City of Aledo City Council met April 4.
Here are 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 6:59 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen ILA BERTRAND, MICHAEL CHAUSSE, BARRY COOPER, JAY DOHERTY, JIM HOLMES, and CHRIS KOPP. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. DENNIS DIXON and LINDA SARABASA were excused.
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 John Hoscheidt, WRMJ.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Jim Augustine, Grace Evangelical Free Church.
Public Comment: No Report.
Communication & Correspondence: No Report.
Requests & Petitions:
Rusty Ruggles, Trenton Magedanz, and MCHS AV Class (Joshua Johnson, Dayton Kutzman, Aliyah Lantau, Monica McKnight, Colin Mellgren, Emerson Sproston, and Xavier Woodbury) appeared before the Committee of the Whole to provide a presentation regarding “Downtown Aledo Speakers”. The MCHS AV Class provided an overview of for music on main street by StreetSounds. The class noted a total of 24 units could be positioned on Main Street, College Avenue, Central Park & parking lot, and the Opera House & the Depot area. The nodes should be 120 ft apart for adequate spacing. Each node would come with dual-speakers and a wireless receiver/repeater.
Ambient music was highlighted with possibilities to play WRMJ through the speakers. Also, royalty free platforms could also be utilized to play unlicensed music. During events, music could also be played with examples given of Rhubarb Festival, Antique Days, and Holly days. Also, if there is an emergency, such as weather or an amber alert, the emergency notification can be utilized through the speakers.
It was requested the MCHS AV Class continue to research the 900 Mhz frequency range which is an unlicensed frequency. A possible issue is due to the amount of traffic on this frequency with an example given of Ameren Illinois completing their meter reading each month which can or has created brief outages.
Total project would be in the amount of $49,150.00 plus shipping. A donation has been received in the amount of $15,000.00 to help fund a phase I of the project. CITY COUNCIL voiced interest in the project and to continue the discussion, as well as, thanking the students of the MCHS AV Class for the presentation.
A request was received from Rhubarb Festival Committee for city sponsorship in the amount of $17.000.00. This funding would assist in the entertainment, sound, and lights during the event. Also, a large tent (30’ x 60’) would also be erected in the parking lot to provide visitors with additional seating.
Public Works Activity Report:
• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIES, and work orders continue. Camera storm sewer at Central Park sink-hole; vacuumed streets and catch basins; cleaned shop and hauled scrap; cleaned parks minus Central Park and ground stumps on Sponsler Lake dam.
• Gas: JULIE’s; shop work and removed 1 meter.
• Water: JULIE’s; Work on updating lead and copper service study; repair 1 small water-main break; assist with 1 sewer lateral repair; and supervise the NE 6th Avenue sewer project.
• Cemetery: Daily tasks continue. Replaced/fixed/straightened multiple stones and foundations. Pick-up of limbs in the cemetery.
• DPW: 2021 Building Code work continues. Paul Baele continues to work on design for the west sidewalk at Cheers on Main and preliminary design for electric and gas utility easements for a couple alley’s downtown. The NE 6th Avenue sewer main project has been delayed somewhat due to weather. Install of new sewer taps to be completed the next 2 weeks. The NW quadrant resurfacing project plans are complete and being reviewed by IDOT. Advertisement for bid of the project to be potentially done within the next 2 weeks. Equipment for Jaycee Park renovations has also been ordered with most of the equipment delivered.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Sullivan reported the Police Department has applied for and received its annual Nuisance Wildlife Control permit for 2022. Expiration is on January 31, 2023.
CHIEF reported the Department is in the final stages of the hiring process to fill the remaining full-time officer position. The physical agility test was held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 9:00 AM at the Y.M.C.A. The Department had 1 successful candidate complete the testing. A tentative job offer was provided with approval by the City Council. Pre-employment screen to also be conducted.
Officer Wakeland graduates from the Southwestern Illinois Police Academy on Friday, April 22nd. Wakeland will then begin his field training with the Department.
Officer Phil Pieper has been going through a brief acclimation period and limited field training. Pieper will be working shifts assigned to patrol duties on his own in the immediate future. Pieper is a part-time officer for Aledo and is retired from a full-time officer position with the city of Galesburg, Illinois.
The Department continue to work towards compliance with the expungement requirements for all reports related to cannabis enforcement. State statutes enacted at the time cannabis restriction under state law were lifted required all law enforcement records related to cannabis enforcement and charges to be destroyed. The Department has reviewed every report and is beginning the process to work with City Attorney Walton’s office to determine which of those reports must be destroyed, and separate the ones that may need to be redacted in part and maintained in part.
Administrative Report: CITY CLERK Dale provided monthly reports related to utility billing and payroll. Also, the quarterly reports for Sales Tax Revenue and Building Permits for the first quarter of 2022 were also provided.
The capital campaign for the Aledo Fireworks Display data was also provided to the City Council. To date, a total of $4,150.00 has been received in donations. The total campaign is in the amount of $10,000.00.
The Aledo Spring / Summer Bulletin was provided to the City Council. City Staff anticipates the bulletin to be received at City Hall by the following mid-week and have out in the mail to residents.
The F/Y 2021 Audit field work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 25th. The work will be completed by Carpentier, Mitchell & Goddard, Co.
CITY CLERK provided the proofs for the new banners for the downtown business district. 4 designs were received and anticipate those new banners to be up in the downtown area in May, 2022. The banners highlight the new branding for the City.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported projects in the downtown area to begin this spring and once the weather improves things will be moving again in progress of the business district. The Rural Downtown Main Street (RDMS) Grant Application award announcement is anticipated in April. There will also be an announcement next month regarding the improvements at the old junior high school building by Rock Island Growth. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Application award announcement to also be heard soon, per MAYOR.
Committee Report: ALD. Chausse reported the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee met on March 30, 2022. The TIF Committee reviewed 6 TIF applications submitted by WJ Albertson for properties located at:
• 107-109 N College Avenue (McCreedy Building)
• 101 SE 2nd Avenue (Opera House)
• 309 S College Avenue (The Slammer)
• 107 SW 2nd Avenue (Little Cooper Building)
• 204 SE 2nd Avenue (The Depot)
• 129 S College Avenue (Cooper Building)
The Committee recommended approval of all 6 TIF Applications totaling $218,670.00 in TIF eligible projects and moved to the City Council for approval. The Committee also recommended approval of entering into a renewal consulting agreement with Haven Creative, LLC for marketing and communications consulting services effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024. Total services listed in the amount of $84,000.00.
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by ALDERMAN KOPP and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to approve the following consent agenda items:
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 21, 2022.
• Approval of Finance Invoice Listing – AP06.
• Approval of City Sponsorship to the Rhubarb Festival Committee in the amount of $17,000.00.
• Approval of Special Event: Rhubarb Run Race/Walk – June 4, 2022 beginning at 8:00 o’clock AM.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Doherty, Holmes, and Kopp. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.
ACTION ITEMS:
ORDINANCE NO. 10, SERIES OF 2022; PROVIDING FOR AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT: (FIRST READING)
The City of Aledo and Rose Henderson are parties to that certain Easement Agreement dated December 7, 2009 (“Original Easement Agreement’), which such agreement permitted the construction and maintenance of a carport on the real property located at 208 N. College Avenue in Aledo, Illinois.
Marco Dunham is the contract purchaser for the Property and has requested that the City enter into a new easement agreement upon substantially the same terms as the Original Easement Agreement.
Legal Description: The West Half of Lot Two (2) in Block Fifty-Four (54) of the Original Town in the City of Aledo, County of Mercer, State of Illinois.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 10, Series of 2022; Providing for an Easement Agreement. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Chausse, Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, and Bertrand. NO: Cooper. Motion carried. 5 yeas, 1 nay.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN BERTRAND to adopt Ordinance No. 10, Series of 2022; Providing for an Easement Agreement between the City of Aledo and Marco Dunham for permitted maintenance of a carport for property located at 208 N College Avenue. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Cooper, Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, Bertrand, and Chausse. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
ORDINANCE NO. 11, SERIES OF 2022; AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF A TRAILER AND THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: (FIRST READING)
The Director of Public Works has reported that the City’s 2016 Trailerman utility trailer needs to be replaced and is appropriate for trade-in for the new trailer; and, the Director of Public Works has recommended, and the City Council hereby finds, that the best interests of the City would be served by the purchase of a new 16 by 82 trailer for $6,109.11, and by trading the City’s 2016 Trailerman trailer for a credit in the amount of $2,100.00, for a net purchase price of $4,009.11.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2022; Authorizing Purchase of Trailer and the Sale of Surplus Property. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, Bertrand, Chausse, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to adopt Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2022; Authorizing Purchase of a Trailer and the Sale of Surplus Property as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Holmes, Kopp, Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper and Doherty. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
ACTION ITEMS C – H: (TIF) APPROVING A DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM LOAN AGREEMENT(S):
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to approve the following
• Resolution No. 14R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Perryton, LLC (McCreedy Building) for property located at 107-109 North College Avenue, Aledo, for renovation and rehabilitation of upper-level residential units in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $38,745.84.
• Resolution No. 15R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Windborn Initiative, LLC (Opera House) for property located at 108 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Aledo, for replacement of the roof and professional design work in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $22,000.00.
• Resolution No. 16R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Perryton, LLC (The Slammer) for property located at 309 South College Avenue, Aledo, for roofing repairs in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $16,000.00.
• Resolution No. 17R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Windborn Group, LLC (Little Cooper Building) for property located at 107 S.W. 2nd Street, Aledo, for masonry repairs and roofing replacement and repairs, in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $32,301.00.
• Resolution No. 18R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Perryton, LLC (The Depot) for property located at 204 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Aledo, for roofing replacement and repairs, in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $9,625.00.
• Resolution No. 19R, Series of 2022; Approving a Downtown Revitalization Program Loan Agreement Windborn Group, LLC (Cooper Building) for property located at 129 South College Avenue, Aledo, or the Project in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Kopp, Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Holmes, and Hagloch. NO: None. ABSTAIN: Doherty. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention.
RESOLUTION NO. 20R, SERIES OF 2022; APPROVING A CONSULTANTS AGREEMENT WITH HAVEN CREATIVE, LLC:
The City Council of the City of Aledo originally approved Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2020 hiring Haven Creative, LLC (“Haven”) to assist the City in a marketing and branding campaign.
The City of Aledo City Administrator has recommended that the City Council approve a new 2-year consulting agreement with Haven for a marketing and communications consulting services for a total price not to exceed Eight-four Thousand Dollars ($84,000.00) beginning July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN BERTRAND and seconded by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE to approve Resolution No. 20R, Series of 2022; Approving a Consultants Agreement with Haven Creative, LLC as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bertrand, Chausse, Cooper, Doherty, Holmes, and Kopp. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 21R, SERIES OF 2022; APPROVING GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UPGRADES ALONG SW 3RD AVENUE:
The Director of Public Works has recommended the replacement of the existing gas main that runs along and underneath SW 3rd Avenue, starting at the Gas Division Border Station and terminating at SW 9th Street, with the installation of approximately 2,050 feet of main and 27 service tees along SW 3rd Avenue. As part of the FY 2022 CIP Budget, the City Council of the City of Aledo approved Gas Distribution System Upgrades in the amount of $250,000.00 using the Gas Fund.
Following publication of notice and distribution of an invitation to bid, the City received three (3) bids for supplies and installation for the Project. The Director of Public Works recommended that the City award the contract for the Project to the lowest bidder, Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (“USDI”), whose bid was $160,800.00.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN KOPP to approve Resolution No. 21R, Series of 2022; Approving Gas Distribution System Upgrades along SW 3rd Avenue to the Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (“USDI”) in the amount of $160,800.00. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Chausse, Cooper, Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, and Bertrand. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 22R, SERIES OF 2022; APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SW 3RD AVENUE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT:
The City Council of the City of Aledo has determined as part of the FY 2022 capital improvement plan that it is in the best interests of the City and its citizens to replace the existing gas main that runs along and underneath SW 3rd Avenue, starting at the Gas Division Border Station and terminating at SW 9th Street.
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN HOLMES to approve Resolution No. 22R, Series of 2022; Approving a Professional Services Agreement for Construction Engineering Services for SW 3rd Avenue Gas Distribution System Upgrade Project to Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (“USDI”) for a cost not to exceed $36,000.00. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Cooper, Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, Bertrand, and Chausse. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
MOTION APPROVING THE SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT AT 132 W MAIN STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,700.00:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve the Sidewalk Replacement with construction services by Brandt Construction Co., for property located at 132 W Main Street, in the amount of $11,700.00. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Doherty, Holmes, Kopp, Bertrand, Chausse, and Co. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding Employee Salary Study: ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF Sullivan reported Busche Human Resources has not been able to come up with a firm cost to prepare a quote for the salary study. Due to Busche Human Resources having primarily worked with school districts in the past, it could be extremely expensive to access Aledo. It has not been determined yet how in-depth the company will go but will report back to the City Council at a later date.
NEW BUSINESS:
ALD. Chausse suggested City Staff contact the Mercer County School District regarding Apollo Elementary School parking. It was noted the roadway is breaking down alongside the road due to parking at the school. City Staff noted the request and to review solutions to the issue.
ALD. Chausse inquired if the Aledo Police Department has stopped patrolling at Mercer County High School while school is being let out in the afternoons. It was noted drag racing is happening. CHIEF Sullivan reported we are reviewing the area periodically. Concerns have been voiced by adults and students that the area at times can be dangerous and needing to dodge vehicles. CHIEF reported the SRO for the School District should be patrolling the area and the School District does have a contract with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.
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://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04042022-316
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