Chester City Council met Sept. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
Alderman Robert PlattAlderman Russ Rader
Alderman Donald R. ClarkAlderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Nancy J. CrosslandAlderman D. Michael Blechle
Absent:None
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
- CORRESPONDENCE
- Maintenance Report for July 2018 provided by Randy Eggemeyer
- Opioid Crisis program at Chester Library on August 9, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
- Chester Rotary Club chicken dinner at K.C. Hall on August 17, 2018
- List of upcoming events in Chester
- Evaluation results for the Chester public water supply from the IL EPA
- Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated June 21, 2018
- REPORTS
Mayor Page reported that several meetings were held to finalize the Enterprise Zone map. An updated map will be provided to the council after all changes are complete.
Mayor Page thanked City Treasurer Nancy Eggemeyer for her assistance at city hall this past week.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the Popeye Picnic (Car Cruise). Alderman Clark moved to issue the raffle license 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, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the Chester Rotary Club. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
- COMMITTEE REPORTS
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, Blechle, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the June report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Pay Estimate #8 for the Buena Vista Street project was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $59,663.25 to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals, Inc. was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt motioned to approve the Final Pay Estimate payable to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals, Inc. for ROW Water Main Replacement for $15,401.31. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Alderman Blechle):
Chairman Blechle advised that the poles and lights on the soccer fields are complete. Secondly, Chairman Blechle reported that the seasonal employees are done therefore Lorin will need assistance preparing with the fields. After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, Alderman Blechle recommended that the park superintendent position not be filled until next spring due to lack of work during the winter months. Alderman Crossland advised that the park superintendent position should be filled soon so the superintendent has the fall and winter months to get comfortable with the new position and will be ready for the busy spring ball season. Mayor Page ended the discussion by stating that this position is a mayor’s appointment and that he understood both views.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Alderman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised that three historic information signs have been installed on the river front. Chairman Allison voiced his concern about the lack of maintenance on the riverfront. There are large weeds growing through the rocks on the river bank and trash is thrown all along the riverfront. Superintendent Randy Eggemeyer voiced concern about employees being on the rocky hillside of the riverbank and stated that the riverfront is cleaned up constantly.
- DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Chief Coffey summarized the department’s monthly status report.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chester Fire Department responded to nine calls during the month of July. Chief Bert thanked the council for allowing the fire department to attend several training events. These training programs helped the department handle several unique fire calls this past month.
- OLD BUSINESS
- NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Crossland moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the employment of Melissa Cushman as billing clerk at a salary of $29,000 per year. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Resolution – Homecoming Parade Road Closure:
Alderman Clark moved to pass a resolution to request approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for temporary closure of Route 150 from its intersection with Stacey Street to Taylor Street on September 28, 2018 from approximately 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Chester High School Homecoming Parade. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Resolution – LST Visit Road Closure:
Alderman Clark moved to pass a resolution to request approval from Illinois Department of Transportation for temporary closure of Water Street from Kaskaskia Street to Rock Bridge Road during the approximate time period between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on September 7, 2018; 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on September 8, 2018; and 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on September 9, 2018. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Memorandum of Understanding with Illinois FOP Labor Council:
Chief Ryan Coffey presented a memorandum of understanding from the Illinois FOP Labor Council allowing twelve hour and ten hour shifts for the Chester Police Department. This schedule shall be on an experimental basis from August 16, 2018 through November 15, 2018. Both parties will meet on November 15th to discuss the revised shifts. The twelve hour and ten hour schedules may only be permanently adopted by mutual consent of both parties. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the memorandum with the Illinois FOP Labor Council and Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Street Department – Bobcat Compact Track Loader
Alderman Crossland moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a Bobcat Compact Track Loader from Forklifts of Cape for the Maintenance Department for $56,499.11. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Street Department – Snow plows:
Superintendent Randy Eggemeyer advised the council that two additional snow plows are needed for this upcoming winter. Alderman Clark moved to approve the purchase of two Western snow plow kits not to exceed $10,600.00 and authorize the trade-in of a spreader to reduce the price. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Street Department – Truck Bed:
Superintendent Randy Eggemeyer stated the Street Department needs to purchase a new dump truck bed for D2. Alderman Platt asked if the maintenance department checks to see if any of the needed equipment could be purchased from state surplus. Superintendent Eggemeyer advised that a majority of the equipment use to come from state surplus but that isn’t available anymore. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the purchase of a new dump bed for D2 not to exceed $8,800.00. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chester Popeye Sign:
Superintendent Randy Eggemeyer presented a quote from Chester Electric for electrical work needed on the Chester Popeye sign at the Bridge Road. The $2,000.00 quote will only fix the exposed wires and repair a meter loop. Additional bulbs and ballasts will need to be purchased after these other issues are resolved. Discussion began regarding relocation of the existing sign or purchasing a new sign. Mayor Page recommended tabling this item. Alderman Platt motioned to table this item and Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Engineering Agreement with J.T. Blankinship, Inc.:
11. City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented an engineering agreement for a water treatment
plant improvement project. A funding nomination has been submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and they are offering a loan forgiveness program of 75% loan forgiveness not to exceed a maximum forgiveness of $1,500,000.00. The additions to this funding nomination are repairs to the ground storage tanks, carbonation and head tank. Alderman Clark moved to approve the engineering agreement with J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for water treatment plant improvements. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water Treatment Plant – Funding Nomination with IEPA:
City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised the council to apply for an additional funding nomination through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a grit removal system for the water plant and possible demolition of the old water plant. A demo grit removal system is scheduled to be tested at the water plant in late August. Alderman Clark moved to allow J.T. Blankinship, Inc. to submit an additional funding nomination to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
- ADJOURNMENT
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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