Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2022 8:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE REGARDING ACCEPTING A BID FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LEASE.  THE HIGH BID OF MONY KASH AT $300.00 PER ACRE WAS APPROVED.  COMMISSIONER CORKUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

TIME 8:35 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2022 AT 6:00 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 OCTOBER 10, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  ABSTAINS:  1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.

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

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

UNDER DEPARTMENTAL REPORT, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING ON SERVICE LEAKS AND WITH REPAINTING THE WATER TOWER

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

UNDER DEPARTMENTAL REPORT, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH DISCUSSED THE LIST OF ITEMS DONATED TO THE DEPARTMENT

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00066 TO ACCREDITED SECURITY FOR TASERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1518.99.  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 #00381 TO CDW-GOVERNMENT FOR REPLACEMENT DATA TERMINALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,133.41.  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 #00382 TO FIRE APPARATUS & SUPPLY TEAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $655.00.  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 HIS DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR BOTH THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE IN THE COUNCIL PACKETS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKE ON AN INTERNSHIP, COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTING INTERNSHIP.  SECONDED 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 HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED OCTOBER 14, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,383.15 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,349.68 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,732.83.  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 APPROVE THE HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR 2023.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR KONDRITZ 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 ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “DAY TRIP” PROPOSAL WITH RICK LINTON WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO PRESENT THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR AIRPORT MANAGER. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ACCEPT THIS DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 OPEN AND PRESENT THE BIDS FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LEASE.  THE BIDS ARE AS LISTED BELOW.

IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING UNTIL FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, AT 8:30 A.M. TO ALLOW TIME TO CONTACT THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT FOR ACQUIRING THE LOT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 506 SOUTH COMMERCIAL FOR DEMOLITION.  IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL TO ACQUIRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEMOLITION.  MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  SECONDED 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 PRESENT ITEM G TO THE COUNCIL.  IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ACCEPT THE SALE OF THE CITY LOT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 208 W PARRISH AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED THAT BROOK CRAIG BE APPOINTED TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED THAT BROOK CRAIG BE APPOINTED TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY AS A CORPORATION IS AUDITED ONCE A YEAR.  IT WAS STATED THAT WE ARE PROUD OF OUR AUDITS EXCEPT IN THE INVENTORY PORTION WHERE WE RECEIVED AN F.  MAYOR KONDRITZ DISCUSSED A STORAGE OPTION FOR THE TOOLS USED BY THE GARDEN GATE GIRLS THAT TAKE CARE OF THE FLOWERS ON CITY PROPERTIES. 

IN OLD BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WANTED IT STATES THAT HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY WERE REPLACING AN OFFICER WHEN THEY APPROVED A POLICEMAN, NOT THAT A NEW ONE WAS BEING ADDED TO THE NUMBERS.  DISCUSSION WAS HAD BETWEEN COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA IN REGARDS TO THE FUNDING OF THE PERSONNEL.

NO NEW BUSINESS

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE COUNCIL’S DECISION TO BID OUT THE FARMLAND. 

1. CARTER STATED THAT MATTHEW HARRISON HAD THE RIGHT TO BE ON THE AIRPORT BOARD, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF PAST PRACTICES.

1. CARTER STATED HE HAD READ THROUGH THE CONTRACT FOR THE CITY’S WATER METERS READING SYSTEM AND WAS WONDERING WHERE THE WARRANTY INFORMATION WAS.

DARRELL ELLIS AND COMPANY PRESENTED ON MATTERS NOT RELATED TO CITY GOVERNMENTAL MATTERS.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 AT 8:30 A.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

7:10 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 10, 2022 AT 6:00 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 STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS ABSENT. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RICK LINTON AND BARB LINTON TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY TO PRESENT FIRST AT THE MEETING.  THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THE COUNCIL A PROPOSAL FOR “AN AFTERNOON IN BENTON”.  A SHORT PRESENTATION WAS MADE WITH DISCUSSION ON ADVERTISING FOR THIS PROPOSAL.  HANDOUTS WERE GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.  MR. LINTON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO GO OVER THE PACKET AND CONTACT HIM FOR ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR A VOTE. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #120 AND LOT #121 FROM ALICE WEED TO WILLIAM LOWELL RIEGEL, TRUSTEE OF THE ORPHIA ALICE R. WEED IRREVOCABLE TRUST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT UNDER ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS, HE HAD AN ITEM TO PRESENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT LINDA MUSLIN WOULD LIKE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE COUNCIL TO RENT HER LAKE LOT (LOTS #30 AND LOT #31) TO AARON AND ELIZABETH SHADOAN AS ALLOWED WITHIN THE LEASE CONTEXT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS INTO A MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS IN EVERYONE’S PACKET.  THE REPORT WAS FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2022.  THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 10 SERVICE LEAKS, 2 WATER MAIN BREAKS ON EAST MAIN, 1 WATER MAIN BREAK ON EAST SMITH, AND 1 WATER MAIN BREAK ON WHISPER WAY.  THERE WERE TWO NEW SERVICES INSTALLED, 1 SEWER ISSUE AT THE HOSPITAL, AND 9 SEWERS CLEANED.  THERE WAS PUMP MAINTENANCE AT THE LIFT STATION ON CLEARVIEW.  THE SHUT OFF LIST WAS COMPLETED, THERE WERE 337 JULIES MARKED, GENERAL MOWING, AND GENERAL METER REPAIR COMPLETED.  WORK WAS DONE ON PARRISH AND IOWA STREET WATER MAINS AND THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE 20^TH OF OCTOBER. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ESTABLISH AN INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REPURPOSE THE SEWER SURCHARGE INTO AN INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS WOULD GIVE THE WATER DEPARTMENT A FUND TO BE ABLE TO FIX WATER AND SEWER ISSUES FROM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE ACCOUNT FOR THE SEWER SURCHARGE WOULD STAY IN THAT ACCOUNT AND THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO FIX ONLY THE SEWER ISSUES.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO REPURPOSE THE SEWER SURCHARGE INTO AN INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

FOR THE STREETS AND IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT REPORT, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON SIDEWALKS, CULVERTS, AND PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT A $200,000.00 GRADE WAS RECEIVED BY GREATER EGYPT REGIONAL PLANNING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BENTON AND MT. VERNON TO WRITE A GRANT FOR A MASTER BIKE PLAN.   MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED WHERE THE TOOLS THAT WERE GIFTED BY THE REALITY SHOW TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ARE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE AN INVENTORY OF THESE TOOLS TO BE DONE AND TURNED IN AT CITY HALL. 

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING A POLICE OFFICER AS CRIME HAS GONE UP.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT MATTHEW PEMBERTON IS IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING THROUGH THE MERIT BOARD.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER ALSO STATED THAT THE POLICE TRAINING INSTITUTE WOULD START IN JANUARY AND THE OFFICER WOULD BE GONE TO TRAINING FOR 15 WEEKS. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE REPORT. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING FROM ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $651,921.61.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYING BILLS DATED OCTOBER 10, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,181.55 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,604.26 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,785.81.80.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR THE STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON WILL BE OPENING UP THE LANES IN THEIR DRIVE THRU.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM APPLICATION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A ZONING CHANGE FOR HUCKS CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATED AT 1204 NORTH MAIN STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HUCKS WILL BE TEARING DOWN THEIR CURRENT BUILDING AND BUILDING A NEW BUILDING DIRECTLY TO THE EAST OF THEIR LOCATION.  DURING THE PERMIT APPROVAL PROCESS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THIS AREA WAS ZONED B3 AND WOULD NOT PERMIT FOR THIS BUSINESS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL CHANGE THE ZONING OF THIS LOCATION TO B2.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF TWO CITY LOTS LOCATED AT 502 AND 504 SOUTH COMMISSION STREET.  MT. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE LOTS ARE FOR SALE THROUGH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TRUSTEE AND WOULD BE $816.00 A PIECE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THESE TWO LOTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO ACQUIRE SURVEYS AND APPRAISAL OF LAND AT THE AIRPORT FOR POTENTIAL SALE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF WE WOULD LIKE TO SELL THIS PROPERTY IN THE FUTURE, THIS WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE WERE SOME HE PROBLEMS AT THE NEW PLAYGROUND.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE HAD DRIVEN BY THE PLAYGROUND ON MULTIPLE TIMES AND WITNESSED CHILDREN KICKING THE FENCE AND THROWING MULCH OVER THE FENCE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT IT IS VERY DARK IN THAT AREA.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED A LIGHT HAS ALREADY BEEN ORDERED FOR THAT AREA.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT DEER CAMERAS MAY BE HELPFUL AT THE PARK TO CATCH SURVEILLANCE.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO A CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE AREA. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED THAT HE FEELS THE CITIZENS ARE BEING SHORT CHANGED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IF THEY PROCEED WITH MAKING AN INFRASTRUCTURE FUND INSTEAD OF A SEWER SURCHARGE FUND.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD CASES OF NEW METERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND THAT HE BELIEVES THE CREATION OF THIS FUND IS A RUSE TO BUY NEW METERS.  MR. CARTER STATES THAT HE FEELS THIS IS INDESCRIBABLE AND THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF SEWERS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS WILL GO PUBLIC IF THERE IS ANYTHING INCORRECT BEING DONE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WILL BE SUBMITTING FOIA REQUESTS REGARDING THE METERING SYSTEM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE CURRENTLY IS A SEWER FUND, BUT NO WATER FUND AND CREATION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WOULD GIVE THE COUNCIL THE OPTION OF WHERE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING OUT OF.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THERE ARE NO MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE WATER METERS. 

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

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MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 AT 6:00 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 AUGUST 22, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY TO PRESENT FIRST AT THE MEETING. 

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING JUSTICE PURDIE AS A FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. 

VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SRO CONTRACTS WITH BENTON CONSOLIDATED COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 47, K-4 AND 5-8.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE AND CHIEF FUNKHOUSER HAD WRITTEN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE BENTON CONSOLIDATED COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 FOR TWO STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS, ONE FOR K-4 AND ONE FOR 5-8.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT EACH COUNCIL MEMBER HAD RECEIVED A COPY OF THESE AGREEMENTS IN THEIR PACKETS AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE BENTON CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 FOR K-4.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE BENTON CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 FOR 5-8   SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED OFFICER JEREMY WATKINS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PURCHASING A K9.  OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT HE HAS FELT FOR A WHILE THAT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING A K9 ON STAFF AGAIN.  HE STATED THAT WITH THE CHANGES TO THE POLICE REFORM THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2023, A K9 WOULD BE USEFUL IN SEARCHING OF VEHICLES.  OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS K9 WAS AN ATTACK DOG AND THE DOG THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO AT THIS TIME WOULD BE A SNIFFER DOG.  OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE K9 AND THEREFORE WOULD SWITCH FROM HIS CURRENT SHIFT TO A POWER SHIFT.  HE WOULD BE ON PROACTIVE PATROL AND THERE WOULD BE LITTLE TO NO OVERTIME IN HIS POSITION.  APPROXIMATELY $17,000.00 WOULD BE NEEDED IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THE NEW K9 AND OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT HE FEELS THE DEPARTMENT COULD RAISE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS THROUGH GRANTS, DONATIONS, AND FUNDRAISERS.  OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT IT WOULD COST THE CITY APPROXIMATELY $2,500.00 A YEAR, AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, IN ORDER TO FEED, HOUSE, AND GENERAL TAKING CARE OF THE K9.  OFFICER WATKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL FOR PERMISSION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF RAISING THE FUNDS FOR THE K9 WITH THE HOPES OF BEING ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE K9 IN MAY OF 2023.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE STARTING THE PROCESS OF RAISING FUNDS FOR A K9 IN THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ROB WEILT WITH AGE (AFFORDABLE GAS AND ELECTRIC) TO SPEAK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ON AGGREGATION FOR CITY OWNED ELECTRIC ACCOUNTS.  MR. WEILT STATED THAT THE CITY’S CURRENT AGGREGATION PROGRAM FOR CITY OWNED ACCOUNTS WILL NOT EXPIRE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2024, HOWEVER, WITH THE RECENT SPIKE IN ELECTRIC RATES AND THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR COSTS WILL LOWER MUCH IN THE FUTURE AND PROBABLY ONLY GO HIGHER, MR. WEILT WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS ALLOWING AGE TO SIGN THE CITY WITH A NEW RATE.  NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT IT WAS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL NEEDED TO SET TRICK OR TREATING HOURS.  WITH HALLOWEEN FALLING ON A MONDAY EVENING, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SET OFFICIAL TRICK OR TREATING HOURS FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 29, 2022 FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TRICK OR TREATING HOURS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2022 FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAY

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL FOR ACQUIRING APPRAISAL OF LAND APPROXIMATELY 28 ACRES LYING SOUTH OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND SOUTH OF THE I-57 AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK FOR POTENTIAL SALE AND DEVELOPMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #110 FROM WILLIAM G. TENNISON AND SHIRLEY A. TENNISON TO CHRISTY LANGFORD.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #152 FROM PHILLIP BARTLEY DURHAM TO ROBIN SMITH AND BEN SMITH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A VERBAL DEPARTMENT REPORT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN BUSY BORING ON IOWA STREET AND INSTALLING NEW LINES IN ADDITION TO FIXING LEAKS AND OTHER DAILY DUTIES. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DESIGN/ENGINEERING OF INDUSTRIAL PARK II WATERMAIN EXTENSION STATING THAT THIS WILL BE PAID FROM THE IJRL TIF FUNDS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH GAVE A VERBAL DEPARTMENT REPORT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE MILLING AND OVERLAY PROJECT ON SOUTH MCLEANSBORO STREET AND A PORTION OF JOPLIN STREET WAS UNDERWAY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND THEN STRIPING WILL BE SET FOR THE NEXT WEEK.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET SWEEPER IS CURRENTLY OUT OF COMMISSION, BUT PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND ONCE THEY ARRIVE STREET SWEEPING WILL COMMENCE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE BCHS HOMECOMING PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022, AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 P.M.  THE PARADE WILL BEGIN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AND GO WEST ON EAST MAIN STREET, AND END AROUND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF DESIGNATING THE NEW PLAYGROUND ON GRAND STREET AS A PARK.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS EMPLOYEE WILL ACTUALLY BE A WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE, BUT WILL BE LOANED TO THE STREET DEPARTMENT AT TIME.  THE EMPLOYEE TO BE HIRED IS KEVIN SAMPLE.  SECOND Y COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO PAY MONTHLY BILLS DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $360,501.79.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  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 SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,357.41 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,082.39 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,439.80.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THE BREAK ROOM AT CITY HALL NEEDED SOME NEW CHAIRS AS WELL AS A COUPLE TALES WERE NEEDED AT THE AIRPORT TERMINAL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE HOSPITAL WAS GETTING RID OF SOME FURNITURE AND SHE COULD ACQUIRE IT ALL FOR $200.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASING THE CHAIRS FOR CITY HALL AND CHAIRS AND TABLES FOR THE AIRPORT TERMINAL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED AND WILL BE HELPING WITH FESTIVALS AND DECORATING OF THE CITY FOR EVENTS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE NEXT MEETING FOR THIS GROUP WILL BE AT THE BENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022, FROM 6-7 P.M.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT IF MULTIPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND THE MEETING, NO CITY BUSINESS IS TO BE DISCUSSED. 

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

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD JUST SIGNED THE PAPERWORK WITH THE ENGINEERS AND IDOT DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS TO LAY ASPHALT AT THE AIRPORT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE WAS SOME PROPERTY ON NORTH MAIN IN FRONT OF BETTY AIKEN AND DAVID MCCOLLUM’S PROPERTIES THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT MAYOR KONDRITZ SHOULD HAVE CALLED HIM AND LET HIM KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE SO THAT IT COULD BE RESOLVED.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ABOUT THIS AND THAT HE HAD NOT HANDLED THE SITUATION.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN MOWING THE CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT INDUSTRIAL PARK II THAT HOUSES THE SIGN.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT AT THIS TIME THERE ARE WEEDS THAT ARE WAIST HIGH AND IT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HIS FINAL COMMEND UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS WAS THAT THE ROADS ON WHISPER WAY, NEAR HIS HOME, ARE DISINTEGRATING WITH GRASS GROWING IN THE ROADS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HOMEOWNERS EITHER HAVE TO MOW THE ROAD (AS HE DOES), SPRAY WEED KILLER, OR PULL THE WEEDS WHICH ENDS UP PULLING THE ROADWAY UP AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.   

NO OLD BUSINESS.

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT TONIGHT, BEFORE THE MEETING, A CALL WAS RECEIVED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT A POTENTIAL DRUG DEAL HAPPENING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT UNFORTUNATELY THE OFFICER ON SHIFT WAS ALREADY AT A CALL AND COULD NOT GO.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO THANK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR HELPING WITH THE FLAGS, BANNERS, AND BUNTINGS AROUND TOWN FOR PATRIOT DAY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO WANTED TO THANK GREG BAKER FROM THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS FOR PUTTING THE BUNTINGS UP AT CAPITAL PARK.  4

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED THAT IN 1983 THE CITY HIRED A MAN NAMED EDDIE FROST.  HE WAS A WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE, BUT WORKED IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT PAID THE WATER DEPARTMENT BACK FOR WAGES. 

1. CARTER ALSO QUESTIONED THE COUNCIL ON THE NEW WATER LINES BEING RUN TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT WITH THE NEW BUSINESS BEING OPENED IN INDUSTRIAL PARK II, THERE WILL BE A GREAT DEMAND FOR WATER AND THIS WILL HELP PROVIDE THAT. MR. CARTER ASKED IF THE LEAK UNDER I-57 CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH THE WATERLINES ALREADY RUNNING TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE NEW LINES WILL BE BIGGER LINES. 

1. CARTER ASKED IF THE AIRPORT OWNED LAND THAT IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE FOR SALE IS UNDER A GRANT. MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT THIS IS BEING LOOKED INTO. MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE FILING CABINETS AT THE AIRPORT CONTAINING DEEDS HAD EVER BEEN BROUGHT TO CITY HALL. MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT.  MR. CARTER SUGGESTED THAT THE CITY ASK SOMEONE LIKE DAVID GARAVALIA TO LOOK INTO THESE. 

WILLIAM MCPHERSON ASKED ABOUT THE DEMOLITION GRANT THAT WAS ACQUIRED BY THE CITY IN 2021.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT BRIAN CALCATERRA IS KEEPING TRACK OF THIS. 

AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT THE AIRPORT FLY INS HAVE ENDED FOR THE YEAR.  HE STATED THAT ONLY ONE HAD TO BE CANCELED FOR WEATHER THIS YEAR AND HE FEELS THAT THEY WERE A GREAT SUCCESS.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT FUEL SALES ARE CURRENTLY DOWN, BUT THAT WITH THE PRICE OF FUEL IN ILLINOIS CURRENTLY IT IS HARD TO STAY COMPETITIVE.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT ALL THE HANGARS ARE FULL AND THERE IS A WAITING LIST WITH FIVE NAMES ON IT FOR HANGARS AT THIS POINT. 

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

7:13 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 22, 2022 AT 6:00 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 AUGUST 8, 2022.  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 THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.   

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A BREAKDOWN OF HOW THE POSITION COULD BE PAID FOR.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT BENTON GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT #47 HAS AGREED TO PAY THE CITY OF BENTON $50,0000 A YEAR FOR A NEW RESOURCE OFFICER.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THE COST OF A NEW OFFICER WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $63,532.97 AND SO THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE $13,532.97.  IT WAS STATED THAT WITH THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY FROM WHAT CHIEF ANDREWS WAS MAKING COMPARED TO WHAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER MAKES IN ADDITION TO THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT FUNKHOUSER WOULD BE MAKING AS A 22-YEAR EMPLOYEE AND WHAT A FIRST-YEAR OFFICER WOULD BE MAKING, THE CITY WILL STILL BE SAVING APPROXIMATELY $7,796.38 FOR THE FIRST YEAR.  JOHN PULLIAM WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STATED THAT THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 1,200 STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 AND THAT HAVING ONE RESOURCE OFFICER FOR THAT MANY KIDS IS NOT ENOUGH.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER FOR BENTON CONSOLIDATED COMMUNITY SCHOOL, DISTRICT #47.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00376 TO MABAS DIVISION #68 FOR DUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $507.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00378 TO MERMET SPRINGS FOR BOTTLES, NECKLACES, AND HOSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $577.98.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00377 TO DIVE RESCUE INTERNATIONAL FOR A BOTTLE GAUGE, A REGULATOR, AND FREIGHT IN THE AMOUNT OF $548.56.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS IS TO BE PAID FROM THE DIVE ACCOUNT AND DONATION FUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS A PURCHASE ORDER THAT WILL BE SHARED WITH THE STREET DEPARTMENT AND WILL LEAVE THAT FOR COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH TO PRESENT. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR BRYAN AND MEGAN LYLES FOR LOTS 52 AND 53.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR MICHAEL WESTON FOR LOTS #134 AND #135.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE A DEPARTMENT REPORT AT THE NEXT MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO POUR A CONCRETE PATIO AT THE AIRPORT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00664 TO RURAL KING FOR A 5-FOOT ROTARY TILLER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,099.99.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HALF OF THIS WOULD BE PAID FOR FROM THE STREET DEPARTMENT AND HALF FROM THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH STATED THAT HE ALSO WOULD BE GIVING HIS DEPARTMENT REPORT VERBALLY AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN VERY BUSY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE ON FORREST STREET AND THAT THE MILLING AND OVERLAY PROJECT FOR SOUTH MCLEANSBORO STREET IS SET TO BEGIN ON 09/06/2022. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-11 FOR A ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE BCHS HOMECOMING PARADE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING A FULL-TIME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY DOWN TWO EMPLOYEES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED AUGUST 19, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,441.09 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,724.24 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $98,165.81.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO COMMEND LISA MENO FOR COMING IN AND TAKING CARE OF WHAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE IN HER OFFICE BEFORE LEAVING FOR A FAMILY EMERGENCY.  SHE ALSO ASKED THAT THE COUNCIL KEEP HER AND HER FAMILY IN THEIR PRAYERS. 

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

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

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE TOWN AND COUNTRY GARDEN CLUB HAS OFFERED TO PLANT FLOWERS AND PLANTS AT THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.  ALL THE COUNCIL COMMENTED ON HOW NICE THE NEW “WELCOME” SIGN OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL LOOKS.  THE SIGN WAS DONATED TO THE CITY OF BENTON FROM THE REALITY SHOW THAT WAS RECENTLY TAPED IN BENTON. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

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 GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

6:35 P.M.