City of Benton
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes February 9, 2026 – 5:00 PM
City Hall
Public Square Benton, Illinois 62812
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Messersmith called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
Official Present
Commissioner Cockrum Yes Commissioner Storey Yes Commissioner Garavalia Yes Commissioner Kays Yes Mayor Messersmith Yes
A quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Kays made a motion to approve the minutes of January 26, 2026. Second by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote:
Yeas (4): Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Mayor Messersmith Nays (0)
Abstain (1): Garavalia Motion carried.
Commissioner Reports
Public Property – Commissioner Storey
- No purchase orders or updates
Mowing Bids (City Property & Nuisance Yards):
Commissioner Storey requested to table discussion to review the current contract and explore assigning specific properties while separately bidding nuisance yards.
Attorney Malkovich advised tabling would allow time to review the contract terms.
Motion to table by Commissioner Storey. Second by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0). Motion carried.
Water Barn Demolition:
Commissioner Storey reported the structure is in poor condition and recommended demolition. Water Department staff will complete demolition with dumpsters ordered as needed.
Motion to begin demolition of the water barn by Commissioner Storey. Second by Commissioner Kays.
Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0). Motion carried.
Water, Sewer, Streets & Public Improvements – Commissioner Cockrum
Water Barn Follow-Up:
Department equipment will be relocated to a building at the sewer plant.
Purchase Orders Approved:
- #00586–Menards–4 metal shelving units– $1,540.00
- #00588-Pennington Ford of Centralia- 2022 F-550 Gas Dump Truck-$56,875.63 (Home Rule Gas Tax Fund)
- #00589-Pennington Ford of Centralia–2022 F-550 Diesel Dump Truck-$56,875.63
(Home Rule Gas Tax Fund)
- #00584-Woody’s Municipal Supply-Western Pro Snow Blade– $10,370.00
- #00585–Walmart–2 Troy-Bilt Snow Blowers–$2,577.00
All motions were seconded and approved unanimously (Yeas 5, Nays 0). No pool adjustments or lake lot leases.
West Main Bid:
Motion to table by Commissioner Cockrum.
Second by Commissioner Kays. Approved unanimously.
Public Health & Safety – Commissioner Garavalia Purchase Orders Approved:
- #00155- Vogler Motor Company- 2026 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor- $45,205.00
- #00153- Axon Enterprises- Instructor Taser Course (Officer Matt Pemberton will be trained)- $900.00
- #00159 – Franklin County Joint Emergency System Board – Police subscriptions & fees
– $761.29
- #00445- Franklin County Joint Emergency System Board- Fire subscriptions & setup –
$1,361.29
- #00446- ESO Solutions – Software for the Fire – $2,431.64 All approved unanimously.
Fire Department Paid On-Call Firefighter Roster Changes:
- Addition: Braxton King
- Removal: Andrew Caire] and AJ Ponce Approved unanimously.
Fire Department – Chief Shane Cockrum
Chief Cockrum presented information regarding beginning the process to acquire a new pumper truck to replace the 1995 Seagrave engine currently in frontline service. He discussed:
- Age and maintenance history of the apparatus
- Increasing repair costs and parts availability challenges
- Long manufacturer lead times (up to four years)
- Benefits to ISO rating and insurance savings
- Potential reserve placement on the east side of town due to railroad access concerns
Commissioner Garavalia made a motion to begin the process of acquiring a new fire engine. Second by Commissioner Storey.
Approved unanimously.
January incident reports were distributed:
- Fire Department: 152 incidents
- Police Department: 676 incidents
Finance – Commissioner Kays
No payroll for approval.
Purchase Order Approved:
- #00591 – Adobe Acrobat Subscription – $265.07 Approved unanimously.
Resolution #26-01 – Pay Resolution:
Addition of Amy Greenwood, Building Clerk, $22.00/hour ($45,760.00 annually).
Motion by Commissioner Kays. Second by Commissioner Cockrum. Approved unanimously.
City Attorney
No updates.
Public Affairs – Mayor Messersmith
Mayor noted the heavy workload across departments during January inclement weather. No purchase orders.
Airport Farm Lease
Attorney Malkovich reported a resignation from the current lessee due to health issues. Approximately two years remain on the lease term.
Motion to advertise and bid the airport farm property by Commissioner Cockrum. Second by Commissioner Storey.
Approved unanimously.
Special Use Permit – 1204 Anna Street
Application submitted by Abby Reiger to own and occupy an existing single-wide mobile home. Zoning & Planning Commission recommended approval.
Motion by Commissioner Cockrum to approve. Second by Commissioner Storey.
Approved unanimously.
Public Comment
John Owens commented regarding discussion of a city administrator and expressed that citizens should vote on the matter.
Matthew Harrison provided an update on FAA approval for airport runway lighting improvements and noted this would complete the planned upgrades.
Executive Session
Motion by Commissioner Kays to enter Executive Session for:
- (b) Discussion of possible and/or pending litigation
- (c) Discussion or possible appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its
Second by Commissioner Cockrum. Approved unanimously.
Entered Executive Session at 5:33 p.m.
Motion to return to regular session by Commissioner Kays. Second by Commissioner Storey.
Approved unanimously. Returned at 6:03 p.m.
No action taken.
Continuance
Motion by Commissioner Kays to continue the meeting for payment of bills to February 11, 2026 at 1 :00 p.m. Second by Commissioner Cockrum.
Approved Unanimously.
Meeting continued at 6:04 p.m.
