South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Nov. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER  

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, November 21, 2022, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL 

Present:    Alderman Jeremy Homan                   Alderman Ray Allison

                  Alderman Bob Buckham                    Alderman Bryce Hill

                  Alderman Randy Dudenbostel           Alderman Robert Platt

                  Alderman Don Berry   

Absent:      Alderman James Maes

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

5. CORRESPONDENCE

Chester Area Christian Food Pantry dated November 9, 2022

Chester Chamber or Commerce Small Business Saturday  

Illinois Assoc. of Water Pollution Control Operators Letter

Beautification/Tourism minutes dated October 20, 2022

6. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page provided a brief update on the upcoming Chester Bridge Project. 

City Treasurer:

City Treasurer Dan Colvis advised three brokered CDs were purchased from LPL Financial with interest rates ranging from 4.5% - 4.9%. 

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for Mississippi Valley Art Guild and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Alderman Hill moved to issue the raffle licenses and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes: Aldermen Dudenbostel, Allison, Platt, Buckham, Berry, Hill, Homan.  Nays:  None.  Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.

TEE 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 $1,742.16 (fiscal year total, $3,772.77). Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Maes. Motion carried.

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Maes):

Alderman Allison requested a final fall festival report from Recreation Director Patti Carter.

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

Chairman Allison advised the Planning Commission received a draft of the housing study. Secondly, Alderman Allison noted the exterior painting of city hall/police department and the wall at the riverfront are complete. Lastly, Alderman Allison requested the city personnel fix the concrete bottom of the boat ramp. 

8. PUBLIC COMMENT

9. OLD BUSINESS

10. NEW BUSINESS

Tax Levy:

City Clerk Bethany Berner presented the proposed amount of $997,489.00 to be levied in 2022 payable in 2013. A truth in taxation hearing is not required. The City Clerk will prepare the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance for the next council meeting.  

Tenant Farmer – Richard Mueller:

Alderman Platt moved to approve the request of Richard Mueller to plant a Spring, 2023 crop on city property. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays:  None. Absent:  Alderman Maes. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1780 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM:

Alderman Homan explained the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Agreement to the city council.  The agreement secures mutual aid in fire protection, firefighting, rescue, emergency medical services and other activities for the protection of life and property in the event an emergency or disaster occurs.  Alderman Platt’s motion was seconded by Alderman Homan.  UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes:  Aldermen Allison, Berry, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham.  Nays: None.  Absent:  Alderman Maes. Motion carried.

Police Pension Levy: 

City Clerk Berner presented the recommendation from Foster & Foster and City Auditor Keith Brinkmann for a contribution of $173,871.00 be levied for the Police Pension Fund.  Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion was seconded by Alderman Hill.  UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes:  Aldermen Allison, Berry, Homan, Hill, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  Alderman Maes.  Motion carried.

City Hall – Painting:

Mayor Page presented two quotes from Jan Can Paint for interior door and cabinet painting at city hall for a total of $6,225.00.  Alderman Homan inquired about receiving additional bids for these projects. City Clerk Berner advised Ted Mueller expressed interest in submitting a bid for all city paint projects. Mayor Page tabled this item to solicit additional bids. 

Christmas Party:

Alderman Platt moved to approve a Christmas party this year for city employees to be held on Friday, December 9th, at the VFW. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion.  UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes:  Aldermen Allison, Berry, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays:  None. Absent: Alderman Maes.  Motion carried.

Holiday Compensation:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to purchase a $100 holiday gift card from Rozier’s Country Market (city to pay $75.00 per card) and give each full-time employee a $200 lump sum compensation for Christmas. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL:  Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None.  Absent: Alderman Maes.  Motion carried.

Lastly, Alderman Allison noted Jan Can Paint should have the ability to submit a new bid for the city hall paint projects. The council verbally agreed to allow Jan Can Paint to submit a new bid for the upcoming projects. 

11. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:22 p.m., Alderman Dudenbostel moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Allison, Buckham.Nays:  None. Absent: Alderman Maes. Motion carried.

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