Chester Council to address city hall leaks

<p class="p1">The Chester Police Department appears to have a water problem.

<p class="p1">During his monthly report to the Chester City Council on Monday, CPD Chief Ryan Coffey noted that department officials are struggling with the air conditioning unit downstairs and have noticed moisture issues and leaks from "unknown sources."

<p class="p1">"I know the sources of some, but not all," he said. "I will probably continue this topic with the Public Safety Committee at a later date."

<p class="p1">The council briefly discussed the topic, with Mayor Tom Page noting that he had seen some problems in different areas of city hall.

<p class="p1">"This building needs an inspection," Page said. "We'll get somebody on this."

<p class="p1">Coffey also highlighted a recent meeting at St. Mary's Catholic School that included Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff and CPD Sgt. Bobby Helmers to discuss safety procedures.

<p class="p1">He noted that his agency is "prepared and ready to go" with the annual Popeye Picnic detail and stated his written report to the council also expressed his concerns on the event's location near the three-way intersection of State and Opdyke streets.

<p class="p1">Coffey added that firearms training will begin later this month and will be taught in-house due to several range instructors being on staff.

<p class="p1">Coffey also stated that a private resident had approached the CPD with a request to raffle off an item with the proceeds to benefit a future police project and he would be seeking advice from city attorney Jeff Kerkhover on how to proceed.

<p class="p1">As he has before, Coffey brought up the subject of the CPD's new police vehicle and the need to dispose of retired police vehicles.

<p class="p1">He said that payment of the new vehicle would be delayed due to it being ordered and payment was to be expected either at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

<p class="p1">During the new business portion of the agenda, the council approved a Chester High School resolution for the Illinois Department of Transportation to close portions of State Street for the annual Homecoming parade, scheduled for Oct. 7.

<p class="p1">The council also approved the Chester Beautification/Tourism Commission's request to purchase a new lighted Christmas banner at Cole Park for the amount of $1,688, giving that the amount was already in the CBTC's budget.

<p class="p1">Lastly, the council approved John Powell as a new auxiliary firefighter with the Chester Fire Department.

<p class="p1">Roundup

<p class="p1">&bull; The council approved bills and payroll in the amount of $123,839.37.

<p class="p1">&bull; The Evergreen Cemetery Committee reported five transactions amounting to $1,300.

<p class="p1">&bull; Alderman Russ Rader noted a recent water main break in front of Chester High School.

<p class="p1">&bull; In his report to the council, Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert noted his department had five calls for service in August, including the train derailment near Steeleville. Bert added the CFD is close to getting its new rescue boat in service.

<p class="p1">&bull; Bert also highlighted the CFD's fire prevention efforts next month, during which area schoolchildren will be learning about fire safety and taking tours of the firehouse.

<p class="p1">&bull; Alderman Robert Platt brought up a topic of city residents mowing grass into the street and how the grass could clog storm drains. Page noted there is a city ordinance forbidding the tactic and the council discussed how to enforce it.

<p class="p1">Kerkhover suggested publishing a notice about the ordinance and people will have to call in a complaint and report it.