Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MARCH 22, 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.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE NOT IN ATTENDANCE.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON MONDAY MARCH 8, 2021 AT 5:45 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED MR. BOB REA TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM.  MR. REA STATED THAT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM HAS LOTS OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR AND BRINGS PEOPLE IN TO TOWN OFF THE INTERSTATE.  MR. REA STATED THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $500.00 TO HELP WITH OPERATING COSTS, BUT IT WAS PULLED FROM THE CITY’S BUDGET LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS.  MR. REA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY PUT THIS BACK IN THIS NEXT BUDGET.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN PAYING THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $500.00 A MONTH BEGINNING IN MAY OF 2021.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO WAIT ON THIS AND LET THE COUNCIL THINK IT OVER AND THAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ TO BE PRESENT WHEN THIS APPROVED.  THIS MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA TO PRESENT ITEMS (C) AND (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT. 

ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR BAIN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC, AT 314 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE WORK TO BE DONE WOULD BE AROUND $5,000.00 AND THEREFORE THE CITY WOULD REIMBURSE $2,500.00.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR BAIN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC AT 314 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR KIMMEL INSURANCE, 104-106 WEST WASHINGTON STREET.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE WORK WILL ACTUALLY BE AROUND $36,000.00, BUT THE REIMBURSEMENT WILL ONLY BE ON UP TO $10,000.00 SO THIS REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE $5,000.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR KIMMEL INSURANCE AT 104-106 WEST WASHINGTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADVERTISING THAT THE CITY OF BENTON WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS FOR MOWING AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO GIVE A REPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET FUEL ORDERED FOR SALE AT THE AIRPORT.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE 2^ND SATURDAY FLY INS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 10, 2021.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK OVER THE BIDS FOR THE AIRPORT MOWING BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE BY THE COUNCIL. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE TWO 2021 1500 SIERRA CREW CAB SHORT BED TRUCKS FROM WEEKS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC IN BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,100.00.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT ONE OF THESE TRUCKS WILL BE FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES AND THE OTHER TRUCK WILL BE FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THESE TRUCKS WILL BE PAID FOR OUT OF THE HOME RULE GAS TAX FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00091 TO CUSTOM CAGE FOR TWO SINGLE-CELL PARTITIONS FOR SQUAD VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,210.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00094 TO TASER ACCREDITED SECURITY FOR TWO YELLOW TASERS AND 2 CARTRIDGE CASES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,277.98.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 03/19/2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,258.88 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,557.57 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $94,816.45.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THE INSTALLATION OF A WALK-UP WINDOW IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO FINDING A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE ROUTE FOR INSTALLATION.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER PERKINS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF 4,000 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR RESALE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $15,000.00.  AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THE PURCHASE BEFORE THE COST OF FUEL RISES AGAIN AS IT HAS GONE UP $0.50 SINCE WE INITIALLY LOOKED INTO THE PURCHASE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

IN NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS IN DISCUSSION WITH MIDWEST TIRE ABOUT HAVING A RESIDENTIAL TIRE COLLECTION. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF WE WILL BREAK EVEN ON THE FUEL.  MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT WE SHOULD SEE A PROFIT.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED FOR THE MOWING OF THE AIRPORT PROPERTY AND MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE WINNING BIDDER WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT IF THE CITY IS CONSIDERING A WALK-UP WINDOW, THEY SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER AN AWNING. 

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

7:05 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY MARCH 12, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.  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 GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS MEETING WAS CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPENING BIDS RECEIVED FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN THE BIDS THAT WERE RECEIVED. 

CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT ONLY ONE BID WAS RECEIVED.  THE BID WAS FROM LITTLE EGYPT MOSQUITO COMPANY, LLC.  THIS COMPANY IS BASED IN JONESBORO, ILLINOIS.  THERE WERE TWO PROPOSALS INSIDE THIS BID.  THE FIRST PROPOSAL WAS FOR THE USE OF LARVICIDE TO BE USED TO TREAT DESIRED ZONES, CULVERTS, DITCHES, ETC. IN THE BENTON CITY LIMITS AT $2,300.00 PER MONTH FOR A SEASON OF SIX (6) MONTHS WITH A TOTAL OF $13,800.00 FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT FOR THE YEAR OF 2021.  THE SECOND PROPOSAL WAS FOR THE USE OF COMMERCIAL FOGGING.  IT WAS NOTED THAT COMMERCIAL FOGGING IS EFFECTIVE, BUT TIME CONSUMING AS CITY RESIDENTS WILL NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHEN THE FOGGING WILL TAKE PLACE AND A BACKUP DAY WOULD NEED TO BE PLANNED IN CASE OF RAIN.  THE COST OF COMMERCIAL FOGGING WOULD BE $4,500.00 PER MONTH WITH A TOTAL OF $27,000.00 FOR THE SIX (6) MONTH SEASON. 

A SHORT DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING BOTH PROPOSALS.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE FIRST PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY LITTLE EGYPT MOSQUITO COMPANY, LLC FOR THE USE OF LARVICIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,300.00 PER MONTH FOR A TOTAL COST OF $13,800.00 FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BENTON FOR THE 2021 SEASON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.   

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

9:15 A.M.                          

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.  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 GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS ONLINE AND COMMISSIONERS MESSERSMITH, PERKINS, STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ATTENDED THIS COUNCIL MEETING IN PERSON. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF

THE FEBRUARY 8, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF

THE FEBRUARY 12, 2021 CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WANTED TO GIVE KUDOS TO COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND HIS DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING WITH THE WINTER WEATHER AND KEEPING THE STREETS PLOWED.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED HE WANTED TO THANK PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES FOR HIS WORK COORDINATING THE SNOW PLOWING AND ALL THE REPAIRS OF WATER MAIN BREAKS.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS ADDED THAT THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN BUSY DURING THIS TIME AS WELL AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS.   

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING, BUT WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE THOUGHTS OF COMMISSIONER PERKINS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK WITH THE NUMEROUS WATER LEAKS AS WELL AS THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT FOR THE JOB THEY DID ON KEEPING THE ROADS PLOWED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS IS THE BEST HE HAS SEEN THE ROADS LOOK DURING A WINTER STORM IN MANY YEARS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ENTIRE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 02/19/2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,906.83 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,957.07 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $83,763.90.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS, BUT ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE CITY CLERK, WATER DEPARTMENT CLERKS, TREASURER, AND ZONING/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT MOST TIMES THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ANSWER THE TELEPHONES, TAKE ALL COMPLAINTS, AND DISPATCH THE CORRECT PERSONNEL TO ISSUES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS NOTICED ALL THE HARD WORK BEING DONE IN CITY HALL AND WOULD LIKE THOSE WORKERS TO KNOW THEY ARE APPRECIATED. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SALE OF 411 NORTH COMMERCIAL, A CITY OWNED PROPERTY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT PAM DORRIS HAS PURCHASED AN ADJACENT PIECE OF PROPERTY AND APPROACHED THE CITY REGARDING THE PROPERTY AT 411 NORTH COMMERCIAL.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT MS. DORRIS HAS AGREED TO PAY $500.00 FOR THIS PROPERTY, WHICH IS THE APPRAISED VALUE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF 411 NORTH COMMERCIAL STREET TO PAM DORRIS FOR $500.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

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

6:13 P.M.