City of Chester City Council met June 1.
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 Daniel Geisen
Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Robert Platt
Absent: Alderman Ray Allison
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 Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
Each Superintendent’s Monthly Report
Chester Chamber of Commerce minutes dated May 1, 2020
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page provided a brief update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Randolph County.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for a raffle license for Alva Courier Post 487. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. 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, and to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $1,039.19 (fiscal year total, $1,039.19). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the May report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt presented Change Order #2 payable to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for the Chester Turn Lane Project for $3,019.42. After Alderman Ohlau inquiry, Mayor Page advised that Steve Renner, Street Department Superintendent will be addressing the erosion issues. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt presented Pay Estimate #6 payable to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals Inc. for the Chester Turn Lane Project for $26,853.61. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt moved to approve Invoice #20460 payable to J. T. Blankinship Inc. for engineering services for the Chester Center entrance for $3,000.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt presented Invoice #19990 payable to J. T. Blankinship Inc. for engineering services for the 2018 Motor Fuel Tax – Street Maintenance for $5,757.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):
Chairman Rader advised that interviews were conducted for a sewer plant employee.
Gas Department & Public Property Committee (Chairman Ohlau):
Chairman Ohlau stated the city received a settlement from the MRT Rate Case.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers summarized the monthly status report.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
X. NEW BUSINESS
Ratify the Approval of Bills:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the action of the Finance Committee for the approval of bills submitted by city clerk dated May 18, 2020. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Park Department –2020 Ford F250
Alderman Platt moved to ratify the decision of the council and waive formal competitive bidding for the purchase of a 2020 Ford F250 for $32,570.00 for the parks department. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
800 Opdyke Street:
Mayor Page presented an agreement commencing June 1, 2020 and ending May 31, 2021, to
allow Douglas McDonald to reside in the residence at 800 Opdyke Street as in previous years. Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the agreement as prepared by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
Executive Session:
At 6:17 p.m., Alderman Platt moved to enter into Executive Session under the Open Meetings 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 Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Maes, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
The council returned from Executive Session at 7:12 p.m. No action was taken in Executive Session.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:14 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Maes, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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