Category Archives: Announcements

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

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

9:02 A.M. 

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

9:12 A.M.

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

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

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

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

9:15 A.M.   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

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

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

7:05 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001775 TO LA CROSSE FOOTWEAR FOR FOUR (4) PAIRS OF RUBBER BOOTS FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT WITH A 6-MONTH WARRANTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $400.00.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO EXPLAIN THE REQUEST FOR PURCHASE.  MRS. CRAIG STATED THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT REQUESTED A STURDIER PAIR OF BOOTS TO BE PURCHASED TO CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED.  MRS. CRAIG STATED THAT THE BOOTS ARE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF BENTON AND NOT THE EMPLOYEE AND THEREFORE NOT PART OF THE CLOTHING ALLOWANCE GIVEN TO EACH WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THE MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED REGARDING PLACING A SIGN ON TAYLOR STREET AT THE AREA WHERE THERE IS A “Y” WITH STOTLAR STREET.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS SPOKEN WITH MR. TOM CARTER REGARDING THIS AREA AS IT IS NEXT TO MR. CARTER’S HOME.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT THERE WERE STOP SIGNS IN THIS AREA IN THE PAST.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL CHECK THE ORDINANCES TO SEE IF THERE IS AN EXISTING ORDINANCE FOR A STOP SIGN ON TAYLOR OR STOTLAR AT THIS INTERSECTION AND THAT IF THERE IS NOT, HE WILL HAVE ONE DRAFTED.  THIS STOP SIGN IS BEING QUESTIONED DUE TO SAFETY REASONS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00363 TO IAMRESPONDING FOR A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE ANNUAL ALARM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $735.00.   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 #00365 TO NOVACOM FOR COMMUNICATION, LIGHT, AND SIREN INSTALLATION ON THE F-150 FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950.00.  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 #00364 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER FOR THE FORD F-150 IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,301.80.  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 #00048 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 600 GB OF CLOUD BACKUP AND 1 EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF $944.00.  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 TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION

AND/OR APPROVAL OF POLICE UNION CONTRACT UNTIL THE DRAFT CONTRACT CAN BE READ.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

NO ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF DISPATCH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S CURRENT RADIO REPEATER IS OLD AND IN NEED OF BEING REPLACED.  IT IS ALSO CURRENTLY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BENTON NEAR BOWLING ALLEY ROAD.  ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF MIKE ANDREWS THIS MAKES HEARING CALLS FROM DISPATCH VERY DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE.  CHIEF ANDREWS IS ASKING THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PURCHASING A NEW REPEATER AND HOUSING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED BUILDING.  THE ESTIMATED COST OF THIS PROJECT WOULD BE $19,000.00.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE PURCHASE OF A NEW RADIO REPEATER UNTIL A FURTHER MEETING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $306.263.92.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR OCTOBER 29, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,977.96 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,482.61 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $81,460.57.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED A CONTRACT WITH LITTLE EGYPT MOSQUITO COMPANY FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM AT THE COST OF $15,000.00 PER YEAR.  SECOND 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 UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE ATTENDED THE PLAYOFF FOOTBALL GAME AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE ATMOSPHERE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE IS VERY PROUD OF THE EXCELLENT ATHLETES AND SCHOLARS WE HAVE IN BENTON. 

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REAL ESTATE SALES CONTRACT FOR LOT #1 IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION WHICH IS 13.8 ACRES SOUTH OF THE ETHANOL PLANT.  THIS CONTRACT WILL BE TO SHIRM USA.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO REZONE 422 EAST MAIN STREET FROM B1 TO I-1.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA THANKED CRAIG MILES FOR POURING THE CONCRETE PADS AT THE AIRPORT FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND THE FLAG POLE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SOME OF THE MERCHANTS ON THE SQUARE ARE LOOKING INTO HAVING A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG ALSO STATED THAT COVID VACCINES AND BOOSTER SHOTS AT THE CITY HALL ON NOVEMBER 17, 2021 AND DECEMBER 1, 2021 FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE MOSQUITO COMPANY WOULD BE FOGGING OR TREATING.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF A LETTER HAD EVER BEEN PROVIDED TO THE EPA REGARDING SHANNON TIOGO AS THE LEAD IN THE SEWER PLANT GIVING HIM PERMISSION TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. 

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

6:35 P.M.