MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0 ALL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT IN PERSON AT CITY HALL.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2021.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2021.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001777 TO VANDEVANTER ENGINEERING FOR A 4\u201d PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,250.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #001778 TO BEST ONE TIRE FOR 2 REAR BACKHOE TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,227.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD 890 CALLS ALREADY THIS YEAR.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT IS TIME FOR A SIXTH FIREMAN TO BE HIRED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE CAN GUARANTEE A REDUCTION IN OVERTIME WITH THE HIRING OF A SIXTH FIREMAN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE FELT THAT IT WAS PATHETIC TO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ASKED IF ALL THE CALLS WERE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON OR OTHER COMMUNITIES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT SOME OF THESE CALLS WERE FOR MABAS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD CONSIDER THIS A PRIORITY AND LOOK INTO IF IT CAN BE FIT INTO THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY THEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6TH<\/sup> FIREMAN.\u00a0 MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON IN THE AMOUNT OF $353,041.94.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH SECONDED THIS MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR DECEMBER 10, 2021 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,851.69 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $19.452.95 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $70,304.64.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #21-09 TO FUND THE LOCAL SHARE OF THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 1.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT WE SHOULDN\u2019T BE ABLE TO LAY ASPHALT IF WE CANNOT HIRE A NEW FIREMAN.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHRISTMAS BONUSES FOR THE CITY OF BENTON EMPLOYEES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE BONUS WOULD CONSIST OF A $50.00 GIFT CARD FOR BENTON SAVE A LOT AND A $25.00 GIFT CARD FOR ACE HARDWARE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM SECONDED THIS MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 1. COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2022 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE #21-10.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE APPROVAL OF THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT AS WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT YET.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVAL TO AMEND THE LAKE HAMILTON SUBDIVISION COVENANTS.\u00a0 AFTER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THE COVENANTS FOR THE LAKE HAMILTON SUBDIVISION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN A POST ON FACEBOOK THAT SLANDERS THE MAYOR.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ READ THE FACEBOOK POST STATING THAT THE MAYOR WAS RAISING GAMING FEES AND THAT HE HAS RECEIVED MANY CALLS REGARDING THIS SITUATION.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS IS A LIE AND THAT HE HAS NO INTENTION OF RAISING FEES AS THE CITIZENS HAVE ENDURED ENOUGH THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE INCREASE IN REVENUE FROM THE ADDED GAMING MACHINES IN THE CITY OF BENTON HAS ACTUALLY ALLOWED HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THE MACHINE FEES.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION DECREASING THE GAMING MACHINE FEES FROM $250.00 PER MACHINE TO $200.00 PER MACHINE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO REDUCE GAMING MACHINE FEES FROM $250.00 PER MACHINE PER YEAR TO $200.00 PER MACHINE PER YEAR.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO SPEAK ON LETTER (E) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF CIVICSERV MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR BENTON DOWNTOWN TIF AND BENTON IJRL TIF #2.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA EXPLAINED THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM AND HOW THEY WILL HANDLE TIF APPLICATIONS, SCORING AND TRACKING OF HB0571 JOBS, AND TRACKING COMPLIANCE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS SERVICE NORMALLY WOULD COST $9,000.00, BUT IF WE ADOPT THIS EARLY THERE WILL BE A DISCOUNT OF $3,000.00 MAKING THE TOTAL $6,000.00 PER YEAR.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID WITH TIF FUNDS, $3,000.00 PER TIF.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO OLD BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO NEW BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. RON ROSE QUESTIONED WHY THE CITY IS STILL ALLOWING PARKING ON EAST MAIN STREET.\u00a0 MR. ROSE STATES THAT HE DRIVES A TRUCK AND THAT THIS IS NOT SAFE.\u00a0 MR. GREG KIMMEL THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE CITY OF BENTON FOR GIVING HIM PERMISSION TO COLLECT DONATIONS AND PURCHASE THE GRASS EATING CARP INTO LAKE BENTON.\u00a0 MR. KIMMEL STATED THAT 300 GRASS CARP WERE LAUNCHED INTO LAKE BENTON ON 10\/20\/21.\u00a0 MR. KIMMEL ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE EXTRA DONATIONS AND THAT HE WAS ABLE TO FIX THE BOAT LAUNCH TO LAKE BENTON WITH THOSE DONATIONS.\u00a0 MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF GAMING FUNDS COULD BE USED TO PAY FOR A NEW FIREMAN.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THIS IS A POSSIBILITY.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:50 P.M.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ___________________________________<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0MAYOR<\/p>\n ATTEST:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ________________________________<\/p>\n CITY CLERK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2021 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812. MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER … Continue reading