City of Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission met July 20

By South West Illinois News Reports

Sep 10, 2020

City of Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission met July 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Members Present: Jo Ann Simmons, Linda Radar, Donella Butler, Brenda Owen, Linda Sympson, Mary Ann Heberlie, Melissa Gross (via phone) and Cynthia Lawder. Also present was City Councilman Ray Allison. All attendees were masked and properly social distanced.

Pledge of Allegiance: All members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting: Minutes of the June 18 “Zoom” meeting were read. Linda made the motion to approve; Jo Ann seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Linda Rader’s report was presented. The bank account balance is $29,193.15. The Stone Cottage fund is $737.17. It will be set aside for audit.

Correspondence: No report.

Public Petitions: None.

Standing Committee Reports:

Anti-Litter: No report.

Banners/Christmas lights: No report.

City Welcome sign: No report.

Farmer’s Market: Linda reported that the vendors are not allowing for ample parking for the Welcome Center and the Popeye Signage. Ray will talk with city council and advise.

Planters: Tony West is taking care of the planters. After some initial watering problems, we all agreed that the planters are looking good. He needs a longer hose from the truck to reach the planters. We will provide the money for a hose. Tony wants to plant bulbs in the pots this fall so that we have early spring flowers too. He suggested that we move the smaller pots from the wall at the gazebo to Memorial park so that they can get watered from the sprinkler system there. We will buy bigger pots for the Gazebo at a cost not to exceed $500.

Riverboat/Tour Programming: No report.

Take-Pride Award: Linda and Jo Ann advised that the awards were presented to Tom and Marla Yankey on Opdyke and to Connie & Marvin Buck on Swanwick St.

Historic Preservation: Brenda advised that we did not win the HGTV Home Town Renewal award. No report on the Lewis and Clark trail. The U of I Mythic Mississippi Project has added 2 SIU professors who will do filming on the various historical sites.

Special Committee Reports:

Riverfront Improvements: Cynthia will check to see if Rowold’s is storing the paint purchased for the riverfront wall. The city is storing the anchor for us.

Popeye Character Self-Guided tour: It has been too hot to install the signs for the tour. Cynthia and Bob will write an article for the newspapers when they are installed.

Potential park at corner of Swanwick and State streets: Ray advised that Theresa Warren from Kuekers is working on a design. We still need a split rail fence that is maintenance free. Steve Renner from the street department will locate any pipes, etc. under the concrete before we do any digging for the landscaping. Ray located a potential painter for the mural. Cynthia will contact.

Committee Function Reports:

Public Relations: No report.

City Council Update: No report.

Welcome Center Update: Linda advised that the landscaping around the building needs to be weeded and taken care of. Ray will talk with the city as to who is responsible. Nothing will be done while it is so hot. The deck needs to be washed. When the window washer person does the windows, he will do the deck as well.

Randolph County Tourism: No report.

Old Business:

Brochures: Jo Ann and Brenda will review.

Advertising Signage along Interstate 55: No report.

New Business:

We discussed and signed up to fill vacant commission positions.

Chair: Brenda Owen

Vice Chair: Linda Rader

Secretary: Cynthia Lawder

Treasurer: Linda Rader

Anti-Litter: Bruce Luthy, Sr.; Mary Ann Heberlie

Banners/Christmas Lights: Cynthia Lawder, Bobbi Junkin