Meeting Events

Meeting: t1egjaza58w.city_council_meeting_cow_2-10-2025

Meeting date: 2025-02-10

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

• Amendment to Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the motion to amend the agenda.
  • Evidence: “All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:22

• Approval of Minutes — Passed

  • Summary: Vote to approve the minutes from January.
  • Evidence: “All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Same sign.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:52

• Agenda Vote — Passed

  • Summary: Vote on the amended agenda.
  • Evidence: “We need a motion to vote on the agenda then. We voted on it. Second.”
  • Evidence: “All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:52

• Moving forward with PFAS/Water Issue Discussion — Passed

  • Summary: Motion made to move the discussion regarding the water contamination issue forward to the next meeting.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “I make a motion to move it forward.”
  • Evidence: “All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Same sign. Motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:37

• GIS Agreement Approval Requirement

  • Summary: It was clarified that the GIS agreement requires a motion at the committee level for approval to be placed on the council agenda.
  • Evidence: “Ultimately, you would need a motion at the committee level, motion second, a vote in favor, to then get it on to the council agenda.”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:45

• Moving forward with current agenda item

  • Summary: A motion was made to move the discussion forward.
  • Attribution: Alderman Parker
  • Evidence: “Absolutely. Alderman Parker? Do we need a motion to move this forward? I’ll make the motion to move this forward.”
  • Review flags: unattached_motion_request
  • Source timestamp: 01:15:59

• Seconding the motion to move forward

  • Summary: The motion was seconded.
  • Evidence: “Okay, Alderman Parker, matching.”
  • Review flags: unattached_second
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:04

• Moving forward with current agenda item

  • Summary: A vote was taken on moving the discussion forward.
  • Evidence: “Do we need a voice vote, okay? Okay. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Same sign? Same.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:04

• Item number 10: Adopting Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan resolution

  • Summary: A vote was taken on Item number 10 regarding adopting the Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as part of participating in Stephenson County’s application to the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Safe Streets Grants.
  • Evidence: “You got a motion and you second? No, because I had a question. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. You take the vote.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:35

• Moving forward with county program participation — Passed

  • Summary: A motion was made regarding moving forward with the county’s program.
  • Evidence: “I have a motion to move forward. So moved.”
  • Evidence: “Second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed same sign. Motion carries.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:36

• Deferral of Item 12 to next meeting — Passed

  • Summary: The matter was carried to the next council meeting on February 18th.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “And so, I would just like to carry this matter to the next council meeting, the 18th of February.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:39

• Move to the third meeting of the month (February 18th)

  • Summary: The motion to move Item 12 to the next meeting was voted upon.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Item number 12. Move to the third meeting of the month. Please. The 18th of February. Okay, we got Stacy. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. Aye. Okay, so that will be up on Next week’s agenda.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:30

• Moving forward with infrastructure discussion — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to move forward with the discussion on infrastructure.
  • Evidence: “We have a motion to move it forward.”
  • Evidence: “All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Same sign. Motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:02

• Executive session for real property purchase or lease

  • Summary: Motion to proceed with the executive session discussion regarding real property acquisition.
  • Evidence: “I would like to then we’ll talk about going into executive session pursuant to 5ILCS120-C-C-15 for the purchase or lease of rental property, real property for the use of public body including meetings held on for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. We need a motion and a second to move forward.”
  • Evidence: “Till move.”
  • Evidence: “Second. Yeah. You have to roll her. Klemm, aye, Monroe. Yes, aye. You’re going to count them? No. Aye. It doesn’t matter to me. No, I’ll do it. Simmons? Aye. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Aye. Shadle? Aye. Sellers? Aye. Excuse me, Sanders? Aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:52:54

Procedural Actions

• Calling Meeting to Order

  • Summary: The meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM.
  • Evidence: “In the Mayor’s absence, I’ll call this meeting to order at 6.01.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:01

• Agenda Amendment Motion

  • Summary: Motion made to amend the agenda.
  • Evidence: “So could I have a motion to amend the agenda? So moved.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:22

• Minutes Approval

  • Summary: Motion to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting held on January.
  • Evidence: “Approval of minutes of the City Council meeting of the whole held on January and I get a motion and a second. So move.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:52

• Vote on moving PFAS/Water Issue Discussion

  • Summary: Procedural action taken following the motion to move the discussion forward.
  • Evidence: “Do you need a voice or a motion to move it forward? All in favor signify by saying aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:37

Financial and Contract Events

• GIS Enterprise Agreement Cost

  • Summary: The financial aspect of the GIS agreement is slightly over $30,000 per year for a three-year agreement.
  • Evidence: “The financial aspect of this is it’s about, it’s a little over 30 grand a year. And this is a three-year agreement.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:24

• Cost to secure funding for 2026 projects

  • Summary: The initial cost to secure money for these projects for 2026 is estimated at about a thousand dollars in paperwork.
  • Evidence: “So far it has only cost you my public works time. I have this all, it’s just a paperwork process at this time probably a thousand dollars in paperwork to secure the money for these projects for 2026”
  • Source timestamp: 01:45:04

Projects

• Proposed street improvements using STU funding

  • Summary: The proposed work includes mill and overlays only with ADA ramp replacements and curbs for Walnut Avenue from Empire to South. The Adams Avenue project needs finishing from Float Street down to Exchange.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “We would do Walnut Avenue from Empire to South. I would also like to finish the Adams Avenue project that we started this year. We were not able to pave completely from Float Street down to Exchange.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:29

• Proposed street improvements using STU funding

  • Summary: Proposing fixing Lincoln Boulevard from West Avenue to Locust Avenue, suggesting a mill and overlay for this section.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “In my travels Lincoln Boulevard from West Avenue to Locust Avenue I’m proposing to fix that section that that street probably had the most lead service lines that we replaced on one street I believe there was 25 in that that little section was almost every house and the streets turned into a roller coaster and wasn’t on any current list for replacement. Again, I would just suggest based on the information that we looked at is a mill and overlay and a few ADA ramps on that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:35

• Proposed street improvements using STU funding

  • Summary: Suggesting milling and overlaying Stephenson Street from Locust Street to basically Park, while staying out of the West intersection.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “And then another section of concern that I saw was Stephenson Street from Locust Street to basically Park is starting to fall apart pretty heavily. It is savable yet without a full reconstruction. I believe we could mill and overlay three to four inches on that street, replace the remaining ADA ramps. We would also stay out of the West intersection.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:39:35

Presentations and Reports

• Public Works Employee of the Year Presentation

  • Summary: Presentation recognizing James as Street Department Employee of the Year and detailing his experience.
  • Evidence: “I’d like to start with James. James is the street department employee of the year. He is classification as a tree trimmer one. I’d like to start with a fun fact about James. I recently was told that James likes to ride his bike to work on most days, which I think is pretty unique. James came to the city with over 20 years of forestry experience.”
  • Source timestamp: 05:24

• Utility Department Employee of the Year Presentation

  • Summary: Presentation recognizing Randy Kolbauer as Utility Department Employee of the Year.
  • Evidence: “Again, our second award of the night is Utility Department Employee of the Year, which this year, Randy Kolbauer was selected and she is our environmental and regulatory compliance officer. Can you hold that for me? I’m going to give you a little fun fact about Randi. She’s actually got a few.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:02

• Utility Compliance Roles and Duties

  • Summary: Randi’s compliant roles involve all areas of required utility tracking and reporting for state compliance, including annual and monthly water reporting, consumer confidence reports, and an annual and monthly sanitary sewer reporting. Her role also performs field visits for stormwater compliance, sampling, monitoring, and reporting of MS4 stormwater authority requirements.
  • Attribution: James
  • Evidence: “Randi’s compliant roles involve all areas of required utility tracking and reporting for state compliance. This is an extremely important role in the utility operations business. Her assignments include working with many team members daily including the lab staff, the water and wastewater operations staff, our significant industrial users, landfill partners, timber industries who maintains our woodlot. Compliance reporting includes annual and monthly water reporting, consumer confidence reports, and an annual and monthly sanitary sewer reporting.”
  • Source timestamp: 08:28

• Special Duties Assigned to Utility Employee

  • Summary: Randi’s special duties include I-Works streets compliance and right away compliance. She issues warning violations and issues right away fines, attends code hearings as the city’s representative, and does all of the EPA sampling as required for the overall compliance system.
  • Attribution: James
  • Evidence: “Other special duties assigned include I-Works streets compliance and right away compliance. She issues warning violations and issues right away fines. She attends code hearings as the city’s representative. And she does all of the EPA sampling as required for the overall compliance system.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:15

• ALTA Planning and Design Presentation on Safe Streets Action Plan

  • Summary: Matt Deerdahl, from ALTA Planning and Design, presented on the safe systems approach for the Freeport Safety Action Plan, noting that zero fatal crashes is the goal.
  • Attribution: Matt Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “I’d like to introduce Matt. He’s with ALTA Planning and Design. They were hired to do the Freeport Safety Action Plan. It’s part of the SS4A grant… I’m going to try to go quick. I may or may not focus on the slides. And I don’t want to stick to it, but I definitely want to talk a little bit about the safe systems approach, what a safety plan actually is and what we’re trying to do here with it.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:49

• Safe System Approach Overview

  • Summary: The safe system approach starts from the premise that death and very serious injuries on our roads are unacceptable and zero is the goal, aiming for zero fatal crashes and zero injuries that impact somebody’s life for the rest of their life.
  • Attribution: Matt Deerdahl
  • Evidence: “And so the safe system approach kind of a newer approach starts with the premise that death and very serious injuries on our roads are unacceptable and zero is the goal so zero fatal crashes zero injuries that impact somebody’s life for the rest of their life”
  • Source timestamp: 15:58

• Safe System Approach to Traffic Safety

  • Summary: The safe system approach starts with the premise that death and very serious injuries on our roads are unacceptable and zero is the goal.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “It starts with the safe system approach that the FHWA decided to frame because the traditional and maybe older school approach to safety is about preventing crashes, improving behavior, individual behavior, and then reacting based on where crashes are happening. And so the safe system approach kind of a newer approach starts with the premise that death and very serious injuries on our roads are unacceptable and zero is the goal so zero fatal crashes zero injuries that impact somebody’s life for the rest of their life”
  • Source timestamp: 15:30

• Safety Action Plan Elements

  • Summary: The Safety Action Plan requires elements such as a leadership commitment and a systemic level safety analysis.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And so the specific thing that we’re working on and we’ll produce as a part of this is a document that’ll be a safety action plan. And so the elements here on the screen are required by the federal government. I won’t go through each of these in detail, but it starts with a leadership commitment of wanting to tackle these serious and fatal injuries.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:19

• Community Engagement Opportunities

  • Summary: The community can participate using the survey or the interactive map to identify unsafe areas.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “We have these cards here that are on the desk over there that will tell you about it. And we also have a survey and an interactive map. The interactive map is a really cool opportunity to get in in the city that you know and identify. It’s very user friendly. Identify, it’s very user friendly. Identify areas that you don’t feel safe or where you see cars going too fast or not yielding to pedestrians or if there’s school issues, you can let us know all of that”
  • Source timestamp: 19:37

• Implementation Plan Timeline

  • Summary: A robust implementation plan will identify short-term, medium-term, and long-term projects as the project nears its end this year.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And then as we get into the final stages towards the end of this year, we’ll develop a robust implementation plan that identifies short-term, medium-term, and long-term projects.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:27

• Project Completion Timeline

  • Summary: The Safety Action Plan document is expected to be wrapped up in late fall 2025.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “We’re going to wrap up in late fall 2025 with that document, and so we’re really looking forward to some public engagement.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:52

• Initial Community Feedback on Safety Issues

  • Summary: Speed of motor vehicles was one of the first things noted by the community during meetings, bike rides, and drives around town.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “But some of the things we’ve noticed so far and heard so far, again, speed of motor vehicles was one of the first things that came up.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:48

• Observed pedestrian and traffic safety conditions

  • Summary: Observations included speed of motor vehicles, transitions from four to two or three lanes, accessibility for pedestrians at intersections regarding curb ramps, sidewalk network space, primary vs. cut-through routes, and the interaction between these elements with natural pedestrian movement.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “So the fun stuff. This I worked on this afternoon. I hope there aren’t any spelling errors in there, but forgive me if there are. But this is what we’ve heard so far in both the meetings we had today and then the bike ride and the drive around town. We stopped and took a bunch of pictures, which I’ll come to in a second. But some of the things we’ve noticed so far and heard so far, again, speed of motor vehicles was one of the first things that came up. Wide streets and there’s some particular areas around the city where there’s some transitions from four lanes undivided down to two or three lanes. So just some considerations there. Accessibility for pedestrians, both at intersections, so how does it feel, how does it look, what types of curb ramps are available for people to cross the street, and then how many lanes are they crossing, those things are really important. And then also along the streets so looking at the sidewalk network you know is there is there space for people to walk or are they mixing with traffic and then also interestingly there’s there’s a lot of discussion today about what are the primary routes in town and then where are some of these cut through routes that people are taking that I think is interesting and then how does How does that interact with where people are naturally walking and crossing, so where are the schools, where are the businesses, where are people working, and then just thinking through how is that space designed for all of those different uses.”
  • Source timestamp: 22:55

• Pedestrian crossing condition samples

  • Summary: The speaker shared pictures showing pedestrian crossing conditions, noting that the location on the left (South Drive and West Avenue) lacks an accessible crossing. The Kiwanis area featured marked crosswalks with signage, and another example was provided at Walnut Road and South Street showing a separated crossing with an island.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “This slide is just a few samples of pedestrian crossing conditions and thinking about accessibility. So some better than others. The one on the left, South Drive and West Avenue, does not have an accessible crossing. Huffines. I just wanted to note that Kiwanis in the middle, Empire, those are some areas where there are marked crosswalks with different signage present today. And then also, so the Empire, there’s a school there. And then up on Kiwanis, I think it’s the community college. And then Walnut Road and South Street, just kind of sharing a variation of a crossing where there’s a slip lane there.”

• Bike routes and street transitions observed

  • Summary: The speaker identified nice paths on Park Ave and Pearl City Road, and connected routes on Adams Avenue near Clark Street. They also noted an interesting transition at Stephenson Street where the road goes from four lanes undivided with no sidewalks to two lanes, and a potential sight line issue at the crest of a hill.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “So I got a bike today from Derek Thompson and Fehr Graham and got to to bike around and found some really interesting paths. So Park Ave and Pearl City Road there I thought were fun and they’re nice paths. Adams Avenue and then near Clark Street, those are connected and so there’s this nice, pretty low stress bike route and I found that to be interesting and I wanted to take off and see where it went to the northwest because it looked like there’s a lot of green and I thought that would have been fun but didn’t have time. So hopefully tomorrow I can do that. And then Stephenson Street is a good example right here and I don’t recall the cross street but where it transitions from the four lane undivided and pretty wide, no sidewalks, and it transitions at the crest of a hill so sight lines are an interesting issue there and then transitions to two lane to the east and I believe the street width is the same there and I think there’s a speed transition slowing down as they go eastbound, okay?”
  • Source timestamp: 25:45

• Crash data analysis methodology

  • Summary: The speaker detailed that safety analysis will involve mapping crash locations to identify dangerous areas. They explained the process of developing crash profiles (e.g., left turn crashes, rear-end crashes) and identifying specific countermeasures listed by the FHWA. A key potential finding is that 60% of all fatal and serious crashes might occur on only 10% of roadways.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And so sometimes we’ll, like we’re gonna end up developing crash profiles, so we might find that there’s a lot of left turn crashes, we might find that there’s a lot of rear end and the crashes at certain locations, side swipes, maybe lane departure, which I don’t know that we’ll see that in a more urban area, but we’ll identify specific countermeasures that the FHWA has listed as proven counter safety measures. And so that’s kind of the value of this in-depth safety analysis. So we’ll start with just mapping the crashes on the left and there, and again, I’m not asking and I don’t think you can see the level of detail that well here but the brighter ones or the orange is the most serious crashes and they go down in severity from there into the blue and green colors and then we start to identify corridors where the severity of those crashes and the concentration of them start to become higher and more concentrated and so what we want to stand out there is the red and maybe the orange a little bit and that starts to tell us where the biggest issues are and usually one of the big headlines from this which we don’t have yet, we’re just diving into the safety analysis will be something along lines of 60% of all fatal and serious crashes are happening on maybe 10% of the roadways and so that’s like that type of statement, We’ll see what it is. Really helps you identify where we should be making the safety improvements to get the best safety impact.”
  • Source timestamp: 27:21

• Open House invitation

  • Summary: The speaker invited attendees to an open house at City Hall on the following day, from 5:30 to 7:30, where they would use a large map to discuss safety and comfort for walking, biking, or driving around Freeport.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “Again, plug for the open house tomorrow. I hope to see you and others there. City Hall, right here, from 5.30 to 7.30. And it’ll be fun, like I think it’ll be fun for most people because we’re gonna have a map, a big map, and we’ll get to just ask people how they feel about safety and Comfort when they walk, maybe bike or drive around Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:06

• Crash Data Analysis Findings

  • Summary: A statement was made that 60% of all fatal and serious crashes are happening on maybe 10% of the roadways.
  • Evidence: “usually one of the big headlines from this which we don’t have yet, we’re just diving into the safety analysis will be something along lines of 60% of all fatal and serious crashes are happening on maybe 10% of the roadways”
  • Source timestamp: 27:51

• Open House Details

  • Summary: The open house is scheduled for tomorrow at City Hall, from 5:30 to 7:30.
  • Evidence: “Again, plug for the open house tomorrow. I hope to see you and others there. City Hall, right here, from 5.30 to 7.30.”
  • Source timestamp: 29:06

• Safety Assessment Scope

  • Summary: The analysis looks at not just vehicles but also bicycle routes, pedestrian walkways, and lighting as potential safety issues.
  • Evidence: “what you want as far as the level of items that we’re looking at here it’s not just vehicles we’re also looking at bicycle routes pedestrian Walkways, and we could also lighting could be a safety issue as well”
  • Source timestamp: 29:49

• Program approval and start date

  • Summary: The program was approved by this council, and the project only started in October; the current report is the first one to the council.
  • Evidence: “Well, this program was approved by this council and you voted for it. Okay. And so this project only started in October and this is the first report, as we said, to the council of where we’re at.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:04

• Requesting presentation source

  • Summary: The presentation was requested by City Manager Boyer.
  • Evidence: “This was requested by City Manager Boyer to come and give a presentation of where we’re at in the project.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:20

• Data sources for analysis

  • Summary: All analysis data came from safety resources, including Freeport Police, IDOT, and Scherriff County.
  • Evidence: “All the analysis data has come from our safety resources, which is the Freeport Police, IDOT, Scherriff, County, all the data is accurate.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:26

• Grant commitment status

  • Summary: The grant process has already committed to this grant, with paperwork signed when the council approved the resolution.
  • Evidence: “In the grant process, we’ve already committed to this grant. We signed the paperwork when this council approved the resolution.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:39

• Project priority level

  • Summary: The project priority level is described as pretty high because it was already approved to move forward as a project.
  • Evidence: “So in the priority level, I would say it’s pretty high since it was already approved to move forward as a project.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:45

• Current development phase and public input methods

  • Summary: The last quarter involved developing advisory outlines of issues, and public input is being gathered through open houses and stakeholder meetings. QR codes are available for non-attendees.
  • Evidence: “So over the last quarter, we’ve been developing the tax, the advisory, giving outlines of issues that may or may not be. But because we’re doing public open houses, and we’re doing the stakeholder meetings of different people, for instance, I did not attend the stakeholder meeting because this is for us to get other information from people outside of the city staff on what we think. To open house tomorrow is to get outside information.”
  • Source timestamp: 38:58

• Scope of plan and public participation

  • Summary: The effort is for a city-wide plan, not limited to any certain area, and input can be provided at open houses or via QR codes.
  • Evidence: “It’s a city-wide plan. It has nothing to do with any certain area or not. That’s why the full map’s up there, and honestly, I don’t remember what else you asked.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:48

• Grant scope clarification (SS4A vs. Bike Pass)

  • Summary: The current grant, SS4A Safe Streets for All, is independent of the bicycle grants and focuses broadly on roads.
  • Evidence: “This is independent. This I believe that was ITEP was the bicycle grants. This is actually SS4A Safe Streets for All and is more of a broad scoped that can focus on roads.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:10

• High crash rate intersections identified

  • Summary: Specific local streets with high crash rates, including Empire and Walnut and Greenfield and Stephenson, were noted. Crashes also occur around I-DOT roadways, possibly due to dated traffic signals.
  • Evidence: “For instance, I know, I don’t want to speak in very many specifics, but I know a couple intersections that have had a high crash rate that are local streets, which is one of them is Empire and Walnut and another one is Greenfield and Stephenson that have a high crash rate with multi-issues. As you can see from the crash map, a lot of our crashes also occur around I-DOT roadways, especially traffic signal areas, which may mean that our traffic signals are very dated, very old.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:26

• Equity consideration in safety planning

  • Summary: Explained that equity analysis involves looking at demographic data (race, availability, car ownership) to create a heat map for prioritizing projects, supplemented by community engagement.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacey
  • Evidence: “Yes. So there’s a variety of ways that we think of equity in this plan. One is looking at data, so demographic information, so it ends the product of the equity analysis in that regard is a map that’s sort of a bit of a heat map across the city, which we’re going to be developing. We haven’t started that yet, but it’s looking at a variety of factors such as race, availability, or like car ownership, and so forth, but things like that, and then that gets aggregated, our data people do that, I don’t. Could you say car ownership? Car ownership, yeah, yeah, so like zero vehicle households, one vehicle households, things like that, and then that gets mapped to kind of show areas that, you know, either have high equity consideration or low, and it kind of like shades throughout the map, and that That just gives us a sense along with community engagement and the crash analysis of where we may want to prioritize projects. And then the second part, so that was data. The second part of equity is just talking to people and trying to make sure that we do a good job connecting with residents in Freeport and understanding what people are dealing with as they walk, bike, or drive around Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 43:20

• Safety and Equity Considerations for Infrastructure Projects

  • Summary: The speaker stated that focusing on equity is important and cited a theoretical example of needing a safer intersection at Empire and Walnut due to safety equities.
  • Evidence: “And so obviously, you know that as a nation, we focus a lot of energy towards the equity portion of the projects and people that may or may not need it. I thought this project fit Freeport well because some of our diverse areas need the most help right so again if we’re talking about I’m just theoretically if we’re talking about a roundabout at Empire and Walnut to make that a safer intersection it’s got to be required about the safety equities just part of the program it’s not the number one factor it’s really reducing crashes and making the the city a safer place and others.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:15

• Resolution approving retainer for PFAs litigation at Alberta Airport

  • Summary: Manager Boyer presented Item number eight, discussing a resolution approving a retainer with Nepoli for potential litigation concerning PFAS (perfluorinated compounds) at Alberta’s Airport.
  • Evidence: “Item number eight is discussing a resolution approving a retainer with Nepoli for potential litigation for PFAs at Alberta’s Airport presented by Manager Blair.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:12

• Fire Department Foam Usage and Environmental Safety

  • Summary: The Fire Chief stated he was not familiar with AFFF foam use at the airport but detailed that the department now uses an environmentally safe substitute foam (soap suds) instead of PFA AFFF foam, which is more expensive.
  • Evidence: “Sure. Well, I’m not familiar with any application of the AFFF foam out at the airport. However, we also practice the safe environmental uses of firefighting foam. So July 6th of 2023, We engaged a licensed waste hauler to take away the PFA AFFF foam that we were in possession of. Instead of us using it in the environment, using it in a fire, having strict guidelines to follow when you do use that PFA type foam, filing also with the EPA and the county EMA We chose just to get riven and now we have an environmentally safe substitute foam which is essentially soap suds.”
  • Source timestamp: 54:30

• ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS

  • Summary: Director Suttman presented background information on the GIS system, noting its development since 2011 for water and sewer systems.
  • Evidence: “Number nine regarding ESRI municipal and county enterprise agreement for GIS by Director Suttman. I’ll first just kind of go through basically what’s in the memo that you guys all got. The background in 2011, the city, I kind of built the GIS for the city, the water and sewer system. System.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:03:49

• Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan participation

  • Summary: The city is part of a larger Stephenson County SS4A plan configuration involving five other counties, requiring a resolution to signify participation.
  • Evidence: “item number 10 regarding resolution Adopting Northwest Illinois Safety Action Plan as part of participating in Stephenson County’s application to the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Safe Streets Grants and this will be presented by Darren. Yeah so not to confuse the subject because we talked about the City of Freeport’s program. We We are also part of a small piece of the Stephenson County SS4A plan because we’re part of the county. Their configuration includes, I believe, five other counties, so it’s a much larger broad-based program.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:48

• Stephenson County SS4A plan participation

  • Summary: The city is part of a larger broad-based program covering six counties as part of the Stephenson County SS4A plan.
  • Evidence: “We We are also part of a small piece of the Stephenson County SS4A plan because we’re part of the county. Their configuration includes, I believe, five other counties, so it’s a much larger broad-based program.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:48

• Stephenson County SS4A plan resolution requirement

  • Summary: The county is asking the city to pass a resolution stating that the city is part of their plan for final reporting.
  • Evidence: “They’re getting towards their finality of it and as part of their plan they’re asking us to have a resolution stating that we are a part of their plan and if they go to implementation which would be the final reporting that we’re just signifying that we’re part of the plan.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:48

• Current name of ComEd lighting program

  • Summary: George Gollarap stated that the Distress Community Program is no longer used; it is now called Select Community.
  • Attribution: George Gollarap
  • Evidence: “We no longer have the Distress Community Program. It’s now called Select Community. And the rest of the community. Last year, select community.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:00

• Benefits and structure of ComEd lighting program

  • Summary: The program offers stackable reductions in cost across multiple programs, potentially up to 100%.
  • Evidence: “Huffines. We have many other reductions in cost, and all these are stackable, which means you don’t get 10% only. You can go through the program and stack these up to 100%. It’s a great program.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:34

• Eligibility for ComEd lighting discounts

  • Summary: Out of 400 communities served by ComEd, 125 are on the list eligible for these discounts.
  • Evidence: “It’s listed for communities that do struggle. Out of 400 communities that ComEd serves, there’s 125 communities on this list.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:23:59

• Selection as a Select Community

  • Summary: The speakers learned they were selected as a select community via a text message from City Manager Boyer at the city manager’s conference.
  • Evidence: “So just found out, Rob actually texted me from the city manager’s conference that we were selected as a select community. And that’s how we found out.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:26

• Fundraising money collected for downtown Decorations

  • Summary: The discussion regarding fundraising money collected for downtown Decorations was presented by Alderman Stacy and Monroe.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacy
  • Evidence: “Item number 12, discussion regarding fundraising money collected for downtown Decorations, presented by Alderman Stacy and Monroe.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:35:39

• Potential $2 million Illinois Department of Transportation surface transportation program urban STU funding for streets

  • Summary: Darren presented details regarding the potential use of IDOT funds, noting that modest plans require an ESR (environmental survey report) taking nine months to complete.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “Item number 13. Discuss potential $2 million Illinois Department of Transportation surface transportation program urban STU funding for streets by Darren. … I found out from IDOT last week that even the modest plans that we want to do for these roads will require an ESR, which is an environmental survey report, which takes nine months to complete.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:36:58

• I-pass replacement opportunity

  • Summary: The speaker reminded attendees that another I-pass replacement opportunity is coming up on February 21st at City Hall.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Alderman Klemm I just want to remind everybody if you miss the previous I pass on demand opportunity there’s another one coming up February 21st 8:30 AM to 6 PM at 314 West Stephenson Street if you don’t know where and John. And, you know, it’s a really good program. Otherwise you’ve got to go, I think the closest place now is the Belvedere oasis and that is a pain. So if you want to replace your I-pass, come here to City Hall and they will help you on the 21st of February.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:51:31

Metrics

• National Traffic Safety Statistics

  • Summary: The impact of traffic deaths is staggering at the national level.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “I just wanted to highlight at the national level, the impact of traffic safety, of traffic deaths is staggering at the national level.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:49

• Illinois Crash Statistics (Motor Vehicles)

  • Summary: About 300,000 crashes involving motor vehicles and about 1,100 fatal crashes in Illinois.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “And then some Illinois statistics, you can see on the screen there, I’ll just say about 300,000 crashes involving motor vehicles. About 1,100 fatal crashes.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:01

• Energy efficiency requirement for ComEd discounts

  • Summary: For every watt reduced in wattage (by upgrading to new technology), the city receives one dollar discount.
  • Evidence: “So some of the discounts. What ComEd wants you to do is be energy efficient. So they want you to take the old high-pressure sodium lights or whatever lights you may have and Reduce the wattage, not reduce the brightness of the light, just the wattage to new technology. And I believe for every watt you reduce, it’s one dollar.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:01

• Engineering design fee estimate

  • Summary: The design portion is estimated to be seven or eight percent of the project cost, which was calculated based on $2.5 million.
  • Evidence: “and then we have to do the design which would be about seven or eight percent of the cost of the project which is two and a half million dollars”
  • Source timestamp: 01:45:04

• Alternative engineering fee estimate

  • Summary: An alternative estimation for the design portion was given as being closer to $160,000 down to $200,000.
  • Evidence: “seven seven percent seven and a half percent one hundred eighty seven thousand five hundred just to kind of give you that it’s actually closer to 200,000 down to 160 if you go two and a half million”
  • Source timestamp: 01:45:04

Discussion

• Factors Contributing to Traffic Safety Issues

  • Summary: Speed is one of the biggest factors, and streets were historically designed for high speeds.
  • Attribution: Don
  • Evidence: “But big picture, speed is one of the biggest factors. When cars are going fast and they hit things, bad things happen. And part of the reason that motor vehicle speeds are an issue is because of the way streets historically have been designed for high speeds. So wide speeds, wide travel lanes, things like that.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:35

• Grant Funding Process for Safety Improvements

  • Summary: The project requires completing a planning process to open Freeport up to implementation money, which must meet FHWA rules.
  • Evidence: “And in order to open Freeport up to implementation money, which means construction money, you You have to do the planning process. It has to meet the FHWA rules, Federal Highway Department is actually the main source of the money for this”
  • Source timestamp: 31:06

• Safety Committee Membership and Formation

  • Summary: The safety committee included city staff, key stakeholders like police, fire, greater Freeport partnership, transit representative (Pretzel City Transit), Highland Community College, Park District, and School District.
  • Evidence: “When we started the project, we met with city staff and then identified key stakeholders in Freeport. So I think there’s a lot of members of the city itself. So police, fire, greater Freeport partnership. There’s transit representative. Pretzel City Transit. Yeah. Highland Community College. Did you say Park District? Park District. School District.”
  • Source timestamp: 32:29

• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Scope

  • Summary: The TAC is composed of local officials, including representatives from the fire department and police department.
  • Evidence: “Again we’ve sent out numerous invitations and those stakeholders that the TAC program is what he’s talking about the technical assistance that’s really narrowed down to our local officials of Wayne’s on there I’m on there I believe the fire department has a representative the police has a representative”
  • Source timestamp: 33:27

• Data Source for Crash Analysis

  • Summary: The crash analysis maps came from a combination of the City of Freeport Police Department and IDOT, with data also obtained from the county.
  • Evidence: “You’ll see those maps that the crash analysis came from. That came from a combination of the City of Freeport Police Department and also IDOT. We worked with those partners to get that data. We’ve got some data from the county.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:11

• Project scope and origin questions

  • Summary: Questions were raised regarding the nature, severity level, source of data, start date, and process by which a project was initiated.
  • Evidence: “And I’m wondering if you have any information about the nature and what severity level that this project is to be presented to the City of Freeport and not only that, who’s making these recommendations and whether you, I think what I heard was that it was a mandate or something of that sort by and John. So I’m hearing a lot of information, but I have not had time to digest it all just yet.”
  • Source timestamp: 34:56

• Data source verification and project history

  • Summary: Questions were asked about the data sources for analysis, when the project started, who set up the program, and why the council had not been informed.
  • Evidence: “And what I’m listening to is whether or not the analysis, the data, the statistics, and where all of this data information is coming from, and when did this project start? Who set this program up to start the analysis to make sure that we are creating a plan, first of all, to create a plan to start something of this nature and where did this come from and how did it start? Why haven’t the council been informed?”
  • Source timestamp: 35:31

• Need for detailed project information

  • Summary: A speaker emphasized the need for more detail regarding how projects came into existence, beyond just pictures and slides.
  • Evidence: “I think that’s a really important thing, that we need to be able to have these kinds of things of this nature to present to the council, but it still doesn’t give us enough detail information how these things came into existence, how these projects came into existence. And I think without us absolutely knowing what the severity of this reporting is, whatever it is, we need to see and John.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:23

• Program development timeline and funding source

  • Summary: Inquiry into how a program develops, who generates the concept, and the duration of grant proposals.
  • Evidence: “I’m trying to figure out how does this start to develop and who is coming up with the concept and whether this program, these grant proposals have been in place for however long. Are we just bringing this to the city of Freeport? I’m trying to figure out how does this are we just bringing this to the council at this present time is it has it been something that’s been in the back up in the back of the people minds who’s generating this program for grants how long had this been around you know we”
  • Source timestamp: 36:55

• Council awareness regarding project start

  • Summary: A speaker stated that council members would like to know how the process started.
  • Evidence: “you know we I just like to know and I’m quite sure the council members would like to know how we got started with all of this so I’m not sure but I think you had at least I know. I did that. I did that on purpose. I did that on purpose simply because.”
  • Source timestamp: 36:55

• Confirmation of previous council understanding

  • Summary: A speaker sought confirmation that their vote in October indicated a higher level of understanding regarding the project.
  • Evidence: “I just wanted to make sure that we’re reiterating the things that we talked about back in October and that I understand and understood if I voted for that, that means that there was a higher level of understanding of why I did that and this is the reason why I’m asking right now at this moment.”
  • Source timestamp: 39:58

• High crash rate intersections and safety assessment goals

  • Summary: Identified local streets with high crash rates, specifically Empire and Walnut and Greenfield and Stephenson. Noted that crashes also occur around I-DOT roadways, suggesting dated traffic signals. The SS4A assessment aims to find projects for Freeport’s safety.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “For instance, I know, I don’t want to speak in very many specifics, but I know a couple intersections that have had a high crash rate that are local streets, which is one of them is Empire and Walnut and another one is Greenfield and Stephenson that have a high crash rate with multi-issues. As you can see from the crash map, a lot of our crashes also occur around I-DOT roadways, especially traffic signal areas, which may mean that our traffic signals are very dated, very old. Again, the entire point of doing this SS4A assessment is to find and find projects that we need to do to make it safer in the city of Freeport.”
  • Source timestamp: 41:26

• Federal safety initiatives evolution

  • Summary: Discussed the evolution of street safety funding, noting Vision Zero was a hot topic in the 2015s at the city level before becoming a federal DOT priority with the Infrastructure and Jobs Act creating the S.S. Grade program.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “Maybe just at a high level where safety has been coming from at the federal level. And I won’t have the exact dates, but in the 2015s, right? So that decade. Vision Zero was kind of the hot topic across the country so it was mostly at the city level so cities saying any death on our streets is unacceptable and so cities started developing Vision Zero action plans and then that kind of evolved and then became a federal DOT priority and I believe with the Biden administration, The I. I. J. A., so the Infrastructure and Jobs Act at the federal level, created the S. S. Grade program.”
  • Source timestamp: 42:22

• Data scope for crash analysis

  • Summary: Clarified that the overall crash analysis uses the most recent 10-year data set from IDOT, while the high injury network analysis uses the most recent five years due to potential changes in roads over ten years. Local data used a five-year span.
  • Attribution: Alderman Monroe
  • Evidence: “Yes, so we start with the most recent 10 year data set through the IDOT data that Darren referenced for an overall crash analysis, so really trying to understand trends at a high level that are going on, and then as we get deeper into the analysis and look at the high injury network, we do the most recent five years, because we think that gives us and John, and I think that’s a good way to address better certainty of the recent crashes. A lot can change in ten years and roads get reconstructed and resurfaced and things like that. Five years feels like a better analysis for that. The local data that we got, was a five-year span of crash data or wreck data or pedestrian incident data.”
  • Source timestamp: 45:13

• Federal requirement for equity consideration in projects

  • Summary: Stated that the Federal Highway Authority requires equity and diversity to be part of the inclusive process, noting that while safety is key (reducing crashes), equity is a required component.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “However, the Federal Highway Authority requires equity and diversity be part of the inclusive process here. And so obviously, you know that as a nation, we focus a lot of energy towards the equity portion of the projects and people that may or may not need it. I thought this project fit Freeport well because some of our diverse areas need the most help right so again if we’re talking about I’m just theoretically if we’re talking about a roundabout at Empire and Walnut to make that a safer intersection it’s got to be required about the safety equities just part of the program it’s not the number one factor it’s really reducing crashes and making the the city a safer place and others.”
  • Source timestamp: 48:00

• PFAS Contamination and Litigation Strategy

  • Summary: The speaker explained that PFAS (PFOS, PFOA) are ‘forever chemicals’ used since the 70s, and the city is replacing its source water due to issues with perfluorinate compounds. They noted working with Napoleon Shacolnick as litigator for this process, which is an extension of work done on the water supply.
  • Evidence: “So forever chemicals, perfluorinated compounds, PFOS, PFOA, these are all the same things. For many years, starting in the 70s, these chemicals were produced, sometimes under the is the trade name of Teflon and various other forever chemicals. We are in the process. We are in the process of replacing our current water, source water to get away from the old treatment plant that had issues in the raw water supply of the perfluorinate compounds. And we have worked with Napoleon Shacolnick as our litigator for this process.”
  • Source timestamp: 49:32

• PFAS at Airports and Litigation Continuation

  • Summary: The speaker noted a dramatic use of firefighting foams at airports nationwide, resulting in residual contamination, making the current discussion about the airport litigation a continuation of water supply efforts.
  • Evidence: “There is a dramatic amount of use of these firefighting foams. It’s been used at airports all over the country. And there is residual at those locations. So this is essentially a continuation of what we’ve already been doing with the water supply, except going, there’s going to be a new lawsuit related to Coneck, and the next phase of this program, which is airports.”
  • Source timestamp: 50:05

• Alderman Sanders Inquiry on PFAS Scope

  • Summary: Alderman Sanders questioned whether all detailed information regarding water, airport contamination, and polyfoam has been conveyed, questioning the timing and mandate for these programs.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders? Yep, one thing that I do wanna know, have everything been conveyed far as the water? I hear the water, I hear about water. Now hear about the airport, now hear about the polyfoam. All of these things, have they have been conveyed to us of all the detailed information and why now that these situations are coming up and that they’re almost like mandated.”
  • Source timestamp: 51:49

• Manager Boyer Response on PFAS Use

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that firefighting foams are necessary for aviation fire suppression, and contamination cleanup would be required if found.
  • Evidence: “Absolutely. A lot of these firefighting foams are used in aviation. They’re one of the few substances you can use and it will snuff out the fires and they have been used for training in the past and I’m sure the fire chief could confirm or bring in in just a minute any other details he might have. Essentially all this is doing is if there is contamination of this sort at the airport, which I’m not sure that we have, but if there is, we need to be going After, whatever revenue is out there because, well, I’m sure we’ll be cleaning it up someday.”
  • Source timestamp: 53:49

• Historical Context of PFAS Testing in Freeport

  • Summary: The speaker noted that awareness of these toxic agents started gaining traction in the mid-2000s/early 2000s, and Freeport was a pilot community for source water testing around 2015.
  • Evidence: “I’d just like to also add, we’ve kind of gone full circle. This started to become pretty prevalent or on the radar of a lot of different, not only communities, but companies in the mid-2000s, early 2000s, and as time went on, there was testing done. Freeport was one of the pilot communities to have our source water tested, and I believe about 2015.”
  • Source timestamp: 55:40

• Fire Department Foam Use at Airport Past Records

  • Summary: Alderman Monroe asked the Fire Chief if they had records of AFFF foam use at the airport in the past.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Monroe. Thank you Alderman Klemm. Chief do you know did we use the AFFF foam at the fire at the airport at any point in the past or would we have records of that that we could we could pull up?”
  • Source timestamp: 56:36

• Water testing and contamination concerns at the airport

  • Summary: Discussion regarding past use of AFFF foam at the airport and whether groundwater has been tested for contaminants like PFAS.
  • Attribution: Alderman Klemm
  • Evidence: “Chief do you know did we use the AFFF foam at the fire at the airport at any point in the past or would we have records of that that we could we could pull up? As I indicated I’m not familiar with any events that took place out at the airport that required the AFFF type foam. I’m not sure how far back our records would go to show that I mean we We could do a query for based on that address and based on that incident type, but again I’m not familiar with any involvement out there.”
  • Source timestamp: 56:36

• AFFF foam use guidelines

  • Summary: Discussion confirming that AFFF foam is understood to be permissible only in extreme emergencies and noting potential environmental contamination risks.
  • Evidence: “I know many years ago it was permissible to use that for training. Actually to this day my understanding is AFFF foam is permissible in extreme emergencies only. There’s some large towns who have a vast quantity of that and they still go ahead and utilize it when appropriate but again they’re exposing potentially exposing their personnel to carcinogen of PFA they’re potentially contaminating the environment and the soil and then the paperwork required to be filed when you do use that type of firefighting foam is pretty rigorous with EPA and also with the county EMA.”
  • Source timestamp: 57:16

• Groundwater testing at the airport

  • Summary: A request was made to check if groundwater at the airport has been tested for safety, especially concerning plans to bring water and sewer lines to the area.
  • Evidence: “And so the reason I ask is have we ever tested the groundwater at the airport since they are on well water to see if any prior to your being here, my being here, if it had been Huffines, James, James, Joe, and Rachel. The ground water that was being used, if the ground water was safe and had been tested out there, because one of the reasons why I’m asking this is we’ve been trying for years to get water and sewer out to the airport, and that becomes a pretty big safety issue if it is in some way damaged our environment out there as well as anybody’s wells that may be”
  • Source timestamp: 58:03

• Class action suit context regarding PFAS contamination

  • Summary: Discussion noting that lawsuits concerning PFAS are class action suits, and Freeport being one of the first 500 municipalities located with PFAS suggests potential leaching into water fields.
  • Evidence: “Another reminder I just wanted to say is, remember, these types of lawsuits are class action suits, right? And so since Freeport was one of the first 500 municipalities located with PFAS, POFAs, it would be natural for us to know that you know at some point some of these chemicals leached into our water fields or we wouldn’t have them right so they’re just offering us an olive ranch to be part of the class action suit based if there is financial monies coming which we all know on the Waterside. There is money coming that’s already been determined.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:02

• Basis for contamination study and airport changes

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding the basis of any determination of contamination, whether a lawsuit prompted the investigation, and who is funding the necessary studies to change water/wells at the airport.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sanders? Yeah. One of the things that I wanted to observe is the study that took place to make these a determination whether we should go or whether we should not follow through with it. How did we come up with the study to know that there’s contamination possibly? Because right now everything is at a presumption at this moment and has not been definitively been factual at this present time.”
  • Source timestamp: 59:54

• Scope of PFAS issue resolution

  • Summary: Manager Boyer stated that the process involves identifying the scope of any existing issue, noting they do not currently know if foams were used at the airport, and that participation is for future remuneration.
  • Attribution: Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “If I could address some of your points, sir, Alderman Sanders, as far as I understand, so we haven’t kind of got to the scope of the issue, so we need to work through that. And so to be participating in this part of the process is going to be identifying the scope of the issue, if any exists. We don’t at this time know that there’s an issue, we just presume that there may be due to the fact that these foams were used quite extensively at airports in general.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:02:32

• Contamination remediation funding for foams

  • Summary: The discussion addressed lining up steps to get remunerated for contamination related to foams used at airports.
  • Evidence: “So essentially all this is doing is kind of lining us up as the kind of second step on getting remunerated for these types of contamination.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:02:45

• GIS functionality enhancement

  • Summary: The goal of the enterprise agreement is to increase GIS functionality by putting information directly in staff hands on tablets for field crews.
  • Evidence: “The idea is to put all the information they would need day to day directly in their hands on a tablet so they’re not having to go back to the office necessarily and look through AP records.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:05:02

• GIS System Functionality

  • Summary: The GIS system allows users to view attached data by clicking on map features (e.g., pipe size) and can be used for querying field-gathered data, such as counting backed up manholes.
  • Evidence: “So this is our data. This is a storm sewers, sanitary sewers, and water main. And right now it looks just like lines. So that’s not a lot different than a paper map. But if you zoom in, you can actually click on these… For project season, you could go and maybe ask the questions like, how many do we have backed up? You know, how many linear feet?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:06:30

• Historical GIS Data Source

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding which firm or company supervised previous GIS studies to determine if existing data could be incorporated.
  • Evidence: “When you brought up the GIS study, have we already had that mechanism for the city at one time? And who was governing it then? Who was supervising it?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:07:39

• GIS Data Compilation History

  • Summary: The current water and sewer system data was created between 2011 and 2017 using a combination of digitized paper records and field verification.
  • Evidence: “That was created by me between, let’s say, 2011 and 2017, and that was done through a combination of the paper records down at Water and Sewer, which those guys did an amazing job for the last hundred years, digitizing those into the computer, and then also going out in the field and hand Verified, Depps, Condition, things like that.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:08:50

• GIS data and city infrastructure history

  • Summary: The need for comprehensive historical data, including structural linings and water line histories over decades, to be integrated into the GIS system for future project evaluation.
  • Attribution: Sanders
  • Evidence: “So you would need to go back that far back and look at what was the structural linings and things of this nature with the piping, the water lines and all of these kinds of things. You would need a history count of everything that’s been going on throughout the city over decades.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:13:30

• Utility system upgrade necessity

  • Summary: The current utility tracking system is antiquated and needs an upgrade, with new data from construction inspections being tracked via GPS equipment to continuously update the system.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “One of the curtain I discussed this earlier today we still have people that are drafting on my LARS down at the wastewater treatment plant regularly for updates that we make it’s very antiquated. We calculated some numbers today that we believe this system will pay for itself in modern upgrades also when we do project work and I’ll pick Adams Avenue for example the way we track our systems and way we build them we will be able to actually port that information to Kurt’s team and he’ll be able to drop it right in there and the new data will all appear magically as we do the construction inspections”
  • Source timestamp: 01:14:44

• Contract funding details for ESRI

  • Summary: Clarification was sought regarding the cost and term of a contract with ESRI, confirming it is $30,000 every year over a three-year term, budgeted for 2025.
  • Evidence: “Did I understand you to say that it’s going to cost about $30,000 a year, and it’s in three-year terms? Each, yep, it’s a three-year term, so it’s $30,000 every year. And that it was budgeted for the 2025? Yes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:23

• Contract approval status

  • Summary: It was clarified that while funds are allocated, an agreement to enter a contract with ESRI has not been made.
  • Evidence: “Denning. That’s not the agreement. The funds are allocated, but the agreement to enter a contract with ESRI hasn’t. That’s what this is.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:16:51

• Distressed Communities grant funding inquiry

  • Summary: Alderman Stacey inquired about the Distressed Communities grant Program, asking how many times and when the city received funding.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacey
  • Evidence: “Item number 11. Discussion regarding Distressed Communities grant funding presented by Alderman Stacey in Monroe. Good evening. I wanted to bring this to the council to gather a little more understanding on this distressed grant Program. City Manager Boyer, can you tell me how many times and when we have received this?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:40

• Distressed Communities grant funding details

  • Summary: City Manager Boyer stated the city received the funding one time at the end of 2021, amounting to about $81,000.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “We received it one time and I believe it was the end of 2021 and I yeah so one time in 2021 can you tell me how much we received off the time I had I think it was about $81,000 okay because that number is much much lower than what it was when you and I spoke the other day”
  • Source timestamp: 01:19:40

• Distressed Communities grant funding disbursement method

  • Summary: The money from the grant never came through the city; it went directly from ComEd to the contractor.
  • Attribution: City Manager Boyer
  • Evidence: “However, the money never came through the city. It went directly from ComEd to the contractor. So I don’t know if that included any discounts on light fixtures or anything like that. I believe that was the whole thing. However, the money never came through the city. It went directly from ComEd to the contractor.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:10

• Nomenclature concern for grant funding

  • Summary: Alderman Stacey questioned if being titled ‘Distressed Communities’ would be negative for Freeport moving forward.
  • Attribution: Alderman Stacey
  • Evidence: “So, Manager Boyer, kind of moving forward, I know there was a lot of discussion about the Distressed Community Grant funding and the actual title of Distressed Communities. Do you see that as being a negative for the city of Freeport as we move forward to be titled that and to have that as kind of a Slogan almost.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:21:46

• Application status for ComEd discounts

  • Summary: The speaker is working with Ian McAdams and Eric Hennessy to ensure the application provided by the Will Group gets accepted, after correcting mistakes made by the Will Group.
  • Evidence: “I’m working with two outreach people, Ian McAdams and Eric Hennessy, to make sure the application does get accepted. And that’s step one on the first set of discounts on the project. So we’re still at the application level, though? It’s completed. It had been by January 30th, and it was.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:26:11

• Energy efficiency discounts for lighting upgrades

  • Summary: For every watt reduced from old high-pressure sodium lights to new technology, there is one dollar credit; for example, reducing a 400-watt light to a 60-watt light yields $340 in credit.
  • Evidence: “So they want you to take the old high-pressure sodium lights or whatever lights you may have and Reduce the wattage, not reduce the brightness of the light, just the wattage to new technology. And I believe for every watt you reduce, it’s one dollar. So if you take a 400-watt light and you reduce it down to a 60-watt light, you have $340 of credit on each light that you do.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:01

• Select Community Designation Status with ComEd

  • Summary: The speakers have been working for over a year, possibly two years, to get the select community designation from ComEd, as it is not a City of Freeport designation. They were on the list in 2021 but were removed.
  • Evidence: “So George and myself and city manager have been working for over a year, actually probably two years now, on getting the select community, distressed community, whatever we’re calling that, it’s ComEd’s designations, not the City of Freeport’s designation, trying to get back on that list. We were on it in 2021. Somehow we were off the list.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:27:37

• IDOT Corridor Lighting Project Status

  • Summary: The group had a project queued to remove high-pressure sodium lights down IDOT corridors because they are all older lighting.
  • Evidence: “We actually had a project in the queue, which was to remove the high pressure sodium lights down the IDOT corridors because they’re all older lighting. And so that’s the program that we had been working on when we started talking about the safer areas that Chief Shenberger had applied for, right?”
  • Source timestamp: 01:29:04

• Scope of Select Community Funding

  • Summary: The speaker stated their understanding from George was that the qualification for discounts is city-wide because it is a community function.
  • Evidence: “No. My understanding from reading the information that George gave us is that we qualify for it city wide, right? It’s a community function.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:30:13

• Downtown Lighting Project Funding Source

  • Summary: The funding received for the last distress/select grant went downtown because the downtown lighting was the number one bill for the City of Freeport and switching to LED greatly reduced the cost.
  • Evidence: “I can answer why that is okay because the downtown lighting is our number was our number one bill for the city of Freeport it was a huge expense because those were all Culling, Condescence, by switching them to LED, City Manager Boyer reduced the cost of the city greatly in the amount that it takes to light the downtown regularly.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:31:38

• Salon Park Lighting Responsibility

  • Summary: The speaker stated that Salon Park is private property and using taxpayer dollars to light it would be difficult.
  • Evidence: “But again, Salon Park is private property, and it would be pretty tough to use taxpayer dollars to light a private property. So whoever owns that. They’re dead. There’s one that needs to put the light in.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:33:52

• Funding limitations for STU program

  • Summary: The funding can only be used on FAU routes established by IDOT and cannot be used on arbitrary streets like Kiwanis Drive or Catherine Street.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “Again, the city of Freeport, just for some understanding, we have a list of, they’re called FAU routes and IDOT established this list many years ago, This surface transportation funding can only be used on those streets. And so we can’t just take this to Kiwanis Drive, or Catherine Street, or Santa Fe, or any street we want to pick. It has to stay on the federal urban assistant routes that I’d established many years ago.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:41:49

• Council direction needed for STU funding

  • Summary: The presenter requested council direction on whether to move forward with a contract to capture this money for a 2026 program or abandon the effort.
  • Attribution: Darren
  • Evidence: “So anyway, the reason I’m bringing it to you guys tonight is I would like some kind of direction as a council, whether we wanna move forward and have a contract brought forward to try to capture this money and do a program for 2026 with this funding, or if we don’t wanna do it, I don’t wanna spend any more energy or resources on it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:22

• Engineering cost estimate for mill and overlay projects

  • Summary: For these types of mill and overlay projects, engineering costs are estimated at 7 to 8 percent for permitting and approval.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “On these types of mill and overlay projects, you could probably expect 7 to 8 percent for engineering costs to get it permitted and approved.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:42:59

• Federal funding requirements for ADA ramps

  • Summary: Under federal program rules, ADA ramps must be designed in whole, back 15 feet in every direction, which is labor intensive for survey and design.
  • Attribution: Council
  • Evidence: “Some of the most expensive costs will be ADA ramps and under federal program, you have We have to design them in whole, back 15 feet in every direction, so that survey time and the design portion of that is quite labor intensive.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:16

• Federal funding requirements for infrastructure

  • Summary: Because service transportation funds are federal funds, there are more requirements than with state funds.
  • Evidence: “These service transportation funds are federal funds, not state funds, so there’s more requirements to do federal funds.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:08

• ADA ramp design costs

  • Summary: A significant cost factor is ADA ramps because they must be designed in whole, back 15 feet in every direction.
  • Evidence: “Some of the most expensive costs will be ADA ramps and under federal program, you have We have to design them in whole, back 15 feet in every direction, so that survey time and the design portion of that is quite labor intensive.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:16

• Construction cost coverage for mill and overlays

  • Summary: The construction cost itself would be wholly covered by the program for mill and overlays only.
  • Evidence: “The construction cost itself based on my estimates would pretty much wholly be covered by this program just for mill and overlays only”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:46

• Stephenson Street condition and project scope

  • Summary: The proposed work on Stephenson Street is a mill and overlay, not involving new curbs or sidewalks.
  • Evidence: “this would just be patching in areas enough to mill and overlay the street we’re trying to treat everybody the same I know there’s areas of these streets that you know the curb’s not perfect I know it’s not Overlaid Perfect.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:46

• Future infrastructure projects prioritization

  • Summary: North Walnut Street is considered the next largest project in the City of Freeport.
  • Evidence: “I think North Walnut will be our next largest project in the City of Freeport”
  • Source timestamp: 01:43:46

• Project feasibility based on funding

  • Summary: If four streets could be done for $200,000, it would be considered well worth it.
  • Evidence: “Alderman Sellers. I guess that’s what I was going to say Darren. If we could get what four streets done for $200,000 it’s well worth it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:46:51

• Timeline for infrastructure improvements

  • Summary: If the group decides to move forward with next year’s program, a contract must be signed because environmental requirements from IDOT require a minimum of nine months.
  • Evidence: “I want to say if we really want to do it next year we have to get a contract signed because the environmental requirements from IDOT are a minimum of nine months”
  • Source timestamp: 01:48:01

• Freeport Airport Commission firefighting foam disposal

  • Summary: The speaker stated that the Freeport Fire Department disposed of hazardous firefighting foam from the airport about 12 years ago after it was brought to the commission’s attention.
  • Attribution: Miller
  • Evidence: “I was once a member of the Freeport Airport Commission, and I was comfortably sitting at home when the discussion came up regarding the firefighting foam that may have been at the airport. And yes it was at the airport, about 12 years ago. While I was on the airport commission, Mr. Daryl Jensen brought it to the attention of the commission. At that time it was publicly known that it was hazardous material. The commission immediately decided to get rid of it. There was a small trailer with, I don’t know, 6.8, 5-gallon cans and we called up the Freeport Fire Department. Miller. I have no idea where it went or what they did with it, but the Freeport Fire Department disposed of it, and that was about 12 years ago. So before that, to my knowledge and since, I don’t know that foam has ever been used at the airport. But there was foam there just in case, and it was disposed of about 12 years ago.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:35

Public Comment

• Concerns regarding equity focus and sidewalk infrastructure gaps

  • Summary: Expressed concern that focusing on perceived inequities (based on skin color or income) overlooks broader community needs, citing a new sidewalk network in a flood zone while dangerous streets near the community college lack sidewalks. Also noted missing sidewalks on Kiwanis, Stephenson, Laurel, Galena, and 26.
  • Attribution: Fowler
  • Evidence: “to me is very discouraging to hear when it comes to this type of a project because we put in a brand new sidewalk network on the east side of the city that was in a flood zone. We spent all of that money and yet some of the streets that are our most dangerous in the city that service our community college still have no sidewalks. Fowler. There are high speeds, there are lots of near misses, there’s a lot of incidences of accidents. And that to me is concerning because, you know, when you start throwing money at a problem that’s perceived based on the color of the skin or the people’s financial earnings or whatever it may be, whatever those numbers and how it parses out, it misses the broader support for the community at a whole. And that’s very concerning in that sense because we want to create a better Freeport at the end of the day and, you know, I see roads, you know, I think of Kiwanis, I think of Stephenson, I think of Laurel, I think of some of these roads that are very, very heavily traveled in the city have no sidewalks and people are walking in them and the same can be said of Galena and 26, 26 sidewalk even though we have it in some of the places is very, very”
  • Source timestamp: 46:35

• Firefighting foam disposal at Freeport Airport

  • Summary: A former commission member reported that hazardous firefighting foam, present about 12 years ago, was disposed of by the Freeport Fire Department.
  • Evidence: “My name is John Staben, 1070 North Canyon Drive. I was once a member of the Freeport Airport Commission, and I was comfortably sitting at home when the discussion came up regarding the firefighting foam that may have been at the airport… Mr. Daryl Jensen brought it to the attention of the commission. At that time it was publicly known that it was hazardous material. The commission immediately decided to get rid of it… Miller. I have no idea where it went or what they did with it, but the Freeport Fire Department disposed of it, and that was about 12 years ago.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:49:35

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Utility Department Employee of the Year Award

  • Summary: Randy Kolbauer was selected as Utility Department Employee of the Year for 2024.
  • Attribution: James
  • Evidence: “Again, our second award of the night is Utility Department Employee of the Year, which this year, Randy Kolbauer was selected and she is our environmental and regulatory compliance officer.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:02

• Acknowledgement of Public Works Department Support

  • Summary: The speaker thanked the Public Works Department for attending after hours to support their crews.
  • Attribution: James
  • Evidence: “I’d like to thank the Public Works Department for coming out and supporting their crews tonight. I really appreciate all your attendance after hours.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:02

• GIS Records Maintenance

  • Summary: Gertrude congratulated Director Suttman and staff for maintaining records for a hundred years.
  • Evidence: “First of all, I want to thank you and congratulate you because you’ve been around a while and I know how hard you’ve worked with us over the year. And congratulations to you guys, as Curt said, for keeping the records that they have for a hundred years on it.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:09:46

• Thanking staff for work on current items

  • Summary: Thanks were given to Eric, Kirk, Fehr Graham, Tom Glenn, and Denning for their work.
  • Evidence: “I just wanted to add, if I could, until we move to the next one, I’d really like to thank also, I thank Eric and Kirk for all the work they did, but all the work Fehr Graham did and also Tom Glenn Denning. As we know, Tom Glenn Denning put his heart into this to really start to move it forward, Thanks to all the people involved to this point.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:17:09

Follow-ups

• Working with Rob Boyer and Mayor Miller on discounts

  • Summary: The speaker has been working with Rob Boyer and Mayor Miller since July of last year to ensure eligibility for stackable discounts.
  • Evidence: “So I have been working with Rob Boyer and Mayor Miller since August, July of last year, I believe, to try to move things forward and make sure that you are eligible for these stackable discounts.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:24:30

• Reporting street lights needing repair or replacement

  • Summary: Citizens can call 1-800-334-7661 (edit 1-800-Edison-1) if they find a street light out.
  • Evidence: “Once again just give the number out if you have a street light out that they can call our citizens can call you directly. Yeah so the number you want is 1-800-334-7661 so it’s the edit 1-800-Edison-1.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:34:52

Attendance

• Council Attendance Roll Call
  • Summary: Confirmed attendance for the meeting.
  • Evidence: “Klemm? Aye. Monroe? Aye. Simmons? Here. Parker? Aye. Stacy? Here. Shadle? Here. Sanders is absent. Sellers? Aye. And we do have a quorum for our meeting.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:08