Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met July 21.

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 July 21, 2025. MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE DIXON called the meeting to order at 6:34 P.M. The roll was called, whereupon the following answered present:

Aldermen BARRY COOPER, DENNIS DIXON, MARK FRIESE, MARIO PAULEY, CARMEN RUH, LINDA SARABASA, JASON SNYDER, and ANDREW WEEKS. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH was excused.

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, ADAM BAKER, Chief of Police, JUSTIN BLASER, Director of Public Works & Utilities, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Ty Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: No Report.

Presentation: Brian Hollenback & Andy Fisher – Economic Growth Corp – Northside Lofts: Hollenback reported to the Committee of the Whole that the redevelopment involves the historic, adaptive reuse and new construction of the former Aledo Jr. High School at 205 N. College Avenue. Built in 1922 and vacant since 2003, the school will be transformed through the adaptive reuse of the existing structure into 24 units, with a new wing added to create six additional units – totaling 30 apartments. The unit mix will include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts.

The project emphasizes advanced green building projects to meet high standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. It is located within one mile of the majority of community amenities. With a total hard construction cost of $11.5 million, Northside Lofts will deliver affordable, high-quality workforce housing, create a new tax base, and contribute to the long-term growth in Aledo, Illinois.

The historic gymnasium will be repurposed into a multifunctional community space designed directly from public input. Planned interior amenities include: co-working space; fitness area; bike share program; gaming lounge; and, HUD-approved housing counseling & financial literacy services.

Outdoor community amenities will include: playground areas; combined basketball / pickleball court; community garden, and bike rack.

Plans are to seek bids in September, 2025 with a closing anticipated in December of this year. A 12-month construction period based on materials and unknown is expected. Hollenback also noted this could last up to 15 months for construction with project beginning next year as the weather permits.

Communication & Correspondence: Lindsey Dunn, Aledo Main Street, appeared before the Committee of the Whole to provide an AMS update. The following was noted:

• Community Connection meeting to be held July 24th at noon, Oakview Country Club.

• Farmers Market – continues until September 25th. Each week has seen a steady increase in vendor sales.

• Aledo Antiques Day & Car Show – August 23rd. Information can be found on the AMS facebook page.

• Harvest Hop (formerly known as Aledo Fall Fest) – September 13th. This event will co-inside with Ride 17 Music Festival.

• AMS Awning / Signage Grant – application period is still open through August 15th.

Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report: DPW Blaser reported the following:

• Streets: Street patching, mowing, watering. On a sad note, we lost one of our seasonal employees last week. Richard Lawson passed on July 10th.

• Gas: JULIES. Gas service relocations for the SW 9th Ave Path, read abnormal consumption meters, cat heater replacement at the border station, complete GUA reporting, start anode replacements, re-set pressures on the odorizer. Total locates for 2025 to date – 1,200.

• Water: Hydrant flushing is complete. Lagoon spraying is complete. Perform manual meter reads, lift station enzyme treatments, deliver shut off letters.

• Cemetery: Two (2) funerals. maintenance of grounds; watering trees, adjustment of grave stones.

• DPW: Work consisted mainly of the project coordination. Chief Baker and DPW prepped for the street closures and operation for the Central Park Grooves concert in September. The resolution for the street closure is included for this council meeting this evening.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Baker attended a meeting on July 15th for the Mercer County 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit. CHIEF provided updates to the group on a security plan for the event which will be held from October 23rd to October 25th, 2025, in the Central Park Market Plaza. The group was excited to hear of the location of the exhibit and the updated infrastructure in the area which will allow the event to flow seamlessly. There were conversations about a golf outing at Oak View Country Club on September 5th, a 5K run / walk with a date TBA and a “Hero’s Parade” before the closing ceremony on the night of October 25th.

Parks & Recreation Report:

Baseball / Softball – Hosted a three team 9U round robin tourney on July 19th. Aledo (Archangels), Alexis (United Red Storm) and Monmouth-Roseville (Sandlot Kids).

YMCA Softball ended on July 15th. Plans are to start rebuilding field for fall and next spring.

YMCA Flag Football registration starts in July.

Parks & Maintenance continue with fields end of season field maintenance. Edging Infield / outfield, add dirt in low areas, spray weeds, replace old bases, fix old fencing, paint dugouts, fix small field dugout roof leak, level playground rubber and add more if needed, grade parking lots, remove gravel from Fenton backstop area (plant some bushes or flowers around the sidewalk, paint wall ball at Yogi Bear Park. The High School tennis court has been moved to Yogi Bear Park.

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 a 6-month employment review with an employee, along with the City Clerk.

• City Clerk, Finance Director, DPW and Administrator attended a meeting with Steve Kline, the City TIF Consultant, to discuss the high bids received for the Sponsler 4th Addition project. Information on staff recommendation will be forthcoming at the August 4th Council meeting.

ADMINISTRATOR reported he has a meeting scheduled next week with the Municipal Services Manager and the VP of Operations from Chicago. The number of issues has decreased since the Administrator had mentioned to LRS that continuation of the repeated issues with service may lead to the contract being terminated.

CITY CLERK Dale provided the quarterly reports regarding Sales Tax Revenue and Building Permits for second quarter, 2025.

CITY CLERK reminded newly elected officials they are required to take the OMA training. This training is due on or before August 3rd.

CITY CLERK reported City Staff is working to schedule an official ground-breaking ceremony for the new Aquatic Center. As soon as the date has been finalized, staff will let the City Council know of the date and time.

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: No Report.

Committee Report: A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee meeting was set for Monday, August 11th 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

ALD. Cooper requested Item “C” – Approval of the Acceptance of Resignation of Troy Blaser as Parks & Recreation Director with the City of Aledo effective July 17, 2025 be removed from the Consent Agenda.

MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE Dixon noted the item as removed and to discuss separately as an Action Item.

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 July 07, 2025.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP13.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Cooper, Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, and Weeks. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEMS:

RESOLUTION NO. 27R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A STATE-MAINTAINED ROADWAY FOR A PUBLIC EVENT:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN PAULEY and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 27R, Series of 2025; Approving the Temporary Closure of a State-maintained Roadway for a Public Event; Central Park Grooves / Ride 17 Music Festival will require the temporary closure of Highway 17, a state highway in the City of Aledo from Highway 94 to SW 12th Avenue; and, this closure shall occur during the approximate time period between 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Dixon, Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, and Cooper. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

RESOLUTION NO. 28R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A 2026 FORD F250 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,678.00:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SNYDER and seconded by ALDERMAN COOPER to table Resolution No. 28R, Series of 2025; Approving the Purchase of a 2026 Ford F250 for the Department of Public Works in the amount of $70,678.00. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Friese, Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, and Dixon. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

(Clerks Note: City Council requested DPW to obtain quotes that are exactly the same specifications and to bring back before the Council for further discussion. The current quotes presented this evening did not have the same specifications.)

CLOSED SESSION:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to adjourn to closed session to discuss:

A. Personnel Section 2(c)(1) Open Meetings Act

A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YEAS: Pauley, Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, and Friese. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays. The meeting was recessed to closed session at 6:49 P.M.

RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION:

Council reconvened in open session at 7:21 P.M. Roll call was taken with the following answering present: ALDERMEN COOPER, DIXON, FRIESE, PAULEY, RUH, SARABASA, SNYDER, and WEEKS, as well as, ADMINISTRATOR CHAUSSE and CITY CLERK DALE.

ACTION ITEM:

ITEM C: APPROVAL OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION OF TROY BLASER AS PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR WITH THE CITY OF ALEDO EFFECTIVE JULY 17, 2025:

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH to accept the Resignation of Tory Blaser as Parks & Recreation Director with the City of Aledo effective July 17, 2025. A Roll call vote was recorded as follows:

YES: Ruh, Sarabasa, Snyder, Weeks, Cooper, Dixon, Friese, and Pauley. NO: None. Motion carried. 8 yeas, 0 nays.

OLD BUSINESS: No Report.

NEW BUSINESS: ALD. Snyder reported there are peddlers going around requesting to see residents Ameren bills. ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the City currently has no peddler / solicitor permits issued. City staff reported, CHIEF Baker to solicit a vendor who will be able to assist the City regarding peddler / solicitor background checks. An item to be brought back before the CITY COUNCIL to amend the current peddler / solicitor / hawker ordinance within the City Code at a later date.

ALD. Weeks inquired on the property at 511 NE 3rd Avenue and requested a status update. ADMINISTRATOR reported the City does have liens on the property. Equity One Investment Fund recently requested a waiver of liens for the property. ADMINISTRATOR suggested the liens could be waived on a dollar for dollar that would be spent by the investment company for improvements to the property.

Complaint noted for property located at 401 NE 4th Avenue. City Staff noted the item.

DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF AXON 10 CONDUCTED ELECTRICAL WEAPONS (TASERS) FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

CHIEF Baker reported the Police Department has four (4) tasers equipment currently showing an error message and was noted as dated equipment. A quote was provided to the CITY COUNCIL from Axon Enterprises, Inc. for new conducted electrical weapons (tasers) to replace its current tasers, which are outdated and failing.

The quote includes eleven (11) Axon Taser 10 conducted electrical weapons, together with batteries, docking stations, holsters, live cartridges, training cartridges, virtual reality training setup, and necessary licensing with a 5-year warranty.

CHIEF noted the item as a five-year term with an annual cost of $11,152.72. Total cost of the 5-year term is quoted in the amount of $55,763.70.

CHIEF requested a consensus by the CITY COUNCIL to move forward with the budgetary estimate submitted by Axon Enterprises, Inc. and to bring the item forward for final action at the August 4th City Council meeting.

CITY COUNCIL noted the need for the Department and the equipment to complete their job as police officers with a consensus provided to move forward with unanimous agreement. A formal resolution to be brought before the CITY COUNCIL on August 4th at 6:30 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN SARABASA and seconded by ALDERMAN RUH that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 7:39 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07212025-462