WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 is 545, Linda, could you please give the invocation? 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:06.040 Sure. 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:08.199 I, Council Mayor, let's bow our heads. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:10.400 Dear Lord, we thank you and praise you, Lord Jesus, 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:11.599 for all that you are. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:14.480 We thank you that you are who I am, that you see all, 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:16.320 you hear all, you know all. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:19.679 You are in all, you are through all, and you are over all. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.580 Father, we just invoke your presence here tonight, Father. 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:24.879 We ask you, Lord, that everything that's done tonight 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:27.600 will be done decently and in order. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:34.200 We ask you, Father God, that we would honor and bless those that are around us, that we 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:39.600 will all look to each other and give each other the respect and honor that's due them. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:44.400 Father, we ask you to move in our midst that all things that are done tonight will be done 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:49.400 for your plans and your purposes for this city, will be done in accordance with your 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:54.560 will, Father, and will help to prosper this city and move it forward in all that you have 00:00:54.560 --> 00:00:55.560 for it. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:56.560 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:00:56.560 --> 00:00:57.560 Amen. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:01.240 thank you Linda now we'll officially call this meeting to order madam clerk would 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:07.240 you please take the role mayor Miller here Alderpersons Klemm here Johnson 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:15.079 here Simmons Parker here Stacy here Shadle here Sanders and Sellers here 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:20.240 please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Shadle 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:37.879 Sands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All. 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:43.879 Okay just so you're aware, items 6 and 7 are resolutions that are just slightly out of order, 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:48.120 but we wanted to put them right next to the presentation, that's why it's that way. 00:01:48.120 --> 00:01:51.359 So we'll start with item number 1, which is the approval of the agenda. 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:52.719 Is there such a motion? 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:53.719 So moved. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:54.719 Second. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:02.079 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers, Alderman Sanders. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:12.520 Yeah, I'd like to dismiss the approval of this agenda so that we can bring it up at 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:14.759 another time. 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:22.280 I think that anything that's on this agenda has not been approved by council. 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:28.759 and if council is not approving this agenda, then there is no business and since we have 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:38.000 not set in motion a meeting on this agenda to even comprehend what this agenda is about 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:49.479 as opposed to just traditionally going through the old traditional format of following along, 00:02:49.479 --> 00:03:00.139 that has to stop, that is my recommendation that this agenda is dismissed and no other 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:10.599 agenda is to be approved unless council approve the agendas and that we need to set a statue 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:18.280 where we can meet, talk about the regulation rules and the governing of this body and if 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:23.280 if you need to get caught up on things to assert yourself 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:28.759 into what government and legislating body is all about, 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:30.360 especially on the ordinance part 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:33.800 because we gotta be able to validate every ordinance 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:37.400 that council submitted, not anyone else 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:42.400 because ordinances are ruling areas of the body. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:52.640 of the Body, and so this is my motion to have this meeting dismissed, all consent agendas 00:03:52.640 --> 00:04:03.040 to be dismissed, and if anybody wants to challenge that, as Council, I'm talking about Council, 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:12.159 where we have debated, talked about these ordinances, adoptions, amendments, and anything 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:14.959 else that rules this community. 00:04:14.959 --> 00:04:22.399 This community is run by laws and governing and ordinances or bylaws. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:28.680 Those are the kinds of things that we have not put in place yet, but we're not going 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:38.480 and I want to keep flying off on the side playing flag football as if though everybody's on 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:41.319 the same page and we're not all on the same page. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:42.319 Okay. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.319 So your motion- 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:44.319 Are you interrupting me? 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:47.920 I just want to clarify what your- can I ask you what your motion is? 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:53.399 My motion is for this meeting to be dismissed. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:54.800 That's what my motion is. 00:04:54.800 --> 00:04:55.800 Okay. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:56.800 Yeah. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:59.199 We have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Sanders. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:01.000 It's not a voting matter. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:07.600 I can suspend it as well that we won't even 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:10.920 have this conversation of whether or not 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:13.400 we're going to vote or discuss this matter 00:05:13.400 --> 00:05:18.319 until council come back with this own agenda 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:20.319 and not anybody else's agenda. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:22.319 And so we should meet. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:24.879 And I thought we was going to do that at one point in time 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:29.879 this year, but for whatever happened got set aside. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:33.120 The mayor does not conduct council meetings. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:35.000 I want you guys to understand that. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.920 She knows that, the councilman knows that 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:44.920 until we get our head and put it in the right place, 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:50.399 then we should be able to move forward. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:52.759 But as far as governing is concerned, 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:55.579 and 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:58.180 we have not even touched the half of it. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:04.680 It's not even the surface and this has been going on ever since 1971. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:11.199 And if you want to ask me why 1971, I don't have time to give you a good history lesson 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:12.860 at this point in time. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:18.599 But my thing is this has been going on since 1971 when they implemented something called 00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:20.600 and 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:23.600 John. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:26.600 I'm going to go back to the 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:31.600 home rule and then try to fraud the people with robber rule. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:35.600 And here's the thing. None of this that I'm talking about has 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:41.600 been validated or not been validated. Prove me wrong that 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.600 anything that I said was already validated with the signatures of 00:06:45.600 --> 00:07:05.160 Collaborated on any issues of the business of the city until we have gotten together and adopted anything. Rules of laws and governing bylaws and ordinances. We're not even half touching the surface. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you. 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:13.160 Okay. So we have a motion on the floor to dismiss all items on the agenda. Is there a second? That motion dies for a lack of a second. 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:33.160 So now before you is the motion of approval of your agenda. Alderman Sanders, please stop being out of order. If it happens again, I will call you out of order. Please don't do that. If you have the floor, you are welcome to speak, but you don't have the floor at the moment. So right now we have a motion on the floor. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:34.160 Can I ask a question? 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:35.160 Sure. 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:38.160 Who gives you the orders to say just what you said? 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.160 That's my job. 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.160 No, your job does not stipulate that. 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:46.160 You can't find that in print where that stipulates your job. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:49.160 Alderman Sanders, you should maybe meet with one of the attorneys and talk about it. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:52.160 I know. I wouldn't dare do that. Why would I do that? 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:54.160 Well, because you don't seem to believe me. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:58.160 No, because the attorneys are people we shouldn't be believing at this time. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.160 Okay, let's get this back on track. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:02.160 Your motion dies for a lack of a second. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:06.160 So now before you is the motion to approve the agenda. 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:09.160 Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the approval of the agenda. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:13.000 Sorry, I was prepared for a voice, but roll call is fine. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.920 Please. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:15.760 Shadle. 00:08:15.760 --> 00:08:17.280 Aye. 00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:18.040 Sanders. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:21.440 I'm here. 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:26.320 Your choices are yes, no, or abstain. 00:08:26.320 --> 00:08:27.600 Yes. 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:29.000 Sellers. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.520 Yes. 00:08:29.520 --> 00:08:30.120 Klemm. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:30.760 Yes. 00:08:30.760 --> 00:08:31.560 Johnson. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:32.060 Yes. 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:33.560 Simmons. 00:08:33.560 --> 00:08:34.080 Yes. 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:34.639 Parker. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:35.279 Yes. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:37.480 And Stacy. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:38.120 Yes. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:40.960 The motion passes 8 to 0. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:44.919 Item number 2 is approval of the minutes from the special meeting on November 17, 2025. 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:45.919 Is there a motion to approve? 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:46.919 So move. 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:47.919 I second. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:53.379 We have a motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Johnson. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:55.759 All those in favor signify by saying aye. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:56.759 Aye. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.759 Opposed? 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:01.740 That motion passes. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:05.360 Item number 3 is recognition of service awards. 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:23.779 Good evening everybody. Good evening. I have two service awards that are pretty substantial 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:29.899 this evening. The first officer was unable to make it, but I wanted to recognize him 00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:40.899 Anyway, Lieutenant Weichel was hired on December 27th, 2025 and celebrates his 20th year anniversary this month. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:51.899 Lieutenant Weichel has served the city in a variety of positions, including the Mobile Field Force, being a member of the ERT, or Emergency Response Team, who's also the ERT commander. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:57.620 Sander. He then worked through all of those processes. He also worked his way through the 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.059 rank as Corporal, as Patrol. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:30.059 Corporal, as Patrol, and then was promoted to his current position, the Operations Lieutenant, on January 16th, 2024. Lieutenant Weichel oversees the Patrol Division, including the K-9 officers and the School Resource Officer. Lieutenant Weichel works hard daily to serve the citizens of Freeport. Lieutenant Weichel spends the majority of his time out in the community on the streets, solving issues and fighting crime. Lieutenant Weichel is a law enforcement leader. 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:36.219 who plays a crucial role in ensuring the Freeport Police Department provides professional service 00:10:36.219 --> 00:10:39.739 to the citizens of Freeport. 00:10:39.739 --> 00:10:46.359 Lieutenant Weichel also does a great job organizing multiple department events including basketball 00:10:46.359 --> 00:10:52.500 and softball games wherein, I apologize Chief, the Police Department usually wins. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:57.939 So we do thank Lieutenant Weichel for his 20 years of service and for the fun of the 00:10:57.939 --> 00:11:00.259 Softball, Basketball, and his leadership. 00:11:04.859 --> 00:11:07.619 Secondly, I'll have Brandy Hilby come up here and join me. 00:11:17.619 --> 00:11:23.699 Brandy Hilby took her oath to serve the citizens of Freeport on December 26, 2025. 00:11:24.099 --> 00:11:27.259 She celebrates 25 years this month. 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:31.899 Brandy has served the city in a variety of positions. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:36.939 Patrol Officer, SUV Detective, Special Victims Unit Detective. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:40.939 Detective Hillby is an integral part of the Police Department. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:46.699 Her level of dedication to the Freeport Police Department over the past 25 years 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:51.179 has been extraordinary and incredible. 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:54.779 Detective Hillby often covers overtime shifts 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:59.699 Hicks, more than probably any other officer in the department. 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:03.500 Detective Hillby has been acknowledged for a high level of productivity which goes above 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:06.299 and beyond that which is required. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:11.059 Through the years, Detective Hillby has consistently participated in community events. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:15.859 She's well known by the community and draws quite a large crowd. 00:12:15.859 --> 00:12:21.859 This in particular when we do shop, cop on a rooftop, sorry we have shop with a cop coming 00:12:21.859 --> 00:12:22.859 up too. 00:12:22.859 --> 00:12:31.859 Cop on a Rooftop, I happened to be at one of those and Brandi just kept getting more and more and more people to come and donate which goes to Special Olympics. 00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:38.859 She's also raised awareness for that Special Olympics during the torch run. 00:12:38.859 --> 00:12:50.859 And she also helps with Shop with a Cop and she also plays in the charity basketball and softball games that we often win. 00:12:50.859 --> 00:12:59.859 Randy was the Department Officer of the Year in 2023, and her quality of work has only improved. 00:12:59.859 --> 00:13:07.859 So for 25 years, thank you very much, it's a job well done, and I'm glad to have you for at least four more. 00:13:07.859 --> 00:13:25.459 That was inappropriate, Mayor, Mayor, that was inappropriate. You can't do that as an officer. 00:13:37.859 --> 00:14:03.859 Oh, Dovie. Oh my god, Dovie. Oh, big family. Oh, nice. Nice, nice, nice. Should be. Thanks guys and girls. That's good. All right. That's awesome. 00:14:03.859 --> 00:14:33.460 that's great yes all right okay we'll move on to item 00:14:33.859 --> 00:14:38.859 Darin, can you look and see if there's anything signed up? 00:14:38.859 --> 00:14:46.559 No? Okay, then item number four, there's no one signed up for public comment. 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:49.259 We'll move on to the consent agenda. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:52.359 The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion 00:14:52.359 --> 00:14:54.759 unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.659 for further discussion. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:59.759 Seeing none, the consent agenda. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.659 Alderman Sanders? 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:11.659 Ordinance, I have to look at the number on the ordinance. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:29.099 Do you know which item you want? 00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:29.939 Yes, I do. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:35.659 I just gotta make sure I get the right number for you. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:19.939 Do you know? Yes, I do know. Are you impatient? Yeah. Well, you shouldn't be. We are here 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:25.379 to do the business of the people, not yours. Well, that's what I'm doing. Just give me 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:29.379 Okay, okay, let's stop the talk. Which item do you want to have pulled? 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:33.379 I might say all of them. How's that? 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:35.379 If that's your pleasure. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:38.379 No, that's not what I want to do. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:44.379 If you just be patient, like I will give everybody in here the same respect. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:49.379 That's what I expect you to do, and that's what I expect you to do. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.379 If I give you the same respect... 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:52.379 Alderman Sanders, please tell me what item you want. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:17:01.779 Yeah, well, I got agitators in my ear right now distracting me, so I don't care for agitators. 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:04.779 Can I suggest you read them and you can still pull them out? 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:10.839 Okay, I'm going to read it. Okay, so the consent agenda consists of approving and to receive 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:17.980 and place on file the Board and Commission meetings from the Joint Review Boards for 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:27.179 The Berchard Hills Downtown Meadows West Avenue and Lamb Road Tifts for October 25, 2024 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:32.000 is also for the Municipal Compliance Reports for both the Firefighters Pension and the Police 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:37.740 Pension Fund ending December 31, 2024, the Greater Freeport Partnerships Monthly Report 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:43.259 November 2025, the Building Permit Report October 2025, approval of the finance bills 00:17:43.259 --> 00:18:00.059 Payable in the total of $2,200,518.89 in payroll for pay period ending November 15th, 2025, in the total of $670,021.70. Which of those did you want to be removed? 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:02.699 Uh, 20 and 21. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:09.259 Uh, you have to be more specific because that's nothing that I just read. 00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:12.299 Well, I'm just telling you what number it is. 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:24.139 Are you talking about, did you say 20 and 21? Yes. So are you talking about the 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:31.099 Fehr Graham agreement and the land application for biosolids agreement? Yes. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:36.579 Okay we're not on that. I know but that's what I'm telling you that I don't want 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:40.500 on the agenda. Okay well it's too late because we've already approved the 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:46.740 and you voted yes to approving the agenda so they're there for discussion. I did not 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:52.740 approve an agenda. You did. It was the very first thing you said you said here 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:58.579 and the clerk told you you needed to say yes, no, or abstain and you said yes so 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:04.900 you approved the agenda already. So with that the consent agenda is as read. Is 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:09.619 there a motion to approve? So move. Second. A motion by Alderman Sellers 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:13.340 Senators, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the consent agenda. 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:20.440 Yeah, I'd like to bring a point of order, put a point of order in motion here. And the fact 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:30.340 that you're rushing this thing, this agenda process, processing going on. I want my councilmen's 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:43.059 to pause for a minute to think about what item 20 and 21 is doing because this has nothing 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.059 to do with that. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.980 I call a point of order. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:50.000 If you don't understand what that is, then you need to look it up. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:59.500 My thing is the mayor just shot me down for consent of agenda, but I oppose that consent 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.000 Simple B. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.640 and Blanford, Lovemore, terry. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:12.220 I believe that I would get consent simply because I need to engage with the council in matters 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:17.359 that is concerning the taxpayers of this city to not allow agendas to be... 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.779 Attorney Zito would like to speak. 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:21.279 No, he doesn't have the right yet to do that. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.279 I'm giving him the floor. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.279 No, you can't do nothing, Mayor. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:25.480 Well, your time, his time is up. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.980 Your time's up, so... 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:31.980 I saw the clock running when I came in, and it stopped, and now it's reset to four. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:34.980 I didn't have a point of order, neither, at that time when you walked in. 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.980 That was your time of speaking. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.980 Okay, I have given the floor to... 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:41.980 I think with you, Attorney Zito, you do not dictate counsel. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.980 You are out of order. I'm warning you, if you do it again... 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.980 What you gonna do? 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:51.980 It is done. That's your warning. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:54.980 So, please stay in line with counsel rules. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:21:01.460 Attorney Zito has the floor you asked for a point of order okay about you wanting 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:06.180 to engage with the council about items 20 and 21 that you do not agree they 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:10.779 should be on the agenda we're not on that portion of the agenda the agenda 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:16.059 approval of the agenda was already done okay and you it sounds like you voted in 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:20.299 favor of it now the agenda item is the consent agenda that's the only thing 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:24.059 that should be discussed is the consent agenda which is not what you're talking 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:28.099 about you're looking for approval of the agenda that's a different item that took 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:36.019 place already there are two different things now but so now before you is the 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:40.339 approval of the consent agenda need to be able to rebut what he just said we're 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:46.059 talking about the consent agenda a point of order not a consent of agenda I said 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:52.740 a point of order and a point of order no that is that is not a motion yes a point 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:59.740 The point of order is not a motion. You asked for a point of order, a clarification of the rules procedure. I just gave you your clarification. 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:03.740 Okay, so Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the consent agenda? 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.740 Shadle? Aye. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:06.740 Sanders? No. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.740 Sellers? Aye. 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.740 Klemm? Aye. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.740 Johnson? Aye. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.740 Simmons? As absent. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:14.740 Parker? Aye. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.740 Stacy 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:25.039 Staying you're abstaining. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:32.740 So we have one two three four five in favor one opposed one 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.819 abstentia 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:39.740 One absent equals eight madam mayor who had the second on that? 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:47.339 Shadle thank you and the motion passes thank you item number six is the 00:22:47.339 --> 00:23:00.819 presentation of safe streets for all Matt and Lexi should I just dive into it 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:06.140 or okay um thank you for having me tonight my name is Matthew Deerdahl I 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:12.940 I work for ALTA planning and design and today we're just giving a presentation in offering 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:21.740 adoption of the Freeport Forward SS Fray Safety Action Plan. So I'm going to give a high level 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:28.940 overview in this presentation of what is in the plan and then discuss some next steps and I also 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:35.500 want to introduce my colleague Lexi Petrella who was the Associate or Assistant Project Manager 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:42.460 on this and I am the project manager. So I'm definitely gonna cover the slides but I'm gonna 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:48.700 kind of go quick and then see if there are questions because I know you all have access to the plan 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:55.660 and I would love to hear any thoughts or questions that you have. So overall I'm gonna give a high 00:23:55.660 --> 00:24:03.259 level reminder of the plan. I was last here in February also during a snowstorm except we were 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:07.000 on the front end of it before we left. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:10.139 And so just a little bit about why this matters. 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:15.460 Basically, crashes that are harming or ending people's 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:19.019 lives are unacceptable, and we want to prevent them. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:23.079 That's, in a nutshell, what we're here to talk about. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:26.380 You can see some data on the bottom, 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:30.900 a large increase in crashes over the study period. 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:33.059 Four of them were fatal. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:37.900 and then the more vulnerable users of the road 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:39.579 are at greatest risk. 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:43.139 On the next slide, or am I doing the slide? 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:46.340 Let me check. 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:48.779 Oh, I can do the slides, okay, cool. 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:53.220 So the safe system approach, as I was discussing, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:57.180 is about identifying the items that are causing 00:24:57.180 --> 00:25:01.220 the most harm on our streets and working to prevent them. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:09.579 and so the overall idea is that people are going to make mistakes as they are walking, biking, driving around our communities. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:15.980 We don't necessarily think that it's possible to prevent those mistakes from happening. 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:22.059 But what we want to do is make sure that those mistakes don't end or significantly alter people's lives. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:24.579 So that's really what this is about. 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.860 And then so that's basically our framework. 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:57.860 and then the four phases you can see here is assessing the risk through some fairly rigorous data and safety analysis engagement and then we took those two things together along with some policy and some peer city analysis and developed strategies that the City of Freeport can tackle moving forward along with some specific projects which we'll get to in a second and then the final stage here towards the end of the year has been drafting 00:25:57.860 --> 00:26:03.860 and I will be hosting the plan that's before you today, I got the slide here. 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:12.860 And so, the, the vision that we are articulating here is a city where everyone can travel safely and confidently. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:15.860 It's, it's fairly simple. 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:20.860 And something that we believe can happen. 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:24.139 So I'm gonna move into the engagement approach. 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:27.460 There was a significant amount of engagement effort. 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:31.059 We developed a transportation advisory committee 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:33.900 that I can share kind of the names 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:37.519 and representation of that committee 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:39.660 towards the end if you're interested. 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:42.500 We had an online survey with an input map 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.340 and we got a lot of comments on that. 00:26:44.340 --> 00:27:06.340 Staff, Darren and Derek, Fehr Graham, did walk audits of several of the corridors, field audits, essentially, of the corridors that rose to the top to get a sense of what the issues are, and then we held an open house, again, last February, here in this room. 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:17.340 So over 150 residents engaged, which we always, you know, we always want more people to engage, but we are pretty happy with that in Freeport. 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:23.340 And there's a variety of ways that people were engaged, as mentioned. 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:31.340 So speeding was a big thing. That was one of the major themes that we heard from a lot of people. 00:27:31.340 --> 00:27:37.340 And then also just places where there are no sidewalks and places where it's tough to cross the street. 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:41.340 Those were big themes that we heard in engagement. 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:47.340 So the role of the TAC, to guide each phase of development of the plan, 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:58.340 They helped review each of the analyses and the memos that we developed that are in the appendices that are also before you. 00:27:58.340 --> 00:28:03.340 And then helped us think through the locations and what the priorities should be. 00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:11.340 One thing that we were excited about that we sort of added as a part of this trip is an implementation workshop with the TAC tomorrow morning. 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:16.140 and we look forward to that as sort of a way to say, all right, we did all this work to 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:22.140 develop what I think is a robust and interesting plan, so what are some of the steps that we 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:28.820 can do right away, next year even, to get started on implementation and then even look 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:33.900 farther into the future. 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:41.019 So data, the data analysis was fairly robust, lots of different interesting outcomes. 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:43.460 I think the main plan is about 70 pages. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:45.819 The appendices are like 150. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.900 This was a big part of that. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:50.619 And I'm not gonna go into all of it, 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:53.000 but I wanna go back to what I think I said at the beginning, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:55.840 which is a lot of this is how we figured out 00:28:55.840 --> 00:29:00.299 where the most harm on the streets of Freeport are. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:03.759 And it's one of the, I don't wanna say good 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.960 because we're talking about crashes, 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:07.639 but one of the interesting parts of this method, 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:10.920 which is identifying where the most harm is 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.960 on a relatively small amount of roads. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:16.719 So the map to the right, especially the red, 00:29:16.719 --> 00:29:19.199 you know, the brighter colors, 00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:23.360 that represents about 9% of streets in Freeport 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:26.960 that account for about 60% of severe crashes. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:30.860 So crashes that end in fatalities 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:33.679 or people's lives being dramatically altered 00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:36.920 because the crash was very serious. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:59.969 I'll move on to the next one and I think I said some of that here discussing you know we talked about infrastructure gaps like sidewalk gaps things like that visibility at night is a big one that we heard as well and then we looked a lot at vulnerable road users and usually we mean people walking or biking when we say vulnerable road users 00:29:59.969 --> 00:30:07.969 We're talking about walking or biking when we say vulnerable road users, or wheelchairs or things like that. 00:30:07.969 --> 00:30:23.969 So moving on to the recommendations. This was an interesting one, because the city of Freeport manages the city streets, and IDOT has a lot of really busy roads in Freeport. 00:30:23.969 --> 00:30:32.209 to identify a specific subset of IDOT highways that showed up on the safety analysis. And one of the 00:30:32.209 --> 00:30:38.529 big things that we would like to encourage you all going forward, and the TAC agreed in our most 00:30:38.529 --> 00:30:44.769 recent meeting, is that coordination with IDOT will be really important to sort of raise the profile 00:30:44.769 --> 00:30:51.089 of these corridors to see if we can get some safety treatments in the coming years. And so I 00:30:51.089 --> 00:30:55.089 So I think that'll be a big part of the implementation workshop tomorrow. 00:30:55.089 --> 00:31:02.089 And we also recognize that the city only has so much power over these corridors. 00:31:02.089 --> 00:31:07.089 Moving on to some of the areas where the city does have control. 00:31:07.089 --> 00:31:14.089 School crossings was an important part of this process and so we identified just issues at school crossings. 00:31:14.089 --> 00:31:18.089 Now these aren't going to necessarily be the major infrastructure projects. 00:31:18.089 --> 00:31:25.089 A lot of the issues at school crossings can be addressed through striping, signage, you know, things like that. 00:31:25.089 --> 00:31:36.089 But it's important to note that that's something that we want to focus on just to make sure kids can safely cross the street and get to school. 00:31:36.089 --> 00:31:51.089 Now, I think this is the most interesting or high level takeaways of the plan is identifying the five priority locations, some of them, most of them are corridors, and then there's an intersection. 00:31:51.089 --> 00:32:01.089 And so that's Adams, Cherry, Empire and Walnut intersection, Kiwanis Drive, and then Stevenson Street. 00:32:01.089 --> 00:32:04.089 And we can we can come back to that in a second. 00:32:04.089 --> 00:32:05.169 in a second. 00:32:05.169 --> 00:32:09.649 And then beyond sort of the physical infrastructure 00:32:09.649 --> 00:32:14.249 projects themselves, we included some goals moving forward. 00:32:14.249 --> 00:32:16.089 And I think the main takeaway here, 00:32:16.089 --> 00:32:20.769 other than getting the state roads on IDOT's radar, 00:32:20.769 --> 00:32:23.969 is just thinking about safety holistically any time you can. 00:32:23.969 --> 00:32:27.849 So thinking about how you program projects in the CIP, 00:32:27.849 --> 00:32:31.809 how you approach grant funding or seeking grants, 00:32:31.809 --> 00:32:38.769 and other staff training, doing things quickly, so we call it the quick build method of implementation 00:32:38.769 --> 00:32:48.569 using lower cost but high value materials such as ballers, striping, movable items, 00:32:48.569 --> 00:32:54.729 things like that, that can be implemented really quickly and see some safety improvements. 00:32:54.729 --> 00:33:00.009 Because I think sometimes with plans like these, if all the projects are like five years 00:33:00.009 --> 00:33:04.569 out because we have to go write a big grant and then you know it's like it's like millions of 00:33:04.569 --> 00:33:10.889 dollars over five or ten years i think you can lose momentum and so the quick bill getting something 00:33:10.889 --> 00:33:17.769 done soon so people can sort of see the change is important and frankly can be fun and and keep 00:33:17.769 --> 00:33:26.809 people involved and then we also included a safety action plan dashboard which is essentially a 00:33:26.809 --> 00:33:30.849 a pretty interesting interactive website page 00:33:30.849 --> 00:33:32.489 that as you scroll down, 00:33:32.489 --> 00:33:36.609 a lot of the really interesting findings will appear 00:33:36.609 --> 00:33:39.149 and you can click and zoom and look at different maps 00:33:39.149 --> 00:33:40.929 and see where the crashes were, 00:33:40.929 --> 00:33:43.809 see the corridors that we identified 00:33:43.809 --> 00:33:46.289 in a really interacting and interesting way. 00:33:46.289 --> 00:33:48.529 And this is a requirement, 00:33:48.529 --> 00:33:50.569 to have something like this is a requirement 00:33:50.569 --> 00:33:53.409 because transparency is really important. 00:33:53.409 --> 00:33:56.749 And then also evaluation and tracking progress 00:33:56.749 --> 00:34:11.750 There's just an example, static example of what's on there. And again, like I mentioned, in the website itself, you can like zoom in on this map and play around as much as you want. 00:34:11.750 --> 00:34:19.750 in the website itself. You can zoom in on this map and play around as much as you want. 00:34:21.750 --> 00:34:29.750 Alright, so the implementation roadmap. I think we have a fairly clear roadmap in the plan, 00:34:29.750 --> 00:34:36.750 going from quick build to permanent projects. There's some information on coordination, 00:34:36.750 --> 00:35:06.750 again with the state and with with others. And then I'll also note in the plan review period in November, we did add a couple other things on non infrastructure items. So dozens of people commented on the plan itself, and most of them were more about getting the word out, you know, encouragement, trying to help people slow down, you know, things like that. And so we thought that was a good finding from the engagement period, the 00:35:06.750 --> 00:35:13.750 and so we added that to what's before you. 00:35:13.750 --> 00:35:14.750 So what does adoption mean? 00:35:14.750 --> 00:35:20.429 I think the main thing is that it really helps, it's like the whole point actually, is to 00:35:20.429 --> 00:35:25.389 make you eligible for federal grants to implement some of these ideas. 00:35:25.389 --> 00:35:26.949 So that's the big one. 00:35:26.949 --> 00:35:32.349 But also it's just important because there are a variety of strategies, a variety of 00:35:32.349 --> 00:35:34.750 ways that this can be hopefully useful for you. 00:35:34.750 --> 00:35:41.389 and so we think that adoption is helpful from that perspective as well. 00:35:41.389 --> 00:35:47.750 And then in the implementation workshop tomorrow we're gonna assign champions and I think that's 00:35:47.750 --> 00:35:49.750 such an important part of this. 00:35:49.750 --> 00:35:54.549 I was saying if you have no champion you have no project and so basically a champion can 00:35:54.549 --> 00:36:00.449 be somebody that really like takes something, they own it, they help make sure that it gets 00:36:00.449 --> 00:36:04.189 implemented and so we hope to do that tomorrow. 00:36:04.189 --> 00:36:11.069 and then we'll also talk more about annual tracking going forward. 00:36:11.069 --> 00:36:13.109 That's all I have in terms of presentation. 00:36:13.109 --> 00:36:16.710 I'm very curious to see if you all have questions or comments. 00:36:16.710 --> 00:36:17.710 Thank you, Matt. 00:36:17.710 --> 00:36:18.710 We'll open it up. 00:36:18.710 --> 00:36:21.710 Does anyone have any questions concerning the presentation? 00:36:21.710 --> 00:36:22.710 Darren? 00:36:22.710 --> 00:36:28.509 I just want to make a brief comment. 00:36:28.509 --> 00:36:35.509 So I've seen some comments regarding, you know, a safety action plan being a crime study. 00:36:35.509 --> 00:36:40.549 I wanted to remind everybody that this was grant dollars that we were received from IDOT 00:36:40.549 --> 00:36:41.670 to do this study. 00:36:41.670 --> 00:36:47.189 So it's based on street safety of traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists. 00:36:47.189 --> 00:36:50.389 That was the focus of this entire project. 00:36:50.389 --> 00:36:54.149 And that's, that's why we came up with the list we did. 00:36:54.149 --> 00:37:01.750 and I also wanted to mention that our group and the data kind of came together that the 00:37:01.750 --> 00:37:10.329 Walnut Empire intersection where the streets are offset has become kind of our number one 00:37:10.329 --> 00:37:14.469 focus of projects that we would like to get implementation money for. 00:37:14.469 --> 00:37:19.789 So the process, the way IDOT works is in order to get implementation money, you had to do 00:37:19.789 --> 00:37:27.109 the Planning Study in order to qualify Freeport city of Freeport and the county are the only 00:37:27.109 --> 00:37:32.829 two municipalities I know locally that actually have have gone through this process and the 00:37:32.829 --> 00:37:37.769 county did receive some implementation money to do some some safety action items. 00:37:37.769 --> 00:37:43.309 So it is a positive benefit to have done this and adopt the plan means that the city's support 00:37:43.309 --> 00:37:47.669 of us of us chasing the implementation money. 00:37:47.669 --> 00:37:48.669 Thank you. 00:37:48.669 --> 00:37:49.669 Alderman Johnson. 00:37:49.669 --> 00:37:56.429 Yeah, I read through it and it's quite an intensive study that was done and so thank 00:37:56.429 --> 00:37:57.909 you for all the work that you did. 00:37:57.909 --> 00:38:02.549 It was a lot of work and recognizing the areas that need to be fixed. 00:38:02.549 --> 00:38:10.109 I did, was curious to see if you did include possibly ages of people that were in the accidents 00:38:10.109 --> 00:38:14.629 or if they were people that lived in the city of Freeport or not that were involved in the 00:38:14.629 --> 00:38:15.629 accidents. 00:38:15.629 --> 00:38:19.629 and others. So, that's something that was included or not in this study. 00:38:19.629 --> 00:38:23.629 So, directly connecting with people who had been in accidents. 00:38:23.629 --> 00:38:27.629 Yeah, in accidents. You know, you had the number of accidents. I was just kind of curious. 00:38:27.629 --> 00:38:31.629 It was people that lived in the city or the age group that might have involved 00:38:31.629 --> 00:38:35.630 for all the accidents as well. Also, I know 00:38:35.630 --> 00:38:39.630 that the city's been very good lately or has had a 00:38:39.630 --> 00:38:43.630 better relationship with IDOT, so I have no doubt that this will 00:39:13.629 --> 00:39:17.189 Carter, and Safety, especially for the kiddos at school. 00:39:17.189 --> 00:39:18.189 Thank you. 00:39:18.189 --> 00:39:21.189 Happy to do that. 00:39:21.189 --> 00:39:27.750 Okay, then let's move on to the adoption of Resolution 2025-143. 00:39:27.750 --> 00:39:30.349 Madam Clerk, could you please read this? 00:39:30.349 --> 00:39:34.509 Resolution Adopting a Safety Action Plan as a Part of the City's Participation in the 00:39:34.509 --> 00:39:39.009 U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration's Safe Streets for 00:39:39.009 --> 00:39:40.589 All grant. 00:39:40.589 --> 00:39:41.589 Thank you. 00:39:41.589 --> 00:39:52.710 Yes, I would like Council to support this moving forward so we can move forward with the Safe 00:39:52.710 --> 00:39:54.829 Streets for All grant. 00:39:54.829 --> 00:39:56.109 Is there a motion to adopt? 00:39:56.109 --> 00:39:57.109 Second. 00:39:57.109 --> 00:40:00.109 A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Klemm. 00:40:00.109 --> 00:40:06.189 Alderman made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on the resolution? 00:40:06.189 --> 00:40:07.189 Alderman Stacy? 00:40:07.189 --> 00:40:11.429 Yes. What is this going to cost the city? 00:40:11.429 --> 00:40:14.429 Darren? 00:40:14.429 --> 00:40:19.789 At this point, nothing. This is strictly going after implementation money, so adoption of 00:40:19.789 --> 00:40:24.349 the plan doesn't cost anything, just gives us the ability to chase grant dollars and 00:40:24.349 --> 00:40:26.429 bring them back to Freeport. 00:40:26.429 --> 00:40:35.669 Okay. But still, even through IDOT, they only pay a certain percentage and we have to pay a percentage back in return. 00:40:36.909 --> 00:40:50.189 It depends on the grant and each one's different. A lot of times IDOT grants are 80-20, but it depends on the specific grant in which dollars you're chasing, but true implementation money. 00:40:50.189 --> 00:40:55.709 So let's say I'm picking a number because I don't know off the top of my head but let's say that the 00:40:55.709 --> 00:41:02.429 Walnut Empire intersection would cost two million dollars to renovate, straighten out, make safer 00:41:03.949 --> 00:41:09.389 and they went to an 80-20 match to do that if if that wasn't the case we would never be able 00:41:09.389 --> 00:41:15.469 to afford it as a city. But this remember this is just about adopting the safety action plan 00:41:15.469 --> 00:41:27.229 but when you when you commit to adopting this plan then you have to accept all that comes with it 00:41:27.229 --> 00:41:32.509 the good the bad and the ugly well each whatever those pieces are will have to come before council 00:41:33.709 --> 00:41:39.949 this is just the plan to get us going in that direction that is correct and i'm shocked that 00:41:39.949 --> 00:41:47.749 West and South Street was not even on that map because you've already said it's 00:41:47.749 --> 00:41:52.589 nothing they could do with West and South for people crossing and this and 00:41:52.589 --> 00:42:00.909 that. So West and South was in the IDOT corridors but we just received the HSP 00:42:00.909 --> 00:42:06.589 grant to address the sidewalks in that neighborhood of what was it 2.3 million 00:42:06.589 --> 00:42:12.189 dollars. And I will give Matt and Lexi some credit because we had early data on 00:42:12.189 --> 00:42:16.549 the IDOT corridors that they shared with us that we were able to share with IDOT 00:42:16.589 --> 00:42:22.069 as part of that grant submittal, showing that that area was in need of having 00:42:22.069 --> 00:42:26.669 sidewalks, which helped our grant application to get the the history that 00:42:26.669 --> 00:42:32.869 we just received. So I think, honestly, we've already seen a benefit from the 00:42:32.869 --> 00:42:47.429 Study, even though it wasn't 100% complete, because if you went back to the map, the I-DOT map, that anybody looked at it, a lot of our heavy crash data locally surrounds the I-DOT corridors, especially near the traffic signals. 00:42:49.829 --> 00:42:51.749 Any further discussion on the action plan? 00:42:53.549 --> 00:42:54.749 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 00:42:54.869 --> 00:42:55.369 Shadle? 00:42:55.509 --> 00:42:56.009 Aye. 00:42:56.009 --> 00:42:56.509 Sanders? 00:42:57.429 --> 00:42:57.929 Aye. 00:42:58.389 --> 00:42:58.889 Sellers? 00:42:59.029 --> 00:42:59.529 Aye. 00:42:59.529 --> 00:43:00.029 Klemm? 00:43:00.029 --> 00:43:00.529 Aye. 00:43:00.589 --> 00:43:01.089 Johnson? 00:43:01.189 --> 00:43:01.689 Aye. 00:43:01.689 --> 00:43:02.189 Simmons? 00:43:02.869 --> 00:43:18.869 Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. The resolution is adopted 7 to 1. Thank you. Item number 7 is the presentation of the draft of the 2026-28 strategic plan. Eric? 00:43:18.869 --> 00:43:34.909 Good evening, everybody. Thanks for having me tonight. I'm excited to share this plan 00:43:34.909 --> 00:43:42.589 with you. I have talked to the folks that were a part of the planning process a couple 00:43:42.589 --> 00:43:48.629 times and even shared this in some of my emails to all of you that when I think back to the 00:43:48.629 --> 00:44:18.629 I think this is back in 2017 when you did your first plan as a city ever and you look at some of the things that were in that plan some of those things are still in there but that plan was a lot about really basic blocking and tackling figuring out how to start repairing streets you're going to see some highlights in here about how many streets you've repaired recently anyway 00:44:18.629 --> 00:44:48.629 and I think you're going to see a different story. Some of those elements are in this plan, by the way. There's still more to do. But I think you'll see a different story in this plan. And it's been exciting to see Freeport continue to work a plan and get things done and check those off and make a new plan and continue to have success. So looking forward to walking you through that process. 00:44:48.629 --> 00:45:03.629 I'm going to hit highlights. I won't read this to you, but I will walk you through the plan so you can get more familiar with it. Tonight we're just reviewing this draft. 00:45:03.629 --> 00:45:23.629 So the plan itself has components, a little bit of an about page here, a vision for what Freeport can look like in 2040, and a mission statement as well. 00:45:23.629 --> 00:45:29.629 Sorry, I clicked the wrong button there. There we go. 00:45:29.629 --> 00:45:35.789 and so these reflect where the city is going. The vision statement is literally written to be 00:45:36.989 --> 00:45:43.549 like a person you know visiting Freeport and seeing here's what they would see. Freeport is 00:45:43.549 --> 00:45:49.629 a destination of choice so they wanted to come here right. Our innovative city boasts a thriving 00:45:49.629 --> 00:45:54.829 business-friendly economy with vibrant and safe neighborhoods. Freeport supports an abundance of 00:45:54.829 --> 00:45:56.829 Fowler. 00:45:57.929 --> 00:45:59.929 So, that's the vision. 00:46:01.129 --> 00:46:03.129 That's where we're trying to go. 00:46:05.229 --> 00:46:07.229 Each plan walks you towards that vision. 00:46:08.429 --> 00:46:10.929 And then your mission statement is about how you work as a city, as a city 00:46:10.929 --> 00:46:12.929 government. 00:46:14.029 --> 00:46:16.029 In particular, this is a plan for the city government to execute. 00:46:18.229 --> 00:46:20.229 Citizens and partners and other folks will have roles to play. 00:46:21.529 --> 00:46:23.529 So, that's the vision. 00:46:24.829 --> 00:46:54.829 and the City of Freeport proper and the mission is to strive to improve the quality of life for all residents living and working in this community by maximizing opportunities for social and economic development while ensuring an attractive sustainable and secure environment so that's sort of the basis for the whole plan everything is about making those things happen in this plan at least incrementally right as we go along 00:46:54.829 --> 00:46:56.829 and 00:46:57.909 --> 00:47:04.829 it's organized into priority areas so you can see here these these priority areas 00:47:04.829 --> 00:47:10.069 are pretty much the same as last year we did change I think neighborhoods and 00:47:10.069 --> 00:47:14.629 housing has a greater emphasis on neighborhoods and the idea of building 00:47:14.629 --> 00:47:21.109 strong neighborhoods and I think the rest might have stayed the same as we go 00:47:21.109 --> 00:47:22.109 and others. 00:47:22.109 --> 00:47:27.009 So, they just help you sort the plan and bring focus to each area of the plan. 00:47:27.009 --> 00:47:33.149 I'll hit highlights of each one of these as we go through the plan. 00:47:33.149 --> 00:47:38.309 The first one is safe, inclusive community and you just took a step to help make that 00:47:38.309 --> 00:47:43.709 happen by passing a safety plan. 00:47:43.709 --> 00:47:50.369 Some highlights here, when we looked back at the last plan, some of your key strategies 00:47:50.369 --> 00:47:58.869 in the last plan or police department staffing, the idea of adding a social worker, the idea 00:47:58.869 --> 00:48:08.769 of improving the use of technology, increasing the diversity of the force so that it better 00:48:08.769 --> 00:48:10.089 represents the community. 00:48:10.089 --> 00:48:12.189 These are all ideas in the last plan. 00:48:12.189 --> 00:48:16.449 And you can see in these bullet points, lots of those things have happened. 00:48:16.449 --> 00:48:23.689 you can see a lot of technology in that third bullet point and then improvements to staffing 00:48:23.689 --> 00:48:25.129 in the second bullet point there. 00:48:25.129 --> 00:48:27.849 So just some highlights from the last plan. 00:48:27.849 --> 00:48:36.769 Main strategies as we look forward are continuing to work on the police census and fire department 00:48:36.769 --> 00:48:37.929 census, right? 00:48:37.929 --> 00:48:44.389 The number of staff we have and building that strong team to keep the community safe, deploying 00:48:44.389 --> 00:48:48.309 More technology, looking for areas to continue to use technology. 00:48:48.309 --> 00:48:54.109 You've been having some success in that area and and then continuing neighborhood 00:48:54.109 --> 00:48:57.349 watch programs and some of those those ideas as well. 00:48:57.909 --> 00:49:04.149 So those are all part of the overall plan here as it relates to safety. 00:49:04.149 --> 00:49:07.589 And you can see every also too far. 00:49:08.789 --> 00:49:12.229 You can see every section also has targets and milestones. 00:49:12.229 --> 00:49:25.229 So, we're not just saying what we hope to do, we're actually outlining exactly how you can measure whether it happens and you'll get regular updates on how that works. 00:49:25.229 --> 00:49:40.229 So, for example, you can measure the police force census and demographics, same with the fire department, looking at response times, grant dollars that are coming in, things like that will help you know if you're on track with this section of the plan. 00:49:42.229 --> 00:50:00.229 In Neighborhoods and Housing, like I mentioned, this features a little bit of shift to thinking more about how neighborhoods can become stronger overall, and yet some of those those basics that you've been working on in your neighborhoods are showing. 00:50:00.229 --> 00:50:02.789 We've been working on in your neighborhoods are showing up here. 00:50:02.789 --> 00:50:19.789 So if you look at progress, 422 trees, that's a tree more than every day being removed and planting 150 to still keep, we want trees in our town. 00:50:19.789 --> 00:50:24.869 We just had trees that were not having a good time and need to go away. 00:50:24.869 --> 00:50:36.029 So, working through those. Home demolitions as well, still showing up. We're on track, continuing to make progress in cleaning up neighborhoods that need that support. 00:50:37.349 --> 00:50:54.709 So, those are things you've accomplished in the past. Looking forward, we're looking at how do we support refresh report even more expanding that cleanup program and incentives that help homeowners and landlords take better care of their property. 00:50:54.869 --> 00:51:01.769 Continuing enforcement and other supports to improve rental property standards. 00:51:01.769 --> 00:51:12.989 A big one there in the middle is completing a development of a downtown master plan. So looking at the downtown as a whole, this is successful in cities 00:51:12.989 --> 00:51:21.129 all over the country by having a plan, just like you just heard in your safety plan, by having this plan, it helps you attract funding and 00:51:21.129 --> 00:51:29.129 and other developers, in this case, and other partners to help you continue to build up your downtown. 00:51:29.129 --> 00:51:46.129 So those are some of the probably the highlights inside of this page. You can see the targets and milestones are also very clear as well. So you can look over the course of the year and say, well, how are we doing? Are people using Refresh Report? 00:51:46.129 --> 00:52:16.129 We have a target of 200 participants by the time we get to the end of 2027. You can ask how that's going, you know, rental properties being registered, external funding, tracking dollars that are coming into the city, you know, some of you are thinking about, well, what's this plan going to cost? Well, if you bring in a half a million dollars to support external funding in the city to help take care of demolition and bright and blight work that you're doing, that makes a big difference. 00:52:16.129 --> 00:52:21.129 and others that are coming from outside in the form of grants and not coming from taxpayers here in Freeport. 00:52:22.129 --> 00:52:26.129 Those are examples of the kinds of things that we're measuring in each area. 00:52:30.129 --> 00:52:39.129 Another category is quality communication engagement. So this is about how the city communicates and engages with citizens overall. 00:52:39.129 --> 00:52:46.089 Hall. In the past, you had goals around improving bilingual communications. We actually started, 00:52:46.089 --> 00:52:53.289 we created a plan during that period and launched it and actually started producing some bilingual 00:52:53.289 --> 00:53:02.609 communication tools. We also launched quarterly newsletters and the utility bills using water 00:53:02.609 --> 00:53:06.889 notices in multiple languages, those sorts of things, improving road construction and 00:53:06.889 --> 00:53:22.729 Public Notification, improving the use of your Facebook page. I follow your page and it's pretty interesting to see, you know, the information that's happening about, you know, a street closure or a street improvement that happened or celebrating something that the city accomplished. 00:53:23.169 --> 00:53:35.529 So these are all part of the communication strategy, as is this plan, by the way. So if your citizens want to know, hey, what's the city going to do for me in the next few years, they can flip through this. You can see it's easy to read. 00:53:35.529 --> 00:54:05.529 it's regular language for the most part when we can we try not to make it too technical and in a pretty quick read as a group of citizens could understand what the city's goals are so gives gives a lot of really clear direction about what's going to happen key strategies in this category going forward continuing to build on bilingual communications continuing to participate in events and being out and visible 00:54:05.529 --> 00:54:23.209 in the community, creating a dashboard to help you see. So you just saw an example of a safety dashboard. We're planning a dashboard that would let you see at a glance how you're doing on some of the most important things that you're working on in any given year. 00:54:23.489 --> 00:54:35.489 And, you know, maybe that dashboard gets updated quarterly, for example. So those are some of the highlights in this area. You can see targets of milestones here. I like to look at those because it's kind of, you know, if you're not sure. 00:54:35.529 --> 00:54:52.489 What's going to come out of the strategy? You can always look at the target milestone and say, oh, okay, I see. We're going to have more. We're going to count. We're going to have more bilingual communications, or we're going to have a dashboard complete and being utilized quarterly at a meeting. Those are tangible things you can look for and see if they're really happening. 00:54:52.489 --> 00:55:22.489 All right. Next one, reliable, strong infrastructure. The next couple of sections are, you know, core to your budget, core to what cities do at city government level, you know, people rely on city government to make sure they're sewer and water and garbage and sidewalks and roads, you know, the first things people think about when they think about city government, you know, 00:55:22.489 --> 00:55:35.969 for most people. And this section is all about that. So you can see a lot of progress in the past here. And you'll see even a bigger list of things coming up when we turn the page. 00:55:36.769 --> 00:55:40.089 But, you know, if you just tick through this one, for example, 00:55:40.089 --> 00:56:09.689 You've had the Adams Avenue reconstruction, an 11 million dollar project there. You've got 5 miles, over 5 miles of water main, almost 4 miles of sewer, about the same number of linings in the sewer lines, the lead service replacement, you guys are leading many cities in the state in terms of replacing lead water lines. 00:56:09.689 --> 00:56:31.049 So, 1,902 lead services replaced and a few more to finish up. And when we turn the page, you'll see that you've got new wells online. So these are these are big time infrastructure projects, wastewater treatment plant getting 5Million dollars in external funding. 00:56:31.049 --> 00:56:43.529 So again, $5 million in external funding means funding that you got a grant or some other source to give Freeport money that so the taxpayers didn't have to pay for that portion of the wastewater treatment plant. 00:56:44.729 --> 00:56:51.329 And you'll see all the way through the city does a pretty, pretty terrific job of bringing in external dollars. 00:56:51.329 --> 00:57:10.329 Another one is Internet. So you've got a second Internet provider committing to put citywide connections throughout the entire city for Internet. So you'll have redundancy at that point. You want to have just one provider. These are all really important for your growth in the future. 00:57:10.329 --> 00:57:40.329 So, that's what you've done, a whole page almost, and this is what you're going to do. So, it's a packed page. I'm not going to read all these to you, but you should spend some time thinking about all of these, some highlights though, doubling the funding for residential matching grants. So, you've been offering citizens $1.50 a square foot to help them replace sidewalks, you know, with a match, and you're going to double that to $3. 00:57:40.329 --> 00:57:47.569 and others. And it fits inside of your budget. Executing the Street Improvement Plan, so 00:57:47.569 --> 00:57:54.329 continuing to work on streets to the tune of 17.5 miles of streets being paved on average 00:57:54.329 --> 00:58:06.209 over the next five years. That's total over the five years. So that'll be a big impact. 00:58:06.209 --> 00:58:13.889 with IDOT, you've got IDOT support coming. And if you kind of go down, I think I have 00:58:13.889 --> 00:58:22.209 that in here where you can see it well. Maybe it's on a different page though. Anyway, kind 00:58:22.209 --> 00:58:28.689 of related to the safety, but also just partnering with IDOT on those thoroughfares to draw in 00:58:28.689 --> 00:58:34.649 dollars to help you repave those streets as well. Not just make them safer, but make them 00:58:34.649 --> 00:59:03.649 Smoothers, Lift Stations, Water Treatment Plants, Targets and Milestones, Miles of 00:59:03.649 --> 00:59:25.649 How many dollars of external funding are we bringing in to support this so we can offset the cost to our citizens, right? So, those are key targets that we'll be measuring and tracking and sharing with all of you, completion of lift stations and storm water basins and things like that as well. 00:59:25.649 --> 00:59:47.329 So, lots of infrastructure, economic development, also a big function of the city. And again, eating up two pages in your plan. So, last over the last few years, you've had land acquisitions, you've developed a pocket park. 00:59:47.329 --> 00:59:59.769 You've gotten site readiness grants and launched a campaign to help attract and retain workforce in the community. Just a few highlights, right? It's not everything that's happened. 00:59:59.769 --> 01:00:16.969 Everything that's happened. Too fast. Excuse me. So here, this one focuses on a few categories, but it's all about attracting and growing business or making sure the infrastructure exists for that to happen. 01:00:17.529 --> 01:00:22.009 So the Greater Freeport Partnership drives a lot of your economic development efforts. 01:00:22.009 --> 01:00:50.209 We want some of the goals are related to improving retention and growth of existing businesses. So a big focus on that, obviously attracting new businesses if we can, expanding retail, you know, in and around the metal shopping area, building on that 13 million dollar investment that's happened in the past creating a five year economic development plan for the airport. 01:00:50.209 --> 01:00:53.409 So the airport's there, how do we leverage that? 01:00:53.409 --> 01:00:57.009 What can we do to have that become an economic driver 01:00:57.009 --> 01:00:59.249 for the community? 01:00:59.249 --> 01:01:01.649 These are just some of the highlights 01:01:01.649 --> 01:01:02.569 I'm just popping through. 01:01:02.569 --> 01:01:05.229 You can read through these more as you go. 01:01:05.229 --> 01:01:09.069 And then, so if we do all that, so what, right? 01:01:09.069 --> 01:01:11.649 Well, you should have more businesses retained, 01:01:11.649 --> 01:01:13.709 you should have more jobs in the community, 01:01:13.709 --> 01:01:15.349 and these are things we can track 01:01:15.349 --> 01:01:18.829 and see if we're making progress, for example. 01:01:18.829 --> 01:01:32.029 Shovel-ready sites are some of the infrastructure things we can do to help an industry or a business relocate or move here. Obviously, the airport plan being done and then, you know, if you want more workers, they've got to live somewhere. 01:01:32.029 --> 01:01:39.309 So, are we developing housing and tracking that in the course of our economic development efforts? 01:01:39.309 --> 01:02:02.309 Next section is about how the government works. So everything from what these city council meetings are like and how people can engage in them and how they actually function to how the staff delivers the water bill and whether people understand it and can pay it on time. 01:02:02.309 --> 01:02:10.309 So, and everything in between. There's a long range of things in between that go into the city actually being responsive and efficient government. 01:02:10.309 --> 01:02:20.309 So, the first thing that we highlighted here in progress updates is the amount of money you've been able to bring into the community. 01:02:20.309 --> 01:02:31.029 D., I'm not trying to do that, over the last few years. So, 83 million dollars in grants 01:02:31.029 --> 01:02:36.909 and forgivable loans, right? So, forgivable loans are loans that if you execute them the 01:02:36.909 --> 01:02:40.469 way you're supposed to execute them over time, you don't have to pay them back, right? They 01:02:40.469 --> 01:02:45.389 essentially turn into a grant. So, 83 million dollars of grants and forgivable loans have 01:02:45.389 --> 01:02:57.389 and others have been secured over the past five years from outside the community and that's gone to streets and fire and police service, water and sewer services, fiber optics, neighborhoods, et cetera. 01:02:57.389 --> 01:03:10.389 That's pretty incredible and speaks to government efficiency. You know, the other side of that is either that work didn't get done, you didn't get the streets and the fiber, et cetera, or the community paid for itself, right? 01:03:10.389 --> 01:03:15.129 Fert, so I'd rather have the $83 million if I'm living here. 01:03:15.129 --> 01:03:18.589 Partnership with Fehr Graham has secured $47 million. 01:03:18.589 --> 01:03:22.669 So they come and report to these meetings on a regular basis and you're like, man, how 01:03:22.669 --> 01:03:23.669 much are we paying them? 01:03:23.669 --> 01:03:26.469 Well, you're not paying them $47 million, I know that. 01:03:26.469 --> 01:03:29.789 So you're winning with Fehr Graham. 01:03:29.789 --> 01:03:36.429 Surf Internet is going to invest $15 million, that investment is secured. 01:03:36.429 --> 01:03:42.049 So these are all dollars that the city and IDOT, this is what I was looking for earlier, 01:03:42.049 --> 01:03:46.749 the partnership committed for three and a half million dollars for overlays and Stevenson 01:03:46.749 --> 01:03:49.989 and Lincoln and Walnut and Adams Streets, right, and I could read all these to you. 01:03:49.989 --> 01:03:55.289 I just want you to see the impact of these dollars and the focus that the city has on 01:03:55.289 --> 01:04:00.349 bringing them in terms of progress from the past, right? 01:04:00.349 --> 01:04:02.549 But looking ahead, you got to keep doing that. 01:04:02.549 --> 01:04:08.969 So that game's over, new game, looking forward, continuing to build on that, increasing forgivable 01:04:08.969 --> 01:04:15.949 loan and grant programs to maximize taxpayer dollars, key strategy, improving collaboration 01:04:15.949 --> 01:04:21.429 and using technology to increase efficiency inside of how we work as a government, key 01:04:21.429 --> 01:04:27.789 strategy, staff development, succession planning, so we've got good talent running and supporting 01:04:27.789 --> 01:04:38.589 and the City, helping the Council, all of you, be more prepared and be involved and engaged 01:04:38.589 --> 01:04:42.869 is a key strategy as well and hopefully you'll all engage in that as well. 01:04:42.869 --> 01:04:46.029 So targets and milestones, how much money and grant can we bring in? 01:04:46.029 --> 01:04:49.949 Are there staff development plans in place, including succession goals? 01:04:49.949 --> 01:04:55.389 Is that City dashboard I mentioned established so we can share information and you all can 01:04:55.389 --> 01:04:57.389 see how things are going? 01:04:57.389 --> 01:05:04.129 Those are some of the key things from that section. 01:05:04.129 --> 01:05:12.069 Connected Accessible Community, another focus area in the plan. 01:05:12.069 --> 01:05:20.949 This is connection, meaning all kinds of things, transportation primarily, but you know, trails, 01:05:20.949 --> 01:05:26.269 biking, walking, how do you get around, how do you stay, get from one place to the other, 01:05:26.269 --> 01:05:44.709 How connected are you? So, big focuses here are around accessibility. How can we continue to improve accessibility? How can we continue to improve walkability and being able to bike and, you know, hop on a trail, those sorts of things for recreation, but also maybe even just to get around town better. 01:05:45.069 --> 01:05:54.709 And then, can we also explore how to increase maybe even public transportation? Right? So those are the key strategies you see there. 01:05:54.709 --> 01:06:16.709 By the way, you've been making progress adding ADA ramps and getting that ADA transition plan in place in terms of that sort of accessibility and then targets and milestones, sorry, below the screen here, tracking that, right? 01:06:16.709 --> 01:06:22.709 Are you building those those bike and pedestrian ways? Are you getting funding to support that? 01:06:22.709 --> 01:06:34.289 Were you able to make route improvements to Pretzel City and then are we making the city more accessible by hitting our target with ADA ramps? 01:06:34.289 --> 01:06:38.669 So those are all measures of this portion of the plan. 01:06:38.669 --> 01:07:06.669 Sorry, excuse me. The next section is all about public-private partnerships. Cities don't operate in a vacuum and they don't get the kind of things done you're getting done without having both public partnerships with state agencies, et cetera, but also private partnerships with nonprofit groups and even individual businesses in some cases. 01:07:06.669 --> 01:07:24.669 Some of the progress you've seen in the past, you know, the Yield Program, connecting students to opportunity, High Hope Freeport, and Faith Leaders for Peace Partnership to address violence. You couldn't be doing that on your own, right? 01:07:24.669 --> 01:07:28.669 So, those are just a couple highlights in that section. 01:07:28.669 --> 01:07:51.309 section. And if you get to the next page, lots of strategies here around partnership, continuing to expand and deepen the partnerships you have around all kinds of categories, whether that's with IDOT, engaging youth and a youth council is a concept in this plan. 01:07:51.309 --> 01:08:13.309 and then looking at healthcare and park districts and, you know, senior resources and, you know, the list goes on here of different partnerships that you can strengthen and try to impact the results you're getting as a community with the city, you know, either taking a lead or being a convener of some of these partners often. 01:08:13.309 --> 01:08:32.269 So you can see targets and milestones around, are we able to increase opportunities like mentoring or new services or healthcare services or park district experiences, et cetera, through these partnerships. So that's that section is about. 01:08:32.269 --> 01:08:41.750 And then I think this is the last section, if I recall, vibrant arts and culture experiences. 01:08:41.750 --> 01:08:50.989 This is something that was not in your first plan and neither was partnerships, by the way, or maybe if it was, it was very small in the first plan. 01:08:51.349 --> 01:09:07.629 So, the idea that you can get more done with partners or that you can attract and retain people in your community through vibrant arts and culture has been something that has been building momentum as you've grown as a community. 01:09:07.629 --> 01:09:24.629 and in recent progress, the Arts and Culture Commission was formed and that led to the Sculpture Project, which is a pretty cool amenity for your city. 01:09:24.629 --> 01:09:34.629 There's a speaker that I like. She actually lives in Oaks, North Dakota, which is a town of 600 people. 01:09:34.629 --> 01:09:41.989 and she speaks all over the country about how cities grow and one of the things she 01:09:41.989 --> 01:09:45.869 talks about is this idea of amenitizing, she made up that word, it's not a real 01:09:45.869 --> 01:09:52.589 word, amenitizing your community by having things like sculpture or more 01:09:52.589 --> 01:09:57.989 coffee shops, right, or more things to do, this idea that amenities actually make 01:09:57.989 --> 01:10:01.229 people want to be in your city. 01:10:01.229 --> 01:10:03.229 and 01:10:05.229 --> 01:10:07.229 the City Council. 01:10:09.229 --> 01:10:11.229 We are working with the city to make sure that we have the 01:10:12.229 --> 01:10:14.229 best strategy, make people want to be in your city more and more. 01:10:16.229 --> 01:10:18.229 You guys are implementing that kind of strategy that we are 01:10:18.229 --> 01:10:20.229 seeing working all over the country. 01:10:22.229 --> 01:10:24.229 So it is great to see you leading on that. 01:10:26.229 --> 01:10:28.229 Looking forward, you have an arts and culture commission, which 01:10:28.229 --> 01:10:30.229 is great. 01:10:31.229 --> 01:10:38.229 and I have more arts and culture events and amenities in your community. 01:10:38.229 --> 01:10:56.229 So those are all the kinds of things that are in here. Riverwalk development, cultural festivals, those types of things are all in this, and we would measure it all, right, to see if it's actually working or going to keep doing things that don't work or don't seem to make an impact. 01:10:56.229 --> 01:11:01.109 So, you know, not only how many events you had and who came, but did they make an economic 01:11:01.109 --> 01:11:03.549 impact and how much was that, right? 01:11:03.549 --> 01:11:08.229 So you can see, is it helping businesses grow in and around the arts and culture district, 01:11:08.229 --> 01:11:10.669 for example, if you form one? 01:11:10.669 --> 01:11:13.949 Those kinds of things that you'd be able to measure in the future. 01:11:13.949 --> 01:11:18.949 So these are some of the awards you've gotten over time. 01:11:18.949 --> 01:11:22.750 Just highlighting those in the document this time around. 01:11:22.750 --> 01:11:24.029 This is all of you. 01:11:24.029 --> 01:11:34.750 We'll open it up for discussion on the presentation. 01:11:34.750 --> 01:11:43.709 Okay, then let's go to the adoption of Resolution 2025-144. 01:11:43.709 --> 01:11:48.029 Madam Clerk, could you please read that? 01:11:48.029 --> 01:11:53.389 Resolution approving a strategic vision and goals plan for 2026 through 2028. 01:11:53.389 --> 01:11:58.789 Thank you. Manager, Boyer? Thank you, Your Honor. You've just seen the presentation on 01:11:58.789 --> 01:12:05.629 our future strategic plan as we move forward. Staff request you move forward with a resolution 01:12:05.629 --> 01:12:12.189 to accept the strategic plan. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by 01:12:12.189 --> 01:12:19.009 Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the resolution? Madam Clerk, 01:12:19.009 --> 01:12:49.009 Please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Abstain. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. And the resolution is adopted. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six in favor. One opposed. One abstentia. Thank you, Eric. Item number eight is the second reading of ordinance 2025-61. 01:12:49.009 --> 01:12:54.689 could you please read this? Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation ordinance. Manager Boyer. 01:12:57.169 --> 01:13:03.329 Thank you your honor. We have gone over the 2026 appropriation ordinance and staff recommends 01:13:03.329 --> 01:13:10.369 moving forward and approving it tonight. Discussion on this ordinance. Madam Clerk please take the 01:13:10.369 --> 01:13:40.369 Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. The ordinance passes 6-2. Item number 9 is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-62. Could you please read this? City of Freeport Tax Levy. Manager Boyer? I think, Your Honor, just to recap, 01:13:40.369 --> 01:13:52.889 The city will be keeping the tax levy level or no increase as of last year and staff requests moving forward with the 2025 city tax levy. 01:13:53.769 --> 01:13:55.009 Discussion on this ordinance. 01:13:57.409 --> 01:13:58.689 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:13:59.369 --> 01:13:59.889 Shadle. 01:13:59.929 --> 01:14:00.209 Aye. 01:14:00.449 --> 01:14:01.089 Sanders. 01:14:01.209 --> 01:14:01.529 No. 01:14:02.009 --> 01:14:02.689 Sellers. 01:14:02.889 --> 01:14:03.250 Aye. 01:14:03.409 --> 01:14:03.849 Klemm. 01:14:03.929 --> 01:14:04.209 Aye. 01:14:04.529 --> 01:14:05.089 Johnson. 01:14:05.169 --> 01:14:05.489 Aye. 01:14:05.609 --> 01:14:06.250 Simmons. 01:14:07.049 --> 01:14:07.569 Parker. 01:14:07.689 --> 01:14:07.929 Aye. 01:14:08.129 --> 01:14:08.769 And Stacy. 01:14:08.889 --> 01:14:09.169 No. 01:14:09.169 --> 01:14:39.169 and that ordinance passes 6-2. Item number 10 is a second reading of Ordinance 2025-63. Could you please read this? Freeport Public Library tax levy. Interim Director Myers? Thank you. The City Council adopts a separate levy for library operations each year. In 2023, the library reduced the levy request for Medicare liability insurance, unemployment, and IMRF in order to spend down prior reserves in these areas. 01:14:39.169 --> 01:14:44.169 At the time, we informed Council that these rates would need to increase when funds were exhausted. 01:14:44.169 --> 01:14:50.669 The equalized assessed value for the City of Freeport has decreased by $105,004 over the last year. 01:14:50.669 --> 01:14:55.669 Due to this decrease, any additional increment from rising property values is not available. 01:14:55.669 --> 01:14:58.669 The other alternative is to increase the tax rate. 01:14:58.669 --> 01:15:03.169 As the 2023 levy was decreased previously in order to spend down reserves, 01:15:03.169 --> 01:15:08.669 the Library would like to increase the rate for 2025 paid in 2026. 01:15:08.669 --> 01:15:13.389 The library may increase their tax rate but only to an amount under 5% of the previous 01:15:13.389 --> 01:15:14.389 level. 01:15:14.389 --> 01:15:23.109 Based on this information, the library's levy request for 2025 paid in 2026 is $1,114,500. 01:15:23.109 --> 01:15:28.309 This increase would generate $52,500 more in property taxes from last year. 01:15:28.309 --> 01:15:31.549 Property taxes make up 84% of the library's income. 01:15:31.549 --> 01:15:36.469 A house valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $6 in the library portion of the tax 01:15:36.469 --> 01:15:37.469 bill. 01:15:37.469 --> 01:15:40.469 Staff Recommends Adopting the Ordinance. 01:15:40.469 --> 01:15:46.469 Thank you. Discussion on this ordinance? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:15:46.469 --> 01:15:54.469 Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. 01:15:54.469 --> 01:15:59.469 And Stacy? No. The ordinance passes 7-1. 01:15:59.469 --> 01:16:06.469 Item number 11 is, this will be a motion to abate all real estate tax levies for repayment 01:16:06.469 --> 01:16:13.469 for the General Obligation Bonds. Madam Clerk, could you please read Ordinance 2025-62 through 72, please? 01:16:13.469 --> 01:16:23.469 Ordinance 2025-64 is to abate the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2013-A. 01:16:23.469 --> 01:16:33.469 Ordinance 2025-65 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014-B. 01:16:33.469 --> 01:16:43.069 Ordinance 2025-66 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015-A 01:16:43.069 --> 01:16:52.469 Ordinance 2025-67 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016 01:16:52.469 --> 01:17:02.069 Ordinance 2025-68 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018 01:17:02.069 --> 01:17:11.670 Ordinance 2025-69 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019-A 01:17:11.670 --> 01:17:20.989 Ordinance 2025-70 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020 01:17:20.989 --> 01:17:30.829 Ordinance 2025-71 ordinance to abate the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021 01:17:30.829 --> 01:17:37.949 and Ordinance 2025-72, abating the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General 01:17:37.949 --> 01:17:41.909 Obligation Bonds, Series 2022. 01:17:41.909 --> 01:17:42.909 Thank you. 01:17:42.909 --> 01:17:43.909 Manager Boyer. 01:17:43.909 --> 01:17:44.909 Thank you, Your Honor. 01:17:44.909 --> 01:17:48.469 The bond abatements have been discussed at the Committee of the Whole and also first 01:17:48.469 --> 01:17:52.829 reading at the last council meeting and staff request City Council approve the abatement 01:17:52.829 --> 01:17:55.109 ordinance. 01:17:55.109 --> 01:17:58.750 Discussion on these abatements. 01:17:58.750 --> 01:18:08.029 Madam Clerk, Alderman, Stacy? Yes. Are these payments made through the TIF districts that 01:18:08.029 --> 01:18:19.629 these obligation bonds fall in? No. 01:18:19.629 --> 01:18:21.509 Any other discussion? 01:18:21.509 --> 01:18:26.949 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:18:26.949 --> 01:18:27.949 I'm sorry. 01:18:27.949 --> 01:18:28.949 I'm sorry. 01:18:28.949 --> 01:18:29.949 Michelle. 01:18:29.949 --> 01:18:30.949 Director Richter. 01:18:30.949 --> 01:18:31.949 Clarification. 01:18:31.949 --> 01:18:34.549 Can you put your microphone down, please? 01:18:34.549 --> 01:18:37.549 Sorry, Debbie. 01:18:37.549 --> 01:18:40.509 There is, I think there's only two. 01:18:40.509 --> 01:18:48.109 Yeah, on the memo, it segregates that there's two bonds that have portions of them that 01:18:48.109 --> 01:18:49.429 come from the TIFs. 01:18:49.429 --> 01:18:51.309 What numbers are those? 01:18:51.309 --> 01:18:59.349 2015A has a percentage because that one's divided up among the TIF, the General Fund, 01:18:59.349 --> 01:19:07.389 Storm Fund, and Sewer Funds, and then also the Downtown TIF bond 2018, all comes from 01:19:07.389 --> 01:19:08.389 Downtown. 01:19:08.389 --> 01:19:14.589 Madam Clerk, please take a roll. 01:19:14.589 --> 01:19:17.469 The 2015A was what? 01:19:17.469 --> 01:19:18.469 Which TIF? 01:19:18.469 --> 01:19:32.149 Yeah, they are. Yeah, they're both from downtown. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. 01:19:32.149 --> 01:19:41.549 Aye. Sanders. No. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. And 01:19:41.549 --> 01:19:44.549 Stacey. 01:19:44.549 --> 01:19:50.949 The ordinances 64 through 72 are passed by a vote of 7 to 1. 01:19:50.949 --> 01:19:56.469 Item number 12 is the second reading of ordinance 202573, could you please read this? 01:19:56.469 --> 01:20:01.269 Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal 01:20:01.269 --> 01:20:05.309 and or Disposal of Certain Personal Property Owned by the City. 01:20:05.309 --> 01:20:08.669 Tonight, we have equipment stored at Albertus Airport. 01:20:08.669 --> 01:20:10.149 Manager Boyer. 01:20:10.149 --> 01:20:10.749 Thank you, Your Honor. 01:20:10.749 --> 01:20:12.909 We had first reading at the last city council meeting 01:20:12.909 --> 01:20:16.429 about a surplus inventory at the Albertus Airport. 01:20:16.429 --> 01:20:19.829 And staff recommends moving the ordinance forward 01:20:19.829 --> 01:20:22.349 for destruction or sale. 01:20:22.349 --> 01:20:25.949 Discussion on this ordinance. 01:20:25.949 --> 01:20:27.309 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 01:20:27.309 --> 01:20:28.109 Shadle. 01:20:28.109 --> 01:20:28.609 Aye. 01:20:28.609 --> 01:20:29.109 Sanders. 01:20:29.109 --> 01:20:29.669 Aye. 01:20:29.669 --> 01:20:30.269 Sellers. 01:20:30.269 --> 01:20:30.749 Aye. 01:20:30.749 --> 01:20:42.549 Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy. The ordinance passes 8-0. 01:20:42.549 --> 01:20:47.669 Item number 13 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-78. Could you please read this? 01:20:47.669 --> 01:20:53.429 Ordinance amending Chapter 1020, Streets Generally, Section 1020.13, Erection of Banner, Signs, 01:20:53.429 --> 01:20:59.189 etc. to prohibit the placement of signage on any city, street, alley, or public way. 01:20:59.189 --> 01:21:00.189 Thank you. 01:21:00.189 --> 01:21:01.189 Director Heimerdinger. 01:21:01.189 --> 01:21:02.189 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 01:21:02.189 --> 01:21:06.709 The City Staff Planning Commission and Building Commission are working on cleaning up zoning 01:21:06.709 --> 01:21:10.029 codes and ordinances as it relates to signage. 01:21:10.029 --> 01:21:15.109 Chapter 1020, Section 13 was evaluated by the Planning Commission and a public hearing 01:21:15.109 --> 01:21:19.909 was held during their Thursday, November 13th meeting to discuss the changes. 01:21:19.909 --> 01:21:22.629 The Planning Commission has recommended moving it to Council. 01:21:22.629 --> 01:21:28.749 I'm going to read the current ordinance and then afterwards I'll read the modified what 01:21:28.749 --> 01:21:48.749 The current ordinance reads as follows. No person shall erect, fix, fly, or maintain any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device, regardless of its height, over and across any street, alleyway, or public way, except with the prior approval of the City Manager. 01:21:48.749 --> 01:22:05.749 Now the modified ordinance is as followed. No person shall erect, fix, fly, or maintain any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device, regardless of its height, upon, over, or across any street, alley, or public way within the city. 01:22:05.749 --> 01:22:12.789 City. The prohibitions of this section shall not apply to the installation of any signage 01:22:12.789 --> 01:22:18.389 or maintenance of any banner or decoration by the City, nor to any signage directed by 01:22:18.389 --> 01:22:24.149 another roadway district within its own right of way. As you can see, these changes do not 01:22:24.149 --> 01:22:30.709 alter the idea behind Chapter 10, 20, Section 13, which is that signs are not allowed in 01:22:30.709 --> 01:22:37.029 Public Way or Right Away. Instead these changes bring clarity, ensure fair treatment, and address 01:22:37.029 --> 01:22:42.149 necessary signage that is permitted to be in the Public Way and Right Away by the City and other 01:22:42.149 --> 01:22:47.029 roadway districts within the City of Freeport. Staff in the Planning Commission recommends moving 01:22:47.029 --> 01:22:52.229 to a second reading of this ordinance. Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. 01:22:52.229 --> 01:22:57.669 Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this 01:22:57.669 --> 01:23:10.669 Fiscal Year 2025 Reappropriation Ordinance 01:23:10.669 --> 01:23:11.669 Thank you. 01:23:11.669 --> 01:23:12.669 Director Richter. 01:23:12.669 --> 01:23:13.669 Thank you. 01:23:13.669 --> 01:23:19.069 At the end of each fiscal year, the City Council amends the appropriation ordinance to take 01:23:19.069 --> 01:23:23.429 into account necessary revenue and expense adjustments. 01:23:23.429 --> 01:23:28.869 I do have several to read, so I'll try and be concise. 01:23:28.869 --> 01:23:44.869 The memo identifies each of the changes, and along with the ordinance, there was an Exhibit A in your packet, which represents all of the changes numerically. 01:23:44.869 --> 01:23:54.869 So we have made adjustments to several of the state revenues based on actual receipts from the Illinois Department of Revenue. 01:23:54.869 --> 01:24:09.869 Sales tax increased by $323,000. Home rule sales tax increased by $200,000. However, special use tax was reduced by $245,000. 01:24:09.869 --> 01:24:12.869 I'd like to explain this just a little bit. 01:24:12.869 --> 01:24:27.869 Special Use Tax. You might recall on your personal income tax, there's always a line that says have you bought something in another state but you wish to pay tax for it now on your income taxes. That's special use tax. 01:24:27.869 --> 01:24:35.869 This has from the Department of Revenue now been rolled into our regular sales tax line item. 01:24:35.869 --> 01:24:46.009 It's not going to be separate anymore. We saw a dramatic decrease in those revenues this year because they're just rolling them into the sales tax line item. 01:24:46.009 --> 01:24:51.709 We receive each of these items separately from the Illinois Department of Revenue. 01:24:51.709 --> 01:24:58.769 We've also seen reductions in the areas of electric and natural gas, so there's been adjustments there. 01:24:58.769 --> 01:25:04.969 And also cable television tax. The city does have a tax on cable television. 01:25:04.969 --> 01:25:14.569 however people are now moving personally moving away from cable and they're streaming they're just 01:25:14.569 --> 01:25:19.849 getting internet only that kind of thing so we're seeing we have been seeing that over these last few 01:25:19.849 --> 01:25:23.849 well several years we've slowly seen reductions to cable television tax 01:25:26.169 --> 01:25:32.169 school resource officer our agreement to provide a school resource officer was re-established 01:25:32.169 --> 01:25:51.169 We received several small grants. We don't usually budget for these grants as we don't know they're coming in. So we received grants for TASERS. We received grants for the AED units that we purchased in the spring. 01:25:51.169 --> 01:25:58.609 Yinn. So we received grants for tasers. We received grants for the AED units that we 01:25:58.609 --> 01:26:09.049 purchased in the spring. ComEd gave us support to the Streetlight program, $35,000, and then 01:26:09.049 --> 01:26:19.209 also PD is receiving a retail crime grant for $9,000. A couple other things quickly 01:26:19.209 --> 01:26:27.549 that were we added revenue overweight oversight load load permits that was new 01:26:27.549 --> 01:26:31.329 this year we've added a new ordinance we're tracking that revenue separately 01:26:31.329 --> 01:26:36.369 airport grant we increase the amount of funding coming in for airport grants 01:26:36.369 --> 01:26:40.849 we're receiving residual grants grant funding from a couple projects that 01:26:40.849 --> 01:26:46.969 they're finishing up the roadway is one of the grants that were in the fencing 01:26:46.969 --> 01:26:52.969 Grant, that we're still receiving little bits of money, they're just about wrapped up. 01:26:52.969 --> 01:26:56.889 Spiller fee, we never know if we're ever going to, if we get spiller fee unless an incident 01:26:56.889 --> 01:27:02.809 happens and so we had a hazmat, it's incident, we're able to bill wherever that happened 01:27:02.809 --> 01:27:08.129 at to recoup the cost of the materials that were used to clean up that incident. 01:27:08.129 --> 01:27:13.609 And insurance proceeds, we generally don't budget for insurance proceeds as it's really 01:27:13.609 --> 01:27:14.609 and the General Fund. 01:27:14.609 --> 01:27:31.729 We'll see that we've added in the smaller funds, we had additional costs in our medical 01:27:31.729 --> 01:27:37.369 insurance as our pool required additional funds to be part of the terminal reserve. 01:27:37.369 --> 01:27:41.449 It's a little bit complicated, but we're part of a pool. 01:27:41.449 --> 01:27:46.089 we need to have funds in reserve with them. 01:27:46.089 --> 01:27:47.889 And they had increased that a little bit. 01:27:47.889 --> 01:27:49.649 It didn't affect the big departments. 01:27:49.649 --> 01:27:51.289 It only affected the small departments 01:27:51.289 --> 01:27:53.989 that only have one or two employees in the department. 01:27:53.989 --> 01:27:56.709 So you'll see that throughout my memo. 01:27:58.209 --> 01:28:03.009 Finance department increase of $300 for overtime 01:28:03.009 --> 01:28:06.469 due to tight turnaround times and holidays and vacations. 01:28:06.469 --> 01:28:15.349 Increase to bank fees, decrease in other technical services, and an increase to computer software. 01:28:15.349 --> 01:28:20.549 This year we added the new AP automation module in our financial software. 01:28:20.549 --> 01:28:25.369 So that was just a switch from one line item to another. 01:28:25.369 --> 01:28:28.889 Legal department, we did have to do some increases in this area. 01:28:28.889 --> 01:28:34.250 We had two bargaining unit contract negotiations this year. 01:28:34.250 --> 01:28:36.929 and then we have an increase to our outside legal. 01:28:37.929 --> 01:28:42.409 Government buildings, we've had kind of the opposite 01:28:42.409 --> 01:28:46.089 to the insurance proceeds on the PD 01:28:46.089 --> 01:28:49.369 that we had, this is where the expense line comes out of. 01:28:49.369 --> 01:28:50.769 So out of government buildings. 01:28:50.769 --> 01:28:53.089 So we had to increase the expense line item 01:28:53.089 --> 01:28:56.329 where we also increased the revenue line item. 01:29:00.369 --> 01:29:02.250 We had to, in government building, 01:29:02.250 --> 01:29:06.009 We had to increase the capital outlay for the storm windows. 01:29:06.009 --> 01:29:10.409 We thought this project was going to be substantially completed last year. 01:29:10.409 --> 01:29:15.669 So that sometimes happens, you know, and this happens with grants as well, is where you 01:29:15.669 --> 01:29:20.729 think you're going to be 50% done with that project, but you're only 25% done by the 01:29:20.729 --> 01:29:23.009 time the year ends. 01:29:23.009 --> 01:29:31.329 So we have to make small adjustments for those types of things. 01:29:31.329 --> 01:29:36.129 In the airport, we've decreased the airport management expense slightly. 01:29:36.129 --> 01:29:42.209 We've decreased the contracted building repair and maintenance because we're significantly 01:29:42.209 --> 01:29:49.049 able to reduce the amounts of the cost to fixing the hanger roofs out there. 01:29:49.049 --> 01:29:51.809 And then we increased the cost of the grant projects. 01:29:51.809 --> 01:29:57.049 So I, this is another situation where we increase the revenue and we increase the expense. 01:29:57.049 --> 01:30:00.049 and they counter cancel each other. 01:30:00.049 --> 01:30:30.049 and other. Cemetery, we had some other technical services we needed to adjust for. Street lights, these were two big projects. Well, we added street lighting per one of our resolutions earlier in the year. And then we also added lights and I might be corrected here, it had to do with the IDOT corridors or downtown lights, I think is what it was, where this is where we got 01:30:30.049 --> 01:30:42.549 Grant Funding back through IDOT Community Development, we decreased non-bargaining wages due to the departure of the Community Development Director. 01:30:42.549 --> 01:30:47.549 We had some open time there and we had an open Grants Manager position. 01:30:47.549 --> 01:30:54.549 We increased consulting services to assist with grant compliance for a Housing Rehab Grant. 01:30:54.549 --> 01:30:59.549 And then we also decreased education, training, and travel for 9,000. 01:30:59.549 --> 01:31:03.549 Police and Fire, there are just a couple changes there. 01:31:04.549 --> 01:31:08.549 With Fire, we needed to increase the fire pension contribution. 01:31:08.549 --> 01:31:12.549 By $50,000, that amount is determined by our actuary. 01:31:12.549 --> 01:31:18.549 And we have to, per our agreement, our bond agreement, we need to increase that. 01:31:18.549 --> 01:31:23.549 We need to pay what the actuary says is due each year. 01:31:23.549 --> 01:31:32.549 Building Department, increase in health insurance expense and an increase in plumbing inspections. 01:31:32.549 --> 01:31:39.549 Animal Control, we had a significant vehicle repair that we needed to cover. 01:31:39.549 --> 01:31:47.549 Animal Control is just one person, very small department, so this was kind of an outlying expense that wasn't anticipated. 01:31:47.549 --> 01:32:14.549 Hearing Administration was also increased due to increased hearings for rental registration, landlord rental registration, and then interdepartmental, we had some other smaller increases in technical services, increase of postage due to postage rate increases, and also an increase of $12,660 for real estate taxes. 01:32:14.549 --> 01:32:19.989 Davis, and those are on the 5G cell tower properties, which we're working on trying 01:32:19.989 --> 01:32:25.709 to get that alleviated or reduced. 01:32:25.709 --> 01:32:35.589 Moving on to neighborhood housing, we have an increase in real estate taxes of $600, 01:32:35.589 --> 01:32:44.049 increase to land property acquisition for property to be demolished, and then a decrease 01:32:44.049 --> 01:33:14.049 to Demolition expense health care fund several accounts needed to be adjusted in the health care fund this is where all of the payments for our medical insurance come into and we pay the bill out of bulletproof vest bulletproof vest grant we had a slight increase because the city has a city percent fifty percent match so we had to increase that a little 01:33:14.049 --> 01:33:25.129 and a little bit. Let's see. A lot of these are small. Sorry to keep going on and on. 01:33:25.129 --> 01:33:35.849 ETSB 911. This is a new category for us. We just started receiving these funds. We keep 01:33:35.849 --> 01:33:42.469 them tracked separately as they're for the 911 Dispatch Center. We have found through 01:33:42.469 --> 01:33:47.189 Through the past year that we just needed to expand the number of categories to track 01:33:47.189 --> 01:33:49.989 expenses in 9-1-1. 01:33:49.989 --> 01:33:58.349 So that's why there was a change there. 01:33:58.349 --> 01:34:06.029 We've made changes to the EV Charger grant because we're anticipating that to be fully 01:34:06.029 --> 01:34:11.909 funded. 01:34:11.909 --> 01:34:17.629 The Library Fund, any changes in the Library Fund were reviewed by the Library and the 01:34:17.629 --> 01:34:22.109 Board approved their changes. 01:34:22.109 --> 01:34:33.309 I'm going to, let's see, the Lamb Road TIF, kind of skipped down just a couple to the 01:34:33.309 --> 01:34:36.429 Lamb Road TIF. 01:34:36.429 --> 01:34:41.509 I decreased the amount of reserves needed in 2025 as the Walnut Lift Station 01:34:41.509 --> 01:34:44.269 project will not be completed in 2025. 01:34:45.309 --> 01:34:48.389 Um, so this is another one of those situations where we have to make an 01:34:48.389 --> 01:34:51.109 adjustment at the beginning and the end of the year, depending on how far 01:34:51.109 --> 01:35:00.949 that project is along, um, slight changes to West Avenue and Meadows TIF. 01:35:00.949 --> 01:35:30.949 and coming on the last page here Street Improvement Fund I've increased the sales tax revenue by 295,000 that's based on actual sales tax receipts that the way that they're coming in and also reduced electric and national natural gas taxes as those receipts are dropping but the the big 01:35:30.949 --> 01:35:42.949 The big thing that we have added here was the project on 18th Avenue, both the expense and the revenue, as this will be paid by the solar company. 01:35:42.949 --> 01:35:52.949 I don't remember their name, but that project is a wash. We will bill the solar company for that expense. 01:35:52.949 --> 01:36:14.949 and then I did project to use the carryover funds in the Street Improvement Fund of $1 million and we do have that in the fund and that's kind of due to the viaduct and the status of where that is. 01:36:14.949 --> 01:36:19.949 We thought we'd be further along last year at the end of the year. That's kind of taken a little bit longer. 01:36:19.949 --> 01:36:32.389 Longer. And finally, just small changes in the Water Fund and Sewer Fund. I did 01:36:32.389 --> 01:36:36.869 decrease the grant revenue in the Water Fund for 8 million just because those 01:36:36.869 --> 01:36:40.909 projects aren't quite here yet and those revenues aren't coming in 01:36:40.909 --> 01:36:43.789 yet. That's for the Water Treatment Plant 01:36:43.789 --> 01:36:54.509 Is there a motion to move Ordinance 2025-79 forward? 01:36:54.509 --> 01:36:55.509 So moved. 01:36:55.509 --> 01:36:56.509 Second. 01:36:56.509 --> 01:37:02.449 We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. 01:37:02.449 --> 01:37:06.729 Discussion on this Ordinance. 01:37:06.729 --> 01:37:09.909 Item number 15 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-80. 01:37:09.909 --> 01:37:11.629 Could you please read this? 01:37:11.629 --> 01:37:16.749 Adopting Revised Hanger Lease Form. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. As 01:37:16.749 --> 01:37:23.349 everyone's well aware, we've changed the lease agreement last year. Several of the 01:37:23.349 --> 01:37:28.429 tenants brought forward some concerns about the language and we're adopting 01:37:28.429 --> 01:37:34.749 the language that they've requested the change. It is in paragraph 6, Repair and 01:37:34.749 --> 01:37:38.789 Maintenance, so essentially it changes. It essentially means the city's 01:37:38.789 --> 01:37:48.889 and others responsible for the repair of the electricity in the hangar and also in the 01:37:48.889 --> 01:37:51.769 outside premise. 01:37:51.769 --> 01:37:54.869 So with that being said, it's fairly minor changes. 01:37:54.869 --> 01:38:02.349 We're just trying to do our best to work with the current tenants to accomplish their concerns. 01:38:02.349 --> 01:38:07.209 So there are currently seven un-executed hangar leases which we're working on. 01:38:07.209 --> 01:38:11.829 these are the related to the small portion of the wording for the leases and the 01:38:11.829 --> 01:38:16.929 current lease places the responsibility on the leasee for maintenance of the 01:38:16.929 --> 01:38:22.289 lease premises and excluding the roof and hanger door the electric and concrete 01:38:22.289 --> 01:38:28.329 and roof hanger door these all need to be changed moving forward so staff 01:38:28.329 --> 01:38:35.889 recommends moving forward with this ordinance for a second reading. Is there 01:38:35.889 --> 01:38:50.449 What were you saying about the electric portion of this? 01:38:50.449 --> 01:38:56.409 It's the wiring in the hanger was originally not included in the mechanicals and electrical 01:38:56.409 --> 01:38:58.929 responsibilities of the leasee. 01:38:58.929 --> 01:39:02.909 So we're including the electrical within the hanger. 01:39:02.909 --> 01:39:11.809 Well now, the city is responsible for all electrical work that needs to be done at the airport. 01:39:11.809 --> 01:39:16.389 Well it basically consists of some simple lighting circuits, so they were just wanting 01:39:16.389 --> 01:39:19.129 to see that included in the lease moving forward. 01:39:19.129 --> 01:39:21.709 And was that included in the budget? 01:39:21.709 --> 01:39:23.709 Yes. 01:39:23.709 --> 01:39:27.669 For a million dollars, I hope so. 01:39:27.669 --> 01:39:34.149 Manager, Boyer, these were things that we kind of covered anyway. 01:39:34.149 --> 01:39:37.069 We've just now memorialized it in the lease, correct? 01:39:37.069 --> 01:39:39.029 We didn't really add any responsibilities. 01:39:39.029 --> 01:39:41.069 We're just clarifying what the city will do. 01:39:41.069 --> 01:39:42.069 Absolutely. 01:39:42.069 --> 01:39:44.549 This is a clarification of what we always intended to do. 01:39:44.549 --> 01:39:49.549 It just hadn't been in the previous lease agreement. 01:39:49.549 --> 01:39:52.069 So Alderman Stacey. 01:39:52.069 --> 01:40:00.069 So, okay, um, Ms. Anderson, by you saying that, the- 01:40:00.069 --> 01:40:05.309 Anderson, by you saying that, then you're saying we were covering stuff and committing 01:40:05.309 --> 01:40:10.869 ourselves to stuff that we never even agreed on or never even knew about. 01:40:10.869 --> 01:40:12.949 Sure. 01:40:12.949 --> 01:40:14.389 Not necessarily. 01:40:14.389 --> 01:40:18.750 It's like saying the original lease said we will take care of items one and two, and we 01:40:18.750 --> 01:40:21.349 always did take care of three, four, and five. 01:40:21.349 --> 01:40:22.469 It's no different. 01:40:22.469 --> 01:40:25.789 Now the lease lists items one through five. 01:40:25.789 --> 01:40:35.189 Okay, so when we redid the lease, because we redid the lease image, like a year ago, 01:40:35.189 --> 01:40:39.989 why didn't it say all that then? 01:40:39.989 --> 01:40:41.149 That's a very good question. 01:40:41.149 --> 01:40:47.429 I mean, think things come up, you know, the landlord takes care of certain items and it's 01:40:47.429 --> 01:40:51.689 just, you know, you're going to you're going to maybe your lease says the landlord is going 01:40:51.689 --> 01:40:54.789 to take care of your gutters, but it didn't mention the downspouts. 01:40:54.789 --> 01:41:01.670 Well, your, your renter wants downspout listed in there. I mean, it's, it's just kind of obvious things that should, should be listed. 01:41:02.789 --> 01:41:04.630 Right, like concrete. Yes, absolutely. 01:41:04.630 --> 01:41:06.869 I mean, that was a very simple example. 01:41:06.869 --> 01:41:11.429 Right. So, staff recommends moving this on to second reading. 01:41:11.429 --> 01:41:20.869 We have the first and second to move forward. Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-145. Could you please read this? 01:41:20.869 --> 01:41:26.469 Resolution, Establishing a Ceremonial Sister-City Relationship with Littitz, Pennsylvania 01:41:26.469 --> 01:41:31.189 Thank you, Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Freeport's recently developed a growing connection 01:41:31.189 --> 01:41:36.149 with Littitz, Pennsylvania. They share many similarities with Freeport, the German heritage, 01:41:36.149 --> 01:41:41.909 strong downtown activity, life, and a well-known pretzel identity. Tim Connors has served as the 01:41:41.909 --> 01:41:48.229 informal local ambassador to Littitz and has proposed the city consider a ceremonial resolution 01:41:48.229 --> 01:41:53.429 Establishing a Sister City Relationship. The Mayor of Lidditz has also expressed interest in moving 01:41:53.429 --> 01:41:59.509 forward with this partnership. A Sister City designation would recognize the goodwill already 01:41:59.509 --> 01:42:04.389 formed between both communities, and the purpose is simple. Build friendships, share ideas, 01:42:04.389 --> 01:42:08.309 celebrate shared heritage, and look for opportunities to strengthen both cities. 01:42:08.949 --> 01:42:13.989 Possible areas of collaboration include tourism, cultural events, youth activities, 01:42:13.989 --> 01:42:19.429 Historic Preservation and Resident Engagement. This action is ceremonial. It does not commit 01:42:19.429 --> 01:42:25.349 the City to program, staffing, or funding. Any future activities will be voluntary, community-driven, 01:42:25.349 --> 01:42:29.909 and brought to Council if they require approval. The next step would be a joint statement of 01:42:29.909 --> 01:42:34.469 friendship and continued communication with Lidditz. There's no direct financial impact. Any 01:42:34.469 --> 01:42:39.429 future costs will be evaluated separately. Staff recommends moving forward with the resolution 01:42:39.429 --> 01:42:46.069 Establishing a Sister City Relationship with the City of Freeport in the borough of Lidditz, 01:42:46.069 --> 01:42:47.069 Pennsylvania. 01:42:47.069 --> 01:42:48.309 Is there a motion to adopt? 01:42:48.309 --> 01:42:49.309 So moved. 01:42:49.309 --> 01:42:50.309 Second. 01:42:50.309 --> 01:42:53.789 A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. 01:42:53.789 --> 01:42:54.789 Discussion on the resolution? 01:42:54.789 --> 01:42:55.789 Alderman Stacy? 01:42:55.789 --> 01:43:15.989 I don't know if you, City Manager Boyer, done your homework, but I did mine, and I don't 01:43:15.989 --> 01:43:25.109 see what we have in common with this city. 01:43:25.109 --> 01:43:49.269 It consists of about 9,700 people, Asian non-Hispanic 2.2%, Other Hispanic 1.55%, White Hispanic 01:43:49.269 --> 01:44:14.710 2%, Black or African American 1.1%, White, non-Hispanic 89.8%, really, other than a pretzel, 01:44:14.710 --> 01:44:18.269 what do we have in common? 01:44:18.269 --> 01:44:24.630 If we're going to be joining something, I think it needs to be something that we're compatible 01:44:24.630 --> 01:44:27.269 to. 01:44:27.269 --> 01:44:33.069 And while we're on this, I would like to make a motion that this topic be removed indefinitely. 01:44:33.069 --> 01:44:40.069 Well, there's a motion on the floor for this to be removed indefinitely. 01:44:40.069 --> 01:44:42.549 Is there a second? 01:44:42.549 --> 01:44:44.710 I second it. 01:44:44.710 --> 01:44:51.389 The motion made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Simmons, discussion on removing 01:44:51.389 --> 01:44:52.389 indefinitely. 01:44:52.389 --> 01:44:53.389 Sure. 01:44:53.389 --> 01:45:03.029 Is it just because of the nationalities or, or, or what is it? 01:45:03.029 --> 01:45:04.750 What do we have in common? 01:45:04.750 --> 01:45:07.590 What do we have in common with this city? 01:45:07.590 --> 01:45:11.189 Would you mind if I answer that? 01:45:11.189 --> 01:45:16.029 There's a lot of shared roots here of the German-American heritage. 01:45:16.029 --> 01:45:21.829 There's a lot of shared pretzel, which is really about craftsmanship and the tradition 01:45:21.829 --> 01:45:23.909 that both cities embrace. 01:45:23.909 --> 01:45:32.590 This is about a resolution that encourages the practices of exchanging ideas in business, 01:45:32.590 --> 01:45:34.750 arts, culture, and tourism. 01:45:34.750 --> 01:45:40.229 are actually we're planning on moving forward with different aspects through 01:45:40.229 --> 01:45:47.849 the GFP to explore cross promotional events, heritage tours, collaboration, 01:45:47.849 --> 01:45:55.309 branding efforts. They they have the the oldest first pretzel factory. We have 01:45:55.309 --> 01:45:59.389 discussions of bringing them here for sale. There's there's actually it's much 01:45:59.389 --> 01:46:04.509 greater than just we don't have a lot in common as far as population. They have 01:46:04.509 --> 01:46:12.509 Do they have their stuff together? Oh, boy, do they have their stuff together. We're the ones that don't. 01:46:12.509 --> 01:46:14.509 We're the ones that don't. 01:46:14.509 --> 01:46:20.509 But if you feel they have their stuff together, why wouldn't we want to work with them to get our stuff together? 01:46:20.509 --> 01:46:25.509 That's what I can't understand. If they have their stuff together and you feel that they're doing... 01:46:25.509 --> 01:46:33.509 They have their stuff together, we don't. We're not even in a place to even consider joining forces with this little rich. 01:46:33.509 --> 01:46:38.670 Mead Finish, but evidently they must feel something, the reason why they want to sister 01:46:38.670 --> 01:46:39.670 with us. 01:46:39.670 --> 01:46:44.750 I mean, if they were so good at what they were doing and you feel that they're so great 01:46:44.750 --> 01:46:48.269 and they got their stuff together, they're saying, hey, we'll help you get your stuff 01:46:48.269 --> 01:46:49.269 together. 01:46:49.269 --> 01:46:51.349 Well, they only saw a part of the neighborhoods, too. 01:46:51.349 --> 01:46:52.349 But it's not costing us anything. 01:46:52.349 --> 01:46:54.069 They didn't see the whole Freeport. 01:46:54.069 --> 01:46:56.069 They saw the downtown. 01:46:56.069 --> 01:46:58.389 There's more to Freeport than downtown. 01:46:58.389 --> 01:46:59.829 Let's look at the whole city. 01:46:59.829 --> 01:47:01.630 Well, they loved what they saw. 01:47:01.630 --> 01:47:02.630 So before us... 01:47:02.630 --> 01:47:11.630 Before us is the removal of this indefinitely. If there's no more discussion on this particular motion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on. 01:47:11.630 --> 01:47:13.630 Yeah, I second it. 01:47:13.630 --> 01:47:15.630 I don't need a second. 01:47:15.630 --> 01:47:17.630 Well, she made a motion, didn't she? 01:47:17.630 --> 01:47:18.630 Yeah, I already have a second. 01:47:18.630 --> 01:47:19.630 She seconded. 01:47:19.630 --> 01:47:20.630 Okay. 01:47:20.630 --> 01:47:25.630 So if you could please take the roll on the removal of the Sister City ordinance. 01:47:25.630 --> 01:47:26.630 Shadle? 01:47:26.630 --> 01:47:27.630 Resolution. 01:47:27.630 --> 01:47:28.630 Sanders? 01:47:28.630 --> 01:47:29.630 Yes. 01:47:29.630 --> 01:47:30.630 Sellers? 01:47:30.630 --> 01:47:31.630 No. 01:47:31.630 --> 01:47:50.149 Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, yes the motion fails three to five of course it 01:47:50.149 --> 01:47:54.909 does so then before you is the passage of the resolution any further discussion on 01:47:54.909 --> 01:48:12.909 and the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Yes. Sanders? No. Sellers? Yes. Klemm? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. And the resolution is adopted 6-2. 01:48:17.909 --> 01:48:22.909 Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-146. Please read this. 01:48:22.909 --> 01:48:30.029 Resolution Approving a Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2029. Director Richter. Thank you, Your Honor. 01:48:31.789 --> 01:48:36.269 As our community continues to grow and evolve, it's essential that we plan carefully for the 01:48:36.269 --> 01:48:41.229 maintenance, replacement, and improvement of our public infrastructure and facilities. 01:48:41.229 --> 01:48:45.149 To accomplish this, we are proposing the Attached Capital Improvement Plan, 01:48:45.869 --> 01:48:52.429 which is a long-term planning and budgeting tool designed to guide investments in major community 01:48:52.429 --> 01:49:00.590 Assets. A capital improvement plan is a multi-year roadmap that identifies and prioritizes major 01:49:00.590 --> 01:49:06.670 projects such as road repairs, water and sewer upgrades, public buildings, and other infrastructure 01:49:06.670 --> 01:49:13.069 investments. It outlines what needs to be done and when it should be done and how much it should 01:49:13.069 --> 01:49:21.229 cost and how it will be funded. It is important to have a capital improvement plan for strategic 01:49:21.229 --> 01:49:28.509 and Transparent Planning, Efficient Use of Resources, Financial Stability and Predictability, 01:49:28.509 --> 01:49:32.269 Accountability, and Supporting Economic Development. 01:49:33.949 --> 01:49:40.269 Attached is the City of Freeport's Capital Improvement Plan for years 2026 through 2029. 01:49:40.989 --> 01:49:44.989 Each of the items identified will come before Council prior to purchase. 01:49:45.710 --> 01:49:50.909 You are not approving the purchase of the items at this time. 01:49:51.229 --> 01:49:59.949 This is a living document. It's fluid and will change year over year as it reflects the city's changing needs, priorities, and 01:49:59.949 --> 01:50:03.949 Changing Needs, Priorities, and Financial Realities. 01:50:03.949 --> 01:50:11.949 Changes to this plan are necessary as projects are completed, delayed, or re-scoped each year. 01:50:11.949 --> 01:50:15.949 Designs are finalized or costs are clarified. 01:50:15.949 --> 01:50:18.949 Budgets and timelines will need to be updated. 01:50:18.949 --> 01:50:23.949 Construction costs change requiring adjustments to project budgets. 01:50:23.949 --> 01:50:36.590 and new regulatory requirements may create new infrastructure needs or technology changes which can make older projects obsolete or asset condition changes. 01:50:36.590 --> 01:50:43.189 Each year, the updated plan will be presented to Council requesting adoption. 01:50:43.189 --> 01:50:56.189 The strategic plan alignment is responsive, efficient government and staff request approval of the resolution adopting the 2026 through 2029 Capital Improvement Plan. 01:50:56.189 --> 01:50:58.189 Is there a motion to adopt? 01:50:58.189 --> 01:50:59.189 So moved. 01:50:59.189 --> 01:51:00.189 Second. 01:51:00.189 --> 01:51:07.189 The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the resolution? 01:51:07.189 --> 01:51:09.189 Alderman Stacy? 01:51:09.189 --> 01:51:25.189 All these things that says pending loan, pending loans like we're going to take loans out for all this or are they the ones that's already out there? 01:51:25.189 --> 01:51:35.189 Those projects, I think it's mostly underwater and sewer is where you're looking, 01:51:35.189 --> 01:51:45.109 would be IEPA loans but if I remember if I'm looking at this all of these are 01:51:45.109 --> 01:51:53.510 projected out a year also so they are pending loans but like I said it's fluid 01:51:53.510 --> 01:51:56.909 you know if we come across a grant that's gonna pay for it or we're gonna 01:51:56.909 --> 01:52:02.029 get some forgiveness or something like that that will change we're not locked 01:52:02.029 --> 01:52:03.029 and others. 01:52:03.029 --> 01:52:05.750 We have been locked into these loans at this time. 01:52:05.750 --> 01:52:07.829 IEPA loans have to come to council. 01:52:07.829 --> 01:52:14.789 But if we agree to do the project and we don't get any money in, then we're locked into that 01:52:14.789 --> 01:52:18.510 loan. 01:52:18.510 --> 01:52:21.970 We wouldn't start a project without knowing where the funding is coming from and approval 01:52:21.970 --> 01:52:27.269 by council with these dollar values. 01:52:27.269 --> 01:52:51.269 The years 2026 are budgeted in the budget that was just passed earlier, 2026, 2027, and further out, those are our goals, those are the projects we have that we know we need to get done, but funding sources may change. 01:52:51.269 --> 01:53:05.269 My problem with all of this is that we have so much, so many irons in this skillet. 01:53:05.269 --> 01:53:20.269 We got so much already started and so much that you're planning on to get started when this that we've already started is not even finished and complete. 01:53:20.269 --> 01:53:32.189 and I just feel like it's just too much it's too much any other discussion Madam 01:53:32.189 --> 01:53:39.789 Clerk please take the role Shadle aye Sanders no Sellers aye Klemm aye Johnson 01:53:39.789 --> 01:53:47.789 aye Simmons Parker aye and Stacy no the resolution is adopted six to two item 01:53:47.789 --> 01:53:51.349 Resolution number 18 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-147. 01:53:51.349 --> 01:53:53.109 Could you please read this? 01:53:53.109 --> 01:53:57.729 Resolution authorizing the write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances aged seven years 01:53:57.729 --> 01:53:58.729 and older. 01:53:58.729 --> 01:53:59.729 Thank you. 01:53:59.729 --> 01:54:00.729 Director Richter? 01:54:00.729 --> 01:54:02.630 Thank you, Your Honor. 01:54:02.630 --> 01:54:07.269 The write-off of utility balances is necessary when a resident's balance is considered to 01:54:07.269 --> 01:54:08.269 be uncollectible. 01:54:08.269 --> 01:54:13.050 If the balances are not written off, the City will carry an accounts receivable balance 01:54:13.050 --> 01:54:17.210 that overstates the amount of outstanding customer balances. 01:54:17.210 --> 01:54:24.409 By writing off the accounts yearly, we more accurately reflect our financial position. 01:54:24.409 --> 01:54:28.750 Despite efforts to collect these outstanding balances, we propose to write off all balances 01:54:28.750 --> 01:54:33.569 prior to July 1st of 2018 at this time. 01:54:33.569 --> 01:54:37.250 This would leave seven years of balances on the books. 01:54:37.250 --> 01:54:44.909 The proposed total to be written off is $75,556.46. 01:54:44.909 --> 01:54:49.769 Please note we are able to track prior balances that have been written off in our computer 01:54:49.769 --> 01:54:50.769 system. 01:54:50.769 --> 01:54:57.010 If future utility service is requested in the name of an account that was previously 01:54:57.010 --> 01:55:02.489 written off, we will collect prior to new service starting. 01:55:02.489 --> 01:55:07.930 The resident is also required to pay a higher deposit on the account if an old balance was 01:55:07.930 --> 01:55:10.569 not paid. 01:55:10.569 --> 01:55:14.529 The strategic plan alignment is responsive, efficient government. 01:55:14.529 --> 01:55:23.889 Staff request approval of the resolution to write off $75,556.46 of water, sewer, storm 01:55:23.889 --> 01:55:27.930 and garbage receivable balances at this time. 01:55:27.930 --> 01:55:38.170 The detail of the write-offs is contained in Exhibit A. And I'd also like to point out 01:55:38.170 --> 01:55:49.369 at the end of Exhibit A is a total amount of revenue that was taken in in FY 2018 per 01:55:49.369 --> 01:55:55.489 our audit report was 11 million, a little over 11 million. And so at this time we're 01:55:55.489 --> 01:56:08.849 We're writing off .682% that's less than 1% of balances at this time. 01:56:08.849 --> 01:56:11.809 Is there a motion to adopt? 01:56:11.809 --> 01:56:12.809 So moved. 01:56:12.809 --> 01:56:13.809 Second. 01:56:13.809 --> 01:56:17.210 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. 01:56:17.210 --> 01:56:18.210 Discussion on the resolution? 01:56:18.210 --> 01:56:19.210 I just have a quick question. 01:56:19.210 --> 01:56:20.210 Yes, Alderman Sellers. 01:56:20.210 --> 01:56:39.210 I just have a quick question. How long are these residents' names? How long do they stay on the list, you know, if they want to come and re-apply for water, sewer, whatever? How long is their name on there? Is it on there indefinitely, or...? 01:56:39.210 --> 01:56:59.769 At this point, it's indefinitely. We just switched to a new computer system five years ago. But even the old stuff from the old system kind of came over. So we actually, we have access to the old system still. So a long time. 01:56:59.769 --> 01:57:27.930 Alderman, Stacy. How many of these are businesses, landlords? I'm going to pick out one. I pulled out Banker's Trust Company of California. Why do we even have Banker's Trust Company of California on us? $485. It was foreclosed on. 01:57:29.769 --> 01:57:59.769 The mortgage wasn't paid on the property. It went back to the bank. And so we tried to charge the, they would be considered the owner at that time. And our CIP charges on the water and sewer accounts. At this time, I would like to point out back before 2019, there were five years of CIP charges that would go on an account even if the water was paid. 01:57:59.769 --> 01:58:06.409 was turned off. That was changed to one year in 2019. So if you're there, you know, 01:58:06.409 --> 01:58:12.849 there's higher balances on some of these accounts because those CIP charges stayed 01:58:12.849 --> 01:58:17.130 with the home for five years. They don't stay with the home anymore. For five years, 01:58:17.130 --> 01:58:18.250 it's only one year. 01:58:18.250 --> 01:58:36.050 Landlords that have water in their names, are they on this list, are we allowing landlords 01:58:36.050 --> 01:58:41.849 to get their bills paid? 01:58:41.849 --> 01:58:46.449 I didn't go through, and I don't know if every single one of these is a property or 01:58:46.449 --> 01:58:53.449 Is that something that can be easily determined through all this technology system that we 01:58:53.449 --> 01:58:58.289 have? 01:58:58.289 --> 01:59:02.210 We did go through this list to make sure there were no active accounts that we could transfer 01:59:02.210 --> 01:59:03.769 these balances to. 01:59:03.769 --> 01:59:13.569 Yeah, but can we through, maybe I need to be asking the gentleman at the back, can we 01:59:13.569 --> 01:59:27.529 We determine what is landlords and what is the people. 01:59:27.529 --> 01:59:30.529 City Manager Boyer? 01:59:30.529 --> 01:59:33.789 We can definitely discuss it right now. 01:59:33.789 --> 01:59:38.289 Just moving forward with the write-offs, we'd like to move forward with this one and we 01:59:38.289 --> 01:59:41.889 can carry on that conversation outside of the meeting. 01:59:41.889 --> 01:59:48.529 I think it kind of comes back to Director's point of none of these names are active. 01:59:48.529 --> 01:59:54.369 So if that's the case, none of them would be landlords right now with that bill going 01:59:54.369 --> 01:59:55.369 on. 01:59:55.369 --> 01:59:59.369 Well, we'll see, because... 01:59:59.369 --> 02:00:24.369 because I don't like being blew off with this and I just know from last year and the year before, when we went through all that list that landlords were getting over like fat rats and I don't know if it was buddies, friends, I don't know but I just know 02:00:24.369 --> 02:00:35.930 Miller, that they still had apartments and their name was on the list because it had 02:00:35.930 --> 02:00:38.569 been outstanding for seven years. 02:00:38.569 --> 02:00:45.449 Director, I guess I just would like to make sure you know that we do not choose favorites 02:00:45.449 --> 02:00:47.170 in the water department. 02:00:47.170 --> 02:00:55.090 I have never been ordered by any of my superiors to do write off any balances because someone 02:00:55.090 --> 02:00:56.090 is a landlord. 02:00:56.090 --> 02:00:59.090 I'm not, I'm not going to do that. 02:00:59.090 --> 02:01:02.029 I would also, I would just like to continue. 02:01:02.029 --> 02:01:07.430 We did check every one of these to see if they had an active account currently. 02:01:07.430 --> 02:01:11.489 And if they did, we moved it to the active account. 02:01:11.489 --> 02:01:14.529 So we did look to see if they're active. 02:01:14.529 --> 02:01:20.609 after seven years is my understanding you can't I can't take them to court after seven years 02:01:21.970 --> 02:01:28.130 but I do try to collect and we collect several lots of dollars for someone who maybe was here 02:01:28.130 --> 02:01:33.970 in the community left a balance and now came back again we look everybody up when they come in we 02:01:33.970 --> 02:01:40.769 ask for maiden names we look them up to to see if there's an outstanding balance prior to setting up 02:01:40.769 --> 02:01:51.489 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. 02:01:51.489 --> 02:01:59.409 Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8-0. 02:02:02.210 --> 02:02:06.849 Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025-148. Could you please read this? 02:02:06.849 --> 02:02:12.409 Resolution Approving Agreement with Fehr Graham to Provide Consulting Services for Landfills 02:02:12.409 --> 02:02:14.930 2-3 and Landfill 4. 02:02:14.930 --> 02:02:15.930 Manager Boyer. 02:02:15.930 --> 02:02:17.809 Thank you, Your Honor. 02:02:17.809 --> 02:02:24.729 As we all know, we own several landfills, all of them capped but have legacy costs related 02:02:24.729 --> 02:02:30.809 to monitoring for contaminants, and that will go on for quite some time. 02:02:30.809 --> 02:02:38.569 So the City of Freeport has an annual engineering requirement for these services for 2, 3, and 02:02:38.569 --> 02:02:43.090 4 and as part of the Illinois EPA protection closure process. 02:02:43.090 --> 02:02:49.710 The engineering contract is required for the IEP-mandated routine sampling, lab analysis, 02:02:49.710 --> 02:02:53.729 and various reporting and upkeep of landfill and leachate system. 02:02:53.729 --> 02:02:59.449 City approves a required landfill engineer contracted for the annual needs of the three 02:02:59.449 --> 02:03:04.529 We own Dumps, we already discussed, Fehr Graham is the licensed Freeport Landfill Engineer 02:03:04.529 --> 02:03:08.649 and their environmental team specializes in landfill monitoring and closures. 02:03:08.649 --> 02:03:13.809 Fehr Graham has been a landfill engineer since it originally closed and this contract requires 02:03:13.809 --> 02:03:18.970 significant landfill sampling, lab analysis, leachate system outkeep and reporting, which 02:03:18.970 --> 02:03:21.890 an Illinois licensed engineer must perform. 02:03:21.890 --> 02:03:28.170 This 2026 contract reflects an increase in the IEPA required sampling parameters and 02:03:28.170 --> 02:03:33.010 and the cost of professional certified lab testing. A contingency line is set up for 02:03:33.010 --> 02:03:38.689 unforeseen regulatory work mandated by the leachate system issues, i.e. we've had various 02:03:38.689 --> 02:03:48.130 concerns with jetting or cleaning and monitoring those and other EPA permitted directives. 02:03:48.130 --> 02:03:54.449 These items can only be approved for addition by the City Manager, me, and funding for this 02:03:54.449 --> 02:03:58.970 This annual landfill engineering agreement is included in the 26th budget. Staff recommends 02:03:58.970 --> 02:04:03.130 City Council move forward with the landfill engineering contract with Fehr Graham. 02:04:03.130 --> 02:04:04.210 Is there a motion to adopt? 02:04:04.210 --> 02:04:05.210 So moved. 02:04:05.210 --> 02:04:06.210 Second. 02:04:06.210 --> 02:04:11.449 A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion? 02:04:11.449 --> 02:04:14.529 Madam Clerk, please. 02:04:14.529 --> 02:04:16.729 Alderman Sanders. 02:04:16.729 --> 02:04:31.529 Yeah, I'm listening to all of this, but who's hiring Fehr Graham, first of all? I'm not asking a question right now. I'm just going to 02:04:37.289 --> 02:04:44.489 bundle it together, couple it together, so I'm not cut off. I'm making my point. 02:04:46.729 --> 02:05:15.729 When hiring Fehr Graham to do this study, this analysis, reporting, and everything, you say it goes to the EPA or some organization, some agency, and what we haven't discussed, you're bringing this to us, but we haven't talked about the cost assessment of all of the studies that is being done for this particular program. 02:05:15.729 --> 02:05:16.729 and more. 02:05:16.729 --> 02:05:46.729 and others. I don't have no problems with it. It's just the fact that we have not heard any financial report study estimation cost or whatever to even do this study. What I'm wondering is, and I heard Director Boyer spoke that he was making that decision. He don't make that decision when it comes to making reportings onto 02:05:46.729 --> 02:05:48.729 and 02:05:49.729 --> 02:05:51.729 John. 02:05:52.729 --> 02:05:56.729 I have a question for the Council. Let's get that straight. If 02:05:56.729 --> 02:06:01.729 anybody does any reporting agencies or estimated cost, financial 02:06:01.729 --> 02:06:04.729 budgeting and everything like that, that has to pass through 02:06:04.729 --> 02:06:09.729 Council. Director Boyer brings us up to date of what the 02:06:09.729 --> 02:06:15.729 discoveries are to talk about it with Council. Then Council has 02:06:15.729 --> 02:06:16.729 and others. 02:06:16.729 --> 02:06:18.729 So, I don't have no problem with that. 02:06:18.729 --> 02:06:23.729 It's just that how it's being presented on the floor as if though we have no one individual 02:06:23.729 --> 02:06:25.729 is a council's responsibility. 02:06:25.729 --> 02:06:32.729 I don't mind it coming forth, but I'd like for it to be exposed unto council where we 02:06:32.729 --> 02:06:38.729 have a clear understanding where this particular project is moving and how it's going to be 02:06:38.729 --> 02:06:40.729 financed and things of that nature. 02:06:40.729 --> 02:06:42.729 So, I don't have no problem with that. 02:06:42.729 --> 02:06:49.250 Always being presented on the floor as if though we have to accept it immediately today without 02:06:49.250 --> 02:06:57.010 having a chance to debate it or discuss it before we even come to these types of meetings. 02:06:57.010 --> 02:06:58.529 So that's my problem. 02:06:58.529 --> 02:07:04.769 I don't know what the astronomical cost is going to be like for a certain project just 02:07:04.769 --> 02:07:06.510 like any other project. 02:07:06.510 --> 02:07:11.130 We just can't throw that thing lily out there in the sky and say, well, this is what we 02:07:11.130 --> 02:07:13.769 and the City of New York. 02:07:13.769 --> 02:07:16.909 I want people to know that I'm not going to let it be known, 02:07:16.909 --> 02:07:19.090 that people should know that I'm a great person, 02:07:19.090 --> 02:07:20.510 that I'm going to do what I want to do, 02:07:20.510 --> 02:07:24.689 and things of this nature without coupling it with a cost. 02:07:24.689 --> 02:07:29.689 If there's a cost, if there's a grant brought with this project, 02:07:29.689 --> 02:07:32.449 then let it be known to the council 02:07:32.449 --> 02:07:36.210 that we can look at it from a different perspective. 02:07:36.210 --> 02:07:38.010 And that's all I wanted to say on that. 02:08:08.010 --> 02:08:16.010 People, nevermind I won't criticize nobody in council today but that's it. That's all I wanted to say. 02:08:17.210 --> 02:08:22.970 Alderman Sanders, you are correct. It's not the City Manager's job to approve it. It's his job to 02:08:22.970 --> 02:08:27.050 bring it before you. Yes. And it's your job to approve it or not. Thank you. I know that already. 02:08:27.050 --> 02:08:33.769 So Darren, you have something to add. Yeah. In the packet today, every cost for the services was 02:08:33.769 --> 02:08:36.489 outlined specifically by unit price. 02:08:37.010 --> 02:08:38.809 It's established by a unit price. 02:08:39.170 --> 02:08:43.130 The only items that could be added are contingency items that are unknown at 02:08:43.130 --> 02:08:46.029 this time, so the permit's been issued. 02:08:46.029 --> 02:08:47.649 So we know what the requirements are. 02:08:47.649 --> 02:08:52.329 If some condition changes during the calendar year, the DPA directs us that 02:08:52.329 --> 02:08:57.510 we have to do additional sampling or, you know, God forbid something happens 02:08:57.510 --> 02:09:03.050 out there that, you know, a sink or something extra happens, we have contingency 02:09:03.050 --> 02:09:33.050 Money that is only placed for that to address emergencies, and it can only be approved by the City Manager through this contract above and beyond what is already listed. So that will come back to you as an emergency authority, just like everything else that we've done. But every, every cost center is identified in both at each landfill individually. And if the line items don't get used, they don't get charged. Okay, thank you. I will also like to tell counsel that Jake, 02:09:33.050 --> 02:09:39.409 which is our landfill manager, the guy that does the sampling and runs the testing, he 02:09:39.409 --> 02:09:42.510 went above and beyond this year for the city. 02:09:42.510 --> 02:09:47.989 We filed numerous letters with the EPA to reduce sampling at all of the landfills trying 02:09:47.989 --> 02:09:52.930 to reduce this contract and save the city costs because we know this is an expensive 02:09:52.930 --> 02:09:54.329 contract. 02:09:54.329 --> 02:09:58.750 We have several letters back that they've denied the reduction in sampling, but we did 02:09:58.750 --> 02:09:59.350 that had no. 02:09:59.350 --> 02:10:03.130 and Sampling but we did that at no service cost to the city just trying to 02:10:03.130 --> 02:10:08.390 reduce the cost because lab sampling is getting extremely expensive and is 02:10:08.390 --> 02:10:16.350 probably close to 50% of this contract cost alone. Thank you. Thank you. 02:10:16.350 --> 02:10:23.430 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. 02:10:23.430 --> 02:10:28.430 Johnson, Simmonds, Parker, and Stacey. 02:10:30.430 --> 02:10:33.430 I did not hear you. Abstain? Abstain. 02:10:36.430 --> 02:10:40.430 The resolution is adopted 7-0 with one abstentia. 02:10:41.430 --> 02:10:46.430 Item number 20 is adoption of resolution 2025-149. Please read this. 02:10:46.430 --> 02:10:54.430 Resolution, approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide Albertus Airport stormwater inspections and reports. 02:10:54.430 --> 02:10:56.430 Thank you, Manager Boyer. 02:10:56.430 --> 02:11:04.430 Thank you, Your Honor. The city-owned airport is required to have quarterly inspections and annual reporting for required stormwater pollution prevention 02:11:04.430 --> 02:11:07.430 by a licensed stormwater inspector and professional engineer. 02:11:07.430 --> 02:11:14.430 Again, Fehr Graham has brought forward and has assisted the city for several years on this. 02:11:14.430 --> 02:11:29.430 and we would like to bring that before council. The total cost of the program is $7,300 and staff recommends moving forward with the stormwater inspection reporting project. 02:11:29.430 --> 02:11:31.430 Is there a motion to adopt? 02:11:31.430 --> 02:11:32.430 So moved. 02:11:32.430 --> 02:11:33.430 I second. 02:11:33.430 --> 02:11:40.430 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 02:11:40.430 --> 02:11:50.430 Hold it, hold it, Mayor. You're moving a little bit. You gotta pause for a minute. You gotta pause, Mayor, because I'm pausing to see where my colleagues are. 02:11:50.430 --> 02:11:54.430 Okay, Alderman Sanders, did you want to speak? Were you asking for the floor? 02:11:54.430 --> 02:11:57.430 I'm speaking to you, directly. That's who I'm speaking to. 02:11:57.430 --> 02:11:58.430 Okay, do you want to use? 02:11:58.430 --> 02:12:04.430 No, I'm talking to you directly. I'm not posing a question in regards to the floor. 02:12:04.430 --> 02:12:13.030 Okay, I'm the Chair. If it's silent, I can move things forward. If you have something to add in discussion, then add the discussion. 02:12:13.030 --> 02:12:15.430 Before you rush the discussion. 02:12:15.430 --> 02:12:16.870 Would you like to add something to discussion? 02:12:16.870 --> 02:12:17.550 Yes, I would. 02:12:17.550 --> 02:12:18.430 Okay. 02:12:18.430 --> 02:12:27.030 Yeah, but the point of matter is, let's everybody else chime in, you know, it's not just a one-off thing here. 02:12:34.430 --> 02:12:46.350 and John. I wanted to table this or suspend this thing, but I'm just going to table it 02:12:46.350 --> 02:12:54.550 for now because my colleagues are not in a, is not on a court with anything that we're 02:12:54.550 --> 02:13:00.690 discussing tonight, especially in areas that's costing millions of dollars. The concern should 02:13:00.690 --> 02:13:02.690 and the City of New York. 02:13:02.690 --> 02:13:14.690 So there should be millions of dollars that should be concerning folks to evaluate and study why it is that we're considering adopting any of this thing without consulting with Council and talking about it. 02:13:14.690 --> 02:13:17.690 We're talking millions of dollars right now at this moment. 02:13:17.690 --> 02:13:21.690 We're moving into that area, whether we know it or not. 02:13:21.690 --> 02:13:26.690 and if we can debate that, discuss that, 02:13:26.930 --> 02:13:29.250 see where we're at financially with it 02:13:29.250 --> 02:13:31.610 and where the financing is gonna come from, 02:13:31.610 --> 02:13:34.770 these things need to not be rushed through council. 02:13:35.930 --> 02:13:39.289 So anyway, I just wanted to stay on topic 02:13:39.289 --> 02:13:42.890 about the whole way that we're processing this 02:13:42.890 --> 02:13:47.890 and how we come to the data or the project 02:13:47.890 --> 02:13:58.550 and the data or the project of testing storms, storm and water out at the Albertus Airport. 02:13:58.550 --> 02:14:02.770 And what brought that matter up? 02:14:02.770 --> 02:14:10.850 What I'm saying is if there was no problem out there, and it definitely doesn't describe 02:14:10.850 --> 02:14:17.770 as a problem that I'm looking at, what is the implementation of this study? 02:14:17.770 --> 02:14:21.650 Have we had a problem out there with the storm and sewer, whatever the case is that we're 02:14:21.650 --> 02:14:23.110 looking at? 02:14:23.110 --> 02:14:31.170 Has there been a problem that prompted City Manager to look into these matters? 02:14:31.170 --> 02:14:32.850 What did we discover? 02:14:32.850 --> 02:14:41.550 Was there a discovery with the storm and water program on this item? 02:14:41.550 --> 02:14:43.690 Was there an issue there? 02:14:43.690 --> 02:14:49.150 that issue should be brought to the council where we can understand why it is that we're 02:14:49.150 --> 02:14:55.970 hiring someone to do a study if we have not even talked about the study and the reason 02:14:55.970 --> 02:15:00.010 why that study should be even relevant at this time. 02:15:00.010 --> 02:15:05.090 So Mike, that's what I'm trying to do, that's the reason why I've tried to pause for council 02:15:05.090 --> 02:15:10.810 to inject their viewpoints as well as my own. 02:15:10.810 --> 02:15:18.430 So my thing is, are we engaged to just let things happen? That's, that's, that's my point 02:15:18.430 --> 02:15:19.430 of view of things. 02:15:19.430 --> 02:15:23.690 Okay, so you're, you want to make a motion to table? Is that correct, what I'm hearing? 02:15:23.690 --> 02:15:28.930 No, I'm not going to table this. I thought I would, but I'm not going to do it. 02:15:28.930 --> 02:15:33.329 Okay, and just for a point of clarification, we're not talking about millions of dollars, 02:15:33.329 --> 02:15:35.530 we're talking about $7,300. 02:15:35.530 --> 02:15:41.250 I, I know on that particular one, but I, I said, as we go along, it's going to get into 02:15:41.250 --> 02:15:42.250 the millions. 02:15:42.250 --> 02:15:43.250 You didn't hear that part. 02:15:43.250 --> 02:15:44.250 So. 02:15:44.250 --> 02:15:45.250 Darren, did you want to? 02:15:45.250 --> 02:15:46.250 Yeah. 02:15:46.250 --> 02:15:50.450 So this is a stormwater inspection that's required by the EPA and the airport due to 02:15:50.450 --> 02:15:53.890 the jet fuels that are used out at the airport. 02:15:53.890 --> 02:15:56.110 There's nothing suspicious about this. 02:15:56.110 --> 02:15:58.490 This is an annual contract that we do every year. 02:15:58.490 --> 02:16:02.289 It's time and material and usually this is worst case scenario. 02:16:02.289 --> 02:16:05.130 It's usually much cheaper than this by the end of the year. 02:16:05.130 --> 02:16:09.030 It depends on if there's anything found in the water or not, there hasn't been anything 02:16:09.030 --> 02:16:13.610 found for the last year and a half, to my knowledge. 02:16:13.610 --> 02:16:16.730 And we do quarterly inspections, you have to do a wet inspection and you have to do 02:16:16.730 --> 02:16:18.170 a dry inspection. 02:16:18.170 --> 02:16:23.450 So and the paperwork's all reported up to the EPA and to the airport managers. 02:16:23.450 --> 02:16:28.410 The better job that they do at the airport, the less work needs to be done. 02:16:28.410 --> 02:16:29.410 Thank you. 02:16:29.410 --> 02:16:33.210 Madam Clerk, please take the roll. 02:16:33.210 --> 02:16:34.210 Shadle? 02:16:34.210 --> 02:16:44.729 Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy. The resolution is 02:16:44.729 --> 02:16:51.770 adopted 8-0. Item number 21 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-150. Please 02:16:51.770 --> 02:16:56.090 read this. Resolution approving an agreement with Cinegro Central for the 02:16:56.090 --> 02:17:00.130 loading, transporting, and land application of biosolids generated by 02:17:00.130 --> 02:17:02.690 The City's Hancock Wastewater Treatment Plant. 02:17:02.690 --> 02:17:04.170 Manager Boyer. 02:17:04.170 --> 02:17:05.250 Thank you, Your Honor. 02:17:05.250 --> 02:17:07.370 The treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, 02:17:07.370 --> 02:17:09.729 as a byproduct, creates two end products. 02:17:09.729 --> 02:17:16.329 One of those is clean water, and the other one is biosolids. 02:17:16.329 --> 02:17:18.010 The biosolids is a solid matter. 02:17:18.010 --> 02:17:19.890 After it's gone through the treatment process, 02:17:19.890 --> 02:17:23.250 it has been dewatered and stored in a biosolid building 02:17:23.250 --> 02:17:24.550 at the wastewater treatment plant. 02:17:24.550 --> 02:17:26.729 Once the storage area is full, staff 02:17:26.729 --> 02:17:33.850 Call a contracted hauler, Cinegro, to land apply that biosolid. Cinegro contracts and 02:17:33.850 --> 02:17:38.750 coordinates with farmers in the area so that the biosolids can be land applied to agricultural 02:17:38.750 --> 02:17:44.270 fields and used as natural fertilizer. Cinegro is then responsible for keeping records and 02:17:44.270 --> 02:17:49.210 contracts with the participating farmers as well as records on the amount of fertilizer 02:17:49.210 --> 02:17:54.790 that it applied to each field, on which days and where the biosolids came from. Laws regulate 02:17:54.790 --> 02:18:00.790 with the amount of biosolids that can be field applied within specific amounts of time, and 02:18:00.790 --> 02:18:05.870 Centro keeps all the legally required documentation and provides quarterly reports that staff 02:18:05.870 --> 02:18:12.030 then use to complete and file additional EPE reports in the compliance and during our permitting 02:18:12.030 --> 02:18:16.829 process. Centro services are a key component of keeping the wastewater treatment plant 02:18:16.829 --> 02:18:22.229 running efficiently and effectively, maintaining regulatory compliance. The contract between 02:18:22.229 --> 02:18:26.590 Centegro, and the City of Freeport is set to expire December of 2025. The new 02:18:26.590 --> 02:18:30.670 contract ensures continued compliance with our National Pollution Discharge 02:18:30.670 --> 02:18:36.350 permit and Biosolid Land Application is a special service. It's very difficult to 02:18:36.350 --> 02:18:44.030 find qualified bio application companies. Staff solicited bids from four 02:18:44.030 --> 02:18:47.510 Midwest companies that perform these land applications and no one else 02:18:47.510 --> 02:18:48.790 Schroeder. 02:18:48.790 --> 02:18:55.470 This is required for the municipality. 02:18:55.470 --> 02:18:58.130 The current contract was signed, it said, it expires on December. 02:18:58.130 --> 02:19:05.309 The original contract price was $46.99 a cubic yard for an estimated 3,300 cubic yards. 02:19:05.309 --> 02:19:11.489 The amendment would adjust the price to 48.21 per cubic yard effective January 1st to 26 02:19:11.489 --> 02:19:14.690 through December 31st to 28 when the contract expires. 02:19:14.690 --> 02:19:21.450 and Staff recommends moving forward with the resolution to approve of Cinegro for hollage 02:19:21.450 --> 02:19:22.450 of biosolids. 02:19:22.450 --> 02:19:25.010 Is there a motion to adopt? 02:19:25.010 --> 02:19:26.010 So moved. 02:19:26.010 --> 02:19:27.010 Second. 02:19:27.010 --> 02:19:31.210 A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. 02:19:31.210 --> 02:19:39.170 Discussion on the resolution. 02:19:39.170 --> 02:19:40.170 I'm coming, Mayor. 02:19:40.170 --> 02:19:41.770 I'm looking at you. 02:19:41.770 --> 02:19:49.210 Yeah, I'm coming because like I said, I wanted to pause, let my colleagues chime in and see 02:19:49.210 --> 02:19:50.489 where they're at. 02:19:50.489 --> 02:19:52.050 That's what I'm trying to do. 02:19:52.050 --> 02:19:53.050 Be respectful. 02:19:53.050 --> 02:19:54.970 Alderman Sanders, did you have some discussion? 02:19:54.970 --> 02:19:55.970 Yeah, I do. 02:19:55.970 --> 02:19:56.970 I do. 02:19:56.970 --> 02:19:58.970 Well, any 02:19:58.970 --> 02:20:08.410 Well, anyway, by any chance, Manager Boyer, how many people contract, I mean, how many 02:20:08.410 --> 02:20:17.490 employees working for CentroGro to do the hauling for the City of Freeport and who is 02:20:17.490 --> 02:20:25.710 maintaining the program, who's taking care of the whole project and are these people 02:20:25.710 --> 02:20:29.870 Staff at the City Waste Treatment Plant. 02:20:29.870 --> 02:20:37.550 Cinegro is a private entity that is contracted for services for land application of biosolids. 02:20:37.550 --> 02:20:41.790 Okay, give me more. You're leaving things out. Give me more. 02:20:41.790 --> 02:20:44.190 I don't know how many people work for Cinegro. 02:20:44.190 --> 02:20:45.550 Yeah, it's more than that. 02:20:45.550 --> 02:20:50.670 There's no way I could know what their payroll is or how many people work there. 02:20:50.670 --> 02:20:55.310 And you can't know how much we're paying them for the year of their services. 02:20:55.710 --> 02:21:03.710 That, you didn't ask. No, I didn't, but that's the reason why I'm trying to encourage you to give more detail. 02:21:07.710 --> 02:21:17.710 Essentially, it depends on our wastewater. Essentially, we're talking about our averages, 3,300 tons per year. 02:21:25.710 --> 02:21:36.890 Director Richter has some I do have a number for 20 in 2024 we paid Cinegro 02:21:36.890 --> 02:21:43.030 hundred and twenty three thousand this so it's last year okay so how long we've 02:21:43.030 --> 02:21:50.490 been in business with this contractor very long time ever since I've been here 02:21:50.490 --> 02:21:54.510 we have so we put the bid out to four other places we only got one bid back 02:21:54.510 --> 02:22:04.030 Okay, okay. Darren? So one of the issues with finding waste haulers is people that 02:22:04.030 --> 02:22:08.590 spread biosolids contract fields and if they contract they you know it's hard to 02:22:08.590 --> 02:22:12.510 bring a contractor from a long ways out of the area to contract land around 02:22:12.510 --> 02:22:16.750 here to spread it and then do all the paperwork requirements and I believe 02:22:16.750 --> 02:22:21.990 CineGrow they've done it for at least the last eight years that I know of maybe 02:22:21.990 --> 02:22:30.870 B. Longer. They've done a great job. Part of the cost here that has really changed things 02:22:30.870 --> 02:22:35.310 is the prevailing wage, which the state weighed in on it and said this is a prevailing wage 02:22:35.310 --> 02:22:40.110 function and we must do certified payrolls for this job. That's changed the spreading 02:22:40.110 --> 02:22:44.830 business and it's put a lot of the small haulers that would have ever thought about doing this 02:22:44.830 --> 02:22:47.830 out of business. 02:22:47.830 --> 02:23:01.430 Second question. How much, well Director Richter already stated how much per year that this 02:23:01.430 --> 02:23:10.710 service is costing the city, but what financial obligation does this contract have with the 02:23:40.710 --> 02:23:49.130 and the State of Biosolids to be formulated to be put out on the field because that's 02:23:49.130 --> 02:23:53.450 a cost within itself throughout the year. 02:23:53.450 --> 02:23:54.450 So I don't know. 02:23:54.450 --> 02:23:57.790 I know it's a cost factor. 02:23:57.790 --> 02:24:01.930 The city has all the chemical costs in our own bids and it's part of our process. 02:24:01.930 --> 02:24:05.950 They just haul the biosluds, they rent the fields and they spread it. 02:24:05.950 --> 02:24:06.950 That's their service. 02:24:06.950 --> 02:24:14.510 Okay, so it's by the ton. So because our tonnage changes. So now we were talking about the chemical that actually 02:24:15.150 --> 02:24:20.670 Creates the bio solid how that's the cost how much are we spending to do that? 02:24:22.910 --> 02:24:31.150 For contractors to come in to make sure that these solids make it out to the field it takes a chemical it takes chemical 02:24:31.150 --> 02:24:38.750 We have no material to create this type of form for that. 02:24:38.750 --> 02:24:42.750 Do we have a cost factor for the chemicals that are going in there? 02:24:42.750 --> 02:24:53.510 Because that's a major cost to transform sewage into a biosolid, you know, that's a serious 02:24:53.510 --> 02:25:00.150 change in the financial impact on the sewer department or the city itself. 02:25:00.150 --> 02:25:06.550 Deren? It has nothing to do with this contract so it's no not the contract i'm talking about 02:25:06.550 --> 02:25:13.910 the chemical base for the haulers to be able to haul it city has to be able to break that solid 02:25:13.910 --> 02:25:23.190 break it down to uh so it can be uh hauled what chemicals are we what we're kind of what chemicals 02:25:23.190 --> 02:25:29.350 are being financed to do that and how much is it costing well like Deren said this has nothing to 02:25:29.350 --> 02:25:59.350 Alderman, Stacy, but I'm I'm with Alderman Sanders on this there is another fee and what is that fee attorney Zito if I think I'm understanding the question right and so I'll pose this as a question to you Darren because I think they're asking I think they're asking the question right and so I'll pose this as a question to you Darren 02:25:59.350 --> 02:26:04.950 about when the chemicals right to create the biosolids right that's our normal 02:26:04.950 --> 02:26:10.550 treatment process right our normal waste treatment process the end result is this 02:26:10.550 --> 02:26:14.430 biosolids are through our normal treatment process now it's just a matter 02:26:14.430 --> 02:26:18.190 of every time we treat waste there's always going to be this residue what do 02:26:18.190 --> 02:26:24.790 we do with that residue Cinegro hauls it away and spreads it on farm fields so 02:26:24.790 --> 02:26:29.750 it's our normal treatment process anytime we treat sewer waste so there's nothing 02:26:29.750 --> 02:26:37.630 that's our that cost is the cost of us treating waste. Madam Clerk please take 02:26:37.630 --> 02:26:46.450 the role. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons is absent. 02:26:46.450 --> 02:26:57.370 and Parker. Aye. She's here. Oh and your vote. Aye. Parker said aye. Aye. And Stacy. Aye. 02:26:57.370 --> 02:27:03.130 The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Sorry about that. We'll move on to department head reports. 02:27:03.130 --> 02:27:09.730 Finance. Nothing your honor. Thank you. Community Development. No. Public Works. Nothing tonight. 02:27:09.730 --> 02:27:15.490 Thank you. Fire. Thank you. No report this evening. Thank you. Police. Nothing from the 02:27:15.490 --> 02:27:26.490 Police Department, Mayor, Library, Nothing, Thank you, and IT, thank you, City Manager, 02:27:26.490 --> 02:27:30.270 Nothing tonight, your Honor, and I don't have anything to add either, so we'll move on to 02:27:30.270 --> 02:27:37.490 Council Announcements, Alderman Shadle, I just would like to thank all of our city employees, 02:27:37.490 --> 02:27:48.490 Police, Fire, and Street Department especially for handling a very trying weekend in a very fine manner. Thank you. 02:27:50.490 --> 02:27:51.490 Alderman Sanders? 02:27:51.490 --> 02:27:52.490 Nothing. 02:27:52.490 --> 02:27:53.490 Alderman Sellers? 02:27:53.490 --> 02:27:54.490 Nothing. 02:27:54.490 --> 02:27:55.490 Alderman Klemm? 02:27:55.490 --> 02:28:21.490 If I could Mayor, Chief, at our neighborhood watch the other night, it came up about the shop with a cop, and there were some people interested in giving, and we passed the information on. Is there anything that you can tell that if somebody wants to give, how they could contact you guys, or who would be the person? 02:28:21.490 --> 02:28:29.490 Sure, so we'll be doing shop with a cop on Saturday morning. We'll be taking donations any time, particularly this week. 02:28:29.490 --> 02:28:35.490 Donations can be made to the Fraternal Order of Police. That's who ultimately funds the shop with a cop. 02:28:35.490 --> 02:28:42.490 So they can come down to the police department and give it to dispatch or any officer, really, that's available. 02:28:42.490 --> 02:28:46.490 And they'll turn it over to the FOP and go straight to the kids, so. 02:28:46.490 --> 02:28:48.490 Appreciate it. Thank you. Welcome. 02:28:48.490 --> 02:28:55.650 Johnson, nothing tonight mayor, Alderman Simmons, Parker, just a couple one is a 02:28:55.650 --> 02:28:59.890 shot with a cop is a great program we've been doing it for years that's good the 02:28:59.890 --> 02:29:04.090 other is want to just echo what Alder and Shadle said about the employees for 02:29:04.090 --> 02:29:14.170 this past weekend had to be a whole so thank you woman Stacy yes to the many 02:29:14.170 --> 02:29:27.650 Any cause and constituents who called me pertaining to leaf pickup, Tuesday night and Wednesday, 02:29:27.650 --> 02:29:32.770 I did the best I knew to do. 02:29:32.770 --> 02:29:40.330 I don't know where we go from here because now the leaves are in the snow. 02:29:40.330 --> 02:29:50.990 and I do wish we could have been more productive Wednesday with the leafs being picked up in 02:29:50.990 --> 02:29:59.050 areas where they had never been touched, however, they were already flipped over to snow plows. 02:29:59.050 --> 02:30:24.050 Snowplows. So, I don't know, City Manager Boyer, how many phone calls you received, you gave me permission to give them your number and I did. But I don't know where we go from here come spring because the leaves, they're going to be there. 02:30:29.050 --> 02:30:45.850 and John. Okay. Move on to public comments. Tommy? 02:30:45.850 --> 02:30:53.530 I wanted to tell you, you know about World Siding and Freeport, it's empty buildings. 02:30:53.530 --> 02:30:55.530 You know what they're going to do with it? 02:30:55.530 --> 02:30:57.530 No, not yet. 02:30:57.530 --> 02:31:06.650 and so you know you do a good job and so Stacy we want to tell you uh i i got a new house at the 02:31:07.610 --> 02:31:09.690 at the solar program in Freeport 02:31:13.450 --> 02:31:18.490 and uh i want to tell Tom Quinn he does a good job of Alderman 02:31:18.490 --> 02:31:21.130 in Freeport and he knows everything thank you 02:31:21.130 --> 02:31:34.810 Any other public comments? I will entertain a motion to adjourn. I move. Second. I have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed?