Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 26, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE ONLY.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED GREG KIMMEL, A RESIDENT AT LAKE BENTON, TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH IDNR REGARDING STOCKING LAKE BENTON WITH ALGAE EATING CARP THAT DO NOT REPRODUCE AND WILL HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THESE FISH AND THAT IT WOULD BE AT NO COST TO THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED THE CITY’S PERMISSION IN THE FORM OF A LETTER TO IDNR TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS.  MR. KIMMEL ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE COUNCIL THAT LAKE BENTON HAS NOT LOOKED AS GOOD AS IT DOES CURRENTLY IN A LONG TIME AND HE ATTRIBUTES THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEIR WORK.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW GREG KIMMEL TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF STOCKING LAKE BENTON WITH ALGAE EATING CARP AT NO COST TO THE CITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID SEVERIN WAS IN THE AUDIENCE AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED IF HE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANYTHING.  REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN SPOKE REGARDING THE STATUE THAT WILL BE PLACED ON A BENCH AT MALKOVICH PARK FOR MR. ALEXANDER AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 FUNDS THAT ARE EARMARKED FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $931,353.78. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001772 TO CLINTON ELECTRIC FOR A VFD PUMP FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WITH A 6-YEAR WARRANTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,487.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BEGINNING THE PROCESS FOR HIRING OF A MAINTENANCE POSITION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  2.  COMMISSIONER STOREY AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF BEGINNING THE PROCESS FOR HIRING OF A MAINTENANCE POSITION IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00044 TO NEWMAN’S GUN CLUB FOR AMMO IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,456.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00045 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR THREE INTEL CORE COMPUTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,380.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00098 TO SICJTP-MTU 15 FOR MEMBERSHIP DUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $960.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN NEGOTIATING ENTERING INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BCHS FOR STANDBY AMBULANCE SERVICES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY REPORTED THAT UNION NEGOTIATIONS ARE STILL GOING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,805.78 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,932.01 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,737.79.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A WATER CLERK.  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 TABLE APPROVAL OF A CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE POLICY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO LOOK INTO ADA COMPLIANT DOORS FOR THE FRONT OF CITY HALL.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS WITNESSED MANY CITIZENS HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE HEAVINESS OF THESE DOORS AND ALSO BELIEVES THIS IS A GOOD IDEA. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT THE CITY PLANS TO DO WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021.  CRAIG MILES STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE USED FOR WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. 

ALAN STEWART TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT CHRISTIAN SINGER JOSH WILSON WILL BE PERFORMING A “BACKYARD CONCERT” AT NORTH BENTON BAPTIST CHURCH ON AUGUST 26, 2021.  MR. STEWART STATED THAT THEY WILL BE EXPECTING A LARGE CROWD AND WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY CLOSE HIGHLAND STREET FROM JOPLIN TO GARDNER STREET FROM 5 P.M. TO 9 P.M. FOR THIS CONCERT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE THIS AT A FUTURE MEETING AS IT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING. 

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. 

6:30 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 12, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M.   THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE ONLY.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

NOTHING WAS DISCUSSED REGARDING PUBLIC PROPERTIES. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH REPORTED THAT THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM HAS BEGUN AND THE STREET DEPARTMENT IS WORKING AS THEY CAN, WEATHER PERMITTING. 

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SELL A BOAT THEY HAVE AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE AUCTION, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO SELL THIS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ADVERTISING AND SELLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BOAT AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY REPORTED THAT THERE WILL BE A UNION NEGOTIATION MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $416,874.89.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,332.49 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,402.74 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $90,735.23.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ, CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG, COMMISSIONER LESS MESSERSMITH, ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH, ZONING AND CODE ENFORCER DAVID GARAVALIA, AND HERSELF TO ATTEND THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FEELS LIKE THE TRAINING IS GOOD AND IT IS ESSENTIAL.  SHE STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT WANT THE EXPENSES TO EXCEED WHAT THEY WERE IN 2019.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN THIS TIME ON THE CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE POLICY.  SHE STATED THAT THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN FILLED OUT AND IT WILL BE DROPPED ON AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

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

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO SELL LOT EIGHT (8) IN INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION III PURSUANT TO TERMS OF A REAL ESTATE SALES CONTRACT OFFER FROM 618FIXMYRV, LLC FOR THE PURPOSES OF A RV REPAIR BUSINESS RELOCATING FROM MT. VERNON, ILLINOIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIGHWAY AUTHORITY AGREEMENT TO USE OUR RIGHT AWAY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED WHO WAS ATTENDING THE IML CONFERENCE FOR THE CITY THIS YEAR.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT FRED KONDRITZ, BROOK CRAIG, LEE MESSERSMITH, TOM MALKOVICH, DAVIT GARAVALIA, AND HERSELF WOULD BE ATTENDING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

6:10 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY JULY 2, 2021 AT 8:30 A.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 STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM WAS ALSO PRESENT. 

CHIEF COCKRUM PRESENTED THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT WERE PRESENT WITH A CALL ANALYSIS FOR 2020 FOR BROWNING TOWNSHIP AS WELL AS A SALE CLAIM FOR WHAT A CALL WOULD COST.  CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE BELIEVES ENTERING INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWNING TOWNSHIP FOR FIRE/EMS PROTECTION WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE CITY. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWNING TOWNSHIP FOR FIRE/EMS PROTECTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

8:45 A.M. 

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 28, 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 PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00657 TO ASCENT AVIATION GROUP FOR 8,000 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,696.45.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT NO BIDS WERE NEEDED ON THIS PURCHASE AS LONG AS THERE WAS A 4/5 VOTE. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOT #26 FROM LEE AND ANGIE MESSERSMITH TO JACK AND JANET STILLEY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOTS #1, 2, AND 3 TO FROM JAMES. NEAL TO TIMOTHY AND ABBY KATHALYNAS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT TRANSFER OF LOTS #143 AND #144 FROM M.J. GRAHAM TO CLESTINA EGGERTSEN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HAD RECENTLY WON THE AWARD OF PLANT OF THE YEAR FROM THE RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THE ONLY OTHER PLANT IN OUR REGION TO WIN THIS WAS CARBONDALE AND THEY WON THE AWARD LAST YEAR.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND ALL THE WORKERS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM WILL BE STARTING SOON AND WILL BE IN THE NORTHWEST SECTION OF TOWN.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS INITIATED TALKS WITH A FEW POSSIBLE INTERESTED PARTIES IN REGARDS TO OPENING A FEW COMMUNITY PARKS.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD ALSO DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH A PROJECT LIKE THIS. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00658 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR AN UPDATED SERVER FOR THE PAYROLL PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,950.00.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THE CITY HAD PLANNED ON, BUT IT IS A NECESSITY IN ORDER TO RETAIN OUR PAST PAYROLL RECORDS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  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 THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,125.44 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,478.78 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $98,604.22.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, 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 WOULD LIKE TO COMPLIMENT THE STREET AND WATER DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR WORK IN MOWING THE CITY.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE RECOGNIZES THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP THIS MOWED THIS YEAR. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT CORPORATE RESOLUTION #21-04.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A CORPORATE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY’S ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MUNICIPAL RELIEF PROGRAM.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO THE GRANT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR DEMOLITION OF HOUSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,000.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-04.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON STATED THAT THE BORING UNDER THE APRON AT THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN DONE.  HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE COUNCIL MAY NEED TO LOOK INTO A POSSIBLE “SAPPLING DRIVE” TO REPLACE THE TREES THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR AIRPORT WORK.  APPROXIMATELY 300 TREES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.  MR. HARRISON ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN CREATING A PLAYGROUND AREA AT THE AIRPORT AND THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT FOR PLACING AN AIRPORT STREET SIGN. 

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IN A PREVIOUS MEETING THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED MOVING TO ONE MEETING A MONTH AND HE WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THIS POSSIBILITY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT UNDER A COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THE STATE STATUTE STATES YOU MUST MEET TWICE A MONTH.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THESE MEETINGS CAN HAPPEN BACK-TO-BACK, TWO WEEKS APART, OR HOWEVER THE COUNCIL MAY WANT IN THE FUTURE. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM’S CARTER STATED THAT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OF THE YEAR AWARD IS AN AWARD TECHNICALLY FRO CITIZENS AND THE COUNCIL, NOT FOR THE EMPLOYEES.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT THE ONLY REAL CRITERIA TO WIN THIS AWARD IS TO BUILD A NEW PLANT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FINAL STATEMENT FOR THE MEETING.  SHE STATED THAT THE MIAMI BUILDING DISASTER WAS WEIGHING HEAVY ON HER HEART.  SHE STATED THAT THIS DISASTER BROUGHT TO LIGHT HOW IMPORTANT TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS IS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE CITY OF BENTON’S PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK. 

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

6:35 P.M.

___________________________________

                                                                  MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________

CITY CLERK