South West Illinois News

Chester City Council met Aug. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

I.CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, August 5, 2019, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present:

Alderman Ray Allison                     Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman D. Michael Blechle         Alderman Scott Stumpe

Alderman Russ Rader                    Alderman Daniel Geisen

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel       Alderman Dan Ohlau

Absent:None

II.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Ohlau 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 Rader, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Stumpe, Allison, Platt, Blechle, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•July’s Tax Revenue report provided by City Clerk Berner

REPORTS

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the Popeye Picnic Committee. Alderman Allison moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Stumpe, Ohlau, Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Blechle, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

City Engineer:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised that all utilities except Frontier Communications have been relocated on the Turn Lane Project. Construction will resume on Wednesday.

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. Chairman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Stumpe, Ohlau, Rader, Dudenbostel, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #20148 payable to J. T. Blankinship Inc. for $7,710.00 for engineering services for the Rt. 3 Turn Lane project. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Stumpe, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Pay Estimate #2 for the Rt. 3 Turn Lane project was presented. Chairman Platt’s motion to pay $58,244.72 to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Stumpe, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):

Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($59.43) of Julia Russell, 353 Mullins Road, 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, Stumpe, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Gas Department & Public Property Committee (Chairman Ohlau):

Chairman Ohlau advised that natural gas futures were purchased today and will be ratified by the council at the next meeting.

Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):

Chairman Allison provided information gathered by the Planning Commission on available commercial property located in Chester. This information will be available to the public on the city’s website. Secondly, Alderman Allison presented a quote from Todd Schweizer for a stump removal. Attorney Kerkhover advised that the council can’t act on the stump removal this evening. Mayor Page advised this item should be added to an upcoming agenda.

Police Department (Chief Helmers):

The Chester Police Department received 536 calls for service in July with 3530 year to date. Chief Helmers advised that Officer Josh Louveau begins the mandatory firearms training this week. Finally, Chief Helmers updated the council on a recent drug bust on Riechman Street.

Fire Department (Chief Bert):

Chester Fire Department responded to three calls during the month of July. Chief Bert advised the Fire Truck Committee is currently working on truck designs with several different companies.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Rodney Eggemeyer addressed the council regarding the road closure on Dawnview Road and asked the council to consider reopening that portion of Dawnview Road. Mr. Eggemeyer alleged that the road closure is inconvenient and a safety issue. Mayor Page stated that a public hearing was held on May 20th to discuss the vacating of Dawnview Road and no one attended. Attorney Jeff Kerkhover stated the Ordinance vacating Dawnview Road has been recorded and that portion of Dawnview Road is now owned by Gary and Jana Kothe. Attorney Kerkhover advised a notice for the public hearing was published in the Randolph County Herald Tribune on April 24th. Alderman Ohlau stated that the council was told that Mr. Kothe is going to expand his current business and add a new building. After an inquiry from Mr. Eggemeyer, Attorney Kerkhover stated that Mr. Kothe would have to allow the city to reopen that portion of Dawnview Road. Discussion ensued on safety issues and possible solutions. Mr. Eggemeyer asked the council to consider constructing a new road near the existing vacated road. Mr. Kerkhover advised that the property owner would have to allow an easement on the property for the construction a new road. Mayor Page stated that the council will discuss this issue and look into a possible solution.

Kelly Knop asked the council to consider finding a better way to inform the community on various issues other than a newspaper publication.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Agreement with J & R Investment Group for New Highland Acres Mobile Home Park:

Attorney Jeff Kerkhover presented the proposed agreement with J & R Investment Group. The City shall have no responsibility to read, monitor, maintain, repair or replace any water meters, water lines or sewer lines beyond the master meter. After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, City Clerk Berner advised that the rates in this agreement are the same as other consumer rates. Alderman Platt moved to approve the agreement and Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Stumpe, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program:

Alderman Blechle moved to approve a resolution allowing the City of Chester to participate in the State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Stumpe, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Rader, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:37 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Rader, Stumpe, Allison, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

_______________________________________

TOM PAGE, MAYOR

________________________________________

BETHANY BERNER, CITY CLERK

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