MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 25, 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, COMPUTER ATTENDANCE, AS WELL AS IN PERSON.
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 ATTENDED VIA ZOOM.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 2021 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 #00651 FOR A CHANGE ORDER AND RELEASE OF RETAINER ON THE ROUTE 37 WATERMAIN RELOCATION PROJECT TO WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,134.18. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON AIRPORT EVENTS AND PURCHASE REQUESTS. MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION IS COMING TO A CLOSE AND INSTALLATION OF THE SELF-SERVE PUMP IS VERY NEAR. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE CURRENT INTERNET SERVICE AT THE AIRPORT IS NOT OPTIMAL AND WOULD LIKE PERMISSION TO USE CLEARWAVE FIBER OPTIC BUSINESS INTERNET FOR THE PRICE AT $299.00 MONTHLY. MR. HARRISON ALSO STATED THAT THE TERMINAL WILL NEED A SECURITY CAMERA, A WIRELESS ROUTER TO SERVICE 2500 SQ FT TERMINAL WITH MULTIPLE USERS, A COMPUTER, A PRINTER/COPIER, A COFFEE MACHINE, A TELEVISION, AND A TELEPHONE. MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE TERMINAL WILL NEED TO BE FURNISHED AND THAT HE PLANS ON SEEKING DONATIONS TO HELP WITH THIS. COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE PURCHASES. 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 PAY AN INVOICE TO BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE DESIGN PHASE ON THE NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,938.85. 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 PAY AN INVOICE TO BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR FINAL PAYMENT FOR PLANNING AND SPECIAL SERVICES ON THE NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $926.04. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER PERKINS STATED THAT IDOT HELD A BID LETTING FOR REMARKING OF THE RUNWAY AT THE AIRPORT. FOUR BIDS WERE SUBMITTED, ROADSAFE TRAFFIC SYSTEMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,000.00, RIGHT WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,375.00, STF, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,100.00, AND AXTELL’S, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,900.00. THE LOW BID OF $34,900.00 FROM AXTELL’S, INC. WAS THE WINNING BID.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00625 TO G.L. DOWNS FOR ROOT KILLER, STREET SIGNS, AND HARDWARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,917.85. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #21-01 FOR A TWO WAY STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF PUTNAM AND NORTH BROWN STREET FOR EAST AND WEST BOUND TRAFFIC. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO PAY AN INVOICE TO BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR FINAL PAYMENT FOR THE DESIGN PHASE ON THE NEW TERMINAL BUILDING AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,938.85. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT CAMP MANITOWA HAS APPROACHED HIM SEEKING APPROVAL TO TAKE DOWN AND REMOVE A TREE ON THE NORTH BENTON ROAD TO AID IN MOVING FORWARD WITH AN INSTALLATION PROJECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS ELECTRIC CO-OP. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE GAVE CAMP MANITOWA PERMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND THAT THERE WILL BE NO COSTS INCURRED BY THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THIS.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #0038 TO REED’S HEATING AND AIR FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FURNACE AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,877.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00036 TO ILLINOIS FIRE SERVICE INSTITUTE FOR TWO ADVANCED TECHNICIAN FIREFIGHTER CLASSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,600.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00037 TO ILLINOIS FIRE SERVICE INSTITUTE FOR TWO INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER CERTIFICATION CLASSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $700.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALLOWING THE POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS OF HIRING A NEW POLICE OFFICER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PERKINS. 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 22, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,693.22 AND FOR THE REST OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,798.21 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $91,491.43. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE 10 DAYS OF PAY PER EMPLOYEE FOR COVID-19 IF AN EMPLOYEE IS UNDER QUARANTINE OR IN ISOLATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PRESENTED TWO QUOTES ON MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS FOR THE EVAPAR GENERATOR AT CITY HALL. ONE QUOTE WAS FOR $650.00 AND THE OTHER QUOTE WAS FOR $940.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT HER RECOMMENDATION WAS FOR THE CITY TO AGREE TO A ONE-TIME MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $650.00 AND THEN DO FURTHER RESEARCH BEFORE SIGNING A MULTIYEAR AGREEMENT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS INTO A MOTION. 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 OPEN AN ACCOUNT FOR CARES ACT REIMBURSEMENT. 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 TABLE ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF WALK-UP WINDOW IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD DRAFTED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BROWNING TOWNSHIP FOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE. AT THIS TIME, THE AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN EXECUTED.
UNDER UPDATES, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS RECEIVED HIS FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF UNION CONTRACT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE UNION HAS AGREED TO THE CITY’S COUNTER OFFER FOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ACCUMULATION OF EXTRA CARE DAYS TO INCREASE FROM 12 TO 15 PER YEAR. COMMISSIONER PERKINS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS CHANGE AND TO APPROVE THE UNION CONTRACT WITH UNION LOCAL #318 FOR WATER, SEWER, AND STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED FOR 2021 AS WELL AS THE SD3A TOURNAMENT.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO BEGIN A DISCUSSION ON PEST CONTROL FOR THE CITY OF BENTON FOR 2021. ALSO, UNDER NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT CITY HALL WILL REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON JANUARY 25, 2021 AT 7:30 A.M.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER PERKINS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:45 P.M.
