South West Illinois News

City of Chester City Council met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, October 6, 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 Don Berry 

Alderman Nick Bert

Alderman Randy Dudenbostel

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

V. CORRESPONDENCE

• Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated August 21, 2025

• Tax Revenue Report provided by City Clerk Berner

• Monthly Superintendent Reports

VI. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Eggemeyer presented Park Board Member Collette Powley a plaque of appreciation for her forty plus years of service on the Park and Recreation Board.

City Clerk:

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

After a brief explanation from City Attorney Coffey, City Clerk Berner presented an excavation permit application from Fioptix LLC to install fiber. Alderman Maes moved to waive the bond and deposit requirements and approve the permit application. Alderman Wagner seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Wagner, Maes, Moore, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Berry, Bert. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

City Clerk Berner presented an excavation permit application from WanRack LLC to install fiber from the Chester High School to the Chester Grade School. Alderman Maes moved to issue the permit upon receipt of the required deposit for disturbing a paved area. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Wagner, Maes, Moore, Buckham, Dudenbostel, Berry, Bert. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Wagner):

The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 4:00 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, Dudenbostel, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Chairman Wagner presented Invoice #22124 payable to J.T. Blankinship, Inc. for engineering for the 2024 Motor Fuel Tax for $7,928.50. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Chairman Wagner presented Pay Estimate #3 (Final Pay Estimate) and Change Order #1 and payable to Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals for $294,680.94. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Maes, Bert, Dudenbostel, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Gas, Water & Sewer Committee (Chairman Valleroy):

City Clerk Berner presented a sewer bill ($123.51) of Robert Darmstatter, 101 Estate Drive, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Alderman Dudenbostel’s motion was seconded by Alderman Maes. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

VIII. DEPARTMENT HEADS

Fire Department (Chief Bert):

The fire department responded to nine calls for service in September. The department is conducting a fire safety program for each school in October. Next, Chief Bert advised the department is applying for a small equipment grant for new radios. Lastly, the new brush truck is now in service.

IX. PUBLIC COMMENT

X. OLD BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

Adult Worker:

Alderman Berry moved to change Matt Hoffman from a Seasonal Employee to an Adult Worker. Alderman Moore seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Adult Worker:

Alderman Maes moved to hire Tom Tudor as an Adult Worker. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Tree Removal – Evergreen Cemetery:

Alderman Maes moved to approve the low bid from AmArbor Services, Inc. for tree

Removal in the Evergreen Cemetery for $5,700.00. Alderman Moore seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Alderman Berry abstained. Motion carried.

Sewer Department – Chlorine System:

Superintendent Reynolds advised the sewer department’s chlorine system is currently down. Alderman Maes moved to approve the quote from Sidener Environmental Services for $13,758.92. Alderman Buckham seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Natural Gas Futures

Alderman Dudenbostel moved to allow the Gas, Water & Sewer Committee to purchase Natural Gas Futures. Alderman Berry seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Safe Routes to Schools Grant:

Alderman Maes moved to pass a resolution for financial commitment for the Safe Routes to Schools Grant Application. Alderman Dudenbostel seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Chester Public Library – Nayax Service Agreement:

After a brief discussion, Alderman Wagner moved to table this item until Librarian Kira Browning is in attendance to answer questions about the purchase and contract. Alderman Moore seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

Odorizer – Gas Department:

Superintendent Mark Allwardt presented a quote from USDI for the purchase of a new odorizer for $86,750.00. Alderman Maes inquired about the costs to remove the old system. Alderman Maes moved to table this item until the removal costs are determined. Alderman Wagner seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Moore, Dudenbostel, Maes, Bert, Wagner, Berry, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

At 6:30 p.m., Alderman Berry moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Maes seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Maes, Dudenbostel, Bert, Moore, Berry, Wagner, Buckham. Nays: None. Absent: Alderman Valleroy. Motion carried.

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