WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:28.000 Good evening. Debbie, could you please give the invocation this evening? 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:36.780 and others. Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:43.460 your Father in heaven. Father God, we just thank you. We thank you for who you are. We 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:49.820 thank you that your glory shines throughout our country, throughout the world. And Lord, 00:00:49.820 --> 00:00:56.420 thank you that in our buildings, our municipal buildings say, in God we trust. And Lord, 00:00:56.420 --> 00:01:26.420 and the President. We want to make sure that we're not just talking about the city and the city council. We want to make sure that we're talking about the city council. And that comes a responsibility from every elected official. That they walk in light and be a source of light to others by doing good and glorifying the Father in heaven. Father God, we just asked that our city council members would realize and walk in the authority that you have given them that they are an example to others. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:32.140 West, and your name, that Holy Spirit would fill each person that is here, and Lord that 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:38.939 they would walk in love, brotherly love to each other, that you would give them wisdom, 00:01:38.939 --> 00:01:44.420 discernment, and knowledge, and Lord that they would have a desire to work together 00:01:44.420 --> 00:01:47.900 to make good laws and ordinances. 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:53.060 We thank you for our police, our fire department, every department head, Lord we ask that you 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:59.460 give them wisdom and knowledge and discernment Lord we thank you for how 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:04.500 you are prospering Freeport and Lord we give you all the glory in Jesus name we 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:09.340 pray amen amen thank you Debbie now we'll officially call this meeting to order 00:02:09.340 --> 00:02:13.259 madam clerk would you please take the role Mayor Miller here Alderpersons 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:21.379 Clem here Johnson here Simmons Parker here Stacey here Shadel here Sanders 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:25.019 Thank you. 00:02:25.019 --> 00:02:29.319 Before we get started, I would like to address what occurred at our last meeting. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:34.120 There were outbursts from the public, refusal to comply with established rules during public 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:39.400 comment, and a general lack of respect shown for these public proceedings. 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:42.400 You do not need to agree with the actions of this Council. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:46.659 You have the right to make a statement to that effect at the beginning by signing in 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:48.659 and 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:52.659 John. 00:02:54.659 --> 00:02:57.659 You have the right to vote in our elections. You have the right to call 00:02:57.659 --> 00:03:01.659 your Alderperson and let them know your concerns so that they can bring them 00:03:01.659 --> 00:03:05.659 before this Council according to the established procedures. You do not, 00:03:05.659 --> 00:03:09.659 however, have the right to interrupt the business of this Council to do any 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:13.659 of these things simply because you do not like the rules. These rules of 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:14.659 and others. 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:38.419 I would also like to add that these procedures are not designed to silence anyone's voice. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:39.419 Quite the opposite. 00:03:39.420 --> 00:03:44.120 We are designed to allow everyone's voice to be heard, not just the voices that scream 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:48.980 the loudest and seek to intimidate everyone who disagrees into silence. 00:03:48.980 --> 00:03:53.920 If you have a statement to make or an opinion to offer, you are free to offer it in a manner 00:03:53.920 --> 00:03:55.980 provided by procedure. 00:03:55.980 --> 00:04:00.620 To this end, I am providing fair notice at the beginning of these proceedings that anyone 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:07.020 choosing not to abide by the rules, by refusing to yield the floor or otherwise causing a 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:27.360 and 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:46.360 We have one person signed in, Shante Bradford. I hope I didn't just butcher your name. Yes, if you would like to stand to the podium, you have three minutes. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:19.000 Good evening to all Madam Mayor and to all of you in your respective places. I just had 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:27.199 three questions really quickly and then I'm done. I would like to know how I can reside 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:31.240 at a address that doesn't exist. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:35.240 I've lived in Freeport now a little bit over a decade. 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:37.879 I had asked for a handicapped parking 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.560 and I was told I had to go to Public Works. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:45.319 Went to Public Works, they said my address didn't exist. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:50.319 So I had to go back and provide utility bills and a lease 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:55.519 that shows my address is 218 West Broadway Street, 00:05:55.519 --> 00:06:00.000 which apparently was a house prior to them reconstructing 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.659 and making it a two apartment building. 00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:04.519 Ma'am, can I ask a question? 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:06.319 You signed in that you wanted to speak 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:07.479 about the street lights. 00:06:07.479 --> 00:06:08.919 Were you getting to that? This is part of it. 00:06:08.919 --> 00:06:10.039 Okay. 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:13.719 So in asking that question about the handicap park 00:06:13.719 --> 00:06:18.079 and I was dismissed, I went back to talk about street lights. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:20.639 218 West Broadway, I'm not sure if you guys know 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:23.719 where that is, sits right behind Faith Center Church. 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:31.880 it is a speedway trap people fly through there like it's a autobahn i've had two vehicles totaled 00:06:31.880 --> 00:06:37.320 sitting in front of my house and my cameras couldn't catch it because there's only one street light 00:06:37.320 --> 00:06:44.360 on the whole 200 block of broadway street so who am i to address with that issue 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:56.080 Ma'am, so public comment is an opportunity for the public to give their comments. It's 00:06:56.080 --> 00:07:00.040 not a question and answer session, though. However, if you state your question, someone 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:03.560 will be taking notes and the appropriate person from the city will get in contact with you 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:08.840 or can talk to you after the meeting. Okay, well, that's that's my comment. I'm asking 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:12.280 for help, been asking for help for over a decade. 00:07:12.280 --> 00:07:15.920 So my comment is, who do I address to get help? 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:22.480 As clearly, you can see I'm disabled and need the parking. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:23.480 Okay. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:28.680 So, like the attorney said, Darren, do you want to? 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.680 Yeah. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.680 I'll be glad to help you. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:31.680 Yep. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.680 Yes. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:33.680 Thank you. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:45.319 Thank you. And that concludes the public comment portion. Next is the approval of the agenda. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:50.960 I apologize. I skipped the public comment portion of it. I didn't realize I was out of order 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:55.560 on that. So I apologize. So item number four is the approval of the agenda. Is there such 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.360 a motion? So moved. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:02.079 Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm. All those in favor signify 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:08.079 by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes. Item number five is approval of the minutes 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:12.399 from the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 11th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:16.599 So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:22.839 by Alderman Johnson. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? And that motion 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:27.439 passes. Since we did item number six already, we'll move on to item number seven, which 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:31.959 which is the quarterly report by the Arts & Culture Commission, Commissioner Jessica 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:32.960 Modica. 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:33.960 Great. 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:34.960 Good evening. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.960 Good evening. 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:44.759 Thank you for allowing me to provide a brief review of the first Sculpture Walk for Downtown 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.759 Freeport. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:48.639 I won't take up too much of your time tonight. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:56.799 Hopefully you've all had a chance to walk along Chicago Avenue and take in on your own, 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:04.759 and the Seven Sculptures that we were able to install downtown in September of 2025. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:08.579 If you have not, I encourage you to do that. 00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:15.719 So this event represents a partnership between the Freeport Art Museum, which I represent, 00:09:15.719 --> 00:09:21.079 the City of Freeport and the fairly new Arts and Culture Commission for the city. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:28.360 So it is the Freeport Art Museum's role to solicit and manage the artists' entries, and 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:32.400 we maintain a database of artists that we reach out to. 00:09:32.400 --> 00:09:37.440 And then we also advertise on professional art call sites to reach out to artists who 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:40.160 might be interested in participating. 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:46.420 And then from there the Arts and Culture Commission is the group that selects the works from those 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:52.099 and others, submissions to be included in the Sculpture Walk. 00:09:52.099 --> 00:09:57.979 So you each have a packet in front of you that shows the same slides, the PowerPoint 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:59.980 that are, is available up. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:02.259 that is available up top. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:04.500 So I don't know as far as advancing. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.399 Ah, thank you. 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:08.019 Yeah, that's great. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:13.000 So like I said, in September of 2025 was the first time 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.480 that we've been able to do this. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.980 There are seven sculptures 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:19.060 that were placed along Chicago Avenue 00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:21.600 from beginning at Douglas Street 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:25.940 and then ending at Spring Street on the concrete pads 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:29.420 that were included as part of the Streetscape project. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:41.980 So together, these created an outdoor exhibition of art that adds distinction to our downtown and helps create more walkability. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:50.980 And if you can go to the next one there. Another thing that we were able to do, which was really important for interactive, 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.980 and the rest of the team. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:57.980 So, I'm really excited about this initiative, being able to interact with the sculptures. 00:10:57.980 --> 00:11:06.980 At each stop there is a QR code that people can use to access a free audio tour that describes each piece. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:11.980 And this description is provided by the artists themselves. 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:17.980 So, and if the viewers wish, they can download an app, the AutoCast app, on their phone. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:24.779 Not only plays the tour, but it automatically senses where they're at in the tour and will 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:27.340 automatically play. 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:33.120 Another thing that I noticed about the AutoCast app that I really like, especially when we're 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:42.340 talking about how art adds to economic development and walkability, is that on that app it also 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:49.580 also highlights area businesses downtown, ones that are open at the time that the person is 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:52.899 walking and interacting with the artwork. 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:57.519 So that's a really great feature of the AutoCast app. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:05.580 As far as the seven sculptures that were selected for the 2025-2026 year, like I said, there 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:14.500 7, we had two artists represented from Freeport, and then we had one artist from New York, 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:23.180 one from Dubuque, Iowa, one from St. Joseph, Missouri, one from Lutherville, Maryland, 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:28.379 and one from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, just north of here. 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:39.060 All in all, we had 31 submissions by 22 artists, and 7, like I said, were selected by the commissioners. 00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:42.539 You can go to the next one if you don't mind. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:47.660 And so all of these are the sculptures that are downtown. 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:54.920 The idea here is to change out the artwork each year, and that is important for a couple 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:57.019 of very important reasons. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:13:03.340 First, it keeps the exhibition dynamic. 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:08.120 You see different artworks every year and it keeps people engaged and interested. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:15.299 And it also allows us to explore a much broader range of interesting and beautiful artwork. 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:18.680 But the second reason is a little bit more practical. 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:26.779 It is a lot more affordable to do a sculpture walk this way because we are essentially 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.779 and others. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:31.680 So, we're really renting the artwork from the artists instead of trying to purchase artwork 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:34.180 from the artists. 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:42.779 So that's the key reasons that informed the way that we went about this work. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:52.800 So the 2025 to 2026 Sculpture Walk was made possible by a grant that I wrote to the Illinois 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:55.240 Arts Council Agency. 00:13:55.240 --> 00:14:00.639 is a state agency and they have a specific program called the Catalyst Program. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:06.940 And the idea behind that is to launch, help get started projects like these. 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:10.680 And so they awarded us money to get it started. 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:16.740 It also was supported greatly by funds from Cornerstone Credit Union. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:19.980 They paid for the AutoCast app. 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:26.000 and then two supporters from our Paint the Port event that the museum puts on every year 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.819 in August. 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:37.220 And so all of that, those monies were put together to put on this year's Sculpture Walk. 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:45.059 And then the last slide there, if you want to go to that, just real briefly, the importance 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:52.600 of Sculpture Walks Downtown, I will say that the biggest thing is that beyond the beauty, 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:59.180 they encourage more walkability and the way that they do it is they encourage people to 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:05.139 slow down and we know that when people slow down while they're walking through downtown, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.700 they will spend more money. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:13.460 They'll spend more time means spending more money downtown and we also know from research 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:21.100 from the Americans for the Arts, who gathered information on this, communities that include 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:30.480 sculpture walks in their downtown, people that visit contribute 15 more to those businesses 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:33.720 than communities that don't have sculpture walks. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:39.440 So it all adds to all of the other work that we're doing to improve economic development 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:41.620 in our community. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:46.100 If anybody has questions, I'm here. Otherwise, thank you for your time tonight. 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:55.740 Thank you, Jessica. Any questions? Thank you. Item number eight is discussion regarding ordinance 00:15:55.740 --> 00:16:05.340 amending ambulance rates. Chief Cordy. Thank you, Mayor. As we all know, the Fire Department 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:11.440 is one of the essential functions of the city and the ambulance service is a large portion 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:24.399 of what we do. In reviewing some of our data this year, we realized that we were leaving 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:32.039 money on the table for some of the fees that we were charging. The last time the ambulance 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:40.539 rates were reviewed were in 2022. In that ordinance, there is a clause that says that 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:49.779 that we can increase those rates either by the CPI or 5% whichever is less. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:53.620 That hasn't been done since that ordinance was passed. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:59.299 So we started looking into what our options were and what some of the things in the area 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.299 are. 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:10.519 88% or actually 88.5% of our clientele or our patients that we transport are either 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.519 and Winsor. 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:20.799 That's part of the demographic of the city. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:34.800 5.7% is insurance pays, 3.8% is self-pay and 1.1% is government pay, so like VA insurance. 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:43.759 We got a hold of a survey from the area, basically, Winnebago and Stevenson County that shows 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.740 some of the current rates. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:53.380 Our current rate for residents is $1,200, whether it's a basic call or an advanced life 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:59.160 support call, $1,700 for non-residents. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:09.119 As we look at the spreadsheet, we found out that we're in the bottom third of the 22 departments 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:17.500 that were surveyed, and we also participate in what's called a GEMT program, which is 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:21.079 Government Emergency Medical Transport. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:26.039 I think it was Chief Liggett that got us involved in that. 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:34.559 what they do is they evaluate different departments on different criteria and then they set a 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:43.759 rate that they will assist to pay the difference for Medicare and Medicaid patients. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:19:01.240 Our current rate that we received back this year was $1,317 for an ALS Type 1 and $1,322 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.759 for an ALS Type 2. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:08.960 Difference between a Type 1 and a Type 2 is the severity of the call, the amount of 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:14.680 of Treatment, and the amount of things that need to be taken care of for the patient. 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:24.680 At this point with a rate of $1,200, we're leaving $117 on the table basically at a minimum 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:34.960 for every one of the Medicare and Medicaid patients that we haul, which is about $3,500. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:40.639 We run about 4550 calls a year for the ambulance. 00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:47.380 About 550 of those are refusals that we don't charge for. 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:58.680 That brings us down to 4000 calls and then, like I say, about 3500 are Medicare-Medicaid. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.880 That leaves quite a bit of money. 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:07.880 That leaves quite a bit of money on the table that is available to us that we're not taking advantage of. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:27.880 As we go through the spreadsheet, you see what the average is, $1,874 for a basic call and $1,971 for a non-resident basic call. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:39.540 Paul, up to $2,306. So, like I say, we're significantly under that. Also, we can charge 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:47.400 for mileage when we transport a patient. Sorry, that's not really easy to see up there. Right 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:56.880 now, we're charging $14 a mile. The average is $19. We charge $450 for an ALS intercept, 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:59.880 which is just a little bit over the average. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:09.820 Our lift assists are actually $145 charged at a half hour so it's $72.50 and we don't 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:14.280 charge for refusals. 00:21:14.280 --> 00:21:23.540 What we're liking, would like to increase to would be $2,000 for resident calls across 00:21:23.540 --> 00:21:48.340 and 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:56.500 lot of questions on here. One of the things with the ALS intercept that technically isn't 00:21:56.500 --> 00:22:01.820 changing other than the fact that we are letting our billing company actually do the billing 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:09.340 for that. Previously the lift assists and the ALS intercepts were billed by our department 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:15.120 and we got kind of behind on some of those. So the idea is we're just going to turn that 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:51.180 Most of them take more than half an hour. So it's just kind of a more of a 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:57.640 straightforward type of approach with that. Also there was a law that was passed 00:22:57.640 --> 00:23:05.040 in Illinois this year that allows departments to charge for lift assists if 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:11.880 they weren't already doing it. Those are for facilities only and for other 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:18.800 and other ambulance services. We do not charge and we have no intention of charging the citizens 00:23:18.800 --> 00:23:25.519 or the customers themselves. It's only the facilities that have staff on site that then 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:33.780 they call us in to do their Lyft assist for them. So that's the only change in that. 00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:41.200 In the refusals, we don't charge for refusals. There are some departments on here that do. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:24:00.200 We will treat you at the scene, we will respond to your scene, but if either your injury and illness don't warrant transport, you decide on your own that you don't want to be transported. There is no charge, there is no bill for those. 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:08.200 Like I said, I'm sure there's going to be quite a few questions, so anybody has any? 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:17.800 Chief, did you say that some departments do have Lyft Assist charges, but we do not? 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:19.920 No, we have Lyft Assist charges. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:25.240 We've had those since 22, I think, either 19 or 22. 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.240 It's the refusals. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:30.760 It was the refusals that we do not charge for that a lot of other departments do. 00:24:30.760 --> 00:24:31.760 Okay. 00:24:31.760 --> 00:24:36.980 And so this new change in the ordinance does not affect the refusals, even though some 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.980 departments do? 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.980 Correct. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.980 Correct. 00:24:39.980 --> 00:25:01.980 Anywhere from $100 to $495 every time you go, and we have a lot of citizens that we respond to multiple, multiple times throughout the year. 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:08.480 there's one that I know of that we looked at it's been 43 times already just this 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:13.660 year that we've responded and we don't charge for those and and you also said 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:19.860 that the lift assists charges are for facilities like assisted living yes yes 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:25.980 we've got a we've got a list Liberty Village Oakley Court Parkview Pearl 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:30.500 Point Heritage Woods Wind Prairie Serenity Estates the Citadel at st. 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:37.800 Josephs. We included the hospital in there because we've gone there a few times to help 00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:43.340 move patients inside the hospital. And then Star Ambulance, which we've done lift assists 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:46.260 in moving patients with before. 00:25:46.260 --> 00:25:48.460 And we currently do charge or do not? 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.460 We do. 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:52.780 And are you proposing an increase in that amount as well? 00:25:52.780 --> 00:26:00.620 Well, the ordinance right now states $145 charged in half-hour increments. 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.620 Okay. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.620 Okay. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:07.020 So, what I'm proposing is $150, just a one-time fee, no matter how long it takes. 00:26:07.020 --> 00:26:08.020 Gotcha. 00:26:08.020 --> 00:26:09.020 Alderman Johnson. 00:26:09.020 --> 00:26:15.660 This is just some things that I looked up. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:20.660 The UCPI, according to the ordinance, it says the adapted ordinance provides for an annual 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.660 and so on. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.660 Thank you very much. 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.660 We are going to move on to the next item. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.660 We have a three-year-old increase in P.Y. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:26.500 and a 12-year-old increase based upon the UCPI not exceeding 5 percent. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:36.500 And for the four years that we didn't increase in 23, the UCPI was 3.4 percent. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:44.920 In 24, it was 2.9 percent, and 25, 2.7 percent, and this year 3.8 percent. 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:51.480 So totaling all those up would be an increase of, if you do it every year, would be an increase 00:26:51.480 --> 00:27:03.640 of $152.80, which would make it $1,352.80 for resident rate and $1,852.08 for non-resident 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.640 rate. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:09.880 And I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to see us follow what the ordinance says that 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:16.920 that says we can raise it up to 5% rather than raise it up to the amount that's listed 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:19.880 on the papers. 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:24.080 And does that ordinance then reflect that that can automatically happen each year or 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:25.680 does that always have to come back to council? 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:30.240 That's supposed to be an annual adjustment so that doesn't need to come back before council 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:32.000 if you're just going to do the CPI. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:35.120 And do you know why the adjustments didn't just happen? 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.440 I do not. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:38.440 I think they were just overlooked. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:45.760 Anything else? 00:27:45.760 --> 00:27:50.480 I think the other ones are fine. 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:57.280 I understand all the other ones with gas and everything and with having the lifts and then 00:27:57.280 --> 00:28:05.200 there was one for a recipient, a provider goes and helps in a situation where they need 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:12.560 More, and the money that's charged for that. I think that's fine too. Just that other thing 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:18.080 is I'm concerned about. Did you need anything from us at the moment Chief? No, this was just 00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:24.080 informational with the intent to bring it back for first reading next week. So the only other comment 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:32.160 that I've got is the fact that you know everything is getting more expensive, especially when you 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:37.760 you put emergency on it. You know the the department keeps 46 percent of the 00:28:37.760 --> 00:28:46.240 revenue from this and that will eventually start to deteriorate as far as 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:52.519 the replacement of vehicles, replacement of buildings. I think it was Chief Jim 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:58.920 Gale that implemented this back in the late 80s early 90s with the intent of 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:05.840 of being a capital improvement fund for the fire department and from that point on every 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:10.200 building that we've purchased, every vehicle that we've purchased, all the major repairs 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:15.440 and things have all come out of that fund rather than coming out of the general fund. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:20.480 So it's a good tool for us. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:26.440 Item number nine is discussion regarding second list of street lighting locations, Aldermen's, 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:41.280 Stacy, and Simmons Yes, we are seeking to start on the second 00:29:41.280 --> 00:29:42.280 list. 00:29:42.280 --> 00:29:44.440 There was a second list. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:51.160 I had asked that it be connected to my memo. 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:55.920 It never made it. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:59.849 Chief, Shenberger, before he retired, he did a 00:29:59.849 --> 00:30:14.609 Howard, he did a second list of high crime areas with low lighting. 00:30:14.609 --> 00:30:16.769 I had asked for this. 00:30:16.769 --> 00:30:25.169 It was sent to City Manager Boyer per his request. 00:30:25.169 --> 00:30:35.469 I continue to seek copy, and I had hoped that it would have been here tonight, City Manager, 00:30:35.469 --> 00:30:45.250 so that we can talk about moving forward with the second list. 00:30:45.250 --> 00:30:48.609 Manager Boyer, would you like to shed light on that, please? 00:30:48.609 --> 00:30:49.609 Sure. 00:30:49.609 --> 00:31:02.609 I'm not aware of this list that Alderman Stacy is talking about. I do know that in the last two weeks, we've reopened the franchise agreement with ComEd. 00:31:02.609 --> 00:31:16.609 One item on the request is to upgrade not only fifth ward lighting, but lighting in all wards with a schedule of light replacements. 00:31:16.609 --> 00:31:23.969 Placements. And this is because over a course of time, LEDs lose approximately 5% of their lumens each year and 00:31:25.049 --> 00:31:31.329 the ComEd lights that are installed not only in Fifth Ward, but in many of the wards, those 00:31:31.849 --> 00:31:34.730 are installed and maintained by ComEd. 00:31:34.730 --> 00:31:40.169 And so we need to make sure that we're using the right tools to accomplish the goal, which is 00:31:40.769 --> 00:31:42.769 making sure that those lights are 00:31:43.049 --> 00:31:44.210 properly 00:31:44.209 --> 00:32:14.210 Mendoza, 00:32:14.210 --> 00:32:20.329 Huffines. Areas really included areas of high traffic and access while we're permanently 00:32:20.329 --> 00:32:26.250 mounted cameras are located. So at this time we are working on this, but it's a little 00:32:26.250 --> 00:32:32.369 more comprehensive and it's doing our best to use outside funding to accomplish this. 00:32:32.369 --> 00:32:35.210 So yes, that's what I've got. Thank you, Mayor. 00:32:35.210 --> 00:32:39.369 Chief Russell, do you have anything you want to say about high crime, low light or the 00:32:39.369 --> 00:32:41.569 list that was referred to? 00:32:41.569 --> 00:32:55.409 Yes, thank you. I was not made aware or given of any first list, second list, or any list thereof with the potential of locations or addresses. 00:32:55.409 --> 00:33:07.849 I was not given a single thing or given a phone call. But I will say this, I think what we're all looking for is some type of heterogeneous result, and that means data, that means intervention, 00:33:07.849 --> 00:33:11.649 that means some type of outcome or variability of it. 00:33:11.649 --> 00:33:14.489 Street lighting is one of the earliest forms 00:33:14.489 --> 00:33:16.649 of situational crime prevention 00:33:16.649 --> 00:33:20.409 and it dates back as antiquity. 00:33:20.409 --> 00:33:23.649 People understand darkness equals fear. 00:33:23.649 --> 00:33:26.489 However, with our social climate 00:33:26.489 --> 00:33:28.529 and the way things have changed, 00:33:28.529 --> 00:33:32.169 the investment really has to be all-encompassing. 00:33:32.169 --> 00:33:35.089 And that investment is that crime 00:33:35.089 --> 00:33:43.169 All over big cities and small towns occurs at all times of the day with the sunlight and with the moon. 00:33:44.089 --> 00:33:49.609 So such as substance abuse, gun violence, narcotic transactions. 00:33:49.609 --> 00:33:54.969 And we've had them over the weekend in broad daily of domestic violence and of gun violence. 00:33:55.490 --> 00:33:59.689 So really, I think what everyone is thinking is a theory of change that is 00:33:59.689 --> 00:34:29.690 Settlers, Settlers, 00:34:29.690 --> 00:34:53.610 For the record, City Manager Boyer, I had no hands on with creating either list. 00:34:53.609 --> 00:34:59.889 and it's not fair for you to insinuate that it was just for Fifth Ward. 00:34:59.889 --> 00:35:03.449 It was not just for Fifth Ward. 00:35:03.449 --> 00:35:05.269 There's crime all over. 00:35:05.269 --> 00:35:14.369 So for you to say or make a statement about all of Freeport or all of the wards, it was 00:35:14.369 --> 00:35:20.849 not something that was just done for Fifth Ward. 00:35:20.849 --> 00:35:32.969 Director Stico, you were a very big part of this in 2024 with ComEd, is there anything 00:35:32.969 --> 00:35:34.889 you would like to say? 00:35:34.889 --> 00:35:46.609 The only thing in, I believe it was 2026 is when we finally replaced 63 lights at a cost 00:35:46.609 --> 00:36:16.609 $374 for each. So it's about $24,000. 2025. 2025 is when we first started talking about it. But I pulled the memo from 2026 when we did the replacements. Excuse me. 2025, you're correct. And there is an additional cost for the electric. And there is an upkeep cost that goes to the monthly charge for the ComEd bills. And so 00:36:16.609 --> 00:36:28.609 Currently I don't believe we have anything listed in the budget for light replacements, but with the direction of council, obviously those things can be done. 00:36:28.609 --> 00:36:39.609 I would echo City Manager Boyer's idea of the franchise agreement because that's the best scenario for us to get that done to the lowest cost. 00:36:39.609 --> 00:37:09.609 and I would agree back, it's been several mayors ago when the LEDs were picked, most towns around here signed the same agreement that Freeport did and they're finding out that many of the LEDs while they were used to reduce electric usage have also become very poorly lit on the streets and basically the street lights are there to illuminate stop signs 00:37:09.609 --> 00:37:15.009 and in small parts of intersections with a very narrow path of light rather than a 00:37:15.009 --> 00:37:22.569 flood type approach like an incandescent used to be. So I will say we replaced the 00:37:22.569 --> 00:37:31.730 14 watt LEDs I believe with 149 watt LED on the streets that we did in 25 and I 00:37:31.730 --> 00:37:36.170 believe that that's probably some type of citywide resolution that needs to be 00:37:36.170 --> 00:37:42.929 Dunn to increase lighting throughout but with the franchise having a unique 00:37:42.929 --> 00:37:48.049 opportunity of having the franchise agreement expiring and opening that 00:37:48.049 --> 00:37:51.929 would be our opportunity to try to negotiate something that would be more 00:37:51.929 --> 00:37:55.449 powerful than just a small project. 00:37:55.449 --> 00:38:06.710 Alderman, Simmons Okay, so a few things. When will that program 00:38:06.710 --> 00:38:12.610 that you were speaking of begin, Manager Boyer, if you said it and I missed it, I'm sorry. 00:38:12.610 --> 00:38:17.610 And to address what the Chief said, I agree with you, crime occurs at all times, no matter 00:38:17.610 --> 00:38:24.250 of the lighting. However, if we do have areas, high traffic areas that need additional lighting, 00:38:24.250 --> 00:38:30.449 I believe that is what Alderperson, Stacy, and my support we are asking for. 00:38:30.449 --> 00:38:36.210 If neither of you have knowledge of Chief Shenberger's list, I do believe we're asking you to recommend 00:38:36.210 --> 00:38:40.090 some areas that would benefit from additional lighting. 00:38:40.090 --> 00:38:45.569 We do understand that lighting does not cure crime, however, as the young lady that came 00:38:45.569 --> 00:38:49.489 up here and spoke mentioned, her car's been hit twice. 00:38:49.489 --> 00:38:55.449 We would have gotten a suspect had the street been lit enough for her ring camera to catch 00:38:55.449 --> 00:38:56.449 the assailant. 00:38:56.449 --> 00:39:02.009 So in areas where there's high traffic and high accidents, it is more than beneficial 00:39:02.009 --> 00:39:04.730 to add lighting in those areas. 00:39:04.730 --> 00:39:07.369 As far as the social programs, I totally agree. 00:39:07.369 --> 00:39:09.569 I would love to see more of those. 00:39:09.569 --> 00:39:14.829 Hopefully we'll have your support in starting additional social programs to catch kids before 00:39:14.829 --> 00:39:19.349 they turn to crime to prevent the crime in that way. 00:39:19.349 --> 00:39:24.429 So I do agree with you on that, but I think what we're asking is a different reason than 00:39:24.429 --> 00:39:27.309 we want lights to prevent crime. 00:39:27.309 --> 00:39:35.289 Some areas the safety would be much greater if there was additional lighting. 00:39:35.289 --> 00:39:40.509 And then as far as the cost, I understand that adding lights may be costly, but we had 00:39:40.509 --> 00:39:49.750 had no problem sinking millions of dollars into adding waterway to benefit one business. 00:39:49.750 --> 00:39:55.269 So costs should not be the issue, it is just how do we budget for it and how do we implement 00:39:55.269 --> 00:39:56.269 it. 00:39:56.269 --> 00:39:59.829 That is why this discussion is on the floor at this time so that we can 00:39:59.829 --> 00:40:24.389 and just a quick point of order on a couple items there so there have been 00:40:24.389 --> 00:40:28.269 some requests that have been made by older people on this topic directly to 00:40:28.269 --> 00:40:32.269 and I do the department heads there so I just want to remind everyone that per our council 00:40:32.269 --> 00:40:38.469 rules there any requests for city staff to do something, do homework, find anything should 00:40:38.469 --> 00:40:42.630 be directed to the City Manager first and then he can dole out the homework according 00:40:42.630 --> 00:40:43.630 to our ordinance. 00:40:43.630 --> 00:40:44.630 Okay. 00:40:44.630 --> 00:40:45.630 That's fine. 00:40:45.630 --> 00:40:50.630 He's just telling you what the procedure is. 00:40:50.630 --> 00:41:18.590 I just wanted to clarify something I said. So replacing Cobra heads last year were $374 a piece. If we're looking at additional lighting, that's not on an existing ComEd facility, which would be one of their poles, we're probably 00:41:18.590 --> 00:41:24.630 Looking at more like $14,000 to add a new pole, new light fixture to a streetway. 00:41:25.110 --> 00:41:30.869 So, um, I just want everybody to understand adding fixtures that are not 00:41:30.869 --> 00:41:34.949 already there are much more costly than replacing existing light packages 00:41:34.949 --> 00:41:36.590 that are already are in place. 00:41:39.269 --> 00:41:46.309 I just want to say that at the time when we were going over the budget and creating 00:41:46.309 --> 00:41:55.670 and a budget for this year, I did openly ask and request that money be set aside for lighting 00:41:55.670 --> 00:41:56.670 alone. 00:41:56.670 --> 00:42:03.829 And City Manager Boyer, you referred to me that we would talk about that and we would 00:42:03.829 --> 00:42:09.230 get that done, but we have not talked about it and we have not get it done. 00:42:09.230 --> 00:42:19.829 so I brought it tonight in hopes to talk about it and get it done and I don't know what happened 00:42:19.829 --> 00:42:32.469 to the list that you were emailed by Chief Shenberger however I have access and I can 00:42:32.469 --> 00:42:38.069 Get that list and make it happen. 00:42:38.069 --> 00:42:49.710 But I know it was emailed directly to you per your request. 00:42:49.710 --> 00:42:50.710 Manager Boyer? 00:42:50.710 --> 00:42:58.869 Yeah, we just have to agree to disagree. 00:42:58.869 --> 00:43:01.949 And that's okay. 00:43:01.949 --> 00:43:12.029 So do we need to go back to a point of procedure? Alderman Stacy wants to have a discussion 00:43:12.029 --> 00:43:22.029 on adding street lighting to the budget. However, just one Alderperson can't do that. So what's 00:43:22.029 --> 00:43:28.670 the right procedure to make that discussion happen? 00:43:28.670 --> 00:43:33.949 I think ultimately right now, this is the opportunity for the council to discuss whether or not they 00:43:33.949 --> 00:43:41.269 are in favor of having staff walk down a path of looking into this, which would entail everything 00:43:41.269 --> 00:43:46.150 from what are possible solutions and then what are the costs of those solutions and 00:43:46.150 --> 00:43:49.110 then how do we find money for those solutions there. 00:43:49.110 --> 00:43:54.829 If the council as a whole is in favor of walking down that path, doing that homework in support 00:43:54.829 --> 00:44:00.949 of the proposals from Alderman, Stacy, and Simmons there, then, you know, they can articulate 00:44:00.949 --> 00:44:01.949 that here. 00:44:01.949 --> 00:44:06.150 If they're not in favor of all of that, then they can also state that position as well. 00:44:06.150 --> 00:44:11.309 So that staff has some direction as to what the council is supportive of as a whole or 00:44:11.309 --> 00:44:12.590 not in support of. 00:44:12.590 --> 00:44:13.590 Right. 00:44:13.590 --> 00:44:21.829 So Manager Boyer has proposed that the franchise agreement might be the right procedural to 00:44:21.829 --> 00:44:22.829 start. 00:44:22.829 --> 00:44:33.829 and he's opening that and he's starting that so I don't know if that's what the wish of the council is or if it's to just, you know, manager Boyer. 00:44:33.829 --> 00:44:43.829 Thank you Madam Mayor. So the franchise agreement talks about a lot of different items that the city and ComEd work together on. 00:44:43.829 --> 00:44:50.550 some of that's tree removal some of that is what the buildings the city buildings that the city no 00:44:50.550 --> 00:44:57.109 long does not have to pay ComEd for electricity so we've recently reopened the franchise agreement 00:44:57.109 --> 00:45:03.349 i think it was about two weeks ago one of the items in there among others was to review the 00:45:03.909 --> 00:45:09.670 street lights throughout the city and the ones that are starting to get old and age and dim we 00:45:09.670 --> 00:45:12.969 we would get those replaced as part of our franchise agreement. 00:45:12.969 --> 00:45:17.969 So my recommendation is we seek to stay the course 00:45:18.429 --> 00:45:20.630 for the time being until the outcome 00:45:20.630 --> 00:45:23.909 of that franchise agreement is complete, 00:45:23.909 --> 00:45:27.230 in which time if we are unable to get what it is 00:45:27.230 --> 00:45:30.869 or we're looking for in terms of improved street lighting, 00:45:30.869 --> 00:45:33.969 then we maybe look at our existing budget. 00:45:33.969 --> 00:45:38.269 However, if we were to jump ahead of the process 00:45:38.269 --> 00:46:08.269 and start putting in street lights, we would be bearing the cost of those right now, and we may be able to get those taken care of. It's unclear at this time, but I think it's best if we follow through with the franchise agreement process and do our best to negotiate that. And then at that time, if we don't get our desired result, then we look at budgeting and installing lights at the city's expense. 00:46:08.269 --> 00:46:22.269 Alderman, Alderman, did you have something on your phone? Did you get your question answered Alderman Sanders? No I have not, but did you? You had your hand up. You got it fresh in your head? Go ahead Alderman Klemm. Yeah, you got what you got to say. 00:46:22.269 --> 00:46:36.269 A couple things that Darren I wanted to ask you something about what you brought up because as we discuss this as we all know there's numerous areas all over town, okay. 00:46:36.269 --> 00:46:49.269 What is really, as we look at the lights, what is the intent? You mentioned traffic, you mentioned stop signs, you mentioned etc. You know, like that. 00:46:49.269 --> 00:47:02.269 Because I'll just pick up one area that's absolutely terrible and we all kind of laugh at it, but it is what it is, and that's Qantas Drive. 00:47:02.269 --> 00:47:08.269 You know, somebody did a beautiful job in putting in Kiwanis Drive, they only forgot to put in the street light. 00:47:08.269 --> 00:47:12.269 There's one street light on the whole thing by an intersection. 00:47:12.269 --> 00:47:19.269 Okay, so that's why I'm asking, you know, what is the real intent of street light? 00:47:19.269 --> 00:47:24.269 You know, we've discussed it on La Cresta years ago, we discussed it. 00:47:24.269 --> 00:47:31.269 There's a set of condos that are out behind a manual that don't have enough and it's gone through two city managers and whatever. 00:47:31.269 --> 00:47:36.069 and others and whatever and no we won't put them in and you know I understand it but you 00:47:36.069 --> 00:47:44.269 know I guess the question is what is the real intent of street lighting and what's the what 00:47:44.269 --> 00:47:52.509 should it go by but I think if you would review most of town you'll see that most of the lighting 00:47:52.509 --> 00:47:58.829 reflects areas around intersections or traffic signals to highlight them and that's that's 00:47:58.829 --> 00:48:28.829 Park for the course of most communities, you know, in today's age, the lights have changed a lot with there's something called the dark sky lighting, where they don't want any light protruding up in the air, you know, to save the planet. And there's a lot of been a lot of changes, especially with LEDs and power savings, right and consumption to the grid and right wrong or 00:48:28.829 --> 00:48:44.670 different, I will tell you that from 20 years ago to now, there's just probably as many as many if not a few more lights in town than there used to be the difference but was the incandescence lit up a flood pattern or a long distance. 00:48:44.670 --> 00:48:50.989 so when they were measured out between blocks the light was lighting up 100 or 150 feet where today 00:48:50.989 --> 00:48:57.789 it's only lighting up about 25 feet at max and that's designed by commonwealth that it's in that 00:48:57.789 --> 00:49:04.110 way to keep the directional lights down to more signal the lights right wrong or indifferent that 00:49:04.110 --> 00:49:11.389 that's that's what they are for i know if you talk to most residents including myself you feel more 00:49:11.389 --> 00:49:13.909 and more secure when there's a light by your facility 00:49:13.909 --> 00:49:16.550 or it's not completely dark. 00:49:16.550 --> 00:49:18.569 That's just human nature, right? 00:49:18.569 --> 00:49:21.069 Going back to the Chief's point of, you know, 00:49:21.069 --> 00:49:23.389 we all have lights at our house that we turn on 00:49:23.389 --> 00:49:25.210 when people come, it makes you feel safe. 00:49:25.210 --> 00:49:26.710 You can see where you're going. 00:49:29.389 --> 00:49:33.090 We'll put up as many lights as the council directs us to do. 00:49:33.090 --> 00:49:36.789 It's very costly though, especially the pole additions. 00:49:36.789 --> 00:49:40.069 And we've had several requests for additional lights. 00:49:40.069 --> 00:49:43.389 So I'm very confident in that number. 00:49:43.389 --> 00:49:46.269 There's even some of our, I'm going to call it 00:49:46.269 --> 00:49:48.550 our newest areas that didn't have lights either, 00:49:48.550 --> 00:49:50.550 that there's several people out there 00:49:50.550 --> 00:49:52.309 that would like lights added as well. 00:49:52.309 --> 00:49:55.029 So that's where I just had got that cost last year 00:49:55.029 --> 00:49:57.829 for additional pole lights. 00:49:57.829 --> 00:50:00.150 I think some of the changes... 00:50:00.150 --> 00:50:08.110 I think some of the changes that we made in 2025 with the brighter lights at the areas 00:50:08.110 --> 00:50:09.110 have helped. 00:50:09.110 --> 00:50:10.389 They're a little bit different. 00:50:10.389 --> 00:50:12.889 You can get different flood patterns to lights. 00:50:12.889 --> 00:50:18.990 And I think that's primarily the problem that I do think that the program that we did in 00:50:18.990 --> 00:50:25.190 25 was very successful and people seem to be much happier with the brighter light with 00:50:25.190 --> 00:50:26.990 the wider flood pattern. 00:50:26.990 --> 00:50:32.309 I do think that that's probably the package or the product that Freeport can 00:50:32.309 --> 00:50:36.809 afford the most at this time without major renovations to our lighting system. 00:50:37.150 --> 00:50:42.510 And even with what city manager Boyer mentioned, the franchise agreement, if 00:50:42.510 --> 00:50:45.869 we were to do a blanket agreement that every light in town got changed, 00:50:46.030 --> 00:50:47.490 that's a very large project. 00:50:47.809 --> 00:50:52.849 I don't know if clerk Anderson remembers how many lights there are in town because 00:50:52.849 --> 00:50:56.490 we do an annual lighting survey of it, but it's, it's a lot. 00:50:56.990 --> 00:51:08.590 Thank you, anyone else? Alderman Johnson. I just wondered if there's any relationship 00:51:08.590 --> 00:51:13.390 like to the handicap areas, you know, like where you've got the ramps and stuff, if there's 00:51:13.390 --> 00:51:17.950 a relation between lighting and those areas, is there any relation with that at all or no? 00:51:17.950 --> 00:51:24.349 I mean, yes, because they're trying to identify the stop signs and traffic intersections where, 00:51:24.349 --> 00:51:28.030 you know they don't want people to miss those signs for stop bars so that's mostly around your 00:51:28.030 --> 00:51:35.230 intersections but again it's the change in lighting from incandescent to led they can't 00:51:35.789 --> 00:51:41.550 they can't reduce the lumen to reduce the energy without narrowing the scope of the light so much 00:51:41.550 --> 00:51:50.030 of that doesn't get lit anymore. My personal opinion is this isn't really relegated to one 00:51:50.030 --> 00:52:05.829 Spodder, another in town, as you drive around at night, which I do quite often with my dogs, just for, you know, fun time. It's very dim and very, you know, all over quadrants of Freeport. Way different with the change from incandescence. 00:52:08.789 --> 00:52:09.230 Thank you. 00:52:09.230 --> 00:52:18.230 I think I can also add, I don't remember the numbers, but I believe our energy bills, Michelle's not here tonight, really reflect that too. 00:52:18.230 --> 00:52:29.230 I think our power usage is about 30 percent, 30 or 35 percent of what it used to be too back when we had incandescence. 00:52:29.230 --> 00:52:35.230 Okay, there's no further discussion. Alderman Sanders? 00:52:35.230 --> 00:52:46.590 I listen to the comments and the one thing that we have not focused on is trying to come 00:52:46.590 --> 00:52:52.510 up with a resolution of all of the requests and suggestions that are made tonight. 00:52:52.510 --> 00:52:59.510 And I hear reflections are coming out to find out what council's opinion is and how does 00:52:59.510 --> 00:53:00.510 and others. 00:53:00.510 --> 00:53:30.510 We're out of order, as far as I am concerned, in the processing of how we go about to move forward on any 00:53:30.510 --> 00:53:32.510 and 00:53:32.750 --> 00:53:38.110 Even if we bring what it is out on the floor as individuals as 00:53:39.590 --> 00:53:41.590 collective we're not 00:53:42.470 --> 00:53:44.150 focusing on 00:53:44.150 --> 00:53:45.430 together 00:53:45.430 --> 00:53:51.329 To make the statement together whether we're voting or whether we're discussing it or not 00:53:52.550 --> 00:53:54.550 Where does it where does it? 00:53:56.230 --> 00:53:57.829 Conform 00:53:57.829 --> 00:54:05.030 to anything that we're discussing here because once we stop talking about it tonight, we have not 00:54:06.530 --> 00:54:08.530 made a clear 00:54:08.670 --> 00:54:13.730 statement on anything on how we're going to move forward. So what we need to do is 00:54:14.430 --> 00:54:17.430 before we start bringing up things to do, 00:54:18.490 --> 00:54:20.490 council needs to be able to 00:54:21.110 --> 00:54:26.950 get their hands dirty in the process of all of the requests that are being made for 00:54:27.829 --> 00:54:30.070 to us to make decisions. 00:54:30.070 --> 00:54:34.349 Council has to make the decision for staff to move forward. 00:54:34.349 --> 00:54:37.950 If they're not getting this kind of information, 00:54:37.950 --> 00:54:39.950 they're throwing their hands up as well. 00:54:39.950 --> 00:54:42.070 Staff is throwing their hands up as well 00:54:42.070 --> 00:54:46.150 because if council is not saying anything 00:54:46.150 --> 00:54:50.590 on how we to move forward, then we're stagnated. 00:54:50.590 --> 00:54:55.349 We're stagnated because we're going to be here 00:54:55.349 --> 00:54:59.530 We're talking on assumptions on how we're gonna get things done. 00:54:59.530 --> 00:55:02.349 Well, that's not what we're here to do. 00:55:02.349 --> 00:55:06.070 And so I'd just like to make sure that council 00:55:06.070 --> 00:55:09.829 is in collaboration with each other 00:55:09.829 --> 00:55:14.829 as opposed of individually discussing any project or program. 00:55:17.990 --> 00:55:21.950 And that's not what I see that's reflecting tonight 00:55:21.950 --> 00:55:36.909 and many more. We are acting as individual councilmen, but we're not coming up with resolution 00:55:36.909 --> 00:55:44.130 as councilmen together to solve any problems and issues that are going forward before council 00:55:44.130 --> 00:55:51.329 and for the public. Yeah, council needs to meet with each other so City Manager knows 00:55:51.329 --> 00:55:52.329 and others. 00:55:52.329 --> 00:55:59.690 And he's going to try to fulfill all of the blanks and the questions that we have and 00:55:59.690 --> 00:56:00.930 things of this nature. 00:56:00.930 --> 00:56:10.130 But if we're not moving as a council to help him move down the road, then we're still clueless 00:56:10.130 --> 00:56:15.289 about a lot of things that are happening throughout the city if we have not collectively gotten 00:56:15.289 --> 00:56:20.130 together to even make discussion matters on these issues. 00:56:20.130 --> 00:56:31.210 So it's that we, as council members, need to be able to help and do our job to help move 00:56:31.210 --> 00:56:36.630 the resolution, the agendas and the resolution that is created. 00:56:36.630 --> 00:56:38.690 We have not been, as a council... 00:56:38.690 --> 00:56:40.730 Alderman Sanders, your time has expired. 00:56:40.730 --> 00:56:44.170 Oh, I didn't know I was on the time. 00:56:44.170 --> 00:56:45.170 Yep. 00:56:45.170 --> 00:56:46.170 Okay. 00:56:46.170 --> 00:56:47.170 All right. 00:56:47.170 --> 00:56:49.369 Anyone else? 00:56:49.369 --> 00:56:53.930 Manager. I just want to make one comment and try to address what you said Alderman 00:56:53.930 --> 00:57:01.090 Sanders. So when it basically I look at it as you've got two options here moving 00:57:01.090 --> 00:57:06.730 forward. One kind of takes precedent over the other. The first one is a 50-year 00:57:06.730 --> 00:57:11.010 opportunity to renegotiate our franchise agreement with ComEd and then inculcate 00:57:11.010 --> 00:57:16.670 those benefits into that agreement moving forward. And then kind of waiting 00:57:16.670 --> 00:57:21.710 for some of the resolution of that process before we throw money at a problem that we've 00:57:21.710 --> 00:57:24.349 kind of dealt with for a number of years. 00:57:24.349 --> 00:57:27.949 Now that's basically how I see the process going. 00:57:27.949 --> 00:57:34.070 I hope you kind of see my point and if not, if you can respect it, I would greatly appreciate 00:57:34.070 --> 00:57:40.510 it but at the end of the day, I think we need to exercise outside resources as often as 00:57:40.510 --> 00:57:43.150 we can before we use inside resources. 00:57:43.150 --> 00:57:48.390 For example, we have received something on the order of like $80 million in the last 00:57:48.390 --> 00:57:50.230 five years. 00:57:50.230 --> 00:57:56.349 Had we not pursued the options of outside funding first, well, the ratepayers and the 00:57:56.349 --> 00:58:00.950 taxpayers of Freeport would be paying that $80 million instead of outside funding that's 00:58:00.950 --> 00:58:01.950 come in. 00:58:01.950 --> 00:58:06.670 So, in my mind, the first step is you try to spend other agency money or state money 00:58:06.670 --> 00:58:11.950 or grant money first, and then if you have a need and you still can't get it done, then 00:58:11.950 --> 00:58:19.470 you look at what we have for our local budget and do the best you can with that but but my focus is 00:58:19.470 --> 00:58:24.670 always going to be try to bring the outside resources into the community before I start solving the 00:58:24.670 --> 00:58:29.550 problems with local funds because if we solve the problem we no longer have a need that we can justify 00:58:29.550 --> 00:58:39.710 to an outside funding agent to provide it. Well we're adding to that City Manager is that 00:58:41.949 --> 00:58:53.150 you are one of our forerunners to gather the information so we can move forward as council 00:58:53.150 --> 00:59:00.750 to make a determination to help you facilitate those areas that we don't have no clue about 00:59:01.390 --> 00:59:09.470 and understand the process of all of that and what it would take to create an agenda for that so you 00:59:09.470 --> 00:59:15.670 and then you'd be able to do your job adequately and then that way you have the confidence 00:59:15.670 --> 00:59:23.550 and counsel knowing that you get virtually everything that we needed to move forward with. 00:59:23.550 --> 00:59:26.350 Well, that's not what we're doing. 00:59:26.350 --> 00:59:33.950 I know it's like you got your hands tied when we come to this point to talk about what it 00:59:33.950 --> 00:59:40.550 it is necessary and then what is necessary and then council we're sitting on our hand 00:59:40.550 --> 00:59:48.510 with no help moving forward to work with you on any issue and so that's my whole problem 00:59:48.510 --> 00:59:55.930 is that we as council collectively is not really gathering up enough information from 00:59:55.930 --> 01:00:00.190 Mew to make rational and 01:00:00.190 --> 01:00:10.389 Rational and making decisions on whatever program, whatever problems that we're trying to solve, 01:00:10.389 --> 01:00:21.550 we can stand as individuals, as councils, trying to help you solve resolutions as individuals. 01:00:21.550 --> 01:00:27.590 Maybe collectively, if council got together and talked about the subject or the problems 01:00:27.590 --> 01:00:30.670 and others that we're having that you want to address, 01:00:30.670 --> 01:00:33.769 then we will move forward with getting things done 01:00:33.769 --> 01:00:36.309 because you have a clear understanding, 01:00:36.309 --> 01:00:39.309 council have a mission of clear understanding 01:00:39.309 --> 01:00:42.090 of what you're trying to achieve. 01:00:42.090 --> 01:00:47.090 And the same goes with our Public Works Director. 01:00:48.429 --> 01:00:53.429 He's, if anybody was really truly listening to him, 01:00:53.429 --> 01:00:58.269 He's making appeals on things that he would like to do. 01:00:58.269 --> 01:01:00.309 And he's addressing council. 01:01:00.309 --> 01:01:03.470 But at the end of the day, at the end of the discussion, 01:01:04.710 --> 01:01:08.869 we still haven't came together to give him his resolution. 01:01:08.869 --> 01:01:11.909 There's no resolution coming from his appeal. 01:01:11.909 --> 01:01:16.510 And council has to address whatever director departments 01:01:16.510 --> 01:01:19.470 are trying to address to a council. 01:01:19.470 --> 01:01:24.110 We have to talk about it as a council, as a collective, 01:01:24.110 --> 01:01:28.150 not as an individual because you never get anything done 01:01:28.150 --> 01:01:32.030 individually because we're not coming together 01:01:32.030 --> 01:01:34.050 to discuss the whole thing. 01:01:34.050 --> 01:01:36.110 And that's what my problem is. 01:01:36.110 --> 01:01:41.070 I just have a different reflection and viewpoints 01:01:41.070 --> 01:01:45.030 on what we're really doing and how we're going to help 01:01:45.030 --> 01:01:49.349 to address these problems that you're trying to pursue. 01:01:49.349 --> 01:01:57.110 and to help you get the necessary fundings that is necessary from council as a whole 01:01:57.110 --> 01:02:03.349 because we're not addressing it all together as collectively as council. 01:02:03.349 --> 01:02:12.470 We're stagnated between all of us and nobody wants to help solve the issues that you're talking about. 01:02:12.470 --> 01:02:14.269 Alderman Johnson. 01:02:14.269 --> 01:02:19.470 The way I'm understanding this is that we get the franchise agreement with ComEd, which 01:02:19.470 --> 01:02:25.889 will help us in doing our budgeting regarding the lighting situation to maybe help with 01:02:25.889 --> 01:02:34.970 that and then we'll again identify possibly those sections or intersections or whatever 01:02:34.970 --> 01:02:38.570 that need the extra lighting so that we can put the plan in place. 01:02:38.570 --> 01:02:43.289 So that's kind of, in my understanding, right, that's kind of our direction or the direction 01:02:43.289 --> 01:02:45.329 to go to bring resolve to the situation. 01:02:45.329 --> 01:02:46.050 Incorrect. 01:02:46.050 --> 01:02:47.570 Thank you. 01:02:47.570 --> 01:02:49.090 Klemm? 01:02:49.090 --> 01:02:49.889 Yes. 01:02:49.889 --> 01:02:53.050 I just have a question just on the whole subject, 01:02:53.050 --> 01:02:56.690 and if I could ask Aaron. 01:02:56.690 --> 01:03:05.250 Aaron, last year, I believe, in Rockford, the mayor at one point, 01:03:05.250 --> 01:03:09.210 I believe, was asking to remove a whole bunch of streetlights 01:03:09.210 --> 01:03:11.809 and stuff over there. 01:03:11.809 --> 01:03:18.050 it was a it was a and maybe it's been longer than a year ago just kind of 01:03:18.050 --> 01:03:23.329 curious if you knew how that came out and naturally it was in the budgeting 01:03:23.329 --> 01:03:28.130 thing thing of how much they were spending on electricity so on and so 01:03:28.130 --> 01:03:34.449 forth in some of these areas and it seems to me like they either did or were 01:03:34.449 --> 01:03:39.490 going to take a bunch out maybe you know our contacts with ComEd would know that 01:03:39.490 --> 01:03:48.570 Tom I apologize I'm unaware of that that situation in Rockford but I'm I'll look 01:03:48.570 --> 01:03:54.570 into it to see if they actually ever removed any any any streetlights in 01:03:54.570 --> 01:04:07.570 Rockford. Thank you. Okay, move on to item number 10, which is public comment. Tommy? 01:04:07.570 --> 01:04:18.570 Jodi Miller is doing a good job as mayor, and you're going to come and see my group home 01:04:18.570 --> 01:04:33.449 and Stacy. And you too Chief, you do a good job of being a police station up to Freeport. 01:04:33.449 --> 01:04:46.889 How you doing? I'm Kiah. A couple things, I don't know really how to connect the dots, 01:05:16.889 --> 01:05:17.889 and others. 01:05:17.889 --> 01:05:18.889 So that's one thing. 01:05:18.889 --> 01:05:25.090 And then I'm thinking like the connection with these street sites that nobody's actually, 01:05:25.090 --> 01:05:27.610 I mean they're connecting with it but it's kind of, I feel like it's getting brushed 01:05:27.610 --> 01:05:29.449 under the rug. 01:05:29.449 --> 01:05:31.269 We had a lady that died. 01:05:31.269 --> 01:05:33.329 It was plenty of cameras on the street. 01:05:33.329 --> 01:05:34.610 Nobody could see nothing. 01:05:34.610 --> 01:05:36.889 It was a big party on the streets. 01:05:36.889 --> 01:05:38.690 She left three kids behind. 01:05:38.690 --> 01:05:44.849 We are losing, let me tell you, I'm going to keep it real, we're losing black people 01:06:44.849 --> 01:06:49.809 it's a bunch of crap that you up here talking that is just mom and pop brush 01:06:49.809 --> 01:07:01.530 under rug stuff these is real concerns get it done any other public comment you 01:07:01.530 --> 01:07:05.930 might want to wait till you get to the microphone it's okay we'll wait 01:07:14.849 --> 01:07:25.130 which means that as a community we help each other so here's one of the issues 01:07:25.130 --> 01:07:29.730 that I have and I want to address you sir with this billing thing that you have 01:07:29.730 --> 01:07:37.010 going on it sounds like to me you need a specialist who does credentialing because 01:07:37.010 --> 01:07:41.490 for somebody who has over 30 years in the field it seems like you're billing 01:07:41.490 --> 01:07:47.090 on an Outdated System. Maybe you don't know this because you're in the fire department, 01:07:47.090 --> 01:07:52.769 but there are two books that deal with medical billing. One is the CPT, which is the current 01:07:52.769 --> 01:07:58.690 procedural terminology book. The other one is the ICD, which is International Classification 01:07:58.690 --> 01:08:06.289 of Diseases. We're up to edition 11 right now. So if you're, you don't have a credentialer 01:08:06.289 --> 01:08:09.210 who can negotiate with these insurance companies 01:08:09.210 --> 01:08:12.769 to get you the best dollar for whatever the procedure is. 01:08:12.769 --> 01:08:15.090 Come see me, I got you. 01:08:15.090 --> 01:08:18.489 As a community member, I would extend that to you. 01:08:18.489 --> 01:08:22.050 And as she was saying, talking about these lights, 01:08:22.050 --> 01:08:25.130 now, City Manager, would you rather spend the money 01:08:25.130 --> 01:08:27.649 on the lights or would you rather spend the money 01:08:27.649 --> 01:08:29.730 on wrongful death suits? 01:08:29.730 --> 01:08:33.170 Because let one of my grandkids get hit on this dark street. 01:08:33.170 --> 01:08:35.970 I'm coming for the city, understand that. 01:08:35.970 --> 01:08:39.529 because we have an opportunity to do something about it. 01:08:39.529 --> 01:08:41.130 That's why we're here. 01:08:41.130 --> 01:08:43.850 That's why we're voicing these problems. 01:08:43.850 --> 01:08:46.890 And this nepotism that happens in Freeport 01:08:46.890 --> 01:08:49.569 and let's not all sit here and act like it doesn't happen. 01:08:49.569 --> 01:08:50.970 That's why he's not getting paid 01:08:50.970 --> 01:08:52.630 and we're not getting the money 01:08:52.630 --> 01:08:54.409 because you're putting people in positions 01:08:54.409 --> 01:08:56.569 and they have no idea what they're doing. 01:08:56.569 --> 01:08:58.810 They're your best friend's niece 01:08:58.810 --> 01:09:01.529 and you say, hey, I got you, I'm gonna get you a job. 01:09:01.529 --> 01:09:05.449 And they have no idea how to do the job. 01:09:05.449 --> 01:09:09.930 asked me how I know I sat in Freeport Memorial Hospital 01:09:09.930 --> 01:09:13.130 three weeks ago with neuropathy pain. 01:09:13.130 --> 01:09:18.130 And I had to instruct the nurse on how to handle me 01:09:18.890 --> 01:09:22.729 because she didn't know what she was doing. 01:09:22.729 --> 01:09:24.449 She couldn't get the IV started. 01:09:24.449 --> 01:09:26.390 I had to walk her through it. 01:09:26.390 --> 01:09:29.050 And then they felt inferior 01:09:29.050 --> 01:09:31.569 because here I am this young black girl 01:09:31.569 --> 01:09:33.250 coming to tell them how to do their jobs. 01:09:33.250 --> 01:09:35.710 Well, if you had paid attention in school, 01:09:35.710 --> 01:09:37.909 we wouldn't have this problem. 01:09:37.909 --> 01:09:41.390 And then to have a doctor walk out of the room on me 01:09:41.390 --> 01:09:45.510 because he felt, well, if you know how to treat yourself, 01:09:45.510 --> 01:09:46.750 what'd you come here for? 01:09:46.750 --> 01:09:49.649 If I had the equipment at home, I wouldn't have to come here. 01:09:49.649 --> 01:09:53.489 However.com, to talk about Medicare and Medicaid, 01:09:53.489 --> 01:09:55.170 I'm medically retired. 01:09:55.170 --> 01:09:57.529 Somebody who's been in the healthcare field 01:09:57.529 --> 01:10:00.270 for over 30 years, I wish I could work. 01:10:00.270 --> 01:10:04.830 and 01:10:04.830 --> 01:10:13.070 you have people like myself who well I've survived seven strokes so to be able to even stand here today 01:10:13.070 --> 01:10:20.750 is a blessing and our Bible tells us as the one the lady who prayed in God we trust it says in all 01:10:20.750 --> 01:10:26.990 thy getting get an understanding so that's why I'm here tonight because I watched this atrocity of a 01:10:26.990 --> 01:10:29.150 of a Council meeting last week. 01:10:29.150 --> 01:10:30.670 Ma'am, your time has expired. 01:10:30.670 --> 01:10:31.510 Thank you. 01:10:31.510 --> 01:10:32.330 Okay. 01:10:32.330 --> 01:10:33.750 You're good for doing that. 01:10:33.750 --> 01:10:38.430 Madam Mayor, nepotism, systemic racism. 01:10:38.430 --> 01:10:39.510 Any other public comments? 01:10:39.510 --> 01:10:40.490 All that other stuff. 01:10:40.490 --> 01:10:41.330 I'm done. 01:10:41.330 --> 01:10:42.170 Please, please. 01:10:42.170 --> 01:10:42.990 I'm done. 01:10:42.990 --> 01:10:43.830 I'm walking to the door. 01:10:43.830 --> 01:10:44.670 I'm leaving. 01:10:44.670 --> 01:10:48.110 You don't have to put me out like this if I could. 01:10:48.110 --> 01:10:50.950 And if you want to continue to talk out of order, 01:10:50.950 --> 01:10:53.030 you could be removed as well. 01:10:53.030 --> 01:10:55.550 Are there any other public comments this evening? 01:10:56.990 --> 01:10:59.990 If not, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. 01:10:59.990 --> 01:11:00.990 So moved. Second. 01:11:00.990 --> 01:11:02.990 All those in favor signify by saying aye.