South West Illinois News

Chester City Council met Jan. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I.CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, January 7, 2019, 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 D. Michael Blechle Alderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Nancy J. Crossland

Absent:Alderman Donald Clark

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

V.CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•Maintenance Report for December 2018 provided by Randy Eggemeyer

•Chester Chamber Thirsty Thursday Event on January 31, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

•Chester Chamber 1st Annual Night at the Races on February 1st at 6:00 p.m.

•Letter of Resignation from Brandy Maes from the Chester Park Board

VI.REPORTS

City Clerk:

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

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, Rader, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

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

Water & Sewer Committee (Alderman Rader):

Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($195.73) of Michael Pelate, 1312 Opdyke 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 Crossland. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Crossland, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

VIII.DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Fire Chief (Marty Bert):

Chester Fire Department responded to 6 calls during the month of December with 97 calls for the year. Also, Chief Bert advised that the 1986 fire truck will be permanently taken out of service. The department is currently working with the Public Safety Committee exploring options for a replacement truck.

IX.PUBLIC COMMENT

1) Mayor Page introduced Zane Wallace to the council and advised that he will join the Chester Police Department effective January 8th.

2) Mayor Page presented a plaque to Chief of Police Ryan Coffey and expressed his sincere appreciation for his 21 years of service. Chief Coffey thanked the mayor and the city council for their support.

3) Sergeant Robert Helmers presented Chief Coffey a plaque and gun from the Chester Police Department.

X.OLD BUSINESS

XI.NEW BUSINESS

TIF Accounting as of December 31, 2017, with Respect to Sixteenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester Relative to Kipp Development Project:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained the TIF Accounting which provided that the city and Kipp agreement that 75% of the said $17,810.18 which was received by the city due to Kipp’s property tax apportionment, equals $13,357.64, which is to be reimbursed to Kipp. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the TIF Accounting as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1693 – AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETO LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2018 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON $1,950,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2011, OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

After explanation by City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover, Alderman Platt moved to pass Ordinance #1693 abating taxes for the Series 2011 Bonds. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1694 – AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETO LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2018 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON $3,795,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2013, OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Crossland moved to pass Ordinance #1694 abating taxes for the Series 2013 Bonds. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1695 – AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETO LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2018 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON $1,605,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2015, OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Allison moved to pass Ordinance #1695 abating taxes for the Series 2015 Bonds. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

Bids – Old Rescue Boat:

Attorney Kerkhover advised the council that notice of sale of the rescue boat was published in the County Journal pursuant to statute. Mayor Page opened the following bids: 1) St. Louis Bridge Construction Company $550.00; 2) R.L. Eggemeyer $901.00. Alderman Crossland moved to accept R.L. Eggemeyer’s bid of $901.00 for the sale of the old rescue boat. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1696 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Crossland moved to accept the bid of R.L. Eggemeyer in the amount of $901.00 for the rescue boat and to pass the Ordinance authorizing sale of the property. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

Chief of Police:

Alderman Crossland moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Robert Helmers as Chief of Police effective immediately. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

Formal pinning ceremony of the new chief was conducted.

ORDINANCE #1697 – AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARY OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF CHESTER:

Alderman Crossland moved to pass the Ordinance to set the salary of the police chief at $64,535.00 for fiscal year 2018-2019, and such salary shall be pro-rated from January 7, 2019 – April 30, 2019. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

XII.ADJOURNMENT

At 6:20 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Blechle, Crossland, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

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