City of Chester City Council met Aug. 17.
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 D. Michael Blechle Alderman Russ Rader
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman Robert Platt
Absent: Alderman James 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 Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• City of Chester Tax Revenue for July, 2020
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the superintendents are going to work together to improve the appearance at Cole Park. Mayor Page stated the council discussed removing the fence on the ball field at Cole Park at the March 2, 2020 council meeting. Mayor Page asked if the council had any issues with removing the fence at Cole Park. Alderman Allison voiced concern about removing the fence line. Alderman Allison suggested having someone else tear down the fence and haul it away. Mayor Page noted the city received an estimate to repair the fence and it was going to cost $12,000.00 to repair the fence line. After Alderman Platt’s inquiry, Mayor Page advised the ball field has been locked for safety reasons. Mayor Page noted that Ameren will be contacted to move the power pole located in the landslide.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for Chester Eagles #3252. Alderman Geisen moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle manager. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. 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 Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Streets & Alleys Committee (Chairman Blechle):
Chairman Blechle advised the street department has replaced approximately 190 feet of major drainage pipe located near Dr. Beck's old office. This project has taken a significant amount of manpower and equipment.
Alderman Allison inquired about the no parking on Servant Street that was tabled at a previous meeting. Attorney Kerkhover advised an Ordinance was passed by a previous city council designating no parking on the small portion of Servant Street.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
X. NEW BUSINESS
Firefighters:
Alderman Blechle motioned to move Jarod Meyers and Lake Fogerson from auxiliary firemen to regular firemen. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Allison, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Employee Health Insurance:
Council members were informed by the city clerk that Aetna proposed a 2.2% decrease for renewal of employee health insurance – Employee only $295.00/month; Employee plus spouse, $708.00/month; Employee plus child(ren), $590.00/month; and Family, $943.00/month. The city clerk recommended the council approve renewal with Aetna effective October 1, continue to set aside $500.00 per employee per month to cover premium cost plus city’s share of deductible (60%), continue with payroll deductions of $210.00/month for coverage for child(ren), $500.00/month for family coverage, $250.00/month for spouse coverage and continue to use Castia RX for pharmacy benefits. Aetna is offering 50% off of the September premium for early renewal. Alderman Platt moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the employee’s health insurance renewal with Aetna. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:11 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Allison, Geisen, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/ETHANY BERNER, CITY CLERK
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