MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 9, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS\u00b8 COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2023.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOT #32 FROM KATHLEEN MEILE TO CLAYTON MACE AND MAXWELL MEILE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF CODY WILLIFORD AS A FULL-TIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 4.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 1.\u00a0\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR ACCEPTING BIDS FOR HVAC SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.\u00a0 SINCE THERE ARE 5 PROPERTIES WITH HVAC SYSTEMS AND NOT ALL CURRENT CONTRACTS ARE COMPLETED, COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS UNTIL ALL CONTRACTS HAVE REACHED THEIR END DATE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\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 THE WASTENA PROJECT IS PROGRESSING.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THEY WILL BE PUTTING IN CURB SOON.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT ASPHALT WILL BE LAID IN NOVEMBER AND SEEDING WILL BE DONE IN THE SPRING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT SPANI STREET HAS BEEN OIL AND CHIPPED IN COOPERATION WITH ILLINI ASPHALT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, UPDATES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE THE MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM MASTER AGREEMENT.\u00a0 IN APPROVING THIS AGREEMENT, A RESOLUTION AND ORDINANCE BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE PASSED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-17 ENTERING INTO THE MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM MASTER AGREEMENT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #23-14 FOR THE MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM MASTER AGREEMENT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO HOST A CHILI COOK OFF COMPETITION BETWEEN THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.\u00a0 THE DATE AND TIMES ARE TOO BE DECIDED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE HOSTING A CHILI COOK OFF COMPETITION BETWEEN THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 09\/29\/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $84,524.66 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,998.33 FOR A TOTAL OF $109,522.99.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE MEETING WILL NEED TO BE CONTINUED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED ORDINANCE #23-15 AMENDING CHAPTER 38 UTILITIES, SECTION 380201, ARTICLE II \u2013 RATES AND REGULATIONS TO INCLUDE TRASH IN THE PENALTIES ON WATER BILLS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE INVOICE #1 TO BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR THE APRON REHABILITATION AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,218.79.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW HIMSELF TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING LAKE LOT FEES.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO UPDATES FROM ATTORNEY MALKOVICH FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEMS (C), (D), (E), (F), AND (G).\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ITEM (C):\u00a0 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA PRESENTED A PETITION TO VACATE A PORTION OF TWO STREETS MADE BY TIMOTHY A. COOKSEY AND LACEY M. COOKSEY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ITEM (D):\u00a0 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA PRESENTED A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\u2019S STRONG COMMUNITIES\u2019 PROGRAM.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS GRANT MONEY CAN BE USED FOR DEMOLITION OF HOMES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #23-18 ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY\u2019S STRONG COMMUNITIES\u2019 PROGRAM.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ITEM (E):\u00a0 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT VICTOR SHOCKLEY TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSIONER FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THAT MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ITEM (F):\u00a0 ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO REAPPOINT GARRETT COLLIER TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA PRESENTED THE APPLICATION FOR THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY BRANDON FINKE TO CONTRACT AND OCCUPY AN EXISTING SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1100 EAST ANNA STREET.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA ASKED MR. FINKE IF HE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. FINKE STATED THAT HE KNOWS THE HOME NEEDS REPAIRS AND HE WOULD LIKE TO DO THOSE REPAIRS WHILE LIVING IN THE HOME AND POSSIBLY IN THE FUTURE TEAR THE HOME DOWN AND BUILD A NEW HOUSE.\u00a0 MR. FINKE PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PICTURES OF PAST PROJECTS HE HAS WORKED ON AND ALSO PICTURES OF WHAT THIS SAID PROPERTY CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE TO APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR BRANDON FINKE TO CONTRACT AND OCCUPY AN EXISTING SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 1100 EAST ANNA STREET.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE A FACILITY USE FORM FOR CAPITAL PARK WITH A PROCESS OF THE COUNCIL REVIEWING AND APPROVING THESE USES.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE FORM COULD BE FOUND IN THE COUNCIL MEMBERS PACKETS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FACILITY USE FORM FOR CAPITAL PARK.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL FOR STARTER FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000.00 TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR THE SOLAR ECLIPSE ON APRIL 8, 2024.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CONCERT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR OUR CITIZENS.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO DO THIS AS THE MONEYS SET BACK FOR THE HAMILTON LAKE BRIDGE WERE NOT USED IN TOTAL AND THERE SHOULD BE MONEY IN THE BUDGET FROM COMMISSIONER KAYS AND HIMSELF NOT ATTENDING THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE HELD IN CHICAGO.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO GIVE $10,000.00 TOWARDS THE SOLAR ECLIPSE WEEKEND.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IN MAY THE COUNCIL WAS PRESENTED WITH CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENTS AND IT WAS TABLED AT THAT TIME.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BRING THIS ITEM BACK UP FOR A VOTE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENTS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 2.\u00a0\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS AND COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.<\/p>\n
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IN OLD BUSINESS COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD ZERO ISSUES WITH THE HIRING OF CODY WILLIFORD AS A FULLTIME WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS SAID HE FELT LIKE THE PROCESS TO HIRE MR. WILLIFORD WAS BAD.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT WAS AGREED TO HIRE FOR THIS POSITION ON APRIL 24, 2023, BUT NO FURTHER ADVERTISEMENT OR APPLICATIONS WERE TAKEN AFTER THIS POINT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WHAT THE COUNCIL DID WAS NOT ILLEGAL, BUT IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT CLEAN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THAT IF AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY IS PART TIME, AND A FULL-TIME POSITION OPENS UP, HE BELIEVES THE PART TIME EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MOVE INTO THE FULL-TIME POSITION IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN IT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IF CRAIG MILES SAYS SOMETHING IS GOING TO WORK, HE BELIEVES IT WILL AND THAT IS WHY HE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE HIRING OF MR. WILLIFORD.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY WHAT HAD CHANGED AS HE WAS PREVIOUSLY ADAMANTLY AGAINST THIS MOVE BEFORE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WAS ARGUING ETHICS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ALSO STATED THAT HE IS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS HIRING PROCESS AND COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE IS HAPPY WITH THE HIRING PROCESS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED COMMISSIONER STOREY IF HE CAN EXPECT ANY FURTHER SURPRISES AND COMMISSIONER STOREY REPLIED \u201cNEVER KNOW\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO NEW BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, TOM CARTER STATED THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS IS CORRECT AND COMMISSIONER STOREY IS 100% IN THE WRONG.\u00a0 MR. CARTER STATED THAT THE HIRING PROCESS \u201cSTINKS\u201d.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THE NEW CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WILL BE PART TIME AND IF THEY WILL BE A MALE OR A FEMALE.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ASKED WHY HIS NEIGHBOR HAD TO PAY FOR TRASH EVEN IF HE DID NOT WANT IT.\u00a0 CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN TOLD THAT A REFERENDUM WAS PASSED MANY YEARS AGO AND THAT THE PASSING OF THIS REFERENDUM GAVE TRASH TO ALL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS IN THE CITY LIMITS WITH THE CHARGE BEING PLACED ON YOUR WATER BILL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 TO PAY BILLS.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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5:53 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY OCTOBER 9, 2023 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, … Continue reading