South West Illinois News

City of Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission met April 19. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the commission:

Members Present: Cynthia Lawder, Pam Fraley, Brenda Owen, Sandra Starr and Bob Lockhart.

Also present: Linda Sympson the representative of the Chamber of Commerce.

Pledge of Allegiance: All members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the previous meeting: The following errors were made: The River City Renewal

has applied for membership in the National Main Street organization. They are waiting to hear

if it is accepted. Pam made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected; Linda seconded.

Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Linda’s report showed a balance on hand as of 2/28/18 is $25,861.67.

Brenda noted that the nontaxable income was 23,282.83, expenses of 5,638.43, leaving a

balance of $17,643.40 as of 3/31/18. The Stone Cottage’s income was $1,467.57, expenses of

$416.64, leaving a balance of $1,050.93. These reports are subject to audit.

Public Petitions: None.

Standing Committee Reports:

          Anti-litter: no report.

          Banners: Pam reported that the Spring banners are up.

          Signs: no report.

          Farmer’s Market: Dave Eggemeyer was approved by the City Council as “Farmer’s

                  Market Coordinator”.

          Planters: no report.

          Riverboat/Tour programming: no report.

          Take Pride Award: no report.

          Historic Preservation: Brenda advised that there no additional information to report

                at this time.

Special Committee Reports:

           Riverfront improvement: Sandra reported on a proposal to purchase 3 aluminum

                Interpretive displays (each 24” x 36”) to be installed on the waterfront. They

                will show information and history of Chester and the waterfront. They cost

                $1,200 each plus design labor for a total of $3,723. This price does not include

                installation. Cynthia made the motion to approve the purchase; Linda seconded.

                 Motion carried.

                 Sandra also reported that the picnic tables are finished and the 4 trash cans and

                  2 benches have been ordered and will be here in 1 month.

                  The Chester Boy Scouts will have a water front cleanup day June 4.

           State Bicentennial: no report.

           Smithsonian exhibit: The exhibit will be here from 9/5/18 to 10/20/18.

           LST tour: The boat will be here 9/6/18 – 9/9/18 at the waterfront. There will be

                  a presentation on April 24, noon at the Eagles.

Commission Function Reports:

          Public Relations: Sandra and Norma will give a report on our commission’s purpose and

                  plans at the Chester Women’s Club meeting on April 27.

          City Council update: No report.

          Welcome Center: no report.

          Randolph County Tourism: No report.

Old Business:

          Difference of purchase & maintenance: no report.

          Historic marker in front of Landmark: No report.

          Monument placement on riverfront: Cynthia will report at next meeting.

          River City Renewal & Mainstreet: Brenda reported that they continue to plan. There will

                be program on Crossroads of America with speaker Dr. Jones about Kaskaskia and

                Shane Wagner will present his book of folklore. l

New Business:

          Relay of Voices – The Great River Run 2019: there will be a meeting May 14

                 @2:30. No further report.

At 7:15pm Sandra made the motion to adjourn; Pam seconded. Motion carried.

Next meeting: May 17, 2018 at 6:30PM at City Hall.

http://www.chesterill.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/April-2018-Minutes.pdf