Hold up. I can't see anything up there. This grant, and they talked about this at the presentation, there's full rehabilitation projects, which is that you get $50,000 to help with your home rehabilitation. You have accessibility projects, which discusses accessibility if you have mobility issues, and all sorts of other disabilities. And then you also have roof only projects.


that's really that's really all you can I that answers everything okay I didn't know yeah that's all you can stand okay perfect Alderman Stacy you have a can you tell me if that's covering all underserved areas in Freeport yes everybody in the city would be a now we're not going to be able to serve everyone the need you know outweighs the resources but everyone would would be available to apply.


There's no eligibility requirement. We talked about that at the last meeting, but there's eligibility requirements, and if you go through their IDA manual, they actually have their own income statement that they require.


They have their own form, and then when this, when it's presented to, not just presented and Stacey, and the rest of the city, IDA has to approve the scoring for any income.


So anyone that feels they're eligible can sign up. They can sign up, certainly, but they have to meet the income requirements.


We talked about that at the last meet. Yeah, we talked about that. Right. Alderman Stacey.


When will these applications be available for our constituents? I'm hoping soon. I know you voted against it, but I'm really hopeful that...


and John. I voted against a lot. That doesn't mean it doesn't pass. So since it passed, I still want information.


I understand it. We're writing our application now. We're writing our application now and we're hopeful to hear back by August.


You're toyin' with me. I don't play with toys. I'm too old. and Ida says what Ida is saying now is that they plan to let communities know between June and August.


Okay. Yeah. Perfect. Any other questions, comments? We can put that one to bed. Item number 15 discussion regarding status update on contracts with both fire and public work unions presented or actually being asked for.


asked for from myself and Alderman Sanders. I know we've got both of those. Okay, perfect. So with regards to the fire union contract with IAFF, our current contract is good through December 31st of 2025, so we wouldn't begin to bargain until 90 days prior, that's what our contract calls for, so that wouldn't be B. Until October 31st when we could even get a request to bargain from the union. So we're still far we're still good right now on the fire contract. Okay. On the public works contract, that's what they asked me there. So they gave us a request to to bargain. And that first the very first and only so far negotiations took place in February there. So just this all of those and that's not even the economic proposals yet there so it's in process but we've only had one meeting since in February so far. Awesome. Okay.


Any questions? Anybody got anything on that one? Sorry. Next meeting is scheduled for March 20th. 320. Perfect. So that takes us to item number 16 which is McGovern and Chris.


We categorize public comments, agenda or non-agenda items limited three minutes per person. We have Willie Graham who has signed up first.


First I'd like to say good evening to everyone. My name is Willie Graham. I live in the Third Ward here in Freeport and I have some complaints and I will ask for y'all to listen to me and consider my complaints. First of all, I want to start off with I need a house that I bought a year or so ago that I was trying to get tore down and I had a private contractor to do it. That didn't work out for me because I found out that he wasn't the right kind of person that I wanted to do the work for me. And I'm not able to do it myself. And I hear and I. I'm not sure that the city charged so much money, so I won't say how much I was told because I don't know if it's right or not. But I'm not able to get it told out. I


got three lots right there in the house I'm living in, in pretty decent shape. I had to have some work done on it, and I still got some more to do on it, but I think I can do and others.


I'm not going to do that myself. But the house, the knee torn down, that I had a letter telling me that they haven't put any signs or anything on it yet, but I think they're going to warn me that I need to do something with it.


I'm not able to do it. So, to get it towed out, I'm going to need some help with it.


I'm going to need some help with it. And I've been talking to some other people that got their house towed out, and they charge a fee to do it that I just don't have to do it. I wanted to keep the, and I also wanted to keep the lot and will it to my kids. I need some information on how to do that, and I need and I want someone to help me out with this. I know that you guys, I've heard, I don't know, I've heard that you guys have helped other people out. Well, I'm the one that needs help out. I try to keep the lots in pretty decent shape, all three of them. I'm not able to, I'm not able to cut the lots, but I try to get someone to cut the grass and try to try to keep as much stuff up off the lots as I can okay if someone will provide me with that information I appreciate it also I had I got a pickup truck it's not in running condition right now my wife has a cause not a written condition now we had planned on trying to get that done they were sitting on side of the Street. Mr. Graham, your time is up sir. If you stick around after the meeting I'm sure we can chat with you and see what we can do to help you out sir. Okay, thank


you. Very welcome. Thank you for coming. That's all I've got that's signed up with any, yes ma'am. Wait, oh wait, Ms. Dovie, let Dovie go first if that's okay.


Probably should have said it earlier, I'm sorry. Yes. I apologize. I received two We have two public comments by email. One last week came in from Amber Patterson. Dear City Council Animal Control Department, I am writing to express my concern regarding the welfare of animals at the Freeport City Pound.


As a concerned citizen slash resident of Freeport, I believe it's crucial to ensure that all animals in your care are treated humanely and provided with adequate resources.


specifically I would like to address the following living conditions the cleanliness of kennels access to clean water and food and adequate shelter from the elements what are the daily cleaning and sanitation protocols how often are animals provided with fresh water and food veterinary care is there access to veterinary care including vaccinations spaying neutering and treatment for illnesses or injuries what veterinary services are available on site or Willis Board of Trustees, Thank you, gentlemen.


We'll be doing questions now when we're done. I'll be doing questions now when we're done.


Please stand up. I just, I was going to say if you could stay in the center of the room, and everybody would be able to, if you could stand up, and if you could please stand up, we'll do some questions with that.


I'll be looking forward to them. Okay, great. So, how many of you are still been asked to stand up?


Baird,ting and other staffs for box and narrows. What are the criteria for euthanasia? Are all other options exhausted before euthanasia is considered?


I understand that animal control facilities face many challenges, and I appreciate the work that your department does.


However, I believe that open communication and transparency are essential for ensuring the well-being of the animals in your care.


I'm also interested in exploring ways that the community can support the Pound, such Thank you for your time and consideration, Amber Patterson.


The second email was received today from a Gmail address from Richard Chesney. Received at 2.55 this afternoon. The subject was public comment, 3.10, 2025.


The salutation began high. The remainder of the email was determined to be too personal and libelous to be read during public comment.


Okay. Yes, ma'am. Good evening, City Council, officials of Freeport. I've got three points, possibly four, that I'd like to make.


The first one is, is that in the process of talking about the houses, I've heard and others.


Seven to ten houses. The next thing we heard was nine to eleven. How many really is there?


What are we talking about when we keep changing our numbers on how many houses you're talking about building on land that you bought from, put it this way, on lots that you bought?


How many houses are we talking about? This is the second time I've heard about housing.


I heard a program that was supposedly going to happen with some 20 houses where individuals who came in to buy those houses would not have to pay taxes for a year so now we've got two different programs here that that and I'm wondering what the heck is going on here the other thing I'm asking is is I'm saying to you is simply this do you think we're stupid that we don't realize that the votes that you guys are doing are happening and you're trying to put them off until after the elections think about it you want to totally not tell Tell us how much money was spent to clean up the town after major events. It should be the easiest thing in the world to do. You should have a ledger that talks about what was brought in and what went out after the fact that we had to clean up, pay for police, pay for firemen, pay for gas so that the mayor could ride around in a buggy downtown, a golf Wolfhart. The next thing I'd like to say is, for as much as I appreciate you and like you.


Amber talks about there being somewhere between 40,000 to 50,000 people attending Teddy Baker. Okay? But, how much they loved it. How much the out of towners loved it. But here's what you need to understand. All of us need to understand this. What they didn't see is the and others.


The deterioration, the shootings, the lack of diversity, the manner in which our kids move away and don't come back.


What they didn't see is the lack of transparency and trust in city council and the city officials in this town.


What they didn't see is the eyes of the people who live here and have to dodge a bullet walking down the street or dodge a rock that's being thrown at a car by Latin kings.


I've asked the question over and over again and I'm waiting on an answer and I'm sure I'll get it because I asked the chief for this answer.


We have an ordinance on the book. That ordinance is called Bad Building Ordinance. That's what we know it is and you guys know what ordinance I'm talking about.


Why is it that a citizen like me has to put her life on the line to shut down buildings in this town that are shooting, gambling, selling drugs, Why do I have to put myself out on line to ask you to shut a building down, to shut a house down?


Ms. Pearson. I want the City Council to take responsibility for shutting down a house in the 900 block of oak that continues to cause this town problems.


Why haven't you done it? Tommy. Jodi Miller, you did a good job being Mayor of Sweet. I wanted to ask, uh, uh, Donnie Dickman, you got an update about the Jodi, Mr. Dixie Mike in Sweetville?


You know what, Tommy, I think you got a better update. I saw a picture of you outside with that sign and I was pretty impressed.


So, I'm looking forward to a sandwich pretty soon. That sign looks pretty good, and so do you in front of it.


And Chief, I want to tell you, you do a good job, too. You're the best police department in the world, and the whole bunch of police departments do a good job, too.


Thank you. How are you doing? My name is Zakiya Sanders. The last time we spoke about my house, which everybody is familiar with, the 402-404 Shawnee, Wayne Duckman spoke on it was an emergency because there was a fire in 2021.


I wanted to point out and ask him, what about 476 Kenwood? That also set fire February 15th of 2021.


You took that down, but guess what the difference was? You brought that in front of the council for approval.


My house wasn't brought in front of the council. Marshall, and then your buddy next to you, he plain just said, if you spend money in the city of Freeport, it has to come through the council first.


So every time you open your mouth, you contradict something. Then what about the other house on Kenwood down the street a little ways?


It caught fire in 2022. A man passed away in there. That was an abandoned house.


His family still has to look at that house standing. It's not even in the phases of your fast track emergency or anything like that.


I want you to just be honest. You targeted me. The people under you told me you said you was going to knock down everything that I own or have something to do with. And you went out of your way to knock my house down that was not approved by council, that wasn't on the list at all. And you made some big presentation, and I want this not to be rocket science for a bunch of you that agree with them. You cannot use a state law.


you cannot use a state law for an ordinance. Thank you. Any other comments? Hearing your discussion on funds, and I just want to clarify the city does not fund the Steams County Fair at all.


We pay our way, we have police protection from the Sheriff's Department and City Auxiliary, we pay them.


Same thing, city water out there to the road, we pay to run everything into our property.


So we stand on our own. You can check the books, but we do stand on our own and 65,000 people attended last year's fair between Farm and Fleet, Walmart, gas stations, they all benefit.


So, thank you for your time. Yes, ma'am. What was his name? That was Gary Melvin.


I just, good evening, Council and the staff and Mayor Miller and Boyer Zito. I just wanna make you aware, there's also another organization in Freeport that works as a non-profit organization.


I'm grateful to hear about the housing. and so forth and this one is called rebuilding together Stevenson County and they work together whether you can look it up on Facebook and also on their website and they have lots of community links that are working together to make this happen.


They've received grant monies from I think to help even with veterans homes and their mission statement is this, to bring volunteers from numerous organizations together to build and John.


This is a vision to improve the lives of low income homeowners. The vision is to work hand in hand to address the growing blight and make Stevenson County, Illinois safe and vibrant and to repair homes in Stevenson County, Illinois falling into disrepair for owners who cannot afford to fix them.


Now, right now, they mainly have to do with the outside of and others. There's a lot of, they've done porches, they've helped get ramps put in and obviously there's also an application process one needs to go through, but it's not that extensive or complicated that I understand.


And I just wanted you to be aware of that and their phone number or contact number is 815-235-2824.


So if there's anyone in the community, you might want to check in about that to get on their schedules for this next coming year. I don't know if it's filled up yet, but it is the whole of Stephensburg County. It's not just for report. So I just wanted to share that information with you all tonight. Thank you. Thank you.


Anyone else? Miss Dovie? Yes ma'am. Tonight we have pursuant to 5 ILCS, 122C1, the entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. Do I have a motion to go? So move.


Do I have a second? To do what? To go to executive session. Second. Second. We have a first and a second. Stacy is the second. Sellers is the first. All in favor? Aye.


Aye. What? Oh, Monroe. Aye. Simmons. Simmons. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. No. Sanders. Sellers. Aye. Klemm.