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City Council Meeting Minutes — August 14, 2023

Posted on August 29, 2023 by | Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — August 14, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 14, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY FIXING LEAKS ALL OVER TOWN. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OVERLAY BID IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,601.82.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

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

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #1 AND CHANGE ORDER TO WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR THE DUQUOIN STREET FORCE MAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,452.50.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE WITH SOUTHEASTERN ELECTRIC FOR THE DUQUOIN STREET FORCE MAIN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00115 TO GALLS, INC FOR AN INTOXIMETER IN THE AMOUNT OF $597.50.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00114 TO BERLA FOR 1 AUTOMOBILE FORENSICS LICENSING RENEWAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,250.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00113 TO THE INSTITUTE OF POLICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (IPTM) FOR 2 CRIME SCENE PROCESSING TUITIONS AND LODGING IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,487.76.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT ITEM (B) DISCUSSION OF POLICE CHIEF/FIRE CHIEF CONTRACT(S) WILL BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF BENTON HIGH SCHOOL COOPERATIVE EDUCATION TRAINING AGREEMENT.  A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING HOURS, PAY, JOB DESCRIPTION, AND AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT.   COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A FURTHER MEETING.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A RECONSIDERATION REGARDING HER TO ATTEND THE IML CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO.  SHE STATED THAT THIS IS A GOOD CHEERLEADING TIME FOR DEPARTMENTS AND SHE WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUB ELBOWS WITH OTHER POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS FROM AROUND THE STATE.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT ACCORDING TO ORDINANCE, RECONSIDERATIONS ON MOTIONS MUST BE MADE AT THE SAME MEETING A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE OR THE MEETING FOLLOWING THE MOTION BEING MADE.  IT WAS STATED THAT IN ORDER TO FOLLOW ORDINANCE, THE RECONSIDERATION WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE NO LATER THAN THE MEETING ON JULY 24, 2023.  NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS MATTER. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY WAS A SUCCESS AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS ANNUALLY.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING A BOARD TO PUT ON A POLICE AND FIRE BALL TO TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 13, 2024.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT A DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS INCLUDED IN THE COMMISSIONER’S FOLDERS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED AS A FINAL PART TO HER REPORT FOR THIS MEETING, THAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER HAD TYPED COMMENDATIONS FOR OFFICER MICHAEL CAIN, OFFICER JEREMY WATKINS, OFFICER JUSTICE PURDIE, AND OFFICER TYLER ORE FOR RECEIVING CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION FOR DUI ENFORCEMENT FROM ALLIANCE AGAINST INTOXICATED MOTORISTS (AAIM). 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $654,393.38 FOR THIS MEETING.  THIS TOTAL INCLUDED I-57 INTERCHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,050.44, IJRL TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $767.50, DOWNTOWN TIF IN THE AMOUNT OF $767.50, POLICE PENSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $920.00, FIRE PENSION IN THE AMOUNT OF $920.00, HOME RULE GAS TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF $200.00, AND MOTOR FUEL TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,038.05.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,609.52 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,298.29 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $96,907.81.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REPEAL THE SEWER RATE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED AT THE LAST MEETING AS IT WAS NOT DONE WITH A RATE STUDY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY UPDATE HE HAS FOR THIS MEETING IS REGARDING THE SERGEANT PAY.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE IS NO INTEREST IN THIS POSITION AT A RATE OF PAY OF $3,000.00 TO THE BASE.  HE STATED THAT THIS WILL BE FURTHER ADDRESSED WITH THE NEW UNION CONTRACT.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED UNDER UPDATES THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN AWARDED A $2.8 MILLION GRANT AND THAT IDOT WILL BE HAVING A MEETING SOON DISCUSSING THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE TO EAST MAIN STREET FROM THE WATER LEAKS. 

 

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

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY ZELLA RONE TO OCCUPY AN EXISTING DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1210 EAST ANNA STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS MOBILE HOME IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HE BELIEVES THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT SHOULD BE GRANTED.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A 90-DAY EXTENSION WITH REGARD TO THE FAÇADE GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND DAVID B. GARAVALIA.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THERE IS A TIMEFRAME THAT THE FAÇADE WORK HAS TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN APPLICATION APPROVAL AND COMPLETION.  MR. GARAVALIA HAS PAID MONEY TOWARDS THE PROJECT, BUT THE CONTRACTORS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO START ON THE PROJECT.  MR. CALCATERRA SAID HE HAD NO ISSUES WITH GIVING MR. GARAVALIA AND EXTENSION ON THIS FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW A 90-DAY EXTENSION TO DAVID GARAVALIA ON HIS FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZING CITY FUNDS TO REMOVE JUNK AND DEBRIS FROM 1312 EAST ANNA STREET PURSUANT TO COURT ORDER.  ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TWO DUMPSTERS TO CLEAN UP THE AREA REFERENCED ABOVE.  THE COSTS OF THIS IS $1,200.00 FOR THE 2 DUMPSTERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING BACKFLOW PREVENTER ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT WE HAVE THIS ORDINANCE FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND THIS WOULD JUST BE ADDING COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES TO THIS.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE CITY USING A FIRETRUCK TO PUMP WATER FOR KIDS TO PLAY IN AT CAPITAL PARK FOR CHRISTMAS IN JULY OR AT THE FIREHOUSE FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS IS VERY HARD ON THE PUMP IN THE FIRE TRUCK AND COULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY DAMAGE AS WELL AS THE COST TO THE CITY.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD DON’S COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PUMP, BUT THAT THE COSTS WERE COVERED WITH COMMUNITY EVENT FUNDS.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE PUMP WAS ONLY USED AT THE CHRISTMAS IN JULY AS THE HOSE WAS HOOKED DIRECTLY INTO A FIRE HYDRANT FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY. 

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

NO NEW BUSINESS.

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY AT 1312 EAST ANNA STREET ASKED THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER THE CITY CLEANING UP HER PROPERTY.  THEY STATED THAT THE WEATHER HAS STOPPED THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO CLEAN UP.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN 4 SEASONS TO DO THIS CLEAN UP AS THE COURT ORDER WAS NOT JUST PASSED. 

 

TOM CARTER STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN 5 YEARS SINCE THE DISBANDING OF THE AIRPORT BOARD.  HE ASKED THE COUNCIL WHY NO ONE IS GOING TO THE AIRPORT TIP MEETING IN SPRINGFIELD.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE FAA HAS CHOSEN TO HOLD THIS MEETING VIA ZOOM IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND THAT CITY OFFICIALS HAVE ATTENDED THAT WAY. 

 

LYNETTE ING STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR CLEANING UP THE CITY.  SHE ALSO ASKED IF THE COUNCIL WOULD CONSIDER POSSIBLY DONATING EMPTY CITY OWNED LOTS FOR TINY HOMES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. 

 

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

 

6:07 P.M.

 

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

 

7:25 P.M. 

 

NO ACTION TAKEN AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

 

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

 

 

7:26 P.M.

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City Council Meeting Minutes — June 26, 2023

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — June 26, 2023

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 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY JUNE 12, 2023. SECONDED 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 #000991 FROM BLUE RIDGE TRACTOR FOR 55 GALLONS OF OIL, TOTALING $1480.42. SECONDED 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 #00483 FROM LOYD ELECTRIC FOR A GENERATOR AT THE WATER TOWER TO POWER THE POLICE AND FIRE REPEATER, TOTALING $8820.00. SECONDED 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 #000992 FORM SCHAEFFER’S SPECIALIZED LUBRICANTS FOR VARIOUS GREASES, TOTALING $922.30. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOT 150 FROM MR. THOMAS MCAFOOS TO MR. ROBERT C. WAGNON AND MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY DISCUSSED ITEM 4C, STATING THAT THE PART-TIME CODES EMPLOYEE HADN’T PUT A BID IN FOR FULL-TIME AND THAT COMMISSIONER STOREY FELT SPLITTING THE TIME WAS A WASTE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO START THE PROCESS TO HIRE A FULL-TINE WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. AFTER THE VOTE COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF WE TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION AND ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THE COUNCIL MUST FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES WITHIN THE BARGAINING UNIT’S CONTRACT.

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS THIS EVENING.

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM PRESENTED A RESOLUTION TO FOR ROAD CLOSURE DURING THE CELEBRATION & CAR SHOW PUT ON BY THE BENTON/WEST CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2023, WITH A RAIN DATE OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2023, FROM 12:00 PM TO 6:00 PM. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO A CORRECT RESOLUTION NUMBER. SECONDED 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 #00110 FROM GALLS, FOR EQUIPMENT FOR NEW HIRE, TOTALING $719.15. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THE PAID-ON CALL LIST FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NEEDING TO BE ADDED TO. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REMOVING THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE FROM THE LIST WITH THE STATE LAW ALLOTTING 40 HOURS OF PTO TO ALL EMPLOYEES, PART-TIME OR OTHERWISE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED MS. MENO HAS INFORMATION OF THE SUBJECT AND HAS APPROACHED HIM ABOUT THIS BEFORE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ADVERTISE FOR ADDING TO THE PAID-ON CALL LIST. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED SHE WAS APPROACHED BY BILL ‘SCOOTER’ NELMS ABOUT THE CURRENT DONATED SQUAD CAR, STATING IT IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER OF THE SURPLUS PROPERTY. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER EXPLAINED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS AN UNMARKED CAR WITH 70,XXX MILES ON IT. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED IT DOES NEED A POWER STEERING PUMP BUT IT STARTS AND HAS AC. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DECLARE THIS SQUAD CAR AS SURPLUS PROPERTY. SECONDED 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 DONATE THE SURPLUS SQUAD CAR TO THE BENTON COMMUNITY PARK DISTRICT. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THE COUNCIL MAY NEED TO ADDRESS AND CLARIFY THE BURN ORDINANCE BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CONFUSION OF WHEN AND WHEN THERE IS NOT A BURN BAN IN EFFECT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM WAS EXPECTING MONDAY JUNE 26, 2023 TO BE A NO BURN DAY BUT HAD NEVER HEARD ANYTHING. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE WAS AT THE FIRE STATION WHEN THE CALL CAME IN AND THAT THERE WAS A BURN BAN PUT IN EFFECT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH RECOMMENDED PERHAPS THE COUNCIL LOOK INTO RELIABLE METHOD OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE BURN BAN NOTICE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT CHIEF COCKRUM HAS POSTED IT TO THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT’S FACEBOOK PAGE AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SUGGESTED USING THE LOCAL RADIO STATION.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS THIS EVENING.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL TOTALING $104,982.99 WITH THE GENERAL FUND PORTION BEING $79,027.98 AND THE WATER & SEWER PORTION BEING $25,2955.01. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE MATTER 7C INTO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO START WORKING ON THE PERSONAL CODE FOR NEPOTISM IN THE CITY OF BENTON, SAYING HE WISHED TO BE PROACTIVE TO THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND NOT REACTIVE LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS TO WRITE/DEFINE THE POLICY. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAD NO UPDATES THIS EVENING.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAD TWO PURCHASE ORDERS TONIGHT FOR THE CLEAN UP OF DEBRIS AT 406 W. WEBSTER, 408 W. WEBSTER, AND 301 E. WEBSTER INDIVIDUALLY. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJECT. MR. CALCATERRA EXPLAINED THAT HE AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAD WORKED THROUGH THE ORDINANCE VIOLATION COURT SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE A JUDGEMENT AGAINST THESE PROPERTIES. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT WHILE THIS WOULD BE CLEANING UP SOMEONE ELSE’S MESS, THIS WOULD NOT BE LIKE HAULING SCRAP FROM A YARD THAT WILL LOOK THE SAME WAY AGAIN IN A MONTH, AND THAT THE MONEY USED WOULD COME FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IHDA) GRANT WHICH IS ALREADY ALLOCATED TO DEMOS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REPAYMENT ON THESE PROPERTIES MR. CALCATERRA STATED A LIEN CAN BE FILED AND WOULD MOST LIKELY RECOUP TWO OF THE THREE EXPENSES. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR 406 & 408 W WEBSTER, TOTALING $3675.00. SECONDED 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 PURCHASE ORDER FOR 301 E WEBSTER, TOTALING $4500.00. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE WANTED TO INFORM THE COUNCIL THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH WEST CITY, SESSER, AND THE REND LAKE CORE OF ENGINEERS REGARDING PUTTING ON FIREWORKS SHOW FOR 2024. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THESE GROUPS TO PUT ON A SHOW AND MAKE IT CLEAR IT IS NOT A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID IT WAS SADDENING TO SEE THE LIST OF PLACES PUTTING ON FIREWORKS SHOW THIS YEAR AND TO NOT HAVE SEEN BENTON ON THAT LIST. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT RICK LINTON HAS AGREED TO HELP WITH THE ADVERTISEMENT OF THIS AND ALSO THE CITY’S ECLIPSE PLANS AS WELL.

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS.

 

IN MATTERS OF NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WITH THE COUNCIL’S RECENT VOTE TO ALLOW LEADMEN TO TAKE HOME THEIR WORK VEHICLES THE CITY OWNED VEHICLES POLICY WAS GOING TO NEED TO BE WORKED ON. IT WILL INVOLVE USING THE IRS MILAGE RATE FROM THE RESIDENCE TO THE BASE OF OPERATION. FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BASE WOULD BE CITY HALL, FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT LEADMAN BASE WOULD BE THE STREET BARN, AND FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT LEADMAN BASE WOULD BE THE WATER BARN.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE BAD DEBT POLICY HAS BEEN ISSUED TO THE FAA AND WE ARE NOW WAITING ON THEIR FEEDBACK TO PRESENT IT TO THE COUNCIL.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS SPOKE ABOUT NEEDING TO PUT IN A BULK WATER PURCHASE POLICY. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED WE WOULD NEED A WAY TO VERIFY THE AMOUNT OF WATER BEING PURCHASED, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED PUTTING A METER ON OUT AT THE WATER BARN. COMMISSIONER STOREY SPOKE ABOUT WANTING TO BRING BACK THE SEWER REDUCTION FOR POOL FILL-UPS.

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF IT HAD BEEN THOUGHT ABOUT OR THOUGHT FAIR TO ALLOW FOR POOL ADJUSTMENTS ON THE SEWER BILL WHEN SOMEONE WATERING THEIR GARDEN THROUGH THE SUMMER WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE SEWER BY THE WATER GOING THROUGH THE METER. COMMISSIONER KAYS SUGGESTED MAYBE IT COULD BE INCLUDING IN THE POLICY FOR ADJUSTMENTS.

 

  1. CARTER EXPRESSED HIS PLEASURE IN HEARING THE ABOUT THE REVIEW FOR THE CITY OWNED VEHICLE POLICY AND HAD ASKED IF THE COUNCIL HAD REVIEWED THE REASON THE VEHICLES WERE TAKEN AWAY YEARS AGO. PERSONNEL WAS CAUGHT ABUSING THE CITY TRUCKS FOR PERSONAL USE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE PERSONNEL USING THE TRUCKS WOULD SIGN A WAIVER STATING IT IS FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY AND THIS IS WHY THE OPTION IS ONLY BEING OFFERED TO THE HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

 

  1. CARTER ASKED IF THE SEWER DEPARTMENT HAD ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PURCHASE ANY AMOUNTS OF VEGETABLE OIL, AS THE PUMPS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE EMPTIED AND CLEANED REGULARLY. HE SATED THAT DURING HIS TIME THEY WERE SWITCHING FROM A FULL SYNTHETIC OIL TO MORE NATURAL OILS AND HE WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW IF THEY SEALS HAD BEEN CHECKED WHEN THEY CLEANED THE OLD OIL OUT.

 

  1. CARTER ASKED ABOUT THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE PERRY RIDGE LANDFILL CONTRACT. STATING IT WAS PUBLISHED IN AN ARTICLE THAT NEW TESTING IS COMING OUT FOR “FOREVER CHEMICALS” AND THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE HAD BEEN RECEIVING LEACHATE AND THAT IT WAS FOUND THEY HAD CONTAMINATED THEIR WHOLE SEWER PLANT. MR. CARTER LATER CIRCLED AROUND LATER TO INCLUDE THAT 3M HAD TO PAY OUT A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT OVER THIS EXACT ISSUE.

 

  1. CARTER STATED THAT AFTER 20 YEARS OF TODD THOMAS BEING ON THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY BOARD, HE FEELS IT IS TIME FOR A NEW FACE.

 

  1. CARTER STATED HE IS GLAD THAT THE COUNCIL BROUGHT UP NEPOTISM. HE READ OFF A LIST THAT HE HAD CREATED WITH NAMES OF PREVIOUS AND CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER IN SOME FORM OR FASHION. MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF FAVORITISM AND NEPOTISM HAPPENING IN THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER KAYS SATED THAT THE CITY IS NOT AS BAD AS SOME AND THAT HE HOPES TO GET ON THE UP AND UP IN REGARDS TO PREVENTION AND POLICING IT. MR. CARTER EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN WITH GIVING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, CRAIG MILES, HEALTH INSURANCE. HE SAID IT WAS A DIRECT SHOW OF FAVORITISM AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE CHIEFS. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH REPLIED THAT THIS CONTRACT IS THE ONLY ONE THE INSURANCE IS CURRENTLY NEGOTIATED INTO. MR. CARTER SAID IT WAS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR’S CONTRACT TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO THE UNION TO RECEIVE THE SAME BENEFITS AS THE UNION AND THAT COUNCIL DID NOT NEED TO ADD IT TO HIS CONTRACT EXPECT TO SHOW THE DIRECTOR FAVORITISM.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM 7C ON THE AGENDA. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

5:31 P.M.

 

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

 

6:05 P.M.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO GIVE A RETIREMENT INCENTIVE BONUS OF $12,500.00 FOR TIER 1, NON-UNION, CURRENTLY EMPLOYED EMPLOYEES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. NAYS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.

 

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

 

6:10 P.M.

 

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — June 26, 2023

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes, Uncategorized

City Council Meeting Minutes — June 12, 2023

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — June 12, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 12, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED GAVIN GENISIO TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH READ A PROCLAMATION FOR MR. GENISIO RECOGNIZING HIM ON HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE TRACK TEAM AND HIS RECENT 1ST PLACE CHAMPIONSHIP IN STATE IN THE 1600 METER RUN. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MR. BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FEE INCREASE TO $250.00 FOR THE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES TO ACCOMMODATE FRANKLIN COUNTY.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COUNTY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FILE OUR TRANSFERS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK BEING COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY THE CITY AND THEREFORE HE FELT AN ADDITIONAL FEE SHOULD BE ADDED TO COVER THE WORK BEING COMPLETED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS FEE HAS NOT BEEN INCREASED AT ALL OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO INCREASE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FEE TO $250.00 PER LOT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN THE SEALED JANITORIAL BIDS THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CITY FOR THE CLEANING OF CITY HALL, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TWIN OAKS, AND THE AIRPORT.  CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT TWO BIDS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.  THE FIRST BID WAS FROM KEENER’S CLEANERS AND WAS FOR $143.75 WEEKLY FOR THE CITY HALL, $143.75 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, $143.75 MONTHLY FOR THE BENTON AIRPORT, AND $150.00 WEEKLY FOR THE TWIN OAKS LODGE.  THE SECOND BID WAS RECEIVED FROM PRIZM SERVICES AND WAS FOR $600.00 A MONTH AT CITY HALL UPSTAIRS, $115.00 PER MONTH FOR CITY HALL DOWNSTAIRS, $585.00 MONTHLY FOR THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, $90.00 PER MONTH AT THE AIRPORT, AND $145.00 AS NEEDED AT THE TWIN OAKS LODGE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO STAY WITH KEENER’S CLEANERS WHO HAS PREVIOULSY DONE THE JANITORIAL WORK, IS A LOCAL VENDOR, AND HAD THE LOWER BID.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS BE ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR CITY VEHICLES HOME FROM WORK.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THEY ARE CALLED OUT, THIS COULD SAVE TIME.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE LETTING THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS DRIVE THEIR CITY ISSUED VEHICLES HOME FROM WORK.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT SHOULD BE STARTING ANY DAY NOW.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN ON THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM SOON.    

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00106 TO ZURCHER TIRE, INC. FOR 4 GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $594.98.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00109 TO LARRY FREERICKS, LLC FOR 1 POINT BLANK LEVEL II B-5 BALLISTIC VEST FOR THE NEW HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $690.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00105 TO RAY O’HERRON FOR NEW HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,406.49.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-05 AMENDING RANK OF ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A BICYCLE RODEO AT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HELP OF THE BENTON CUB SCOUT PACK 7028 AND THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023 AT 6-7:30 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 1-YEAR NOTIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF COLEMAN’S RETIREMENT PER BARGAINING AGREEMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,732.17 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,952.71 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,684.88.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED WORD FROM REG ANKROM WITH SIMEC, THE BROKER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.  THE MARKET RATE THE CITY HAS BEEN LOCKED IN WITH IS $0.0866.  THIS RATE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2023 AND RUN THROUGH JUNE OF 2024. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MADE TO CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.  DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHAT THE CHANGES WERE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THE CHANGES TOOK EMPLOYEES AWAY FROM ONE COMMISSIONER AND PUT OVER HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES UNDER JUST 1 COMMISSIONER.  SHE STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THAT WAS TOO MUCH ON 1 COMMISSIONER.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD CHANGE SUPERVISORS WOULD BE THE CITY CLERK, THE WATER CLERK, AND BILLING CLERK.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT THE WATER CLERK AND THE BILLING CLERK DO IS IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD ANSWER TO THE WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ARTICLES IN THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCE THAT ALSO NEED TO BE WORKED ON AND CLEANED UP.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE A VOTE IS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AGREED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE – ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF LAND FOR CJ LANDS – FRANKLIN, LLC.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS FOR BEN’S LAWN SERVICE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PETITION FOR ANNEXATION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY NEEDED TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSIONER.  HE STATED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS’ PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN ON THIS COMMISSIONER.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE THE MEMBER THAT IS APPOINTED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH AS A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE ARE TERMITES, RUST, AND IN GENERAL FALLING IN OF THE BUILDING CALLED THE WATER BARN.  HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS MOLD AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS AT BOTH OF THESE PLACES.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR WORK VEHICLES HOME.  HE SAID IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THESE MEN ARE CALLED OUT, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE BARN AND RETRIEVE THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO THE EMERGENCY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS SOUNDED LOGICAL TO HIM. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON ON THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT IS UP FOR RENEWAL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS ITEM WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAD QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING BORROWING MONEY FROM WATER FUNDS.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF A FIREMAN WILL BE HIRED BEFORE THE YEAR FOR COLEMAN IS OVER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE CASE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES CODY WILLIFORD SHOULD HAVE LIVED IN BENTON OR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE INTO THE CITY LIMITS.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF THE COMMISSIONER OVER PUBLIC WORKS WOULD JUST BEFORE CRAIG MILES OR IF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED HIS EMPLOYEES.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT CRAIG MILES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NONUNION WITH NO CLAUSE AND BE ON EQUAL GROUND. 

 

KAREN FREEMEN ASKED THE COUNCIL ABOUT A CROSSWALK FOR KOA.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE CITY ENGINEER IN REGARDS TO THIS REQUEST.   

 

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

 

5:55 P.M.

 

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

 

6:29 P.M. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  2.  COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

 

6:32 P.M.

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — June 12, 2023

Posted in Announcements, Meeting Minutes

City Council Meeting Minutes — May 22, 2023

Posted on August 21, 2023 by | Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — May 22, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 22, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED CODY WILLIFORD TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORE IN CODY WILLIFORD AS THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023, WITH THE AMENDMENT OF ONE SENTENCE UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THE POSITION OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POSITION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED MIKE TYSON OF TAKE ACTION TODAY TO DISCUSS THEIR PROGRAM WITH THE COUNCIL.  IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO COST ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY.  THE AGENCY WOULD PROVIDE NON-CLINICAL PEER SUPPORT SERVICES, AID WITH RESOURCE LOCATION AND UTILIZATION, RESPOND TO OPIOID OVERDOSE SCENES, ASSIST WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS(S), AND ASSIST WITH LOCATING TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS ENCOUNTERED BY THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00501 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR A BROTHER PRINTER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $629.59.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.    VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WATER CONTRACT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WAS INCREASING RATES AND THAT WE HAD A CHOICE OF A 1-YEAR CONTRACT OR A 3-YEAR CONTRACT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE FINANCE COMMISSIONER AND THE TREASURER, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE RATE INCREASE FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND NOT HAVE TO RAISE RATES FOR THE CITIZENS OF BENTON.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM A BOARD MEMBER OF THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WHILE ON HIS WAY TO THE COUNCIL MEETING THAT SUGGESTED WE SHOULD ONLY DO THE 1-YEAR CONTRACT.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT THINKS THEY MAY HAVE ESTIMATED HIGH AND THE RATE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR MAY NOT NEED TO BE AS MUCH OF AN INCREASE.  COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SIGNING A 1-YEAR CONTRACT WITH REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE WOULD NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID OF CA6/CA10 FROM BEELMAN TRUCKING IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,760.00 FOR 500 TONS OF CA/10 AND 1500 TONS OF CA/6.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO REJECT ALL THE BAM BIDS AND ASK FOR CONTRACTORS TO REBID BASED UPON CLARIFICATIONS DUE TO SOME CONFUSION IN THE PREVIOUS BID PROCESS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO NAME PSC ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING AS THE WEST MAIN PROJECT ENGINEER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES TO ATTAIN PETROFF ROAD EASEMENTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PUTTING THE WHISPER WAY OVERLAY PROJECT OUT FOR BID.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00395 TO ROGERS TOWING FOR TOWING OF FIRE TRUCK #803 TO DAVE SCHMIDT TRUCKING DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE AMOUNT OF $725.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00393 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,780.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN LIGHT BAR ON ENGINE #803.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00394 TO DAVE SCHMIDT TRUCK SERVICE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,804.66.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00395 TO WITMER PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP FOR ONE PAIR OF FIREFIGHTER BOOTS AND 1 FIREFIGHTER RESCUE BELT IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.95.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A BICYCLE RODEO AT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HELP OF THE BENTON CUB SCOUT PACK 7028 AND THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023 AT 6-7:30 P.M.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 1-YEAR NOTIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF COLEMAN’S RETIREMENT PER BARGAINING AGREEMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,732.17 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,952.71 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,684.88.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED WORD FROM REG ANKROM WITH SIMEC, THE BROKER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.  THE MARKET RATE THE CITY HAS BEEN LOCKED IN WITH IS $0.0866.  THIS RATE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2023 AND RUN THROUGH JUNE OF 2024. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MADE TO CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.  DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHAT THE CHANGES WERE.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THE CHANGES TOOK EMPLOYEES AWAY FROM ONE COMMISSIONER AND PUT OVER HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES UNDER JUST 1 COMMISSIONER.  SHE STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THAT WAS TOO MUCH ON 1 COMMISSIONER.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD CHANGE SUPERVISORS WOULD BE THE CITY CLERK, THE WATER CLERK, AND BILLING CLERK.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT THE WATER CLERK AND THE BILLING CLERK DO IS IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD ANSWER TO THE WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ARTICLES IN THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCE THAT ALSO NEED TO BE WORKED ON AND CLEANED UP.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE A VOTE IS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AGREED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE – ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF LAND FOR CJ LANDS – FRANKLIN, LLC.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS FOR BEN’S LAWN SERVICE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PETITION FOR ANNEXATION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY NEEDED TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSIONER.  HE STATED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS’ PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN ON THIS COMMISSIONER.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE THE MEMBER THAT IS APPOINTED AT THIS TIME.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH AS A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE ARE TERMITES, RUST, AND IN GENERAL FALLING IN OF THE BUILDING CALLED THE WATER BARN.  HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS MOLD AS WELL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS AT BOTH OF THESE PLACES.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR WORK VEHICLES HOME.  HE SAID IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THESE MEN ARE CALLED OUT, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE BARN AND RETRIEVE THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO THE EMERGENCY.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS SOUNDED LOGICAL TO HIM. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON ON THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT IS UP FOR RENEWAL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS ITEM WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAD QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING BORROWING MONEY FROM WATER FUNDS.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF A FIREMAN WILL BE HIRED BEFORE THE YEAR FOR COLEMAN IS OVER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE CASE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES CODY WILLIFORD SHOULD HAVE LIVED IN BENTON OR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE INTO THE CITY LIMITS.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF THE COMMISSIONER OVER PUBLIC WORKS WOULD JUST BEFORE CRAIG MILES OR IF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED HIS EMPLOYEES.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT CRAIG MILES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NONUNION WITH NO CLAUSE AND BE ON EQUAL GROUND. 

 

KAREN FREEMEN ASKED THE COUNCIL ABOUT A CROSSWALK FOR KOA.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE CITY ENGINEER IN REGARDS TO THIS REQUEST.   

 

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

 

5:55 P.M.

 

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

 

6:29 P.M. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  2.  COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

 

6:32 P.M.

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CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2023

Posted on August 10, 2023 by | Comments Off on CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2023

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023, AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 S MAIN STREET, 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 STOREY MADE A MOTION TO RESUME THE MEETING. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH DISCUSSED THE BIG PACKETS THAT WERE RECEIVED FOR THE CITY OF BENTON’S RESIDENTIAL TRASH AND RECOMMENDED TO MAKE A MOTION ACCEPTING ONE OF THE TWO BIDS PRESENTED.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE TRASH BID FROM REPUBLIC SERVICES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO DISCUSS THE BID LETTING PROCESS FOR THE UPCOMING WATER MAIN PROJECT. MR. CALCATERRA EXPLAINED THAT THE CITY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE TO PROCEED FROM DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY, BUT THAT HE HAS HAD DISCUSSION WITH CARRY MINIS AND THE CITY COULD APPROVE STARTING THE PROCESSES PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE TAKE NOTICE.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THE MOTION TO START THE BID LETTING PENDING THE APPROVAL OF THE NOTICE TO PROCEED FROM DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY. SECONDED 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 ADJOURN. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.

 

8:31 a.m.

 

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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING — JULY 10, 2023

Posted on August 10, 2023 by | Comments Off on MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING — JULY 10, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 10, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOTS 109, 109A, AND 7 FROM DEBBIE HAMPLEMANN AND MARY LOU JONES TO ML& D JONES FAMILY TRUST.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO FIX THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ROOF IMMEDIATELY.  DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT TO SEEK BIDS AND WHETHER OR NOT THE PREVIOUS CONTRACTOR SHOULD BE CONTACTED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE ROOF GOT FIXED.  MOTION WAS STILL ON THE TABLE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE ALLOWING A ONE-TIME PER YEAR ADJUSTMENT FOR SEWER ON POOL FILLS.  AFTER DISCUSSION IT WAS STATED THAT IN ORDER TO GET THE ONE TIME PER YEAR ADJUSTMENT TO YOUR SEWER BILL, YOU MUST MEET ALL CRITERIA IN THE ORDINANCE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR OTHER BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA DID STATE THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A “NIGHT OUT” EVENT TO HONOR THE PD ON AUGUST 2, 2023 AND A BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. ON AUGUST 5, 2023.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HELPING WITH THIS EVENT.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $314,862.39, OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,775.83, AND MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,524.06 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $389,162.28.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,732.17 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,952.71 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,684.88.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE DATE OF 07/07/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,562.44 AND THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR A TOTAL OF $25,426.76 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $96,989.20.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA, ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH, AND MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL TIF CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE UNION LEAGUE HOTEL WOULD BE COVERED BY THE CITY, TRAVEL WOULD BE REIMBURSED UP TO THE AMOUNT OF A BUSINESS CLASS TICKET ON AMTRAK, AND MEALS COVERED UP TO PER DIEM AMOUNT FOR COOK COUNTY WHICH IS CURRENTLY $59.25 ON TRAVEL DAYS AND $79.00 ON NONTRAVEL DAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK THAT ALL THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD GO TO THE ANNUAL ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO BEING HELD THIS SEPTEMBER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD GO ON A ROTATING BASIS TO HELP KEEP COSTS DOWN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN GOING TO A CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS PRIOR COMMITMENTS AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THIS YEAR EITHER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT AFTER READING THIS YEAR’S AGENDA, HE FEELS FINANCE SHOULD BE THE COMMISSIONER TO ATTEND THIS YEAR.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE SHOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA, ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH, CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG, FINANCE COMMISSIONER CHRISTOPHER KAYS, AND MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL IML CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO BEING HELD SEPTEMBER OF 2023.  THE HILTON HOTEL WILL BE COVERED BY THE CITY, TRAVEL WILL BE REIMBURSED UP TO THE COST OF A ROUNDTRIP BUSINESS CLASS AMTRAK TICKET, AND FOOD WILL BE REIMBURSED UP TO COOK COUNTY PER DIEM RATES OF $59.25 ON TRAVEL DAYS AND $79.00 ON NONTRAVEL DAYS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A NEW EMPLOYEE IN WATER/SEWER DEPARTMENT WITH POSSIBLE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN THE SEALED TRASH BIDS.  CITY CLERK CRAIG STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO BIDS RECEIVED.  THE FIRST BID WAS FROM AAA DISPOSAL.  PRICES IN THE FIRST BID WERE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1ST YEAR

$14.58

1ST YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$13.99

2ND YEAR

$15.16

2ND YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$14.55

3RD YEAR

$15.77

3RD YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$15.14

4TH YEAR

$16.40

4TH YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$15.74

 

THE SECOND BID WAS FROM REPUBLIC SERVICES.  PRICES IN THE SECOND BID ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1ST YEAR

$14.49

1ST YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$13.04

2ND YEAR

$15.21

2ND YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$13.69

3RD YEAR

$15.98

3RD YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$14.38

4TH YEAR

$16.77

4TH YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$15.10

5TH YEAR

$17.61

5TH YEAR SENIOR CITIZEN

$15.86

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY AND MAKE A DECISION ON ACCEPTING A BID AT THAT TIME.  NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THESE BIDS AT THIS TIME.

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HAVE BEEN 3 LOTS RECENTLY CLEANED UP.  THE COSTS TO CLEAN THESE LOTS UP WAS COVERED BY GRANT MONIES. 

 

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

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT FROM THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY CONCERNING WATER MAIN EXTENSION.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS FOR THE $104,200.00 OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF BENTON TO FUND THIS PROJECT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-13 ACCEPTING THE GRANT FROM THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN ON ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WATER MAIN EXTENSION TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE DISCUSSED FURTHER AT THE CONTINUED MEETING ON FRIDAY. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED MR. CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION TO ZONE THE PROPERY LOCATED AT 1503 N. MAIN STREET FROM NOT ZONED TO B-2, MADE BY CJ LANDS FRANKLIN LLC.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE ZONING BOARD AT THE JULY 5, 2023 ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION BOARD MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION TO ZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1503 NORTH MAIN STREET FROM NOT ZONED TO B-2 MADE BY CJ LANDS FRANKLIN LLC.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  HAS BEEN VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED MR. CALCATERRA TO HANDL ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY CJ LANDS FRANKLIN LLC TO ALLOW FOR COMMERCIAL SALE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS AT 1503 NORTH MAIN STREET.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED THIS APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT AT THE JULY 5, 2023 BOARD MEETING.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY CJ LANDS FRANKLIN LLC TO ALLOW FOR COMMERCIAL SALE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS AT 1503 NORTH MAIN STREET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WAS CONTACTED BY A MEMBER OF THE CONCRETE FINISHER’S UNION.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PROPERTY FOR A TRAINING SYSTEM.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS WATER COMING IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED WHICH COMMISSIONER IS ACTUALLY OVER THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE DID NOT KNOW.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED FOR PUBLIC PROPERTIES AND THAT COMMISSIONER STOREY IS STILL OVER THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY HAD CONSIDERED GIVING PREFERENCE TO PEOPLE WITH IN-GROUND POOLS IN REGARDS TO ADJUSTMENTS AS AN IN-GROUND POOL RAISES PROPERTY VALUE AND AN ABOVE GROUND POOL DOES NOT.

 

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

 

5:50 P.M. 

 

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

 

6:27 P.M. 

 

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING ITEM 7(E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING NEW EMPLOYEE IN WATER/SEWER DEPARTMENT WITH POSSIBLE NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION.  MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

 

MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M. FOR APPROVAL OF TRASH BID AND TO ADVERTISE FOR THE WATER MAIN EXTENSION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

6:28 P.M.

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City Council Meeting Minutes — July 24, 2024

Posted on July 25, 2023 by | Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — July 24, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 24, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, JULY 10, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, JULY 14, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR LAKE LOT LEASES FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR OTHER BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT A BID LETTING FOR OVERLAY WILL HAPPEN ON FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2023 AT 10 A.M. AT THE CITY HALL.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BAM HAS BEEN DELIVERED AND THE OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM IS SET TO BEGIN. 

 

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA LISTED UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00111 FIR 1 TASER X26 FROM ACCREDITED SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $599.99.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM HAS REQUESTED TO ADD TYLER CARROLL AND DYLAN STAGNER TO THE PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADD TYLER CARROLL TO THE PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADD DYLAN STAGNER TO THE PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER WOULD LIKE TO ADD SERGEANT PAY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT CHIEF FUNKHOUSER WOULD LIKE TO ADD $3,000.00 PER YEAR TO THIS POSITION.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADD $3,000.00 PER YEAR TO THE POSITION OF SERGEANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA HAS REQUESTED A STREET CLOSURE ON WASHINGTON STREET BETWEEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2022 FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. FOR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF “NIGHT OUT”.

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE DATE OF 07/21/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,553.70, FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR A TOTAL OF $27,493.44, AND FOR THE PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,483.80 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $118,530.94.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR MONTHLY BILLS FOR THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT REPUBLIC HAS RAISED THEIR TRASH RATE FOR THE CITY BY 31.7%.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A TRASH RATE INCREASE FOR THE CITIZENS OF 30% MAKING THE NEW RATES BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER $18.84 FOR REGULAR RESIDENTIAL RATE AND $16.95 FOR SENIOR RATE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-06 AMENDING WATER RATES.  THE NEW MINIMUM WATER RATE WILL BE $16.42 INSIDE CORPORATE LIMITS AND $20.17 OUTSIDE CORPORATE LIMITS; $16.58 MINIMUM CHARGE INSIDE CORPORATE LIMITS FOR MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS AND $20.62 MINIMUM CHARGE OUTSIDE CORPORATE LIMITS FOR MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 23-07 AMENDING SEWER RATES TO $20.10 MINIMUM CHARGE INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 23-08 AMENDING SEWER RATES FOR MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS TO A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $20.11.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  3.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-09 AMENDING CHAPTER 12 – EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL CODE, 12-1-2(F) EMPLOYMENT OF FAMILY MEMBERS/REVOLVING DOOR PROHIBITIONS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY HAS GRANTED THE CITY OF BENTON A $950,000.00 GRANT TO RUN WATER UNDER PETROFF ROAD TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II. 

 

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

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

NO NEW BUSINESS.

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER QUESTIONED THE COUNCIL ON WHY THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN REWARDING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES FOR HIS WORK WHEN HE BELIEVES HE IS THE REASON $1.2 MILLION WAS MOVED FROM THE SEWER DEPARTMENT TO THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  MR. CARTER SUGGESTED THAT THE CITY LOOK INTO A CRONYISM POLICY.  MR. CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER COCKRUM FOR AN UPDATED ON THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE STORM SEWER HAS BEEN STARTED.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THEY WILL BE LUCKY TO FINISH THE WORK ON WASTENA BEFORE THE BAD WEATHER STARTS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY HAD NO CONTROL ON MOVING POWER POLES OR UTILITIES.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THEY ARE HOPING FOR DECEMBER 31, 2023 AS A COMPLETION DATE.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ALL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROJECT AS HE HAS MULTIPLE THINGS, HE WOULD LIKE TO SAY HIMSELF. 

 

AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON GAVE AN AVIATION UPDATE.  HE STATED THAT CROP DUSTING IS FINISHING UP.  HE STATED THAT THE AIRSPACE USED FOR CROP DUSTING IS PROTECTED BY FEDERAL STATUTES AND THAT THE CITY DOES NOT GOVERN THAT.  HE STATED THAT ANYONE WITH COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE CROP DUSTING COULD CALL THE SPRINGFIELD FFA OFFICE.  MR. HARRISON ALSO STATED THAT THE 2ND SATURDAY FLY IN HAPPENING IN AUGUST WILL FEATURE A LUAH PUT ON BY THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP. 

 

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

 

5:30 P.M.

 

Comments Off on City Council Meeting Minutes — July 24, 2024

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CONTINUED MEETING MINUTES — MAY 12, 2023

Posted on May 24, 2023 by | Comments Off on CONTINUED MEETING MINUTES — MAY 12, 2023

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKUP, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.  COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS NOT PRESENT. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,846.30 AND FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,951.09 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $378,797.39.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

TIME 8:35 A.M.

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MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 8, 2023

Posted on May 24, 2023 by | Comments Off on MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 8, 2023

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 8, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2023.  THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH INVITED POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW PEMBERTON TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORN IN OFFICER PEMBERTON AS A BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR REVIEW IN THE PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LAKE LOTS 33 AND 34 FROM MARTHA CARLTON TO LINDA FREY.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TRANSFER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LAKE LOT 132 FROM ROBIN AND DEBBIE YUCAS TO DEEDRA MCLAIN.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS TRANSFER.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED ITEM (C) UNDER PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT, DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVE OF PRICE INCREASE FROM KEENER’S KLEANERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO BID CLEANING SERVICES FOR THE CITY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STREET DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEY DID TO HELP WITH THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL PARADE ON SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00104 TO DATA PILOT FOR ONE CAPTURE KIT AND ONE RENEWAL LICENSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,095.00 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE MERIT BOARD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR A LATERAL HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH THANKED COMMISSIONER STOREY FOR ALL THE HARD WORK HE PUT IN ON MAKING THIS LATERAL HIRE HAPPEN. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF UPDATE ON DISPATCH AGREEMENT UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION CAN BE HELD REGARDING THIS TOPIC.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW APPOINTMENT TO THE CENTRAL DISPATCH BOARD UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION CAN BE HELD ON THIS TOPIC.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING AND WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS.  

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,536.70 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,851.08 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $122,387.78.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ACTUARIAL REPORT AGREEMENT WITH LAUTERBACH AND AMEN FOR THE PENSION FUNDS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LOT GOING ON IN TOWN OVER THE PAST WEEK WITH THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS A SUCCESS AND HE BELIEVES IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST REND LAKE WATER FESTIVALS IN YEARS. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ADDRESSED ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NAMING A BUDGET OFFICER.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE NAMED AS BUDGET OFFICER AT THIS TIME AND WOULD NEED A MOTION FOR THIS.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE – ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME RESTRUCTURING OF DUTIES AND DEPARTMENTS TO BE AMENDED IN THIS CHAPTER.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION BY SUSAN SMOTHERS TO OWN AND OCCUPY A DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME AT 113 VIRGINIA.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD HAD APPROVED THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH GETTING WATER TO THE PROPERTY.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND APPROVING THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT AS LONG AS EASEMENTS WERE OBTAINED FOR THE WATER LINE TO BE RAN TO THE PROPERTY.  MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO TRY AND GET THE WATER SITUATION RESOLVED.  MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE WAS NO WATER CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO HER PURCHASED LAND AND SO WHEN WORK WAS BEING DONE AND A WATER LINE WAS HIT, SHE WAS SURPRISED, MS. SMOTHERS STATED THAT THE WATER LEAKED OVERNIGHT AND HALF OF THE NEXT DAY BEFORE IT WAS DISCOVERED CREATING A 17,000-GALLON LEAK.  MS. SMOTHERS ASKED IF THE METER COULD BE MOVED 150 FEET AND PLACED ON HER PROPERTY.  PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES STATED THAT THE METER COULD NOT BE MOVED DUE TO THE WATER LINE STOPPING AT THE PLACE THE METER IS CURRENTLY AT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT TIME (H) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF RATE SELECTION FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SOLAR PROJECT WITH KEYSTONE POWER HOLDINGS, LLC.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD FIND RATES IN THEIR PACKET THAT HE HAD PREPARED.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL CHOSE THE FLAT RATE, NO SAVINGS WOULD BE SEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS; HOWEVER, OVER A 30-YEAR PERIOD THE SAVINGS WOULD BE A TOTAL OF $901,382.00.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL CHOSE THE ESCALATOR, SAVINGS WOULD START IMMEDIATELY; HOWEVER, AFTER 30 YEARS THE TOTAL SAVINGS WOULD BE $776,673.00.  MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD DISCUSSED THIS WITH CITY TREASURER LISA MENO.  MRS. MENO BELIEVES THAT THE ESCALATOR IS THE RATE THE COUNCIL SHOULD CHOOSE AS THE IMMEDIATE SAVINGS WOULD HELP THE SEWER DEPARTMENT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ESCALATOR RATE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER STOREY. 

 

MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (I) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING CODY WILLIFORD AS CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS JOB WAS ADVERTISED ON INDEED AND THE CITY RECEIVED 30 APPLICATIONS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT FOUR APPLICANTS WERE CHOSEN TO BE INTERVIEWED BY A PANEL.  MR. WILLIFORD WAS CHOSEN BY THE PANEL FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR JOB FOR A PAY OF $18.00 PER HOUR WORKING 16 HOURS A WEEK.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO BENEFITS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW FOR THIS POSITION.  COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MR. WILLIFORD TO TELL THE COUNCIL A BIT ABOUT HIMSELF.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR THE RAILROAD AND HAD ALSO OWNED A RESTAURANT IN THE PAST.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAD NOT EVER DONE WORK LIKE THIS JOB, BUT FELT HE WOULD BE GOOD AT TIT.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF CODY WILLIFORD FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE CITY OF BENTON.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT THE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1 WOULD BE AND IF THE CITIZENS WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE BEING APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.  ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE AMENDMENTS, BUT NOT THE PUBLIC.  ATTORNEY ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE AMENDMENTS WERE APPROVED, THE PUBLIC WOULD THEN BE ALLOWED TO VIEW THEM.  MR. CARTER ASKED IF MS. SMOTHERS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO GET AN ADJUSTMENT TO HER ACCOUNT SINCE THE LEAK DID NOT GET CAUGHT BY THE SYSTEM IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  MR. CARTER STATED THAT LEAK DETECTION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EASIER WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM AND SINCE THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING, HE FELT THAT MS. SMOTHERS SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ADJUSTMENT.  MR. CARTER ALSO STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT IF THE CITY HAD NOT PURCHASED THE WATER METER READING SYSTEM THAT IT DID, SOLAR COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY THE CITY AND THE CITY WOULD BE MAKING A PROFIT OFF OF THE EXTRA ENERGY PRODUCED.  MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED HOW MANY APPLICANTS WERE FROM THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE AND MR. CARTER COULD MEET AT CITY HALL OR THE BUZZ AT SOME POINT TO DISCUSS THIS POSITION FURTHER.

 

ROCKY MORRIS ASKED IF THE CITY OF BENTON WOULD BE SELLING ANY EXTRA ENERGY PRODUCED BY THE SOLAR PANELS.  BRIAN CALCATERRA ANSWERED BY SAYING THAT THE CITY DOES NOT GET ANY PROFIT FROM THIS SYSTEM, THE CITY WILL JUST BE ABLE TO PURCHASE ELECTRICITY AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.  MR. MORRIS ASKED MR. WILLIFORD HOW LONG HE HAD BEEN ON WORKER’S COMP.  MR. WILLIFORD STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN ON WORKER’S COMP.  MR. MORRIS ALSO ASKED THE COUNCIL WHO SAT ON THE COMMITTEE FOR HIRING OF THIS CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION.  MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE COMMITTEE CONSISTED OF BRIAN CALCATERRA, LEE MESSERSMITH, TOM MALKOVICH, AND BROOK CRAIG.  

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 FOR PAYING OF MONTHLY BILLS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.  NAYS:  0. 

 

 

5:38 P.M.

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April 24, 2023 – Council Meeting Minutes

Posted on April 30, 2023 by | Comments Off on April 24, 2023 – Council Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 24, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WRITTEN DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING, BUT THAT GROUND STORAGE IS BEING DRAINED TO BEGIN REPAIRS AFTER PARTS ARRIVE.  COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE IS WAITING ON A QUOTE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ROOF TO BE ABLE TO DO THE NECESSARY REPAIRS ON THAT BUILDING. 

 

COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A NEW EMPLOYEE IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING ON CORRECTING SIGNS, THE DRIVE AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND GETTING READY FOR THE UPCOMING MFT PROGRAM. 

 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2023-11 FOR CROSS INTERSTATE 57 AT PETROFF ROAD.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.  IN WAY OF A DEPARTMENT REPORT, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY ON THE INTERSTATE.  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ONE TRUCK DOWN AND IT WOULD COST $12,000.00 TO FIX THIS TRUCK. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-03, AMENDMENT TO THE LATERAL HIRE ORDINANCE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  THIS CHANGES THE TIME WORKED AT ANOTHER DEPARTMENT FROM 3 YEARS DOWN TO 18 MONTHS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A LATERAL HIRE.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE MERIT BOARD HELD TESTING FOR THE POLICE LIST ON THE PREVIOUS SATURDAY.  HE STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE APPLICANTS THAT TESTED. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,483.20.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 04/14/2023 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,654.35 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,574.14 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $91,228.49.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE #2023-03 FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 BUDGET.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES. 

 

IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (9C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEMBERS.  MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO PLACE HIMSELF ON THIS COMMISSION.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PLACE BRIAN CALCATERRA ON THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

  1. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO PLACE JOE SPRAGUE ON THIS COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO PLACE JOE SPRAGUE ON THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.  

 

  1. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO PLACE LESLIE COX ON THIS COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PLACE LESLIE COX ON THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

  1. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO PLACE MATT WYNN ON THIS COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO PLACE MATT WYNN ON THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

  1. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION TO PLACE GARY KRAFT ON THIS COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PLACE GARY KRAFT ON THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMISSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH 5 HINMAN HOLDINGS, LLC (618 FIXMYRV) TO FORM A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THE CITY OF BENTON.  THIS WOULD BE FOR 60% REIMBURSEMENT.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 60% REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LIFE OF THE IJRL TIF.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THREE PROCLAMATIONS FOR VOLUNTEER AWARENESS MONTH. 

 

THE FIRST PROCLAMATION WAS FOR HAYDEN SMITH.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION FOR VOLUNTEER AWARENESS MONTH FOR HAYDEN SMITH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0.  

 

THE SECOND PROCLAMATION WAS FOR LOGAN SMITH.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION FOR VOLUNTEER AWARENESS MONTH FOR LOGAN SMITH.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

THE THIRD PROCLAMATION WAS FOR THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS.  COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION FOR VOLUNTEER AWARENESS MONTH FOR THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  NAYS:  0. 

 

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

 

NO OLD BUSINESS. 

 

NO NEW BUSINESS. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER COCKRUM IF PREFERENCE WOULD BE SHOWN WHEN HIRING THE NEW EMPLOYEE IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT IF THEY WERE FROM BENTON, IF THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERENCE SHOWN FOR HAVING EXPERIENCE, AND IF A WATER LICENSE WOULD BE REQUIRED AS THIS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HELP WANTED AD.  ANGIE MESSERSMITH ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WHY THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE GIVEN PROCLAMATIONS.  SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THESE BOYS SHOWED UP AT THE FALL FEST, HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS, AND EASTER EGG HUNT AND WORKED THE ENTIRE EVENTS. 

 

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

 

5:25 P.M.

Comments Off on April 24, 2023 – Council Meeting Minutes

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