City of Chester Council met March 6.
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, March 6, 2017, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
II.Roll Call
Present:Alderman Nancy J. CrosslandAlderman Robert Platt
Alderman Daniel GeisenAlderman Russ Rader
Alderman Dan OhlauAlderman D. Michael Blechle
Alderman Donald R. ClarkAlderman 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 Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
V.Correspondence
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Regional Leaders Breakfast will be held on April 20, 2017 at 7:30 a.m.
•Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes from January 17, 2017
•Chester Wastewater Treatment Plant report for February, 2017
•Tax revenue for the month of February
•February maintenance report provided by Supt. Randy Eggemeyer
•Chester Water Plant report for February, 2017
•Letter from Telecommunications Management, LLC
VI.Reports
City Treasurer:
Financial reports for the month of February were included in agenda packets. Treasurer Clendenin noted that the city hasn’t received any money from the State of Illinois since February 1, 2017.
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
Chairman Platt advised that the committee met prior to the council meeting 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, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the February report of the Evergreen Cemetery as prepared by Randy Wofford. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Crossland):
The monthly Economic Development meeting will be March 8, 2017 at The Office in Red Bud.
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 the next Public Safety Meeting will be held on March 8, 2017.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chester Fire Department responded to twenty four calls during the month of February, one of which was assisting Perryville Fire Department with cleanup from the recent tornado. Mayor Page noted that Mayor Baer from Perryville expressed his appreciation to the department for all of the help.
VII.Public Discussion
Chris Urquhart discussed plans for the construction of a new Lutheran School. This new facility will be built in several phases. St John’s Lutheran Church and School is requesting the City Council to vacate and deed the portion of High Street between W. Holmes Street and W. German. It is understood that some utility easements in this area will need to remain and they will minimize building construction over the former street in order to maintain access to utility easements. Jennifer Eckart, an Architect from Quadrant Design, presented the preliminary design of the new facility. Mayor Page noted that without the vacating of High Street this new development is not possible. After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover advised that St John’s could rededicate that portion of High Street back to the city if they decide not to pursue the development of the new facility. Attorney Kerkhover suggested the council have a public hearing to allow the public a chance to speak regarding the vacating of High Street.
VIII.Old Business
IX.New Business
Vacate portion of High Street:
Alderman Crossland moved to publish and set a public hearing regarding the vacating of High Street on April 3, 2017 at 5:30p.m. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Attorney Kerkhover requested an updated layout of the new facility to present to the council.
Fire Department—Command Vehicle:
Chief Bert addressed the council in regard to the purchase of a used command vehicle for the Fire Department. The current Chief’s car has over 145,000 miles and is in desperate need of some major repairs. The Fire Department has $15,000 in the Foreign Fire Tax Fund to assist with the purchase of the command vehicle. Up to an additional $10,000 will be needed to purchase the vehicle. Chief Bert requested permission to pursue the search for a used command vehicle for the Fire Department and $10,000 from the Fire Department Fund for the purchase. Alderman Platt voiced concern about the purchase due to the State of Illinois Budget Crisis. Alderman Geisen noted this purchase is much needed for the Fire Department. Alderman Crossland moved to allow Chief Bert to pursue the search and purchase a used command vehicle not to exceed a total of $25,000 ($15,000 from Foreign Fire Tax Fund and $10,000 from the Fire Department Fund). Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Donation—Popeye Statue Trail:
Alderman Crossland moved to approve a donation of $3,000.00 to the Popeye Statue Trail. The motion was seconded by Alderman Allison. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: Alderman Platt. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Flower/Plant Maintenance Employee:
Alderman Crossland advised that the Beautification/Tourism Commission would like to hire Bruce Rademacher as the flower/plant maintenance employee again this year with a dollar per hour increase ($10.50/hour). Alderman Crossland noted that the salary would be paid out of the Beautification/Tourism Fund. Alderman Crossland’s motion to hire seasonal employee Bruce Rademacher at $10.50/hour was seconded by Alderman Geisen. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Rader, Allison. Nays: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Clark. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Side by Side UTV for the Parks:
Lorin Mott asked that council members approve the purchase of a Polaris Brutus HD PTO deluxe with attached mower from Van’s Yamaha for $21,500.00($7,500.00 from General Fund – Park and $14,000.00 from the Cohen Fund). Alderman Clark moved to waive competitive bidding and approve the purchase a Polaris Brutus HD PTO deluxe for the parks from Van’s Yamaha for $21,500.00. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Master Key System:
Lorin Mott addressed the council regarding the need for a new master key system at the Cohen Complex and Cole Park. Collette Powley advised that a key system was purchased for Cohen Complex several years ago and asked if there is a need for another new key system. Recreation Director Patti Carter stated the previous key system is outdated and would be very costly to replace. The master key system purchase will allow the city to dispense keys to coaches without allowing them to gain access to locked areas. Discussion ensued. After Alderman Platt’s inquiry, Lorin Mott stated that only superintendents will have a master key and have access to every building in both parks. Alderman Crossland moved to purchase a master key system from Schuchert’s Lock Shop for $1,193.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water Tank—Cohen Complex:
Lorin Mott addressed council members requesting permission to purchase a water tank for watering the ball fields at the Cohen Complex. Last summer, fire trucks were used to water the fields. A quote of $10,000.00 per field was received for the installation of an irrigation system. After Alderman Rader’s inquiry, Lorin stated that using the fire hydrants for watering would only water two of the five fields. Alderman Clark moved to purchase a 500 gallon water tank from ABI Attachments Inc. for $4,840.43. This motion was seconded by Alderman Blechle. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cohen Complex:
Alderman Blechle moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at Cohen Complex for $571.26 per mow (not to exceed thirty-one mows) to be paid twice per month. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cole Park:
Alderman Clark moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at Cole Park for $392.74 per mow (not to exceed thirty-one mows) to be paid twice per month. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Ordinance #1638 – An Ordinance Naming a Road The Longest Drive within The City of Chester, Illinois:
Mayor Page presented an Ordinance naming the road leading to the Chester Country Club off of Lehmen Drive the Longest Drive. This road needs to be identified in case of an emergency. Alderman Clark’s motion to pass the Ordinance was seconded by Alderman Geisen. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Painting bid from Ted Mueller:
A paint bid from Mueller’s Painting was presented by Mayor Page for the repair of the Welcome to Chester sign, painting the exterior windows of city hall and painting the interior and exterior of the police department. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the painting bid of $6,096.00 from Mueller Painting for the painting of city hall, Welcome to Chester sign and the police department. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
X.Adjournment
At 7:02 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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