Chester City Council approves new police vehicle
<span>In a 20-minute meeting on Monday, the Chester City Council approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the Chester Police Department.</span>
<span>During his presentation to the council about the proposed purchase, Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey said the new vehicle - which is one of two budgeted for the current fiscal year - will be replacing an 8-year-old police vehicle that's been having "significant" maintenance issues.</span>
<span>"We're not putting it back on the road unless we're willing to put a couple grand into it," Coffey said.</span>
<span>Alderman Robert Platt said his only concern with the purchase was the timing and the funding.</span>
<span>"The State of Illinois owes us some money and that's giving me pause," he said.</span>
<span>Coffey noted that the new vehicle will not be an SUV, stating that the department's SUVs are primarily a benefit in winter and officers can share the ones currently in the CPD's fleet.</span>
<span>"This is the year I anticipated to replace a vehicle when I was chief back then," Coffey said.</span>
<span>The council later approved the purchase not to exceed $33,000 after the price for equipment installation is factored in. Coffey noted the availability of the equipment installer and the vehicle will determine when it will be available.</span>
<span>In other council news, Chester Mayor Tom Page announced that time is running out for the state to pay the city for a backlog of utility bills at Menard Correctional Center and Chester Mental Health.</span>
<span>He noted that he had been in contact with state agencies and State Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) about the issue.</span>
<span>"My patience is running short," he said. "And I am considering talking to this group (the council) about a shutoff date.</span>
<span>"But we're not there yet."</span>
Roundup
<span>- Cemetery and Finance Committee bills in the amount of $604,385.81 were approved.</span>
<span>- An IDOT change order to E.T. Simonds Construction Company for the Swanwick Street overlay project was approved for $3,180.59.</span>
<span>- An IDOT engineer's pay estimate to E.T. Simonds for the Swanwick Street project was approved for $84,636.36.</span>
<span>- The council approved Greg Rowold as a regular firefighter at the Chester Fire Department.</span>
<span>- The council approved holiday gift cards for full-time city employees for the total amount of $1,800.</span>
<span>- The council accepted the insurance program by the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust, effective Dec. 1. The premium is $6,555 less than the previous year.</span>
<span>"I guess we're pretty good clients," Page said.</span>
<span>- The council approved a motion to add $835,567.24 to the tax levy ordinance as the amount of property tax to be levied in 2015 and payable in 2016. The amount could be adopted at the council's next meeting.</span>
<span>"We have not made a motion to levy this," said City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover. "We have made a motion to add this to the levy ordinance."</span>
<span>- The council passed a resolution approving the 2016 Motor Fuel Tax Program in the amount of $206,732.</span>
- The council approved an ordinance fixing the salary of the sewer superintendent at $50,053.
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