South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met June 4.

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, June 4, 2018, 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 Robert PlattAlderman Russ Rader

Alderman Donald R. ClarkAlderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Nancy J. Crossland

Absent:Alderman D. Michael Blechle

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, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

V. Public Discussion

Chris Martin thanked the council for the recent donation for a new shelter house at Fort Kaskaskia State Park. Secondly, he introduced Keith Moran from Moran Economic Development. Mr. Moran presented information on establishing an enterprise zone and the potential benefits to the community. The application process is very competitive and labor intensive. It is recommended that Randolph and Monroe Counties apply together for an enterprise zone. The biggest incentive to establishing an enterprise zone is sales tax exemption on building materials. The initial cost for the application process will be $6,000.00.

VI. Correspondence

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

• Maintenance Report for May 2018 provided by Randy Eggemeyer

• Letter from Brandy Maes regarding future plans for Cole Park and the development of a focus group

VII. Reports

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented two applications for raffle licenses for the V.F.W. Auxiliary Post 3553. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Platt moved to approve the May report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

IX. Department Heads:

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 has been very busy this past week. The fire department has responded to twelve calls this past month. Chief Bert noted that four firemen will be attending fire training this upcoming weekend.

Mayor Page stated that he personally witnessed the police and fire department in action for several hours this past week and was extremely pleased by their performance.

X. Old Business

XI. New Business

Buena Vista Street—Change Order for Sidewalks:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented two change orders for sidewalk replacements off the right-of-way on Buena Vista Street. A new sidewalk will be poured leading to the city steps and another behind the Randolph County Court House. Both sidewalk replacements will cost $5,813.46. Alderman Clark moved to ratify the action of the mayor and approve both change orders payable to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. for $5,813.46. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Donation—USS LST 325 Visit:

Brian Congiardo asked the council for a $2,000.00 donation to provide shuttle services to the various events during Popeye Picnic weekend. Alderman Crossland moved to donate $2,000.00 to the USS LST 325 for shuttles for the weekend events. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Gas Department—2018 Chevrolet Colorado:

Alderman Crossland moved to ratify the action of the council and purchase a 2018 Chevrolet Colorado from Boulder Chevrolet-Buick Inc. for $33,310.00 and waive formal competitive bidding. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Gas Department—Mini Excavator:

Superintendent Jeremy Homan presented a quote for a E42 T4 Bobcat Compact Excavator from Forklifts of Cape Inc. for $47,133.90. Forklifts of Cape Inc. is offering a trade in price of $10,500.00 for the Vermeer Trencher and $16,500.00 for the IR Bobcat Excavator. Superintendent Homan recommends the trade in of both pieces of used equipment and to purchase the E42 T4 Bobcat Excavator. Alderman Clark moved to waive formal competitive bidding for the purchase of the E42 T4 Bobcat Compact Excavator for $20,133.90 with the trade in of the Vermeer Trencher for $10,500.00 and IR Bobcat Excavator for $16,500.00 payable to Forklifts of Cape Inc. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Gas Department—Drilling Machine and Tools:

Superintendent Jeremy Homan presented a quote from Mueller Company for a drilling machine and tools for gas valve replacements. This equipment will allow the gas department to complete gas line stops without having to call USDI for assistance. Superintendent Homan noted that the equipment will easily pay for itself in less than two years. Alderman Crossland moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a drill machine and tools from Mueller Company for $41,163.09. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Intergovernmental Agreement for the Purchase of Water Service – Illinois Department of Corrections:

The agreement provides for the following rates for water service for Menard Correctional Center: Beginning July 1, 2018, the department shall pay monthly to the city for the water service provided to Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $2.90 per 1000 gallons per month. Beginning July 1, 2019, the department shall pay monthly to the city for the water service provided to Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $3.15 per 1000 gallons per month. Beginning July 1, 2020, the department shall pay monthly to the city for the water service provided to Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $3.40 per 1000 gallons per month. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections to increase the rates for the purchase of water service for Menard Correctional Center as presented. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

XII. Adjournment

At 6:53 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Crossland, Clark, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

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