MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, JUNE 9, 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 MAY 27, 2014 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAY ESTIMATE #17 TO ET SIMONDS FOR PETROFF AND VARIOUS ROADS IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,666.18. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED ALLEY CLOSINGS AT 104 W PARK AND 202 E WEBSTER ON JULY 14, 2014 AT 6:45 P.M. 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 FOR MAY 23, 2014 TO JUNE 9, 2014. THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD 2 FIRST RESPONDER CALLS, 2 SERVICE CALLS, 1 FALSE ALARM, 2 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, AND 1 ILLEGAL BURN FOR A TOTAL OF 8 CALLS. ALL ENGINES ARE IN SERVICE. FIRE INSPECTIONS ARE ONGOING. HYDRANT TESTING IS ONGOING. THERE ARE NO ITEMS TO REPORT AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT. DURING THE PERIOD OF MAY 21, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 4, 2014 THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDLED A TOTAL OF 229 DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE. THESE INCLUDED 1 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, 23 TRAFFIC STOPS, 11 DOMESTIC DISPUTES, 13 THEFT REPORTS, AND SEVERAL OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE. THE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 82 WRITTEN REPORTS TO INCLUDE 23 INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY INVESTIGATORS.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT CHIEF ANDREWS IS REQUESTING THAT WE HIRE DONALD T. RICHARDSON AS A PART TIME POLICE OFFICER TO START ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 11, 2014. THERE ARE 2 OFFICERS OFF WORK AT THE PRESENT TIME AND IT IS CAUSING THE DEPARTMENT TO COVER 30 HOURS OF OVERTIME EACH WEEK. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED HE HAD MR. RICHARDSON’S RESUME. HE IS A BENTON RESIDENT AND HAS 23 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AS A DEPUTY AND HAS BEEN THE CHIEF OF POLICE IN SESSER. COMMISSIONER BURNETT MADE A MOTION TO HIRE DONALD T. RICHARDSON AS A PART TIME POLICE OFFICER. 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 PAYROLL DATED 06/06/2014 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,070.17, WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,780.25, AND AUXILIARY OF $1,676.90 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,527.32. 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 SWIMMING POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ANDREW FREEMAN OF 1301 WHISPERWAY, JULIE OWENS OF 716 OLD ORCHARD DRIVE, TAMMY VARGAS OF 630 N. BUCHANAN, JANIS THOMAS OF 1352 WHISPERWAY, AND SCOTT BLACKMAN OF 503 S. FIRST. 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 DENY THE SWIMMING POOL ADJUSTMENT FOR MENDI ALDERSON OF 521 E. LAWRENCE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE. 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 A SEWER ADJUSTMENT APPLICATION FOR MICHELLE PHILIPS OF 707 N FAIRLAND. COMMISSIONER MILLER TABLED THIS APPLICATION UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION COULD BE HELD WITH CUSTOMER OVER THE LOSS.
MAYOR KRAFT ASKED THE COUNCIL’S THOUGHTS ON THE NOVACARE PRESENTATION FROM MAY 27, 2014. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEARING A QUOTE ON THE AVAILABLE SERVICES. MAYOR KRAFT STATED HE WOULD GET A QUOTE ON SERVICES FROM NOVACARE AND PRESENT THIS TO THE COUNCIL.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT THE MARS HOUSING GRANT THAT HAS BEEN USED BY MANY LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN OUR AREA HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY THE GOVERNMENT. HE STATED THAT THERE IS STILL A LITTLE MONEY LEFT IN THE IDHA ACCOUNT AND HE WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS MONEY TO HELP SENIOR CITIZENS IN OUR AREA. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KRAFT TO RESEARCH A SENIOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE GOV PAY NET COMPANY ABOUT A CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT. HE STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SIGN A 5 YEAR CONTRACT, BUT THIS CONTRACT CAN BE TERMINATED WITH 30 DAYS’ NOTICE. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW GOV PAY NET TO SEND OVER THEIR CONTRACT TO BE LOOKED OVER BY THE COUNCIL AND LEGAL COUNSEL ALLOWING US TO ACCEPT PAYMENT IN THE FORM OF A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW UNDER OLD BUSINESS THAT IF WE HAD CONCERNED CITIZENS PRESENT DURING OPEN MEETINGS THEY WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE WAS EXPLAINING TONIGHT. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN JULIE HUBBLER THIS PAST WEEK AND SHE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CITY THAT SHE WOULD LIKE ANSWERED. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON PUBLIC RECORD THAT HE WILL NOT GET INTO A LETTER WRITING WAR IN THE NEWSPAPER DEFENDING WHAT HE DOES WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THE LETTERS DO NOT EVEN COME TO A MEETING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. HE STATED HE WAS NOT AGAINST OPINIONS IN THE PAPER; HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF SPENDING TIME AND MONEY ON FOIA’S AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR , THEY COULD COME TO A MEETING OR HE WOULD COME TO THEIR HOUSE 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE WILL TALK TO PEOPLE FACE TO FACE.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT A LADY WAS WORRIED ABOUT $400.00 AND HE WILL EXPLAIN THAT THE $400.00 WAS FOR REPAIRS TO A CUSTOMER’S WATER LINE AFTER DAMAGE THAT WAS INCURRED BY A CONTRACTOR THE CITY OF BENTON HAD HIRED TO INSTALL NEW WATER LINES.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT WHEN CONGRESSMAN ENYART’S AIDES WERE HERE AT CITY HALL HE HAD MADE THE COMMENT THAT HE WAS SICK AND TIRED OF POLITICIANS PATTING HIM ON THE BACK. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT THERE IS NO $1,000,000.00 MORE THAN WHAT WE GOT OVER THE INTERCEPTOR LINE. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT WHEN HE DID THE INTERVIEW WITH THE BENTON EVENING NEWS HE HAD MADE THE STATEMENT THAT HE DID NOT TRUST POLITICIANS AND HE TOLD THE CITIZENS TO CALL PEOPLE. HE SAID THE ARTICLE DID NOT STATE THE ONLY MONEY WE GOT WAS ON OUR SEWER INTERCEPTOR PROJECT WAS $750,000 FROM SENATOR FORBY. THE CITY OF BENTON DID NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER $1,000,000.00 FROM GARY FORBY. THE $750,000 WAS RECEIVED 4 YEARS AGO.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT IF CITIZENS HAVE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH RECORDS AND WRITE THESE LETTERS, THEN WORK FOR THE CITY, NOT AGAINST US. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE AND TALK TO THEM LIKE A MAN. HE STATED THAT ANYONE WHO WANTED TO TALK TO ANY OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD COME TO CITY HALL AND DO IT.
MAYOR KRAFT OPENED THE FLOOR FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE. JULIE HUBBLER STATED THAT SHE AGREED WITH COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD AGREEING WITH COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE 100%. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS GOING THROUGH AND THAT HE ACTUALLY CANCELED HIS SUBSCRIPTION TO THE BENTON EVENING NEWS BECAUSE OF THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT WHEN THE NEWSPAPER STOPS ALL THESE LETTERS HE WILL CONSIDER RESUBSCRIBING. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE HAS INVITED INDIVIDUALS THAT WRITE NUMEROUS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO COME TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND HE HAS NOT SEEN THEM AT A MEETING YET. COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT HE HAS OFFERED TO PICK THESE INDIVIDUALS UP OR TO PAY THEIR TAXI FARE. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT IF THESE INDIVIDUALS COME TO A MEETING AND ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATELY ANSWERED, THEN A FOIA REQUEST IS APPROPRIATE. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE OPEN TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME.
AN AUDIENCE MEMBER INQUIRED ABOUT RAIN DAMAGE TO THE CITY ROADS. COMMISSIONER WYANT AGREED TO MEET THIS CITIZEN AT HIS HOME TO SEE WHAT DAMAGE THERE IS. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THE SUMMER ROAD WORK IS SET TO BEGIN ON JULY 7, 2014.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014, AT 8:30 A.M. TO PAY BILLS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
7:37 P.M.
