Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Oct. 7.

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 07, 2024. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:45 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:

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

Also present was PHILIP PIEPER, Sergeant, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk. The media was represented by Jim Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: No Report.

Communication & Correspondence: Dean Olson, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to highlight the number of businesses the City has established in Industrial Park along with others on the east-end business district, as well as, renovations at the Aledo Opera House. City Staff noted to Olson that the City does market Aledo to promote the businesses in town along with the festivals to promote tourism.

Requests & Petitions: Special Event: Veterans’ Day parade to be held on November 11th, 2024 beginning at 10:45 o’clock a.m. in downtown Aledo.

Cemetery Transfer: Petitioner, Lyle Decker, executor for Kathleen Gehn, to quit-claim grave space three (3) in lot 206-D, Third Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Randal & Juanita Dixon, 210 SW 11th Street, Aledo, IL., 61231.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, and work orders continue. New planters at corners of main and college were unloaded; water training; budget preparation; water flowers and trees; participated in the Touch a Truck event.

• Gas: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s, inspections and finals continue. Locates with Hartco continue; updating corrosion maps; deliver shut-off notices; fixing of leak survey leaks.

• Water: Daily checks, tasks, JULIE’s and work orders continue. Televise sewer along HWY 17; water-line repair at SPOTS, Install new check and isolation valve at Industrial Park lift station; update W/WW system numbers.

• Cemetery: Two (2) funerals occurred. Mowing and weed-eating continue. Research digital mapping & database systems with Cemsites.

• DPW: The Sponsler Manor Third addition grading is underway. No surprises thus far & they are on schedule. The SE 6th Street SRTS project started 9/30. The CIP Project is also going well. Backfill and landscaping is underway. We are waiting on one electrical cabinet to be able to start installing the decorative light poles, strand light poles, and RV pedestals. Ameren will be on site Friday 10/11 to energize the new transformers and remove the wood poles in the alley. The camera inspection of the sanitary sewer under HWY 17 went very well. All of the mains ant taps were in good condition. We have no concerns or work to do prior to the resurfacing. DPW to contact IDOT to let them now we are ready, and they can start as soon as they want! Ellie Lower and DPW have been researching different cemetery mapping companies.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: SGT Pieper reported Investigator Kenney participated in the Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, September 28th at Mercer Market. Several agencies participated in the event, including the City of Aledo Police and Public Works Departments, Medivac Helicopter and ambulance services, Aledo Fire Department, Mercer County Sherriff’s Department and others. During the event, Child Safety Belt inspections were performed and an estimated 300+ people attended the event.

Officer(s) B. Wakeland and Brown continue to progress well at the Police Academy. Both officers’ check-in with the Department the end of each week.

The Mercer County Homecoming parade was held last week and the Police Department wanted to thank the Mercer County Sherriff’s Department for their help on scene due to suspicious messages online. The man power during the event was also assisted by the MCSD as well as an arrest of the subject.

Chief Fisk to return from leave on Monday, October 14th. LT. Baker to also return from leave after follow-up appointments to be held on Thursday, October 3rd.

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

• Along with DPW and Mayor met with potential developer who is looking at the liquor store / gaming site.

• Attended the Central Park – RDMS bi-weekly meeting with the contractors.

• Attended the Main Street Community Connection meeting.

• Met with a website design company – App-tegy – three times to discuss the city’s website and potential mobile app.

• Met with representatives from Ameren to discuss electric vehicle / charging grants.

• Attended the Ordinance and Police Committee meeting.

• Had monthly meeting with AMS Coordinator Lindsey Dunn.

• Met with Mercer County CUSD#404 Superintendent Tim Farquer to discuss the expansion of the HS campus, fiber connection for the HS and the vacation of SE 14th St. (in New Business for discussion).

• Attended the Antiques Day follow-up meeting.

• Answered questions about city projects at the Mercer County Retired Teachers breakfast.

• Asked Mark Walton to assist in tightening up the city’s ordinance concerning peddling and solicitation which we will bring for approval at a future meeting.

• Attended the Aquatic Center meeting with the engineer / architect to continue work on the design.

• Meet with our current website provider – CivicPlus – to discuss our current contract and the possible redesign of our website.

• Concerning the 9th Ave path, Hutchinson Engineering shared our concept for both the jog across the street with IDOT and we are waiting for their response.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch read a proclamation to declare the evening of October 31, 2024, between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as trick or treat hours within the city limits of Aledo.

MAYOR mentioned an idea to consider for next year’s Halloween event to include a street closure along college avenue in the downtown business district area. To possibly involve Aledo Main Street to host a trick or treating event during the designated hours in the downtown area.

Committee Report: An Ordinance & Police Committee meeting was held on September 23rd. The Committee discussed current status of the Aledo Police Department personnel staff and the Community Service Officer. Also, the committee revisited an ordinance to add a new chapter 17 to Title 13 of the city code of the City for the purpose of imposing a hotel and motel room renting tax. Finally, the Committee discussed the implementation of an ordinance concerning the regulation of yard (garage) sales within the limits of Aledo.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN SARABASA to approve the following consent agenda items:

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 16, 2024.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP18.

• Approval of the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) effective October 7, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

• Approval of a Special Event – Veterans Day Parade to be held on November 11, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.

• Approval of a Cemetery Transfer – Petitioner, Lyle Decker, executor for Kathleen Gehn, to quit-claim grave space three (3) in lot 206-D, Third Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Randal & Juanita Dixon, 210 SW 11th Street, Aledo, IL., 61231.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 16, SERIES OF 2024; DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES INTO WHICH CITY FUNDS SHALL BE PLACED AND AUTHORIZING OFFICERS TO SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. (FIRST READING)

The City Treasurer shall deposit all city funds within the following institutions:

• 1st Community Bank

• Midwest Bank of Western Illinois

• Farmer’s State Bank

• The Illinois Funds

• Blackhawk Bank & Trust

• BankORION

• CBI Bank & Trust

The following officers are hereby authorized on behalf of the City to endorse checks for deposit only, to sign checks and withdraw funds on deposit at the institutions identified above.

• Sandy Bull, Treasurer

• Christopher Hagloch, Mayor

• Marisa Barrett, Finance Director

• Jarod Dale, City Clerk

• Michael Chausse, City Administrator

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DOHERTY and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2024; Designating Depositories into which City funds shall be placed and Authorizing Officers to sign on behalf of the City. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2024; Designating Depositories into which City funds shall be placed and Authorizing Officers to sign on behalf of the City as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 26R, SERIES OF 2024; AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL GAS METERS AND ACCESSORIES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $19,930.85:

As part of the FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan Budget, the City Council approved the purchase of residential gas meters and accessories. Groebner has submitted a quote (the “Proposal”) for residential gas meters and accessories in the amount of $19,930.85. Total quantity listed in an amount of 60 meters plus accessories.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 26R, Series of 2024; Authorizing the Purchase of Residential Gas Meters and Accessories in an amount not to exceed $19,930.85 as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

OLD BUSINESS: ALD. Sarabasa inquired on an ordinance the county lifted recently regarding tattoo parlors in Mercer County. CITY CLERK Dale reported now that the County has lifted the restriction, tattoo establishments would be allowable within the corporate limits of Aledo unless regulated by the CITY COUNCIL. No further discussion followed.

ALD. Friese inquired if the City would be installing additional cameras within the downtown area after the improvements that have taken place this year. CITY COUNCIL noted this could be a discussion that the City could consider at a future committee meeting. City Staff to look into options for discussion purposes. SGT. Pieper reported there are several intersections in the downtown area and other areas of Aledo that could be monitored. Suggestions were voiced to consider monitoring main street and college avenue. Item to be referred to the Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee.

CITY COUNCIL discussed the new neighborhood vehicle pathway connecting to the east end business district. Concerns were voiced related to a recent incident of a vehicle driving on the pathway. Current signage does designate “Neighborhood Vehicle Path Only”.

CITY COUNCIL suggested additional discussions be held to possibly post signage that is clearer for traffic and pedestrians utilizing the pathway.

NEW BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION REGARDING A VACATION OF THE 100 BLOCK OF SE 14TH STREET TO THE MERCER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #404 FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPANDING THE HIGH SCHOOL:

The prior school superintendent had mentioned to the City in the past of the expansion of the current high school campus. There are three phases of plans for the existing buildings, which one day could result in a complete modernization of the site.

Because of the construction plans, some of the new project will encroach on SE 14th Street. Currently, there is only one home adjacent to this street. The home was sold by the owners to the school district and the paperwork is currently being filed. The prior school superintendent asked if the city would entertain vacating that road and giving it to the school.

City staff has checked for any utilities and a gas line and storm sewer runs along that street. Therefore, the city would still maintain an easement for those lines and any other lines that could eventually run through that area.

The new Superintendent – Tim Farquer has met with city staff and the district is pushing ahead with the expansion plans.

CITY COUNCIL voiced their support to proceed with the vacating of the 100 Block of SE 14th Street to assist in the expansion of the High School campus and modernizing the site.

DISCUSSION REGARDING FOOD SERVICE CARTS AND FOOD TRUCKS:

Currently, the city allows food trucks / carts to operate within the city limits after the following criteria are met:

1. Proof of registration with the IL Dept. of Revenue

2. Proof of Liability Insurance

3. Proof of inspection from the Mercer County Health Department

4. Proper food safety licenses

5. Certificate of Registration for the food cart or truck

6. An application is completed and a $100 fee/year.

The popularity and availability of food trucks has increase greatly in the last few years, especially after the pandemic. City Staff would like the Council to consider a One – Day / Special Use permit for food truck / carts for a fee of $25 with all other requirements still in force.

CITY COUNCIL recommended the item be discussed at a future Ordinance & Police Committee meeting for further review and discussion.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:08 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072024-425