South West Illinois News

Chester City Council met June 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, June 19, 2017, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Alderman Ray Allison, Alderman Robert Platt, Alderman D. Michael BlechleAlderman Russ Rader, Alderman Donald R. Clark, Alderman Dan Ohlau

Absent: Alderman Nancy J. Crossland, Alderman Daniel Geisen

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Memo regarding the water blast event at Cole Park

Beautification/Tourism Commission Minutes dated May 15, 2017

Chester Water Plant Report for May, 2017 provided by Tim Crow

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page reported that a meeting was held with Menard Correctional Center to negotiate water rates.

City Treasurer:

Treasurer Eggemeyer noted that the financial reports for the month of May were included in the packets.

City Attorney:

Attorney Kerkhover advised that a letter and the proposed intergovernmental agreement was sent to the warden office with the negotiated water rate increases. Also, Attorney Kerkhover noted that a list of properties were included in that packets. These listed properties will be published in the newspaper and sold by the city if there aren’t any objections from the council.

City Engineer:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer reported that bids were accepted for the second phase of Buena Vista. Red Dot Construction submitted the lowest bid of $935,607.97. However, the project could be suspended as of July 1, 2017 due to the State of Illinois Budget Impasse. After Attorney Kerkhover’s inquiry, Engineer Sheffer noted the bid may have to be negotiated if IDOT suspends works for an extended length of time.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Clark):

Chairman Clark reported that repairs on field 2 backstop at the Cohen Complex should begin the first week of July.

Gas Department & Public Property Committee (Chairman Ohlau):

Alderman Ohlau advised that he along with Superintendent Homan attended the annual Gas Utility Alliance conference.

Public Safety Committee (Chief Coffey):

Chief Coffey noted that due to the cancellation of the Public Safety Committee meeting, information was mailed to each alderman.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Part-time Police Officers:

Chief Coffey introduced and recommended that Jeff Hammel, Caleb Golding and Zane Wallace be hired as part-time police officers. Chief Coffey noted that these three will be sent to the police academy. Alderman Clark moved to hire Jeff Hammel, Caleb Golding and Zane Wallace as part-time officers. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1647 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT TO AMEND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT:

After explanation by City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover, Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the Ordinance to amend the water purchase agreement with the Village of Ellis Grove. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried.

Proposed Budget/Statement of Estimated Income:

After Alderman Platt’s inquiry, City Clerk Berner noted that the Capital Outlay –Utility System in the Gas Department was decreased to $75,000.00 after the recent budget meeting. Alderman Platt moved to approve the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018 and the Statement of Income for Fiscal Year 2018. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried.

Appropriation Ordinance:

City Attorney Kerkhover explained procedures in regard to the Appropriation Ordinance. Alderman Platt then moved to authorize preparation of the Appropriation Ordinance, to make it available for public inspection, publish notice of a hearing, and set the hearing date for 5:30 p.m. prior to the council meeting on July 17th. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried.

Executive Session:

At 6:16 p.m., Alderman Clark 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 Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried

The council returned from Executive Session at 6:50 p.m. No action was taken in Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:56 p.m., Alderman Clark moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Clark, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen. Motion carried.

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