[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6298862,"mediaKeyId","2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262","parentId",2499737,"title","Council ratifies emergency demolition at 402–404 E. Shawnee after fire concerns; mayor———s tie-breaking vote draws conflict allegation","audioSeconds",625,"startMs",4280000,"endMs",4905000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262&start=4280&end=4905","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262/thumbnail_4280000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298862/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Council-ratifies-emergency-demolition-at-402404-E-Shawnee-after-fire-concerns-mayors-tie-breaking-vote-draws-conflict-allegation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298862-af997b274865848299752000e8717a61/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448035&Signature=DlmTNCbYEprUuvp-i39uaKBQN4dGoYOXRUBthQ52QfZbPwd7U15VxJrqx~75iarpMyesZn6JvzCe41mhzqk5vKE4q60JMz11QIi4rB57-cPSE1cOgaa21hB1GVPUNW0TZ5RgSEBTiBIt-ksj1E2AFIuyCGWCdvuyW6Qh6Tl6Mf1GTOquJRsW2buarwvVoEDIRNoPiaRQtd-mAmBYc~ZoT9hBJwloE5anXWocPiNy9Z9cOm~BxY94VuLfNWLQkOP-pIDUO8VpboNVUyoWm6FC3tJcdi2wnmc-80m-eGv8T0-5XOdtDa8y7DHRWIdOH5nruK4ujGQR1JzSDfQjjhWJCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Freeport, IL","date","2025-03-04T13:51:15Z","article","The Freeport City Council voted 5-4 on March 3 to ratify an emergency demolition of the structure at 402–404 East Shawnee carried out by Albert and Son Earthworks. The resolution produced extended debate over the legal basis for the demolition and led to a public allegation of a conflict of interest against Mayor Miller.

Director Duckman told the council the property had been declared a chronic nuisance in May 2024 and that a statutory “fast track” demolition notice was posted September 3, 2024. Because of “immediate health and safety concerns,” staff solicited bids on December 11, 2024; Albert and Son Earthworks submitted the lowest responsive bid at $19,700 and proceeded with demolition. Duckman described two confirmed arson incidents at the structure, citing the fire marshal’s determinations, and said the city moved forward under emergency authority.

Council debate and vote
Alderman Parker moved the resolution to ratify payment for the demolition; after roll call the vote was tied 4-4 (Parker, Shadle, Sellers and Clem — aye; Stacy, Sanders, Monroe and Simmons — no). Mayor Miller then cast a tie-breaking vote in favor. The clerk recorded the resolution adopted 5-4.

Contention over procedure and timing
Several council members questioned why demolition work proceeded before a council vote. Alderman Monroe asked why council had not been contacted earlier; Duckman and other staff responded that the demolition met the criteria for emergency action and had been discussed previously in council briefings. Alderman Stacy asked for clarification about the timing of the fires; staff said the most recent fire incidents were recorded in February 2021 but emphasized repeated break‑ins and fire risk as drivers for emergency action.

Conflict-allegation and public comment
After the council adopted the resolution, Alderman Monroe rose and said Mayor Miller should have been disqualified from voting because the mayor is related to a party receiving payment for the demolition and could benefit indirectly; Monroe cited general ethics concerns and asked the mayor to recuse. Mayor Miller declined to abstain, saying he believed he had the right to vote as an elected official. The council did not take a separate procedural vote to disqualify the mayor.

Public comments during the meeting included criticism of the timing and the handling of the demolition. A commenter, Kia Sanders, said the use of “emergency” did not feel timely and referenced a pending lawsuit related to the property.

What was approved
The resolution ratified the emergency demolition and authorized payment to Albert and Son Earthworks. The staff memo included the bid amounts solicited and the bid accepted ($19,700). The resolution record notes the statutory fast-track demolition posting and that staff considered the property an ongoing threat that justified immediate demolition.

Next steps and context
Director Duckman said the department followed the fast‑track and emergency-demolition process described in his memo and that staff would provide additional information if the council requested it. Alderman Monroe indicated he might pursue further review of the mayor's vote and potential ethics questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 3/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Freeport City Council ratified on March 3 an emergency demolition of the structure at 402–404 East Shawnee by Albert and Son Earthworks; the vote ended 4-4 and Mayor Miller cast the deciding vote, prompting an objection from Alderman Monroe that the mayor had a conflict of interest.","taxTitle","Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois","taxId",70202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298872,"Council hires MSA to write IHDA home-repair grant application, approves $6,500 contract",1905,548000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262&start=548&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262/thumbnail_548000.jpg","/articles/6298872/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Council-hires-MSA-to-write-IHDA-home-repair-grant-application-approves-6500-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298872-56e5e2716ab4ea6993ba10f361bbf152/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448035&Signature=kQiggdo9~NwjDeJs6yYXQCzooiv3MMkOJolbNz2V2eYqBe2xLNWWxVd3Fc3TIO5p5bw-weHrzzG1c3~gc6GTmuusXbtvrWwBd0cpAS6tZZweF5YoeyQi-RImBIwa-qxRSgz9nUmfrAHCdNvxGDbKirs~mI95EPcsQZ5chjgt--Q4NbBizviPqGlvAsCUumUX59GBMOUeHIEW1sZz4wEpPz9YtIbIJO9oNWpl5wauGy7S-Sg0nyCFFEaGFURM2ZylpGZjMzHmd-7CK9pCJJsNKWDBGlNcOyXhMAY55PG~TRWbSfkDD9L1GEbQFw3EYKJ3NVdotAlic2m-p9HITqvsUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council voted 6-2 on March 3 to hire MSA Professional Services to prepare an application for the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Home Repair and Accessibility (HREP) grant program, approving a $6,500 contract to write and submit the proposal.

MSA’s Community Development Administrator Tara Walters told the council the HREP round opening now includes $16 million statewide and that applications for Freeport are due March 14. “My recommendation for how many homes I believe the City would be able to, you know, feasibly get done in 2 years would be 17 homes,” Walters said during the presentation.

The grant program provides funding for health-and-safety repairs and accessibility improvements for owner-occupied, low- and very-low-income homes. Under the program a single full-rehab award can cover up to $50,000 in construction costs plus project delivery (capped at 15 percent) and is structured as a five-year forgivable loan; a roof-only option covers up to $25,000 and is structured as a three-year forgivable loan. Walters and staff recommended the city request funding aimed at 17 full-rehab projects, a package the presentation estimated at $1,026,375 (approximately $850,000 for construction, $127,500 project delivery and $48,875 administration).

Why it matters: The program is intended to preserve affordable housing and keep low-income and mobility-impaired homeowners in place by paying for repairs the homeowners cannot afford. The IHDA scoring priorities include applicant capacity, a reasoned workplan and budget, demonstrated need and readiness to proceed — criteria Walters said the city must document in the application.

What presenters told the council
MSA’s presentation outlined applicant eligibility, scoring criteria and the application timeline. Properties must be single-family, owner-occupied, current on mortgage, free of tax sales and certain liens, and meet IHDA property-value limits (Stevenson County’s existing-home limit was presented as $209,000). Income eligibility is measured with IHDA’s calculator; the program prioritizes households at or below 50 percent of area median income (AMI) and allows up to 80 percent AMI if demand requires it.

Walters said IHDA awards are competitive and the city may contract a third-party administrator if it lacks in-house capacity. She recommended the city apply for the “full rehab” project type to retain flexibility; projects that later qualify only for roof-only assistance can be reclassified.

Council questions and public comment
Public comment included support from resident Wendy Slayton, who said the program would “improve quality of life” and help retain responsible homeowners. Alderman Stacy pressed staff on timing and the short window before the March 14 application deadline; Walters and other staff said they had circulated the funding notice in February and that the $6,500 fee would secure MSA’s grant-writing services on a tight schedule. Alderman Monroe confirmed MSA is a recommended third-party administrator based on prior work with the city.

Formal action and vote
The council adopted a resolution to contract with MSA Professional Services for grant-writing services in the amount of $6,500. The motion, made by Alderman Parker and seconded by Alderman Sellers, passed 6-2 (Parker, Shadle, Sellers, Clem, Monroe and Simmons — aye; Stacy and Sanders — no).

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting
- Application due: March 14, 2025.
- Round funding available statewide: $16,000,000.
- Recommended city request: 17 homes; estimated total request $1,026,375 (construction $850,000; project delivery 15% = $127,500; administration 5% = $48,875).
- Assistance per home: up to $50,000 (full rehab) or up to $25,000 (roof-only); project delivery and admin caps described above.
- Income prioritization recommended: households at or below 50% AMI prioritized; fallback to 80% AMI if insufficient eligible applicants.
- Property requirements: owner‑occupied, single‑family, current on mortgage, clear title (no mechanics or tax liens), property-value limit for existing homes presented as $209,000.

Next steps
Staff will return with a contract and, if the council executes the MSA agreement, MSA will prepare and submit the IHDA application and, if awarded, administer the program either through city staff or a third-party administrator per the grant agreement.","The Freeport City Council voted 6-2 on March 3 to hire MSA Professional Services to prepare an application for the Illinois Housing Development Authority Home Repair and Accessibility Grant Program and approved a $6,500 contract to write the submission.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298867,"Council approves purchase of roughly 7 acres for Well 12 to bolster Freeport———s water capacity",566,3174000,3740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262&start=3174&end=3740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2499737-d5497058449fab2d689488f45efd8262/thumbnail_3174000.jpg","/articles/6298867/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Council-approves-purchase-of-roughly-7-acres-for-Well-12-to-bolster-Freeports-water-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298867-759b246fa96edde15d8e13ed2c6bf0de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448035&Signature=dvA-AbQuFwprefgIVuxc-xvSXJuylMfNMnjXYEUnxEspqs0L9VxihD9L3Q4SFM2u9FtIpn2V2cpX1v9qC5LFWmlYFQ81dmfBq-iLNxIFdw-92xlbHssdNg~eyIKgyJEKerxkADyuLYrWPBleudYe635ZowM0ZUrAbMj5ke2ivaTJU0wc5cHgJeqGLU4zqU7ucL2~vpg2iRPOZgtCtmFtOoO2mymy7s6ewgH~7XXFfNA02izLNKcmBgtx13YcnXWK2AjrVmZ3~ZJSCqSTcy~vURzADKxQcHncVTFMR1MmlM61Re-~FPfl2C4qY~XjZNV4HAUnF7edRwDEAmGNvcB3rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council approved an ordinance on March 3 to acquire about seven acres of land and associated easements along Fairgrounds Road for construction of Well Number 12, a project staff said is needed to provide redundant water source and treatment capacity.

City Manager Boyer and city staff told the council the well site — located south of Crate Park near Yellow Creek — was selected after months of property searches and water testing. Staff said the site offers good water quality comparable to Well 11, is situated on higher ground with lower flood risk and is positioned to feed the city’s low zone, which was described in the meeting as supplying about 70 percent of Freeport’s population and major commercial areas.

The council approved the ordinance following a suspension of rules; the final vote was 8-0. Staff said the city has already placed $9,500 in nonrefundable earnest money toward the option agreement and that the city negotiated the tract down to roughly seven acres. A council briefing gave an approximate per-acre price of $22,000, which staff said includes earnest money; the owner reduced the acreage from an originally discussed 10 acres to 7 acres.

Why it matters
City staff presented the property purchase as a prerequisite to qualify for state and federal funding opportunities tied to emerging-contaminant remediation and forgivable loans; Boyer said moving quickly is important to preserve eligibility for grant funds and loan forgiveness that will support drilling and treatment. Staff indicated funding possibilities in the range of several million dollars and said construction would follow award of those funds.

Technical details and timeline
Staff said the well would be drilled to depths similar to Well 11 (approximately 1,300 feet), tapping permanent aquifers associated with the Yellow Creek hydrogeologic area. The city’s schedule anticipates going out to bid on the well house at the end of the month; staff said IHDA and other funding reviews would occur through summer, and, if awarded, expenditures would occur through July 2027 under the two-year spending windows described for some funding sources.

Cost and budget context
Council members asked about price and budgeting. Boyer and staff said they used local market research and previous budget planning to set an acceptable price range; two other parcels considered were rejected as unaffordable. Staff characterized the $20,000–$22,000-per-acre figure as high for farm ground but reasonable for commercially usable ground and said the property’s attributes, including lack of flood risk and future expansion possibilities, justified the price. The city manager said the acquisition was included in the 2025 budget planning as a land purchase line item.

Vote and next steps
The ordinance approving acquisition of land and easements for Well Number 12 passed 8-0. Staff will move forward with the option and closing process and proceed with design and bidding to preserve eligibility for grant funds for well drilling and treatment.","Council approved an ordinance to acquire land and easements for Well Number 12 after staff said the site will add redundant water capacity and position the city for state grant funding. The purchase was approved 8-0; staff said the site will support water service to the low zone that serves roughly 70% of the city's customers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council ratifies emergency demolition at 402–404 E. Shawnee after fire concerns; mayor———s tie-breaking vote draws conflict allegation

Council hires MSA to write IHDA home-repair grant application, approves $6,500 contract

Council approves purchase of roughly 7 acres for Well 12 to bolster Freeport———s water capacity