Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Feb. 18.

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 February 18, 2025.

MAYOR HAGLOCH called the meeting to order at 6:32 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.

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, TREVOR FISK, Interim Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, LINDSEY DUNN, Aledo Main Street, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Jim Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: No Report.

Communication & Correspondence: Lindsey Dunn, Executive Director, Aledo Main Street appeared before the Committee of the Whole to present the Aledo Main Street 2024 Annual Report. Highlights of the presentation to include the following:

• 4-point Main Street Approach Committees (Promotions, Design, Economic Vitality, and Organization).

• Overview of 2024 Board of Directors.

• Highlighted accomplishments:

o Officially became an Illinois Main Street (IMS) affiliated community.

o Two (2) ribbon cuttings in 2024.

o Grant opportunities – Lease Expense Assistance Program (LEAP).

o Main Street Moola certificates sold in the amount of $530.

o Eight (8) monthly community connection meetings.

o Professional development.

• Design committee accomplishments (Spring/Summer memorial planters, fall streetscapes, scarecrows, concrete permanent planters, winter memorial planters, and holiday storefront decorating).

• Events (Ladies on the Loose, Rhubarb Festival, Aledo Antiques Day & Car Show, Aledo Fall Fest, Early Bird Shopping, Shop Small Saturday, Holly Days, Cinema@ Central showings, and Main Street Farmer’s Market).

• Budget – Total Operational Income ($102,500.00) and Total Operational Expenses ($104,130.00).

ALD. Doherty inquired if there was any planning on the Semiquincentennial “America 250” Celebration for next year. DUNN noted there were no plans to date on hosting an event.

Requests & Petitions: Joyce E. Grimm, petitioner, Quit-claim Lot Two (2) in Lot One Hundred Twenty-one (121) west-half of the 5th Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Robin Bewley, 729 W. 1st Street, Mesa, AZ.

Public Works Activity Report:

• Streets: Plowed snow for both snow events; clean up stumps at Northside park; train on articulating loader; Jordan complete pesticide applicator class.

• Gas: Read meters on 1/27; master meter corrector adjustment; replace bad meters; year-end reports.

• Water: WTP maintenance and generator repair; digital mapping; JULIES; shut off’s; leak investigations; sewer investigations.

• Cemetery: Two (2) Funerals occurred. Continue digital mapping input for the Cemify implementation.

• DPW: The City took delivery of the articulating loader last week. We were able to use it during the snow events during the last week, and it worked very well. This will be a very useful piece of equipment. We received a final plat for the Countryview Villas subdivision last week, there are some minor revisions to be made before being presented to the council for final approval on 3/3.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported Lt. Adam Baker completed Week No. 8 of the 10-week Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command being held in Peoria, Illinois.

Officer Dallas Wakeland attended the 36-hour Field Training Officer Certification at Mobile Team IV in East Moline, IL. This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills using a standardized system of evaluation called the modified “SanJose” model. This is the most widely used training system for new police recruits in the United States. Ofc. Jaydon Brown is completing Phase 2 (Weeks 5-8) of his Field Training Program. He is doing well in all categories.

A meeting was held with the Rhubarb Fest Committee on 02/10/25. A police debrief was conducted following the 2024 Rhubarb Fest detailing our observations of the event. The debrief was summarized into a document which was provided to the Rhubarb Committee for review.

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 Jeff Sedam – Mercer Market Manager – to work on the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant to assist them with the grant and the potential to have MM’s coolers replaced and other upgrades. Asking for nearly $250,000 which is the maximum amount you can ask for.

• Attended the Mercy One – Genesis Hospital Assessment Needs Meeting at the YMCA.

• Spoke with Gridley Village President Jeff Benedict to discuss their TIF Subdivision Incentive.

• Met with Lindsey Dunn – AMS and City Clerk for our monthly meeting.

• Sent emails and spoke with Casey’s Corporate Representative’s concerning deed restrictions and a potential buyer for the Old Casey’s location.

• Was on call during the domestic incident at Buttonwood Trails during Wednesday evening.

• Spoke with potential buyer for the old Casey’s property and spoke with them about possible TIF assistance.

• Contacted Steve Kline – TIF Consultant concerning the old Casey’s property.

• Attended the Historic Preservation Committee Meeting.

• Attended the Region 2 Severe Weather Drill Meeting at Mercy One Hospital.

• Attended the Economic Growth Corporation presentation at the VFW.

Parks & Recreation Report: PRD Blaser reported the following:

Youth Athletics –

● Youth at halfway point of season. Children, Coaches and refs are getting better each week.

● Covered practices on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays.

● Cash Cook and Weston Swanson won the 2-Ball competition and will compete for State title on March 16th in Champaign during the IHSA Boys State Tournament.

● Preparing for Spring Baseball and Softball.

Baseball / Softball –

● Had a Park Board meeting. Set registration dates for spring Baseball.

● New Field Foul Poles ordered. Being Made by Cokels. Custom Aledo Homemade pole.

● Meeting with Erica to get softball set. Then with Murray about Apollo Diamond

● Communicated with potential sponsorship for Spring Baseball.

Parks & Maintenance – No items to report.

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 reported he was recently featured on WRMJ’s FOCUS program which should air on 2/19. Also, met with Lindsey Dunn, Aledo Main Street and attended the Community Connection meeting.

Committee Report: A Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee meeting to be held on Monday, February 24th at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council chambers. A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee meeting to also be set for Monday, February 24th at 6:15 o’clock p.m. in the City Council chambers.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

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

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 03, 2025. 

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP03.

• Approval of the Hiring of Jasmine Jaime as an Aledo Police Officer effective February 24, 2025.

• Approval of Ordinance No. 03, Series of 2025; Amending Title 6, Chapter 9 of the City Code regarding Nuisance Vegetation. (Second Reading)

• Approval of Cemetery Transfer: Joyce E. Grimm, Petitioner, quit-claim Lot Two (2), in Lot One Hundred Twenty-one (121) west-half of the 5th Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Robin Bewley, 729 W. 1st Street, Mesa, AZ 85201.

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.

Swearing-In Ceremony: CITY CLERK Dale administered the oath to Jasmine Jaime as an Aledo Police Officer.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 04, SERIES OF 2025; AMENDING TITLE 4, CHAPTER 1 OF THE CITY CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADOPTING UPDTATED EDITIONS OF VARIOUS CODES PREPARED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION, AND ILLINOIS REGULATIONS: (SECOND READING)

Motion was made by ALD. DIXON and seconded by ALD. WEEKS to adopt Ordinance No. 04, Series of 2025; Amending Title 4, Chapter 1 of the City Code for the Purpose of Adopting Updated Editions of Various Codes prepared by the International Code Council, the National Protection Association, and Illinois Regulations 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 05, SERIES OF 2025; RESCINDING AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A TIF DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS AND WITH 309 HOMES, LLC: (FIRST READING)

1. On August 21, 2023, the Corporate Authorities of the City of Aledo, Illinois approved a TIF District Redevelopment Agreement (the “Redevelopment Agreement”) with 309 Homes, LLC by Ordinance No. 19, Series of 2023 for a redevelopment project to be located on vacant commercial lots at 212 SE 13th Ave Ct and 206 SE 13th Ave Ct (PIN #s 10-10-16-319-004 & 10-10-16-319-005) in the Aledo Downtown-2022 TIF District (the “Project”).

2. The Developer has not yet executed said Redevelopment Agreement and has communicated to the City that it will no longer be pursuing the Project as previously proposed.

3. The City hereby rescinds Ordinance No. 19, Series of 2023 approving said Redevelopment Agreement.

Motion was made by ALD. DOHERTY and seconded by ALD. SARABASA to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance. 05, Series of 2025; Rescinding an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a TIF District Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Aledo, Illinois and with 309 Homes, LLC. 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.

Motion was made by ALD. SARABASA and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to adopt Ordinance. 05, Series of 2025; Rescinding an Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a TIF District Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Aledo, Illinois and with 309 Homes, LLC. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

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

ORDINANCE NO. 06, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING OFFICAL ZONING MAP FOR 2025: (FIRST READING)

CITY CLERK Dale reported in accordance with State Statutes, (Section 11-13-19 of the Illinois Municipal Code), the City is annually required to publish the Official Zoning Map depicting zoning map amendments approved during the prior year.

The 2025 Official Zoning Map – City of Aledo, Illinois was prepared by the Western Illinois University GIS Center.

One (1) rezoning classification from 2021 was reflected improperly on the prior zoning map and has been updated on the new zoning map for 2025:

• Ord. No. 27, Series of 2021; Changing the Zoning Classification of Certain Real Property located at 205 N College Avenue, in the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois.

Recently, the CITY COUNCIL approved an updated to the Aledo Comprehensive Plan in January of this year. During that process with Bi-State Regional Commission there was discussion that we needed to update the color codes for our zoning maps.

Yellow – Residential activities

Red – shopping, business or trade activities

Purple – Industrial, manufacturing (this color replaced the blue shading in prior year maps).

DPW Blaser has identified a few parcels that he would like to change the zoning classification due to current uses. So, his plan is to review and work through those items this fiscal year.

A second reading to be held on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

RESOLUTION NO. 07R, SERIES OF 2025; AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO, ILLINOIS AND ALEDO MAIN STREET FOR SERVICES INVOLVING IMPLEMENTATION OF TIF REDEVELOPMENT PLAN:

Motion was made by ALD. DIXON and seconded by ALD. COOPER to approve Resolution No. 07R, Series of 2025; Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Aledo, Illinois and Aledo Main Street for Services involving Implementation of TIF Redevelopment Plan; shall commence February 18, 2025 and will be in effect through December 31, 2025 in an amount of $50,000.00 for the services provided during the term; and, the approved payment from the City’s General Fund – Community Sponsorship line item (01-5-214-510.01). A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

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

OLD BUSINESS: ALD. COOPER inquired on the public information meeting the Rock Island Growth Corp facilitated at the Mercer County V.F.W. recently. MAYOR Hagloch reported there were around 20 people in attendance. The City has been asked to provide a letter of support for their re-application that would be due in March. Depending on approval of their application this year, the MAYOR noted there would be no plans to fully complete the project until an application is approved.

NEW BUSINESS: No Report.

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 6:51 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02182025-445