South West Illinois News

City of Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission met Feb. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Members Present: Bob Lockhart, Linda Rader, Tom Sauer, Cathy Sauer, Brenda Owen, Jo Ann Simmons, Sandra Starr, Linda Sympson, Shane Wagner, Bruce Luthy Sr. and Cynthia Lawder. Also present was City Councilman, Ray Allison.

Pledge of Allegiance: All members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Minutes of the January 17, 2019 meeting were reviewed. Jo Ann Simmons made the motion to approve; Cathy Sauer seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Linda Rader’s report was presented. The balance in our account is $23,359.32 as of 1/31/19. The non-tax amount of this account is $23,269.57. The Stone Cottage fund is $651.76.

Correspondence: A memo from the Mayor was read in which the Commission was advised that some Christmas snowflake lights will be moved from the 1400 – 1800 blocks of State Street to the 1400 – 1800 blocks of Swanwick Street because of concerns for the safety of city employees putting them up.

A letter was read from Tom Welge of St. Nicholas Brewing concerning donating to an historic marker for the Landmark. The County has approved $1000 and the Commission has been asked to contribute $1,000. Tom Welge will contribute the balance of $1,500.

Standing Committee Reports:

Anti-Litter: No report.

Banners/Christmas lights: No report.

City Welcome sign: No report.

Farmer’s Market: No report.

Planters: Cathy advised that the budget for the planters should be approximately the same as last year: $2,800 for the caretaker; $2,000 for the flowers.

Riverboat/Tour Programming: The next training will be held March 7 at City Hall at 6PM. There will be 2 riverboat meetings on 3/25. JoAnn, Linda, Cynthia and Bob have attended the first tour guide training.

Take-Pride Award: Linda reported 2 quotes for new signs: $265 for 2 signs from Mariah Bargman, made of a composite material and better color; $102 for 2 signs from Blazing Colors for the same signs we have now.

Historic Preservation: The city has had good coverage in the County Journal and Southern newspapers regarding the properties placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Special Committee Reports:

Riverfront Improvements: No report.

Evergreen Cemetery Self-Guided tour: Shane has a list of characters for the tour. The tour will also feature the overlook which views Menard and Kaskaskia Island.

Committee Function Reports:

Public Relations: No report.

City Council Update: No report.

Welcome Center Update: No report. Randolph County Tourism: No report.

Old Business:

Quote for historic signs: Brenda advised of 2 quotes: an 8x10 from Sign Solutions for $327.90 each. The other quote was from Chester Foundry for $125.00 each. Tom Sauer made the motion to purchase signs from Chester Foundry at a cost not to exceed $500; Sandra seconded. Motion carried.

Sales of Popeye hangers: Sandra happily reported that all hangers are sold!!

Relay of Voices: No report.

New Business:

Eagle Fest: No report.

Take Pride signs: JoAnn Simmons made the motion to buy the better signs at a cost of $265 each; Sandra seconded. Motion carried.

The request from Tom Welge was addressed. Sandra made the motion to pay $1,000 for the historic sign at the Landmark; Linda seconded. Motion carried.

The Evergreen Cemetery tour will be October 13. Committee volunteers are Sandra, Shane, Linda Sympson and Bobbi Junkin. They will meet next month.

A motion was made for flowers and caretaking of the planters. The motion not to exceed $2,500 for flowers and $3000 for caretaker was made by Cynthia and seconded by Cathy. Motion carried.

The old Frazer building remodel was discussed. The owner is Craig Mitchell. He has a potential donor of $1,000 for a mural on the side of the building by Dianna and Ted Mueller. We will support the project.

Signage in front of the video gaming establishments on Swanwick Street was discussed. It was decided to advise the city that we disapprove of the flags.

Linda Rader made the motion to adjourn; JoAnn seconded. Motion carried.

http://www.chesterill.com/beautificationtourism-commission/