WEBVTT

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Good evening. Pastor Ramos, would you please give the invocation?

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Good evening. Madam Mayor and City Manager Boyer and all the City Council, if you would

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all join me and bow your heads and let's pray before we begin this meeting. Heavenly Father,

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we come before you today with gratitude and humility. Thank you for the opportunity to

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to gather as leaders, servants, and members of this community.

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Lord, we acknowledge that every good gift comes from you.

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We seek your wisdom as we begin this meeting.

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Lord, grant these council members

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discernment, integrity, and unity

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as they make decisions that affect the lives

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of the people they serve.

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Help them to lead with fairness, compassion,

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and genuine desire to promote the well-being

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of every resident in this city.

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Give them wisdom beyond their own understanding,

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courage to do what is right,

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and humility to listen to one another with respect.

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Let every discussion be guided by truth,

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every decision by justice,

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every action by commitment to the common good.

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We pray for peace and prosperity in our city.

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Bless our family, business, schools, first responders, health care workers, and all who labor for the welfare of our community.

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Protect those who serve and strengthen those who are in need.

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May this meeting be productive, respectful, and beneficial to all.

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Let your favor rest upon this city.

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May we work together to build a community marked by hope, by unity, and opportunity.

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As your word says, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to God,

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who generously will all find fault.

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In James 1.5, we ask for the wisdom today.

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In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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Amen.

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Amen.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, Pastor.

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Now we'll call this meeting to order.

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Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

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Mayor Miller?

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Here.

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Alderpersons, Klemm?

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Here.

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Johnson?

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Here.

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Simmons is absent.

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Parker?

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Here.

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Stacy?

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Here.

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Shadle is absent.

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Sanders?

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Here.

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And Sellers is absent.

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But we do have a quorum.

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Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Alderman Parker, I'll pass that to you.

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Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

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and to the republic for which it stands, one nation,

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Item number one is approval of the agenda.

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Is there such a motion?

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So move.

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Second.

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A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

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All those in favor signify by saying aye.

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Aye.

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Opposed?

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That motion passes.

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Item number two is approval of the minutes from the council meeting on June 1st, 2026.

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Is there a motion to approve?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker.

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All those in favor signify by saying aye.

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Aye.

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Opposed?

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That motion passes.

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Comment. Is there one signed in? Is it on an agenda item? Mr. Corbin? Yeah. Okay. Good evening. Good evening. I came here to address our city ambulance rate increase. They say they haven't raised the rates for four years and want to make them comparable to other communities. That charge, that charge is

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and others.

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The Freeport Fire Chief, Tom Quartz, said to capture a little bit extra from the insurance

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and T.S.

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We have a lot of great people out there, and we're going to do our best to support them

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and make sure that they're able to get the right amount of insurance that they need.

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And I want to start with a quick question, because I'm not a big fan of the word insurance

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companies, and then to match up to what our CMT rates is, so we're able to capture the

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proper amount.

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Are we talking about capturing like we're hunting or something?

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We have 4,000 ambulance calls. Let's assume they're all citizens and not out-of-county residents.

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Take $4,000 x $1,200. That's $4.8 million a year.

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Raising the rates to $2,000 at 4,000 ambulance calls is $8 million, a $3.2 million increase per year.

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Higgins, Dr. Stickers, Mrs. Miller, General, Mrs. Morris,시는, Mr. Stamp, Dr. Winters,

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Dr. Airport, Dr. Jordan, Mr. Cable, Dr. O'yers, Dr. Hickman, Dr. Michus, Dr. Greinke, Mr.

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Cable, Dr. Hickman, Dr. Smith, Dr. Hickman, Dr. Hickman, Mr. Hickman, Dr.eria, Dr. Howard,

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Dr. Hickman, Dr. Brown, Dr. Brown, Dr. Hickman, Dr. Hickman, Dr. Brown, Dr. Hickman, Dr.

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and this is actually why our premiums are skyrocketing and our people can't afford healthcare insurance.

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Then say rather than increasing property taxes, this would only affect the users of the service.

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That's the sick, the disabled and the elderly.

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Anyone on Medicare without purchasing a supplemental insurance like Advantage, if you just have

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the standard Medicare program, it owes 20% of this bill, meaning a trip that once cost

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Fripport's 3.03% property taxes nearly triple the national mean property rate of 1.02% and

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Fripport pays 1.15% higher property taxes than the mean rate of 1.88% in the state of

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Illinois.

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Mr. Corbin, your time has expired.

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You're welcome to finish that at the public comment at the end of the session.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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We'll move on to item number four, which is the consent agenda.

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and others.

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The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and is considered to be done in one

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motion unless a member of council would like to have something pulled for further discussion.

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The consent agenda consists of approval to receive and place on file the minutes from

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the board and commission meeting of the arts and culture May 7th, the fire department report

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April, building permit report of May, and the approval of finance bills in the total

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of $3,701,363.37 and payroll for pay period ending June 5th in the total of $724,319.64.

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Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

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So moved.

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Second.

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Parker.

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A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

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Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll?

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Parker?

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Aye.

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Stacy?

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Aye.

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Sanders?

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Aye.

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Klemm?

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Aye.

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And Johnson?

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Aye.

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The motion passes, 5-0.

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And item number five are some appointments.

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Could you please read those for the record?

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The appointment of Katherine Smith to fill a vacant seat for the Arts and Culture Commission effective through August 31st, 2029.

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The next two are reappointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective through June 30th, 2031 for Andrew Reeder and Ron Kane.

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Thank you. Is there a motion to approve these appointments?

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So moved.

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Motion made by Alderman Johnson, seconded by Alderman Parker. Discussion on the appointments.

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Madam Clerk, Alderman, Stacy. I do have a question because you always ask if there's

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question. You choose these people. We have no say so. That's correct. You have the vote

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of approving or not approving. So ultimately you do. The mayor is the one that brings them

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before the Council and the Council then either approves or denies.

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Okay. Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Should I go back to Simmons since she was the

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elder person on the agenda who was to lead the votes and then have her call

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first and then the next meeting will be Alderperson Parker? Okay, Alderperson

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Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Klemm, and Johnson. The motion passes six to zero.

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Item number six is the first reading of ordinance 202634. Could you please read

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this? Ordinance adopting the purchasing policy and procedure manual and amending

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Sections, 20, 24, 04, 20, not 20, 239.04, 239.5, 830.01, and Chapter 238 of the Codified

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Ordinances.

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Thank you.

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Director Richter.

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Thank you, Your Honor.

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The purchasing policy was first discussed at the Committee of the Whole earlier this

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year in May.

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At that meeting, we went through the major topics of the purchasing policy.

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I just highlight them briefly.

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I won't go into as much detail as I did previously.

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The objective of this policy is to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently, economically,

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impartially while obtaining the highest standard of public trust and integrity.

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All procurement must adhere to the Illinois Statute, City Code, and the Illinois Employee

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Handbook and also Ethical Guidelines.

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Currently the city operates on a decentralized purchasing model.

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That means each of the individual departments within the city handle their own purchasing

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of all items for their department.

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The policy also includes exceptions, waivers, and special procurements, including formal

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bidding exemptions, bid waivers, definitions of what a sole source purchase would be.

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It also includes emergency purchases.

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It identifies when a change order occurs and what we are to do in that event.

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The timeline for adjustments, if there are change orders, you know, those must go to

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the City Council, must be immediately notified of any change order that extends a project's

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completion date by 180 days or more.

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The policy also identifies ethics and logistics and other miscellaneous rules such as gifts

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and gratuities, budgetary control, which is at the department level, year-end spending.

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Departments are required to pay attention to when goods are received, if it's in this current

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Fiscal Year 2026. If those items were received by December 31st, they are

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expensed in 2026. If they're received after that, they're expensed in the next

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year. We also have a breakout for sales tax, letting each department know that we

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are tax-exempt and they're required to use our tax-exempt status when purchasing

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Adams. Disposal of surplus property is also in the purchasing policy and also

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guidelines for when items need to be bid. The policy is meant for each is a guidebook

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for each of the departments who purchase items. For example, the purchase

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Those authority dollar limits are identified in the policy. Those are ones I would like

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to read each right now. For buying items that are under $500, the department director has

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the authority dollar limit to authorize that purchase, the department director under $500.

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Under $501 and $5,000, that's also the Department Director, so under $5,000, Department Director.

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From $5,000 to $10,000, the Department Director and the Finance Director, so the Finance Director

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will be required to sign off in purchases between $5,000 and $10,000.

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$10,000 to $24,999 is the Department Director, the Finance Director, and the City Manager.

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So it requires three levels of authority to purchase items between those levels.

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Between $10,000 and just short of $25,000.

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Anything $25,000 and above is required to go also to those three levels, plus City Council.

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25,000 and above goes to City Council.

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I would also like to identify the procurement methods

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and how many quotes or whether bidding is involved.

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I like to just go over those quickly.

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Under $500 would be one verbal quote.

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Between $500 and $5,000, three verbal quotes.

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5,000 to 10, 3 written quotes, also 10 to 24,999, 3 written quotes, and at 25,000 that

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would be the amount that we are required to go out for bid.

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And I'd like to specifically say, I think I misspoke at the COW, I'd like to confirm

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with Attorney Zito, that's the state statute, is $25,000 on the bidding process.

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Correct. Okay.

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And that's all I'd like to identify at the moment and I'd be open to any questions.

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Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?

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So moved. Second.

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Any motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker. Director Richter, when you

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When you were talking about the dollar limits, do those purchases have to be in the budget?

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Definitely, yes.

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Thank you.

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Yes.

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I'd like to clarify anything that is not budgeted, that's not included in the budget, would need

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to come to an additional appropriation by the City Council.

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Yes.

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Just wanted to make that clear.

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Thank you.

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Any discussion?

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Alderman Johnson?

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I just wondered why under their procurement from 501 to 5,000, it was changed from written

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quotes to three verbal quotes from 501 needed for that purchase.

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Do you mean changed from the COW?

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No, in 2007 it says written quotes, in 2026 it says three verbal quotes.

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That was just our discussion and putting the policy together.

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have changed in this, the original policy was 2007. So it's almost been 20 years since

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we've updated this policy. And so we felt it was adequate or appropriate to change that

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to verbal quotes.

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Okay. Sure, go ahead.

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I have a couple things I'd like to see amended on it. So do I do that one at a time or?

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Yeah, if you just want to talk about them in one thing because, you know, I don't want you to go past your twice limit.

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Twice time. Okay.

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Under the purchase authority dollar limit, $5,000 to $10,000, I would like to see that amended and have City Manager's name on there as well.

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I think the more people you have looking at something, the more transparency it is for

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the people.

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We're more transparent and we can justify what's being done.

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And also under the $10,000 to $24,999, I would like to see that amended to add City Council

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to that except for emergent situations.

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So you don't want anything to change? That's the way it is now?

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Well, no. Under the 2007, it just had City Council down for the 10,000 to 24,000.

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And under the 2007, for the 25,000 and above, it just had City Council.

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Now you have several people under there. And I didn't change the 25,000.

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So it would be just the $10,000 to $24,999. It would be Department Director, Finance Director, City Manager, and City Council, except for emergent situations.

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But Alderman Johnson, that is the way it is. Right now, at $10,000, you already have that, and then it's approved by the Council.

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On here on 2026, the change it says Department Director, Finance Director, and City Manager.

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Currently, the only amount that I'm authorized to move forward with is $10,000 currently.

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So by that change, that would stay the same.

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So just be clear about that.

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So, yeah, so in 2026, 10,000 to 24,000, it says the people that need to make that decision

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are Department Director, Finance Director, and City Manager.

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So City Council has nothing to do with that decision, correct, or no?

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Am I wrong on that?

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No, that's what it's listed here, but we currently have that in place.

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So right now, if the City Manager, if anything comes before me that's over $10,000, we bring

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Bring it to Council for approval.

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So essentially, if we're going to add City Council to that item, which is entirely your

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prerogative, that would effectively not really change anything on its purchasing policy.

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Because you already do bring it to City Council over $10,000.

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.720
That's correct.

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.720
Okay.

00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:03.879
I was misunderstanding on this sheet.

00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:08.519
It's just a different group of words, but it means the same thing.

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:14.440
Is it possible that we didn't have a City Manager in 2007, so that probably wasn't listed?

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.440
Correct.

00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:25.579
Time, Alderman Simmons, so what we're looking at is right now things over ten

00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:30.240
thousand dollars do come to City Council with this change things over ten

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:34.980
thousand dollars would no longer come to City Council. I believe what Alderperson

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:41.099
Johnson is asking is that City Council still remain on there unless it's an

00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:45.579
Emergency, which is already happening, and we have approved the invoice after it's been

00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:51.740
approved. Am I correct in that? Yeah. Right. So what it boils down to is you don't want

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:56.700
anything to change in that. You still want to have everything brought to you that's $10,000

00:21:56.700 --> 00:22:02.799
or greater. The purpose behind that was just to have an updated reflection of what mirrors

00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:09.420
the state. What mirrors the state is $25,000. If you don't like it, that's your vote. I

00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:19.420
I'm just saying 10,000 to 25,000 is a lot of money and I think Council should have a say in that.

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:25.420
Okay, so let me make sure I understand you correctly. You're looking at two amendments or were you not done?

00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.420
Yeah, just two.

00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:33.420
Okay, so your first amendment, you want to add the word City Manager to the $5,000 to $10,000 bracket.

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.420
Right.

00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:41.420
and you want to just do away with 10,000 and above in all of it and leave it the way it

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:46.740
originally was.

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:51.899
The way it was, okay question, the way it was, was the department director still has

00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:53.259
a say in it, right?

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:57.940
The 10,000 to 20,000, 25,000, that's the way it was, the department director still

00:22:57.940 --> 00:23:02.299
has a say in it, finance director still has a say in it, city manager still has a say

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:27.399
Fowler,

00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.399
Darren?

00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:30.139
I just want to maybe make a point of clarity here.

00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:38.899
So the purchasing policy that Director Richter had put out here, what is stated there is

00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:43.720
for purchases that are budgeted, right?

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.420
So they're already budgeted.

00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:50.059
If they're not in the budget, it doesn't matter what the amount is, they have to come

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.359
back to counsel.

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:58.399
So one of the things that the utility would point out is when we buy water main materials,

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:33.539
State Statute, and most communities go by that, under budgeted items still.

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:41.440
So if, if I wanted to buy a mower that wasn't in the budget already, and wasn't planned

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:46.779
for in 26, that would still have to come back here, even if it was $10,000, right?

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:49.299
So that, that's the difference of what we're talking about.

00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:54.200
This is for budgeted items that have already been approved in the master budget, trying

00:24:54.200 --> 00:25:01.519
to streamline the city getting our work done because the cost of everything, these amounts

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:09.319
are very dated in today's dollars and what I will tell you is Public Works and the utility

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:14.480
especially are the ones that use this purchasing policy the most because we buy the most material

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.159
of every department here.

00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:21.200
Other departments for police fire their vehicles and things like that are their big purchases

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.839
and that's all through the budget.

00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:28.480
We're talking about water main gates, valves, manholes, things that are not going to change

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.559
within the utility.

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:34.779
It's just giving us the ability to operate quicker, faster, to get more materials here

00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:41.440
without going through these different policies, $10,000 worth of material is not much anymore.

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:45.720
And then just to piggyback on that, let's just pretend that, you know, there's a $15,000

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:48.579
already budgeted mower.

00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:55.380
You still have that knowing and the approval because it has to show up on the Consent Agenda.

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.380
Okay.

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.380
Oh.

00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:59.380
Alderman Stacey?

00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:01.700
Yes.

00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:12.659
The Consent Agenda is umpteen pages long, so an item like what you just said could easily

00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:14.339
be missed.

00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:23.220
I agree with Alderman Johnson and Alderman Simmons and wanting it back the way it was

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:30.980
on those two items because you're taking away the power of the council.

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.299
That's what's happening.

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:45.980
We're not having say so until we reach $25,000. And I don't think that that's fair. And we

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:54.980
could talk about other areas or other cities, but are they what we are? Do they have a City

00:26:54.980 --> 00:27:01.619
Manager? Or do they have a full-time mayor? All that needs to be considered and looked

00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:09.139
Debt, because right now what you're doing is taking away the power of the council.

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:16.659
Ultimately, the council has the power because you set the budget.

00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:20.900
We set what you bring to us.

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:24.779
We set what you ask of us.

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:29.859
I asked for budget to be set aside for lighting.

00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:42.740
Manager, Boyer, did you want to add something?

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:48.079
So every year for equipment, let's use that as an example.

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:52.400
And Darren brought up the example of the mower, but there's lots of examples like the mower.

00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:59.559
We might have budgeted to rebody a truck, and that might be $15,000 to $20,000.

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:03.920
The Council gets a chance to approve that budget when we do budget time.

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:09.399
And then it also, as Mayor has mentioned, it also ends up in the Consent Agenda.

00:28:09.399 --> 00:28:14.000
And sometimes the Consent Agendas get pulled for further analysis.

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:20.279
So this really is only talking about items that we move forward within the budget.

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:24.279
It's also items that can be pulled out for review by Council.

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:30.000
So it's council's prerogative whether you want to make a change or not but I think in

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:36.799
the interest of keeping business working efficiently I think it's a good change.

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.799
Alderman Stacey?

00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.799
Yes.

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:44.240
I think it was probably a year, year and a half ago it was brought to council to order

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:49.360
to dump, dump, scoop things.

00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:52.519
Darren, what were they?

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.519
Dump bodies.

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:58.519
and then they were never ordered even after we approved.

00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:04.400
So how do we know what's really coming and going

00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:10.559
if it don't have to hit the council

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:13.240
other than the consent agenda

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:16.779
if it doesn't hit the council till after 25,000?

00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.880
Manager Boyer.

00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:22.720
That's really what those one-on-one meetings are for.

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:49.009
Yes, those are what the reason for those means. I mean, as I, you know, I'm sure Alderman Klemm and Alderman Johnson can attest to this, but when we talk about what's going on, if there's a major expenditure coming through on council that is maybe a large amount and we're going to be bringing to council, we have an opportunity to discuss it that time. So that's just a cross check. That's just an opportunity for more information without you have to read the entire consent.

00:29:49.009 --> 00:29:52.849
and I often read the entire consent agenda, right?

00:29:52.849 --> 00:29:54.250
So that's one answer.

00:29:54.250 --> 00:29:55.650
City Manager Boyer.

00:29:55.650 --> 00:30:04.450
Actually, you don't have the floor.

00:30:04.450 --> 00:30:09.410
If the council wants to go a third round on it, there's been twice.

00:30:09.410 --> 00:30:10.410
Sure.

00:30:10.410 --> 00:30:11.410
Yeah.

00:30:11.410 --> 00:30:12.410
Yeah.

00:30:12.410 --> 00:30:14.210
Okay, go ahead.

00:30:14.210 --> 00:30:17.210
City Manager Boyer.

00:30:17.210 --> 00:30:34.049
I just lost it. I just lost my whole thought. The meetings. You say one-on-one meetings.

00:30:34.049 --> 00:30:42.950
It's not one-on-one. We have met and we used to meet, okay? And so please don't continue

00:30:42.950 --> 00:30:49.490
and John. And I want to say one on one when it's you wanting me to meet with you and the

00:30:49.490 --> 00:30:59.509
Mayor. When Alderman Simmons and I used to come and meet with you and we did. But now

00:30:59.509 --> 00:31:08.349
since you want the Mayor there, there's a conflict in Robert's Rules. And it can't happen.

00:31:08.349 --> 00:31:15.430
So don't say, please, don't continue to talk about, well, that's the purpose of these meetings

00:31:15.430 --> 00:31:24.710
because it's not a one-on-one meeting and they used to happen and you made it where

00:31:24.710 --> 00:31:28.389
that's not possible now.

00:31:28.389 --> 00:31:29.389
Manager Boyer.

00:31:29.389 --> 00:31:38.069
Alderman Stacy, you and Alderman Simmons and I have met like twice, but I meet with

00:31:38.069 --> 00:31:48.589
with all the Aldermen with the mayor. So that's not unusual. That's correct. You are correct.

00:31:48.589 --> 00:31:53.630
It is not one-on-one. It's the mayor, myself, and the Alderperson from that ward. That's

00:31:53.630 --> 00:32:07.650
all of that that's happening on these one-on-one meetings with isolating Aldermen's in one

00:32:07.650 --> 00:32:10.890
in particular, meetings and things of this nature.

00:32:10.890 --> 00:32:15.890
That is not the appropriate way to do council governing.

00:32:17.730 --> 00:32:21.690
You cannot take individuals from council,

00:32:21.690 --> 00:32:24.930
move them and isolate them to make decisions

00:32:24.930 --> 00:32:28.289
that the whole council body is supposed to be able

00:32:28.289 --> 00:32:30.890
to inject their views and opinions

00:32:30.890 --> 00:32:33.210
and amendments and decisions.

00:32:33.210 --> 00:32:38.210
it does not steer from the projection of City Manager.

00:32:39.690 --> 00:32:41.690
What needs to happen with council

00:32:41.690 --> 00:32:45.690
because of the way it is being conducted in this fashion

00:32:45.690 --> 00:32:48.809
is because we permit it to happen.

00:32:48.809 --> 00:32:52.410
There's no foundation to this structure

00:32:52.410 --> 00:32:54.450
is the reason why we're going about things

00:32:54.450 --> 00:32:56.490
the way that we are going about it.

00:32:56.490 --> 00:33:01.490
And if we don't want to hear that these things

00:33:01.490 --> 00:33:02.490
and so on.

00:33:02.490 --> 00:33:10.849
These things about one-on-one meetings, then council has to change the way things are going.

00:33:10.849 --> 00:33:17.650
City Manager is only trying to indulge us on what decision and appearances and things

00:33:17.650 --> 00:33:18.650
are happening.

00:33:18.650 --> 00:33:28.049
But council needs to set that structure up and set any kind of meetings at all before

00:33:28.049 --> 00:33:58.049
Fowler, Mayor, Mayor, Mayor

00:33:58.049 --> 00:34:06.049
this is council meetings not the mayor's meeting with the council not with the

00:34:06.049 --> 00:34:12.269
not with the city manager and no it's council let us drive that let us drive

00:34:12.269 --> 00:34:17.210
that whole perception in our mindset so we can put things in order it is out of

00:34:17.210 --> 00:34:23.449
whack right now things are totally out of order and and we're not saying

00:34:23.449 --> 00:34:31.889
Anything simply because we are allowing administrators to conduct what council is

00:34:31.889 --> 00:34:36.289
supposed to be doing. That is not supposed to, that is not the procedure or

00:34:36.289 --> 00:34:44.289
the proper etiquette of this council and we're, we're being pacified or a better

00:34:44.289 --> 00:34:49.289
We're being asked to do these things without any objections.

00:34:53.929 --> 00:34:56.889
We're not objecting to nothing the administration is doing.

00:34:56.889 --> 00:34:58.170
We're just accepting it.

00:34:58.170 --> 00:34:59.289
We're just going along.

00:34:59.289 --> 00:35:02.610
And we can look at ourself in the mirror

00:35:02.610 --> 00:35:06.210
and see the fact that council is ineffective.

00:35:06.210 --> 00:35:09.210
We're not doing what council needs to be doing.

00:35:09.210 --> 00:35:13.329
And until somebody stands up or collectively all together

00:35:13.329 --> 00:35:17.369
saying, no, we have to get a handle on this thing as council.

00:35:17.369 --> 00:35:20.010
This is the reason why you're grabbing this discussion

00:35:20.010 --> 00:35:23.329
about the finance and the decision and amendments

00:35:23.329 --> 00:35:24.769
and things of this nature,

00:35:24.769 --> 00:35:26.969
because it's not coming from council.

00:35:26.969 --> 00:35:29.130
This is coming from administration.

00:35:29.130 --> 00:35:33.550
And we're asked to vote on things that is inappropriate

00:35:33.550 --> 00:35:35.449
until we understand what it is

00:35:35.449 --> 00:35:37.590
that council is supposed to be doing

00:35:37.590 --> 00:35:39.849
when it comes to governing,

00:35:39.849 --> 00:35:46.730
then we will stay stagnant all together in where we're at at this point in time and not moving forward. Now,

00:35:50.570 --> 00:35:57.130
City Manager Boyer is wanting to get things moving forward. Are we holding them back from moving

00:35:57.130 --> 00:36:02.489
forward? We don't know as a council. We don't know if we're holding... Alderman Sanders, your

00:36:02.489 --> 00:36:12.690
let's circle back to your discussion of amendment you want to can I speak a third

00:36:12.690 --> 00:36:20.690
yes okay all right thank you Darren for the council oh sorry I thought that's

00:36:20.690 --> 00:36:26.849
what we just said no okay then my mistake I thought it was anybody wanted to speak

00:36:56.849 --> 00:37:14.349
to the city council. We approve that purchasing of that item. Correct? Yeah. I'm correct on

00:37:14.349 --> 00:37:16.489
that. And that will continue.

00:37:16.489 --> 00:37:17.489
No.

00:37:17.489 --> 00:37:18.489
Right.

00:37:18.489 --> 00:37:21.070
Not according to what's been proposed.

00:37:21.070 --> 00:37:22.070
Okay.

00:37:22.070 --> 00:37:46.710
Just to clarify, you do get a chance to vote on that through the Consent Agenda. So if there's something that came up that you have an issue with that needs to be looked at, you can pull that out of the Consent Agenda. Now, Alderman Stacy just mentioned that there's a lot in there. And yes, there is a lot in there. But I will say there is that opportunity.

00:37:46.710 --> 00:37:57.110
Okay, and to add on to that, I think the meetings that we do have, whether with Manager Boyer

00:37:57.110 --> 00:38:03.110
or whether with the Mayor, they are good for us to ask questions about different things

00:38:03.110 --> 00:38:07.469
that we have lack of understanding about or whatever.

00:38:07.469 --> 00:38:11.590
It's not really for them to push us one way or the other or anything like that.

00:38:11.590 --> 00:38:16.029
It's just a time for us to ask questions.

00:38:16.030 --> 00:38:19.929
So how do you want to leave your amendment?

00:38:19.929 --> 00:38:25.949
So since it is on there, and we do vote under the consent agenda, we just have to read our

00:38:25.949 --> 00:38:30.110
consent agendas and make sure that we know what's on there.

00:38:30.110 --> 00:38:37.829
However, I would still like to see the City Manager underneath the 5,000 to 10,000 Department

00:38:37.829 --> 00:38:41.269
Director, Finance Director, and City Manager because that's a lot of money.

00:38:41.269 --> 00:38:43.389
Okay, so you'd like to make an amendment.

00:38:43.389 --> 00:39:13.269
I think we'll just leave it the way it is.

00:39:13.269 --> 00:39:30.309
I'd like to just maybe give a different perspective.

00:39:30.309 --> 00:39:38.750
I can see how you can look at the numbers and say, well, it used to be 10,000 and now

00:39:38.750 --> 00:39:45.029
25,000 for City Manager's portion and you know the math it looks like we're we're

00:39:45.029 --> 00:39:50.750
giving him two and a half times spending power but I

00:39:50.750 --> 00:39:56.429
Spending Power, but I'm going to disagree a little bit on it taking away from

00:39:56.429 --> 00:40:04.550
council with all due respect. I look at it more as an adjustment for inflation. I've

00:40:04.550 --> 00:40:10.429
sat here, I've been in bid openings for nine years, I can see the cost of the

00:40:10.429 --> 00:40:16.030
projects going up. Concrete always just blows my mind. Nuts and bolts that now

00:40:16.030 --> 00:40:44.030
I don't look at it as taking away spending power from council. Back in 2007, council looked at things that were over $10,000, but you could get a lot more for $10,000. I mean, sometimes 10,000. I mean, sometimes 10 times more when you're talking some of the nuts and bolts.

00:40:44.030 --> 00:40:46.090
you're talking some of the nuts and bolts.

00:40:46.090 --> 00:40:49.769
Concrete has at least tripled in that amount of time.

00:40:49.769 --> 00:40:53.449
So you're still kind of getting the same project,

00:40:53.449 --> 00:40:56.929
the same dump body, the same equipment.

00:40:56.929 --> 00:41:00.449
That you're still approving the same mower

00:41:00.449 --> 00:41:05.449
that cost $10,000 in 2007 is now gonna cost 25,000.

00:41:07.369 --> 00:41:10.329
So you're not, it's an adjustment for inflation,

00:41:10.329 --> 00:41:14.329
Not removing anything from Council, in my humble opinion.

00:41:14.329 --> 00:41:16.329
Alderman Sanders?

00:41:16.329 --> 00:41:20.329
Yeah, it is an opinion, exactly, but here's what the problem is.

00:41:20.329 --> 00:41:31.329
There's no oversight for finance budgeting or the spending power of a City Manager or Directors or anyone of that nature.

00:41:31.329 --> 00:41:38.329
We're just giving the power to these departments without oversight.

00:41:38.329 --> 00:41:46.550
that means that we're not justifying even the spending policy I don't I don't I

00:41:46.550 --> 00:41:52.969
don't get how we just let departments just spin at will because you can you

00:41:52.969 --> 00:41:59.289
can kill a city under $10,000 if it's if it's a expenditure like that but here's

00:41:59.289 --> 00:42:06.369
the problem we're not getting to talk about anything a procedural when it

00:42:06.369 --> 00:42:23.969
We're not getting the opportunity to even have a location where council can actually go to an individual or department area and talk about these spending things, not administration.

00:42:23.969 --> 00:42:53.969
something totally independent of the of the council that can govern to help us understand where the monies are flowing because all reports do not come to council when it's spending all reports do not make it to our even knowledge to even know that these kinds of expenditures are needed on what they're for in all of these council needs to be able to look at things from another perspective

00:42:53.969 --> 00:43:13.969
We don't have an individual that stands guard over the taxpayer's dollars, in other words.

00:43:13.969 --> 00:43:20.969
We don't have that mechanism where we can just come and say, where's the money going?

00:43:20.969 --> 00:43:27.489
There's nothing in the council that says where is the money going and how is it being spent? We're just being

00:43:28.710 --> 00:43:30.829
told what is happening, but we are not

00:43:31.829 --> 00:43:36.949
Looking at it from another person another area. So we're told what is being spent

00:43:37.269 --> 00:43:44.789
Whether it meets the standards of the council or not, but the point is the point is there's no kind of

00:43:45.630 --> 00:43:49.489
Oversight about the financial budget that is one of the most

00:43:49.489 --> 00:43:50.489
and others.

00:43:50.489 --> 00:43:54.650
The most important item throughout council is the budgeting.

00:43:54.650 --> 00:44:03.010
That is your most important thing that we should have safeguarded for the citizens of this county.

00:44:03.010 --> 00:44:12.409
And until we adopt that kind of a policy or mechanism into inserting it right into the

00:44:12.409 --> 00:44:13.409
and so on.

00:44:13.409 --> 00:44:42.329
We're giving all the power to the department without counsel being able to scrutinize it.

00:44:42.329 --> 00:44:49.050
where if we have a department that scrutinizes every dollar, every penny, I don't care what

00:44:49.050 --> 00:44:52.969
it is, we have to know what that penny was spent on.

00:44:52.969 --> 00:44:59.650
We're not trying to spend the people money or taxpayer's dollars blindly and just giving

00:44:59.650 --> 00:45:03.889
departments the power to do so.

00:45:03.889 --> 00:45:10.769
What I am saying is there's no safeguards, there's no rails, there's none of these kinds

00:45:10.769 --> 00:45:26.769
I'm not talking about a certain individual. We got this thing already in place and it's been in place for so many years, but we have not all these years had Oversight Committee over finance and why that is not established within...

00:45:26.769 --> 00:45:33.769
Alderman Sanders, your four minutes has expired. Manager Boyer.

00:45:33.769 --> 00:45:38.769
Alderman Sanders, you said there's no oversight. There is.

00:45:38.769 --> 00:45:48.269
So, the oversight starts with the budget, then department heads know what they can spend

00:45:48.269 --> 00:45:55.029
for projects that we've already defined and approved through the strategic plan, then when

00:45:55.029 --> 00:46:02.130
those bills come due, our receiving process reviews the invoice for accuracy when it's

00:46:02.130 --> 00:46:07.550
done or said to be accurate, then it goes to the finance department where it is in process

00:46:07.550 --> 00:46:13.570
for Payment, not only Department Head is involved, obviously, but the Finance Director is involved

00:46:13.570 --> 00:46:15.570
in paying all the bills.

00:46:15.570 --> 00:46:18.030
There is a lot of oversight.

00:46:18.030 --> 00:46:24.409
Then those bills come to you every meeting in the consent agenda, which you have multiple

00:46:24.409 --> 00:46:32.170
days to review if you feel like you want to review it that far, but also justification

00:46:32.170 --> 00:46:38.449
of Spending, that comes through the strategic plan, that comes through the budget process,

00:46:38.449 --> 00:46:44.690
that comes through the consent agenda, and at the end of the day, you have all the power.

00:46:44.690 --> 00:46:46.150
You have all the power.

00:46:46.150 --> 00:46:47.349
You don't want to pay a bill.

00:46:47.349 --> 00:46:50.530
You can pull a bill for review.

00:46:50.530 --> 00:46:52.989
You can decide that you don't want to pay it.

00:46:52.989 --> 00:46:57.110
You don't have to pay it, okay?

00:46:57.110 --> 00:46:58.650
We are getting to talk.

00:46:58.650 --> 00:47:04.929
and I used to meet, but we have not met in years, okay? And if there's questions, I'm

00:47:04.929 --> 00:47:10.650
always available and you can call me anytime. And I have answered calls from you not that

00:47:10.650 --> 00:47:18.690
long ago regarding various handicap placards, okay? There's no location to talk about the

00:47:18.690 --> 00:47:24.090
administration. I'm guessing you want to talk with other Alderpersons about it. That is

00:47:24.090 --> 00:47:28.210
at the Committee of the Whole. That is your place to talk about things. At the Budget

00:47:28.210 --> 00:47:58.210
We have multiple budget planning meetings. We have multiple opportunities for the community to provide input. So there's ample opportunities to provide that. Okay, where's the money going? Okay, we have the largest surplus we've ever had in this city. We have the largest utility surplus we've ever had. We have auditors that do an audit that tell you where the money is going. And this year, we're doing what's called an ACFIR, which is a narrative that goes with the

00:47:58.210 --> 00:48:04.610
that will then help describe to anyone in this city where the money's going. If the audit's not

00:48:04.610 --> 00:48:12.369
good enough, then the ACFIR will be a part of this. All reports aren't coming to your attention.

00:48:12.369 --> 00:48:18.210
They are. They are coming in multiple forms on demand whenever it is you would like them.

00:48:19.489 --> 00:48:27.329
Okay, where is the money going? Again, I mentioned it to you. We are spending it on projects. We are

00:48:27.329 --> 00:48:33.170
Paying for Payroll, we are dealing with emergency services, we are paying for police protection,

00:48:33.170 --> 00:48:38.930
we are paying for community development, we are getting grants, and I might add we've received

00:48:38.930 --> 00:48:44.530
over 80 million dollars in grant fundings in the last five years. Our budget is 27 million.

00:48:45.329 --> 00:48:51.090
We've got 80 million dollars in the last five years. Okay, so that's where the money's going.

00:48:51.090 --> 00:48:54.930
See the new water plant on Berchard, see the new water plant out at Forest Road,

00:48:54.930 --> 00:49:01.570
See a new wastewater plant over on Hancock. Do you see the 8.8 miles of roads that are

00:49:01.570 --> 00:49:05.369
getting built this year? Do you see the 3.5 miles we did last year? Do you see all the

00:49:05.369 --> 00:49:10.250
water main replacements? Do you see all the demos? That's where the money's going. Please

00:49:10.250 --> 00:49:16.210
do not make a point that the money is disappearing. It is going to needs in the community that

00:49:16.210 --> 00:49:20.570
we have defined through the strategic planning process, which it would be great if you would

00:49:20.570 --> 00:49:26.369
come to those because that would be a little clearer we are Klemm and then

00:49:26.369 --> 00:49:33.930
Alderman Parker if I could please keep in mind for all of us here this is a first

00:49:33.930 --> 00:49:41.769
reading of this if everybody really has any questions let's get together and say

00:49:41.769 --> 00:49:46.809
hey I'd like to do this I can completely understand the feelings on the

00:49:46.809 --> 00:49:50.809
Consent Agenda, and somebody being, something being.

00:49:50.809 --> 00:49:56.369
and somebody being something being in there Rob just pretty well run over all

00:49:56.369 --> 00:50:02.409
of the budget and that kind of stuff any changes in the budget we see and we vote

00:50:02.409 --> 00:50:09.489
on I've been here too long and that's 20 years and we have the most honest

00:50:09.489 --> 00:50:15.929
financial person that we've had along the line when I say honest I mean Randy

00:50:15.929 --> 00:50:21.690
Bukus, and Director Richter have been right on target on the monies they've given us and

00:50:21.690 --> 00:50:27.969
everything else. If we need to come back at the next meeting, come back and say, I want

00:50:27.969 --> 00:50:36.210
to amend this. If you really feel that as though you need to see something, please don't

00:50:36.210 --> 00:50:41.610
sit back and say, well, I'll look at it in the consent agenda. Because it is easy to

00:50:41.610 --> 00:50:42.610
and others.

00:50:42.610 --> 00:50:43.610
And I think that's a great way to get buried in there.

00:50:43.610 --> 00:50:44.610
There's a lot in there.

00:50:44.610 --> 00:50:45.610
Okay?

00:50:45.610 --> 00:50:49.529
But if you have the feeling that you want to add something, please think about it.

00:50:49.529 --> 00:50:50.529
Talk to Rob.

00:50:50.529 --> 00:50:53.289
Talk to the financial director.

00:50:53.289 --> 00:50:56.250
Do whatever you need to have that clear.

00:50:56.250 --> 00:51:01.389
So as you move forward, there isn't really an issue every time we come up here and say,

00:51:01.389 --> 00:51:06.809
I know we did this and that, or this was buried here and there, and it isn't.

00:51:06.809 --> 00:51:12.829
This is just being refined to take these guys take a look at what all is going on this year.

00:51:12.829 --> 00:51:16.869
You know these guys deal with something you know like we talked to if something happens

00:51:16.869 --> 00:51:22.929
today I need an answer today to get it fixed we don't want it to sit for three months.

00:51:22.929 --> 00:51:27.570
So we need that momentum to keep going but I think there's an opportunity here for all

00:51:27.570 --> 00:51:33.009
of us that if we've got questions take a look at it if you want amended next time please

00:51:33.009 --> 00:51:35.449
do it's going to come back to it.

00:51:35.449 --> 00:51:40.730
Parker? Yes I'm thinking you know it comes down to trust. Now we have department

00:51:40.730 --> 00:51:45.849
heads that we all know, you have a city manager, have a finance director and we

00:51:45.849 --> 00:51:50.529
pass that budget and we go over it for hours and hours. There's a thousand bills

00:51:50.529 --> 00:51:55.929
a month to go out of this city. We cannot expect every penny to be passed by us and

00:51:55.929 --> 00:52:00.009
that's why if it goes through them steps that they're not in the budget they're

00:52:00.009 --> 00:52:04.190
gonna stop or we can have all the people we can go to we can go to every

00:52:04.190 --> 00:52:34.190
We can come here, she has an answer to every question she always has, and so the money is being spent on the bills it takes to run the city, and they cannot, every penny, come to us, so we've got to have some trust in the people we have, if we can prove that they're not being faithful and truthful, then we make changes, but right now, every department head, the department heads, they've got to take care of them, then budgets come to them, they've got to pay them.

00:52:34.190 --> 00:52:35.190
and Bill.

00:52:35.190 --> 00:52:36.190
It's in the budget.

00:52:36.190 --> 00:52:37.190
They argue every year for it.

00:52:37.190 --> 00:52:39.069
The City Manager goes over them.

00:52:39.069 --> 00:52:44.309
And here, this young lady, she spends, doesn't spend one penny that she shouldn't be spending

00:52:44.309 --> 00:52:47.969
that hasn't been passed through the budget, or she brings it to us.

00:52:47.969 --> 00:52:50.989
So I just think that we are pushing this way out of line.

00:52:50.989 --> 00:52:51.989
Thank you.

00:52:51.989 --> 00:52:52.989
I second.

00:52:52.989 --> 00:52:55.150
You've already had your second.

00:52:55.150 --> 00:52:56.150
So what is it?

00:52:56.150 --> 00:52:57.150
Is it appropriate?

00:52:57.150 --> 00:52:58.150
Is it on the same subject?

00:52:58.150 --> 00:52:59.949
We're on the same item.

00:52:59.949 --> 00:53:01.230
You're on the same item.

00:53:01.230 --> 00:53:02.230
Okay.

00:53:02.230 --> 00:53:03.389
So are you asking for a third time?

00:53:03.389 --> 00:53:25.469
I just wanted to make one thing clear. When I was referring to oversight committees and

00:53:25.469 --> 00:53:34.090
and being able to move throughout the city departments at a city council's discretion.

00:53:34.090 --> 00:53:39.710
That means every individual, without being impeded upon, should be able to visit every

00:53:39.710 --> 00:53:46.509
department because we are the oversight, whether we know it or not.

00:53:46.509 --> 00:53:49.369
We don't have to establish an oversight.

00:53:49.369 --> 00:53:51.190
We are the oversight.

00:53:51.190 --> 00:54:00.429
and until we decide to want to go to any department, someone say that we're not.

00:54:00.429 --> 00:54:07.789
I just want someone to oppose that thought because if that is the case, then we're derelict

00:54:07.789 --> 00:54:12.630
in duties if we don't feel that we're the oversight committee.

00:54:12.630 --> 00:54:18.190
We are and we have the confidence to go to any department administrator and talk with

00:54:18.190 --> 00:54:20.630
them without being impeded upon.

00:54:20.630 --> 00:54:28.349
and my thing is it doesn't matter whether we visit the Department of Finance, Public Works,

00:54:28.349 --> 00:54:32.710
City Manager or the Mayor's Office, it doesn't matter.

00:54:32.710 --> 00:54:39.909
City Council does not have to have an appointment to visit these department heads.

00:54:39.909 --> 00:54:49.190
There's nothing in Council have a structure where it says we have to make appointments

00:54:49.190 --> 00:54:55.389
to talk to anyone within the city council, within the city period.

00:54:55.389 --> 00:55:04.150
And so until someone refutes that, then we have to recognize that we have the discretion

00:55:04.150 --> 00:55:11.110
to meet department heads, to talk to them individually on any subject matter, whether

00:55:11.110 --> 00:55:18.869
it's finance, utilities, or community, any of those forms.

00:55:18.869 --> 00:55:24.250
So if we're not doing that as Council, then we're missing the point that we're the

00:55:24.250 --> 00:55:31.469
Oversighters who are the people who are supposed to be asking the questions, not receiving

00:55:31.469 --> 00:55:34.550
the dictation.

00:55:34.550 --> 00:55:36.269
Council does not receive dictation.

00:55:36.269 --> 00:55:44.190
We give what it is that needs to be talked about and directed toward the Administrative

00:55:44.190 --> 00:55:45.190
Department.

00:55:45.190 --> 00:55:46.190
and others.

00:55:46.190 --> 00:55:50.069
We are not the mayor and this is the way where people have the misconception that it's the

00:55:50.069 --> 00:55:53.929
mayor that's giving us our marching orders.

00:55:53.929 --> 00:56:01.469
We have the wrong concept of what governing is all about and that's why I say when we're

00:56:01.469 --> 00:56:05.029
talking about the taxpayer's dollars, that's who you are.

00:56:05.029 --> 00:56:12.069
You are the oversight committee who has to guard every penny of a taxpayer's dollars

00:56:12.069 --> 00:56:14.590
whether how we do it.

00:56:14.590 --> 00:56:15.590
and others.

00:56:15.590 --> 00:56:16.869
That is how government is structured.

00:56:16.869 --> 00:56:23.670
We don't allow power to come from the administration to dictate until the council.

00:56:23.670 --> 00:56:25.289
That is not how it's done.

00:56:25.289 --> 00:56:31.969
If you need to get a revision of how governing is supposed to happen, maybe we need another

00:56:31.969 --> 00:56:38.210
educational course because a lot of us are just sitting here pandering whether or not

00:56:38.210 --> 00:56:41.210
what it is that we are supposed to be doing.

00:56:41.210 --> 00:56:50.329
but one thing for sure you and everyone else that's in council are the oversight committee

00:56:50.329 --> 00:56:59.409
whether you know it or not but that's neither here nor there, I retreat.

00:56:59.409 --> 00:57:02.889
Attorney Zeta would like to remind everyone what the rules of council actually are.

00:57:02.889 --> 00:57:07.329
All right, so just to clarify for everyone that to the extent that an Alderperson does

00:57:07.329 --> 00:57:11.769
have a question for a department head that those questions per our rules of council are

00:57:11.769 --> 00:57:15.289
to run through the city manager so you would submit your question to the city manager he'll

00:57:15.289 --> 00:57:19.369
get it to the appropriate department head and then they'll get their answers and that

00:57:19.369 --> 00:57:24.449
is I'm reading the city ordinances right now it's not that's not by council disruptive

00:57:24.449 --> 00:57:30.369
please stop okay it's not by council that ordinance I'm just okay I'm sorry thank you

00:57:30.369 --> 00:57:35.529
but I will rebut that unless there is yeah I think we haven't we have a motion to move

00:57:35.529 --> 00:58:05.529
We'll move this forward to the next council. So we have another time to discuss this. So we're good with that. Let's move on to item number seven, which is the first reading of ordinance twenty twenty six thirty five. Could you please read this ordinance providing for additional stop signs at the intersection of Broadway and Oak. Thank you. City Manager. Thank you, Your Honor. The intersection of Broadway Oak. There's a lot of people running very rapidly through that intersection and has been requested to improve safety.

00:58:05.529 --> 00:58:11.529
I believe we've had two accidents there over the past many years and the community has come

00:58:11.529 --> 00:58:17.250
around asking for two additional stop signs and so staff recommends moving this forward

00:58:17.250 --> 00:58:18.250
to second reading.

00:58:18.250 --> 00:58:21.090
Is there a motion to move this forward?

00:58:21.090 --> 00:58:22.090
Second.

00:58:22.090 --> 00:58:26.690
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

00:58:26.690 --> 00:58:27.690
Discussion on the ordinance?

00:58:27.690 --> 00:58:28.690
Alderman Parker?

00:58:28.690 --> 00:58:31.210
I drive through that intersection a lot.

00:58:31.210 --> 00:58:33.849
Who's asking for a four-way stop?

00:58:33.849 --> 00:58:36.170
I believe that was Alderman.

00:58:36.210 --> 00:58:38.849
Well, Darren, do you recall offhand?

00:58:39.210 --> 00:58:45.929
Yes. Last week, Miss Bradford that was in here that lives close to that intersection had

00:58:47.529 --> 00:58:52.250
noted that the traffic is very heavy there and there's been a lot of incidents there.

00:58:52.250 --> 00:58:54.809
And we've been keeping an eye on that intersection.

00:58:55.170 --> 00:58:59.690
And I actually have some stats that I want to share from the last two years alone.

00:58:59.690 --> 00:59:06.730
Since January 1st of 2025, the police department had changed their software.

00:59:06.730 --> 00:59:09.150
So we really can't go beyond that time.

00:59:10.250 --> 00:59:12.230
But Chief Frosto pulled this.

00:59:12.230 --> 00:59:15.529
So in since January 1st of 25,

00:59:15.949 --> 00:59:19.789
there has been 52 calls of service involving that intersection.

00:59:20.329 --> 00:59:25.650
There's been 38 self-initiated traffic stops at that location.

00:59:25.650 --> 00:59:50.849
There's been two vehicle crashes including one that was a rollover that involved the hospitalization and there's been 34 citations written at that intersection since September 16th of 2025 so obviously with those statistics the traffic is moving way too fast from Galena onto Broadway creating an unsafe situation and

00:59:50.849 --> 01:00:05.849
and Public Works reviewed that where the best spot would be to help slow traffic and that's the only intersection except for an odd dog-legged intersection to actually slow traffic down.

01:00:05.849 --> 01:00:14.849
This would be my first step to do this and if this doesn't work, then I would come back and ask for a three-way stop at the dog-leg as well, but we do need to slow traffic of this.

01:00:14.849 --> 01:00:40.389
I would like to make a motion that we not wait to the first week that we move this forward

01:00:40.389 --> 01:00:42.029
tonight.

01:00:42.029 --> 01:00:44.989
So are you asking for a suspension of the rules?

01:00:44.989 --> 01:00:46.869
Suspension of the rules.

01:00:46.869 --> 01:00:47.869
Is there a second?

01:00:47.869 --> 01:00:48.869
Second.

01:00:48.869 --> 01:00:49.869
Second.

01:00:49.869 --> 01:00:55.829
We have a motion made by Alderman Stacy and seconded by Alderman Parker for suspension

01:00:55.829 --> 01:00:56.829
of the rules.

01:00:56.829 --> 01:00:59.949
Suspension is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority.

01:00:59.949 --> 01:01:02.750
Madam Clerk, would you please take the roll on the suspension only?

01:01:02.750 --> 01:01:03.750
Simmons?

01:01:03.750 --> 01:01:04.750
Aye.

01:01:04.750 --> 01:01:05.750
Parker?

01:01:05.750 --> 01:01:06.750
Aye.

01:01:06.750 --> 01:01:07.750
Stacy?

01:01:07.750 --> 01:01:08.750
Aye.

01:01:08.750 --> 01:01:09.750
Sanders?

01:01:09.750 --> 01:01:10.750
Aye.

01:01:10.750 --> 01:01:11.750
Klemm?

01:01:11.750 --> 01:01:15.190
then before you, Council, is the final for this ordinance.

01:01:16.909 --> 01:01:17.909
Any further discussion?

01:01:17.909 --> 01:01:19.750
This can get passed this evening.

01:01:19.750 --> 01:01:20.710
Alderman Sanders.

01:01:20.710 --> 01:01:25.509
Since there have been a suspension of the rule, there's not much to chatter about.

01:01:26.869 --> 01:01:30.789
I just want to say that whoever is making that study,

01:01:31.429 --> 01:01:36.230
if that was you, Director, that's a great that's a great move

01:01:36.230 --> 01:01:37.909
because you're absolutely right.

01:01:37.909 --> 01:01:40.750
It was it was bound to happen eventually.

01:01:40.750 --> 01:01:52.150
It just had not happened back then. Maybe we have had an incident. Maybe we've had some, but has not heard about it, you know.

01:01:52.150 --> 01:02:01.710
But what I concur with is the fact that it brought attention and awareness to a situation like that.

01:02:01.710 --> 01:02:09.869
and I don't know who's doing, who can do these types of studies around the city to determine

01:02:09.869 --> 01:02:17.750
what is effective when we're protecting the citizens at these crossing areas and things

01:02:17.750 --> 01:02:18.750
of this nature.

01:02:18.750 --> 01:02:24.029
I don't know who's doing these kinds of studies, but I think we should incite ourselves a little

01:02:24.029 --> 01:02:28.509
bit more about it, you know, be a little bit aggressive about it, even that much more.

01:02:28.509 --> 01:02:37.029
If there's no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:02:37.029 --> 01:02:38.029
Simmons?

01:02:38.029 --> 01:02:39.029
Aye.

01:02:39.029 --> 01:02:40.029
Parker?

01:02:40.029 --> 01:02:41.029
Aye.

01:02:41.029 --> 01:02:42.029
Stacy?

01:02:42.029 --> 01:02:43.029
Aye.

01:02:43.029 --> 01:02:44.029
Sanders?

01:02:44.029 --> 01:02:45.029
Aye.

01:02:45.029 --> 01:02:46.029
Klemm?

01:02:46.029 --> 01:02:47.029
Aye.

01:02:47.029 --> 01:02:48.029
And Johnson?

01:02:48.029 --> 01:02:49.029
Aye.

01:02:49.029 --> 01:02:50.029
The ordinance passes 6-0.

01:02:50.029 --> 01:02:51.029
Item number 8 is the first reading of Ordinance 2026-36.

01:02:51.029 --> 01:02:52.029
Could you please read this?

01:02:52.029 --> 01:02:58.190
Ordinance amending Section 1048.02 of the codified ordinances regarding charges for normal domestic

01:02:58.190 --> 01:03:02.269
Blake, Strength Waste, and Hours of Operation for Wastewater Haulers.

01:03:02.269 --> 01:03:03.989
Manager, Boyer?

01:03:03.989 --> 01:03:05.170
Thank you, Your Honor.

01:03:05.170 --> 01:03:08.909
At the wastewater treatment plant, we accept bulk haulers.

01:03:08.909 --> 01:03:14.429
When they say evacuate a septic tank, we give them a place to dump it at the wastewater

01:03:14.429 --> 01:03:16.150
treatment plant.

01:03:16.150 --> 01:03:20.130
We're reviewing the fees attached to that and would like to make some adjustments.

01:03:20.130 --> 01:03:27.049
At this time, we charge $40 for a 500-gallon tank or less and we'd like to adjust that

01:03:27.049 --> 01:03:54.009
$50. And then for over 500 gallons, we'd like to increase it from 8 cents per gallon to 12 cents per gallon. And we'd also like to adopt a new, a new portion of the ordinance that identifies a $20 disposal fee for campers and people that are just dumping domestic waste from their, from their campers. So staff has reviewed this and recommends moving forward with this change.

01:03:54.009 --> 01:03:57.009
Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward?

01:03:57.009 --> 01:03:58.009
Second.

01:03:58.009 --> 01:04:04.009
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Alderman Sanders.

01:04:04.009 --> 01:04:17.009
Yeah. Chief Boyer, with the dumping that we're, I don't know how we got that. I know it was in place for years.

01:04:17.009 --> 01:04:40.009
and it always was a question to me and we always talk about those digesters and the possibilities of somebody putting something in our waste treatment line and killing off our good bacteria and destroying the digesters and then we have to shut them down and start all over again and all of these kinds of things.

01:04:40.009 --> 01:04:46.569
Do we have protection measures to prevent a thing of that nature from happening?

01:04:46.569 --> 01:04:55.009
Are we doing inspections or examines of all of those kinds of things that are happening?

01:04:55.009 --> 01:04:59.210
Yes, we do run a sample at the lab.

01:04:59.210 --> 01:05:04.769
So if there's anything unusual, we would have the right to refuse it.

01:05:04.769 --> 01:05:09.029
But we're basically trying to cover the difference in our time from the last time this ordinance

01:05:09.029 --> 01:05:17.109
was updated which has been many years ago. Okay and we'll move on to item number

01:05:17.109 --> 01:05:20.829
nine which is the first reading of ordinance 2026 37. Could you please read

01:05:20.829 --> 01:05:25.710
this? Ordinance amending part two administrative code title six administration

01:05:25.710 --> 01:05:32.509
chapter 242 fire department section 242 point 46 charges for ambulance service.

01:05:32.509 --> 01:05:44.389
Chief Cordy. Thank You Madam Mayor. Our last ordinance change was in 2022 which at

01:05:44.389 --> 01:05:50.550
that time our rates were set at $1,200 for residents regardless of the level of

01:05:50.550 --> 01:06:00.150
care and $1,700 for non-residents. Approximately 88 percent of our clients

01:06:00.150 --> 01:06:17.109
We have a couple of different ways that we're able to recuperate or recover money from Medicare-Medicaid.

01:06:17.109 --> 01:06:23.109
Part of it is directly from those entities, and then there's another agency called GEMT,

01:06:23.109 --> 01:06:26.469
which stands for Ground Emergency Medical Transport.

01:06:26.469 --> 01:06:27.469
and others.

01:06:27.469 --> 01:06:35.029
That's kind of a federal grant program that actually comes out and, I say comes out, but

01:06:35.029 --> 01:06:42.869
they send out questionnaires and they, based on the information that we provide, they come

01:06:42.869 --> 01:06:52.369
up with a level that they're willing to reimburse us for, which is a higher level.

01:06:52.369 --> 01:07:03.250
At this point, that rate is approximately $1,307.

01:07:03.250 --> 01:07:13.090
When we're charging $1,200 for a transport, we're losing out on revenue from the difference.

01:07:13.090 --> 01:07:17.009
There's a little bit of a stipulation and difference there.

01:07:17.009 --> 01:07:26.969
The GEMT rates get set at the beginning of the year and the CPI rates that we have are

01:07:26.969 --> 01:07:35.769
set at the end of June, beginning of July and actually let me back step here.

01:07:35.769 --> 01:07:41.869
Our GEMT rate is $1,317.

01:07:41.869 --> 01:07:52.130
If in the current ordinance it allows us to increase the rate based on the CPI or 5% whichever

01:07:52.130 --> 01:08:02.829
is lower with the rates according to CPI that rate is the $1,307.

01:08:02.829 --> 01:08:12.230
So we're missing approximately $10 per transport on 88% of the transports that we do.

01:08:12.230 --> 01:08:21.390
We looked at a regional study which showed that we're in the lower third of the agencies

01:08:21.390 --> 01:08:24.949
in the area.

01:08:24.949 --> 01:08:31.229
The highest rate being $3,900 for every patient they transport.

01:08:31.229 --> 01:08:36.829
and like I said ours are 1,200 and 1,700.

01:08:36.829 --> 01:08:46.029
The proposal that the department is putting forward is to raise our resident rate to $2,000,

01:08:46.029 --> 01:08:57.909
our non-resident rate to $2,500 and the mileage rate to $20.

01:08:57.909 --> 01:09:04.609
So it you know the this money does go into our capital improvement fund that's specific

01:09:04.609 --> 01:09:13.050
to the fire department and it does go to replace buildings and vehicles which we have on a

01:09:13.050 --> 01:09:21.329
and a rotation replacement schedule ambulances approximately every 12 years and fire trucks

01:09:21.329 --> 01:09:23.689
is approximately every 20 years.

01:09:23.689 --> 01:09:28.289
So that's the proposal that we're putting forward at this time.

01:09:28.289 --> 01:09:30.489
Is there a motion to move this ordinance forward?

01:09:33.970 --> 01:09:36.489
So move.

01:09:36.489 --> 01:09:38.529
No, sorry.

01:09:38.529 --> 01:09:39.569
Sorry, Alderman Klemm.

01:09:39.569 --> 01:09:43.329
So move, because we have to discuss it anyway, so.

01:09:43.329 --> 01:09:45.489
OK, so we have a motion made by Alderman Klemm.

01:09:45.489 --> 01:09:47.369
Is there a second?

01:09:47.369 --> 01:09:48.889
Second.

01:09:48.889 --> 01:09:50.729
And a second by Alderman Johnson.

01:09:50.729 --> 01:09:54.649
and a second by Alderman Johnson discussion.

01:09:54.649 --> 01:09:58.969
Alderman Johnson.

01:09:58.969 --> 01:10:03.489
Yes. I realize, you know, I'm thankful, very thankful for the fire department

01:10:03.489 --> 01:10:06.329
and for the ambulance and that they do a great service.

01:10:06.329 --> 01:10:11.889
But since the ordinance says that we were not to exceed 5% per year

01:10:11.889 --> 01:10:18.489
and we had four years where we did not raise it, I'd like to amend this ordinance

01:10:18.489 --> 01:10:27.489
to say that the resident rate will be what it should be by our ordinance for the resident

01:10:27.489 --> 01:10:30.489
and the non-resident rather than raising it to 2,000.

01:10:30.489 --> 01:10:33.489
Do you know what those amounts are?

01:10:33.489 --> 01:10:41.569
The amount, well, I took and added it up and I got $1,352.80 when I went through and went

01:10:41.569 --> 01:10:45.009
through the last four years for the UCPI.

01:10:45.009 --> 01:10:55.269
but I see down here it says 1,305 but I got 1,352.80 and 1,852.80 for the non-resident.

01:10:55.269 --> 01:11:00.609
So you're asking for an amendment to reflect what's written in this memo of what the current

01:11:00.609 --> 01:11:04.409
rate should be at 1305 and 1,850?

01:11:04.409 --> 01:11:08.329
Yeah, maybe want to redo the math to see if it's...

01:11:08.329 --> 01:11:09.329
And check the math.

01:11:09.329 --> 01:11:13.429
Yeah, check the math to make sure that that's accurate because I went through each year

01:11:13.429 --> 01:11:43.429
I seconded it I seconded it

01:11:43.429 --> 01:11:54.429
The amendment made by Johnson, seconded by Alderman Sanders.

01:11:54.429 --> 01:12:01.029
Let's discuss just the amendment of moving it to those dollar amounts.

01:12:01.029 --> 01:12:10.309
I just want to understand that you're wanting to move it to the dollar amounts that represent

01:12:10.309 --> 01:12:16.509
the five, the up to 5% that did not happen for the last four years, that didn't happen

01:12:16.509 --> 01:12:17.509
for four years.

01:12:17.509 --> 01:12:18.509
Yeah.

01:12:18.509 --> 01:12:19.509
Alderman Sanders?

01:12:19.509 --> 01:12:31.750
In other words, we shouldn't be expecting too much of a change in that ordinance structure

01:12:31.750 --> 01:12:39.349
with the up to, because what we're saying is, does it do the city or the constituents of

01:12:39.349 --> 01:12:54.349
and others who are involved in this community to have a rate charge like that because you're only going one way and that's a that's a very very costly amount going one way for that kind of dollar.

01:12:54.349 --> 01:12:59.349
I don't know what's the procedure tactics that are being used

01:13:00.029 --> 01:13:04.429
in moving a patient or client or customer

01:13:04.429 --> 01:13:09.149
to a facility at that expense.

01:13:09.149 --> 01:13:11.309
That's a hell of a lot of expense

01:13:11.309 --> 01:13:13.829
that we're asking an individual one way

01:13:15.389 --> 01:13:17.189
to put in their budget.

01:13:17.189 --> 01:13:19.609
And that might be all they can put in their budget

01:13:19.609 --> 01:13:21.509
throughout the whole year.

01:13:21.509 --> 01:13:32.509
and the 5% I will agree with that because it doesn't really hurt the pockets of the citizens of Freeport if they need that kind of transportation.

01:13:32.509 --> 01:13:50.509
It is very important but when I hear the competitiveness from other counties to bring our cost of living in a prospective way where we measure up with other counties and other communities

01:13:50.509 --> 01:14:00.029
that we impose upon our citizens to jack the cost up without justification or anything like that that

01:14:00.029 --> 01:14:08.829
itemizes those types of costs. And until we can see as council members what is driving that cost

01:14:11.709 --> 01:14:20.269
per item that is being requested of us to do, I think we should abstain from even

01:14:20.269 --> 01:14:23.489
and John, and I'm even discussing that matter at this time.

01:14:23.489 --> 01:14:26.329
You know, so we should...

01:14:26.329 --> 01:14:30.449
That's my point of view on that.

01:14:30.449 --> 01:14:33.849
We can look at it from another perspective,

01:14:33.849 --> 01:14:36.029
but I think we should all get together

01:14:36.029 --> 01:14:39.949
and find out whether or not this type of action

01:14:39.949 --> 01:14:43.569
is really necessary and really needed for the people

01:14:43.569 --> 01:14:47.089
imposing this kind of financial strain on people

01:14:47.089 --> 01:15:09.729
Alderman, Stacy, Who is responsible for this 5% that did not happen?

01:15:09.729 --> 01:15:11.329
Why did it not happen?

01:15:11.329 --> 01:15:16.209
Why wasn't it added to the budget?

01:15:16.209 --> 01:15:23.209
who is over that and who failed to make that happen.

01:15:23.209 --> 01:15:26.569
I assume it was the fire administration.

01:15:26.569 --> 01:15:28.289
I do not know that.

01:15:28.289 --> 01:15:36.569
But ultimately it comes down to our department to advise finance and our billing company

01:15:36.569 --> 01:15:39.649
on what the charges are.

01:15:39.649 --> 01:16:09.649
Okay. I have another. May I use? I know from last year when something happened and all this was discussed that 46% of every call goes to the

01:16:09.649 --> 01:16:28.129
to the fireman capital account. And 54% of every fireman's call goes to the city capital

01:16:28.129 --> 01:16:38.369
account. And so instead of raising rates, maybe we need to reverse that. Maybe 54% need

01:16:38.369 --> 01:16:46.089
to stay with the Fire Department, and 46% go to the city.

01:16:46.089 --> 01:16:51.009
That's really a budget discussion that has absolutely nothing to do with this amendment.

01:16:51.009 --> 01:16:57.449
I know, but I'm just saying, aren't we weighing differences here, like what we can do to make

01:16:57.449 --> 01:16:59.049
a difference?

01:16:59.049 --> 01:17:00.569
Go ahead.

01:17:00.569 --> 01:17:04.969
So right now, what's on the floor is just Alderman Johnson's amendment.

01:17:04.969 --> 01:17:10.369
Fent, however, once you guys vote on that, whether that fails or passes, then we'll get

01:17:10.369 --> 01:17:14.969
back to the underlying motion, which then this would, that was more about the underlying

01:17:14.969 --> 01:17:15.969
motion.

01:17:15.969 --> 01:17:17.729
Okay, so scratch that because I'm coming back.

01:17:17.729 --> 01:17:19.929
Yeah, let us go ahead on and do the voting.

01:17:19.929 --> 01:17:28.369
But percentages of what goes to the Fire Department versus General Fund is not what this ordinance

01:17:28.369 --> 01:17:29.369
is about.

01:17:29.369 --> 01:17:30.369
Yeah.

01:17:30.369 --> 01:17:31.369
It's not.

01:17:31.369 --> 01:17:32.369
So let's stay on track.

01:17:32.369 --> 01:17:54.369
Let's go back to this amendment that has been first and second, or instead of it going from 2000 to 2000, it goes to 1305. Instead of going to 2500, it goes to 1850. That's what's on the floor. So if there's any further discussion on that, Chief?

01:17:54.369 --> 01:18:03.250
Yeah, the only addition I want to add onto that, the CPIs, the medical CPI, which is

01:18:03.250 --> 01:18:10.489
what we have to use for that, is a little bit different than what the general public

01:18:10.489 --> 01:18:20.169
rates are. And then, like I had said earlier, we also have a rate that's set by GEMT, which

01:18:20.169 --> 01:18:26.129
they will reimburse us up to if our rates are at that level which is right now currently

01:18:26.129 --> 01:18:38.129
$1,317 okay that gets set at the beginning of the year the CPI doesn't get set until

01:18:38.129 --> 01:18:44.089
the I think it's June 30th of each year so we're like we're running six months behind

01:18:44.089 --> 01:18:50.409
every time. So the idea behind this was to get ahead a little bit because we also don't

01:18:50.409 --> 01:18:58.089
know what those rate increases are going to be every year so that we aren't missing out

01:18:58.089 --> 01:19:02.170
on revenue that we could be utilizing.

01:19:02.170 --> 01:19:06.129
Alderman Johnson.

01:19:06.129 --> 01:19:11.709
I would think after we vote on this, maybe we need to come back and revisit what we need

01:19:11.709 --> 01:19:18.670
Do as far as our percentages and stuff, change the ordinance to incorporate it so that we

01:19:18.670 --> 01:19:22.349
have what we need later on.

01:19:22.349 --> 01:19:26.789
Alderman, Klemm, on the amendment?

01:19:26.789 --> 01:19:27.789
Yeah.

01:19:27.789 --> 01:19:34.729
On the amendment, it would be my understanding if you put in the amendment, then the fee

01:19:34.729 --> 01:19:38.869
will be, what was the dollar figure on that?

01:19:38.869 --> 01:19:39.869
For a resident?

01:19:39.869 --> 01:19:40.869
Yeah.

01:19:40.869 --> 01:19:45.629
1305. And it's going to stay there then, right? That's what this amendment is with

01:19:45.629 --> 01:19:50.709
with the already in the in the ordinance that says that it can be raised 5% each

01:19:50.709 --> 01:19:50.789
year.

01:19:50.789 --> 01:20:01.749
and the Chief is basically talking about raising it over above that for other reasons because

01:20:01.749 --> 01:20:11.829
of last week at the meeting of the whole cow we discussed at some length where those fundings

01:20:11.829 --> 01:20:16.289
went and how they Medicaid paid and all that kind of good stuff.

01:20:16.289 --> 01:20:21.969
So all I guess one thing I'm saying to you is keep in mind if you raise it to this and

01:20:21.969 --> 01:20:29.329
you stay there, okay, I can't go off into other budget issues and stuff, but there's

01:20:29.329 --> 01:20:35.129
far more things than the capital fund. There's a whole bunch of bonding and other stuff that

01:20:35.129 --> 01:20:41.809
all needs to be paid out of this funding. So I guess what I'm saying is if you stick

01:20:41.809 --> 01:20:42.809
and others.

01:20:42.809 --> 01:20:54.689
I'm not saying that it should be $2,000, I'm not saying that it should be $10,000.

01:20:54.689 --> 01:21:01.129
I can give you an example simply because so you keep things in line here.

01:21:01.129 --> 01:21:07.429
My wife took a little trip to the ambulance, came from Rockford to Freeport to Chicago

01:21:07.429 --> 01:21:15.589
to drop her off and the fee was a mere $11,500 and it was far more, Chief Miller and I talked

01:21:15.589 --> 01:21:21.989
about it at the time, it was far more per mile than what we have set up.

01:21:21.989 --> 01:21:28.709
I'm not here to tell you that going to the hospital for $1,300 bucks is a deal.

01:21:28.709 --> 01:21:35.109
I'm not saying going to the hospital for $2,000 is a deal, but keep in mind if you really

01:21:35.109 --> 01:21:52.229
I would like to just thank Chief Cordy for doing a very thorough job in presenting a very

01:21:52.229 --> 01:21:59.509
complex and difficult communication or to communicate issue. I will just point out at

01:21:59.509 --> 01:22:29.509
what chief is asking for or advising that we move forward with that would simply put us between Oregon, Illinois and Belvedere. We would still be less than Boone County, Cherry Valley, Northwest Fire, North Park, New Milford, Blackhawk, and Rockford. That would basically place us in the middle. And I think that's a fairly reasonable approach, especially given that everybody below us would be like Leaf River, Byron, Durand,

01:22:29.509 --> 01:22:36.709
Tonica, smaller communities, you know, that may not be as professional as our department.

01:22:36.709 --> 01:22:41.909
So for what it's worth, I feel like this is a good compromise, moving things in the right

01:22:41.909 --> 01:22:42.909
direction.

01:22:42.909 --> 01:22:49.509
And bear in mind, if we allow rates to continue to essentially inflate away, then we will

01:22:49.509 --> 01:22:53.949
have less and less opportunity to not only maintain our professional department, which

01:22:53.949 --> 01:22:56.909
very much is, and keeping our equipment up to speed.

01:22:56.909 --> 01:23:03.449
so I just wanted to share my thoughts on that okay so let's go back to what's the motion

01:23:03.449 --> 01:23:10.089
on the floor we're ready for a vote on the amendment yeah we are madam clerk please take

01:23:10.089 --> 01:23:20.449
the roll on the amendment only i'm sorry that would be again yeah just to move from 2000

01:23:20.449 --> 01:23:31.369
to 1305 from 2500 to 1850, making sure that the math is correct.

01:23:31.369 --> 01:23:32.369
Simmons?

01:23:32.369 --> 01:23:33.369
Hold it.

01:23:33.369 --> 01:23:34.369
Hold it.

01:23:34.369 --> 01:24:04.369
and so on.

01:24:04.369 --> 01:24:08.369
Well, the procedure is once it's called, it's called.

01:24:08.369 --> 01:24:13.369
Yeah, it is. But my thing is, you changed.

01:24:13.369 --> 01:24:17.369
I didn't. The first and second, you were the second. I said exactly what you said.

01:24:17.369 --> 01:24:25.369
You cannot change or nor can you inject into counsel what your perspective or your thoughts is.

01:24:25.369 --> 01:24:27.369
This is counsel. This is not the mayor.

01:24:27.369 --> 01:24:33.369
Okay, okay. Let's stop. Attorney Zito, is what I said for an amendment correct?

01:24:33.369 --> 01:24:38.369
So when the mayor restated what the motion was for amendment

01:24:38.889 --> 01:24:44.849
The person to go to is Alderman Johnson. Did she accurately reflect what your amendment is? That's right. Yeah

01:24:46.009 --> 01:24:53.649
Okay, does that satisfy your concern? Did you think that she said something different mayor spoke out a term is what what you felt

01:24:53.649 --> 01:24:59.789
Is not accurate. That's what I'm right now. He's the chair. She has a chair did because she's not supposed to been

01:25:00.609 --> 01:25:02.609
talking while she's making the

01:25:03.369 --> 01:25:08.849
the motion you made the motion and now you're still speaking you can't be you

01:25:08.849 --> 01:25:12.249
don't have the floor any longer so let's refrain from talking madam clerk please

01:25:12.249 --> 01:25:25.729
take the role on the amendment only Simmons Parker Stacey I shade of

01:25:25.729 --> 01:25:55.729
Sanders. You seconded. You have to say yes. I know. Yes. Yeah. Klemm? No. And Johnson? Aye. I am at three to three, Mayor? No. And the amendment fails? You know what? Three to four. Okay, so we're back at the original

01:25:55.729 --> 01:26:01.249
so are we ready to move on to the next ordinance because this is going on to the next one if the

01:26:01.249 --> 01:26:09.889
way it's written okay then we'll go on to item number 10 which is the first reading of ordinance

01:26:09.889 --> 01:26:16.849
20 26 38 could you please read this ordinance amending part two administrative code title six

01:26:16.849 --> 01:26:24.449
administration chapter 242 fire department section 242.54 charges for lift assistance

01:26:24.449 --> 01:26:38.349
This ordinance is to change an ordinance that has been on the books and has been passed

01:26:38.349 --> 01:26:47.329
by the state of Illinois for us to charge facilities for lift assists.

01:26:47.329 --> 01:26:58.289
We currently charge $145 and based on half hour increments.

01:26:58.289 --> 01:27:05.649
The proposal is to change it to $150 at a straight fee regardless of the amount of time.

01:27:05.649 --> 01:27:13.249
This is not intended to charge residents in their homes or in the public for Lyft Assist.

01:27:13.249 --> 01:27:22.849
Lift Assist is when somebody's fallen, can't get up, basically. It also includes ambulance

01:27:22.849 --> 01:27:32.449
services that either don't provide enough help to move their own patients and require us to help,

01:27:34.449 --> 01:27:41.889
but it's only intended for facilities. Nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities

01:27:41.889 --> 01:27:43.889
Chief, what was the current amount?

01:27:43.889 --> 01:27:47.889
It's $145, but we charge it in half hour increments.

01:27:47.889 --> 01:27:53.889
So it was $72.50 every half hour.

01:27:53.889 --> 01:27:55.889
And your proposal is...

01:27:55.889 --> 01:27:57.889
Was $150 without any time limit.

01:27:57.889 --> 01:27:59.889
Without no time limit.

01:27:59.889 --> 01:28:00.889
Okay.

01:28:00.889 --> 01:28:01.889
Okay.

01:28:01.889 --> 01:28:02.889
Okay.

01:28:02.889 --> 01:28:03.889
Okay.

01:28:03.889 --> 01:28:04.889
Okay.

01:28:04.889 --> 01:28:19.209
Every Half Hour Was 150 Without Any Time Limit Facilities And Other Ambulance Services

01:28:19.209 --> 01:28:22.169
Is there a motion to move this forward?

01:28:22.169 --> 01:28:27.729
So moved Motion made by Alderman Klemm Seconded by Alderman Parker

01:28:27.729 --> 01:28:34.049
Discussion Alderman Sanders Chief, at these facilities there's lift

01:28:34.049 --> 01:29:04.049
District Assistance at these facilities. Are we, before we accept these kinds of things, are they considered under emergency power of the city or to help at these facilities or is it that we have, how do I want to put it, we had this, we had a

01:29:04.049 --> 01:29:23.049
What about ordinary residents? Is there separate policy, ordinance, structure, anything like that for lift assistance?

01:29:23.049 --> 01:29:28.249
for a resident in their home or like I stated in the public it's a free charge

01:29:28.249 --> 01:29:34.309
or I should say free charge it's free to any any resident or anyone within the

01:29:34.309 --> 01:29:40.169
city limits of Freeport that's not in a residential facility it's free we do not

01:29:40.169 --> 01:29:45.289
charge is it based on insurance at these facilities no it has no base is it just

01:29:45.289 --> 01:29:52.409
plain hard cash or write a check out credit card let's know it

01:29:52.409 --> 01:29:58.209
We don't charge the resident in the facility, we charge the facility.

01:29:58.209 --> 01:29:59.209
Oh, the facility?

01:29:59.209 --> 01:30:02.569
Yes, not the residents in the facility, the facility.

01:30:02.569 --> 01:30:03.569
I got you.

01:30:03.569 --> 01:30:04.569
Okay.

01:30:04.569 --> 01:30:05.569
Okay.

01:30:05.569 --> 01:30:06.569
Nice.

01:30:06.569 --> 01:30:07.569
All right.

01:30:07.569 --> 01:30:08.569
All right.

01:30:08.569 --> 01:30:13.649
Chief, could you tell me how many of these we do a year?

01:30:13.649 --> 01:30:14.649
Just a ballpark.

01:30:14.649 --> 01:30:44.249
Ballpark. As far as residential ones, we probably do a dozen. Residential ones, we probably 10 to 12 a week. Facilities, probably six or eight a year. It all depends. It runs in streaks. We also have a

01:30:44.249 --> 01:31:12.249
We have a ramp system that we've utilized with other ambulance services before. If there's a patient that they have that takes extra manpower to move, we purchase these ramp system that we can put through the doorways so we're not having to try and carry a large cot through the doorway and then up and down stairs.

01:31:12.249 --> 01:31:19.729
So that's one of the situations where we build another service for a lift assist and that

01:31:19.729 --> 01:31:28.949
usually takes, we've done it with probably six or seven of our personnel.

01:31:28.949 --> 01:31:34.649
So it's not always just a two person job for five minutes.

01:31:34.649 --> 01:31:40.009
The reason I asked that and my concern was, are we talking a minor detail here or are

01:31:40.009 --> 01:31:41.729
we talking a big deal?

01:31:41.729 --> 01:31:47.009
to me technically it's a minor detail yes you know to me if you're going from 140

01:31:47.009 --> 01:31:50.969
or this or that you know I'd say God raise it more than that you know

01:31:50.969 --> 01:31:55.289
considering the fact that you're going to a facility that already should have

01:31:55.289 --> 01:31:59.609
the personnel to do it theoretically you know correct that's the only reason I

01:31:59.609 --> 01:32:04.129
asked the question yes and that's why the state of Illinois passed a law to

01:32:04.129 --> 01:32:09.569
allow us to do that because we were a home rule we already had that ordinance

01:32:09.569 --> 01:32:24.369
We'll move on to the next meeting. Item number 11 is the first reading of ordinance 202639.

01:32:24.369 --> 01:32:26.009
Could you please read this?

01:32:26.009 --> 01:32:30.369
Ordinance amending the master parking map to provide for additional ADA parking stalls

01:32:30.369 --> 01:32:32.889
at the intersection of Spring and Chicago.

01:32:32.889 --> 01:32:33.889
Thank you.

01:32:33.889 --> 01:32:34.889
Manager Boyer?

01:32:34.889 --> 01:32:41.649
Your Honor, it has come to our attention that we don't have sufficient ADA parking spaces

01:32:41.649 --> 01:32:47.169
in the vicinity of Lindo and the Wagner House. So staff has reviewed the map and has proposed

01:32:47.169 --> 01:32:56.169
adding two ADA parking stalls adjacent to the Wagner House and the Lindo Theater. And

01:32:56.169 --> 01:33:01.209
the map is in your packet. Staff recommends moving this forward to second reading.

01:33:01.209 --> 01:33:05.209
Is there a motion to move forward?

01:33:05.209 --> 01:33:06.209
Second.

01:33:06.209 --> 01:33:09.209
A motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

01:33:09.209 --> 01:33:14.209
Discussion on the ordinance.

01:33:14.209 --> 01:33:18.209
Item number 12 is the first reading of ordinance 202640.

01:33:18.209 --> 01:33:21.209
Could you please read this?

01:33:21.209 --> 01:33:34.209
Ordinance amending chapters 1240, 1256, 1258, 1259, 1442, and 1468 of the codified ordinances concerning display and construction of signs.

01:33:34.209 --> 01:33:35.209
Director Heimerdinger.

01:33:35.209 --> 01:33:45.209
Thank you, Madam Mayor. The Community & Economic Development Department periodically reviews city ordinances to improve clarity, usability, and effectiveness.

01:33:45.209 --> 01:33:50.409
A draft ordinance was reviewed by both Planning Commission and Building Commission for both

01:33:50.409 --> 01:33:52.289
edits and approval.

01:33:52.289 --> 01:33:58.309
The primary purpose of the ordinance is to consolidate most of the sign-related regulations

01:33:58.309 --> 01:34:06.089
into a single chapter, which is now Chapter 1468, to improve clarity and ease of navigation

01:34:06.089 --> 01:34:14.129
for property owners and contractors who are seeking to construct or modify signage.

01:34:14.129 --> 01:34:18.809
Some additional amendments and clarifications were also incorporated, and I'll just run

01:34:18.809 --> 01:34:21.169
through some key changes.

01:34:21.169 --> 01:34:26.649
We updated the sign permit fees and fee structures just slightly.

01:34:26.649 --> 01:34:32.849
We established regulations for temporary and exempt signs, permitted wall art citywide,

01:34:32.849 --> 01:34:43.409
and clarified what signage and a mural definitions are, moderized illuminated sign regulations

01:34:43.409 --> 01:35:10.409
By incorporating the lighting standards that was passed at the last council meeting, established roof signs as a prohibited sign type, but then also we do have a variance and exemptions section, which is section 1468.28, and then establish new standards for home occupation signs, and then reduce the maximum signs of new billboards.

01:35:10.409 --> 01:35:18.209
That one was significant, but that is also because billboards are becoming smaller in general as they're moving to electric.

01:35:18.209 --> 01:35:25.849
They do not need to be as big to give the same emphasis and to catch people's eye.

01:35:25.849 --> 01:35:31.849
And then we streamlined approvals by allowing some administrative reviews of minor sign variances.

01:35:31.849 --> 01:35:36.769
Settlers. That's like if it's slightly over, you know, 10, if it's at under 10% slightly

01:35:36.769 --> 01:35:43.889
over, then it gives us a little bit of leeway into that. This supports and fosters safe

01:35:43.889 --> 01:35:50.169
and inclusive community by ensuring that signage is installed and maintained in a safe manner.

01:35:50.169 --> 01:35:55.409
And then it's also responsible and efficient government by addressing some discrepancies

01:35:55.409 --> 01:36:00.409
between chapters and also all the, it used to be all over. And so we're just kind of

01:36:00.409 --> 01:36:05.249
bringing it together so that it's in one clear space, and we don't have different language

01:36:05.249 --> 01:36:08.489
telling you different things.

01:36:08.489 --> 01:36:13.369
Amending doesn't require any additional funding, staff, the Building Commission, the Planning

01:36:13.369 --> 01:36:19.129
Commission recommend approval of amending all the existing chapters pertaining to signs

01:36:19.129 --> 01:36:23.009
following a first and second reading by the City Council.

01:36:23.009 --> 01:36:24.569
Is there a motion to move this forward?

01:36:24.569 --> 01:36:25.569
So moved.

01:36:25.569 --> 01:36:26.569
Second.

01:36:26.569 --> 01:36:32.569
We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Johnson. Discussion on this ordinance.

01:36:36.569 --> 01:36:42.569
Item number 13 is the first reading. Alderman Simmons, did you have something?

01:36:42.569 --> 01:36:47.569
Director Heimerdinger, do you want us to suspend the rules on that?

01:36:47.569 --> 01:36:51.569
On the signed ones? Well, we could.

01:36:51.569 --> 01:36:53.569
Yeah, let's do that. I'll make a motion to suspend the rules.

01:36:53.569 --> 01:36:55.569
What did you say? I couldn't hear you.

01:36:55.569 --> 01:36:58.169
I am making a motion to suspend the rules.

01:36:58.169 --> 01:36:59.169
Second.

01:37:05.169 --> 01:37:08.169
And Cecelia, Alderman, Stacy, were you the second?

01:37:08.169 --> 01:37:09.169
Mm-hmm.

01:37:11.169 --> 01:37:13.569
Okay, before you is suspension of the rules.

01:37:13.569 --> 01:37:17.169
Again, it's non-debatable and it's passed by two-thirds majority.

01:37:17.169 --> 01:37:20.169
Madam Clerk, would you please take the suspension only?

01:37:21.169 --> 01:37:22.169
Simmons?

01:37:22.169 --> 01:37:23.169
Aye.

01:37:23.169 --> 01:37:24.169
Parker?

01:37:24.169 --> 01:37:25.169
Aye.

01:37:25.169 --> 01:37:35.209
Sanders, Klemm, and Johnson. The motion passes six to zero to suspend. So before

01:37:35.209 --> 01:37:40.529
you is the final passage. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the

01:37:40.529 --> 01:37:50.489
roll. Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Klemm, and Johnson. And the ordinance passes six

01:37:50.489 --> 01:37:56.849
Mayor, before you move on, I have a question, because for the parking spaces, I just assumed

01:37:56.849 --> 01:37:59.369
Klemm or someone would suspend the rules.

01:37:59.369 --> 01:38:02.409
Is it possible for us to go back to that?

01:38:02.409 --> 01:38:06.609
How would I do that?

01:38:06.609 --> 01:38:09.249
Let's take a council vote.

01:38:09.249 --> 01:38:17.889
Like how would I, would I have motion to revisit or like what would I do?

01:38:17.889 --> 01:38:18.729
and

01:38:20.729 --> 01:38:21.909
Sure why not.

01:38:26.909 --> 01:38:29.709
I suppose it could be number single motion,

01:38:29.709 --> 01:38:32.709
the maid second to recall that item, okay?

01:38:36.029 --> 01:38:36.969
Yeah, that was right.

01:38:36.969 --> 01:38:38.809
Emotionally, yeah.

01:38:38.809 --> 01:38:39.869
Number 11.

01:38:39.869 --> 01:38:40.689
11, okay.

01:38:40.689 --> 01:38:41.509
Thank you.

01:38:41.509 --> 01:38:43.749
As maid and that vote passes, then we can,

01:38:43.749 --> 01:38:44.689
it'll be back on the floor.

01:38:44.689 --> 01:38:47.189
Okay, so Alderman Simmons made a motion

01:38:47.189 --> 01:39:03.189
to revisit, go back to item number 11. Is there a second? Second. So there's a motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Stacy. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on going back to item number 11. Simmons?

01:39:03.189 --> 01:39:15.189
Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Johnson? Aye. The motion to recall passes six to zero. Okay, so this ordinance is now on the floor.

01:39:15.189 --> 01:39:21.189
I'm making a motion to suspend the rules and move this forward to second reading.

01:39:21.189 --> 01:39:23.189
Is there a second?

01:39:23.189 --> 01:39:26.189
Motion made by Alderman Simmons, seconded by Alderman Johnson.

01:39:26.189 --> 01:39:30.189
Again, suspension of the rules is non-debatable and was passed by two-thirds majority.

01:39:30.189 --> 01:39:34.189
Madam Clerk, please take the roll.

01:39:34.189 --> 01:39:40.189
So this is on item number 11.

01:39:40.189 --> 01:39:51.109
Master Parking Map for an ADA stall at Spring and Chicago. Simmons. Simmons. Aye. And this

01:39:51.109 --> 01:39:52.469
is suspending the rules.

01:39:52.469 --> 01:39:58.469
and this is suspending the rules. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders?

01:40:02.469 --> 01:40:12.469
What if I want to debate that? You can't. It's non-debatable. I knew that was going to happen. Yeah, go ahead. Klemm? Aye.

01:40:12.469 --> 01:40:32.989
Johnson. Aye. The rules are suspended. Council is the second reading of ordinance 202639. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, please take the role. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders?

01:40:42.469 --> 01:41:08.709
Klemm and Johnson. Aye. And the ordinance passes six to zero. Okay. So now let's move on to where we were before, which would be item number 13, which is the first reading of 2026-41. Could you please read this?

01:41:12.469 --> 01:41:18.629
Ordinance Approving Special Use Permit Application at 1001 West Galena Avenue

01:41:18.629 --> 01:41:22.749
submitted by Domino Liquors doing business as Tony's Bar to examine the

01:41:22.749 --> 01:41:27.869
special use of a B11 restricted retail business to allow restaurants with

01:41:27.869 --> 01:41:32.189
outdoor serving areas unless otherwise permitted as a sidewalk cafe or parklet

01:41:32.189 --> 01:41:38.269
1252.01 B10. Thank you Director Heimerdinger. Thank you Madam Mayor.

01:41:38.269 --> 01:41:45.709
Here Tony's Oyster Bar is the subject property who has came in for a special use permit which

01:41:45.709 --> 01:41:50.169
is a well established restaurant and tavern along West Galena Avenue corridor.

01:41:50.169 --> 01:41:55.029
The business would like to offer its patrons an option of outdoor seating.

01:41:55.029 --> 01:42:00.069
Tony hosts food trucks at the property and outdoor seating option would be able to attract

01:42:00.069 --> 01:42:01.069
more guests.

01:42:01.069 --> 01:42:06.629
On June 2nd, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval with the condition that the seating

01:42:06.629 --> 01:42:12.309
is limited to the proposed area which is 80 feet south of Galena Avenue right away and

01:42:12.309 --> 01:42:17.669
east of the building. If you scroll down just a bit, I think there's a image on the screen

01:42:17.669 --> 01:42:27.669
that kind of shows you. It is that red box right there. Thank you Don, I appreciate it.

01:42:27.669 --> 01:42:33.509
So that is the location where the outdoor lighting, the outdoor seating would occur

01:42:33.509 --> 01:42:38.469
We're not on the Galena side.

01:42:38.469 --> 01:42:47.509
It was voted by five yeas, zero nays for Zoning Board of Appeals, and then on June 11th, the

01:42:47.509 --> 01:42:54.349
Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of six yeas, zero nays, and zero assumptions,

01:42:54.349 --> 01:42:59.749
and it passed all La Salle Sinclair factors.

01:42:59.749 --> 01:43:09.749
and the rest of the staff recommends the approval of the special use for the restaurant to allow for outdoor dining at 1001 West Galena Avenue.

01:43:09.749 --> 01:43:13.749
We are requesting a suspension of rules.

01:43:13.749 --> 01:43:28.749
As council is, the next council is three weeks away and this is a small business and so I usually ask for a suspension of rules for small businesses and residential so that you don't have to wait, especially since it's summertime and they want to be outside.

01:43:28.749 --> 01:43:58.749
Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman, Klemm. Seconded by Alderman, Johnson. Motion to suspend the rules. Second. And then we have a motion to suspend the rules made by Alderman, Klemm. Seconded by Alderman, Johnson. Same rules apply. Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the suspension only. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Klemm? Aye.

01:43:58.749 --> 01:44:05.309
and Johnson. Aye. The suspension passes six to zero. So then before you is the final

01:44:05.309 --> 01:44:11.789
for this ordinance. Any further discussion? Madam Clerk, Alderman Sanders.

01:44:11.789 --> 01:44:20.589
Where is this? I really can't get this. It's on Galena and Whistler. Right across from

01:44:20.589 --> 01:44:27.469
Maria's and the car wash. Galena and Whistler? Across from Maria's pizza? Yeah. And the car

01:44:27.469 --> 01:44:44.469
Oh, okay. Okay, Maria's pizza. There's a car wash up there. You say car wash. Oh, okay. I know where it is now.

01:44:44.469 --> 01:44:56.469
Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Johnson? Aye. And the ordinance passes six to zero.

01:44:56.469 --> 01:45:06.469
Item number 14 is an update on a request for an ADA parking stall on West Broadway made

01:45:06.469 --> 01:45:09.789
during the public comment at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

01:45:09.789 --> 01:45:10.789
Manager Boyer?

01:45:10.789 --> 01:45:12.469
Thank you, Your Honor.

01:45:12.469 --> 01:45:18.389
At the last Committee of the Whole meeting, one of our residents came in requesting this

01:45:18.389 --> 01:45:23.909
parking space, having also noted that she had requested it in the past.

01:45:23.909 --> 01:45:35.029
and looking into it, it was approved by council in April 1st. For whatever reason, the signage was not installed. So staff will be installing that right of way. Darren, did you have anything you wanted to add to that?

01:45:35.949 --> 01:45:53.889
Yeah, I would like to apologize to Ms. Shanae Bradford. Like Rob said, it was approved prior and we didn't get the signage up. She was correct. So we went ahead and move forward with ordering the sign and doing the locate. So I would hope that the sign would be put up yet this week.

01:45:53.909 --> 01:45:58.709
but again our apologies to her and thank you for her bringing it to our

01:45:58.709 --> 01:46:04.309
attention just something that slipped through the cracks. Thank you. Reports from

01:46:04.309 --> 01:46:09.089
department heads. Finance. Thank you your honor I would just like to let council

01:46:09.089 --> 01:46:14.629
know that in July we should be having the presentation of our audit for 2025

01:46:14.629 --> 01:46:23.309
and as manager Boyer referenced it will contain additional details as we put it

01:46:23.309 --> 01:46:29.309
together. It's called an annual comprehensive financial report. You'll have a lot more statistics

01:46:29.309 --> 01:46:34.429
and information about the past year and the future year for the City of Freeport.

01:46:34.429 --> 01:46:38.589
Thank you. Community Development. Thank you. I just wanted to announce Freeport

01:46:38.589 --> 01:46:43.949
FineFest is this week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, June 18th through the 20th. We have

01:46:43.949 --> 01:46:50.029
150 garage sales registered. You can find them either one of two ways. The first way

01:47:20.029 --> 01:47:25.889
Go out and do some shopping and find some some great finds here in Freeport. Thank

01:47:25.889 --> 01:47:33.849
you. Public Works? Just a few project updates. The municipal parking lot, the

01:47:33.849 --> 01:47:41.069
infamous missing drains should be cut in later this week. They are actually

01:47:41.069 --> 01:47:45.109
under the pavement so we won't be installing them. They're already

01:48:15.109 --> 01:48:17.449
from Laurel to Middlebury.

01:48:17.749 --> 01:48:20.509
I think the last driveway was poured today.

01:48:21.209 --> 01:48:23.189
So that street's coming along nicely.

01:48:23.189 --> 01:48:27.789
And we'd like to thank the Helm Group for all their hard work on that project.

01:48:29.029 --> 01:48:33.609
Gladewood, with the excessive rains that we had last week, we had some

01:48:34.409 --> 01:48:37.289
damage to the edge of the roads that we're going to have to repair

01:48:37.289 --> 01:48:39.289
and add some curb to.

01:48:39.289 --> 01:48:42.249
It's one of those things that happens this time of the year

01:48:42.249 --> 01:48:47.769
Miller, when you get extreme rainfalls, which we had back to back, so we will be addressing

01:48:47.769 --> 01:48:51.429
that with the construction team.

01:48:51.429 --> 01:49:00.129
Dewey Street, I believe it's the north half of the curb, will be done tomorrow.

01:49:00.129 --> 01:49:04.289
So we're asking all the residents to be on the other side of the street and evacuate

01:49:04.289 --> 01:49:07.529
early because the curb machine will be coming.

01:49:07.529 --> 01:49:09.249
That project's coming along nicely.

01:49:09.249 --> 01:49:15.929
We're probably, I'm going to say a couple of weeks away from final paving through that corridor, but we're making good progress.

01:49:16.889 --> 01:49:22.609
We are having some difficulties with the ComEd polls and we're making some design adjustments to deal with those.

01:49:22.609 --> 01:49:28.769
So we would like to thank Fishers for all their hard work on those projects this season.

01:49:29.449 --> 01:49:31.489
The Park Street is pretty much completed.

01:49:31.489 --> 01:49:33.529
There's some restoration going on out there.

01:49:33.529 --> 01:49:42.729
Mayor, we will be moving to Carol, Dewey, and I believe Benson shortly, so lots of busy

01:49:42.729 --> 01:49:48.809
works on the streets this year, trying to keep up with it all.

01:49:48.809 --> 01:49:52.489
Nothing, Your Honor.

01:49:52.489 --> 01:50:22.489
Nothing, Your Honor. Please? Nothing, Your Honor. IT? City Manager? Just one thing I would like to highlight and Darren, feel free to jump in on this. We are looking at some pretty extensive issues with the collection system on Benson. So just bear in mind, we have a number of streets where there's, we're seeing collapse of the sewer system and or the stormwater system. So I anticipate we're going to have to contend with some of those things. The scope of

01:50:22.489 --> 01:50:26.969
which is not fully defined right now because we haven't put the camera down there to visually

01:50:26.969 --> 01:50:32.210
inspect it yet, but I just wanted the council to be aware of that in the next several meetings.

01:50:32.210 --> 01:50:36.809
We may have some change orders related to that coming forward on those projects.

01:50:36.809 --> 01:50:38.569
Thank you.

01:50:38.569 --> 01:50:43.809
And we won't be meeting as a council again until July 6th, so have a safe and happy Fourth

01:50:43.809 --> 01:50:46.170
of July and happy birthday Alderman Klemm.

01:50:46.170 --> 01:50:47.170
Thank you.

01:50:47.170 --> 01:50:48.170
Ah.

01:50:48.170 --> 01:50:51.349
Alderman Simmons.

01:50:51.349 --> 01:50:57.469
So we have the Juneteenth celebration.

01:50:57.469 --> 01:51:01.109
There's a Juneteenth celebration coming up this weekend.

01:51:01.109 --> 01:51:08.590
It will be Friday morning, Friday morning and afternoon, Saturday and Sunday in Taylor Park.

01:51:08.590 --> 01:51:12.389
So hopefully everyone can make it out there and that's all.

01:51:12.389 --> 01:51:13.389
Thank you.

01:51:13.389 --> 01:51:14.389
Alderman Parker?

01:51:14.389 --> 01:51:17.389
Only that our neighborhood watching meeting is next Monday night, so.

01:51:17.389 --> 01:51:18.389
Thank you.

01:51:18.389 --> 01:51:19.389
Alderman Stacey?

01:51:19.389 --> 01:51:43.389
Yes, Director, Michelle. It's not a lack of trust or a lack of ability for you to do your job. It's a lack of communication.

01:51:43.389 --> 01:51:55.389
Not all Aldermen have the liberty to speak to some directors and I'll keep it nice and sweet right there.

01:51:55.389 --> 01:52:07.389
As Alderman Simmons said, Juneteenth this coming weekend, Friday will be Kids Day in the Park.

01:52:07.389 --> 01:52:14.510
Saturday we will be having a parade and an all-day event and Sunday we will be

01:52:14.510 --> 01:52:22.909
having praise and worship in the park so we ask that you all come out and join us

01:52:22.909 --> 01:52:30.630
and let's have some fun and a 5th Ward neighborhood watch meeting will be

01:52:30.630 --> 01:52:39.989
Tomorrow at 6 o'clock, the Nazarene Church on the corner of Empire and Carroll. Thank you.

01:52:40.789 --> 01:52:50.789
Alderman Sanders? Yeah, I just want to emphasize on the project that, like Darren was mentioning

01:52:50.789 --> 01:52:59.989
earlier, is on the way in my neighborhood, which is something that should be recognized

01:52:59.989 --> 01:53:04.829
John, and my colleagues know the work that I do in this district, and I think it's been

01:53:04.829 --> 01:53:14.349
tremendous and notable at this time knowing that my constituents are silent.

01:53:14.349 --> 01:53:19.630
That's a good thing, because they can see things are getting done in my neighborhood

01:53:19.630 --> 01:53:21.609
or in my community or my district.

01:53:21.609 --> 01:53:22.949
And that's a good thing.

01:53:22.949 --> 01:53:25.869
I just wanted to throw that out there.

01:53:25.869 --> 01:53:48.869
Yeah, Juneteenth is a very great day to have for all the Freeport to be there. I expect to see all the council faces there on that day. I expect all of those things and I'm making an appeal to all councilmen.

01:53:48.869 --> 01:54:15.869
You're laughing right now, but I expect to see Chief Parker there, exactly. He's one of the biggest cheerleaders for these kinds of events and things like that, so I like to see the Mayor there, I like to see Sister Johnson and Brother Klemm in the Fire Department, especially the Fire Department, to be there.

01:54:15.869 --> 01:54:21.989
and so, so whatever community events are going on throughout the community, we expect to

01:54:21.989 --> 01:54:26.590
see everybody being a part of it on that day.

01:54:26.590 --> 01:54:33.949
Alderman Klemm, I'd just like to thank the police for the work they did this week on recovering

01:54:33.949 --> 01:54:35.569
a couple weapons.

01:54:35.569 --> 01:54:38.309
Thank you guys for the great work you're doing.

01:54:38.309 --> 01:54:40.309
We appreciate it.

01:54:40.309 --> 01:54:46.469
Any other thing I'd say before we come up to the July meeting, let's make sure we have

01:54:46.469 --> 01:54:49.710
our discussions on the fire thing.

01:54:49.710 --> 01:54:56.109
So if there's any questions that you need answered, please contact Rob to get to the

01:54:56.109 --> 01:54:58.189
Chief or however we want to do it.

01:54:58.189 --> 01:55:02.989
But you know, it's some important stuff that we need to talk about and get figured out.

01:55:02.989 --> 01:55:03.989
Thank you.

01:55:03.989 --> 01:55:04.989
Alderman Johnson?

01:55:04.989 --> 01:55:10.989
Yes, we have our Neighborhood Watch meeting this Thursday at 630 at the Laurel Street Church.

01:55:12.989 --> 01:55:15.989
That concludes Council Announcements Public Comment.

01:55:15.989 --> 01:55:18.989
and others.

01:55:18.989 --> 01:55:19.989
Okay.

01:55:19.989 --> 01:55:31.349
First off, regarding the ambulance service, I wasn't aware of 88% were our citizens,

01:55:31.349 --> 01:55:37.750
so I couldn't make exact details, but a 5% increase according to my $4.8 million original

01:55:37.750 --> 01:55:40.109
estimate, it'd be 240,000.

01:55:40.109 --> 01:55:41.510
I'm not against an increase.

01:55:41.510 --> 01:55:44.710
I'd suggest about a 7.5%.

01:55:44.710 --> 01:55:47.710
This is for directly for Mr. Boyer.

01:55:47.710 --> 01:55:50.550
Mr. Boyer, I know you recognize my family name

01:55:50.550 --> 01:55:53.469
from your time in Freeport Business and Civic Circles.

01:55:53.469 --> 01:55:56.189
However, my 87-year-old stepmother, Betty Corbin,

01:55:56.189 --> 01:55:59.229
does not own 417 South Hancock Avenue.

01:55:59.229 --> 01:56:02.109
I do, by passing me to contact her regarding

01:56:02.109 --> 01:56:05.829
my personal assets, especially giving her past service

01:56:05.829 --> 01:56:08.090
on the Freeport Water and Sewer Commission

01:56:08.090 --> 01:56:12.789
from 2008 to early 2013, and her concurrent role

01:56:12.789 --> 01:56:13.789
and others.

01:56:13.789 --> 01:56:18.550
I am honored to be chairing the City Hall Building Task Force from 2011 until April of 2012

01:56:18.550 --> 01:56:20.550
was entirely inappropriate.

01:56:20.550 --> 01:56:25.529
Tempting to leverage her past civic connections, capital planning expertise or exploiting my

01:56:25.529 --> 01:56:30.510
family dynamics to circumvent the actual property owner ends today.

01:56:30.510 --> 01:56:35.309
All future communications regarding this property must come directly to me in writing.

01:56:35.309 --> 01:56:40.729
All communists can be sent to me, Scott Corbin, at 417 South Hancock Avenue, Freeport.

01:56:40.729 --> 01:56:46.369
and others. It is a legally zoned M-1 light industrial, meaning standard residential setbacks

01:56:46.369 --> 01:56:52.649
and yard rules do not apply. Furthermore, your contractor Darren Steekle threatened

01:56:52.649 --> 01:56:58.969
regarding a forced setback demolition and his verbal intimidation that a judge will only

01:56:58.969 --> 01:57:08.649
award 57,000 assessed market value if I reject your informal $100,000 offer. Our legally

01:57:08.649 --> 01:57:13.550
Mmasi, Jack, Thomas, Bob, Ben, Dennis, Eric, professionally

01:57:13.609 --> 01:57:15.609
defender.

01:57:16.809 --> 01:57:19.729
The city of Freeport just purchased that underlying

01:57:19.809 --> 01:57:21.809
lot, there by inheriting the encroachment.

01:57:23.010 --> 01:57:25.489
More importantly, my shop footprint was officially

01:57:25.550 --> 01:57:29.289
authorized under the building permit voted and approved by

01:57:29.329 --> 01:57:32.949
the Freeport City Council itself back in 2010 for the prior

01:57:32.989 --> 01:57:34.989
owner.

01:57:34.989 --> 01:57:39.689
Dugman, and the Fire Owner during my father's teneture as Alderman at large.

01:57:39.689 --> 01:57:44.889
The city cannot legally or retroactively penalize me for an infrastructure footprint it officially

01:57:44.889 --> 01:57:50.489
permitted on the public record over a decade ago, nor can its representatives weaponize

01:57:50.489 --> 01:57:58.130
arbitrary tax assessment numbers to scare me out of a constitutional right to just compensation.

01:57:58.130 --> 01:58:02.189
Three years ago, your economic developer, Wayne Dugman, told me the city isn't into

01:58:02.189 --> 01:58:32.189
Thank you Mr. Corbin, your time has expired Mr. Corbin,

01:58:32.189 --> 01:58:43.189
Mr. Corbin, your time has expired. You are causing a destruction, Mr. Corbin. Please abide by the council rules.

01:58:43.189 --> 01:58:47.189
Thank you very much. I need two statements signed, two legal statements before I leave.

01:58:47.189 --> 01:58:49.189
Are there any other public comments?

01:58:55.189 --> 01:58:59.189
Go ahead. Oh, well, Tom. Yeah, go ahead, Tommy. By the time she gets up there, you'll be fine.

01:59:02.189 --> 01:59:11.949
Freespawn, you did a good job and you because you know what to do you are smart on the road and

01:59:12.590 --> 01:59:24.909
everything and what told Jodi Miller she he does a good job a male and what that Teddy Baker day you

01:59:24.909 --> 01:59:38.909
I saw the sign. It's July 10th, 11th, and 12th. July 10th, 11th, and 12th. And, Darren, you did a good job peeling that cleaner down. We wanted to thank you very much to do that.

01:59:41.909 --> 01:59:42.909
Go ahead, Sue.

01:59:47.909 --> 01:59:51.909
Hi, my name is Sue Cook, and I am over on Winchester.

01:59:51.909 --> 01:59:54.250
I am over on Winchester.

01:59:54.250 --> 01:59:55.930
And I just want to let you guys know

01:59:55.930 --> 01:59:58.029
that there was something spectacular

01:59:58.029 --> 02:00:00.949
out at the observatory this past summer.

02:00:00.949 --> 02:00:03.069
And we had, they offered a class there.

02:00:03.069 --> 02:00:05.010
It was phenomenal.

02:00:05.010 --> 02:00:08.309
This class should be getting out through GFP

02:00:08.309 --> 02:00:10.170
because it was a phenomenal class.

02:00:10.170 --> 02:00:12.470
We have brilliant scientists out there.

02:00:12.470 --> 02:00:16.010
Jim, Bill, and Tom opened the heavens.

02:00:16.010 --> 02:00:19.909
It was amazing, absolutely amazing.

02:00:19.909 --> 02:00:21.769
So I definitely want to give the observatory

02:00:51.769 --> 02:00:55.529
really, please show up. Thank you very much.

02:00:55.529 --> 02:00:59.849
Any other public comments? Oh, yeah, you do. I'm sorry. Go ahead.

02:00:59.849 --> 02:01:09.409
There's other in person. We received an email back in February that did not get read, so

02:01:09.409 --> 02:01:17.010
we're trying to make up for that. My name is Robert and I'm a resident of Ward 5, Freeport,

02:01:17.010 --> 02:01:26.010
I sent you an email about a city ordinance with the following subject line on February 8th, 2026, 5.11 p.m.

02:01:26.010 --> 02:01:31.010
The subject was request to be read at meeting on February 9th, 26 during public comments.

02:01:31.010 --> 02:01:42.010
I listed the violations by highlighting and commenting on the ordinance as well as posing my question at the end and it was not read at the meeting that was held on 2.9.26.

02:01:42.010 --> 02:01:44.010
I was curious as to why it was not read.

02:01:44.010 --> 02:01:50.050
Red. Below you will find the original email. The question is at the bottom in bold, italicized,

02:01:50.050 --> 02:01:55.769
and in brackets. Please read this document at your next meeting. Thank you. What was

02:01:55.769 --> 02:02:02.649
requested to be read on February 9th, King's Tobacco and Market Dispensary Permit. Under

02:02:02.649 --> 02:02:08.210
Illinois law, the penalty for a drug-related crime can be upgraded if you committed that

02:02:08.210 --> 02:02:15.010
Offense, on or 500 feet from any church, synagogue, or other building, structure, or place used

02:02:15.010 --> 02:02:22.769
primarily for religious worship, see 720 ILCS 570 slash 407.

02:02:22.769 --> 02:02:28.170
A church or synagogue are clearly places of worship within the meaning of the law, but

02:02:28.170 --> 02:02:32.569
what about other structures where it's less than obvious?

02:02:32.569 --> 02:02:38.170
To determine whether a church is a place of worship, a building need not have a particular

02:02:38.170 --> 02:02:42.750
and others are physical characteristic of a church. Instead, the court looks at whether

02:02:42.750 --> 02:02:48.409
the structure is primarily used for religious purposes. Thus, a Salvation Army building

02:02:48.409 --> 02:02:53.210
was deemed a church because people came to its chapel solely for the purpose of attending

02:02:53.210 --> 02:02:59.349
religious services. See People vs. Sparks. Even where a building is a place of religious

02:02:59.349 --> 02:03:05.210
worship, it must be one on the date of the offense. In highlight, there is a church next

02:03:05.210 --> 02:03:14.729
Stewart, King's Tobacco & Market, Cannabis Dispensing Organization, Scope of Sales, They

02:03:14.729 --> 02:03:21.349
are authorized to sell cannabis flower, cannabis infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia

02:03:21.349 --> 02:03:31.590
and related supplies, 12-7406, Adult Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization, In those

02:03:31.590 --> 02:03:36.809
Those zoning districts in which an adult-use cannabis dispensing organization may be located,

02:03:36.809 --> 02:03:40.250
the proposed facility must comply with the following.

02:03:40.250 --> 02:03:46.809
A. Facility may not be located within 1,500 feet of the property line of a pre-existing

02:03:46.809 --> 02:03:53.609
public or private nursery school, preschool, primary or secondary school, or licensed daycare.

02:03:53.609 --> 02:03:59.289
In another highlight, Faith Academy Learning Center is located as a private school by the

02:03:59.289 --> 02:04:05.050
School Board of the State of Illinois. Back to the ordinance. Learning centers.

02:04:05.050 --> 02:04:11.369
Madam Clerk, your time has expired. Is there any other public comments? Yes. Alderman Stacey?

02:04:17.849 --> 02:04:20.250
I stand before you tonight as a citizen.

02:04:20.250 --> 02:04:34.250
I don't know who I need to speak with on this matter. However, I was totally blown when

02:04:34.250 --> 02:04:48.529
I opened up my water bill and it was $290.23 and I am the only one who lives in my home.

02:04:48.529 --> 02:04:58.409
I was told that it was a guesstimate and not a true reading.

02:04:58.409 --> 02:05:01.409
Why are we having guesstimates?

02:05:01.409 --> 02:05:17.809
I was also told that next month it will balance out and I would probably have a credit.

02:05:17.809 --> 02:05:22.809
I don't know what all this is about, but I will know.

02:05:24.449 --> 02:05:29.449
And I hope and trust that I have no bill and a credit

02:05:31.889 --> 02:05:36.889
because it was $20 shy of tripling this month.

02:05:38.989 --> 02:05:41.850
And it was a guesstimate reading.

02:05:41.850 --> 02:05:46.029
How often do we have these guesstimate readings?

02:05:46.029 --> 02:06:16.029
I'm told that the system just automatic does it I need some understanding on this matter and I would like to know how often does it happen are people aware that this is happening you better be opening up your water bill because you will not know from one month to the next

02:06:16.029 --> 02:06:24.329
if you're being built correctly thank you there's no further public comments I'll

02:06:24.329 --> 02:06:32.670
entertain a motion to adjourn motion made by Alderman Simmons seconded by Alderman

02:06:32.670 --> 02:06:38.389
Parker all those in favor signify by saying aye have a good