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City council approves asbestos survey of Pinky's

Posted July 05, 2016 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

Waiting proved to be the right decision for the City of Chester.

The Illinois General Assembly passed a stopgap state budget last week, ensuring that vital services would be funded through the end of the year.

Part of that agreement includes reimbursement of overdue utility bills at state facilities, effectively suspending the possibility that the City of Chester could shut the water off at Menard Correctional Center and Chester Mental Health Center due to nonpayment.

"Last Thursday at 3:15 p.m., I got a call from the governor's office notifying me the budget had been approved," said Chester Mayor Tom Page during Tuesday's meeting of the Chester City Council. "We are guaranteed payment through the end of December."

Page noted that any overdue amounts through June 30 would also be paid, meaning the city will get back the $1.5 million it has shelled out to keep the utilities at the two facilities going during the budget impasse.

"That was a very, very good call," Page said. "They are working with the comptroller's office to get the cities paid."

Page said he was unsure when or how the city will be reimbursed in terms of whether it would be one check or several payments.

"I just know we're going to be paid," Page told local media after the council meeting. "I don't know how that's going to happen."

The 801-page Senate Bill 2047 includes $550,000 in roof repairs and capital improvements to Menard Correctional Center - as well as $275,000 for the demolition of the old administrative building at the prison - and $3.9 million for roof repairs and upgrades to CMHC.

The World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta will also receive funding for its expenses. Page promised he would provide further updates from Springfield as they become available.

In other news, the council approved the fiscal year 2017 appropriations ordinance for the total amount of $17,297,674. Fiscal year 2016 appropriations were $20,220,472.

The decrease is almost $3 million from the previous year.

The council also approved an amount of $1,850 for asbestos testing at 1006 State St., otherwise known as the Pinky's Sugarland building.

"We have to have it tested before we demolish it, move it or do anything with it," Page said.

Harold Sheffer, owner/engineer of J.T. Blankinship (the city's engineers), noted that asbestos testing is required by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the EPA due to it being a commercial building.

Sheffer said residential buildings don't have the same requirement, unless a residential building is demolished to make way for a commercial one.

"It's really just geared toward the commercial building," Sheffer said.

Lastly, the council voted to keep previous executive session minutes sealed from the public and determined none of the verbatim records should be destroyed.

"I think confidentiality still exists in keeping those records closed," said Alderwoman Nancy Crossland.

Roundup

• The council approved bills to be paid in the amount of $49,679.73.

• The council approved the report of Evergreen Cemetery Clerk Randy Wofford, which stated there were 11 transactions in June for the amount of $2,175.

• Crossland urged the aldermen to check their mailboxes for a pamphlet of the riverboats that will be visiting the city soon.

• Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey said the recent hiring of a new telecommunicator has opened shifts up for bidding, per union agreement. He added that the new schedule will add more manpower during the CPD's busiest hours.

"I think we will be a lot more productive with this new schedule," he said, noting that 80 to 90 percent of the department's calls for service come during the day and evening shifts.

• Coffey noted that he is working to schedule active shooter training dates with schools for the coming school year as well as for a private business that has reached out to the CPD.

• Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert reported nine fire calls in June - three of which occurred in one day on June 10 - bringing his department's total to 49 for the year.

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