South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Dec. 20.

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 Page 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 Russ Rader

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel       Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman James Maes                  Alderman Jacob Cowan

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, Cowan, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

• 2022 City Council and Cemetery & Finance Committee Meeting Dates

• Chester Christian Food Pantry, Inc. newsletter dated December 8, 2021

VI. REPORTS

City Treasurer:

City Treasurer Colvis advised two certificates of deposit (General Fund – Post Employment Benefit) were opened with Dieterich Bank for $530,523.55 each.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for Mary Help of Christians. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Cowan, 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. Alderman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit and exclude payment to Country Bloomers for $380.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Cowan, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham, Platt, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCE #1763 – ANNUAL TAX LEVY ORDINANCE:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover presented the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance with total levied for all purposes, $950,049.00, as follows: Municipal Auditing Tax, $40,000.00; Liability and Workmen’s Compensation, $83,030.00; Social Security Contributions and Medicare Taxes, $107,167.00; Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, $80,030.00; General Corporate Fund, $220,671.00; EMA, $20,000.00; Municipal Band, $10,000.00; Park, $30,000.00; Fire Protection, $95,000.00; Library, $95,000.00; and Police Pension, $169,151.00. Alderman Maes moved to pass the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance as presented. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Platt, Maes, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Cowan, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1764 – AN ORDINANCE DISSOLVING THE SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND AND TERMINATING THE DESIGNATION OF THE CITY OF CHESTER ROUTE 3 TAX INCREMENT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA (ROUTE 3 TIF) WITHIN THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

City Attorney Kerkhover presented Ordinance #1764 dissolving the Route 3 TIF District and establishing a TIF Escrow Fund for remaining project expenses within the district. Attorney Kerkhover noted letters have been sent to each taxing district. After an inquiry from Alderman Rader, City Attorney Kerkhover advised a new district could be established by the city council in the future. Alderman Maes moved to pass Ordinance #1764. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Cowan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Elevated Structure Agreement:

Mayor Page presented an elevated structure agreement from BLIP Networks, LLC. The agreement allows BLIP Networks, LLC the ability to place an antenna on the Grade School Water Tower. The city will receive three free internet connections and $239.80 per month compensation from BLIP Networks, LLC. Alderman Dudenbostel proposed an amendment within Section III - P) Governing Law should state any disputes will be brought via Randolph County, Illinois Court not Jackson County, Illinois Court. Alderman Allison moved to approve the agreement with BLIP Networks, LLC with the proposed amendment. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Cowan, Rader, Platt, Maes, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:13 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Dudenbostel, Hill, Maes, Allison, Cowan, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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