MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 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 GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER KAYS WAS ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION CONCERNING ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A 6-MONTH SUBLEASE BETWEEN BRYAN AND MEGAN LYLES AND AMY BAKER LOCATED AT 53 LEWIS LANE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL HE HAD FURTHER NOTICE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS ON THE OVERLAY FOR JOPLIN AND MCCANN STREETS. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE IS HOPING TO BID OUT THE WEST MAIN PROJECT NEXT WEEK AND THEN BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION IN QUARTER 1 OF 2026.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00438 TO SYNTEX INDUSTRIES FOR A HOSED COVER, MEDICAL CABINET COVER, FRONT BUMPER COVER, AND CRIBBING COVER FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,399.84. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00147 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 1 MINICOMPUTER WITH WINDOWS 11 PRO AND 1 SOFTWARE OFFICE 2024 HOME AND BUSINESS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,259.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA PROVIDED CALL REPORTS FROM THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FIRE/EMS PROTECTION BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND BROWNING TOWNSHIP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO HIRE KARASTIN SHEEDY AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE CITY RECEIVED 165 APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT FIRST INTERVIEWS WERE DONE WITH 26 APPLICANTS, SECOND INTERVIEWS WERE DONE WITH 3 APPLICANTS, AND THEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO HIRE MS. SHEEDY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BRAXTON KING FOR THE PAID ON CALL ROSTER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE FREDRIC FOSSE FOR THE PAID ON CALL ROSTER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED OCTOBER 10, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,856.51 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,268.44 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $103,124.95. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00873 TO VERIZON CONNECT FOR 7 FLEET GPS UNITS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,591.80 FOR 12 MONTHS. THESE 7 UNITS WILL BE PLACED ON THE ZONING CAR, THE AIRPORT VAN, THE LEADMAN’S TRUCK IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR’S TRUCK, THE POLICE CHIEF’S TRUCK, THE CODES OFFICER’S TRUCK, AND THE FIRE CHIEF’S TRUCK. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF WE RAISE TAXES AND SPEND MONEY LIKE THIS, HOW ARE WE SAVING ANYTHING? COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS DATED OCTOBER 13, 2025 FOR MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,938.82, COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $99.72, MUNICIPAL UTILITY TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,990.00, AND AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $550,538.59 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $581,567.13. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.
UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ANNUAL FALL-O-WEEN EVENT WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 18, 2025 FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT TRUNK OR TREATERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF THE MATAYCEK’S FOR SANTA AND MRS. CLAUSE FOR THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE BROUGHT IN ON THE FIRE TRUCK AS THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE RIDING ON THE FIRE TRUCKS AS THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD THEM TO STOP. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WOULD FIGURE OUT A DIFFERENT WAY TO BRING THEM IN. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THE MOTION TO HIRE MR. AND MRS. CLAUS FOR THE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS EVENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE GRANT MONITORING TRAINING FOR DAMIEN WILBURN. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY CAITLIN GRAY TO OWN AND OCCUPY AND EXISTING SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1S11 ANNA STREET. ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS HOME HAS PASSED AN OCCUPANCY INSPECTION. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY BRANDON OVERTON TO OWN AND OCCUPY A NEW DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 415 WILSON STREET. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GREG BAKER TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT GREG BAKER TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GAY BOWLIN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION TO APPOINT GAY BOWLIN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO HIRE MORAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO PREPARE AND FILE THE ANNUAL COMPTROLLER’S REPORT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR APPROVAL OF DOING FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2026 RODEO. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT KINDS OF EVENTS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WILL BE GUN RAFFLES, SEAFOOD BOIL, ETC. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED IF THE CITY LOST $7,000.00 ON THE FIRST RODEO THAT WAS RAINED OUT DUE TO THE WEATHER. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE DID LOSE MONEY DUE TO THE CANCELLATION, BUT WE WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY MADE $3,000.00 IF WE HADN’T HAD TO CANCEL. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2026 RODEO. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISIONER STOREY ASKED WHY HE WAS MOVED TO PUBLIC PROPERTIES FROM PUBLIC SAFETY. COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED COMMISSIONER COCKRUM IF HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS SECONDING AND HOW HE KNEW ABOUT THE SWITCH. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SAID THAT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT IT AND THAT IS HOW HE KNEW. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT COMMISSIONER COCKRUM DOESN’T VOTE AGAINST MAYOR MESSERSMITH. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE VOTES WITH THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE BELIEVES HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.
VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:26 P.M.
