CITY OF BENTON
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Friday, February 27, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Kays called the special meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays
Absent: Mayor Messersmith
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Discussion and/or Approval — Carter Drive Sewer Project Bids
Commissioner Kays introduced the item and deferred to Commissioner Cockrum and City Engineer Rodney Potts.
Commissioner Cockrum presented two bids received for a sanitary sewer installation on Carter Lane:
- Jeff Wiggs Excavating: $100,800
- Scott Scuda Construction: $94,xxx (approximately $95,000)
Commissioner Cockrum indicated he would also seek a third quote from Steve Lampley. City Engineer Potts noted that due to the time-sensitive nature of the project, obtaining three quotes would allow the City to bypass the formal bidding process by treating the project as an emergency.
City Attorney Tom Malkovich advised that a motion could be made to accept the low bid from Jeff Wiggs Excavating, or Steve Lampley’s bid if it came in lower.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to accept the low bid from Jeff Wiggs Excavating, contingent upon the third bid from Steve Lampley not coming in lower. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
2. Discussion and/or Approval — Spani Street Water Main Project
City Engineer Potts presented an engineering estimate for the Spani Street water main project, estimated at approximately $2,000,000. The project involves installation of a 10-inch water main running from the ground storage tank down First Street, crossing the railroad tracks, down Spani Street, crossing Route 37 South, and continuing to connect with the new water line near the high school on College Street.
Mr. Potts noted the project includes approximately 2,000 feet of directional boring and 2,700 feet of open excavation, with crossings at three railroad tracks (including one double track) and two highway bores, all requiring 16-inch diameter casings for the 10-inch water main.
Design work has been previously authorized. This item was presented as informational, with a motion requested to proceed with permit applications.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to proceed with design plans and permit applications, including EPA permits, railroad permits, and highway permits, and to proceed to bid upon receipt of all required permits. Seconded by Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
3. Discussion and/or Approval — Route 37 Service Line Directional Bore
Interim Public Works Director Dailus Richardson explained that there is an ongoing service line leak located on Route 37, between the new coffee shop and the DNR Region Five office. The leak has been recurring and creates a safety hazard by icing the road surface during cold weather. The proposed solution is to directional bore a new service line and install a new tap.
Estimate received: $2,200
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to proceed with the directional bore of the new service line on Route 37. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
4. Discussion and/or Approval — Fire Hydrant Replacements, Bailey Lane
Commissioner Cockrum introduced estimates for fire hydrant work on Bailey Lane, from Dairy Queen to the railroad tracks near Dollar General. Mr. Richardson explained that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) culvert replacement project in that corridor required relocation or replacement of three City fire hydrants.
Estimates presented:
- Fire Hydrant #1 (remove and replace): approximately $5,000
- Fire Hydrant #2 (remove and replace): approximately $5,000
- Fire Hydrant #3 (full replacement — 1982 vintage): $9,000
Commissioner Cockrum noted that the two newer hydrants (installed 2008) can be relocated and reused; only Hydrant #3 requires full replacement due to its age. City Engineer Potts confirmed that $9,000 reflects the current market cost for a new fire hydrant.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the estimates for all three fire hydrant replacements on Bailey Lane. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
5. Discussion and/or Approval — One West Main Street Project Bids
Commissioner Cockrum reported that three bids were received for the One West Main Street project:
- Groundworks (Breese, IL): $1,740,000 — Low Bid
- Jeff Wiggs Excavating: $1,890,000
- Hair Plumbing: $2,400,000
City Engineer Potts presented a detailed review of the low bidder, Groundworks of Breese, Illinois. Mr. Potts reported the following concerns identified through reference checks:
- A prior OSHA violation (approximately four years ago) resulting in a $75,000 fine for failure to use trench boxes at required depths.
- Prior issues with late payments to laborers and subcontractors.
- Reference from Mount Vernon (900 LF shallow sewer project): acceptable quality, but prompt payment requests raised financial concerns; subcontractor payment inquiries noted.
- Reference from Effingham (0.6 miles, 24-inch storm sewer, shallow): required significant oversight; directional bore subcontracted.
- Reference from Granite City (recent project): safety violations involving trench boxes; reviewer stated he would not use Groundworks again if not required to.
Mr. Potts expressed concern that the One West Main Street project involves sanitary sewer installation at depths of 10–13 feet in a high-profile downtown corridor with active traffic, making OSHA compliance critical.
Mr. Potts recommended rejecting all bids and re-bidding the project with enhanced qualification requirements, including a provision that bidders must have successfully completed at least five similar water/sewer projects valued at $1.5 million or more. He noted that both submitted bids came in below the engineer’s estimate, which was favorable, and that re-bidding should not take significantly longer given that the project has already been publicly marketed.
Commissioner Storey expressed support for Jeff Wiggs Excavating based on their known performance record.
Mr. Potts also requested that an IDOT coordination meeting be scheduled to align project timelines, with Commissioner Kays (Case) invited to participate.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to reject all bids for the One West Main Street project and authorize re-bidding with enhanced contractor qualification specifications. Seconded by Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Yeas: 4 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays) | Nays: 0
MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
