# Meeting Events Meeting: `hwe7lbsoxf4.city_council_meeting_committee_of_the_whole_4-14-2025` Meeting date: `2025-04-14` Meeting type: `committee_of_the_whole` This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact. ## Decisions and Votes - **Approval of Agenda Item 4** - **Summary:** Motion made to approve the agenda for item number four. - **Evidence:** “so move second Klemm and Monroe all in favor” - **Evidence:** “Number five. You have to ask for a post. Oh, need a vote on that? No, you're okay. Just ask if anyone opposes. Oh, okay. Anybody opposes that agenda?” - **Source timestamp:** [00:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=26s) - **Approval of Minutes from March 10th, 2025** - **Summary:** Motion made to approve the minutes from the Committee of a Whole held on March 10th, 2025. - **Evidence:** “Item number five. Approval of the minutes from the Committee of a Whole held on March 10th, 2025. So moved.” - **Evidence:** “Second. Shadel.” - **Evidence:** “Let's vote on it. Anybody opposed? All them in favor? Aye. Opposed?” - **Source timestamp:** [00:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=26s) - **Adjournment of council business** - **Summary:** A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. - **Evidence:** “So moved. Sellers and Shadle, all in favor?” - **Evidence:** “Aye. Hold it, hold it. Any opposed?” - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7219s) ## Procedural Actions - **Call to Order and Roll Call** - **Summary:** The meeting was called to order after a roll call confirmed attendance. - **Attribution:** Mayor Miller - **Evidence:** “Thank you, so we'll officially call this meeting to order madam clerk, would you please take the roll mayor Miller here Alder persons Klemm Monroe here Simmons is absent Parker here Stacy B. C. Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Here.” - **Source timestamp:** [00:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=26s) - **Pledge of Allegiance** - **Summary:** Alderman Parker led the Pledge of Allegiance. - **Attribution:** Alderman Parker - **Evidence:** “And could you please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in light of Alderman Persons Simmons being absent. Alderman Parker, would you lead? Yes, ma'am. 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” - **Source timestamp:** [00:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=26s) - **Agenda Item 4 Approval** - **Summary:** The meeting proceeded to item number four regarding agenda approval. - **Evidence:** “you can skip down to item number four number four okay okay need approval agenda so move second Klemm and Monroe all in favor Number five.” - **Source timestamp:** [00:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=26s) - **Addressing a previous comment by Joy Boyer** - **Summary:** A speaker noted that Joy was called out last week for flipping through a magazine. - **Evidence:** “Last week, Joy, you were called out because you're sitting there flipping through a magazine.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7120s) - **Council business status after adjournment attempt** - **Summary:** A speaker stated that the business of the council had not made a proper announcement. - **Evidence:** “The business, the business of the council have not made a proper announcement. Stay here and talk, Larry.” - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7230s) ## Financial and Contract Events - **2025 Budget Allocation for EV Project** - **Summary:** The group budgeted $180,000 in the 2025 budget to cover potential costs not covered by the grant. - **Evidence:** “And we did budget $180,000 in the 2025 budget to address this project for the construction, because we knew or thought that there may be some costs that would not be covered by the grant.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:15:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4552s) - **Downtown TIF Bond Expenditures (2018)** — Passed - **Summary:** The record noted that an ordinance passed allowed for $1,045,000 to fund a bond for redevelopment and loans in downtown, but the specific projects were not detailed. - **Evidence:** “And I did a FOIA to find out because nobody really know because nobody was here in 2018 except for Mayor Miller and maybe you Mr. Klemm, I'm not sure... So I want to let you know what happened. One million dollars was used with a bond that the TIF paid for... And all that $113,000 loan by Mahoney, he still owes $95,000.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6644s) ## Projects - **EV Charger Infrastructure Requirements** - **Summary:** The project requires ADA compliance. - **Evidence:** “And the grant has many requirements that have to be done, which one of them is ADA compliance.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:13:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4382s) ## Presentations and Reports - **Lamb Road TIF Background** - **Summary:** The Lamb Road TIF was formed as an industrial TIF in 2003 to retain and create industrial jobs. - **Evidence:** “The Lamb Road TIF is a tax increment financing district. It is a development that was formed as an industrial TIF in 2003 for the purpose of retaining and creating more industrial jobs which the community was losing.” - **Source timestamp:** [06:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=391s) - **Greater Freeport Partnership quarterly presentation overview** - **Summary:** The presentation will cover highlights from the partnership's work in key strategic focus areas, as detailed in monthly and first quarter board reports. - **Attribution:** Ms. Winters - **Evidence:** “Tonight's presentation will cover highlights from our work in our key strategic focus areas This information has been outlined in more detail in our monthly board reports that you receive as well as our first quarter report” - **Source timestamp:** [10:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=600s) - **Enterprise Zone expansion and manufacturing plant construction** - **Summary:** The plan involves expanding the boundaries of the Enterprise Zone, with construction slated for later this summer. - **Attribution:** Greater Freeport Partnership - **Evidence:** “We will expand the boundaries of the Enterprise Zone to enable this project, and construction is slated for later this summer.” - **Source timestamp:** [10:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=629s) - **Business development activities in Q2** - **Summary:** The partnership hosted site tours for a vehicle manufacturer and assisted nine entrepreneurs in business development processes, plus four current students in base camp. They also helped four businesses apply for a DCO small grant program. - **Attribution:** Greater Freeport Partnership - **Evidence:** “We hosted a vehicle manufacturer for site tours of existing buildings in Freeport... We started our second year of our entrepreneurship program base camp... We were able to connect with and do business visitation visits with 33 businesses this last quarter... We assisted nine entrepreneurs in business development process plus the four current students that are in base camp. And we helped four businesses apply for a DCO small grant program.” - **Source timestamp:** [13:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=816s) - **Workforce Solutions initiatives and partnerships** - **Summary:** Workforce Solutions continues to work on projects with partners to build the local workforce pipeline, including a program with Midland Institute CEO Entrepreneurship Leadership Program for high school students set to launch in Fall 2026. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “In Workforce Solutions, we continue to work on projects and initiatives with our partners to build our local workforce pipeline. We partnered with Midland Institute CEO Entrepreneurship Leadership Program to help our educational partners and business community. This program helps high school students learn how to start their businesses and be community leaders. The program is currently under development and programming and we're meeting with Freeport High School admin as well as teachers. And we plan to launch the fall of 2026.” - **Source timestamp:** [14:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=843s) - **Honeywell growth plans and workforce needs** - **Summary:** Mayor Miller and Manager Boyer met with Honeywell executives who discussed planned growth, noting that workforce is a barrier for their expansion. Follow-up connections were made with Freeport High School, CareerTech, and Highland Community College. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “We had a wonderful meeting that manager Boyer and Mayor Miller were able to participate with executives from Honeywell early in the quarter. And they talked about the planned growth for Honeywell here. The locations for what plant one and plant four do here and others are instrumental to their overall operation. And they project nothing but growth. But their barrier for growth is workforce. And follow up conversation with them. We've connected them with Freeport High School, CareerTech and Highland Community College to talk about and help identify the programs that are already in existence and how Honeywell could partner with them to meet their needs.” - **Source timestamp:** [14:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=888s) - **Housing and Childcare initiatives** - **Summary:** Partnerships were formed with the NAACP Housing Committee and United Way for stakeholder engagement sessions, one scheduled for May 1st. A survey was distributed regarding the impact of childcare shortages to develop a public information campaign in Q2. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “In housing, we have partnered with the NAACP Housing Committee as well as the United Way to host a series of stakeholder engagement sessions. One of the flyers that was distributed to you was a notice of a stakeholder engagement session that will be May 1st. This is your invitation to attend, I hope you do. And childcare, we have surveyed, distributed a survey gauging the impact Child Care Shortage to our partners. Responses will help us develop a public information campaign in the second quarter.” - **Source timestamp:** [15:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=928s) - **Membership statistics and growth** - **Summary:** The partnership added 18 new members, resulting in a total of 249 basic members, 120 not-for-profit/individual courtesy members, and 39 partner level/government partners. The retention rate was 97%, nearly 98%. - **Attribution:** Bill - **Evidence:** “So membership, we had a good membership quarter. Our membership stayed strong. We added 18 new members to the partnership. And as you can see up on there, the basic breakdown is 249 basic members. That's our base level membership. 120 Are not-for-profit, courtesy or individuals. Courtesy is often government individuals. And then 39 are partner level or government partners. We had a very good retention rate of 97, almost 98%.” - **Source timestamp:** [16:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1017s) - **Base Camp program details** - **Summary:** The Base Camp program serves entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing resources and information through classes taught by local leaders to help build networks. In the current year, there were six classes plus a bonus class for not-for-profits. - **Attribution:** Bill - **Evidence:** “Wanna also talk about Base Camp. Basecamp is a program we created last year to serve entrepreneurs and new and small businesses to provide them, expose them to some of the resources and information that can help them succeed. And we all know starting a business is a risky endeavor and we wanna make it a little less risky and give them a little more tools. What we do is we, in this year, we had six classes plus a bonus class for not-for-profits that students could come to. They were taught by local leaders and the reason we do that is not only do we want to share the information with those entrepreneurs and business people but we want to help them build their network, help them connect with people that can help them and that's exactly what happened.” - **Source timestamp:** [17:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1068s) - **Community guide creation** - **Summary:** The annual community guide was created and distributed, serving as both the member directory and visitor directory to facilitate cross-promotion. Additionally, a 'Rediscover Your Downtown' brochure was created. - **Attribution:** Nicole - **Evidence:** “We passed it all out. We created and distributed the community guide the annual community guide Which serves as both our member directory as well as our visitor directory We know that there is a lot of ability to cross promote those two audiences So that's why we put it together in one guide Also the creation of the rediscover your downtown brochure.” - **Source timestamp:** [19:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1197s) - **Community and Visitor Marketing Efforts** - **Summary:** The community guide serves as both a member and visitor directory, and the 'rediscover your downtown' brochure helps businesses cross-promote events across all of downtown Freeport. - **Evidence:** “We created and distributed the community guide the annual community guide Which serves as both our member directory as well as our visitor directory We know that there is a lot of ability to cross promote those two audiences So that's why we put it together in one guide Also the creation of the rediscover your downtown brochure Miller. We use this as a tool so that downtown businesses can cross promote each other and also the events that are happening not just on behalf of the partnership, but all events through downtown Freeport.” - **Source timestamp:** [19:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1197s) - **Talent Attraction and Retention Strategy** - **Summary:** A nationally recognized company is being used to develop a strategy for recruiting people to keep them in Freeport, with the full strategy report expected in the second quarter. - **Evidence:** “Our talent attraction and retention plans for marketing and creating a campaign to keep people here, help employers keep people here and recruit new people. We're using a nationally recognized company to kind of put all of our ducks in a row, so we have a really well developed strategy for who we want to recruit and how best to get them here. And that strategy will be brought to all of you in second quarter.” - **Source timestamp:** [20:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1243s) - **Illinois Underground Railroad Exhibit Co-hosting** - **Summary:** The Illinois Underground Railroad exhibit was co-hosted with the Lincoln-Douglas Society and the Freeport Public Library, featuring four educational programs, each attended by at least 50 people. - **Evidence:** “We co-hosted the Illinois Underground Railroad exhibit with Lincoln-Douglas Society and the Freeport Public Library. It was a great success bringing new people into the library. There were four accompanying educational programs and all had at least 50 people in the room, which was phenomenal, and all of our speakers were very impressed with the people that we were able to bring for that program.” - **Source timestamp:** [21:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1283s) - **Visitor Campaigns Themes** - **Summary:** The two continuing themes for visitor campaigns are 'Choose your adventure' and 'rediscover your downtown'. - **Evidence:** “In visitor attraction, our visitor campaigns have been finalized and those will all be starting in early May. Choose your adventure and rediscover your downtown are our two themes that we continue to stay with here.” - **Source timestamp:** [21:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1310s) - **Local Cross-Promotion Programs** - **Summary:** The organization organized a passport visitation program, which includes a renewal of the Northwest Illinois Ale Trail and cross-promotion efforts among local historical museums. - **Evidence:** “Also we organized a passport visitation program. One is a renewal of our Northwest Illinois Ale Trail that cross promotes our breweries with Joe Davis County. And also we're very excited that our local historical museums, we have a I believe eight and then if you count the Engine Museum and a couple other it's 10 that are going to be doing their own cross-promotion program from May through September” - **Source timestamp:** [22:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1379s) - **Base Camp Educational Classes Topics** - **Summary:** The 'base camp' included classes taught by local leaders covering topics such as city regulation (Community Development Department), finance (local bankers), business planning (Small Business Development Center), library resources (Ashley), marketing, and legal issues/business structures (attorneys). - **Evidence:** “From the Community Development Department talking about the city regulation. We had some local bankers to talk about finance. We had the Small Business Development Center talking about how to develop a business plan. Ashley came and talked about some of the resources at the library. And we had marketing people come and talk about marketing. Attorneys, yes, to talk about some of the legal issues you have to look at, business structures and all that.” - **Source timestamp:** [26:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1589s) - **Resources for new businesses and development support** - **Summary:** Local resources available to new businesses included the Community Development Department for city regulation, local bankers for finance, Small Business Development Center for business plan development, library staff regarding resources, marketing personnel, and attorneys for legal issues. - **Evidence:** “From the Community Development Department talking about the city regulation. We had some local bankers to talk about finance. We had the Small Business Development Center talking about how to develop a business plan. Ashley came and talked about some of the resources at the library. And we had marketing people come and talk about marketing. Attorneys, yes, to talk about some of the legal issues you have to look at, business structures and all that. So we had a wide range of people.” - **Source timestamp:** [26:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1589s) - **Lead service line replacement, phase four funding clarification** - **Summary:** Clarification provided regarding a typo in the Fehr Graham bid recommendation letter concerning the total project amount for Phase Four lead service line replacement. The low bidder was Five Star Services LLC at $19,731 per base bid total, with a total contractor project amount of $2,525,000. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “On April 7th, 2025, the City Council approved a bid for five-star energy for lead service line replacement, phase four. This memo is for clarification of a conflicting amount and so we're clarifying that today. Fehr Graham bid recommendation letter inadvertently had a typo in the full project amount that did not match the submitted memo. To confirm to the original city memo was correct, Five Star Services LLC out of Waukesha, Wisconsin was the low bidder at $19,731 per base bid total. The total contractor project amount for the phase will be $2,525,000 for service replacements.” - **Source timestamp:** [37:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2256s) - **EV Charging Station Contract Details** - **Summary:** The contract is a design-build type contract involving strategic partnerships with Thayer Energy Solutions to ensure the system integrates with ChargePoint for recognition. - **Evidence:** “This is just to the monies that are needed are just to repair the areas that will become the EV charging station if you will so I also have been working a lot on this over the last few days trying to figure this out so I want to give some explanations we just approved the contract last week it just was returned to me today i haven't been able to dig deep into this yet this is kind of a design build type contract right because EV Chargers are not our typical type of construction project where we put a plan Huffines. And then we put it out to bid and we build it.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:10:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4212s) - **Impact of residency requirement on emergency services** - **Summary:** The speaker stated that the residency requirement is challenging for police and fire departments, arguing that service dedication should not be judged by where officers live, and advocating for an open policy to remain competitive in hiring. - **Evidence:** “I just want to make one statement about our police fire and the folks that are impacted by this residency requirement I want to just say number one the residency in this environment is very challenging because we are not we're in a different area we have a different generation now we are all fighting for the same small pool of policemen and firemen... Today, we appreciate everything that our officers, police and fire are doing as well as public works, but we need to be able to have a little bit of an open policy so that folks can live where they feel safest and also where it makes the most sense.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:36:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5808s) - **TIF funds usage in Chicago vs. potential use** - **Summary:** The speaker noted that TIFs can help revitalize areas but highlighted that in Chicago, monies go into a community fund and a business fund, with grants sometimes going to individual property owners. - **Evidence:** “But what they're not telling you is that in the reinvestment portion of TIFFS, it's a public infrastructure improvement for streets, sewers, water lines, redevelopment of, catch this, blighted properties, attracting new businesses or expanding existing ones and cleaning up pollution. Now, I brought this to your attention simply because in Chicago they have a community tip fund and they have a business tip fund. Money goes into the community as far as businesses are concerned and then other monies are put in a lottery and the lottery is drawn up. An individual who owns a piece of property in Chicago then is receiving a grant to fix up their properties.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:53:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6821s) ## Metrics - **Public Opinion on Residency Requirement for Advanced Personnel** - **Summary:** 92% of respondents stated that a person advanced to a higher position requiring city residency should not be required to move if unable to do so. - **Evidence:** “I asked, should that person be required to move if they are not able to move? And the answer was that 92% said no, 8% said it depends on the circumstance.” - **Source timestamp:** [04:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=276s) - **Public Opinion on Loss of Opportunity Due to Residency Requirement** - **Summary:** 92% of respondents stated that a person should not lose their opportunity if they are unable to move due to residency requirements. - **Evidence:** “The second question, should that person lose their opportunity if they're not able to move? 92% Said no, 8% said it depends on the circumstances.” - **Source timestamp:** [04:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=287s) - **Public Opinion on Changing Ordinance 11 Residency Stipulation** - **Summary:** 55% of respondents supported changing the ordinance to remove the stipulation that certain leaders must live within city limits (except for the City Manager). - **Evidence:** “The third question, should the ordinance be changed to remove the stipulation that certain leaders live within city limits except for the city manager? 44% Said no, 55% said yes.” - **Source timestamp:** [04:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=292s) - **Public Opinion on Council Exception Power** - **Summary:** 50% of respondents stated that the council should be empowered to make exceptions to the rules of the ordinance at any time. - **Evidence:** “Question number four, shall the council be empowered to make exceptions to the rules of the ordinance at any time? 50% Said yes and 50% Said no.” - **Source timestamp:** [05:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=320s) - **TIF funds benefit to existing businesses** - **Summary:** In 20 years, only two existing industrial businesses benefited: Sega Vending Machine Plant received $175,000, and Tri-State Menard's stores received 2.5 million in property taxes. - **Attribution:** Huffines - **Evidence:** “Only two existing industrial businesses have benefited. Sega Vending Machine Plant, owned by Steve Chesney, received $175,000, and Tri-State Menard's stores received 2.5 million in property taxes.” - **Source timestamp:** [08:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=507s) - **Surplus funds from Lamb Road TIF** - **Summary:** There is a surplus of $3.8 million from the Lamb Road TIF, which is allegedly being misused. - **Attribution:** Huffines - **Evidence:** “So now with projects completed, there is a surplus of $3.8 million. Their surplus is being misused.” - **Source timestamp:** [08:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=530s) - **New business attraction leads received** - **Summary:** In the last quarter, 17 new business attraction leads were received. Eight came from Intersect, Illinois. Five proposals were submitted for existing sites/buildings in Freeport and Stephenson County. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “In this last quarter, we received 17 new business attraction leads. Eight of those leads came from Intersect, Illinois. Five of those leads we were able to respond to and submit proposals for existing sites and buildings that we have here in Freeport and Stephenson County.” - **Source timestamp:** [15:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=955s) - **Local business/government generated leads** - **Summary:** Nine leads were generated from local businesses or government agencies, including four new businesses and five existing businesses looking to expand or relocate. - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “We had nine leads that were generated from local businesses or government agencies. Four of those were new businesses to the area and five were existing businesses that would like to expand or relocate within the area.” - **Source timestamp:** [16:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=996s) - **Hotel-Motel Tax Revenue Increase (2023 to 2024)** - **Summary:** Both the City of Freeport and Stephenson County saw a three percent increase in hotel-motel tax from 2023 to 2024. - **Evidence:** “both the City of Freeport and Stephenson County saw an increase of three percent of hotel-motel tax from 2023 to 2024.” - **Source timestamp:** [22:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1324s) - **Committed New Business Leads** - **Summary:** Of the 17 new business leads mentioned, five existing businesses have committed to expanding or relocating. - **Evidence:** “Well the five existing businesses that expand or relocate they've committed they're here.” - **Source timestamp:** [24:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1498s) - **Forgivable funds received by City of Freeport over last 10 years** - **Summary:** The city has received an estimated $30-$35 million in forgivable funds over the last 10 years. - **Evidence:** “I don't have the exact number, but we're probably pushing in the ballpark of 30, $35 million of a forgivable funds that we've received over the last 10 years to the city of Freeport that we haven't had to pay back.” - **Source timestamp:** [55:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3345s) - **EV Charger Design Cost** - **Summary:** The cost to design the EV charging system was stated as $90,730. - **Evidence:** “but it's gonna cost us $90,730 just to design the doggone thing.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:06:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3999s) - **Confirmed CEJA Funding for EV Charging** - **Summary:** The speaker confirmed the availability of $320,000 from CEJA (EV charger money). - **Evidence:** “But realistically, I can confirm we have the CEJA money, which is the EV charger money for $320,000.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:12:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4355s) - **Potential ComEd Grant Funding** - **Summary:** The city potentially qualifies for an additional $500,000 from ComEd based on grant conditions and kilowatts. - **Evidence:** “we qualify for potentially another $500,000 from ComEd because it's based on the grant conditions and the kilowatts.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:12:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4369s) - **Available funding for EV charging project** - **Summary:** The total committed funds for the EV charger project are about $820,000 from ComEd and CJA grants. - **Evidence:** “So right now, as of today, we have about eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars that should be committed to this project between ComEd and the CJA grants.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:14:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4452s) - **Potential funding for EV charging project** - **Summary:** The municipality qualifies for potentially another $500,000 from ComEd based on grant conditions and kilowatts. - **Evidence:** “We qualify for, as of today, at 4 o'clock, we qualify for potentially another $500,000 from ComEd because it's based on the grant conditions and the kilowatts.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:12:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4369s) - **Landlord registration compliance status** - **Summary:** The participation rate of registered landlords has doubled to 72 percent, resulting in 2003 registered properties, compared to 1,000 last year. There are currently 763 properties found in violation. - **Evidence:** “Good news is we doubled our participation rate. 72 Percent of landlords in this town have registered. That's 2003 registered properties. Last year we had 1,000. So I really want to thank the council for supporting the Tollamay software. It made this possible. Right now we have 763 properties in violation and we are in the process of” - **Source timestamp:** [01:43:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6210s) - **Landlord registration compliance rate** - **Summary:** The participation rate for landlord registration has doubled, reaching 72 percent of landlords in Freeport, representing 2003 registered properties compared to 1,000 last year. - **Evidence:** “Good news is we doubled our participation rate. 72 Percent of landlords in this town have registered. That's 2003 registered properties. Last year we had 1,000.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:43:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6210s) - **Properties in violation of landlord registration rules** - **Summary:** There are currently 763 properties found to be in violation. - **Evidence:** “Right now we have 763 properties in violation” - **Source timestamp:** [01:43:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6210s) ## Discussion - **Lamb Road TIF details and concerns** - **Summary:** The Lamb Road TIF is a tax increment financing district formed in 2003 for industrial job retention. Concerns were raised regarding the use of property tax dollars collected by the TIF, noting that $10 million has been collected to date, with funds used for development costs, legal fees, engineering studies, and marketing. - **Attribution:** Huffines - **Evidence:** “The Lamb Road TIF is a tax increment financing district. It is a development that was formed as an industrial TIF in 2003 for the purpose of retaining and creating more industrial jobs which the community was losing... To date, the Lamb Road TIF has collected $10 million in property tax and diverted it from our community.” - **Source timestamp:** [06:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=391s) - **AutoSmart Expansion and Enterprise Zone** - **Summary:** The organization met with AutoSmart regarding its desire to expand by adding another building, which requires expanding the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone. - **Evidence:** “Yes, we met with that business. We talked about the Enterprise Zone and they are hoping to expand. They filled the building with cars and they want to put another building on the lot, but we need to expand the Enterprise Zone to do so.” - **Source timestamp:** [23:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1412s) - **Status of New Business Leads** - **Summary:** Four new businesses are starting, and one lead from Intersect Illinois is currently evaluating information regarding a potential manufacturing relocation to Freeport. - **Evidence:** “So the four new businesses starting are Huffines. And then as of right now, one of the leads that we had from Intersect Illinois, the business I talked about that came to give a tour, or we gave them a tour of existing facilities, they took that information back to their board of directors and they're evaluating it.” - **Source timestamp:** [24:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1498s) - **Tracking committed businesses from previous presentations** - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding how many businesses presented previously had committed to moving to the area. - **Attribution:** Monroe - **Evidence:** “from the last presentation you gave a quarter ago how many of those businesses that you put on the new businesses starting or interested in the area have committed to moving to this area?” - **Source timestamp:** [27:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1634s) - **Critique of business lead follow-up process** - **Summary:** A speaker criticized the lack of knowledge regarding local leads and opportunities, stating that not knowing 'who, what, when, where' hinders development efforts. - **Evidence:** “If a salesperson told me that, they didn't know, and they were talking about their territory, I would probably ask them why they're not doing their job. Point blank. I know that's a little harsh, but flat out, not knowing who, what, when, what to do, what to do, is not going to help them.” - **Source timestamp:** [27:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1677s) - **Concerns over city funding allocation and infrastructure development** - **Summary:** A speaker argued that current practices of giving money to existing local businesses might prevent the city from expanding its footprint due to lack of 100+ acre sites, water, sewer, or power hookups. - **Evidence:** “Maybe if we weren't paying to put elevators in our buddies' buildings and putting business money into other entities that exist already here, a single owner business type of thing, We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars coming out of funds that the city could desperately need and does need to expand our footprint for opportunities to come here. Because the biggest problem that we run into, we don't have 100 plus acre sites. We don't have water, sewer, power hooked up to places.” - **Source timestamp:** [28:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1711s) - **Enterprise Zone boundary expansion status** - **Summary:** A speaker noted that the process for expanding the Enterprise Zone boundary was completed, but the company leading the development decided not to proceed with the application despite being 95% done. - **Evidence:** “We went through the process. We went through the process for the enterprise zone boundary expansion. The company that was leading that development decided to stop. So that is an area that I think was under about five acres, still in the zone.” - **Source timestamp:** [29:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1794s) - **TIF fund spending and city expansion ability** - **Summary:** A speaker questioned the process of TIF dollars being used, citing specific amounts ($95,161 to Sega; money for an elevator at Wagner house) as examples that inhibit expansion. - **Evidence:** “$95,161 To Sega. I look at another instance of money given to the Wagner house for an elevator. And these things are stopping or inhibiting our ability to expand upon shovel-ready ground, which i've heard for literally almost eight years.” - **Source timestamp:** [30:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1849s) - **TIF and Enterprise Zone approval authority** - **Summary:** A speaker clarified that any TIF redevelopment agreement must be approved by the governing body meeting in that location, not just the partnership. - **Evidence:** “Any TIF redevelopment agreement is not approved by the partnership. It's approved by this governing body that's precise. It's meeting right here, right now.” - **Source timestamp:** [31:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1873s) - **TIF fund decision-making roles** - **Summary:** A speaker stated that while the group can make recommendations on TIF vs. Enterprise Zone benefits, they cannot decide how the funds are spent; that is the job of the governing body. - **Evidence:** “We can make recommendations. We can talk about pros and cons. We can talk about when the Enterprise Zone would be more beneficial than the TIF district. ... But then it's a redevelopment agreement would be decided upon by this governing body.” - **Source timestamp:** [31:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1895s) - **Origin of elevator project funding controversy** - **Summary:** A speaker stated that the elevator project came from a revolving loan fund belonging to the city of Freeport, and the state of Illinois called back all such funds. - **Evidence:** “The elevator project that you talked about came from a revolving loan fund that the city of Freeport had. The state of Illinois called all the revolving loan funds back and said, either use them or turn them back to us at this date.” - **Source timestamp:** [32:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1960s) - **Controversial funding decision by City Council** - **Summary:** A speaker asserted that the $95,000 given to Sega was the most controversial thing and was done by the council itself. - **Evidence:** “The $95,000 that was given to Sega, that's the most controversial thing in the world and it was all done by this council. So you can own this council for that.” - **Source timestamp:** [33:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1986s) - **Revolving loan fund history and controversy** - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the origin of a revolving loan fund for an elevator project, noting that the state called back all such funds and criticizing actions taken by the council related to a $95,000 award. - **Evidence:** “The elevator project that you talked about came from a revolving loan fund that the city of Freeport had. The state of Illinois called all the revolving loan funds back and said, either use them or turn them back to us at this date. One person applied for that revolving loan. And nobody else would apply for it. That person inherited it. The $95,000 that was given to Sega, that's the most controversial thing in the world and it was all done by this council.” - **Source timestamp:** [32:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1968s) - **Tax cut application controversy** - **Summary:** Discussion concerning an individual who allegedly received monies not entitled to them after cutting a deal with the City of Freeport and subsequently applying for tax cuts. - **Evidence:** “Mr. Chesney came to the council and whined that he had been not getting a bunch of money, but it turned out that in the process when he cut a deal with the City of Freeport, the following year he applied to get his taxes cut because he didn't agree with them and they were. So he received monies that really weren't entitled to him if you want to look at it that way.” - **Source timestamp:** [33:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1995s) - **City Greater Freeport Partnership funding** - **Summary:** A statement asserting that the City Greater Freeport Partnership does not give away money, implying that only the eight people present could be giving away funds. - **Evidence:** “So, you know, these guys, City Greater Freeport Partnership doesn't give away money. If somebody's giving away money, it's the eight people up here.” - **Source timestamp:** [33:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2023s) - **Previous council vote record review** - **Summary:** A reference to adopted minutes from April 23rd, 2018, noting a specific voting outcome and questioning its validity. - **Evidence:** “I'll read adopted April 23rd 2018 eyes Klemm mcclanahan Smith busker brash a keister and there was one abstention you flat-out just lied on the floor you voted yes for what that what What is that?” - **Source timestamp:** [33:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2034s) - **Economic development contribution assessment** - **Summary:** A questioning of external consultants regarding the return they have brought to the city beyond grant application assistance, specifically asking about new industrial jobs. - **Evidence:** “My question is though, as is public record, we pay you approximately about $400,000 a year upfront that everybody's aware of. What return outside of helping people apply for grants have you brought to the city? We are looking for industrial jobs. We're not looking for you to piggyback on events that have already happened initially that you have started.” - **Source timestamp:** [34:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2092s) - **New job creation criteria** - **Summary:** Clarification sought regarding whether job counts should only include new companies, excluding expansions of existing ones. - **Evidence:** “My question is new companies. And you just want specific manufacturing? Trayback Automotive. Trayback Automation, excuse me. They were outside of the city of Freeport. They're a small manufacturing company. They were in a really rural location, and they now are renting space in the first McNeist building.” - **Source timestamp:** [35:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2153s) - **Treyback Automotive relocation details** - **Summary:** Discussion about Trayback Automotive moving into the first McNeist building due to issues with freight access at their previous rural location. The company was an automation company serving food manufacturing. - **Evidence:** “Can you expand on Treyback? Were they already interested in the city or is this a lead that you reached out to and through your work process? Excuse me. And if so, how many jobs did that create? ... I don't know. And so yes, they were in a really rural location and they had a problem with freight getting in and out. And so they wanted something that had easier access for transportation. They were an automation company that worked with the food manufacturing industry.” - **Source timestamp:** [36:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2186s) - **Lead service line replacement funding mechanism** - **Summary:** Confirmation that the city will fund Phase 4 and that the reimbursement structure means the project will not cost the citizens anything. - **Evidence:** “In that $3 million, you said 100% forgivable loan. So what does that mean? What that means is the city will be reimbursed 100% of anything we spend on lead service line replacements for Phase 4. So it will not cost the city nothing? Correct. As that's been all of the phases? It costs the citizens nothing? That's correct.” - **Source timestamp:** [38:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2317s) - **TIF fund usage and concerns** - **Summary:** A strong objection was raised regarding the use of the TIF fund, alleging it is being used illegally as a 'slush fund' instead of paying property taxes for homeowners. - **Evidence:** “This fund, this TIF fund, is being used illegally and it needs to be shut down. It needs to be shut down there's currently 3.8 million dollars in this fund returning the fund would help pay for all the government services that make property tax bills for homeowners so high the property taxes from Walmart Howard and Minaj should be going to help pay for running our community and should not be used as a slush fund.” - **Source timestamp:** [40:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2419s) - **Use of Lamroad Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) Funds** - **Summary:** A concern was raised that the TIF fund is being used illegally and should be shut down to return $3.8 million to pay for essential government services like police, fire protection, schools, parks, library, county services, and roads. - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy - **Evidence:** “This fund, this TIF fund, is being used illegally and it needs to be shut down. It needs to be shut down there's currently 3.8 million dollars in this fund returning the fund would help pay for all the government services that make property tax bills for homeowners so high the property taxes from Walmart Howard and Minaj should be going to help pay for running our community and should not be used as a slush fund.” - **Source timestamp:** [40:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2419s) - **Termination of Lamroad TIF and Fund Return** - **Summary:** A call was made for the city to terminate the Land relative and return all $3.8 million to taxing bodies for police, fire protection, schools, parks, library, county, and roads. - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy - **Evidence:** “I recommend a call to action that the city terminates land relative and return all the to 3.8 million to those that actually need them to pay for police and fire protection, schools, parks, library, and the county. And let's not forget our roads, which is trying to keep the nursing home running so that it won't be shut down.” - **Source timestamp:** [41:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2468s) - **Justification for Continuing Lamb Road TIF Use** - **Summary:** City Manager Boyer stated that funds are not just sitting there, but are being used for a lift station at the corner of Lamb and Walnut to convey waste and create additional capacity in the Lamb Road to Tiff area. - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer - **Evidence:** “Well, I'll start with saying the funds are not just sitting there. We are working on a lift station at the corner of Lamb and Walnut. That is to convey waste and create additional capacity in the Lamb Road to Tiff area. And it also will be useful in terms of making, ensuring that there is no issues with the Wastewater Collection System, adjacent to the nursing home.” - **Source timestamp:** [42:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2548s) - **TIF Fund Usage and Budgeting for Lift Station** - **Summary:** It was noted that if a lift station is budgeted for in the capital improvement plan, funds should not be pulled from the Land Road TIF. - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy - **Evidence:** “So if it's budgeted for, then we shouldn't be pulling from the Land Road Tif. Correct? Kessler. It's budgeted for through the Land Road TIF.” - **Source timestamp:** [44:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2676s) - **Authorized Use of TIF Funds** - **Summary:** Attorney Zito stated that using TIF funds for public improvements within the TIF district, such as building a lift station, is an authorized use. - **Attribution:** Attorney Zito - **Evidence:** “Those are public improvements within the TIF district. So that is an authorized TIF use there. There were redevelopment agreements that were entered into previous there, you know, reimbursing developers for TIF eligible costs is a allowable use of TIF funds.” - **Source timestamp:** [45:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2712s) - **Recommendation to Reconsider TIF Use** - **Summary:** A suggestion was made that once the budgeted lift station is completed, the council should consider moving the money back from the TIF fund for general infrastructure needs. - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy - **Evidence:** “I think the direction we're trying to influence everybody to maybe consider is once the lift station that has been budgeted in this budget is completed we have not had any successful real industrial growth in that TIF district which is why we implemented that and that maybe we look at moving that money back to the pot so that we can use it for infrastructure and what we really need it for.” - **Source timestamp:** [46:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2772s) - **History of Lift Station Planning** - **Summary:** The lift station at Walnut Street has been revised multiple times over the last year and a half to include sections of main by the landfill that was inverted. - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy - **Evidence:** “The lift station at Walnut Street goes back at least a year and a half if not two years. It's been revised at least once to include a section of main by the landfill that was inverted. It's been voted on several times as far as moving money from this” - **Source timestamp:** [47:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2834s) - **Water infrastructure and funding concerns** - **Summary:** Discussion covered the need for jobs, a new well being drilled, and the necessity of funds for industrial users and south side expansion. - **Attribution:** Alderman Sellers - **Evidence:** “it's been mentioned several times tonight and however there's nothing happening there's a well being drilled Holden Pump House being built this summer that's going to bring a source of water sufficient enough to feed industrial users and the expansion on the south side of town is going to need that money. I think it would be very short-sighted to fall away from a potential fix to what everybody pretty much agrees is the major issue.” - **Source timestamp:** [47:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2861s) - **Lift station location for drainage** - **Summary:** The lift station is designed to go at the corner of the Landfill property, which is believed to be in the TIF district and where all drainage goes. - **Attribution:** City Manager - **Evidence:** “The lift station is designed to go at the near the corner of Lamb Road and Walnut near the intersection on the west side east side it would be on the I guess it would be another side of the intersection north east or west east so that's not in the TIF district it's a it's actually going at the corner of the Landfill property, which I believe is in the district. That's where the drainage all goes to in that basin.” - **Source timestamp:** [48:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2939s) - **Porting TIF funds between districts** - **Summary:** Clarification was sought on whether TIF money could be moved from one TIF to another, similar to the downtown TIF. - **Evidence:** “Can you take TIF money from one TIF and put it somewhere else and use it somewhere else, just like how they have the downtown TIF? We can't take the downtown TIF. We can't take the downtown TIF and put it somewhere else, Kim.” - **Source timestamp:** [49:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2977s) - **Porting TIF funds between contiguous districts** - **Summary:** TIF funds can be ported between TIF districts if they are contiguous; otherwise, porting is not possible. - **Evidence:** “I'll confirm this off the top of my head, though. I believe you can port TIF funds between TIF districts as long as the TIF districts are contiguous. If they're not contiguous to one another, like they're not touching each other, the two districts, then I don't think you can port the funds back and forth. But if they're together, I believe you can port them back and forth.” - **Source timestamp:** [49:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=2994s) - **Reclassification of TIF funds to General Fund** - **Summary:** The speaker clarified that when referring to no longer being a TIF district, the money would not be specifically used for TIF anymore and would go back to the general fund. - **Evidence:** “What I meant when I said until we actually really need those funds to develop that area, I meant it no longer being a TIF district. So then that money would not be specifically use for a TIF anymore, that will be money that goes back to the general fund for us to use. That's what I meant, not switching money between TIFs.” - **Source timestamp:** [50:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3021s) - **TIF expiration timeline** - **Summary:** The speaker stated that the current TIF structure sunsets in one year. - **Evidence:** “I think the good news for everybody is that this thing is sunsets in one year, so this conversation is probably going to resolve itself. One year, Daudy, and then the other things dead.” - **Source timestamp:** [51:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3061s) - **Funding status of Well 12** - **Summary:** A detailed explanation was provided regarding the $13 million secured for well funding, sourced from IEPA revolving forgiveness, emerging contaminant money, and appropriations from Eric Sorensen. - **Evidence:** “We do have what 13 million secured in different sources of funding. Okay, but. So the well money is secured. We have total of 13 million. There's three different funds for that. IEPA revolving forgiveness, then we have emergent contaminant money, and we also have just short of a million dollars from Eric Sorensen that has already been appropriate.” - **Source timestamp:** [51:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3117s) - **IEPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan mechanism** - **Summary:** The process involves taking out a loan for the full project cost; upon completion, forgivable funds are subtracted to determine the net amount owed by taxpayers. - **Evidence:** “We will be taking the way the revolving fund works is you have to take out a loan for the full amount of the project so if we bid this project and it's 18 million dollars you take out a loan and then when you're done with the project they subtract all the forgivable funds off of that project so that you end up with a net of say 5 million or something like that that's how all of the state” - **Source timestamp:** [54:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3289s) - **Forgivable funds for Freeport infrastructure project** - **Summary:** The speaker detailed that EPA grants provide forgivable funds for infrastructure projects in Freeport, noting that the amount is already booked upon signing loan agreements. They estimated receiving $30-$35 million in forgivable funds over the last 10 years without repayment, but stated a specific payback of $5 million and an additional required payback based on project bids minus $13 million. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “EPA grants, if you will, the money to Freeport for the infrastructure project, it's quite a process to get it. When the loan agreements are signed, that moneys, the forgivable moneys, is already booked and in there and everybody's aware of it. We build the project, we pay out the funds, and then when we go to sign the final loan, they forgive that amount of money that the citizens of Freeport have to pay back. I don't have the exact number, but we're probably pushing in the ballpark of 30, $35 million of a forgivable funds that we've received over the last 10 years to the city of Freeport that we haven't had to pay back. Does that sound fair? But the 5 million we'll pay back. We will have to pay back. Whatever the project bids at minus 13 million, that's what we'll have to pay back.” - **Source timestamp:** [55:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3333s) - **SRF funds and infrastructure financing** - **Summary:** The speaker mentioned that SRF funds come with a potential 30-year loan at 1% interest, stating they researched this and nothing can touch these infrastructure loans for financing. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “I should also state that those, we call them SRF funds, also come with a potential 30-year loan and 1% interest, which we have done quite a bit of research on that, and there's nothing that can touch these infrastructure loans for financing.” - **Source timestamp:** [56:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3386s) - **Underutilized land development using surplus funds** - **Summary:** A speaker questioned why the city had not used $3.85 million in surplus funds to develop vacant, serviced land in a manufacturing zone (behind Menards/Wal-Mart) into shovel-ready ground for industry, instead of directing money to friends. - **Attribution:** Huffines - **Evidence:** “My question, this goes back to really what I was getting to with the GFP, is as I look through a long laundry list of recipients here of almost $2 million, million and a half to $2 million, math is a little rough. My question really becomes, we've got 3.85 million in that surplus. We've got a bunch of vacant land in areas that we've got water, sewer, electric, we've got services in place. Why have we done nothing, nothing, in developing that area, which is really a manufacturing zone or, you know, behind Menards, behind Wal-Mart, where it really doesn't make a lot of sense for housing and things like that. Why have we not taken this money and developed that into shovel-ready ground, bought the Fowler, 铆the man with this money, and developed industry with it. Instead, we would rather do things for our friends.” - **Source timestamp:** [56:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3405s) - **Developing GFP area for jobs** - **Summary:** A speaker urged that funds should be used to develop the GFP area to bring viable jobs to the community, arguing against the current pattern of money leaving annually without tangible local benefits. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “Why can't we do things to develop it further to bring industry in and make it so GFP actually brings real viable jobs to this community instead of a half a million dollars basically going away every single year. I think we have to and this is what we've been asking for.” - **Source timestamp:** [59:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3564s) - **City development vision and job creation** - **Summary:** A speaker emphasized the need for meaningful development and jobs in Freeport, criticizing the current lack of action despite having 2040 plans, and questioned the focus on running new water lines out east when existing city infrastructure is decaying. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “What is the vision? We put out these 2040 plans that are field goods. We need meaningful development. We need meaningful jobs for people to live and survive in the city of Freeport... And you know, we've got this ongoing question about how do we do stuff. And you brought it up Alderman Klemm and we keep wanting to run water all the way out east of town and go out to this area to develop, I have no idea why, it makes no sense to me. We've got infrastructure in the city of Freeport that is decaying that we can't even pump enough water for a fire and we want to run brand new pipe out into an area with six farmers Johnson, Len, Thomas, Keene, Nicole, Paul, Jeff, Mike, and Gertrude.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:01:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3699s) - **Tax base expansion vs. service provision** - **Summary:** A speaker argued that focusing on developing areas outside city limits for businesses prevents the city from taxing them, while existing businesses within the city are not paying taxes (e.g., at the airport). - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “So we can put business outside of the city limits and not be able to tax it. We've got businesses inside the city of Freeport that don't even pay taxes. One of them is at the airport. And GFP goes out and throws a party for them.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:02:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3745s) - **EV charging stations resolution review** - **Summary:** The speaker noted that Resolution RES-2025-42, approving civil engineering services with Fehr Graham for EV charging stations, was presented in two agenda items (23 and 27), and while item 23 stated the program is 100% funded, they wished to speak on item 27 regarding what was not disclosed. - **Attribution:** Stacy Simmons - **Evidence:** “Okay, so this was presented to the council upon last week. And it was presented in two agenda items, 23 and 27. So long story short, everything on 23 said that the program is 100% funded. So, I won't speak on item 23, but I do want to speak on item 27 and what we were not told.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:03:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3823s) - **Future plans for EV charging stations and resolution RES-2025-42** - **Summary:** Discussion regarding future plans for EV charging stations and possibly resending resolution RES-2025-42, approving the agreement with Fehr Graham to provide civil engineering services related to EV charging stations installation projects. - **Evidence:** “We move to number 10, discussion regarding future plans for EV charging stations and discussion regarding possibly resending resolution RES-2025-42, approving the agreement with Fehr Graham to provide civil engineering services related to EV charging stations installation projects, Stacy Simmons.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:03:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3790s) - **EV Charging Station Costs and Funding Priority** - **Summary:** A concern was raised that the EV charger project is estimated to cost around $200,000, questioning if this amount should be prioritized over road funding. - **Evidence:** “This project with these EV chargers, when it's all said and done, it's gonna cost the city right around $200,000. How do we have $200,000 for EV chargers? For EV Chargers. We don't have $200,000 for our roads, for our streets.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:04:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=3890s) - **Available Funding for Infrastructure Projects** - **Summary:** A confirmation was sought regarding potential external funding sources and the known available funds. - **Evidence:** “I will say that there's some more money out there that we might qualify for. Am I correct? Do qualify for it. That we do qualify for, but we haven't gone after it yet. And we have not got confirmation that we're gonna get it. So I can't count on that. All I can count on is what's for sure. And that's the $320,000 that we know we have.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4055s) - **EV Charging Infrastructure Concerns** - **Summary:** A comment was made regarding a company that installed chargers at Freeport Ford filing for bankruptcy shortly after providing warranty service. - **Evidence:** “I got a phone call after our last meeting when we discussed the chargers that are located at Freeport Ford. I just want everybody to be aware that the company that put those in, installed them, gave warranty service for it, promptly then filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:08:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4105s) - **EV Industry Future and City Planning** - **Summary:** The speaker expressed uncertainty about proceeding with EV chargers due to market volatility and questioned if the expense was warranted given current local EV adoption rates. - **Evidence:** “I'm not sure honestly how to proceed with this, but to be honest, I think we have to proceed carefully. Are electric cars the future? A lot of Americans are voting with their pocketbooks and saying no, but there are some that are voting and saying yes.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:08:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4134s) - **Rationale for initial EV charger lot selection** - **Summary:** The two lots were selected because power requirements are located in the alley at the post office, minimizing connection costs. - **Evidence:** “The reason the two lots were selected Was because we have the minis plots our biggest lot, but there's the power requirement these these chargers take a lot of power There's a requirement in the alley at the post office So when we built Chicago Avenue, we actually built the infrastructure under the street to power the chargers at the municipal lot in that that corner by the park and the library, right? A spot that everybody goes to the other the state and main lot were picked because the power requirements are right there in the alley.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:14:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4466s) - **Need for population survey regarding EV chargers** - **Summary:** A request was made to conduct a survey of Freeport's population to determine if charging stations are necessary and if enough EVs are present. - **Evidence:** “Have you considered a survey of the population here in Freeport to make a real good judgment whether or not the city of Freeport need a charging station or whether or not there's enough EV cars or anything like that that's driving around complaining about charging and their vehicles” - **Source timestamp:** [01:16:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4577s) - **Grant funding restrictions for EV chargers** - **Summary:** The CEJA grant received is exclusively for EV chargers and cannot be used for other purposes. - **Evidence:** “Yeah, so the CEJA grant that we received is for EV chargers only. We can't use it for anything else out there.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:18:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4713s) - **Use of CEJA and ComEd Grant Funds** - **Summary:** The funds received from CEJA and ComEd must be spent in 2025 as part of the grant program to avoid a 'black eye' on future grant opportunities. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “These dollars that we have here from CEJA and ComEd, they need to be spent in 2025 as part of the grant program. And that's why we're talking about it now, so it gives us enough time to get these in place by the end of the year.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:19:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4785s) - **Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Revenue Stream** - **Summary:** The idea is for downtown Freeport to capture revenue from charging fees generated by people driving electric cars through the area, which would also bring tourism. - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders - **Evidence:** “So kind of the whole idea is for very little money, the city drives traffic to our downtown, then we also collect the charging fees related to the charging. So you know we look at $200,000 and we got eight eight chargers we're potentially bringing on here I look at as a revenue generating stream that would also help bring tourism to our downtown area” - **Source timestamp:** [01:20:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4817s) - **Lot Repair Cost Clarification** - **Summary:** The speaker corrected a previous understanding regarding the cost for lot preparation, noting that $100,000 was needed just for preparing the lots and did not include fixing raggedy things. - **Attribution:** Miller - **Evidence:** “When talked and you had said that we need to put $100,000 for that process, I just thought $100,000, we got to repair the whole lot. But still, it's still $100,000 just for preparing the lots and that's not even fixing the raggedy things.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:21:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4870s) - **Ordinance 2025-17 Residency Requirements Enforcement** - **Summary:** The speaker argued that the issue with Ordinance 2025-17 is not its existence, but the failure to enforce it consistently across all positions. - **Attribution:** Simmons - **Evidence:** “The issue was that we have an ordinance that's in place and have been in place, but has not been properly used, properly acknowledged. And this is not my first time of saying this, we put these rules and regulations in place and then we pick and choose who they apply to.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:22:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=4933s) - **Police Department Enforcement Standards** - **Summary:** The speaker expressed concern that the police department might not go above and beyond securing the city if it were their own, despite acknowledging the officers' efforts. - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders - **Evidence:** “I just can't help but feel that if we had, and Chief Miller and Chief Shenberger, I don't think ill of you all, we communicate, we talk, but I just think if, I can't say all these and I. I'm not saying that they don't go above and beyond because our police have come a long way. But if this was their city, maybe there's an extra mile that they would go to secure whatever needs securing in our city.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:25:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5125s) - **Community Ownership and Law Enforcement Support** - **Summary:** The speaker asserted that the community owns itself and should not be fearful of those who try to bully it, advocating for standing up for the town even if unpopular. - **Evidence:** “But at the end of the day, we own this community and we can't be fearful of people that want to run around and try to bully us in our community. We have to love our town, we love our community, we stand up for it.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:28:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5293s) - **Community ownership and upholding rules** - **Summary:** The speaker emphasized community ownership, the need to stand up for the town even when taking unpopular positions, and the importance of enforcing rules equally. - **Evidence:** “But at the end of the day, we own this community and we can't be fearful of people that want to run around and try to bully us in our community. We have to love our town, we love our community, we stand up for it. And sometimes we take positions that are not always well accepted in the community, but it's the right thing for the community at large.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:28:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5293s) - **Enforcement of rules and oaths** - **Summary:** The speaker criticized hypocrisy regarding rule enforcement and stressed taking one's oath seriously, which requires equal protection under the law. - **Evidence:** “And you know I I too wished it had been dealt with but it wasn't and it's hypocritical not to enforce the rules equally across the board and that's the problem and that's where it lies and I know we're gonna go back I know it's gonna vote it's gonna happen it's gonna pass but it doesn't it doesn't mean it was ever right and you really have to be you have to take your oath that you take for that office seriously and that means equal protections under the law across the board” - **Source timestamp:** [01:28:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5317s) - **Community communication and local officials** - **Summary:** The speaker noted that being from Freeport and having served as chief of police provides a significant ability to communicate with the community, which is crucial. - **Evidence:** “But to say, I mean you're from Freeport, you served as chief of police, you know, you've We've done a lot of years here, and you know a lot of people, and that buys you. That ability to communicate with the community, it's huge. It's very huge. It's huge. It's very huge because people will tell you things because they know you that they won't tell somebody that's from out of town.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:29:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5365s) - **Current issues in Freeport** - **Summary:** The speaker addressed current problems caused by individuals, referring to them as 'thugs,' and commended the chief for his efforts. - **Evidence:** “And I think that's part of the problem we run into here. When we hide from the problems and we don't face those problems direct on, we end up in a situation we're in right now where we've got some thugs, let's call them what they are, causing issues in Freeport. But I commend the chief.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:29:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5391s) - **Ordinance process and citizen rights** - **Summary:** The speaker explained that ordinances govern the council and citizens of Freeport, and emphasized that citizens have the right to draft ordinances. - **Evidence:** “I just want to give the people of the city of Freeport a reminder that when aldermen are sitting, councils are sitting here making judgments and decisions and people don't understand how do we come up with ordinances. They don't and John. They don't understand what we are facing as aldermen... The ordinance of this city governs this body and the people within the city. Violate one of those ordinances as a citizen here in Freeport. You're subject to be locked up in jail or fined or whatever the case may be.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:30:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5447s) - **Citizen ability to draft ordinances** - **Summary:** The speaker clarified that citizens can draft ordinances and that the council does not have sole jurisdiction over creating them. - **Evidence:** “Well, here's the thing, people of the city have to also understand that you can actually draft ordinances that goes before the council to be put on the agenda. You as citizens, it's not, the council has no jurisdiction in putting ordinances together. It comes from the citizens of Freeport who draft these ordinances.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:32:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5543s) - **Accountability for ordinance introduction** - **Summary:** The speaker stressed that there is a process and accountability when introducing ordinances into city government. - **Evidence:** “And the thing about it is who's creating these ordinances? And I think the people of Freeport don't understand that the ordinances are drafted by someone. Someone has to be accountable for introducing these ordinances.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:33:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5587s) - **Citizen right to propose ordinances** - **Summary:** The speaker advised citizens not to wait for the council to bring ordinances, but to exercise their right to submit them. - **Evidence:** “Shadle. Just remember, you have a right as a citizen to draft an ordinance, and don't let the council bring the ordinance to you. You make sure that your ordinances are on the docket.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:35:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5736s) - **Citizen right to draft ordinances** - **Summary:** A citizen reminded the council that citizens have a right to draft and present ordinances on the docket. - **Evidence:** “Look, look, look, okay, okay, I'll say something different for you, Shadle. Just remember, you have a right as a citizen to draft an ordinance, and don't let the council bring the ordinance to you. You make sure that your ordinances are on the docket. I don't care how many times it is. I just want to make sure the citizens of Freeport understand that they have a right to bring ordinances just like council does.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:35:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5736s) - **Focus of discussion** - **Summary:** A reminder was given to keep comments focused on the residency ordinance. - **Evidence:** “I'm just reminding people to keep all their comments about the residency ordinance. Thank you.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:36:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5804s) - **Comparison of residency requirements in other cities** - **Summary:** The speaker noted that Belvedere and the city of DeKalb have eliminated residency requirements. - **Evidence:** “I got a phone call the other day, Belvedere and the city of DeKalb have also eliminated residency. Just going to say that, it's your turn, Cecelia.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:38:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=5904s) - **Departmental scope of residency ordinance** - **Summary:** The discussion clarified that the current ordinance primarily applies to department heads or supervisory levels, noting that police and fire contracts already removed the requirement. - **Evidence:** “Okay, right now, this ordinance that's on the table now. Your police, for the most part, I'm generically saying that, but for the most part, it's the department heads, okay? Or your supervisory levels. Your police department is governed by their own contract. Fire department's covered by their own contract. Police union is covered by their own contract. I believe police and fire contracts already removed the residency requirement and Public Works is up for bargaining coming up you know, or soon there.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:41:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6101s) - **Ordinance compliance for landlords outside Freeport** - **Summary:** The discussion confirmed that the city's software handles an ordinance requiring landlords located 20 miles outside of Freeport to comply. - **Evidence:** “Okay, also, there's an ordinance or a law or a rule that says any landlord that's 20 miles outside of Freeport must and Lenny. But our software takes care of that, yes.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:44:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6263s) - **Appointment of Dustin Wilkinson to the Planning Commission replacing Josh Atkins** - **Summary:** A discussion was held regarding the appointment of Dustin Wilkinson to the Planning Commission, noting that the process appeared flawed as it suggested an open position when one might not exist. - **Evidence:** “Okay, number 13. Discussion regarding appointment of Dustin Wilkinson to the Planning Commission replacing Josh Atkins, Stacy, and Simmons. Last week on the agenda, last week agenda, we were asked about appointing this person, Dustin Wilkinson, to the planning committee.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:44:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6283s) - **Procedural challenge to removal/appointment process for Planning Commission member** - **Summary:** A speaker argued that the termination of Joshua Atkinson and replacement by Dustin Wilkinson violated existing ordinances regarding how a committee member can be removed. - **Evidence:** “However, Tuesday, Joshua Atkinson received an email being terminated from his position on the planning board and replaced by this guy, Dustin Wilkinson... Madam Mayor, you can't do that. The ordinance tell how someone will be removed from a committee.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:46:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6364s) - **Ordinance funding for downtown redevelopment** - **Summary:** An ordinance passed by the City Council allocated $1,045,000 to fund a bond for downtown redevelopment projects and loans, but details on specific projects or repayment methods were not provided. - **Attribution:** Boyer - **Evidence:** “And that ordinance said that the City Council voted to give $1,045,000 to fund a bond. And you know what it was for? For redevelopment to improve the downtown for projects and to make loans to improve downtown. Didn't say what the projects were for. Didn't say how it was gonna be paid for.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:51:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6718s) - **Downtown improvements funded by bond** - **Summary:** Specific expenditures mentioned include tearing down $800,000 worth of property belonging to Zichek and paying Wagner House $60,000 for an elevator. - **Attribution:** Boyer - **Evidence:** “We tore down $800,000 worth of property belonging to Zichek. We paid Wagner House $60,000 for an elevator.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:52:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6761s) - **Loan payments and downtown improvement funding** - **Summary:** Money was spent paying Mahoney $113,000 for a loan, which is still owed. - **Evidence:** “We paid Mahoney $113,000 for a loan and he still owes on it. That's where our money goes.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:52:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6768s) - **Traffic flow observation for Freeport/Galena** - **Summary:** The speaker stated that most people traveling from Chicago to Galena pass through or bypass Freeport, suggesting the current focus on drawing traffic through Freeport is inaccurate. - **Evidence:** “The average person that comes from Chicago going into Galena passes us up and goes straight into Galena. They don't come through Freeport.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:54:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6891s) - **Fire department funding concerns** - **Summary:** A concern was raised that tax dollars paid for the fire department's salaries are leaving the city, as no property taxes are being paid on their properties in Lena or any place else. - **Evidence:** “My biggest issue with this is that tax dollars, that we're paying into their salaries is going outside of our city. There are no property taxes being paid on their properties in Lena or any place else.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:55:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6932s) - **Employment availability in the city** - **Summary:** A speaker stated that nobody wants to work for the current administration, describing a 'revolving door' situation. - **Evidence:** “Let me tell you guys the honest God's truth. Nobody wants to work for this administration. You guys have a revolving door that is as bad as business.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:56:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6974s) ## Public Comment - **Ordinance Compliance and City Responsibility** - **Summary:** Cheryl Altman expressed concern regarding the city's failure to follow ordinances, suggesting the city should be responsible for properties rather than relying on landlords. - **Evidence:** “Good evening. My name is Cheryl Altman. My first concern is the discussion of with the ordinance. This ordinance was passed by you in 2017. You didn't follow the ordinance, but that's not the only ordinance that the city of Freeport does not follow. The fast track, instead of counting on the landlords to fix their property, how about the city be responsible for their properties?” - **Source timestamp:** [02:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=144s) - **Concerns regarding City Leadership and Personnel** - **Summary:** Cheryl Altman criticized a donor's properties and expressed concern over the replacement of personnel with an individual facing criminal charges. - **Evidence:** “Matter of fact, one of your donors, your biggest donor, bought a whole bunch of properties on the tax sale. And they're the biggest piles of crap on the city of Freeport, along with the Raleigh building. My next one is about replacing Joshua with a guy that's a criminal. You can sit there and smile at me Mayor, I don't care. You smirking, that just shows you how much you care about the citizens of Freeport.” - **Source timestamp:** [03:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=196s) - **Ordinance 11 Review (Residency Requirements)** - **Summary:** Linda Johnson presented survey results regarding Ordinance 11, showing public opinion on residency requirements for city leaders. - **Evidence:** “Hi, I'm Linda Johnson and Mayor Jodi and Manager, Boyer and Council. I'm addressing Ordinance 11. I questioned several people in my area, some I know and some I don't know. Following is the information and questions I presented to them as well as the results of those who responded.” - **Source timestamp:** [03:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=238s) - **Lamb Road TIF Discussion** - **Summary:** Rhonda Scott stated her intent to submit a written statement regarding the Lamb Road TIF. - **Evidence:** “Good afternoon. I'm Rhonda Scott. I'm here to speak on the Lamb Road Tiff. I have my statement in writing with an attachment and I would like to submit it into the record if that's possible and we can discuss that later.” - **Source timestamp:** [06:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=378s) - **Use of Downtown TIF bond funds in 2018** - **Summary:** A public comment detailed findings from a FOIA request regarding $1 million taken out of the downtown TIF, noting expenditures included $60,000 for an elevator at Wagner House and demolitions for properties belonging to Zajcek. - **Evidence:** “Ron to Scott, I have to follow up on something that was Taylor. I have receipts on this. It was not a loan. It was not a revolving loan. I only happened to find this out by accident. There was a $1 million bond taken out of the downtown TIF.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6605s) - **Concerns regarding drug use and committee appointments** - **Summary:** The speaker expressed concern over appointing a former meth dealer, who has a history of drug dealing, to a planning committee given the city's known drug problem. - **Evidence:** “But to bring a man with an Alderman Stacey, I don't know if calling him an addict was a proper term, but a dealer, a meth dealer who, yeah, went to jail however many years ago, maybe he is reformed but to bring a former meth dealer into this town and put him on a planning committee is such a big F-U to everybody here.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:56:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7018s) - **Need for local residency in leadership roles** - **Summary:** The speaker questioned the ability of someone who does not live in the town to properly lead or understand its needs. - **Evidence:** “a lot of people are feeling like, How can someone that doesn't live in the town that I live in properly lead me and know what I need?” - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7114s) - **Concerns about representation and local knowledge** - **Summary:** A speaker questioned the ability of someone who does not live in the town to properly lead or know what is needed for the community. - **Evidence:** “a lot of people are feeling like, How can someone that doesn't live in the town that I live in properly lead me and know what I need?” - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7114s) - **Behavioral criticism during meeting proceedings** - **Summary:** A speaker criticized Joy Sellers for flipping through a magazine, picking fingernails, and looking at her phone while Alderman Stacy was talking, noting that the only time she paid attention was when Rob Boyer talked. - **Evidence:** “Last week, Joy, you were called out because you're sitting there flipping through a magazine. You're in when Stacy, Alderman Stacy was talking and Simmons and Monroe, you're picking your fingernails and looking at your phone. The only time you paid attention is when Rob Boyer talked.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7120s) - **Request to silence microphone during conflict** - **Summary:** A speaker advised that Joy Sellers and the mayor should shut off their mic during fights, and warned against calling people out or talking bad about them. - **Evidence:** “last time when Akia was here and having this big fight you and the mayor should shut your mic off and Before you start calling people out and talking bad about them” - **Source timestamp:** [01:59:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7148s) ## Proclamations and Recognitions - **Acknowledgement of work by Tom regarding holiday updates** - **Summary:** A speaker thanked Tommy for doing a good job updating information in the meeting. - **Evidence:** “And Don Parker, you do a good job doing that one in the meeting. Thank you, Tommy.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:59:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7193s) ## Follow-ups - **Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone Expansion Request** - **Summary:** The speaker plans to request an expansion of the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone in the coming months. - **Evidence:** “So the partnership administers the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone and I in the few months I will probably be coming before you asking to expand the Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone.” - **Source timestamp:** [24:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=1471s) - **Resolution of Planning Commission membership status** - **Summary:** A request was made for the matter concerning the Planning Commission appointments to be resolved as soon as possible, specifically asking for Joshua Atkinson to be reinstated. - **Evidence:** “I ask that this matter be resolved ASAP and that Joshua Atkinson is put back onto that committee.” - **Source timestamp:** [01:49:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=6563s) - **Ribbon cutting event** - **Summary:** A reminder was given about an upcoming ribbon cutting scheduled for Monday. - **Evidence:** “And Jodi Miller, don't forget that that cutting, cutting the ribbon coming up. Monday.” - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWe7LBsoXF4&t=7201s)