City of Aledo Committee of the Whole met Oct. 21.
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 October 21, 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 Pastor Daren Dietmeier, Trinity Presbyterian Church.
CHIEF Sullivan introduced Officer Troy Brock to the City Council. Ofc. Brock is the newest City of Aledo Police Officer in the department.
CITY CLERK Dale administered the oath of office to newly appointed part-time Police Officer, Rodney Taylor.
Appearances: Roger Goodson, Field Services & Production, Illinois American Water Association, appeared before the Committee of the Whole providing an overview of ILAW’s abilities and benefits to the community. While introducing ILAW, Goodson reported the company has more than 140 years of experience. Water & Wastewater service to over 1.3 million residents in more than 130 communities. ILAW has over 340,000 water and wastewater customers. ILAW notes, they have award-winning operations in large metro areas and small rural communities.
Highlights regarding benefits to the community were voiced as:
Eliminate operational / compliance responsibility
Fund future capital investment requirements and correcting existing deficiencies.
Payment options & arrangements
Potential for net proceeds to fund City priorities
Potential to eliminate City’s liabilities
Fund police & fire pensions
Collect property taxes, franchise fees
Long-term rate stability
Economic development
Community partnerships
ILAW noted their commitment to new development which would include: no connection fees; developer refunds / contributions; annexation and development control.
ILAW reported viable option(s) for the City to consider regarding the sale of the water/wastewater services would be: long-term rate stability; community partner; expertise and resources to address compliance mandates; financial benefits and long- term solutions for Aledo; effective utility management and regulatory compliance; focus on customer service; and local presence with access to national resources.
Review of regulated rate-setting process: Goodson reported the base rates do not change unless approved by ICC. ICC would conduct an audit of the expenses incurred and system improvements made. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a balanced outcome for customers and the utility with an open and transparent process, with many opportunities for public input. ILAW noted the customers have a bill of rights and customer complaints are reviewed by ICC. There was a 20-year water bill average annual increase of 4.14% versus water & sewer maintenance CPI of 4.74% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Communication & Correspondence: No Report.
Requests & Petitions: Special Event / Parade: Veterans Day Parade, Mercer County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1571, to be held November 11th, 2019 beginning at 10:45 o’clock a.m.
Public Works Activity Report:
Streets: patch machine and cleaning of equipment and facilities.
Water: JULIE’s; rebuild of the pressure reducing valve at well #4; re-programing filter to waste valve at WTP.
Gas: JULIE’s, install gas service; multiple gas and water turn-ons / offs; leak survey; repair one service leak; and attended plumbing class.
Cemetery: Two (2) funerals occurred. Mowing and weed-eating continue.
DPW: administrative budget meetings; assisted water/wastewater division; PW garage floor install has begun; and four (4) property maintenance code violations issued.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Sullivan reported the Homecoming Parade was held on October 3rd. A large crowd gathered in the downtown area for the event and there we no safety-related or police-related problems. Following the event several people expressed concern about allowing vehicles along both sides of the 100 block of East and West Main.
Administration Report: CHIEF reported City Staff has been working on the F/Y 2020 draft budget since early August. The process is largely complete and City staff will present the budget request to the City Council on October 22nd and 24th. Finance Director Parchert developed a working tool in excel to make the process a little smoother. We will be working over the next few months to make certain the budget tools available in INCODE are available to staff for future budget periods.
The City of Aledo Christmas party for all employees and elected officials will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 14th at the V.F.W. in Aledo. Cocktails will be at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m. with entertainment following the meal. All City employees and elected officials are invited and encouraged to attend. Invitations will be sent out.
CHIEF reminded Council the annual Aledo Employees’ Chili Cook-Off to benefit the “Shop with a Hero” event will be held on Friday, November 22nd, 2019. The doors will open at the Aledo Fire Department at 11:00 a.m., with the luncheon concluding at 2:00 p.m. All Aledo City employees and elected officials are invited and encouraged to both participate in the cook-off and to complete and support the event.
City Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s Report has been marked exhibit “B”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR HAGLOCH reported the “Are you an Entrepreneur” workshop held weeks 5 and 6 recently, with the workshop concluding on October 9th.
MAYOR reminded City Council the budget sessions to be held on Tuesday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. dinner will be provided.
Committee Report: ALD. Holmes reported the Water, Sewer & Storm Drain Committee met on October 10th, 2019 to review the option to consider issuing out a request for proposal (RFP) regarding the sale of the water/wastewater system. Committee made a recommendation to issue an RFP and to send to 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 DIXON to approve the meeting minutes of October 07, 2019 as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, and Sarabasa. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
FINANCE: INVOICE LIST:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA that the Invoice Listing, which has been marked Exhibit “C”, 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, Sarabasa, and Bertrand. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Kopp. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
ORDINANCE NO. 43; SERIES OF 2019, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY OWNED BY KEVIN MIZNER AND SUSAN MIZNER: (FIRST READING)
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to waive the 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 43; Series of 2019, An Ordinance Providing for Annexation of Property owned by Kevin Mizner & Susan Mizner. 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. 43; Series of 2019, An Ordinance Providing for Annexation of Property owned by Kevin Mizner & Susan Mizner for property located at 701 NE 3rd Avenue, Aledo, IL., 61231. 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 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 006 REGARDING CITY HALL INTERIOR RENOVATION PROJECT – PHASE I:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to approve Change Order No. 006 Regarding City Hall Interior Renovation Project – Phase I (CAR #19 – Extra Corner Guards Add #297.77 to be paid by Klingner & Associates); (CAR #20-03 – Door#118 Hardware Add $12,250.23); (CAR #21 – Room #131 Floor Leveling Add $4,223.17) & (CAR#22 – Credit for Carpet Cut Corridor #121 – Credit $800) for a total amount of $15,971.17. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Dixon, Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, and Chausse. NO: Cooper. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 1 nay.
SPECIAL EVENT / PARADE: VETERANS DAY PARADE, MERCER COUNTY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 1571 TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 11TH, 2019 BEGINNING AT 10:45 O’ CLOCK A.M.:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN HOLMES and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve the special event / parade as presented. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE CITY OF ALEDO WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN HOLMES and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to authorize City Staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Purchase of the City of Aledo Water & Wastewater Systems. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Holmes, Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Chausse, and Dixon. NO: Bewley and Cooper. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 2 nays.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: A Gas Committee meeting noted to be scheduled at a later date. City Staff continues to compile information before a date is finalized.
OLD BUSINESS: No Report.
NEW BUSINESS:
ALD. Cooper reported Joe & Kathy Olsen, 204 SE 8th Avenue, Aledo, Il., 61231 requested the property be allowed to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. It was noted, the property currently on septic and has not been allowed to connect to the sewer system. CHIEF Sullivan and DPW Blaser to review the request and report back to the City Council at a later date.
ALD. Kopp inquired if there could be anything done regarding pedestrians riding their horses within city limits and allowing those horses to defecate on public streets? CHIEF Sullivan reported the Aledo Police Department to make contact with the owners and note all refuse left behind must be cleaned up.
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 7:13 P.M.
http://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10212019-206
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