News

Chester Council approves new no-parking zones

Posted October 18, 2015 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

Subway fans are going to have to walk a little bit farther to get their fix.

The Chester City Council approved new no-parking zones along State Street on Monday to accommodate the turn lane project, which remains on schedule for an Oct. 30 finish.

The new zones will from Subway to COUNTRY Financial on the north side of State Street and from the White Glove Laundromat (located at 100 Opdyke St.) to Subway on the south side.

Chester Mayor Tom Page said the new zones are a requirement from the Illinois Department of Transportation to allow for tractor-trailer traffic.

He stated the project has nearly doubled the size of the intersection and the stop sign previously located at Spinach Can Collectibles will now be located in front of Blazing Color.

"This group is working very diligently to find alternative parking to those businesses that are losing their spots," Page said, referring to the city council.

The new zones were approved in a unanimous decision by the council, with alderman Robert Platt expressing his opinion that he wished IDOT would have explained the new zones during the planning process.

In other action, the council approved two new employees for the sewer department, Jimmy Marlen and Chris Nordmeyer. They take on their new roles beginning Nov. 1.

"It was an extensive interview process and these guys scored the highest," Page said.

The council also approved two items related to Christmas on the River, including a $500 donation from the city. City Clerk Nancy Eggemeyer said it was the first time in several years the city has donated to the event.

Lastly, the council approved several transfers from different city funds in order to cover shortfalls created by late payments from the State of Illinois. Bills that were approved for payment left a deficit of $74,284.40 in the Water/Sewer Operating Fund.

"In order to cover our bills this time, I propose that we transfer the $88,457.34 from the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement Fund to our Water/Sewer Operating Fund," Eggemeyer said in a memo to the council dated Oct. 16.

In the same memo, Eggemeyer proposed transferring money from the Water/Sewer Water Plant Improvement Fund on an as-needed basis and then repay the amount when the certificate of deposit in the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement Fund matures on June 30, 2016 "or when the state pays us."

Eggemeyer proposed suspending the $4,000-a-month transfer from the city's Operating Account to the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement Fund as well as the $18,200 the city transfers each month to the Water Plant Improvement account.

Eggemeyer later informed the council that Menard Correctional Center owes the city $359,564.95 for water and sewer service. In his mayor's report, Page said he had a meeting scheduled on Wednesday that would include Menard Warden Kim Butler and Chester Mental Health representatives.

The nature of the meeting is to discuss utility bills (water, sewer and gas) that are "close to half a million dollars."

Committee Reports

• The Cemetery and Finance Committee approved the payment of bills in the amount of $820,594.81.

• The Cemetery and Finance Committee approved a pay request of $16,875 to Quality Assured Industrial Coatings for spot protective coating restoration at the Water Treatment Plant.

• The Cemetery and Finance Committee approved a change order of $6,152.26 to Haier Plumbing and Heating for the water line project along Route 3.

• The Cemetery and Finance Committee approved the final pay estimate to Haier Plumbing and Heating for the water line project in the amount of $18,389.99. Alderwoman Nancy Crossland asked if the company is responsible for reseeding the project area and was informed by Page that they are.

• The next meeting of the Chester City Council is scheduled for Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. It is open to the public.

Article Categories
News