South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met March 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

CHESTER, ILLINOIS

March 2, 2020

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.

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          

Absent:     Alderman James D. Maes                  

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

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Alzheimer’s Benefit at the Chester Eagles on March 7th

Chamber of Commerce calendar of upcoming events

Cancer Benefit for Rusty Rader at VFW Hall on March 28th

Letter of Resignation from Sandra Starr from the Beautification/Tourism

Commission effective April 30, 2020

Letter from the Popeye Picnic Committee about upcoming 2020 Popeye Picnic

QR Codes for each statue along the Popeye Statue Trail

Alderman Maes entered the council meeting at 6:04 p.m.

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised that a meeting was held with Budslick Management Company.  Budslick Management Company provided site plan updates for the affordable housing development project. 

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented two applications for raffle licenses for St. Mary’s Catholic School and the Chester Eagles (Alzheimer’s Association Benefit).  Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers.  Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen Platt, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.  Motion carried.

City Engineer:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer provided three quotes to repair the landslide on Harrison Street.  The preliminary cost estimates range from $492,115.60 to $630,408.65 for the Harrison Street repairs.  Mayor Page requested City Attorney Kerkhover verify that Harrison Street is a city street.  City Engineer Sheffer advised the first step is having the property bored.  After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Street Superintendent Steve Renner advised concrete blocks would not stop the sliding street.  City Engineer Sheffer will have a cost estimate for boring at the next council meeting. 

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 Rader moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment to Andy’s Auto Body of Chester, Inc. in the amount of $1,000.00 (fiscal year total, $1,375.00) and Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $663.07 (fiscal year total, $1,008.97).  Alderman Platt seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried. 

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

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):

Mayor Page advised the fence at Cole Park baseball field is leaning and dangerous.  The field is closed to the public until this issue is resolved.  The aldermen discussed permanently removing the fence.  Chairman Maes scheduled a meeting with Recreation Director Patti Carter and Park Superintendent Billy Belton to discuss and resolve some issues at the parks.  This issue will be discussed at the upcoming meeting.  Alderman Allison advised the power poles are sliding at Cole Park.  Alderman Maes suggested moving the power poles at Cole Park to the Cohen Complex. 

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

Chairman Allison advised there will be an Enterprise Zone meeting on March 19th. 

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief of Police (Robert Helmers): 

Chief Helmers summarized the monthly status report.  Chief Helmers noted that Officer Hammel completed the transition course at Southwestern Police Academy.  

PUBLIC DISCUSSION  

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Beautification/Tourism Commission:

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

ORDINANCE #1726 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SCHEDULE “P” OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Blechle presented an Ordinance eliminating two handicap parking spots located at Arbeiter’s Law Office on Swanwick Street.  Alderman Ohlau recommended the council leave one handicap parking spot at this location because one of the homeowners is handicap.  Alderman Blechle moved to eliminate both handicap parking spots on Swanwick Street.  Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cohen Complex:

Alderman Rader moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at the Cohen Complex for $638.00 per mow to be paid twice per month.  Alderman Geisen seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

Mowing Contract with J & S Services for Cole Park:

Alderman Geisen moved to approve an agreement with J & S Services for mowing at the Cohen Complex for $400.00 per mow to be paid twice per month.  Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

Concessions – Deb’s Diner:

Recreation Director Patti Carter presented an agreement between the City of Chester and Deb’s Diner which allows Deb’s Diner to provide food service and concessions for sale at the Cohen Complex from March 3, 2020 until October 31, 2020.  Alderman Platt inquired about the city charging rent to operate the concessions.  Mayor Page advised rent money has never been collected to operate the Cohen concession stands.  Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the agreement between the City of Chester and Deb’s Diner.  Alderman Blechle seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle.  Nays:  None.  Absent: None.  Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:30 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/