Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 19, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS 62812.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ EXPRESSED HIS DISAPPROVAL OF THIS MEETING AS HE BELIEVES THE ITEMS FOR THE BUDGET SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED LONG BEFORE THIS DATE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE BELIEVES ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WHO HAS A QUESTION SHOULD BE ABLE TO CALL ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER AND HAVE A DISCUSSION WITHOUT CALLING A SPECIAL MEETING FOR EVERYONE TO DISCUSS THESE ITEMS TOGETHER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE CALLED THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE WAS ASKED BY ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER TO HAVE THE MEETING SO THAT ALL MEMBERS COULD GO OVER THE BUDGET TOGETHER.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WHICH COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTED THE MEETING AND SHE STATED THAT IT WAS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, BUT THAT SHE ALSO FELT THE MEETING WAS A GOOD IDEA. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY WENT OVER THE BUDGET FOR BOTH OF HIS DEPARTMENTS.  FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM WAS PRESENT, BUT POLICE CHIEF MIKE ANDREWS WAS NOT PRESENT.  AFTER PRESENTING HIS BUDGETS, COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTIONS.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED CHIEF COCKRUM TO EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS TO ALLOWING HIM TO HAVE $15,000.00 MORE BUDGETED THIS YEAR FOR PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.  CHIEF COCKRUM EXPLAINED HOW HAVING TWO FIREFIGHTERS ON SHIFT IS IDEAL AND THE SAFEST WAY TO OPERATE.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT BEING ABLE TO SCHEDULE A PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER TO THE SHIFTS WHERE HE HAS ONLY ONE CAREER FIREFIGHTER ON DUTY WOULD BE A HUGE HELP IN HIS DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO QUESTIONED WHY THE BUDGETED TRUCK IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE ONE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT REUSE EQUIPMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES AS IT WILL NOT FIT IN THE NEW TRUCKS, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN.

AT 6:35 P.M. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD A MEETING TO ATTEND AND WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE ITEMS THAT STILL NEEDED TO BE DISCUSSED FOR THE BUDGET AND WHERE THESE ITEMS NEEDED TO BE PLACED.  THE BUDGET WAS GONE THROUGH BY EACH COMMISSIONER.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT ANY ITEM THAT DID NOT HAVE AN AMOUNT NEXT TO IT WOULD NEED TO BE DECIDED ON BEFORE THE FINAL BUDGET WAS PUT TOGETHER.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG ALSO REMINDED THE AUDIENCE THAT THE DRAFT BUDGET WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN HER OFFICE UNTIL MEETING TIME ON MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021. 

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

7:05 P.M. 

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 12, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE, COMPUTER ATTENDANCE, AND IN PERSON.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS WAS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF ROLL CALL, BUT SOON AFTER JOINED VIA ZOOM.  

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ SAID THE GARDEN GATE CLUB WAS PRESENT AND ASKED THEM TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  PAULA TAIT, CARLA CRISP, NANCY HOBBS, AND DAWN KOVARIK SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE CLUB.  A POWER POINT PRESENTATION WAS DONE SHOWCASING A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THE CLUB HAS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.  THE CLUB STATED THAT BECAUSE OF COVID, THE FUNDRAISERS USED IN THE PAST TO FUND THE PROJECTS CANNOT BE DONE.  BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CLUB IS ASKING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENJOYED THE FLOWERS AND PLANTS PLANTED BY THE CLUB, TO DONATE TO THEM SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO PLANT FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN OUR AREA.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG WOULD SHARE THIS INFORMATION ON THE CITY’S FACEBOOK PAGE AS WELL. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAVID GARAVALIA TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO PRESENT ITEM (L) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS:  DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO EMPLOYEE A RESIDENTIAL APPRAISER TO ESTABLISH CITY OWNED SURPLUS REAL ESTATE VALUES.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE SIX (6) APPRAISALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $300.00 FOR A TOTAL OF $1,800.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO EMPLOY A RESIDENTIAL APPRAISER TO ESTABLISH CITY OWNED SURPLUS REAL ESTATE VALUES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED MR. GARAVALIA TO PRESENT ITEM (M) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO EMPLOY A COMMERCIAL APPRAISER TO ESTABLISH VALUE OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE COST OF APPRAISING THIS ONE PROPERTY WOULD BE $1,000.00.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM BEFORE HE FELT COMFORTABLE VOTING ON THIS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE ALSO FELT THAT HE NEEDED MORE INFORMATION.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A FURTHER MEETING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT UNDER UPDATES, HE WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AFTER A LOT OF WORK, IT APPEARS THAT THE GAS STATION ON THE CORNER OF DUQUOIN STREET AND WEST MAIN MAY HAVE SOLD. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED VICTOR SHOCKLEY TO PRESENT ITEM (I) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON REPLAT OF LOTS 1-4 AND 1A OF LAKE BENTON PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATION CENTER.  MR. SHOCKLEY PRESENTED A DRAWING SHOWING HOW THE PLAT WOULD BE REMARKED.  MR. SHOCKLEY STATED THIS PROPERTY IS BEING REPLAT FOR THE KATHALYNAS FAMILY AND THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ZONING BOARD.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS REPLAT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS SIGNED A PROCLAMATION THAT PROCLAIMS APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM ADENA CLARK STATING SHE WOULD LIKE TO RESIGN FROM THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS RESIGNATION FROM ADENA CLARK.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM MICHAEL MCGUIRE STATING HE WOULD LIKE TO RESIGN FROM THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS RESIGNATION FROM MICHAEL MCGUIRE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT THERESA BATES TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION TO FILL ONE OF THE VACANT POSITIONS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT OF THERESA BATES TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR ONE OF THE VACANT POSITIONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT PAULA ARPASI TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION TO FILL ONE OF THE VACANT POSITIONS ON THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ARRIVED TO THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:35 P.M. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT TRANSFER OF LOT #155 FROM BETTY JONES TO RANDY AND CECELIA KIRKPATRICK.  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 A LAKE LOT TRANSFER OF LOT #14 FROM JOHN AND BETTY MOORE TO KENT MICHAEL PARNELL AND MELISSA ELAINE FURNISH.  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 ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ENGINEERING FOR H96-4774: REMARK RUNWAY.  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 ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN AND SPECIAL SERVICES PHASE ENGINEERING FOR H96-4786:  REHABILITATION OF THE MAIN RAMP AREA R-1.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED DAVID HARP OF CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT.  MR. HARP   STATED THAT WE WERE STILL MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.  HE STATED THAT THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD IS BEING FORMED. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW CLOSURE OF INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 FOR A HOMECOMING PARADE FROM 1:30 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #20-21 FOR ROAD CLOSURES FOR A PARADE ON MAY 15, 2021 FOR THE BCHS GRADUATION PARADE FROM 8:45 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO RETURN RETAINAGE TO B.C. CONTRACTING AS THE SIDEWALK PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.  THE AMOUNT OF THE RETAINER BEING RETURNED IS $3,794.31.  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 #00351 TO S&S MUFFLER FOR REPAIR OF ENGINE #807 IN THE AMOUNT OF $768.72.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING.  AN INSPECTION HAD BEEN DONE AND DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT.  THIS WAS AN EMERGENCY DECISION TO REPLACE THEM.  LABOR WAS $495.00, PARTS WERE $244.22, SUPPLIES WERE $6.30, AND TAX WAS $23.20 FOR A TOTAL OF $768.72.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED WHY WE WERE PAYING TAX AS THE CITY IS TAX EXEMPT.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT TAX WAS NOT PAID ON THIS BILL AND THAT A TAX-EXEMPT CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN SENT TO S&S MUFFLER WITH PAYMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH THEN SECONDED THIS MOTION.  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 HIRING DAVID TYLER ORE AS A FULL-TIME PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER WITH A START DATE OF APRIL 26, 2021.  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 ORDINANCE #20-02 AMENDING THE AUXILIARY POLICE ORDINANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.    

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $389,987.89.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR APRIL 1, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,607.98 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,322.83 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $87,930.81.  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 PUT THE CITY OF BENTON FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 BUDGET ON DISPLAY IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE FOR TWO WEEKS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING FOR DISCUSSION OF THE BUDGET SO THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN BE PRESENT AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE INVITED AS WELL.  THIS MEETING IS TO TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED SHE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE WILL BE AN OPEN HOUSE/RIBBON CUTTING AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ON APRIL 23, 2021 AT 12:00 NOON.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE AND ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO COME AND VISIT THE NEW TERMINAL. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO FURTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT TWIN OAKS IS BOOKED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR ON WEEKENDS, BUT THAT HE WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY CAN STILL BOOK THROUGH THE WEEK. 

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE EXPIRED CONTRACT FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER/ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WHEN HE ASKED BEFORE HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE REVISITED IN APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT MR. GARAVALIA HAD PROJECTS UNDERWAY THAT HE NEEDED TO SEE THROUGH AND THOSE PROJECTS WERE SCHEDULED THROUGH AT LEAST JULY. 

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

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. 

7:15 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MARCH 22, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE NOT IN ATTENDANCE.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON MONDAY MARCH 8, 2021 AT 5:45 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED MR. BOB REA TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM.  MR. REA STATED THAT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM HAS LOTS OF VISITORS EVERY YEAR AND BRINGS PEOPLE IN TO TOWN OFF THE INTERSTATE.  MR. REA STATED THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $500.00 TO HELP WITH OPERATING COSTS, BUT IT WAS PULLED FROM THE CITY’S BUDGET LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS.  MR. REA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY PUT THIS BACK IN THIS NEXT BUDGET.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN PAYING THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL MUSEUM A MONTHLY STIPEND OF $500.00 A MONTH BEGINNING IN MAY OF 2021.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO WAIT ON THIS AND LET THE COUNCIL THINK IT OVER AND THAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ TO BE PRESENT WHEN THIS APPROVED.  THIS MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA TO PRESENT ITEMS (C) AND (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT. 

ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR BAIN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC, AT 314 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE WORK TO BE DONE WOULD BE AROUND $5,000.00 AND THEREFORE THE CITY WOULD REIMBURSE $2,500.00.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR BAIN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC AT 314 SOUTH MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR KIMMEL INSURANCE, 104-106 WEST WASHINGTON STREET.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE WORK WILL ACTUALLY BE AROUND $36,000.00, BUT THE REIMBURSEMENT WILL ONLY BE ON UP TO $10,000.00 SO THIS REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE $5,000.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR KIMMEL INSURANCE AT 104-106 WEST WASHINGTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADVERTISING THAT THE CITY OF BENTON WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS FOR MOWING AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO GIVE A REPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET FUEL ORDERED FOR SALE AT THE AIRPORT.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE 2^ND SATURDAY FLY INS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 10, 2021.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK OVER THE BIDS FOR THE AIRPORT MOWING BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE BY THE COUNCIL. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE TWO 2021 1500 SIERRA CREW CAB SHORT BED TRUCKS FROM WEEKS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC IN BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,100.00.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT ONE OF THESE TRUCKS WILL BE FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES AND THE OTHER TRUCK WILL BE FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THESE TRUCKS WILL BE PAID FOR OUT OF THE HOME RULE GAS TAX FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00091 TO CUSTOM CAGE FOR TWO SINGLE-CELL PARTITIONS FOR SQUAD VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,210.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00094 TO TASER ACCREDITED SECURITY FOR TWO YELLOW TASERS AND 2 CARTRIDGE CASES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,277.98.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 03/19/2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,258.88 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,557.57 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $94,816.45.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THE INSTALLATION OF A WALK-UP WINDOW IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO FINDING A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE ROUTE FOR INSTALLATION.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER PERKINS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF 4,000 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR RESALE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $15,000.00.  AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THE PURCHASE BEFORE THE COST OF FUEL RISES AGAIN AS IT HAS GONE UP $0.50 SINCE WE INITIALLY LOOKED INTO THE PURCHASE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

IN NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS IN DISCUSSION WITH MIDWEST TIRE ABOUT HAVING A RESIDENTIAL TIRE COLLECTION. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF WE WILL BREAK EVEN ON THE FUEL.  MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT WE SHOULD SEE A PROFIT.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED FOR THE MOWING OF THE AIRPORT PROPERTY AND MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE WINNING BIDDER WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT IF THE CITY IS CONSIDERING A WALK-UP WINDOW, THEY SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER AN AWNING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

7:05 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY MARCH 12, 2021 AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.  PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS MEETING WAS CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPENING BIDS RECEIVED FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN THE BIDS THAT WERE RECEIVED. 

CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT ONLY ONE BID WAS RECEIVED.  THE BID WAS FROM LITTLE EGYPT MOSQUITO COMPANY, LLC.  THIS COMPANY IS BASED IN JONESBORO, ILLINOIS.  THERE WERE TWO PROPOSALS INSIDE THIS BID.  THE FIRST PROPOSAL WAS FOR THE USE OF LARVICIDE TO BE USED TO TREAT DESIRED ZONES, CULVERTS, DITCHES, ETC. IN THE BENTON CITY LIMITS AT $2,300.00 PER MONTH FOR A SEASON OF SIX (6) MONTHS WITH A TOTAL OF $13,800.00 FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT FOR THE YEAR OF 2021.  THE SECOND PROPOSAL WAS FOR THE USE OF COMMERCIAL FOGGING.  IT WAS NOTED THAT COMMERCIAL FOGGING IS EFFECTIVE, BUT TIME CONSUMING AS CITY RESIDENTS WILL NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHEN THE FOGGING WILL TAKE PLACE AND A BACKUP DAY WOULD NEED TO BE PLANNED IN CASE OF RAIN.  THE COST OF COMMERCIAL FOGGING WOULD BE $4,500.00 PER MONTH WITH A TOTAL OF $27,000.00 FOR THE SIX (6) MONTH SEASON. 

A SHORT DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING BOTH PROPOSALS.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE FIRST PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY LITTLE EGYPT MOSQUITO COMPANY, LLC FOR THE USE OF LARVICIDE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,300.00 PER MONTH FOR A TOTAL COST OF $13,800.00 FOR MOSQUITO ABATEMENT IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BENTON FOR THE 2021 SEASON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.   

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

9:15 A.M.