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Chester Council approves turn lane TIF funds, new fees at Cohen Complex

Posted February 06, 2017 10:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Editor@heraldtrib.com

The long-discussed turn lane project at the entrance of the Chester Center appears to be close to getting off the ground.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Chester City Council approved using Tax Increment Financing funds for the $294,700 project, which will add a right turn lane to the northbound route of traffic while eliminating one of the four entrances into the complex.

City engineer Harold Sheffer noted the project would eliminate entrance No. 2, improve entrances 3 and 4 and make entrance 1 - located near the site of the old Pizza Hut - into two lanes.

Alderman Robert Platt asked Sheffer if the project would allow sidewalks to be added and Sheffer noted that it was possible, but the city would have to look into possible land acquisition in the median to make it work.

Chester Mayor Tom Page brought up the fact that the city had a traffic study previously done and will have to do so again through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“It was done several years ago and we have to have it amended to fit this project,” he said.

Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey was asked about the southbound lane and was told it will remain as-is, potentially making motorists turning left into the complex having to cross two lanes of traffic.

Page was asked after the meeting when construction could begin and he said he was not sure, citing IDOT’s traffic study.

In other news, the council approved new policies and procedures for the Cohen Complex, including rental fees for non-resident use of the facilities and equipment.

Chester Recreation Director Patti Carter noted the new fees were less than those at comparable complexes, “by a substantially large amount.”

“It’s allowing the city to recover costs to have someone come out, empty the garbage, drag the fields,” Page said.

Carter was asked about outside vendors, who will have to have a permit from the city and proof of insurance in order to operate. Smoking and alcohol is also not permitted on the fields, dugouts and in the concession areas.

Alderwoman Nancy Crossland asked Carter who would police that and Carter admitted she has had to notify the Chester Police Department in the past.

As part of a separate agenda item, Carter asked the council for $5,000 in “seed money” for solar eclipse planning.

Carter noted the money will be used to order eclipse viewing glasses, T-shirts, hats and signs for the event, which is scheduled to occur on Aug. 21. A second total eclipse, also expected to cross Southern Illinois, will take place on April 8, 2024.

“Everything we’re having made is being made for 2017 and 2024,” Carter said, noting that she hoped to reimburse the city’s investment based on merchandise sales.

Carter said the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is estimating between 10,000 and 25,000 people visiting the area on Aug. 21. Dr. David Linton, astronomy instructor at Eastern Illinois University, will be on hand in Chester to take people through event.

The council has previously approved camping in Cole Park for the eclipse, while the city’s Best Western hotel is already booked and some residents are renting out rooms in preparation for the event.

The council later approved Carter’s request.

Roundup

• The council approved Andrew Miller as part-time police dispatcher. Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey noted he wasn’t particularly looking for anyone, but felt it would be good to add an additional dispatcher and had received good reports on job shadowing done by Miller, who had no previous experience.

• The council approved an ordinance annexing 3047 State Route 150 to the the city of Chester.

• The council approved Lorin Mott as the city’s new code enforcement officer for no more than 20 hours per week at a salary of $3,000 in addition to his current city salary. Page noted that ideally, Mott - who is a former contractor - would work two days a week most weeks on property inspections.

“I think this will allow us to remedy the problem,” Page said.

• The council approved amending an ordinance to make violations of the Property Maintenance Code specific to property maintenance.

“We are trying to put a little teeth into this process,” Page said.

• The council approved two proposals from Vandevanter Engineering to make pump repairs for Lift Station 7 and Lift Station 10. Repairs for Station 7 were stated to cost $18,047, while Station 10 costs were $9,374.

It was noted that a new pump costs in the range of $27,000. The parts were said to arrive in four to five weeks.

During his report, Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert noted six calls for service in the month of January and an improved rating by the Insurance Service Office.

The ISO improved the CFD’s rating from a 7 to a 5, meaning people within a radius of five road miles of city limits will see a decrease in their home insurance bills.

Bert noted that his department had not been certified in 15 years, and the improved rating was due to several factors - including communications, staffing, training, water supply and the recent construction of several water lines.

In order to improve to a 4 rating or better, Bert said the department would need a ladder truck and be full-time.

• The council approved the payment of bills in the amount of $72,476.45. The council also approved a $325 transaction from Evergreen Cemetery Clerk Randy Wofford.

• During his report, Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey noted that his agency’s newest police vehicle - the purchase of which was approved by the council last year - is now in use and has been assigned to Sgt. Bobby Helmers.

He also noted that his agency could get by without replacing the squad car fallen CPD officer and volunteer firefighter James Brockmeyer was driving the night of his Oct. 28 accident until the next fiscal year.

That vehicle was part of the CPD’s part-time fleet.

Cohen Complex field rental rates

During non-prime hours, fields are available for reservation and use for a minimum of one hour. During prime hours, fields may only be reserved in two-hour increments.

Prime hours are defined as 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Tournament Fees

*Park Staff will rake/line and groom as needed.

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>

ITEM

</td>

<td>

RESIDENT

</td>

<td>

NON-RESIDENT

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Damage Deposit (per field)

</td>

<td>

$100.00

</td>

<td>

$150.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Usage Fee (first field)

</td>

<td>

$100.00

</td>

<td>

$150.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Usage Fee (each additional field)

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$75.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Custodial Fee

</td>

<td>

$75.00

</td>

<td>

$100.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Chalk Fee (if chalking fields self) (per field)

</td>

<td>

$10.00

</td>

<td>

$10.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Key/Fob Deposit

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$75.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Failure to turn off lights

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Failure to put away PA and Scoreboard Equipment

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

</div>

Practice/Game Fees

*Fields are groomed once a day Monday-Friday. Additional preparation or weekend and holiday preparation can be arranged.

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>

ITEM

</td>

<td>

RESIDENT

</td>

<td>

NON-RESIDENT

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Damage Deposit (per field)

</td>

<td>

$0.00

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Usage Fee (2 hour reservation)

</td>

<td>

$0.00

</td>

<td>

$25.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Field Prep (groomed 1 x daily)

</td>

<td>

$0.00

</td>

<td>

$0.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Additional Field Prep (rake/line/groom prior to use)

</td>

<td>

$40.00

</td>

<td>

$75.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Chalk Fee (if chalking fields self) (per field)

</td>

<td>

$10.00

</td>

<td>

$10.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Key/Fob Deposit

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$75.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Multi-Purpose Field (no prep)

</td>

<td>

$0.00

</td>

<td>

$15.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Failure to turn off lights

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>

Failure to put away PA and Scoreboard Equipment

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

<td>

$50.00

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

</div>

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