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MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2024.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THERE WILL BE SOME PAINTING OF THE DOORS AND OTHER THINGS BEING UPDATED AT THE RESTROOMS AT CAPITAL PARK. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HVAC WORK TO BE DONE AT CITY HALL AFTER STATING THAT MOLD HAD BEEN DETECTED UPON DUCT WORK SAMPLING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS TO BE APPROVED AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POOL ADJUSTMENT MADE FOR 415 E BOND STREET AS IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POOL ADJUSTMENT 200 E BLACK STREET AT IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.  COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2024-06 CLOSING THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE ANNUAL BENTON/WEST CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAR SHOW.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00418 TO NOVACOM FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPEATER ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00159 TO LARRY J. FREDRICKS, LLC FOR 7 POINT BLANK BALLISTIC VEST PANELS, 7 GUARDIAN CARRIER BESTS AND THE FREIGHT CHARGE FOR DELIVERY IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,820.00 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR AUGUST 2, 2024 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,940.19 AND FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,578.36 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $96,518.55.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT ON 08/12/2024 FROM THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $470,637.40, FROM MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,445.86, AND FROM OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,052.43 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $571,135.69.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES OR MATTERS FOR TONIGHT’S MEETING. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD SOME GREAT EVENTS ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE ATTENDED THE FLY IN/DRIVE IN AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN THE MORNING AND THEN THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY HOSTED BY BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS IN THE AFTERNOON/EVENING.  HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THAT WERE INVOLVED IN PUTTING ON BOTH EVENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00503 TO ASCENT AVIATION GROUP, INC. FOR A TANKER FUEL LOAD OF AVIATION GASOLINE FOR RESALE AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,086.08COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND SET THE HOURS FOR TRICK OR TREATING FOR 2024.  HE STATED THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY TRIED TO DO TRICK OR TREATING ON THE WEEKENDS, BUT THIS YEAR IT WOULD EITHER BE DONE TOO EARLY OR AFTER HALLOWEEN IF DONE ON A WEEKEND AND SO HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE HOURS SET FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE REAPPOINTING THE MEMBERS TO THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD MOST OF THE TERMS HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPIRED AND NOT BEEN REAPPOINTED.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS FOR 3 YEAR APPOINTMENTS AS LISTED BELOW. 

DAVID SNEED, EXPIRATION FEBRUARY 28, 2026              LOMA BAXTER, EXPIRATION APRIL 14, 2026

RICK KNIGHT, EXPIRATION APRIL 14, 2026                       ROBIN FRAILEY, EXPIRATION APRIL 8, 2025

BRAD BURZYNSKI, EXPIRATION FEBRUARY 27, 2026         ALLAN KIMBALL, EXPIRATION APRIL 9, 2022

MARTY LEFFLER, EXPIRATION NOVEMBER 13, 2024          JEREMY YOUNG, EXPIRATION OCTOBER 14, 2025

SHELLEY INGRAM, EXPIRATION DECEMBER 23, 2024

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #2024-12 REGULATING PUBLIC CAMPING WITHIN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH REITERATED THAT THIS IS FOR CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTIES.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY VOSBURGH HOLDINGS, LLC TO OPERATE AN INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL AND INVITED MR. VOSBURG TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE REGARDING THIS BUSINESS.  IT WAS STATED THAT MR. VOSBURG OWNS A TREE TRIMMING BUSINESS.  MR. VOSBURG WOULD BE LEASING THE EAST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FORMER BEN’S LAWN SERVICE BUSINESS.  MR. VOSBURG STATED THAT HE WOULD BE DOING NO RETAIL BUSINESS IN THIS LOCATION, IT WOULD JUST BE A PLACE TO PARK HIS EQUIPMENT AND HE PLANNED ON ADVERTISING HIS BUSINESS ON THE SIGNAGE ALREADY IN PLACE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER RECOMMENDED TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT, HOWEVER, MR. CALCATERRA DID NOT AGREE AND IT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL NOT APPROVE THIS PERMIT AS HE FELT THAT THIS BUSINESS WAS BETTER SUITED FOR AN INDUSTRIAL PARK AREA IN TOWN.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY VOSBURG HOLDINGS, LLC TO OPERATE AN INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS BUSINESS AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.  THIS MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND. 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ALLOWING ROAD CLOSURE FOR A PRIVATE EVENT ON WASHINGTON STREET WITH A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  HE STATED HE FEELS THE COUNCIL NEEDS ADDITIONAL INFO ON THIS EVENT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH A MOTION.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

IN OLD BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY A LANDOWNER IN TOWN WHO WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO REVISIT THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR INSPECTIONS.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED THE COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND HE STATED HE WOULD PLACE THIS ON A

FUTURE AGENDA.  ALSO UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CHECK FOR DOWN PAYMENT TO HELITEC FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS IN THE MAIL AND WORK SHOULD BE STARTING SOON.

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED THE COUNCIL TO NOT LET MOTIONS DIE.  HE STATED THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE BETTER THAN THAT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU SECOND A MOTION, THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO VOTE “YES” ON THE ROLL CALL VOTE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE BELIEVES WE SHOULD BRING ITEMS LIKE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO A VOTE. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, JOHN METZGER CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MR. METZGER STATED THAT HE FEELS THE CIVIL WAR CEMETERY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BETTER.  MR. METZGER PROVIDED THE COUNCIL WITH PICTURES OF THE CEMETERY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HIS DEPARTMENTS ARE AWARE OF THE DOWNED TREE AND OTHER ISSUES, BUT A FENCE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO CLEAR THIS DEBRIS IN ORDER TO NOT TAKE EQUIPMENT OVER THE GRAVES.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ABOUT GETTING THIS AREA TAKEN CARE OF. 

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

6:05 P.M.

MINUTES OFTHE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, JULY 29, 2024 AT 8:00 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT A JOB VACANCY FOR THE POSITION OF PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HAD BEEN POSTED ON INDEED AND FROM THE CANDIDATES THAT APPLIED CHIEF FUNKHOUSER, CITY CLERK CRAIG, AND COMMISSIONER STOREY HAD CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER HAS CHOSEN SYDNEY HENSON FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS POSITION.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF SYDNEY HENSON AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT WITH A 60-DAY PROBATION TO BEGIN ON 07/29/2024. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

8:05 A.M.