MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 23, 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 KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM JUNE 9, 2025 AS PRESENTED. 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 A ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 2, 2025 FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM ON WASHINGTON STREET BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 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 #00719 TO FENCE FORCE AND MORE FOR A FENCE TO BE PLACED AROUND THE CITY’S PROPANE TANK ON THE STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON PROPERTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,908.61. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID FOR THROUGH TIF FUNDS. 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 #00718 TO MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT CO. FOR 3 BOXES OF 30 UV BULBS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,100.00. 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 #00720 TO SUPER CARS FOR A 2014 FORD UTILITY TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,750.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS TRUCK WILL BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE LEACHATE FUND.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00690 TO WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #1 FOR PROPOSED WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $288,449.64. 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 POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR KAYE KONDRITZ, ALICE DONALDSON, LYNDSEY ODAM, JANIS THOMAS, BRITTANIE SKAGGS, BRANDON HAST, DAVID ORE, SAMANTHA WILLIAMS, AND MICHELLE EUBANKS AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. 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 THERE WERE NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS SUBMITTED FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A FULLTIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO HIRE MATT CLARK AS A PARTTIME STREET DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE FOR A BLOCK OF 720 HOURS A YEAR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED COMMISSIONER KAYS TO GO OVER THE CHANGES TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNION CONTRACT. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT NOTABLE CHANGES WERE IN RESIDENCY, FIREFIGHTERS MUST RESIDE IN THE BENTON GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT; FIREFIGHTERS SHALL BE COMPENSATED 24 HOURS OF COMP TIME IN LIEU OF OVERTIME FOR EVERY 40 HOURS SPENT IN A CERTIFICATION LEVEL TRAINING CONSISTING OF 40 HOURS OR MORE OF COURSEWORK; EDUCATIONAL BONUS WILL BE $250 FOR ADVANCED FIRE OFFICER (FIRE OFFICER 2) AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN B (EMT- BASIC) WILL BE $500.00; AND WAGE INCREASES WILL BE GIVEN AS 2025-26 3%, 2026-27 3%, AND 2027-28 AND 2028-29 WILL BE 2.5%. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LIUNA #773 UNION CONTRACT. 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 JUNE 20, 2025 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $86,988.06 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,236.56 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $110,016.07. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STARTED A DISCUSSION ON RAISING PROPERTY OR SALES TAX. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE FEELS THE SALE TAX WOULD BE FAIRER TO OUR CITIZENS AS PROVED BY THE SALES TAX THE COUNTY USED TO BUILD THE NEW COURTHOUSE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE NO SUNSET ON THIS SALES TAX. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS TAX WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY TO REPAIR AND UPDATE THE CITY’S INFRASTRUCTURE. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING LEGISLATION TO ENACT A 1% SALES TAX ON GENERAL MERCHANDISE IN THE CITY OF BENTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DOES NOT LIKE TO VOTE “YES” ON ANY TAX INCREASE, BUT HE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS NEEDED TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN TOWN. VOTE 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 FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00679 TO GREG WEEKS IN BENTON FOR A 2016 RAM 1500 FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,094.70. COMMISSIONER STOREY 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 BEFORE THE VEHICLE FOR CODES WAS FOUND BY WEEKS, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA HAD MADE A BID ON A 2014 FORD F150 FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,500.00. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WON THIS BID AND HE NEEDED A MOTION TO BE MADE TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IT WILL BE USED AS A VEHICLE IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. 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 STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00688 TO EPLANTERS.COM FOR 8 GARDEN PLANTERS TO BE PLACED AT MALKOVICH PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,055.38. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 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 BE MADE TO APPROVE AMENDING CHAPTER 40 ZONING CODE TO ALLOW FOR DWELLINGS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED IN BUSINESS ZONED DISTRICTS IN THE EVENT OF DESTRUCTION DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS OR FIRES. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED BIDS TO CLEAN UP NUISANCE LOCATED AT 1107 HIGHLAND STREET. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THREE BIDS WERE RECEIVED. THE FIRST BID WAS FROM MENCKOWSKI EXCAVATING AND DEMOLITION IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,500.00. THE SECOND BID WAS FROM BRITTON’S LAWN CARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,700.00. THE THIRD BID RECEIVED WAS FROM EARTH SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,900.00. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOW BID OF $6,700.00 FROM BRITTON’S LAWN CARE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
THE COUNCIL ALL WANTED TO COMMEND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CALEB CAVINS FOR THE WORK HE PUT IN TO CLEAN UP THE PROPERTY AT 1107 HIGHLAND STREET.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER CHANGING THE AGENDA TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK BEFORE AND AFTER THE COUNCIL VOTES ON ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO PURCHASING A LED BULLETIN BOARD FOR INFORMATION TO BE RELAYED TO THE PUBLIC.
IN OLD BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MIKE TYSON COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS AND JUSTIN MILLER FROM TAKE ACTION TODAY TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE GENTLEMEN EXPLAINED THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY’S CRISIS WARMING CENTER PROGRAM IS A SHORT-TERM, LOW-BARRIER SHELTER DESIGNED TO OPERATE WHEN WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS HIGH TEMPERATURES, PRECIPITATION, AND WIND CHILL COMBINE TO CREATE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO A STABLE, VIABLE SHELTER DURING THESE TIMES. THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A “HAND UP” AND NOT JUST A “HAND OUT”. THE GENTLEMEN EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS IS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THROUGH COLLABORATION, RESOURCE SHARING, AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WITH THE AIM TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO ACHIEVE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. MR. TYSON STATED THAT HE IS A RECOVERING ADDICT, BUT HE IS ALSO A HUSBAND, A FATHER, AND HOLDS A MASTER’S DEGREE. MR. MILLER STATED THAT HE IS A RECOVERING ADDICT WHO WAS HOMELESS AND IS NOW A HUSBAND, FATHER, AND PASTOR. BOTH GENTLEMEN STATED THAT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.
IN NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER IS HELPING TO GET A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH UP AND GOING IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.
IN MATTERS FORM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, THE NEIGHBORS FROM THE AREA OF 1107 HIGHLAND STREET WANTED TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR TAKING ACTION. THEY SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO THANK ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CALEB CAVINS FOR THE HARD WORK THEY PUT IN ON THIS PROCESS. A GENTLEMAN ALSO APPROACHED THE COUNCIL STATING THAT HE IS INTERESTED IN OPENING A SOBER LIVING HOUSE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED THIS GENTLEMAN TO CONNECT WITH ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.
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.
