South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Sept. 21.

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 Randy Dudenbostel         Alderman Dan Ohlau

Alderman Robert Platt                     Alderman Daniel Geisen

Absent:Alderman Russ Rader         Alderman D. Michael Blechle

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 Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Dudenbostel, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Rader, Blechle. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated August 20, 2020

Letter from Richard Trokey regarding the Chester Police Department

Letter of Resignation from Marla Cushman from the Park Board

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised that Randolph County’s positivity rate for COVID-19 is now under 8%.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):

The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 5:30 p.m. to review city bills. Alderman Platt moved to approve payment of bills excluding the recreation invoices, subject to audit. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Blechle, Rader. Motion carried.

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):

Chairman Maes advised the Park Board met last week for the first time since February. The board discussed the status of our parks. Chairman Maes will be reporting to the council in upcoming months of several park board recommendations and long-term plans.

Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):

Chairman Allison provided a sketch of the Beautification/Tourism Commission’s plans for the empty lot located at the intersection of Swanwick and State Streets. Chairman Allison advised the empty lot has been seeded and strawed. The Beautification/Tourism Commission plans to add a two-foot split rail fence and rock to the empty lot. Mayor Page stated this lot will not be considered a new park. The renovations to the empty lot are simply a Beautification/Tourism Commission project. Alderman Allison noted the estimate from the landscaper was pricy therefore the project will be completed in phases. Mayor Page advised this item will be placed on the next agenda for council approval.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

PUBLIC COMMENT

NEW BUSINESS

Beautification/Tourism Commission:

Per recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the appointment of Carla Draves and Tony West as members of the commission. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Maes, Platt, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Rader, Blechle. Motion carried.

Park & Recreation Board:

Alderman Allison moved to approve Samuel Higgerson as a member of the Park & Recreation Board. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Rader, Blechle. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1738 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF CHESTER BY THE ADDITION OF ARTICLE SIX TO CHAPTER 36 IMPOSING A MUNICIPAL CANNABIS RETAILERS’ OCCUPATION TAX:

Mayor Page presented the proposed Ordinance imposing a 3% tax on all parties engaging in the business of selling cannabis. Alderman Geisen moved to approve the 3% tax on the sell of cannabis within the city limits of Chester. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Maes, Geisen, Platt, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Rader, Blechle. Motion carried.

Police Department – Radio and Phone Recorder:

Chief Helmers recommended the council approve the purchase of a new radio and phone recorder for the police department. The current system is ten years old and obsolete. Alderman Platt moved to purchase a new radio and phone recorder from BusComm Incorporated for $13,520.09. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Geisen, Maes, Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Blechle, Rader. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt advised that he asked Attorney Kerkhover to look into becoming a certified local government. Certified local governments are able to apply for various grants to restore historical properties.

Secondly, Alderman Platt suggested the council consider purchasing a street sweeper. Currently, the street department uses a bobcat with an attachment to clean the streets. A street sweeper would do a much better job cleaning up debris. Mayor Page requested that Alderman Platt remind the council at budget time.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:16 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Rader, Blechle. Motion carried.

http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/