# Meeting Events

Meeting: `ln5nrxpvfly.city_council_meeting_12-16-24`

Meeting date: `2024-12-16`

Meeting type: `city_council`

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

## Decisions and Votes

- **Approval of agenda item number one**
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve the agenda, with removal of item number 17.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “Item number one is approval of the agenda however we'll be removing item number 17 it's not quite ready to go. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=164s)

- **Separating agenda item 17 for a separate vote**
  - **Summary:** Motion to have a separate roll call on removing item number 17.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “So we have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Stacy to have a separate roll call on removing item number 17.”
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders. Are you in favor of leaving agenda item 17 on or I'm not saying that correctly we're having a separate vote on only agenda item number 17 if you would like it left on it's a yes vote if you would like 17 removed it's a no vote did I say that correctly yes yes for Sanders Sellers no so so let me clarify so the motion that aid initially to approve the agenda was with item 17 removed okay that was a motion to approve the agenda with item 17 removed that was motioned by shade McRae, and seconded by Klemm, okay?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=302s)

- **Approval of agenda with item 17 removed**
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve the agenda with item 17 removed.
  - **Evidence:** “so the motion that aid initially to approve the agenda was with item 17 removed okay that was a motion to approve the agenda with item 17 removed that was motioned by shade McRae, and seconded by Klemm”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=330s)

- **Separate vote on item 17 removal**
  - **Summary:** Vote on whether or not item 17 should be removed for a separate discussion.
  - **Evidence:** “Yes means there will be. A yes right now is to say that's separated out for a separate vote as to whether or not we're going to talk about it tonight or not. Klemm? No. Monroe? Yes. Parker? No. Stacy? Yes. And Shadle? No.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=426s)

- **Agenda status after 4-3 vote**
  - **Summary:** A previous vote resulted in a 4 to 3 outcome regarding the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “That vote was four to three, so it should stay on the agenda. So then, Adam, take the role on the agenda as is. As is, including item number 17.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=494s)

- **Removal of item 17 from agenda**
  - **Summary:** Vote on whether or not item number 17 should be removed from the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “The next roll call will be do you want item number 17 removed for a later date? Well that's what that's what we were doing in the first place no that was if it would could be if it could be removed so what So what are we voting on and what does a yes vote mean? Whether or not you guys want 17 removed now from the agenda. Whether we want it removed?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [09:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=571s)

- **Removal of item 17 from agenda**
  - **Summary:** A vote was taken on whether to leave item 17 on or remove it.
  - **Evidence:** “Do you want to leave 17 on or remove it? So, Alderman Parker? Yes or no. I mean what it is so confusing here. Yes to keep it on, no to take it off or what, how do we do this? No. Removed, number 17 removed and discussed at a and Thomas.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=944s)

- **Item 17 removal status** — Passed
  - **Summary:** The motion to remove item 17 passed.
  - **Evidence:** “The motion passes seven to one the item 17 will not be heard tonight.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1116s)

- **Removal of item 17 for later discussion**
  - **Summary:** A vote was taken on whether to remove item 17 from discussion to a later date.
  - **Evidence:** “if you want it removed from the item for discussion to a later date, vote yes. Yes.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1083s)

- **Approval of minutes from December 2nd, 2024 meeting**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on December 2nd, 2024.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number two is approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on December 2nd, 2024. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1124s)

- **Approval of minutes from December 2nd, 2024 meeting** — Passed
  - **Summary:** The vote on approving the minutes passed.
  - **Evidence:** “All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? That motion passes.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1173s)

- **Approval of consent agenda items** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to approve the consent agenda items.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle, City Council
  - **Evidence:** “So moved. Second.”
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders? Yes. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. And Shadle? Aye. Motion passes 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [26:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1596s)

- **Ordinance 2024-86 discussion scheduling**
  - **Summary:** Motion to move ordinance 2024-86 onto the next regularly scheduled meeting discussion.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sellers
  - **Evidence:** “So we have a motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm to move ordinance 2024-86 onto the next regularly scheduled meeting discussion.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2411s)

- **Suspension of rules motion**
  - **Summary:** Motion to suspend the rules.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Klemm
  - **Evidence:** “Yes, motion to suspend the rules. Second. Moving motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension”
  - **Source timestamp:** [41:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2514s)

- **Motion to suspend the rules** — Failed
  - **Summary:** Vote on the motion to suspend the rules resulted in a 4-4 tie vote.
  - **Attribution:** Mayor
  - **Evidence:** “We have a tie vote, 4-4, Mayor. And the motion to suspend. No, no, because you still need two-thirds. Oh, two-thirds. Oh, it does need two-thirds. Thank you, Attorney Zito. So it fails four to four.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [42:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2571s)

- **Suspension of rules for variance approval** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to suspend rules regarding the property variance.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Seller
  - **Evidence:** “We have a motion made by Alderman Seller, seconded by Alderman Shadle.”
  - **Evidence:** “The motion passes 8-0 on suspension only.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [50:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3003s)

- **Final passage of ordinance for variance approval** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to move the ordinance forward for second reading and final passage.
  - **Evidence:** “So now before you is considered to be the second reading for the final passage on this ordinance. Is there any further discussion?”
  - **Evidence:** “And the ordinance passes 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [50:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3039s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-130: Insurance Policies**
  - **Summary:** Motion to move forward with the resolution approving insurance renewal terms.
  - **Evidence:** “And so with that, staff requests you to move forward with this resolution.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3158s)

- **Adoption of insurance renewal resolution** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion made by Alderman Shadle and seconded by Alderman Sellers regarding the insurance program renewal terms.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Nope. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. And Shadle? Aye. The resolution is adopted 5 to 2.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3171s)

- **Rescinding October 7th Resolution for Five TASER 10 Bundles** — Passed
  - **Summary:** A motion was made to rescind the resolution passed on October 7th, 2024, regarding five Taser 10 bundles. The proposed funding structure involved Elias reimbursing $12,717 and the department contributing the remaining $1,248 from the 2025 budget.
  - **Evidence:** “Tonight'm just asking if we could rescind the resolution and pass on October 7th, 2024 for the five Taser 10 bundles. And then as I explained before, the cost of this whole thing would be a reimbursement of $12,717 by Elias. And then we would just contribute the remaining $1,248 from our 2025 police department budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3508s)

- **Adoption of Taser 10 Bundle Rescission Resolution** — Passed
  - **Summary:** A motion was made to adopt the rescission resolution, which was seconded by Alderman Sellers.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Klemm, Council
  - **Evidence:** “Applying item 1011516210. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  - **Evidence:** “The resolution is adapted 7-0 with one abstentia.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [59:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3562s)

- **Resolution approving payment for leaf disposal services (Item 11)**
  - **Summary:** Manager Boyer presented the need for approval of $27,096.71 to Timber Industries for trucking and disposal fees related to three years of accumulated leaf recycling waste.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Could you please read this? Resolution approving the payment of an invoice from timber industries for leaf disposal services. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. The City of Freeport uses timber industries to maintain and run the wood lot across from the fairgrounds on Walnut Road. The City had three years of accumulated leaf recycling waste that needed to be barrel ground and hauled away to an EPA approved area for land recycling. Timber Industries provided equipment, grinding, semi trucks and farmland plowing coordination for 140 semi loads of leaf waste for disposal and legal recycling reclamation as our contract site manager. IEPA requested the stored leaves waste be removed and disposed of on the landfill physical audit in 2024. Due to heat generation and breakdown, the waste removal was completed in early November to make room for the 20 2024 pickup and city requests or i'm sorry staff requests approval of twenty seven thousand ninety six dollars and seventy one cents timber industries for the trucking and disposal fees is there a motion to adopt”
  - **Review flags:** unattached_motion_request
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:01:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3671s)

- **Approval of Timber Industries Leaf Disposal Payment**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made to approve the $27,096.71 payment to Timber Industries.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “so i'll move second the motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Klemm”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3171s)

- **Adoption of motion regarding waste removal and disposal fees**
  - **Summary:** Motion to adopt the resolution concerning timber industries for trucking and disposal fees.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “so I'll move second the motion made by Alderman Shadle seconded by Alderman Klemm”

- **Adoption of Landfill Engineering Contract Fehr-Graham**
  - **Summary:** Motion to adopt the contract.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “staff's recommendation that City Council approve the Landfill Engineering Contract Fehr-Graham. There's a typo in the memo. The contract is actually 304,250.201,000 is just landfill two and three. That's my error. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt?”
  - **Evidence:** “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved.”
  - **Evidence:** “We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:19:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4782s)

- **Roll call vote on previous item** — Adopted
  - **Summary:** A roll call was conducted for several council members.
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders? Yeah. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:18:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4692s)

- **Disposition of 521 West Cottonwood Street to Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made to adopt the disposition of 521 West Cottonwood to the Northern Illinois Land Bank.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “So moved. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:19:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4782s)

- **Motion to postpone vote on resolution**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made by Alderman Stacey and seconded by Alderman Sanders to move the consideration of a resolution to the first meeting in January.
  - **Evidence:** “Second that. Okay, so we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Stacey, seconded by Alderman Sanders to lay this over to the first meeting in January.”
  - **Review flags:** unattached_second
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:37:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5873s)

- **Postponement of resolution to next city council meeting** — Failed
  - **Summary:** Motion made to postpone the vote on a resolution to the first meeting in January.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacey
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, so we have a motion on the floor made by Alderman Stacey, seconded by Alderman Sanders to lay this over to the first meeting in January.”
  - **Evidence:** “Agree so what's before you right now is whether or not the council chooses to lay it over for three weeks so if there's any discussion on the layover itself if not madam clerk would you please take the role on the layover”
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders Sellers no Klemm Monroe no Simmons Parker no Stacey aye Shadle no I have three to 5, the motion fails.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:37:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5873s)

- **Layover for discussion** — Failed
  - **Summary:** The council considered laying the item over for three weeks.
  - **Evidence:** “Agree so what's before you right now is whether or not the council chooses to lay it over for three weeks so if there's any discussion on the layover itself if not madam clerk would you please take the role on the layover Sanders Sellers no Klemm Monroe no Simmons Parker no Stacey aye Shadle no I have three to 5, the motion fails.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:43:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6227s)

- **Adoption of agreement** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to adopt the agreement.
  - **Evidence:** “And the motion was Shadle, Klemm. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.”
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Shadle. Aye. The resolution is adopted 7 to 1.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:43:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6227s)

- **Adoption of resolution 2024,135: emergency purchase of a sluice gate actuator** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Vote on the adoption of the resolution.
  - **Evidence:** “If there's nothing further, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Klemm, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, and Shadle. The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:49:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6598s)

- **Roll Call for Resolution Adoption** — Adopted
  - **Summary:** The roll call was taken for the adoption of resolution 2024-136.
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Klemm, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, and Shadle. The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6604s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-136 (VFD Installation)** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion to adopt the resolution regarding VFD installation.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Klemm, Alderman Sellers
  - **Evidence:** “Sir motion to adopt. Sir, move.”
  - **Evidence:** “A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  - **Evidence:** “The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:51:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6710s)

- **Adoption of Stivers forward squad bid proposal**
  - **Summary:** Motion to adopt the Stivers forward squad bid proposal.
  - **Evidence:** “Is there a motion to adopt? Second.”
  - **Review flags:** unattached_motion_request
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:55:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6921s)

- **Adoption of Stivers forward squad bid proposal** — Passed
  - **Summary:** The motion passed with seven votes in favor and zero opposed.
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders? Sellers is absent. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. And Shadle? Aye. The motion passes seven to zero.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7126s)

- **Approval of bid for historical storm windows**
  - **Summary:** Motion made to approve the bid.
  - **Evidence:** “So there's is there a motion to approve the bid? So moved.”
  - **Evidence:** “A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:03:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7391s)

- **Motion to Adjourn Meeting**
  - **Summary:** The vote was taken on the motion to adjourn.
  - **Evidence:** “All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:26:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8809s)

## Procedural Actions

- **Calling meeting to order and taking attendance**
  - **Summary:** The clerk called the meeting to order and took roll call for Mayor Miller, Klemm, Monroe, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.
  - **Attribution:** madam clerk
  - **Evidence:** “okay so now we'll officially call this meeting to order madam clerk would you please take Mayor Miller? Here. Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Monroe? Here. Simmons is absent. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders? Here. And Sellers, are you present? Thank you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=118s)

- **Pledge of Allegiance**
  - **Summary:** The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Sanders.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Next is the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Sanders. If you could please stand and join us.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=164s)

- **Motion regarding keeping item on agenda**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made concerning whether to keep an item on the agenda, with a vote required.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “So that's what's before you. Are we gonna keep it on the agenda or not? It was asked to be removed. So the vote is, the motion is to leave it on. Do you want to leave it on?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=765s)

- **Request to remove item 17 from agenda**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Sanders and another party requested that item 17 be removed from the agenda due to an issue with the bid.
  - **Evidence:** “Okay so again the vote Alderman Sanders and I like to know why that request is being made to pull it off the agenda because we have an issue with the bid okay we had two bidders that's the clarification that we're looking for we didn't hear that part and so this is why we're having this was ready.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=944s)

- **Conclusion of public comments**
  - **Summary:** The conclusion of the period for public comments.
  - **Evidence:** “Thank you Mr. Murgalla. Your time is up. The budgeted level of control. That's all. Thank you. That That concludes public comments.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1504s)

- **Consent agenda consideration**
  - **Summary:** The consent agenda was considered to be routine in nature and acted upon by one motion unless a member wished to remove an item for further discussion.
  - **Evidence:** “We'll move on to consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and act as one motion unless there's a member of the council that would like to have something removed for further discussion.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1504s)

- **Consent agenda items approved**
  - **Summary:** Approval was sought for receiving and placing on file several documents.
  - **Evidence:** “Not. Consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the minutes from the appropriation ordinance dated December 2nd, the schedule of the regular meeting of the city of Freeport for 2025, the reports for building permit, fire department and police department for November 2024, Miller. The Finance Report and the Cash and Investment Report for October 2024, the Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Grant Expenditures, as well as the Finance Bills Payable in the total of $6,555,518.96 and Payroll for Pay Period ending November 30th, 2024 in the total of $638,596.08.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1554s)

- **Consent agenda items for approval**
  - **Summary:** Approval to receive and place on file minutes from the appropriation ordinance dated December 2nd, the schedule of the regular meeting of the city of Freeport for 2025, reports for building permit, fire department and police department for November 2024, Miller. The Finance Report and the Cash and Investment Report for October 2024, Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Grant Expenditures, and Finance Bills Payable in the total of $6,555,518.96 and Payroll for Pay Period ending November 30th, 2024 in the total of $638,596.08.
  - **Attribution:** City Council
  - **Evidence:** “Consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the minutes from the appropriation ordinance dated December 2nd, the schedule of the regular meeting of the city of Freeport for 2025, the reports for building permit, fire department and police department for November 2024, Miller. The Finance Report and the Cash and Investment Report for October 2024, the Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Grant Expenditures, as well as the Finance Bills Payable in the total of $6,555,518.96 and Payroll for Pay Period ending November 30th, 2024 in the total of $638,596.08.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1554s)

- **Second reading of ordinance 2024-83**
  - **Summary:** Moving to the second reading of Ordinance 2024-83.
  - **Attribution:** City Council
  - **Evidence:** “We'll move on to item number six, which is the second reading of ordinance 2024-83. Could you please read this? Fiscal year 2024, reappropriation ordinance.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1891s)

- **Ordinance 2024-86 Reading**
  - **Summary:** The first reading of ordinance 2024-86 was requested.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 7 is the first reading of ordinance 2024-86. Could you please read this?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [38:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2287s)

- **Ordinance 2024-87 first reading**
  - **Summary:** First reading of ordinance Bates, 2024-87.
  - **Attribution:** Council
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, we'll move on to item number eight, which is the first reading of ordinance Bates, 2024-87. Could you please read this?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [43:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2599s)

- **Staff recommendation for renewal terms**
  - **Summary:** Staff recommends approval of the renewal terms to maintain coverage and requests moving forward with a resolution.
  - **Evidence:** “Staff recommends approval of the renewal terms to maintain this coverage. And so with that, staff requests you to move forward with this resolution.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3158s)

- **Roll call for Sanders**
  - **Summary:** A request to take a roll call for Alderman Sanders.
  - **Evidence:** “Sanders. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see your hand. So I really want to get behind this program, but it sounds like,”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:28:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5298s)

- **Bid Opening for Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles**
  - **Summary:** Item 16 is the approval of bid opening on December 9th for three black four-door police pursuit interceptor utility vehicles.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 16 is approval of bid. Can you please read this? Bid opening on December 9th for three black four-door police pursuit interceptor utility vehicles.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:53:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6810s)

- **Request for further discussion time**
  - **Summary:** Multiple speakers requested clarification on who controlled the floor.
  - **Evidence:** “Wait a second. I'm still talking. Yeah, I know, but you don't have the floor anymore, so I just want to see if anyone else wants to. Well, because Darren had the floor. He's talking to me. No, he's talking to everyone.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:07:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7664s)

- **Next procedural step after discussion**
  - **Summary:** The chair asked if any other members wished to speak before moving to a vote.
  - **Evidence:** “I want to see if anyone else has a question. I asked the question, he's talking to me. I'll come back to you if no one else wants to have a floor.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:08:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7687s)

- **Moving toward vote on bid approval**
  - **Summary:** The chair indicated that if no further discussion occurred, the council would proceed to a vote.
  - **Evidence:** “If you don't want a second time, then we'll go for a vote. I'm still dealing with my first one.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:08:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7701s)

- **Request for additional questions/floor time**
  - **Summary:** Multiple speakers discussed the process of who gets to speak and if more people want to have the floor.
  - **Evidence:** “Well, because Darren had the floor. He's talking to me. No, he's talking to everyone. I want to see if anyone else has a question. Darin had the floor. He's talking to me. So I want, no, he's talking to everyone. I want to see if anyone else has a question. I asked the question, he's talking to me. I'll come back to you if no one else wants to have a floor. I probably would forget the question by now. Does anyone else want to have the floor before he moves on to his second time? I don't want a second time.”

- **Second time request for Alderman Sanders**
  - **Summary:** A procedural question regarding whether Alderman Sanders would like a second time.
  - **Evidence:** “Would you like a second time Alderman Sanders? Okay, okay Mayor, yes I do. We'll come back to you if you need to.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:08:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7705s)

- **Clarity on who has spoken during discussion**
  - **Summary:** The speaker confirmed that Sellers, Sanders, Stacy, and Monroe had all spoken.
  - **Evidence:** “Clarity is Sellers, Sanders, Stacy, and Monroe have all spoken.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:17:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8223s)

- **Motion to proceed with vote count**
  - **Summary:** The speaker asked if the council wanted to make a motion for the next step in the process.
  - **Evidence:** “No, I have not spoken on Monroe. You have, but if you'd like to have the council make that motion. I wasn't ready so you moved to Monroe.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:17:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8223s)

- **Vote tally for an unspecified item**
  - **Summary:** The vote resulted in a passage of six votes to two.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders would be up first, but he's not here, so we'll move on to Alderman Sellers. Sanders. Yes, I would just like to say thank you all. So to everybody that has done the work that we've done this year and the accomplishments and the beautifications and the upgrades we've done, and just seeing the progress we have done together as a team, I just feel so proud to be a part of everything that we have done and wish everybody a Merry Christmas and God bless you in the New Year. I agree. Alderman Klemm? I'd just like to thank all the city workers for the time that they've put in and the success they've had with projects they've done this year. It's been extremely important, the total picture of what's been done by the council and not by the council but by the managers and everybody involved. I'd just like to wish everybody Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Alderman Monroe. Same, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Alderman Simmons. The only thing is that we do not have a Neighborhood Watch meeting next Monday. They all decided that it's too close to Christmas, so we will not have one. And Merry Christmas to everybody. Alderman Stacy? I would just like to say, Happy Holidays. Alderman Shadle? I'm sorry. Alderman Shadle? We reiterate the Merry Christmas to everybody.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:19:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8395s)

- **Motion to Adjourn Meeting**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made by Alderman Sellers and seconded by Alderman Shadle to adjourn.
  - **Evidence:** “Seeing none, I'll have a entertain a motion for adjournment. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:26:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8809s)

## Ordinances and Resolutions

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-131 regarding ALIAS grant agreement** — Approved
  - **Summary:** The council considered the adoption of resolution 2024-131, which approves a Grant Agreement Between the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ALIAS) and the City Regarding Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2024-131. Could you please read this? Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement Between the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, also known as ALIAS, and the City Regarding Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement, Less Lethal Device Grant.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3257s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 20-21 (Item 11)** — Adopted
  - **Summary:** Resolution 20-21 was adopted for Item number 11.
  - **Attribution:** Council
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 20-21 of the resolution. The resolution is adopted 7-0 with one abstentia.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:00:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3657s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 20-21 (Item 10)** — Adopted
  - **Summary:** Resolution 20-21 was adopted for Item number 10.
  - **Attribution:** Council
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 20-21 of the resolution. 11 Is the adoption of Resolution 2024-132.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:01:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3671s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-133: Engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for 2025 Freeport Landfill Engineering and annual services for landfills two and three and four.** — Approved
  - **Summary:** The city approves a required landfill engineering contract for the annual needs of the three city-owned landfill sites.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 2024-133. Could you please read this? Resolution approving engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for 2025 Freeport Landfill Engineering and annual services for landfills two and three and four.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:06:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3997s)

- **Adoption of resolution 2024134: Authorizing Disposition of Surplus City Real Property to the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority**
  - **Summary:** The adoption of Resolution 2024134, authorizing the disposition of surplus city real property located at 521 West Cottonwood Street to the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2024134. Could you please read this? Authorizing Disposition of Surplus City Real Property to the Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority. That property is 521 West Cottonwood Street.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:18:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4707s)

- **Adoption of resolution 2024,135: emergency purchase of a sluice gate actuator**
  - **Summary:** Resolution approving emergency purchase of a sluice gate alma actuator from Dorner Company.
  - **Evidence:** “Item number 14 is adoption of resolution 2024,135. Would you please read this? Resolution approving emergency purchase of a sluice gate alma attuator from Dorner Company.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:44:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6284s)

- **Adoption of resolution 2024-136**
  - **Summary:** Item 15 is the adoption of resolution 2024-136.
  - **Evidence:** “Item 15 is the adoption of resolution 2024-136.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6617s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-136: Variable Frequency Drives at Lynn Street Lift Station**
  - **Summary:** Resolution authorizing a proposal from Morse Electric regarding installation of variable frequency drives at Lynn Street lift station.
  - **Evidence:** “Item 15 is the adoption of resolution 2024-136. Could you please read this? Resolution authorizing a proposal from Morse Electric regarding installation of variable frequency drives at Lynn Street lift station.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6617s)

## Financial and Contract Events

- **City Clerk Grant Purchase**
  - **Summary:** An increase in the city clerk's expenses was noted for purchasing an item from a grant related to IPRF.
  - **Evidence:** “Going to the expense side of the general fund, you'll see increase in the city clerk for her to purchase an item from that grant that I was referring to from IPRF, our work comp carrier.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1994s)

- **Airport Department Adjustments**
  - **Summary:** The airport department showed offsetting adjustments due to receiving grant revenue and incurring corresponding grant expenses for a wash.
  - **Evidence:** “In the airport department, you'll see offsetting adjustments. So we received grant revenue and now we have grant expense for a wash in that area.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2007s)

- **Neighborhood Housing Fund Balance**
  - **Summary:** There was a decrease in the amount of fund balance needed to be used for neighborhood housing (used for demolitions).
  - **Evidence:** “We did have a change in projects fund, neighborhood housing. We had a decrease in the amount of fund balance we needed to use, we're going to need to use in neighborhood housing. That's the fund we use for demolitions.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [34:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2066s)

- **Street Improvement Fund Revenue** — Passed
  - **Summary:** The 1% home rule sales tax increase revenues began flowing into the street improvement fund, which was not budgeted when passed.
  - **Evidence:** “The 1% home rule sales tax increase that was done beginning of this year, those revenues have now began to flow into that fund. There was nothing budgeted when that was passed because we did not know at the time we did the 2024 budget. So that has been added.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2151s)

- **Street Improvement Grant Addition**
  - **Summary:** An additional $175,000 grant was added to the street improvement fund.
  - **Evidence:** “We added $175,000 grant in street improvement.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2173s)

- **Fire Improvement Fund Capital Adjustment**
  - **Summary:** A capital adjustment was made in the fire improvement fund for the purchase of a fire engine, which required using fund balance because it was not budgeted when ordered.
  - **Evidence:** “You will see an adjustment, a capital adjustment in the fire improvement fund for the purchase of the fire engine. I'm just gonna read this directly from my memo. Increased use of fund balance due to the receipt of the fire engine. The fire engine was ordered at the same time as an aerial truck, but it took longer to arrive. The recording of the engine to the vehicle line item occurred when the engine was received earlier this year. The amount was not budgeted. That's my error.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [36:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2207s)

- **Funding for PFAS testing**
  - **Summary:** The identified fee for PFAS testing will only be used if mandated in 2025, with funding budgeted at $201,000.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “And this identified fee will only be used for testing if it is mandated in 2025. So funding for this is budgeted in the 2025 budget of $201,000”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4073s)

- **VFD Installation Cost Estimate**
  - **Summary:** The financial impact for installing the VFDs is approximately $15,390.63.
  - **Evidence:** “The financial impact is approximately $15,390.63 for the installation and city staff recommends moving forward with the installation.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:51:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6700s)

- **Stivers Ford squad bid proposal cost calculation**
  - **Summary:** The total cost for the three new squad cars minus the four trade-ins would be $125,570.
  - **Evidence:** “The total cost for the three new squad cars minus the four trade-ins would be $125,570.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:54:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6876s)

- **Bob Maxey quote for 2025 Ford Interceptor**
  - **Summary:** Bob Maxey quoted the price for a 2025 Ford Interceptor at $46,560.
  - **Evidence:** “Bob Maxey quoted the price for a 2025 Ford Interceptor at $46,560.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:54:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6876s)

- **Cost of three new squad cars**
  - **Summary:** The cost for the three new squad cars would be $139,680.
  - **Evidence:** “The cost for the three new squad cars would be $139,680.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:55:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6908s)

- **Budget allocation for new vehicles**
  - **Summary:** The department budgeted $170,000 for the purchase.
  - **Evidence:** “So I'm trusting that your department have this money that you budgeted for three. We budgeted $170,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:58:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7104s)

- **Total financial request for City Hall storm windows**
  - **Summary:** The total financial ask is $123,900.
  - **Evidence:** “With that being said, the total amount of the, the total financial ask is $123,900.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7256s)

- **Long-term cost comparison for window maintenance**
  - **Summary:** The proposed installation is described as more cost effective in the long term than paying to repaint and repair windows every five to seven years.
  - **Evidence:** “So in the long term, it's going to be most more cost effective than paying somebody every five to seven years to repaint all the windows and then repair all the rotted boards and that kind of thing.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7256s)

- **Cost of windows for 2024**
  - **Summary:** The amount spent on windows in 2024 was approximately $171,000.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Monroe. Thank you, Madam Mayor. How much money do we spend on the windows this year in 2024? It's right there. Like 171. Thousand?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:08:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7709s)

- **Comcast damage repair claim check**
  - **Summary:** Staff negotiated with Comcast and an insurance claim check of approximately $18,000 will be received for repairs.
  - **Attribution:** Public works
  - **Evidence:** “And lastly, I'd like to tell you guys that we had some damage done by Comcast here in town and council was able, or excuse me, staff was able to negotiate with Comcast and we will be receiving an insurance claim check for, I believe it's about $18,000 in lieu of those repairs.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:19:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8345s)

## Presentations and Reports

- **Budget allocation for roof repairs**
  - **Summary:** Director Richter stated that the 24 budget included $70,000 for roof repair for Jay Hanger and terminal updates of $50,000, totaling $120,000 for that line item, but clarified this money was budgeted for a new hanger, not for other uses.
  - **Attribution:** Director Richter
  - **Evidence:** “I would just like to state that in the 24 budget, there was 70,000 for roof repair for Jay Hanger, and there was terminal updates of $50,000. That's what's in the software for $120,000 for that line item. But the money was budgeted for the new hanger, not for.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [11:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=704s)

- **Fiscal year 2024, reappropriation ordinance details**
  - **Summary:** Overview of amendments to the appropriation ordinance for Fiscal Year 2024, including changes in general fund reimbursements, grant inclusion, permit revenue increases, and expense adjustments.
  - **Attribution:** Director Richter
  - **Evidence:** “At the end of each fiscal year, the city council amends the appropriation ordinance for that year to take into account necessary revenue and expense adjustments. Starting off in the general fund, we've made small changes to some reimbursements that we received for fire and police salaries and training reimbursements. We've also included some small grant from IPRF, which is our work comp insurance carrier. You'll see some other references in the memo to items that were purchased with that grant. They are from our work comp carrier and they need to be for employee safety or ergonomics or keeping people away from work comp claims. We also increased right away permit revenues. We really got into that this year with Aaron's help and streamlined that process better of collecting more funds in that area. We received additional airport grant revenues and then some insurance proceeds and that kind of thing. Going to the expense side of the general fund, you'll see increase in the city clerk for her to purchase an item from that grant that I was referring to from IPRF, our work comp carrier.”

- **Ordinance approving variance application at 66 North Stewart Avenue**
  - **Summary:** Staff presented on a permit application to build a garage at 66 North Stewart, seeking relief from Section 1268.07e to allow for a side yard of less than 15 feet.
  - **Attribution:** Director Duckman
  - **Evidence:** “Ordinance approving variance application at 66 North Stewart Avenue submitted by Howard and Lori Broughton to seek relief from Section 1268.07e to allow for a side yard of less than 15 feet. Director Duckman. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'm going to start here by saying that staff received a permit application to build a garage at 66 North Stewart on October 22nd.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [43:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2608s)

- **Variance approval recommendation for 66 North Stewart Avenue**
  - **Summary:** The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval (5-0 vote) on December 5th, and the Planning Commission also recommended approval (5-0 vote) on December 12th. Staff recommends approval.
  - **Attribution:** Director Duckman
  - **Evidence:** “And after multiple discussions with the property owner, they had stated that for various reasons, they would like it to be 10 feet. And it was explained to them that that would require variation. [...] And on December 12th, the Planning Commission also recommended approval with a vote of 5-0 with zero abstentions. And in line with this, staff is also going to recommend approval.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [43:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2621s)

- **Property variance and construction plan review**
  - **Summary:** Staff recommended approval for a variance due to minimal effect on the adjoining neighbor, and requested suspension of rules for immediate construction start.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “So this is a situation where staff is recommending approval as it has minimal, it's going to have a very minimal effect on the adjoining neighbor. So if we scroll down, I have some pictures we could show too. So staff, one last thing I did want to say is that in speaking with the property owner, we're requesting a suspension of the rule so they can get started on construction right away.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [45:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2743s)

- **Adoption of Resolution 2024-130: Insurance Policies**
  - **Summary:** Manager Boyer presented renewal terms for the city's insurance policy for 2024-25, noting a total premium increase of 13% due largely to Workers' Comp.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Total premiums for this year increased by 13%. This was largely due to a rise in Workman's comp insurance or Workman's comp cases. Excluding this on the other end of it is the rest of the line items came in at about 5% over last year and aligning with market trends. So the total financial impact, the total cost of this insurance program is $1,139,762 and that is an increase of $132,716 over last year. Staff recommends approval of the renewal terms to maintain this coverage.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3123s)

- **Freeport Police Department's need to upgrade less lethal devices**
  - **Summary:** Staff presented information regarding the application for a Fiscal Year 2025 Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement Grant, which would allow upgrades to TASER 7 or TASER 10 devices. The current Axon X26P (2013) and Axon X2 (2011) devices are over ten years old and discontinued by the manufacturer.
  - **Attribution:** Staff
  - **Evidence:** “In the summer of 2024, staff applied for the Fiscal Year 2025 Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement Grant offered by the State of Illinois. The grant would allow departments throughout the state to upgrade their conducted energy device programs with TASER 7 or TASER 10 devices. The Freeport Police Department requires officers to carry a CED as a less lethal use of force option. The current devices used by the Freeport Police Department are the Axon X26P, which came out in 2013, and the Axon X2, which came out in 2011. Both devices have been in service for more than 10 years.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [54:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3291s)

- **Freeport Police Department CED Policy Compliance**
  - **Summary:** The Freeport Police Department has a current acceptable lexical policy for using CEDs, two certified instructors on staff, and requires annual recertification involving scenario-based training curriculum certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
  - **Attribution:** Staff
  - **Evidence:** “Freeport Police Department has the most current acceptable lexical policy outlining the use of CEDs. The PD also has two certified CED instructors on staff and require annual recertification that involves scenario-based training curriculum that is certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3480s)

- **Landfill engineering contract requirements**
  - **Summary:** Explanation that the contract is required by the EPA for mandatory routine samples, lab analysis, reporting and upkeep of the landfill.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “The city of Freeport has annual engineering requirements for the city owned landfill two, three, and four as part of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency closure process. This contract is required by the EPA for mandatory routine samples, lab analysis, reporting and upkeep of the landfill.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:06:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4015s)

- **EPA mandated PFAS testing requirement**
  - **Summary:** The EPA is requiring PFAS testing as part of permit modifications for landfill leachate.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Please note an alternative identified in this contract is the 2025 IEPA requirement for Perflornated Compound Testing and Pre-Treatment Planning. And just a side note there, the EPA is requiring, as we maybe have discussed, the perflornated compound issue with the Brick Street Water Plant that is being expanded to wastewater discharge and also landfill leachate.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4073s)

- **Landfill PFAS testing and preliminary Treatment Analysis funding**
  - **Summary:** IEPA is mandating the landfill PFAS testing and preliminary Treatment Analysis as part of the permit modifications; the identified fee will only be used for testing if it is mandated in 2025, and $201,000 is budgeted for this in the 2025 budget.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “IEPA is mandating the landfill PFAS testing and preliminary Treatment Analysis as part of the permit modifications. And this identified fee will only be used for testing if it is mandated in 2025. So funding for this is budgeted in the 2025 budget of $201,000”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4073s)

- **Landfill Engineering Contract Fehr-Graham amount correction**
  - **Summary:** Staff recommended that City Council approve the Landfill Engineering Contract Fehr-Graham; there was a typo in the memo, and the contract is actually $304,250.20.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “staff's recommendation that City Council approve the Landfill Engineering Contract Fehr-Graham. There's a typo in the memo. The contract is actually 304,250.201,000 is just landfill two and three. That's my error. Thank you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4073s)

- **Biosolids and PFAS risk management**
  - **Summary:** Presentation regarding the need to protect citizens from PFAS contamination via water or land application of biosolids.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “So one of the ways that we did a bit of research on this over the last few weeks because of the biosolids that we had discussed, if we're not allowed to have this leach out of our and John. We're spreading biosolids and we're doing other things. We've got a well that's got high levels of PFAS. We did. Did we not? That we shut down in recent years? Okay. So, but if we're putting this back out in the environment in other ways, Weir. We're going to have to put our risk in our community to both our water and what we're disposing of on fields and disposing of, you know, other ways to protect the citizens of Freeport.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:12:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4369s)

- **Developer capability demonstration (Leo Holmes, LLC)**
  - **Summary:** A staff member presented evidence of Leo Holmes, LLC's ability to renovate property, citing a nine-month turnaround time on a specific house.
  - **Evidence:** “So I met Ivan, I know his first name is Ivan, I apologize, I don't remember his last name. I met Ivan at this house, and I walked through this house in Rockford, and essentially saw the before pictures, and saw what it looked like, there's also some broken windows in here, and on the other side, and he basically, yeah, sorry, and so essentially, representing that organization and work, and I had the land bank was there as well, so they could testify to, hey, this was who Ivan is with Leo Holmes, LLC, and they said, you know, he had his nine months and he turned the project around into this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:34:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5647s)

- **Emergency purchase of sluice gate actuator**
  - **Summary:** Staff requested ratification of $13,385 for the Alma actuator to repair a sluice gate at the wastewater plant.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “So as far as the sluice skates concerned it's been ordered installed and staff request ratification of the $13,385 for the Alma actuator to repair for the Sluski at the wastewater plant. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Parker.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:44:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6284s)

- **Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) Installation at Lynn Street Lift Station**
  - **Summary:** The City of Freeport uses lift stations to convey waste through elevation changes. VFDs were purchased with ARPA funds for new pumps at the Lynn Street facility and need one-by-one installation to keep the plant active.
  - **Evidence:** “The City of Freeport uses a series of lift stations to convey West through the elevation changes within the city to go from low areas to other areas where the waste can be gravity fed through the main sewer gravity lines. The Lynn Street facility is one of the main connection facilities that can handle a significant flow of variable frequency drives were purchased with ARPA funds to run the new pumps at the facility. It is now time to install these drives as flows are reduced due to the importance of For this facility, the VFDs need to be installed one at a time to keep the plant active and running during low flows.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:50:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6632s)

- **Police Vehicle Replacement Needs and Bids**
  - **Summary:** The Freeport Police Department needs to replace/upfit three marked squad cars in 2025. Two bids were received: Stivers Ford Lincoln quoted $48,190 for a 2025 Interceptor with a trade-in value of $19,000 for four older cars (total cost $125,570). Bob Maxey Ford quoted $46,560 but provided no trade-in values (total cost $139,680).
  - **Evidence:** “The Freeport Police Department has a need to annually replace older vehicles with new vehicles. Freeport Police Department budgeted to replace and upfit three marked squad cars in 2025. On December 9th, 2024, the Freeport Police Department held a squad bid opening for new police squad cars and to trade in four older squad cars from the police fleet... Bid one was Stivers Ford Lincoln in Waukee, Iowa, and bid two, which has been deemed to be unresponsive from Bob Maxey Ford in Detroit, Michigan. Bid one was Stivers Ford quoted the price for a 2025 Ford police interceptor at $48,190. Stivers Ford also gave a trade-in value of $19,000 for the four older squad cars that to be traded in. The total cost for the three new squad cars minus the four trade-ins would be $125,570. Bob Maxey quoted the price for a 2025 Ford Interceptor at $46,560. Bob Maxey Ford did not give trade-in values for the four older squads that need to be traded in. The cost for the three new squad cars would be $139,680.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:54:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6855s)

- **Bid opening for historical storm windows at City Hall**
  - **Summary:** The presentation requested a resolution to approve, manufacture, and install new storm windows due to the poor insulating value of single-pane windows in the historic building.
  - **Evidence:** “This bid opening was held on December 10th, 2024 for historical storm windows for City Hall. ... We have been in contact with them and they've recommended a specific style of storm window. And so we're coming to council tonight to ask for a resolution to approve and manufacture and install of those windows.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7245s)

- **Historical storm window project details**
  - **Summary:** The proposed storm windows are custom fit to each window because City Hall is old with irregular exterior windows. The state of Illinois requires historical storm windows, and a sample installed previously was rejected for being standard fit.
  - **Evidence:** “There's only two companies that make historical storm windows that have good reputations. We researched both of them. We landed on this product because it's custom fit to each window. City Hall is old here and most of the exterior windows have irregularity. So these will actually be all ordered per window and somebody from the rep company will actually come measure each window so they fit.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:02:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7321s)

- **Public works update on Adams Avenue restoration**
  - **Summary:** The vast majority of traffic controls on Adams Avenue are done, with some restoration possibly leaking over to Spring. A plan is being worked on for the remaining portion from Float to Exchange.
  - **Attribution:** Public works
  - **Evidence:** “Public works? Just a quick update on Adams Avenue. You should see the traffic controls start to be removed tomorrow. The vast majority of it's done. Some restoration may leak over to spring but otherwise the vast majority is done. We also have had quite a few comments about the remaining portion of Adams and we are working on a plan which when I say that that's from Float to Exchange. We're working on a plan to try to address that for next season but it was not currently in the Adams plan so so more to come on that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:18:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8299s)

- **IT Department closing remarks**
  - **Summary:** The IT department thanked the staff and council for completing an aggressive agenda at year-end.
  - **Attribution:** I. T.
  - **Evidence:** “I. T. I just want to say thank you to the staff and also council for getting this aggressive agenda done at the end of the year. Unfortunately, we tried to not have so much on here, but we didn't do so well. But I thank you very much for all your support. And all I would like to say is Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, see you after the first.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:19:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8371s)

- **Alderman Sanders holiday greetings and appreciation**
  - **Summary:** The speaker expressed pride in the accomplishments and beautifications achieved by the team throughout the year and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and God bless for the New Year.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders would be up first, but he's not here, so we'll move on to Alderman Sellers. Sanders. Yes, I would just like to say thank you all. So to everybody that has done the work that we've done this year and the accomplishments and the beautifications and the upgrades we've done, and just seeing the progress we have done together as a team, I just feel so proud to be a part of everything that we have done and wish everybody a Merry Christmas and God bless you in the New Year.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:19:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8395s)

- **Alderman Klemm holiday greetings and appreciation**
  - **Summary:** The speaker thanked all city workers for their time and success on projects this year, crediting managers and involved parties for the council's overall picture of work done.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Klemm
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Klemm? I'd just like to thank all the city workers for the time that they've put in and the success they've had with projects they've done this year. It's been extremely important, the total picture of what's been done by the council and not by the council but by the managers and everybody involved. I'd just like to wish everybody Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:20:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8427s)

- **Alderman Monroe holiday greetings**
  - **Summary:** The speaker offered general Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Monroe. Same, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:20:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8449s)

- **Alderman Simmons notice regarding Neighborhood Watch meeting**
  - **Summary:** The speaker noted that the Neighborhood Watch meeting scheduled for next Monday is cancelled because it is too close to Christmas.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Simmons
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Simmons. The only thing is that we do not have a Neighborhood Watch meeting next Monday. They all decided that it's too close to Christmas, so we will not have one. And Merry Christmas to everybody.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:20:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8457s)

- **Alderman Stacy holiday greetings**
  - **Summary:** The speaker offered general Happy Holidays wishes.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Stacy? I would just like to say, Happy Holidays.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:21:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8470s)

- **Alderman Shadle holiday greetings and safety reminder**
  - **Summary:** The speaker reiterated Merry Christmas wishes and advised residents to keep thoughts with the street department, police officers, and firemen if snow occurs.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Shadle? We reiterate the Merry Christmas to everybody. Keep in mind that if it happens to snow, our street department's going to be working. There's going to be a shift of police officers working. There's going to be a shift of firemen working. And keep your thoughts with them.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:21:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8481s)

- **Jersey Mike's Report Status**
  - **Summary:** The speaker stated they did not have a report on Jersey Mike's but were interested in receiving it next week.
  - **Evidence:** “And Darian Dickerman, you find out about that Jersey Mike Mr. I don't have a report on Jersey Mikes, but I'm hungry for it, so hopefully next week.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:26:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8773s)

## Metrics

- **Forestry Expenses**
  - **Summary:** There was an increase of $30,000 in forestry expenses due to emergency tree removals.
  - **Evidence:** “We did have a, let's see, increase to tree assistance of 300, or I'm sorry, 30,000 in forestry due to emergency tree removals.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2020s)

- **Landfill engineering contract cost details**
  - **Summary:** The 2025 contract reflects an increase in the EPA required sampling parameters and the cost of professionally certified lab testing. Sampling and analysis for this contract is over 50 percent of the total cost of the scope of work.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “This 2025 contract reflects an increase in the EPA required sampling parameters and the cost of professionally certified lab testing. Sampling and analysis for this contract is over 50 percent of the total cost of the scope of work.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4049s)

- **Number of windows requiring storm windows**
  - **Summary:** There are believed to be 106 windows that require storm windows, and if one is done, all must be done.
  - **Evidence:** “I don't remember the amount, but I believe there's 106 windows, and these have to be, if you do one window, you have to do them all.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:02:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7359s)

## Discussion

- **Separating agenda item 17 for a separate vote**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding whether to handle the removal of item 17 through the amendment approval or as a separate vote.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Murrow
  - **Evidence:** “However, Alderman Murrow, if you want to have it separated out for a separate vote on and John. I would prefer that, please. Would there be a second?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=225s)

- **Vote on agenda item 17 status**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding whether to hold a separate vote on the removal of agenda item 17.
  - **Evidence:** “Are you in favor of leaving agenda item 17 on or I'm not saying that correctly we're having a separate vote on only agenda item number 17 if you would like it left on it's a yes vote if you would like 17 removed it's a no vote did I say that correctly”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=330s)

- **Separate vote on item 17 removal**
  - **Summary:** Monroe requested a separate vote on whether or not to remove item 17 from the agenda.
  - **Evidence:** “Monroe has asked for a, to not have to vote on that amended agenda. He wants to vote separately on item 17, whether or not it should be removed from the agenda or not. So he's just asking to have a separate vote on the removal of item 17.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=330s)

- **Outcome of separate vote on item 17 removal**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the outcome of the vote on separating item 17.
  - **Evidence:** “I have a tie vote. No, I don't. Motion passes to have a separate vote on 17 was that the separate vote then okay to break it out separately well go because it was your your vote James is that you wanted it not voted as a of approving the agenda you wanted to vote on it separately right so you want and John. We're going to talk about it tonight, right? Is that what your position is?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=451s)

- **Item 17 removal status clarification**
  - **Summary:** Discussion clarifying what was voted on regarding item 17's removal.
  - **Evidence:** “That I thought the vote four to three was to vote on it separately with and John. We're not sure if it was being removed. That's what I thought it was. That sounds like we need to vote for it. To remove it now.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [08:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=518s)

- **Item 17 discussion purpose**
  - **Summary:** Clarification on the meaning of a 'yes' vote regarding item 17.
  - **Evidence:** “Yes. To be discussed at some later date. Some move. Discussion? Sure, I don't what what do you want to talk about? Voting on it?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [09:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=583s)

- **Item 17 status recommendation**
  - **Summary:** Staff advised that item 17 was asked to be removed but could be put back if desired.
  - **Evidence:** “It was asked to be removed by staff, but if you want to talk about it, then put it back on. So the point of this is, and the question that I have, there were no roof repairs for Hangar J or Hangar O on the previous vote upon by this council in the unanimous vote to put money toward roof repairs, and now it's appeared on here with information said that we had a bid opening and we've received two bids for something that was not authorized for spending of money not by the council.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=631s)

- **Roof repairs for Hangar J or Hangar O funding status**
  - **Summary:** The speaker questioned why bids were received and discussed spending money on roof repairs for Hangar J or Hangar O when the previous council vote did not authorize it, suggesting staff might be making unauthorized spending decisions.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “So the point of this is, and the question that I have, there were no roof repairs for Hangar J or Hangar O on the previous vote upon by this council in the unanimous vote to put money toward roof repairs, and now it's appeared on here with information said that we had a bid opening and we've received two bids for something that was not authorized for spending of money not by the council. So my question is, A, there's no discussion, so now we're punting it down the road again, but once again, staff is making decisions on how to spend money without authorization to do so. It's bordering on quickly on misappropriation of funds. So the question that I've got, this is why I want to have the discussion about what's going on and why that is occurring.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [10:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=639s)

- **Unauthorized spending of funds**
  - **Summary:** A speaker questioned staff about spending money that had not been approved or appropriated by the council.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “I pulled the video. So my question is, why is staff going off and spending money that's not been approved or appropriated for that function.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=736s)

- **Hangar J and Hangar O roof repairs status**
  - **Summary:** Manager Boyer stated that both Hangar J and Hangar O need new roofs, which has been discussed and requested. He mentioned an issue with how the bid worked out and that they were asking to remove it from the agenda.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Jay Hanger needs a new roof, so does Ohanger. This has been discussed, it's been requested. So we have an issue with the way the bid worked out and we're asking to remove it from the agenda. That's all. So that's what's before you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=753s)

- **Clarification on bid approval timing**
  - **Summary:** A speaker clarified that tonight's meeting was for approval, and if voted down, nothing would be approved for the bid; only getting a bid was in the budget.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Tonight is the approval, James. If you guys voted down, then it's not approved. There's nothing been approved for the bid. It's in the budget to get a bid. That's what we did. So tonight is the approval. Whether you approve it or not, that's what the vote is.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=798s)

- **Use of funds for Hangar upgrades vs. current proposal**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Sanders questioned whether the money put forward was intended for general hangar upgrades (like a pilot lounge in the new main hanger) and argued that changing approved spending amounts is improper procedure.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “So the point of clarification is, is the money was put forward for hanger upgrades so that we can at some point complete the work that was never done inside of our new main hanger, the one that was repaired, for airport operations, for a pilot lounge, and other improvements. And now we are going and we're trying to change what was approved last year to use that money for something else. And that isn't how this works. That's not how the manager form of government works.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=824s)

- **Budget flexibility regarding hanger spending**
  - **Summary:** A speaker questioned if approving spending meant a vote to change the budget, and another speaker stated that the budget was not specific to which hangar letter.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “But clarification again, if we vote to approve to spend the money, we can't just, we would have to vote to change our budget to spend the money differently, is that not correct? No. Go ahead, Director. I don't think the budget is specific to which hanger letter there, I don't think the budget was.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [14:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=887s)

- **Budget appropriation process clarification**
  - **Summary:** The budget is for projecting what will be done, and it is not tied to all the little individual things underneath; only the line item of the budget and the appropriation number are being approved.
  - **Evidence:** “We put in the budget what we project that we're going to do but a budget isn't tied to all the little individual things underneath. I mean, you're approving the line item of the budget. The appropriation is a number.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=911s)

- **Bid validity period for item 17**
  - **Summary:** If item 17 is removed, the bid can only be held for 30 days. If it doesn't pass this meeting, it can potentially be brought back up at the first meeting in January unless a separate authorization from the low bidder extends the time.
  - **Evidence:** “So, we can only hold this bid for 30 days. So, once, if it doesn't pass this meeting, you can bring it back up, I believe, at the first meeting in January. Otherwise, the bid would not be valid any longer unless we got a separate authorization from the low bidder to extend the bid time.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1056s)

- **Tree root system and yard width variation request**
  - **Summary:** A discussion regarding the difficulty of maintaining a narrow yard due to old trees and a request for consideration of 10 feet instead of 15 feet.
  - **Evidence:** “I know 5 feet doesn't sound like very much, but we have several real old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, old, and I'm trying to stay away from the root system of these trees and also it makes the because we're putting out other and it makes the yard very narrow so if I could get the 10 feet as opposed to 15 feet we would have plenty of room”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1197s)

- **Director Duckman's confirmation on agenda item status**
  - **Summary:** A discussion confirming whether a technical matter was acceptable on the Director's end.
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, Director Duckman are you that acceptable for on your end how do we know he I think he was just making a comment he's the petitioner for the variation so I didn't know if it was technical on your end no I mean I'll report on it as the agenda item when it comes”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1197s)

- **Finance report inclusion of capital project funds**
  - **Summary:** A discussion noting that the finance report does not include capital project funds in a summary format, suggesting major funds should be included.
  - **Evidence:** “The finance report does not include capital project funds in a summary format and I know we're spending a lot of money on street repairs and that sort of thing so some of those more major funds should also be included in this particular report so we have an idea of what's Settlers.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [22:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1341s)

- **Definition and placement of capital items in financial reports**
  - **Summary:** A detailed discussion on how Water, Sewer, and Stormwater funds include capital items that are not current in nature, suggesting they be removed and placed in a capital budget.
  - **Evidence:** “The Water, Sewer, and Stormwater funds include capital items that are not current in nature. Current in nature is defined as current fiscal year expenditures. Capital goes over a number of years. They should be removed and placed in a capital budget for those specific funds right underneath Miller. So, the capital grant revenue investment earnings, IEPA loans, are capital financing sources. Capital grant expense, capital outlay, capital principal, are capital financing uses. Is also missing. So we do not have a clear idea of the true gain and loss. Depreciation is also a capital financing source as well for the capital budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [23:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1393s)

- **Ordinance 86 revision suggestion**
  - **Summary:** A suggestion to change 'avoid' in Ordinance 86 to 'rent' or 'rental agreement'.
  - **Evidence:** “And back on to ordinance 86. I would avoid and change it to rent or rental agreement”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1444s)

- **Lease agreements capitalization recommendation**
  - **Summary:** A suggestion regarding new lease agreements that places the responsibility of rethinking capitalization on John.
  - **Evidence:** “John. You do not want to capitalize these places if possible under the new lease Gatsby announcements. So I would strongly suggest rethinking that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1444s)

- **Rental agreement inflation adjustment requirement**
  - **Summary:** A suggestion to add a CPI indicator or require a new rental rate for each year in agreements.
  - **Evidence:** “I would add a CPI indicator to the rental agreement or require a new rental rate for each year as things go up. These agreements should be part of the consent agreement, in my opinion, as the city manager should have the right to sign these agreements because they're very small in nature and shouldn't be at the board level for discussion over small potatoes in my mind. But the process should be at the board level and proved once.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1471s)

- **Encumbrance accounting requirement for case 135**
  - **Summary:** A statement that encumbrance accounting should be in place for case 135, and the quote should have been brought to the board in September.
  - **Attribution:** Mr. Murgalla
  - **Evidence:** “135. Here's a case that encumbrance accounting should be in place and the quote should have been brought to the board in September either through a consent agreement or agenda or as a resolution. The city manager should have the ability to approve small capital projects.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [25:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1504s)

- **General Fund Revenue and Expenses**
  - **Summary:** Discussion covered increased right away permit revenues, additional airport grant revenues, insurance proceeds, and specific expense increases like forestry due to emergency tree removals.
  - **Evidence:** “They are from our work comp carrier and they need to be for employee safety or ergonomics or keeping people away from work comp claims. We also increased right away permit revenues. We really got into that this year with Aaron's help and streamlined that process better of collecting more funds in that area. We received additional airport grant revenues and then some insurance proceeds and that kind of thing.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [32:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1958s)

- **Community Development/Building Department Staffing Change**
  - **Summary:** A staffing change approved by council caused wages to shift from community development into the building department.
  - **Evidence:** “We did have also in community development and the building department, which also works out of the community development area. We had a change earlier in the year that was approved by council in the staffing of that department. So you'll see wages go from one area of the department from community development into the building department because of that staffing change, I'm sorry, opposite.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2033s)

- **FEMA Grants Status**
  - **Summary:** The FEMA BRIC grant and FEMA HMGP grant were projected for this year but have not yet arrived, as they are still being worked on or held up at the funding agency.
  - **Evidence:** “For example, the FEMA BRIC grant and the FEMA HMGP grant, we had projected to receive those this year. Those grants haven't come through yet. I believe they're still being worked on or being held up at the other, at the funding agency.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2103s)

- **Hanger Lease Rate Ordinance Amendment**
  - **Summary:** Staff recommended changing the official J Hanger lease rate from $575 to $800 per month to align with other local airports.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer, Miller
  - **Evidence:** “staff is recommending making an official J J. Hanger lease rate from $575 to $800. This is kind of a legacy of the situation. This is kind of a legacy of the situation with the previous leasee, and we'd like to make that change permanent in ordinance. Staff request, making the lease rate for J. Hanger $800 per month.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [38:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2337s)

- **J. Hanger lease rate clarification**
  - **Summary:** Clarification that the current payment for J-Hanger is $800 per month, and this change needs to be made official in ordinance.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “what I comment what I said was we previously had a lease rent of 575 when when Jack Hooker owned it and it is currently at a hundred dollar per month rate and we want to make that official in the ordinance so we just want to make the change in the ordinance to make j-hanger $800 per month which is what they're paying right now which is Currently what they're being paid.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2440s)

- **J. Hanger lease rate history and current status**
  - **Summary:** The original lease was calculated at $575 when Jack Hooker owned it; the first person to rent it after moving out of a sublease was Heritage, who rented it for $800 a month, and it is currently leased for $800 a month.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders. We had a lease That was calculated at 575 you say Yes, originally when Jack Hooker had it it was five hundred seventy-five dollars. What when was that time period? I remember I think it was 2020 Jack passed away. He had a sublease to someone else House, and then our airport manager was able to get them moved out and I believe the first person to rent that was Heritage and they rented it for $800 a month and it's currently leased for $800 a month.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [40:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2440s)

- **Property improvement and neighborhood impact**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Parker stated that the planned changes would be a huge improvement to the neighborhood and increase property values.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Parker
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Parker. I went and took a look at this and it's going to be a huge improvement and I do believe the fence is coming down and it is a huge improvement to the neighborhood to pilot neighbors. It'll really increase their property value. I think it's a great idea.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [46:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2811s)

- **Garage relocation motivation**
  - **Summary:** The homeowner testified that one reason for moving the garage was to save mature trees on the property.
  - **Evidence:** “On the Planning Commission approval of this, the homeowner testified that one of the reasons that they wanted to move the garage was to save some of these mature trees on their property.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [48:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=2885s)

- **Driveway permit requirements clarification**
  - **Summary:** A council member questioned why a driveway could not be addressed at the same time as other construction elements, and staff clarified that discussions were limited to the garage placement, and a separate variation would be needed for the driveway.
  - **Evidence:** “Mr. Duckman, to my knowledge and understanding, there's going to be a driveway that they will have to come back to the council for. Why is that? Why couldn't it all be done at one time? We know they're going to need a driveway. Why couldn't it all just be done together? I'm not aware of that driveway at this time. And John. When they came to me, the discussion was a building permit for a garage. So when we went through that process, that's what we did. I processed what was brought to me. Could they build a driveway there and get a permit for it? Yes, they can. But I had multiple discussions with the property owner and the thing we went back and forth was where he was going to put the actual, where they wanted to put the garage. We didn't have discussions on the driveway. And also, to be fair, it would have been a separate ordinance anyways. If there was some sort of variation for this driveway, I would have had a separate variation for the driveway requirements.”

- **Insurance cost drivers and total financial impact**
  - **Summary:** Key cost drivers for the insurance program include large destructive weather events, increasing medical expenses, and increased litigation, leading to a 13% increase in total premiums. The total cost of the insurance program is $1,139,762, an increase of $132,716 over last year.
  - **Evidence:** “Key cost drivers include, and this is a larger vicinity on our nation as a whole and all the people involved, large destructive weather events, increasing medical expenses, and increased litigation. Total premiums for this year increased by 13%. This was largely due to a rise in Workman's comp insurance or Workman's comp cases. Excluding this on the other end of it is the rest of the line items came in at about 5% over last year and aligning with market trends. So the total financial impact, the total cost of this insurance program is $1,139,762 and that is an increase of $132,716 over last year.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [51:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3109s)

- **Health insurance rate increase drivers**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Monroe questioned staff whether the health insurance company used destructive weather as a primary driver for increased health insurance rates. Staff clarified that the discussion was about Illinois Public Risk Fund, Workman's Comp, and general liability, not solely health insurance.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “Madam Mayor, this is a question for staff. Did the health insurance company actually use the information that destructive weather here, was one of the primary drivers for the increase in health insurance rates? Thank you, Your Honor. Essentially, they were just saying the general insurance conditions. In general, insurance conditions have been impacted by that. This is not health insurance, by the way. This is Illinois Public Risk Fund, that's Workman's Comp, and also general liability, Soto, Auto Employment, Cyber, Security, et cetera. There's no further discussion.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [52:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3179s)

- **Freeport Police Department CED Program Funding and Equipment Upgrade**
  - **Summary:** Staff advised that the initial grant allocation was cut by about $16 million due to state-level funding issues. The discussion covered switching from a TASER 10 award to a cheaper TASER 7 option, which would eliminate a four-year certification agreement and required reimbursement amounts.
  - **Attribution:** Staff
  - **Evidence:** “Staff spoke to the earliest representative and advised the amount of money initially allocated towards the entire grant was significantly cut by about $16 million. After staff and other agencies across the state of Illinois submitted their grant application. Therefore, the funding needed to cover the certification agreement will fall back on the awarded agency. This issue in funding affected other agencies and not just the Freeport Police Department. Staff has since reached out to ILEAS and Axon and was able to switch from the TASER 10 award to the TASER 7 award. Taser 7 award would include five Taser 7 bundles. The Taser 7 option is cheaper and there'd be no four year certification agreement. This award will significantly upgrade the Freeport Police Department's CED program and offset future costs of upgrading the program.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [56:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3408s)

- **Freeport Police Department Use of CEDs**
  - **Summary:** The United States Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Police Executive Research Forum, stated that appropriately used CEDs are a useful tool for resolving serious situations, reducing the need for other force options, and lowering injury rates.
  - **Attribution:** United States Department of Justice
  - **Evidence:** “United States Department of Justice in conjunction with the Police Executive Research Forum found that CEDs when used appropriately with a full understanding of their risks are a useful tool that can effectively help to resolve serious situations. CEDs can reduce the need for other force options and can enable officers to subdue actively resisting or aggressive subjects while lowering the rates of injury to law enforcement officers and subjects.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [57:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3451s)

- **Timber Industries Leaf Disposal Payment Follow-up**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Monroe questioned the implication of approving the payment regarding debris dropping off at the wood lot.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “discussion Alderman Monroe thank you madam mayor city manager does this mean that we'll be able to return to dropping off debris at that”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:01:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3688s)

- **Debris dropping off location and protection measures**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the ability to return to debris drop-off and protective measures.
  - **Attribution:** Mayor Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Mayor Boyer? Sure. The answer to that is yes. Once we are able to take care of timber industries, we had a few things in the contract that we need to correct. We need to clarify some things in the contract for the future. Also we are pursuing a composting permit through the Illinois EPA that's going to allow us to use leaves and other yard waste and grass clippings to turn into topsoil.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:02:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3775s)

- **Cost share for leaf removal**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding cost sharing for hauling away leaves due to EPA inspection issues.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Stacy
  - **Evidence:** “alderman stacy so the this this amount is covering three years of where they have been picking up the leaves this is a portion they bore the vast majority of the cost but they requested a cost share on this to make sure that we get it taken care of”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:03:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3822s)

- **Invoice breakdown review for leaf removal costs**
  - **Summary:** Request by Alderman Sanders for the council to look at the breakdown of the invoice.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “alderman sanders? Yeah, could the council look at the breakdown of this invoice to determine if there's any irregularities where we can determine how this money was spent?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:03:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3822s)

- **Backup strategy for yard waste disposal**
  - **Summary:** Discussion on backup strategies for leaves if composting permit is not possible.
  - **Evidence:** “I think our backup strategy is going to be to land apply them at the airport and on the Sanders, Settlers, Klem, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:05:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3958s)

- **Scope of engineering study for landfill monitoring**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding whether the contracted work is solely an engineering study or if it involves testing and sampling.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders. Manager Boyer, we're having an engineer to be contracted to do this study, because that's all it is, is a study, am I correct? No. Okay, so are they involved in the testing and sampling?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:07:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4073s)

- **Historical responsibility for landfill leachate analysis**
  - **Summary:** Discussion on who was responsible for landfill leachate analysis before Fehr-Graham.
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, so when was that part of the city's obligations before Fehr and Graham did this kind of work? Who was doing it before Fehr and Graham started doing this kind of study of analysis and things of this nature?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:09:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4193s)

- **City capacity for landfill leachate testing**
  - **Summary:** Discussion confirming the city does not physically have the lab equipment or technicians to perform sampling on wastewater type materials.
  - **Evidence:** “The city doesn't physically have the lab equipment or the technicians to do this type of sampling on wastewater type materials.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:10:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4240s)

- **Current landfill leachate testing procedures**
  - **Summary:** Discussion detailing that current monitoring is done by sending samples to a third-party lab, and routine checks are performed for industrial waste process leachate.
  - **Evidence:** “I'm pretty sure the testing that you're talking about, Mr. Sanders, is when the landfills we're still active this is after the closure process the closure process has to be monitored they have to be done as EPA regulations for the closure process of the landfills it's all dictated in the landfill permits we don't make up the requirements they're told to us what needs to happen annually and that's exactly what we do I think I know the answer to what you're asking we still We'll monitor it internally from the industrial monitoring program. So we're just checking the leachate as it goes into the collection system for our wastewater compliance.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:11:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4307s)

- **Wastewater treatment process compliance**
  - **Summary:** Discussion confirming that leachate runs through the wastewater treatment plant, which is permitted and monitored by the EPA for discharge into the river.
  - **Attribution:** Mr. Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Mr. Boyer? Just to, I think, what you're asking is how are we responsibly handling all these different environmental challenges? And the reality is the leachate is running through the waste treatment process, the wastewater and Mark, and so on. And so, we've got the wastewater treatment plant. During that process, the whole point of that process is to basically clean the water. Obviously, we do have a byproduct from that. It is sludge, and the sludge is land applied. And the EPA not only permits that, they permit our discharge, they monitor our discharge, our people internally monitor everything that's going on within the plant at every step.”

- **Sludge byproduct application guidelines**
  - **Summary:** Clarification that sludge byproduct hauled off to fields is only for animal use (animal grain, animal hay) and not for human consumption items, which is a requirement.
  - **Attribution:** Darren
  - **Evidence:** “So just as a clarification to last week's discussion about the sludge byproduct, the byproduct that's hauled off to fields is not for human consumption, it only goes to animal So animal grain, animal hay, it actually doesn't go on to any food producing items that humans would consume, animals only, and that's part of the designation as it's applied.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:14:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4497s)

- **Leachate treatment requirement confirmation**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation that leachate is required to run through the wastewater treatment plant process for testing before discharge into the river.
  - **Attribution:** Darren
  - **Evidence:** “And that's why you get specific fields that you can actually put it on. That's a requirement. Unlike animal waste, it is spread out amongst all the corn fields and things like that. So that is the designation. Also on what city manager said is absolutely true. The leachate is required to run through the wastewater treatment plant process to make sure it's clean, just like all of our other waste that goes back out to the river and that's tested daily.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:15:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4523s)

- **Voting concern regarding biosolids application**
  - **Summary:** A council member voted against a measure because they were not aware that the sludge byproduct was designated for animal fields and grains.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Stacey, yes for her first. I voted against that because I didn't have that understanding that it was for fields and grains for animals. And if that would have been stated that's information that's withheld that causes one to vote against something.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:15:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4555s)

- **Third-party involvement in sample analysis reports**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation that environmental sampling is done by a licensed team and the resulting reports are sent to an independent third-party lab.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders? Yeah if my understanding is right there's third parties involved in the sample analysis and and reports to We have an environmental team that is licensed as landfill closure and they do all the sampling then it's sent to a third-party lab so it has an independent result that is independent of the city or the collector.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:16:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4570s)

- **Leachate testing and monitoring requirements**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the process for leachate to run through the wastewater treatment plant, daily testing of waste going to the river, third-party sample analysis, EPA reporting, and monitoring wells.
  - **Evidence:** “The leachate is required to run through the wastewater treatment plant process to make sure it's clean, just like all of our other waste that goes back out to the river and that's tested daily. Alderman Stacey, yes for her first. I voted against that because I didn't have that understanding that it was for fields and grains for animals. And if that would have been stated that's information that's withheld that causes one to vote against something. Alderman Sanders? Yeah if my understanding is right there's third parties involved in the sample analysis and and reports to We have an environmental team that is licensed as landfill closure and they do all the sampling then it's sent to a third-party lab so it has an independent result that is independent of the city or the collector. It's all done through a chain of custody which is required by EPA. Those sample results are then sent directly from those labs to the Illinois EPA so they can't be change your recorded wrong, they give us the monitoring and the compliance levels. Who's paying for all of that? This contract. The contract is paid for all of that? Yes. And Fehr and Graham has nothing to do with any other kinds of analysis, just this third party who's doing the reporting to the EPA? We don't do the lab sampling. We do the collection and the water monitoring. There's monitoring wells I believe there's 31 monitoring wells around the landfill that have to be monitored I believe it's quarterly for water samples to make sure the leachate is not leaching off of the landfill property which it is not that's what the collection system is for and can we also see the studies that you guys have accumulated there's not studies technically there's there's annual results and they're all”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:15:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4534s)

- **Disposition of 521 West Cottonwood Street to Northern Illinois Land Bank Authority**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the disposition process, clarifying that it is a disposition for one dollar, not an ordinance change, and noting that Rockford has utilized this successfully.
  - **Evidence:** “So with that being said, staff is recommending disposition of 521 West Cottonwood to the Northern Illinois Land Bank. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. Discussion. Alderman Stacy. Yes. I like this ideal. However, is there some rule or something that can be added to the ordinance that would say this could not become rental property, but it would become a home that can be sold. Sure. So this is not actually an ordinance. This is actually the city of Freeport disposing, disposition, basically giving the property for a dollar to the Northern Illinois Land Bank Frank, so that they can essentially move it on to another, to a developer. So the short answer to your question is no. There is no ordinance to that effect. I do want to state that the city of Rockford has utilized this successfully. I think I stated here it's added $150,000 back into tax revenue by utilizing this program and many of the properties that this has done on in Rockford are actually rental properties.”

- **Land Bank accountability for property use**
  - **Summary:** Discussion confirming that the Land Bank only holds developers accountable for bringing the property back up to code within a time limit, typically nine months.
  - **Evidence:** “So the land bank certainly asks when they go to developers, they ask what their intentions are, but they don't have a rule for holding them accountable for how they're going to actually do with the property. They only hold them accountable for bringing the property back up to code so that would pass inspection. With a time limit, correct? Yes. So the typical timeline that they hold is nine months. So in nine months, if they don't fix it, the land bank takes ownership of the property back and then we'll put it back out again for disposition to another responsible contractor.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:21:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4888s)

- **Land Bank conversations with city staff**
  - **Summary:** Mayor Monroe inquired if any city administration staff had spoken with Barbara Bortner or Mr. Ryan Weckerle regarding the Land Bank.
  - **Attribution:** Mayor Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “Mayor Monroe? Thank you, Madam Mayor. Do we know if the Illinois Land Bank has had any or any of the city administration staff have had any conversations with Barbara Bortner or Mr. Ryan Weckerle? No, not that I'm aware of. I can speak to me personally. I have not.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:22:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4926s)

- **Renting properties from the Land Bank**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy discussed whether any property dealt with by the Land Bank is being rented, noting that an interested developer stated intentions to rent or live in a developed property.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “And Sanders? And this property or any property that the Land Bank is dealing with here in the City and Stacey. They're not renting property from the last meeting we had. I didn't gather that information in my head. I didn't hear the fact that we were discussing possibly renting these redeveloped homes or these rehab homes. So here's the deal. I just said to older person Stacy they're going to this person's application that potentially could develop this property has stated that they believe they're going to rent it and they said that they are possibly interested in owning it and living in it've talked to the property the person the interested developer and they said to the same effect I mean I have pictures in here so essentially what council is deciding is do”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:22:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=4965s)

- **City's decision regarding redeveloped property**
  - **Summary:** The council needs to decide whether the city should demolish a property resulting in another vacant lot, or allow an experienced developer with funding to take it and redevelop it.
  - **Evidence:** “So that's really what's up here today. So the city is not going to have the ability to, and I'll stand up and run through this. So this is a property. Unfortunately, we have many of these we know in Freeport. We took down, my department has taken down 50 of these and we're going to be working on 52 this year. These turn into vacant grass lots. So this property here, this company here in Rockford took this property and made it look like this. So really what's before you today, and this is what they're renting. This person said after discussions with Leo Holmes, his name's Ivan, he's renting this to his brother. So essentially before you today is, does Freeport want this or do they want another vacant lot?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:24:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5075s)

- **Final inspection process for homes**
  - **Summary:** The building inspector will perform the final inspection and test whether the home's foundation is stable.
  - **Evidence:** “Who does the final inspections for these these homes for fires infrastructure and it's gonna be our building inspector would do the final inspection and what we're going to be doing is testing whether or not this home is stable all the way around foundation is stable to make sure that there's nothing impeding it or any future problems because I hate to see a property get that type of and then the next couple of years if it looks like it's falling down.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:25:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5118s)

- **Land bank timeline for property turnaround**
  - **Summary:** The land banks stated that contractors have nine months to turn properties around, after which a legal process begins with deed restrictions.
  - **Evidence:** “Wayne, didn't the land banks say that the contractors had nine months to turn these properties around? They get nine months to turn it around and then at that point they start a legal process. They have deed restrictions when they”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:25:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5158s)

- **Land bank property acquisition details**
  - **Summary:** The land bank buys the home from Freeport, which is giving it to them.
  - **Evidence:** “So the land bank buys this home from Freeport? We are giving it to them, yes. So Freeport will give them this home?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:26:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5177s)

- **Reason for not selling property to the public**
  - **Summary:** The city is keeping ownership because demolishing it costs roughly fifteen to twenty thousand dollars and forfeits potential tax revenue, whereas letting the land bank use its resources avoids this cost while allowing future tax recovery.
  - **Evidence:** “Why isn't it sold? Well, because right now we own it and we're going to spend roughly fifteen to twenty thousand dollars to demolish it and no longer receive any potential tax revenue or we can help the community and turn a blighted house into this and then receive future tax dollars moving forward. So the city selling it doesn't make sense and quite Frankly, the land bank's not interested in buying it for anything less.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:26:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5195s)

- **Financial comparison of demolition vs. land bank use**
  - **Summary:** If demolished, the city spends $15-20k; if left to the land bank, they are out $815 (the purchase price) but can recuperate that amount when it is put back on tax rolls.
  - **Evidence:** “So if we tear it down we spent eight hundred fifteen dollars to remediate blight by demolishing it because it's owned by the city of Freeport we bought it from got it from a tax deed so we're out roughly fifteen twenty thousand dollars if right now if we move forward demolition or we can let the Land Bank use its resources which Walsh, it's done successfully, and the city would not be, we'd be out the $815, which we would recuperate when this was put back on the tax rolls.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:26:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5195s)

- **Land bank properties and development challenges**
  - **Summary:** The land bank's mission is to take properties that have not been in the tax rolls, prevent demolition, and put them with a developer. A concern was raised about individuals buying houses without funds or experience to develop them.
  - **Evidence:** “We're not holding them against that. The land bank's mission is to take properties that have not been in the tax rolls, prevent them from the demolition, and put them back into the hands of a developer willing to do so. The biggest advantage you're going to have with the land bank is, and I've dealt with this in this community for a long time, many people will buy these saying that they want to live in them, but they don't have the funds to actually develop these houses.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:30:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5407s)

- **Land bank development funding requirements**
  - **Summary:** Developing these houses requires significant money and experience; cash funding is preferred because most banks will not fund a mortgage for such projects.
  - **Evidence:** “You have to have experience and good funding in the bank, in your own bank, cash preferably because most banks aren't going to fund a mortgage for you to put into this house. When you buy these, when you're getting into these houses, they take a massive amount of money, experience to get them to look like this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:30:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5434s)

- **Risk associated with home remodel projects**
  - **Summary:** Putting people in a bad position by starting a remodel project without proper funding or experience is a real issue.
  - **Evidence:** “And quite frankly, you're going to put people in a bad position if you say go ahead and get started on a remodel project Bates, and if you don't, we're going to take it back. So that's a real issue we have here, is we don't, you really don't want to put somebody's first home, you don't want to give them this, if they don't have experience, or money to make it look like this.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:30:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5455s)

- **Alternative property purchase methods for homeowners**
  - **Summary:** If houses are on the county tax bill, owners could potentially purchase them directly from the county before the city acquires them.
  - **Evidence:** “but these same Houses are on the the county tax bill so if they wanted to do what you're saying they wanted to do they could purchase it before the city got it so they could do the same exact thing they could pay the 800 and whatever and buy the house and fix it up and try to do that but a lot of people they do do it and then they leave them like they said and then we got a bunch of abandoned houses.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:31:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5518s)

- **Land bank developer application process**
  - **Summary:** The land bank program takes applications for developers, allowing individual property owners or interested parties to apply.
  - **Evidence:** “Wayne, with regards to the actual land bank program, right, this particular, they take applications, right, for who will serve as the developer. So you could have an individual property owner that, let's say, lives in the neighborhood or let's say someone who wants the house for themselves. They can apply to be the developer with the land bank”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:32:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5549s)

- **Verification of developers and LLC ownership**
  - **Summary:** Concerns were raised about verifying the people behind a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) due to multiple names across different locations.
  - **Evidence:** “Because this is a limited liability corporation and when I'm looking them up, there's multiple Same names all across the country. So just trying to understand who are the people behind this, you know Do you know trying to understand do they have the our best interest as a community at heart?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:32:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5549s)

- **Argument for using vacant lots from demolition**
  - **Summary:** The speaker argued that demolished houses create vacant lots which could potentially be developed by interested parties.
  - **Evidence:** “So I don't see an argument where you can say, you know, going, every house we demolish, we have a vacant lot, and I'm always tasked not only to remove blights, but find something to do with these vacant lots, well, this is potentially a vacant lot that can turn into a developed property.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:35:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5739s)

- **Developer interest in Cottonwood Street properties**
  - **Summary:** It was noted that Joel from R1 had previously indicated interest regarding the Cottonwood Street properties.
  - **Evidence:** “Wayne, didn't Joel from R1 say that the Cottonwood Street, they probably put some feelers out”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:36:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5769s)

- **Application submission deadline for development opportunity**
  - **Summary:** The gentleman who was interested submitted an application by the deadline of November 15th.
  - **Evidence:** “Miller. This gentleman was the only one that was interested at all. He's the only one that submitted an application at the deadline, which was November 15th.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:36:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5778s)

- **Timeline and process for property development**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the timeline, noting that a previous presentation was from a COW meeting last week.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “Okay. So we did, yeah. So we, I did, and the reason I did it was the last, the land bank has done these projects in Freeport before. Miller. And I've been working the past two years to get them back in here to do a project. So yeah.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:38:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5936s)

- **Origin of November 15th deadline for property development**
  - **Summary:** Discussion on where the November 15th deadline came from, relating it to testing market interest via the land bank portal.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “The question I have relating to this about pushing it out, one, number one is this hasn't come before council ever before and correct? We did, sorry, we, I brought this, this was this presentation from a COW meeting last week. Okay. So we did, yeah. So... let's go back to here to discuss the timeline. This was talked about at the COW. 521 West Cottonwood. If you go to the first bullet, City of Freeport initially preparing for demolition, but and I'm a I work with the land bank At least on a monthly basis if not more I'm on I was appointed as the board member For the city of Freeport, so I have to work with them about properties that could potentially be of interest to them So that's how this this bullet point one came up So they tested the markets interest by taking open applications through the land bank portal so that was through their own marketing they have their own marketing portal they have a list of developers this is an established program mostly in Rockford so that's where this point here came up”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:39:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5963s)

- **Project timeline and necessity for quick action**
  - **Summary:** Discussion emphasizing the need for speed, noting a nine-month turnaround time required to convert the property into a tax-generating asset.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Shadle
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Shadle, you had your hand up. Yes, I did. A lot of times, these contractors that are in this business bid this work. In this case, they put a bid in to get this house because they've got a crew of guys that they don't have any or much work for right now. So they want to get this job to keep their guys on staff, keep them working, get the project going. That's what makes this work. It's a nine-month turnaround.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:41:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6108s)

- **Sluice gate actuator replacement and inventory**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the guarantee or replacement of the sluice gate components.
  - **Evidence:** “My question is, these are the same gates, and the fact that they are the same gates, and if one breaks down like the one that you're referring to, does that gate have a guarantee or replacement, because I understand the gate that is coming out of there is going to be moved to another designated area, am I correct on that? Actually it's gonna be fixed and then put an inventory so if we ever have a problem in the future we have a replacement on hand. Got you and and I just wanted to understand the guys over at the lab technicians and people who controls these gates and everything preventing flooding that's what the gate is for isn't it for the backflow for backflowing it has nothing to do with professionally, and I appreciate you thanking them.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:46:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6398s)

- **Wastewater treatment plant flow regulation**
  - **Summary:** Discussion on how rainfall determines flow management at the wastewater treatment plant.
  - **Evidence:** “I mean, when you say we're putting in this discretion without going out into the public of the city to determine how much rainfall, well, I guess it goes by the river to determine that. Or is it the rainfall? Mayor, Mr. Boyer? We're putting in a chemically enhanced primary treatment right now. The purpose of that is to handle the additional flow we receive during rain storms.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:48:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6486s)

- **Sluice gate actuator function clarification**
  - **Summary:** Clarification that the purchase is for the motor operator, not the entire gate.
  - **Evidence:** “Darren Just to be clear. This is just the actuator. This is not the gate This is the motor operator that runs the influent gates the gates are about 25 30 feet below the surface So this is the motor operator that operates the gate from the operator station.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:48:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6513s)

- **Preventive maintenance status of sluice gates**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation that the replacement actuator is part of preventive measures.
  - **Evidence:** “So when the head works is replaced this can go into another location within the plant. So that's why right So this is part of our preventive measures, am I correct? Is this part of our preventive measures? Correct. Is this part of a preventive measure? We're being proactive or we're trying to prevent this type of flow? We had a failure of the actuator. We bought a new one. We put the new one in. We're taking the old one. We're fixing the old one. We're going to keep it in inventory if we have any more issues. Okay, that's proactive. Okay, thank you.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:49:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6550s)

- **VFD Maintenance and Operation**
  - **Summary:** Discussion regarding the scheduling of VFDs, secondary VFDs for flow maintenance, and who services the equipment (staff vs. electric).
  - **Evidence:** “Do we have these VFDs, that's what you call them, right, do we have them scheduled during certain seasons of the year or do we still have what they call the secondary VFDs to maintain the flow action where nothing is hindered at these lift stations and they're they're able to continuously be monitored. Who does the service work to keep maintaining like putting oil, changing gaskets and all of these kinds of things? Do we have people on staff in our personnel that goes around and look at these things and or is it more electric that's doing these kinds of things?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:51:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6717s)

- **Clarification on trade-in value for old vehicles**
  - **Summary:** Confirmation that the $19,000 is for the old vehicles and that it is a total amount.
  - **Evidence:** “Madam Clerk, Alderman Stacy. The $19,000 is for the old vehicles? Correct. Total or each? Total. Yes, total.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:55:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6930s)

- **Fleet standardization and vehicle preference**
  - **Summary:** The goal is to have all Fords because they seem to work well for the department and it's easier for city mechanics to service them compared to other brands like Dodge.
  - **Evidence:** “So the goal is to have all Fords, they seem to work well for us and it's also easier to have our mechanics down the yards take care of our vehicles. Sounds good...”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:56:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7012s)

- **Modification cost consideration for squad cars**
  - **Summary:** The discussion noted that the bid opening did not include modification costs or upgrades.
  - **Evidence:** “Chief, I'm looking at the total for the three vehicles, but what we're not doing is talking about the modification cost for these vehicles and the upgrades and everything else, and we should be looking at that as well in this package. This is just.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:57:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7049s)

- **Estimated update cost for three squad cars**
  - **Summary:** It was estimated that updating all three squad cars would cost around $14,000.
  - **Evidence:** “If we are able to get three squad cards it's gonna be around $14,000 for all three of them to be updated to be updated okay yeah thank you”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:57:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7074s)

- **Energy cost savings and building comfort improvements**
  - **Summary:** The project will save energy costs and make the building more comfortable for staff.
  - **Evidence:** “So in the long term, it's going to be most more cost effective than paying somebody every five to seven years to repaint all the windows and then repair all the rotted boards and that kind of thing. In the meantime, we will save some energy cost and make it more comfortable for staff to get the work done.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:00:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7256s)

- **Cost concerns regarding historical storm windows**
  - **Summary:** Concerns were raised about the total cost of $112 per window for 106 windows.
  - **Evidence:** “I understand that we need windows. I understand that they have to be historic windows that require certain requirements. However, I don't understand how or why we would even think we have to pay a hundred and twelve dollars time a hundred and six windows.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:03:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7391s)

- **Comparison of window costs**
  - **Summary:** A comparison was made noting that small windows at a church four years ago were quoted at $500 per window.
  - **Evidence:** “When we were looking at windows just at our church, Walsh, and we got little small windows. They went at $500 a window, and we only have little small windows. And that was like four years ago.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:03:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7391s)

- **Historical requirement for storm windows**
  - **Summary:** It was reiterated that only two companies are approved by the state of Illinois for these types of historical windows on a historical building.
  - **Evidence:** “Well, like I said, when we did our research, there's only two companies that the state of Illinois would approve for these type of windows on a historical building.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:05:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7507s)

- **Energy efficiency benefits and bid solicitation**
  - **Summary:** The proposed system includes low-E glass to save heat in summer, and bids were solicited from NICAM.
  - **Evidence:** “And again, I agree with Joy's assessment. We did take their liberty to make sure that if we were ordering them, we did put low-E glass on them, which will save some of the heat in here in the summer. They will seal better, Sanders, so we'll be saving some energy efficiencies within the building that we currently don't have on heat and AC.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:05:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7555s)

- **Timing and historical context of building requirements**
  - **Summary:** The project must adhere to state historical society approvals, which were required when the building was originally purchased.
  - **Evidence:** “There is, again, we had to submit these to the state historical society and they approve We had to remove them to go on this building because it's registered and I want to step back this goes all the way back to remodeling this building way back when when we purchased it we knew that that historical items were going to apply because this building was registered and the council at that time decided not to build a new facility which would not have all these requirements but anything that's done down to the painting of the windows we had to paint them the identically same color because of the historical value of the building”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:07:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7623s)

- **Tax spending and building maintenance costs**
  - **Summary:** A discussion occurred regarding high tax spending, the cost of window replacement, and necessary building maintenance.
  - **Evidence:** “This this is the mind-boggling tax and spend we don't care we're gonna say yes I got several older people up here who clearly love to spend the taxpayers money I got a mayor that loves to do it and this is now we're back up to 200 over two hundred and something thousand dollars and we could have replaced them this year. This is insanity. It's complete insanity.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:08:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7726s)

- **Window replacement timing and necessity**
  - **Summary:** Manager Boyer discussed the need to complete painting before ordering materials for window replacements, noting previous spending on maintenance.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Monroe, we needed to get the painting done first, and then we wanted to see where we were going to be. And now that we have a little bit extra here, we could order the materials and get that going this year. Staff is just asking for us to not only maintain the building and create an environment where everybody's comfortable and on the coldest day of the year we don't have to wear coats, but it should have been done before now, okay? Should have been done with a hundred and thirty two thousand it was spent you know”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:09:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7773s)

- **Window replacement timing and necessity (continued)**
  - **Summary:** A discussion point regarding the sequence of maintenance, specifically needing to do painting before storm window installation.
  - **Attribution:** Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “you appreciate your comment but that's actually not true we have to do the Pete and the maintenance of the windows before we put storm windows on top of them or we can just neglect maintenance and end up like the old City Hall”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7801s)

- **Timing of window replacement approval**
  - **Summary:** A discussion regarding why the window replacement issue was brought to the council now, given it has been discussed for years.
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Stacy would you like your second time according to Darren you all have been looking at this for a couple years now so it's just ludicrous that but it's just now coming to the council and it's something that has to happen now and you want now because it's gonna go up if it's not committed to by January. So just do it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:10:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7801s)

- **Vendor limitations for windows**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Monroe questioned the claim that there are only two vendors in Illinois or Wisconsin capable of supplying windows, noting one is in Freeport, Illinois.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “And the fact that we're to believe that there's only two vendors in the entire state of Illinois or in Wisconsin or anywhere else. There's only two and one of them happens to be in Freeport, Illinois.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:11:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7862s)

- **Window procurement process clarification**
  - **Summary:** A discussion clarifying whether the vendor (NICAM) is buying windows from elsewhere or installing them as part of a subcontracting arrangement.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Monroe
  - **Evidence:** “I will tell you, when I look up NICAM. General Contractor, they're not the. So we're subcontracting this is basically what we're doing. Or is NICAM putting the windows in and we're buying the windows from somewhere else. Correct. Because that's not the way this reads.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:11:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7870s)

- **Prioritization of city needs (Water line vs Windows)**
  - **Summary:** A comparison was made between necessary infrastructure projects, such as a water line to Open Bible, and the window replacement project.
  - **Evidence:** “And this is why I got upset about the fire engine when we've got a water line that needs to go out to Open Bible, when we've got windows that need to be replaced on a building so that our staff can stay warm and cool. It's having a plan that we execute upon that puts our needs before our wants because we've only got so much money we can continue to take from the citizens of Freeport and these Winslow.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:11:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7916s)

- **Overall spending habits critique**
  - **Summary:** A criticism was leveled against continuous non-stop spending by the council, citing workers' comp increases as an example.
  - **Evidence:** “But we have to quit just spending nonstop. And once again, tonight, we come back with additional spending, workers' comp that goes way up because we raise salaries. And it'll go up again. And we just say, okay. But this all keeps coming back to the spending habits of this room and these windows go back to”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:12:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=7954s)

- **Historical context of building upkeep costs**
  - **Summary:** A statement was made that the exorbitant future upkeep costs for a historical building were decisions made by those who moved City Hall into the current location.
  - **Evidence:** “I will state, all of these discussions, while you guys were not on the board, I think Mr. Klemm was, this was the discussion of the processes that would happen when we chose to move City Hall to this building, that there would be exorbitant costs that would come in the future to upkeep a historical building. That's not on the people that are sitting here, that's on the people that made the decisions to move here and we're bound by those choices now or we just don't maintain it, which that's your choice and I'm fine with that, but that is a decision that was made when we made, when the city chose to move to this building.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:14:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8093s)

- **Window bid status and flexibility**
  - **Summary:** A representative stated that approving or not approving the bid for windows is acceptable, as it can be re-bid later if necessary.
  - **Evidence:** “Yeah, so again, this is not emergent and if you choose not to approve the bid, we can re-bid it later. That's totally fine with me or it can be canned. This was requested to be bid.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:13:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8030s)

- **Previous window approval context**
  - **Summary:** It was stated that previous window approvals were made for painting, and at that time, the budget required splitting the work between paint and storm windows.
  - **Evidence:** “I bet if we go back in the minutes, the window approvals were made to paint the windows and at that time, we said it was expensive and we were going to have to split to do the windows and then see where we were at for the storm windows. We couldn't do the storm windows at the same time because A, it was budgeted, but we didn't have enough budget to do both. So that's why it's been pushed to this end of the year so it can be moved into the 2025 budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:14:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8046s)

- **City Hall upkeep costs and window replacement necessity**
  - **Summary:** The discussion covered the exorbitant future upkeep costs of moving City Hall to a historical building, noting that the decision was made by previous administrations. It also addressed the need to replace rotten window sashes before storm windows could be installed.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Klemm
  - **Evidence:** “all of these discussions, while you guys were not on the board, I think Mr. Klemm was, this was the discussion of the processes that would happen when we chose to move City Hall to this building, that there would be exorbitant costs that would come in the future to upkeep a historical building. That's not on the people that are sitting here, that's on the people that made the decisions to move here and we're bound by those choices now or we just don't maintain it, which that's your choice and I'm fine with that, but that is a decision that was made when we made, when the city chose to move to this building. One other thing I wanted to point out, we couldn't do the storm windows till we fixed the windows because we had to replace quite a few of the sashes because they were rotten. And so we couldn't do them at the same time. But again, is City Hall going to fail tomorrow if we don't replace these windows? No, but our investment in the paint may not make it as long as we were hoping. That's the only truth here.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:14:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8093s)

- **Window replacement cost escalation**
  - **Summary:** The speaker warned that delaying window replacements will cause prices to increase, comparing current estimates ($1,000 per window) to future potential costs ($1,500 per window).
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sellers
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sellers. Yes, so I do understand that we do need new windows Wendell, and and if we do continue to constantly wait and wait and wait the prices will go up because like I said we were looking at windows at our church and that was like three four years ago so I know if we when we look at them again they're going to be up a little higher so we're either going to take care of the building so we don't have a dilapidated City Hall or we're going to We're going to continue to go round and round and round on issues that we know we got to do it either now or later. It has to be done. So either we're going to do it now at $1,000 a window or we're going to do it later at $1,500 a window. So, you know, it's our decision.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:16:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8167s)

- **Street Department Preparedness for Snow**
  - **Summary:** The street department will work if it snows, and there will be shifts of police officers and firemen working.
  - **Evidence:** “Keep in mind that if it happens to snow, our street department's going to be working. There's going to be a shift of police officers working. There's going to be a shift of firemen working. And keep your thoughts with them.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:21:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8481s)

- **Future Vision for Organization**
  - **Summary:** A commenter stated that most people repeat the past and emphasized the need to define a future vision.
  - **Evidence:** “As we, you know, the future, I just happened to be listening to Notre Dominus talking about the future. We probably don't have a future, a future vision. Most people just repeat the past. Mr. McGraw, your time is up. We need to be the future and move on. And I hope we find a way to define where we want to be instead of argue about it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:24:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8685s)

## Public Comment

- **Variance request for garage construction**
  - **Summary:** A speaker requested a variance of 10 feet (instead of 15 feet) for a planned garage build to avoid root systems of old trees and allow sufficient space in the yard.
  - **Evidence:** “I was looking forward to move the garage that I want to build. They have it down at 15 feet. First they said it was 10, now it's 15 feet from the line. And I'm requesting a variance for 10 feet for a couple of reasons.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1197s)

- **Thank you and appreciation for fire department work**
  - **Summary:** The speaker thanked the Fire Department for their work, specifically mentioning a fire on Carroll Street two weeks prior.
  - **Attribution:** Ryan Walton
  - **Evidence:** “I just wanted to say thank you and appreciate my gratitude for the work that you guys do, especially when it came to taking out the fire that happened on Carroll Street like two weeks ago. Seeing you guys in action at 1 AM like literally kicking down doors to like save people's lives and put out the fire like I've never had a more sense of a community and I appreciate the work that Huffines.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [21:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1288s)

- **Alternative housing distribution model**
  - **Summary:** The speaker suggested the city should create an ordinance to evaluate people by a metric and invest in giving properties to community members who need a home, rather than just developers.
  - **Evidence:** “But even with this first example it seems another area in which we take out of these neighborhoods and give them to these people, these properties for literally nothing to developers who have the money to buy properties to invest in versus getting it to the people within that community who need a home, not one to rent but one to make home because people put more value in and their home than a rental property and I just feel like this will be an example of that.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:28:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5320s)

- **Alternative housing distribution model follow-up**
  - **Summary:** The speaker clarified they do not mean the city should foot the bill for remodeling, but rather give residents the opportunity to remodel on their own if grants are available.
  - **Evidence:** “I don't mean we foot the bill for them to remodel. I'm saying, unless there's grants for that, I'm saying we give them the opportunity to take advantage of this and then remodel on their own.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:29:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=5383s)

- **Composting at the landfill**
  - **Summary:** A public commenter chuckled regarding a comment made during the discussion about composting at the landfill.
  - **Evidence:** “Bernie? I just couldn't help but kind of chuckle on one comment that was being made when we were talking about composting at the landfill.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:21:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8506s)

- **Composting at the Landfill and Strategic Planning**
  - **Summary:** A commenter recalled previous composting efforts, expressed concern about losing vision regarding landfill waste management, and provided definitions for strategic planning elements (mission, values, goals, objectives, strategies, tactics).
  - **Evidence:** “Bernie? I just couldn't help but kind of chuckle on one comment that was being made when we were talking about composting at the landfill. I recall me and Mr. Moring and Mr. Gill was sitting there with Mr. Gullman composting yard waste and and then apparently we had a permit at that point in time. What we were doing back then was ahead of the time. Now we're going back and trying to get this started again. I guess I was ahead of my time at that time and we've lost our vision of moving forward. I do appreciate what you did on the discussion of the land bank. I think the land bank is kind of a good idea. One thing that was never discussed on the land bank was the fact that $8,000 was the bid. Was that $8,000 to fix the property or just a down payment? How much was going to be invested in that property? If it's just $8,000, we're going to end up back in the same old boat as we did before, just a different owner. And I just want to say one thing, strategic planning is the process of accumulating or articulating where and what an organization wants to be in the future. During the strategic planning process, stakeholders review and define the organization's mission, and John. The mission is to identify the values, vision, statements, including the identification of goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, and conduct priority service assessments. The mission is the organization's statement of purpose and reason for existing. The values are the ethical and cultural principles that guide its behavior and actions. Huffines. Goals are desired outcomes that the organization aims to accomplish. Objectives are the actionable targets that must be reached to meet the specific goals. Strategies are plans or approaches designed to accomplish objectives, and tactics are the small actionable items. I think we're spending way too much time on the tactics, the small actual items, and and not enough on the vision of where we want to be.”

- **Landlord Property Contracts**
  - **Summary:** A commenter shared experience as a former landlord regarding using land contracts for properties, suggesting they might work if structured with 10 years paid off at $300 a month.
  - **Evidence:** “My name is David Coverson. I have a question for him. The I used to be a landlord and I sold my properties for like less than highly enough and so if you put on land contract for them and give them like 10 years paid off or they might it might work out because it did for me and my homes are almost paid off and they're almost sold and I only charge them $300 a month it's a really cheap payment so you think about it”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:25:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8728s)

## Proclamations and Recognitions

- **Welcome and Commissioning of New Firefighter Kelly Beranek**
  - **Summary:** Official commissioning ceremony for Kelly Beranek as a firefighter.
  - **Attribution:** Precourt Police and Fire Commission
  - **Evidence:** “So on behalf of the commission, it's my honor to be able to read your official commission. So official commission, City of Freeport, Florida Fire and Police Commission, to all to whom these presents shall come, Kelly Baroneck, having been duly appointed to the for the commission of firefighter in and for the city of Freeport in the county of Stephenson and state of Illinois for the term from the 9th day of December, 2024 until her successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified is hereby fully authorized and empowered to assume and perform all the duties of her said office according to the law and the ordinance of said city. And all persons are required to respect her in discharge of her said duties by order of the board and fire police commission.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=1728s)

- **Holiday Greetings**
  - **Summary:** Alderman Stacy and Alderman Shadle offered holiday greetings.
  - **Evidence:** “And Merry Christmas to everybody. Alderman Stacy? I would just like to say, Happy Holidays. Alderman Shadle? I'm sorry. Alderman Shadle? We reiterate the Merry Christmas to everybody.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:20:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8457s)

- **Police Department Work**
  - **Summary:** A commenter recognized the good job done by someone working in the police department.
  - **Evidence:** “Tommy? Please, Chief, you do a good job working in that police department.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:25:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=8728s)

## Follow-ups

- **Funding gap for TASER-10 certification agreement**
  - **Summary:** When ordering five Taser 10 bundles, staff was informed that the grant only covered the cost of the bundles and not the $4,208.90 four-year certification agreement. Staff advised that due to a significant cut in initial funding ($16 million), this certification cost would fall back on the awarded agency.
  - **Attribution:** Staff
  - **Evidence:** “When staff made arrangements to order the five Taser 10 bundles from Maxon, staff was made aware the amount of the grant only covered the cost of the bundles and not the certification agreement. The cost of this agreement would have been $4,208.90 for four years. Staff spoke to the earliest representative and advised the amount of money initially allocated towards the entire grant was significantly cut by about $16 million. After staff and other agencies across the state of Illinois submitted their grant application. Therefore, the funding needed to cover the certification agreement will fall back on the awarded agency.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [56:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3380s)

- **TASER 7 Bundle Purchase Agreement Details**
  - **Summary:** On November 27, 2024, staff was informed that the Freeport Police Department could switch the grant award to five TASER 7 bundles. Elias would reimburse $12,717 towards this purchase, and the police department would contribute $1,248 because the negotiated price excluded warranty coverage.
  - **Attribution:** Staff
  - **Evidence:** “On November 27, 2024, staff was informed that the Freeport Police Department could switch the grand award to five TASER 7 bundles. Elias would reimburse the police department $12,717 towards a purchase of the five Taser 7 bundles. The police department would still have to contribute $1,248 towards a purchase of the five Taser 7 bundles because the price negotiated by Elias did not include other costs including warranty coverage.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [58:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=3500s)

## Other

- **Acceptance of Stivers Ford Bid Proposal**
  - **Summary:** Staff recommends accepting the bid proposal from Stivers Ford.
  - **Evidence:** “So staff recommends the acceptance of the Stivers forward squad bid proposal.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:55:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5nRxPVFLY&t=6908s)