Author Archives: Brook Craig

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 902 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 CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE IN BENTON, ILLINOIS.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

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

IN UPDATES, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS NO NEW NUMBERS TO REPORT ON THE REPAIRS TO 1403 SOUTH MAIN AT THIS TIME.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ADDED THAT AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO ONE WILLING TO TAKE THE PROJECT ON.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AGREED ON THAT POINT. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LOT #39 FROM JUDITH ACKERMAN TO THE JOHN AND JUDITH ACKERMAN TRUST.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-09 CLOSING THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE ANNUAL HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION FOR THE CDBG WATER MAIN PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00133 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR OUTFITTING THE NEW POLICE VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,608.95.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED COMMISSIONER KAYS TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED FOP CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS OUTLINED CHANGES OF YEARLY RAISES BEING 4% FOR THE FIRST YEAR, 3% FOR THE SECOND YEAR, AND 2.5% FOR THE THIRD YEAR AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN UNIFORM ALLOWANCE FROM $650.00 PER YEAR TO $700.00 PER YEAR.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOP CONTRACT FOR MAY 1, 2024 TO APRIL 30, 2027.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO SEND DYLAN PALMER TO THE FIRE ACADEMY IN PEORIA FOR A 17-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,975.00 FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2025 TO MAY 16, 2025 AND MAY 19, 2025 TO JUNE 20, 2025.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,571.74 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,159.50 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $100,731.24.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,499.34, MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,516.83, TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,959.96, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,634.43 FOR A TOTAL BILL RUN OF $341,610.56.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO ADDED THAT THE AMOUNT PAID FROM COMMUNITY EVENTS WAS COVERED BY A GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE BENTON ELKS’ LODGE.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO REPORT THAT THE RANGER FOOTBALL TEAM WILL BE HEADING IN TO THE 3^RD ROUND OF PLAYOFFS THIS COMING WEEKEND.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE LAST ROUND WAS PLAYED AT HOME AND HE WAS VERY PROUD TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE SUPPORTING THE TEAM.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS IS SLATED TO TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER 30, 2024 AROUND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. 

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR A SETBACK LINE VARIANCE LOCATED AT 143 MUNDELL DRIVE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE CITIZEN NEEDED A 9-INCH VARIANCE ON HIS PROPERTY.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAS REVIEWED THE LINES AND HIS RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A SETBACK LINE VARIANCE AT 143 MUNDELL DRIVE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO DISCUSS ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING MORAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPTROLLER’S TIF REPORTS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE FIRM THAT DID THIS FOR US IN THE PAST IS NO LONGER ABLE TO FILE THE REPORTS FOR US.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND HIRING MORAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPTROLLER’S TIF REPORTS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COST FOR FILING THESE REPORTS WILL BE $1,500.00 FOR BOTH REPORTS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THE MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT DURING THE STRUCTURE FIRE LAST WEEK, HE NOTICED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS IN NEED OF A NEW 5-INCH HOSE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE HOSE HAS MULTIPLE BUBBLES IN THE LINE.  FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS HOSE HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1995.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID DURING THIS HOUSE FIRE. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, LINDA SMITH ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.  MRS. SMITH ASKED WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS PLANNING ON FIXING MCLEANSBORO STREET WHERE THE NEW SEWER LINE WAS PLACED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE IS A PERIOD OF SETTLING THAT MUST HAPPEN AND MORE REPAIRS TO THE ROAD WILL BE DONE IN THE SPRING.  MRS. SMITH ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS REQUESTING TRASH FOR A HOME THAT THEY ARE REMODELING ON SMITH STREET.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH MRS. SMITH EARLIER IN THE DAY AND THAT THEY HAD COME TO AN AGREEMENT AT THIS TIME REGARDING THIS SMATTER.  HE EXPLAINED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY IN REGARDS TO WHETHER THIS NEEDED TO BE CODIFIED INTO AN ORDINANCE OR IF THIS SHOULD BE POLICY.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS CODIFIED INTO ORDINANCE.

ALSO UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, KAREN FREEMAN FROM KOA ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. MS. FREEMAN STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CROSSWALK PLACED AT HER BUSINESS AS SHE HAS BUSINESS ON BOTH SIDES OF DUQUOIN STREET.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC WORKERS DIRECTOR, CRAIG MILES, ABOUT THIS AND GET BACK TO HER.  FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH SAFETY BY PUTTING A CROSSWALK IN DU TO NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE CROSSWALK WHEN TRAVELING NORTH., CHIEF COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THERE BE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THIS IF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO THEM. 

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

5:38 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024 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 CALL. 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 SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE IN BENTON, ILLINOIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.  UNDER UPDATES, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE REPAIRS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE FINALLY BEEN COMPLETED.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING BIDS FOR 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET.

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A POOL ADJUSTMENT FOR 401 EAST BOND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS: 0.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.  

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00421 TO S&S MUFFLER FOR 2 FRONT TIRES, MOUNTED AND BALANCED, FOR THE PUMPER TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,190.98.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF DYLAN PALMER AS A PROBATIONARY FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER OFF THE CURRENT ELIGIBILITY LIST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH THEN SWORE MR. PALMER IN AS A FIREFIGHTER. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $81,489.14 AND THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,025.93 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $103,515.04.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FROM DOWNTOWN TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $515.91, MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,472.91, AND THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $399,930.37 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $409,403.28 TO BE PAID ON 10/14/2024.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A YEAR END STIPEND FOR ALL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES OF A $50.00 SAVE A LOT GIFT CARD.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO THINK ABOUT GIVING A YEAR END STIPEND TO THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL. 

CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION HAVE REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO TABLE APPROVE OF THE UNION NEGOTIATIONS AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO TABLE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION NEGOTIATIONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

UNDER UPDATES FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WORK HAS BEGUN ON MALKOVICH PARK, THE WORK IN THE NORTHEAST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND FALL-O-WEEN WILL BE HAPPENING AT CAPITAL PARK THIS COMING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00851 TO LINKDIN FOR A 12 MONTH PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $959.88 THAT WAS SUBMITTED BY BRIAN CALCATERRA FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW MR. CALCATERRA TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH BUSINESSES THAT MAY WANT TO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00851 TO LINKDIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $959.88.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A ZONING CHANGE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 328 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE RECOMMENDED APPROVING THIS APPLICATION AS THE ZONING IS CONTIGUOUS AND NOT SPOT ZONING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A ZONING CHANGE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 328 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE CDAP GRANT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-09.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT OF LOCAL FUNDS FOR THE CDAP GRANT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-10 A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT OF LOCAL FUNDS FOR THE CDAP GRANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED PATRICK GREENACRE AND KENDRA SHAW FROM BERWYN SHOPS TO GIVE A PRESENTATION.  THEY GAVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE BERWYN SHOPS AND BERWYN BOUTIQUES PROJECT THEY BEGAN IN BERWYN, ILLINOIS.  MR. GREENACRE AND MS. SHAW SHOWED THE COUNCIL PICTURES, DISCUSSED THE PROCESS OF PICKING TENANTS, AND WENT THROUGH COSTS TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE AND BRIAN CALCATERRA HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO DOING A PROJECT LIKE THIS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. 

ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE BENTON COMMUNITY PARK RECENTLY UNDERWENT AN I PARK INSPECTION.  HE STATED THAT HE WAS HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE COMMUNITY PARK RECEIVED A “100”.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS IS UNHEARD OF.  HE STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE PARK DOES NOT BELONG TO THE CITY, IT IS A JEWEL FOR BENTON AND HE HEARS A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ON HOW NICE THE COMMUNITY PARK IS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, A GENTLEMAN, WHO DID NOT REVEAL HIS NAME TO THE COUNCIL, STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A HIGH BILL FROM THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  THIS GENTLEMAN STATED THAT HE USUALLY RECEIVES A BILL CLOSE TO $90.00, BUT THIS BILL WAS FOR $358.00.  THIS GENTLEMAN STATED THAT NO ONE FROM THE WATER DEPARTMENT CALLED TO LET HIM KNOW HE HAD A LEAK.  HE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SEWER USED WITH THIS LEAK AS IT WAS EVENTUALLY FOUND IN HIS YARD AND HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE CITY OFFERS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THIS, BUT DOES OFFER ADJUSTMENTS FOR FILLING SWIMMING POOLS.  THIS GENTLEMAN STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THIS LEAK, HE HAD TO HAVE HIS YARD EXCAVATED AND IT ENDED UP COSTING HIM $5,100.00 TO FIX THIS. 

ALSO, IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT OUR METERING SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IS TERRIBLE.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL WHERE WE ARE ON PAYING OFF THE SEWER PLANT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG THE CITIZENS OF BENTON WILL BE CHARGED THE HIGH RATES. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER FOR PAYING OFF THE SEWER PLANT, BUT HE WILL HAVE THIS NUMBER FOR THE NEXT MEETING.  MR. CARTER ASKED WHERE THE CITY IS ON THE COSTS FOR REPAIRING 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ALL THE BIDS/PROPOSALS BACK AT THIS TIME.  MR. CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER COCKRUM IF SEWER ADJUSTMENTS WILL CHANGE TO INCLUDE LEAKS AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE COUNCIL IS LOOKING INTO THIS. 

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

6:00 P.M.