Council Meeting Minutes — November 28, 2016

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2016 AT
6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH 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 APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 14, 2016 REGULAR SESSION 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 MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000896 TO ALAN ENVIRONMENTAL FOR GREASE GOBLIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $845.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT ALL THE PAPERS REGARDING THE LOAN FOR THE NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HAVE BEEN SIGNED. HE SAID THE CONSTRUCTION MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND THEN THE GROUND BREAKING WOULD HAPPEN SOON.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-24 MAKING CARLTON STREET AND MAPLE STREET INTERSECTION A FOUR-WAY STOP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-25 CLOSING AN ALLEY IN BLOCK 13 OF THE R.L. HAYES’ ADDITION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-26 CLOSING AN ALLEY LOCATED BETWEEN LOTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6 IN TEDROW ADDITION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED MADE A MOTION TO HIRE JEREMY WATKINS AS A PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT OFFICER WATKINS WOULD BE ATTENDING ACADEMY IN JANUARY OF 2017. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE A DISCUSSION OF PURCHASING TABLETS FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS UNTIL FURTHER RESEARCH COULD BE DONE INTO THIS PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE THE “UNLOADING ZONE ONLY” SIGNS ON THE SQUARE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS 5: COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SAVED $5,000.00 TOWARDS THE K9 UNIT.

COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CURT ERWIN TO GIVE THE COUNCIL AN UPDATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT. MR. ERWIN STATED THAT THE PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL IS 90% COMPLETE. MR. ERWIN STATED THAT CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF JANUARY.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 11/18/16 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,910.70 AND FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,282.59 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,193.29. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. 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 SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR RAYMOND BEATY OF 1111 ANNA STREET AND LISA PATE OF 808 MICHAEL DRIVE AS THEY BOTH MEET THE CRITERIA SET FOR 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 MADE A MOTION TO TABLE A DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF FRANKLIN COUNTY TRUSTEE HOUSES AT A COST OF $646.00 PER HOUSE UNTIL COMMON ADDRESSES WERE PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL. 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 HAVE AN EMPLOYEE LUNCHEON AND NO CHRISTMAS BONUSES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER WYANT.

COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RATES HAD RISEN $2,000.00 PER MONTH FOR THE YEAR OF 2017.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACQUIRE AN APPRAISAL ON THE CITY OWNED STUYVESANT PROPERTY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY OF BENTON’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS WAS A SUCCESS. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE BENTON AND WEST CITY FIREMEN BOTH WORKED VERY HARD HANGING LIGHTS AND HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THEM ON THEIR SERVICE.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ORDINANCE #16-27 AMENDING BUSINESS CODE, ARTICLE IV, COIN-OPERATED MACHINES. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ORDINANCE AND STATED A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE APPROVING THIS ORDINANCE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-27 INCREASING COIN-OPERATED MACHINE YEARLY FEES TO $250.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ORDINANCE #16-28 AMENDING THE LIQUOR CODE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ORDINANCE AND STATED A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE APPROVING THIS ORDINANCE. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-28 INCREASING LIQUOR LICENSE YEARLY FEES BY $250.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ORDINANCE #16-29 AMENDING THE LIQUOR CODE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ORDINANCE AND STATED A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE APPROVING THIS ORDINANCE. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-29 AMENDING SUNDAY PERMITS AND HOURS OF OPERATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ORDINANCE #16-30 AMENDING THE BUILDING CODE, SECTION 25-5-2. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE ORDINANCE AND STATED A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE APPROVING THIS ORDINANCE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-30 DECREASING THE TIME FRAME FROM 30 DAYS TO 15 DAYS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT A CHANGE ORDER HAD BEEN ISSUED BY CURT ERWIN CONSTRUCTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,670.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE VETERAN’S SERVICE OFFICER CURRENTLY LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN SHOULD BE RELOCATED BY THE END OF JANUARY 2017.

ALSO UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED HE HAD RECEIVED AN AIRPORT BOARD RESIGNATION FROM STEVE BROWNING. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION FROM STEVE BROWNING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COLLEGIATE COMMON MARKET STATING THAT THEIR PROGRAM HAD BEEN REASSIGNED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2017. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THERE IS A MEETING SET TO TAKE PLACE REGARDING THIS ON JANUARY 10, 2017 AT 9 A.M. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS WAS A GOOD PROGRAM AND THAT HE WOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE OF THIS MEETING.

UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, JULIE PAYNE-HUBLER ASKED THAT IF THERE WAS A POLICY IN PLACE THAT WOULD REQUIRE A POLICE OFFICER TO REPAY HIS SCHOOLING COSTS IF HE DID NOT STAY WITH THE CITY A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME. THE COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.

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 BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

6:55 P.M.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

7:15 P.M.

NO ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

7:30 P.M.