Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 28, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00657 TO ASCENT AVIATION GROUP FOR 8,000 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,696.45.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT NO BIDS WERE NEEDED ON THIS PURCHASE AS LONG AS THERE WAS A 4/5 VOTE. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOT #26 FROM LEE AND ANGIE MESSERSMITH TO JACK AND JANET STILLEY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOTS #1, 2, AND 3 TO FROM JAMES. NEAL TO TIMOTHY AND ABBY KATHALYNAS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT TRANSFER OF LOTS #143 AND #144 FROM M.J. GRAHAM TO CLESTINA EGGERTSEN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HAD RECENTLY WON THE AWARD OF PLANT OF THE YEAR FROM THE RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THE ONLY OTHER PLANT IN OUR REGION TO WIN THIS WAS CARBONDALE AND THEY WON THE AWARD LAST YEAR.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND ALL THE WORKERS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM WILL BE STARTING SOON AND WILL BE IN THE NORTHWEST SECTION OF TOWN.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS INITIATED TALKS WITH A FEW POSSIBLE INTERESTED PARTIES IN REGARDS TO OPENING A FEW COMMUNITY PARKS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH A PROJECT LIKE THIS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00658 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR AN UPDATED SERVER FOR THE PAYROLL PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,950.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THE CITY HAD PLANNED ON, BUT IT IS A NECESSITY IN ORDER TO RETAIN OUR PAST PAYROLL RECORDS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,125.44 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,478.78 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $98,604.22.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLIMENT THE STREET AND WATER DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR WORK IN MOWING THE CITY.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE RECOGNIZES THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP THIS MOWED THIS YEAR. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT CORPORATE RESOLUTION #21-04.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A CORPORATE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY’S ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MUNICIPAL RELIEF PROGRAM.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE GRANT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR DEMOLITION OF HOUSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,000.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-04.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT THE BORING UNDER THE APRON AT THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN DONE.  HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE COUNCIL MAY NEED TO LOOK INTO A POSSIBLE “SAPPLING DRIVE” TO REPLACE THE TREES THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR AIRPORT WORK.  APPROXIMATELY 300 TREES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.  MR. HARRISON ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN CREATING A PLAYGROUND AREA AT THE AIRPORT AND THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT FOR PLACING AN AIRPORT STREET SIGN. 

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IN A PREVIOUS MEETING THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED MOVING TO ONE MEETING A MONTH AND HE WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THIS POSSIBILITY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT UNDER A COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THE STATE STATUTE STATES YOU MUST MEET TWICE A MONTH.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THESE MEETINGS CAN HAPPEN BACK-TO-BACK, TWO WEEKS APART, OR HOWEVER THE COUNCIL MAY WANT IN THE FUTURE. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM’S CARTER STATED THAT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD IS AN AWARD TECHNICALLY FRO CITIZENS AND THE COUNCIL, NOT FOR THE EMPLOYEES.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT THE ONLY REAL CRITERIA TO WIN THIS AWARD IS TO BUILD A NEW PLANT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FINAL STATEMENT FOR THE MEETING.  SHE STATED THAT THE MIAMI BUILDING DISASTER WAS WEIGHING HEAVY ON HER HEART.  SHE STATED THAT THIS DISASTER BROUGHT TO LIGHT HOW IMPORTANT TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS IS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE CITY OF BENTON’S PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK. 

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

6:35 P.M.

___________________________________

                                                                  MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________

CITY CLERK

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 14, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS ABSENT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND COMMISSIONER PERKINS ATTENDED THE MEETING VIRTUALLY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PHYSICALLY PRESENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAVID GARAVALIA TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED A GRANT FOR $65,000.00 FOR DEMOLITION OF HOUSES.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT A RESOLUTION FOR THIS MONEY WOULD BE PASSED AT THE NEXT MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY JOINED THE MEETING VIRTUALLY AT 6:11 P.M.  HE STATED HE WAS SORRY, BUT HAD VERY BAD CELL SERVICE WHERE HE WAS AT. 

4. GARAVALIA PRESENTED RESOLUTION #21-02 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4.1. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

4. GARAVALIA PRESENTED RESOLUTION #21-03 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4.2. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

5. GARAVALIA PRESENTED ORDINANCE #21-06 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00082 TO PROCESS ANALYTICS FOR TWO OXYGEN 120 MM POLYGRAPHIC DISSOLVED OXYGEN SENSORS FOR A TOTAL OF $898.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00656 TO ERWIN BUILDERS FOR INSTALLATION OF TWO AIR CONDITIONS AT THE HISTORIC CAR MUSEUM FOR A TOTAL OF $3,485.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00083 TO HEARTLAND PUMPS FOR TWO GOULDS PUMP UV SYSTEMS FOR A TOTAL OF $1,138.80.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LOT #1A FROM JAMES E. NEAL, SUCCESSORY TRUSTEE OF THE DORIS FAY NEAL TRUST TO RYAN KATHALYNAS AND ALLYSON KATHALYNAS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE COUNCIL’S PERMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF A POSSIBLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS PEOPLE WILLING TO INVEST IN THIS PROJECT AND AFTER COMPLETION IT WOULD BE HOPEFULLY MAINTAINED BY ANOTHER ENTITY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION ALLOWING COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF A POSSIBLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED DAVE HARP OF CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. HARP STATED THAT THE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP FOR THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT HAS MET AND THAT THE MEETING WENT WELL.  MR. HARP STATED THAT THE PROJECT IS COMING ALONG ALBEIT SLOWLY. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00355 TO DIVE RESCUE INTERNATIONAL FOR 3 DRY SUITS, 2 PONY TANKS, AND 2 BOTTLE MT’S FOR A TOTAL; PF $5,798.00.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THESE ITEMS WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS FROM THE DIVE ACCOUNT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00356 TO MERMET SPRINGS FOR DIVE EQUIPMENT TO COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE DIVE OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,365.72.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS WAS TO BE PAID FOR BY PRIVATE DONATIONS FROM THE DIVE ACCOUNT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER $00097 TO LAWMAN IDS APPLICATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $950.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT UNION NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADD DAYLON KELLEY AND ZACHARY HALSTEAD TO THE PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE ALIAH THOMAS FROM THE PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ARRIVED AT CITY HALL AT 6:41 P.M. AND ATTENDED THE REST OF THE MEETING IN PERSON. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00655 TO ANDREWS ROOFING FOR EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS AT TWIN OAKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,200.00.   SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $303,903.52.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR MAY 28, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,036.44 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,122.82 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $96,159.26.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED JUNE 11, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,143.73 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,484.83 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $88,628.56.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING MAY OF 2024.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING IN MAY OF 2023.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT JONATHON NEACE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

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

6:48 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 24, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.  

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ WAS ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 10, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED BOB REA AND HILARY REMM OF S.C.D. REA INSURANCE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE RESEARCH OF A CYBERSECURITY POLICY.  THEY SPOKE ON THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A CYBERSECURITY BREACH SUCH AS THE BREACH THAT OCCURRED RECENTLY WITH THE COLONIAL PIPELINE.  MR. REA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RESEARCH THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROTECTING THE CITY OF BENTON FROM AN ATTACK SUCH AS THIS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW S.C.D. REA INSURANCE TO RESEARCH A CYBERSECURITY POLICY FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LOCATION FOR AIR CONDITIONERS AT THE HISTORIC CAR MUSEUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00654 TO CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO PAY INVOICE #14 ON THE 1-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,608.56.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH IDOT REGARDING MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  THIS AGREEMENT IS RESIGNED EVERY 10 YEARS.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON A COUPLE INTERSECTIONS IN TOWN, BUT OTHERWISE IS AGREEABLE TO HAVING MAYOR KONDRITZ SIGN THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ TO SIGN THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH IDOT REGARDING MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS COUNCIL MEETING AS WELL AS NO OTHER BUSINESS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS AND NO MONTHLY BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS COUNCIL MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR MAY 14, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,294.82 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,110.68 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $105,405.50.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A PAY RESOLUTION OF 2% FOR NONUNION AND NONCONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE VENDOR PERMIT TO ALLOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO PURCHASE A $50.00 UMBRELLA PERMIT FOR EVENTS THEY ARE HOSTING.  THIS PERMIT WOULD BE PURCHASED FOR EACH EVENT AND ANY VENDORS REGISTERED THROUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR SAID EVENT WOULD BE COVERED.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE CURRENT ORDINANCE TO ADD A $50.00 UMBRELLA PERMIT FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WAS CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION. 

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA IF SHE HAD A TOTAL OF WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN REIMBURSED FOR COVID RELATED ITEMS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE THAT NUMBER WITH HER THIS EVENING.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL HOW VENDOR ACCOUNTABILITY WOULD BE HANDLED WITH AN UMBRELLA COVERAGE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS REGISTERED WITH THEM. 

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

TIME 6:40 P.M.