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City of Aledo City Council met May 19.

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 May 19, 2025. MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE DIXON 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, MARIO PAULEY, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, and JASON SNYDER. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH and Alderman ANDREW WEEKS were excused.

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, TREVOR FISK, Interim Chief of Police, LINDSEY DUNN, Aledo Main Street, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Terry James, WRMJ.

REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION

Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,

CONSENT AGENDA

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 May 05, 2025.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP09.

• Approval of Ordinance No. 10, Series of 2025; An Ordinance of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois adding new Chapter 18 to Title 3 of the City Code for the purpose of Establishing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. (Second Reading)

• Approval of Resolution No. 13R, Series of 2025; Approving Purchase and Installation of EV Charging Stations.

• Approval of a Special Event / Parade – American Legion Post 121 Memorial Day Parade – May 26, 2025.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Cooper, Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Snyder. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 11, SERIES OF 2025; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE) SERIES 2025 OF THE CITY OF ALEDO, MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE CITY’S NEW AQUATIC CENTER PROJECT: (FIRST READING)

The Mayor and City Council of the City (the “Corporate Authorities”) have determined that it is advisable, necessary, and in the best interests of the City to undertake the construction of an aquatic center, that will include a new pool, splash pad, bath houses, concession stand, and related improvements, in accordance with the preliminary plans and estimate of costs heretofore approved by the City Council and now on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City (the “Project”)

The Corporate Authorities have further determined that it is advisable, necessary, and in the best interest of the City’s public health, safety, and welfare to issue the hereinafter described bonds to finance the cost of the Project; which such Project costs may be paid from the proceeds of bonds (i) issued pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government

Debt Reform Act of the State of Illinois, as amended, 30 ILCS 350/1, et seq., (the “Alternate Bond Act”) and Section 8-1-3, et seq., of the Code, 65 ILCS 5/8-1-3 et seq., and (ii) payable from the receipts of certain revenues.

The Corporate Authorities have further determined that the revenue sources that will be pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Alternate Bonds will be (i) taxes imposed by the City and the State of Illinois and distributed to the City pursuant to the Illinois Use, Service Use, Service Occupation and Retailers Occupation Tax Acts, (ii) State of Illinois income taxes (such distributive share referred to herein as the “Revenue Sharing Receipts”), and (iii) such other funds of the City as may be necessary and on hand from time to time and lawfully available for such payment as provided by the Act (the “Pledged Revenues”), and pursuant to the Alternate Bond Act, the City is authorized to issue its Alternate Bonds payable from Pledged Revenues to pay the Project Costs.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN PAULEY to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2025; Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2025 of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed $4,000,000 for the Purpose of Constructing the City’s new Aquatic Center Project. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SNYDER and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to adopt Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2025; Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) Series 2025 of the City of Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed $4,000,000 for the Purpose of Constructing the City’s new Aquatic Center Project. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

(Clerks Note: Numbering error for Ordinance No. 11 from the May 5th City Council meeting. This ordinance shall be noted in city records as Ordinance 11-B.)

ORDINANCE NO. 12, SERIES OF 2012; PROVIDING FOR THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF CITY OWNED RIGHT OF WAY ALONG ROUTE 17 / 94: (FIRST READING)

Community Bible Fellowship of Aledo, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, owns the property located at 1109 SE 3rd Street, Aledo, Illinois, bearing permanent index number 10-10-16-302-014. The public interest will be served by vacating that portion of the City owned former right of way for Route 17/94.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN FRIESE and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2025; Providing for the Vacation of a Portion of City Owned Right of Way along Route 17 / 94. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Cooper, Dixon, and Friese. NO: None. PRESENT: Pauley. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to adopt Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2025; Providing for the Vacation of a Portion of City Owned Right of Way along Route 17 / 94. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Cooper, Dixon, and Friese. NO: None. PRESENT: Pauley. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present.

ORDINANCE NO. 13, SERIES OF 2025; AMENDING TITLE 3, CHAPTER 4, SECTION 2 OF THE CITY CODE REGULATING LICENSES AND REGISTRATION FEES FOR FOOD TRUCKS AND CARTS: (FIRST READING)

Section 3-4-2-4 of the Aledo City Code entitled “Registration Fee” is amended as follows (additions are indicated by bold/underline and deletions by strikeout):

Food Service Cart: An annual license, issued on a calendar year or per day basis, for prepared food service carts may be issued upon submission of an application as provided by the City, provided that the applicant: (i) is in compliance with all food service inspections that may be required by Mercer County or the City of Aledo and, (ii) has paid

an payment of an application fee pursuant to title 13, "Schedule Of Fees", of this Code. Such license shall be on a per cart basis. and no more than three (3) licenses shall be available or issued at any given time. Payments made for daily licenses during a calendar year may be credited toward the cost of an annual license for that same calendar year.

Title 13, Chapter 1, Section 1 of the Aledo City Code entitled “Schedule of Fees” is amended as follows: to include a $25.00 per day food service cart fee. The annual fee to be raised from $100.00 per year to $150.00 per year effective January 1, 2026.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to waive the 2nd reading for Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2025; Amending Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 2 of the City Code Regulating Licenses and Registration Fees for Food Trucks and Carts. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Sarabasa, Snyder, Cooper, Dixon, Friese, Pauley, and Ruh. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to adopt Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2025; Amending Title 3, Chapter 4, Section 2 of the City Code Regulating Licenses and Registration Fees for Food Trucks and Carts. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Snyder, Cooper, Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, and Sarabasa. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

ORDINANCE NO. 14, SERIES OF 2025; ADDING NEW SECTION 9-5-6 TO THE ALEDO CITY CODE REGARDING EXCESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING NOISE: (FIRST READING)

Section 12-602.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/12-602.1) provides the City with authority to prohibit the driver of a commercial vehicle from emitting excessive engine braking noise when operating the commercial vehicle.

A new section Title 9, Chapter 5, Section 6 of the Aledo City Code entitled “Excessive Engine Braking Noise” is hereby added as follows:

9-5-6: EXCESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING NOISE:

(A) It shall be unlawful for the driver of any commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 1-111.8 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-111.8), to operate or actuate any engine braking system that emits excessive noise, which shall include but not be limited to the use of engine compression brakes (commonly referred to as “Jake Brakes”), on any street, highway, or road within the corporate limits of the city.

(B) This section shall not apply to the use of an engine braking system that has an adequate sound muffling system in proper working order that prevents excessive noise. Furthermore, this section shall not apply if the driver uses an engine braking system that emits excessive noise in an emergency to avoid a collision with a person or another vehicle.

(C) A violation of this section is an equipment violation punishable by a fine of $75.

The ordinance shall authorize the City to erect and maintain signs on City streets that prohibit excessive engine braking noise on such streets within the City, in compliance with the signage provisions of Section 12-602.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and related IDOT rules.

A second reading to be held on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

RESOLUTION NO. 14R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING THE TRADE-IN AND PURCHASE OF POLICE SQUAD VEHICLE:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve Resolution No. 14R, Series of 2025; Approving the Trade-In and Purchase of Police Squad Vehicle; Morrow Brothers has offered to accept as a trade-in, the City’s 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe (“Trade-In Vehicle”), in exchange for a credit against the purchase price of the Police Vehicle in the amount of $20,000, resulting in the total price of the Police Vehicle being $44,878. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, and Snyder. NO: Cooper. Motion carried. 6 yeas, 1 nay.

(Clerks Note: Ald. Cooper requested confirmation on price to retro-fit the Chevrolet Tahoe’s with equipment by Datatronics, Inc. in 2021. The equipment for each squad was listed in the amount of $5,021.40.)

RESOLUTION NO. 15R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING PURCHASE OF SQUAD LAPTOP COMPUTERS, MOUNTS AND DOCKING STATIONS:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN PAULEY and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve Resolution No. 15R, Series of 2025; Approving Purchase of Squad Laptop Computers, Mounts and Docking Stations; Six (6) Dell Pro 14 rugged laptops and six (6) Havis in-car docking stations and mounts, together with labor, installation, and a 3-year warranty at a price of $22,548.51. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 16R, SERIES OF 2025; MAKING DECLARATION OF OFFICIAL INTENT REGARDING CERTAIN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES TO BE REIMBURSED FROM PROCEEDS OF AN OBLIGATION ISSUED BY THE CITY OF ALEDO:

The Issuer reasonably expects to reimburse the Expenditures with proceeds of an obligation. The maximum principal amount of the obligations expected to be issued for the Project is not in excess of $4,000,000.00. All actions of the officers, agents and employees of the Issuer that are in conformity with the purposes and intent of this Declaration, whether taken before or after the adoption hereof, are hereby ratified, confirmed and adopted. This Declaration is made pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2. This Declaration shall be filed immediately in the office of the City Clerk.

RESOLUTION NO. 17R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING AN ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALEDO AND BERNARDI SECURITIES, INC. FOR BOND UNDERWRITER SERVICES:

For the purpose of providing funds to pay for the construction of the Aquatic Center Project and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Debt Reform Act of Illinois as amended (the “Act”), the City seeks to issue the Bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 in accordance with the Act. Bernardi Securities Inc. has offered to assist the City with the issuance of the Bonds for the Aquatic Center Project under the terms and conditions as set forth in the Engagement Letter.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SNYDER and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to approve both Resolution No. 16R, Series of 2025; Making a Declaration of Official Intent regarding certain Capital Expenditures to be Reimbursed from Proceeds of an Obligation issued by the City of Aledo & Resolution No. 17R, Series of 2025; Approving an Engagement Agreement between the City of Aledo and Bernardi Securities, Inc., for Bond Underwriter Services as presented. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 7 yeas, 0 nays.

OLD BUSINESS: No Report.

NEW BUSINESS:

DISCUSSION REGARDING SPLASH PAD PURCHASE WITH VORTEX AQUATICS STRUCTURES INTERNATIONAL:

ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the Splashpad equipment of the new Aquatic Center is coming from a company named VORTEX. City Staff has decided to purchase the Splashpad equipment through a government purchasing cooperative instead of going through the middlemen of engineers and contractors. This saved the City between $30,000 - $50,000. The equipment will take 4-6 months to complete so timing is important. Staff is asking for a consensus to sign the quote and not delay another two weeks for the resolution to be ready from our city attorney. Plans would be to ratify the purchase at the June 2nd, 2025 City Council meeting.

Total product is listed in the amount of $289,688.25. This will include a spray loop, spraylink arch, slidnuk, flower, leaf, activator and donut spray, custom elevation L4 structure, 30” classic open flume slide (2), plus installation and took kit.

A consensus was given by the CITY COUNCIL to approve the quote and to have listed on the June 2nd Aledo City Council agenda for formal approval.

A reminder was provided to the City Council that the dedication of the interpretative panels at the Monument Park Soldier & Sailor’s memorial to be held Monday, May 26th beginning at 10:00 o’clock a.m.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN FRIESE and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:17 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05192025-457