MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2021 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.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE MEETING BY EXTENDING THE ENTIRE CITY OF BENTON’S CONDOLENCES TO ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THE LOSS OF HIS BROTHER. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE MALKOVICH FAMILY WOULD BE IN THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF THE ENTIRE COUNCIL. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH THANKED THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR KIND WORDS.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE NOVEMBER 23, 2020 MINUTES HAD A TYPO THAT HAS BEEN CORRECTED. THE DATE WAS ACCIDENTALLY PUT IN AS NOVEMBER 28, 2020. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CORRECTED CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2020. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 28, 2020 REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00624 TO BENTON SUPER LUBE FOR SIX (6) NEW TIRES WITH BALANCE, MOUNTING, AND DISPOSAL OF OLD TIRES FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $984.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE FINALIZATION OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO PAY INVOICE #6 TO BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR THE NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,053.78. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE AIRPORT PROJECTS. MR. HARRISON SAID THAT THE TERMINAL PROJECT IS WRAPPING UP AND HE BELIEVES IT WILL BE COMPLETE IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS. HE STATED THAT THE PAY AT THE PUMP FUEL PUMP WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE AIRPORT IS WORKING ON SOME PROJECTS AND HE WILL KEEP THE BOARD UP TO DATE WITH WHAT IS BEING PLANNED.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO HAVE THE ATTORNEY PREPARE AN ORDINANCE FOR A TWO WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF PUTNAM AND NORTH BROWN STREET FOR EAST AND WEST BOUND TRAFFIC. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SAID THAT THERE ARE NO STOP SIGNS THERE AND THEY HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CITIZENS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CHANGE ORDER FROM SAMRON MIDWEST FOR THE EAST MAIN PARKING LOT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,232.64 FOR EXCAVATION AND DECORATIVE ROCK CREDIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PAY ESTIMATE TO SAMRON MIDWEST IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,454.86. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS AMOUNT INCLUDED THE CHANGE ORDER THAT THE COUNCIL HAD JUST APPROVED FOR THE EAST MAIN PARKING LOT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO BUSINESS TO DISCUSS.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $327,184.87. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED JANUARY 8, 2021 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,604.48 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,145.99 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $94,750.47. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
NO UPDATES FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF CONTINUING UNION NEGOTIATIONS, WOULD BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LIQUOR/GAMING LICENSE FEE WAIVERS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD ASKED EACH DEPARTMENT TO GET TOGETHER A LIST OF SURPLUS INVENTORIES AND THE COUNCIL COULD DECIDE AT A FUTURE DATE WHO TO DISPERSE THESE ITEMS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ABOUT ONCE A YEAR HE LIKES THE COUNCIL TO REVIEW THE CODE OF CONDUCT ORDINANCE AND REPORT BACK TO HIM IF THEY SEE ANY AREAS THEY BELIEVE NEED TO BE DISCUSSED.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ZONING ADMINISTER/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CONTRACT.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY INTERFERED WITH ANOTHER DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY AND HE WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY APOLOGIZE TO COMMISSIONER STOREY. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE APOLOGY WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND THAT MR. MILES WOULD HAVE TO WORK REALLY HARD TO MAKE UP FOR THE TROUBLE HE CAUSED.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA 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 MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:24 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:58 P.M.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DISCIPLINE WILLIAM J. GALLOWAY ACCORDING TO CONTRACT BY 30-DAY UNPAID SUSPENSION AFTER HE RETURNS FROM HIS WORKER’S COMPENSATION INJURY. AFTER A MINUTE, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:00 P.M.
