City of Chester City Council met May 4.
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 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
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, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Dudenbostel, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Letter to council from St. John Lutheran Church
•Tax Revenue for April, 2020 provided by City Clerk Berner
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the Randolph County Health Department has identified 190 positive cases of COVID-19. There are currently 113 active cases in Randolph County.
City Attorney:
After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, Attorney Kerkhover advised the slide on Harrison Street is located on private property. The alderman discussed possible solutions to keep mud and debris off of Buena Vista Street. Discussion ensued.
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 Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the April report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Rader, Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the annual report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Rader, Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison informed the council on various topics discussed during the last Enterprise Zone meeting.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS:
IX. PUBLIC DISCUSSION
X. OLD BUSINESS
XI. NEW BUSINESS
Mayoral Appointments:
Mayor Page recommended that the following committee appointments be approved for Fiscal Year 2021:
Cemetery & Finance Committee:
Alderman Robert Platt, Chairman
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel
Alderman Russ Rader
Water & Sewer Committee:
Alderman Russ Rader, Chairman
Alderman Dan Geisen
Alderman James Maes
Ordinance & Personnel Committee:
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel, Chairman
Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Ray Allison
Park & Recreation Committee:
Alderman James Maes, Chairman
Alderman Dan Geisen
Alderman Mike Blechle
Streets & Alleys Committee:
Alderman Mike Blechle, Chairman
Alderman James Maes
Alderman Ray Allison
Fire Department, Police Department & Public Safety Committee:
Alderman Dan Geisen, Chairman
Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Robert Platt
Gas Department & Public Property Committee:
Alderman Dan Ohlau, Chairman
Alderman Mike Blechle
Alderman Robert Platt
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee:
Alderman Ray Allison, Chairman
Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel
Alderman Ohlau moved to approve committee appointments as recommended by the mayor. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Mayor Page proposed the following appointments of department heads: Tim Crow, Water Plant Superintendent; Marty Reynolds, Sewer Superintendent; Danny Valleroy, Water Distribution Superintendent; Jeremy Homan, Gas Superintendent; Steve Renner, Maintenance Superintendent; Mark Gibbs, Cemetery Sexton; Randy Wofford, Cemetery Clerk; Robert Helmers, Chief of Police; Marty Bert, Fire Chief; Ron Shemonic, Assistant Fire Chief; Charles Bargman II, EMA Coordinator; Scott Stirnaman, Assistant EMA Coordinator; Patti Carter, Recreational Director; Elanna Bradley, Animal Control Officer; Lorin Mott, Code Enforcement Officer; Dean Andrews, Zoning Administrator; Billy Belton, Park Superintendent. Alderman Ohlau’s motion to approve appointment of department heads was seconded by Alderman Platt. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Upon a motion by Alderman Ohlau and a second by Alderman Allison, Jeff Kerkhover was appointed as city attorney. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
The firm of J. T. Blankinship Inc. was appointed as city engineers, motion made by Alderman Platt and seconded by Alderman Ohlau. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Alderman Ohlau moved to re-appointment Collette Powley, Vivien Zobel and Terri Hirte for a three-year term to the park & recreation board. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Alderman Geisen moved to approve the re-appointment of Evelyn Schuwerk, Richard Pautler, and Tammy Liefer for a three-year term to the library board. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Stan Buchheit was re-appointed as a member of the Chester Police & Fire Commission for a three-year term, motion made by Alderman Platt and seconded by Alderman Ohlau. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Darrell Crum was re-appointed as a member of the Zoning Appeals Board for a five-year term, motion made by Alderman Platt and seconded by Alderman Ohlau. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Mayor Page recommended the re-appointment of Mary Ann Heberlie, Melissa Gross, Cynthia Lawder, Barbara Junkin, Linda Rader and Brenda Owen to the Beautification/Tourism Commission. Alderman Platt so moved, and Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Alderman Geisen moved to approve the mayor’s appointments for part-time police officers, and Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. Officers include: Matthew Holdman, Nick Rinehart, Bradley Gielow, Josh Louveau, and James Winters. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1729 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PARAGRAPH “H” OF SECTION 32-1-5 OF ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 32 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATIVE TO TRASH COLLECTION MONTHLY CHARGE:
Mayor Page presented the proposed Ordinance amending the charges for an additional trash receptacle. An additional trash receptacle may be furnished to a residence by the trash collector upon request for an additional monthly charge of the amount charged by the trash collector plus $1.25. Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Ohlau. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1730 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1-2-141 OF CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT:
Mayor Page presented an Ordinance eliminating the supervision of the meter readers from the Water Distribution Superintendent’s responsibilities. After numerous questions from Alderman Allison, Alderman Ohlau so moved, and Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1731 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1-2-156 OF CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE GAS SUPERINTENDENT:
Alderman Ohlau moved to revise Ordinance 1-2-156 and amend section (E) using the word discretion to replace direction. This Ordinance places the Meter Readers under the direct supervision of the Gas Superintendent. Alderman Ohlau’s motion was seconded by Alderman Platt. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1732 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 38-3-5 OF CHAPTER 38 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER RELATING TO ELLIS GROVE WATER RATES:
After explanation by City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover, Alderman Platt moved to approve the Ordinance to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Ellis Grove. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1733—AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT TO AMEND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT:
After explanation from City Attorney Kerkhover, Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the Ordinance to amend the water purchase agreement and rates with the Village of Ellis Grove. Beginning December 1, 2020, the Village of Ellis Grove will pay the City of Chester $3.40 per 1,000 gallons of water. On December 1, 2021, the Village of Ellis Grove will pay the City of Chester $3.65 per 1,000 gallons of water. Beginning December 1, 2022, the Village of Ellis Grove will pay the City of Chester $3.90 per 1,000 gallons of water. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Agreement – Washington County Water Company:
Attorney Kerkhover presented a three-year water rate increase proposal for Egyptian Water Company. Beginning December 1, 2020, Washington County Water Company will pay the City of Chester $3.40 per 1,000 gallons of water. On December 1, 2021, Washington County Water Company will pay the City of Chester $3.65 per 1,000 gallons of water. Beginning December 1, 2022, Washington County Water Company will pay the City of Chester $3.90 per 1,000 gallons of water. Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Ohlau. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Transfer of Funds:
Alderman Platt moved to approve the transfer of $250,000.00 from the General Fund to the Water/Sewer Fund. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:58 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Allison, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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