City of Aledo City Council met Sept. 5.
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 September 05, 2023. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen NOEL BUSH, BARRY COOPER, JAY DOHERTY, MARK FRIESE, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. Alderman DENNIS DIXON was excused.
Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, 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: No Report.
Requests & Petitions: Kate Danner, Historic Preservation Commission member, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to present the renderings for interpretive panels to be placed in Monument Park. A total of six panels were provided highlighting the history and establishment of the Soldiers and Sailors memorial that was formally unveiled on July 4, 1878.
A proposal was also presented by DMW Design to complete the graphics and stands in an amount of $7,649.44. HPC has requested budget funding in F/Y 2024 to complete the restoration project in Monument Park.
Public Works Activity Report:
• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Antique Days prep & clean up; stump clean up; mowing; installed decorative banners at the MC High School.
• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Continue installs of new meters in the Knox Alley; assist the W/S division with a service leak; deliver shut off letters; assist the street division with Antique Days prep.
• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Assist the cemetery division with mowing; clean shop and spray at WTP and well sites; meet with Britton to install new SCADA system at WTP; meet Cummins at WTP to service generators; and Ragan mechanical to quote the repair of a pipe leak.
• Cemetery: Four (4) funeral occurred. Weed eat and mowing.
• DPW: The new baseball diamond infield was installed this past week. Open call center work orders were completed; Department Head meeting on 8/30; met Ameren to review two electrical services for the Park District; met with a potential lot buyer to discuss development and utility availability; Safe Routes to School grant application work.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported on August 25, 2023, Officer Christian Williams graduated from the Full-Time Basic Police Academy at Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy in Bellville, Illinois where he maintained an A grade average and completed his course of study with an overall score of 91.88 percent. The ceremony was attended by Sgt. Adam Baker and Officer Phil Pieper, who will serve as Field Training Officer (FTO) for Officer Williams.
The Department provided security patrol for the annual Aledo Antique Days & Car Show, which was held in downtown Aledo on August 26, 2023. Coverage was provided for the event by Interim Chief Fisk, Sgt. Adam Baker and Officers Dallas Wakeland, Clifford Adam and Steve McGuire. The event was well-attended and no problems were encountered during the festivities.
The Police Department purchased and has now received two (2) squad car security cages, which are being installed by Officer Steve McGuire. Once the installation is complete, all Tahoe squads will have been brought up to date with equipment designed to provide the best possible officer safety during the transportation of prisoners.
Administrative Report: ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported on an overview of highlights of what the Administrator (and others) have worked on since the last council meeting:
• Instituted a policy to reach out to council members that miss a meeting to go over the meeting missed and answer any questions. (Met with Ald. Friese & Doherty)
• Met with Lindsey Dunn at the Main Street office to coordinate various events and other items
• Attended the mayor’s meeting with department heads.
• Discussed the E-Recycling center and how to staff it (have 2 adult volunteers and spoke with Mr. Heartt at the high school about the student volunteers)
• Met with Alex Finley with LRS Disposal and answered his concerns regarding a Solid Waste RFP
• Worked on cleaning up the Neighborhood Vehicle Permit application
• Worked on revising and renaming the “Call Center” on the city’s website
• Worked with PW director on a courtesy notice to Willow Manor Apartments concerning dumpster issues
• Explored changes to the city hall holiday calendar.
• Spoke briefly at the Mercer Co. Retired Teachers Breakfast
• Spoke with attorney concerning the retirement incentive, the policy is ready for council review – Personnel and Finance Committee meeting
• Had Wednesday weekly meeting with the department heads
• Attended the annual TIF Review Board meeting
• Attended the Aledo Economic Development Committee to review the city’s economic development marketing plan
• Met with Cindy Parchert, Finance Director to start preliminary budget discussion.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported Antique Day’s & Car Show went well on August 26 in downtown Aledo. It was also noted by the liquor commissioner that the allowance of alcoholic beverages permissible within the event boundaries had no issues or complaints. The Mayor noted he did have a few concerns related to the option of a b.y.o.b. type of atmosphere at first.
Committee Report:
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve the following consent agenda items:
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 21, 2023.
• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP16.
• Approval of Appointment of Alex Robertson to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission with a term expiration of April, 2025.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bush, Cooper, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Weeks.
NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.
ACTION ITEMS:
ORDINANCE NO. 20, SERIES OF 2023; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE) SERIES 2024 (SE 2ND AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS) OF THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,000,000: (FIRST READING)
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported Southeast 2nd Ave (swimming pool road) is one of the most travelled city streets in Aledo. It has been patched and re-paved numerous times and is to the point that a major reconstruction is in order. The city is issuing General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2024 to cover the expense of the project which is estimated to be approximately $4 million. The term (not to exceed 20 years) and interest rate for the bonds will be determined at time of issuance.
Due to the timeline inherent in the financing process, and the urgency of moving said project forward so as to serve the health, safety and welfare of the community in an expeditious fashion, this ordinance shall be adopted on first reading. Therefore, Administration is asking that the City Council waive the 2nd Reading and approve this ordinance at this council meeting.
Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 20, Series of 2023; An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2024 (SE 2nd Avenue Improvements) of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed $4,000,000. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Cooper, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Bush.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion was made by ALD. FRIESE and seconded by ALD. WEEKS to adopt Ordinance No. 20, Series of 2023; An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2024 (SE 2nd Avenue Improvements) of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed $4,000,000. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, and Cooper.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 20R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING SALE OF 709-713 SW 3RD STREET & RESOLUTION NO. 21R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING SALE OF 706 NW 5TH AVENUE:
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported at the previous council meeting August 21, the Council approved the sale of the two properties listed in these resolutions via the consent agenda. However, the City Attorney informed City Staff that the sale of city property requires a 2/3 vote. Unfortunately, the consent agenda passed with only four in the affirmative which is not a 2/3 vote of eight on the full council. These resolutions will require a new vote.
Motion was made by ALD. DOHERTY and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 20R, Series of 2023; Approving Sale of 709-713 SW 3rd Street and Resolution No. 21R, Series of 2023; Approving Sale of 706 NW 5th Avenue as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, and Doherty.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO. 22R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING AN AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF LOT 2 IN EAGLE POINT SUBDIVISION:
ADMINISTRATOR REPORTED after many council meetings concerning a neighborhood vehicle path to the east-end business district, the Mayor was directed to enter negotiations to purchase Lot 2 in the Eagle Point Subdivision from GDG, LLC. The Mayor and GDG, LLC. came to an agreement for the City to purchase Lot 2 for $10,000.00. The money will come from the Land Acquisition / Demo Line Item from Capital Improvement Projects 17-5-711-612-36.
Legal Description: Lot 2 in Eagle Point Subdivision, an Addition to the City of Aledo, in the County of Mercer and State of Illinois.
Pin No: 10-10-16-319-002
Motion was made by ALD. SARABASA and seconded by ALD. DOHERTY to approve Resolution No. 22R, Series of 2023; Approving an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Lot 2 in Eagle Point Subdivision in the amount of $10,000.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Doherty, and Friese.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
RESOLUTION NO 23R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING FUNDING FOR CITY OF ALEDO SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION:
DPW reported the City of Aledo will be submitting another grant application for the Safe Routes to School program. This application will be for the construction of a compliant sidewalk along SW 6th Street from South College Avenue to SW 9th Avenue. This grant offers up to $250,000 in reimbursable grant funding.
As part of the application, the City Council needs to approve a resolution of support that pledges to fund the preliminary engineering costs along with any other non-reimbursable expenses for the project upon award of the grant.
Motion was made by ALD. COOPER and seconded by ALD. WEEKS to approve Resolution No. 23R, Series of 2023; Approving Funding for City of Aledo Safe Routes to School Grant Application as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Doherty, Friese, and Sarabasa.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.
OLD BUSINESS: Discussion regarding a Residential Solid Waste / Recycling Collection Agreement – Request for Proposal:
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse inquired with the City Council if there were any additional items looking to be placed within the request for proposal.
MAYOR Hagloch reported there has been prior discussion related to the addition of 4- plex units within a new contract.
ALD. Cooper inquired if additional building materials could be added to the contract as well.
CITY CLERK reported there is language in the current contract allowing for some construction materials.
An RFP to be issued by City Staff in the coming weeks.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the plans for staff salaries this year related to public works and administration.
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported staff is working on that item for budget.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the survey at Sponsler’s Manor 3rd Addition. DPW Blaser reported a survey to be completed this fall tentatively.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the sale of property by Casey’s corporation related to the former gas station site.
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported he has inquired with corporate and no additional information has being given. ADMINISTRATOR will reach back out to the corporation to retrieve the current status of the sale.
NEW BUSINESS: Discussion regarding the 2024 Aledo 4th of July Fireworks Display:
City Staff to negotiate a new two-year contract, possibly a four-year contract, and look to keep the date on July the Fourth in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. It was noted there are scheduling conflicts with other events held in late June or immediately following the holiday to move the date from the national holiday date. A new contract will be brought before the City Council at a later date.
ALD. Sarabasa inquired if there is an event involving veterans to waive the rental fee charges in Central Park. The Alderman requested the Council and staff review the item. An amendment would need to be drafted in ordinance form and brought back before the committee and Council.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:03 P.M.
https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09052023-377
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