Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKUP, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS NOT PRESENT. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,846.30 AND FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,951.09 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $378,797.39.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.   

TIME 8:35 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 8, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2023.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH INVITED POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW PEMBERTON TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORN IN OFFICER PEMBERTON AS A BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR REVIEW IN THE PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LAKE LOTS 33 AND 34 FROM MARTHA CARLTON TO LINDA FREY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TRANSFER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LAKE LOT 132 FROM ROBIN AND DEBBIE YUCAS TO DEEDRA MCLAIN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TRANSFER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED ITEM (C) UNDER PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT, DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVE OF PRICE INCREASE FROM KEENER’S KLEANERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BID CLEANING SERVICES FOR THE CITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEY DID TO HELP WITH THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL PARADE ON SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00104 TO DATA PILOT FOR ONE CAPTURE KIT AND ONE RENEWAL LICENSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,095.00 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE MERIT BOARD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR A LATERAL HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH THANKED COMMISSIONER STOREY FOR ALL THE HARD WORK HE PUT IN ON MAKING THIS LATERAL HIRE HAPPEN. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF UPDATE ON DISPATCH AGREEMENT UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION CAN BE HELD REGARDING THIS TOPIC.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW APPOINTMENT TO THE CENTRAL DISPATCH BOARD UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION CAN BE HELD ON THIS TOPIC.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING AND WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS.  

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,536.70 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,851.08 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $122,387.78.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ACTUARIAL REPORT AGREEMENT WITH LAUTERBACH AND AMEN FOR THE PENSION FUNDS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LOT GOING ON IN TOWN OVER THE PAST WEEK WITH THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS A SUCCESS AND HE BELIEVES IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST REND LAKE WATER FESTIVALS IN YEARS. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ADDRESSED ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NAMING A BUDGET OFFICER.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE NAMED AS BUDGET OFFICER AT THIS TIME AND WOULD NEED A MOTION FOR THIS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE – ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME RESTRUCTURING OF DUTIES AND DEPARTMENTS TO BE AMENDED IN THIS CHAPTER.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION BY SUSAN SMOTHERS TO OWN AND OCCUPY A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME AT 113 VIRGINIA.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD HAD APPROVED THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH GETTING WATER TO THE PROPERTY.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVING THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS LONG AS EASEMENTS WERE OBTAINED FOR THE WATER LINE TO BE RAN TO THE PROPERTY.  MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO TRY AND GET THE WATER SITUATION RESOLVED.  MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE WAS NO WATER CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO HER PURCHASED LAND AND SO WHEN WORK WAS BEING DONE AND A WATER LINE WAS HIT, SHE WAS SURPRISED, MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT THE WATER LEAKED OVERNIGHT AND HALF OF THE NEXT DAY BEFORE IT WAS DISCOVERED CREATING A 17,000-GALLON LEAK.  MS. SMOTHERS ASKED IF THE METER COULD BE MOVED 150 FEET AND PLACED ON HER PROPERTY.  PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES STATED THAT THE METER COULD NOT BE MOVED DUE TO THE WATER LINE STOPPING AT THE PLACE THE METER IS CURRENTLY AT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT TIME (H) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RATE SELECTION FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SOLAR PROJECT WITH KEYSTONE POWER HOLDINGS, LLC.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND RATES IN THEIR PACKET THAT HE HAD PREPARED.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL CHOSE THE FLAT RATE, NO SAVINGS WOULD BE SEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS; HOWEVER, OVER A 30-YEAR PERIOD THE SAVINGS WOULD BE A TOTAL OF $901,382.00.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL CHOSE THE ESCALATOR, SAVINGS WOULD START IMMEDIATELY; HOWEVER, AFTER 30 YEARS THE TOTAL SAVINGS WOULD BE $776,673.00.  MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD DISCUSSED THIS WITH CITY TREASURER LISA MENO.  MRS. MENO BELIEVES THAT THE ESCALATOR IS THE RATE THE COUNCIL SHOULD CHOOSE AS THE IMMEDIATE SAVINGS WOULD HELP THE SEWER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ESCALATOR RATE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (I) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING CODY WILLIFORD AS CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS JOB WAS ADVERTISED ON INDEED AND THE CITY RECEIVED 30 APPLICATIONS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT FOUR APPLICANTS WERE CHOSEN TO BE INTERVIEWED BY A PANEL.  MR. WILLIFORD WAS CHOSEN BY THE PANEL FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR JOB FOR A PAY OF $18.00 PER HOUR WORKING 16 HOURS A WEEK.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO BENEFITS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW FOR THIS POSITION.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MR. WILLIFORD TO TELL THE COUNCIL A BIT ABOUT HIMSELF.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR THE RAILROAD AND HAD ALSO OWNED A RESTAURANT IN THE PAST.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAD NOT EVER DONE WORK LIKE THIS JOB, BUT FELT HE WOULD BE GOOD AT TIT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF CODY WILLIFORD FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT THE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1 WOULD BE AND IF THE CITIZENS WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE BEING APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE AMENDMENTS, BUT NOT THE PUBLIC.  ATTORNEY ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE AMENDMENTS WERE APPROVED, THE PUBLIC WOULD THEN BE ALLOWED TO VIEW THEM.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF MS. SMOTHERS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO GET AN ADJUSTMENT TO HER ACCOUNT SINCE THE LEAK DID NOT GET CAUGHT BY THE SYSTEM IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT LEAK DETECTION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EASIER WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM AND SINCE THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING, HE FELT THAT MS. SMOTHERS SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ADJUSTMENT.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT IF THE CITY HAD NOT PURCHASED THE WATER METER READING SYSTEM THAT IT DID, SOLAR COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY THE CITY AND THE CITY WOULD BE MAKING A PROFIT OFF OF THE EXTRA ENERGY PRODUCED.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED HOW MANY APPLICANTS WERE FROM THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE AND MR. CARTER COULD MEET AT CITY HALL OR THE BUZZ AT SOME POINT TO DISCUSS THIS POSITION FURTHER.

ROCKY MORRIS ASKED IF THE CITY OF BENTON WOULD BE SELLING ANY EXTRA ENERGY PRODUCED BY THE SOLAR PANELS.  BRIAN CALCATERRA ANSWERED BY SAYING THAT THE CITY DOES NOT GET ANY PROFIT FROM THIS SYSTEM, THE CITY WILL JUST BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ELECTRICITY AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.  MR. MORRIS ASKED MR. WILLIFORD HOW LONG HE HAD BEEN ON WORKER’S COMP.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN ON WORKER’S COMP.  MR. MORRIS ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL WHO SAT ON THE COMMITTEE FOR HIRING OF THIS CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF BRIAN CALCATERRA, LEE MESSERSMITH, TOM MALKOVICH, AND BROOK CRAIG.  

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 FOR PAYING OF MONTHLY BILLS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

5:38 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023 AT 8:45 A.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  MAYOR KONDRITZ AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE NOT PRESENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $498,553.06.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS:  0. 

MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  NAYS:  0.   

TIME 8:50 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 10, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ, FINANCE COMMISSIONER CATHY GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  MAYOR KONDRITZ WAS ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PETITION TO VACATE AN ALLEY LOCATED IN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS ALLEY RUNS NORTH AND SOUTH AND GOES THROUGH THE PROPERTY LOCATED NEXT TO CITY HALL WHERE THE NEWHOUSE LUMBAR COMPANY IS CURRENTLY BEING DEMOLISHED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PETITION TO VACATE AN ALLEY LOCATED IN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

1. CALCATERRA ALSO DISCUSSED ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A BID TO PURCHASE SURPLUS PROPERTY FROM THE APRIL 3, 2023 AUCTION. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED BEHIND THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND WAS APPRAISED FOR $57,000.00. THE HIGH BID FOR THIS PROPERTY WAS $62,000.00 RECEIVED BY KYLE MCCOLLUM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE HIGH BID OF $62,000.00 MADE BY KYLE MCCOLLUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

4. CALCATERRA STATED THAT ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND 5 HINMAN HOLDINGS LLC, WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TABLING THIS ITEM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

3. CALCATERRA STATED THAT A FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION HAD BEEN MADE BY DAVID GARAVALIA FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS AT 417 NORTH MAIN STREET. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY DAVID GARAVALIA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER STOREY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.  NAYS:  0. 

4. CALCATERRA STATED THAT A FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION HAD BEEN MADE BY JAMES FORD FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED AT 1103 PUBLIC SQUARE. MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION BY JAMES FORD WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

4. CALCATERRA STATED THAT A FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION HAD BEEN MADE BY SAMUEL SHILLINGBURG FOR FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED AT 501 PUBLIC SQUARE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY SAMUEL SHILLINGBURG. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WRITTEN DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING, BUT THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS HELPED WITH THE CONCRETE POURING AT THE FIRE STATION AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING TRANSFERS ON IOWA STREET TO COMPLETE THAT PROJECT. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING ON TEARING UP THE OLD DRIVE AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INSTALLING A NEW DRIVE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT IS WAITING ON TELECOM TO FINISH ON MCLEANSBORO/EAST MAIN STREET SO THAT THEY CAN FINISH UP THAT PROJECT. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00390 TO AMAZON FOR TWO KEYPAD SECURITY DOOR HANDLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $789.74.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO AMEND THE LATERAL HIRE ORDINANCE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM A TIME WORKED AT ANOTHER DEPARTMENT FROM 3 YEARS DOWN TO 18 MONTHS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION APPROVE PURCHASING A K9 FROM ST. LOUIS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS DOG WOULD BE A LABRADOR RETRIEVER.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RAISED $21,000.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE MEETING WOULD HAVE TO BE EXTENDED TO PAY BILLS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PAYROLL TO BE APPROVED AT THIS MEETING. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO ADDRESS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE 2023/2024 BUDGET.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION ALLOWING THE BUDGET TO BE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY FOR TWO WEEKS.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PLACING THE DRAFT FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 BUDGET ON DISPLAY FOR 2 WEEKS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHY A POSITION FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN POSTED BEFORE IT WAS PLACED ON THE AGENDA.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT IT WOULD BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA AS SHE MISTAKENLY LEFT IT OFF OF THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN TO THE COUNTY BOARD MEETING TO DISCUSS THE CAMPBELL BUILDING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHERE HE NEEDS TO GO TO VOICE HIS OPINION.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A COUNTY BOARD MEETING ON APRIL 17 THAT HE COULD ATTEND AND VOICE HIS OPINION AT. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023 AT 8:45 A.M. TO APPROVEMENT THE PAYMENT OF BILLS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

5:20 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MARCH 27, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023.  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 THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF LAKE LOT LEASE #7 FROM RICHARD E. WESTON TO BLAKE HALL.  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 APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF TREES PURSUANT TO LAKE LOT LEASE, LOTS 1-4, AT LAKE BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00236 TO NU WAY SALES FOR CONCRETE TO BE USED AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,219.50.  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 PURCHASE ORDER #00235 TO NU WAY SALES FOR STEEL FORMS AND CONCRETE FINISHING PRODUCTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,270.40.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00101 TO COAL BELT SALES FOR AN 8 X 12-FOOT KENNEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  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 #00103 TO ROBERT KEY & SON CONSTRUCTION FOR A 9 X 12-FOOT CONCRETE PAD FOR THE K-9 PEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,523.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 #00389 TO DIVE RESCUE INTERNATIONAL FOR 6 ICE RESCUE SUITS, WET SHOES, AND GLOVES IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,170.52.  THIS IS TO BE PAID THROUGH THE DONATION FUND.  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 #00388 TO LEO M. ELLEBRACHT FOR 3 SETS OF BUNKER GEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,411.86.  THIS ITEM IS TO BE PAID THROUGH THE CITY SERVICES BUNKER GEAR LINE ITEM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 #00078 TO ALADTEC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION AND PAYROLL MODULE IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00.  THIS ITEM IS TO BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE IMPOUND FEE LINE ITEM.  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 DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-09 ADOPTING THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.  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 TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PURCHASING A K9 UNTIL THE NEW COUNCIL HAS BEEN SEATED.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 03/17/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,463.78 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,043.95 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,507.63.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 03/31/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,916.58 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,693.48 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,610.06.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A POLICY REQUIRED FOR RECEIVING GRANTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT OUR POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY FEMA.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 CITY AND FEDERAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT POLICY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WILL BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 PAY RESOLUTION FOR NONUNION EMPLOYEES.  THIS WOULD REFLECT A $2,100.00 INCREASE TO THE CURRENT BASE FOR THE WATER CLERK AND A $2,100.00 INCREASE TO THE BASE OF THE POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.  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. 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR 8 YEARS ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD NEW HOUSE LUMBAR COMPANY.  HE STATED THAT HE IS VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE BUILDING IS COMING DOWN AND A NEW BUSINESS WILL BE MOVING IN.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK ON THIS PROJECT AS WELL AS DAVID GARAVALIA AND BRIAN CALCATERRA. 

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, CHRISTEN DREW STATED THAT SHE IS NOT IN ATTENDANCE TO ATTACK ANYONE PERSONALLY, BUT SHE BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE COUNCIL VOTED TO REMOVE PARKING FOR A BIKE LANE, IT WAS THE WRONG CHOICE.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE DID NOT APPRECIATE THE SIGNS THAT WERE PLACED REGARDING PARKING AS WELL.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT  SHE PERSONALLY HAS INVESTED $100’S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE PUBLIC SQUARE AND HAS CREATED 20 JOBS.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES CAFÉ BLOOM HAS RECEIVED DELIVERIES OFF OF EAST MAIN FOR OVER 100 YEARS AND SAFETY HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE THROUGH ANY OF THIS.  SHE STATED THAT HER BUSINESS CREATES 9 BAGS OF GARBAGE A DAY SINCE 2020 AND THAT THOSE BAGS EXIT HER BUILDING ON EAST MAIN.  SHE ALSO STATED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR SHE HAS PURCHASED $30,000.00 WORTH OF GROCERIES FROM BENTON GROCERS THAT ENTER HER BUILDING THROUGH EAST MAIN.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE DOES APPRECIATE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES COMING TO SPEAK TO HER, BUT FEELS THAT THE VOTE TO REMOVE PARKING WAS NOT A VOTE FOR GROWTH AND SHOWS NO LONG-TERM PLAN OR DREAM.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT IN 2021 THE PARKING ON SOUTH MAIN WAS REMOVED, IN 2022 THE REBUILDING OF THE COURTHOUSE TOOK ANOTHER 20 SPOTS, AND NOW IN 2023 THE PARKING ON EAST MAIN IS SET TO BE REMOVED.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT BUSINESS NEED MORE PARKING SPOTS.  EACH LOST PARKING SPOT IS A LOST CUSTOMER AND THAT LOSING 2-3 CUSTOMERS A DAY EQUATES TO $9,000.00 TO $10,000.00 PER YEAR FOR HER BUSINESS. 

MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH IDOT AND APPARENTLY THE BIKE LANE IS NOT “A DONE DEAL”.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT IDOT TOLD HER THEY APPROACHED THE CITY AND THE CITY RESPONDED FAVORABLY TO REMOVING THESE SPOTS FOR A BIKE LANE.  MRS. DREW ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PLEASE STAND UP TO IDOT AND TRY TO SAVE THESE SPOTS.  MRS. DREW ALSO STATED THAT IF THE SPOTS CANNOT BE SAVED, THE CITY SHOULD “THINK BIG” AND MAYBE CONSIDER A PARKING GARAGE. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK MRS. DREW FOR WHAT SHE HAS DONE ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED WHO PUT THE SIGNS UP AND WHAT THE SIGNS SAID.  MRS. DREW STATED THAT THE CITY PUT THE SIGNS UP AND THEY SAID “NO PARKING ON SIDEWALK, PARKWAY, OR THIS BLOCK”.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE CANNOT REMEMBER A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOADING ZONE OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING AND THAT HE WANTED TO GO ON RECORD THAT HE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR LOADING ZONES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE APRON ON ROUTE 37 WAS PUT IN FOR A BIKE LANE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT HE IT WOULD BE FELONIOUS TO SAY THAT IDOT ISN’T BROKEN. 

1. JAKE BETTS SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL MR. BETTS STATED THAT WHEN HE BEGAN WORKING WITH JOE’S PIZZA, THERE WERE 3 STORES. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE NOW 21 RESTAURANTS AND HE HAS OPENED 17 OF THE 18 RESTAURANTS. MR. BETTS STATED THAT HE BEGAN HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY AS A PARKING SPOT SURVEYOR.  HE STATED RULE OF THUMB IS TO HAVE 4 PARKING SPOTS FOR EVERY 1,000 SQUARE FOOT.  MRS. BETTS STATED THAT HIS BUSINESS HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARK IN THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF THE SQUARE, BUT HE THINKS THAT NOT HAVING PARKING ON EAST MAIN WILL HURT THE OTHER BUSINESSES.  MR. BETTS ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE PUSH TAX WHEN AVAILABLE. 

1. TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH IF HE HAS LOOKED INTO THE WATERWAYS LEAVING THE CITY AS DISCUSSED IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS WORKING ON THESE ISSUES. MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO VOICE THEIR DISPLEASURE ON SPENDING FROM THE COUNTY ON MORE THAN WHAT THE VOTERS VOTED ON WITH A PROPOSITION IN THE LAST ELECTION.  MR. CARTER HANDED A COPY OF THE PROPOSITION TO THE COUNCIL.  THE PROPOSITION WAS TO IMPOSE AN INCREASE OF LOCAL SALES TAX FOR RENOVATIONS TO THE CAMPBELL BUILDING TO ACCOMMODATE THE OFFICES OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY CLERK AND TREASURER.  THIS PROPOSITION PASSED AND MR. CARTER STATES THAT THE COUNTY IS USING THE MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS AS WELL.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH SUGGESTED THAT THE COUNCIL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT.  MR. CARTER ASKED THE MAYOR TO BE PROACTIVE WITH THIS ISSUE. 

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.

5:45 P.M.