Transit district asks Chester council for assistance

<span>After approaching the Randolph County Board of Commissioners on July 31, Thomas Smith continued his quest for funding assistance at the Chester City Council meeting three days later.</span>

<span>Smith is Chester's representative on the Monroe Randolph Transit District, which is approaching its 10th anniversary in December, and has been seeking help for the organization.</span>

<span>According to a letter from MRTD Executive Director Jesica Gentry dated July 22, the organization has been operating off of a line of bank credit that could be gone "in the next 2-3 weeks."</span>

<span>Gentry's letter, which is addressed to mayors and commissioners, asks for donations or a loan to the MRTD for operating expenses "until the funds begin to flow from the state." MRTD, according to the letter, provided 32,842 trips in fiscal year 2015.</span>

<span>Forty-two percent (13,667) of all passenger trips originated in Randolph County.</span>

<span>"We didn't want to leave stones unturned and not ask," Smith said to the council members during public comment. </span>

<span>Operating expenses for MRTD average $180,000 per quarter. The letter, a copy of which Smith also gave to the council members, stated the $4 and $10 fare does not cover MRTD's cost-per-mile of $2.25.</span>

<span>"I would like to tell you we have a great big pool of money, but we don't have a big pool or a lot of money," said Chester Mayor Tom Page.</span>

<span>Page said he would like to wait until "the next week or two" to see how the state's budget mess in Springfield works out.</span>

<span>"I'm not holding my breath, but I'm hopeful," he said.</span>

<span>Under new business, the council approved a concession agreement with Wally's for the remainder of the baseball/softball season at the Cohen Complex. Owner/Chef Ryan Waltemate was in attendance at the meeting, along with General Manager Clara Loucks.</span>

<span>Wally's is anticipating to provide "ballpark-style foods," and is the third organization to get a concession agreement from the city this year.</span>

<span>"I'm glad you guys stepped up to do this," said Alderwoman Nancy Crossland.</span>

<span>"We're happy to do it," Loucks said.</span>

<span>The city's agreement with Chester Sports Inc. expired July 31 and the Southern Illinois Sun Devils were previously approved to operate the concession stands during a tournament Aug. 29 and 30.</span>

<span>Wally's hours of operation at the Cohen Complex are as follows:</span>

Upcoming Dates

Aug. 5: 5-7 p.m.

Aug. 6: 5-8 p.m.

Aug. 7: 5-8 p.m.

Aug. 10: 5-7 p.m.

Aug. 11: 5:30-8 p.m.

Aug. 12: 5-7 p.m.

Aug. 13: 3:30-8 p.m.

Aug. 14: 5:30-7 p.m.

Aug. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (grill day)

Aug. 18: 5-7 p.m.

<span>During the correspondence portion of the meeting, Page said the city had received public notice of a barge loading terminal that has been proposed to be built at Mississippi River mile 97 near Cora in Jackson County.</span>

<span>The notice states Brian Wanzeried of the Omaha, Neb.-headquartered Gavilon Group LLC has submitted an application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a truck-to-barge terminal that will include 10 storage bins, 360-foot diameter grain pile, 1,200-square-foot office building, two truck scales, quarter-mile ring road, stormwater retention pond and 1,500-foot long conveyor system with supports.</span>

<span>Barge transport services would be provided by Kinder Morgan Cora Coal Tug Services. Expected barge volume is 500 barges per year, with half of the volume anticipated from October through January.</span>

<span>Page said the new terminal could bring more truck traffic through Chester, as grain will be trucked from "local and regional farms" to the terminal.</span>

Roundup

<span>The council authorized City Clerk Nancy Eggemeyer to advertise for a clerical position at city hall.</span>

<span>The council approved payment of $50,000 from the TIF Fund to Chester District 139 per an intergovernmental agreement. The amount was said to be the third installment.</span>

<span>Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert reported three calls for service in the month of July, putting his department's total at 61 for the year.</span>

<span>Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey said his department is pursuing more part-time telecommunicators and trying new things with the enforcement of the city's nuisance ordinance in regard to tall grass, derelict vehicles and trash and debris.</span>

<span>The council received a letter of resignation from Sewer Treatment Plant employee Marc Buatte, which advised them he has decided to take a position with the City of Carterville. His last day is Aug. 16.</span>