South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Present: Alderman Alex Moore 

Alderman James Maes

Alderman Bob Buckham 

Alderman Bryce Hill

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel 

Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman Don Berry

Absent: Alderman Danny Valleroy

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Letter of Resignation from Wendy Atchison from the Park & Recreation Board

• Letter of Resignation from Sara Dillman from the Park & Recreation Board

• Invitation to the Chester Fire Department Christmas Party

• Tax Revenue Report for December, 2023 provided by City Clerk Berner

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

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

City Treasurer:

City Treasurer Dan Colvis advised two Natural Gas Fund Brokered CDs were renewed by LPL Financial with new interest rates of 4.6%.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for a raffle licenses for the Chester Boat Club, Chester Community Golf Club and Fraternal Order of Eagles. 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, Berry, Hill, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. 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. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Hill, Moore, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21597 payable to J. T. Blankinship Inc. for engineering for the Water System Hydraulic Study for $6,000.00. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt moved to approve Invoice #21826 payable to J. T. Blankinship Inc. for engineering for the Water Plant Improvements – Phase 1 Project for $10,289.00. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt presented Pay Estimate #18 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for $53,762.00 for Water Treatment Plant – Phase 1 Project. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Alderman Platt presented Pay Estimate #19 payable to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for $237,942.00 for Water Treatment Plant – Phase 1 Project. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Gas, Water, Sewer Committee:

Alderman Dudenbostel presented a sewer bill ($21.22) of Pam Haley, 840 Lehmen Drive, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion was seconded by Alderman Berry. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Alderman Dudenbostel presented a sewer bill ($140.73) of Roger Mines, 1824 Swanwick Street, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion was seconded by Alderman Berry. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Moore):

Chairman Moore advised the Park & Recreation Board is planning a weekend of community events for the upcoming Solar Eclipse in April, 2024. Chairman Moore noted the flyer of Eclipse weekend events will be in the upcoming packets.

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

Chairman Hill advised the Beautification/Tourism Commission will meet on Thursday. The committee is actively working on an eclipse stamp and decals.

VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

James Best questioned why the city council declared the property at 639 State Street dangerous and unsafe. Mr. Best claims to have done lots of work on the inside of the building. Mr. Best admits the building does need work, but encourages the aldermen to come look at the building.

IX. OLD BUSINESS

X. NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCE #1811 – AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETO LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2023 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON $3,795,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2013, OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Maes moved to pass Ordinance #1811 abating taxes for the Series 2013 Bonds. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1812 – AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE TAX HERETO LEVIED FOR THE YEAR 2023 TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON $1,605,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS (WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2015, OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Maes moved to pass Ordinance #1812 abating taxes for the Series 2015 Bonds. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Street Department – Employees:

Alderman Maes moved to hire Matthew McDonough and Shawn Parker as new employees for the street department. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Gas Department – Employee:

Alderman Maes moved to hire Matthew Korando as a new employee for the gas department. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Natural Gas:

Alderman Maes moved to ratify the action of the city council and authorize the purchase of natural gas for the month of January. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Platt, Moore, Hill, Dudenbostel, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:18 p.m., Alderman Platt moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Berry, Hill, Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

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