Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 18, 2021 AT 8:30 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 APPOINT BRIAN CALCATERRA FOR THE ZONGIN ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POSITION.  DAVID GARAVALIA STATED THAT HE WOULD BE RETIRING ON JANUARY 4, 2022 AND MR. CALCATERRA WOULD BE STARTING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2021.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED WHAT THE STARTING PAY WOULD BE FOR MR. CALCATERRA.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE STARTING PAY WOULD BE $38,500.00 AND BENEFITS WOULD BE PRORATED FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND A 2% RAISE WILL BE GIVEN ON May 1, 2022.   MR. GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT MR. CALCATERRA CURRENTLY LIVES IN WEST FRANKFORT AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO MOVE INTO THE BENTON GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITHIN 180 DAYS.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT MR. CALCATERRA WOULD RECEIVE A 2 YEAR CONTRACT FOR THIS POSITION. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF BRIAN CALCATERRA FOR THE POSITION OF ZONING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TATKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ .  NAYS:  0. 

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

8:40 A.M.   

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS IN PERSON.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED DAVID HARP TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.  MR. HARP GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT.  MR. HARP STATED THAT THE PROJECT IS STILL MOVING FORWARD. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 #001774 TO IMCO FOR 1 REPLACEMENT FIRE HYDRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,020.00.  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 TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED CITY ENGINEER RODNEY POTTS OF JOHN H. CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES TO PRESENT THE BID AWARD FOR THE HIGH SERVICE PUMP PROJECT.  MR. POTTS STATED THAT THREE BIDS WERE RECEIVED.  THE FIRST BID WAS FROM F.W. PLUMBING AND HEARING IN BENTON, ILLINOIS FOR $526,787.00.  THE SECOND BID WAS FROM WIGGS EXCAVATING IN BENTON, ILLINOIS FOR $471,410.00.  THE THIRD BID WAS FROM MIDWEST PETROLEUM AND EXCAVATING IN BENTON, ILLINOIS FOR $447,800.00.  MR. POTTS STATED THAT HE HAS WORKED WITH MIDWEST PETROLEUM IN THE PAST AND IS WELL SATISFIED WITH HIS WORK AND THEREFORE BASED UPON PAST EXPERIENCES AND LOW BID, HE RECOMMENDED THE CITY AWARD THE PUMP HOUSE RENOVATION BID TO MIDWEST PETROLEUM AND EXCAVATING.  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. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT RESURFACING OF NORTH MCLEANSBORO STREET AND JOPLIN STREET WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2021.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT ON 10/30/2021 A “CHALK BENTON” EVENT WILL HAPPEN ON THE SQUARE.  THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED AT A COUNCIL MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00359 TO THE FIRE STORE FOR TWO PAIRS OF GLOBE FIREFIGHTING BOOTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,028.49.  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 #00360 TO AMERICAN TEST CENTER FOR ANNUAL LADDER TESTING FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,137.00.  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 #00361 TO MID-AMERICA FIRE FOR THREE 100-FOOT SECTIONS OF SUPPLY HOSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,052.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WILL BE LEAVING ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A 6^TH FIREMAN ON THE AGENDA EVERY TIME.  NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM THIS EVENING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE POLICE UNION 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 TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF DISPATCH 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 STOREY DISCUSSED MANDATORY COVID-19 TESTING AND/OR MANDATORY VACCINATIONS.  NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS TIME.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AIRPORT FUEL TO SELL.  THE FUEL IS $3.62 PER GALLON AND WILL BE SOLD FOR $4.19 PER GALLON.  THE AMOUNT PURCHASED IS 7,916 GALLONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $337,392.68.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 1, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,106.06 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,133.12 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $85,239.18.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 15, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,988.64 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $49,379.51 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $91,378.15.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT FOR THE ARPA (AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT) FUNDS TO BE DEPOSITED IN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  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 RESOLUTION #21-07 FOR CAFETERIA PLAN FOR INSURANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING ENTRY OF INDIVIDUALS INTO CITY HALL IN REGARDS TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CDC INCLUDING IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO COVID-19 DO NOT COME INTO CITY HALL UNTIL YOU HAVE TESTED NEGATIVE OR BEEN IN QUARANTINE FOR THE ALLOTTED NUMBER OF DAYS. 

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

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF STRIPING OF THE NORTH EAST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT OFF THE SQUARE. 

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING MODIFICATION TO THE REAL ESTATE SALES CONTRACT WITH 618FIXMYRV, LLC BY CHANGING THE NAME TO 5 HINMAN HOLDINGS, LLC.  MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS MODIFICATION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A 2022 FLEETWOOD 28 X 64 MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1399 BAILEY LANE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE #21-08 AMENDING THE I-57 ENTERPRISE ZONE TERRITORY.  MOTION TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY ENTERPRISE ZONE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THE ENTRANCE TO THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE SEMIS HAULING SLUDGE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS. 

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT HAS STATED THE ADOPT A LIGHT POLE PROJECT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT VOLUNTEERS ARE WHAT MAKE BENTON SPECIAL. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM’S CARTER STATED THAT HE HAS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WATER PLANT ROAD AND QUESTIONED WORKER’S COMPENSATION AND COVID-19 PAY. 

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. 

7:05 P.M.

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