MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 28, 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. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT.
MAYOR KRAFT STATED WE WOULD GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA AND ALLOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION. PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER JOHN OWENS STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A 2014 NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION LOSS PREVENTION VOLUNTEER AWARD FROM KROGER. MR. OWENS STATED HE RECEIVED $500.00 FROM KROGER FOR THIS AWARD AND HE WOULD LIKE TO GIFT IT TO THE CITY OF BENTON TO PURCHASE A NEW AED FOR THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. MR. OWENS PRESENTED MAYOR KRAFT WITH THIS CHECK. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THE CITY ALSO HAD SOMETHING FOR MR. OWENS. COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED MR. OWENS WITH A PLAQUE TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR HIS VOLUNTEER EFFORTS WITH THE CITY. MR. OWENS PLAYED A VIDEO MADE BY THE NRF SHOWING RECOGNITION OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT RECEIVED AWARDS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 14, 2014 REGULAR MEETING. 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 JULY 14, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING. 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 PURCHASE ORDER #002266 TO HACH FOR SAMPLER REPAIR AND RETURN SHIPPING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,486.79. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LOW BID FROM ILLINI ASPHALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,287.75 FOR THE 2014 MFT OIL AND CHIP PROGRAM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING A 3-WAY STOP SIGN AT ANNA AND HICKMAN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING A 20-MPH SPEED LIMIT ON GRAYSON FROM NORTH MCLEANSBORO TO TENTH STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BURNETT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING A 20-MPH SPEED LIMIT ON ANNA STREET FROM NORTH MCLEANSBORO TO NORTH TENTH. 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 PURCHASE ORDER #002266 TO PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER FOR HOSES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $6420.00. 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 FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JULY 15, 2014 THROUGH JULY 28, 2014. DURING THIS TIME THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HANDLED 1 FIRST RESPONDER CALL, 1 SERVICE CALL, 1 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT/FIRE, 1 STRUCTURE FIRE, 1 BRUSH FIRE, AND 1 ILLEGAL BURN FOR A TOTAL OF 6 CALLS. ENGINE 801 IS IN SERVICE AND THE ALTERNATOR IS BEING REBUILT. ENGINE 803 IS IN SERVICE, BUT THE EMERGENCY LIGHT ROTATOR MOTOR IS FAULTY AND IS ON ORDER. ENGINE 805 IS IN SERVICE AND THE TRANSMISSION TEMP RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED. FIRE INSPECTIONS ARE ON STANDBY WHILE HYDRANT MAPPING IS CONDUCTED. EMERGENCY STORM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IS 100% OPERATIONAL. HYDRANT TESTING IS ONGOING AND MAPPING OF HYDRANTS IS IN THE FINAL STAGES. ITEMS FOR REPORT INCLUDED THAT FIREFIGHTER JEFF COLEMAN ATTENDED UNION PACIFIC RAIL CAR FIRE TRAINING JULY 22-JULY 26 AND HAS RETURNED TO DUTY AS WELL AS FIRE CHIEF SEAN FAIRES COMPLETED FIRE OFFICER III/IV TRAINING AT THE ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE AND HAS RETURNED TO DUTY.
COMMISSIONER BURNETT PRESENTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR JULY 9, 2014 THROUGH JULY 27, 2014. THE DEPARTMENT HANDLED A TOTAL OF 234 DISPATCH CALLS FOR SERVICE. THESE INCLUDED 10 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND 17 TRAFFIC STOPS, 13 DOMESTIC DISPUTES, 10 THEFT REPORTS, AND SEVERAL CALLS FOR SERVICE. THE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED A TOTAL OF 86 WRITTEN REPORTS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR AUGUST 1, 2014, FOR GENERAL FUND, WATER & SEWER, AUXILIARY POLICE & FIRE, AND AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $90,171.56. 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 THE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR ASHLEY CHAFFIN OF 1001 E WEBSTER, FRANKLIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY OF 1102 FRISCO, MIKE WILLIAMS OF 735 SHERIDAN DRIVE, LEON BLASZCZYSKI OF 204 W CAPITOL, JENNIFER KAYS OF 307 N BROWN, AND RYAN MCCOLLUM OF 502 W FIFTH. 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 SWIMMING POOL SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR JOE COOPER OF 205 W KIRSCH, BRENDA TAYLOR OF 1210 E ANNA, AND JOEY SIMPSON OF 419 W MCFALL. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT MR. SIMPSON HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DENIED FOR NOT BEING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING SWIMMING POOLS, BUT AT THIS TIME HAS BECOME COMPLIANT. 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 SWIMMING POOL SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR MIKE AND CINDY WEBB OF 1411 N LINCOLN DRIVE AND MELONY WORLEY OF 1005 GLENDALE STREET FOR NOT BEING IN COMPLIANCE WITH ORDINANCE 98-03, SECTION 517.0. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0
MAYOR KRAFT DISCUSSED CHANGES IN THE OLD ENTERPRISE ZONE. MAYOR KRAFT STATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO NEW ZONES CREATED. THERE ARE 102 COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS AND RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ONLY 96 ENTERPRISE ZONES. FRANKLIN COUNTY, WEST FRANKFORT, WEST CITY AND BENTON HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH CONSULTANTS DISCUSSING OPTIONS. THE RECOMMENDATION SO FAR IS THAT THE MORE ENTITIES INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION, THE BETTER CHANCES OF KEEPING YOUR ENTERPRISE ZONE. WE ARE LOOKING AT HIRING A CONSULTANT AND THE COST OF THIS CONSULTANT WOULD BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE FOUR ENTITIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE BY DECEMBER OF 2014.
UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER BURNETT STATED THAT HE WANTED THE COUNCIL TO KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BEGIN WORKING ON UPGRADING THE ORDINANCES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS WEDNESDAY. ALSO UNDER NEW BUSINESS COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO A CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR THE EMPLOYEES AT CITY HALL IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE CITY HALL MORE PROFESSIONAL. IF THE COUNCIL AGREES, THE CITY WOULD BE PURCHASING TWO SHIRTS FOR EACH CITY HALL EMPLOYEE, ALONG WITH A SWEATER FOR THE WINTER MONTHS.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE PUBLIC BODY INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
TIME: 7:45 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO HIRE KEVIN VANDIVER AS A CLASS 1 FIRST OPERATOR BASED ON HIS QUALIFICATIONS AND PAPERS SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL, DRUG TESTING, AND TERMS OF THE BARGAINING AGREEMENT TO START ON AUGUST 12, 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 ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BURNETT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.
TIME: 8:10 P.M.
