Category Archives: Announcements

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2020 AT 11:00 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 ONLY.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  THOSE PRESENT WERE GARAVALIA, STOREY, PERKINS, MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2020-02 IN SUPPORT OF CAMP MANITOWA APPLYING TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR A COMMUNITY PROGRAM GRANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2020-03 IN SUPPORT OF VALVOLINE APPLYING TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR A COMMUNITY PROGRAM GRANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2020-04 IN SUPPORT OF ALL STARS –N- STITCHES APPLYING TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR A COMMUNITY PROGRAM GRANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

UNDER PUBLIC COMMENTS, DAVE SEVERIN STATED THAT HE APPRECIATES THE CITY HELPING WITH THIS PROCESS.  ALSO UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT, TOM CARTER STATED THAT HE DID NOT LIKE THE WAY THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HANDLED REGARDING COVID-19 AND THINKS THE CITY COULD DO A BETTER JOB IN THE FUTURE. 

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

TIME 11:10 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2020 AT 10:00 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 ONLY.

MAYOR KONDRITZ DECLARED THE HEARING OPEN AND ASKED FOR ROLL CALL. THOSE PRESENT WERE GARAVALIA, STOREY, PERKINS, MESSERSMITH, AND  MAYOR KONDRITZ.  TAMMY CAMPBELL OF JOHN H. CRAWFORD, DAN GRAVEL OF CAMP MANITOWA, SARAH WIGGS OF VALVOLINE, DAVE SEVERIN OF ALL STARS –N- STITCHES, THOMAS MALKOVICH, DAVE GARAVALIA, BROOK CRAIG, LISA MENO, AND RICHARD HARP WERE ALSO PRESENT. 

TAMMY CAMPBELL STATED THAT THIS PUBLIC HEARING WAS CALLED TO DISCUSS THE DOWNSTATE SMALL BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT.  MS. CAMPBELL STATED THAT EACH GRANT WOULD BE FOR $25,000.00 TO THE BUSINESSES THAT WERE AWARDED.  THE BUSINESS WOULD HAVE 2 MONTHS TO SPEND THE MONIES OVER A 12-MONTH TIME PERIOD. 

NO QUESTIONS WERE ASKED.  DAVE SEVERIN, DAN GRABEL, AND SARAH WIGGS ALL THANKED THE CITY AND JOHN H. CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES FOR HELPINGTHEIR BUSINESSES APPLY FOR THIS GRANT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE HEARING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

TIME 10:10 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 27, 2020 AT 9:00 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 ONLY.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT VIA TELEPHONE/COMPUTER FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS JOINED THE CALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROLL WAS CALLED. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 13, 2020.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT AT THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING A PURCHASE ORDER WAS APPROVED TO DAVIS AUTO FOR REPAIRS TO THE COURTESY CAR FOR THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS WERE CONTACTED AND DAVIS AUTO WAS THE LOWEST PRICE FOR THE REPAIRS. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF $19,596.00 TO JOHN H. CRAWFORD FOR 100% OF THE DESIGN FOR THE SIDEWALK GRANT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2020-04 FOR PATRON ONLY PARKING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.   COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2020-05 DESIGNATING 15 MINUTE PICK UP AND DROP-OFF PARKING FOR ONE SPOT IN FRONT OF 601 PUBLIC SQUARE, ONE SPOT IN FRONT OF 506 PUBLIC SQUARE, AND

TWO SPOTS IN FRONT OF 205 EAST MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF SHEW.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE SETTING IMPOUND FEES BY INCREASING THE FEES FROM $100 FOR FIRST OFFENSE, $200.00 FOR SECOND OFFENSE, AND $500.00 FOR THIRD OFFENSE TO $200.00 FOR FIRST OFFENSE, $400.00 FOR SECOND OFFENSE, AND $600.00 FOR THIRD OFFENSE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DISPATCH AGREEMENT WITH WEST CITY FOR A FEE OF $9,146.04 FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2019, $9,320.32 PER MONTH FROM MAY 1, 2020 TO MAY 1, 2021, AND $9,530.70 FROM MAY 1, 2021 TO OCTOBER 30, 2021.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 04/17/2020 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,806.48, FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,509.02, AND FOR THE AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,100.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $92,475.68.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO PLACE THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 CITY OF BENTON BUDGET ON DISPLAY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1. COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2020-06 DISCONTINUING SEWER ADJUSTMENTS UNLESS THE CITY IS FOUND TO BE AT FAULT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2020-05 FOR A “MOW TO OWN” PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF BENTON REGARDING CITY OWNED VACANT PROPERTIES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE RETURN OF ALL EMPLOYEES TO WORK IMMEDIATELY UNLESS ON FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, VACATION, PERSONAL, OR SICK TIME.  DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING HOW TO BRING ALL EMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK WHILE MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCE. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD MASKS AVAILABLE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG HAD MASKS AVAILABLE IN HER OFFICE AS WELL. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE BARGAINING UNITS WERE STILL IN NEGOTIATION. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCER DAVID GARAVALIA TO DISCUSSION ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PURCHASING REAL PROPERTY FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TAX AGENT AT 511 EAST SMITH STREET.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN MOWING THIS PROPERTY AND WE CAN PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AT THIS TIME FOR $815.00.  MR. GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE ASBESTOS REMOVED, THE STREET DEPARTMENT COULD DEMOLISH THIS HOME.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE 511 EAST SMITH STREET FOR $815.00 AND PROCEED WITH ASBESTOS REMOVAL OF THIS PROPERTY BEFORE DEMOLITION BY THE STREET DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE HAD RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM THE ILLINOIS LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION STATING THAT ALL STATE LIQUOR LICENSE SET TO EXPIRE IN MARCH, APRIL AND MAY OF 2020 WOULD BE EXTENDED UNTIL JULY 1, 2020.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW THE STATE GUIDANCE.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND CITY LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL DATES TO JULY OF 2020.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS

NO NEW BUSINESS.

UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHERE THE BUDGET WOULD BE ON DISPLAY.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS POSTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY GET AN EMA PLAN TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING IN THE NATURE OF THE COVID-10 PANDEMIC.  JULIE PAYNE HUBLER STATED SHE HATED TO SEE A WORKFORCE REDUCTION AT THE CITY, BUT UNDERSTOOD THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY.  MS. HUBLER STATED SHE THOUGHT THE “MOW TO OWN’ PROGRAM WAS A GREAT IDEA AND WANTED TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ON THIS IDEA. MS. HUBLER ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY THE STREET DEPARTMENT WAS HANDLED DURING THIS PANDEMIC. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (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. 

10:35 A.M.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO GO OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

11:40

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND CRAIG MILES TO EXPLORE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS POSITION AND REPORT TO THE COUNCIL ON 05/11/2020.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.   COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

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

TIME 11:40 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 13, 2020 AT 9:00 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 ONLY.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 9, 2020. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER 00610 TO MIDSOUTH STEEL PRODUCTS FOR AN AVIATION FUEL HOSE FOR THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,817.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER 00612 TO DAVIS AUTO REPAIR IN MCLEANSBORO, ILLINOIS FOR REPAIRS TO THE COURTESY CAR AT THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,491.57. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF LAKE LOT LEASE #32 FROM JOHN MEILE TO JOHN AND KATHLEEN MEILE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE COUNCIL AWARE THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH PAM DORRIS OF STATE FARM INSURANCE. MS. DORRIS WOULD LIKE THE CITIZENS TO WRITE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON CITY SIDEWALKS WITH CHALK TO BE PROVIDED BY HER OFFICE. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS WAS A GREAT IDEA AND WANTED TO THANK MS. DORRIS FOR THIS IDEA.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE INVOICE #8 TO CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC, FOR DESIGN PHASE 1 OF THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,955.11. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00014 TO DINGES FIRE COMPANY FOR THREE IN-LINE RELIEF VALVES IN THE AMOUNT OF $528.81 TO BE PAID FROM THE EXTRICATION FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00041 TO AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. FOR 25 TASER CARTRIDGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $706.25. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00090 TO DUNAGAN’S COLLISION CENTER FOR BODY WORK AND DENT REPAIR OF A SQUAD CAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,172.41. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THIS DAMAGE OCCURRED WHILE TAKING A SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY. THE SUSPECT RESISTED THE OFFICER AND STRUCK THE REA DOOR OF THE SQUAD CAR CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. CHIEF MIKE ANDREWS IS SEEKING CHARGES FOR THE DAMAGE FROM THE SUSPECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT JEFF SHEW WILL BE RETIRING IN MAY. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HIRE TWO PART-TIME FIREFIGHTERS TO WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT UNTIL THE POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD COULD COMPLETE THE HIRING PROCESS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TWO 60-DAY TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS OF FIREFIGHTERS. THE TWO FIREFIGHTERS WOULD BE JAMES NEFF AND JOHN OWENS WHO ARE BOTH CURRENTLY PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS WITH THE CITY OF BENTON AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES OF ABBOTT AMBULANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE DIRECTING THE MERIT BOARD TO BEGIN THE HIRING PROCESS FOR A FIREFIGHTER TO FILL THE SPOT OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF SHEW AFTER HE RETIRES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER 00611 TO MCCOLLUM ELECTRIC IN THE AMOUNT OF $747.90 FOR LED LIGHT REPLACEMENT AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE CITY HALL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $287,050.29. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 03/20/2020 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,205.11, FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,727.79, AND FOR THE AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,100.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $91,032.90. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE WOULD SECOND THIS MOTION, BUT HE WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT FIRST. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD APPROVE THE PAYROLL, BUT WAS OPPOSED TO COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SENDING HALF OF HIS CREW HOME WITH PAY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE FELT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL BEFORE A DECISION WAS MADE. COMMISSIONER PERKINS SPOKE UP AND SAID HE AGREED WITH COMMISSIONER STOREY’S STATEMENT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 04/03/2020 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,914.39 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,229.13 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $89,143.52. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR AMY SIZEMORE OF 908 E MAIN STREET AND JAMES ELDRIDGE OF 314 SOUTH MCLEANSBORO STREET AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE CURRENT ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT CODES AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA AND CITY ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION FOR A “MOW TO OWN” PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF BENTON REGARDING CITY OWNED VACANT PROPERTIES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 BUDGET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE POOL ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF MAN HOURS IT COSTS THE CITY TO PERFORM THESE ADJUSTMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER PERKINS ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PREPARE AN AMENDED ORDINANCE REGARDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR WATER/SEWER BILLS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE EMPLOYEES AND THE COUNCIL ON HOW THEY ARE HANDLING BUSINESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE ALSO WANTED TO COMMEND EVERY ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING DURING THIS PANDEMIC AS WELL AS HOW THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AT THIS TIME.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION REGARDING WORKFORCE REDUCTION AS WELL AS EMPLOYEE WORK POLICIES/PROCEDURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. DISCUSSION WAS HELD AMONG THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SHOULD BRING HIS EMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK AND IF HE FELT HE NEEDED TO KEEP THE CREWS SEPARATE THEY COULD WORK ON SPLIT SHIFTS OR DIFFERENT PROJECTS. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD BE LOOKING INTO THIS, BUT IT WOULD BE A PROCESS THAT MAY TAKE A FEW DAYS. COMMISSIONER PERKINS AND COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FULL STREET DEPARTMENT BACK AT WORK AND NOT BEING PAID TO STAY AT HOME EVERY OTHER WEEK PER CREW.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE AIRPORT BOARD RECOMMENDING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. REECE RUTLAND TO FILL THE VACANT SLOT ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA 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.

TIME 10:05 A.M.