South West Illinois News

City of Chester Council met May 15.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

I.Call to Order

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, May 15, 2017, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II.Roll Call

Present:Alderman Nancy J. Crossland         Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman Daniel Geisen                               Alderman Russ Rader

Alderman Donald R. Clark                            Alderman D. Michael Blechle

Alderman Dan Ohlau                                    Alderman Ray Allison

Absent:None.

III.Pledge of Allegiance

IV.Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Alderman Crossland moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Alderman Crossland moved to approve the minutes of Executive Session held on May 1, 2017, as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

V. Correspondence

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on June 16, 2017

•Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated May 10, 2017

•Chester Water Plant Report for April, 2017 provided by Tim Crow

VI.Reports

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised that he spoke with a FEMA representative regarding flood damage.

The preliminary reports are due on May 17th.

City Treasurer:

Council members received a copy of unaudited financial reports for April. Treasurer Eggemeyer noted that the fiscal year ending balances look good.

City Clerk:

A raffle license application for the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was presented by the City Clerk. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the license and to waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle manager. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Crossland, Rader, Allison, Geisen, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):

Chairman Platt advised that the committee met this evening at 5:30 p.m. to review city bills. His motion to approve payment of bills as prepared by the city clerk, subject to audit, was seconded by Alderman Rader. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):

Chairman Rader informed the council that the Water and Sewer Plants survived the Flood of 2017.

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Clark):

Chairman Clark advised that an estimated cost of damage at Cohen Field 2 should be arriving soon from the city’s insurance company.

VII.Public Discussion

VIII.Old Business

IX.New Business

Gas Department Employee:

Alderman Ohlau advised that the interview process for hiring a new gas department employee has been completed. Alderman Clark moved to approve Mark Allwardt as a full-time gas department employee effective June 1, 2017 and Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Platt, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Sewer Department Employee:

Marty Reynolds requested that the council approve Bradley Hamilton as a full-time sewer department employee. Alderman Clark moved to approve Bradley Hamilton effective June 1, 2017 and Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Surplus Property:

Mayor Page advised the bid opening will be conducted at 6:15p.m.

Employment—Summer Student Supervisor:

Alderman Blechle moved to approve Delmer Wells as a seasonal student supervisor to beginning employment on May 16, 2017. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Alderman Platt asked that the council vote on hiring summer student workers before voting to approve their supervisor.

Summer Student Workers:

After Alderman Clark’s inquiry, Mayor Page advised a memo listing six student workers was included in each alderman’s packet. The three summer workers for Cohen and Cole Park will work various days and hours to accommodate scheduled tournaments. Alderman Clark moved to approve Matthew Kirchhofer (Street Department), Christian Mitchell (Street Department), Luke Hartman (Gas Department), Brady Kelkhoff (Parks), Clayton Richelman (Parks), and Nicholas Meyer (Parks) beginning May 16, 2017 limited to 40 hours or less per week. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: Alderman Crossland. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Summer Student Supervisor:

Upon a motion by Alderman Blechle and a second by Alderman Clark, Delmer Wells was approved as seasonal summer student supervisor beginning May 16, 2017 at $9.25 per hour. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Demolition of Property at 314 Church Street:

After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, Mayor Page advised that the city’s staff will seed the property and perform any necessary tree removal. Alderman Clark moved to approve the demolition of 314 Church Street for $5,450.00 by Red Dot Construction. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Beautification/Tourism – Appointment:

Per the recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Allison moved to approve the appointment of Bob Lockhart as a member of the commission. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Solid Waste Collection Contract:

Mayor Page advised that a proposal from Quivey Sanitation Inc. for solid waste collection has been discussed. Alderman Platt noted that the council needs to consider offering two clean-up weeks per year. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the solid waste collection contract with Quivey Sanitation Inc. for a period of three years and waive competitive bidding. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Surplus Property—Bids:

Attorney Kerkhover advised the council that a notice of sale of surplus property was published in the Randolph County Herald Tribune and The County Journal pursuant to statue. Mayor Page opened the following bids: 1) 1984 Ford F250 Truck – Roger Holley, $200.00; Randy Kaempfe, $20.00. 2) 2008 Dodge Charger – Randy Kaempfe, $100.00. 3) 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 – Kimberly Greatting, $175.00. 4) 1984 Chevrolet K2500 – Roger Holley, $200.00; Ruth Renner, $526.00; Randy Kaempfe, $75.00. 5) 1996 Chevrolet K2500 – Randy Kaempfe, $75.00. 6) 1999 Buick LE Sabre – Kimberly Greatting, $200.00. 7) Homemade Trailer – Roger Holley, $45.00; Ruth Renner, $25.00; Randy Kaempfe, $6.00. 8) Western Snow Plow (For Truck) – Ruth Renner, $125.00; Randy Kaempfe, $20.00. 9) Adjustable Blade – Roger Holley, $45.00; Ruth Renner, $60.00; Randy Kaempfe, $52.00. 10) Rand Air 85 – Roger Holley, $200.00; Ruth Renner, $80.00. 11) Jackhammer #1 – Roger Holley, $5.00. 12) Jackhammer #2 – Roger Holley, $5.00. 13) Jackhammer #3 – Roger Holley, $5.00. 14) Small Jackhammer – Roger Holley, $5.00. 15) Skates – Kimberly Greatting, $5/pair; Ruth Renner, $26.00; Randy Kaempfe, $10.00.

Alderman Crossland noted that the council should have knowledge of items being offered for bid before the items are published in the newspaper. Mayor Page stated the bids will be reviewed and no action will be taken at this time.

800 Opdyke Street:

An agreement was presented commencing June 1, 2017, and ending May 31, 2018, to allow Douglas McDonald to reside in the residence at 800 Opdyke Street. Alderman Geisen moved to approve renewal of the agreement with Douglas McDonald in regard to the residence located at 800 Opdyke Street. Alderman Clark seconded the motion.

Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Fire House – Korando Heating & Cooling:

Chief Bert reported that the compressor is broke in the air conditioning unit at the fire house. Korando Heating & Cooling quoted a repair price for the compressor of $3,650.97. A quote of $6,703.90 for a new air conditioning unit from Korando Heating and Cooling was received. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the purchase of a new air conditioning unit for $6,703.90 from Korando Heating and Cooling and Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: Alderman Allison. Absent: None. Motion carried.

X.Adjournment

At 6:27 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/