MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 8, 2019 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. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 8, 2019. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOTS 67 AND 68 FROM GREG SWINNEY TO STEVE OWENS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001151 TO CHEMCO FOR 20 GALLONS OF WEED KILL AND 30 GALLONS OF BUCCANEER PLUS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,540.50. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH HELD A DISCUSSION REGARDING STOP SIGNS ON WASHINGTON AND CHURCH STREETS THAT HE NO LONGER FEELS ARE NECESSARY. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE THE STOP SIGNS GOING EAST AND WEST ON CHURCH STREET AT THE INTERSECTION OF DAWSON STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE THE STOP SIGNS ON WASHINGTON GOING EAST AND WEST AT THE INTERSECTION OF JESSE STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING 30 MINUTE PARKING ON SCARABOUGH DRIVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE 30 MINUTE PARKING ON TOLER DRIVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF DAVID FILKINS FOR THE POSITION OF FULL-TIME PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER TO BEGIN EMPLOYMENT ON JULY 9, 2019 AT 7 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $309,817.20. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,918.87, FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,829.85, AND AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,100.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $92,848.72. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR DIANA DILLARD OF 1011 ELECTION CIRCLE, GARY JONES OF 1101 E BOND STREET, ROBERT PULFREY OF 810 SOUTH MAIN STREET, AND AUTO CREDIT/TAYLOR MOTORS OF 1629 NORTH MAIN STREET AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR CRYSTAL BRUEGGE OF 500 EAST SMITH STREET, MICHAEL SHOCKLEY OF 1006 DIAMOND STREET, VAN SNYDER OF 810 FAIRLAND, TIFFANY REIDELBERGER OF 205 ELECTION STREET, JOHN WILSON OF 406 NORTH MAIN STREET, DAMIAN DAWSON OF 1205 WHISPERWAY, BRENT PEACH OF 741 AND SHERIDAN DRIVE AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF LYNSEY HOPKINS FOR THE POSITION OF FULL TIME WATER CLERK/DEPUTY CITY CLERK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DENY A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR MICHAEL BENNS OF 503 NORTH STOTLAR AS IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG LOST HER CITY LONGEVITY WHEN SHE MOVED FROM THE POSITION OF WATER CLERK/DEPUTY CITY CLERK. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT CRAIG IS THE ONLY PERSON WITH THE CITY TO HAVE LOST LONGEVITY THROUGH THE SWITCHING OF DEPARTMENTS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO RESTORE LONGEVITY FOR THE CITY CLERK ALONG WITH BACK PAY FOR THE YEARS OF SERVICE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE RESIDENTIAL TRASH CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS CONTRACT HAD AN OPTION FOR TWO (2) FOUR (4) YEAR EXTENSIONS. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO NEGOTIATE AN EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) WAS TO BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 116 SOUTH MCLEANSBORO STREET REGARDING PLACEMENT OF A NEW HOME. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 116 SOUTH MCLEANSBORO STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED THAT HE HAD REQUESTED INFORMATION THROUGH FOIA REGARDING THE NEW HIRE FOR WATER MAINTENANCE. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT GIVEN THIS INFORMATION AND WAS NOT SURE THAT THE PROCESS WAS DONE FAIR OR THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON WAS HIRED. COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE SAT IN ON EVERY INTERVIEW AND HE ASSURED MR. CARTER THAT THE PERSON WHO WAS RIGHT FOR THE POSITION WAS WHO WAS HIRED.
JULIE PAYNE-HUBLER STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS IS WORKING ON AN AWARDS SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WHO TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR PROPERTY AND FOR THOSE WHO DO IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL. THE BOARD IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE AWARD SYSTEM AND WILL UPDATE THE COUNCIL AT A LATER DATE.
ROCKY MORRIS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE CITY PLANS ON DOING WITH THE PROPERTY LOCATED DIRECTLY SOUTH OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HOSPITAL. MR. MORRIS ALSO QUESTIONED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND CODE ENFORCER DAVID GARAVALIA’S WORKING HOURS AS WELL AS WHY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND DAVID GARAVALIA’S ECONOMIC INTEREST STATEMENTS WERE NOT IDENTICAL.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR RACHEL GARTNER STATED SHE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BENTON/WEST CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS WELL AS THE ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS REGARDING THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY THAT TOOK PLACE ON JULY 6, 2019.
ANDY LAMONT UPDATED THE CITY COUNCIL ON HIS RECYCLING EFFORTS FOR THE CITIZENS OF BENTON. MR. LAMONT STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CITY FOR A DONATION TO HELP WITH THE HAULING OFF OF THE RECYCLABLE ITEMS. THE COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY WOULD DISCUSS THIS AND IT WOULD BE PLACED ON AN AGENDA IN THE FUTURE.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (A) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACQUISITION AND/OR SALE OF REAL ESTATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:45 P.M.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GO BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:20 P.M.
FOR ITEM 9 (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SALE/FUTURE USE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF FRANKLIN HOSPITAL, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ, DAVE GARAVALIA, AND ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FRANKLIN HOSPITAL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS A MOTION TO ADJOURN . SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
TIME 7:25 P.M.
