CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — JUNE 22, 2020

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 22, 2020 AT 6:00 P.M.   PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 ISSUED MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY TELEPHONE CONFERENCE AND COMPUTER ATTENDANCE ONLY FOR THE PUBLIC. THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL MET IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS. 

 

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT IN PERSON.   COMMISSIONER PERKINS WAS PRESENT VIA TELEPHONE

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 8, 2020.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PARTIAL PAYMENT #3 TO WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,050.48.  COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT THIS WAS THE FINAL PAYMENT ON THIS PROJECT.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  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 #00617 TO ENERGY CULVERT FOR DRAINAGE TILE IN THE AMOUNT OF $656.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED DAVE HARP OF CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL ON THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT.  MR. HARP STATED THAT A COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING IS SET TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00019 TO EMERGENCY REPORTING FOR STATE MANDATED REPORTING SOFTWARE ANNUAL PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,420.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 

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 PURCHASE ORDER #00020 TO MID AMERICA FIRE AND SAFETY FOR 100 FT SECTIONS OF 5” HOSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $654.00.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  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 PURCHASE ORDER #00021 TO SENSIT TECHNOLOGY FOR REPAIR OF 4 GAS HAZMAT MONITORS IN THE AMOUNT OF $707.10.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING OF NEW FIREFIGHTER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING RESOLUTION #2020-01.  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 PAYROLL FOR 06/12/2020 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,251.18 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,440.31 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $103,691.49.  COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THIS MOTION.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT ALL CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MAILER REGARDING THE CENSUS.  SHE STATED THAT FILLING OUT YOUR CENSUS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR FUNDING OF OUR COMMUNITY. 

 

CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT BARGAINING AGREEMENTS WERE CONTINUING WITH ALL THREE UNIONS. 

 

UNDER UPDATES FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ILLINOIS WILL BE MOVING TO PHASE 4 OF THE RESTORE ILLINOIS PLAN ON JUNE 26, 2020. 

 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCER DAVID GARAVALIA TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING CLEANUP OF 1002 NORTH MCLEANSBORO STREET PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF COURT ORDER ENTERED FEBRUARY 19, 2020.  MR. GARAVALIA PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PICTURES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OF THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS THE COURT ORDER THAT WAS ENTERED IN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2020.  AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GIVE THE HOMEOWNER FIVE (5) DAYS’ NOTICE TO CLEAN THE PROPERTY OR THE CITY WILL CLEAN THE PROPERTY AND FILE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCER DAVID GARAVALIA TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING A PROPOSAL BY CHRIS MENCHOWSKI TO DEMOLISH CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT 511 EAST SMITH STREET, PARCEL #08-18-428-010.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,100.00 , INCLUDING DIRT, AND THE CITY WILL PAY FOR THE DUMPSTERS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.   YEAS:  4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH,

 

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED ITEMS (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF WORKFACE REDUCTION AND (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEGOTIATING BARGAINING AGREEMENTS WILL BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 

 

UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT SHE AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WILL BE AT THE FARMER’S MARKET ON JUNE 25, 2020 TO HELP CITIZENS FILL OUT THE CENSUS . 

 

IN OLD BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DAVID GARAVALIA ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.  MR. GARAVALIA STATED THAT A PROPOSAL WAS GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL BY HIM EMBERTON TO REMOVE SPECIFIED ITEMS FROM THE REAL ESTATE OF 1107 HIGHLAND STREET PURSUANT TO COURT ORDER AND SUGGESTION BY GENERAL COMMISSIONERS TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE IN JUNE OF 2020 AS PER COUNCIL ACTION ON DECEMBER 23, 2019.  THE ITEM WAS TABLED AT THAT TIME WHILE PURSUING ASSISTANCE FROM VOLUNTEER OR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.  AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO NOTIFY THE HOMEOWNER THAT THEY HAD FIVE (5) DAYS TO CLEAN UP THE PROPERTY, OR THE CITY WOULD PURSUE CLEAN UP THROUGH MR. EMBERTON AND A LIEN WOULD BE PUT ON THE PROPERTY.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

UNDER NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT AS WE ENTER PHASE 4, THE CITY WILL BEGIN APPLYING PENALTIES TO WATER BILLS AS WELL AS SENDING DISCONNECTION NOTICES OUT AGAIN. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT ANOTHER SQUAD CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY SOMEONE WHO WAS BEING ARRESTED.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS IS THE THIRD SQUAD CAR DAMAGED THIS YEAR. 

 

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, JULIE PAYNE HUBLER ASKED THE COUNCIL IF REND LAKE CONSERVANCY HAD RAISED THEIR RATES ON THE WATER THE CITY PURCHASES FROM THAT ORGANIZATION.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS IS TRUE, BUT THAT INSTEAD OF THE RATE INCREASE OCCURRING IN MAY, THE RATE INCREASE IS NOT SET TO HAPPEN UNTIL JULY OF 2020. 

 

COMMISSIONER STOREY 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 GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS 5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

6:55 P.M. 

 

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

 

COMMISSIONER STORY MADE A MOTION TO HIRE JAMES NEFF AS A FULL TIME FIREMAN FOR $42,999.00 ON A PROBATIONARY BASIS FOR 1 YEAR.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  1.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.  COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE VOTED “NO” BECAUSE HE FELT THERE WERE MORE DISCUSSIONS NEEDED BEFORE THIS DECISION WAS MADE.  COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT MR. NEFF WOULD START IN JULY. 

 

COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATING OF THE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5.  COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.  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 ADJOURN.  SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS.  VOTE WAS TAKEN.  YEAS:  5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.  NAYS:  0. 

 

TIME 8:00 P.M.