MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 8, 2024 AT 10 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE ABSENT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023, HELD AT 10 A.M.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. \u00a0VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED THE WATER USAGE REPORT FOR TWIN OAKS AND THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF USAGE.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE A LEAK, BUT WE HAVE NOW TURNED OFF THE WATER FOR THE WINTER AND WILL BEGIN LOOKING FOR THE ISSUE ONCE SPRING GETS HERE.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS, AND NO LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERRY RIDGE NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE SERVICE AGREEMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THIS IS A STANDARD AGREEMENT AND NOTHING HAS BEEN MODIFIED SINCE THE LAST TIME THE CITY ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS SECONDED THIS MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n
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IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS HANDLED THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PURCHASE ORDERS, UPDATES, OR DEPARTMENT REPORTS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY FIRE CHIEF SHANE COCKRUM REGARDING CREATING A LATERAL TRANSFER ORDINANCE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF A LATERAL TRANSFER ORDINANCE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR JANUARY 5, 2024 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,973.17 AND THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,168.44 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $107,141.61.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING AND THAT THE MEETING WILL NEED TO BE CONTINUED FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-01 FOR THE LINE OF CREDIT WITH PEOPLE\u2019S NATIONAL BANK FOR THE WATER MAIN PROJECT TO INDUSTRIAL PARK II.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN THE ABSENCE OF MAYOR MESSERSMITH, COMMISSIONER KAYS HANDLED THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THERE WERE NO UPDATES AND NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEMS (C), (D), (E), AND (F).<\/p>\n
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ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A PETITION TO VACATE AN ALLEY LOCATED IN 1ST<\/sup> ADDITION.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HE AND THE ZONING BOARD\u2019S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THIS ALLEY VACATION.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-01 VACATING AN ALLEY LOCATED IN REED\u2019S 1ST<\/sup> ADDITION.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WOULD BE HAND THE ZONING BOARD\u2019S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE A BODY AND FENDER WORKS BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA MENTIONED THAT HE DID RECEIVE 1 LETTER IN OPPOSITION OF THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE A BODY AND FENDER WORKS BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN STREET.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HE AND THE ZONING BOARD\u2019S RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION MADE BY APRIL WILKINS TO OPERATE AND AUTOMOBILE SALES BUSINESS LOCATED AT 605 NORTH MAIN.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT IT WAS HIS RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CITY MAKE A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE #24-02 DEFINING SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A PRIMARY OR PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY BUILDING, STORAGE BUILDING, GARAGE, LIVING UNIT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE ZONING BOARD VOTED 2-2 ON THIS SUBJECT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-02 DEFINING SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS AS A PRIMARY OR PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE, ACCESSORY BUILDING, STORAGE BUILDING, GARAGE, LIVING UNIT, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.<\/p>\n NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO OLD BUSINESS., ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD SCHEDULED 6 INTERVIEWS FOR THE POSITION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT UNFORTUNATELY, 2 OF THE INTERVIEWEES WERE NO CALL, NO SHOW.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE SAT IN ON A MEETING WITH AXON REGARDING BODY CAMERAS AND RENEWING OUR CONTRACT WITH THEM.\u00a0 CHIEF FUNKHOUSER STATED THAT THE CAMERAS IN THE INTERVIEW ROOM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AS WELL.\u00a0 MORE INFORMATION WILL COME AT A LATER MEETING REGARDING THESE ITEMS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED IF THE CITY WOULD SEE A SAVINGS ON A LATERAL HIRE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THEY DO STILL HAVE TO GO TO THE FIRE ACADEMY, BUT HE SAID WE WOULD SEE A SAVING BY HAVING LESS OVERTIME BECAUSE THE LATERAL TRANSFER WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE ON A SHIFT WITH ANOTHER FIREMAN FOR AS LONG.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ALSO QUESTIONED WHERE THE LEAK AT TWIN OAKS IS AND IF IT IS GOING INTO THE STOOL.\u00a0 HE SAID THAT IF IT IS RUNNING A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER THROUGH THE SEPTIC TANK, IT WILL KILL ALL THE GOOD BUGS OFF.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STOOLS.\u00a0 MR. CARTER ALSO ASKED IF THE PERRY RIDGE AGREEMENT STATED WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD BE USING FOREVER CHEMICALS AND IF THEY ARE PERIODICALLY TESTING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AS FAR AS HE KNOWS THEY ARE NO USING FOREVER CHEMICALS, BUT THAT HE WILL TALK WITH SHANNON TOIGO AND CRAIG MILES ABOUT THIS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD SET UP A TIME TO MEET WITH MR. CARTER AFTER GETTING THESE ANSWERS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M. TO PAY BILLS.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 3.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5:35 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 8, 2024 AT 10 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS. COMMISSIONER KAYS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, … Continue reading