WEBVTT

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Good evening. Evelyn Ramos, could you please give the invocation this evening?

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Good evening. We're going to start out with Philippians 4 6 7. Do not be anxious about

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anything but in every situation by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Let us

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pray. Holy Spirit, we invite your presence into this meeting today. Guard their minds

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and Harts, as they discuss important matters, grant them your peace that surpasses understanding,

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keeping them focused and productive, guide their conversation and inspire creative solutions.

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In your mighty name we pray, amen.

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Thank you Evelyn.

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Now we'll call this meeting to order, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

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Mayor Miller?

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Here.

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Alderpersons, Klemm?

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Here.

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Anderson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy will be marked absent at the moment, Shadle, Sanders, and

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Sellers.

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And if I would allow a motion to allow Alderman Stacy to remote in.

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I'll make the motion.

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Second.

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We have a motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

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Any discussion on that motion?

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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.

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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.

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Just as a housekeeping rule we normally have all the resolutions put together at one

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place but this one is going to be at the end because it's important that we have

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the approval of the bids for items number 21 through 24 first.

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So with that is there a motion to approve the agenda?

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So move.

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Second.

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So, we have a motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Shadle, any

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discussion?

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Madam Clerk, please take the role.

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Is a voice okay for this?

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Oh, we are, we are, roll call all night, my apologies. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye.

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Stacy. Aye. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. And Sellers. Aye. The motion passes 8 to 0.

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for this proclamation, and you can actually turn towards the camera if you want, okay.

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Okay, so American Freedom Days, whereas we as Americans celebrate the 4th of July to

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commemorate our Declaration of Independence and the ultimate freedom

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of 2 million of our ancestors from the political tyranny of a monarchy, even though over 400,000

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of our ancestors remained in physical bondage to some of those so freed.

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And whereas June 19th commemorates the time over three quarters of a century later when

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over 4 million of our ancestors were finally freed from this physical bondage.

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And now therefore, I, Jodi Miller, Mayor of the City of Freeport, do hereby declare the

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and the two weeks between June 19th and July 4th as American Freedom Days in Freeport and

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invite us all to unite in celebrating our American heritage of liberty as the natural

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right of all God's children, all created equal.

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On behalf of the Officers, Executive Committee, and members of the Freeport branch of the

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NAACP, thank you for proclaiming Juneteenth through Independence Day as American Freedom

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Days in Freeport, Illinois.

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The NAACP began after a deadly race riot rocked the city of Springfield, Illinois.

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and

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the

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NACP.

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NACP is a non-governmental organization that is

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based in the state of Illinois.

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It is located at Springfield, Illinois, not

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Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia, but Springfield, Illinois.

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Since that time, the NACP has become the oldest and the

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and others.

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The Freeport branch was reactivated in February of 2021, and we have promoted scholarships

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for deserving high school seniors, a National Day of Racial Healing event, and we often

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partner with other organizations that are striving to eliminate racial prejudice and

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improve the political, educational, social and economic status of African Americans and

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and other minorities.

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We inform the community of our existence, our activities, and our events.

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We solicit new members to do the work of the various committees, and to emphasize to the

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public that the NAACP is open to all who support it.

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Again, thank you, and I would like for all members of the NAACP, if you would care to

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to Stand. Thank you. Once again, thank you for, thank you for proclaiming the two weeks

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between Juneteenth and Independence Day as American Freedom Days in Freeport as we celebrate

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the American Heritage of Liberty as the right for all.

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Again, thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Mike, where'd we at?

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Here.

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Come on up.

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Thank you for joining me for this proclamation.

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Proclamation of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Day,

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whereas the youth in our country are hurting

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due to the vast amount of peer pressure,

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poor options available to them, and more.

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And whereas God knows them personally,

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He cares and He is constantly reaching out to them,

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which leads them to open their ears and hearts.

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And whereas the Fellowship of Christian Athletes

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is dedicated to reaching the youth where they are,

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both spiritually and physically.

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And whereas the positivity is presented to the youth

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is immeasurable and must be replicated throughout our community.

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Now, therefore, I, Jodi Miller, hereby declare June 2nd, 2025 as Fellowship of Christian

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Athletes Day in the City of Freeport and encourage everyone to learn more about their efforts

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and enjoin the cause in uplifting our youth.

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I would like to thank you very much.

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Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an international organization that started in 1954 and it combined

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the passions of faith and athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

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The mission is to lead every coach and athlete to a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ

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and his church.

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We have no, FCA does not want to replace any churches or any church programs.

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There are an additional ministry working alongside of them.

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The vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches

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and athletes.

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Our strategy is three-fold, we call it E3.

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Gold, we call it E3, engage, equip, and empower.

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To engage, we need to go out and meet new people and make strong relationships with

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them, but we need to meet them where they're at, both physically and spiritually.

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To equip, we pour on the coaches and athletes scripture, prayers, and community, such as

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Bible studies, which are deemed huddles.

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To empower, this is achieved by modeling, watching, assisting, and launching.

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As the FCA associate models a God-fearing relationship with Christ to the coach and athletes,

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when we start to see either the coach or the athletes increase in their relationship with

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Christ, we encourage them to go out and model to and speak to other people, but we don't

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just send them out, we're right there with them.

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So if they have any questions, problems,

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we're right there to help.

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I did hand out a paperwork there.

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Snapshot of FCA's global impact of 2024

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is that we have recorded over 53,000 conversions to Christ

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and have donated almost 220,000 Bibles.

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and that's all with a staff of less than 3,000 people.

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My position, I will be representing six plus counties,

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Stevenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, and DeKalb.

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In those, there's roughly 70 middle schools,

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70 high schools, and over 100 colleges

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within a hundred and bio radius.

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Those are all my responsibility,

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but I will be focusing on four high schools

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and two colleges to get going.

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The FCA is a donor-supported ministry

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and relies on the support of generous partners

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to impact the world for Jesus Christ through support.

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My mission's monthly budget is in my paperwork.

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It is roughly $7,150.

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All of the inclusions are in there and ask me about any or all of them. It is not a problem.

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An individual is not an employee of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes until they are fully funded.

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So, if you are for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and my mission, I would be honored to accept your sponsorship.

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You can ask me any questions there. All my contact information is on the partner card that I've got.

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Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

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I'd like to invite John Kelly up here.

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So I would just like to introduce our newest firefighter. This is firefighter John Kelly.

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To introduce him, I wrote a few things down because I didn't want to screw it up.

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So again, this is John Kelly. He started with us on February 18th, what I like to say a 30-year career.

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Immediately after he started, a week and a half later, he was detailed to the Roan Millville Fire Academy,

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which he did quite well, won special certificates there.

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He graduated from Romoville on May 2nd,

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and then he began his assignment on B shift, which is

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today's shift, on May 21st. He comes to us now

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as a EMT basic and a

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basic firefighter operations

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level. So, welcome.

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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.

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We have an amazing group on our Freeport Fire Department. We should be very proud of each and every one of them.

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But also, one of the things that we talk about is, is this the kind of person in our time of need

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that we would depend on to help show, save our lives, protect our property, and more important, care for our entire community?

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Not only for our own families, but for every citizen in the city of Freeport.

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So John, you're standing here today because our confidence is in you and so is your responsibility to uphold that confidence.

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So congratulations. It's my pleasure on behalf of the Commission to read your Official Commission.

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City of Freeport Board of Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come,

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John M. Kelly, having been duly appointed to the position of Firefighter in and for the City of Freeport

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Report, in the County of Stevenson and State of Illinois, for the term from the second

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day of June 2025 until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, is

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hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of his said office

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according to the law and ordinance of said city, and all persons are required to respect

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him in the discharge of his said duties by the order of the Board and Fire Commission.

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Congratulations, John.

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Yes, we're going to swear you in, so I'm going to give this to you.

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I John Kelly do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States

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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.

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Okay, we will move on to item number two, which is the approval of the minutes from the May

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19th, 2025 meeting.

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Is there such a motion?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, would you please take the role?

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Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Abstain.

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I think she said abstain. Abstain. Shadle? Aye.

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Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The minutes are approved 2, 4, 5, to 1, to 1. That can't be right. 2 to 1.

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We have a few public comments this evening. Ted Odendahl.

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Hi, Ted Odendahl of 1405 South Benson. I'm here to just talk briefly about the ten shared

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principles of policing, item 16 on the agenda. I've had an opportunity to come to a number

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of the ward meetings. Council people have invited me and I've talked with the public

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Crosby, and I think about the 10 shared principles and I'm happy to see it come before the council

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this evening.

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Now the 10 shared principles have been a part of your police department, our police department

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for a number of years, and you may ask, well why are you bringing it to the council and

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the police chief signed on to it several years ago and the reason is that at that time I

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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.

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and others, and we are all working together on. The police department is holding themselves

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accountable by saying we ascribe to these, and we as the public need to hold ourselves

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accountable also by saying we ascribe to these. We are all in this together. We all want a

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better, safer community, and I think stating and adhering to these ten shared principles

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is a good start, is a good groundwork in terms of us doing that.

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So I hope that we'll have all of your support and I appreciate that support and the time

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that you've given us along the way.

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And I should say that this movement or this initiative is coming out of the Criminal Justice

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Committee of the NAACP and if you've looked at the Ten Shared Principles, you know that

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but those are something that the state NAACP organization developed in conjunction with

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the Illinois Chief of Police Association.

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So again, thank you for your support, we appreciate it.

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This is Diane Yocum.

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Good evening, I'm Diane Yocum and I live at 1004 Birchham Drive here in Freeport, Illinois.

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I'm here to speak against Agenda Item 11, Ordinance Number 2025-37 and Agenda Item 20,

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and

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the city of Washington.

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Power strikes back when certain truths come to light the city

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doesn't want the public to see or know about, though the public

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has had lots of questions for a long time that have never had

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answers.

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Prophetic voices are not appreciated in their own home

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towns and power and privilege will do whatever it can to

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ujemy, ask them, and use whatever tools they have at their disposal to suppress them.

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As on the national level, there are times when resistance becomes the only option, especially

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when power wants to maintain its status quo control.

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The City made sure of that last week by swearing in an Alderperson behind the scenes before

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the Council meeting began.

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Tonight's agenda for this Council meeting is noteworthy in that there are ordinance

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and I. I am proud to say that we have made some significant

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changes coming into play to give more power to the mayor and the

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city and lessening some power of the Council Alderpersons.

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Steps of punishing retribution are being brought back again by

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the city to be considered tonight and voted upon. The fines,

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some are being raised. If you have money to pay a fine, it

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doesn't touch you as much. If you don't, you are stuck.

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and Joseph.

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Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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I would like to say a few words about our community.

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Our community is a society that is both diversified and

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diversified.

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It is a society that is divided between the

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privileged and the disenfranchised versus the

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disenfranchised in our community, a story as old as

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time itself.

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Also, this administration is seeking to make it

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harder to put things on the agenda or to bring certain

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items back to the agenda by requiring a majority rather

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than the two or three Alderpersons it once needed.

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I find these moves to be less democratic and a power grab.

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Weaken the populace power so the privileged maintain

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and their power and control for the status quo which benefits them.

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We know where our local elected State officials stand on their politics.

00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:49.840
We are seeing the trickle down now by adherents on the local level before our eyes tonight.

00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:56.600
Silence, suppress, enact further measures of retribution in order to control.

00:23:56.600 --> 00:24:02.180
Power and control blended with privilege does not always result in just actions.

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:07.540
It does reveal the motivations of those behind these moves. It is for the benefit of those

00:24:07.540 --> 00:24:13.660
who want to maintain their power, control, and privilege over others in the community.

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:19.380
It comes across as trying to suppress voices they don't like and finding ways to punish

00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:24.960
them even more. We the public have noticed who has been allowed to get away with certain

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:31.340
actions and behaviors and who hasn't. Therefore, I ask you to vote no on the resolution and

00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:34.840
to consider changes to the ordnance.

00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:39.840
Kelvin McElwain.

00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:50.060
Hi, I'm Kelvin McElwain.

00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:53.680
I live at 515 West Moseley Street.

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.760
In the mini series Band of Brothers,

00:24:55.760 --> 00:24:59.040
there was a scene where a man at a lower rank

00:24:59.040 --> 00:25:02.520
was not going to salute a man at a higher rank

00:25:02.520 --> 00:25:05.340
because they had bad prior history.

00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:09.700
The major told him, you salute the rank, not the man.

00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:11.820
That message is crystal clear.

00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:14.400
Regardless of how you feel about the person,

00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:17.760
you respect and honor the rank and act accordingly

00:25:17.760 --> 00:25:21.180
for the sake of preserving order in the military.

00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:25.060
The same is true about each and one of these council seats.

00:25:25.060 --> 00:25:27.960
Regardless of how you feel about who sits in a seat

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:33.520
For what they are doing, there are certain duties and rights that seat has that can't

00:25:33.520 --> 00:25:41.000
be obstructed because we need to protect the democratic process of this city council.

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:45.720
Each person in these seats was elected by the people of that ward to represent them

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.680
on this council.

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:52.960
The purpose of each seat is to bring issues and concerns to the council floor for awareness,

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:55.360
discussion, or action.

00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:59.880
The items they bring to the council may be specific to their ward, another part of the

00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:02.480
city, or city-wide issues.

00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:08.080
The proposed ordinance that changes the requirement for requiring at least two Alderpersons to

00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:13.800
place an item on the agenda and changing that to where you need a majority of the City Council's

00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:19.840
approval to place an item on the agenda will damage the integrity of the democratic process

00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:25.240
for the Freeport City Council, just like not saluting the rank of a person you don't like

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:30.800
Mike damages the order needed for our military to function properly.

00:26:30.800 --> 00:26:37.160
This ordinance, if passed, would prevent anyone sitting in the council seat today, a year

00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:43.920
from now, five years from now, or ten years from now, to bring items to the council floor

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:48.920
that the people who elected them want to be addressed by the city council.

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:53.520
A majority requirement is a very high bar to just bring something to the council floor

00:26:53.520 --> 00:26:58.960
Moore as an agenda item. If the majority doesn't want to even talk about an issue, it won't

00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:04.080
make it to the floor. That issue won't even see the light of day. This ordinance will only

00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:09.620
serve to silence the citizens of Freeport residents by silencing their elected Alderperson.

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:15.800
And that's just not right. That's not democratic. I have served on this city council, the Freeport

00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:20.320
School District Board, multiple boards of directors for local organizations, and I have

00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:26.620
have never, never been part of an organization that required a majority of the group's approval

00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:29.360
to put an item on the meeting agenda.

00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:34.080
This requirement doesn't even exist in our United States Congress nor any of our state

00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:39.080
legislators so why would our city council want to operate this way?

00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:43.280
I'm asking each Alderperson to vote no on that part of the ordinance.

00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:48.820
At the end of the day, your no vote may benefit you because you may want to bring an issue

00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:49.820
to the agenda.

00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:51.820
Kasey Jacobs-Anthony, 1441 South Plum Avenue, Freeport,

00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:21.820
and

00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:27.140
I'm going to talk about the two minute time limit on speaking for council members.

00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:33.140
Coming from being a representative formerly of the County Board, it would be very

00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:37.140
difficult to be able to present information in two minutes to be able to

00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:41.140
get your point across. Now, I understand the need for efficiency that happens

00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:47.140
within the council and each council member has an obligation to do their

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.140
and so on.

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:50.980
I'm going to talk to the City Manager to get everything clarified so that when they come

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:55.460
here they can present their findings, present their research and express their opinion.

00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:58.380
You simply cannot do that in two minutes.

00:28:58.380 --> 00:29:02.220
Robert's Rules of Order, which governs and kind of guides these types of bodies on how

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:07.620
to run an efficient, effective government, says it should be ten minutes, not two.

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:13.940
So I ask that you reconsider that time limit within that particular piece of that ordinance.

00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:20.060
Moving on to number 20 with the censure. There have been many times over the past year that

00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:26.340
things have happened within this building during these meetings that would warrant behavior

00:29:26.340 --> 00:29:32.900
that would be considered something that you could call for censure for. Language, disrespect,

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:36.980
so much so that, you know, people outside of this community talk about the lack of decorum

00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:43.340
that exists within these chairs. I'm just concerned that it's just being done now. When

00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:46.780
When people have brought it up before, community members have come and asked for things to

00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:49.840
be done about the behavior that's occurred on this council.

00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:52.980
They were told that there's nothing that this council could do.

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:56.980
And now it's apparent that they were aware that censure does exist and that it can be

00:29:56.980 --> 00:30:00.140
brought forth, but they're choosing to bring it up now.

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:01.140
and others.

00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:05.100
We're choosing to bring it up now, which then brings up the question, why now and why not

00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:09.860
against other certain members of the council that exhibited abhorrent behavior.

00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:13.160
So I ask that you just consider that when moving forward with this.

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:17.260
You're going to censure some members of this body, then you need to do it equally and across

00:30:17.260 --> 00:30:18.260
the board.

00:30:18.260 --> 00:30:21.260
Thank you.

00:30:21.260 --> 00:30:30.900
Barbra Vines, if you don't have something on the agenda itself, then you have to wait

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:33.380
till the end.

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.380
And Rachel?

00:30:34.380 --> 00:30:35.380
Hi everyone.

00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:50.380
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Rachel Simmons.

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:57.380
At this time, I'm speaking both duly as a citizen, excuse me, and a council member.

00:30:57.380 --> 00:31:02.380
So what I have to say applies to item 11 and item 20.

00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:09.380
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

00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:12.380
and no actions of mine disrupted that meeting.

00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:14.380
So that's all I have on that.

00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:22.060
and that. Now as far as Item 11, it's so ironic that we just declared Freedom Day against

00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:28.220
tyranny. Just did that at the beginning of this meeting. However, with the changes in

00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:35.460
this ordinance, Alderpersons defined will be changed from a maximum of $100 to $250

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:41.860
if we speak more than two minutes or more than twice on any issue. All the authority

00:31:41.860 --> 00:31:46.260
has been given to Alderpersons in the city ordinance is now replaced with the

00:31:46.260 --> 00:31:50.860
wording of City Council and Alderpersons has been crossed out. So Alderpersons

00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:54.940
will no longer also serve as chair for Committee of the Whole meetings as we

00:31:54.940 --> 00:32:00.540
have all taken turns using doing that responsibility. In addition parents are

00:32:00.540 --> 00:32:05.860
sorry this prevents Alderpersons from placing items on the agenda without the

00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:10.180
consent of the majority of everyone. So if you have something that you want to

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:12.180
B. Bass, Greg and his family and all his friends.

00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:14.600
We want to make sure that the

00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:19.460
information that we bring is an issue to your community. You

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:23.420
can not bring that unless we all agree to it. Why would we be so

00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:25.740
scared to have a discussion? You can vote no if you disagree.

00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:29.900
Voting concerning the approval of budgets no longer requires a

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:32.520
majority vote of the Alderpersons, the council, the

00:32:32.520 --> 00:32:34.900
people put in charge, the ones that are supposed to employ Mr.

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:39.080
Boyer and the other department heads. We have a small say so

00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:45.160
has been removed. There has been no rewording. It has just been removed. All of this has

00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:50.720
been noted under the premise of Home Rule. We can do this because we have Home Rule.

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:55.200
I must express my concerns regarding these proposed changes. The shift in authority appears

00:32:55.200 --> 00:33:00.080
to be an abuse of power, effectively granting the Mayor and City Manager ultimate control

00:33:00.080 --> 00:33:04.840
over our city's governance. Alderpersons are intended to be the voice of the people,

00:33:04.840 --> 00:33:11.840
Yet this ordinance would not only silence them, but also strip away any checks on the actions of the City Manager and Mayor.

00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:17.840
If approved, this would mean that the City Manager would answer solely to the Mayor, leaving the voices of the community unheard.

00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:24.840
It raises serious questions about the purpose of having Alderpersons if their authority is diminished in such a significant way.

00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:33.840
It is truly disheartening to witness a Council that seems more inclined to silencing dissenting opinions rather than engage in constructive dialogue.

00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:39.840
The ability to listen to opposing viewpoints and reach compromises is essential for the betterment of our city.

00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:49.840
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.

00:33:49.840 --> 00:34:03.280
and Michael. Larry, Larry, if you have something you want to say as general, you have to wait

00:34:03.280 --> 00:34:12.160
to the end. Okay. Okay, then that concludes public comments. We move on to item number

00:34:12.160 --> 00:34:14.160
and

00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:18.160
the

00:34:18.160 --> 00:34:20.160
agenda.

00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:24.160
Is it an agenda item? Which one?

00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:37.160
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

00:34:37.160 --> 00:34:42.760
On Topic on agenda items, which number? Which one?

00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:44.760
Okay.

00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:56.780
My name is Wendy Pierson. I live at

00:34:56.800 --> 00:35:01.340
1323 South Chicago Avenue here in Freeport, Illinois.

00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:06.320
As far as the agenda item number 11.

00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:14.240
our city council has certain members of this city council have lost their minds when you try to limit

00:35:15.040 --> 00:35:23.840
the voices of the people by way of their older person the disrespect that flows through this

00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:32.720
council by certain council members i would like to address as well i will not shut up

00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:39.020
and I will not leave and the only time that I will shut up is when you and

00:35:39.020 --> 00:35:43.460
anybody else in this town can say that they are a national award winner, they're

00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:47.340
a presidential award winner, they've shut down drug houses, they've helped bring

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:52.060
the Boys and Girls Club back into futation. When anybody in this town can

00:35:52.060 --> 00:35:59.180
say those things to me, that's when I'll shut up. Disrespectful, cowardly, because

00:35:59.180 --> 00:36:29.180
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

00:36:29.180 --> 00:36:33.420
you got in the seat that you sat in when you were the Chief of Police.

00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:38.460
The same crap that was going on then is going on now.

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:42.340
You know for a fact and we know for a fact that the Chief of Police at that period of

00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:47.780
time should have been Mr. Lenore, your trainer, the person that trained you to do this job.

00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:50.860
So don't go there with us because we're not going to shut up.

00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.220
We're not going to stop.

00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:54.220
We're going to continue to fight.

00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:57.920
We're going to continue to fight for our rights to be able to speak up here for longer than

00:36:57.920 --> 00:37:02.320
2 Minutes for our Alderpersons to be able to speak more than two times without having

00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:06.080
a vote from each and every one of you to tell them they can speak again.

00:37:06.080 --> 00:37:12.880
When they were elected into that seat, they were elected to represent those of us in the

00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:15.000
wards that put them there.

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:18.860
And when some of them stood outside that door, you can believe that some of us were standing

00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:20.400
outside that door too.

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:24.140
So if you think for a second that they don't have people that are respectful towards them

00:37:24.140 --> 00:37:26.380
and that is willing to fight.

00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:27.980
You got another thing coming.

00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:29.700
As far as 20 is concerned,

00:37:29.700 --> 00:37:31.640
you guys know it's a bunch of crap.

00:37:32.640 --> 00:37:37.640
Move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda.

00:37:40.520 --> 00:37:42.780
The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature

00:37:42.780 --> 00:37:44.460
and acted as one motion unless there's a member

00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:45.900
of the council would like to have something removed

00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:47.060
for further discussion.

00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:50.980
Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approving

00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:53.760
to receive and place on file the board and commission minutes

00:37:53.760 --> 00:38:00.800
from the Police Pension Board, December 30th, 2024, January 29th, 2025, Historic Preservation

00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:11.480
Commission, May 21st, 2024, and April 15th, 2025, Fire Pension Board, January 29th, 2025,

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:16.600
the Board of Fire and Police Commission, April 22nd, 2025, also reports from the Police Department,

00:38:16.600 --> 00:38:22.020
Cash & Investment, and Finance Department for April 2025, the Greater Freeport Partnerships

00:38:22.020 --> 00:38:23.020
Schultz.

00:38:23.020 --> 00:38:30.660
The Resolution of 2025-57, which requests temporary closure for streets for the Teddy

00:38:30.660 --> 00:38:36.680
Baker Fest Parade dated July 13, 2025, approval of the finance bills payable in the total

00:38:36.680 --> 00:38:51.460
of $2,585.78 and payroll for a pay period ending May 17, 2025, in the total of $665,616.82

00:38:51.460 --> 00:39:01.180
82 cents. Is there a motion to approve? Second. A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by

00:39:01.180 --> 00:39:08.460
Alderman Sellers. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye.

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:18.660
Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye. The motion passes 6 to 2.

00:39:18.660 --> 00:39:24.180
DeWine. Item number seven is Appointments. When you're caught up, can you read those?

00:39:27.060 --> 00:39:31.300
Vesta Jean Bush to the Housing Authority effective through October 31st,

00:39:31.300 --> 00:39:37.140
2028 and Bobby Yount to the Housing Authority effective through October 31st, 2030.

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:40.740
Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second.

00:39:40.740 --> 00:39:47.620
The motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the Appointments?

00:39:48.660 --> 00:39:55.500
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.

00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:58.340
Stacy?

00:39:58.340 --> 00:40:17.340
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?

00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:34.340
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.

00:40:34.340 --> 00:40:36.340
Thank you. Manager Boyer.

00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:38.340
Thank you, Your Honor.

00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:45.340
Every four years or so, the city renews our national discharge permit.

00:40:45.340 --> 00:41:07.340
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.

00:41:07.340 --> 00:41:14.940
and the city. The EPA requires that our local limits are viewed by the City Council and approved.

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:23.740
We have some adjustments here all well within the range of normal activity and staff recommends a

00:41:23.740 --> 00:41:29.980
suspension of the rules and to approve the local limits, the new local limits. Is there a motion

00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:36.220
to move this ordinance forward? So move. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded

00:41:36.220 --> 00:41:51.539
by Alderman Shadle. Discussion? Yes. Alderman Sanders? Yes. I have concern about the way

00:41:51.539 --> 00:42:01.180
that we are receiving any notification or information, documentations on the IEPA approval

00:42:01.180 --> 00:42:07.740
or recommendations when it comes to the water waste treatment plants and any other kind

00:42:07.740 --> 00:42:12.059
of Illinois statues.

00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:18.300
What I'm having concerns with is that none of the material that is being brought up in

00:42:18.300 --> 00:42:24.019
these agendas does not give you full detail.

00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:30.780
I know we got it written in there, but it's limited and it's only discretionary whenever

00:42:30.780 --> 00:42:31.780
and others.

00:42:31.780 --> 00:42:37.380
So, I'm trying to find out whether important information from the IEPA is trying, has already

00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:44.180
declared what the policies and statutes are, but I'm trying to find out because of the

00:42:44.180 --> 00:42:52.380
fact that we're not sitting here reading what it is that has been handed down to us from

00:42:52.380 --> 00:42:54.019
the IEPA.

00:42:54.019 --> 00:43:04.180
that material has not made it to our council for discussion and to elaborate on what they're

00:43:04.180 --> 00:43:11.420
suggesting or recommendation that we as a city, municipality should follow.

00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:23.620
and so since we do not have that, it's hard for us to make a good, sound, conscious decision

00:43:23.620 --> 00:43:29.560
on recommending or voting on any of the things that is being reported on the agenda.

00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:41.720
So if we're limited to the information that probably sits at the EPA, then we are ignorant

00:43:41.720 --> 00:43:48.240
to what's really going on with the city, not reporting certain details about what the EPA

00:43:48.240 --> 00:43:54.400
is really recommending and the statutes that we have to follow as a community.

00:43:54.400 --> 00:44:24.400
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

00:44:24.400 --> 00:44:26.340
Allison, and

00:44:26.340 --> 00:44:29.340
Mary.

00:44:29.340 --> 00:44:35.519
I just want them to be, I just want things to be promptly notified and put on notice

00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:42.400
that the citizens of Freeport understands what it is that you do and that we do as a

00:44:42.400 --> 00:44:48.500
council so they will be more educated into whatever is going on within their city and

00:44:48.500 --> 00:44:54.519
and I don't care what it is, we can't leave detailed information out because it could be

00:44:54.519 --> 00:45:01.780
very pertinent or very detrimental to the health of the people of the City of Freeport.

00:45:01.780 --> 00:45:06.539
I'm just conscious about that and I just wanted to bring that out and I understand what our

00:45:06.539 --> 00:45:14.300
public relations with our general public has a lot of concerns.

00:45:14.300 --> 00:45:21.380
Well, certain areas of what should be really important to us has not been addressed.

00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:28.140
And I feel that we need more disclosure, we need to bring it out more and elaborate it.

00:45:28.140 --> 00:45:36.460
I'm looking for this to come from my city manager, my public directors and people of

00:45:36.460 --> 00:45:43.539
that nature, firms, lawyers or whoever the case is, nothing is to be suppressed from

00:45:43.539 --> 00:45:49.860
from the general public and I feel that sometimes we're not being forthcoming.

00:45:49.860 --> 00:45:53.860
That's my take on that.

00:45:53.860 --> 00:46:00.400
To reiterate what City Manager said, this is nothing to do with the EPA limits.

00:46:00.400 --> 00:46:06.820
This is our internal city limits of what we can accept for waste to our treatment plant.

00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:09.140
It's called the Mass Balance Equation.

00:46:09.140 --> 00:46:14.140
And our lab technician and chief lab manager

00:46:14.660 --> 00:46:17.420
did these equations and got them approved by EPA

00:46:17.420 --> 00:46:21.079
prior to coming to council to revise our local limits.

00:46:21.079 --> 00:46:23.740
So we've had some industry changes.

00:46:23.740 --> 00:46:26.019
We've had some flow changes at the plant

00:46:26.019 --> 00:46:29.539
that are allowing us to accept more waste

00:46:29.539 --> 00:46:34.000
in certain categories to our system,

00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:36.620
which is sometimes helpful to the wastewater treatment

00:46:36.620 --> 00:47:06.620
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.

00:47:06.620 --> 00:47:11.660
Are there any other public comments? I'm sorry, any other comments from from the

00:47:11.660 --> 00:47:18.100
council? Alderman Parker? Motion to suspend the rules. Second. We have a motion to

00:47:18.100 --> 00:47:23.280
suspend the rules made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Suspension

00:47:23.280 --> 00:47:26.180
of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk,

00:47:26.180 --> 00:47:33.860
could you please take the roll? Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.

00:47:33.860 --> 00:47:44.019
Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers. The suspension passes eight to zero. So now

00:47:44.019 --> 00:47:48.900
before you is the final passage for this ordinance. Any further discussion? Madam

00:47:48.900 --> 00:47:58.900
Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle,

00:47:58.900 --> 00:48:06.180
Sanders and Sellers aye and the ordinance is adopted 8 to 0 item number 9 is the

00:48:06.180 --> 00:48:10.220
first reading of ordinance 2025 35 could you please read this ordinance

00:48:10.220 --> 00:48:14.160
authorizing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency public water supply

00:48:14.160 --> 00:48:18.860
loan program and loan agreement for well number 12 entire four projects including

00:48:18.860 --> 00:48:23.619
construction project bid costs and all engineering costs thank you manager

00:48:23.619 --> 00:48:28.019
where thank your honor as everyone here is quite aware we've been working on

00:48:28.019 --> 00:48:34.700
Well 12 which is the last piece to our renovation of our source water capacity.

00:48:34.700 --> 00:48:40.180
The City of Freeport recently had a bid opening for phase four or four phases of

00:48:40.180 --> 00:48:46.180
well 12 water improvement project. The EPA public water loan program requires a

00:48:46.180 --> 00:48:50.980
current City of Freeport authorizing debt ordinance for the water project

00:48:50.980 --> 00:48:55.539
funding. This is part of every IEPA funding project regardless of whether the

00:48:55.539 --> 00:48:57.539
and

00:48:58.539 --> 00:49:00.539
the

00:49:01.539 --> 00:49:07.539
IEPA project management is requesting a well 12 project authorizing debt ordinance to be passed for this four-phase project.

00:49:08.539 --> 00:49:16.539
The IEPA requires this ordinance as part of the project every state revolving fund or SRF loan process.

00:49:16.539 --> 00:49:22.060
Follon process. The staff is also asking for the suspension of the rules on this item tonight

00:49:22.060 --> 00:49:31.060
to expedite this to the EPA as we currently have $13.2 million in outside grant and outside

00:49:31.060 --> 00:49:36.940
funding for this project. The city requires this construction project to be completed

00:49:36.940 --> 00:49:43.860
in order to abandon our current Brick Street plant and an eventual demo of that plant where

00:49:43.860 --> 00:49:51.019
The water facility will be permanently closed down due to the fact that it has perfluorinated

00:49:51.019 --> 00:49:52.560
compounds.

00:49:52.560 --> 00:49:57.140
This project is funded through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving

00:49:57.140 --> 00:49:58.300
Fund.

00:49:58.300 --> 00:50:05.340
C. State Revolving Fund, and this would be based on user rates with current $13.2 million

00:50:05.340 --> 00:50:11.000
in forgivable loans and congressionally directed spending to the city.

00:50:11.000 --> 00:50:16.420
So staff recommends council pass the debt ordinance so the city can issue the loan.

00:50:16.420 --> 00:50:22.460
The total for the debt ordinance is $32 million, which is the total cost of the project is

00:50:22.460 --> 00:50:27.660
coming in about $28 million, and so this $32 million is to create a small buffer in case

00:50:27.660 --> 00:50:34.820
There's some unexpected aspects related to construction. So staff asks council to move forward with this dead ordinance

00:50:35.180 --> 00:50:38.460
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? It's all moved. Second.

00:50:39.220 --> 00:50:43.700
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the ordinance?

00:50:46.019 --> 00:50:49.380
Alderman Parker? No, just motion to suspend the rules.

00:50:50.019 --> 00:50:51.260
Second.

00:50:51.260 --> 00:50:56.060
Motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Again,

00:50:56.060 --> 00:50:58.560
and two-thirds majority and non-debatable.

00:50:58.560 --> 00:51:00.920
Madam Clerk, would you please take the role in the suspension?

00:51:00.920 --> 00:51:01.760
Klemm?

00:51:01.760 --> 00:51:02.519
Aye.

00:51:02.519 --> 00:51:03.360
Johnson?

00:51:03.360 --> 00:51:04.180
Aye.

00:51:04.180 --> 00:51:05.019
Simmons?

00:51:07.360 --> 00:51:08.200
Aye.

00:51:08.200 --> 00:51:09.019
Parker?

00:51:09.019 --> 00:51:09.860
Aye.

00:51:09.860 --> 00:51:11.039
Stacy?

00:51:11.039 --> 00:51:11.960
No.

00:51:11.960 --> 00:51:12.800
Shadle?

00:51:12.800 --> 00:51:13.620
Aye.

00:51:13.620 --> 00:51:14.460
Sanders?

00:51:14.460 --> 00:51:15.300
No.

00:51:15.300 --> 00:51:16.120
And Sellers?

00:51:16.120 --> 00:51:16.960
Aye.

00:51:16.960 --> 00:51:19.480
We do have two-thirds, six to two.

00:51:20.860 --> 00:51:23.240
So now before you as the final passage of this ordinance,

00:51:23.240 --> 00:51:24.400
any further discussion?

00:51:24.400 --> 00:51:40.360
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.

00:51:40.360 --> 00:51:43.720
The ordinance passes 6-2.

00:51:43.720 --> 00:51:48.840
Item number 10 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-36, could you please read this?

00:51:48.840 --> 00:51:55.800
S. Amending Chapter 1060, Waste and Recycling Collection and Disposal, Section 1060.04 regarding

00:51:55.800 --> 00:51:56.800
garbage fees.

00:51:56.800 --> 00:51:57.800
Thank you.

00:51:57.800 --> 00:51:58.800
Director Richter.

00:51:58.800 --> 00:51:59.800
Thank you, Your Honor.

00:51:59.800 --> 00:52:06.280
A little bit of background before I start into the memo, if you remember last year we made

00:52:06.280 --> 00:52:08.680
an adjustment to the garbage rate.

00:52:08.680 --> 00:52:10.840
We actually kept it the same.

00:52:10.840 --> 00:52:16.280
We chose to not increase it, and so we had to change the ordinance last year.

00:52:16.280 --> 00:52:20.800
So this is building on to what happened last year.

00:52:20.800 --> 00:52:26.120
So the City's Health and Environment Fund accounts for the revenue and expenses related

00:52:26.120 --> 00:52:29.600
to garbage collection and recycling programs.

00:52:29.600 --> 00:52:34.539
The revenues from residents are deposited to the fund and the expense for garbage pickup

00:52:34.539 --> 00:52:37.680
is paid to the hauler from this fund.

00:52:37.680 --> 00:52:42.060
As the fund is considered an enterprise fund, it is run like a business with fees coming

00:52:42.060 --> 00:52:44.820
in to cover expenses.

00:52:44.820 --> 00:52:51.660
City Ordinance 1060.04 details the amount charged to residents per month for garbage

00:52:51.660 --> 00:52:53.980
and recycling pickup.

00:52:53.980 --> 00:53:00.100
In 2024, City Council voted to suspend the annual increase to residents that would have

00:53:00.100 --> 00:53:09.019
taken effect on July 1st of last year, 2024, due to the fund accruing a positive balance.

00:53:09.019 --> 00:53:16.140
So this year the fund has sufficient reserves to warrant adjustment to the rate schedule.

00:53:16.140 --> 00:53:23.340
The monthly rate charged to residents includes the hauler expense, bad debt expense, billing

00:53:23.340 --> 00:53:29.539
and collection services, and the refresh free port expenses.

00:53:29.539 --> 00:53:34.300
So what we're, there's, and there's a chart on the memo of what I'm proposing to change

00:53:34.300 --> 00:53:37.600
the rates to.

00:53:37.600 --> 00:53:43.760
The rates, just a little bit more background, when the rates were established five years

00:53:43.760 --> 00:53:52.280
ago when we signed the new garbage rate agreement, all 10 years were put into ordinance. So last

00:53:52.280 --> 00:53:57.640
year, what I have to do, last year since we changed, we held the line last year and did

00:53:57.640 --> 00:54:04.039
not change it, I would like to do similar and keep the rates a little bit lower than

00:54:04.039 --> 00:54:05.400
and what's in the ordinance.

00:54:06.880 --> 00:54:09.360
And if you would like me to read them off,

00:54:09.360 --> 00:54:12.440
I mean, we're gonna reduce the rate by $3

00:54:12.440 --> 00:54:16.560
that would be in effect July 1st of 2025.

00:54:16.560 --> 00:54:21.560
We would reduce the rate $1.75 for 2026, $1.59 for 2027,

00:54:23.860 --> 00:54:28.860
and then $1.84 reduction from what the ordinance has.

00:54:28.860 --> 00:54:38.539
Davis, and so that will allow the fund balance to come down from where it is to a level of

00:54:38.539 --> 00:54:40.680
three months expenses in reserve.

00:54:40.680 --> 00:54:42.920
Thank you.

00:54:42.920 --> 00:54:44.720
Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:54:44.720 --> 00:54:45.720
So moved.

00:54:45.720 --> 00:54:46.720
I second.

00:54:46.720 --> 00:54:52.640
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

00:54:52.640 --> 00:54:53.640
Discussion on the ordinance?

00:54:53.640 --> 00:54:54.640
Yes.

00:54:54.640 --> 00:54:55.640
Alderman Sanders?

00:54:55.640 --> 00:54:57.200
Alderman, Sanders?

00:54:57.200 --> 00:55:08.240
Would that also make the improvements to the water increase, if there has anything been

00:55:08.240 --> 00:55:16.920
modified as far as the water increase is concerned, or has it been addressed if we're going to

00:55:16.920 --> 00:55:23.480
do the same reduction rates with garbage and other utility rates, are we doing the same

00:55:23.480 --> 00:55:31.280
thing with water. Director Richter. This only has to do with garbage rates. Yeah I

00:55:31.280 --> 00:55:35.800
understand that. No I'm not proposing any changes with how the water structure is.

00:55:35.800 --> 00:55:45.560
Okay so so can I ask where did the water rates come from and who asserted it in

00:55:45.560 --> 00:55:53.320
imposed it who brought this water rate increase into our our utility services

00:55:53.320 --> 00:55:55.320
and

00:55:55.960 --> 00:56:01.200
who put this into play. I just want to know who authorized the increase of the

00:56:01.200 --> 00:56:05.980
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.

00:56:05.980 --> 00:56:07.980
Well, he just can't be talking about what you're talking about.

00:56:07.980 --> 00:56:14.660
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.

00:56:15.420 --> 00:56:20.480
So the ordinance is just about lowering the garbage rates and nothing to do with water.

00:56:20.480 --> 00:56:26.560
Potter. So that's the only reason why I'm kind of reminding you to stay on topic.

00:56:26.560 --> 00:56:32.680
Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, we'll move on to item number 11, which is

00:56:32.680 --> 00:56:37.000
the first reading of Ordinance 2025-37. Could you please read this?

00:56:37.000 --> 00:56:43.720
Ordinance amending Chapter 220, Council, Section 220-10, Rules of Council, and Section 220-11,

00:56:43.720 --> 00:56:46.880
Council Committees. Thank you. Attorney Zito.

00:56:46.880 --> 00:56:48.519
Thank you, Your Honor.

00:56:48.519 --> 00:56:54.740
So City of Freeport Court of Ordinance Section 220.10 and 220.11 provide for various rules

00:56:54.740 --> 00:56:59.600
that govern how the City Council and its various committees' meetings are conducted.

00:56:59.600 --> 00:57:03.120
These rules include but are not limited to how meetings are called, establishment of

00:57:03.120 --> 00:57:07.480
a quorum, procedures for placing items on agenda, frequency of speaking, decorum at

00:57:07.480 --> 00:57:10.920
meetings, and then penalties for violating any of these rules.

00:57:10.920 --> 00:57:15.079
The ordinance before the City Council for consideration proposes changes to Section

00:57:15.080 --> 00:57:21.200
2, 20.10, and 2, 20.11 in an effort to increase efficiency in meetings, clarify ambiguities

00:57:21.200 --> 00:57:25.180
that exist in the existing language, and then set forth procedures for having items placed

00:57:25.180 --> 00:57:27.039
on the agenda.

00:57:27.039 --> 00:57:33.080
In pertinent part, the changes, or in key parts, the changes include that the Mayor,

00:57:33.080 --> 00:57:37.560
the City Manager, or a majority of the City Council can cancel a meeting, that the Mayor,

00:57:37.560 --> 00:57:41.280
City Manager, or majority of the City Council may call a special meeting of the City Council,

00:57:41.280 --> 00:57:48.280
3. That quorum would be established based on a majority of the City Council. City Council is defined as the Alderpersons plus the Mayor.

00:57:48.280 --> 00:57:59.280
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.

00:57:59.280 --> 00:58:01.280
and

00:58:02.280 --> 00:58:04.280
John.

00:58:06.280 --> 00:58:08.280
And then the last item is the

00:58:09.280 --> 00:58:13.280
ordinance. The further this section also goes on to provide an example that

00:58:14.280 --> 00:58:21.280
purposely missing a meeting to try to obstruct the conduct of city business is not considered to be a reasonable reason for being absent.

00:58:22.280 --> 00:58:28.280
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.

00:58:29.280 --> 00:58:33.280
that you no longer would need a unanimous vote of the council to speak an additional time.

00:58:33.280 --> 00:58:36.640
It would just be a majority vote to allow for that additional time.

00:58:37.240 --> 00:58:41.240
Finally, the proposed change to this section would limit each turn

00:58:42.000 --> 00:58:44.360
that a council member is allowed to speak to two minutes in time.

00:58:44.760 --> 00:58:48.480
However, the two minutes can be extended then by a majority vote of the council

00:58:48.480 --> 00:58:51.760
to allow for additional time to speak.

00:58:51.760 --> 00:58:57.160
Throughout the entirety of Section 220-10, where there are vote requirements specified,

00:58:57.160 --> 00:59:04.160
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.

00:59:06.160 --> 00:59:20.160
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.

00:59:20.160 --> 00:59:27.160
Regarding penalties for violating rules, this provides a $250 fine for any member who is convicted of violating the council rules.

00:59:27.160 --> 00:59:36.160
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.

00:59:36.160 --> 00:59:43.160
And then it also provides that items can be removed by the persons who requested that the item be placed on the agenda originally.

00:59:43.160 --> 00:59:51.800
originally. Another new rule being proposed governs City Council requests of City staff.

00:59:51.800 --> 00:59:56.220
This proposed change provides that members of the City Council can make reasonable informational

00:59:56.220 --> 00:59:58.220
Request to City Staff or Contracted Staff.

00:59:58.220 --> 01:00:00.220
and

01:00:01.220 --> 01:00:03.220
John.

01:00:04.220 --> 01:00:10.220
And that if a request requires staff to compile information, that staff will be given at least five business days to compile the information.

01:00:11.220 --> 01:00:21.220
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.

01:00:21.220 --> 01:00:36.220
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.

01:00:36.220 --> 01:00:42.220
It further provides that the agenda items can be removed by the person who requested the items be placed on the agenda originally.

01:00:42.220 --> 01:00:50.220
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.

01:00:50.220 --> 01:00:55.220
Committee. There's no financial impact to the city budget related to these proposed ordinance

01:00:55.220 --> 01:01:00.340
changes. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance and this ordinance is in line with

01:01:00.340 --> 01:01:03.980
the strategic plan based off responsive, efficient government.

01:01:03.980 --> 01:01:07.540
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?

01:01:07.540 --> 01:01:10.420
So moved. Second.

01:01:10.420 --> 01:01:17.380
We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion on the

01:01:17.380 --> 01:01:27.380
Ordinance. Yes. Alderman, Sellers. Yes. Could I get a better understanding of number eight that you just, you just read, please, please?

01:01:31.380 --> 01:01:40.380
Regarding, so section, you're talking about section eight of the item, or number eight of the ordinance. Of the ordinance, please.

01:01:40.380 --> 01:01:43.380
Regarding quorum, I'm sorry, or?

01:01:43.380 --> 01:01:48.220
A new rule of council is being proposed to be added to governor. What?

01:01:50.220 --> 01:01:52.220
Oh memo number

01:01:57.180 --> 01:01:59.180
210 29 got it

01:02:06.340 --> 01:02:08.340
One second

01:02:13.380 --> 01:02:35.380
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.

01:03:05.380 --> 01:03:07.380
Owens, David, and Michael.

01:03:07.380 --> 01:03:10.380
So I want to invite all of you to come to the meeting.

01:03:10.380 --> 01:03:16.380
You are now proposing yourself, injecting yourself into the

01:03:16.380 --> 01:03:20.380
government structure as the attorney or the mayor.

01:03:20.380 --> 01:03:25.380
You guys cannot just assume that we would go along with that

01:03:25.380 --> 01:03:30.380
part of the item simply because you want to impose that on the

01:03:30.380 --> 01:03:40.380
or want to have the right to assert yourself in the censorship of the governing body of the council.

01:03:40.380 --> 01:03:49.380
In other words, you were not elected to do these kinds of things for governing the city of Freeport.

01:03:49.380 --> 01:03:52.380
It was the aldermen, it's the district people.

01:03:52.380 --> 01:03:57.380
That is, the people of the city of Freeport are the ones who are making these decisions,

01:03:57.380 --> 01:04:08.060
but it's not left up to the mayor nor is it left up to the city manager or the attorney,

01:04:08.060 --> 01:04:17.060
Zito or Aaron as you might call it because that is not what this is stipulating and when

01:04:17.060 --> 01:04:22.100
you bring it out like that, people don't have a full understanding of your motivational

01:04:22.100 --> 01:04:23.100
and many more.

01:04:23.100 --> 01:04:24.100
Thank you.

01:04:24.100 --> 01:04:25.100
Thank you.

01:04:25.100 --> 01:04:26.100
Thank you.

01:04:26.100 --> 01:04:27.100
Thank you.

01:04:57.100 --> 01:05:27.100
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

01:05:27.100 --> 01:05:36.600
to come in and just throw things around at their discretion or who wants to impose their viewpoints and opinions up on the council

01:05:36.600 --> 01:05:39.600
to make certain decisions for the citizens of Freeport.

01:05:39.600 --> 01:05:48.100
I think it's an injustice that you are doing these kinds of things and trying to blow it right through the council

01:05:48.100 --> 01:05:54.600
and impose an ordinance up on the citizens and the council suppressing them

01:05:54.600 --> 01:06:02.600
from doing whatever it is that this ordinance is trying to annihilate them from doing.

01:06:02.600 --> 01:06:09.600
So my thing is, why are we even entertaining item eight?

01:06:09.600 --> 01:06:16.600
We shouldn't even be sitting here contemplating about something that is happening that has not happened yet.

01:06:16.600 --> 01:06:20.600
But it's almost as if people are asserting themselves

01:06:20.600 --> 01:06:46.600
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.

01:06:46.600 --> 01:07:08.600
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.

01:07:08.600 --> 01:07:14.600
There's probably others in there, but the thing about it is we need to look at that with a stronger view lens.

01:07:14.600 --> 01:07:44.600
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

01:07:44.600 --> 01:07:53.640
I understand some of the frustration that we get with too many things on the agenda, but

01:07:53.640 --> 01:08:01.240
I do think that not having a majority, but the two people being able to bring up ideas

01:08:01.240 --> 01:08:07.480
they might get, you know, just learning the whole process and how things work.

01:08:07.480 --> 01:08:10.120
So that's what my point of view is right now.

01:08:10.120 --> 01:08:31.120
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?

01:08:40.119 --> 01:08:44.940
you guys make the legislative decisions, you guys make policy decisions, so like you guys

01:08:44.940 --> 01:08:48.780
adopt ordinances, you guys choose, just like this ordinance is being brought before you

01:08:48.780 --> 01:08:54.340
to either vote yes or no on or to vote to make changes to this draft ordinance, that

01:08:54.340 --> 01:08:59.640
is the council's role now in the city manager form of government.

01:08:59.640 --> 01:09:06.800
The city manager's role then is to carry out the day-to-day operations of the city.

01:09:06.800 --> 01:09:11.760
the City Manager is in charge of dealing with all the employees, making all the hirings

01:09:11.760 --> 01:09:17.600
and firings and disciplines of all the employees and making recommendations to the City Council

01:09:17.600 --> 01:09:22.539
as to how best to accomplish the goals, the policy goals that the Council then sets as

01:09:22.539 --> 01:09:24.200
a legislative body.

01:09:24.200 --> 01:09:29.940
So you guys say, for example, I want you to go left, get me the left, whatever that is,

01:09:29.940 --> 01:09:35.159
then it's up to the City Manager's discretion on how he chooses or she chooses to get you

01:09:35.159 --> 01:09:36.760
left there.

01:09:36.760 --> 01:09:41.680
So the day-to-day isn't the purview of the council, it's just that you guys would set

01:09:41.680 --> 01:09:46.819
the overarching policy there, does that kind of add a high level without getting too far

01:09:46.819 --> 01:09:47.819
off topic?

01:09:47.819 --> 01:09:48.819
Thank you.

01:09:48.819 --> 01:09:49.819
Alderman Simmons.

01:09:49.819 --> 01:09:50.819
Thank you.

01:09:50.819 --> 01:09:57.340
So I will just say this, I definitely look forward to further discussions on how we can

01:09:57.340 --> 01:09:59.340
Apolian, Texas,

01:09:59.340 --> 01:10:06.340
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.

01:10:06.340 --> 01:10:11.340
And with that being said, I would like to make a motion to table this indefinitely.

01:10:11.340 --> 01:10:20.340
Is there a second?

01:10:20.340 --> 01:10:24.340
Motion fails for a lack of a second.

01:10:24.340 --> 01:10:25.340
Did you ask who?

01:10:25.340 --> 01:10:28.340
I asked was there a second and no one said anything.

01:10:28.340 --> 01:10:46.340
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.

01:10:46.340 --> 01:10:55.340
Discussion? Alderman Sellers.

01:10:55.340 --> 01:11:01.500
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

01:11:01.500 --> 01:11:02.619
No, it means it's done.

01:11:02.619 --> 01:11:03.500
Oh, okay.

01:11:03.500 --> 01:11:06.220
I mean go by what we already have on ordinance.

01:11:10.380 --> 01:11:15.100
Well, if there's no further discussion, we'll take the vote on tabling indefinitely.

01:11:16.940 --> 01:11:17.500
Klemm?

01:11:17.500 --> 01:11:18.000
No.

01:11:18.860 --> 01:11:19.579
Johnson?

01:11:19.579 --> 01:11:20.079
No.

01:11:20.539 --> 01:11:21.180
Simmons?

01:11:21.180 --> 01:11:21.680
Aye.

01:11:21.980 --> 01:11:22.699
Parker?

01:11:22.699 --> 01:11:23.199
No.

01:11:23.579 --> 01:11:24.079
Stacy?

01:11:25.340 --> 01:11:45.340
Aye. Shadle? No. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? I say no. One, two, three in favor of tabling, it has failed. Of course it would.

01:11:45.340 --> 01:11:53.340
And so next, if there's no further discussion, Alderman Johnson, I'm sorry.

01:11:53.340 --> 01:12:18.340
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.

01:12:18.340 --> 01:12:21.340
Was that a motion or just a discussion point?

01:12:21.340 --> 01:12:22.340
That's a motion.

01:12:22.340 --> 01:12:41.840
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.

01:12:41.840 --> 01:12:44.340
Right. Second.

01:12:44.340 --> 01:12:51.340
So we have a motion made by Johnson, seconded by Sellers. Discussion on that portion of the amendment.

01:12:51.340 --> 01:12:56.260
Alderman Simmons. I just have a question for Attorneys Ito. So once these

01:12:56.260 --> 01:13:01.060
amendments are made, it'll come back to council. We're voting on sending it back

01:13:01.060 --> 01:13:06.279
to be amended to then come back for a vote, correct? So if this proposed

01:13:06.279 --> 01:13:12.539
amendment passes, then because there was a motion to move it forward to for

01:13:12.539 --> 01:13:16.220
second reading, they're in between now and second reading. I'll make that

01:13:46.220 --> 01:13:49.739
Now, would be just on the amendment motion.

01:13:49.739 --> 01:13:54.140
However, it would still move this ordinance to second reading.

01:13:54.140 --> 01:13:56.300
Right, it's already been moved to second reading.

01:13:56.300 --> 01:14:01.500
Right, it already has by Alderman, Shadle, and Klemm.

01:14:01.500 --> 01:14:03.539
Right, so they moved it forward.

01:14:03.539 --> 01:14:05.100
And now Alderman Johnson's proposing

01:14:05.100 --> 01:14:07.779
to make an amendment to it.

01:14:07.779 --> 01:14:09.420
And so if the amendment passes, then it

01:14:09.420 --> 01:14:12.980
would move forward as amended.

01:14:12.980 --> 01:14:13.980
Two people.

01:14:13.980 --> 01:14:16.180
Do you have a question on the amendment?

01:14:16.180 --> 01:14:25.539
I have a question about the whole proposition but it's still part of the subject and my question is

01:14:26.659 --> 01:14:33.460
who brought this to the council? I need someone to declare this particular

01:14:34.420 --> 01:14:41.619
ordinance or this particular adoption or who proposed it? Who brought it to the council

01:14:41.619 --> 01:14:50.819
for us to even be sitting here to even contemplate voting on this thing and not only that, having

01:14:50.819 --> 01:14:59.220
amendments done with it. Who brought this to us in order for us to do so? And I like to know who authorized it

01:14:59.220 --> 01:15:07.060
to make that proposal known unto the council. Let's stay on track. This amendment is what we're

01:15:07.060 --> 01:15:10.739
talking about. That has nothing to do with the amendment. So do you understand what the amendment

01:15:10.739 --> 01:15:12.739
I know what the amendment means.

01:15:12.739 --> 01:15:15.739
Yeah, I just wanted to know who brought this whole apparatus.

01:15:15.739 --> 01:15:17.739
That has nothing to do with the amendment.

01:15:17.739 --> 01:15:19.739
Yeah, I know. But my point is, it's out of order.

01:15:19.739 --> 01:15:21.739
Is there any other further discussion on the amendment?

01:15:21.739 --> 01:15:26.739
Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the amendment only?

01:15:26.739 --> 01:15:28.739
Well, don't do that yet.

01:15:28.739 --> 01:15:30.739
Did you have another question?

01:15:30.739 --> 01:15:32.739
I have another motion.

01:15:32.739 --> 01:15:34.739
Another amendment.

01:15:34.739 --> 01:15:41.039
Well, if you have a different motion, like, do you want to amend her motion or is it a completely different motion?

01:15:41.039 --> 01:15:43.039
Completely different motion.

01:15:43.039 --> 01:15:47.739
Okay, so then we have to finish this motion and then you can make another motion.

01:15:47.739 --> 01:15:51.239
I thought any motion took over the motion in order.

01:15:51.239 --> 01:15:58.239
It depends on the hierarchy of the ladder there. So we're in the pending motion right now. You can amend this motion.

01:15:58.239 --> 01:16:01.239
That's fine. But if you're making a completely separate motion,

01:16:01.239 --> 01:16:31.239
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

01:16:31.239 --> 01:16:32.940
plus a memo, right?

01:16:32.940 --> 01:16:35.940
You're asking to lay that motion over right now

01:16:35.940 --> 01:16:38.659
for further discussion to another meeting.

01:16:38.659 --> 01:16:41.020
I'm asking once those changes are made,

01:16:41.020 --> 01:16:43.640
it is brought to the COW for discussion.

01:16:43.640 --> 01:16:47.060
Oh, once...

01:16:47.060 --> 01:16:49.079
You're saying we go right in the second reading,

01:16:49.079 --> 01:16:51.119
which we'll put it on our next regular meeting

01:16:51.119 --> 01:16:53.760
to be then voted on to pass.

01:16:53.760 --> 01:16:54.600
Correct.

01:16:54.600 --> 01:16:56.539
So if this motion passes,

01:16:56.539 --> 01:17:00.680
then you can make a motion to refer it back to COW then,

01:17:00.680 --> 01:17:01.520
if you want to talk about it more.

01:17:01.520 --> 01:17:04.039
Let's deal with just the amended motion first.

01:17:04.039 --> 01:17:06.300
It has, a COW discussion has nothing to do

01:17:06.300 --> 01:17:07.300
with the amendment.

01:17:08.520 --> 01:17:11.680
But it would if the amendment

01:17:11.680 --> 01:17:14.239
or what is I'm asking to be discussed at.

01:17:14.239 --> 01:17:15.860
So the amendment though, right now,

01:17:15.860 --> 01:17:17.020
if you're gonna amend her motion,

01:17:17.020 --> 01:17:20.680
it would be to amend like the verbiage of her motion.

01:17:20.680 --> 01:17:23.860
You wanna send her motion for further as presented

01:17:23.860 --> 01:17:26.239
if it's approved for further discussion.

01:17:26.239 --> 01:17:29.159
But at that point, it really, you already voted on it.

01:17:29.159 --> 01:17:33.680
Right now, you'd be voting to say, yes, we agree with the language that she's proposing.

01:17:33.680 --> 01:17:39.239
So if you want to talk about the proposed language more, then you would just motion to table this

01:17:39.239 --> 01:17:51.520
to the next count to discuss Alderman Johnson's language more before you even vote on it.

01:17:51.520 --> 01:17:55.880
That will work, because then we can change at as for amendments as well.

01:17:55.880 --> 01:18:06.880
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.

01:18:06.880 --> 01:18:09.880
If that's how we have to go about it, that's what I would like to do.

01:18:09.880 --> 01:18:12.880
So you only want the amendment on the COW? Is that what you're saying?

01:18:12.880 --> 01:18:15.880
Yep, because there may be other amendments.

01:18:15.880 --> 01:18:17.880
Along with the entire thing?

01:18:17.880 --> 01:18:22.880
Yep, there may be other amendments we want to add in addition to hers.

01:18:22.880 --> 01:18:27.520
yeah but if it don't we have to vote on the amendment in order to move that

01:18:27.520 --> 01:18:33.600
forward no so Oldham & Johnson's made a motion to make an amendment that can be

01:18:33.600 --> 01:18:36.920
tabled for further discussion to like that can be tabled to another meeting or

01:18:36.920 --> 01:18:40.440
laid over to excuse me to another meeting for further discussion to not

01:18:40.440 --> 01:18:44.440
have to vote on the proposed amendment tonight to take it to hypothetically a

01:18:44.440 --> 01:18:50.920
cow to have further discussion on it I'm just the amendment correct just the

01:18:50.920 --> 01:18:52.920
and

01:18:54.280 --> 01:18:56.280
Dixie.

01:18:58.579 --> 01:19:01.579
That's a proper order. That would be a motion that could be

01:19:01.579 --> 01:19:03.579
allowed.

01:19:05.480 --> 01:19:08.480
But that motion needs, that motion to lay this, the amendment

01:19:08.480 --> 01:19:10.480
over for further discussion needs a second and it needs to be

01:19:10.480 --> 01:19:12.480
approved by the council.

01:19:14.079 --> 01:19:16.079
Okay. So we have a motion made by Alderman Simmons to lay the

01:19:18.079 --> 01:19:20.079
amendment of Alderman Johnson's to the cow. Is there a second

01:19:20.079 --> 01:19:22.480
We have a second by Alderman Sanders.

01:19:22.480 --> 01:19:25.980
So before you, Council, is just this piece of it

01:19:25.980 --> 01:19:29.039
of the amendment moving to the cow.

01:19:29.039 --> 01:19:31.520
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:19:31.520 --> 01:19:32.340
Klemm?

01:19:32.340 --> 01:19:34.060
Yes.

01:19:34.060 --> 01:19:35.199
Johnson?

01:19:35.199 --> 01:19:36.440
No.

01:19:36.440 --> 01:19:37.440
Simmons?

01:19:37.440 --> 01:19:38.400
Yes.

01:19:38.400 --> 01:19:39.239
Parker?

01:19:39.239 --> 01:19:40.280
No.

01:19:40.280 --> 01:19:41.119
Stacy?

01:19:42.440 --> 01:19:43.360
Yes.

01:19:43.360 --> 01:19:44.199
Shadle?

01:19:44.199 --> 01:19:45.020
No.

01:19:45.020 --> 01:19:45.860
Sanders?

01:19:45.860 --> 01:19:46.699
Yes.

01:19:46.699 --> 01:19:47.539
Sellers?

01:19:47.539 --> 01:19:48.840
Yes.

01:19:48.840 --> 01:19:55.840
the motion passes five to three

01:19:56.720 --> 01:20:03.720
okay so just for clarity the only thing that is

01:20:03.720 --> 01:20:04.720
and John.

01:20:04.720 --> 01:20:08.079
And just for clarity, the only thing that is on the Committee of the Whole next week

01:20:08.079 --> 01:20:11.920
is this amendment that was just made.

01:20:11.920 --> 01:20:18.400
And the second reading for the entire ordinance is on for the 16th.

01:20:18.400 --> 01:20:19.400
Correct.

01:20:19.400 --> 01:20:20.400
Okay.

01:20:20.400 --> 01:20:27.539
So let's move on to item number 12, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-38.

01:20:27.539 --> 01:20:29.159
Could you please read this?

01:20:29.159 --> 01:20:35.800
Approving Hanger Leases, we have K-10 with Lynn Peace and M-10 with Timothy Graydon.

01:20:35.800 --> 01:20:43.079
Manager Boyer. Thank Your Honor. Again, we're wrapping up with the final new

01:20:43.079 --> 01:20:49.240
leases, so we've received K-10 and M-10. Staff is requesting a suspension of the

01:20:49.240 --> 01:20:54.079
rules and approval of this ordinance. Is there a motion to move this ordinance

01:20:54.079 --> 01:21:02.360
forward so move motion made by Alderman Sellers seconded by Alderman Klemm to

01:21:02.360 --> 01:21:08.640
move this ordinance forward any discussion on the ordinance request for

01:21:08.640 --> 01:21:14.220
suspension of the rules so move the motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded

01:21:14.220 --> 01:21:17.079
by Alderman Sellers for suspension of the rules that good and suspension is

01:21:17.079 --> 01:21:21.079
non-debatable must pass by two-thirds madam clerk could you please take the

01:21:21.079 --> 01:21:46.079
Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Alderperson, Stacy, are you still with us?

01:21:46.079 --> 01:21:56.440
How do you vote on the suspension of rules for the hanger leases?

01:21:56.440 --> 01:21:58.480
I'll come back to you, Shadle?

01:21:58.480 --> 01:21:59.480
Aye.

01:21:59.480 --> 01:22:00.480
Sanders?

01:22:00.480 --> 01:22:01.480
Aye.

01:22:01.480 --> 01:22:02.480
Is Absent and Sellers?

01:22:02.480 --> 01:22:03.480
Aye.

01:22:03.480 --> 01:22:07.360
Alderperson, Stacy, do you have a vote?

01:22:07.360 --> 01:22:13.079
Can you tell me what we are voting on for whatever reason the phone went dead and I

01:22:13.079 --> 01:22:16.039
had to call back in?

01:22:16.039 --> 01:22:22.720
We have two hanger leases. And Mayor Miller, I apologize, I missed the motion in the second.

01:22:22.720 --> 01:22:29.199
Is that also Klemm and Sellers? Yes. Yes. And then we had suspension of the rules, motion

01:22:29.199 --> 01:22:40.840
made by Klemm and Sellers. What say you? Five. Thank you. The suspension pass is seven to

01:22:40.840 --> 01:22:55.240
zero. I don't ever count the absence. All right, so now before you counsel is the final

01:22:55.240 --> 01:23:00.200
passage of this ordinance on the hangar leases. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please

01:23:00.200 --> 01:23:10.280
take the roll. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacey. Aye. Shadle. Aye.

01:23:10.280 --> 01:23:16.800
Sellers. Aye. And the ordinance passes 7 to 0. Item number 13 is the adoption of

01:23:16.800 --> 01:23:21.520
resolution 2025-58. Could you please read this? Resolution approving ADA

01:23:21.520 --> 01:23:26.880
transition plan. The word plan should have been in there. My apologies. Thank you.

01:23:26.880 --> 01:23:30.320
Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The federal and state governments brought

01:23:30.320 --> 01:23:35.440
significantly more focus to the ADA access and mobility challenges for

01:23:35.440 --> 01:23:39.320
residents in populated communities. The Illinois Department of Transportation,

01:23:39.320 --> 01:23:45.600
I-DOT notified the city staff in the fall of 23 that a citywide ADA assessment, grievance

01:23:45.600 --> 01:23:51.640
policy, and transition plan is required for all local public authorities with more than

01:23:51.640 --> 01:23:54.039
50 employees in the state of Illinois.

01:23:54.039 --> 01:24:00.400
This ADA transition plan will be collaborative with future motor fuel tax funding along with

01:24:00.400 --> 01:24:05.920
ADA intersection ramp upgrades that are required as part of all street project construction.

01:24:05.920 --> 01:24:13.920
A.D.A. assessments were completed by the Licensed Engineer, knowledgeable in A.D.A. compliance codes and PROAG requirements.

01:24:13.920 --> 01:24:22.920
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

01:24:22.920 --> 01:24:26.920
with annual updates as construction work is completed.

01:24:26.920 --> 01:24:33.920
The City of Freeport A.D.A. assessment transition plan studies have been completed in a draft form for council approval.

01:24:33.920 --> 01:24:37.920
The mandatory public hearing was held on May 30th, 2025 at 5pm.

01:24:37.920 --> 01:24:39.920
Comments from the meeting were summarized.

01:24:39.920 --> 01:24:44.920
At this time, we are requesting City Council adopt this 88 Assessment and Transition Plan

01:24:44.920 --> 01:24:48.920
so we may move forward with selecting a grievance and advisory committee.

01:24:48.920 --> 01:24:54.920
Once the plan is adopted, staff will also file the plan with IDOT as part of our MFT funding requirements

01:24:54.920 --> 01:24:59.920
and the City receives $1.1 million in MFT from IDOT annually.

01:24:59.920 --> 01:25:07.760
At this time, there is no financial aspect to be concerned about except how the adoption

01:25:07.760 --> 01:25:14.480
of this plan will require a budget item in 2026 for potential ADA grievance, construction

01:25:14.480 --> 01:25:15.480
repairs.

01:25:15.480 --> 01:25:20.800
Other street ADA ramp replacements will be addressed one by one as street reconstructions

01:25:20.800 --> 01:25:25.200
are taking place on the annual street program per federal and state funding requirements

01:25:25.200 --> 01:25:28.520
and staff requests approval of this plan.

01:25:28.520 --> 01:25:30.520
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:25:30.520 --> 01:25:32.520
I'll move, second.

01:25:32.520 --> 01:25:36.520
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Shadle.

01:25:36.520 --> 01:25:38.520
Discussion? Darren?

01:25:38.520 --> 01:25:42.520
Yeah, I just wanted to let everybody know I left a complete plan.

01:25:42.520 --> 01:25:45.520
It's about 300 pages on each of your desks.

01:25:45.520 --> 01:25:50.520
It's also linked to the city's website so anybody can view it.

01:25:50.520 --> 01:25:57.520
As part of the process, the living document that we talked about is hyperlinked to the city's homepage.

01:25:57.520 --> 01:26:02.039
Page. Anybody can view it. It's under the resources tab. Every ramp in town was

01:26:02.039 --> 01:26:06.640
inventoried. There's red dots, green dots, yellow dots. They're all in significant

01:26:06.640 --> 01:26:09.840
importance. You can click on them and they'll give you a complete inventory of

01:26:09.840 --> 01:26:15.400
every ramp, 20 parameters that we calculated on each one. So it's very

01:26:15.400 --> 01:26:23.680
complete. Just a quick summary. I believe we have about 75% of our ADA ramps

01:26:23.680 --> 01:26:53.680
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

01:26:53.680 --> 01:27:04.680
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.

01:27:04.680 --> 01:27:11.680
And since this is like a mid-year approval, the budget would not take place until the next fiscal budget cycle.

01:27:11.680 --> 01:27:14.680
Thank you. Alderman Sanders.

01:27:14.680 --> 01:27:32.680
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?

01:27:32.680 --> 01:27:38.680
And are we, do we have a plan to address those issues within the community itself?

01:27:38.680 --> 01:27:45.579
so that's in that's kind of in the plan Alderman Sanders the city owns the ADA

01:27:45.579 --> 01:27:51.000
ramp corners the property owners due to our ordinances actually own the sidewalks

01:27:51.000 --> 01:27:56.860
okay so instead of us if we redo a complete reconstruction of an area we

01:27:56.860 --> 01:28:00.200
would try to attempt right away to right away doing new sidewalks it's almost

01:28:00.200 --> 01:28:03.680
cost-prohibitive at this time to be able to do that because we have so many

01:28:03.680 --> 01:28:05.680
and

01:28:07.680 --> 01:28:09.680
John.

01:28:11.000 --> 01:28:31.000
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.

01:28:33.680 --> 01:28:46.680
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?

01:28:46.680 --> 01:28:57.680
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.

01:28:57.680 --> 01:29:05.200
So if they attempt to not bring their sidewalk up to city code or pro-ag standards, then they don't get any reimbursements.

01:29:05.200 --> 01:29:11.680
So that means that what department area consults with you about it?

01:29:11.680 --> 01:29:19.920
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.

01:29:19.920 --> 01:29:26.560
and we do it on a case-by-case basis. If they apply, we meet with them, discuss the regulations

01:29:26.560 --> 01:29:32.480
to do it and, you know, give them actually specs that they have to live to and then we inspect it

01:29:32.480 --> 01:29:36.320
before they pour it, after they pour it before and then we authorize the money reimbursement.

01:29:36.320 --> 01:29:44.079
Okay, thanks. Is there any other discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson?

01:29:44.079 --> 01:30:03.690
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

01:30:03.690 --> 01:30:11.690
Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois Department of Transportation, or IDOT, regarding street maintenance.

01:30:11.690 --> 01:30:13.190
Thank you. Manager Boyer?

01:30:13.190 --> 01:30:27.690
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.

01:30:27.690 --> 01:30:34.570
The city is paid annually for street service provided by our staff, Angelina Southwest and Clark Douglas

01:30:34.570 --> 01:30:39.130
in Route 75. The current contract expires June 30th.

01:30:39.130 --> 01:30:47.770
IDOT has presented a report with a new maintenance contract from June 25, 2025 to June 30, 2035.

01:30:47.770 --> 01:30:54.570
This 10-year agreement is for $1,040,219.80.

01:30:54.570 --> 01:31:24.570
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

01:31:24.570 --> 01:31:25.570
and the rest of the city.

01:31:25.570 --> 01:31:26.570
So, we're going to be doing some pothole repairs.

01:31:26.570 --> 01:31:30.470
So, what we came away from that meeting with is there is anything significant or anything

01:31:30.470 --> 01:31:35.530
more than just some normal pothole patching and paint work.

01:31:35.530 --> 01:31:40.290
They would be willing to take care of the cost of the construction of any major projects

01:31:40.290 --> 01:31:45.430
where that wasn't, that wasn't exactly the circumstance before.

01:31:45.430 --> 01:31:49.570
So I call that somewhat of a success in terms of being able to negotiate a little bit more

01:31:49.570 --> 01:31:52.330
from IDOT on the IDOT right of ways.

01:31:52.330 --> 01:31:56.650
So staff recommends moving forward with this agreement with IDOT.

01:31:56.650 --> 01:31:58.050
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:31:58.050 --> 01:31:59.050
So I'll move.

01:31:59.050 --> 01:32:00.050
I second.

01:32:00.050 --> 01:32:04.270
Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

01:32:04.270 --> 01:32:05.270
Discussion on the resolution?

01:32:05.270 --> 01:32:08.690
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:32:08.690 --> 01:32:09.690
Klemm?

01:32:09.690 --> 01:32:10.690
Aye.

01:32:10.690 --> 01:32:11.690
Johnson?

01:32:11.690 --> 01:32:12.690
Aye.

01:32:12.690 --> 01:32:13.690
Simmons?

01:32:13.690 --> 01:32:14.690
Aye.

01:32:14.690 --> 01:32:15.690
Parker?

01:32:15.690 --> 01:32:16.690
Aye.

01:32:16.690 --> 01:32:17.690
Stacy?

01:32:17.690 --> 01:32:18.690
Aye.

01:32:18.690 --> 01:32:19.690
Shadle?

01:32:19.690 --> 01:32:20.690
Aye.

01:32:20.690 --> 01:32:21.690
Sanders?

01:32:21.690 --> 01:32:31.210
that resolution is adopted eight to zero thank you seven to zero item number 15

01:32:31.210 --> 01:32:37.290
is adoption of resolution 2025 60 could you please read this resolution

01:32:37.290 --> 01:32:41.490
approving a proposal from next level for strategic vision and goals services

01:32:41.490 --> 01:32:46.530
thank you manager where thank your honor since 2017 the city of Freeport has used

01:32:46.530 --> 01:32:51.850
to Eric Dregne at Next Level to facilitate our strategic planning efforts.

01:32:51.850 --> 01:32:55.290
Eric has successfully guided the city through four previous strategic plans.

01:32:55.290 --> 01:32:58.690
That's 2017, 19, 21, and 23.

01:32:58.690 --> 01:33:01.770
Aligning the city projects and operations to drive Freeport forward,

01:33:01.770 --> 01:33:05.770
Next Level's ongoing partnership with Stevenson County and the Greater Freeport

01:33:05.770 --> 01:33:10.210
Partnership complement the city's planning process by bringing valuable regional

01:33:10.210 --> 01:33:15.410
perspectives and creating an informed, being informed enough to enhance

01:33:15.410 --> 01:33:18.530
of the Planning of All Levels.

01:33:18.530 --> 01:33:21.690
So the strategic planning has been a cornerstone

01:33:21.690 --> 01:33:23.610
of Freeport's progress over the last eight years,

01:33:23.610 --> 01:33:25.770
providing clear direction, fostering internal

01:33:25.770 --> 01:33:27.010
and external alignment,

01:33:27.010 --> 01:33:29.930
and enabling proactive long-term planning.

01:33:29.930 --> 01:33:33.770
The financial impact in the past has been below $10,000

01:33:33.770 --> 01:33:37.770
and in the past had been signed by the city manager.

01:33:37.770 --> 01:33:40.930
This year it's coming up a little bit above that

01:33:40.930 --> 01:33:44.830
and the proposed contract amount is $11,750.

01:33:44.830 --> 01:33:48.810
This covers facilitation, planning, document development,

01:33:48.810 --> 01:33:51.570
presentation, including travel and materials.

01:33:51.570 --> 01:33:53.890
So the payment terms are 50% due on signing

01:33:53.890 --> 01:33:56.050
and 50% upon completion,

01:33:56.050 --> 01:33:57.970
as outlined in the attached agreement.

01:33:57.970 --> 01:34:01.910
Funding for this project is budgeted in the 2025 budget

01:34:01.910 --> 01:34:04.690
and staff recommends approving the resolution

01:34:04.690 --> 01:34:08.730
entering into the agreement with Eric Dragney at next level.

01:34:08.730 --> 01:34:10.730
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:34:10.730 --> 01:34:11.570
So moved.

01:34:13.530 --> 01:34:14.370
Is there a second?

01:34:14.830 --> 01:34:17.830
Second.

01:34:17.830 --> 01:34:24.830
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the resolution?

01:34:24.830 --> 01:34:26.830
Alderman Sanders?

01:34:26.830 --> 01:34:29.830
Yeah. Who is next level?

01:34:29.830 --> 01:34:39.830
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.

01:34:39.830 --> 01:34:41.830
And he wants to do it again?

01:34:41.830 --> 01:34:46.230
Well, we, as part of strategic planning, you do it every two years to refresh the planning.

01:34:46.230 --> 01:34:57.990
Okay. And if that is so, nothing in literature, magazine proposals or whatever that talks about

01:34:59.350 --> 01:35:08.470
the actual degree of the planning, details of the planning, that before we go to his sessions or

01:35:38.470 --> 01:35:39.470
and others.

01:35:39.470 --> 01:35:40.470
That's why I'm asking.

01:35:40.470 --> 01:35:41.470
Okay?

01:35:41.470 --> 01:35:42.470
All right.

01:35:42.470 --> 01:35:43.470
Thanks.

01:35:43.470 --> 01:35:44.470
Any other?

01:35:44.470 --> 01:35:45.470
Alderman Simmons?

01:35:45.470 --> 01:35:51.270
So my question is, Darren, you can answer this too, this strategic plan, once we write

01:35:51.270 --> 01:35:56.270
it out and it's all ready to go, has that ever been used in any grant writing processes

01:35:56.270 --> 01:35:57.270
or anything?

01:35:57.270 --> 01:35:59.270
Has it ever been required?

01:35:59.270 --> 01:36:03.270
Well, it is always helpful to have a strategic plan in place.

01:36:03.270 --> 01:36:07.630
That is sort of one of those prerequisites as you move forward when you're dealing with

01:36:07.630 --> 01:36:13.750
and other government agencies or grant writers or grant providers.

01:36:13.750 --> 01:36:19.390
But I will say it also directs staff in terms of committing the resource, the human resources

01:36:19.390 --> 01:36:22.230
to pursue grants for the city.

01:36:22.230 --> 01:36:27.870
So through our last several strategic plans, one of the things that's come through was

01:36:27.870 --> 01:36:29.870
in terms of funding for Well 12.

01:36:29.870 --> 01:36:34.470
That was in our last strategic plan, and that's what we're accomplishing as we go forward

01:36:34.470 --> 01:36:35.870
with construction.

01:36:35.870 --> 01:36:39.590
But I don't know if that completely answered your question, but did it get close?

01:36:39.590 --> 01:36:46.730
No, I'm asking, any grants that we've received, have we ever been required to share the strategic

01:36:46.730 --> 01:36:47.730
plan?

01:36:47.730 --> 01:36:50.590
I will have to check on that because I don't know offhand.

01:36:50.590 --> 01:36:52.030
There's a lot of grants out here.

01:36:52.030 --> 01:36:55.990
Oh, wait, maybe Michelle has an answer.

01:36:55.990 --> 01:36:57.630
I do have an answer.

01:36:57.630 --> 01:37:01.430
Are bond people similar to grants?

01:37:01.430 --> 01:37:04.830
In order to be issued a bond, it's just like going to the bank and seeing if you have the

01:37:04.830 --> 01:37:09.230
Collateral, or you have the, it requires strategic plans.

01:37:09.230 --> 01:37:12.990
It requires looking and making sure you're financially stable

01:37:12.990 --> 01:37:17.990
and strategic plans add to our rating with standard imports.

01:37:22.110 --> 01:37:24.750
Any other, Alderman Sanders?

01:37:24.750 --> 01:37:26.750
Can I get in there again?

01:37:26.750 --> 01:37:29.090
Yeah, with this strategic planning,

01:37:29.090 --> 01:37:44.090
It involves a large scope. Good to see you, Mr. Duckman. I haven't seen you in a while.

01:37:44.090 --> 01:37:52.490
It requires that we have a plan before we ever start the processing of bonding and loans

01:37:52.490 --> 01:37:58.690
and things of this nature, grants and whatever the case may be. We should be, just like I

01:37:58.690 --> 01:38:00.690
and the City of Freeport.

01:38:00.690 --> 01:38:09.690
As I said before earlier, that we should be brought into the matter more in details of what is being offered.

01:38:09.690 --> 01:38:18.690
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.

01:38:18.690 --> 01:38:24.690
And so it's good to have someone to strategize with the city, but are we getting results?

01:38:24.690 --> 01:38:27.430
to the City of Freeport, then I understand.

01:38:27.430 --> 01:38:30.690
If the City does not have to cough up a budget

01:38:30.690 --> 01:38:35.230
to have this put in place or to be considered

01:38:35.230 --> 01:38:39.810
on the City's behalf to even work with this agency

01:38:39.810 --> 01:38:44.810
or whatever, we should know more about what it is

01:38:44.810 --> 01:38:49.550
that we're buying before we are engaging ourselves.

01:38:49.550 --> 01:38:51.910
I don't want us to, I don't, we don't know

01:38:51.910 --> 01:38:58.910
We never knew what the last two results were from the last strategic planning when this agency came into place.

01:38:58.910 --> 01:39:03.910
We never got the results of it and what the achievement was and what the objectives and goals were.

01:39:03.910 --> 01:39:14.910
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.

01:39:14.910 --> 01:39:22.910
and if we are not knowledgeable about what is going on and how do we achieve our goals,

01:39:22.910 --> 01:39:33.910
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.

01:39:33.910 --> 01:39:42.910
I have not heard anyone in the council talk about we have made great strides, great progress

01:39:42.910 --> 01:39:47.750
from the last time that this agency was in place.

01:39:47.750 --> 01:39:51.830
So I would like to be updated on what have we accomplished?

01:39:51.830 --> 01:39:54.590
You know, have we made any strides?

01:39:54.590 --> 01:39:59.030
Have we made any progress with using this particular

01:39:59.030 --> 01:40:01.890
strategic type set up planning?

01:40:01.890 --> 01:40:03.830
Because if the councils are not

01:40:03.830 --> 01:40:11.830
because if the councils are not part of the full scope of the planning and understanding

01:40:11.830 --> 01:40:18.590
what is going on within that, then it's irrelevant to us because we're going to get the same

01:40:18.590 --> 01:40:26.230
outcome that we got before if we have gotten anything because I don't recall any paper

01:40:26.230 --> 01:40:30.230
I'm not even.

01:40:30.230 --> 01:40:34.230
Like I said, I'm do who we are.

01:40:34.230 --> 01:40:38.230
I'm not even.

01:40:38.230 --> 01:40:42.230
I'm not even.

01:40:42.230 --> 01:40:46.230
I'm not even.

01:40:46.230 --> 01:40:50.230
I'm not even.

01:40:50.230 --> 01:40:54.230
I'm not even.

01:40:54.230 --> 01:40:56.230
and

01:40:57.230 --> 01:40:59.230
Mr.

01:41:00.230 --> 01:41:02.230
Miller.

01:41:03.230 --> 01:41:05.230
We are not getting results. It is a waste of our time.

01:41:06.230 --> 01:41:16.230
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.

01:41:16.230 --> 01:41:28.230
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.

01:41:28.230 --> 01:41:35.230
He holds us all accountable and so we do use that document regularly and I was going to say the same as the mayor.

01:41:35.230 --> 01:41:42.230
Every memo that Public Works does has the strategic plan item that's located that we're filling those roles.

01:41:42.230 --> 01:41:47.910
and others. You should remember the strategic plan is also stretch goals. We're not made

01:41:47.910 --> 01:41:52.430
to make every one of them. It's to make sure that we're progressing and moving forward.

01:41:52.430 --> 01:41:57.990
So some of those goals are fairly lofty, but they are our goals to get completed. So that

01:41:57.990 --> 01:42:00.910
is what guides us every day and the roles that we serve.

01:42:00.910 --> 01:42:04.270
Is there any other discussion on this resolution?

01:42:04.270 --> 01:42:06.750
I have something to say.

01:42:06.750 --> 01:42:07.750
Alderman Stacey?

01:42:07.750 --> 01:42:20.750
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.

01:42:20.750 --> 01:42:28.750
And if we have $12,000 to put out there on this, let's put it to use for the people.

01:42:28.750 --> 01:42:37.750
There's lighting, more lighting needed. Other people have, other Aldermen have spoke about other areas where they need lighting.

01:42:37.750 --> 01:42:44.750
Let's put this money to some real use where it's needed for our community.

01:42:44.750 --> 01:42:49.750
Any other public comment, or I'm sorry, why do I keep going back to the public?

01:42:49.750 --> 01:42:53.750
Any other discussion?

01:42:53.750 --> 01:42:58.950
Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please take the role on the adoption of this agreement?

01:42:58.950 --> 01:43:10.230
Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye.

01:43:11.030 --> 01:43:18.710
The resolution is adopted 5-3. Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-62. Could you

01:43:18.710 --> 01:43:25.350
Resolution Supporting and Committing to the Ten Shared Principles of Community Policing

01:43:25.350 --> 01:43:26.990
Thank you, Manager Boyer.

01:43:26.990 --> 01:43:27.990
Thank you, Your Honor.

01:43:27.990 --> 01:43:32.550
The Freeport Police Department has long embraced core values that promote respect, dignity,

01:43:32.550 --> 01:43:33.770
and fair treatment.

01:43:33.770 --> 01:43:39.310
The Ten Shared Principles of Policing, developed by the Illinois State NAACP and the Illinois

01:43:39.310 --> 01:43:43.710
Association of Chiefs of Police, provide a framework that aligns with our department's

01:43:43.710 --> 01:43:47.850
commitment to transparency, equity, and community engagement.

01:43:47.850 --> 01:43:52.490
This resolution formally adopts the 10 shared principles, which include valuing all human

01:43:52.490 --> 01:44:00.690
life, rejecting discrimination, endorsing procedural justice, supporting deescalation

01:44:00.690 --> 01:44:01.690
training.

01:44:01.690 --> 01:44:06.410
Adoption of these principles reflect practices already in place in Freeport and strengthens

01:44:06.410 --> 01:44:11.250
our commitment to community partnerships, mutual understanding, and public safety.

01:44:11.250 --> 01:44:15.690
This action underscores the city's dedication to justice and fairness for all residents,

01:44:15.690 --> 01:44:16.690
and others.

01:44:16.690 --> 01:44:25.730
There is no financial impact with this resolution and staff recommends moving forward with this

01:44:25.730 --> 01:44:26.730
resolution.

01:44:26.730 --> 01:44:28.290
Is there a motion to adopt?

01:44:28.290 --> 01:44:29.290
So moved.

01:44:29.290 --> 01:44:30.290
Second.

01:44:30.290 --> 01:44:33.610
A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.

01:44:33.610 --> 01:44:34.610
Discussion on the resolution?

01:44:34.610 --> 01:44:35.610
Alderman Johnson.

01:44:35.610 --> 01:44:41.630
I just wanted to address number 8 on 10 shared principles.

01:44:41.630 --> 01:44:46.430
It says we believe that the law enforcement and community leaders have a mutual responsibility

01:44:46.430 --> 01:44:50.550
to encourage all citizens to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the law to

01:44:50.550 --> 01:44:54.510
assist them in their interactions with law enforcement officers.

01:44:54.510 --> 01:44:56.870
And this is just a positive thing.

01:44:56.870 --> 01:45:02.190
The police do offer Citizens Police Academy and it's very informative.

01:45:02.190 --> 01:45:07.730
I would encourage anyone in the city to take that course that they offer.

01:45:07.730 --> 01:45:12.050
you learn a whole lot that you don't know that happens behind the scenes and all the

01:45:12.050 --> 01:45:16.690
amount of work that they have to do like with just one arrest. It's just amazing. And you

01:45:16.690 --> 01:45:22.970
get to work in the 911 Center or get to observe what happens there. It's just very educational.

01:45:22.970 --> 01:45:28.490
And I know that they're also doing a junior police academy. Is that right, Chief Shenberger?

01:45:28.490 --> 01:45:31.330
And when is that? The junior?

01:45:31.330 --> 01:45:36.050
Exact dates. It starts at the end of June and it goes for I believe two weeks, but it's

01:45:36.050 --> 01:45:37.410
it's only two days a week.

01:45:37.410 --> 01:45:39.730
So yeah, our School Resource Officer,

01:45:39.730 --> 01:45:41.610
he's the one that's organizing that

01:45:41.610 --> 01:45:44.210
and having that this summer when school's out.

01:45:44.210 --> 01:45:46.530
So I'm just thankful, that's a positive thing.

01:45:46.530 --> 01:45:47.370
So thank you.

01:45:49.010 --> 01:45:50.450
Any other, yeah, Chief.

01:45:50.450 --> 01:45:52.450
Yeah, just to reiterate what was said earlier

01:45:52.450 --> 01:45:56.290
by Mr. Odendahl, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

01:45:56.290 --> 01:46:01.210
affirmed the 10 shared principles with NAACP in Illinois

01:46:01.210 --> 01:46:03.810
on March 22nd, 2018, and this was something

01:46:03.810 --> 01:46:07.090
that was also brought before the council in the past

01:46:07.090 --> 01:46:11.570
under Chief Summers and it was a resolution for that then.

01:46:11.570 --> 01:46:13.930
And it's something that we're very aware of,

01:46:13.930 --> 01:46:16.890
just core values of how we should work and operate.

01:46:16.890 --> 01:46:20.410
And it's something that I will, since we're so new,

01:46:20.410 --> 01:46:22.970
refresh our personnel with,

01:46:22.970 --> 01:46:24.810
let them know of the 10 principles.

01:46:24.810 --> 01:46:28.210
And I know they speak on it at the police academy too.

01:46:28.210 --> 01:46:30.130
Thank you, Alderman Sanders.

01:46:30.130 --> 01:46:39.770
Yeah Chief, how engages the, from your perspective, how engages the community on the resolve of

01:46:39.770 --> 01:46:46.350
all of the things that are going on within the police department and what the connection

01:46:46.350 --> 01:46:54.130
is with the community, with the police department and their involvement and understanding specifically

01:46:54.130 --> 01:46:55.130
and I.

01:46:55.130 --> 01:46:57.770
And I think that's really what you guys are doing and how you're enhancing the community

01:46:57.770 --> 01:47:10.210
and what is taking place that they can take notice that what you're doing is visual or

01:47:10.210 --> 01:47:13.090
implemented or promoted.

01:47:13.090 --> 01:47:18.250
I mean from a, you know, because everybody does not have that access to information of

01:47:18.250 --> 01:47:23.370
what your department does and we want to know for sure whether or not it's benefiting the

01:47:23.370 --> 01:47:25.530
and the community itself at large.

01:47:25.530 --> 01:47:29.370
And if it is, then we need to see your promotion of it

01:47:29.370 --> 01:47:33.570
to let us know that, hey, this is how we're doing things.

01:47:33.570 --> 01:47:36.330
People are aware of what you're doing

01:47:36.330 --> 01:47:39.610
and can be consciously involved in what you're doing

01:47:39.610 --> 01:47:41.930
and being part of what you're doing

01:47:41.930 --> 01:47:45.950
because you are setting a standard here in this city

01:47:45.950 --> 01:47:50.550
and that we are supposed to be responsible citizens

01:47:50.550 --> 01:47:54.590
and allow you guys to do the responsible things.

01:47:54.590 --> 01:47:57.350
And so I think people might have complaints

01:47:57.350 --> 01:48:02.350
or worries or concerns if they're not hearing

01:48:03.550 --> 01:48:06.350
from their police chief or the police department

01:48:06.350 --> 01:48:10.230
in regards to how we're promoting the city at large.

01:48:10.230 --> 01:48:14.790
That's basically, I'm just stating something

01:48:14.790 --> 01:48:19.590
that most people might wanna be talking about.

01:48:19.590 --> 01:48:20.590
Okay.

01:48:20.590 --> 01:48:21.590
That kind of thing.

01:48:21.590 --> 01:48:26.830
So it's nothing to be alarmed, it's just something to bring awareness to, you know, that kind

01:48:26.830 --> 01:48:27.830
of thing.

01:48:27.830 --> 01:48:28.830
So.

01:48:28.830 --> 01:48:29.830
Any other discussion?

01:48:29.830 --> 01:48:32.710
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:48:32.710 --> 01:48:33.710
Klemm?

01:48:33.710 --> 01:48:34.710
Aye.

01:48:34.710 --> 01:48:35.710
Johnson?

01:48:35.710 --> 01:48:36.710
Aye.

01:48:36.710 --> 01:48:37.710
Simmons is absent.

01:48:37.710 --> 01:48:38.710
Parker?

01:48:38.710 --> 01:48:39.710
Aye.

01:48:39.710 --> 01:48:40.710
Stacy?

01:48:40.710 --> 01:48:41.710
Aye.

01:48:41.710 --> 01:48:42.710
Shadle?

01:48:42.710 --> 01:48:43.710
Aye.

01:48:43.710 --> 01:48:44.710
Sanders?

01:48:44.710 --> 01:48:45.710
Aye.

01:48:45.710 --> 01:48:46.710
And Sellers?

01:48:46.710 --> 01:48:47.710
Aye.

01:48:47.710 --> 01:48:48.710
The resolution is adopted 7-0.

01:48:48.710 --> 01:48:53.710
Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-63. Could you please read this?

01:48:53.710 --> 01:49:00.710
Resolution designating an honorary street name of Allison Way to the 800 block of Float Avenue.

01:49:00.710 --> 01:49:01.710
Thank you. Director Duckman.

01:49:01.710 --> 01:49:04.710
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

01:49:04.710 --> 01:49:13.710
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.

01:49:13.710 --> 01:49:23.710
Once approved, this sign will be displayed at the requested block commemorating that leader's dedication and hard work in the City of Freeport.

01:49:23.710 --> 01:49:35.710
The petitioner in this case is requesting the 600 block of South Float to be designated as Honorary Street titled Allison Way.

01:49:35.710 --> 01:49:38.850
So I'll show here, I'll just a second.

01:49:47.910 --> 01:49:52.270
As you can see, we have actually a request for two signs.

01:49:52.270 --> 01:49:53.750
One will be at Float and Shawnee,

01:49:53.750 --> 01:49:56.670
and the other would be at Float and Wyandotte.

01:49:56.670 --> 01:49:59.190
There's two arrows there showing the locations

01:49:59.190 --> 01:50:00.390
of the honorary street sign.

01:50:00.390 --> 01:50:03.800
So the Aldersons

01:50:03.800 --> 01:50:15.300
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.

01:50:15.300 --> 01:50:23.800
Reverend Nathan Allison has served the community for over 25 years as a pastor of the Philippians Baptist Church.

01:50:23.800 --> 01:50:29.300
They are celebrated for their work with the youth ministry, holding many different groups at their church.

01:50:29.300 --> 01:50:34.140
Mrs. Gloria Allison is a familiar face assisting and volunteering her time at

01:50:34.140 --> 01:50:39.020
the Freeport Food Pantry. Although the Allison's are maturing they still have a

01:50:39.020 --> 01:50:44.220
zeal for ministry and reach out to the community guiding youth in the area. The

01:50:44.220 --> 01:50:48.260
Allison's service within the Minister's Alliance and Baptist

01:50:48.260 --> 01:50:53.020
Ministry has been useful in bringing resources from Rockford to Freeport as

01:50:53.020 --> 01:50:58.060
well as making their good deeds well known both in and outside of Freeport.

01:50:58.060 --> 01:51:02.980
and with that being said staff is recommending the passage of this

01:51:02.980 --> 01:51:10.140
resolution. Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman

01:51:10.140 --> 01:51:17.620
Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution? Alderman Shadle.

01:51:17.620 --> 01:51:23.420
Just a matter of clarification, did you say 600 the notations here say 800 block?

01:51:23.420 --> 01:51:36.700
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

01:51:36.700 --> 01:51:46.420
discussion of this of the Allison way how how what's our policy for bringing these

01:51:46.420 --> 01:51:52.700
kinds of activities or this kind of display within the city of Freeport when

01:51:52.700 --> 01:51:56.040
and special, is it a special kind of a,

01:52:00.540 --> 01:52:01.780
Yes, there's a process.

01:52:01.780 --> 01:52:02.600
There's a process.

01:52:02.600 --> 01:52:03.440
Yes, there's a process.

01:52:03.440 --> 01:52:07.280
There's a kind of process that the city,

01:52:07.280 --> 01:52:10.680
because we're talking about many people

01:52:10.680 --> 01:52:12.980
that might want to make that kind of proposition

01:52:12.980 --> 01:52:15.740
or proposal to the city to allow them

01:52:15.740 --> 01:52:16.960
that kind of right of way.

01:52:16.960 --> 01:52:21.960
And I'm just curious of how that is brought into play,

01:52:21.960 --> 01:52:30.880
because you know I don't want us to look like we are being sentimental toward

01:52:30.880 --> 01:52:38.400
others and not for anybody else in the city having the opportunity to do the

01:52:38.400 --> 01:52:43.280
same the very same thing so what we're saying is everyone in the city has the

01:52:43.280 --> 01:52:51.720
opportunity but they have to be declared by what body and what population how

01:52:51.720 --> 01:53:07.720
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?

01:53:07.720 --> 01:53:14.720
So, it truly is the will of the people. 50% of the people on that street have to sign a petition.

01:53:14.720 --> 01:53:21.200
and then it is brought to my department and then I put it forward to you so if

01:53:21.200 --> 01:53:24.560
you feel it's you know in the best interest of the people then I would

01:53:24.560 --> 01:53:28.640
suggest voting for it and if not I'd understand you know that's your

01:53:28.640 --> 01:53:33.320
obviously your duty to make that decision as well. Yeah okay. Any other

01:53:33.320 --> 01:53:43.160
discussion? Madam Clerk please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker,

01:53:43.160 --> 01:54:13.160
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.

01:54:13.160 --> 01:54:16.840
If you're looking, this is what would be called a site plan.

01:54:16.840 --> 01:54:19.800
What you have in the south portion here

01:54:19.800 --> 01:54:21.640
is the existing culvers.

01:54:24.400 --> 01:54:26.160
Getting my pointer out right now so I

01:54:26.160 --> 01:54:27.680
can kind of show what's going on.

01:54:27.680 --> 01:54:31.760
Any of your culver fans out there, I hope you're excited.

01:54:31.760 --> 01:54:34.520
Because I know the parking over there and drive-through

01:54:34.520 --> 01:54:35.040
is tricky.

01:54:35.040 --> 01:54:39.080
So I hope you're excited to know that this existing parking

01:54:39.080 --> 01:54:41.600
lot will now be expanded to the north.

01:54:41.600 --> 01:55:11.600
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.

01:55:11.600 --> 01:55:13.760
and I've been in the industry myself.

01:55:13.760 --> 01:55:16.360
I can tell you that the price of this probably will go up,

01:55:16.360 --> 01:55:18.400
but that's what's being estimated right now.

01:55:20.200 --> 01:55:25.200
So that being said, what we have here is

01:55:28.440 --> 01:55:30.520
a redevelopment agreement being proposed

01:55:30.520 --> 01:55:34.400
and what's being proposed is that these site improvements

01:55:35.440 --> 01:55:39.120
totaling $350,000, the city of Freeport,

01:55:39.120 --> 01:55:41.400
once these are completed, what's being proposed

01:55:41.400 --> 01:55:50.100
is that the City of Freeport would pay $10,000 upon completion of these site improvements.

01:55:50.100 --> 01:55:56.200
These developments are also within our TIF district and what's also being proposed is

01:55:56.200 --> 01:56:02.400
that as the taxes are increased, which is our typical redevelopment agreement, the developer

01:56:02.400 --> 01:56:10.300
would receive 75% of the increased tax revenue for this parcel.

01:56:10.300 --> 01:56:16.200
So that's the, so essentially that's what their compensation would be for this redevelopment

01:56:16.200 --> 01:56:22.380
agreement to improve this lot, which if you know now, this is completely vacant.

01:56:22.380 --> 01:56:25.860
There's nothing going on right here, right now.

01:56:25.860 --> 01:56:29.940
So this is in line with our budget.

01:56:29.940 --> 01:56:36.700
Currently the Meadows Tip District has budgeted a little more than $215,000 for projects just

01:56:36.700 --> 01:56:38.700
and

01:56:40.700 --> 01:56:42.700
the

01:56:44.700 --> 01:56:46.700
City Council.

01:56:48.700 --> 01:56:52.700
» How many years is the increment being paid back at 75%?

01:56:52.700 --> 01:56:56.700
» It would be the lifetime of the Meadows TIP District which would

01:56:56.700 --> 01:56:58.700
end in 2037. So 12 years.

01:57:00.700 --> 01:57:02.700
» 12 years. » Is there a motion to adopt?

01:57:02.700 --> 01:57:29.700
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.

01:57:29.700 --> 01:57:36.700
I believe that's it. My eyes are squinting a little bit. So I know you come in.

01:57:36.700 --> 01:57:52.700
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?

01:57:52.700 --> 01:58:11.700
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?

01:58:11.700 --> 01:58:15.700
Yes. Kimley-Horn is an international civil engineering firm. I've worked with them.

01:58:15.700 --> 01:58:16.700
I can't see none of that.

01:58:16.700 --> 01:58:35.700
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.

01:58:35.700 --> 01:58:42.580
they're a tremendous company a high-end firm that does great work so I stand

01:58:42.580 --> 01:58:47.660
behind I I stand behind their work and this site plan

01:58:47.660 --> 01:58:54.860
well we haven't we haven't seen this particular project in this city and for

01:58:54.860 --> 01:59:03.220
us to look at the diagram of this and see where the entry is it two entry

01:59:03.220 --> 01:59:05.220
and

01:59:06.220 --> 01:59:08.220
John.

01:59:09.320 --> 01:59:11.320
» I think that's a good point.

01:59:12.620 --> 01:59:14.620
Is that how we're looking at this?

01:59:15.720 --> 01:59:18.240
» Yes, they're not going to change their existing, their

01:59:18.240 --> 01:59:21.040
adding. This is an addition. So this is all going to

01:59:21.040 --> 01:59:25.040
. » So it relieves the traffic.

01:59:25.040 --> 01:59:27.540
» Yes. » It helps to relieve the

01:59:27.540 --> 01:59:31.520
bombardment of congestion. » Yes. And that is

01:59:31.520 --> 01:59:35.040
and more people to get in and out of the restaurant and buy more food.

01:59:35.040 --> 01:59:46.880
Okay. That was my concern. I'm looking at this congested at the entry point and the exit point currently at this time.

01:59:46.880 --> 01:59:54.840
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...

01:59:54.840 --> 01:59:59.960
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...

01:59:59.960 --> 02:00:03.800
I know I'm not trying to be mean but I mean I'm being honest.

02:00:03.800 --> 02:00:33.800
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

02:00:33.800 --> 02:00:34.800
and

02:00:34.800 --> 02:00:46.800
I'm going to go through the same exit, which I believe is out this right here.

02:00:46.800 --> 02:00:51.560
Any further discussion on this redevelopment agreement?

02:00:51.560 --> 02:00:53.600
Alderman, Stacy?

02:00:53.600 --> 02:00:58.800
Yes, I would like to know where would this $10,000 come from?

02:00:58.800 --> 02:01:00.400
Sure, it's budgeted.

02:01:00.400 --> 02:01:09.760
We have $215,000 budgeted for redevelopment agreements in 2025, right out of the TIF district.

02:01:09.760 --> 02:01:21.900
And I know this is a $350,000 project. How is the TIF money going to factor in this event?

02:01:21.900 --> 02:01:27.320
Well that's what's paying for the, that's the $10,000 that's paying, it's paying for

02:01:27.320 --> 02:01:57.320
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,

02:01:57.320 --> 02:02:08.160
would also be receiving the increase in property taxes, up 75% of that, 75% of that.

02:02:08.160 --> 02:02:14.880
I really think they are in over their heads and I think if we commit to something like

02:02:14.880 --> 02:02:21.680
this that we're in over our heads.

02:02:21.680 --> 02:02:22.680
Any other discussion?

02:02:22.680 --> 02:02:23.680
Alderman Johnson?

02:02:23.680 --> 02:02:26.580
Well, I know I was there on Sunday.

02:02:26.580 --> 02:02:31.900
We had a huge ball tournament here at Reid Park and it was after church and there was

02:02:31.900 --> 02:02:36.780
all kinds of people flooding in there and I could just see accidents waiting to happen

02:02:36.780 --> 02:02:38.300
the way that it is now.

02:02:38.300 --> 02:02:45.260
So I really think they definitely need this improvement in their structure that they have

02:02:45.260 --> 02:02:46.260
right now.

02:02:46.260 --> 02:02:52.100
Alderman Klemm, did you have something? This call will be recorded. This call is no longer

02:02:52.100 --> 02:03:00.260
being recorded. Alderman Klemm. Go ahead now? Go ahead. Okay, thank you. I had the pleasure

02:03:00.260 --> 02:03:06.540
talking with Bob Smith this week about this and Culver is a great restaurant and does

02:03:06.540 --> 02:03:12.620
great business and is really an asset to the City of Freeport. One of the largest things

02:03:12.620 --> 02:03:13.880
and Co.

02:03:13.880 --> 02:03:15.420
To make sure we get that as well.

02:03:15.420 --> 02:03:39.740
In terms of the

02:03:39.740 --> 02:04:09.740
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

02:04:09.740 --> 02:04:17.260
Change, and this is going to eliminate traffic problems coming in the future, possible accidents

02:04:17.260 --> 02:04:23.420
as we speak, and it's very proactive on their part to be taking care of it.

02:04:23.420 --> 02:04:25.220
I appreciate it.

02:04:25.220 --> 02:04:26.820
Alderman Parker?

02:04:26.820 --> 02:04:31.540
I totally agree with what Alderman Klemm and Shadle said.

02:04:31.540 --> 02:04:35.260
I was up there and looked at it and I think it's long overdue and I think it's a great

02:04:35.260 --> 02:04:36.260
project.

02:04:36.260 --> 02:04:37.260
Thank you.

02:04:37.260 --> 02:04:57.700
Johnson, Johnston, Simmonds, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sellers.

02:04:57.700 --> 02:05:05.620
The resolution is adopted 6-1.

02:05:05.620 --> 02:05:11.020
Item number 19 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-65. Could you please read this?

02:05:11.020 --> 02:05:15.600
Resolution approving the City to accept the conveyance of five properties commonly known

02:05:15.600 --> 02:05:24.620
as Charles Avenue, Lots 12 and 13, Block 7, South Mary Avenue, Lot 12, Block 5, 931 East

02:05:24.620 --> 02:05:30.760
Jackson, and 1108 East Stevenson Street from Stevenson County, Illinois.

02:05:30.760 --> 02:05:32.720
Thank you. Manager Boyer?

02:05:32.720 --> 02:05:36.820
Thank you, Your Honor. Stevenson County has passed a resolution authorizing the transfer

02:05:36.820 --> 02:05:42.080
of these five parcels. These are all on the east side and fall within our flood mitigation

02:05:42.080 --> 02:05:49.200
grant area. And the county has approached the city about us taking these parcels on.

02:05:49.200 --> 02:05:53.680
And that would be, it is affirmative that we would like to have these for our flood mitigation

02:05:53.680 --> 02:05:58.880
grant. So the properties identified for transfer are, as I mentioned, part of the comprehensive

02:05:58.880 --> 02:05:59.880
and others.

02:05:59.880 --> 02:06:07.640
As part of FEMA's grant requirements, these parcels be returned to nature, developed,

02:06:07.640 --> 02:06:14.160
undeveloped condition, significantly reducing flood risk for, you know, creating the compliance

02:06:14.160 --> 02:06:16.140
with the flood mitigation grant.

02:06:16.140 --> 02:06:21.720
So staff's recommendation is to move forward with the acquisition of the five parcels.

02:06:21.720 --> 02:06:23.760
There's no, there's no financial impact.

02:06:23.760 --> 02:06:26.000
Is there a motion to adopt?

02:06:26.000 --> 02:06:27.000
So moved.

02:06:27.000 --> 02:06:28.000
Second.

02:06:28.000 --> 02:06:35.000
The motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the resolution. Alderman Klemm.

02:06:35.000 --> 02:06:54.000
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.

02:06:54.000 --> 02:07:06.000
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.

02:07:06.000 --> 02:07:09.000
Any other discussion? Alderman Simmons?

02:07:09.000 --> 02:07:23.000
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.

02:07:23.000 --> 02:07:53.000
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

02:07:53.000 --> 02:07:58.000
if necessary.

02:07:58.000 --> 02:08:01.000
Any other discussion?

02:08:01.000 --> 02:08:02.000
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:08:02.000 --> 02:08:03.000
I have a question.

02:08:03.000 --> 02:08:06.000
Alderman Stacy.

02:08:06.000 --> 02:08:12.000
So these buildings you have listed, they will be demolished?

02:08:12.000 --> 02:08:14.000
They're not buildings.

02:08:14.000 --> 02:08:16.000
They're not buildings.

02:08:16.000 --> 02:08:17.000
They're not buildings.

02:08:17.000 --> 02:08:22.200
Buildings. They are empty lots with trees on them and have never had structures.

02:08:22.200 --> 02:08:32.920
Ms. Sanders? Yeah. From what I am looking at, this is part

02:08:32.920 --> 02:08:39.440
of the mapping, right, and everything. This is kind of like

02:08:39.440 --> 02:09:03.440
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?

02:09:03.440 --> 02:09:08.440
No, it was just status quo. It was basically so the city would own and control those parcels.

02:09:08.440 --> 02:09:15.160
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:09:15.160 --> 02:09:16.160
Klemm.

02:09:16.160 --> 02:09:17.160
Aye.

02:09:17.160 --> 02:09:18.160
Johnson.

02:09:18.160 --> 02:09:19.160
Aye.

02:09:19.160 --> 02:09:20.160
Simmons.

02:09:20.160 --> 02:09:21.160
Aye.

02:09:21.160 --> 02:09:22.160
Parker.

02:09:22.160 --> 02:09:23.160
Aye.

02:09:23.160 --> 02:09:24.160
Stacy.

02:09:24.160 --> 02:09:25.160
Aye.

02:09:25.160 --> 02:09:26.160
Shadle.

02:09:26.160 --> 02:09:27.160
Aye.

02:09:27.160 --> 02:09:28.160
Sanders.

02:09:28.160 --> 02:09:29.160
Aye.

02:09:29.160 --> 02:09:30.160
And Sellers.

02:09:30.160 --> 02:09:31.160
Aye.

02:09:31.160 --> 02:09:32.160
The resolution is adopted 8-0.

02:09:32.160 --> 02:09:33.160
Item number 20 is the adoption of resolution 2025-66.

02:09:33.160 --> 02:09:34.560
Could you please read this?

02:09:34.560 --> 02:09:38.400
Resolution imposing censure on three council members who were willfully and deliberately

02:09:38.400 --> 02:09:50.000
absent from the May 19, 2025 council meeting. Alderman Shadle. Yes, I would actually like to

02:09:51.920 --> 02:10:01.840
table this. Alderman Simmons made reference to the fact that she may have not been deliberately absent.

02:10:01.840 --> 02:10:07.280
I would ask that before being put on a resolution,

02:10:07.280 --> 02:10:10.640
she have a meeting with yourself and Manager Boyer

02:10:10.640 --> 02:10:21.440
and put that to rest if need be.

02:10:21.440 --> 02:10:28.480
How do you propose to do that?

02:10:28.480 --> 02:10:38.720
she can have a meeting to present her point of view or we're not we're not high

02:10:38.720 --> 02:10:46.600
school kids or we're not you don't have the floor Alderman okay I'm sorry you

02:10:46.600 --> 02:10:57.240
know we're not well let me be quiet so we have a motion to table this until until

02:10:57.240 --> 02:11:05.240
We'll call the next council meeting. That would give two weeks time to decide if this should go forward or not.

02:11:05.240 --> 02:11:07.240
We need a second.

02:11:07.240 --> 02:11:10.240
So we need a second to fit that goal of the council.

02:11:10.240 --> 02:11:17.240
I'll second it. Just make sure that if things are in line, they need to be in line, you know.

02:11:17.240 --> 02:11:26.240
So we have a motion to move this item to the next regularly scheduled meeting with discussion in between.

02:11:26.240 --> 02:11:36.240
discussion on that motion you have discussion on that motion yeah because we

02:11:36.240 --> 02:11:40.520
shouldn't be making motions on something that is irrelevant to this council and

02:11:40.520 --> 02:11:45.360
not only that I hate I don't like the fact that the condescending of the

02:11:45.360 --> 02:11:50.960
council members are being disrespected here at this time to even bring this

02:11:50.960 --> 02:11:52.960
and Meenakshi.

02:12:20.960 --> 02:12:36.600
We have another motion to table this indefinitely, nobody else has to show or prove why they were

02:12:36.600 --> 02:12:41.200
not here, no one was there outside causing a disruption, I would like to stable this

02:12:41.200 --> 02:12:42.200
indefinitely.

02:12:42.200 --> 02:12:43.200
This is a witch hunt.

02:12:43.200 --> 02:12:56.200
So we have a motion of tabling indefinitely by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Sanders. Is there discussion on tabling indefinitely?

02:12:56.200 --> 02:12:59.200
I just have a question.

02:12:59.200 --> 02:13:06.200
It would. You have a discussion on tabling?

02:13:06.200 --> 02:13:12.660
say that I do want to say that there was commotion outside and Rachel I know you

02:13:12.660 --> 02:13:17.400
weren't here Alderman Simmons you were not here you were nowhere around but

02:13:17.400 --> 02:13:25.760
there was commotion because even when I came in huh he was no but I'm we were not

02:13:25.760 --> 02:13:33.200
here right but you know you to work yeah but that's not that's not for us to

02:13:33.200 --> 02:14:03.200
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

02:14:03.200 --> 02:14:07.200
Miller, but there was commotion and a lot going on outside.

02:14:07.200 --> 02:14:16.240
So that's why I do understand that it was a little bit disrespectful because when we,

02:14:16.240 --> 02:14:24.160
two years ago, when we came to the council and we were being voted in, even though we

02:14:24.160 --> 02:14:32.600
won our elections, the people that sat in these seats, they watched us get sworn in

02:14:32.600 --> 02:14:38.160
and when we took our place, they got up and they did the transition and that's what I

02:14:38.160 --> 02:14:45.680
thought was really not right for us to also be there when the transitions was taking place.

02:14:45.680 --> 02:14:49.760
That's my point of view and that's just how I feel about it because we should have also

02:14:49.760 --> 02:14:54.840
been there to respect the same transition because we did it because if they would have

02:14:54.840 --> 02:15:00.180
did it on us, we would have been upset and we would have felt, you know, like they were

02:15:00.180 --> 02:15:09.300
not treating us right so that's my point of view from from that I'm sorry I can't

02:15:09.300 --> 02:15:19.660
hear you again your feelings aside right the facts are we were not there we did

02:15:19.660 --> 02:15:24.800
not cause a disruption the meeting did still happen so you cannot attach our

02:15:24.800 --> 02:15:30.100
names to that and say you want something from us because of what happened outside

02:15:30.100 --> 02:15:33.640
and

02:15:33.640 --> 02:15:36.960
Miss.

02:15:41.460 --> 02:15:46.340
But this is directed towards us as though we cause that disruption is what I'm saying.

02:15:46.340 --> 02:15:51.780
We did not cause that disruption. We called no news outlets. We were not here.

02:15:51.780 --> 02:15:57.860
Yes, I welcome you, Alderperson, Johnson. I am sorry that I was not here for that.

02:15:57.860 --> 02:16:04.860
for that. However, I am not the one succeeding my chair to her to say welcome. Here are the

02:16:04.860 --> 02:16:13.860
ropes. Okay, so there was no disrespect to you. But again, all of you miss. And I do

02:16:13.860 --> 02:16:18.340
not hold you and say, you need to explain to me why you weren't here. We're adults.

02:16:18.340 --> 02:16:22.660
We know what our responsibilities are. We handle our responsibilities. If something happens

02:16:22.660 --> 02:16:26.820
Sanders, and we cannot be here, then that is the case.

02:16:26.820 --> 02:16:29.980
Oh, I never said you weren't here.

02:16:29.980 --> 02:16:30.980
That's what I'm saying.

02:16:30.980 --> 02:16:31.980
You guys were here.

02:16:31.980 --> 02:16:32.980
But there was disruption.

02:16:32.980 --> 02:16:33.980
Okay.

02:16:33.980 --> 02:16:34.980
Okay.

02:16:34.980 --> 02:16:35.980
Yeah.

02:16:35.980 --> 02:16:36.980
Okay.

02:16:36.980 --> 02:16:37.980
Okay.

02:16:37.980 --> 02:16:38.980
All right.

02:16:38.980 --> 02:16:43.140
So the motion is tabled indefinitely by Simmons and Sanders.

02:16:43.140 --> 02:16:44.140
Yeah.

02:16:44.140 --> 02:16:45.140
Yeah.

02:16:45.140 --> 02:16:46.140
But...

02:16:46.140 --> 02:16:48.420
Madam Clerk, please take the roll on tabling indefinitely.

02:16:48.420 --> 02:16:50.380
Is this still open for discussion?

02:16:50.380 --> 02:16:52.380
Do you want to change tabling indefinitely?

02:16:52.380 --> 02:17:21.540
Clem, Monroe, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.

02:17:21.540 --> 02:17:30.540
Oh my, 1, 2, 3, it fails, 3 to 5 Okay, so now I believe that the right order

02:17:30.540 --> 02:17:37.620
would be the original of Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm, to move this to the next

02:17:37.620 --> 02:17:39.300
regularly scheduled meeting.

02:17:39.300 --> 02:17:40.300
Okay.

02:17:40.300 --> 02:17:41.300
Alderman.

02:17:41.300 --> 02:17:45.140
And also take their names off.

02:17:45.140 --> 02:17:46.940
I don't know if that was the discussion.

02:17:46.940 --> 02:17:51.940
it was about having a discussion, correct?

02:17:52.260 --> 02:17:55.340
I feel as though we had that discussion.

02:17:55.340 --> 02:18:00.340
Well, Mike, Mike, Mike, can I speak?

02:18:00.420 --> 02:18:02.860
Well, just a second.

02:18:02.860 --> 02:18:06.980
So at the end of the day, there's still a motion

02:18:06.980 --> 02:18:08.720
and a second that was made to table this

02:18:08.720 --> 02:18:09.820
until the council meeting.

02:18:09.820 --> 02:18:12.060
So as long as Alderman Shadle's position

02:18:12.060 --> 02:18:15.820
and the second is still to table this to the next meeting,

02:18:15.820 --> 02:18:26.040
allowing for whatever conversations to be had just to confirm the reasons for Alderman Simmons

02:18:26.040 --> 02:18:32.160
not being here, which I know she stated already there, but if to allow for whatever follow-up

02:18:32.160 --> 02:18:38.440
that may or may not need to take place on that there, then that's what's pending before.

02:18:38.440 --> 02:18:43.660
So then there's still discussion on this motion then.

02:18:43.660 --> 02:18:47.300
So discussion on moving it to the next meeting.

02:18:47.300 --> 02:18:48.300
Is that where we're at?

02:18:48.300 --> 02:18:49.300
That's where we're at.

02:18:49.300 --> 02:18:50.300
Right.

02:18:50.300 --> 02:18:53.980
To table this for further discussion, to table this, to not vote on it tonight, but to table

02:18:53.980 --> 02:18:55.580
this to the next council meeting.

02:18:55.580 --> 02:18:56.580
Okay.

02:18:56.580 --> 02:18:57.580
Okay.

02:18:57.580 --> 02:18:58.580
No we're not.

02:18:58.580 --> 02:18:59.580
All right.

02:18:59.580 --> 02:19:00.580
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:19:00.580 --> 02:19:01.580
Klemm?

02:19:01.580 --> 02:19:02.580
Yes.

02:19:02.580 --> 02:19:03.580
Johnson?

02:19:03.580 --> 02:19:04.580
Yes.

02:19:04.580 --> 02:19:05.580
Simmons?

02:19:05.580 --> 02:19:06.580
No.

02:19:06.580 --> 02:19:07.580
Parker?

02:19:07.580 --> 02:19:08.580
Yes.

02:19:08.580 --> 02:19:09.580
Stacy?

02:19:09.580 --> 02:19:10.580
No.

02:19:10.580 --> 02:19:11.580
Shadle?

02:19:11.580 --> 02:19:12.580
Yes.

02:19:12.580 --> 02:19:13.580
Sanders?

02:19:13.580 --> 02:19:25.740
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?

02:19:27.660 --> 02:19:38.340
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?

02:19:38.340 --> 02:19:46.460
Sorry about that. Thank you Madam Mayor. The City held a public bid opening on May 23rd

02:19:46.460 --> 02:19:52.380
for the four phases of Well 12. So the project was broken up into four phases. The first

02:19:52.380 --> 02:19:57.660
phase is the test well, the second phase is the production well, third phase is the treatment

02:19:57.660 --> 02:20:01.780
plant and the fourth phase is water and sewer interconnection, piping and so forth.

02:20:01.780 --> 02:20:04.620
and others who are interconnection piping and so forth.

02:20:04.620 --> 02:20:07.579
So each of these individual projects

02:20:07.579 --> 02:20:09.020
is related to the installation

02:20:09.020 --> 02:20:13.180
of a new 1300 foot deep production water well

02:20:13.180 --> 02:20:15.920
and treatment facility for the low zone of Freeport.

02:20:15.920 --> 02:20:18.460
The low zone is the largest area of Freeport

02:20:18.460 --> 02:20:20.760
that serves 65% of the city.

02:20:20.760 --> 02:20:22.920
These production well infrastructure projects

02:20:22.920 --> 02:20:25.020
were targeted and identified originally

02:20:25.020 --> 02:20:29.140
in the 2017 comprehensive infrastructure upgrade plan

02:20:29.140 --> 02:20:33.860
when the Forever Chemicals or PFOS was originally detected

02:20:33.860 --> 02:20:37.060
by the US EPA doing random tests.

02:20:37.060 --> 02:20:40.140
Freeport was one of the first 500 communities in the country

02:20:40.140 --> 02:20:42.420
to be detected, and we now know this

02:20:42.420 --> 02:20:45.860
is an issue facing many cities across the United States.

02:20:45.860 --> 02:20:50.040
So city staff receive bids for this complex project.

02:20:50.040 --> 02:20:53.180
The low responsive bidders are as follows for the four

02:20:53.180 --> 02:20:55.800
individual open contracts.

02:20:55.800 --> 02:21:25.800
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

02:21:25.800 --> 02:21:34.060
Wellhouse, Wellhouse number 12 and a 7 acre site work. The winning bidder was IHC Construction

02:21:34.060 --> 02:21:44.579
Companies and the winning amount was $21,966,000 and contract C was the water and sewer main

02:21:44.579 --> 02:21:54.239
connections. And that was won by Kelsey Excavating out of Davis, Illinois for $1,729,906. So

02:21:54.239 --> 02:22:23.440
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.

02:22:23.440 --> 02:22:31.940
and Forgivable Loans of $5 million as well as some congressionally directed spending from Congressman Sorensen.

02:22:31.940 --> 02:22:40.440
So staff's recommendation is City Council to approve the lowest responsive bidder for each contract as listed.

02:22:40.440 --> 02:22:43.440
So then the first one will be the test well.

02:22:43.440 --> 02:22:48.440
Is there a motion to approve the bid as stated?

02:22:48.440 --> 02:22:49.440
So moved.

02:22:49.440 --> 02:22:50.440
Second.

02:22:50.440 --> 02:22:58.440
The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Discussion on this bid. Alderman Sanders.

02:22:58.440 --> 02:22:59.440
On a bid?

02:22:59.440 --> 02:23:02.440
This is a bid. This bid that's packaged before you.

02:23:02.440 --> 02:23:13.440
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.

02:23:13.440 --> 02:23:14.440
Darren, did you want to?

02:23:14.440 --> 02:23:17.440
Have we had a discussion? That's the question I'm asking.

02:23:17.440 --> 02:23:19.440
Yes, yes, we have.

02:23:19.440 --> 02:23:46.440
this is approving the bids. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers.

02:23:46.440 --> 02:23:56.360
Aye. The motion passes six to one. Item number 22 is the approval of another bid. Could you please read this?

02:23:58.120 --> 02:24:04.200
Another bid opening on May 23rd for the production well number 12 bid approval including notice of

02:24:04.200 --> 02:24:09.960
intent to award to Peerless Well and Pump based on IEPA concurrence. Thank you Manager Boyer.

02:24:09.960 --> 02:24:22.440
So, as previously mentioned, the production well of the successful low bidder was $2,441,650 and that was also Peerless Well and Pump.

02:24:22.440 --> 02:24:29.640
Staff would request approval of this resolution moving forward with Peerless. I'm sorry, with this bid with Peerless.

02:24:29.640 --> 02:24:30.840
Is there a motion to approve?

02:24:30.840 --> 02:24:31.840
So moved.

02:24:31.840 --> 02:24:35.340
Second.

02:24:35.340 --> 02:24:40.060
We have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on this bid.

02:24:45.260 --> 02:24:51.739
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye.

02:24:53.100 --> 02:25:01.739
Are you trying to reconnect Stacy or? No. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye.

02:25:01.739 --> 02:25:10.380
the motion is approved six to one item 23 another bit approval could you please

02:25:10.380 --> 02:25:15.220
read this also on May 23rd well house number 12 including notice of intent to

02:25:15.220 --> 02:25:21.860
award to IHC construction based on IEPA concurrence thank you manager where I

02:25:21.860 --> 02:25:27.000
think your honor the lowest responsive bidder was IHC construction at 21

02:25:27.000 --> 02:25:31.500
million nine hundred sixty-six thousand dollars and I will add that IHC is our

02:25:31.500 --> 02:25:36.640
current contractor at the wastewater treatment plant and they've had an

02:25:36.640 --> 02:25:42.000
excellent track record of success so I enthusiastically request City Council

02:25:42.000 --> 02:25:52.840
move forward with this and a Mary so move made by Alderman Shadle seconded by

02:25:52.840 --> 02:25:59.200
Alderman, Sellers. Discussion on this bid? I just wanted to point out when we

02:25:59.200 --> 02:26:05.780
tallied the bids for IHC, they made a tabulation error of $300,000 in the

02:26:05.780 --> 02:26:09.200
city's favor and and I discussed it with them and they're going to honor the

02:26:09.200 --> 02:26:17.780
price that was tabulated, not what was read. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the

02:26:17.780 --> 02:26:47.780
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

02:26:47.780 --> 02:26:51.980
to award to Kelsey Excavating based on IEPA concurrence.

02:26:51.980 --> 02:26:54.020
Manager Boyer.

02:26:54.020 --> 02:26:55.400
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

02:26:55.400 --> 02:26:58.579
Kelsey Excavating was the lowest responsive bidder.

02:26:58.579 --> 02:27:03.220
The total amount was $1,729,906.

02:27:03.220 --> 02:27:07.460
And I will also note that Kelsey has worked for us in the past.

02:27:07.460 --> 02:27:11.500
They did the forest sewer main on Island Avenue.

02:27:11.500 --> 02:27:15.380
And that project went forward very well.

02:27:15.380 --> 02:27:16.860
Is there a motion to approve?

02:27:16.860 --> 02:27:17.500
So moved.

02:27:17.500 --> 02:27:18.740
Second.

02:27:18.740 --> 02:27:24.420
Motion made by Shadle, seconded by Sellers.

02:27:24.420 --> 02:27:28.540
Madam Clerk, please take the roll for the bid.

02:27:28.540 --> 02:27:29.220
Klemm.

02:27:29.220 --> 02:27:29.780
Aye.

02:27:29.780 --> 02:27:30.380
Johnson.

02:27:30.380 --> 02:27:30.860
Aye.

02:27:30.860 --> 02:27:31.900
Simmons.

02:27:31.900 --> 02:27:32.460
Aye.

02:27:32.460 --> 02:27:33.060
Parker.

02:27:33.060 --> 02:27:33.980
Aye.

02:27:33.980 --> 02:27:34.659
Shadle.

02:27:34.659 --> 02:27:35.220
Aye.

02:27:35.220 --> 02:27:35.900
Sanders.

02:27:35.900 --> 02:27:37.220
No.

02:27:37.220 --> 02:27:38.180
And Sellers.

02:27:38.180 --> 02:27:40.140
Aye.

02:27:40.140 --> 02:27:43.780
The motion is approved, 6 to 1.

02:27:43.780 --> 02:27:47.180
And item number 25, another bid.

02:27:47.180 --> 02:27:50.040
This bid opening was on May 30th, 2025.

02:27:50.040 --> 02:27:52.579
Demolition of seven residential properties.

02:27:53.440 --> 02:27:54.280
Director Duckman.

02:27:55.520 --> 02:27:56.800
Thank you, Madam Mayor.

02:27:58.040 --> 02:28:01.320
City of Freeport published a notice

02:28:01.320 --> 02:28:03.400
for the demolition and asbestos abatement

02:28:03.400 --> 02:28:07.040
of seven properties in the journal standard on May 25th

02:28:07.040 --> 02:28:11.920
and held a bid opening on May 30th at nine o'clock a.m.

02:28:11.920 --> 02:28:12.880
in City Hall.

02:28:12.880 --> 02:28:29.880
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.

02:28:29.880 --> 02:28:41.880
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.

02:28:41.880 --> 02:28:50.280
Bitter. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm,

02:28:50.280 --> 02:28:56.760
seconded by Alderman Shadle. Discussion on the bids? Yes. Alderman Sellers? Yes. Are these the

02:28:56.760 --> 02:29:04.800
properties and the money that's coming out of the mitigation grant that was? Yes. Yes. Most of them,

02:29:04.800 --> 02:29:11.000
six of the seven are. Okay. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

02:29:11.000 --> 02:29:23.120
Klemm, aye. Johnson, aye. Simmons, aye. Parker, aye. Shadle, aye. Sanders, no. And Sellers, aye.

02:29:23.120 --> 02:29:30.760
The motion is approved six to one. Item number 26, adaption of the resolution 2025-67.

02:29:30.760 --> 02:29:35.360
Could you please read this? Resolution approving construction engineering

02:29:35.360 --> 02:29:39.920
contract with Fehr Graham for project build of test well, well and well house

02:29:39.920 --> 02:29:44.079
House No. 12, and Associated Water Main and Sewer Main Extensions.

02:29:44.079 --> 02:29:46.200
Manager Boyer?

02:29:46.200 --> 02:29:47.200
Thank you, Your Honor.

02:29:47.200 --> 02:29:52.579
Fehr Graham Design permitted and bid Well 12 for four phases of water improvement projects.

02:29:52.579 --> 02:29:56.760
The IEP funding requires professional construction engineering services for the four phases of

02:29:56.760 --> 02:29:58.440
the project improvements.

02:29:58.440 --> 02:30:01.800
The completion of Well 12 project is in its entirety.

02:30:01.800 --> 02:30:12.800
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.

02:30:12.800 --> 02:30:18.800
Fehr Graham will provide professional construction, resident engineering services to manage the four projects on behalf of the city.

02:30:18.800 --> 02:30:30.800
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,

02:30:30.800 --> 02:30:44.880
Construction Survey Layout Staking, Specification Assurance, among other listed items in the outline proposal, BABA compliance and certification documentation for these projects.

02:30:44.880 --> 02:30:51.520
That's the new Made in America requirements that are coming down from the federal government.

02:30:51.520 --> 02:30:59.460
These four construction projects consist of $26,969,516 in infrastructure improvements

02:30:59.460 --> 02:31:05.480
and will serve the city, residents, and businesses for the next 100 years with water production.

02:31:05.480 --> 02:31:11.380
These projects will require an estimated 30-month construction schedule to complete, and professional

02:31:11.380 --> 02:31:15.400
engineering services include construction engineering, staking, and full project management

02:31:15.400 --> 02:31:25.000
and the amount of $1,750,000, QAQC material testing services are third party services needed only

02:31:25.000 --> 02:31:30.440
and resident construction engineering is part of the IEP loan process and is included by the state

02:31:30.440 --> 02:31:36.280
revolving fund program. Staff recommends moving forward with this agreement and I will mention

02:31:36.280 --> 02:31:43.560
to you during the process or during the construction process of well 11, their construction oversight has

02:31:43.560 --> 02:31:48.060
has been invaluable saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially more in

02:31:48.060 --> 02:31:53.980
change orders or lack thereof, and ensuring that what we're paying for is what we're getting.

02:31:53.980 --> 02:32:01.240
Just one case in point was with Well Oven, there was an oversight as far as the tank

02:32:01.240 --> 02:32:05.280
was, the main clear well was constructed.

02:32:05.280 --> 02:32:13.400
Fehr Graham was diligent about designing a work or a good solution to resolve the issue.

02:32:13.400 --> 02:32:16.960
And at the end of the day, the city did not incur any costs.

02:32:16.960 --> 02:32:24.200
And the Clearwell was built to specify case revised specifications that will is actually,

02:32:24.200 --> 02:32:26.360
I think, better than the original design.

02:32:26.360 --> 02:32:32.080
So that's one case in point as well as the support that we've had throughout the transition

02:32:32.080 --> 02:32:35.060
from the contractor to the city staff.

02:32:35.060 --> 02:32:40.980
We've had an excellent transition and inspection period where we've resulted in the the project

02:32:40.980 --> 02:32:45.980
basically going off without a hitch. There's always glitches, but the contractors were held

02:32:45.980 --> 02:32:52.100
to account in this case for well 11 and they did an excellent job in insulating the city

02:32:52.100 --> 02:32:59.860
from change orders that were unnecessary. So I enthusiastically recommend moving forward

02:32:59.860 --> 02:33:00.860
with this resolution.

02:33:00.860 --> 02:33:12.860
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.

02:33:12.860 --> 02:33:23.840
Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. And Sellers? Aye.

02:33:23.840 --> 02:33:28.540
The resolution is adapted six to one.

02:33:30.940 --> 02:33:40.060
Item number 27 is discussion regarding updates on 17 and 19 West Main Street for

02:33:40.060 --> 02:33:42.060
and

02:33:43.060 --> 02:33:45.060
Daryl.

02:33:46.060 --> 02:34:02.060
» 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.

02:34:02.060 --> 02:34:07.460
and I have a solution to un-attach the two buildings and also support those structures

02:34:07.460 --> 02:34:12.100
and then come up with remediation to make sure the other structures would be sound once

02:34:12.100 --> 02:34:19.060
we're done. We are waiting on EPA approval to bid which we believe will be sometime here

02:34:19.060 --> 02:34:23.580
in June and the target would be to have the buildings down before the end of the year.

02:34:23.580 --> 02:34:28.180
It's going to depend when they give us the green light to go. All of our funding is still

02:34:28.180 --> 02:34:32.580
in place. We haven't drawn any of the funding yet because you have to complete the project to draw it.

02:34:33.300 --> 02:34:38.580
Once we are awarded, I believe we have four years to complete the project. Please know that one of

02:34:38.580 --> 02:34:44.660
the largest difficult issues that we have right now is the building that is conjoined to the dry

02:34:44.660 --> 02:34:51.300
cleaners. The roof caved in about a year and a half ago at least and so it's very dangerous to

02:34:51.300 --> 02:34:55.860
access the building. It's very dangerous to come up with the plan to try to get it down and not

02:34:55.860 --> 02:34:58.460
and not destroy the rest of downtown while we're doing it.

02:34:58.460 --> 02:34:59.820
There's just not a lot of space there.

02:34:59.820 --> 02:35:02.100
So please be patient.

02:35:02.100 --> 02:35:05.700
You'll see at bid, the finances are still there for it.

02:35:05.700 --> 02:35:09.420
And we hope to have it at least completely demolished

02:35:09.420 --> 02:35:11.000
before the end of the year.

02:35:11.000 --> 02:35:12.160
Thank you.

02:35:12.160 --> 02:35:15.900
Item number 28 is discussion on how a quorum was established

02:35:15.900 --> 02:35:19.380
for the May 19th council meeting, Alderman Sanders.

02:35:19.380 --> 02:35:24.380
Yes, I'm misunderstanding our protocol

02:35:25.860 --> 02:35:38.540
and I understand that if the protocol of how we conduct the order of our council chamber

02:35:38.540 --> 02:35:46.380
meetings that includes the mayor, attorney and everybody that's in the process with

02:36:16.380 --> 02:36:23.980
Place, why was it necessary to have a second roll call? Someone needs to explain that one

02:36:23.980 --> 02:36:35.780
to me because with the first roll call, business has been, the process has been started. When

02:36:35.780 --> 02:36:45.820
was the first roll call cancelled and was it terminated or was it erased or excluded

02:36:45.820 --> 02:37:06.820
Talking, and some of the other things that they want to talk about.

02:37:06.820 --> 02:37:10.060
the public wants to know are we consistent

02:37:10.060 --> 02:37:13.540
with what we're doing when it comes to roll call

02:37:13.540 --> 02:37:17.000
and when you have a quorum put in place

02:37:17.000 --> 02:37:20.160
at the very first roll call.

02:37:21.100 --> 02:37:22.580
If there's no quorum,

02:37:23.900 --> 02:37:26.900
then there shouldn't have been a second roll call.

02:37:26.900 --> 02:37:31.360
That's my thought on that and that's my opinion on that.

02:37:32.640 --> 02:37:35.780
The people of this community will like to know

02:37:35.780 --> 02:37:43.380
How do you stage a second roll call when the first one should have been sufficient?

02:37:43.380 --> 02:37:52.180
The first roll call is how we work the process and how we conduct the council meetings and

02:37:52.180 --> 02:37:53.800
things of this nature.

02:37:53.800 --> 02:38:00.720
The first roll call explains everything of what is supposed to happen at that point.

02:38:00.720 --> 02:38:05.640
so I'm just trying to figure out how is it that we end up conducting a second

02:38:05.640 --> 02:38:11.080
roll call sure without an explanation sure so the first roll call was a

02:38:11.080 --> 02:38:15.640
standard roll call the number of aldermen that were were called there

02:38:15.640 --> 02:38:18.800
were five alderman roll call what the difference with the second roll call is

02:38:18.800 --> 02:38:24.680
that because on inauguration day traditionally then anytime once the new

02:38:24.680 --> 02:38:28.320
alderman or the elected alderman the newly elected alderman and they might be

02:38:28.320 --> 02:38:38.320
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.

02:38:38.320 --> 02:38:42.320
So when you were seated, there was a second roll call.

02:38:42.320 --> 02:38:52.320
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.

02:38:52.320 --> 02:38:54.320
So that's all in the same thing.

02:38:54.320 --> 02:38:55.320
and I.

02:38:55.320 --> 02:39:00.120
It's one thing you're forgetting that there was not an established courtroom to even do

02:39:00.120 --> 02:39:02.960
a second roll call and that's what you keep omitting.

02:39:02.960 --> 02:39:04.720
And I can explain that.

02:39:04.720 --> 02:39:13.100
I like to hear you put that on the record that you did that because for what reason

02:39:13.100 --> 02:39:24.040
that you injected a second roll call when the courtroom was not a business process when

02:39:24.040 --> 02:39:31.400
And it should have been cancelled or made it invalid to have any other business before

02:39:31.400 --> 02:39:35.960
the council in order to establish a second roll call.

02:39:35.960 --> 02:39:42.600
So earlier in the day on that Monday, the city council was, or not the city council,

02:39:42.600 --> 02:39:47.000
the city, the city manager was made aware through the media that there might not be

02:39:47.000 --> 02:39:51.500
enough other people to conduct the meeting, that there might be people, the media had

02:39:51.500 --> 02:39:52.500
heard that.

02:39:52.500 --> 02:39:53.500
Are you kidding me?

02:39:53.500 --> 02:39:56.260
That's what the media told the city.

02:39:56.260 --> 02:39:57.700
That's what someone said.

02:39:57.700 --> 02:40:00.740
Correct, that there might not be enough people for a quorum.

02:40:00.740 --> 02:40:01.740
We're basing it on here.

02:40:01.740 --> 02:40:11.180
for a quarrel. Well certainly that's what ended up happening. So based off of that

02:40:11.180 --> 02:40:16.780
information Alderman Johnson was sworn in ahead of time. There's no obligation

02:40:16.780 --> 02:40:20.940
that the swearing-in of an Alderperson has to be done during a meeting there. So

02:40:20.940 --> 02:40:24.500
it can take place before because the ceremony is ceremonial. The swearing-in is

02:40:24.500 --> 02:40:28.940
ceremonial. It can take place outside. So that was done.

02:40:28.940 --> 02:40:44.940
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.

02:40:44.940 --> 02:40:53.940
I think you'll find that. You'll find the Attorney General's finding attached to your question.

02:40:53.940 --> 02:40:54.940
Winslow.

02:40:54.940 --> 02:40:55.940
So,

02:40:55.940 --> 02:40:56.940
Yeah, I got it.

02:40:56.940 --> 02:40:57.940
I got it.

02:40:57.940 --> 02:40:58.940
Okay.

02:40:58.940 --> 02:40:59.940
So, the Attorney General's finding stands.

02:40:59.940 --> 02:41:00.940
Yeah.

02:41:00.940 --> 02:41:06.900
But it's the establishment of the findings of this council.

02:41:06.900 --> 02:41:14.940
The Attorney General does not conduct business for this county and the council.

02:41:14.940 --> 02:41:16.820
They don't do that.

02:41:16.820 --> 02:41:23.140
And so, in order for that to happen, it's all within our structure that that should

02:41:23.140 --> 02:41:33.660
that shouldn't have happened because a second meeting or a second quorum shouldn't have

02:41:33.660 --> 02:41:34.980
never taken place.

02:41:34.980 --> 02:41:43.180
When the first one had taken was not business orientated, then the first one should be that.

02:41:43.180 --> 02:41:50.800
It should be dissolved at that point, and whatever you did, and this does not change

02:41:50.800 --> 02:41:59.520
Anything, what the General Attorney was saying, that doesn't change anything because we set

02:41:59.520 --> 02:42:02.880
the standards here in the Council.

02:42:02.880 --> 02:42:06.120
So are you saying that you did not attend in hopes to not have a quorum?

02:42:06.120 --> 02:42:07.120
No, I didn't say that.

02:42:07.120 --> 02:42:08.120
Don't put that out there.

02:42:08.120 --> 02:42:09.120
That's why I'm asking you.

02:42:09.120 --> 02:42:10.120
I'm asking you.

02:42:10.120 --> 02:42:13.120
You cannot put that out there, Mayor.

02:42:13.120 --> 02:42:15.720
Well, you're alluding to there was no quorum.

02:42:15.720 --> 02:42:17.840
You are drawing an assumption.

02:42:17.840 --> 02:42:19.840
You are alluding to there was no quorum.

02:42:19.840 --> 02:42:23.680
and the Attorney General's finding says that where there was a quorum...

02:42:23.680 --> 02:42:33.000
The council conduct the processing, not veto, zero, nor the mayor determines that it's already

02:42:33.000 --> 02:42:34.000
set in stone.

02:42:34.000 --> 02:42:39.120
And this is the consistent, this is the practice that we've been practicing since the two years

02:42:39.120 --> 02:42:40.120
that I've been here.

02:42:40.120 --> 02:42:45.520
And Alderman Sanders, we followed the exact same process, okay, because at the end of

02:42:45.520 --> 02:42:49.560
the day, at the beginning of the meeting, the clerk took the role of the aldermen that

02:42:49.560 --> 02:42:53.460
that were elected and there were five aldermen who had been elected and sworn in present

02:42:53.460 --> 02:42:55.080
so that constituted a quorum.

02:42:55.080 --> 02:43:00.480
There was no, there was, there shouldn't have been an election because the quorum was dissolved.

02:43:00.480 --> 02:43:09.600
Okay, so by the findings of the Attorney General, that is, that is the final, so Alderman Klemm.

02:43:09.600 --> 02:43:14.960
So the reason that three people didn't show up so we couldn't do business didn't make,

02:43:14.960 --> 02:43:15.960
that doesn't have anything to do with it.

02:43:15.960 --> 02:43:16.460
Do it.

02:43:16.460 --> 02:43:19.040
And your condescending remarks are very

02:43:19.040 --> 02:43:21.120
It may be condescending, but it's the truth.

02:43:21.120 --> 02:43:22.440
It makes a third time.

02:43:22.440 --> 02:43:26.240
But you can't nobody ask you for your opinion.

02:43:26.240 --> 02:43:26.800
I don't care.

02:43:26.800 --> 02:43:27.720
Alderman Klemm has the floor.

02:43:27.720 --> 02:43:28.760
You don't insult people.

02:43:28.760 --> 02:43:31.320
Alderman Klemm has the floor.

02:43:31.320 --> 02:43:32.100
Yeah, well.

02:43:32.100 --> 02:43:35.200
Since I've been an Alderman this time, the same day

02:43:35.200 --> 02:43:37.560
that you were sworn in, you guys have

02:43:37.560 --> 02:43:38.760
Please stop interrupting.

02:43:38.760 --> 02:43:43.920
Completely abandoned meetings three times.

02:43:43.920 --> 02:43:45.160
Is that good for this?

02:43:45.160 --> 02:43:47.160
and

02:43:48.160 --> 02:43:50.160
Knapp.

02:43:51.160 --> 02:43:53.160
» I resent that accusation. » What's that?

02:43:54.160 --> 02:43:58.160
» I resent that accusation. » You can resent it all you want, but you weren't here.

02:43:58.160 --> 02:44:00.160
» It's not true. » It is true.

02:44:00.160 --> 02:44:04.160
» How about the special meeting we had where none of you showed? How about that?

02:44:04.160 --> 02:44:06.160
» Okay. » We're not here for the hell of

02:44:06.160 --> 02:44:11.160
it. We're trying to do this. » Are you the judge and the

02:44:11.160 --> 02:44:18.360
Boarder. You're not the prosecutor nor the judge. All right, we need to, everyone will be dismissed,

02:44:18.360 --> 02:44:23.960
we'll have a meeting adjourned if we're going to continue to act like children. Alderman Shadle,

02:44:23.960 --> 02:44:28.680
would you like to say something? I just would like to read from the correspondence from the

02:44:28.680 --> 02:44:36.280
Office of the Attorney General Kwame Raul. Same thing. Dated May 30th, 2025 and the finding

02:44:36.280 --> 02:44:37.280
Johnson.

02:44:37.280 --> 02:44:43.840
Letters signed by Katie Goldsmith, Assistant Attorney General, that even if the newly elected

02:44:43.840 --> 02:44:50.120
Alderperson Johnson did not count towards a quorum at the first roll call, however,

02:44:50.120 --> 02:44:55.780
the four other Alderpersons and the Mayor comprised a quorum.

02:44:55.780 --> 02:45:00.560
Because a quorum of the members of the Council were present and answered the roll call during

02:45:00.560 --> 02:45:07.320
the meeting, this office has determined that no further action is warranted with respect

02:45:07.320 --> 02:45:13.280
to your allegation. This letter serves to close this file. If you have any questions,

02:45:13.280 --> 02:45:16.720
please contact me at the Chicago address at the bottom.

02:45:16.720 --> 02:45:22.440
Okay, this discussion is final. We'll move on to department heads. Finance?

02:45:22.440 --> 02:45:25.520
Nothing, Your Honor. Community Development?

02:45:25.520 --> 02:45:35.320
tonight Madam Mayor. Public Works. Nothing tonight. Thank you. Fire? Nothing as well

02:45:35.320 --> 02:45:42.040
from fire. Thank you. Police? I have no report tonight. Library? All right let's end this

02:45:42.040 --> 02:45:49.840
on a little bit of a positive note. Summer reading kickoff is Monday June 9th at 1

02:45:49.840 --> 02:45:54.680
p.m. You can sign up for summer reading and we'll have crafts, tattoos,

02:45:54.680 --> 02:45:57.200
Dues, Touch a Truck, and Games.

02:45:57.200 --> 02:46:02.600
This year we're also hosting a drop-in craft for teens and adults to celebrate our kickoff,

02:46:02.600 --> 02:46:08.000
the drop-in and make some yarn fringe art between 3 and 7 p.m.

02:46:08.000 --> 02:46:12.360
And all families unable to attend kickoff events are welcome to come in and sign up

02:46:12.360 --> 02:46:19.360
for summer reading anytime we are open starting Monday, June 9th at 3 p.m.

02:46:19.360 --> 02:46:21.360
Thank you.

02:46:21.360 --> 02:46:23.860
IT?

02:46:23.860 --> 02:46:32.140
Manager. I just have two things. I'm sure everyone here is familiar with the yield program.

02:46:32.140 --> 02:46:39.020
The yield program is a 14-week training that helps prepare individuals for building trades.

02:46:39.020 --> 02:46:44.500
They are in the process of getting ready for their next round, which starts June 9th. And

02:46:44.500 --> 02:46:50.180
so if you are age 18 or older and have a high school diploma or a GED, you are eligible.

02:46:50.180 --> 02:46:57.280
it gives classroom training on the job pay, it has supporting services in case you need

02:46:57.280 --> 02:47:01.640
them for transportation or child care, and it also gives you the assistance in helping

02:47:01.640 --> 02:47:04.520
to find full-time work after the training is done.

02:47:04.520 --> 02:47:09.120
If it's something you would like to be a part of, please contact the Boys and Girls Club.

02:47:09.120 --> 02:47:14.720
Also on Saturday, please mark your calendars for the High Hope event.

02:47:14.720 --> 02:47:22.120
for the Peace March. It is called End the Cycle, Stop Community Violence. It is to stand

02:47:22.120 --> 02:47:28.360
in unity for the Memorial Peace March again on Saturday, which starts at 11 o'clock at

02:47:28.360 --> 02:47:33.800
the Madonna Renewal Center, which is near the intersection of Walnut and Empire. So

02:47:33.800 --> 02:47:38.920
if you'd like to join with that, you are welcome to do so. With that, Alderman Klemm?

02:47:38.920 --> 02:47:41.320
Nothing, Your Honor.

02:47:41.320 --> 02:47:42.320
Alderman Johnson?

02:47:42.320 --> 02:47:48.320
Yes, I'd just like the people in Ward 2 to know that the flushing of the water mains in our ward started today

02:47:48.320 --> 02:47:56.320
with Laurel Street, Revere, Concord, Park Crest, Middlebury, Alamo, Bedford, Greenfield, and Sheffield.

02:47:56.320 --> 02:48:05.320
And also, last week there was mention of some rust in water when a person turned on their faucet.

02:48:05.320 --> 02:48:11.320
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

02:48:11.320 --> 02:48:17.000
Coollate in it. We'd still drink it. It still tasted terrible. So anyway, so I did ask some

02:48:17.000 --> 02:48:21.960
questions about that, wanting to know what we could do about rust in the water. I talked

02:48:21.960 --> 02:48:28.600
with Manager Boyer and he said with the new well, there's a lot of things in there that

02:48:28.600 --> 02:48:33.960
will remove the rust and iron from the majority of the water in the city. And I also talked

02:48:33.960 --> 02:48:40.320
with Darren Steakles. So Darren, would you please reiterate what causes rust in water

02:48:40.320 --> 02:48:44.360
and some things that people can do at home to help,

02:48:44.360 --> 02:48:46.560
help so the water doesn't taste so bad

02:48:46.560 --> 02:48:48.120
or what they can do for the rust.

02:48:48.120 --> 02:48:48.960
Sure.

02:48:48.960 --> 02:48:53.420
So there's lots of items that cause rust in water.

02:48:53.420 --> 02:48:57.600
One of the items is piping has what's called biofilm in it.

02:48:58.600 --> 02:49:01.280
A lot of our older pipe is made of ductile iron

02:49:01.280 --> 02:49:05.600
or cast iron, which creates a kind of a rusty biofilm

02:49:05.600 --> 02:49:07.240
on the insides of the pipes.

02:49:07.240 --> 02:49:09.480
That's why we do annual flushing programs

02:49:09.480 --> 02:49:12.000
to flush that out of the mains.

02:49:12.000 --> 02:49:15.880
You can see right now, if we get a large fire,

02:49:15.880 --> 02:49:18.400
we can stir it up by shifting the way water flows

02:49:18.400 --> 02:49:20.300
through the pipes, we kind of scour it.

02:49:21.240 --> 02:49:26.240
Residents, we actually, I believe, put a tutorial

02:49:26.620 --> 02:49:29.120
on the city's website today on what residents can do

02:49:29.120 --> 02:49:31.120
to be active at their houses.

02:49:31.120 --> 02:49:33.400
Generally speaking, you want to flush the water

02:49:33.400 --> 02:49:35.160
at your house through a tub faucet

02:49:35.160 --> 02:49:36.720
or the lowest faucet in your house

02:49:36.720 --> 02:49:39.460
that doesn't have an aerator on it for a few minutes.

02:49:39.460 --> 02:49:41.820
and that usually flushes your pipe out.

02:49:41.820 --> 02:49:43.540
You are kind of the end point source

02:49:43.540 --> 02:49:45.640
so it can push into the houses.

02:49:46.620 --> 02:49:49.220
Lower users can actually be more susceptible.

02:49:49.220 --> 02:49:51.260
Elderly people that don't use as much water

02:49:51.260 --> 02:49:53.560
don't have as many kids using water.

02:49:54.520 --> 02:49:56.420
If you want to be more vigilant,

02:49:57.820 --> 02:50:01.960
there's Brita pictures that you can purchase at Walmart or.

02:50:01.960 --> 02:50:06.960
that you can purchase at Walmart or Pharma Fleet here in town

02:50:07.360 --> 02:50:09.320
that remove lots of constituents.

02:50:09.320 --> 02:50:11.600
It's not necessary our water is safe to drink,

02:50:11.600 --> 02:50:13.600
but if you feel that you need that,

02:50:14.560 --> 02:50:16.120
please move forward with that.

02:50:20.920 --> 02:50:22.800
Some of the rust that gets stirred up

02:50:22.800 --> 02:50:25.660
is actually from the residential piping in your house,

02:50:25.660 --> 02:50:27.680
especially if you have an older home.

02:50:27.680 --> 02:50:31.480
The city is not responsible for residential piping,

02:50:31.480 --> 02:50:33.640
but we also help people investigate that.

02:50:33.640 --> 02:50:36.360
So if you have rusty water calls,

02:50:36.360 --> 02:50:41.360
please go to 815-235-8210 Public Works

02:50:41.360 --> 02:50:43.960
and our utility superintendent will follow up with you

02:50:43.960 --> 02:50:45.760
or environmental compliance officer

02:50:45.760 --> 02:50:48.760
and help you figure out whether it's city water

02:50:48.760 --> 02:50:50.480
or if it's actually your piping

02:50:50.480 --> 02:50:53.520
and we can do some testing, water testing

02:50:53.520 --> 02:50:55.360
like we do daily to figure that out.

02:50:57.600 --> 02:51:00.160
I think that's about everything you asked me.

02:51:00.160 --> 02:51:05.120
Okay, and then I just have something for Wendy to give to her.

02:51:05.120 --> 02:51:07.300
She mentioned somebody that does have problems

02:51:07.300 --> 02:51:09.800
with their water, and I don't have a lot of money.

02:51:09.800 --> 02:51:12.600
I'm on a fixed income like a lot of other people,

02:51:12.600 --> 02:51:15.320
but if you can do something good for someone,

02:51:15.320 --> 02:51:17.840
you need to do it, so I'm just gonna give her this.

02:51:17.840 --> 02:51:21.040
She can give it to whoever she feels that needs it.

02:51:21.040 --> 02:51:21.880
Right.

02:51:24.560 --> 02:51:25.400
One last thing.

02:51:25.400 --> 02:51:51.400
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.

02:51:51.400 --> 02:51:53.400
Alderman Simmons?

02:51:53.400 --> 02:51:58.400
Yeah, I'm going to say something.

02:51:58.400 --> 02:52:03.400
So I spoke more this evening than I have pretty much since I've been here.

02:52:03.400 --> 02:52:09.400
But hopefully you all see what is going on, the selective enforcement of ordinances.

02:52:09.400 --> 02:52:13.400
We had our Alderman just swear and yell at another Alderperson.

02:52:13.400 --> 02:52:18.400
And there was nothing done until Alderman Sanders replied.

02:52:18.400 --> 02:52:25.720
the way we handle this y'all is we get out and vote please do that in the

02:52:25.720 --> 02:52:30.400
upcoming elections you have plenty of time to go register to research

02:52:30.400 --> 02:52:34.520
candidates you are interested in but please exercise that right because as

02:52:34.520 --> 02:52:39.840
you see here in these chambers what you want does not matter

02:52:39.840 --> 02:52:47.880
Alderman Parker. Where's that March start on Saturday? At the Madonna and Renewal on

02:52:47.880 --> 02:52:55.560
Walnut. Okay thank you. Alderman Shadle. I just want to mention that we're gonna

02:52:55.560 --> 02:53:02.840
move the July neighborhood watch meeting from the third being adjacent to the

02:53:02.840 --> 02:53:09.800
holiday. We're gonna move it to Thursday July 10th. I'll mention that again at

02:53:09.800 --> 02:53:13.800
at the second council meeting this month.

02:53:13.800 --> 02:53:14.800
Alderman Sanders.

02:53:14.800 --> 02:53:24.960
Yeah, I'd like to make a suggestion to our Public Water Works Director that we start

02:53:24.960 --> 02:53:31.000
a campaign, because I like what you were saying, that I think every citizen in the city of

02:53:31.000 --> 02:53:39.520
Freeport would love to get on board with this water rehabilitation systems for the residents,

02:53:39.520 --> 02:53:45.400
Farms, inspection is concerned or replacement or water services and things of that nature.

02:53:45.400 --> 02:53:52.000
We should start a campaign throughout the city because if there had been any problems

02:53:52.000 --> 02:53:58.660
at any point in time where the people of the residents don't have the proper filters to

02:53:58.660 --> 02:54:03.920
determine whether or not they're getting any kind of rust contaminants or whatever the

02:54:03.920 --> 02:54:04.920
and others.

02:54:04.920 --> 02:54:16.680
We should start a campaign to do an overview of assessment of our city water services to

02:54:16.680 --> 02:54:19.200
the residents' homes and things of this nature.

02:54:19.200 --> 02:54:20.880
I know we do testing.

02:54:20.880 --> 02:54:27.120
I know we can do that to make some kind of analysis about what the standards of their

02:54:27.120 --> 02:54:29.960
water quality is.

02:54:29.960 --> 02:54:34.360
and the investment that you're referring to as far as water filters attaching to their

02:54:34.360 --> 02:54:41.220
service is a big deal to some folks who don't understand what is happening and why they

02:54:41.220 --> 02:54:48.640
should purchase one. They should get one regardless. It doesn't matter whether it's for protection

02:54:48.640 --> 02:54:54.360
from the water that we're receiving. We should get one regardless. And I think we should

02:54:54.360 --> 02:55:01.800
Project that image out to the residents that no matter how clean you think your water is,

02:55:01.800 --> 02:55:12.320
I think we should be, what I'm saying, advertising water filters for homes or we start a campaign

02:55:12.320 --> 02:55:15.640
for water filters for homes for the public residents.

02:55:15.640 --> 02:55:26.400
and I think once they are educated and knowledgeable about why it is, then we're not incompetent

02:55:26.400 --> 02:55:31.440
as just the fact that the knowledge is not getting out there, the notifications.

02:55:31.440 --> 02:55:36.880
I know we do what's it called, board orders and things of this nature, but we don't give

02:55:36.880 --> 02:55:43.000
them solutions on what we can, additional solutions on how to protect themselves or

02:55:43.000 --> 02:55:47.900
even, the fact that we have to do Boyer orders and things of this nature.

02:55:47.900 --> 02:55:53.720
So I just wanted to put that out there because I thought that was a great thing to do, you

02:55:53.720 --> 02:55:54.720
know.

02:55:54.720 --> 02:56:06.000
And so I hope our citizens take that notice that you made in regards to their own lives

02:56:06.000 --> 02:56:07.440
and things of this nature.

02:56:07.440 --> 02:56:08.440
So that's all.

02:56:08.440 --> 02:56:09.440
Alderman Sellers?

02:56:09.440 --> 02:56:10.440
Nothing.

02:56:10.440 --> 02:56:12.680
We'll move on to public comments.

02:56:12.680 --> 02:56:42.680
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

02:56:42.680 --> 02:56:44.680
and

02:56:46.700 --> 02:56:50.840
John, and he became a law enforcement officer. He also has

02:56:50.840 --> 02:56:55.640
been Chief of Police, which carried a lot of responsibility.

02:56:55.640 --> 02:57:01.840
After that, he became a member of the County Board, and I guess

02:57:01.840 --> 02:57:06.340
that's when I really got to know you. You know, he went to I

02:57:06.340 --> 02:57:11.240
don't know how many meetings to better Stevenson County, and now

02:57:11.240 --> 02:57:16.240
and I have been working with the City Council. He has spent a

02:57:16.240 --> 02:57:23.240
lifetime of service to protect our country and also to make

02:57:23.240 --> 02:57:27.240
Freeport a better community. So I give applause you.

02:57:27.240 --> 02:57:36.240
Anybody who thinks otherwise, then they need to ask him.

02:57:36.240 --> 02:57:43.020
Leininger, I live at 1980 Woodside Drive. I have one other comment. I've never witnessed

02:57:43.020 --> 02:57:49.480
until this past couple years the attacks, the disrespect that has gone on in this city

02:57:49.480 --> 02:57:57.480
council towards our mayor, towards our city council, to Rob Boyer, city members, council

02:57:57.480 --> 02:58:07.040
members, and a lot of these lies, insinuations that people are doing things illegally.

02:58:07.040 --> 02:58:13.000
This is wrong, and our community should be one of brotherly love.

02:58:13.000 --> 02:58:21.800
It has always been that way until recently, and now there's this division and discord.

02:58:21.800 --> 02:58:28.880
and so I pray, this is a sincere prayer in my heart that things will change, that people

02:58:28.880 --> 02:58:35.960
will respect one another, that they'll operate in love and in truth and we'd become a better

02:58:35.960 --> 02:58:38.440
community for that.

02:58:38.440 --> 02:58:46.240
People from, I noticed by looking at YouTube, looking at YouTube that the people who are

02:58:46.240 --> 02:58:51.960
Reviewing this it's gone way up used to be a few people but now it's way up and

02:58:51.960 --> 02:58:58.480
I think it's because of the behavior of City Council members towards one another

02:59:06.120 --> 02:59:11.440
another another public comment

02:59:11.440 --> 02:59:20.080
Good evening. My name is Cheryl Altman. My first thing is the trees. Hiring somebody

02:59:20.080 --> 02:59:25.440
to cut the trees down. Seventy-three thousand dollars when we have our own forestry department.

02:59:25.440 --> 02:59:28.960
Why are they not doing it? Seventy-three thousand dollars can be going to the roads, going to

02:59:28.960 --> 02:59:34.640
the lights, but no, we're going to pay somebody else. Next thing you say, the water's safe.

02:59:34.640 --> 02:59:38.080
Why did I get a thing in the mail saying all the symptoms that the drink in the water

02:59:38.080 --> 02:59:46.800
and Dr. Freeport could do. Low birth weight, cancer, that's real safe to me. Also, I want

02:59:46.800 --> 02:59:52.880
to thank the Aldermen who are standing out there, standing up for what they believe.

02:59:52.880 --> 03:00:01.280
I appreciate that. Second, streets. Little town of Rydock, less than 150 people in the

03:00:01.280 --> 03:00:02.280
Town, and Rye.

03:00:02.280 --> 03:00:04.920
and 50 people in the town of Rydott.

03:00:04.920 --> 03:00:09.040
But every street and alleyway is blacked out.

03:00:09.040 --> 03:00:11.280
But Freeport's not, and I can guarantee you

03:00:11.280 --> 03:00:12.960
they get more money than Rydott.

03:00:14.420 --> 03:00:18.600
Also, I wanna say, Parker, I don't think

03:00:18.600 --> 03:00:20.560
that was very professional of what you did last week.

03:00:20.560 --> 03:00:23.040
I'm not saying you're not a bad person,

03:00:23.040 --> 03:00:25.100
but what you did was unacceptable.

03:00:26.720 --> 03:00:29.820
But you're not the only Alderman that has spoke out.

03:00:29.820 --> 03:00:31.000
Joy Seller has too.

03:00:32.280 --> 03:00:37.159
and that's disrespectful. When we're up here, this is our public comment. That means you listen.

03:00:37.159 --> 03:00:42.760
You don't interrupt us. You don't criticize us. We're not criticizing you. Matter of fact,

03:00:42.760 --> 03:00:49.000
I just said, you know, your service was great and I appreciate it. And Joy Seller, there were no

03:00:49.000 --> 03:00:53.640
issues outside the other day at that meeting. I don't know what you were on, what you're taking,

03:00:54.200 --> 03:01:00.600
but there was no issues. The television station, there's maybe six people out there. We were not

03:01:00.600 --> 03:01:05.600
We're not making a commotion. We're not raising any issues. You must have a guilty conscience.

03:01:07.600 --> 03:01:08.600
Next.

03:01:16.600 --> 03:01:19.600
Paige Kerr, 103 Arbor Drive.

03:01:22.600 --> 03:01:26.600
I stand before you today out of a deep commitment of our community's integrity and future.

03:01:26.600 --> 03:01:32.239
and Future. Our city leadership must be beyond reproach, ensuring that public trust is not

03:01:32.239 --> 03:01:39.159
only earned, but maintained. Currently, we face a troubling overlap of roles in the leadership

03:01:39.159 --> 03:01:45.640
of the Greater Freeport Partnership and City Council Members. These dual roles raise significant

03:01:45.640 --> 03:01:51.440
concerns over conflict of interest and the proper use of public funds. When a single

03:01:51.440 --> 03:01:56.400
individual holds multiple positions, it blurs the lines between public duty and private

03:01:56.400 --> 03:01:57.200
and

03:01:57.200 --> 03:02:02.100
the rest. Our community deserves leaders who are fully focused on the welfare of our city.

03:02:02.100 --> 03:02:05.700
Quite frankly this isn't even about Jodi or Rob.

03:02:05.700 --> 03:02:09.020
This is about preserving the ethical standards

03:02:09.020 --> 03:02:12.420
of our community. So again

03:02:12.420 --> 03:02:15.600
I ask that this City Council prioritizes transparency

03:02:15.600 --> 03:02:20.820
and accountability. There needs to be stricter guidelines and oversight

03:02:20.820 --> 03:02:25.560
and it's crucial for our future. We deserve a City Council where public

03:02:25.560 --> 03:02:30.600
Public Service is not overshadowed by personal or organizational gain.

03:02:30.600 --> 03:02:37.360
It is all of our civil duty to ensure that our city's future is guided by honesty, integrity,

03:02:37.360 --> 03:02:39.159
and a true commitment to the public good.

03:02:39.159 --> 03:02:40.159
Thank you.

03:02:40.159 --> 03:02:41.159
Next.

03:02:41.159 --> 03:02:42.000
Next.

03:02:55.400 --> 03:02:56.239
All right, good evening.

03:02:56.239 --> 03:02:59.079
My name's Joshua Atkinson, 717 West Stevenson Street.

03:02:59.079 --> 03:02:59.920
Thank you, Mayor.

03:02:59.920 --> 03:03:02.320
Thank you, City Manager, City Staff, and the Council.

03:03:03.560 --> 03:03:05.640
First, I mean, Debbie had left,

03:03:05.640 --> 03:03:08.480
but I wanted to really address her here with this.

03:03:08.480 --> 03:03:18.480
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.

03:03:18.480 --> 03:03:25.480
The problem is, is she talked about who Alderman Parker was, not who Alderman Parker is right now.

03:03:25.480 --> 03:03:34.480
An Alderperson elected official that would tell a constituent standing up here like myself to shut up and get out. Not acceptable.

03:03:34.480 --> 03:03:40.239
and Alderman that would stand sit here earlier at this meeting during public

03:03:40.239 --> 03:03:45.159
comment and laugh in that same constituents face so let me get on to

03:03:45.159 --> 03:03:50.520
the point here thank you since the mayor took the opportunity this weekend to

03:03:50.520 --> 03:03:56.640
imply these and those in this city that question her on social media liars and

03:03:56.640 --> 03:04:02.880
troublemakers I figured you'd prefer me to say the facts to your face and tell

03:04:02.880 --> 03:04:07.560
Tell you exactly why your job has gotten harder. It's harder because you are accustomed to

03:04:07.560 --> 03:04:15.600
going unchallenged. You've been spoiled and I'm sorry for that. Here's the problem. This

03:04:15.600 --> 03:04:20.680
meeting started out with six members of this community trying to talk to you and they weren't

03:04:20.680 --> 03:04:27.640
listened to. Rather, the mayor joked around with the city attorney. Alderman, our alderperson

03:04:27.640 --> 03:04:37.140
at Large, played on her phone, and Alderman Parker laughed in the face of the constituent.

03:04:37.140 --> 03:04:41.440
Later on, Alderman Klemm smugly asked the City Attorney to explain how our government

03:04:41.440 --> 03:04:42.440
works.

03:04:42.440 --> 03:04:43.440
Thank you.

03:04:43.440 --> 03:04:50.000
We all now know that the City Council is the legislative body and sets policy.

03:04:50.000 --> 03:04:57.480
In that spirit, why is our City Attorney presenting policy change?

03:04:57.480 --> 03:05:02.480
Alderman, Sanders asked who put that item on the agenda.

03:05:03.640 --> 03:05:05.280
Never got answered.

03:05:05.280 --> 03:05:07.720
That's why your job's harder.

03:05:07.720 --> 03:05:09.000
Asked a simple question.

03:05:09.000 --> 03:05:09.840
Who put it on there?

03:05:09.840 --> 03:05:11.600
Why aren't we telling the people of Freeport

03:05:11.600 --> 03:05:12.560
who put it on there?

03:05:20.760 --> 03:05:24.040
About censoring, or censoring other older people.

03:05:24.040 --> 03:05:25.800
Alderman Klemmick came out later too.

03:05:25.800 --> 03:05:30.800
We all run our mouth, we get angry, he broke a council rule, right?

03:05:30.800 --> 03:05:35.800
Are we going to add him to that list for that next meeting?

03:05:35.800 --> 03:05:40.800
A couple weeks ago, a month ago, maybe Alderman Klemm put his hands on Alderman Monroe.

03:05:40.800 --> 03:05:45.800
Did we censure him for that? No. You guys need a fresh start here.

03:05:45.800 --> 03:05:50.800
Now, since we wanted to talk about the Attorney General situation,

03:05:50.800 --> 03:05:54.800
I got that letter too. Thank you for reading portions of that letter.

03:05:54.800 --> 03:05:56.300
Thank you, your time has expired.

03:05:56.300 --> 03:05:57.560
That was three minutes.

03:05:57.560 --> 03:05:59.560
So is there any other public comments?

03:06:06.280 --> 03:06:09.720
Wendy Pearson, 1323 South Chicago Avenue.

03:06:09.720 --> 03:06:13.400
I find it ironic that the individual that stood up here

03:06:13.400 --> 03:06:19.480
to praise our former chief of police

03:06:19.480 --> 03:06:22.760
wasn't told three minutes, two minutes.

03:06:22.760 --> 03:06:24.780
She was allowed to continue to talk.

03:06:26.180 --> 03:06:27.620
And he's absolutely right.

03:06:27.620 --> 03:06:29.659
Part of the letter was read.

03:06:29.659 --> 03:06:31.860
They don't want you to hear the other part of it.

03:06:31.860 --> 03:06:34.860
And as far as what she had to say about Parker,

03:06:34.860 --> 03:06:39.860
we, we know how Parker became the Chief of Police.

03:06:41.620 --> 03:06:46.620
We also know that his indignant comments

03:06:48.540 --> 03:06:51.720
and his smirking isn't going to change a thing.

03:06:51.720 --> 03:06:54.159
The other thing you need to understand is this,

03:06:54.159 --> 03:06:57.000
if you censor them and fine them,

03:06:57.000 --> 03:06:58.960
you won't be able to do it to us.

03:06:58.960 --> 03:07:01.340
And we're going to be standing before the City Council

03:07:01.340 --> 03:07:05.960
continuously supporting the Aldermen that we have voted in

03:07:05.960 --> 03:07:08.500
and not supporting the mess that's going on

03:07:08.500 --> 03:07:09.920
up in the City Council.

03:07:09.920 --> 03:07:12.860
Two other things, the justice three,

03:07:12.860 --> 03:07:14.720
the mayor has been sitting on a commission

03:07:14.720 --> 03:07:17.120
for the past three years with other mayors

03:07:17.120 --> 03:07:18.980
in regarding crime.

03:07:18.980 --> 03:07:32.980
The last peace walk that the mayor did started at the Old Germania, went down Adams, around Liberty, towards and past the Raleigh Building.

03:07:32.980 --> 03:07:41.980
Day before that, there were shootings on Liberty and the 800 block of Carroll.

03:07:41.980 --> 03:07:51.100
Never did this so-called peace walk go into the communities where there is actual shootings and killings happening.

03:07:51.940 --> 03:07:53.940
This thing is starting on Walnut.

03:07:54.620 --> 03:07:57.000
Have there been shootings on Walnut?

03:07:58.100 --> 03:08:00.100
I don't think so.

03:08:00.500 --> 03:08:02.260
Joke.

03:08:02.260 --> 03:08:08.540
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

03:08:08.540 --> 03:08:09.540
and others.

03:08:09.540 --> 03:08:10.540
I'm going to talk about the police department.

03:08:10.540 --> 03:08:11.540
I'm going to talk about the police department because the shootings are happening.

03:08:11.540 --> 03:08:12.540
People are being murdered.

03:08:12.540 --> 03:08:18.020
Your peace walk is a slap in the face and a joke.

03:08:18.020 --> 03:08:23.340
If it's not going to go into the communities where the actual shootings are occurring,

03:08:23.340 --> 03:08:25.260
you're not doing anything.

03:08:25.260 --> 03:08:29.300
As far as Parker is concerned, Parker had a whole day gone police department behind

03:08:29.300 --> 03:08:30.620
him.

03:08:30.620 --> 03:08:38.020
I had me and five possible six neighbors to shut down drug houses, to stop shootings,

03:08:38.020 --> 03:08:39.020
and the Mayor.

03:08:39.020 --> 03:08:40.420
We have to do walks in our community.

03:08:40.420 --> 03:08:46.040
Those of you that are sitting at this city council, half of you have never stepped foot

03:08:46.040 --> 03:08:48.860
in the area where there are shootings and murders.

03:08:48.860 --> 03:08:55.500
The Mayor has never, ever came to a bloom release when a child 13 years old was murdered

03:08:55.500 --> 03:08:56.980
or anybody else.

03:08:56.980 --> 03:09:02.260
The only emotional person that has something to say about murders in our community was

03:09:02.260 --> 03:09:07.460
Summers and the reason that Summers had something to say and the reason that your time has expired

03:09:07.460 --> 03:09:12.540
is because the person that was murdered was his friend on the basketball court.

03:09:12.540 --> 03:09:18.260
Please refrain and for the record, every public comment gets three minutes, don't know where

03:09:18.260 --> 03:09:20.579
your thought is on it too.

03:09:20.579 --> 03:09:22.900
Is there any other public comments this evening?

03:09:22.900 --> 03:09:23.900
Tommy.

03:09:23.900 --> 03:09:27.659
Watch my clock, watch yours.

03:09:27.659 --> 03:09:30.620
My birthday was today.

03:09:30.620 --> 03:09:49.060
Happy Birthday Tommy.

03:09:49.060 --> 03:09:58.260
I'm Alderman Sanders, as you guys may know, I just want to make a couple of points so we

03:09:58.260 --> 03:10:02.420
can stand before you and try to educate those that...

03:10:02.420 --> 03:10:08.079
Try to educate those that have not truly understand the parliamentary of the

03:10:08.960 --> 03:10:16.819
Council and the government within itself. I say, I know you're going to listen to me very tentatively, but the inconsistencies, the

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inconsistencies of our council, and I'm part of that, is that

03:10:27.860 --> 03:10:31.979
the involvement in siding with the

03:10:32.420 --> 03:10:40.420
the populace of this community does not trickle down or trickle out of this council.

03:10:40.420 --> 03:10:51.420
Whatever the body wants or the citizen wants, we are not responding to their needs.

03:10:51.420 --> 03:10:53.420
That's what we're not doing.

03:10:53.420 --> 03:11:04.860
just like the inconsistencies on protocols and quorums and how we're conducting business,

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there's no inconsistencies here. When someone is reading someone else's laws and articles

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and Governing does not always apply to Freeport.

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Why? Because we have Robert rules or rules.

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We got those in place that helps us to determine

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what our focus is as government electors.

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And so for someone to read something

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that came out of Chicago to set standards and rules

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and things of this nature on how we should conduct ourselves,

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and others.

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This inconsistency on what we're doing, because we don't follow those exact rules that was

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read today that came out of Chicago, Chicago, we don't follow them rules, it's only convenient

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when it's convenient to try to apply it over the citizens and the council try to apply

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and others.

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We do not apply something that has nothing to do with our jurisdiction, nor does we follow

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or implement the rules of this city or the state.

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We do not adhere to those things.

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We have our own ways of doing things.

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That's the reason why the Robert Rule places orders in place, because that's what we govern

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and myself by, but the Council has lack of integrity to challenge anyone.

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Your time has expired.

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Thank you.

03:12:48.819 --> 03:12:49.819
Yeah.

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Are there any other public comments this evening?

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Oh.

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Please.

03:12:52.819 --> 03:12:59.860
Michelle Swald, 584 Country Court.

03:12:59.860 --> 03:13:05.399
I would just like to say about the peace march that you guys, that they're doing, I feel

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like we're taking it in a wrong way, that they just want to spread it out and walk different

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routes probably in Freeport.

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And as far as also going along with those peace, I think it's called High, or Hope,

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High Hope, they had a block party on Frank in Chicago where I think a lot of violence

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and I.

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So, I went to church on the street and I will tell you that Mayor Jodi was there, Rob was

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there, Linda was there, and Joy Sellers was there. So, I mean, don't say that they don't

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show up to streets that have problems because they were there. Thank you. Thank you. No

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comments or you'll be ruled out of order. Larry, the meeting's not done yet. I know

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Dianne, if you are out of order again, I'm going to have you removed.

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That's your warning, Chief.

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If she does it again, please remove her.

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could you please restart the clock since I haven't had a chance thank you I have a

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question because I need clarification on this quorum issue as well I have read

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and I saw the letters and I've seen what that says but I also know that our own

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city ordinances about a quorum do not include the mayor so what I want to know

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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

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and others.

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We have ordinances to make things flow better and work better within the community.

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That's how I understand how home rule can work.

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But it just seemed like it got really convenient when this letter came through to make that

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difference that now the state is more important than what we choose to do with our ordinances

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under home rule.

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And home rule, with our ordinance as it stands, the mayor is not named as part of the quorum.

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So I need clarification on that personally that I do not understand.

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And secondly, Mr. Shadle, I appreciate your willingness to reconsider number 20 tonight.

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You and Mr. Klemm, I hope you will reconsider what you do with that because, again, I think

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there is an unfairness that is coming down about that based on what we've learned tonight

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about two people, and I really do hope that you will reconsider what happens with that ordinance.

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I would hope that we do not have to vote on it, but I don't have the power to make that

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difference. I'm just expressing my opinion and asking you to examine your consciences

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and your heart about what truly is appropriate when that comes along. So I think that's all

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I have to say. Thank you.

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Are there any other public comments? I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

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Second. Motion made by Sellers, seconded by Shadle. All those in favor?

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Aye. She's not on.