Meeting Events

Meeting: azue-lcubui.city_council_meeting_12_1_2025

Meeting date: 2025-12-01

Meeting type: city_council

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

Decisions and Votes

• Approval of Agenda

  • Summary: Motion made regarding the approval of the agenda.
  • Evidence: “So we’ll start with item number one which is the approval of the agenda is there such a motion? So moved. Second.”
  • Source timestamp: 00:59

• Dismissal of Agenda and Consent Agendas

  • Summary: Motion to dismiss the meeting and all consent agendas.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “And so this is my motion to have this meeting dismissed, all consent agendas to be dismissed, and if anybody wants to challenge that, as council, I’m talking about council, where we have debated, talked about these ordinances, adoptions, amendments, and anything else that rules this community. This community is run by laws and governing and ordinances or bylaws.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:16

• Dismissal of Meeting

  • Summary: A motion to dismiss the meeting was made.
  • Evidence: “My motion is for this meeting to be dismissed. That’s what my motion is.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:41

• Dismissal of Agenda Items

  • Summary: A motion was made on the floor to dismiss all items on the agenda.
  • Evidence: “Okay, so we have a motion on the floor to dismiss all items on the agenda.”
  • Evidence: “Okay, so we have a motion on the floor to dismiss all items on the agenda. Is there a second?”
  • Source timestamp: 07:03

• Approval of the agenda — Passed

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding the approval of the agenda.
  • Evidence: “So now before you is the motion of approval of the agenda.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the approval of the agenda. Oh, I’m sorry, I was prepared for a voice, but roll call is fine. Please. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. I’m here. Your choices are yes, no, or abstain. Yes. Sellers. Yes. Klemm. Yes. Johnson. Yes. Simmons. Yes. And Stacy. Yes. The motion passes eight to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:08

• Approval of minutes from November 17th, 2025 special meeting — Passed

  • Summary: A motion was made by Alderman Sellers and seconded by Alderman Johnson to approve the minutes from the special meeting on November 17th, 2025.
  • Evidence: “Item number two is approval of the minutes from the special meeting on November 17th, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? So move. I second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Johnson.”
  • Evidence: “All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? That motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 08:29

• Consent Agenda consideration

  • Summary: A motion was made to consider the consent agenda as routine in nature and act on it by one motion.
  • Evidence: “Seeing none the consent agenda. The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there’s a member of the council like to have Something removed for further discussion”
  • Evidence: “So move. Second.”
  • Source timestamp: 14:40

• Approval of the consent agenda

  • Summary: Vote taken on the approval of the consent agenda.
  • Evidence: “So madam clerk could you please take the role on the consent agenda Shadle aye Sanders no Sellers aye Klemm aye Johnson aye Simmons as absent Parker aye Stacy sustain you’re abstaining I’m sorry I I didn’t hear you. So we have one, two, three, four, five in favor, one opposed, one abstentia, one absent equals eight.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:48

• Motion passing on consent agenda — Passed

  • Summary: The motion regarding the consent agenda passed.
  • Evidence: “Madam Mayor, who had the second on that? Shadle, thank you. And the motion passes. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:48

• Adoption of Safety Action Plan Resolution

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Klemm to adopt the resolution.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “is there a motion to adopt a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:34

• Adoption of the Safety Streets for All grant plan — Adopted

  • Summary: Motion to adopt a motion regarding the Safety Streets for All grant.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm, Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “so can we move forward with the Safety Streets for All grant is there a motion to adopt a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 7 to 1.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:34

• Adoption of Strategic Vision and Goals Plan for 2026 through 2028 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the strategic plan.
  • Evidence: “Staff requests you move forward with resolution to accept the strategic plan. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. And the resolution is adopted. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six in favor, one opposed, one abstentia.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:38

• Approval of Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation Ordinance — Passed

  • Summary: Staff recommends moving forward with approving the 2026 appropriation ordinance.
  • Evidence: “We have gone over the 2026 appropriation ordinance and staff recommends moving forward and approving it tonight. Discussion on this ordinance.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. I’m sorry. Sanders? No. Sellers. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy. The ordinance passes 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:04

• Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation Ordinance — Passed

  • Summary: The ordinance passed with a vote of 6-2.
  • Evidence: “Shadle. Aye. I’m sorry. Sanders. No. Sellers. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy. The ordinance passes 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:53

• Second reading of ordinance 2025-62: City of Freeport tax levy — Passed

  • Summary: The ordinance passed with a vote of 7 to 1.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. No. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. The ordinance passes 7 to 1.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. The ordinance passes 7 to 1.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:22

• Ordinances 64 through 72 passage vote — Passed

  • Summary: The ordinances 64 through 72 passed by a vote of 7 to 1.
  • Evidence: “The ordinances 64 through 72 are passed by a vote of 7 to 1.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:28

• Ordinance authorizing disposal of personal property (20-25-73) — Passed

  • Summary: The ordinance passed by a vote of 8 to 0.
  • Evidence: “The ordinance passes 8 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:13

• Second reading of ordinance regarding signage in public ways

  • Summary: Motion to move to a second reading of the ordinance.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Staff and the Planning Commission recommends moving to a second reading of this ordinance. Thank you. Is there a motion to move this forward? So moved. Second.”
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:28

• Second reading recommendation for Ordinance 2025-80

  • Summary: Staff recommends moving forward with Ordinance 2025-80 for a second reading.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “So staff recommends moving forward with this ordinance for a second reading. Is there such a motion? So moved. I second.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:53

• Removal of Sister City Topic Indefinitely — Failed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Stacy to remove the topic indefinitely.
  • Evidence: “The motion made by Alderman Stacy, seconded by Alderman Simmons.”
  • Evidence: “The motion fails three to five.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:44:24

• Adoption of Resolution Establishing Sister City Relationship — Adopted

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the resolution establishing a sister city relationship with Lidditz, Pennsylvania.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk please take the roll. Shadle? Yes. Sanders? No. Sellers? Yes. Klemm? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Yes. Stacy? No.”
  • Evidence: “And the resolution is adopted 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:47:33

• Adoption of resolution 2025-146 (Capital Improvement Plan) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution adopting the Capital Improvement Plan was adopted with a vote count of 6-2.
  • Evidence: “Shadle? Yes. Sanders? No. Sellers? Yes. Klemm? Yes. Johnson? Yes. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Yes. Stacy? No. And the resolution is adopted 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:47:33

• Adoption of the 2026 through 2029 Capital Improvement Plan

  • Summary: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution adopting the 2026 through 2029 Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. The motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:50:34

• Adoption of resolution 2025-146 (Capital Improvement Plan) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution adopting the Capital Improvement Plan was adopted with a vote count of 6-2.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. And Stacy? No. The resolution is adopted 6-2.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:53:08

• Adoption of resolution 2025-147 (Write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted with a vote of 6-2.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 6-2.”

• Adoption of resolution 2025-147 (Write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances) — Adopted

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Shadle to adopt the write-off resolution.
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Stacey. The resolution is adopted 8 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:46

• Adoption of Landfill Engineering Contract

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the landfill engineering contract with Fehr Graham.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:18:58

• Adoption of Resolution 2025-149 — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted with a vote tally of 7-0 with one abstention.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 7-0 with one abstentia.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:58

• Adoption of stormwater inspection reporting project

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the stormwater inspection reporting project.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “So moved. I second. Motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Johnson.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:11:03

• Approval of Cinegro for biosolids hauling contract

  • Summary: Motion to approve Cinegro for a haulage of biosolids.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle/Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “staff recommends moving forward Howard, with the resolution to approve of Cinegro for a hollage of biosolids. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved.”
  • Evidence: “A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:18:40

• Adoption of resolution — Passed

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted 8-0.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 8-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:10

• Adjournment of Council Meeting — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made to adjourn the meeting.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “I will entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second. A motion made by Alderman Shadle, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Evidence: “All those in favor? Aye. Opposed?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:30:54

Procedural Actions

• Invocation

  • Summary: The Mayor led the council in a prayer invocation.
  • Attribution: Mayor Miller
  • Evidence: “Sure. I, Council Mayor, let’s bow our heads. Dear Lord, we thank you and praise you, Lord Jesus, for all that you are. We thank you that you are the way that I am, that you see all, you hear all, you know all. You are in all, you are through all, and you are over all. Father, we just invoke your presence here tonight, Father. We ask you, Lord, that everything that’s done tonight will be done decently and in order. We ask you, Father, God, that we would honor Miller, and and bless those that are around us that we will all look to each other and give each other the respect and honor that’s due them. Father, we ask you to move in our midst that all things that are done tonight will be done for your plans and your purposes for this city will be done in accordance with your will, Father, and will help to prosper the city and move it forward in all that you have for it. In Jesus name. Amen.”

• Adoption of Agenda Items 6 and 7

  • Summary: The council noted items 6 and 7 are resolutions that are slightly out of order but were placed next to the presentation.
  • Evidence: “Okay just so you’re aware items 6 and 7 are resolutions that are just slightly out of order but we wanted to put them right next to the presentation that’s why it’s that way”
  • Source timestamp: 00:59

• Dismissal of agenda items motion

  • Summary: The motion to dismiss all items on the agenda died for lack of a second.
  • Evidence: “That motion dies for a lack of a second.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:08

• Public Comment Status

  • Summary: No one signed up for public comment.
  • Evidence: “Darren, can you look and see if there’s anything signed up? No. Item number four. There’s no one signed up for public comment.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:24

• Public comment for item number four

  • Summary: No one was signed up for public comment for item number four.
  • Evidence: “Item number four. There’s no one signed up for public comment. We’ll move on to the consent agenda”
  • Source timestamp: 14:40

• Consent agenda consideration

  • Summary: The consent agenda is considered routine in nature and acted upon by motion unless a council member requests removal.
  • Evidence: “The consent agenda is considered to be routine in nature and acted as one motion unless there’s a member of the council like to have Something removed for further discussion”
  • Source timestamp: 14:40

• Point of Order regarding agenda items 20 and 21

  • Summary: A speaker raised a point of order concerning engagement with the council about items 20 and 21.
  • Evidence: “You asked for a point of order okay about you wanting to engage with the council about items 20 and 21 that you do not agree they should be on the agenda”
  • Source timestamp: 20:52

• Agenda approval status

  • Summary: A speaker stated that the agenda approval had already been done.
  • Evidence: “we’re not on that portion of the agenda the agenda approval of the agenda was already done okay”
  • Source timestamp: 20:52

• Discussion focus for consent agenda

  • Summary: A speaker clarified that only the consent agenda should be discussed.
  • Evidence: “the agenda item is the consent agenda that’s the only thing that should be discussed is the consent agenda which is not what you’re talking about”
  • Source timestamp: 20:52

• Consent Agenda approval status

  • Summary: A speaker stated that the process for approving the consent agenda had already taken place.
  • Evidence: “That’s a different item that took place already. They are two different things. So now before you is the approval of the consent agenda.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:24

• Clarification of rules procedure

  • Summary: A speaker requested clarification on the rules procedure.
  • Evidence: “I need to be able to rebut what he just said. We’re talking about the consent agenda. Because I said a point of order, not a consent of agenda. Order a clarification of the rules procedure”
  • Source timestamp: 21:42

• Support for Safety Streets for All Grant

  • Summary: Manager Boyer requested counsel support to move forward with the Safety Streets for All grant.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Yes. I would like counsel to support this moving forward so we can move forward with the Safety Streets for All grant is there a motion to adopt a motion made by Alderman Klemm seconded by made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:34

• Second reading of Ordinance 2025-61: Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation Ordinance

  • Summary: The second reading of the ordinance regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation.
  • Evidence: “Item number eight is the second reading of Ordinance 2025-61. Could you please read this? Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriation Ordinance.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:04

• Second reading of Ordinance 2025-62: City of Freeport tax levy

  • Summary: The second reading of the ordinance regarding the City of Freeport tax levy.
  • Evidence: “Item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 2025-62. Could you please read this? City of Freeport tax levy.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:53

• Second reading of ordinance 2025-62: City of Freeport tax levy

  • Summary: The city will keep the tax levy level or no increase as of last year, and staff requests moving forward with the 2025 city tax levy.
  • Evidence: “Item number nine is the second reading of ordinance 2025-62. Could you please read this? City of Freeport tax levy. Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Just to recap, the city will be keeping the The tax levy level or no increase as of last year and staff request moving forward with the 2025 city tax levy.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:53

• Abatement of real estate tax levies for general obligation bonds

  • Summary: Ordinance 2025-64 abates the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2013. Ordinance 2025-65 abates the practical estate tax agree for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2014.
  • Evidence: “Ondanance $2025.64 is to a bait the $2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2013 $2025.65 abates the practical estate tax agree for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series $2014”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Abatement of real estate tax levies for general obligation bonds

  • Summary: Ordinance 2025-66 abates the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2015A.
  • Evidence: “be ordinance $2025.66 abates the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series For the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-15A”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Abatement of real estate tax levies for general obligation bonds

  • Summary: Ordinance 2025-67 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-16.
  • Evidence: “Ordinance 2025-67 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-16”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Abatement of real estate tax levies for general obligation bonds

  • Summary: Ordinance 2025-68 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-18.
  • Evidence: “Ordinance 2025-68 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-18”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Abatement of real estate tax levies for general obligation bonds

  • Summary: Ordinance 2025-72 abates the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2022.
  • Evidence: “Boyer of 2025-72 abating the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2022.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Second reading of ordinance 20-25-73

  • Summary: Item number 12 was the second reading of ordinance 20-25-73, authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city.
  • Evidence: “Item number 12 is the second reading of ordinance 20-25-73. Could you please read this? Ordinance authorizing the sale, recycling, donation, and or disposal of certain personal and or disposal of certain personal property owned by the city.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:28

• First reading of ordinance 2025-78

  • Summary: Item number 13 was the first reading of ordinance 2025-78, concerning amending Chapter 1020, Streets Generally, Section 1020.13 regarding signage.
  • Evidence: “Item number 13 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-78. Could you please read this? Ordinance amending Chapter 1020, Streets Generally, Section 1020.13, Erection of Banner, Signs, etc. To prohibit the placement of signage on any city street alley or public way.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:13

• Motion to move Ordinance 2025-79 forward

  • Summary: A motion was made and seconded regarding moving Ordinance 2025-79 forward.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to move Ordinance 2025-79 forward? So moved. Second.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:29

• Roll Call Vote Tally

  • Summary: The roll call vote was taken for the council meeting.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. Johnson. Aye. Simmons. Aye. Abstain.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:47

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Adoption of Safety Action Plan — Adopted

  • Summary: Resolution 2025-143 adopts a Safety Action Plan as part of the City’s participation in the U. S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Streets for All Grant.
  • Attribution: Clerk
  • Evidence: “Resolution Adopting a Safety Action Plan as a Part of the City’s Participation in the U. S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s Safe Streets for All Grant.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:18

• Ordinances 2025-64 through 2025-72 regarding real estate tax levy abatement

  • Summary: The ordinances 2025.64 to 2025.72 abate the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of general obligation bonds, covering series 2013, 2014, and others.
  • Evidence: “Ondanance $2025.64 is to a bait the $2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series 2013 $2025.65 abates the practical estate tax agree for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series $2014 be ordinance $2025.66 abates the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds, Series For the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-15A Ordinance 2025-67 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-16 Ordinance 2025-68 abates the 2025 Real Estate Tax Levy for the repayment of the General Obligation Bonds, Series 20-18 Boyer of 2025-72 abating the 2025 real estate tax levy for the repayment of the general obligation bonds series 2022.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:57

• Current signage ordinance text (Chapter 1020, Section 13)

  • Summary: The current ordinance prohibits erecting, fixing, flying, or maintaining any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device over and across any street, alleyway, or public way without prior approval of the City Manager.
  • Evidence: “The current ordinance reads as follows, No person shall erect, fix, fly, or maintain any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device, regardless of its height, over and across any street, alleyway, or public way, except with the prior approval of the City Manager.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:02

• Modified signage ordinance text (Chapter 1020, Section 13)

  • Summary: The modified ordinance prohibits erecting, fixing, flying, or maintaining any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device upon, over, or across any street, alley, or public way within the city.
  • Evidence: “Now, the modified ordinance is as followed, no person shall erect, fix, fly, or maintain any banner, sign, flag, advertisement, or other such device, regardless of its height, upon, over, or across any street, alley, or public way within the city.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:31

• Ordinance 2025-79: Fiscal Year 2025 Reappropriation Ordinance

  • Summary: The ordinance concerns necessary revenue and expense adjustments for the City Council.
  • Attribution: Director Richter
  • Evidence: “Is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-79. Could you please read this? Fiscal Year 2025 Reappropriation Ordinance. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:40

• First reading of Ordinance 2025-80: Adapting Revised Hanger Lease Form

  • Summary: The first reading of Ordinance 2025-80, titled ‘Ordinance Adapting Revised Hanger Lease Form’, was introduced.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 15 is the first reading of Ordinance 2025-80. Could you please read this? Ordinance Adapting Revised Hanger Lease Form.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:44

• Second reading of Ordinance 2025-80: Adapting Revised Hanger Lease Form

  • Summary: The ordinance was moved to second reading.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Staff recommends moving this on to second reading. Yep, we have the first and second to move forward.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:40:42

• First reading of Resolution Establishing a Ceremonial Sister City Relationship with Littitz, Pennsylvania

  • Summary: The first reading of Resolution 2025-145 was introduced.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 16 is the adoption of resolution 2025-145. Could you please read this? Resolution Establishing a Ceremonial Sister City Relationship with Littitz, Pennsylvania”
  • Source timestamp: 01:40:55

• Adoption of resolution 2025-147 (Write-off of uncollectible balances)

  • Summary: Item number 18 was the adoption of resolution 2025-147, authorizing the write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances aged 7 years and over.
  • Evidence: “Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-147. Could you please read this? Resolution authorizing the write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances aged 7 years and over”
  • Source timestamp: 01:53:20

• Adoption of Resolution 2025,148 — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution approving agreement with Fehr Graham to provide consulting services for landfills 2-3 and landfill 4 was adopted.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025,148. Could you please read this? Resolution approving agreement with Fehr Graham to provide consulting services for landfills 2-3 and landfill 4.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01:18

• Approving agreement for airport stormwater inspections and reports

  • Summary: Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide Alberta’s airport stormwater inspections and reports.
  • Evidence: “Item number 20 is adoption of resolution 2025-149. Please read this. Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide Alberta’s airport stormwater inspections and reports.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:58

Financial and Contract Events

• General Fund expense adjustments

  • Summary: The general fund saw additions for smaller funds due to increased medical insurance costs because the pool required additional funds for a terminal reserve. Finance noted an increase of three hundred dollars for overtime, an increase in bank fees, a decrease in other technical services, and an increase to computer software.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “On the expense side, in the general fund, you’ll see that we’ve added in the smaller funds, we had additional costs in our medical insurance as our pool required additional funds to be part of the terminal reserve. It’s a little bit complicated but we’re part of a pool we need to have funds in reserve with them and they had increased that a little bit it didn’t affect the big departments it only affected the small departments that only have one or two employees in the department so you’ll see that throughout my memo. Finance department increase of three hundred dollars for overtime due to tight Turnaround Times and Holidays and Vacations, increase to bank fees, decrease in other technical services, and an increase to computer software.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:05

• Legal department expenses and revenue

  • Summary: The legal department had increases due to two bargaining unit contracts, requiring both an expense line item and a corresponding revenue line item increase.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Legal department, we did have to do some increases in this area. We had two bargaining unit contract We had to increase the expense line item, where we also increased the revenue line item.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:28:07

• Airport management and grant projects expenses/revenue

  • Summary: The airport management expense decreased slightly, and contracted building repair and maintenance was decreased due to reduced costs for fixing hanger roofs. The cost of grant projects increased, resulting in an increase to both revenue and expense that counter-canceled each other.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “The airport, we’ve decreased the airport management expense slightly. We’ve decreased the contracted building repair and maintenance because we are significantly able to reduce the amounts of the cost to fixing the hanger roofs out there. And then we increased the cost of the grant projects. So this is another situation where we increase the revenue and we increase the expense. They counter cancel each other.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:05

• Other technical services adjustments (Street lights/IDOT)

  • Summary: Adjustments were made for other technical services, including adding street lighting per a resolution and adding lights related to IDOT corridors or downtown lights using grant funding.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And other. Cemetery, we had some other technical services we needed to adjust for. Street lights, these were two big projects, well we added street lighting per one of our resolutions earlier in the year and then we also added lights and I might be corrected here it had to do with the IDOT corridors or downtown lights I think is what it was where this is where we got grant funding back through IDOT.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:39

• Community development wage and service adjustments

  • Summary: Non-bargaining wages decreased due to the departure of the community development director and an open grants manager position. Consulting services increased to assist with a housing rehab grant, while education training and travel decreased by 9,000.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Community development, we decreased non-bargaining wages due to the departure of the community development director. We had some open time there. And we had an open grants manager position. We increased consulting services to assist with grant compliance for a housing rehab grant. And then we also decreased education training and travel for 9,000.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:17

• Fire pension contribution increase

  • Summary: The fire department needed to increase the fire pension contribution by $50,000 as determined by the actuary and required by their bond agreement.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Police and fire, there are just a couple changes there. With fire, we needed to increase the fire pension contribution by 50,000. That amount’s determined by our actuary and we have to, per our agreement, our bond agreement, we need to increase that. We need to pay what the actuary says is due each year.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:36

• Building Department expense increases

  • Summary: The Building Department saw increases in health insurance expense and plumbing inspections.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Building Department, increase in health insurance expense and an increase in plumbing inspections.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:01

• Hearing administration and taxes increases

  • Summary: Hearing administration increased due to more hearings for rental registration. Other technical services saw smaller increases, postage increased due to rate hikes, and real estate taxes increased by $12,660 for 5G cell tower properties.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Animal control, we had a significant vehicle repair that we needed to cover. Animal control is just one person, very small department, so this was kind of an outlying expense that wasn’t anticipated. Hearing administration was also increased due to increased hearings for rental registration, landlord rental registration, and then interdepartmental. We had some other smaller increases in technical services, increase of postage due to postage rate increases, and also an increase of $12,660 for real estate taxes. And those are on the 5G cell tower properties which we’re working on trying to get that alleviated or reduced.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:14

• Neighborhood housing tax and demolition changes

  • Summary: Neighborhood housing saw an increase in real estate taxes of $600, an increase to land property acquisition for demolition, and a decrease in demolition expense.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Moving on to neighborhood housing. We have an increase in real estate taxes of $600, increased to land property acquisition for property to be demolished and then a decrease to demolition expense.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:07

• Healthcare fund adjustments

  • Summary: Several accounts needed adjustment in the healthcare fund. Payments are made from the bulletproof vest grant, which required a slight increase because the city has a 50% match.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Healthcare fund, several accounts needed to be adjusted in the healthcare fund. This is where all of the payments for our medical insurance come into and we pay the bill out of bulletproof vest grant. We had a slight increase because the city has a 50% match. So we had to increase that a little bit.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:29

• ETSB 911 tracking and expense categories

  • Summary: ETSB 911 is a new category for funds received, tracked separately for the 911 Dispatch Center. The number of expense categories needed to be expanded.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “ETSB 911, this is a new category for us. We just started receiving these funds. We keep them tracked separately as they’re for the 911 Dispatch Center. We have found through the past year that we just needed to expand the number of categories to track expenses in 911. So that’s why there was a change there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:10

• EV charger grant funding anticipation

  • Summary: Changes were made to the EV charger grant because full funding is anticipated.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Um, let’s see, uh, we’ve made changes to the EV charger, uh, grant cause we’re anticipating, um, that to be fully funded.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:31

• Lamb Road TIF reserves adjustment

  • Summary: The amount of reserves needed for 2025 was decreased because the walnut lift station project will not be completed in 2025.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Kind of skipped down just a couple to the Lamb Road TIF. I decreased the amount of reserves needed in 2025, as the walnut lift station project will not be completed in 2025. So this is another one of those situations where we have to make an adjustment at the beginning and the end of the year, depending on how far that project is along.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:04

• West Avenue and Meadows TIF changes

  • Summary: Slight changes were noted for West Avenue and Meadows TIF.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Slight changes to West Avenue and Meadows Tiff.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:39

• Street Improvement Fund revenue and project funding

  • Summary: Sales tax revenue was increased by 295,000 based on actual receipts, while electric and natural gas taxes were reduced due to dropping receipts. A new project on 18th Avenue added both expense and revenue, paid for by the solar company.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And coming on the last page here, Street Improvement Fund. I’ve increased the sales tax revenue by 295,000. That’s based on actual sales tax receipts that the way that they’re coming in and also reduced electric and natural gas taxes as those receipts are dropping. But the big thing that we have added here was the project on 18th Avenue, both the expense and the revenue as this will be paid by the solar company.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:39

• Street Improvement Fund adjustments

  • Summary: Increased sales tax revenue by $295,000 and reduced electric and natural gas taxes due to dropping receipts.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “I’ve increased the sales tax revenue by 295,000. That’s based on actual sales tax receipts that the way that they’re coming in and also reduced electric and natural gas taxes as those receipts are dropping.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:52

• 18th Avenue project funding

  • Summary: The expense and revenue for the 18th Avenue project will be paid by the solar company, making it a wash that will be billed to the solar company.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “But the big thing that we have added here was the project on 18th Avenue, both the expense and the revenue as this will be paid by the solar company. I don’t remember their name, but that project is a wash. So we will bill the solar company for that expense.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:11

• Street Improvement Fund carryover funds

  • Summary: Projected use of $1 million in carryover funds from the street improvement fund, which is due to the viaduct status.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “And then I did project to use the carryover funds in the street improvement fund of $1 million. And we do have that in the fund. And that’s kind of due to the viaduct and the status of where that is.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:36

• Water Fund grant revenue decrease

  • Summary: Decreased grant revenue in the water fund by $8 million because related projects are not yet underway.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “And finally, just small changes in the water fund and sewer fund, I did decrease the grant revenue in the water fund for 8 million just because those projects aren’t quite here yet and those revenues aren’t coming in yet. That’s for the water treatment plant number 12 which is still in the beginning stages.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:05

• Biosolids handling contract expiration

  • Summary: The contract between Synegro and the City of Freeport is set to expire in December of 2025.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “The contract between Synegro and the City of Freeport is set to expire December of 2025.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:20

• Biosolids contract pricing adjustments

  • Summary: The original contract price was $46.99 per cubic yard for an estimated 3,300 cubic yards. The amendment adjusts the price to $48.21 per cubic yard effective January 1st to $26 through December 31st to $28 when the contract expires.
  • Evidence: “The original contract price was $46.99 a cubic yard for an estimated 3,300 cubic yards. The amendment would adjust the price to $48.21 per cubic yard effective January 1st to $26 through December 31st to $28 when the contract expires”
  • Source timestamp: 02:18:32

• Biosolids Land Application Contract Expiration and Renewal

  • Summary: The current contract between Synegro and the City of Freeport is set to expire in December of 2025. The new contract ensures continued compliance with our National Pollution Discharge Permit.
  • Evidence: “The contract between Synegro and the City of Freeport is set to expire December of 2025. The new contract ensures continued compliance with our National Pollution Discharge Permit.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:17:20

Projects

• Downtown Master Plan Completion

  • Summary: Completing the development of the Downtown Master Plan helps attract funding and developers.
  • Evidence: “A big one there in the middle is completing a development of the Downtown Master Plan. We just heard in your safety plan, by having this plan, it helps you attract funding and developers, in this case, and other partners to help you continue to build up your downtown.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:52

• Government building capital outlay for storm windows

  • Summary: The government building required an increase in capital outlay for storm windows because the project was not substantially completed last year.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “We had to in government building, we had to increase the capital outlay for the storm windows. We thought this project was going to be substantially completed last year. So that sometimes happens, you know, and this happens with grants as well, is where you think you’re going to be 50% done with that project, but you’re only 25% done by the time the year ends. So we have to make small adjustments for those types of things.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:28:43

• Stormwater inspection reporting project for city-owned airport

  • Summary: The total cost of the stormwater inspection reporting program is $7,300.
  • Attribution: staff
  • Evidence: “The total cost of the program is $7,300, and staff recommends moving forward with the stormwater inspection reporting project.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:10:52

Presentations and Reports

• Service Awards Recognition for Lieutenant Weichel

  • Summary: Lieutenant Weichel was recognized for his 20th year anniversary with the city and his service in various roles including ERT commander.
  • Attribution: Chief
  • Evidence: “Lieutenant Weichel was hired on December 27th of 2025 and celebrates is his 20th, 20th year anniversary this month. Lieutenant Weichel has served the city in a variety of positions, including the mobile field force, being a member of the ERT or emergency response team, who’s also the ERT commander.”
  • Source timestamp: 08:47

• Service Awards Recognition for Brandy Hillby

  • Summary: Brandy Hillby was recognized for her 25 years of service to the city, noting her dedication and community involvement.
  • Attribution: Chief
  • Evidence: “Secondly, I’ll have Brandy Hillby come up here and join me. Brandy Hillby took her oath to serve the citizens of Freeport on December 26, 2025. She celebrates 25 years this month. Brandy has served the city in a variety of positions, patrol officer, SUV Hillby is an integral part of the police department.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:50

• Presentation of Safe Streets for all: Freeport Forward SS3 Safety Action Plan

  • Summary: Matthew Deerdahl presented an overview and offered adoption of the Freeport Forward SS3 Safety Action Plan.
  • Attribution: Matthew Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “Item number six is the presentation of Safe Streets for for all. Matt and Lexi. Should I just dive into it or? Okay. Thank you for having me tonight. My name is Matthew Deerdahl. I work for Alta Planning and Design. And today we’re just giving a presentation and offering adoption of the Freeport Forward SS3 Safety Action Plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:40

• Vision for safe travel

  • Summary: The articulated vision is a city where everyone can travel safely and confidently.
  • Attribution: Matthew Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “And so the vision that we are articulating here is a city where everyone can travel safely and confidently. It’s fairly simple and something that we believe can happen.”
  • Source timestamp: 25:56

• Community engagement and safety analysis findings for Freeport corridors

  • Summary: The presentation covered community feedback from surveys and open houses regarding speeding, lack of sidewalks, and difficult street crossings. It highlighted that the top 9% of streets account for about 60% of severe crashes.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “So the map to the right, especially the red, you know, the brighter colors, that represents about 9% of streets in Freeport that account for about 60% of severe crashes. So crashes that end in fatalities or people’s lives being dramatically altered because the crash was very serious.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:09

• Vulnerable road users and infrastructure gaps

  • Summary: The discussion covered identifying infrastructure gaps, such as sidewalk gaps, visibility at night, and focusing on vulnerable road users (people walking or biking or using wheelchairs).
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And I think I said some of that here. Discussing, you know, we talked about infrastructure gaps, like sidewalk gaps, things like that. Visibility at night is a big one that we heard as well. And then we looked a lot at vulnerable road users. And usually we mean people walking or biking when we say vulnerable road users.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:33

• Coordination with IDOT for safety analysis

  • Summary: The presentation noted that the city manages city streets while IDOT handles busy roads, and stressed the importance of coordination with IDOT to raise the profile of specific highways.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “This was an interesting one because the city of Freeport manages the city streets and IDOT has a lot of really busy roads in Freeport. And so we wanted to identify a specific subset of IDOT highways that showed up on the safety analysis and one of the big things that we would like to encourage you all going forward in the TAC agreed in our most recent meeting is that coordination with IDOT will be really important to sort of raise the profile of these corridors to see if we can get some”
  • Source timestamp: 30:01

• School crossing safety focus

  • Summary: The process identified school crossings as an area of concern, noting that issues there can often be addressed through striping and signage rather than major infrastructure projects.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Moving on to some of the areas where the city does have control. School crossings was an important part of this process, and so we identified just issues as school crossings. Now these aren’t going to necessarily be the major infrastructure projects. A lot of the issues at school crossings can be addressed through striping, signage, you know, things like that.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:56

• Five priority locations identified in safety plan

  • Summary: The high-level takeaway included identifying five priority locations: Adams, Cherry, Empire and Walnut intersection, Kiwanis Drive, and Stephenson Street.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Now, I think this is the most interesting or high level takeaways of the plan is identifying the five priority locations. Some of them, most of them are corridors, and then there’s an intersection. And so that’s Adams, Cherry, Empire and Walnut intersection, Kiwanis Drive, and then Stephenson Street.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:29

• Implementation strategies for safety improvements

  • Summary: Recommendations included thinking about safety holistically when programming projects or seeking grants, and using the ‘quick build method’ with low-cost materials like bollards and striping to maintain momentum.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And I think the main takeaway here, other than getting the state roads on IDOT’s radar, is just thinking about safety holistically any time you can. So thinking about how you program projects in the CIP, how you approach grant funding or seeking grants, staff training, doing things quickly, so we call it the quick build method of implementation using lower cost but high value materials such as ballers, striping, movable items, things like that that can be implemented really quickly and see some safety improvements.”
  • Source timestamp: 32:05

• Safety action plan dashboard for transparency

  • Summary: The city developed an interactive website page (safety action plan dashboard) to allow users to view findings, track progress, and maintain transparency regarding crash locations and identified corridors.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And then we also included a safety action plan dashboard which is essentially a pretty interesting interactive website Page, that as you scroll down, a lot of the really interesting findings will appear and you can click and zoom and look at different maps and see where the crashes were, see the corridors that we identified in a really interacting and interesting way.”
  • Source timestamp: 32:49

• Safety Action Plan Dashboard and Roadmap

  • Summary: The safety action plan includes an interactive website dashboard for viewing findings, tracking progress, and zooming on maps of crashes and identified corridors. The implementation roadmap ranges from Quick Build to permanent projects, and the city can update this as time goes by.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “And then also evaluation and tracking progress as you go is also really important. So this is something that the city can update as time goes by. There’s just an example, static example, of what’s on there. And again, like I mentioned, in the website itself, you can zoom in on this map and play around as much as you want.”
  • Source timestamp: 33:47

• Plan Review Findings

  • Summary: During the plan review period in November, dozens of people commented, most regarding encouraging people to slow down. This finding was added to the plan.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “And then I’ll also note in the plan review period in November, we did add a couple other things on non-infrastructure items. So dozens of people commented on the plan itself, and most of them were more about getting the word out, you know, encouragement, trying to help people slow down, you know, and things like that, and so we thought that was a good finding from the engagement period, the review of the plan, and so we added that to what’s before you.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:16

• Adoption Meaning and Benefits

  • Summary: Adopting the plan is important because it helps make the city eligible for federal grants to implement ideas, and it is helpful from a strategic perspective as well.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “So what does adoption mean? I think the main thing is that it really helps, it’s like the whole point actually, is to make you eligible for federal grants to implement some of these ideas. So that’s the big one, but also it’s just important because there are a variety of strategies, and a variety of ways that this can be hopefully useful for you.”
  • Source timestamp: 35:07

• Implementation Workshop Plan

  • Summary: The next day, champions will be assigned in the implementation workshop, as having a champion is crucial because without one, there is no project. The group will also discuss annual tracking going forward.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “And then in the implementation workshop tomorrow, we’re going to assign champions. And I think that’s such an important part of this. I was saying that if you have no champion, you have no project. And so basically a champion can be somebody that really like takes something. They own it to help make sure that it gets implemented.”
  • Source timestamp: 35:28

• Draft of the 2026-28 strategic plan

  • Summary: Presentation introducing the draft 2026-28 strategic plan, which includes a vision and mission statement.
  • Evidence: “Item number 7 is the presentation of the draft of the 2026-28 strategic plan. Eric? Good evening, everybody. Thanks for having me tonight.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:56

• Vision statement for Freeport

  • Summary: The vision statement describes Freeport as a destination of choice with an innovative city boasting a thriving business-friendly economy.
  • Evidence: “Freeport is a destination of choice, so they wanted to come here, right? Our innovative city boasts a thriving business-friendly economy with vibrant and safe neighborhoods. Freeport supports an abundance of educational, cultural, and family-oriented experiences for all residents, including visitors.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:35

• Mission statement for the City Government

  • Summary: The mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents by maximizing opportunities for social and economic development.
  • Evidence: “And the mission is to strive to improve the quality of life for all residents living and working in this community by maximizing opportunities for social and economic development while ensuring and attractive, sustainable and secure environment.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:23

• City Mission Statement and Plan Basis

  • Summary: The city’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents by maximizing opportunities for social and economic development while ensuring an attractive, sustainable, and secure environment.
  • Evidence: “And the mission is to strive to improve the quality of life for all residents living and working in this community by maximizing opportunities for social and economic development while ensuring and attractive, sustainable and secure environment. So that’s sort of the basis for the whole plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:23

• Safe, Inclusive Community Plan Highlights

  • Summary: Key strategies from the last plan that have been addressed include police department staffing, adding a social worker, improving technology use, and increasing the diversity of the force.
  • Evidence: “Some highlights here, when we looked back at the last plan, some of your key strategies in the last plan were police department staffing, the idea of adding a social worker, the idea Fowler, and then the idea of improving the use of technology, increasing the diversity of the force so that it better represents the community.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:35

• Communication Engagement Goals

  • Summary: Past goals included improving bilingual communications, launching quarterly newsletters, and using multiple languages on utility bills.
  • Evidence: “In the past, you had goals around improving bilingual We launched it and actually started producing some bilingual communication tools. We also launched quarterly newsletters and the utility bills, using water notices in multiple languages, those sorts of things, improving road construction and public notification, improving the use of your Facebook page.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:05

• Bilingual Communications and Community Visibility Goals

  • Summary: Key strategies include continuing to build on bilingual communications, participating in community events for visibility, and creating a dashboard to track progress.
  • Evidence: “Key strategies in this category going forward, continuing to build on bilingual communications, continuing to participate in events and being out and visible in the community, creating a dashboard to help you see. So you just saw an example of a safety dashboard. We’re planning a dashboard that would let you see at a glance how you’re doing on some of the most important things that you’re working on in any given year.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:41

• Infrastructure Projects and Funding Highlights

  • Summary: Past achievements include Adams Avenue reconstruction ($11 million), over five miles of water main, almost four miles of sewer lining, 1,902 lead services replaced, new wells online, and $5 million in external funding for a wastewater treatment plant.
  • Evidence: “for example, you’ve had the Adams Avenue reconstruction, an $11 million project there. We’ve got over five miles of water main, almost four miles of sewer, about the same number of linings in the sewer lines. The lead service replacement, you guys are leading many cities in the state in terms of replacing lead water lines, so 1,902 lead services replaced and a few more to finish Shupp, and when we turn the page, you’ll see that. You’ve got new wells online. So these are big time infrastructure projects, wastewater treatment plant, getting $5 million in external funding.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:42

• Infrastructure Improvement Plans and Grants

  • Summary: Highlights include doubling the residential matching grant from $1.50 a square foot to $3 per square foot for sidewalk replacement, executing the street improvement plan (17 and a half miles paved over five years), partnering with IDOT, and completing lift stations and stormwater basins.
  • Evidence: “Some highlights though, doubling the funding for residential matching grants. So you’ve been offering citizens $1.50 a square foot to help them replace sidewalks with a match, and you’re gonna double that to $3, and it fits inside of your budget. Executing the street improvement plan, so continuing to work on streets to the tune of 17 and a half miles of streets being paved on average over the next five years. That’s total over the five years. So that’ll be a big impact. Partnering with IDOT. You’ve got IDOT support coming.”
  • Source timestamp: 55:51

• Economic Development Efforts and Goals

  • Summary: Efforts focus on improving retention and growth of existing businesses, attracting new businesses, expanding retail around the metal shopping area (building on $13 million in past investment), creating a five-year economic development plan for the airport, and tracking shovel-ready sites and housing development.
  • Evidence: “Some of the goals are related to improving retention and growth of existing businesses. So a big focus on that, obviously attracting new businesses if we can, expanding retail in and around the metal shopping area, building on that $13 million investment that’s happened in the past, creating a five-year economic development plan for the airport.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:05

• Economic Development Progress Metrics

  • Summary: Over the last five years, $83 million in grants and forgivable loans were secured from outside the community for infrastructure like streets, fire/police service, water/sewer services, and fiber optics neighborhoods.
  • Evidence: “So, 83 million dollars of grants and forgivable loans have been secured over the past five years from outside the community, and that’s gone to streets and fire and police service, water and sewer services, fiber optics neighborhoods, and so forth, et cetera.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:13

• Secured Funding Commitments

  • Summary: Partnerships secured funding including $47 million from Fehr Graham, $15 million investment from Surf Internet, and a commitment of $3.5 million from the city and IDOT for overlays on Stephenson and Lincoln and Walnut and Adams streets.
  • Evidence: “Partnership with Fehr Graham has secured $47 million. … Surf Internet is going to invest $15 million. That investment is secured. So these are all dollars that the city and IDOT, this is what I was looking for earlier, the partnership committed for $3.5 million for overlays and Stephenson and Lincoln and Walnut and Adams streets.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:18

• Community Connection and Accessibility Focus Areas

  • Summary: Key strategies for connection focus on improving accessibility through transportation, including trails, biking, and walking, and exploring public transportation options.
  • Evidence: “big focuses here around accessibility. How can we continue to improve accessibility? How can we continue to improve walkability and being able to bike and, you know, hop on a trail? … And then can we also explore how to increase maybe even public transportation, right?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:04:51

• Public-Private Partnerships Overview

  • Summary: Cities rely on partnerships with state agencies, nonprofit groups, and individual businesses for progress, citing examples like the yield program, High Hope Freeport, and Faith Leaders for Peace partnership.
  • Evidence: “Some of the progress you’ve seen in the past, the yield program, connecting students to opportunity, High Hope Freeport and Faith Leaders for Peace partnership to address violence. You couldn’t be doing that on your own, right?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:56

• Future Partnership Expansion Areas

  • Summary: Strategies involve continuing to expand partnerships with IDOT, engaging youth through a youth council concept, and strengthening connections in healthcare, park districts, and senior resources.
  • Evidence: “Lots of strategies here around partnership, continuing to expand and deepen the partnerships you have around all kinds of categories, whether that’s with IDOT, engaging youth and a youth council is a concept in this plan. And then looking at healthcare and park districts and senior resources and the list goes on here of different partnerships that you can strengthen and try to impact the results you’re getting as a community with the city either taking a lead or being a convener of some of these partners often.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:07:19

• Arts and Culture Strategy

  • Summary: The presentation covered strategies for arts and culture, including forming an Arts and Culture Commission, developing an arts and culture district to attract funding, and measuring the economic impact of events.
  • Evidence: “And in recent progress, the Arts and Culture Commission was formed. And that led to the Sculpture Project, I did it, which is a pretty cool amenity for your city… Now how can they start driving events? Maybe they could outline an arts and culture district. Arts and culture districts can be to be used to attract funding and support, to have more arts and culture events and amenities in your community. Riverwalk development, cultural festivals, those types of things are all in this.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:47

• Freeport Public Library Tax Levy (Ordinance 2025-63)

  • Summary: The library’s levy request for 2025 paid in 2026 is $1,114,500. This increase would generate $52,500 more in property taxes from last year.
  • Evidence: “Based on this information, the library’s levy request for 2025 paid in 2026 is $1,114,500. This increase would generate $52,500 more in property taxes from last year.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:58

• Surplus inventory at Albertus Airport ordinance

  • Summary: Staff recommended moving the ordinance regarding surplus inventory at Albertus Airport forward for destruction or sale.
  • Evidence: “We had first reading at the last city council meeting about a surplus inventory at the Albertus Airport and staff recommends moving the ordinance forward for destruction or sale. Discussion on this ordinance.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:48

• Signage ordinance amendment (Chapter 1020, Section 13)

  • Summary: The Planning Commission recommended moving the changes to Chapter 1020, Section 13 to Council after a public hearing on November 13th.
  • Evidence: “Director Heimerdinger? Thank you Madam Mayor, the City Staff Planning Commission and Building Commission are working on cleaning up zoning codes and ordinances as it relates to signage. Chapter 1020, Section 13 was evaluated by the Planning Commission and a public hearing was held during their Thursday, November 13th meeting to discuss the changes. The Planning Commission has recommended moving it to Council.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:44

• Fiscal Year 2025 Reappropriation Ordinance adjustments

  • Summary: The City Council amends the appropriation ordinance to account for necessary revenue and expense adjustments, detailing changes in state revenues, sales tax increases/decreases, special use tax reduction, and other funding sources.
  • Attribution: Director Richter
  • Evidence: “At the end of each fiscal year, the City Council amends the appropriation ordinance to take into account necessary revenue and expense adjustments. I do have several to read, so I’ll try and be concise. The memo identifies each of the changes and along with the ordinance, there was an exhibit A in your packet, which represents all of the changes numerically. So we have made adjustments to several of the state revenues based on actual receipts from the Illinois Department of Revenue. Sales tax increased by 323,000. Home rule sales tax increased by 200,000. However, special use tax was reduced by 245,000. I’d like to explain this just a little bit. Special use tax, you might recall on your personal income tax. There’s always a line that says, have you bought something in another state, but you wish to pay tax for it now on your and We’ve also seen reductions in the areas of electric and natural gas, so there’s been adjustments there, and also cable television tax. The city does have a tax on cable television, however, people are now moving, personally moving away from cable, and they’re streaming, they’re just getting internet only, that kind of thing. That kind of thing. So we have been seeing that over these last few, well, several years, we’ve slowly seen reductions to cable television tax. School resource officer, our agreement to provide a school resource officer was reestablished late this past year as we didn’t budget for it. So it has been reestablished and so we receive a portion of the salary to the city. We received several small grants. We don’t usually budget for these grants, as we don’t know they’re coming in. So we received grants for tasers. We received grants for the AED units that we purchased in the spring. ComEd gave us support to the Streetlight program, $35,000. And then also PD is receiving a retail crime grant for $9,000. A couple other things, quickly, that we added revenue, overweight, oversight load permits, that was new this year, we’ve added a new ordinance, we’re tracking that revenue separately. Airport grant, we increased the amount of funding coming in for airport grants, we’re receiving residual grants, grant funding from a couple projects that they’re finishing up. And the Fencing grant that we’re still receiving a little bits of money. They’re just about wrapped up. Spiller fee, we never know if we’re ever going to, if we get spiller fee unless an incident happens. And so we had a hazmat, it’s incident. We’re able to bill wherever that happened at to recoup the cost of the materials that were used to clean up that incident. And insurance proceeds. We generally don’t budget for insurance proceeds, as it’s really unpredictable, but this year we received some insurance proceeds due to the police building and HVAC electrical issue that happened over there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:06

• Library fund changes review

  • Summary: Any changes in the library fund were reviewed by the library and approved by the board.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “let’s see the library fund, any changes in the library fund were are reviewed by the library, and the board approve their changes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:49

• Changes to lease agreement language in paragraph six (Repair and Maintenance)

  • Summary: The city will be responsible for the electricity, repair of the electricity, and the outside premise under the revised lease language.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “It is in paragraph six, repair and maintenance. So essentially it changes, it essentially means the city’s responsible for the electricity, the repair of the electricity and the outside premise.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:53

• Sister City relationship proposal with Littitz, Pennsylvania

  • Summary: Freeport has a growing connection with Littitz, Pennsylvania due to shared similarities like German heritage and strong downtown activity. Tim Connors proposed the resolution.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Freeport’s recently developed a growing connection with Littitz, Pennsylvania. They share many similarities with Freeport, the German heritage, strong downtown activity life and a well-known pretzel identity. Tim Connors has served as the informal local ambassador to Littitz and has proposed the city consider a ceremonial resolution establishing a sister city relationship.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:07

• Resolution Establishing a Ceremonial Sister City Relationship with Littitz, Pennsylvania

  • Summary: The purpose of the sister city designation is to build friendships, share ideas, celebrate shared heritage, and look for opportunities that strengthen both cities. Possible areas of collaboration include tourism, cultural events, youth activities, historic preservation, and resident engagement.
  • Evidence: “A sister city designation would recognize the goodwill already formed between both communities and the purpose is simple. Build friendships, share ideas, celebrate shared heritage, and look for opportunities that strengthen both cities.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:30

• Resolution Establishing a Ceremonial Sister City Relationship with Littitz, Pennsylvania

  • Summary: The action is ceremonial and does not commit the city to program, staffing, or funding. Any future activities will be voluntary, community-driven, and brought to council if they require approval.
  • Evidence: “This action is ceremonial. O’Neill. It does not commit the city to program, staffing, or funding. Any future activities will be voluntary, community-driven, and brought to council if they require approval.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:57

• Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2029

  • Summary: It is essential to plan carefully for the maintenance, replacement, and improvement of public infrastructure and facilities as the community grows and evolves.
  • Evidence: “As our community continues to grow and evolve, it’s essential that we plan carefully for the maintenance, replacement, and improvement of our public infrastructure and facilities.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:47:33

• Capital Improvement Plan for 2026 through 2029

  • Summary: Director Richter presented the City of Freeport’s capital improvement plan for years 2026 through 2029, describing it as a multi-year roadmap for infrastructure investments.
  • Evidence: “Attached is the City of Freeport’s capital improvement plan for years 2026 through 2029. Each of the items identified will come before council prior to purchase. You are not approving the purchase of the items at this time. This is a living document.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:14

• Write-off of utility balances necessity

  • Summary: Director Richter stated that writing off utility balances is necessary when a resident’s balance is considered to be uncollectible.
  • Evidence: “The write-off of utility balances is necessary when a resident’s balance is considered to be uncollectible.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:53:29

• Resolution authorizing the write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances aged 7 years and over

  • Summary: Director Richter presented on the necessity of writing off utility balances to accurately reflect the city’s financial position, proposing to write off all balances prior to July 1st of 2018. The proposed total write-off amount is $75,556.46.
  • Evidence: “Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 2025-147. Could you please read this? Resolution authorizing the write-off of uncollectible water and sewer balances aged 7 years and over Alder. Thank you, Director Richter. … The proposed total to be written off is $75,556.46.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:53:20

• Adoption of resolution 2025-148 (Item number 19)

  • Summary: The meeting moved to Item number 19, the adoption of resolution 2025-148.
  • Evidence: “Item number 19 is the adoption of resolution 2025,148.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01:18

• Landfill Engineering Contract Requirement

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented the need for an annual engineering contract with Fehr Graham for monitoring and upkeep of three city-owned landfills due to legacy costs.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “As we all know, we own several landfills, all of them capped but have legacy costs related to monitoring for Contaminants and that will go on for quite some time. So the City of Freeport has an annual engineering requirement for these services for 2, 3, and 4 and as part of the Illinois EPA protection closure process.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01:42

• Fehr Graham Contract Details

  • Summary: The contract requires services including routine sampling, lab analysis, leachate system upkeep, and reporting by an Illinois licensed engineer.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “This 2026 contract reflects an increase in the IEPA required sampling parameters and the cost of professional certified lab testing. A contingency line is set up for unforeseen regulatory work mandated by the leachate system issues, I. E. We’ve had various concerns with jetting or cleaning and monitoring those and other EPA permitted directives.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:02:58

• Cost structure for services in packet

  • Summary: The costs for services were outlined by unit price, with only contingency items being potentially added if unknown conditions arise.
  • Attribution: Sellers
  • Evidence: “In the packet today, every cost for the services was outlined specifically by unit price. It’s established by unit price. Settlers, the only items that could be added are contingency items that are unknown at this time.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:03

• Emergency authority for additional sampling costs

  • Summary: Contingency money exists to address emergencies like unforeseen sink issues and can only be approved by the city manager through a contract, above listed items.
  • Attribution: Sellers
  • Evidence: “If some condition changes during the calendar year, the DPA directs us that we have to do additional sampling or, you know, God forbid something happens out there that, you know, a sink or something extra happens. We have contingency money that is only placed for that to address emergencies and it can can only be approved by the city manager through this contract above and beyond what is already listed.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:21

• EPA sampling reduction efforts at landfills

  • Summary: The landfill manager reported filing numerous letters with the EPA to reduce sampling, which was done at no cost to the city, as lab sampling is a significant portion of the contract cost.
  • Attribution: Sellers
  • Evidence: “We filed numerous letters with the EPA to reduce sampling at all of the landfills trying to reduce this contract and save the city costs because we know this is an expensive contract. We have several letters back that they’ve denied the reduction in sampling but we did that at no cost. And Sampling but we did that at no service cost to the city just trying to reduce the cost because lab sampling is getting extremely expensive and is probably close to 50% of this contract cost alone.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:04

• Airport stormwater inspection program details

  • Summary: The city-owned airport requires quarterly inspections and annual reporting for required stormwater pollution prevention by a licensed stormwater inspector and professional engineer, with a total cost of $7,300.
  • Evidence: “The city-owned airport is required to have quarterly inspections and annual reporting for required stormwater pollution prevention by a licensed stormwater inspector and professional engineer. Again, Fehr Graham has brought forward and has assisted the city for several years on this, and we would like to bring that before council. The total cost of the program is $7,300, and staff recommends moving forward with the stormwater inspection reporting project.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:58

• Resolution approving agreement for biosolids handling

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented information regarding the byproduct of wastewater treatment: biosolids are dewatered solid matter that can be land applied as natural fertilizer via a contracted hauler, Synegro.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “The biosolids is a solid matter. After it’s gone through the treatment process, it has been dewatered and stored in a biosolid Ford, Michael, and Fred, and the man who was in charge of the construction of the new waste waste treatment plant. Once the storage area is full, staff call a contracted hauler, Synegro, to land apply that biosolid.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:16:44

• Department Head Reports

  • Summary: Confirmation that Finance, Community Development, Public Works, Fire, Police Department, Library, IT, and City Manager had no reports.
  • Evidence: “Finance? Nothing, your honor. Thank you. Community Development? Public Works? Nothing tonight thank you fire thank you no report this evening nothing from the police department library nothing thank you and IT thank you city manager nothing tonight your honor”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:10

• Neighborhood Watch Donation Information

  • Summary: Information provided regarding donations for ‘Shop with a Cop’ to the Fraternal Order of Police.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Oldman, Klemm? If I could Mayor, Chief, at our neighborhood watch the other night, it came up about the Shope with a Cop. And there were some people interested in giving and we passed the information on. Is there anything that you can tell that if somebody wants to give, how they could contact you guys or who would be the person? Sure. So we’ll be doing shop with a cop on Saturday morning. We’ll be taking donations anytime, particularly this week. Donations can be made to the Fraternal Order of Police.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:27:20

Metrics

• Crash data trends

  • Summary: Data showed a large increase in crashes over the study period for fatal incidents, with vulnerable users being at greatest risk.
  • Evidence: “You can see some data on the bottom, large increase in crashes over the study period for them were fatal. And then the more vulnerable users of the road are at greatest risk.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:15

• Open House attendance

  • Summary: Over 150 residents engaged at the open house held last February.
  • Evidence: “So over 150 residents engaged, which we always, you know, we always want more people to engage, but we are pretty happy with that in Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:42

• Neighborhood Tree Progress

  • Summary: Progress in neighborhood trees includes 422 trees planted, while removing more than every day.
  • Evidence: “So if you look at progress, 422 trees, that’s, that’s a tree, you know, more than every day being removed and planting 150 to still, you know, keep, we want trees in our town.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:52

• Refresh Freeport Participation Target

  • Summary: The target for Refresh Freeport participation is 200 participants by the end of 2027.
  • Evidence: “And the Target of 200 participants by the time we get to the end of 2027.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:35

• Annual biosolids tonnage and cost to Cinegro

  • Summary: The average annual tonnage is 3,300 tons per year, and in 2024, the city paid Cinegro $123,000.
  • Attribution: Director Richter
  • Evidence: “Essentially we’re talking about our average is 3,300 tons per year at. 48.46. Director Richter has some. I do have a number for 20, in 2024, we paid Cinegro 123,000.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:20:38

Discussion

• Agenda Approval Debate

  • Summary: A council member argued that if the agenda is not approved, there can be no business.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “I’d like to to dismiss the approval of this agenda so that we can bring it up at another time. I think that anything that’s on this agenda has not been approved by council. And if council is not approving this agenda, then there is no business.”
  • Source timestamp: 00:59

• Governing Body Procedures Discussion

  • Summary: A council member stated that the governing and legislating aspects of city business have not been validated or adopted by council.
  • Evidence: “Council has not adopted anything and talked about it or collaborated on any issues of this business, of the business of the city. Until we have gotten together and adopted anything, rules of laws and governing bylaws and ordinances, we’re not even half touching the surface.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:40

• Council validation of prior agreements

  • Summary: A speaker stated that nothing discussed was validated by council signatures and that the city has not adopted any rules, laws, governing bylaws, or ordinances.
  • Evidence: “Prove me wrong that anything that I said was already validated with the signatures of council. Council has not adopted anything and talked about it or collaborated on any issues of this business, of the business of the city. Until we have gotten together and adopted anything, rules of laws and governing bylaws and ordinances, we’re not even half touching the surface.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:33

• Point of order regarding consent agenda items 20 and 21

  • Summary: A point of order was raised concerning item 20 and 21 on the consent agenda, arguing that discussion should not cover those specific items.
  • Evidence: “Yeah, I’d like to bring a point of order, put a point of order in motion here. And the fact that you’re rushing this thing, this agenda process, processing going on, I want my councilmen to pause for a minute to think about what item 20 and 21 is doing because we have, hey, this has nothing to do with that. I call a point of order.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:11

• Consent agenda scope clarification

  • Summary: Discussion confirming the consent agenda only covers routine items and not specific discussions on item 20 and 21.
  • Evidence: “Attorney Zito has the floor. You asked for a point of order okay about you wanting to engage with the council about items 20 and 21 that you do not agree they should be on the agenda we’re not on that portion of the agenda the agenda approval of the agenda was already done okay”
  • Source timestamp: 20:44

• Safe System approach overview

  • Summary: The Safe System approach aims to identify items causing the most harm on streets and prevent them, acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable.
  • Attribution: Matthew Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “So the Safe System approach, as I was discussing, is about identifying the items that are causing the most harm on our streets and working to prevent them. And so the overall idea is that people are going to make mistakes as they are, walking, biking, driving around our communities. We don’t necessarily think that it’s possible to prevent those mistakes from happening, But what we want to do is make sure that those mistakes don’t end or significantly alter people’s lives.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:39

• Plan development phases

  • Summary: The plan involved four phases: assessing risk through data and safety analysis, engagement, developing strategies with policy/peer city analysis, and drafting the final plan.
  • Attribution: Matthew Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “And so the four phases you can see here is assessing the risk through some fairly rigorous data and safety analysis, engagement, and then we took those two things together Miller, along with some policy and some peer city analysis and developed strategies that the City of Freeport can tackle moving forward, along with some specific projects, which we’ll get to in a second. And then the final stage here towards the end of the year has been drafting the plan that’s before you today.”
  • Source timestamp: 25:24

• Community engagement efforts

  • Summary: Engagement included developing a transportation advisory committee, an online survey with an input map, walk audits by staff (Darren and Derek) and field Dodditz, and holding an open house.
  • Attribution: Matthew Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “There was a significant amount of engagement effort. We developed a transportation advisory committee that I can share kind of the names and representation of that committee towards the end if you’re interested. We had an online survey with an input map and we got a lot of comments on that. Staff, Darren and Derek, Fehr Graham, did walk audits of several of the corridors, field Dodditz, essentially, of the corridors that rose to the top to get a sense of what the issues are. And then we held an open house, again, last February, here in this room.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:20

• Safety Action Plan Scope and Funding Source

  • Summary: The safety action plan was based on grant dollars received from IDOT, focusing specifically on street safety for traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists, not crime studies.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “I wanted to remind everybody that this was grant dollars that we were received from IDOT to do this study. So it’s based on street safety of traffic pedestrians and bicyclists. That was the focus of this entire project.”
  • Source timestamp: 35:55

• Focus Area for Implementation Funding

  • Summary: The intersection of Miller, Walnut, and Empire has become a primary focus area for projects seeking implementation money.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “And I also wanted to mention that our group and the data kind of came together, Miller, the Walnut Empire intersection where the streets are offset has become kind of our number one focus of projects that we would like to get implementation money for.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:44

• Benefit of Plan Adoption

  • Summary: Adopting the plan signifies the city’s support in pursuing implementation funding from IDOT.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “So it is a positive benefit to have done this and adopt the plan means that the city’s supportive of us chasing the implementation money.”
  • Source timestamp: 37:16

• Data Inclusion Inquiry on Accidents

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding whether the study included data points such as the ages of people involved in accidents or if those individuals resided within the city of Freeport.
  • Attribution: Alderman Johnson
  • Evidence: “I did, was curious to see if you did include possibly ages of people that were in the accidents or if they were people that lived in the city of Freeport or not that were involved in the accidents. I don’t know if that’s something that was included or not in this study.”
  • Source timestamp: 37:41

• Future Safety Improvements

  • Summary: The speaker noted that improvements are visible at the intersection of Park and Stephenson, which is appreciated, especially for school safety.
  • Attribution: Alderman Johnson
  • Evidence: “I do know also that, and we all We all know that the intersection of Park and Stephenson, there did have a lot of work done on it this summer, there’s more to do, but it’s just, you know, we can see the improvements happening, so that’s much appreciated, so thank you for all your work and I believe that it’ll go forward and definitely will improve and be better and safety, especially for the kiddos at school.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:43

• Cost of Adopting Safety Action Plan

  • Summary: The adoption of the plan costs nothing to the city; it only provides eligibility to pursue grant dollars.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “At this point, nothing. This is strictly going after implementation money, so adoption of the plan doesn’t cost anything, just gives us the ability to chase grant dollars and bring them back to Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:58

• Funding structure for IDOT grants

  • Summary: IDOT grants often require a matching percentage from the city, such as 80-20.
  • Evidence: “A lot of times IDOT grants are 80-20, but it depends on the specific grant in which dollars you’re chasing, but true implementation money.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:28

• Commitment to adopting the safety action plan

  • Summary: Adopting the plan requires accepting all associated outcomes.
  • Evidence: “But when you commit to adopting this plan, then you have to accept all that comes with it, the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:03

• Plan Organization and Focus Areas

  • Summary: The plan is organized into priority areas; neighborhoods and housing has a greater emphasis on neighborhoods and the idea of building strong neighborhoods.
  • Evidence: “As we go along, it’s organized into priority areas. So you can see here, these priority areas are pretty much the same as last year. We did change, I think neighborhoods and housing has a greater emphasis on neighborhoods and the idea of building strong neighborhoods.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:46

• External Funding Measurement

  • Summary: The city measures external funding, such as a half a million dollars for demolition and blight work, which does not come from Freeport taxpayers.
  • Evidence: “Well, if you bring in a half a million dollars to support external funding in the city to help take care of demolition and bright and blight work that you’re doing, that makes a big difference. Huffines, John Huffines. Those are dollars that are coming from outside in the form of grants and not coming from taxpayers here in Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:52

• Future Economic Development Strategies

  • Summary: Key future strategies include increasing forgivable loan and grant programs to maximize taxpayer dollars, improving collaboration and using technology to increase efficiency inside of how we work as a government, staff development, and succession planning.
  • Evidence: “looking ahead, you got to keep doing that. So that game’s over, new game looking forward, continuing to build on that, increasing forgivable loan and grant programs to maximize taxpayer dollars, key strategy, improving collaboration and using technology to increase efficiency inside of how we work as a government, key Huffines. So, it’s a key strategy. Staff development, succession planning, so we’ve got good talent running and supporting this city.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:48

• Abatement ordinances discussion

  • Summary: The bond abatements have been discussed at the Committee of the Whole and also first reading at the last council meeting, and staff requested approval.
  • Evidence: “The bond abatements have been discussed at the Committee of the Whole and also first reading at the last council meeting and staff request that the council approve the abatement ordinance. Discussion on these abatements.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:26

• TIF district funding for bond payments

  • Summary: Clarification was sought regarding whether the obligation bonds fall within TIF districts, and it was noted that 2015 A has a percentage divided among the TIF, general fund, storm fund, and sewer funds.
  • Evidence: “Are these payments made through the TIF districts? That these obligation bonds fall in? No. … on the memo it segregates that there’s two bonds that portions of them that come from the TIFs. And what numbers are those? 2015 A has a percentage because that one’s divided up among the TIF, the general fund, storm fund, and sewer funds, and then also the Settlers, Plum, Johnson, Simmons, Parker, and Stacy.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:18:16

• Spiller fee billing and insurance proceeds

  • Summary: The council discussed that spiller fees are only billable if an incident occurs, noting that hazmat incidents allow billing to recoup material costs. Insurance proceeds are generally not budgeted for due to unpredictability.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Spiller fee, we never know if we’re ever going to, if we get spiller fee unless an incident happens. And so we had a hazmat, it’s incident. We’re able to bill wherever that happened at to recoup the cost of the materials that were used to clean up that incident. And insurance proceeds. We generally don’t budget for insurance proceeds, as it’s really unpredictable, but this year we received some insurance proceeds due to the police building and HVAC electrical issue that happened over there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:35

• Scope of electrical responsibility under new lease language

  • Summary: The change includes making the city responsible for all electrical within the hanger, which was previously not included in the mechanicals and electrical responsibilities of the leasee.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “So we’re including the electrical within the hanger. So now the city is responsible for all and Bitz.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:38:26

• Capital Improvement Plan funding and scope

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy questioned the plan regarding pending loans for water and sewer projects, noting that future funding could come from grants or forgiveness, and expressed concern about the overall volume of planned work.
  • Evidence: “All these things that says pending loan, pending loans, like we’re going to take loans out for all of this, or the ones that’s already out there. Those projects, I think it’s mostly under water and sewer is where you’re looking, would be IEPA loans. But if I remember, if I’m looking at this, all of these are projected out a year also. So they are pending loans but like I said it’s fluid you know if we come across a grant that’s going to pay for it or we’re going to get some forgiveness or something like that that will change we’re not locked into these loans at this time IEPA loans have to come to council but if we agree to do the project and we don’t get any money in then we’re locked into that loan Gabbard. We wouldn’t start a project without knowing where the funding is coming from and approval by council with these dollar values and please the years 2026 are budgeted in the budget that was just passed this earlier 2026 2027 and further out those you know that’s our those are our goals those are you know the the projects we have that we know we need to get done but it My problem with all of this is that we have so much, so many irons in the skillet. We got so much already started and so much that you’re planning on to get started when this that we’ve already started is not even finished and complete. And I just feel like it’s just too much. There’s too much.”

• Write-off of uncollectible utility balances

  • Summary: Alderman Sellers questioned how long resident names remain on the list after write-off and whether landlords are included.
  • Evidence: “Discussion on the resolution? Yes, Alderman Sellers. I just have a quick question. How long are these residents’ names? How long do they stay on the list if they want to come and reapply for water, sewer, or whatever? How long is their name on there? Is it on there indefinitely or?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:55

• Write-off of uncollectible utility balances

  • Summary: A discussion point raised regarding the inclusion of businesses like Banker’s Trust Company of California in the write-off list.
  • Evidence: “How many of these are businesses? Landlords? I’m going to pick out one. I pulled out Banker’s Trust Company of California. Why do we even have Banker’s Trust Company of California owing us $485,000?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:56:19

• Write-off of uncollectible utility balances

  • Summary: Director Richter clarified that the department checked every account to ensure no active accounts were missed.
  • Evidence: “I would also, I would just like to continue. We did check every one of these to see if they had an active account currently. And if they did, we moved it to the active account.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:00:23

• Financial Oversight of Consulting Studies

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders questioned the process for cost assessment and financial reporting related to studies like the one involving Fehr Graham, emphasizing that such reports must pass through council.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “I’m just going to bundle it together, couple it together, so I’m not cut off. I’m making my point… What I’m wondering is, and I heard Director Boyer spoke that he was making that decision. He don’t make that decision when it comes to making reportings onto council. Let’s get that straight. If anybody does any reporting agencies or estimated cost financial budgeting and everything like that, that has to pass through council.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:08

• Council oversight of project presentation and financing

  • Summary: The speaker emphasized that projects must be presented to council with clear understanding of how they will be financed, not just proposed without cost.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “I like for it to be exposed unto council where we have a clear understanding where this particular project is moving and how it’s going to be financed and things of that nature. So I don’t have no problem with that. It’s just that how it’s being presented on the floor is if though we have to accept it immediately and John. I don’t know what the cost is going to be like for a certain project just like any other project. We just can’t throw that thing out there in the sky and say this is what we want to do and things of this nature without coupling it with a cost.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:56

• Transparency regarding city funds and timelines

  • Summary: The speaker requested continued transparency regarding where dollars are going, who is receiving them, and the timetable for project completion.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “I want things to continue to be transparent right now so we can see where the dollars and John. We have a lot of people who are receiving these dollars and what kind of timetable to get these projects done. That’s what I’m looking at right now.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:07:06

• Council role in decision making

  • Summary: The speaker stated that council must be brought into the process before any decision-making is made regarding agency work.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “I just like the fact that it needs to be brought to counsel before any decision making is being made. Well, never mind. I won’t criticize nobody in council today, but that’s it. That’s all I wanted to say.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:07:40

• Council approval authority for city manager

  • Summary: It was stated that the City Manager’s job is to bring items before council, and it is council’s job to approve or deny them.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders, you are correct. It’s not the city manager’s job to approve it. It’s his job to bring it before you. Yes. And it’s your job to approve it or not.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:07:53

• Stormwater inspection program necessity and scope

  • Summary: A concern was raised regarding the need for a study if no problem has been identified with the storm and water system.
  • Attribution: Chris
  • Evidence: “What I’m saying is, if there was no problem out there, and it definitely doesn’t describe as a problem that I’m looking at, what is the implementation of this study? Have we had a problem out there with the storm and sewer, whatever the case is that we’re looking at?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:13:37

• Stormwater inspection requirements for airport

  • Summary: The stormwater inspection is required by the EPA and the airport due to jet fuels used at the airport; it is an annual contract.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “So this is a stormwater inspection that’s required by the EPA and the airport due to the jet fuels that are used out at the airport. There’s nothing suspicious about this. This is an annual contract Weirich. It’s time and material, and usually this is worst case scenario.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:15:20

• Biosolids contract details and costs

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the number of employees at Cinegro, annual spending, and chemical costs for biosolids.
  • Evidence: “Yeah, by any chance, Manager Boyer, how many people contract, I mean, how many employees working for CentroGro to do the hauling for the city of Freeport and who is maintaining the program? Who’s taking care of the whole project and are these people staffed at the city waste Cinegro is a private entity that is contracted for services for land application of biosolids. Okay, give me more. You’re leaving things out. Give me more. I don’t know how many people work for Cinegro. Yeah, it’s more than that. There’s no way I could know what their payroll is or how many people work there.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:33

• Biosolids contract requirements and changes

  • Summary: Discussion noted that the Prevailing Wage requirement changed the spreading business and required certified payrolls.
  • Evidence: “And uh, I believe Cinegral, I, they’ve done it for at least the last eight years that I know of, maybe longer. They’ve done a great job. Um, part of the cost here, uh, that is really, um, change things is the and the Prevailing Wage, which the state weighed in on it and said, this is a Prevailing Wage function and we must do certified payrolls for this job.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:21:48

• Cost of transforming sewage into biosolid

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the major cost to transform sewage into a biosolid and the financing of chemicals needed for hauling.
  • Evidence: “Foss, that’s a major cost to transform sewage into a biosolid, you know, that’s a serious change in the financial impact on the sewer department or the city itself. Dearon? It has nothing to do with this contract, so it’s. No, not the contract, I’m talking about the chemical base for the haulers to be able to haul it. The city has to be able to break it down so it can be hauled. What chemicals are being financed to do that and how much is it costing?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:24:15

• Biosolid residue disposal process

  • Summary: Explanation that the normal waste treatment process results in a biosolid residue which Cinegro hauls away and spreads on farm fields.
  • Evidence: “Now it’s just a matter of every time we treat waste, there’s always going to be this residue. What do we do with that residue? Cinegro hauls it away and spreads it on farm fields. So it’s our normal treatment process anytime we treat sewer waste. So there’s nothing that’s our that causes the cost of us treating waste.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:25:46

• Leaf Pickup Concerns

  • Summary: Discussion regarding leaf pickup difficulties due to snow covering areas where leaves were previously picked up.
  • Evidence: “To many cause and constituents who called me pertaining to leaf pickup Tuesday night and Wednesday. I did the best I knew to do. I don’t know where we go from here because because now the leaves are in the snow and I do wish we could have been more productive Wednesday with the leaves being picked up in areas where they had never been touched, however they were already flipped over to snow plows.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:28:38

Public Comment

• World Siding and Freeport Buildings

  • Summary: A public comment regarding what will be done with empty buildings at World Siding in Freeport.
  • Attribution: Public Commenter
  • Evidence: “Tommy? I wanted to tell you, you know about World Siding and Freeport, it’s empty buildings. You know what they’re going to do with it?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:30:04

• New House at Solar Program in Freeport

  • Summary: A public comment stating the speaker got a new house at the solar program in Freeport.
  • Attribution: Public Commenter
  • Evidence: “And so Stacy, we wanted to tell you, I got a new house at the solar program in Freeport. And I want to tell Tom Quinn he does a good job at Alderman and Freeport and he knows everything.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:30:24

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Service Awards Recognition for Lieutenant Weichel

  • Summary: The speaker thanked Lieutenant Michael for his 20 years of service and leadership in community events.
  • Evidence: “We do thank Lieutenant Michael for his 20 years of service and for the fun of the softball, basketball, and his leadership.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:50

• Service Awards Recognition for Brandy Hillby

  • Summary: The speaker thanked Brandy for her 25 years of service.
  • Evidence: “So for 25 years, thank you very much, is a job well done and I’m glad to have you for at least four more.”
  • Source timestamp: 12:57

• Thanking City Employees for Weekend Handling

  • Summary: Alderman Shadle thanked all city employees, including police, fire, and street department, for handling a trying weekend.
  • Attribution: Alderman Shadle
  • Evidence: “Alderman Shadle I just would like to thank all of our city and the City employees, police, fire and street department especially for handling a very trying weekend in a very fine manner. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:42

Follow-ups

• Police and Fire Department Census/Staffing

  • Summary: Continuing work is being done on the police census and fire department census to build a strong team.
  • Evidence: “Look forward, are continuing to work on the police census and fire department census, right? The number of staff we have and building that strong team to keep the community safe.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:20

• Neighborhood Cleanup and Development

  • Summary: Future efforts include expanding the cleanup program and incentives for homeowners and landlords to better care for their property.
  • Evidence: “Looking forward, we’re looking at how do we support Refresh Freeport even more, expanding that cleanup program and incentives that help homeowners and landlords take better care of their property.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:27

• Communication Engagement Future Strategies

  • Summary: Future strategies include continuing bilingual communications, participating in community events, and creating a dashboard.
  • Evidence: “Key strategies in this category going forward, continuing to build on bilingual communications, continuing to participate in events and being out and visible in the community, creating a dashboard to help you see.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:41

Attendance

• Roll Call Attendance Check

  • Summary: Confirmation of attendance for several council members.
  • Attribution: Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye.”

• Roll Call Attendance

  • Summary: Attendance confirmation for council members.
  • Evidence: “Clerk, please take the roll. Shadle? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Johnson? Aye. Simmons is absent. Parker? Aye. She’s here. Oh, and your vote? Parker said aye. Aye. And Stacy? Aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:10