Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes — January 12, 2026

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 12, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO TAKE ROLL. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT MINUTES WERE PLACED IN ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS PACKETS. HE STATED THAT ON PAGE THREE, THERE’S A STATEMENT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO DECEMBER 12TH TO PAY THE BILLS AND THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED. OTHER THAN THAT, THERE’S NO OTHER CHANGES. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH THE CHANGE NOTED ABOVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

UNDER PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00580 TO MCCOLLUM ELECTRIC FOR REPAIR OF THE DECORATIVE LIGHTING ON MAPLE STREET NOT TO EXCEED $7,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASES FOR APPROVAL.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B), REGARDING METER WARRANTIES, FOR NOW. HE STATED THAT HE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WILL BE LOOKING INTO THIS A LITTLE FARTHER BEFORE WE ACTUALLY APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED A COST ESTIMATE ON THE SEWER MAIN PROJECT ON CARTER DRIVE. HE STATED THAT WE’VE GOT A NEW BUSINESS COMING IN ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SQUARE AND WE’RE TRYING TO GET PREPARED FOR IT. IN YOUR BOX, YOU’LL SEE A COST ESTIMATE THAT OUR ENGINEERS PUT TOGETHER. AND IT’S ONLY A COST ESTIMATE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH SEEKING BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY HAD HIRED A PART-TIME PERSON FOR OUR WATER DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT BILLS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HER EMPLOYMENT HAS NOT WORKED OUT AND HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TERMINATE CANDY ARMSTRONG AT THIS TIME. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE STORM SIREN BY THE GRADE SCHOOL HAS GONE DOWN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE QUOTE FROM NOVACOM COMMUNICATIONS TO REPLACE THE STORM SIRE IN THE AMOUNT OF $35.999.99. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A CALL REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 605 CALLS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 133 INCIDENTS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WILL START PUTTING THESE REPORTS OUT ON THE TABLE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN LOOK AT THEM AS THEY COME IN, NOT TO TAKE, BUT JUST TO LOOK AT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR MEN HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN BUSY OUT THERE.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE JANUARY 2, 2026 TOTALING $112,858.88 WITH $84,224.54 OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND $28,634.31 OUT OF THE WATER AND SEWER REVENUE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS TOTALING $469,679.25 WITH $467,515.47 OUT OF THE AP FUND, $691.28 OUT OF MOTOR FUEL TAX, $736.25 OUT OF IJRL TIF FUND, AND $736.25 OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN TIF FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE WANTED TO DISCUSS ITEM 7C, DISCUSSION AND OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN LOOSELY TALKED ABOUT SINCE HE HAS COME ON THE COUNCIL AND HE STATED THAT WE’RE GOING TO PUT ACTION TOGETHER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT, TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT IT, AND TIRED OF THE PANDERING. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS HAS DIRECTLY TO DO WITH OUR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE MINIMUM WAGE SLIDING SCALE FOR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS GOING FORWARD. HE STATED THAT THEY WILL BE PAID MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE. SO AS MINIMUM WAGE GOES, THIS RACE WILL BASICALLY BE OUT IN FRONT OF THEM GOING FORWARD. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS OPEN TO DISCUSSION, BUT THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE PAY THEM $3 AN HOUR MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE GOING FORWARD. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYBODY HAD ANY OBJECTIONS PR ANY DISCUSSION PIECES TO THAT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH SAID THAT HE HAD TALKED WITH COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABOUT THIS LINES UP BY THE WAY THIS LINES UP PERFECTLY WITH WHAT HE WAS THINKING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FEELS LIKE THE COUNCIL SHOULD PUT TOGETHER A PAID ON-CALL EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES WHAT TRAINING IS, WHAT CLOTHING ALLOWANCE IS, AND INCLUDING THIS PAY SO THAT ANYONE CURRENT OR NEW THAT COMES ON HAS A COMPLETE PACKAGE TO LOOK THROUGH. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RAISING THE COMPENSATION FOR OUR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS TO $3 AN HOUR MORE THAN THE PREVAILING MINIMUM WAGE GOING FORWARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE LAST ITEM HE HAS IS (7D) MODIFICATION OF INTENT TO RETIRE. HE STATED THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH OUR BILLING CLERK, MELISSA HUNGATE. SHE IS GOING TO SHIFT HER RETIREMENT DATE UP. THIS STILL FALLS WITHIN THE INCENTIVE FOR THE INSURANCE. HER NEW RETIREMENT DATE WILL BE MARCH 9TH.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT HER MODIFIED RETIREMENT DATE OF MARCH 9TH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ATTORNEY IS NOT HERE THIS EVENING AND SO THERE ARE NO UPDATES UNDER HIM.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS ABOUT HOW DO WE PUT TOGETHER A MASTER CALENDAR FOR THE CITY. HE STATED THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AN UPCOMING MEETING TO BE ABLE TO BRING ALL THE DIFFERENT GROUPS, YOUR ELKS, YOUR VOLUNTEERS, YOUR CHAMBERS, AND THOSE, TO ALL GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND PLAN THAT OUT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED LOOKING AT A 250TH CELEBRATION, BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? COULD THAT HAPPEN AROUND 4TH OF JULY? COULD THAT HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER? MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON PLANS FOR 2026 AND, FORTUNATELY, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TEND TO BE SLOW MONTHS, SO IT GIVES US A LITTLE MORE TIME TO PLAN.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DOES HAVE A COUPLE OF PURCHASE ORDERS THIS EVENING. HE STATED THAT WITH MOVING PEOPLE AROUND AND SHIFTING PEOPLE AROUND, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAS ASKED IS THAT OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BE OFFICED HERE AND NOT AT THE SEWER PLANT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BECAUSE HE THINK THAT THERE’S SOME PIECES THAT ARE MISSING AND HIM BEING ISOLATED OUT THERE MAKES IT HARD SOMETIMES TO GET THINGS DONE LIKE WE WANT TO. THE MAYOR STATED THAT HE HAD ALSO GIVEN HIS OFFICE UP FOR DAMIEN AS THE DEPUTY CLERK AND GRANT WRITER SO THAT HE HAS HIS OWN SPACE. BECAUSE OF THIS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WOULD ALSO BE NEEDING AN OFFICE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD PUT TOGETHER AN ESTIMATE OF MATERIALS TO PUT TWO MORE OFFICES IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AND ADJUST THE SPACE OF THIS ROOM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OFFICE FOR DAILUS AND AN OFFICE FOR HIMSELF. HE STATED THAT THE MATERIALS SHOULD BE LESS THAN THIS, BUT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HIS SECOND PURCHASE ORDER IS FOR VERIZON WIRELESS. HE STATED THAT DAILUS RICHARDSON AND HE WENT LAST WEEK TO MEET WITH THEM. DAILUS NEEDS A NEW PHONE AS THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WHICH WILL ASSIGN HIM A NEW NUMBER, AND ADDITIONALLY, IN ORDER TO DO THE JULIE MARKINGS LIKE WE NEED TO, WE NEED TWO TABLETS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE CELLULAR ATTACHED TO THEM SO THEY CAN DO THINGS IN THE FIELD, GENERATE REPORTS BASED ON THE NEW JULIE RECOMMENDATIONS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, CALEB, IS ON AN AT&T PLAN. HE STATED THAT AT&T IS NOT BAD, BUT IT DOES NOT WORK IN THIS BUILDING AND SO HE’S NOT ABLE TO USE THE PHONE AS HE NEEDS TO USE THE PHONE AND SO WE NEED TO MOVE HIM OVER TO VERIZON MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WILL SAVE SOME MONEY ON THE AT&T SIDE WHEN WE CANCEL THAT CONTRACT AND WE ARE ALSO GOING TO SAVE SOME MONEY ON THE VERIZON SIDE. THE PURCHASE ORDER SAYS “NOT TO EXCEED $500”, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO BE ABOUT $263 OR IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE LESS THAN THAT. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH VERIZON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED A REQUIRED FOR A COMIC-CON SPONSORSHIP. THIS EVENT HAS GROWN EVERY YEAR AND THE CITY HAS SPONSORED IT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THEY APPROACHED THE CITY AND ASKED IF THE CITY WOULD BE WILLING TO PARTNER AGAIN? THE VENT SAW OVER 1,000 PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE CIVIC CENTER LAST YEAR IN ONE DAY AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW EVERY YEAR. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE CITY FROM A TOURISM STANDPOINT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BRINGING PEOPLE INTO BENTON, EATING, GETTING GAS, AND KIND OF GETTING THEM EXPOSED TO WHAT BENTON IS LIKE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DO A $500.00 SPONSORSHIP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY REQUESTING A DONATION OF $500.00 OR ANY OTHER AMOUNT, FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW AMERICAN FLAGS. THESE FLAGS ARE THAT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OUR CHEERLEADER GROUP GO AND PUT THE FLAGS OUT AND THEN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPS PICK THEM UP EVERY YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN SOME WEATHERING AND AGING OF THE FLAGS AND SO THEY HAVE EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE A NEED TO GET NEW FLAGS. THE LETTER STATED THAT LAST YEAR THEY HAD TO SPEND $400.00 TO REPLACE FLAGS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WONDERED IF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION, WHICH WE’VE DONE IN YEARS PAST, TO SUPPORT THEM FOR THE FLAGS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE IS NOT AGAINST IT, HE JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT. HE STATED THAT OVER THE YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ELKS DID IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS; STORED THEM, BOUGHT THEM, ASKED FOR DONATIONS. HE STATED THAT THE ELKS GOT TIRED OF DOING IT AND THEN THE AMERICAN LEGION TOOK IT OVER, AND NOW THE CHEERLEADERS ARE DOING IT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE THING AND IT HAS BEEN SHARED THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY. HE STATED THAT THEY DO GET TORN AND THEY DO GET TATTERED BY THE WIND. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE THINKS IT IS WONDERFUL THAT FLAGS ARE PUT OUT AND HE WANTED TO MAKE THE MOTION TO DONATE $400.00.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF COMMISSIONER COCKRUM COULD PULL HIS MOTION AS THE LETTER HAD ASKED FOR $500.00 IN THE OPENING PARAGRAPH AS A REQUEST. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN THAT AND WOULD WITHDRAW HIS MOTION.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE DONATING $500.00 TO THE AMERICAN LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY FOR FLAGS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD JUST A COUPLE OF UPDATES FROM FINANCE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN A COUPLE OF INFORMATION PACKETS REGARDING POTENTIAL AUDITING TERMS. HE STATED THAT HE IS GOING TO GO THROUGH THEM TONIGHT FOR AUDITING SERVICES. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE ARE LESS THAN THRILLED WITH ATLAS AND THE TARDINESS AND HOT WATER THEY HAVE PUT THE CITY IN WITH THE CONSISTENT LATENESS THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND THE FACT THAT THEY JUST DON’T DELIVER ON TIME. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT GETS TIRING AND THE CITY CAN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT GETTING AN AUDIT BACK ON TIME FROM THEM. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CITY GETS THEM ALL THE INFORMATION AND THEY DEPART HERE JUST LIKE THEY NORMALLY WOULD, BUT THAT THE CITY JUST DOES NOT GET OUR AUDIT BACK UNTIL AFTER DEADLINES FROM THE STATE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE HAVE HIRED AN IN-HOUSE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR AND THE AUDIT BECOMES SUBSTANTIALLY MORE IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE STARTING WITH GRANT FUNDS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE ON THE NEXT AGENDA, AS WELL AS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE EITHER IN THE NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER MEETING ABOUT ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN FINANCE AND NEW STANDARDS CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE JUST WITH GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD AND GAAP. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL TRAININGS THAT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IN ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE UP TO SNUFF AGAIN.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC

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

5:15 P.M.

Comments Off on Meeting Minutes — January 12, 2026

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes – December 22, 2025

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 8, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 12, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM DECEMBER 12, 2025 AS PRESENTED. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD NO APPROVAL OF PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT DAILUS RICHARDSON TO A 120-DAY TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS:

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE’ ORDER #00443 TO AMERICAN TEST CENTER FOR LADDER TESTING AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,249.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIOER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONR COKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMM ISSIONER KAYS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #004440 TO MIDAMERICA FIRE FOR AN INTAKE VALVE FOR ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,464.88. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN FORMING A DECORATING COMMITTEE FOR DECORATING THE TOWN DURING HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND THEN REVISIT THE FORMING OF A COMM ITTEE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A DECORATING COMMITTEE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONERKAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSM ITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO AN ORDINANCE FOR THE USE OF E-BIKES, SCOOTERS, AND OTHER LIKE ITEMS. AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIOENR GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A FURTHER DATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIOENR GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER KAYS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHOP WITH A COP WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY COMPLETED TACTICAL TRAINING AT REND LAKE COLLEGE. THIS TRAINING INCLUDED FIRE, POLICE, AND EMA. FIREMEN JAMES NEFF AND MATT WARREN WERE IN ATTENDANCE AND STATED THAT THIS TRAINING WAS VERY GOOD. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER WAS IN ATTAENDANCE FOR THIS MEETING. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT DISPATCH HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED OVER AND ALL THE BUGS ARE BEING WORKED OUT CURRENTLY.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED DECEMBER 19, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,541.59 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,967.53 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $122,518.12. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRU, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00559 TO LEXIPOL/GRANT FINDER FOR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $995.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES OR ITEMS FOR

DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT MALKOVICH AND CAPITOL PARK BOTH HAVE HAD SOME DECORATIONS PUT UP AND HE WANTED TO THANK THOSE THAT HELPED WITH THAT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA HAS ARRANGED FOR THE HOUSE AT THE CORNER OF TAYLOR STREET AND NORTH MCLEANSBORO STREET BE DEMOLISHED. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE ARE FOUR MORE HOMES SLATED TO BE TORN DOWN AS WELL.

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT RESOLUTION 25-14, EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT NO ONE ON THE COUNCIL HAD THE RESOLUTION OR ACTUARIAL IN THEIR POSITION WHEN THEY PASSED THIS RESOLUTION. HE ALSO STATED THAT NO ONE VISITED THE TREASURER TO GO OVER CALCULATIONS ON WHAT THIS WOULD COST THE CITY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS TAKEN ABACK BY THE ACTIONS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THAT THE CITY WILL NOT KNOW THE TOTAL COST OF THIS ERi FOR A WHILE. HE STATED THAT THE COST COULD BE BETWEEN $732,206.00 AND $1,032,509.00 DEPENDING ON HOW THE CITY CHOOSES TO PAY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE COUNCIL RAISED TAXES TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR AND THEN PUT THE CITY AT HAVING TO FUND THIS LARGE LIABILITY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO BE BETTER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT OF THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RETIREMENT INCENTIVE, TWO EMPLOYEES HAVE SUBMITTED INTENT FOR RETIREMENT. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT SINCE THE COUNCIL DID NOT CLOSE OUT ANY PRIOR RETIREMENT INCENTIVES, THOSE EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE THEIR INSURANCE AND THE EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS APPALLED BY THE COUNCIL AND THEIR CHOICE TO PASS THE ERl. HE STATED THAT 80% OF MUNICIPALITIES DO NOT GO THROUGH WITH ERl BECAUSE OF THE COST OF IT AND IT ONLY MAKES MONEY IF YOU DO NOT REHIRE.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS SAT THROUGH IO WEEKS OF LISTENING TO LECTURES FROM COMMISSIONER STOREY REGARDING FRIVOLOUS SPENDING AND THEN THIS WAS APPROVED. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY WHY HE HAD MORE MOLD TESTING DONE AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN FOR OVER $2,000.00 AND DID NOT ASK THE REST OF THE COUNCIL IF THEY AGREED THAT SHOULD BE DONE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE INSURANCE CLAIM THAT THE CITY WAS PAID OUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

ENOUGH PROOF OF THE MOLD IN THAT BUILDING AND THAT WHAT COMMlSSIONER STOREY DID INAPPROPRIATE. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS DOES A LOT OF INAPPROPRIATE STUFF.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATIERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

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

5:24 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – December 22, 2025

Posted in Meeting Minutes

Video

City Council Meeting Minutes – December 8, 2025

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 8, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 24, 2025 AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR NO PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMIT.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN OBTAINING ESTIMATES FOR FASCIA AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00152 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR 12 HIGH BACK OFFICE CHAIRS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,328.80. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00151 TO ZIMMERMAN’S GARAGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A WATER PUMP ON A 2019 FORD EXPLORER IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00150 TO AXON ENTERPRISES FOR 10 AXON TASER PACKAGES IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,992.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER KAYS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED DECEMBER 5, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $89,046.54 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,265.93 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $116,312.47. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE MEETING WOULD NEED TO BE CONTINUED TO PAY BILLS.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ELKS PARADE WAS GREAT. HE ALSO STATED THAT A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN INTERVIEWING FOR THE POSITION OF WATER CLERK AND THAT THERE WERE 161 APPLICANTS FOR THIS POSITION. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD ATTENDED THE GRADUATION FROM THE SWIC POLICE ACADEMY THAT THAT OUR 2 NEW OFFICERS HAVE STARTED THEIR FIELD TRAINING WITH THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED CHIEF FUNKHOUSER HOW THE SWITCH TO THE NEW DISPATCH IS GOING. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR PROBLEMS OTHER THAN AN ISSUE WITH THE LOBBY PHONE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THAT THIS ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN RESOLVED.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #001077 TO WEEKS IN BENTON FOR REPAIR OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ON THE CODES TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $865.49. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH S.C.D. REA AND RKH INSURANCE FOR A NEW HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO WITH THE GOLD 3000 OPTION OF LEVEL HEALTH. THIS WILL COST THE CITY $716.42 PER EMPLOYEE AND THE EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE NO COINSURANCE WHEREAS BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WAS OVER $900.00 PER MONTH AND THE EMPLOYEE HAD AN 80/20 COINSURANCE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LEVEL HEALTH PROPOSAL FOR THE GOLD 3000 OPTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO PROVIDE END OF THE YEAR GIFTS FOR ALL FULL TIME EMPLOYEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $100.00 TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THEIR DEDICATION. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS TO THE SAFETY STIPEND PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD A LISTING OF ALL THE MEETING TIMES FOR THE BOARDS IN THE CITY OF BENTON FOR 2026 IN THEIR FOLDERS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS LIST. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2025-10 ESTABLISHING A GRANT/WRITER/ADMINISTRATOR POSITION IN THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (H) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 24- MANUFACTURED HOUSING CODE TO INITIATE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING MANUFACTURED HOMES FOR RESALE. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS A CREATION OF A SEPARATE SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A MANUFACTURED HOME, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN ISSUED A TITLE, TO BE AVAILABLE TO A DEVELOPER WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE INTENTION TO OCCUPY SAID MANUFACTURED HOME. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE, #2025-11. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO GIVE SOME STATS ABOUT THE VETERAN’S ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IN THE CAMPBELL BUILDING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS OFFICE HAS SECURED $268,832.39 IN BENEFITS FOR VETERANS AND THAT THERE WERE 671 CLIENTS SERVED IN THE PAST YEAR WITH 1,014 INTERACTIONS MADE.

ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN SETTING UP A NON-PROFIT MEETING.

IN OLD BUSINESS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE COUNCIL UNDERSTOOD THAT THE EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE THAT WAS PASSED WILL STAY THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED. NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING. ALSO IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FORGOT TO SAY THAT THE MONTHLY REPORTS FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE PLACED IN THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOLDERS.

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE AUXILIARY POLICE BACK TO THE CITY OF BENTON. HE ASKED CHIEF FUNKHOUSER WHAT WE COULD DO TO BRING THEM BACK. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT UNTIL THE SAFETY ACT HAS BEEN CHANGED, YOU CANNOT HAVE AUXILIARY POLICE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025 AT 9:30 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

5:30 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – December 8, 2025

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Brook Craig in Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes – November 24, 2025

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS, HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS TIRED, HE KNOWS THE COUNCIL IS TIRED, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HE KNOWS THE EMPLOYEES ARE TIRED. HE STATED THAT HE DOESN’T HAVE A VOTE THAT COUNTS UNLESS IT IS A TIE, BUT THAT HE DOES HAVE CONTROL OF WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO SPEAK RESPECTFULLY TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND ALLOW BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED LIKE NORMAL.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED KATHY THOMAS WITH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT THEY ARE SPENDING APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00 PER MONTH ON FOOD TO PASS OUT. SHE STATED THAT THERE ARE 150 PEOPLE PER DAY, 2 DAYS A WEEK (TUESDAY AND THURSDAY), THAT COME THROUGH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE FOR FOOD DURING A 3 HOUR WINDOW. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS PLANNED A KIDS PARTY FOR DECEMBER 13, 2025 FOR KIDS 9 AND UNDER. THE PARTY WILL START AT 2 P.M. THERE WILL BE FOOD, DRINKS, SANTA, AND PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MRS. THOMAS WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR A DONATION TO THE PROGRAM. MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT SHE WAS KNEW TO THIS AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $1,000.00 TO THE BENTON MISTRIAL ALLIANCE FOOD PANTRY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS. NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2025 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE TYPO IN THE VOTE TAKEN REGARDING HIRING A PART-TIME POSITION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND SPELLCHECK CHANGING “IDNR” TO “DINER” REGARDING AN AGREEMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE CONTINUED MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS. NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS. COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR CITY HALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00724 TO SANDNER ELECTRIC TO REBUILD THE BOWLING ALLEY LIFT STATION PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,565.93 PLUS FREIGHT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00705 TO X-CELL SPRAY FOAMING FOR 2 INCH SPRAY FOAM OF THE NEW BUILDING FOR THE STORAGE OF THE SEWER VAC TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,650.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00703 TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DOOR COMPANY FOR ONE 12’2” X 12 FLUSH PANEL DOOR AND ONE OPENER IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,384.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS AN ASSET IN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES. HE STATED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AND THE KNOWLEDGE HE BRINGS TO THE JOB. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT WE WILL MISS MR. MILES, BUT HE BELIEVES IT IS TIME THAT WE LET HIM RETIRE. COMMISSIONER STOREY AGREED AND STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH HE AND MR. MILES HAVE HAD THEIR DISAGREEMENTS, THEY HAVE BECOME BUDDIES. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF COMMISSIONER COCKRUM HAS SEEN ALL THE UPDATED NUMBERS FOR THE ERI. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THEM. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF HE WAS PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WAS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE ALLOW ING CRAIG MILES, JASON MILES, MELISSA HUNGATE, AND SHANNON TOIGO THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND RETIRE EARLY. COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THE MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HIS PREFERENCE WAS TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATER IN A CLOSED SESSION BEFORE COMING TO A DECISION. HE STATED THAT THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IS $732,000.00 OVER 5 YEARS. HE STATED IF ONE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT TAKE THIS IT WILL DECREASE THE LIABILITY TO $530,000.00. HE STATED IF TWO EMPLOYEES DO NOT TAKE IT, IT WILL BRING IT DOWN MUCH FURTHER. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD LININGS TO THE ERI, BUT THEY NEED TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS BEFORE AGREEING TO THEM. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PIECES TO THIS, BUT INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS TODAY, HE FELT MORE RESEARCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON AND THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO MOVE ON.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. MR. MILES PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PLANS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF MINES AND MINERALS DISCUSSING THE PLANS FOR A RECLAMATION PROJECT ON THE WARD MINE. MR. MILES STATED THAT THE MINE SHAFTS WILL BE FILLED IN DURING THIS PROJECT. MR. MILES STATED THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE DONE WITH IDNR, BUT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME ON ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH IDNR.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00149 TO AMAZON FOR 6 BROTHER DESKTOP SCANNERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,964.04. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID THROUGH THE IMPOUND FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT A STORAGE SHED IS GOING TO BE NEEDED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AS WE SWITCH TO ANOTHER CALL CENTER, 7 YEARS OF CALL REPORTS WILL NEED TO BE STORED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ASKED IF HE COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT SINCE THE WATER BARN IS EMPTY NOW THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS COULD BE MOVED TO THE WATER BARN AND THE STORAGE SHED, THEY ARE IN COULD BE USED FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT STORAGE. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF THIS SHOULD BE A SECURE FACILITY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT IT SHOULD. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN RESEARCHING WHAT WOULD BEST SUIT THE NEEDS FOR STORAGE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON AND THEN VOTED YES ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA HANDED THE COUNCIL PAPERWORK SHOWING NOVEMBER RESPOND HOURS AND PAID ON CALL PAYROLL FROM JULY 9, 2026 TO OCTOBER 31, 2025. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS VERY BIG ON VOLUNTEERISM. SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF 6 CAREER FIREFIGHTERS AND A WORKING SHIT AND THEREFORE THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY PAID WHEN THE BELL RINGS. SHE STATED THAT THE POC SAVE THE CITY A LOT OF MONEY BY THEIR VOLUNTEERING. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS MAKING A PLEA TO APPROVE GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS FOR THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THAT DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS AND HE HAS SEEN THEM GO OUT ON HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS. HE STATED THAT 99% OF THE PAID ON CALL RESPOND NO MATTER WHEN CALLED. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS 1 PART TIME WORKER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND HE WANTS HIM TO BE INCLUDED AS WELL. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT’S THE HOLIDAYS AND THAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WHETHER THEY ARE FULL TIME OR PART TIME. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS DO NOT GET PAID FOR THEIR TRAINING. SHE STATED THAT IT HURTS HEARTS FOR THEM NOT TO BE RESPECTED. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REGULAR EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE BETTER THAN THAT. SHE STATED THAT THEY ARE SPECIAL EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR $15.00 AN HOUR. SHE SAID THEY DESERVE OUR APPRECIATION AT CHRISTMAS TIME. SHE STATED THAT WE COULD TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND AS WE GIVE OTHER MONIES FROM THIS FUND TO VOLUNTEERS WHO DO NOT DO AS MUCH AS THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS AND 1 PART TIME WATER DEPARTMENT WORKER BE GIVEN $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,024.71 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,565.67 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,590.38. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IN UPDATES HE WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE HOME RULE SALES TAX OF 1% WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2026. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AUDIT HAS BEEN RETURNED AND THE ONLY FINDING WAS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SEPARATION OF DUTIES, BUT DUE TO OUR SMALL STAFF THAT ISN’T POSSIBLE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS SHOWS THE NEED FOR A CITY ADMINISTRATOR. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE WEST MAIN PROJECT WILL BE LET SOON. ALSO, COMMISSIONER KAYS REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT THE CITY CHOSE NOT TO PUT A GROCER TAX BACK ON FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS IS SLATED FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025, BUT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO LA GALERIE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT DISPATCH WILL BE SWITCHED OVER ON DECEMBER 1, 2025 AT 12:00 A.M. AND FINALLY IN UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE TWO POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATING THE ACADEMY ON DECEMBER 5, 2025.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00557 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 11 MINI COMPUTERS WITH WINDOWS 11 PRO IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,450.00 DUE TO END OF LIFE FOR WINDOWS 10. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00556 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 17 OFFICE 2024 PRODUCT KEYS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,253.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE POSITION OF GRANT ADMINISTRATOR. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. JOHN OWENS ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY ADVERTISED FOR THIS POSITION. THE MAYOR STATED THAT THIS POSITION IS DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND GRANT WRITER/ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND THEREFORE THE POSITION WAS NOT ADVERTISED.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY QUESTIONED THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID FOR DISPATCH. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AMOUNTS ARE $135,473.84 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2026, $139,538.05 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2026 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2027, AND $143.724.19 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2027 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2028. COMMISSIONER KAYS NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN GIVEN THIS AGREEMENT AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND THAT THESE NUMBERS WERE ALSO REFERENCED IN THE MEETING MINUTES APPROVED AT THE START OF THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN IN WEST CITY. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT STATEWIDE TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS RECEIVED OVER $1,000,000.00.

ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ELKS LIGHTS PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 7, 2025 AND THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR TAKING PART IN THIS EVENT.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO THANK MAYOR MESSERSMITH FOR STARTING THE MEETING THE WAY THAT HE DID. SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND “SHAME ON US” FOR HAVING TO BE TOLD TO DO SO. SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL JUST NEEDS TO AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME ITEMS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT WHEN COMMISSIONER STOREY HAD PREVIOUSLY CALLED COMMISSIONER KAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH SNAKES, HE DID SO IN A FIT OF PASSION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS HAVING A NAME PLATE WITH “SNAKE” ON IT WAS THOUGHT OUT AND SHE FELT LIKE IT WAS UNCALLED FOR. SHE ASKED COMMISSIONER KAYS TO REMOVE THIS NAME PLATE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE THE NAME PLATE REMOVED BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER JOHN OWNS CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MR. OWENS STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN A PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON FOR 33 YEARS. HE STATED THAT HE APPRECIATED THE COUNCIL AGREEING TO GIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS, BUT HE IS WANTING TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY STIPEND.

5:51 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – November 24, 2025

Posted in Meeting Minutes

CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN ON ITEM 7 (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS SPOKEN WITH OUR INSURANCE AGENTS AND THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED REGARDING THE INSURANCE PLAN PRESENTED TO THE CITY AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO TABLE APPROVAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

9:02 A.M.

Comments Off on CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – NOVEMBER 10, 2025

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM OCTOBER 27, 2025 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE TYPO IN THE OLD BUSINESS SECTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ABSTAINED.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WITH PRESENTATIONS AND THEREFORE HE WOULD BE GOING OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED JUSTIN MILLER, CPRS, WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. MR. MILLER HANDED OUT A FOLDER TO EVERYONE AT THE COUNCIL TABLE AND IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL. THE FOLDER CONTAINED A REPORT ON THE CRISIS WARMING CENTER, WARMING CENTER GUIDELINES, AND A PROGRAM GUIDELINE. MR. MILLER STATED THAT THE CRISIS WARMING CENTER IN WEST CITY WAS OPEN A TOTAL NUMBER OF 90 NIGHTS WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF 1,080 HOURS OPEN. THERE WERE 59 UNIQUE GUESTS AND A TOTAL NUMBER OF 1,332 VISITS. THERE WERE 2,637 MEALS SERVED, 45 REFERRALS MADE, 169 SHOWERS TAKEN, LAUNDRY SERVICES WERE USED 26 TIMES, AND 48 PEOPLE HAD CLOTHING DISTRIBUTED. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE OPIOID FUNDS HAVE STRICT GUIDELINES AS TO WHAT THE MONEY CAN BE USED FOR. HE STATED THAT HE FELT THE CITY COULD DONATE $2,400.00 FROM THE OPIOID FUND TO HELP THE CRISIS WARMING CENTER OPERATE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS IS THE AMOUNT THAT THE CITY DONATED LAST YEAR. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED BROOKLYN WITHROW AND CLAIRE GULLEY WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY EDGE PROGRAM TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE LADIES DESCRIBED THE PROGRAM AS AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM THAT HELPS STUDENTS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY BEGIN BUSINESSES. IN ORDER TO START THEIR BUSINESSES, THEY WILL BE HOLDING A FUNDRAISER TO GET FUNDS TO START FROM. THIS YEAR’S FUNDRAISER IS A “HOOPS & HOLLY TOURNAMENT & WINTER FESTIVAL”. THIS WILL CONSIST OF A 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WITH 3 AGE GROUPS. THERE WILL ALSO BE VENDORS FOR THE WINTER FESTIVAL. THE LADIES STATED THERE ARE MULTIPLE SUPPORTER LEVELS AND ASKED IF THE COUNCIL WOULD CONSIDER DONATING AT ONE OF THE LEVELS. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $750.00 TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY EDGE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A CANDY CANE CONTRIBUTOR. THIS INCLUDES A LARGE COMPANY LOGO ON THE FLYER, SOCIAL MEDIA RECOGNITION, SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT, COMPANY NAME AND LOGO LISTED ON EVENT PROGRAM, AND COMPANY NAME ON T-SHIRT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER KAYS. NAYS: 0. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ABSTAINED AS HE IS PART OF THIS PROGRAM.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED RANDY HOUSE TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MR. HOUSE STATED THAT HE WAS ASKED BY THE CITY’S INSURANCE AGENT, BOB REA, TO LOOK INTO SOME HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. MR. HOUSE STATED THAT THE CITY WAS LOOKING FOR A MORE AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR THE EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO ADD FAMILY IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO. MR. HOUSE FIELDED QUESTIONS FROM SEVERAL EMPLOYEES IN THE AUDIENCE REGARDING COVERAGE WITH THE PROPOSED PLAN FROM CLEARWATER INSURANCE. AFTER THE PRESENTATION COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING REGARDING SWITCHING HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE AT 9 A.M. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AFTER GETTING ANSWERS TO MANY POSED QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00242 TO FAST TRUCK SERVICE FOR TIRES FOR THE 1999 DUMP TRUCK IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1646.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00241 TO FAST TRUCK SERVICE FOR TIRES FOR THE 2007 DUMP TRUCK FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $763.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS AND NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A POLICY FOR TRASH SERVICE FOR NON-WATER USING CUSTOMERS IN THE CITY OF BENTON. THE POLICY STATES THAT CUSTOMERS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS THAT DO NOT WISH TO HAVE WATER SERVICE SERVICES, THE CITY WILL NOT PROVIDE TRASH SERVICES TO THE RESIDENCE. CUSTOMERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTACT A TRASH COLLECTION AGENCY FOR SERVICE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A WATER SAMPLE COLLECTION POLICY. THIS POLICY STATES THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE A LETTER WITH THE SAMPLING KIT TO INSTRUCT CUSTOMERS THAT IF THEY COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SAMPLE KITS WITHIN 14 DAYS, THEY WILL RECEIVE A $25.00 CREDIT ON THEIR WATER BILL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT DAMIEN WILBURN WILL BE MOVING INTO A GRANT ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. BECAUSE OF THIS NEW POSITION, A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE WILL NEED TO BE HIRED FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED HOW MANY GRANTS PER YEAR MR. WILBURN WILL BE DOING. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT CAN VARY. FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM ASKED IF MR. WILBURN COULD START BILLING FOR HAZMAT SERVICES SINCE HE WOULD BE DEALING WITH MONEY FOR THE CITY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CITY IS NOT READY FOR THAT CONVERSATION AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADVERTISE FOR A PART-TIME WATER CLERK POSITION AT $15.00 PER HOUR FOR 20 HOURS PER WEEK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH IDNR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE APPLYING FOR PERMITS AND OBTAINING ESTIMATES FOR THE SEWER EXTENSION PROJECT ON THE BENTON SQUARE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #25-12 FOR ROAD CLOSURE OF THE BENTON PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE ANNUAL HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS ON NOVEMBER 29, 2025. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00148 TO NOVACOM FOR 1 PHOENIX LIGHT BAR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,899.84. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00441 TO IFSI FOR ADVANCED FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION FOR JAMES NEFF AND MATT WARREN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,950.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00442 TO LEO ELBRECHT FOR 3 SETS OF BUNKER GEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,310.39. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PROVIDED CALL REPORTS FROM THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANSWERED A TOTAL OF 604 CALLS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2025. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD A TOTAL OF 58 INCIDENTS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2025.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND THE FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS AGREEMENT GOES INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1, 2025. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS NOTED THAT THERE WILL BE A 3% INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF THE ANNUAL COST EVERY YEAR. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT YEAR 1 IS $135,473.84, YEAR 2 IS $139,538.05, AND YEAR 3 IS $143,724.19.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF WARREN ALLEN SMOTHERS TO THE BENTON PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE MERIT BOARD TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF A TEMPORARY FIREFIGHTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 17, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,572.22 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,460.56 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $108,032.78. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00874 TO BENTON SAVE A LOT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,150.00 FOR QUARTER 2 SAFETY STIPENDS FOR THE FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FROM THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $733,238.63, FROM TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,579.23, FROM COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,071.20, AND FROM MOTOR FUEL TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF $217,042.07 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $990,931.13. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TAX LEVY ORDINANCE #25-09. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE INCREASE ON THIS TAX LEVY OF 0.987% AND IS THE LOWEST TAX LEVEL HE HAS SEEN BY THE CITY IN MULTIPLE YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED PAY RESOLUTION #25-13 ADDING POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT KARASTIN SHEEDY TO THE RESOLUTION AT A BASE OF $36,400.00 AND AMENDING THE SALARY OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CALEB CAVINS AT A BASE SALARY OF $37,440.50. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT JOHN DAUGHERTY AS AN AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR THE CITY OF BENTON WITH THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS HAPPENING AROUND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2025. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE AMERICAN LEGION WILL HAVE A SERVICE AT MASONIC & ODDFELLOWS CEMETERY AT 11AM. AFTER THE SERVICE THEY WILL FIRE THE GUNS AND PLAY TAPS AT THE CEMETERY BEHIND THE POST. AFTER THIS EVERYONE IS INVITED INSIDE THE POST FOR CHILI AND HOTDOGS

THE BENTON ELKS WILL BE SERVING A FREE BRUNCH TO ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM 9 A.M. TO 11 A.M. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FOR THIS EVENT ARE MR. AND MRS. TROY WILLIAMS OF THE 3D U.S. INFANTRY REGIMENT, “THE OLD GUARD”.

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REAPPOINTMENT OF VICTOR SHOCKLEY AND GARRET COLLIER TO THE ZONING BOARD.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT VICTOR SHOCKLEY TO THE ZONING BOARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT GARRETT COLLIER TO THE ZONING BOARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA, STATED THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CALEB CAVINS HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB, BUT HE IS GOING TO BE ATTENDING SOME TRAINING TO ADD MORE TOOLS. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT MR. CAVINS IS GOING TO BE CERTIFIED WITH IPMC AND WILL BE ABLE TO BE STRICTER IN ENFORCING CODES AFTER THIS.

ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE RECENTLY HAD A FAMILY MEMBER SEEN AT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HIS FAMILY RECEIVED WONDERFUL CARE WHILE AT THE HOSPITAL AND HE FEELS THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO BETTER CARE ANYWHERE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HOSPITAL ALSO HAS A WONDERFUL LADIES AUXILIARY.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM STATED THAT TOYS FOR TOTS COLLECTION WILL BE BEGINNING ANY TIME. CHIEF COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE AT THE NORTH MAIN DOLLAR GENERAL ON DECEMBER 3, 2025 COLLECTING FOR TOYS FOR TOTS FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT SHOP WITH A COP WILL BE HAPPENING ON DECEMBER 19, 2025.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AT 9 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

6:45 P.M.

___________________________________

MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________________

CITY CLERK

Comments Off on CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – NOVEMBER 10, 2025

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes – October 27, 2025

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 27, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION CONCERNING ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A 6-MONTH SUBLEASE BETWEEN BRYAN AND MEGAN LYLES AND AMY BAKER LOCATED AT 53 LEWIS LANE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL HE HAD FURTHER NOTICE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS ON THE OVERLAY FOR JOPLIN AND MCCANN STREETS. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE IS HOPING TO BID OUT THE WEST MAIN PROJECT NEXT WEEK AND THEN BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION IN QUARTER 1 OF 2026.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00438 TO SYNTEX INDUSTRIES FOR A HOSED COVER, MEDICAL CABINET COVER, FRONT BUMPER COVER, AND CRIBBING COVER FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,399.84. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00147 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 1 MINICOMPUTER WITH WINDOWS 11 PRO AND 1 SOFTWARE OFFICE 2024 HOME AND BUSINESS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,259.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PROVIDED CALL REPORTS FROM THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS PROTECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND BROWNING TOWNSHIP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO HIRE KARASTIN SHEEDY AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED 165 APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT FIRST INTERVIEWS WERE DONE WITH 26 APPLICANTS, SECOND INTERVIEWS WERE DONE WITH 3 APPLICANTS, AND THEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO HIRE MS. SHEEDY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BRAXTON KING FOR THE PAID ON CALL ROSTER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE FREDRIC FOSSE FOR THE PAID ON CALL ROSTER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED OCTOBER 10, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,856.51 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,268.44 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $103,124.95. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00873 TO VERIZON CONNECT FOR 7 FLEET GPS UNITS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,591.80 FOR 12 MONTHS. THESE 7 UNITS WILL BE PLACED ON THE ZONING CAR, THE AIRPORT VAN, THE LEADMAN’S TRUCK IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR’S TRUCK, THE POLICE CHIEF’S TRUCK, THE CODES OFFICER’S TRUCK, AND THE FIRE CHIEF’S TRUCK. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF WE RAISE TAXES AND SPEND MONEY LIKE THIS, HOW ARE WE SAVING ANYTHING? COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS DATED OCTOBER 13, 2025 FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,938.82, COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $99.72, MUNICIPAL UTILITY TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,990.00, AND AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $550,538.59 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $581,567.13. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ANNUAL FALL-O-WEEN EVENT WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 18, 2025 FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT TRUNK OR TREATERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT.

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

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF THE MATAYCEK’S FOR SANTA AND MRS. CLAUSE FOR THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE BROUGHT IN ON THE FIRE TRUCK AS THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE RIDING ON THE FIRE TRUCKS AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD THEM TO STOP. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WOULD FIGURE OUT A DIFFERENT WAY TO BRING THEM IN. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THE MOTION TO HIRE MR. AND MRS. CLAUS FOR THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE GRANT MONITORING TRAINING FOR DAMIEN WILBURN. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY CAITLIN GRAY TO OWN AND OCCUPY AND EXISTING SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1S11 ANNA STREET. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS HOME HAS PASSED AN OCCUPANCY INSPECTION. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY BRANDON OVERTON TO OWN AND OCCUPY A NEW DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 415 WILSON STREET. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GREG BAKER TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT GREG BAKER TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GAY BOWLIN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION TO APPOINT GAY BOWLIN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO HIRE MORAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPTROLLER’S REPORT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR APPROVAL OF DOING FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2026 RODEO. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT KINDS OF EVENTS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WILL BE GUN RAFFLES, SEAFOOD BOIL, ETC. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF THE CITY LOST $7,000.00 ON THE FIRST RODEO THAT WAS RAINED OUT DUE TO THE WEATHER. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE DID LOSE MONEY DUE TO THE CANCELLATION, BUT WE WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY MADE $3,000.00 IF WE HADN’T HAD TO CANCEL. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2026 RODEO. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISIONER STOREY ASKED WHY HE WAS MOVED TO PUBLIC PROPERTIES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED COMMISSIONER COCKRUM IF HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS SECONDING AND HOW HE KNEW ABOUT THE SWITCH. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID THAT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT IT AND THAT IS HOW HE KNEW. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT COMMISSIONER COCKRUM DOESN’T VOTE AGAINST MAYOR MESSERSMITH. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE VOTES WITH THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE BELIEVES HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.

VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

5:26 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – October 27, 2025

Posted in Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes – October 13, 2025

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PROVIDED CALL REPORTS FROM THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

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

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.

VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

5:26 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – October 13, 2025

Posted in Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes — September 8, 2025

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM AUGUST 25, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND LET RICK AND BARB LINTON PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME. MR. AND MRS. LINTON SHOWED A COMMERCIAL FEATURING ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS AROUND OUR HISTORIC SQUARE. MR. LINTON STATED THAT THIS IS BEING SHOWN AT A COUPLE OF REST AREAS AND IS ACTIVE ON THE INTERNET AT THIS TIME. THIS COMMERCIAL WILL ALSO HAVE A QR CODE IN THE RL ADVENTURES ISSUE AND THE 2026 VISITOR GUIDE. LONGTERM, THIS WILL BE ABLE TO BE VIEWED ON ENJOYILLINOIS.COM AND THE HISTORIC MAIN STREETS STATE TOURISM SITE. MRS. LINTON STATED THAT THIS COMMERCIAL WAS PAID FOR THROUGH TOURISM DOLLARS.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WAS AWAITING CALL BACKS ON REPAIRS TO THE DOOR AT THE ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) ‘DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF REPAIRS TO THE DOOR ON THE ANTIQUE GARAGE MUSEUM’ UNTIL A LATER DATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00699 TO WIGG’S EXCAVATING FOR PAY ESTIMATE #4 IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,523.08. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00344 TO T & T RECYCLING IN THE AMOUNT OF $875.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR 501 CARLTON STREET AND 209 CARLTON STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE POOL ADJUSTMENT FOR 200 EAST BLAKE STREET AS IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

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

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-11 FOR A ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE BCHS HOMECOMING PARADE TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2025 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 P.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00436 TO FAST TRUCK AND TRAILER FOR A VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND A SIREN BRAKE REPAIR IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,804.45. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $81,652.77 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,093.20 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $108,745.97. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $330,130.33, FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,045.50, FOR TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,710.03. AND FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $181,342.52 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $550,228.38. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CAR SHOW WENT VERY WELL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE KUDOS TO JIMMY WELLS FOR ALL OF HIS WORK ON THE RC DRAG RACING. HE STATED THAT THIS EVENT WENT VERY WELL.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00698 TO THE TREASURER OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR THE RUNWAY LIGHTING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,828.46. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT AN INSPECTION HAS BEEN DONE ON THE PROPERTY AT 105 NORTH MAIN STREET THAT THE CITY WAS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE INSPECTION FINDINGS, THE CITY WILL NO LONGER BE PURSUING THIS PROPERTY.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS COUNCIL POSITION/RESPONSIBILITY REASSIGNMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. COMMISSIONER STOREY MOVED FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE TO THE PODIUM TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT HE DID TO CAUSE THIS. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO ASKED IF THIS IS OVER THE FIRE CHIEF. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO HAND OUT TIME SHEETS TO THE COUNCIL THAT SHOWED TIME WORKED AND PTO FOR FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED TO THE COUNCIL THAT MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER KAYS WILL NOT ANSWER THE PHONE WHEN CHIEF COCKRUM CALLS THEM. HE STATED THAT HE BELIEVES ANY COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD ANSWER THE PHONE WHENEVER ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD CALLS THEM. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE STANDS BEHIND CHIEF COCKRUM 100%. HE ALSO STATED THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH ARE CREATING A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE KNOWS HE IS ALSO CREATING A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE “HE IS ON SHANE ALL THE TIME”. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID HE DOES GET VERY MAD AT SHANE AND WANTS TO FIRE HIM, BUT HE HAS BEEN HERE 25 YEARS. COMMISSIONER STOREY THEN STATED THAT MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND COMMISSIONER KAYS ARE “BOTH SNAKES”. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH READ THE FOLLOWING STATE STATUTE.

65 ILCS 5/4-5-3) (FROM CH. 24, PAR. 4-5-3).

SEC. 4-5-3. EXCEPT WHERE CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER ARE REQUIRED TO RUN FOR A SPECIFIC OFFICE, THE COUNCIL, AT THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING AFTER AN ELECTION OF A MEMBER OR MEMBERS, SHALL DESIGNATE BY A MAJORITY VOTE ONE COMMISSIONER TO BE COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCES, ONE TO BE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, ONE TO BE COMMISSIONER OF STREETS AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, WHO EX OFFICIO SHALL BE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, AND ONE TO BE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC PROPERTY. THIS DESIGNATION MAY BE CHANGED BY THE COUNCIL WHENEVER IT APPEARS THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE WOULD BE BENEFITED THEREBY. THE MAYOR SHALL BE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. THE COMMISSIONER OF EACH DEPARTMENT SHALL BE SUPERINTENDENT OF THAT DEPARTMENT.
IF THE MUNICIPALITY HAS VOTED, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4-3-19, TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES FOR COMMISSIONER TO RUN FOR A SPECIFIC OFFICE, EACH COMMISSIONER SHALL BE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT BEARING THE SAME DESIGNATION AS THE OFFICE TO WHICH HE WAS ELECTED. THE MAYOR SHALL BE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. THE COMMISSIONER OF STREETS AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE, EX-OFFICIO, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS.
(SOURCE: LAWS 1965, P. 2677.)

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?”. HE ASKED IF HE IS SUPPOSED TO REPRIMAND, FIRE, OR WRITE UP SHANE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT NO ONE HAS SAID THIS IS IN REGARDS TO CHIEF COCKRUM. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS NOT DOING THE THINGS HE HAD ASKED OF HIM AND THAT IS WHY HE IS RECOMMENDING THE CHANGE IN RESPONSIBILITY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED IF ANYONE CAN WRITE UP ANY EMPLOYEE OR IF IT HAS TO BE THE COMMISSIONER OF THAT CERTAIN DEPARTMENT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE REASON WE ARE HAVING THIS MEETING IS TO DISCUSS THE SWITCHING OF COMMISSIONERS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CHIEF COCKRUM TO SPEAK. CHIEF COCKRUM ASKED WHAT HE HAS DONE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS IS A SITUATION WITH COMMISSIONER STOREY THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AT THIS POINT. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE SWITCH THAT HAPPENED ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE RECOMMENDS SWITCHING COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND COMMISSIONER STOREY TO PUBLIC PROPERTIES. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THAT MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY. ABSTAIN: 1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED DUE TO BEING SO CLOSELY INVOLVED.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF BRANDTLEE BROWN FROM THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION DUE TO HIM ACCEPTING A JOB WHERE HE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM ASKED IF HE COULD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL SAID THEY HAD NO REASON TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY REMOVED HIMSELF FROM THE TABLE AND SAT IN THE AUDIENCE WITH CHIEF COCKRUM STATING HE STANDS WITH THE CHIEF.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

5:28 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — September 8, 2025

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2025

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Brook Craig | Comments Off

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

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

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM AUGUST 11, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDER #00345 TO BURKDELL MULCH FOR TWO 2,000 LB BAGS OF GREEN RUBBER MULCH FOR USE AT MALKOVICH PARK AROUND THE PLAYGROUND. SECOND BY COMMISSION COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR USE OF CITY STREETS, PARKS, OR PUBLIC PLACES SUBMITTED BY LOUISE JACKSON (FROM PASSION TO ACTION) FOR THE USE OF CAPITOL PARK FOR THE FALL-O-WEEN EVENT TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 18, 2025. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS CLEANED UP THE NORTHWEST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT. SHE STATED THEY HAVE ADDED GRAVEL TO THE AREAS WHERE TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED. SHE STATED THAT THE AREA LOOKS SO MUCH NEATER AND CLEAN NOW.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WATER LINE PROJECT AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL IS STILL IN PROCESS.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00144 TO OC RUGGED LAPTOPS FOR 8 REFURBISHED TOUGHBOOKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,984.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00145 TO AMAZON FOR 8 BROTHER 200 DPI PRINTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,113.44. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00157 TO BOB JOHNSON’S COMPUTER STUFF, INC FOR 8 HEADREST PRINTER MOUNTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,543.63. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE COUNTY DISPATCH BUILDING WILL BE DONE AND THE CITY SHOULD BE SWITCHED OVER TO COUNTY DISPATCH BY DECEMBER 1, 2025.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR AUGUST 29, 2025 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,898.55 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,324.79 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $104,223.34. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.

UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT NEXT WEEK’S TRASH DISPOSAL SCHEDULE WILL BE BEHIND ONE DAY DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT A RELEASE WAS MADE BY AMEREN DESCRIBING A PROGRAM TO HELP CITIZENS WITH THEIR BILLS AND THAT IT WAS POSTED ON THE CITY’S FACEBOOK PAGE AND AVAILABLE TO BE PICKED UP AT CITY HALL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO REMIND CITIZENS THAT THE ANNUAL CHAMBER CAR SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 AROUND THE PUBLIC SQUARE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS YEAR THERE WILL ALSO BE RC DRAG RACING TAKING PLACE ON EAST WASHINGTON STREET.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GUNNER BAILEY TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.

VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT LORI HOLMAN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVE A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL SEE TRACKS? THINK TRAIN® WEEK IN THE CITY OF BENTON FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 TO SEPTEMBER 21, 2025. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED THE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS THE SAME AGREEMENT WE HAVE SIGNED BEFORE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT MALKOVICH PARK HAS RECEIVED SOME GRAFFITI. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE GRAFFITI.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.

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. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

5:16 P.M.

6:00 P.M.

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.

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

6:01 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes – August 25, 2025

Posted in Meeting Minutes