City of Chester Council met April 3.
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, April 3, 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. CrosslandAlderman Daniel GeisenAlderman Russ RaderAlderman Ray Allison
Alderman Dan OhlauAlderman D. Michael Blechle
Alderman Donald R. Clark
Absent:Alderman Robert Platt
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 Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
V.Correspondence
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Regional Leaders Breakfast will be held on April 20, 2017 at 7:30 a.m.
•March maintenance report provided by Supt. Randy Eggemeyer
•Chester Library schedule of upcoming events
•Information regarding IML Lobby Day
VI.Reports
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
Chairman Rader advised that the committee met prior to the council meeting at 5:00 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 Allison. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Chairman Rader moved to approve the March report of the Evergreen Cemetery as prepared by Randy Wofford. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Water—Sewer Committee (Alderman Rader):
Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($27.05) of Bob Fleming, 204 Edna, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. His motion was seconded by Alderman Crossland. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Chief of Police (Ryan Coffey):
Chief Coffey summarized the monthly status report for the Chester Police Department as provided to council members. Chief Coffey noted that several upcoming events are planned to honor fallen Officer James Brockmeyer.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chief Bert summarized his monthly status report.
VII.Public Discussion
Betty Braun addressed the council in regards to the rumors about a possible Taco Bell restaurant in Chester. Mayor Page stated that Taco Bell has expressed interest and construction could begin as early as this month.
VIII.Old Business
IX.New Business
Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Natural Gas with Illinois Department of Human Services:
This item was voted on at the December 5, 2016 council meeting.
Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Natural Gas with Illinois Department of Corrections:
This agreement provides for the following rates for natural gas for Menard Correctional Center: Commencing July 1, 2017, for all gas service used thereafter, customer agrees to receive and pay the city for gas service the unit cost of gas to city gate per 1,000 cubic feet charged by the city’s gas supplier plus $1.72 per 1,000 cubic feet (MCF) plus any applicable taxes. Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections as presented. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Appropriation Adjustments:
As explained by the city clerk, Alderman Crossland moved to approve line item appropriation adjustments within funds according to state statue. The motion was seconded by Alderman Geisen. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: Alderman Platt. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Retirement/Post-Employment Benefits:
Alderman Ohlau moved to set aside $200,000 in the General Fund for retirement and post-employment benefits per recommendation of the city auditor. The motion was seconded by Alderman Geisen. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Allison, Blechle, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Police Department—Vacancy:
Alderman Crossland moved to declare that a vacancy exists in the police department and to authorize police commissioners to appoint a full-time police officer from the eligibility list. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Sewer Department Employee:
Mayor Page noted that a vacancy exists in the Sewer Department. Alderman Clark motioned to advertise for a new employee in the Sewer Department. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Resolution—IDOT Utility Permit:
Alderman Blechle moved to approve the Illinois Department of Transportation utility permit for the water line relocation project on Buena Vista Street. This motion was seconded by Alderman Clark. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Firefighters:
Chief Marty Bert recommended that the council approve to move John Powell and Christian Gray from auxiliary firefighters to regular firefighters. Alderman Clark moved to approve John Powell and Christian Gray as regular firefighters. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Auxiliary Firefighters:
Alderman Crossland moved to approve Josh Ruch, Bruce Hoffman and Hunter Cushman as auxiliary firefighters. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
Executive Session:
At 6:15 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to enter into Executive Session under the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) under exception (1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
The council returned from Executive Session at 7:32 p.m. No action was taken in Executive Session.
X.Adjournment
At 7:34 p.m., Alderman Rader moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Platt. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
Alerts Sign-up