Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021 AT 8:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS PAYABLE ON AUGUST 13, 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $288,867.49.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

8:32 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 9, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY IN -PERSON AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER STOREY ATTENDED VIA ZOOM CONNECTION AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ATTENDED THE MEETING IN PERSON. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 26, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG HAD RECEIVED A RESIGNATION LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER IAN PERKINS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS ACCEPTED THIS RESIGNATION. 

NOTHING FURTHER WAS DISCUSSED REGARDING PUBLIC PROPERTIES. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DID WANT TO THANK THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY FOR STEPPING UP TO HELP WITH WHAT HIS DEPARTMENT NEEDED AS THEY WERE SHORT STAFFED DUE TO COVID-19. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-5 FOR CLOSURE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE BENTON/WEST CITY CHAMBER CAR SHOW.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INVOICE TO CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES FOR THE 1-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,985.60.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL TO FURNISH MATERIALS FROM ILLINI ASPHALT CORPORATION FOR THE MFT ROAD PROGRAM ON MCLEANSBORO STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,485.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00357 TO FIRE APPARATUS & SUPPLY TEAM FOR REPAIRS TO ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,158.55.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS BLADES, SYNDER, AND WARREN FROM THE ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE A SIDE BY SIDE FROM WEEK’S IN BENTON WITH THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE SURPLUS BOAT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  THE FOREIGN FIRE FUND WILL PROVIDE THE REST OF THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR THIS PURCHASE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS SIDE BY SIDE WHEN THEY NEED TO.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED IF THIS PURCHASE WOULD BE MADE BEFORE OR AFTER THE BOAT WAS SOLD.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS PURCHASE WOULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL AFTER THE SURPLUS ITEM WAS SOLD.  THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RENEWAL OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BCHS FOR STANDBY AMBULANCE SERVICES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE HAD NOTHING NEW TO REPORT ON REGARDING UNION NEGOTIATIONS.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD A MEETING SCHEDULED TO DISCUSSION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POLICE UNION ON 08/10/2021. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT THE MEETING WOULD NEED TO BE CONTINUED FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 08/06/2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,638.25 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,390.23 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $100,028.48.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH AND A CITY EMPLOYEE TO ATTEND THE FALL TIF CONFERENCE HELD IN CHICAGO DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THE MEETING AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEMS (C) AND (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS ON THE AGENDA. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ACCEPTING THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 (ARPA) AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 (ARPA) ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE VI OF THE CIVIC RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE CITY WAS STILL GOING TO HONOR THE HIRING FREEZE THAT WAS AGREED UPON DURING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WATER, SEWER, AND STREET DEPARTMENTS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD GET BACK TO MR. CARTER REGARDING THIS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021 AT 8:30 A.M. TO PAY BILLS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

6:19 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE ONLY.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED GREG KIMMEL, A RESIDENT AT LAKE BENTON, TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH IDNR REGARDING STOCKING LAKE BENTON WITH ALGAE EATING CARP THAT DO NOT REPRODUCE AND WILL HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THESE FISH AND THAT IT WOULD BE AT NO COST TO THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED THE CITY’S PERMISSION IN THE FORM OF A LETTER TO IDNR TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS.  MR. KIMMEL ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE COUNCIL THAT LAKE BENTON HAS NOT LOOKED AS GOOD AS IT DOES CURRENTLY IN A LONG TIME AND HE ATTRIBUTES THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEIR WORK.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW GREG KIMMEL TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF STOCKING LAKE BENTON WITH ALGAE EATING CARP AT NO COST TO THE CITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID SEVERIN WAS IN THE AUDIENCE AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED IF HE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANYTHING.  REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN SPOKE REGARDING THE STATUE THAT WILL BE PLACED ON A BENCH AT MALKOVICH PARK FOR MR. ALEXANDER AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 FUNDS THAT ARE EARMARKED FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $931,353.78. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001772 TO CLINTON ELECTRIC FOR A VFD PUMP FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WITH A 6-YEAR WARRANTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,487.00.  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 BEGINNING THE PROCESS FOR HIRING OF A MAINTENANCE POSITION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  2.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF BEGINNING THE PROCESS FOR HIRING OF A MAINTENANCE POSITION IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  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 #00044 TO NEWMAN’S GUN CLUB FOR AMMO IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,456.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00045 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR THREE INTEL CORE COMPUTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,380.00.  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 #00098 TO SICJTP-MTU 15 FOR MEMBERSHIP DUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $960.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN NEGOTIATING ENTERING INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BCHS FOR STANDBY AMBULANCE SERVICES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY REPORTED THAT UNION NEGOTIATIONS ARE STILL GOING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,805.78 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,932.01 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,737.79.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A WATER CLERK.  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 TABLE APPROVAL OF A CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE POLICY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO LOOK INTO ADA COMPLIANT DOORS FOR THE FRONT OF CITY HALL.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS WITNESSED MANY CITIZENS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE HEAVINESS OF THESE DOORS AND ALSO BELIEVES THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT THE CITY PLANS TO DO WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021.  CRAIG MILES STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE USED FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. 

ALAN STEWART TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT CHRISTIAN SINGER JOSH WILSON WILL BE PERFORMING A “BACKYARD CONCERT” AT NORTH BENTON BAPTIST CHURCH ON AUGUST 26, 2021.  MR. STEWART STATED THAT THEY WILL BE EXPECTING A LARGE CROWD AND WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY CLOSE HIGHLAND STREET FROM JOPLIN TO GARDNER STREET FROM 5 P.M. TO 9 P.M. FOR THIS CONCERT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE THIS AT A FUTURE MEETING AS IT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY 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. 

6:30 P.M.