Meeting Events

Meeting: ljjoxaudsgg.committee_of_the_whole_6-9-2025

Meeting date: 2025-06-09

Meeting type: committee_of_the_whole

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

Decisions and Votes

• Approval of the agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the agenda.
  • Attribution: Alderman Parker
  • Evidence: “Alderman Parker the meeting is yours the approval of the agenda SOMO second all in favor aye anybody opposed excuse me was that Klemm Shadle lemon Shadle yes that’s okay”
  • Evidence: “all in favor aye anybody opposed excuse me was that Klemm Shadle lemon Shadle yes that’s okay”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43

• Approval of minutes from April 14, 2025 committee of a whole meeting — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the minutes from the committee of a whole meeting held on April 14, 2025.
  • Evidence: “number five approval of the minutes from the committee of a whole meeting held on April 14, 2025. Have a motion? Approve. Second. Shadle and Sellers?”
  • Evidence: “All in favor say aye. Aye. Anybody opposed? Thank you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43

• Ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council — Referred

  • Summary: Discussion regarding ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council, pending motion to amend the language of section 220.1029.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Okay, next on the agenda number 10 is discussion regarding ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council, pending motion to amend the language of section 220.1029 to read agenda items for the City Council meetings and Committee of a Whole meeting shall be requested by the mayor, the city manager, or two aldermen, or as referred to it by the city council. All agenda items shall be accompanied by supporting documentation stating the purpose of the agenda item such as a memo including the background, discussion, financial consideration, recommendation, and association with strategic plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:18

• Amendment to agenda item placement requirement

  • Summary: Alderman Johnson moved to amend the proposed language so that two aldermen could place an item on the agenda, provided they supplied supporting documentation.
  • Attribution: Alderman Johnson
  • Evidence: “After that motion and second was made to move the item forward, Alderman Johnson made a Miller. We have a motion to amend the proposed language, and her motion was to not require a majority of older persons in order to be able to add something to the agenda, but rather that two older persons could still place an item on the agenda, however, they had to provide the supporting documentation, whether that take the form of a memo that then gave the background on the agenda item, whatever financial considerations there are, and then how it was in line with the strategic plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 28:15

• Referral of amendment motion to Committee of the Whole (COW)

  • Summary: Alderman Simmons moved to refer Alderman Johnson’s motion to the COW for further discussion.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “After that motion was made by Alderman Johnson, then Alderman Simmons made a motion to continue the conversation, and she motioned to refer Alderman Johnson’s motion to the COW. And that’s how we got here for further discussion.”
  • Source timestamp: 28:48

• Discussion on allowing two aldermen to place agenda items with supporting documentation

  • Summary: The current discussion concerns Alderman Johnson’s motion, which allows two aldermen to place an item on the agenda if they provide supporting documentation like a memo.
  • Evidence: “So what’s before you tonight is a discussion on Alderman Johnson’s motion, which is to allow for two older persons to place an item on the agenda, provided that they provide Supporting documentation I. E. A memo any other documentation in support of Whatever their their reason for having the agenda item on on the agenda is for okay any discussion on that Is there a motion for that? It’s discussion, but it’s already a motion that’s been made it was made at the last meeting and then Alderman Simmons asked to Referred it back to committee to talk about Alderman Johnson’s motion more So, so there hasn’t been a vote on Alderman Johnson’s motion. That’s why we’re here for more discussion on and Robert.”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 29:04

• Handling of Alderman Johnson’s proposed amendment — Passed

  • Summary: The process for amending an amendment was explained, noting that the original motion would be on the agenda next week, allowing subsequent amendments to build upon it.
  • Evidence: “You can’t you yes you can not tonight you back at the council meeting right because tonight was just put on your your motion when you referred it here was just that further discussion on Alderman Johnson’s proposed amendment so when it’s on the agenda for next it’ll be on the agenda for next week at the council so where we would be is we would have Alderman Johnson’s motion on the floor as she’s presented it you couldn’t make a motion to tweak her motion in some change the proposed language that she wanted there if that seconded and approved and passes then your amendment to her amendment would exist and then we would work back down the ladder you know and then we would vote on her amendment as amended by your amendment and then right back down.”
  • Source timestamp: 44:08

• Motion to adjourn

  • Summary: The vote on the motion to adjourn resulted in ‘Aye’.
  • Evidence: “All in favor say aye. You’re lucky. Aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:43

Procedural Actions

• Call to Order and Invocation

  • Summary: The meeting was opened with an invocation.
  • Attribution: Evelyn
  • Evidence: “Good evening. Evelyn, could you please give the invocation? Shall we bow our heads? Dear Father God, as we open another city council meeting, we open with the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Father, as each discussion takes place, we ask that Fowler. Each council member will keep in mind who they are representing and who elected them. Your eyes see everything and your ears are open to every word spoken here tonight, regardless of who is saying it. Father, surround each council member who desires to serve the city with godly wisdom and integrity to do what is right in your sight for all the people for the city of Freeport. We have to pray for those in authority so we can lead a quiet and peaceful life in godliness and reverence to you, Father. This is good and it’s acceptable in your sight. In the name above all names, Jesus Christ Messiah. Amen. Thank you, Evelyn. So now we’ll officially call this meeting to order.”
  • Source timestamp: 00:02

• Roll Call

  • Summary: The roll was taken for council members present and absent.
  • Attribution: Mayor Miller
  • Evidence: “Madam Clerk, could you please take the roll? Mayor Miller? Here. Klemm, Johnson, Simmons, Absent, Parker, Stacy, Shadle, Sanders, Sellers.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35

• Order of Business Interruption

  • Summary: A speaker interrupted proceedings, stating that a point raised was out of order.
  • Evidence: “Wait a minute. Hold up. Wait a minute. It’s not, it’s out of order. It is totally out of order, just as you spoke just then.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:45

• Adjournment of meeting

  • Summary: A motion was made to adjourn.
  • Evidence: “Next, Wayne’s agenda. Adjournment, I’m sorry. Motion to adjourn.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:26

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council — Referred
  • Summary: Discussion regarding ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council.
  • Evidence: “next on the agenda number 10 is discussion regarding ordinance amending chapter 220, rules of the council, pending motion to amend the language of section 220.1029 to read agenda items for the City Council meetings and Committee of a Whole meeting shall be requested by the mayor, the city manager, or two aldermen, or as referred to it by the city council.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:18

Financial and Contract Events

• Cost of lobbying services
  • Summary: The cost associated with the lobbyist service is stated as $90,000 a year or $72,000 a year (the speaker questioned which figure was correct).
  • Evidence: “Okay, and so this is costing us $90,000 a year, $72,000 a year. How many years do we continue if nothing comes forth?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:47

Projects

• Water Treatment Plant Status Update

  • Summary: The wastewater treatment plant project update indicated that approximately 43% completion was reached, with specific details on funding and future phases.
  • Evidence: “Sure. We’re about 43% so far. Approximately 23 23 and a half million dollars have been paid out to our contractor IHC the weather has been good and we’ve not had any significant groundwater issues everything is going according to the design plan except for contaminated soils that we had at the very beginning of the project and we’re remediated back to the Winnebago landfill. The ultraviolet building will be completed in late fall of 25 and ready for the spring startup. Once we start the chlorine System will be demolished and removed. The chemically enhanced primary treatment will be estimated to be completed by the summer of 26. Headworks and lab building early 27. And the headworks was dug to an elevation of 55 feet below the surface to install the building foundation. Treatment plan has been working adequately during the construction. And the contracting engineer and wastewater treatment plan staff meet two times a month for coordination. IHC, that is the contractor, is doing a very good job for the city of Freeport, and currently we’re tracking for final completion in the summer of 27.”
  • Source timestamp: 56:21

• Hancock Bridge Status Update

  • Summary: The Hancock Bridge project is in final review with the Federal Highway Administration and faces land acquisition hurdles.
  • Evidence: “So design is in final review with the Federal Highway Administration. It’s making, it’s working on city site or sidewalk and running north of the bridge to Album Street. Also the Federal Highway Administration is making the city investigate historical handrails on the bridge as part of the environmental sign-off. The funding agency was requiring 220 feet of pavement reconstruction in both directions to be removed and there’s a hump there. So we wanted to remove that hump and it will take the stress off of the structure. The project’s being pushed to a bid letting in the summer of 26 and the city is trying to resolve land acquisition issues currently as that is a primary hurdle. Temporary and permanent easement documents are being prepared and the walk and ride trail must be closed during the construction. Trail must be closed during the construction, currently planning on the summer of 26 with bidding and a nine-month completion date after that.”

• Property renovation at 521 West Cottonwood

  • Summary: The property was transferred from the city to Northern Illinois Land Bank in December of 2024, and subsequently transferred to Ivan Silver on May 29th, 2025. Mr. Silver has a contract to complete the renovation within nine months, with a deadline of February 28th, 2026.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “Number 16, update on the property at 521 West Cottonwood that was transferred to the land I keep getting phone calls from a neighbor in Cottonwood inquiring that nothing is being done with this property that we gave to the land bank. And I’m just wondering what is really going on. Is there someone out there that’s going to remodel this home? After they were given the property, weren’t they allowed nine months to complete this project? We can handle this on a phone call, but the city transferred 521 West Cottonwood to Northern Illinois Land Bank in December of 2024. The Northern Illinois Land Bank transferred the property to Ivan Silver in May 29th, 2025. I’ve been is under contract to complete the renovation of this property in nine months with a deadline of February 28th, 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:12

Presentations and Reports

• American Water Works Association Gold Ambassador Water Award

  • Summary: Seth Gronewald and Kaylee Spain presented information about the ISA-WWA program, which aims to elevate public perception, knowledge and consumer education of the water industry. The city of Freeport was honored with the Gold Ambassador Water Award.
  • Attribution: Seth Gronewald/Kaylee Spain
  • Evidence: “number eight, presentation of the Illinois Section Water, American Water Works, Water Ambassador Award presented by Shawna Richardson. Good evening, I’m Seth Gronewald. I’m here on behalf of the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association and and this is Kaylee Spain. She is an education and government affairs specialist for the section. And we’re here tonight to honor the city of Freeport for receiving the Gold Ambassador Water Award. Just as a quick little overview of what ISAWW is, the Illinois section, American Water Works Association provides resources for education of safe and sustainable water. We have 2,400 members across the state and over 50,000 members in our association globally. The ISA-WWA Water Ambassador Program was created to elevate public perception, knowledge and consumer education of the water industry.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:38

• 40 Days of Peace and Community Building Outline

  • Summary: William Brown presented an outline for the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building initiative, designed to address community violence by looking at root causes such as financial instability, job placement, generational trauma, lack of safe environments, and mental health access. Proposed activities include Beautifying the Block cleanups, Shoot Hoops and Knock Guns tournaments, Church in the Streets, and resource block parties.
  • Attribution: William Brown
  • Evidence: “number nine, presentation of 40 Days of Peace, presented by William Brown, High Hope reporter. Good evening council members, mayor, city managers, staff, fire chief. So my name is William Brown. I along with my wife are the founders, High Hope Freeport. High Hope Freeport, our mission is to, through community building and unity, cause a reduction in community violence. What I want to present to you today is the outline for the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building. … So in order to truly address this community violence, we have to look at the root causes of community violence, which is financial instability, job placement, generational trauma, generational support systems, lack of spaces, cycles of retaliation, and unaddressed mental Fowler. Our response to this, High Hope Freeport’s response to this is simple, but powerful. We want to present Beautifying the Block, where we go out into our High Hope, Identify High Hope communities, and we clean up those communities. We also have our Shoot Hoops and Knock Guns tournaments that offer positive outlets for our young people. We also have Church in the Streets that brings faith back into our high hope communities. We also have the resource block parties.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:43

• High Hope Freeport community initiatives and resources

  • Summary: Presented plans for Beautifying the Block cleanups, Shoot Hoops and Knock Guns tournaments, Church in the Streets faith efforts, and resource block parties. Resource block parties will include community surveys to collect data for evaluating the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building.
  • Attribution: Don, Miller
  • Evidence: “Our response to this, High Hope Freeport’s response to this is simple, but powerful. We want to present Beautifying the Block, where we go out into our High Hope, Identify High Hope communities, and we clean up those communities. We also have our Shoot Hoops and Knock Guns tournaments that offer positive outlets for our young people. We also have Church in the Streets that brings faith back into our high hope communities. We also have the resource block parties. It’s been a lot said to those that choose to sit behind a Facebook app and type out what our resource block parties are and choose to ignore the idea that they are our resources. So in our resource block parties, there will be resources that we will bring to those block and John. We have a lot of these outside of bouncy houses. Right? And if each council member look, there is an outline of our community resource partners, they also will be broadening on that and we’ll have a larger scope of it. Also at those resource block parties, it will be community surveys to take real data from those that live in those We going to? That data will be collected and it will be used as an evaluation tool to measure the outcome and the impact of the 40 Days of Peace and Community Building. Along with that, it will give us the information we need to connect the individuals in our high hold communities with the community partner resources that can fulfill the needs that they have.”
  • Source timestamp: 11:51

• Personal background and advocacy for community responsibility

  • Summary: The speaker detailed their personal history of instability (living on the streets, prison time) and emphasized that failure is a community responsibility, advocating for all young people regardless of appearance or background.
  • Attribution: Speaker
  • Evidence: “Seven, eight years old, I lived on the streets because I ran from foster homes and group homes. At 19, I was in prison with a 15-, 25-, and 50-year sentence. While in prison, I made a pivotal transformation in my life because of my oldest son. Coming to visit me while I was sitting and sitting, and he couldn’t touch me. I made that change in prison. I went on to get my education. I got a GED. I have an associate’s degree in general studies. I have an associate’s degree in political science. I further went on to become a certified paralegal. And to my sins, Governor J. B. Pritzer commuted my sins based on the programs that I created while I was in prison. I returned home here to Freeport to my wife. I was one of those kids that you call thugs, punks, and whatever other name that you want to get them. At the end of the day, regardless of whatever title you get them, they still our kids. That many any failure that’s on them is on us as a community and adults in the community they are our responsibility from that young black kid with dreads that has a black hoodie on Fries, that has a black hoodie on, to that young Hispanic kid with tattoos on his face or that rough, young white kid that you think just bad. They are our kids. I stand for them. If they don’t have a voice, I’ll be that voice for them.”

• Advocacy support from Freeport community members

  • Summary: The speaker credited Denise Davenport and his wife as staunchest advocates, noting an online petition organized by his wife received 132 signatures from Freeport before he ever stepped foot in the city.
  • Attribution: Speaker
  • Evidence: “I had two staunch advocates. One was Denise Davenport. She was the mother of Deion Davenport. Her son lost his life, which was the case that I was charged with. She was my staunchest advocate because she knew I didn’t commit the crime. She wrote the governor. She showed up at trials. My wife was my advocate. And I’m going to tell you the amazing thing about Freeport and why I’m indebted to Freeport. She had an online petition. I’ve only shared this once. That was Saturday at our Peace March. She put an online petition and out of the 400 plus signatures that were signed on there, 132 people from Freeport signed that signature before I stepped a foot in here.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:08

• Call for unity regarding youth safety

  • Summary: The speaker stated that every name on a list of lost young people in Freeport represents a loss, and stressed that peace is not a joke and should not be politicized.
  • Attribution: Speaker
  • Evidence: “So when Wendy spoke that this was a joke, I’m gonna tell you who it wasn’t a joke to. Every name on this list is a young person we’ve lost here in Freeport. I speak with their mothers. Nisi Ellis was there. She spoke on the loss of her son, Montreal Scott. My vet showed up. She was late, but she spoke on that loss. Peace is not a joke. Those in our youth is not a joke.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:54

• Call for community action and unity

  • Summary: The speaker urged the council and Freeport community to join efforts over 40 days of peace and community building, asserting that only community can quell violence. He committed to speaking with anyone wanting to be part of the change.
  • Attribution: Speaker
  • Evidence: “So going forward, I asked not only this council, but I asked the city of and Freeport. Join me as we embark on these 40 days of peace and community building. We may very well not be able to stop every shot that’s fired, but again I repeat, any initiative, no one plan will do that, but community will. Going forward, I hope Freeport will play our role in what it is to quell community violence.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:47

• History of agenda item placement rules

  • Summary: A brief history was given regarding how the current agenda item originated from a proposed change requiring a majority of aldermen to place items on the agenda.
  • Attribution: Attorney Zito
  • Evidence: “So So just to give a brief history from last week as to how we got to this agenda item tonight. At last week’s council meeting there was the rules of council ordinance that was presented which proposed certain changes to section 220.10 of the city code of ordinances. One of the proposed changes was a change to the manner in which agenda items can be placed on the agenda. The proposed change required a majority of older persons to place something on the agenda.”
  • Source timestamp: 26:18

• Residency requirement ordinance voting details

  • Summary: Stating the residency requirement ordinance was on the agenda for May 19th, confirming a quorum was present at that time.
  • Attribution: Zeto
  • Evidence: “Journey ZETO. So the residency requirement ordinance was on the agenda for May 19th. As I stated on the last agenda item, there was a quorum at the time that the meeting was called. I know you disagree, that’s fine. There there was a quorum of five all the persons present so the meeting may move forward when we got to the agenda item that dealt with the residence requirement that was voted on at that meeting on the 19th.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:11

• Update on McGuire Woods Consulting LLC performance

  • Summary: The presentation noted that the lobbyist firm has been working hard at the state level to secure funding for identified priorities and federal opportunities.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy and Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “Number 17, update on the performance of McGuire Woods Consulting LLC presented by Alderman Stacy and Alderman Simmons. We paid all this money for a lobbyist. And it’s been over a year, have no updates, have no knowledge of understanding of what they have or have not done for us and so I would really appreciate an update. I’d be happy to speak to that. McGuire Woods, again, is our lobbyist. They have been working hard at state level to secure funding for projects that we’ve identified as priorities as we move forward, looking for help on all those, as well as any federal opportunities.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:34

Metrics

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Completion Percentage
  • Summary: The wastewater treatment plant project is approximately 43% complete.
  • Evidence: “We’re about 43% complete. 43% Complete.”
  • Source timestamp: 57:55

Discussion

• Ownership and funding of High Hope Freeport

  • Summary: Stated that High Hope Freeport belongs to its founders, board, and the community of Freeport, not Mayor Jodi Miller. The 40 Days of Peace and Community Building Initiative is funded by sponsors including FHN, M45 Marketing, Walmart, Faith Center, t-shirt fundraising, and community donations.
  • Attribution: Don, Miller
  • Evidence: “How Hope Freeport was founded by me and my wife. How Hope Freeport does not belong to Jodi Miller. How Hope Freeport belongs to us, the founders, our board and the community of Freeport. The 40 Days of Peace and Community Building Initiative is not funded by the Mayor Jodi Miller or the city. FHN, M45 Marketing, Walmart, Faith Center are our sponsors along with t-shirt fundraising and community donations. Let’s get that clear.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:34

• Community violence resolution strategy

  • Summary: Stated that unity is the only way to resolve the community violence problem, not any single initiative or plan.
  • Attribution: Don, Miller
  • Evidence: “Also, let’s share some hard truths. Not one person in this council or in this community can predict when someone is gonna shoot a bullet. Not one initiative Not one plan will help us resolve the community violence problem that we have. What will is unity. I’m going to change the culture today and let that tone be set.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:34

• Youth support and emotional intelligence teaching moment

  • Summary: Shared an anecdote about mentoring a young man who was taught by Don Miller that referencing High Hope Freeport in relation to the Mayor was inaccurate, emphasizing that High Hope Freeport is about unity.
  • Attribution: Don, Miller
  • Evidence: “I will share this with you, cuz for him it was a teachable moment. Brown. While attending his basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club, he brought the flyer that I had a young people passing out, right? He’s 16. I was there attending the game. He was officiating and two more of my young people were there to support their siblings. I showed up for them. He brought this to me and said, Mr. Brown, while we were passing this out I took one home. My mother saw it and said that Wendy Pearson and Joshua Akin said is a joke. He proceeded to pull his phone out and show me her performing in this chamber, point to Mayor Miller saying it was a joke. On this, it says high hope Freeport. It doesn’t say Mayor Miller. We work with the faith and Mayor Miller, yes. I won’t shy away from that. Because my goal and my plan here is to support the youth. That’s what I’m about. Saving our youth from making mistakes that will lead them to prison for the rest of their life or lead them to taking somebody else’s life. And when anybody, I don’t care your stature, what you think you are in the community, and who you think you are in the community. Threatened to poison a man of our youth. I want the smoke. I’ma show up for that. I proceeded to tell this young man, I guided him to highhopefreeport. Com website. On that website, I took him to that first Peace March, and I showed him pictures of Wendy Pearson at that Peace March. So for her to think it was a joke, maybe it wasn’t an opportunity for her to grab attention. I also further went to show him that former, that Joshua Atkins during his former election campaign also had photos from Howe Freeport Peace March as his way of addressing crime. The teachable moment in that was for me to teach him about emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence meaning not to respond when you know the truth.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:20

• Personal background and commitment to youth support

  • Summary: Shared personal history of being in the foster care system and prison, detailing subsequent education (GED, Associate’s degrees in General Studies and Political Science, certified paralegal) and receiving a commutation from Governor J. B. Pritzer.
  • Attribution: Don, Miller
  • Evidence: “I was raised in the city of Chicago. I’m not originally from Freeport. I came up in the system. At two years old, I was in DCFS. Seven, eight years old, I lived on the streets because I ran from foster homes and group homes. At 19, I was in prison with a 15-, 25-, and 50-year sentence. While in prison, I made a pivotal transformation in my life because of my oldest son. Coming to visit me while I was sitting and sitting, and he couldn’t touch me. I made that change in prison. I went on to get my education. I got a GED. I have an associate’s degree in general studies. I have an associate’s degree in political science. I further went on to become a certified paralegal. And to my sins, Governor J. B. Pritzer commuted my sins based on the programs that I created while I was in prison.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:25

• Status of Alderman Johnson’s motion

  • Summary: The discussion confirmed that there has not been a vote on Alderman Johnson’s motion because it was referred back to committee for more discussion.
  • Evidence: “So, so there hasn’t been a vote on Alderman Johnson’s motion. That’s why we’re here for more discussion on and Robert. And we’re not in the middle of a discussion on her motion, on Alderman Johnson’s motion.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:35

• Requirements for placing items on the agenda without a memo

  • Summary: A participant questioned whether an item can be placed on the agenda if no supporting memo is included.
  • Evidence: “Cecelia? Okay. So, if someone wants to put something on the agenda, but they do not include a memo, then it can’t happen?”
  • Source timestamp: 29:58

• Documentation requirement for agenda items proposed by two Aldermen

  • Summary: A participant stated their understanding that if two Aldermen place an item on the agenda, supporting documentation must be provided, similar to staff memos.
  • Evidence: “My understanding of…and Alderman Johnson can speak for it if I get this wrong, my understanding of Alderman Johnson’s proposed amendment is that if two Alderman place something on the agenda, then they have to provide supporting documentation for it the same way that staff provides typically provides a memo there.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:21

• Deadline for providing supporting memos for agenda items

  • Summary: A participant questioned the deadline for submitting required memos.
  • Evidence: “And how long do they have to present that memo? It is my understanding is that if they want it, it has to when they make the request basically to have the item placed on the agenda that in enough time to make the packet, they would and I would have to provide the memo.”
  • Source timestamp: 30:40

• Preferred deadline for submitting memos

  • Summary: A participant stated a preference for receiving items by Thursday at 5 o’clock.
  • Evidence: “Typically, I like items by Thursday, by 5 o’clock.”
  • Source timestamp: 31:23

• Council process regarding agenda amendments and proposals

  • Summary: A participant expressed concern about the current process for adding items to the agenda, suggesting that changes in procedure are hypocritical.
  • Evidence: “I find that kind of a hypocritical for someone to now wanna change the course of directions on how we proceed with agendas.”
  • Source timestamp: 32:33

• Input required before two people can place an item on the agenda

  • Summary: A participant stated they have input regarding the requirement for documentation when two people propose an agenda item.
  • Evidence: “And I have input on a particular item before two people can put an item on the agenda.”
  • Source timestamp: 33:28

• Clarity and criteria for required memos

  • Summary: A participant questioned the vagueness surrounding what content a memo should contain and who determines its sufficiency.
  • Evidence: “Well, the memo does not give you enough clarity what you have to stipulate within that memo. And others. Where is this memo and how do you define this memo and what is the criteria of this memo in order for someone to introduce a memo because you’re coming off pretty vague about the description of what a memo should have within its content and how we should go about making the decision on what you present, who makes the determination.”
  • Source timestamp: 33:50

• Council input on proposed amendments vs. external interference

  • Summary: A participant stated support for council injecting proposals to amend items but opposed outside interference with agenda setting.
  • Evidence: “So my thing is whatever we’re doing to try to amend something, I like to see the council inject these proposals. I don’t want to see no one else interfering with council when it comes to asserting what items go on the agenda.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:49

• Council process and citizen advocacy

  • Summary: The speaker expressed confusion about why the council goes through processes if they are going to vote down what citizens of Freeport advocate for.
  • Evidence: “Why do we go through the process if you’re going to vote everything down that the citizens of Freeport is advocating for? I just can’t see that. So my whole mission is to understand why the council goes through these dilemmas and manipulations that we go through.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:04

• Memo requirements for agenda items

  • Summary: The speaker explained that accompanying documentation should provide a better idea of the thoughts behind an item, who it will benefit, and how it will help the city move forward.
  • Evidence: “Larry, on here it does say what needs to be accompanied to it and the reason it says that is to give us a better idea of what the thoughts are behind it, who it’s going to benefit, How is it going to help the city move forward? How is it going to help the people in the city?”
  • Source timestamp: 36:58

• Memo content requirements for agenda items

  • Summary: The speaker detailed that a memo should consist of the purpose and background of the agenda item, and include discussion points.
  • Evidence: “So the memo needs to consist of the purpose of the agenda item, including background. I don’t know what that means.”
  • Source timestamp: 37:44

• Example structure for proposal memos

  • Summary: The speaker provided an example using a street paver purchase: Background (need for more road fixing), Proposal (buy a second street paver), Discussion (pros and cons), and Financial Impact (cost X hundred thousand dollars).
  • Evidence: “let’s say that’s the item you want to have put on the agenda. You could say the background is, well, we currently don’t have enough. Roads aren’t getting fixed enough… And that’s the background, right? That we’re only fixing so many miles of road right now your proposal then is to say we should buy a second streets paver and then the discussion you could go into all the pros and cons of it”
  • Source timestamp: 39:54

• Need for homework on agenda memos

  • Summary: The speaker stated that there might need to be some homework done in order for the memo to be put together so people understand why an alderman is bringing forward an item.
  • Evidence: “I think that’s going to what Alderman Johnson was saying that there might need to be some homework done in order to the memo to be put together so that people understand why a particular alderman is bringing forward an agenda item which is usually a proposal you know usually you want something done or some action to be taken.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:54

• Request for clarification on required memo content

  • Summary: The speaker stated they would need help understanding what memo was needed with certain items.
  • Evidence: “Johnson, Kirsten, and I have several things on the agenda tonight. So I will probably come back to you so you can help me understand what memo would I need to put with something.”
  • Source timestamp: 40:48

• Question regarding opposition to staff-drafted memos

  • Summary: The speaker questioned why someone would be against an alderman who drafts a memo stating the case, reasons, and financial responsibility.
  • Evidence: “I just wonder why would you be against an Alder person who can draft a memo, state in their case and the reasons and financial responsibility, why would you be against them if they have a second being able to bring that to us as has been since the beginning of this Council?”
  • Source timestamp: 41:22

• Request for criteria listing for documentation

  • Summary: The speaker requested that all items discussed be categorized with a listing of criteria for documentation and writing.
  • Evidence: “I’d like to have us to categorize a listing of criteria for all of the things that you guys are referring to so we can see it in documentation and writing.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:53

• Documentation requirements for council requests

  • Summary: A request was made to categorize a listing of criteria for all items being referred to so they can be documented in writing and checked off to ensure all stipulations are covered.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. Yeah, I’d like to have us to categorize a listing of criteria for all of the things that you guys are referring to so we can see it in documentation and writing. I heard the request, I heard an example. I’d like to see it in writing. That’s what I’m saying. If we’re requesting something, then everything has to be documented where no one is making mistakes. They have to do the check off list. This, this, this been covered. And then that way we know as council that all of the stipulations of this item that’s being put on the agenda has been covered.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:09

• Required attachments for presented items

  • Summary: It was stated that everything presented, including those discussed, should be attached to what is presented.
  • Evidence: “And wait a minute, I’m not done, I’m not done. What we should be presented with, and that goes for everybody, and that includes administrative bodies within the city structure should also be attached All of those items that we just got done talking about.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:54

• Progress vs. Manipulation in City Planning

  • Summary: A statement was made regarding making progress while disliking manipulation.
  • Evidence: “Well, the thing about it is we’re making progress. I love progress. But I don’t like manipulation. I like progress.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:25

• Authorization for actions before quorum/roll call

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders requested to put on record who authorized taking action on the council floor without a roll call or a quorum being present, citing concerns about protocol adherence.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “I wanted to be put on record of who authorized action to be taken on this council floor without council having a roll call or a quorum within this council. I like to know, I want to have that put on record so we know that we do not have to follow protocols. We can do what we want to do, say what we want to say, and take action before roll calls, before a quorum has been attached to this council. So I’d like to put it on record who authorized the proceeding of May 19th.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:03

• Procedural confirmation of meeting status on May 19th

  • Summary: A procedural account was given stating that a roll call occurred at the beginning of the meeting, and since Alderman Johnson had already been seated, a quorum was present.
  • Evidence: “So Alderman Sanders, there was a roll call at the beginning of the meeting at 6 o’clock. No, it was not. There was a roll call. No, it was not. The meeting was called to order, and there was a roll call, and Alderman Johnson had already been seated, and therefore when there was a roll call there were there was a quorum present because there were five aldermen present.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:40

• Ordinance regarding residency requirements for department Heads

  • Summary: A discussion occurred regarding an ordinance amending provisions of the City Code concerning residency requirements for department Heads and certain other employees, presented by Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy.
  • Evidence: “Number 12 discussion regarding ordinance amending various provisions of the City Code of Ordinance regarding residency requirements for department Heads, and certain other employees presented by Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:50

• Residency ordinance passage status

  • Summary: A statement was made that the residency ordinance had been voted on and passed previously (on May 5th), suggesting it impacts current cancellation notices.
  • Evidence: “Well, it takes me back to the May 5th cancellation. And from my understanding, that the residency ordinance was voted on and passed. If that happened, you cannot send out an agenda saying that council or the assembly is canceled because of lack of whatever.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:36

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Discussion regarding the passing of a residency ordinance, questioning its validity due to alleged meeting cancellations or lack of quorum.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Okay number 12 discussion regarding ordinance amending various provisions of the City Code of Ordinance regarding residency requirements for department Heads, and certain other employees presented by Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy. Whichever one wants to respond to that. Well, it takes me back to the May 5th cancellation. And from my understanding, that the residency ordinance was voted on and passed. If that happened, you cannot send out an agenda saying that council or the assembly is canceled because of lack of whatever. I’d like to know who canceled our meeting May 5th. I’d like that to be on record.”
  • Source timestamp: 47:50

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Questioning the cancellation of a meeting on May 5th and demanding documentation regarding who canceled it.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “I’d like that to be on record. Who’s canceling things without the authorization and the knowledge of Council understanding why that cancellation took place and nobody is wanting nobody wants to put their names on this but my point is a residency ordinance was passed and it shouldn’t have passed it was invalid to pass it because it was canceled the meeting was canceled when was a Knapp, Tom, Robert, Daniel, And who cancelled? When was a meeting put together with council that allowed the proper voting that should have taken place and what date, time and the meeting time that that had taken place. Who cancelled that?”
  • Source timestamp: 48:52

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Clarification on the date of cancellation for the residency ordinance discussion.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders, the May 5th meeting was not canceled. May 12th is what he means. May 12th, that’s where I’m in. Oh, okay. May 12th. It was canceled and I need someone to address that.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:09

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Stating the residency ordinance was passed on May 19th, contradicting previous claims about cancellation dates.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Alderman Shadle. The ordinance was passed May 19th. That is not what I just referred to. You’re talking about the residency ordinance. The Huffines. The Residency Ordinance was passed May 19th.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:09

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Claiming the residency ordinance could not have been passed on May 19th due to lack of quorum or council presence.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “It can’t be passed May 19th because there was no quorum and there was no council. There was no quorum and there was no roll call of a quorum in place. There was nothing in place to make that happen. And if that is the case, I did not see that in my, I did not see that being passed and voted on. I did not see that and so I’d like to address that. When was it passed and when was it voted on?”
  • Source timestamp: 50:46

• Residency requirement ordinance voting details

  • Summary: Identifying Miller as the person who conducted the vote for the residency requirement ordinance.
  • Evidence: “Can I say this? Who conducted that voting process? Who conducted it? He’s gonna tell you. That was Miller.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:26

• Residency ordinance passage and procedural validity

  • Summary: Reiterating that the May 19th meeting established quorum, took up the item, voted on it, and passed it.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Shadle. And again, this is the May 19th meeting that the Attorney General’s Office sent a letter saying I believe I have the floor, that there was no wrongdoing done. The quorum was established. The meeting was in order. The item was taken up at the meeting, voted on, and passed.”
  • Source timestamp: 52:05

• Purpose of discussion during council session

  • Summary: Questioning the benefit, goal, purpose, and potential harm of the current discussion, and asking if it could have occurred outside the council floor.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Johnson. I have some questions regarding this discussion. For you, I have several of them. How is this discussion pursuing what is good for us and for this city? Who will benefit from this discussion? What is your goal, your hope to accomplish from this discussion? What is the purpose of this discussion? Will this discussion bring harm to any? And could some of this discussion and questions have been done outside of the council floor? So could you answer those, please?”
  • Source timestamp: 52:47

• Governing principles for council proceedings

  • Summary: Stating that council actions must follow established ordinances and laws, and opinions alone are insufficient.
  • Evidence: “Oh, yeah. If you’re referring to me, the fact that matter that you have an opinion, that’s what you’re stating right now. I’m asking you questions. But you have to understand, we are governed by ordinances. We have laws in place that has already been placed in place. So for you to address your opinions and then ask me questions about the very same things about our laws, this is what governs this council. Ordinances governs this council.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:14

• Adherence to Ordinance Protocol

  • Summary: A speaker stated their objective is to follow the ordinance and will point out any deviations from it.
  • Attribution: Johnson
  • Evidence: “So your opinion and expressions does not says anything to me because I’m following, this is my objective is to follow the ordinance since it was presented before me and if there’s anything that is not abiding to the ordinance then I will speak up and I will say what it is and what it isn’t”
  • Source timestamp: 53:53

• Residency Ordinance Protocol

  • Summary: A speaker addressed another council member regarding adherence to the governing ordinance.
  • Evidence: “I’m addressing you to let you know, read your ordinance, and that governs who you are at your council seat, and that’s what we go by. If you step out of line with that, then it’s invalid.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:20

• May 12th Meeting Cancellation Inquiry

  • Summary: A speaker inquired about the answer regarding who canceled the May 12th meeting.
  • Evidence: “Yes, we never get the answer pertaining to who canceled the May 12th meeting.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:36

• Residency Ordinance Timing Correction

  • Summary: A speaker clarified that a discussion about the residency ordinance was prompted by a reference to the May 12th meeting, but the ordinance itself related to a different date.
  • Evidence: “Right that so that’s an off topic question because we’re the agenda item is talking about the residency ordinance well it came up I didn’t bring it up it only came up because alderman sanders referenced the 12th meeting but that had the residency requirement had nothing to do with the meeting on the 12th so he we corrected him and said that the residency ordinance was on the 19th”
  • Source timestamp: 54:45

• Residency Ordinance Discussion Status

  • Summary: Multiple speakers debated whether they had already spoken about the residency ordinance.
  • Evidence: “No, I have not on the residency. I only spoke once.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:45

• Council Protocol and Chair Discretion

  • Summary: A discussion occurred regarding council protocol, noting that current ordinances do not specify rules, leaving it to the discretion of the chair.
  • Evidence: “Now you need to understand the protocol. Yeah, it’s not our ordinance currently doesn’t specify. It’s not real clear. So it’s been in the discretion of the chair. So this is this is how we operate.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:45

• Bridge Construction Timeline Clarification

  • Summary: A speaker clarified the timeline for bridge construction, noting that the nine-month completion period starts after construction begins, not from the bidding date.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Stacey and Alderman Simmons. Wow. This is. And Stacy do it? Yes. It’s been two years since we voted on and spoke about the Hancock wastewater treatment plant. I would like to know where we at with the wastewater treatment plant.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:45

• Land Acquisition Issues for Bridge Project

  • Summary: A speaker questioned the nature of land acquisition issues, which relate to overlapping property lines in an older part of town.
  • Evidence: “When you say land Equisition. What land are you speaking of? Essentially we’re dealing with an older part of town. We have some issues with certain overlaps of property lines and we’re at working to resolve those right now.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:56

• Benchmark Setting for Projects

  • Summary: A speaker inquired whether benchmarks are set up for project completion to ensure compliance.
  • Evidence: “Do we have benchmarks set up for each project for completion? Because like these jobs that we’re doing right now, these projects that we’re doing, there should be earmarked for completion. Do we have that in our design? And because I like to know if these jobs are bidded out, are they meeting their compliance?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:01:19

• Property line overlaps and project completion scheduling

  • Summary: There are issues with overlapping property lines that are currently being worked to resolve. Regarding projects, it was confirmed that every city project has a completion date or calendar date/working day contract.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “We have some issues with certain overlaps of property lines and we’re at working to resolve those right now. The buildings right there by the bridge? I mean I can ask you this later. Yeah we could talk about offline but essentially you have property lines that kind of overlap the area and then we’re for resolving that. Alderman Sanders. Do we have benchmarks set up for each project for completion? Because like these jobs that we’re doing right now, these projects that we’re doing, there should be earmarked for completion. Do we have that in our design? And because I like to know if these jobs are bidded out, are they meeting their compliance? Are they in compliance? And so we should be able to have a completion date or somewhere thereabouts around that time. So we do have that available for us to look at and get access to it. Every project that the city puts out either has a completion date or calendar date or a working day contract. Everyone’s a little bit different, but there’s always a completion deadline.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:56

• Hancock Vidoc and Bridge construction sequencing

  • Summary: The biggest holdup with the Hancock Vidoc is that NICOR must relocate the gas main underneath it. The plan is to get the Vidoc done first, pushing the bridge letting to next year.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “Currently, the biggest holdup with the Hancock Vidoc I will pick out is the NICOR has to relocate the gas main that goes under the Vidoc. We can’t do any other work until they can relocate. They’ve been trying to get a permit, a design permit to move that for six months. Okay. And so they’re the holdup. It’s really, it’s probably a three month project after it’s done. We’re fortunate that we have good partners like Helm Construction that’s holding their pricing for us because technically they probably wouldn’t have to, but they’re doing it because they’re part of Freeport. Well, there wouldn’t be a strain We will never let, just to be clear, we will never let the Hancock Bridge and the Hancock Vidoc go at the same time. One will have to be complete before the other can start. We have to have emergency access and resident access either way. So our plan is to do the Vidoc. There is an emergency exit? Well, there will be. It’ll be either the bridge or the Vidoc. We plan to get the bridge done first and that’s why the bridge letting is going to push to next year. Got you. Right? So excuse me, I think I said it wrong. We’re planning to get the BIDOC done first and the bridge letting is being pushed to next year.”

• Bike path grant status (Highland area)

  • Summary: The city was notified at the end of May that it did not receive the ITEP grant money for the bike path project, and the next opportunity for such funding will be in 2026.
  • Attribution: Alderman Simmons
  • Evidence: “All right, number 15, update on the grant for the bike path in collaboration with the Highland Community College and Park District, Alderman Stacey and Alderman Simmons. Yes. We had all this information pertaining to a new back path that wanted to be done out in the Highland area. I think it was even going to take you all the way around down to Culver’s. And it was affiliated with the City of Freeport, the Park District, and Highland. It was voted down at one point, however, it was brought back and passed. So we’ve heard nothing. And I would like some information on where we’re at with this bike path. Just be happy to answer that. So at the end of May, the city was notified that we did not receive the grant for the ITEP grant that would pay for the project. In addition to that, no one in Northern Illinois received any ITEP money for walk-ride infrastructure and our next opportunity for that will be in 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:50

• Future grant opportunities for bike path

  • Summary: The next opportunity to bid on the project is expected in 2026, and if successful, the grant proposition would be revised and come back to the council as a new question.
  • Attribution: Alderman Sanders
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders. What year did you say that would be? 2026 Will be the next opportunity to bid. Okay, and that would be revised or yeah, the grant proposition would be revised for that particular project? It would be revised as far as dates and so on, but it would come back to the council? Yes. Okay. That’s what I wanted to know. It will come back to the council as a new question? When the opportunity comes around in 2026, we’ll go back around to all our partners and make sure everybody wants to be a part of it again, in which time, if everybody approves, then we will move forward with it. If they don’t approve, then that won’t happen. But it would like to be a new agenda item.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:46

• Guidance on property issues and communication channels

  • Summary: The speaker advised calling or contacting Wayne Duckman for property problems, stating they always respond to calls via phone, email, or text message.
  • Evidence: “if there’s a problem property, do call me and ask about it, if there’s a problem property, and then I’ll, if it’s not addressed, I’ll direct it to one of our inspectors to look at, but yeah, I’ve talked with you about properties in the past, and pretty much every other person up here, so I think what City Manager Boyer is saying is, is you could certainly call me, or, you know, City Manager Boyer would probably direct that question to me to answer. And I did direct this person to you and I did even give them your number and when he said item number 16 I was looking at you but you weren’t looking at me so he’s the manager that’s why I looked at him I didn’t care who answered right so as I said before you’re always welcome So, as I said before, you’re always welcome to call me. I always respond to calls. I think any other person here can say, hey, I’ve had a problem with the property. I send it to Wayne or talk to him, email, phone, text message, and I get back quickly on that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:00

• Updates on city properties and development

  • Summary: The speaker expressed excitement about a developer’s plans for vacant or demolished properties in Freeport.
  • Evidence: “I think this is exciting for the City of Freeport, just to be honest. There are many properties here that either get demolished or sit vacant and this is really a good thing so I’m excited to see what this developer is going to do with the property.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:10:02

• Best method for receiving city updates

  • Summary: The speaker stated that updates are best served by calling or attending meetings, rather than requiring an update on every single item in council meetings.
  • Evidence: “all updates are best served with efficiency by simple picking up a phone or coming to the meetings that our city manager, myself, have opened to you. So if you want to go that route, because if we actually spent an update on every single one of those updates, we would have been able to do that. We would have been able to do that. We have a question that came across our desk. We would be sitting here in council meetings forever, but that’s not the purpose of council meetings. It’s to address the legislative portions of things, the policies, not updates. So updates are really best served with the discussion in our offices.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:10:26

• Rebuilding trust and communication

  • Summary: The speaker emphasized the need to work hard on rebuilding the ’trust factor’ and communication.
  • Evidence: “But with that being said, we got to work extra hard on the trust factor. And the damage that has been done in that area, because that’s huge to me. And so I don’t wanna argue, you didn’t say this, I said that, no you didn’t, yes I did. I don’t want that either. That doesn’t look good on the floor either. So I guess as we all work on the trust factor and rebuilding communication, it will get better.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:11:52

• Property status of an open space with a trailer

  • Summary: The speaker questioned why someone would place a trailer in an open space without knowing ownership.
  • Evidence: “And then when Duckman and I spoke, there was still some unanswered questions like a trailer that had been moved onto that property that they didn’t even know who it belonged to. So why is someone just looking at this open space thinking they could put their trailer there?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12:57

• Future funding allocation for streets

  • Summary: The speaker estimated that $72,000 could cover street improvements equivalent to about 50 to 100 feet.
  • Evidence: “I mean, do you know what we could do with $72,000 on our streets? I’m guessing about 50 maybe 100 feet but I would say we’re going to be reviewing the progress and I think we need to sit down and decide whether we’re going to continue to move forward with this or not.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:47

• Lobbying process nature

  • Summary: The speaker noted that lobbying is not a linear process and depends on opportunities and people being present, citing the current environment of federal funding cuts as a challenge.
  • Evidence: “I will also highlight the fact that lobbying is not a linear process and it also requires certain opportunities and people to be there during those opportunities. So in this is a particular environment, very difficult with federal funding being cut in many different areas, so it is a bit of a challenge, but we’re continuing to manage it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:16

• Council authorization for lobbyist services

  • Summary: The speaker sought confirmation on whether the council voted to allow the firm to operate on their behalf.
  • Evidence: “Did we as council, city manager, voted to allow them to operate on our behalf? Yes. We did?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:19

• Council vote on operating permission

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding whether the council voted to allow someone to operate on their behalf.
  • Evidence: “Did we as council, city manager, voted to allow them to operate on our behalf? Yes. We did? Okay, that’s all I wanted to know.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:19

• 911 Call Handling Protocol Concerns

  • Summary: A speaker expressed strong opposition to the protocol of placing in-progress 911 calls on hold when city ambulance is busy, citing it as a huge liability and against professional training.
  • Attribution: Jodi Miller
  • Evidence: “Currently when all of our city ambulance is on a call and there is a need for additional ambulance, the fire department will request a mutual aid ambulance. The closest ambulance service to dispatch requires a phone call versus radio contact to request an ambulance. We have been directed to put our in-progress 911 call on hold. Yes, you heard me correctly. All the 911 call from your loved one panicked and scared because they need help administering CPR has to be placed on hold which stops any and all communication between the person in need and the dispatcher trained to help them until help can physically arrive on scene.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:22:22

• Community awareness and action needed after marches

  • Summary: The speaker stated that while marches bring awareness, more concrete action is needed.
  • Evidence: “I shouldn’t be worried about going to Crate Park, having a cookout with my friends, and constantly looking around to see what everyone else is doing. We’re doing a good job. These marches are good. It brings awareness, but now we need some action.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:17

• Local government actions regarding Freeport facilities

  • Summary: The speaker mentioned hearing that the cleaners in Freeport are going to be torn down this fall.
  • Evidence: “Did you hear they’re going to tear down the cleaners? I did. Then when? This fall. Oh, this fall.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:53

Public Comment

• Neighborhood infrastructure concerns (Water and Three-wheelers)

  • Summary: A resident noted the presence of many three-wheelers with young children in their neighborhood and stated that water works have not been completed on the street, noting the water quality.
  • Attribution: David Cobertson
  • Evidence: “I just want to say that I was noticing at my street, my neighborhood, there’s a lot of people with three-wheelers, young kids with three-wheelers, I did mention it to him about it, and also I wanted to say that there’s still work to be done on our street because they haven’t done no water works on the street yet, the water’s not really the tastiest water in the world, so I just want to say that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:44

• Concerns about three-wheelers on Ringgold and road condition

  • Summary: A resident expressed worry over children riding three-wheelers on Ringgold, stating it is dangerous, and also commented that the road was in poor condition.
  • Evidence: “The road is really bad. It’s like you can you can go like a sandbox out of it. The road. The three-wheelers. Yeah, the three-wheelers. Yeah, there’s a whole bunch of kids with three-wheelers riding three-wheelers like youngest age of like 11 and 15. And they’re and they’re riding on Ringgold and they’re riding on Ringgold also it’s really dangerous I worry about them I don’t want nothing happen the poor kids I wish they would stop it I want to see anybody get hurt in front of me that would tear me apart hmm thank you any other public comments”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:25

• Support for community action and criticism of Mr. Brown regarding marches

  • Summary: A resident stated she was at a funeral on the day of the March, contradicting claims about her attendance; she emphasized that previous marches were jokes due to local shootings and criticized Mr. Brown’s historical narrative regarding murders in town.
  • Evidence: “I listened to Mr. Brown today speak. I was at the hospital with my son. Saturday the day of the March I was at a funeral for a relative in Chicago. Had I not been there, I would have been at that march. Just as I was at the first one and yes I said it was a joke not this one the second one and if he was scouring people’s Facebook pages he would have seen that I said that I was proud of him for this weekend. Now I said it before and I’ll say it again the first March was a joke it was a joke simply because the day before that Friday there were shootings in the 700 block of Liberty There were shootings in the 900 block of Carroll. The march happened the next day. We started at the old Germania lot. We went down Adams Pass, the Raggedy Rowling building, back down to the Germania lot, downtown and back to the Germania lot. We never went into the communities where there were shootings and deaths. He says that he has a list of all the people that have been murdered in this town. I’m going to go back to the 1980s where the two white brothers were murdered on the west east side of town, bound, gagged, tied up, beaten, and house shed on fire. These murders have been going on in this town since the 80s. This particular one has never been solved. Scott has never been solved. So before he starts talking about the people that he’s got on the list, go all the way Brown. Before he was even involved, before he was thought of, it has been happening in this town forever.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:18:37

• Support for community action and criticism of Mr. Brown regarding marches

  • Summary: A resident stated she has supported positive activities in the town and emphasized that young people need to take the lead in civic engagement.
  • Evidence: “I’ve been involved with peace marches from Chicago to Springfield to Washington, D. C. To Freeport, Illinois. Not once has Mr. Brown reached out to any of us to help with what he’s doing. I don’t have anything against anything that anybody’s doing. I’m actually, I’m pretty happy about it. And I’m going to tell you why I’m happy about it because I’m sick of the city of Freakwood being on my shoulder. Hey, you don’t have to do it. As far as anybody else is concerned, anybody that wants to do something in this town, anybody can tell you that I’ve been supportive of anything that was positive that was going on in this town and I will continue to be that way. I have spoken continuously about our young people picking up the mantle and I’m still saying the same thing. Our young people need to pick up the mantle. We need to be in the streets. We don’t need to be against each other and talking crazy, but I’m gonna tell you something else. Mr. Brown was in my face two weeks ago at a party. What he had to say, he could have said it to me. I don’t have a problem with saying anything to anybody in their face, okay?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:20:40

• Concerns regarding police dispatch staffing and protocol changes

  • Summary: A dispatcher reiterated concerns about working alone on shifts that are not fully staffed, noting a new process requires placing in-progress 911 calls on hold when requesting mutual aid ambulance services from the fire department.
  • Evidence: “My name is Janelle Fokers. I’ve been a dispatcher for the Freeport Police Department for the past seven and a half years. My co-worker spoke to you recently on some of the changes to our working conditions and protocols. I believe I need to reiterate some of the concerns and update you on a new change that has been implemented in the last three weeks since she addressed you. We continue to work alone in the room on shifts that are not fully staffed and at times where employees are enjoying much-needed vacation time. As you can imagine, this Thomas puts significant pressure on the only person actively working in the room. Yes, there are two people on duty, but at times only one actively handling all the phone calls, both 911 and non-emergency, radio traffic, and assisting the public coming into the lobby during that time. One person handling all of that alone puts a substantial risk not only on the public and the dispatcher, but also the police, fire, and EMS personnel responding to these potentially life-threatening scenarios, which leads to the most recent change that we have been told is a process that we’re expected to follow. Currently when all of our city ambulance is on a call and there is a need for additional ambulance, the fire department will request a mutual aid ambulance. The closest ambulance service to dispatch requires a phone call versus radio contact to request an ambulance. We have been directed to put our in-progress 911 call on hold. Yes, you heard me correctly. All the 911 call from your loved one panicked and scared because they need help administering CPR has to be placed on hold which stops any and all communication between the person in need and the dispatcher trained to help them until help can physically arrive on scene. This goes against everything I’ve been trained to do in my entire career and is a huge liability to everyone involved.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:29

• Importance of 911 Services

  • Summary: A speaker, Sue Cook, emphasized the critical nature of 9-1-1 services based on personal experience and expressed concern that Freeport’s ‘golden age’ might begin without a 9-1-1 center.
  • Attribution: Sue Cook
  • Evidence: “My name is Sue Cook and I am on Winchester Drive in Freeport, Illinois. I am stunned to hear what she just said because I have written something to talk about the exact same thing. 911 Is very, very critical. […] And I cannot believe that the golden age of Freeport is going to be ushered in with possibly not a 9-1-1 center.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:56

• Financial Allocation for Vision Boards vs. 9-1-1 Support

  • Summary: A speaker urged the council to redirect $12,000 allocated for vision boards to support the 9-1-1 personnel instead.
  • Attribution: Sue Cook
  • Evidence: “There’s only one other thing if I have any time left and I’m going to say this because it’s number 15 on the last agenda. I’m going to talk really fast and that is that we’re paying $12,000 for vision boards. If you’re going to be setting up goals for the councilmen and you’re going Mayer. Mayor, you are a visionary. If you are the visionary, then you should be able to hold that meeting with the councilman and bring in what you need for your goals and what you want Freeport to achieve with them. You don’t need $12,000. That $12,000 can go Go to support the 9-1-1 people. You don’t need that. Pull that $12,000 back.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:24:36

• Concerns Regarding Police Call Center Defunding and General Crime in Freeport

  • Summary: A speaker shared personal experiences as a victim of domestic violence and expressed broader concerns about crime in Freeport, arguing that focus should not only be on gun violence.
  • Attribution: Makaya Stacey
  • Evidence: “Your name? Makaya Stacey. We know who I am, anyway. I don’t really understand what’s going on. I was at work, but if we’re talking about defunding our police call center, I’m going to be very blunt with you. I was a victim of domestic violence last Sunday. And if it hadn’t have been for the call center officer, I believe her name is Sanchez. […] But I’m not the first one. There was a young woman, Gabby, a couple years ago that was murdered by her boyfriend. […] We shouldn’t be on edge in Walmart. I shouldn’t be concerned for the kids down at Center School playing in the park over there.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:16

• Concerns about majority rule and local issues

  • Summary: The speaker expressed concern over ‘majority rules,’ stating that people in the area have a reason to speak up because issues are affecting them, including killings.
  • Evidence: “I think it’s a bad idea to have what is it, majority rules, only because I’ll never see Parker and all these other little peck of whatever Parker. We have a reason to have the people in that area speak up for us because that stuff is is really happening, really affecting people.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:24

• Concerns about bullying and leadership accountability

  • Summary: The speaker criticized adults present who laughed at a youth council member when something happened involving Sanders, instead of helping the situation.
  • Evidence: “Another thing that I’ve been watched since I’ve been to this meeting is bullying. I’m gonna say it, I’m a factual, I’m not negative, I’m factual. Whatever y’all got going, whatever Sanders got going on, I ain’t seen nobody offer to help him. I seen a lot of y’all laughing.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:21

• Defense of Sanders’ conduct and request for clarity

  • Summary: The speaker defended Sanders by stating he is smart enough not to be chief of police or vote on domestic battery, and that he has only been asking for clarity.
  • Evidence: “Sanders is smart enough, smart enough to not been a chief of police and vote a domestic battery drunk on any commission. He has not put his hands on nobody. He has not called nobody names at all. He is asking for clarity about things that he don’t understand.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:32:11

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Service award for Richard McEmo

  • Summary: Recognition of service award presented by Lieutenant Dykema for Patrolman Richard McEmo, noting his contributions to the Freeport Police Department over 10 years.
  • Attribution: Lieutenant Dykema
  • Evidence: “number seven, recognition of service award presented by Lieutenant Dykema for Patrolman Richard McEmo. Is that right? In the service of the Freeport Police Department, which actually started in the Auxiliary Police Department in 2007. He was hired full-time in 2015. He’s being hired as an FTO, a field training officer. He’s been part of the Emergency Response Team. He’s a member of our gang unit when it first got started. He’s been a firearms instructor. He’s completed lead homicide training. He’s a member of the state library and narcotics team. He’s currently one of our K-9 officers with his partner, K-9DK. Just going through his file, he’s done a great job. He’s got a lot of letters of recommendation for him. He stays on patrol. He stays in the slant unit. And even several citizens are recommended to send him for what he did for them while working here. So congratulations on 10 years.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43

• Praise for Police Department Personnel

  • Summary: A speaker commended Craig Duggan and Drain Duggan for their good work in the Freeport Police Department.
  • Evidence: “I want to tell Craig Duggan, he does a good job in that. Police Department in Freeport? And Drain Duggan? Yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:32

• Support for local youth programs and community service

  • Summary: The speaker sent shout-outs to young people in Banks-Brigana, Pearl City, and West Carroll, asking them to attend the Boys and Girls Club, and requesting five coaches for the Basketball League.
  • Evidence: “So I want to send a shout out to all my youngins at Banks-Brigana, Pearl City, and West Carroll and ask you all to come out to the Boys and Girls Club. I also ask anybody in the community that want to step up and be a coach, step back, Basketball League is looking for five coaches, come out and support the youth.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:54

Follow-ups

• Request for Wastewater Treatment Plan Documentation

  • Summary: A speaker requested a copy of the details presented regarding the wastewater treatment plan status.
  • Evidence: “Okay, so that I don’t have to go over each line that you just talked about, can I get a copy of that?”
  • Source timestamp: 58:08

• Handling inquiries about problematic properties

  • Summary: For issues regarding properties, citizens are advised to call the speaker (Wayne) directly. If the issue is not addressed by that contact, it will be directed to an inspector.
  • Attribution: Wayne
  • Evidence: “I would just say most requests like that, older persons, Stacy, most older persons including Do you have a question for me? If there’s a problem property, do call me and ask about it, if there’s a problem property, and then I’ll, if it’s not addressed, I’ll direct it to one of our inspectors to look at, but yeah, I’ve talked with you about properties in the past, and pretty much every other person up here, so I think what City Manager Boyer is saying is, is you could certainly call me, or, you know, City Manager Boyer would probably direct that question to me to answer.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:53

• Request for phone call from Rob

  • Summary: The speaker requested a follow-up phone call from Rob the next day.
  • Evidence: “And Rob, I have tried to call you twice. I would really like a phone call back. You say you answer your phone, but no. So I will expect a phone call tomorrow from you.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:27