MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 9, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WANTED TO GO OUT OF ORDER FOR THIS MEETING AND BEGIN WITH COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT CHRIS FUNKHOUSER AS BENTON POLICE CHIEF WITH A 15-MONTH CONTRACT AND A STARTING SALARY OF $67,000.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ SWORE IN POLICE CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER AT THIS TIME.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF UNION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO HIRE A 6TH<\/sup> FIREMAN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A REPORT IN THEIR PACKET FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENTS IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.\u00a0 THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 431 DISPATCH CALLS THAT INCLUDED 28 ALARM CALLS, 3 AMBULANCE CALLS, 1 ARMED PERSON CALL, 2 ASSAULT\/BATTERY CALLS, 16 DISORDERLY CALLS, 21 DOMESTIC DISPUTE CALLS, 4 FIGHT-IN-PROGRESS CALLS, 15 JUVENILE PROBLEM CALLS, 2 MISSING JUVENILE CALLS, 1 PROWLER CALL, 24 SUSPICIOUS PERSON CALLS, 19 THEFT CALLS, 13 WELFARE CHECKS, AND OTHER CALLS IN THE AMOUNT OF 289.\u00a0 THE REPORT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 13 TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORTS COMPLETED, 24 TRAFFIC STOPS, AND 9 TOTAL CRIMINAL ARRESTS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA TO PRESENT THE ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE REPORT TO THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $236,912.40.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR MAY 2, 2022 FOR THE CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,125.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A WRITTEN POLICY ON WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE REMEMBERED THE COUNCIL MAKING AN AGREEMENT TO NOT TAKE THE HEALTH INSURANCE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT AT THE TIME HE SAID HE DIDN\u2019T CARE EITHER WAY BECAUSE HE HAD INSURANCE AT THAT TIME.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE SINCE CHANGED AND HE RECENTLY BEGAN TAKING THE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE CITY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH ON INSURANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH CONTINENTAL TIRE (WHERE COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH\u2019S WIFE WORKS) AND THAT COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH IS ABLE TO GET INSURANCE THROUGH THAT COMPANY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FELT CALLING HIS WIFE\u2019S EMPLOYER WAS AN OVERSTEP AND THAT IF INFORMATION ABOUT HIS WIFE\u2019S INSURANCE WAS NEEDED, HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPROACHED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO OFFER THEIR RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WANTED NO PART OF THIS COMMITTEE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMITTEE AND THEN SECONDED THE MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED MAYOR KONDRITZ IF HE HAD SKIPPED HIS TURN.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SKIPPING ANYONE, JUST GOING OUT OF ORDER FOR THE EVENING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH IF THERE WERE ANY FURTHER UPDATES ON ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUENINGER AVIATION.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT MR. MARK GRUENINGER WAS IN THE AUDIENCE AND ASKED IF HE HAD ANY UPDATES.\u00a0 MR. GRUENINGER STATED THAT HE HAS A MEETING ON MAY 11, 2022 WITH PEOPLE\u2019S BANK TO REVIEW THE LEASE.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED IF A MOTION COULD BE MADE BY THE COUNCIL TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A FURTHER DATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A RESIGNATION FROM THE ZONING BOARD FROM JOHN MOHR.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS RESIGNATION.\u00a0 MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF JOHN MOHR FROM THE ZONING BOARD WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT FRED KERLEY TO THE ZONING BOARD.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CALL A RECESS AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED MAYOR KONDRITZ HOW LONG THE RECESS WOULD BE.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A 28-MINUTE RECESS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TAKE A 28-MINUTE RECESS, RESUMING SESSION AT 6:49 P.M.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:21 P.M.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOLLOWING THE RECESS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:44 P.M.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD ONLY RECEIVED ONE BID FOR FENCING AT THE STREET BARN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS BID WAS FOR $95,000.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE BID FOR FENCING AT THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,000.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00662 TO MCCOLLUM ELECTRIC FOR A STOP LIGHT CONTROL MONITOR FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON NORTH MAIN AND PETROFF ROAD.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ACCEPTING THE LOW BID FOR MFT ROCK FROM BEELMAN LOGISTICS IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,980.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE GUYS ALL HANDLED THE PARADE VERY WELL AND THAT ALL CANDY WAS PICKED UP OFF OF THE ROADWAYS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ TOLD COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH THAT THERE WAS CURRENTLY A POTHOLE ON WHISPER WAY WHERE HE STATED \u201cCARS DISAPPEAR\u201d.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS RECEIVED SOME BIDS ON CONSTRUCTION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AT CITY HALL FROM ERWIN BUILDERS TO BUILD A WALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,610 AND RELOCATE THE DROP BOX IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,600.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD PRESENT THESE AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT WANT TO HURT ANYONE FEELINGS WHEN DISAGREEING ON AN ITEM.\u00a0 HOWEVER, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE WILL REMAIN FAIR AND WILL ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR THE CITIZENS OF BENTON AND THEIR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT WISELY.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH MATTHEW HARRISON ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF RAISING THE FUEL COSTS AT THE AIRPORT.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE AIRPORT IS AT LEAST BREAKING EVEN WITH THE FUEL SALES.\u00a0 CITY CLERK, BROOK CRAIG, STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED A PROFIT WAS BEING MADE.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS QUESTION WILL BE ASKED OF MATTHEW HARRISON.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (B) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND\/OR PENDING LITIGATION.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:55 P.M.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7:11 P.M.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNION CONTRACT RETROACTIVE TO MAY 1, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2025.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7:15 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 9, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS, 62812. \u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER … Continue reading