08-19-24 City Council Highlights

$400,000 GRANT TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON FREEPORT STREETS AND OTHER COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

FREEPORT, IL — Highlights from the August 19, 2024 Freeport City Council meeting include the acceptance of a $400,000 grant to help make Freeport streets safer and more.

Safe Streets $400,000 Grant to go Toward Accident-Prone Intersections

City staff was recently notified of a $400,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant which City Council approved Monday night. This grant will allow the City of Freeport to hire consultants to create a plan to increase transportation safety throughout the City while also prioritizing underserved census tracts which include specific intersections: Stephenson St. and Park Blvd., Stephenson St. and Greenfield Dr., Walnut St. to Float St. on South St., Walnut St. and Empire Ave., all 12 City school crossing lights, and hotspots on West Ave., Clark St., and Douglas Ave.

For a map of accident hotspots in Freeport, click here.

In order to receive the $400,000 grant, the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration requires the City to utilize $100,000 in local funds.

City to now Require Permits for All Driveway Projects

Council also approved the amending of Chapter 1262 of the Codified Ordinances to allow the City more jurisdiction over the quality of driveways within the community. City staff have responded to issues of driveway projects negatively affecting the City Right of Way.

The amendment will enforce that residents acquire a permit when working on driveways, no matter the project cost. These permits will be 1% of the entire project cost.

Other News

Police Chief Chris Shenberger addressed the Council regarding recent gun violence and said, “As detectives gather information, we want to reiterate that this act of gun violence is an ongoing investigation.”

“We are extremely upset at the tragedy that occurred this weekend. As our community has made obvious before, gun violence is never okay. We share our deepest condolences with the friends and family of the victim,” said Mayor Jodi Miller.

More information about these topics and more can be found in the City Council meeting packet, viewable here: LINK TO AGENDA