City of Chester City Council met Dec. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I.CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session 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 AllisonAlderman Randy Dudenbostel
Alderman Robert PlattAlderman Russ Rader
Alderman Dan OhlauAlderman D. Michael Blechle
Alderman James D. Maes
Absent:Alderman Daniel Geisen
III.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV.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 Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Maes, Allison, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
V.CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Christmas on the River Pamphlet Dec. 6th -Dec. 8th
•Chester Christian Food Pantry Inc. dated November 13th
•Thank you letter from the Rhetoric and Composition E-Cycling Drive
VI.REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised that underage drinking will not be tolerated in local establishments. The Chester Police Department will be increasing police presence at the local establishments.
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 Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the November report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Ordinance Committee (Chairman Dudenbostel):
Chairman Dudenbostel advised the Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance will hold a town hall meeting on December 11th at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the legalization of marijuana.
VIII.DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Chief of Police (Robert Helmers):
Chief Helmers summarized the department’s monthly status report. In November, the police department responded to 437 calls with a total of 5,456 for the year.
Chief Helmers requested the council approve the purchase of two 2020 AWD Dodge Chargers from Thomas Dodge. If the council approves the purchase of these two cars, the police department will only need one new and one used car for the next three years. These two new cars will replace the two Ford Expeditions. Alderman Allison questioned why the city purchased a vehicle for the code enforcement officer instead of giving him one of the Expeditions. Chief Helmers advised one Expedition will be moved to the part-time fleet and the other car will go to the water department.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chester Fire Department responded to six calls during the month of November with 64 calls for the year.
IX.PUBLIC DISCUSSION
X.OLD BUSINESS
XI.NEW BUSINESS
Resolution – 2020 MFT Maintenance:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to pass a resolution to appropriate $220,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provisions of the Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, City Clerk Berner explained that a supplemental resolution will be passed for any sidewalk projects. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1721 – ANNUAL TAX LEVY ORDINANCE:
City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover presented the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance with total levied for all purposes, $901,669.00, as follows: Municipal Auditing Tax, $28,500.00; Liability and Workmen’s Compensation, $100,870.00; Social Security Contributions and Medicare Taxes, $101,760.00; Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, $86,048.00; General Corporate Fund, $203,321.00; EMA, $4,500.00; Municipal Band, $10,000.00; Park, $30,000.00; Fire Protection, $100,000.00; Library, $95,000.00; and Police Pension, $141,670.00. Alderman Ohlau moved to pass the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance as presented. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Tenant Farmer – Richard Mueller:
Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the request of Richard Mueller to plant a Spring, 2020 crop on city property. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Mayoral Appointment:
Alderman Allison moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment of James Maes as chairman for the Park & Recreation Committee. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Furnace/Air Conditioning System – Chester Water Plant:
Water Plant Superintendent Tim Crow presented a quote from Korando Heating and Cooling Inc. for $5,906.00 for a new unit for the laboratory located in the water plant. Alderman Allison moved to approve the purchase of a new furnace and air conditioner for the water plant for $5,906.00 and Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Two Dodge Chargers – Police Department:
Chief Bobby Helmers presented a quote for two Dodge Chargers from Thomas Dodge for $24,717.00 (State Bid Price) each plus approximately an additional $8,000.00 to fully equip each car. Alderman Allison questioned whether or not Chester Chrysler was given the opportunity to provide a bid for these cars. Chief Helmers explained the state bid process but will ask Chester Chrysler to provide a bid. Alderman Blechle moved to waive formal competitive bidding and purchase the two Dodge Chargers from Thomas Dodge. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Blechle. Nays: Platt, Allison, Dudenbostel. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion failed.
Executive Session:
At 6:22 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to enter into Executive Session under the Open Meeting 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 Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
The council returned from Executive Session at 6:41 p.m. No action was taken in Executive Session.
Employee Holiday Compensations:
Alderman Allison moved to approve a $100.00 Rozier’s gift card and $400.00 holiday compensation for each full-time employee. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
XII.ADJOURNMENT
At 6:45 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Platt, Maes, Rader, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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