Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 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 COCKRUM, 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 TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. 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 PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD COMPLETED SPRAYING FOR ANTS AT TWIN OAKS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD A DISCUSSION WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG REGARDING CAPITAL PARK RESTROOM RENOVATION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE RENOVATIONS CAN BE DONE FOR AROUND $2,000.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RENOVATIONS TO CAPITAL PARK FOR $2,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SWIMMING POOL SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR LACEY SMOTHERS OF 1103 SOUTH LICKLITER STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING. AS AN UPDATE, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT ENGINE 803 IS BEING TOWED TO BELLEVILLE. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT ZACKARY ANDREWS HAS PASSED ALL HIS TESTING AND WILL BE GOING TO THE POLICE TRAINING INSTITUTE ON MAY 5, 2024. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS 2 RETIRING IN THE NEXT MONTH, JEFF COLEMAN FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BRENT ERTHALL FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR APRIL 12, 2024 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $86,967.71 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,606.53 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $113,574.24. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION FROM ANYONE THIS EVENING REQUIRING ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE UPDATES FROM 2023.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT AS A NOTE, HE WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THE AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT THAT WAS WRITTEN OFF AFTER THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WAS $3,454.46.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 BUDGET WITH AN ORDINANCE NUMBER OF #24-06. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT AFTER THE HIRING COMMITTEE HAD MET, A CANDIDATE WAS CHOSEN FOR THE TREASURER’S POSITION. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT JOHN DAUGHERTY TO THE TREASURER’S POSITION. 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.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE ARE HAVING TO RAISE WATER RATES AT THIS TIME TO HELP KEEP THE FUND SOLVENT AFTER A RAISE FROM REND LAKE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS IS A 5% RAISE AND WILL MAKE THE MINIMUM BILL AN EVEN $59.00 INCLUDING WATER, SEWER, TRASH, AND SURCHARGE. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 24-07 RAISING WATER RATES 5%. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAD NO UPDATES. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY AND THE EMPLOYEES THAT PUT ON THE CITY EMPLOYEE PICNIC.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES OR PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR DEMOLITION OF MALKOVICH PARK. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ALLOW THE RESEARCHING OF WORKFLOW PLATFORMS TO STREAMLINE WORK WITHIN THE CITY. 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 ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE EDC PARTICIPATION AT THE $2,500.00 LEVEL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THIS IS THE SAME LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION THE CITY APPROVED IN 2019 AND HE STATED THAT THE AMOUNT IS CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET IN THE MUNICIPAL UTILITY TAX FUND. 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.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. NO OLD BUSINESS.

IN NEW BUSINESS, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS AND POLICE DEPARTMENT NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT THE PLANS FOR MALKOVICH PARK ARE. HE STATED THAT THERE WILL NEED TO BE UPDATES AND UPGRADES TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. MR. CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA IF SHE HAS INSPECTED ALL THE BUILDINGS AND HE SUGGESTED THAT SHE SHOULD MAYBE BE DOING THIS ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND BRING A REPORT TO THE COUNCIL ON THESE INSPECTIONS. MR. CARTER ALSO TOLD COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA THAT THE LAGOON NEEDS WEED EATED AND SPRAYED. MR. CARTER ASKED IF BIDS WERE TAKEN ON THE NEW BUILDING AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE STATED THAT NOT TAKING BIDS DOES NOT LOOK GOOD AND COMMISSIONER STOREY AGREED. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM GOT A GOOD DEAL ON THE BUILDING THOUGH. MR. CARTER STATED THAT THE COMPANY THEY USED DOES NOT PAY TAXES AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY WE DIDN’T USE A UNION COMPANY. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WAS VERY HAPPY THAT SEWER RATES WERE NOT RAISED. MR. CARTER ASKED THE MAYOR IF HIS HOME HAD BEEN ROBBED AND IF HE WAS HURT IN THE INCIDENT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT COUNCIL BUSINESS AND NOT APPROPRIATE.

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

5:36 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MARCH 25, 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 COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS ABSENT. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH AS LINDSEY MOORE AND LAUREN JOHNSON WITH THE BENTON RANGLER GIRLS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THEM WITH A PROCLAMATION FOR PLACING 2^ND IN THE IDTA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN AA HIP HOP AND 5^TH IN THE IDTA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN AA JAZZ.  AFTER THE PRESENTATION, THE MAYOR TOOK PICTURES WITH THE RANGLER GIRLS AND THEIR TROPHY. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 11, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 S MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT GIVEN. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED SAMRON WAS CURRENTLY DOING THE CLEAN UP ON WASTENA STREET.  HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD MET WITH IDOT RECENTLY AND THERE ARE 6 PROJECTS UPCOMING WITH MULTIPLE BIDS TO BE HAPPENING SOON. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00127 TO NEWMAN’S GUN CLUB FOR AMMO IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,300.00.  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 #00407 TO BRAD STACY FOR OIL IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $789.90.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER HAD PRESENTED EVIDENCE SCANNING SYSTEM AT THE RECENTLY HELD STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED WITH MOVING FORWARD ON THIS SYSTEM.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE THE EVIDENCE SCANNING SYSTEM WITH FUNDS FROM THE CITY AND FROM THE DUI FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE MERIT BOARD TO PROCEED WITH THE HIRING OF A POLICE OFFICER TO FILL THE VACANCY THAT WILL BE MADE BY ROGER BRENT ERTHALL’S RETIREMENT.  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 TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF REMOVAL OF POC FIREFIGHTER(S) AND (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ADDITION OF POC FIREFIGHTER(S).  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM (F) DISCUSSION OF REVAMPING MERIT BOARD. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED PAYROLL DATED 03/28/2024 TOTALING $98,264.61 WITH $72,219.22 BEING GENERAL FUND AND $26,045.39 BEING WATER AND SEWER. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PAYROLL AS PRESENTED.  THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED PAYROLL DATED 03/15/2024 TOTALLY $104,823.55 WITH $77,668.73 BEING GENERAL FUND AND $27,154.82 BEING WATER AND SEWER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PAYROLL AS PRESENTED.  THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED TWO ONLINE BILL OPTIONS FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT DAMIEN WILBURN DID THE LEG WORK ON THESE OPTIONS.  HE STATED THAT ANY FEES THAT WOULD BE INCURRED WITH THESE OPTIONS WOULD BE PASSED ALONG TO THE CUSTOMER AND THAT THIS WILL ELIMINATE A LOT OF PAPER FOR THE CITY.  ONE OF THE OPTIONS WAS PSN AND IT WOULD COST THE CITY $0.40 PER TRANSACTION AND THE OTHER OPTION IS PAYSTAR AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT CUSTOMERS WILL BE ABLE TO LOG IN TO A WEBSITE AND VIEW THEIR BILL AND PAY IT THERE AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO SIGN A 1 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH PAYSTAR.  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 ASKED FOR 2023 ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE UPDATES BY THOSE WHO ATTENDED.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE KNOWLEDGE WE ARE GIVEN WHILE ATTENDING THE SEMINARS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED UPDATES FROM CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WITH LOTS OF REGRET HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT TREASURER LISA MENO’S RESIGNATION.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT LISA’S LAST DAY WILL BE AUGUST 30, 2024.  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 BEGIN ADVERTISING FOR THE POSITION OF FULL-TIME TREASURER WITH A SALARY OF $47,500.00.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE TWO ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS.  THE FIRST ROUND OF INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS, LISA MENO, AND BROOK CRAIG.  THE SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS, BROOK CRAIG, MAYOR MESSERSMITH, AND TOM MALKOVICH.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  

CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAD NO UPDATES.

IN UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE BENTON HIGH SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY “KILLING IT”
BETWEEN THEIR ATHLETES, THESPIANS, ETC.  HE STATED THAT HE WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THESE STUDENTS.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE ECLIPSE EVENT SLATED FOR APRIL 6, 2024 HAS BEEN SHIFTED FROM THE PUBLIC SQUARE TO THE NORTHEAST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT HE WANTED TO REPORT WHAT AN AMAZING TURNOUT THERE WAS FOR THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS EASTER EGG HUNT THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.  HE STATED THAT THERE WERE 5,000 EGGS AND 500 CHILDREN. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, ANDY LAMONT FROM DO YOUR PARK RECYCLING THANKED THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONTINUED MONETARY SUPPORT OF HIS BUSINESS.  HE STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT HE DOES WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE DONATIONS HE RECEIVES.  MR. LAMONT ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY WOULD ASK OTHER COMMUNITIES AND THE COUNTY BOARD TO ALSO GET INVOLVED. 

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

5:40 P.M.