Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met May 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Aledo met in Regular Session via video conferencing communication. MAYOR HAGLOCH 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, 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, SANDY BULL, City Treasurer, CHAD McCLEARY, ION Environmental, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Cala Smoldt, Rock Island Argus & Aledo Times Record, and Jim Taylor, WRMJ.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, public attendance at City Council and committee meetings will not be allowed until further notice from the City. Any comments or questions about any matter on the agenda for a meeting may be submitted by email to the City Clerk at cityclerk@aledoil.org.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

A moment of silence was observed by the Aledo City Council due to the recent emergency events related to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Public Comment: No Report.

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

Public Works Activity Report:

 Streets: mowing; weed spraying; completion of work orders; sign replacement; street sweeping and catch basin cleaning.

 Water: JULIE’s and finals. Daily communication with ION Environmental; New Water Superintendent has transitioned to the Water Telemetry building; working with ION regarding lagoon flow meter estimates; assist Gas Division with the riser for the Gas Main Extension project.

 Gas: JULIE’s; continue working on gas main extension project; work with Bush Construction on plumbing code questions for the three (3) downtown projects; inspect and assist with the water-line installation project at David’s Lodge.

 Cemetery: mowing and weed-eating.

 DPW: seasonal employee hiring; prepare R/O membrane replacement paperwork; assist with one (1) Downtown Revitalization application; assist the Street Division with mowing schedule; met with YMCA regarding street closure; transplant the new Camperdown Elm to Central Park for Arbor Day. A article is being generated by the Director of Public Works related to the transplant of the Camperdown Elm and the City to also consider fencing be erected around the tree.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported the Police Department received a shipment of plastic shields from the Mercer County Health Department. They also provided additional face masks for the officers.

The School Resource Officer program will begin June 1, 2020. Although there is some question as to the timing of students returning to the school buildings and participating in classroom, Officer Brock will be assigned to the School District for the full 2020/2021 school year. Some additional training is required. At this time, no training is being conducted and none is allowed. The Department will be working with ILETSB and the Mobile Training Unit to work out the training issue.

Administration Report: CITY ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported employees will be returning to City Hall on Monday, May 4th, 2020. The City has taken extra health/safety precautions. City Hall will remain closed to the public as there is no way to have the building open and maintain social distance, properly sanitize after customers, or prevent contact between people when more than one person might be in the lobby at one time.

Miller, Hall & Triggs, LLC provided notice to the City that our hourly rates for legal services for 2020 will not be adjusted due to COVID-19. MHT realizes the City, like many of their local government clients, may be facing financial challenges in the coming months due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CITY CLERK Dale provided the monthly update related to utility billing and payroll for the month of April, 2020. CITY CLERK reported staff continues to update the city website and provide additional abilities related to city services via form center.

CITY CLERK reported City Staff has completed their annual Sexual Harassment training in April, 2020.

CITY CLERK reported due to COVID-19, the field audit portion was set to begin at City Hall the week of April 26th but was adjusted with Eide Bailly to be completed via electronic communication. The Finance Director, A/P Clerk, and City Clerk have been providing the auditors with all information requested to complete the audit. Presentation to the City Council to be finalized soon and will notify the Aledo City Council once a date is determined.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported he has been in communication with State Representative Swanson discussing the Mayor’s interest in re-opening all businesses in Aledo. In March, 2020 an executive order was established by Governor Pritzker which required all non-essential businesses to close operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Latest declaration by the Governor is for non-essential businesses to remain closed until the end of May, 2020. MAYOR thanked the State Representative for his support and to potentially draft a letter to the Governor requesting dates to open up certain businesses be revised.

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 CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve the meeting minutes of April 20, 2020 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.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

FINANCE: INVOICE LIST:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND 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. 09, SERIES OF 2020; PROVIDING UTILITY RATE RELIEF, DEFERRAL OF LIENS AND SHUT-OFFS AND BUILDING PERMIT FEE WAIVERS DURING PENDENCY OF COVID-19 EMERGENCY: (FIRST READING)

Section 1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the City Code or in any other Ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Aledo, for the month of April 2020, the amount billed by the City for water and sewer (for the May 15, 2020 billings with payments due on June 5, 2020) will be billed at one-half of the normal water and sewer rates for all City water and sewer customers.

Section 2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the City Code or in any other Ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Aledo, for utility billings (water, sewer and gas) for the month of April 2020, which will be billed on May 15, 2020 with payment due on June 5, 2020, all late fees will be waived through July 1, 2020.

Section 3. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the City Code or in any other Ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Aledo, during the month of May 2020, the City shall not file any utility liens for non-payment of water, sewer or gas charges.

Section 4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the City Code or in any other Ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Aledo, during the month of May 2020, the City shall not engage in any service terminations or shutoffs for water, sewer or gas services.

Section 5. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the City Code or in any other Ordinance adopted by the City Council of the City of Aledo, for the month of May 2020, the City shall waive all building permit fees for permit applications filed at any time during the month of May 2020.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2020. 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 BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2020; Providing Utility Rate Relief, Deferral of Liens and Shut-offs, and Building Permit Fee Waivers during Pendency of COVID-19 Emergency. 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. 17R, SERIES OF 2020; APPROVING PURCHASE OF REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANES AND RELATED ITEMS FOR ALEDO WATER TREATMENT PLANT:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve Resolution No. 17R, Series of 2020; Approving Purchase of Reverse Osmosis Membranes and related items for Aledo Water Treatment Plant; for the purchase and installation of 126 replacement membrane elements, 42 pressure vessel head seals, and related parts for a total price not to exceed Ninety-five Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-two Dollars ($95,862) from Harn R/O Systems Inc., 310 Center Court, Venice, FL., 34285. 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. 18R, SERIES OF 2020; APPROVING PARTICIPATION BY THE CITY OF ALEDO IN USDA RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 18R, Series of 2020; Approving Participation by the City of Aledo in USDA Rural Business Development Grant Application; and, seeks to utilize $30,000 in USDA Rural Business Grant – Business Opportunity Grant to assist downtown business owners with coaching, mentoring, aiding with growth, and developing emerging entrepreneurs. 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 COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP TO THE MERCER COUNTY FAMILY CRISIS CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve the community sponsorship to the Mercer County Family Crisis Center in the amount of $5,000 in F/Y 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.

MOTION APPROVING A TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE REQUEST SUBMITTED BY MERCER COUNTY FAMILY Y.M.C.A.:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve the street closure request submitted by the Mercer County Family Y.M.C.A. to allow contractor trailers to be stored on the street during the Y.M.C.A. building renovations. Temporary closure to be on the south half of the 200 block of SW 4th Street and leaving the north-side of the street as a one-way from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue from May 11, 2020 – February, 2021. 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 ADVERTISEMENT OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RELATED TO BRANDING / MARKETING STRATEGY & WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA IMPLEMENTATION:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to approve the advertisement of a Request for Proposal related to Branding / Marketing Strategy & Website / Social Media Implementation; and, respondents are required to submit their proposal to the office of City Clerk of the City of Aledo, Illinois no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Bertrand, Bewley, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Holmes, and Sarabasa. NO: Kopp. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 1 nay.

MOTION APPROVING THE ADVERTISEMENT / NOTICE OF PROPOSAL TO SELL PROPERTY – LOT 15 OF PROGRESS PARK, 2ND ADDITION IN THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS, PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76-2:

The City of Aledo, Illinois proposes to approximately 4.16 acres of real estate, commonly known as part of Progress Park Lot 15, excluding 30,000 square feet located in the southwest corner thereof. The portion of the lot being sold is currently vacant. Said real estate is legally described as follows (the “Subject Property”):

LOT 15 of Progress Park, 2nd Addition, City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, less and excluding that portion of the southwest corner of the said Lot 15 measuring 150 feet by 200 feet described as follows: commencing at the southwest corner of the said Lot 15, thence north along the west line of the said Lot 15 a distance of 150 feet, then east a distance of 200 feet, thence south a distance of 150 feet to the south line of the said Lot 15, then west along the south line of the said Lot 15 a distance of 200 feet to the point of beginning.

Property ID#: 10-10-21-204-020

Property Address: 101 SE 19th Avenue, Aledo, IL 61231

All parties interested in acquiring the Subject Property should submit bids to the Aledo City Clerk, and all such bids should identify the terms and conditions of the proposed purchase of the Subject Property and the proposed use(s) of the Subject Property by the developer.

Proposals will be received until 1:00 p.m., local time, Friday, June 12, 2020, at Aledo City Hall, 120 North College Avenue, Aledo, Illinois, 61231. Proposals will be considered and opened at a regular meeting of the Aledo City Council to be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve the advertisement / notice of proposal as presented. 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.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: No Report.

OLD BUSINESS: City Staff reported Spring Clean-Up Days went well.

Also, Downtown Revitalization TIF application(s) are being formalized and review of those materials before City Council to potentially be completed soon. More information to follow at a later date.

ALD. Cooper inquired if the City of Aledo would be able authorize local businesses to re-open after the closure of non-essential businesses in Illinois in March, 2020 due to COVID-19 Pandemic. is a list of the following Executive Orders established by the Governor of Illinois:

Below

 Executive Order 2020-03 (Cannabis Application Deadlines Extended).

 Executive Order 2020-04 (Closure of James R. Thompson Center; Waiver of Sick Leave Requirement for State Employees).

 Executive Order 2020-05 & 2020-06 (School Closures) established March 13th effective March 17th and extended to April 30th.

 Executive Order 2020-07 (Suspension of on-premises consumption at restaurants and bars) established On March 16, 2020 and extended to April 30th by Governor Pritzker.

 Executive Order 2020-08 (Secretary of State Operations), which is currently extended through April 30th.

 Executive Order 2020-09 (Telehealth).

 Executive Order 2020-10 (Shelter in Place; Social Distancing; Evictions ceased) effective March 16, 2020 and extended to April 30th by Governor Pritzker.

 Executive Order 2020-11 (Revisions to Executive Order 2020-05 and 2020-10; Department of Corrections notification period).

 Executive Order 2020-12 (Health Care Worker background checks; Department of Juvenile Justice notification period; Coal Mining Act).

 Executive Order 2020-13 (Suspending Department of Corrections admissions from county jails).

 Executive Order 2020-14 (Notary and Witness Guidelines).

 Executive Order 2020-15 (Suspending provisions of the Illinois School Code).

 Executive Order 2020-16 (Repossession of Vehicles; Suspension of Classroom training requirement for security services).

 Executive Order 2020-17 (Cannabis Deadline and Applications re: Infuser & Transporter extended).

The GOVERNOR of Illinois signed a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending the above referenced Executive Orders to remain in effect for an additional 30 days. The disaster proclamation was signed on April 30th, 2020.

ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported the City of Aledo did not close these businesses and do not have the right to re-open. The City did, however, close local parks within the corporate limits and is something the City Council could address by re- opening. These issues with re-opening businesses would also need to be worked through with the Mercer County Health Department as well.

MAYOR Hagloch reported his discussions with STATE REPRESENTATIVE Swanson has included encouragement for the Governor to open up businesses again. MAYOR reported if the City was to encourage businesses to re-open that those businesses with a state issued license could be at risk of a fine or license revoked. Those businesses without a state issued license would not be at risk of a fine.

ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF reported the Aledo Police Department was not enforcing constituents to wear face masks while in businesses. But, CHIEF reported if the business asked patrons to wear a mask or leave and if that person should refuse then the Police could arrest an individual for trespassing.

ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF emphasized that if the Aledo City Council would consider re- opening public parks that could be done, but playground equipment, benches, picnic tables would not be able to be utilized at this time. Also, there would be no ability to have gatherings in a park of 10 or more people and is the preference of the local health department as well.

An inquiry regarding liability was voiced during discussions. ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF reported he does not believe there would be any liability but would need to consult with CITY ATTORNEY Walton.

ALD. Chausse suggested a letter be drafted to the Governor of Illinois expressing the Council’s displeasure on the current closures required by Executive Order.

NEW BUSINESS:

ALD. Chausse provided an update from a previous City Council discussion related to Ameren Illinois power issue. It was reported the area referenced earlier had now been marked in the location. No further discussion followed.

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 7:26 P.M.

https://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05042020-228