Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT IN PERSON AT CITY HALL.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001777 TO VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING FOR A 4” PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,250.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001778 TO BEST ONE TIRE FOR 2 REAR BACKHOE TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,227.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD 890 CALLS ALREADY THIS YEAR.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT IS TIME FOR A SIXTH FIREMAN TO BE HIRED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE CAN GUARANTEE A REDUCTION IN OVERTIME WITH THE HIRING OF A SIXTH FIREMAN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE FELT THAT IT WAS PATHETIC TO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED IF ALL THE CALLS WERE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON OR OTHER COMMUNITIES.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT SOME OF THESE CALLS WERE FOR MABAS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD CONSIDER THIS A PRIORITY AND LOOK INTO IF IT CAN BE FIT INTO THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.  COMMISSIONER STOREY THEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6^TH FIREMAN.  MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.   

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $353,041.94.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR DECEMBER 10, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,851.69 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19.452.95 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $70,304.64.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-09 TO FUND THE LOCAL SHARE OF THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT WE SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO LAY ASPHALT IF WE CANNOT HIRE A NEW FIREMAN. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHRISTMAS BONUSES FOR THE CITY OF BENTON EMPLOYEES.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BONUS WOULD CONSIST OF A $50.00 GIFT CARD FOR BENTON SAVE A LOT AND A $25.00 GIFT CARD FOR ACE HARDWARE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1. COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2022 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE #21-10.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT AS WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT YET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

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

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVAL TO AMEND THE LAKE HAMILTON SUBDIVISION COVENANTS.  AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THE COVENANTS FOR THE LAKE HAMILTON SUBDIVISION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN A POST ON FACEBOOK THAT SLANDERS THE MAYOR.  MAYOR KONDRITZ READ THE FACEBOOK POST STATING THAT THE MAYOR WAS RAISING GAMING FEES AND THAT HE HAS RECEIVED MANY CALLS REGARDING THIS SITUATION.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS IS A LIE AND THAT HE HAS NO INTENTION OF RAISING FEES AS THE CITIZENS HAVE ENDURED ENOUGH THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE INCREASE IN REVENUE FROM THE ADDED GAMING MACHINES IN THE CITY OF BENTON HAS ACTUALLY ALLOWED HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THE MACHINE FEES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION DECREASING THE GAMING MACHINE FEES FROM $250.00 PER MACHINE TO $200.00 PER MACHINE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REDUCE GAMING MACHINE FEES FROM $250.00 PER MACHINE PER YEAR TO $200.00 PER MACHINE PER YEAR.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO SPEAK ON LETTER (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF CIVICSERV MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR BENTON DOWNTOWN TIF AND BENTON IJRL TIF #2.  MR. CALCATERRA EXPLAINED THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM AND HOW THEY WILL HANDLE TIF APPLICATIONS, SCORING AND TRACKING OF HB0571 JOBS, AND TRACKING COMPLIANCE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS SERVICE NORMALLY WOULD COST $9,000.00, BUT IF WE ADOPT THIS EARLY THERE WILL BE A DISCOUNT OF $3,000.00 MAKING THE TOTAL $6,000.00 PER YEAR.  MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID WITH TIF FUNDS, $3,000.00 PER TIF.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, 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. RON ROSE QUESTIONED WHY THE CITY IS STILL ALLOWING PARKING ON EAST MAIN STREET.  MR. ROSE STATES THAT HE DRIVES A TRUCK AND THAT THIS IS NOT SAFE.  MR. GREG KIMMEL THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE CITY OF BENTON FOR GIVING HIM PERMISSION TO COLLECT DONATIONS AND PURCHASE THE GRASS EATING CARP INTO LAKE BENTON.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT 300 GRASS CARP WERE LAUNCHED INTO LAKE BENTON ON 10/20/21.  MR. KIMMEL ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE EXTRA DONATIONS AND THAT HE WAS ABLE TO FIX THE BOAT LAUNCH TO LAKE BENTON WITH THOSE DONATIONS.  MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF GAMING FUNDS COULD BE USED TO PAY FOR A NEW FIREMAN.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS IS A POSSIBILITY. 

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

6:50 P.M.

                                                    ___________________________________

                                                                  MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________

CITY CLERK

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M.   MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM © DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL, INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR AGAINST LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

9:02 A.M. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

9:12 A.M.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO HIRE DAMIEN WILBURN FOR THE POSITION OF DEPUTY CITY CLERK/WATER CLERK/TREASURER’S ASSISTANT PENDING POST OFFER TESTING/DRUG TESTING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT MR. WILBURN WILL START ON DECEMBER 13, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO HIRE CHAD SAWYER FOR THE POSITION OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT EMPLOYEE PENDING PASSING POST OFFER TESTING/DRUG TESTING.  START DATE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS FROM THIS MEETING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS TOM CARTER ASKED THAT THE COUNCIL MAKE SURE WHOMEVER THEY HIRE IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT KNOWS HOW TO WORK ON ELECTRIC. 

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

9:15 A.M.   

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT IN PERSON AT CITY HALL.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001776 TO GREEN ELECTRICAL SUPPLY FOR 12 STREET LAMP LIGHTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $736.32.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #21-09 FOR A ONE WAY STOP SIGN TRAVELING NORTH ON STOTLAR AT THE INTERSECTION OF TAYLOR STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT A GRAND OPENING FOR THE NEW COURTHOUSE IS BEING PLANNED.  HE STATED THAT THE COUNTY HAS REACHED OUT TO HIM AND THAT MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING IN THE COMING MONTHS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00050 TO IDS APPLICATIONS TO MOVE BENTON PD LAWMAN RECORDS FROM WEST CITY TO CENTRAL DISPATCH IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,625.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00049 TO NOVACOM FOR A NEW REPEATER SYSTEM AND BUILDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,954.94.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT WEST CITY INITIALLY ASKED FOR $165,000.00 PER YEAR FOR DISPATCH SERVICES.  THE CITY OF BENTON COUNTER OFFERED $135,000.00 PER YEAR FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.  WEST CITY DISPATCH COUNTER OFFERED $135,000.00 FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT CENTRAL DISPATCH IN CHRISTOPHER, ILLINOIS HAS OFFERED THE CITY DISPATCH SERVICES FOR $120,000.00 PER YEAR.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE OFFER OF $120,000.00 PER YEAR FOR DISPATCH SERVICES WITH CENTRAL DISPATCH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE TRANSFER TO CENTRAL DISPATCH HAS TO BE MADE NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2021. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6^TH FIREMAN.  MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.    

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED THE POLICE UNION CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICE UNION CONTRACT FOR MAY 1, 2021 TO APRIL 30, 2025 PENDING THE TREASURER LOOKING OVER THE PAY RESOLUTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO MONTHLY BILLS OR PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR NOVEMBER 24, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,679.82 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,277.03 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $88,956.85.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE REOPENING THE DOWNTOWN FAÇADE PROGRAM.  SHE STATED SHE WOULD LIKE TO SET ASIDE $40,000.00 IN DOWNTOWN TIF FUNDS WITH THE SAME RULES FOR THE LAST PROGRAM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF INCREASING LAKE LOT LEASE RENTAL AND TRANSFER FEES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS NOTICED SOME DAMAGE TO CAPITOL PARK FROM SKATEBOARDERS.  SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH OUR INSURANCE AGENTS AND HAS BEEN TOLD IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE INJURED, WE ARE LIABLE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO HANG NO SKATEBOARDING/ROLLERBLADING/BIKE RIDING SIGNS AT CAPITOL PARK.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS DOES HELP WITH THE CITY’S LIABILITY IF AN INJURY WERE TO HAPPEN.  A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WAS HELD WITH COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATING THAT HE WOULD RATHER SAY “NOT HERE, BUT MAYBE HERE” AS OPPOSED TO JUST SAYING “NO” ALL THE TIME.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THE MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF THIS WAS PUT OUT FOR BID.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT NOT ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF INSURANCE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA’ S MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.   COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD PICKED UP THREE 55-GALLON BAGS OF LITTER AT TWIN OAKS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LITTER STOPPED.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT CITY HALL HAS BEEN CLOSED DUE TO COVID, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LOBBY OPEN BACK UP TO THE PUBLIC BY DECEMBER 1, 2021.  A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHETHER CITY HALL WAS CLOSED BECAUSE OF COVID OR BECAUSE OF SHORT STAFFING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD GET THE INTERVIEWS FINISHED AND HAVE A CANDIDATE TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 13, 2021.  THE COUNCIL ALSO AGREED THAT THE LOBBY WOULD OPEN BACK UP FOR 4 HOURS A DAY FOR THE REST OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR AND THE PLAN WILL BE TO REOPEN AS PREVIOUSLY OPEN PURSUANT TO CDC GUIDELINES BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2022.

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF PEOPLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS AS THEY ENTER CITY HALL.  HE STATED THAT HE HAD VISITED WEST FRANKFORT CITY HALL AND HE WAS WELCOMED IN AND TOLD HE WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR THE MASK THERE.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT WEST FRANKFORT EMPLOYS 12 FIREMEN, 12 POLICE OFFICERS, 5 STREET WORKERS, 3 SEWER WORKERS, AND 3 WATER WORKERS.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES NOT HIRING A 6^TH FIREMAN MAKES NO SENSE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAS A COPY OF THE WEST FRANKFORT BUDGET FOR MAYOR KONDRITZ AND WILL DROP IT OFF FOR HIM AT CITY HALL.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WHAT THE NEW PREMIUM FOR THE INSURANCE WOULD BE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO MR. CARTER WITH THE NUMBERS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY HALL WILL REQUEST THAT ALL CDC REQUIREMENTS BE FOLLOWED. 

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

7:05 P.M.