Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement Demolition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council ratifies emergency demolition at 402–404 E. Shawnee after fire concerns; mayors tie-breaking vote draws conflict allegation
Summary
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.
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.
