South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council Met Dec. 7.

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:

Memo of 2021 Council Meeting dates and Finance Committee Meeting dates

Monthly Superintendent reports

Tax Revenue report provided by City Clerk Berner

Chester Scouting for Food Drive-Thru event

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page provided a COVID-19 update. Mayor Page advised the next council meeting will be held via Zoom.

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

Chairman Platt moved to approve the November report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Allison advised Shane Wagner from the Planning Commission will be presenting the Business Incentive Package as soon as the pandemic is over.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

PUBLIC COMMENT

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution – 2021 MFT Maintenance:

Alderman Platt moved to pass a resolution to appropriate $220,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provisions of the Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Geisen, Ohlau, Maes, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1739 – ANNUAL TAX LEVY ORDINANCE:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover presented the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance with total levied for all purposes, $927,015.00, as follows: Municipal Auditing Tax, $37,000.00; Liability and Workmen’s Compensation, $89,515.00; Social Security Contributions and Medicare Taxes, $103,132.00; Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, $98,070.00; General Corporate Fund, $172,970.00; EMA, $4,500.00; Municipal Band, $10,000.00; Park, $30,000.00; Fire Protection, $95,000.00; Library, $95,000.00; and Police Pension, $191,828.00. Alderman Rader moved to pass the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance as presented. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Geisen, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

TIF Accounting for Calendar Year 2019 with Respect to Nineteenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester relative to Ronald Pechacek, Pamela Pechacek and Pechacek Funeral Homes Inc.:

Alderman Ohlau moved to approve the TIF Accounting for Calendar Year 2019 relative to Pechacek Funeral Homes, Inc. as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

TIF Accounting for Calendar Year 2019 with Respect to Nineteenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester relative to Quality Vending and Distribution, Inc.:

Alderman Platt moved to approve the TIF Accounting for Calendar Year 2019 relative to Quality Vending and Distribution Inc. as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Sewer Department – Main Sewer Line Repair:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented the bids for the 24” Trunkline Sewer Main Repair Project and Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc. received the low bid of $67,150.00. The sewer main was damaged during the 2019 Flood and will be reimbursed by FEMA. Alderman Rader moved to approve the recommendation of J.T. Blankinship, Inc. and accept the bid from Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Property – 1309 Brenda Street:

Alderman Maes moved to pass a resolution to declare the property at 1309 Brenda Street as dangerous and unsafe. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Geisen, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:18 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Geisen, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.