City of Aledo City Council met Oct. 16.
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 October 16, 2023.
MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:
Aldermen NOEL BUSH, BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, JAY DOHERTY, MARK FRIESE, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH.
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.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Jeremy Luttrell, The Gathering Community Church, Keithsburg, IL.
Public Comment: No Public Comment.
Communication & Correspondence: A memorandum by Aledo Main Street was provided to the City Council. Highlights of include the following:
• Community Connection Meeting to be held October 24th.
• Main Street Farmers Market season recap – 2023 statistics: 2,377 attendees, $18,507 net gross totals from vendor survey cards, total of 21 different vendors that set-up throughout the season.
• The MC Art Gala raised about $8,000.00 through the live & silent auction and donations. The Art Collective committee has begun planning for 2024.
• Aledo Fall Fest to be held October 14th with 20+ vendors signed up and kids’ activities. Visit MerCo Ride 17 Music Festival is also taking place that day.
• Holly Days to be held December 1st and 2nd with a them of “Country Christmas”. There will be vendor shopping on 12/1 and the Hot Chocolate Hustle to be held on 12/2.
• The AMS Design Committee noted the fall streetscape went over very well related to the scarecrows. A meeting to be held on 10/18 to discuss holiday planters & decorating storefront windows.
• The AMS Economic Vitality Committee toured downtown Rock Island with Economic Growth Corp. The focus was on “incubator space” and concepts of programs and guides that have been offered to aid in small business support.
Jamie Hopkins, SagaCity Benefits appeared before the Committee of the Whole to present BCBSIL Health Insurance renewals. Medical plans and a financial comparison were provided to the City Council for review. The current grandfathered health plan has been in place since before 2010. The renewal for this upcoming December has a rate increase of over 19% and noted the City is able to consider moving to a modern ACA plan and adding a partial self-fund strategy to reduce that increase.
A new partial self-fund set-up was noted as a modern ACA plan with a 2,500 deductible and a higher out-of-pocket max. Using this strategy, our renewal goes from a 20% increase down to a 10% increase and establishes a claims fund to better control future pricing. This will allow the City premium savings to buy-down the deductible and out of pocket max to current plan levels.
The coinsurance is 10% but the base plan is 20% and that cannot change, per Jamie. The upside will be that the RX copays improve and add a Tier 4 copay.
CITY COUNCIL noted to show both plans to City Staff to show employees what the City is looking at for future or up against.
MAYOR Hagloch reported the partial self-fund concept to be presented to city staff on 10/7.
Requests & Petitions: Cemetery Transfer Request: Petition of Vicki J. Luepke to transfer Grave Space Four (4), in Lot Five Hundred Seventy-Nine (579), in the Sixth (6th) Addition of the Aledo Cemetery from Vicki J. Luepke to Douglas M. Sturgill, 711 NE 3rd Street, Aledo, Il.
Public Works Activity Report:
• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Completed storm siren inspection and battery replacement, trim trees, prep for homecoming parade, changed café and decorative lighting timers for the fall and winter season, removed flowers from hanging baskets, replace two stop signs.
• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Finish anode installations for the season, repair equipment, read meters, install one meter, OQ tests, prep for valve replacement that will take place this week.
• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Investigate water leaks and sewer repairs, scheduled water tower interior inspections for the week of 10/16. Manual meter and RPZ reads were completed. Researched hydro excavator and set-up demo. Lift station repairs with ION.
• Cemetery: Five (5) funerals occurred. Weed eating complete and a final round of mowing begun.
• DPW: Work consisted mainly of budget preparation, building permits, & property maintenance code cases. Staff has set a date of Tuesday, November 7th at 6:30 pm for the SE 2nd Avenue Reconstruction Project public meeting. It will be held at the Mercer County High School auditorium. Hutchison Engineering will be presenting the project and responding to questions and comments. Mailers will be sent out to property owners within the construction limits and it will also be publicly advertised in the paper and on our social media.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported on Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Aledo Police Department provided traffic control and security patrol for the Mercer County Homecoming Parade and activities that followed at Central Park. The parade went smoothly, parents did a great job of keeping their children out of harm’s way along the parade route, and no issues were reported. Coverage was provided by Interim Chief Trevor Fisk, Sgt. Adam Baker, Officers Dallas Wakeland and Christian Williams, and Auxiliary Officer Quesean Ford.
Officer Christian Williams continues to successfully progress through his Field Training program. He is nearing completion of Phase II of the training.
The two security cages ordered from Dana Safety Supply arrived and have now been installed by Officer Steve McGuire in the two Tahoe squad cars that were not previously outfitted with them. The procurement and installation of these cages addressed concerns for officer safety during the transportation of prisoners.
A system for monitoring activity at Aledo Central Park is now up and operational in the Police Department squad room. The live video feed from the previously installed cameras in and around the pavilion can now be viewed 24/7 by on-duty officers at such times as they are in the squad room during their shift. This will aid not only in the apprehension of individuals involved in any criminal activity at the park, but will also alert City Staff in the event the cameras are not operating properly.
Administrative Report: ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported on an overview of highlights of what the Administrator (and others) have worked on since the last council meeting:
• Spoke with CivicPlus concerning my free training now that contract has been approved.
• Received and worked on the Solid Waste and Recycling RFP.
• Spoke with attorney concerning RFP.
• Had Wednesday weekly meeting with the department heads.
• Received numerous emails and met with Cindy Parchert, Finance Director for budget discussion.
• Worked on wages and salaries for PW employees.
• Studied options for employee health insurance with Jamie Hopkins – Insurance consultant.
• Met with 2 employees concerning retirement.
• Spoke with Scott Petrie, MCSD Superintendent, concerning some issues.
Budget Sessions to be held on Monday, October 30 and Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. City Council was invited beforehand to have a meal in the Chambers beginning at 5:30 p.m.
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 contact was received by representatives of LRS, Inc. noting the city-wide fall clean-up that was to begin on October 16 will start on Tuesday, October 17 instead.
Committee Report: No Report.
An Ordinance & Police Committee meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 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 DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve the following consent agenda items:
• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 02, 2023.
• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP19.
• Approval of Cemetery Transfer Request: Petition of Vicki J. Luepke to transfer Grave Space Four (4), in Lot Five Hundred Seventy-Nine (579), in the Sixth (6th) Addition of the Aledo Cemetery from Vicki J. Luepke to Douglas M. Sturgill, 711 NE 3rd Street, Aledo, Il.
A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Bush, Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.
ACTION ITEMS:
RESOLUTION NO. 26R, SERIES OF 2023; A RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACTS FOR COMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND IT SUPPORT SERVICES:
Motion was made by ALD. DOHERTY and seconded by ALD. SARABASA to approve Resolution No. 26, Series of 2023; A Resolution Approving an Agreement with Platinum Information Services, Inc. for Computer Hardware, Software and IT Support Services over a 60-month term beginning January 1, 2024, for a cost not to exceed $3,514.40 per month, and the purchase of a new server in the amount of $13,629.94. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Bush.
NAYS: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.
OLD BUSINESS: Discussion regarding a Solid Waste & Recycling Tentative Agreement with LRS, Inc:
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse provided a comparison sheet related to the current solid waste agreement with the proposal submitted by LRS, Inc (formerly Jackson Disposal). A tentative agreement has been negotiated some noted changes from the current contract. Those changes include:
• All residents to be provided a 96-gallon tote at no charge.
• City municipal sites to be free of charge.
• Fall / spring annual bulk item to have a 3% increase each year.
• Weekly collection to be completed by automated services.
• A fuel / energy adjustment to be implemented at $6.26 / gallon diesel.
• Year 1 rate - $17.95 with a 3% increase each year after through the term of the contract.
ADMINISTRATOR inquired if the City Council would prefer a 3-year or 5-year extension after the initial 5-year term of the new contract. CITY COUNCIL noted the language to add in the option of a 5-year renewal to be placed within the agreement and to be brought forward to the City Council for approval at the 11/6 City Council meeting.
Other – ALD. Sarabasa inquired if any discussion had been held yet with the business owners of Blue Spruce Lodge related to the Hotel / Motel tax discussion.
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported he has not set up those meetings yet and would wait until after the budget has been completed.
NEW BUSINESS: MAYOR Hagloch reported the City Council held a meeting with Haven Creative regarding the 2024 – 2025 recommendations for marketing before the Committee of the Whole this evening. It was noted by the MAYOR the current contract with Haven will expire on June 30, 2024 and City Staff are looking for direction for budgeting purposes.
Looking ahead to 2024, Haven has proposed to enhance monthly marketing campaigns; generate branded video content; continue economic development marketing, as well as, public relations and paid media opportunities.
Enhanced Monthly Marketing:
• Additional social media content, including 4 video reels per month.
• Dedicated press release or blog about economic development topic.
• Brand re-introduction campaign (brand pillars, etc.)
• Aledo Bulletin exclusive digital content.
• Additional community events promotional content
o “What’s Happening in Aledo this Month?” reels.
o Event schedules & special graphics for major community events.
Branded Video Content:
• Brand Pillar Introduction.
• Leverage drone footage for 15-seond cityscapes.
• “Things to Do in Aledo” reels.
Economic Development Marketing:
• Aledo Main Street & City of Aledo Marketing.
• Improved Economic Development Data Collection.
• Launch Economic Opportunities Committee.
Public Relations & Paid Media:
• Expand Radio Coverage.
• Tourism Earned Media Placements.
• Paid Media Opportunities.
Three different options for retainers were provided as an option for the City to consider. MAYOR Hagloch suggested his support for the “grow” retainer and would include monthly content, graphic design, generate economic development content, create event & economic development video content, and place additional earned media. The amount of monthly services was noted at $4,750.00 per month. A consensus was given by the CITY COUNCIL to budget for the “grow” retainer option in the 2024 budget.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN BUSH that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10162023-381
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