City of Chester City Council met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
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.
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 Alderman Daniel Geisen
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
Monthly Superintendent Reports
Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated July 16, 2020
Chester Area Christian Food Pantry minutes for July & August
Chester Chamber of Commerce recognition to Gilster-Mary Lee for 125 years in business
Chester Fire Department Open House on September 13th from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page announced that he will be running for his third term as mayor.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for the Rebecca Young Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alderman Geisen moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for St. John Lutheran School. Alderman Geisen moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
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 $150.00 (fiscal year total, $1,286.71). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the August 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, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):
Chairman Maes advised that he has been working with Park Superintendent Billy Belton and Recreation Director Patti Carter to develop a one, three and ten-year plan for the city parks.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised the empty lot located at the intersection of Swanwick Street and State Street has been graded and leveled. The Beautification/Tourism Commission plans to add a two-foot split rail fence and rock to the empty lot. The Commission is requesting “no parking” signs at this location. Alderman Ohlau inquired why this item has not been voted on by the city council. Alderman Ohlau stated the council should vote on whether or not an additional park is going to be added. Alderman Allison advised this item will be on the next agenda along with a sketch of the committee’s plan for the empty lot.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers reported the police department participated in defensive tactics training. Secondly, the department responded to 459 calls in the month of August resulting in 78 arrests.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
Chief Bert advised the annual fire prevention program will be cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Secondly, Chief Bert invited the council to the New Truck Open House at the fire house on Sunday.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Stull asked if the city council has an update on Harrison Street. Mayor Page advised IDOT has delayed their trip to view the street due to COVID-19.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE #1737 – AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE LOCAL CURE PROGRAM:
City Clerk Berner explained the Ordinance allows the city to participate in the Local CURE Program administered by DCEO which provides reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses. Alderman Dudenbostel motion was seconded by Alderman Geisen. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Maes, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Lift – Street Department:
Street Department Superintendent Steve Renner requests the council approve the purchase of Challenger 15,000-pound capacity lift. The department’s current lift struggles to lift several trucks and has a weight capacity of 9,000 pounds. Currently, Auto Tire and Parts is running a tool sale which will reduce the cost by $1,500.00. After an inquiry from Alderman Maes, Superintendent Renner advised the department needs a new lift for safety reasons and weight restrictions. The new lift will be installed by the street department. Alderman Blechle moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a 15,000-pound lift for $15,865.00. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Adult-Use Cannabis Sales:
Mayor Page stated that he has never been a user or proponent for cannabis, however the sale of cannabis within the city limits would provide a great source of revenue for the city. Chester has lost several large businesses over the last few years and could use the extra revenue source. Clara Loucks, who is a licensed dispensary agent through the Department of Agriculture, addressed the council providing numerous benefits for allowing the sale of cannabis within the city limits. Clara advised a cannabis dispensary will bring several jobs and be an excellent source of revenue for the city. It was noted that dispensaries draw numerous tourists from various states. Alderman Platt questioned if anyone has checked with surrounding towns with dispensaries to see if they have problems with the type of individuals a dispensary attracts to their town. After an inquiry from Alderman Platt on the placement of a dispensary, City Attorney Kerkhover explained the city would pass several different Ordinances to limit the number of dispensaries and amend the zoning map to determine the placement of a dispensary. Attorney Kerkhover explained the differences between cannabis growers, infusers and manufacturers. After an inquiry from Alderman Maes, Mayor Page recommends taking small steps and start with allowing a dispensary. Discussion continued among the council on regulating the placement and signage. Attorney Kerkhover explained the process on the types of Ordinances that will need to be passed if the council decides to allow or prohibit the sale of cannabis. Alderman Ohlau moved to allow the legal sale of adult-use cannabis within the city limits of Chester. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Absent: None. Mayor Page voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.
Authorize City Attorney to prepare Ordinances:
Attorney Jeff Kerkhover advised an Ordinance needs to be drafted to implement the 3% tax revenue for the sales of adult-use cannabis. Also, the Zoning Board will need to meet and amend the Zoning Ordinances. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to authorize the preparation of an Ordinance implementing the 3% tax for the sale of adult-use cannabis by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Maes, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:43 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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