Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Sept. 3.

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 03, 2024. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:

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

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, TREVOR FISK, 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 Report.

Communication & Correspondence: No Report.

Requests & Petitions: Special Event: Mind Over Miles 5K Race/Walk to be held on October 12, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. Paint downtown parking stalls, crosswalks & stop bars, Antiques Day Prep, Mowing. Digital mapping of downtown storm sewers.

• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Rebuild one meter set, retire one meter set, paint border station, work on cathodic map & points, sniff checks, calibrate CGI’s. The annual Operator Qualification & field audit was completed. Below is a description of what that entails.

• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Fall weed spraying is completed at the WTP, wells, and lagoons. Continue emergency preparedness procedure manual. Coordinate well #6 repairs. Multiple sewer investigations & two water leak investigations.

• Cemetery: Two (2) funerals occurred. Work consisted of mowing and weed-eating. Set five stones.

• DPW: The Community Improvements Project is continuing to progress. Paving is complete. The brick paver areas continue to be installed & underground electrical continues. Two zoning cases were heard on 8/15. They will be presented to council on 9/3. A start date of September 30th is set for the SE 6th Street sidewalk project. The delayed start date is due to manufacture of the storm sewer structures and concrete pipe. The Sponsler Manor Third Addition Phase I Cultural Resource Survey is expected to begin this week. If the report comes back clear, the mass grading will be scheduled. No issues were reported to Public Works for Antiques Day. Viola Telephone advised DPW last week that they intend on completing the installation of fiber for the entire City within the next year. They will begin on the SE section of town this fall, and work as long as weather allows. Completion of the NE section is anticipated to be completed by mid-summer 2025.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported Officer Breanna Wakeland and Officer Jaydon Brown started work on August 26, 2024. They went through an onboarding process to obtain police uniforms, equipment, complete all required academy paperwork, weapons/range instruction, policy review, patrol/city orientation and completion of all human resource forms. They will begin at the Sauk Valley Community College Police Academy in Dixon, IL on September 02, 2024.

Lt. Baker was accepted into the New Chiefs of Police Orientation 2024 through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board which is to be held in East Peoria from September 17-20, 2024. This training is open to those command officers which hold the designation of Chief of Police/Deputy Chief or similar rank. The training and lodging for this class are provided at no cost.

The Aledo Police Department increased the number of officers working to provide coverage for Antiques Day. This event was well attended and it was reported that there was a record number of classic cars at this event. No issues were noted for the event.

CHIEF Fisk publicly acknowledged the Aledo Fire Department on their work and efforts on recent emergency called into the police department highlighting their outstanding work and assistance on those calls.

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

• Attended the bi-weekly Aledo Community Projects Construction Progress meeting – 8/20

• Met with representatives two times from Ameren concerning their Community Engagement Program. 8-20 & 8-26

• Attended the Mayor’s meeting with Department Heads – 8/20 

• Along with the DPW held a walk-through of a downtown building. Potential buyer inquiring of what items needed to be brought up to code. Buyer looking for a place to establish a business – 8/21

• Attended the ITEP grant webinar – 8/21

• Held an interview with the 5th candidate for Finance Director – 8/22 

• Attended the annual Antiques Day. Administrator does have some recommendations that will be shared with that committee concerning the placement of the Antique Vendors 8-24

• Attended a conference call concerning AP Auto program (a service that helps city in the issuing of checks to help prevent fraud) – 8-28

• Met with DPW and contractor discussed the potential dog park along the new neighborhood vehicle path that is north of the Community Bible Church – 8-29 

• Residents are reminded to place their garbage cart next to the street in a place that is three feet from of any obstruction, including any additional LRS approved garbage or recycling tote or cart.

• Residents are asked to face the garbage cart the proper direction.

• All refuse must be in an approved LRS/Jackson cart. If your refuse does not fit in the cart, either a second cart must be rented from LRS directly ($5 per month billed directly from LRS) or a special pick up ($10) needs to be called into LRS directly.

• If garbage service is missed your residence, you may call LRS directly at 309- 586-4410 or email them at Monmouth@LRSrecycles.com.

Mayor’s Report: A Special City Council meeting to be held on Monday, September 9th at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers to discuss and approve a resolution of support regarding an OSLAD grant application.

Committee Report: A Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee to be held on Monday, September 9th at 6:15 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

ALD. Sarabasa requested Item E – Approval of a Memorandum of Support between the City of Aledo and Mercer County Family Y.M.C.A. be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion. MAYOR Hagloch noted the item to be removed as requested.

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

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 19, 2024.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP16.

• Approval of the Hiring of Marisa Barrett as a Director of Finance in the Administrative Department effective September 16, 2024.

• Approval of the Job Description and Consent to Hire a Director of Parks & Recreation.

• Approval of a Special Event: Mind over Miles 5K Race/Walk – October 12, 2024. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Cooper, Dixon, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.

APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO AND MERCER COUNTY FAMILY Y.M.C.A:

ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the language on page two (2) of the memorandum stating:

The City of Aledo agrees to enter into a multi-year (10 year) agreement with the YMCA pursuant to which the YMCA will provide operational services to the City of Aledo for the management and operations of the Aquatic Center, with fees for the YMCA’s service estimated at $475,000. (The difference in funding from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust with the YMCA’s influence vs the City of Aledo, alone of $25,000 per the email received January 22, 2024.)

MAYOR Hagloch reported the monetary amount listed for operational services is to provide a basic value of services estimated over the ten-year period of the term. The memorandum of understanding is being established so the YMCA may apply for a grant related to the capital campaign for the new Aquatic Center. The City of Aledo would only be allowed to apply for an amount of $25,000 maximum while the YMCA is able to apply for additional money above that maximum.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Aledo and Mercer County Family Y.M.C.A. as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 13, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A SETBACK VARIANCE FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 605 NW 3RD STREET IN THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS: (FIRST READING)

Sandra Campbell (hereinafter the “Petitioner”) has petitioned for a variance of the front line set-back regulations of the Aledo City Code to permit the construction of a 14’ x 14’ garage addition within the required 60’ front yard setback for the property located in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, and legally described as follows:

S17 T14N R3W Lot 7 & N 20’ of VAC NW 3rd St ADJ on S side of Block 37 in the Willits & Thompson Addition to the original town now City of Aledo, situated in the County of Mercer, and State of Illinois.

Commonly known as 605 NW 3rd Street, Aledo Illinois (the “Property”); and, the Property is zoned R-2 Residential District. The Petitioner seeks a 9’ foot reduction from the 60’ front line set back requirement found in Title 10, Chapter 10 of the Zoning Ordinance; and, after duly published notice, the City of Aledo Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) conducted an open hearing on the proposed variance on August 15, 2024. After considering the factors set forth in Section 10-16-1 of the Aledo Municipal Code, as well as those factors set forth in 65 ILCS 5/11-13-5, and finding that the evidence justifies the proposed variance, the ZBA has given the City Council its recommendation that the proposed variance be approved, subject to the conditions and findings set forth in the Findings of Fact made by the ZBA.

A variance is hereby authorized allowing a 9’ reduction from the 60’ front line setback requirements set forth in Title 10, Chapter 10 of the Zoning Ordinance, for purposes of permitting the Petitioner to construct a 14’ x 14’ garage addition on the property located at 605 NW 3rd Street, Aledo Illinois, with a front-line setback of not less than fifty-one feet (51’), subject to the following condition:

1. Construction of the Addition must begin within one year of the passage of this ordinance.

ORDINANCE NO. 14, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A SETBACK VARIANCE FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 108 SE 8TH STREET IN THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS: (FIRST READING)

Eric and Daphney Long (hereinafter the “Petitioner”) have petitioned for a variance to permit the construction of a 24’ x 25’ home addition within the 25’ right-of-way front line setback required by the Aledo City Code on the property located in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, and legally described as follows:

S20 T14N 3W Lot A of Lot 1 of the S/D of Blocks 138, 139, & 140 Willits & Thompson Addition to the original town now City of Aledo, situated in the County of Mercer, and State of Illinois

Commonly known as 108 SE 8th Street, Aledo Illinois (the “Property”); and, the Property is zoned R-1 Residential District. The Petitioner seeks a 10’ reduction from the 25’ right of-way front line set back requirement found in Title 10, Chapter 10 of the Zoning Ordinance; and, after duly published notice, the City of Aledo Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) conducted an open hearing on the proposed variance on August 15, 2024. After considering the factors set forth in Section 10-16-1 of the Aledo Municipal Code, as well as those factors set forth in 65 ILCS 5/11-13-5, and finding that the evidence justifies the proposed variance, the ZBA has given the City Council its recommendation that the proposed variance be approved, subject to the conditions and findings set forth in the Findings of Fact made by the ZBA.

A variance is hereby authorized allowing a 10’ reduction from the 25’ right-of-way front line set back requirements set forth in Title 10, Chapter 10 of the Zoning Ordinance, for purposes of permitting the Petitioner to construct a 24’ x 25’ home addition on the property located at 108 SE 8th Street, Aledo Illinois, with a front line right-of-way setback of not less than fifteen feet (15’), subject to the following condition:

1. Construction of the Addition must begin within one year of the passage of this Ordinance.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to waive the 2nd reading(s) for Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2024; Approving a Setback Variance for Certain Real Property located at 605 NW 3rd Street in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois; and, Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2024; Approving a Setback Variance for Certain Real Property located at 108 SE 8th Street in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN WEEKS and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to adopt Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2024; Approving a Setback Variance for Certain Real Property located at 605 NW 3rd Street in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois; and, Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2024; Approving a Setback Variance for Certain Real Property located at 108 SE 8th Street in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, and Friese. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 24R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A PROPOSAL FOR SANITARY SEWER CLEANING AND INSPECTION – SE 3RD STREET / STATE HIGHWAY 94 IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,400.00:

In anticipation of potential upcoming road resurfacing, staff recommends cleaning and televising the sanitary sewer main on SE 3rd St/State Highway 94 in order to identify any potential issues or failures and conduct necessary repair work.

The Director of Public Works has received a proposal from Advanced Plumbing & Mechanical LLC from Monmouth, Illinois to perform the necessary sewer inspection, reporting, and cleaning of the aforesaid sewer, comprising approximately 8,000 feet of sewer main at a price of $2.80 per foot, and the Director of Public Works has recommended award of the foregoing to Advanced Plumbing & Mechanical LLC.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN WEEKS and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to approve Resolution No. 24R, Series of 2024; Approving a Proposal for Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Inspection – SE 3rd Street / State Highway 94 in the amount of $22,400.00 as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Sarabasa, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, Friese, and Ruh. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.

OLD BUSINESS: No Report.

NEW BUSINESS: ADMINISTRATOR Chausse inquired if the CITY COUNCIL would be agreeable of a gaming facility established within the corporate limits of the Aledo. ADMINISTRATOR noted to provide more details of the potential business to the CITY COUNCIL. CITY COUNCIL noted no obligations and would be open to more discussion following additional details at a later date.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN DIXON that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 6:51 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09032024-420