South West Illinois News

City of Chester Council met December 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

I.Call To Order

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, December 18, 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 Ray AllisonAlderman Daniel Geisen

Alderman D. Michael BlechleAlderman Russ Rader

Alderman Donald R. ClarkAlderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Robert PlattAlderman Nancy J. Crossland

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

V.Correspondence

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•Letter from The USS LST Ship Memorial Inc. regarding an upcoming visit in

September 2018

•Chester Water Plant report for November 2017 provided by Tim Crow

VI.Reports

Mayor:

Mayor Page reported that a representative from the Comptroller’s Office will be visiting on Thursday. Mayor Page noted that the outstanding utility bills for Department of Corrections will be discussed during the meeting.

City Clerk:

A raffle license application for Mary Help of Christians 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 Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Crossland, Platt, Blechle, Rader, Allison, Geisen, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

VII.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. Alderman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment for Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $553.94 (fiscal year total, $2,068.05). Alderman Allison seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Pay Estimate #3 for the ROW Water Main Replacement was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $1,647.00 to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. was seconded by Alderman Rader. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Crossland. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt motioned to approve Pay Estimate #4 payable to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. for the Buena Vista Street Project for $140,619.17. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Crossland. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Invoice #19544 from J.T. Blankinship Inc. for Buena Vista Street Project construction engineering services for $12,164.85 was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to approve Invoice #19544 was seconded by Alderman Clark. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Crossland Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Invoice #19545 from J.T. Blankinship Inc. for ROW Water Main Replacement engineering services for $418.00 was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to approve Invoice #19545 was seconded by Alderman Rader. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Crossland Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

VIII.Public Discussion

Alderman Clark noted that the Chester Grade School performed a terrific Christmas concert.

Brian Congiardo addressed the council regarding the upcoming LST 325 tour. He requested to form a committee to plan the weekend events and noted that he would be updating the council monthly.

IX.Old Business

X.New Business

Resolution of Support for Community Development Block Grant:

Alderman Crossland moved to ratify the action of the City Council and approve a resolution of support to apply for a State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Gas Futures:

Alderman Ohlau moved to ratify the action of the Natural Gas Committee in purchase of gas futures for January and February (January – 15,000 MMBtu @ $2.648; February – 15,000 MMBtu @ $2.668). Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Transfer – Water/Sewer Fund:

The city clerk explained that the city’s Water/Sewer Operating Fund will have a deficit balance after paying bills approved this evening by the city council. This is due to Menard Correctional Center owing $1,054,202.63 in past due utility bills. The city clerk proposed the following: 1) Transfer funds from the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement Fund to our Water/Sewer Operating Fund on an as needed basis. 2) Transfer funds from the Water/Sewer Plant Improvement Fund to the Water/Sewer Operating Fund on an as needed basis. 3) Suspend transfer of $4,000.00 each month from the Water/Sewer Operating Fund to the Improvement/Replacement Fund as well as $18,200.00 each month from the Water/Sewer Operating Fund to the Water Plant Improvement Account until funds are received from the State of Illinois. Alderman Crossland moved to approve transfer of funds within the Water/Sewer Account as proposed by the city clerk. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Resolution – 2018 MFT Maintenance:

Alderman Allison moved to pass a resolution to appropriate $210,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provisions of the Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Police Academy – Officer Zane Wallace:

Alderman Crossland moved to approve Officer Zane Wallace to attend the full time police academy commencing in January of 2018. The City shall pay Officer Wallace a rate of $10.00 per hour, eight hours per day and 40 hours per week during his attendance at the full-time police academy. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Police Academy – Officer Caleb Golding:

Alderman Platt moved to approve Officer Caleb Golding to attend the full time police academy commencing in January of 2018. The City shall pay Officer Golding a rate of $10.00 per hour, eight hours per day and 40 hours per week during his attendance at the full-time police academy. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance #1663 – An Ordinance Authorizing The Agreement To Terminate Reciprocal Lease Agreement And Enter Into A New Lease Agreement:

Attorney Kerkhover presented the new proposed lease agreement between Southern Illinois Sand Company and the City of Chester. Alderman Allison requested that item six, which prohibits the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from docking a vessel on the property, be eliminated from the proposed contract. Mayor Page stated that Southern Illinois Sand Company will not approve the agreement with the elimination of item six. Alderman Blechle moved to approve the agreement with Southern Illinois Sand Company and Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland. Nays: Alderman Allison. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance #1664 – An Ordinance Amending Paragraphs “A” And “D” Of Section 1-2-11 Of Division Ii Of Article Ii Of Chapter 1 Of The Revised Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Chester, Illinois, Relative To The Order Of Business And Visitors:

Attorney Kerkhover explained the revisions were recommended by our codifier and clarify visitors and order of business for council meetings. Alderman Platt moved to approve the Ordinance and Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance #1665 – An Ordinance Adopting Section 1-2-13 Of Division Ii Of Article Ii Of Chapter 1 Of The Revised Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Chester, Illinois, Relative To An Address By Non-Members:

Attorney Kerkhover explained that the revisions specifically address a public comment request during a council meeting. Alderman Clark moved to approve Ordinance #1665 and Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Crossland Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance #1666 – An Ordinance Repealing The Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment For The City Of Chester, Illinois, And Adopting A New Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment And Sexual Misconduct For The City Of Chester, Illinois:

Attorney Kerkhover explained this Ordinance updates the sexual harassment policy per the recommendation of Illinois Municipal League. Alderman Crossland moved to approve Ordinance #1666 and Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Crossland Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

TIF Accounting as of December 31, 2016, with Respect to the Seventeenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester Relative to Chester Center Inc.:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained the TIF Accounting which provided that the city and Chester Shopping Center, LLC agree that 75% of the said $43,113.20 which was received by the city due to Chester Shopping Center, LLC’s property tax apportionment equals $32,334.90 of which $312.50 shall be reimbursed to the City for its TIF expenditures, leaving a balance of $32,022.40 to be reimbursed to Chester Shopping Center, LLC. Alderman Clark moved to approve the TIF Accounting as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Crossland Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

TIF Accounting as of December 31, 2016, with Respect to the Fifteenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester Relative to Kipp Redevelopment Project:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained the TIF Accounting which provided that the city and Kipp agree that 75% of the said $18,068.86 which was received by the city due to Kipp’s property tax apportionment, equals $13,551.65, which is to be reimbursed to Kipp. Alderman Clark moved to approve the TIF Accounting as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion.Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Crossland Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XI.Adjournment

At 6:22 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Crossland, Clark, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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