Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY AUGUST 12, 2022 AT 9:00 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 STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT WITH ALL THE NEW DECORATIONS THAT HAD BEEN DONATED TO THE CITY FROM THE REALITY SHOW, SHE HAD BEEN LOOKING INTO A SHED TO HOUSE THESE DECORATIONS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA HAD PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PRICES FROM KUK STORAGE BARNS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE A PREOWNED 16 X 24 FOOT SHED IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,000.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE SHED HAD A GARAGE DOOR, 3 SMALL WINDOWS, AND A SIDE DOOR.  THE SHED ALSO HAS A 16” ROOF WITH A 24-FOOT CENTER AND 2” X 8” TONGUE AND GROOVE FLOORING.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS TO SIGN A FIVE-YEAR LEASE FOR $150.00 AN ACRE FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LAND.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO SIGN A FIVE-YEAR LEASE FOR $150 AN ACRE FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LAND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED TWO BIDS FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY FROM AN AUCTION HELD ON AUGUST 8, 2022.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WAS ONE BID RECEIVED ON 1303 NORTH MAIN STREET FROM JERRY BALDWIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $960.00.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WAS 80% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS BID.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WAS ONE BID RECEIVED ON THE PROPERTY IN THE 8700 BLOCK OF STUYVESANT STREET FROM GARRETT BRITTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,440.00.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WAS 100% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS BID.  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 ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

TIME 9:13 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 8, 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 JULY 25, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ABSTAINED.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF JULY 14, 2022.  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 DID NOT HAVE ANY PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR GRETCHEN BENNETT FOR LOTS 119A AND 119B.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

FOR A DEPARTMENT REPORT, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD PRESENT IT VERBALLY AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN VERY BUSY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER THE INTERSTATE THAT WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED, BUT A NEW 8” LINE WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID THAT AN EMERGENCY PERMIT FROM THE EPA FOR THIS REPAIR HAS ALREADY BEEN OBTAINED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A WATER MAIN BREAK ON EAST MAIN STREET. 

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

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 THE OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM HAS MOSTLY BEEN COMPLETED INCLUDING THE WORK AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT PATCHING AT THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN STARTED AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT PEOPLE’S NATIONAL BANK HAS DONATED $10,000.00 TO THE PLAYGROUND BEING INSTALLED ON GRAND STREET, EARTH SERVICES HAS DONATED THE UNDERLAY, AND THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT BEING PROVIDED BY THE REALITY SHOW SHOULD ARRIVE THIS WEEK. 

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED THE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THEIR PACKETS.  THE REPORT WAS FOR JUNE 1, 2022 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022.  THERE WERE 74 CALLS WHICH INCLUDED 7 FIRES, 37 RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, 14 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS (NO FIRE), 2 SERVICE CALLS, 5 GOOD INTENT CALLS, 3 FALSE ALARM & FALSE CALLS, AND 6 SEVERE WEATHER & NATIONAL DISASTER CALLS. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE DATE OF THE MEETING AND THE DATE OF THE DUE DATE ON BILLS TO BE TURNED IN TO THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT, THE MEETING WOULD NEED TO BE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY IN ORDER TO PAY THE BILLS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED AUGUST 5, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,502.32 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,550.41 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $89,052.73.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED PRICES FOR MULTIPLE SHEDS TO HOUSE THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THAT WERE RECENTLY DONATED TO THE CITY OF BENTON FROM THE REALITY SHOW.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A PREOWNED 16’ X 24’ SHED TO HOUSE THE DECORATIONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  TOM CARTER INTERJECTED THAT THE AGENDA ONLY CALLS FOR DISCUSSION ON THIS MATTER AND THEREFORE APPROVAL COULD NOT BE COMPLETED AT THIS TIME.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT MR. CARTER WAS CORRECT AND THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE COMPLETED AT ANOTHER MEETING. 

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. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WILL BE PUTTING ON THE NEXT AGENDA THE MATTER OF HIRING ANOTHER OFFICER FOR THE POSITION OF SRO.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE GRADE SCHOOL IS PUSHING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THE POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE HIRING OF A NEW POLICE OFFICER FROM THE ELIGIBILITY LIST.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE MERIT BOARD WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE HIRING OF JUSTICE PURDIE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN RESEARCH ON HIRING A NEW DRUG DOG THAT WILL BE EITHER A LABRADOR OR AN IRISH SETTER. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHERE THE DECORATION STORAGE SHED WOULD BE PLACED.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT WILL BE PLACED AT THE STREET DEPARTMENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTON TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022, AT 8:45 A.M. TO PAY BILLS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY JULY 14, 2022 AT 8:00 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT SINCE THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 11, 2022, HE HAD VISITED A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE LOCATIONS TO PLACE THE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND.  HE STATED THAT AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW, HE STILL BELIEVED THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND WOULD BE AT 304 GRAND STREET AND THAT THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN EMPTY LOT ON EACH SIDE OF THIS LOCATION WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN PICKING THIS LOCATION.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PLACEMENT OF A COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND AT 304 GRAND STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY DID STATE THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS SAYING HE STILL DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAFEST LOCATION TO PLACE THE PLAYGROUND AS IT SITS NEXT TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS, BUT THAT HE UNDERSTANDS IT IS CURRENTLY THE BEST LOCATION TO CHOOSE. 

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

TIME 8:05 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 25, 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 MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WAS ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 11, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ABSTAINED.  NAYS:  0.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT THE REST OF THE ITEMS UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND A MEMO IN THEIR PACKETS WITH SPECIFIC DATES FOR FILMING IN THE MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR THE REALITY SHOW.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION APPROVING THESE SPECIFIC DATES.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN ON ITEM (D), DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUENINGER AVIATION. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO SPEAK REGARDING ITEM (E), DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LEASING THE FARM LAND KNOWN AS “AIRPORT FARM” AFTER THE CURRENT LEASE EXPIRES.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THERE ARE 110 (MORE OR LESS) ACRES OF FARM LAND AND THAT THERE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS TO HANDLE LEASING OF THIS PROPERTY.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED PRIOR ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA TO ALSO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A PUBLIC BID AND THAT CASH RENT IS RECOMMENDED, BUT, COST SHARE OF 2/3 -1/3 IS ANOTHER WAY TO GO ABOUT LEASING THIS PROPERTY.  MR. GARAVALIA EXPLAINED PROS AND CONS OF BOTH SCENARIOS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND NOT INCLUDING A PORTION OF INDUSTRIAL II IN THIS LEASE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM AND REVISIT AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

THERE WAS NO PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT.

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

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM IS ONGOING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHANGING THE DATE FOR CHRISTMAS IN JULY TO JULY 29^TH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 22-10 TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF CHRISTMAS IN JULY AND LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE ON AUGUST 6, 2022.  THIS IS RESOLUTION #22-10.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADDING AN ADA PARKING SPOT ON THE CORNER OF WEST MAIN AND PINE STREET.  THIS IS NEXT TO THE FEDERAL COURT HOUSE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00375 TO EVAPAR FOR STATION BACKUP GENERATOR AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,796.20.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED JULY 22, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,762.49 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,058.68 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $97,821.17.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION THAT CAN EMPTYING ON THE SQUARE IS NOT BEING HANDLED IN A GOOD MANNER.  HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES AND TRY TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF TWICE A WEEK. 

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. 

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

6:26 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 11, 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 JUNE 27, 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 SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RUSSELL JAY STAGLIK TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.  MR. STAGLIK STATED THAT HE WAS RAISED IN BENTON AND HAD MOVED AWAY OVER 20 YEARS AGO TO PURSUE A CAREER IN TELEVISION.  MR. STAGLIK STATED THAT HE IS A PRODUCER AND HAD PRODUCED SHOWS BASED ON TV SHOWS SUCH AS THE SIMPLE LIFE (WHICH WAS A REALITY SHOW BASED ON GREEN ACRES) AND KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIAN (A REALITY SHOW BASED ON THE BRADY BUNCH), AND THAT HE WILL BE FILMING A REALITY SHOW IN BENTON BASED ON SCHITT’S CREEK.  MR. STAGLIK STATED THAT TWO SURPRISE CELEBRITIES WILL FLY INTO THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND LIVE AMONGST THE CITIZENS OF BENTON FOR 5-6 WEEKS.  MR. STAGLIK STATED THAT HE KNEW THERE WERE TOWNSPEOPLE WHO WERE SKEPTICAL AND DID NOT WANT BENTON TO BE MADE FUN OF.  MR. STAGLIK STATED THAT HE WAS NOT HERE TO MAKE FUN OF ANYONE IN BENTON AND THAT IF ANYONE WAS MADE FUN OF, IT WOULD BE THE CELEBRITIES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ THANKED MR. STAGLIK FOR COMING TO TOWN. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED IF WE HAD ANY MORE INFORMATION REGARDING INCREASING SECURITY MEASURES AT CITY HALL.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT WE HAD RECEIVED A BID AND HAD MOVED FORWARD WITH THE DRIVE THRU FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT, BUT THAT WE WERE STILL WAITING ON MORE INFORMATION FOR A BULLET PROOF WALL AND WINDOWS FOR CITY HALL. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED IF WE WERE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUNINGER AVIATION.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS ITEM WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AGAIN.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUNINGER AVIATION.  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 WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT BROOK CRAIG TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 PURCHASE ORDER #00663 TO SANDNER ELECTRIC FOR A LIFT STATION AT CLEARVIEW IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,049.32.  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 WE NEEDED TO RESCIND THE LAKE LOT TRANSFER APPROVAL OF 119B THAT WAS DONE A FEW MEETINGS AGO AS THE SALE DID NOT GO THROUGH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO PRESENT AT THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BID FROM NEWMAN OUT OF DES MOINES, IOWA FOR PAINTING OF THE WATER TOWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $156,700.00.  THE CITY LOGO WILL BE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER TOWER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.  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. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH STATED THAT THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM HAD BEGUN AND STORM CLEANUP WAS STILL UNDERWAY. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PLACING A PLAYGROUND AT 304 GRAND STREET WITH LITTLE COST TO THE CITY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE TOTAL PROJECTED COST OF THE PROJECT IS $77,650.00.  OF THE TOTAL COST, $35,000.00 IN PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE REALITY SHOW PRODUCTION.  THE REMAINING COSTS TO BE COVERED BY DONATIONS FROM PEOPLE’S BANK, EARTH SERVICES, AND OTHER PARTNERS.  LABOR THE ROCK AND CONCRETE ARE TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE MOTION ON THE TABLE WAS TO APPROVE FUNDING THE PROJECT.  THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED 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 THE RESOLUTION CLOSING THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR AN EVENT IN JULY ON JULY 23, 2022 FROM 12 P.M. TO 10 P.M.  THIS IS RESOLUTION #22-08.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THIS MOTION.  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 A RESOLUTION CLOSING THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE ANNUAL CHAMBER CAR SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 6 P.M.  THIS IS RESOLUTION #22-09.  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 THE 2022 MFT OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM FROM ILLINOIS ASPHALT CORPORATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,773.28.  THIS WAS THE ONLY BID RECEIVED.  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 THE MCLEANSBORO AND JOPLIN STREET MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT WITH THE LOW BID FROM E.T. SIMMONDS CONSTRUCTION, CO. IN THE AMOUNT OF $277,034.10.  BIDS WERE ALSO RECEIVED FROM SAMROM MIDWEST CONTRACTING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $313,224.00 AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ASPHALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $325,194.00.  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 #00374 TO ESO FOR EMERGENCY REPORTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,633.00.  THIS PURCHASE ORDER WAS SUBMITTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $444,922.81.  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 APPROVE PAYROLL FOR JULY 8, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,526.63 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,789.17 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $87,315.80.  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 APPROVE ATTENDANCE OF THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO BY FRED KONDRITZ, CATHY GARAVALIA, LEE MESSERSMITH, COY COCKRUM, BROOK CRAIG, BRIAN CALCATERRA, AND TOM MALKOVICH.  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 ATTENDANCE OF THE ANNUAL TIF CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO BY BRIAN CALCATERRA AND TOM MALKOVICH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED THE COUNCIL THEIR OPINION ON LEAVING THE BUNTINGS UP AT CAPITAL PARK OR TAKING THEM DOWN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALL VOICED THEIR THOUGHTS OF LEAVING THE BUNTINGS UP UNTIL SEPTEMBER 11, 2022.  MAYOR KONDRITZ AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE TIME. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE PAINTING OF THE WATER TOWER WOULD BE A BLAST OR SPRAY.  CITY ENGINEER RODNEY POTTS STATED THAT THIS IS A SPRAY.  ROCKY MORRIS ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE 2021 TAXES, 4^TH DISBURSEMENT, HAD NOT BEEN SENT OUT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY WAS AWARE OF THIS.  WILLIAM MCPHERSON ASKED WHAT THE SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY PARK WOULD BE AND WHO WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF IT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS PLAYGROUND AREA WOULD BE ON ONE CITY LOT AND IT WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.  LENNIE SHELTON FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASKED IF THE PARK WOULD BE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS PARK WOULD NOT BE.  AKASH PATEL STATED THAT HE FELT LIKE THIS PARK WOULD BE VANDALIZED.  MATT HARRISON, AIRPORT MANAGER, STATED THAT THE AIRPORT SIGN IS UP AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TWO FOOD TRUCK FLY INS, 1 WAS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER THOUGH.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RUNWAY WILL BE REPAINTED IN THE NEXT WEEKS.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL EVENT AT THE AIRPORT FROM 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. ON JULY 13, 2022. 

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. 

6:57 P.M.