City of Aledo Council met Dec. 2.
Here is the minutes 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 December 02, 2019. Mayor-Pro Tem Chausse called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen Ila Bertrand, Terry Bewley, Michael Chausse, Barry Cooper, Dennis Dixon, Jim Holmes, and Linda Sarabasa. Mayor Christopher Hagloch was excused. Alderman Chris Kopp was excused.
Also present were Chris Sullivan, City Administrator / Chief of Police, 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 and Rock Island Argus, and John Hoscheidt, WRMJ.
Committee of the Whole
The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Daren Dietmeier, Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Appearances: No Report.
Communication and Correspondence: No Report.
Requests and Petitions: No Report.
Public Works Activity Report:
- Streets: tree removal contract is complete; PW garage floor project is complete on the interior; ran vac truck; cleaned Central Park; assist the Cemetery Division.
- Water: communication upgrades; replace leaking valve in the WTP.
- Cemetery: Two (2) funerals occurred. Clean and repair equipment from the summer season; repair foundations; and assist Street Division with stump grindings.
- Gas: Julie’s; inspections and finals continue; equipment maintenance; office work; leak survey work; plumbing inspections; and odor investigations.
- DPW: attended ILLOWA building official training; preparation of RFP regarding sale of water/wastewater operations; assisted Illinois American Water with daily operations.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF reported Family Resources, a social service agency serving Rock Island and Mercer Counties in Illinois met with all of the police chiefs in Mercer County and the Sherriff. Family Resources provides some services that supplement the victim advocacy programs of the Mercer County Family
Crisis Center. They maintain a 24-hour crisis line for survivors of violent crime, domestic violence, and sexual assault. They have a response team that will be on scene within 1 hour and this is a 24/7-365 service. There is no cost to the victims, the police agencies, or the government bodies who employ them. The services are completely State and grant funded.
Chief attended the Mercer County Local Emergency Planning Committee quarterly meeting. The committee reviewed the draft of a county ordinance on hazardous materials. The committee discussed incident planning and possible future training and exercises. During the meeting, MCLEPC reviewed possible winter weather emergencies which could impact the entire county or the entire region. A brief tabletop exercise was conducted to determine our readiness to deal with a widespread emergency situation.
The department is in the process of hiring a new officer to replace Officer Steinbeck. Steinbeck’s resignation is on the agenda for Council approval. The current applicant successfully passed the physical agility test on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 and his background check is almost completed. He will have his medical exam completed during the week of December 2. He will be ready for an orientation to the Department in early December. The Department has a slot in the January class for the applicant. If all goes well, he will graduate in late April, 2020.
Administration Report:
Administrator Sullivan reported most materials for the Gas Committee to conduct a rate study for the City’s gas utility rates have been gathered. That information includes data relating to the gas line sizes, meter sizes types and brands, along with gas usage by customer and by account. A Natural Gas Utility Rate Study was done for the City by USDI and the information in the study was previously presented to the Council. All of that information has been provided to the Gas Committee Chairman Ald. Bewley. City staff is prepared to move forward and assist the Council in this process.
City Clerk Dale reported the Aledo City Council discussed on April 15th the IMRF Pre-Rate notice for calendar year 2020. The City Council made a choice between selecting the employer rate listed at 7.18 percent or an option of a phase-in rate of 7.04 percent. After review, the City Council determined notice to be sent to IMRF by the Authorized Agent of the City’s preference to continue with the ADC rate.
In late November, 2019 the City Clerk received notice of the contribution rate for calendar year 2020 listed at 7.18 percent.
City Clerk Dale reviewed the property tax distribution (assessed 2018 payable 2019).
City of Aledo
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Pro-tem Chausse reported Aledo native Margo Price recently participated in the Dolly Parton TV special celebrating 50 years with the Grand Ole Opry which recently aired on November 26th. Margo was also recognized in Esquire Magazine for the album “All American Made” as one of the 10 best albums of the Decade.
Committee Report: Ald. Chausse reported the Ordinance and Police Committee met on November 25, 2019. The Committee discussed an amendment of the zoning ordinance of the City of Aledo regulating adult-use recreational cannabis regulations. Also, discuss all provisions of the current ordinances which restrict the personal use of cannabis to bring them into compliance with the new Illinois Cannabis Statute. The Committee reviewed Section 6-4-4 of the Aledo City Code regarding cigarettes or tobacco, sale to or possession by a minor. Also, the Committee reviewed tobacco and vaping restrictions on City Property and School District property.
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 Dixon to approve the meeting minutes of November 18, 2019 as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, and Sarabasa. No: None. Abstain:
Holmes. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
Finance: Invoice List:
Motion was made by Alderman Dixon 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, Sarabasa, and Bertrand. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Ordinance No. 45, Series of 2019; Adopting a Municipal Budget for the City of Aledo Fiscal Year 2020: (Second Reading)
Motion was made by Alderman Bertrand and seconded by Alderman Holmes to adopt Ordinance No. 45, Series of 2019; Adopting a Municipal Budget for the City of Aledo Fiscal Year 2020 in a budget listing amount of $6,922,290. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows
Yes: Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Sarabasa, Bertrand, and Bewley. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Ordinance No. 46, Series of 2019; Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Taxes for Fiscal Year Commencing January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020: (Second Reading)
Motion was made by Alderman Chausse and seconded by Alderman Bewley to adopt Ordinance No. 46, Series of 2019; Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Taxes for Fiscal Year commencing January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020 in the total amount of Four Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars ($432,575) is required by said City to be raised by taxation for said fiscal year for the corporate purposes. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows
Yes: Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, and Chausse. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Ordinance No. 47, Series of 2019; Amending Title 6, Chapter 4 of the City Code of the City of Aledo Regarding the Sale, Possession and Use of Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes in Public Places: (First Reading)
The State of Illinois has revised the state statutes regarding the age restriction for sales and purchases of tobacco products and tobacco alternative products. The City of Aledo’s ordinances relating to the sale, possession, and use of tobacco and tobacco alternative products needs to be updated.
The issue of an amendment to update the City Code to reflect the new minimum age for possession, sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products was reviewed and discussed by the Ordinance and Police Committee.
Second reading to be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Ordinance No. 48, Series of 2019; Amending Title 13 of the City Code of Aledo, Illinois. (First Reading)
13-1-1: Schedule of Fees:
The following fees are hereby established, which shall be charged and collected by the city:
Cemetery lot transfer $21.00
Grave opening/closing $538.00 $548.00
Infant grave or ashes opening/closing $230.00 $234.00
Saturday and holiday opening/closing $692.00 $704.00
Winter grave preparation surcharge $154.00 $157.00
Foundation work At Cost
Columbarium engraving or initialing $257.00 $262.00
Columbarium re-engraving $180.00 $184.00
Columbarium opening/closing $180.00 $184.00
Temporary Crypt Holding $5.00
Disinterment/reinterment $606.00 $617.00
Saturday and holiday
disinterment/reinterment $707.00 $720.00
Infant grave or ashes
disinterment/reinterment $303.00 $308.00
Infant grave or ashes Saturday and holiday
disinterment/reinterment $354.00 $360.00
Mausoleum vault or crypt opening/closing $257.00 $262.00
Cemetery lot $487.00 $496.00
Mausoleum vault or crypt $897.00 $913.00
Columbarium niche $1,025.00 $1,043.00
Second reading to be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Ordinance No. 49, Series of 2019; Amending the City Code to Accommodate the Adult Use of Recreational Cannabis Pursuant to State Law. (First Reading)
Administrator Sullivan reported the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“CRTA”) takes effect in January of 2020. The CRTA makes private consumption and possession of cannabis legal for Illinois residents over 21 years of age. It also creates several issues the City needs to deal with prior to its effective date of January 1, 2020.
City Attorney Walton and his staff have researched this issue thoroughly. City Attorney presented his recommendations to the Council at the Ordinance and Police Committee meeting on November 25th. The City cannot ban personal possession and consumption of cannabis. It can and should however, place reasonable and legal limits on public consumption by adults, along with banning possession and consumption by persons under 20 years of age.
Second reading to be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
Resolution No. 37r, Series of 2019; Approving the City of Aledo Five Year Capital Improvement Program:
Motion was made by Alderman Cooper and seconded by Alderman Sarabasa to approve Resolution No. 37R, Series of 2019; Approving the City of Aledo Five Year Capital Improvement Program. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Dixon, Holmes, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, and Cooper. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Resolution No. 38r, Series Of 2019; Approving Form of Agreement Between the City of Aledo and Aledo Police Officers:
Motion was made by Alderman Chausse and seconded by Alderman Holmes to approve Resolution No. 38R, Series of 2019; Approving Form of Agreement between the City of Aledo and Aledo Police Officers and is reasonable and necessary in order for the City to avoid incurring expenses for training officers who depart their employment within three (3) years of completing the training. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Holmes, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, and Dixon. No: Bewley. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 1 nay.
A Motion to Reject Bids for the 2019 Street Resurfacing Project:
Valley Construction, Co. submitted the apparent low bid in the amount of $228,600.03. This amount is 39.3 percent higher than Hutchison Engineering Inc.’s probable construction cost of $164,070.70 and therefore Hutchison considered this to not be a reasonable bid and correspondingly did not recommend the project be awarded to Valley Construction, Co.
Motion was made by Alderman Bewley and seconded by Alderman Dixon to reject all bids for the 2019 Street Resurfacing Project as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Sarabasa, Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, and Holmes. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
A Motion Approving the Resignation of Officer Daryl G. Steinbeck:
Motion was made by Alderman Chausse and seconded by Alderman Bewley to accept with regret the resignation of Officer Daryl G. Steinbeck effective December 14, 2019. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, and Sarabasa. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
A Motion Approving Equipment Proposal(S) Submitted By Platinum Information Services Inc. Regarding Laptops, Surface Pros, and Desktops:
Motion was made by Alderman Sarabasa and seconded by Alderman Dixon to approve the equipment proposal upgrades submitted by Platinum Information Services Inc. regarding Laptops, Surface Pros, and Desktops in the amount of $34,374.88. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
Yes: Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, and Sarabasa. No: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Standing Committee Reports: A Gas Committee meeting to be held on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6:15 o’clock p.m. in the City Council chambers.
Old Business: Mayor Pro-tem Chausse and ALD. Bewley both voiced complaints regarding the service Frontier Communications is providing Aledo residents. It was noted during discussion the problem is Corporate not addressing the problems and keeping the infrastructure up and not those frontier workers that provide service or reside in our community.
Currently, another internet service provider, Viola Home Telephone Co., is currently working their way through the NW Quadrant of Aledo to supply service to Genesis Medical Center.
Mayor Pro-Tem Chausse reported if any residents have complaints or concerns regarding Frontier’s service to please contact City Hall and those will complaints will be forwarded onto Frontier.
New Business: No Report.
Adjournment: There being no further business, motion was made by Alderman Bewley and seconded by Alderman Dixon that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
http://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12022019-210
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