Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Aug. 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 August 05, 2024. 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, DENNIS DIXON, JAY DOHERTY, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. Alderman MARK FRIESE was excused.

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Jim Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: Dean Olson, local resident, inquired who the owners were for Country View Villas in Aledo. MAYOR Hagloch reported Mike Bowns is the Owner/Manager of the property. Olson noted it is his understanding no one currently occupies any of the four residences on the property. MAYOR reported there has been some interest for one of the residents but the City of Aledo does not have any say on the property.

Communication & Correspondence: No Report.

Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Street patching & tree trimming.

• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Install anodes; map updates; deliver shut off letters.

• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Water leak at cemetery; sewer inspections; hydrovac valve boxes; assist the street division; Assist ION at WTP; deliver shut off notices.

• Cemetery: One (1) funeral occurred. Work consisted of mowing and weed-eating. Five lots sold in the last two weeks. Repair sanitary sewer lateral and fixed one water leak within the cemetery grounds.

• DPW: The Community Improvements Project is progressing nicely. The underground electrical is complete in the parking lot and commons area. The grading and paving for the parking lot will begin this week. The SE 8th Ave Multi Use Path is complete. City staff and Hutchison Engineering performed our punch list on Wednesday of last week. IDOT will perform a punch list this week and final close will be completed. The SE 6th St sidewalk project will begin within the month of August. A preconstruction meeting will be held this Thursday. Other work consisted of a 9th Ave Bike path walk thru; ION meeting at the WTP to review emergency preparedness plan & procedures.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported to be completing background investigations on two police officer applicants. They will be completing the power tests on August 06, 2024. If they successfully complete both, they will be recommended for hire at the next council meeting. If approved, they will attend the Sauk Valley Community College Police Academy in Dixon, Illinois on September 03, 2024. The academy ends on December 19, 2024. It should be noted that hiring two police officers will put the police department at one officer over our allocated strength. The budget was reviewed and will allow for this due to reimbursement through Workmen’s Comp for injured officers during this fiscal year.

Officer Dallas Wakeland had surgery for a duty related injury on July 29, 2024. The surgery went well and he is recovering at home. He is scheduled for physical therapy through the end of October 2024 at which time he will be evaluated further for a date to return to duty.

Lt. Baker and Officers Ford and Williams attended a free conference at Augustana College on July 26, 2024. The conference covered response to calls involving mental health and substance abuse. Attending the conference provided credit towards ongoing training in crisis intervention and officer wellness categories.

Officer staffing was increased for recent events/concerts at Central Park. No issues were noted.

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 Tim Farquer, the new Mercer County School District Superintendent 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 was where the utilities. Other topics were discussed. Mayor, City Clerk and DPW were also in attendance - July 16th

• Attended the Community Connection monthly meeting of the Aledo Main Street at the Mercer County Health Dept. Mayor and City Clerk were also in attendance on July 16th.

• Had a meeting with American Tower concerning the downtown cell tower. Mayor, City Clerk, DPW, and city attorney were also in attendance on July 16th.

• Met with Mayor, City Clerk, Lindsey Dunn – AMS and Erik Reeder of the Illinois Main Street. July 16th

• Attended the Mayor’s Department Head meeting – July 17th. • Attended the Antique’s Day meeting – July 17th.

• Attended the Aledo Community Improvements Project – Central Park Project Construction Progress bi-weekly meeting – July 23rd.

• Met with Jenn Hammerlink – Mercer Co. Prosperity Group – July 23rd.

• Met with new owner of Milan Dental Building (Old Dr. Rattananont) – July 24th.

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

ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported notification had been received from Beth Payne, Senior Vice President, Economic Growth Corporation regarding Northside Lofts. Payne advised the City that EGC received notification that Northside Lofts was not recommended for an allocation of LIHTC in this round. EGC stressed their commitment for the redevelopment of the property. Various funding has been secured for work with, including State Historic, Federal Historic, and bank financing in addition to the City’s TIF assistance.

CITY CLERK Dale provided reports to the Committee of the Whole regarding a sales tax comparison for 2023 and 2024 regarding the second quarter of 2024. Also, a report was provided to the Council related to second quarter building permits.

CITY CLERK reported the Finance Director position has been advertised since early March. To date, the City has received three (3) resumes for this position with two potential candidates voicing interest in submitting their resume(s). Formal interviews are anticipated to begin here in August.

CITY CLERK reported the fall/winter bulletin call for action email was went out to City Staff this past week. It was noted, if any City Council members should have any ideas or suggestions or articles to please notify the City Clerk’s office by Monday, August 12th EOD. During the month of August, Haven and the City Clerk’s office will be revising copies and layouts along with preferred edits. The CITY CLERK anticipates that the print version will be ready on September 5th and to be sent to the printers for publication.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch attended the soft opening of Smiths Custom Meats & General Store located at 108 N College Avenue, Aledo on August 3rd. MAYOR encouraged all to stop in to the new business located in downtown Aledo.

Committee Report: No Report.

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 Committee of the Whole of July 8, 2024.

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 15, 2024.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP14.

• Approval of the Resignation of Christian Williams as an Aledo Police Officer effective August 8, 2024.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

RESOLUTION NO. 21R, SERIES OF 2024; ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR SPONSLER MANOR SUBDIVISION GRADING PACKAGE TO MILLER TRUCKING & EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $415,897.00:

The City Council of the City of Aledo has previously approved the development of the Sponsler Manor Third Addition, a new subdivision to be located southeast of the intersection of NE 7th Avenue and 100th Avenue in Aledo. City Council authorized Hutchison Engineering (“Hutchison”) to advertise for bids to complete mass grading for the Project. Following publication of notice and distribution of an invitation to bid, the City received three (3) bids for the Grading Work, including bids for Phase I of the Grading Work or, in the alternative, bids for grading the complete site for the Project.

Following a bid opening, Hutchison has recommended that the City award the contract for the Grading Work for the complete site for the Project to the lowest bidder, Miller Trucking & Excavating Company, whose bid was $415,897.00.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve Resolution No. 21R, Series of 2024; Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Sponsler Manor Subdivision Grading Package to Miller Trucking & Excavating in the amount of $415,897.00 for grading of the complete site. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

(Clerks note: Funding Source – Sponsler Manor Third Addition Site Development (Aledo 2022 TIF)

RESOLUTION NO. 22R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING STS SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS AND ANR PIPELINE COMPANY:

The City Council of the City of Aledo currently purchases natural gas and utilizes the services of the ANR Pipeline Company (“ANR”) for transportation and storage of natural gas. The current pipeline agreement between the City and ANR will expire on March 31, 2025. The City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City and its residents for the City of Aledo to enter into an amended STS Service Agreement with ANR for the period commencing April 1, 2019 and ending March 31, 2031.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON to approve Resolution No. 22R, Series of 2024; Approving STS Service Agreement between the City of Aledo, Illinois and ANR Pipeline Company (Contract No. 131548). A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

OLD BUSINESS: ALD. Doherty inquired on recent non-pickup of receptacles within Aledo for various residents. It was noted by City Staff several complaints or calls were received at City Hall. It was also noted a complaint of refuse on roadways was also received. CITY ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported a number of 20 calls had been received last week in the SW section of Aledo. The fiber project with Viola Home Telephone was noted as a cause of issues and reasoning for LRS unable to return to pick-up those missed receptacles. Communication continues with LRS management related to these various complaints for a resolution.

NEW BUSINESS: No Report.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH 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/_08052024-417