Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Dec. 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 on December 04, 2023. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:30 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.

The media was represented by Jim Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: No Public Comment.

Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Holiday tree install and downtown decorations & banners; clean downtown and central park for Holly Days; run vac truck; salt mains for the snow event 11/25.

• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. OQ tests; assist with the holiday tree and downtown decorations; retire two services; rebuild two meter sets.

• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Furnace repair at the WTP; assist with utility info for the SE 2nd Ave project; performed the clear well inspection at the WTP; repair two curb boxes; assist with a water leak at the high school.

• Cemetery: Two (2) funerals occurred. Decorate the city side by side for the holiday parade; assist the street division; set stones; two funerals in the past two weeks. • DPW: The holiday tree installion went very well, thank you to everyone that helped! The hydro excavator was delivered last week. We will be looking to surplus the old jetter in the next month. I am currently working on completing the final review of the Countryview Villas preliminary plat, (formally the Villas @ Heritage Woods) and final review of the Community Improvements Project. We will have our final utility coordination meeting this week. DPW is also working with Hutchison Engineering on the final utility coordination for the SE 2nd Ave Reconstruction Project, SE 8th Ave Multi Use Path Project, and the Safe Routes to School Project.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported a field training progress report was received for Recruit Officer Christian Williams. He has successfully completed his field training and will be placed on solo patrol effective Dec 01, 2023. CHIEF reported he was proud of Officer Williams’ willingness to learn and for his focus on providing a safe community for all of the citizens in Aledo. CHIEF also expressed his sincere appreciation for the organized and detailed training provided by Sgt. Pieper and Lt. Baker.

The Aledo Police Department provided security for the Holly Days Lighted Parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Hot Chocolate Hustle.

Administrative Report: ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported on an overview of highlights of what the Administrator (and others) have worked on since the last council meeting:

• Continued discussion on implementation for the Solid Waste and Recycling contract with LRS.

• Had Wednesday weekly meeting with the department heads

• Worked with Cindy Parchert, Finance Director to finalize the budget and tax levy numbers.

• Attended a meeting with the Mayor, City Clerk and Visit Merco staff.

• Reviewed the Request for Qualifications received for the Aquatic Center.

• Attended the Aquatic Center committee meeting.

• Communicated with Bruner, Cooper and Zuck (BCZ) on the selected proposal for the Aquatics Center.

• Spoke with T-Mobile concerning the failed attempt by their company to provide internet communications for the water facilities. PW will be exploring other avenues.

• Participated in training for the new phones for city hall currently on a trial use period.

• Mayor Hagloch and Administrator had a conference call with Ron Ragan with Utility Gas Management concerning the outlook for winter gas usage and prices. Also, discussed a new program that will be forthcoming to the council.

• Worked with Mercer County High School FFA member and Advisor Hannah Libby in setting up the Christmas garland downtown.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported Aledo Holly Days went really well considering the weather that took place earlier in the day. The downtown businesses looked busy in the evening also noting Lindsey Dunn at Aledo Main Street did a great job in planning the event.

Committee Report: ALD. Dixon reported a Personnel Committee meeting was held on November 27, 2023. The Committee discussed the Paid Leave for All Workers’ Act with an ordinance on the agenda for approval this evening.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

ALD. Sarabasa requested Item C: Approval of Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2023; A Resolution in Support of Electric Vehicle Readiness in the City of Aledo. MAYOR Hagloch noted the item had been removed from the Consent Agenda.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve the following consent agenda items:

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 20, 2023.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP22.

• Approval of Resolution No. 33R, Series of 2023; Approving a Proposal for Fourth of July Fireworks Show – July 4, 2024 in the amount of $25,000.00 with a rain date of July 5, 2024.

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.

Item C: Approval of Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2023; A Resolution in Support of Electric Vehicle Readiness in the City of Aledo:

The City of Aledo will be completing work on the Rebuild Downtown and Main Street (RDMS) grant for the Central Park improvements in 2024. The city is working with Bi State on the possibility of grants to install Electric Vehicle Charging Station(s) in the parking area of the new improvements. There currently are no grants from the state but it is anticipated by Bi-State that grants will be available for 2024. There is a checklist that has been used by IDOT in the past to help in grant determination and awarding. The very first item on this checklist is for the council to “Make a public statement in support of EV readiness".

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2023; Approving a Resolution in Support of Electric Vehicle Readiness in the City of Aledo. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Bush. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 25, SERIES OF 2023; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $4,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE) SERIES 2024 OF THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE SE 2ND AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, PRESCRIBING ALL OF THE DETAILS OF SAID BONDS, APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT, PLEDGING CERTAIN REVENUES OF THE CITY, AND PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS. (SECOND READING):

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN BUSH to adopt Ordinance No. 25, Series of 2023; Authorizing an Providing for the Issuance of not to exceed $4,000,000 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2024 of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, for the Purpose of Constructing the SE 2nd Avenue Improvements and related Infrastructure Improvements, prescribing all of the details of the said Bonds, Approving the Execution and Delivery of the Official Statement, Pledging certain Revenues of the City, and Providing for the Imposition of Taxes sufficient for the Payment of Principal and Interest on Said Bonds. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORDINANCE NO. 26, SERIES OF 2023; ADOPTING A MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEDO FISCAL YEAR 2024 (SECOND READING):

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 26, Series of 2023; Adopting a Municipal Budget for the City of Aledo Fiscal Year 2024 in the amount of Twenty-five Million Two Hundred Forty-one Thousand Twenty-nine dollars ($25,241,029.00). A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORDINANCE NO. 27, SERIES OF 2023; LEVYING TAXES IN AND FOR THE CITY OF ALEDO, IN THE COUNTY OF MERCER, STATE OF ILLINOIS, FOR THE CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL PURPOSES OF SAID CITY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK OF SAID CITY TO CERTIFY THE SAME TO THE COUNTY CLERK OF SAID COUNTY OF MERCER. (SECOND READING):

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to adopt Ordinance No. 27, Series of 2023; Levying Taxes in and for the City of Aledo, in the County of Mercer, State of Illinois, for the Corporate and Municipal Purposes of said City, for the Fiscal Year commencing January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024, and Authorizing the City Clerk of said City to Certify the same to the County Clerk of said County of Mercer in the amount of Five Hundred Thirty-one Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty-four dollars ($531,764.00). A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Dixon, and Doherty. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORDINANCE NO. 28, SERIES OF 2023; AMENDING TITLE 13 OF THE CITY CODE OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS – CEMETERY FEES: (FIRST READING)

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 28, Series of 2023; Amending Title 13 of the City Code of Aledo, Illinois (Cemetery Fees). A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, and Friese. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN WEEKS and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to adopt Ordinance No. 28, Series of 2023; Amending Title 13 of the City Code of Aledo, Illinois (Cemetery Fees) effective January 1, 2024 as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, and Ruh. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

ORDINANCE NO. 29, SERIES OF 2023; AN ORDINANCE REGARDING PAID LEAVE: (FIRST READING)

The Paid Leave for All Workers Act (820 ILCS 192/1 et seq.) mandates that, as of the Act’s effective date of January 1, 2024, employers, defined by the Act to include local units of government, provide paid time off for all employees.

Section 15(p) of the Act (820 ILCS 192/15(p)) provides that the provisions of the Act shall not apply to any employer that is covered by a municipal ordinance that is in effect on the effective date of this Act that requires employers to give any form of paid leave to their employees, including paid sick leave or paid leave.

Pursuant to Section 15(p) of the Act, the City hereby adopts its current paid leave policy for all City employees as set forth in the City’s Employee Handbook, any collective bargaining agreements to which the City is a party and all other binding legislative actions governing paid leave adopted by the City Council, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 29, Series of 2023; An Ordinance regarding Paid Leave. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, and Sarabasa. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to adopt Ordinance No. 29, Series of 2023; An Ordinance regarding Paid Leave as presented. 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.

RESOLUTION NO. 34R, SERIES OF 2023; A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF ALEDO FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 34R, Series of 2023; A Resolution Approving the City of Aledo Five-year Capital Improvement Program as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Cooper, Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Bush. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 35R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT – BRUNER, COOPER & ZUCK AND THE CITY OF ALEDO REGARDING THE ALEDO AQUATICS CENTER:

ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the proposed new aquatic center will consist of, but not be limited to the following: An approximate 3,000 SF bathhouse with open-air canopy, a 4,355 SF zero-depth entry pool, a 3,800 SF splash pad, infrastructure for the pool systems, a pool deck, concessions area, landscaping/fencing and parking for pool patrons. Bruner, Cooper and Zuck has teamed with Water Technology, Inc. (WTI) as the aquatic center/pool design consultant. The fee is based on a design fee of approximately seven and one third-percent (7.33%), and a total project budget of approximately $6,000,000.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve Resolution No. 35R, Series of 2023; A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Bruner, Cooper & Zuck for Engineering, Design, Bidding and Construction Administration Services for the Aledo Family Aquatics Center in a cost not to exceed $440,000.00. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 36R, SERIES OF 2023; APPROVING MERCER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,386.68:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN BUSH to approve Resolution No. 36R, Series of 2023; Approving Mercer County Animal Control Agreement effective January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024 in the amount of $14,386.68. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, and Dixon.

NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

OLD BUSINESS: ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the status of a prior discussion item related to code hearings and an intergovernmental agreement with the village of Viola and village of New Windsor, IL. CHIEF Fisk reported he continues to discuss the item and options with both villages and the City Attorney. CITY ATTORNEY Walton advised City Staff to select specific codes to review and could move forward with the adoption of an ordinance.

CHIEF also reported the Community Service Officer to begin working on December 6, 2023.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding Documentation Review #69 covering the Receipt and Disbursement of Motor Fuel Tax Funds beginning January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022:

The Illinois Department of Transportation has reviewed the books and records in so far as they pertain to the receipt and disbursement of the Motor Fuel Tax Fund of the City of Aledo for the period beginning January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022, and the entries for receipts in these books and records are true and correct and are in agreement with the records maintained by the Department of Transportation and that entries for disbursement are supported by cancelled warrants or checks with exceptions noted in the documentation review findings.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has also verified entries in the claim registers with the original claims and cancelled warrants, that IDOT has examined and checked the records of the City Clerk and City Treasurer and have compared the expenditures listed in the warrant registers of those officers and if necessary against the minutes of the City Council maintained by the City Clerk and have found them to be in accordance.

CLOSED SESSION:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to adjourn to closed session to discuss:

A. Review of Executive Session Minutes Section 2(c)(21) Open Meetings Act A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Bush, Cooper, Dixon, and Doherty. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays. The meeting was recessed to closed session at 7:00 P.M.

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:

Council reconvened in open session at 7:08 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following answering present: ALDERMEN BUSH, COOPER, DIXON, DOHERTY, FRIESE, RUH, SARABASA and WEEKS, MAYOR HAGLOCH, ADMINISTRATOR CHAUSSE, as well as, CITY CLERK DALE.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:09 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12042023-388