South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, April 21, 2025, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Alderman Bob Buckham Alderman Robert Platt

Alderman James Maes Alderman Danny Valleroy

Alderman Don Berry Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

Alderman Tim Lochhead Alderman Alex Moore

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated March 20, 2025

• Cemetery and Finance Committee meeting minutes

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised there is an upcoming bridge meeting. Secondly, Mayor Page stated it has been a pleasure working with the city council and city employees for the past twelve years. Mayor Page wished the best of luck to Joe Eggemeyer.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):

The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 5:00 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. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Lochhead, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Final Pay Estimate and Change Order #1 payable to ACI-X for water main replacement between Locust and Ridge for $0. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Final Pay Estimate payable to ACI-X for relocation of water main for the Chester Bridge Replacement Project for $7,834.39. Alderman Lochhead seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #3 and Change Order #1 payable to Korte Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. for water main replacement on Riverview, Allen Place and Henrietta for $45,221.92. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Pay Estimate #1 payable to Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rentals, Inc. for the Brenda Street Connector Project $91,344.15. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Platt presented Invoice #22040 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for the water main replacement on Riverview, Allen Place and Henrietta for $6,016.50. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Maes, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Moore):

Chairman Moore noted the Spring Fling had a fantastic turnout.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

A representative from Wolk Construction Company inquired about purchasing Parcel #18-148-011-00 from the city. City Attorney Coffey explained the process of selling municipal owned property.

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Appropriation Adjustments:

Alderman Platt moved to approve line-item appropriation adjustments within funds according to state statue. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Lochhead, Valleroy, Moore, Maes, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Library Employee:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to ratify the action of the city council and approve Toni Diercks for part time employment at the library. Alderman Lochhead seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Maes, Moore, Lochhead, Valleroy, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Community Solar Agreement:

City Attorney Jason Coffey explained the Community Solar proposal offering a 10% reduction on the city’s Ameren invoices. There will not be any solar panels installed within the city limits. Alderman Maes moved to ratify the agreement and approve the Community Solar Agreement. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Moore, Valleroy, Maes, Lochhead, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Switch and Go Truck:

Alderman Maes moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Switch and Go Truck with a drop box, chipper and dump box not to exceed $140,866.00. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Valleroy, Maes, Moore, Lochhead, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE #1832 – AN ORDINANCE NAMING A STREET “KIPP DRIVE” WITHIN THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS:

Alderman Maes moved to name the new roadway connecting Brenda Street to the Chester Shopping Center “Kipp Drive”. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Valleroy, Maes, Moore, Lochhead, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Welcome Center – Parking Lot:

After explanation from City Attorney, Alderman Maes moved to approve J.T. Blankinship, Inc. to complete design engineering for a new parking lot at the Welcome Center. Alderman Lochhead seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Berry, Valleroy, Maes, Lochhead, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Moore, Platt. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Alderman Maes stated it has been a pleasure working with Mayor Page the last six years. Mayor Page received a standing ovation from the city council and audience.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:21 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Berry, Moore, Lochhead, Platt, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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