MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 11, 2025 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM JULY 28, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDER #00723 TO SAPP’S HEATING AND COOLING IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,970.00 FOR TWO 3-TON MINI SPLIT UNITS TO BE PLACED AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSION COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY WAS TREMENDOUS. SHE STATED THAT THEY RAN OUT OF SUPPLIES TO GIVE AWAY THIS YEAR. SHE THANKED ALL THAT WERE INVOLVED.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00346 TO ENERGY CULVERT FOR PLASTIC AND METAL TILE AND BANDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,017.26. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PAY THE PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE NUMBER 3 TO WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $156,426.51. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #25-10 FOR A ROAD CLOSURE FOR THE CHAMBER CAR SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 WITH A RAIN DATE OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2025. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00435 TO FAST TRUCK AND TIRE FOR REPAIRS TO ENGINE 801 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,469.41. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00142 TO RAY O’HERRON FOR UNIFORMS, DUTY GEAR, AND INITIAL EQUIPMENT FOR NEW POLICE OFFICER JAMES WILLIAMSON IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,307.53. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00143 TO RAY O’HERRON FOR UNIFORMS, DUTY GEAR, AND INITIAL EQUIPMENT FOR NEW POLICE OFFICER SYDNEY HENSON IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,307.53. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO POST THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR HIRE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF JAMES WILLIAMSON AS A FULLTIME PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF SYDNEY HENSON AS A FULLTIME PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALLOWING THE MERIT BOARD TO TEST FOR A POLICE OFFICER ELIGIBILITY LIST AS THE CURRENT LIST HAS BEEN EXHAUSTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR AUGUST 15, 2025 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,969.47 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,568.60 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,538.07. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00867 TO JACK RUSSELL FISH COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,150.00 FOR 43 GIFT CARDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50.00 EACH. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS WAS FOR THE SAFETY STIPEND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF OUR FISCAL YEAR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $580,363.83, FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50.00, AND FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,761.91 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $756,175.74. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ADD A $250.00 CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR A NONUNION/NONCONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES AND BRIAN CALCATERRA. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE ITEMS SHOULD HAVE THE BENTON LOGO ON THEM. COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM BOTH SAID THEY DID NOT AGREE WITH THAT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE GIVING NONUNION/NONCONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES AND BRIAN CALCATERRA A $250.00 YEARLY CLOTHING ALLOWANCE BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE ALSO WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT HE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT THE FINANCIAL REPORTS AND THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IS RIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD BE AT THIS TIME.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS BEEN VERY BUSY FINISHING UP MULTIPLE PROJECTS. HE STATED THAT OIL AND CHIP HAS BEEN COMPLETED. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THE BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY WAS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED SYDNEY HENSON AND JAMES WILLIAMSON TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORE BOTH OF THESE OFFICERS IN. OATHS WERE SIGNED AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE COUNCIL CONGRATULATED BOTH OF THE NEW PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICERS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION APPROVING PURCHASE ORDER #00695 TO ASCENT AVIATION FOR 7,851 GALLONS OF FUEL FOR THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,957.08. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00692 TO QT PETROLEUM ON DEMAND FOR REPAIRS TO THE AIRPORT FUEL PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,999.35. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00696 TO KONICA MINOLTA FOR A 36 MONTH LEASE OF A COLOR COPIER/PRINTER WITH UNLIMITED PRINTS, NO ESCALATIONS, TONER, SERVICE, PARTS AND LABOR ALL INCLUDED AS WELL AS DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, FAXING CAPABILITY, COLLATING CAPABILITY, AND STAPLING. THIS LEASE WILL RUN $287.16 PER MONTH. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT AT THIS TIME CITY HALL IS SPENDING ALMOST THIS AMOUNT IN INK FOR THE 2 SMALL COLOR COPIERS THEY HAVE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO MAKE COLOR COPIES ON THE CURRENT MACHINES. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED USE OF THIS MACHINE WILL BE FOR ALL CITY EMPLOYEES. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO SET CITY OF BENTON TRICK OR TREAT HOURS FOR OCTOBER 31, 2025 FROM 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SIGNS HUNG AT CAPITOL PARK AND MALKOVICH PARK DESIGNATING HOURS THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN BE IN THE PARKS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE HOURS TO BE POSTED AS 7:00 A.M. TO 10 P.M. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO OBTAIN A SURVEY FOR A PORTION OF THE LAND AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA PROVIDED THE COUNCIL WITH A GIS MAP OF THE AREA TO BE SURVEYED. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: . COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THIS MEETING TO THURSDAY MORNING AT 8:30 A.M. TO ADDRESS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY STEPHANIE HOGAN TO OWN AND OCCUPY A NEW DOUBLE WIDTH MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1111 EAST BOND STREET. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS GETTING 8-9 SERVICES SWITCHED OVER TO THE NEW WATER LINE PER DAY. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE STILL 170 SERVICES TO TRANSFER OVER. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE OVERLAY ON MCLEANSBORO STREET LOOKS FANTASTIC.
IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATES THAT HE WOULD LIKE A LETTER DRAFTED AND PUT IN FILES THAT IF YOU ARE HIRED HERE AND TRAINED BY THE CITY, YOU WOULD BE UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO STAY WITH THE CITY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NEED TO BE NEGOTIATED INTO CONTRACTS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025 AT 8:30 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:31 P.M.
