City Council Minutes — January 26, 2015

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 26, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR KRAFT CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 12, 2015 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 16, 2015 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 20, 2015 SPECIAL MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE AND COMMISIONER MILLER ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #002254 TO USA BLUE BOOK FOR CHARTS, AMPULES, PROBES, AND METER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,177.16. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION 15-2 TO TRANSFER AND RESTRICT FUNDS – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000982 TO O’REILLY’S AUTO PARTS FOR A POST LIFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,035.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE # 15-2 AMENDING CHAPTER 24 – MOTOR VEHICLE CODE BY ADDING SCHEDULE K – NO PASSING ZONE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE # 15-3 AMENDING SCHEDULE G – RESTRICTED PARKING/TOW AWAY ZONE ON REED STREET FROM NORTH MAIN TO NORTH MAPLE – CHAPTER 24. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE #15-4 AMENDING CHAPTER 24 – MOTOR VEHICLE CODE BY AMENDING SCHEDULE K – NO PASSING ZONE ON MCKENZIE FROM MCLEANSBORO TO KENNETH AND ON KENNETH FROM MCKENZIE TO FOREST. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM IDOT SCHEDULING FEBRUARY 10 TO REPAIR CROSSINGS ON WEST MAIN. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT CARRIE NELSON CALLED HIM LAST WEEK AND WAS INTERESTED IN PUTTING IN SOME WHEELCHAIR RAMPS ON STATE HIGHWAYS IN BENTON. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED HE WOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH HER.

COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED A PURCHASE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,935.00 TO MES ILLINOIS FOR TURNOUT GEAR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JANUARY 9, 2015 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2015. THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDLED A TOTAL OF 187 DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE. THESE INCLUDED 7 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, 27 TRAFFIC STOPS, 10 DOMESTIC DISPUTES, 4 THEFT REPORTS, AND SEVERAL OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE. THE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 54 WRITTEN REPORTS.

COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JANUARY 13, 2015 THROUGH JANUARY 26, 2015. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 12 CALLS WHICH INCLUDED 3 MEDICAL CALLS, 1 SERVICE CALLS, 1 FALSE ALARM, 2 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDDENTS WITH FIRE, 1 STRUCTURE FIRE, 1 BRUSH FIRE, 1 ILLEGAL BURN, AND 2 HAZMAT CALLS. ALL ENGINES ARE IN SERVICE. FIRE INSPECTIONS ARE ONGOING. ALL 3 FIRE ENGINES ARE IN SERVICE. THE EMERGENCY STORM SIRENS ARE 100% IN SERVICE. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT POC FIREFIGHTER KEAGAN TUCKER HAS RESIGNED BECAUSE HE IS MOVING OUT OF THE AREA.

COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER # 000981 FOR A RENEWAL OF OUR CINCINNATI INSURANCE COMMERCIAL AUTO POLICY IN THE AMOUNT OF $635.00 WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF 02/07/15 TO 02/07/16. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR 01/16/2015 FOR A TOTAL GENERAL FUND PAYROLL OF $67,765.09, WATER AND SEWER OF $29,008.22, AND AIRPORT CARETAKER OF $850.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $97,623.31. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENT APPLICATIONS FOR BERT KEELIN OF 10970 WEST OLD HICKORY COURT, MATTHAW KIMMEL OF 1106 SOUTH LICKLITER LOT 4, ELAINE DAWSON FOR KS BIT OF 11681 SKYLANE DRIVE, JAMES KEY OF 1106 SOUTH LICKLITER LOT 8, AND STEVEN KELLEY OF 807 NORTH HICKMAN. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $400.00 PLUS MATERIALS TO PAINT THE RESTROOMS AT CITY HALL. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ESTIMATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF BENTON ARE GOING TO START RECEIVING LETTERS ABOUT RESIDENTAL ELECTRIC AGREGATION. THE RESIDENTS WILL BE SWITCHED FROM FIRST ENERGY TO HOMEFIELD FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS, MARCH TO JUNE. THE RATE WILL BE 0.445 AND AMEREN IS 0.455. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT IF ANY RESIDENTS HAVE QUESTIONS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CALL AND SPEAK WITH THE CITY CLERK ON THIS MATTER. DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL REBID TO GET A 1 YEAR PRICE.

MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN GOING OVER ARCHITECT BIDS FOR THIS BUILDING. HE STATED THAT IF ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO GO THROUGH THESE, THEY ARE WELCOME TO. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT ALL THE PACKETS HE LOOKED THROUGH WERE FROM TOP ARCHITECTS. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE HIS CHOICE AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT BACK IN DECEMBER THE COUNCIL HAD SOLD A 5 ACRE LOT AT THE INDUSTRIAL PARK TO TJ INTERNATIONAL AND HAD AN OPTION ON ANOTHER LOT. THE PURCHASER HAS HAD SOME HEALTH ISSUES AND HAS REGRETFULLY BACK OUT OF THE DEAL. NO CHECK HAD BEEN ISSUED TO THE CITY. MAYOR KRAFT STATED WE NEEDED TO RESCIND THE ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF THIS LOT. THIS ITEM WAS TABLED.

MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT ON FRIDAY JANUARY 30, 2015, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BOST WILL BE HAVING A MOCK SWEARING IN CEREMONY AT THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER AT 10 A.M. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH REPRESENTATIVE BOST ON FRIDAY AND HE HAD WELCOMED EVERYONE.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

NO OLD BUSINESS.

NO NEW BUSINESS

NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC.

COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSSION FOR (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 MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

7:30 P.M.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO GO OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

7:35 P.M.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

TIME: 7:40 P.M.