Council Meeting Minutes — May 23, 2016

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2016 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND DIRECTED ROLL TO BE CALLED. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE WAS ABSENT.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #002563 TO ALAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS FOR GREASE GOBLIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $928.62. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #002564 TO HD SUPPLY FOR A 4” METER IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,957.63. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT OPENED A BID FOR DEMOLITION OF THE OLD WATER PLANT ON GRAND STREET FROM TERRY BAKER EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $84,900.00. MAYOR KONDRITZ OPENED THE SECOND BID RECEIVED BY EARTH SERVICES AND HANDED IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER WYANT. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THE BID FROM EARTH SERVICES WAS $59,900.00. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE BID UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THEM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW SESSER PAVE AND SEAL TO STRIPE NORTH AND SOUTH DUQUOIN STREETS AT THE WEST MAIN INTERSECTION AND ILLINOIS AVENUE AND PETROFF ROAD AT THE NORTH MAIN INTERSECTION. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THIS WOULD BE P0AID FOR OUT OF THE ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OR #000931 TO AMERICAN TEST CENTER FOR ANNUAL LADDER TESTING OF THE AERIAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $570.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE GRANT FOR FENCING AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FLOOR IN THE TRUCK BAY AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS IN VERY BAD CONDITION. HE STATED THAT THE FLOOR NEEDED REFINISHED. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT WILL COST $18,100.00 TO RESURFACE THE FLOOR AND THAT HE HAD A COMMITMENT OF $5,000.00 FROM THE FOREIGN FIRE FUND. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GO FORWARD WITH RESURFACING THE FLOOR IN THE TRUCK BAY AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER MILLER.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CHANGING OIL THEMSELVES AND ALSO CHANGING BATTERIES ON THE STORM SIRENS THEMSELVES FROM NOW ON. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID THIS WOULD BE A MONEY SAVING PRACTICE.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH THE RAILROAD REGARDING THE CROSSING ON SOUTH MAIN STREET. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID THE RAILROAD TOLD HIM THEY ARE WAITING ON A SWITCH IN HURST TO BE REPAIRED AND THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000977 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW OFFICE CHAIRS FOR THE NEW CITY HALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,466.78. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $$70,016.06, WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,932.67, AND AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $850.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL FOR MAY 20, 2016 OF $107,798.74. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR JANIS THOMAS OF 1352 WHISPER WAY, STEVEN JOHNSON OF 1209 WHISPER WAY, AMY BROWN OF 208 KIRSCH, DAMIEN DAWSON OF 1205 WHISPER WAY, AND JIM BATTS OF 707 LICKLITER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE POOL ADJUSTMENT OF ANDREW AND ALICE FREEMAN OF 1207 WHISPER WAY AS IT DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE SEWER ADJUSTMENT OF CHARLES WILLIAMS AT 217 NORTH MADISON AS THE WATER WENT INTO THE SEWER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROJECTS THAT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED INTO AT THE NEW CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED WE NEEDED TO RESURFACE THE LOT, POSSIBLY REVERSE THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT, INSPECT THE GENERATOR, AND DECIDE ON MODE OF ACCESS TO THE BUILDING, SIGNAGE, LANDSCAPING, ELEVATOR CONTRACT, AND PURCHASE OF FURNITURE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE A PLAQUE FOR THE NAMES OF ALL PAST MAYORS TO BE DISPLAYED. THE PICTURES CURRENTLY HANGING IN THE COUNCIL ROOM WOULD BE PLACED IN A PHOTO ALBUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW HIMSELF AND CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO PURCHASE OFFICE FURNITURE FOR 1403 SOUTH MAIN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE GENERATOR AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN TO BE TESTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD RATIFIED THEIR CONTRACT FOR FOUR YEARS BEGINNING MAY 1, 2016 AND GOING THROUGH APRIL 30, 2020. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS UNION CONTRACT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE TO MOVE THE MONUMENTS THAT ARE LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CURRENT CITY HALL. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS TO MOVE THEM WITH THE NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT OR POSSIBLY MOVE THEM TO THE CEMETERY.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT THE ORDINANCES TO BE PASSED.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-13 ADDING ARTICLE III TO CHAPTER 36 ENTITLED “SIMPLIFIED TELECOMMUNICATIONS TAX”. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE THAT MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-14 ADDING ARTICLE IV TO CHAPTER 36 ENTITLED “GAS TAX”. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-15 ADDING ARTICLE V TO CHAPTER 36 ENTITLED “ELECTRICITY TAX”. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-16 FOR A CABLE/VIDEO SERVICE PROVIDER FEE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-18 FOR A CABLE/VIDEO CUSTOMER PROTECTION ORDINANCE. COMMISSIONER MILLER. MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO BE MADE APPROVING ORDINANCE #16-18 ADOPTING THE UPDATED REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE TIRE PICKUP WAS A SUCCESS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BENTON PUBLIC LIBRARY RECENTLY HAD A 100 YEAR CELEBRATION THAT HE TOOK PART IT. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE BCHS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2016. THEY RECEIVED $800,000.00 IN SCHOLARSHIPS.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH A SEWER BACK UP AT TWIN OAKS DURING A WEDDING RECEPTION. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO REFUND THE RENTAL AND DEPOSIT TO THIS COUPLE. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, FUTIVA REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN PYLE ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. HE STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING FUTIVA TO THE RESIDENTS OF BENTON. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PROVIDED MR. PYLE WITH COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE’ S PHONE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY SPEAK.

NO NEW BUSINESS.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, JULIE PAYNE-HUBLER STATED THAT THE MENDENHAL BUILDING ON EAST MAIN HAS BECOME AN EYE SORE AND SHE WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO CLEAN IT UP.

TOM CARTER SUGGESTED THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN FIRE BOARD SHOULD BE AT A COUNCIL MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.

ROCKY MORRIS STATED THAT HE STILL DOES NOT HAVE AN ACCURATE NUMBER OR AIRPLANES IN AND OUT OF THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND WAS WONDERING IF THE COUNCIL COULD GET THAT INFORMATION FOR HIM.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN MARKETING THE AIRPORT. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT IN 2017 THERE IS TO BE A SOLAR ECLIPSE AND THAT OUR AREA IS THE PRIME VIEWING AREA. MAYOR KONDRITZ WOULD LIKE OUR AIRPORT TO BE USED DURING THIS TIME.

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

7:08 P.M.