Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 26TH, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 S MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS PENDING ONE CORRECTION OF “DECAPITATED HOUSE TO DILAPIDATED HOUSE” UNDER ITEM E OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. ABSTAINS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED THE COUNCIL TO TAKE ON ITEM G UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRST. MAYOR MESSERSMITH WISHED TO CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE GAVIN GENISIO AND MASON TIEFFEL FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORTS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO ADDRESSED THE BOYS BCHS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND COACHES FOR BEING STATE RUNNER UP IN CROSS COUNTRY THIS YEAR. COMMISSIONER KAYS SPOKE UP STATING THAT MASON TIEFFEL HAD ALSO RECEIVED THE TITLE OF ACADEMIC ALL AMERICAN THIS YEAR, BECOMING THE 3RD EVER IN BCHS HISTORY. PROCLAMATIONS WERE MADE AND GIVEN TO MR. GENISIO AND MR. TIEFFEL FOR THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP AND RECEIVED BY MR. BUCHANAN ON BEHALF OF THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM AFTER SPEAKING ABOUT THE TEAMS RECORD THIS YEAR.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED FOR THE COUNCIL’S PERMISSION IN ALLOWING THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS (BAV) TO PROVIDE AN ICE-SKATING RINK FOR THE 2024 HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF THE BAV WOULD BE HOLDING THE APPROPRIATE INSURANCE POLICY AND TAKE CARE OF THE FUNDING FOR THE RINK.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASSURED HIM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE APPROPRIATE INSURANCE AND TAKE CARE OF THE FUNDING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED IF THE RINK WOULD BE IN THE SAME LOCATION IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY, BETWEEN THE KNEE-WALL AND BATHROOMS AT CAPITAL PARK, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CONFIRMED. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THE MOTION TO ALLOW THE BAV TO PROVIDE THE ICE-SKATING RINK. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED A MOWING CONTRACT FROM DAVID BOOKER AND EXPLAINED THE CITY HAD BEEN USING HIM SINCE 2018 FOR THE LISTED PROPERTIES AND THAT THE AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON WAS THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED WITH MR. BOOKER’S PERFORMANCE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED TO NOT SEE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR APPROVAL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH SAID HE HAD IT LISTED AS IT IS BECAUSE HE WAS UNSURE IF THE CITY HAD AN OBLIGATION TO BID OUT THIS SERVICE AND BECAUSE HE DID NOT LIKE THE TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT. CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED IT WAS UNDER THE QUALIFYING AMOUNT TO HAVE TO BE BID OUT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ALSO STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE APPROVING PUBLIC FUNDS WITHOUT GIVING THE PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO BID FOR IT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FELT BECAUSE MR. BOOKER’S PRICES HAD BEEN EXPOSED PUBLICLY IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO BID THE 2024 MOWING BUT THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD TAKE ACTION AT THE NEXT MEETING TO APPROVE MR. BOOKER’S MOWING FOR 2024 AND TO START THE BID PROCESS FOR THE 2025 SEASON. BELOW ARE MR. BOOKER’S PRICES ON THE PRESENTED CONTRACT.

 

LOCATION

CURRENT

2024

2025

AIRPORT

$200.00

$225.00

$235.00

TWIN OAKS

$260.00

$290.00

$300.0

CITY HALL & POLICE STATION

$40.00

$45.00

$45.00

NUISANCE YARDS

$40.00

$45.00

$45.00

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED TO TABLE ITEM D UNDER THE PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT STATING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES AND THE STREET DEPARTMENT LEADMAN DALE WATKINS DO NOT THINK THE LOTS WILL BE READY IN TIME. IT WAS STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE RUBLE AND DEBRIS BUT IT WOULD LIKELY LEAVE THE LOTS IN QUESTION IN A MUDDY MESS UNLESS IT REMAINED VERY DRY OVER THE NEXT MONTH. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD ONE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THE EVENING. PURCHASE ORDER #00674 FOR 10, TYPE-3 BARRICADES AT $272.95 TOTALING $2,729.50. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THESE BARRICADES WOULD BE PAID FOR OUT OF THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC RISK FUND GRANT AND WOULD BE USED FOR THINGS LIKE CLOSING OFF THE SQUARE FOR EVENTS TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR OVERTIME. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00674. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASES FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD TWO RESOLUTIONS FOR THIS MEETING, ONE TO CLOSE THE SQUARE FOR THE ECLIPSE EVENT ON APRIL 6TH FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M. AND ANOTHER TO CLOSE THE SQUARE FOR THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL PARADE ON MAY 4TH FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-02 TO CLOSE THE SQUARE APRIL 6TH, 2024 FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-03 TO CLOSE THE SQUARE MAY 4TH, 2024 FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM FEBRUARY 1ST TO FEBRUARY 26TH HAD RESPONDED TO 446 CALLS AND THAT THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD RESPONDED TO 58 CALLS IN JANUARY.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE HAD TWO CONTRACTS FOR THE MEETING, BOTH WITH AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. ONE CONTRACT IS FOR BODYCAM SERVICES AND THE OTHER FOR REVAMPING THE INTERROGATION ROOMS AT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY INVITED POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER AND COMMISSIONER KAYS TO SPEAK ABOUT THESE SINCE THEY WERE PRESENT FOR THE DEMONSTRATIONS. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER EXPLAINED THAT THE AGREEMENT FOR THE BODYCAMS WOULD BE A 5-YEAR AGREEMENT TOTALING $69,227.10, WHICH IS ROUGHLY $13,000 A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST PAYMENT OF 5% DUE MARCH 1ST.  HE STATED THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WITH AXON FOR THEIR BODYCAMS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THE CAMS AND SOFTWARE ARE EASY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT TO USE AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO LIKE THEM. HE STATED THAT TO SWITCH TO MOTOROLA WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $150,000, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THE CITY WOULD ALSO HAVE TO INCUR THE COST OF STORING THE BODYCAM DATA THAT AXON IS STORING CURRENTLY, AS AXON WOULD LIKELY NOT KEEP STORING IT AFTER TERMINATING THE AGREEMENT. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT AXON HAD PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSAL FOR UPGRADING THE HARDWARE IN THE INTERVIEW ROOMS, INCLUDING CAMERAS, CLOUD STORAGE, OTHER HARDWARE AND THE SOFTWARE TO USE THESE ITEMS. THE COST OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE $48,844.40 AND THE FIRST PAYMENT WOULD NOT NEED TO BE MADE UNTIL THE BUILD STARTS IN LATE AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THESE EXPENSES WOULD ALSO BE COVERED BY THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC RISK FUND GRANT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE OVER THE AMOUNT REQUIRED TO BID OUT THESE SERVICES BUT BECAUSE THE CITY OF BENTON IS HOME RULE BY ORDINANCE IF AT LEAST FOUR FIFTHS OF THE COUNCIL VOTED IN FAVOR THEY COULD BYPASS THAT PROCESS.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO BYPASS THE BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPT THE CONTRACT FROM AXON ENTERPRISES, LLC FOR THE BODYCAMS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO BYPASS THE BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPT THE CONTRACT FROM AXON FOR THE INTERVIEW ROOM UPGRADE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED PAYROLL TOTALING $100,009.22 WITH $73,685.03 BEING GENERAL FUND AND $26,324.19 BEING WATER AND SEWER. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PAYROLL AS PRESENTED FOR FEBRUARY 16TH. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS THIS EVENING.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE WANTED TO TAKE ITEM (C) UNDER ACCOUNTS & FINANCE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION.

CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAD NO UPDATES.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH WANTED TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL ON THE ECLIPSE EVENT PLANNING. HE STATED THAT ORIGINALLY, IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THE BENTON HIGH SCHOOL BAND WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY ON THAT SATURDAY BUT BECAUSE OF PROM THE BAND HAD TO BACK OUT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH SAID THAT THEY HAVE TALKED TO THE PRODUCER OF THE EVENT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BAND WILL BE ABLE TO PERFORM FRIDAY NIGHT INSTEAD AT CAPITAL PARK ON THE STAGE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAS AMBITIOUS HOPES FOR MALKOVICH PARK TO BE OPEN BY MOTHER’S DAY AND THAT THE MAJOR HOLD UP AT THIS TIME IS NEEDING A NOTICE TO PROCEED. MAYOR MALKOVICH INVITED THE PUBLIC AND COUNCIL TO ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE FOR THE MASTER BIKE PLAN. COMMISSIONER STOREY VOICED CONCERN FOR WHERE ONE OF THE DRAFTED PATHS WOULD GO.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS EVENING.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO SPEAK ON ITEMS (C) AND (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THE ABSENCE OF ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MR. CALCATERRA. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED FOR ITEM (C) THAT THE DOXSIE’S LIVE ON NORTH STUYVESANT AT WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS 602 AND 604. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS MR. CALCATERRA’S RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ANNEXATION AGREEMENT FOR THE DOXSIE FAMILY. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HART CANTRELL AND THOMPSON LLC HAD MET THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION AND THAT THEY WOULD BE THE 6TH BUSINESS TO MAKE USE OF THIS PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION FROM HART CANTRELL AND THOMPSON LLC FOR THE WORK AT 602 PUBLIC SQUARE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ITEM E UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE S3DA ARCHERY TOURNAMENT REPRESENTATIVES HAD APPROACHED THE CITY AND ASKED FOR A DONATION. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE A $1,000 DONATION AND THAT ALONG WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CITY OF SESSER WE WOULD BE LISTED AS A HOST CITY FOR THIS DONATION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THE MOTION TO DONATE $1,000 TO THE S3DA TOURNAMENT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS COMMISSIONER STOREY WANTED TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR HANDLING HIS AFFAIRS AT THE CITY WHILE HE WAS AWAY FOR THREE MEETINGS. HE STATED HE GREATLY APPRECIATED IT.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THE HIGH SCHOOL WOULD BE HAVING A LARGE EVENT THIS WEEK WITH THE BASKETBALL GAMES COMING UP AND THAT IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT AND SHOW SUPPORT YOU SHOULD. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO A BASKETBALL GAME RECENTLY TO SEE THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENT THEY DO THERE, YOU ARE REALLY MISSING OUT.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM C UNDER ACCOUNTS & FINANCE AND ITEM E UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

5:44

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

6:38

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ENTER BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

6:40 PM

City Council Meeting Minutes — February 12, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKUP, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS ABSENT. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED RICK LINTON TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MR. LINTON STATED THAT FREDCO IS DISSOLVING.  MR. LINTON HANDED THE COUNCIL A LIST OF FREDCO ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS WELL AS A FRANKLIN COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.  MR. LINTON STATED THAT HE WAS HERE TO BRING A CHECK BACK TO THE CITY FROM SEED MONEY USED TO START FREDCO.  MR. LINTON PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A CHECK FOR $6,000.00 AND HE ASKED THAT THE CITY CONSIDER GIVING MONEY TOWARDS THE S3DA TOURNAMENT BEING HELD IN JUNE. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024, HELD AT 5 P.M.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ABSTAINED. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M.   SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

 

GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR OTHER BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS AND NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOTS 46 AND 47 FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE TO LEMUEL GAGE AND CHARLOTTE GAGE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.   

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH HANDLED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WERE UPDATES OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00398 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO CLOUD PCR FOR EMS REPORTING SOFTWARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,188.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00399 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO IAMRESPONDING FOR ANNUAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SOFTWARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $660.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00400 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO LEO ELLEBRECT FOR 3 SETS OF REPLACEMENT BUNKER GEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,402.01.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  IT WAS NOTED THAT THIS BILL WAS FROM DECEMBER.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00401 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SCBAS INC. FOR REPAIR OF SCBA COMPRESSOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $593.08.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION, BUT NOTED THAT THIS BILL IS FROM AUGUST 24, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER KAYS.

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00402 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO IFSI FOR COMPANY FIRE OFFICER CLASSES FOR FIREFIGHTER WARREN AND FIREFIGHTER NEFF IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION, BUT NOTED THAT THESE CLASSES WERE STARTED IN OCTOBER AND THE INVOICE IS FROM DECEMBER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00403 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO AMERICAN TEST CENTER FOR ANNUAL LADDER TESTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,136.00.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00404 FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO NOVACOM FOR 7 MOTOROLA RADIOS, 7 SPEAKER MICS, AND 7 LEATHER CASES IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,092.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION, BUT NOTED THAT THIS INVOICE WAS FROM DECEMBER AS WELL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DONATION OF SURPLUS BICYCLES TO BCHS AND THAT THEY WOULD FIND A LETTER FROM BOB HAGERMAN REQUESTING THE SURPLUS BICYCLES IN THEIR PACKETS.   COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DONATION OF SURPLUS BICYCLES TO BCHS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.   VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 02/02/2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,434.66 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,170.69 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $107,605.35.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FOR PAYMENT ON 02/12/2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $558,348.70 WHICH INCLUDED BILLS FORM IJRL TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,822.34 AND MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $121,888.46.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THE I5 BIKE PLAN RECOMMENDATION.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WILL BE AN OPEN HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 27, 2024 AT CAFÉ BLOOM FROM 5 P.M. TO 7 P.M.  HE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD THE PROPOSED BIKE PLAN IN THEIR FOLDERS TO LOOK OVER.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE OSLAD GRANT THAT WAS APPLIED FOR BY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,720.00 HAS BEEN APPROVED AND WORK WILL BEGIN ON MALKOVICH PARK ONCE WE GET THE NOTICE TO PROCEED.  AS A FINAL UPDATE, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE DATES ON THE PURCHASE ORDERS APPROVED TONIGHT ARE VERY FRUSTRATING AND THIS NEEDS SOME WORK. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY CHARLES AND SHIRLENE CAPPS TO OWN AND OCCUPY AN EXISTING DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1210 ANNA STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD ACTUALLY APPROVED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT ON THIS PROPERTY A FEW MONTHS BACK, BUT THE SALE DID NOT GO THROUGH.  HE STATED THAT IT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THIS PERMIT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM HAD A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY CHARLES AND SHIRLENE CAPPS TO OWN AND OCCUPY AN EXISTING DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1210 ANNA STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY MATT WAYMAN REGARDING A SPONSORSHIP FOR THE SI COMIC CON COMING TO THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER ON APRIL 27, 2024.  MR. WAYMAN HAS REQUESTED A SPONSORSHIP OF $500.00.  DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THIS.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE BUDGET HAS A LINE ITEM OF $500.00 PER MONTH THAT COULD BE USED FOR DONATIONS SUCH AS THIS AND IT HAS NOT BEEN USED UP TO THIS POINT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DO A SPONSORSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF HE WAS SURE HE WANTED TO GIVE $1,000.00 AS THEY HAD ONLY REQUESTED $500.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WITHDREW HIS MOTION OF DONATING $1,000.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $500.00 TO SI COMIC CON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO RELEASE LIEN ON REAL ESTATE LOCATED ON BEATRICE STREET.   ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THIS HOME.  HE STATED THAT THE OWNERS WILL TEAR DOWN THIS HOME IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CITY RELEASING ALL LIENS ON THE REAL ESTATE.  ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE NORMALLY WOULD NOT BE FOR RELEASING A LIEN, HOWEVER, IT IS WORTH DOING IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CITY NOT BEING OUT THE EXPENSE OF TEARING THIS HOME DOWN ITSELF.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO RELEASE THE LIEN ON REAL ESTATE LOCATED ON BEATRICE STREET CONTINGENT UPON CLEANUP OF THE DELAPIDATED HOUSE. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WANTED TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT THE BODYCAMS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SECURITY CAMERAS BOTH WILL NEED NEW CONTRACTS SOON.

 

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.   SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

5:30 P.M.

Minutes of the Special Called City Council Meeting — February 5, 2024

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.

COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS ABSENT.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS MEETING HAD BEEN CALLED FOR THE DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING

ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO DISCUSS THIS. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE

INTERVIEWED PEOPLE ALONGSIDE MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH. MR.

CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE NARROWED THE POOL TO TWO INDIVIDUALS AND HAD CITY CLERK

BROOK CRAIG AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES INTERVIEW THEM BOTH AS WELL. MR.

CALCATERRA PRESENTED CALEB CAVINS FOR THIS POSITION. HE SAID MR. CAVINS HAD MOXY AND HE BELIEVES WITH HIS PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT IN REPOSSESSING PROPERTY, HE WILL DO GREAT IN THIS POSITION AS HE WILL KNOW HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE

FELT THIS POSITION WAS GREATLY NEEDED. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS NOTHING

PERSONAL AGAINST MR. CAVINS, BUT DOES NOT SEE THE NEED IN HIRING FOR THIS POSITION.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HOPES IN A YEAR HE CAN PUBLICLY SAY HE WAS WRONG AND

THAT THIS POSITION IS NEEDED.

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO HIRE CALEB CAVINS AS CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY PENDING THE OUTCOME OF DRUG AND FIT FOR WORK TESTING WITH A

SALARY OF $32,500.00 PER YEAR ON A PAY RESOLUTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.

VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR

MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER KAYS.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

9:45 A.M.

City Council Meeting Minutes — January 22, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 22, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE ABSENT. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024, HELD AT 5 P.M.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVED THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M.   SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PARTICIPATION IN THE COZY CLUB PROGRAM THROUGH RSP HEATING AND COOLING FOR THE CITY HALL AND TWIN OAKS BUILDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $24.95/MONTH PER SYSTEM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS, AND NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #1 TO WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR THE 8” WATER MAIN PROJECT ON PETROFF ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $290,005.20.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH HANDLED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS, UPDATES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM OFFICER ROGER BRENT ERTHALL THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS RESIGNATION.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION, WITH REGRET, TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF OFFICER ROGER BRENT ERTHALL EFFECTIVE MAY 24, 2024.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 01/19/2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,976.68 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,949.10 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $111,925.78.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.  THIS POLICY ESTABLISHES UNIFORM GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDING PAID TIME OFF TO EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BENTON FOR ABSENCES RELATED TO A CATASTROPHIC CASUALTY LOSS SUFFERED DUE TO A FIRE, NATURAL DISASTER, OR TERRORIST ATTACK.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR MESSERSMITH, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HANDLED THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00673 TO ALLEGION FOR A 5-YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT FOR THE AUTOMATIC DOORS AT CITY HALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $116.00 PER YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $1,160.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THE SUNDAY LICENSE OPTIONS.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW TWO OPTIONS FOR SUNDAY LIQUOR PERMITS.  FIRST OPTION WILL BE TO PAY $1,200.00 AND BE ALLOWED TO BE OPEN EVERY SUNDAY.  THE SECOND OPTION IS TO PAY $50.00 PER SUNDAY YOU WISH TO BE OPEN.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE SUNDAY LICENSE OPTIONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND A LETTER FROM THE LADY’S AUXILIARY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION IN THEIR PACKETS.  THE LADY’S AUXILIARY HAS ASKED FOR A DONATION OF $500.00 OR WHATEVER PLEASES THE COUNCIL TO PURCHASE NEW FLAGS TO PLACE AROUND TOWN.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $500.00 TO THE LADY’S AUXILIARY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION FOR THE PURCHASE OR FLAGS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT WE NEEDED A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY WILL BE DONATING TWO GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR WEEKDAY RENTALS TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THEIR ANNUAL DINNER SILENT AUCTION.   

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

NO NEW BUSINESS.

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WAS A GOOD CROWD AT THE BENTON INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS WAS GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON MULTIPLE LEAKS AROUND TOWN. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.   SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.  

 

5:15 P.M.

Continued City Council Meeting Minutes — January 12, 2024

 

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE ABSENT. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $269,717.68, MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $288,413.91, AND TIF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,845.85 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS TO BE PAID ON JANUARY 12, 2024 OF $564,977.44.

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

 

TIME 9:35 A.M.

City Council Meeting Minutes — January 8, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 8, 2024 AT 10 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE ABSENT. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023, HELD AT 10 A.M.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED THE WATER USAGE REPORT FOR TWIN OAKS AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF USAGE.  SHE STATED THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A LEAK, BUT WE HAVE NOW TURNED OFF THE WATER FOR THE WINTER AND WILL BEGIN LOOKING FOR THE ISSUE ONCE SPRING GETS HERE. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS, AND NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERRY RIDGE NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE SERVICE AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THIS IS A STANDARD AGREEMENT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN MODIFIED SINCE THE LAST TIME THE CITY ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS HANDLED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS, UPDATES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM REGARDING CREATING A LATERAL TRANSFER ORDINANCE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF A LATERAL TRANSFER ORDINANCE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR JANUARY 5, 2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,973.17 AND THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,168.44 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $107,141.61.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING AND THAT THE MEETING WILL NEED TO BE CONTINUED FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-01 FOR THE LINE OF CREDIT WITH PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BANK FOR THE WATER MAIN PROJECT TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE MEETING. 

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER KAYS HANDLED THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEMS (C), (D), (E), AND (F).

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A PETITION TO VACATE AN ALLEY LOCATED IN 1ST ADDITION.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HE AND THE ZONING BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THIS ALLEY VACATION.  MR. CALCATERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-01 VACATING AN ALLEY LOCATED IN REED’S 1ST ADDITION.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WOULD BE HAND THE ZONING BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE A BODY AND FENDER WORKS BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA MENTIONED THAT HE DID RECEIVE 1 LETTER IN OPPOSITION OF THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE A BODY AND FENDER WORKS BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HE AND THE ZONING BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE AND AUTOMOBILE SALES BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE #24-02 DEFINING SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A PRIMARY OR PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY BUILDING, STORAGE BUILDING, GARAGE, LIVING UNIT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD VOTED 2-2 ON THIS SUBJECT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-02 DEFINING SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A PRIMARY OR PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY BUILDING, STORAGE BUILDING, GARAGE, LIVING UNIT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

NO OLD BUSINESS., ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD SCHEDULED 6 INTERVIEWS FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT UNFORTUNATELY, 2 OF THE INTERVIEWEES WERE NO CALL, NO SHOW. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE SAT IN ON A MEETING WITH AXON REGARDING BODY CAMERAS AND RENEWING OUR CONTRACT WITH THEM.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THE CAMERAS IN THE INTERVIEW ROOM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AS WELL.  MORE INFORMATION WILL COME AT A LATER MEETING REGARDING THESE ITEMS. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE CITY WOULD SEE A SAVINGS ON A LATERAL HIRE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THEY DO STILL HAVE TO GO TO THE FIRE ACADEMY, BUT HE SAID WE WOULD SEE A SAVING BY HAVING LESS OVERTIME BECAUSE THE LATERAL TRANSFER WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE ON A SHIFT WITH ANOTHER FIREMAN FOR AS LONG.  MR. CARTER ALSO QUESTIONED WHERE THE LEAK AT TWIN OAKS IS AND IF IT IS GOING INTO THE STOOL.  HE SAID THAT IF IT IS RUNNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER THROUGH THE SEPTIC TANK, IT WILL KILL ALL THE GOOD BUGS OFF.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STOOLS.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE PERRY RIDGE AGREEMENT STATED WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD BE USING FOREVER CHEMICALS AND IF THEY ARE PERIODICALLY TESTING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AS FAR AS HE KNOWS THEY ARE NO USING FOREVER CHEMICALS, BUT THAT HE WILL TALK WITH SHANNON TOIGO AND CRAIG MILES ABOUT THIS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD SET UP A TIME TO MEET WITH MR. CARTER AFTER GETTING THESE ANSWERS. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M. TO PAY BILLS.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS: 0.  

 

5:35 P.M.

City Council Meeting Minutes — December 22, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY DECEMBER 22, 2023 AT 10 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS¸ COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2023, HELD AT 5 P.M.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE IS A LEAK OF SOME KIND IN THE WATER SYSTEM AT TWIN OAKS AND SHE IS HAVING THIS LOOKED INTO.  SHE HAS ASKED FOR A REPORT FROM THE EWING INA WATER DEPARTMENT SHOWING THE USAGE AT TWIN OAKS; HOWEVER, SHE WAS TOLD IT WOULD ONLY SHOW 40 DAYS OF USAGE ON THIS REPORT.  SHE STATED SHE WOULD KEEP THE COUNCIL UP TO DATE ON HER FINDINGS. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING WITH NO PURCHASE ORDERS, NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS, AND NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR UPDATES. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE INSTALLATION OF LED LIGHTING AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM J.R. ERWIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,482.00 PENDING PROOF OF INSURANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO A NEW DISPATCH AGREEMENT WITH WEST CENTRAL FRANKLIN COUNTY DISPATCH AT A RATE OF $11,500.00 PER MONTH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ADDITION AND REMOVAL OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM THE PAID ON-CALL LIST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 12/22/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,365.63.02 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,397.09, AND PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,796.97 FOR A TOTAL OF $111,559.69.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00672 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR A 3-FOOT-WIDE FILING CABINET FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $391.43.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00498 TO BENTON SAVE A LOT FOR END OF YEAR GIFT CARDS FOR ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $75.00 PER PERSON FOR A TOTAL PURCHASE ORDER AMOUNT OF $3,225.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THESE GIFT CARDS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BOUGHT AND PASSED OUT BEFORE THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD DROPPED THE BALL AND HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES RECEIVED THIS BEFORE THE HOLIDAY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WANTED THE EMPLOYEES TO GET IT, BUT THAT HE FEELS COMMISSIONER KAYS DID THIS IN A DIRTY WAY AND HE WAS SICK OF THE DOG AND PONY SHOW, AS HE SAID COMMISSIONER KAYS HAD STATED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY THEN STATED THAT HE NEVER WANTED TO HEAR COMMISSIONER KAYS CALL THIS COUNCIL A DOG AND PONY SHOW EVER AGAIN.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IF THE MOTION DID NOT PASS, HE WOULD REIMBURSE THE CITY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.   

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A GROUP RATE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BENTON TO JOIN AIR EVAC.  AIR EVAC HAS OFFERED THE CITY A RATE OF $75.00 PER YEAR PER FAMILY AS LONG AS 3 EMPLOYEES SIGN UP.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 3 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE CONVEYED INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BANK REGARDING A LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE ACEI BORE FUNDING.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN COLLECTED AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE READY TO GO AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT BOTH THE ELKS AND THE LEGION WILL BE HAVING A FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER ON CHRISTMAS DAY FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN GOING.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE LOCAL AREA CHURCHES WILL BE HOLDING A CANDLE LIGHT CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE BENTON RANGER’S BASKETBALL TEAM IS CURRENTLY 10-0 AND A VERY FUN TEAM TO WATCH PLAY.  HE SAID THAT THERE WILL BE GAMES THIS EVENING AT THE RICH HERRIN GYM AT 4:00 P.M. FOR FRESHMEN, 5:15 P.M. FOR JUNIOR VARSITY, AND 6:30 P.M. FOR VARSITY.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEMS (C), (D), (E), (F), AND (G).

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY BEEN APPROACHED BY SOMEONE INTERESTED IN BRINGING A SHIPPING CONTAINER TO TOWN FOR STORAGE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE TOLD THE PERSON THAT CURRENTLY THERE IS NOT AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE THAT WOULD STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING, BUT THAT HE PLANS ON CREATING ONE.  MR. CALCATERRA ASKED THE COUNCIL FOR A MOTION TO CREATE A ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATING SHIPPING CONTAINER USE WITHIN THE ZONING JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE CITY’S PREVIOUS FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO RENEW THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-26 AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ARTICLE 1, 40-1-2 DEFINITIONS TO DEFINE OFF-SITE SIGNS.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-27 AMENDING CHAPTER 40 APPENDIX E – SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT SIGN REGULATIONS RELATING TO FLUSH WALL SIGNS IN THE B-1 ZONING DISTRICT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-28 AMENDING CHAPTER 40 APPENDIX 3 – SCHEDULE OF DISTRICT SIGN REGULATIONS RELATING TO FLUSH WALL SIGNS IN THE B-6 ZONING DISTRICT.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ACCEPTING BIDS FOR RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC AGGREGATION.  HE STATED THAT THE MARKET IS DOWN AT THIS TIME AND WE ARE HOPING TO LOCK IN A RATE THAT WILL BE LOWER THAN THE RATES WILL BE WHEN OUR CONTRACT IS UP AT THE END OF JUNE OF 2024.  CURRENTLY THE MARKET PRICE AVAILABLE TO OUR CITIZENS FOR THE NEXT CONTRACT IS $0.08100 PER KILOWATT HOUR.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS FOR COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC AGGREGATION AT A RATE OF $0.065070 FOR A DURATION OF 39 MONTHS.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

THERE WAS NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

IN OLD BUSINESS, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD SCHEDULED 6 INTERVIEWS FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT UNFORTUNATELY, 2 OF THE INTERVIEWEES WERE NO CALL, NO SHOW. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF THE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS WERE NOT GETTING A GIFT CERTIFICATE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE PURCHASED GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES ONLY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM HAD PURCHASED HATS FOR ALL OF THE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS.  ALSO UNDER NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF ACTIVITY IN THE CITY OF BENTON EVERY MONTH FOR THE NEXT YEAR.  HE MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AMATEUR BBQ COOKOFF WITH FUNDS BEING RAISED FOR THE COMMUNITY PARK.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD ATTENDED THE BENTON HIGH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING RECENTLY AND A QUESTION WAS ASKED ABOUT PLACING A CROSSWALK ON COLLEGE STREET.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID THIS WAS SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK INTO.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT A NEW TEMPORARY SIGN HAS BEEN PLACED NEXT TO THE STATUE OF MR. A TO HELP IDENTIFY HIM TO VISITS AND THAT A PERMANENT SIGN WILL BE PLACED ONCE THE RENOVATIONS AT MALKOVICH PARK ARE COMPLETED. 

 

NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

10:50 A.M.

 

 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — DECEMBER 11, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS¸ COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2023, HELD AT 5 P.M.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00237 COLEMAN LAWN EQUIPMENT FOR A 12-VOLT HIGH OUTPUT ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR A SNOW EX 8500 SALT SPREADER IN THE AMOUNT OF $567.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000994 TO IPEG FOR A MECHANICAL SEAL, ROTOR, STARTER, AND JOINT KIT FOR THE SLUDGE PRESS IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,745.42.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE ARE NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #`117 FROM JOHN MCCREERY TO J. WILLIAM MCCREERY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ABOUT NAMING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AFTER PREVIOUS PUBLIC PROPERTIES COMMISSIONER RONNIE BAUMGARTE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT MR. BAUMGARTE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THIS PLANT BUILT AND HE FELT LIKE THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA TO HONOR HIM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO NAME THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THE BAUMGARTE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AS AN UPDATE, HE WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS KNOW THAT WASTENA STREET HAS BEEN OPENED BACK UP TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT HE WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE SEWER VACUUM TRUCK IS SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED DECEMBER 12, 2023.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ADDED THAT THE TRUCK HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR OVER A YEAR AND THE COMPANY HONORED OUR ORIGINAL BID AMOUNT AND ALSO AGREED TO STILL GIVE US THE SAME AMOUNT FOR TRADE IN AS INITIALLY QUOTED.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CITY DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE A LOAN TO PAY FOR THIS TRUCK AND HE CREDITED THAT TO THE SEWER SURCHARGE. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR UPDATES.  COMMISSIONER STOREY DID DISBURSE A DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE COUNCIL.  THE REPORT SHOWED THAT FROM 11/01/2023 TO 11/30/2023 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 13 FIRES, 21 RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE CALLS, 4 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WITH NO FIRE, 3 SERVICE CALLS, 4 GOOD INTENT CALLS, 5 FALSE ALARM CALLS, AND 1 SPECIAL INCIDENT TYPE.  THIS TOTAL FOR 51 CALLS IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MERIT BOARD DOING TESTING FOR THE POLICE OFFICER LIST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO WORK 10-HOUR DAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 12/08/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,043.02 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,048.52 FOR A TOTAL OF $110,091.54.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO PAY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $295,386.02.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE BREAKDOWN OF THESE BILLS IS $13,398.59 FROM THE TIF FUND, $27,101.65 FROM THE MFT FUND, AND $254,885.78 FROM THE AP FUND.  SECONDING OF THIS MOTION WAS DONE BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 TAX LEVY, ORDINANCE #2023-20.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE LEVY AMOUNT WAS RAISED THE 5% ALLOWED WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING OR REFERENDUM.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. STREAM ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEGINNING AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY 2024.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVAL FOR HIM TO ACQUIRE FUNDING FOR THE ACEI BORING PROJECT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS SPOKEN WITH PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BANK IN THE PAST WITH ABOUT THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THE FUNDING THROUGH THEM AS THE WATER AND SEWER FUNDS ARE KEPT IN THIS BANK AND IT WOULD MAKE TRANSFERS LESS COMPLICATED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THE MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER KAYS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING FUNDING FOR THE ACEI BORING PROJECT THROUGH PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BANK.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT A DRAFT VERSION OF THE CITY’S AUDIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED OTHER THAN THE AUDITORS STATING OUR WORKFORCE IS TOO SMALL IN THE OFFICE AND WE NEED MORE SEGREGATION OF DUTIES, THE CITY RECEIVED A GLOWING REVIEW. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT AS AN UPDATE, CENTRAL DISPATCH HAS SENT A PROPOSED AMOUNT FOR DISPATCH SERVICES CONTRACT WITH AN INCREASE OF 15%.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT IF THE CITY CHOOSES TO STAY WITH CENTRAL DISPATCH THE PAYMENT WILL GO FROM $120,000.00 PER YEAR ($10,000.00 PER MONTH), TO $138,000.00 PER YEAR ($11,500.00 PER MONTH.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH WEST CITY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO OFFER US A BID FOR DISPATCH AS WELL.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE STATE HOW PLEASED HE IS TO SEE THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS BEING HELD AROUND TOWN.  HE STATED THAT HE HOPES TO SEE MORE OF THIS IN THE FUTURE AS WELL. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00488 TO H&R AGRI-POWER FOR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM REPAIR ON THE TRACTOR AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $968.75.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00489 TO FW ELECTRIC FOR REPAIR OF BROKEN HANGAR/PARKING LOT LIGHTS BY CONVERTING TO LED FIXTURES AND ADDING A LIGHT OVER THE FUEL STATION AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,075.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00490 TO WWW.WESTTECHEQUIPMENT.COM FOR ONE (1) AVIATION FUEL NOZZLE REPLACEMENT AND ONE (1) SEALANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $389.01.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDS A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #2023-21 REGARDING THE ILLINOIS PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEMS (D), (E), (F), (G), AND (H). 

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE PROPERTY FORMERLY HOUSING BEN’S LAWN SERVICE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PURCHASED.  THE BUSINESS THAT IS BEING LOCATED TO THIS PROPERTY WILL BE OPERATING A BUSINESS THAT WILL BE DOING BODY AND FENDER WORK.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION AMENDING DIVISION XX-SCHEDULES OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES ALLOWING BODY AND FENDER WORK BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN THE B3- AND B-6 ZONING DISTRICTS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-22 AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE DIVISION XX- SCHEDULES, SECTION 40-3-95.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE PROPERTY HE JUST DESCRIBED ALSO MAY BE SELLING VEHICLES.  THIS WOULD ALSO NEED AN ORDINANCE AMENDED IN ORDER TO ALLOW THIS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION AMENDING DIVISION XX-SCHEDULES OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES ALLOWING AUTOMOBILE, NEW AND USED SALES, BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN THE B3- AND B-6 ZONING DISTRICTS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-23 AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE DIVISION XX- SCHEDULES, SECTION 40-3-95.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAS A SIMILAR SITUATION TO THE SITUATION ABOVE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT 618FIXMYRV WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN SELLING NEW CAMPERS AT HIS BUSINESS IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IN ORDER TO DO THIS AN AMENDMENT NEEDED TO BE MADE TO CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 40-3-117, BUSINESS ACTIVITY/USE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, CAMPERS, ATVS, MOTORCYCLES, BOATS, AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #2023-24 AMENDING SECTION 40-3-117 BUSINESS ACTIVITY/USE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, CAMPERS, ATVS, MOTORCYCLES, BOATS, AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A PETITION TO VACATE A 20-FOOT-WIDE ALLEY RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH A DISTANCE OF 280 FEET THAT IS SITUATED WEST OF LOTS 1, 2, 3, & 4 AND EAST OF LOTS 5, 6, 7, & 8, ALL IN BLOCK 6 IN LAYMAN’S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BENTON, SITUATED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID AND IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-5 VACATING THIS ALLEY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE OPEN THE DISCUSSION REGARDING ADULT USE CANNABIS.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO BECOME LEGAL FEDERALLY AND IF WE DO NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE, IT WILL BE DICTATED TO US ON HOW TO HANDLE THE SITUATION.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE AGREED WITH MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND WOULD LIKE TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING, PERTAINING TO ADULT-USE CANNABIS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO ADULT-USE CANNABIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED INVOICE #2 FROM BROWN AND ROBERTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,301.46 REGARDING THE APRON PROJECT AT THE AIRPORT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS INVOICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,301.46.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT RECENTLY THE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED A FORM FOR CAPITAL PARK USE.  ON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THIS FORM, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FORM WAS MADE FOR BUSINESS AND NOT FOR NONPROFIT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS FORM MAKING IT WORK FOR USE BY NONPROFITS AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON YEAREND UPDATES FOR THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.   MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE APRON PROJECT WOULD BE COVERED PARTIALLY WITH A GRANT AND THAT USUALLY THE GRANTS ARE 100% FULLY REIMBURSED TO THE AIRPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE RECENTLY PURCHASED $33,000.00 WORTH OF FUEL FOR THE AIRPORT AND THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A GRANT FOR $26,000.00 REIMBURSING FUEL COSTS FOR THE AIRPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE RUNWAY RODEO WAS A SUCCESS AND HE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR HAVING MORE EVENTS SUCH AS THIS ON AIRPORT PROPERTY.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND DRIVE EXPANSION AT THE AIRPORT AT THIS POINT.  HE STATED THAT HE IS INTERESTED IN BUILDING A CORPORATE SIZED HANGAR AT THE AIRPORT AND THIS PROJECT WOULD RUN BETWEEN $1.2 AND $1.3 MILLION.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE DOES HAVE AT LEAST ONE BUSINESS INTERESTED IN COMING TO THE AIRPORT PROPERTY AT THIS TIME AND THAT IF THIS BUSINESS WERE TO LOCATE HERE, PEOPLE COULD TAKE FLYING LESSONS AT OUR AIRPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO HAVE AN AIRLINE THROUGH THE BENTON AIRPORT, BUT HE DID BELIEVE THAT WITH THE CORPORATE HANGAR, CHARTER FLIGHTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED WHERE WE WERE WITH REGARDS TO RUNWAY EXPANSION.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO TALK TO THE FAA REGARDING THIS SUBJECT UNTIL THE NEED FOR RUNWAY EXTENSION HAS BEEN SHOWN. 

 

THERE WAS NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL IN NEED OF SWITCHING THEIR LIGHTING TO LED AS THEY ARE HAVING TO REPLACE LOTS OF BALLAST OF LATE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD ADDRESS THIS AS AN AGENDA ITEM AT THE NEXT MEETING. 

 

THERE WAS NO NEW BUSINESS.

 

NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

6:30 P.M.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — NOVEMBER 27, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS¸ COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED PAUL TART, WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY, TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. TART STATED THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY IS OPENING A WARMING AND RESOURCE CENTER IN WHAT USED TO BE THE EDISON ROOM.  THE CENTER WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AS A RESOURCE CENTER AND WARMING CENTER.  THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FROM 5 P.M. TO 7 P.M. AND THEN REOPEN AT 7 P.M. UNTIL 7 A.M.  PEOPLE WILL BE SCREENED AND A BACKGROUND CHECK WILL BE DONE BEFORE ENTRY IS ALLOWED.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE IS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA REGARDING A POSSIBLE DONATION TO THIS PROGRAM.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2023, HELD AT 5 P.M.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.    

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS ORDERED SOME CHEMICALS TO SPRAY AROUND THE CITY OWNED BUILDINGS TO HELP WITH BUGS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO PUT TOGETHER A QUESTIONNAIRE AND PORTFOLIO FOR EACH CITY OWNED BUILDING TO HELP KEEP UP MAINTENANCE AND SUCH. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000996 TO RESSLER ASSOCIATES FOR A CLARIFIER GEAR BOX AND MOTOR FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,187.26.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE ARE NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS TO APPROVE AT THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT BACKFILLING AND DIRT WORK IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE ON WASTENA STREET.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID THE ROAD IS ANTICIPATED TO BE OPENING BACK UP SOON. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, UPDATES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 11/22/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,827.56 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,762.50 FOR A TOTAL OF $105,554.06.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO STREAM ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEGINNING AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY 2024.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE ACTUARIAL FOR POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO THE CITY.  HE STATED THAT THE FUNDS ARE FUNDED APPROPRIATELY.  THE ACTUARIAL WERE DONE BY THE STATE THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO LAUTERBACH AND AMEN AS IN THE PAST.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO NOTED THAT THE CITY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND HAS INCREASED FROM 7.84% TO 8.70%. 

 

NO UPDATES FROM ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE VOLUNTEER GROUPS FOR ALL THE HELP THEY PROVIDED WITH PUTTING ON THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT ON THE SQUARE.  THIS SENTIMENT WAS ECHOED BY THE COUNCIL. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00496 TO THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE FOR 25 ROLLS OF FOREVER STAMPS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,650.00.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT THIS PURCHASE WAS DUE TO POSTAGE INCREASING IN 2024.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE IDENTIFYING HOME RULE CONFLICTS WITH CERTAIN STATE LAW REGARDING PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF THIS ORDINANCE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THE MOTION TO HAVE ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PREPARE AN ORDINANCE IDENTIFYING HOME RULE CONFLICTS WITH CERTAIN STATE LAWS REGARDING PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION XI – ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY AMENDMENT TO THIS ORDINANCE IS MAKING BOTH POSITIONS FULLTIME POSITIONS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE ##2023-19 AMENDING DIVISION XI-ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 2.  COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.   

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY CURRENTLY DONATES $2,400.00 A YEAR TO RECYCLING AND HE BELIEVES THAT IS A GREAT THING.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO DONATE $2,400.00 TO THE WARMING CENTER TAKE ACTION TODAY IS OPENING AND OPERATING.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THEY WILL BE SOLVING A PROBLEM THAT WE, AS A CITY, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ABOUT USING FUNDS FROM THE OPIOID ACCOUNT TO PAY FOR THIS INITIAL $2,400.00 DONATION.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER WAS IN ATTENDANCE AND SAID THERE ARE CERTAIN RULES AS TO WHAT THE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR AND HE WILL LOOK INTO IT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DONATION OF $2,400.00 TO THE TAKE ACTION TODAY WARMING CENTER FROM THE OPIOID ACCOUNT PENDING ANY RESTRICTIONS PREVENTING THIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING 29-1-20 OF THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WILL BE AMENDING THE PRICING OF INSPECTIONS DONE BY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION DIRECTION ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING 29-1-20 OF THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

THERE WAS NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

THERE WAS NO OLD BUSINESS.

 

THERE WAS NO NEW BUSINESS.

 

NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

5:38 P.M.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — NOVEMBER 13, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS¸ COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS ABSENT. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY OCTOBER 23, 2023, HELD AT 5 P.M.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

THERE WAS NO BUSINESS FOR PUBLIC PROPERTIES THIS EVENING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 23-19 FOR STREET CLOSURE FOR THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION ON 11/25/2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT HAS MADE GOOD STRIDES DUE TO THE NICE WEATHER WE HAVE HAD AND HE EXPECTS THE ROAD TO BE REOPENED SOON.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT ON WHISPER WAY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THAT CONCRETE HAS BEEN POURED AT THE SPILLWAY ON BENTON LAKE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE PATCHING ON EAST MAIN STREET HAS BEEN DONE. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00397 TO MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR 6 FIRE HELMETS IN THE AMOUNT OF $368.00 A PIECE FOR A TOTAL OF $2,208.00.  THIS REPLACES 6 OUT OF DATE HELMETS AND IS ORDER 2 OF 3.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00119 TO CELLEBRITE INC. FOR CELL PHONE FORENSICS TRAINING IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,915.00.  THIS IS TO BE PAID FROM THE IMPOUND FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF SHANE COCKRUM FROM THE WEST FRANKLIN COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH BOARD BECAUSE CHIEF COCKRUM CANNOT ATTEND THE MEETINGS ON THE DAYS THEY ARE SCHEDULED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT CHRIS FUNKHOUSER TO THE WEST FRANKLIN COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH BOARD AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO SUPPLY A CELL PHONE TO THE OFFICER THE CITY OF BENTON HAS ON THE DRUG TASK FORCE FOR WORK USE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW DISPATCH SERVICE AGREEMENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WEST FRANKLIN COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH AND THE CITY OF BENTON IS SET TO EXPIRE THIS MONTH.  HE ASKED FOR A MOTION ALLOWING CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER AND COMMISSIONER DON STOREY TO NEGOTIATE A NEW SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR 2 YEARS WITH A LOCKED IN PRICE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THAT MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 10/27/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,047.18 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,179.71 FOR A TOTAL OF $100,226.89.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 11/09/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,028.32 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,637.20 FOR A TOTAL OF $97,665.52.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT ON 11/13/2023 IN THE AMOUNT OF $952,902.62.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE BILLS BROKE DOWN AS SUCH: I-57 INTERCHANGE $32,436.01, TIF $160,907.82, MFT $67,367.46, AND AP FUND $691,891.33.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRST FINANCIAL POSITIVE PAY SYSTEM TO FIGHT CHECK FRAUD ON OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $40.00 PER MONTH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED TO LOOK INTO ESTABLISHING A TOBACCO TAX ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT DURING RESEARCH IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CITY OF BENTON IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS UNDER HOME RULE. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR EMPLOYEES FOR 2024.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 10.54% IN OUR RATE, BUT THAT THIS WAS NOT A BAD INCREASE COMPARED TO WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE AND TREASURER LISA MENO ARE WORKING ON A PURCHASE ORDER POLICY AS WHAT THE CITY CURRENTLY FOLLOWS IS NOT IN WRITING.  COMMISSIONER KAYS URGED COMMISSIONERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS TO MAKE SURE PURCHASE ORDERS ARE BEING FILLED OUT AS HE IS SEEING MORE AND MORE BILLS WITHOUT PURCHASE ORDERS THAT ARE OVER THE CURRENT $500.00 THRESHOLD REQUIRED FOR A PURCHASE ORDER. 

 

NO UPDATES FROM ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00493 TO ALVERSON SOUND INC FOR A 32 FOOT BY 24-FOOT MOBILE STAGE WITH LIGHTS AND SOUND FOR THE 2024 ECLIPSE CONCERT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5495.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00492 TO ACTION ENTERTAINMENT AS A DEPOSIT FOR CONFEDERATE RAILROAD TO PLAY A CONCERT FOR THE 2024 ECLIPSE WEEKEND.  THIS DEPOSIT WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500.00.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL BE HOSTING A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS ON NOVEMBER 25, 2023 AND HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00495 TO KENNETH AND RUTH MATEYCAK FOR A SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS APPEARANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $125.00.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00494 TO ASCENT AVIATION FOR 7,937 GALLONS OF AVIATION GASOLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,936.73 FOR RESALE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO AMEND 12-1-5 (A) OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES, DEFINITION OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WOULD CLEAN UP THIS SECTION OF ORDINANCES BY DEFINING EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-17 AMENDING 12-1-5 (A) OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES, DEFINITION OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE THE LIST OF 2024 MEETING TIMES AS PRESENTED IN THE COMMISSIONER’S PACKETS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SOME OF THE DATE CHANGES.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE SAW NO REASON TO CHANGE THE MEETING DATES OF JANUARY 22, 2024 AND OCTOBER 14, 2024 AND THAT HE HOPED THEY WERE NOT BEING DONE DUE TO ONE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FELT MOVING THESE MEETINGS WOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER CHANCE TO ATTEND.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT INSTEAD OF MOVING THE MEETINGS HE WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN STREAMING THE MEETINGS ON FACEBOOK LIVE SO PEOPLE THAT GET OFF WORK AT 4:30 P.M. OR 5 P.M. COULD ATTEND VIRTUALLY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING TIMES AS INITIALLY PRESENTED.  NO SECOND WAS RECEIVED.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WAS FINE WITH NOT MOVING THE JANUARY AND OCTOBER MEETINGS IN QUESTION.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING TIMES WITH THE AMENDMENT OF JANUARY AND OCTOBER MEETINGS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH PRESENTED A LIST OF HOLIDAYS THAT CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED IN 2024.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 2024 HOLIDAYS FOR CITY HALL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (F).   ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CODY WILLIFORD HAS BEEN HIRED FULL TIME BY THE BENTON WATER DEPARTMENT AND THEREFORE LEAVING AN OPENING AS CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE FEELS THIS POSITION SHOULD BE MADE FULL TIME.  MR. CALCATERRA PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH FIGURES SHOWING HOW IF HOME INSPECTIONS WERE DONE ON EVERY NEW WATER HOOK UP, THE ADDITION OF A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE ALONG WITH WHAT WE WERE PAYING MR. WILLIFORD COULD BE A WASH.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF THE COUNCIL WAS AWARE THAT ADDING A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE NOT ONLY ADDED MORE SALARY, BUT A BENEFIT PACKAGE AS WELL INCLUDING HEALTH INSURANCE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

 

THERE WAS NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

 

THERE WAS NO OLD BUSINESS.

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLS FOR ILLEGAL BURNS THIS FALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT CURRENTLY THERE IS NO PENALTY TO THIS, BUT HE WOULD LIKE TO WORK TOWARDS POSSIBLY WRITING TICKETS AFTER BEING CALLED TO THE SAME RESIDENCE MORE THAN 2 TIMES.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE RECALLED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA DISCUSSING THIS A FEW MEETINGS BACK. 

 

NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

 

 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

 

6:00 P.M.