MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 28, 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 PUBLIC HEARING THAT TOOK PLACE ON JULY 14, 2025 AT 4:15 P.M. AS PRESENTED. 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 ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM JULY 14, 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 STATED THAT SHE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF UPDATES. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE POWER WASHING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT TWIN OAKS. SHE SAID THERE ARE A FEW STAINS STILL ON THE ROOF, BUT OVERALL LOOKS GREAT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS WILL BE HOSTING A BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY THIS COMING SATURDAY AUGUST 2, 2025 FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00722 TO SMITH AND LOVELESS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE HMI WITH PROGRAMMING FOR IN THE PISTA GRIT AMOUNT OF $6,041.00. 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 POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR STEVEN LEMMONS, DOUGLAS HAGER, AND NOVELLA CASEY AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. 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 LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO HIRE QUENTIN HENSON AS A PART TIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE WORKING ON WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 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 THE HIRING OF HAYDEN LINDHORST AS A FULL TIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. 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 THE NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE SERVICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND PERRY RIDGE LANDFILL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW WATER MAINS AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL IS ALMOST COMPLETE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM IS SLATED TO BE FINISHED ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY AND THE MILLING ON MCLEANSBORO STREET SHOULD BE FINISHED IN A FEW DAYS.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE MERIT BOARD TO TEST FOR A POLICE OFFICER ELIGIBILITY LIST. 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 DATED JULY 18, 2025 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,084.79 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,779.22 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $112,846.01. SECOND BY 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 PAYROLL DATED AUGUST 1, 2025 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,632.82 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,831.47 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $108,464.29. SECOND BY COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HOME RULE SALES TAX ORDINANCE #25-07. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION APPROVING PURCHASE ORDER #00694 TO QT PETROLEUM ON DEMAND FOR REPAIRS TO THE AIRPORT FUEL PUMP. COMMISSIONER KAYS 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 ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00693 TO OAK HILL CONTRACTORS FOR DESIGN COSTS TO BUILD A TEMPORARY ROAD BEHIND BLUE RIDGE TRACTOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,925.00. 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 RICK AND BARB LINTON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL. MR. AND MRS. LINTON SHOWED THE COUNCIL AND AUDIENCE COMMERCIALS THAT THEY HAVE MADE PROMOTING THE HISTORIC BENTON SQUARE. MR. AND MRS. LINTON STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN DONE AT NO COST TO THE CITY AS IT WAS PAID FOR THROUGH TOURISM DOLLARS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #25-08 AMENDING DIVISION XX-SCHEDULES AS IT PERTAINS TO MOVING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS IN B3 AND B4 ZONES. 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 THE CITY HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HOUSE THE CITY HALL IN THE FUTURE. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE FEASIBILITY STUDY COMPLETED BY ARCHITECHNIQUES RECOMMENDED TWO SPOTS AND THE BUILDING THAT WAS APPROVED AND WOULD COST THE LEAST TO PURCHASE AND REMODEL WAS 105 NORTH MAIN STREET. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS TOURED THE BUILDING AND IS WORRIED ABOUT THE SMELL OF CIGARETTE SMOKE. SHE STATED THAT AFTER THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME SHE WAS IN THE BUILDING, HER CHEST HAS FELT HEAVY THE REST OF THE DAY. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE DID NOT FEEL GETTING RID OF THE SMOKE SMELL WOULD BE AN ISSUE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AGREED. MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED IF HE COULD GET A MOTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF THE BUILDING AND REAL ESTATE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 105 NORTH MAIN STREET CONTINGENT UPON INSPECTION AND APPRAISAL OF SAID PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: . COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYING INVOICE #2 TO GREATER EGYPT REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR PLANNING ON THE BIG MUDDY WATERSHED NARP. 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.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE, CRAIG MILES, AND COY COCKRUM HAD MET WITH THE VIKING COMPANY ABOUT THE CITY’S HOLDING TANKS. HE STATED THAT THE TANKS ARE CURRENTLY IN GOOD SHAPE, BUT THEY ARE DETERIORATING. HE STATED THAT HE WILL LEAVE THE REPORT IN CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG’S OFFICE FOR ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INSPECTION AND PHOTOS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WILL BE IN TAKING CARE OF THE WATER TANKS.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:50 P.M.
