CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 14, 2026 — 5:00 p.m.
Benton Council Chambers, Basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois 62812
Clerk’s note: the recording provided did not restate the meeting time; 5:00 p.m. is carried over from the Council’s customary regular-meeting time. Please confirm.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Messersmith called the meeting to order and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays, Mayor Messersmith
Absent: Commissioner Storey
A quorum being present, the Mayor declared the meeting open for business.
3. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Kays presented three sets of minutes for the Council’s consideration.
A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 24, 2026
Commissioner Kays noted a correction needed on the reverse of the third page, Item 9.B (Purchase Order — Mural): an attendance/vote marking there was incorrect. Commissioner Garavalia separately noted that her own attendance should be corrected to reflect that she was not present at the August 24, 2026 meeting.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2026 regular meeting as corrected.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
B. Minutes of the Continued Meeting of August 28, 2026
Commissioner Kays noted that the date “August 28” did not print on the draft minutes of the continued City Council meeting and should be added.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2026 continued meeting as corrected.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith. Commissioner Garavalia abstained. Motion carried.
C. Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 1, 2026
Commissioner Kays reported no corrections were needed.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to approve the minutes of the September 1, 2026 special meeting as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith. Commissioner Garavalia Abstained. Motion carried.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Messersmith welcomed several visitors attending for the first time and reminded those wishing to address the Council to come to the podium, state their name, and limit remarks to five minutes. No one came forward for formal public comment at this time.
5. PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT — Commissioner Storey (absent)
In Commissioner Storey’s absence, Mayor Messersmith and Commissioner Cockrum presented the items on her agenda.
A. Purchase Orders
None.
C. Boat Ramp and Dock Project — Lake Benton
The Public Works Director reported that the boat ramp at Lake Benton is deteriorating, with a significant hole on the south side and additional erosion off the end of the ramp from boats power-loading, creating a risk of equipment damage. The Mayor noted that low late-season water levels already make it difficult for larger boats — bass boats, ski boats, and pontoons — to launch or retrieve. The Mayor clarified that tonight’s action would only begin the process of obtaining pricing and identifying contractors for ramp repairs, with a dock project to be discussed further at a later date.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to begin the process of obtaining pricing and identifying contractors for the boat ramp repair.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
D. Chamber Office Door and Flooring
Mayor Messersmith reported that the Council had previously approved seeking bids for a replacement door and frame for the Chamber office, but that a bid packet has not yet gone out. On the flooring, the Mayor recommended removing the existing carpet and preparing the subfloor for a clean, functional space in the interim, rather than committing to new carpet at this time, with pricing for carpet to be brought back later if desired.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to proceed with removing the carpet and preparing the subfloor at the Chamber office, and to move forward with the previously approved door replacement.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
E. Events Coordinator Position — Ordinance
Mayor Messersmith explained that this item does not hire or advertise for any position; it authorizes drafting an ordinance to create an events coordinator position within the City, providing a single point of contact for community groups the City works with. The ordinance itself would come back before the Council for a vote at a future meeting.
MOTION: Moved to approve proceeding with drafting a position ordinance for an events coordinator.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
6. WATER, SEWER AND STREET REPORT — Commissioner Cockrum
A. Purchase Order — Water Department Vehicle
Commissioner Cockrum reported that the Public Works Director located a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at a local dealer to meet the Water Department’s needs, in the amount of $25,409.63.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
B. Purchase Order — Sewer Plant Blower Repair
Commissioner Cockrum presented a purchase order for shield housing, two shields, and related hardware to repair the mixer/blower at the sewer plant, in the amount of $2,324.73.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
C. Lake Lot Lease Transfers
i. Transfer of the lake lot lease held by the Carmen Sipes estate to Michael Carnes.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the lease transfer as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
ii. Transfer of the lake lot lease held by Donald Todd to Michael Carnes.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the lease transfer as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
D. Water Department Hiring
Commissioner Cockrum reported that a Water Department employee is retiring and recommended advertising to hire a replacement.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve advertising to hire a replacement employee.
SECOND: Commissioner Kays.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
7. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT — Commissioner Garavalia
A. Purchase Order — Training Ammunition
Commissioner Garavalia presented a purchase order for 500 rounds of Hornady Critical Duty ammunition ($480.00) and 2,000 rounds of .223 full metal jacket ammunition ($940.00), for a combined total of $1,420.00.
MOTION: Commissioner Garavalia moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
B. Purchase Order — Investigative Database License
Commissioner Garavalia presented a purchase order for a TLO investigative online systems license for the Police Department’s investigations unit, at $150.00 per month, for an annual total of $1,800.00.
MOTION: Commissioner Garavalia moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
C. Purchase Order — Fire Department Light Bar
Commissioner Garavalia presented a purchase order for a replacement light bar for Unit 809, in the amount of $1,709.78.
MOTION: Commissioner Garavalia moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
D. Verbal Report
Commissioner Garavalia had no written report but reported verbally that a missing person had recently been located with the assistance of the City’s camera system, and that the Fire Department’s discussions toward a merger with West City for fire protection are continuing, with an update expected at the next meeting. Commissioner Garavalia also reported on ongoing concerns about the playground on Grand Street: she has visited the site repeatedly, at times unannounced, has painted over graffiti, and has coordinated with the Mayor, city staff, Chief Funkhouser, and a local electrician to relocate and repair the security camera there, which has been obstructed by a tree. Commissioner Garavalia stated the City will be more diligent going forward to keep the playground a safe environment.
8. FINANCE REPORT — Commissioner Kays
A. Bills
Commissioner Kays presented bills totaling $324,344.88, consisting of $8,402.47 from the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Fund and $315,942.41 from the AP Fund. Commissioner Kays noted that approximately $90,000 of this total relates to the ongoing sewer project, and that the run also includes a one-time $56,000 payment to the City’s audit firm (heard in the recording as “Waterbuck and Amon”) for the annual audit.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to pay the bills as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
Clerk’s note: the audit firm’s name was not clearly audible in the recording — please confirm the correct spelling for the record.
B. Payroll
Commissioner Kays presented payroll dated September 11, 2026, totaling $110,823.84, consisting of $87,186.82 from the General Fund and $23,637.02 from the Revenue Fund.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to approve the payroll as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith (all recorded explicitly). Motion carried.
Commissioner Kays noted that the Water Department vehicle purchase (Item 6.A, above) is being paid from the City’s Leachate Fund — generated by the water treatment facility’s processing of wastewater for outside customers — rather than the General Fund or Revenue Fund.
C. Discussion — Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) and Surveillance Cameras
Commissioner Kays opened a discussion, stating clearly that no Council action was intended tonight, regarding the City’s use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras and the “Condor” camera near the Grand Street playground. Commissioner Kays stated he does not oppose surveillance cameras generally and voted in favor of the Flock cameras originally, but raised concerns about where the data collected by Flock is stored, who can access it, and the broader precedent of government surveillance capable of tracking vehicles and movement throughout the community. Commissioner Kays noted that a number of municipalities nationally have recently discontinued their ALPR contracts, and suggested the Council consider either standard, locally-stored surveillance cameras in populated areas or reallocating funds directly to the Police Department for vehicles or staffing, rather than continuing with Flock.
Chief Funkhouser responded that Flock’s cameras capture only images of vehicles and license plates, and do not capture ownership or registration information; that information, when needed, is obtained separately through LEADS (administered by the Illinois State Police) and the Secretary of State. Chief Funkhouser and Commissioner Garavalia noted the system’s investigative value, including in recovering stolen property and locating missing persons, and Commissioner Garavalia encouraged each Council member to meet individually with a police investigator to better understand the system before any decision is made. A member of the public, identifying himself as a former U.S. Census Bureau employee who collected data for the Consumer Price Index, spoke in support of Commissioner Kays’ data-privacy concerns.
Mayor Messersmith closed the discussion by encouraging each Council member to research the issue independently, noting she would seek input from FBI contacts made through the FBI Citizens Academy she is currently attending. The Mayor stated she believes surveillance is warranted in certain public areas — citing Grand Street, Malkovich Park, Capitol Park, Twin Oaks, and the entrance to Benton Park — but that Flock may not be the only or best technical solution for every location. The Mayor noted that Flock had been selected for the Grand Street camera after an earlier vendor, Novacom, did not follow through, and that the current camera’s placement has had line-of-sight issues due to nearby tree cover. No motion was made and no vote was taken; the Council agreed to continue researching and discussing the matter.
9. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney Malkovich was not in attendance; no report was given.
10. PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT — Mayor Messersmith
Mayor Messersmith reported that, following complaints shared over social media about the Grand Street playground, she contacted the City Clerk to arrange a “See Something, Say Something” sign directing residents to call the police non-emergency line to report concerns in real time. The City’s Code Enforcement Officer has agreed to drive by the park three to four days a week, and Public Works will assist with repairing and repositioning the camera there for better visibility.
The Mayor also reported that the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce’s car show the previous weekend was a success, with positive feedback on the City’s sound system, Public Works’ event setup, and the Police Department, marking the start of the City’s fall activity season.
A. Proclamation — Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Mayor Messersmith invited Laurie Wilson to the podium and read into the record the City’s proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, presenting the proclamation to Ms. Wilson on behalf of the City.
B. Purchase Order — Twin Oaks Portable A/C Units
Mayor Messersmith presented Purchase Order No. 918, for two 10,000 BTU portable air conditioning units obtained on an emergency basis after a mini-split unit failed at Twin Oaks ahead of a scheduled event, in the amount of $998.00.
MOTION: Moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
C. Purchase Order — Twin Oaks HVAC Repair
Mayor Messersmith presented Purchase Order No. 921, to Reed’s Heating and Air, for parts and repair of the failed mini-split unit at Twin Oaks, in the amount of $2,613.00.
MOTION: Moved to approve the purchase order as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
D. Hiring of Moran Economic Development — Annual TIF Report
Mayor Messersmith presented the annual, routine engagement of Moran Economic Development to prepare and file the City’s TIF reports with the Illinois Office of the Comptroller.
MOTION: Moved to approve hiring Moran Economic Development to prepare and file the annual TIF reports.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith (all recorded explicitly). Motion carried.
E. Sponsorship — Taste of Chocolate (Survivor Empowerment Center)
Mayor Messersmith presented a sponsorship request from the Survivor Empowerment Center for its “Taste of Chocolate” fundraising event, to be held October 30, 2026 at the Thrillbillies Event Center in Marion, Illinois. Commissioner Kays noted the City’s Community Investment Fund line for this fiscal year and recommended a direct cash donation outside of the event’s table-sponsorship levels.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to approve a $300.00 cash donation to the Survivor Empowerment Center’s Taste of Chocolate event from the Community Investment Fund.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
11. OLD BUSINESS
None.
12. NEW BUSINESS
None.
13. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Messersmith requested that the Council go into executive session for one additional item, which may or may not result in Council action upon return to open session. 14C: Discussion of 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 validity.
MOTION: Moved to enter executive session.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
5:42 p.m.
6:08 p.m.
The Council returned to open session with the same members present (Commissioners Cockrum, Garavalia, and Kays, and Mayor Messersmith).
Item 10.E — Appointment
Mayor Messersmith deferred to Commissioner Kays to bring the executive session item to a vote in open session.
MOTION: Commissioner Kays moved to appoint Damien Wilbrun as Budget Officer.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Messersmith thanked those in attendance and those watching online.
MOTION: Moved to adjourn.
SECOND: Commissioner Garavalia.
VOTE: Ayes: Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith. Motion carried.
6:09 p.m.
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