Yeah. What are we trying to say here? That Fehr Graham made a proposal. Is Fehr Graham making a proposal to the city?


Well, each year the city actually requests that Fehr Graham put together this master services agreement and as I mentioned just a little while ago this gives us the flexibility to get certain projects done and completed throughout the year because whenever you're dealing with construction, whenever you're dealing with things day in and day out like we do, whether it be lining, whether it's sewer cleaning or replacements of sewer mains, this gives us the and I have the operational flexibility to get those things done and we have kind of a cap amount and I don't believe we've exceeded that since we started.


Alderman Sanders? Should I wait? Alderman Sanders, go ahead. Using Fehr and Graham services to do the inspection, the whole entire ball of wax or whatever, when, whenever inspections or job needs to be, projects needs to be considered and things like that, we are dependent upon Fehr and Graham to make that assessment and determination and the cost and the estimated cost that we have not had a chance to, to determine whether and others are not, their cost is justifiable to work on the city, for the city at large.


In other words, what Fehram Graham has not revealed to us, all of his cost services, and all of this structural cost service and infrastructure cost services and are these estimated costs because I like to have a cost that is already something that the council has determined whether or not we will go forward with certain services and certain costs.


Director Boyer? If I could speak to that point, number one, it's been my experience and I've dealt with a number of different engineering design firms and different engineers.


Fehr Graham not only is local, they know and understand our systems, whether it's transportation, water, sewer, storm, and a whole lot of other systems.


they have always delivered at or below cost and when they have had a problem where they've had a cost overrun we didn't see a change order they just took care of it they took care of it internally because Freeport is an important customer to this to their organization however I want to address your point which is as far as the time and material portion of this contract is and others concerned. This is definitely reviewed and overseen by staff. We make sure that anything they're doing, we're keeping track of those times. And we're also keeping track of all of the activities that they're doing and that we go through and parse those out and approve them individually when the invoices come through. But I wanted to make one last point, which was in the relationship that we have with Fehr Graham, the only difference you would do in other ways Mays, like for instance, if you had another project and you were interested in pursuing other help or other engineering services contracts, you wouldn't, this wouldn't be a bidding situation.


It would be a statement of qualification where you would submit to various engineering companies their statement of qualifications and you would receive those.


I've looked at a number of those different process, different statements on different projects and I will suggest because of their, not only their track record of success and and their knowledge, deep knowledge of the city, they are very, very qualified to the point where it would be difficult to find anyone more qualified.


Alderman, Stacy? Yes. I don't know that we did, but I don't know that we didn't go over last year because Fehr Graham came back and asked for $250,000 extra.


and I know what was budgeted, what was started with, and I know there's also a 20% increase that can be added up in there as well, if I'm not mistaken.


My only concern, my only request. We have 20, 30 items on this agenda and three are contracts with Fehr Graham.


It would have been nice to have gotten these in November or December at the latest to go Go through all this, instead of spending the weekend trying to understand.


And I know it happens, but how many people are really even reading them to even understand what it's saying and what we're committing to?


Or are we just getting back and saying, yes, aye, aye, aye? We don't take the police.


We don't take Ashley. when their contract is up and take a couple days to approve their contract and we just need to see this information before it runs out in advance.


I'm not against it happening, we're indebted to Fehr Graham, I'm not against Fehr Graham but it would be nice to get these type of things in advance.


Well, if you think that, you know, it's gonna be two, three months in advance and I mean, we'll never get anything done.


I mean, this is normal procedure to put moving forward. What is normal? It's not normal.


It is, adoptions of resolutions are. Mayor Jodi Miller, all I'm asking is that not that nothing be changed but that we receive it in advance to go through it in case we have any questions because I don't want to make a motion to move this to the DeKal in February, that would be my right.


that would be my right so please understand where i'm coming from i know what's been norm but what's been norm don't mean it's been right all i am is trying to take time three contracts am i correct on this agenda I don't want to just, okay, all I'm asking is that if we're going to vote on something in January pertaining to Fehr Graham's three contracts, is that we get them in November to look over them, to ask questions, to do whatever we may want to do.


Maybe some don't want to do nothing because they ain't done nothing for so long.


But some of us want to understand. Darren, did you want to add to that?


Yeah, sure. We can certainly try to get contracts here sooner. I would like to state that this is the exact same contract, the exact same everything for the last three years. That is why it wasn't presented sooner. It's an annual contract and it is a time and material estimation contract if you read it. So we could continue on the current contracts that we have because there's not a final set amount on it, but City Manager and and Alderman Monroe.


Did you have something? Yes, thank you, Madam Mayor. Normally I've supported this in the past but recent events have changed my mind and there's a lot of reasons why.


On January 8th, Fehr Graham made a post on Facebook. That post says we are proud to collaborate with clients like Rob Boyer, City Manager of the City of Freeport, City Hall.


Rob shares how Fehr Graham's dedication, communication, and exceptional service sets us apart from other firms.


Join us in making a difference and enhancing our communities we cherish. Together we create real change.


What most people don't realize, a lot of people in the City of Freeport, is that happens Dixie.


This is how convoluted this has become. We've got the Public Works Director signing off on a contract with Fehr Graham to the City of Freeport that is then countersigned and sent back to the City Manager.


These agreements come back and forth, the communications, so the Director sits in multiple positions.


He works for Fehr Graham. Stiegel. He participates in a lot of this work that's done and no doubt Mr. Stiegel does a great job in a lot of things.


But it creates a conflict of interest. And that conflict of interest gives the impression of a pay for play or something that's nefarious going on.


and I. We have to actually be going on to break and violate the law. A class 4 felony.


And we walk in this room, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it's like, well, this is what we've always done.


Well, we should be questioning everything we do because we're spending money that we don't always have, and we're constantly raising rates on everything. And we have to come back.


and this is this is the Illinois law a conflict of interest occurs when a person's personal interests could compromise their judgment decisions or actions this includes financial interest family relationships friendships or social factors this is a state of Illinois this is not my opinion this goes above that as well and these things have been going on behind closed doors and Robert, and they have been occurring over and over and over again. I bring this up because here we go. We are just going to say 350,000 for this, 100,000 here, 150 here, another 100 over here. It doesn't matter. Fehr Graham loves us.


Of course, I would love the City of Freeport if they gave me half a million or three-quarters of a million and others.


But it causes the appearance, even if it's not happening, it causes the appearance that something nefarious is going on and we're blocking out other engineering firms that theoretically could be bringing opportunities to the City of Freeport as well and not putting all of our eggs in one basket.


And having been in a business and run a business, I understand the dangers of doing that.


and others, and they put you in a situation where you're no longer able to check, could somebody else do the same thing at a cheaper cost, at a better solution, you don't know.


We've completely pushed all of the other players out. And now, we've built this deep relationship where we've got a Fehr Graham employee who's also a City employee, kind of, I don't really know.


I asked the question, nobody's really given me a great answer on that yet. I happen to like him a lot. I think he does a lot of great things for the city but it doesn't change the fact that this looks not good. My personal opinions don't matter on that.


My duty is to the citizens of the second ward and the rest of the citizens of Freeport.


And when I see things like this coming through that well we don't know how much it's going to be, it could be more, it could be less, it just depends on what we do, how busy we We are what we've got going on and last year was a busy year. I mean, we did a lot. We did Adams. We did a lot of streets. We did a lot of work. But at the same time, now we're starting to now we're starting to understand why I'm asking the question. We've already paid for the city employees on the other page who are going out and checking and following up to make sure the water mains are connected the right way. But now we understand why we're We're asking for an increase there as well because now we need more money to pay Fehr Graham more money.


It's not about our city employees, it's about our contractors. And the people of Freeport deserve better than this.


And Cecelia's right, Alderman Stacy is 100% right. This should have come to the cow.


There's no reason it couldn't have come to the cow. And we talked about it last week, instead, you're going to shove it through all three at once.


and you know what we know what's gonna happen it's gonna pass but it's not gonna pass because I say yes but people should start questioning people should start looking at what's going on in this building and asking questions not enough people are involved and they should be but these three contracts $350,000 master service contract for 2025 is is insanity you should have to come back and John, and I'm going to say, we're going to put it back to us or put it in the overall budget, lay it out, here's what we're going to do, here's the projects, here's what we think it's going to be, but once again, we don't do that. We don't lay it out.


And, again, that's three years of the same contract and a lot of unsupported accusations. Darren, did you want to defend that?


Yes, I would. So I am going to take those comments personal because there is no situation going on here. I work very hard for the City of Freeport every day.


I don't know another consultant that has brought in 13 million dollars of funding just this year, which maybe we have a great relationship going on and the interactions between government and a consultant is actually producing more than other other areas. I'm very proud of the work that I've done and I will state again there is nothing going on between city government and Fehr Graham. We have been embedded in this community for 51 years. We have done the city engineering here. There is no employees from any other engineering Firm that live in the city of Freeport. We employ 40 people down in our office that are all people that spend money in Freeport. We have a long-term We have a long-term lease at our building in Freeport, so we are embedded here.


I can give you examples of other projects that have happened here over the years and one of them you guys just approved money for a contract that an engineer that didn't even finish their work and decided to pay them but Accusations are coming after us. I will tell you Mr. Monroe our firm lost We lost $21,000 on the landfill contract last year, and we never came back and asked for a penny.


We wrote it off, we ate it, because that was the agreement. The general engineering contract, which this is the master service, is what it is, that is in replacement of the city engineering department that doesn't exist here.


These are things that we have to be nimble on when buildings fall down, when IDOT permits are needed to do water main construction.


There is a lot of work in the City of Freeport that requires this everyday engineering with engineering stamps and with a team of people that are nimble and can react for the City of Freeport.


Again, I have 40 people in a building down there that we are paying family wages to.


There is not, there is another firm in town. They have nobody that lives in the City of Freeport.


So compare apples to apples. We invest in the community. We also donate to the community and we have been a great partner to the City of Freeport.


I just added this up and we have personally, our firm has brought in over $50 million worth of funding that did not need to be repaid to the City of Freeport in the last, I believe it's 10 or 12 years.


So we have been a good partner and I am taking it personal that you are putting out on the council floor that there's accusations that are not there.


you know me better than that. Alderman Klemm? Yeah I'd just like to bring up that I've had the pleasure of working with a number of people in my 20 years as an alderman. Many of them have been from many other engineering firms. Some of those firms have been successful. Some of those firms have have caused us problems. I've worked with probably three or four city engineers over that period of time, at least, that caused us great problems and great costs to the City of Freeport, who were employed by the City of Freeport, where everybody thought they were saving money.


Over the last year, as Director Bryan gave his speech about the City of Freeport, we did seven miles of road last year. That's never been done in the City of Freeport. And it took cooperation between Fehr Graham, their partners, and remember they oversee all these projects, too, that happen. It took them, there has never been a year where that much has been produced without any hassle, without any overcharges. I mean, you mentioned they They came back once for monies for things. They have managed the landfills for years.


I go to fitness lifestyles every morning at 5 o'clock or 5.15, 5.15, 5.30 in the morning.


Who do I see in Honkat going into work? Darren. Who do I call at 6 o'clock at night when I've got a question on a project? Darren. Fehr Graham has been a great partner to the City Fripport, as any firm we have ever worked for. And I would never say, I can't think of one project that we went back on that Fehr Graham had to redo, reproduce, do it over again or change things on. I believe if you read this, they are asking for X number of dollars and they are asking for there is a limit set on the amount of money that they can make on this project. There is nothing more favorable in the world and I know this is being a contractor than a time and material contract, time and material contract that you can work with a company that you can trust to get a job done. And I call the question.


I am well I asked for procedure here we're doing oh if that's that's cool that's cool are you are you making a motion to call the question so a motion has been made it would need a second and then a vote if that passes by two-thirds majority then the question is called what's the motion you made him call the question call the post I'll second that question and so we have a motion made by and John, and so on. So, it's been passed by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Klemm, made the motion, and it has been seconded by Alderman Shadle.


Oh, after you got done making that long comment you just made. You don't have the floor, Alderman Sanders, I'm sorry.


Yeah, but he wants to close, he wants to close the discussion. Yes, he does. That's what I'm on the floor.


Well, that's his prerogative, but... Yes. Okay. So, we have a motion on the floor for that. So, it's not debatable. It has to pass by and James.


I will call the roll on calling the question. Do you understand what this is?


Do you understand? Okay. So if you could please call the roll on calling the question.


Klemm? Aye. Monroe? No. Simmons? in favor, so that fails. So then more discussion. You have already had twice a talk, Alderman Stacey's once, Alderman Klemm's once, Alderman Rose once. Is there?


Are we on the same subject or different subject? Yeah, we are on the same subject. So Alderman Parker, Alderman Simmons, Alderman Shadle, Alderman Sellers, do you have anything you want to add?


No. To? To this resolution, adopting this resolution? I do. Okay. The first thing is, why wouldn't I want someone that I could trust, or I'm a good partner with?


I mean, that's life. You want a good partner in marriage, you want a good partner in business, you want a good partner in friendship, you know, why wouldn't I want to be working with somebody that I have a good relationship with?


That's what I can't understand. It's the same thing that we've done the year before, the year before.


We've got the ball rolling, we're moving, we're making some strides, people are complimenting us on our work, but we come and we complain on every number, on every part of the agenda.


We have, it's just combative on everyone and it's, it's tiresome. Alderman Shadle or Alderman Simmons, did either one of you have anything you want to add?


You've already had your twice, Larry. I will. Alderman Simmons? Alderman, Simmons, yeah I just want to say asking questions that's that we got to stop considering that combative like we shouldn't be expected to just come say yes to everything some things you may have the answer for and you may be in the mic questions and you want to ask those questions on public record but it's always assumed that people aren't prepared or they're combative and aggressive when they have questions and I just don't think that's fair like I don't have any more questions or discussion but if somebody else does and I will vote no to call in the questions so they can finish their discussion.


That's only fair. Alderman Stacy, did you have your hand up? No, but I will say that I, too, said no because I feel that if someone has something to say, they should have the option to say it.


I mean, we've been limited to two questions, so I'm not going to take that from someone if they have further discussion. I said what I said. I meant what I said. We have three contracts on this agenda. It would have been nice just to have gotten them in advance. I'm not saying anything negative about anybody all I just said no not all the time most of the time no no not all the time I'm just saying I wanted the contracts in advance I understand we'd have had the same contract for the last That's 3 years. Last year I believe was my first time voting on the contract. And I didn't know what I was voting on. I couldn't understand half of the stuff that was in them.


Do that make me stupid? No. That make me ask questions. And maybe it should prepare you.


that's my right and so just like when I go into When I go into contract negotiations, it's a three, four, five month ordeal. I'm not asking for that.


I'm just saying so that when the year is up, like where we're at today, that I've already didn't just have Friday till today to prepare.


I know I could call you. I call you often. I'm going to keep calling you.


I called you yesterday and I'm alright with that. But I'm not going to be called combative because I open my mouth and I speak.


Well, we have a resolution to adopt for Fehr Graham's Master Service Engineering Agreement. You've already spoken twice.


I did. Yes. So if there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the role.


Klemm? Aye. Monroe? No. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6-2. Item number 21 is the adoption of resolution Resolution 2025-09. Could you please read this? Resolution approving Fehr Graham Master Service Contract for Public Works Service for 2025. Thank you. Manager Boyer?


Thank you, Your Honor. The City also requires a professional public works assistant for various civil, environmental, engineering, and managerial duties daily to oversee the City Department effectively and efficiently. It's essential to have a director who is immersed in the City Infrastructure and has the history and knowledge to handle the various demands of the position.


City requests assistance to handle the volume of daily duties required by this large department including but not limited to right-of-way permitting, overweight permitting, IDOT bridges, streets, forestry, water, wastewater, sewer, and storm infrastructure.


City staff requires professional assistance as needed from Fehr Graham to assist in the management of the department and specifically duties related to the various civil environmental and others.


These are all engineering and project management services that require an expert level of knowledge and experience.


The Public Works Master Service Agreement provides a team of local engineer experts for the city resources as needed.


The total cost of these services is $100,000 on a time and material basis and is billed as needed as the City Manager or Department Directors require.


So this contract represents cost savings to the city. a Public Works Director, hired position with full salary and benefits with compensation would be essentially $130,000 or more.


So recommendation, staff recommends City Council approve the Public Works professional related assistance. Is there a motion to adopt?


So moved. Second. There will be a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.


Discussion on this resolution? Alderman Sanders? Alderman Sanders? Yeah, we throw in that term, directors, without the consultation from the council into knowing who is stepping up to the plate to play these roles. Obviously, we're being bypassed for these individuals who are directors as per se.


and we don't understand the whole criteria of these directors and what are they here for and who is doing the hiring or putting people in place without the consultation of the council.


And if we're doing that, no, I got to keep talking because she's going to shut me down and put me on the pause list.


And so I don't want that right now. I don't want you to interject at this point in time because she's subject to negate what I'm trying to talk about.


But my problem is we're putting people in place to make decision making decisions without the council.


I have a problem with that. I have a problem with every prominent positions like directors.


I need to know who these directors are because these directors are making decisions on how taxpayers' dollars are being spent, how we're billing things, how we're doing anything when it comes to contract. This is what's happening constantly and I don't want the residents in this city to be in the dark. I want to make sure that everything is brought to the and others.


How we got here, because people are sitting at home, is, well, where did he come from?


How did he get here? Who hired him? Who authorized the position? Well, if the council is not mediating none of this, talking about it, then we're clueless.


They're just popping up like popcorns, you know, and we got to get a handle on that.


When I look at my manager, I know that he's the link to these kinds of things and we have to ask more questions.


That's the reason why questions need to be asked in terms of how we go about the day-to-day operation and business of the city.


And so we need to know these things and we shouldn't have to be debating it.


and John. I'm just going because the chairperson is running things and I don't want nobody to speak while I'm speaking until I get an opportunity to say what I have to say. I want to make that a practice. I think every council person wants to make that a practice because I sit here and listen to others elaborate on I want the same respect when that comes forward. And my question was just one question, well, maybe more than one, but the point of matter is I'm trying to find out how we are handling Financier, Patrick, and Peter.


And I'm glad that we're able to bring people together and do things when it comes to bringing people to the floor to make consultations to tell the Council what is going on and what is expected and what they're trying to do.


I want my City Manager making these kinds of discussions and proposals. I want him to be more involved into understanding when I want to go to your office, if I want to go to your office and want to talk about what went on in council, I want to be more involved in understanding what I expect something different than what outside people are talking about.


I want my council, I want my manager to know all these things so I can have a legitimate answer and when I come into the council, the people can understand that I consulted with you.


I have someone to say, well, this is the information I got from my manager, my city manager, and and I'm just going to voice that to the general public so they can understand why we vote the way we vote and sustain and things of this nature.


And so my whole thing is that I want to say we might need an overhaul on how we do things from the administrative position.


So that's my whole thing. If you want to cut me off. Come on. Oh, no, I'm holding my tongue. So I believe you're asking who gets to make the decision of the master service contract for the Public Works. That's what this is. So you can vote yes or no.


Yeah, but it's already in place. It's, it's for you to make a determination. You either vote yes or vote no. That's what this is. Okay, so any further discussion? Darren?


So I'll answer your question or try to. This works no differently than it would if somebody else sat in this seat. Directors have a certain responsibility to the city. They can only approve so much. Anything else has to go. It's a purchasing policy that is by the city. Michelle ensures that we follow the and I have a purchasing policy of anything that's done.


It all comes to council. I believe anything, Rob can't prove anything over $9,999 per our ordinance.


So everything's still run through the council. We don't make decisions independently of the council.


Rob and I work together on public works every day to ensure that our team has a good mission and we're getting things done, which I think is proven in the city that more and more and more is getting done since I've been assisting the city over the last two years.


So I have sat in that director role for the last two years. We're asking to continue it.


We're making great strides and our contract, I believe is advantageous to the city because it's for less than they could hire somebody for with benefits, a truck, equipment.


Our cost is all in 100%. It's time and material as needed. We've last year we made it the whole year and we have enough to We've done a good job managing the contract. And there's a lot more to this. We do permitting for water and sewer permits for residents. We also do overweight permits. We also do civil reviews for the City of Freeport. So in these contracts, there's money returned to the city through those fees through Mr. Duckman's department. I don't know if you've heard of it.


and others. I don't know the exact number. Michelle could probably get it. There's probably over $100,000 in permit and civil review fees that get returned to the city for the work that we do every day through contractors, trucking companies, things like that, that before I took this role, nobody was really managing.


And it wasn't really happening. So I have done my best to clean up the areas that we could and should.


I think the role has been very avid changes to both parties and I'm living Freeport, I love Freeport and I work hard for Freeport every day and if you don't believe me, you can ask any other directors of the other departments that I work with every day from Fire, Police, Finance, Community Development, even the Library and let them judge it Any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll Klemm? Aye Monroe?


No. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 6 to 2. And item number 22 is the adoption of resolution 2025-10. Could you please read this? Resolution approving Fehr Graham agreement to provide Alberta's airport stormwater inspections and reports. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Similarly, we have to, every year we have to renew We do our stormwater permits.


Alberta's airport requires its own stormwater permit. So this is essentially an agreement with Fehr Graham to process a stormwater permit.


The total amount budgeted for this item is about $5,000. Is there a motion to adopt?


So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.


Discussion? Point of correction, $5,500. Alderman, Stacy? I thought it was. OK. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.


Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Staying. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders is absent Sellers aye the resolution is adopted 601 item number 24 is update of the city's goals for the Social Justice Committee presented by manager Boyer thank you honor and in the interest of time I will keep this as concise as I can at we the Social Justice Committee when it was meeting offered several recommendations and metrics to assess the city's progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion within city employment primarily.


There are some other metrics, but I do want to compare 2020 as our first year to quarter four of last year and just highlight a few of the pretty significant increases that have happened here.


in the police department. Female employees were increased 26.3% in that period of time. So we started off with 19 working for the police department. We currently have 24. That was an increase of five. In terms of minority employees, we started off with six minorities in the police department in 2020. We have increased that to 16. That's a positive gain of 10. That's a total increase of and I would provide the total employment in 2020. We had 63 full-time employees at the police department. Currently we have 67. That's a total staff increase of four. So while we increased our diversity and our women employees, it certainly didn't match the number of employees and Chris.


We're working on fire, it's a lengthy process that involves various steps and requirements for qualification.


I think we had reached out through various marketing methods this year when we solicited for new recruits and I believe Chief has received the most recruits coming to the fire department that he's ever had before. But Chief, if you could elaborate on that, I would appreciate it.


Sure, I'd be happy to. I believe this last recruitment effort, we had 37 applications picked up and 36 returned.


A number of those applicants either failed to show up for the written exam, written exam in orientation, or they could not produce the Correct. Paperwork at the orientation and written exam. I believe it was 19 showed up for that.


And then we had, I believe, six washout from the written exam. And then we also had a number of other applicants washout from the testing process, the honesty test, the background Fowler.


So, eventually, we wound up with a final eligibility list of five. But just an example of our recruitment efforts this year, we recruited, we sent out publications, we advertised, I should say, in more than 42 different areas.


So our outreach was greater. This recruitment process, the prior one, we advertised about 24 different areas.


so we more than doubled what we were trying to do and recruitment retention is difficult in the fire service whether it's here, the suburbs or even in the city so this last group we tried extra hard to have a cross section of our community and we wound up with a eligibility list of five.


Thank you Chief. and I. So just to round this out, so all other departments, so not including fire and police, we increased our female employees by 32 percent, our minority employees by 100 percent out of a total increase of staff of about 12 percent. So enterprise-wide, we increased our female employees by 30 percent, our minority employees by 116 percent, and that is with a total employment increase of 10 percent.


thank and reach out to all the department heads and everyone who's been a part of this. It's very important work that we're doing and I'm glad that we are able to find qualified folks to not only represent as our city employees, but especially as our first responders. So thank you very much for all your efforts on that and that's all I've got Madam Mayor.


Thank you. We'll move on to department heads finance. Thank you, your honor. I would just like to thank council for the Approval of the software. It's much appreciated. Thank you. Thank you. Community Development?


Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor. Thank you. Public Works? Nothing except for thank you for the generous contracts. Fire?


Yes, thank you. Each council member received a copy of the fire department's 2024 annual report that's highlighting the department activities for the last calendar year.


and Mayor. Thank you. Fire? I'm sorry, police? I have no report tonight. Thank you. Library?


I'm going to talk for a little bit longer than I normally do and I know it's been three hours so thank you for your time. We are starting our One Book, One Free Port community read on Saturday. We have our book drop party from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and One Book, One Free Port is our biennial community read program.


Community read programs work to promote literacy while engaging an entire community in a common reading experience.


Join us on Saturday, January 25th for our official kickoff event. For all ages, pick up your free book and enjoy live music from the Early Jazz Society, Tasty Snacks, a community craft activity, and a puzzle for everyone to contribute to.


After the book giveaway, the library hosts a variety of programs to explore, including film screenings, group discussions, story times, and crafts. Be sure to check out our website for our calendar of events. And I can officially tell you that the book that was chosen this year is Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.


So be sure to come to the library to get your copy of the book and it is free and you get to keep the book 12 to 2 on Saturday.


and then really excited. and then a really exciting announcement. We are officially going fine free effective on February 1st.


So have you heard that starting on February 1st, the Freeport Public Library is fine free.


Returning late due to being out of town, no problem. Keeping a book a few days longer so you can finish, we've been there.


Found a book and a pile of kids toys while you were moving and you're afraid to come back to the library because of how many fees you'll have.


We understand life happens. Welcome back. Overdue fines are widely recognized by professional library organizations as a form of social inequity.


And there's been multiple studies conducted that show that imposing fines neither teaches responsibility nor motivates borrowers to return their items on time.


and any outstanding late fines on Freeport Public Library items will be purged from our Patreon account starting on February 1st of 2025.


All of our items will be fine free with the exception of our hotspots, our STEM kits, our parent kits, and the Library of Things items.


Essentially those items cost a lot more money than the average book, so we'll still have some overdue fines on those.


The borrowing privileges will be suspended for patrons with significantly overdue material and for lost and damaged items, the cost of the item will still be charged to the patron account if they do not return it.


If you have more questions for us, feel free to call us at the library or come in and we'll be continuing to update our website with more information.


Thank you for your time. Thank you. IT? Airport? City Manager? City Manager. Thank you, Your Honor. I'll keep this quick. I just wanted to thank Director Bridge for his report tonight. I thought it was very comprehensive and it reflects a tremendous amount of work and effort and execution that's been done by the city staff. So thank you to the staff. Thank you to our employees. You all have done an excellent job in 2024. I agree. Alderman Klemm. Mayor.


It's my turn. It is my turn. Alderman Klemm? I just wanted to announce that on January 28th, we will not have our Neighborhood Watch. Please attend the event being held at the library at 6 o'clock that night. It will be the new candidates that are running for positions. That's far more important than the Neighborhood Watch is at this point. Please participate in that.


Last Saturday, January the 18th, we had our National Day of Racial Healing. What an empowering event it was.


Also, we were scheduled yesterday to have our Dr. King celebration and due to the cold weather, it was cancelled, but we will be having it this Saturday, January 25th, opening up at 4.30 with praise and worship and program at 5.


Please come out and show your support. Alderman, Shadle. I just want to commend Darren Steekle and Fehr Graham. A lot of things said tonight that were stretches, the amount of value that we get out of that corporation is phenomenal. The amount of integrity that's sitting in that seat is phenomenal. Thank you.


Alderman, Sanders, Alderman, Sellers, None Public Comments? Tommy? You said about the hotels mentioned? Wasn't it going to...


Open real soon, Tommy. Real soon. They have to go to court for that? They sure do, Tommy.


and we'll let this Jodi, Jodi, Mike, Angela want to know when. We all want to know Tommy, we all want to know.


Are there any other public comments? Bernie? Good evening everyone, Board and Madam Mayor. I'm going to take a very short thing. I think you're doing a fairly good job. I really appreciated Director Bridges report tonight.


There's only one thing missing on that report, and that's the association with dollars by department.


and to that I had noticed that in the consent agenda the best we could do is having a report as of November 30th not December 31st so I think these things need to merge together so that the the strategic plans reports and the financials come together so we know what we've done and how much we've done and and what it cost us to get it done.


In regards to the, I appreciate doing the scanning, but it's not going to solve all problems.


I think you're going to have to take a look at purchase orders or purchase requisitions in the future so that you can get ahead of the game so that you can close your months on time.


Now, I want to divert to a little politics, and I think you're doing a good job. You're getting there.


These are some quotes from a person that lives, really, had lived a long time ago from this particular area.


He says, Cheap cigars come in handy. They stifle the odor of cheap politicians. He also said That if we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be the Mason-Dixon, but between patriotism and intelligence on one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other.


Ulysses S. Grant quoted that. He also said, I would suggest that taxation on all property equally whether church or corporation.


And there are a few more things that, oh the last one is you can violate the law and banks may violate the law and be sustained in doing so.


But the President of the United States cannot violate the law and he was a President.


So some very interesting things that date a very long time ago, something to ponder over and think about, and Mr. Boyer, I forgot to bring in my pink snout, I was going to share it with you, okay?


We used to live very close to each other in Virginia and the commanders have won and are going to be in the playoffs and at one point in time they were called the hogs and I think you probably are a Redskin fan.


Is there any other public comment this evening? If not, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.


So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Shadle. All those in favour?