South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Aug. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, August 19, 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 Robert Platt                 Alderman Bob Buckham

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel    Alderman Alex Moore

Alderman Don Berry                    Alderman James Maes

Alderman Danny Valleroy

Absent: Alderman Tim Lochhead

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated July 19, 202

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised there is a scheduled meeting with IDOT, the city and Senator Bryant to discuss the Welcome Center parking lot.

City Treasurer

City Treasurer Dan Colvis reinvested a Natural Gas Fund CD for $250,000.00 for a two and a half-year term at 4.1% with LPL Financial.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the Chester Eagles Aerie #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 Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Buckham, Maes, Berry, Dudenbostel, Moore, Platt, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORT

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 Berry, Moore, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Platt, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Natural Gas Futures:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the action of the council in the purchase of gas futures for November, December, January, February and March (November – 12,000 MMBtu; December – 15,500 MMBtu; January – 24,800 MMBtu; February – 19,600 MMBtu; March – 12,400 MMBtu). Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Valleroy, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

2023 Ford F150 – Cemetery:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a new truck from Morrow Brothers Ford for $49,540.00. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Valleroy, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

Cole Memorial Park – Tree Removal:

Alderman Moore moved to approve the bid from AmArbor Services, Inc. for tree removal at Cole Memorial Park for $3,900.00. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried. Alderman Berry abstained.

Solid Waste Collection Contract:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to approve the proposal from Quivey Sanitation Inc. for solid waste collection for the period of five years. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Valleroy, Maes. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

Agreement to vacate a portion of High Street:

City Attorney Coffey presented an agreement between the city and St. John’s Lutheran School. The contract states the city agrees to vacate the portion of High Street from Lehmen Drive to West German upon receipt of a signed contract between St. John’s School and a licensed contractor. Secondly, St. John’s School agrees to pay for the relocation of all utilities for the new school. Lastly, this contract will be null and void if St. John’s does not provide the signed contract within five years. Alderman Berry’s motion was seconded by Alderman Valleroy. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Buckham, Berry, Dudenbostel, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried. Alderman Platt abstained.

Illinois EPA Loan Program Application:

After explanation from City Engineer Harold Sheffer, Alderman Maes moved approve the Illinois EPA loan application for sewer department projects. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

IDOT – Resolution for Brenda Street and Chester Center Street Project:

City Engineer Sheffer presented an IDOT resolution appropriating fund for the new roadway from Chester Center to Brenda Street. Engineer Sheffer advised the project should be bid next month. Alderman Maes moved to approve the IDOT resolution. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Buckham, Platt, Dudenbostel, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:13 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Platt, Moore, Berry, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Maes, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Lochhead. Motion carried.

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