MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MARCH 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<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2023.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\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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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF LAKE LOT LEASE #7 FROM RICHARD E. WESTON TO BLAKE HALL.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\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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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF TREES PURSUANT TO LAKE LOT LEASE, LOTS 1-4, AT LAKE BENTON.\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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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00236 TO NU WAY SALES FOR CONCRETE TO BE USED AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,219.50.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\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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COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00235 TO NU WAY SALES FOR STEEL FORMS AND CONCRETE FINISHING PRODUCTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,270.40.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\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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COMMISSIONER MESSERMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00101 TO COAL BELT SALES FOR AN 8 X 12-FOOT KENNEL IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00103 TO ROBERT KEY & SON CONSTRUCTION FOR A 9 X 12-FOOT CONCRETE PAD FOR THE K-9 PEN IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,523.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00389 TO DIVE RESCUE INTERNATIONAL FOR 6 ICE RESCUE SUITS, WET SHOES, AND GLOVES IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,170.52.\u00a0 THIS IS TO BE PAID THROUGH THE DONATION FUND.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00388 TO LEO M. ELLEBRACHT FOR 3 SETS OF BUNKER GEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,411.86.\u00a0 THIS ITEM IS TO BE PAID THROUGH THE CITY SERVICES BUNKER GEAR LINE ITEM.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00078 TO ALADTEC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION AND PAYROLL MODULE IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,500.00.\u00a0 THIS ITEM IS TO BE PAID FOR THROUGH THE IMPOUND FEE LINE ITEM.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-09 ADOPTING THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.\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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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF PURCHASING A K9 UNTIL THE NEW COUNCIL HAS BEEN SEATED.\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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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 PAYROLL DATED 03\/17\/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,463.78 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,043.95 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,507.63.\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 MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 03\/31\/2023 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,916.58 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,693.48 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $95,610.06.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\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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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO DISCUSS ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF A SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS A POLICY REQUIRED FOR RECEIVING GRANTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT OUR POLICY HAS BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY FEMA.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\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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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CITY AND FEDERAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT POLICY.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS WILL BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT POLICY.\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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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PAY RESOLUTION FOR NONUNION EMPLOYEES.\u00a0 THIS WOULD REFLECT A $2,100.00 INCREASE TO THE CURRENT BASE FOR THE WATER CLERK AND A $2,100.00 INCREASE TO THE BASE OF THE POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.\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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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR 8 YEARS ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD NEW HOUSE LUMBAR COMPANY.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT HE IS VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE BUILDING IS COMING DOWN AND A NEW BUSINESS WILL BE MOVING IN.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK ON THIS PROJECT AS WELL AS DAVID GARAVALIA AND BRIAN CALCATERRA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAS NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.<\/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, CHRISTEN DREW STATED THAT SHE IS NOT IN ATTENDANCE TO ATTACK ANYONE PERSONALLY, BUT SHE BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE COUNCIL VOTED TO REMOVE PARKING FOR A BIKE LANE, IT WAS THE WRONG CHOICE.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE DID NOT APPRECIATE THE SIGNS THAT WERE PLACED REGARDING PARKING AS WELL.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT\u00a0 SHE PERSONALLY HAS INVESTED $100\u2019S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THE PUBLIC SQUARE AND HAS CREATED 20 JOBS.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND THE BUILDING THAT HOUSES CAF\u00c9 BLOOM HAS RECEIVED DELIVERIES OFF OF EAST MAIN FOR OVER 100 YEARS AND SAFETY HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE THROUGH ANY OF THIS.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT HER BUSINESS CREATES 9 BAGS OF GARBAGE A DAY SINCE 2020 AND THAT THOSE BAGS EXIT HER BUILDING ON EAST MAIN.\u00a0 SHE ALSO STATED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR SHE HAS PURCHASED $30,000.00 WORTH OF GROCERIES FROM BENTON GROCERS THAT ENTER HER BUILDING THROUGH EAST MAIN.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE DOES APPRECIATE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES COMING TO SPEAK TO HER, BUT FEELS THAT THE VOTE TO REMOVE PARKING WAS NOT A VOTE FOR GROWTH AND SHOWS NO LONG-TERM PLAN OR DREAM.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT IN 2021 THE PARKING ON SOUTH MAIN WAS REMOVED, IN 2022 THE REBUILDING OF THE COURTHOUSE TOOK ANOTHER 20 SPOTS, AND NOW IN 2023 THE PARKING ON EAST MAIN IS SET TO BE REMOVED.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT BUSINESS NEED MORE PARKING SPOTS.\u00a0 EACH LOST PARKING SPOT IS A LOST CUSTOMER AND THAT LOSING 2-3 CUSTOMERS A DAY EQUATES TO $9,000.00 TO $10,000.00 PER YEAR FOR HER BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MRS. DREW STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH IDOT AND APPARENTLY THE BIKE LANE IS NOT \u201cA DONE DEAL\u201d.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT IDOT TOLD HER THEY APPROACHED THE CITY AND THE CITY RESPONDED FAVORABLY TO REMOVING THESE SPOTS FOR A BIKE LANE.\u00a0 MRS. DREW ASKED THE COUNCIL TO PLEASE STAND UP TO IDOT AND TRY TO SAVE THESE SPOTS.\u00a0 MRS. DREW ALSO STATED THAT IF THE SPOTS CANNOT BE SAVED, THE CITY SHOULD \u201cTHINK BIG\u201d AND MAYBE CONSIDER A PARKING GARAGE.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK MRS. DREW FOR WHAT SHE HAS DONE ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ ASKED WHO PUT THE SIGNS UP AND WHAT THE SIGNS SAID.\u00a0 MRS. DREW STATED THAT THE CITY PUT THE SIGNS UP AND THEY SAID \u201cNO PARKING ON SIDEWALK, PARKWAY, OR THIS BLOCK\u201d.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE CANNOT REMEMBER A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOADING ZONE OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING AND THAT HE WANTED TO GO ON RECORD THAT HE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR LOADING ZONES.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT THE APRON ON ROUTE 37 WAS PUT IN FOR A BIKE LANE.\u00a0 MAYOR KONDRITZ ALSO STATED THAT HE IT WOULD BE FELONIOUS TO SAY THAT IDOT ISN\u2019T BROKEN.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MESSERSMITH.\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 MARCH 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