They fixed it. Or counsel can say, you know what? That's not good enough for us.


We're going to move to terminate the contract. And there's really, I mean, those are your options.


To be fair, I mean, if you think that filing I think you talk to counsel and see if that's something you want to talk about. If you're like, no, you know what? They made a mistake. They, you know, they were honest. They showed that they filed their paperwork late. We think that they've remedied the situation. Let's move this forward. I mean, that's a decision that you I believe you should make. I mean, if we want to talk about it more, I answer more questions about it. That's fair. I mean, I'm here to answer them.


Alderman Sanders. Thank you. Director Duckman, I understand the in-compliance of the contract, but the fact of the matter, what came first, the horse and others.


And the thing is, if the company or corporation was not in good standing with the state of Illinois, you cannot award or consider awarding any business entity, now let me finish, any Business, or Entity, with any acknowledgement of a potential contract, they're off the table.


They're not part of the bidding, whatever, receiving of the awards and contracts and things like that.


If there's others in line and one falls off that didn't come into compliance, then the and others move up, other corporations move into that slot until, like you say, they came in, they came in and came and got their company back on status and everything, but we're talking about time, dates, and when the state of Illinois gave them that status to do so.


But until then, that contract is still in play, or contracts or awards are still in play.


I don't know who the players are, but the fact of the matter is, the one that didn't come into compliance just can't jump back into the first line.


they just can't do that, you know, they just can't, just because they fell off, they can't be the first who receives an award, contract award, they can't do that, that's not the proper way it's to be done, I don't know who else application was on file, but we need to know that, we need to know if there was other considerations that wanted, that could have been awarded those contracts and things of that nature, so until we understand and others. If you don't understand the timing and the dates of those contracts or the awarding, then there shouldn't be any awards out if there's only one person receiving the award or one company receiving the award. There shouldn't be any. We shouldn't even be entertaining it.


and the city of Washington. And in fact, it should have came back to the council, so the council could reevaluate it and say whether or not we want to move forward or not. We can't just blanket, take it and say, well, we're going to wait until you come into compliance. Make sure your status come into compliance. We can't do that. We have to be able to have that discussion while it's out there and John.


and I, and I apologize for misspeaking, but what I'm trying to say here is they are currently in compliance.


I have the receipts of them being in compliance. So we're talking about this and we're talking about that.


Our contract awards say that we require a person entering into the contract to follow federal, state, all laws.


And when we know as staff that a law has been broken, that they are not in compliance with and the other two, and we're talking about it right now. But we also know that a remedy was made. They filed their paperwork. I have the receipts. They're now in compliance.


»» This is not about a warning and a bid. »» We're not a warning and a bid. »» Alderman Simmons, did you have something? »» So, because as of June 2025, that that was state website that had not been resolved so I would like to know when also the bids we awarded we used grant funding knowing that they were or if not knowingly they were not compliant will that affect our future grants or put us from being able to get grants because we aren't doing what we're supposed to do no and and I would say no and I would confidently say no anytime a grant Grant Managers when you're working in a grant. They will always have comments, questions.


We need you to file a certain way. We notice that you're missing this compliance here. Any time that you find an issue and you work to remedy the issue, they're not going to penalize you for that. It's the same with the state of Illinois. You missed your compliance date to register as a corporation, they'll still take your money and let you register as a and the Corporation.


They will. People make mistakes, they don't see it, and then you look at it and you say, well, how do we remedy this situation?


Are they willing to get into compliance or are they fighting the compliance? They are aware of the issue, we brought it up to them, they showed us that they're filed.


I mean, that's the facts of the situation. there's a remedy that wants to be investigated or discussed with our legal counsel what remedies and options we have I maybe ask that question what's I'm sorry I I became aware of this probably early part of late last week is probably my guess is when I became aware of the that's when I became aware that they and I were in compliance with this.


That's when I found out. I'm saying you said that they have done it. Yes, I have it on my phone.


Give me a minute, I'll try to find it. But I do have it. It says receipts, filed the paperwork, paid the receipt.


I have it. I have it in my phone. Without using my second time attorney, do you have anything to say to that?


Because I know in most cases when you use grant funding, you are audited. And they come and they look at those things I don't know the specifics as whether or not this would create a problem for our grants I suppose that is a question ultimately for the grant administrators to say hey do you guys think this would cause a problem that at the time of the award they technically were not in good standing with the Secretary of State's office they have now remedied it what say you grant administrator does that Cronenberg, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor so and this one is a check dollars and cents regardless of what happens we're covered yeah yes then we will move on to item number 19 which is reports of department heads finance development nothing tonight madam mayor public Works.


Two things quickly. We've had a significant amount of calls recently about sewer laterals or sewer services at homes that have root issues.


Just a point of clarification for residents, sewer laterals or sewer services are owned by the homeowner from the house to the main.


Those issues, while you can call the city and ask for assistance, those are and I have been financially borne by the residents themselves as part of our codes and ordinances.


So that's one point I wanted to make. The second point I'd like to make tonight, and I've hinted on this a handful of times, but recently we've seen an uptick from really abusive behavior to our public works staff and our people that answer the phones.


And I'm making it a point of clarification that we're not going to tolerate it at the public works department.


We will politely end all calls that are made that are abusive. Our staff does not get paid to be abused.


I realize people are having situations that they're upset about. That doesn't mean we get to scream, cuss, and yell and take it out on the city employees.


We're here to help solve problems. And moving forward, we will politely end all calls that are not done in a professional manner with our department.


Fire? nothing from fire this evening I just have two things first off on our on the Freeport Police Department Facebook page there is a flyer about the Civilian Police Academy so we do have openings we're looking for more people so if anyone's interested you can visit our Facebook page we're taking people until September 26th and planning on starting on October 2nd so all the and so on.


So there's a lot of information on there. There's a flyer. Secondly, back in 2024, the Stevens County ETSB voted to switch report management systems.


So currently, the Freeport Police Department, Stevens County Sheriff's Department and FIRE, we utilize a system called CIS.


We've been with CIS probably since 2012, I'm guessing. and Chris. This is 2012. CIS hasn't evolved at all.


It's just kind of remained stuck in the same form as what it was. And so we felt that there was a need for a change, so ETSB voted to switch to Central Square.


This is a huge project. It's going to go live tomorrow at 8 o'clock. There has been training, obviously, but we're going to flip the switch tomorrow at 8 a.m.


So please be patient because that's going to affect the way calls are generated. and many more.


It's going to affect the way that we write reports. It's also going to, things that we've had available in certain parts of this program may not be available in Central Square, we'll figure that out, we'll work out the kinks on that.


I know one of the things that's really popular is our police activity blotter that's posted.


I believe that's like an algorithm or something correct, that's not anything we control, it was something that IT helped start as far as central square we have to determine if that's even possible right now I mean tomorrow is gonna be just the basics on how to operate it and then from there we will dig deeper in there and find out exactly you know all the stuff that it has it definitely has a lot of different options and opportunities for us but we're gonna have to learn it before we were able to showcase all that stuff library thank you I just wanted to make sure everybody here knows that the sculpture walk is having our big opening events this week. On Friday there is a ribbon cutting at 12 p.m. which will be down by the Gateway area of the Arts Plaza and then the reception for the sculpture walk is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library. It is open to Mohan, Sortie, Public, and you will be able to meet and greet with some of the artists of the sculptures.


IT? City Manager? Yes, Madame Mayor, I have two items. The project that's going on at the intersection of Stevenson and Perk Boulevard has had an expected completion date of Friday September 19th, We understand the inconvenience this is causing to the community and we are excited to open this up area up with upgraded infrastructure as soon as possible. Thank you. And I appreciate your patience and understanding on that. In addition, for the better part of this, I want to say thank you to all of you for being here today. Thank you.


We have been under attack by groups on social media that have gone even as far as making threats to the officer, those involved in their daily tasks.


I find it necessary to stand up for all employees of the city, and specifically our Animal Control Officer who is doing an outstanding job in ensuring that the laws are followed, the job gets done, and most importantly, these animals are taken care of.


To everyone making these misinformed and hateful posts, understand that these employees are members of our community who show up to work every day in order to serve the city in their capacity.


We appreciate the community's input, but threats and hateful speech should not be aimed at our workers. Thank you.


I have nothing new, Alderman Sanders? Oh No Alderman Parker? Sorry, Alderman Klemm, my apologies Nothing Madam Mayor Alderman Johnson?


Yes, we have a Neighborhood Watch meeting this Thursday at 6.30 at 3002 Farmedale Lane and also this Saturday is the Block Party at Franken State from 1 to 4 4, and Church in the Streets from 1 to 2.30 on Sunday at Frankenstein.


Alderman Simmons? No, I don't have anything. Thank you. Alderman Parker? Yes, the Civilian Police Academy that the Chief talked about is an excellent program and I highly recommend anybody who can't take it.


Then the others, we have a Neighborhood Watch meeting next Monday night. Thank you. Alderman Stacey?


Fifth Ward has a Neighborhood Watch meeting tomorrow. at 6 o'clock at the church on Carroll.


Alderman Shadle? Nothing tonight. Public comments. Fortunately, my name is Cheryl Altman. And so Wayne, you admitted that you knew Albers didn't have the right, states filed out with states, but that you allowed them to tear down buildings.


and also you Darren or Rob should have been out there. They did not follow EPA regulations at all. I've got pictures of it with dust flying everywhere. No fences surrounding stuff and that's on my property. Shh. And I'm sure they didn't follow it anymore because we've got pictures of this. Also, your tour down my house Wayne, you think you got a big win.


Now that I found out tonight, you don't. Also, you took my driveway, my back lot, and my steps.


Why? That driveway was not part of the building. And Rob, I've been on you for three weeks to get me the paperwork of all this.


And you sit there like... And Mayor Miller, you don't like it when people come up here and talk about elders.


It irritates you. It irritates you because, you know, they get things wrong. and I sure hope they pay for it soon because people are waking up and they've not followed it and thank God that this lady will be able to hopefully keep her job because people voted for that.


It's wrong to kick her out when she's done a great job and devoted her life to that, it's wrong.


You want to get to somebody in there that's crooked just like the rest of most of you city people.


That's why you wanted her out. Any other public comments? and the next one. Hi, Sue Cook, Winchester Drive.


And I noticed that we go for the lowest bid. I know you look to save the buck because that's what everybody does.


They always go for the lowest bid. And we're a distressed city. and I hate that label, distressed city, Freeport isn't distressed. So maybe sometimes going for maybe not the lowest bid, maybe the next, maybe looking at everybody's qualifications and saying, yeah, they came with a low bid and they have all the qualifications we need but this person really knows the area. So I'm very happy that it didn't go through.


So for the people that are on oxygen, when we're talking about this ComEd or MC Squared, if they're on oxygen with ComEd or if they're on a ventilator or if they're on any kind of home oxygen equipment or home medical equipment and the power goes out, you are on a list that immediately your area is worked on right away because some of these people, they cannot Fowler.


They have generators, but the generators don't go that long. So ComEd immediately works on your property so that the oxygen comes back up and the ventilators come back on.


And I know this is about disability rights, and I know this is about the ADA, and maybe that group should have been pulled in, but I don't know, Mr. Mudge, what would happen with MC Squared, because everybody, like I started out saying, everybody likes to save a buck.


If MC Squared really does save the dollars, do they also have this list to be able to lift the people that are on oxygen, are on ventilators, are on home medical equipment, whether it's IV drips or whatever? Do they have that? That's something to look into.


Maybe not the lowest bid. And if possible, allow us to have the choice without having to opt out, because sometimes opting out isn't really opting out. You have to jump hurdles to opt out. Thank you.


Any other public comments? and Mr. Any other public comments? Miller, Councilmen and Women, and you my constituents.


I take my position seriously and yeah, sometimes I too fall short and get upset because right is right and wrong is wrong.


So I stand before you tonight apologizing for my shortcomings. I'm only human. For future Reference, Director Duckman, I just think it's only right that everybody be in good standings, that be it's on jobs and maybe that's something that can be added to the Ordinance or to the process or to the whatever, that they have to show that they are in right standing.


I'm not trying to take nobody's life hood away. Right is right and wrong is wrong.


And we have to come correct. We all have to come correct. It's not this can work for you and not for me. We're in this together.


And with that being said, I just want to read Isaiah 40 and 8. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of God stands forever.


Father God, in the name of Jesus, we praise you and we thank you for being God all by yourself, Lord.


Continue to look down upon us, your people, oh God. Continue to lead us and guide us, order our steps according to your word, for it's your word that cannot return void.


Give us understanding, give her a greater knowledge and understanding of what we need to do for this year's city.


for we stand in victory we walk by faith and not by sight we thank you for being in control in Jesus name we pray amen any other public comments this evening I'll I'll entertain a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Shadle. Seconded. Seconded by Alderman Parker. All those in favor? Aye. Have a good evening.