WEBVTT

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Fowler,

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and others.

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Johnson. Okay, since it's 6 o'clock, Ruth, could you please give the invocation? Good

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to be here after my short retirement. You guys are wonderful. Thank you for having me.

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I just want to read something from Psalm 116. It says, I love the Lord because He hears

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my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall

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call upon Him as long as I live. So let's all pray together and call upon the Lord.

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Our Heavenly Father, God, we are so thankful for the spring weather today, for the thoughts

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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.

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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.

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Father, you have given us so much to be thankful for and yet there's so much yet to be done.

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And so be with all of these here at this council.

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Lord, thank you for their willingness to serve you in this manner.

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Thank you, Lord, for their families who give up this evening for them to be here to represent

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the city, to represent you, Lord.

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Thank you, Father, that you are in control, even when we don't know what that means. We

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don't have to be in control because you are, Father. I thank you again, Lord, for our Mayor,

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our City Manager, our beautiful City Clerk, all our elder persons, all our department

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heads and their teams. I've had the privilege, Lord, of working with them and I know how

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How hard they all work, and I know the love they have for this city.

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So now, Lord, bless this agenda.

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May it bring glory to you, Lord, and may it prosper the City of Freeport in a mighty way.

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In Jesus' name.

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Amen.

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Amen.

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Thank you, Ruth.

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So now we'll officially call this meeting to order.

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Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

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Mayor Miller?

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Here.

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Alderpersons, Klemm?

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Here.

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Monroe?

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Here.

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Simmons?

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here Stacy here Shadle here Sanders is absent Sellers here if you could please

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stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Monroe

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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.

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And Alderman Monroe, the meeting is yours.

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Thank you, Madam Mayor.

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So we'll move on to item number four, approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion?

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Some move.

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Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Parker. All in favor? Aye. Aye.

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Motion passes. Sorry. Any opposed? Motion passes.

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Item number five is the approval of the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting held on

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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

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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.

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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.

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and

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John.

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This ordinance is antiquated. It should be removed. We're one of the only

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communities that I'm aware of that still require this that are small

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communities like this. Nobody really knows. There's a couple of people in

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the room that it's had the honor to wear the chief's badge and do

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different things. And I've seen this ordinance used as an attack on

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Well, as the police department, when we haven't wanted somebody in the chair, we say, hey,

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you got to live in the city.

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When we want somebody from who doesn't live in the city, says, I'm not going to move there,

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it's all right.

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We'll change the ordinance.

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You can live where you want to live.

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And now we're down to, again, attacks on people and the negativity that goes along with that.

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I had a lot written down that I wanted to share, but I knew I only had three minutes.

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So I just want to share a little story, my story. The reason I left the police department

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is I couldn't get away. I couldn't go to my kids football games without somebody sitting

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next to me and saying, when are you going to get that boy that shot my brother? I couldn't

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play catch with a football in my yard without people driving by throwing some hand signals

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We had a 12 and 13 year old boy and I were playing catch and they had to look at me and

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go, what's that all about?

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Do they know who you are?

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And I had to explain to them, they knew who I was and that's why they were there.

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I had to start walking at 4 o'clock in the morning because people would flag me down

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and I couldn't even go for a walk.

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And even at 4 o'clock in the morning, 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning, people would just

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Pull up next to me slow when I talk.

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Sometimes I didn't know who was pulling up next to me.

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And I had to start carrying some protection with me

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because I didn't know what was going to happen at 4 or 5

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o'clock in the morning.

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And I'm not sure how many people that is going to affect.

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It took somebody very, very close to me to point out what

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was going on with me and how I was killing myself,

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trying to be a good father, just to see my boys

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and keep the job of my dreams.

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And again, this thing, these ordinances are used for attacks

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just because we don't like somebody who's sitting in a seat.

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And I'll tell you what, to the people that I've worked with,

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my colleagues, yes, in transparency,

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Chris Shenberger is a very good friend of mine.

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I've known him for 29 years.

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I've worked with him for about 28.

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That man has never missed anything

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that I'd ever ask him or where to go so those are you who

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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.

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but there's been you people put up with so much and for to be attacked for that

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let them attack you let them attack your integrity let them attack your

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character because it's not going to do anything with you let them show us who

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they really are when they want to attack everyone just because you live somewhere

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and you can't be a parent or a father because of an ordinance because they

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don't like the seats you sit in. That ordinance needs to go. Gary Melkey, Pro

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for County Fair. Good evening. For those of you that don't know me, I am Gary Melkey. I am

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President of the Students in County Fair Association. I've held that position for

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for seven years, been involved with that fair for over 30.

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I also sit on the Illinois State Association

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of Agricultural Affairs as Vice President.

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We govern 104 county fairs.

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We answer to Director of Ag, Jerry Costello.

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But I'm here on the item 12.

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Stevenson County Fair is a non-for-profit.

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We are a 501C6 agriculture.

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We've been in this county, fair has ran for 170 years

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and has been very beneficial to this community and county.

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So I'm here just to answer questions.

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The door at the fairgrounds is always open.

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If any of you wish to come down, see something,

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have a question, I'd be glad to meet anytime, anywhere

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and talk, take you around the fairgrounds,

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whatever you wish.

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But I've seen this was on the agenda today,

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So I wanted to say I'm here to represent the Stevenson County

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Fair and answer your questions.

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Thank you very much.

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Thank you.

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Aubra Palermo, pro for Tutti Baker.

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Hi, my name is Aubra Palermo.

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I'm one of the committee chairs for Tutti Baker Festival.

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And I just wanted to, I saw this was on the agenda tonight.

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I wanted to point out a few things

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and what other event in the community brings 40 to 50,000

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people into our community.

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Many people, as I've worked in real estate since 1998

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in the Freeport area, ask what is there to do

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in Freeport and Stevenson County.

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Companies, people who wanna live here,

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people who wanna relocate here.

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We had people from all over the region

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and from 26 different states that came here.

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Some of them were coming back for family get-togethers.

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Some of them were born and raised here

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and they were coming back to see the festival

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that had not happened in over 20 years.

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Some of those people might think about,

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do I want to relocate here?

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Do I wanna come back home?

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Not to mention the people that stayed

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for two, four, five, six hours.

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Most people stayed for over two hours.

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45% of the people said they stayed for three to four hours.

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We did surveys after the event.

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32 people said they stayed for over five hours.

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How much money did those people spend in retail,

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in restaurants, hotels, things like that?

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So how much money did that bring into the city?

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The first year back, it was 30,400 people

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attended that weekend.

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Second year, 41,000 people attended that weekend,

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just in a three-day weekend festival.

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And it's all ranges from people 18 and older

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to little children.

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and so it's something that retirees enjoy, adults enjoy, parents and families enjoy.

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The whole mission of the nonprofit organization is for family friendly.

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Downtown businesses that we surveyed after and other businesses that participated as

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vendors, we asked them how many people do they think came into their store.

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Many of them said anywhere from 50 to 500 people.

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Some of them said everyone that walked by came in and we asked them how many people

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Do you think were new people that came into your store? They were all saying a good majority

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of those people were new to their businesses and new to their stores that had never been

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in before. So how many of those businesses stayed in business because of that one weekend,

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because of the revenues they made? How many of those businesses had new business continue

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and good exposure for their business? Not to mention the exposure that it brought for

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the city. Many people even thought the city put that event on. They got credit in a lot

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of different avenues that the city thank you to the city for bringing this you

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know event so we're happy to answer questions and I'm here if you need

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anything it's a very small committee that helps coordinate this event every year

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and a few other volunteers that form the crafters and the vendors and things like

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that and thank you for your time thank you a next person up on item number 12

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Riggins, John Low, Robert, Tony, John According, ridiculous,

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and I am proud to introduce myself

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as well as Mike Martin.

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Good evening, everybody. Thank you, Mayor Miller, Council,

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City Staff. Appreciate all the hard work you guys put into

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every Monday, every day. It really means a lot to me.

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Again, I am Mike Martin. I was previously on the Board of

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Directors for the Gridded Fruitpark Partnership. I served

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two terms and I was on there for six years. I am currently on

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For the last 10 years, my wife and I have also been the proud owners of Mort's Bar & Grill here in downtown Freeport.

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I'm obviously joining you as Alderman Monroe said to speak about agenda item 12.

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As a small business owner, I understand the reality of finding ways to cut costs, to streamline processes,

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produce efficient results, and maintain a strong bottom line.

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I think about this daily.

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But, I have been able to achieve these goals without jeopardizing my product or customer experience.

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Over time, I realized that not every investment can be quantifiable or even tangible.

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Most dollars and cents can be accounted for, but it's the intangibles that make a long-lasting

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impact.

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When it comes to the direct impact that events like Music on Chicago, WineFest, BrewFest,

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and TuttiBakerFest have on my business, it's upwards to 200% positive increase in gross

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and many more.

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Indirect impact comes in the form of new customers, both local and not local, that come to downtown

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to be shown a great experience.

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Now that produces some pressure on us

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to make sure that experience is fulfilled.

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But as I was always taught, pressure is privilege

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and I look forward to these chances.

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They make a trip here and they see the charm,

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the history and the progress

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that they might not have noticed without these said events.

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New and reoccurring customers base

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is a long-term investment worth realizing.

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They keep coming back.

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and many more.

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The ROI of added revenue and positive perception of our city because of these events is infectious.

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With that, I just want to thank you guys one more time.

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Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

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Alderpeople, Council, Mayor, I just want to be able to keep using these opportunities

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to show the positive impact that we can do as community members for small business, for

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the city, both quantifiable and intangible.

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Thank you for your time.

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Thank you.

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And that concludes public comments.

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Item number six.

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Mr. Chair, Madam Clerk, would you please let be known on the record it was 606 when Alderman

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Sanders is in attendance.

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Thank you.

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Program number seven, discussion regarding Nordic residential and small business electrical

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aggregation contract presented by Mike Mudge, Rock River Energy, and I believe Mike is on

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the phone.

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Is that correct?

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Director Sutman?

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Yes.

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Awesome.

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Yes.

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I'm here.

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Awesome.

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Mike, would you like to speak?

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Yes.

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Do you want to give a brief summary of why we're back talking about this when we signed

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the two-year contract with Nordic and then discuss the action item we needed?

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I didn't get that.

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None of us did.

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Can everyone hear me okay? We can now. Okay. I'll briefly give a summary of why we're

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back talking about this when we signed the contract last May for a three-year contract.

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So what happened after the contract was signed? We're going to be switching people over in

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and August. During that interim period, PTM, the people that operate the grid, had a capacity

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C. Austin, those capacity options, results came out.

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Results came out at the end of July, the first part of August. Nordic notified us, I'll

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tell you, three people along with three other governmental agencies that signed contracts

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with Nordic stating that they could not adhere to those price increases and so we started

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looking for alternatives. What's in front of us tonight is an agenda, and I believe

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Chief, Kurt, was going to put that up on the screen for us.

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I wasn't able to find that item.

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Oh, okay.

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There's an agenda item that I sent last week to Dovie and to Rob, the City Manager,

00:20:49.620 --> 00:21:00.620
and it simply states that we do not want to take on the replacement cost that Nordic offered

00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:11.580
for the next 12 months and that replaces the 3-year contract that we had at 8.315 cents.

00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:21.020
Now, the council thought that it was prudent to sign a contract for 3 years knowing that

00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:23.980
energy rates were going to go up.

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:29.900
Now, I'll just briefly talk about what capacity rates are and what that has to do with our

00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:38.260
and I. Capacity is a rate that all rate payers pay, all kinds of rate payers and also from

00:21:38.260 --> 00:21:46.140
states from Illinois all the way to the East Coast and 13 states altogether. Capacity is

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:54.980
a charge that we all pay to ensure that there's adequate generation that the existing plants

00:21:54.980 --> 00:22:02.260
which are maintained and there's an incentive for new plants being constructed so we're

00:22:02.260 --> 00:22:15.620
having no supply and that rate came back tenfold, that's knocking the whole market out of

00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.620
the wreck.

00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:23.540
So, what we needed to do was find, okay, if Nordic was going to do that, what would the

00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:26.780
V and it took time to do that.

00:22:27.260 --> 00:22:29.580
We also looked at what other suppliers would do.

00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:34.700
And we're also looking at what the comment rate was and to determine what

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:37.060
the best options are for the city.

00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:44.820
But the first thing is to, um, is to pass this resolution.

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:52.900
Uh, that was before, before the council stating that we do not want to accept

00:22:53.540 --> 00:23:05.860
Except Nordic's replacement offer and drop us from their contract and with that we can

00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:16.500
go to a different supplier, we can go back to ComEd or there's a third program, the

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:23.300
MC Squared has that says we will give you our price guarantee that our price will not

00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:30.100
not be any more than ComEd. And with the way the market's at, the uncertainty and the

00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:37.580
volatility of the market, that would be our next, our second item to do. But for tonight,

00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:45.820
we would need to have this resolution go to the full council for your full review and

00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:52.860
Discussion in the next meeting. Any questions?

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:57.100
Any questions? Alderman Stacey.

00:23:57.100 --> 00:24:11.780
Okay, so are you saying that the price you offered us when we agreed to a two-year account

00:24:11.780 --> 00:24:15.740
is no longer on the table?

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:38.740
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.

00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:49.380
so we're really back to square one but Nordic wants us to notify them in writing that they do not want

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:57.700
us to accept our replacement offer which is higher than other suppliers and currently it's higher than

00:24:57.700 --> 00:25:01.700
and

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:05.700
the

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:13.700
two-year contract and release the citizens back to comment.

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:26.700
Just like a letter came out and if we did not say no, we were automatically changed.

00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:51.700
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?

00:25:51.700 --> 00:26:14.260
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.

00:26:14.260 --> 00:26:38.260
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.

00:26:38.260 --> 00:26:44.700
so so Mike it sounds like we need two two motions tonight one motion to do away

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:50.700
with the Nordic agreement and a second motion to have staff look at a secondary

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:57.780
option for electrical supply for Freeport is that correct that that's correct and

00:26:57.780 --> 00:27:02.780
that's what the other three entities are currently doing also

00:27:02.780 --> 00:27:10.340
Alderman Sanders. Yeah, what about individuals, suppliers with Nordic? Does

00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:14.860
that affect, I know we're talking about the city, but does that affect

00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:20.860
individuals that have signed up with Nordic? Yeah. And is that the same thing?

00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:26.260
Yeah, that goes away. That goes away. Okay, because I've been having trouble with

00:27:26.260 --> 00:27:29.220
beeping, being her sister and a government.

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:36.000
I grew up with Nordic just here recently and I had to turn them

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:41.580
into the ICC of Illinois simply because some shady things were

00:27:42.040 --> 00:27:48.200
happening with my account and I had to, what I want to say, I

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:54.080
had to make a complaint to the ICC department and they are

00:27:54.080 --> 00:28:18.080
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,

00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:26.080
I don't think is I think you've been a little disingenuine about the contract

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:31.880
agreement with Freeport and the citizens of Freeport I don't think we have all

00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:39.560
the all of the detailed information we regardless regardless regarding to how

00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:44.800
you guys are providing service and now I'm looking at the fact that the rate

00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:51.120
certainly in our community can possibly go from six point to

00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:59.080
10 point, and I understand that you want to cancel this, but the

00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:05.600
point is we had an agreement until what month was that? May?

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:07.620
For two years?

00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.640
» Too more years. It's a three-year agreement.

00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:13.860
» Three years. And you want to cancel that. Well, are you

00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:24.460
and I, and other suppliers are trying to raise that rate at least ten above and we don't even

00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:27.860
know how we're going to deal with another supplier.

00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:33.360
Is that, is that, that's a problem I believe that we're going to have down the road, down

00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.539
the line.

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:43.539
And so if that is the case, it would be appropriate to receive a letter in writing that you're

00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:45.540
Your reasoning for

00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:50.040
Justifying what you want to do and as far as I am concerned

00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:58.440
Council is not really obligated to be doing this today. We can suspend this or sustain this if not

00:29:58.700 --> 00:30:01.900
Okay, Mike, we have to move it to a regular scale

00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:05.580
We have to move it to a regularly scheduled council meeting.

00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:07.380
Council meeting, okay.

00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:12.380
Well, I tell you what, I am going to wait for that to happen.

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.540
Alderman Stacey.

00:30:14.540 --> 00:30:17.820
I would like to ask City Manager Boyer

00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:20.700
this piece of paper that he's speaking about

00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:23.660
that was received that we're supposed to be looking at.

00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:25.340
Do you all have it?

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:29.980
I'm gonna refer to Mike on that one.

00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:35.420
Essentially what we're doing here is Nordic is saying they can't support the contract that was previously approved

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:40.780
They're asking to be voluntarily released from their from their contractual agreement

00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:46.720
And we're looking at whether or not a to release B. Then what do we do from there? Okay?

00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:50.980
I understand all that but I'm asking about the piece of paper

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:54.360
that he said that he sent to you and

00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:57.300
Miss Dovie Anderson and

00:30:57.300 --> 00:31:02.300
and why isn't that paper available for us to see?

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:08.620
We, the council and the citizens deserve the right

00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:13.220
to see the breakdown and understand exactly what he's saying.

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:17.380
So what is it gonna take for us to get a copy of that paper?

00:31:18.300 --> 00:31:19.360
A judicator.

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:23.740
Yeah, that's what we're gonna need.

00:31:24.820 --> 00:31:25.660
We're gonna need some.

00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:27.019
We'll get it to you right away.

00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:36.420
Thank you. So with that said, do we, it sounds like we need a motion to, Attorney Zito go.

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:42.340
Right, so I think what Mike is asking for is a motion be made that a resolution be put

00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:48.740
on the next council agenda, basically, for lack of a better term, ending the agreement

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:54.780
with Nordic, and then authorizing staff to move forward at looking at alternatives to

00:31:54.780 --> 00:31:56.540
Potentially Replace, Nordic.

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.780
Quick question for City Manager.

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.140
No, one second.

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:06.540
That's, that's correct. That's correct. You'll have, you'll be

00:32:06.540 --> 00:32:13.860
able to see this agenda item on the full council. And then also,

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:20.620
we can discuss alternatives. My thinking with the way the market

00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:29.260
and so on and so forth. ComEd or a company guaranteeing a price guarantee with the same

00:32:29.260 --> 00:32:34.580
price as ComEd will be a good place to be in the next year because there's a lot of

00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:41.300
uncertainties out there in the market. And the best thing that we can do for the citizens

00:32:41.300 --> 00:32:49.900
and the small businesses of the city of Freeport is to look at ComEd or price guarantee from

00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:58.220
and the supplier as a safe harbor until the whole energy market activity settles down.

00:32:58.220 --> 00:33:08.019
So, that's just my opinion and we want to do the best. We want to do the best for that.

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:19.060
And as far as the comments about... No one expected the auction results to be fully regulated

00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:24.060
that come out so high, 10 times what they would normally be,

00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:28.980
which essentially is gonna add three cents on

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:32.900
to the economy rate, and it's adding three cents on

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:34.519
to the supplier's costs.

00:33:37.820 --> 00:33:40.700
So that's the real world that we're in.

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:43.019
No one had any control over that.

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:50.019
over that regulated piece of energy cost.

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:15.019
and

00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:18.220
John.

00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:22.140
I think what we need now is a motion to put this on, a

00:34:22.140 --> 00:34:26.579
regularly scheduled agenda item to do away with the agreement

00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:32.880
we have currently with the current provider and with Nordic,

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:39.500
thank you, and also a, and we'll deal with that one first.

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:50.500
and then we'll also along with that get a motion for staff and City Manager and

00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:56.260
staff to come up with a plan B for us kind of moving forward. Is that still so

00:34:56.260 --> 00:35:04.280
moved? Second. Alderman Klemm and Alderman Simmons. Sellers. I'm sorry I had the

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:11.559
and we have a question yes let me yeah can we move this to executive session no

00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:16.280
you can't do that okay so so it'll be the next council meeting the next council

00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:25.680
meeting okay anybody else before we I'm gonna go ahead and take a roll okay

00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:42.100
Do you want to start it? Thank you ma'am. Sure. Aye. Simmons. Parker. Aye.

00:35:42.100 --> 00:35:54.059
Stacy. Abstain. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. The motion passes 6 to 1

00:35:54.059 --> 00:36:01.820
with one abstentia. 7-0-1. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Math in my head is not my strong suit.

00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:07.460
That's awesome. So that'll carry over to the next regularly scheduled meeting. Item

00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:11.579
number, Mike Mudge, thank you again for joining us remotely and explaining kind

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:17.660
of the situation to us. Thank you everyone for providing me the time to go down this

00:36:17.660 --> 00:36:22.700
path and share it with you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Have a good night. Item

00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:27.940
Number eight is a discussion regarding firefighter health and safety screenings, presented by

00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.940
Chief Miller.

00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:36.700
There's a memo as well as a screening of UDS Screening View Agreement, or Chief Steakle.

00:36:36.700 --> 00:36:38.700
Says Miller on here.

00:36:38.700 --> 00:36:39.700
Yeah.

00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:42.780
Thank you, Alderperson, Monroe.

00:36:42.780 --> 00:36:47.780
I'm here tonight on Chief Miller's behalf.

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:53.740
He's finishing up with the COVID

00:36:53.740 --> 00:36:56.240
and will be able to return to us here shortly.

00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:59.539
But this was very important to our members

00:36:59.539 --> 00:37:03.619
and he wanted me to make sure that we presented this to you.

00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:08.420
I'll probably need a little assistance from Mr. Zito

00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:12.380
in what this may or may not have to form into in the end,

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:17.159
but I'll just go forward with Chief Miller's thoughts.

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:21.460
To the honorable Mayor and members of City Council

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:25.340
from Scott Miller, Fire Chief, dated March 4th,

00:37:25.340 --> 00:37:26.980
this subject is Firefighter Health

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:29.760
and Safety Discussion, the background.

00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:32.420
Freeport Fire Department has been proactively

00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:36.180
taking measures to identify and minimize potential exposure

00:37:36.180 --> 00:37:39.140
to occupational hazards within the fire service.

00:37:39.140 --> 00:37:42.360
PFAS, or known as Forever Chemicals,

00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:46.720
have been identified as potential carcinogenic sources.

00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:50.440
Discussion, the department has adopted several policies

00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:53.160
to diminish exposure to various carcinogens.

00:37:53.160 --> 00:37:56.720
Current practices include prompt extracting,

00:37:56.720 --> 00:38:00.079
which is laundering of our turnout gear after every fire,

00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:01.920
changing out our protective hoods

00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:05.160
that protect our head and neck areas,

00:38:05.160 --> 00:38:10.160
and inhalation pathways of smoke particles via our SCBA.

00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:16.740
and the VRSCBA. Additionally, the Fire Department has eliminated all storage and use of toxic

00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:23.619
firefighting foam and replaced with an environmentally safe Class A firefighting foam. The Department

00:38:23.619 --> 00:38:29.099
has also been budgeting for the last two budget cycles to replace firefighting turnout gear

00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:36.199
that has been identified as having, our current gear is having trace amounts of PFAS fibers

00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:39.980
within the outer shell and the internal vapor barrier.

00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:42.980
The fire service has yet to develop a set

00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:46.099
and the textile industry, a set of turnout gear

00:38:46.099 --> 00:38:49.320
that is completely free of these PFAS fibers to date.

00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:51.739
We are monitoring the development currently

00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:56.739
of turnout gear and closely meeting with representatives

00:38:57.699 --> 00:39:02.699
from each manufacturer to try to understand the timeline

00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:05.599
and I will also be working on a new program to allow for the

00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:09.599
safety of our fire department to be able to be able to

00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:13.599
develop and design for when we can possibly purchase the

00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:17.599
safest gear available. Members of the department and the

00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:21.599
Department of Safety Committee have researched this topic and

00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:25.599
have found that the Freeport Fire Department has adopted to

00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:30.599
now industry best practices. In addition to reduction of PFOS

00:40:00.600 --> 00:40:02.600
Mending, Contracting,

00:40:02.600 --> 00:40:13.100
is recommending contracting with United Diagnostic Services, UDS, for on-site firefighter health screening.

00:40:13.100 --> 00:40:26.100
Funding. Funding would be available from the Foreign Fire Insurance Board. The total cost is estimated to be $14,625.

00:40:26.100 --> 00:40:33.920
The Foreign Fire Insurance Board has approved the expenditure to not exceed the sum of $16,000.

00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:39.460
This meets with a strategic plan for safe and inclusive community.

00:40:39.460 --> 00:40:45.860
And I'd be happy as much as I am able to answer any questions you might have.

00:40:45.860 --> 00:40:46.860
Alderman Sanders?

00:40:46.860 --> 00:41:08.860
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?

00:41:08.860 --> 00:41:16.820
We do not do this type of screening. So UDS is an ultrasound cancer screening that detects

00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:23.060
the 10 most common health conditions and cancers found in the firefighters. This is an early

00:41:23.060 --> 00:41:28.260
detection screening. Once the screening is done, if there are any health concerns or

00:41:28.260 --> 00:41:33.380
issues detected from the screening, this company will also help the firefighters out by letting

00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.380
and more.

00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:38.740
and know the next steps and help them to find the right person.

00:41:38.740 --> 00:41:46.900
Cancer right now is very, is one of the most prevalent things in firefighting right now.

00:41:46.900 --> 00:41:54.140
I believe 72% of what are considered line of duty deaths are related to cancer right

00:41:54.140 --> 00:41:55.140
now in this industry.

00:41:55.140 --> 00:41:56.140
Well.

00:41:56.140 --> 00:41:57.140
Go ahead.

00:41:57.140 --> 00:41:58.140
Yeah.

00:41:58.140 --> 00:42:03.500
And to finalize, to answer your question, we do not currently do any screening of this

00:42:03.500 --> 00:42:05.500
and

00:42:06.780 --> 00:42:08.780
Michael.

00:42:10.080 --> 00:42:10.980
We have a lot of people who are in this type within our

00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:12.980
business.

00:42:14.260 --> 00:42:16.260
» Okay. The committee, the board or

00:42:17.540 --> 00:42:19.540
whoever, is this request something that you guys are

00:42:20.740 --> 00:42:22.740
making after we are discussing this matter tonight?

00:42:24.860 --> 00:42:26.860
Are you guys going to continue screenings and have a regular

00:42:28.740 --> 00:42:30.740
type of scheduling program going on that will subject all of the

00:42:30.740 --> 00:42:51.740
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.

00:42:51.740 --> 00:42:52.740
Thank you.

00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:54.740
Thanks for asking that.

00:42:54.740 --> 00:42:57.740
This is currently the first screening.

00:42:57.740 --> 00:43:02.740
We have yet to determine whether or not this will be annual or every two years.

00:43:02.740 --> 00:43:07.740
This will be the baseline. This will be the first for us.

00:43:07.740 --> 00:43:14.740
But it is the hopes of the safety committee that we can continue to do this in an ongoing basis.

00:43:14.740 --> 00:43:19.740
This will keep our people safer in the long run.

00:43:19.740 --> 00:43:26.740
Any cancer that's caught early is much easier to manage and to deal with if you find it early,

00:43:26.740 --> 00:43:36.060
Boest,焦uine, John, 동일,

00:43:36.060 --> 00:44:03.900
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?

00:44:03.900 --> 00:44:10.700
that's a loaded question and I'll answer it as best as I'm able to so we are

00:44:10.700 --> 00:44:17.780
taking seriously our gear some of what we're experiencing with the PFAS is

00:44:17.780 --> 00:44:26.420
baked in the cake literally anything that makes firefighting gear waterproof so

00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:33.420
that it sheds water or it doesn't allow petrochemicals to be absorbed into the

00:44:33.420 --> 00:44:43.700
material, things like that are the very products that have the PFAS. PFAS is essentially any

00:44:43.700 --> 00:44:50.460
forever chemicals is what makes something waterproof. And so the industry is trying

00:44:50.460 --> 00:44:57.380
at all speed to deal with this. I'm aware of the fact that I believe the state of Illinois

00:44:57.380 --> 00:45:01.520
is going to make it illegal to purchase turnout gear

00:45:01.520 --> 00:45:05.700
that is not PFAS free in the year 2027.

00:45:05.700 --> 00:45:10.660
With the caveat, if the technology has not been found yet

00:45:10.660 --> 00:45:13.420
in the textile industry to make that possible,

00:45:13.420 --> 00:45:16.520
they would extend that on a year by year basis.

00:45:16.520 --> 00:45:19.140
This seems to be where the industry is heading.

00:45:19.140 --> 00:45:24.140
It is happening with great certainty out on the East Coast.

00:45:24.140 --> 00:45:26.740
Great certainty out on the East Coast.

00:45:26.740 --> 00:45:31.260
Large cities are already pushing this forward, they recognize.

00:45:31.260 --> 00:45:35.100
On our department, we're taking the steps to get guys out of their gear.

00:45:35.100 --> 00:45:40.540
If they're not in a fire, if it's not necessary to fire once conditions are safe, you know,

00:45:40.540 --> 00:45:42.300
get your gear off and stuff like that.

00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:47.660
The things that we can change out that touch our skin that's mostly exposed, our necks

00:45:47.660 --> 00:45:53.740
and our heads and stuff like that, you know, we're putting greater emphasis on cleaning

00:45:53.740 --> 00:45:59.140
after the fire with wipes as soon as we get done putting all our gear back

00:45:59.140 --> 00:46:02.860
together and we're back in shape getting back to the stations and showering you

00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:06.500
know we're utilizing all the best practice as we can some fire

00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:11.940
departments are are putting saunas in because that's where the industry is

00:46:11.940 --> 00:46:17.260
going that's not where we're at right now but we're doing everything short of

00:46:17.260 --> 00:46:23.060
that so again we're we're already meeting with manufacturing reps we're

00:46:23.060 --> 00:46:28.020
We're trying to find out where the industry is at, where it will go.

00:46:28.020 --> 00:46:35.580
There is a lot of language out there that suggests that gear, no additional PFAS is

00:46:35.580 --> 00:46:42.620
added, known PFAS, a key term, but they won't, no one will actually tell you that their gear

00:46:42.620 --> 00:46:44.220
is PFAS free right now.

00:46:44.220 --> 00:46:51.380
And I actually believe personally that if the golden unicorn were to be found, everybody

00:46:51.380 --> 00:46:57.820
would be the path to its door. Thank you. Any other questions? Do we have a motion

00:46:57.820 --> 00:47:07.500
to move this forward? So moved. Second. We have Alderman Klemm. Yes, because there's an

00:47:07.500 --> 00:47:15.900
agreement with UBS. UBS. That wouldn't be approved by the Foreign Fire Board? It already was, right?

00:47:15.900 --> 00:47:19.060
They've authorized the payment there, but the agreement, there's an

00:47:19.060 --> 00:47:28.400
agreement with the City of Freeport also. So we have Klemm and Sellers. Voice vote

00:47:28.400 --> 00:47:35.060
okay for this one? All of those in favor please say aye. Opposed? Motion carries

00:47:35.060 --> 00:47:40.060
eight to nothing. Thank you very much council. Welcome, thank you. Discussion

00:47:40.060 --> 00:47:43.540
regarding ordinance amending various parts of City of Freeport code of

00:47:43.540 --> 00:47:48.460
ordinances regarding the regulation of wells and septic systems presented by

00:47:48.460 --> 00:48:03.780
The City of Freeport currently we do have some wells and septics within the city

00:48:03.780 --> 00:48:09.660
limits those are at residents mostly that are grandfathered in until they don't

00:48:09.660 --> 00:48:14.540
work anymore so we already have within our codes and ordinances that you can't

00:48:14.540 --> 00:48:18.540
We can't replace a septic and you can't replace a well at this time.

00:48:18.540 --> 00:48:22.540
So I'll get into the background here.

00:48:22.540 --> 00:48:26.540
The public works staff of the City of Freeport conducts ordinance audits throughout the year.

00:48:26.540 --> 00:48:31.540
I've been pretty adamant about doing this here in 2025.

00:48:31.540 --> 00:48:36.540
I have one of our staff members combing through all of the water and sewer ordinances.

00:48:36.540 --> 00:48:41.540
A recent audit determined that the ordinances concerning private wells and septic systems within the City of Freeport

00:48:41.540 --> 00:48:46.540
Freeport show they are outdated and pose potential risk to the city's water supply.

00:48:46.540 --> 00:48:52.700
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is requesting all municipalities renew codes

00:48:52.700 --> 00:48:58.460
and ordinance to limit potential contamination and liability to city-served drinking water

00:48:58.460 --> 00:49:03.340
aquifers by updating these ordinances to 2025 protection standards.

00:49:03.340 --> 00:49:09.580
Freeport has recently invested over $20 million in drinking water wells due to forever chemical

00:49:09.580 --> 00:49:39.580
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.

00:49:39.580 --> 00:49:48.980
and the federal United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department

00:49:48.980 --> 00:49:50.320
of Public Health.

00:49:50.320 --> 00:49:54.620
The proposed changes to this ordinance align with the regulatory agencies and enhance our

00:49:54.620 --> 00:50:01.420
city's ability to manage stressors and competing demands for our water supply and address potential

00:50:01.420 --> 00:50:02.540
Pluton Sources.

00:50:02.540 --> 00:50:32.540
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.

00:50:32.540 --> 00:50:38.220
and others that we move forward at the next meeting and adopt this, and it will support

00:50:38.220 --> 00:50:43.540
the other codes and ordinances that we already have in place throughout the codified ordinances

00:50:43.540 --> 00:50:44.540
now.

00:50:44.540 --> 00:50:48.260
It's just not really clear to people that are coming to town that we don't allow wells

00:50:48.260 --> 00:50:49.260
or septics.

00:50:49.260 --> 00:50:50.260
Any questions?

00:50:50.260 --> 00:50:51.260
Alderman Sanders.

00:50:51.260 --> 00:50:53.260
Is this all for discussion?

00:50:53.260 --> 00:50:54.260
Yeah.

00:50:54.260 --> 00:50:55.260
Okay.

00:50:55.260 --> 00:51:05.900
Director Darren, what promptingness when you're talking about contaminations and the fact

00:51:05.900 --> 00:51:18.540
that we're ready to invest so many millions of dollars to do a relocation of the existing

00:51:18.540 --> 00:51:26.460
Well. What is prompting this? Because I heard the term contamination. Are we having a contamination

00:51:26.460 --> 00:51:36.260
issue at this current time with our water supply and the distribution of our water supply throughout

00:51:36.260 --> 00:51:39.060
the city? Are we having an issue with that?

00:51:39.060 --> 00:51:44.100
No. Unequivocally, no. We don't have an issue. We had an issue. It's been resolved.

00:51:44.100 --> 00:51:45.300
It has been resolved.

00:51:45.300 --> 00:52:07.300
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.

00:52:07.300 --> 00:52:15.180
yeah there is a funding program to step to install this new well that that you're

00:52:15.180 --> 00:52:20.780
requesting that we're there is a lot of funding in place not completely funded

00:52:20.780 --> 00:52:24.580
but thirteen point two million dollars is what we've secured for the new well

00:52:24.580 --> 00:52:29.300
and this is not going to cost the taxpayers anything at this time this

00:52:29.300 --> 00:52:33.980
ordinance changes just a housekeeping event for the city of Freeport this has

00:52:33.980 --> 00:52:39.580
has nothing to do with anything but protecting the city water supply within the city.

00:52:39.580 --> 00:52:44.220
The county also has ordinances, which right now they have a setback of a thousand feet

00:52:44.220 --> 00:52:48.500
around the perimeter of the city line, so nobody can drill a well within this thousand

00:52:48.500 --> 00:52:53.340
feet of the city, and this is just something that is not clear to people that are coming

00:52:53.340 --> 00:52:58.500
here because it's embedded within some of our other codes, and we want to be clear that

00:52:58.500 --> 00:53:01.920
wells and septics will no longer be acceptable in the city.

00:53:01.920 --> 00:53:07.960
We serve, I did a quick little study, which I know you're going to be proud of, right?

00:53:07.960 --> 00:53:15.240
We serve, without the exception of the west end of Stevenson Street, we serve water to

00:53:15.240 --> 00:53:19.640
almost every corner of Freeport, or we have the ability to get water there now.

00:53:19.640 --> 00:53:23.600
With the exception of that one leg of Stevenson Street, that's the only kind of area that

00:53:23.600 --> 00:53:25.520
we don't connect city water to right now.

00:53:25.520 --> 00:53:28.640
So there is a study in progress at this time.

00:53:28.640 --> 00:53:31.640
It's right up here, buddy.

00:53:31.640 --> 00:53:32.640
and others.

00:53:32.640 --> 00:53:33.640
We have all of that.

00:53:33.640 --> 00:53:34.640
But if you're not here tomorrow.

00:53:34.640 --> 00:53:37.080
You'll remember it, right?

00:53:37.080 --> 00:53:44.920
Well, my thing is, my thing is, we did a complete survey of the land property and everything

00:53:44.920 --> 00:53:54.640
that we want to do the installation and all of these things is, what I want to say, plan

00:53:54.640 --> 00:54:00.560
and scheduled for the progress to move it, proceed with it.

00:54:00.560 --> 00:54:14.880
Yes, I have a couple questions. How many septic tanks do Freeport house?

00:54:14.880 --> 00:54:25.360
It's an unknown number. I would say we have about roughly 11,000 customers in Freeport,

00:54:25.360 --> 00:54:31.360
and maybe, I don't know, maybe 5%.

00:54:31.360 --> 00:54:38.600
We still have some areas in the Arcade I know that are still on septic.

00:54:38.600 --> 00:54:45.480
We had areas like Oak Hill where Greg lives, they were completely on septic till we did

00:54:45.480 --> 00:54:46.480
that.

00:54:46.480 --> 00:54:51.080
I believe some of the houses on Meadowbrook are still on septic that I know of.

00:54:51.080 --> 00:55:02.580
Are you saying that there's a potential risk if this language is not adopted?

00:55:02.580 --> 00:55:03.580
Certainly.

00:55:03.580 --> 00:55:04.580
Yep, and I'll explain that.

00:55:04.580 --> 00:55:10.240
So anybody that has a residential well, those are not monitored by the City of Freeport directly.

00:55:10.240 --> 00:55:11.960
Those are homeowners' property.

00:55:11.960 --> 00:55:19.640
So anybody could go open one of those well caps unbeknownst to us, go over, you know,

00:55:19.640 --> 00:55:23.080
Frieser, whatever they want that would eventually silt down into the city's

00:55:23.080 --> 00:55:28.880
aquifer. That is the primary reason, it's health and water safety protection. The

00:55:28.880 --> 00:55:33.640
city of Freeport, our public work staff, checks our water seven days a week.

00:55:33.640 --> 00:55:38.040
Various spots throughout the system to make sure that all the water is up to EPA

00:55:38.040 --> 00:55:42.840
standards, safe and drink, you know, drinking water. Somebody that could

00:55:42.840 --> 00:55:46.680
potentially contaminate or throw a bucket of oil down in the aquifer, that

00:55:46.680 --> 00:56:16.680
Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor

00:56:16.680 --> 00:56:22.520
Another thing is an ancillary source of our drinking water is our fire protection, right?

00:56:22.520 --> 00:56:26.620
So if you are not on the city drinking water, you're really not paying for that infrastructure

00:56:26.620 --> 00:56:30.720
that's going in front of your house, but yet we're going to use it to put your house out.

00:56:30.720 --> 00:56:34.140
Everybody inside the city needs to share that cost, right?

00:56:34.140 --> 00:56:36.820
That's why we have the ready-to-serve fees that we've passed.

00:56:36.820 --> 00:56:42.480
This is just bringing everything all together, saying if you're in the city of Freeport,

00:56:42.480 --> 00:56:45.740
you're going to eventually connect to the city, right, because your well's not going

00:56:45.740 --> 00:56:57.700
McClendon. Wasn't there a program to do the very thing that we're talking about right

00:56:57.700 --> 00:57:08.380
now in regards to septics and wells and the program was mandated by the federal government

00:57:08.380 --> 00:57:13.820
or the state order? That was the Unsewered Communities grant we've got. They want all

00:57:13.820 --> 00:57:19.980
All septics and wells within corporate limits to be eliminated in every town plus that thousand

00:57:19.980 --> 00:57:20.980
foot buffer.

00:57:20.980 --> 00:57:29.380
Okay, so what I understand you saying earlier that there was a five percent of those items

00:57:29.380 --> 00:57:32.540
still exist in the ground at this point in time.

00:57:32.540 --> 00:57:35.140
What are we doing to eliminate those?

00:57:35.140 --> 00:57:38.740
So, actively we can't do anything until their systems fail.

00:57:38.740 --> 00:57:42.580
They're grandfathered in, they can keep their system as long as it's active, but septics

00:57:42.580 --> 00:58:12.580
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

00:58:12.580 --> 00:58:32.580
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.

00:58:32.580 --> 00:58:33.580
You didn't say free, did you?

00:58:33.580 --> 00:59:03.580
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.

00:59:03.580 --> 00:59:19.060
Do we have a program for homeowners, residential property owners at the time that this kind

00:59:19.060 --> 00:59:26.060
of construction takes place, and if so, you'll find a lot of homeowners just can't pay that

00:59:26.060 --> 00:59:28.180
fee.

00:59:28.180 --> 00:59:29.180
and others.

00:59:29.180 --> 00:59:34.780
There should be a mechanism in place or program or something of that nature where they want

00:59:34.780 --> 00:59:39.660
to connect to the municipality but they can't afford to.

00:59:39.660 --> 00:59:45.500
We need something in orbit to allow them to do so.

00:59:45.500 --> 00:59:50.540
People, you know, we've faced this throughout some of the projects we've done, Alderman

00:59:50.540 --> 00:59:51.540
Sanders.

00:59:51.540 --> 00:59:55.680
Realistically, that's, you know, a lending option from a bank.

00:59:55.680 --> 00:59:56.820
That's their choice to go to.

00:59:56.820 --> 01:00:01.100
The utility doesn't have the money nor the financing mechanism to finance homeowners on

01:00:01.100 --> 01:00:02.620
a five-year payment.

01:00:02.620 --> 01:00:06.820
and others on a five-year payment plan for their connection.

01:00:06.820 --> 01:00:08.860
You'll see the city, when we go through

01:00:08.860 --> 01:00:11.540
and do these connection plans under new,

01:00:11.540 --> 01:00:14.020
we are very reasonably charged for the work

01:00:14.020 --> 01:00:17.100
as in comparison to somebody renewing this

01:00:17.100 --> 01:00:19.020
with a contractor just doing it on their own.

01:00:19.020 --> 01:00:21.180
It's very, very expensive anymore.

01:00:21.180 --> 01:00:23.340
You can't hardly even do a sewer repair anymore

01:00:23.340 --> 01:00:25.300
without it costing $6,000.

01:00:25.300 --> 01:00:28.700
So we're very cognizant of that.

01:00:28.700 --> 01:00:32.140
We advertise, we get out, we publicly let people know,

01:00:32.140 --> 01:01:02.140
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.

01:01:02.140 --> 01:01:32.140
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.

01:01:32.140 --> 01:02:02.140
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.

01:02:02.140 --> 01:02:10.140
We're trying to be as safe and as resident conscious as possible, so that's why we test that plant.

01:02:10.140 --> 01:02:13.140
We actually flush that plant and don't turn the water over to the citizens.

01:02:13.140 --> 01:02:16.140
We actually dump it just to keep it for emergency.

01:02:16.140 --> 01:02:20.140
Once well 12 is completely done online and operating well,

01:02:20.140 --> 01:02:26.140
the Brick Street plant that has become the nemesis of it will be completely shut down

01:02:26.140 --> 01:02:30.140
and we'll have to go after our grant to remove it completely and whole.

01:02:34.140 --> 01:02:36.140
Any other questions, comments?

01:02:36.140 --> 01:02:40.140
No, I'm asking that you guys move this forward to the next meeting and

01:02:40.140 --> 01:02:46.140
I would like at the next meeting to ask if it's potential that we could suspend the rules and adopt this.

01:02:46.140 --> 01:02:47.140
So moved.

01:02:47.140 --> 01:02:48.140
Go ahead.

01:02:48.140 --> 01:02:49.140
Second.

01:02:49.140 --> 01:02:50.140
I'll do the second.

01:02:50.140 --> 01:02:54.140
So we have Sellers and Klemm.

01:02:54.140 --> 01:03:02.500
any additional conversation before we take a vote I would like to make a

01:03:02.500 --> 01:03:10.460
motion that we gather and collect more information we understand what the

01:03:10.460 --> 01:03:17.740
ordinance is saying and what is being asked and at the meeting next week we

01:03:17.740 --> 01:03:24.340
We can skip the rules, or waive the suspender.

01:03:24.340 --> 01:03:26.960
That's when, we're not suspending the rules tonight.

01:03:26.960 --> 01:03:29.820
We have to do that at that meeting, so there will be an additional.

01:03:29.820 --> 01:03:32.700
But I don't want them to say, oh, at the COW you are ready to suspend it.

01:03:32.700 --> 01:03:34.700
No, it doesn't count.

01:03:34.700 --> 01:03:35.700
Okay.

01:03:35.700 --> 01:03:36.700
Correct?

01:03:36.700 --> 01:03:37.700
Correct.

01:03:37.700 --> 01:03:38.700
Okay.

01:03:38.700 --> 01:03:41.980
So tonight would just be moving this forward to the next regularly scheduled meeting, and

01:03:41.980 --> 01:03:45.940
then we would have to take a vote to suspend the rules at that time, when that meeting

01:03:45.940 --> 01:03:51.100
comes around. The only thing I would ask and I'm fine with that motion totally if

01:03:51.100 --> 01:03:54.220
you have questions please reach out to me during the week so we can get those

01:03:54.220 --> 01:03:58.700
answered because if you ask me next Monday I might not be prepared for the

01:03:58.700 --> 01:04:02.260
question so I'm fine to get any answers you wish I just need to know what they

01:04:02.260 --> 01:04:10.240
are. Okay thank you. Sounds good. Regular voice vote. All of those members in

01:04:10.240 --> 01:04:18.400
favor say aye opposed motion carries eight to zero item number nine discussion

01:04:18.400 --> 01:04:23.760
discussion regarding ordinance amending various oh wrong one item number ten

01:04:23.760 --> 01:04:27.960
discussion regarding bike paths status update involving the Freeport Park

01:04:27.960 --> 01:04:32.880
District Highland Community College and City of Freeport presented by Alder

01:04:32.880 --> 01:04:42.820
Alderpersons, Monroe, and Stacy. Do you want to start us off? Yes. I just wanted some discussion

01:04:42.820 --> 01:04:51.000
on where we're at with this matter. It was brought to the council. It failed. It was brought

01:04:51.000 --> 01:05:03.000
to the council with Mayor Miller breaking the tie, it passed, the people running for,

01:05:03.000 --> 01:05:11.000
Highland are talking about how it's already moving forward and in the process of and nothing has even been said,

01:05:11.000 --> 01:05:18.000
or brought back to the council. So I would just like some information on where we're at with this.

01:05:18.000 --> 01:05:24.120
Manager, Boyer Thank you. As far as our current status,

01:05:24.120 --> 01:05:29.600
we applied for the ITEP last year, I believe that was August?

01:05:29.600 --> 01:05:34.040
That sounds right. They're about, they're about August. They're,

01:05:34.040 --> 01:05:39.520
you know, this is a two-year cycle and there hasn't really been any updates and we haven't

01:05:39.520 --> 01:05:44.360
received confirmation that the ITEP grant has been accepted, so.

01:05:44.360 --> 01:05:49.720
So you're saying it takes two years to find out if?

01:05:49.720 --> 01:05:54.280
I'm not saying it takes two years to find out, but it's like a two-year process.

01:05:54.280 --> 01:05:58.960
So as far as the acceptance is concerned, I'm sure we'll hear something at some point

01:05:58.960 --> 01:05:59.960
very soon.

01:05:59.960 --> 01:06:05.140
Yeah, we didn't submit till fall and we don't expect to hear, I believe their timeframes

01:06:05.140 --> 01:06:09.480
that they even put out is like summer of 2025 before we'll find out and then you get two

01:06:09.480 --> 01:06:10.700
years to do it.

01:06:10.700 --> 01:06:15.840
So as the status of Freeport, I'm surprised by what you heard because I'm the main communication

01:06:15.840 --> 01:06:18.820
person and I've heard nothing and said nothing about this project.

01:06:18.820 --> 01:06:23.820
So the only thing that's moved forward is the memorandum of understanding that if we

01:06:23.820 --> 01:06:28.100
get the grant that all three partners would contribute to the match money.

01:06:28.100 --> 01:06:30.140
That is the only thing that's happened.

01:06:30.140 --> 01:06:32.500
There has been no design moving forward.

01:06:32.500 --> 01:06:36.460
There has been no action because there's no project without a grant.

01:06:36.460 --> 01:06:38.740
I thought you did a design.

01:06:38.740 --> 01:06:43.420
We just did a concept preliminary of the route, but we haven't done any design money or anything

01:06:43.420 --> 01:06:44.420
with that.

01:06:44.420 --> 01:06:45.420
You can't...

01:06:45.420 --> 01:06:50.740
IDOT's, their type of grants that they do, you can't do design, you can only do concepts.

01:06:50.740 --> 01:06:55.620
If you do grant or if you do designs before the grant, you eliminate yourself from receiving

01:06:55.620 --> 01:06:56.620
the grant.

01:06:56.620 --> 01:06:58.820
So you actually have to pause and wait till you're awarded.

01:06:58.820 --> 01:07:05.260
Okay, so the $90,000 we paid you to do a design was not a design?

01:07:05.260 --> 01:07:11.060
I don't think you've paid me 90,000 dollars for this. I don't believe we, no I don't.

01:07:11.060 --> 01:07:18.820
You had said it was going to take six to eight months to do a design. They voted on just

01:07:18.820 --> 01:07:22.380
the design.

01:07:22.380 --> 01:07:29.760
I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about. When was that?

01:07:29.760 --> 01:07:34.260
There was no vote taken on you doing a design only.

01:07:34.260 --> 01:07:41.260
Not on that project.

01:07:41.260 --> 01:07:46.260
Okay, so can you tell me what project am I mixing this up with?

01:07:46.260 --> 01:07:48.260
It might be the water main.

01:07:48.260 --> 01:07:49.260
No.

01:07:49.260 --> 01:07:50.260
No?

01:07:50.260 --> 01:07:54.260
No.

01:07:54.260 --> 01:07:56.260
Maybe you're right.

01:07:56.260 --> 01:08:00.260
The 90,000 sounds like the...

01:08:00.260 --> 01:08:02.260
Designed for the water main?

01:08:02.260 --> 01:08:03.260
The water main, yeah.

01:08:03.260 --> 01:08:08.940
give me forgive me it sounds close to that number yeah so it could be another

01:08:08.940 --> 01:08:15.940
year and a half before we even find out if we get that grant for the bike path I

01:08:15.940 --> 01:08:22.420
will say that I think we will find out sometime in the summer of 2025 whether we

01:08:22.420 --> 01:08:27.940
are awarded or or denied one of the two and then we'll have up to two years to

01:08:27.940 --> 01:08:28.940
Fowler.

01:08:28.940 --> 01:08:30.860
We have to design it and get it to construction.

01:08:30.860 --> 01:08:32.460
That's the way those grants work.

01:08:32.460 --> 01:08:34.500
Alderman Sanders?

01:08:34.500 --> 01:08:44.579
Director, Darren, speaking of that bike route, what I assumed, what I understood the last

01:08:44.579 --> 01:08:55.740
time we had this discussion is that this bike path is supposed to be something that highlights

01:08:55.740 --> 01:09:04.740
the whole city of Freeport or the residents of Freeport to have access to this bike path

01:09:04.740 --> 01:09:12.460
and that it's not designated for a particular area because there's no plan.

01:09:12.460 --> 01:09:17.600
If there's no plan, it's not set in stone yet, am I correct?

01:09:17.600 --> 01:09:22.659
Not exactly and I'll clarify because when you approved the grant submission for this

01:09:22.659 --> 01:09:28.120
This particular project, there was a concept plan put out there, and this particular grant

01:09:28.120 --> 01:09:30.840
had I believe two or three key components.

01:09:30.840 --> 01:09:36.940
You had to tie to schools, you had to tie to neighborhoods, and you had to tie to shopping.

01:09:36.940 --> 01:09:44.579
And so the project that was laid out at that time was connecting from, I'm gonna call it

01:09:44.579 --> 01:09:50.220
West Cherokee Hills, Sandy Point area where there's the bike path out there, going around

01:09:50.220 --> 01:09:56.420
Highland, back down Pearl City Road through Reid Park and going out the back of Reid Park

01:09:56.420 --> 01:09:59.300
to connect to the mall area.

01:09:59.300 --> 01:10:02.620
And then there was another leg that was shown that would connect out to the Walmart.

01:10:02.620 --> 01:10:05.540
was shown that would connect out to the Walmart segment.

01:10:05.540 --> 01:10:06.380
So there was actually-

01:10:06.380 --> 01:10:07.200
You mean Crate Park?

01:10:07.200 --> 01:10:08.040
Walking or-

01:10:08.040 --> 01:10:08.880
Crate Park.

01:10:08.880 --> 01:10:09.700
You mean Crate Park.

01:10:09.700 --> 01:10:10.540
Crate Park, yeah, excuse me.

01:10:10.540 --> 01:10:12.200
Okay, so that is not serving all of Freeport.

01:10:13.100 --> 01:10:18.100
We're talking about residential as well, am I correct?

01:10:18.540 --> 01:10:19.380
Yes.

01:10:19.380 --> 01:10:23.660
That is what my mindset was on

01:10:23.660 --> 01:10:25.820
when I last talked to you about that.

01:10:25.820 --> 01:10:30.820
Does it cover the Freeport residents here in Freeport

01:10:30.820 --> 01:10:37.860
Fripport where it's not placed in a particular area where it only serve a few. And so my

01:10:37.860 --> 01:10:46.140
understanding was when we talked is that it will serve the residents of Fripport. That's

01:10:46.140 --> 01:10:47.140
my understanding.

01:10:47.140 --> 01:10:48.740
There's residents all over Fripport.

01:10:48.740 --> 01:10:50.340
Yeah, I understand, but...

01:10:50.340 --> 01:10:56.460
And that map was supplied with the packet that you voted on. We never give any of that without

01:10:56.460 --> 01:10:57.460
and others.

01:10:57.460 --> 01:11:02.340
So that was the entire route was laid out in the packet for the grant.

01:11:02.340 --> 01:11:07.340
So I can't speak to what we talked about eight months ago, but that path was completely laid

01:11:07.340 --> 01:11:13.020
out and that's what we voted on was the grant with those three partners because remember

01:11:13.020 --> 01:11:16.300
we're using Highland to help pay for the Highland portion.

01:11:16.300 --> 01:11:21.880
We're using the park to help pay for the park portion, right, because we can't single-handedly

01:11:21.880 --> 01:11:25.860
absorb that much match money and or grant money at the same time.

01:11:25.860 --> 01:11:26.700
so we had to bring partners.

01:11:26.700 --> 01:11:30.560
So what is the city portion of this discussion?

01:11:32.740 --> 01:11:34.060
What do we talk about then?

01:11:34.060 --> 01:11:37.000
Because if we're talking about shares,

01:11:37.000 --> 01:11:39.800
if we're talking about shares, then we have,

01:11:39.800 --> 01:11:40.640
when you start-

01:11:40.640 --> 01:11:43.980
I believe it's a total match of 360,000, right?

01:11:43.980 --> 01:11:48.100
Yeah, but all of it, regardless where you're getting

01:11:48.100 --> 01:11:51.620
the grant, if the city of Freeport has to participate,

01:11:51.620 --> 01:11:53.540
are we a part of that grant?

01:11:53.540 --> 01:11:58.540
that the city is the city is part of that grant

01:11:58.860 --> 01:12:02.980
and then inclusion of the residents.

01:12:02.980 --> 01:12:05.500
If this is coming from the city,

01:12:05.500 --> 01:12:09.960
whatever share the city is implementing for this program,

01:12:11.260 --> 01:12:15.940
we're talking taxpayers, dollars and more.

01:12:15.940 --> 01:12:17.980
Am I correct on this?

01:12:17.980 --> 01:12:20.020
I don't understand your point.

01:12:20.020 --> 01:12:28.300
My point is, if the city begins to implement in this project, program, it takes funding

01:12:28.300 --> 01:12:29.540
to do so.

01:12:29.540 --> 01:12:33.580
And if that is the case, where do those funds come from?

01:12:33.580 --> 01:12:38.380
So we committed $120,000 out of the $360,000 match from the city.

01:12:38.380 --> 01:12:41.660
Each partner's match, I believe, was $120,000.

01:12:41.660 --> 01:12:43.760
But where's the fundings coming from?

01:12:43.760 --> 01:12:45.220
That's what we need to know.

01:12:45.220 --> 01:12:46.220
Where's the...

01:12:46.220 --> 01:12:52.220
On City Freeport General Fund, that was what was assigned in the MOU that the council approved.

01:12:52.220 --> 01:12:53.220
Okay.

01:12:53.220 --> 01:12:54.220
Okay.

01:12:54.220 --> 01:12:58.220
And that's what's in the budget for when the project, if we are awarded the, if we're

01:12:58.220 --> 01:13:01.220
not awarded, then it won't be used.

01:13:01.220 --> 01:13:03.220
Year over year.

01:13:03.220 --> 01:13:06.220
It'll revolve back into the central?

01:13:06.220 --> 01:13:10.220
Well, these types of grants are only available every other year.

01:13:10.220 --> 01:13:11.220
They're not available.

01:13:11.220 --> 01:13:12.220
They're only available on the even news.

01:13:12.220 --> 01:13:13.220
I'm talking about the city funding.

01:13:13.220 --> 01:13:14.220
Yeah.

01:13:14.220 --> 01:13:20.180
So when we did the strategic planning of the budget we budgeted some money in 25 and some

01:13:20.180 --> 01:13:24.020
money in 26 to spread it out because it's not going to get done in one year.

01:13:24.020 --> 01:13:29.420
And the way these grants work is the city has to expend their match money and Highland

01:13:29.420 --> 01:13:34.220
and the park would have to expend their match money before you'd get any grant money, right?

01:13:34.220 --> 01:13:38.140
The match money gets spent first.

01:13:38.140 --> 01:13:40.180
Any additional questions?

01:13:40.180 --> 01:13:42.840
Any comments?

01:13:42.840 --> 01:13:51.440
Davis, does not need a motion to move forward, so we will move on to item number 11, discussion

01:13:51.440 --> 01:13:55.960
regarding a status update on the water main extension on West Stevenson Street, including

01:13:55.960 --> 01:13:57.200
Open Bible.

01:13:57.200 --> 01:14:00.600
Alderman Stacey, would you like to?

01:14:00.600 --> 01:14:01.600
Thank you.

01:14:01.600 --> 01:14:02.600
Yep.

01:14:02.600 --> 01:14:08.880
Alderman Monroe, and it should have read, discussion regarding status update on the

01:14:08.880 --> 01:14:22.440
Open, Bible, Watermane. That's what it should have read. And so I would like to know where

01:14:22.440 --> 01:14:34.400
we're at with that process. Director, Darren, our City Manager, Boyer, Sure, I'd be happy

01:14:34.400 --> 01:14:42.200
to update you. First of all, the water main extension, it does provide water to Open Bible,

01:14:42.200 --> 01:14:48.200
but it also provides water to approximately 10 households and also Highlands Project research

01:14:48.200 --> 01:14:51.720
field there. With that being said, the permit was...

01:14:51.720 --> 01:14:56.560
What was that last part? Highland is working on a pilot, like a field,

01:14:56.560 --> 01:15:02.720
like a research field there to the east of the Open Bible property in between the park

01:15:02.720 --> 01:15:07.160
and Open Bible, so there's gonna be bathroom facilities

01:15:07.160 --> 01:15:09.720
and things that that water would go to.

01:15:09.720 --> 01:15:12.400
With that being said, the permit was approved

01:15:12.400 --> 01:15:17.400
by the IEPA and we're currently working

01:15:17.400 --> 01:15:22.400
on a plan to bring before council to construct that.

01:15:22.520 --> 01:15:27.520
Okay, so when are we gonna find out that it was approved?

01:15:27.520 --> 01:15:57.520
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

01:15:57.520 --> 01:16:02.760
and I. Now couldn't we receive an update on that? And it's like you've already planning

01:16:02.760 --> 01:16:08.640
and we have not gone that far. You're planning for Stevenson Street. You're planning for

01:16:08.640 --> 01:16:15.160
Open Bible. Now you're planning for Highland.

01:16:15.160 --> 01:16:20.680
Council approved the putting together of the plan submitting for the permit with IEPA.

01:16:20.680 --> 01:16:22.320
That's what we've done.

01:16:22.320 --> 01:16:26.040
We approved for the design. Darren did only.

01:16:26.040 --> 01:16:30.040
We approve for design and that was part of submitting to the EPA to get a permit.

01:16:30.040 --> 01:16:36.760
Okay, but you just named three different avenues that's moving forward.

01:16:36.760 --> 01:16:42.480
I simply redefined the title of this, which is, yes, Open Bible.

01:16:42.480 --> 01:16:50.080
It's also several, probably seven homes and Highland College's research plot.

01:16:50.080 --> 01:16:52.360
So I just wanted to make sure that was clear.

01:16:52.360 --> 01:16:53.360
Okay.

01:16:53.360 --> 01:16:55.840
You can make sure that that's clear.

01:16:55.840 --> 01:17:05.400
However, when it was brought to the council, we were asked to put in a water main at Open

01:17:05.400 --> 01:17:18.200
Bible because 25 years ago, the public works person shook hands with a principal and said

01:17:18.200 --> 01:17:24.120
the city would do it for free.

01:17:24.120 --> 01:17:49.000
And when we didn't go for it, then you started adding Stevenson Street, then you started adding

01:17:49.000 --> 01:18:03.020
9 or 10 other residents and my questions Director Darren about this ordinance and the language

01:18:03.020 --> 01:18:16.300
change was all due to this question because what's going to happen now to open Bibles well

01:18:16.300 --> 01:18:21.300
so that we don't have no choice but to give them a water main.

01:18:23.380 --> 01:18:28.060
So just to be absolutely clear with everyone,

01:18:28.940 --> 01:18:32.340
item number nine has nothing whatsoever to do

01:18:32.340 --> 01:18:34.020
with Open Bible or their well.

01:18:34.020 --> 01:18:36.700
They have a well, they are grandfathered in

01:18:36.700 --> 01:18:39.540
to have that well and they can have it as long as it works.

01:18:39.540 --> 01:18:42.340
It has nothing to do with this item whatsoever.

01:18:42.340 --> 01:18:45.400
That other ordinance pertains to everything

01:18:45.400 --> 01:18:47.280
within the city limits.

01:18:47.280 --> 01:18:50.120
I had nothing in mind with Open Bible whatsoever

01:18:50.120 --> 01:18:52.640
with this situation, so I wanna be absolutely

01:18:52.640 --> 01:18:56.200
and totally clear, one has nothing to do with the other.

01:18:57.160 --> 01:18:58.980
Open Bible gets to keep that well

01:18:58.980 --> 01:19:01.680
as long as they don't have city water,

01:19:01.680 --> 01:19:03.540
because when we bring water up there,

01:19:03.540 --> 01:19:05.940
they'll have the ready-to-serve fee if they don't connect,

01:19:05.940 --> 01:19:09.360
which obviously they will, but until we bring it there,

01:19:09.360 --> 01:19:11.120
they have the right to keep that well.

01:19:11.120 --> 01:19:15.120
and anybody that connect us at their expense, 100%.

01:19:16.680 --> 01:19:21.080
To, yeah, they will have to connect from the right away.

01:19:21.080 --> 01:19:23.800
So again, when we build water mains,

01:19:23.800 --> 01:19:25.780
we run new water main,

01:19:25.780 --> 01:19:28.120
which is our responsibility in the services.

01:19:28.120 --> 01:19:30.220
We run them to every house, to the right away.

01:19:30.220 --> 01:19:32.160
That is our responsibility as a city.

01:19:32.160 --> 01:19:34.200
That's what we own.

01:19:34.200 --> 01:19:37.880
And then the connection from that piece to the house,

01:19:37.880 --> 01:19:40.800
that becomes the owner's cost, no matter who it is.

01:19:40.800 --> 01:19:44.800
We can't, that's spending public money on private property and we can't do that.

01:19:47.800 --> 01:19:49.800
Alderman, Sanders?

01:19:50.800 --> 01:19:53.800
Let me, let me help you out.

01:19:54.800 --> 01:19:55.800
I need a lot of help.

01:19:55.800 --> 01:20:00.800
Yeah, yeah, because as we're speaking things are changing.

01:20:00.800 --> 01:20:02.800
The same, the same...

01:20:02.800 --> 01:20:12.800
The same information we talked about last year about this particular program and we did not go forward with it.

01:20:12.800 --> 01:20:19.800
The languages are still changing. What was said back then is not being said today.

01:20:19.800 --> 01:20:31.800
But my thing is, what is prompting this water main at one point some million dollars to be installed, first of all?

01:20:31.800 --> 01:21:01.800
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

01:21:01.800 --> 01:21:08.700
We're requested to do so, a purpose for it unless we're obligated.

01:21:08.700 --> 01:21:16.380
If there's a mandate that the city is liable to do this, where is this coming from?

01:21:16.380 --> 01:21:22.640
Who is making this motion that we do such a thing to install something in the ground

01:21:22.640 --> 01:21:31.480
that specifically don't serve anyone before it is even put in the ground at one point

01:21:31.480 --> 01:21:37.000
some million dollars my thing is why are we opening up the ground for one point

01:21:37.000 --> 01:21:41.760
million for one point some million dollars just to stick a pipe so in there

01:21:41.760 --> 01:21:47.400
I'd like to answer that yeah go ahead so there is absolutely some confusion with

01:21:47.400 --> 01:21:52.600
this council no and it's getting very taxing I think right now well you can

01:21:52.600 --> 01:21:57.840
respond okay almost there is no intent to build this main at this time nobody's

01:21:57.840 --> 01:22:03.860
asked to build it. Nobody has ever said we're building it. We designed it so we could have

01:22:03.860 --> 01:22:08.800
it shovel ready, which is where we're at right now. If you go back to the comments from when

01:22:08.800 --> 01:22:15.120
we approved the design, we said we would move it forward, get it shovel ready, get it EPA

01:22:15.120 --> 01:22:20.220
permitted, and look for funds to do it. That is where we're at. That is what we've done.

01:22:20.220 --> 01:22:26.080
We fulfilled our promise. Nobody's asking to build this today. Nobody's asking to build

01:22:26.080 --> 01:22:30.080
Hold it tomorrow, we're trying to figure out a way to get it done.

01:22:30.080 --> 01:22:35.840
We have been weekly shopping, if you will, for grants, looking for any avenue to get

01:22:35.840 --> 01:22:39.100
this paid for, and we have not been successful so far.

01:22:39.100 --> 01:22:40.100
So that's the status.

01:22:40.100 --> 01:22:46.920
Well, my thing is, why are we investing our time trying to install a water main that's

01:22:46.920 --> 01:22:52.900
not going to serve nobody currently, or what's the purpose of it for?

01:22:52.900 --> 01:22:55.600
It's not going to serve, why are we sticking it in the ground?

01:22:55.600 --> 01:22:59.300
and I have a question about the $1.4 million or whatever million dollars that we're using

01:22:59.300 --> 01:23:05.320
of taxpayers' dollars to install something in the ground just to let it sit there until

01:23:05.320 --> 01:23:08.420
someone decides they want to connect to it.

01:23:08.420 --> 01:23:09.740
Why are we doing that?

01:23:09.740 --> 01:23:15.700
Well, because if we build it, Open Bible is going to connect to it immediately because

01:23:15.700 --> 01:23:16.860
they've requested it.

01:23:16.860 --> 01:23:19.600
So you asked who requested it, they requested it.

01:23:19.600 --> 01:23:21.740
They requested it 25 years ago.

01:23:21.740 --> 01:23:27.300
There's 12 other residents of the City of Freeport that live in that corridor and they will connect.

01:23:27.300 --> 01:23:29.860
They did not request that 25 years ago.

01:23:29.860 --> 01:23:30.860
It doesn't matter what they requested.

01:23:30.860 --> 01:23:31.860
Yeah, it does.

01:23:31.860 --> 01:23:32.860
It does.

01:23:32.860 --> 01:23:33.860
It does matter.

01:23:33.860 --> 01:23:34.860
We have a responsibility.

01:23:34.860 --> 01:23:35.860
It does matter.

01:23:35.860 --> 01:23:36.860
Let them answer.

01:23:36.860 --> 01:23:41.700
We have a responsibility as the City of Freeport to feed our constituents water, potable water

01:23:41.700 --> 01:23:43.280
if they want it.

01:23:43.280 --> 01:23:45.020
We have a responsibility.

01:23:45.020 --> 01:23:46.800
That's what these ordinances are right.

01:23:46.800 --> 01:23:48.620
They can't just go drill new wells.

01:23:48.620 --> 01:23:50.100
We're not going to let them.

01:23:50.100 --> 01:23:55.100
We have a responsibility to serve water and sewer to anyone within the city limits that

01:23:55.100 --> 01:23:56.160
wants it.

01:23:56.160 --> 01:23:58.020
That is our job as a municipality.

01:23:58.020 --> 01:23:59.580
That's why we charge for it.

01:23:59.580 --> 01:24:01.540
That's what utility rates are all about.

01:24:01.540 --> 01:24:08.020
Well, from my discussion and everything about this, they didn't want this water main to

01:24:08.020 --> 01:24:09.020
connect to initially.

01:24:09.020 --> 01:24:13.460
I don't know why you're digging up stuff that is not true.

01:24:13.460 --> 01:24:14.460
That's not true.

01:24:14.460 --> 01:24:15.500
Oh, okay.

01:24:15.500 --> 01:24:17.700
They wanted it.

01:24:17.700 --> 01:24:18.700
They wanted it.

01:24:18.700 --> 01:24:19.700
Okay.

01:24:19.700 --> 01:24:20.700
and others.

01:24:20.700 --> 01:24:21.700
They wanted it for free.

01:24:21.700 --> 01:24:22.700
Okay.

01:24:22.700 --> 01:24:26.180
They wanted it, but they wanted it for free.

01:24:26.180 --> 01:24:32.340
They wanted it at taxpayer's money, dollars, and it's a non-for-profit organization.

01:24:32.340 --> 01:24:41.740
My complaint was all the time is, do the city accommodate any establishment entity at all

01:24:41.740 --> 01:24:42.740
if they're non-for-profit?

01:24:42.740 --> 01:25:02.740
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.

01:25:02.740 --> 01:25:08.740
But the point of the matter is there's money going into the ground.

01:25:08.740 --> 01:25:09.740
Not yet.

01:25:09.740 --> 01:25:16.820
Yeah, well, that's the that's the whole requesting the whole premise of our discussion. Let me let Mayor Miller

01:25:16.820 --> 01:25:24.020
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

01:25:24.060 --> 01:25:27.300
They've always had the intent that when the line is there

01:25:27.380 --> 01:25:32.020
They would be like anyone else any other business any other resident any other school

01:25:32.300 --> 01:25:38.740
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

01:25:39.740 --> 01:25:52.740
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.

01:25:52.740 --> 01:26:02.740
Well, we're discussing the update. However, when it was first brought to the Council,

01:26:04.740 --> 01:26:13.740
City Manager Boyer asked us to do this for Open Bible for free.

01:26:13.740 --> 01:26:27.740
That's what he was asking. Because we needed to respect what this community development person had promised.

01:26:27.740 --> 01:26:40.740
But as long as they were getting those inspections waived for not having a sprinkler system, it was okay.

01:26:40.740 --> 01:26:55.740
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.

01:26:55.740 --> 01:27:14.060
Yeah, so I think we have discussed this area a lot and everybody involved, which is I think

01:27:14.060 --> 01:27:21.260
no one here admits that there's a major error 25 years ago that this didn't get pulled forward.

01:27:21.260 --> 01:27:26.460
We can't blame people that aren't here anymore, and we fully take responsibility for it.

01:27:26.460 --> 01:27:30.580
I take responsibility for calling it the Open Bible Water Main Extension.

01:27:30.580 --> 01:27:34.260
That's completely my fault, 100% Darren Stiegel's fault.

01:27:34.260 --> 01:27:35.260
I called it that.

01:27:35.260 --> 01:27:37.300
That's what it was originally.

01:27:37.300 --> 01:27:40.120
That's because I didn't have a better name for it at the time.

01:27:40.120 --> 01:27:42.460
But that's what it came to council as.

01:27:42.460 --> 01:27:46.980
Yeah, but, but, so I just picked the name to put on the permit set.

01:27:46.980 --> 01:27:48.180
It wasn't a title.

01:27:48.180 --> 01:27:49.700
It wasn't a mission.

01:27:49.700 --> 01:27:59.800
Is the city liable for that water main to be installed? Is there an ordinance saying that

01:27:59.800 --> 01:28:04.880
we are liable for that? We are responsible to serve water. No, answer my question. Are

01:28:04.880 --> 01:28:10.820
we liable? Nobody else can install it. Are we liable as taxpayers to put that water main

01:28:10.820 --> 01:28:17.820
in that ground. Are we liable? Answer that question.

01:28:21.540 --> 01:28:25.420
I'm not going to get into it on an open floor as to whether or not the city is

01:28:25.420 --> 01:28:28.820
obligated, responsible, liable for something because that's not to the city's

01:28:28.820 --> 01:28:30.180
advantage to admit anything

01:28:30.180 --> 01:28:33.700
whatsoever, okay? So, but I will say that there are

01:28:33.700 --> 01:28:37.620
potential obligations of the city based off prior acts,

01:28:37.620 --> 01:28:40.620
comments, affirmations made by city staff back then,

01:28:40.620 --> 01:28:46.120
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.

01:28:46.120 --> 01:28:51.120
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.

01:28:51.120 --> 01:28:55.120
But maybe it does. That's for you guys to decide at the end of the day.

01:28:55.120 --> 01:29:04.120
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.

01:29:04.120 --> 01:29:07.120
At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what happened in the past. It's good to know.

01:29:07.120 --> 01:29:14.120
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.

01:29:14.120 --> 01:29:20.120
If you don't want to extend the water, don't extend the water. If you want to extend the water, extend the water.

01:29:20.120 --> 01:29:25.120
You can have whatever reason you want for it, justification for how you vote, that's fine, but that's the bottom line.

01:29:25.120 --> 01:29:29.120
If the council votes to not move it forward, then you don't move it forward.

01:29:29.120 --> 01:29:34.120
But if you guys choose the majority says build it, then you build it. That's it. It's simple.

01:29:34.120 --> 01:29:40.720
Well, let me interject this mischaritization of what this is all about and what we're talking

01:29:40.720 --> 01:29:45.840
about to even be talking about it at this time on the floor.

01:29:45.840 --> 01:29:48.300
We have already visited that area.

01:29:48.300 --> 01:29:54.560
And what we're trying to do is bring something up where misinformation is being provided

01:29:54.560 --> 01:29:55.940
at this time.

01:29:55.940 --> 01:30:02.740
So my thing is, I object to the fact that this is being brought before us.

01:30:02.740 --> 01:30:32.740
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.

01:30:32.740 --> 01:30:37.060
At this time, Alderman Sanders, there's nothing being moved forward.

01:30:37.060 --> 01:30:41.500
What's on the agenda right now was simply an update.

01:30:41.500 --> 01:30:48.580
The nutshell summary of the update is that Fehr Graham has gone and designed the work,

01:30:48.580 --> 01:30:53.260
which is what was authorized by Council, and then the permit's been issued, and now they

01:30:53.260 --> 01:30:55.780
are looking for funding for that.

01:30:55.780 --> 01:31:00.660
That was all that was agreed to back then, a few months ago there.

01:31:00.660 --> 01:31:05.780
if they're if they find no funding then it's gonna have to come back to the

01:31:05.780 --> 01:31:08.980
council and say hey we didn't find any funding what do you guys want to do and

01:31:08.980 --> 01:31:13.260
then the council will decide okay well if we didn't find funding then maybe we

01:31:13.260 --> 01:31:17.060
vote and say no we're not moving forward or the council can say well even without

01:31:17.060 --> 01:31:21.420
funding you know we're gonna find the money somewhere and we're gonna move

01:31:21.420 --> 01:31:24.780
forward with it that's up for you guys to decide at that time that's that's not

01:31:24.780 --> 01:31:27.780
I have to object with you, Attorney Zito.

01:31:27.780 --> 01:31:28.780
Rocky, that's how it is, honey.

01:31:28.780 --> 01:31:29.780
No, no it isn't.

01:31:29.780 --> 01:31:31.780
That is how it is right now.

01:31:31.780 --> 01:31:32.780
Oh, okay.

01:31:32.780 --> 01:31:33.780
Right now.

01:31:33.780 --> 01:31:39.780
Well, what I'm trying to say is this.

01:31:39.780 --> 01:31:47.780
We're speaking as though we're going to make a move or vote for something that we have not even...

01:31:47.780 --> 01:31:48.780
We're not.

01:31:48.780 --> 01:31:49.780
Okay.

01:31:49.780 --> 01:31:50.780
Nothing's happening tonight.

01:31:50.780 --> 01:31:55.220
and I was just a status update where we're at what's going on that's all it was

01:31:55.220 --> 01:32:00.820
supposed to be so we will move on to item number 12 discussion regarding the

01:32:00.820 --> 01:32:06.100
costs and impact of events on City of Freeport Services presented by myself

01:32:06.100 --> 01:32:15.420
and Alderman Sanders I'll start this off if that's okay so there's been a lot of

01:32:15.420 --> 01:32:20.740
discussion about different events and things happening you know that in a lot

01:32:20.740 --> 01:32:29.460
and a lot of ways would require council approval as well as spending money on services, may

01:32:29.460 --> 01:32:34.340
it be police, fire, whatever it might be, city services, blocking roads, doing all the

01:32:34.340 --> 01:32:39.480
types of things it takes away from our daily tasks, the planning meetings, things like

01:32:39.480 --> 01:32:40.480
that.

01:32:40.480 --> 01:32:45.180
So the questions that really came to my mind, you know, what were the actual costs to the

01:32:45.180 --> 01:32:49.300
city for these events that we've done?

01:32:49.300 --> 01:32:54.420
I've heard a lot of different things you know kind of back and forth question I

01:32:54.420 --> 01:32:59.780
had popped up was overtime you know things like that were there over time

01:32:59.780 --> 01:33:04.240
were people scheduled to work those shifts did we bring in extra patrols you

01:33:04.240 --> 01:33:10.500
know did we you know put city services at you know a point that we you know

01:33:10.500 --> 01:33:15.420
probably needed more you know or was everything okay and I that's why I put

01:33:15.420 --> 01:33:18.340
and I have been asked to put this on here, put an end to the

01:33:18.340 --> 01:33:21.060
discussion and the concerns, hopefully be able to get to the

01:33:21.060 --> 01:33:25.060
bottom of where we are and what it actually cost us.

01:33:25.060 --> 01:33:28.060
And if this is something we should budget in on a regular

01:33:28.060 --> 01:33:33.060
basis or have discussions about moving forward because I have

01:33:33.060 --> 01:33:38.060
heard from a couple of people that I've heard, yes, we would

01:33:38.060 --> 01:33:40.060
approve anything for anybody who brought a festival or

01:33:40.060 --> 01:33:43.060
something forward, but I've also heard from other people that

01:33:43.060 --> 01:33:45.060
said they've been denied these services.

01:33:45.060 --> 01:33:49.120
I'm bringing to the table now is to have a conversation about you know what we

01:33:49.120 --> 01:33:54.020
spent on each of these you know what what we kind of did and that's why you

01:33:54.020 --> 01:33:57.580
know I put on here you know just a couple just to have a conversation about

01:33:57.580 --> 01:34:03.820
City Manager, Mayor, Fire Chief, Police Chief kind of go over this because I you

01:34:03.820 --> 01:34:08.220
know I think our public works even you know because we are blocking streets are

01:34:08.220 --> 01:34:11.680
we are taking time to do things there are cleanup things like that and I just

01:34:11.680 --> 01:34:14.080
and I wanted to make sure all of it was captured.

01:34:16.320 --> 01:34:20.200
Do we, I don't know if staff had a chance

01:34:20.200 --> 01:34:22.880
to kind of take a look and see if.

01:34:22.880 --> 01:34:25.880
Staff has actually not had a chance to look this over

01:34:25.880 --> 01:34:29.880
and do the research necessary and if it's council's will

01:34:29.880 --> 01:34:32.240
to move forward with an effort to do so,

01:34:32.240 --> 01:34:33.960
I'll be happy to comply.

01:34:35.240 --> 01:34:36.560
Could I ask a question?

01:34:36.560 --> 01:34:38.000
Sure.

01:34:38.000 --> 01:34:39.720
Why are we just picking these two?

01:34:39.720 --> 01:34:52.120
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?

01:34:52.120 --> 01:35:22.120
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.

01:35:22.120 --> 01:35:28.460
County, it's a Stevenson County Fair Association, which is a for-profit entity, not a not-for-profit

01:35:28.460 --> 01:35:41.900
entity, and Freeport Festival because it's, okay, interesting.

01:35:41.900 --> 01:35:46.220
So that would be wrong on there, okay, understood there.

01:35:46.220 --> 01:35:50.800
But the other was, the Freeport Festival does take a lot more, well I would say cruise night

01:35:50.800 --> 01:35:52.360
it also takes quite a bit.

01:35:52.360 --> 01:35:56.840
So, I would like to make a motion, at least at this point.

01:35:56.840 --> 01:35:57.920
I know you've got questions,

01:35:57.920 --> 01:35:59.200
but I'll let you ask a question.

01:35:59.200 --> 01:36:01.920
Yeah, I just wanted to chime in on this one.

01:36:03.700 --> 01:36:07.800
To find out who's organizing the festivals

01:36:07.800 --> 01:36:11.240
and cruise nights and things of this nature

01:36:11.240 --> 01:36:16.240
because there's fundings that has to be exhausted

01:36:16.240 --> 01:36:21.240
in order to conduct these type of events.

01:36:21.360 --> 01:36:24.140
So my thing is who's organizing it,

01:36:24.140 --> 01:36:27.520
what committee that's in charge of it,

01:36:27.520 --> 01:36:29.680
and any monies that are being fundo

01:36:30.640 --> 01:36:34.240
to these particular programs or these events,

01:36:34.240 --> 01:36:37.080
where the funding's coming from,

01:36:37.080 --> 01:36:40.440
and who's the oversight or overseers

01:36:40.440 --> 01:36:42.320
of these particular events.

01:36:42.320 --> 01:36:46.640
I like to get right down to the basics of how we got here.

01:36:46.640 --> 01:36:49.120
How we got here and how it was organized.

01:36:49.120 --> 01:36:53.120
That explained a lot of things to me to understand

01:36:53.120 --> 01:36:56.520
what is really happening and how do we get where we're at

01:36:56.520 --> 01:36:58.520
and why we're having these events

01:36:58.520 --> 01:37:00.680
and who's constructing them.

01:37:00.680 --> 01:37:02.420
That's what I like to understand.

01:37:02.420 --> 01:37:05.800
Who are the individuals that are making these proposals

01:37:05.800 --> 01:37:09.280
that we should have these events?

01:37:09.280 --> 01:37:20.280
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.

01:37:20.280 --> 01:37:32.000
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.

01:37:32.000 --> 01:37:33.900
Where is these funds coming from?

01:37:33.900 --> 01:37:38.320
Because taxpayers are involved in this some kind of way,

01:37:38.320 --> 01:37:41.380
but I have not explored it completely.

01:37:41.380 --> 01:37:43.380
But the thing about it is we need to know

01:37:43.380 --> 01:37:47.300
where the nuts and bolts are that's operating this machine.

01:37:51.000 --> 01:37:53.080
So what would you need Manager Boyer

01:37:53.080 --> 01:37:56.040
to kind of move forward with direction on this

01:37:56.040 --> 01:37:57.920
to kind of pull forward at least

01:37:57.920 --> 01:38:10.920
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?

01:38:10.920 --> 01:38:16.920
I think just the authorization to direct staff to do the research and come back with the report.

01:38:16.920 --> 01:38:18.920
And how much time?

01:38:18.920 --> 01:38:19.920
A couple of months.

01:38:19.920 --> 01:38:24.920
It could be a little while. I'm not precisely sure.

01:38:24.920 --> 01:38:31.480
and just for a point of clarity, are you talking about everything that is permitted?

01:38:31.480 --> 01:38:34.960
By the State, I don't understand the question.

01:38:34.960 --> 01:38:42.000
Well, the clerk receives a lot of permits from the Memorial Day Parade to, you know,

01:38:42.000 --> 01:38:46.400
Music on Chicago stuff to, I mean, there's just a ton of things that are permitted that

01:38:46.400 --> 01:38:51.640
are you, are you looking at, I mean, if you're going to, if you're going to evaluate, you

01:38:51.640 --> 01:38:53.360
might as well evaluate everything.

01:38:53.360 --> 01:38:54.360
Sure.

01:38:54.360 --> 01:39:08.360
Well, my one concern is the taxpayers are involved in these events. To what extent are the taxpayers paying for these events?

01:39:08.360 --> 01:39:18.360
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,

01:39:18.360 --> 01:39:25.960
K. Where are their fundings, where are the fundings for these events and programs? Where

01:39:25.960 --> 01:39:29.040
is it coming from? Go ahead.

01:39:29.040 --> 01:39:34.200
I'd just like to, as long as we're discussing this and adding everything in the world into

01:39:34.200 --> 01:39:39.840
it that we've never talked about before, I'd like to also see how much money this brings

01:39:39.840 --> 01:39:45.360
into the City of Freeport for all the businesses and everything else that's been mentioned

01:39:45.360 --> 01:39:49.000
by the two or three people that spoke beforehand.

01:39:49.000 --> 01:39:51.040
Tourism dollars are a big thing here.

01:39:51.040 --> 01:39:53.160
And last year, I believe we bought

01:39:53.160 --> 01:39:55.480
50-some million dollars worth then.

01:39:55.480 --> 01:39:58.080
So I think that justifies some of this,

01:39:58.080 --> 01:40:00.960
but as long as we're looking at what everything costs

01:40:00.960 --> 01:40:03.080
and why we're doing everything, let's...

01:40:03.080 --> 01:40:07.340
B. S. and why we're doing everything. Let's take a look at how beneficial it is to us.

01:40:07.340 --> 01:40:11.760
Yeah. I don't disagree with that. I think the concern right now is that we don't know

01:40:11.760 --> 01:40:18.460
if we spend $10 or $10 million. We have no clue how many dollars are being spent on these

01:40:18.460 --> 01:40:26.480
events, personnel hours, vehicle time, all of that. And I do think, you know, whenever

01:40:26.480 --> 01:40:32.680
you're running a business, there is a cost-benefit analysis that goes into this. And we want

01:40:32.680 --> 01:41:02.680
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.

01:41:02.680 --> 01:41:04.680
and

01:41:05.820 --> 01:41:07.820
the rest of the city.

01:41:10.440 --> 01:41:12.440
And I think we need to be able to

01:41:13.560 --> 01:41:14.880
look into do we want to continue to do all of these different

01:41:14.880 --> 01:41:16.880
events?

01:41:18.180 --> 01:41:20.120
And are we using a fair amount of taxpayer dollars to make these

01:41:20.120 --> 01:41:22.120
happen?

01:41:23.640 --> 01:41:25.480
That we could be putting toward, you know, the question came up a

01:41:25.480 --> 01:41:28.880
few weeks ago about $25,000 for lights. Where is that going to

01:41:28.880 --> 01:41:30.880
come from?

01:41:30.880 --> 01:42:00.880
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.

01:42:00.880 --> 01:42:06.020
and others. I think that's a smart thing to do. You know, there are rules for all of these

01:42:06.020 --> 01:42:13.100
things within the IRS and everything else. Under certain amounts, things are not reportable.

01:42:13.100 --> 01:42:16.640
And I just want to make sure that what we are doing is the best interest of the City

01:42:16.640 --> 01:42:20.220
of Freeport and its citizens and every tax dollar that we spend.

01:42:20.220 --> 01:42:21.220
Alderman Sellers?

01:42:21.220 --> 01:42:29.820
I just want to say also that we know that you have to spend money to make money. And

01:42:29.820 --> 01:42:35.660
You know that any time we have, you have any events within our community, we're going to

01:42:35.660 --> 01:42:40.620
have to have police and fire, we're going to have to have these people working to make

01:42:40.620 --> 01:42:42.620
sure that it's safe.

01:42:42.620 --> 01:42:47.780
We want to have events in our community to draw people into our community to see what

01:42:47.780 --> 01:42:48.780
we have.

01:42:48.780 --> 01:42:54.300
I mean, you don't want us to, I mean, I think Teddy Baker days or whatever, Freeport Festival,

01:42:54.300 --> 01:42:59.240
whatever they want to call it, it has brought a lot of people into our community.

01:42:59.240 --> 01:43:05.840
Fehr has brought a lot of people. What is it? The Cruise Night. I mean, Pantherport, all

01:43:05.840 --> 01:43:11.760
of those things have. And we have to spend money to make money, and we know that. So

01:43:11.760 --> 01:43:21.760
I think it's just something we're just kind of fussing about. I mean, when has it ever

01:43:21.760 --> 01:43:27.920
come up before? That's what I want to know. When has these items with Cruise Night, as

01:43:27.920 --> 01:43:34.080
As long as it's been a night on Chicago, how long has that been? All these different nights,

01:43:34.080 --> 01:43:39.400
how many, when did it ever come up before? That's what I just want to know. Why is it

01:43:39.400 --> 01:43:40.400
such a problem now?

01:43:40.400 --> 01:43:48.880
Well, there's new sheriffs in town. You know, you can't keep doing things the old way. Sometimes

01:43:48.880 --> 01:43:55.680
you got to go with the change of the atmosphere. And my thing is when someone says, I need

01:43:55.680 --> 01:43:56.680
and others.

01:43:56.680 --> 01:43:57.680
I need a permit for this.

01:43:57.680 --> 01:43:59.480
I need a permit for that.

01:43:59.480 --> 01:44:07.040
And then the city gets involved in what these permits for whatever committee entity or whatever.

01:44:07.040 --> 01:44:08.300
That's information.

01:44:08.300 --> 01:44:17.920
That is data information that if we as council wants to know who are these permitters and

01:44:17.920 --> 01:44:24.680
who are requesting permits for any event or anything that is happening, then council has

01:44:24.680 --> 01:44:30.760
has a right to ask the question and get the answers of who are the permittees and then

01:44:30.760 --> 01:44:35.840
we can follow up from there and how things are organized. We've given out permits without

01:44:35.840 --> 01:44:43.520
organization. I don't believe that I'm hearing this. And if it's not organized, if something

01:44:43.520 --> 01:44:47.800
that we want to do is not organized, we've got to have a permit to do so. So I'd like

01:44:47.800 --> 01:44:53.040
to know who are these individuals who are getting permits to do anything throughout

01:44:53.040 --> 01:45:01.440
and I'll put this out there so if is I as an employee at a company I go to a

01:45:01.440 --> 01:45:06.240
national convention and there's a group of people from my company goes to that

01:45:06.240 --> 01:45:11.720
national convention we know down to the penny about everything that was spent at

01:45:11.720 --> 01:45:16.720
that event thank you and we are accountable for that spending and here

01:45:16.720 --> 01:45:21.520
in the city of Freeport we are not and the question that I've got for you I'll

01:45:21.520 --> 01:45:41.520
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.

01:45:41.520 --> 01:45:48.520
All of the costs come to me, the people putting these festivals on need to pay for them themselves.

01:45:48.520 --> 01:45:56.360
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

01:45:56.720 --> 01:45:58.720
No, no, no, no. I

01:45:59.000 --> 01:46:05.320
I'm telling you why I'm giving you to why no is it because it's because is ran

01:46:06.920 --> 01:46:11.240
Jodi and the Stevenson County Fair is Rob's wife. Is that what?

01:46:12.600 --> 01:46:15.460
Fair that's a fair question and I'm telling you straight up

01:46:15.460 --> 01:46:22.740
I think all of them have to be questioned and and the reason why is if I'm going

01:46:22.740 --> 01:46:28.060
to pay for it I need to know what my costs are as a person who lives in this

01:46:28.060 --> 01:46:35.220
community and pays his fair share of taxes I I bought a used vehicle $1,800

01:46:35.220 --> 01:46:41.940
boom taxes congratulations where's that money go I have no clue but but trust me

01:46:41.940 --> 01:46:48.100
I know we've raised all the fees for that that's why this is coming up because the people in this community

01:46:48.780 --> 01:46:54.140
Want our leaders held accountable and we've not been doing a good job part of that

01:46:54.140 --> 01:46:57.700
I I take I take as much credit as anybody would get on that

01:46:57.700 --> 01:47:00.920
I should have been holding people more accountable from the get-go

01:47:03.140 --> 01:47:08.780
Why didn't why wasn't the question saying for every event well, I just put these down as

01:47:09.500 --> 01:47:11.500
Transparents. Yeah, I'm trying

01:47:11.940 --> 01:47:19.180
There's not, there's not enough transparency. That's where I'm at. Yeah, so once we establish transparency. Alderman Clems,

01:47:19.260 --> 01:47:23.460
he's got the floor, sorry. And then we might get somewhere. Alderman Clems.

01:47:23.460 --> 01:47:27.820
I just like to, as everybody's tallying up all this stuff,

01:47:28.180 --> 01:47:29.580
okay for everybody,

01:47:29.580 --> 01:47:35.660
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

01:47:35.660 --> 01:47:36.620
also.

01:47:36.620 --> 01:47:43.940
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

01:47:43.940 --> 01:47:49.760
Much it cost to have the fire department have a fire truck downtown that you guys got that too

01:47:50.580 --> 01:47:56.740
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

01:47:56.740 --> 01:47:58.820
You haven't passed it to move forward yet

01:48:00.300 --> 01:48:02.300
All the machine

01:48:02.300 --> 01:48:04.300
and

01:48:05.500 --> 01:48:07.500
Thomas.

01:48:09.620 --> 01:48:11.620
Was there a motion?

01:48:13.640 --> 01:48:15.640
We are having a discussion.

01:48:17.140 --> 01:48:19.140
I make a motion to table it indefinitely.

01:48:20.540 --> 01:48:22.540
That's your opinion. You don't get your request like that.

01:48:23.540 --> 01:48:25.540
Is there a second? No.

01:48:27.640 --> 01:48:30.640
We have a motion to table it from Alderman Klemm and a second

01:48:30.640 --> 01:48:37.400
actually what discussion just on the motion just on the motion anything no

01:48:37.400 --> 01:48:49.120
we just we just allowed Boyer so to get information gathered up for us so and he

01:48:49.120 --> 01:48:53.160
committed to that well that wasn't the direction of the council doses so it

01:48:53.160 --> 01:48:59.240
hadn't gotten to that point we need a resolution so so what this we need a

01:48:59.240 --> 01:49:01.240
and

01:49:02.480 --> 01:49:04.480
the Resolution.

01:49:05.600 --> 01:49:17.600
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.

01:49:17.600 --> 01:49:20.600
He asked Alderman Boyer how long do you think it would take.

01:49:20.600 --> 01:49:22.600
He said he wasn't sure.

01:49:22.600 --> 01:49:24.600
It could take a little bit.

01:49:24.600 --> 01:49:25.600
Dixie.

01:49:25.600 --> 01:49:29.040
You didn't actually make that motion and there wasn't, because conversations were still discussing

01:49:29.040 --> 01:49:30.040
there.

01:49:30.040 --> 01:49:33.660
So there wasn't a motion yet made on that, okay?

01:49:33.660 --> 01:49:34.660
You would agree with that?

01:49:34.660 --> 01:49:35.660
I would agree.

01:49:35.660 --> 01:49:36.660
So make the motion.

01:49:36.660 --> 01:49:37.660
I can't.

01:49:37.660 --> 01:49:38.660
Now he's tabled it.

01:49:38.660 --> 01:49:39.660
Of course you can.

01:49:39.660 --> 01:49:40.660
Well, he's made a motion.

01:49:40.660 --> 01:49:41.660
Alderman Klemm now has made a motion.

01:49:41.660 --> 01:49:45.100
But you can make a motion on top of a motion.

01:49:45.100 --> 01:49:46.760
Not these motions yet.

01:49:46.760 --> 01:49:50.340
So you have to deal with this subsidiary motion first there.

01:49:50.340 --> 01:49:54.900
So he has a motion to postpone indefinitely, seconded by Alderman Parker, we're in discussion

01:49:54.900 --> 01:49:55.940
on that.

01:49:55.940 --> 01:49:58.420
If that passes, then the item is postponed indefinitely.

01:49:58.420 --> 01:50:02.660
If it doesn't pass, then you guys are right back to where we were, and Alderman Monroe

01:50:02.660 --> 01:50:04.660
and other members of the public.

01:50:04.660 --> 01:50:07.660
And I think that's where we were, and Alderman Monroe can then

01:50:07.660 --> 01:50:13.660
make his motion to instruct staff to look into this, okay?

01:50:13.660 --> 01:50:15.660
This is a trip.

01:50:15.660 --> 01:50:21.660
What's on the floor is just a motion to table it indefinitely.

01:50:21.660 --> 01:50:22.660
That's the motion.

01:50:22.660 --> 01:50:23.660
Yeah.

01:50:23.660 --> 01:50:26.660
I have something to say.

01:50:26.660 --> 01:50:27.660
Go ahead.

01:50:27.660 --> 01:50:28.660
Sure.

01:50:28.660 --> 01:50:29.660
It has to be on the table.

01:50:29.660 --> 01:50:31.660
It's about.

01:50:31.660 --> 01:50:50.320
and

01:50:50.320 --> 01:50:59.320
Being buried with numbers and information, we really just would like to know what amount has the city given?

01:50:59.320 --> 01:51:06.320
Like, we voted to give a large amount to the Tutti-Baker Day organization to make sure that that happened.

01:51:06.320 --> 01:51:12.320
If we're asking for those amounts, how much did the city actually pay towards this or that?

01:51:12.320 --> 01:51:20.320
which would eliminate a lot of work for city staff, but it would still answer the question of what is the city directly contributing?

01:51:21.320 --> 01:51:23.320
If you're asking for...

01:51:27.320 --> 01:51:29.320
No, is the answer there.

01:51:30.320 --> 01:51:32.320
No, you're just not going to answer?

01:51:33.320 --> 01:51:34.320
Larry.

01:51:35.320 --> 01:51:36.320
I made a motion?

01:51:37.320 --> 01:51:39.320
I mean, we can vote on it?

01:51:39.320 --> 01:52:09.320
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

01:52:09.320 --> 01:52:12.320
and the events that fall under that category.

01:52:12.320 --> 01:52:17.320
Don't, yeah, that's not, okay.

01:52:17.320 --> 01:52:23.320
Yeah, to see what we have given any event, okay.

01:52:23.320 --> 01:52:26.320
Dovie, you want to...

01:52:26.320 --> 01:52:28.320
Okay, you start us off, Monroe.

01:52:28.320 --> 01:52:31.320
So this is just so everyone knows what we're voting on right now.

01:52:31.320 --> 01:52:36.320
This is strictly the motion to postpone this topic indefinitely, okay?

01:52:36.320 --> 01:52:39.080
No vote would be to vote against tabling it.

01:52:39.080 --> 01:52:39.680
Correct.

01:52:39.680 --> 01:52:43.960
A yes vote is in favor of tabling it.

01:52:43.960 --> 01:52:44.640
Monroe.

01:52:44.640 --> 01:52:45.800
No.

01:52:45.800 --> 01:52:46.440
Simmons.

01:52:46.440 --> 01:52:47.040
No.

01:52:47.040 --> 01:52:47.720
Parker.

01:52:47.720 --> 01:52:48.560
Aye.

01:52:48.560 --> 01:52:49.280
Stacy.

01:52:49.280 --> 01:52:50.080
No.

01:52:50.080 --> 01:52:50.580
Shadle.

01:52:58.280 --> 01:52:59.800
Sorry, am I interrupting you?

01:52:59.800 --> 01:53:01.840
No, I can make my own motions.

01:53:01.840 --> 01:53:03.160
I can move.

01:53:03.160 --> 01:53:04.600
I'm not bothering you.

01:53:04.600 --> 01:53:05.800
I believe you are.

01:53:05.800 --> 01:53:35.720
Hall, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Alderperson, Klemm, what say you?

01:53:35.720 --> 01:53:52.760
Don't leave the room yet. Save yourself 30 seconds. I'm going to make a motion.

01:53:52.760 --> 01:54:00.840
Can I interrupt? I took the floor a substantial amount of time ago, never said a word, got

01:54:00.840 --> 01:54:08.360
had interrupted with a motion. So we just took care of that. Can I at least have a chance?

01:54:08.360 --> 01:54:14.960
I gave you the floor. Well, and I got interrupted. Okay. So here we are. I was going to make

01:54:14.960 --> 01:54:27.560
a motion to give staff ample time to get this figured out in amongst their daily workings

01:54:27.560 --> 01:54:38.600
and bring it back at, say, the June or July COW and talk about it then.

01:54:38.600 --> 01:54:42.760
If you have a motion, then you have to ask the question.

01:54:42.760 --> 01:54:48.280
So when he had a motion, why wasn't the question asked?

01:54:48.280 --> 01:54:50.040
I got her interrupted as well, so I ...

01:54:50.040 --> 01:54:54.320
Yeah, and then I think you said, well, I'll wait to make a motion.

01:54:54.320 --> 01:54:55.320
So ...

01:54:55.320 --> 01:54:56.320
Because of discussion.

01:54:56.320 --> 01:54:58.320
and

01:55:01.520 --> 01:55:04.160
Because a couple of hands that's why yeah

01:55:06.520 --> 01:55:08.520
Do we have a second to that motion

01:55:15.840 --> 01:55:21.580
So we have Shadle made a motion, Klemm seconded. The motion is to

01:55:23.260 --> 01:55:25.140
delay until

01:55:25.140 --> 01:55:29.560
Johnson, Neal, Eric, and Eric, and I would say July, June, I don't know whenever. Is it July or June?

01:55:29.940 --> 01:55:31.960
Let's say July for clarification.

01:55:31.980 --> 01:55:32.880
Okay.

01:55:33.740 --> 01:55:35.260
Discussion? Do what?

01:55:36.540 --> 01:55:44.400
So, basically to instruct staff to look into the cost of all the various festivals and events, no matter.

01:55:50.640 --> 01:55:52.140
So, discussion?

01:55:52.140 --> 01:56:20.140
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.

01:56:20.140 --> 01:56:31.660
and we had to be prepared Monday. What we're asking should not be that hard and I

01:56:31.660 --> 01:56:42.640
don't see why. We need four or five months to get that answer. If we take a

01:56:42.640 --> 01:56:43.480
and

01:56:43.480 --> 01:56:47.860
we take a month before five month is absolutely ridiculous

01:56:50.180 --> 01:56:55.180
compared to what is expected of us as older people.

01:56:57.860 --> 01:56:59.000
Alderman Klemm.

01:56:59.000 --> 01:57:01.320
Yeah, if I take a look at this agenda,

01:57:04.100 --> 01:57:07.620
as of Wednesday or so, there were four items on it.

01:57:08.860 --> 01:57:11.780
There are certain people that it's Monroe and this

01:57:11.780 --> 01:57:21.300
and others that have brought up at least eight items in an Executive Session that we've had

01:57:21.300 --> 01:57:26.900
no time to repair for, no information to look at.

01:57:26.900 --> 01:57:29.700
We never know when there's an Executive Session.

01:57:29.700 --> 01:57:34.660
We never know until after we adjourn and it's said Executive Session.

01:57:34.660 --> 01:57:42.980
and I have asked that it be stated on the agenda that we know in advance when there's an Executive

01:57:42.980 --> 01:57:43.980
Session.

01:57:43.980 --> 01:57:50.780
And I understand that you guys asked for one, I don't know nothing about it, so all these

01:57:50.780 --> 01:57:57.860
eight things that you brought up from Friday or whatever are all new to all of us, so we're

01:57:57.860 --> 01:58:01.580
just discussing them, just like you went to.

01:58:01.580 --> 01:58:08.740
Executive Session, it tells you, the last bullet point tells you what the Executive Session

01:58:08.740 --> 01:58:09.740
is about.

01:58:09.740 --> 01:58:15.280
It's right there on the agenda.

01:58:15.280 --> 01:58:18.320
Any other conversation about this one?

01:58:18.320 --> 01:58:19.800
Could you repeat that again?

01:58:19.800 --> 01:58:20.800
Could you repeat it?

01:58:20.800 --> 01:58:28.340
So basically this is a vote to look into the expenditures associated with the actual costs

01:58:28.340 --> 01:58:31.380
to the City of Freeport for all of the events

01:58:31.380 --> 01:58:33.700
that we, you know, each and every event.

01:58:33.700 --> 01:58:34.780
Yeah.

01:58:34.780 --> 01:58:36.740
Well, yeah, I want us to make sure

01:58:36.740 --> 01:58:39.660
that the people that are in charge of these events

01:58:40.980 --> 01:58:44.700
give us some kind of acknowledgement

01:58:44.700 --> 01:58:46.980
that such an event is gonna take place

01:58:46.980 --> 01:58:51.980
and who's in charge, what organization is running

01:58:52.140 --> 01:58:54.880
these committees and things of this nature,

01:58:54.880 --> 01:59:02.400
what is the breakdown of how how much it would take taxpayers involvement in these

01:59:02.400 --> 01:59:06.440
particular programs and I like to know who's the committee or organizations

01:59:06.440 --> 01:59:12.920
that are are running these programs that's what I'd like to know and in the

01:59:12.920 --> 01:59:18.600
council know anything about that I would I would appreciate them talking to

01:59:18.600 --> 01:59:24.760
council members so we're not out here on limbo land trying to figure out what

01:59:24.760 --> 01:59:29.560
What is going on with festivals and events? Alderman, Sanders, that's what we're trying

01:59:29.560 --> 01:59:32.400
to find out. That's what we're doing. I know, I know. I know that's what we're trying to

01:59:32.400 --> 01:59:35.960
find out. So let's move forward with Mr. Dovie. But I like to get out there. I want the public

01:59:35.960 --> 01:59:39.080
to hear that. I just want them to hear that. We're going to take a vote. I just want them

01:59:39.080 --> 01:59:43.760
to hear that. So this is on instructing staff to gather info to be reported at the July

01:59:43.760 --> 01:59:59.920
Kau, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, we have a four to

01:59:59.920 --> 02:00:02.160
to four vote, Mayor?

02:00:02.160 --> 02:00:03.000
Well, since...

02:00:03.000 --> 02:00:10.000
Well, since I am the President of one of these organizations, I will abstain.

02:00:10.000 --> 02:00:19.000
Oh, you are? Oh, that's news. That ain't no news. That was a lie.

02:00:19.000 --> 02:00:26.000
I make a motion that we move forward with what Alderman Simmons.

02:00:26.000 --> 02:00:29.000
Yeah, that was a strategy move.

02:00:29.000 --> 02:00:57.200
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.

02:00:57.200 --> 02:01:07.440
so so the authorization of using vehicles gas trucks your department was one of

02:01:07.440 --> 02:01:12.200
the ones that actually did support that we don't we do know did it drove all the

02:01:12.200 --> 02:01:18.360
way to Chicago and back so yes it is happening the police department has

02:01:18.360 --> 02:01:24.040
brought in extra patrols that wasn't the question it was on the if the city has

02:01:24.040 --> 02:01:27.000
wrote checks to these was the question. That's not the question that was asked

02:01:27.000 --> 02:01:32.080
between just now. It was expenditures. Alderman said that's what she brought it up, but that's not what...

02:01:32.080 --> 02:01:38.120
That's the answer to that question. Yeah. Make your motion. Make your motion that was skipped over.

02:01:38.120 --> 02:01:43.520
Alright, it's not gonna pass, so at this point we know where we're at, so we'll

02:01:43.520 --> 02:01:48.680
just, I'm just gonna move on to item number 13. So then we're still expecting

02:01:48.680 --> 02:02:07.400
from City Manager Boyer. Discussion of codified ordinance section 240.31, residency requirement

02:02:07.400 --> 02:02:14.680
for specific members of various departments and failure to adhere to the various ordinances.

02:02:14.680 --> 02:02:23.120
This is presented by myself and Alderman Sanders. I've received federal, several, several contacts

02:02:23.120 --> 02:02:29.120
with respect to employees that do not live in the city. We heard earlier from the former

02:02:29.120 --> 02:02:36.320
chief of police saying, you know, voicing his opinion. But right now, and I was a little

02:02:36.320 --> 02:02:41.720
bit shocked to read into the ordinances a little bit further, that certain members of

02:02:41.720 --> 02:02:47.720
of Departments are required to live within city limits and some are required to live

02:02:47.720 --> 02:02:54.000
within a radius of the city of Freeport.

02:02:54.000 --> 02:02:59.840
It has been brought to my attention that there are more than 10 that are in violation of

02:02:59.840 --> 02:03:06.800
the ordinance and I wanted to bring this forward to at least have a conversation.

02:03:06.800 --> 02:03:12.640
and I know that we have changed the ordinance as it relates to the, as I call them, boots

02:03:12.640 --> 02:03:20.160
on the ground, the men and women on patrol, you know, with each of the various entities,

02:03:20.160 --> 02:03:23.800
with the unions, that they no longer have that requirement.

02:03:23.800 --> 02:03:27.200
I don't know if we went to a mileage distance.

02:03:27.200 --> 02:03:29.520
I'm going to defer to the attorney.

02:03:29.520 --> 02:03:37.320
but there's only one ordinance that's issued here is 240.31 which I believe goes to the

02:03:37.320 --> 02:03:46.760
police and then there's also a fire that's 242.25 or 246 something along those lines

02:03:46.760 --> 02:03:53.640
and at least the fact that it's been brought up via contact with email and a letter sent

02:03:53.640 --> 02:03:58.940
to myself, I thought it was worthwhile to have the conversation on the floor and see

02:03:58.940 --> 02:04:06.380
about what changes or what we do about it. Can you kind of, I'll let you have the

02:04:06.380 --> 02:04:11.140
floor to explain what the ordinances say and then... So currently right now in a

02:04:11.140 --> 02:04:16.780
nutshell just looking at the police one as the example there the Chief of

02:04:16.780 --> 02:04:20.720
Police there's a requirement that the Chief of Police reside within the city

02:04:20.720 --> 02:04:26.300
limits and then for certain ranks Deputy Chief, Lieutenants, and Sergeants they

02:04:26.300 --> 02:04:33.260
We have to live within a certain radius of the police station there.

02:04:33.260 --> 02:04:40.840
The code then goes on to provide that if those particular officers lived outside or outside

02:04:40.840 --> 02:04:45.100
of those radius areas prior to that ordinance back then being adopted, they were allowed

02:04:45.100 --> 02:04:46.100
to still stay there.

02:04:46.100 --> 02:04:49.980
They didn't have to go move or buy a new house or anything like that.

02:04:49.980 --> 02:04:56.620
Alderman or I think what you and I discussed um ahead of time was you know does this ordinance make

02:04:56.620 --> 02:05:00.620
sense to even have on the books anymore uh there or does it make more sense just to get rid of the

02:05:00.620 --> 02:05:05.740
residency requirement because as you noted for in our police union contracts and our fire contracts

02:05:05.740 --> 02:05:10.620
and our ask me contracts that used to have the residency requirement we ultimately negotiated

02:05:10.620 --> 02:05:15.100
those out uh there because we found that they didn't make sense anymore to have them again I

02:05:15.100 --> 02:05:19.340
think that that only applies right now to as you call it the boots on the ground the rank and file

02:05:19.340 --> 02:05:34.100
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.

02:05:35.140 --> 02:05:36.100
Good synopsis.

02:05:36.100 --> 02:05:58.100
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.

02:05:58.100 --> 02:06:28.100
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

02:06:28.100 --> 02:06:33.180
to meet the residency requirement or it can be extended for an additional six

02:06:33.180 --> 02:06:40.460
month period based on the City Manager's approval. So the question that I've got

02:06:40.460 --> 02:06:52.940
is you know do we want to reevaluate kind of the situation or you know you

02:06:52.940 --> 02:06:57.300
know at least have a conversation about where we're at right now.

02:06:58.100 --> 02:07:04.100
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.

02:07:04.100 --> 02:07:06.100
Second.

02:07:06.100 --> 02:07:08.100
It makes sense.

02:07:12.100 --> 02:07:26.100
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?

02:07:26.100 --> 02:07:34.620
what you mean or are you making a motion to say amend it this way oh okay so you

02:07:34.620 --> 02:07:40.300
to get rid of the residency requirement for the department heads the chiefs that

02:07:40.300 --> 02:07:53.780
the okay okay yeah yeah he didn't say motion you did no he said emotion and I

02:07:53.780 --> 02:08:00.740
you have to remember this isn't passing anything this is just saying to bring it

02:08:00.740 --> 02:08:09.340
forward okay just to the next next meeting yeah so I have that discussion

02:08:09.340 --> 02:08:17.100
about it what do we want I mean are you basically asking staff to provide their

02:08:17.100 --> 02:08:28.180
input into this or because right now we're having the discussion yeah I'm in

02:08:28.180 --> 02:08:34.220
I'm in agreement with your proposal can I can I clarify are you saying to the next

02:08:34.220 --> 02:08:39.620
cow or the next City Council meeting City Council thank you

02:08:47.100 --> 02:08:57.100
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?

02:09:01.100 --> 02:09:14.100
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.

02:09:14.100 --> 02:09:44.100
and I. We have a motion and a second. I am going to have Dovie go ahead. We are good.

02:09:44.100 --> 02:10:02.970
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

02:10:02.970 --> 02:10:21.170
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.

02:10:21.170 --> 02:10:33.170
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.

02:10:33.170 --> 02:10:38.170
In recent days, the mayor came out and said, well, absolutely, this is what we're doing.

02:10:38.170 --> 02:10:50.170
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

02:10:50.170 --> 02:11:00.210
with, you know, building new houses on city lots, city-owned lots at this point, and that

02:11:00.210 --> 02:11:04.490
was, I just happened to see a video on social media.

02:11:04.490 --> 02:11:12.650
You spoke somewhere, I forget, was it the Eagles Club, or I don't remember where it

02:11:12.650 --> 02:11:13.650
was.

02:11:13.650 --> 02:11:18.250
Well, I will say that infill housing is an important priority to kind of redeploy the

02:11:18.250 --> 02:11:22.050
Vacant Lots that are owned by the city, especially in some

02:11:22.050 --> 02:11:25.370
of our more challenged words, third, fifth, seventh word,

02:11:25.370 --> 02:11:26.370
a lot of vacant lots.

02:11:26.370 --> 02:11:32.290
That was not the idea behind this HDA, Home Repair

02:11:32.290 --> 02:11:33.890
and Accessibility program.

02:11:33.890 --> 02:11:38.250
I believe that these funds can't be used for new construction.

02:11:38.250 --> 02:11:45.370
But I would ask for Wayne to follow up on that.

02:11:45.370 --> 02:11:46.930
I mean, the short answer is just no,

02:11:46.930 --> 02:11:53.690
you can't use either a trap funds for it okay I mean that's the short answer so I

02:11:53.690 --> 02:11:59.170
mean I'm for I would for building new homes you can't do it you can't do it I

02:11:59.170 --> 02:12:04.130
mean I've got a couple thing grant slides here I can show you just to kind of put

02:12:04.130 --> 02:12:08.370
your mind at ease but I'm I wish we could use some money to you know help

02:12:08.370 --> 02:12:14.290
people build new homes at least partially fund new homes because I know we had a

02:12:14.290 --> 02:12:21.290
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.

02:12:21.970 --> 02:12:25.970
The good news is being directed by council.

02:12:30.170 --> 02:12:35.690
The Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Housing Realization and Accessibility Program,

02:12:35.690 --> 02:12:40.530
these activities, the program aims to preserve existing affordable housing stock,

02:12:40.530 --> 02:12:41.530
and others.

02:12:41.530 --> 02:12:54.730
We're going to go to the next slide.

02:12:54.730 --> 02:12:59.890
There's really three project types here, and then I give a source that you can go to to

02:12:59.890 --> 02:13:00.890
kind of...

02:13:00.890 --> 02:13:01.890
Hold up.

02:13:01.890 --> 02:13:02.890
I can't see anything up there.

02:13:02.890 --> 02:13:31.890
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.

02:13:31.890 --> 02:13:36.770
that's really that's really all you can I that answers everything okay I didn't know

02:13:36.770 --> 02:13:42.770
yeah that's all you can stand okay perfect Alderman Stacy you have a can you tell me if that's

02:13:43.570 --> 02:13:51.650
covering all underserved areas in Freeport yes everybody in the city would be a now we're not

02:13:51.650 --> 02:13:57.250
going to be able to serve everyone the need you know outweighs the resources but everyone would

02:13:57.250 --> 02:14:00.450
would be available to apply.

02:14:00.450 --> 02:14:03.050
There's no eligibility requirement.

02:14:03.050 --> 02:14:07.530
We talked about that at the last meeting, but there's eligibility requirements, and if you

02:14:07.530 --> 02:14:12.970
go through their IDA manual, they actually have their own income statement that they

02:14:12.970 --> 02:14:13.970
require.

02:14:13.970 --> 02:14:22.330
They have their own form, and then when this, when it's presented to, not just presented

02:14:22.330 --> 02:14:29.270
and Stacey, and the rest of the city, IDA has to approve the scoring for any income.

02:14:29.270 --> 02:14:32.090
So anyone that feels they're eligible can sign up.

02:14:32.090 --> 02:14:37.530
They can sign up, certainly, but they have to meet the income requirements.

02:14:37.530 --> 02:14:39.330
We talked about that at the last meet.

02:14:39.330 --> 02:14:40.530
Yeah, we talked about that.

02:14:40.530 --> 02:14:41.530
Right.

02:14:41.530 --> 02:14:42.530
Alderman Stacey.

02:14:42.530 --> 02:14:46.890
When will these applications be available for our constituents?

02:14:46.890 --> 02:14:48.130
I'm hoping soon.

02:14:48.130 --> 02:14:50.930
I know you voted against it, but I'm really hopeful that...

02:14:50.930 --> 02:14:52.930
and

02:14:53.930 --> 02:14:55.930
John.

02:14:57.030 --> 02:14:59.030
I voted against a lot. That doesn't mean it doesn't pass.

02:15:01.150 --> 02:15:03.150
So since it passed, I still want information.

02:15:05.250 --> 02:15:07.250
I understand it. We're writing our application now.

02:15:10.270 --> 02:15:12.270
We're writing our application now and we're hopeful to hear

02:15:13.390 --> 02:15:15.390
back by August.

02:15:16.510 --> 02:15:18.510
You're toyin' with me. I don't play with toys. I'm too old.

02:15:20.930 --> 02:15:24.930
and

02:15:24.930 --> 02:15:32.930
Ida says what Ida is saying now is that they plan to let communities know between June and August.

02:15:32.930 --> 02:15:49.930
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.

02:15:49.930 --> 02:15:55.850
asked for from myself and Alderman Sanders. I know we've got both of those.

02:15:55.850 --> 02:16:07.130
Okay, perfect. So with regards to the fire union contract with IAFF, our current

02:16:07.130 --> 02:16:13.010
contract is good through December 31st of 2025, so we wouldn't begin to bargain

02:16:13.010 --> 02:16:16.810
until 90 days prior, that's what our contract calls for, so that wouldn't be

02:16:16.810 --> 02:16:21.170
B. Until October 31st when we could even get a request to bargain from the union. So we're

02:16:21.170 --> 02:16:29.410
still far we're still good right now on the fire contract. Okay. On the public works contract,

02:16:29.410 --> 02:16:36.770
that's what they asked me there. So they gave us a request to to bargain. And that first

02:16:36.770 --> 02:16:41.670
the very first and only so far negotiations took place in February there. So just this

02:17:11.670 --> 02:17:17.430
all of those and that's not even the economic proposals yet there so it's in

02:17:17.430 --> 02:17:24.230
process but we've only had one meeting since in February so far. Awesome. Okay.

02:17:25.270 --> 02:17:33.070
Any questions? Anybody got anything on that one? Sorry. Next meeting is scheduled

02:17:33.070 --> 02:17:41.310
for March 20th. 320. Perfect. So that takes us to item number 16 which is

02:17:41.310 --> 02:17:42.310
McGovern and Chris.

02:17:42.310 --> 02:17:45.790
We categorize public comments, agenda or non-agenda items limited three minutes per person.

02:17:45.790 --> 02:17:50.590
We have Willie Graham who has signed up first.

02:17:50.590 --> 02:18:17.030
First I'd like to say good evening to everyone. My name is Willie Graham. I live in the Third

02:18:17.030 --> 02:18:27.030
Ward here in Freeport and I have some complaints and I will ask for y'all to listen to me and

02:18:27.030 --> 02:18:40.030
consider my complaints. First of all, I want to start off with I need a house that I bought

02:18:40.030 --> 02:18:50.190
a year or so ago that I was trying to get tore down and I had a private contractor to do

02:18:50.190 --> 02:18:56.550
it. That didn't work out for me because I found out that he wasn't the right kind of

02:18:56.550 --> 02:19:05.430
person that I wanted to do the work for me. And I'm not able to do it myself. And I hear

02:19:05.430 --> 02:19:11.630
and I. I'm not sure that the city charged so much money, so I won't say how much I was

02:19:11.630 --> 02:19:20.630
told because I don't know if it's right or not. But I'm not able to get it told out. I

02:19:20.630 --> 02:19:28.590
got three lots right there in the house I'm living in, in pretty decent shape. I had to

02:19:28.590 --> 02:19:32.430
have some work done on it, and I still got some more to do on it, but I think I can do

02:19:32.430 --> 02:19:33.430
and others.

02:19:33.430 --> 02:19:34.430
I'm not going to do that myself.

02:19:34.430 --> 02:19:43.310
But the house, the knee torn down, that I had a letter telling me that they haven't

02:19:43.310 --> 02:19:49.510
put any signs or anything on it yet, but I think they're going to warn me that I need

02:19:49.510 --> 02:19:52.390
to do something with it.

02:19:52.390 --> 02:19:55.910
I'm not able to do it.

02:19:55.910 --> 02:20:02.110
So, to get it towed out, I'm going to need some help with it.

02:20:02.110 --> 02:20:32.110
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

02:20:32.110 --> 02:20:39.110
and I want someone to help me out with this. I know that you guys, I've heard, I don't

02:20:41.130 --> 02:20:46.470
know, I've heard that you guys have helped other people out. Well, I'm the one that needs

02:20:46.470 --> 02:20:52.909
help out. I try to keep the lots in pretty decent shape, all three of them. I'm not able

02:20:52.909 --> 02:20:59.909
to, I'm not able to cut the lots, but I try to get someone to cut the grass and try to

02:20:59.909 --> 02:21:06.790
try to keep as much stuff up off the lots as I can okay if someone will provide me

02:21:06.790 --> 02:21:15.150
with that information I appreciate it also I had I got a pickup truck it's not

02:21:15.150 --> 02:21:22.230
in running condition right now my wife has a cause not a written condition now

02:21:22.230 --> 02:21:25.909
we had planned on trying to get that done they were sitting on side of the

02:21:25.909 --> 02:21:31.970
Street. Mr. Graham, your time is up sir. If you stick around after the meeting I'm

02:21:31.970 --> 02:21:36.489
sure we can chat with you and see what we can do to help you out sir. Okay, thank

02:21:36.489 --> 02:21:43.790
you. Very welcome. Thank you for coming. That's all I've got that's signed up

02:21:43.790 --> 02:21:49.710
with any, yes ma'am. Wait, oh wait, Ms. Dovie, let Dovie go first if that's okay.

02:21:49.710 --> 02:21:55.390
Probably should have said it earlier, I'm sorry. Yes. I apologize. I received two

02:21:55.390 --> 02:22:09.390
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.

02:22:09.390 --> 02:22:19.390
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.

02:22:19.390 --> 02:22:23.829
specifically I would like to address the following living conditions the

02:22:23.829 --> 02:22:27.909
cleanliness of kennels access to clean water and food and adequate shelter from

02:22:27.909 --> 02:22:32.350
the elements what are the daily cleaning and sanitation protocols how often are

02:22:32.350 --> 02:22:37.110
animals provided with fresh water and food veterinary care is there access to

02:22:37.110 --> 02:22:41.470
veterinary care including vaccinations spaying neutering and treatment for

02:22:41.470 --> 02:22:45.989
illnesses or injuries what veterinary services are available on site or

02:22:45.989 --> 02:22:46.110
Willis Board of Trustees,

02:22:49.110 --> 02:22:51.069
Thank you, gentlemen.

02:22:51.069 --> 02:22:53.329
We'll be doing questions now when we're done.

02:22:53.329 --> 02:22:56.310
I'll be doing questions now when we're done.

02:22:56.310 --> 02:22:57.350
Please stand up.

02:22:57.350 --> 02:23:00.270
I just, I was going to say if you could stay in the center

02:23:00.270 --> 02:23:02.670
of the room, and everybody would be able to,

02:23:02.670 --> 02:23:04.950
if you could stand up, and if you could please stand up,

02:23:04.950 --> 02:23:06.390
we'll do some questions with that.

02:23:06.390 --> 02:23:08.950
I'll be looking forward to them.

02:23:08.950 --> 02:23:10.390
Okay, great.

02:23:10.390 --> 02:23:12.030
So, how many of you are still been asked to stand up?

02:23:12.030 --> 02:23:18.409
Baird,ting and other staffs for box and narrows.

02:23:18.409 --> 02:23:20.370
What are the criteria for euthanasia?

02:23:20.370 --> 02:23:23.950
Are all other options exhausted before euthanasia is considered?

02:23:23.950 --> 02:23:28.970
I understand that animal control facilities face many challenges, and I appreciate the

02:23:28.970 --> 02:23:30.790
work that your department does.

02:23:30.790 --> 02:23:34.930
However, I believe that open communication and transparency are essential for ensuring

02:23:34.930 --> 02:23:37.110
the well-being of the animals in your care.

02:23:37.110 --> 02:23:41.409
I'm also interested in exploring ways that the community can support the Pound, such

02:23:41.409 --> 02:23:45.409
Thank you for your time and consideration, Amber Patterson.

02:23:45.409 --> 02:23:50.409
The second email was received today from a Gmail address from Richard Chesney.

02:23:50.409 --> 02:23:56.409
Received at 2.55 this afternoon. The subject was public comment, 3.10, 2025.

02:23:56.409 --> 02:23:59.409
The salutation began high.

02:23:59.409 --> 02:24:07.409
The remainder of the email was determined to be too personal and libelous to be read during public comment.

02:24:11.409 --> 02:24:14.409
Okay. Yes, ma'am.

02:24:23.409 --> 02:24:27.409
Good evening, City Council, officials of Freeport.

02:24:28.409 --> 02:24:32.409
I've got three points, possibly four, that I'd like to make.

02:24:33.409 --> 02:24:37.409
The first one is, is that in the process of talking about the houses, I've heard

02:24:37.409 --> 02:24:38.409
and others.

02:24:38.409 --> 02:24:42.730
Seven to ten houses.

02:24:42.730 --> 02:24:45.710
The next thing we heard was nine to eleven.

02:24:45.710 --> 02:24:47.610
How many really is there?

02:24:47.610 --> 02:24:51.250
What are we talking about when we keep changing our numbers on how many houses you're talking

02:24:51.250 --> 02:24:59.010
about building on land that you bought from, put it this way, on lots that you bought?

02:24:59.010 --> 02:25:00.010
How many houses are we talking about?

02:25:00.010 --> 02:25:02.329
This is the second time I've heard about housing.

02:25:02.329 --> 02:25:06.890
I heard a program that was supposedly going to happen with some 20 houses where individuals

02:25:06.890 --> 02:25:12.670
who came in to buy those houses would not have to pay taxes for a year so now we've got two

02:25:12.670 --> 02:25:17.170
different programs here that that and I'm wondering what the heck is going on here the

02:25:17.170 --> 02:25:22.970
other thing I'm asking is is I'm saying to you is simply this do you think we're stupid

02:25:22.970 --> 02:25:27.550
that we don't realize that the votes that you guys are doing are happening and you're

02:25:27.550 --> 02:25:35.390
trying to put them off until after the elections think about it you want to totally not tell

02:25:35.390 --> 02:25:41.950
Tell us how much money was spent to clean up the town after major events. It should be

02:25:41.950 --> 02:25:45.909
the easiest thing in the world to do. You should have a ledger that talks about what

02:25:45.909 --> 02:25:50.829
was brought in and what went out after the fact that we had to clean up, pay for police,

02:25:50.829 --> 02:25:58.590
pay for firemen, pay for gas so that the mayor could ride around in a buggy downtown, a golf

02:25:58.590 --> 02:26:09.590
Wolfhart. The next thing I'd like to say is, for as much as I appreciate you and like you.

02:26:09.590 --> 02:26:16.310
Amber talks about there being somewhere between 40,000 to 50,000 people attending Teddy Baker.

02:26:16.310 --> 02:26:22.430
Okay? But, how much they loved it. How much the out of towners loved it. But here's what

02:26:22.430 --> 02:26:27.989
you need to understand. All of us need to understand this. What they didn't see is the

02:26:27.989 --> 02:26:28.989
and others.

02:26:28.989 --> 02:26:34.970
The deterioration, the shootings, the lack of diversity, the manner in which our kids

02:26:34.970 --> 02:26:37.030
move away and don't come back.

02:26:37.030 --> 02:26:42.950
What they didn't see is the lack of transparency and trust in city council and the city officials

02:26:42.950 --> 02:26:43.950
in this town.

02:26:43.950 --> 02:26:50.190
What they didn't see is the eyes of the people who live here and have to dodge a bullet walking

02:26:50.190 --> 02:26:56.110
down the street or dodge a rock that's being thrown at a car by Latin kings.

02:26:56.110 --> 02:27:03.110
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.

02:27:03.110 --> 02:27:11.110
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.

02:27:11.110 --> 02:27:24.110
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,

02:27:24.110 --> 02:27:30.909
Why do I have to put myself out on line to ask you to shut a building down, to shut a

02:27:30.909 --> 02:27:32.010
house down?

02:27:32.010 --> 02:27:33.550
Ms. Pearson.

02:27:33.550 --> 02:27:39.150
I want the City Council to take responsibility for shutting down a house in the 900 block

02:27:39.150 --> 02:27:43.010
of oak that continues to cause this town problems.

02:27:43.010 --> 02:27:48.870
Why haven't you done it?

02:27:48.870 --> 02:28:06.870
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?

02:28:06.870 --> 02:28:13.870
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.

02:28:13.870 --> 02:28:21.870
So, I'm looking forward to a sandwich pretty soon. That sign looks pretty good, and so do you in front of it.

02:28:21.870 --> 02:28:33.870
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.

02:28:33.870 --> 02:28:41.870
Thank you.

02:28:41.870 --> 02:28:43.870
How are you doing? My name is Zakiya Sanders.

02:28:43.870 --> 02:28:48.870
The last time we spoke about my house, which everybody is familiar with, the 402-404 Shawnee,

02:28:48.870 --> 02:28:53.870
Wayne Duckman spoke on it was an emergency because there was a fire in 2021.

02:28:53.870 --> 02:29:01.870
I wanted to point out and ask him, what about 476 Kenwood? That also set fire February 15th of 2021.

02:29:01.870 --> 02:29:06.870
You took that down, but guess what the difference was? You brought that in front of the council for approval.

02:29:06.870 --> 02:29:08.870
My house wasn't brought in front of the council.

02:29:08.870 --> 02:29:14.710
Marshall, and then your buddy next to you, he plain just said, if you spend money in

02:29:14.710 --> 02:29:18.329
the city of Freeport, it has to come through the council first.

02:29:18.329 --> 02:29:21.790
So every time you open your mouth, you contradict something.

02:29:21.790 --> 02:29:25.050
Then what about the other house on Kenwood down the street a little ways?

02:29:25.050 --> 02:29:26.829
It caught fire in 2022.

02:29:26.829 --> 02:29:28.390
A man passed away in there.

02:29:28.390 --> 02:29:30.030
That was an abandoned house.

02:29:30.030 --> 02:29:31.950
His family still has to look at that house standing.

02:29:31.950 --> 02:29:36.750
It's not even in the phases of your fast track emergency or anything like that.

02:29:36.750 --> 02:29:42.470
I want you to just be honest. You targeted me. The people under you told me you said

02:29:42.470 --> 02:29:47.190
you was going to knock down everything that I own or have something to do with. And you

02:29:47.190 --> 02:29:52.870
went out of your way to knock my house down that was not approved by council, that wasn't

02:29:52.870 --> 02:29:58.069
on the list at all. And you made some big presentation, and I want this not to be rocket

02:29:58.069 --> 02:30:02.069
science for a bunch of you that agree with them. You cannot use a state law.

02:30:02.069 --> 02:30:05.590
you cannot use a state law for an ordinance.

02:30:06.949 --> 02:30:07.789
Thank you.

02:30:11.270 --> 02:30:12.510
Any other comments?

02:30:20.549 --> 02:30:22.389
Hearing your discussion on funds,

02:30:22.389 --> 02:30:24.489
and I just want to clarify the city

02:30:24.489 --> 02:30:27.670
does not fund the Steams County Fair at all.

02:30:27.670 --> 02:30:30.809
We pay our way, we have police protection

02:30:30.809 --> 02:30:35.809
from the Sheriff's Department and City Auxiliary, we pay them.

02:30:38.029 --> 02:30:41.389
Same thing, city water out there to the road,

02:30:41.389 --> 02:30:44.549
we pay to run everything into our property.

02:30:44.549 --> 02:30:47.229
So we stand on our own.

02:30:47.229 --> 02:30:50.670
You can check the books, but we do stand on our own

02:30:50.670 --> 02:30:54.510
and 65,000 people attended last year's fair

02:30:54.510 --> 02:30:57.590
between Farm and Fleet, Walmart, gas stations,

02:30:57.590 --> 02:30:59.250
they all benefit.

02:30:59.250 --> 02:31:01.170
So, thank you for your time.

02:31:03.789 --> 02:31:04.629
Yes, ma'am.

02:31:07.690 --> 02:31:08.770
What was his name?

02:31:10.170 --> 02:31:12.010
That was Gary Melvin.

02:31:12.010 --> 02:31:15.489
I just, good evening, Council and the staff

02:31:15.489 --> 02:31:20.090
and Mayor Miller and Boyer Zito.

02:31:20.090 --> 02:31:21.389
I just wanna make you aware,

02:31:21.389 --> 02:31:24.010
there's also another organization in Freeport

02:31:24.010 --> 02:31:26.369
that works as a non-profit organization.

02:31:26.369 --> 02:31:28.350
I'm grateful to hear about the housing.

02:31:29.250 --> 02:31:38.329
and so forth and this one is called rebuilding together Stevenson County and they work together

02:31:38.329 --> 02:31:44.930
whether you can look it up on Facebook and also on their website and they have lots of

02:31:44.930 --> 02:31:48.129
community links that are working together to make this happen.

02:31:48.129 --> 02:31:54.170
They've received grant monies from I think to help even with veterans homes and their

02:31:54.170 --> 02:31:59.209
mission statement is this, to bring volunteers from numerous organizations together to build

02:31:59.209 --> 02:32:01.209
and

02:32:02.449 --> 02:32:04.449
John.

02:32:05.989 --> 02:32:07.989
This is a vision to improve the lives of low income homeowners.

02:32:11.190 --> 02:32:13.190
The vision is to work hand in hand to address the growing

02:32:14.489 --> 02:32:16.489
blight and make Stevenson County, Illinois safe and

02:32:17.529 --> 02:32:19.529
vibrant and to repair homes in Stevenson County, Illinois

02:32:20.629 --> 02:32:22.629
falling into disrepair for owners who cannot afford to fix them.

02:32:24.629 --> 02:32:26.629
Now, right now, they mainly have to do with the outside of

02:32:26.629 --> 02:32:27.629
and others.

02:32:27.629 --> 02:32:32.430
There's a lot of, they've done porches, they've helped get ramps put in and obviously there's

02:32:32.430 --> 02:32:38.069
also an application process one needs to go through, but it's not that extensive or complicated

02:32:38.069 --> 02:32:40.190
that I understand.

02:32:40.190 --> 02:32:46.309
And I just wanted you to be aware of that and their phone number or contact number is

02:32:46.309 --> 02:32:49.309
815-235-2824.

02:32:49.309 --> 02:32:54.209
So if there's anyone in the community, you might want to check in about that to get on

02:32:54.209 --> 02:32:59.049
their schedules for this next coming year. I don't know if it's filled up yet, but

02:32:59.049 --> 02:33:04.469
it is the whole of Stephensburg County. It's not just for report. So I just wanted

02:33:04.469 --> 02:33:08.489
to share that information with you all tonight. Thank you. Thank you.

02:33:08.489 --> 02:33:11.610
Anyone else?

02:33:12.250 --> 02:33:23.369
Miss Dovie? Yes ma'am. Tonight we have pursuant to 5 ILCS, 122C1, the

02:33:53.369 --> 02:33:58.529
entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. Do I have a motion to go? So move.

02:33:58.529 --> 02:34:05.449
Do I have a second? To do what? To go to executive session. Second. Second. We have a

02:34:05.449 --> 02:34:10.809
first and a second. Stacy is the second. Sellers is the first. All in favor? Aye.

02:34:10.809 --> 02:34:27.809
Aye. What? Oh, Monroe. Aye. Simmons. Simmons. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Shadle. No. Sanders.

02:34:33.809 --> 02:34:37.809
Sellers. Aye. Klemm.