South West Illinois News

City Chester of City Council met Dec. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CHESTER, ILLINOIS

December 16, 2019

1. CALL TO ORDER    

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2019, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street.  Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Present:     Alderman Ray Allison                         Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

                  Alderman Robert Platt                        Alderman Russ Rader

                  Alderman Dan Ohlau                          Alderman Dan Geisen

                  Alderman James D. Maes                  

Absent:     Alderman D. Michael Blechle            

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. 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 Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Maes, Allison, Geisen, Dudenbostel.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried. 

Alderman Platt also moved to approve minutes of Executive Session held on December 2, 2019, as prepared by the city clerk.  Alderman Dudenbostel seconded Alderman Platt’s motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Maes, Allison, Geisen, Dudenbostel.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried.

5. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Tax Revenue report provided by City Clerk Berner

6. REPORTS

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for Mary Help of Christians.  Alderman Platt 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 Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Geisen, Allison, Maes, Dudenbostel.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried.

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

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

Chairman Allison advised a Monroe-Randolph Enterprise Zone meeting will be held on December 23rd.  Secondly, Alderman Allison presented a list to each council member of items that he would like to see accomplished. 

8. DEPARTMENT HEADS:

9. PUBLIC DISCUSSION   

Chief of Police Bobby Helmers presented a plaque and recognized Robert Young for his 22 years of service with the Chester Police Department. 

Dennis Grah addressed the council about the farm ground at the Cohen Complex.  Mr. Grah submitted a cash rent bid and was curious as to why his bid wasn’t presented to the council.  Attorney Kerkhover explained that the city does not rent the land on a yearly basis but a per crop basis.  Currently, Mr. Richard Mueller farms the Cohen Complex on a per crop basis.  Alderman Ohlau advised the council has approved Mr. Mueller to plant a Spring 2020 crop however the council will revisit this issue prior to the fall 2020 crop.  Alderman Maes, Chairman of Parks and Recreation, volunteered to research this issue and report back to the council.   

10. OLD BUSINESS

11. NEW BUSINESS

Natural Gas Futures:

Alderman Ohlau moved to ratify the action of the Natural Gas Committee in two purchases of gas futures for January (7,500 MMBtu @ $2.43 and 7,500 MMBtu @ $2.34).  Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Rader, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried. 

Tree Removal – Cole Park and Cohen Complex:

Mayor Page presented a quote from AmArbor Services, Inc. for three tree removals.  Mayor Page requested the tree removal on Murphysboro Road be tabled until the owner of the property the tree is located on has been identified.  Alderman Allison moved to approve the removal of a tree at both Cole Park and the Cohen Complex by AmArbor Services, Inc. for $1,000.00.  Alderman Platt seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen. Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried. 

Settlement Agreement – Enable Mississippi River Transmission, LLC:

Alderman Ohlau moved to allow the mayor to sign the settlement agreement with Enable Mississippi River Transmission, LLC.  Alderman Platt seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Two Dodge Chargers – Police Department:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to reconsider the purchase of two Dodge Chargers for the Chester Police Department.  Alderman Allison seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle. Motion carried.

Alderman Geisen moved to purchase two Dodge Chargers from Thomas Dodge for $24,717.00 each (State Bid Price) plus approximately an additional $8,000.00 to fully equip each car.  Alderman Maes seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1722 – AN ORDINANCE RESCHEDULING THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, FROM FEBRUARY 18, 2020, TO FEBRUARY 10, 2020:

Mayor Page requested the council meeting scheduled on February 18, 2020 be rescheduled to February 10, 2020 to allow the mayor and city clerk the ability to attend the Illinois Rural Water Association Conference in Effingham, Illinois.  Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the Ordinance and Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried.

12. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:25 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting.  Alderman Allison seconded the motion. VOTE:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Platt, Maes, Rader, Allison, Geisen.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Blechle.  Motion carried.

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