WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.360 Bringing us to this night, we're grateful for the ability to meet through the storm 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:15.519 and the cleanup today. We're grateful for the good work of the crews and the safety there. And Lord, 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:24.719 we are grateful for you who we owe our lives and our health and our safety to. Lord, tonight, 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:31.599 I pray that you bless this meeting. Lord, many are the plans of man, but it's by your blessing 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:36.719 that they are actually accomplished. Lord, I thank you for the servants here tonight 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:44.239 sitting around these tables, these desks. Lord, I thank you for their gifts and their willingness 00:00:44.239 --> 00:00:51.759 to serve. And we thank you that despite the differences among us, we serve one place, 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:58.420 Police, One City. We pray that you'd help us to do that or that we would keep love of 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:05.219 neighbor alive among us, a willingness to turn the other cheek, a willingness to serve 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:12.099 in the midst of differences for a common goal. And Father, we pray that you'd give your blessings 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:18.879 tonight on the deliberations here. Lord, we thank you for swearing in tonight. We thank 00:01:18.879 --> 00:01:24.640 Thank you for the fire department and the police force for our first responders. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:29.479 We pray that you'd continue to give them success and safety. 00:01:29.479 --> 00:01:34.640 Help them to bless our people, our city, with their service and may we be a blessing to 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:35.640 them. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:39.399 And so we ask your blessing tonight, we pray in Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:39.399 --> 00:01:40.399 Amen. 00:01:40.399 --> 00:01:41.399 Thank you. 00:01:41.399 --> 00:01:44.719 The meeting will be called to order at 6.01. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:46.959 Mayor Miller is absent tonight. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:47.959 Alderpersons, Klemm? 00:01:47.960 --> 00:02:03.660 Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders is absent, Sellers, and in the Mayor's absence could I have a motion to appoint a Chairperson Pro Tem? 00:02:03.660 --> 00:02:08.360 I would make the motion to approve Alderman Shadle as Mayor Pro Tem. 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:10.360 Second. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:12.360 All in favor say aye. 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:13.360 Aye. 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:15.360 Anyone opposed? 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:17.360 Chair, the meeting is yours. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:26.280 Yours. Thank you. And could you join us in the Pledge of Allegiance led by Parker? 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:55.920 Thank you. That leads us to item one is the approval of the agenda. So move. Second. Motion by Klemm. Second by Sellers. All in favor. 00:02:55.920 --> 00:03:12.760 Item 2 is Approval of the Minutes from the Council Meeting on February 17th of 2026. 00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:17.080 Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers to approve. 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:18.080 All in favor? 00:03:18.080 --> 00:03:19.080 Aye. 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.080 Aye. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:21.080 Opposed? 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:23.600 That motion passes. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.599 and three is Fire Department Promotions prevented by Chief Cordy. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:04:01.560 Firefighter Holtz on behalf of the City of Freeport Police and Fire Commission, 00:04:01.560 --> 00:04:09.680 we want to honor you tonight for the work well done for the City of Freeport and the 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:15.400 Fire Department. The City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission to 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:22.480 all whom these present chair, Travis Holtz, have been duly appointed to the 00:04:52.480 --> 00:05:21.720 Travis was hired August 24, 2012. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:27.280 He is an advanced certified firefighter, paramedic, instructor to fire apparatus engineer, company 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:31.000 fire officer, and hazardous materials technician. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.640 He's also trained in rope operations and vehicle machinery. 00:05:34.640 --> 00:05:38.880 He's got an associate's degree in fire science at Rock Valley College. 00:05:38.880 --> 00:05:44.680 He received a life-saving award for the fire at 202 and a half West Main Street. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:51.600 He previously ran the department's fire explorer program and adopted hydrant programs. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.520 He's been a member of the Foreign Fire Board for four years. 00:05:54.520 --> 00:05:56.220 He's a lifelong Freeport resident, 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:58.379 graduated from Freeport High School. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:01.160 He's married to Desi, and this is their son, Trey. 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:30.160 Public comments on agenda items? None is listed. We'll go to the consent agenda. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.160 and 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:35.160 John. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:39.160 All items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine in 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:43.160 nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:46.160 separate discussion of these items unless a council member 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:50.160 requests in which event the item will be removed from the 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:54.160 consent agenda and considered as the first item after approval 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:56.160 of the consent agenda. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:02.560 Assist of Approval to Receive and Place on File, Minutes of the Committee Board and Commission 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:11.660 Meetings of Art and Culture Commission, January 8, 2026, Liquor Commission, December 11, 2025, 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:20.400 and February 12, 2026, Fire Department Report, February 2026, Building Permit Report, February 00:07:20.400 --> 00:07:33.680 C.D.B.G. Housing Rehab Grant Invoices, February 26, 2026, March 12, 2026, Approval of the 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:45.960 Finance Bills Payable, Packet 8081, 8083, 8085 and 8086, and Unnumbered Packet Invoices 00:07:45.960 --> 00:08:15.960 to be approved for payment 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:30.720 Payments in the amount of $140,424.28 for a total of $710,238.26. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:32.759 Do I have a motion to approve? 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:33.280 So moved. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:42.120 Motion by Parker, second by Johnson. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:42.800 Yeah, that's it. 00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:45.080 I had a question. 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:55.639 Alderman, Stacy. What are the unnumbered packets? What do they consist of? Unnumbered packets? 00:08:55.639 --> 00:09:01.120 Would you be able to answer that, Director Rigna? So, unnumbered means we haven't run 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:12.320 them yet. So, the invoices that are in your packet, there's a report of the largest packet, 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:16.720 and the $1 million one. There's a list of every invoice that's going to be paid there. 00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:20.000 And with your approval tonight, I'll be able to run those tomorrow. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:25.360 And what if it exceeds what was approved? 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:31.760 The amounts are set. They're in your packet. The amount of the invoices are set. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:37.600 They're in the packet. There's a listing of every single invoice that I would like to pay. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:42.600 and with the Consent Agenda being passed tonight, then I will run them tomorrow. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.100 Chair. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:53.600 Oh, and Stacey, are you following? 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:56.600 No, I don't, but I will. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:10:00.600 There's invoices that she just hasn't numbered in. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:37.680 Voices. It'll give me a packet number. Oh, gotcha. That makes sense. Chairman Shadle. 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:43.960 Okay. And those amounts and those packet numbers match what all of you sign. And here that 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:52.240 goes to the Finance Department as well. This all lines up with that. Okay. Okay. Okay. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:57.840 Madam Clerk, can you call the roll on that? Are you ready? Can everyone pull their microphones 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:11.360 Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.680 Motion Passes 7-0 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:15.680 Thank you. 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:24.039 I move to Item 6, Appointments of Shelley Grigoroff to fill a vacant seat on the Board 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:31.379 of Fire and Police Commissioners effective through April 30th of 2027, the appointment 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:39.539 of Scott Arnold to the Police Pension Fund Board effective through April 30th of 2028, 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:46.680 appointment of Scott Arnold to the Firefighters Pension Fund Board effective through April 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:53.019 30th, 2029, reappointment of Robert Bush to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners 00:11:53.019 --> 00:12:01.740 effective through April 30th of 2029 and with approval we'd do this in one motion. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:07.259 Yes, unless somebody wants somebody separate and is it by voice, Attorney Zito, by roll 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.259 call? 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.259 Okay. 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:11.259 Motion to approve. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.259 Second. 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:19.180 Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers, is there any discussion? 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:20.180 If you could take the roll. 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.180 Parker? 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.180 Aye. 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:39.700 Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. And that motion passes seven to zero. Thank you and that leads us to the second reading of ordinance 2026-12 if you could. 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:48.019 Ordinance adopting zoning map. By Director Heimerdinger please. Thank you. The Illinois 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:52.860 May, Compiled Statues, requires a map to be published annually. 00:12:52.860 --> 00:13:00.700 We showed this in our first reading where we have five amendments that went through Zoning, 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:05.460 Board of Appeals, and also Planning Commission, and then were approved by Council. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:10.220 And then we have two inaccuracies that were identified this year. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:17.540 We staff recommends the adoption of the 2025 official zoning map. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:27.740 also move. Second. And is there any discussion? Madam Clerk, could you take the roll? I missed 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:32.900 the second time. Sorry. This is actually second reading up. So there'd actually be a motion 00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:50.420 You're right. Thank you. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? You're just going 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:57.700 to abstain for that one? Okay. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:14:01.740 And the ordinance passes 7-0. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.740 With one abstention. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.740 I'm sorry? 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:08.059 With one abstention, 7-0, with one exemption. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:11.059 Thank you. 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:14.700 At 6-13. 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.700 Thank you. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:18.059 All right. 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:27.680 Item number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-13. 00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:36.240 Seamending Chapter 1448, Erosion Control Permits, Manager Boyer, thank you Mr. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:43.279 Chair, last meeting on March 9th staff was available we went over the 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:48.480 amendments to Chapter 1448 MS4 stormwater erosion control permits as 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:52.639 mentioned during that time the proposed amendments established clear permit 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:56.799 classifications based on project size and type of land use disturbance the 00:14:56.799 --> 00:15:02.200 The ordinance strengthens erosion and sediment control plans and requires requirements to 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:06.819 ensure appropriate best management practices are designed and implemented. 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:12.860 The amendments also clarify inspections, reporting, and documentation standards for regulated sites. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:17.920 In addition, the ordinance expands enforcement authority including the issuance of stop work 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:19.500 orders when necessary. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:25.299 These changes ensure continued compliance with the IEPA and MS4 stormwater obligations 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:29.860 while improving regulatory clarity and staff recommends moving this forward to a second 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.860 reading. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.860 So move. 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.860 Second. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:44.660 I have a motion by Sellers, second by Johnson. 00:15:44.660 --> 00:15:45.660 Discussion. 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.660 Discussion now. 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.660 Discussion. 00:15:47.660 --> 00:15:48.660 Great. 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:57.059 I just wanted to mention that we had a comments from Miss Johnson and we took 00:15:57.059 --> 00:16:01.779 those into advisement and and changes were made to the alternating MS4 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:07.059 ordinances that are on tonight based on her comments. So those changes were made 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:24.259 Thank you. Any other discussion? Item 9. First reading of Ordinance 2026-14, Madam Clerk. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:30.860 One second. Ordinance amending Part 6, General Offenses, Chapter 660, Additional Hazardous 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:40.379 Materials, Section 660.02, Definitions, 660.05, Prohibition, and adding Section 660.09, Injunctive 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:46.900 Relief and Administrative Hearing, 660.10, Access to Premises, 660.11, Notification of 00:16:46.900 --> 00:16:55.819 Discharge, 660.12, Notice of Violation, 660.13, Suspension of Activities, and 660.14, Abatement 00:16:55.820 --> 00:17:13.820 Costs The proposed amendments revise specific provisions 00:17:13.820 --> 00:17:19.460 within Chapter 660 to clarify regulatory requirements and improve administrative efficiency. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:24.259 The changes update the language for consistency within the code and remove outdated or conflicting 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.259 provisions. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:29.039 also strengthen enforcement authority where necessary and ensure alignment with current 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:34.059 state regulations and city practices overall the revisions improve clarity for residents 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:38.980 contractors and staff supporting the effective implementation of the ordinance by our compliance 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:48.700 officer and staff recommends moving forward to second reading so move second motion by 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:54.579 seller second by Parker is there any discussion 00:17:54.579 --> 00:18:07.579 Thank you, we'll go to item 10, which is the first reading of ordinance 2026-15. 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:13.300 Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services, Title 4, Utilities, Chapter 00:18:13.300 --> 00:18:19.860 1046, Sewers Generally, Section 1046.59, Discharge of Storms, Surface, or Groundwater 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:40.740 Manager, Boyer, Alderman, Shadle, The proposed changes to Section 1046.59 clarify prohibited 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:45.180 connections to the sanitary sewer and strengthens the City's authority to require corrective 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.180 action. 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:54.700 The City's authority to investigate and enforce violations. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:59.620 These revisions are necessary to maintain compliance with the updated MS-4 permit and 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:03.180 protect the city's wastewater and stormwater systems. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:05.700 Staff recommends moving this to second reading. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:09.860 I need a motion and a second. 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.980 So moved. 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.980 Motion by Sellers. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.980 Second. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.980 Seconded by Johnson. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:18.980 Is there any discussion? 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:27.980 Is this the one pertaining to going into the houses if necessary? 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:31.980 I believe it. 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.980 No, it was 660. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.980 Is it not? 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:38.980 10, you're right. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.980 That's what it's talking about. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.980 I believe that was number nine. 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.980 Yeah, it was. 00:19:43.980 --> 00:20:00.519 This one concerns hazards dumping into storms or on the street or things like that. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:18.359 This would also pertain to the human feces in backyards, number 10 or number 9? 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:23.359 Number 9 is more appropriate to that, hazardous ways. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:51.359 Are we also talking about dumping into the storm waters by residential or commercial or manufacturers. We are making reference to those types of facilities. Am I right about that? 00:21:21.359 --> 00:21:28.319 Manhoe, to Storm sewer. What are the, what is the compliance there? Are we in 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:34.680 violation when that happens? Because we can't say to residents, you can't do it, 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:43.359 but yet the city has no other choice but to do it. I just wanted to know what kind 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:49.279 of standards do we have for that? Manager Boyer? Well, as it's related to this ordinance, 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:58.700 This is basically updating our stormwater codes to align with best practices from the EPA 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:04.240 because we are a MS4 community at this time and have been since I think 2020. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:09.400 As far as illicit discharge, illicit discharges are prohibited. 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:18.859 When you say illicit discharge, not permitted discharges, break it down more clearly. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:28.420 So everybody can understand when you say illicit, because illicit has a variance to it, who can 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:35.700 and who can't, and still let's be more specific when we say that, because we're talking about 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:42.559 something that is contaminating our water source into the river, I just want to know 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:49.279 Do you know how we're handling that? What is our protocol for handling those kinds of situations? 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:57.720 I can engage you afterwards on that, but we just spent $60 million on a Phase 1 wastewater 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.879 plan upgrade to deal with that. 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:03.720 Okay, okay. Thank you. 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.720 Anything else? 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.720 I don't. 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.720 Alderman Stacey? 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:17.940 I don't like the idea of talking with Alderman Sanders off the record after the meeting when 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:27.360 the public is wanting to hear answers and process now. 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:37.240 Now I want to know the understanding of elicited and who has the right and who don't have the 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:50.960 right and in what situations are you granted the right and where are we, what manholes 00:23:50.960 --> 00:24:06.279 Those are re-poisoning and what side of town are they being directed to? 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:15.200 City Manager Boyer, this isn't related to this storm water. 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:20.880 We're basically bringing storm water regulations in line with state requirements. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:27.039 I'm not sure what Alderperson states he's referring to specifically so again this isn't an open 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:30.759 forum to discuss everything under the sun or just on this agenda item. 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:38.880 Okay I'm not asking him to discuss everything under the sun. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:50.200 And I will be respected. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:56.400 First reading of Ordinance 2026-17, Madam Clerk. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:01.200 I have 16 next in sequential order. Is that okay? 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.200 Did I get ahead of one? You might have. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:06.900 Item 11, first reading of Ordinance 2026-16. 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:18.200 Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services Code, Title 4, Utilities, Chapter 1040, Utilities Generally, Section 1040-07A and Section 1040-07B, 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:24.920 Connection Required Aligning with New Julie Laws Thank You. Manager Boyer. Thank 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:31.539 Your Honor. So Julie is our essentially the services does the locates for any 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:36.720 kind of excavation in town. Many people are familiar with it. You would call 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:42.119 Julie if you wanted to put a fix a water service line or maybe put a deck in and 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:47.559 the city has to respond rapidly to Julie requests that come in for contractors 00:25:47.559 --> 00:26:17.559 and others. 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:23.799 In the past, certain private service laterals were not required to include tracer wire or 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:29.599 other locating technology which creates difficulties during excavation and utility marking. Excavations 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:35.440 must continue to be coordinated through Julie. The updated law expands the responsibility 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:41.200 of the private service owner to ensure that underground infrastructure is properly installed, 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:45.519 locatable and maintained in the right-of-way and on private property for all new installations 00:26:45.519 --> 00:27:15.519 Settlers, Settlers 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:19.839 operators operating within the city and staff recommends moving this on to second reading. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:30.240 Thank you. I have a motion to approve. So move. Move it on. Second. Motion by Johnson, second by 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:41.039 Sellers and discussion Alderman Sanders. Yeah, did I hear you right about even with repairs they 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:46.299 Station, Sit Down Tracer Wires, some form of tracer wire even during a repair. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.299 In certain circumstances. 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:50.179 Okay, these are the new laws, okay. 00:27:50.179 --> 00:28:01.599 Let's see, nothing else, we'll move to Item 12, first reading of Ordinance 2026-17. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:05.700 Ordinance approving a special use permit to allow adult use cannabis dispensing facility 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:10.420 at 2725 Illinois Route 26, Unit A. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:20.700 Thank you so much. Staff received a special use permit application on February 10, 2026 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:28.279 from Botavi Wellness LLC to allow an adult use cannabis dispensary organization at 2725 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:35.860 Illinois Route 26, Unit A here in Freeport, Illinois. The property is within the B3 Commercial 00:28:35.860 --> 00:28:44.740 and Wholesale Business District, Section 1252.05B4 of the City Freeport Zoning Code states that 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:49.860 adult use cannabis dispensing organizations require a special use permit. 00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:55.659 In 2019, the City Council passed an ordinance to allow adult use cannabis facilities in 00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:57.079 the City of Freeport. 00:28:57.079 --> 00:29:01.659 The special use permit is to examine the property and determine if the physical characteristics 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:02.659 and St. Louis. 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:22.500 The state of Illinois has expressively predominated local authority, including home rule authority, 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:26.319 as to the licensing and operations of cannabis businesses. 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:33.880 The state has, however, allowed local municipalities to regulate the siting of these businesses. 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:41.860 The City of Freeport in 2019 exercised this authority and enacted Chapter 1274, Adult Use 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:46.800 Cannabis, in their codified ordinances. 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:53.800 Specifically, the City of Freeport requires 1,500 feet between a dispensary and any school, 00:29:53.799 --> 00:30:00.000 Nursery, or a licensed day care facility and 300 feet from any residential district. 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.000 In addition, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:17.000 In addition to the distance requirement, the City of Freeport only permits adult-use cannabis dispensary organizations by use in two zoning districts, B3 Commercial and Wholesale Business, and Riverfront redevelopment zoning districts. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:26.000 After applying these restrictions, only a few locations in Freeport meet the established requirements, and the proposed location is one of them. 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:39.000 The property is where the permit is requested is the Formal Rosati's Pizza and is the only vacant unit on the parcer and the only vacant unit in the shopping center. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:44.000 Adequate parking exists in this location to accommodate expected occupancy. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.000 C. 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:51.720 Traffic to the main corridors is not expected to be significantly impacted as even at peak 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:56.440 traffic flow to this type of business is small compared to the traffic already handled at 00:30:56.440 --> 00:31:02.319 this location for the big box retailers, which is Walmart and Menards, who currently operate 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.319 there. 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:09.920 The shopping center in which this dispensary would be located is situated along South Route 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:48.079 Bender. There's an Appendix B that outlines that. And as a condition of the licensing, 00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:54.079 the petitioner will also have to comply with all state and regulations concerning adult 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:59.640 use dispensary organizations, some way of which can be found on Appendix B within that 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:06.839 packet. And then on March 5th in 2026, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the approval 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.839 and John. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:25.799 I will bring your attention to some of the appendix items. 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:35.640 The first one, Appendix A, which is not on the screen yet, but this outlines the petitioner's 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:44.920 ability to comply with Chapter 1274, which was adopted by the City of Freeport in 2019, 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:52.839 which outlines how a cannabis dispensary organization should sit within the City of Freeport and 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:57.799 outlines its compliance within those restrictions. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:33:09.240 and then we go to Appendix B, which is a summary of security features for these types of businesses. 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:14.460 They have very stringent rules by the state. 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:20.039 As you can see there on the very first one, the colored floor plan up above, you can see 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:25.640 that they enter that green, that's a check-in room. 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:35.640 You have to be 21 to enter this facility. If you enter and you're not 21, they will immediately escort you out and you will be asked to leave. 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:46.640 The first thing that you do is you come into that locked vestibule, the check-in space, and that's where you would process your ID to verify your age. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:54.640 And then from there, you would be ushered onto the area that is yellow on the screen, which outlines the sales floor. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:34:00.039 The Salesforce is very, it's not what you expect, it's not like when you go to Warmer, Terminoids 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:06.440 or anything where there's all the, everything is out and you can grab what you want. 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:12.119 In this case, it's actually all dummy products, which means that everything is packaged like 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:18.360 it would exist, but you are just looking for the type that you want. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:20.360 Co. 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:55.559 Southerners that outline security so every square inch of this place is monitored and 00:34:55.559 --> 00:35:04.960 in fact the Illinois State Police has access to the camera system at all times without a 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:10.199 warrant or permission so everything is monitored. 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:21.900 The vault that you see is the pink on the right side of your screen right after the yellow. 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:25.380 And that is where all the product is kept. 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:28.639 They have to do inventory every single day. 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:33.659 If inventory is off, they have to immediately shut down and they have 24 hours to figure 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:53.659 and then as we move through the next page just shows you the floor plan without the security features highlighted. And then as we go through the to the elevators, you can see that there is no real product on the sales floor, it's just a demo product. 00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:57.980 and then as you move through the next page just shows you the floor plan without the 00:35:57.980 --> 00:36:05.739 security features highlighted and then as we go through the to the elevations the elevations 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:11.579 show that the biggest change of the building is just that the sign will be updated to the 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:17.980 name but from other than that there's there's nothing else so it blends nicely into the 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:23.900 the Facility and the Atmosphere down there already. They're not changing too much of 00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:37.619 the location. And with that, staff recommends moving on to a second reading. 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:41.099 Thank you. We have a motion to move this on. 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:44.099 So move. 00:36:44.099 --> 00:37:02.059 I would like to know has there been a meeting on this matter with the community and if so 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:03.659 when was it? 00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:13.500 Yes, there was a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on March 5th that the community was 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:19.980 is able to come in and voice their concerns or support. 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.940 And when was this and at what time? 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:27.300 This was at the Zoning Board of Appeals that was March 5th at 530 here at City Hall in 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.300 Council Chambers. 00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.300 March 5th? 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:30.300 March 5th, yes. 00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:31.300 Oh, Sanders? 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:32.300 Go ahead. 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.300 Go ahead. 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:34.300 At 530, you said? 00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:35.300 At 530, yes. 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.300 Hold on a minute. 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.300 Hold on. 00:37:37.300 --> 00:37:38.300 Alderman Klum? 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:51.739 Alderman, Stacey Dunn, Alderman Sellers and Alderman Johnson and I were here for the presentation 00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:58.820 that the gentleman out here gave us, very excellent presentation, very excellent facility, 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:06.559 the way it's laid out, all the safety features involved in it and everything else. 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:13.840 But I will tell you right now, I'm not supportive of it for one reason, because if you stop 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:18.320 to figure, one of the things he brought up in his presentation was the fact that they're 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:22.280 going to have between 200 and 500 customers a day. 00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:28.840 You add 200 and 500 customers a day to a place that already has over 1,000 over here and 00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:35.500 has 1,000 here and you've got all the other five stores up here and you've got one road 00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:35.500 I see the width of the thing. If you could take all the traffic and move it to the center one, you know where it which is down farther, you'd have something to talk about. But everybody is so inclined to come in with the one with the lights on it. I just see a major traffic problem. I have not in opposition to the product or to what's being done. It'll provide some people in Freeport will be able to buy stuff at Freeport rather than go to 00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:42.300 Rockford or go to a neighboring place. I've also been in Rockford many times by the dispensaries there 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:48.460 and he brought up at that period of time, you know, during COVID and during the other thing 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:55.980 there was a much different, was a much different, not clientele but a bigger mass of people and 00:39:55.980 --> 00:40:00.980 There's less places and all that kind of stuff. I understand all that, 100%. 00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:05.480 and all that, 100%. But I think you have the traffic problem, etc. 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:37.980 and others, you know, and so in that way, anything that would move into that could bring 00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:45.139 about the traffic jam and I agree with you that, yes, Minoits is busy, that entire area 00:40:45.139 --> 00:40:52.059 is very busy, nobody wants to go, I go at 6 a.m. on Saturdays, not noon on Saturdays 00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:58.019 because yes, there's a lot of traffic, though that, the lot and the road there, that's a 00:40:58.019 --> 00:41:28.019 In a private lot, in a private road, the city can make suggestions to help, help kind of move traffic in a way that keeps it less chaotic. But above all, it is private. So at any point, anything could move into that facility. And you could have the same traffic issues. You know, this might bring about, you know, 00:41:28.019 --> 00:41:33.280 If this moves in, if anything else moves in, maybe it brings up a good point of maybe there's 00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:37.860 a second entrance that needs to be talked about that goes into that facility, but it 00:41:37.860 --> 00:41:45.519 is a private lane and a private parking lot and so with that it's their responsibility 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:49.519 to make sure that they have the traffic flow. 00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:55.840 Also keep in mind these individuals are not staying long, they come in, they get their 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:58.920 and I have a couple of questions. 00:41:58.920 --> 00:42:03.539 So, I just want to say, I've been studying this for a long time, and I've been working 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:08.420 with the City of San Diego to create a product that they leave. 00:42:08.420 --> 00:42:11.139 They're not sitting too long. 00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:16.179 So, it's not going to hold up traffic. 00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:24.059 They're coming in to get the merchandise that they want, and then they are exiting. 00:42:24.059 --> 00:42:33.820 Mathis, and I've been studying this to the point where we're saying that the state allows 00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:39.820 this to happen without the authority of the City of Freeport, County of Freeport, nor 00:42:39.820 --> 00:42:44.460 home rule has no jurisdiction in these matters. 00:42:44.460 --> 00:42:52.579 So what are we saying that we're forfeiting our legal rights to prohibit them from starting 00:42:52.579 --> 00:42:53.579 up a business? 00:42:53.579 --> 00:43:16.139 are we complaining that what the state is permitting that the city wants to put a put a hold on this issue because we have not received the proper regulation, the security, all of these provisions that need to be put in place before such an event even be considered. 00:43:16.139 --> 00:43:20.539 but what I'm asking is, who is preempting this 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:24.059 according to the discussion log that I'm reading? 00:43:25.360 --> 00:43:28.619 It sounds like it's the state of Illinois 00:43:28.619 --> 00:43:33.059 or is codified that's permitting such an event 00:43:33.059 --> 00:43:36.460 to take place in the city of Freeport saying, 00:43:36.460 --> 00:43:38.720 if I understand this right, 00:43:39.659 --> 00:43:42.920 saying that Freeport has no jurisdiction 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:46.019 or does our home rule has any jurisdiction? 00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:51.320 Did I read that right? Did I follow that right? I must have misunderstood that somewhere along 00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:58.719 the line. Okay, could someone completely inform those that might have misinterpreted what it 00:43:58.719 --> 00:43:59.719 really means? 00:43:59.719 --> 00:44:01.719 If you could, please, Ellen. 00:44:01.719 --> 00:44:13.400 Yes, I can do that. What the state has made a rule is that cannabis is legal in the state 00:44:13.400 --> 00:44:43.400 of Illinois. They are able to set up businesses. What the city has jurisdiction over is where does that business go within the city. And so the city in 2019 set up Chapter 1274, which outlines where the counselor at the time thought was reasonable restrictions on where it could go. And so in that way, they did 00:44:43.400 --> 00:44:50.400 and then an additional 300 feet from any residential district. 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:56.400 And that was the statues that were in place that the city could impose. 00:44:56.400 --> 00:45:05.400 So what the state did was say, cannabis is legal, businesses can operate to sell cannabis. 00:45:05.400 --> 00:45:12.400 Cities have a legal system that allows businesses to sell cannabis. 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:19.699 City's have the jurisdiction to indicate in what locations and put restrictions on it. 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:22.000 And so those are the restrictions that we can place on it. 00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:29.000 I did not. I did hear you say restrictions. 00:45:29.400 --> 00:45:30.000 Yes. 00:45:30.199 --> 00:45:32.800 The city has the rights to make restrictions. 00:45:32.800 --> 00:45:34.099 On where it's located. 00:45:34.099 --> 00:46:04.099 Just on that particular, you're saying that the city, and who are the petitioners that should be here before us, making that statement, making that claim of opening up a business and how they're going to help safeguard the citizens of the city of Freeport, when even if they're 21 years of age, I don't care, those ages can be obfuscated 00:46:04.099 --> 00:46:12.420 and put and people can become props for younger adults when it when it does that who is regulating 00:46:13.460 --> 00:46:20.260 those securities the state the state regulates so they're going to come in here and do the 00:46:20.260 --> 00:46:28.260 regulations and set up all safeguards yes and and if um in my uh presentation the state the 00:46:28.260 --> 00:46:34.519 The Illinois State Police has access to the cameras within the facility 24-7 without permission 00:46:34.519 --> 00:46:35.519 or without warrants. 00:46:35.519 --> 00:46:36.519 Sorry. 00:46:36.519 --> 00:46:37.519 So they are looking into that. 00:46:37.519 --> 00:46:38.519 Yeah. 00:46:38.519 --> 00:46:41.740 Yeah, we need to bring more clarity to the people of Freeport. 00:46:41.740 --> 00:46:48.599 If I can misconstrue what you just talked about, those kind of variables did not come 00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:56.059 out initially in this discussion, how this is going to be handled. 00:46:56.059 --> 00:47:02.220 Those are the things the citizens of the Freeport needs to be able to hear, that there's safeguards 00:47:02.220 --> 00:47:11.380 all over this thing and that we should not be as citizens intimidated by all kinds of 00:47:11.380 --> 00:47:16.980 things that could cause harm to the children and to the city of Freeport. 00:47:16.980 --> 00:47:24.420 And so I think we need to be as council members to be more vigilant in studying that as well 00:47:54.420 --> 00:48:07.420 I think that's a soul disrespect if I don't hear them standing up at that podium talking to us directly, not only directly to council but the cities, the citizens of Freeport. 00:48:07.420 --> 00:48:22.420 I like to see their faces. I like to see these agencies that wants to come in and violate the premises of the city of Freeport, even if it's lawful, you know, I still like to see their faces, so we can hold them accountable. 00:48:22.420 --> 00:48:23.420 Alderman Sellers. 00:48:23.420 --> 00:48:30.460 I would just like to say that I am in agreement with it. I did come to the meeting that they did, 00:48:31.340 --> 00:48:37.420 excuse me, do the presentation. The young man did an excellent presentation. He answered all the 00:48:37.420 --> 00:48:46.539 questions. I know that my job is to listen to the information that the young man gave and he gave, 00:48:46.539 --> 00:48:54.059 and there were other, just a very few citizens that came in. No one got up, no 00:48:54.059 --> 00:48:59.420 one said anything. I do understand about the parking incident but I do think 00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:04.340 that the time and the money that they're going to put into this establishment, 00:49:04.340 --> 00:49:09.820 they kind of know what they're doing. You know, this is not their first one. After 00:49:09.820 --> 00:49:14.420 listening to all the things that the young man said and then my other thing 00:49:14.420 --> 00:49:24.860 is is because of our my job is to listen to what we already said we could have in 00:49:24.860 --> 00:49:32.780 Freeport and that was in 2019 my job is to make sure that where they want to put 00:49:32.780 --> 00:49:37.579 it maybe it might not be where I like but if it meets the criteria of what we 00:49:37.579 --> 00:49:43.180 said where they need to be at in places I have to agree with it because it does 00:49:43.180 --> 00:49:53.280 If it was something that, I don't know, but it's not. It's where we said they have to be in order to have it. 00:49:53.280 --> 00:50:01.199 So, I wish that that night when we were there that maybe that question came up about the traffic coming in and out, I can't remember because 00:50:01.199 --> 00:50:16.199 I believe that there will be a lot of money put into that place to take care of all those concerns. 00:50:16.199 --> 00:50:23.199 So that's why I would have to say yes, because they did meet the qualifications that we did ask them to meet. 00:50:23.199 --> 00:50:25.199 Alderman Stacey. 00:50:25.199 --> 00:50:40.199 Okay. I believe that we the council have say so in allowing this to happen. Am I wrong in thinking that? 00:50:40.199 --> 00:50:46.199 You have the right to approve a special use for the cannabis. 00:50:46.199 --> 00:50:51.199 So if we voted down, then it don't come. Am I correct? 00:50:51.199 --> 00:50:53.199 If you chose to do that, yes. 00:50:53.199 --> 00:51:03.119 Okay, so we do have right under this home rule or whatever you're saying, Mr. Sanders, 00:51:03.119 --> 00:51:06.659 because if it's voted down, then it won't happen. 00:51:06.659 --> 00:51:10.619 And if we didn't have a choice in the matter, it wouldn't be on the floor. 00:51:10.619 --> 00:51:18.779 And I don't care how much money they make, how much money is brought to the city. 00:51:18.779 --> 00:51:20.779 What's that got to do with us? 00:51:20.779 --> 00:51:25.659 because it's brought to the city. How do we benefit? What do we get out the deal? 00:51:32.379 --> 00:51:39.859 Mr. Stiegel. Yeah. Um, I've just been involved in this on a handful of communities that have, have approved these dispensaries. 00:51:39.859 --> 00:51:47.579 So just some items that I wanted to give you. So, um, the permits are regulated by the state. 00:51:47.579 --> 00:51:55.799 The company would have to file a very large bond, millions of dollars, with the state of Illinois to be approved for a facility like this in Freeport. 00:51:55.799 --> 00:52:07.439 There are two licenses, I believe, available for Stevenson County, so choosing no here would probably allow it to go to another town in our region. 00:52:07.439 --> 00:52:11.699 That is a choice, but that may happen. 00:52:11.699 --> 00:52:26.699 This is state controlled substance, so there are many rules that were presented at the commission meetings, like for instance, they have to have a security guard on site 24-7 of operation or while they're operating or they can't be open. 00:52:26.699 --> 00:52:36.699 It's a scan-in only with a license, with the scan bar on it, not just anybody can walk in the facility. They only limit the amount of people that are in the facility. 00:52:36.699 --> 00:52:50.699 There is a safety tax to this cannabis purchase that goes directly to the police department to help increase standards for the police department, not standards, but funding for the police department. 00:52:50.699 --> 00:52:58.699 There's also a city tax that comes from the cannabis that is much larger than our other percentages of taxes. 00:52:58.699 --> 00:53:07.460 and I believe it was presented at the Planning Commission that there is really three pockets in Freeport that would be available for this. 00:53:07.460 --> 00:53:11.619 It's either north of town, south of town or somewhere in the downtown. 00:53:11.619 --> 00:53:17.579 Those are the only three available based on our zoning right now that that are available for this type of facility. 00:53:18.219 --> 00:53:19.899 So those are just facts. 00:53:20.059 --> 00:53:21.299 You can do with them what you will. 00:53:24.339 --> 00:53:25.059 Alderman Simmons. 00:53:25.059 --> 00:53:55.059 So I'm not against the dispensary coming to Freeport. If I vote no, it will because I'm against the placement. We need to be strategic of where we're going to allow. Like you said, it's the first dispensary in Stevenson County. Here we are right on the border of Wisconsin. It is going to drive traffic and this is an area that already sees plenty of traffic. Where do we want to drive our traffic in Freeport? And clearly the other Alderman degree we have 00:53:55.059 --> 00:53:56.059 Fowler. 00:53:56.059 --> 00:53:57.699 We have enough in that area. 00:53:57.699 --> 00:54:03.619 So I think north of town or even like you said, downtown is a business district. 00:54:03.619 --> 00:54:08.339 Those are areas we are trying to drive more traffic to and that would be better placement 00:54:08.339 --> 00:54:10.500 and you make it more agreement. 00:54:10.500 --> 00:54:19.379 Oh, McLean, did you have another? 00:54:19.379 --> 00:54:26.199 Not really, but I would echo what has been discussed, that the presentation, the security 00:54:26.199 --> 00:54:31.420 of the site, all that kind of stuff, there's, I don't have an issue with whatsoever. 00:54:31.420 --> 00:54:36.460 You know, I mean, the design of it to wear it, the thing that threw the red flag up to 00:54:36.460 --> 00:54:43.299 me was 200 to 500 customers a day, you know, just knowing the area, just knowing what's 00:54:43.299 --> 00:54:47.939 going on, and the only thing I could say to you, to your thing is, you know, it's private 00:54:47.939 --> 00:54:53.659 and so on and so forth. But two wrongs don't make a right. I mean, you and I both know 00:54:53.659 --> 00:55:00.539 Rosati's didn't have 200 to 500 customers a day. Okay. Thank you. Best day. Okay. So 00:55:00.539 --> 00:55:06.299 that's a considerable amount of difference. You know, the parking lot, you know, so to 00:55:06.299 --> 00:55:13.939 speak is debatable size on it. You know, one of the problems I would foresee that it happens 00:55:43.939 --> 00:55:55.379 I would like to also know that is this if they purchase that or are they renting 00:55:55.379 --> 00:56:01.659 those places? It's a lease. Oh okay. 00:56:13.939 --> 00:56:21.219 How did I have to? 00:56:21.219 --> 00:56:24.099 I think you were the first to talk. 00:56:24.099 --> 00:56:26.980 I've spoken one time on this matter. 00:56:26.980 --> 00:56:31.059 Okay, I believe you're wrong. 00:56:31.059 --> 00:56:34.819 Alderman, Stacy. 00:56:34.819 --> 00:56:39.119 So there was a couple things said. 00:56:39.119 --> 00:56:45.359 You yourself stated that they are not going to be here long. 00:56:45.359 --> 00:56:46.359 I didn't. 00:56:46.359 --> 00:56:49.359 I did not say that. 00:56:49.359 --> 00:56:51.199 Customers were not going to be there. 00:56:51.199 --> 00:56:52.199 Yes. 00:56:52.199 --> 00:56:53.199 Okay. 00:56:53.199 --> 00:56:58.399 And Darren, you spoke about the city tax from the cannabis. 00:56:58.399 --> 00:57:04.039 What percent of the city tax and where is that money going to go? 00:57:04.039 --> 00:57:12.480 and account for our roads. 00:57:12.480 --> 00:57:13.480 Attorney Zito. 00:57:13.480 --> 00:57:18.000 So the amount of tax that goes directly to the city is a 3% tax. 00:57:18.000 --> 00:57:22.159 That is a city ordinance that we were allowed to adopt back when the cannabis laws were 00:57:22.159 --> 00:57:27.559 first, when the state first authorized cannabis, they allowed municipalities to impose a tax 00:57:27.559 --> 00:57:32.559 up to 3% that would go directly to the general fund of the municipality and that's what 00:57:32.559 --> 00:57:52.920 Item 13 Adoption of Resolution R-2026-31 Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Illinois Department 00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:56.420 of Transportation Aviation Fuel Tax Program 00:57:56.420 --> 00:58:06.420 Thank you Alderman Shadle. The City receives the Aviation Fuel Tax Grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the past four years. 00:58:06.420 --> 00:58:12.420 It does not require a match. Grant funds are to be used for local governments for airport related purposes. 00:58:12.420 --> 00:58:19.420 In the case of the City of Freeport, we've utilized the funds as reimbursement for expended airport management expenses. 00:58:19.420 --> 00:58:20.420 and others. 00:58:20.420 --> 00:58:25.699 So the City of Freeport has received a notice for the grant for 2025 Airport Fuel Tax Grant 00:58:25.699 --> 00:58:29.659 in the amount of $44,098.58. 00:58:29.659 --> 00:58:31.019 There's no match. 00:58:31.019 --> 00:58:35.819 And once approved by the City Council, the City will submit invoices and proof of payment 00:58:35.819 --> 00:58:40.099 of airport management expenses in order to receive the grant funds. 00:58:40.099 --> 00:58:44.219 Upon review, an approval of the invoices submitted to IDOT allocations will be distributed to 00:58:44.219 --> 00:58:45.380 the City. 00:58:45.380 --> 00:58:49.460 Staff requests moving forward with resolution to accept the Aviation Fuel 00:58:49.460 --> 00:59:02.619 Tax Grant. Motion approved. Motion first. Motion do we have a second? Second. Motion by 00:59:02.619 --> 00:59:11.059 Klemm, second by Johnson. Any discussion? Alderman Sanders. 00:59:11.059 --> 00:59:19.259 The aviation fuel grant. Who is presenting that to the city? Is that something that the 00:59:19.259 --> 00:59:28.099 city is regulated to do each year or at any point in time that we are obligated to buy 00:59:28.099 --> 00:59:35.979 few for what purpose or or how has it been used throughout the city is it for 00:59:35.979 --> 00:59:45.859 city purposes or for just the airport or how is that how is that presented to the 00:59:45.859 --> 00:59:50.339 city of Freeport? Manager Boyer? I think it's IDOT is trying to support the 00:59:50.339 --> 00:59:57.460 aviation industry and they're doing it through this basically fuel grant. Thank 00:59:57.460 --> 00:59:59.460 Thank you. 00:59:59.460 --> 01:00:06.539 Nothing further, Madam Clerk, can you take the roll? 01:00:06.539 --> 01:00:07.539 Parker? 01:00:07.539 --> 01:00:08.539 Aye. 01:00:08.539 --> 01:00:09.539 Stacy? 01:00:09.539 --> 01:00:10.539 No. 01:00:10.539 --> 01:00:11.539 Shadle? 01:00:11.539 --> 01:00:12.539 Aye. 01:00:12.539 --> 01:00:13.539 Sanders? 01:00:13.539 --> 01:00:14.539 No. 01:00:14.539 --> 01:00:15.539 Sellers? 01:00:15.539 --> 01:00:16.539 Aye. 01:00:16.539 --> 01:00:17.539 Klemm? 01:00:17.539 --> 01:00:18.539 Aye. 01:00:18.539 --> 01:00:19.539 Johnson? 01:00:19.539 --> 01:00:20.539 Aye. 01:00:20.539 --> 01:00:21.539 Simmons? 01:00:21.539 --> 01:00:22.539 Aye. 01:00:22.539 --> 01:00:23.539 The resolution is adopted 6-2. 01:00:23.539 --> 01:00:24.539 Thank you. 01:00:24.539 --> 01:00:30.539 Resolution R-2026-32, Madam Clerk 01:00:30.539 --> 01:00:38.539 Resolution Approving a Certificate of Authority to Vote Regarding Rock Salt Contract Joint Participation Agreement with the State of Illinois 01:00:38.539 --> 01:00:40.539 Manager Boyer 01:00:40.539 --> 01:00:42.539 Thank you Alderman Shadle 01:00:42.539 --> 01:00:48.539 The City purchases rock salt each year for snow removal operations. 01:00:48.539 --> 01:00:55.099 City of Illinois has made a procedural requirement for municipalities to be included in the RockSalt 01:00:55.099 --> 01:00:56.099 program. 01:00:56.099 --> 01:01:01.139 The City must submit its RockSalt Contract Joint Participation Agreement by April 7th 01:01:01.139 --> 01:01:03.500 with City Council resolution approval. 01:01:03.500 --> 01:01:07.619 By passing this resolution, it essentially gives the City Manager, me, the authority 01:01:07.619 --> 01:01:11.460 to submit and sign the agreement for this year's participation. 01:01:11.460 --> 01:01:16.179 And just to give you a heads up, the state bid on salt is essentially the most efficient 01:01:16.179 --> 01:01:21.380 way to acquire salt. We're working very diligently to put in a new salt shed that can handle 01:01:21.380 --> 01:01:28.420 more volume and lower our overall cost of storage. And so staff is recommending moving forward 01:01:28.420 --> 01:01:35.539 with this joint participation agreement. We need a motion and a second to move this. 01:01:35.539 --> 01:01:44.539 So moved. Second. Motion by Sellers, second by Klemm. Discussion. Alderman Sanders. Yeah. 01:01:44.539 --> 01:01:56.980 Manager Boyer, do we have any other option other than using rock salt because of the consequences 01:01:56.980 --> 01:02:06.619 of the new roads that it can affect putting down the new road and using rock salt really 01:02:06.619 --> 01:02:34.039 there's other snow melt products out there that are much more costly and I think in the past we've mixed in 01:02:34.039 --> 01:02:39.159 Sand with Salt. I think that creates another problem, which is it fills up all of our stormwater 01:02:39.159 --> 01:02:45.320 catch basins with sand. So this is really not, although maybe not perfect, it is the 01:02:45.320 --> 01:02:52.840 best that we have, not just here in Freeport, but across the Midwest for maintaining safe 01:02:52.840 --> 01:02:56.599 right-of-ways during winter snow removal operations. 01:02:56.599 --> 01:03:19.599 I would like Director Steekle input on that matter and what's out there or what isn't out there that could help save the new asphalt on our streets. 01:03:19.599 --> 01:03:27.079 The state, some of the state trucks use a liquid application. 01:03:27.079 --> 01:03:28.480 It's very expensive. 01:03:28.480 --> 01:03:33.119 It's really probably not in the affordable range for us. 01:03:33.119 --> 01:03:37.159 And we don't have equipment to spread it either, but it's a liquid applied. 01:03:37.720 --> 01:03:42.240 And then they still sometimes have to spread salt on days like today that we have, you 01:03:42.240 --> 01:03:45.599 know, far too much snow than what can melt fast enough. 01:03:45.599 --> 01:04:05.599 So unfortunately in Northern Illinois, there's not a lot of options that are cost-effective for municipalities. Rob actually brought us back to going to the state bid for rock salt. For some years we weren't involved in it and the cost really got very heavy. 01:04:05.599 --> 01:04:35.599 I'd also like to remind you that we did approve a new salt shed just recently that's being built for salt. So really the effective use is not to over spread it. So on a day like today, we tried to spread as little salt as possible, just enough to get by because we have, you know, 60, 50, 60 degree temps coming towards the end of this week. So we wanted to have safe travel, but we don't want to over spread it. So we were very light on salt over the next two days. 01:04:35.599 --> 01:05:05.599 Johnson. That's kind of been a practice. Um, 10 years ago, seven years ago, we, we did the sand salt mix to try to stretch our sand salt. But what Rob said is exactly right. The sand never goes away. It gets swept into the storm sewers. Then it floats out to the rivers and, or we have to clean all the storms, um, if it doesn't, and it really created a lot of extra work. Um, uh, Randy could speak to the, Randy Kolbauer, our Environmental Compliance Officer could speak to the salt. 01:05:05.599 --> 01:05:35.599 We're already supposed to be rationing our salt back as we can or ratcheting it back as we can, because they're concerned about salt water going out to the storm basins, right? As it melts down. So, you know, conservation is the best way to go. The enemy of roads is heavy trucks, salt and water damage. And we have the trifecta up here in Northern Illinois, right? With the seasonal change of frost and heave of ground. So. 01:05:35.599 --> 01:05:46.599 Isn't it cheaper to clean out the sand than it is to keep trying to overlay, redo, refix all these roads? 01:05:46.599 --> 01:05:56.599 Yes and no. Yes, it costs money to take the sand out and we used to do that and try to reuse the sand. 01:05:56.599 --> 01:06:04.599 You know, take it out and we would recycle it, take it back down to the plant, what we could, and try to filter it back in the next year without buying more. 01:06:04.599 --> 01:06:09.579 The issue is that sand is not a melt, melting product. 01:06:09.579 --> 01:06:11.179 So it doesn't work by itself. 01:06:11.320 --> 01:06:12.539 It just sits there. 01:06:12.679 --> 01:06:15.820 So if we don't put salt with it, it doesn't do anything. 01:06:15.820 --> 01:06:20.480 And, uh, I believe Rob's first year here in Freeport, we actually 01:06:20.480 --> 01:06:23.559 bought, uh, the higher content salt. 01:06:23.720 --> 01:06:26.400 Uh, I think that some people call it blue salt. 01:06:26.400 --> 01:06:30.280 And we tried to use that and mix that into, to be more effective as well. 01:06:30.280 --> 01:06:33.880 But the cost of it just got out of control and really kills our budget. 01:06:33.880 --> 01:06:37.880 We have a very large expenditure on salt annually. 01:06:37.880 --> 01:06:41.880 Alderman Sanders 01:06:41.880 --> 01:06:45.880 Bringing that out like that, 01:06:45.880 --> 01:06:49.880 you just sparked an idea or thought in my head. 01:06:49.880 --> 01:06:53.880 We don't have a program 01:06:53.880 --> 01:06:57.880 or storm 01:06:57.880 --> 01:07:01.880 excavation when it comes to vacuuming. 01:07:01.880 --> 01:07:17.880 for those concentrated areas that absorb more salt and sand. Do we have a program that will help us to eliminate more sand during the spring weather time? 01:07:17.880 --> 01:07:32.880 Great question. Starting in 2026, part of our EPA MS4 requirements is that about 20 to 25 percent of our storm basins and storm system have to be cleaned annually. 01:07:32.880 --> 01:07:41.880 We've always tried to clean them. We have gotten behind in the last several years. We've had a lot of employee turnover in Public Works, as you guys are quite well aware of. 01:07:41.880 --> 01:08:11.880 Well aware of. We've had a hard time keeping a full staff. We are up to full staff now finally. And again, we'll be planning on cleaning 20% of the catch basins and 20% of the piping annually. That's why we have our own vector trucks that we do that routine maintenance and we're getting people trained to do that. And as seasonal abilities allow spring and fall, we'll be cleaning those. Thank you. Madam Clerk. 01:08:11.880 --> 01:08:20.920 Parker, Aye, Stacy, Aye, Shadle, Aye, Sanders, Aye, Sellers, Aye, Klemm, Aye, Johnson, Aye, 01:08:20.920 --> 01:08:27.199 and Simmons, Aye, the resolution is adopted 8-0, thank you, the adoption of resolution 01:08:27.199 --> 01:08:34.199 are 2026-33 resolution approving an extension and renewal of purchase of service agreement 01:08:34.199 --> 01:08:40.359 with the Stevenson County Senior Center doing business as Senior Resource Center, thank 01:08:40.359 --> 01:08:42.060 Thank you, Director Heimerdinger. 01:08:42.060 --> 01:08:43.060 Thank you. 01:08:43.060 --> 01:08:47.420 The City of Freeport has contracted the Senior Resource Center, Operational Services for 01:08:47.420 --> 01:08:51.220 the Pretzel City Transit Program since 2018. 01:08:51.220 --> 01:08:59.359 The purchase of service contract between the City and SRC is affected from July 1st, 2024 01:08:59.359 --> 01:09:04.520 through July 30th, 2026 with the option to extend and renew for one additional year beginning 01:09:04.520 --> 01:09:10.000 on July 1st, 2026 and ending on June 30th, 2027. 01:09:10.000 --> 01:09:16.720 We need to renew in order to have Senior Resource Center continue operational management. 01:09:16.720 --> 01:09:21.440 The City functions as the Rural Transit System Administrator for Stevenson County and has 01:09:21.440 --> 01:09:26.399 selected the Senior Resource Center to provide public transportation services as a non-for-profit 01:09:26.399 --> 01:09:30.159 pass-through provider via Pretzer City Area Transit. 01:09:30.159 --> 01:09:34.920 The Senior Resource Center has the employee space and experience necessary to continue 01:09:34.920 --> 01:09:40.279 to provide public transportation services needed for the City of Freeport and Stevenson County. 01:09:40.279 --> 01:09:47.920 The City has provided the necessary vehicles via the Ordinance 2022-28. 01:09:47.920 --> 01:09:52.520 Staff recommends the approval of the extension of the Purchase of Service Contract between 01:09:52.520 --> 01:09:57.720 the City of Freeport and Senior Resource Center for the operation of Precious City Area Transit. 01:09:57.720 --> 01:10:10.119 We have a motion for this. So moved. Second. Motion by Sellers, second by Klemm. Discussion? 01:10:13.119 --> 01:10:24.159 Harker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. 01:10:24.159 --> 01:10:34.480 and Simmons. The resolution is adopted 7-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-34. 01:10:34.480 --> 01:10:41.000 Resolution Accepting Special Warranty for 5311 Grant Application Regarding Pretzel City Transit. 01:10:41.000 --> 01:10:44.400 Director Heimerdinger. Thank you. As part of our Annual Transportation 01:10:44.400 --> 01:10:49.800 Grant Application to the State of Illinois under the 5311 Transportation Program and 01:10:49.800 --> 01:10:55.760 Downstate Operating Assistance Program, DOAP, the City of Freeport, is required to have 01:10:55.760 --> 01:11:01.400 the Council approval for the following, an ordinance adopting the transportation services 01:11:01.400 --> 01:11:07.760 within Freeport and Stevenson County, a resolution authorizing an application to be made to the 01:11:07.760 --> 01:11:14.840 Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, IDOT, for a financial assistance grant under 01:11:14.840 --> 01:11:21.000 Section 5311 for a physical year of 2026 for the purpose of offsetting a portion of the public 01:11:21.000 --> 01:11:28.760 transportation program operating deficiencies of the City of Freeport. Sorry, deficits of the City 01:11:28.760 --> 01:11:34.520 of Freeport. A resolution accepting the special warranty for public transportation funding which 01:11:34.520 --> 01:11:41.240 affirms the transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty and resolution 01:11:41.240 --> 01:11:52.240 Accepting the City of Freeport is participating in said grant programs and will provide local and matching funds which are obtained through service contracts, grant funding, allocations from Senior Resource Center, and donations. 01:11:52.240 --> 01:11:57.240 The City of Freeport does not provide local matching funds to these operations. 01:11:57.240 --> 01:12:08.239 Item 1 in the 1, 2, 3, 4 list above was approved by City Council on June 17, 2024, ordinance 2024-32. 01:12:08.240 --> 01:12:20.240 Items 2 and 3 are what we are going to be voting on in resolutions for this number 16 agenda item and number 17. 01:12:20.240 --> 01:12:27.240 They will not be required in conjunction with the ordinance in order to complete the application. 01:12:27.240 --> 01:12:37.240 A resolution to apply for a DOAP funding is not required, but a resolution accepting funds after approval will be required. 01:12:37.240 --> 01:12:42.760 and so that will bring number four will be eventually in the future will come to 01:12:42.760 --> 01:12:49.360 council for that. For this one we are really focusing on number three which is 01:12:49.360 --> 01:12:52.800 the special warranty for public transportation funding which affirms 01:12:52.800 --> 01:12:57.680 that transit employees will be treated fairly under the terms of the warranty. 01:12:57.680 --> 01:13:03.480 This is something that is passed every year in order to properly fill out the 01:13:03.480 --> 01:13:10.560 application for the following year. An application process is ongoing right now. 01:13:11.199 --> 01:13:19.000 Thank you. We have a motion. So moved. Second. Motion by Klemm. Second. Second by Parker. 01:13:19.000 --> 01:13:32.159 Any discussion? Madam Clerk. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. 01:13:32.159 --> 01:13:54.720 Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-2026-35. Resolution authorizing execution and amendment of federal 5311 grant agreement for fiscal year 2027. 01:13:54.720 --> 01:13:56.720 Director Heimerdinger. 01:13:56.720 --> 01:14:22.720 Thank you. This is number 10, which is the, this is number two of what I was just discussing. It has the same memo attached, and this is for resolution authorizing an application to be made to the Office of Intermodal Project Implication, IDOT, for financial assistance grant under Section 5311 for physical year of 2026. 01:14:22.720 --> 01:14:45.720 And because I didn't say it the last time and I don't need to repeat the other stuff, I'll add that the last physical year, PCAT, Precious City Area Transit offered 49,846 trips covering 250,000 miles within Stevenson County. 01:14:45.720 --> 01:14:56.220 Of those trips, approximately 21,000 were for employment, 9,600 for medical visits, and 8,200 for shopping in the area. 01:14:56.220 --> 01:15:08.720 As you can see, this provides a countless amount of travel for those who need it, especially for employment. 01:15:08.720 --> 01:15:15.119 you can see how we would like to apply and continue providing public 01:15:15.119 --> 01:15:21.360 transportation to Stevens County and the City of Freeport and this resolution is 01:15:21.360 --> 01:15:28.560 passed yearly in order for us to provide information and to complete our 01:15:28.560 --> 01:15:36.760 application. Do we have a motion? I so move. Second. Motion by Johnson, second by 01:15:36.760 --> 01:16:06.760 Sellers. Discussion? Madam Clerk? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-2026-36. Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the 01:16:06.760 --> 01:16:11.440 City Bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue. 01:16:11.440 --> 01:16:13.860 Manager Boyer. 01:16:13.860 --> 01:16:15.960 Thank you Alderman Shadle. 01:16:15.960 --> 01:16:19.180 The city owns two bridges, Hancock and Van Buren. 01:16:19.180 --> 01:16:24.720 They have to be inspected annually and Fehr Graham is the city's bridge engineer. 01:16:24.720 --> 01:16:29.960 So we have a team with certified licensed personnel for specialty inspection work. 01:16:29.960 --> 01:16:34.480 All inspections must be completed and finalized within reporting to the state of Illinois. 01:16:34.480 --> 01:16:40.060 So the bridge inspections were expected in 2026 and given current structure ratings to 01:16:40.060 --> 01:16:44.039 ensure travel safety and staff's recommendation. 01:16:44.039 --> 01:16:51.079 City Council moved to move forward with the agreement with Fehr Graham for the bridge 01:16:51.079 --> 01:16:52.079 inspections for 2026. 01:16:52.079 --> 01:16:53.079 Do I have a motion? 01:16:53.079 --> 01:16:54.079 So moved. 01:16:54.079 --> 01:16:55.079 Second. 01:16:55.079 --> 01:16:56.079 Motion by Klemm, second by Johnson, discussion? 01:16:56.079 --> 01:16:57.079 Yeah. 01:16:57.079 --> 01:16:58.079 Alderman, Sanders? 01:16:58.079 --> 01:16:59.079 Yeah. 01:16:59.079 --> 01:17:00.079 A manager, Boyer. 01:17:00.079 --> 01:17:01.079 Yes. 01:17:01.079 --> 01:17:09.800 Alderman, Sanders, Manager Boyer, upon the inspections for these bridges, are we in compliance 01:17:09.800 --> 01:17:15.360 with the reports that are coming from Fehr and Graham, whether or not we're still meeting 01:17:15.360 --> 01:17:23.600 the standards for inspections of reporting and if it's annually, how long have this been 01:17:23.600 --> 01:17:30.420 and effective if it's been annually that we receive any reports on these 01:17:30.420 --> 01:17:36.200 inspections of other conditions of these bridges are we in compliance with that 01:17:36.200 --> 01:17:41.119 we are in compliance I'll just give you some background the Hancock bridge I 01:17:41.119 --> 01:17:45.880 believe used to be every ten years and recently that was reduced by IDOT 01:17:45.880 --> 01:17:51.920 requiring it every year due to the the guardrail and a deck condition in the 01:17:51.920 --> 01:17:56.960 Van Buren Bridge, I believe that's every every two years, okay thank you for that. 01:17:56.960 --> 01:18:00.800 So the Van Buren Bridge is basically the walk ride bridge that used to be an old 01:18:00.800 --> 01:18:06.840 old train trestle. So yeah, but all this infrastructure has to be inspected 01:18:06.840 --> 01:18:11.640 periodically and this year both of them need it. So we're just asking to move 01:18:11.640 --> 01:18:17.200 forward with this agreement. Alderman Sanders, do you guys have knowledge of a 01:18:17.200 --> 01:18:44.320 Trussle, or some form of apparatus behind this city sewer located over there. I know it's abandoned, but it's a railroad type trussle. Have that's been removed and what's becoming of it? You guys recall any of that? It's over by the Pecatonica River by and back of the treatment plant. You guys have any recollection of that? 01:18:44.320 --> 01:18:51.320 There's nothing that exists there currently. The only two bridges we have is Hancock and Bay. 01:18:51.320 --> 01:18:53.320 No, it's not a bridge, it's a railroad trestle. 01:18:53.320 --> 01:18:55.320 Are we? Are we? 01:18:55.320 --> 01:18:59.320 I believe we're talking about the viaduct and that's under construction and that should be completed by May. 01:18:59.320 --> 01:19:01.320 Okay. Yep. 01:19:01.320 --> 01:19:08.320 No, it's not the viaduct. That's not what we used to call the trestle. It's not the viaduct. 01:19:08.320 --> 01:19:10.320 Are you ready? 01:19:10.320 --> 01:19:11.320 Parker? 01:19:11.320 --> 01:19:12.320 Aye. 01:19:12.320 --> 01:19:42.320 Stacy If it has to be done, it has to be done. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8-0 Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-202637 Resolution accepting a safety grant from the Illinois Public Risk Fund and authorizing the use of grant funds to purchase portable 01:19:42.320 --> 01:19:48.239 Message Boards from Road Safe Traffic Systems Thank you, Manager Boyer. 01:19:48.239 --> 01:19:50.760 Thank you Alderman Shadle. 01:19:50.760 --> 01:19:55.900 City staff received a source well procurement quote for two IDOT approved message boards. 01:19:55.900 --> 01:19:57.780 So those are the two behind. 01:19:57.780 --> 01:20:02.860 So those are the tow behind boards we set up that say, you know, river level is this 01:20:02.860 --> 01:20:08.420 high or, you know, construction in this area till such and such a date. 01:20:08.420 --> 01:20:13.900 We had one recently, the motherboard, some of the electronics burned out on it rendering 01:20:13.900 --> 01:20:15.180 it useless. 01:20:15.180 --> 01:20:21.100 So this quote is from the road safe traffic systems and includes a message board trailer, 01:20:21.100 --> 01:20:27.300 controller chargers, solar panel, generator power to run the unit completely. 01:20:27.300 --> 01:20:33.140 The purchase of the two units is $32,750, delivered to Freeport. 01:20:33.140 --> 01:20:39.540 This is a source well quote, which means the company that's involved already has an established 01:20:39.540 --> 01:20:47.700 relationship with the state of Illinois and is considered a source well dealer, enabling 01:20:47.700 --> 01:20:51.660 us to move forward with their source well quote. 01:20:51.660 --> 01:20:57.500 It was also $8,000 cheaper than the other quotes received for the same units. 01:20:57.500 --> 01:21:03.780 City staff also requires the City Council and staff to accept the Illinois Public Risk 01:21:03.780 --> 01:21:05.160 Fund grant. 01:21:05.160 --> 01:21:10.940 So this is a grant we receive once a year from our insurance company to purchase safety-related 01:21:10.940 --> 01:21:17.020 equipment and this qualifies as safety-related equipment with the funds to be used for the 01:21:17.020 --> 01:21:20.020 purchase of the city-owned construction message board. 01:21:20.020 --> 01:21:29.260 The IPRF grant award will be $16,244 and the remaining funds of $16,506 were budgeted in 01:21:29.260 --> 01:21:36.780 the street department budget this year including water and sewer for the 2026 planned purchase. 01:21:36.780 --> 01:21:42.900 So staff will use IPRF grant funds for essentially one and pay for the other with budgeted funds 01:21:42.900 --> 01:21:46.460 and staff recommends moving forward with the purchase of this equipment. 01:21:46.460 --> 01:22:16.460 Motion by Klemm. Second. Second by Johnson. Any discussion? I know you had mentioned that the other one that we used to have is broke or whatever. What does that cost? What does that cost to get something like that fixed? I think we've had it fixed several times and I think at this point the parts availability are not, the parts aren't available anymore to get it repaired. 01:22:16.460 --> 01:22:23.460 The current one that we have, Rob's correct, has been fixed several times and it's kind of obsolete. It's old. We've had it for a while. 01:22:23.460 --> 01:22:33.460 I believe the motherboard and the electronics on it have burned up at least three times. I want to say we might have spent $5,000 on it the last time repairing it. 01:22:33.460 --> 01:22:42.460 So we did budget for two of them this year. This just allows us to only, you know, buy one with the grant and buy one with some of the money that we budgeted. 01:22:42.460 --> 01:22:54.960 For the $16,000, how long does something like this last? How long do they last? 01:22:54.960 --> 01:23:02.880 I'm going to guess with good care, probably get 12 to 15 years out of them. I believe the 01:23:02.880 --> 01:23:10.320 one that we have now is close to 15 years, if I recall. And this one, the last one that 01:23:10.320 --> 01:23:15.400 we had didn't have like the solar part of it those are fairly new so we decided to 01:23:15.400 --> 01:23:19.280 go with that you know save on the generators and stuff and and be more 01:23:19.280 --> 01:23:22.000 respectful but with the kind of construction that the city crews have 01:23:22.000 --> 01:23:26.400 been doing this is a safety mechanism them to to almost direct people from 01:23:26.400 --> 01:23:31.240 staying out of the areas that we're working in. Alderman Sanders, yeah is that 01:23:31.240 --> 01:23:40.280 also included with speed trafficking and strategic locations where hazards 01:23:40.280 --> 01:23:50.720 for hazardous kind of areas that are deemed necessary for public awareness like that. 01:23:50.720 --> 01:23:57.880 Yeah, so our other sign board, we were trying to use that for maybe some public events or 01:23:57.880 --> 01:24:02.280 I believe Rob mentioned when the flooding was going on over the east side, we had posted 01:24:02.280 --> 01:24:06.280 a board, you know, stay out in the flooding levels that were going on. 01:24:06.280 --> 01:24:08.560 That is the intent of these boards. 01:24:08.560 --> 01:24:13.360 There is a component to where, um, and we did not buy this and did not recommend it. 01:24:13.360 --> 01:24:17.880 These could be added for, you know, speed components on it to show how fast you're traveling. 01:24:17.880 --> 01:24:22.720 But that's another very expensive option that we just didn't think provided to the safety 01:24:22.720 --> 01:24:23.720 of it. 01:24:23.720 --> 01:24:26.920 Um, and the police department has their speed trailers. 01:24:26.920 --> 01:24:33.400 So these are really going to be for events and or, um, really construction primarily 01:24:33.400 --> 01:24:38.480 for construction or, or where we're working with city crews that we can post this as, 01:24:38.480 --> 01:24:41.860 Dewey Street, you know, we're coming. 01:24:41.860 --> 01:24:46.100 This road's going to be closed for, you know, 30 to 60 days. 01:24:46.100 --> 01:24:48.040 You know, please avoid this area type stuff. 01:24:48.040 --> 01:24:48.360 Yeah. 01:24:48.440 --> 01:24:48.860 Okay. 01:24:49.400 --> 01:24:49.680 Okay. 01:24:49.680 --> 01:24:50.160 Thanks. 01:24:52.880 --> 01:24:56.740 I should mention too, that these boards are technically required. 01:24:56.740 --> 01:25:01.400 Whenever we work on any of the IDOT corridors, doing our hot patching, our work, 01:25:01.440 --> 01:25:03.800 those are part of the traffic control requirements. 01:25:04.080 --> 01:25:07.340 And so renting these are very expensive to bring in for a day. 01:25:07.340 --> 01:25:11.260 They're they're they're upwards of $3,000 a day to rent. Wow. It's crazy. 01:25:14.940 --> 01:25:16.620 What have we done in the past? 01:25:17.220 --> 01:25:28.900 Rented? I mean, we've we've had one, but it hasn't worked for the last. I believe last summer is when it burned up. So we just did without last year. 01:25:30.300 --> 01:25:32.420 Rented one as we work on the IDOT corridors. 01:25:35.460 --> 01:25:36.060 Parker? 01:25:36.460 --> 01:25:36.860 Aye. 01:25:37.340 --> 01:25:45.900 Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. And Simmons? Aye. 01:25:45.900 --> 01:25:55.980 That resolution is adopted 8-0. Thank you. Adoption of Resolution R-202638. Resolution authorizing 01:25:55.980 --> 01:26:00.300 the purchase of portable handheld police radios from Motorola Solutions. 01:26:00.300 --> 01:26:05.260 Thank you, Lieutenant Weichel. 01:26:05.260 --> 01:26:06.260 I'm Lieutenant Polish. 01:26:06.260 --> 01:26:07.260 All right, sorry. 01:26:07.260 --> 01:26:08.260 That's all right. 01:26:08.260 --> 01:26:09.260 No, there was a last minute change. 01:26:09.260 --> 01:26:12.940 So the Freeport Police Department is currently in the fifth year of a five-year plan to replace 01:26:12.940 --> 01:26:18.660 the portable handheld Motorola radios currently being utilized by all sworn police officers. 01:26:18.660 --> 01:26:23.380 Their main radios in circulation still function, however they have reached end of life. 01:26:23.380 --> 01:26:27.000 Currently Motorola is the only supplier of portable handheld police radios. 01:26:27.000 --> 01:26:36.000 The Police Department has received a quote to replace 10 Motorola handheld police radios and accessories at a total cost of $63,596.10. 01:26:36.000 --> 01:26:51.000 Funding for the 10 portable handheld Motorola radios and accessories is provided in Fiscal Year 2026 Police Department Capital Budget 331-302-7000 where $65,000 was budgeted for this purchase. 01:26:51.000 --> 01:26:54.000 Thank you. Do I have a motion? 01:26:54.000 --> 01:26:55.000 So moved. 01:26:55.000 --> 01:26:56.000 Second. 01:26:56.000 --> 01:27:12.560 The Radios, the Motorola's, they're not the only competitors on the market because they 01:27:12.560 --> 01:27:20.800 can be integrated with Motorola or replacement of Motorola at very cheap prices, am I correct? 01:27:20.800 --> 01:27:24.960 That's from the information I was given today by Lieutenant Weichel, he said Motorola was 01:27:24.960 --> 01:27:43.960 I understand being the only supplier but they don't hold monopoly on competitors radios that could be standards also for replacement of motor rollers for a better option. Have we inspected that option as well? 01:27:43.960 --> 01:27:49.720 Manager, Boyer, Alderman, Sanders, these are Starcom radios so they're they're not 01:27:49.720 --> 01:27:54.960 available on the open market. They're specific for law enforcement. 01:27:54.960 --> 01:28:04.600 Motorola has a pretty good clamp on that market. Yeah. Madam Clerk? Parker? Aye. 01:28:04.600 --> 01:28:18.600 Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, and that resolution is adopted 8-0 as well. 01:28:18.600 --> 01:28:23.600 Thank you. Adoption of resolution R-2026-39. 01:28:23.600 --> 01:28:32.600 Resolution approving a quote from J&R Supply for the purchase of sewer and storm system manhole replacement castings and materials. 01:28:32.600 --> 01:28:39.080 Thank you. Manager Boyer? Yes, thank you Alderman Shadle. This year we've got a lot 01:28:39.080 --> 01:28:44.000 of construction and we've got a lot of manholes that need to be repaired, fixed, 01:28:44.000 --> 01:28:49.280 whatever is part of our street program. So the city staff has received quotes 01:28:49.280 --> 01:28:54.840 from our sewer castings and lid material supplier for the knee-high 01:28:54.840 --> 01:28:59.600 representative. The utility staff requested a large order for more for 01:29:29.600 --> 01:29:32.600 and Staff recommends moving forward with the material purchase. 01:29:32.600 --> 01:29:34.600 Thank you. Do we have a motion? 01:29:34.600 --> 01:29:35.600 So moved. 01:29:35.600 --> 01:29:36.600 Second. 01:29:36.600 --> 01:29:39.600 Motion by Klemm, second by Sellers. Discussion? 01:29:39.600 --> 01:29:40.600 Yeah. 01:29:40.600 --> 01:29:41.600 Alderman Sanders. 01:29:41.600 --> 01:29:48.600 Yeah. There's one item probably, maybe not at all important, but what about the water 01:29:48.600 --> 01:29:57.600 boxes to the water mains when they are defective and need to be repaired and replaced? 01:29:57.600 --> 01:30:03.840 and Need to be repaired and replaced, especially on the new main roads, the new highways, the 01:30:03.840 --> 01:30:12.360 new whatever that we are installing right now. Those have to have the at the first initial 01:30:12.360 --> 01:30:20.320 installment of that road, they should have the adequate water boxes when they install 01:30:20.320 --> 01:30:24.360 that where they don't have to come back and make repairs to it, tearing up the street 01:30:24.360 --> 01:30:31.160 on a second time around on the very same street to replace water boxes I just I 01:30:31.160 --> 01:30:37.240 was just curious are we adding that in are we including those items yes in the 01:30:37.240 --> 01:31:02.240 Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Johnson, and Simmons. 01:31:02.240 --> 01:31:06.240 The resolution is adopted 8-0. 01:31:06.240 --> 01:31:14.680 Thank you, moving on to Item 22 is Reports of Department Heads, Finance, Community Development. 01:31:14.680 --> 01:31:22.600 Hi, I just wanted to remind everybody, it snowed a lot today, I hope that you are safe, 01:31:22.600 --> 01:31:28.560 but keep in mind that we do want sidewalks shoveled so that kids can get to school and 01:31:28.560 --> 01:31:33.940 anybody who needs to walk on the sidewalk can get to work tomorrow morning, so please 01:31:33.940 --> 01:31:37.180 Help your neighbors out and get those sidewalks shoveled 01:31:37.180 --> 01:31:39.539 so that everybody can get where they need to go safely. 01:31:39.539 --> 01:31:40.700 Thank you. 01:31:40.700 --> 01:31:44.140 And that's a 24-hour from the snowfall? 01:31:44.140 --> 01:31:48.060 Yeah, 12 hours, yeah. 01:31:48.060 --> 01:31:50.539 Public Works? 01:31:50.539 --> 01:31:51.579 Yeah, just a few things. 01:31:51.579 --> 01:31:56.220 I'd really like to thank our Public Works crews for starting 01:31:56.220 --> 01:31:59.320 around, actually, they work Sunday night salting. 01:31:59.320 --> 01:32:02.940 And they started this morning around 3 o'clock plowing streets 01:32:02.940 --> 01:32:32.940 didn't finish up till this afternoon. Appreciate their dedication to getting it done. I want to let everybody know that we're not going to continue to haul snow out over the next few days. We're not going to do major plow backs. It's going to be up in the 50s by Thursday. So a lot of this is going to melt away quickly. So we don't want to waste city fuel and manpower hauling snow away that's going to melt. I'd like to thank Randy Kolbauer who came to the 01:32:32.940 --> 01:32:39.800 This meeting and last meeting shows her interest in the department and helping us rewrite the 01:32:39.800 --> 01:32:44.860 ordinances for the MS4 and the erosion and the Julie stuff. 01:32:44.860 --> 01:32:47.700 She didn't have to come, but she's been at the last two meetings. 01:32:47.700 --> 01:32:54.780 The 1719 Main Street demo, obviously with the weather, it's slowed down a little bit. 01:32:54.780 --> 01:32:59.900 So as the stone melts away, we hope to see some action there next week. 01:32:59.900 --> 01:33:03.940 You'll see probably fences coming in this week if they haven't got in there. 01:33:03.940 --> 01:33:08.940 And then just a reminder to all the Aldermen that at the next meeting, we will have had 01:33:08.940 --> 01:33:12.900 three bid openings for street projects for this year. 01:33:12.900 --> 01:33:18.680 So be package A, B, and C that'll be on the next agenda to move forward so we can start 01:33:18.680 --> 01:33:22.860 the construction process earlier this year, hopefully. 01:33:22.860 --> 01:33:23.860 Thank you. 01:33:23.860 --> 01:33:24.860 IT? 01:33:24.860 --> 01:33:54.860 Nothing tonight. Fire. Nothing this evening. And I don't think I forgot anybody. City Manager. Thank you Alderman. I just wanted to also put a little highlight. I want something there and just mentioned. So over the last 24 hours, Freeport and Stevenson County experienced a significant late season winter storm with the National Weather Service 01:33:54.860 --> 01:34:24.860 Placing, Blizzard Warning & Reporting Hazardous Conditions, Accumulating Snow, Blowing & Drifting Snow, Wind Gusts, 40-45 mph, Official Snow Fall Reporting, Illinois 24-hour totals, 9 inches, Border Storm Area, Reduced Visibility, Bitter Cold & Difficult Travel Conditions 01:34:24.860 --> 01:34:29.960 Well, at this time, it is my understanding that we completed snow removal operations without 01:34:29.960 --> 01:34:35.180 any property damage or employee injuries, which reflect a safe, disciplined, and highly 01:34:35.180 --> 01:34:39.100 professional response by our crews, and I just want to personally thank them very much 01:34:39.100 --> 01:34:42.380 for their hard work this last 24 hours. 01:34:42.380 --> 01:34:44.780 Thank you. 01:34:44.780 --> 01:34:45.780 Thank you. 01:34:45.780 --> 01:34:48.260 That takes us to Council Announcement. 01:34:48.260 --> 01:34:50.180 Alderman Klemm? 01:34:50.180 --> 01:34:59.620 Okay, we have a Neighborhood Watch coming up next week on 423 at Schwartz Funeral Home 01:34:59.620 --> 01:35:04.020 and also I want to echo the good job that the public works done. 01:35:04.020 --> 01:35:09.620 I did see them out last night probably about 7 o'clock putting salt down on all the main 01:35:09.620 --> 01:35:14.500 thoroughfares and stuff so they really did do a good job and we're by this morning so 01:35:14.500 --> 01:35:15.500 thank you guys. 01:35:15.500 --> 01:35:16.500 Alderman Johnson? 01:35:16.500 --> 01:35:24.500 Alderman Johnson? Yes, we have a neighborhood watch meeting this Thursday at 6 30 p.m. at 3002 Farmedale Lane. 01:35:26.100 --> 01:35:33.780 Thank you. Alderman Simmons? I don't have anything. Thank you. Well, I do want to say that the street 01:35:33.780 --> 01:35:41.620 crews did an awesome job. It was a lot of snow and by the afternoon you were all able to get out and move around like it never happened. 01:35:41.620 --> 01:35:51.460 Thank you Alderman Parker. Just our Neighborhood Watch meeting is next Monday night, 4th Monday of the month. Thank you. 01:35:51.460 --> 01:36:06.060 Yes, I would like to announce my 5th Ward Neighborhood Watch tomorrow at the Church on the corner of Carroll and Empire at 6 o'clock. 01:36:06.060 --> 01:36:19.060 And also, I believe, Alderman, Johnson, if you could help me with this, that there's a public forum meeting this week. 01:36:19.060 --> 01:36:24.060 What are you talking about? Are you talking about for the tower? 01:36:24.060 --> 01:36:25.060 Yes. 01:36:25.060 --> 01:36:29.060 I believe that's April 2nd, isn't it? 01:36:29.060 --> 01:36:47.060 So the Zoning Board of Appeals for the JC Wi-Fi Tower will be on April 2nd. They are hosting a, JC Wi-Fi is going to host a town hall here at City Hall. That day will, that will be announced tomorrow, the day in time. 01:36:47.060 --> 01:36:55.300 What I would like to see happen is when we have a meeting of that nature coming up that 01:36:55.300 --> 01:37:05.300 the community have say so that it's announced so that we know what is coming up. 01:37:05.300 --> 01:37:09.460 It's always publicly noticed on the website. 01:37:09.460 --> 01:37:19.300 Okay, I understand that, but I'm just asking that they be announced here at the council. 01:37:19.300 --> 01:37:24.360 If that's asking too much, then I'll take it from the rep and announce it myself, but 01:37:24.360 --> 01:37:26.740 I'm just trying to... 01:37:26.740 --> 01:37:31.940 There is a schedule of regular meetings on the website when you can go to any Zoning 01:37:31.940 --> 01:37:37.940 Board meeting, and when I post agendas on Friday, emails go to over 100 people. 01:37:37.940 --> 01:38:07.940 they go on the website and and the board back here by OMA regulations. Do we have a time on that? On the town hall? Yeah. That will be announced tomorrow. It will be published on the website tomorrow. We're just finalizing some some details today. Thank you. I have nothing. Alderman Sanders? Yeah, I have one request and recommendation that I'd like to propose 01:38:07.940 --> 01:38:10.640 Stand Valentine House to Council that 01:38:10.640 --> 01:38:14.680 we get behind senior citizens within our city 01:38:14.680 --> 01:38:18.800 and create a program that will allow us or them 01:38:20.160 --> 01:38:22.660 if they're certain age can get before they 01:38:22.660 --> 01:38:26.040 get out of their house because of massive snow 01:38:26.040 --> 01:38:27.579 like we have today. 01:38:27.579 --> 01:38:29.100 I don't know if they have 01:38:29.100 --> 01:38:32.380 a sign-up program where they can call in 01:38:32.380 --> 01:38:34.100 and say that they need to get out 01:38:34.100 --> 01:38:37.400 because in the case of emergencies, 01:38:37.400 --> 01:38:44.440 you have elderly stuck in the home they can't they can't get out on the sidewalks and things of that 01:38:44.440 --> 01:38:50.680 nature even onto the to the vehicles i'm just wondering if there's a program that we can put 01:38:50.680 --> 01:38:57.640 together that will allow them to call in or because of the you have to be a certain age 01:38:57.640 --> 01:39:03.960 that you can't you know get out and physically get out there in that snow like today was you know i 01:39:03.960 --> 01:39:08.760 I saw older people out trying to mask that snow, 01:39:08.760 --> 01:39:12.480 trying to get as much as they can out, 01:39:12.480 --> 01:39:16.960 but you know how snow is, it can affect their health 01:39:16.960 --> 01:39:18.680 in trying to remove snow. 01:39:18.680 --> 01:39:20.960 So I was just wondering if we can make, 01:39:20.960 --> 01:39:24.160 we can adopt something, put something together 01:39:24.160 --> 01:39:27.620 to allow them to be able to call in 01:39:27.620 --> 01:39:28.920 and ask for a little help. 01:39:30.240 --> 01:39:31.440 That's all I have to say. 01:39:31.440 --> 01:39:39.720 Alderman, Sellers. I have nothing. Thank you. It leads us to public comments, agenda 01:39:39.720 --> 01:39:49.200 or non-agenda. My name is Marcus Signer. I've been here my whole life. A lot of 01:39:49.200 --> 01:39:54.640 things have changed. I had a question. Something happened today and I have a 01:39:54.640 --> 01:39:59.360 real real concern on it. I was wondering 01:39:59.360 --> 01:40:04.360 on it. I was wondering, you're a lieutenant and everything is, what's your schedule? 01:40:05.240 --> 01:40:06.800 Working at the police station? 01:40:06.800 --> 01:40:09.680 They can't answer questions. This is comments only. OK. 01:40:10.280 --> 01:40:13.840 So I can't ask Stacy a question because I feel she was only one 01:40:13.840 --> 01:40:15.880 who actually answered the question. 01:40:15.880 --> 01:40:18.720 Well, this is not a forum for questions. This is a forum. 01:40:19.240 --> 01:40:22.560 Well, all I have to say is today I got threatened for my life. 01:40:23.040 --> 01:40:26.440 Individual got a shovel while I was on a property 01:40:26.440 --> 01:40:33.920 Suttman, removing snow, called the police, police came, basically the guy, police officer 01:40:33.920 --> 01:40:37.840 was a straight mean person to me. 01:40:37.840 --> 01:40:44.880 I had other witnesses there that said they seen this individual hit my truck with a shovel. 01:40:44.880 --> 01:40:50.560 I showed the officer the trail of my truck where I wasn't going towards him, I was going 01:40:50.560 --> 01:40:54.900 the opposite way so he can't try to say that was the excuse for hitting my vehicle. 01:40:54.900 --> 01:41:00.120 I had one of his officers there basically went up to the guy basically hey put a no 01:41:00.120 --> 01:41:05.620 trespassing on him so then he can't even do the property that he has a contract 01:41:05.620 --> 01:41:11.780 on when I was the victim today there wasn't no arrest there was nothing done 01:41:11.780 --> 01:41:15.060 what they do with me if someone was assaulting me they wouldn't even be 01:41:15.060 --> 01:41:20.220 arrested that day I have a problem with Freeport police like they target me if 01:41:20.220 --> 01:41:23.780 when I call them they won't help me they all they would do is say we'll do a 01:41:23.780 --> 01:41:53.780 Police Report will send it to Carl Larson. Carl Larson is friends with also Steve Stovall, who said he was going to harm me. And when he seasoned on a four wheeler, he was going to harm me. So Carl Larson, I feel is really close to certain individuals. That's why we're not getting the right justice here. If I was to threaten somebody today, I would be arrested like this. There wouldn't be no, can we send the paperwork to Carl Larson to see if there's enough evidence? Like, what is it going to take? 01:41:53.780 --> 01:41:59.780 and then all that happens is if I call the police and say someone did something to me, 01:41:59.780 --> 01:42:03.780 the police will write it up like he wants to press charges on me for something I never did, 01:42:03.780 --> 01:42:08.780 just for calling for help. That's crazy to me. That's crazy to me. 01:42:08.780 --> 01:42:13.780 And Carl Larson is number one in charge and he's friends with Steve Stovall who threatened me. 01:42:13.780 --> 01:42:16.780 Of course he ain't going to like me. He still affiliates with them. 01:42:16.780 --> 01:42:21.780 And I come here to say too, my worry right now is if Thurman gets in there, 01:42:21.780 --> 01:42:26.940 I'm definitely screwed. They will put me under the bus and put false stuff on me. 01:42:26.940 --> 01:42:32.500 Thurman is real real close to Steve Stovall. So if they are colleagues 01:42:32.500 --> 01:42:38.220 together, you think I have a shot at real justice? No. It's a setup. And I learned 01:42:38.220 --> 01:42:45.660 in this city we can all come to about safety and all this. How can we do safety 01:42:45.660 --> 01:42:49.660 when law enforcement's threatening us? They're the one who's supposed to serve 01:42:49.660 --> 01:42:58.660 We can't do nothing because it's up to Carl Larson and Carl Larson will not do a damn thing about it if it has something with law enforcement. 01:42:58.660 --> 01:43:00.660 Sir, your time's up. 01:43:00.660 --> 01:43:02.660 Three minutes. Thank you. 01:43:02.660 --> 01:43:04.660 Anyone else? 01:43:04.660 --> 01:43:09.660 I would take a motion for adjournment. 01:43:09.660 --> 01:43:11.660 So move. 01:43:11.660 --> 01:43:12.660 Second. 01:43:12.660 --> 01:43:15.660 Motion by Sellers, second by Johnson. All in favor?