Category Archives: City of Freeport

Freeport City Council Meeting Tonight, July 21, 2014 – Resolution on agenda for Approving Incentives Offered by Stephenson County for Medical Cannabis Facility at Mill Race Crossing – Let’s See the Incentives!

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20140720-204058-74458642.jpgThe meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

1st reading of three ordinances dealing with new Meadows Redevelopment Project (TIF). There will be motion asking that it be laid over until the September 15, 2014 city council meeting.

1st reading of ordinance for purchase of new fire truck ($540,000). Too bad the fire truck will be unable to get to your house since the streets are in horrible condition – especially on the south edge of Freeport!

Resolution authorizing incentives from Stephenson County in form contract relating to Mill Race Crossing intergovernmental agreement for medical cannabis (marijuana for you non-pot heads) growing facility and/or dispensary to this area. What are the incentives? The public and council should see the form contract before approving the incentives contained in the contract. Mayor Gitz says this this resolution does not make any financial obligations on the part of the city. If it does not commit the city, then why is the city’s approval necessary?

Notice from Fire Chief of the emergency purchase of two new stretchers and accessories for price of $28,603.00. If it is an emergency, council approval is not necessary.

For the complete agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140721.pdf

If You Like Country – Enjoy Music on Chicago in Downtown Freeport, Illinois on Friday, July 18 – Featuring Jamie Campbell & The Redneck Romeos

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20140716-081011-29411661.jpg5:30 to 11 pm on Chicago Avenue between Main and Stephenson Street in downtown Freeport. Enjoy Freeport’s historic downtown with this music fest featuring two bands, great food and a beer garden, plus an open air market on Chicago between Stephenson and Exchange from 4 pm to dusk the same night. This concert features “Country in Chicago” with The Eugene Smiles Project at 6:00 pm and Jamie Campbell & The Redneck Romeos at 8:00 pm.

For more info on the Romeos http://www.jamiecampbelltheredneckromeos.com/ and for info on the Smiles Project go to http://www.theeugenesmilesproject.com/

Does the Freeport Mayor Want The Fifth Third Bank Building for His New Home?

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Mayor Gitz said in his weekly column in the Journal Standard on July 13, 2014 that the MetLife Building is too big for city hall, and he does not want it off the tax rolls! Surprise! When did a Mayor of Freeport or the present city council get concerned about taking buildings off the tax rolls. Wake up Freeport! Every TIF in Freeport takes property off the tax rolls. The Fifth Third Bank building, if acquired by the city, will take a property off the tax rolls to the tune of $65,455.94. I guess $65,000 does not count! Just shift more taxes to the homeowner and the few remaining small businesses in Freeport. Oh by the way, before city acquires any more buildings, let’s deal with the existing buildings that it owns. It takes a lot of nerve to talk about buying more buildings when the city cannot even maintain its existing buildings.

It’s Fair Time in Illinois – Be Sure to Attend the 160th Stephenson County Fair in Freeport – The First County Fair in Northwest Illinois!

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The fair began on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through July 13 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, from 8 am to 10 pm.

July 9: Monster Truck Show, 7:30 pm, Free.

July 10: Lucas Oil Midwest Summer Nationals Tractor Pull, 1 pm: Free; 7 pm: $10.

July 11: Lucas Oil Midwest Summer Nationals Tractor Pull, 1 pm: $5; 7 pm: $10.

July 12: Country music artist, Jerrod Niemann. See information at his website at http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com/. His special guest will be Chris Cavanaugh (see http://www.chriscavanaughmusic.com/home). 7:45 pm, Standing room only and track seating: $20; general grandstand seating: $10 through July 6 and $12 after July 6.

July 13: Demolition Derby, 2 pm, $10

For a full schedule of events and activities go to http://www.stephensoncountyfair.org/home.html

TIF, TIF, TIF – That is the Question! Public Hearing at Freeport City Council Meeting Tonight, July 7, 2014 on New Meadows TIF.

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The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

The major item on the agenda is the public hearing on the new Meadows TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) consisting of 173.5 acres. A TIF creates funding for public or private projects by borrowing against the future increase in property tax revenues. Every TIF shifts the tax burden to home owners and small businesses since any increase is property tax revenues will be used to subsidize businesses in the TIF. Freeport has many TIF’s established to help such diverse areas or businesses as downtown Freeport, Walmart and Menards, and Heritage Woods on Pearl City Road. A TIF will only last 23 years, and then they will again start contributing their share of real estate taxes! Freeport has lots of TIF’s.

For the Project Plan and Eligibility Report, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/departments/Freeport%20RPA%20Meadows%20TIF%20Public%20Draft_05-09-14.pdf

Other items on the agenda:

New equipment for the Fire Department:

Approval of bid from Bocker Auto Group for $32,251.31(with trade) for 2015 red Chevrolet Tahoe

Requesting action from the City Council to waive the formal bidding process and approve the purchase of a new PUC fire engine from Pierce Fire Apparatus, Appleton Wisconsin in an amount not to exceed $540,000 financed over a period of 60 months.

Update from Community Development Director on transit phone system. Listing of bid amounts at http://www.cityoffreeport.org/OrdRes/DH%20RPT%20Cell%20Phone%20Quotes%2020140707.pdf

For the complete agenda, go to

Click to access A20140707.pdf

City of Freeport Notified Bond Rating Downgraded on May 16 – Why Wasn’t This Made Public at a Council Meeting?

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The Journal Standard reported on June 29 that the city was notified on May 16 by Standard & Poor’s that it had downgraded the city’s bond rating from A+ to A. This means it will cost the city more to borrow money. Since the city was notified of the bond rating change, there have been three council meetings. The big question is why was this was not discussed at one of these meetings? The Freeport Council must have known of this rating change, and did not feel the citizens of this community were entitled to this information. Obviously, the council must not understand the full ramifications of this rating change. Otherwise, it would have been discussed at council meetings. Alderman Tom Klemm was quoted in the Journal Standard article when describing the condition of Freeport – “We’re still in good shape.” What city is this man living in? This simplistic attitude is part of Freeport’s problem. The present leadership on the city council is totally incapable of comprehending the serious issues facing Freeport. If you don’t understand the issues, how in the world will you be able to address them?

MetLife Will Help You with Your Retirement Planning – In Freeport We Know They Are Experts!

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It’s nice to know that MetLife wants to help us with our retirement. In Freeport it is closing its office forcing hundreds of employees into mandatory retirement. Will, I guess MetLife is an expert on retirement. Just ask those Freeport employees who no longer have jobs. Next time you see an ad for MetLife, think about that empty house next door, or your former friends who were forced to move to find a new job. Freeport will be living proof as to MetLife’s retirement expertise.

Freeport City Council Meets Monday, June 16 – Watch Alderman Shawn Boldt in Action -A Real Leader – That Is a Leader for Higher Taxes!

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At the June 2 Freeport Council meeting there was the first reading of the new Comcast (cable) franchise agreement. As is usual with this Council, there was little constructive discussion except for Alderman Shawn Boldt who wondered if the 5% franchise fee (basically a tax of 5% on your cable bill) could be increased. He was advised that the FCC set the maximum which is 5%. It’s good to know that Alderman Boldt is looking for ways to increase our taxes. He must be auditioning for a job with Governor Quinn and his tax and spend friends in Springfield.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor. If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

Some items of interest on the agenda:

Proclamation of Mayor proclaiming June 19 – 22 Juneteenth Day, read it at http://www.cityoffreeport.org/OrdRes/PROCL%20JUNETEENTH_20140616.pdf

Memo on monthly garbage rate increase starting July 1 from $12.02 to $12.25 per month

2nd reading of Ordinance approving Comcast Franchise Agreement

2nd reading of Ordinance amending Residential Rental Property Regulations

Various Resolutions pertaining to county-wide transportation program to be run by Senior Resource Center in Freeport

Appointment of James Brown, Community Development Director, to the Board of Directors of the Jane Addams Trail Commission and the Pecatonica Prairie Path Commission, with Shaun Gallagher, City Engineer, as an alternate Board member for each Commission.

Acceptance of low bid and Contract for Mill and Overly Program to Civil Constructors, Inc. for $292,567.20

To read the complete agenda, go to http://www.ci.freeport.il.us/citygovernment/Agendas/A20140616.pdf

If You Live in Freeport and Stephenson County, Your 1st Installment of Real Estate Taxes Is Due Friday, June 6. Freeport Rates Up Over 10% in Two Years!

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Don’t let those taxing bodies fool you. Every taxing body in the City of Freeport has increased their tax rates for 2013 led by the Freeport School District which has the capacity by itself to bankrupt this community. The total tax rate for those living in Freeport has increased over 10% in two years, and this is a fact. If this rate increase continues at 5% per year, it would be up 25% in five years. If you work in the private sector, has your income gone up over 10% in last two years? If you are retired without a public pension, has your social security gone up 10% in the last two years? When will the taxpayers in Freeport say enough is enough? The answer is clear – only after it is too late, and we are close to that point.

New Fire Chief as One of His First Acts Submits New Fire Works Ordinance to Freeport City Council – Forget Private Fireworks Displays in Freeport!

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Freeport City Council Meeting Monday, June 2, 2014, 6:00 pm
City Council Chambers at 524 West Stephenson Street, 3rd Floor
If you have Comcast Cable, go to channel 17 to watch live.

Some items of interest on the agenda:

Mayor will give his annual State of City speech.

Life Saving Award for Freeport Police Officers

Resolution Honoring Retiring City Accountant Duane Price

Resolution Honoring Gene Plum for service on Water and Sewer Commission

1st Reading of Ordinance to approve Comcast (cable) Franchise Agreement with City – City gets 5 per cent of gross revenue for Franchise Fee. No wonder City Administration likes high Comcast Fees since they receive more money to spend!

PRIZE ORDINANCE OF THE MONTH!!!
1st Reading of new Fireworks Ordinance. Let’s forget the 4th of July this year and save some money! The requirements of this ordinance will make most private displays impossible unless you have unlimited funds like the City and Freeport School District which can tax their way to compliance! Among pages of requirements for the approval of a display is the requirement that fire protection on site consist of one fire engine and one ambulance. Too bad most of us do not have a private fire department so we can get a fireworks permit. Big brother and big bureaucracy in action. An example of what is wrong with America!!!

Now that Freeport has solved its crime problem with the new rental ordinance, the enlarged police department can devote its attention to fireworks violations!

The mayor when asked by a little girl whether she could have sparklers on the 4th replied – Sure you can – just get a fire engine and ambulance in your back yard!

To read this ordinance and its requirements for a permit go to

Click to access Fireworks%20Ordinance%2020140602.pdf

The complete agenda for the June 2 meeting is available at

Click to access A20140602.pdf