MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2022 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, JANUARY 24, 2022.\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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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT OF ORDER ON THE AGENDA AND ALLOW CITY ENGINEER RODNEY POTTS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. POTTS STATED THAT ANY TIME THE MUNICIPALITY IS DEALING WITH FEDERAL MONEY, A CERTAIN CRITERION MUST BE FOLLOWED.\u00a0 MR. POTTS STATED THAT A QBS POLICY MUST BE PASSED AS WELL AS RFQ FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.\u00a0 MR. DOUG CIME FROM HANSEN PROFESSIONALS ACCOMPANIED MR. POTTS AND STATED THAT HIS COMPANY HAS BEEN IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING EASEMENTS FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.\u00a0 MR. CIME STATED THAT 21 OFFERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 THERE ARE 8 SIGNED EASEMENTS, 2 THAT ARE IN AGREEMENT AND WAITING TO SIGN, AND THERE ARE 11 PENDING AND IN NEGOTIATIONS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE VARIOUS VARIOUS QBS POLICY FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.\u00a0 MR. POTTS STATED THAT THIS HAS TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS AND THAT SINCE IT WAS A VARIOUS VARIOUS QBS, IT IS GOOD FOR ANY PROJECT DONE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS.\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
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF RFQ FOR THE WASTENA STREET PROJECT.\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 COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING LAKE LOT LEASE LANGUAGE.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD BEEN APPROACHED AND ASKED TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE IN THE LEASE TO ONLY BEING ABLE TO TERMINATE A LAKE LOT LEASE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THIS LANGUAGE OR MAKE NO CHANGES AT ALL.\u00a0 NO MOTION WAS MADE FROM THE COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE REWIRING OF THE STREET BARN AND TO GET PRICES FOR THIS TO BE DONE.\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
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT A DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HELD REGARDING PARKING ON EAST MAIN STREET.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO WAIT UNTIL CONSTRUCTION OF THE COURTHOUSE IS COMPLETED BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE ON PARKING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION FOR CLOSING THE SQUARE FOR THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE DEDICATION.\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 MESSERMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-01 FOR CLOSING THE SQUARE FOR THE REND LAKE WATER PARADE.\u00a0 SECONDED 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 MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE MONTHLY \u201cCRUISE\u201d SERIES PUT ON BY MR. JEFF SHOCKLEY TO TAKE PLACE IN THE PARKING SPOTS ON THE SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST SECTIONS OF THE SQUARE FROM MALKOVICH PARK TO CAF\u00c9 BLOOM, AND IF NEEDED THE USE OF CAPITOL PARK.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED 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 MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW HIMSELF TO APPROACH THE COUNTY FOR CARES FUNDING TO REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SIDEWALKS AROUND THE SQUARE.\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
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00367 TO EVAPAR FOR EMERGENCY GENERAL REPAIR IN THE AMOUNT OF $649.50.\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 MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #22-01 AUTHORIZING LATERAL HIRING IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.\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 MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF A 6TH<\/sup> FIREMAN.\u00a0 MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE MOVE OF DISPATCH HAS GONE VERY WELL AND THAT HE FEELS THE SERVICE IS BETTER THAN WHAT WEST CITY PROVIDED.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $378,325.96.\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 PAYROLL FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2022 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,439.82 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,498.95 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $89,388.77.\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 <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2022 FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,688.52 AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,739.00 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $110,427.52.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS TOTAL INCLUDES POLICE DEPARTMENT BACKPAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,108.94.\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 ASKED POLICE CHIEF MIKE ANDREWS TO SPEAK ON ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.\u00a0 CHIEF ANDREWS STATED THAT HE WILL BE RETIRING THIS YEAR AND HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HIS $5,000.00 STIPEND FOR COMPUTER CRIMES INVESTIGATOR TO BE GIVEN TO CHRISTINE KRAFT.\u00a0 CHIEF ANDREWS STATED THAT CHRISTINE HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR 12 YEARS AND HAS BEEN HANDED A LOT OF NEW DUTIES WITH THE NEW POLICE REFORM AND HE BELIEVES SHE DESERVES A SALARY INCREASE.\u00a0 CHIEF ANDREWS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MRS. KRAFT RECEIVE A $7,000.00 A YEAR RAISE.\u00a0 CHIEF ANDREWS STATED THAT THIS WOULD TAKE MRS. KRAFT\u2019S SALARY TO $43,900.00 A YEAR.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT MRS. KRAFT IS VERY GOOD AT HER JOB AND ALWAYS APPEARS BUSY WHEN HE IS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES SHE DESERVES WHAT CHIEF ANDREWS HAS PROPOSED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS NOT PREPARED TO VOTE ON THIS AT THE CURRENT MEETING AND WOULD LIKE A CHANCE TO RUN THE NUMBERS BEFORE THE VOTE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.\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 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 ASKED FOR A MOTION TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION FOR SALE OF SURPLUS CITY OWNED REAL ESTATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.\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 STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE SECURITY MEASURES AT ALL CITY OWNED PROPERTIES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO SEEK BIDS FOR FENCING OF THE STREET AND WATER PROPERTIES AS WELL AS INSTALLATION OF CAMERAS AT ALL CITY OWNED PROPERTIES.\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 NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR SOLAR POWER FOR CITY PROPERTIES.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE OF CRAIG MILES, LEE MESSERSMITH, AND RODNEY POTTS TO RESEARCH SOLAR POWER FOR CITY OWNED PROPERTIES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\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 <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR DOROTHY VOICE TO POSSESS A SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME ALREADY PLACED ON BROWN STREET.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\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 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION ALLOWING AN ORDINANCE TO BE DRAFTED FOR REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\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 UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE IS LOOKING INTO HAVING A DRIVE THRU WINDOW PLACED IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT.\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. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE AUDITORS HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CITY\u2019S QUESTIONS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT AN IN-PERSON MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.\u00a0 LENNIE SHELTON, DIRECTOR OF THE BENTON\/WEST CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, STATED THAT SHE APPRECIATES ALL THAT THE CITY DOES FOR THE CHAMBER AND THEIR EVENTS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\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 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7:24 P.M.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2022 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