South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER  

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, November 7, 2022, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street.  Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL 

Present:     Alderman Robert Buckham             Alderman Robert Platt

                  Alderman Bryce Hill                         Alderman Russ Rader

                  Alderman Randy Dudenbostel        Alderman James Maes

                  Alderman Jeremy Homan

 Absent:     Alderman Ray Allison

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

Tax Revenue Reports for September and October provided by the City Clerk

Monthly Superintendent Reports

Letter of Resignation from Alderman Russ Rader

REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised a meeting with all superintendents was held.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses For the Love of Amelia Epilepsy and St. Mary’s School. Alderman Hill moved to ratify the city council’s action by issuing the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for St. Mary’s Sodality. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

The city clerk presented three applications for raffle licenses for the Chester Chamber of Commerce. Alderman Dudenbostel moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Rader, Hill, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

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, and to include payment to Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $192.16 (fiscal year total, $2,030.61). Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Dudenbostel, Homan, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

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

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #3 payable to Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for High Service Pump Rehabilitation for $24,676.02. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #1 & Final Pay Estimate to Red Dot Construction for Pump Station #6 Renovations for $84,247.20 with a Change Order for $1,356.20. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #1 payable to Red Dot Construction for TIF Water & Sewer Improvements for $45,714.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #5 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for Water Treatment Plant Improvements – Phase 1 for $22,770.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21444 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for Pump Station #6 Renovations for $2,021.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Homan, Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21445 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for High Service Pump Renovation & Finished Water Line Replacement for $2,361.00. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Homan, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21446 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for TIF Water & Sewer Improvements for $2,184.50. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21447 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for Water Treatment Plant Improvements for $8,911.50. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Chief of Police (Bobby Helmers):

Chief Helmers advised the department responded to 469 calls for service in October.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCE #1779 – AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF AN EASEMENT RUNNING BEHIND LOT 18 OF KNOLLWOOD ESTATES OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:

Mayor Page presented the proposed Ordinance vacating a lot behind 18 Knollwood Estates. Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Hill. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Rader, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Maes, Homan. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

NEW BUSINESS

Risk Management Insurance Coverage:

Alderman Hill moved to approve the proposal from Counties of Illinois Risk Management Agency for the city’s risk management insurance coverage. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

City Clerk’s Office:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to advertise for a position in the City Clerk’s Office. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission Temporary Easement:

Alderman Hill moved to pass a temporary highway agreement with Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission to allow land access for the upcoming bridge project. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

IDOT Resolution – Riverview Blvd.:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to pass an IDOT Resolution appropriating $160,000.00 for the Riverview Blvd Project. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Transmission Flush – Street Department:

After an inquiry from Alderman Hill, Street Superintendent Steve Renner advised O’Reilly was the only bid received. NAPA Auto Parts never submitted a bid. Alderman Hill moved to accept the bid from O’Reilly for a transmission flush for $5,879.00. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Homan, Buckham, Hill, Platt, Rader, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Plaque Presentation:

Mayor Page recognized and presented a plaque of appreciation to Alderman Russ Rader.

Appointment – Alderman Don Berry:

Mayor Page asked the council to support his decision to appoint Don Berry as Alderman to fill the vacancy in Ward 3. Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion seconded by Alderman Homan. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Homan, Hill, Platt, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.

Alderman Don Berry was sworn into office by the city clerk.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:20 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Homan, Rader, Maes, Dudenbostel, Hill, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Allison. Motion carried.