City of Aledo City Council met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of the City of Aledo met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers at the Aledo City Hall building on February 17, 2026. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:24 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, MARIO PAULEY, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, JASON SNYDER, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. Alderman MARK FRIESE was excused.
Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, ADAM BAKER, Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, SCOTT EARL, Parks & Recreation Superintendent, LINDSEY DUNN, Aledo Main Street, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Public Comment: No Report.
Communication & Correspondence: Lindsey Dunn, Aledo Main Street, presented the Aledo Main Street 2025 Annual Report. Highlights include:
• 4-Point Main Street Approach Committees: (Promotions, Design, Economic Vitality, and Organization Committee).
• Volunteers: volunteer hours logged at 1,159 hours equating to over $39,127.84.
• Accomplishments – AMS held four (4) ribbon cuttings; Lease Expense Assistance Program and Signage & Awning grant; collaboration between AMS, Mercer County Better Together and Visit MerCo to create a business resource tool www.MCyellowbrickroad.com; Main Street Moola; Community Connection meetings; Professional Development; and social media stats.
• Events – Ladies on The Loose, Rhubarb Festival (AMS portion), Cinema@ Central, Aledo Antiques Day & Car Show, Harvest Hop, Trunk or Treat, Early Bird Shopping, Shop Small Saturday, Holly Days, and Main Street Farmers Market.
Requests & Petitions: Street Closure: Saucy’s Street Dance, Friday, June 5, 2026 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. along N. College Avenue between Main Street and NE/NW 2nd Street.
Public Works Activity Report: DPW Blaser reported the following:
• Streets: The landscape waste site has been cleaned up and is ready for the 2026 season. Currently trimming trees and removing trees, and patching streets.
• Gas: JULIES; Read meters; start meter & head replacements on Route 1.
• Water: JULIES; prep meters for Route 1 replacement’s, multiple service leaks and sewer lateral investigations.
• Cemetery: Two (2) Funerals occurred. Starting to pick-up flowers.
• DPW: Work consisted of CIP project coordination. Bid advertisements were published for the street division truck, the water division truck, and cemetery mower and due back on February 24. A pre-design meeting was held for the Phase V Downtown project with HDR, the HVAC equipment has been ordered for the cemetery office. OSHA performed a site inspection for the W/S division on 2/12. Minimal violations, and DPW does not expect any citations to be issued. A ZBA hearing was held on 2/12 regarding the minimum dwelling size text amendment.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: Chief Baker reported on Wednesday, February 4, Alderwoman Linda Sarabasa and Chief Baker met with Lawrence Peterson at the Aledo VFW. The site will be used for power outage emergencies where residents with electronic devices needed for healthcare, can plug them in and have a safe place to shelter until Henry County Emergency Management can help with generators or alternate means to help.
Tuesday, February 10, Chief Baker met with members of Mercy One to talk about a program called Senior Life Solutions. They accept referrals from our department regarding senior citizens who need mental health needs. The group helps them get any help they need and have dedicated staff that helps tailor treatment for each participant.
Wednesday, February 11, City Administrator Mike Chausse and Chief Baker attended a disaster drill training at Genesis/Mercy One hospital. Scenarios were added and hospital staff and management worked with the police department to handle critical situations in a training setting.
Thursday, February 12, the trade-in Chevrolet Tahoe was taken to Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield, IL. The radio and Axon camera system will be transferred to the new Ford and it should be ready for pickup in the next week or two.
Mercer County Electric installed new lighting in the garage bays at the Aledo Police Department. The old ballasts had failed and needed replaced. They were replaced with LED lights.
Parks & Recreation Report:
Aledo Park District – Baseball: Registration begins February 23 – Online at the YMCA. Three bids were submitted for Jerseys and Hats – Price down from 2025. Still looking for Concession Manager. New Northside Diamond on schedule. First HS game scheduled for March 16. Opening Day March 28.
Aledo Aquatic Center: YMCA staff and PRS interviewed and hired three lifeguards for YMCA and am active in Aquatic trainings and meetings. PRS to share their “Homebase” scheduling and communication system. Submitted Amenities and Price Comparison Report of 12 aquatic locations within 150 miles. LGI Training March 26.
Mercer County Family YMCA: The Basketball Program continues through March 7. Track & Field registration begins February 23. Program begins March 23. Meet on April 17 at 5:15 pm – Volunteers needed. Completed a 2026 APR/YMCA Youth Sports Calendar for parents.
PRS recently attended a Sports Tourism Expo at Vibrant Arena February 11.
Administrative Report: ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported on an overview of highlights of what the Administrator (and others) have worked on since the last council meeting:
ADMINISTRATOR facilitated and attended various meetings: update on Aquatic Center construction; preparation with Haven regarding the public hearing on February 12; met with Mark Bieri and City Clerk regarding upcoming promotions of the new Aquatic Center; attended Region 2 Disaster Drill at MercyOne Genesis along with Chief Baker; attended the E. Main Street reconstruction engineering meeting; spoke with the recommended alternative waste collection provider, and held numerous meetings with MHT and Haven Creative concerning current waste collection services.
ADMINISTRATOR reported the Secretary of State’s office provided a draft intergovernmental agreement with the City regarding parking for a new driver’s license facility in Aledo. The intergovernmental agreement is being reviewed by legal counsel.
City Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s Reports has been marked exhibit “B”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.
Mayor’s Report: The City has implemented a temporary burn ban effective this afternoon, February 17 due to warmer weather and winds. MAYOR HAGLOCH asked residents and businesses to hold-off on burning until the community gets needed moisture. Plans will be to lift the ban as soon as possible.
MAYOR reported he was approached by two (2) individuals interested in the City supplying a boat-ramp at Sponsler’s Lake. An estimate of $2,500.00 was given to the Mayor to supply a ramp and noted if the individuals could raise those funds. DPW reported boats are allowed as long as they have a trolling motor. Prevailing wage would be required if the City were to complete the project, unless the business owner was the sole owner with no workers.
Committee Report: No Report.
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve the following consent agenda items:
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 02, 2026.
• Approval of Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 12, 2026.
• Approval Finance: Invoice Listing – AP03.
• Approval of Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2026; Amending the City Code of Aledo, Illinois to Repeal Title 3 Chapter 6 (Foreign Fire Insurance Companies Tax). (Second Reading)
• Approval of Ordinance No. 08, Series of 2026; Approving the Sale of Part of Lot 18 in Sponsler Manor (Tract A) in the amount of $780.00. (Second Reading)
• Approval of Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2026; Approving the Sale of Part of Lot 18 in Sponsler Manor (Tract B) in the amount of $780.00. (Second Reading)
• Approval of a Street Closure: Saucy’s Street Dance, June 5, 2026 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight).
• Approval with Regret the Resignation of Philip Pieper, Sergeant, Aledo Police Department effective June 26, 2026.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Cooper, Dixon, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.
ACTION ITEM:
ORDINANCE NO. 10, SERIES OF 2026; AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5 OF THE CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING MINIMUM DWELLING SIZE IN THE R-2 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT: (FIRST READING)
The City of Aledo desires to amend the City Code Title 10, Chapter 5 Zoning Regulations, R-2 Residential District to decrease the minimum dwelling size of dwellings constructed in R-2 Residential Districts to accommodate the construction of affordable housing in the City.
10-5-3: DWELLING SIZE
One-story dwellings shall be constructed with not less than seven six hundred fifty (750650) square feet or floor area. Dwellings with two (2) or more stories shall be constructed with not less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet of floor area.
A second reading to be held on Monday, March 02, 2026 at 6:15 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
ORDINANCE NO. 11, SERIES OF 2026; UPDATING CITY CODE PROVISIONS REGARDING UTILITY RECONNECTION FEES: (FIRST READING)
Title 8, Chapter 6, Section 8(D) of the Aledo City Code entitled “Water and Sewer Rates” is amended as follows (additions are indicated by bold/underline and deletions by strikeout):
(D) If the charges for water and sewerage service, or either of them, are not paid within thirty (30) days after the rendition of the bill for such services, then the water service shall be discontinued without further notice until all past due bills for either utility service are paid in full, together with payment of a fee pursuant to title 13, “Schedule Of Fees”, of this Code.
Provided that payment in full is made prior to 4:00pm on the last business day of the week, the City will reconnect water service within 24 hours of request at the weekday rate set forth in Title 13 “Schedule Of Fees” of this Code.
If a customer requests reconnection after 4:00pm on the last business day of the week, the City will reconnect water service within 24 hours of request at the weekend rate set forth in Title 13 “Schedule of Fees” of this Code, or at the customer’s election, the City will reconnect water service on the next business day at the weekday rate.
Section 3. Title 8, Chapter 13, Section 12 of the Aledo City Code with respect to the City’s natural gas system is amended as follows (additions are indicated by bold/underline and deletions by strikeout):
8-13-12: SERVICE DISCONTINUED; RENEWAL:
The City reserves the right to discontinue gas service to any premises on account of nonpayment of any charges, or where the owner or tenant of such premises has been found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Where such service is discontinued and the gas is shut off or stopped, whether by the City or at the request of the property owner, the gas shall not again be turned on or supplied to such premises until all such delinquent charges due the City have been paid and there is no existing default or violation of any of the provisions of the several sections of this chapter. A written application shall be filed with the Clerk for the renewal of such service, which application shall be accompanied by a fee pursuant to title 13, “Schedule Of Fees”, of this Code to pay for the shutting off and turning on of the gas service.
Provided that payment in full is made prior to 4:00pm on the last business day of the week, the City will reconnect gas service within 24 hours of request at the weekday rate set forth in Title 13 “Schedule Of Fees” of this Code.
If a customer requests reconnection after 4:00pm on the last business day of the week, the City will reconnect gas service within 24 hours of request at the weekend rate set forth in Title 13 “Schedule of Fees” of this Code, or at the customer’s election, the City will reconnect gas service on the next business day at the weekday rate.
No customer shall be permitted to use the stopcock of the service connection for shutting off gas while making extensions, additions, or repairs to the pipe or equipment on the premises. Such shutoff or discontinuance or interruption of service will be made only by the City or its properly authorized employees.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN WEEKS and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2026; Updating City Code Provisions regarding Utility Reconnection Fees. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Dixon, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN WEEKS and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to adopt Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2026; Updating City Code Provisions regarding Utility Reconnection Fees as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
ORDINANCE NO. 12, SERIES OF 2026; APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND TYRONE T. CUTKOMP: (FIRST READING)
On December 1, 2025, the City and Developer entered into a Redevelopment Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), wherein the City agreed to extend incentives to provide reimbursement of certain TIF eligible project costs for property located at 112 S. College Ave., Aledo, Illinois (the “Property”).
Section A(3) of the Original Agreement is hereby amended by replacing it, in its entirety, with the following:
The Developer shall complete the Project on or before May 1, 2026.
The full Loan amount of up to $22,604.47 shall be paid to the Developer from the TIF District Special Tax Allocation Fund on or before May 1, 2026, or upon verification of the Developer’s TIF Eligible Project Costs pursuant to Section E of the agreement, whichever occurs first. Any costs submitted after that date shall not be eligible for reimbursement hereunder.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN PAULEY and seconded by ALDERMAN SNYDER to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2026; Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a First Amendment to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois and
Tyrone T. Cutkomp. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon and Pauley. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN SNYDER and seconded by ALDERMAN PAULEY to adopt Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2026; Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a First Amendment to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois and Tyrone T. Cutkomp. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, Pauley and Ruh. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 13R, SERIES OF 2026; APPROVING PURCHASE OF TWINKLY PRO BRANCH TREE IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,725.25:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to approve Resolution No. 13R, Series of 2026; Approving Purchase of a 28’ Twinkly Pro Branch Tree and 4’ Sil 3D Snowburst Tree Topper from Holiday Outdoor Décor, P.O. Box 4365, Bethlehem, PA 18018, in the amount of $47,725.25. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, Ruh, and Sarabasa. NO: Pauley. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 1 nay.
OLD BUSINESS: ALD. Sarabasa requested an update regarding the Northside Lofts project. DPW Blaser reported the HVAC is having to be re-bid and currently in that process. DPW estimated the earliest that construction would begin could be in March, 2026.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the potential subdivision for property near the end of east main street. DPW reported the developer is waiting on the City Council to pass the ordinance regarding the minimum dwelling size decreased to 650 feet. After the passage of that ordinance the developer has noted of plans to proceed with the new development.
NEW BUSINESS: ALD. Cooper requested the City Council consider eliminating the consent agenda from the City Code. CITY ATTORNEY Walton reported consent agendas are optional and not required to have in the code, but described as a convenience tool for Council while conducting business at meetings.
ALD. Pauley noted it is uncomfortable at times to take an item off the agenda if they should have a question.
ALD. Sarabasa made a statement that the CITY COUNCIL could categorize what is listed on the consent agenda. CITY ATTORNEY confirmed that type of amendment could be accomplished in the ordinance.
ALD. Sarabasa also stated if an item is removed from the consent agenda for questions or left as an action item where questions are asked, that both a consent agenda or an action item provide opportunity for questions.
CITY Staff reported the consent agenda does prioritize items non-controversial and a tool to move the meeting along. City staffed also noted any item listed on the consent agenda is able to be removed from the consent agenda at any time and voted on separately. This way, the CITY COUNCIL has every opportunity to ask questions before a vote is taken.
There being no further discussion, the consent agenda is noted to remain a part of the Code of Ordinances.
CLOSED SESSION:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN PAULEY to adjourn to closed session to discuss:
A. Pending Litigation Section 2(c)(11) Open Meetings Act.
A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Snyder. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays. The meeting was recessed to closed session at 6:48 P.M.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
Council reconvened in open session at 7:08 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following answering present: ALDERMEN COOPER, DIXON, PAULEY, RUH, SARABASA, SNYDER, and WEEKS, as well as, MAYOR HAGLOCH, ADMINISTRATOR CHAUSSE, DPW BLASER, and CITY CLERK DALE.
RESOLUTION NO. 14R, SERIES OF 2026; APPROVING THE TERMINATION OF CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO AND LAKESHORE RECYCLING SERVICES:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN PAULEY and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to table the item Resolution No. 14R, Series of 2026; Approving the Termination of Contract between the City of Aledo and Lakeshore Recycling Services. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Cooper, Dixon, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02172026-494
