Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met April 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 April 07, 2025. 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, MARK FRIESE, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH. Alderman JAY DOHERTY 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: Larry Boydston, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to announce his interest in sponsoring a volleyball tournament in the greenspace between the Aledo Fire Station and the Central Park Bandshell again this year. The date noted as June 1st, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A special event application to be submitted to the City for approval at a later date.

Communication & Correspondence: No Report.

Requests & Petitions: Cemetery Transfer – Jeanne Hyett Estate, Petitioner, Grave Space(s) Four, Five & Six, Lot 129 in the Original Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Carol John, 2525 Cal Young Rd., Eugene, OR, 97401.

Public Works Activity Report: DPW Blaser reported the following:

• Streets: Start repair of the ditch along Fenton Drive; remove three (3) trees along the 9th Avenue pathway project; street sweep, and mowing.

• Gas: JULIES; Assist with water turn-on at Central Park; service bandshell bathrooms, Opera House final plumbing inspection; dog park plumbing inspection; GUA meeting; and USDO training.

• Water: JULIES; Water turn-on at Central Park; water service and fountains are complete at dog park; investigate a sewer main repair at the 200 block of Se 7th St; hydrant flow tests were completed at Sponsler Manor 3rd Addition.

• Cemetery: Continue digital mapping input for the Cemify implementation. WHBF/Fox 18 interview regarding cemetery and endowment fund; re-aligning misplaced headstones into appropriate rows; and, mowing.

• DPW: Frontier Communications continue to install fiber optic in the Aledo area. Six out of 11 permits are completed. It is anticipated Frontier will be completed by the end of June.

Arbor Day is April 25th. A Heritage River Birch will be planted in Central Park honoring Michael Chausse as City Administrator.

The Soil & Water Conversation District, Jessica Grissom, Liz Gray, Mercer County 4-H, and Extension office planted 25 oak varieties along the bank west of Auto Zone and Brookstone. There are now 50 oaks planted in that area to establish an Oak Savanna.

Community Improvements Project – City is still waiting on aluminum poles for the café lights. Three concrete panels were removed and will be re-poured this week. Ameren will be installing a new aluminum power pole this week and the aggregate will be re-poured as soon as they are done.

A demolition permit was issued for the property located at 600 N. College Avenue.

Grading and seeding will be completed this week for the SE 6th Street Safe Routes to School project. A punch list repairs were made and are complete.

Pre-final plans are complete for the SW 6th Street Safe Routes to School project. It is anticipated a June 13th bid letting. IDOT is now requiring a historical review to be completed and the City and the Engineer are unsure as to why this is now being required when it was not required for the Se 6th sidewalk. The review could take up to six months.

There is an April 25th bid letting for the SW / NW 9th Avenue Shared Use Pathway project.

Infrastructure plans are now 95% complete for the Sponsler Manor Third Addition Development. Infrastructure plans are anticipated to be out for bid by the end of April and be awarded in May. Construction would then begin in June.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Fisk reported Ofc. Jade Ford met with Colona Police Officer Lindsey Lindberg in regards to her program Trust the Process. Officer Lindberg heard of Ofc. Ford’s efforts and is researching the possibility of doing the same in Colona.

Lt. Baker is working on a new modified 12-hour schedule for the police department that would provide more coverage on each shift. The schedule would have officers working during hours in which more calls for service are received. It would increase both officer and public safety. The modification would accommodate the 80-hour pay period so no overtime would be required. The new schedule would also provide more time off to the officers. This is critical in recruitment and retention of officers.

Lt. Baker, Chief Fisk and Alderman Weeks attended the “Mercer County Remembers … 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit” meeting on April 1, 2025. The mobile exhibit will be in Aledo from October 23 – 25, 2025. It will be stationed at the V.F.W. Election of Officers was completed, Committees were formed and assignments made towards their responsibilities. Some considerations to compliment the mobile exhibit are a 5K run, golf tournament and parade. There is a lot to complete prior to event but it should be a memorable experience for anyone that attends.

Lt. Baker, Chief Fisk and, City Clerk Dale, met with the owners of Saucy’s (Adam Soseman) on April 4, 2025. Mr. Soseman is planning on hosting an outdoor event with a band after the Rhubarb Festival activities on Friday, June 6, 2025.

Parks & Recreation Report: PRD Blaser reported the following:

Youth Athletics –

● Track & Field – Monday at 5:30 p.m. at YMCA.

● Cash and Weston won the YMCA 2-Ball competition on March 15th in Champaign, IL.

Baseball / Softball –

● 170 participants for park ball. T-ball registration is open until April 25th.

● Season starts April 29th.

● Fields are in good shape for High School and Recreation practice.

● Local travel teams to use fields for practice every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until Park Ball starts.

Parks & Maintenance – Spring clean-up; fields are in great shape. Beautifying Parks.

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

• Participated in the Mayor’s Department Head Meeting.

• Attended the TIF Meeting.

• City Clerk and Administrator meet with Lindsey Dunn – AMS Director. • City Clerk and Administrator meet with Sarah Brown, MC YMCA Director. • Attended the Main Street Antiques Day Committee meeting.

CITY CLERK Dale provided the sales tax revenue and building permit reports for the first quarter of 2025.

CITY CLERK reported the close of the prior fiscal year was completed in Incode on 3/24. Field audit work to be completed by Odoni Partners, LLC in April. In the interim, FINANCE DIRECTOR and front-office staff continue to prepare for the FY24 field audit.

CITY CLERK reported the Aledo Spring / Summer Bulletin has been finalized and was sent off to the printing company this week. Staff anticipates the residents will receive the latest bulletin this upcoming weekend.

CITY CLERK reported Historic Preservation Commission has finalized the first three (3) building plaques for the Will Hall building, Mercer County Eyecare building, and the former Standard Oil Station building. The plaques will assist in a walking tour giving the history of each building. HPC continues to work on three new buildings in 2025.

A dedication of the storyboards for the Soldier & Sailor’s Memorial will be held on May 26th at 10:00 a.m. at Monument Park. CITY COUNCIL was invited to attend that event.

CITY CLERK reported the launch of the new city website went live on April 1st. The project began back in October, 2024 with City Staff working monthly with Civic Plus and Haven Creative to design a new look and feel for the aledoil.gov website. ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the majority of the project was completed by the CITY CLERK and thanked him for the new design. CITY COUNCIL noted how well the new site looked.

Mayor’s Report: MAYOR Hagloch provided correspondence from the Illinois Housing Development Authority noting to the CITY COUNCIL that the Northside Lofts project application was received by IHDA. The owner has applied for financial assistance under the following IHDA program(s): $1,087,563 – 9% low income housing tax credits; $2,652,378 – gap financing; and, $375,000 – state tax credits.

The Market Plaza Ribbon Cutting ceremony to be held on Thursday, April 24th at 1:00 p.m. The event will feature a public ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from elected officials. Members of the press, including TV camera crews, were welcomed to attend the event. Staff continues to wait on confirmation from the Governor’s and/or Lt. Governor’s office(s).

Committee Report: ALD. Sarabasa reported the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee met on March 24, 2025 in the City Council Chambers. The Committee discussed a new façade program for FY25; a TIF application submitted by Smith Meats & Processing; and also discussed Sponsler Manor 3rd Addition project. The development project to be discussed further at a future date for infrastructure installation in FY25.

A Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:00 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 DIXON and seconded by ALDERMAN WEEKS to approve the following consent agenda items:

• Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 17, 2025. • Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP06.

• Approval of the Appointment of Dawn Morrison as a Deputy Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

• Approval of the Retirement of Clifford Adam as an Aledo Police Officer effective March 23, 2025.

• Approval of a Change of Status for Officer Thomas Smith from Part-time to Full time status effective April 7, 2025.

• Approval of a Cemetery Transfer by Jeanne Hyett Estate, Grave Space(s) Four, Five & Six, Lot 129 in the Original Addition of the Aledo Cemetery to Carol John, 2525 Cal Young Rd. Eugene, OR, 97401.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 07, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING A TIF GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 TO SMITH’S CUSTOM MEATS AND DEER PROCESSING, INC: (FIRST READING)

Within the TIF District is a commercial property the Developer has acquired (PIN 10-10- 17-358-012 and PIN 10-10-17-358-013 located at 303 SW 3rd St. and herein defined as the “Property”) and upon which the Developer intends to renovate a commercial building and the parking lot thereon for operating “Smith’s Custom Meats and General Store” at a total estimated cost of $277,102 (the “Project”).

The Parties have agreed that the City shall provide a one-time, lump-sum grant to the Developer for reimbursement of a portion of the TIF Eligible Project Costs incurred by the Developer for the Project in the amount not to exceed Twenty Percent (20%) of total verified TIF Eligible Project Costs, or Ten Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($10,000.00), whichever is less.

The Developer will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, complete the Project pursuant to City Municipal Codes within nine (9) months of this Agreement and shall provide for the continuous operation of “Smith’s Custom Meats and General Store” on the Property for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date of this Agreement.

Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. RUH to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2025; Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Aledo Downtown – 2022 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Aledo and Smith’s Custom Meats and Deer Processing, Inc. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

Motion was made by ALD. SARABASA and seconded by ALD. COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2025; Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Aledo Downtown – 2022 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Aledo and Smith’s Custom Meats and Deer Processing, Inc. as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

ORDINANCE NO. 08, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING AND ADOPTING FY 2025 COMMERCIAL FAÇADE RENOVATION PROGRAM FOR ALEDO DOWNTOWN-2022 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT: (FIRST READING)

In furtherance of the goals and objectives of the TIF District Redevelopment Plan and Projects, the City now proposes to establish a commercial façade renovation program called the “FY 2025 Commercial Façade Renovation Program”.

The City proposes to allocate an amount not to exceed Fifteen Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($15,000.00) in the Aledo Downtown-2022 TIF District Special Tax Allocation Fund for the period beginning on April 7, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2025, the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 (“FY 2025”).

All grants provided under the “FY 2025 Commercial Façade Renovation Program” must be awarded on or after the date of this Ordinance and funds disbursed for the reimbursement of verified TIF eligible project costs on or before December 31, 2025, and said uncommitted balance of program funds shall be re-allocated by the City of Aledo for other public and private TIF eligible project costs pursuant to the City’s TIF Redevelopment Plan, Projects and Area, as amended.

Motion was made by ALD. COOPER and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 08, Series of 2025; Approving and Adopting FY 2025 Commercial Façade Renovation Program and Aledo Downtown – 2022 Tax Increment Financing District. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

Motion was made by ALD. SARABASA and seconded by ALD. WEEKS to adopt Ordinance No. 08, Series of 2025; Approving and Adopting FY 2025 Commercial Façade Renovation Program and Aledo Downtown – 2022 Tax Increment Financing District 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.

ORDINANCE NO. 09, SERIES OF 2025; ADDING NEW SECTION 6-2-13 TO THE ALEDO CITY CODE ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR THE ALEDO BARK PARK: (FIRST READING)

Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. RUH to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2025; Adding new Section 6-2-13 to the Aledo City Code establishing regulations for the Aledo Bark Park. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. FRIESE to adopt Ordinance No. 09, Series of 2025; Adding new Section 6-2-13 to the Aledo City Code establishing regulations for the Aledo Bark Park. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 09R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HUTCHISON ENGINEERING FOR 2025 MFT STREET RESURFACING PROJECT:

As part of the FY 2025 capital improvement plan that it is in the best interests of the City and its citizens to resurface streets in the northwest quadrant of the city and perform sidewalk removal and replacement as necessary to provide ADA compliant ramps (the “Project”). Hutchison Engineering, Inc. (“Hutchison”) has submitted an IDOT approved agreement (the “Agreement”) for engineering services (the “Work”) for a cost not to exceed $90,486.00.

Northwest 7th Avenue- SW 2nd Street north through the 600 Block (7 blocks). 

Northwest 8th Avenue- SW 2nd Street north through the 600 block (7 blocks). 

Northwest 2nd Street- SW 7th avenue west to SW 9th avenue (2 blocks). 

Northwest 3rd street- SW 7th avenue west to SW 9th avenue (2 blocks). 

Northwest 4th street- SW 7th avenue west to SW 9th avenue (2 blocks). 

Northwest 5th street- approximately 100 feet west of NW 8th avenue intersection. 

Northwest 6th street- SW 7th avenue west to SW 9th avenue (2 blocks).

Alternate No. 01 – Northside Ball Park baseball field parking area and NW 9th Street.

Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. RUH to approve Resolution No. 09R, Series of 2025; Approving Engineering Services Agreement with Hutchison Engineering for 2025 MFT Street Resurfacing for a cost not to exceed $90,486.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 10R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING PURCHASE OF RADIOS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,963.00:

Galesburg Communications, Inc. has provided the City with the Quote for the purchase of twelve (12) Kenwood Multi-Protocol digital/analog portable radios, antennas, batteries, speaker microphones, six (6) Kenwood 50-Watt Multi-Protocol digital/analog mobile radios, external speakers, radio face plates, and programming.

Motion was made by ALD. WEEKS and seconded by ALD. SARABASA to approve Resolution No. 10R, Series of 2025; Approving Purchase of Radios for Police Department from Galesburg Communications, Inc. in the amount of $19,963.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

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

OLD BUSINESS:

Approval of Street Closure / Street Dance Event – Saucy’s Bar to be held on Friday, June 06, 2025 between the hours of 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.:

Motion was made by ALD. DIXON and seconded by ALD. COOPER to approve the street closure / street dance 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.

ALD. Sarabasa inquired on the Status of the property at 100 S. College Avenue owned by Lou & Sonia Powell. MAYOR Hagloch reported there were no immediate plans for the property that are known. Powell has stated in the past that he would finish the first floor when he had a tenant picked out. There was a request by members of the CITY COUNCIL to inquire if the windows could be covered to block the view of the interior

portion of the building on the first floor due to the construction materials inside. MAYOR stated he would reach out to Lou Powell.

ALD. Friese inquired on the status to add additional cameras in the Market Plaza area in Central Park. City Staff to add the item onto the Public Property, Streets & Sidewalks Committee agenda for discussion on April 22nd.

ALD. Weeks reported he recently attended the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit committee meeting. Ald. Weeks invited CITY COUNCIL members to attend for those who would be able to volunteer for the exhibit committee. It was requested by Ald. Weeks if the City would consider a donation. The event to be held on October 23 – 25th. On Wednesday, October 22nd there will be an escort into Aledo by local fire and law enforcement agencies. An opening ceremony to also be held but the final details are TBD. An action call for volunteers to also be heard for the event.

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding Review No. 71 Disbursement of Motor Fuel Tax Funds by the City for the period beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024:

CITY CLERK Dale provided the document to the CITY COUNCIL. The documentation reviewer’s certificate noted the following:

We hereby certify that we have reviewed the books and records in so far as they pertain to the receipt and disbursement of the Motor Fuel Tax Fund of the City of Aledo for the period beginning Jan. 1, 2024 and ending Dec. 31, 2024, and that entries for receipts in these books and records are true and correct and are in agreement with the records maintained by the Department of Transportation and that entries for disbursements are supported by cancelled warrants or checks with exceptions noted in the documentation review findings.

We further certify that we have verified entries in the claim registers with the original claims and cancelled warrants, that we have examined and checked the records of the City Clerk and City Treasurer and have compared the expenditures listed in the warrant registers of those offices and if necessary against the minutes of the City Council maintained by the City Clerk and have found them to be in accordance therewith exceptions noted in the documentation review findings.

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 7:04 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04072025-450