Meeting Events

Meeting: e-hoe8ohrka.city_council_meeting_2-18-2025

Meeting date: 2025-02-18

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

• Allow Alderman Stacy to attend remotely — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Simmons.
  • Evidence: “I’ll entertain a motion to allow How Alderman Stacy to attend remotely, is there such a motion? So moved. Is there a second? I’ll second. We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Simmons.”
  • Evidence: “The motion passes 6 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:59

• Approval of Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the agenda, noting no executive session would be held.
  • Evidence: “Item number one is the approval of the agenda, however we will not be having executive session tonight. Is there a motion to approve? So So moved.”
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Alderman Monroe, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The motion passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:39

• Approval of Minutes from February 3rd, 2025 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on February 3rd, 2025.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Item number two is the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on February 3rd, 2025. Is there a motion to approve? So moved.”
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The motion passes 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:39

• Approval of minutes from the regular meeting on February 3rd, 2025 — Passed

  • Summary: The motion to approve the minutes passed with a vote of seven to zero.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “The motion passes 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:29

• Approval of consent agenda items — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Sellers and seconded by Alderman Klemm to approve the routine matters on the consent agenda.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers, City Council
  • Evidence: “is there a motion to approve So move. Second. A motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The motion passes 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:59

• Staff plan for 22 lights and subsequent lighting needs

  • Summary: Motion to direct staff to draw up a plan detailing the best use of the 22 lights and what areas will be addressed after those lights are used.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons, Alderman Monroe
  • Evidence: “So, I would like to make a motion to direct staff to draw up a plan on what they plan to do with those 22 lights and additional, after we run out of those lights, what areas do you plan to hit by the March Cowl?”
  • Evidence: “I’ll give them time. I’ll second that.”
  • Source timestamp: 35:29

• Roll Call Vote on Motion — Passed

  • Summary: The motion passed with seven ‘Aye’ votes and zero ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’ votes.
  • Attribution: Madam Clerk
  • Evidence: “Simmons. Aye. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm. Aye. And Monroe. Aye. The motion passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:16

• Moving Ordinance 2025-10 to Second Reading

  • Summary: A motion was made to move the ordinance forward for a second reading.
  • Attribution: Alderman Parker
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to move this forward? Second. Okay. We have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Monroe.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:24

• Suspension of the rules — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to suspend the rules.
  • Evidence: “Or actually, can I make a motion on this to suspend the rules?”
  • Evidence: “Alderman Parker. So suspension of the rules is non-debatable and must pass by two-thirds majority. And so, Madam Clerk, could you please take the role on the suspension only? Simmons? Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The suspension of the rules passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 44:21

• Final reading and passage of Ordinance 2025-10 — Passed

  • Summary: The final reading of Ordinance 2025-10 was taken, and it passed by a vote of seven to zero.
  • Evidence: “So then council before you is the final reading of this ordinance. So if there’s no further discussion on this, Madam Clerk, please take the role on the passage of Ordinance 2025-10. Simmons. Parker. Aye. Stacy. Aye. Sanders. Aye. Sellers. Aye. Klemm and Monroe. Aye. And the ordinance passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:02

• Ordinance 2025-11 approval

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Klemm to approve Ordinance 2025-11.
  • Evidence: “Second. Is there a second? Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 46:07

• Call the question and suspend the rules

  • Summary: Alderman Parker moved to call the question and also to suspend the rules.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Parker, your hand was up. Yeah, it makes sense to me and I want to make a motion. We call the question and also to suspend the rules.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:54

• Suspension of the rules vote

  • Summary: The suspension of the rules required a two-thirds majority.
  • Evidence: “Suspension of the rules is non-debate and must pass by two-thirds majority. So with that alone, Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll”
  • Source timestamp: 52:22

• Suspension of the rules vote tally

  • Summary: The vote resulted in four votes for and three against.
  • Evidence: “One, two, three, four to three.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:47

• Moving item to next council meeting

  • Summary: A motion was made to move an item to the next council meeting.
  • Evidence: “Please indicate, manage, or I’m sorry, Alderman Sanders. Yes, it was before you made that statement or that comment. Are we in the business of just making general commentary about a particular item on the agenda, that someone can just go off and start Fowler. Thank you. Thank you for having commentary of his concept and what he believes in without bringing any kind of solutions. If you’re referring to me, I just discussed it. I’m not talking to you. But I’m asking a question. Make sure we were all clear. No. You make sure you’re all clear. Come on, gentlemen. It’s not about making commentary on the subject of topics on the agenda. It’s not your business to do that to us, preach to us. We’re just as equal as you are or maybe more but the point I’m making is can you officially make commentaries like that doing counsel without adding a question to it or why you’re stating what you’re stating? Attorney Zito. Alderman Klemm’s was regarding the agenda topic about the airport leases so from that standpoint he was on point he didn’t have a question he didn’t want to be just Keyer, Tony, Stephen, spare that is on-point image up there. So that said, mayor, you asked me where we at, right now where we stand is there’s a notice from the鐘istics board to next council meeting. The motion to suspend the rules, if there wants to be a motion to reconsider the suspension of the rules, it has to be made by someone on the prevailing side, which was anyone who voted no on the suspension of the rules. And John, and we move on to the next topic because this goes on to the next council meeting. » I make a motion that we move it on just to move it on.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:51

• Ordinance 2025-12 consideration

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker to move Ordinance 2025-12 onto the next meeting.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Parker to move Ordinance 2025-12 onto the next meeting.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:05

• Adoption of agreement for airport litigation — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm to move forward with the agreement regarding potential litigation at Freeport Airport.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers, Clerk
  • Evidence: “so staff’s request is to move forward with the agreement when the police should Colnick for the airport is there a motion to adopt so move a motion made by Alderman Seller seconded by Alderman Klemm”
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted, 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:02

• Roll Call Vote on Resolution Adoption — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted 7-0.
  • Evidence: “Simmons. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:24

• Adoption of Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan Resolution

  • Summary: Motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.
  • Evidence: “So moved. Second. The motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers. On the resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:50

• Roll call vote on proceeding after discussion

  • Summary: The roll call resulted in Aye votes from Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, and Monroe.
  • Evidence: “If there’s no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:17

• Adoption of resolution 2025-18 (Resolution approving audit engagement letter)

  • Summary: The resolution was adapted with a vote tally of 7-0.
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adapted 7-0. Item number 12 is the adoption of resolution 2025-18.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:24

• Adoption of Fiscal Year 2024 Engagement Letter from Lauterbach and Eamon

  • Summary: A motion was made to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024 Engagement Letter from Lauterbach and Eamon.
  • Evidence: “The strategic plan alignment here is responsive and efficient government and staff requests approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 Engagement Letter from Lauterbach and Eamon. Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:25:06

• Motion for adoption of resolution 2025 19 (Street Painting Machine) — Adopted

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding the resolution approving the purchase of a street painting machine from Sherwin Williams.
  • Evidence: “I’m sorry, first mayor, who made the motion? Parker, Klemm. Okay, and on roll call, Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 6 to 1.”
  • Evidence: “Second. We have a motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:21

• Adoption of resolution 2025 19 (Street Painting Machine) — Adopted

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted by a vote tally of 7-0.
  • Evidence: “Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Sanders, Sellers, Klemm, Monroe, The resolution is adopted 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:29

• Adoption of resolution 2025-20 (Property Transfer)

  • Summary: A motion was made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second. Moving motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:15

• Transfer of property for future development potential — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the resolution for the transfer of property.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers, City Council
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second.”
  • Evidence: “Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. And Monroe? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:28

• Ratification of emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe Truck Equipment

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the resolution for the snow plow purchase.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second.”

• Ratification of emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe Truck Equipment — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the resolution ratifying the emergency snow plow purchase.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Simmons? So, this isn’t coming out of the budget, this is coming out of emergency funds? … Parker, Stacy Aye Sanders is currently absent, Sellers? Aye Klemm? Aye And Monroe? Aye The resolution is adopted six to zero Nero.”

• Roll Call for Item 16 — Adopted

  • Summary: Confirmation of attendance before taking the roll call.
  • Evidence: “Aye Sanders is currently absent, Sellers? Aye Klemm? Aye And Monroe? Aye The resolution is adopted six to zero Nero. Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-23. Could you please read this?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:42

• Adoption of Resolution 2025-23 (Fehr Graham Agreement) — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to adopt the resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham for bridge inspection services.
  • Attribution: Alderman Parker
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? Second. A motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm.”
  • Evidence: “Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. The resolution is adopted 7-0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:04

• Ratification of Emergency Salt Spreader Purchase (Resolution 2025-24)

  • Summary: Motion made to ratify the emergency purchase of a new salt spreader.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So moved. Second. Okay motion made by Alderman Klemm, seconded by Alderman Monroe.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:53

• Adoption of resolution regarding emergency demolition payment — Passed

  • Summary: The resolution was adopted 7 to 0.
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt?”
  • Evidence: “The resolution is adopted 7 to 0.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:48:03

• Adoption of payment for emergency demolition work

  • Summary: A motion was made to adopt the payment for the emergency demolition.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Is there a motion to adopt? So move. Second.”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:54

• Adoption of payment for emergency demolition work

  • Summary: A vote was taken on the resolution to approve payment.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Simmons? No. Parker? Aye. Stacy? No. Sanders? No. Sellers? Aye. Klemm? Aye. Monroe? I abstain. We are tied three to three. Does this just need simple majority? Mayor? No.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:55:45

• Moving STU proposal to March 3rd agenda

  • Summary: A motion was made to move the discussion regarding the engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for the STU funding to the March 3rd agenda.
  • Evidence: “So staff is asking this to be moved forward to the March 3rd agenda. Is there a motion to move this forward to the March 3rd agenda?”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 02:00:39

• Motion to move agenda item — Passed

  • Summary: The motion passed with seven ‘Aye’ votes and zero opposing votes.
  • Evidence: “Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Sanders? Aye. Sellers? Aye. The motion passes seven to zero.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:44

• Adjournment of meeting

  • Summary: Vote on the motion to adjourn.
  • Evidence: “So if not, I’ll entertain a motion for adjournment. So move.”
  • Evidence: “Move. Second. Motion made by Alderman Sellers, seconded by Alderman Monroe, all those in favor. Oh, it has to be a vote. It has to be a vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:43:55

Procedural Actions

• Calling meeting to order

  • Summary: The meeting was officially called to order.
  • Evidence: “So now we’ll officially call this meeting to order.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:12

• Pledge of Allegiance

  • Summary: Alderman Simmons led the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Evidence: “So if you could please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Alderman Simmons.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:39

• Consent agenda approval

  • Summary: The consent agenda was considered routine in nature and acted upon by motion, consisting of approving to receive and place on file the finance bills totaling $1,318,015.77, payroll for pay period ending February 8th ($669,000.669,159 dollars 49 cents), the cash and investment report and the finance department report for December 2024, and the adoption of resolution 2025-21.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, the consent agenda consists of approving to receive and place on file the and finance bills in the total of $1,318,015.77. The approval of payroll for pay period ending February 8th, in the total of 669,000.669,159 dollars 49 cents and also the cash and investment report and the finance department report for December 2024 and the adaption of resolution 2025 21 which is corrected renewal of agreement invoice with locality media first due for the fire department record management software and modules”
  • Source timestamp: 09:15

• Next step after motion on lighting plan

  • Summary: A member indicated that the next step following the motion was ready for a vote.
  • Attribution: Stacy
  • Evidence: “I did have a question pertaining to if Darren was saying we needed to make a motion to get it moving or moving forward with the emergency clause. But now that Alderman Rachel has already made the motion, I guess I’m just ready for a vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 37:34

• Discussion on ordinance relevance

  • Summary: A speaker stated that a discussion point was not related to the current ordinance.
  • Evidence: “Yeah. So, if you want to discuss this offline, I’m sure he’ll pick up his phone anytime you want to discuss it. Yeah, that’s what I would do. Totally.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:55

• Discussion on ordinance status

  • Summary: A speaker confirmed there was no further discussion concerning the ordinance.
  • Evidence: “So is there any further discussion concerning this Alderman-Munroe? No, I’m good right now. No, not discussion.”
  • Source timestamp: 44:01

• Motion on calling the question

  • Summary: A second was given for the motion to call the question.
  • Evidence: “So we have a motion on the floor to call the question. Is there a second to that? I second.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:25

• Motion to suspend rules

  • Summary: A motion was made by Alderman Parker and seconded by Alderman Klemm to suspend the rules.
  • Evidence: “So we have a motion to suspend the rules. Do we have a second to that? So we have a motion made by Alderman Parker, seconded by Alderman Klemm to suspend the rules”
  • Source timestamp: 52:11

• Item number 8 first reading of ordinance

  • Summary: The clerk read the title for Item number 8.
  • Evidence: “Okay. Sorry, clerk. Item number 8 is the first reading of ordinance 2025-12. Could you please read this? » Ordinance amending chapters Report Concerning Storage Facilities and Business and Agricultural Districts.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:02

• Adoption of Resolution 2025-16 for GIS agreement

  • Summary: Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2025-16 concerning an ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 10 is the adoption of resolution 2025-16. Could you please read this? Resolution. Oh, that doesn’t read right. ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS three years.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:53

• Taking the roll on resolution adoption

  • Summary: The clerk was asked to take the roll on the resolution.
  • Evidence: “If there’s no further discussion, Madam Clerk, please take the roll on the resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:11

• Reconsideration request on vote

  • Summary: A speaker asked if there was any reconsideration for those who voted no.
  • Evidence: “So those that voted no, is there any reconsideration?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:52

• Moving forward with item 19

  • Summary: A speaker stated they would move forward after a discussion.
  • Evidence: “Okay, I guess we’ll move forward. Item number 19, could you please read this discussion?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:59:52

• Moving to next council meeting agenda item

  • Summary: The discussion was concluded and the body moved to take a roll call on moving to the next council meeting.
  • Evidence: “Okay. So there’s no further discussion. Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll on the motion to move this to the next council meeting?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:34

• Transition to Finance Department Report

  • Summary: The meeting moved on to hear from the finance department.
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, we’ll move on to department head reports, which would be finance.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:27:35

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance approving zoning map amendment at 18th South Chicago Avenue

  • Summary: The ordinance concerns amending the zoning map from B-1-2 general retail business to a B-2 limited service business district for 18th South Chicago Avenue.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Item number six is the first reading of ordinance 2025-10. Could you please read this? Ordinance approving zoning map amendment at 18th South Chicago Avenue, submitted by Mitch Brito to examine the proposed zoning map change from a B-1-2 general retail business to a B-2 limited service business district.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:28

• First reading of Ordinance 2025-11 — Approved

  • Summary: The first reading of Ordinance 2025-11 was taken, which approves hanger leases for several listed parties.
  • Evidence: “Thank you item number seven is the first reading of ordinance 2025 11 could you please read this ordinance approving hanger leases for a one Dennis Miller H1 Alexander Glockler J Matt Van Bergen L1 Ron Jansen L2 heritage aviation L3 Tango 34 LLC L5 Paul Oda L7 Pam Maness M1 John Inc M3 Greg Manuel, M4, Ken and Paula Irwin, M8, David Hayes, and N10, John Staben.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:29

• Adoption of Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan Resolution

  • Summary: Resolution adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as part of participating in Stephenson County’s application to the USDOT Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All, or SS4A, grant.
  • Evidence: “Item number 11 is the adoption of resolution 2025-17. Could you please read this? Resolution adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as a part of participating in Stephenson County’s application to the USDOT Federal Highway Administration Safe Streets for All, or SS4A, grant.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:25

• Adoption of resolution 2025-22: Ratifying emergency snow plow purchase

  • Summary: Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-22. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe Truck Equipment.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 15 is the adoption of resolution 2025-22. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency snow plow purchase from Monroe Truck Equipment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:28

• Adoption of resolution 2025-23: Approving bridge inspection services agreement

  • Summary: Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-23. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue.
  • Attribution: City Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 16 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-23. Could you please read this? Resolution approving an agreement with Fehr Graham to provide bridge inspection services for the city bridges located on Hancock Avenue and on Van Buren Avenue.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:42

• Adoption of Resolution 2025-24 (Salt Spreader Purchase)

  • Summary: Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-24. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency salt spreader purchase from Monroe truck equipment.
  • Evidence: “Item number 17 is the adoption of Resolution 2025-24. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency salt spreader purchase from Monroe truck equipment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:36

• Adoption of Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure at 402-404-E Shawnee

  • Summary: Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure located at 402-404-E Shawnee.
  • Evidence: “Item number 18 is the adoption of resolution 20-25-25. Could you please read this? Resolution ratifying emergency demolition of the structure Thank you, Madam Mayor. 402-404-E Shawnee was declared a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024, as well as a dangerous and unsafe structure.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:48:14

Financial and Contract Events

• Cost impact of higher wattage fixtures

  • Summary: Higher wattage fixtures do not qualify for standard grants, resulting in a cost impact to the city. The current estimated total cost is above $45,000, and electricity costs will also increase.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Funding and grants, so the higher wattage fixtures do not qualify for the standard grants that we received already, so there will be a cost impact to the city. […] So our current estimated cost for what we’ve just discussed, which is the areas that are and the other funds that are provided by police chief Shenberger and also oak is above $45,000. These are essentially the electricity is also going to go up to some degree.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:26

• Lauterbach and Amon fees for 2024 audit year

  • Summary: The fee for the City’s 2024 audit year with Lauterbach and Amons is $44,100, representing a 3% increase from 2023.
  • Evidence: “Lauterbach and Amons fees for the City’s 2024 audit year are $44,100. This is a 3% increase from 2023.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:24:19

• Emergency demolition payment for 402-404-E Shawnee

  • Summary: Staff recommends approval to remit payment to Elver and Son Earthworks for the emergency demolition of 402-404-E Shawnee.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “Staff recommends approval to remit payment to Elver and Son Earthworks for the emergency demolition of 402-404-E Shawnee.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:46

Projects

• Community lighting project funding

  • Summary: The city was recently awarded a new ComEd grant called the select communities grant to fund community lighting projects.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Recently the city was awarded a new ComEd grant to fund community lighting projects. That’s the select communities grant.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:39

• Planned deployment of brighter lights in law enforcement advised areas

  • Summary: A new plan is to deploy brighter lights in law enforcement advised areas requiring additional illumination, including specific blocks like 700 block of South Kenwood and 1130 South Galena.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Moving forward, we’re looking to deploy our new plan, which is deploy brighter lights in law enforcement advised areas that require additional illumination. So these were areas that were identified by law enforcement as trouble areas that would certainly benefit by increasing the lumen output. Those include the 700 block of South Kenwood, 700 block of South Float, 300 block of East Pleasant, 500 Block of South Carroll, 400 Block of South State, Broadway at Locust and Walnut, 500 Block of South Chicago, the All-in-One Convenience Store on Locust, South Chicago Avenue in Frank, 1200 Block of South High, and 1130 South Galena. In addition, as Mr. Carroll just noted, Oak Street as well, we’re working toward getting that taken care of.”
  • Source timestamp: 12:18

• Proposed streets for STU funding proposal

  • Summary: The public work staff proposed several segments for the STU program: Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West, Stephenson Street from Locust to Sunset, Adams Avenue (west half) from Exchange to Float, and Walnut Avenue from Empire to South.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “we’re looking at Lincoln Boulevard from Locust to West, Stephenson Street from Locust to Sunset, Adams Avenue that would be the west half so the part that was not completed in the Adams Avenue project get that finished up from Exchange to Float and then Walnut Avenue from Empire to South.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:00:39

Presentations and Reports

• Streetlight improvement status update

  • Summary: Manager Boyer updated the council on street light improvements, noting that a project in 2021 provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd for downtown lighting.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Manager Boyer. Thank you, Your Honor. Just to kind of update Council on where we stand with this and specifically in relation to observations and requests by Alderman Stacy, the discussion around street light improvements has been going on for some time. 2021, The street light improvement project provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd that was for the downtown lighting.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:52

• Street light improvement project history and status

  • Summary: The street light improvement discussion references a 2021 ComEd grant for downtown lighting and ongoing efforts since 2022 to secure similar grants.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “2021, The street light improvement project provided brighter lights with lower operational costs through a grant from ComEd that was for the downtown lighting. Grant eligibility and recent success includes, essentially we’ve been looking for a similar grant and applying for anything available through ComEd for additional lighting in the city. So city staff’s been working since 2022 to qualify for another grant.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:52

• Zoning map amendment details for 18th South Chicago Avenue

  • Summary: Staff explained that the zoning change from B1 to B2 was necessary because a tenant operating a dojo required higher zoning to allow for the martial arts studio use.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “So staff received a request for a zoning, a petition for a zoning map amendment at 18th South Chicago Avenue. And essentially what is going on here is the Lieutenant started, I have a picture of the location up here on the map, in case anybody was interested to see that. The tenant here started a dojo. And essentially before checking with our zoning ordinance and came to us and said, hey, I have this dojo. I need to get my certificate of occupancy. And I don’t have the zoning. And so staff worked with the property owner to figure out a solution for this situation. And the solution here was a zoning map amendment. So currently, it’s zone B1. And it would need to be zone B2 in order to allow for this dojo that the tenant currently is operating.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:13

• Zoning map amendment approval history

  • Summary: The zoning map amendment was recommended for approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals (5 to 0 with zero abstentions on February 6th) and the Planning Commission (6 to 0 with zero abstentions on February 13th).
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “So this went to our Zoning Board of Appeals on February 6th and it was recommended for approval of 5 to 0 with zero abstentions and on February 13th it went to our Planning Commission with a vote of 6 to 0 with zero abstentions and in looking at this zoning map amendment to go from B1 to B2 in line with our Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Commission staffs recommending approval are moving this ordinance to the next for a second reading.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:53

• Lease amount ordinance setting and review

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that lease amounts are set by ordinance, reviewed by council with the airport manager, and updated for existing tenants using a modern format.
  • Evidence: “Absolutely. So the lease amounts are in ordinance set by council. Those amounts were reviewed by council with the airport manager who came to council and discussed that they were in line with the region in terms of what they what the lease rates are and then we have have been updating all the hanger leases with existing tenants who are already there and already had signed leases.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:52

• Ordinance 2025-12 zoning map explanation

  • Summary: Director Duckman presented the zoning map for the city, explaining that purple represents manufacturing districts (industrial), red represents business districts, and yellow represents residential zoning districts. The amendment aims to limit self-service storage facilities only to areas in purple.
  • Evidence: “I put up the zoning map for the city so everyone can kind of see here and get a better idea of what this text amendment is proposing. So our industrial, what’s in purple here are manufacturing districts, and what’s in red is our business districts. And then what’s in yellow? I know all the person Sanders had a question earlier about residential zoning districts. What’s your yellow is your residential zoning districts. And this is pretty much a typical of a city. You have your retail business corridors in red along major thoroughfares in the city. And then you have most of your industrial manufacturing isolated into industrial parks. And then most of your city is going to be residential. So with that being said, this text amendment is to limit self-service storage facilities only to the areas in purple, which would be your industrial, your manufacturing zoning districts.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:54

• Litigation regarding forever chemicals at Freeport Airport

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented on the legal representation by Napoli and Skolnick concerning a class action lawsuit against manufacturers of ‘forever chemicals’ related to firefighting foams used at airports.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “So as we’ve talked about in the past, the forever chemicals that are in the ground in certain areas in Freeport, we’ve worked very diligently to get source water that is completely free of these forever chemicals, and we’ve been very successful with that. And Napoli Shikolnik is our legal representation related to the class action lawsuit against all the manufacturers of these forever chemicals and they’ve approached the city about representing us related to airports.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:48

• GIS Software Agreement Details

  • Summary: Director Sutman presented that the three-year agreement for GIS software will improve record-keeping, drafting, and field reference for staff.
  • Attribution: Director Sutman
  • Evidence: “This is the three-year agreement for the GIS software that we discussed last week at the COW. We believe this will greatly improve the record-keeping, drafting, and field reference of field staff as well as make for a valuable project planning tool and we recommend moving forward”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:01

• Resolution approving audit engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amon

  • Summary: The purpose of the resolution was to approve an engagement letter for auditing services from Lauterbach and Amon. The Finance Department issued an RFP in January 2023, and City Council approved the bid on February 6th, 2023.
  • Evidence: “Resolution approving audit engagement letter with Lauterbach and Amon to provide auditing services to the city. Thank you. Thank you, Your Honor. In January of 2023, the Finance Department issued a request for a proposal for auditing services for the fiscal years of 2022 and through 2026. On February 6th of 2023, City Council approved the bid from Lauterbach and Eamon.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:35

• Adoption of resolution 2025 19 (Street Painting Machine)

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented the need to replace the current, worn-out paint machine and detailed the purchase plan.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Item number 13 is the adoption of resolution 2025 19 could you please read this resolution approving the purchase of a street painting machine from Sherwin Williams thank you manager Boyer thank your honor our current paint machine that stripes the lanes on the streets I think it’s like 25 years old it’s very old it’s worn out and it’s time to be replaced we plan for the purchase in the We’re bringing this to you for approval. The price of the new striping equipment is $11,706.50, and this is a source well dealer, so that is state approved there. So staff request, council approval of this resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:43

• Sourcewell Dealer Status Explanation

  • Summary: Manager Boyer explained that Sherwin-Williams is a dealer for Graco and offers state pricing because they are a source well dealer.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Manager Boyer? The answer is they’re a dealer for Graco, and I believe they’re local, so, and being a source well dealer, they offer the state pricing on this equipment. So you are going with the Sherwin-Williams local?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:11

• Sourcewell Dealer Qualification Explanation

  • Summary: Manager Boyer clarified that source well dealers are qualified by the state to provide lowest pricing for municipalities.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Manager can you just briefly describe what being a source well state appropriated or whatever you know what I mean sure thank you source well dealers are qualified by the state to provide lowest pricing for municipalities so when you have that certification it’s no longer necessary to pursue other bids on a and a piece of equipment, that is the state approved price.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:37

• Safety Measures for Equipment Operation

  • Summary: The city manager confirmed that safety is a concern and noted that the city has a trace vehicle and flaggers accompanying the operator.
  • Evidence: “Darren? Our city manager? Yeah, that’s a great concern. Safety is really important. We have a trace vehicle, flaggers and stuff that go along with the operator of the machine.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:17

• Adoption of resolution 2025-20 (Property Transfer)

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented the recommendation for approving the transfer of two parcels from Stephenson County to the city.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Number 14 is the adoption of resolution 2025-20. Could you please read this? Resolution approving the transfer of property commonly known as 431 and 437 South Adams Avenue from Stephenson County to the city of Freeport. Thank you Manager Boyer. Thank you, your honor. As discussed, the January cow. We went over these two parcels. The county would like the city to take those over for a for $1, and the city would like to keep them for future development potential, so the staff recommends moving forward with the agreement, the resolution for the transfer of property.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:29

• Bridge Inspection Services Overview

  • Summary: The city has two bridges requiring annual inspection: Hancock and the Van Buren Walk-Ride Bridge. The Park Court Bridge was removed due to structural degradation. Fehr Graham is the certified inspector, and all inspections must be reported to the state before June 30th.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Your Honor. The city’s got two bridges that we have to inspect every year. One is Hancock and the other one is the Van Buren Walk-Ride Bridge that goes north of town. We used to have three, the Park Court Bridge which was removed a couple years ago because of its degraded structure and so unsafe condition. Fehr Graham is the city bridge inspector and they have a team of certified licensed personnel for this work. All inspections must be completed and finalized and reported to the state before June 30th and staff recommends the city move forward to approve the agreement.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:42

• Emergency Salt Spreader Purchase Justification

  • Summary: Damage occurred to a one ton Chassis Sprayer during snow removal operations. Staff received a quote for $10,223 to purchase a new unit.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “This season we had, we were during snow removal operations, there was damage to one of our salt spreaders, I believe it was a one ton Chassie Spreiter, yeah. So staff received a quote for $10,223 to purchase a new one and staff recommends council emergency ratification of this resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:53

• Engineering agreement with Fehr Graham for STU funding

  • Summary: City Manager Boyer presented that the city wishes to deploy accrued federal funding in MFT accounts as rapidly as possible, but environmental requirements prevent it this year; however, they can set up for 2026.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Being that we’ve accrued a certain amount of federal funding in our MFT accounts, we would like to deploy those funds as rapidly as possible. We’re hoping to get that done yet this year. However, due to environmental requirements, that will not be possible yet this year. However, we can set ourselves up for 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:00:29

• Surface Transportation Program details

  • Summary: A speaker clarified that the STU program money can only be used for roads, referencing a $2.5 million amount needed for design work and noting the streets are in the 24 to 26 strategic plan.
  • Evidence: “Yeah, so this is the program that we talked about at the Cal meeting. This is the surface transportation program. This money can’t be used for anything other than roads. This was the 2.5 million that we talked about that we need to do the design on. Not to be disrespectful, the streets are in our 24 to 26 strategic plan, so I tried to find a creative way to get more money to do, I believe this totals a little over two and a half miles of roadway.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:03:08

• Christmas Wizard event details and logo usage

  • Summary: A post from October 17th, 2024, promoted a Christmas wizard fundraising concert held on December 13th, 2024, for holiday decorations.
  • Evidence: “On October 17th, 2024, the city of Freeport communication department shared a post originally posted by Greater Free Court Partnership Facebook account. The original post included a flyer promoting the Christmas wizard. Christmas wizard event being held December the 13th, 2024. On the bottom of the flyer, it’s stated the following Christmas wizard is a fundraising concert for three point holiday decoration.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:07

• Maguire Woods grant and funding opportunities update

  • Summary: Maguire Woods has been working to find grants through state and other areas, looking at sources like US Department of Transportation’s rise grants for infrastructure, the protect program for resiliency projects, IHDA, EPA grants (including Justice Grant, Urban Forestry Grant), research funding for water main replacements, NEA funding, IL Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board body camera grants, and coordinating with legislators on FY 2026 funding.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “For several months now we’ve been working with Maguire Woods looking for grant and grant opportunities through state and other areas. To date we have an update we’ve looked at rise grants for infrastructure through the US Department of Transportation, also the protect program for resiliency projects, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, we’ve We’ve coordinated discussions with the city and IHDA regarding housing matters. We’ve also discussed U. S. Environmental Protection Agency grants, including the Justice Grant, Urban Forestry Grant. We’ve also looked at research funding for water main replacements or installations and alternative We’ve also talked about and worked on National Endowment for the Arts to identify possible funding sources for our programs potentially impacting the downtown area, Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, we’ve discussed body camera grants and so forth, in addition, we’ve done federal and state updates, providing ongoing updates, they’ve provided us updates every several weeks on development is going out to the state and federal level that impact funding, and then federal and state appropriations. So assisting the city in refining projects, funding requests into one-page formats for legislators, communicating with the Illinois General Assembly budget staff regarding fiscal year 2026 funding, including water main projects flagged by city staff. In addition, engaging with congressional representatives regarding future earmarks and appropriations.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:16:07

• Reason for police department letter regarding immigration law

  • Summary: The reason the trust act letter was released was due to angst in schools and community concerns about perceived heavy ICE presence, aiming to clarify the rule of law.
  • Attribution: Chief
  • Evidence: “Sure. Just in response to the reason why that was released, I was approached by our school resource officer. There was some angst in school. I was also made aware of people in the community thinking we had a pretty heavy presence on Oak for a long time and still do and seeing us out there in plain clothes with vests on thought that immigration was in town. I was just clarifying what the rule of law is, how we’re governed at this point and that you know there were no ICE agents in Freeport just to put the facts out there instead of of having this fester and cause problems within the school and the community.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:40

• Clarification on law enforcement presence and rule of law

  • Summary: A speaker clarified that there were no ICE agents in Freeport regarding the community’s concern about a heavy police presence on Oak.
  • Evidence: “I was also made aware of people in the community thinking we had a pretty heavy presence on Oak for a long time and still do and seeing us out there in plain clothes with vests on thought that immigration was in town. I was just clarifying what the rule of law is, how we’re governed at this point and that you know there were no ICE agents in Freeport just to put the facts out there instead of of having this fester and cause problems within the school and the community. And so that was the reason for that, so.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:50

• Community Development report status

  • Summary: The Community Development department reported having nothing for that evening.
  • Evidence: “Community development? Nothing tonight, Madam Mayor. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:28:38

• Street Department staffing constraints

  • Summary: The speaker noted that due to OSHA standards, rest time was required for staff with CDL licenses.
  • Evidence: “Due to OSHA standards we have to have have to let the guys have time off to rest because they have CDL licenses required by law and also we were trying to be good partners to them to give them some time with their Valentine partners that they hadn’t seen since they were at work at 4 AM on Friday.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:30:16

• Police Department report status

  • Summary: The Police department reported having no report for the evening.
  • Evidence: “Boyer? Nothing this evening. Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:31:05

• Library Board Meeting reminder

  • Summary: A reminder was given that the Library board meeting was rescheduled to the following night at 6 PM.
  • Evidence: “I just want to remind everybody that we have our rescheduled board meeting tomorrow night from last week. So it’ll be at the library at 6 PM Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:31:13

• IT Department report status

  • Summary: The IT department reported nothing.
  • Evidence: “IT? Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:31:21

• Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Event Announcement

  • Summary: A speaker announced an upcoming event for the Citizens Utility Board, Environmental Study Group, and State Representative Jab Cabello to discuss reducing utility bills.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers. Yes, I got a text message that would like me to let everyone know to join the Citizens Utility Board, CUB, Environmental Study Group, and State Representative Jab Cabello to learn about how to reduce your utility bills and tap into money-saving clean energy programs. It will be Thursday, March 6th, 530 to 730 at the Freeport Public Library.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:32:22

• Representative Cabello I-Pass Event Announcement

  • Summary: A speaker announced an event sponsored by Representative Cabello for turning in old and receiving new I-Pass cards.
  • Evidence: “I forgot, also with Representative Cabello, he is doing an event here at City Hall on Friday, I believe 830, the entire business hours of City Hall for I-Pass where you can turn in your old I-Pass and get the new, however they had that worked out. I’m not sure of the details.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:33:11

• Street Department commendation and voting reminder

  • Summary: A speaker thanked the street department for their excellent job and reminded attendees about a candidate event on March 5th.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Klemm? I’d just like to add a couple things kudos to the street department and thank you to the guys that really worked hard on the water main breaks that we had and and things going going south on a couple of those as we all know they go out and pretty in climate weather and take care of things for us we appreciate their work also on March 5th mark your calendars there’s is going to be a candidate for him, again at the Eagles Club, whatever you do, please get involved, whatever you do, vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:33:49

• Thanking public works staff

  • Summary: A speaker thanked all personnel who were able to return home safely after working.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Monroe. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I would like to thank all those people that were able to fight their way home after work so that they could pay their taxes to the city of Freeport, and they made it home safe as best they could.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:34:30

Metrics

• Streetlight replacement quantity and cost estimate

  • Summary: Approximately 22 lights are in inventory for replacing police Shenberger’s concern areas, but about 84 are needed. The total estimated cost for fixtures and installation is around $40,000.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Also replaced streetlights on police Shenberger’s concern areas and that would be, I think we’ve got about 22 in inventory and we need about 84 so we’re going to be looking for and those fixtures are fairly expensive so the total cost is going to be including oak is going to include something like about $40,000 total for the fixtures and installation costs.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:40

• Cost estimate for new pole and light installation

  • Summary: A new pole and a new light cost approximately $13,000 each to install mid-block.
  • Evidence: “I did do the math and I’ve said it up here two or three times at council a new pole and a new light are about $13,000 a piece to install mid-block wherever we want to put them”
  • Source timestamp: 30:22

Discussion

• Tree trimming impact on street light visibility

  • Summary: Forestry trimmed trees along major streets and corridors (including Adams, Oak, Iroquois, and Ridge) to improve street light visibility.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “In addition to that, some of the large trees in the parkways tend to shade out light from street lights inhibiting their effectiveness. So in the previous years, but especially last year, forestry was trimming trees along major street and corridors where we were doing street renovations. So that includes Adams, Oak, Iroquois, and Ridge just as an example, but that improved the street light visibility to some extent.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:47

• Review of street illumination improvements

  • Summary: A public works meeting was held to review and discuss street illumination improvements and address immediate needs while continuing work with ComEd on the select communities grant plan.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “So recently we had a public works meeting to review and discuss the street illumination improvements and address immediate needs while continuing to work with ComEd on the newly awarded select communities grant plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:11

• Ownership of streetlights and next steps with ComEd

  • Summary: Public works director Steekl initiated discussions with George Galrap regarding collaboration streetlights owned by ComEd, with a meeting scheduled later in the week.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “So we’ve got ownership and collaboration streetlights are owned by ComEd requiring and the public works director Steekl has initiated discussions with George Galrap and we’re moving forward with a meeting later this week to nail down plans there. ComEd will be scheduling, as I mentioned, will be scheduling a meeting shortly.”
  • Source timestamp: 14:06

• Funding source for street light improvements

  • Summary: The current allocated budget for street light repair is about 10,000, and additional funding may require the use of emergency funds.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “And right now we have about 10,000 allocated in the street light repair budget, so we’re going to need to figure out where those funds are coming from. So we may require the use of emergency funds to make that and things will have to be budgeted for the future.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:26

• Considerations regarding deployment of brighter fixtures

  • Summary: Adding brighter fixtures could draw attention from other community areas, which is a consideration being worked on.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Anyway, in addition, so we’ve got, we can add those brighter fixtures to some areas. However, it may also draw attention from other areas of the community that feel”
  • Source timestamp: 14:39

• Clarification on grant status for street lights

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy asked if the funding was a grant or a discount; staff stated they are working with ComEd on the grant and have not fully detailed that information.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Stacy? Yes, a grant, or is this discounted? Ulderman, Stacy. Could you repeat that? Yes. Is this a grant or is this discount? So right now we’re working with Comet on the grant. We haven’t fleshed that that information out completely.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:22

• Street light update and funding options

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the street light update, including using 22 lights in inventory immediately and working through a grant process for approximately sixty replacements. The discussion also covered potential funding sources from a $10,000 budget line item versus other funds.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “So that’s kind of my update on where we stand with the street light update. I have a question. Alderman Sellers? She can go. OK, Alderman Stacy? Yes, a grant, or is this discounted? Ulderman, Stacy. Could you repeat that? Yes. Is this a grant or is this discount? So right now we’re working with Comet on the grant. We haven’t fleshed that that information out completely. What I’m suggesting tonight is that we’ve got about twenty two lights in inventory to go ahead and deploy those as soon as possible and then work through the grant process to get the remaining of those. I guess that would be about sixty replaced.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:10

• Funding source for light replacement

  • Summary: Clarification on whether funding will come from a $20,000 escrow fund and a $23,000 amount saved from another job.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Okay, will we be using the 20,000 that’s in a light funding escrow and the 23 that was saved from the other job that Darren Stegall saved 2300?”
  • Source timestamp: 16:45

• Budgetary allocation for light repairs vs. replacement

  • Summary: Clarification that $10,000 budgeted is specifically for light repairs, not light replacement.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “we have 10,000 budgeted in the in this year’s budget for light repairs and Alderman Stacy that’s for light repairs not light replacement we could I mean that’s what it’s in the For, so it’s a matter of where the council wants to take it from.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:45

• Funding source for light replacement

  • Summary: The $10,000 budget line item is for repairs, and moving funds would require looking at other line items or current fund reserves.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Okay but the 20 went down to 10, is that what I’m understanding? The budget was approved in December with 10,000 in this specific line item, so we’ll be having to look at other line items or looking at current fund reserve to pay for this.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:45

• Program expansion for lighting

  • Summary: Discussion about expanding lighting coverage beyond the immediate issue, potentially creating a program similar to previous street initiatives.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Yes, I know that you had said a little bit about other neighborhoods would probably want lighting and stuff. Are we gonna try to make that like a program like we did with the streets and broadened it out and Darren came up with a plan on how we can get lights for everybody all over or how are we gonna, have we looked into that yet or no?”
  • Source timestamp: 16:45

• Current focus of lighting efforts

  • Summary: The current effort is focused on addressing emergent requests rather than a broad program expansion.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Right now we’re addressing the emergent request. I’m not sure where we’re going, but I do know there’s lots of parts of town that don’t have really any lights to speak of, more of rural cross-sections. So certain wards don’t even have poles every 1,500 feet or so. They have like one in a corner and there’s not very much lighting in certain neighborhoods.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:09

• Use of saved CIP funds for lighting program

  • Summary: The $23,000 saved from the last bid is classified as water and sewer CIP money and cannot be moved to the lighting program by ordinance.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “Wait a minute. By the money portion of it. So the $23,000 that we saved at the last meeting in that bid, that’s water and sewer CIP money. So by ordinance, it can be used. We have CIP money, so by ordinance it can’t be moved to the lighting program.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:40

• Funding source for light replacement

  • Summary: Spending the $10,000 budgeted for light repairs on this program would prevent repair or replacement of existing light ballasts. Funding would need to come from emergency funds.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “The $10,000 that’s budgeted for light repairs, if we spend it on this program, we won’t be able to replace or repair any of the light ballasts that we currently do. I guess my suggestion is if we move forward with this, it’s going to have to come from emergency funds, just like if we had another emergency that wasn’t budgeted.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:00

• Timeline and scheduling for lighting program

  • Summary: Inquiry regarding the estimated time frame for starting the lighting program process, as specific dates are needed to move forward with other initiatives.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Following up with the scheduling for these programs, have we estimated how long will it take to start the process of this programming? Because we’re not even talking scheduling dates and we need to get started whatever and the other initiatives are right now when we start talking about the lighting program and things like that.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:27

• Need for concrete timeline on lighting progress

  • Summary: Demand for an estimated time and date to begin the process, emphasizing the need for visible progress rather than indefinite planning.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “I don’t want to hear that we’re still working on it. This guy came up here twice already making a complaint about Oak Street. And so I had not heard any feedback in regards to when we’re going to get started. We have looked into it and we have done a survey to actively be, to extradite anything that we and I want to see us doing something, talking about it, because that is a priority.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:23

• Process for determining lighting locations

  • Summary: A process must be followed to determine where lights will be placed, fitting them with existing infrastructure.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “But you got a process that you gotta go through to figure out what you’re gonna put lights where, where they will fit to the ones that we have. Wait a minute, do we have- No, I don’t need you to do that. You don’t even do that.”
  • Source timestamp: 23:06

• External permission required for lighting installation

  • Summary: The City of Freeport does not own the poles or lights; Commonwealth Edison owns them, meaning direct permission is needed for any installation.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “So the one thing that everyone has to keep in mind at the council level is the City of Freeport doesn’t own the poles or the lights on these streets, Commonwealth Edison does, so we can’t do anything without their direct permission. So we can talk about this and we can move it forward and we need their assistance to actually install them or give us at least permission to do them because they’re live”
  • Source timestamp: 24:44

• Timeline for lighting installation coordination

  • Summary: Due to the process and reliance on external utility permission, the installation will take time and cannot happen immediately.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “We have 25 lights, so we can’t send our crews out to just change these lights out, so it’s a process and it’s not going to happen tomorrow, it’s not going to happen next week, it’s going to take some time to coordinate this.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:59

• City of Freeport pole and light ownership

  • Summary: The City of Freeport does not own the poles or lights on the streets; Commonwealth Edison owns them, meaning any action requires their direct permission.
  • Evidence: “So the one thing that everyone has to keep in mind at the council level is the City of Freeport doesn’t own the poles or the lights on these streets, Commonwealth Edison does, so we can’t do anything without their direct permission.”
  • Source timestamp: 24:44

• Street lighting status for Oak Street

  • Summary: 22 of the 25 lights for Oak Street are available in the warehouse, but movement is contingent on ComEd’s direct permission because they own the poles and lights.
  • Evidence: “And I’m not saying that we can’t get this done because we have 22 of the 25 lights in place for Oak Street we actually have them we’re not sure that they all work but we have them in the warehouse but again we will not and cannot move forward without their direct permission because they own the poles and the lights”
  • Source timestamp: 25:32

• Need for action on city lighting improvements

  • Summary: Alderman Monroe stated that time is critical, referencing discussions over four years ago regarding more and better lighting.
  • Evidence: “I think time is something that’s passed by four years worth since I’ve been We’ve been on the council. We’ve been talking about this. We’ve been asking for more lights. We’ve been asking for better, you know, it goes back to the previous chief of police.”
  • Source timestamp: 25:32

• Alternative lighting solutions

  • Summary: Miller suggested exploring options like solar-powered poles with guaranteed 24-hour uptime in areas without existing poles.
  • Evidence: “there are other options available to improve the lighting in some of these areas, especially where there’s no poles existing, where we could put in poles that have 24-hour guaranteed uptime, 365 days with solar power.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:29

• Need for a comprehensive plan

  • Summary: Miller requested the council adopt a plan, similar to one done for roads, to guide future discussions and prioritize spending.
  • Evidence: “So I think as a council, what we’re all asking for is a plan that put the paper much like you did with the roads, which was exactly what we needed and what we wanted, and it allowed us to then start attacking the Huffines.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:15

• Need for community safety planning

  • Summary: Huffines emphasized the need for a solution that addresses community safety and gives the police department a fighting chance.
  • Evidence: “Huffines. We’ve got to give the police department a fighting chance. We’ve got to give the community a chance, and we’ve got to come together and come up with a solution.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:57

• Council direction needed for planning

  • Summary: Fowler stated that the council must provide direction or vote to create a plan, as it is not currently budgeted.
  • Evidence: “I do also think that when the police department do their jobs and get these people, we also have to realize there’s another component, there’s the judicial system. They have to not just slap their hands, they have to do what they have to do to help us.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:19

• Cost analysis for full light replacement

  • Summary: A speaker stated that replacing every light in town would cost 100% of the city’s funds because ComEd only offers discounts for reducing wattage.
  • Evidence: “If we want to replace every light in town with increased wattage, that will be at 100% cost to the city of Freeport because they only give the discounts or whatever you want to call them, grants discounts or anything like that, for people that are reducing wattage and saving energy consumption.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:05

• Need for a strategic plan and leadership to move initiatives forward

  • Summary: A council member questioned the process of moving from discussion to action, emphasizing the need for an individual leader or strategic plan to guide implementation.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “My question is, and I like the fact that putting a plan in motion and we have to be able to have the council to begin to talk about and others, and then we need someone in place to get these plans in motion. And so we’re talking about it great, great, great concepts, great ideas, great understanding of how to proceed and things of that nature, but we also need that one startup and who who is the person that leads us in those areas to give us a final understanding of how we’re gonna proceed.”
  • Source timestamp: 32:36

• Motion on directing staff to plan for 22 lights

  • Summary: Confirmation of the motion: direct staff to study the best use of the 22 lights and come up with a plan beyond those 22 lights by March.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “can you restate that the motion is to direct staff to to study the best use of the and the 22 lights come up with the plan, even beyond the 22 lights. By the March cow. By March cow, yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:12

• Zoning use difference between B1 and B2 for martial arts studio

  • Summary: The discussion clarified that the difference between B1 and B2 relates to business intensity, as the writers of the ordinance considered martial arts studios a more intense use than a retail store.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Stacy? Yes. What is it? Dojo? It’s a it’s karate or it can be jiu-jitsu karate it’s essentially a martial arts studio Oldham and Simmons you’re gonna have to speak into your microphone I she said or sorry go ahead I didn’t just the difference between B1 and B2 it’s slightly more intense of a business use it essentially would allow Howell for when this ordinance came out and was created, the writers of the ordinance thought that martial arts studios were more of an intense use than, per se, a retail store. So you would have to get higher zoning, less restrictive zoning to have a martial arts studio. That’s essentially what it is.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:38

• General question regarding residential business zoning requirements

  • Summary: A general inquiry was made about whether the ordinance identifies all areas requiring zoning and if residential areas can be considered, specifically concerning permits for starting a business in a residential area.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. This is not on topic, I just wanted to ask you something in regards to zoning, and I just wanted to make sure that our ordinance identify what areas that are supposed to get zonings and recognize whether or not residential can also be considered and others. I’m just asking that question in general about what you would do if you were to start a business in a residential area or whatever and is that considered where he needs a permit or need to be in the proper zoning locations? I’m just asking that question in general because that question came up to me.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:45

• Home-occupied business guidelines

  • Summary: Staff advised that home-occupied businesses (like a small accounting firm or architect working from home) are generally allowed, but if the activity becomes intense, such as having multiple clients at one time, the business would be required to transition to a commercial zone property.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Sure. I think you can always do a home-occupied business, which essentially would be small accounting firm, person working for themself. Maybe you’re an architect. You’re working for yourself. You’re working out of your house, smaller law firm. Essentially, that’s what you would call a home-occupation business. OK. That’s allowed. Usually what happens is by the time you start having more than one client at your house at one time, that’s when you would fall, you would become more of an intense land use and you would be required to, you know, get into, start your business in a business zone property, commercial zone property. So the answer to your question is there’s, you know, our ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses ran out of their house. And when I, if somebody were to call me, my advice to them is always, Once you start having multiple clients in your house, multiple times per day, you know, that’s when you really want to think about transitioning to an office space or more intense.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:01

• Business zoning requirements for home-based businesses

  • Summary: The ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses run out of their house, but if multiple clients are present multiple times per day, one should consider transitioning to an office space or more intense zone.
  • Evidence: “Usually what happens is by the time you start having more than one client at your house at one time, that’s when you would fall, you would become more of an intense land use and you would be required to, you know, get into, start your business in a business zone property, commercial zone property. So the answer to your question is there’s, you know, our ordinance allows people to have smaller businesses ran out of their house. And when I, if somebody were to call me, my advice to them is always, Once you start having multiple clients in your house, multiple times per day, you know, that’s when you really want to think about transitioning to an office space or more intense.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:01

• Concerns regarding Ordinance 2025-11 leases

  • Summary: A speaker expressed concern that the detailed information in the leases does not conform with the process for signing off on these leases.
  • Evidence: “But what I’m saying is I had an opportunity to look at this, this particular ordinance 2025 11. And I saw I was I was looking at the disparities that was and the other people. So we have a lot of information about what is going to be done within those leases. When I’m looking through those leases, the comparisons with those leases does not conform with the whole process on who is signing off on these leases and who is coming up with the detailed information about what and so on.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:18

• Lease comparison and required detail for leases

  • Summary: The speaker questioned the presentation of leases because the comparisons did not conform with the process for signing off or providing detailed information, stating that voting on vague leases was undesirable.
  • Evidence: “And I saw I was I was looking at the disparities that was and the other people. So we have a lot of information about what is going to be done within those leases. When I’m looking through those leases, the comparisons with those leases does not conform with the whole process on who is signing off on these leases and who is coming up with the detailed information about what and so on.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:18

• Lease justification for charges

  • Summary: The speaker questioned why certain lease amounts were charged to certain hangers and not others, requiring an explanation.
  • Evidence: “I understand they’re there, but the comparison from one hanger to the next one, it does not justify why certain lease amounts are being charged to certain hangers and not the other ones. And we need to understand why that is.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:06

• Lease formality and rate confirmation

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that the current action is a formality, keeping existing leases at the same rate because it was deemed correct.
  • Evidence: “This is kind of a formality. St. Louis. These leases already exist and we’re putting them on a new format at the same rate we have currently because that’s been deemed to be the correct amount and we’re just asking for approval on these leases, that’s all.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:41

• Heritage status of L2 and L3 leases

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy questioned if L2 and L3 were both heritage properties.
  • Evidence: “So Alderman Stacy, you had a question. Yes, I have a question. L2 and L3. Now I thought L2 and L3 was both heritage. Am I wrong?”
  • Source timestamp: 52:47

• Heritage status confirmation for L2 and L3 leases

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that previous discussions on heritage referred to two, and checked records indicating L-2 is Heritage.
  • Evidence: “Anytime we’ve spoken of heritage, we spoke of two. Heritage Arrow is in 0, 1, 2, and 3, and I know. Let me just look it up here. Okay, but this says L-2 Heritage.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:36

• L2 and L3 Heritage Status

  • Summary: Discussion regarding whether L2 and L3 are both heritage sites, with clarification that one is ‘Heritage Aviation’ and not ‘Heritage Arrow’.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Anytime we’ve spoken of heritage, we spoke of two. Heritage Arrow is in 0, 1, 2, and 3, and I know. Let me just look it up here. Okay, but this says L-2 Heritage. That’s Heritage Aviation. That does not say Heritage Arrow.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:36

• Tango 34 LLC Lease Status

  • Summary: Confirmation that Tango 34 LLC moving into L3 is a new lease and they moved to a different hanger, contrary to previous understanding.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “can you see Tango 34 LLC just went into L3 that that is not that is not a redo of an old lease that is a new lease and they’ve moved to a different hanger so that one I’m quite certain because Angie dropped that off was that in the presentation excuse me nothing”
  • Source timestamp: 54:08

• Business Listing Protocol

  • Summary: Clarification on listing businesses: if there is a business, it is listed; if there is no business, it is not listed.
  • Evidence: “If there is a business, it is listed. If there is no business, it is not listed.”
  • Source timestamp: 55:21

• LESI Information Blackout

  • Summary: Question raised regarding the omission or blacking out of LESI information by tail number.
  • Evidence: “Why did we omit or black out the information of the LESI? That information by the tail number correct you can if you want I am I am going to blackout personal addresses okay”
  • Source timestamp: 55:42

• Lease Document Dating Issues

  • Summary: Concern raised about leases containing stenciled writing with a marker pen, and the lack of dates on signatures.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “my one question would be is why why the there’s stenciling writing with a marker pen or whatever the case is within the lease. I don’t know if it’s the last moment of when that was cited, but I don’t know the date. When was that written into that lease? The lease has some kind of signature going on, but there’s no date to it when that was put into a lease.”
  • Source timestamp: 56:01

• Lease Effective Date and Signatures

  • Summary: Discussion confirming that the effective date is set by the beginning of the lease agreement, even if signatures are not dated.
  • Attribution: Attorney Zito
  • Evidence: “So if the signature is on there, then the factor is at the beginning of the lease. It says that the lease is effective March 1. That becomes the date is March 1, because that’s put up at the top there. Now, if we didn’t have this lease goes into effect March 1, we didn’t say that at the top.”
  • Source timestamp: 58:08

• Proposed Lease Start Date Change

  • Summary: Discussion on whether all listed leases should be updated to reflect a start date of March 1st, given the next meeting is scheduled for March 3rd.
  • Evidence: “Do I understand what Attorney Zito just said is that all these leafs listed on the agenda tonight will go in effect March 1st. They’re proposed so they’re drafted these so again these are just and the next meeting. I think the next meeting is going to be on March 1, which is why on the agenda, they were being proposed to be presented to you guys for first read with a request to suspend the rules so you There’s been a vote to not suspend the rules. These would have to go to the next council meeting. So we would have to just update all these lease forms to change the start date. So is that your preference, counsel? To change all these formats of behaving like we’re changing the start date?”
  • Source timestamp: 58:29

• Impact of Lease Date Change on Occupants

  • Summary: Discussion confirming that a short delay (March 1 vs March 3) would not practically prevent businesses from operating.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers. This stop them from working in those in those what are these called hangers I mean would it stop these people’s businesses or these people would have to move their airplanes or whatever from a practical standpoint no because we’re literally I mean we’re talking about March 1 versus March 3 I don’t think that anyone would kick anyone out for for two days mostly says you would just be a Holdover in that situation for a couple of days there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:05

• Suspension of Rules Request

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the appropriateness and possibility of requesting suspension of the rules again.
  • Evidence: “So, so is it appropriate to ask again for suspension of the rules or can you not do that a second time? If someone from the prevailing side, because we’re at the same session, so this would be like a motion to reconsider, but we have questions. Alderman Stacy, actually, this is your third question.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:05

• Current Occupancy Status of Hangars

  • Summary: Confirmation that the people in the hangars are already located there.
  • Evidence: “So to my knowledge, these people are already in these hangars. Am I correct? That is correct okay so we’re not denying delaying anything they’re already in them correct you’re just adding to whatever they want to do”
  • Source timestamp: 01:00:05

• Consequences of Not Approving Lease Date Change

  • Summary: Discussion detailing the administrative work and cost associated with changing dates if the suspension of rules fails.
  • Evidence: “if you don’t do the suspension of the rules these already have the dates of the first and the next council meeting isn’t until the 3rd of March which then means that She’s going to have to change all of these dates. OK, so it’s just like a scratch out on the first and put the third, correct? And then that has to be initialed by the party who has already signed. This will add a lot of work.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:12

• Moving Forward with Lease Dates

  • Summary: Statement indicating intent to move forward with the motion to move lease consideration to the next council meeting.
  • Evidence: “I understand what you’re saying, Ms. Dovie. However, we’ve done it like this all along. They always have already been in there existing and it’s something that we had to do a vote was taken it did not pass so I say we move forward and it carries over to the next council meeting well that’s where the motion stands right now to move it to the next council meeting my question was do you want to reconsider the suspension of the rules so that way we don’t add unnecessary and”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:58

• Procedure for initialing changes to documents

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the process of making a scratch-out on the first and putting in the third, requiring initials from the party who has already signed.
  • Evidence: “OK, so it’s just like a scratch out on the first and put the third, correct? And then that has to be initialed by the party who has already signed. This will add a lot of work.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:43

• Motion status regarding suspension of rules

  • Summary: A motion was discussed concerning moving forward with an item despite a vote not passing, and whether to reconsider the suspension of the rules.
  • Evidence: “However, we’ve done it like this all along. They always have already been in there existing and it’s something that we had to do a vote was taken it did not pass so I say we move forward and it carries over to the next council meeting well that’s where the motion stands right now to move it to the next council meeting my question was do you want to reconsider the suspension of the rules so that way we don’t add unnecessary”
  • Source timestamp: 01:02:12

• Cost associated with mailing documents

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the cost of mailing documents, stated as $1.50 each.
  • Evidence: “I will have to get initials from the other party. This is not a tiny thing. These cost like $1.50 to mail each one.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:02:51

• Clarification on L2 and L3 designations

  • Summary: A discussion occurred regarding whether L2 and L3 refer to the same people, with confirmation from City Manager Boyer that they are.
  • Evidence: “They’re not the same. Boyer. When I spoke with City Manager, I was informed that L2 and L3 are the same people.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:24

• Concerns about process changes for leases

  • Summary: A member expressed concern that changing procedures would require redoing work already completed on every lease.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Klemm, did you have your hand up? I was going to bring up for 50 years, we never saw these and never had a problem and never We had hours of discussion and all you got to do is hold two people accountable for it. Why did we change this whole thing? This is asinine to sit here and go through these and we care less who’s in them.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:04:08

• Desire for manager sign-off on leases

  • Summary: A desire was expressed that every lease should not need to come to the council and could be signed off by the manager of the airport until a stable process is established.
  • Evidence: “Well, it is my desire that every lease don’t even have to come to the council and that they can be signed off by the manager of the airport until that happens and until we get stable to a place where that can happen”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:07

• Self-service storage facility zoning limitations

  • Summary: The text amendment aims to limit self-service storage facilities only to areas in purple, which are industrial/manufacturing zoning districts, as many current locations are in B3 zoning districts.
  • Attribution: Staff
  • Evidence: “So with that being said, this text amendment is to limit self-service storage facilities only to the areas in purple, which would be your industrial, your manufacturing zoning districts. Currently, if you’re in a B3 zoning district, which many of these red areas are, not all of them, but many of the red areas are going to be in your B3 zoning district.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:14

• Staffing capacity for GIS program implementation

  • Summary: Huffines questioned if the department has sufficient trained staff to run the GIS program and ensure data integrity.
  • Attribution: Huffines
  • Evidence: “Do you have a big enough staff to incorporate this GIS study or GIS program? Do you have a big enough staff that can do an effective job of running that particular Do you have the quality people or the people that has the proper training to run that particular software program and how to make sure that data is not tainted in any way, shape or form?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:53

• IT department capability for GIS study

  • Summary: The IT department stated they have the ability on the back end and noted 30 years of experience in GIS between two staff members.
  • Attribution: IT Department
  • Evidence: “Yeah, so I think the IT department has the ability on the back end, between me and Eric, we have something like 30 years of experience in GIS and then the IT systems. Most of the training will have to be done for the field staff and the rest of the community.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:21

• Staffing and Data Integrity for GIS System

  • Summary: The IT department has the ability on the back end to monitor data integrity rules for field staff input into the database.
  • Evidence: “So, we’re going to be monitoring that data. Since it’s a, think of it as a map of the database behind it, we can set data integrity rules on it to where maybe a person in the field types in the information, a date when an inlet was cleaned or something. We can monitor that and check it in.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:43

• GIS System Usage and Expansion

  • Summary: The current GIS system is being overused by eight plus people, and the proposed expansion will add more data for the city.
  • Evidence: “We currently have probably eight plus people on it, and so we’re overusing the system that we have now, and what he’s proposing will have a lot more data for us.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:18:06

• GIS System Value for City Planning

  • Summary: The GIS system is used to locate everything and can be updated with expansion so it can automatically update in Curt’s system after approval, making the data more valuable.
  • Evidence: “it also goes hand in hand with our projects that Fehr Graham does for the city because we use G. I. S. To locate everything and we can update that data to Curt with the expansion of this system and it can be automatically updated in their system after he approves it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:43

• Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan Purpose

  • Summary: The resolution is intended to show that Freeport would be part of the planning if Stephenson County moves forward with implementation money from the program.
  • Evidence: “We discussed this at the COW last week, this is simply a resolution stating that if the county moves forward, when they move forward with the project that’s already underway, if there’s any implementation money, Freeport would be part of the planning to use that implementation on the project.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:00

• Partners in SS4A Program

  • Summary: The program involves Stephenson County, City of Freeport, Lee County, Joe Davies County, Ogle County, Carol in Whiteside, and Whiteside.
  • Evidence: “No, it is not. This is a separate program that the city is a small part of with six other counties. The program that Matt talked about is very similar to this, but that one is only focused on the City of Freeport only. No other partners in it okay so can you tell me like who are the partners in this one sure I might not get them all but it’s Stephenson County city of Freeport Lee County Joe Davies County Ogle County and I believe there’s one more Carol in Whiteside and Whiteside so those are all the partners in there”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:16

• Partners involved in traffic study and potential funding sources

  • Summary: The partners mentioned for the giant traffic study include Stephenson County, city of Freeport, Lee County, Joe Davies County, Ogle County, Carol in Whiteside, and Whiteside.
  • Evidence: “No other partners in it okay so can you tell me like who are the partners in this one sure I might not get them all but it’s Stephenson County city of Freeport Lee County Joe Davies County Ogle County and I believe there’s one more Carol in Whiteside and Whiteside so those are all the partners in there”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:30

• Cost implications for city participation in traffic study

  • Summary: The speaker stated that while there was no cost up front for the study, implementation money rules might require a split like 80-20, 90-10, or could be 100% based on disadvantaged community status.
  • Evidence: “Okay, so I understand that there’s no cost up front, but in the long run, is this something that the city chose to be a part of? What are we looking at? There was no cost for this study, which is what what this program was. We had no involvement in any cost or fee for it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:20

• Involvement duration with current auditing agency

  • Summary: The city has been involved with the current auditing agreement since 2022, though previous work was done by Whitley and Lauterbach and Eamon in 2016 and 2017.
  • Evidence: “We have been involved with them on this agreement since 2022. So the audit for 22 and 23 were done by LNA, Lauterbach and Eamon. We also did work with them previously before our past auditors. Our past auditors were Whitley and Lauterbach and Eamon were here 2016, 2017.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:25:41

• Inquiry regarding purchase vendor for street painting machine

  • Summary: Alderman Stacy questioned why the purchase was through Sherwin-Williams.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Monroe. I have a question. Alderman Monroe. Alderman Stacy. Yes. I’m just curious why something of this nature purchased through Sharon Williams. That didn’t come through very clear? Can you say it again?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:44

• Request for alternative bidding evidence

  • Summary: A council member requested confirmation that the Sourcewell price was the cheapest by providing proof that three other prices were obtained.
  • Evidence: “Darren. Just because I wanted to know, we don’t buy a lot of paint machines, we did actually get three prices on this, just to back it up that the Sourcewell price was the cheapest price.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:07

• Safety concerns regarding equipment age and safety

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders expressed concern about the safety of using old equipment compared to modern standards.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. I’d like to see this machine. I wanna see this machine. Yeah I like to see whether or not it provides the adequate environment protection and safety with this equipment because the one that you referred to 25 years ago and still running it’s not all that adequate for this time and age you know with the traffic that we got going on and these These guys are out there trying to do their task, but I’m wondering if we’re doing it in a safe manner, whether or not this equipment puts them in that kind of safety zone for the purchase of that type of equipment.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:24

• Snow plow purchase budget confirmation

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the budgeted amount for the snow plow purchase.
  • Evidence: “If I’m not mistaken, we budgeted a $11,598 purchase at $11,598.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:50

• Snow plow purchase details

  • Summary: Discussion confirming the new status of the purchased snow plow.
  • Evidence: “Would this be new or used? Oh, it’s new. New?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:37:03

• Budgeting for snow plow purchase

  • Summary: Discussion regarding prior budgeting and cost stability for plows.
  • Evidence: “If I’m not mistaken, we budgeted for this last year, but it didn’t happen. I don’t recall other person, Stacy. You don’t recall? No.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:37:15

• Snow plow cost stability

  • Summary: Discussion confirming that the cost of plows is stable regardless of purchase season.
  • Evidence: “The situation with plows are essentially the manufacturing for the chassis. They cost the same whether you buy it in the summer or you buy it. They’re not sitting on a shelf somewhere. So in season compared to out of season means nothing.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:37:15

• Snow plow purchase funding source

  • Summary: Discussion confirming that the snow plow purchase will come from emergency funds.
  • Evidence: “This item will have to be bought through the streets budget. We’ll just have to move some priorities around to be able to pay for it because we really didn’t have a choice with the season that’s upon us.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:27

• Bridge Inspection Scope and Responsibility

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the responsibility for inspecting bridges over Tuddy Crossing, Stephenson, and those connected to parks.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sellers
  • Evidence: “I have just a question. Alderman Sellers? It’s also about, I know you mentioned a couple different, the two bridges, is it the city’s responsibility to check the bridge that is over by Tuddy Crossing or does that bridge? That is ours Settlers, but Darren, did you want to comment on that? Yeah. Those structures are a little bit different because they’re connected to parks. So parks has their own contracts that have bridges inspected, like the Crate Park Bridge and the other crossing bridge down there. And they’re actually on a different schedule. So because they connect to the trail, those are inspected as part of the trail projects. OK. And then just one, how about the bridge that’s Stephenson, is that checked, do we ever check that or? That’s an IDOT bridge, they own Route 75, so they have their own inspectors of that one. Okay, thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:04

• Hancock Bridge Inspection Frequency

  • Summary: Clarification that the Hancock Bridge requires annual inspection due to poor condition until replacement, despite IDOT having different documentation practices for other bridges.
  • Evidence: “Yep, the IDOT has a series of special documentation practices that have to be done on each bridge and it’s, and I might have misstated it, it’s every other year that you have to do it so we’ve done it two years ago. Hancock Bridge is actually one that has to be done right now every year because of the poor condition until we have it replaced, which that’s on the replacement schedule. We’re working with IDOT to try to get that bid yet this year. But it still requires an inspection because they’re due at a certain deadline date no matter once it’s under construction there won’t be another one till it’s finalized from construction and then that’ll be go back on a every other year analysis but it is required to do the paperwork and have a certified bridge inspector do that paperwork.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:42

• Salt Spreader Repair vs. Replacement Cost Inquiry

  • Summary: Inquiry regarding whether the quoted price was for repair or replacement.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yeah, just wanted to ask you, you quoted $10,000 to have it repaired or have it replaced?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:44:30

• Demolition cost and compliance for 402-404-E Shawnee

  • Summary: Discussion covered the $19,700 demolition cost, confirmation that it was the lowest bid, and verification that all requirements, including asbestos inspection, were met.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yeah how much did that demolition cost and and whether or not it cost the city to have that demo it’s the nineteen thousand seven hundred dollars okay that was the lowest bid that you come up with yes yes and and all of the bidders or the people that apply, they had a, well what I wanted to say is did we get the property regulated like it should, as far as old utilities, possible damaged structures and things of and this nature to the to the primary grounds itself and in adjunction to the city’s utilities. Everything was properly inspected during this demolition. There was also an asbestos inspection performed. Okay. So all of the requirements in that aspect were met.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:50:05

• Presentation timing for demolition invoice totals

  • Summary: Director Duckman explained that the focus at the time was on the status of 402-404-E Shawnee, and he could have presented the financial details then.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Oldham and Stacy? Director Duckman, when you did your presentation, why wasn’t these totals presented at that time? Well, to approve this resolution, I would need the actual invoice for approval. So that’s what you’re approving today is the invoice for payments. Payments. So at that time, the focus of the conversation, I believe, was the status of 402-404-E Shawnee, which I went into. At that time, I certainly could have provided this process.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:51:23

• Property owner status and pending legal actions for 402-404-E Shawnee

  • Summary: Discussion covered dismissed petitions on October 19th (dismissed December 19th) and another petition filed December 19th (dismissed December 27th), noting a third petition has a status hearing on March 28th.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “There was a motion or a petition filed on October 27, which was dismissed. And there was another on December 19. And on December 19, there was a motion which was dismissed on December 27, which is when the demolition occurred. And there was another petition filed on December 27, which has a status hearing on March 28th at the Circuit Court.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:52:58

• Chronic nuisance designation and liens for property

  • Summary: The property became a chronic nuisance on May 16th, 2024, was deemed dangerous and unsafe, and currently has a lien of over fourteen thousand dollars for code violations.
  • Attribution: Director Duckman
  • Evidence: “Director Duckman, how long had this house been on the list for chronic nuisance and how long had the penalties been going on? Just a ballpark. It became a chronic nuisance on May 16th of 2024 when it was also deemed dangerous and and I’m safe and then it was it’s it’s been well over a year where it’s received several code violations and right now it has a lien on it for over fourteen thousand dollars for the code violations.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:54:19

• Contractor direction and council discipline

  • Summary: A speaker stated they are comfortable taking criticism from City Manager Boyer but questioned punishing a contractor for following direction from a city employee.
  • Evidence: “I can live with that but I just don’t think council and I don’t think it’s fair to punish a contractor taking direction from a city employee”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:57

• Resolution vote tally for resolution

  • Summary: A speaker noted that the current count resulted in a 4 to 3 vote, which is not a majority of those seated (requiring five).
  • Evidence: “it’s a three to three tie so you can call for the mayor’s vote okay mayor what say you I but that’s four to 3 that’s still not a majority on a resolution because we need five so it still fails.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:57

• Majority definition for council votes

  • Summary: A speaker confirmed the requirement for a majority of those seated rather than those present.
  • Evidence: “So you’re saying we need a majority of those seated not those present? Correct. Oh I see.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:57

• Contractor billing and project status

  • Summary: A speaker advised that the contract work will cost the city money due to attorney fees for both sides regarding a demo that happened, noting it was a bid project with a signed contract.
  • Evidence: “Yeah I think just to back Wayne up because we do contract work all the time this will just cost the city more money because we will be paying attorney fees and their attorney fees and their attorney fees for the demo that happened. This was a bid project. This wasn’t a handshake agreement. He has a signed contract to move forward.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:57:57

• Concerns regarding STU funding prioritization

  • Summary: A speaker stated that while they have no objection to the federal money, they feel it diverts attention from other necessary priorities like lighting and crime prevention.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “I have nothing against this federal money and the street program. However, I think it’s deployed to take our eyes off of what we really need to be looking at. And this is what we mean when we talk about prioritizing.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01:53

• STU funding allocation requirements

  • Summary: A speaker questioned the feasibility of moving forward with $2.5 million in STU funds without the city completing the design work first.
  • Evidence: “I’m not sure if we can move forward with the surface transportation funds for these streets of $2.5 million. The city needs to do the design for that to get the funding allocated to these streets.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:03:54

• STU fund scope clarification

  • Summary: A speaker confirmed the funds are strictly for mill and overlays and ADA ramps on listed streets, correcting a misunderstanding about the number of ramps.
  • Evidence: “This is the surface transportation funds that we talked about at the COW last week. This is strictly mill and overlays and ADA ramps on the streets that were listed in the in the agenda memo. No, that’s incorrect. We have, I couldn’t give you an exact number, but it’s over 10,000 ramps that are not Bannack, Rockford.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:04:13

• Inquiry about grant application and STU definition

  • Summary: A speaker asked for clarification on the plan to apply for a particular grant and what Urban STU stands for regarding funding.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Yeah, I just want to ask, is there planning to apply this particular grant, and what does Urban STU stand for, funding, what is that all about?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:05:33

• Fundraising money collected for downtown decorations

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the fundraising money collected for downtown decorations.
  • Evidence: “And item number 20, could you please read the next discussion? Discuss discussion regarding the fundraising money collected for downtown decorations.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08:58

• City partnership with Greater Freeport Partnership (GFP) on event

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding whether the City of Freeport partnered with GFP for the event and why the city logo appeared on the flyer.
  • Evidence: “My first two concerns slash questions to City Manager Boyer. Is the City of Freeport partner with GFP on this event? I’m not aware of anything the City of Freeport did on this event. Okay. Can you explain why our logo would have been on that flyer? I really don’t have an explanation why it is.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:09:53

• Contractual agreement between City and GFP for event

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding a signed contract between the City of Freeport and Greater Freeport Partnership for this Christmas Wizard event.
  • Evidence: “Is there a signed contract between the City of Freeport and Greater Freeport partnership for this Christian Wizard event? Can anybody tell me?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:11:02

• Purpose of city logo on fundraising flyer

  • Summary: The purpose of having the city’s logo on the flyer was because the intent was that whatever would be purchased from the fundraising would be turned over as ownership of the city.
  • Evidence: “No, the purpose of having the city’s logo on that flyer was was simply because the intent was that whatever would be purchased from the fundraising would be turned over as ownership of the city. That was the only reason that the city was on there.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:11:30

• GFP financial reporting timeline

  • Summary: The previous explanation regarding GFP’s inability to provide accurate figures was due to them not having all invoices in time for their fourth quarter report, but it should be available in the first quarter report.
  • Evidence: “Well it wasn’t because they weren’t, they didn’t have all the invoices in at the time so they didn’t have anything accurate to give you that was on their fourth quarter report. So I’m sure on their first quarter report, I’m sure they’ll have that finished up.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:12:17

• Nature of fundraising event funding

  • Summary: A debate occurred over whether the event was a city event or an event for the city.
  • Evidence: “No. This was not a city event. I know that it’s not a city event, but it was an event for the city. Can you say that again? I know that it was not a city event, per your statement and for Rob Boyer’s statement. But it was an event for the city. No, it was a GFP event.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:12:45

• Council awareness of private business partnership

  • Summary: A question was posed regarding why the council was not made aware of Freeport Festival, Inc.’s partnership with GFP for the Christmas Wizard event.
  • Evidence: “Mayor Miller, why was the council not made aware of your personal business? Freeport Festival, Inc. Partnered with GFP for for this Christmas wizard event.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:13:24

• Nature of the Freeport Festival event

  • Summary: The speaker clarified that the Freeport Festival is a not-for-profit and stated that the event was fully funded and operated independently of the city, involving no taxpayer money.
  • Attribution: Mayor Miller
  • Evidence: “Okay. Mayor Miller, why was the council not made aware of your personal business? Freeport Festival, Inc. Partnered with GFP for for this Christmas wizard event. Why weren’t we made aware of that? Not only was it not disclosed to the council, it was not disclosed to the public and some other event donors as well. Why was that kept secret, Jim? Okay, so let me make some corrections here. The Freeport Festival is not a business. It is a not-for-profit. So obviously there is some confusion as far as what the roles are happening here. I’m sitting here as the mayor. I’m not sitting here as a citizen. I’m not sitting here as the president of the Freeport Festivals. However, I will take a moment to speak as the president of the Freeport Festivals. So let me clarify that this event was fully funded and operated independently of the city. There was no taxpayer money involved.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:13:24

• Scope of City Council Governance regarding private organizations

  • Summary: The speaker stated that the council does not oversee private organizations and that the matter is outside the scope of the city’s governance, suggesting the discussion belongs outside the city council floor.
  • Attribution: Mayor Miller
  • Evidence: “The council does not oversee private organizations and this matter is outside of the scope of the city’s governance. So while I appreciate all the enthusiasm concerning community events, this discussion really does not belong on the city council floor.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:14:51

• Status of Maguire Woods grant efforts

  • Summary: The speaker noted that while potential funding sources are being identified, no money has been found yet; the current work involves studying and providing information to legislators.
  • Attribution: Council Member
  • Evidence: “So, with all that being said, they have not found any money for us, yet. They’re identifying potential funding sources that were not really completely in the cycle yet or that that would be coming to a conclusion. So right now we’ve been studying, looking, and providing information to them and they have been continuing to interact with legislators and other program managers.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:18:28

• Frequency of updates on project status

  • Summary: One speaker asked how often they receive updated memos regarding a project.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “So, how often do you say that they update you and give you an updated memo? How often?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:20

• Request for documentation

  • Summary: A request was made for a copy of the memo discussed and six months’ worth of updates.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Could you give me a copy of your memo that you spoke of tonight and a copy of the six months worth of updates? Please and thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:40

• Federal and state funding status

  • Summary: It was stated that all federal and state processes are currently frozen by the federal government, meaning no money can move unless already appropriated or allocated. Funding opportunities notices are also frozen until a presidential order changes.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “All federal and state processes right now have been frozen by the federal government, so there will be no money moving that is not already appropriated or allocated. All the notice of funding opportunities have been frozen until the presidential order changes on that.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:20:13

• Consulting services approval status

  • Summary: A speaker questioned whether the council voted and approved consulting services for the city of Freeport.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Did we vote as council for consulting services? I’m trying to recollect. Yes, we did. We did. And was it approved? Was it, it was not approved?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:21:02

• State vs. Federal funding availability

  • Summary: A discussion occurred regarding whether state funding could be accessed while federal funds were frozen.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Didn’t you say Darren there was state funding that they can look at while they’re down in Springfield? Is it state? We just can’t look at federal but we can look at state. Correct?”
  • Source timestamp: 02:22:24

• Federal dollar dependency for local funds

  • Summary: It was stated that anything with federal dollars attached, even one dollar, is currently ‘in the ice box’ until further notice.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Robin and I went to a little mini conference today and anything that has any federal dollars attached to it, that includes one dollar, if that is all, and basically in the ice box right now until further notice.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:22:44

• Police department action regarding federal funding

  • Summary: A speaker reported that the police department put out a trust act letter which may block most federal funding because of refusal to work with federal law enforcement on civil immigration laws.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “This week, our police department decided to put out a trust act letter that essentially will probably block us from most federal funding. And the reason why is because we’re refusing to work with federal law enforcement when it comes to enforcement of civil immigration laws, especially when it pertains to criminal Fowler.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:23:18

• Impact of local stance on federal funds

  • Summary: A speaker expressed concern that the city’s decision to side with Illinois law over federal law could jeopardize future federal funding needed for infrastructure rebuild.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And now going out and fundraising, essentially, consulting us for lobbying and government relations is now in the middle of our politics. We put our politics on the front page. And now this organization is stuck trying to fight through that, and we’ve put ourselves Jones, and Aline Dershelves in a way that quite honestly may prohibit us from getting federal funding.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:26:00

• McGuire Woods report status

  • Summary: The chair inquired if there was any other discussion concerning the McGuire Woods report.
  • Evidence: “Is there any other discussion concerning the McGuire Woods report? Seeing none, we’ll move on to department head reports, which would be finance.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:27:26

• Street Department operational procedures and snow removal efforts

  • Summary: A representative clarified that the street department is not scheduled like fire or police departments (not on shift 24 hours a day) but has people on call 24 hours a day. They detailed the plowing schedule for Friday and Saturday following a winter weather warning.
  • Evidence: “The street department is not scheduled like fire police departments. We don’t have people on shift 24 hours a day, but we do have people on call 24 hours a day. Friday’s event was a winter weather warning for our area. […] The guys worked from 4 AM to 6 PM Thursday. They worked 4 AM to 3 PM Friday. They were called back in at 730 to 11 o’clock on Friday night and then they were in again at 4 AM to 1130 on Saturday to remove all the snow and ice again.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:29:05

• City Manager’s acknowledgment of Gladys Hilton

  • Summary: The City Manager echoed comments regarding Gladys Hilton’s service to the city.
  • Evidence: “I just like to echo Michelle’s comments about Gladys. Gladys, you will be missed.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:31:21

• Public Works Department responsibilities and taxes

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the responsibility of paying taxes to the city and the work done by Public Works.
  • Attribution: Alderman Monroe
  • Evidence: “I would like to thank all those people that were able to fight their way home after work so that they could pay their taxes to the city of Freeport, and they made it home safe as best they could. I probably should thank myself for working 12 hour days, five days a week as well because that’s what the Public Works Department wants to do. We have a responsibility to this city. We pay a ton. I want to add a word in front of that to add a little color to it. A ton of taxes.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:34:30

• Expectation of government services during weather events

  • Summary: Discussion on the expectation for local and state government response during severe weather, mentioning CDL drivers as potential help.
  • Attribution: Alderman Monroe
  • Evidence: “But with that said, you know, the expectation is, is when the snow is two inches deep on the roads, that somebody’s out plowing them and that we know that’s coming. We’ve got partners in the federal government that know it’s coming and they tell us it’s coming. We got apps that tell us, we’ve got the weather service, the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office app tells you it’s, but it’s dangerous and those people have to get home and to expect them not to get home during a rush hour as we would call it here in Freeport, even though Fowler. And I think it’s time that we expect more of our government. We’re seeing that happen at the federal level. We should expect the same at the state and local level as well. And that means you have to work. And sometimes you have to work really hard, and sometimes you get to work a little bit easier. We’ve got a lot of CDL drivers in this city who could potentially help us out in these events who could come in and help out and I think we need to look at some of those options kind of moving forward.”

• Status of local demolitions/repairs

  • Summary: Discussion covered the status of tearing down a Holiday Inn, working on demolishing a structure at Lincoln, and progress on a building near the old GameStop.
  • Evidence: “Holiday Inn is not open Tommy We are we are working on getting that one torn down as well. What about that Lincoln? We’re working on demolishing that one as well, Tommy. That jersey mic was looking good, that’s why I buy that. Jersey mic, yep, by the old GameStop, yep, we’re still working on that one.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:43:10

Public Comment

• Street lighting and safety concerns on Oak Street

  • Summary: Steve Carroll expressed concern over poor street lighting and multiple reports of gunfire near his residence on Oak Street, noting recent incidents and the danger to children at the intersection of Empire and Oak.
  • Attribution: Steve Carroll
  • Evidence: “I’m Steve Carroll. And Steve Carroll. This is about street lights. So apparently we’re still talking about it and I would like us to stop talking and act on it. At the last council meeting I talked about the poor lighting and the multiple reports of shots fired over the years on Oak where I’ve lived for the last 47 years. Last month there was gunfire 15 feet from the north side of my house and this was about 9.30 in the evening. Prior to that, there’s been shots fired in the 1200 and 1400 block of Oak. Sandwiched in between the 1400 and 1200 block of Oak is the quarter of Empire and Oak, which is very busy during school hours and after school events. There are school buses going through that intersection and stopping on multiple locations on Oak. There are children walking and John.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:54

• City lighting system funding vs. life value

  • Summary: A mother speaking about the city’s spending on lighting systems compared to the value of a child’s life.
  • Attribution: Cheryl Altman
  • Evidence: “My name is Cheryl Altman. First I wanted to touch on the lighting system. For everybody that has a child that’s been shot, because you guys, you say you got $13,500, so you’re telling me that your child’s life wouldn’t be worth that $13,500 to put a light up? I’m a mother who lost her son at 21 years of age, he was, and I guarantee you, any mother, Miller, that next time you find a child that’s been shot on there, you go tell that parent that the city didn’t want to put up these lights, but yet they can go and spend all this money on snow plow, which you could have used, snow spreader, if it was hit, you could have got insurance money. So you’re telling me that kids’ lives are important or the citizens of Freeport are important.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:36:41

• Condition and demolition of Rowley building

  • Summary: A citizen criticizing the council for not tearing down the Rowley building due to potential property value gain, referencing past actions regarding other buildings.
  • Attribution: Dugman
  • Evidence: “Dugman. You keep saying that the building you tore down on Shawnees that belonged to Akia Sanders was in terrible shape. It was bad shape. But why aren’t you putting a sticker on the Rowley building that’s been in that condition for years? You refused to tear that down. It had asbestos in it. You won’t tear that down because you’re thinking you might get something along. That train might come through and you might be able to sell that property. And like Albers, you gave all this, you gave Albers a chance to buy that other Raleigh building for a hundred bucks. And then you tore down her place. And you and I know, and you’re not going to like this Mayor, but it’s who you know and who your friends are. Because I know who your friends are.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:38:05

• Demolition process for 404 and 402 Shawnee

  • Summary: A citizen stating that the council did not need permission to address the situation regarding her property demolition, and accusing a council member of lying about stop demolition orders.
  • Attribution: Makia Sanders
  • Evidence: “My name is Makia Sanders along with Tiffany Sanders. I own 404 and 402 Shawnee. You gotta wonder how would you need your permission to, need the council’s permission to pay for a demolition and you didn’t even need their permission to address the situation first. And every time you open your mouth Wayne, you help me out. And you helped me out. You sat up there and told Monroe that you didn’t get served a stop demolition order. That was a lie. If anybody want copies, I have the time, I have a video of speaking to you before you demoed my house, after I served you papers, stating that I served you papers, you’re going to knock my house down anyway. And then you got to ask, like, why was it an emergency to knock that house down when you already had 10 approved? There was no fire. It was not falling down. It wasn’t in, you know, the shape no motors was in passing recently. Don’t know.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:38:42

• City focus on safety and distress designation

  • Summary: A citizen criticizing the city for not addressing systemic issues like crime and failing to respond to constituent emails, while also criticizing a council member’s public statement at a celebration of life.
  • Attribution: Makia Sanders
  • Evidence: “Then I wanted to address the lighting issue. It disturbed me last time that I didn’t get to comment. I was bothered by Stacy or by Joy saying she was safe. When did Oak Street become about you being safe? You don’t even comment or you don’t say anything about when people email you. You don’t respond back. And then Miller, you addressed Stacy like why was it only a fifth word problem? She’s a fifth word ultimate. You are the city of Freeport. I have not once heard you say you have circled any block in that neighborhood. And we became a distressed city. I’m not going to take the new name that y’all tried to soften up. We became a distressed city and y’all used the money to pretty up where you hang at by the Wagner house. Somebody got shot and I know for sure it was because of the light issue and they can’t find the shooter. And I watched you go to an event where that family celebrated celebration of life and you used that statement, you attending that and smiling was diabolical to me. And this is the weakest display of leadership I’ve ever seen to wait and say let’s become a distressed city, let’s stand, let’s wait till somebody else gets shot, beat up or killed.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:39:45

• Departure from Freeport

  • Summary: A person identifying themselves and stating they moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa.
  • Attribution: Stacy
  • Evidence: “Next. I don’t really have anything in particular to comment on. Can you identify yourself please? McKaya, Stacy, sorry. I moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa and spent four years there getting my degree.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:41:09

• Concerns about city leadership and safety

  • Summary: The speaker criticized the current display of leadership, stating that waiting for a tragedy is unacceptable and expressing concern over the city’s general direction.
  • Evidence: “And this is the weakest display of leadership I’ve ever seen to wait and say let’s become a distressed city, let’s stand, let’s wait till somebody else gets shot, beat up or killed. Just I mean, what the heck. Nice going. Y’all doing a real great job up here. Nobody likes you though.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:40:49

• Resident desire to remain in Freeport

  • Summary: The speaker moved from Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa, and stated that friends in Des Moines were flabbergasted by the situation in Freeport. The speaker expressed a strong desire to continue living in the city.
  • Evidence: “I moved out of Freeport in 2020 to Ames, Iowa and spent four years there getting my degree. I recently went to Des Moines and talked to my friends that live in Des Moines, even one in a trailer park, and told them what’s happening in Freeport. And they were flabbergasted at the least. I love this city. I wanna continue living in the city.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:41:20

• Focus of city improvement efforts

  • Summary: The speaker argued that focusing on small, petty issues like lighting is misplaced; the real problem is making it difficult to stay for safety.
  • Evidence: “Oh, shouldn’t all the city get lights? Yeah. Duh. That’s not the problem. The problem is we’re focusing on all these small other petty things to be like, oh, look at our crime rate compared to Chicago. Look at the crime rate compared to Des Moines.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:41:42

• Call for action regarding city well-being

  • Summary: The speaker pleaded with the council to figure something out for the love of the city, emphasizing that the current situation makes it hard to want to stay.
  • Evidence: “Can we please figure something out for the love of the city, Not for our own well-being or whatever it is. You love this city. You want to live in it. You want to be the mayor Please do something about this.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:42:42

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Gladys Hilton retirement

  • Summary: Congratulations were given to Gladys Hilton for retiring after 25 years of service to the city of Freeport.
  • Evidence: “I would just like to take a moment to congratulate Gladys Hilton. She retired today after 25 years of service to the city of Freeport. We’re so happy for her, and she will be greatly missed.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:28:24

• Kudos to street department for water main breaks

  • Summary: Acknowledgement of the street department’s hard work on water main breaks.
  • Attribution: Miller, Joy
  • Evidence: “I’d just like to add a couple things kudos to the street department and thank you to the guys that really worked hard on the water main breaks that we had and and things going going south on a couple of those as we all know they go out and pretty in climate weather and take care of things for us we appreciate their work”
  • Source timestamp: 02:33:49

• Upcoming candidate event

  • Summary: Reminder to attend a candidate event on March 5th at the Eagles Club.
  • Attribution: Miller, Joy
  • Evidence: “also on March 5th mark your calendars there’s is going to be a candidate for him, again, at the Eagles Club, whatever you do, please get involved, whatever you do, vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:33:49

Follow-ups

• Immediate replacement of lower lumen lights

  • Summary: The first step is replacing lower lumen lights with brighter ones currently available in the public works inventory, which were recycled from the Chicago Avenue streetscape project.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “So our first steps are to replace lower lumen lights with brighter lights currently available at the public works inventory. These were lights that were recycled during the Chicago Avenue streetscape project and we have some on hand that we can deploy right away so we’ll be moving forward on that.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:24

• Immediate deployment plan for street lights

  • Summary: The suggestion is to deploy the 22 lights currently in inventory immediately and then work through the grant process for the remaining needed fixtures.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “What I’m suggesting tonight is that we’ve got about twenty two lights in inventory to go ahead and deploy those as soon as possible and then work through the grant process to get the remaining of those.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:45

• Request for detailed scope of audit tasks from auditors

  • Summary: A request was made for the auditors to submit a document detailing their specific tasks and guidelines so council members can observe the process.
  • Evidence: “Can you submit that to counsel of what their tasks, what their tasks are, that we can do some observations ourselves in terms of how they’re doing their practices, as far as auditing is concerned. I’d like to see us We just want to be able to indulge, engage our auditors who are auditing the city of Freeport, especially in this administration. I’d like for us to be able to be more detailed in what they’re doing and how they’re going about doing their task.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:46

• Maguire Woods update documentation request

  • Summary: A request was made for a copy of the memo spoken about tonight and copies of the six months worth of updates from Maguire Woods.
  • Attribution: Council Member
  • Evidence: “Could you give me a copy of your memo that you spoke of tonight and a copy of the six months worth of updates? Please and thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:19:40

Attendance

• Roll Call for Meeting Start
  • Summary: Mayor Miller, Klemm, Monroe, Simmons, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, and Sellers were checked in.
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Mayor Miller? Here. Alderpersons, Klemm? Here. Monroe? Here. Simmons? Here. Parker? Here. Stacy will be marked absent for the moment. Shadle is absent. Sanders? Here. And Sellers? Yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:12