City of Aledo Committee of the Whole met Aug. 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The City Council of the City of Aledo met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of the City Hall building on August 05, 2019. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen ILA BERTRAND, TERRY BEWLEY, MICHAEL CHAUSSE, BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, JIM HOLMES, CHRIS KOPP, and LINDA SARABASA. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH.
Also present were CHRIS SULLIVAN, Interim Administrator / Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.
An attendance sheet has been marked Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. The media was represented by Cala Smoldt, Aledo Times Record & Rock Island Argus, and Jim Taylor, WRMJ.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Daren Dietmeier, Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Appearances: No Report.
Communication & Correspondence: No Report. Requests & Petitions: No Report.
Public Works Activity Report:
Streets: repair of various streets utilizing the patch machine; clean-up of landscape waste site; stump and tree removal; and storm sewer repair.
Water: JULIE’s; repair of three (3) water leaks.
Gas: JULIE’s; assisted water division on water leak repairs; completed the MCHS valve repair and service relocations; relocate two (2) gas services; ICC Annual Audit to be completed in fall, 2019.
Cemetery: Three (3) funerals occurred. Mowing and weed eating.
DPW: Phase VI project in downtown area is complete; City Hall Interior Renovation Project substantial completion set for August 14th; SW 9th Street Water Main project will be completed this week; met with Hutchison Engineering Inc. and the Park District to review the new baseball field plans; the SE 8th Avenue Multi-Use Path engineering is on schedule, the City will host an open house to review the project on August 26th from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Aledo Fire Station; Water main break on the 100 block of S. College Avenue was repaired with a small boil order issued for three (3) blocks of College Avenue and lifted within 18 hours. Property Maintenance Code violations / checks & building permits also issued.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Sullivan reported applications for the position of police officer will continue to be accepted until August 16, 2019 at the close of business. To date, the department has received two (2) applications. If enough candidates are received to give a POST examination, the exam will be scheduled for Saturday, August 31, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
One candidate was hired immediately who currently works in law enforcement. He will begin his basic police officer academy training on August 18, 2019. Aledo PD was able to enroll him in the last available slot on the last day to apply for the August class. The next available slots in academy classes will be in January of 2020.
The City received notice from the Illinois Labor Relations Board of the revocation of the prior certification of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, AFL-CIO bargaining unit representing full-time police officers employed by the City of Aledo, Illinois. The bargaining unit was originally certified by the Board in Case No. S-UC-08- 392. The police officers are now regular full-time employees of the City.
The Union failed to negotiate on behalf of the police officers for almost two (2) full years; consequently, they had not received the raises given to all other City employees. City staff is currently working to resolve this issue. CHIEF will be meeting with the officers to discuss a number of issues relating to the terms and conditions of employment, which they brought to his attention and was unable to address due to their Union representation.
Retired Officer John “Rex” Dixon passed away and his funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 9th. The Department will be attending the showing and funeral service as a group. Sheriff Terrill will also join Aledo PD to show support for the family. Officer Dixon served the community as a police officer for thirty (30) years.
Administration Report: CITY CLERK Dale reported on utility billing and payroll information for the month of July, 2019. CITY CLERK reported the Aledo Park District held a special meeting on July 24th to discuss an application to DNR regarding the OSLAD Grant to be submitted on August 19th. The intent was to assist in the development of the Northside Ball Diamond expansion project and to compliment the Looser-Flake Grant received in fall, 2018. After review, the Aledo Park District decided to postpone application until the next round. Bi-State Regional Commission anticipates the next round to be in 2020.
The first (1st) installment of property tax distribution was received from Mercer County on August 5th. The Aledo Park District distribution was also received by the City to manage as well.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR HAGLOCH reported the City recently interviewed three (3) candidates for the position of City Administrator and to negotiate a contract with a tentative candidate selected by the selection committee. MAYOR reported he recently met with 353 Court, LLC, Darius Bryjka of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and WJ Albertson to discuss historic preservation tax credits.
Committee Report: ALD. Holmes reported the Water, Sewer & Storm Drain Committee met on July 29th to review the applications for the position of water superintendent and water/wastewater worker positions. After those reviews, the Committee noted the City will also review alternatives for the operation of the water system. Also, the Committee received a request submitted by Ryan Maynard regarding annexation of property. MAYOR to address the requests presented to the Committee with Mr. Maynard at a later date.
ALD. Kopp reported the Finance Committee met on July 31st to review a request for city sponsorship submitted by Mercer County Senior Center. The Committee made a recommendation to approve the request in the amount of $2,000 and forward to the City Council for final approval.
ALD. Sarabasa reported the TIF Committee met on July 31st to review the downtown programs and structures of those programs submitted by 353 Court, LLC. The programs were recommended for approval and forwarded onto the City Council for final approval.
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
ACTION ITEMS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve the meeting minutes of July 15, 2019 as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, and Sarabasa. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Cooper. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
FINANCE: INVOICE LIST:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER that the Invoice Listing, less the Lory Young item on page one (1), which has been marked Exhibit “B”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes, be authorized and checks issued. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, and Bertrand. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE that the Lory Young item on page one (1) of the Invoice Listing, which has been marked Exhibit “B”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes, be authorized and check issued. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Chausse, Dixon, Holmes, Bertrand, and Bewley. NO: Cooper, Kopp, and Sarabasa. Motion carried. 5 yeas, 3 nays.
ORDINANCE NO. 40, SERIES OF 2019; AN AMENDED ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF PROPERTY TO TWIN STATE, INC.: (FIRST READING)
Ordinance 37, Series of 2019; Approved the Sale of Property to Twin State Inc. after having re-advertised the property for sale. Twin State Inc. purchased the property in the amount of $100 with no TIF Redevelopment Agreement being involved. Both ordinances were finalized by Council on June 17th, 2019.
City Attorney Walton informed City Staff in July that Twin State Inc. attorney, Terry Giebelstein of Lane & Waterman, LLP, requested the ordinance be further amended due to language regarding the TIF Act (within the ordinance) even though the purchase agreement was no longer a TIF Redevelopment Agreement. After some discussions, Tinsman’s company—Twin State Inc.— signed the original version of the contract as our attorney had proposed it, where they have one (1) year to commence construction subject to reasonable extensions if they are proceeding diligently. Their attorney continues to request the City adopt a revised version of the ordinance to eliminate references to the TIF statute due to the Prevailing Wage Act.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 40, Series of 2019; An Amended Ordinance Approving the Sale of Property to Twin State Inc. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, and Chausse. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to adopt Ordinance No. 40, Series of 2019; An Amended Ordinance Approving the Sale of Property to Twin State Inc. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 24R, SERIES OF 2019; APPOINTMENT OF THE ALEDO CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY BOARD:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve Resolution No. 24R, Series of 2019; Appointment of the Aledo Civic Center Authority Board. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 25R, SERIES OF 2019; APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN ALEDO REVITILIZATION PROGRAM GUIDE – 2020:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 25R, Series of 2019; Approving the Downtown Aledo Revitalization Program Guide – 2020; and, the City of Aledo, subject to availability of funds and approval of specific projects, implement the downtown revitalization program as set forth in the program guide. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, and Holmes. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
MOTION APPROVING CITY SPONSORSHIP – MERCER COUNTY SENIOR CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve city sponsorship to Mercer County Senior Center, 137 W. Main St, Aledo, Il., in the amount of $2,000. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, and Kopp. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
MOTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT AND HIRING OF NICHOLAS THORNDIKE TO THE POSITION OF FULL-TIME ALEDO POLICE OFFICER:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to approve the appointment and hiring of Nicholas Thorndike to the position of full-time Aledo Police Officer effective August 19, 2019. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Holmes, Kopp, and Sarabasa. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Dixon. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: A Gas Committee meeting to be scheduled at the 8/19/19 regular City Council meeting.
OLD BUSINESS: No Report.
NEW BUSINESS: ALD. Sarabasa reported Debbie Retherford, The Headquarters, 105 SE 2nd Street, Aledo, Il., is looking to install a handicap accessible ramp. MAYOR Hagloch reported SE 2nd Street is part of the Phase VII Downtown Street & Sidewalk Replacement project plan but is not currently budgeted. The item has been discussed in-past years to be repaired utilizing TIF dollars but future phases are on hold as the City works with 353 Court, LLC on downtown revitalization projects. 353 Court, LLC to visit with Retherford to review her project.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:03 P.M.
https://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08052019-191
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