City of Chester City Council met Sept. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, 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 Russ Rader
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel Alderman James Maes
Alderman Robert Platt
Absent: Alderman Jeremy Homan
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Alderman Hill moved to have the minutes of the previous meeting read. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Hill, Allison. Nays: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Buckham, Maes, Platt, Rader. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion failed.
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 Rader, Platt, Maes, Allison, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: Alderman Hill. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated July 21, 2022
• Letters from Stumpf & Gutknecht, P.C. regarding Harrison Street
• Manor at Craig Farms 15 Year Anniversary Party on Sept. 15th
• Letter of resignation from Chris Nordmeyer from the Street Dept.
• Memorandum from City Attorney Kerkhover to City Council
• Monthly Superintendent Reports
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page advised the city has several projects going on right now.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the Rebecca Young Memorial Scholarship Fund. 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, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried
The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the St. John Lutheran School. 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, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried
The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the Kaskaskia VFW Post 3553. 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, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried
The city clerk presented a business incentive package application from Rust Family Properties for Chester Dairy Queen. The applicant applied for a natural gas tap fee waiver, building permit fee waiver, enterprise zone fee waiver and property tax abatement for ten years. Planning Commission President Shane Wagner introduced Mr. Rust to the city council and briefly spoke about the business incentive package. Alderman Allison moved to approve the application as submitted by Rust Family Properties. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried
City Engineer:
City Engineer Ted Beggs advised Randolph Street will be repaired on September 7th.
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 Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve the August report of the Evergreen Cemetery Clerk as presented. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21245 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for preliminary engineering for Water Treatment Plant Phase 1 for $10,000.00. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21215 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for TIF projects for $7,420.00. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #3 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for $153,504.00. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Gas, Water & Sewer Committee (Chairman Homan):
Alderman Rader presented a sewer bill ($329.86) of Drake Middendorf, 1200 Opdyke, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Rader’s motion to adjust the bill in the usual manner, was seconded by Alderman Platt. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Hill, Dudenbostel, Platt, Rader, Buckham, Maes, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
Ordinance and Public Property Committee (Chairman Hill):
Chairman Hill sent a memo to each alderman regarding council meeting agenda procedures. Alderman Hill requested the council open the floor for discussion on agenda preparation and take corrective action if needed. Attorney Kerkhover read the memo prepared by Alderman Hill. City Attorney Kerkhover advised Alderman Hill’s memo quotes a blog from Coates’ Canons North Carolina Local Government Law. Attorney Kerkhover presented each council member with a copy of the full blog from Coates’ Canons North Carolina Local Government. Attorney Kerkhover read two sections out of the blog to the council. Attorney Kerkhover noted municipalities are governed by the Open Meetings Act in Illinois. Next, the council was presented information regarding meeting procedures from Illinois Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole. Mr. Cole’s memo states the mayor presides over all meetings of the city council and establishes the agenda for all meetings. Attorney Kerkhover voiced frustration that no one called him prior to the council meeting to discuss this issue. Attorney Kerkhover stated it is misleading and wrong to send a memo to the council based on research from North Carolina. Alderman Hill apologized to the council and Attorney Kerkhover for the bad information presented. Attorney Kerkhover urged the council to call him with any questions on legal matters. Mayor Page voiced frustration with the lack of communication stating he felt the last few meetings have been preplanned premeditated attacks. Mayor Page stated he is hopeful the council can get on a level playing field and become a little more professional. Alderman Allison stated a few aldermen are frustrated because they are unable to get items on the agenda. Alderman Allison noted there are three items that he has been unable to get on an agenda. Attorney Kerkhover recommended Alderman Allison discuss the issues directly with the mayor.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Beautification/Tourism Commission member Cynthia Lawder advised the new mural will start this coming week. Chairman Allison noted painting at city hall and the police department will begin soon.
Planning Commission President Shane Wagner advised Steadfast City will be conducting a tour of Chester on October 12th and 13th for the housing study.
Alderman Maes stated the new gazebo and shelter covers at Cohen are complete.
VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS
Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):
Chief Helmers advised the department responded to 460 calls for service in August.
Fire Chief (Marty Bert):
The Chester Fire Department responded to five calls for service in August. Secondly, Chief Bert advised the fire house needs a new furnace. Alderman Maes requested Chief Bert get comparable bids for the council to review.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
XI. NEW BUSINESS
Evergreen Cemetery – Heat Pump:
Alderman Maes moved to approve the low bid from Korando Heating & Cooling Inc. for a Bryant Minisplit for the Evergreen Cemetery for $8,509.00. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
New Phone System:
Mayor Page tabled this item.
Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission – Utility Agreement:
Donna Philpot, Missouri District Utilities Engineer, presented a reimbursement utility agreement for the upcoming Chester Bridge Replacement Project. Alderman Platt moved to approve the proposed utility agreement. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:36 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Maes, Dudenbostel, Hill, Allison, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Homan. Motion carried.
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