USS LST 325 will return to Chester next year
The tank-landing ship USS LST 325 will be coming back for another visit after all.
During Monday's meeting of the Chester City Council, Mayor Tom Page announced the historic vessel will arrive at the Chester riverfront on Thursday, September 6, 2018 and will depart on Monday, September 10. That means the LST 325 will be in town during the 39th annual Popeye Picnic festivities.
The council had previously sent a letter of support to the Military Vehicle Preservation Association for the vessel to return.
"They accepted and I'm looking forward to that," Page said.
The LST 325 - which was launched on October 27, 1942 and was one of 1,051 LSTs built during World War II - last visited Chester in 2011. It is the only remaining operating LST to be preserved in the United States.
Brian Congiardo, of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association's SEMO Chapter, spoke during public comment and suggested a small committee be formed to organize the LST 325's visit. Large crowds turned out for the ship's previous stopover.
"They are real excited about coming back here," Congiardo said.
The council approved most of its 12-item agenda with little discussion, but one item pertaining to entering into a new lease agreement between the city and Southern Illinois Sand Company caused alderman Ray Allison to pause.
Allison said he disagreed with a line in the new contract that would not allow the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dock their vessels on their property, which includes four lots adjacent to the Chester boat ramp on the Mississippi River.
Barges will also no longer be able to be parked there.
According to city attorney Jeff Kerkhover, the city first entered into a lease agreement with Southern Illinois Sand Company in 1985 and the agreement was up for renewal. Illinois Department of Natural Resources funds were used in construction of the boat ramp and the city, according to Kerkhover, paid $100 for a 15-year lease of it.
The council later approved the new agreement, with Allison as the lone "no" vote.
In other news, Page said he planned to meet with a representative from the Illinois Comptroller's office on Thursday and planned to speak with him regarding the state's unpaid utility bills at Menard Correctional Center.
According to Page, the state owes the city $1,054,202.63 in water, sewer and natural gas costs.
The council also approved updating three city ordinances relating to public comment at meetings and a new policy against discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.
Kerkhover explained the new ordinances will clarify visitors during public comment and specifically address if anyone has public comment. He noted they were things the council already does during its meetings, but were not specifically clairfied in the ordinances.
ROUNDUP
The following items were approved by the council:
Bills in the amount of $76,401.47,
A pay estimate of $1,647 to Red Dot Construction for right-of-way water main replacement for the Buena Vista Street project.
A pay estimate of $140,619.7 to Red Dot for the Buena Vista Street project.
A $12,164.85 invoice from J.T. Blankinship for engineering services for the Buena Vista Street project.
A $418 invoice from J.T. Blankinship for right-of-way water main replacement.
A council resolution of support for community development block grant.
Purchase of 15,000 units of natural gas by the Chester Gas Committee.
Authorizing City Clerk Bethany Berner to transfer funds on an as-needed basis to the Water/Sewer Operating Fund from the Water/Sewer Capital Improvement/Replacement Fund and from the Water Plant Improvement Fund until such time that the city receives payment from the state.
The 2018 motor fuel tax program.
Chester Police Department Officer Zane Wallace to attend the full-time police academy.
Chester Police Department Officer Caleb Golding to attend the full-time police academy.
TIF accounting for Chester Center, Inc. Chester Center will be reimbursed 75 percent of what it paid in taxes the previous fiscal year, minus the cost of the city in preparing the TIF report.
TIF accounting for Kipp Redevelopment Project. Similar to the Chester Center, Kipp will receive 75 percent back from taxes, with the difference being it will be reimbursed for the cost of preparing the TIF report.