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 PREVIOULSY 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 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 GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A BICYCLE RODEO AT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HELP OF THE BENTON CUB SCOUT PACK 7028 AND THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023 AT 6-7:30 P.M. 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 ACCEPT THE 1-YEAR NOTIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF COLEMAN’S RETIREMENT PER BARGAINING AGREEMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. 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 OR BILLS FOR THIS MEETING.
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.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES.
IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED WORD FROM REG ANKROM WITH SIMEC, THE BROKER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON’S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM. THE MARKET RATE THE CITY HAS BEEN LOCKED IN WITH IS $0.0866. THIS RATE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2023 AND RUN THROUGH JUNE OF 2024.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MADE TO CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02. DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHAT THE CHANGES WERE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THE CHANGES TOOK EMPLOYEES AWAY FROM ONE COMMISSIONER AND PUT OVER HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES UNDER JUST 1 COMMISSIONER. SHE STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THAT WAS TOO MUCH ON 1 COMMISSIONER. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD CHANGE SUPERVISORS WOULD BE THE CITY CLERK, THE WATER CLERK, AND BILLING CLERK. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT THE WATER CLERK AND THE BILLING CLERK DO IS IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD ANSWER TO THE WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ARTICLES IN THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCE THAT ALSO NEED TO BE WORKED ON AND CLEANED UP. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE A VOTE IS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AGREED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE – ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02. 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 HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF LAND FOR CJ LANDS – FRANKLIN, LLC. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS FOR BEN’S LAWN SERVICE. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PETITION FOR ANNEXATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY NEEDED TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSIONER. HE STATED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS’ PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN ON THIS COMMISSIONER. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE THE MEMBER THAT IS APPOINTED AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH AS A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE ARE TERMITES, RUST, AND IN GENERAL FALLING IN OF THE BUILDING CALLED THE WATER BARN. HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS MOLD AS WELL. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS AT BOTH OF THESE PLACES. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR WORK VEHICLES HOME. HE SAID IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THESE MEN ARE CALLED OUT, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE BARN AND RETRIEVE THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO THE EMERGENCY. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS SOUNDED LOGICAL TO HIM.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON ON THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT IS UP FOR RENEWAL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS ITEM WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAD QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING BORROWING MONEY FROM WATER FUNDS. MR. CARTER ASKED IF A FIREMAN WILL BE HIRED BEFORE THE YEAR FOR COLEMAN IS OVER. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE CASE. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES CODY WILLIFORD SHOULD HAVE LIVED IN BENTON OR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE INTO THE CITY LIMITS. MR. CARTER ASKED IF THE COMMISSIONER OVER PUBLIC WORKS WOULD JUST BEFORE CRAIG MILES OR IF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED HIS EMPLOYEES. MR. CARTER STATED THAT CRAIG MILES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NONUNION WITH NO CLAUSE AND BE ON EQUAL GROUND.
KAREN FREEMEN ASKED THE COUNCIL ABOUT A CROSSWALK FOR KOA. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE CITY ENGINEER IN REGARDS TO THIS REQUEST.
COMMISSIONER KAYS 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 COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:55 P.M.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
6:29 P.M.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 2. COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION ADJOURN THE MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
6:32 P.M.
