South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Sept. 7.

Here are 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 Bryce Hill

Alderman Ray Allison

Alderman Bob Buckham

Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel 

Alderman James Maes

Alderman Russ Rader

Absent: Alderman Larry Bert

III.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV.READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Maes 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 Buckham, Maes, Rader, Allison, Platt, Dudenbostel, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

V.CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

•Letter of Resignation from Zane Wallace from the Chester Police Department

•Chester Christian Food Pantry newsletter dated August 11, 2021

•Chester Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month – Dr. Robert Platt Dental Office

•Monthly Superintendent Reports

VI.REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised the city is planning the Annual Fall Festival for October 15th – 17th.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the Rebecca Young Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. 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 Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Hill, Maes, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

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

Water & Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader);

Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($23.88) of Pam Schultz, 601 Erskine, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Rader’s motion to adjust the bill in the usual manner, was seconded by Alderman Platt. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Hill, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Buckham, Maes, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($165.90) of Mike Russell, 1101 Sycamore, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Rader’s motion to adjust the bill in the usual manner, was seconded by Alderman Platt. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Hill, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Buckham, Maes, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Allison advised the Planning Commission is wondering about the cost estimate provided from J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for the sidewalk replacement from Jefferson Street to Allendale Blvd. Mayor Page asked Alderman Allison if this project was included in the annual budget. City Clerk Berner advised this project was not included in the FY2022 budget.

VIII.DEPARTMENT HEADS

Fire Department (Chief Bert):

Chief Bert reported the fire department responded to seven calls in August. Secondly, Chief Bert advised that City Clerk Berner and himself met with Aaron Szuzeblewski with Falling Skies Pyrotechnics. Next, Chief Bert stated the department is currently seeking bids for a roof replacement for the firehouse. Lastly, Chief Bert inquired about selling the department’s old tanker. Attorney Kerkhover will assist Chief Bert with the process of selling the tanker.

IX.PUBLIC COMMENT

X.NEW BUSINESS

Gas Superintendent:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the mayor’s appointment of Mark Allwardt as interim gas superintendent. After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Mayor Page advised the interim period will be six months. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Gas Department Consultant:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the action of the city council and hire Jeremy Homan as gas consultant for a six-month period at $40.00/hour. Alderman Allison questioned if there is a maximum or minimum number of hours. Mayor Page stated he does not believe there will be a significant number of hours. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: Alderman Allison. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Employee – Insurance:

Council members were informed by the city clerk that Aetna proposed a 1% increase (a 5.9% increase with a $12,000.00 discount off the second month’s premium) for renewal of employee health insurance – Employee only, $309.75/month; Employee plus spouse, $743.40/month; Employee plus child(ren), $619.50/month; and Family, $1,031.77/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 child(ren), $500.00/month for family coverage, $250.00/month for spouse coverage and continue to use TrueRX for pharmacy benefits. The city will continue to use Unum for dental and vision insurance. Alderman Hill moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the employee’s health insurance renewal with Aetna. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Resolution – Homecoming Parade:

Alderman Maes moved to pass a resolution to request approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for temporary closure of Route 150 from its intersection with Stacey Street to Taylor Street for the purpose of diverting traffic on October 8, 2021 from approximately 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. for the homecoming parade. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Police Department – Vacancy:

Chief Helmers stated Officer Wallace has resigned from the Chester Police Department effective September 13th. Alderman Hill moved to declare that a vacancy exists on September 13th in the police department and authorize the police commissioners to appoint a full-time officer from the eligibility list. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

Culvert Replacement – Murphysboro Road:

Street Superintendent Steve Renner presented a quote from Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals, Inc. for a culvert replacement for $18,537.50. Alderman Allison questioned why the city didn’t seek more bids. Attorney Jeff Kerkhover advised the project is under $20,000.00 so the formal bidding process is not required. Alderman Platt noted that he would like to see more bids. Alderman Buckham moved to approve the bid from Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals, Inc. for a culvert replacement on Murphysboro Road for $18,537.50. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Bert. Motion carried.

XI.ADJOURNMENT

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

http://www.chesterill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/09-07-21.doc