City of Chester City Council met October 1.
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, October 1, 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 Allison Alderman Daniel Geisen
Alderman Robert Platt Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Donald R. Clark Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Nancy J. Crossland Alderman D. Michael Blechle
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, Blechle, Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
V. Correspondence
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• St. Nicholas Landmark ribbon cutting on October 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
• Chester Planning Commission Minutes from August 23, 2018
• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated September 20, 2018
• Chester Park and Recreation Board minutes from August 14, 2018
• Letter of Appreciation from the USS LST 325
VI. Reports
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the final inspection is complete for the Buena Vista Street Project.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the St Mary Catholic School. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Geisen 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 Beta Nu Beta Sigma Phi. 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.
City Engineer:
City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised a scheduled startup for the new sewer department generator will be on October 3rd.
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. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Blechle, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt advised the Evergreen Cemetery report will be listed on the next agenda for approval.
Pay Estimate #9 to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for the Buena Vista Road Improvements was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $10,566.20 to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. was seconded by Alderman Crossland. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Blechle, Crossland, Platt, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison announced that the Planning Commission is working on an incentive package for new businesses.
VIII. Department Heads:
Chief of Police (Ryan Coffey):
Chief Coffey summarized the department’s monthly status report.
IX. Public Comment
Chris Koeneman voiced concern about the signage at the Rio Grand video gaming parlor located at 1223 Swanwick Street. Mr. Koeneman asked the council to consider passing an Ordinance limiting the number and size of the signs.
Ron Laramore addressed the council in regards to passing the UTV Permit Ordinance this evening.
X. Old Business
XI. New Business
Park and Recreation Board:
Per the mayor’s recommendation, Alderman Crossland moved to approve the appointment of Jason King to the Park and Recreation Board. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Beautification/Tourism Commission:
Per recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Allison moved to approve the appointment of Donella Butler, JoAnn Simmons and Bruce Luthy Sr. as members of the commission. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Employment – Telecommunicator:
The Chester Police Department is currently short approximately three part time dispatchers. Chief Coffey recommends the council approve Ashley Welker as a part time telecommunicator. Alderman Clark so moved, and Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water Street Railroad Improvement:
City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented a quote from Red Dot Construction & Rentals Inc. for Water Street railroad improvements to be conducted per Illinois Commerce Commission. This project has been postponed for several years due to the State of Illinois Budget Impasse. City Engineer Sheffer advised that additional costs will be added to the project quote for flaggers and insurance. Alderman Crossland moved to approve Red Dot Construction & Rentals Inc. to complete the required Water Street railroad improvements not to exceed $15,000.00. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1684 – AN ORDINANCE PERMITTING THE USE OF UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
Mayor Page presented the proposed Ordinance to allow the use of utility terrain vehicles on city streets. Alderman Ohlau voiced concern about residents driving on state or county roads leading to town and requested that Water Street be added to the list of restricted streets. Also, Alderman Ohlau read the first page of a John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle owner’s manual which states, “This utility vehicle is designed solely for use in customary agricultural and forestry operations, for park and amenity area maintenance, and for winter work. Use in any other way is considered as contrary to the intended use.” Alderman Clark voiced concern about the burden this will put on the police department. Alderman Crossland stated that the council is not here to discuss enforcing laws but to vote on allowing UTVs on the city streets. After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, Mayor Page stated the operator must provide a valid driver’s license and insurance to operate the UTV. Discussion ensued. Alderman Crossland moved to pass Ordinance #1684 with the amendment of adding Water Street as a restricted street as recommended by Alderman Ohlau. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Crossland. Nays: Alderman Clark, Ohlau, Allison. Absent: None. Mayor Page voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1685 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-1-1 OF ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATIVE TO APPLICATIONS:
After explanation from Attorney Kerkhover, Alderman Blechle moved to approve the proposed Ordinance amending applications. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: Alderman Clark. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1686 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, BY ADDING ARTICLE XII RELATIVE:
Attorney Kerkhover presented an Ordinance that requires a new business to purchase a business license from the city. All license issued shall be for the entire period of time that the business is operating, and the fee for obtaining such license shall be a one-time fee. After a lengthy discussion, the council decided to grandfather existing businesses into the Ordinance but ask each existing business to complete the application form. Exiting businesses with a change in ownership will be required to apply for a new business license. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the Ordinance implementing a business license for all new businesses or a change in ownership of an existing business. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland. Nays: Alderman Clark, Allison. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1687 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX “A” OF CHAPTER 7 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATIVE TO BUSINESS LICENSES:
Alderman Crossland moved to pass the Ordinance with the amendment of a $50.00 one-time fee for a business license. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland. Nays: Alderman Clark, Allison. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Right of Entry Form – MODOT
Mayor Page explained that the right of entry form allows Missouri Department of Transportation and its consultants to conduct environmental research in various areas near the Route 51 Mississippi River Bridge. Alderman Crossland so moved, and Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Clark, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
XII. Adjournment
At 6:55 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Blechle, Crossland, Clark, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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