Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council Met May 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Aledo met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers at the Aledo City Hall building. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:

Aldermen MICHAEL CHAUSSE, BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, JAY DOHERTY, ZACH FRICK, 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 Jim Taylor, WRMJ, and Cala Smoldt, Mercer Co. News.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Daren Dietmeier, Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Public Comment: No Report.

Communication & Correspondence: No Report.

Requests & Petitions:

Special Event / Race/Walk: Aledo Rhubarb Run sponsored by Mercer County Family Y.M.C.A. to be held Saturday, June 5th at 8:00 a.m.

Special Event / Street Closure: Harvest Ministries Concert sponsored by Aledo United Methodist Church to be held August 29th from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on NW 3rd Street between N. College Ave & 2nd Avenue.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Coordinate sidewalk replacement and asphalt replacement projects; sprayed lagoon fencing and downtown weeds; mowed; picked up striping paint.

• Gas: JULIE’s; annual leak detection survey was completed; one service leak at SE 8th Ave was repaired; assist the water division with various work; assisted cemetery division with funerals.

• Water: JULIE’s; located and cleaned the sanitary sewer main along the old railroad ROW from Central Park to SE 5th Ave; investigate three (3) water leaks; and investigate one (1) sanitary sewer lateral repair.

• Cemetery: Three (3) Funerals occurred. Fix stones & foundations; mowing.

• DPW: Building permit applications, inspections, tall grass notices, ball diamond construction coordination, Halls Alley utility coordination, and Rhubarb Festival preparation. Code hearing held on 5/11; all properties have made significant progress, except for the property at 108 SW 3rd St. The tenant has been removing items, but very slowly. The hearing officer has imposed a daily fine of $25 until the property is completely remediated. City to begin the process of filing a lien and taking the case to Circuit Court.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report:

ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported the Police Department is still seeking applicants for several positions. The following openings need to be filled as soon as possible: one (1) full-time police officer, two (2) part time police officers, and one (1) part-time police records clerk.

Squad cars remain unavailable at this time. An order is still pending for a Chevrolet Tahoe which was ordered in 2020. There is still no estimated delivery date. The Department has repeatedly tried to place an additional order for a second vehicle. Orders will not be accepted until later this year and they are not expected to be delivered until sometime in 2022. The Department will seek guidance from the Ordinance and Police Committee, but tentatively plans to order two (2) additional vehicles this year, instead of one additional vehicle, due to the delay receiving them.

The Department has been working with the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management to have safety and emergency response plans drafted for all of the upcoming events in Aledo this year. We will be coordinating with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS providers, Genesis Hospital, the National Weather Service, and the local volunteer groups involved in hosting the events. As in the past, information will be shared with state agencies who provide emergency support should a major incident or a disaster occur.

Administration Report: No Report.

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 reminded City Council, a private tour of the renovations completed by WJ Albertson to be provided on May 20th at 5:30 p.m. The Downtown Aledo Open House Event to be held on Friday, May 21st from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Committee Report: ALD. Sarabasa reported the TIF Committee met on May 12th, 2021 to discuss three (3) TIF applications and the public relations / marketing agreement with Haven Creative. All the items have been recommended for approval by the Committee and has been forwarded to the City Council for approval this evening.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve the following agenda items:

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 03, 2021

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP09

• Approval of Special Event / Race/Walk – Aledo Rhubarb Run

• Approval of Special Event / Street Closure – Harvest Ministries Concert

A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement.

MAYOR Hagloch reported Consent Agenda items E through L were requested to be moved from the Consent Agenda for discussion by ALD. COOPER.

MOTION APPROVING THE 2021 SPRING TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM BID OPENING TO SHAW STUMP REMOVAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,012.00:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to approve the 2021 Spring Tree Maintenance Program bid opening to Shaw Stump Removal, 715 S. 11th Street, Keithsburg, Il., 61442, in the amount of $4,012.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

MOTION APPROVING THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SIGNAL MASTER AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2031:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Signal Master Agreement effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2031. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

MOTION APPROVING AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN JUSTIN E. BLASER AND THE CITY OF ALEDO AS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve an Employment Contract between Justin E. Blaser and the City of Aledo as the Director of Public Works & Utilities for a term effective May 17, 2021, and shall remain in effect until the end of the current Mayoral term, which in this case is the first City Council meeting in May, 2025; and the City agrees to pay Mr. Blaser an annual salary of $59,150.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

MOTION APPROVING SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM PROPOSAL BY GILMORE CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,425.00:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN FRICK to approve approving the Sidewalk Replacement Program proposal by Gilmore Construction & Home Improvement, P.O. Box 142, Seaton, Il., 61476; for sidewalk located on the west-side of Mercer County Senior Center & at the corner of HWY 17 and SE 3rd Avenue in the amount of $9,425.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 13R, SERIES OF 2021; APPROVING PROPOSAL FOR METER READING EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,300:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 13R, Series of 2021; Approving Proposal for Meter Reading Equipment and Software in the amount of $32,300, plus recurring annual fees in the amount of $3,504.00 by Midwest Meter, Inc. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 14R, SERIES OF 2021; APPROVING DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM LOAN AGREEMENT FOR PERRYTON, LLC / WILLIAM J. ALBERTSON:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to approve Resolution No. 14R, Series of 2021; Approving Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement for Perryton, LLC / William J. Albertson for property located at 129 S College Avenue, Aledo, Il., for replacement windows and doors, masonry and roofing repairs and architect design work in the form of a loan in the amount not to exceed $50,000. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 15R, SERIES OF 2021; APPROVING DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM LOAN AGREEMENT FOR LAN, LTD. / TIMOTHY J. ARBET / CHRISTOPHER F. LEAR:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 15R, Series of 2021; Approving Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement for LAN, Ltd. / Timothy J. Arbet / Christopher F. Lear for property located at 106 S College Avenue, Aledo, Il., for interior demolition and remodeling with plumbing, HVAC and electrical upgrades in the form of a loan in the amount not to exceed $50,000. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 16R, SERIES OF 2021; AUTHORIZING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS AND JASON DOHERTY:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 16R, Series of 2021; Authorizing a Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Aledo for property located at 204 SE 6th Avenue, Aledo, Il., for siding replacement and interior remodeling with plumbing, HVAC and electrical upgrades in the form of a loan in the amount not to exceed $35,159.50. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Sarabasa, Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Frick, Holmes, and Kopp. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Doherty. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS

ORDINANCE NO. 13, SERIES OF 2021; AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS TO APPROVE THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE CITY OF CREAL SPRINGS, WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND THE VILLAGE OF TAMMS, ALEXANDER COUNTY, ILLINOIS AS MEMBERS OF THE INTERSTATE MUNICIPAL GAS AGENCY AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE INTERSTATE MUNICIPAL GAS AGENCY: (FIRST READING)

The City of Creal Springs, Illinois and Village of Tamms, Illinois, no longer own their natural gas systems and therefore, do not meet requirements for membership in the Interstate Municipal Gas Agency. Both meet all conditions for withdrawal of membership.

The second reading to be held on Monday, June 07, 2021 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

RESOLUTION NO. 17R, SERIES OF 2021; APPROVING CONSULTANT’S AGREEMENT WITH HAVEN CREATIVE, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,000:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to approve Resolution No. 17R, Series of 2021; Approving Consultants Agreement with Haven Creative, LLC, 400 East South Main Street, Suite 7, Waxhaw, NC 28173, for marketing and communications consulting services in the amount of $39,000 effective June 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

OLD BUSINESS: CITY COUNCIL members noted the Rhubarb Leaf Statue at the corner of Highway Rt. 17 & Rt. 94 appears to need some painting done, especially around the base of the statue. MAYOR Hagloch also reported the signage will need to be replaced and budgeted in F/Y 2022 as it is fading. DPW Blaser to contact Michael Clark related to the freshening up of the paint on the statue.

ALD. Cooper voiced some hesitancy related to the addition of the Consent Agenda to City Council procedures. CITY COUNCIL discussed what their thoughts were on what should be and what shouldn’t be placed on the Consent Agenda. Typically, items that are not controversial in nature are placed on the Consent Agenda for Council approval. City Staff noted there was quite a few items listed on the Consent Agenda for this particular council meeting, but noted any item can be taken off the Consent Agenda and discussed separately, if any Council member desires.

ALD. Cooper inquired if the City would be going back to receiving paper agenda packets that would be delivered. After quick discussion, the four (4) remaining Alderman who do not currently have access to a city-issued surface pro, requested City Staff retrieve a quote and bring back before the City Council for approval.

NEW BUSINESS: ALD. Cooper inquired if the City should look into having the Button Building, 101-103 N College Avenue, Aledo, Il., be repainted. It was noted the paint is pealing and the store front needs repairs as well. MAYOR Hagloch reported the item could be discussed at the upcoming Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee meeting to be held on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

ALD. Frick reported the village of Matherville, Illinois currently has a charge that families can pay each year to be able to fish on their lake. The alderman inquired if the City of Aledo could consider the same thing on the pond recently acquired in Sponsler’s Addition. ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported that may be a public access issue but would confirm with the City Attorney. DPW Blaser also reported the City has a co-op with DNR as well related to the fish for the pond in Sponsler’s as well.

ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the status of demolition for the property commonly known as Farmer’s Grain & Coal located at 110 SE 3rd Avenue, Aledo, Il. DPW Blaser reported permitting is currently being finalized but would confirm a schedule for demolition with the contractor and report back at a later date.

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 7:18 P.M.

http://aledoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05172021-275