City of Aledo City Council met July 17.
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 on July 17, 2023. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:53 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen MICHAEL CHAUSSE, BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, JAY DOHERTY, MARK FRIESE, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH.
Also present was TREVOR FISK, Interim Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.
The media was represented by Jim Taylor, WRMJ.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Public Comment: No Public Comment.
Communication & Correspondence: Lindsey Dunn, Executive Director, Aledo Main Street submitted a report to the City Council. Highlights include: A Community Connection Meeting to be held on July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Ferg’s Public House. The AMS office has moved to their new location at 100 E. Main Street, Aledo and is fully operational.
Aledo Main Street Farmer’s Market continues every Thursday through September 28. The Aledo Fall Fest to be held on Saturday, October 14. This will be in conjunction with Visit MerCo’s “Ride 17” event this year.
Aledo Antique Day’s & Car Show to be held on Saturday, August 26. Special events during the day will include Mercer County FFA Restoration Program; Tractor Show; Tractor Pull; and Craft/Farmers Market vendors to be located in Central Park with Antique vendors in the Courthouse lawn. Bandshell entertainment includes: Tony Rangal Jazz Group, John Resch and Doggin’ Out, Odd Bettie’s Dangerous Dames Pin-up Contest, and Barnfish Trio.
Requests & Petitions:
Public Works Activity Report:
• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Mowing has resumed; swept streets; trimmed trees; mowed old disposal, take down and paint welcome to Aledo signs; clean up after fireworks; put flags out for July 4; assisted with DRN fish survey.
• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Assist with meter reading; deliver shut off letters; Viola Telephone JULIES; Knox Alley work.
• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Read meters; assist with a water and sewer install on a new home; assist with the Knox Alley sewer; Viola Telephone JULIES; paint WTP flag pole.
• Cemetery: Weed eat and mowing has resumed. Assist Lackey’s with monument settings.
• DPW: Assisted with the fireworks on July 4. The show went well. They had a dozen shots that did not fire, or mis-fired, but they were able to re-wire and shoot after the end of the show. DPW had a preliminary discussion with Hutchison Engineering in regards to the Sponsler Manor Third Addition site plan, and met with IDNR for a fish survey and vegetation control plan for the fall and in the spring. Staff would like to schedule a Property Committee meeting to discuss the steps to move forward on the site plan for the development. The NE 2nd Avenue sidewalk project is progressing nicely, as is the “Knox Alley” project. The next cycle of Safe Routes to School grant applications will be opening on August 1. Staff will be applying to extend a sidewalk from S. College Ave to SW 9th Avenue. DPW met with Viola Home Telephone to review the next phase of fiber install. They are completing the NW quadrant of town. This will keep the W/S and Gas Divisions extremely busy with JULIES on the next few weeks.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported a progress report was received by the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy for Recruit Officer Christian Williams. He has maintained a grade point average of 93.41 through eight exams. Williams has completed 10 weeks of training.
During the last two weeks, three employees took vacation. The department utilized overtime to assist with coverage for the July 4th. Fireworks. Officers worked varied shifts to cover as many vacancies as possible. Mercer County Sheriff’s Department covered five open midnight shifts.
Administrative Report: CITY CLERK Dale reported this past week; five pre-interview meetings were held via zoom with potential city administrator candidates. Staff utilized a half-hour each with each candidate to ask a few questions and to get a feel for each of the individuals. Next steps will be to schedule a second round of interviews at the request of the Mayor. He is hoping to have these next interviews completed with no exact date yet set for those. Hopes are to have them completed next week to continue the process.
City Clerk’s office continues to wait on 309 Homes, LLC legal team to review the proposed redevelopment agreement for the development of Dollar Tree retail store. Edits are being formalized by the developer’s lawyer and have yet to receive those for review by Steve Kline.
The formal agreement has been executed by the City and Matthew & Elissa Dowis for the purchase of real property related to Sponsler Manor Third Addition. The City Attorney worked with Mercer County Title Company to have the commitment for title insurance completed. The City has sent that over to Dowis’s lawyer and have requested a date be set to close on the property. No response has been received back to date on a specific closing date.
CITY CLERK reported Central Park Groove’s Music Series promotions have begun. The inaugural music event to be held in Central Park on Saturday, July 22nd. Below is the information that has been placed on the City social media and website.
“Come see the “Class of '82” on Saturday, July 22, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the inaugural event of Central Park Grooves. This free concert series will be a great time for residents and community members to set out chairs and blankets in front of the Bandshell, enjoy an adult beverage* (see below), and enjoy musical acts that cover multiple genres. Find music in Aledo this summer at Central Park Grooves, happening July 22, August 12, and September 16. A food truck and lemonade vendor will be available, or you can stop by one of Aledo's local restaurants for a meal.
*New for Central Park Grooves ONLY. Adults 21 years and older can consume alcoholic beverages on the grass in Central Park from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the day of the concerts. Alcohol may be brought into the park on a B.Y.O.B basis or purchased from Ferg’s, Cheers or Beer Belly’s and walked over to Central Park. Plastic or aluminum containers are strongly encouraged. Public consumption of alcoholic beverages is otherwise prohibited. Please drink responsibly.”
CITY CLERK reported HPC to reconvene on July 25 to review draft interruptive panels that have been worked on by the commission these past few months. Plans will be to finalize the 5 panels that will be included at the Solider & Sailor’s Memorial Park site to tell the story of the monument.
CITY CLERK reported Paul Ostrosky, Economic Development Group will be assisting the City in the scheduling of the JRB for the prior TIF District and the Aledo TIF District – 2022. Early estimates are that the JRB will convene in late August. No tentative date set. Paul will be working with Cindy to have that date finalized and assist in her presentation of the TIF Audit.
City Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s Reports has been marked exhibit “B”, attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported he has also spoken with Aaron Young, 309 Homes, LLC and both anticipate the redevelopment agreement for retail redevelopment project of a Dollar Tree store will be on the agenda on August 7th during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
MAYOR reported Mercer County Fair week went well with good attendance at the fairgrounds. It was noted as one of their better successful fairs this year noted the Mayor.
Committee Report: A Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, July 31 at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by ALDERMAN CHAUSSE and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to approve the following consent agenda items:
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 03, 2023.
• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP13.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Chausse, Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Sarabasa, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.
ACTION ITEMS:
RESOLUTION NO. 14R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING BID FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF NATURAL GAS MAIN AS PART OF KNOX ALLEY SANITARY SEWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT:
DPW Blaser reported as part of the F/Y 2023 CIP Budget, the City Council approved the Knox Alley Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. The scope of work was to replace the sanitary sewer main and laterals in the alley between west main street and SW 2nd street.
In order to install the sewer main, the natural gas man and services needed to be removed and then replaced after the install. Superintendent Korns was initially going to perform that work in house. After consideration, he has decided it would be best to utilize USDI to assist with the re-installation. USDI is the City’s gas engineering firm that assists the City with distribution system maintenance. USDI will bill on a time and material basis not to exceed $17,197.00.
Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 14R, Series of 2023; Approving Bid for Removal and Replacement of Natural Gas Main as part of Knox Alley Sanitary Sewer replacement Project for a cost not to exceed $17,197.10 by Utility Safety and Design, Inc. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Chausse.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
MOTION APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF DEEDS OF DEDICATION FROM THIRD ARROW PROPERTIES, LLC AND ALEX MCGEHEE FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY IN THE HERITAGE WOODS SUBDIVISION:
The Grantor, Third Arrow Properties, LLC, hereby grants, conveys, warrants and dedicates to the Grantee, THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS, a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois and situated in Mercer County, Illinois, the following described real estate:
33’ OF RIGHT OF WAY AS DESIGNATED BY THE SHADED AREA ON THE ATTACHED AMENDED FINAL PLAT OF VILLAS @ HERITAGE WOODS SUBDIVISION
Situated in the County of Mercer, State of Illinois. Tax Parcel No. 10-10-21-104-042.
The Grantor, ALEX MCGEHEE hereby grants, conveys, warrants and dedicates to the Grantee, THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS, a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois and situated in Mercer County, Illinois, the following described real estate:
33’ OF RIGHT OF WAY AS DESIGNATED BY THE SHADED AREA ON THE ATTACHED AMENDED FINAL PLAT OF VILLAS @ HERITAGE WOODS SUBDIVISION
Situated in the City of Aledo, County of Mercer, State of Illinois. Tax Parcel No. 10-10- 21-106-003 & 10-10-21-107-004.
Motion was made by ALD. COOPER and seconded by ALD. CHAUSSE to approve the Acceptance of Deeds of Dedication from Third Arrow Properties, LLC and Alex McGehee for Right-of-Way in the Heritage Woods Subdivision as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Sarabasa, Weeks, Chausse, and Cooper.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
OLD BUSINESS: MAYOR
Hagloch reported he continues to communicate with Green Development related to the purchase of Lot 2 for the purpose of a neighborhood vehicle pathway to the east-end business district. It was noted the Mayor will also need to circle back with Green Development and Advanced Rehab to move things forward.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the status of Northside Lofts application to the IHDA.
MAYOR reported Rock Island Economic Growth Corp did not receive their tax credits for their second application. It is their plan to pursue the development without the credits. Research to also be completed to further see what the company can do on their end. Rock Island Economic Growth Corp has been awarded historic tax credits.
MAYOR reported City Staff to reach out to Charlotte Flickinger to inquire on the status of their project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding the Sale of City Property:
Jen Miller, Re/Max Concepts provided the City with two offers and are as follows:
1. R and S Land Company, LLC by Ronald F. Moffitt for the property at 709-713 SW 3rd Street in the amount of $12,000.00. We believe his plans will be to place storage sheds on the property.
2. Derrwood Ruggles, for the property of 706 NW 5th Avenue in the amount of $12,000.00. It is our understanding he would like to build a storage shed on this property.
CITY COUNCIL noted approval of both proposals. The item to be listed on the August 7 Agenda for final approval.
Discussion regarding an Analysis of Aledo Police Department Wages:
CITY CLERK reported the FINANCE DIRECTOR has put together an analysis of the current wages at the Aledo Police Department. Current annual is listed in the amount of $721,050.00. This total includes a full staffed department of which the Department is still down by two full-time officers. This number also includes additional part-time officers wages that are not currently filled.
CHIEF Fisk reported there is a steady decline in people becoming police officers and some of this is due to national perceptions. CHIEF noted officers need to put food on the table and wages are important to officers having good living wages. CHIEF also reported if the City is wanting to have good employee’s who want to stay in the Department, the City will need to compensate those individuals to attract them to stay.
CITY CLERK reported a 16% increase has been proposed to be competitive in the region and to attract & retain quality police officers. A budget increase in the amount of $222,138.53 was noted by the FINANCE DIRECTOR. This annual increase does also include IMRF and FICA/Medicare.
CITY COUNCIL provided a consensus to approve the budget increase and to take final action at the City Council meeting to be held on August 7, 2023 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
MAYOR Hagloch reported he is supportive of the budget increase and hopes this will eliminate Aledo from being a training ground in the future.
Other - ALD. Doherty reported the property located at 309 SE 3rd Street, Aledo the bricks on the building were separated and noted as a concern. The MAYOR reported there has been a couple prospective buys for the property. MAYOR suggested DPW Blaser review the property and consider property maintenance to assist in resolving the issue.
The CITY COUNCIL also discussed the property located at 409 SW 3rd Street, Aledo regarding noise complaints by nearby tenants. The property is currently being rented by a tree service. It was noted continuous loud music is being played with the complainant providing the issue to Ald. Cooper. This item was passed on to CHIEF Fisk. CHIEF has made communication with the business owner requesting that the noise be reduced to help rectify the issue.
CLOSED SESSION:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to adjourn to closed session to discuss:
A. Personnel Section 2(c)(1) Open Meetings Act
A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Doherty, Friese, Sarabasa, Weeks, Cooper, and Dixon.
NO: None.
PRESENT: Chausse. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present. The meeting was recessed to closed session at 7:25 P.M.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
Council reconvened in open session at 8:07 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following answering present: ALDERMEN CHAUSSE, COOPER, DIXON, DOHERTY, FRIESE, SARABASA, and WEEKS, MAYOR HAGLOCH, as well as, CHIEF FISK, DPW BLASER, and CITY CLERK DALE.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN DOHERTY that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 P.M.
https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07172023-371
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