Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 14, 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 GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS ABSENT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND COMMISSIONER PERKINS ATTENDED THE MEETING VIRTUALLY.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PHYSICALLY PRESENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 24, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAVID GARAVALIA TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED A GRANT FOR $65,000.00 FOR DEMOLITION OF HOUSES.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT A RESOLUTION FOR THIS MONEY WOULD BE PASSED AT THE NEXT MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY JOINED THE MEETING VIRTUALLY AT 6:11 P.M.  HE STATED HE WAS SORRY, BUT HAD VERY BAD CELL SERVICE WHERE HE WAS AT. 

4. GARAVALIA PRESENTED RESOLUTION #21-02 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4.1. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

4. GARAVALIA PRESENTED RESOLUTION #21-03 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO 65 ILCS 5/11-76-4.2. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

5. GARAVALIA PRESENTED ORDINANCE #21-06 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE. 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 PURCHASE ORDER #00082 TO PROCESS ANALYTICS FOR TWO OXYGEN 120 MM POLYGRAPHIC DISSOLVED OXYGEN SENSORS FOR A TOTAL OF $898.00.  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 PURCHASE ORDER #00656 TO ERWIN BUILDERS FOR INSTALLATION OF TWO AIR CONDITIONS AT THE HISTORIC CAR MUSEUM FOR A TOTAL OF $3,485.00.  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 PURCHASE ORDER #00083 TO HEARTLAND PUMPS FOR TWO GOULDS PUMP UV SYSTEMS FOR A TOTAL OF $1,138.80.  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 A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LOT #1A FROM JAMES E. NEAL, SUCCESSORY TRUSTEE OF THE DORIS FAY NEAL TRUST TO RYAN KATHALYNAS AND ALLYSON KATHALYNAS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE COUNCIL’S PERMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF A POSSIBLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS PEOPLE WILLING TO INVEST IN THIS PROJECT AND AFTER COMPLETION IT WOULD BE HOPEFULLY MAINTAINED BY ANOTHER ENTITY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION ALLOWING COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF A POSSIBLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED DAVE HARP OF CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  MR. HARP STATED THAT THE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP FOR THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT HAS MET AND THAT THE MEETING WENT WELL.  MR. HARP STATED THAT THE PROJECT IS COMING ALONG ALBEIT SLOWLY. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00355 TO DIVE RESCUE INTERNATIONAL FOR 3 DRY SUITS, 2 PONY TANKS, AND 2 BOTTLE MT’S FOR A TOTAL; PF $5,798.00.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THESE ITEMS WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS FROM THE DIVE ACCOUNT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY 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 STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00356 TO MERMET SPRINGS FOR DIVE EQUIPMENT TO COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE DIVE OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,365.72.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS WAS TO BE PAID FOR BY PRIVATE DONATIONS FROM THE DIVE ACCOUNT.  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 $00097 TO LAWMAN IDS APPLICATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $950.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT UNION NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADD DAYLON KELLEY AND ZACHARY HALSTEAD TO THE PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  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 REMOVE ALIAH THOMAS FROM THE PAID-ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ARRIVED AT CITY HALL AT 6:41 P.M. AND ATTENDED THE REST OF THE MEETING IN PERSON. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00655 TO ANDREWS ROOFING FOR EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS AT TWIN OAKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,200.00.   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 PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $303,903.52.  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 MAY 28, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,036.44 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,122.82 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $96,159.26.  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 APPROVE PAYROLL DATED JUNE 11, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,143.73 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,484.83 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $88,628.56.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING MAY OF 2024.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING IN MAY OF 2023.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT JONATHON NEACE TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS 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. 

6:48 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 24, 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 AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.  

IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR KONDRITZ, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ WAS ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 10, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED BOB REA AND HILARY REMM OF S.C.D. REA INSURANCE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE RESEARCH OF A CYBERSECURITY POLICY.  THEY SPOKE ON THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A CYBERSECURITY BREACH SUCH AS THE BREACH THAT OCCURRED RECENTLY WITH THE COLONIAL PIPELINE.  MR. REA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RESEARCH THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROTECTING THE CITY OF BENTON FROM AN ATTACK SUCH AS THIS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW S.C.D. REA INSURANCE TO RESEARCH A CYBERSECURITY POLICY FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

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

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LOCATION FOR AIR CONDITIONERS AT THE HISTORIC CAR MUSEUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00654 TO CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO PAY INVOICE #14 ON THE 1-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,608.56.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH IDOT REGARDING MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  THIS AGREEMENT IS RESIGNED EVERY 10 YEARS.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON A COUPLE INTERSECTIONS IN TOWN, BUT OTHERWISE IS AGREEABLE TO HAVING MAYOR KONDRITZ SIGN THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ TO SIGN THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH IDOT REGARDING MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS COUNCIL MEETING AS WELL AS NO OTHER BUSINESS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS AND NO MONTHLY BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS COUNCIL MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR MAY 14, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,294.82 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,110.68 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $105,405.50.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A PAY RESOLUTION OF 2% FOR NONUNION AND NONCONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE VENDOR PERMIT TO ALLOW THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO PURCHASE A $50.00 UMBRELLA PERMIT FOR EVENTS THEY ARE HOSTING.  THIS PERMIT WOULD BE PURCHASED FOR EACH EVENT AND ANY VENDORS REGISTERED THROUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR SAID EVENT WOULD BE COVERED.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE CURRENT ORDINANCE TO ADD A $50.00 UMBRELLA PERMIT FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WAS CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNION. 

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA IF SHE HAD A TOTAL OF WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN REIMBURSED FOR COVID RELATED ITEMS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE THAT NUMBER WITH HER THIS EVENING.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL HOW VENDOR ACCOUNTABILITY WOULD BE HANDLED WITH AN UMBRELLA COVERAGE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS REGISTERED WITH THEM. 

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

TIME 6:40 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 10, 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, COMPUTER ATTENDANCE, AND IN PERSON.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET ON APRIL 26, 2021 AT 5:45 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED BECAUSE HE STATED HE WAS NOT IN ATTENDANCE. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2021.  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 ORDINANCE #21-04 RAISING WATER RATES A FLAT $1.00 PER MONTH.  THIS RATE INCREASE WILL TAKE PLACE ON BILLS DUE FOR JULY OF 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THE MOWING OF AIRPORT PROPERTY BID WAS AWARDED TO DAVID BOOKER FOR AN AMOUNT OF $200.00 PER MOW.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED COMMISSIONER PERKINS WHY DAVID BOOKER WAS AWARDED THIS BID.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT PHONE INTERVIEWS WERE DONE WITH THE FINAL TWO BIDS TO BE CONSIDERED AND THAT AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HAYS CHOSE DAVID BOOKER TO AWARD THE BID.  COMMISSIONER STOREY LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT HE DID NOT APPROVE THE AWARDING OF THIS BID AS HE BELIEVES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO GARRET BRITTON BECAUSE HE BELIEVES HE SPENDS MORE MONEY IN THE CITY OF BENTON. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH UPDATED THE COUNCIL ON THINGS HAPPENING IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM WILL BE BEGINNING SOON, THAT THERE WILL BE A ROAD CLOSURE ON SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 FOR THE BCHS GRADUATION PARADE, AND THAT BY THE END OF MAY ALL RAILROAD CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF BENTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY THE RAILROAD COMPANY. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #21-05 DESIGNATING THE FIRST BLOCK OF SOUTH MAIN STREET, FROM THE PUBLIC SQUARE TO CHURCH STREET, TO BE A NO PARKING ZONE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS WAS BEING DONE FOR SAFETY CONCERNS AND IT WILL BE REEVALUATED AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW COURTHOUSE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00095 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR ONE FORTIGATE-30E HARDWARE AND 1 YEAR OF THREAT PROTECTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $625.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  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 #00096 TO VICTORY LANE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO 2021 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB TRUCKS AND THE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.    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 PURCHASE ORDER #00653 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR A BLOCK OF HOURS, 50 HOURS OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,925.00.  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 APPROVE BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $303,383.97.  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 DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,137.14 AND FOR ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,019.28 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $90,156.42.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.   VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO ADDRESS ITEMS C, D, AND E UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL HAD DISCUSSED HIRING A COMMERCIAL APPRAISER FOR REAL ESTATE IN THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO HIRE A COMMERCIAL APPRAISER FOR REAL ESTATE.  THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT IN THE PACKETS THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND AN AUCTIONEER CONTRACT WITH G. DAVID GREEN.  HE STATED THAT IF THERE WERE NO QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL, HE NEEDED SOMEONE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.   VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT IN THEIR PACKETS THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN GIVEN AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COLLEGIATE COMMON MARKET.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CITY HAS PREVIOUSLY USED THIS PROGRAM FOR WORKERS SUCH AS CHARLES TATE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT CHARLES WAS AN EXCELLENT ASSET TO THE CITY OF BENTON WHILE HE WAS IN THIS PROGRAM.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT APPROVAL OF THIS AGREEMENT WOULD ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE IF A WORKER BECAME AVAILABLE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION ALLOWING MAYOR KONDRITZ TO SIGN THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COLLEGIATE COMMON MARKET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE AND DAVID GARAVALIA HAD SPENT PART OF THE DAY LOOKING AROUND AT THE LOTS IN THE CITY OF BENTON THAT NEEDED TO BE MOWED.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CITIZENS AWARE THAT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS AN ORDINANCE VIOLATION FEE OF UP TO $750.00 FOR PROPERTIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MOWED AND IF THE CITY MOWS ONE OF THESE PROPERTIES THEY CAN SEND YOU A BILL FOR $200.00 AS WELL. 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

IN NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO HAVING ONLY ONE MEETING PER MONTH INSTEAD OF TWO.  THE COUNCIL WAS ALL IN AGREEMENT AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO PUT THIS ON THE NEXT AGENDA. 

MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE:  JEFF SHOCKLEY STATED THAT A TREE HAD FALLEN ON HIS HOME AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD AN INSURANCE COMPANY PERFORM A SURVEY ON THIS PROPERTY TO SEE IF THE CITY WAS LIABLE OR IF HE, AS THE HOMEOWNER, WAS LIABLE.  MR. SHOCKLEY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THIS SURVEY WHEN AVAILABLE. 

TOM CARTER ASKED MAYOR KONDRITZ IF THE COUNCIL WERE TO HAVE ONLY ONE MEETING A MONTH, IF PUBLIC COMMENT TIME WOULD BE DOUBLED.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE AMPLE TIME TO HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ADDRESSED.  MR. CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER PERKINS IF HE GAVE HIS POWER AS A COMMISSIONER AWAY BY ALLOWING MATTHEW HARRISON TO ULTIMATELY PICK THE WINNER OF THE BID.   COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT AND HE HAD NOT GIVEN HIS POWER AWAY.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE RATE INCREASE IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT WAS NECESSARY AND HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOOKING OVER THE BUDGET AND HAD FOUND A TYPO.

CHARLES HAYES OF 207 WEST PARRISH STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN HIS YARD ON THE CITY SIDE OF THE METER.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THIS INFORMATION WOULD BE RELAYED TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS 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. 

6:45 P.M.