WEBVTT

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

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Well, should we bow our heads?

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Dear Father God,

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As we open another city council meeting, we open with the guidance of your Holy Spirit.

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Father, as each discussion takes place, we ask that each council member will keep in mind who they are representing and who elected them.

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Your eyes see everything and your ears are open to every word spoken here tonight, regardless of who is saying it.

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Father, surround each council member who desires to serve the city with godly wisdom and integrity to do what is right in your sight for all the people for the city of Freeport.

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1 Timothy 2, 1 and 3 and I'm paraphrasing. We have to pray for those in authority so we can lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and reverence to you, Father.

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This is good and it's acceptable in your sight. In the name above all names, Jesus Christ, Messiah. Amen.

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Thank you, Evelyn. So now we'll officially call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll?

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Miller, Alderpersons, Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Absent, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.

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You can please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Parker.

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Alderman Parker, the meeting is yours.

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Okay.

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Thank you.

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Number four is the approval of the agenda.

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So moved.

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Second.

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All in favor?

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Aye.

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Aye.

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Anybody opposed?

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Okay.

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Excuse me.

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Was that Klemm, Shadle?

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Klemm and Shadle, yes.

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I'm sorry.

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That's okay.

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Number five. Approval of the minutes from the Committee of a Whole meeting held on April 14th, 2025.

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Motion approved. Second. Shadle and Sellers, all in favor say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Thank you.

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Public comments or is none?

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Number seven, Recognition of Service Award presented by Lieutenant Dykema for Patrolman Richard McEmo. Is that right?

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Richard Messoniel, I've been in the recognition for 10 years in the service of the 3 Port Police Department,

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which actually started in the Auxiliary Police Department in 2007.

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He was hired full-time in 2015. He's being hired as an FTO, a field training officer. He's been part of the Emergency Response Team. He's a member of our Gang Unit. He was first get started. He's been a fire arms instructor. He's completed lead homicide training. He's a member of the State Veterinary and Hepatitis Team. He's currently one of our K-9 officers. He's part of the K-9DJ.

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Just going through his file, he's done a great job. He's done a lot. There are a lot of recommendations from the Seasonal Patrol, the Dazing and Slant Unit, and even several citizens who are responsible for what he did for them while working here. So congratulations on 10 years.

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Dovie, would you note that Alderman Simmons. Thank you.

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Okay, number eight. Presentation of the Illinois Section Water American Water Works Water Ambassador

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Award presented by Shawna Richardson.

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Good evening. I'm Seth Groenwald. I'm here on behalf of the Illinois section of

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the American Water Works Association.

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and this is Kaylee Spain. She is an Education and Government Affairs Specialist for the section and we're here tonight to honor the City of Freeport for receiving the Gold Ambassador Water Award.

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Just as a quick little overview of what ISAWWA is, the Illinois section, American Water Works Association, provides resources for education of safe and sustainable water.

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We have 2,400 members across the state and over 50,000 members in our association globally.

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The ISA-WWA Water Ambassador Program was created to elevate public perception, knowledge, and

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consumer education of the water industry.

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The program aims to accomplish these goals by presenting a new communication platform

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of educational and promotional content in a manner that is relevant, engaging, and consistent

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among participants.

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How it works, participating members can access water education tools as well as content from

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the ISA-WWA website and then communicate to their community through social media, website

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postings, bill inserts, newsletters, tours, community events, schools, etc.

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Schools, etc.

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and the State of Sustainable Water for Everyone, so we will go on and grab this, and congratulations to your three-quarter team.

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Thank you very much.

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So, we'd just like to take a minute, Communications Director Brian Bridge and our Environmental

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Compliance Officer Randy Kolbauer put together a short video presentation on our water quality

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and our newest water facility that we'd like to share tonight.

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The video may be a hair glitchy on this presentation, but it'll be posted on the website tomorrow

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for the whole community.

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Okay, number nine, presentation of 40 Days of Peace presented by William Brown, High

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Hope Freeporter.

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Good evening council members, mayor, city manager, staff, fire chief, so my name is

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Williams, William Brown, I, along with my wife, are the founders of High Hope Freeport.

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High Hope Freeport, our mission is to, through community building and unity, cause a reduction

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in community violence.

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What I want to present to you today is the outline for the 40 Days of Peace and Community

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Building.

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Each council member should have an outline of what the 40 Days of Peace and Community

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Community Building is.

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Community Building is, so if you can follow me in your outline, I will give you more.

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So part of it is identifying the need.

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We recognize in Freeport, like most small cities, that there has been an increase in

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community violence, specifically in youth-led violence, right?

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So in that, it's interchangeable things, which is economic sustainability, limited awareness

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Anderson, Access to Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Services, Lack of Safe, Engaging Environments

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to Our Youth, and a Deep Need for Real Connection and Freeport.

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So in order to truly address this, community violence, we have to look at the root causes

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of Community Violence, which is financial instability, job placement, generational trauma, generational

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support systems, lack of spaces, cycles of retaliation, and unaddressed mental health

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and trauma issues.

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Our response to this, High Hope Freeport's response to this, is simple, but powerful.

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We want to present Beautifying the Block, where we go out into our High Hope Identified High

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We also have our shoot hoops and knock guns tournaments that offer positive outlets for our young people.

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We also have Church in the Streets that brings faith back into our high hope communities.

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We also have the Resource Block Parties.

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It's been a lot said through those that choose to sit behind a Facebook app

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and type out what our Resource Block Parties are.

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and others.

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We're going to look out where our resource block parties are and choose to ignore the

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idea that they are our resources.

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So in our resource block parties, there will be resources that we will bring to those block

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parties outside of Bouncy Houses, right?

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As each council member look, there is an outline of our community resource partners.

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They also will be broadening on that and we'll have a larger scope of it.

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at those resource block parties. It will be community surveys to take real data from those

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that live in those identified high hope communities, areas that we're going to. That data will

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be collected and it will be used as an evaluation tool to measure the outcome and the impact

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of the 40 days of peace and community building. Along with that, it will give us the information

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and we need to connect the individuals in our high hold communities with the community partner

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resources that can fulfill the needs that they have.

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At the very center of the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building is community building.

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There's been a lot of divisiveness, particularly in this chamber.

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Normally, I don't respond to any social media combats or anything that's posted about High

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Hope Freeport because honestly, I could care less what anybody think about me that's not

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out there doing the work.

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But it's been continuously, High Hope Freeport, the Faith Leaders for Peace have been continuously

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attacked.

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Today, that stops.

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and when I say attack, I prefer specifically to Ms. Wendy Pearson and Mr. Joshua Atkins.

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High Hope Freeport was founded by me and my wife. High Hope Freeport does not belong to

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Jodi Miller. High Hope Freeport belongs to us, the founders, our board and the community

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and Mayor Freeport. The 40 Days of Peace and Community Building Initiative is not funded

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by Jodi Miller or the City. FHN, M45 Marketing, Walmart, Faith Center are our sponsors along

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with T-Shirt Fundraising and Community Donations.

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Let's get that clear. Also, let's share some hard truths. Not one person in this council

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or in this community can predict when someone is going to shoot a bullet. Not one initiative,

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not one plan will help us resolve the community violence problem that we have. What we'll

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Holt, is Unity. I'm going to change the culture today and let that tone be set. On my shirt

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you see it says Pushin' Peace in the Port. That is what High Hope Freeport is about.

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Pushin' Peace in Freeport. The collective way that we get peace in Freeport is Unity

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in Freeport. The divisiveness, the politicalness, it shouldn't be attached with peace. This

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This narrative that is being pushed here, again, by Ms. Wendy William, Wendy Pearson,

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and Joshua Atkins, has tend to troll over into the youth.

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Our mentor youth at Banks-Bogana Alternative School, I will share this with you because

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for him it was a teachable moment.

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While attending his basketball game at the Boys & Girls Club, he brought the flyer that

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that I had a young people passing out, right?

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He's 16.

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I was there attending the game.

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He was officiating and two more of my young people

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were there to support their siblings.

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I showed up for them.

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He brought this to me and said,

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Mr. Brown, while we were passing this out, I took one home.

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My mother saw it and said that Wendy Pearson

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and Joshua Akin said is a joke.

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He proceeded to pull his phone out and show me her performing in this chamber, point to Mayor Miller saying it was a joke.

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On this, it says High Hope Freeport. It doesn't say Mayor Miller.

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We work with the Faith Leaders for Peace and Mayor Miller, yes.

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I won't shy away from that. Because my goal and my plan here is to support the youth. That's what I'm about.

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Saving our youth from making mistakes that will lead them to prison for the rest of their life or lead them to taking somebody else's life.

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And when anybody, I don't care your stature, what you think you are in the community, who you think you are in the community,

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Coney, threatened to poison a man of our youth. I want the smoke. I'm going to show up for

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that. I proceeded to tell this young man, I guided him to highhopefreeport.com website.

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On that website, I took him to that first Peace March and I showed him pictures of Wendy

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Pearson at that Peace March. So for her to think it was a joke, maybe it wasn't an opportunity

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for her to grab attention. I also further went to show him that former, that Joshua,

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Joshua Atkins, during his former election campaign, also had photos from Howe Freeport

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Peace March as his way of addressing crime. The teachable moment in that was for me to

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teach him about emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence meaning not to respond when you

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you know the truth. Emotional intelligence being, I have grandkids, I know what it looks

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like when people seek attention. Again, I repeat to you all, I hope Freeport is about

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unity. One thing that no one in this council, regardless of your political affiliation,

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should have no discrepancy about is that we need to work and build for our youth. At the

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At the end of the day, that's what matters.

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I will tell you why I'm so adamant about it.

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I was raised in the city of Chicago.

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I'm not originally from Freeport.

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I came up in the system.

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At two years old, I was in DCFS.

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Seven, eight years old, I lived on the streets

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because I ran from foster homes and group homes.

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At 19, I was in prison with a 15-, 25-, and 50-year sentence.

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while in prison I made a pivotal transformation in my life

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because of my oldest son.

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Coming to visit me while I was sitting and sitting

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and he couldn't touch me.

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I made that change in prison.

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I went on to get my education.

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I got a GED.

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I have an associate's degree in general studies.

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I have an associate's degree in political science.

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I further went on to become a certified paralegal.

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Into my sins, Governor J.B. Pritzer commuted my sins based on the programs that I created while I was in prison.

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I returned home here to Freeport to my wife.

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I was one of those kids that you call thugs, punks, and whatever other name that you want to get them.

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At the end of the day, regardless of whatever title you give them, they still our kids.

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Gates, that many, any failure that's on them is on us as a community and adults in the community.

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They are our responsibility from that young black kid with dreads, their heads a black

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hoodie on.

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Fries, their hair's a black hoodie on, to that young Hispanic kid with tattoos on his

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face or that rough young white kid that you think just bad. They are our kids. I stand

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for them. If they don't have a voice, I'll be that voice for them. I also stand for Freeport

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because what I didn't share with you while I was sitting in prison for a crime that I

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I did not commit. I had two staunch advocates. One was Denise Davenport. She was the mother

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of Dion Davenport. Her son lost his life, which was the case that I was charged with.

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She was my staunchest advocate because she knew I didn't commit the crime. She wrote

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the governor. She showed up at trials. My wife was my advocate. And I'm going to tell

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and others.

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I want to share with you the amazing thing about Freeport and why I'm indebted to Freeport.

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She had an online petition.

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I've only shared this once.

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That was Saturday at our Peace March.

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She put an online petition and out of the 400 plus signatures that were signed on there,

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132 people from Freeport signed that signature before I stepped a foot in here.

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I never stepped a foot in Freeport.

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So I'm indebted to Freeport.

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My work will continue.

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I do this unapologetically without permission and without response, but I need us all, specifically

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you as a council and a Freeport community.

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It's about unity, regardless of the divisiveness.

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Our children and our young people hear that.

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They embrace that.

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So when Wendy spoke that this was a joke, I'm going to tell you who it wasn't a joke

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Hsu. Every name on this list is a young person we've lost here in Freeport. I speak with

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their mothers. Nisi Ellis was there. She spoke on the loss of her son, Montreal Scott. My

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and more.

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I want to tell you something.

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Before our vet showed up, she was late, but she spoke on that loss.

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Peace is not a joke.

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Losing our youth is not a joke.

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For those of you that weren't there, it is what it is.

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But for those of you that had the courage to show up, I can tell you there's a large

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difference where the truth of the matter is this, if you think is a place in politics

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or a piece where you can make it political is not.

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I'm going to tell you who was there, Akia Sanders.

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Yes, the Akia Sanders that's known for being in this chamber, right?

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Akia is my sister.

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Mayor Miller was there.

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We know they are not on the same court.

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But because they believe in peace, their heart spoke.

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Because they want to save our youth, their heart spoke.

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They were there. So going forward, I ask not only this council, but I ask the city of Freeport, join me as we embark on these 40 days of peace and community building.

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We may very well not be able to stop every shot that's fired. But again, I repeat, any initiative, no one plan will do that.

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but community will. Going forward, I hope Freeport will play our role in what it is to quell community violence.

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We have programs that we are going to introduce, but that's just our role in it.

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Every individual in our city has a role. Every community organization has a role.

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Cole. Collectively, we can start making that impact. Collectively, we can make that change.

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I am willing to sit down and speak with anybody that wants to be a part of that change. I

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not only speak to you as a citizen of Freeport, I speak to you as someone that's doing that

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work. The same streets that we marred Saturday were streets where we lost five lives. And

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Those same streets, I walk by myself, go out and talk to the community, to that young man who may be going wayward.

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:51.980
I work a third shift job at Snack King. I work 12 out of shift some days, but if that young man called me and said he needs to get a work, I'm getting up out of my sleep and taking him to work.

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:53.980
That's how committed I am.

00:24:53.980 --> 00:25:03.980
My three young people that I've adopted that go to Banks-Bergana School, anytime they need me to show up, I show up.

00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:09.980
I invite you all to show up. They'll have a game at the Boys & Girls Club Thursday.

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:15.980
I have young people from Pearl City, West Carroll, that came out to help us clean up.

00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:19.980
They was late, Joy. They came out to help us clean up.

00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:22.980
because I built that relationship with the young people

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.980
because at the end of the day,

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:28.980
no matter about our political discrepancies,

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:31.980
what we are building is for the future.

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.980
Let's hold that sacred.

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.980
Let's not make peace a joke.

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.980
Let's not politicize it.

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:42.980
Let's not talk so bad about our city because the young people hear it.

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:48.980
Every time I speak to a young person, I share these two things with them.

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.980
and

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:54.980
the

00:25:56.980 --> 00:26:14.980
Council. I tell them every day they wake up, they have a choice and a chance, a chance to be great, a chance to do something great, and I want them to choose to do so. I want to share that with the Council today and the community as a whole. Today, we have a chance to be united for peace.

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:20.179
to be united for peace, regardless of whatever your political agenda is.

00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:23.200
Today let's choose to do so.

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:30.200
Thank you. Thank you.

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:39.579
Thank you Mr. Brown. Okay, next on the agenda number 10

00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:43.259
is discussion regarding ordinance amending chapter

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:52.180
220, Rules of the Council, Pending Motion to Amend the Language of Section 220.1029

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:56.940
to Read, Agenda Items for the City Council Meetings and Committee of a Whole Meetings

00:26:56.940 --> 00:27:03.220
shall be requested by the Mayor, the City Manager, or to Alderman, or as referred to

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:09.619
it by the City Council. All agenda items shall be accompanied by supporting documentation

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:16.019
stating the purpose of the agenda item such as a memo including the background, discussion,

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:21.980
financial consideration, recommendation, and association with strategic plan.

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.980
Attorney Zito.

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:25.299
Oh thank you Mr. Chairman.

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:31.099
So just to give a brief history from last week as to how we got to this agenda item

00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.099
tonight.

00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:35.960
At last week's council meeting there was the rules of council ordinance that was presented

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:44.460
which proposed certain changes to Section 220.10 of the City Code of Ordinances.

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:52.460
One of the proposed changes was a change to the manner in which agenda items can be placed on the agenda.

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:57.460
Currently, two Alderpersons are allowed to have an item placed on the agenda,

00:27:57.460 --> 00:28:00.960
whether the City Council agenda or a Committee of the Whole agenda.

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:08.159
proposed change required a majority of older persons to place something on the

00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:13.319
agenda. So that was a proposed change in the ordinance. There was a motion in a

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:17.200
second to move the ordinance forward to the next City Council meeting next week.

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:21.720
After that motion and second was made to move the item forward, Alderman Johnson

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:28.880
made a motion to amend the proposed language and her motion was to not

00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:30.880
and

00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:33.880
John.

00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:41.880
The idea was to require a majority of older persons in order to be able to add something to the agenda, but rather that two older persons could still place an item on the agenda.

00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:55.880
However, they had to provide the supporting documentation, whether that take the form of a memo that then gave the background on the agenda item, whatever financial considerations there are, and then how it was in line with the strategic plan.

00:28:55.880 --> 00:29:25.880
After that motion was made by Alderman Johnson, then Alderman Simmons made a motion to continue the conversation and she motioned to refer Alderman Johnson's motion to the COW and that's how we got here for further discussion so what's before you tonight is a discussion on Alderman Johnson's motion which is to allow for two Alderpersons to place an item on the agenda provided that they provide supporting documentation i.e. a memo any other documentation in support of

00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:31.000
Smith, whatever their reason for having the agenda item on the agenda is for.

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.000
Okay.

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:35.000
Any discussion on that?

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:39.279
Is there a motion for that?

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:42.279
It's discussion, but it's already a motion that's been made.

00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:47.440
It was made at the last meeting and then Alderman Simmons asked to refer it back to committee

00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:52.559
to talk about Alderman Johnson's motion more.

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:55.000
So there hasn't been a vote on Alderman Johnson's motion.

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:59.000
That's why we're here for more discussion on her.

00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:04.839
discussion on her motion, on Alderman Johnson's motion.

00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:06.839
Cecelia?

00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:08.839
Good.

00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:21.160
Okay, so if someone wants to put something on the agenda, but they do not include a memo,

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:26.079
then it can't happen?

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:31.640
My understanding of, and Alderman Johnson can speak for it if I get this wrong.

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:37.460
My understanding of Alderman Johnson's proposed amendment is that if two Alderman place something

00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:42.519
on the agenda, then they have to provide supporting documentation for it the same way that staff

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:45.559
provides typically provides a memo there.

00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:50.640
And how long do they have to present that memo?

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:54.940
it is my understanding is that if they want it it has to when they make the

00:30:54.940 --> 00:31:00.640
request basically to have the item placed on the agenda that in enough time to

00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:07.720
make the packet they would have to provide the memo because when we have a

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:18.319
what is it called when we get an agenda like Tuesday a draft memos are never

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:26.360
never posted then. So my question still remains, when does the memo have to be?

00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:41.359
Oh, I'm sorry, Chair. Go ahead. Typically, I like items by Thursday, by 5 o'clock.

00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:56.680
Okay. Personally, I'm going to make my comment and then we'll go to Larry. I'd rather see

00:31:56.680 --> 00:32:01.000
it go back to originally where we need a majority of the Council, but that's only my opinion.

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:04.000
Okay, Larry, you got something?

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:16.799
Yeah, I've been sitting here for almost over two years, and as Council, and the fact that

00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:24.079
we're beginning to understand the process of adding items to the agenda, the minute that

00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:36.599
this Avenue path opened up now it is so inconvenience to some that certain people are putting things

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:47.440
on the agenda. I find that kind of a hypocritical for someone to now want to change the course

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:49.440
Michael, and the Board of Trustees.

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:52.759
We have a very diverse of directions on how we proceed

00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:55.880
with agendas.

00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:59.180
When I first came here, that was no problem.

00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:02.279
Why? Because we didn't understand the

00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:05.299
process of putting ordinance drafts and

00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:09.099
discussions together to put on the agenda.

00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:12.420
We had not understood that yet.

00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:16.259
Now that we are understanding the process, it's beginning to

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:24.920
and I addressed that issue so you can change it so the majority we can see

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:29.160
right through what you're doing you know we can understand exactly why this is

00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:37.920
happening so the agenda won't be for enforced because of the majority has to

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:45.360
have input on on a particular item before two people can put an item on the

00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:55.599
Sander. Right now she pulled it back so it can be two people but a memo must follow.

00:33:55.599 --> 00:34:05.000
Well the memo does not give you enough clarity what you have to stipulate within that memo.

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:12.599
Where is this memo and how do you define this memo and what is the criteria of this memo

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:19.480
in order for someone to introduce a memo because you're coming off pretty vague about the description

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:26.480
of what a memo should have within its content and how we should go about making the decision

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:30.440
on what you present, who makes the determination.

00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:40.760
Alderman Sanders, if you want something on the agenda, you according to that agenda item

00:34:40.760 --> 00:35:10.760
Create the Memo Honey. Okay. Okay. Well, I look at this as an inconvenience for some and a convenience for others. So my thing is, whatever we're doing to try to amend something, I like to see the council inject these proposals. I don't want to see no one else interfering with council when it comes to

00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:14.260
Asserting, what items go on the agenda.

00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:17.260
That's why she pulled it back.

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:20.260
Yeah, and that's been a problem.

00:35:20.260 --> 00:35:22.260
I thank you for doing that.

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:24.260
But the thing about it is,

00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:27.260
it's too much stuff happening within the council.

00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:30.260
There's a reason why people can read what we're talking about

00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:33.260
and understand the manipulation and

00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:37.760
deceptions and things of that nature that is taking place.

00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:40.260
We just didn't show up for

00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:59.760
I just didn't show up for the convenience of just sitting on the council. I came to understand what's the process of our community, city managements and city options are when it comes to council.

00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:19.760
I came to understand and learn. And what I'm learning is something that I am confused about. Why do we go through the process if you're going to vote everything down that the citizens of Freeport is advocating for? I just can't see that.

00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:29.760
So, my whole mission is to understand why the council goes through these dilemmas and manipulations that we go through.

00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:41.760
And I'm not addressing no one certain person, I'm just addressing the fact that what I see through my own eyes and others are seeing,

00:36:41.760 --> 00:36:47.760
we just gotta stop doing what it is that we're doing and do the right thing.

00:36:47.760 --> 00:37:17.760
and I don't want to hear no one else okay well let me let me let me pause yeah any other comments about this Larry on here it does say what needs to be accompanied to it and the reason it says that is to give us a better idea of what the thoughts are behind it who it's going to benefit how is it going to help the city move forward

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:22.199
Foward, how is it going to help the people in the city?

00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:26.880
So those are the things we want to know when something is being discussed, what exactly

00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:29.880
you're thinking regarding this discussion.

00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:35.440
And also if there's anything in that discussion that might be answered outside of the council

00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:37.159
floor.

00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:40.519
There might be some questions in the discussion that could be answered before it's brought

00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:42.800
to the council floor for discussion.

00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:47.440
So if we have a memo regarding it, it would give us all better understanding of what it

00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:49.440
and others that you're bringing forward.

00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:51.440
Cecelia?

00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:53.440
Alderman Stacy, please.

00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:55.440
Okay, Alderman Stacy, please.

00:37:55.440 --> 00:38:04.440
So, the memo needs to consist of the purpose of the agenda item,

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:12.440
including background. I don't know what that means.

00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:13.440
Fowler.

00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:20.679
Discussion is on the agenda for discussion.

00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:29.400
I don't know what including background nor discussion means.

00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:34.320
And what if there is no financial consideration?

00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:40.079
Alder, or Attorney Ziedel?

00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:45.519
So I guess the best way I could try to say this is to give the example of like the memos

00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:52.360
that staff currently attaches, you know, so pick any one of the memos typically that staff

00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:57.680
attaches to an agenda item there, so even using the memo that's in the packet tonight

00:38:57.680 --> 00:39:03.440
on this agenda item, it's broken up into background and it gives a little bit of background

00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:12.519
as to, you know, why this item is being brought before the council or there, and then it goes

00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:18.920
into a discussion, you know, as to, hey, what are, for example, let's say, why are you advocating?

00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:22.559
Let's say this is an item that you want on it, you know, so you're going to say, well,

00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:27.360
this is why I want to bring this topic up, you know, here are the details of it, you

00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:31.000
know, we need to do this, this, and this, it would, you know, the financial impact is,

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:34.800
would cost this much for us to do this you know and again I'm trying to do this

00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:38.960
on the fly right now but let's say you wanted to do you think we need to buy a

00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:43.119
new street paver right let's say that's the item you want to have put on the

00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:47.840
agenda you could say the background is well our we currently don't have enough

00:39:47.840 --> 00:39:52.400
roads aren't getting fixed enough we need to be able to fix more roads and we

00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:55.480
only fix this many roads this many miles of roads in the past I think that should

00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:59.000
be double. And that's the background, right? That we're only fixing so

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:03.159
right that we're only fixing so many miles of road right now your proposal

00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:07.699
then is to say we should buy a second streets all paver and then the

00:40:07.699 --> 00:40:12.039
discussion you could go into all the pros and cons of it and lay out from your

00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:15.559
perspective what the pros and cons are you can then say what the financial

00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:19.599
impact well it's gonna cost X hundred thousand dollars to buy this so that's

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:22.880
why you know the city would need to vote on whether or not to do that and then

00:40:22.880 --> 00:40:27.360
how's it in line with the strategic plan so then I mean I need to call Darren and

00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:34.360
and say how much is it, does it cost to buy this item?

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:54.360
And I think that's going to what Alderman Johnson was saying that there might need to be some homework done in order for the memo to be put together so that people understand why a particular Alderman is bringing forward an agenda item, which is usually a proposal, you know, usually you want something done or some action to be taken.

00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:59.880
usually you just want to know why something happened but that's okay as we

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:06.539
move on I have several things on the agenda tonight and so I will probably

00:41:06.539 --> 00:41:12.119
come back to you so you can help me understand what memo would I need to put

00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:13.679
with something.

00:41:13.679 --> 00:41:16.179
Alderman Johnson, did you have more to say on that?

00:41:16.179 --> 00:41:18.179
No, that's all right.

00:41:18.179 --> 00:41:20.179
Anyone else?

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:22.179
Alderman Simmons.

00:41:22.179 --> 00:41:29.019
I just, we're going back a little bit, but I just want to address you Alderman Parker for saying that you would be against that.

00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:35.340
I just wonder why would you be against an Alderperson who can draft a memo,

00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:39.780
state in their case, and the reasons and financial responsibility,

00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:44.539
why would you be against them if they have a second being able to bring that to us, has been,

00:41:45.139 --> 00:41:47.139
since the beginning of this council?

00:41:47.139 --> 00:42:00.139
Well, that was just my opinion. If you got the information that they just explained what Alderman Stacy said and her, I would have no problem going with just two of them with the memo and explaining everything.

00:42:00.139 --> 00:42:02.139
Alderman Sanders.

00:42:02.139 --> 00:42:11.940
Yeah, I'd like to have us to categorize a listing of criteria for all of the things that you

00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:16.940
guys are referring to so we can see it in documentation and writing.

00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:20.559
I heard the request, I heard an example.

00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:22.599
I like to see it in writing.

00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:23.599
That's what I'm saying.

00:42:23.599 --> 00:42:31.539
If we're requesting something, then everything has to be documented where no one is making

00:42:31.539 --> 00:42:32.539
and others.

00:42:32.539 --> 00:42:40.820
They have to do the check-off list, this, this, this, been covered, and then that way

00:42:40.820 --> 00:42:49.699
we know as council that all of the stipulations of this item that's being put on the agenda

00:42:49.699 --> 00:42:50.860
has been covered.

00:42:50.860 --> 00:42:58.900
So we need to do that in order to keep everyone in alignment with what we just heard as an

00:42:58.900 --> 00:43:08.460
example and wait a minute I'm not done I'm not done what we what we should be

00:43:08.460 --> 00:43:14.139
presented with and that goes for everybody and that includes administrative

00:43:14.139 --> 00:43:21.179
bodies within the city structure should also be attached to all of those items

00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:26.099
that we just got done talking about. Attorney Zito wants to respond to that.

00:43:26.099 --> 00:43:35.780
background okay discussion financial all right well you've been on it you own it

00:43:35.780 --> 00:43:42.539
that's good that is a good that's a great thing and now well the thing about it is

00:43:42.539 --> 00:43:48.460
we are we're we're making progress I love progress but I don't like

00:43:48.460 --> 00:43:54.619
manipulation I like progress okay thank you all right any more discussion we go

00:43:54.619 --> 00:44:03.619
You answered it for him. You answered his question for him. Good job.

00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:21.619
I have a question for you. Can we amend the amendment that has been proposed?

00:44:21.619 --> 00:44:27.380
you can't you yes you can not tonight back at the council meeting right because

00:44:27.380 --> 00:44:30.420
tonight was just put on your your motion when you referred it here was just to

00:44:30.420 --> 00:44:34.539
have further discussion on Alderman Johnson's proposed amendment so when

00:44:34.539 --> 00:44:38.739
it's on the agenda for next it'll be on the agenda for next week at the council

00:44:38.739 --> 00:44:44.340
so where we would be is we would have Alderman Johnson's motion on the floor

00:44:44.340 --> 00:44:50.699
as she's presented it you couldn't make a motion to tweak her motion in some way

00:44:50.699 --> 00:45:07.699
change the proposed language that she wanted there if that seconded and approved and passes then your amendment to her amendment would exist and then we would work back down the ladder, you know, and then we would vote on her amendment as amended by your amendment and then right back down.

00:45:07.699 --> 00:45:24.699
Number 11, if there is no quorum during the first roll call at the May 19, 2025 council meeting, who authorized the second roll call presented by Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy?

00:45:24.699 --> 00:45:28.699
Alderman Sanders, go ahead.

00:45:28.699 --> 00:45:46.699
Yeah, I wanted to be put on record. I wanted to be stated that actions before a quorum, actions before a roll call was taking place on this Council floor.

00:45:46.699 --> 00:46:16.699
I just wanted on record of who authorized action to be taken on this council floor without council having a roll call or a quorum within this council I like to know I want to have that put on record so so we know that we do not have to follow protocol according to

00:46:16.699 --> 00:46:17.699
and others.

00:46:17.699 --> 00:46:46.619
I would like to know who authorized the proceeding of May 19th and then who canceled, well, I'm

00:46:46.619 --> 00:46:51.900
I'm not there I don't have that down yet but I will but that's another that's

00:46:51.900 --> 00:46:56.579
another item I'm gonna put on the agenda but I want to get that I want to get

00:46:56.579 --> 00:47:04.380
past this first I want to make sure that we understand who authorizing procedures

00:47:04.380 --> 00:47:11.300
without a quorum and without a roll call and we follow that and I am ashamed of

00:47:11.300 --> 00:47:20.179
with Council Members allowing things to take place in that fashion without input or objections.

00:47:20.179 --> 00:47:25.699
I'm like flabbergasted that nobody made an appeal.

00:47:25.699 --> 00:47:31.900
No one said anything, and that's what frustrated me to bring this out, and I like to know,

00:47:31.900 --> 00:47:40.860
I wanted to be put on record who authorized that action that took place before roll call

00:47:40.860 --> 00:47:47.860
and a courtroom. I don't have an answer for you, but I know the Attorney General approved it, but I don't know if anybody has an answer.

00:47:47.860 --> 00:47:50.860
Aaron, go ahead.

00:47:50.860 --> 00:47:56.860
So Alderman Sanders, there was a roll call at the beginning of the meeting at 6 o'clock.

00:47:56.860 --> 00:47:59.860
No, it was not. There was a roll call. No, it was not.

00:47:59.860 --> 00:48:07.860
The meeting was called to order, and there was a roll call, and Alderman Johnson had already been seated,

00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:13.659
and therefore when there was a roll call there were there was a quorum present because there were five aldermen present I

00:48:16.420 --> 00:48:21.980
That's fine. I'm just telling you procedurally what happened. I'm not saying you're free to have your own opinion on it

00:48:21.980 --> 00:48:23.980
I'm just telling you procedurally what happened

00:48:24.900 --> 00:48:26.460
Okay

00:48:26.460 --> 00:48:28.460
number 12

00:48:28.539 --> 00:48:33.460
Discussion regarding ordinance amending various provisions of the city code of ordinance

00:48:33.460 --> 00:48:42.460
Regarding Residency Requirements for Department Heads and Certain Other Employees Presented by Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy.

00:48:42.460 --> 00:48:46.460
Whichever one wants to respond to that.

00:48:46.460 --> 00:48:57.460
Well, it takes me back to the May 5th cancellation.

00:48:57.460 --> 00:49:08.460
and from my understanding that the residency ordinance was voted on and passed.

00:49:08.460 --> 00:49:22.460
If that happened, you cannot send out an agenda saying that council or the assembly is canceled

00:49:22.460 --> 00:49:52.460
because of lack of whatever. I'd like to know who canceled our meeting May 5th. I like that to be on record. Who's canceling things without the authorization and the knowledge of council understanding why that cancellation took place? And nobody is wanting, nobody wants to put their names on this. But my point is a residency ordinance was passed and it shouldn't have

00:49:52.460 --> 00:49:58.380
Pass, it was invalid to pass it because it was canceled. The meeting was canceled. When

00:49:58.380 --> 00:49:58.980
was a meeting?

00:49:58.980 --> 00:49:59.980
and others.

00:49:59.980 --> 00:50:07.940
When was a meeting put together, when was a meeting put together with council that allowed

00:50:07.940 --> 00:50:15.159
the proper voting that should have taken place and what date, time, and the meeting time

00:50:15.159 --> 00:50:16.619
that that had taken place?

00:50:16.619 --> 00:50:17.619
Who canceled that?

00:50:17.619 --> 00:50:18.619
Attorney Zito?

00:50:18.619 --> 00:50:19.619
Alderman Sanders.

00:50:19.619 --> 00:50:20.619
The May 5th meeting was not canceled.

00:50:20.619 --> 00:50:21.619
May 12th is what he means.

00:50:21.619 --> 00:50:22.619
Yeah, May 12th.

00:50:22.619 --> 00:50:23.619
That's what I meant.

00:50:23.619 --> 00:50:24.619
Oh, okay.

00:50:24.619 --> 00:50:25.619
May 12th.

00:50:25.619 --> 00:50:28.619
and Jodi.

00:50:55.619 --> 00:51:01.199
No Quorum, and there was no roll call of a quorum in place. There was nothing in place

00:51:01.199 --> 00:51:12.199
to make that happen. And if that is the case, I did not see that in my, I did not see that

00:51:12.199 --> 00:51:18.059
being passed and voted on. I did not see that, and so I'd like to address that. When was

00:51:18.059 --> 00:51:20.039
it passed and when was it voted on?

00:51:20.039 --> 00:51:46.039
So the Residency Requirement Ordinance was on the agenda for May 19th. As I stated on the last agenda item, there was a quorum at the time that the meeting was called. I know you disagree, that's fine. There was a quorum of five Alderpersons present, so the meeting may move forward. When we got to the agenda item that dealt with the Residency Requirement, it was voted on at that meeting on the 19th.

00:51:46.039 --> 00:52:01.039
Can I say this? Who conducted that voting process? Who conducted it?

00:52:01.039 --> 00:52:06.019
He's gonna tell you. That was a regular City Council meeting so that meeting was

00:52:06.019 --> 00:52:10.400
chaired by the mayor and then it was conducted by the Alderpersons that were

00:52:10.400 --> 00:52:12.400
and the five other persons that were here.

00:52:12.400 --> 00:52:14.400
Alderman Shadle.

00:52:14.400 --> 00:52:28.400
And again, this is the May 19th meeting that the Attorney General's Office sent a letter saying,

00:52:28.400 --> 00:52:30.400
Sent a letter? Wow.

00:52:30.400 --> 00:52:32.400
I believe I have the floor.

00:52:32.400 --> 00:52:39.760
Miller, that there was no wrongdoing done, the quorum was established, the meeting was

00:52:39.760 --> 00:52:48.079
in order, the item was taken up at the meeting, voted on, and passed.

00:52:48.079 --> 00:52:50.400
Alderman Johnson?

00:52:50.400 --> 00:52:54.079
I have some questions regarding this discussion.

00:52:54.079 --> 00:52:56.460
For you, I have several of them.

00:52:56.460 --> 00:53:02.500
How is this discussion pursuing what is good for us and for this city?

00:53:02.500 --> 00:53:05.719
Who will benefit from this discussion?

00:53:05.719 --> 00:53:11.780
What is your goal, your hope to accomplish from this discussion?

00:53:11.780 --> 00:53:14.880
What is the purpose of this discussion?

00:53:14.880 --> 00:53:17.739
Will this discussion bring harm to any?

00:53:17.739 --> 00:53:23.659
And could some of this discussion and questions have been done outside of the council floor?

00:53:23.659 --> 00:53:24.980
So could you answer those please?

00:53:24.980 --> 00:53:25.980
and so on.

00:53:25.980 --> 00:53:33.019
So, oh yeah, if you're referring to me, the fact of the matter that you are, have an opinion,

00:53:33.019 --> 00:53:34.579
that's what you're stating right now.

00:53:34.579 --> 00:53:35.579
I'm asking you questions.

00:53:35.579 --> 00:53:41.179
Yeah, but you have to understand, we are governed by ordinances.

00:53:41.179 --> 00:53:46.019
We have laws in place that has already been placed in place.

00:53:46.019 --> 00:53:51.860
So for you to address your opinions and then ask me questions about the very same things

00:53:51.860 --> 00:54:21.860
and I have a question for you. I'm wondering if you have any questions about our laws. This is what governs this council. Ordinances governs this council. I want you to know that if you didn't know that. So your opinion and expressions does not say anything to me because I'm following, this is my objective, is to follow the ordinance since it was presented before me. And if there's anything that is not abiding to the ordinance, then I'm going to follow that.

00:54:21.860 --> 00:54:27.639
and I will speak up and I will say what it is and what it isn't and so for you to try

00:54:27.639 --> 00:54:34.500
to point that out to me, I'm addressing you to let you know, read your ordinance and that

00:54:34.500 --> 00:54:40.739
governs who you are at your council seat and that's what we go by.

00:54:40.739 --> 00:54:43.220
If you step out of line with that, then it's invalid.

00:54:43.220 --> 00:54:58.980
Yes, we never get the answer pertaining to who canceled the May 12th meeting.

00:54:58.980 --> 00:55:04.300
Right, so that's an off-topic question because the agenda item is talking about the residency

00:55:04.300 --> 00:55:05.300
ordinance.

00:55:05.300 --> 00:55:10.159
Well, it came up, I didn't bring it up.

00:55:10.159 --> 00:55:15.519
It only came up because Alderman Sanders referenced the 12th meeting, but the residency requirement

00:55:15.519 --> 00:55:18.079
had nothing to do with the meeting on the 12th.

00:55:18.079 --> 00:55:22.199
So we corrected him and said that the residency ordinance was on the 19th.

00:55:22.199 --> 00:55:25.760
And then we had the conversation move forward from there.

00:55:25.760 --> 00:55:26.760
Item number 13.

00:55:26.760 --> 00:55:27.760
No.

00:55:27.760 --> 00:55:28.760
We're not.

00:55:28.760 --> 00:55:30.079
You've already spoke twice.

00:55:30.079 --> 00:55:32.320
No, I have not on the residency.

00:55:32.320 --> 00:55:33.320
I only spoke once.

00:55:33.320 --> 00:55:34.320
At the Cal, there's no limit.

00:55:34.320 --> 00:55:36.639
No limits on the Cal?

00:55:36.639 --> 00:55:38.920
Now you need to understand the protocol, too.

00:55:38.920 --> 00:55:40.960
Listen, I'm talking to the attorney.

00:55:40.960 --> 00:55:41.960
It's not clear.

00:55:41.960 --> 00:55:44.079
Our ordinance currently doesn't specify.

00:55:44.079 --> 00:55:45.159
It's not real clear.

00:55:45.159 --> 00:55:46.960
So it's been in the discretion of the chair.

00:55:46.960 --> 00:55:48.559
So this is how we operate.

00:55:48.559 --> 00:55:49.559
You got my apologies.

00:55:49.559 --> 00:55:50.559
Yeah.

00:55:50.559 --> 00:55:51.559
Well, this is how we operate anyway.

00:55:51.559 --> 00:55:52.559
Okay.

00:55:52.559 --> 00:55:53.559
So let's remember the rules.

00:55:53.559 --> 00:55:58.280
He's the chair, and he gets to say who has the floor, and let's go back to the topic

00:55:58.280 --> 00:56:01.440
that you actually had on this, and that's about residency.

00:56:01.440 --> 00:56:04.000
Is there things for residency, is the question.

00:56:04.000 --> 00:56:05.000
Hold up.

00:56:05.000 --> 00:56:06.000
Wait a minute.

00:56:06.000 --> 00:56:11.119
It is out of order. It is totally out of order, just as you spoke just then.

00:56:11.119 --> 00:56:15.119
Number 13. Yeah, it is out of order. No, no, I'm still referring to...

00:56:15.119 --> 00:56:16.559
Larry. We are done with that.

00:56:16.559 --> 00:56:19.760
How can we be done with something when I'm on the floor?

00:56:19.760 --> 00:56:23.519
...water treatment plant. Alderman Stacy and Alderman Simmons.

00:56:25.599 --> 00:56:26.079
Wow.

00:56:30.079 --> 00:56:32.639
This is... Alderman Stacy, do you have it on you?

00:56:32.639 --> 00:56:35.679
Yes. Circus.

00:56:35.679 --> 00:56:43.599
it's been two years since we voted on and spoke about the Hancock wastewater treatment plant.

00:56:44.320 --> 00:56:50.639
I would like to know where are we at with the wastewater treatment plant.

00:56:51.760 --> 00:57:01.360
Sure. We're about 43% so far. Approximately 23 and a half million dollars have been paid out to our

00:57:01.360 --> 00:57:07.360
We are a contractor IHC. The weather has been good and we have not had any significant groundwater issues.

00:57:07.360 --> 00:57:18.360
Everything is going according to the design plan except for contaminated soils that we had at the very beginning of the project and were remediated back to the Winnebago landfill.

00:57:18.360 --> 00:57:26.360
The ultraviolet building will be completed in late fall of 25 and ready for the spring startup.

00:57:26.360 --> 00:57:30.360
Once we start, the chlorine system will be demolished and removed.

00:57:30.360 --> 00:57:36.599
The chemically enhanced primary treatment will be estimated to be completed by the summer of 26.

00:57:36.599 --> 00:57:44.920
Headworks and lab building early 27 and the headworks was dug to an elevation of 55 feet below the surface to install the building foundation.

00:57:44.920 --> 00:57:54.199
The treatment plan has been working adequately during the construction and the contracting engineer and wastewater treatment plan staff meet two times a month for coordination.

00:57:54.199 --> 00:58:02.599
IHC, that is the contractors doing a very good job for the City of Freeport and currently we're tracking for a final completion in the summer 27.

00:58:03.480 --> 00:58:05.480
Okay.

00:58:05.599 --> 00:58:10.680
You said something in your very first sentence about 43 percent.

00:58:12.800 --> 00:58:14.800
What was that?

00:58:15.000 --> 00:58:17.000
We're about 43 percent complete.

00:58:17.680 --> 00:58:19.680
43 percent complete.

00:58:19.679 --> 00:58:27.679
Okay, so that I don't have to go over each line that you just talked about, can I get a copy of that?

00:58:27.679 --> 00:58:31.680
Sure. Okay, so then I'm done with that one.

00:58:31.680 --> 00:58:39.680
Item 14, same area, update on the Hancock Bridge, Alderman Stacy and Alderman Simmons.

00:58:39.680 --> 00:58:51.680
When we first spoke about this, these two things were put together, these two items, the wastewater plant and the bridge.

00:58:51.680 --> 00:59:00.680
I know there was a lot of discussion about the other factories being able to get their equipment and this and that.

00:59:00.680 --> 00:59:04.680
So where are we actually at with the bridge?

00:59:04.680 --> 00:59:34.680
So design is in final review with the Federal Highway Administration. It's making, it's working on city site or sidewalk and running north of the bridge to Album Street. Also the Federal Highway Administration is making the city investigate historical handrails on the bridge as part of the environmental sign-off. The funding agency was requiring 220 feet of pavement reconstruction in both directions to be removed and

00:59:34.680 --> 00:59:38.940
there's a hump there so we wanted to remove that hump and it will take the

00:59:38.940 --> 00:59:43.400
stress off of the structure. The project is being pushed to a bid letting in the

00:59:43.400 --> 00:59:47.900
summer of 26 and the city is trying to resolve land acquisition issues

00:59:47.900 --> 00:59:53.320
currently as that is a primary hurdle. Temporary and permanent easement

00:59:53.320 --> 00:59:58.440
documents are being prepared and the walk and ride trail must be closed during

00:59:58.440 --> 01:00:00.880
the construction.

01:00:00.880 --> 01:00:03.519
Trail, must be closed during the construction.

01:00:03.519 --> 01:00:07.599
Currently planning on the summer of 26 with bidding

01:00:07.599 --> 01:00:10.360
and a nine month completion date after that.

01:00:10.360 --> 01:00:12.800
Question, are they going to have to do something

01:00:12.800 --> 01:00:16.960
with the underpass then, before then, for semis and stuff?

01:00:16.960 --> 01:00:21.920
Yes, we're currently working on the viaduct, yes.

01:00:21.920 --> 01:00:23.360
Alderman, Stacy.

01:00:23.360 --> 01:00:26.280
And you said completed nine months

01:00:26.280 --> 01:00:29.559
after it goes out for bidding.

01:00:29.559 --> 01:00:38.240
that's correct yes nine months after the startup construction that's not usually

01:00:38.240 --> 01:00:43.320
the same date as the bidding it's not the same as startup construction usually

01:00:43.320 --> 01:00:47.920
have about a month to six weeks of contracts and insurance requirements and

01:00:47.920 --> 01:00:51.960
things like that to get going so you're saying nine months after start of

01:00:51.960 --> 01:00:52.960
of Construction.

01:00:52.960 --> 01:00:53.960
Yes, ma'am.

01:00:53.960 --> 01:00:54.960
Alderman Simmons.

01:00:54.960 --> 01:00:55.960
I had a question, City Manager.

01:00:55.960 --> 01:01:04.800
When you said land acquisition, what land are you speaking of?

01:01:04.800 --> 01:01:06.760
Essentially we're dealing with an older part of town.

01:01:06.760 --> 01:01:11.880
We have some issues with certain overlaps of property lines and we're working to resolve

01:01:11.880 --> 01:01:12.880
those right now.

01:01:12.880 --> 01:01:23.880
That's not, that didn't, like, the buildings right there by the bridge? I mean, I can ask you this later.

01:01:23.880 --> 01:01:30.880
Yeah, we could talk about offline, but essentially you have property lines that kind of overlap the area, and then we're resolving that.

01:01:30.880 --> 01:01:32.880
Alderman Sanders.

01:01:32.880 --> 01:01:49.880
Do we have benchmarks set up for each project for completion? Because like these jobs that we're doing right now, these projects that we're doing, there should be a mark too for completion.

01:01:49.880 --> 01:02:06.880
Do we have that in our design, because I like to know if these jobs are bidded out, are they meeting their compliance? Are they in compliance?

01:02:06.880 --> 01:02:14.880
And so we should be able to have a completion date or somewhere thereabouts around that time.

01:02:15.240 --> 01:02:19.980
So we do have that available to, for us to look at and get access to it.

01:02:22.760 --> 01:02:25.280
Every project that the city puts out either has a completion date

01:02:26.119 --> 01:02:29.599
or a calendar date, excuse me, a calendar date, or a working day contract.

01:02:30.440 --> 01:02:35.960
Everyone's a little bit different but there's always a completion deadline

01:02:35.980 --> 01:02:40.880
Contractors get more time if we have weather issues or we have something that's out of their control.

01:03:10.880 --> 01:03:20.440
McEvoy, Dominic, Kamino, Chris, Bruce, anno, David, Brad There's, there wouldn't be a strain

01:03:20.440 --> 01:03:25.840
on the residents in that area would it, as far as exiting.

01:03:25.840 --> 01:03:26.840
Any time.

01:03:26.840 --> 01:03:27.840
No.

01:03:27.840 --> 01:03:33.440
We will never let, just to be clear, we will never let the Hancock Ridge and the Hancock

01:03:33.440 --> 01:03:35.680
Viaduct go at the same time.

01:03:35.680 --> 01:03:37.920
One will have to be complete before the other can start.

01:03:37.920 --> 01:03:42.000
We have to have emergency access and resident access either way.

01:03:42.000 --> 01:03:43.400
So our plan is to do this by then.

01:03:43.400 --> 01:03:45.840
There is an emergency exit?

01:03:45.840 --> 01:03:47.019
Well, there will be.

01:03:47.019 --> 01:03:47.519
Oh, OK.

01:03:47.519 --> 01:03:49.180
It'll be either the bridge or the viaduct.

01:03:49.180 --> 01:03:51.160
We plan to get the bridge done first.

01:03:51.160 --> 01:03:52.559
And that's why the bridge letting

01:03:52.559 --> 01:03:54.400
is going to push to next year.

01:03:54.400 --> 01:03:54.900
Got you.

01:03:54.900 --> 01:03:55.400
Right?

01:03:55.400 --> 01:03:57.200
So excuse me, I think I said it wrong.

01:03:57.200 --> 01:04:00.320
We're planning to get the viaduct done first.

01:04:00.320 --> 01:04:02.800
And the bridge letting is being pushed to next year.

01:04:02.800 --> 01:04:03.559
OK.

01:04:03.559 --> 01:04:07.760
All right, number 15, update on the grant for the bike path.

01:04:07.760 --> 01:04:12.360
in collaboration with the Highland Community College and Park District, Alderman Stacy

01:04:12.360 --> 01:04:16.360
and Alderman Simmons.

01:04:16.360 --> 01:04:23.079
Yes.

01:04:23.079 --> 01:04:29.119
We had all this information pertaining to a new back path that wanted to be done out

01:04:29.119 --> 01:04:31.119
in the Highland area.

01:04:31.119 --> 01:04:37.480
I think it was even going to take you all the way around down to Covers and it was affiliated

01:04:37.480 --> 01:04:42.360
with the City of Freeport, the Park District, and Highland.

01:04:42.360 --> 01:04:54.079
It was voted down at one point, however it was brought back and passed.

01:04:54.079 --> 01:04:58.600
So we've heard nothing.

01:04:58.600 --> 01:05:08.160
and I would like some information on where we're at with this bike path.

01:05:08.160 --> 01:05:09.360
Just be happy to answer that.

01:05:09.360 --> 01:05:14.559
So at the end of May, the city was notified that we did not receive the grant for the

01:05:14.559 --> 01:05:19.880
ITEP grant that would pay for the project.

01:05:19.880 --> 01:05:25.760
In addition to that, no one in Northern Illinois received any ITEP money for Walk-Ride Infrastructure

01:05:25.760 --> 01:05:28.960
and our next opportunity for that will be in 2026.

01:05:28.960 --> 01:05:32.840
All right. Number 16.

01:05:32.840 --> 01:05:33.840
Hold it.

01:05:33.840 --> 01:05:34.840
Yes.

01:05:34.840 --> 01:05:35.840
Go ahead, Larry.

01:05:35.840 --> 01:05:36.840
Alderman Sands.

01:05:36.840 --> 01:05:38.519
What year did you say that would be?

01:05:38.519 --> 01:05:42.360
2026 will be the next opportunity to bid.

01:05:42.360 --> 01:05:53.079
Okay. And that would be revised or, yes, the grant proposition would be revised for that

01:05:53.079 --> 01:05:55.119
particular project?

01:05:55.119 --> 01:06:00.320
would be revised as far as dates and so on but it would come back to the council yes okay

01:06:00.320 --> 01:06:06.800
that's what I wanted it will come back to the council as a new question when the new

01:06:06.800 --> 01:06:12.320
opportunity when the opportunity comes around in 2026 we'll go back around all our partners

01:06:12.320 --> 01:06:17.119
and make sure everybody wants to be a part of it again in which time if everybody approves

01:06:17.119 --> 01:06:20.960
then we will move forward with it if they don't approve then that's then that won't

01:06:20.960 --> 01:06:33.400
Number 16. Update on the property at 521 West Cottonwood that was transferred to the land

01:06:33.400 --> 01:06:39.240
bank presented by Alderman Stacy and Alderman Simmons.

01:06:39.240 --> 01:06:48.519
I keep getting phone calls from a neighbor in Cottonwood inquiring that nothing is being

01:06:48.519 --> 01:06:55.360
Dunn, with this property that we gave to the land bank.

01:06:55.360 --> 01:06:59.519
And I'm just wondering what is really going on?

01:06:59.519 --> 01:07:06.039
Is there someone out there that's going to remodel this home?

01:07:06.039 --> 01:07:13.960
And after they were given the property, weren't they allowed nine months to complete this

01:07:13.960 --> 01:07:23.920
this project. We can handle this on a phone call, but the city transferred 521 West Cottonwood

01:07:23.920 --> 01:07:30.720
to Northern Illinois Land Bank in December of 2024. The Northern Illinois Land Bank transferred

01:07:30.720 --> 01:07:39.000
the property to Ivan Silver in May 29th, 2025. Ivan is under contract to complete the renovation

01:07:39.000 --> 01:07:42.440
of this property in nine months with a deadline of February 28th, 2026.

01:07:42.440 --> 01:07:45.440
OK, but you're going too fast.

01:07:45.440 --> 01:07:46.320
OK, well.

01:07:46.320 --> 01:07:48.320
You said May 29th.

01:07:48.320 --> 01:07:49.880
What happened?

01:07:49.880 --> 01:07:55.720
The property was transferred to the contractor on May 29th.

01:07:55.720 --> 01:08:00.420
So Ivan's got till February 28th to get it done of 26.

01:08:00.420 --> 01:08:02.680
And the Northern Illinois Land Bank has the authority

01:08:02.680 --> 01:08:06.000
to reclaim the property from Mr. Silver

01:08:06.000 --> 01:08:08.559
if he does not adhere to the timeline.

01:08:11.840 --> 01:08:16.039
Okay, you also said this could have been answered

01:08:16.039 --> 01:08:17.260
with a phone call.

01:08:17.260 --> 01:08:18.100
Yes.

01:08:19.000 --> 01:08:22.199
I don't doubt that, City Manager Boyer,

01:08:23.360 --> 01:08:28.360
but when I'm getting calls and questions

01:08:28.640 --> 01:08:33.440
about products such as this,

01:08:33.440 --> 01:08:38.440
I like for the people to hear it directly from you.

01:08:38.440 --> 01:08:41.159
That's why I bring it to the council floor.

01:08:41.159 --> 01:08:42.360
You can give them my phone number

01:08:42.360 --> 01:08:44.640
and they can hear it directly from me also.

01:08:47.680 --> 01:08:51.940
Okay, so this was like an item

01:08:51.940 --> 01:08:53.960
that shouldn't have never happened or?

01:08:56.340 --> 01:08:59.060
Dovie, I'm talking to City Manager Boyer.

01:09:00.920 --> 01:09:03.420
I would say we could handle this with a phone call.

01:09:03.440 --> 01:09:11.260
Yeah, I would just say most requests like that, Alderperson, Stacy, most Alderpersons,

01:09:11.260 --> 01:09:15.360
including yourself, do call me and ask about it, if there's a problem property, and then

01:09:15.360 --> 01:09:20.720
I'll, if it's not addressed, I'll direct it to one of our inspectors to look at.

01:09:20.720 --> 01:09:24.760
But yeah, I've talked with you about properties in the past, and pretty much every Alderperson

01:09:24.760 --> 01:09:25.760
up here.

01:09:25.760 --> 01:09:31.319
So I think what City Manager Boyer is saying is, is you could certainly call me, or you

01:09:31.319 --> 01:09:37.360
City Manager, Boyer would probably direct that question to me to answer okay and I

01:09:37.360 --> 01:09:44.819
did direct this person to you and I did even give them your number and when he

01:09:44.819 --> 01:09:50.699
said item number 16 I was looking at you but you weren't looking at me so he's

01:09:50.699 --> 01:09:59.199
the manager that's why I looked at him I didn't care who answered right so as I

01:09:59.199 --> 01:10:00.880
As I said before, you're always welcome.

01:10:00.880 --> 01:10:07.920
As I said before, you're always welcome to call me. I always respond to calls. I think any

01:10:07.920 --> 01:10:11.840
elder person here can say, hey, I've had a problem with the property. I send it to Wayne or talk to

01:10:11.840 --> 01:10:19.359
him, email, phone, text message, and I get back quickly on that. I think this is exciting for

01:10:19.359 --> 01:10:24.000
the City of Freeport, just to be honest. There are many properties here that either get demolished

01:10:24.000 --> 01:10:29.840
or sit vacant, and this is really a good thing. So, I'm excited to see what this developer is

01:10:29.840 --> 01:10:34.480
is going to do with the property but in the future if you wanted to obviously City Manager

01:10:34.480 --> 01:10:39.640
Boyer is my direct report so certainly if you have questions on a property I think what

01:10:39.640 --> 01:10:45.800
he's saying is to give him a call I directed them to you because I know this is your baby

01:10:45.800 --> 01:10:52.520
yeah yeah no I appreciate that perfect job but I wanted them to hear because I don't

01:10:52.520 --> 01:10:57.819
know if they're here tonight if not hopefully they're listening and they're getting it directly

01:10:57.819 --> 01:11:05.739
from him and I'm not feeding no one a line did we find out about you can't

01:11:05.739 --> 01:11:09.859
answer that but just like the trailer that was placed on that property and

01:11:09.859 --> 01:11:18.779
nobody knew so you and I have talked yes yes number 17 actually can I make a

01:11:18.779 --> 01:11:25.739
comment really alderman Stacy all updates are best served with efficiency by

01:11:25.739 --> 01:11:26.739
and so on.

01:11:26.739 --> 01:11:27.739
The meeting is a very interesting one.

01:11:27.739 --> 01:11:28.739
We're not going to be able to make it for you by simple picking up a phone or coming

01:11:28.739 --> 01:11:34.260
to the meetings that our City Manager or myself have opened to you.

01:11:34.260 --> 01:11:39.260
So if you want to go that route, because if we actually spent an update on every single

01:11:39.260 --> 01:11:44.460
question that came across our desk, we would be sitting here in Council meetings forever,

01:11:44.460 --> 01:11:46.420
but that's not the purpose of Council meetings.

01:11:46.420 --> 01:11:50.579
It's to address the legislative portions of things, the policies, not updates.

01:11:50.579 --> 01:11:56.819
So updates are really best served with a discussion in our offices.

01:11:56.819 --> 01:11:58.020
Okay.

01:11:58.020 --> 01:11:59.980
I can respect that.

01:11:59.980 --> 01:12:10.340
But with that being said, we got to work extra hard on the trust factor and the damage that

01:12:10.340 --> 01:12:16.220
has been done in that area because that's huge to me.

01:12:16.220 --> 01:12:20.220
And so I don't want to argue you didn't say this.

01:12:20.220 --> 01:12:25.500
I said that. No, you didn't. Yes, I did. I don't want that either. That doesn't look

01:12:25.500 --> 01:12:33.819
good on the floor either. So, I guess as we all work on the trust factor and rebuilding

01:12:33.819 --> 01:12:37.819
communication, it will get better.

01:12:37.819 --> 01:12:39.819
Alderman, the answer.

01:12:39.819 --> 01:12:45.680
Well, I was just wondering if, you know, the people that are asking you questions, if they

01:12:45.680 --> 01:12:52.239
called directly or talked directly with Manager Boyer or with any of the people on the council.

01:12:53.199 --> 01:12:57.119
They would have the trust faster would be there than they would tell that person.

01:12:57.680 --> 01:13:01.600
The answer, you know, you said you had people in your ward or people that were calling you

01:13:01.600 --> 01:13:06.960
have them directly call or get in touch with Manager Boyer or Mr. Duckman.

01:13:06.960 --> 01:13:07.840
I did.

01:13:07.840 --> 01:13:10.400
Okay. And did those people get in touch with them?

01:13:10.960 --> 01:13:12.400
To my knowledge, yes.

01:13:12.400 --> 01:13:13.600
And they got their answers?

01:13:13.600 --> 01:13:26.060
Sanders. No. And then when Duckman and I spoke, there was still some unanswered questions,

01:13:26.060 --> 01:13:30.000
like a trailer that had been moved onto that property that they didn't even know who it

01:13:30.000 --> 01:13:35.279
belonged to. So why is someone just looking at this open space thinking they could put

01:13:35.279 --> 01:13:43.260
their trailer there? So no, it didn't go away. It kind of got bigger.

01:13:43.260 --> 01:13:49.399
But I did my part with directing like I was supposed to.

01:13:49.399 --> 01:13:56.300
Number 17, update on the performance of McGuire Woods Consulting LLC, presented by Alderman

01:13:56.300 --> 01:14:01.420
Stacy and Alderman Simmons.

01:14:01.420 --> 01:14:15.380
We paid all this money for a lobbyist, and it's been over a year. Have no updates, have

01:14:15.380 --> 01:14:30.380
no knowledge, understanding of what they have or have not done for us. And so I would really

01:14:30.380 --> 01:14:38.860
I'd be happy to speak to that. McGuire Woods, again, is our lobbyist. They have been working

01:14:38.860 --> 01:14:44.819
hard at state level to secure funding for projects that we've identified as priorities

01:14:44.819 --> 01:14:50.579
as we move forward, looking for help on all those, as well as any federal opportunities.

01:14:50.579 --> 01:14:56.020
We receive a monthly newsletter and an update from them, I would say, about every week.

01:14:56.020 --> 01:15:02.020
and as of right now we're working in several areas but no specific grants have been identified

01:15:02.020 --> 01:15:03.579
as of yet.

01:15:03.579 --> 01:15:20.159
Okay, and so this is costing us $90,000 a year, $72,000 a year.

01:15:20.159 --> 01:15:27.039
How many years do we continue if nothing comes forth?

01:15:27.039 --> 01:15:32.199
I mean, do you know what we could do with $72,000 on our streets?

01:15:32.199 --> 01:15:35.600
I'm guessing about 50, maybe 100 feet.

01:15:35.600 --> 01:15:41.039
But I would say we're going to be reviewing the progress.

01:15:41.039 --> 01:15:44.000
And I think we need to sit down and decide

01:15:44.000 --> 01:15:46.720
whether we're going to continue to move forward with this or not.

01:15:46.720 --> 01:15:49.159
I will also highlight the fact that lobbying

01:15:49.159 --> 01:15:55.880
is not a linear process, and it also requires certain opportunities and people to be there

01:15:55.880 --> 01:15:57.159
during those opportunities.

01:15:57.159 --> 01:16:02.720
So in this particular environment, very difficult with federal funding being cut in many different

01:16:02.720 --> 01:16:03.800
areas.

01:16:03.800 --> 01:16:06.880
So it is a bit of a challenge, but we're continuing to manage it.

01:16:06.880 --> 01:16:11.640
City Manager Boyer, was that a smart comment when you said 100 feet?

01:16:11.640 --> 01:16:16.039
I was trying to give you an answer to your question, yeah, it's about 100 linear feet.

01:16:16.039 --> 01:16:31.079
Alderman, Sanders. Yeah, I did. That kind of threw me off for a second. Let me recapture

01:16:31.079 --> 01:16:44.960
my visual thought. Did we as council, city manager, voted to allow them to operate on

01:16:44.960 --> 01:16:50.480
our behalf yes we did okay that's all I wanted to know number 18 is public

01:16:50.480 --> 01:16:57.560
comment any public comment well get the first row and then we'll go second

01:16:57.560 --> 01:17:07.239
third row fourth row I just want to say that I was noticing at my street my

01:17:07.239 --> 01:17:11.520
neighborhood there's a lot of people with three rulers young kids with three

01:17:11.520 --> 01:17:19.159
Willers. I did mention it to him about it and also I wanted to say that there's

01:17:19.159 --> 01:17:24.079
still work to be done on on the our street because they haven't done no water

01:17:24.079 --> 01:17:27.980
works on the street yet. The water is not really the tastiest water in the

01:17:27.980 --> 01:17:33.600
world. I just want to say that. Can you state your name for the record? David

01:17:33.600 --> 01:17:44.960
Cobertson. David, what was that location? It's over on Ringgold Street. The water, the road is really

01:17:44.960 --> 01:17:50.400
bad. It's like you, you can, you can go make a sandbox out of it, the road. The three-wheelers,

01:17:50.400 --> 01:17:54.520
what? Yeah, the three-wheelers, yeah. There's a whole bunch of kids with three-wheelers, riding

01:17:54.520 --> 01:18:03.039
three-wheelers, like the youngest age of like 11 to 15. And they're riding on Ringgold? Yeah, like riding three-wheelers and four-wheelers and

01:18:03.039 --> 01:18:11.279
and like dirt bikes and they're riding on Ringgold also it's really dangerous I

01:18:11.279 --> 01:18:16.239
worry about them I don't know if it happened before kids I wish they would

01:18:16.239 --> 01:18:21.199
stop it I want to see anybody get hurt in front of me that would tear me apart

01:18:21.199 --> 01:18:28.680
hmm any other public comments Wendy

01:18:33.039 --> 01:18:46.520
Good evening, City of Freeport. Council, those elected officials. I am 1323 South Chicago

01:18:46.520 --> 01:18:53.079
Avenue. My name is Wendy Pearson. I'd like to make a couple comments. I listened to Mr.

01:18:53.079 --> 01:19:01.159
Brown today speak. I was at the hospital with my son. Saturday, the day of the march, I

01:19:01.159 --> 01:19:04.119
is a funeral for a relative in Chicago.

01:19:04.119 --> 01:19:07.119
Had I not been there, I would have been at that march,

01:19:07.119 --> 01:19:09.000
just as I was at the first one.

01:19:09.000 --> 01:19:13.159
And yes, I said it was a joke, not this one, the second one.

01:19:13.159 --> 01:19:16.100
And if he was scouring people's Facebook pages,

01:19:16.100 --> 01:19:19.360
he would have seen that I said that I was proud of him

01:19:19.360 --> 01:19:20.920
for this weekend.

01:19:20.920 --> 01:19:24.360
Now, I said it before and I'll say it again.

01:19:24.360 --> 01:19:26.800
The first march was a joke.

01:19:26.800 --> 01:19:31.520
It was a joke simply because the day before that Friday,

01:19:31.520 --> 01:19:35.100
there were shootings in the 700 block of Liberty.

01:19:35.100 --> 01:19:38.739
There were shootings in the 900 block of Carroll.

01:19:38.739 --> 01:19:41.399
The march happened the next day.

01:19:41.399 --> 01:19:43.880
We started at the old Germania lot.

01:19:43.880 --> 01:19:46.899
We went down Adams Pass, the Raggedy Rowling Building,

01:19:46.899 --> 01:19:48.779
back down to the Germania lot,

01:19:48.779 --> 01:19:51.239
downtown and back to the Germania lot.

01:19:51.239 --> 01:19:53.880
We never went into the communities

01:19:53.880 --> 01:19:56.840
where there were shootings and deaths.

01:19:56.840 --> 01:19:58.920
He says that he has a list of all the people

01:19:58.920 --> 01:20:00.880
that have been murdered in his town.

01:20:00.880 --> 01:20:03.079
and others that have been murdered in this town.

01:20:03.079 --> 01:20:05.480
I'm gonna go back to 1980s,

01:20:05.480 --> 01:20:08.539
where the two white brothers were murdered

01:20:08.539 --> 01:20:11.279
on the west east side of town,

01:20:11.279 --> 01:20:16.279
bound, gagged, tied up, beaten and house shed on fire.

01:20:17.680 --> 01:20:19.880
These murders have been going on in this town

01:20:19.880 --> 01:20:21.199
since the 80s.

01:20:21.199 --> 01:20:23.520
This particular one has never been solved.

01:20:23.520 --> 01:20:25.800
Scott has never been solved.

01:20:25.800 --> 01:20:27.800
So before he starts talking about the people

01:20:27.800 --> 01:20:28.840
that he's got on the list,

01:20:28.840 --> 01:20:30.440
go all the way back to the murders

01:20:30.440 --> 01:20:33.600
that haven't been solved before he was even involved,

01:20:33.600 --> 01:20:35.260
before he was thought of,

01:20:35.260 --> 01:20:37.440
it has been happening in this town forever.

01:20:37.440 --> 01:20:40.199
Now, I've helped to organize marches.

01:20:40.199 --> 01:20:42.440
I've been involved with peace marches

01:20:42.440 --> 01:20:46.659
from Chicago to Springfield to Washington DC

01:20:46.659 --> 01:20:48.239
to Freeport, Illinois.

01:20:48.239 --> 01:20:51.600
Not once has Mr. Brown reached out to any of us

01:20:51.600 --> 01:20:53.319
to help with what he's doing.

01:20:53.319 --> 01:20:55.900
I don't have anything against anything that anybody's doing.

01:20:55.900 --> 01:20:58.000
I'm actually, I'm pretty happy about it.

01:20:58.000 --> 01:20:59.680
And I'm gonna tell you why I'm happy about it,

01:20:59.680 --> 01:21:03.880
because I'm sick of those video freak words being on my show.

01:21:03.880 --> 01:21:05.800
Hey, you don't have to do it.

01:21:05.800 --> 01:21:08.079
As far as anybody else is concerned,

01:21:08.079 --> 01:21:10.279
anybody that wants to do something in this town,

01:21:10.279 --> 01:21:12.000
anybody can tell you that I've been supportive

01:21:12.000 --> 01:21:14.560
of anything that was positive that was going on in this town

01:21:14.560 --> 01:21:16.720
and I will continue to be that way.

01:21:16.720 --> 01:21:19.319
I have spoken continuously about our young people

01:21:19.319 --> 01:21:22.920
picking up the mantle and I'm still saying the same thing.

01:21:22.920 --> 01:21:25.520
Our young people need to pick up the mantle.

01:21:25.520 --> 01:21:27.119
We need to be in the streets.

01:21:27.119 --> 01:21:28.880
We don't need to be against each other

01:21:28.880 --> 01:21:31.640
and talking crazy, but I'm gonna tell you something else.

01:21:31.640 --> 01:21:35.119
Mr. Brown was in my face two weeks ago at a party.

01:21:35.119 --> 01:21:37.600
What he had to say, he could have said to me.

01:21:37.600 --> 01:21:39.239
I don't have a problem with saying anything

01:21:39.239 --> 01:21:42.239
to anybody in their face, okay?

01:21:42.239 --> 01:21:43.079
Thank you.

01:21:43.079 --> 01:21:43.900
So I just wanna put it out there

01:21:43.900 --> 01:21:44.960
and I wanna make it very clear.

01:21:44.960 --> 01:21:45.800
Time has expired.

01:21:45.800 --> 01:21:46.640
That's why it's a joke.

01:21:46.640 --> 01:21:47.480
Ms. Pearson.

01:21:47.480 --> 01:21:48.440
Anybody else?

01:21:48.440 --> 01:21:50.100
Come on up.

01:21:50.100 --> 01:21:51.000
Oh, I'm sorry.

01:21:52.279 --> 01:21:53.560
Yeah, she stood up too.

01:21:53.560 --> 01:22:03.560
My name is Janelle Fokers. I've been a dispatcher for the Freeport Police Department for the past seven and a half years.

01:22:03.560 --> 01:22:07.560
My coworker spoke to you recently on some of the changes to our working conditions and protocols.

01:22:07.560 --> 01:22:15.560
I believe I need to reiterate some of the concerns and update you on a new change that has been implemented in the last three weeks since she addressed you.

01:22:15.560 --> 01:22:22.560
We continue to work alone in the room on shifts that are not fully staffed and at times where employees are enjoying much needed vacation time.

01:22:22.560 --> 01:22:27.560
As you can imagine, this puts significant pressure on the only person actively working in the room.

01:22:27.560 --> 01:22:38.560
Yes, there are two people on duty, but at times only one actively handling all the phone calls, both 911 and non-emergency, radio traffic, and assisting the public coming into the lobby during that time.

01:22:38.560 --> 01:22:48.560
One person handling all of that alone puts a substantial risk not only on the public and the dispatcher, but also the police, fire, and EMS personnel responding to these potentially life-threatening scenarios.

01:22:48.560 --> 01:22:54.760
News, which leads to the most recent change that we've been told is a process that we're

01:22:54.760 --> 01:23:00.960
expected to follow. Currently, when all of our city ambulances are on a call and there

01:23:00.960 --> 01:23:05.760
is a need for additional ambulance, the Fire Department will request a mutual aid ambulance.

01:23:05.760 --> 01:23:11.480
The closest ambulance service to dispatch requires a phone call versus radio contact

01:23:11.480 --> 01:23:16.319
to request an ambulance. We have been directed to put our in-progress 911 call on hold.

01:23:16.319 --> 01:23:23.880
Yes, you heard me correctly. All the 9-1-1 call from your loved one panicked and scared because they need help

01:23:24.560 --> 01:23:32.180
administering CPR has to be placed on hold which stops any and all communication between the person in need and the dispatcher trained to help them until

01:23:32.640 --> 01:23:36.400
help can physically arrive on scene. This goes against everything

01:23:36.400 --> 01:23:41.380
I've been trained to do in my entire career and is a huge liability to everyone involved. Callers, responders,

01:23:41.380 --> 01:23:46.840
and others, the city and dispatchers all alike, and completely against my moral belief.

01:23:46.840 --> 01:23:51.180
I love what I do and want to help not only my loved ones, but yours on what could potentially

01:23:51.180 --> 01:23:52.980
be the worst day of their life.

01:23:52.980 --> 01:23:57.720
Putting their 911 call on hold is completely unacceptable to me.

01:23:57.720 --> 01:24:01.520
With that said, I encourage each one of you to come spend time in the 911 Center with

01:24:01.520 --> 01:24:02.520
us.

01:24:02.520 --> 01:24:05.579
Learn what we do, ask questions so you can understand why we are so passionate about

01:24:05.579 --> 01:24:11.140
what we do, and are so concerned about the added liability to ourselves, the city, and

01:24:11.140 --> 01:24:13.460
and the safety of our officers and fire personnel.

01:24:13.460 --> 01:24:14.279
Thank you.

01:24:14.279 --> 01:24:15.119
Thank you.

01:24:15.119 --> 01:24:15.940
Thank you.

01:24:15.940 --> 01:24:20.279
Come on up.

01:24:21.619 --> 01:24:22.460
Yep.

01:24:34.739 --> 01:24:35.680
Okay, that's the first.

01:24:35.680 --> 01:24:36.840
I'm gonna take the mask off.

01:24:36.840 --> 01:24:39.980
My name is Sue Cook and I am on Winchester Drive

01:24:39.980 --> 01:24:41.739
in Freeport, Illinois.

01:24:41.739 --> 01:24:45.500
I am stunned to hear what she just said

01:24:45.500 --> 01:24:47.860
because I have written something

01:24:47.860 --> 01:24:49.779
to talk about the exact same thing.

01:24:51.180 --> 01:24:52.980
911 is very, very critical.

01:24:52.980 --> 01:24:54.980
I worked in the hospital, I worked in x-ray.

01:24:54.980 --> 01:24:59.420
I know, I worked in the ER, I know how critical 911 is.

01:24:59.420 --> 01:25:04.420
These people deserve our respect and they deserve our care.

01:25:04.460 --> 01:25:06.260
They deserve our kindness and our care.

01:25:06.260 --> 01:25:08.220
And I just wanna give them a round of applause.

01:25:08.220 --> 01:25:19.100
I know this is taking some of my minutes, but they have saved my husband's life three times.

01:25:19.100 --> 01:25:25.980
And I cannot believe that the golden age of Freeport is going to be ushered in with possibly

01:25:25.980 --> 01:25:29.020
not a 911 center.

01:25:29.020 --> 01:25:33.500
I don't know if the ASME contract has been signed.

01:25:33.500 --> 01:25:37.380
I don't know if you signed anything with the critical people in the unions, but this is

01:25:37.380 --> 01:25:38.380
Fowler.

01:25:38.380 --> 01:25:39.380
This is important for Freeport.

01:25:39.380 --> 01:25:40.380
We need this.

01:25:40.380 --> 01:25:44.500
If 911 goes away, are you just going to send it over to the Stewart Center for their call

01:25:44.500 --> 01:25:46.119
center to answer?

01:25:46.119 --> 01:25:53.180
So we really, really, everybody in here has probably been touched by 911.

01:25:53.180 --> 01:25:56.980
Your family, your loved ones, your friend, my husband.

01:25:56.980 --> 01:26:01.500
If you care about 911, raise your hands.

01:26:01.500 --> 01:26:03.899
Raise your hand.

01:26:03.899 --> 01:26:05.420
That is 911 strong.

01:26:05.420 --> 01:26:06.420
That's union strong.

01:26:06.420 --> 01:26:15.420
There's only one other thing, if I have any time left, I'm going to say this because it's number 15 on the last agenda, I'm going to talk really fast, and that is that we're paying $12,000 for vision boards.

01:26:15.420 --> 01:26:27.420
If you're going to be setting up goals for the Councilmen, and you're going to be standing there talking, we can use a white word, we can use a little vision board, we can use Pinterest, and it will be cheaper than $12,000.

01:26:27.420 --> 01:26:32.819
Mayor, you are a visionary. If you are the visionary, then you should be able to hold

01:26:32.819 --> 01:26:39.000
that meeting with the councilman and bring in what you need for your goals and what you

01:26:39.000 --> 01:26:44.880
want Three Port to achieve with them. You don't need $12,000. That $12,000 can go to

01:26:44.880 --> 01:26:51.920
support the 911 people. You don't need that. Pull that $12,000 back. Be the visionary that

01:26:51.920 --> 01:26:55.440
that you claim to be, take your people,

01:26:55.440 --> 01:26:58.400
show them Pinterest and say, vision board.

01:26:58.400 --> 01:27:00.720
If you have a mobile phone and can download Pinterest,

01:27:00.720 --> 01:27:02.159
it's free, it's an app.

01:27:02.159 --> 01:27:04.680
If you don't, plain old whiteboard

01:27:04.680 --> 01:27:06.800
like you used to do for the old science fairs,

01:27:06.800 --> 01:27:09.480
stick up magazine pictures and say, here's my goal.

01:27:09.480 --> 01:27:10.960
This is what we want to achieve.

01:27:10.960 --> 01:27:12.440
There you go.

01:27:12.440 --> 01:27:13.940
Thank you very much for letting me speak

01:27:13.940 --> 01:27:15.480
and I'm gonna put my mask on.

01:27:18.860 --> 01:27:20.039
And that was a first.

01:27:20.039 --> 01:27:34.119
you know I really wasn't even aware that we were talking about 9-1-1 or your name

01:27:34.119 --> 01:27:42.960
Micaiah Stacy we know who I am anyway I don't really understand what's going on

01:27:42.960 --> 01:27:49.920
I was at work but if we're talking about defunding our police call center I'm

01:27:49.920 --> 01:28:19.920
I'm going to be very blunt with you. I was a victim of domestic violence last Sunday and if it hadn't have been for the call center, officer, I believe her name is Sanchez, I hope I'm saying that right, and the other officers that answered that call, I wouldn't be here and this isn't the first time that it's happened with that person and I know right now we're really focused on the gun violence in Freeport because it's loud and it hurts and everybody hears it whether it

01:28:19.920 --> 01:28:22.279
was the gunshot or on social media,

01:28:22.279 --> 01:28:25.440
and people's families are being torn apart.

01:28:25.440 --> 01:28:27.460
But I'm not the first one.

01:28:27.460 --> 01:28:30.840
There was a young woman, Gabby, a couple years ago,

01:28:30.840 --> 01:28:34.319
that was murdered by her boyfriend.

01:28:35.340 --> 01:28:37.720
I have personal friends from a year ago

01:28:37.720 --> 01:28:40.380
when I was living in Iowa who would send me pictures

01:28:40.380 --> 01:28:43.220
of the bruises this man was inflicting,

01:28:43.220 --> 01:28:45.960
show me videos of him screaming at her,

01:28:45.960 --> 01:28:49.039
show me texts of just the verbal abuse.

01:28:49.039 --> 01:28:52.779
She took him to court, he sat behind bars for two months,

01:28:52.779 --> 01:28:55.779
and when I walk into my own gym, that man is standing there.

01:28:57.760 --> 01:29:01.020
And I don't really know what to do with this.

01:29:01.020 --> 01:29:02.880
There's just so much crime in Freeport.

01:29:02.880 --> 01:29:06.440
And like I said, I know that gun violence is loud

01:29:06.440 --> 01:29:09.199
and it's fast, but we need to really focus on

01:29:09.199 --> 01:29:11.360
all of the violence in Freeport.

01:29:11.360 --> 01:29:12.840
It's not just about guns.

01:29:14.199 --> 01:29:16.159
I shouldn't have to worry about

01:29:16.159 --> 01:29:18.360
where I'm gonna lay my head at night

01:29:18.360 --> 01:29:20.699
because that man can get to me.

01:29:20.699 --> 01:29:22.800
We shouldn't have to worry about our kids

01:29:22.800 --> 01:29:23.640
riding their bikes.

01:29:23.640 --> 01:29:26.380
I shouldn't have to worry about my nephew's baseball game.

01:29:26.380 --> 01:29:28.180
I shouldn't be on edge in Walmart.

01:29:29.279 --> 01:29:30.880
I shouldn't be concerned for the kids

01:29:30.880 --> 01:29:34.760
down at center school playing in the park over there.

01:29:34.760 --> 01:29:37.039
I shouldn't be worried about going to Crate Park,

01:29:37.039 --> 01:29:38.619
having a cookout with my friends,

01:29:38.619 --> 01:29:39.899
and constantly looking around

01:29:39.899 --> 01:29:41.840
to see what everyone else is doing.

01:29:41.840 --> 01:29:42.880
We're doing a good job.

01:29:42.880 --> 01:29:44.680
These marches are good.

01:29:44.680 --> 01:29:47.319
It brings awareness, but now we need some action.

01:29:47.319 --> 01:30:00.850
Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Tommy? Didn't even want to tell you. I want to

01:30:00.850 --> 01:30:11.850
Tike, I want to tell Craig Duggan, he's got a good job in the Police Department in Freeport.

01:30:11.850 --> 01:30:20.410
And Dwayne Duggan, did you hear they're going to turn down the Queeners?

01:30:20.410 --> 01:30:21.410
I did.

01:30:21.410 --> 01:30:22.410
Then when?

01:30:22.410 --> 01:30:23.410
This fall.

01:30:23.410 --> 01:30:24.410
Oh, this fall.

01:30:24.410 --> 01:30:31.289
Oh, this fall. And I want to tell Jodi Miller that's a good job of the mayor of Freeport

01:30:31.289 --> 01:30:40.289
and my name was on Channel 23 News. Did you see it? If you could put it on YouTube, it's

01:30:40.289 --> 01:30:49.289
on YouTube. Okay. Young lady in the pink sweatshirt.

01:30:49.289 --> 01:31:16.850
I want to speak on that. I think it's a bad idea to have majority rules. Only because I'll never see Parker and all these other little peck of whatever they are putting anything in there because in the third and fifth ward they have a reason to put something on the agenda. Those are the houses that are getting knocked down. There's affecting people over there. We expect them to be able to speak for us. Did y'all forget about that?

01:31:16.850 --> 01:31:23.710
Parker, and one thing for sure, I ain't never seen you speak up hardly about anything.

01:31:23.710 --> 01:31:29.090
We have a reason to have the people in that area speak up for us because that stuff is

01:31:29.090 --> 01:31:31.690
really happening, really affecting people.

01:31:31.690 --> 01:31:33.610
Most of the killings are over there.

01:31:33.610 --> 01:31:38.450
We're losing our whole living space due to the fact that y'all have underlying agendas

01:31:38.450 --> 01:31:40.329
that y'all don't think we know about.

01:31:40.329 --> 01:31:42.270
That's what I'm going to say about that.

01:31:42.270 --> 01:31:43.270
and others.

01:31:43.270 --> 01:31:47.230
The other thing that I've been watching since I've been to this meeting is bullying.

01:31:47.230 --> 01:31:50.670
I'm going to say it, I'm a factual, I'm not negative, I'm factual.

01:31:50.670 --> 01:31:56.070
Whatever y'all got going, whatever Sanders got going on, I ain't seen nobody offer to

01:31:56.070 --> 01:31:57.070
help him.

01:31:57.070 --> 01:31:58.730
I seen a lot of y'all laughing.

01:31:58.730 --> 01:32:02.990
And then as soon as Will spoke on how we need to lead the youth, we have a youth in this

01:32:02.990 --> 01:32:08.070
room right now, that as soon as something happened with Sanders, he watched every one of you adults

01:32:08.070 --> 01:32:09.070
Fowler.

01:32:09.070 --> 01:32:10.070
He's the one that's laughed.

01:32:10.070 --> 01:32:15.470
Instead of trying to help the situation, obviously he didn't understand something, get some clarity.

01:32:15.470 --> 01:32:16.470
Help him out.

01:32:16.470 --> 01:32:18.789
That's some real childish stuff that y'all are doing.

01:32:18.789 --> 01:32:21.630
Y'all got him watching, laughing, and this is the person that y'all are supposed to be

01:32:21.630 --> 01:32:23.910
leading as a youth council member.

01:32:23.910 --> 01:32:24.910
Crazy.

01:32:24.910 --> 01:32:26.870
It's real crazy.

01:32:26.870 --> 01:32:28.310
So it starts by who?

01:32:28.310 --> 01:32:29.310
Us.

01:32:29.310 --> 01:32:30.789
He had to listen to who.

01:32:30.789 --> 01:32:31.789
And then let me tell you something else.

01:32:31.789 --> 01:32:38.789
Sanders is smart enough, smart enough to not be a chief of police and vote a domestic battery

01:32:38.789 --> 01:32:43.570
drunk on any commission. He has not put his hands on nobody. He has not called nobody

01:32:43.570 --> 01:32:50.850
names at all. He is asking for clarity about things that he don't understand. I ain't see

01:32:50.850 --> 01:32:54.590
nobody help him for that. And then Rob, you sit up here and act like that little money

01:32:54.590 --> 01:32:59.150
grow on trees. That goes back to when we were the money don't grow on trees. Put the money

01:32:59.150 --> 01:33:03.990
where it needs to be. You ride down Adam Street, two seconds, you make a right or a left turn,

01:33:03.990 --> 01:33:12.990
you back to a circus. Yes, so that 50 to 100 feet matter to the third ward.

01:33:12.990 --> 01:33:24.190
Hi, my name is Cheryl Altman. First of all, I'd like to thank three Aldermen, Stacy, Sanders,

01:33:24.190 --> 01:33:26.950
Simmons for speaking out for us.

01:33:26.950 --> 01:33:28.510
The rest, I don't know.

01:33:28.510 --> 01:33:31.110
Johnson, you just was getting your question, Sanders.

01:33:31.110 --> 01:33:33.110
Why don't you question people when

01:33:33.110 --> 01:33:34.630
we come up with these things?

01:33:34.630 --> 01:33:35.990
You guys don't ask questions then,

01:33:35.990 --> 01:33:38.070
but you're questioning him.

01:33:38.070 --> 01:33:39.270
That's a crack.

01:33:39.270 --> 01:33:42.630
You're here for us, not for the mayor,

01:33:42.630 --> 01:33:44.390
because don't tell them you don't say that.

01:33:44.390 --> 01:33:45.910
Whatever, but you do.

01:33:45.910 --> 01:33:49.270
And Rob, I have tried to call you twice.

01:33:49.270 --> 01:33:53.390
I would really like a phone call back.

01:33:53.390 --> 01:33:56.630
You say you answer your phone, but no.

01:33:58.070 --> 01:34:00.950
So I will expect a phone call tomorrow from you.

01:34:00.950 --> 01:34:01.789
Thank you.

01:34:01.789 --> 01:34:02.610
Mr. Brown.

01:34:07.310 --> 01:34:10.310
Yeah, I just wanted to come up again.

01:34:10.310 --> 01:34:12.950
One of my youngest reached out to me.

01:34:12.950 --> 01:34:14.670
Forgive me my passion speak.

01:34:15.710 --> 01:34:18.310
So I wanna send a shout out to all my youngest

01:34:18.310 --> 01:34:23.310
at Banks, Burgana, Pearl City, and West Carroll,

01:34:23.310 --> 01:34:27.310
and ask you all to come out to the Boys and Girls Club.

01:34:27.310 --> 01:34:30.430
I also ask anybody in the community that want to step up

01:34:30.430 --> 01:34:32.910
and be a coach, step back.

01:34:32.910 --> 01:34:35.470
Basketball League is looking for fire coaches.

01:34:35.470 --> 01:34:37.470
Come out and support the youth.

01:34:37.470 --> 01:34:40.070
And to Wendy, God bless you.

01:34:40.070 --> 01:34:41.110
I'll take that burden.

01:34:41.110 --> 01:35:10.110
Anything else? Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. As I've said before, I'll say again. We start in prayer. We can end in prayer. Oh, no. Father God, in the name of Jesus.

01:35:10.110 --> 01:35:17.710
of Jesus. We praise you and we thank you for this day. For this is the day that you have

01:35:17.710 --> 01:35:26.990
made and we will continue to rejoice and be glad in it. For we look to you, oh God, to

01:35:26.990 --> 01:35:37.110
the hills from which cometh our help. We need your leadership. We need your guidance. We

01:35:37.110 --> 01:35:51.110
We need you to order our steps according to your word that we may be able to be all that we are called to be in these last and evil days.

01:35:51.110 --> 01:36:06.110
Lord Jesus, I decree and declare that Freeport will be what you created it to be, a Freeport.

01:36:06.110 --> 01:36:15.110
Not later, but right now, I decree we are free in the name of Jesus.

01:36:15.110 --> 01:36:20.110
Continue to lead us, guide us, speak to our hearts.

01:36:20.110 --> 01:36:23.110
May we see people through your eyes.

01:36:23.110 --> 01:36:31.110
May we understand who we are committed to

01:36:31.110 --> 01:36:36.110
and what we are supposed to do for the constituents of this city.

01:36:39.190 --> 01:36:42.550
These and other blessings, I pray in Jesus' name,

01:36:42.550 --> 01:36:46.110
giving you God all glory, honor, and praise.

01:36:46.110 --> 01:36:47.110
Amen.

01:36:47.110 --> 01:36:48.990
Amen.

01:36:48.990 --> 01:36:51.829
Okay, next, Wayne's agenda.

01:36:51.829 --> 01:36:52.870
Adjournment, I'm sorry.

01:36:52.870 --> 01:36:54.390
Motion to adjourn.

01:36:54.390 --> 01:36:56.829
Shadle, Secretary Simmons.

01:36:56.829 --> 01:36:59.910
What about the, we don't do that here?

01:36:59.910 --> 01:37:02.750
Not for the cow we don't, we don't go around to the cow.

01:37:02.750 --> 01:37:03.750
This is the cow?

01:37:03.750 --> 01:37:04.750
Yeah.

01:37:04.750 --> 01:37:05.750
You lucky.

01:37:05.750 --> 01:37:06.750
Yeah, I know I'm lucky.

01:37:06.750 --> 01:37:07.750
You make me lucky.

01:37:07.750 --> 01:37:08.750
All in favor say aye.

01:37:08.750 --> 01:37:09.750
You're lucky.

01:37:09.750 --> 01:37:10.750
Aye.

01:37:10.750 --> 01:37:10.770
Opposed?