City of Chester City Council met July 6.
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 James Maes Alderman Ray Allison
Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Robert Platt
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 Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
Monthly Superintendent Reports
Chester Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month is Chester Animal Hospital
Memo from Tammy Grah at the Chester Library regarding reopening plans
Update on the tour boat schedules from Recreation Director Patti Carter
Alderman Allison requested a more detailed report and pictures from the Code Enforcement Officer. Alderman Allison inquired about several problem areas throughout town and the status on these properties. Mayor Page encouraged the aldermen to call the superintendents with any issues or questions. Secondly, Mayor Page invited the aldermen to attend the superintendent’s meeting held on the first and third Monday each month at 11 a.m.
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the Cohen Complex ball diamonds and playground equipment are closed for fourteen days due to a possible COVID-19 exposure.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented four applications for a raffle licenses for the Knights of Columbus Council 3790. Alderman Allison moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
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 Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the June report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):
Alderman Allison advised three sections of the walking path are cracked at the Cohen Complex. Also, Alderman Allison noted that a storage shed located near field one and a shelter house both at the Cohen Complex need to be power washed and stained. Chairman Maes will have Park Superintendent Billy Belton address these concerns.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised the Planning Commission has been working on an incentive package for businesses. This information should be presented to the council at the next meeting. Secondly, the Randolph County Progress Committee met to discuss boundary changes for the Monroe-Randolph Enterprise Zone. Lastly, Alderman Allison advised the Beautification/Tourism Commission is waiting on a preliminary design for the lot located next to Korando Heating and Cooling. This proposal will be presented to the council at an upcoming meeting.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Mayor Page summarized the monthly status report for the Chester Police Department.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Stull thanked Alderman Blechle and City Attorney Kerkhover for stopping by to see the damages on Harrison Street. Mr. Stull advised the city dumped several loads of concrete and rock on the landslide without any reinforcement to hold the added weight. Mayor Page invited Mr. Stull to an upcoming meeting about Harrison Street with City Engineer Harold Sheffer.
X. NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE #1736 – ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
A hearing was held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the council meeting this evening in regard to the proposed Appropriation Ordinance. Alderman Platt moved to pass the Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2021. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Allison, Maes, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: Alderman Ohlau. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
City Hall – Exterior Painting:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the decision of the council and approve the exterior painting bid from New Concept Construction. New Concept Construction and Jerry Hotop Painting, LLC will paint and repair all exterior damaged trim, wood windows, overhang trim and entrances for approximately $17,000.00 - $18,000.00. The price could increase slightly if the contractor needs to replace a significant amount of trim. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
IMRF Benefit Protection Leave:
City Clerk Bethany Berner presented a Benefit Protection Leave Resolution from IMRF. The resolution will allow Dean Renner the ability to purchase his five months of service credit back from IMRF. This issue was discovered during an IMRF audit conducted earlier this year. Alderman Rader moved to pass the proposed IMRF Benefit Protection Leave for Dean Renner. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
No Parking Zone –Servant Street:
Mayor Page presented an Ordinance designating the area in front of Gordon and Christie Pickett’s house as a no parking zone. After Alderman Ohlau’s inquiry, Mayor Page advised Street Department Superintendent Steve Renner was approached by Gordon and Christie Pickett and they requested the area be designated as a no parking zone. Alderman Ohlau reminded the council that Mayor Page asked the Aldermen to make the Chairman of each Committee aware of any issues. Alderman Ohlau inquired as to why the Chairman over Ordinances knew nothing about this proposed Ordinance. Alderman Ohlau noted Servant Street is a public street and some residents don’t have driveways which requires them to park on the public streets. Mayor Page tabled this item.
Executive Session – Minutes:
Alderman Ohlau moved to determine that minutes of previous Executive Sessions are still confidential and should not be made available to the public. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Allison, Maes, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Executive Session – Verbatim Records:
Alderman Platt moved to destroy all verbatim records of Executive Sessions. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Allison, Maes, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:32 p.m., Alderman Platt moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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