MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 13, 2016 AT
6 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 23, 2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 12, 2016 SPECIAL CALLED COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER MILLER ABSTAINED.
MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED THERESA BATES WITH FRANKLIN COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE TO APPROACH THE COUNCIL. MAYOR KONDRITZ READ A PROCLAMATION PROCLAIMING JUNE 2016 AS PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE MONTH. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001506 TO HD SUPPLY FOR A 1 ½ INCH METER FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,165.14. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #002263 TO VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING FOR A FLYGTI MP3085.172 GRINDER PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,405.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOW BID OF $59,900.00 FROM EARTH SERVICES FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD WATER PLANT ON GRAND STREET. THE BIDS WERE OPENED AT THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE INVITED BRIAN BUCHHEIT OF HMG ENGINEERS TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. MR. BUCHHEIT UPDATED THE COUNCIL ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT. MR. BUCCHIET PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A BID TABULATION FROM THE BID OPENING HELD ON JUNE 2, 2016. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO CONDITIONALLY APPROVE THE LOW BID OF $14,095,000.00 TO RIVER CITY CONSTRUCTION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHECKLIST REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROFESSIONAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOAN APPLICATION CONTRACT REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT WHEN CITY HALL MOVES TO 1403 SOUTH MAIN, THE RADIO TOWER THAT IS LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCATION OF THE NEW CITY HALL WILL REQUIRE A TALLER TOWER. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO INSTALL A NEW RADIO TOWER AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,953.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO SEEK BIDS FOR SELL AND REMOVAL OF PROPANE TANK LOCATED AT TWIN OAKS LODGE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #16-2 AMENDING RESOLUTION #15-16 TRANSFERRING AND RESTRICTING FUNDS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED HE HAD A FEW UPDATES. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THE WEST MAIN INTERSECTION STRIPING WAS 95% COMPLETED AS WAS THE NORTH MAIN INTERSECTION. COMMISSIONER WYANT ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL AND CHIP AND OVERLAY PROJECTS FOR MFT ARE WAITING ON A BID DATE.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000930 TO MID-AMERICA FIRE FOR 8 FIRE HOSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,783.20. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE MERIT BOARD CONDUCTED TESTING FOR POLICE OFFICERS. THERE WERE 13 INDIVIDUALS WHO TOOK THE TESTING. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT CURRENTLY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS 1 OFFICER DOWN WITH SICKNESS, 1 ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, AND 1 THAT WILL BE HAVING SURGERY.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT A BID HAD BEEN RECEIVED ON FIXING THE TOWER APPARATUS FIRE TRUCK. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE BID WAS FOR $54,555.00 AND THIS DID NOT INCLUDE IF ANY PROBLEMS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. HE ALSO STATED THAT IF THEY WERE TO FIX THE TRUCK, IT WOULD BE OUT OF COMMISSIONER FOR 3-4 MONTHS.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SELLING HUDELSON STREET PROPERTY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PAY MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,562.95. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 06/03/2016 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $58,526.36 AND FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,144.22 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $86,670.58. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR SHIRLEY MAE YON OF 805 NORTH HIGHLAND, ALICE BLASZCZYOSKI OF 204 WEST CAPITAL, AND AMANDA LEWIS OF 616 NORTH WARD. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE SEWER ADJUSTMENT PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL BY ALEX JERRELLS OF 414 NORTH TENTH STREET AS IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR RICK SEDDON OF 600 SOUTH MCLEANSBORO, JOE RIZOR OF 1105 SOUTH POPE, RODNEY BURNETT OF 1207 SOUTH POPE, ALICE WRIGHT OF 405 NORTH BUCHANAN, TAMMY VARGAS OF 630 NORTH BUCHANAN, CURTIS KUBERSKI OF 206 WEST PARK, ROBERTA WATKINS OF 1207 NORTH MAPLE, KEISHA PRITCHARD OF 310 EAST WEBSTER, AND DARRYL LYNCH OF 420 STONEBROOK. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 35 FILE CABINETS AND NUMEROUS BOXES THAT WILL NEED TO BE MOVED TO THE NEW CITY HALL. HE ASKED IF THE COUNCIL FELT WE SHOULD HIRE A MOVING COMPANY OR IF THE MEN THAT WORK FOR THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP MOVE THESE ITEMS. NO DECISION WAS MADE AT THIS TIME.
DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON WHERE TO PLACE THE FLAG POLES AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKED IF ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD GO TO THE PROPERTY AND SEE WHERE THEY THOUGHT THE POLES SHOULD BE PLACED.
DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON WHERE TO MOVE THE DIGITAL SIGN CURRENTLY LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN. NO DECISION WAS MADE AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED REMODELING PROPOSALS FOR 1403 SOUTH MAIN. THE FIRST PROPOSAL WAS FROM LEE MESSERSMITH FOR A TOTAL OF $12,600.00. THE SECOND PROPOSAL WAS FROM PAUL MILLER CONSTRUCTION CO. IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,664.28. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LOW PROPOSAL OF $12,600.00 FROM LEE MESSERSMITH FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW OFFICES AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS THE CITY HALL HAS USED CTS PHONE SYSTEMS. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT OUR CONTRACT WAS COMING TO AN END AND A NEW CONTRACT NEEDED TO BE SIGNED. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO SIGN A 5-YEAR CONTRACT WITH CTS PHONE SYSTEMS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WE NEED TO DO A DETAILED CLEANING OF 1403 SOUTH MAIN AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION HAS COMPLETED AND BEFORE CITY HALL EMPLOYEES MOVE IN TO THE BUILDING. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT AN ESTIMATE FROM KEENER’S CLEANERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $250.00 FOR A DETAILED CLEANING OF THE TOP FLOOR AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN AFTER CONSTRUCTION HAS COMPLETED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED RESOLUTION #16-3 FOR PAY RAISES FOR NONUNION EMPLOYEES WITH THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #16-3. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO FURTHER MEETINGS SCHEDULED WITH THE STREET, WATER, AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS REGARDING UNION CONTRACTS.
UNDER UPDATES, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE ANTIQUE CAR MUSEUM WAS PAINTED BY TIM NORMAN. MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT ELIJAH SENTIL DONATED SOME HOSTA PLANTS FOR TWIN OAKS AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLANTED. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER MILLER IF HE COULD GET A DIAGRAM OF WHERE THE NEW FENCE WILL BE PLACED AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, FUTIVA REPRESENTATIVES WERE PRESENT. THEY ASKED THE CITY IF THEY HAD MADE A DECISION ON ALLOWING THE COMPANY TO BRING FIBER TO THE CITY. COMMISSIONER WYANT ASKED THAT HE BE ALLOWED TO MEET WITH THEM REGARDING THIS. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ALSO STATED THAT HE AND WATER AND SEWER SUPERINTENDENT STEVE SHOULTZ MEET WITH FUTIVA REGARDING BURYING OF THE FIBER.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY FOR AN UPDATE ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FLOOR AND THE FOREIGN FIRE BOARD. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FLOOR REPAIRS WILL BEGIN IN 1 WEEK. HE STATED THAT NO ONE CAN BE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DURING THIS TIME AND THEREFORE TENTS WILL BE SET UP OUTSIDE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FIREMEN TO BE IN. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH THE FOREIGN FIRE BOARD ABOUT ATTENDING A COUNCIL MEETING. COMMISSIONER STOREY TOLD MR. CARTER THAT THE BOARD WOULD NOT BE ATTENDING A COUNCIL MEETING, BUT THEY WERE EXTENDING AN INVITATION TO HIM TO ATTEND ONE OF THEIR MEETINGS.
MELVIN DIXON APPROACHED THE COUNCIL. MR. DIXON STATED THAT AT 604 NORTH MADISON THERE IS AN ABANDONED HOME THAT HAS A WEED PROBLEM. MR. DIXON WAS TOLD THAT THE CITY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.
JULIE PAYNE-HUBLER ASKED WHERE THE MONEY FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD WATER PLANT WOULD COME FROM. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT THERE WAS $40,000.00 FOR THIS IN THE BUDGET AND HE WOULD MEET WITH FINANCE COMMISSIONER MILLER TO DISCUSS THE REMAINING PORTION.
ROCKY MORRIS STATED THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN SEEING A POLICY SET IN PLACE TO KEEP TRACK OF TIME FOR THE AIRPORT CARETAKER. MR. MORRIS MENTIONED A TIME CLOCK BEING IMPLEMENTED. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE AIRPORT CARETAKER WILL BEGIN KEEPING A TIME SHEET LIKE THE OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY DO.
COMMISSIONER MILLER 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 STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER
WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:30 P.M.
NO ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:35 P.M.
