MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2016 AT
6 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 25, 2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED ROB WILT AND JEFF HAARMAN OF AGE (AFFORDABLE GAS & ELECTRIC) TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE BROKERS AND WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING THEIR SERVICES TO THE CITY OF BENTON. A BROCHURE AND HANDOUT CONTAINING PRICES WAS PROVIDED OUT TO THE COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD THINK ABOUT THE INFORMATION THAT HAD BEEN GIVEN AND REVISIT THIS AT A LATER DATE.
MAYOR KONDRITZ INVITED RICK KNIGHT, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER BOARD, TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MR. KNIGHT SAID HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY CIVIC CENTER REPRESENTATIVES BILL KING AND RON SINK. MR. KNIGHT UPDATED THE COUNCIL ON THE EVENTS AND ATTENDANCE OVER THE LAST YEAR AT THE CIVIC CENTER. A HANDOUT WITH PROFIT/LOSS COMPARISON WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE COUNCIL.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #001025 TO STOTLAR’ S FOR CONSTRUCTION ITEMS FOR THE TWIN OAKS RENOVATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,312.20. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #001026 TO HOME DEPOT FOR LIGHT FIXTURES FOR THE TWIN OAKS RENOVATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,319.90. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-01 AMENDING THE CURRENT ORDINANCE FOR NO PARKING/30 MINUTE LOADING ZONE/VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WEST CHURCH FROM SOUTH MAIN TO CENTER DRIVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #16-02 AMENDING 24-6-8, PARKING VIOLATIONS, TO RAISE THE FINE FROM $10.00 TO $50.00 FOR ANY TICKETS, PLUS COURT COSTS WHEN APPLICABLE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT THE CITY’S CURRENT STREET SWEEPER IS 16 YEARS OLD AND IS REQUIRING MANY COSTLY REPAIRS. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A NEW PELICAN STREET SWEEPER IN THE AMOUNT OF $189,610.20 SUBJECT TO FINANCING. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE HAS $80,000.00 TO PUT AS A DOWN PAYMENT AND A TRADE IN AMOUNT OF $9,500.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO PAY REED HEATING $1,500.00 TO INSTALL A FURNACE FROM THE BOY SCOUT CABIN IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT BARN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #002305 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR TWO 10-8 IN CAR VIDEO SYSTEMS WITH INSTALLATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,038.000. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #002306 TO RAY O’HERRON FOR 9 ARMOR EXPRESS VESTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,975.000. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED TWO REQUESTS FOR REMOVAL OF PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS; BRYCE SNEDDON AND MARK MACMANAWAY. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE THESE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COUNCIL. CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY HAS REPLACED A FIRE TRUCKS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10 YEARS. THE CITY CURRENTLY OWNS A 32 YEAR OLD FIRE TRUCK, A 20 YEAR OLD FIRE TRUCK, AND A 10 YEAR OLD FIRE TRUCK. ACCORDING TO CHIEF COCKRUM, THE 32 YEAR FIRE TRUCK IS THE CITY’S ONLY AERIAL APPARATUS AND IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE COUNCIL TOLD CHIEF COCKRUM THEY APPRECIATED HIS PRESENTATION, BUT THIS ITEM WOULD NEED TO BE REVISITED AT A LATER DATE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE CITY IS OBLIGATED TO PAY THIS YEAR.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION, HE WOULD LIKE TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT THE FIREMEN WILL BE HAVING A FIRE AND ICE GALA HOSTED BY HERITAGE WOODS ON FEBRUARY 11, 2016. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PAY MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $189,352.92 WITH THE ADDITION OF BILLS FROM CENTERPOINT ENERGY, REPUBLIC SERVICES, AND TERRA PRO EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,475.32 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS TO BE PAID OF $219,828.24. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 01/29/2016 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,648.75, FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,178.18, AIRPORT CARETAKER IN THE AMOUNT OF $850.00, AND AUXILIARY POLICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $240.13 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $86,917.06. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR GARY GERBER OF 107 COPPLE, EDDIE VAUGHN OF 626 EAST JOPLIN, BRADLEY NOEL OF 1106 S LICKLITER LOT #7, AND KRISTEN HEAVRIN OF 601 EAST SMITH. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE SEWER ADJUSTMENTS AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE WANTED THE COUNCIL TO BEGIN THINKING ABOUT HAVING A PLANNING RETREAT THIS SPRING AT TWIN OAKS. THE TENTATIVE DATE FOR THE RETREAT WOULD BE MARCH 5, 2016.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE CONTRACT THE CITY HOLDS WITH CENTERSTONE FOR CLEANING OF CITY HALL EXPIRES IN MARCH OF 2016. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DISCUSS WITH CENTERSTONE AND/OR PREPARE A BID FOR A CLEANING CONTRACT FOR CITY HALL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO AMEND ORDINANCE #05-11, NAMING THE CITY ATTORNEY AS ETHICS MUNICIPAL ADVISOR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED ORDINANCE #16-03 AMENDING CHAPTER 6, BUILDING REGULATIONS. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE ARE MANY UPDATES GOING ON AT TWIN OAKS. THE UPDATES INCLUDE ELECTRICITY, HEATING, AND AIR. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE UPDATES THAT ARE HAPPENING.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCER CHRIS FLENER WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE CITY. MR. FLENER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING UPDATES TO OUR CITIZENS VIA FACEBOOK. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MR. FLENER TO UPDATE CITIZENS ON THINGS HAPPENING IN THE CITY OF BENTON THROUGH THE CITY HALL FACEBOOK PAGE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN ORDINANCE PREPARED FORMING A BENTON TOURISM BOARD. HE STATED THAT THIS TOURISM BOARD WOULD OVERSEE HAPPENINGS AT TWIN OAKS. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE FORMING THE BENTON TOURISM BOARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR/CODE ENFORCER CHRIS FLENER TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ON THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION. MR. FLENER STATED THAT THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS A ZONING BOARD AND A PLANNING COMMISSION. MR. FLENER WOULD LIKE TO OVERHAUL THESE 2 BOARDS INTO ONE 7-MEMBER BOARD FOR ZONING AND PLANNING. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION ORDINANCES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO REAPPOINT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION, MICHAEL MCGUIRE FOR A TERM OF 3 YEARS, TOM MALKOVICH FOR A TERM OF 2 YEARS, AND ROBERT REA FOR A TERM OF 2 YEARS. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT , TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION, CHRISTOPHER FLENER FOR A TERM OF 1 YEAR AND KAREN MULLINS FOR A TERM OF 1 YEAR. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER MOORE.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER ALLOWING A POUR LICENSE FOR K&M LIQUORS TO OPEN A GAMING PARLOR. COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED HE WOULD REVISIT THIS AT THE NEXT MEETING.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED HE WANTED THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE AWARE THAT THE AGENDA FOR THE LAST AIRPORT BOARD MEETING HAD NOT BEEN POSTED. MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WILL BE SEEKING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.
COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (C) 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. SECOND BY
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER
BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:37 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:20 P.M.
NO ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO 8:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:20 P.M.
