MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.<\/p>\n
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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
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2022.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, 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 REGULARLY CONTINUED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2022.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.\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 TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0 HE DID STATE THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE WATER DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK DURING THE RECENT REPAIR OF A LEAK.\u00a0 THIS RECOGNITION WAS ECHOED BY THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0 HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS FINISHED POURING SIDEWALKS AND CONCRETE FOR THE SEASON AND HAS SINCE MOVED ON TO DITCHING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT WILL BE WORKING ON THE ENTRANCE TO CITY HALL AND THE PARKING LOT SOON.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #22-12 TO CLOSE THE BENTON SQUARE FOR \u201cA HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS\u201d ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 AT 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00383 TO AMSOIL FOR OIL CHANGES IN UNITS #801 AND #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $789.90.\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 STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00384 TO WALLACE INDUSTRIAL FOR 2 SUPER-SAWZALL RESCUE SAWS IN THE AMOUNT OF $968.76.\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 STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00068 TO GALLS FOR 1 INTOXIMETER ALCO SENSOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $575.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW SERGEANTS TO REMAIN IN THE POLICE BARGAINING UNIT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF ADDING\/REMOVING PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MONTH.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $358,456.49.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 11, 2022 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,357.16 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,424.84 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,782.00.\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 GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO OPEN A LINE OF CREDIT FOR THE WATER MAIN PROJECT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RENEWING THE LINE OF CREDIT AT STATE BANK OF WHITTINGTON.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHRISTMAS BONUSES EQUATING TO LESS THAN $100 PER EMPLOYEE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THEY DID A REALLY GREAT JOB WITH THE FALL FEST AND SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH \u201cA HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT THIS MEETING.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF \u201cDAY TRIP\u201d PROPOSAL WITH RICK LINTON WOULD NEED TO BE TABLED AT THIS TIME.\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.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF SETTING MEETING DATES.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THERE IS A MEETING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 27, 2022 AT 6 P.M.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS MEETING DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THIS MEETING TO DECEMBER 22, 2022, AT 10 A.M.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT A MOTION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE SETTING ALL THE DATES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IN 2023.\u00a0 MAYO9R KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE MEETING TIME TO 5 P.M. ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS OF EACH MONTH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DECEMBER 22, 2023 BEING A 10 A.M. MEETING DUE TO THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS GROUP.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WAS SHOCKED AND VERY PLEASED AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WILLING TO DONATE THEIR TIME TO MAKE EVENTS IN THE CITY OF BENTON HAPPEN.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO OLD BUSINESS.<\/p>\n
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IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE IS A TREE AT 508 WEST PARRISH STREET IMPEDING EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM REACHING THE RESIDENCE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES WAS RECENTLY APPROACHED BY FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM REGARDING REMOVAL OF THIS TREE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS TREE REMOVAL WILL BE LESS THAN $500.00, BUT WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THIS SITUATION.\u00a0 ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AGREED THE TREE SHOULD BE REMOVED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH THE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS WITH WEST CITY REGARDING FIRE PROTECTION.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE RUMOR IS THAT BENTON IS NOT HONORING THEIR MUTUAL AID TO WEST CITY.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE CITY OF BENTON IS PLANNING ON VOIDING THE CONTRACT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL NOT BE VOIDED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL NOT BE VOIDED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ROBERT AND MICHELLE CZUPRYNSKI ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 THE CZUPRYNSKI\u2019S STATED THAT THEY LIVE AT 607 ELECTION AND THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE NEIGHBORS AT 603 ELECTION STREET.\u00a0 ACCORDING TO THE CZUPRYNSKI\u2019S THE YARD IS UNKEMPT AND THERE ARE LOTS OF MOSQUITOS AND SNAKES BECAUSE OF THIS.\u00a0 THEY STATED THAT THE BACK YARD IS LIKE \u201cA JUNGLE\u201d.\u00a0 MRS. CZUPRYNSKI STATED THAT CITY HALL HAS BEEN INVOLVED AS WELL AS BICOUNTY, BUT THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT WE CAN TAKE THE FAMILY TO COURT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOTHING SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE RULING IN THE COURT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SUGGESTED THAT THE CZUPRYNSKI\u2019S TRY GETTING A HOLD OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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LINDA KLEINE OF 409 WEST SIXTH STREET ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MS. KLEINE STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT SHE CALLED A \u201cSLUMLORD\u201d.\u00a0 MS. KLEINE SHOWED PICTURES OF HER ELECTRICAL BOX AND STATED THAT MCCOLLUM REAL ESTATE WAS HER LANDLORD AND THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX HER ISSUES.\u00a0 MS. KLEINE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT HER NEIGHBOR STATING THAT THEY DO NOT PICK UP DOG FECES, THEY PARK IN THE STREET, AND STALK THE OTHER NEIGHBORS.\u00a0 MS. KLEIN ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OFFICER CORN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT THAT MS. KLEIN WAS SPEAKING OF AND THAT HE HAS WATCHED BODY CAM FOOTAGE OF THIS INCIDENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DOES NOT FEEL OFFICER CORN HAS DONE ANYTHING WRONG.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0VOTE 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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6:55 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS. MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING … Continue reading