Thank you guys for the delay in our start time. Justin, could you please give the invocation this evening?
Alright, well good evening. Good evening Madam Mayor, everyone. Please pray with me.
The Lord of Heaven and Earth, we praise you for your power and wisdom, for your mercy and grace.
and thank you Lord for every good and perfect gift that you send down freely even as we ask from you so we thank you for your gifts of life and health thank you for community and relationships and with tonight in mind we thank you for governance and leadership and we thank you for this city and we thank you for all of our public servants throughout City Hall
and the City of New York.
We thank you for your support throughout our various
departments. We thank you, too, for various organizations and
nonprofits and skilled citizens that help our city and the
people of Freeport. Lord, you actively rule the
nations and you give freely to those who ask you the knowledge
to live well and the skill to apply that knowledge.
So I ask that you would grant that to us and to our leaders.
May they find your mercy and grace as well for their own faults and your help in their
weaknesses.
Lord, please help each one of us tonight to act honorably before you and that we would
be patient and gracious towards each other.
And again, I pray that you'd give Mayor Miller as our moderator the wisdom, grace, and strength
that she needs to lead this meeting well,
as well as to each council member and department head.
Father, you've designed us.
You have gifted each one of us.
We are entirely dependent upon you for success in our work,
and so we ask for your help tonight.
We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Amen.
Thank you.
So now we'll officially call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Mayor Miller.
Here.
Alderperson Klemm will be marked absent for the moment. Monroe is also absent. Simmons?
Here. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Here. If I could
please get a motion to allow Alderman Klemm to remote access? So moved. Second. Parker? Is there a
Mm, Second. So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, second by Alderman Sellers, to allow Alderman Klemmen to remain remote. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And if you could please note that at 614 Alderman Klemm is present. And if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Aldermen Simmons?
Ed, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Okay. Item number one is approval of the agenda. However, we're going to move item number 16 to the next meeting and then there is no executive. So with that, is there a motion to approve the agenda?
So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. Motion passes 7 to 0.
Item number two is approval from the minutes from the regular meeting October 7th, 2024. Is there a motion to approve?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Simmons? Aye.
Parker? Aye.
Stacy? Aye.
Shadle? Aye.
Sanders? Aye.
Sellers? Aye.
Klemm? Aye.
Motion passes, seven to zero.
Zero.
This public comment was received this afternoon from John Cook, good evening members of the
Freeport City Council and others.
First reading of Ordinance 2024-57 is before you tonight asking for the boundaries of the
Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone to be amended.
This ordinance should be rejected as written because of three glaring omissions within
and the body of the ordinance. The first whereas paragraph offers no numerical citation to
the previous ordinances that this ordinance relies upon to be reflective. The second whereas
paragraph contains no citation to any meeting of the Enterprise Zone Committee where the
crust for this amendment originated. Section 2 of the ordinance refers to, quote,
benefits created by the ordinance of the original Enterprise Zone, end quote, yet contains
to make a statement if there is no specific citation to the ordinances.
Without proper direct and specific citation within the ordinances
it is practically impossible for the Freeport City Council
or any member of the public to know what specific incentives
Ordinance 2024-57 grants the developer.
How would anyone know what ordinance to ask the Municipal Clerk
in an effort to learn what benefits are being given away?
To be honest, in 30 plus years of following
local government Ordinance 2024-57
��고� 프�ين composed past ordinance ordinance 2024-57 is the most shoulderly incomplete ordinance I've ever read completely lacking citation from any previously passed ordnance ordinance 2024-57 can have no legal meaning in this layman's view.
Please, City Council remember you are passing a written ordinance not with City Manager Boyer presents thank you very much for your time and attention.
Fenton, John, Samuel, Cook Okay, there's quite a few that are signed
in for this evening. However, I do have one that's added on here that is not on the agenda
and Mr. Folgate comes every year to talk a little bit. Would that be okay if he talks
at this time instead of waiting to the end? Anyone object? Okay, so we'll start at the
Cecelia Stacy, Fifth Ward Alderwoman, It has come to our attention that there was a
It's a FOIA request for all documents pertaining to the Open Bible Water Main Extension.
Per your email response, Ms. Anderson, you stated that you had looked for these documents
and there are none.
This is concerning because on September the 3rd, City Manager Boyer sent the Council a
and I quote, through a series of documents the information details the city agreed upon regarding the water main extension in 1999 to be installed between three to five years.
When I asked you directly at the October 14th COW if you had looked for these same documents,
You told me the council, you told this council and the people of Freeport that you had not looked for them and that you had not been directed to.
Can you explain to the council why we have a series of discrepancies?
Our City Manager said we had the documents.
You told a four year request that they did not exist.
And last week you said you hadn't looked.
What are the people of Freeport supposed to believe?
Thank you.
Lynn Fogate.
Good evening, your city council members.
Thanks for allowing me to speak to you,
to our guests and the TV audience as well.
Most of you know I am Lynn Polgate because I have spoke to you before for our Freeport Moose Lodge, the oldest lodge in Illinois. It was established in 1909.
Remember the Moose supports the Moose Heart, the child city near Chicago. Also know that Moose Heart has provided a home for over 2,000 children since its origination in 1913.
I spoke about the Moose Lodge before, this time speaking about asking your help for the
Freeport area, for North Carolina that was hit by the Hurricane Helene.
Also needing help is Florida's devastation by Hurricane Milton with over 230 no one dead
from the recent hurricanes and flooding.
The reason Freeport Lodge is asking for your help is due to the many lodges requested special
dispensation from Mooseheart.
and
the
Board of Trustees.
We are also working on the
dispensation from Mooseheart to support North Carolina and Florida,
causing over $50 billion. Consequently, the officials at Moose
International authorized a blanket dispensation so that all the
Officers want to also do our part to help the hurricane victims of these states it was decided
that we will act as a donation coordinator so that even small donations can be collected and sent
to help these states in their rebuilding efforts to make it easy for everyone to donate to this cause
checks your cash can be dropped off at the Freeport Moose Lodge our new address is
is 440 East Challenge Street, Freeport, Illinois.
By the way, I got copies of this
because I got other addresses and phone numbers.
You don't have to write it down.
You'll get a copy of this speech.
The Freeport Moose Lodge new location
is one block north of a former lodge
across the street from the Super 8 Motel.
It's a white building and we have a sign up
on a nearby post.
For Florida, checks can be made payable to Florida Moose Association or simply FMA.
If you choose to mail directly to FMA, mail to FMA Post Office Box 2863, Stanford, Florida.
I got the zip here.
Attention, Dan O'Neill, FMA Secretary.
For more information, you can call Ken Cotsenbader, Freeport's Moose Lodge Administrator. His phone number is 815-232-1516 or his cell phone 815-238-1555.
Thanks for your attention and thanks for supporting and help for Florida and North Carolina.
Thank you, Lynne.
Please note that 623 Alderman Monroe entered and next on the list is Andrea Schultz-Winter.
Andrew Schultz-Winner, 521 South Harvey, Freeport, Illinois.
When we think about the infrastructure needed for economic development and growth, child care is imperative.
Residents cannot go to work if they don't have a place for their child to go.
Open Bible currently has 174 students enrolled.
43 children attend their school age program kindergarten to fifth grade.
The remaining 131 children are aged 3 to 5 years of age and attend their preschool child care program.
The demographic makeup of those students are 62% are Caucasian, 37% are African-American, 1% are Asian.
49% of those children qualify for free and reduced lunch. 47 families qualify for child care assistance program.
Last summer, Open Bible offered safe, dependable child care for 170 children.
This allowed families to remain in the workforce while their children were out of school.
Birth to Five is a regional organization that serves northwest Illinois and has collected
data around child care.
Currently, there are 5,132 children in Stevenson, Carroll, and Joe Davis counties that are zero
to five years of age.
&연.
Currently, there are child care slots for approximately 25% of those children or 1264
children.
Data from the Bipartisan Policy Center dated from 2019, so quite dated, five years old,
this data.
For Stevenson County alone, there was eight hundred and seventy child care slots needed.
It is estimated that the annual economic burden of child care gaps within Stevenson County
alone is $18 million.
This is made up of three separate impacts.
The loss of income for individual households, business impact due to direct productivity
losses for businesses, as well as future lost earnings from turnover cost and inability
to take advantage of growth opportunities.
and also, lastly, tax revenue impacts, the proportion of lost household and business income
that would have contributed to government revenues.
Our child care crisis isn't just holding back working parents and their children.
It's actively harming our economy.
Many Freeport families make ends meet because both parents are employed outside the home.
That can happen when we have safe, dependable child care options.
Land Care is a necessity, a necessary infrastructure for our households and our businesses. Thank
you. Thank you.
And next on the list is Dee Sanders.
Good evening, I'd first like to thank the council for allowing me to stand.
I am not Dee Moore, but I am Elder Charlene Williams, and I'm standing here tonight on
behalf of the renaming, not renaming, but adding to the sign on Armstrong and State
Bishop James, Arthur Wade. We have filed all our paperwork. We have met the 51% requirement.
We have been working on this for over a year. Many of you on the City Council know Bishop
James Wade. He's been a pillar within this community. His children were raised here.
His wife was a schoolteacher. Bishop Wade was a part of the school board. He's a part
of the Minister's Fellowship Alliance.
And not only that, I'm sure many of you have seen him
driving with his truck and wagon trailer
where he helps the elderly that can't afford
to mow their lawns.
And he also helps with other things throughout the community.
The funeral homes here in the city of Freeport
know him by name personally, because when COVID hit
and other things happened, he was one of the pastors
in the community that would allow those
who couldn't afford it to come in and have services there.
We have met all of the requirements
and we're simply asking that this petition be granted for us.
Thank you so much for hearing me.
Thank you, Charlene.
So does that mean that D, you don't wanna speak?
Okay.
Then we will move on to Jennifer Fuller.
I would like to thank the council for letting me speak tonight. I am the current day care director at Open Bible Learning Center. I am very nervous. That is why I went into education because children don't judge you. So please bear with me.
A little bit of history. Robert Bush and Irene Bush had First Church of the Open Bible located on West Chestnut Street from 1944 to 1969 when they moved to our current facility at 3800 West Stevenson Street.
In 1970, First Church of the Open Bible Day Nursery opened to serve the public. In 1975, they broke ground for a new educational center to provide larger facilities for the Open Bible Day Nursery.
In 1999, ground was broken for the new Open Bible Family and Learning Center, which is the building we are talking about.
In 2005, Dr. Burles Parker took over as Senior Pastor and Administrator for the Bushes.
In 2009, I took over as Child Care Director.
And when Burles Parker retired in 2022, Derek Strickland took over as Senior Pastor and Administrator.
Open Bible Learning Center is a non-profit licensed child care center with the Department of Children and Family Services, also known as DCFS.
Because of all these changes over the years and the size of our building, we are currently licensed capacity of 217 children ages 2 through 12.
We are open year-round full-time from 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
We are only closed six major holidays.
We are open year-round full-time for families that have to work and need
somewhere for their children to go. After COVID we decided to close on Black
Friday and now starting next year we will be closed on Good Friday. Yes, we were
even open on a religious holiday for parents who still need to work. License
inspections occur every three years with yearly monitoring inspections or more
Moore, with DCFS. Both myself and the pastor handle the license inspections depending on
the materials or paperwork needed. At the three-year license renewal, DCFS contacts the State Fire
Marshall.
Contacts the State Fire Marshal for inspection of the facilities.
Violations of any type noted by DCFS or the Fire Marshal require fixing and corrective
action plans for license continuation.
Previous license inspections addressed the fire sprinkler system in the capacity that
annual tests of the sprinkler system are to be conducted.
This was first noted on our 2021 license review from all the paperwork that I have gone through
for our previous license renewal.
When it was brought up by the fire marshal
that there was no water access for the system to be hooked up,
Dr. Parker, as Senior Administrator,
was instructed to post a sign on the system at access points
so the local fire department was aware
they would have to hook up to the system
in case of an emergency.
Jennifer, your three minutes has expired.
OK.
Are you close to being done?
I'm close to being done, yes.
Like, what, two lines?
I don't want to.
OK.
I can stop. I can give you guys a point out that I don't have copies tonight, but I can
definitely give it. Good, thank you. And then we have Luanne Hayes. Good evening, everyone.
Luanne Hayes, 1021 West Douglas Street, Freeport, Illinois. As many of you know, I am with Bertha
and
Andrea referenced a little bit ago I'm just here for statistics it's all I'm here for right now in Freeport we have six hundred and forty six spots for child care that includes open Bible we have two thousand one hundred and seventy children who need it ages zero to five that leaves a gap right now not from 2019 was five hundred and some our gap now
Fowler, and now is 1,524. 70% of our kids do not have child care, access to child care, or day care.
Now, that's here in Freeport, and Andrea talked about the region as well, but we cannot afford, our community cannot afford to lose any slots here, especially in Freeport.
I have a flyer for you, and I'm under my three minutes.
Oh, I like your top, too.
Okay.
Oh, and just to make it rounded, I like your top, too.
Okay.
You still have 50 seconds if you want to use it.
I could do a little song and dance.
No, we'll end it.
Okay.
I could.
Okay.
Fowler.
Okay, last on the list is Ashley Harms.
Hi, y'all.
I'm Ashley Harms.
I am from Amity here in Freeport.
I also live in Freeport.
The address of Amity and the King Community Campus is 511 South Liberty.
I know.
We're competitors, right?
Us and Open Bible.
I serve on the Birth to Five Committee.
We've been looking at these numbers for a really long time and the state and everybody else
is working on focusing on building up child care.
The last thing we need to do is make a center close.
It doesn't look good for Freeport.
It's not good for our working families.
I could enroll double my enrollment tomorrow with my waiting list.
I'm sure Open Bible could too.
I understand that it is very costly.
Everything these days is extremely costly.
If Open Bible is willing to do their piece and pay
from the street to their building,
like any of the rest of us would,
I think the right solution here is to run,
run the line for the kids.
It's for the kids, and it's not just for the kids.
As Andrea said, and as Luanne said,
it's an infrastructure issue.
Our families need to be able to go to work.
We are already struggling to enroll families every day.
We can't get them all in now.
What would happen if Open Bible were to close
and we lost 170 more slots of childcare?
How many more employers are you going to have
that don't have workers coming in
because they don't have childcare?
We should be building up childcare.
In fact, I don't think it's far off to ask later
for you guys to help us expand some of our buildings
or to help us do more.
This is not the time at all to do less, that I can say.
And I hope the right decision is made to save their program.
Have a great night.
Thank you.
That concludes public comments.
We'll move on to item number four,
which is the consent agenda.
The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature
and acted as one motion, unless there's a member
of the council would like to have something removed
for further discussion.
Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file minutes
from boards and commissions for foreign fire minutes dated August 8th.
The Library Board of Trustees dated September 11th and the Liquor Commission dated September
12th and 27th, 2024.
The Building Permit Report and the Fire Department Report dated September 2024.
The Freeport Housing Authority Monthly Report dated September 18th, 2024.
the Greater Freeport Partnership Monthly Report dated September 25th, 2024, the Finance Report
and Cash and Investment Report for August 2024, the approval of the finance bills payable
in the total of $2,836,656.02 and the approval of payroll for pay period ending October 5th,
2024 in the total of $641,274.96. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?
Somo. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Any discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? No. Motion passes, seven to one.
Thank you. Item number five is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54A. Could you please
read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 220, Council, Section 220.06, Compensation of the
Code of Ordinances. Thank you. Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor. At the last Council meeting, it was requested to break up these
three positions into three separate ordinances, so that has been done. And I think we were
at a, we're at a position where Council should move forward with the direction that they,
they so choose.
And can you refresh what the dollar change or what was, what was given on the first reading
for Council members?
Dovie, would you have that?
Would you be able to go through the minutes on that?
Aaron or Attorney Zito. Sure so for the the first item on the agenda for with
regards to the pay for elected officials is for the City Council. Currently our
code provides that the annual pay to the Alderman is $3,800 per year. The
direction from the council was to increase that to $4,500 per year.
Any further discussion, Council?
Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Did you have a question, Alderman Stacy?
I'm just kind of lost.
Okay, could you please take the roll?
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy, today, Shadle, no, Sanders, Sellers, no, Klemm, no, Monroe, no, I have a tie, don't I?
1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 4. Mayor, what say you?
Okay. The Council has not received any pay increase for a long time of any significance.
I know that this is 18% increase, but the dollar amount is pretty small. It's a very
small increase on a yearly basis. When you break it down in the month, it's barely anything.
So aye.
The motion passes, five to four.
Item Number 6 is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54B. Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Chapter 226, Mayor, Section 226.03, Compensation of the Code of Ordinances.
and Michael.
I have nothing else to add to the previous discussion.
I believe both the Mayor's salary and the clerks were a 5%
increase. That accurate?
and others.
This agenda item is for the Mayor's compensation, so it is a 5% increase for the four years,
each of the four years.
So it'll go from 29,330, then in the second year it will go to 32,030, in the third year
it goes to 33,630, and then the fourth year it goes to 36,670.
So is there discussion on the salary package for mayor?
Seeing none.
Yeah.
Alderman Sellers.
I guess I was okay with the 3 percent, but not with the 5, that's me.
She did not hear you honey.
I said I was okay with the 3% with the first proposal, but not with the 5.
Alderman Stacey?
I did some homework on this.
And what I'm okay with is 5% the first year, 4% the second year, 3% the third year, and
and a couple of other things.
So I think we are moving forward.
We're moving forward by 2% the fourth year.
Well, it seems we have a different opinion.
I know that it was moved forward was the 5% like was stated.
I believe there was an actual motion for the 5% that was motion made, seconded, and then voted on for 5% for both the mayor and the clerks.
And who made that motion?
I believe it was Alderman Klemm.
I'm looking it up.
Alderman Klemm said zero for the mayor.
there was a motion to have it remain the same that failed Monroe moved Alderperson
Sanders seconded that the Mayor's salary be increased to 555 the motion
Past, 5 to 3.
Well, if there's no further discussion.
Simmons?
What are we voting on?
On the 5-5-5-5 as presented upon second reading of the ordinance.
OK, so if I am not mistaken, we were told that we could come back and bottle that.
And so Alderman Sellers just said that she was OK with the 3%, but not the 5,
am I correct?
So we're not discussing that.
That's what the pause is.
I'm waiting for you to tell me what you want to do.
Nobody's saying anything.
Right, so if at this point you guys are in discussion, so if someone wants to make a
motion to change it, to propose a change from 5% to something other than 5%, people can
do that.
I make a motion that we change the 5% to five the first year, four the second year, three
the third year, and two the last year.
I second it.
Okay, so we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Sanders
to change the ordinance as how it was moved forward to 5-4-3-2.
Discussion on the change.
Okay, I guess if there's no discussion, then Madam Clerk, would you take the role on passing
the Mayor's package to be 5% increase down to 2?
Nope.
It's just on the amendment.
It's just on a proposed amendment.
Marshall, and Dewey and described the
motion to change the motion.
Thank you.
Okay.
Mr. Cooney, there is no further discussion.
We're going to call the roll call.
So if you could all stand up full-time.
So, one, one, two, three.
All right.
So, it's not going to be a vote of 5402.
We're not going to make a motion to change the motion, as I said, with the rest of the
motion, so we're going to make a motion to change the motion with a motion of 5402.
That's a proposal.
We're not going to make a motion to change the motion.
We're not making a motion to change the motion with a proposed amendment to 5432.
Okay.
on just the change. If it is approved, then you guys will go back to the vote as amended
with 5-4-3-2. If it fails, the proposed change to 5-4-3-2, then you're back to 5%. There
can be another motion if someone wants to propose something different, or you're asking
to vote on the 5%. So could you please take the role on the amendment
only, Simmons, Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe. We are tied at 4 to 4. Mayor. I vote no on the amendment. The proposed
and
the
City Council.
I'm sorry, can we express it differently?
Word it differently?
Come to the same conclusion of five percent?
I'm sorry, can we express it differently?
but collectively we have not had that okay that's what I'm trying to establish
because we have we had not made that's why we're at the 4-4 constantly all the
time and if that keeps going on we have to reword something so it so it would
satisfy the council. So what would be your rewording? That's what I'm saying we
had not had a chance to discuss none of that. Maybe we should suspend it for now.
No, it actually has to go forward tonight.
Something has to go forward tonight.
By law.
Yeah.
Alderman Sellers.
I make a motion that we go back to the original 3 percent that we had offered.
Is there a second?
Second.
So now before you is an amendment
to move it to the original 3-3-3-3.
Any discussion on that amendment?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? No. And we are again
Tide, 4 to 4. Mayor? No. The motion fails, 4 to 5.
You want to go ahead? Alright, so you guys are back to the underlying as proposed 5%.
if there's no further discussion you have something I have something I well do I
and I have your attention.
Let's not waste time.
Well, Mayor, we're talking about your wages.
No, it's a Mayor's salary.
A Mayor's salary, I'll put it like that.
So we do need to take time since we don't take time
to come up with conversation or discussions
before this event takes place or this.
This is the third meeting we've talked about it.
Okay.
I have no further discussion.
Thank you.
Madam Clerk, please, no, okay, go ahead.
I will just, for the Council though, I mean, you guys have to come to some conclusion here because the way that our ordinance is drafted right now,
it provides for the compensation for four years the last one being this year if you
guys don't approve something whoever the mayor is come next term doesn't have a
compensation whatsoever so you guys have to come up with something mine was
rejected so what's before you right now is the original that was put forward at
at the last meeting.
Madam Clerk, if there's no further discussion,
would you please take the roll?
And could you state what that is?
5%?
That'd be correct.
Year?
That'd be correct.
5% increase each year.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
No.
Klemm?
No.
And Monroe?
Aye.
The motion passes 6 to 2.
So we will move on to item number 7, which is the second reading of Ordinance 2024-54C.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Chapter 228, City Clerk, Section 22803, Compensation of the Code of
Ordinances.
You want to recap that?
It's the same as the Mayor package.
and
Correct it's also as it moved out from first read it was a 5% increase to the clerk's salary
That provides for then in the first year it'd be compensation of fifty eight thousand two fifty five in the second year
It goes to sixty three thousand six fifteen and the third year it goes to sixty six thousand seven ninety five and in the fourth year
It goes to seventy two seventy two thousand eight thirty which are five percent increases
I would like to make a motion that we oppose two percent each year for the next four years.
Two percent.
Is there a second?
I second it.
So now before you is the amendment proposed for a two percent increase each year versus
the five.
Is there anything to discuss on that amendment?
Yes.
So the original was four percent, right?
The original five?
Well.
The original was four percent that we first came?
I believe staff's original proposal was four percent, then council made the motion at the
last meeting to raise it to five percent.
Staff was three percent.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Staff requested four percent.
Okay.
Thank you.
Then council did five.
There you go.
So if there's no further discussion, Rick, yes, go ahead.
Clerk, City Clerk Dovie, you said you, it was 3% and then you requested 4?
Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't say that into the microphone. Staff's recommendation was 3, I requested 4, and then upon first reading, a council member suggested 5.
Which I believe still comes back to it was Monroe and Sanders, correct?
I'd have to look it up.
I think it was a whole package done that way Klemm proposed five Can you repeat that Alderman Klemm?
Klemm, I proposed five last time Okay, thank you for that clarification
So before you is a motion for a 2% amendment Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the 2%?
Can I have discussion? Oh sure. Could I? Okay. Please keep in mind that this is one of the positions that has really changed over the years in the amount that the person has to do.
We've gone from zero gaming license to 40 gaming licenses. We have, I don't know how many liquor licenses, and I'm sharing the 60s at this point, that this person all has to handle, plus has to have everything ready for every meeting, and you guys want to demand that they have a draft, a draft agenda out three days before it normally used to come out, used to come out, and you're not
Let's also keep in mind that this year it was approved for part-time worker, helper, part-time
City Clerk to help City Clerk Anderson.
Could you repeat that because I can't hear you. I'm very sorry. The system is absolutely terrible. I hate to say that, but it's absolutely terrible.
I said let's keep in mind, can you hear me?
I can hear you.
Let's keep in mind that it was approved to hire a part-time City Clerk to help City Clerk
Anderson out with her duties.
Let's keep that in mind.
Madam Mayor.
Yes, Alderman Klemm.
Am I correct in saying that the person that assisted her before just retired and that
person took that position. There's been an assistant that worked back and forth with the person that works with the mayor and the city manager and the city court for a number of years. It isn't as though it happened yesterday. So she didn't get any big bonus hiring somebody.
Cronenberg.
Respond to Klemm, or ... Yeah, his knowledge on the part-time.
He's referring to Luanne retiring.
Yes, I just had a retirement in the office, so I'm training, so I have a brand new person,
Also my helper will be trained. I guess I don't understand what Alderperson Klemm was
saying, I guess. The new person is not to be a backup to the Assistant to the Mayor
and City Manager. The current Deputy Clerk does that. If, and a budget has not finally
been approved, it has been recommended in the budget, but I don't definitely have a
a part-time person but as I will agree with Alderperson Klemm that the workload
has increased greatly this year we also have had by the end of September we had
more Freedom of Information Act requests by the end of September than in any year
since I've kept a FOIA log all through you know through December
all through December by the end of September,
the FOIAs were higher.
I'm getting behind in typing closed session minutes.
I'm about four years behind on that.
And I am behind in filing.
So between me, a full-time clerk, and a part-time clerk,
those duties would be redistributed
to include backup to the assistant to the mayor
and City Manager.
Yes, that's a good explanation.
Thank you.
Alderman Stacy.
Am I wrong in thinking that we approved for a part-time City
Clerk?
Did we approve?
Well, it was discussed in the budget,
but nothing's been approved in that.
That was for the 25 budget.
But is this something that passed?
The budget hasn't passed, though.
Director Richter, can you answer that?
So, actually the conversation was, and I might give you more than you want to know, but both Dovie and I talked together and we were going to ask for a full-time person.
I backed off a little bit and I've also talked to Dovie about I don't know if her half-time is going to make it through.
We've got a lot to go with the budget yet, and as I said, it hasn't been approved yet.
and I. It is something we very much need, Dovie needs, but when it comes to some of the other
priorities that the budget needs, that might not make it all the way through.
Okay. So I understand that the budget has not been approved. However, was getting her
of Position Helper approved. Did we discuss and talk about her receiving a part-time City
Clerk?
Was there, so you're asking if there was an ordinance that was, no, it was discussion
in budget. Manager Boyer, do you want to add to that?
As I understand it, we had basically an additional position that was going to split 50-50 between
the Finance Department and the City Clerk.
The Finance Department looked at it and said, I'm going to withdraw my request, but I think
we still put that in the budget for the City Clerk.
The budget hasn't been passed yet, but the intention is to have a part-time person.
The intention is to have a part-time person.
and also just for recollection purposes the current term I'm in I had an
increase of one percent one percent one percent one percent this was set at a
time during COVID when we were freezing public works rate wages if I recall I
I asked the Finance Director, non-elected people, non-bargaining during that same time got two, two, four, and four.
A comparison of other clerks were also given, and I am paid lower than any of the two, four, six, eight, nine municipalities.
Dixon has a population of 15,000, Sterling has a population of 14,000, and I still make less than them.
I don't know how many deputy clerks they have.
If you do increase this position, and not me, I do intend to run, but think of it as a position,
Fowler.
If you can increase this position by five, five, five, five, I believe someone did a
calculation and it would add $10,000 more than what you were given.
Adding 10,000 onto me, I still make less than the 10 municipalities that you were given
as comparisons.
So before you, Council, is an ask for an amendment of 2-2-2-2.
Any further discussion on the 2?
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the amendment for 2?
Simmons?
No.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
Yes.
Shadle?
No.
Sanders?
Yes.
Sellers?
No.
Klemm?
No.
Monroe?
No.
to six.
So now before you, Council, is the original that was put forward the last time you met
at five.
Simmons?
I think Alderman Stacy might have had something she wanted to say.
I am not wanting the 5. So, since my 2 failed, do I have the right to make another motion?
I make a motion that we just go 3 across the board.
Is there a second?
I second it.
Here we have a motion made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Sanders to do 5% I'm sorry, 3%, 3, 3, 3, 3. Discussion on the 3. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on a 3% increase.
Simmons, Parker, no, Stacy, yes, Shadle, no, Sanders, yes, Sellers, no, Klemm, no,
Monroe, no, the motion fails two to six. Okay so again before you is the five five
and
any other questions?
Any further discussion?
I have a point of clarification from the discussions earlier.
Could someone answer how many years we have employed a deputy clerk?
Because I don't remember not having one.
Do you know that? Yes, from 2017 when I started. I was the first full-time Deputy Clerk. Prior
to that there was a part-time on occasion or the clerk at times would appoint a deputy
to see some duties through or to take a vacation. But going back through the files, there's
There's a Deputy Clerk signature on many, many files as one was needed.
Michelle, do you have more recollection than that or is that pretty accurate?
No further discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons
Parker, no Stacy this is for the five percent no five percent no well I thought
was still talking to four percent okay let's clarify what the motion is so the
This is on the underlying five.
Okay.
And remember, something has to pass tonight or there will be no salary set for the clerk's
position.
So before you is what the original was at five, five, five, five.
I'm sorry.
I thought it was four percent.
Do you want me to start over?
Yeah.
No.
Why?
I'll vote yes.
I will start with Simmons first.
I'll start completely over so we're even.
Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Yes. Klemm? Yes. Monroe? Yes. Let me see if I have
enough here. One, two, three, four, five yeses. The motion passes five to three.
Okay let's move on to item number eight which is the second reading of ordinance
2024-55. Could you please read this? Ordinance approving revised lease with
Illinois Central Railroad also known as CN Railroad for Brick Street water
treatment plant. Manager Boyer. Thank Your Honor. Just following up part of the old
Brick Street plant that was built around 1870 is encroaching on the CN rail yard.
for years we've paid a modest amount of rent just to ensure that ever they've
asked for a modest amount of rent so the city would like to renew that again this
year obviously but they have raised it to 2,000 so staff is requesting this
council approve the payment of the $2,000 rent for CN. Is there any
discussion on this second reading so based on Alderman Sanders request
communications director went out and was able to get a drone photo of the area
this is the area in question on the backside of the existing water plant as
you can see the structure is built
We can see the structure is built right on top of the railroad abedment. Again, this was four years ago when coal was delivered to the buildings.
I really don't think we have much of a choice but to approve this until we can have the water plant removed, which is hopeful to have done within the next five years.
And we've let CN know that we're working towards that goal.
Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye.
and Monroe I the motion passes 8 to 0 actually it's the ordinance that passes
8 to 0 item number 9 is the first reading of ordinance 2024 56 could you
please read this ordinance approving special use permit for LaGuerra oh I
missed part of the address 1802 e Shawnee your director duckman thank you madam
mayor staff received a special use application from the whereup report LLC
for a restaurant selling alcohol beverages outdoors for outdoor service at their location at 1802 Eshawn E.
And on October 3rd, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended for approval by a vote of four to zero
with zero abstentions. The Planning Commission met on October 10th, 2024, and they recommended
approval by a vote of five to zero with zero abstentions and there was some
discussion at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting between Angelina Dominguez,
the proprietor of the establishment and some members of the public and normally
the after hours outside would be 11 o'clock but they agreed to the owner
agreed after talking with some of the neighbors that they would close their
operations at 10 o'clock so that's one of the conditions that was imposed through
and the staff is making that recommendation as well as approval.
Okay, so before discussion I need a motion to move this ordinance to the second reading.
So moved.
Is there a second?
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Rowe to move this ordinance
forward.
Is there discussion on the ordinance?
Yes.
is the closing at 10 p.m. is that going to be written into yes that's what we're
proposing we propose that and normally other communities do conditional use
permits as part of their special use permits that's not a typical not
typically done but in this situation based on what came from the Zoning Board
of Appeals discussions with the public staff is recommending that that's just
The owner approached me whether a special permit was required for this and it's not because it's on private property, it's not on city property. Will that 10 o'clock closing be for any outdoor event or any time their outdoor patio area is in use?
That's in conjunction with this special use permit.
It's a condition based on this serving of outdoor alcohol.
So it's not just that one event?
No, it's for this and for their special use
permit is for outdoor, you know, serving alcohol outdoors.
And that's part of all of it.
Yes.
OK, good to know.
Thank you.
Yes.
Alderman Simmons.
So is that the same for the bars downtown
it's different they have an actual there's a parklet there's a parklet
application is that what it and I get a mixed up but there's an actual parklet
application they can do so this is a little bit different it's on their
property this is a I put up a third property here you can see they have a
large property and obviously it's different than downtown location
So I have a follow-up question. So if they were to, I'm familiar with it.
Can you talk more into the microphone?
Sorry, so I'm familiar with the restaurant. So if they were to fill out the same permit that the other restaurants downtown that have the same sort of setup have, would they be allowed to sometimes stay open later?
Well, it's different. What you got going on here is they don't even have a sidewalk here, so they wouldn't even be able to put something in the right-of-way here, like a set of tables and picnic benches.
They, and I do want to be clear, the property, the neighbors came in and had a discussion at the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the proprietor, Ms. Dominguez, she said that she would close at 10 o'clock.
Black, so that's per her suggestion at the, she said that, it wasn't staff imposing it,
she said that she would close, staff actually said to be in line with our regular ordinances
and do 11, she, after talking with the public, she said she would close up at 10, she, you
know, she agreed to do that.
Alderman Stacey?
Where is the water?
This, you see the red line here.
That's the water.
That's right, correct.
Okay, where are they talking about putting seating?
Well, I'm always careful about this, Ms. Alderperson, Stacy, because it's not technically part of this approval process, but, and I've said, you know, we've been down this road before, you're not approving where they're going to have their alcohol served, but what I'm being told is it's going to be in this area here.
That's the grass area, like, kind of behind the front of the building?
is building?
Setting the table now.
Actually is building.
Correct thing.
That's what I'm being told.
They got pretty stable hand.
I actually, actually it's not the- I was told it's going to be in this parking area here
so I apologize Alderperson, Stacy, but it's going to be in this parking area in here.
Where is the front door?
Exactly.
Sorry, it's over in here.
The left side.
I'm sorry I'm a little able Not to say it on the open.
the appearance of audience.
because there used to be seating on the absent side of what you're saying.
That's what, again, and I want to be clear, I don't want to get too far in the weeds on
this because this is not part of, basically it's a blanket approval for them to have an
outdoor, you know, to serve out. So I don't want to get too far in the weeds on that,
you know, because you're not saying, well, I approve it here or approve it there. It's
a blanket approval.
And what if they ever, never, what if they didn't close at 10? Would that be a violation?
It would, and essentially what would happen is, right, the neighbors were here and they
and they said, hey, you agreed to close at 10 and so if they start having parties at 11 or midnight, I can guarantee you the neighbors who talk to them, they're going to be the ones calling, saying there's a noise violation and that would be up to the officers who went on site to assess the situation and proceed accordingly with noise violations.
Sanders. Also, would there be any safety rails or safety protection or? That's not
part of this. This is a zoning, this is a simple zoning approval that basically
says can they serve alcohol outside. That's not part, you know, I mean that's
not part of this. Yeah, well I'm thinking about the fact that that property is
is exposed to the public at any given time, is there any safety guardrails?
Sure, you know, I will say if your concern is safety, I mean you can vote on this however you see fit.
I just know that when it comes to what they can do on their property and zoning wise,
we don't take into effect, you know, the guardrails and things of that nature.
So I don't want to mislead you down a path that, that was part of this zoning process. This is, yep.
Well, my thing is we need to reassess that whole idea of allowing that particular kind of zoning take place
when we're serving alcohol and whatever is going on like that without any fencing or guardrails or whatever the case may be.
I think it would become a hazardous to the adjacent community, but that's my concern.
That is something that I can foresee that might happen in that particular part of the area.
So, you know, I'm looking at the whole spectrum of it.
Madam Clerk, would you want to chime in to?
Sure. The liquor sales portion is overseen by the Liquor Commission.
and they also have an outdoor application submitted to the Liquor Commission and they provided all of that.
We provided all of that on the drawing and the Liquor Commission approved that contingent
upon whether Council believes that this is an appropriate use of outdoor liquor at this
location.
Well, all of the things that I just said factors into that equation.
And the fact of the matter is we don't have a lot of detail information in regards to
these three buildings are specific to any of that, because were exposing masks that property to the general public and without any safety guardrails or anything of that nature that the community or the neighborhood or whatever that's out there is subjected to they could be intruded upon unwelcome visitors and things like that to that community area so my thing is
have we taken a look at that whole yes concept yes so when it comes to zoning
and land use and this is this would be land use in this situation here you're in
order to serve alcohol it's alcohol outside your first step is you have to
get the zoning for it in this situation or in the city of Freeport you have to
have a special use permit and a special use permit looks at and also provides
the members of the public an opportunity to come and speak and actually in this
Files, and Planning Commission.
All that being said, it's up tonight for your choice to decide.
If you disagree with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission, that's your right
to do so.
But I just, in working on this application, working with the owner for months on this,
I think she's done her work, she's done her due diligence, she's presented to the public,
She's been working with the public and I stand behind the recommendations of the Zoning Board
and Planning Commission.
Okay.
Madam Mayor?
Norman Klemm?
Madam Mayor?
Yes.
Just keep in mind that I was a building and grounds person at that particular address
for the VFW for a number of years and I know special uses don't go on with the sales but
and others, but there had been a special use for outside dining and in the same area and
that stuff for the DFW and also for Junior's place before that. So as a result, this is
the first time that anybody's looked at it. And if she, there is some housing right there
and if the people came and objected and said that they believed it should be shut down
early and that agreed, I believe it to be a good decision.
I agree so we have the motion to move forward to a second reading however it
has been asked by the owners of the property if we could suspend the rules so
they can actually do this for their next event which is prior to the next council
is there a motion to suspend the rules second everybody we have a motion made
by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Monroe to suspend the rules suspension of
the rules is non-debatable must pass by two-thirds majority madam clerk could
you please take the role in the suspension only Simmons I Parker I
Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, and Monroe. The suspension passes 8 to 0.
Okay so now before you is the final passage to be able to get this ordinance
put into place. Is there any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the
roll on the passage. Simmons, Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm,
Aye.
Monroe.
Aye.
And the ordinance passes 8 to 0.
Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 2024-57.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending boundaries of the Joint Northwest Illinois Certified Enterprise Zone
for the operation of an Enterprise Zone to add Pearl City Elevator fueling station near
US Route 20 and Wagner Road.
Thank you.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Summary Enterprise Zone is a zone set up to help spur economic activity and support business
development.
The Ordinance 2024-57 proposes an expansion of the Joint Northwestern Illinois Enterprise
Zone involving collaboration between multiple jurisdictions.
That is the City of Freeport, Stevenson County, Joe Davis County, City of East Dubuque, the
Villages of Hanover, and Alena.
This amendment aims to incorporate an additional 8.57 acres of contiguous land into the existing
Enterprise Zone pending approval from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
or DECO and relevant local governing bodies.
The expansion increases the zone size from 13.5017 square miles to 13.515 square miles.
Project. The Pearl City Elevator Inc. is acquiring the property at 9432 West Wagner Road to build a fueling station and convenience store. Project cost estimates at $4.5 million with a net savings to the enterprise zone incentives. Over 40 years, the project is expected to generate approximately $5.6 million in property taxes. The fuel station is positioned to attract tourism and business
Long Route 20. A job creation includes the project will have eight full-time jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $400,000 a year, seven part-time jobs with a payroll of $240,000 a year. Construction will generate 15 temporary jobs contributing $200,000 in payroll to the local economy, and the fueling station will support regional agriculture through the use of ethanol and corn oil products at Atkins Energy, sourced from local
and others, including farmers. The enterprise zone expansion requirements. All enterprise zone benefits will apply to the expanded area except for properties within a TIF district where property tax abatements are excluded.
Approval of by DECO is required for the final to finalize the expansion. And if passed, the ordinance will be submitted to Gary Quinn, Zone Administrator for inclusion in the DECO application.
this ordinance will become effective immediately upon passage of the publication and staff request
council approve ordinance 20-2024-57 it is in alignment with our strategic plan strong public
private partnerships the public and private partnerships are aligned to create clear value
for the citizens of Freeport and its partners we work closely with local regional statewide
and Stacey.
We provide economic development partners by aligning our work with shared resources.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Alderman Stacey.
Can you tell me how do this project help us?
This project is in support of our other communities that are in the enterprise zone.
and as you can see here up on the screen, originally when the Enterprise Zone was set
up, the property owners of the yellow striped areas were not wanting to be part of the Enterprise
Zone.
They've apparently been acquired by new owners who want to set up the truck stop and they're
requesting those two parcels be included with the Enterprise Zone.
So it benefits us by supporting our local partners in economic development and future
expansions.
How do this project hurt us?
I'm not aware of how it hurts us.
OK.
Do we make money off of the gas tax revenue?
Yes.
Yeah.
Were we told that that money would get us qualified grants?
I'm sorry, just to clarify.
We make 2% gas tax on our fueling stations within city limits.
Isn't this money currently paying for our street repairs?
No, this is Pearl City.
OK.
I'm sorry, Lena.
So what is it going to cost us to support that project?
Nothing.
but we're allowing, we're supporting something being built.
Attorney Zito knows where you're going with this. He'll answer it.
I think I do. So this...
Can we have the light on so I can see you?
So, the Enterprise Zone, when it was originally created, it was done through an intergovernmental
agreement with multiple municipalities, right, because the Enterprise Zone is bigger than
just Freeport.
It extends into, you know, Lena, Pearl City, whatever, but it was an agreement that was
done by all those communities that set the boundary, right, that extends bigger than
just Freeport.
So, if it ever wants to be changed because there are, let's just hypothetically say there were five entities that were a party to that agreement that created the Enterprise Zone.
If we ever want to change it, all five communities have to agree to change it.
So now one of those communities, Pearl City, has asked because they have a, Lena, excuse me, has a proposed development that the developers asking, hey, can I be included in the, in the enterprise zone and so Lena is now saying, okay, we think this will be a benefit, you know, we were asking for everyone to agree, all the other communities to agree to expand the enterprise zone boundaries to include this additional
and
the
does it benefit us probably not other than you know maybe general rising tide raises
all ships but I think where the benefit comes in is or what we're doing in being a partner
with our surrounding communities is there may be a day one day where we are going to
ask because there's a development in Freeport that is not within the enterprise zone and
we're going to ask hey guys can we add this into the enterprise zone this property that's
in Freeport and we're going to look to our partners and we're going to need their blessing
to add it in. So that's kind of probably the bigger picture. I don't know if that answers your question as to because I think you're kind of doing a pro and con there. There's really not. It's not really that it's really about they need all five of us to agree to amend the boundary. So that's why they're asking Director Duckman. Yes, I also want to add Alderperson Stacy. We went through this for the city of Freeport with the metals mall project. We had to redo our boundary to incorporate that. And so we needed the approval of Lena
in that process, that was 2022.
So you're dealing with regional governance, correct?
So the argument there is people come together,
you're working together, but you're
taking advantage of, example, sales tax abatement
for construction materials.
And in this situation, you have a project
that just happens to be surrounded by enterprise zone.
And since it's regional governance,
it's local municipalities working together
to have a benefit in development,
they need to work together to say does this make sense and that's what's being voted
on here but to Attorney Zito's point we were in that situation a few years ago with the
Meadows Mall development and adding we had to do the similar project where we had to
redo that legal description. I wrote the legal description for the Meadows Mall project so
I remember fondly adding that boundary to the enterprise zone so it is a situation where
We are working with other communities in this situation. We aren't exactly benefiting directly here, but we've relied on each other in similar situations.
Andrea, is there something in addition that you have to add to that?
So the only thing I will add, and I think that we talk about benefit, thank you for Director Duckman, Manager Boyer, it was a great explanation as to what the Enterprise Zone is and the process that we went through two years ago to add the Meadows Mall that facilitated the redevelopment there.
Perel City Elevator is a large employer. Many of their employees live in Freeport. Also Perel City Elevator takes grain from area farmers. That grain is then often sold to Atkins Energy, which produces ethanol, which then will be sold at the gas station that will be nearby. So when you think about the idea that yes, it probably will affect some Freeport City residents because they work, they are farmers themselves, or they work for Perel City Elevator, they will benefit by having their company be able
who owns the land because right now I'm looking at it part of the land is owned
by Pearl City Elevator incorporated the other land is owned by Old Mill LLC do
we know who the people are they're involved in in those zones? The Old Mill
LLC that parcel was purchased by Pearl City Elevator both parcels are now owned
Bipro City Elevator. Okay, follow up. Go ahead. Awesome. So the proposal is to put in a large truck stop. Is that what I'm understanding? It's going to be a convenience store and truck stop. Yes. Fueling station. Follow up. So we've been here in Freeport trying to get that same type of opportunity built here. It does seem a little bit perplexing that we would lose nothing. I would be willing to bet that we would probably lose
B. B. and I think it's a good thing for the Department of
Transportation to use gas tax revenue as trucks and vehicles
bypassing Freeport, which the bypass in its name has done to
us for many years. So there is a, I would put almost a net
negative on the opportunity that's going into the Lena area.
Do we need a truck stop west of the Rockford area, west of
and the question that's been asked for a lot of years. I know that there's been talk off
Springfield Road. I know there's been talk on 26. There's been discussions even at the
West connection of the Business 20 bypass area. And my concern, and I think a lot of
people's concern in here, and I know they're dancing around the subject, is that will without
Hickman, Steve, John, Daniel, Mike, John Hicks, Mike Hickman, Mike Hickman, Mike Hickman,
Supplies things like that as they drive west to Dubuque or wherever they may be going so that is a concern
I you did make a lot of good positives, but I think you're not making enough light of the negatives that come along with that
There is potential opportunity that's lost right opportunity cost but right now
Pearl City elevator based on the proximity they have to their existing facility
This is why they chose the location that they did and I can't tell you today
and John.
That if you said no and you voted this down, then that means in six months you're going
to get a truck stop developed off of the bypass.
So you know, I think that we need to look at the greater good working with our regional
partners.
It is likely within the next year that I will be in front of you again asking for you to
approve an enterprise zone boundary expansion to facilitate other development within the
city of Freeport.
I'm going to have to go to our government partners asking them to do the same, and they might
ask the same thing of me. Why would I want to agree to do this? Because it might hurt
our municipality. I think we need to consider the idea that yes, this is the city of Freeport,
but there are many people who don't work here, that they live here, that there are boundaries
that we cross every single day, and that we need to think about this in terms of the regional
Good, as well. Alderman Sellers? Yes, I'd like to, with the job creation that you read,
City Manager, the eight full-time jobs and the 15 temporary jobs, is that all for, is
it Leno or Freeport or who, are these all new jobs or are they? I'm happy to answer
and
they referred to construction jobs and those would be they're looking to use area contractors
so I would assume some would be Lena, Stevenson County, Freeport. I'm sure they'll draw from Freeport as there's just more contractors that coming from Freeport
in terms of the
full-time and part-time positions, I think it was eight and seven
It depends on who applies for the position, right? It could be anyone from Stevenson County. It could be a Lena resident
and it could be a Freeport resident, I'm sure they will not have that barrier on that application.
And then I'd like to, maybe if we could get the answer for Mr. Cook without proper direction
and if you could clear that up so that we can understand his question.
Boyer, he's the City Manager.
So my understanding of the items that Attorney Cook referenced here, there, he was looking
for just some citations to some previous ordinances that, you know, created the original enterprise
zone so sort of reference ordinance 123 back from 2000 whatever there.
Again, I don't think this ordinance as written necessarily right now is deficient.
and I think that's a good point.
I think the way that this is written necessarily right now is deficient.
Do I think that his points that he brings up could add some clarity, some additional information, make it more robust?
Sure. So I mean, if the council wants, I can certainly add some references into this draft of the ordinance.
I would only add that this is the same model ordinance that we've used for every Enterprise Zone application that we've put in front of council.
Alderman, Stacy I would like to make a motion that Attorney
Zito add the needed language to the ordinance and we bring this back to the November COW
for further discussion and understanding of what is actually being said and asked of us
and further discussion at the COW and then it can appear on the agenda the third week
of November.
So if that's a motion, I need a second.
I made a motion that this be taken to the COW.
I second it.
and that Attorney Zito add whatever needs to be added to the language.
So we have a second on that?
Okay.
So you have a motion before you for adding the language that's been asked for and then
to move it to the November COW.
So is there a discussion on that motion?
Klemm.
Alderman Klemm?
Madam Mayor, is there a time element on this and Bob?
Andrea?
I'd like to move it all the way through all units of government by the beginning of December
so we could submit this by the end of the year to DCEO.
This is the second unit of government that is already, that we're at, East Dubuque is
reading this ordinance and resolution tonight as well.
and we held a public hearing Friday where there was no members of the public who came
in opposition to the project.
No one in opposition?
Correct.
And your opinion as far as changing the way that we put language in there, is that going
to be in hindrance, any hindrance in future things within Freeport to do that?
Well I think that it might, since all units of government have to have the same ordinance
and resolution, it require me to then send out a revised ordinance and resolution to
and Stacey, and I'm going to say that we have to approve and pass a resolution to every unit of government.
Lena has already passed this through their village board, so they would have to approve and pass a new resolution and ordinance.
So there is a possibility that this could not make the cutoff?
Correct.
Alderman, Stacy?
I don't think that whether we make the cut off or not is the most important angle here.
We as the Council need to understand what we are saying and what we are doing.
And if we're asking for additional information to make it appear better, sound right, then
I don't feel that it should be denied just because it may delay your date as into when
you would like to see this prosper.
I understand that it might be appearing as it is my date, but I am working in response
to a business that's looking to expand and has already expended money to get this development
Underway by purchasing this property in an effort to be responsive to business, move
at the speed of business, to create a business-friendly environment for Northwest Illinois, to increase
the level of economic development we have here.
I think it's imperative that sometimes when we ask things to happen, I'm happy to meet
with anybody one-on-one to answer any questions you have about this project, the enterprise
zone in general.
but this is delaying this, the project, they will not break ground until the State of Illinois
approves this enterprise zone.
The longer we delay, the more money it costs this company.
Does one person's opinion really have that much weight?
I mean, this has been the way that these enterprise zones have worked forever.
One person's opinion to change the whole thing, Alderman, Sellers.
And I think that's what I was getting ready to say. I said this is just the only reason
why I asked for this to be clarified for this one person. But if you already said that you
had a meeting and no one showed up to disagree on the job and the whatever I'm trying to
say.
You had a meeting when?
They had a.
Friday morning in our office. Public hearing. There was notice put in the Village Voices that ran. We did everything per statute.
Everything is done per statute. And things are through at us, through at us, through at us. And we want them now, now, now, now, now.
and then you expect us to make, you expect us to make right decisions for our city and
for our constituents.
When you know dark unwell, we don't have a clue of what all this is saying or requiring
of us and all this commotion comes from this concerned resident.
and so again I have a motion on the floor that's been seconded and Attorney Zito I don't know
how long it will take you to make those additives to the ordinance.
Well your motion is to add it to the COW which sets it back even further and the discussion
is how that's going to impact all of the other Enterprise Zone partnerships.
So the bottom line is, do you want economic development in our region?
That's really what this is about.
The language alone will delay that.
But I guess it's just one person that's really complaining, I mean not complaining, but one
person that doesn't understand it.
So the only reason why I really did ask about getting clarification is because the one person,
I just wanted, if he needs to go to them to ask them, then he can do that, but it is...
But we don't understand it.
We don't understand it as a council.
Manager Boyer, you want to shed some light?
Alderman Stacey, I just wanted to reiterate that I am available from the time you get
the agenda till the time council meeting starts.
If there's a question on anything on that agenda, I will make myself available and have always
made myself available.
So I just want to reiterate that.
I did not get a single call about this.
And all we're asking for is first reading.
That still gives us three weeks, two solid weeks to review and get all our questions
answered.
Then we can come back to this thing on the 4th and get it moving forward.
So let's go back to what Alderman Stacy put on for a motion of adding language and moving
to the COW.
That particular motion itself.
If there's any further discussion on that motion, if not, Madam Clerk, would you please
take the roll on moving it to the COW with the added language?
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
Dill, Sanders, Sellers, No, Klemm, No, Monroe, No. The motion fails three to five. Okay, so now back to the original that has been put out there for moving it to the next regular scheduled meeting. If there's no further discussion, we'll move on to item number 11. Alderman, I'm sorry, Alderman Parker.
this here is basically a routine thing they all do they want to build in our
our county and we're gonna benefit from it so I think this is pretty routine and
do it do we need a motion to move this on no it already is being moved to the
second reading so yeah I would like to know why this same number 10 and number
16 you asked earlier at the beginning to be moved are they the same thing no not
exactly the same and it's a procedural thing attorney Zito you want to shed
So my understanding is that this item right now before you is to amend the ordinance that designated the boundaries.
So there was an ordinance originally that designated the boundaries.
and I were originally that designated the boundary from however many years ago there.
Now that's step one.
The resolution is that there's an intergovernmental agreement between all those municipalities
that also has a boundary in it, the same boundary.
So we have to update both.
But on the second one, we don't actually have the amendment drafted that wasn't anything
that was attached so that's why.
Yeah.
Okay thank you. Alderman Stacey. So will there be language added to this ordinance yes or no?
It has not been a part of any motion.
Let's call the questions. Oh and because I made the motion it failed.
So what's before you is moving on to the second reading at our next council meeting
and the rest of the board.
And I'm going to read the way it states.
And if you have questions about things,
Manager Boyer said you can contact him at any point,
on any agenda item.
Well, after it leaves here tonight, it's irrelevant.
What's irrelevant?
Mayor.
It is just first read, so this is an ordinance, so it's still going to come back before you
at the first meeting in November for second reading.
So if the discussion is done, we'll move on to item number 11, which is the first reading
of Ordinance 2024-58.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending newly revised building code to 2018 ICC additions.
Excuse me, thank you Madam Mayor. So on August 5th of this year the City of Freeport adopted the 2018 edition of the International Code Council building codes and so upon review of the ordinance that had passed at that time staff determined that a few additions needed to be made in order to address all of the items that were agreed upon by the Building Commission and so this proposed ordinance addresses these items and
Sands. So, example, because there's a few mostly typographical clerical errors that were in this ordinance that are, that's being corrected. But for example, one of the bigger ones is that there's a fuel and gas code, which is essentially your appliances, gas stoves, hot water heaters, furnaces, etc. When we originally passed this code, we were under the understanding that this was incorporated in the mechanical code. It's
not incorporated in the mechanical code, so we have to pass this ordinance to make sure
that when people are, our contractors are installing furnaces, hot water heaters, et cetera, they're
following the fuel and gas code.
So that's one of the highlights of this ordinance.
There's a few other clerical changes that were made.
So staff is recommending moving this ordinance forward.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move forward?
So moved.
Second.
Seconded by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the ordinance.
Seeing none, we'll move on to item number 12, which is the first reading of ordinance
2024-59.
Could you please read this?
Ordinance approving two airport farm leases with Matt Phil and Will Kemple and Dan Julius.
Thank you, Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Honor.
working in meeting with all the farmers that are interested in engaging with ag leases with at the airport. We've got three of the farmers set up here. We've got three in hand and we'd like to move forward and get council's approval on those. The Kempel lease is four plus acres will generate approximately $150 an acre for a total of $610 and 50 cents annually. The Julius
This lease of 3.21 acres will generate $150 per acre for a total of $481.50 annually.
So staff would like to move forward with these leases.
Is there a motion to move these forward?
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Is there a discussion?
Alderman Stacy?
Are these the farmers that we're paying?
Is this the farmers that we're paying?
I don't understand your question.
Are we paying the farmers?
No.
No, she wants to know, are those the ones that have actually
paid their amount?
Darren?
These are ones that we're not paying that did not realize
that they were renting this area.
This is the north area that's by the lighting system.
So it's kind of a grassy area that really doesn't
have a lot of crop value.
and is realistically the entrance to both of those fields.
Is that what you were looking for?
It has no crop value?
Not much, no.
It's like I said, it's right off the north end
of the light system and a very small acreage.
A matter of fact, they can barely turn equipment around
in the little acreage that they have
because it's kind of a narrow path with the light system
that gets them down to the field.
So the other leases are coming.
We just met with the final person last week
and their attorney's reviewing it, but the rest of them
are coming shortly.
And how did you come up with this price?
I believe these are the exact prices that
were discussed at the council meeting a month ago,
month and a half ago, something like that,
that we did the crop evaluations.
There's other ground that's going for more,
but this ground is really not that great of ground.
I think the highest rent that we have out there,
I think it's two and a quarter an acre.
Thank you.
It is a three year lease too.
If there's no further discussion,
and this is 610 for the entire year and 481.50 for the entire year and it's a
three-year contract so times it by three that's the income for the city on those
There's nothing further. We'll move on to item number 13, which is the adoption of Resolution
2024-109. Could you please read this? Resolution authorizing and approving a software
renewal from Ferguson Waterworks for AMI Neptune 360 utility software.
Thank you.
Director Sutman.
Hello, Council.
This is an annual agreement we do with Ferguson, who's the vendor.
Neptune is the actual equipment provider.
It's for our automated water meter reading software platform, and this is the annual
support contract for it.
It's for $34,133.26, and it's already in the budget for this year.
is there a motion to adopt? Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on this resolution? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Item number 14
its adoption of resolution 2024 110 could you please read this resolution
approving placing an order for a replacement a replacement fire engine
chief Miller thank you mayor last week at the cow we had a long detailed
conversation about our vehicle replacement replacement plan we
indicated that our current engine one will be due to be downgraded to reserve
vaccum, andأ And then last week we also talked about
the four-year wait for an apparatus to be built and delivered. And also we discussed
the pricing of the vehicle. So by placing an order to be delivered four years from now,
we'll avoid a November 1st price increase and also subsequent increases in next February,
May, August, and November, which will save the City over $92,000. And it seemed that
there was overwhelming support in placing that order for a four-year delivery last week.
And so the only question that was raised back last week for today's consideration was what
type of financing should the city consider taking advantage of a hundred
percent prepayment option was available a fifty percent prepayment option was
available or pay for the entire vehicle at the time
Haver, Pay for the entire view critical at the time of delivery.
So this week I met with the Finance Director.
We looked over the account where this would be funded by.
We also looked at anticipative expenses coming up.
We both agreed that the 50% prepayment discount would be to the advantage of the city.
And still keeping adequate funds available for any subsequent and anticipated costs coming
up the next calendar year.
Underyear. So tonight we're seeking the approval of Council to adopt a resolution to place
an order for four years from now.
Thank you, Chief. So what's before you then, Council? Is there a motion to adopt the resolution
for placing the order?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Any discussion
Alderman Monroe. Madam Mayor, this is one of the most egregious requests I've ever
seen come in front of us as a council. Having brand new equipment every day,
having brand new gear, brand new everything, when similar size or larger
communities are getting by with significant less spend. I started doing
and some research on this. I will tell you, you know, we talk every year and I've been
a big proponent, big backer of the fire department. I think they do a lot of great work. But I
think the chief is overextending himself. And I started looking around and these types
of requests, we just bought a brand new ladder, we bought a brand new engine, we bought two
new ambulances, we got a grant for one of them. And we've replaced so much gear and
D. Fowler, John, and I have been on the council for a long time.
It's time to seriously look at cutting back and saving money.
And yes, voting this forward is just another way that several of our council members want
to just continue to tax the people of Freeport into oblivion.
I will tell you two communities, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, 36,000 people, they have 17 full-time
Firefighters, 65 paid-on-call firefighters. They have a brand new fire station. They have
all of the gear. Geneva, Illinois, 24,500 people serviced, 20 full-time firefighters,
46 paid-on-call. And they have lots of great equipment. And every year, this fire department
comes back and asks for more and more and more and more. And they can't stop. And it's
and others.
It's time that we as a council say no.
You know, these are multi-million dollar spends.
It's the, you know, sitting here looking through earlier, the fire department's budget for
this year is over $6 million.
And we have so much infrastructure that needs help, what are you going to run a fire truck
to when the infrastructure under the streets doesn't work?
The pipes break.
We can't handle the water pressure.
We're just now getting to a point where my water doesn't break three, four, five, six,
seven times a year and it's time to like get real and have a conversation.
Just because you're going through the checkout line at the grocery store doesn't mean you
need to get a pack of candy every time you go through for your kids.
Same thing is true for the fire department.
Okay, I'm sorry it's a four year time frame to buy a new engine, but we can make do without
Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor
and others.
So everybody knows the infrastructure, the water, the sewer, the things done that we
need.
And most of our calls and I sat and I watched.
I actually went around.
I heard the fire engines a couple times, two, three times in the last week.
And I went.
It was an ambulance call.
And there was an engine sitting right there with the ammos every single time.
And so I started thinking about what are these calls?
and I know this is a little bit long and kind of hard to understand, but we take this equipment
that we spend millions and millions of dollars on and we run it all over the city.
We go to Cubfoos to get groceries.
We go all over the city to help the ambulance out and at some point I can't sit back and
say it's okay.
It's not okay.
We've got three ambulances.
We've added multiple firefighters.
We had grants to add those in and now we're asking for another and let me get my numbers
and others.
I've got to open it back up on this app.
You know, a million plus, I'll say, let me pull the proposal up.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
$1.2 million, and quite honestly, you want a brand new engine?
Cut it out of your personnel and payroll.
Start looking hardcore at what you've got.
You're going to about three fires a month, and most of those aren't really real fires.
I would be, I'd venture to say we maybe do one, one and a half on average house fires or building fires in the city of Freeport a month and quite honestly the amount of money we're spending to do that is absolutely preposterous and you know I see Freeport rule I see some of these other departments around the area they're able to do it with much less money and and to budget it much better we can't be adding these these costs to us every year we're still paying for the ones that we got and
and we've got to make sure we're doing the right thing as a city there's no way
I'm voting yes on this. Chief Miller. Yes thank you Mayor. Alderman Monroe I
appreciate your emotional response here however there's a lot of facts you're
not aware of our operations I'd be happy to sit down with you explain to you how
the fire department runs because you have no clear concept in that right now
so you talk about these other agencies that have brand new stations brand new
and
the
City of
Washington.
And
we
have
a
lot
of
people
who
are
in
the
city
and
they
are
in
the
city
and
they
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the
city
and
You could not get parts for it. We were dumping good money after bad into that vehicle. It was falling apart.
In my presentation to justify replacing it, there was a big sign on the door, this vehicle is out of service.
That was for 10 months. Now, if we had a structure fire in Hosmer, Lincoln Towers, or anywhere else,
there's a high probability we would not be able to affect any rescues off of balconies.
So, I consider myself the subject matter expert with regard to the fire operations.
Williams, I'd be happy to sit down with you and explain that in great detail so you'd have
a better understanding.
So this engine that we're looking to replace, you seem to support it at the Finance COW
when we talked about fire.
It's 14 years old now, four years from now it'll be 18, typically they go into reserve
around 15.
And then we're going to put it in a response reserve mode so it'll still be available to
us.
I think this is sound fiscal management of finances.
I'm showing how it's paid for.
I'm showing the cost and its savings.
And then talking about the streets and things like that,
the city takes 54% of fire ambulance billing
and puts it in the general fund.
So that money is also being recycled
back into the general fund.
Fire Department's the only department
that brings in revenue and assists
with the day-to-day costs of running city services.
Alderman Shadle.
Just to reiterate that the money for this
is coming from those ambulance fees.
And second of all, I don't want a truck
or an ambulance to break down on the way
My Parents' Houses, or mine. Thank you.
Ms. Stacy. Chief Miller, you were saying, what did you say again about the 54 percent?
Did you say 54 percent or 54 what? I said 54 percent. So each year at the end of the year, the Finance Department looks at the revenues brought in by the Fire Capital Improvement Fund.
and by ordinance, 54% of those revenues are transferred over to the city's general fund.
And what are we as a city doing with that money?
Manager Boyer?
It goes back into general fund and we use it from everything for paying payroll to buying
materials.
Okay.
And that's not new, that's been set by ordinance for quite some time.
I don't understand that, but originally when that account was created...
account was created, was it created for the fire department to have the monies they need
to do what they need to do or was it originally created with the idea that the city would
take 54% at the end of every year?
It's changed over time.
Michelle, do you have specifics on that?
No, I was just going to look up the ordinance and see how old it was because maybe we need
to look at the ordinance and do something different.
So that's probably off topic.
Oh.
So you can, if Michelle, when you have that answer, could you put that out there so we
have that knowledge?
Okay.
So the city is that depended upon that 54% and you said for wages?
It goes into general fund as used from soup to nuts.
Any, yeah. Go ahead, go ahead. No, I was just going to ask, um, this replacement fire engine,
what station would it go to? It'd be going to the Park Boulevard station. And that vehicle
there's a smaller ladder truck and as a cost savings measure we're seeking to
replace it with just a pump or a fire engine not another ladder truck so an
example that the brand new engine that we just received we ordered in 2022 that
came in just under nine hundred thousand dollars that same vehicle what with the
same equipment same bill sheet on it two years later is 1.2 million dollars
and others. It's gone up 150,000 per year for a total of 300,000. And this escalation
of cost is what we're trying to avoid and that's why it's before you tonight.
And Chief Miller, you were saying that this vehicle right now that you want to replace
is 14 years old, you said?
It's currently 14 years old.
And you said the average time limit is 15 years, you said?
For frontline use, approximately 15 years, depending on condition and use.
So if it's run hard and not maintained appropriately, it could be less.
But we've got a real good maintenance program and we're looking to keep that vehicle in
reserve status, a functional reserve, so if a second ladder was needed, that most personnel
would jump from that engine over to the ladder, short ladder truck, and respond in that.
So it would still have a useful value to us.
But by doing this, it would extend that useful life.
And then you did talk with the finance director on it was affordable.
It was with the 50 percent?
Yes.
She was comfortable with a 50 percent prepayment discount, which would reduce the cost of the
of the vehicle by $61,456 on top of saving the $92,000 of anticipated price increases.
The funding will be at a later date.
This is just about the approval of the order.
Alderman Monroe.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Chief, how many times has that ladder been run into the building?
it's three times and how much were the damages each time I'm not familiar with
what the invoices were on that but it has been rebuilt and it's gone to the
factory so it's been factory certified additionally our aerial devices and our
ground ladders have to be certified and tested annually so it's in good working
shape but that's why we're looking to extend the useful life of that vehicle
Manager Boyer. Chief, could you also just let Council know the worst case scenario
if you had to, if we had an emergency need for funds, can that order be
canceled? Yes, being that it's a four-year build time, so we could
deobligate ourselves from that purchase up until when we have the
and the meeting for the pre-build, which is about nine months before it goes to construction.
And after that, if it was actually on the assembly line and we tried to cancel, then
there could be a 30 percent penalty.
But that's if they cancel it to another agency, which is why we're at four years, because
there's a waiting line.
But we're trying to avoid all these subsequent price increases.
is there any further discussion I'd like to make one more comment I just hope the
water the water lines can work because we have zero zero tanker trucks is that
correct that's correct we have hydrants we don't we don't have tanker trucks mm-hmm
so if the water pressure goes off and the line breaks the hydrants don't work
Fert, is that correct? Since I'm not a subject matter expert.
It could be correct but we have mutual aid agreements with other agencies providing they
have personnel that can respond to us during daytime hours. And our vehicles have 750 gallons
of water and a tender, they're actually called tenders, have up to 3,000 gallons. So based
and
the
City of
Washington.
We have a
great
community
and
we
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and
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and
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I would guess that millions and millions of gallons of water were put on that fire I can't even imagine the building went to the ground but my point is is if the infrastructure can't handle the transport of the water to the hydrants which is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in the city the fire engines and ladder trucks you can have all the great equipment in the world you can't get enough water to them to affect a really a meaningful attack on a fire without huge support from
from our rural communities, which they always come to our aid.
And I believe the bigger issue we've got moving forward
or have it revolve around the ambulance service,
I think you and I probably would agree on that
because the rural agencies just don't have the support
and the qualifications and the training
to keep their departments running
and it finding being harder and harder to find people.
I think this is well-intentioned, but I think this is very misplaced money. I'll leave it at that, Mayor.
Any further discussion?
Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the adoption of Resolution 2024-110? Simmons?
She stepped out. Oh, I am so sorry. She is currently absent. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? No. The motion passes 6 to 1. Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution
Resolution 2024-111, could you please read this?
Resolution ratifying emergency repairs
to wastewater treatment plant raw sewage pump
and engagement of precision drive and control or PDC.
Thank you, Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Recently, the wastewater treatment plant
influence pumps, which are the main pumps
that convey the raw wastewater
through the treatment process.
One of them catastrophically failed.
Recently, the city maintenance crews pulled the affected pump motor and found that a bearing
had catastrophically failed, causing the commutator to impact the stationary magnets inside the
motor. This requires an emergency repair, so having gone to PDC, the cost of a full
repair is $25,489, and that is compared with the cost of a new pump. Unfortunately, this
This is untimely being that we're in the process of working on our headworks, but it does highlight
the fact that the headworks is very old and in degraded condition.
So staff requests support from the City Council for the PDC invoice for the pump repair of
$25,489.
Is there a motion to adopt?
I'll make a motion.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion. Alderman Sanders.
Manager Boyer, those pumps that you're referring to
you're referring to, do they have a scheduling for maintenance and do we have a maintenance
crew that if it is scheduled before anything breaks down, is it being maintained on a schedule
basis monthly or whatever the case may be?
I don't know how you do your scheduling, but as someone out there routine, as a routine
to look at the situation to have the City not to be spending these expenditures if we have
a maintenance department that actually look into those kinds of areas because I know they,
from what I understand, you have to keep the bearings that you're referring to that needs
to be replaced and things like that. And then if we had someone in there to maintain those
kinds of things, we wouldn't be asking the council to, well, I know they get old, but
the thing about it is if they kept up the maintenance, those pumps would run for years,
decades if we had someone to maintain it. Do we have any staff people?
Manager, Boyer. Yes, we have an excellent maintenance staff. They do maintain all the oils, bearings, and maintenance that's required on these pumps. So there was apparently some type of material defect in the bearing that caused it to fail prematurely. But I do believe the pump has been in service for years on top of that. Okay, and we do this routine scheduling for maintenance on a regular basis. What would you say, monthly?
every two, three quarterly or whatever?
Well, we maintain it based on the manufacturer specification.
Okay, okay, all right.
Thank you, Mayor.
Any further discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Sellers?
Aye.
Klemm?
Aye.
And Monroe?
Aye.
Oro. Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2024-113. Could you please read this? Resolution
designated honorary street name of Bishop James Arthur Wade Way to Armstrong Avenue.
Thank you Director Duckman. Thank you, thank you Madam Mayor. So the honorary street name
program allows residents the opportunity to honor those leaders that are steadfast in their
Devers making significant contributions to the city. Once approved, the sign will be displayed at the requested block commemorating that leaders dedication and hard work for the city within the city of Freeport. Bishop James Arthur Wade has been a resident in the community since the 1960s. And when he heard his calling to minister, he answered, has been serving his community for close to 50 years. He founded the faith, the faith of Miracle
Deliverance and Worship Center. He is known for his faith, caring for the less fortunate
and counseling those in the community seeking spiritual and secular guidance. And as we
heard earlier, the public has attested to that. Bishop Arthur Wade is known in the community
for his innovative and profound teachings. So Ms. D. Sanders Moore approached the City
of Freeport last year and has been working diligently to do all of the work to bring
after their death.
I'm going to show you where this is going to go.
So on the first slide we're going to go here.
You can see that this is Armstrong and this is South Street.
And there's a star here but I'm pointing it out.
That is the corner where we're going to see the sign, and if you go to the next page,
this kind of shows that intersection.
They're adding an honorary sign right below this sign.
So that's what is before you.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So move.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion on this resolution.
Alderman Sanders.
I'll wait.
Go ahead.
Wait. Go ahead. No, no, go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah, I just want to say the street sign Armstrong. Would that also be part of the Bishop of DeWade sign? That sign would be posted, but Armstrong would still be in place?
Yes, Alderperson, Sanders. It's an honorary sign. We'll just be underneath it.
Okay, gotcha. Alright, thank you.
Alderman Shadle.
The church next to PDC, is that the Reverend's church there?
No, Bishop Wade's church is out on Baileyville.
Oh, to the south.
Okay, thank you.
any further discussion yeah yeah where does Armstrong because I'm I just wanted
to know and where Bailey where Armstrong and Baileyville road intersect in the
city limits it's Armstrong in the county it's Baileyville right so that sign
postage would be where the Barco car lot that's where that is Barco and then
there's a cemetery there right okay okay then you cross that is Baileyville right
there it would be Baileyville south of there so Bailey excuse me it's the same
street one is County you know County can't call them streets the same name
as the city so the city has its name Armstrong and then this is County Road
there's no further discussion ma'am clerk please take the role Simmons hi Parker
Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The
resolution is adopted unanimously 8 to 0. Thank you ladies. Item number 18 is
adoption of resolution 2024 114. Could you please read this? Resolution
approving engineering agreement with Fehr Graham to create Americans with
Disabilities Act, ADA, Transition Plan, and Compliance
Inventory.
Manager Boyer.
I'm going to yield my time to Director Darren Steekman.
Good evening.
This is the item that we discussed at the COW.
This is the ADA transition plan that's required by IDOT.
It's part of our MFT agreement.
It's required for communities that have more than 50
We've got full-time employees and over 20,000 people.
We delayed this as long as we could this year,
looking for some type of funding to create it,
but we ultimately were not successful to get funding.
Our desire is to get this moving.
It will be due before next year's allotments.
And I would like to get moving on the survey in Topo
that needs to be done within the city before snow flies
so we can write the plan during the winter months.
I believe the agreement is for $81,750.
The vast majority of that is field survey time
along with writing the plan.
And with that, I'll take any questions.
Again, this is MFT gives us about $1 million average per year.
So this is one of their requirements
that transitions plans must be created.
We must create a transition compliance team, if you will, or commission.
And we also must have a grievance policy when we're done.
So we'll do the inventory, create the plan, and then we'll bring a plan back
to council to adopt, and then that plan will be posted on the city's website
for anybody with disabilities to research, look at, create a grievance.
And then we'll have a committee that will review those grievances.
and I'm suggesting that we don't budget any funds for 2025 for these grievances because
by the time we get this adopt we have street work going next year but the following year
we will probably have to start budgeting some money for grievances to address situations
that the committee may find need to be resolved.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion.
Alderman Sanders.
Sanders. Public Works Director, Darren, while you're making these plans over there, over
the winter, if the survey allows you to, while you're in the process of doing so, is it okay
for council members to visit the planning stages of when you guys begin to do the drawing
of the of the plan so so we have a little insight um so this is different than a construction
plan so there won't be a construction plan this is more of a study and
We're going to start with the construction plan. This is more of a study and evaluation. So we'll actually take robotic equipment out and do the measurements on the field, corner by corner.
And so you're welcome to see all that data when it's done because it's going to turn into a giant clip down menu per corner.
I can wait until you condense it.
and I think I skipped it in this one but this is going to be a living document for Freeport so once it's created as we do construction work every season we'll have to update it it shouldn't take near as amount of work to do it but the GIS system itself will need to be updated as they're corrected in the dates that they're done what IDOT's looking for is for the city to come up with a 20-year transition plan for all the ramps as I've stated before that's probably not ultimately affordable but we are making great lengths
with the amount of street work we've done.
I believe this year alone we did, I think it was like 82 ramps.
So, and I think the year before we did 76 just
on the ramp project.
So, we've made some great strides in short period of time
and we're committed to doing the ramps as we do the streets
as long as they're not technically infeasible.
When we run into vaults and things like that,
we just can't afford to fix a ramp at a vault area.
They get really expensive fast.
there's no further discussion Alderman Monroe yes mr. Steekle as you're going
through this are we gonna be looking at various grants that are available you
know to help because this is significant last I remember you said about $7,500 per
you know rough estimate but we're gonna be looking for grants to help cover that
because we have to replace all of them in the city correct yeah so as we do the
Street Projects, we're incorporating the ramps into the projects and using a combination
of the 1% and MFT money to replace ramps, but this will also give us the ability to
do like we did with the CDBG grant and take blocks of areas that are underserved and try
to get more ramps done in quadrants with that kind of money.
I believe the grant that we got 76 done on was about a half a million dollars, and we
when you say combination of the 1% you tell them about the 1% for our streets yes ma'am that that is part of every street project that we do in Freeport if they have ramps we have to update the ramps as part of the street project that's not something that we have a choice with the only way we can't update them is if we give ourselves a variance on them
and we have to prove that it's technically not buildable.
I thought we had discussion on that matter
and that it was said that grant money would cover ADA ramps.
I don't remember that piece.
We don't have grant money to cover every ramp.
We had the grant before that covered 76 of them
but this year, the ramps that we did this year
were part of the street program.
Okay, so how much is it for the city to do it, the city crew, compared to somewhere else, someone else?
I would say it's definitely cheaper for the city crews to do them if we can.
What do that mean, if we can?
If we have enough staff to do them. Currently we do not have enough staff to do the work we're doing and do ADA ramps.
and James.
And so, the RDA ramps are very time consuming and out of the construction process right
now, that's one of the skills.
Can we do them with help?
Yes.
Can we do them effectively and efficiently?
No.
We just don't have a dedicated concrete crew that can go around and do ramps currently.
If we had the crew, what would it cost the city compared to paying someone else?
I would say right now if I put a number on it probably about 4,000, 4,500 per corner compared to the probably 65 to 7,500 we're paying depends on each corner is a little bit different with how far we have to go back on sidewalks.
Manager, Boyer, Alderperson, Stacy, right now the 1% does not allow us to pay wages from it and that was purposeful as I understand it in addition to that our crews do do ADA ramps from time to time however they did do some on Center Street when we did Center Street so we do do them when we need to but okay the 1% was never
and
John.
The 1% was meant for our roads.
That is why we can't hire more staff to do them less
expensively. That is one reason.
Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe. The resolution is adopted 8-0.
Item number 19 is adoption of resolution 2024-115. Could you please read this?
Resolution Approving Agreement with Fehr Graham for 2025 Street Design Engineering Services
Manager Boyer
Thank you, Your Honor.
The City of Freeport is prepping the design plans for Reconstruct for 2025 Street Program.
The City plans to use the combination of funding, including IDOT Motor Fuel Tax, the 1% Street
Fund and Congressman Sorensen's Water Main Funds for this year's road program.
and identified streets were brought forward from the 1% layout approved by City Council
in 2024.
The 2025 projects include three linear miles of roadway and is estimated at a total cost
of approximately $5 million in local work.
Four streets need water main replacement including Carroll Avenue and that's from 1882.
Blackhawk Avenue, 1954, a known poorly constructed material
and Willow Avenue, 1956 and Harvey, 1925,
with all the breaks or water quality history.
So in general, that's what's moving forward
for water main replacements.
Street planning requires professional design engineering
and surveying services.
Fehr Graham's scope of service will include topographical study, street profiling and
structure design, ADA ramp intersection design, permitting requirements to the EPA, IDOT,
and PROAG standards, along with bidding solicitation and negotiation of all contracts. An allowance
for geotechnical services for pavement and ground borings is provided by Fehr Graham
to a third-party professional geotech agency as needed for design parameters. It is important
and to the design process that Street and 88 topographical and borings are picked up
before winter weather to keep the project timelines moving in an early summer project
starting 2025. It is also vital to get potential utility relocations identified with NICOR
and ComEd franchise partners not to slow the progress during the construction season.
Staff is requesting moving forward with the contract for Graham the amount of
three hundred and ninety six thousand two hundred fifty dollars so that the
2025 Street Program can move forward and there's a list of the projects that are
identified. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. A motion made by
Alderman Seller seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Madam
Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?
Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye.
The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Thank you. Item number 20 is ratification of
Group Approval of a bid. Could you please read this? This is ratifying a bid opening on May 22nd, 24, Ridge Street and Westwood Avenue.
Manager Boyer? During the project, the Ridge and Westwood Avenue projects, staff received three bids for Ridge Street and Westwood Avenue improvements,
Helm Group or Civil. Freeport, Illinois was the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of $983,845.50.
this bid was below engineering estimates the water and street project was planned in the 2024 budget
and the project project funding will come from water streets and storm funds to complete the project
is staff recommendation to city council move forward with the helm group bid
is there a motion to approve some of second motion made by alderman seller seconded by alderman
and Shadle. Discussion. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons.
please take the roll. Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Abstain. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? No. The motion passes six to one to one abstentia. Item number 21, could you read the
This bid opening was on October 16th, 2024 for sewer lining.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The City of Freeport has nearly 130 miles of sanitary sewer in the collection system.
During annual project evaluations, cure and place lining locations are identified to rehabilitate
sanitary sewer piping with cracks, defects, inflow and infiltration issues, or sags in
settlement.
Our EPA mandatory CMOM Sewer Capacity Management Plan specifies that the Freeport addresses annual sewer rehabilitations or collection system mainline piping for environmental concerns.
Sewer lining is considered an industry-accepted method for sewer main pipe rehabilitation and is more economical than open-cut excavation methods.
The sewer lining is over 10 times cheaper to install, and industry standards estimate over 60 years of sustainable, useful life will basically come from the lined pipe.
In October 2016, Fehr Graham and the city staff had a public bid opening for 9,509 linear feet of sanitary sewer lining.
These sewer areas are identified as Oak, Chicago, Iroquois, as of a section of Dirk and Grove.
The City had three reputable bidders that specialized in sewer lining, cement bids, national power rotting was the lowest responsive bidder at $382,712.24 significantly under the engineers estimates, city staff requests city council to approve the national power rotting estimate as the low responsive bidder and just FYI this is just following up our current road program we're just a little behind on this part
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle.
Discussion?
Alderman Sanders.
Yeah.
Manager Boyer, how are we doing our data gathering to determine how much lining that is necessary
Coon, and others.
So I can't give you a number.
I'm going to go ahead and ask everybody to please stand up
and come forward.
Yes, sir.
I have one question.
I'm going to ask you, then.
Well, I think it's important to have a discussion about what
you do.
How do you provide information to your subcommittee on
how to make sure that there are no issues with this?
I don't know if there's a question about that, Mr. Mayor.
Byners to come in. And then on top of that, are these, is this project up for bidding?
Yeah, it says up for bidding. We're looking for bidders to come in and circumvent that.
Okay. And, well, I just wanted to know that because we're doing an investment aligning
if we don't get the right bidders who can do a professional, efficient job at doing this kind of work. That's all I had to comment on.
Just see if I can answer that question. As you know, having worked in the utility a long time ago, you know we have really good records on the material type and locations of all our sewer mains.
In general, we have a large percent that's clay. The clay is, we line the clay. If it's concrete, we'll evaluate it. If it's plastic, we don't line it. Does that answer your question?
Yeah, that pretty much did it. Well, can I come back? Are we doing a visual inspection?
Yes, we do a camera inspection of every street that we repave.
OK.
So well, like on Iroquois this year, we had a, I want to say,
a 200-foot cave-in on Iroquois that
had to be fixed before we did the roadwork.
We did that.
But then we lined it, all of it, so.
All right.
Thank you.
If there's no further discussion,
end of court, please take the roll.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The motion passes 8-0.
And Madam Clerk, if you could read the item number 22. Discussion and approval to establish an ordinance providing for the submission to the electors of the City of Freeport,
Stevenson County, Illinois, a binding referendum question of whether to provide public funding
for a 12-foot water main extension to open Bible daycare located at 3800 West Stevenson
Street to be placed on the ballot at the April 1st, 2025, consolidated election.
Alderman Stacy, did you want to take this?
This has been all over the place with information, truths and untruths, and at this point I feel
that it's only fair and just that the people have say so over this project happening or
or not.
If we have a million dollars to give a private organization, then I hope we can match that
and our street fund. Our taxes went up one percent so that we could get streets fixed.
And are you saying that we have a million dollars somewhere that we can just give for
or Project that should not be our responsibility.
I don't know.
Do paperwork exist or if it don't exist?
I guess that's neither here nor there anymore.
Mayor Goetz said it all when he came and he spoke at the mic and he indicated that nothing
never came to the council.
Nothing hit the council floor.
Nothing was addressed to the council.
So if Open Bible really felt, wanted, expected the city to house this million dollar project,
why didn't they come correct?
Why didn't they do right by the council?
We didn't have city manager then.
We was full-time mayor and council and that never happened and I just don't feel that
tax dollars should be taken from our constituents to fund this project and I feel that the people
and
John, and I'm going to talk about the
issues that people of Freeport should have say so in that
matter.
» Okay. So there's a few things that I'd like to say on the
topics that you just said. I have absolutely no idea what the
untruths are. Maybe you could bring those to us so we could
address whatever those might be because I don't know any of the
untruths. And as far as people having a say so, that's the
To hear what your constituents say and as far as giving private and a private
organization a million dollars that's not true we're not handing them a
million dollars we are obligated to our constituents that live within the city
limits doesn't matter which side of town you live on if water is a need for you
then we are obligated to say it's not our responsibility I don't believe that
that's true and as far as tax dollars being taken we are working daily on
trying to find funding so there's no tax dollars being taken this is no
different than you know any street project out there
you know any street project out there we're going to be spending over a
million dollars on Carroll Street next year
do you think that that should have to go to a referendum to see if the rest of
the people want to do that so it the responsibility lies with
the alderman to make the decisions of what's best for the whole
the tax 1% tax was taken for our streets
so we could do the carols, so we could do the locusts,
so we could do the air course, so we could do the Dewey.
We were taxed for that.
This is not a community, this is a business.
Actually, it's one business, 11 residents and Highland.
and Highland. However, the residents are not asking for this. You went from, you
went from saying Water Main for Open Bible to now West of Steveson Street. No,
let's just keep it real plain and simple. It's a Water Main you all want to put in
Mann, Four, Open, Bible. Not the community, not the constituents, because they're not
asking for nothing, Alderman, Klemm, well that might be a question to attorney Zito.
So, as far as the referendum question goes, one, let me answer the first question. Alderman, Stacy, you had asked what's the deadline for having the council adopt a resolution or ordinance in order to place a referendum question on the April 1st ballot.
The deadline is January 13th, 2025.
Ok, so that's the deadline that the City Council, if you guys were to want to put something
on the ballot, that's when we would have to adopt the resolution or ordinance by.
With regards to whether or not that referendum should be a binding referendum or an advisory
referendum, the research that my office has done leads me to believe that this referendum
would not be a binding referendum.
It could be an advisory referendum, but it would not be a binding referendum based off
for the research that we've done as to what the case law and the statutes say.
So ultimately, if the council did want to put this to the people, it would just basically be
to gauge the temperature of what the people want there, and then you guys would still make a decision
as to whether or not to move forward with it or not there.
I know several hands went up.
I'll just start over here.
Alderman Parker will work right around.
One thing is this is something our city officials 25 years ago agreed to.
The city was obligated.
and the City did nothing and now all of a sudden it's come up again and my concern is regardless
of what we do here, if we don't commit what we're supposed to do and take care of City
and people with their water where we supply the other 20,000 people, they're going to
take it to court and we're going to have a judge no matter what we decide or the referendum,
a judge is going to order us to do it anyway. So I think this is, it's sad, right, we don't
and
and 17. And there is a lot of room for daycare. And that's all walks of life. That's all
people at Freeport. This is helping families who can't find daycare elsewhere. Daycare
is one of the most expensive things out there for a family, a working family, to provide
support for. And it's harder and harder every day. And we've got to do the things. Look,
I hate this as much as you guys do. I wish it was done. I wish it was taken care of.
but it wasn't and I am disappointed that somebody's feet weren't held to the fire, excuse my connection
here, sooner because this is something that should have been done and I asked a question
many, many, a couple of years ago, where did all the money go over the last 30 years? And
I've never gotten a good answer. Matter of fact, I'd like to see line items of where
where the money was spent, but we only go back to about 2017. Before that, we can't
even get accurate, clear information of where this money has been spent. And that's a problem.
And now we're going back 25 years, which who knows where documents and emails or whatever
may have gone. But we have to look at, you know, this is a nonprofit. Am I right? This
is a non-profit, is that? Yeah, right. So, you know, we're not talking about a pro-for-profit
business. We've got another one on the west side of town that needs water, but that's
a business, that's a profitable, profit business. This one is not, and this one really is geared
toward children zero to five years of age, you know, that kindergarten, even up to fifth
grade, and, you know, they really want to have more students come out there. I don't
Fowler.
Or we really have to make a judgment. And quite honestly, I think if this goes to referendum
or if it comes from this floor, the answer is going to be the same from the community.
Let's get this done. Let's figure this out. Let's find a way to make it happen and go
from there.
Ms. Sellers?
Oh, okay. No, I know that in the beginning I was more just trying to figure out the responsibilities
of all the people that were supposed to take care of this 25 years ago and it didn't happen.
But I did go to Amity, I did go to and talk to different people that I knew in the community
about the situation and I do agree it is children and it is families that need to have somewhere
to take their children, and I do know that there's a lot of children that are on waiting
lists to get into daycares.
So my first answer was, you know, what are they going to do to help us?
And I still would like to know, I mean, not Amity, but Open Bible also trying to look
for financing to help with the situation, and I know that we already spent the $69,000
on putting the plan together, but I do know that it is something that we do need to have
more daycares, and I do know talking with Ashley Harm that they would even like to build
more on to Amity because they don't have the room.
So my heart would feel heavy knowing that these children don't have anywhere to go to be protected
and have somewhere to be.
And I know a lot of people, that's what they came to me with, is where would the children
go?
You know, where would these families have, you know, parents that, you know, you don't
have anywhere to send your kids so you can't go to work.
So I do understand that.
My big concern is I would also like to just see Open Bible do some type of also grant
looking at to try to help us as the city.
So I am in agreement with us trying to help Open Bible and the other people that live
on Stevenson Street to have the water so that they can have clean, fresh water like everybody
else does.
I do understand the concern, so that's my point of view.
Alderman Sanders?
I just want to find out when does the city become liable to not-for-profit organizations.
I heard the testimonies and the reasons why, but we're not social workers.
We're not the kind of organization or community who's going to put something in place and then
Techs, the Tech Spears.
Peters, and put this burden on the taxpayers.
And that's what the general conversation is considering without looking at the burden that
the taxpayers have to endure when all of these things try to take place.
Now I can understand why the referendum was proposed because there's been a lot of negative
understanding about how we should go about something that the taxpayers are not liable
for and we're trying to dress it up as if though we don't know about the past 25 somewhat
odd years that the city fire marshals have been put on notice to validate this place
because they had been in violation. That's the whole purpose of us having this conversation.
If we're going to allow one organization to receive that kind of money for service rendered
for a non-for-profit organization, even though I understand it's for the sake of the children
and whatever the case may be. But everybody in the city don't have the same opinion as
our council members does. And so the thing about it is we're going to exclude the opinions
and the thoughts of the people, the constituents of the city, and then put ourself in a religious
for all of the ones that are not part of non-for-profit, the ones that are not part of churches, one
does not believe in the things that these types of organizations are doing, we're putting
them in a situation making them liable to spend their tax dollars on a program that they're
not in tune with. So, my thing is, if it's going to happen for one non-for-profit organization
and other non-for-profit organizations want you to address their problems and issues in
whatever the case is, are we going to be committed
to do that for these particular non-for-profit organization
with taxpayers' dollars?
And that's where I draw the line at
because the city, from what I understood
all the time that I've asked for support,
I was told the city does not support
Not-For-Profit Organization or any organization when it comes to funding for some entity.
Now, this is what I was told, and when I think about this, I'm saying to myself, well, I
wanted to make an impact within the city, but the funding does not allow me to do that
when I ask for donations from the city itself.
I can't even get a donation from the city to make an impact with all of the taxpayers who want to be a part of an event to make a difference within the city of Freeport.
Well, I was told, no, that cannot happen. Well, here we are again, someone coming to the podium asking for this kind of consideration.
and the first thing I'd like to know is, are we going to talk about all of the violations for years that this one particular organization had been involved in?
We never got around to any of those kinds of things and then for someone to present to the council as if though there's a paper trail that has been involved for I don't know how long,
what we have not been introduced to these kinds of things there's no introduction to the paper trail of the liabilities first of all being discussed with the council the council has not discussed this matter fully and there's nothing to document it so my thing is which direction are we going with this because you can't do you can't do for one and can't do for the others
and you can't take taxpayer's dollars to take and use it for non-for-profit organizations.
And I was told that you can't do that. And I'm sitting right here today wondering why
we even have in this discussion. I would like for somebody to reverberate the fact that
I couldn't do it for Mr. Sanders, why am I doing it for the Open Bible School? You know,
if that is the case then we need to look at this thing a little bit closer because it bothers
me and disturbs me if we decide or everybody is trying to voice their opinion about it
and be swayed by the council to push this thing through because we're talking about
over a million dollars of taxpayers' dollars and we cannot look our constituents in the
and I and asked them, was that okay? Did you, how you feel about that? And that's the reason
why the referendum was proposed to give the people the majority to look at the situation
here and hear the thing out because everybody in the city does not see the views and the
opinions of everybody in the council. That's, that's...
Okay, so I'm going to try to answer what I think you're asking. So we cannot and will
will not show favoritism towards one entity. We will treat
every single one alike when every constituent, every existing
business, however you want to look at that, is responsible for
taking the line to the water main and then they are responsible
in hooking that up. It is no different. So that is what they
would be responsible for. So we are not treating them
differently. We are not handing them a million dollars.
and others.
Yeah, that's what we're doing.
No, we're not.
Your argument fails on that point.
No, we're not handing them a million dollars.
We are obligated to all constituents to provide water.
Because the taxpayers have not had a say so in the matter.
Well, their say so comes to you standing for whatever they have.
And we're arguing, we're having this argument for the constituents of the City of Freeport
So they know that we're in correspondence with the laws of this city
and how we conduct ourselves when it comes to doing one for one and one for the other, differently for the others.
Yeah, this is what the argument is.
And if we're saying that, well, it's okay for us to just chunk out a million dollars to run a...
Well, we're not. So, Darren, you want to say something?
It's my turn, yes.
Well, I just want to bring this back to what I think is a common grounder clarification.
Two years ago, we replaced all the water main on Laurel Street from Park up to Lincoln Douglas
School.
It was bad.
And that project was a million dollars.
And it was defective water main that was aged.
And so nobody had a problem with that project.
That's feeding water within our...
We've been doing this for the last 7 years in town.
Next year we're going to replace more water main this defective, Black Hawk Street.
We're going to replace Carroll Street.
We're going to replace Willow.
We've done some water main on Dewey Street.
It's our responsibility as a community to provide the public water service to our constituents.
We are not just supplying a line to Open Bible.
They happened to be a result no different than Lincoln Douglas School being able to have the water supply.
If the main wasn't there, they wouldn't have been able to have it either.
So, I don't, it doesn't bother me either way.
I'm just throwing facts out there.
The facts are that we build mains throughout town within the city limits to provide service in the city limits.
If a business went out next to Open Bible, we would not let them drill a well.
It's against our code.
So what will we do at that point?
We still have to provide the water main on the street
or the sewer main to get to those locations
and they are within the city limits.
So while this is a bad pill to swallow,
this is the point of doing main replacement all over town.
It's an investment, it's a costly investment
and it takes lots of time to get back.
That investment is no different if it's on Carroll Street,
if it's on Laurel Street, if it's on Stevenson Street,
or any other street in town.
it's the same dollar of investment.
We're gonna move on to Alderman Shadle, it's his turn.
Thank you.
Shadle. It's his turn. Thank you. I had a question. I've been waiting patiently, Mr. Sanders. I'm going to ask you to just sit back for a minute. That might be true, but I had a follow-up. Okay, Alderman Shadle has the floor. Well, what's going to happen to my follow-up? It's Alderman Shadle's floor. First off, I have talked to one of the homeowners out there that will get
and others from this and he was adamant that he would be the first one to hook up.
Looking back 25 years, that church did absolutely everything that the City of Freeport asked
them to do to get their building permit.
They were told if they were going to build that church, they had to put in a sprinkler
Taylor, Joshua, DeFrancisco, Chip, John, I can't remember the name, but it was in the
20s and 30s when they started to put in the water system, and they wrote the check. Have
no idea for a fact what money they spent, but I'm guessing probably 20, $30,000 that
they put out. And we can try to put blame on who said what, but at the end of the day,
Simple, they not only put it in, they put the run to the right away, it's ready for
the city to hook up. They did absolutely everything they were asked to do. Somehow you're thinking
that they should have been knocking at our door, maybe they should have. But at the end
and others.
At the end of the day, somebody here told them that they were going to get water and they
didn't get it and nobody here took care of that.
What it all comes down to is we're sitting here and it's up to us.
It should have been taken care of 25, 20, 15, 10, it should have been taken care of,
but it wasn't and here we are and we have a responsibility and I feel we have an obligation
and we need to get it done.
Darin, every example you gave was replacement defected water mains.
This is not a replacement.
And last week, you made a comment that was unfair.
If it was on the other side of town, would we even be having this conversation?
and others.
Alderman Parker, not a city official, community development person, not someone that had authority
to even say or shake hands, again, why didn't they bring it to the council?
If they were going to do right by the city and expected the city to do right by them,
why didn't they come forward and ask the city?
Now all you hear about, what about the kids?
What about the kids?
What about the kids 25 years ago?
I've worked with kids at the Freeport School District for 20 years, yeah!
What about the kids?
Williams. Why are they even still out there? Why haven't they made arrangements with ACWIN
or somewhere to get the kids out there and still give them what they need? They're still
in danger. There was a letter that was rejecting the
This is happening by Blackburn, who came and had his say last week, but he didn't talk
about that, he didn't talk about him rejecting it, but he did.
There's a church on Pleasant and Galena and Amity was supposed to move in that church and
and open up a daycare. However, all that was denied because the water sprinkler isn't compliant.
So watch what you're saying. What you do for one, are you willing to do for another?
You do know that we aren't responsible to put in a sprinkler, right?
Alderman Getz came here and he spoke and he said there is no legal binding contract, nothing
that holds the city responsible. Blackburn said, oh, I remember the handshake. Okay,
you remember the handshake. A handshake don't make the city responsible. And what is the
The fear in giving the constituents the say-so.
This is their tax dollars.
I guess I'd like to say I understand, but I think everybody that came tonight was for
helping open Bible and we didn't have anyone that came to say no, so I guess that's me.
I guess I look for if the people have something to say, I mean just like we do or the people
that are out there now, I think they should have came and said something, you know, that
it's not right or we shouldn't do it. But like I said, my second thought after talking
with a lot of people, you know, they understood the process. So I don't see anyone here that
is out in the audience or came or said anything that are saying no. You know, I guess if I
heard some people saying, you know, no to the project, I guess I would have a different
take on it, but I don't see anyone that has come to say no. So I guess that's what I would
like to, you know, I would like to have some people say that, you know, that think it's
wrong or think we shouldn't do it. So I haven't, all the people that I've talked to and made
conversation with, as long as they can make the connection and we can make our connection,
and I guess I know it's 25 years and I hate it because it probably would have been way
cheaper 25 years ago, but hey, this is where we're at now and I just.
Alderman Klemm.
that we do or do not okay so is there a second to that okay is that
So the agenda item was to discuss and approve to establish an ordinance providing the submission.
So this was really just about giving direction, right?
This is actually not to put it on the...
and not to put it on the, to put it on, authorize to put it on the, the, the ballot.
Well, because we don't even have the, the ordinance or resolution drafted.
Right?
So, this would now, right, so, though I would frame it in the same way that it's on the
agenda.
So, I would frame it in the positive, the way that Alderman Stacy had it, so if she
She wanted to make the motion to put it to a vote, and then if you were in favor of it,
you would vote yes.
If you were not in favor of having it go to refer, then you would vote no.
So it's basically the same thing, just different wording.
Correct.
You always want to phrase in the positive.
So how do we handle this with the motion that's on the table with the second?
I heard Alderman Klemm make the motion.
Yeah, and Alderman Parker seconded it.
Oh.
So it's basically the same thing.
Just a twist in the wording.
I guess Alderman Klemm, would you have any objection to phrasing your motion in the affirmative?
That's the opposite of what he's asking.
He wants it to know.
Okay.
Well, that's fine.
I mean, it's just a best practice to frame in the positive, so you don't, it's not a
rule.
right yeah right I get I get what you're where you're going with it so do you
want to keep your motion and it's just voted on in an opposite thought I mean
there's nothing it's not like it's voting on an ordinance it's just it
basically is, are we moving this forward or are we not?
Putting it on an agenda, I mean, we're putting it up for a voter.
Not actually against that, I'm just saying it's wrong.
Correct.
If she wants to make a motion to move it forward, fine, but let's go ahead and get it over with.
Alderman Stacy, are you willing to make your motion to have this placed on an agenda, to
I would like to have a resolution placed on the agenda to put this to the vote of the people.
I would like to make a motion.
Alright, so Alderman Klemm, Alderman Stacey is willing to make the motion.
So are you withdrawing your motion then?
Okay, Alderman Parker, are you going to withdraw your second?
Alright, so Alderman Stacey, if I understand right, you're making a motion
to instruct staff to prepare a resolution or ordinance
to have the question of whether or not to extend the water main place on the
ballot at the April 1st election, correct? Is there a second? Second. All right, we
have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right, let's put it to a
Parker, Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe.
The motion fails 2 to 6.
Move on to Item Number 23, which is Reports of Department Heads, Finance.
Nothing, Your Honor.
Thank you.
Community Development.
Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor.
Thank you.
Public Works.
I'd just like to tell you that at the end of the season here, we will have paved 7.5 miles
of roads this year.
Hydrant flushing started today, will last about three weeks, and leaf pickup starts
on November 1st.
Thank you.
Fire.
Nothing this evening.
Thank you.
Nothing from the police madam mayor. Thank you library nothing tonight, and I'm guessing communication. It doesn't have anything IT
We move on to city managers report nothing to you nothing tonight your honor, and I have nothing to report so we'll move on to
Alderman Simmons
Alderman Parker nothing
Alderman Stacy? No. Alderman Shadle? Nothing. Alderman Sanders is not at his desk. Alderman Sellers? No. Alderman Klemm? No. Alderman Monroe? Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'm good.
We'll go on to item number 27, which is public comment. Tommy? Say something positive, Tommy.
I don't know what happened there. I hear there was an issue with some some of their equipment, so hopefully soon.
I think Jodi Dickman knows the update.
I know everything Tommy.
Is there any other public comments this evening?
and we will move on to adjournment. Is there such a motion? So moved. All those in
favor? Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Is absent. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? He might be absent too. Monroe? Aye. Thank you.