South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Dec. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, December 6, 2021, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor 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 Russ Rader

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel     Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman James Maes

Absent: None

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Monthly Superintendent Reports

• Monthly Tax Revenue Report provided by City Clerk Berner

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page expressed his appreciation to the city employees for making Christmas on the River a successful event. Secondly, Mayor Page noted the City of Chester Christmas Party will be December 10th at the Chester Eagles.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the Chester Boat Club. Alderman Hill moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Allison, Dudenbostel, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. 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. Chairman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $34.00 (fiscal year total, $1,498.95). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. 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, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Invoice #21066 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering services for the 10-Inch Water Transmission Main Project was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $4,678.00 to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. was seconded by Alderman Rader. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Invoice #21085 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering services for the Oak Terrace/Lawder Drive Right of Way Water Main Replacement was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $2,000.00 to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Invoice #21086 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering services for the Oak Terrace/Lawder Drive Water Main Replacement was presented. Alderman Platt’s motion to pay $4,046.50 to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. was seconded by Alderman Maes. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

Police Chief (Bobby Helmers):

Chief Helmers advised the Chester Police Department responded to 450 calls for service in the month of November with 4,842 calls for the year.

Fire Chief (Marty Bert):

Chief Bert reported the fire department responded to six calls in November. Secondly, Chief Bert noted the department has been busy with several community events.

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Sewer Plant Employee:

Alderman Hill moved to approve employment for Tylor Brockhouse effective December 7th for the sewer plant. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Platt, Maes, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water Main Replacement – Oak Terrace and Lawder Drive:

On December 1, 2021, City Engineers opened bids for the Water Main Replacement – Oak Terrace Drive and Lawder Driver Project. A low bid of $76,990.00 was received from Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rental, Inc. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to accept the bid from Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rental, Inc. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Lift Station #6 Repairs:

Sewer Superintendent Marty Reynolds advised Lift Station #6 needs some major repairs. After an inquiry from Alderman Maes, City Engineer estimated the repairs will cost approximately $60,000.00. Alderman Maes moved to authorize city engineers to solicit bids for Lift Station #6 repairs. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Relocate 8” Sewer Main – Murphysboro Road:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised Red Dot Construction discovered a sanitary sewer main running in the middle of the culvert on Murphysboro Road. The sewer main relocation increased the costs for the culvert replacement project. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the amendment to the IDOT Resolution allowing an extra $5,000.00 for the Murphysboro Road culvert replacement and sewer main relocation project. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Maes, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. None. Motion carried.

Collector Well Project – Phase II:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer advised Laine Company will perform Phase II of the Collector Well Feasibility Evaluation which will last approximately two or three weeks. After an inquiry from Alderman Maes, City Engineer Sheffer advised a funding nomination will be submitted to IEPA in March for the project. The submission of a funding nomination to IEPA does not commit the city to spending the money. Alderman Maes moved to proceed with Phase II well testing. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Resolution – 2022 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, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Retainer Agreement:

Alderman Hill moved to authorize execution of a retainer agreement not to exceed 30% with Napoli Shkolnik PLLC. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Tax Levy:

Attorney Kerkhover presented the proposed amount of $950,049.00 to be levied in 2021 payable in 2022. A truth in taxation hearing is not required. Alderman Maes moved to authorize the city clerk to prepare the Tax Levy Ordinance. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Tenant Farmer – Richard Mueller:

Alderman Maes moved to approve the request of Richard Mueller to plant a Spring, 2022 crop on city property. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Gas Agreement – Symmetry:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the updated Natural Gas Sales Agreement from Symmetry. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Intergovernmental Agreement – Ellis Grove:

Chief Marty Bert presented the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement selling the fire truck tanker to Ellis Grove for $10,000.00. Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Dudenbostel. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Appointment – Alderman Ward 4:

Mayor Page recommended that Jacob Cowan be appointed to fill the aldermanic vacancy in Ward 4 created by the resignation of Larry Bert. Alderman Hill moved to approve the mayor’s appointment of Jacob Cowan to fill the aldermanic vacancy in Ward 4. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Alderman Cowan was sworn into office by the city clerk.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:25 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Dudenbostel, Hill, Maes, Allison, Buckham, Cowan. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.