City of Chester City Council Met Feb. 1.
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
Absent: Alderman Daniel Geisen
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, Rader, Blechle, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
Letter of Resignation from Barbara Junkin from the Beautification/Tourism Commission
Monthly Superintendent reports
Annual Wm. And Ellen Cohen Home Fund Report
REPORTS
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, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the January 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. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):
Chairman Maes invited the council to the new Disc Golf Course Groundbreaking Ceremony on February 8th at 2 p.m.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers reported the police department responded to 362 calls for service in January. Secondly, Chief Helmers advised Christopher Seders completed the police dispatcher training and will begin working on his own this evening. Lastly, Buscomm is nearly complete with the installation of the new recording system for the department.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NEW BUSINESS
Full Time Dispatcher:
The Police Department is currently short one dispatcher after Michelle Nelan’s resignation. Three part-time police dispatchers were interviewed and asked to complete a written test. Chief Bobby Helmers introduced and recommended the council approve Kristi Beam for full time employment. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve Kristi Beam as a full-time dispatcher. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Maes, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Firefighter:
Fireman Tim Crow advised the fire department had a few resignations due to lack of time for the department. Alderman Blechle motioned to move Jace Wilderman from auxiliary fireman to regular fireman. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Ohlau, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Water Treatment Plant Phase 1:
City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented an estimate of $2,493,000.00 for the Water Plant Improvements Phase 1 which includes a new plant roof, new liquid lime feed equipment and building, rehab of the water storage tanks, recarbonation tank replacement and head tank repaint and repair. The Illinois Environmental Agency is offering a 20-year loan at 1.025% without any loan forgiveness. After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised the project will need approval from IEPA which could take anywhere from two to six months. Alderman Platt moved to borrow funds of the IEPA and proceed with Water Treatment Plant Improvements Phase 1. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure:
Mayor Page presented Utility Pipe Sales Inc.’s proposal for a new AMI meter system and replacement meters. Mayor Page advised the city has visited multiple sites and researched the AMI meter systems for a significant amount of time. Mayor Page noted this will be a substantial improvement to the city’s infrastructure. Alderman Platt noted the new AMI meter system and meters will cost $1,123,636.64. Approximately $68,848.27 of expenses are within the TIF District and will be paid out of the TIF Fund. Alderman Ohlau asked if the water and gas expenses were going to be separated and each fund pay for its portion of the project. Mayor Page advised the water rates will be addressed at a future date however the expenses for this particular project were budgeted to be paid out of the Gas Fund. After City Clerk Berner requested clarification on which fund would be paying for this project, Alderman Platt moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the AMI meter proposal from Utility Pipe Sales for $1,123,636.64 to be paid from the Gas and TIF Funds. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison Maes. Nays: Alderman Ohlau. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1743 – AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1054 ANNEXING CERTAIN REAL ESTATE:
City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained this Ordinance corrects a mistake made several years ago on the annexation of Edward Fisher’s property. Attorney Kerkhover advised the property is not contiguous with the city. Mr. Fisher’s property should have never been annexed into the city limits. Alderman Maes moved to pass Ordinance #1743 and Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:15 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Platt, Rader, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Geisen. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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