MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY IN PERSON AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER STOREY ATTENDED VIA ZOOM CONNECTION AND COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ATTENDED THE MEETING IN PERSON.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2021. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENT ITEM (D) UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS, DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ALLEY CLOSING. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD AT 5:45 P.M. REGARDING A PETITION RECEIVED FROM KIMBERLY A. LARSEN FOR AN ALLEY TO BE VACATED LYING WEST OF THE RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY AND LYING EAST OF GRAND STREET. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE VACATION OF THIS ALLEY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. 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 #001773 TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY STORE FOR 40 FOLDING BARRICADES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,977.20. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE PAID FOR FROM THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC RISK FUND SAFETY GRANT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS UNTIL MORE DISCUSSION CAN BE HELD ON THIS LEASE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. 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 COLE LEVANTI FOR A FULL-TIME POSITION IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONTINGENT ON POST OFFER, PREEMPLOYMENT TESTING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LET THE COUNCIL NOW THERE IS CURRENTLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ELEVATOR AT CITY HALL. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAVE FORMED A COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM AND FIX THE SITUATION. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AT THIS TIME THE ELEVATOR IS CLOSED FOR SERVICE AND HE STATED THAT HE WILL UPDATE THE COUNCIL AS THE PROBLEM IS REMEDIED.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-06 CLOSING VARIOUS ROADS FOR THE BENTON CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE ON OCTOBER 1, 2021 FROM 1:15 P.M. TO 2:45 P.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND IN THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT TRAFFIC FLOW WAS GOOD AND HE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH HOW OUR EMPLOYEES KEPT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC THROUGH THE CITY.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BOAT FOR SURPLUS TO CLINTON COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF POLICE UNION CONTRACT AND ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF DISPATCH NEGOTIATIONS/CONTRACT WOULD BOTH BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6TH FIREMAN. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $559,302.03. 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 SPOKEN WITH ERICK CHRISTY REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE POLICY. MR. CHRISTY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE CITY OF BENTON WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING THIS TYPE OF POLICY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE A CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE POLICY IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,895.00 FOR A ONE-YEAR TIMEFRAME. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD SOME ITEMS TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THE MEETING AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF VIDEO GAMING PUSH TAX ORDINANCE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION FROM ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER BOARD MEMBER KYLE NEAL. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO ACCEPT A RESIGNATION FROM ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER BOARD MEMBER COY COCKRUM. 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.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT JOHN MOHR TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER BOARD. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT ADRIENNE MASON TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER BOARD. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SET TRICK OR TREAT HOURS FOR OCTOBER 30, 2021 FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. IN THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON HOW GREAT THE LARGE FLAG HUNG BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT CAPITAL PARK AND THE FOOTBALL GAME ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 LOOKED. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HOW NICE IT WAS TO SEE EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE ALL THE EVENTS HAPPEN. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK LISA MENO, MELISSA HUNGATE, AND BROOK CRAIG FOR THE WORK THEY PUT IN ON THE PHOTO COLLAGE THAT WAS PLACED AT CAPITAL PARK FOR THE VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO THANKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA FOR ALL THE WORK SHE DID IN PUTTING THE 9/11 MEMORIAL PROGRAM TOGETHER.
ALSO, UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL CONSIDER SAYING A PRAYER BEFORE BEGINNING COUNCIL MEETINGS. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE PASTORS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO LEAD THIS PRAYER BEFORE THE COUNCIL MEETINGS. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD DO SOME RESEARCH ON THIS TOPIC AND GET BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH WHAT COULD LEGALLY BE DONE.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE RECENTLY ATTENDED A BACK TO BUSINESS GRANT WORKSHOP THROUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS LED BY JASON SIGLER OF THE SIU OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH HAD MENTIONED TO MR. SIGLER THAT THIS WAS A GREAT PROGRAM, HOWEVER, HE WISHED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE EVENING WHERE THERE COULD BE GREATER ATTENDANCE. MR. SIGLER HAS AGREED TO DO ANOTHER WORKSHOP ON SEPTEMBER 28TH AT 6 P.M. THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE BUZZ IN BENTON AND IT WILL BE HOSTED BY THE CITY OF BENTON AND THE BENTON/WEST CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE IS NO CHARGE TO THE CITY FOR THIS EVENT.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE EDGE CLASS, WHICH CONSISTS OF STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS AND IS TAUGHT BY HIM, WILL BE HOLDING A FALL FESTIVAL AND WOULD LIKE PERMISSION TO USE THE NORTH EAST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT. THIS WOULD BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ON OCTOBER 23, 2021. ALSO, DURING THIS TIME, A GROUP THAT CALLS THEMSELVES “CHALK BENTON” WOULD LIKE TO DO HALLOWEEN THEMED CHALK PORTRAITS AROUND THE SQUARE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WOULD NEED TO BE PLACED ON THE NEXT AGENDA AND APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE EDGE PROGRAM WOULD ALSO HAVE TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES OTHER GROUPS HAVE FOLLOWED IN ORDER TO USE THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT FOR THE FESTIVAL.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THE BENTON/WEST CITY CHAMBER BUILDING WAS TOUCHED UP OVER THE WEEKEND. MAYOR KONDRITZ ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO GO AND SEE HOW NICE THE MURAL LOOKS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE NEW HIRE FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HAS ELECTRICAL EXPERIENCE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE. MR. CARTER STATED THAT IF THE NEW HIRE NEEDED SOME HELP WITH IT, MR. CARTER WOULD VOLUNTEER TO TEACH HIM. MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WHY THE NEW HIRES ARE HAPPENING AFTER THE VERBAL AGREEMENT WAS MADE TO NOT HIRE ANYONE IN EXCHANGE FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE OF RETIREES. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL THIS WAS RIGHT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE RESPECTED MR. CARTER’S OPINION.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR (B) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PENDING LITIGATIONS AND (C) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY, 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. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:45 P.M.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:50 P.M.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE POLICE UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE DISPATCH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. 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 ORDINANCE #21-07 FOR A VIDEO GAMING PUSH TAX ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. ABSTAINED: 1. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:55 P.M.
