It's a relative. It's a relative. Okay. Are they equipped to move the asbestos, how do you say it? Asbestos. Out of these buildings before? Are they just tearing everything down? Are they licensed and equipped?


It's all required, it's all part of the requirement in the bid package. That's all everything they do is reported to the IEPA It's all above board and none of the contractors on here. It's all subcontracted for the abatement of asbestos It's all subcontracted. Subcontracted, correct But some of these numbers were pretty far and few in between like 4,000 and 7,000 and how is that?


Well, I can explain that pretty easily We did this is going to be 50 properties that the City of Freeport is going to demolish in 2024. That's the most we've done in three years since I've been here. And I can tell you that these companies are sharpening their pencils to try to win these bids. So what I notice is it kind of goes in waves. It probably means just working in the construction industry my whole life. I know that when a contractor is looking for work, they're going to sharpen their pencils and try to win some of these bids.


and the rest of the board. And I think the reason why we're doing this is because we're trying to get people to come in and help us get these bids.


That's pretty common in any industry. But I see it in the demolition industry as well.


Sometimes, Albert & Son hasn't won very many. In the last two, I believe, they've not won any.


They come in, they bid, and they just haven't been a low bidder. And I know when they come in in a lower bid like this, It's an excavator, and a laborer, usually.


Berr usually. They don't I mean sad to say they don't take much I mean you see what they look like you know a lot of times it's just they get knocked you push them over and they're done. They've been abandoned for a long time.


Alderman Sellers. I'd just like to make a request that any of the excavators that that do the work, that we make sure that we get real grass seed down instead of weed seed.


That's all my recommendation. Yes. Nice grass. Thank you. Will do. Thank you. Any other first time not Alderman Sanders?


Yes. On top of that, there's going to be a lot of empty property in the event we're taking care of those, right?


We're responsible for those properties and the seeding and the grass maintaining and all of these other stuff to keep up the beautification of those residential neighborhoods and wherever they're located.


That is part of our requirement or is that just something part of our ordinance?


That is in our ordinance and it's the same 8 inch requirement. When it's 8 inches, city staff goes around and mows it.


Okay. Okay. Got you. Thank you. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye.


Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Monroe. Aye. Simmons. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. The motion passes 8-0. Reports of department heads, finance? Nothing, Your Honor. Thank you. Community Development? Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor. Thank you. Public Works? Nothing. Thank you. Fire? Yes, thank you, Madam Mayor. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Holiday Fire Department was busy. Besides the several medical calls we responded to few car crashes. Notable calls we had were two residential structure fires within a 24-hour time frame. Both of them at this time are believed to be cooking-related. The first house had damage confined to one wall, initiated with an outdoor cooking grill. The second House we had was a total loss. So my message to the public is please be careful cooking and make sure you have working smoke detectors in your dwelling.


Nothing from the police department. Thank you. IT and City Manager. Just one thing, Your Honor. I just wanted to point out that the wood lot on Walnut Avenue New is temporarily closed. We're working with the timber industries and I think we have a tentative understanding moving forward. So I don't, I can't give you a specific time but I think we'll be able to move forward pretty soon here and have that reopened for everybody to access.


I have nothing new to report. Alderman Shadle. I just would like to add on to Chief Miller's that if finances are tight, we still install Fire, Smoke Alarms. Yes, we do. Call Central Station and our staff will reach out to you and make an appointment to come in and install free working smoke detectors. Thank you. There's no reason not to. Alderman Sanders? Yeah, Director Boyer, I wanted to thank you for allowing We're hoping to have it all paved by end of day Saturday of this week.


We'll still have some dirt work that might spill over to the spring but the rest of it should essentially be done.


Thank you. Alderman Sellers. The only thing that I would like to, I would like us to add a fee to the ordinances that are not done correctly if we can work something out because if we're gonna go after landlords for not doing what they're supposed to be doing and we need to make people follow the ordinances that we have on the books and if they're not following them I think that we should put some kind of fine out there to let them know that you can't just do We can work on like a penalty, you know, if you do things out of order, it's a classic thing where people will do something, sometimes unintentionally, and then they ask for forgiveness. So in those situations, most communities, as Wayne indicated, you know, they'll double the permit fee then if you have to do it out of order, something so we can look into bumping that up or something like that. I would like to see that. Thank you.


Okay, thank you. Alderman Klemm? Nothing, Your Honor. Alderman Monroe? Nothing, Your Honor. Alderman Simmons?


I don't have anything. Alderman Park? Nothing, Your Honor. Alderman Stacy? A hundred dollar fine would be a slap on the hand.


Maybe they need to consider putting up the little building that you suggested that they didn't want to do.


And we'll move on to public comment. I'm going to the tournament on Saturday at Babu.


Are you running? No. I'm making the basketball. Well, good for you, Tommy. We wish you the luck.


Stacy, you did a good job. Stacy, you did a good job. What's about that thing? Jersey Mikes. Jersey Mikes. We're all excited about Jersey Mikes. It's coming, hopefully. Is there any other public comments this evening?


Thank you Madam Mayor and Council. First off, thank you Alderman Sellers. I completely agree with the fines there that we need to do something, which leads me to this here.


By your votes tonight, you've sent a clear message to all of us here in Freeport that we are all, that we are free to act without asking for permission first and simply seek forgiveness later.


Specifically, I'd like to address the case of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, who have lived in their home for 22 years and contribute, who, according to current tax records, contributed $2,300 annually in property taxes.


They followed the rules, asked for permission, and requested to install solar panels in their backyard. Yet, despite their compliance, their request was denied.


However, shortly after, right after, you gave AVP Real Estate, based in St. Charles, Illinois, permission to ignore the same rules.


This company purchased this land for $7,000 just two years ago, paying less than $300 annually in property taxes.


What message does this send to our residents who follow the rules and contribute to the community?


So I ask, if the Nelsons choose to go ahead and install those solar panels, are you going to show them the same grace and forgive them?


Are there any other public comments? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion for adjournment. So moved.


Second. The motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Shadle. All those in favor signify by saying aye.