Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met July 15.

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 15, 2024. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:44 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:

Aldermen BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, JAY DOHERTY, MARK FRIESE, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. Alderman NOEL BUSH 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

F/Y 2023 Financial Audit Report: Cynthia Parchert, Finance Director, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to present F/Y 2023 Financial Audit Report. Jim Taylor, Odoni Partners, LLC (via telecommunications) was present to provide additional overview of the audit. Mr. Taylor reviewed the Independent Auditor’s Report noting a clean opinion on the financial statements. Also, the report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance of other matters based on an Audit of Financial Statements performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards was briefly reviewed.

Mr. Taylor highlighted on the Board Communications Letter provided to the City Council. There were no concerns to make the City Council aware of with no significant findings and noted as a clean process with the audit. The Memorandum Letter was also reviewed by Mr. Taylor. Odoni identified no deficiencies in internal controls that they determined to constitute significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.

FINANCE DIRECTOR reviewed the governmental activities revenues for F/Y23. Decreases were seen from the prior year regarding “Grants and Contributions”, “Property Tax” and “Other Local Tax”. There were increases from the prior year regarding “Charges for Services” and “Other”.

Governmental activities expenses saw a decrease for “Community Development” and “Recreation Programs”. Increases in governmental expenses were in “General and Administrative”, “Police”, “Street and Alley”, “Cemetery Maintenance” and “retirement and unemployment”.

FINANCE DIRECTOR highlighted the statement of net position proprietary funds December 31, 2023. The statement provided an overview of the business-type activities for the Enterprise Funds. Waterworks and Sewerage had a change in net position in the amount of $356,023.00. Gas Utility had a change in net position in the amount of $333,108.00.

Public Comment: No Report.

Communication & Correspondence: Aledo Main Street provided a report to the City Council highlighting current activities of AMS. Some of those highlights include the following:

• Community Connection meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 16th at MC Health Department.

• Cinema @ Central Movie Series –

o July 19 – Migration

o August 9 – Kung Fu Panda 4

• Main Street Farmer’s Market every Thursday 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Central Park.

• Aledo Antiques Day & Car Show to be held on August 24th.

• AMS is working on getting Aledo / Aledo Main Street merchandise.

Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Street patching continues; cleaned weeds out of sidewalks & parking areas at the old jr high; flags for July 4; and, mowed bank around Sponslers pond.

• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Repair one underground leak found during survey; cat heater maintenance the border station, assist the street division with the patch matching & the W/S division with sewer & water investigations. Working on isolated services list and to submit back to USDI.

• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Hydrant flushing is complete. No major problems were observed with no water complaints received. Multiple sewer locates; read meters on 7/2; ION meeting on 7/1 & 7/8.

• Cemetery: One (1) funeral occurred. Work consisted of mowing and weed-eating. • DPW: The Community Improvements Project is progressing nicely. The underground electrical is being installed in the parking lot and commons area this week. Once that is complete, paving will begin. The paving on 2nd Ave & 2nd St is complete. Sidewalks in that area are currently being formed and poured in that area. The SE 8th Ave Multi Use Path continues. As of 7/12, all concrete is poured; but joints need sealed; topsoil is in place, but needs to be finish graded; street milling is scheduled for 7/12; new asphalt is scheduled for 7/15; signage and striping are scheduled for 7/17. Completion and final punch list are targeted for 7/19. The schedule for Sponsler grading is as follows: Submit ad to paper: 7/10; Prefinal bid package for review: 7/11; Plans available: 7/17; Ad publish dates: 7/17 and 7/24; Bid date: 7/31 at City Hall at 11AM; Bid tab/letter of recommendation to City: 8/1; Council Approval: 8/5 Council Meeting. Start date TBD. DPW reported the south lagoon flowmeter and high service pump VFD project will need to be postponed until the August Council meeting for approval. Also, the sewer lateral at the Cemetery Sexton’s office has failed. An estimate for replacement is being retrieved.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported Officer Clifford Adam has been cleared from all medical restrictions and returned to full duty on July 12, 2024.

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

• Met with a homeowner concerning drainage issue. DPW Blaser and Administrator met with the contractor. A formal complaint was issued and the contractor started to remedy the situation.

• Held an employee appreciation luncheon at City Hall.

• Met with the Architects from the Mercer County School District concerning the plans for the renovation of the High School campus. The meeting was about vacating a portion of S. College entrance to the school and SW 14th St. Also discussed where the utilities are located and the size of services for the existing buildings. DPW was the lead in answering all their questions.

• Attended the Committee of the Whole Meeting for the Comprehensive Plan.

• Attended and had a booth at the Merchant’s Building of the Mercer County Fair from July 9-13th. The purpose of the booth was to promote the new Aquatic Center. A straw poll was conducted on the type of play options for the splashpad. Pledge forms were available to those individuals wishing to donate.

• Had a meeting with a local business looking to expand their operations.

• Met with Mayor, City Clerk, Park District President to discuss hiring a Park District Manager.

• Worked on Central Park Construction paperwork with Finance Director and DPW.

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 provided the Liquor Commissioner’s Report dated July 1, 2024. Class ‘A’ License (Club) has two licensed establishments; Class ‘B’ License (Package) has two licensed establishments; Class ‘C’ (Tavern) has six licensed establishments; Class ‘D’ (Restaurant) has five licensed establishments; and Class ‘E’ (Banquet) has zero licensed establishment.

Committee Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported a Committee of the Whole was held on July 8, 2024 to review and update current assets along with the needs of the City for the comprehensive plan orchestrated with Bi-State Regional Commission.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

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

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 01, 2024.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP13.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

RESOLUTION NO. 18R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR SE 6TH STREET SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SIDEWALK; AND,

The City of Aledo was awarded a Safe Routes to School Grant in the amount of $250,000.00 for the construction of a 5’ wide sidewalk along the south side of SE 6th Street from SE 7th Avenue to South College Avenue. Hutchison Engineering, Inc. has provided the Director of Public Works with the Local Public Engineering Services Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit “A” for Phase III Engineering (construction observation) for the Project in the amount of $40,000.00. Grant funds cannot be used for Phase III Engineering and, as such, local funds must be used for Phase III Engineering for the Project, with grant funding to be utilized for other aspects of the Project.

RESOLUTION NO. 19R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED CONSTRUCTION FOR SE 6TH STREET SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL:

As part of the FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan Budget, the City Council previously approved the Project in the amount of $313,810.00, which included the grant award of $250,000.00 and $63,810.00 of Rebuild Illinois Funding. Following publication of an invitation to bid, five (5) bids for construction of the Project were received, with the low bid being $60,414 above the budgeted amount. Valley Construction was the apparent low bidder in the amount of $374,224.20.

The City of Aledo hereby appropriates up to $124,224.20 ($63,810 of Illinois Rebuild Funds and $60,414 in local funds), or as much as may be needed to match the required funding to complete the Project, and furthermore agrees to pass a supplemental resolution if necessary to appropriate additional funds to complete the Project.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve Resolution No. 18R, Series of 2024; Approving a Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement for SE 6th Street Safe Routes to School Sidewalk & Resolution No. 19R, Series of 2024; Approving a Joint Funding Agreement for Federally Funded Construction for SE 6th Street Safe Routes to School as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 20R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING WAIVER OF CERTAIN UTILITY CONNECTION FEES:

The City Code sets forth certain charges for new service connections to the City’s gas, water, and sewer systems. City Council has determined that new residential construction within the City is in the best interest of the City and its residents. In order to incentive such new construction, the City Council desires to waive new gas, water and sewer connection fees for new home construction within the City.

Fees for new service connections to the City’s natural gas, water, and sewer distribution systems as set forth in Chapter 13-1-1 “Schedule of Fees” in the Aledo City Code are hereby waived for new residential construction located within the City of Aledo; provided, however, that new homes constructed within the City’s TIF District shall not be eligible for the waiver provided herein. Nothing herein shall apply to waive any other fees or charges set forth in the City Code.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN FRIESE and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve Resolution No. 20R, Series of 2024; Approving Waiver of Certain Utility Connection Fees as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

OLD BUSINESS: ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the status of Northside Lofts project. MAYOR Hagloch reported Rock Island Economic Growth Corp anticipates notification on grant approval by July 19th.

ALD. Weeks inquired on the new licensing for tree services at the disposal site and if an licensee could pay from June to June each year instead of calendar year. ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the ordinance to take effect January 1st, 2025 and noted the business would need to budget.

NEW BUSINESS: No Report.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN FRIESE and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07152024-416