City of Chester City Council met Sept. 19.
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 Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Alderman Jeremy Homan
Alderman Ray Allison
Alderman Bob Buckham
Alderman Bryce Hill
Alderman Randy Dudenbostel
Alderman Robert Platt
Alderman Russ Rader
Absent: 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 Platt seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Hill, Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
• Tax Revenue Report for August, 2022 provided by City Clerk Berner
• Chester Chamber or Commerce Lunch Program on September 20th
• Letter to Chester, England offering condolences for the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II
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. Chairman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment for Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $927.76 (fiscal year total, $1,778.45). Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker provided information to the city council on the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act passed by legislators. The new bill abolishes cash bail starting January 1, 2023. State Attorney Walker discussed how this would affect the community and the police department.
IX. OLD BUSINESS
City Hall and Police Department Phone System:
City Clerk Berner presented a proposal from CTS to upgrade the city’s current phone system. Alderman Platt moved to approve the proposal from CTS for the phone upgrades. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
X. NEW BUSINESS
Hearst Entertainment Inc. – Licensing Agreement:
Mayor Page proposed paying a $10,000.00 fee to Hearst Entertainment for the use of Popeye with the ability to negotiate a new fee next year. After an inquiry from Alderman Platt, Alderman Buckham advised Hearst Entertainment Inc. owns King Features Syndicate. Alderman Platt moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the licensing agreement with Hearst Entertainment. Alderman Rader seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Dudenbostel. Nays: Alderman Hill, Homan. Absent: Alderman Maes. Alderman Buckham abstained. Mayor Page voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.
Lift Station #3:
Alderman Hill moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the bid for $16,260.26 from C and C Pumps and Supply for Lift Station #3 repairs. Alderman Platt seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Employee – Insurance:
Council members were informed by the city clerk that Aetna proposed a 7% increase for renewal of employee health insurance – Employee only, $331.90/month; Employee plus spouse, $796.57/month; Employee plus child(ren), $663.81; and Family, $1,060.97/month. The city clerk recommended the council approve renewal with Aetna effective October 1st, continue to set aside $500.00 per employee per month to cover premium costs plus city’s share of deductible (60%), continue with payroll deductions of $210.00/month for child(ren), $500.00/month for family coverage, $250.00/month for spouse coverage and use TrueRX for pharmacy benefits. The city will use Aetna for dental and vision insurance. The city will continue to use Unum for life insurance. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve the employee’s insurance renewals. Alderman Platt seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Beautification/Tourism Commission:
Per recommendation of the Beautification/Tourism Commission, Alderman Rader moved to approve Jodi Moreno to the Beautification/Tourism Commission. Alderman Allison seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Chester Square – Murals:
Cynthia Lawder presented two bids for refurbishing the murals located at Chester Square. The council discussed the two bids and the need for an oil-based protective cover. Alderman Hill moved to accept the low bid from Mueller Painting to refurbish one mural located on Spinach Can Collectables for $7,000.00. Alderman Allison seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Homan, Hill, Buckham. Nays: Aldermen Platt, Dudenbostel. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
State of Illinois – Land Agreement:
City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover presented a license and access agreement with the State of Illinois to provide land access at 711 Kaskaskia Street, Chester, Illinois, USDA Farm 4666, Tract number 10325 for Phase II of the Collector Well Feasibility Testing. Alderman Platt moved to approve the agreement with the State of Illinois. Alderman Hill seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Tree Removal:
After an inquiry from Alderman Hill, Street Superintendent Steve Renner advised the city only received one bid for tree removal. Alderman Platt questioned if the trees were located on private property or city right-of-way. Alderman Buckham moved to approve the proposal for tree removal at 600 Opdyke and John Drive by AmArbor Services, Inc. for $4,650.00. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: Alderman Hill. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Street Department – Kubota Tractor:
Street Superintendent Steve Renner presented a quote for a V3800 Kubota Tractor for $71,201.55. Currently, the street department is renting a tractor from Davis Farm Supply because the department’s tractor is inoperable. Street Superintendent Renner advised the department has several attachments from the old tractor that will be used on the new Kubota. After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Superintendent Renner advised the new tractor has a one-year warranty. Alderman Allison asked Superintendent Renner to check into purchasing an extended warranty. Alderman Platt moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase a Kubota tractor for $71,201.55 from Sparta Equipment Sales & Service. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Street Department – Kubota Mower Attachment:
Street Superintendent Steve Renner presented a quote from Sparta Equipment Sales & Service for a 12-foot bat wing mower for $16,500.00. Alderman Hill moved to approve the purchase of a bat wing mower for $16,500.00. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Resolution – Chester High School Homecoming:
Alderman Hill moved to pass a Resolution to request that IDOT approve temporary closure of Route 150 from Stacey Street to the intersection of Taylor Street on September 30, 2022 from approximately 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of allowing the parade participants to pass safely down the parade route. Alderman Platt seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Police Officer:
Police Chief Bobby Helmers introduced and recommended the council hire Laura Martinez-Lazaro as a part-time police officer. Alderman Homan’s motion was seconded by Alderman Hill.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Police Department – Squad Car:
Police Chief Bobby Helmers advised the department budgeted for a used squad car from Missouri Highway Patrol; however, Missouri has quit their car replacement program. Thomas Dodge has a new Dodge squad car for $34,000.00. Chief Helmers requested the council approve the purchase of a new squad car from Thomas Dodge and use the DIU Fund to pay for the unbudgeted portion of the car. Chief Helmers advised the police department’s squad car program has been very successful. Alderman Hill moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a new squad car for $34,000.00. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Rader, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
Lastly, Chief Helmers requested the council consider ordering two additional squad cars in January, 2023. If ordered in January, the squad cars would not be ready until the next fiscal year. After 2023, the Dodge Charger will be converted to an all-electric vehicle. Alderman Hill asked Chief Helmers to provide a quote from Thomas Dodge for the two additional squad cars.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:03 p.m., Alderman Dudenbostel moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Homan seconded the motion.
VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Rader, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Allison, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11142022-248
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