City of Chester City Council met Feb. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Alderman Bryce Hill Alderman Ray Allison
Alderman Bob Buckham Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Robert Platt
Alderman James Maes
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Alderman Maes moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Allison, Dudenbostel, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Monthly Superintendent Reports
Monthly Tax Revenue Report provided by City Clerk Berner
Letter of Resignation from Andy Schuwerk from the Cemetery Board
Letter of Resignation from Alderman Jake Cowan
Proposal from Layne Company for Phase II of the Collector Well Aquifer Testing
2022 Meeting schedules for the Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Board and Beautification/Tourism Commission
Letter from Sparklight
REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page expressed his appreciation to the city employees for all of their hard work during the recent snow and ice storm.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 5:30 p.m. to review city bills, and found them to be in order for payment. Chairman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the January report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):
After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Chairman Maes advised the city employees have started working on a dirt path through Cole Memorial Park for walkers and cyclists. The path is in the beginning stages with hopes of expansion in the near future.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison noted there are several vacancies within the Planning Commission and Beautification/Tourism Commission. Secondly, Chairman Allison provided minutes from the Planning Commission and a tour boat schedule to the council. Chairman Allison advised volunteers are needed at the Welcome Center and for the upcoming tour boat visits.
Alderman Allison inquired about the Welcome Center deck. Park Superintendent Billy Belton advised Lorin Mott has been working with the original contractor. There is a warranty issues with the deck material. Alderman Allison advised that he would like to see the deck replaced this Spring. Alderman Platt suggested limiting the hours the Welcome Center is open due to the recent issues. Currently, the Welcome Center is open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Police Chief (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers advised the Chester Police Department responded to 341 calls for service in the month of January. Secondly, Chief Helmers advised the department will be conducting second interviews with a few applicants this week.
PUBLIC COMMENT
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Full-Time Police Dispatcher:
Alderman Maes moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve employment for Melanie Seders effective February 1st as a full-time police dispatcher. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Platt, Maes, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Alderman Hill abstained. Motion carried.
Part-Time Police Dispatcher:
Alderman Allison moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve employment for Kenny Hill effective February 3rd as a part-time police dispatcher. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Platt, Maes, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Alderman Hill abstained. Motion carried.
Sewer Department – ATV:
Alderman Platt moved to ratify the purchase of an ATV for the sewer department for $2,900.00. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Street Department – Cat Telehandler:
After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Street Department Superintendent Steve Renner advised the telehandler has a 10,000-pound lift capacity with a maximum lift height of 55 foot. The new telehandler will be used for several upcoming projects. Superintendent Renner advised a few attachments will need to be purchased for the telehandler. Alderman Maes moved to ratify the purchase of a telehandler from Chartrand Equipment Company for $62,500.00 and waive formal competitive bidding. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Maes, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. None. Motion carried.
Cohen Field – Top Dressing:
Park Superintendent Billy Belton presented a quote from Advanced Turf Solutions for $8,765.20 for top dressing for the Cohen Complex ball fields. Alderman Platt voiced concern about the amount of money spent annually on maintaining the fields. Superintendent Belton noted the Chester School District contributes $3,000.00 annually to help offset the costs of maintaining the fields. It was noted that Chester has hosted several tournaments last year on the fields. Alderman Maes moved to approve the topdressing purchase from Advanced Turf Solutions for $8,765.20. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Cole Memorial Park – Stump Removal:
Superintendent Billy Belton presented a quote from Derek’s Lawn Service for the removal of twenty-five stumps from Cole Memorial Park for $2,500.00. Alderman Allison’s motion was seconded by Alderman Rader. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Cole Memorial Park – Tree Removal:
Mayor Page presented a quote from AmArbor Services, Inc. for removal of several dead trees for $7,800.00. Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Dudenbostel. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1768 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-11-2 OF CHAPTER 7 AND PARAGRAPH “F” OF SECTION 21-3-19 OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATIVE TO GAMBLING LICENSING AND FEES:
Mayor Page presented the proposed Ordinance amending the fee to operate a video gaming terminal from $25.00 per year for each machine to $250.00 per year for each machine. Alderman Allison’s motion was seconded by Alderman Maes. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Randolph County Progress Committee:
Alderman Allison voiced his support to continue contributing to the Randolph County Progress Committee. Alderman Maes stated the Progress Committee needs to demonstrate to the city council what exactly the committee does for the City of Chester. Alderman Maes noted there is a lack of transparency and appears to be a slush fund for the county. Alderman Maes moved to suspend participation with the Randolph County Progress Committee. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: Aldermen Allison, Rader. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:30 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Dudenbostel, Hill, Maes, Allison, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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