The City Council of Chester, Illinois, Met in Regular Session on Monday, November 1, 2004

CHESTER, ILLINOIS August 17, 2015

I. CALL TO ORDER

The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Monday, August 17, 2015, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

I. ROLL CALL

Present: Alderman Nancy J. Crossland Alderman Robert Platt Alderman Daniel Geisen Alderman Russ Rader Alderman Donald R. Clark Alderman D. Michael Blechle Alderman Dan Ohlau Alderman Ray Allison

Absent: None

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Alderman Crossland moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

III. CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence was acknowledged:

 Notice from the Chester Chamber of Commerce that the American Eagle will be docking in Chester on August 18 (evening) and departing on August 19 at noon  Letter from Chester Sports advising that the group would like to renew the concession stand contract for next year and also pointing out safety hazards which need to be corrected in regard to ball diamonds  Information from Select Energy regarding the Southern Illinois Energy Efficiency Fund  Newsletter dated August 12, 2015, from Chester Area Christian Food Pantry, Inc.  Certificate from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Mark Garniss – Class 4 Wastewater Treatment Works Operator)  Update from Lucy’s Place in regard to video gaming revenue generated for the city

IV. REPORTS

Mayor:

Mayor Page advised that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. on the hotel issue (vacating a street).

City Clerk:

The city clerk presented an application for raffle license for American Legion Auxiliary #487. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license and to waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle manager. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):

Chairman Platt reported that the committee met prior to the council meeting to review city bills. His motion to approve payment of bills as prepared by the city clerk, subject to audit, was seconded by Alderman Allison. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water-Sewer Committee (Chairman Rader):

Chairman Rader presented the sewer bill ($28.72) of Billy Farmer, 797 Stratton Street, for adjustment due to a water leak that did not infiltrate the sewer system. Chairman Rader moved to adjust the bill in the usual manner, and Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

V. PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Chief of Police Ryan Coffey presented a plaque of appreciation to Barbara Holley who recently resigned from the police department after serving as a part-time telecommunicator for twenty-five years.

VI. OLD BUSINESS

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Cohen – Richard Mueller:

Per the written request of Richard Mueller, Alderman Crossland moved to allow planting of a spring crop on city property. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Appointment – Chester Public Library Board:

Alderman Clark moved to approve the appointment of Evelyn Schuwerk to fill the vacancy on the Chester Public Library Board with term to expire April 30, 2017. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Residency – Fire Department:

Fire Chief Marty Bert asked that council members consider expanding residency requirements for firefighters to the fire department district. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the request of the fire chief. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Mural – Chester Square:

Alderman Clark moved to approve the proposal of Mueller Painting for touch-up work on the mural (side of Spinach Can Collectibles – Chester Square) in the amount of $2,500.00. Alderman Ohlau seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Water Plant – Sump Pump Float Controls:

Tim Crow, Water Plant Superintendent, presented a quote from Illinois Electric Works to upgrade sump pump float controls at the raw water pump house (which the city purchased from Menard Correctional Center). Alderman Crossland’s motion to approve the quote from Illinois Electric Works in the amount of $3,624.00 was seconded by Alderman Clark. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Reconstruction Project – Intersection of Opdyke Street and State Street: Alderman Blechle, Streets & Alleys Committee Chairman, advised that the only bid received for the project was submitted by Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals, Inc. in the amount of $179,699.11 which was 3.2% above the engineer’s estimate. Alderman Rader noted that there is an underground fire hydrant that will need to be removed prior to starting the project, and Mayor Page asked that Maintenance Supt. Randy Eggemeyer check into this issue tomorrow. Alderman Clark then moved to approve the bid of Red Dot Construction & Equipment Rentals, Inc. in the amount of $179,699.11 for the reconstruction project at the intersection of Opdyke Street and State Street. Alderman Ohlau seconded Alderman Clark’s motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Reconstruction Project – Ruzich Engineering:

Mayor Page explained that IDOT requires that there be a resident engineer on the reconstruction project just authorized by the council. Alderman Platt, therefore, moved to approve the contract for resident engineering services between the City of Chester and Ruzich Engineering. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Non-Regulated Vendor Agreement:

The city clerk noted that this is a three-year agreement which provides for heating assistance for low income families. Alderman Crossland moved to approve the agreement, and Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Illinois Finance Authority – Fire Truck Revolving Loan:

Fire Chief Marty Bert asked that the council consider paying off the Fire Truck Revolving Loan (0% for twenty years). The city borrowed $120,000.00 and currently owes $66,000.00. The city’s auditor has suggested getting this liability off the books. Alderman Crossland moved to approve payment to the Illinois Finance Authority to pay off the Fire Truck Revolving Loan. Concerns were noted by a few council members (loan is 0% interest and does not have to be paid, receipt of state funding in other areas is questionable due to the state’s budget). Discussion ensued after which Alderman Crossland withdrew her motion. Mayor Page noted that this issue will be tabled for the present time.

Redemption of Series 2005B Debt Certificates:

City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover reminded council members that the city issued debt certificates in 2005 at 4%+ to install rural water lines. He suggested that it may be financially responsible to pay off the debt certificates as the city is earning very little interest on savings. Alderman Ohlau moved to authorize paperwork to initiate redemption of Series 2005B Debt Certificates, $600,000.00. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Transfer of Funds:

Alderman Ohlau moved to approve transfer of $85,000.00 of residual equity from the Natural Gas Fund to the General Fund. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Transfer of Funds:

Alderman Ohlau moved to approve transfer of $85,000.00 of residual equity from the Natural Gas Fund to the Fire Protection Fund. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Transfer of Funds:

Alderman Rader moved to approve transfer of $600,000.00 of residual equity from the Natural Gas Fund to the Water/Sewer Fund. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Alderman Ohlau noted that these funds will be used for redemption of debt certificates.

Transfer of Funds:

Alderman Rader moved to approve transfer of $100,000.00 from the Capital Project Fund to the Water/Sewer Fund. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Executive Session:

At 7:25 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to enter into Executive Session under the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) under exception (6) the setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

The council returned from Executive Session at 7:44 p.m. No action was taken in Executive Session.

Sale of Municipal Property:

Mayor Page noted that this agenda item is tabled pending receipt of further information.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:45 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Crossland, Geisen, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Rader, Blechle, Allison. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

______TOM PAGE, MAYOR

______NANCY J. EGGEMEYER, CITY CLERK