Mayor Steve Callaway | inkedin.com
Mayor Steve Callaway | inkedin.com
City of Aledo City Council met Dec. 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 December 03, 2024. MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:30 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. Alderman ANDREW WEEKS 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
Public Comment: No Report.
Public Hearing: Estimated F/Y 2025 Budget & Tax Levy: MAYOR Hagloch opened the meeting for the hearing at 6:15 p.m.
ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the overall budget is $16.7 million and the General Fund portion at $4.3 million. This compares to 2024 budget figures of $34 million overall and $11.2 million in the General Fund. This is due to grants and other programs cycling out of the budget as completed projects. Some of those completed projects are the improvements at Central Park, the SE 8th Avenue Multi-Use Pathway, the SE 6th Street Safe Routes to School sidewalk and the on-going development at the new housing addition at Sponsler’s Manor Third Addition.
The Capital Improvement plan for 2025 is over $10 million. The total allocation of for the CIP includes $7.1 million designated for the development of the new Aquatic Center, which represents the majority of the budget. Some other highlights of the CIP include a new squad vehicle for the Police Department, an articulating loader for the Public Works Department, technology improvements for various departments, and resurfaced roads in the NW Quadrant of the City.
Tax levy – The total amount of the budget is listed in the amount of $16,712,604. The total amount required by the City to be raised by taxation for F/Y 2025 for the corporate purposes set forth in the ordinance is $547,879. The tax rate for this year is 4.99%. The current year levy of $547,879 represents an increase of $16,115 from the prior year final extended levy of $531,764. The proposed “tentative tax levy” for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025.
The tentative budget and tax levy were made available for public inspection by publishing a legal notice in the Aledo Times Record on November 13, 2024.
There being no public comment, MAYOR Hagloch closed the public hearing at 6:20 p.m.
Communication & Correspondence: No Report.
Requests & Petitions: No Report.
Public Works Activity Report:
• Streets: Install snowplows; clean all equipment & shop; digitally map the new trees in Central Park; install winter banners; install winter flower pots; install and decorate holiday tree.
• Gas: Install snow plows; clean trucks and shop; Don continues system pressure adjustments at the Border Station & the East Station; OSHA 8hr refresher training; start installing the new gas meters. The division have started installing new meters at the locations where the old meters have failed. Shortly after, we will start installing new meters on Route 1, working thru the additional routes as new meters are purchased every year.
• Water: Install snow plows; WTP maintenance & fill propane tanks; order electrical equipment for the lift station upgrade project; hydro vac & repair the PD sanitary sewer lateral; winterize the central park water lines.
• Cemetery: Trim trees; install snowplows & salt spreader; clean office; empty trash barrels; install storm windows in the office; assist Street Division in shop & equipment cleaning.
• DPW: The 2025 Holiday Tree was installed on 11/25. DPW thanked Carole Schmidt for donating the 27’ Douglas Fir. Carole & her late husband Ron planted the tree shortly after they were married in 2002. Ron would decorate this tree every year up until a few years before he passed in 2022. She thought it would be appropriate to donate it in his memory. DPW would also like to thank Barnhart Cane Service for picking and setting the tree; G & H Trucking for the haul, and Ameren Illinois for working with us to de-energize the power lines at both sites so we could work safely. The biggest thanks are to all of the Public Works Employees who help in coordinating, decorating, and taking the time to make this happen. It is much appreciated.
Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported Officers Breanna Wakeland and Jaydon Brown completed Week 13 of the 16-week academy. They are performing well and are scheduled to graduate from the Sauk Valley Community College Police Academy on December 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM.
Lt. Baker completed the Week #2 of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command being held in Peoria, Illinois.
The Mercer County Clerk’s Office has applied for a grant through the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to purchase an e-Citation program from Quicket Solutions. This is an online cloud-based system that integrates with the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). This system will allow for data accuracy and efficiencies through auto population of eCitations. The grant will pay for printers in the squad cars and the first year of the maintenance agreement with Quicket Solutions.
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 Community Connections – Aledo Main Street Meeting.
• Attended the Cemetery Committee and Property Committee Meetings.
• Observed the Employee Health Insurance Overview and Sign Up.
• Held a meeting to discuss the sidewalk on SE 6th St.
• Met with Lindsey Dunn – Aledo Main Street for monthly meeting.
• Met with Denise Bulat with Bi-State to go over a couple of questions concerning the current and future zoning use maps for the Comprehensive Plan.
• Spoke with many possible corporate donors concerning the Aquatic Center – numerous days.
• Inspected garland around decorative light poles on numerous days and times to see if operational and if any bulbs are missing.
ADMINISTRATOR has also been speaking with additional corporate donors for the Aledo Aquatic Center project. The City recently received a $25k donation over a 5-year period for the pool campaign and thanked the local business for that contribution to the project.
A Joint Meeting of Finance, Gas and Water / Sewer Committees will be needed in December to discuss rates for the Gas and Water Sewer Department, as well as, the Finance Committee discussing a Hotel / Motel Tax.
Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported Holly Days to be held on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th. The electric parade to be held on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the City also entered into the parade. Downtown businesses will also be open during the event for shopping. The lighting of the Community Christmas tree to follow the parade.
Committee Report: MAYOR Hagloch reported the Cemetery & Cable T.V. Committee met on November 19, 2024 to discuss digital mapping software for the Aledo Cemetery. The committee also discussed creating rates for Saturday & Holiday ashes opening & closing.
ALD. Cooper reported the Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee met on November 19, 2024 to discuss the status of the 9th Avenue Multi-Use path project, along with the 6th Street sidewalk project related to damage along a section of new sidewalk at the property located at 603 SE 2nd Avenue along SE 6th Street.
REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,
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 18, 2024.
• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP22.
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. 19, SERIES OF 2024; ADOPTING A MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALEDO FISCAL YEAR 2025. (FIRST READING)
The City of Aledo has made the proposed “Tentative Budget” for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 available for public inspection by publishing the same in the journal of proceedings and making copies available at City Hall; and, a public hearing was held on December 3, 2024, pursuant to statute, relative to the adoption of the 2025 Fiscal Year Budget.
The total budget is listed in the amount of $16,712,604.00.
A second reading to be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 beginning at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
ORDINANCE NO. 20, SERIES OF 2024; LEVYING TAXES IN AND FOR THE CITY OF ALEDO, IN THE COUNTY OF MERCER AND STATE OF ILLINOIS, FOR THE CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL PURPOSES OF SAID CITY, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK OF SAID CITY TO CERTIFY THE SAME TO THE COUNTY CLERK OF SAID COUNTY OF MERCER. (FIRST READING)
The annual budget ordinance for the said City for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st day of January, 2025 and ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, the total amount of which budgeted by said ordinance was Sixteen Million Seven Hundred Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Four Dollars ($16,712,604.00).
The total amount of Five Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars ($547,879) is required by said City to be raised by taxation for said fiscal year for the corporate purposes set forth above in this Ordinance.
A second reading to be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 beginning at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
ORDINANCE NO. 21, SERIES OF 2024; AMENDING TITLE 13 OF THE CITY CODE OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS – CEMETERY FEES. (FIRST READING)
For 2025, a 2.3% increase has been provided within the draft ordinance and reflective from September, 2023 to September, 2024 in the Consumer Price Index. This is the latest data that is available. All fees have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
In addition to the standard increases as dictated by the ordinance, the cost schedule reflects the city’s implementation of a new fee for a Saturday and holiday ashes opening and closing.
13-1-1: SCHEDULE OF FEES:
The following fees are hereby established, which shall be charged and collected by the city:
| Cemetery lot transfer | |
| Grave opening/closing | |
| Infant grave or ashes opening/closing | |
| Saturday and holiday opening/closing | |
| Saturday & holiday ashes opening/closing | $373.00 |
| Winter grave preparation surcharge | |
| Foundation work | At Cost |
| Columbarium engraving or initialing | |
| Columbarium re-engraving | |
| Columbarium opening/closing | |
| Temporary Crypt Holding | $5.00 |
| Disinterment/reinterment | |
| Saturday and holiday disinterment/reinterment | |
| Infant grave or ashes disinterment/reinterment | |
| Infant grave or ashes Saturday and holiday disinterment/reinterment | |
| Mausoleum vault or crypt opening/closing | |
| Cemetery lot | |
| Mausoleum vault or crypt | |
| Columbarium niche |
RESOLUTION NO. 29R, SERIES OF 2024; APPROVING A MERCER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,386.68:
The cost of this coverage is $1,198.89 per month or $14,386.68 annually. The contract provides for the shelter and care of stray dogs/cats and the assistance of Mercer County Animal Pound/Facility staff during normal business hours (7:00AM-3:30PM) / Monday through Friday – excluding weekends and holidays). The cost of this coverage is the same as last year.
Motion was made by ALD. DOHERTY and seconded by ALD. DIXON to approve Resolution No. 29R, Series of 2024; Approving a Mercer County Animal Control Agreement beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 in the amount of $14,386.68 as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YES: Dixon, Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
OLD BUSINESS: No Report.
NEW BUSINESS: ALD. Cooper inquired how a resident would go about getting a drainage tube replaced underneath their driveway. DPW Blaser reported contact should be made to City Hall to create a work order for replacement with the cost of replacement to be paid by the homeowner.
CLOSED SESSION:
Motion was made by ALDERMAN DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to adjourn to closed session to discuss:
A. Personnel Section 2(c)(1) Open Meetings Act; and,
B. Review of Executive Session Minutes Section 2(c)(21) Open Meetings Act. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS: Doherty, Friese, Ruh, Sarabasa, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays. The meeting was recessed to closed session at 6:41 P.M.
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:
Council reconvened in open session at 6:59 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following answering present: ALDERMEN COOPER, DIXON, DOHERTY, FRIESE, RUH, and SARABASA, 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 7:00 P.M.
https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12032024-433
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