City of Aledo City Council Met Dec. 8.
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 6:32 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 was CHRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, City Administrator / Chief of Police; JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.
The media was represented by Cala Smoldt, Aledo Times Record & Rock Island Argus and Jim Taylor, WRMJ.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Public Comment: Zach Frick, Keller Williams, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to encourage City Council consideration related to residential tax abatements to incentivize new construction of homes in the community. Also, it was suggested to consider utility abatements as well. Mr. Frick reported there are an additional 81 lots for sale in Sponsler’s Subdivision and would be looking to close a sale around the end of February, 2021.
Communication & Correspondence: City Council received a letter submitted by Jennie Maynard related to a violation notice dated 11/18/2020. The letter was a response to the NOV for property located at 200 block of E. Main Street. The letter was submitted to the Council as informational. No further discussion followed.
Requests & Petitions: Cemetery Transfer: Steven R. Hutt (on behalf of Robert Hutt) to transfer Grave Space(s) Seven (7) & eight (8), Lot 146, in Sixth (6th) Addition of Aledo Cemetery to Steven R. Hutt of Davenport, IA.
Public Works Activity Report:
∙ Streets: Paint parking stall’s at Bowlyou’s Ice Cream; clean-up of flower pots in downtown; install Christmas wreaths; clean shop; clean-up of Central Park; and mowing.
∙ Gas: JULIE’s; assist W/WW Division to locate trunk line manholes; started moving materials from the gas house to the PW garage; assisted Cemetery Division with a funeral; assist Street Division with Central Park cleanup and stumps; adjust curb boxes from summer projects; rebuilding one (1) meter set; retire one (1) service and winterize water service for the Park District pool.
∙ Water: Work orders; locate sewer trunk line for Breezy Acres Subdivision; maintenance work at the well sites and WTP; winterize water service at Park District pool.
∙ Cemetery: Four (4) funeral occurred. Foundation and stone work & equipment maintenance.
∙ DPW: Bowlyou’s Ice Cream & Grill off-street parking was completed; continued correspondence with property owners at Farmer’s Grain & Coal and the old Fell Station regarding property maintenance code violations; pre-construction meeting for the install of the detention basin in the Industrial Park; met with Klingner in regards to plan sheets for the work at the PW garage; assisted W/WW Division with locating manholes on the main sanitary sewer trunk line south of 100th Ave for the Breezy Acre’s Subdivision; uniform fitting with Cintas for PW employees; dump trailer was delivered and the Gas Division truck had the undercoating applied; and the ladder rack, utility lights and snowplow were installed.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported the Police Department remains critically short on staffing. We have one new officer at the Basic Police Training Academy in Macon County, Illinois, and a 2nd new officer is attending the Basic Police Training Academy in Belleville, Illinois. We have a 3rd full-time officer position that remains unfilled. The Department is short three (3) part-time officer positions. The Department is accepting and will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis.
The Department has been able to complete all state mandated training, although some officers have travelled a greater distance than normal to attend training courses. In the process of obtaining training, officers are frequently in close contact with numerous officers from departments from cities and counties across Illinois and Iowa. As a result, multiple officers have been contacted and reported as having been in close contact with and having exposure from persons who have tested positive for COVID-19. The final firearms training and qualification will be held on Wednesday December 9th at Davenport Guns. They are opening the building two hours early for our Department only. This will allow our Department to have the range in complete privacy and prevent any close contact with other customers.
Federal statutes require a change from the current Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system to the new National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) which was implemented by the FBI. That change must occur with the first reporting period in 2021. I have been working with Sheriff Terrill and our records management provider, CushingSystems, Inc. They have updated the current system and have begun phasing in a new internet-based system. We will be switching from the current RMS system to PSIMS Anywhere as of January 1, 2021. PSIMS Anywhere functions very much like the current system. It is simply updated to make access more available. No licenses are required and it can be accessed from any location with Wi-Fi or ethernet internet availability, and any laptop, tablet, desktop computer or cell phone can be used to access the new system.
On December 15th and 16th, 2020, all officers and deputies of the Aledo Police Department and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department will be taking training courses to learn to properly use the new system and input the data required to meet NIBRS mandates.
The Department is in the process of reviewing all evidence held in the evidence room, which is filled to capacity. Sgt. Baker is going through each evidence exhibit to determine which items need to be maintained and which are no longer needed. All evidence items to be disposed of will be cleared through the Mercer County State’s Attorney. Once we receive authorization to properly dispose of the evidence, contraband items and items with no value will be destroyed. Items of any value or substance will be returned to their rightful owners. Those items which have been seized or for which no rightful owner can be located will be presented to the court for determination they can be disposed of by the Department. Those items will then become the property of the City of Aledo.
Administration Report: CITY CLERK Dale provided the monthly information related to utility billing and payroll for November, 2020.
CITY CLERK reported the final notice of Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund contribution rate for calendar year 2021 was received the end of November. Total Employer Rate was noted as 5.37% for next year. This is a decrease from current year which is 7.18%.
Caucus to be held on Monday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. for Ward I, II, III, & IV for Alderman, and City-Wide at 8:00 p.m.
Notice is hereby given that Monday, December 14th, 2020 through Monday, December 21st, 2020, are the filing dates for candidates to file Petitions and Nomination Papers for Alderman of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards, and Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer in the City of Aledo. On Monday, December 21st, 2020, the City Clerk’s office, 120 N. College Avenue, will remain open to receive Nominating Papers and Petitions until 5:00 P.M.
Notice is hereby given that Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 is the last day to file objections to candidate Nominating Petitions and Caucus Certificates of Nomination for Alderman of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Wards, and Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported all three (3) projects being completed in the downtown area by WJ Albertson are on schedule to be completed by the end of the year. Those buildings include the old Mercer Carnegie Library, the Will Hall building; and the Law Office.
Committee Report: ALD. Cooper reported the Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee met on November 23, 2020. The Committee reviewed the one (1) bid received for the sale of property at 109 SW 2nd Street, Aledo, commonly known as the “Gas House”. The Committee recommended approval for sale of property to Third Arrow Properties, LLC. In the amount of $1.00 and move to City Council for final approval.
ALD. Bertrand reported the Personnel Committee met on December 8, 2020. The Committee reviewed the application recommendation for the position of Front Desk Clerk / Receptionist. A recommendation was made to hire Kate Martin as the new Front Desk Clerk / Receptionist and move 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 SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve the meeting minutes of November 16, 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 KOPP 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. 14, SERIES OF 2020; ADOPTING A MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEDO FISCAL YEAR 2021: (SECOND READING)
Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to adopt Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2020; Adopting a Municipal Budget for the City of Aledo Fiscal Year 202; the total amount of the budget is listed in the amount of $9,127,323. 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 15, SERIES OF 2020; AUTHORIZING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021: (SECOND READING)
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to adopt Ordinance No. 15, Series of 2020; Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Taxes for Fiscal Year commencing January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2021; total amount of $450,230 is required by said City to be raised by Taxation for said fiscal year for corporate purposes. 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 16, SERIES OF 2020; PROVIDING FOR PARTIAL WAIVERS OF LIQUOR LICENSE FEES FOR CLASS A, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E LICENSES DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY: (FIRST READING)
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2020; Providing for Partial Waivers of Liquor License Fees for Class A, Class C, Class D and Class E Licenses during the Pendency of the Covid-19 Emergency. 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.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to adopt Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2020; Providing for Partial Waivers of Liquor License Fees for Class A, Class C, Class D and Class E Licenses during the Pendency of the Covid-19 Emergency. 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.
ORDINANCE NO. 17, SERIES OF 2020; AMENDING TITLE 13 OF THE CITY CODE OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS: (FIRST READING)
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 $543.00 |
| Infant grave or ashes opening/closing | $230.00 $232.00 |
| Saturday and holiday opening/closing | $692.00 $699.00 |
| Winter grave preparation surcharge | $154.00 $156.00 |
| Foundation work | At Cost |
| Columbarium engraving or initialing | $257.00 $260.00 |
| Columbarium re-engraving | $180.00 $182.00 |
| Columbarium opening/closing | $180.00 $182.00 |
| Temporary Crypt Holding | $5.00 |
| Disinterment/reinterment | $606.00 $612.00 |
| Saturday and holiday disinterment/reinterment | $707.00 $714.00 |
| Infant grave or ashes disinterment/reinterment | $303.00 $306.00 |
| Infant grave or ashes Saturday and holiday disinterment/reinterment | $354.00 $358.00 |
| Mausoleum vault or crypt opening/closing | $257.00 $260.00 |
| Cemetery lot | $487.00 $492.00 |
| Mausoleum vault or crypt | $897.00 $906.00 |
| Columbarium niche | $1,025.00 $1,035.00 |
ORDINANCE NO. 18, SERIES OF 2020; APPROVING THE SALE OF PROPERTY TO THIRD ARROW PROPERTIES, LLC: (FIRST READING)
the City owns the property commonly known as 109 SW 2nd Street, Aledo, Illinois and legally described as follows:
The West 112 Feet of Lot 7, less the East 36 Feet, in Block 75 of the Original Town, now City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois
Property ID#: 10-10-17-452-012
DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS AND GRANTOR’S REPURCHASE RIGHTS
1. Use Restriction. Grantor has approved the use of the real property herein conveyed (“Property”) for the operation of a retail custom woodworking business with related business operations. Grantee and its successors in title shall not materially change the use of the Property or materially change the type of business operations conducted on the Property without the written consent of Grantor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
2. Construction of Improvements and Right of Repurchase. Grantee hereby grants Grantor the right to re-purchase the Property. In the event Grantee fails to complete (i) tuck pointing of exterior brick, (ii) repairs to compromised trusses, (iii) replacement of damaged eve substrates, (iv) replacement of roof, and (v) painting, window/door replacement, sidewall improvements and replacement of soffit, facia and gutters, on the Property within one (1) year after the date of this Deed, Grantor shall have the right to re-purchase the Property from Grantee for the same price paid by Grantee to Grantor; provided, however that Grantee shall be granted reasonable extensions of the deadline for completion of construction of the required improvements (not to exceed three additional months) so long as Grantee is diligently pursuing such work. Grantor may exercise this right by delivering written notice of exercise to Grantee within sixty (60) days following the expiration of said one-year period (as extended), in which case Grantee shall re-convey the Property to Grantor, free and clear of all encumbrances other than those encumbrances in existence on the date that Grantor conveyed the Property to Grantee, within seven (7) days following Grantee’s receipt of such notice from Grantor.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 18, Series of 2020; Approving the Sale of Property to Third Arrow Properties, LLC. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Kopp, Sarabasa, Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon and Holmes. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 18, Series of 2020; Approving the Sale of Property to Third Arrow Properties, LLC., for the sum of $1.00 A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Sarabasa, Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon Holmes, and Sarabasa. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Clerks Note: Ald. Bewley’s video communication dropped while both votes were being taken and the Alderman was unable to cast his vote. Communication loss at 6:42 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 46R, SERIES OF 2020; APPROVING THE CITY OF ALEDO FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 46R, Series of 2020; Approving the City of Aledo Five-Year Capital Improvement Program as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon Holmes, Kopp, and Sarabasa. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Clerks Note: Ald. Bewley resumed video communication at 6:47 p.m.
MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF JACKIE BROWN AS AN ALEDO POLICE OFFICER:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to approve with regret the Resignation of Jackie Brown as a Full-Time Aledo Police Officer and to be moved to a Part-Time Police Officer effective December 11/29/20. 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 TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A FRONT DESK CLERK / RECEPTIONIST EMPLOYEE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF ALEDO:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve the Hiring of Kathryn Martin as a Front Desk Clerk / Receptionist employee in the Administrative Department of the City of Aledo effective December 21, 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 APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR CLEANING SERVICES AT CITY HALL AND ALEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR YEARS 2021 AND 2022:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve Mindy King Cleaning Services for janitorial services at Aledo City Hall ($160/weekly) and Aledo Police Department ($110/weekly) effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. 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.
CEMETERY TRANSFER: STEVEN R. HUTT (ON BEHALF OF ROBERT HUTT) TO TRANSFER GRAVE SPACE(S) SEVEN (7) AND EIGHT (8), LOT 146, IN SIXTH (6TH) ADDITION OF ALEDO CEMETERY TO STEVEN R. HUTT OF DAVENPORT, IA:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN BEWLEY to accept the motion as presented. 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.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: No Report.
OLD BUSINESS: No Report.
NEW BUSINESS: No Report.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
Alerts Sign-up