MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 AT
6 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE WAS ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 11, 2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 13, 2016 SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 18, 2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WE WOULD BE GOING OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA AND WELCOMING PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE POPE STREET PROPERTY AT THIS TIME. DAVID SMITH ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. HE STATED THAT HE HAD FILED A COMPLAINT, ALONG WITH NEIGHBORS AND OTHER CITIZENS, REGARDING WHAT HE FELT TO BE ILLEGAL DUMPING ON POPE STREET. HE STATED THIS PROPERTY IS BEING DUMPED ON BY EARTH SERVICES. HE ASKED THE COUNCIL FOR HELP RECTIFYING THIS PROBLEM. CODE OFFICER/ZONING ADMINISTRATOR DAVID GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS PROPERTY IS ZONED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD MET WITH EARTH SERVICES WHO STATE THEY WILL HAVE THIS LAND CLEANED UP AND RESTORED BACK TO EARTH IN LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR. MR. GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT EARTH SERVICES IS PLANNING ON GRINDING THIS CONCRETE WASTE TO MAKE ROCK. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED THE CONCERNED CITIZENS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MR. GARAVALIA, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND LEGAL COUNSEL TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT EARTH SERVICES HAS AGREED TO PUT UP AN ORANGE CONSTRUCTION FENCE TO KEEP CHILDREN AND ADULTS OUT OF THIS AREA UNTIL THE AREA CAN BE CLEANED UP.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001511 FOR 20 METER SETTERS FOR A TOTAL OF $2,580.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001510 FOR 5 CONTAINS OF GREASE GOBLIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $928.62. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-21 FOR A NO PARKING/TOW AWAY ZONE ON MITCHELL STREET BETWEEN MAPLE AND ELECTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #16-5 CLOSING THE PUBLIC SQUSARE FOR THE REND LAKE CAR SHOW. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #16-6 CLOSING A PORTION OF ILLINOIS 34 (EAST MAIN) FROM MCLDEANSBORO STREET TO PUBLIC SQUARE AND ILLINOIS 37 (SOUTH MAIN) FROM PUBLIC SQUARE TO CHURCH STREET FROM 1 P.M. TO 2:45 P.M. FOR THE BENTON HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY INVITED RICK O’HARA OF F.A.S.T. TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING A SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS. HE STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL WAS INTERESTED, HIS COMPANY WOULD HAVE A 75 FOOT STOCK LADDER TRUCK AVAILABLE IN 4 WEEKS AT THE COST OF $625,000.00. MR. O’HARA ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE ANOTHER LADDER TRUCK AVAILABLE IN 6 WEEKS. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ON THE REASON THE CITY OF BENTON NEEDS A NEW LADDER TRUCK. CHIEF COCKRUM EXPRESSED HIS CONCERNS TO THE COUNCIL.
COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JUNE 25, 2016 THROUGH JULY 25, 2016. THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 602 CALLS FOR SERVICE WITH 75 OF THOSE CALLS BEING THROUGH “911”. OFFICERS/INVESTIGATORS RESPONDED TO 27 ALARM CALLS, 18 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES, 12 THEFTS, 17 TRAFFIC CRASHES, 11 DISORDERLY CONDUCTS, 10 ASSAULT/BATTERY, 4 BURGLARIES, 1 ARMED ROBBERY, AND VARIOUS OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE. A TOTAL OF 33 ARRESTS WERE MADE. CHIEF KYLE MELVIN’S REPORT ALSO NOTED THAT 79 TRAFFIC STOPS WERE CONDUCTED.
COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JUNE 1, 2016 THROUGH JULY 25, 2016. THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 80 INCIDENTS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. THESE INCIDENTS INCLUDED 15 FIRES, 47 RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, 3 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, 12 SERVICE CALLS, 1 GOOD INTENT CALL, AND 1 FALSE ALARM CALL.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CITY HAS MULTIPLE PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE COSTING THE CITY MONEY TO MAINTAIN. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY SELLING SURPLUS PROPERTY ON HUDELSON STREET AND LAKE HAMILTON. HE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT THIS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMBINE HIS CITY HALL UPDATES AND PURCHASE ORDER TOGETHER. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING THE ONLY CITY DEPARTMENT THAT HAS HELPED THE OFFICES AT CITY HALL BEGIN MOVING. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS WERE BUSY AND BECAUSE OF THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HIRE UNIVERSAL MOVING SOLUTIONS TO MOVE THE OFFICES FROM 500 WEST MAIN TO 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001055 TO UNIVERSAL MOVING SOLUTIONS FOR 10 HOURS OF MOVING AT A MAXIMUM COST OF $1,240.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE CONTRACTOR WORKING ON 1403 SOUTH MAIN HAS NOTIFIED HIM THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BALLASTS FOR ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THE CONTRACTOR RECOMMENDED THAT WE FIX THIS LIGHTING ISSUE. THE PRICE TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS $3,800.00. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT REPUBLIC SERVICES IS GIVING THE CITY A COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000.00 AT THE END OF JULY AND HE WOULD LIKE TO USE THESE FUNDS TO FIX THE LIGHTING ISSUE AT THE NEW CITY HALL. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001053 TO LEE MESSERSMITH IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,800.00 TO REPLACE LIGHTING AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE TREASURER NEEDS A FIREPROOF PLACE TO KEEP THE CITY CHECK BOOKS. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A GUN SAFE TO KEEP THESE CHECK BOOKS IN. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001040 TO RURAL KING FOR A GUN SAFE IN THE AMOUNT OF $800.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET ESTIMATES ON RESURFACING THE PARKING LOT AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO RESURFACE THE PARKING LOT, BUT HE WOULD AGREE TO GET ESTIMATES AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER MILLER TO OBTAIN ESTIMATES TO RESURFACE THE LOT AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT POLICE CHIEF KYLE MELVIN HAD BEEN RESEARCHING VIDEO CAMERAS AND A SECURITY SYSTEM FOR 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER MILLER ALSO STATED THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED A GRANT UP TO $6,674.00 FROM THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC RISK FUND (IPRF). COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO USE PART OF THIS GRANT TO PAY FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND CAMERAS. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDERS #001004 TO NOVACOM FOR VIDEO CAMERAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,499.99 AND #000978 TO SECURITY ALARM CORP IN THE AMOUNT OF $750.00 FOR A TOTAL COST OF $3,249.99 TO BE PAID OUT OF THE IPRF GRANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WITH THE LEFT OVER AMOUNT OF THE IPRF GRANT HE WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE TACTICAL BODY ARMOR VESTS FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GRANT AMOUNT AND THE PRICE OF THE VESTS WILL BE PAID FROM THE IMPOUND FEE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001052 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,960.00 FOR 11 TACTICAL BODY ARMOR VESTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 07/15/2016 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,252.03, FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,411.40, AND AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $850.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,513.43. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR WHITEY AND ANNETTE LYNCH OF 806 MICHAEL, STEPHANIE BIGGS OF 605 NORTH MAPLE, AND CHARLES WEBSTER OF 1104 NORTH MCLEANSBORO. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENT FROM CARMEN BARNFIELD OF 1201 HIGHLAND. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THIS SEWER ADJUSTMENT AS HE DID NOT FEEL IT MEETS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR MELINDA THOMAS OF 600 WEST SIXTH STREET, NANCY LAMBERT OF 634 NORTH BUCHANAN, RUSSELL BRYANT OF 706 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, JASON MATTHIAS OF 916 NORTH MCLEANSBORO, AND MARY WYANT OF 412 SOUTH STOTLAR. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE POOL ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY DO MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #16-07 CLOSING THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND PROGRAM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ TO INVITE COMMISSIONERS/EMPLOYEES HE DEEMS NECESSARY TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL IML AND TIF CONFERENCES IN CHICAGO DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATES THAT HE IS NOT CONVINCED THE AIRPORT PROPERTY REQUIRES A NEW FENCE. HE STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO DO SOME MORE RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER.
UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT COUNTRY MARK HAD AN OIL SPILL ON SOME CITY OWNED LAND THAT IS FARMED OUT. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID NOTHING WILL GROW ON THAT PATCH AND IS INTERESTED IN COUNTRY MARK REIMBURSING THE FARMER FOR LOST CROPS. COMMISSIONER STOREY WILL CONTACT THE FARMER.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE TWO LARGE SHRUBS BY THE BACK DOOR OF THE NEW CITY HALL REMOVED. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THIS COULD BE DONE BY HIS DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER WYANT TO HAVE THE TWO LARGE SHRUBS BY THE BACK DOOR OF 1403 SOUTH MAIN REMOVED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MENTIONED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTING AN AFTER-HOURS EVENT AT THE NEW CITY HALL FOR FELLOW CHAMBER MEMBERS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO WEDNESDAY JULY 27, 2016 FOR ITEM B UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER ITEM THAT MAY COME UP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:45 P.M.
