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Freeport Council approves multiple ordinances and awards $948,714 bid for downtown lot; engineering contract sparks debate
Summary
The council adopted zoning and utility ordinances, approved equipment purchases and awarded a $948,714 bid for downtown municipal-lot reconstruction; a $95,000 engineering contract and use of downtown TIF funds prompted questions about council briefing and priorities.
Freeport City Council adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions and awarded the contract to rebuild the municipal parking lot and alley behind the police station.
Council approved second readings of several ordinances, including a $40 credit incentive for residents who participate in lead/copper sampling as part of a lead service-line replacement grant application; a Good Neighbor Policy adding penalties for vacation-rental violations; zoning changes to allow contractors’ offices in B1 and B2 business districts; and permitting residential units above the ground floor in the Central Business District. Those ordinances passed by 8-0 (lead-sampling incentive) or 6-2 where noted (vacation-rental and two zoning changes, with Aldermen Stacy and Sanders voting no).
On capital and procurement items, the council adopted resolutions to purchase and upfit four police vehicles from Stivers Ford, buy two dump bodies for hook-lift trucks from Bonnell Industries ($98,717.84), and to continue lab testing services with PACE Analytical for water/wastewater sampling. The council also approved buying a paving compactor (roller) for about $81,000 and awarded janitorial and elevator maintenance contracts (KNOP Cleaning Services, $9,000; Shoemaker Elevator, $2,200/year).
The most contested item was the agreement for construction engineering and oversight for the municipal-lot reconstruction. Manager Boyer told the council staff recommended Ferrier/Fairgram to provide construction engineering services and estimated the engineering contract at about $95,000. Alderman Stacy and Alderman Sanders urged more time for analysis and questioned spending priorities; Alderman Johnson and other members said the project had been discussed previously and that bids came in significantly lower than expected. The engineering contract and subsequent low bid award to Helm for $948,714 (funded largely by downtown TIF) were both approved; the engineering resolution passed 6-2.
Council recorded finance bills payable totaling $2,515,413.09 and payroll totaling $610,616.81 under the consent agenda, which passed 8-0.
The council’s next full meeting will be Feb. 17, 2026.
Votes at a glance: lead/copper sampling credit ordinance — passed 8-0; vacation-rental penalties (Good Neighbor Policy) — passed 6-2 (Stacy, Sanders no); contractor office zoning — passed 6-2 (Stacy, Sanders no); CBD residential upper floors — passed 6-2 (Stacy, Sanders no); municipal-lot engineering agreement — approved 6-2 (Stacy, Sanders no); municipal-lot reconstruction bid (Helm) — approved 6-2.
