MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KRAFT CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND DIRECTED ROLL TO BE CALLED. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 28, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 28, 2014 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FROM ARTHUR CARROLL TO SHAWN CARROLL PENDING APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD TRUCK BIDS TO OPEN. THERE WERE FIVE SEALED BIDS SUBMITTED AND THEREFORE EACH MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL WAS GIVEN A BID TO OPEN. MAYOR KRAFT OPENED A BID FROM SCHMIDT CHEVROLET IN MT. VERNON WITH A TOTAL COST OF $22,143.81 FOR A 2014 FLEET MODEL CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 2 WHEEL DRIVE REGULAR CAB. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE OPENED A BID FROM WEEKS FOR A MODEL YEAR 2014 LONG BED, VINYL SEATS FOR $22,677.71. HE STATED THIS HAD ALL OPTIONS THAT THE BID HAD REQUESTED. COMMISSIONER WYANT OPENED A BID FROM FORD SQUARE IN MT. VERNON FOR A 2014 F150 4 X 2 WITH A 145 INCH WHEEL BASE, OXFORD WHITE, VINYL SEATS, STEEL GRADE LINING, AM/FM RADIO, ELECTRIC 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC, 26 GALLON TANK FOR $17,222.40. COMMISSIONER BURNETT OPENED A BID FROM MARION FORD HYUNDAI FOR A 2014 F150 WITH THE SAME ACCESSORIES AS THE PREVIOUS TRUCK BID OPENED FOR $17,439.00. COMMISSIONER MILLER OPENED A BID FROM MARION CHEVROLET GMC CADILLAC FOR A 2014 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE REGULAR CAB WITH A SALE PRICE OF $25,053.71. MAYOR KRAFT ASKED IF THE BID SPECIFIED TWO WHEEL OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE LOOKED THE BID SPECIFICATIONS OVER AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT SPECIFY TWO WHEEL OR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT FORD SQUARE OF MT. VERNON HAD THE LOW BID WITH A PRICE OF $17,222.40. HE STATED THAT AFTER REVIEW OF THE BIDS HE WILL NAME THE BID WINNER.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #16 TO E.T. SIMMONDS CONSTRUCTION FOR PETROFF ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,094.16. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE RAIN THEY ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE ON THE ROADS. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE IS PLANNING TO GET THE MFT PROGRAM STARTED BY THE MIDDLE OF JUNE AND THAT THE MADISON STREET PROJECT IS SET TO START UP ON JULY 7, 2014.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #002289 FOR $1080.00 FOR ANNUAL DUES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING FOR 2014. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT. DURING THE PERIOD OF APRIL 24, 2014 THROUGH MAY 7, 2014 THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDLED A TOTAL OF 189 DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE INCLUDING 9 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, 34 TRAFFIC STOPS, 10 DOMESTIC DISPUTES, 6 DISORDERLY CONDUCT CALLS, 7 THEFT REPORTS, AND SEVERAL OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE. THE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 59 WRITTEN REPORTS TO INCLUDE 11 INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY INVESTIGATORS.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO CHIEF ANDREWS HAD UPDATED THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AT COMMISSIONER BURNETT’S REQUEST. IN THE PAST THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THOSE REPORTS. COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS HANDBOOK FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT. DURING THE PERIOD OF APRIL 14, 2014 THROUGH APRIL 28, 2014 THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HANDLED 1 FIRST RESPONDER/SERVICE CALL, 2 FALSE ALARMS, 2 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, 3 STRUCTURE FIRES, AND 2 ILLEGAL BURNS FOR A TOTAL OF 10 CALLS. ALL ENGINES ARE IN SERVICE AT THIS TIME. STORM SIRENS ARE UP AND RUNNING. A NUMBER OF FIRE HOSES FAILED TESTING AND AFTER TESTING IS COMPLETED WE WILL GET A LIST OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD HAS EXTENDED AN INVITATION FOR A MOST EXPENSES PAID CRUDE OIL RESPONSE TRAINING IN COLORADO FOR UP TO 5 FIREFIGHTERS. THE EXPENSES COVERED BY THE RAILROAD INCLUDE TUITION, LODGING, AND MOST MEALS. AFTER THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE TRAINING THE RAILROAD WILL SEND A SCHEDULE FOR TRAVEL AND LODGING TO ATTEND THE 3 DAY CLASS. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT CHIEF FAIRES HAS SUBMITTED THE NAMES OF 3 CAREER FIREFIGHTERS AND 2 PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS TO ATTEND THIS TRAINING WITH ONLY 1 CAREER FIREFIGHTER GONE AT A TIME. THE ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO THE CITY FOR THIS TRAINING IS APPROXIMATELY $25,000.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT LAST FRIDAY HE HAD A VISITOR FROM THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, LOUIS HERTTER. HE IS A STORAGE TANK SPECIALIST. HE REQUESTED THAT WE APPOINT A CITY EMPLOYEE TO THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED HE HAD SPOKEN WITH COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ON THIS MATTER AND THEY HAD DECIDED THAT A FIREMAN WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE PERSON TO APPOINT. CHIEF FAIRES SPOKE WITH HIS FIREFIGHTERS AND HE REPORTED TO COMMISSIONER BURNETT THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND APPOINTING JEFF SHEW TO THIS POSITION BECAUSE HE HAS DONE THIS WORK BEFORE. MR. HERTTER STATED THAT IN 2012 THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED A LAW STATING THAT ALL COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THESE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS MUST HAVE AN OPERATOR THAT TAKES A CLASS ON THIS EVER 2 YEARS. COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT JEFF SHEW AS THE OFFICIAL UNDERGROUND FUEL TANK STORAGE OPERATOR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO UPDATED THEIR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. THE LAST HANDBOOK WAS DONE IN 1973. CHIEF FAIRES HAS UPDATED THIS HANDBOOK. COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE UPDATED FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #000979 TO WTI FOR OUR ANNUAL CLIENT CARE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2241.00. THIS IS FOR SOFTWARE UPGRADE AND MAINTENANCE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT AS A PART OF OUR ONGOING OPERATION AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, THE CITY OF BENTON HAS BEEN PAYING FOR THE LICENSE FOR THE HEAD OPERATOR. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PAY FOR STEVE RICHARDSON’S LICENSING IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYING CLOTHING ALLOWANCES THAT ARE IN THE CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE STREET, WATER, AND SEWER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,600.00 PAYABLE ON MAY 1, 2014. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PAYROLL DATED 05/09/2014 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $61,091.95 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,998.97 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,090.42. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR SWIMMING POOLS FOR ANGIE TONN OF 306 N EIGHTH, MICHAEL CRITES OF 210 W SIXTH, KELLY DAWSON OF 703 N MADISON, JAMES MARTIN OF 1002 N FAIRLAND, AND DIANA DILLARD OF 1011 ELECTION CIRCLE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT THE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY APPROVED HAS BEEN APPROVED BY WEST CITY. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD SPOKEN WITH THE WEST CITY ATTORNEY AND HE WILL PROVIDE THE CITY WITH A SIGNED COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT THE CITY DID RECEIVE ITS CHANGE ORDER FOR THE CORNER OF CENTRAL STREET AND MINE 24 ROAD. AS SOON AS WEATHER PERMITS THE TILE WILL BE LAID SO THAT WE CAN LANDSCAPE THE CORNER LOT. MAYOR KRAFT SAYS THIS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROJECT.
MAYOR KRAFT REPORTED THAT THE HEATING AND AIR IS IN AT THE SCOUT CABIN. THE LIGHTING IS ALSO ALL DONE. HE STATED THAT THE FLOORING WILL BE THE NEXT THING TO LOOK AT. THE TILE COULD BE COVERED AND HE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL COULD GO OVER AND LOOK AROUND AND SUBMIT IDEAS FOR FLOORING TO THE MAYOR. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT THE FINAL PORTION OF THE SCOUT CABIN PROJECT WILL BE TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE EAST WALL. HE WILL BE ORDERING SOME TIMBER TO DO THIS. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE UP AND ABLE TO RENT THE SCOUT CABIN AGAIN BY THIS FALL.
MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED THE PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE PROCLAMATION FOR RELAY FOR LIFE. MAYOR KRAFT PROCLAIMED THAT JUNE 1ST THROUGH JUNE 7TH 2014 WILL BE PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE WEEK. MAYOR KRAFT ENCOURAGED CITIZENS TO HELP FINISH THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER BY PARTICIPATING IN PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE ACTIVITIES.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT WE NEEDED TO RESCHEDULE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO TUESDAY MAY 27, 2014 DUE TO MONDAY MAY 26, 2014 BEING THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CHANGE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014 AT 7 P.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED RESOLUTION 14-06 FOR THE CITY TO APPLY TO DECO FOR A HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT. THE AREA SELECTED FOR THIS GRANT WILL BE BAILEY LANE GOING SOUTH ON 8TH, 9TH , AND 10TH STREETS. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION 14-06 FOR SUPPORT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014, CONGRESSMAN ENYART’S AIDES WILL BE AT CITY HALL FROM 11 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M. THERE WILL BE TWO AIDES HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014 HE WOULD BE ACCOMPANYING MIKE WYANT TO COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS. THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT HAS BEEN SELECTED AS ILLINOIS’ #1 AIRPORT THIS YEAR.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT LAST FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 WAS THE LAST DAY FOR PEOPLE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR THE PART-TIME POSITION AT CITY HALL. THE CITY RECEIVED 7 APPLICATIONS AND THEY HAVE SPOKEN WITH A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THEY WOULD KEEP THE COUNCIL UPDATED AS SOON AS THEY HAD MORE INFORMATION TO SHARE.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT WOULD LIKE TO HIRE A MAN FOR 20 HOURS A WEEK FOR THE MOWING. THIS WOULD BE A TEMPORARY POSITION. THEY GENTLEMAN HE HAS BEEN SPEAKING WITH HAS EXPERIENCE WITH BRUSH HOGGING. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THE HOURS FOR THIS POSITION WOULD BE 7:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M. THE GENTLEMAN INTERESTED IN THE POSITION IS JOHN MOCABY. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE WILL HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK DONE ON THIS INDIVIDUAL AND HE STATED THAT THE POSSIBLE EMPLOYEE KNOWS HE WILL HAVE TO PASS A DRUG TEST. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE NEW EMPLOYEE START NEXT MONDAY. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT WE WOULD DISCUSS THIS AT A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING ON FRIDAY.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HIS LEAD MAN IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS RESIGNED FROM THE LEAD MAN POSITION AND THAT HE WILL BE LOOKING FOR A NEW PERSON TO FILL THIS POSITION.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE BOARD AT THE COMMUNITY BUILDING. THE FLAG POLE THERE HAS BLOWN OVER. THEY HAVE PURCHASED A FLAG POLE AND ARE ASKING FOR HELP IN INSTALLING THE NEW POLE.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY CITIZENS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO COME TO MEET CONGRESSMAN ENYART’S AIDES TO DISCUSS OUR SEWER SYSTEM. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT HE WOULD ASK THE NEWSPAPER TO REPORT ON THIS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE COUNCIL MEETING TO FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 AT 8:30 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
7:40 P.M.
