Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 9, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT WE WOULD BE GOING OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA TONIGHT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR ZONING CHANGE BY BEN’S LAWN SERVICE AND TRAILER SALES TO RE-ZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1503 NORTH MAIN STREET FROM B-6 TO B2.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THE COUNCIL DEALT WITH A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR THE AREA WHERE HUCKS IS LOCATED.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ZONING CHANGE FROM B-6 TO B2 FOR 1503 NORTH MAIN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED MR. CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY BEN’S LAWN SERVICE AND TRAILER SALES TO OPERATE A BUSINESS IN THE B2-ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT WITH LITTLE TRACTOR PURCHASING BEN’S LAWN THERE WERE WILL AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS FOR SALE AS WELL.  MR. CALCATERRA INTRODUCED JEFF RUSH AND G. DAVID GREEN TO THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME.  MR. GREEN HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH HELPING LITTLE TRACTOR ACQUIRE THIS PROPERTY AND MR. RUSH IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF LITTLE TRACTOR.  MR. RUSH STATED THAT OF ALL THE PLACES LITTLE TRACTOR HAS BEEN IN, HE FEELS THAT BENTON ACTUALLY WELCOMES THEIR BUSINESS.  MR. RUSH ALSO STATED THAT THERE WILL BE A GREAT INCREASE IN REVENUE FROM SALES TAX WITH THEIR BUSINESS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR BEN’S LAWN SERVICE AND TRAILER SALES TO OPERATE A BUSINESS IN THE B-2 ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA ADDRESS ITEMS (E) DISCUSSION OF CLARIFICATION OF THE TERMS OF THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM THAT WAS PASSED APRIL 11, 2022 AND (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY KEVIN EDWARDS AT 504 PUBLIC SQUARE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE TWO FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAMS WERE INTENDED TO RUN CONCURRENT WITH BOTH HAVING THE SAME END DATE.  HOWEVER, THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND THE END DATE FOR THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF GRANT WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT OUT OF THE APPLICATION.  THE COUNCIL AGREED THAT THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM SHOULD BE A YEARLONG PROGRAM AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT END UNTIL APRIL 11, 2023.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION THAT THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM WILL HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE OF APRIL 11, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

5. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FROM KEVIN EDWARDS AT 504 PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM. GENERALLY, THIS ADDRESS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM. HOWEVER, AS THIS PROGRAM HAS ENDED, HE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ALLOWING MR. EDWARDS TO HAVE HIS APPLICATION APPROVED UNDER THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION BY KEVIN EDWARDS AT 504 PUBLIC SQUARE IN THE NON-DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AS A DEPARTMENT REPORT, THERE WERE NUMEROUS WATER LEAKS THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN FIXING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00477 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR A BLOCK OF 50 HOURS OF TECH SUPPORT FOR USE BY THE ENTIRE CITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,975.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT FOR A DEPARTMENT REPORT, HE WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ALL CHRISTMAS DÉCOR AND PUTTING THE DÉCOR AWAY IN THE NEW BUILDING THE CITY PURCHASED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHERE THIS BUILDING WAS LOCATED.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE BUILDING IS AT THE STREET DEPARTMENT. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BFW ENGINEERING FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT AFTER REVIEW OF THEIR RFQ.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2023-01 FOR THE 2023 MFT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $730,000.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF DEVELOPING A POSITION FOR PUBLIC WORKS/CODES/CITY WORKER.  HE ASKED IF EACH COMMISSIONER WOULD CREATE A LIST OF WHAT THEY ENVISIONED THE POSITION OR POSITIONS TO INCLUDE.  HE ASKED THAT THESE LISTS BE TURNED OVER TO CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG SO THAT A MASTER LIST COULD BE COMPILED AND THEN THE COUNCIL COULD MEET AND DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO RESEARCH THIS POSITION OR POSITIONS AS WELL.  NO FURTHER DISCUSSION OR ACTION WAS HELD ON THIS MATTER AT THIS TIME. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.  

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TEMPORARY 60-DAY APPOINTMENT OF RYAN EATON IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT A RATE OF $16.55 PER HOUR.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A MEMO FROM CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATING THAT HE WAS RECOGNIZING INVESTIGATOR KYLE MELVIN AS THE 2022 OFFICER OF THE YEAR.  THE MEMO ALSO STATED THAT OFFICER JEREMY WATKINS WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HAVING THE MOST ARREST IN 2022.  OFFICER MICHAEL CAIN AND OFFICER JEREMY WATKINS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR MAKING THE MOST DUI ARREST OF 2022.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WAS VERY PROUD OF THIS DEPARTMENT.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ECHOED THIS SENTIMENT. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS IN THE GENERAL FUND AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $445,587.34, FOR TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $198,234.58, AND FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,972.58 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $666,794.50.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,984.18 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,038.63 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $107,022.81.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL COULD FIND A COPY OF THE MOST RECENT TAX DISTRIBUTION RECEIVED ON DECEMBER 29, 2022, IN THEIR PACKETS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE TOTAL WAS $767,911.45. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE OPENING AN ACCOUNT FOR PUSH TAX MONIES THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN RECEIVING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DEPOSITED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD AGREED TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF BRIAN CALCATERRA TO KEEP HIM WITH THE CITY OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WAS AWARE THAT IF THEY HAD TO HIRE SOMEONE TO DO THE JOB THAT MR. CALCATERRA WAS DOING, IT WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY COST MORE THAN THE INCREASE THAT MR. CALCATERRA ASKED FOR.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO HER ATTENTION THAT IN THE PAST THE BASE SALARY OF THE CITY CLERK WAS THE SAME AS THE TREASURER’S BASE SALARY AND THIS WAS CHANGED AT SOME POINT.  SHE STATED THAT THE CITY CLERK HANDLES MORE ITEMS NOW AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WANTED TO OPEN UP A DISCUSSION AS TO HOW THE COUNCIL FELT ABOUT INCREASING THE CITY CLERK’S SALARY TO THE SAME BASE AS THE TREASURER’S SALARY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE FELT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR DISCUSSION AS HE BELIEVED SHE DID DESERVE THE SAME BASE PAY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAY RESOLUTION #2023-02.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MATTHEW HARRISON SPOKE ABOUT HAPPENINGS AT THE AIRPORT.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE AIRPORT HAD $60,000.00 IN FUEL SALES AND 35 USES OF THE COURTESY CAR.   MR. HARRISON STATED THAT OF THOSE 35 USES OF THE COURTESY CAR, 20 WERE TO EITHER FISH CO OR SEASONING BISTRO.  MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE HAS APPLIED FOR A $440,000.00 FFA GRANT FOR THE APRON, A $16,000.00 AVIATION FUEL TAX GRANT, AND THAT THE HANGAR IS FULL WITH A WAIT LIST AT THIS POINT.  HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO FINISH THE LIGHTING NEXT AT THE AIRPORT AND WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO A COMMUNITY HANGAR.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT THE AIRPORT PROFITS OFF OF FUEL AND MR. HARRISON STATED THAT IT IS APPROXIMATELY $0.10 A GALLON.  FINALLY, MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALL THEIR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, AND THE PLANT DURING THE RECENT LOSS OF HIS MOTHER.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND MR. HARRISON ON HOW WELL HE DOES WITH STAYING ON TOP OF EVERYTHING AT THE AIRPORT. 

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO PUBLICLY STATE THAT SHE APPRECIATED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG FOR ALL SHE DOES FOR THE CITY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO THANK THE CLERK FOR ALSO BEING SO LOYAL TO THE CITY. 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, JEFF RUSH STATED THAT HE REALLY APPRECIATES BRIAN CALCATERRA FOR ALL THAT HE DID TO HELP LITTLE TRACTOR IN THEIR RELOCATION TO BENTON.  MR. RUSH ALSO STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS BUSINESS WILL BRING TREMENDOUS REVENUE INTO THE CITY.  G. DAVID GREEN ECHOED THESE COMMENTS AND THANKED THE COUNCIL.  TOM CARTER ASKED IF A TIME STUDY HAS BEEN DONE ON THE NEW POSITION TO BE CREATED AND IF THERE IS AN EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR THIS POSITION.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THIS MAY JUST BE A PART TIME POSITION AND THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ON ANYTHING REGARDING THIS POSITION AT THIS TIME.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF WITH THE PASSING OF THE NEW RESOLUTION, WILL THIS BE A DOMINO EFFECT WITH RAISES.  FRED STATED THAT HE IS LOSING MONEY AS BEING THE MAYOR.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TOLD MR. CARTER HE COULD STOP BY CITY HALL AND SHE WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH A COPY OF THE PAY RESOLUTION. 

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

6:05 P.M.

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MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022 AT 9:14 A.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  MAYOR KONDRITZ WAS NOT PRESENT. 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT AFTER THE RECESS HELD AT THE LAST CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND DISCUSSION HELD DURING THAT RECESS, HE WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW HIS RESIGNATION IF THE COUNCIL IS WILLING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO RESCIND HER MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

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

TIME 9:15 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAJN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS: 0

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PETITION FILED BY JERRY HALL TO VACATE AN ALLEY.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT ALL PAPERWORK HAS BEEN DONE AND FEES HAVE BEEN PAID.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS ALLEY, LOCATED BEHIND 211 WEST WILLIAMS STREET, HAS BEEN
UNOFFICIALLY CLOSED FOR YEARS, AND THIS WOULD JUST MAKE IT AN
OFFICIALLY CLOSED ALLEY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PETITION FILED BY JERRY HALL TO VACATE AN ALLEY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION ANO/OR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FILED BY DR. RAKESH CHANDRA. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FILED BY DR. CHANDRA FOR 117 AND 119 EAST SMITH STREET.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED
WHAT THE HEIGHT OF THE FENCE WOULD BE AT THIS LOCATION.  DR. CHANDRA STATED THAT THE FENCE WOULD BE 4 FOOT TO 6 FOOT IN HEIGHT AND THAT THE FENCE WOULD BE SEE THROUGH. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DR. RAKESH CHANDRA AT 117 AND 119 E SMITH STREET FOR AN OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER
COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RICK LINTON TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “DAY TRIP” PROPOSAL.  MR. LINTON STATED THAT THE HE IS STILL RESEARCHING SOME ITEMS TO DO WITH THIS PROPOSAL AND WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO TABLE THIS AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “DAY TRIP” PROPOSAL WITH RICK LINTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RICK AND BARB LINTON TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE UPCOMING S3DA PROPOSAL.  MR. LINTON INTRODUCED JACKIE TAYLOR FROM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.  MS. TAYLOR STATED THAT THE S3DA TOURNAMENT HELD LAST YEAR WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND THAT THE CORPS WAS EXCITED TO BE HOSTING AGAIN THIS YEAR. BARB LINTON STATED THAT THE CORPS REALLY STEPPED UP AND MADE THIS EVENT HAPPEN LAST YEAR AND DONATED MONETARILY TO MAKE SURE THINGS WERE COMPLETED. MS. LINTON STATED THAT THE CORPS GAVE THE MONEY AS A ONETIME DONATION AND SO THEY NEED SPONSORS TO STEP UP THIS YEAR. MS. LINTON STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE THE CITY OF BENTON TO BE A “HOST CITY” FOR THIS EVENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE DONATING $1,000.00 TO THE S3 DA TOURNAMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00085 TO SCHAEFFER’S SPECIALIZED LUBRICANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $I,343.80 FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00666 TO BEN’S LAWN SERVICE FOR A 20-FOOT HEAVY DUTY TRAILER IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,512.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS T AKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRJTZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A WRITTEN DEPARTMENT REPORT, HOWEVER, HE COULD GIVE A BRIEF VERBAL REPORT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL WATER LEAKS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY REPAIRED 15 SERVICE LEAKS THIS MONTH AND ARE WORKING ON 6 MORE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE IOWA STREET PROJECT IS ALMOST COMPLETE.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00232 TO BENTON ONE TIRE FOR FOUR FIRESTONE G663 10 R22.5 TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,145.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A WRITTEN DEPARTMENT REPORT, BUT COULD GIVE A BRIEF VERBAL REPORT.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CONCRETE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED FOR THE YEAR. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRIMMING TREES AROUND TOWN FOR THE LAST WEEK AND WILL BEGIN REPLACING MISSING STREET AND TRAFFIC SIGNS AFTER THAT.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADVERTISING FOR RFQ’S FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT THAT WILL BE HAPPENING IN THE SPRING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAY ALIA VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00069 TO MODERN OFFICE FOR A KYOCERA TASKALFA 308CI WITH SERVICE PLAN OF  $33.00 A MONTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,488.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCK.RUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DID NOT HA VE A DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING. HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT AS HE WALKED INTO THE MEETING, HE RECEIVED A REPORT THAT THERE WERE SOME KIDS PAINTING STOP SIGNS ON THE CORNER OF GARDNER AND NINTH.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT, CRAIG MILES, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE MAYOR FOR WHAT THEY DID TO MAKE SURE “A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS” HAPPENED.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 23, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,589.68 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,045.97 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $96,635.65.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #22-05, TAX LEVY ORDINANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,196,984.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS REPRESENTED A 5% INCREASE FROM THE LAST TAX LEVY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRJTZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW STATE HER APPRECIATION FOR THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS AND LENNIE SHELTON WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR HELPING WITH “A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS”.  THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS DECORATED POLES, PLANNED GAMES, AND MADE NUMEROUS BASKETS TO BE RAFFLED.  THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPEARHEADED THE VENDORS FOR THE EVENT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE ALSO WANTED TO THANK CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG FOR ALWAYS BEING BEHIND THE SCENES PULLING THE STRINGS TO MAKE SURE ALL CITY EVENTS HAPPEN.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS NARCOTICS COMPANIES BEING SUED AND HE BELIEVES THIS COULD IN TURN BE GOOD FOR THE CITY. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE
WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE CITIZENS TO PLACE THEIR TRASH CANS BACK OFF THE STREET AFTER PICK UP.  ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT
MAYBE THIS SHOULD BE PRINTED ON THE WATER BILLS. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.  NO NEW BUSINESS. IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE COUNCIL KNEW WHETHER THE FENCE AT THE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEAL TH FACILITY WILL BE CHAIN LINK OR NOT. THE  COUNCIL STATED THAT AT THIS TIME, THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT THE FENCE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF.

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

6:52 P.M. 

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.  HE DID STATE THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE WATER DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK DURING THE RECENT REPAIR OF A LEAK.  THIS RECOGNITION WAS ECHOED BY THE REST OF THE COUNCIL. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.  HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS FINISHED POURING SIDEWALKS AND CONCRETE FOR THE SEASON AND HAS SINCE MOVED ON TO DITCHING.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT WILL BE WORKING ON THE ENTRANCE TO CITY HALL AND THE PARKING LOT SOON.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-12 TO CLOSE THE BENTON SQUARE FOR “A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS” ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 AT 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00383 TO AMSOIL FOR OIL CHANGES IN UNITS #801 AND #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $789.90.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00384 TO WALLACE INDUSTRIAL FOR 2 SUPER-SAWZALL RESCUE SAWS IN THE AMOUNT OF $968.76.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00068 TO GALLS FOR 1 INTOXIMETER ALCO SENSOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $575.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW SERGEANTS TO REMAIN IN THE POLICE BARGAINING UNIT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ADDING/REMOVING PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MONTH. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $358,456.49.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 11, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,357.16 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,424.84 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,782.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO OPEN A LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE WATER MAIN PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RENEWING THE LINE OF CREDIT AT STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHRISTMAS BONUSES EQUATING TO LESS THAN $100 PER EMPLOYEE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP.  SHE STATED THAT THEY DID A REALLY GREAT JOB WITH THE FALL FEST AND SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH “A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS”. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “DAY TRIP” PROPOSAL WITH RICK LINTON WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SETTING MEETING DATES.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE IS A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 27, 2022 AT 6 P.M.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS MEETING DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS MEETING TO DECEMBER 22, 2022, AT 10 A.M.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE SETTING ALL THE DATES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IN 2023.  MAYO9R KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE MEETING TIME TO 5 P.M. ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS OF EACH MONTH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DECEMBER 22, 2023 BEING A 10 A.M. MEETING DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WAS SHOCKED AND VERY PLEASED AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WILLING TO DONATE THEIR TIME TO MAKE EVENTS IN THE CITY OF BENTON HAPPEN. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE IS A TREE AT 508 WEST PARRISH STREET IMPEDING EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM REACHING THE RESIDENCE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES WAS RECENTLY APPROACHED BY FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM REGARDING REMOVAL OF THIS TREE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS TREE REMOVAL WILL BE LESS THAN $500.00, BUT WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THIS SITUATION.  ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED THE TREE SHOULD BE REMOVED. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS WITH WEST CITY REGARDING FIRE PROTECTION.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE RUMOR IS THAT BENTON IS NOT HONORING THEIR MUTUAL AID TO WEST CITY.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE CITY OF BENTON IS PLANNING ON VOIDING THE CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL NOT BE VOIDED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL NOT BE VOIDED. 

1. CARTER ASKED CATHY IF THE LINE OF CREDIT WOULD BE $1,000,000.00 OR $500,000.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ANSWERED “YES”.

ROBERT AND MICHELLE CZUPRYNSKI ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.  THE CZUPRYNSKI’S STATED THAT THEY LIVE AT 607 ELECTION AND THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE NEIGHBORS AT 603 ELECTION STREET.  ACCORDING TO THE CZUPRYNSKI’S THE YARD IS UNKEMPT AND THERE ARE LOTS OF MOSQUITOS AND SNAKES BECAUSE OF THIS.  THEY STATED THAT THE BACK YARD IS LIKE “A JUNGLE”.  MRS. CZUPRYNSKI STATED THAT CITY HALL HAS BEEN INVOLVED AS WELL AS BICOUNTY, BUT THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT WE CAN TAKE THE FAMILY TO COURT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOTHING SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE RULING IN THE COURT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SUGGESTED THAT THE CZUPRYNSKI’S TRY GETTING A HOLD OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. 

LINDA KLEINE OF 409 WEST SIXTH STREET ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.  MS. KLEINE STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT SHE CALLED A “SLUMLORD”.  MS. KLEINE SHOWED PICTURES OF HER ELECTRICAL BOX AND STATED THAT MCCOLLUM REAL ESTATE WAS HER LANDLORD AND THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX HER ISSUES.  MS. KLEINE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT HER NEIGHBOR STATING THAT THEY DO NOT PICK UP DOG FECES, THEY PARK IN THE STREET, AND STALK THE OTHER NEIGHBORS.  MS. KLEIN ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OFFICER CORN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT THAT MS. KLEIN WAS SPEAKING OF AND THAT HE HAS WATCHED BODY CAM FOOTAGE OF THIS INCIDENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DOES NOT FEEL OFFICER CORN HAS DONE ANYTHING WRONG. 

50. ROCKY MORRIS ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. MR. MORRIS STATED THAT HE IS LOOKING INTO FLIPPING SOME HOUSES OR CONDOS IN THE AREA. MR. MORRIS ASKED WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SIDEWALKS AND WHERE LIABILITY WOULD LIE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY AND HOMEOWNER SPLIT THE COST 50/50.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IF A SIDEWALK GOES THROUGH A DRIVEWAY, THE APPROACH WILL BE REPOURED.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT IF DAMAGE IS DONE TO THE HOMEOWNER’S PERSONAL SIDEWALK, THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING THINGS BACK IN WORKING ORDER. 

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

6:55 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2022 8:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE REGARDING ACCEPTING A BID FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LEASE.  THE HIGH BID OF MONY KASH AT $300.00 PER ACRE WAS APPROVED.  COMMISSIONER CORKUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

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

TIME 8:35 A.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 10, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.  ABSTAINS:  1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

UNDER DEPARTMENTAL REPORT, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING ON SERVICE LEAKS AND WITH REPAINTING THE WATER TOWER

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

UNDER DEPARTMENTAL REPORT, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH DISCUSSED THE LIST OF ITEMS DONATED TO THE DEPARTMENT

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00066 TO ACCREDITED SECURITY FOR TASERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1518.99.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00381 TO CDW-GOVERNMENT FOR REPLACEMENT DATA TERMINALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,133.41.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00382 TO FIRE APPARATUS & SUPPLY TEAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $655.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HIS DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS FOR BOTH THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE IN THE COUNCIL PACKETS. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKE ON AN INTERNSHIP, COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTING INTERNSHIP.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED OCTOBER 14, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,383.15 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,349.68 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,732.83.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION APPROVE THE HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR 2023.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “DAY TRIP” PROPOSAL WITH RICK LINTON WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO PRESENT THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR AIRPORT MANAGER. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ACCEPT THIS DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO OPEN AND PRESENT THE BIDS FOR THE AIRPORT FARM LEASE.  THE BIDS ARE AS LISTED BELOW.

IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING UNTIL FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, AT 8:30 A.M. TO ALLOW TIME TO CONTACT THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT FOR ACQUIRING THE LOT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 506 SOUTH COMMERCIAL FOR DEMOLITION.  IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL TO ACQUIRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEMOLITION.  MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM G TO THE COUNCIL.  IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ACCEPT THE SALE OF THE CITY LOT COMMONLY KNOWN AS 208 W PARRISH AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED THAT BROOK CRAIG BE APPOINTED TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED THAT BROOK CRAIG BE APPOINTED TO THE FIRE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.  SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY AS A CORPORATION IS AUDITED ONCE A YEAR.  IT WAS STATED THAT WE ARE PROUD OF OUR AUDITS EXCEPT IN THE INVENTORY PORTION WHERE WE RECEIVED AN F.  MAYOR KONDRITZ DISCUSSED A STORAGE OPTION FOR THE TOOLS USED BY THE GARDEN GATE GIRLS THAT TAKE CARE OF THE FLOWERS ON CITY PROPERTIES. 

IN OLD BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH WANTED IT STATES THAT HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY WERE REPLACING AN OFFICER WHEN THEY APPROVED A POLICEMAN, NOT THAT A NEW ONE WAS BEING ADDED TO THE NUMBERS.  DISCUSSION WAS HAD BETWEEN COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA IN REGARDS TO THE FUNDING OF THE PERSONNEL.

NO NEW BUSINESS

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE COUNCIL’S DECISION TO BID OUT THE FARMLAND. 

1. CARTER STATED THAT MATTHEW HARRISON HAD THE RIGHT TO BE ON THE AIRPORT BOARD, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF PAST PRACTICES.

1. CARTER STATED HE HAD READ THROUGH THE CONTRACT FOR THE CITY’S WATER METERS READING SYSTEM AND WAS WONDERING WHERE THE WARRANTY INFORMATION WAS.

DARRELL ELLIS AND COMPANY PRESENTED ON MATTERS NOT RELATED TO CITY GOVERNMENTAL MATTERS.

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 AT 8:30 A.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0.

7:10 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 10, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RICK LINTON AND BARB LINTON TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY TO PRESENT FIRST AT THE MEETING.  THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THE COUNCIL A PROPOSAL FOR “AN AFTERNOON IN BENTON”.  A SHORT PRESENTATION WAS MADE WITH DISCUSSION ON ADVERTISING FOR THIS PROPOSAL.  HANDOUTS WERE GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.  MR. LINTON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO GO OVER THE PACKET AND CONTACT HIM FOR ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR A VOTE. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #120 AND LOT #121 FROM ALICE WEED TO WILLIAM LOWELL RIEGEL, TRUSTEE OF THE ORPHIA ALICE R. WEED IRREVOCABLE TRUST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT UNDER ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS, HE HAD AN ITEM TO PRESENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT LINDA MUSLIN WOULD LIKE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE COUNCIL TO RENT HER LAKE LOT (LOTS #30 AND LOT #31) TO AARON AND ELIZABETH SHADOAN AS ALLOWED WITHIN THE LEASE CONTEXT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS INTO A MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS IN EVERYONE’S PACKET.  THE REPORT WAS FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2022.  THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 10 SERVICE LEAKS, 2 WATER MAIN BREAKS ON EAST MAIN, 1 WATER MAIN BREAK ON EAST SMITH, AND 1 WATER MAIN BREAK ON WHISPER WAY.  THERE WERE TWO NEW SERVICES INSTALLED, 1 SEWER ISSUE AT THE HOSPITAL, AND 9 SEWERS CLEANED.  THERE WAS PUMP MAINTENANCE AT THE LIFT STATION ON CLEARVIEW.  THE SHUT OFF LIST WAS COMPLETED, THERE WERE 337 JULIES MARKED, GENERAL MOWING, AND GENERAL METER REPAIR COMPLETED.  WORK WAS DONE ON PARRISH AND IOWA STREET WATER MAINS AND THIS PROJECT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE 20^TH OF OCTOBER. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ESTABLISH AN INFRASTRUCTURE FUND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REPURPOSE THE SEWER SURCHARGE INTO AN INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS WOULD GIVE THE WATER DEPARTMENT A FUND TO BE ABLE TO FIX WATER AND SEWER ISSUES FROM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE ACCOUNT FOR THE SEWER SURCHARGE WOULD STAY IN THAT ACCOUNT AND THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO FIX ONLY THE SEWER ISSUES.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO REPURPOSE THE SEWER SURCHARGE INTO AN INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. 

FOR THE STREETS AND IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT REPORT, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON SIDEWALKS, CULVERTS, AND PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT A $200,000.00 GRADE WAS RECEIVED BY GREATER EGYPT REGIONAL PLANNING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BENTON AND MT. VERNON TO WRITE A GRANT FOR A MASTER BIKE PLAN.   MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED WHERE THE TOOLS THAT WERE GIFTED BY THE REALITY SHOW TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ARE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE AN INVENTORY OF THESE TOOLS TO BE DONE AND TURNED IN AT CITY HALL. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS AND NO DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING. 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIRING A POLICE OFFICER AS CRIME HAS GONE UP.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT MATTHEW PEMBERTON IS IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING THROUGH THE MERIT BOARD.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER ALSO STATED THAT THE POLICE TRAINING INSTITUTE WOULD START IN JANUARY AND THE OFFICER WOULD BE GONE TO TRAINING FOR 15 WEEKS. 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE REPORT. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING FROM ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $651,921.61.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYING BILLS DATED OCTOBER 10, 2022.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,181.55 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,604.26 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,785.81.80.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO FURTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR THE STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON WILL BE OPENING UP THE LANES IN THEIR DRIVE THRU.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM APPLICATION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A ZONING CHANGE FOR HUCKS CONVENIENCE STORE LOCATED AT 1204 NORTH MAIN STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HUCKS WILL BE TEARING DOWN THEIR CURRENT BUILDING AND BUILDING A NEW BUILDING DIRECTLY TO THE EAST OF THEIR LOCATION.  DURING THE PERMIT APPROVAL PROCESS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THIS AREA WAS ZONED B3 AND WOULD NOT PERMIT FOR THIS BUSINESS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL CHANGE THE ZONING OF THIS LOCATION TO B2.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF TWO CITY LOTS LOCATED AT 502 AND 504 SOUTH COMMISSION STREET.  MT. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE LOTS ARE FOR SALE THROUGH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TRUSTEE AND WOULD BE $816.00 A PIECE.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THESE TWO LOTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO ACQUIRE SURVEYS AND APPRAISAL OF LAND AT THE AIRPORT FOR POTENTIAL SALE.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF WE WOULD LIKE TO SELL THIS PROPERTY IN THE FUTURE, THIS WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE WERE SOME HE PROBLEMS AT THE NEW PLAYGROUND.  MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE HAD DRIVEN BY THE PLAYGROUND ON MULTIPLE TIMES AND WITNESSED CHILDREN KICKING THE FENCE AND THROWING MULCH OVER THE FENCE.  MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT IT IS VERY DARK IN THAT AREA.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED A LIGHT HAS ALREADY BEEN ORDERED FOR THAT AREA.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT DEER CAMERAS MAY BE HELPFUL AT THE PARK TO CATCH SURVEILLANCE.  CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO A CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE AREA. 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED THAT HE FEELS THE CITIZENS ARE BEING SHORT CHANGED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IF THEY PROCEED WITH MAKING AN INFRASTRUCTURE FUND INSTEAD OF A SEWER SURCHARGE FUND.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD CASES OF NEW METERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED AND THAT HE BELIEVES THE CREATION OF THIS FUND IS A RUSE TO BUY NEW METERS.  MR. CARTER STATES THAT HE FEELS THIS IS INDESCRIBABLE AND THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF SEWERS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS WILL GO PUBLIC IF THERE IS ANYTHING INCORRECT BEING DONE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WILL BE SUBMITTING FOIA REQUESTS REGARDING THE METERING SYSTEM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE CURRENTLY IS A SEWER FUND, BUT NO WATER FUND AND CREATION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WOULD GIVE THE COUNCIL THE OPTION OF WHERE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING OUT OF.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THERE ARE NO MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE WATER METERS. 

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

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