South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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.

ROLL CALL

Present:     Alderman Ray Allison                         Alderman Daniel Geisen

                  Alderman Robert Platt                        Alderman Russ Rader

                  Alderman Dan Ohlau                          Alderman D. Michael Blechle

                  Alderman Randy Dudenbostel           Alderman James D. Maes                                                 Absent:     None

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

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Letter from IDPH recognizing the Chester Water Plant on maintaining perfect compliance in 2019

Tax Revenue for February 2020 provided by City Clerk Berner

Chester Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated March 11, 2020

Closure information due to the COVID-19 Outbreak

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page issued a letter providing information to all local restaurants and bars regarding the mandatory closure until March 30th ordered by Governor JB Pritzker.  Mayor Page noted that restaurants are able to do curbside pickup and delivery. 

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for the Duck’s Unlimited Banquet.  Alderman Geisen moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers.  Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

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, and to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $1,196.69 (fiscal year total, $2,205.66).  Alderman Rader seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried. 

Alderman Allison voiced concern about trees blocking McFerron Street.  Street Superintendent Steve Renner advised that he has tried to contact the property owners but is having trouble. 

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

Chairman Allison advised there will be an Enterprise Zone meeting on March 19th.  Secondly, Chairman Allison noted the trees are being trimmed at the Chester Welcome Center. 

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

PUBLIC DISCUSSION  

Brenda Owen provided information to council members about the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Community Partnership Program.  The program is designed to assist communities with economic development through tourism.  The program requires the community to appoint a designated individual to serve as the official point of contact for both the Sustainable Tourism Project and members of the public interested in experiencing communities along the Trail.  Brenda offered to be the point of contact for the city.  Mayor Page advised this item will be placed on the next agenda for council approval.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Melissa Gross – Beautification/Tourism Commission:

Per recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the appointment of Melissa Gross as a member of the commission.  Alderman Platt seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried. 

Randy Blechle – Adult Worker:

Mayor Page recommends the council approve the hire of Randy Blechle as a part time adult worker to assist Park Superintendent Billy Belton at the parks.  Alderman Ohlau recommended delaying the hire of Randy Blechle until the ball fields are reopened. Superintendent Belton advised there are several projects at the parks that Randy could assist him in completing while the ball fields are closed.  Alderman Allison voiced displeasure in hiring an individual that lives outside of city limits.  Several of the aldermen agree that the job should be offered to an individual living in Chester.  Alderman Blechle moved to approve the hire of Randy Blechle as a part time adult worker.  Alderman Rader seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Geisen, Rader, Maes, Blechle.  Nays:  Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Allison.  Absent: None.  Mayor Page voted in the affirmative.  Motion carried. 

Flower/Plant Maintenance Employee – Tony West 

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to hire Tony West as the flower/plant maintenance employee.  Alderman Maes seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried. 

ORDINANCE #1727 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SCHEDULE “P” OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Ohlau moved to add one handicap parking spot on Swanwick Street near Arbeiter’s Law Office.  Alderman Blechle seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

Street Department – Mower:

Street Superintendent Steve Renner presented a quote from David Farm Supplies, Inc. for a Spartan mower for $9,380.00.  Alderman Blechle moved to approve the purchase of mower from Davis Farm Supplies, Inc. for $9,380.00.  Alderman Rader seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

Street Department – Dump Bed:

Street Department Superintendent Steve Renner presented a quote from Woody’s Municipal Supply Company for the purchase and installation of a spreader, plow and dump bed for the 2015 Ford F350.  Alderman Platt moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase and installation of the spreader, plow and dump bed from Woody’s Municipal Supply Company for $28,249.00.  Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

City Hall – Roof:

Alderman Platt moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the proposal from New Concept Construction Inc. for a new roof for city hall for $28,900.00.  Alderman Rader seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT 

At 6:35 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting.  Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  VOTE:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Platt, Maes, Rader, Allison, Geisen, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

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