# Meeting Signals

Source transcript: `x9zowxdedju.city_council_meeting_7_7_2025.txt`

Generated from normalized transcript text using deterministic pattern matching.

This document surfaces candidate evidence lines only. It does not prove absence, verify claims, resolve disputes, interpret intent, or produce the final civic record.

Public-comment content is not extracted in this deterministic signal pass because comment boundaries are transcript-dependent and better handled by the downstream record-generation pass.

Use these signals as review scaffolding for a later record-generation pass, not as authoritative meeting minutes.

## Motion / Vote Signals

| Signal | Evidence | Nearby Result | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion / Vote Signal | Item number one is approval of the agenda is there such a motion? | That motion passes. | detected |
| Approval Signal | Approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on June 2nd, 2025. | That motion passes. | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Is there a motion to approve? | That motion passes. | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | So I'll entertain a motion to receive the report and place it on file. | The motion is approved 8-0. | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | Item number 9 is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-39. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Action-Like Signal | This is the second reading for a zoning map amendment. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | So they're looking to go from a B1-2 to a B2-1 and the reason for it is they have a tenant that would like to open up a gym and this petition went before our Zoning Board of Appeals on June 5th and it was recommended... | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | Item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-40. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Is there a motion to move this forward? | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | You need a motion for suspension of the rules? | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Okay, we have a motion for suspension of the rules made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman, Shadle. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | Item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 20-25-41. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | I have to have it on an ordinance or motion to move it forward. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Motion to approve suspension of the rules. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | So then this would be considered the second reading of Ordinance 2025-41. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | And Item Number 12 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-42. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | If there's no further discussion, We'll move on to Item Number 13, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-43. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | Without the adoption of the local ordinance the city will lose a dependable funding stream tied to essential operating costs. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Action-Like Signal | Region one Planning Council member municipalities are moving forward with adoption of the local grocery tax in July of this year so that is to preserve revenue continuity. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Ordinance Action Signal | Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward? | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Please note who is for this, who has seconded it, who had made the motion for it to even move forward. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Resolution Action Signal | So the fire department is requesting approval of the resolution to purchase the new vehicle for the fire department shift commanders. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Is there a motion to adopt? | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Resolution Action Signal | Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-71. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Agreement Action Signal | So staff recommends to approve the professional engineering agreement with Fehr Graham to move forward with the construction oversight and management. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Resolution Action Signal | Item number 16 is the Resolution, Adoption of Resolution 2025-73. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Agreement Action Signal | Staff recommends moving forward with the agreement with Crawford, Murphy, and Tilley as our airport engineer. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Resolution Action Signal | Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-74. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Procurement Action Signal | Item number 18 is approval of bid. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Procurement Action Signal | So this project will will be paid for with CIP funds and staff recommends approval of the bid with Helm Civil. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Motion to approve. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Procurement Action Signal | Discussion on the approval of this bid. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | I grew up here, lived here most of my life, got married, moved to Wisconsin. | No nearby result line detected | detected |
| Motion / Vote Signal | Is there a motion to enter into Executive Session? | No nearby result line detected | detected |

## Roll Call Signals

### Roll Call Signal 1: Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Parker?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: The ordinance passes 8-0.

### Roll Call Signal 2: Suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must be passed by two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension only? Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: The suspension passes 8 to 0.

### Roll Call Signal 3: Anything else? Madam Clerk please take the roll. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: And the ordinance passes 8-0 as well.

### Roll Call Signal 4: Parker. Thank you. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

### Roll Call Signal 5: So then this would be considered the second reading of Ordinance 2025-41. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: And the Ordinance is approved, 8-0.

### Roll Call Signal 6: Thank you. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |

Nearby result line: The resolution is adopted 8-0.

### Roll Call Signal 7: Is there anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | No |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | No |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | No |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: The resolution is adopted 5-3.

### Roll Call Signal 8: Discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | Aye |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: The resolution is adopted 8-0.

### Roll Call Signal 9: It's only offered once a year. If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the vote on approving the bid. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | No |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | No |
| Shadle | Aye |
| Sanders | No |
| Sellers | Aye |
| Klemm | Aye |
| Johnson | Aye |

Nearby result line: The motion is approved five to three.

### Roll Call Signal 10: Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Parker?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | No |
| Shadle | Aye |

Nearby result line: The motion passes five to two.

### Roll Call Signal 11: We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers. Roll call. Simmons?

| Name | Vote |
|---|---|
| Simmons | Aye |
| Parker | Aye |
| Stacy | Aye |
| Shadle | Aye |

## Money Signals

| Amount | Context |
|---:|---|
| $640,000 | Rhonda Scott. Hello, I'm Rhonda Scott, 134 North Harlem, and I'm here to speak about the airport. We have a resolution being proposed to spend $640,000 on the airport, most of which will come from a grant, but Freepor... |
| $32,000 | We have a resolution being proposed to spend $640,000 on the airport, most of which will come from a grant, but Freeport has to pay its share. So when I try and look this up and figure out where's the money coming fro... |
| $62,000 | You guys want to buy, try to get a new Tahoe for the fire department. First of all, what's the matter with the old ones? A new Tahoe can cost anywhere from $62,000 to $82,000. |
| $82,000 | You guys want to buy, try to get a new Tahoe for the fire department. First of all, what's the matter with the old ones? A new Tahoe can cost anywhere from $62,000 to $82,000. |
| $6.5 million | So if you have questions on fluctuations from year to year, or what the numbers truly mean, this is where you want to go to find those answers. I'm next going to skip ahead to what would be your individual fund income... |
| $5 million | And dollars this was further reduced by transfers out to your debt service grants capital projects and your landfill funds so your general fund was left with a net increase of about 1.6 million dollars in the current... |
| $5 million | I will also point out that you'll notice that there was a transfer in from the general fund, but it did not cover all the expenses for that fund, which made that deficit increase in the current year. Where did you say... |
| $100,000 | Without the adoption of the local ordinance the city will lose a dependable funding stream tied to essential operating costs. Region one Planning Council member municipalities are moving forward with adoption of the l... |
| $800,000 | Alderman Johnson. I just, just for the audience, people that are listening, this grocery tax, 1% grocery tax is something that we are already paying. It was at, this state tax was added in 1990 as a part of sales tax... |
| $61,000 | Do we have the cost and the personnel staff that is going to be utilizing this vehicle, Do we have that available for us and to us where we can evaluate and look into, look further to see have we made other options to... |
| $58,028 | Sure absolutely all that information you just cited is in your packet and its in memo format and also the bid costs were on there so looking at cost for this vehicle checking locally it went to backer auto group their... |
| $52,714.20 | That was $61,000 plus the fees for title and processing and all that. So for a police package response vehicle designed and built for this intention here, pre-wired for light sirens and emergency equipment from the fa... |
| $69,000 | It would be the water main heading west that includes multiple residents and ends at Open Open Bible. Open Bible. And we've already paid Director Stiegel $69,000 to design it. |
| $63,850 | Open Bible. And we've already paid Director Stiegel $69,000 to design it. And so now we're going to be paying him another $63,850 to do the T&Ms and to be the engineer your contractor on this project, how much money,... |
| $250,000 | Open Bible. And we've already paid Director Stiegel $69,000 to design it. And so now we're going to be paying him another $63,850 to do the T&Ms and to be the engineer your contractor on this project, how much money,... |
| $4 million | So my question then to you is how many grants, if any, were applied for to help get this project completed? So as we promised, I believe it was Alderwood and Stacey that asked, we have applied for every grant We've re... |
| $640,000 | The project is scheduled for bid letting in November of 2025 with contractor work anticipated from May to June of 2026. Engineering work will conclude by August of of 2026. The total cost of the project is $640,000. |
| $608,000 | Engineering work will conclude by August of of 2026. The total cost of the project is $640,000. Of that amount, $608,000 or 95% will be funded through federal and state grants with the city responsible for 5% local ma... |
| $32,000 | Engineering work will conclude by August of of 2026. The total cost of the project is $640,000. Of that amount, $608,000 or 95% will be funded through federal and state grants with the city responsible for 5% local ma... |
| $194,300 | The total cost of the project is $640,000. Of that amount, $608,000 or 95% will be funded through federal and state grants with the city responsible for 5% local matching totaling $32,000. The engineering agreement to... |
| $32,000 | The total cost of the project is $640,000. Of that amount, $608,000 or 95% will be funded through federal and state grants with the city responsible for 5% local matching totaling $32,000. The engineering agreement to... |
| $55,804.15 | Director, Richter, is compiling all of the city's costs for these events over the last several years for a claim. ComEd responded with new larger transformers after the power shortage was uncovered and the police stat... |
| $631,889.50 | That would include Open Bible and a public bid opening was held on Friday, June 13th at 10 AM at City Hall. City staff received four local bids for this important project from Kelsey Excavating, Northern Illinois Serv... |
| $76,178.49 | As part of maintaining that, we need to do crack filling and other maintenance things to make sure We have requested a bid on crack filling services. The city received these two local bids for this specialty pavement... |
| $800,000 | What are the, what's What is the assessment process on our properties? That seems to be a mystery to me as well. You talk about how we are, with the 1% tax, we're gonna get, we're gonna bridge the gap of an $800,000 d... |
| $100,000 | And who is JoLynn Miller? Who is Jolin Miller? Because Jolin Miller is making $100,000 according to the 2024 annual Treasurer's Report on the Finance Committee website? |
| $800,000 | We had a mall that was filled with Hallmark Stores. Every store was filled. Now it's 2025, and we are paying still the 1% tax, which is producing $800,000. |
| $800,000 | And our property taxes are ridiculous. And more than most communities where the standard of living is much higher. This is ridiculous, $800,000 is being collected from our grocery bill and yet we're spending over $600... |
| $600,000 | And our property taxes are ridiculous. And more than most communities where the standard of living is much higher. This is ridiculous, $800,000 is being collected from our grocery bill and yet we're spending over $600... |
| $32,000, | All right. So I do, you guys actually got me off off the couch tonight. So grant money is at a minimal right now and we keep spending $32,000, $90,000 to have things engineered and it's not coming through so what's ha... |
| $90,000 | All right. So I do, you guys actually got me off off the couch tonight. So grant money is at a minimal right now and we keep spending $32,000, $90,000 to have things engineered and it's not coming through so what's ha... |
| $32,000 | All right. So I do, you guys actually got me off off the couch tonight. So grant money is at a minimal right now and we keep spending $32,000, $90,000 to have things engineered and it's not coming through so what's ha... |
| $30 | And every day we wake up and there's a new tax. Kind of like Sue was saying, oh, all the Democrats bring up all the all the taxes. And then we get back here to Freeport who has potholes and Teddy Baker days and poor p... |

## Civic Object Signals

| Type | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Grant / Program Reference | We have a resolution being proposed to spend $640,000 on the airport, most of which will come from a grant, but Freeport has to pay its share. |
| Compliance Reference | Appointment to stand up the ADA Compliance Commission effective through May 31, 2029. |
| Ordinance Reference | Item number 9 is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-39. |
| Ordinance Reference | Ordinance Approving Zoning Map Amendment at 1500 Southwest Avenue, submitted by REA4 asset to examine the proposed zoning map change from a B1.1 restricted retail business to a B2.1 limited service business district. |
| Permit / Zoning Reference | This is the second reading for a zoning map amendment. |
| Ordinance Reference | Item number 10 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-40. |
| Ordinance Reference | Then before you is the final passage for ordinance 2025-40. |
| Ordinance Reference | Item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 20-25-41. |
| Ordinance Reference | Ordinance amending title 8, parking section 480.11 prohibited parking streets adding 80 feet on Oak Avenue in both Directions north and south of Empire. |
| Ordinance Reference | So then this would be considered the second reading of Ordinance 2025-41. |
| Ordinance Reference | And Item Number 12 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-42. |
| Ordinance Reference | Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute Albertus Airport airplane hangar leases administratively. |
| Ordinance Reference | If there's no further discussion, We'll move on to Item Number 13, which is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-43. |
| Ordinance Reference | Ordinance amending Part 8, Business Regulation and Tax Code, Title 4, Taxation, to add Chapter 897 for the purpose of implementing a 1% municipal grocery retailer's occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax. |
| Procurement Reference | Sure absolutely all that information you just cited is in your packet and its in memo format and also the bid costs were on there so looking at cost for this vehicle checking locally it went to backer auto group their cost for a very stripped down regular Chevy Tahoe that Taho... |
| Contract / Agreement Reference | So for a police package response vehicle designed and built for this intention here, pre-wired for light sirens and emergency equipment from the factory, the state, Illinois State purchasing Purchasing Contract for that vehicle was Miles Chevrolet Indicator, that quote was $58... |
| Contract / Agreement Reference | And then Iowa State Purchasing Contract for that same exact response vehicle designed for this use was $52,714.20. |
| Procurement Reference | Chief, I understand that you're out for bids and everything for the best option for the city when purchasing. |
| Resolution Reference | Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-71. |
| Resolution Reference | Resolution authorizing an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide construction engineering services for Westward Water Main Extension. |
| Procurement Reference | Helm or Civil was is the low bidder for the construction project and plans to start the new water main installation in the fall of 25. |
| Procurement Reference | All of our bids this year came in under estimate for the complete water main projects. |
| Procurement Reference | So if I go back to the other three Watermain projects that we've bid, I think in a total they were about a half a million dollars under what we estimated for those projects as well. |
| Contract / Agreement Reference | He is not the one that we're making a contract with, we're making it with his Employer, Fehr Graham. |
| Procurement Reference | The City Council voted to put it out to bid. |
| Procurement Reference | We put it out to bid. |
| Contract / Agreement Reference | We have a contract to award to Helm to do the job and this is the construction engineering contract for it and it's the first time it's been to council. |
| Procurement Reference | I don't know if Dovie has those records, but this council, the sitting council here, with the exception of Linda at the last vote, move this forward to bid. |
| Procurement Reference | And so we, the bid, this is the construction engineering part. |
| Procurement Reference | The bid is later in the agenda based on the way the agendas are wrote. |
| Grant / Program Reference | So as we promised, I believe it was Alderwood and Stacey that asked, we have applied for every grant We've received a lot of grants. |
| Resolution Reference | Item number 16 is the Resolution, Adoption of Resolution 2025-73. |
| Resolution Reference | Resolution approving agreement with Crawford, Murray, and Tilly for Airport Engineering Services related to replacement of Runway 624, Precision Approach Path Indicator, or the PAPI System. |
| Procurement Reference | The project is scheduled for bid letting in November of 2025 with contractor work anticipated from May to June of 2026. |
| Grant / Program Reference | That's why we're getting so much grant funding towards it and I think we talked about this before with the resealing of the pavement but we have taken quite a bit of money in federal grants towards the airport and we need to keep the airport up to federal standards or we will... |
| Procurement Reference | Just want to know, how long because of everything with the bid letting and stuff like that. |
| Resolution Reference | Item number 17 is the adoption of resolution 2025-74. |
| Resolution Reference | Resolution ratifying Emergency Police Department HVAC system repairs by GeoStar Mechanical. |
| Procurement Reference | Item number 18 is approval of bid. |
| Procurement Reference | There was a bid opening on June 13th, 2025 for the Westward Water Main Expansion. |
| Procurement Reference | That would include Open Bible and a public bid opening was held on Friday, June 13th at 10 AM at City Hall. |
| Procurement Reference | City staff received four local bids for this important project from Kelsey Excavating, Northern Illinois Service Company, Helm Civil, and Fisher Excavating. |
| Procurement Reference | Helm Civil was the low bidder at $631,889.50. |
| Procurement Reference | City restoration will be limited to the water main trench only and the low bid and all four bids were under the engineer's estimate. |
| Procurement Reference | So this project will will be paid for with CIP funds and staff recommends approval of the bid with Helm Civil. |

## Question Signals

- Yeah, so my understanding of the net position was I guess how you look at it increased because of the future cost of Testing and things like that at the landfill that are getting more expensive over the closure time, correct?
- Which street gets the stop on that?
- Is that on the both the east and west sides of the road?
- What does $800,000 represent to the City of Freeport?
- Discussion on the resolution?
- Yes, and you also, when we talked, you also said in that budget every year that the City takes a certain percentage off of that, out of that fund, right?
- Do we have the cost and the personnel staff that is going to be utilizing this vehicle, Do we have that available for us and to us where we can evaluate and look into, look further to see have we made other options to where we're purchasing this vehicle and...
- What's the cost difference in the two?
- It is rated and designed to be a response vehicle substantially less than Alderman, Stacy, did you have your hand up?
- And so you basically budget it for this this year?
- Any other discussion on the purchase?
- How is it that we're able to save $250,000 on that project, but no other water main?
- So my question then to you is how many grants, if any, were applied for to help get this project completed?
- So if they were to get into this project and something unexpectedly came up, where would that money come from?
- I can't, you mean to say it take a staff to turn lights on and off?
- I just want to state that, you know, why is the city paying for the airport?
- Why is that, City Manager Boyer?
- Yeah, is this project budgeted?
- Discussion on the bid?
- Because you would have the votes to push you to and pass it so this is why a piece here and a piece here and a piece here now we just talked about this water main up here and you keep changing the name now it's West whatever Now it's West, whatever, but why...
- Okay, so there's an ordinance that said we could not talk about this until 18?
- Any other questions on the bid?
- Next is reports of department heads, finance?
- Public works?
- And what is the, regarding property taxes, Freeport City Corporation tax, what is that?
- Well, for saving money on the water main materials, why is there a deficit?
- Because Jolin Miller is making $100,000 according to the 2024 annual Treasurer's Report on the Finance Committee website?
- Why is Freeport with 23,000 people funding a regional airport so that 65 individuals can keep their aircraft out there and we're paying for it with our grocery money?
- So I'd like to know how much of that money is a tariff tax that has been placed on vehicles, and how much are we paying?
- So grant money is at a minimal right now and we keep spending $32,000, $90,000 to have things engineered and it's not coming through so what's happening with that money since you've put $32,000, we've given you $32,000 and I'm looking at you and are we gett...

## Low-Confidence Transcript Lines

- Do we have the cost and the personnel staff that is going to be utilizing this vehicle, Do we have that available for us and to us where we can evaluate and look into, look further to see have we made other options to where we're purchasing this vehicle and...
- So just to let you know that Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor and I was not done.
- Because you would have the votes to push you to and pass it so this is why a piece here and a piece here and a piece here now we just talked about this water main up here and you keep changing the name now it's West whatever Now it's West, whatever, but why...
- So grant money is at a minimal right now and we keep spending $32,000, $90,000 to have things engineered and it's not coming through so what's happening with that money since you've put $32,000, we've given you $32,000 and I'm looking at you and are we gett...

## Internal Extraction Counts

These counts are included for QA and pipeline observability. They should not be read as proof that a category was absent from the meeting.

| Category | Count |
|---|---:|
| Action-like signals | 34 |
| Roll-call blocks | 11 |
| Money references | 33 |
| Civic object references | 45 |
| Question lines | 30 |
| Possible people detected internally | 34 |
| Low-confidence lines | 4 |

## Extraction Notes

- This artifact is intentionally generic across public meeting types.
- It may miss actions, votes, speakers, topics, or context.
- It may include false positives caused by transcription errors.
- Empty sections mean no matching lines were detected, not that the event did not happen.
- Money references are transcript-derived and should not be treated as verified amounts.
- Important claims should be verified against the original recording and official meeting records.