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Freeport council approves several ordinances and resolutions on consent and final readings; transportation and utility projects advance
Summary
Council approved routine consent items and a series of ordinances and resolutions including the official zoning map, disposal of surplus city property, transit vehicle leases, hangar leases, grants and contracts for transit and utilities, and bids for lead service line replacement and vehicle camera systems.
Freeport City Council moved a slate of consent and final actions on city business, approving ordinances and resolutions on zoning, surplus equipment, transit vehicles and several utility and grant‑funded projects.
On final readings and votes the council approved the annual Ordinance adopting the official zoning map (Ordinance 2025‑14) by unanimous vote and passed an ordinance authorizing disposal/recycling/donation of city property (Ordinance 2025‑15) after a successful suspension and final roll call. Council also adopted an ordinance to amend vehicle lease agreements for the Pretzel City Area Transit (Ordinance 2025‑20) after a successful suspension‑and‑final vote; staff said the action lets the city accept three vehicles from the Illinois Department of Transportation for local transit service.
Other approvals included: a variance for Madonna Renewal Center’s large sign at 1209 S. Wallen Avenue (Ordinance 2025‑21) after zoning board and planning commission recommendations; several hangar lease ordinances for Albertus Airport; and multiple resolutions to support transit and public safety. The council adopted a resolution ratifying an agreement with United Diagnostic Services to provide firefighter health and safety screenings ($14,625), and two related transit resolutions authorizing federal grant applications and accepting the special warranty for public transportation funding for Pretzel City Area Transit.
On infrastructure and procurement matters the council approved contracting or bid awards that advance multi‑year work: a $2,525,000 low‑bid award to 5 Star Energy Services LLC for Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 4 (IEPA‑funded, reimbursable project), and approval of the low bid from AngelTrax to install camera systems on Pretzel City transit vehicles. The council also authorized engineering design agreements for lift station rehabilitation and emergency generator capacity with Fairgram (design fee ~ $125,025) and approved a Fairgram agreement for EV charger station design (approximately $90,307); staff said EV charger grant funding is available and designs must proceed this year to qualify for state interconnect grants.
Other adopted resolutions and approvals included an agreement to join the state joint rock salt purchase program (motor fuel tax resolution), emergency repair ratification for a wastewater blower, purchase of streetlight fixtures under ComEd grant support, and airport fuel system payment upgrades. Several items on the agenda were approved after suspension of the rules; suspension votes are noted in the council minutes for each item.
Votes at a glance (selected final outcomes recorded at this meeting): - Ordinance 2025‑14, Official Zoning Map — adopted, vote 8–0. - Ordinance 2025‑15, Sale/recycling/disposal of city property — adopted, vote 8–0 (suspension passed 7–1). - Ordinance 2025‑20, Amendment to vehicle lease agreement for Pretzel City Area Transit (acceptance of three vehicles) — adopted, suspension passed 7–1; final passage unanimous. - Ordinance 2025‑21, Variance for Madonna Renewal Center sign — adopted (final vote recorded 6–1–1 with one abstention). - Hangar lease ordinances (several hangars) — adopted, 7–0 (one member absent) on suspension; final vote recorded as adopted. - Resolution ratifying agreement with United Diagnostic Services for firefighter screenings — adopted, vote 8–0. - Resolutions authorizing federal 5311 grant application and accepting special warranty for Pretzel City Area Transit — both adopted, vote 8–0. - Bid award: Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 4 to 5 Star Energy Services LLC — low bid accepted ($2,525,000), motion passed 8–0; project to be funded with IEPA forgivable loan funds. - Bid award: Vehicle camera installation (Pretzel City transit buses) to AngelTrax — low bid accepted; motion passed 8–0. - Resolution approving EV charger design agreement (Fairgram) — adopted, vote 8–0; staff said the project is tied to a $320,000 state grant and design must proceed this year.
Council packet materials show additional items acted on by the council during the meeting, including routine board minutes, payroll and bills payable on the consent agenda, and several appointments and reappointments that received council approval. Where the council voted to suspend rules for immediate final passage, the meeting record lists the suspension roll call and the final outcome.
