CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
Monday, March 9, 2026 | 5:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, Benton City Hall | 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois
- CALL TO ORDER
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Attorney Malkovich called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk Brook Craig to take roll.
- ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia
Absent: Commissioner Kays, Mayor Messersmith
III. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND MINUTES
- Bills – February 23, 2026 Regular Meeting
Attorney Malkovich requested a motion to approve bills from the regularly scheduled council meeting of February 23, 2026.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum
Second: Commissioner Garavalia
Vote: Yeas: 2 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Abstain: Commissioner Storey abstained | Result: MOTION DID NOT PASS
Attorney Malkovich stated these minutes will be reviewed for approval at the next city council meeting.
- Minutes – Special Called Meeting, February 27, 2026
Attorney Malkovich requested a motion to approve the minutes of the special called Benton City Council meeting of Friday, February 27, 2026.
Motion: Commissioner Storey
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT — Commissioner Storey
Commissioner Storey reported no purchase orders or updates to present.
- Approval of Mowing Bids
Commissioner Storey made a motion to approve accepting sealed mowing bids for city property, nuisance yards, and related areas. Bids must be submitted by March 23, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. Sealed bids will be opened at the March 23, 2026 council meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Storey
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Approval of Mosquito Abatement – 2026 Season
Commissioner Storey invited Dylan Young, Owner of Little Egypt Pest Control, and Lead Technician Lane Reed to address the council. Mr. Young reported that pricing will remain unchanged from the prior year at $15,000.00 for the season. Lane Reed provided an overview of mosquito control services, including:
(1) ULV (Ultra-Low Volume) Applications – fogging treatments targeting foliage, trees, shrubs, and structures where mosquitoes harbor;
(2) Granule Applications – applied using a hand spreader to create a protective layer limiting mosquito activity;
(3) Mosquito Dunks – EPA-regulated discs deployed in standing water (ditches, ponds, low spots) to prevent larval development within a 100-square-foot radius over approximately 30 days.
Services are provided every 21–30 days, weather permitting, for the full six-month season set by the Illinois Department of Agriculture: April 15 through October 15. This will be Little Egypt Pest Control’s fourth season of service to the City.
Motion: Commissioner Storey
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Decorative Street Light Repair/Replacement
Commissioner Storey reported three decorative street lights in need of repair or replacement. Parts are reportedly unavailable, and replacement may be necessary. Commissioner Storey indicated that McCollum Electric will be contacted to assess the situation and return with pricing.
Motion: Commissioner Storey (to proceed with obtaining pricing)
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Street Light – 1204 Enterprise Street
Commissioner Storey noted that a street light at the fire department on Madison Street is being addressed by street department staff. He also reported that a resident at 1204 Enterprise Street on the west side of her property does not have a street light and that the area is very dark, with pedestrian activity observed at night.
Motion: Commissioner Storey (to investigate street light installation at 1204 Enterprise Street)
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- STREETS, WATER & SEWER REPORT — Commissioner Cockrum
Commissioner Cockrum reported no purchase orders, pool adjustments, or lake lot lease transfers.
- Stormwater Study
Commissioner Cockrum reported that the Housing Authority has contacted the city regarding installation of culverts on streets in the northeast part of town where federal housing is located. A map was included in council packets. Before proceeding, Commissioner Cockrum requested that an engineer be hired to study whether the existing culvert pipe under the railroad track is sufficient to handle the additional drainage.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum (to hire an engineer to conduct a stormwater study in the affected area)
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Water Service Line GIS Mapping – Grant Application
Commissioner Cockrum reported that the city has been working for several months on a project to map water service lines using a GPS/GIS system. A quote was presented. The proposal includes applying for a $40,000.00 grant to fund the project, with an annual maintenance fee of $6,800.00 thereafter. Commissioner Cockrum noted that Item 7 of the proposal indicates the city would be responsible for that cost.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum (to authorize engineers to move forward with the $40,000.00 grant application for GIS water service line mapping)
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- FIRE, POLICE & EMS REPORT — Commissioner Garavalia
- Purchase Order #00449 – Fire Department Station Alerting System
Approval of Purchase Order #00449 to 911 Systems LLC for a station alerting system for the fire department in the amount of $3,582.69. The system provides differentiated signals and lights for various response needs. To be paid from the Ambulance Revenue Fund.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Purchase Order #100451 – Hazmat Supplies
Approval of Purchase Order #100451 to Mid-America Fire for Peat Sorb, Chem-Oil Away, and spill socks in the amount of $1,943.09. To be paid from Hazmat Funds.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Purchase Order #00452 – Gear Rack
Approval of Purchase Order #00452 to Fire Penny for a gear rack in the amount of $4,446.65. The plan is to relocate existing gear racks to one side for paid-on-call (POC) firefighters, providing a designated space to keep clean and dirty gear separated.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Fire Truck Plant Visit – Informational Item (No Action Required)
Commissioner Garavalia reported, for informational purposes only, that four firefighters attended the Pierce Manufacturing fire truck assembly plant on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Attendees were: Fire Chief, John Owens, Matt Warren, and Eric Davis. The trip was taken at the firefighters’ own expense and on their own time. All expenses were paid by Pierce Dispatch Company, which invited the crew to tour the facility. The plant encompasses approximately one million square feet of manufacturing space across multiple buildings and is the single-source leader in custom fire trucks in the United States, owned by Oshkosh Corporation. No overtime was incurred. Station coverage was maintained throughout.
- Tabled: Police Department Administrative Assistant Compensation
Commissioner Garavalia moved to table the discussion and/or approval of Police Department Administrative Assistant (Karastin Sheedy) compensation, out of respect for the absent Finance Commissioner. Commissioner Garavalia asked council members to review the materials provided in their packets prior to the next meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia (to table this item)
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED — ITEM TABLED
VII. ACCOUNTS & FINANCE
- Payroll Approval
Attorney Malkovich presented the following payroll for approval:
General Fund: $67,409.88
Water and Sewer Revenue Fund: $19,378.34
Total Payroll: $86,788.22
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
City Clerk Brook Craig noted that the meeting will be continued until Friday, March 13, 2026, for payment of bills.
VIII. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
Attorney Malkovich reported no updates.
- MAYOR’S REPORT — Airport Purchase Orders
Attorney Malkovich presented three purchase orders on behalf of the Mayor. Airport Manager Mr. Harrison was present and addressed the council.
- Purchase Order #00505 – Airport Fuel Pump Dispenser
Purchase Order #00505 to Mid-South Steel Products for one (1) airport fuel pump dispenser in the amount of $13,810.00. Mr. Harrison reported the existing fuel pump dates to approximately the late 1990s and has continued to experience problems. Cost includes equipment and travel time from Cape Girardeau.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Purchase Order #00506 – Airport Electrical Work
Purchase Order #00506 to FW Electric for $3,510.00 to run a new electrical circuit from the terminal to the fuel tank and address significant safety concerns with existing wiring that has not been updated since the fuel tanks were originally installed.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Cockrum
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Purchase Order #00507 – Airport Tractor Fuel System Repair
Purchase Order #00507 to H&R Agri Power for airport tractor fuel system repair in the amount of $910.05.
Motion: Commissioner Garavalia
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- PLANNING, ZONING & TIF
- Downtown TIF Façade Program – Extension for Calendar Year 2026
Attorney Malkovich noted that Brian Calcaterra has been heavily involved with this program. Mr. Calcaterra reported no changes from the prior year. The program allocates $40,000.00 from the Downtown TIF Fund as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant, up to $5,000.00 per applicant.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum (to extend the Downtown TIF Façade Program for calendar year 2026 under the same terms)
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- Special Use Permit – 414 West Taylor Street (Single-Wide Mobile Home)
Attorney Malkovich presented an application, photographs, and supporting documentation for a special use permit for an existing single-wide mobile home at 414 West Taylor Street. Mr. Calcaterra reported that the Zoning and Planning Commission recommended approval with no objection. An occupancy inspection was completed and passed. Mr. Calcaterra described the residence as likely the nicest on the lot.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum (to approve Ricky Clark’s right to own and occupy the existing single-wide mobile home at 414 West Taylor Street)
Second: Commissioner Storey
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
- MISCELLANEOUS, OLD BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS & PUBLIC COMMENT
No miscellaneous business. No old business. No new business. No matters from the public audience.
XII. CONTINUATION OF MEETING FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS
Attorney Malkovich requested a motion to continue the meeting to Friday, March 13, 2026, at 9:30 A.M. for payment of bills.
Motion: Commissioner Cockrum
Second: Commissioner Garavalia
Vote: Yeas: 3 (Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia) | Nays: 0 | Result: MOTION CARRIED
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 P.M.
