Good evening. Evelyn Ramos, could you please give the invocation this evening?
Good evening. We're going to start out with Philippians 4 6 7. Do not be anxious about
anything but in every situation by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let us
pray. Holy Spirit, we invite your presence into this meeting today. Guard their minds
and Harts, as they discuss important matters, grant them your peace that surpasses understanding,
keeping them focused and productive, guide their conversation and inspire creative solutions.
In your mighty name we pray, amen.
Thank you Evelyn.
Now we'll call this meeting to order, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?
Mayor Miller?
Here.
Alderpersons, Klemm?
Here.
Anderson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy will be marked absent at the moment, Shadle, Sanders, and
Sellers.
And if I would allow a motion to allow Alderman Stacy to remote in.
I'll make the motion.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Any discussion on that motion?
Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. And Sellers? Aye. The motion passes seven to zero. Thank you. If you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Klemm.
Item number one is the approval of the agenda. I have a couple of changes to that. Items five and six are the proclamations and swearing in, which will be done immediately after the approval of the agenda. And also item number 23, the bid recommendation is to go to IHC. Item number 26, which is resolution 2025-60.
Just as a housekeeping rule we normally have all the resolutions put together at one
place but this one is going to be at the end because it's important that we have
the approval of the bids for items number 21 through 24 first.
So with that is there a motion to approve the agenda?
So move.
Second.
So, we have a motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Shadle, any
discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the role.
Is a voice okay for this?
Oh, we are, we are, roll call all night, my apologies. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye.
Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. And Sellers. Aye. The motion passes 8 to 0.
for this proclamation, and you can actually turn towards the camera if you want, okay.
Okay, so American Freedom Days, whereas we as Americans celebrate the 4th of July to
commemorate our Declaration of Independence and the ultimate freedom
of 2 million of our ancestors from the political tyranny of a monarchy, even though over 400,000
of our ancestors remained in physical bondage to some of those so freed.
And whereas June 19th commemorates the time over three quarters of a century later when
over 4 million of our ancestors were finally freed from this physical bondage.
And now therefore, I, Jodi Miller, Mayor of the City of Freeport, do hereby declare the
and the two weeks between June 19th and July 4th as American Freedom Days in Freeport and
invite us all to unite in celebrating our American heritage of liberty as the natural
right of all God's children, all created equal.
On behalf of the Officers, Executive Committee, and members of the Freeport branch of the
NAACP, thank you for proclaiming Juneteenth through Independence Day as American Freedom
Days in Freeport, Illinois.
The NAACP began after a deadly race riot rocked the city of Springfield, Illinois.
and
the
NACP.
NACP is a non-governmental organization that is
based in the state of Illinois.
It is located at Springfield, Illinois, not
Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia, but Springfield, Illinois.
Since that time, the NACP has become the oldest and the
and others.
The Freeport branch was reactivated in February of 2021, and we have promoted scholarships
for deserving high school seniors, a National Day of Racial Healing event, and we often
partner with other organizations that are striving to eliminate racial prejudice and
improve the political, educational, social and economic status of African Americans and
and other minorities.
We inform the community of our existence, our activities, and our events.
We solicit new members to do the work of the various committees, and to emphasize to the
public that the NAACP is open to all who support it.
Again, thank you, and I would like for all members of the NAACP, if you would care to
to Stand. Thank you. Once again, thank you for, thank you for proclaiming the two weeks
between Juneteenth and Independence Day as American Freedom Days in Freeport as we celebrate
the American Heritage of Liberty as the right for all.
Again, thank you.
Thank you.
Mike, where'd we at?
Here.
Come on up.
Thank you for joining me for this proclamation.
Proclamation of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Day,
whereas the youth in our country are hurting
due to the vast amount of peer pressure,
poor options available to them, and more.
And whereas God knows them personally,
He cares and He is constantly reaching out to them,
which leads them to open their ears and hearts.
And whereas the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
is dedicated to reaching the youth where they are,
both spiritually and physically.
And whereas the positivity is presented to the youth
is immeasurable and must be replicated throughout our community.
Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare June 2nd, 2025 as Fellowship of Christian
Athletes Day in the City of Freeport and encourage everyone to learn more about their efforts
and enjoin the cause in uplifting our youth.
I would like to thank you very much.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an international organization that started in 1954 and it combined
the passions of faith and athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
The mission is to lead every coach and athlete to a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ
and his church.
We have no, FCA does not want to replace any churches or any church programs.
There are an additional ministry working alongside of them.
The vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches
and athletes.
Our strategy is three-fold, we call it E3.
Gold, we call it E3, engage, equip, and empower.
To engage, we need to go out and meet new people and make strong relationships with
them, but we need to meet them where they're at, both physically and spiritually.
To equip, we pour on the coaches and athletes scripture, prayers, and community, such as
Bible studies, which are deemed huddles.
To empower, this is achieved by modeling, watching, assisting, and launching.
As the FCA associate models a God-fearing relationship with Christ to the coach and athletes,
when we start to see either the coach or the athletes increase in their relationship with
Christ, we encourage them to go out and model to and speak to other people, but we don't
just send them out, we're right there with them.
So if they have any questions, problems,
we're right there to help.
I did hand out a paperwork there.
Snapshot of FCA's global impact of 2024
is that we have recorded over 53,000 conversions to Christ
and have donated almost 220,000 Bibles.
and that's all with a staff of less than 3,000 people.
My position, I will be representing six plus counties,
Stevenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, and DeKalb.
In those, there's roughly 70 middle schools,
70 high schools, and over 100 colleges
within a hundred and bio radius.
Those are all my responsibility,
but I will be focusing on four high schools
and two colleges to get going.
The FCA is a donor-supported ministry
and relies on the support of generous partners
to impact the world for Jesus Christ through support.
My mission's monthly budget is in my paperwork.
It is roughly $7,150.
All of the inclusions are in there and ask me about any or all of them. It is not a problem.
An individual is not an employee of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes until they are fully funded.
So, if you are for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and my mission, I would be honored to accept your sponsorship.
You can ask me any questions there. All my contact information is on the partner card that I've got.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
I'd like to invite John Kelly up here.
So I would just like to introduce our newest firefighter. This is firefighter John Kelly.
To introduce him, I wrote a few things down because I didn't want to screw it up.
So again, this is John Kelly. He started with us on February 18th, what I like to say a 30-year career.
Immediately after he started, a week and a half later, he was detailed to the Roan Millville Fire Academy,
which he did quite well, won special certificates there.
He graduated from Romoville on May 2nd,
and then he began his assignment on B shift, which is
today's shift, on May 21st. He comes to us now
as a EMT basic and a
basic firefighter operations
level. So, welcome.
Congratulations, John. Just a few words. I'm Commissioner Gridley, and this is Commissioner Bush, and our responsibility on the Commission has a number of duties, but one of the great pleasures that we have is being able to interview and to select great candidates for a fantastic department.
We have an amazing group on our Freeport Fire Department. We should be very proud of each and every one of them.
But also, one of the things that we talk about is, is this the kind of person in our time of need
that we would depend on to help show, save our lives, protect our property, and more important, care for our entire community?
Not only for our own families, but for every citizen in the city of Freeport.
So John, you're standing here today because our confidence is in you and so is your responsibility to uphold that confidence.
So congratulations. It's my pleasure on behalf of the Commission to read your Official Commission.
City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come,
John M. Kelly, having been duly appointed to the position of Firefighter in and for the City of Freeport
Report, in the County of Stevenson and State of Illinois, for the term from the second
day of June 2025 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is
hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office
according to the law and ordinance of said city, and all persons are required to respect
him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the Board and Fire Commission.
Congratulations, John.
Yes, we're going to swear you in, so I'm going to give this to you.
I John Kelly do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of Firefighter according to the best of my abilities.
Okay, we will move on to item number two, which is the approval of the minutes from the May
19th, 2025 meeting.
Is there such a motion?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, would you please take the role?
Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Abstain.
I think she said abstain. Abstain. Shadle? Aye.
Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The minutes are approved 2, 4, 5, to 1, to 1. That can't be right. 2 to 1.
We have a few public comments this evening. Ted Odendahl.
Hi, Ted Odendahl of 1405 South Benson. I'm here to just talk briefly about the ten shared
principles of policing, item 16 on the agenda. I've had an opportunity to come to a number
of the ward meetings. Council people have invited me and I've talked with the public
Crosby, and I think about the 10 shared principles and I'm happy to see it come before the council
this evening.
Now the 10 shared principles have been a part of your police department, our police department
for a number of years, and you may ask, well why are you bringing it to the council and
the police chief signed on to it several years ago and the reason is that at that time I
I don't think anyone was aware of the, anyone in the public was really aware of the ten shared principles and at this time in cooperation of working with the Chief but also working with the public at large we want to bring this forward to say to everyone this is something we all agree to and we're all working together.
and others, and we are all working together on. The police department is holding themselves
accountable by saying we ascribe to these, and we as the public need to hold ourselves
accountable also by saying we ascribe to these. We are all in this together. We all want a
better, safer community, and I think stating and adhering to these ten shared principles
is a good start, is a good groundwork in terms of us doing that.
So I hope that we'll have all of your support and I appreciate that support and the time
that you've given us along the way.
And I should say that this movement or this initiative is coming out of the Criminal Justice
Committee of the NAACP and if you've looked at the Ten Shared Principles, you know that
but those are something that the state NAACP organization developed in conjunction with
the Illinois Chief of Police Association.
So again, thank you for your support, we appreciate it.
This is Diane Yocum.
Good evening, I'm Diane Yocum and I live at 1004 Birchham Drive here in Freeport, Illinois.
I'm here to speak against Agenda Item 11, Ordinance Number 2025-37 and Agenda Item 20,
and
the city of Washington.
Power strikes back when certain truths come to light the city
doesn't want the public to see or know about, though the public
has had lots of questions for a long time that have never had
answers.
Prophetic voices are not appreciated in their own home
towns and power and privilege will do whatever it can to
ujemy, ask them, and use whatever tools they have at their disposal to suppress them.
As on the national level, there are times when resistance becomes the only option, especially
when power wants to maintain its status quo control.
The City made sure of that last week by swearing in an Alderperson behind the scenes before
the Council meeting began.
Tonight's agenda for this Council meeting is noteworthy in that there are ordinance
and I. I am proud to say that we have made some significant
changes coming into play to give more power to the mayor and the
city and lessening some power of the Council Alderpersons.
Steps of punishing retribution are being brought back again by
the city to be considered tonight and voted upon. The fines,
some are being raised. If you have money to pay a fine, it
doesn't touch you as much. If you don't, you are stuck.
and Joseph.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to say a few words about our community.
Our community is a society that is both diversified and
diversified.
It is a society that is divided between the
privileged and the disenfranchised versus the
disenfranchised in our community, a story as old as
time itself.
Also, this administration is seeking to make it
harder to put things on the agenda or to bring certain
items back to the agenda by requiring a majority rather
than the two or three Alderpersons it once needed.
I find these moves to be less democratic and a power grab.
Weaken the populace power so the privileged maintain
and their power and control for the status quo which benefits them.
We know where our local elected State officials stand on their politics.
We are seeing the trickle down now by adherents on the local level before our eyes tonight.
Silence, suppress, enact further measures of retribution in order to control.
Power and control blended with privilege does not always result in just actions.
It does reveal the motivations of those behind these moves. It is for the benefit of those
who want to maintain their power, control, and privilege over others in the community.
It comes across as trying to suppress voices they don't like and finding ways to punish
them even more. We the public have noticed who has been allowed to get away with certain
actions and behaviors and who hasn't. Therefore, I ask you to vote no on the resolution and
to consider changes to the ordnance.
Kelvin McElwain.
Hi, I'm Kelvin McElwain.
I live at 515 West Moseley Street.
In the mini series Band of Brothers,
there was a scene where a man at a lower rank
was not going to salute a man at a higher rank
because they had bad prior history.
The major told him, you salute the rank, not the man.
That message is crystal clear.
Regardless of how you feel about the person,
you respect and honor the rank and act accordingly
for the sake of preserving order in the military.
The same is true about each and one of these council seats.
Regardless of how you feel about who sits in a seat
For what they are doing, there are certain duties and rights that seat has that can't
be obstructed because we need to protect the democratic process of this city council.
Each person in these seats was elected by the people of that ward to represent them
on this council.
The purpose of each seat is to bring issues and concerns to the council floor for awareness,
discussion, or action.
The items they bring to the council may be specific to their ward, another part of the
city, or city-wide issues.
The proposed ordinance that changes the requirement for requiring at least two Alderpersons to
place an item on the agenda and changing that to where you need a majority of the City Council's
approval to place an item on the agenda will damage the integrity of the democratic process
for the Freeport City Council, just like not saluting the rank of a person you don't like
Mike damages the order needed for our military to function properly.
This ordinance, if passed, would prevent anyone sitting in the council seat today, a year
from now, five years from now, or ten years from now, to bring items to the council floor
that the people who elected them want to be addressed by the city council.
A majority requirement is a very high bar to just bring something to the council floor
Moore as an agenda item. If the majority doesn't want to even talk about an issue, it won't
make it to the floor. That issue won't even see the light of day. This ordinance will only
serve to silence the citizens of Freeport residents by silencing their elected Alderperson.
And that's just not right. That's not democratic. I have served on this city council, the Freeport
School District Board, multiple boards of directors for local organizations, and I have
have never, never been part of an organization that required a majority of the group's approval
to put an item on the meeting agenda.
This requirement doesn't even exist in our United States Congress nor any of our state
legislators so why would our city council want to operate this way?
I'm asking each Alderperson to vote no on that part of the ordinance.
At the end of the day, your no vote may benefit you because you may want to bring an issue
to the agenda.
Kasey Jacobs-Anthony, 1441 South Plum Avenue, Freeport,
and
I'm going to talk about the two minute time limit on speaking for council members.
Coming from being a representative formerly of the County Board, it would be very
difficult to be able to present information in two minutes to be able to
get your point across. Now, I understand the need for efficiency that happens
within the council and each council member has an obligation to do their
and so on.
I'm going to talk to the City Manager to get everything clarified so that when they come
here they can present their findings, present their research and express their opinion.
You simply cannot do that in two minutes.
Robert's Rules of Order, which governs and kind of guides these types of bodies on how
to run an efficient, effective government, says it should be ten minutes, not two.
So I ask that you reconsider that time limit within that particular piece of that ordinance.
Moving on to number 20 with the censure. There have been many times over the past year that
things have happened within this building during these meetings that would warrant behavior
that would be considered something that you could call for censure for. Language, disrespect,
so much so that, you know, people outside of this community talk about the lack of decorum
that exists within these chairs. I'm just concerned that it's just being done now. When
When people have brought it up before, community members have come and asked for things to
be done about the behavior that's occurred on this council.
They were told that there's nothing that this council could do.
And now it's apparent that they were aware that censure does exist and that it can be
brought forth, but they're choosing to bring it up now.
and others.
We're choosing to bring it up now, which then brings up the question, why now and why not
against other certain members of the council that exhibited abhorrent behavior.
So I ask that you just consider that when moving forward with this.
You're going to censure some members of this body, then you need to do it equally and across
the board.
Thank you.
Barbra Vines, if you don't have something on the agenda itself, then you have to wait
till the end.
And Rachel?
Hi everyone.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Rachel Simmons.
At this time, I'm speaking both duly as a citizen, excuse me, and a council member.
So what I have to say applies to item 11 and item 20.
I will first start with item 20 by saying you have nowhere on record of me saying that I had any intent to disrupt any meeting
and no actions of mine disrupted that meeting.
So that's all I have on that.
and that. Now as far as Item 11, it's so ironic that we just declared Freedom Day against
tyranny. Just did that at the beginning of this meeting. However, with the changes in
this ordinance, Alderpersons defined will be changed from a maximum of $100 to $250
if we speak more than two minutes or more than twice on any issue. All the authority
has been given to Alderpersons in the city ordinance is now replaced with the
wording of City Council and Alderpersons has been crossed out. So Alderpersons
will no longer also serve as chair for Committee of the Whole meetings as we
have all taken turns using doing that responsibility. In addition parents are
sorry this prevents Alderpersons from placing items on the agenda without the
consent of the majority of everyone. So if you have something that you want to
B. Bass, Greg and his family and all his friends.
We want to make sure that the
information that we bring is an issue to your community. You
can not bring that unless we all agree to it. Why would we be so
scared to have a discussion? You can vote no if you disagree.
Voting concerning the approval of budgets no longer requires a
majority vote of the Alderpersons, the council, the
people put in charge, the ones that are supposed to employ Mr.
Boyer and the other department heads. We have a small say so
has been removed. There has been no rewording. It has just been removed. All of this has
been noted under the premise of Home Rule. We can do this because we have Home Rule.
I must express my concerns regarding these proposed changes. The shift in authority appears
to be an abuse of power, effectively granting the Mayor and City Manager ultimate control
over our city's governance. Alderpersons are intended to be the voice of the people,
Yet this ordinance would not only silence them, but also strip away any checks on the actions of the City Manager and Mayor.
If approved, this would mean that the City Manager would answer solely to the Mayor, leaving the voices of the community unheard.
It raises serious questions about the purpose of having Alderpersons if their authority is diminished in such a significant way.
It is truly disheartening to witness a Council that seems more inclined to silencing dissenting opinions rather than engage in constructive dialogue.
The ability to listen to opposing viewpoints and reach compromises is essential for the betterment of our city.
I'm generally appalled at the thought of supporting an ordinance that would mute the input and diminish the importance of the Alderpersons in the representation of the people.
and Michael. Larry, Larry, if you have something you want to say as general, you have to wait
to the end. Okay. Okay, then that concludes public comments. We move on to item number
and
the
agenda.
Is it an agenda item? Which one?
Is removed? Yes. So that way we can read it and be ready. So if you'd like to speak on a topic on agenda items, which
On Topic on agenda items, which number? Which one?
Okay.
My name is Wendy Pierson. I live at
1323 South Chicago Avenue here in Freeport, Illinois.
As far as the agenda item number 11.
our city council has certain members of this city council have lost their minds when you try to limit
the voices of the people by way of their older person the disrespect that flows through this
council by certain council members i would like to address as well i will not shut up
and I will not leave and the only time that I will shut up is when you and
anybody else in this town can say that they are a national award winner, they're
a presidential award winner, they've shut down drug houses, they've helped bring
the Boys and Girls Club back into futation. When anybody in this town can
say those things to me, that's when I'll shut up. Disrespectful, cowardly, because
is the entire time I stood there you were turning around smiling and winking and then you get up after I get off you wait till I'm walking out the door and you tell me to shut up and to leave it's pretty obvious that some of you are so silly and stupid in some ways that you don't have sense enough to turn the mics off when you're saying disrespectful things to people who have paid taxes in this town for over 20 years and two houses we know your history we know how
you got in the seat that you sat in when you were the Chief of Police.
The same crap that was going on then is going on now.
You know for a fact and we know for a fact that the Chief of Police at that period of
time should have been Mr. Lenore, your trainer, the person that trained you to do this job.
So don't go there with us because we're not going to shut up.
We're not going to stop.
We're going to continue to fight.
We're going to continue to fight for our rights to be able to speak up here for longer than
2 Minutes for our Alderpersons to be able to speak more than two times without having
a vote from each and every one of you to tell them they can speak again.
When they were elected into that seat, they were elected to represent those of us in the
wards that put them there.
And when some of them stood outside that door, you can believe that some of us were standing
outside that door too.
So if you think for a second that they don't have people that are respectful towards them
and that is willing to fight.
You got another thing coming.
As far as 20 is concerned,
you guys know it's a bunch of crap.
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 approving
to receive and place on file the board and commission minutes
from the Police Pension Board, December 30th, 2024, January 29th, 2025, Historic Preservation
Commission, May 21st, 2024, and April 15th, 2025, Fire Pension Board, January 29th, 2025,
the Board of Fire and Police Commission, April 22nd, 2025, also reports from the Police Department,
Cash & Investment, and Finance Department for April 2025, the Greater Freeport Partnerships
Schultz.
The Resolution of 2025-57, which requests temporary closure for streets for the Teddy
Baker Fest Parade dated July 13, 2025, approval of the finance bills payable in the total
of $2,585.78 and payroll for a pay period ending May 17, 2025, in the total of $665,616.82
82 cents. Is there a motion to approve? Second. A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by
Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye.
Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The motion passes 6 to 2.
DeWine. Item number seven is Appointments. When you're caught up, can you read those?
Vesta Jean Bush to the Housing Authority effective through October 31st,
2028 and Bobby Yount to the Housing Authority effective through October 31st, 2030.
Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second.
The motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the Appointments?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.
Stacy?
Alderperson, Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. And Sellers? Aye. The motion passes 8-0. Item number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-34. Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Part 10, Streets, Utilities, and Public Services Code, Title 4, Utilities, Chapter 1046, Sewers Generally, Section 1046.10, Specific Local Discharge Limits of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Freeport.
Thank you. Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Every four years or so, the city renews our national discharge permit.
During the process we do what's called stream streamline calculations to determine the what's allowed that industry can convey to the wastewater treatment plant. This is based on flow. It's based on the chemical or the constituents involved. This year we're in the process of renewing our NPD as permit.
and the city. The EPA requires that our local limits are viewed by the City Council and approved.
We have some adjustments here all well within the range of normal activity and staff recommends a
suspension of the rules and to approve the local limits, the new local limits. Is there a motion
to move this ordinance forward? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded
by Alderman Shadle. Discussion? Yes. Alderman Sanders? Yes. I have concern about the way
that we are receiving any notification or information, documentations on the IEPA approval
or recommendations when it comes to the water waste treatment plants and any other kind
of Illinois statues.
What I'm having concerns with is that none of the material that is being brought up in
these agendas does not give you full detail.
I know we got it written in there, but it's limited and it's only discretionary whenever
and others.
So, I'm trying to find out whether important information from the IEPA is trying, has already
declared what the policies and statutes are, but I'm trying to find out because of the
fact that we're not sitting here reading what it is that has been handed down to us from
the IEPA.
that material has not made it to our council for discussion and to elaborate on what they're
suggesting or recommendation that we as a city, municipality should follow.
and so since we do not have that, it's hard for us to make a good, sound, conscious decision
on recommending or voting on any of the things that is being reported on the agenda.
So if we're limited to the information that probably sits at the EPA, then we are ignorant
to what's really going on with the city, not reporting certain details about what the EPA
is really recommending and the statutes that we have to follow as a community.
and so that's my concern and that's what I wanted to bring up is the fact that when these kinds of things come into play that we are properly notified and that the community is in tune with what is the reason why we're making these conscious decisions about why we're voting for certain things that we're not certain about simply because city managers, mayors or whoever, public works or whatever, getting information
Allison, and
Mary.
I just want them to be, I just want things to be promptly notified and put on notice
that the citizens of Freeport understands what it is that you do and that we do as a
council so they will be more educated into whatever is going on within their city and
and I don't care what it is, we can't leave detailed information out because it could be
very pertinent or very detrimental to the health of the people of the City of Freeport.
I'm just conscious about that and I just wanted to bring that out and I understand what our
public relations with our general public has a lot of concerns.
Well, certain areas of what should be really important to us has not been addressed.
And I feel that we need more disclosure, we need to bring it out more and elaborate it.
I'm looking for this to come from my city manager, my public directors and people of
that nature, firms, lawyers or whoever the case is, nothing is to be suppressed from
from the general public and I feel that sometimes we're not being forthcoming.
That's my take on that.
To reiterate what City Manager said, this is nothing to do with the EPA limits.
This is our internal city limits of what we can accept for waste to our treatment plant.
It's called the Mass Balance Equation.
And our lab technician and chief lab manager
did these equations and got them approved by EPA
prior to coming to council to revise our local limits.
So we've had some industry changes.
We've had some flow changes at the plant
that are allowing us to accept more waste
in certain categories to our system,
which is sometimes helpful to the wastewater treatment
and the City of Freiburg as well, so these are just local changes, has nothing to do with changing our limits with EPA or outfall to the stream or anything, it's just internal waste that the City of Freiburg can take in at the plant, giving our commercial accounts, our industrial accounts a little bit less that they have to treat to at their place because our plant can handle it, and this is evaluated every five years and adjusted every five years, people that have been sitting here have seen us do this before.
Are there any other public comments? I'm sorry, any other comments from from the
council? Alderman Parker? Motion to suspend the rules. Second. We have a motion to
suspend the rules made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Suspension
of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk,
could you please take the roll? Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.
Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The suspension passes eight to zero. So now
before you is the final passage for this ordinance. Any further discussion? Madam
Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle,
Sanders and Sellers aye and the ordinance is adopted 8 to 0 item number 9 is the
first reading of ordinance 2025 35 could you please read this ordinance
authorizing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency public water supply
loan program and loan agreement for well number 12 entire four projects including
construction project bid costs and all engineering costs thank you manager
where thank your honor as everyone here is quite aware we've been working on
Well 12 which is the last piece to our renovation of our source water capacity.
The City of Freeport recently had a bid opening for phase four or four phases of
well 12 water improvement project. The EPA public water loan program requires a
current City of Freeport authorizing debt ordinance for the water project
funding. This is part of every IEPA funding project regardless of whether the
and
the
IEPA project management is requesting a well 12 project authorizing debt ordinance to be passed for this four-phase project.
The IEPA requires this ordinance as part of the project every state revolving fund or SRF loan process.
Follon process. The staff is also asking for the suspension of the rules on this item tonight
to expedite this to the EPA as we currently have $13.2 million in outside grant and outside
funding for this project. The city requires this construction project to be completed
in order to abandon our current Brick Street plant and an eventual demo of that plant where
The water facility will be permanently closed down due to the fact that it has perfluorinated
compounds.
This project is funded through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving
Fund.
C. State Revolving Fund, and this would be based on user rates with current $13.2 million
in forgivable loans and congressionally directed spending to the city.
So staff recommends council pass the debt ordinance so the city can issue the loan.
The total for the debt ordinance is $32 million, which is the total cost of the project is
coming in about $28 million, and so this $32 million is to create a small buffer in case
There's some unexpected aspects related to construction. So staff asks council to move forward with this dead ordinance
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? It's all moved. Second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the ordinance?
Alderman Parker? No, just motion to suspend the rules.
Second.
Motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Again,
and two-thirds majority and non-debatable.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the role in the suspension?
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
No.
And Sellers?
Aye.
We do have two-thirds, six to two.
So now before you as the final passage of this ordinance,
any further discussion?
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.
The ordinance passes 6-2.
Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-36, could you please read this?
S. Amending Chapter 1060, Waste and Recycling Collection and Disposal, Section 1060.04 regarding
garbage fees.
Thank you.
Director Richter.
Thank you, Your Honor.
A little bit of background before I start into the memo, if you remember last year we made
an adjustment to the garbage rate.
We actually kept it the same.
We chose to not increase it, and so we had to change the ordinance last year.
So this is building on to what happened last year.
So the City's Health and Environment Fund accounts for the revenue and expenses related
to garbage collection and recycling programs.
The revenues from residents are deposited to the fund and the expense for garbage pickup
is paid to the hauler from this fund.
As the fund is considered an enterprise fund, it is run like a business with fees coming
in to cover expenses.
City Ordinance 1060.04 details the amount charged to residents per month for garbage
and recycling pickup.
In 2024, City Council voted to suspend the annual increase to residents that would have
taken effect on July 1st of last year, 2024, due to the fund accruing a positive balance.
So this year the fund has sufficient reserves to warrant adjustment to the rate schedule.
The monthly rate charged to residents includes the hauler expense, bad debt expense, billing
and collection services, and the refresh free port expenses.
So what we're, there's, and there's a chart on the memo of what I'm proposing to change
the rates to.
The rates, just a little bit more background, when the rates were established five years
ago when we signed the new garbage rate agreement, all 10 years were put into ordinance. So last
year, what I have to do, last year since we changed, we held the line last year and did
not change it, I would like to do similar and keep the rates a little bit lower than
and what's in the ordinance.
And if you would like me to read them off,
I mean, we're gonna reduce the rate by $3
that would be in effect July 1st of 2025.
We would reduce the rate $1.75 for 2026, $1.59 for 2027,
and then $1.84 reduction from what the ordinance has.
Davis, and so that will allow the fund balance to come down from where it is to a level of
three months expenses in reserve.
Thank you.
Is there a motion to move this forward?
So moved.
I second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the ordinance?
Yes.
Alderman Sanders?
Alderman, Sanders?
Would that also make the improvements to the water increase, if there has anything been
modified as far as the water increase is concerned, or has it been addressed if we're going to
do the same reduction rates with garbage and other utility rates, are we doing the same
thing with water. Director Richter. This only has to do with garbage rates. Yeah I
understand that. No I'm not proposing any changes with how the water structure is.
Okay so so can I ask where did the water rates come from and who asserted it in
imposed it who brought this water rate increase into our our utility services
and
who put this into play. I just want to know who authorized the increase of the
Attorney Zito would like to say something. Well, I'm talking. Yeah, I know, but he wants to talk about what you're talking about.
Well, he just can't be talking about what you're talking about.
Well, Alderman Sanders, because I need to get you on topic. The agenda item is only about garbage rates. You're asking about water rates.
So the ordinance is just about lowering the garbage rates and nothing to do with water.
Potter. So that's the only reason why I'm kind of reminding you to stay on topic.
Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, we'll move on to item number 11, which is
the first reading of Ordinance 2025-37. Could you please read this?
Ordinance amending Chapter 220, Council, Section 220-10, Rules of Council, and Section 220-11,
Council Committees. Thank you. Attorney Zito.
Thank you, Your Honor.
So City of Freeport Court of Ordinance Section 220.10 and 220.11 provide for various rules
that govern how the City Council and its various committees' meetings are conducted.
These rules include but are not limited to how meetings are called, establishment of
a quorum, procedures for placing items on agenda, frequency of speaking, decorum at
meetings, and then penalties for violating any of these rules.
The ordinance before the City Council for consideration proposes changes to Section
2, 20.10, and 2, 20.11 in an effort to increase efficiency in meetings, clarify ambiguities
that exist in the existing language, and then set forth procedures for having items placed
on the agenda.
In pertinent part, the changes, or in key parts, the changes include that the Mayor,
the City Manager, or a majority of the City Council can cancel a meeting, that the Mayor,
City Manager, or majority of the City Council may call a special meeting of the City Council,
3. That quorum would be established based on a majority of the City Council. City Council is defined as the Alderpersons plus the Mayor.
This section is being proposed to be amended also to provide for a $100 fine upon conviction of City Council members who are willfully absent without reasonable reason for such absence.
and
John.
And then the last item is the
ordinance. The further this section also goes on to provide an example that
purposely missing a meeting to try to obstruct the conduct of city business is not considered to be a reasonable reason for being absent.
Fourth, currently the rules provide that each member can speak twice on an agenda item, but that by unanimous vote of the council, a member can speak more than twice.
that you no longer would need a unanimous vote of the council to speak an additional time.
It would just be a majority vote to allow for that additional time.
Finally, the proposed change to this section would limit each turn
that a council member is allowed to speak to two minutes in time.
However, the two minutes can be extended then by a majority vote of the council
to allow for additional time to speak.
Throughout the entirety of Section 220-10, where there are vote requirements specified,
It's been clarified that a vote is to be determined based on the membership in the City Council, i.e. the Alderpersons plus the Mayor.
Regarding the Quorum at meetings, a proposed change in this ordinance is that any person who's deemed to be out of order or violating the rules of council twice can be removed by the police chief or their designee.
Regarding penalties for violating rules, this provides a $250 fine for any member who is convicted of violating the council rules.
A new rule is being proposed to govern meeting agendas. Items can be added to the agenda by the Mayor, City Manager, or majority of the Alderpersons.
And then it also provides that items can be removed by the persons who requested that the item be placed on the agenda originally.
originally. Another new rule being proposed governs City Council requests of City staff.
This proposed change provides that members of the City Council can make reasonable informational
Request to City Staff or Contracted Staff.
and
John.
And that if a request requires staff to compile information, that staff will be given at least five business days to compile the information.
It further provides that the City Manager has the right to extend this five business day timeframe, taking into consideration items like workload, illness or vacation of staff members.
The ordinance also makes a change to Section 220-11 regarding the various committees of the City Council to reflect that committee meetings can be called by the Mayor, City Manager, or majority of the City Council.
It further provides that the agenda items can be removed by the person who requested the items be placed on the agenda originally.
And finally, Section 220-11 is amended to remove the provisions of the Social Justice Committee as the committee was originally intended to be a temporary committee.
Committee. There's no financial impact to the city budget related to these proposed ordinance
changes. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance and this ordinance is in line with
the strategic plan based off responsive, efficient government.
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?
So moved. Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the
Ordinance. Yes. Alderman, Sellers. Yes. Could I get a better understanding of number eight that you just, you just read, please, please?
Regarding, so section, you're talking about section eight of the item, or number eight of the ordinance. Of the ordinance, please.
Regarding quorum, I'm sorry, or?
A new rule of council is being proposed to be added to governor. What?
Oh memo number
210 29 got it
One second
So the proposed change would basically say that for agenda items, that agenda items for the City Council meeting or any committee meetings can be added at the request of the Mayor, the City Manager, or a majority of the Alderpersons can add an agenda item to the agenda.
Owens, David, and Michael.
So I want to invite all of you to come to the meeting.
You are now proposing yourself, injecting yourself into the
government structure as the attorney or the mayor.
You guys cannot just assume that we would go along with that
part of the item simply because you want to impose that on the
or want to have the right to assert yourself in the censorship of the governing body of the council.
In other words, you were not elected to do these kinds of things for governing the city of Freeport.
It was the aldermen, it's the district people.
That is, the people of the city of Freeport are the ones who are making these decisions,
but it's not left up to the mayor nor is it left up to the city manager or the attorney,
Zito or Aaron as you might call it because that is not what this is stipulating and when
you bring it out like that, people don't have a full understanding of your motivational
and many more.
Thank you.
My councilmen who are reading this can see right through what is happening. I know that's hard to do, but the point of the matter is we have to be, I don't want to go there, but anyway, we need to look at this with clear eyes and clear understanding and have a better conscious mind of who we're allowing
to come in and just throw things around at their discretion or who wants to impose their viewpoints and opinions up on the council
to make certain decisions for the citizens of Freeport.
I think it's an injustice that you are doing these kinds of things and trying to blow it right through the council
and impose an ordinance up on the citizens and the council suppressing them
from doing whatever it is that this ordinance is trying to annihilate them from doing.
So my thing is, why are we even entertaining item eight?
We shouldn't even be sitting here contemplating about something that is happening that has not happened yet.
But it's almost as if people are asserting themselves
and I have great concerns that the citizens of Freeport would also look at that with another view lens to make sure that we are on board with all of the things that the citizens of the city of Freeport is describing to us when they make their complaints.
So I just wanted to bring that out because I just want this Council to make a form and education, educated decision when voting on things of this nature without having not scrutinized any of the things that are being imposed at this point in time, especially item 8.
There's probably others in there, but the thing about it is we need to look at that with a stronger view lens.
I would just like to say with number eight right now at this time I know that I would have to say no right now because we have such a new council you know even though you know I've only you know most of us only either two two years or or Linda just coming in majority with you know having you know ideas and different things that we might think of at the last minute I do understand
I understand some of the frustration that we get with too many things on the agenda, but
I do think that not having a majority, but the two people being able to bring up ideas
they might get, you know, just learning the whole process and how things work.
So that's what my point of view is right now.
Klemm. Sure. Attorney Zito, would you politely tell us, when the city voted in the City Manager, just exactly how city government works, who's in charge of who, who does what, whose job is what, so on and so forth?
you guys make the legislative decisions, you guys make policy decisions, so like you guys
adopt ordinances, you guys choose, just like this ordinance is being brought before you
to either vote yes or no on or to vote to make changes to this draft ordinance, that
is the council's role now in the city manager form of government.
The city manager's role then is to carry out the day-to-day operations of the city.
the City Manager is in charge of dealing with all the employees, making all the hirings
and firings and disciplines of all the employees and making recommendations to the City Council
as to how best to accomplish the goals, the policy goals that the Council then sets as
a legislative body.
So you guys say, for example, I want you to go left, get me the left, whatever that is,
then it's up to the City Manager's discretion on how he chooses or she chooses to get you
left there.
So the day-to-day isn't the purview of the council, it's just that you guys would set
the overarching policy there, does that kind of add a high level without getting too far
off topic?
Thank you.
Alderman Simmons.
Thank you.
So I will just say this, I definitely look forward to further discussions on how we can
Apolian, Texas,
We have discussions on how we can uphold the integrity of our council and better serve our community without tying the hands of our elected officials.
And with that being said, I would like to make a motion to table this indefinitely.
Is there a second?
Motion fails for a lack of a second.
Did you ask who?
I asked was there a second and no one said anything.
She made a motion to table indefinitely. Is there a second? Yes, I second. I said second. Okay, so we have a motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sanders, to table this indefinitely.
Discussion? Alderman Sellers.
So when you say just table it indefinitely, you don't want to talk about it anymore. We can talk about to just try to
No, it means it's done.
Oh, okay.
I mean go by what we already have on ordinance.
Well, if there's no further discussion, we'll take the vote on tabling indefinitely.
Klemm?
No.
Johnson?
No.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
Aye. Shadle? No. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? I say no. One, two, three in favor of tabling, it has failed. Of course it would.
And so next, if there's no further discussion, Alderman Johnson, I'm sorry.
Yeah, just on number eight, I would like to see it amended to say that it can go back to the two Alderpersons, but with that also, with whatever's put on for discussion, I would like to see a memorandum put on by those that put something up for discussion, so as to the purpose of what we're discussing and why we're discussing it.
Was that a motion or just a discussion point?
That's a motion.
Okay, so we have a motion made by Alderman Johnson to amend section 13, item number 29 to remove the word majority and add the word to Alderpersons and accompanying the agenda item must also be a memo.
Right. Second.
So we have a motion made by Johnson, seconded by Sellers. Discussion on that portion of the amendment.
Alderman Simmons. I just have a question for Attorneys Ito. So once these
amendments are made, it'll come back to council. We're voting on sending it back
to be amended to then come back for a vote, correct? So if this proposed
amendment passes, then because there was a motion to move it forward to for
second reading, they're in between now and second reading. I'll make that
Now, would be just on the amendment motion.
However, it would still move this ordinance to second reading.
Right, it's already been moved to second reading.
Right, it already has by Alderman, Shadle, and Klemm.
Right, so they moved it forward.
And now Alderman Johnson's proposing
to make an amendment to it.
And so if the amendment passes, then it
would move forward as amended.
Two people.
Do you have a question on the amendment?
I have a question about the whole proposition but it's still part of the subject and my question is
who brought this to the council? I need someone to declare this particular
ordinance or this particular adoption or who proposed it? Who brought it to the council
for us to even be sitting here to even contemplate voting on this thing and not only that, having
amendments done with it. Who brought this to us in order for us to do so? And I like to know who authorized it
to make that proposal known unto the council. Let's stay on track. This amendment is what we're
talking about. That has nothing to do with the amendment. So do you understand what the amendment
I know what the amendment means.
Yeah, I just wanted to know who brought this whole apparatus.
That has nothing to do with the amendment.
Yeah, I know. But my point is, it's out of order.
Is there any other further discussion on the amendment?
Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the amendment only?
Well, don't do that yet.
Did you have another question?
I have another motion.
Another amendment.
Well, if you have a different motion, like, do you want to amend her motion or is it a completely different motion?
Completely different motion.
Okay, so then we have to finish this motion and then you can make another motion.
I thought any motion took over the motion in order.
It depends on the hierarchy of the ladder there. So we're in the pending motion right now. You can amend this motion.
That's fine. But if you're making a completely separate motion,
there's nothing to do with the motion that Alderman Johnson made like you don't want to tweak her motion or or postpone indefinitely her motion or whatever it is there then you have to wait we have to address this motion first okay well i'll tweak her motion i'll tweak her motion to have the proposed changes put in there and then it be brought back to the cal for discussion before our second reading so it is it's so so it's not that so basically she made a motion to make that particular change to to alderman uh
plus a memo, right?
You're asking to lay that motion over right now
for further discussion to another meeting.
I'm asking once those changes are made,
it is brought to the COW for discussion.
Oh, once...
You're saying we go right in the second reading,
which we'll put it on our next regular meeting
to be then voted on to pass.
Correct.
So if this motion passes,
then you can make a motion to refer it back to COW then,
if you want to talk about it more.
Let's deal with just the amended motion first.
It has, a COW discussion has nothing to do
with the amendment.
But it would if the amendment
or what is I'm asking to be discussed at.
So the amendment though, right now,
if you're gonna amend her motion,
it would be to amend like the verbiage of her motion.
You wanna send her motion for further as presented
if it's approved for further discussion.
But at that point, it really, you already voted on it.
Right now, you'd be voting to say, yes, we agree with the language that she's proposing.
So if you want to talk about the proposed language more, then you would just motion to table this
to the next count to discuss Alderman Johnson's language more before you even vote on it.
That will work, because then we can change at as for amendments as well.
Right, so if you want to make a motion, it would be improper to lay her amendment motion. You can make a motion to lay it over to the next COW. That would be a proper motion.
If that's how we have to go about it, that's what I would like to do.
So you only want the amendment on the COW? Is that what you're saying?
Yep, because there may be other amendments.
Along with the entire thing?
Yep, there may be other amendments we want to add in addition to hers.
yeah but if it don't we have to vote on the amendment in order to move that
forward no so Oldham & Johnson's made a motion to make an amendment that can be
tabled for further discussion to like that can be tabled to another meeting or
laid over to excuse me to another meeting for further discussion to not
have to vote on the proposed amendment tonight to take it to hypothetically a
cow to have further discussion on it I'm just the amendment correct just the
and
Dixie.
That's a proper order. That would be a motion that could be
allowed.
But that motion needs, that motion to lay this, the amendment
over for further discussion needs a second and it needs to be
approved by the council.
Okay. So we have a motion made by Alderman Simmons to lay the
amendment of Alderman Johnson's to the cow. Is there a second
We have a second by Alderman Sanders.
So before you, Council, is just this piece of it
of the amendment moving to the cow.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Yes.
Johnson?
No.
Simmons?
Yes.
Parker?
No.
Stacy?
Yes.
Shadle?
No.
Sanders?
Yes.
Sellers?
Yes.
the motion passes five to three
okay so just for clarity the only thing that is
and John.
And just for clarity, the only thing that is on the Committee of the Whole next week
is this amendment that was just made.
And the second reading for the entire ordinance is on for the 16th.
Correct.
Okay.
So let's move on to item number 12, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-38.
Could you please read this?
Approving Hanger Leases, we have K-10 with Lynn Peace and M-10 with Timothy Graydon.
Manager Boyer. Thank Your Honor. Again, we're wrapping up with the final new
leases, so we've received K-10 and M-10. Staff is requesting a suspension of the
rules and approval of this ordinance. Is there a motion to move this ordinance
forward so move motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Klemm to
move this ordinance forward any discussion on the ordinance request for
suspension of the rules so move the motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded
by Alderman Sellers for suspension of the rules that good and suspension is
non-debatable must pass by two-thirds madam clerk could you please take the
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Alderperson, Stacy, are you still with us?
How do you vote on the suspension of rules for the hanger leases?
I'll come back to you, Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
Is Absent and Sellers?
Aye.
Alderperson, Stacy, do you have a vote?
Can you tell me what we are voting on for whatever reason the phone went dead and I
had to call back in?
We have two hanger leases. And Mayor Miller, I apologize, I missed the motion in the second.
Is that also Klemm and Sellers? Yes. Yes. And then we had suspension of the rules, motion
made by Klemm and Sellers. What say you? Five. Thank you. The suspension pass is seven to
zero. I don't ever count the absence. All right, so now before you counsel is the final
passage of this ordinance on the hangar leases. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please
take the roll. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye.
Sellers. Aye. And the ordinance passes 7 to 0. Item number 13 is the adoption of
resolution 2025-58. Could you please read this? Resolution approving ADA
transition plan. The word plan should have been in there. My apologies. Thank you.
Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The federal and state governments brought
significantly more focus to the ADA access and mobility challenges for
residents in populated communities. The Illinois Department of Transportation,
I-DOT notified the city staff in the fall of 23 that a citywide ADA assessment, grievance
policy, and transition plan is required for all local public authorities with more than
50 employees in the state of Illinois.
This ADA transition plan will be collaborative with future motor fuel tax funding along with
ADA intersection ramp upgrades that are required as part of all street project construction.
A.D.A. assessments were completed by the Licensed Engineer, knowledgeable in A.D.A. compliance codes and PROAG requirements.
Final assessment and planning documents are created to be transparent to all residents and shall be kept as a living document on the city website
with annual updates as construction work is completed.
The City of Freeport A.D.A. assessment transition plan studies have been completed in a draft form for council approval.
The mandatory public hearing was held on May 30th, 2025 at 5pm.
Comments from the meeting were summarized.
At this time, we are requesting City Council adopt this 88 Assessment and Transition Plan
so we may move forward with selecting a grievance and advisory committee.
Once the plan is adopted, staff will also file the plan with IDOT as part of our MFT funding requirements
and the City receives $1.1 million in MFT from IDOT annually.
At this time, there is no financial aspect to be concerned about except how the adoption
of this plan will require a budget item in 2026 for potential ADA grievance, construction
repairs.
Other street ADA ramp replacements will be addressed one by one as street reconstructions
are taking place on the annual street program per federal and state funding requirements
and staff requests approval of this plan.
Is there a motion to adopt?
I'll move, second.
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.
Discussion? Darren?
Yeah, I just wanted to let everybody know I left a complete plan.
It's about 300 pages on each of your desks.
It's also linked to the city's website so anybody can view it.
As part of the process, the living document that we talked about is hyperlinked to the city's homepage.
Page. Anybody can view it. It's under the resources tab. Every ramp in town was
inventoried. There's red dots, green dots, yellow dots. They're all in significant
importance. You can click on them and they'll give you a complete inventory of
every ramp, 20 parameters that we calculated on each one. So it's very
complete. Just a quick summary. I believe we have about 75% of our ADA ramps
and the rest of us right now are not compliant which we knew and over a 25 year plan of replacements based on the IDOT standard process they're probably going to be close to $38 million in replacements that have to be done as we do our roadways the biggest part of this plan or the most important I think because we all know that we have to replace the ramps and bring them up to standards is that we're creating a committee that will be a grievance policy
can go to the website, there'll be a grievance form placed after it's adopted. Anybody can make a grievance, those grievances will go to the committee for evaluation and recommendation to the council for repair.
And since this is like a mid-year approval, the budget would not take place until the next fiscal budget cycle.
Thank you. Alderman Sanders.
Yeah, based on what your report is, do that include residents when improving the sidewalk, well, the ADA ramps cannot be conformed unless there's adjacent sidewalks, am I correct?
And are we, do we have a plan to address those issues within the community itself?
so that's in that's kind of in the plan Alderman Sanders the city owns the ADA
ramp corners the property owners due to our ordinances actually own the sidewalks
okay so instead of us if we redo a complete reconstruction of an area we
would try to attempt right away to right away doing new sidewalks it's almost
cost-prohibitive at this time to be able to do that because we have so many
and
John.
We have a sidewalk program annually that residents can apply for and there's a rate that's established every year and so much dollar that's put there that anybody can apply for and it goes through public works and once that's, we reserve so much in the budget and once that's spent for the year, then the person can go on the next year's line and that's what we offer up for sidewalk replacements for homeowners.
I'm sorry. Go ahead. Are we promoting the opportunities to homeowners where they're able to sign up for additional improvements within their residency?
So we have lots of people that have taken advantage of it. The key is, is they have to build the sidewalk to pro ag standards in order to receive the reimbursement, which is our code.
So if they attempt to not bring their sidewalk up to city code or pro-ag standards, then they don't get any reimbursements.
So that means that what department area consults with you about it?
Public Works helps with them, yeah. Between myself and the street superintendent and the ladies down at Public Work, we manage the program, we inspect the program.
and we do it on a case-by-case basis. If they apply, we meet with them, discuss the regulations
to do it and, you know, give them actually specs that they have to live to and then we inspect it
before they pour it, after they pour it before and then we authorize the money reimbursement.
Okay, thanks. Is there any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson?
Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. And Sellers? Aye. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0. Item number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-59. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an intergovernmental
Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois Department of Transportation, or IDOT, regarding street maintenance.
Thank you. Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport has a 10-year maintenance agreement with IDOT Corridors to maintain West Street, South Street, Galena, in terms of painting and some minor maintenance.
The city is paid annually for street service provided by our staff, Angelina Southwest and Clark Douglas
in Route 75. The current contract expires June 30th.
IDOT has presented a report with a new maintenance contract from June 25, 2025 to June 30, 2035.
This 10-year agreement is for $1,040,219.80.
The fiscal year 2026 payment will be $86,675.47, with a factored adjustment for inflation annually moving forward. Large project work will still be part of the IDOT responsibility to undertaking complete, and I just want to mention this was brought up at the last meeting that our staff had with District 2. We requested some more information and clarification on this maintenance agreement because essentially this money primarily just pays for the cost of paint, re-striping and some minor
and the rest of the city.
So, we're going to be doing some pothole repairs.
So, what we came away from that meeting with is there is anything significant or anything
more than just some normal pothole patching and paint work.
They would be willing to take care of the cost of the construction of any major projects
where that wasn't, that wasn't exactly the circumstance before.
So I call that somewhat of a success in terms of being able to negotiate a little bit more
from IDOT on the IDOT right of ways.
So staff recommends moving forward with this agreement with IDOT.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So I'll move.
I second.
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson.
Discussion on the resolution?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons?
Aye.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
that resolution is adopted eight to zero thank you seven to zero item number 15
is adoption of resolution 2025 60 could you please read this resolution
approving a proposal from next level for strategic vision and goals services
thank you manager where thank your honor since 2017 the city of Freeport has used
to Eric Dregne at Next Level to facilitate our strategic planning efforts.
Eric has successfully guided the city through four previous strategic plans.
That's 2017, 19, 21, and 23.
Aligning the city projects and operations to drive Freeport forward,
Next Level's ongoing partnership with Stevenson County and the Greater Freeport
Partnership complement the city's planning process by bringing valuable regional
perspectives and creating an informed, being informed enough to enhance
of the Planning of All Levels.
So the strategic planning has been a cornerstone
of Freeport's progress over the last eight years,
providing clear direction, fostering internal
and external alignment,
and enabling proactive long-term planning.
The financial impact in the past has been below $10,000
and in the past had been signed by the city manager.
This year it's coming up a little bit above that
and the proposed contract amount is $11,750.
This covers facilitation, planning, document development,
presentation, including travel and materials.
So the payment terms are 50% due on signing
and 50% upon completion,
as outlined in the attached agreement.
Funding for this project is budgeted in the 2025 budget
and staff recommends approving the resolution
entering into the agreement with Eric Dragney at next level.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Is there a second?
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Sanders?
Yeah. Who is next level?
It is Eric Dregney, and if you'll recall, when we got together for the strategic planning at the library two years ago, he is the one that facilitated that.
And he wants to do it again?
Well, we, as part of strategic planning, you do it every two years to refresh the planning.
Okay. And if that is so, nothing in literature, magazine proposals or whatever that talks about
the actual degree of the planning, details of the planning, that before we go to his sessions or
and others.
That's why I'm asking.
Okay?
All right.
Thanks.
Any other?
Alderman Simmons?
So my question is, Darren, you can answer this too, this strategic plan, once we write
it out and it's all ready to go, has that ever been used in any grant writing processes
or anything?
Has it ever been required?
Well, it is always helpful to have a strategic plan in place.
That is sort of one of those prerequisites as you move forward when you're dealing with
and other government agencies or grant writers or grant providers.
But I will say it also directs staff in terms of committing the resource, the human resources
to pursue grants for the city.
So through our last several strategic plans, one of the things that's come through was
in terms of funding for Well 12.
That was in our last strategic plan, and that's what we're accomplishing as we go forward
with construction.
But I don't know if that completely answered your question, but did it get close?
No, I'm asking, any grants that we've received, have we ever been required to share the strategic
plan?
I will have to check on that because I don't know offhand.
There's a lot of grants out here.
Oh, wait, maybe Michelle has an answer.
I do have an answer.
Are bond people similar to grants?
In order to be issued a bond, it's just like going to the bank and seeing if you have the
Collateral, or you have the, it requires strategic plans.
It requires looking and making sure you're financially stable
and strategic plans add to our rating with standard imports.
Any other, Alderman Sanders?
Can I get in there again?
Yeah, with this strategic planning,
It involves a large scope. Good to see you, Mr. Duckman. I haven't seen you in a while.
It requires that we have a plan before we ever start the processing of bonding and loans
and things of this nature, grants and whatever the case may be. We should be, just like I
and the City of Freeport.
As I said before earlier, that we should be brought into the matter more in details of what is being offered.
First of all, I'm looking at strategic planning, but I have not seen where the results of these plans are going to benefit the city.
And so it's good to have someone to strategize with the city, but are we getting results?
to the City of Freeport, then I understand.
If the City does not have to cough up a budget
to have this put in place or to be considered
on the City's behalf to even work with this agency
or whatever, we should know more about what it is
that we're buying before we are engaging ourselves.
I don't want us to, I don't, we don't know
We never knew what the last two results were from the last strategic planning when this agency came into place.
We never got the results of it and what the achievement was and what the objectives and goals were.
We had not received that, so we don't know whether or not we're walking into another blind faith based up on what is proposed by this strategic planning.
and if we are not knowledgeable about what is going on and how do we achieve our goals,
then I find this whole process with this next level of strategic planning irrelevant if we can't get results from it from the first time.
I have not heard anyone in the council talk about we have made great strides, great progress
from the last time that this agency was in place.
So I would like to be updated on what have we accomplished?
You know, have we made any strides?
Have we made any progress with using this particular
strategic type set up planning?
Because if the councils are not
because if the councils are not part of the full scope of the planning and understanding
what is going on within that, then it's irrelevant to us because we're going to get the same
outcome that we got before if we have gotten anything because I don't recall any paper
I'm not even.
Like I said, I'm do who we are.
I'm not even.
and
Mr.
Miller.
We are not getting results. It is a waste of our time.
Every single memo that you receive is attached to every single item on the agenda and every single time it talks about the alignment with the strategic plan.
I just wanted you guys to know that we meet with City Manager Boyer quarterly and we use the strategic planning document as our guidance to make sure that we're moving forward.
He holds us all accountable and so we do use that document regularly and I was going to say the same as the mayor.
Every memo that Public Works does has the strategic plan item that's located that we're filling those roles.
and others. You should remember the strategic plan is also stretch goals. We're not made
to make every one of them. It's to make sure that we're progressing and moving forward.
So some of those goals are fairly lofty, but they are our goals to get completed. So that
is what guides us every day and the roles that we serve.
Is there any other discussion on this resolution?
I have something to say.
Alderman Stacey?
Yes, I don't know why we would pay someone that kind of money to do something that I really feel that you, Mayor Miller, should be able to do.
And if we have $12,000 to put out there on this, let's put it to use for the people.
There's lighting, more lighting needed. Other people have, other Aldermen have spoke about other areas where they need lighting.
Let's put this money to some real use where it's needed for our community.
Any other public comment, or I'm sorry, why do I keep going back to the public?
Any other discussion?
Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the adoption of this agreement?
Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye.
The resolution is adopted 5-3. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-62. Could you
Resolution Supporting and Committing to the Ten Shared Principles of Community Policing
Thank you, Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The Freeport Police Department has long embraced core values that promote respect, dignity,
and fair treatment.
The Ten Shared Principles of Policing, developed by the Illinois State NAACP and the Illinois
Association of Chiefs of Police, provide a framework that aligns with our department's
commitment to transparency, equity, and community engagement.
This resolution formally adopts the 10 shared principles, which include valuing all human
life, rejecting discrimination, endorsing procedural justice, supporting deescalation
training.
Adoption of these principles reflect practices already in place in Freeport and strengthens
our commitment to community partnerships, mutual understanding, and public safety.
This action underscores the city's dedication to justice and fairness for all residents,
and others.
There is no financial impact with this resolution and staff recommends moving forward with this
resolution.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
Discussion on the resolution?
Alderman Johnson.
I just wanted to address number 8 on 10 shared principles.
It says we believe that the law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility
to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to
assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers.
And this is just a positive thing.
The police do offer Citizens Police Academy and it's very informative.
I would encourage anyone in the city to take that course that they offer.
you learn a whole lot that you don't know that happens behind the scenes and all the
amount of work that they have to do like with just one arrest. It's just amazing. And you
get to work in the 911 Center or get to observe what happens there. It's just very educational.
And I know that they're also doing a junior police academy. Is that right, Chief Shenberger?
And when is that? The junior?
Exact dates. It starts at the end of June and it goes for I believe two weeks, but it's
it's only two days a week.
So yeah, our School Resource Officer,
he's the one that's organizing that
and having that this summer when school's out.
So I'm just thankful, that's a positive thing.
So thank you.
Any other, yeah, Chief.
Yeah, just to reiterate what was said earlier
by Mr. Odendahl, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
affirmed the 10 shared principles with NAACP in Illinois
on March 22nd, 2018, and this was something
that was also brought before the council in the past
under Chief Summers and it was a resolution for that then.
And it's something that we're very aware of,
just core values of how we should work and operate.
And it's something that I will, since we're so new,
refresh our personnel with,
let them know of the 10 principles.
And I know they speak on it at the police academy too.
Thank you, Alderman Sanders.
Yeah Chief, how engages the, from your perspective, how engages the community on the resolve of
all of the things that are going on within the police department and what the connection
is with the community, with the police department and their involvement and understanding specifically
and I.
And I think that's really what you guys are doing and how you're enhancing the community
and what is taking place that they can take notice that what you're doing is visual or
implemented or promoted.
I mean from a, you know, because everybody does not have that access to information of
what your department does and we want to know for sure whether or not it's benefiting the
and the community itself at large.
And if it is, then we need to see your promotion of it
to let us know that, hey, this is how we're doing things.
People are aware of what you're doing
and can be consciously involved in what you're doing
and being part of what you're doing
because you are setting a standard here in this city
and that we are supposed to be responsible citizens
and allow you guys to do the responsible things.
And so I think people might have complaints
or worries or concerns if they're not hearing
from their police chief or the police department
in regards to how we're promoting the city at large.
That's basically, I'm just stating something
that most people might wanna be talking about.
Okay.
That kind of thing.
So it's nothing to be alarmed, it's just something to bring awareness to, you know, that kind
of thing.
So.
Any other discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Aye.
Johnson?
Aye.
Simmons is absent.
Parker?
Aye.
Stacy?
Aye.
Shadle?
Aye.
Sanders?
Aye.
And Sellers?
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 7-0.
Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-63. Could you please read this?
Resolution designating an honorary street name of Allison Way to the 800 block of Float Avenue.
Thank you. Director Duckman.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
The city's honorary street program allows residents the opportunity to honor those leaders that are steadfast in their endeavors, making significant contributions to the city.
Once approved, this sign will be displayed at the requested block commemorating that leader's dedication and hard work in the City of Freeport.
The petitioner in this case is requesting the 600 block of South Float to be designated as Honorary Street titled Allison Way.
So I'll show here, I'll just a second.
As you can see, we have actually a request for two signs.
One will be at Float and Shawnee,
and the other would be at Float and Wyandotte.
There's two arrows there showing the locations
of the honorary street sign.
So the Aldersons
The Allisons, for whom this sign would be so named, have been longtime residents of Freeport, have lived in their homes, lived at their home on South Float for over 40 years.
Reverend Nathan Allison has served the community for over 25 years as a pastor of the Philippians Baptist Church.
They are celebrated for their work with the youth ministry, holding many different groups at their church.
Mrs. Gloria Allison is a familiar face assisting and volunteering her time at
the Freeport Food Pantry. Although the Allison's are maturing they still have a
zeal for ministry and reach out to the community guiding youth in the area. The
Allison's service within the Minister's Alliance and Baptist
Ministry has been useful in bringing resources from Rockford to Freeport as
well as making their good deeds well known both in and outside of Freeport.
and with that being said staff is recommending the passage of this
resolution. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman
Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Shadle.
Just a matter of clarification, did you say 600 the notations here say 800 block?
I'm not if I said 600 it was I didn't mean to it is the 800 block. Yeah just wanted to know in in this
discussion of this of the Allison way how how what's our policy for bringing these
kinds of activities or this kind of display within the city of Freeport when
and special, is it a special kind of a,
Yes, there's a process.
There's a process.
Yes, there's a process.
There's a kind of process that the city,
because we're talking about many people
that might want to make that kind of proposition
or proposal to the city to allow them
that kind of right of way.
And I'm just curious of how that is brought into play,
because you know I don't want us to look like we are being sentimental toward
others and not for anybody else in the city having the opportunity to do the
same the very same thing so what we're saying is everyone in the city has the
opportunity but they have to be declared by what body and what population how
How does that take place? Because is there a petition that took place that wanted that to be a consideration? Or how do we administer that?
So, it truly is the will of the people. 50% of the people on that street have to sign a petition.
and then it is brought to my department and then I put it forward to you so if
you feel it's you know in the best interest of the people then I would
suggest voting for it and if not I'd understand you know that's your
obviously your duty to make that decision as well. Yeah okay. Any other
discussion? Madam Clerk please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker,
Stacey, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The resolution is adopted 8-0. Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-64. Could you please read this? Resolution approving redevelopment agreement with Sandra L. Smith, the developer for Culver's parking lot expansion. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'm going to start right here with a map view of what we got going on here.
If you're looking, this is what would be called a site plan.
What you have in the south portion here
is the existing culvers.
Getting my pointer out right now so I
can kind of show what's going on.
Any of your culver fans out there, I hope you're excited.
Because I know the parking over there and drive-through
is tricky.
So I hope you're excited to know that this existing parking
lot will now be expanded to the north.
So this is all going to be a new parking area, new drive-through area. If you remember now you're coming in here and you're making this tight turn, you're now going to have a new entrance up here to the north that's going to be coming up here, and then you can come and have a nice, easier driveway access. I mean, if anybody's been here, they know that there are some traffic concerns here. Just for everyone's knowledge, right now this is being estimated $350,000 in site improvements.
and I've been in the industry myself.
I can tell you that the price of this probably will go up,
but that's what's being estimated right now.
So that being said, what we have here is
a redevelopment agreement being proposed
and what's being proposed is that these site improvements
totaling $350,000, the city of Freeport,
once these are completed, what's being proposed
is that the City of Freeport would pay $10,000 upon completion of these site improvements.
These developments are also within our TIF district and what's also being proposed is
that as the taxes are increased, which is our typical redevelopment agreement, the developer
would receive 75% of the increased tax revenue for this parcel.
So that's the, so essentially that's what their compensation would be for this redevelopment
agreement to improve this lot, which if you know now, this is completely vacant.
There's nothing going on right here, right now.
So this is in line with our budget.
Currently the Meadows Tip District has budgeted a little more than $215,000 for projects just
and
the
City Council.
» How many years is the increment being paid back at 75%?
» It would be the lifetime of the Meadows TIP District which would
end in 2037. So 12 years.
» 12 years. » Is there a motion to adopt?
Jopped. So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Parker, Arlen Parker. Discussion? Alderman Sanders. Yeah, entry. Put your little pointer up there again and show me the current entry point of this parking lot. Just point right at the entry.
I believe that's it. My eyes are squinting a little bit. So I know you come in.
My concern is the entry and exit. To put this thing into development, is that the same entry way, is that the same as the exit way?
because it's going to become very, very congestive. As a matter of fact, I can see a problem developing before it even starts. Have we did an assessment, total assessment for traffic in and out of this area?
Yes. Kimley-Horn is an international civil engineering firm. I've worked with them.
I can't see none of that.
Okay, well I'll explain it to you. Kimley-Horn is a national company. I've worked with them for years and this developer spent a large amount of money to have this designed and Kimley-Horn wouldn't stamp these set of plans if they didn't know that this project has ingress and egress.
they're a tremendous company a high-end firm that does great work so I stand
behind I I stand behind their work and this site plan
well we haven't we haven't seen this particular project in this city and for
us to look at the diagram of this and see where the entry is it two entry
and
John.
» I think that's a good point.
Is that how we're looking at this?
» Yes, they're not going to change their existing, their
adding. This is an addition. So this is all going to
. » So it relieves the traffic.
» Yes. » It helps to relieve the
bombardment of congestion. » Yes. And that is
and more people to get in and out of the restaurant and buy more food.
Okay. That was my concern. I'm looking at this congested at the entry point and the exit point currently at this time.
And I can't see much if there's more traffic trying to get in, then it's hard for them to get out. That's my...
I get it. I mean, but think about it. Have you ever been there? I mean, look, you got to come in and you got to go...
I know I'm not trying to be mean but I mean I'm being honest.
I'm not trying to be mean but I mean I'm being honest like look at like look how much longer they can stretch that line out okay you know what I mean like you're now gonna that they're gonna put a plate you know the board here now you can get all the people backed up going through here whereas now you know what it's like you got to come through here and you got to make that turn oh yeah you know what I mean you got to make this turn through here and it they're basically make allowing people this you know go all the way back through here they're straight they're giving more room for their line
and
I'm going to go through the same exit, which I believe is out this right here.
Any further discussion on this redevelopment agreement?
Alderman, Stacy?
Yes, I would like to know where would this $10,000 come from?
Sure, it's budgeted.
We have $215,000 budgeted for redevelopment agreements in 2025, right out of the TIF district.
And I know this is a $350,000 project. How is the TIF money going to factor in this event?
Well that's what's paying for the, that's the $10,000 that's paying, it's paying for
for the $10,000 and then over the life of the TIF district, they're going to pay the increase in taxes for this parcel, which is now a grass field, and once these improvements are made, staff reached out to our tax assessor and they agreed that these improvements would increase the taxes over time, so as the years go by until 2037, in addition to the $10,000,
would also be receiving the increase in property taxes, up 75% of that, 75% of that.
I really think they are in over their heads and I think if we commit to something like
this that we're in over our heads.
Any other discussion?
Alderman Johnson?
Well, I know I was there on Sunday.
We had a huge ball tournament here at Reid Park and it was after church and there was
all kinds of people flooding in there and I could just see accidents waiting to happen
the way that it is now.
So I really think they definitely need this improvement in their structure that they have
right now.
Alderman Klemm, did you have something? This call will be recorded. This call is no longer
being recorded. Alderman Klemm. Go ahead now? Go ahead. Okay, thank you. I had the pleasure
talking with Bob Smith this week about this and Culver is a great restaurant and does
great business and is really an asset to the City of Freeport. One of the largest things
and Co.
To make sure we get that as well.
In terms of the
I highly recommend it. Alderman Shadle? Yes, I had talked with Bob Smith as well and this has been needed for some time. The line stretches out onto to Dirk Drive numerous occasions. There's not much going on in that area to the north and east from there now. I would hope in time that would
Change, and this is going to eliminate traffic problems coming in the future, possible accidents
as we speak, and it's very proactive on their part to be taking care of it.
I appreciate it.
Alderman Parker?
I totally agree with what Alderman Klemm and Shadle said.
I was up there and looked at it and I think it's long overdue and I think it's a great
project.
Thank you.
Johnson, Johnston, Simmonds, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sellers.
The resolution is adopted 6-1.
Item number 19 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-65. Could you please read this?
Resolution approving the City to accept the conveyance of five properties commonly known
as Charles Avenue, Lots 12 and 13, Block 7, South Mary Avenue, Lot 12, Block 5, 931 East
Jackson, and 1108 East Stevenson Street from Stevenson County, Illinois.
Thank you. Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor. Stevenson County has passed a resolution authorizing the transfer
of these five parcels. These are all on the east side and fall within our flood mitigation
grant area. And the county has approached the city about us taking these parcels on.
And that would be, it is affirmative that we would like to have these for our flood mitigation
grant. So the properties identified for transfer are, as I mentioned, part of the comprehensive
and others.
As part of FEMA's grant requirements, these parcels be returned to nature, developed,
undeveloped condition, significantly reducing flood risk for, you know, creating the compliance
with the flood mitigation grant.
So staff's recommendation is to move forward with the acquisition of the five parcels.
There's no, there's no financial impact.
Is there a motion to adopt?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Klemm.
Yeah, I'd just like to bring up, this is a good example of the county and the city working together. This was developed years ago where properties that were in the flood plain or properties that were bought up and not sold on tax sales and stuff, the city would have the first option to take them over.
So, it's really worked out great and this is an ideal way to get some properties down that need to go down. So, thank you guys for doing that.
Any other discussion? Alderman Simmons?
Yes. So, Manager Boyer, Mr. Stiegel, so I have noticed you have been way more vigilant in cutting, but acquiring these, this is a few different lots.
at this time the the ones that are wooded and have trees grow on them that are you know decent urban canopy that would just be left as it is in terms of mowing lots we'd have to look at the ones that don't have a significant canopy on them as to what we want to do with those so I guess it would just be status quo in terms of what's there now would be the main thing you know with some exceptions
if necessary.
Any other discussion?
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
I have a question.
Alderman Stacy.
So these buildings you have listed, they will be demolished?
They're not buildings.
Buildings. They are empty lots with trees on them and have never had structures.
Ms. Sanders? Yeah. From what I am looking at, this is part
of the mapping, right, and everything. This is kind of like
I think I'm right over here. I remember right. There's a lot of vacant areas surrounding the trees, as you were stating. Is it our objective to remove the trees, knock them down and create a lot for this area?
No, it was just status quo. It was basically so the city would own and control those parcels.
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm.
Aye.
Johnson.
Aye.
Simmons.
Aye.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
Aye.
Shadle.
Aye.
Sanders.
Aye.
And Sellers.
Aye.
The resolution is adopted 8-0.
Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 2025-66.
Could you please read this?
Resolution imposing censure on three council members who were willfully and deliberately
absent from the May 19, 2025 council meeting. Alderman Shadle. Yes, I would actually like to
table this. Alderman Simmons made reference to the fact that she may have not been deliberately absent.
I would ask that before being put on a resolution,
she have a meeting with yourself and Manager Boyer
and put that to rest if need be.
How do you propose to do that?
she can have a meeting to present her point of view or we're not we're not high
school kids or we're not you don't have the floor Alderman okay I'm sorry you
know we're not well let me be quiet so we have a motion to table this until until
We'll call the next council meeting. That would give two weeks time to decide if this should go forward or not.
We need a second.
So we need a second to fit that goal of the council.
I'll second it. Just make sure that if things are in line, they need to be in line, you know.
So we have a motion to move this item to the next regularly scheduled meeting with discussion in between.
discussion on that motion you have discussion on that motion yeah because we
shouldn't be making motions on something that is irrelevant to this council and
not only that I hate I don't like the fact that the condescending of the
council members are being disrespected here at this time to even bring this
and Meenakshi.
We have another motion to table this indefinitely, nobody else has to show or prove why they were
not here, no one was there outside causing a disruption, I would like to stable this
indefinitely.
This is a witch hunt.
So we have a motion of tabling indefinitely by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sanders. Is there discussion on tabling indefinitely?
I just have a question.
It would. You have a discussion on tabling?
say that I do want to say that there was commotion outside and Rachel I know you
weren't here Alderman Simmons you were not here you were nowhere around but
there was commotion because even when I came in huh he was no but I'm we were not
here right but you know you to work yeah but that's not that's not for us to
I have the floor right now and there was commotion because even when I came in there were TV stations here and a lot of commotion outside and I didn't know what was going on and the people from the TV station said there was going to be a walkout so that's when I was confused on walking out on what on what were they walking out on so I do understand you guys were here
Miller, but there was commotion and a lot going on outside.
So that's why I do understand that it was a little bit disrespectful because when we,
two years ago, when we came to the council and we were being voted in, even though we
won our elections, the people that sat in these seats, they watched us get sworn in
and when we took our place, they got up and they did the transition and that's what I
thought was really not right for us to also be there when the transitions was taking place.
That's my point of view and that's just how I feel about it because we should have also
been there to respect the same transition because we did it because if they would have
did it on us, we would have been upset and we would have felt, you know, like they were
not treating us right so that's my point of view from from that I'm sorry I can't
hear you again your feelings aside right the facts are we were not there we did
not cause a disruption the meeting did still happen so you cannot attach our
names to that and say you want something from us because of what happened outside
and
Miss.
But this is directed towards us as though we cause that disruption is what I'm saying.
We did not cause that disruption. We called no news outlets. We were not here.
Yes, I welcome you, Alderperson, Johnson. I am sorry that I was not here for that.
for that. However, I am not the one succeeding my chair to her to say welcome. Here are the
ropes. Okay, so there was no disrespect to you. But again, all of you miss. And I do
not hold you and say, you need to explain to me why you weren't here. We're adults.
We know what our responsibilities are. We handle our responsibilities. If something happens
Sanders, and we cannot be here, then that is the case.
Oh, I never said you weren't here.
That's what I'm saying.
You guys were here.
But there was disruption.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
All right.
So the motion is tabled indefinitely by Simmons and Sanders.
Yeah.
But...
Madam Clerk, please take the roll on tabling indefinitely.
Is this still open for discussion?
Do you want to change tabling indefinitely?
Clem, Monroe, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.
Oh my, 1, 2, 3, it fails, 3 to 5 Okay, so now I believe that the right order
would be the original of Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm, to move this to the next
regularly scheduled meeting.
Okay.
Alderman.
And also take their names off.
I don't know if that was the discussion.
it was about having a discussion, correct?
I feel as though we had that discussion.
Well, Mike, Mike, Mike, can I speak?
Well, just a second.
So at the end of the day, there's still a motion
and a second that was made to table this
until the council meeting.
So as long as Alderman Shadle's position
and the second is still to table this to the next meeting,
allowing for whatever conversations to be had just to confirm the reasons for Alderman Simmons
not being here, which I know she stated already there, but if to allow for whatever follow-up
that may or may not need to take place on that there, then that's what's pending before.
So then there's still discussion on this motion then.
So discussion on moving it to the next meeting.
Is that where we're at?
That's where we're at.
Right.
To table this for further discussion, to table this, to not vote on it tonight, but to table
this to the next council meeting.
Okay.
No we're not.
All right.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm?
Yes.
Johnson?
Yes.
Simmons?
No.
Parker?
Yes.
Stacy?
No.
Shadle?
Yes.
Sanders?
and Sellers. Yes. One, two, three. It passes five to three. Okay, we'll move on to item number 21. Could you please read this approval of bid?
Bid opening on May 23rd. Test well number 12, including notice of intent to award to Peerless Well and Pump based on IEPA concurrence. Manager Boyer?
Sorry about that. Thank you Madam Mayor. The City held a public bid opening on May 23rd
for the four phases of Well 12. So the project was broken up into four phases. The first
phase is the test well, the second phase is the production well, third phase is the treatment
plant and the fourth phase is water and sewer interconnection, piping and so forth.
and others who are interconnection piping and so forth.
So each of these individual projects
is related to the installation
of a new 1300 foot deep production water well
and treatment facility for the low zone of Freeport.
The low zone is the largest area of Freeport
that serves 65% of the city.
These production well infrastructure projects
were targeted and identified originally
in the 2017 comprehensive infrastructure upgrade plan
when the Forever Chemicals or PFOS was originally detected
by the US EPA doing random tests.
Freeport was one of the first 500 communities in the country
to be detected, and we now know this
is an issue facing many cities across the United States.
So city staff receive bids for this complex project.
The low responsive bidders are as follows for the four
individual open contracts.
So peerless well and pump was the lowest responsive bidder on contract A, the test well at $831,960. Contract A1 is the production well for well 12. And that the lowest responsive bidder was also peerless well and pump at a total amount of $2,441,650. And contract B was the well
Wellhouse, Wellhouse number 12 and a 7 acre site work. The winning bidder was IHC Construction
Companies and the winning amount was $21,966,000 and contract C was the water and sewer main
connections. And that was won by Kelsey Excavating out of Davis, Illinois for $1,729,906. So
The total cost of the well and the well house is $26,969,516 and this is, the city's currently receiving or has pled, has waiting for a project to move forward, $13.2 million in funding through the Illinois EPA as well as the emerging contaminant money.
and Forgivable Loans of $5 million as well as some congressionally directed spending from Congressman Sorensen.
So staff's recommendation is City Council to approve the lowest responsive bidder for each contract as listed.
So then the first one will be the test well.
Is there a motion to approve the bid as stated?
So moved.
Second.
The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this bid. Alderman Sanders.
On a bid?
This is a bid. This bid that's packaged before you.
That's what this is all about, a bid. We have not had a discussion on the overall, the overview of this project that is pending.
Darren, did you want to?
Have we had a discussion? That's the question I'm asking.
Yes, yes, we have.
this is approving the bids. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.
Aye. The motion passes six to one. Item number 22 is the approval of another bid. Could you please read this?
Another bid opening on May 23rd for the production well number 12 bid approval including notice of
intent to award to Peerless Well and Pump based on IEPA concurrence. Thank you Manager Boyer.
So, as previously mentioned, the production well of the successful low bidder was $2,441,650 and that was also Peerless Well and Pump.
Staff would request approval of this resolution moving forward with Peerless. I'm sorry, with this bid with Peerless.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on this bid.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.
Are you trying to reconnect Stacy or? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye.
the motion is approved six to one item 23 another bit approval could you please
read this also on May 23rd well house number 12 including notice of intent to
award to IHC construction based on IEPA concurrence thank you manager where I
think your honor the lowest responsive bidder was IHC construction at 21
million nine hundred sixty-six thousand dollars and I will add that IHC is our
current contractor at the wastewater treatment plant and they've had an
excellent track record of success so I enthusiastically request City Council
move forward with this and a Mary so move made by Alderman Shadle seconded by
Alderman, Sellers. Discussion on this bid? I just wanted to point out when we
tallied the bids for IHC, they made a tabulation error of $300,000 in the
city's favor and and I discussed it with them and they're going to honor the
price that was tabulated, not what was read. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The motion is approved, 6 to 1. Item number 24, another bid approval. This is the last of the four phases on May 23rd, well house number 12, Watermain and Sewermain extensions, bid approval including notice of intent
to award to Kelsey Excavating based on IEPA concurrence.
Manager Boyer.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
Kelsey Excavating was the lowest responsive bidder.
The total amount was $1,729,906.
And I will also note that Kelsey has worked for us in the past.
They did the forest sewer main on Island Avenue.
And that project went forward very well.
Is there a motion to approve?
So moved.
Second.
Motion made by Shadle, seconded by Sellers.
Madam Clerk, please take the roll for the bid.
Klemm.
Aye.
Johnson.
Aye.
Simmons.
Aye.
Parker.
Aye.
Shadle.
Aye.
Sanders.
No.
And Sellers.
Aye.
The motion is approved, 6 to 1.
And item number 25, another bid.
This bid opening was on May 30th, 2025.
Demolition of seven residential properties.
Director Duckman.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
City of Freeport published a notice
for the demolition and asbestos abatement
of seven properties in the journal standard on May 25th
and held a bid opening on May 30th at nine o'clock a.m.
in City Hall.
The city received bids from five contractors and the lowest responsible bidder was Klechner Excavating who submitted the lowest responsible bid of $85,000 to demolish all seven properties.
The staff would recommend issuing the contract in that amount for the demolition of seven properties which is $85,000 as they are the lowest responsible bidder.
Bitter. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm,
seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the bids? Yes. Alderman Sellers? Yes. Are these the
properties and the money that's coming out of the mitigation grant that was? Yes. Yes. Most of them,
six of the seven are. Okay. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm, aye. Johnson, aye. Simmons, aye. Parker, aye. Shadle, aye. Sanders, no. And Sellers, aye.
The motion is approved six to one. Item number 26, adaption of the resolution 2025-67.
Could you please read this? Resolution approving construction engineering
contract with Fehr Graham for project build of test well, well and well house
House No. 12, and Associated Water Main and Sewer Main Extensions.
Manager Boyer?
Thank you, Your Honor.
Fehr Graham Design permitted and bid Well 12 for four phases of water improvement projects.
The IEP funding requires professional construction engineering services for the four phases of
the project improvements.
The completion of Well 12 project is in its entirety.
The project is in its entirety is required to close before we close the Brick Street, the 1900's 140 year old water treatment plant on Brick Street.
Fehr Graham will provide professional construction, resident engineering services to manage the four projects on behalf of the city.
Engineering services will consist of full-time engineering observation and inspection along with project management, contract management, loan, audit and closeout management, monthly quarterly reporting,
Construction Survey Layout Staking, Specification Assurance, among other listed items in the outline proposal, BABA compliance and certification documentation for these projects.
That's the new Made in America requirements that are coming down from the federal government.
These four construction projects consist of $26,969,516 in infrastructure improvements
and will serve the city, residents, and businesses for the next 100 years with water production.
These projects will require an estimated 30-month construction schedule to complete, and professional
engineering services include construction engineering, staking, and full project management
and the amount of $1,750,000, QAQC material testing services are third party services needed only
and resident construction engineering is part of the IEP loan process and is included by the state
revolving fund program. Staff recommends moving forward with this agreement and I will mention
to you during the process or during the construction process of well 11, their construction oversight has
has been invaluable saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially more in
change orders or lack thereof, and ensuring that what we're paying for is what we're getting.
Just one case in point was with Well Oven, there was an oversight as far as the tank
was, the main clear well was constructed.
Fehr Graham was diligent about designing a work or a good solution to resolve the issue.
And at the end of the day, the city did not incur any costs.
And the Clearwell was built to specify case revised specifications that will is actually,
I think, better than the original design.
So that's one case in point as well as the support that we've had throughout the transition
from the contractor to the city staff.
We've had an excellent transition and inspection period where we've resulted in the the project
basically going off without a hitch. There's always glitches, but the contractors were held
to account in this case for well 11 and they did an excellent job in insulating the city
from change orders that were unnecessary. So I enthusiastically recommend moving forward
with this resolution.
Is there a motion to adopt? I make a motion. Second. There's a motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.
Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye.
The resolution is adapted six to one.
Item number 27 is discussion regarding updates on 17 and 19 West Main Street for
and
Daryl.
» I wanted to give the Council an update on the 17 and 19 Main Street dry cleaners that were working on demolition. We've been working on it for an awful long time. We had a lot of issues getting into the neighboring buildings because one of them is vacant.
and I have a solution to un-attach the two buildings and also support those structures
and then come up with remediation to make sure the other structures would be sound once
we're done. We are waiting on EPA approval to bid which we believe will be sometime here
in June and the target would be to have the buildings down before the end of the year.
It's going to depend when they give us the green light to go. All of our funding is still
in place. We haven't drawn any of the funding yet because you have to complete the project to draw it.
Once we are awarded, I believe we have four years to complete the project. Please know that one of
the largest difficult issues that we have right now is the building that is conjoined to the dry
cleaners. The roof caved in about a year and a half ago at least and so it's very dangerous to
access the building. It's very dangerous to come up with the plan to try to get it down and not
and not destroy the rest of downtown while we're doing it.
There's just not a lot of space there.
So please be patient.
You'll see at bid, the finances are still there for it.
And we hope to have it at least completely demolished
before the end of the year.
Thank you.
Item number 28 is discussion on how a quorum was established
for the May 19th council meeting, Alderman Sanders.
Yes, I'm misunderstanding our protocol
and I understand that if the protocol of how we conduct the order of our council chamber
meetings that includes the mayor, attorney and everybody that's in the process with
Place, why was it necessary to have a second roll call? Someone needs to explain that one
to me because with the first roll call, business has been, the process has been started. When
was the first roll call cancelled and was it terminated or was it erased or excluded
Talking, and some of the other things that they want to talk about.
the public wants to know are we consistent
with what we're doing when it comes to roll call
and when you have a quorum put in place
at the very first roll call.
If there's no quorum,
then there shouldn't have been a second roll call.
That's my thought on that and that's my opinion on that.
The people of this community will like to know
How do you stage a second roll call when the first one should have been sufficient?
The first roll call is how we work the process and how we conduct the council meetings and
things of this nature.
The first roll call explains everything of what is supposed to happen at that point.
so I'm just trying to figure out how is it that we end up conducting a second
roll call sure without an explanation sure so the first roll call was a
standard roll call the number of aldermen that were were called there
were five alderman roll call what the difference with the second roll call is
that because on inauguration day traditionally then anytime once the new
alderman or the elected alderman the newly elected alderman and they might be
and the same people, then they're traditionally after they're seated, you would do a roll call again to take a role as to those newly elected Aldermen.
So when you were seated, there was a second roll call.
Also, when the outgoing Alderman left their seat and you came and sat in your seat, then there was another roll call taken where they called your name.
So that's all in the same thing.
and I.
It's one thing you're forgetting that there was not an established courtroom to even do
a second roll call and that's what you keep omitting.
And I can explain that.
I like to hear you put that on the record that you did that because for what reason
that you injected a second roll call when the courtroom was not a business process when
And it should have been cancelled or made it invalid to have any other business before
the council in order to establish a second roll call.
So earlier in the day on that Monday, the city council was, or not the city council,
the city, the city manager was made aware through the media that there might not be
enough other people to conduct the meeting, that there might be people, the media had
heard that.
Are you kidding me?
That's what the media told the city.
That's what someone said.
Correct, that there might not be enough people for a quorum.
We're basing it on here.
for a quarrel. Well certainly that's what ended up happening. So based off of that
information Alderman Johnson was sworn in ahead of time. There's no obligation
that the swearing-in of an Alderperson has to be done during a meeting there. So
it can take place before because the ceremony is ceremonial. The swearing-in is
ceremonial. It can take place outside. So that was done.
Well, if you don't have a quorum, the Attorney General won't say that. I'm almost sure of it, and you can't put words in the Attorney General's mouth.
I think you'll find that. You'll find the Attorney General's finding attached to your question.
Winslow.
So,
Yeah, I got it.
I got it.
Okay.
So, the Attorney General's finding stands.
Yeah.
But it's the establishment of the findings of this council.
The Attorney General does not conduct business for this county and the council.
They don't do that.
And so, in order for that to happen, it's all within our structure that that should
that shouldn't have happened because a second meeting or a second quorum shouldn't have
never taken place.
When the first one had taken was not business orientated, then the first one should be that.
It should be dissolved at that point, and whatever you did, and this does not change
Anything, what the General Attorney was saying, that doesn't change anything because we set
the standards here in the Council.
So are you saying that you did not attend in hopes to not have a quorum?
No, I didn't say that.
Don't put that out there.
That's why I'm asking you.
I'm asking you.
You cannot put that out there, Mayor.
Well, you're alluding to there was no quorum.
You are drawing an assumption.
You are alluding to there was no quorum.
and the Attorney General's finding says that where there was a quorum...
The council conduct the processing, not veto, zero, nor the mayor determines that it's already
set in stone.
And this is the consistent, this is the practice that we've been practicing since the two years
that I've been here.
And Alderman Sanders, we followed the exact same process, okay, because at the end of
the day, at the beginning of the meeting, the clerk took the role of the aldermen that
that were elected and there were five aldermen who had been elected and sworn in present
so that constituted a quorum.
There was no, there was, there shouldn't have been an election because the quorum was dissolved.
Okay, so by the findings of the Attorney General, that is, that is the final, so Alderman Klemm.
So the reason that three people didn't show up so we couldn't do business didn't make,
that doesn't have anything to do with it.
Do it.
And your condescending remarks are very
It may be condescending, but it's the truth.
It makes a third time.
But you can't nobody ask you for your opinion.
I don't care.
Alderman Klemm has the floor.
You don't insult people.
Alderman Klemm has the floor.
Yeah, well.
Since I've been an Alderman this time, the same day
that you were sworn in, you guys have
Please stop interrupting.
Completely abandoned meetings three times.
Is that good for this?
and
Knapp.
» I resent that accusation. » What's that?
» I resent that accusation. » You can resent it all you want, but you weren't here.
» It's not true. » It is true.
» How about the special meeting we had where none of you showed? How about that?
» Okay. » We're not here for the hell of
it. We're trying to do this. » Are you the judge and the
Boarder. You're not the prosecutor nor the judge. All right, we need to, everyone will be dismissed,
we'll have a meeting adjourned if we're going to continue to act like children. Alderman Shadle,
would you like to say something? I just would like to read from the correspondence from the
Office of the Attorney General Kwame Raul. Same thing. Dated May 30th, 2025 and the finding
Johnson.
Letters signed by Katie Goldsmith, Assistant Attorney General, that even if the newly elected
Alderperson Johnson did not count towards a quorum at the first roll call, however,
the four other Alderpersons and the Mayor comprised a quorum.
Because a quorum of the members of the Council were present and answered the roll call during
the meeting, this office has determined that no further action is warranted with respect
to your allegation. This letter serves to close this file. If you have any questions,
please contact me at the Chicago address at the bottom.
Okay, this discussion is final. We'll move on to department heads. Finance?
Nothing, Your Honor. Community Development?
tonight Madam Mayor. Public Works. Nothing tonight. Thank you. Fire? Nothing as well
from fire. Thank you. Police? I have no report tonight. Library? All right let's end this
on a little bit of a positive note. Summer reading kickoff is Monday June 9th at 1
p.m. You can sign up for summer reading and we'll have crafts, tattoos,
Dues, Touch a Truck, and Games.
This year we're also hosting a drop-in craft for teens and adults to celebrate our kickoff,
the drop-in and make some yarn fringe art between 3 and 7 p.m.
And all families unable to attend kickoff events are welcome to come in and sign up
for summer reading anytime we are open starting Monday, June 9th at 3 p.m.
Thank you.
IT?
Manager. I just have two things. I'm sure everyone here is familiar with the yield program.
The yield program is a 14-week training that helps prepare individuals for building trades.
They are in the process of getting ready for their next round, which starts June 9th. And
so if you are age 18 or older and have a high school diploma or a GED, you are eligible.
it gives classroom training on the job pay, it has supporting services in case you need
them for transportation or child care, and it also gives you the assistance in helping
to find full-time work after the training is done.
If it's something you would like to be a part of, please contact the Boys and Girls Club.
Also on Saturday, please mark your calendars for the High Hope event.
for the Peace March. It is called End the Cycle, Stop Community Violence. It is to stand
in unity for the Memorial Peace March again on Saturday, which starts at 11 o'clock at
the Madonna Renewal Center, which is near the intersection of Walnut and Empire. So
if you'd like to join with that, you are welcome to do so. With that, Alderman Klemm?
Nothing, Your Honor.
Alderman Johnson?
Yes, I'd just like the people in Ward 2 to know that the flushing of the water mains in our ward started today
with Laurel Street, Revere, Concord, Park Crest, Middlebury, Alamo, Bedford, Greenfield, and Sheffield.
And also, last week there was mention of some rust in water when a person turned on their faucet.
That bothered me because I remember as a kid my grandma had terrible rust in her water and she'd put Kool-Aid in it
Coollate in it. We'd still drink it. It still tasted terrible. So anyway, so I did ask some
questions about that, wanting to know what we could do about rust in the water. I talked
with Manager Boyer and he said with the new well, there's a lot of things in there that
will remove the rust and iron from the majority of the water in the city. And I also talked
with Darren Steakles. So Darren, would you please reiterate what causes rust in water
and some things that people can do at home to help,
help so the water doesn't taste so bad
or what they can do for the rust.
Sure.
So there's lots of items that cause rust in water.
One of the items is piping has what's called biofilm in it.
A lot of our older pipe is made of ductile iron
or cast iron, which creates a kind of a rusty biofilm
on the insides of the pipes.
That's why we do annual flushing programs
to flush that out of the mains.
You can see right now, if we get a large fire,
we can stir it up by shifting the way water flows
through the pipes, we kind of scour it.
Residents, we actually, I believe, put a tutorial
on the city's website today on what residents can do
to be active at their houses.
Generally speaking, you want to flush the water
at your house through a tub faucet
or the lowest faucet in your house
that doesn't have an aerator on it for a few minutes.
and that usually flushes your pipe out.
You are kind of the end point source
so it can push into the houses.
Lower users can actually be more susceptible.
Elderly people that don't use as much water
don't have as many kids using water.
If you want to be more vigilant,
there's Brita pictures that you can purchase at Walmart or.
that you can purchase at Walmart or Pharma Fleet here in town
that remove lots of constituents.
It's not necessary our water is safe to drink,
but if you feel that you need that,
please move forward with that.
Some of the rust that gets stirred up
is actually from the residential piping in your house,
especially if you have an older home.
The city is not responsible for residential piping,
but we also help people investigate that.
So if you have rusty water calls,
please go to 815-235-8210 Public Works
and our utility superintendent will follow up with you
or environmental compliance officer
and help you figure out whether it's city water
or if it's actually your piping
and we can do some testing, water testing
like we do daily to figure that out.
I think that's about everything you asked me.
Okay, and then I just have something for Wendy to give to her.
She mentioned somebody that does have problems
with their water, and I don't have a lot of money.
I'm on a fixed income like a lot of other people,
but if you can do something good for someone,
you need to do it, so I'm just gonna give her this.
She can give it to whoever she feels that needs it.
Right.
One last thing.
So one thing I'd like to mention, regardless to what Linda said, so she asked me for a figure today about how much older piping that we have still within the system, and the City of Freeport still has about 81 miles of water main that was installed before 1970, and about 45 miles of that was installed before 1930 that's still in service.
Alderman Simmons?
Yeah, I'm going to say something.
So I spoke more this evening than I have pretty much since I've been here.
But hopefully you all see what is going on, the selective enforcement of ordinances.
We had our Alderman just swear and yell at another Alderperson.
And there was nothing done until Alderman Sanders replied.
the way we handle this y'all is we get out and vote please do that in the
upcoming elections you have plenty of time to go register to research
candidates you are interested in but please exercise that right because as
you see here in these chambers what you want does not matter
Alderman Parker. Where's that March start on Saturday? At the Madonna and Renewal on
Walnut. Okay thank you. Alderman Shadle. I just want to mention that we're gonna
move the July neighborhood watch meeting from the third being adjacent to the
holiday. We're gonna move it to Thursday July 10th. I'll mention that again at
at the second council meeting this month.
Alderman Sanders.
Yeah, I'd like to make a suggestion to our Public Water Works Director that we start
a campaign, because I like what you were saying, that I think every citizen in the city of
Freeport would love to get on board with this water rehabilitation systems for the residents,
Farms, inspection is concerned or replacement or water services and things of that nature.
We should start a campaign throughout the city because if there had been any problems
at any point in time where the people of the residents don't have the proper filters to
determine whether or not they're getting any kind of rust contaminants or whatever the
and others.
We should start a campaign to do an overview of assessment of our city water services to
the residents' homes and things of this nature.
I know we do testing.
I know we can do that to make some kind of analysis about what the standards of their
water quality is.
and the investment that you're referring to as far as water filters attaching to their
service is a big deal to some folks who don't understand what is happening and why they
should purchase one. They should get one regardless. It doesn't matter whether it's for protection
from the water that we're receiving. We should get one regardless. And I think we should
Project that image out to the residents that no matter how clean you think your water is,
I think we should be, what I'm saying, advertising water filters for homes or we start a campaign
for water filters for homes for the public residents.
and I think once they are educated and knowledgeable about why it is, then we're not incompetent
as just the fact that the knowledge is not getting out there, the notifications.
I know we do what's it called, board orders and things of this nature, but we don't give
them solutions on what we can, additional solutions on how to protect themselves or
even, the fact that we have to do Boyer orders and things of this nature.
So I just wanted to put that out there because I thought that was a great thing to do, you
know.
And so I hope our citizens take that notice that you made in regards to their own lives
and things of this nature.
So that's all.
Alderman Sellers?
Nothing.
We'll move on to public comments.
I'd like to set the record straight on Don Parker. I've known Don for almost 50 years, and I'd like to just tell the truth about what kind of man he is. I respect him, he has a life of service. He started out young age, he served in the Air Force, and after that he wanted
and
John, and he became a law enforcement officer. He also has
been Chief of Police, which carried a lot of responsibility.
After that, he became a member of the County Board, and I guess
that's when I really got to know you. You know, he went to I
don't know how many meetings to better Stevenson County, and now
and I have been working with the City Council. He has spent a
lifetime of service to protect our country and also to make
Freeport a better community. So I give applause you.
Anybody who thinks otherwise, then they need to ask him.
Leininger, I live at 1980 Woodside Drive. I have one other comment. I've never witnessed
until this past couple years the attacks, the disrespect that has gone on in this city
council towards our mayor, towards our city council, to Rob Boyer, city members, council
members, and a lot of these lies, insinuations that people are doing things illegally.
This is wrong, and our community should be one of brotherly love.
It has always been that way until recently, and now there's this division and discord.
and so I pray, this is a sincere prayer in my heart that things will change, that people
will respect one another, that they'll operate in love and in truth and we'd become a better
community for that.
People from, I noticed by looking at YouTube, looking at YouTube that the people who are
Reviewing this it's gone way up used to be a few people but now it's way up and
I think it's because of the behavior of City Council members towards one another
another another public comment
Good evening. My name is Cheryl Altman. My first thing is the trees. Hiring somebody
to cut the trees down. Seventy-three thousand dollars when we have our own forestry department.
Why are they not doing it? Seventy-three thousand dollars can be going to the roads, going to
the lights, but no, we're going to pay somebody else. Next thing you say, the water's safe.
Why did I get a thing in the mail saying all the symptoms that the drink in the water
and Dr. Freeport could do. Low birth weight, cancer, that's real safe to me. Also, I want
to thank the Aldermen who are standing out there, standing up for what they believe.
I appreciate that. Second, streets. Little town of Rydock, less than 150 people in the
Town, and Rye.
and 50 people in the town of Rydott.
But every street and alleyway is blacked out.
But Freeport's not, and I can guarantee you
they get more money than Rydott.
Also, I wanna say, Parker, I don't think
that was very professional of what you did last week.
I'm not saying you're not a bad person,
but what you did was unacceptable.
But you're not the only Alderman that has spoke out.
Joy Seller has too.
and that's disrespectful. When we're up here, this is our public comment. That means you listen.
You don't interrupt us. You don't criticize us. We're not criticizing you. Matter of fact,
I just said, you know, your service was great and I appreciate it. And Joy Seller, there were no
issues outside the other day at that meeting. I don't know what you were on, what you're taking,
but there was no issues. The television station, there's maybe six people out there. We were not
We're not making a commotion. We're not raising any issues. You must have a guilty conscience.
Next.
Paige Kerr, 103 Arbor Drive.
I stand before you today out of a deep commitment of our community's integrity and future.
and Future. Our city leadership must be beyond reproach, ensuring that public trust is not
only earned, but maintained. Currently, we face a troubling overlap of roles in the leadership
of the Greater Freeport Partnership and City Council Members. These dual roles raise significant
concerns over conflict of interest and the proper use of public funds. When a single
individual holds multiple positions, it blurs the lines between public duty and private
and
the rest. Our community deserves leaders who are fully focused on the welfare of our city.
Quite frankly this isn't even about Jodi or Rob.
This is about preserving the ethical standards
of our community. So again
I ask that this City Council prioritizes transparency
and accountability. There needs to be stricter guidelines and oversight
and it's crucial for our future. We deserve a City Council where public
Public Service is not overshadowed by personal or organizational gain.
It is all of our civil duty to ensure that our city's future is guided by honesty, integrity,
and a true commitment to the public good.
Thank you.
Next.
All right, good evening.
My name's Joshua Atkinson, 717 West Stevenson Street.
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you, City Manager, City Staff, and the Council.
First, I mean, Debbie had left,
but I wanted to really address her here with this.
The Alderman Parker, I like Alderman Parker, I've met with him. He was one of the few of you that would meet with me a year ago and I respected him.
The problem is, is she talked about who Alderman Parker was, not who Alderman Parker is right now.
An Alderperson elected official that would tell a constituent standing up here like myself to shut up and get out. Not acceptable.
and Alderman that would stand sit here earlier at this meeting during public
comment and laugh in that same constituents face so let me get on to
the point here thank you since the mayor took the opportunity this weekend to
imply these and those in this city that question her on social media liars and
troublemakers I figured you'd prefer me to say the facts to your face and tell
Tell you exactly why your job has gotten harder. It's harder because you are accustomed to
going unchallenged. You've been spoiled and I'm sorry for that. Here's the problem. This
meeting started out with six members of this community trying to talk to you and they weren't
listened to. Rather, the mayor joked around with the city attorney. Alderman, our alderperson
at Large, played on her phone, and Alderman Parker laughed in the face of the constituent.
Later on, Alderman Klemm smugly asked the City Attorney to explain how our government
works.
Thank you.
We all now know that the City Council is the legislative body and sets policy.
In that spirit, why is our City Attorney presenting policy change?
Alderman, Sanders asked who put that item on the agenda.
Never got answered.
That's why your job's harder.
Asked a simple question.
Who put it on there?
Why aren't we telling the people of Freeport
who put it on there?
About censoring, or censoring other older people.
Alderman Klemmick came out later too.
We all run our mouth, we get angry, he broke a council rule, right?
Are we going to add him to that list for that next meeting?
A couple weeks ago, a month ago, maybe Alderman Klemm put his hands on Alderman Monroe.
Did we censure him for that? No. You guys need a fresh start here.
Now, since we wanted to talk about the Attorney General situation,
I got that letter too. Thank you for reading portions of that letter.
Thank you, your time has expired.
That was three minutes.
So is there any other public comments?
Wendy Pearson, 1323 South Chicago Avenue.
I find it ironic that the individual that stood up here
to praise our former chief of police
wasn't told three minutes, two minutes.
She was allowed to continue to talk.
And he's absolutely right.
Part of the letter was read.
They don't want you to hear the other part of it.
And as far as what she had to say about Parker,
we, we know how Parker became the Chief of Police.
We also know that his indignant comments
and his smirking isn't going to change a thing.
The other thing you need to understand is this,
if you censor them and fine them,
you won't be able to do it to us.
And we're going to be standing before the City Council
continuously supporting the Aldermen that we have voted in
and not supporting the mess that's going on
up in the City Council.
Two other things, the justice three,
the mayor has been sitting on a commission
for the past three years with other mayors
in regarding crime.
The last peace walk that the mayor did started at the Old Germania, went down Adams, around Liberty, towards and past the Raleigh Building.
Day before that, there were shootings on Liberty and the 800 block of Carroll.
Never did this so-called peace walk go into the communities where there is actual shootings and killings happening.
This thing is starting on Walnut.
Have there been shootings on Walnut?
I don't think so.
Joke.
Your sitting on a commission is a joke because everything you've set there for the past three years hasn't trickled down to Freeport
and others.
I'm going to talk about the police department.
I'm going to talk about the police department because the shootings are happening.
People are being murdered.
Your peace walk is a slap in the face and a joke.
If it's not going to go into the communities where the actual shootings are occurring,
you're not doing anything.
As far as Parker is concerned, Parker had a whole day gone police department behind
him.
I had me and five possible six neighbors to shut down drug houses, to stop shootings,
and the Mayor.
We have to do walks in our community.
Those of you that are sitting at this city council, half of you have never stepped foot
in the area where there are shootings and murders.
The Mayor has never, ever came to a bloom release when a child 13 years old was murdered
or anybody else.
The only emotional person that has something to say about murders in our community was
Summers and the reason that Summers had something to say and the reason that your time has expired
is because the person that was murdered was his friend on the basketball court.
Please refrain and for the record, every public comment gets three minutes, don't know where
your thought is on it too.
Is there any other public comments this evening?
Tommy.
Watch my clock, watch yours.
My birthday was today.
Happy Birthday Tommy.
I'm Alderman Sanders, as you guys may know, I just want to make a couple of points so we
can stand before you and try to educate those that...
Try to educate those that have not truly understand the parliamentary of the
Council and the government within itself. I say, I know you're going to listen to me very tentatively, but the inconsistencies, the
inconsistencies of our council, and I'm part of that, is that
the involvement in siding with the
the populace of this community does not trickle down or trickle out of this council.
Whatever the body wants or the citizen wants, we are not responding to their needs.
That's what we're not doing.
just like the inconsistencies on protocols and quorums and how we're conducting business,
there's no inconsistencies here. When someone is reading someone else's laws and articles
and Governing does not always apply to Freeport.
Why? Because we have Robert rules or rules.
We got those in place that helps us to determine
what our focus is as government electors.
And so for someone to read something
that came out of Chicago to set standards and rules
and things of this nature on how we should conduct ourselves,
and others.
This inconsistency on what we're doing, because we don't follow those exact rules that was
read today that came out of Chicago, Chicago, we don't follow them rules, it's only convenient
when it's convenient to try to apply it over the citizens and the council try to apply
and others.
We do not apply something that has nothing to do with our jurisdiction, nor does we follow
or implement the rules of this city or the state.
We do not adhere to those things.
We have our own ways of doing things.
That's the reason why the Robert Rule places orders in place, because that's what we govern
and myself by, but the Council has lack of integrity to challenge anyone.
Your time has expired.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Are there any other public comments this evening?
Oh.
Please.
Michelle Swald, 584 Country Court.
I would just like to say about the peace march that you guys, that they're doing, I feel
like we're taking it in a wrong way, that they just want to spread it out and walk different
routes probably in Freeport.
And as far as also going along with those peace, I think it's called High, or Hope,
High Hope, they had a block party on Frank in Chicago where I think a lot of violence
and I.
So, I went to church on the street and I will tell you that Mayor Jodi was there, Rob was
there, Linda was there, and Joy Sellers was there. So, I mean, don't say that they don't
show up to streets that have problems because they were there. Thank you. Thank you. No
comments or you'll be ruled out of order. Larry, the meeting's not done yet. I know
Dianne, if you are out of order again, I'm going to have you removed.
That's your warning, Chief.
If she does it again, please remove her.
could you please restart the clock since I haven't had a chance thank you I have a
question because I need clarification on this quorum issue as well I have read
and I saw the letters and I've seen what that says but I also know that our own
city ordinances about a quorum do not include the mayor so what I want to know
and I. So what I want to know is, how is it that a couple hours before all this commotion happened last week, it was okay to include you as part of a quorum when our own ordinances don't state that? So I'm wondering, do we need to change that ordinance or was it, which one is the one we're supposed to follow? Because I thought as home rule, you're able to make your own kinds of
and others.
We have ordinances to make things flow better and work better within the community.
That's how I understand how home rule can work.
But it just seemed like it got really convenient when this letter came through to make that
difference that now the state is more important than what we choose to do with our ordinances
under home rule.
And home rule, with our ordinance as it stands, the mayor is not named as part of the quorum.
So I need clarification on that personally that I do not understand.
And secondly, Mr. Shadle, I appreciate your willingness to reconsider number 20 tonight.
You and Mr. Klemm, I hope you will reconsider what you do with that because, again, I think
there is an unfairness that is coming down about that based on what we've learned tonight
about two people, and I really do hope that you will reconsider what happens with that ordinance.
I would hope that we do not have to vote on it, but I don't have the power to make that
difference. I'm just expressing my opinion and asking you to examine your consciences
and your heart about what truly is appropriate when that comes along. So I think that's all
I have to say. Thank you.
Are there any other public comments? I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Second. Motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle. All those in favor?
Aye. She's not on.