City of Chester City Council met May 6

By Michael Abella

Jun 13, 2019

City of Chester City Council met May 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I.CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, May 6, 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 D. Michael Blechle

Alderman Russ Rader

Alderman Nancy J. Crossland

Alderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Robert Platt

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 Crossland, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

V.CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•Tax Revenue report for April 2019 provided by City Clerk Berner

•Chester Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated April 10, 2019

•Memo from Mayor Page regarding City Clean Up days

•Grand Opening Celebration on May 18th -19th for Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial

•Invitation to CenterPoint Energy Golf Tournament on June 5th

•Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated March 21, 2019

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 Rader seconded the motion.

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

The city clerk presented two applications for raffle licenses for the Chester Eagles Club. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Rader 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, Crossland, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Clark. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt moved to approve the April 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

Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):

Chief Helmers advised that the Board of Police Commissioners conducted testing for the open sergeant position. The Board of Police Commissioners recommend the appointment of Joseph Crain as a new sergeant for the Chester Police Department. Chief Helmers noted that one point separated the two officers. Sergeant Crain was sworn into office by the city clerk.

Fire Chief (Marty Bert):

Chief Bert advised that the Chester Fire Department responded to 12 calls in April totaling 38 calls year to date.

IX.OLD BUSINESS

Sidewalk Replacements:

Mayor Page presented a quote from Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for sidewalk replacements at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Rio Grand, and a portion of sidewalk on the 600 block of State Street. Alderman Allison presented a document outlining potential savings if the sidewalks are completed by the street department. Street Department Superintendent Steve Renner advised that the street department is currently short several employees and don’t have a concrete finisher. Mayor Page explained that there is a liability on the city to complete large concrete projects. Alderman Crossland moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the proposal from Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals, Inc for three sidewalk replacements for a total of $39,120.00. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion.

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

Sewer Department – Pumps:

Superintendent Marty Reynolds presented a quote from Municipal Equipment Company for a replacement pump and parts. Municipal Equipment Company is offering a 30% discount for replacement pumps. Alderman Blechle moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of two replacement pumps and parts for $45,158.30. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion.

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

Resolution – Authorizing Representative:

Alderman Platt moved to pass a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the loan application forms for the Chester Wastewater Treatment & Collection System Improvements. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.

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

Engineering Agreement with J.T. Blankinship Inc.:

Alderman Blechle moved to approve the engineering agreement with J.T. Blankinship Inc. for Chester Wastewater Treatment & Collection System Improvements. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion.

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

Resolution – Authorizing Representative:

Alderman Platt moved to pass a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the loan application forms for the Chester Water Treatment Plant Improvements Phase II. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.

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

Engineering Agreement with J.T. Blankinship Inc.:

Alderman Allison moved to approve the engineering agreement with J.T. Blankinship Inc. for Chester Water Treatment Plant Improvements Phase II. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion.

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

X.PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES

Mayor Page presented a plaque to Nancy Crossland and thanked her for the twelve years of service to the city.

XI.INAUGURATION OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

The following officials were sworn into office: Randy Dudenbostel – Alderman Ward 1, Scott Stumpe – Alderman Ward 2, Russ Rader – Alderman Ward 3, and Ray Allison – Alderman Ward 4.

XII.ROLL CALL OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Present:Alderman Ohlau

Alderman Platt

Alderman Rader

Alderman Blechle

Alderman Geisen

Alderman Allison

Alderman Dudenbostel

Alderman Stumpe

XIII.PUBLIC COMMENT

XIV.NEW BUSINESS

Mayoral Appointments:

Mayor Page recommended that the following committee appointments be approved for Fiscal Year 2020:

Cemetery & Finance Committee

Alderman Robert Platt, Chairman

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

Alderman Russ Rader

Water & Sewer Committee

Alderman Russ Rader, Chairman

Alderman Dan Geisen

Alderman Scott Stumpe

Ordinance Committee:

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel, Chairman

Alderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Ray Allison

Park & Recreation Committee:

Alderman Scott Stumpe, Chairman

Alderman Dan Geisen

Alderman Mike Blechle

Streets & Alleys Committee:

Alderman Mike Blechle, Chairman

Alderman Scott Stumpe

Alderman Ray Allison

Fire Department, Police Department & Public Safety Committee:

Alderman Dan Geisen, Chairman

Alderman Russ Rader

Alderman Robert Platt

Gas Department & Public Property Committee:

Alderman Dan Ohlau, Chairman

Alderman Mike Blechle

Alderman Robert Platt

Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification/Tourism Committee:

Alderman Ray Allison, Chairman

Alderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

Alderman Geisen moved to approve committee appointments as recommended by the mayor. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion.