MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS¸ AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED EMMA SWEELY FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY EDGE PROGRAM TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MISS SWEELY STATED THAT EVERY YEAR THE EDGE PROGRAM DOES A FUNDRAISER TO START THEIR BUSINESSES. MISS SWEELY STATED THAT THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM WOULD LIKE TO PUT A RODEO ON AND HOST THE RODEO ON THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT GROUNDS ON NOVEMBER 4, 2023 PUT ON BY THE WHIPPOORWILL RODEO. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE GROUP HAS MET WITH AIRPORT MANAGER MATT HARRISON AND HE IS ON BOARD WITH THIS PROJECT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT INSURANCE IS ALSO TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE EVENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE USE OF AIRPORT GROUNDS FOR A RODEO. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY AUGUST 28, 2023. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00670 TO HOLZ TOOL SUPPLY FOR 1 MILWAUKEE TOWER LIGHT IN THE AMOUNT OF $449.99. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. 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 LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-12 RAISING WATER TAP-ON FEES. THE NEW FEES ARE $1,000.00 FOR A ¾ INCH TAP, $2,000.00 FOR A 1-INCH TAP, $3,000.00 FOR A 2-INCH TAP AS WELL AS ADDING $1,000.00 IF A BORE IS NEEDED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOW BID FOR THE 8” WATER MAIN (PETROFF ROAD) FROM WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $446,425.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. THE ONLY OTHER BID RECEIVED ON THIS PROJECT WAS FROM KAMADULSKI EXCAVATING AND GRADING IN THE AMOUNT OF $632,493.00.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING. AS AN UPDATE COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE PAINTING THE STREETS AROUND THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN PREPARATION FOR HOMECOMING.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00116 FROM NOVACOM FOR 7 PORTABLE RADIOS, 7 SPEAKER MICS, AND 7 LEATHER CASES IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,727.00. 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 FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM’S CONTRACT. 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 POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER’S CONTRACT. 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 ORDINANCE #23-13 RAISING IMPOUND FEES BY $50.00 PER STEP. MAKING THE NEW FEES BE $250.00 FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT, $450.00 FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT, AND $650.00 FOR THE THIRD INCIDENT. 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 09/01/2023 TOTALING $102,516.81 WITH THE GENERAL FUND PORTION BEING $75,226.99 AND THE WATER & SEWER PORTION BEING $27,289.82. SECONDED 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 09/15/2023 TOTALING $104,164.07 WITH THE GENERAL FUND PORTION BEING $78,346.61 AND THE WATER & SEWER PORTION BEING $25,817.46. SECONDED 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 MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $370,837.98 WITH $39,290.26 COMING FROM TIF, $44,406.52 COMING FROM MFT, AND $17,888.90 COMING FROM THE AIRPORT. 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 CREATE A COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF HIMSELF, MAYOR MESSERSMITH, AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO RESEARCH IMPOSING A CIGARETTE/TOBACCO TAX. 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 BEGIN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING INTO OPTIONS FOR CREATING A BED TAX FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
NO UPDATES FROM ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY WOULD BE DECORATING THE POLES AROUND THE SQUARE AND STREETSCAPE FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY AWARENESS MONTH WITH PURPLE RIBBONS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED A $1.2 MILLION-DOLLAR DCEO CDBG FOR A NEW WATER LINE ON THE NORTH EAST SIDE OF TOWN IN THE JOPLIN STREET AREA. HE STATED THAT CITIZENS WILL SEE EMPLOYEES GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO HAVE SURVEYS COMPLETED REGARDING RECEIVING THIS GRANT.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS EVENING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE FOR BUILDING SETBACK LINE FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1203 NORTH MAIN STREET. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HUCKS WILL BE BUILDING A NEW BUILDING AND CHANGING THE LOCATION OF THE GASOLINE PUMPS. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HUCKS WOULD LIKE A VARIANCE FOR A SETBACK OF 15 FEET AS OPPOSED TO THE NORMAL 20. MR. CALCATERRA RECOMMENDED APPROVING THIS VARIANCE AS DID THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE FOR 1204 NORTH MAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 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 HANDLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION TO REZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 624 AND 634 WEST MAIN STREET AND 447 WEST CHURCH STREET ALSO KNOWN AS THE JRN SUBDIVISION FROM B-6 AND R-3 TO B2. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE RECOMMENDED THIS AS WELL AS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THIS WAS RECEIVED BY THE ZONING AND PLANNING BOARD. 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 ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR THE OSLAD GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE RENOVATION OF MALKOVICH PARK. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. 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 THE WEEK OF 09/17/2023-09/23/2023 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL RAIL SAFETY WEEK. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS SIGNED A PROCLAMATION DECLARING THIS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM STATED THAT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 WILL BE MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT AT TABOR FIELD DURING THE VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AS STATING THAT THE CITY DID NOT ALLOW ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE TO ATTEND IML DUE TO THE INABILITY TO AFFORD THE TRIP. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CHOICE OF WHO TO SEND TO THE CONFERENCE WAS MADE BASED UPON THE MATERIALS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS VERY AGGRAVATED THAT THIS TOPIC HAS HAD TO BE DISCUSSED AT 3 DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEETINGS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WAS VERY OFFENDED BY THE FACEBOOK POST MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA’ S HUSBAND, DAVID GARAVALIA, REGARDING A GOFUNDME ACCOUNT BEING SET UP FOR COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA TO ATTEND IML. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT MR. GARAVALIA ALSO ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA WAS NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO BECAUSE SHE WAS A FEMALE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE SIMPLY WISHED TO SEND COMMISSIONERS ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS TO THIS CONFERENCE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD BE WORKING TOGETHER AND IT WILL SUCCEED OR FAIL AS A TEAM. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE PLANS ON PAYING HER OWN WAY TO GO TO CHICAGO AND THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HER HUSBAND’S FACEBOOK POST.
NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:45 P.M.
