City of Chester Council met March 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I.CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, March 18, 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 Robert Platt
Alderman Russ Rader; Alderman Nancy J. Crossland
Alderman Dan Ohlau; Alderman Daniel Geisen
Alderman D. Michael Blechle
Absent: Alderman Donald R. 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 Ohlau, Rader, Crossland, Allison, Platt, Blechle, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
V.CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Catch and Eat Fishing Tournament on April 20th
•Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated March 13, 2019
•IL Housing Development Authority letter regarding the Three Springs Apartments
VI.REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page reported that budget meetings were held this past week with each Superintendent. Secondly, Mayor Page announced that Billy Belton was named Southern Illinois Football Coach of the Year.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for St. John Lutheran PTL. 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 Crossland, Platt, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Clark, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for Alva Courier Post 487. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Platt, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Clark, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
VII.COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
Chairman Platt inquired why we continue to donate $3,000.00 annually to the Popeye Statue Trail for a new statue. Discuss ensued among the aldermen. The council decided that the donation will be listed as an agenda item at the next council meeting.
Secondly, Chairman Platt inquired about the $661.00 invoice from Chester Electric to move Christmas lights from State Street to Swanwick Street. Mayor Page explained that the lights are being moved for safety reasons. State Street is extremely dangerous due to all of the truck traffic. Alderman Allison suggested adding more flaggers and barricades. The council requested this item be placed on the next agenda.
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 $347.24 (fiscal year total, $2,313.78). Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):
Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill (33.90) of Debbie Dunn, 718 Stratton, 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 Platt.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Blechle):
Chairman Blechle announced that the baseball and softball season started today. Mayor Page noted that parking is a major issue on the back fields.
VIII.PUBLIC DISCUSSION
IX.OLD BUSINESS
X.NEW BUSINESS
At 6:19 p.m., Alderman Platt moved to enter into Executive Session under the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) under exception (1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Crossland Geisen, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: Aldermen Blechle, Rader. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
The council returned from Executive Session at 6:36 p.m. No action was taken in Executive
Sewer Plant Employee:
Superintendent Marty Reynolds introduced David Heath Menefee who was present at the meeting and recommended him for employment. Alderman Crossland moved to approve his employment effective April 1, 2019 at $32,000/year. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Water Plant Employee:
Superintendent Tim Crow introduced Ricky Casten to the council and recommended him for employment. Alderman Geisen moved to approve his employment effective April 1, 2019 at $32,000/year. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Transfer of Funds:
Alderman Ohlau moved to approve transfer of $200,000.00 residual equity from the Natural Gas Fund to the General Fund. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Transfer of Funds:
Alderman Ohlau moved to approve transfer of $50,000.00 residual equity from the Natural Gas Fund to the Fire Protection Fund. Alderman Platt seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
Appropriation Adjustments:
Alderman Platt moved to approve line item appropriation adjustments within funds according to state statue. The motion was seconded the by Alderman Ohlau.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Crossland, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
XI.ADJOURNMENT
At 6:39 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Crossland, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/3-18-19-Minutes.doc
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