MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 10, 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. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED WE WOULD TABLE THE READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES UNTIL THURSDAY’S CONTINUED MEETING.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED WE WOULD GO OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA AND BEGIN WITH ITEM (C) OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT. COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY VOTED TO HIRE A POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER. COMMISSIONER MOORE CALLED ALEX MELVIN FORWARD. MR. MELVIN WAS SWORN IN BY MAYOR KONDRITZ.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO STAY OUT OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA AND ALLOW RICK LINTON FROM FREDCO TO GIVE HIS PRESENTATION ON MARKETING FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. MR. LINTON SHOWED THE COUNCIL A VIDEO CREATED BY A DRONE AS WELL AS A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION ON WHAT MARKETING COULD BE DONE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. THE COUNCIL STATED THEY WOULD GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT AND GET BACK TO MR. LINTON.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO HIRE DAVID SHELTON AS A TEMPORARY FULLTIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE FOR 120 DAYS STARTING TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2015. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED MR. SHELTON’S BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG TEST. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ASKED IF THE COUNCIL HAD ANY QUESTIONS AND NO ONE DID. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED A QUOTE FROM WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR A WATER SERVICE LINE INSTALLATION ON PUTNAM STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,500.00. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS QUOTE FROM WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,500.00. 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 HIS 2015 MFT PROGRAM FROM ILLINI ASPHALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,060.96. 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 APPROVE RESOLUTION #15-12 UNRESTRICTING $193,000 FROM THE CITY HALL BUILDING PROJECT, RESOLUTION #15-11. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER MILLER.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #15-13 RESTRICTING $193,000 TO THE EAST WEBSTER STREET ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER MILLER.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #15-15 SETTING A 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON PETROFF ROAD FROM NORTH MAIN TO SUGAR CREEK ROAD. SECOND COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #15-16 SETTING A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON SUGAR CREEK ROAD FROM PETROFF TO OLD BED 24 ROAD. SECOND COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #15-17 SETTING A 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON SKYLANE DRIVE FROM SUGAR CREEK ROAD TO OLD BEN 24 ROAD. SECOND COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW A CUT ABOVE TREE SERVICE TO CUT DOWN A TREE AT 606 WEST SIXTH STREET FOR THE AMOUNT OF $900.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BID FROM ET SIMMONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK TO OVERLAY WEBSTER STREET FROM MCLEANSBORO STREET WEST TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $109,550.96. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #000914 TO SENTINEL EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS FOR 20 SCBA FLOW TESTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,200.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED HE HAD RECEIVED A MEMO FROM FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM ASKING FOR REMOVAL OF PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ANDREW AHFIELD STATING HE DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DEDICATE TO THIS ANYMORE. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO REMOVE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER ANDREW AHFIELD FROM THE ROSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE HAD RECENTLY TAKEN OVER HEADING UP THE IPRF PROGRAMS FOR TRAINING OUR EMPLOYEES. HE STATED HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CHIEF COCKRUM ON THESE PROGRAMS.
COMMISSIONER MOORE PRESENTED ORDINANCE 3-1-10 (A) REGARDING HAVING ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ORDINANCE CHANGED TO ALLOW CHICKENS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. COMMISSIONER MOORE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PUT SOME THOUGHT INTO THIS AND IT WILL BE REVISITED IN THE FUTURE.
COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO BE AWARE THAT FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM HAS RECENTLY BEEN PLACED ON THE “911” BOARD BY MAYOR KONDRITZ.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #001002 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR 5 FLIPPER TABLES TO BE USED IN THE COUNCIL ROOM IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,434.20. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015, AT 8:30 A.M. TO PAY BILLS.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED PAYROLL FOR 07/31/2015 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,224.00 AND WATER & SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,599.44 FOR A TOTAL OF $80,823.44. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PAYROLL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR POOL FILLS FOR PAUL AND RICK FULLER OF 306 WEST PARK AND ANGIE FORBY OF 700 WEST WASHINGTON. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE APPLICATIONS AS THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED A SEWER ADJUSTMENTS FOR ALYCE WINEMILLER OF 901 EAST ANNA AND PASTOR DEAN SEVERIN OF 806 SOUTH MCLEANSBORO. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE APPLICATIONS AS THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR KASSIE SPENCER OF 314 WEST CHURCH. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO DECLINE THIS APPLICATION AS IT WAS NOT A LEAK, BUT WATERING OF GRASS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT ITEM (D) “RENEWAL OF HEALTH INSURANCE” WOULD BE DISCUSSED AT A LATER DATE.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH IS CURRENTLY GOING OVER STATE STATUTES AND IS WORKING ON AN ORDINANCE FOR ALLOWING GOLF CARTS ON THE CITY STREETS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THERE IS CITY OWNED REAL ESTATE AT LAKE HAMILTON THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE WITH. HE SUGGESTED POSSIBLY PLATTING THIS LAND. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ALLOWING ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PROCEED WITH IF DETERMINING RESIDENTIAL LOT PLATTING AT LAKE HAMILTON IS POSSIBLE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY COUNCIL HAD COME TO VISIT HIM. THEY PROVIDE PAMPHLETS AND COLORING BOOKS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO BE HANDED OUT TO CHILDREN WHO VISIT THE FIREHOUSE OR THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SCHOOLS DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A $250.00 DONATION TO THIS PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER MOORE MADE A MOTION TO PROVIDE THE NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY COUNCIL WITH A $250.00 DONATION TO THE FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE THE LOG CABIN REHABILITATION AND BE ABLE TO RENT AGAIN. THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED WHAT WORK STILL NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED ON THE LOG CABIN. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW PUBLIC PROPERTIES COMMISSIONER RONNIE BAUMGARTE TO PROCEED WITH REHABBING THE LOG CABIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED ITEM (F) WOULD BE DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MOORE STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO DO TESTING FOR ASBESTOS IN THE CURRENT CITY HALL BUSINESS. THE COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER AND REVISIT THIS TOPIC.
UNDER NEW BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT AUGUST 3-10 WAS NATIONAL FARMER’S MARKET WEEK. HE STATED THAT 500 TO 600 PEOPLE A WEEK VISIT THE BENTON FARMER’S MARKET. THIS IS RUN BY OUR LOCAL CITIZENS. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WANTED TO COMMEND ALL INVOLVED IN OUR FARMER’S MARKET.
UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, RYAN BOWMAN FROM THE BENTON EVENING NEWS WANTED TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF. HE STATED THAT IN THE THREE WEEKS HE HAS BEEN HERE, IF THE PEOPLE ARE ANY INDICATION, HE REALLY LIKES BENTON. HE STATED THAT THE PAPER WILL HAVE LOCAL NEWS EVERY DAY.
JUDITH KELLY SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL. SHE STATED THAT THE FAMILY THAT LIVES ON THE CORNER OF WHISPER WAY AND STONE BROOK IS RUNNING A GARAGE AT THEIR HOME. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE A VISIT TO THIS RESIDENCE.
JULIE PAYNE HUBLER ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE LOW CLEARANCE SIGNS ON SOUTH DUQUOIN STREET BEFORE THE TRESTLE. MS. HUBLER STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD TO HELP BACK MANY PEOPLE UP BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SEE THE SIGNS IN TIME. SHE SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THE CITY COULD PUT FLASHING SIGNS UP TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (A) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACQUISITION AND/OR SALE OF REAL ESTATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:30 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 MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
8:55 P.M.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MAYOR KONDRITZ, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH GO INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MOORE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 AT 8:30 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MOORE, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MOORE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
TIME: 9:00 P.M.
