MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL WAS TAKEN. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA. COURTNEY COX WAS INVITED TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. MR. COX STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN PUT IN CHARGE OF REJUVINATING THE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT CAPITAL PARK. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ARRANGED FOR 7 BANDS TO PERFORM STARTING JUNE 4, 2015 AND THESE CONCERTS WILL BE FROM 7 P.M. TO 9 P.M. ON THE 2ND AND 4TH FRIDAYS DURING THE MONTHS OF JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST AT NO COST. MR. COX ALSO STATED THAT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIEITY WILL BE PROVIDING INSURANCE FOR THIS SERIES.
MAYOR KONDRITZ THEN INVITED BOB REA TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. MR. REA STATED THAT THE CITY OF BENTON IS RICH IN HISTORY AND HAS LOTS OF TOURISM. HE STATED THAT THE JAIL MUSEUM HAS BEEN GOING FOR 22 YEARS WITH APPROXIMATLEY 2,500 VISITORS ANNUALLY WITH THIS YEAR 130 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 120 GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS VISITING. MR. REA PRODUCED A BUDGET FOR THE JAIL MUSEUM TO THE CITY COUNTIL. LAST YEAR THE MUSEUM HAD AN EXPENSE OF $19,050.00 AND AN INCOME OF $7,700.00, LEAVING A DEFICIT OF $11,350.00. MR. REA PROPOSED USING VIDEO GAMING MONEY THAT IS COMING IN TO THE CITY AS A REINVESTMENT INTO THE MUSEUM. MR. REA SUGGESTED A 15% INVESTIMENT OF THE GAMING MONEY. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE INFORMATION AND GET BACK TO MR. REA.
MAYOR KONDRITZ NEXT INVITED RICK LINTON OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TOURISM COUNCIL AND FREDCO TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL. MR. LINTON STATED THAT MAYOR KONDRITZ HAD ASKED HIM TO COME SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT PROMOTION OF THE CITY OF BENTON. MR. LINTON SHOWED A SLIDE SHOW TO THE COUNCIL PITCHING IDEAS ON HOW TO PROMOTE THE CITY OF BENTON. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE INFORMATION AND GET BACK TO MR. LINTON.
COMMISIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE READING AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 26, 2015 MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTED TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT JEFF WIGGS WILL BE BRINGING EQUIPMENT OVER TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II TO HELP THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO GET THE AREA CLEANED UP. MAYOR KONDRITZ THANKED COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE FOR THE HELP OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THIS ENDEAVOR.
COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED SOME COMPLAINTS OF FAST DRIVING IN THE HOUSING PROJECTS IN THE AREA OF FAIRLAND STREET. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE FOR A 4-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF GRAYSON STREET AND FAIRLAND STREET. 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 ALLOW WILLIAMS TREE SERVICE TO CUT DOWN THE TREES IN THE ALLEY BEHIND 303 SOUTH WARD FOR THE AMOUNT OF $750.00. 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 #000911 TO SENTINEL FIRE SOLUTIONS FOR 1 DEMO SCBA 4500 PSA SCBA LESS BOTTLE WITH MASK IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,900.00. 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 PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #000912 TO EMERGENCY REPORTING FOR EMERGENCY REPORTING SOFTWARE FOR FIRE STATION MANAGEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,536.00. THE SET UP FEE OF $898.00 WILL BE PAID BY FOREIGN FIRE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE HAD ITEMS TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PAYROLL PAYABLE FOR 06/05/15 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,115.23 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,153.72 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $83,268.95. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PAY THIS PAYROLL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR TIMOTHY ANDREST OF 1106 SOUTH LICKLITER, LOT 28. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SEWER ADJUSTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR ERNEST HEINRICH OF 715 LOCUST. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THIS SEWER ADJUSTMENT AS IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CITY ORDINANCE. 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 POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR RODNEY BURNETT OF 1207 SOUTH POPE, JULIE OWENS OF 716 OLD ORCHARD DRIVE, SANDRA HAYS OF 309 WEST PARK, HARRY HOGAN OF 1203 EAST BOND, BRENDA TAYLOR OF 1210 ANNA STREET, TAMMY VARGAS OF 630 NORTH BUCHANAN, MAURICE BRANDIBAS OF 703 SOUTH LICKLITER, STEVEN JOHNSON OF 1209 WHISPER WAY, ANDREW GREEN OF 218 NORTH MCLEANSBORO, RACHEL EASTON OF 1006 SOUTH COMMERCIAL, TOM TEDESCHI OF 215 SOUTH MAIN, AND FRED AND KAY KONDRITZ OF 1317 WHISPER WAY. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE POOL ADJUSTMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, AND COMMISSIONER MILLER. NAYS: 0. MAYOR KONDRITZ ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED A POOL ADJUSTMENT FOR MICHAEL POE OF 205 SOUTH STUDELL. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DENY THIS POOL ADJUSTMENT AS IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CITY 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 IN THE PAST THE COUNCIL HAD DISCUSSED RESTRICTING FUNDS FOR A NEW CITY HALL OR EXISTING CITY HALL RENOVATIONS. COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKED THE COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND HE WOULD PRESENT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL DESKS AT CITY HALL THAT NEED TO BE DISPOSED OF. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT BIDS ON EXCESS OFFICE EQUIPMENT. 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 COMMEND COMMISSIONER WYANT AND COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ALONG WITH THEIR DEPARTMENTS FOR THE WORK THEY ARE DOING AROUND THE CITY OF BENTON.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HEAVIER POLICE PRESENCE ON HUDELSON STREET.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER SPOKE BEFORE THE COUNCIL. HE ASKED IF COST ESTIMATES FOR A NEW CITY HALL BUILDING OR EXISTING CITY HALL RENOVATIONS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THESE ITEMS WERE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE.
ALSO IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, PAID ON CALL FIRE FIGHTER JOHN OWENS ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL. MR. OWENS STATED THAT FROM THE LAST TIME HE ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL TO PRESENT, HE COULD SEE A 180 DEGREE TURN IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE ALSO THANKED THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR SERVICE.
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 MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER
MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER,
AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:40 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO HIRE SHANE COCKRUM AS THE NEW FULL-TIME FIRE CHIEF EFFECTIVE JUNE 9, 2015 AT 8:00 A.M. WITH A 1-YEAR CONTRACT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEMS (C) AND (D). 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 ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:50 P.M.
