MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY APRIL 11, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2022. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.
MAYOR KONDRITZ READ A POST FROM FACEBOOK REGARDING ALL THE GRAFFITI AROUND TOWN. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT SEVERAL BUSINESSES, THE PARK, AND CAPITAL PARK HAD BEEN VANDALIZED WITH THIS GRAFFITI. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES WOULD BE PROSECUTED.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEMS (C), (D), (E), AND (F).
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO VACATE A PORTION OF CRIP AND COPPLE STREETS. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE VACATING A PORTION OF CRISP STREET AND A PORTION OF COPPLE STREET ADJACENT TO THE CITY OF BENTON STREET DEPARTMENT FACILITY. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM FROM LANA BAIN OF BAIN AND ASSOCIATES. MRS. BAIN’S RECEIPTS SHOWED THAT SHE SPENT A TOTAL OF $6,635.00 AND THEREFORE SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT THROUGH THE GRANT OF $3,317.50. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS APPLICATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE ALSO RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FOR THE DOWNTOWN TIF FAÇADE PROGRAM FROM DAVID KIMMEL OF KIMMEL INSURANCE. MR. KIMMEL PRESENTED RECEIPTS SHOWING HE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $32,000.00 ON HIS PROJECT. THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED REIMBURSEMENT PER PROJECT IS $5,000.00. MR. CALCATERRA ASKED FOR APPROVAL FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO MR. KIMMEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00. THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA PRESENTED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR HEIDI ZSIDO TO OWN AND OPERATE A HOME OCCUPATION (HAIR SALON) AT HER RESIDENCE OF 1354 WHISPER WAY. THIS WAS APPROVED BY THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA PRESENTED AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY DOROTHY VOICE TO OWN AND OCCUPY A SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED AT 411 S. BROWN STREET. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT AN EASEMENT HAS BEEN OBTAINED BY MRS. VOICE AFTER THIS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER. MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT THE VOICE’S WERE INFORMED THEY COULD NOT PLACE THE MOBILE HOME IN THE CITY LIMITS WITHOUT A SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND THEY PLACED THE MOBILE HOME IN THE CITY LIMITS ANY WAY. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THEY WILL BE MAKING HIS JOB HARDER IN THE FUTURE AS THE VOICE’S DID NOT FOLLOW CITY ORDINANCE. MRS. VOICE ASKED IF SHE COULD ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR KONDRITZ ALLOWED THIS. MRS. VOICE STATED THAT THEY HAVE PLACED ALL THEIR RETIREMENT INTO THIS HOME AND IT WILL COST THEM ANOTHER $2,500.00 IF THEY ARE MADE TO MOVE THIS HOME.
AFTER A LENGTHY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF THE VOICE’S MOBILE HOME, COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO LEAVE THE MOBILE HOME WHERE IT IS AND APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF THE MOTION BEING ON THE FLOOR, IT DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA THEN MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DOROTHY VOICE TO OWN AND OCCUPY A SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED AT 411 SOUTH BROWN STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT AN AUCTION WAS HELD AT THE BENTON CITY HALL ON APRIL 9, 2022. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT 102 ALEXANDER DRIVE RECEIVED A BID OF $15,000.00. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BID OF $15,000.00 FOR 102 ALEXANDER DRIVE FROM JIM HUGHES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT 104 ALEXANDER RECEIVED A BID FOR $10,800.00. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BID OF $10,800.00 FOR 104 ALEXANDER FROM JOHN DIETRICH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT 105 ALEXANDER RECEIVED A BID OF $19,200.00. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BID OF $19,200.00 FOR 105 ALEXANDER FROM JOHN DIETRICH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001780 TO C AND C PUMPS AND SUPPLY FOR A NEW LIFT STATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,087.30. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00660 TO COE EQUIPMENT FOR A VACTOR SEWER TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $315,000.00. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT IT WILL TAKE ONE YEAR FOR THIS TRUCK TO BE READY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF LAKE LOTS 12 AND ½ OF 11 FROM JIM AND VICKI PAGE TO DUSTIN AND CHELSEA CRISP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CREATING A FAÇADE PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BENTON THAT ARE NOT IN THE TIF DISTRICT. THE PROGRAM WOULD BE FOR A TOTAL OF $40,000.00 TO BE PAID FROM RESTRICTED FUNDS AND EACH BUSINESS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE UP TO $5,000.00 BACK FROM THE CITY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION # 22-04 FOR FUNDING THE EAST MAIN ROAD PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE NEW FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE DEDICATION ON APRIL 22, 2022 FROM 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. THE PUBLIC SQUARE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT FRANKLIN COUNTY WILL BE STRIPING THE PARKING SPOTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE SQUARE AND THEY HAVE ALSO AGREED TO RESTRIPE THE PARKING SPOTS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SQUARE AS WELL AS REPAINT THE CROSSWALKS.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00053 TO DATAPILOT FOR SOFTWARE RENEWAL FOR COMPUTER FORENSICS IN THE AMOUNT OF $995.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00372 TO DAVE SCHMIDT TRUCK SERVICES FOR REPAIRS TO ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,761.98. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH TO ADDRESS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF CONTINUING UNION NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THEY ARE CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE NEGOTIATING WAGES TO BE ABLE TO HIRE A SIXTH FIREMAN. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $365,357.20. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,401.82 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,176.11 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $101,577.93. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND CITY TREASURER LISA MENO FOR ALL THE WORK SHE HAS DONE TO PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER THIS YEAR.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PLACING THE FY 2022-2023 BUDGET ON DISPLAY AT CITY HALL FOR A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTS FROM EACH DEPARTMENT TO BE READ AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEGINNING IN MAY OF 2022. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENTS COULD SPLIT THE MEETINGS UP AND NOT EVERYONE PRESENT AT THE SAME MEETINGS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
NO UPDATES FROM ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THIS MEETING.
UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND ACTING CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER FOR HOW TUNED IN HE HAS BEEN WITH THE GRAFFITI SITUATION IN TOWN. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ACTING CHIEF FUNKHOUSER IS DEFINITELY THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB AND ASKED WHEN WE COULD APPOINT HIM AS FULL TIME CHIEF. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT WHEN PREVIOUS CHIEF MICHAEL ANDREWS HAS BEEN PAID OUT HIS TIME, THIS COULD TAKE PLACE, AND CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY TO GET THIS COMPLETED.
IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS STILL WORKING ON THE INSTALLATIONS OF PLAYGROUNDS THAT MAYOR KONDRITZ HAD ASKED HIM TO LOOK INTO. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE PROPERTY HE IS LOOKING AT IS IN A TRUST AND HE HAS TWO BANKS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN FUNDING THIS PROJECT. THE PROPERTY USED TO HOUSE THE LINCOLN SCHOOL. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD UPDATE THE COUNCIL AS HE GAINS MORE INFORMATION.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEONE ON THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD LETTING HER KNOW THAT THE CITY CAN HAVE THE BENCHES THAT USED TO BE ON THE COURTHOUSE PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO PLACE THESE BENCHES AT CAPITAL PARK.
ALSO UNDER OLD BUSINESS, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN ASKED TO REVISE THE LANGUAGE IN THE LAKE LOT LEASE FOR LAKE BENTON IN AN EFFORT FOR CERTAIN BANKS TO PROVIDE MORTGAGES FOR THESE PROPERTIES. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL DECIDED NOT TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE. THE COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY APPROVED A LAKE LOT TRANSFER FOR LOT #31, BUT BECAUSE OF THIS LANGUAGE THE FAMILY COULD NOT OBTAIN A MORTGAGE. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL BE REFUNDING THE TRANSFER FEE OF $150.00 AT THE REQUEST OF THE BUYER.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. WILLIAM MCPHERSON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAQUE OF SOME KIND PLACED BY THE MR. A STATUE SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FROM BENTON WILL KNOW WHO THE STATUE IS OF AND WHY IT WAS PLACED THERE. DAVE SEVERIN ASKED IF HE COULD ADDRESS THIS MATTER. MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.
REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN STATED THAT A PLAQUE IS BEING PLACED BY THE COMMITTEE WHO BROUGHT THE STATUE IN. THE PLAQUE WILL HAVE NAMES OF DONORS WHO DONATED OVER $1,000.00 FOR THE PROJECT AND THERE WILL BE A QR CODE TO BE SCANNED BY YOUR SMARTPHONE THAT WILL TELL A STORY.
REPRESENTATIVE SEVERAL SO STATED THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS BEEN PASSED AND REMAPPING IS COMPLETE. IN ADDITION, HE STATED THAT THE PRIMARY WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 28TH THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO BEING DONE IN APRIL. OTHER MATTERS ADDRESSED BY REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN INCLUDED A PORTION OF ROUTE 37 JUST OUTSIDE AND TO THE NORTH OF BENTON BEING RENAMED TO FRANK DUNBAR HIGHWAY, THE LOCAL FUNDS ARE BEING INCREASED A LITTLE BIT, THERE ARE EIGHT NEW SCOOTERS BEING BUILT IN THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS REGION, THERE ARE NEW FLIGHTS FROM CHICAGO TO MARION WITH A PRICE OF AROUND $100.00 PER FLIGHT, AND THERE IS A LINCOLN GOLF TRAIL WITH HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKS. REPRESENTATIVE SEVERIN ALSO STATED THAT FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WILL BE WHEN SESSER HOMECOMING WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG WITH THE SC3DA NATIONAL ARCHERY TOURNAMENT, PARENT’S DAY AT SIU CARBONDALE, AS WELL AS THE MISS ILLINOIS PAGEANT TAKING PLACE IN MARION. DUE TO ALL THE EVENTS, ALL HOTEL ROOMS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ARE BOOKED FOR THAT WEEKEND.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:05 P.M.
