MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 13, 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 COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA AND COMMISSIONER STOREY WERE ABSENT.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TRANSFER LAKE LOT LEASE #119A AND #119B FROM THE BETTY J JONES TRUST TO DANIEL AND SHERRIE HAMMONDS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN. \u00a0YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS: \u00a00.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ONLY THING HE NEEDED TO REPORT ON HIS DEPARTMENT WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE A BID OPENING FOR PAINTING OF THE WATER TOWER ON JULY 7, 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ONLY THINGS HE NEEDS TO REPORT ON HIS DEPARTMENT ARE THAT THERE WILL BE A BID OPENING ON JULY 6, 2022 FOR THE 2023 MFT PROGRAM AND HE WILL BE HAVING A MEETING WITH CITY ENGINEER RODNEY POTTS FOR CURBS ON WASTENA AND TO DISCUSS ISSUES WITH LINCOLN DRIVE.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH PRESENTED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00059 TO LARRY J FREDERICKS, LLC FOR BALLISTIC HELMETS AND POINT-BLANK STEEL CARRIER VESTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,688.40.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS PURCHASE ORDER.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER #00373 TO WITMER PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP FOR A PART OF GLOBE BOOTS TO REPLACEMENT BOOTS WITH HOLES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $517.85.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED CHIEF CHRIS FUNKHOUSER TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING JAMES PRITCHARD AS A POLICE OFFICER.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT OFFICER JAMES PRITCHARD HAD SUBMITTED A LETTER NOTIFYING THE MERIT BOARD, CHIEF, AND CITY COUNCIL THAT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 THERE WAS NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL REGARDING ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING MATT WARREN AS A FIREFIGHTER.\u00a0 CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT MR. WARREN HAS PASSED ALL BACKGROUND AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS.\u00a0 CHIEF COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HIRE MR. WARREN AS A FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER AT THIS TIME TO HELP CUT DOWN ON OVERTIME THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY VACATIONS AND SUCH.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF MATT WARREN AS A FIREFIGHTER.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FELT HIRING OF PERSONNEL SHOULD BE DONE WITH A FULL COUNCIL AND THEREFORE HE DID NOT FEEL HE COULD SECOND THE MOTION AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $352,278.20.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PAYROLL FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,322.84, FIRE DEPARTMENT BACKPAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,275.13, AND ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,685.89 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,283.86.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PAYROLL.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED AN INVOICE FOR DO YOUR PART RECYCLING IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,400.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PAY DO YOUR PART $2,400.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR HIMSELF.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n UNDER ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF INCREASING SECURITY MEASURES AT CITY HALL, A DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING BULLET PROOF GLASS AND BULLET PROOF WALLS.\u00a0 BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDS TO EXAMINE AT THIS TIME, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF DAVID BOOKER\u2019S REQUEST TO RAISE THE COST OF MOWING OF NUISANCE LAWNS DUE TO HIGHER COST OF FUEL.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA HAS REQUESTED THAT THE DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO RAISE PAYMENT BE BASED UPON HOW THE COUNCIL VOTED TO RAISE OR NOT RAISE PAYMENT FOR CITY OWNED PROPERTY MOWING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO DENY THIS REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN PAY TO KEEP IN LINE WITH THE REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE IN CITY OWNED PROPERTY MOWING.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED PAPERWORK FOR VACATING A PORTION OF PARK STREET.\u00a0 IT WAS STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD STILL MAINTAIN AN EASEMENT OF THIS STREET. \u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH PRESENTED A FA\u00c7ADE GRANT APPLICATION MADE BY AKASH PATEL.\u00a0 REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE $5,000.00 AND ESTIMATED COMPLETE DATE OF THIS PROJECT IS OCTOBER 1, 2022.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS FA\u00c7ADE GRANT APPLICATION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF LEASING A LOT IN THE BENTON INDUSTRIAL TIF UNTIL A FUTURE DATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS: \u00a00.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (H) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF AIRPORT GROUND LEASE TO GRUENINGER AVIATION.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF A HOMELESS PERSON PROBLEM IN THE CITY OF BENTON.\u00a0 DISCUSSION WAS HELD WITH NO SOLUTIONS AGREED UPON.\u00a0\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DOESN\u2019T BELIEVE WE SHOULD TURN OUR BACK ON THE HOMELESS POPULATION.\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 VACATING THE SECITN OF PARK STREET WOULD CAUSE ISSUES BECAUSE OF MANHOLES IN THE ROAD.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE IS NO SEWER IN THIS AREA.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED WHAT THE CITY IS PLANNING TO DO ABOUT ELECTRIC AGGREGATION.\u00a0 CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT THE CITY\u2019S BROKER, REG ANKROM, IS WATCHING THE MARKET CLOSELY.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE CITIZENS WILL BE SWITCHED BACK TO AMEREN AND THAT THE RATE IS PROJECTED TO BE $0.1067 KWH WHERE OTHER SUPPLIERS ARE COMING IN WITH RATES BETWEEN $0.16 KWH AND $0.17 KWH.\u00a0 CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR ELECTRIC SUPPLIER, BUT SHE URGED THEM TO READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE SIGNING OFF ON ANYTHING.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE CITY PLANS TO CLEAN UP THE MESS IN THE CLARIFIERS AT THE OLD WWTP.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT DUCKS ARE BUILDING NESTS IN THEM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LOOK INTO THIS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:35 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JUNE 13, 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 COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER … Continue reading