Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 8, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 12, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 12, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD NO APPROVAL OF PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT DAILUS RICHARDSON TO A 120-DAY TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 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 PURCHASE’ ORDER #00443 TO AMERICAN TEST CENTER FOR LADDER TESTING AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT            IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,249.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIOER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONR COKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA,                          COMM ISSIONER KAYS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A   MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #004440 TO MIDAMERICA        FIRE FOR AN INTAKE      VALVE FOR ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,464.88. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER  COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN FORMING A DECORATING  COMMITTEE FOR DECORATING THE TOWN DURING HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND THEN REVISIT THE FORMING OF         A COMM ITTEE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION                                 TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A DECORATING COMMITTEE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONERKAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSM ITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO AN ORDINANCE FOR THE USE OF E-BIKES, SCOOTERS, AND OTHER LIKE ITEMS.  AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIOENR GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A FURTHER DATE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIOENR GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER KAYS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHOP WITH A COP WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY COMPLETED TACTICAL TRAINING AT REND LAKE COLLEGE.  THIS TRAINING INCLUDED FIRE, POLICE, AND EMA.  FIREMEN JAMES NEFF AND MATT WARREN WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND STATED THAT THIS TRAINING WAS VERY GOOD.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER WAS IN ATTAENDANCE FOR THIS MEETING.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT DISPATCH HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED OVER AND ALL THE BUGS ARE BEING WORKED OUT CURRENTLY. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED DECEMBER 19, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,541.59 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,967.53 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $122,518.12.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRU, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00559 TO LEXIPOL/GRANT FINDER FOR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $995.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.   WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES OR ITEMS FOR   

 DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT MALKOVICH AND CAPITOL PARK BOTH HAVE HAD SOME DECORATIONS PUT UP AND HE WANTED TO THANK THOSE THAT HELPED WITH THAT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA HAS ARRANGED FOR THE HOUSE AT THE CORNER OF TAYLOR STREET AND NORTH MCLEANSBORO STREET BE DEMOLISHED. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE ARE FOUR MORE HOMES SLATED TO BE TORN DOWN AS WELL.

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT RESOLUTION 25-14, EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT NO ONE ON THE COUNCIL HAD THE RESOLUTION OR ACTUARIAL IN THEIR POSITION WHEN THEY PASSED THIS RESOLUTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT NO ONE VISITED THE TREASURER TO GO OVER CALCULATIONS ON WHAT THIS WOULD COST THE CITY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS TAKEN ABACK BY THE ACTIONS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THAT THE CITY WILL NOT KNOW THE TOTAL COST OF THIS ERi FOR A WHILE. HE STATED THAT THE COST COULD BE BETWEEN $732,206.00 AND $1,032,509.00 DEPENDING ON HOW THE CITY CHOOSES TO PAY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE COUNCIL RAISED TAXES TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR AND THEN PUT THE CITY AT HAVING TO FUND THIS LARGE LIABILITY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO BE BETTER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT OF THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RETIREMENT INCENTIVE, TWO EMPLOYEES HAVE SUBMITTED INTENT FOR RETIREMENT. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT SINCE THE COUNCIL DID NOT CLOSE OUT ANY PRIOR RETIREMENT INCENTIVES, THOSE EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE THEIR INSURANCE AND THE EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS APPALLED BY THE COUNCIL AND THEIR CHOICE TO PASS THE ERl. HE STATED THAT 80% OF MUNICIPALITIES DO NOT GO THROUGH WITH ERl BECAUSE OF THE COST OF IT AND IT ONLY MAKES MONEY IF YOU DO NOT REHIRE.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS SAT THROUGH IO WEEKS OF LISTENING TO LECTURES FROM COMMISSIONER STOREY REGARDING FRIVOLOUS SPENDING AND THEN THIS WAS APPROVED. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY WHY HE HAD MORE MOLD TESTING DONE AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN FOR OVER $2,000.00 AND DID NOT ASK THE REST OF THE COUNCIL IF THEY AGREED THAT SHOULD BE DONE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE INSURANCE CLAIM THAT THE CITY WAS PAID OUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

ENOUGH PROOF OF THE MOLD IN THAT BUILDING AND THAT WHAT COMMlSSIONER STOREY DID                                INAPPROPRIATE. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS DOES A LOT OF INAPPROPRIATE STUFF.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATIERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

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

5:24 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS, HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS TIRED, HE KNOWS THE COUNCIL IS TIRED, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HE KNOWS THE EMPLOYEES ARE TIRED.  HE STATED THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE A VOTE THAT COUNTS UNLESS IT IS A TIE, BUT THAT HE DOES HAVE CONTROL OF WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETING.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO SPEAK RESPECTFULLY TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND ALLOW BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED LIKE NORMAL. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED KATHY THOMAS WITH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT THEY ARE SPENDING APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00 PER MONTH ON FOOD TO PASS OUT.  SHE STATED THAT THERE ARE 150 PEOPLE PER DAY, 2 DAYS A WEEK (TUESDAY AND THURSDAY), THAT COME THROUGH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE FOR FOOD DURING A 3 HOUR WINDOW.  SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS PLANNED A KIDS PARTY FOR DECEMBER 13, 2025 FOR KIDS 9 AND UNDER.  THE PARTY WILL START AT 2 P.M.  THERE WILL BE FOOD, DRINKS, SANTA, AND PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MRS. THOMAS WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR A DONATION TO THE PROGRAM.  MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT SHE WAS KNEW TO THIS AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $1,000.00 TO THE BENTON MISTRIAL ALLIANCE FOOD PANTRY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS.  NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2025 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE TYPO IN THE VOTE TAKEN REGARDING HIRING A PART-TIME POSITION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND SPELLCHECK CHANGING “IDNR” TO “DINER” REGARDING AN AGREEMENT.    SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE CONTINUED MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS.  NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AS PRESENTED.   SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR CITY HALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.00.  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 #00724 TO SANDNER ELECTRIC TO REBUILD THE BOWLING ALLEY LIFT STATION PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,565.93 PLUS FREIGHT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  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 #00705 TO X-CELL SPRAY FOAMING FOR 2 INCH SPRAY FOAM OF THE NEW BUILDING FOR THE STORAGE OF THE SEWER VAC TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,650.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00703 TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DOOR COMPANY FOR ONE 12’2” X 12 FLUSH PANEL DOOR AND ONE OPENER IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,384.00.  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 OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS AN ASSET IN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.  HE STATED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AND THE KNOWLEDGE HE BRINGS TO THE JOB.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT WE WILL MISS MR. MILES, BUT HE BELIEVES IT IS TIME THAT WE LET HIM RETIRE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AGREED AND STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH HE AND MR. MILES HAVE HAD THEIR DISAGREEMENTS, THEY HAVE BECOME BUDDIES.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF COMMISSIONER COCKRUM HAS SEEN ALL THE UPDATED NUMBERS FOR THE ERI.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THEM.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF HE WAS PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WAS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE ALLOW  ING CRAIG MILES, JASON MILES, MELISSA HUNGATE, AND SHANNON TOIGO THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND RETIRE EARLY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THE MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HIS PREFERENCE WAS TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATER IN A CLOSED SESSION BEFORE COMING TO A DECISION.  HE STATED THAT THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IS $732,000.00 OVER 5 YEARS.  HE STATED IF ONE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT TAKE THIS IT WILL DECREASE THE LIABILITY TO $530,000.00.  HE STATED IF TWO EMPLOYEES DO NOT TAKE IT, IT WILL BRING IT DOWN MUCH FURTHER.  HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD LININGS TO THE ERI, BUT THEY NEED TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS BEFORE AGREEING TO THEM.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PIECES TO THIS, BUT INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS TODAY, HE FELT MORE RESEARCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON AND THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO MOVE ON. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. MILES PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PLANS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF MINES AND MINERALS DISCUSSING THE PLANS FOR A RECLAMATION  PROJECT ON THE WARD MINE.  MR. MILES STATED THAT THE MINE SHAFTS WILL BE FILLED IN DURING THIS PROJECT.  MR. MILES STATED THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE DONE WITH IDNR, BUT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME ON ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH IDNR. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00149 TO AMAZON FOR 6 BROTHER DESKTOP SCANNERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,964.04.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID THROUGH THE IMPOUND FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT A STORAGE SHED IS GOING TO BE NEEDED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AS WE SWITCH TO ANOTHER CALL CENTER, 7 YEARS OF CALL REPORTS WILL NEED TO BE STORED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ASKED IF HE COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT SINCE THE WATER BARN IS EMPTY NOW THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS COULD BE MOVED TO THE WATER BARN AND THE STORAGE SHED, THEY ARE IN COULD BE USED FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT STORAGE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF THIS SHOULD BE A SECURE FACILITY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT IT SHOULD.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN RESEARCHING WHAT WOULD BEST SUIT THE NEEDS FOR STORAGE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON AND THEN VOTED YES ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA HANDED THE COUNCIL PAPERWORK SHOWING NOVEMBER RESPOND HOURS AND PAID ON CALL PAYROLL FROM JULY 9, 2026 TO OCTOBER 31, 2025.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS VERY BIG ON VOLUNTEERISM.  SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF 6 CAREER FIREFIGHTERS AND A WORKING SHIT AND THEREFORE THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY PAID WHEN THE BELL RINGS.  SHE STATED THAT THE POC SAVE THE CITY A LOT OF MONEY BY THEIR VOLUNTEERING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS MAKING A PLEA TO APPROVE GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS FOR THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THAT DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS AND HE HAS SEEN THEM GO OUT ON HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS.  HE STATED THAT 99% OF THE PAID ON CALL RESPOND NO MATTER WHEN CALLED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS 1 PART TIME WORKER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND HE WANTS HIM TO BE INCLUDED AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT’S THE HOLIDAYS AND THAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WHETHER THEY ARE FULL TIME OR PART TIME.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS DO NOT GET PAID FOR THEIR TRAINING.  SHE STATED THAT IT HURTS HEARTS FOR THEM NOT TO BE RESPECTED.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REGULAR EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE BETTER THAN THAT.  SHE STATED THAT THEY ARE SPECIAL EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR $15.00 AN HOUR.  SHE SAID THEY DESERVE OUR APPRECIATION AT CHRISTMAS TIME.  SHE STATED THAT WE COULD TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND AS WE GIVE OTHER MONIES FROM THIS FUND TO VOLUNTEERS WHO DO NOT DO AS MUCH AS THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS AND 1 PART TIME WATER DEPARTMENT WORKER BE GIVEN $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES.  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 APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,024.71 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,565.67 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,590.38.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IN UPDATES HE WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE HOME RULE SALES TAX OF 1% WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2026.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AUDIT HAS BEEN RETURNED AND THE ONLY FINDING WAS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SEPARATION OF DUTIES, BUT DUE TO OUR SMALL STAFF THAT ISN’T POSSIBLE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS SHOWS THE NEED FOR A CITY ADMINISTRATOR.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE WEST MAIN PROJECT WILL BE LET SOON.  ALSO, COMMISSIONER KAYS REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT THE CITY CHOSE NOT TO PUT A GROCER TAX BACK ON FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. 

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

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS IS SLATED FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025, BUT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO LA GALERIE.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT DISPATCH WILL BE SWITCHED OVER ON DECEMBER 1, 2025 AT 12:00 A.M.  AND FINALLY IN UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE TWO POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATING THE ACADEMY ON DECEMBER 5, 2025. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00557 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 11 MINI COMPUTERS WITH WINDOWS 11 PRO IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,450.00 DUE TO END OF LIFE FOR WINDOWS 10.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00556 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 17 OFFICE 2024 PRODUCT KEYS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,253.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE POSITION OF GRANT ADMINISTRATOR.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.   JOHN OWENS ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY ADVERTISED FOR THIS POSITION.  THE MAYOR STATED THAT THIS POSITION IS DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND GRANT WRITER/ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND THEREFORE THE POSITION WAS NOT ADVERTISED. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY QUESTIONED THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID FOR DISPATCH.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AMOUNTS ARE $135,473.84 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2026, $139,538.05 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2026 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2027, AND $143.724.19 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2027 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2028.  COMMISSIONER KAYS NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN GIVEN THIS AGREEMENT AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND THAT THESE NUMBERS WERE ALSO REFERENCED IN THE MEETING MINUTES APPROVED AT THE START OF THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN IN WEST CITY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT STATEWIDE TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS RECEIVED OVER $1,000,000.00. 

ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ELKS LIGHTS PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 7, 2025 AND THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR TAKING PART IN THIS EVENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO THANK MAYOR MESSERSMITH FOR STARTING THE MEETING THE WAY THAT HE DID.  SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND “SHAME ON US” FOR HAVING TO BE TOLD TO DO SO.  SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL JUST NEEDS TO AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME ITEMS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT WHEN COMMISSIONER STOREY HAD PREVIOUSLY CALLED COMMISSIONER KAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH SNAKES, HE DID SO IN A FIT OF PASSION.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS HAVING A NAME PLATE WITH “SNAKE” ON IT WAS THOUGHT OUT AND SHE FELT LIKE IT WAS UNCALLED FOR.  SHE ASKED COMMISSIONER KAYS TO REMOVE THIS NAME PLATE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE THE NAME PLATE REMOVED BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER JOHN OWNS CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MR. OWENS STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN A PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON FOR 33 YEARS.  HE STATED THAT HE APPRECIATED THE COUNCIL AGREEING TO GIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS, BUT HE IS WANTING TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY STIPEND. 

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

5:51 P.M.