MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 22, 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 MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED CODY WILLIFORD TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH SWORE IN CODY WILLIFORD AS THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023, WITH THE AMENDMENT OF ONE SENTENCE UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF BENTON FOR THE POSITION OF THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POSITION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED MIKE TYSON OF TAKE ACTION TODAY TO DISCUSS THEIR PROGRAM WITH THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO COST ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY.\u00a0 THE AGENCY WOULD PROVIDE NON-CLINICAL PEER SUPPORT SERVICES, AID WITH RESOURCE LOCATION AND UTILIZATION, RESPOND TO OPIOID OVERDOSE SCENES, ASSIST WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS(S), AND ASSIST WITH LOCATING TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS ENCOUNTERED BY THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH TAKE ACTION TODAY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00501 TO HEARTLAND OFFICE SUPPLY FOR A BROTHER PRINTER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $629.59.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TO HANDLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WATER CONTRACT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WAS INCREASING RATES AND THAT WE HAD A CHOICE OF A 1-YEAR CONTRACT OR A 3-YEAR CONTRACT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE FINANCE COMMISSIONER AND THE TREASURER, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE RATE INCREASE FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND NOT HAVE TO RAISE RATES FOR THE CITIZENS OF BENTON.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM A BOARD MEMBER OF THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WHILE ON HIS WAY TO THE COUNCIL MEETING THAT SUGGESTED WE SHOULD ONLY DO THE 1-YEAR CONTRACT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT THINKS THEY MAY HAVE ESTIMATED HIGH AND THE RATE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR MAY NOT NEED TO BE AS MUCH OF AN INCREASE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE SIGNING A 1-YEAR CONTRACT WITH REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\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 STATED HE WOULD NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM (B) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LOW BID OF CA6\/CA10 FROM BEELMAN TRUCKING IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,760.00 FOR 500 TONS OF CA\/10 AND 1500 TONS OF CA\/6.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO REJECT ALL THE BAM BIDS AND ASK FOR CONTRACTORS TO REBID BASED UPON CLARIFICATIONS DUE TO SOME CONFUSION IN THE PREVIOUS BID PROCESS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO NAME PSC ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING AS THE WEST MAIN PROJECT ENGINEER.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES TO ATTAIN PETROFF ROAD EASEMENTS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PUTTING THE WHISPER WAY OVERLAY PROJECT OUT FOR BID.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00395 TO ROGERS TOWING FOR TOWING OF FIRE TRUCK #803 TO DAVE SCHMIDT TRUCKING DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE AMOUNT OF $725.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00393 TO THIN LINE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,780.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN LIGHT BAR ON ENGINE #803.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00394 TO DAVE SCHMIDT TRUCK SERVICE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN ENGINE #803 IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,804.66.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00395 TO WITMER PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP FOR ONE PAIR OF FIREFIGHTER BOOTS AND 1 FIREFIGHTER RESCUE BELT IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.95.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A BICYCLE RODEO AT THE BENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HELP OF THE BENTON CUB SCOUT PACK 7028 AND THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023 AT 6-7:30 P.M.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE 1-YEAR NOTIFICATION OF FIREFIGHTER JEFF COLEMAN\u2019S RETIREMENT PER BARGAINING AGREEMENT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR BILLS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,732.17 AND WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,952.71 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $93,684.88.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\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 MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED WORD FROM REG ANKROM WITH SIMEC, THE BROKER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON\u2019S ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.\u00a0 THE MARKET RATE THE CITY HAS BEEN LOCKED IN WITH IS $0.0866.\u00a0 THIS RATE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2023 AND RUN THROUGH JUNE OF 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THERE WERE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MADE TO CHAPTER 1 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.\u00a0 DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING WHAT THE CHANGES WERE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THE CHANGES TOOK EMPLOYEES AWAY FROM ONE COMMISSIONER AND PUT OVER HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES UNDER JUST 1 COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT SHE FELT LIKE THAT WAS TOO MUCH ON 1 COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD CHANGE SUPERVISORS WOULD BE THE CITY CLERK, THE WATER CLERK, AND BILLING CLERK.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT THE WATER CLERK AND THE BILLING CLERK DO IS IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THEREFORE THEY SHOULD ANSWER TO THE WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ARTICLES IN THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCE THAT ALSO NEED TO BE WORKED ON AND CLEANED UP.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF ALL THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE A VOTE IS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM AGREED THAT HE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF AMENDING CHAPTER ONE \u2013 ADMINISTRATION OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES #19-02.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR, IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION OF LAND FOR CJ LANDS \u2013 FRANKLIN, LLC.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS FOR BEN\u2019S LAWN SERVICE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PETITION FOR ANNEXATION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY NEEDED TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS\u2019 PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES HAS BEEN ON THIS COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE THE MEMBER THAT IS APPOINTED AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MAYOR LEE MESSERSMITH AS A MEMBER TO THE GREATER EGYPT REGION COMMISSION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\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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IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THERE ARE TERMITES, RUST, AND IN GENERAL FALLING IN OF THE BUILDING CALLED THE WATER BARN.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THE STREET DEPARTMENT HAS MOLD AS WELL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF BUILDING NEW BUILDINGS AT BOTH OF THESE PLACES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEAD MEN IN THE WATER AND STREET DEPARTMENT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEIR WORK VEHICLES HOME.\u00a0 HE SAID IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THESE MEN ARE CALLED OUT, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE BARN AND RETRIEVE THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO THE EMERGENCY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS SOUNDED LOGICAL TO HIM.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF BENTON ON THE REND LAKE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT IS UP FOR RENEWAL.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS ITEM WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE HAD QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING BORROWING MONEY FROM WATER FUNDS.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ASKED IF A FIREMAN WILL BE HIRED BEFORE THE YEAR FOR COLEMAN IS OVER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE THE CASE.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT HE BELIEVES CODY WILLIFORD SHOULD HAVE LIVED IN BENTON OR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MOVE INTO THE CITY LIMITS.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ASKED IF THE COMMISSIONER OVER PUBLIC WORKS WOULD JUST BEFORE CRAIG MILES OR IF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED HIS EMPLOYEES.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT CRAIG MILES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NONUNION WITH NO CLAUSE AND BE ON EQUAL GROUND.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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KAREN FREEMEN ASKED THE COUNCIL ABOUT A CROSSWALK FOR KOA.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE CITY ENGINEER IN REGARDS TO THIS REQUEST.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM (C) DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY, INCLUDING HEARING TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC BODY OR AGAINST LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE ITS VALIDITY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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5:55 P.M.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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6:29 P.M.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 3. \u00a0COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 2.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR ZONING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION ADJOURN THE MEETING.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5. \u00a0COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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6:32 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY MAY 22, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE BENTON CITY HALL LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING … Continue reading