South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Aug. 4.

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 4, 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

• Randolph County Community Partners Meeting Minutes dated July 17, 2025

• Monthly Police Department Report provided by Chief Helmers

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Eggemeyer advised a structural engineer will assess the old pool on August 11th.

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for the Chester Eagles Aerie #3252 Auxiliary. Alderman Valleroy moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Wagner, Maes, Moore, Dudenbostel, Buckham, Berry, Valleroy, Bert. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

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

Park & Recreation Committee (Chairman Bert):

Chairman Bert stated the Summer Splash event will be held on August 9th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

X. OLD BUSINESS

Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property:

Alderman Wagner moved to reject the bid of $50,005.00 for the property located on Bridge Bypass Road (PIN 18-148-011-00). Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Valleroy, Berry, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Equipment Bids:

Alderman Valleroy moved to accept the bid of $500.00 from Micheal Baughman for 1984 Chevy Blazer and reject all other equipment bids. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Property – 2910 State Street:

Alderman Maes moved to authorize City Attorney Coffey to draft a contract to purchase the property at 2910 State Street not to exceed $275,000.00. Alderman Wagner seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Adult Worker:

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to hire Nate Maes as an adult worker. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Bert, Valleroy, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Alderman Maes abstained. Motion carried.

Resolution – Homecoming Parade:

Alderman Maes moved to pass a resolution to request approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for temporary closure of Route 150 from its intersection with Stacey Street to Taylor Street for the purpose of diverting traffic on October 10, 2025, from approximately 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. for the homecoming parade. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Police Department – Lexipol:

After explanation from Chief Bobby Helmers, Alderman Buckham moved to approve the purchase of Lexipol for $6,431.40 annually for the police department. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Berry, Valleroy, Bert, Maes, Wagner, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance Amending Residency Requirements for City Employees:

Mayor Eggemeyer presented the Ordinance to expand hiring boundaries from within city limits to within the school district. Alderman Wagner stated the city would expand the hiring pool from approximately 4,500 to 9,700. Alderman Dudenbostel advised the city has plenty of good applicants within the city limits and does not see a need to expand our hiring limits. Alderman Wagner moved to pass the proposed Ordinance. Alderman Valleroy seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Valleroy, Bert, Wagner. Nays: Aldermen Berry, Maes, Moore, Buckham, Dudenbostel. Absent: None. Motion failed.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:31 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://cdn.myocv.com/ocvapps/a127162233/fileGalleries/66fc534ceed2ea66d10cabf7/68adb3dc8362b-08-04-25.doc