City of Chester City Council met October 15.
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 15, 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 Robert Platt
Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Dan Ohlau
Absent: Alderman Nancy J. Crossland Alderman Donald R. Clark
Alderman Daniel Geisen
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Alderman Ohlau moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Clark, Geisen. Motion carried.
V. Correspondence
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Tax Revenue report for September 2018 provided by City Clerk Berner
• Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated October 10, 2018
• Letter from Chester Area Food Pantry requesting a monetary donation for upcoming holiday meals
• An email providing a recap of the Chester Chamber of Commerce lunch program on September 18th
VI. Reports
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised that another meeting was held with Budslick Management Company.
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, and to include payment for Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $148.47 (fiscal year total, $1,675.38). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark. Motion carried.
Pay Estimate #2 to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for installation of a standby generator and appurtenances was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $14,148.00 to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the September report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes:
Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
VIII. Public Discussion
Tammy Grah invited the council to attend an upcoming presentation from Shane Wagner at the Chester Public Library on October 16th.
Chief Ryan Coffey recognized Kevin Woods for his 31 years of service with the Chester Police Department.
IX. Old Business
X. New Business
Firefighters:
After recommendation from Assistant Fire Chief Ron Shemonic, Alderman Platt moved to approve Jayce Wilderman as an auxiliary firefighter. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
Police and Fire Commissioners:
Per the mayor’s recommendation, Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the appointment of Kevin Woods to the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
Christmas Party:
Mayor Page advised that he would like to have a Christmas party this year for city employees to be held on Friday, November 30, at the St. Nicholas Landmark. Alderman Ohalu’s motion to approve the mayor’s request was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
Holiday Gift Cards:
Alderman Platt moved to purchase a $100.00 holiday gift card from Rozier’s Country Mart for each full-time employee (city to pay $80.00 per card). Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
City Hall – Painting:
A bid from Mueller Painting was presented by City Clerk Berner for painting the interior lobby of city hall. Alderman Rader moved to approve the painting bid of $6,990.00 from Mueller Painting to paint various areas in city hall. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion carried.
Ordinance Relative to Gambling Licensing and Fees:
Mayor Page presented a proposed Ordinance which would limit the number of video gaming establishments to eleven within the city limits. After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover advised that this Ordinance will restrict any other establishments that currently have a liquor license from adding video gaming terminals. Discussion ensued. Alderman Ohlau moved to amend the Ordinance to allow twelve video gaming terminals within the city limits. Alderman Platt voiced concern that the city is already saturated and doesn’t need any additional video gaming establishments. Aldermen Ohlau’s motion was seconded by Alderman Rader. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Ohlau. Nays: Aldermen Blechle, Allison, Platt. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion failed.
After explanation from Attorney Kerkhover, Alderman Blechle moved to approve the Ordinance limiting the number of video gaming establishments to eleven. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Blechle. Nays: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Platt. Absent: Aldermen Clark, Geisen, Crossland. Motion failed.
XI. Adjournment
At 6:25 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Blechle, Allison, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Crossland, Geisen, Clark. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
Alerts Sign-up