Chester City Council approves purchase of police vehicle
CHESTER -- During its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, the Chester City Council approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the city's police department.
<span>The 2015 all-wheel drive Ford Interceptor will cost $24,285, with installation of vehicle warning equipment (which includes lights and siren) adding an extra $4,975 after parts and labor are factored in.</span>
<span>"It's going to need all-new equipment," said Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey during the meeting. "We've run out of the surplus we've had over the last couple of years and the equipment is outdated."</span>
<span>Coffey said the $4,975 amount was a bit of an estimate and the highest the department could go is $5,600. He said the department is examining having the work performed through Ford's installation program opposed to a previous installer.</span>
<span>"We're having some problems with the last vehicle we purchased in terms of getting it road-ready," Coffey said. "I think this is the way to go and certainly worth trying out."</span>
<span>The busy agenda also included an amendment to a Chester City Code ordinance relative to charges for utility services.</span>
<span>The change is utility services will now be billed in the name of the user of the services or occupant of the premises, rather than the owner of the lot or plot of land receiving them.</span>
<span>City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover said the change will decrease the amount of delinquent bills owed to the City of Chester.</span>
<span>"I've seen a spreadsheet and about 85 percent of the residents are already compliant," said Chester Mayor Tom Page.</span>
<span>The council also approved a resolution with the Illinois Commerce Commission regarding Union Pacific Railroad safety improvements on Water Street near the Con Agra Foods plant. The agreement requested crossing gates be installed.</span>
<span>The project will cost the City of Chester $8,565, which Page said includes road improvements and the installation of barriers to prevent motorists from driving around the gates.</span>
<span>The council approved TIF accounting for Kipp Redevelopment Project and Chester Center, Inc.</span>
<span>A total of $12,978 will be reimbursed to Kipp through the TIF, while $30,718 will be reimbursed to the Chester Center.</span>
<span>Other action items approved were holiday gift cards for full-time city employees ($40 each, but a $50 value) and the Dec. 12 date for the city employee Christmas party at Chester Country Club.</span>
<span>As part of his mayor's report, Page said that the recent East State Street survey examined whether to allow parking on one side of the road and to possibly make the street one-way.</span>
<span>"I think by next meeting, we'll be ready to discuss that," he said.</span>
<span>The next meeting of the Chester City Council is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at Chester City Hall.</span>
Public Comment:
<span>Chester Parks and Recreation board member Collette Powley told the council the boy scout food drive, which was held on Nov. 15, gathered 3,700 items - 400 less than 2013.</span>
<span>The items are to benefit the Christian Food Pantry.</span>
<span>"The boy scouts should really be commended for this," Powley said. "The city people who participated in this should be commended as well."</span>