Rock Island Today

City of Aledo City Council met Aug. 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 August 18, 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, and JASON SNYDER. Mayor CHRISTOPHER HAGLOCH was excused. Aldermen LINDA SARABASA and ANDREW WEEKS were excused.

Also present was MICHAEL CHAUSSE, City Administrator, PHILIP PIEPER, Sergeant, and JAROD DALE, City Clerk.

The media was represented by Ty Taylor, WRMJ.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Public Comment: No Report.

Communication & Correspondence: Aledo Main Street Memorandum highlighting the following:

• Aledo Antiques Day & Car Show – August 23.

• Harvest Hop – September 13; Live Music; Pop-Up Vendors; and Alley Art Chalk Art.

• Applications were due for the AMS Awning / Signage Grant on August 15.

• Scarecrow Showdown – theme: Board Games (MC Homecoming theme)

• MC Art Collective Art Walk – September 18

• MC Art Gala – September 20.

Requests & Petitions: No Report.

Public Works Activity Report: DPW Blaser reported the following:

• Streets: Complete patch machine list; asphalt patching; catch basin repairs; weed eat curb and gutter at various locations; complete outstanding work orders; line striping; install café lights at Saucy’s.

• Gas: JULIE’s; gas service and main relocates on the 9th Avenue pathway project; service disconnect prep for building demolition for new Bank Orion project; read meters; install catalytic heater at the border station; install anodes at various locations.

• Water: Water leak investigations; sewer back-up investigations; spray weeds at WTP / burn weeds at well sites; replace abnormal water meters.

• Cemetery: Two (2) Funerals. Mowing; repair grave sites, trim trees, clean volleyball pit.

• DPW: project coordination and plan review for multiple projects.

Aledo Police Department Activity Report: CHIEF Baker and Officer Trevor Fisk met with the staff at Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield, IL on August 12. The new Ford Police Interceptor Utility was purchased and picked up. Morrow Brothers Ford installed all of the equipment and electronics; they did a great job. Officers have looked over the vehicle and are excited with the safety features and other features that make their jobs easier. The vehicle is now being used for patrol.

CHIEF met with Jeremy Lemke of Electronic Engineering of Davenport. Jeremy looked at the police department building to verify if key fob electronic access was an option for the building; it is. Jeremy said he would have a quote to us in the next week or so. Key fob electronic access would modernize the building like other city buildings, as well as allow officers and staff access to different doors and offices, while limiting access in certain areas.

Part of the Axon Taser 10 conducted electrical weapon shipment has arrived. A shipping notification was sent regarding the rest of the equipment. The equipment should arrive early the week of August 18th. Training will be conducted soon after the equipment has arrived.

Administrative Report:

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

ADMINISTRATOR facilitated and attended various meetings: Mercer Market Grocery Grant; Department Head Meeting; Workplace Housing Development in Aledo; Growth Corp regarding Northside Lofts; Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee meeting; and, organize and attend the Aquatic Center groundbreaking ceremony.

ADMINISTRATOR met with Mangieri Electric to discuss another EV charger installation at the Small Town High Tech building.

ADMINISTRATOR reported there are ongoing discussions with the Secretary of State’s office regarding a new facility location in Aledo. No further update followed.

ADMINISTRATOR provided a yearly report to the City Council falling in line with his second-year work anniversary on August 14.

ADMINISTRATOR thanked the Administrative, Public Works, and Police staff for their work and dedication to the City.

Other highlights include the various projects that were completed this past year or have begun in 2025. Examples include: Central Park Market Plaza, Safe Routes to School, 9th Avenue pathway, Aquatic Center, Northside Lofts, Mercer Market grocery grant, EV charging stations, and Aledo Opera House.

ADMINISTRATOR also thanked the City

Council and Mayor for their support and trust during these past two years. 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: Copies of the Joint Review Board material mailed to each taxing body was provided to the CITY COUNCIL as informational. The JRB to be held on August 28, 2025 at 10:00 am at Aledo City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to review the effectiveness and status of redevelopment project areas with summaries of the fiscal year 2024 TIF Annual Reports provided to each taxing body.

Committee Report:

ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee met on Monday, August 11 at 6:00 o’clock p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The TIF Committee discussed Sponsler Manor Fourth Addition Housing Development; recommended approval of a Commercial Façade Renovation Program TIF application for property located at 119 S College Avenue, Aledo; and reviewed another application by Aledo Lodge #252 for property located at 101 SW 3rd Street. Additional information requested by the Committee for the application by Aledo Lodge #252.

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 August 04, 2025.

• Approval of Finance: Invoice Listing – AP15.

• Approval of a Commercial Façade Renovation Program for Aledo Downtown – 2022 Tax Increment Financing for property located at 119 South College Avenue in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.

• Approval of Resolution No. 30R, Series of 2025; A Resolution regarding the Release of Closed Session Minutes and Verbatim Recordings.

• Approval of the Resignation of Nicholas Blaser from the Zoning Board of Appeals & Planning Commission and Aledo Park District.

• Approval of the hiring of Trevor Fisk as the Community Service Officer and a part time Aledo Police Officer effective August 18, 2025.

• Approval of the Community Service Officer Job Description.

A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: No Report.

ACTION ITEM:

RESOLUTION NO. 31R, SERIES OF 2025; A RESOLUTION REJECTING BIDS FOR SPONSLER MANOR FOURTH ADDITION – PHASE 1:

On June 26, 2025, a bid opening was held for Sponsler Manor 4th Addition – Phase 1 construction work (“Project”) in response to the City’ solicitation for bids for said Project. Of the five (5) bids received for the Project, one contained an error and was non responsive and the remaining bids were significantly over budget.

1. Brandt Construction Co. $830,223.00*

2. Langman Construction, Inc. $831,578.20

3. Keith Frieden Excavating, Inc. $837,031.00

4. Miller Trucking & Excavating Co. $978,747.00

5. Valley Construction – Not responsive – Bid Error

(* identified as the low bidder.)

The low bid was from Brandt Construction in the amount of $830,223.00. A construction observation agreement with Hutchison Engineering would be an additional $85,000, Total cost of $915,223 if approved as is. Leaving the City $440,223 over budget.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN COOPER and seconded by ALDERMAN PAULEY to approve Resolution No. 31R, Series of 2025; A Resolution Rejecting Bids for Sponsler Manor Fourth Addition – Phase 1 as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

RESOLUTION NO. 32R, SERIES OF 2025; APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF FLOATING AERATORS FOR THE SOUTH LAGOON EAST CELL IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,800.00:

Three of the City’s five (5) floating aerators for the south lagoon east cell are failing and in need of replacement. The Public Works Department has determined that the failing aerators are surplus property and that retaining such surplus property is not useful nor in the best interests of the City. WTR Solutions, LLC, has submitted a quote (the “Proposal”) for the City’s purchase of thee (3) floating aerators in exchange for the City’s three (3) failing aerators and a purchase price in the amount of $15,800.

Motion was made by ALDERMAN SNYDER and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE to approve Resolution No. 32R, Series of 2025; Approving the Purchase of Floating Aerators for the South Lagoon East Cell in the amount of $15,800.00 as presented. A Roll Call vote was recorded as follows:

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

(Clerks Note: City Council inquired about a maintenance and rotation plan for these types of equipment and requested City Staff ensure these types of items be planned for and included in regular Capital Improvement projects (CIP) planning.)

OLD BUSINESS:

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. (Tabled 7/21/25)

CITY CLERK Dale reported the Public Works Director has issued a request for proposal and soliciting various vendors. Information to be presented back to the CITY COUNCIL at a later date.

NEW BUSINESS:

ALD. Ruh inquired on next steps for the Parks & Recreation Director position.

ADMINISTRATOR Chausse reported there were no plans yet on the position but a meeting to be scheduled with the Aledo Park District, Mercer County Y.M.C.A and the City of Aledo to discuss further this fall.

ALD. Cooper inquired about the slow pitch tournament posted on social media this past weekend. City Staff reported Park Board members were planning a slow pitch tourney to help raise funds for the Fenton Ball Diamond lighting repairs needed at the ball park.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, motion was made by ALDERMAN RUH and seconded by ALDERMAN FRIESE that the meeting be adjourned. A Unanimous voice vote followed in agreement. Meeting was adjourned at 6:46 P.M.

https://www.aledoil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08182025-465