MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2016 AT
6:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.
MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED BECKY LEWIS OF THE GARDEN GATE CLUB BEFORE THE COUNCIL. MRS. LEWIS STATED THAT THE GARDEN CLUB HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF TAKING CARE OF MALKOVICH PARK ON THE SOUTH WEST CORNER OF THE SQUARE. SHE STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A WATER LEAK AND THEREFORE THE WATER WAS TURNED OFF IN THE PARK. MRS. LEWIS STATED THAT THE GARDEN CLUB WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DRIP SYSTEM INSTALLED TO WATER THE PLANTS AND THAT THIS IRRIGATION SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE HOOKED UP TO THE WATER LINE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY TURNED OFF. MRS. LEWIS STATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE THE CITY TO LOOK AT FIXING THE LEAK SO THAT THIS IRRIGATION SYSTEM CAN BE INSTALLED. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ASKED MRS. LEWIS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH STEVE SHOULTZ AND THAT THEY WOULD BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FIXING THE LEAK.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 28, 2016 PUBLIC HEARING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 28, 2016 REGULAR MEETING. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001744 TO HD SUPPLY FOR 24 METER HEADS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,488.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000897 TO COE EQUIPMENT FOR A 500 FOOT JETTER HOSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,677.35. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH JOHN H. CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,250.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH HOLCOMB FOUNDATION ENGINEERING CO., INC. FOR SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION AND PAVEMENT DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS ON WASTENA STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN WITH JOHN. H. CRAWFORD AND ASSOCIATES FOR A COST OF $4,200.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED MADE A MOTION TO HIRE DYLAN DEFOREST AS A FULL TIME FIREFIGHTER AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MERIT BOARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE CANDIDATE TESTING FOR POLICE AND FIRE MERIT BOARD UNTIL A FURTHER DATE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO HAVE ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PREPARE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #15-19 TO TRANSFER GOLF CAR STICKERS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS 5: COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001964 FROM KYLE MELVIN FOR A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FROM NOVACOM IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,999.98. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THIS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM WOULD BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE IPRF GRANT PROGRAM. THE CITY RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTICE THAT IPRF HAD RESERVED $8,033.00 FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR DECEMBER 12, 2016 IN THE AMOUNT OF $383,396.22. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 12/02/16 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,576.39, FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,670.70, AND FOR AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,032.51 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $92,279.60. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE DECLINE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR CARMEN BARNFIELD OF 1201 HIGHLAND STREET AS IT WAS NOT DUE TO A LEAK. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5 COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER INDICATED THAT THREE PROPERTIES WERE AVAILABLE @AT 304 NORTH GRAND, 220 NORTH MADISON, AND 11 EAST BOND FOR A TOTAL PRICE OF $1,938.00 THROUGH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TAXING AGENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PURCHASE THESE PROPERTIES THROUGH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY TAX AGENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE,AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO MOVE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING TO TUESDAY DECEMBER 27, 2016 AS CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 26, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE 2016 TAX LEVY WOULD BE ON DISPLAY IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE FOR INSPECTION AND WOULD BE VOTED ON AT THE DECEMBER 27, 2016 MEETING.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE LIGHTING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY HALL BUILDING AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO PLACE ONE (1) POST WITH TWO (2) DIRECTION LIGHTS ON THE EAST END OF THE PROPERTY. MAYOR KONDRITZ STOPPED THE COUNCIL MEETING AND ASKED ALL THE COMMISSIONERS TO WALK OUT TO THE PARKING LOT TO SEE THE ISSUE. UPON RETURNING FROM THE PARKING LOT, COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 1. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT SCOTT INGOLDSBY TO THE AIRPORT BOARD FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT ITEMS I & J WOULD BE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD A MATTER FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
MAYOR KONDRITZ GAVE A PRESENTATION ON WORKERS COMPENSATION AND WHAT COULD BE DONE TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF CLAIMS THE CITY HAS. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THE EMPLOYEES SHOULD STRETCH BEFORE WORK EVERY DAY. MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT WE SHOULD EDUCATE OUR EMPLOYEES ON HOW TO PREVENT INJURIES.
MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED A CONTRACT FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL THAT NEEDS TO BE SIGNED. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE SIGNING OF THIS CONTRACT UNTIL HE COULD DO FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE SITUATION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY PROVIDED TWO RECENT EXAMPLES AS TO THE NEED FOR SECURITY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AT CITY HALL TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. JACK SCHANZ ASKED IF THE COUNCIL COULD TELL HIM HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON RENOVATIONS AT TWIN OAKS LODGE. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT A ROUGH ESTIMATE WOULD BE BETWEEN $35,000.00 AND $45,000.00. MR. SCHANZ ALSO ASKED IF MR. MILLER COULD TELL HIM THE COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT IT WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $375,000.00. MR. SCHANZ ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY COULD EXPLAIN WHERE THE MONEY FOR THE SEWER PLANT WILL COME FROM. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT A LOAN HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT WITH THE EPA TO COVER THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE $14.95 MILLION WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
ALSO UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. ROCKY MORRIS ASKED IF A FEASIBILITY STUDY HAD EVER BEEN COMPLETED ON GIACONE DRIVE. THE COUNCIL STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT COMPLETED THIS STUDY.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEMS (B) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PENDING LITIGATION AND (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 WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:15 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:40 P.M.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 28, 2015 TO MARCH 28, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FROM MAY 16, 2016 TO NOVEMBER 28, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 28, 2015 TO MARCH 28, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO HIRE RACHEL GARTNER AS ADDITIONAL CITY HALL STAFF WITH A START DATE OF JANUARY 3, 2017. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.
7:45 P.M.
