MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 12, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED GAVIN GENISIO TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH READ A PROCLAMATION FOR MR. GENISIO RECOGNIZING HIM ON HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE TRACK TEAM AND HIS RECENT 1ST PLACE CHAMPIONSHIP IN STATE IN THE 1600-METER RUN.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MR. BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FEE INCREASE TO $250.00 FOR THE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES TO ACCOMMODATE FRANKLIN COUNTY. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE COUNTY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FILE OUR TRANSFERS WITHOUT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK BEING COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY THE CITY AND THEREFORE HE FELT AN ADDITIONAL FEE SHOULD BE ADDED TO COVER THE WORK BEING COMPLETED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS FEE HAS NOT BEEN INCREASED AT ALL OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO INCREASE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FEE TO $250.00 PER LOT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO OPEN THE SEALED JANITORIAL BIDS THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CITY FOR THE CLEANING OF CITY HALL, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TWIN OAKS, AND THE AIRPORT. CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT TWO BIDS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. THE FIRST BID WAS FROM KEENER’S CLEANERS AND WAS FOR $143.75 WEEKLY FOR THE CITY HALL, $143.75 FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, $143.75 MONTHLY FOR THE BENTON AIRPORT, AND $150.00 WEEKLY FOR THE TWIN OAKS LODGE. THE SECOND BID WAS RECEIVED FROM PRIZM SERVICES AND WAS FOR $600.00 A MONTH AT CITY HALL UPSTAIRS, $115.00 PER MONTH FOR CITY HALL DOWNSTAIRS, $585.00 MONTHLY FOR THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, $90.00 PER MONTH AT THE AIRPORT, AND $145.00 AS NEEDED AT THE TWIN OAKS LODGE. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO STAY WITH KEENER’S CLEANERS WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY DONE THE JANITORIAL WORK, IS A LOCAL VENDOR, AND HAD THE LOWER BID. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS BE ABLE TO DRIVE THEIR CITY VEHICLES HOME FROM WORK. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THEY ARE CALLED OUT, THIS COULD SAVE TIME. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE LETTING THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENTS DRIVE THEIR CITY ISSUED VEHICLES HOME FROM WORK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT SHOULD BE STARTING ANY DAY NOW. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN ON THE SUMMER ROAD PROGRAM SOON.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00106 TO ZURCHER TIRE, INC. FOR 4 GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $594.98. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00109 TO LARRY FREERICKS, LLC FOR 1 POINT BLANK LEVEL II B-5 BALLISTIC VEST FOR THE NEW HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $690.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00105 TO RAY O’HERRON FOR NEW HIRE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,406.49. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LATERAL HIRE OF BRIAN CUNNINGHAM, JR. WITH A STARTING WAGE OF 18 MONTHS ON THE PAY SCALE IN THE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND A START DATE OF JUNE 14, 2023. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED OFFICER CUNNINGHAM TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORE OFFICER CUNNINGHAM IN AT THAT TIME.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-05 AMENDING RANK OF ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE DATE OF 05/26/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,574.29 AND THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT FOR A TOTAL OF $25,206.99 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,781.28. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE DATE OF 06/09/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,429.98 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,745.70 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,205.68. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $294,819.55, OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,470.14, AND MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,833.67 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $356,123.36. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,732.17 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,952.71 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,684.88. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A REVISION TO THE ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACT. COMMISSIONER KAYS EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS MADE, THE SALARY WAS NOT PUT IN CORRECTLY. THE CHANGE BEING MADE RAISED FROM $48,000.00 TO $48,960.00. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-12 AMENDING THE PREVIOUSLY PASSED PAY RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE ONLY CHANGE TO THIS RESOLUTION IS THE REMOVAL OF THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AS HE IS NOW UNDER CONTRACT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ZOBRIO SERVICE AGREEMENT. HE STATED THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS NECESSARY FOR OUR AP AND PAYROLL SYSTEM FOR UPDATES AND TO RUN NECESSARY REPORTS TO COMPLETE OUR TASKS NECESSARY TO RUN THESE PROGRAMS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE BID PROCESS FOR ACQUIRING A TRASH SERVICE CONTRACT. THE CITY’S CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES ON JULY 31, 2023. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES.
IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT OVER THE WEEKEND THE AIRPORT HAD ITS FIRST FOOD TRUCK FLY IN AND A CONCERT ON THE SQUARE AND THAT BOTH HAD A GOOD RESPONSE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THIS COMING WEEK THE S3DA TOURNAMENT WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN OUR REGION AND THAT THE LITTLE BIG BAND WILL BE PERFORMING A FREE CONCERT ON THE SQUARE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF FUN THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS SUMMER.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD A PURCHASE ORDER FOR ALL STARS-N-STITCHES TO PLACE A SIGN AT THE GRAND STREET PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $325.00 THAT WILL BE PAID FOR WITH LEFT OVER FUNDS FROM THE BUILDING OF THE PLAYGROUND. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00481 TO ALL STARS-N-STITCHES IN THE AMOUNT OF $325.00 FOR A SIGN AT THE GRAND STREET PLAYGROUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD A PURCHASE ORDER FOR MULCH TO BE PLACED AT THE GRAND STREET PLAYGROUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,334.00. HE STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID FOR FROM FUNDS LEFT FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLAYGROUND. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00482 TO WAL-MART FOR GROUND SMART RUBBER MULCH IN THE COLOR OF ESPRESSO BLACK IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,334.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT TODD THOMAS TO THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT BOARD. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEMS (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PLAT OF RE-SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS THE JRN SUBDIVISION, (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION TO REZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 504 E. WEBSTER STREET FROM I-1 TO R-3, (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION TO REZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 502 E. WEBSTER STREET FROM I-1 TO R-3, AND (H) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT SUBMITTED BY LINDA KLEINE TO OCCUPY AN EXISTING SINGLE WIDTH MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 502 E. WEBSTER.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE PLAT OF RE-SUBDIVISION HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT THE PLAT BE TABLED BY THE CITY COUNCIL UNTIL ZONING CAN BE CORRECTED TO EITHER MATCH THE PROPOSED LOT LINES OR REFLECT THE SAME ZONING. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL MOVE FORWARD WITH APPROVING THE PLAT AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PLAT OF RE-SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS THE JRN SUBDIVISION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 502 AND 504 E. WEBSTER STREET FROM I-1 TO R-3. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
- CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT SUBMITTED BY LINDA KLEINE TO OCCUPY AN EXISTING SINGLE WIDTH MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 502 E. WEBSTER STREET. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER HAVE APPROVED THIS APPLICATION. HE STATED THAT THIS MOBILE HOME IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE TO THE HOME AND PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED THE NEW AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02. AT THIS TIME THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS, TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTIES, OR TO THE STREETS AND IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE REPAIRS TO THE ROOF AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS IN THE DISCOVERY PHASE. COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO STATED HE HAS A MEETING THIS UPCOMING WEEK WITH BOB REA REGARDING CYBERSECURITY COVERAGE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO STATED THAT HE WILL BE MEETING WITH ATTORNEY MALKOVICH AS WELL AS MELISSA AND DAMIEN IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS THE CREATION OF A BAD DEBT POLICY.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:46 P.M.
