South West Illinois News

Chester City Council met Aug. 1.

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 James Maes

                  Alderman Robert Platt                        Alderman Russ Rader                 

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated June 16, 2022

• Monthly Superintendent Reports

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page congratulated Linda Sympson, 2022 Citizen of the Year and Dr. Robert Platt, Business Person of the Year.

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 Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #2 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for $16,063.20. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance and Public Property Committee (Chairman Hill):

Chairman Hill suggested to put on hold implementing an Ordinance for motorized bicycles after receiving several phone calls from residents. Secondly, the council discussed some vandalism issues on Harrison Street. Alderman Dudenbostel advised a street light has been installed on Harrison Street.

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

Chairman Allison introduced Shane Wagner to provide an update on the upcoming housing study. Planning Commission President Shane Wagner advised Heartland Conservancy will begin the housing study on August 11th. The housing study project will focus on new residential development, neighborhood revitalization and potential apartment or Airbnb locations in Chester. The study will be released in pieces with the complete analysis done by Spring 2023. Mr. Wagner invited the council to attend a Special Planning Commission Meeting on August 11th at 5:30 p.m. at the Chester Country Club.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):

Chief Helmers advised the department responded to 439 calls for service in July. Secondly, Chief Helmers noted the new dispatcher has completed her training and the two new officers will complete the Police Academy on December 6, 2022. The department received a grant from Dogs on Duty which paid for the department’s new K9 and all his training. Lastly, Chief Helmers asked the council to keep Police Dispatcher Mary Beam in their thoughts and prayers.

Fire Chief (Marty Bert):

The Chester Fire Department responded to ten calls for service in July. Secondly, Chief Bert advised the department received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Equipment Grant.

IX. OLD BUSINESS

X. PUBLIC COMMENT

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Water Department – Adult Worker:

Alderman Platt moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve Dennis Hartenberger as a part-time adult worker. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes, Rader. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Police Pension Board:

Per the mayor’s recommendation, Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve Caleb Golding as a member of the Police Pension Board of Trustees. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Beautification/Tourism Commission:

Per recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Allison moved to approve Barry Harle as a member of the Beautification/Tourism Commission. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Gas Department –Bucket and Clamp Attachment:

Alderman Homan moved to approve the purchase of a Bobcat bucket and clamp attachment for $5,943.00 from Bobcat of St. Louis. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

City Hall Renovations:

Alderman Allison moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the bids from Lake Contracting Inc. and Jan Can Paint for replacement trim, soffits, four doors and various paint projects at the police department and city hall not to exceed $130,000.00. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water Plant – Backwash Panel:

Water Plant Superintendent Tim Crow stated the water plant’s backwash panel broke. The current system is very old and still operating in DOS. Superintendent Crow requested the council allow the department to proceed with design plans for a new backwash panel. Superintendent Crow will present the design plans and costs to the city council when available. Alderman Hill moved to proceed with the design of a new backwash panel for the water plant. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried

ORDINANCE #1778 – 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 Platt inquired about placement of this item on the agenda since the city council recently voted not to increase the number of liquor licenses. Mayor Page stated Tino’s Tacos has recently applied for a liquor license. Attorney Kerkhover advised the council can vote to increase the number of liquor license due to the new application. Mayor Page noted the mayor is the liquor commissioner for the city and has the sole control over issuing a liquor license. The city council votes on increasing the number of licenses within the city limits not which establishments receive a license. Mayor Page asked the council for a bank of five liquor licenses to distribute when approached by a business. Alderman Platt cautioned the council will have no control over issuing of a liquor license if the number is adjusted by more than one license. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to increase the number of “Class A” liquor licenses by five. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Buckham Rader, Maes. Nays: Alderman Platt, Hill, Homan, Allison. Absent: None. Mayor Page voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.

Resolution – 768 Long Street:

Alderman Platt moved to pass a resolution to declare property at 768 Long Street as dangerous and unsafe for human occupancy. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Resolution – 1309 Brenda Street:

Alderman Platt moved to pass a resolution to declare property at 1309 Brenda Street as dangerous and unsafe. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:30 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Maes, Dudenbostel, Hill, Allison, Homan, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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