Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 28, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM APRIL 14, 2025 AS PRESENTED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE IS A LEAK AT TWIN OAKS THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.  SHE STATED SHE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A FEW DIFFERENT PLACES AND THE ONLY QUOTE SHE RECEIVED WAS FROM ANDREW’S ROOFING IN THE AMOUNT OF $480.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING ANDREW’S ROOFING TO FIX THE LEAKS IN THE ROOF AT TWIN OAKS FOR $480.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER KAYS. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POOL ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION FOR JASON LEE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOT #30 TO VERNON AND LEANN ROBERTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOTS #60 AND #61 TO JEREMY AND VICTORIA JACKSON AND TERRI JACKSON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00140 TO ZIMMERMAN’S GARAGE FOR A NEW AC COMPRESSOR, AC KIT, REFRIGERANT, AC FLUSH, AND LABOR FOR SQUAD CAR UNIT 13 IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $987.03.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES IN ORDER TO GET THE HYDRANT TESTING DONE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON, SUMMER HELP WILL NEED TO BE HIRED IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE ARE 639 HYDRANTS IN THE CITY OF BENTON THAT NEED TO BE TESTED.  HE STATED THAT 2 HYDRANTS WILL BE TESTED AT A TIME.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT WITH ONLY HAVE 2 GUYS ON SHIFT, IT MAKES TESTING THESE HYDRANTS NOT ONLY A VERY LONG PROCESS, BUT ALSO AN UNSAFE SITUATION FOR OUR CITIZENS.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED AT THIS TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS BUSIER THAN EVER.  CHIEF COCKRUM PROPOSED THAT THE COUNCIL HIRE 1 PERSON AT $15.00/HOUR AND THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE PERSON HIRED TO BE A PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER.  HE STATED HE COULD HAVE 1 PAID ON CALL AND 1 CAREER FIREFIGHTER DOING TESTING, LEAVING 1 CAREER FIREFIGHTER TO RESPOND TO CALLS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED CHIEF COCKRUM IF HE BELIEVED A BLOCK OF 300 HOURS (PAYING $15.00/HOUR FOR A TOTAL OF $6,000.00) WOULD BE ENOUGH TO GET THE TESTING DONE.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE THOUGHT IF THEY COULDN’T GET THEM FINISHED, HE WOULD BE CLOSE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO HIRE A PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER AT $15.00/HOUR FOR A BLOCK OF 300 HOURS TO TEST FIRE HYDRANTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE CITY NEEDS TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A 20-MILE RADIUS AND A 25-MILE RADIUS FOR CONSIDERATION.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED THE COUNCIL TO THINK THIS OVER AND IT COULD BE DECIDED AT A FUTURE MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF EXTENDING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICERS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED APRIL 25, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,501.75, FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,536.07, AND PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,407.31 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $137,445.13.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE NO BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED ORDINANCE #25-01 CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR MEMBERS OF ALL ADVISORY BOARDS AND ELECTED POSITIONS OF THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED IF EVERYONE HAD HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THROUGH THIS AND HAD NO QUESTIONS OF COMMENTS, HE WAS MAKING A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE AND MAKING IT EFFECTIVE ON MAY 1, 2025.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-02, FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #25-07, PAY RESOLUTION FOR NONUNION, NONCONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES GIVING THESE EMPLOYEES A 3% PAY RAISE ON MAY 1, 2025.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED A SAFETY STIPEND POLICY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES TO THE COUNCIL.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE POLICY STATES THAT IF 1½ WORKER’S COMPENSATION CLAIMS OR LESS ARE REPORTED IN A QUARTER, THE EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE A $50.00 GIFT CARD TO A LOCAL BUSINESS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SAFETY STIPEND POLICY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY HAVE HAD ADEQUATE TIME TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED WATER RATE INCREASE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED IF THE COUNCIL IS IN FAVOR OF THE RATE INCREASE, HE WOULD RECOMMEND 2%.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A 2% INCREASE IN WATER RATES FOR 2025-2026.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WAS A TYPO IN THE CONTRACT.  THE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED A 3% RAISE ON YEAR 2 AND A 2.5% RAISE ON YEAR 3, BUT THE CONTRACT READ A 3.5% RAISE ON YEAR 2 AND A 2.5% RAISE ON YEAR 3.  THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING STATED THAT THE UNION WOULD RECEIVE A 3.5% RAISE ON YEAR 2 AND A 2% RAISE ON YEAR 3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SIGNING THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES OR ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR MESSERSMITH, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD HANDLE THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT JOHN DAUGHERTY TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD FOR A 2-YEAR TERM. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT BROOK CRAIG TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD FOR A 3-YEAR TERM.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAD A HALL OF FAME BANQUET THIS PAST SATURDAY.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS COMING WEEK WILL BE THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL, THE CARNIVAL, THE PARADE, AND THE RODEO.  HE URGED CITIZENS TO ATTEND WHAT THEY CAN. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, BRANDON OVERTON ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.  MR. OVERTON STATED THAT HE HAS RECENTLY TAKEN POSSESSION OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS NEED OF CLEAN UP.  MR. OVERTON STATED THAT HE HAS HAD A DUMPSTER, BUT AT THIS POINT IS INTERESTED IN GETTING RESIDENTIAL TRASH THROUGH THE CITY.  FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM ALSO SPOKE UP AND SAID HE IS INTERESTED IN THIS AS WELL FOR PROPERTIES HE IS CLEANING UP.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE IS NO POLICY IN PLACE FOR THIS AT THIS TIME AND THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS FURTHER. 

THERE WAS A GROUP OF 9 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING WHO WISHED TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS FOR THE RESIDENCE OF 1107 HIGHLAND STREET.  THEY STATED THE PROPERTY IS IN DISARRAY AND EVEN THOUGH THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN CLEANED UP IN THE PAST, IT IS WORSE NOW.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT TICKETS FOR ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS HOMEOWNER AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR A FIRST APPEARANCE ON MAY 13, 2025. 

DENNIS LAMPLEY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT HE HAS BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH CALEB CAVINS, CODE ENFORCER, DURING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS. 

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

5:57 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND DIRECTED ROLL TO BE CALLED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, 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 MARCH 24, 2025 AT 5 P.M. IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE IN BENTON, ILLINOIS WITH THE CORRECTION OF BAD DEBT TO $5,091.81. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE BENTON RANGLER GIRLS. 

LAST YEAR THE PLACED 2^ND AT STATE AND THIS YEAR THE WON THE 2025 AA HIP HOP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH PROVIDED THE BENTON RANGLER GIRLS WITH A PROCLAMATION FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH RECOGNIZED COLE BUCHANAN BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MR. BUCHANAN MADE THE IHSA ALL STATE ACADEMIC ATHLETIC TEAM.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH PRESENTED MR. BUCHANAN WITH A PROCLAMATION FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE BENTON ELKS WILL BE GIVING 13 SCHOLARSHIPS OUT THIS YEAR TO GRADUATES. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A PROPOSAL FROM ANDREWS ROOFING FOR THE ROOF AT TWIN OAKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $480.00.  SHE STATED THAT INSPECTION SHOWS A LEAK AROUND THE FLASHING.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED IF THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE AT TWIN OAKS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT ANDREWS ROOFING THINKS THIS WILL FIX THE LEAK.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE THINKS THE ROOF NEEDS REPLACED AND WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS ITEM AT THIS POINT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE A ROTTING ISSUE AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AWARDING 2025 MOWING BID, UNTIL AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR USE OF CITY STREETS, PARKS, OR PUBLIC PLACES FOR THE BENTON /WEST CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO USE CAPITAL PARK ON APRIL 30^TH THROUGH MAY 3^RD, 2025 DURING THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR USE OF CITY STREETS, PARKS, OR PUBLIC PLACES FOR THE VETERAN’S FAIR TO USE CAPITAL PARK ON MAY 3^RD, 2025 DURING THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.   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 PURCHASE ORDER #00715 TO UTILITY PIPE SALES FOR METERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,321.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #25-04 CLOSING VARIOUS ROADS FOR THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL PARADE.  SECOND BY COMMISSION STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00139 TO THE HILTON HAMPTON INN AND SUITES FOR TWO (2) HOTEL ROOMS FOR TWO OFFICERS FOR SRO TRAINING WITH A TOTAL COST OF $866.88.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD A COPY OF THIS MOU IN THEIR PACKETS.  THE MOU STATES THAT IF THE CITY FAILS TO PAY FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ON TIME, THE EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE 1.1 TIMES THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OWED AND THAT THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT MUST BE PAID NO LATER THAN THE NEXT PAYROLL DATE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF HIRING TWO (2) FULL-TIME PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT TESTING WILL BE DONE ON MARY 17, 2025 TO FORM A NEW LIST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH TWO DIFFERENT FORMS OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ORDINANCE.  AFTER DISCUSSION, THE COUNCIL AGREED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS ITEM FOR ANOTHER TIME.  MOTION TO TABLE WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  SECOND 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 CHARGE OFF BAD DEBT IN THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,465.17.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH CHANGES TO THE BENTON PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT FOR MAY 1, 2024 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2027.  THESE CHANGES INCLUDED A RETROACTIVE PAY RAISE OF 4% FROM MAY 1, 2024 TO PRESENT, A 3% PAY RAISE EFFECTIVE ON MAY 1, 2025, A 2.5% PAY RAISE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2026, AND EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2027 AN INCREASE OF BASE HOURLY WAGE RATES FOR EMPLOYEES OF THIS BARGAINING UNIT BASED ON CPI FOR THAT YEAR.  THERE WAS ALSO A CHANGE IN LONGEVITY WHERE THE FIRST STEP WILL BE TAKEN AT THE START OF YEAR 3 INSTEAD OF THE START OF YEAR 4.  EXTRA COMPENSATION AND TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES WERE ALSO ADDRESSED.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT, LOCAL #318, FOR MAY 1, 2024 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2027.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

NO UPDATES FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.

UNDER UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE 2025 ROAD PROGRAM WILL BE STARTING SOON.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF EVENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY COMING UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE APPOINTING DAVID MITCHELL TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD.  HE STATED THAT MR. MITCHELL PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THIS BOARD AND SINCE RETIRING FROM DELTA AIRLINES, HE IS WILLING TO SERVE AGAIN.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT DAVID MITCHELL TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD REPLACING REECE RUTLAND, WHO HAS RESIGNED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA WOULD LIKE TO GO TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS AMENDING ZONING CODE 40-3-95 AND APPENDIX “C” AS IT RELATES TO REBUILDING DWELLINGS IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER OR FIRE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER TO LOOK INTO THIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THE RESIDENCY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  HE STATED THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF INCENTIVE TO KEEP POLICE OFFICERS HERE.

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS TICKETS FOR THE HOSPITAL AXILLARY SCHOLARSHIP DINNER IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THEM.  THE COST OF THE TICKETS IS $40.00 EACH. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, LINDA SMITH ASKED WHEN THE CITY COULD FLUSH THE FIRE HYDRANT IN FRONT OF HER HOME.  SHE STATED THAT HER WATER SMELLS LIKE WET DOG.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE AND THE FIRE CHIEF HAD JUST SPOKE ABOUT THE FLUSHING OF THE HYDRANTS AND HE EXPECTS TO START IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.  MRS. SMITH STATED THAT SHE IS BATTLING BREAST CANCER AND HER DOCTOR TOLD HER SHE IS NOT TO BE DRINKING TAP WATER. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (C) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY, INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR AGAINST LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

5:43 P.M.

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

6:04 P.M.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO AWARD THE 2025 MOWING BID TO DAVID BOOKER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  2.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AND COMMISSIONER KAYS. 

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

6:05 P.M.