Council hears from Heartlands Conservancy
The Chester City Council welcomed Jennifer Reiman, a program manager with Heartlands Conservancy, at its most recent meeting Monday, April 18.
Reiman said her group specializes in helping communities big and small with plans to improve their housing outlook, examine their economic strengths, and overall community resilience. Attending with her were representatives from Steadfast City, which specializes in urban planning and housing. They were invited to the meeting by Shane Wagner of Chester's Planning Commission.
Mayor Tom Page thanked them for their involvement and hoped they would continue to work with Wagner, who will present results to the council.
Resident returns
Gary Stull again addressed the council concerning Harrison Street and said recent rains have washed more mud from the slide onto Buena Vista Street below Stull's house and Harrison.
Stull asked if the council had considered using any of the funds Geri Boyer of Kaskaskia Engineering Group LLC had suggested might be available. City Attorney Jeff Kerkhover said he has not had any recent conversations with Boyer.
Aldermen Bob Platt and Bob Buckham both offered opinions that the road failure began on Stull's property and that until the slippage was corrected, no street repair would hold.
Stull asked if it was a waste of time for him to come to any more meetings. Page replied that he would never discourage anyone from attending council meetings.
Kerkhover said he would like Stull to contact Boyer and have her call him. Stull, looking frustrated, left the meeting.
Other action
The council approved the purchase of a Polaris UTV for equal use by the Gas Department and Cole Park at a cost of $27,389.93.
They approved adding Matthew Holdman as an Auxiliary Firefighter.
The council also accepted the resignation of Jeannie Golding as janitor at city hall and the police department. Golding was hired to the position at the last meeting. She will be replaced by Wendy Atchison, who was also hired last meeting as the janitor at the Welcome Center.
The council's next meeting is at 6 p.m. May 2.