[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6216568,"mediaKeyId","3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6","parentId",3650929,"title","Freeport accepts county conveyance of five parcels for flood mitigation; council approves demolition contracts","audioSeconds",1410,"startMs",7482000,"endMs",8892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6&start=7482&end=8892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6/thumbnail_7482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216568/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-accepts-county-conveyance-of-five-parcels-for-flood-mitigation-council-approves-demolition-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216568-e19341224c8e723cf6b82bf0dd31b432/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160550&Signature=AqcGWnUFfVKYK9RF7J3m7GF1Wk56kIMPq9H4oxi-999E98V3bjpXyS~33U5ueqlR84kRA3dvkLKotRJKGud9pDVYp8x7fIM5SiJ7kq0xMwYMu3RkwRzvTSGcU5foiujoTaSqjY-HT3ZQof-yRbHiZBrs2p6xL-Jn~O53L9sp8qUHpoXKluRw7qw-POi8YQMGTttLsoCyrzWidH7zF20XwaGewS0vUbyjhSnel9yWJ85JFL0-e8SUK3-YhRo2D-QMrX4erzHy9WE5fvYen7jt9IXTtel1hpDY5YengxZJ~JdnNru8V74IVJMIwsa6BsUgkjdFvwOvlxpS-jqMnFVwaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Freeport, IL","date","2025-06-04T08:49:58.72Z","article","The City Council approved acceptance of five parcels conveyed by Stevenson County that fall within the city’s flood‑mitigation zone and are part of a FEMA grant strategy to return certain flood‑prone lots to undeveloped condition.

City staff said the parcels are on the city’s east side and are part of the comprehensive mitigation strategy required by FEMA; the county passed a resolution authorizing the transfer. \"These parcels were identified for transfer as part of the comprehensive flood mitigation strategy,\" staff said.

The council also approved a lowest‑bid contract for the asbestos abatement and demolition of seven residential properties. Kleckner Excavating submitted the lowest responsible bid at $85,000 for the package; staff said six of the seven properties are tied to flood‑mitigation work and the city has funding in place for demolition under the grant program. The demolition motion passed with a recorded majority (6–1).

Why it matters: Conveyance of title to these parcels allows the city to include them in FEMA mitigation work and to manage them as undeveloped green space to reduce flood risk. Demolition and abatement are part of the grant and remediation process.

Provenance: Staff presentation and roll‑call votes related to resolution 20‑25‑65 (property conveyance) and the demolition bid (May 30 auction) were reviewed for this summary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 6/2/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Stevenson County conveyed five parcels in Freeport’s flood mitigation area to the city for inclusion in FEMA mitigation work; council also approved a demolition contract for seven residential properties tied to mitigation and blight removal.","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},6216573,"Council approves TIF deal for Culver’s parking expansion; city to pay $10,000 on completion and share tax increment",128,6812000,6940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6&start=6812&end=6940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6/thumbnail_6812000.jpg","/articles/6216573/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Council-approves-TIF-deal-for-Culvers-parking-expansion-city-to-pay-10000-on-completion-and-share-tax-increment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216573-8034f85b58c66ff1154f64b54227afb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160550&Signature=faPA18uiLb8xnsis7~Lj1ECISlXTSYXMGe1vLE86acRsGlY77oBvGdkyYK9qhOfxeMBjOjb7ZKXvf5kI7XbfCW07eAIMoEGBuXCBptrC30uPVMJYWYzV4CRA3dT~AQVaIYjeAwQny8d4fBVHB7SIklgD1Q~PcS33kpXGeEioUtrKIQXigKnuROc-E9BMm2VgV1NZ~BHpvqQB62BqYB0G15DwMWmR9f6PFzMq00PpSSfZF3wQvUf1G35mx1H3nvekCvOMtgo9CMp6hSrtwxO0B~zwo~FaGs-FU3Kklj79bswJwtdCAl3aJTI8VrqN0aAofGq5mx~SDN~b~DCtjkNifw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council adopted a redevelopment agreement with developer Sandra L. Smith to fund improvements to the Culver’s restaurant parking and drive‑through. The project will expand the existing parking area to improve traffic flow and to lengthen the drive‑through lane.

Staff presented a site plan showing a new north entrance and expanded drive lane; the public‑facing estimate for site improvements was approximately $350,000. Under the TIF agreement the city will pay $10,000 to the developer upon completion of the site work and will provide 75% of the incremental property tax revenue generated by the improved parcel through the life of the Meadows TIF (through February 2037).

The Meadows TIF currently has roughly $215,000 budgeted for redevelopment projects; staff said the proposed payment falls within available funds. Council discussion focused on traffic and safety at the site; engineering input and a traffic analysis firm (Kimley‑Horn) were mentioned in support of the design and ingress/egress changes. The resolution passed with a 7–1–? roll call (transcript recorded the outcome as approved). Council members representing the area said the expansion should reduce drive‑through queuing onto adjacent streets and allow safer customer and employee parking.

Why it matters: The agreement uses TIF resources to incentivize private site improvements and is intended to reduce traffic conflicts and support a revenue‑producing commercial property. The developer’s incremental tax share is the compensation over time; the city’s up‑front cash payment is modest in comparison to the projected site cost.

Provenance: Staff presentation, site plan remarks and the council roll call for resolution 20‑25‑64 were used to build this report.","The council approved a redevelopment agreement to support a parking and drive‑through expansion at the Culver’s on the north side of the property; the Meadows TIF will return 75% of the increment to the developer over the TIF lifetime and the city will pay $10,000 upon completion.",{"_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},6216579,"Freeport adopts 10 shared principles of policing; council and police highlight community programs",148,6216000,6364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6&start=6216&end=6364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6/thumbnail_6216000.jpg","/articles/6216579/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-adopts-10-shared-principles-of-policing-council-and-police-highlight-community-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216579-9d91b4ddab40e5d65ab54981d3a8f676/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160550&Signature=ZaCvHlogLuKVd6TbTrMbdwHQ7NbPWXUMLfTWbCvXA1JNHQKhDL-SP6pLzJevoRgklN0kY-dBrNsVBC8zA0NZs4fIr6BoeYFFG2oGroIlc5fJLFK2NJzrycDb18r2hJNj~4k40~YbUA8lUsAMkIc8J19V45pJyCrc9aS6LjdGi8njFSP1r2ZNtcd4YasTsNEAAUv7rJpf2ezxoTWtFmkjgCVP-znsll2zSjz~aakWpvz2GXgdvgHindeciIm1OZ37gKYEVISqVAH0Ui0sCoIkP6~sHOBYumEvVu4JKBQFos9mgKW51gOWcqFPjaMmuGPXLFjMKuWjAWKm~k15TTQh4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council unanimously adopted a resolution formally endorsing the \"10 shared principles\" of community policing developed collaboratively by the Illinois NAACP and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

City Manager Darren Boyer and Police Chief (presenter) said the principles align with existing department policies on equity, de‑escalation and community engagement. \"This action underscores the city's dedication to justice and fairness for all residents,\" staff recommended.

Alderman Johnson urged residents to take part in department programs, saying the Citizens Police Academy and Junior Police Academy help the public better understand law‑enforcement work. Chief Tenberger noted the junior program will run in June and described other training offerings. The resolution carries no immediate fiscal impact and was adopted 7–0 (one member absent at time of vote). Council members said they expect to brief department personnel and share the principles as part of officer training and community outreach.

Why it matters: A formal council adoption signals the municipal government’s public commitment to the set of principles that emphasize valuing human life, rejecting discrimination, endorsing procedural justice and promoting de‑escalation training.

Provenance: Staff presentation, chief’s remarks, and council roll call from the meeting transcript were used to compile this item.","The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Illinois NAACP/Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police '10 shared principles' and council members highlighted community outreach and training programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216585,"Freeport council considers changes to meeting rules, sparking public comment and amendments",974,3396000,4370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6&start=3396&end=4370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6/thumbnail_3396000.jpg","/articles/6216585/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-council-considers-changes-to-meeting-rules-sparking-public-comment-and-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216585-90b5492ad12beb2a076f6ec2e3915c5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160550&Signature=Qg45d31551c3suuFMGScav3LRpAkBqajZ9o7q09hnDJ1OtdeABl2MoGkzUkP0SRrZYaCqae3hUf12oC9GOU2ui7KS6DhwVzUX8o6Vy1XO3kwlW3RzYxWOyAV-XT4Jw12dfPsV4iCSXm7KNgzJItTZC651~jPSYJ2AxWwKl2JcB~bLWR8EvL4a9JHY~d271RCcZ5x2hqs-XIo0ldKIe6y4Ochr0z52EnjRITywgDEbleef7hbxJT9IpMIjjY5prfK4Kg7fPv9PB8-tJKkZ86rAlfQ8k5tDgTLn1cpMeJHzazEfBlrNKhmyqcT7gj89ndnvLO6Tu2WolNBZg3Lxhl0BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An ordinance that would change how items are placed on Freeport City Council agendas, shorten speaking time and add fines for willful absences sparked broad public comment, council debate and a procedural amendment Tuesday.

Attorney Aaron Zito summarized the proposed changes as edits to sections covering quorum, special meetings, speaking frequency, decorum and penalties. \"These rules include, but are not limited to how meetings are called, establishment of a quorum, procedures, replacing items on agenda, frequency of speaking, decorum at meetings, and then penalties for violating any of these rules,\" Zito said.

Key changes in the draft ordinance (20‑25‑37) include allowing the mayor, city manager or a majority of alderpersons to add agenda items (the current practice requires two alderpersons), limiting each speaking turn to two minutes (extendable by majority vote), and adding fines for willful absences. The draft would also remove the temporary Social Justice Committee from the municipal code.

Public response was robust. Diane Yocum and Kelvin McElwain urged the council not to raise the threshold for placing items on the agenda, calling a majority requirement a barrier to elected ward representatives. \"A majority requirement is a very high bar to just bring something to the council floor,\" McElwain said. Alderman Rachel Simmons, speaking both as a resident and as an alderperson, said the package of changes appeared to concentrate authority with the mayor and city manager and criticized the proposed penalties.

After debate, Alderman Johnson offered an amendment to restore the previous two‑alderperson threshold for placing items on the agenda and to require a short memo explaining the item’s purpose when it is submitted. Council voted to send that amendment to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion; the full ordinance will return for second reading with any amendments incorporated.

Why it matters: The ordinance would change internal rules that determine how and when council members and residents can bring topics forward, how long members can speak on an item, and how absences and decorum are handled — affecting transparency and the council’s day‑to‑day operations.

What council decided: The council did not adopt the ordinance at final passage. The Johnson amendment (restore two‑alderperson trigger + memo) will be discussed in Committee of the Whole before the ordinance returns for second reading. A separate motion to table the ordinance indefinitely failed. Several alderpersons said they wanted more time to review language and implications before final action.

Provenance: Attorney Zito’s presentation of Ordinance 20‑25‑37 and the public comment record, plus council motions and roll‑call votes in the transcript, were used to compile this report.","An ordinance to amend council rules — including agenda placement, speaking limits, quorum language and penalties — prompted extensive public comment and an amendment to keep a two‑alderperson agenda trigger; council sent part of the change to the Committee of the Whole for more review.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216588,"Freeport Council clears financing and contractor awards for Well 12 water project",5652,2883000,8535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6&start=2883&end=8535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650929-1e4c514d8d45461c2761f53316fa82d6/thumbnail_2883000.jpg","/articles/6216588/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Freeport-Council-clears-financing-and-contractor-awards-for-Well-12-water-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216588-c136366fb5ca66591be77081f70243f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160550&Signature=Dkue1eauOvCJn80u20JTOygYfhiTx-gL8~fs~ps5GlF2LWyByiGN-NUCIZsqfk1mXI6UweiQ1gcQnjxRIcKOkgp4xcctlbdtbJscawNaqv15LUM8lQAGv56q2yCvZAZ6PVLFjhUrKoNl-VFdj3rnsvCuIxCgmgKOEcAW4S9viY4nHi7hh6Xnl9xLj10Ah-1i6gBscV03NpYxg~tjPag4zzwTdozCNuqrgUmaDOIalqJGo4aGTJlbv-rADF0XFif9qiAROfA~Jg72hzlAdtA7qeATYIPfSCUv4XspTrNMzANQq09PvnblGW8GtoGt8BTWU~~5s0Tjaz~o6zQOiRvZeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Freeport City Council voted this week to authorize financing and award contracts to build Well 12 — a deep production well, treatment facility and water/sewer connections meant to serve the city’s Low Zone.

City Manager Darren Boyer told the council the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency-required debt ordinance is needed to complete the four-phase project and to secure IEPA State Revolving Fund assistance and other outside funding. “Staff recommends council, pass the debt ordinance so the city can issue the loan,” Boyer said.

The debt ordinance authorizes up to $32 million in debt; staff said the project cost currently is estimated at about $20 million and the larger authorization creates a construction contingency buffer. Council approved the debt ordinance 6–2.

Why it matters: Well 12 is intended to replace aging water infrastructure and remove the city’s reliance on a treatment plant that must be closed for PFAS contamination. City officials said the Low Zone supplies about 65% of Freeport customers, and the IEPA funding package being pursued includes approximately $13.2 million in forgivable or subsidized awards and other outside grant support.

Details and contractor awards: The project was bid in four contracts. Bids the council approved include:
- Contract A (test well): Peerless Well & Pump, $831,960 — approved by council.
- Contract A1 (production well): Peerless Well & Pump, $2,441,650 — approved by council.
- Contract B (well house/site work): IHC Construction, lowest responsive bidder at $21,966,000 — approved by council.
- Contract C (water and sewer mains): Kelsey Excavating, $1,729,906 — approved by council.

Boyer and staff said the total for the well and well house work, together with associated infrastructure, is roughly $26.97 million; staff described available IEPA and federal funding streams that reduce the city’s out‑of‑pocket share. On the bids, Boyer noted prior performance by the recommended firms: IHC had worked on the wastewater treatment plant and Kelsey had completed recent sewer work.

Construction engineering and oversight: Council also approved a construction‑engineering contract with the firm (F R A G R A/Grama as presented by staff) for resident inspection, materials testing and project administration at a not‑to‑exceed amount of $1,750,000. Boyer said close oversight had saved the city money on earlier projects and recommended approval; the resolution passed 6–1.

Public finance and next steps: Council votes on the bids and debt ordinance allow staff to forward documentation to the IEPA for concurrence and to move into contract execution. Staff said construction is expected to take as long as 30 months once work begins. The city will continue to pursue the IEPA State Revolving Fund loan package, federal funding for emerging contaminants, and congressionally directed spending noted by staff.

What remains unsettled: A few council members voted no on some measures citing fiscal caution; members also pressed staff for additional clarity about funding sources and contingency handling during discussion. Staff responded with line‑item figures and said detailed contract documents will be returned with specifications at later procedural steps.

Provenance: Transcript excerpts of the ordinance reading, staff presentation, bid openings and roll‑call votes (Ordinance 20‑25‑35; bids and resolutions for Well 12; construction engineering resolution) were used to compile this article.","The City of Freeport approved a debt ordinance, multiple construction bids and a construction‑engineering contract to build Well 12 and associated treatment and pipeline work; council votes were mostly 6–2 or 6–1 on related items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Freeport accepts county conveyance of five parcels for flood mitigation; council approves demolition contracts

Council approves TIF deal for Culver’s parking expansion; city to pay $10,000 on completion and share tax increment

Freeport adopts 10 shared principles of policing; council and police highlight community programs

Freeport council considers changes to meeting rules, sparking public comment and amendments

Freeport Council clears financing and contractor awards for Well 12 water project