:03.340
One of them is the EV Chargers, the ITEP grant, the Flood Mitigation Grant, the Safe Streets for All.

00:38:03.340 --> 00:38:09.840
These are all one-time expenses that we want to pull from Fund Reserve to go ahead and cover our match on those.

00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:21.840
Let's see here. Not a whole lot has changed on the City Council. You'll see the salaries have been, the salary increases are reflected there.

00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:26.840
Not a tremendous amount, looking like about a $2,000 impact to the budget.

00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:33.840
Item 112, commissions, nothing's changed there.

00:38:33.840 --> 00:38:43.159
Mayor, City Clerk. We've had a couple of small changes. Oops. I'm sorry about that, Kurt.

00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:50.000
Step on it. We, we, one change we made here was we had a part-time clerk to help Dovie.

00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:55.680
We've, we've removed that. And there's a few other little changes there.

00:38:55.680 --> 00:39:00.199
What do you mean we moved that? Well, for budget, we went back to the budget

00:39:00.199 --> 00:39:04.300
to line everything up and we had to take out the part-time person, the part-time

00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:16.199
clerk. Did we vote on that? No. This is basically compared to the original budget

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:20.640
that was put forward in front of council starting in the end of August and going

00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:30.880
all through the fall. City Manager, Mayor, there's a few changes there. I'm sorry, so

00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:37.760
are you saying that we're not going to have a part-time? That's correct. We're not.

00:39:39.760 --> 00:39:47.199
Can I clarify? We have a, I think the misunderstanding is the Deputy Clerk that

00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:50.840
We have no, no, we still have a deputy clerk.

00:39:50.840 --> 00:39:54.239
She's budgeted for, but this was in an original budget

00:39:54.239 --> 00:39:56.440
showed funding.

00:39:56.440 --> 00:39:57.960
Yeah, it showed up for a part time.

00:39:57.960 --> 00:39:59.519
Yes.

00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:24.519
I'll let Dovie speak to that. I think we can afford a part-time or we don't need a part-time.

00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:32.239
Well I mean I'll let Dovie speak to that. I think we have a new deputy clerk who's

00:40:32.239 --> 00:40:36.679
doing a fantastic job and when this was originally put together it was based on

00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:42.039
the understanding from before our new deputy clerk so but please tell me if I'm

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:46.960
right there. Go ahead, Clerk Anderson. That's hopeful however I mean it

00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:52.719
basically means I'm still behind if more work needs to be done and I have to do

00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:59.880
I'm salaried so I just make less per hour while I do it. There's no room in the budget for it.

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:12.199
Mr. Chair. Alderman Klemm. So the moral of this story is if you want a part-time clerk, speak up.

00:41:12.199 --> 00:41:19.760
If you want a part-time clerk, what? Speak up. It's your budget.

00:41:19.759 --> 00:41:49.759
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 and if you're already behind and we got more coming down the pipe you're gonna get even more behind I know we have the Deputy Clerk and she's doing a wonderful

00:41:49.760 --> 00:42:19.760
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

00:42:19.760 --> 00:42:25.360
Street Department. We've had a number of different cuts plus we're looking at other future things

00:42:25.360 --> 00:42:31.599
for AFSCME. So we're trying to do everything we can on this end of things. Taking out things

00:42:31.599 --> 00:42:37.679
in the budget that we can live without. Okay. And so I know Dovie does a tremendous job and

00:42:37.679 --> 00:42:42.239
she does deserve as much help as she needs but the budget is kind of demanding this.

00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:49.280
And Chair? Yes. Let me add I'm okay with that. I mean there's other things that got cut. I'm

00:42:49.279 --> 00:42:53.440
I'm okay, and I'm certainly okay with giving it a year, re-evaluating and seeing what next

00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:59.199
year's budget looks like, seeing what our current workload and the new deputy is doing.

00:42:59.199 --> 00:43:02.219
I'm fine with that, thank you.

00:43:02.219 --> 00:43:03.219
Thank you.

00:43:03.219 --> 00:43:05.639
Thank you, Clerk Anderson.

00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:14.279
Okay, Mayor, City Manager, a small increase on the education and training travel item

00:43:14.279 --> 00:43:16.559
with everything else pretty much being level.

00:43:20.360 --> 00:43:22.619
Communications Department, no change there.

00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:31.460
Finance, very little change, very minute changes there.

00:43:35.679 --> 00:43:38.279
Legal, we did reduce legal slightly

00:43:38.279 --> 00:43:42.599
to line up with our activity for this last year,

00:43:42.599 --> 00:43:44.119
and our anticipated activity.

00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:50.000
Public Works, this is the Public Works Director.

00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:52.840
There's no budget there and no changes.

00:43:55.800 --> 00:44:00.800
Government Buildings, we had $200,000 in for storm windows.

00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:02.679
Those were removed.

00:44:02.679 --> 00:44:05.960
Hoping to get that finished up yet this year, if possible.

00:44:05.960 --> 00:44:18.779
and others. Airport, we had no significant changes, no changes at all for the airport.

00:44:18.779 --> 00:44:25.599
Street department, we made some changes on just tweaks on the withholdings and the wages

00:44:25.599 --> 00:44:30.519
and that. We reviewed that several times. We did take some out of contracted building

00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:35.940
repair and maintenance. We pulled a little bit out of infrastructure repair and maintenance.

00:44:35.940 --> 00:44:39.940
We did take $100,000 out of engineering.

00:44:39.940 --> 00:44:43.659
We're changing project scope.

00:44:43.659 --> 00:44:51.099
So in addition on street budget, we also removed on equipment.

00:44:51.099 --> 00:44:53.820
We made some changes on the equipment.

00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:58.900
So it was originally budgeted at $70,000 out at $45,000.

00:44:58.900 --> 00:45:01.619
And then lastly, we had made some adjustments

00:45:01.619 --> 00:45:05.059
to the capital outlay, one of which

00:45:05.059 --> 00:45:06.659
was the salt shed.

00:45:06.659 --> 00:45:09.940
We took that out of the budget.

00:45:09.940 --> 00:45:11.340
The salt shed?

00:45:11.340 --> 00:45:13.980
Yes, the salt shed needs pretty significant repairs.

00:45:13.980 --> 00:45:16.539
But we're going to have to look and figure out

00:45:16.539 --> 00:45:19.300
what we can do differently there.

00:45:19.300 --> 00:45:21.659
Alderman Sanders.

00:45:21.659 --> 00:45:24.659
Manager Boyer, is that going to happen soon?

00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:25.539
The salt shed?

00:45:25.539 --> 00:45:27.940
Yes.

00:45:27.940 --> 00:45:31.220
It'll probably be next spring at the soonest.

00:45:31.220 --> 00:45:32.900
But we can get by?

00:45:32.900 --> 00:45:33.539
Yes.

00:45:33.539 --> 00:45:34.820
I mean, we'll get by.

00:45:34.820 --> 00:45:36.820
We're going to have to look at some other alternates to make

00:45:36.820 --> 00:45:38.300
that salt shed last, so.

00:45:38.300 --> 00:45:38.800
OK.

00:45:43.260 --> 00:45:45.619
There's just been a few small adjustments to the cemetery

00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:49.659
budget, nothing notable there.

00:45:49.659 --> 00:45:50.860
Same thing with forestry.

00:45:54.420 --> 00:45:57.800
Traffic engineering, similar situation, no changes there.

00:45:57.800 --> 00:46:08.320
Street lights we did we did reduce street lights originally we had 20,000 in for

00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:14.119
a contract equipment repair maintenance we dropped that to 10,000 and this is a

00:46:14.119 --> 00:46:23.400
common thing we really made some hard decisions making things work so when you

00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:26.840
talk about the street lights are we talking about just the bulbs are

00:46:26.840 --> 00:46:39.039
Glendale, and Phil Manning. There's a lot of different lights. Are you planning to add more lights or are you looking to see if they're changing or are we... is there anything out there for adding more lights?

00:46:39.039 --> 00:46:54.699
So all the lights, most of the lights that are out in the city are actually ComEd lights. We... a couple years ago we redid all the downtown street lights and that was through a grant through ComEd. And then we budget so much money per year to maintain the lights that we maintain.

00:46:54.699 --> 00:47:01.000
Just to give you an example, there wasn't a tremendous amount coming on this budget item and in order to get things balanced out

00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:03.000
We reduced that by 10,000

00:47:03.760 --> 00:47:05.760
but

00:47:09.659 --> 00:47:11.659
Would that also include residential?

00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.460
No, sir

00:47:14.460 --> 00:47:20.980
Residential? No, sir. No, it doesn't. Okay. I didn't hear you. No, it's it's primarily our downtown street lighting power bill

00:47:20.980 --> 00:47:22.980
That's what most of this budget is

00:47:22.980 --> 00:47:45.980
Well, yes, there's a, right now I think most of the light bulbs in the residential areas are owned by ComEd and they're 35 watt LEDs. That has been brought to the attention of ComEd and no change has been forthcoming.

00:47:45.980 --> 00:47:47.980
So what can the city do about that?

00:47:47.980 --> 00:48:01.980
We can continue to ask, but we are dealing with a large corporation and it's governed by the Illinois Commerce Commission and if they have developed the standard for all communities at 35 watts, they're in line with their policy, that's what we get.

00:48:01.980 --> 00:48:06.980
But if they're not lit up, if they're not at the potential of 35 watt?

00:48:06.980 --> 00:48:36.980
So are you saying if we haven't measured the lumens, I think they have a replacement schedule. I don't know precisely what that is, but I would say within 15 or 20 years, they need to be replaced. But again, 35 watt LEDs are not real bright. We did put much brighter lights downtown because we control those, and then on IDOT corridors, we're going to be searching outside money for getting the IDOT corridor lights fixed. So like the intersection of West and South,

00:48:36.980 --> 00:48:53.980
up and down on West Street, on Galena. These are areas that are I-DOT 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 I-DOT corridors.

00:48:53.980 --> 00:49:02.699
The standard street lights, when ComEd did their replacements, that's part of the energy

00:49:02.699 --> 00:49:10.340
reduction program, and that's why they switched them over to LEDs, and there are lower looms,

00:49:10.340 --> 00:49:15.180
and that's throughout every municipality, was to green energy and reduce their take

00:49:15.180 --> 00:49:19.539
on the cities for lighting dollars.

00:49:19.539 --> 00:49:28.179
I would like for us to try to find out how we can add more lights to residential areas

00:49:28.179 --> 00:49:34.380
because I do get a lot of complaints about how dark areas are and then even how dark

00:49:34.380 --> 00:49:38.619
they are when they're committing crimes because it's dark there and I'm telling you that's

00:49:38.619 --> 00:49:44.420
everywhere. So if there was some way that we can, I know $300,000 for downtown but we

00:49:44.420 --> 00:49:49.500
need to get, you know, maybe if there's something out there that we can get more bright lights

00:49:49.500 --> 00:49:56.500
all over the city. I know years ago, Tom, remember they were looking at trying to get more lights

00:49:56.500 --> 00:49:59.500
throughout the community.

00:49:59.500 --> 00:50:06.019
throughout the community especially you know in dark areas. Joy just keep in mind

00:50:06.019 --> 00:50:10.860
that that is actually that just the power bill. Oh. That's the 300,000 power bill.

00:50:10.860 --> 00:50:22.539
I have a question. Alderman Stacey. The ASME Union went from 168 to 177. What is

00:50:22.539 --> 00:50:27.619
that? Wage increase? We put in a nominal figure just to get you know to have

00:50:27.619 --> 00:50:37.900
something in the budget for that what does that mean you just made up a number

00:50:37.900 --> 00:50:43.519
no we know we're gonna be doing increases but we are looking at a Michelle if you

00:50:43.519 --> 00:50:54.059
want to jump in that's fine so we did like city manager said we did put in a

00:50:54.059 --> 00:51:17.059
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.

00:51:17.059 --> 00:51:28.059
In the past, what we've been, what we could do is once things are negotiated and settled, we've done re-budgets before.

00:51:28.059 --> 00:51:39.059
Like for example, when COVID happened, the city put a hold on everything in that March and we redid the whole budget, brought it to council, talked it through.

00:51:39.059 --> 00:51:55.059
So the process of bargaining, we don't know how things are going to come out at this time, so we're doing our best proactive work here in this budget.

00:51:55.059 --> 00:52:07.059
Okay, so this number that you have inserted, at what rate increases that?

00:52:07.059 --> 00:52:20.420
City Manager. Yeah it's approximately five percent is there now. Okay with that I'd

00:52:20.420 --> 00:52:29.780
like to continue on. There you go. Thank you. Community Development. We made some

00:52:29.780 --> 00:52:33.780
adjustments there. Nothing are shaking but there was an adjustment downward on

00:52:33.780 --> 00:52:45.340
Education Training. Police, we made several adjustments. Several of them are down

00:52:45.340 --> 00:52:51.219
slightly. We're looking at various over times, doing our best to control that.

00:52:51.219 --> 00:52:56.059
Also, we had some other up, you know, upward pressure on the budget and then we

00:52:56.059 --> 00:53:01.420
also had a position that we removed from there that was not, was not currently,

00:53:01.420 --> 00:53:03.420
was not going to be filled.

00:53:03.420 --> 00:53:07.320
I'm also reflecting here the decrease in PEP

00:53:07.320 --> 00:53:09.059
as our negotiation goes forward,

00:53:09.059 --> 00:53:11.559
that will be impacted by our police negotiation.

00:53:19.860 --> 00:53:24.860
Okay, with that, I'd like to move on to fire.

00:53:25.880 --> 00:53:30.699
Again, working with Chief Miller, identified areas,

00:53:30.699 --> 00:53:35.699
Potential Savings, however, we are looking at the safety grant.

00:53:35.699 --> 00:53:38.579
We've programmed in some funds for training

00:53:38.579 --> 00:53:42.500
for recruits that could be funded through the safety grant.

00:53:42.500 --> 00:53:44.440
We'll have to see where that goes.

00:53:44.440 --> 00:53:48.500
And we also did some, we removed a project

00:53:48.500 --> 00:53:51.500
from the contracted building repair and maintenance.

00:53:51.500 --> 00:53:55.320
There's a sewer line that needs updating

00:53:55.320 --> 00:53:59.320
over at the park fire station, so that was taken out.

00:54:00.699 --> 00:54:02.699
Any questions on fire?

00:54:09.760 --> 00:54:11.760
Okay, moving on to building

00:54:14.440 --> 00:54:21.300
Just just a number of slight changes there nothing nothing of any significance there

00:54:24.760 --> 00:54:29.519
Animal control again just slight changes nothing of significance

00:54:30.699 --> 00:54:43.820
Taylor. Hearing and Admin, no change there. Human Resources, just some slight changes,

00:54:43.820 --> 00:54:54.900
nothing significant. Information Systems, it was requested a full-time helper with IT.

00:54:54.900 --> 00:55:01.659
again we're looking to kind of keep things level therefore that was removed

00:55:01.659 --> 00:55:08.820
from the budget. We also had a few you know ancillary wage level changes you

00:55:08.820 --> 00:55:13.860
know the withholdings and things changed in combination with that.

00:55:18.659 --> 00:55:23.519
Interdepartmental some of this is related to our retirees we believe we

00:55:23.519 --> 00:55:27.519
We have a couple of people dropping off of group insurance this year.

00:55:27.519 --> 00:55:29.519
So that's reflected there in the change.

00:55:29.519 --> 00:55:34.159
And then we've also got capital improvement and grant match.

00:55:34.159 --> 00:55:35.159
Those have been added.

00:55:35.159 --> 00:55:40.519
The grant match there is the projects we talked about earlier.

00:55:40.519 --> 00:55:43.219
And the last one is the landfill withholding.

00:55:43.219 --> 00:55:50.219
We're reducing the amount going back to the landfill fund.

00:55:50.220 --> 00:55:58.260
House Fund, basically we're taking the sidewalk grant down from $20,000 to $10,000 and so

00:55:58.260 --> 00:56:04.639
that's essentially some savings that we were able to gain there.

00:56:04.639 --> 00:56:13.780
Neighborhood Housing Fund, some marginal changes, Michelle did you want to comment on any of

00:56:13.780 --> 00:56:14.780
those?

00:56:14.780 --> 00:56:20.159
Neighborhood Housing, we just added the real estate tax line item.

00:56:20.159 --> 00:56:27.159
So when we acquire a property, we take on the property taxes for that property until

00:56:27.159 --> 00:56:28.720
we can get it exempted.

00:56:28.720 --> 00:56:32.019
So we have to fill out some paperwork to get it exempted.

00:56:32.019 --> 00:56:37.760
So we're usually liable for a little portion of the property taxes for a property when

00:56:37.760 --> 00:56:39.320
we acquire it.

00:56:39.320 --> 00:56:45.440
So I thought it more appropriate to be in this fund rather than the general fund because

00:56:45.440 --> 00:56:49.920
we're gonna, you know, usually demo it out of this one or a grant.

00:56:49.920 --> 00:56:55.760
So that's the difference there. And the $55,000 transfer out, that is the grant match for

00:56:55.760 --> 00:57:01.800
the single family housing rehab grant right there. So that's where the grant match comes

00:57:01.800 --> 00:57:05.840
from for that particular grant.

00:57:05.840 --> 00:57:07.840
Alderman Sanders?

00:57:07.840 --> 00:57:13.840
Yeah, I can barely read that last line you were speaking of. What is those numbers?

00:57:13.840 --> 00:57:16.840
Alderman Sanders, we actually have a printed out hard copy there at your desk.

00:57:16.840 --> 00:57:18.840
Oh, I was just following the...

00:57:18.840 --> 00:57:21.840
You've got a hard copy if you need it as well.

00:57:21.840 --> 00:57:23.760
Which one?

00:57:23.760 --> 00:57:27.280
Just the line, transfer out.

00:57:27.280 --> 00:57:27.760
Yeah.

00:57:27.760 --> 00:57:30.440
I couldn't see that number.

00:57:30.440 --> 00:57:31.720
55.

00:57:31.720 --> 00:57:32.480
That 55?

00:57:32.480 --> 00:57:32.980
OK.

00:57:32.980 --> 00:57:33.480
Yes.

00:57:33.480 --> 00:57:33.980
All right.

00:57:33.980 --> 00:57:36.840
Thank you.

00:57:36.840 --> 00:57:39.280
OK, well, we're getting close here.

00:57:39.280 --> 00:57:42.039
We've probably got time for a couple more.

00:57:42.039 --> 00:57:43.199
Health care, oops.

00:57:43.199 --> 00:57:44.920
Health care fund, no changes there.

00:57:48.840 --> 00:57:54.840
Let's see, OV, we've already discussed the grant funds. I'm going to move that down.

00:57:54.840 --> 00:57:55.840
What is OVW for?

00:57:55.840 --> 00:58:00.840
That was the Violence Against Women grant for the police department. We talked about that earlier.

00:58:00.840 --> 00:58:24.320
Clearance, Library Funds, no changes there, Ashley discussed that, I'm sorry, Ashley just

00:58:24.320 --> 00:58:36.720
just brought that up, motor fuel tax funds, just realigning some of the revenue figures

00:58:36.720 --> 00:58:44.239
here, no major changes.

00:58:44.239 --> 00:58:51.360
Downtown revitalization loan funds, that is set up for downtown redevelopment, no changes

00:58:51.360 --> 00:59:06.360
Public Safety Fund, no changes there. Cemetery Care Fund, no changes there.

00:59:08.360 --> 00:59:12.320
Downtown TIF, we had a couple of small changes, but pretty much everything lines

00:59:12.320 --> 00:59:28.239
up, Lamro, Tiff, no changes, and I think I'm out of time. So that will pick this up

00:59:28.239 --> 00:59:42.239
after the meeting. Thank you. Is there, we'll save the summary discussion for later.

00:59:42.239 --> 00:59:48.239
Should we save public comments until after we finish?

00:59:52.239 --> 00:59:58.239
I think so, yeah. If we have to finish this out, it's not time for public comments yet.

00:59:58.239 --> 01:00:10.239
So, we would need a motion to recess this meeting until after, after the regular council meeting.

01:00:10.239 --> 01:00:16.239
Could I get a motion to recess this motion by Sellers?

01:00:16.239 --> 01:00:17.239
Second.

01:00:17.239 --> 01:00:18.239
Second by Klemm.

01:00:18.239 --> 01:00:19.239
All in favor?

01:00:19.239 --> 01:00:20.239
Aye.

01:00:20.239 --> 01:00:21.239
Opposed?

01:00:21.239 --> 01:00:23.239
Opposed?

