South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met July 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, July 21, 2025, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Eggemeyer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

Present: 

Alderman Bob Buckham     Alderman Trenton Wagner

Alderman James Maes       Alderman Alex Moore

Alderman Danny Valleroy   Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

Alderman Don Berry           Alderman Nick Bert

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 Wagner, Maes, Moore, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Berry, Bert, Valleroy. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Letter from Illinois Department of Public Health recognizing Chester Water Department for maintaining perfect compliance in 2024

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Eggemeyer advised that he is soliciting bids for tree removal at the Evergreen Cemetery.

City Treasurer:

City Treasurer Colvis advised a $150,000.00 Natural Gas brokered CD was reinvested at 4.2%.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Wagner):

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. Chairman Wagner moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit, and to include payment for Bert’s Auto Service in the amount of $196.76 (fiscal year total, $352.14). Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Valleroy, Berry, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chairman Wagner moved to approve Invoice #22090 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for Water Street – FAU Project for $73,324.31. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Valleroy, Berry, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

Randolph County Economic Director Mark Wilson advised there is an upcoming county economic development meeting and mayor’s meeting. Secondly, Mr. Wilson has reached out to MODOT and IDOT to discuss lighting on the new bridge. Lastly, the economic development committee is working on a program to promote work force retention and development in our area.

Jeff Diddlebock inquired about the parking limitations on George Street. Alderman Dudenbostel stated the council designated one-sided parking on George Street to allow access for emergency vehicles.

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCE #1843 – ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE:

A hearing was held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the council meeting this evening in regard to the proposed Appropriation Ordinance. Alderman Maes moved to pass the Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Bid Opening for City Equipment:

Mayor Eggemeyer opened bids for city owned equipment. The following bids were received:

1984 Chevy Blazer – Norman Robert bid $100.00, Michael Baughman bid $500.00

1994 Ford F250 – Norman Robert bid $100.00

2120 Ford Tractor – Norman Robert bid $100.00

2003 New Holland – Norman Robert bid $100.00

Allis Chalmers 4x4 – Norman Robert bid $100.00

Dresser Payloader – Norman Robert bid $200.00

John Deere 72D – Norman Robert bid $10.00

2017 Ford Truck Bed – Norman Robert bid $40.00

3 Western plows – Norman Robert bid $50.00

2002 ACO Chevy Venture – Norman Robert bid $100.00

2010 Ford Expedition – Norman Robert bid $100.00

Alderman Wagner moved to table the sale of municipal owned property. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance - Sale of City Property:

Alderman Wagner moved to table the sale of the property on Bridge Bypass Road (PIN: 18-14-011-00). Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Chester Pool – Engineering:

City Engineer Harold Sheffer presented a quote from Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. for preliminary structural engineering for the old Chester Pool not to exceed $50,000.00. The main concern is separating the pool vessel wall from the building’s wall. This study will determine the structural integrity of the pool. City Engineer Scheffer advised there are grants available for the renovations. Alderman Berry’s motion was seconded by Alderman Wagner. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Maes, Wagner, Bert, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE 1844 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 24 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, DESIGNATING CERTAIN AREAS AS A NO PARKING ZONE:

Alderman Berry moved to designate the Southeast side of Oak Street lying between West Holmes Street and West German Street as a “No Parking Zone”. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE 1845 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, RANDOLPH COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AMENDING SECTIONS 1-2-5(A) OF ARTICLE 2 OF CHAPTER 1:

Alderman Maes moved to amend two aldermanic committees. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Wagner, Berry, Bert, Valleroy, Maes, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Fire Department – Bunker Gear:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to purchase seven sets of bunker gear from Banner Fire Equipment Inc. for $20,426.00. Alderman Wagner seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Fire Department – Cascade System:

After explanation from Chief Marty Bert, Alderman Maes moved to approve the purchase of a new cascade system and bottles not to exceed $7,000.00 from Banner Equipment Inc. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Executive Session – Minutes:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to determine that minutes of previous Executive Sessions are still confidential and should not be made available to the public. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Executive Session – Verbatim Records:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to destroy all verbatim records of Executive Sessions. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water Department – HVAC:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved accept the bid from Korando Heating and Cooling for $8,063.00 for a new HVAC system for the water department. Alderman Bert seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Employment – Gas Department:

After a brief discussion, Alderman Dudenbostel moved to advertise for a full-time gas employee. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water Main Installations:

Alderman Valleroy moved to waive formal competitive bidding and approve the purchase of materials to replace three water mains from Schulte Supply, Inc. for $22,116.72. Alderman Moore seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Alderman Berry inquired about changing the residency requirements for city employees. The council briefly discussed allowing employees to live within the school district instead of within city limits only. City Clerk Berner suggested the Personnel and Insurance Committee hold a meeting to discuss this topic.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:40 p.m., Alderman Maes moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Bert, Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3096/CCSD/5979983/July_30__2025_Board_Minutes.pdf