CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 — 9:50 a.m.
Benton Council Chambers, Basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois 62812
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Messersmith called this special meeting of the City Council to order at 9:50 a.m., noting that the meeting had been specially called for September 1, 2026, and that a couple of Commissioners were unable to attend. The City Clerk called the roll:
Present: Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Mayor Messersmith
Absent: Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays
A quorum being present, the Mayor declared the meeting open for business.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public came forward for public comment.
3. PURCHASE ORDER — SOUND EQUIPMENT (FRONT ROW MUSIC)
Mayor Messersmith reported that staff member Damien had been in discussions with Front Row Music regarding the City’s sound equipment needs for the car show, and that Front Row Music is expected to be able to supply most, if not all, of what is needed, with the possibility that one or two additional pieces may need to be purchased elsewhere.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the purchase of sound equipment in an amount not to exceed $6,786.00, with the majority expected to be sourced from Front Row Music, for use at the car show.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
4. FAÇADE GRANT — WORKHORSE PROPERTIES (LANA BAIN)
Mayor Messersmith reported that a façade grant application submitted by Lana Bain, d/b/a Workhorse Properties, for the property at 120 East Main Street, Benton, Illinois, had initially been misdirected upon submission but has since been properly received. The Mayor noted that the scope of the proposed project had been reviewed and approved by Zoning Administrator Brian Calcaterra.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the façade grant as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
5. RESOLUTION — ROAD CLOSURE FOR HOMECOMING PARADE
Commissioner Cockrum reported that the City’s annual homecoming parade is scheduled for September 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., requiring a resolution closing the affected roads for that period. This resolution number is #26-08.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the resolution as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
6. INTERNAL POSTING — PUBLIC WORKS POSITION (WATER DEPARTMENT)
Commissioner Cockrum reported that Water Department employee Jason Miles is preparing to retire, and recommended that the resulting Public Works position be advertised internally.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve advertising the position internally.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
7. BID AWARD — MALKOVICH PARK FENCE PROJECT
Mayor Messersmith reported that, following public solicitation of bids for the Malkovich Park fence project — posted on the City’s website and Facebook page, available for pickup at City Hall, and published in the newspaper — the City received a single bid, from C.R. Brinkmeyer, a sole proprietor with prior carpentry experience, in the total amount of $5,200.00 for materials and labor. Mr. Brinkmeyer offered the Council the alternative of accepting the bid in full, or amending it so that the City would purchase the materials only, with Mr. Brinkmeyer providing labor at no charge.
MOTION: Commissioner Storey moved to accept the amended arrangement, under which the City will purchase the materials for the fence and Mr. Brinkmeyer will provide labor at no cost.
SECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
8. DONATION — PICNIC TABLE TO BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 47
Mayor Messersmith reported that Benton School District 47 had inquired whether the City had a spare picnic table to donate for use by school bus drivers, who currently have no seating near the bus parking area on McKenzie Street. The Mayor noted that an underused picnic table located on South Main Street has sat unused for approximately two years and could be donated for this purpose.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the donation of the picnic table to Benton School District 47 as presented.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Messersmith thanked those in attendance.
MOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to adjourn.
SECOND: Commissioner Storey.
VOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
9:55 a.m.
