Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Oct. 7.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Aledo met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of the City Hall building on October 07, 2019. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:58 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, City 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 John Hoscheidt, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The meeting was opened in prayer by ALD. Chausse.

Appearances: Darin Houchin, Utility Gas Management – Review of Gas Study:

UGM presented the following conclusions based on their review of the City of Aledo’s current gas utility rates and rate structure:

UGM reported the current rate structure is highly susceptible to variances in gas commodity and transportation costs leading to unpredictable utility operating margin. The current rates have yielded negative utility returns in two of the past three years. Expense reports for the utility for 2015-2018 show that the utility is not being assessed anything for billing, collection or administration costs and that other sources of municipal revenue are covering those costs. The current rate structure does not allow the utility to recover the true cost of providing service to customers with little to no usage. The combination of current rates and the current cost of gas commodity and transportation leave the utility in a position where any extraordinary expense for infrastructure repair, replacement or system expansion will necessarily be funded by a shrinking enterprise fund.

UGM made the following recommendations:

The utility should implement a rate structure that allows for automatic adjustments in the cost of gas commodity and transportation. The utility should begin assessing a facility charge to all customers receiving gas service. The utility should increase the amount of revenue it derives from the gas utility net of gas commodity and transportation costs. The City should revise its ordinance to reflect the new rate structure and associated rates. The table in Section 7 shows two possible rate combinations that achieve the targeted revenue requirement in a year where temperatures are normal. Line 1 would be less temperature sensitive than Line 2 and therefore result in more predictable revenues, however, gas service customers with little or no usage would experience a more noticeable increase in their bills.

Consider looking at the creation of an additional rate class or classes in the future for commercial or high-volume users in the future if there are concerns about customer class subsidization. Consistently performing meter reading as close to the beginning or end of the month vs the middle of the month will help with levelling rates and aid in studying when/why lost and unaccounted for volumes occur. Ameren rates included for comparison purposes only.

A Gas Committee meeting to be scheduled to review further how best the City should move forward with the gas rate study presentation. Additional information has been requested by the City Council and will be reported back to the Committee.

Communication & Correspondence: No Report. Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report:

 Streets: Daily checks, task and work orders. Mowing continues. Preparation for Oktoberfest and clean-up; curb & gutter sidewalk repair; assist the Cemetery division with a funeral; and completed line striping.

 Water: JULIE’s; finals. Have been experiencing communication failures at WTP for last three (3) weeks with Frontier Communications the cause of the failures. DPW asking Britton to complete proposal to switch to the radio communication system, and eliminate Frontier. Proposal to go before Council on 10/21.

 Gas: JULIE’s, daily checks, inspections and finals. Assisted the W/S Division with multiple work orders/inspections/daily activities, etc; relocate two residential gas meters; install meter set; repair one meter set; investigate two leaks.

 Cemetery: two (2) funerals occurred. Mowing and weed eating.

 DPW: Budget meetings with all Divisions; building inspections; maintenance code violations; attended class on the updated Illinois Accessibility Code presented by the Capital Development Board. 20 volunteers attended the training and performed the inventory of trees at all city property, parks, and school grounds recently. DPW looking to continue the program in 2020. Viola Home Telephone is installing fiber in the NW quadrant of Aledo. This install is one of the main lines that will serve that section of town and will terminate at Genesis Medical Center.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF reported the department has tentatively reached an agreement with Mercer County for the use of the animal control facility and for animal control services for the 2020 calendar year. The City’s financial obligation under the agreement will remain the same as it has been for the previous five (5) years. The total annual cost will be $14,414.40 again this coming year.

Officer Jackie Brown graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy on September 21st. SWIC is located in Belleville, IL. He scored above the class average on all of his tests, assignments, and training activities. Brown has completed his field training and has started working regular patrol duties. On September 25th, the Department received notification Officer Brown had successfully passed his certification examination, which is administered by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

The Department anticipates the new surveillance camera system will be online in the very near future. The system includes a video and audio recording system for the interview room. This will allow the Department to comply with Illinois statutes requiring the recording of certain typ0es of interviews, as well as interviews of juveniles suspected of committing particular types of crimes. There have been a number of issues related to the installation of the system resulting in some changes to the original purchase agreement. Those will be discussed in detail once we receive an updated invoice and the work is substantially completed.

Administration Report: CITY CLERK Dale reported the utility billing and payroll information for the month of September, 2019. Quarterly reports for the third (3rd) quarter 2019 were also submitted regarding sales tax and building permits.

The City received the BCBSIL renewal effective December 1, 2019 the end of September. Administrator/Chief Sullivan & Clerk Dale participated in the renewal conference call this week with Kelly Petersen & Nicole Hernandez, HUB International to review the changes for the upcoming coverage year. The renewal came in at +3.25% increase this year. This is drastically low compared to the prior few years. BCBSIL was roughly increasing our rates in a range of 14% - 24% in years past. The City will need to finalize and sign the renewal by October 31, 2019.

Are you an Entrepreneur? Workshop: Here is a recap from those who attended Week(s) 2 - 4 of the “Are You an Entrepreneur Course”.

Week 2:

 Tools, Technology, and Training: Constantly be observing these three aspects of your business. What tools do I need? Is there any technology that will benefit me? Am I missing any training to be successful?

 Get Paid!: When putting together your business plan be sure to factor in wages for yourself and the people working for you. If a business depends on free labor of any kind it is not sustainable.

 Get to a Yes or No: Probably and maybe are your worst enemies. Don't take yourself on off the field before the game even starts. If someone asks you, "are you bankable?" Don't say "probably not". Go to the bank and find out that you are or the path it takes to get there.

Week 3:

 Consciously & Constantly Creating Customer Experience: Few people nail this concept and we believe that it is one of the most important business practices to be successful long term. The devil is in the details and consistency is the key.

 Know Your Product (or your service): Whether it is a burger, piece of furniture, or massage therapy we need to deeply understand what we are offering and be able to articulate it well to our customers. For example: is the meat from the burger grass fed or harvested locally, is the piece of furniture quarter sawn white oak or real leather, what muscle needs to be massaged to relieve shoulder pain?

 Be Open to Learning: As entrepreneurs we are never done learning how to be better business owners.

Week 4:

 Consciously & Constantly Creating Customer Experience: Few people nail this concept and we believe that it is one of the most important business practices to be successful long term. The devil is in the details and consistency is the key.

 Know Your Product (or your service): Whether it is a burger, piece of furniture, or massage therapy we need to deeply understand what we are offering and be able to articulate it well to our customers. For example: is the meat from the burger grass fed or harvested locally, is the piece of furniture quarter sawn white oak or real leather, what muscle needs to be massaged to relieve shoulder pain?

 Be Open to Learning: As entrepreneurs we are never done learning how to be better business owners.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR HAGLOCH read a proclamation proclaiming Thursday, October 31st as Trick or Treat hours within Aledo between the hours of 5:30 o’clock p.m. and 7:30 o’clock p.m.

MAYOR reminded the City Council the Fall/Winter Bulletin was published and sent to Aledo residents. Within the bulletin, an article was included notifying Aledo residents that Fall Cleanup Days will be the week of October 21st and to have all items curbside this year by 4:00 a.m.

Budget sessions to be held Tuesday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Committee Report: No Report.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to approve the meeting minutes of September 16, 2019 as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, and Kopp. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Bewley and Sarabasa. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 2 abstentions.

FINANCE: INVOICE LIST:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA that the Invoice Listing, 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 42; SERIES OF 2019, CREATING A FIFTH CLASS “C” LIQUOR LICENSE WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ALEDO: (FIRST READING)

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to waive the 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 42; Series of 2019, Creating a fifth Class “C” Liquor License within the Corporate Limits of the City of Aledo. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, and Bewley. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 42; Series of 2019, Creating a fifth Class “C” Liquor License within the Corporate Limits of the City of Aledo 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.

RESOLUTION NO. 31R; SERIES OF 2019, A RESOLUTION RESCINDING IDOT MOTOR FUEL TAX FUND RESOLUTION:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 31R; Series of 2019, A Resolution Rescinding IDOT Motor Fuel Tax Fund Resolution. (Resolution No. 17R, Series of 2019 is hereby rescinded). 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. 32R; SERIES OF 2019, APPROVING A RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to approve Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2019; Approving a Resolution for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code in the amount of $190,000.00, for roadway/street improvements located on SW 5th Street from SW 3rd Avenue to SW 8th Avenue & SW 5th Avenue from SW 5th Street to SW 6th Street. 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.

MOTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO AND MERCER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve an agreement between the City of Aledo and Mercer County Animal Control for the use of the County Animal Control Facility in the amount of $14,414.40 effective January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020. 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.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: A Gas Committee meeting noted to be scheduled at a later date.

OLD BUSINESS: No Report.

NEW BUSINESS: No Report.

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 7:09 P.M.

https://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072019-202