City of Chester City Council met March 15.
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 Daniel Geisen Alderman Ray Allison
Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Robert Platt
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Dan Ohlau
Alderman James Maes Alderman Russ Rader
Absent: None
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. 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 Geisen, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Blechle, Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Cole Park Disc Golf Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 22nd at 2 p.m.
• Drive Thru Easter Event on March 27th at 10 a.m.
• Monthly Tax Revenue Report provided by City Clerk Berner
VI. REPORTS
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 to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $183.21 (fiscal year total, $1,700.85). Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Geisen, Blechle, Ohlau, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):
Chairman Rader presented a sewer bill ($715.64) of Randy Rodewald, 1300 State Street, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Chairman Rader moved to approve the proposed adjustment. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Maes, Geisen, Blechle, Ohlau. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Streets & Alleys Committee (Chairman Blechle):
Chairman Blechle provided an update on various street department projects.
Gas Department & Public Property Committee (Chairman Ohlau):
Chairman Ohlau advised the city received notification from Symmetry that natural gas supplies were under force majeure from February 15th - February 19th. The force majeure event has dramatically affected the natural gas prices for one month. The City Clerk’s office sent out the first round of utility bills and has been answering numerous phone calls. Alderman Ohlau welcomed any questions from the audience regarding the recent event and natural gas prices. There were no questions from the audience. Mayor Page encouraged individuals in need of assistance to contact city hall for payment arrangements. Mayor Page noted this is a very unfortunate event and is completely out of the city’s control.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison passed along information from the County’s Progress Committee board regarding policies on solar panels. Secondly, Chairman Allison advised the incentive package will be on the next agenda.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
IX. NEW BUSINESS
Park and Recreation Board:
Per the mayor’s recommendation, Alderman Blechle moved to approve the appointment of Danielle Conway to the Park and Recreation Board. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Geisen, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Maes, Rader. Nays: None. None. Motion carried.
Police Department – Vacancy:
Mayor Page advised there is a vacancy in the police department due to the recent resignation of Marc Stout. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to declare that a vacancy exists in the police department and to authorize the police commissioners to appoint a full-time police officer from the eligibility list. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Maes Dudenbostel, Platt, Blechle, Ohlau, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
TIF Accounting as of December 31, 2019, with Respect to the Twentieth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester Relative to Chester Center, Inc.:
City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained the TIF Accounting which provided that the City and Chester Shopping Center, LLC agree that 75% of the said $46,823.66 which was received by the City due to Chester Shopping Center, LLC’s property tax apportionment equals $35,117.75 of which $156.25 shall be reimbursed to the City for its TIF expenditures, leaving a balance of $34,961.50 to be reimbursed to Chester Shopping Center, LLC. Alderman Platt moved to approve the TIF Accounting as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
TIF Accounting as of December 31, 2019, with Respect to the Eighteenth Distribution of Property Tax Received by the City of Chester Relative to Kipp Redevelopment Project:
City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover explained the TIF Accounting which provided that the City and Kipp agree that 75% of the said $19,898.87, which was received by the City due to Kipp’s property tax apportionment, equals $14,924.15, which is to be reimbursed to Kipp. Alderman Platt moved to approve the TIF Accounting as explained by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1744 – AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING GIFT OF REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT 301 EAST TAYLOR STREET, CHESTER, ILLINOIS:
Mayor Page advised the property owner would like to gift the property at 301 E. Taylor Street to the city. After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Mayor Page advised the city will tear down the vacant house. Alderman Ohlau moved to pass the Ordinance and Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Maes, Geisen, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1745 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 21-2-7 OF CHAPTER 21 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, AS AMENDED, WHICH IS AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE NUMBER OF LIQUOR LICENSES TO BE ISSUED WITHIN THE CITY OF CHESTER:
Alderman Ohlau moved to approve an Ordinance reducing the number of Class “A” liquor licenses by two. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Memorandum of Understanding – Illinois Department of Natural Resources:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve a fire control memorandum of understanding with Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Mini Planer – Street Department:
Mayor Page presented a quote for an eight-inch mini planer from Nu Way Concrete Forms for $4,738.10. Alderman Platt moved to approve the purchase of a mini planer for $4,738.10. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Maes, Ohlau, Platt, Blechle, Allison, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:21 p.m., Alderman Ohlau moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Maes, Rader, Dudenbostel, Geisen, Allison, Platt, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
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