MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 13, 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 COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND COMMISSIONER STOREY WERE ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TRANSFER LAKE LOT LEASE #119A AND #119B FROM THE BETTY J JONES TRUST TO DANIEL AND SHERRIE HAMMONDS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ONLY THING HE NEEDED TO REPORT ON HIS DEPARTMENT WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE A BID OPENING FOR PAINTING OF THE WATER TOWER ON JULY 7, 2022.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ONLY THINGS HE NEEDS TO REPORT ON HIS DEPARTMENT ARE THAT THERE WILL BE A BID OPENING ON JULY 6, 2022 FOR THE 2023 MFT PROGRAM AND HE WILL BE HAVING A MEETING WITH CITY ENGINEER RODNEY POTTS FOR CURBS ON WASTENA AND TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH LINCOLN DRIVE.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00059 TO LARRY J FREDERICKS, LLC FOR BALLISTIC HELMETS AND POINT-BLANK STEEL CARRIER VESTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,688.40. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00373 TO WITMER PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP FOR A PART OF GLOBE BOOTS TO REPLACEMENT BOOTS WITH HOLES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $517.85. THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING JAMES PRITCHARD AS A POLICE OFFICER. CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT OFFICER JAMES PRITCHARD HAD SUBMITTED A LETTER NOTIFYING THE MERIT BOARD, CHIEF, AND CITY COUNCIL THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING MATT WARREN AS A FIREFIGHTER. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT MR. WARREN HAS PASSED ALL BACKGROUND AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HIRE MR. WARREN AS A FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER AT THIS TIME TO HELP CUT DOWN ON OVERTIME THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY VACATIONS AND SUCH. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF MATT WARREN AS A FIREFIGHTER. THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FELT HIRING OF PERSONNEL SHOULD BE DONE WITH A FULL COUNCIL AND THEREFORE HE DID NOT FEEL HE COULD SECOND THE MOTION AT THIS TIME. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,278.20. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,322.84, FIRE DEPARTMENT BACKPAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,275.13, AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,685.89 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,283.86. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PAYROLL. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED AN INVOICE FOR DO YOUR PART RECYCLING IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,400.00. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PAY DO YOUR PART $2,400.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR HIMSELF.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
UNDER ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF INCREASING SECURITY MEASURES AT CITY HALL, A DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING BULLET PROOF GLASS AND BULLET PROOF WALLS. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDS TO EXAMINE AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF DAVID BOOKER’S REQUEST TO RAISE THE COST OF MOWING OF NUISANCE LAWNS DUE TO HIGHER COST OF FUEL. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA HAS REQUESTED THAT THE DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO RAISE PAYMENT BE BASED UPON HOW THE COUNCIL VOTED TO RAISE OR NOT RAISE PAYMENT FOR CITY OWNED PROPERTY MOWING. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO DENY THIS REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN PAY TO KEEP IN LINE WITH THE REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE IN CITY OWNED PROPERTY MOWING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PAPERWORK FOR VACATING A PORTION OF PARK STREET. IT WAS STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD STILL MAINTAIN AN EASEMENT OF THIS STREET. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED A FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY AKASH PATEL. REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE $5,000.00 AND ESTIMATED COMPLETE DATE OF THIS PROJECT IS OCTOBER 1, 2022. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS FAÇADE GRANT APPLICATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LEASING A LOT IN THE BENTON INDUSTRIAL TIF UNTIL A FUTURE DATE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (H) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUENINGER AVIATION. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF A HOMELESS PERSON PROBLEM IN THE CITY OF BENTON. DISCUSSION WAS HELD WITH NO SOLUTIONS AGREED UPON. COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DOESN’T BELIEVE WE SHOULD TURN OUR BACK ON THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF VACATING THE SECITN OF PARK STREET WOULD CAUSE ISSUES BECAUSE OF MANHOLES IN THE ROAD. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE IS NO SEWER IN THIS AREA. MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED WHAT THE CITY IS PLANNING TO DO ABOUT ELECTRIC AGGREGATION. CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT THE CITY’S BROKER, REG ANKROM, IS WATCHING THE MARKET CLOSELY. SHE STATED THAT THE CITIZENS WILL BE SWITCHED BACK TO AMEREN AND THAT THE RATE IS PROJECTED TO BE $0.1067 KWH WHERE OTHER SUPPLIERS ARE COMING IN WITH RATES BETWEEN $0.16 KWH AND $0.17 KWH. CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR ELECTRIC SUPPLIER, BUT SHE URGED THEM TO READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE SIGNING OFF ON ANYTHING. MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE CITY PLANS TO CLEAN UP THE MESS IN THE CLARIFIERS AT THE OLD WWTP. MR. CARTER STATED THAT DUCKS ARE BUILDING NESTS IN THEM. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.
COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
6:35 P.M.
