City of Chester City Council met September 17.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
I. Chester, Illinois
September 17, 2018
II. Call to Order
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, September 17, 2018, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
III. Roll Call
Present: Alderman Ray Allison Alderman Donald R. Clark
Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Dan Ohlau Alderman Daniel Geisen
Alderman Robert Platt
Absent: Alderman Nancy J. Crossland
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
V. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Alderman Clark moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark, Geisen, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
VI. Correspondence
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Electronics Recycling Drive hosted by Chester High School on October 6th
• Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter
• Letter of Resignation as a Police Commissioner from Gary Knop
• Tax Revenue report for August 2018
• Chester Chamber of Commerce lunch program on September 18th
•“Kaskaskia and the Road to Statehood” program at Chester Library on Sept. 23rd
• Regional Leaders Breakfast on October 11th
VII. Reports
Mayor:
Mayor Page recognized the city employees for all of their hard work setting up for the Popeye Picnic weekend.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented two applications for raffle licenses for the Chester Eagles Club Aerie #3252. Alderman Clark moved to issue the raffle licenses and to waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle manager. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Clark, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. 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, and to include payment for Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $246.62 (fiscal year total, $1,526.91). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Pay Estimate #1 to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for installation of a standby generator and appurtenances was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $29,396.00 to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt motioned to approve Invoice #19829 for $13,500.00 payable to J.T. Blankinship Inc. for engineering services for the Chester Center Development entrance. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):
Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($50.45) of Todd Frazer, 769 Swanwick Street, 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 Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Alderman Blechle):
Chairman Blechle reported that the Park Board and Recreation Director Patti Carter have been working on a long term plan for development in Cole Park. Members of the Park Board and Alderman Blechle recently met with a representative regarding installation of a splash pad. Mayor Page asked Chairman Blechle to remind the Park Board that all projects must be approved by the city council.
Alderman Platt voiced concern about dogs not being kept on a leash at the Cohen Complex. Alderman Platt suggested having the city employees working in the parks remind residents to put their dogs on a leash.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison announced that the next riverboat will be in Chester on September 20th.
IX. Public Discussion
Alderman Platt advised that the information for the upcoming electronic recycling event hosted by the Chester High School on October 6th is misleading. CJD E-Cycling will charge a fee ranging from $5-$30 depending on size of the electronical device.
X. Old Business
XI. New Business
Employee Health Insurance:
Council members were informed by the city clerk that Aetna proposed an 8.49% increase for renewal of employee health insurance – Employee only $287.50/month; Employee plus spouse, $688.90/month; Employee plus child(ren), $573.91; and Family, $917.81/month. The city clerk recommended that the council approve renewal with Aetna effective October 1, continue to set aside $500.00 per employee per month to cover premium cost plus city’s share of deductible (60%), continue with payroll deductions of $210.00 per month for coverage for child(ren), $500.00 per month for family coverage, $250.00 per month for spouse coverage and continue to use Castia RX (formerly LDI) for pharmacy benefits. Alderman Platt so moved, and Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Water Plant – Menard Pump House:
Alderman Clark moved to ratify the action of the council and approve C & C Pumps to repair the sump pump control wiring in the Menard Pump House. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle,
Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Resolution – Christmas on the River Parade:
Alderman Platt moved to pass a Resolution to request that IDOT approve the temporary closure of Route 150 from Stacey Street to the intersection of Taylor Street on December 8, 2018 from approximately 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of allowing the parade participants to pass safely down the parade route. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
Utility Vehicles:
Mayor Page stated that several residents have inquired and requested the council discuss the use of utility vehicles on city streets. The resident’s utility terrain vehicle will be required to pass a safety inspection by the police department and must be registered at city hall. Chief Coffey noted that the UTV can only be driven on city streets. Alderman Clark voiced concerns about speeding. Discussion ensued. Mayor Page advised this issue was just placed on the agenda for discussion and no action will be taken this evening. Mayor Page requested that Police Chief Coffey and Attorney Kerkhover provide additional information to the council at the next meeting.
Business License:
Mayor Page advised that Chester is one of the only towns that does not require a business license. Alderman Platt feels the council should have a say in businesses coming into town. After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover stated that he would have to check to see if the council would have authority to deny a business from coming to town. Secondly, Mayor Page asked the council to consider limiting the number of video gaming parlors. Discussion ensued. Mayor Page advised that these items will be placed on an upcoming agenda.
XII. Adjournment
At 6:37 p.m., Alderman Clark moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Clark, Allison, Platt, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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