Category Archives: Announcements

Please view the document below to review the full meeting minutes from the Benton City Council meeting held Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

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MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 14, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE GOING OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA. UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM AZAVAR GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL. NO REPRESENTATIVE WAS PRESENT.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING SUBMITTING A SEALED BID ON SPECIFIC PROPERTIES. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TRUSTEE AND WAS TOLD WE DID NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT A BID IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THESE PROPERTIES. MR. GARAVALIA ASKED THE COUNCIL FOR A MOTION TO PURCHASE 308 NORTH BUCHANAN STREET, 1000 NORTH GRAND STREET, AND 208 WEST PARRISH. EACH OF THESE PROPERTIES WOULD BE PURCHASED AT A RATE OF $815.00 PER PARCEL. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE THESE THREE PROPERTIES FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TRUSTEE FOR $815.00 PER PARCEL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FORM A COMMITTEE OF DAVID GARAVALIA, TOM MALKOVICH, AND HIMSELF TO RESEARCH THE LICENSING AND ZONING FOR THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CANNABIS IN THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT THIS COMMITTEE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2019. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

FOR THE PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT, COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY FOR WATER LINE REPLACEMENT.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PAY JOHN H CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,250.00 FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.
VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT AFTER MEETING WITH AUDITORS SHE HAS BEEN MADE AWARE THAT ALL BILLS MUST BE SIGNED BY EACH COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT IF THEY DO NOT SIGN THE BILLS, THEY SHOULD NOT VOTE ON THE BILLS AS THEY ARE VOTING ON SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOT APPROVED. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT ON OCTOBER 14, 2019 IN THE AMOUNT OF $430,289.84. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR OCTOBER 4, 2019 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,301.85 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,012.50 FOR A TOTAL OF $90,314.35. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR THE BENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY AS IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR RANDY FRANK FOR A SWIMMING POOL FILL AS IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR JULIE SHOTTS AS IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO UNRESTRICT $141,803.40 FROM THE SEWER SURCHARGE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

THE COUNCIL HAD NUMEROUS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE UNRESTRICTING OF THESE FUNDS. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH SUGGESTED THAT WE TABLE ALL THE ITEMS AND ASK TREASURER LISA MENO TO ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING TO DISCUSS THESE ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AGREED.

AT THIS POINT COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO WITHDRAW HER MOTION TO UNRESTRICT $141,803.40 FROM THE SEWER SURCHARGE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEMS D, E, F, AND G ON THE AGENDA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS

IN NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FIRST NET TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. ALEX KAPPELMANN AND R.J. FAIR WITH AT&T SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE FIRST NET PROGRAM FOR CELLULAR SERVICE. INFORMATION REGARDING HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS AND SAVING TO THE CITY WILL BE EMAILED TO THE CITY CLERK. MR. KAPPELMANN STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY OR NATURAL DISASTER, WORKERS ON THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE PUSHED TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE WHEN MAKING PHONE CALLS. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD BE IN CONTACT AFTER THE COUNCIL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK OVER THE INFORMATION.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ARRIVED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THE NEW SYSTEM ALERTED OFFICE PERSONNEL OF LEAKS. CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT THE SYSTEM DOES ALERT PERSONNEL OF A LEAK ONCE IT REACHES A CERTAIN AMOUNT IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. CITY CLERK CRAIG STATED THAT IF MR. CARTER SPOKE WITH MELISSA HUNGATE IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT, SHE COULD EXPLAIN THE PROCESS.

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

6:50 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2019. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO BUSINESS FOR PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM FOR 2019 HAS BEEN FINISHED. NO OTHER BUSINESS FOR STREETS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00001 TO MERMET SPRINGS FOR TWO (2) FULL FACE DIVE MASKS, TWO (2) EAR MIC ASSEMBLIES, TWO (2) 100 COMMUNICATION ROPES, ONE (1) MK7 RECEIVER, AND TWO (2) DUI HOOD LINERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,220.90. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID FOR WITH DONATIONS AND REVENUE FROM EXTRICATION SERVICES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A NOTICE OF REMOVAL MEMO FROM FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM REGARDING TRAVIS SKINNER. THE NOTICE STATED THAT MR. SKINNER HAD MET AND AGREED TO HIS REMOVAL AND THAT ALL CITY ISSUED GEAR HAD BEEN RETURNED. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE REMOVAL OF PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER TRAVIS SKINNER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,760.60, FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,913.24, AND AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,100.00 FOR A TOTAL OF $101,773.84. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR LARRY WILSON OF 727 OLD ORCHARD DRIVE AS IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DENY A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR ELLEN WAKEFIELD OF 203 EAST BOND AS IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #19-14 INCREASING TRASH RATES. THE RATES WILL NOW BE $14.62 AND $14.14 FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ SPOKE ABOUT THE DROWNING INCIDENT AT LAKE BENTON. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WANTED TO THANK SHANE COCKRUM AND THE OTHER FIREMEN FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN THIS INCIDENT.

AS ANOTHER UPDATE, MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND GERALD PYRON FOR HIS EFFORTS IN CLEANING UP A PARCEL OF LAND ON DUQUOIN STREET THAT HE PURCHASED FROM THE CITY OF BENTON.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDING ORDINANCE #19-12 PROHIBIT RAZOR WIRE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #19-13 ALLOWING RAZOR WIRE IN I-3 ZONING AREAS AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS

IN NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH ANDY BROWN OF CAMP MANITOWA AND MR. BROWN STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO HOST IRAQ VEST AT THE CAMP. ALSO UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RENEWED EXUBERANCE FOR CITIZENS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO PLACE SUGGESTION BOXES AROUND TOWN AND HAVE CITIZENS SUBMIT TAG LINES FOR THE CITY.

COMMISSIONER PERKINS ARRIVED AT THE COUNCIL MEETING.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER THANKED COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH FOR TAKING TIME TO ANSWER QUESTIONS HE HAD. MR. CARTER ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THERE WAS A CONTRACT WITH PERRY RIDGE LANDFILL REGARDING SLUDGE AND HE ALSO STATED THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO PASS AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THIS. MR. CARTER ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH WHY HE ATTENDED NAPERVILLE IN THE PAST AND WAS REIMBURSED BY THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THIS TRIP. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SPECIFIC DATES, BUT HE BELIEVES IT WAS FOR ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE HOME RULE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

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

6:40 P.M.