Okay, it's 545.
Ruth, could you please give the invocation?
Okay, Ruth, she don't have one of them.
Hi, Ruth.
Good to see all of you.
I have a little scripture to share with you from Psalms.
This is Moses and saying Psalm 90, 12.
So, teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.
Do return, O Lord, how long will it be, and be sorry for your servants.
O, satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may sing for joy.
Make us glad according to the days you have afflicted us, and the years we have seen evil.
Let your work appear to your servants and your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and confirm for us the work of our hands.
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Lord, we come before you with gratitude.
We thank you for being a God of love who is with us now in this very room.
You never leave us or forsake us.
Your grace has brought us to tonight.
We thank you for making each of us in this room, every person we meet, every citizen of this city in your image with dignity and infinite worth.
We thank you for the calling you have given every one of us to be good stewards of your We ask you Father to protect the plans you have from oppressors from those that seek destruction.
We thank you for our Mayor, our City Manager, our City Staff, and our City Council members.
We give thanks for the way of service they have been chosen to take up on behalf of Freeport.
We all come to this room tonight as complex human beings, carrying burdens, carrying joy and hope, trusting that you alone can hold us together in your love and peace.
Help us, Lord, to trust you more, more than our fears and our wounds and even our accomplishments.
May we lean on you, not only tonight, but also for the future plans of the city.
We are humbled and reminded that those in authority are first and foremost your servants.
That honoring you and doing your will is their higher purpose.
And so we pray that you would be glorified this evening.
We pray that we would have the eyes to see how our lives are all connected and how our information and reporting.
Thank you.
For our actions.
For our efforts.
Our efforts.
May we put the interest of others above our own.
May we act with love for the common good.
Thank you again for this Council, our Mayor, our city staff, our first responders and all All of those who are working towards making Freeport a thriving city, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ruth.
So now we'll officially call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Mayor Miller?
Here.
Alderpersons, Klemm?
Here.
Johnson?
Here.
Simmons is absent.
Parker?
Here.
Stacy is waiting on the phone for us, but will be marked absent.
Shadle?
Here.
Is absent and Sellers.
If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Sellers.
I apologize Alderman Stacy.
I need a motion to allow Alderman Stacy to attend remotely.
I second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Sellers.
Could you please take the roll?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The motion passes 5-0.
Alderman Stacey, are you on?
Thank you.
Okay, now we'll stand for the pledge.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and John.
And to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
So for the record, I would just like to state that we just concluded our Finance Committee of the Whole where the meeting was exclusively for public comment on the budget.
Please note that no members of the public were in attendance for input.
With that, we will move on to item number four, which is the approval of the agenda.
Is there such a motion?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
And Shadle?
Aye.
The motion passes six to zero.
Item number five is approval of the minutes from the Committee of the Whole held on September 8, 2025.
Is there a motion?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
And Shadle?
Aye.
The motion passes six to zero.
And I don't believe there's any public comments signed in, so we'll move on to item number seven, which is the Greater Freeport Partnerships and Michael.
And we have the next quarterly report, Executive Director Winter.
» Good evening, everyone.
Tonight's presentation will provide more detailed information in key project areas.
A full summary of the partnership's activities and all our strategic focus areas is provided in our quarterly report which Nicole is distributing right now.
St., and Freeport.
Do I just need to click here?
Oh, okay, gotcha.
Apologies, there was a video that isn't going to play, but we'll just talk about the pictures that are on the slide.
Every October, Illinois Manufacturers Association, in conjunction with Illinois Manufacturers Excellence Center, highlight manufacturers throughout the state of Illinois with their Makers on the Move bus tour, which stops at select manufacturers throughout the state.
Through coordination with our office, Snack King was selected as a stop on the tour.
This was a great opportunity to shine a light on manufacturing careers, Snack King and their employees.
Let's break down the economic impact of manufacturing.
Approximately 30%.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Kurt, it's out of focus.
I just got a message on the thing.
Could you just double check, please?
Thank you.
I appreciate it.
Didn't mean to interrupt you at all.
No, no problem.
Kurt, do you want me to keep going or just pause?
I think we got it.
Okay.
All right.
No problem.
Kurt, do you want me to keep going or just pause?
Okay.
All right.
Let's break down why manufacturing is so valuable to our local economy.
Approximately 30% of Stephenson County employees are directly or indirectly employed by the manufacturing industry.
The average wage across all manufacturing jobs is just and others.
This is the most shy of $72,000 a year.
$2.8 Billion is the economic impact of the manufacturing industry and it continues to grow.
Recently, the expansion of Sevensia, formerly known as Coleblena, expanded or is undergoing an expansion.
The partnership worked to expand the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone to incorporate Sevensia Coleblena into the zone.
And the President.
The rest of the zone have made a $7 million expansion possible with the addition of adding 42 new positions.
Burner Food & Beverage is utilizing the enterprise zone to expand a milk intake and storage facility to enhance their production lines.
This is a $5.5 million investment and both projects are currently under construction.
Walsh, and so on.
Their number one challenge is always workforce.
Having enough trained people to hire in an already tough labor market.
And these numbers tell the story.
In August of this year, there were 946 people unemployed and looking for work in Stephenson County.
There were over 1,100 unique job postings in that same month, representing 313 different employers.
There's more information on the slide, but what we continue to see, even as our unemployment Wright has eeked up.
And Mrs. Bates.
We are still approximately just below the state unemployment average, but it continues to hold to be a very tight job market.
So we understand the importance of keeping our talent local.
That is why the partnership continues to work on initiatives and programs that connect employers to students.
Dillon Institute, Freeport High School, and the Foundation for Northwest Illinois to develop the Midlands CEO Program.
The CEO Program will launch in fall of 2026 and build entrepreneurial and leadership skills in high school juniors and seniors, teaching them to develop their own businesses while developing mentorship relationships with local business leaders.
We know students that develop these relationships are more likely to stay in the area post-graduation.
And their families.
On October 31st, area high school students will tour local manufacturing facilities and learn about available career pathways.
This is a great opportunity for local students to get out of the classroom and to get into some manufacturing buildings to really understand what innovation in manufacturing is in this day and age.
It is not dirty old jobs.
These are high-tech, brightly lit, clean facilities that offer a great career opportunity.
Looking ahead, on November 12th, Highland Community College, Freeport High School have joined forces to offer a joint career and job fair.
We're working with local employers to make sure that they take advantage of this opportunity to get in front of soon-to-be-graduates.
Anderson.
Additionally, the partnership is working with the Yield Program and the Awaken Foundation to explore how the program could be expanded to incorporate desired manufacturing-related skill sets to prepare students to enter careers in manufacturing.
Now I'll turn the presentation over to Nicole to discuss talent attraction strategies.
Thank you.
Recently the partnership has met with local employers to talk about how we can use all of the resources that we are using for talent, attraction, and retention campaigns throughout their employment postings as well.
It's not just a job that anybody is coming for here, it's a life.
So they need to understand the life that they are offered in Freeport and Stephenson County if they're looking to relocate here for one of the many jobs that are available.
So we are providing employer toolkits that includes a relocation or recruitment packet that talks about housing, education systems, healthcare, everything you would need, housing, childcare, everything you would need as you're thinking about moving here, as well as continuing to put out positive messaging about Freeport, Stephenson County, and the lifestyle that we offer here.
Also we continue the Stephenson County Area Advocate Program.
And the other two are from Kansas City and two from Missouri.
Two households were from Missouri.
I guess Kansas City is Missouri.
So all three households were coming from Missouri.
We're also expanding that program to new employees as well.
So that's being offered on October 22nd.
If our local employers have hired somebody from outside of the county, we want them to We want them to know that Stephenson County and Freeport aren't just the place they work.
This is also a place where they can spend their off hours as well.
So we're encouraging local employers to allow those employees to come at either 9 AM or 1:30 PM So during the workday, not take off before work, after work, or on their lunch hour.
So they understand that their employer is investing in them and their opportunity to get to know the the region in which they work.
We're also offering one-on-one VIP tours to employers who are looking to recruit those high dollar positions, CEOs, Deans of the college, things like that, that really need the one-on-one experience to get to know key positions within the community.
Our alumni in manufacturing are two of the key positions that we are looking for in our and others.
And we are working with our workforce campaigns, bringing people back who came from Stephenson County as well as recruiting specifically for those people who are in manufacturing industries.
And what we like to say is as we continue to incentivize moving to Freeport and Stephenson County, we offer more life for less.
So using those same principles and talking points throughout all of our employers really makes sure we are all on the and Thomas.
Thank you.
And we'll take some questions.
Thank you, ladies.
Madam Clerk, could you please note that at 5 58 both Alderman Sanders and Alderman Simmons are in attendance.
Questions, council discussion?
All right.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Item number eight is this discussion regarding electrical aggregation program offered by MC Squared.
Director Bridge.
Good evening, Council and Mayor.
Around 2010, the Illinois Power Agency Act, otherwise known as the IPA Act, was amended and the City Council.
The City Council is committed to include Chapter 20, Section 1-92, which essentially reads as the following, municipalities, townships or county boards can adopt ordinances to aggregate residential and small commercial electrical loads within their jurisdictions.
This allows them to solicit bids and create service agreements for buying electricity and related, and the City Council.
The application for this application is necessary to authorize this aggregation especially if it is to be an opt-out program for customers.
Before an ordinance can be adopted for this purpose, a referendum must be conducted to gauge the resident's support for such a program.
The proposed question in the referendum will ask residents if they wish to allow local authorities to arrange electricity supply for and others.
In May of 2012, a referendum was put on the ballot whether the residents of Freeport wanted to participate in this program.
The majority voted yes.
The city then held two public hearings in May of 2012 before bringing it to this council where all eight Alderpersons approved the implementation of the program.
Since that time, the city of Freeport has entered into and many more.
We also have the opportunity to apply energy at a fixed rate compared to ComEd's fluctuating rates.
Trends show that at the time of these letters going out that we are about to discuss, the fixed rate is often just a bit higher than ComEd's rate.
However, over the course of their agreement with the city, the fixed rate becomes a more viable option for those not wanting to be affected by a fluctuating market.
And others, and then the last one is letters to residents, notifying them that they will be receiving a, Wayne, could you actually hit the lights or someone, sorry, I know, I'm going to zoom in, so don't stress, okay?
A large part of the program is sending letters to residents, notifying them that they will be receiving a different supply rate unless they opt out.
Perfect.
Is to be as clear as possible on what residents should do with this letter.
Just last year, City Hall received hundreds of phone calls from residents with questions.
So here we go.
Each and every household will receive a letter from MC Squared beginning October 17th.
This letter has and others.
And then we have the City Logo at the top.
There will be a little bit more paper to this envelope, but this will be the main part of it.
And again, it has the City Logo at the top.
There are four different variations that residents could receive.
However, tonight I will be focusing on the most popular version residents will receive, that being the one that asks and the letter outlines four different ways to opt out.
I would highly recommend using technology to accomplish this.
There will be a QR code in each envelope that residents can scan and fill in information without having to type in the letter.
I had a resident who talks to me often do this today and it took him three minutes on each letter the actual link is given right here okay as well as or as well to go to the same page which can again be completed in a matter of seconds and the Board of Trustees.
I'm going to bring up the two options, which are listed in a matter of seconds.
If those two options aren't your style, option number two or option number four, there are two other options.
Residents can call the toll-free number on the letter and quickly speak to a real human about their decision.
This option may take a little bit longer due to wait times and other factors.
And finally, the option I would suggest the least, unless you and a few other programs that will be included in each envelope.
There were many residents last year who took this route to opt out and had struggles which then led to frustration and anger.
I will stress this again before I move on to why this program can be a benefit.
This is a quote from the letter.
If you do not opt out of the city's electric aggregation program, you will be deemed to have authorized and agreed to and Robert, and and That would mean you have a fluctuating rate, and again we're going to zoom in and talk about this in a second.
One that we have observed spike and even plateau at times.
However, if that section shows the name of the current program participants, this time it would read MC squared energy, that would mean that your rate is fixed for the duration of the agreement.
So again, I'd like to quickly show you what some of these numbers mean.
With supplier energy charges highlighted, we see how many kilowatts per hour this resident used during the month.
That number is then multiplied by the rate that I keep referring to in this presentation.
You can see that this rate is 8.26 cents per kilowatt hour.
If this resident were enrolled in the upcoming electrical aggregation program, that rate would be 9.89 cents per kilowatt hour.
Everything else on this bill is not affected by the program.
It's also important to understand the distinction between ComEd and MC Squared.
In a power outage or other emergency, who does one call?
Let's look at this graphic from the Citizens Utility Board where we can better understand that the power lines that deliver the actual energy to our homes are still owned by ComEd, regardless of our participation in this program.
The main difference is in the electricity supply and cost, the same section that we just looked at on a sample energy bill.
I will quickly address a main concern that we heard often from residents calling City Hall last year, the legality of this program.
I've already outlined how Freeport adopted this program through a referendum that was Voted on by residents themselves and of course the council approving the implementation of it.
But I'd like to use what the Citizens Utility Board has to say about the legality of this matter to address resident concerns.
This is straight from Cub.
Quote, the Illinois Power Agency Act allows municipalities and counties to purchase electricity on behalf of residential and small business utility customers living within their borders.
Plugin.
Illinois.
Gov has a full list of those participating in this program, which is too many to count.
I tried.
Too many.
Hundreds of communities across the state have implemented this program for their residents.
To residents who may still question the legality of the manner in which they must opt out, I highly suggest reviewing the Illinois Power Agency Act, specifically Chapter 20, Section and the City of Washington.
The most important thing I want to stress is please stay on the lookout for a letter in your mailbox in the coming weeks.
Do not throw mail away that you have not checked.
And of course, if residents have questions, they can certainly call me at 815-801-8008 and we can see if we can resolve those concerns.
And others.
So thank you for doing that.
Thank you.
And all the way back to how we got here since 2012.
Discussion Council?
* * I just have one thing.
** Go ahead.
** Can you get in and out at any time if you want to?
If I want to go with ComEd, then I can at any time or if I want to get out, I can get out at any time?
* * So while we are not the companies themselves, right?
We have been told that they can do somewhat of what you're talking about.
They can maybe be on ComEd for a little bit.
They can opt out like we were talking about, be on ComEd, and then get on.
Usually, they want you to wait a couple of months to do that.
If you don't opt out and you are then put onto MC Square, they have told us that they will be and I have been very willing to opt you out if you have missed that deadline.
Again, I'm not that business.
I can't promise anything, but that's what we have been told.
Thank you.
Alderman Sanders?
Yeah.
If anyone that's part of the MC Square as a supplier and you want to opt out, there is a delay before you can actually sign up with another supplier and during that time your rates will fluctuate to whatever standard that ComEd may hit you with.
So is it a positive and I, and I'm a little bit concerned about the delay.
I think that's a good thing too if you chose to opt out and you put on a delay because you want to go to another supplier, you can be behind at least two to three months, am I correct?
I hear what you're saying and I believe you're partially correct.
So the rate that you choose, whether it be through opting out or opting in, will be reflected Grim, and all of them are listed on your December bill.
So these letters, as I outlined, will be going out October 17th, which I believe is Friday or maybe Saturday, so while the letters are coming very soon here, and people might start, or residents, might start opting out as soon as they come, yes, it will not be reflected until December.
I believe that's what you were asking.
Yes, that's what I was talking about.
Anything else, Council?
Alderman Johnson?
Bates, and more.
And they have to be on the phone with their supplier.
So, if they want to opt out, like say they accept it now and they want to opt out like say in three months or whatever, there's like just a phone number or something they have to call, right?
It's not going to be a real hard long drawn out process.
They just call a number and say I don't want this anymore and then it automatically goes back to ComEd for the supplier.
Would it automatically just go back to ComEd?
Yeah.
So, we have had people call about that within the last year that, you know, they again, and I outlined how when these letters get sent out, often times the fixed rate that we are offering to these people is a little bit higher than what ComEd is offering at that time.
So sometimes residents will see that and go, well, what the heck, you put me back on ComEd.
It happens quite often actually.
And so yes, we have always told people to call MC Squared.
At that point, it was another name, MC Squared.
I wouldn't recommend calling ComEd.
They would probably direct you to MC Squared.
And again, I'm not the business.
I can't promise anything.
But usually, these people completely understand.
And as long as you are able to get your information across the right way, they'll understand.
Thank you.
Anyone else?
Thank you.
No problem.
Director Burgess.
We'll move on to item number nine, which is public comment.
Is there any public comment this evening?
Seeing none, I will entertain a motion for adjournment.
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Oh, yes.
We need to do that.
I wasn't prepared.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Shadle?
Aye.
And Sanders?
Aye.
Unanimous 8 to 0.