News

Chester City Council approves feral cat strategy

Posted March 16, 2015 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler The Herald Tribune

CHESTER -- Chester is going to the cats and the Chester City Council and the city's police chief spent a significant amount of time on Monday discussing what to do about it.

The issue of feral cats formally arose during the March 12 meeting of the Chester Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee, with Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey suggesting two options to deal with the situation - spay/neuter or euthanize the animals if they cannot be placed into homes.

Both options would seek to address problem areas in the city first and would involve live trapping, according to Coffey. During Monday's meeting, Coffey said the cost to spay or neuter the cats would be $20 per animal.

Those animals would then have to be released back to the location they were captured.

"This came about after a series of complaints," Coffey said to the council, who later added that the situation would require more monthly hours for Animal Control.

"Obviously, if we would give some direction to Chief Coffey to spay or neuter, it would be a long time before we would see a reduction," said Chester Mayor Tom Page.

Alderman Robert Platt suggested some of the cats could be adopted if the city held on to them long enough. He also later asked about household pets that are let outside.

"Several cities have had the idea of returning (feral cats) to their territory and they would defend it," he said.

Coffey brought up the fact that Animal Control would be competing with people who are feeding the stray animals.

"We may not be able to solve the cat problem until we solve the human problem," said Alderman Dan Ohlau.

"I'm not big on delaying decisions, but this is a tough one," Page said.

After discussion briefly broke down, the council voted 5-2 (with Alderwoman Nancy Crossland absent and aldermen Mike Blechle and Russ Rader voting "No") to euthanize the animals if they could not be placed into homes.

The new strategy is expected to begin in May.

The council also heard a presentation from Gwendy Garner, who is the chairwoman of the Old Pool subcommittee that is part of the Chester Pool Committee.

Garner's presentation made a formal recommendation to the city council for the city to take the amphitheater proposal for the closed Chester Municipal Pool "to the next level" by consulting with its engineers.

"One of our major goals has been to maintain as much of the integrity as possible of the historical Chester pool location," Garner said. "We feel that, for a variety of reasons, this is very important, if indeed possible."

Among the items mentioned were different season sponsorship levels - Gold, Silver and Bronze - which would each offer VIP seating in the current shallow end along with savings on season passes and other amenities.

All season sponsors would receive recognition in the event programs.

"Our committee believes strongly in the idea of this project and in the possibility of its success," Garner said. "We know that management would be necessary for a venue such as this, but management has also been necessary for the operation of the pool.

"Marketing would be an absolute must."

Garner said the facility would be open seasonally and later added that it would be the only one of its type in the region.

"We believe that an amphitheater could be utilized for local school and church events," she said. "It could also draw talent from regional colleges and universities, featuring both music and drama.

"Our own municipal band could utilize the facility."

A motion was made to explore the feasibility of the amphitheater and the council voted unanimously to accept it. No money is being spent during the consulting process.

"I will personally talk with our city engineers and Burbach (Aquatics) to find out how much it would cost," said Page, referencing the company that inspected the pool in July 2014.

Roundup

The council approved Jim Winters as a part-time patrolman for the Chester Police Department.

The council approved a volunteer program at the Animal Control facility. Seven individuals have been approved as the "first round" of volunteers.

The council ratified the action of the Chester Gas and Public Property Committee in purchasing 7,500 units of natural gas per month in June, July and August.

The council ratified the action of Mayor Tom Page and the Chester Gas Department for the replacement of two high-pressure gas valves for the Kaskaskia River near Modoc.

The council approved Red Dot Construction and Equipment Rental to construct an access road and assist in repairs to a gas line near the Kaskaskia River and Modoc for time and materials. Competitive bidding on the project was waived by the council.

The council approved Bruce Rademacher as the plant/flower maintenance caretaker for 2015 at $9.50 per hour.

The council approved authorizing Curry and Associates, of Nashville, to advertise for bid a repainting project at the Chester Water Treatment Plant. Curry and Associates will oversee the bidding process with its fees not to exceed $17,000.

The council approved the purchase of two filter valves at the Chester Water Treatment Plant for $12,532.

"These valves are very hard to put in," said Chester Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Tim Crow. "It's going to take some time with how tight they are."

The council approved a $39,650 bid from CD Builders Inc. for a 30' x 40' storage building at the Chester Wastewater Treatment Plant. The building will be 14' high and used to protect the Sewer Department's heavy equipment, which currently is stored in the parking lot of the facility.

"We do have the money budgeted and we would like to get it into this year's budget," said Sewer Superintendent Kenny Surman.

The council approved Bernardi Securities, Inc. authorization to refund Series 2005 A bonds.

Article Categories
News