City of Chester Council met Feb. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I.CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, February 4, 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 AllisonAlderman Daniel Geisen
Alderman Robert PlattAlderman Russ Rader
Alderman D. Michael BlechleAlderman 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 January 2019 provided by Randy Eggemeyer
•First Baptist Church bucket brigade on February 14th from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
•Memo from Mayor Page regarding vacancies at the water and sewer plant
VI.REPORTS
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for a raffle license for St. John Lutheran School. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license 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 January 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.
VIII.DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Police Chief (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers summarized the department’s monthly status report. Secondly, Chief Helmers advised the Police Commissioners scheduled an orientation on February 9th for applicants.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chester Fire Department responded to 5 calls during the month of January. Also, Chief Bert advised that Ron Shemonic and Jerry Atchison were recognized for their thirty years of service with the Chester Fire Department.
IX.PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Page introduced Attorney Sarah Holdener from FKG Oil Company. In December 2017, FKG Oil (MotoMart) surrendered their Class “B” liquor license and applied for a Class “A” license to add video gaming to the facility. The council passed an Ordinance in November 2018 limiting the number of video gaming terminals to fifty-five machines at eleven establishments. Attorney Holdener explained that FKG Oil experienced construction delays due to the Illinois Gaming Board. Attorney Holdener asked the council to consider amending the video gaming Ordinance to allow the addition of video gaming terminals at Chester MotoMart. Discussion ensued regarding reducing the limit if any current licenses are surrendered.
X.OLD BUSINESS
XI.NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE #1702 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 7-11-2 OF CHAPTER 7 AND PARAGRAPH “F” OF SECTION 21-3-19 OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATIVE TO GAMBLING LICENSING AND FEES:
After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover recommended the council request an Ordinance change if any future establishments surrender their video gaming license. Alderman Ohlau moved to increase the number of video gaming establishment to twelve with not more than sixty video gaming terminals. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland. Nays: Aldermen Platt, Allison. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Negotiating Committee – Fraternal Order of Police:
Mayor Page noted that the labor agreement between the city and FOP expires on April 30, 2019. Mayor Page asked that Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, and Geisen serve on the negotiating committee. Alderman Platt moved to approve Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, and Geisen to the negotiating committee. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Blechle, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Crossland, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Alderman Blechle moved to approve the write-off of the listed accounts and Alderman Platt 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/
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