MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS CALLED OUT OF TOWN FOR AN ILL FAMILY MEMBER AND HAS ASKED FOR PERMISSION TO ATTEND THE MEETING REMOTELY. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER CATHY GARAVALIA TO ATTEND THE MEETING VIA TELEPHONE CONFERENCE. THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ATTENDED VIA PHONE CONFERENCE AND ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT IN PERSON AT CITY HALL.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-03 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS CITY OWNED REAL ESTATE. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. ABSTAINED: 1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED SHE HAD A HARD TIME HEARING THE MOTION OVER THE PHONE AND THEREFORE WOULD ABSTAIN.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ARCGIS PROFESSIONAL BASIC SUBSCRIPTION WITH ESRI THAT INCLUDES EDITING CAPABILITIES FOR ZONING CHANGES AND LAND ANNEXATIONS. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE GIS MAP WE USE THROUGH FRANKLIN COUNTY AND THIS SUBSCRIPTION WOULD COST $700.00. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN ALL MOWING BIDS THAT HAD BEEN RECEIVED IN HER OFFICE. BIDS WERE RECEIVED AS FOLLOWS:
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BRITTON TREE CARE |
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TWIN OAKS |
$600.00/MOW |
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AIRPORT |
$225.00/MOW |
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CITY HALL |
$40.00/MOW |
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POLICE DEPT. |
$40.00/MOW |
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BOOKER’S MOWING SERVICE |
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TWIN OAKS |
$260.00/MOW |
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AIRPORT |
$200.00/MOW |
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CITY HALL |
$40.00/MOW |
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POLICE DEPT. |
$40.00/MOW |
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*1 FREE MOW PER PROPERTY IN |
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MAY IN HONOR OF MEMORIAL DAY |
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RIDLEN LAWNCRARE |
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TWIN OAKS |
$600.00/MOW |
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AIRPORT |
$450.00/MOW |
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CITY HALL |
$50.00/MOW |
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POLICE DEPT. |
$50.00/MOW |
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF THE MOWING BIDS UNTIL ALL INFORMATION COULD BE VERIFIED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN ESTIMATE FROM ALL STARS -N- STITCHES FOR A SIGN AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $920.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW A SURVEY OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT PROPERTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,800.00 TO BE DONE BY JOHN H. CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES FOR INSTALLATION OF A SECURITY FENCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-02 FOR CLOSING OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE FOR THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE DEDICATION ON APRIL 22, 2022 FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICE #21 FOR THE I-57 INTERCHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,460.22 TO CHASTAIN AND ASSOCIATES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00369 TO FIRE APPARATUS AND SUPPLY TEAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $575.49 FOR REPAIR OF A WATER LINE ON ENGINE #803. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00370 TO SANDRY FIRE SUPPLY IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,731.00 FOR HYDRAULIC RAM EXTRICATION MATERIAL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6TH FIREMAN. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF FIRE DEPARTMENT UNION NEGOTIATIONS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF DAKOTAH REED TO THE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADDITION OF MATTHEW WARREN TO THE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF KYLE SYNDER TO THE PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER ROSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SALE OF THE 2011 CHEVY TAHOE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE BID RECEIVED FROM IBID IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,500. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, BILLS, OR PAYROLL TO APPROVE FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) “DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POSITION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT” AND (D) “DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW TITLE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT” IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE FELT THE STREET DEPARTMENT DID A GREAT JOB WORKING ON OUR SNOW- AND ICE-COVERED STREETS THIS YEAR. FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM AND COMMISSIONER STOREY BOTH STATED THAT THE STREETS WERE THE BEST THEY HAD EVER LOOKED DURING A STORM.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE AUDITORS HAD A MEETING WITH THE CITY AND IF THE DISCREPANCY WAS RESOLVED. CITY TREASURER LISA MENO WAS IN THE AUDIENCE AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED HER TO ADDRESS THESE QUESTIONS. MRS. MENO STATED THAT THE DISCREPANCY WAS A TYPO AND THAT THE AUDITORS WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY TO RESOLVE ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS CURRENT AUDIT.
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 COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:38 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:45 P.M.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM 7 (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GIVE CHRISTINE KRAFT A $5,000.00 RAISE ON MAY 1, 2022. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM 7 (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW TITLE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN. CITY TREASURER LISA MENO ASKED IF SHE COULD SPEAK BEFORE THE COUNCIL ADJOURNED. MAYOR KONDRITZ AGREED.
LISA MENO STATED THAT SHE THOUGHT THE COUNCIL WAS VERY KIND AND GENEROUS FOR GIVING CHRISTINE KRAFT A $5,000.00 RAISE AND THEREFORE BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD ALSO AFFORD THE SAME TO THE CITY CLERK, THE BILLING CLERK, AND THE TREASURER POSITIONS. SHE STATED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY AND THAT ALL JOBS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN AND NOT JUST THE POSITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED IF MRS. MENO HAD A NUMBER IN MIND AND SHE STATED THE NUMBER WAS $5,000.00. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THEY COULD TALK ABOUT THIS AT A LATER TIME.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:25 P.M.
