MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL WAS TAKEN. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 4, 2015 SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA. MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED PENNY BLADES AND THERESA BATES, RELAY FOR LIFE REPRESENTATIVES, TO COME FORWARD. MAYOR KONDRITZ READ THE “PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE” PROCLAMATION. MS. BATES PRESENTED MAYOR KONDRITZ WITH SOME POSTERS AND CHALLENGED THE CITY OF BENTON TO PARTICIPATE IN RAISING MONEY FOR RELAY FOR LIFE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DECLARE MAY 31ST THROUGH JUNE 6TH, 2015 PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE WEEK IN THE CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO DONATE A 1988 FORD PICKUP TRUCK TO THE BENTON COMMUNITY PARK. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT THE TRUCK THEY USE AT THE COMMUNITY PARK TO PICK UP TRASH CANS IS IN BAD SHAPE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #15-09 FOR A FOUR-WAY STOP AT ASH AND MCFALL STREETS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE SUMMER CRUISE SERIES TO UTILIZE THE OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THEIR CAR SHOWS THIS SUMMER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO HIRE WILLIAMS TREE SERVICE FOR A SUM OF $3,000.00 FOR REMOVAL OF TREES AT LAKE BENTON PENDING PROOF OF INSURANCE AND SIGNING A LETTER STATING THEY WOULD PAY PREVAILING WAGE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF INTERIM FIRE CHIEF D.T. RICHARDSON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A MEMO FROM CHIEF MIKE ANDREWS REQUESTING D.T. RICHARDSON BE HIRED TO THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A PART-TIME OFFICER. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION APPOINT D.T. RICHARDSON AS PART-TIME OFFICER IN THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED HE HAD A MATTER FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015, TO PAY BILLS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PAYROLL DATED 05/05/2015 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,956.23 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,606.12 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $82,562.35. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PAYROLL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR STACY MANNING OF 915 NORTH GRAND, APRIL MILES OF 301 NORTH BROWN, AND VIRGINIA DORRIS OF 705 NORTH HIGHLAND. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS SWIMMING POOL FILLS DIANA DILLARD OF 1011 ELECTION CIRCLE AND GEORGE RUSH OF 501 MCKINLEY. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2015 BUDGET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKER’S TO BEGIN PICKING UP TRASH LEFT ON THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING WILL FALL ON MEMORIAL DAY. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CHANGE THE NEXT BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT OUR CURRENT EXTENSION WITH BULLDOG SERVICES, INC. ON OUR TRASH CONTRACT. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM BULLDOG SERVICES, INC. AND REPUBLIC SERVICES DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION SINCE BOTH HAD REPRESENTATIVES IN THE AUDIENCE.
ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH SPOKE ON THE CABLE FRANCHISE EXTENSION RECENTLY SIGNED BY MAYOR KRAFT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS COULD BE FURTHER DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO UPGRADING EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE AT CITY HALL. MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO ADDING WI-FI AT CITY HALL. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING OUR SYSTEM UP TO DATE AT CITY HALL.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT BROOK CRAIG AS CITY CLERK. MOTION TO REAPPOINT BROOK CRAIG TO THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK WAS MADE BY COMMISIONER WYANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT PAULA GALLOWAY AS ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. MOTION TO REAPPOINT PAULA GALLOWAY TO THE POSITION OF ZONING ADMINISTRATOR WAS MADE BY COMMISIONER WYANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO AS CITY TREASURER. MOTION TO REAPPOINT LISA MENO TO THE POSITION OF CITY TREASURER WAS MADE BY COMMISIONER BAUMGARTE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT TOM MALKOVICH AS CITY ATTORNEY. MOTION TO REAPPOINT TOM MALKOVICH TO THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY WAS MADE BY COMMISIONER WYANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN CLEANING UP INDUSTRIAL PARK II. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE LAND LEVELED OUT, MOWED, AND A SIGN WITH BRICK PILLARS POSSIBLY INSTALLED.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED A TIME FOR THE UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A POSSIBLE ALLEY CLOSING ON TENTH AND STOTLAR. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THIS PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:45 P.M. ON TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER MOORE 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 MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:35 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW CITY ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH AND MAYOR KONDRITZ TO NEGOTIATE A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH NEWWAVE COMMUNICATIONS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND OR APPROVAL OF HIRING A NEW FIRE CHIEF. SECOND BY COMMISIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO PREPARE BID SPECIFICATIONS FOR A 4-YEAR TRASH CONTRACT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015, IN ORDER TO PAY BILLS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
TIME: 9:10 P.M.
