City of Chester City Council met June 6.
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 Robert Buckham Alderman Ray Allison
Alderman Bryce Hill Alderman Jeremy Homan
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman Russ Rader
Absent: Alderman Robert Platt Alderman James Maes
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Hill, Rader, Allison, Buckham, Homan, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Chester Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated May 18, 2022
• Letter of Resignation from Danny Valleroy as Water Distribution Supt.
• Chester Chamber of Commerce Dinner on June 17, 2022
• Chester Popeye Picnic Committee discontinued notification from Illinois Dept. of Revenue
• Monthly Superintendent Reports
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the street department has been extremely busy picking up debris from the recent storm.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for Chester Community Golf Club. Alderman Hill moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Homan, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. 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 Rader moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $120.02 (fiscal year total, $120.02). Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
Alderman Rader moved to approve the May report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
Alderman Rader presented Pay Estimate #1 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for 5% down for the lime silo project for $51,258.15. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
Ordinance and Public Property Committee (Chairman Hill):
Chairman Hill advised that he would like to see disciplinary action taken against the Code Enforcement Officer for failure to submit a monthly report.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised the first cruise boat will dock on Saturday morning.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers advised the department responded to 492 calls for service in May. Secondly, Chief Helmers noted interviews for dispatcher are complete and he will be contacting the council soon for their approval to hire a new dispatcher.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
XI. NEW BUSINESS
Interim Water Distribution Superintendent:
Mayor Page recommended the appointment of Joe Clark as Interim Water Distribution Superintendent effective June 10, 2022 with a pay increase of $10,000 per year. Alderman Hill’s motion was seconded by Alderman Homan. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1774 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the sale of a 2000 Dodge Ram Truck w/Western Plow to Richard Holley for $1,500.00. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
TIF Project –Water/Sewer Project & Chester Center Entrance Road:
Harold Sheffer presented the bid tabulation for the TIF Projects opened on December 29, 2021. Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. submitted the only bid for $488,447.19. The Chester Center Entrance Road has been submitted to IDOT for approval in order to utilize Motor Tax Funds for the additional funds needed to complete the new road. City Engineer Harold Sheffer suggested the council award the TIF Area Projects to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals Inc. for $488,447.19 with elimination of the Chester Center Entrance Road by Change Order. The Chester Center Entrance Road will be rebid after approval is received from IDOT. The Water/Sewer Improvement costs will be approximately $95,000.00. Alderman Homan moved to award the TIF Area Projects Chester Center Entrance Road and Water/Sewer Improvements Projects to Red Dot Construction with all costs relating to the Chester Center Entrance Road be deleted by Change Order. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1775 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 38-4-111 OF CHAPTER 38 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER RELATING TO INCREASING SEWER RATES IN THE CITY:
City Attorney Kerkhover presented the proposed Ordinance amending sewer rates inside and outside of the city limits. Sewer charges for users inside the City Limits shall be based on water consumption per month and shall be as follows:
First 1,000 gallons of water consumed per month (minimum charge) will be $16.00. Over 1,000 gallons of water: $4.61 per 1,000 gallons.
Sewer charges for users outside the City Limits shall be based on water consumption per month and shall be as follows:
First 1,000 gallons of water consumed per month (minimum charge): $32.00. Over 1,000 gallons of water: $5.13 per 1,000 gallons.
Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion was seconded by Alderman Hill. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1776 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 38-2-1(L), SECTION 38-3-1 AND SECTION 38-3-3 OF CHAPTER 38 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER RELATING TO INCREASING WATER RATES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CITY:
Attorney Kerkhover presented the proposed Ordinance amending water rates inside and outside of the city limits. Secondly, the proposed Ordinance increases the water reconnection fee to $50.00 per reconnection. The following monthly charges established for water consumption for customers inside the City limits of Chester for water bills sent after June 1, 2022
First 2,000 gallons at……………………..$10.00 per 1,000 gallons
From 2,000 – 22,000 gallons at…………..$4.20 per 1,000 gallons
From 22,000 – 42,000 gallons at…………$3.68 per 1,000 gallons
Over 42,000 gallons at…………………… $2.84 per 1,000 gallons
The following monthly charges shall be charged for water consumption for customers outside the City limits of Chester for water bills sent after June 1,2022:
First 2,000 gallons (minimum charge)…..$37.00
Next 20,000 gallons……………………... $6.11 per 1,000 gallons
Over 22,000 gallons……………………... $5.57 per 1,000 gallons
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the water rate increases. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried
Intergovernmental Agreement – Illinois Dept. of Corrections:
Alderman Hill moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Department of Corrections to increase the rates for the purchase of water. Beginning July 1, 2022, the Department shall pay monthly to the City for the water service provided to the Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $3.75 per 1,000 gallons per month. Beginning July 1, 2023, the Department shall pay monthly to the City for the water service provided to the Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $3.85 per 1,000 gallons per month. Beginning July 1, 2024, the Department shall pay monthly to the City for the water service provided to the Menard Correctional Center facilities the sum of $3.95 per 1,000 gallons per month. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried
Fire Department – Jaws of Life:
Chester Fire Fighter Charlie Bargman II presented a quote from Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of new jaws of life equipment for the fire department. The department’s current equipment is twenty years old and needs to be replaced. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the new equipment from Banner Fire Equipment, Inc. for $34,003.85. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried
Auxiliary Fire Fighter:
Alderman Hill moved to approve Chasten Hecht as an auxiliary fire fighter. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried
800 Opdyke Street:
Mayor Page presented an agreement commencing June 1, 2022, and ending May 31, 2023, to allow Douglas McDonald to reside in the residence at 800 Opdyke Street. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the agreement as prepared by Attorney Kerkhover. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried
Part Time Dispatchers and Officers:
Chief Helmers has requested the council consider increasing the hourly rate for dispatch to $19.50 per hour and patrolman to $21.00 per hour. Alderman Hill moved to approve the salary increases for dispatch and patrolman as recommended by Chief Helmers. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
Proposed Budget/Statement of Income:
Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the proposed budget and estimated income for Fiscal Year 2023. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
Appropriation Ordinance Hearing:
After explanation from City Attorney Kerkhover, Alderman Dudenbostel moved to set the Annual Appropriation Hearing for July 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:22 p.m., Alderman Homan moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Dudenbostel, Hill, Allison, Homan, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Aldermen Platt, Maes. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/