City of Chester City Council met July 5.
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
Absent: Alderman Russ Rader
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, Platt, Maes, Allison, Buckham, Homan, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Letter of Resignation from Caleb Golding as Police Officer
• Popeye & Friends Character Trail Statue Information
• Letter from Tom Welge regarding promoting vaccine education
• Monthly Superintendent Reports
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised that two bridge replacement meetings were held. Secondly, Mayor Page reminded the council the mayor is the CEO of the city and has direct supervision over all employees and aldermen.
VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 5:00 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 Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt moved to approve the June report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Ordinance and Public Property Committee (Chairman Hill):
Chairman Hill advised that he is working on an Ordinance for the operation of motorized bicycles within city limits. Chairman Hill proposes an Ordinance similar to the UTV Ordinance requiring all motorized bicycles be inspected, registered and obtain a city sticker. Chairman Hill stated citizens need to be reminded to follow the rules of the road while operating a motorized bicycle. Chairman Hill advised that he will contact Attorney Kerkhover to prepare the Ordinance.
Chairman Hill advised that he would like to revoke his statement suggesting disciplinary action be taken against the Code Enforcement Officer. The Ordinance states the Code Enforcement Officer reports directly to the mayor. Secondly, Alderman Hill recommends amending Administration 1-2-152 relating to duties of the Code Enforcement Officer by adding section (D) – Shall file timely reports containing a summary of the work and activities of the Code Enforcement Department and any recommendations with the Mayor and City Council on or before the first City Council meeting of each month. Mayor Page advised he is directing the superintendents to suspend all monthly reports and invited the aldermen to attend the monthly superintendent meeting the first Monday of each month at 11 a.m. Instead of a superintendent meeting, Alderman Allison suggested requiring the superintendents to attend the city council meetings. Discussion ensued amongst the council regarding monthly reports and attending a scheduled meeting. Alderman Hill expressed the importance of the written reports which provide information to the council. Mayor Page advised Attorney Kerkhover will be doing some research on reporting requirements and meeting procedures.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised Shane Wagner will be attending an upcoming council meeting to discuss the housing study.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
IX. OLD BUSINESS
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
XI. NEW BUSINESS
Park and Recreation Board:
Per the mayor’s recommendation, Alderman Maes moved to approve the appointment of Wendell Quintana to the Park and Recreation Board. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Cohen Complex – Fence Caps:
Superintendent Billy Belton presented a quote from Lee Sports for replacement fence caps for Cohen Field 1 and 2. Gilster Mary Lee has offered to pick up the fence caps to save shipping costs of approximately $800.00. Alderman Maes moved to approve the purchase of replacement fence caps for approximately $3,000.00. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Cohen Complex – Bleacher Covers:
Superintendent Billy Belton presented a quote from R & R for bleacher covers for Cohen Field 3, 4 and 5 for $28,480.00 installed. Alderman Platt questioned the durability of the structure. Superintendent Belton noted the covers will be 12ft high and metal. Alderman Hill moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of bleacher covers from R & R for $28,480.00 for the Cohen Complex. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Police Department – Vacancy:
Chief Helmers stated Officer Caleb Golding has resigned from the Chester Police Department effective July 17, 2022. Alderman Maes moved to declare that a vacancy exists on July 17th in the police department and authorize the police commissioners to appoint a full-time officer from the eligibility list. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1777 – ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:
A hearing was held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the council meeting this evening in regard to the proposed Appropriation Ordinance. Alderman Platt moved to pass the Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2023. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried
Executive Session – Minutes:
Alderman Platt moved to determine that minutes of previous Executive Sessions are still confidential and should not be made available to the public. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
Executive Session –Verbatim Records:
Alderman Platt moved to destroy all verbatim records of Executive Sessions. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:39 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Maes, Dudenbostel, Hill, Allison, Homan, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Rader. Motion carried.
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