Fowler,
and others.
Johnson. Okay, since it's 6 o'clock, Ruth, could you please give the invocation? Good
to be here after my short retirement. You guys are wonderful. Thank you for having me.
I just want to read something from Psalm 116. It says, I love the Lord because He hears
my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall
call upon Him as long as I live. So let's all pray together and call upon the Lord.
Our Heavenly Father, God, we are so thankful for the spring weather today, for the thoughts
of New Beginnings. Lord, we thank you that you are omnipresent. Father, we know that you are within the city, that you are looking over Freeport, and we know you're within these walls at this meeting tonight. So our Heavenly Father, I just pray that we all open our hearts to you, because you have all the wisdom, and you know the plans you have for this city. And so, Father, give us that wisdom.
May our words give glory to you with whatever we say, may we show love for one another and may, Lord, we represent our wards well, our department heads teams well.
Father, you have given us so much to be thankful for and yet there's so much yet to be done.
And so be with all of these here at this council.
Lord, thank you for their willingness to serve you in this manner.
Thank you, Lord, for their families who give up this evening for them to be here to represent
the city, to represent you, Lord.
Thank you, Father, that you are in control, even when we don't know what that means. We
don't have to be in control because you are, Father. I thank you again, Lord, for our Mayor,
our City Manager, our beautiful City Clerk, all our elder persons, all our department
heads and their teams. I've had the privilege, Lord, of working with them and I know how
How hard they all work, and I know the love they have for this city.
So now, Lord, bless this agenda.
May it bring glory to you, Lord, and may it prosper the City of Freeport in a mighty way.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Thank you, Ruth.
So now we'll officially call this meeting to order.
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?
Mayor Miller?
Here.
Alderpersons, Klemm?
Here.
Monroe?
Here.
Simmons?
here Stacy here Shadle here Sanders is absent Sellers here if you could please
stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Monroe
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
And Alderman Monroe, the meeting is yours.
Thank you, Madam Mayor.
So we'll move on to item number four, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion?
Some move.
Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Parker. All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Motion passes. Sorry. Any opposed? Motion passes.
Item number five is the approval of the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on
Hold on. February 10th, 2025. Do I have a motion to accept those? So move. Motion by Alderman Sellers. Second. Seconded by Alderman Parker. All in favor please say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Item number six is public comments for agenda items. This is limited to three minutes per person. We have several people signed up
We'll start on the public comments. We'll start with Matt Summers with comments about item number 13, sir. The podium is yours for three minutes.
Hello, my name is Matthew Summers. I'm from the second ward. I'm a resident. I just want to talk quickly and briefly about the residency requirements, and I'm going to end with a little story.
and
John.
This ordinance is antiquated. It should be removed. We're one of the only
communities that I'm aware of that still require this that are small
communities like this. Nobody really knows. There's a couple of people in
the room that it's had the honor to wear the chief's badge and do
different things. And I've seen this ordinance used as an attack on
Well, as the police department, when we haven't wanted somebody in the chair, we say, hey,
you got to live in the city.
When we want somebody from who doesn't live in the city, says, I'm not going to move there,
it's all right.
We'll change the ordinance.
You can live where you want to live.
And now we're down to, again, attacks on people and the negativity that goes along with that.
I had a lot written down that I wanted to share, but I knew I only had three minutes.
So I just want to share a little story, my story. The reason I left the police department
is I couldn't get away. I couldn't go to my kids football games without somebody sitting
next to me and saying, when are you going to get that boy that shot my brother? I couldn't
play catch with a football in my yard without people driving by throwing some hand signals
We had a 12 and 13 year old boy and I were playing catch and they had to look at me and
go, what's that all about?
Do they know who you are?
And I had to explain to them, they knew who I was and that's why they were there.
I had to start walking at 4 o'clock in the morning because people would flag me down
and I couldn't even go for a walk.
And even at 4 o'clock in the morning, 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning, people would just
Pull up next to me slow when I talk.
Sometimes I didn't know who was pulling up next to me.
And I had to start carrying some protection with me
because I didn't know what was going to happen at 4 or 5
o'clock in the morning.
And I'm not sure how many people that is going to affect.
It took somebody very, very close to me to point out what
was going on with me and how I was killing myself,
trying to be a good father, just to see my boys
and keep the job of my dreams.
And again, this thing, these ordinances are used for attacks
just because we don't like somebody who's sitting in a seat.
And I'll tell you what, to the people that I've worked with,
my colleagues, yes, in transparency,
Chris Shenberger is a very good friend of mine.
I've known him for 29 years.
I've worked with him for about 28.
That man has never missed anything
that I'd ever ask him or where to go so those are you who
So those of you who feel like you're being attacked, just because we don't have anything else, let them attack you. Let them attack your integrity. Chief. I know. But a lot of other people stand up here and talk. So he can call some officers over here and drag me out of here if he needs to.
but there's been you people put up with so much and for to be attacked for that
let them attack you let them attack your integrity let them attack your
character because it's not going to do anything with you let them show us who
they really are when they want to attack everyone just because you live somewhere
and you can't be a parent or a father because of an ordinance because they
don't like the seats you sit in. That ordinance needs to go. Gary Melkey, Pro
for County Fair. Good evening. For those of you that don't know me, I am Gary Melkey. I am
President of the Students in County Fair Association. I've held that position for
for seven years, been involved with that fair for over 30.
I also sit on the Illinois State Association
of Agricultural Affairs as Vice President.
We govern 104 county fairs.
We answer to Director of Ag, Jerry Costello.
But I'm here on the item 12.
Stevenson County Fair is a non-for-profit.
We are a 501C6 agriculture.
We've been in this county, fair has ran for 170 years
and has been very beneficial to this community and county.
So I'm here just to answer questions.
The door at the fairgrounds is always open.
If any of you wish to come down, see something,
have a question, I'd be glad to meet anytime, anywhere
and talk, take you around the fairgrounds,
whatever you wish.
But I've seen this was on the agenda today,
So I wanted to say I'm here to represent the Stevenson County
Fair and answer your questions.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Aubra Palermo, pro for Tutti Baker.
Hi, my name is Aubra Palermo.
I'm one of the committee chairs for Tutti Baker Festival.
And I just wanted to, I saw this was on the agenda tonight.
I wanted to point out a few things
and what other event in the community brings 40 to 50,000
people into our community.
Many people, as I've worked in real estate since 1998
in the Freeport area, ask what is there to do
in Freeport and Stevenson County.
Companies, people who wanna live here,
people who wanna relocate here.
We had people from all over the region
and from 26 different states that came here.
Some of them were coming back for family get-togethers.
Some of them were born and raised here
and they were coming back to see the festival
that had not happened in over 20 years.
Some of those people might think about,
do I want to relocate here?
Do I wanna come back home?
Not to mention the people that stayed
for two, four, five, six hours.
Most people stayed for over two hours.
45% of the people said they stayed for three to four hours.
We did surveys after the event.
32 people said they stayed for over five hours.
How much money did those people spend in retail,
in restaurants, hotels, things like that?
So how much money did that bring into the city?
The first year back, it was 30,400 people
attended that weekend.
Second year, 41,000 people attended that weekend,
just in a three-day weekend festival.
And it's all ranges from people 18 and older
to little children.
and so it's something that retirees enjoy, adults enjoy, parents and families enjoy.
The whole mission of the nonprofit organization is for family friendly.
Downtown businesses that we surveyed after and other businesses that participated as
vendors, we asked them how many people do they think came into their store.
Many of them said anywhere from 50 to 500 people.
Some of them said everyone that walked by came in and we asked them how many people
Do you think were new people that came into your store? They were all saying a good majority
of those people were new to their businesses and new to their stores that had never been
in before. So how many of those businesses stayed in business because of that one weekend,
because of the revenues they made? How many of those businesses had new business continue
and good exposure for their business? Not to mention the exposure that it brought for
the city. Many people even thought the city put that event on. They got credit in a lot
of different avenues that the city thank you to the city for bringing this you
know event so we're happy to answer questions and I'm here if you need
anything it's a very small committee that helps coordinate this event every year
and a few other volunteers that form the crafters and the vendors and things like
that and thank you for your time thank you a next person up on item number 12
Riggins, John Low, Robert, Tony, John According, ridiculous,
and I am proud to introduce myself
as well as Mike Martin.
Good evening, everybody. Thank you, Mayor Miller, Council,
City Staff. Appreciate all the hard work you guys put into
every Monday, every day. It really means a lot to me.
Again, I am Mike Martin. I was previously on the Board of
Directors for the Gridded Fruitpark Partnership. I served
two terms and I was on there for six years. I am currently on
For the last 10 years, my wife and I have also been the proud owners of Mort's Bar & Grill here in downtown Freeport.
I'm obviously joining you as Alderman Monroe said to speak about agenda item 12.
As a small business owner, I understand the reality of finding ways to cut costs, to streamline processes,
produce efficient results, and maintain a strong bottom line.
I think about this daily.
But, I have been able to achieve these goals without jeopardizing my product or customer experience.
Over time, I realized that not every investment can be quantifiable or even tangible.
Most dollars and cents can be accounted for, but it's the intangibles that make a long-lasting
impact.
When it comes to the direct impact that events like Music on Chicago, WineFest, BrewFest,
and TuttiBakerFest have on my business, it's upwards to 200% positive increase in gross
and many more.
Indirect impact comes in the form of new customers, both local and not local, that come to downtown
to be shown a great experience.
Now that produces some pressure on us
to make sure that experience is fulfilled.
But as I was always taught, pressure is privilege
and I look forward to these chances.
They make a trip here and they see the charm,
the history and the progress
that they might not have noticed without these said events.
New and reoccurring customers base
is a long-term investment worth realizing.
They keep coming back.
and many more.
The ROI of added revenue and positive perception of our city because of these events is infectious.
With that, I just want to thank you guys one more time.
Your hard work does not go unnoticed.
Alderpeople, Council, Mayor, I just want to be able to keep using these opportunities
to show the positive impact that we can do as community members for small business, for
the city, both quantifiable and intangible.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
And that concludes public comments.
Item number six.
Mr. Chair, Madam Clerk, would you please let be known on the record it was 606 when Alderman
Sanders is in attendance.
Thank you.
Program number seven, discussion regarding Nordic residential and small business electrical
aggregation contract presented by Mike Mudge, Rock River Energy, and I believe Mike is on
the phone.
Is that correct?
Director Sutman?
Yes.
Awesome.
Yes.
I'm here.
Awesome.
Mike, would you like to speak?
Yes.
Do you want to give a brief summary of why we're back talking about this when we signed
the two-year contract with Nordic and then discuss the action item we needed?
I didn't get that.
None of us did.
Can everyone hear me okay? We can now. Okay. I'll briefly give a summary of why we're
back talking about this when we signed the contract last May for a three-year contract.
So what happened after the contract was signed? We're going to be switching people over in
and August. During that interim period, PTM, the people that operate the grid, had a capacity
C. Austin, those capacity options, results came out.
Results came out at the end of July, the first part of August. Nordic notified us, I'll
tell you, three people along with three other governmental agencies that signed contracts
with Nordic stating that they could not adhere to those price increases and so we started
looking for alternatives. What's in front of us tonight is an agenda, and I believe
Chief, Kurt, was going to put that up on the screen for us.
I wasn't able to find that item.
Oh, okay.
There's an agenda item that I sent last week to Dovie and to Rob, the City Manager,
and it simply states that we do not want to take on the replacement cost that Nordic offered
for the next 12 months and that replaces the 3-year contract that we had at 8.315 cents.
Now, the council thought that it was prudent to sign a contract for 3 years knowing that
energy rates were going to go up.
Now, I'll just briefly talk about what capacity rates are and what that has to do with our
and I. Capacity is a rate that all rate payers pay, all kinds of rate payers and also from
states from Illinois all the way to the East Coast and 13 states altogether. Capacity is
a charge that we all pay to ensure that there's adequate generation that the existing plants
which are maintained and there's an incentive for new plants being constructed so we're
having no supply and that rate came back tenfold, that's knocking the whole market out of
the wreck.
So, what we needed to do was find, okay, if Nordic was going to do that, what would the
V and it took time to do that.
We also looked at what other suppliers would do.
And we're also looking at what the comment rate was and to determine what
the best options are for the city.
But the first thing is to, um, is to pass this resolution.
Uh, that was before, before the council stating that we do not want to accept
Except Nordic's replacement offer and drop us from their contract and with that we can
go to a different supplier, we can go back to ComEd or there's a third program, the
MC Squared has that says we will give you our price guarantee that our price will not
not be any more than ComEd. And with the way the market's at, the uncertainty and the
volatility of the market, that would be our next, our second item to do. But for tonight,
we would need to have this resolution go to the full council for your full review and
Discussion in the next meeting. Any questions?
Any questions? Alderman Stacey.
Okay, so are you saying that the price you offered us when we agreed to a two-year account
is no longer on the table?
Yes, that's correct. Nordic cannot hold that price nor can ComEd, if they were at that price, or any other supplier, hold that price because of the capacity cost that's a regulated item is passed on to everyone.
so we're really back to square one but Nordic wants us to notify them in writing that they do not want
us to accept our replacement offer which is higher than other suppliers and currently it's higher than
and
the
two-year contract and release the citizens back to comment.
Just like a letter came out and if we did not say no, we were automatically changed.
and others. So now a letter needs to come out, putting us back into the hands of ComEd, and if we don't want that, then we have to say no. But the two, the two-year contract is in violation, am I correct?
and the rate of 8.315 cents. And that, that, that contract is like Nordic is not going to not, cannot, cannot hold that price or they'll virtually cease to exist because they just can't, they can't afford that.
So, we need to pass the resolution that releases them. In other words, for lack of a better term, no, we do not want your contract nor your thing. So our residents and the council is free to look at an alternative.
so so Mike it sounds like we need two two motions tonight one motion to do away
with the Nordic agreement and a second motion to have staff look at a secondary
option for electrical supply for Freeport is that correct that that's correct and
that's what the other three entities are currently doing also
Alderman Sanders. Yeah, what about individuals, suppliers with Nordic? Does
that affect, I know we're talking about the city, but does that affect
individuals that have signed up with Nordic? Yeah. And is that the same thing?
Yeah, that goes away. That goes away. Okay, because I've been having trouble with
beeping, being her sister and a government.
I grew up with Nordic just here recently and I had to turn them
into the ICC of Illinois simply because some shady things were
happening with my account and I had to, what I want to say, I
had to make a complaint to the ICC department and they are
and so I am, I am, I would be glad to cancel my service with them if the ICC department does not follow the complaint and everything but the thing about it is the way that you're bringing it to the council and to the community of Freeport,
I don't think is I think you've been a little disingenuine about the contract
agreement with Freeport and the citizens of Freeport I don't think we have all
the all of the detailed information we regardless regardless regarding to how
you guys are providing service and now I'm looking at the fact that the rate
certainly in our community can possibly go from six point to
10 point, and I understand that you want to cancel this, but the
point is we had an agreement until what month was that? May?
For two years?
» Too more years. It's a three-year agreement.
» Three years. And you want to cancel that. Well, are you
and I, and other suppliers are trying to raise that rate at least ten above and we don't even
know how we're going to deal with another supplier.
Is that, is that, that's a problem I believe that we're going to have down the road, down
the line.
And so if that is the case, it would be appropriate to receive a letter in writing that you're
Your reasoning for
Justifying what you want to do and as far as I am concerned
Council is not really obligated to be doing this today. We can suspend this or sustain this if not
Okay, Mike, we have to move it to a regular scale
We have to move it to a regularly scheduled council meeting.
Council meeting, okay.
Well, I tell you what, I am going to wait for that to happen.
Alderman Stacey.
I would like to ask City Manager Boyer
this piece of paper that he's speaking about
that was received that we're supposed to be looking at.
Do you all have it?
I'm gonna refer to Mike on that one.
Essentially what we're doing here is Nordic is saying they can't support the contract that was previously approved
They're asking to be voluntarily released from their from their contractual agreement
And we're looking at whether or not a to release B. Then what do we do from there? Okay?
I understand all that but I'm asking about the piece of paper
that he said that he sent to you and
Miss Dovie Anderson and
and why isn't that paper available for us to see?
We, the council and the citizens deserve the right
to see the breakdown and understand exactly what he's saying.
So what is it gonna take for us to get a copy of that paper?
A judicator.
Yeah, that's what we're gonna need.
We're gonna need some.
We'll get it to you right away.
Thank you. So with that said, do we, it sounds like we need a motion to, Attorney Zito go.
Right, so I think what Mike is asking for is a motion be made that a resolution be put
on the next council agenda, basically, for lack of a better term, ending the agreement
with Nordic, and then authorizing staff to move forward at looking at alternatives to
Potentially Replace, Nordic.
Quick question for City Manager.
No, one second.
That's, that's correct. That's correct. You'll have, you'll be
able to see this agenda item on the full council. And then also,
we can discuss alternatives. My thinking with the way the market
and so on and so forth. ComEd or a company guaranteeing a price guarantee with the same
price as ComEd will be a good place to be in the next year because there's a lot of
uncertainties out there in the market. And the best thing that we can do for the citizens
and the small businesses of the city of Freeport is to look at ComEd or price guarantee from
and the supplier as a safe harbor until the whole energy market activity settles down.
So, that's just my opinion and we want to do the best. We want to do the best for that.
And as far as the comments about... No one expected the auction results to be fully regulated
that come out so high, 10 times what they would normally be,
which essentially is gonna add three cents on
to the economy rate, and it's adding three cents on
to the supplier's costs.
So that's the real world that we're in.
No one had any control over that.
over that regulated piece of energy cost.
and
John.
I think what we need now is a motion to put this on, a
regularly scheduled agenda item to do away with the agreement
we have currently with the current provider and with Nordic,
thank you, and also a, and we'll deal with that one first.
and then we'll also along with that get a motion for staff and City Manager and
staff to come up with a plan B for us kind of moving forward. Is that still so
moved? Second. Alderman Klemm and Alderman Simmons. Sellers. I'm sorry I had the
and we have a question yes let me yeah can we move this to executive session no
you can't do that okay so so it'll be the next council meeting the next council
meeting okay anybody else before we I'm gonna go ahead and take a roll okay
Do you want to start it? Thank you ma'am. Sure. Aye. Simmons. Parker. Aye.
Stacy. Abstain. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. The motion passes 6 to 1
with one abstentia. 7-0-1. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Math in my head is not my strong suit.
That's awesome. So that'll carry over to the next regularly scheduled meeting. Item
number, Mike Mudge, thank you again for joining us remotely and explaining kind
of the situation to us. Thank you everyone for providing me the time to go down this
path and share it with you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Have a good night. Item
Number eight is a discussion regarding firefighter health and safety screenings, presented by
Chief Miller.
There's a memo as well as a screening of UDS Screening View Agreement, or Chief Steakle.
Says Miller on here.
Yeah.
Thank you, Alderperson, Monroe.
I'm here tonight on Chief Miller's behalf.
He's finishing up with the COVID
and will be able to return to us here shortly.
But this was very important to our members
and he wanted me to make sure that we presented this to you.
I'll probably need a little assistance from Mr. Zito
in what this may or may not have to form into in the end,
but I'll just go forward with Chief Miller's thoughts.
To the honorable Mayor and members of City Council
from Scott Miller, Fire Chief, dated March 4th,
this subject is Firefighter Health
and Safety Discussion, the background.
Freeport Fire Department has been proactively
taking measures to identify and minimize potential exposure
to occupational hazards within the fire service.
PFAS, or known as Forever Chemicals,
have been identified as potential carcinogenic sources.
Discussion, the department has adopted several policies
to diminish exposure to various carcinogens.
Current practices include prompt extracting,
which is laundering of our turnout gear after every fire,
changing out our protective hoods
that protect our head and neck areas,
and inhalation pathways of smoke particles via our SCBA.
and the VRSCBA. Additionally, the Fire Department has eliminated all storage and use of toxic
firefighting foam and replaced with an environmentally safe Class A firefighting foam. The Department
has also been budgeting for the last two budget cycles to replace firefighting turnout gear
that has been identified as having, our current gear is having trace amounts of PFAS fibers
within the outer shell and the internal vapor barrier.
The fire service has yet to develop a set
and the textile industry, a set of turnout gear
that is completely free of these PFAS fibers to date.
We are monitoring the development currently
of turnout gear and closely meeting with representatives
from each manufacturer to try to understand the timeline
and I will also be working on a new program to allow for the
safety of our fire department to be able to be able to
develop and design for when we can possibly purchase the
safest gear available. Members of the department and the
Department of Safety Committee have researched this topic and
have found that the Freeport Fire Department has adopted to
now industry best practices. In addition to reduction of PFOS
Mending, Contracting,
is recommending contracting with United Diagnostic Services, UDS, for on-site firefighter health screening.
Funding. Funding would be available from the Foreign Fire Insurance Board. The total cost is estimated to be $14,625.
The Foreign Fire Insurance Board has approved the expenditure to not exceed the sum of $16,000.
This meets with a strategic plan for safe and inclusive community.
And I'd be happy as much as I am able to answer any questions you might have.
Alderman Sanders?
Yeah, just wanted to understand that at the current state right now, are we going through the screenings on an annual by, or how is it done after every fire, or how is that processed?
We do not do this type of screening. So UDS is an ultrasound cancer screening that detects
the 10 most common health conditions and cancers found in the firefighters. This is an early
detection screening. Once the screening is done, if there are any health concerns or
issues detected from the screening, this company will also help the firefighters out by letting
and more.
and know the next steps and help them to find the right person.
Cancer right now is very, is one of the most prevalent things in firefighting right now.
I believe 72% of what are considered line of duty deaths are related to cancer right
now in this industry.
Well.
Go ahead.
Yeah.
And to finalize, to answer your question, we do not currently do any screening of this
and
Michael.
We have a lot of people who are in this type within our
business.
» Okay. The committee, the board or
whoever, is this request something that you guys are
making after we are discussing this matter tonight?
Are you guys going to continue screenings and have a regular
type of scheduling program going on that will subject all of the
and others that are there, you know, since the insurance is there and the funding is there, it would be appropriate for us to continue a regular type of schedule on the screening process because we don't want guys sick and not notifying anyone about what's going on in our lives.
Thank you.
Thanks for asking that.
This is currently the first screening.
We have yet to determine whether or not this will be annual or every two years.
This will be the baseline. This will be the first for us.
But it is the hopes of the safety committee that we can continue to do this in an ongoing basis.
This will keep our people safer in the long run.
Any cancer that's caught early is much easier to manage and to deal with if you find it early,
Boest,焦uine, John, 동일,
Chief Stiegel, a question for you. So many years ago, we went through something similar, you know, in buildings with wrapped pipes, you know, the same type is washing the gear is consistently treating and does the gear need to be replaced more often? Is it is it like dislodging the fibers? You know, is it presenting a greater risk doing some of the things that we're doing? Or do we know yet?
that's a loaded question and I'll answer it as best as I'm able to so we are
taking seriously our gear some of what we're experiencing with the PFAS is
baked in the cake literally anything that makes firefighting gear waterproof so
that it sheds water or it doesn't allow petrochemicals to be absorbed into the
material, things like that are the very products that have the PFAS. PFAS is essentially any
forever chemicals is what makes something waterproof. And so the industry is trying
at all speed to deal with this. I'm aware of the fact that I believe the state of Illinois
is going to make it illegal to purchase turnout gear
that is not PFAS free in the year 2027.
With the caveat, if the technology has not been found yet
in the textile industry to make that possible,
they would extend that on a year by year basis.
This seems to be where the industry is heading.
It is happening with great certainty out on the East Coast.
Great certainty out on the East Coast.
Large cities are already pushing this forward, they recognize.
On our department, we're taking the steps to get guys out of their gear.
If they're not in a fire, if it's not necessary to fire once conditions are safe, you know,
get your gear off and stuff like that.
The things that we can change out that touch our skin that's mostly exposed, our necks
and our heads and stuff like that, you know, we're putting greater emphasis on cleaning
after the fire with wipes as soon as we get done putting all our gear back
together and we're back in shape getting back to the stations and showering you
know we're utilizing all the best practice as we can some fire
departments are are putting saunas in because that's where the industry is
going that's not where we're at right now but we're doing everything short of
that so again we're we're already meeting with manufacturing reps we're
We're trying to find out where the industry is at, where it will go.
There is a lot of language out there that suggests that gear, no additional PFAS is
added, known PFAS, a key term, but they won't, no one will actually tell you that their gear
is PFAS free right now.
And I actually believe personally that if the golden unicorn were to be found, everybody
would be the path to its door. Thank you. Any other questions? Do we have a motion
to move this forward? So moved. Second. We have Alderman Klemm. Yes, because there's an
agreement with UBS. UBS. That wouldn't be approved by the Foreign Fire Board? It already was, right?
They've authorized the payment there, but the agreement, there's an
agreement with the City of Freeport also. So we have Klemm and Sellers. Voice vote
okay for this one? All of those in favor please say aye. Opposed? Motion carries
eight to nothing. Thank you very much council. Welcome, thank you. Discussion
regarding ordinance amending various parts of City of Freeport code of
ordinances regarding the regulation of wells and septic systems presented by
The City of Freeport currently we do have some wells and septics within the city
limits those are at residents mostly that are grandfathered in until they don't
work anymore so we already have within our codes and ordinances that you can't
We can't replace a septic and you can't replace a well at this time.
So I'll get into the background here.
The public works staff of the City of Freeport conducts ordinance audits throughout the year.
I've been pretty adamant about doing this here in 2025.
I have one of our staff members combing through all of the water and sewer ordinances.
A recent audit determined that the ordinances concerning private wells and septic systems within the City of Freeport
Freeport show they are outdated and pose potential risk to the city's water supply.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is requesting all municipalities renew codes
and ordinance to limit potential contamination and liability to city-served drinking water
aquifers by updating these ordinances to 2025 protection standards.
Freeport has recently invested over $20 million in drinking water wells due to forever chemical
and others who have been involved in environmental contamination issues, and this ordinance revision is another method in securing the water supply for all the residents and businesses in Freeport. I also would like to remind you that we're on the cusp of bidding a new well in Well House's well that doesn't even count in those estimates. So the discussion point is the city is making significant progress in improving water quality and continually seeks to provide citizens with safe and clean drinking water.
and the federal United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department
of Public Health.
The proposed changes to this ordinance align with the regulatory agencies and enhance our
city's ability to manage stressors and competing demands for our water supply and address potential
Pluton Sources.
We're trying to protect our investment in our water, the city and the residents and the council have made significant improvements, and we want to make sure that we stay there. There is no financials for this. This is just updating an ordinance that's currently on the books. And the staff recommends that we make sure that the water is clean, that the water is clean, that the water is clean, that the water is clean, that the water is clean.
and others that we move forward at the next meeting and adopt this, and it will support
the other codes and ordinances that we already have in place throughout the codified ordinances
now.
It's just not really clear to people that are coming to town that we don't allow wells
or septics.
Any questions?
Alderman Sanders.
Is this all for discussion?
Yeah.
Okay.
Director Darren, what promptingness when you're talking about contaminations and the fact
that we're ready to invest so many millions of dollars to do a relocation of the existing
Well. What is prompting this? Because I heard the term contamination. Are we having a contamination
issue at this current time with our water supply and the distribution of our water supply throughout
the city? Are we having an issue with that?
No. Unequivocally, no. We don't have an issue. We had an issue. It's been resolved.
It has been resolved.
We've been talking about that for several years with the addition of well 11 and when it came online, we have completely eliminated those sources. They're in emergency standby. That's why we still need one more water plant, right? So we currently do not serve Brick Street to the system unless there's an emergent need. So it's kept on standby only.
yeah there is a funding program to step to install this new well that that you're
requesting that we're there is a lot of funding in place not completely funded
but thirteen point two million dollars is what we've secured for the new well
and this is not going to cost the taxpayers anything at this time this
ordinance changes just a housekeeping event for the city of Freeport this has
has nothing to do with anything but protecting the city water supply within the city.
The county also has ordinances, which right now they have a setback of a thousand feet
around the perimeter of the city line, so nobody can drill a well within this thousand
feet of the city, and this is just something that is not clear to people that are coming
here because it's embedded within some of our other codes, and we want to be clear that
wells and septics will no longer be acceptable in the city.
We serve, I did a quick little study, which I know you're going to be proud of, right?
We serve, without the exception of the west end of Stevenson Street, we serve water to
almost every corner of Freeport, or we have the ability to get water there now.
With the exception of that one leg of Stevenson Street, that's the only kind of area that
we don't connect city water to right now.
So there is a study in progress at this time.
It's right up here, buddy.
and others.
We have all of that.
But if you're not here tomorrow.
You'll remember it, right?
Well, my thing is, my thing is, we did a complete survey of the land property and everything
that we want to do the installation and all of these things is, what I want to say, plan
and scheduled for the progress to move it, proceed with it.
Yes, I have a couple questions. How many septic tanks do Freeport house?
It's an unknown number. I would say we have about roughly 11,000 customers in Freeport,
and maybe, I don't know, maybe 5%.
We still have some areas in the Arcade I know that are still on septic.
We had areas like Oak Hill where Greg lives, they were completely on septic till we did
that.
I believe some of the houses on Meadowbrook are still on septic that I know of.
Are you saying that there's a potential risk if this language is not adopted?
Certainly.
Yep, and I'll explain that.
So anybody that has a residential well, those are not monitored by the City of Freeport directly.
Those are homeowners' property.
So anybody could go open one of those well caps unbeknownst to us, go over, you know,
Frieser, whatever they want that would eventually silt down into the city's
aquifer. That is the primary reason, it's health and water safety protection. The
city of Freeport, our public work staff, checks our water seven days a week.
Various spots throughout the system to make sure that all the water is up to EPA
standards, safe and drink, you know, drinking water. Somebody that could
potentially contaminate or throw a bucket of oil down in the aquifer, that
Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor
Another thing is an ancillary source of our drinking water is our fire protection, right?
So if you are not on the city drinking water, you're really not paying for that infrastructure
that's going in front of your house, but yet we're going to use it to put your house out.
Everybody inside the city needs to share that cost, right?
That's why we have the ready-to-serve fees that we've passed.
This is just bringing everything all together, saying if you're in the city of Freeport,
you're going to eventually connect to the city, right, because your well's not going
McClendon. Wasn't there a program to do the very thing that we're talking about right
now in regards to septics and wells and the program was mandated by the federal government
or the state order? That was the Unsewered Communities grant we've got. They want all
All septics and wells within corporate limits to be eliminated in every town plus that thousand
foot buffer.
Okay, so what I understand you saying earlier that there was a five percent of those items
still exist in the ground at this point in time.
What are we doing to eliminate those?
So, actively we can't do anything until their systems fail.
They're grandfathered in, they can keep their system as long as it's active, but septics
Don't we have an ordinance that that we can't force them to connect if they were already grandfathered in but once they go for a renewal we don't issue any more permits for wells or septics within the city so they can't they can't renew okay if works done in that area and the waters new water and sewer goes through there they have to they have the option to hook up at that time yeah
Correct. So stepping back, I should, I guess I explained this. When we did Bradmar in town, there was people out there with wells and septics. When we do new installations of water and sewer, at that time, we do heavily discounted and even basically free connections of water and sewer at that time to the houses.
You didn't say free, did you?
Well, we do it free to the right of way. We don't do it free on their property. It's up to each person to spend that money from their house to the street to connect. But we stub it to their house for nothing as part of the project. But there's also connection fees that we have. And connection fees are real fees that people pay to connect to the municipality's water sewer system. When we're in an area and we renew the entire street, we run services to every property, and we give them one time to connect.
Do we have a program for homeowners, residential property owners at the time that this kind
of construction takes place, and if so, you'll find a lot of homeowners just can't pay that
fee.
and others.
There should be a mechanism in place or program or something of that nature where they want
to connect to the municipality but they can't afford to.
We need something in orbit to allow them to do so.
People, you know, we've faced this throughout some of the projects we've done, Alderman
Sanders.
Realistically, that's, you know, a lending option from a bank.
That's their choice to go to.
The utility doesn't have the money nor the financing mechanism to finance homeowners on
a five-year payment.
and others on a five-year payment plan for their connection.
You'll see the city, when we go through
and do these connection plans under new,
we are very reasonably charged for the work
as in comparison to somebody renewing this
with a contractor just doing it on their own.
It's very, very expensive anymore.
You can't hardly even do a sewer repair anymore
without it costing $6,000.
So we're very cognizant of that.
We advertise, we get out, we publicly let people know,
We've had some people fight it, and they find out that it ends up costing more later, but this ordinance really brings everything full circle, right? We all live here. We want to protect the water. We don't want our water rates and sewer rates to continue to climb. If we get more contamination, I mean, it's up to all of us to pay for it. So this type of ordinance protects our system from anybody, you know, dumping anything into the ground. We have a system that protects our system.
We have a lot of different codes that relate back to this type of ordinance and really it's just a house cleaning item to make sure that it's very confident and I will tell you I didn't make this up on my own I worked with Attorney Zito and Attorney Cox to come up with this along with the compliance officer and we all agreed that this met the matrix that we think we need. Alderman Stacey. Yes. So are you saying rates are climbing due to contamination.
No, I'm saying that we had to invest in new wells and new water plants, A, because they're 100 years old, and B, because of the location that they're at, the PFAS showed up in those wells, and obviously, as Scott just mentioned, PFAS is the hot button for EPA anymore, we can't serve that in drinking water, there's actually legal limits that you can serve, we've chosen not to do that to the residents, and that's why we've shut that plant off and only have it in emergency bags.
We're trying to be as safe and as resident conscious as possible, so that's why we test that plant.
We actually flush that plant and don't turn the water over to the citizens.
We actually dump it just to keep it for emergency.
Once well 12 is completely done online and operating well,
the Brick Street plant that has become the nemesis of it will be completely shut down
and we'll have to go after our grant to remove it completely and whole.
Any other questions, comments?
No, I'm asking that you guys move this forward to the next meeting and
I would like at the next meeting to ask if it's potential that we could suspend the rules and adopt this.
So moved.
Go ahead.
Second.
I'll do the second.
So we have Sellers and Klemm.
any additional conversation before we take a vote I would like to make a
motion that we gather and collect more information we understand what the
ordinance is saying and what is being asked and at the meeting next week we
We can skip the rules, or waive the suspender.
That's when, we're not suspending the rules tonight.
We have to do that at that meeting, so there will be an additional.
But I don't want them to say, oh, at the COW you are ready to suspend it.
No, it doesn't count.
Okay.
Correct?
Correct.
Okay.
So tonight would just be moving this forward to the next regularly scheduled meeting, and
then we would have to take a vote to suspend the rules at that time, when that meeting
comes around. The only thing I would ask and I'm fine with that motion totally if
you have questions please reach out to me during the week so we can get those
answered because if you ask me next Monday I might not be prepared for the
question so I'm fine to get any answers you wish I just need to know what they
are. Okay thank you. Sounds good. Regular voice vote. All of those members in
favor say aye opposed motion carries eight to zero item number nine discussion
discussion regarding ordinance amending various oh wrong one item number ten
discussion regarding bike paths status update involving the Freeport Park
District Highland Community College and City of Freeport presented by Alder
Alderpersons, Monroe, and Stacy. Do you want to start us off? Yes. I just wanted some discussion
on where we're at with this matter. It was brought to the council. It failed. It was brought
to the council with Mayor Miller breaking the tie, it passed, the people running for,
Highland are talking about how it's already moving forward and in the process of and nothing has even been said,
or brought back to the council. So I would just like some information on where we're at with this.
Manager, Boyer Thank you. As far as our current status,
we applied for the ITEP last year, I believe that was August?
That sounds right. They're about, they're about August. They're,
you know, this is a two-year cycle and there hasn't really been any updates and we haven't
received confirmation that the ITEP grant has been accepted, so.
So you're saying it takes two years to find out if?
I'm not saying it takes two years to find out, but it's like a two-year process.
So as far as the acceptance is concerned, I'm sure we'll hear something at some point
very soon.
Yeah, we didn't submit till fall and we don't expect to hear, I believe their timeframes
that they even put out is like summer of 2025 before we'll find out and then you get two
years to do it.
So as the status of Freeport, I'm surprised by what you heard because I'm the main communication
person and I've heard nothing and said nothing about this project.
So the only thing that's moved forward is the memorandum of understanding that if we
get the grant that all three partners would contribute to the match money.
That is the only thing that's happened.
There has been no design moving forward.
There has been no action because there's no project without a grant.
I thought you did a design.
We just did a concept preliminary of the route, but we haven't done any design money or anything
with that.
You can't...
IDOT's, their type of grants that they do, you can't do design, you can only do concepts.
If you do grant or if you do designs before the grant, you eliminate yourself from receiving
the grant.
So you actually have to pause and wait till you're awarded.
Okay, so the $90,000 we paid you to do a design was not a design?
I don't think you've paid me 90,000 dollars for this. I don't believe we, no I don't.
You had said it was going to take six to eight months to do a design. They voted on just
the design.
I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. When was that?
There was no vote taken on you doing a design only.
Not on that project.
Okay, so can you tell me what project am I mixing this up with?
It might be the water main.
No.
No?
No.
Maybe you're right.
The 90,000 sounds like the...
Designed for the water main?
The water main, yeah.
give me forgive me it sounds close to that number yeah so it could be another
year and a half before we even find out if we get that grant for the bike path I
will say that I think we will find out sometime in the summer of 2025 whether we
are awarded or or denied one of the two and then we'll have up to two years to
Fowler.
We have to design it and get it to construction.
That's the way those grants work.
Alderman Sanders?
Director, Darren, speaking of that bike route, what I assumed, what I understood the last
time we had this discussion is that this bike path is supposed to be something that highlights
the whole city of Freeport or the residents of Freeport to have access to this bike path
and that it's not designated for a particular area because there's no plan.
If there's no plan, it's not set in stone yet, am I correct?
Not exactly and I'll clarify because when you approved the grant submission for this
This particular project, there was a concept plan put out there, and this particular grant
had I believe two or three key components.
You had to tie to schools, you had to tie to neighborhoods, and you had to tie to shopping.
And so the project that was laid out at that time was connecting from, I'm gonna call it
West Cherokee Hills, Sandy Point area where there's the bike path out there, going around
Highland, back down Pearl City Road through Reid Park and going out the back of Reid Park
to connect to the mall area.
And then there was another leg that was shown that would connect out to the Walmart.
was shown that would connect out to the Walmart segment.
So there was actually-
You mean Crate Park?
Walking or-
Crate Park.
You mean Crate Park.
Crate Park, yeah, excuse me.
Okay, so that is not serving all of Freeport.
We're talking about residential as well, am I correct?
Yes.
That is what my mindset was on
when I last talked to you about that.
Does it cover the Freeport residents here in Freeport
Fripport where it's not placed in a particular area where it only serve a few. And so my
understanding was when we talked is that it will serve the residents of Fripport. That's
my understanding.
There's residents all over Fripport.
Yeah, I understand, but...
And that map was supplied with the packet that you voted on. We never give any of that without
and others.
So that was the entire route was laid out in the packet for the grant.
So I can't speak to what we talked about eight months ago, but that path was completely laid
out and that's what we voted on was the grant with those three partners because remember
we're using Highland to help pay for the Highland portion.
We're using the park to help pay for the park portion, right, because we can't single-handedly
absorb that much match money and or grant money at the same time.
so we had to bring partners.
So what is the city portion of this discussion?
What do we talk about then?
Because if we're talking about shares,
if we're talking about shares, then we have,
when you start-
I believe it's a total match of 360,000, right?
Yeah, but all of it, regardless where you're getting
the grant, if the city of Freeport has to participate,
are we a part of that grant?
that the city is the city is part of that grant
and then inclusion of the residents.
If this is coming from the city,
whatever share the city is implementing for this program,
we're talking taxpayers, dollars and more.
Am I correct on this?
I don't understand your point.
My point is, if the city begins to implement in this project, program, it takes funding
to do so.
And if that is the case, where do those funds come from?
So we committed $120,000 out of the $360,000 match from the city.
Each partner's match, I believe, was $120,000.
But where's the fundings coming from?
That's what we need to know.
Where's the...
On City Freeport General Fund, that was what was assigned in the MOU that the council approved.
Okay.
And that's what's in the budget for when the project, if we are awarded the, if we're
not awarded, then it won't be used.
Year over year.
It'll revolve back into the central?
Well, these types of grants are only available every other year.
They're not available.
They're only available on the even news.
I'm talking about the city funding.
Yeah.
So when we did the strategic planning of the budget we budgeted some money in 25 and some
money in 26 to spread it out because it's not going to get done in one year.
And the way these grants work is the city has to expend their match money and Highland
and the park would have to expend their match money before you'd get any grant money, right?
The match money gets spent first.
Any additional questions?
Any comments?
Davis, does not need a motion to move forward, so we will move on to item number 11, discussion
regarding a status update on the water main extension on West Stevenson Street, including
Open Bible.
Alderman Stacey, would you like to?
Thank you.
Yep.
Alderman Monroe, and it should have read, discussion regarding status update on the
Open, Bible, Watermane. That's what it should have read. And so I would like to know where
we're at with that process. Director, Darren, our City Manager, Boyer, Sure, I'd be happy
to update you. First of all, the water main extension, it does provide water to Open Bible,
but it also provides water to approximately 10 households and also Highlands Project research
field there. With that being said, the permit was...
What was that last part? Highland is working on a pilot, like a field,
like a research field there to the east of the Open Bible property in between the park
and Open Bible, so there's gonna be bathroom facilities
and things that that water would go to.
With that being said, the permit was approved
by the IEPA and we're currently working
on a plan to bring before council to construct that.
Okay, so when are we gonna find out that it was approved?
We're just saying the permit was approved not construction so Illinois EPA has to approve our design plans to to be constructable which they've done nothing else has been done okay that's what I'm saying when was the design plans approved January I believe huh in January they were approved and we've been looking for funding since then
and I. Now couldn't we receive an update on that? And it's like you've already planning
and we have not gone that far. You're planning for Stevenson Street. You're planning for
Open Bible. Now you're planning for Highland.
Council approved the putting together of the plan submitting for the permit with IEPA.
That's what we've done.
We approved for the design. Darren did only.
We approve for design and that was part of submitting to the EPA to get a permit.
Okay, but you just named three different avenues that's moving forward.
I simply redefined the title of this, which is, yes, Open Bible.
It's also several, probably seven homes and Highland College's research plot.
So I just wanted to make sure that was clear.
Okay.
You can make sure that that's clear.
However, when it was brought to the council, we were asked to put in a water main at Open
Bible because 25 years ago, the public works person shook hands with a principal and said
the city would do it for free.
And when we didn't go for it, then you started adding Stevenson Street, then you started adding
9 or 10 other residents and my questions Director Darren about this ordinance and the language
change was all due to this question because what's going to happen now to open Bibles well
so that we don't have no choice but to give them a water main.
So just to be absolutely clear with everyone,
item number nine has nothing whatsoever to do
with Open Bible or their well.
They have a well, they are grandfathered in
to have that well and they can have it as long as it works.
It has nothing to do with this item whatsoever.
That other ordinance pertains to everything
within the city limits.
I had nothing in mind with Open Bible whatsoever
with this situation, so I wanna be absolutely
and totally clear, one has nothing to do with the other.
Open Bible gets to keep that well
as long as they don't have city water,
because when we bring water up there,
they'll have the ready-to-serve fee if they don't connect,
which obviously they will, but until we bring it there,
they have the right to keep that well.
and anybody that connect us at their expense, 100%.
To, yeah, they will have to connect from the right away.
So again, when we build water mains,
we run new water main,
which is our responsibility in the services.
We run them to every house, to the right away.
That is our responsibility as a city.
That's what we own.
And then the connection from that piece to the house,
that becomes the owner's cost, no matter who it is.
We can't, that's spending public money on private property and we can't do that.
Alderman, Sanders?
Let me, let me help you out.
I need a lot of help.
Yeah, yeah, because as we're speaking things are changing.
The same, the same...
The same information we talked about last year about this particular program and we did not go forward with it.
The languages are still changing. What was said back then is not being said today.
But my thing is, what is prompting this water main at one point some million dollars to be installed, first of all?
What is prompting this taxpayer's dollars for running such a water main if we're not obligated to put a water main down this particular, I don't know how many feet it is or whatever it is, but whatever it is, it's not something that taxpayers just want to take 1.7 million dollars and just stick it in the ground, just to stick it in the ground, unless we're
We're requested to do so, a purpose for it unless we're obligated.
If there's a mandate that the city is liable to do this, where is this coming from?
Who is making this motion that we do such a thing to install something in the ground
that specifically don't serve anyone before it is even put in the ground at one point
some million dollars my thing is why are we opening up the ground for one point
million for one point some million dollars just to stick a pipe so in there
I'd like to answer that yeah go ahead so there is absolutely some confusion with
this council no and it's getting very taxing I think right now well you can
respond okay almost there is no intent to build this main at this time nobody's
asked to build it. Nobody has ever said we're building it. We designed it so we could have
it shovel ready, which is where we're at right now. If you go back to the comments from when
we approved the design, we said we would move it forward, get it shovel ready, get it EPA
permitted, and look for funds to do it. That is where we're at. That is what we've done.
We fulfilled our promise. Nobody's asking to build this today. Nobody's asking to build
Hold it tomorrow, we're trying to figure out a way to get it done.
We have been weekly shopping, if you will, for grants, looking for any avenue to get
this paid for, and we have not been successful so far.
So that's the status.
Well, my thing is, why are we investing our time trying to install a water main that's
not going to serve nobody currently, or what's the purpose of it for?
It's not going to serve, why are we sticking it in the ground?
and I have a question about the $1.4 million or whatever million dollars that we're using
of taxpayers' dollars to install something in the ground just to let it sit there until
someone decides they want to connect to it.
Why are we doing that?
Well, because if we build it, Open Bible is going to connect to it immediately because
they've requested it.
So you asked who requested it, they requested it.
They requested it 25 years ago.
There's 12 other residents of the City of Freeport that live in that corridor and they will connect.
They did not request that 25 years ago.
It doesn't matter what they requested.
Yeah, it does.
It does.
It does matter.
We have a responsibility.
It does matter.
Let them answer.
We have a responsibility as the City of Freeport to feed our constituents water, potable water
if they want it.
We have a responsibility.
That's what these ordinances are right.
They can't just go drill new wells.
We're not going to let them.
We have a responsibility to serve water and sewer to anyone within the city limits that
wants it.
That is our job as a municipality.
That's why we charge for it.
That's what utility rates are all about.
Well, from my discussion and everything about this, they didn't want this water main to
connect to initially.
I don't know why you're digging up stuff that is not true.
That's not true.
Oh, okay.
They wanted it.
Okay.
and others.
They wanted it for free.
Okay.
They wanted it, but they wanted it for free.
They wanted it at taxpayer's money, dollars, and it's a non-for-profit organization.
My complaint was all the time is, do the city accommodate any establishment entity at all
if they're non-for-profit?
We're in the business of installing things like that when it comes to other non-for-profit entities to invest taxpayers' dollars to put in the ground just for the notion that an open Bible might want to connect to it, because they still may not want to connect, as far as I know.
But the point of the matter is there's money going into the ground.
Not yet.
Yeah, well, that's the that's the whole requesting the whole premise of our discussion. Let me let Mayor Miller
I just want to bring a little clarity just in discussions that I've had with the director there. They've never asked for something for free
They've always had the intent that when the line is there
They would be like anyone else any other business any other resident any other school
Whatever that they will pay to connect up once we get it in that position. So they've never asked us to do it for free
Yeah, I'm just curious if we're actually having discussion on the update of this or whether we're arguing the point that isn't even in front of us yet.
Well, we're discussing the update. However, when it was first brought to the Council,
City Manager Boyer asked us to do this for Open Bible for free.
That's what he was asking. Because we needed to respect what this community development person had promised.
But as long as they were getting those inspections waived for not having a sprinkler system, it was okay.
but when it came down to our firemen doing the inspection and realizing there was no water sprinkler then the ball changed and that was the 25 years later.
Yeah, so I think we have discussed this area a lot and everybody involved, which is I think
no one here admits that there's a major error 25 years ago that this didn't get pulled forward.
We can't blame people that aren't here anymore, and we fully take responsibility for it.
I take responsibility for calling it the Open Bible Water Main Extension.
That's completely my fault, 100% Darren Stiegel's fault.
I called it that.
That's what it was originally.
That's because I didn't have a better name for it at the time.
But that's what it came to council as.
Yeah, but, but, so I just picked the name to put on the permit set.
It wasn't a title.
It wasn't a mission.
Is the city liable for that water main to be installed? Is there an ordinance saying that
we are liable for that? We are responsible to serve water. No, answer my question. Are
we liable? Nobody else can install it. Are we liable as taxpayers to put that water main
in that ground. Are we liable? Answer that question.
I'm not going to get into it on an open floor as to whether or not the city is
obligated, responsible, liable for something because that's not to the city's
advantage to admit anything
whatsoever, okay? So, but I will say that there are
potential obligations of the city based off prior acts,
comments, affirmations made by city staff back then,
Whether or not a judge would say that we are absolutely responsible for it, I don't know unless or until we're in court.
I don't want to find out if we're in court, you know, necessarily. I don't think the city wants to necessarily go that route.
But maybe it does. That's for you guys to decide at the end of the day.
There's a lot of talk around this project talking about, you know, should we do this, are we obligated to do this, you know, from what was said in the past.
At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what happened in the past. It's good to know.
I'm not saying that we should not talk about what happened in the past, but what it all boils down to is what the elected City Council wants to do now.
If you don't want to extend the water, don't extend the water. If you want to extend the water, extend the water.
You can have whatever reason you want for it, justification for how you vote, that's fine, but that's the bottom line.
If the council votes to not move it forward, then you don't move it forward.
But if you guys choose the majority says build it, then you build it. That's it. It's simple.
Well, let me interject this mischaritization of what this is all about and what we're talking
about to even be talking about it at this time on the floor.
We have already visited that area.
And what we're trying to do is bring something up where misinformation is being provided
at this time.
So my thing is, I object to the fact that this is being brought before us.
and others. I would like to say that this is being brought before us again without understanding whether we are liable or there is an ordinance that we promised something or made an agreement. We have not seen anything in writing. We need to explore this a little bit more before we commit the taxpayers' money.
At this time, Alderman Sanders, there's nothing being moved forward.
What's on the agenda right now was simply an update.
The nutshell summary of the update is that Fehr Graham has gone and designed the work,
which is what was authorized by Council, and then the permit's been issued, and now they
are looking for funding for that.
That was all that was agreed to back then, a few months ago there.
if they're if they find no funding then it's gonna have to come back to the
council and say hey we didn't find any funding what do you guys want to do and
then the council will decide okay well if we didn't find funding then maybe we
vote and say no we're not moving forward or the council can say well even without
funding you know we're gonna find the money somewhere and we're gonna move
forward with it that's up for you guys to decide at that time that's that's not
I have to object with you, Attorney Zito.
Rocky, that's how it is, honey.
No, no it isn't.
That is how it is right now.
Oh, okay.
Right now.
Well, what I'm trying to say is this.
We're speaking as though we're going to make a move or vote for something that we have not even...
We're not.
Okay.
Nothing's happening tonight.
and I was just a status update where we're at what's going on that's all it was
supposed to be so we will move on to item number 12 discussion regarding the
costs and impact of events on City of Freeport Services presented by myself
and Alderman Sanders I'll start this off if that's okay so there's been a lot of
discussion about different events and things happening you know that in a lot
and a lot of ways would require council approval as well as spending money on services, may
it be police, fire, whatever it might be, city services, blocking roads, doing all the
types of things it takes away from our daily tasks, the planning meetings, things like
that.
So the questions that really came to my mind, you know, what were the actual costs to the
city for these events that we've done?
I've heard a lot of different things you know kind of back and forth question I
had popped up was overtime you know things like that were there over time
were people scheduled to work those shifts did we bring in extra patrols you
know did we you know put city services at you know a point that we you know
probably needed more you know or was everything okay and I that's why I put
and I have been asked to put this on here, put an end to the
discussion and the concerns, hopefully be able to get to the
bottom of where we are and what it actually cost us.
And if this is something we should budget in on a regular
basis or have discussions about moving forward because I have
heard from a couple of people that I've heard, yes, we would
approve anything for anybody who brought a festival or
something forward, but I've also heard from other people that
said they've been denied these services.
I'm bringing to the table now is to have a conversation about you know what we
spent on each of these you know what what we kind of did and that's why you
know I put on here you know just a couple just to have a conversation about
City Manager, Mayor, Fire Chief, Police Chief kind of go over this because I you
know I think our public works even you know because we are blocking streets are
we are taking time to do things there are cleanup things like that and I just
and I wanted to make sure all of it was captured.
Do we, I don't know if staff had a chance
to kind of take a look and see if.
Staff has actually not had a chance to look this over
and do the research necessary and if it's council's will
to move forward with an effort to do so,
I'll be happy to comply.
Could I ask a question?
Sure.
Why are we just picking these two?
Why wouldn't we also want to look at what it would cost for like, don't they do like cruise night, paint the port, you know, all those different activities that we have. That also takes city time too. So why just these two?
I think these two, it was more of a, I picked the two bigger events, the one that was, you know, out the county fairgrounds, we do have a lot of city police officers, we, you know, auxiliary, other pieces, I know auxiliary doesn't have a cost to it, but just trying to understand from that kind of a standpoint, it was not necessarily to isolate these two organizations, it was more of just to pick one that was a for-profit, which I didn't even know before I started looking into this that Stevenson County Fair wasn't part of Stevenson County Fair.
County, it's a Stevenson County Fair Association, which is a for-profit entity, not a not-for-profit
entity, and Freeport Festival because it's, okay, interesting.
So that would be wrong on there, okay, understood there.
But the other was, the Freeport Festival does take a lot more, well I would say cruise night
it also takes quite a bit.
So, I would like to make a motion, at least at this point.
I know you've got questions,
but I'll let you ask a question.
Yeah, I just wanted to chime in on this one.
To find out who's organizing the festivals
and cruise nights and things of this nature
because there's fundings that has to be exhausted
in order to conduct these type of events.
So my thing is who's organizing it,
what committee that's in charge of it,
and any monies that are being fundo
to these particular programs or these events,
where the funding's coming from,
and who's the oversight or overseers
of these particular events.
I like to get right down to the basics of how we got here.
How we got here and how it was organized.
That explained a lot of things to me to understand
what is really happening and how do we get where we're at
and why we're having these events
and who's constructing them.
That's what I like to understand.
Who are the individuals that are making these proposals
that we should have these events?
I'd like to get right up to the basics of the foundation of it, you know, and which right now we're just floating over things and just letting it happen.
And we can't do that. We have to, we got to hold whoever it is responsible for the outcome and not only that, the managing of the funds and how it is dispersed.
Where is these funds coming from?
Because taxpayers are involved in this some kind of way,
but I have not explored it completely.
But the thing about it is we need to know
where the nuts and bolts are that's operating this machine.
So what would you need Manager Boyer
to kind of move forward with direction on this
to kind of pull forward at least
Since it sounds like everything is not for profit, to pull forward, you know, what each of these events cost the city, how much time would you need, you know, what would it take to pull this together?
I think just the authorization to direct staff to do the research and come back with the report.
And how much time?
A couple of months.
It could be a little while. I'm not precisely sure.
and just for a point of clarity, are you talking about everything that is permitted?
By the State, I don't understand the question.
Well, the clerk receives a lot of permits from the Memorial Day Parade to, you know,
Music on Chicago stuff to, I mean, there's just a ton of things that are permitted that
are you, are you looking at, I mean, if you're going to, if you're going to evaluate, you
might as well evaluate everything.
Sure.
Well, my one concern is the taxpayers are involved in these events. To what extent are the taxpayers paying for these events?
I don't care what it is that the city is doing, what entity, whatever organization is doing anything, where does the taxpayers at the end of the day,
K. Where are their fundings, where are the fundings for these events and programs? Where
is it coming from? Go ahead.
I'd just like to, as long as we're discussing this and adding everything in the world into
it that we've never talked about before, I'd like to also see how much money this brings
into the City of Freeport for all the businesses and everything else that's been mentioned
by the two or three people that spoke beforehand.
Tourism dollars are a big thing here.
And last year, I believe we bought
50-some million dollars worth then.
So I think that justifies some of this,
but as long as we're looking at what everything costs
and why we're doing everything, let's...
B. S. and why we're doing everything. Let's take a look at how beneficial it is to us.
Yeah. I don't disagree with that. I think the concern right now is that we don't know
if we spend $10 or $10 million. We have no clue how many dollars are being spent on these
events, personnel hours, vehicle time, all of that. And I do think, you know, whenever
you're running a business, there is a cost-benefit analysis that goes into this. And we want
May, Jim, Jodi, Deanna, Chris, John, John, Larry, Tom, Wayne, Michael, And I'm going to make sure that what we're doing is in the best interest of Freeport and quite honestly, Cruise Night, this is my opinion, everybody's got an opinion, Cruise Night used to be a lot better than it is. Now it's all spread out, it's not as tight, it used to be a lot more stuff going on downtown. It was kind of an afterthought. But I think what we've had, some of these events have been really positive for the city. Others haven't been.
and
the rest of the city.
And I think we need to be able to
look into do we want to continue to do all of these different
events?
And are we using a fair amount of taxpayer dollars to make these
happen?
That we could be putting toward, you know, the question came up a
few weeks ago about $25,000 for lights. Where is that going to
come from?
and others, and I think there's opportunity to spend the money more wisely. I think that's the only the conversation that's coming up and at least make sure what we're doing, you know, because even with 503C1s, you know, you do have the potential for money to be paid out to individuals. And I think it's important that we ensure that if we're providing something at no charge to these entities, that we, they're not taking capitalizing on the event for themselves.
and others. I think that's a smart thing to do. You know, there are rules for all of these
things within the IRS and everything else. Under certain amounts, things are not reportable.
And I just want to make sure that what we are doing is the best interest of the City
of Freeport and its citizens and every tax dollar that we spend.
Alderman Sellers?
I just want to say also that we know that you have to spend money to make money. And
You know that any time we have, you have any events within our community, we're going to
have to have police and fire, we're going to have to have these people working to make
sure that it's safe.
We want to have events in our community to draw people into our community to see what
we have.
I mean, you don't want us to, I mean, I think Teddy Baker days or whatever, Freeport Festival,
whatever they want to call it, it has brought a lot of people into our community.
Fehr has brought a lot of people. What is it? The Cruise Night. I mean, Pantherport, all
of those things have. And we have to spend money to make money, and we know that. So
I think it's just something we're just kind of fussing about. I mean, when has it ever
come up before? That's what I want to know. When has these items with Cruise Night, as
As long as it's been a night on Chicago, how long has that been? All these different nights,
how many, when did it ever come up before? That's what I just want to know. Why is it
such a problem now?
Well, there's new sheriffs in town. You know, you can't keep doing things the old way. Sometimes
you got to go with the change of the atmosphere. And my thing is when someone says, I need
and others.
I need a permit for this.
I need a permit for that.
And then the city gets involved in what these permits for whatever committee entity or whatever.
That's information.
That is data information that if we as council wants to know who are these permitters and
who are requesting permits for any event or anything that is happening, then council has
has a right to ask the question and get the answers of who are the permittees and then
we can follow up from there and how things are organized. We've given out permits without
organization. I don't believe that I'm hearing this. And if it's not organized, if something
that we want to do is not organized, we've got to have a permit to do so. So I'd like
to know who are these individuals who are getting permits to do anything throughout
and I'll put this out there so if is I as an employee at a company I go to a
national convention and there's a group of people from my company goes to that
national convention we know down to the penny about everything that was spent at
that event thank you and we are accountable for that spending and here
in the city of Freeport we are not and the question that I've got for you I'll
I'll tell you why it's got to change because I keep getting told it's another cup of coffee that I'm going to get charged for a $200 water bill, for a $150 fee to have some clown from Chicago roll out here and look at my pipe connected to my house that it's not going to backwash into the sewer.
All of the costs come to me, the people putting these festivals on need to pay for them themselves.
That's where it's coming from and the what we've gotten ourselves into a hole and you're defending which it doesn't surprise me
No, no, no, no. I
I'm telling you why I'm giving you to why no is it because it's because is ran
Jodi and the Stevenson County Fair is Rob's wife. Is that what?
Fair that's a fair question and I'm telling you straight up
I think all of them have to be questioned and and the reason why is if I'm going
to pay for it I need to know what my costs are as a person who lives in this
community and pays his fair share of taxes I I bought a used vehicle $1,800
boom taxes congratulations where's that money go I have no clue but but trust me
I know we've raised all the fees for that that's why this is coming up because the people in this community
Want our leaders held accountable and we've not been doing a good job part of that
I I take I take as much credit as anybody would get on that
I should have been holding people more accountable from the get-go
Why didn't why wasn't the question saying for every event well, I just put these down as
Transparents. Yeah, I'm trying
There's not, there's not enough transparency. That's where I'm at. Yeah, so once we establish transparency. Alderman Clems,
he's got the floor, sorry. And then we might get somewhere. Alderman Clems.
I just like to, as everybody's tallying up all this stuff,
okay for everybody,
keep track of how much time you waste and how much it costs you because every one of you guys got another job to do
also.
So when you ask for this X amount allowance I asked for something down the line and they say I can't I'm working on how
Much it cost to have the fire department have a fire truck downtown that you guys got that too
Let's let's stop and take where we're really going here first. You've got a motion and you've got a second
You haven't passed it to move forward yet
All the machine
and
Thomas.
Was there a motion?
We are having a discussion.
I make a motion to table it indefinitely.
That's your opinion. You don't get your request like that.
Is there a second? No.
We have a motion to table it from Alderman Klemm and a second
actually what discussion just on the motion just on the motion anything no
we just we just allowed Boyer so to get information gathered up for us so and he
committed to that well that wasn't the direction of the council doses so it
hadn't gotten to that point we need a resolution so so what this we need a
and
the Resolution.
So Alderman Monroe had asked about wanting to, he said I want to make a motion to direct staff to look into the cost, sounds like the revenues as well, of all festivals there.
He asked Alderman Boyer how long do you think it would take.
He said he wasn't sure.
It could take a little bit.
Dixie.
You didn't actually make that motion and there wasn't, because conversations were still discussing
there.
So there wasn't a motion yet made on that, okay?
You would agree with that?
I would agree.
So make the motion.
I can't.
Now he's tabled it.
Of course you can.
Well, he's made a motion.
Alderman Klemm now has made a motion.
But you can make a motion on top of a motion.
Not these motions yet.
So you have to deal with this subsidiary motion first there.
So he has a motion to postpone indefinitely, seconded by Alderman Parker, we're in discussion
on that.
If that passes, then the item is postponed indefinitely.
If it doesn't pass, then you guys are right back to where we were, and Alderman Monroe
and other members of the public.
And I think that's where we were, and Alderman Monroe can then
make his motion to instruct staff to look into this, okay?
This is a trip.
What's on the floor is just a motion to table it indefinitely.
That's the motion.
Yeah.
I have something to say.
Go ahead.
Sure.
It has to be on the table.
It's about.
and
Being buried with numbers and information, we really just would like to know what amount has the city given?
Like, we voted to give a large amount to the Tutti-Baker Day organization to make sure that that happened.
If we're asking for those amounts, how much did the city actually pay towards this or that?
which would eliminate a lot of work for city staff, but it would still answer the question of what is the city directly contributing?
If you're asking for...
No, is the answer there.
No, you're just not going to answer?
Larry.
I made a motion?
I mean, we can vote on it?
Sometimes it's good to be silent at times. Why don't you try it once? Sometimes it's just that. Alderman Monroe? Yes, Alderman Sellers. So are you also saying, Alderman Simmons, just on these two things to find out how much we're paying or for any event, what do we do? If the city has written a check to that organization to help sponsor that event, yes. Okay. I doubt there will be that many
and the events that fall under that category.
Don't, yeah, that's not, okay.
Yeah, to see what we have given any event, okay.
Dovie, you want to...
Okay, you start us off, Monroe.
So this is just so everyone knows what we're voting on right now.
This is strictly the motion to postpone this topic indefinitely, okay?
No vote would be to vote against tabling it.
Correct.
A yes vote is in favor of tabling it.
Monroe.
No.
Simmons.
No.
Parker.
Aye.
Stacy.
No.
Shadle.
Sorry, am I interrupting you?
No, I can make my own motions.
I can move.
I'm not bothering you.
I believe you are.
Hall, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Alderperson, Klemm, what say you?
Don't leave the room yet. Save yourself 30 seconds. I'm going to make a motion.
Can I interrupt? I took the floor a substantial amount of time ago, never said a word, got
had interrupted with a motion. So we just took care of that. Can I at least have a chance?
I gave you the floor. Well, and I got interrupted. Okay. So here we are. I was going to make
a motion to give staff ample time to get this figured out in amongst their daily workings
and bring it back at, say, the June or July COW and talk about it then.
If you have a motion, then you have to ask the question.
So when he had a motion, why wasn't the question asked?
I got her interrupted as well, so I ...
Yeah, and then I think you said, well, I'll wait to make a motion.
So ...
Because of discussion.
and
Because a couple of hands that's why yeah
Do we have a second to that motion
So we have Shadle made a motion, Klemm seconded. The motion is to
delay until
Johnson, Neal, Eric, and Eric, and I would say July, June, I don't know whenever. Is it July or June?
Let's say July for clarification.
Okay.
Discussion? Do what?
So, basically to instruct staff to look into the cost of all the various festivals and events, no matter.
So, discussion?
Alderman, Stacy? Yes. I don't think we should wait till June or July. As I recall, one council meeting, we had 460 plus pages that we had to read through and be prepared from 540 on a Friday.
and we had to be prepared Monday. What we're asking should not be that hard and I
don't see why. We need four or five months to get that answer. If we take a
and
we take a month before five month is absolutely ridiculous
compared to what is expected of us as older people.
Alderman Klemm.
Yeah, if I take a look at this agenda,
as of Wednesday or so, there were four items on it.
There are certain people that it's Monroe and this
and others that have brought up at least eight items in an Executive Session that we've had
no time to repair for, no information to look at.
We never know when there's an Executive Session.
We never know until after we adjourn and it's said Executive Session.
and I have asked that it be stated on the agenda that we know in advance when there's an Executive
Session.
And I understand that you guys asked for one, I don't know nothing about it, so all these
eight things that you brought up from Friday or whatever are all new to all of us, so we're
just discussing them, just like you went to.
Executive Session, it tells you, the last bullet point tells you what the Executive Session
is about.
It's right there on the agenda.
Any other conversation about this one?
Could you repeat that again?
Could you repeat it?
So basically this is a vote to look into the expenditures associated with the actual costs
to the City of Freeport for all of the events
that we, you know, each and every event.
Yeah.
Well, yeah, I want us to make sure
that the people that are in charge of these events
give us some kind of acknowledgement
that such an event is gonna take place
and who's in charge, what organization is running
these committees and things of this nature,
what is the breakdown of how how much it would take taxpayers involvement in these
particular programs and I like to know who's the committee or organizations
that are are running these programs that's what I'd like to know and in the
council know anything about that I would I would appreciate them talking to
council members so we're not out here on limbo land trying to figure out what
What is going on with festivals and events? Alderman, Sanders, that's what we're trying
to find out. That's what we're doing. I know, I know. I know that's what we're trying to
find out. So let's move forward with Mr. Dovie. But I like to get out there. I want the public
to hear that. I just want them to hear that. We're going to take a vote. I just want them
to hear that. So this is on instructing staff to gather info to be reported at the July
Kau, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, we have a four to
to four vote, Mayor?
Well, since...
Well, since I am the President of one of these organizations, I will abstain.
Oh, you are? Oh, that's news. That ain't no news. That was a lie.
I make a motion that we move forward with what Alderman Simmons.
Yeah, that was a strategy move.
X. Yes. The motion fails for lack of a majority. Yeah, that was a strategy move. So just I think a point of clarity here. Had the city spent any money towards any festival, it would have had to come past this council to get approved. Absolutely. I kind of think that's a ridiculous question in nature. It is absolutely. You would have had to approve it.
so so the authorization of using vehicles gas trucks your department was one of
the ones that actually did support that we don't we do know did it drove all the
way to Chicago and back so yes it is happening the police department has
brought in extra patrols that wasn't the question it was on the if the city has
wrote checks to these was the question. That's not the question that was asked
between just now. It was expenditures. Alderman said that's what she brought it up, but that's not what...
That's the answer to that question. Yeah. Make your motion. Make your motion that was skipped over.
Alright, it's not gonna pass, so at this point we know where we're at, so we'll
just, I'm just gonna move on to item number 13. So then we're still expecting
from City Manager Boyer. Discussion of codified ordinance section 240.31, residency requirement
for specific members of various departments and failure to adhere to the various ordinances.
This is presented by myself and Alderman Sanders. I've received federal, several, several contacts
with respect to employees that do not live in the city. We heard earlier from the former
chief of police saying, you know, voicing his opinion. But right now, and I was a little
bit shocked to read into the ordinances a little bit further, that certain members of
of Departments are required to live within city limits and some are required to live
within a radius of the city of Freeport.
It has been brought to my attention that there are more than 10 that are in violation of
the ordinance and I wanted to bring this forward to at least have a conversation.
and I know that we have changed the ordinance as it relates to the, as I call them, boots
on the ground, the men and women on patrol, you know, with each of the various entities,
with the unions, that they no longer have that requirement.
I don't know if we went to a mileage distance.
I'm going to defer to the attorney.
but there's only one ordinance that's issued here is 240.31 which I believe goes to the
police and then there's also a fire that's 242.25 or 246 something along those lines
and at least the fact that it's been brought up via contact with email and a letter sent
to myself, I thought it was worthwhile to have the conversation on the floor and see
about what changes or what we do about it. Can you kind of, I'll let you have the
floor to explain what the ordinances say and then... So currently right now in a
nutshell just looking at the police one as the example there the Chief of
Police there's a requirement that the Chief of Police reside within the city
limits and then for certain ranks Deputy Chief, Lieutenants, and Sergeants they
We have to live within a certain radius of the police station there.
The code then goes on to provide that if those particular officers lived outside or outside
of those radius areas prior to that ordinance back then being adopted, they were allowed
to still stay there.
They didn't have to go move or buy a new house or anything like that.
Alderman or I think what you and I discussed um ahead of time was you know does this ordinance make
sense to even have on the books anymore uh there or does it make more sense just to get rid of the
residency requirement because as you noted for in our police union contracts and our fire contracts
and our ask me contracts that used to have the residency requirement we ultimately negotiated
those out uh there because we found that they didn't make sense anymore to have them again I
think that that only applies right now to as you call it the boots on the ground the rank and file
out there. So the question now is, do we want to apply? Does the council want to kind of make it uniform and say, hey, this applies to department heads, and then the other officers that are not rank and file, the lieutenants, the sergeants, etc.
Good synopsis.
Any comments? Any thoughts? I missed it. So basically the conversation is about the residency requirements for sergeants, lieutenants, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, chiefs of police, chiefs of fire, you know, and other department heads actually too. Yeah, and department heads.
Do we want to at least have a conversation to kind of move forward with either updating this based on, you know, current situation within the city limits of Freeport, you know, are there, you know, because right now the way it reads, it says any officer hired to a rank or title listed in the subsection has to, within the effective date of accepting the position, they have six months
to meet the residency requirement or it can be extended for an additional six
month period based on the City Manager's approval. So the question that I've got
is you know do we want to reevaluate kind of the situation or you know you
know at least have a conversation about where we're at right now.
I'd like to make the motion to move it on to re-evaluate it, whether it's to keep it or get re-evaluated.
Second.
It makes sense.
Can I just question, I guess, as to Alderman Parker's motion there, because your motion is to say to re-evaluate it, like to have staff come back with a recommendation, is that what you mean?
what you mean or are you making a motion to say amend it this way oh okay so you
to get rid of the residency requirement for the department heads the chiefs that
the okay okay yeah yeah he didn't say motion you did no he said emotion and I
you have to remember this isn't passing anything this is just saying to bring it
forward okay just to the next next meeting yeah so I have that discussion
about it what do we want I mean are you basically asking staff to provide their
input into this or because right now we're having the discussion yeah I'm in
I'm in agreement with your proposal can I can I clarify are you saying to the next
cow or the next City Council meeting City Council thank you
No, it's already seconded. You mind if I ask a question? You know, we've had this on the books for a while. Why haven't we been enforcing that?
Number one, there's been a number of personnel that have been outside of the area, and it was staff's intention to bring that before council to get this adjusted, changed.
and I. We have a motion and a second. I am going to have Dovie go ahead. We are good.
Monroe. Aye. I'm sorry that was yes? Aye. Okay. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. And Klemm? Aye. Motion passes eight to zero. Next one
Next one, discussion regarding resolution R 2025-30 authorizing an agreement with MSA Professional Services to provide IHDA Home Repair and Accessibility Program grant writing services and use for new structures inside the City of Freeport.
This was brought forward because the last council meeting we had a question was asked to the city manager about new structures and it was something that had been thought about.
In recent days, the mayor came out and said, well, absolutely, this is what we're doing.
And so the question I have is I'm just trying to get some clarification into it sounded like we'd already gone down the road a little bit of the way with
with, you know, building new houses on city lots, city-owned lots at this point, and that
was, I just happened to see a video on social media.
You spoke somewhere, I forget, was it the Eagles Club, or I don't remember where it
was.
Well, I will say that infill housing is an important priority to kind of redeploy the
Vacant Lots that are owned by the city, especially in some
of our more challenged words, third, fifth, seventh word,
a lot of vacant lots.
That was not the idea behind this HDA, Home Repair
and Accessibility program.
I believe that these funds can't be used for new construction.
But I would ask for Wayne to follow up on that.
I mean, the short answer is just no,
you can't use either a trap funds for it okay I mean that's the short answer so I
mean I'm for I would for building new homes you can't do it you can't do it I
mean I've got a couple thing grant slides here I can show you just to kind of put
your mind at ease but I'm I wish we could use some money to you know help
people build new homes at least partially fund new homes because I know we had a
and the Housing Plan done in 2022 and I think there are many people that would like funding that would help them start to build new homes.
The good news is being directed by council.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Housing Realization and Accessibility Program,
these activities, the program aims to preserve existing affordable housing stock,
and others.
We're going to go to the next slide.
There's really three project types here, and then I give a source that you can go to to
kind of...
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.