MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2023 AT 5:00 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 CITY ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING.\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, FEBRUARY 13, 2023.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER 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 WE WOULD BEGIN WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT FROM COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD 1 PURCHASE ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00079 TO NEWMAN\u2019S FOR AMMUNITION IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,453.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISISONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO PRESENT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY INTRODUCED SHANE PETRIGREW OF THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DRUG TASK FORCE AND ASKED HIM TO PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. PETIGREW STATED THAT THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE HAS HAD A DRUG TASK FORCE IN OUR AREA SINCE 1980.\u00a0 MR. PETIGREW STATED THAT THEY WORK IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITHIN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND THAT THERE HAS RECENTLY BEEN AN OPENING IN THE TASK FORCE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO OFFER TO THE CITY OF BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 IF THE CITY AGREES TO PARTICIPATE, THE TASK FORCE WOULD PAY THE CITY OF BENTON $51,000.00, PROVIDE A CAR FOR THE OFFICER ON THE TASK FORCE, PAY FOR TRAINING OF THIS OFFICER, AND PAY FOR FUEL FOR THIS OFFICER AS WELL.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THIS OFFICER WOULD BE WORKING FOR THE DRUG TASK FORCE FULL TIME IN THE CITY OF BENTON AND PARTICIPATION WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO COLLECT FORFIETURE ON THESE DRUG BUSTS AS WELL AS GIVE HIMSELF A SEAT ON THE BOARD.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT HE HAS A LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION THAT THE ATTORNEY CAN SEE IT IF HE WOULD LIKE TO.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PARTICIPATION WITH THE DRUG TASK FORCE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD SECOND THIS MOTION PENDING ATTORNEY MALKOVICH\u2019S REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL VOTE YES PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO VOTED YES PENDING ATTORNEY APPROVAL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ VOTED YES.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH A MEMORANDUM FROM CHIEF FUNKHOUSER REGARDING RAISING THE BASE PAY FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT MRS. KRAFT IS BEING PAID BELOW WHAT HE FEELS IS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE EXPECTED RESPONSIBILITIES AND HER 12 YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF BENTON.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT ON MAY 1, 2022, MRS. KRAFT RECEIVED A $5,000.00 RAISE, BUT THIS WAS NOT ADDED TO HER BASE PAY AND HE BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER ALSO STATED THAT ON MAY 1, 2022, ALL NONUNION EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN MRS. KRAFT RECEIVED A $2,100.00 RAISE.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT WHEN RESEARCHING SALARIES OF COMPARABLE POSITIONS, HE FOUND THAT IN HARRISBURG THE SAME POSITION WITH ONLY 3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WAS MAKING $46,000.00 AND IN WEST CITY THE SAME POSITIONWITH ONLY 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WAS MAKING $44,000.00.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT MRS. KRAFT IS HIS RIGHT HAND AND HE BELIEVES SHE DESERVES TO BE PAID ON THE SAME LEVEL AS OTHER DEPARTMENTS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO WAIT AND DISCUSS THIS WHEN THE ATTORNEY CAN BE PRESENT AND SHE BELIEVES THE COUNCIL SHOULD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A BASE PAY INCREASE FOR CHRISTINE KRAFT TO $45,000.00.\u00a0 MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF SECOND.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A RESOLUTION CAN BE WRITTEN AND SHOW THE ACTUAL STEPS IN THE PAY INCREASE.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3. \u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 2.\u00a0 \u00a0COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ HAD NO UPDATES OR PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS REAL ESTATE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAS PREPARED A RESOLUTION #23-04 AUCTIONING 13 ACRES SOUTH OF THE WASTEWATER TREATEMENT PLANT ON APRIL 13, 2023 IN THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL ROOM AT 9 A.M.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT STATE STATUTE ALLOWS THE CITY TO AUCTION THIS PROPERTY AT 80% OF THE APPRAISED VALUE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-04.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED RICK AND BARB LINTON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. LINTON PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH SOME HANDOUTS REGARDING THE UPCOMING S3DA TOURNAMENT ON JUNE 15-18, 2023.\u00a0 MR. LINTON STATED THAT LAST YEARS\u2019 TOURNAMENT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND HE BELIEVES THIS YEAR WILL BE BETTER.\u00a0 MRS. LINTON STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE TOURNAMENT, THE COLLEGE NATIONALS MAY ALSO BE LOOKING TO OUR AREA FOR A TOURNAMENT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023.\u00a0 THE LINTONS STATED THAT THEY JUST WANTED TO TELL THE CITY COUNCIL \u201cTHANK YOU\u201d FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THEY HAVE PROVIDED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, LAKE LOT\u00a0 LEASES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.\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 THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON WHISPER WAY, DOING DITCH WORK, AND FILLING POTHOLES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE WORK ON MCLEANSBORO STREET AND MCCAN STREET WILL BE FINISHED UP IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS OTHER ENTITIES FINISH THEIR WORK IN THESE AREAS AS WELL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT GREATER EGYPT REGIONAL PLANNING IS WORKING ON A MASTER BIKE PLAN FOR ROUTE 37, ROAD WORK WILL BEGIN ON EAST MAIN @@<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #2023-03 FOR THE 2023 MFT PROGRAM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED SOME OF THE NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED AND THIS RESOLUTION WILL REPLACE RESOLUTION #2023-02.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT JUST AS A POINT OF INFORMATION FOR THE COUNCIL, HE STATED THAT ANTHONY BRYAN HAS DECIDED TO GIVE UP THE MECHANIC ROLL IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 THIS POSITION HAS BEEN INTERNALLY BID AND WILL BE FILLED BEFORE THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS POSITION DOES CARRY A $0.70 AN HOUR INCREASE IN PAY.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00074 TO FABICK CAT FOR REPAIR OF THE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR BY REPLACING THE FUEL LIFT PUMP AND REPLACING A 5-YEAR-OLD BATTERY IN THE AMOUNT OF $982.65.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00386 TO IAMRESPONDING.COM FOR RENEWAL OF ANNUAL DISPATCHING SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $660.00.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00385 TO FIRE APPARATUS AND SUPPLY TEAM FOR ANNUAL PUMP TESTING FOR ENGINES #801, #803, AND #805 IN THE AMOUNT OF $655.00.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO WRITTEN DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER CONTRACT AMENDMENT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS IN REGARDS TO PLACING A GUN SAFE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR USE BY THE SRO.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS AGREEMENT WOULD REITERATE THAT THE CITY HAS ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS GUN SAFE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS AMENDMENT.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $255,683.31, MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,786.03, AND OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,744.44 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS TO BE PAID IN THE AMOUNT OF $302,213.78.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,931.57 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,547.44 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $96,479.01.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY HAD PURCHASED A TABLE FOR THE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY DINNER.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE MAKING A MOTION TO PURCHASE A TABLE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL AND OUR CITIZENS TO SUPPORT THIS EVENT THAT RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS CONTINUING EDUCATION INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY MATT WAYMAN FOR A SPONSORSHIP FOR SI COMIC CON IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE THINKS ANY AMOUNT THE CITY COULD GIVE FOR A SPONSORSHIP WOULD BE GREAT AS THIS EVEN BRINGS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO OUR AREA.\u00a0 THE EVENT WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON APRIL 1, 2023 AT THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DO A $300.00 SPONSORSHIP TO THE SI COMIC CON.\u00a0 MOTION DIED FROM LACK OF SECOND.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED DYLAN YOUNG OF LITTLE EGYPT PEST CONTROL TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. YOUNG STATED THAT HE JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THE COUNCIL AND TALK ABOUT HIS BACKGROUND.\u00a0 MR. YOUNG STATED THAT HE WILL BE HONORING THE CONTRACT PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO BY THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE FORMER OWNER.\u00a0 MR. YOUNG PLANS ON BEING IN BENTON ONCE A MONTH FOR 8 HOURS A DAY.\u00a0 THE PREVIOUSLY AGREED UPON AMOUNT WAS $15,000.00 FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON.\u00a0 MR. YOUNG THANKED THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING HIM TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR CITY.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF LETTER OF INTENT \u2013 SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT FROM KEYSTONE POWER HOLDINGS, LLC FOR THE BENTON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE THIS ITEM AT THIS TIME UNTIL ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA COULD BE IN ATTENDANCE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM 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.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF DESIGNATING THE LAND SURROUNDING THE SEWER PLANT AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND HOLDING AN AUCTION TO SELL CITY SURPLUS PROPERTY.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO APPROVE DESIGNATING THE LAND SURROUNDING THE SEWER PLANT AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND HOLDING AN AUCTION TO THE SURPLUS PROPERTY AS WELL AS ADVERTISE DOING THIS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (H) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR ZONING CHANGE BY BEN\u2019S LAWN SERVICE AND TRAILER SALES TO RE-ZONE THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1502 NORTH MAIN STREET FROM B-3 TO B-2.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE THIS MOTION.\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.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED FOR ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY BEN\u2019S LAWN SERVICE AND TRAILER SALES TO OPERATE A BUSINESS IN THE B-2 ZONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\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.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO DISCUSS ITEM (H) DISCUSSION OF RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL AGGREGATION PRICING.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT IN MARCH OF 2022 THE CITY GAVE THE MAYOR PERMISSION TO SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BENTON FOR OUR ELECTRICAL AGGREGATION BROKER (SIMEC) TO GO TO MARKET FOR A NEW RATE.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED LAST THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023.\u00a0 THE NEW RATE FOR THE CITY\u2019S ELECTRICAL AGGREGATION WILL BE 11.3\u00a2 PER KILOWATT HOUR AND WILL BEGIN IN JULY OF 2023 AND RUN THROUGH JUNE OF 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A RESIGNATION FROM THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER BOARD FROM BENITA COFFEL.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT MRS. COFFEL HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB WHILE ON THE BOARD.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT HER RESIGNATION.\u00a0 MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\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.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR BRAD BURZYNSKI TO BE APPOINTED TO THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER BOARD.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS WOULD BE A GOOD ADDITION AND WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO MAKE A MOTION APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF BRAD BURZYNSKI TO THE BENTON CIVIC CENTER BOARD.\u00a0 THIS MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\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.<\/p>\n
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IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN THE ALBINO DEER WHILE HE WAS TRAVELING ON POPE STREET.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING POPE STREET HE WITNESSED CHARLES RUFFINO PICKING UP TRASH ALONG THE ROAD.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT MR. RUFFINO PICKED UP 2 OR 3 40-GALLON TRASH BAGS FULL OF GARBAGE.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WANTED TO PUBLICLY THANK MR. RUFFINO FOR VOLUNTEERING TO HELP KEEP BENTON CLEAN.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO OLD BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO NEW BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED WHAT KIND OF RATE MR. THOMASON HAD STATED TO MAYOR KONDRITZ REGARDING THE RLCD AGREEMENT.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE RATE MR. THOMASON DISCUSSED WAS 5%.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON RECORD THAT IF THE CITY HAD NOT PURCHASED THE NEW METERING SYSTEM, THEY COULD HAVE BOUGHT THE SOLAR STUFF ON THEIR OWN, MADE MONEY ON THE OVERAGE, AND RECEIVED A GRANT FOR THE METERS.\u00a0 HE ASKED THAT IF THE CITY WOULD, IN THE FUTURE, SIT DOWN AND REALLY GO THROUGH ALL AVENUES BEFORE MAKING PURCHASES LIKE THIS.\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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5:45 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2023 AT 5:00 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