City of Chester City Council met Feb. 21.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 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 Don Berry
Alderman James Maes
Absent: None
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 Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Hill, Allison, Berry, Platt, Homan, Maes, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
V. CORRESPONDENCE
• Chester Christian Food Pantry, Inc. newsletter dated February 8, 2023
• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated January 19, 2023
• Letter from Stumpf & Gutknecht, P.C. Attorneys at Law
VI. REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page announced construction will begin very soon on the Chester Dairy Queen.
City Treasurer:
City Treasurer Dan Colvis advised the city will look into reinvesting the Motor Fuel Tax Certificates of Deposit.
City Clerk:
The deputy city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for Chester Eagles Club #3252 and St. John’s Lutheran School. 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 Allison, Berry, Maes, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
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 $18.65 (fiscal year total, $3,791.42). Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Maes, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Chairman Platt moved to approve Pay Estimate #8 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for Water Treatment Plant Improvements – Phase 1 for $66,329.47. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Maes, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Alderman Platt moved to approve Change Order #2 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for Water Treatment Plant Improvements – Phase 1 for additional rebar for $12,086.91. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Hill, Maes, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Ordinance & Public Property Committee (Alderman Hill):
Chairman Hill inquired about the monthly Code Enforcement report.
Street & Alleys Committee (Chairman Berry):
Chairman Berry advised St. Mary’s School is having issues with residents running the stop signs by the church and school. St. Mary’s School has requested the street department paint in the roadway a pedestrian crosswalk. Mayor Page asked Chairman Berry to discuss the pedestrian crosswalk with Street Superintendent Steve Renner. Secondly, St. Mary’s Church has requested a handicap parking space be added in front of the Knight’s of Columbus. Mayor Page requested Attorney Kerkhover prepare an Ordinance to add a handicap parking spot in front of the Knights of Columbus. After an inquiry from Alderman Allison, Chairman Berry advised the list of stop sign removals was discussed with Chief Helmers. The majority of the listed stop signs were placed to slow down traffic. Chief Helmers discussed various locations and mentioned a few accidents that occurred at these locations. Lastly, the city council discussed having the center line repainted on several streets throughout town. Attorney Kerkhover explained the requirements for installation of a yield sign, city street closures or placement of a stop sign within city limits.
Economic Development, Chamber & Beautification Committee (Chairman Allison):
Chairman Allison advised there is an upcoming Monroe-Randolph Enterprise Zone meeting.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
IX. OLD BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
Cohen Complex – Laser Grade:
Alderman Maes moved to approve Superintendent Belton’s recommendation to laser grade Field 2 and 5 at the Cohen Complex by St. Louis Ballfields & Turf, LLC for $3,880.00. Alderman Homan seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Maes, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Water Treatment Plant – Change Order:
Alderman Hill moved to ratify the Change Order from Korte & Luitjohan, Inc. for additional storage tank repairs for Water Treatment Plant Improvements – Phase 1. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Maes, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1787 – AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE HOURS EVERGREEN CEMETERY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
After a brief discussion on setting a fine for violating the hours of operation at the Evergreen Cemetery, Chief Helmers explained the council needs to pass an Ordinance establishing hours for the cemetery. After hours are established, the police can then issue an Ordinance violation to anyone trespassing. Alderman Hill moved to amend the proposed Ordinance stating Evergreen Cemetery shall be open to the public from sunrise to sunset of the same day. Anyone who is present in the Evergreen Cemetery from sunset to sunrise of the following day without permission of the Mayor or Cemetery Sexton shall be guilty of trepass. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Allison, Berry, Maes, Platt, Homan, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Mowing Bids:
Mayor Page opened the following bids for mowing at Cole Park and the Cohen Complex: 1) J & S Service $1,400.00/mow at Cole Park and $1,750.00/mow at the Cohen Complex; 2) Welker Brothers Landscaping LLC $875.00/mow at Cole Park and $925.00/mow at the Cohen Complex.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:33 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Berry, Hill, Homan, Dudenbostel, Maes, Allison, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
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