Chester City Council met March 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
I.Call To Order
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, March 5, 2018, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:02 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:
•Email from Brenda Owen regarding an update on Historic Preservation
•Letter from Angela Berry explaining Call for Help Inc.
•Memo regarding a Chester Bridge public open house on March 13, 2018 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Perryville Higher Education Center
•Maintenance Report for February 2018 provided by Randy Eggemeyer
•Monthly Status Report provided by Chief Ryan Coffey
VI.Reports
Mayor:
Mayor Page announced that a Chester Bridge meeting will be held on March 6th at city hall. Secondly, Mayor Page stated that FY19 budget meetings with all Superintendents will be held on March 7th.
City Treasurer:
Treasurer Eggemeyer noted that the monthly financial reports were included in the packets.
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 Alderman Rader seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the February report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):
Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($468.05) of Mike Welge, 907 Park Ave., for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. His motion to adjust the bill in the usual manner was seconded by Alderman Allison. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Crossland. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison summarized the Beautification & Tourism Commission’s report. The Commission would like to appoint David Eggemeyer as the Farmer’s Market Coordinator. After Chairman Allison’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover advised the appointment of a Farmer’s Market Coordinator, an appointment to the Beautification/Tourism Commission and the hiring of a seasonal worker must be listed as agenda items for approval by the council.
Chief of Police (Ryan Coffey):
Chief Coffey summarized the department’s monthly status report.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chief Bert advised that the Chester Fire Department responded to 117 calls in 2017. Also, the department will be attending several upcoming training events.
VIII.Public Discussion
Angela Berry, therapist for Call for Help Inc., explained the services provided to sexual assault victims in the community. Call for Help Inc. recently opened an office in Waterloo and has expanded to offer services to Monroe and Randolph County.
IX.Old Business
X.New Business
Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cole Park:
Alderman Crossland moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at Cole Park for $396.67 per mow from March 19, 2018 to October 31, 2018 (additional mows may be requested by the Park Superintendent as needed) to be paid twice per month. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cohen Complex:
Alderman Crossland moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at the Cohen Recreational Complex for $576.97 per mow from March 19, 2018 to October 31, 2018 (additional mows may be requested by the Park Superintendent as needed) to be paid twice per month. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Appointment – Zoning Appeals Board:
Alderman Clark moved to approve the appointment of Darrell Crum to the Zoning Appeals Board. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Seasonal Groundskeeper:
Alderman Crossland moved to hire Tim Gannon as a seasonal employee beginning March 6th with a salary of $10.00 per hour not to exceed 30 hours per week or 1,000 hours per season. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Alderman Allison stated that an individual would like to donate cottonwood trees for the river front. Mayor Page requested that the individual contact Superintendent Randy Eggemeyer.
Alderman Allison inquired about the recent appointment of a full-time Code Enforcement Officer and his ability to maintain the parks and fulfill his code-enforcement responsibilities. Mayor Page advised that due to the financial situation the State of Illinois has put on the city, the appointment of a Park Superintendent will be postponed. Lorin Mott will be temporarily fulfilling the responsibilities of a Park Superintendent.
XI.Adjournment
At 6:37 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/