MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 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, 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 NOVEMBER 27, 2023, HELD AT 5 P.M.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. \u00a0VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR THIS COUNCIL MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00237 COLEMAN LAWN EQUIPMENT FOR A 12-VOLT HIGH OUTPUT ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR A SNOW EX 8500 SALT SPREADER IN THE AMOUNT OF $567.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #000994 TO IPEG FOR A MECHANICAL SEAL, ROTOR, STARTER, AND JOINT KIT FOR THE SLUDGE PRESS IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,745.42.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THERE ARE NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FOR LOT #`117 FROM JOHN MCCREERY TO J. WILLIAM MCCREERY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ABOUT NAMING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AFTER PREVIOUS PUBLIC PROPERTIES COMMISSIONER RONNIE BAUMGARTE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT MR. BAUMGARTE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THIS PLANT BUILT AND HE FELT LIKE THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA TO HONOR HIM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO NAME THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THE BAUMGARTE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT AS AN UPDATE, HE WANTED TO LET THE COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS KNOW THAT WASTENA STREET HAS BEEN OPENED BACK UP TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ALSO STATED THAT HE WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE SEWER VACUUM TRUCK IS SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED DECEMBER 12, 2023.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ADDED THAT THE TRUCK HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR OVER A YEAR AND THE COMPANY HONORED OUR ORIGINAL BID AMOUNT AND ALSO AGREED TO STILL GIVE US THE SAME AMOUNT FOR TRADE IN AS INITIALLY QUOTED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CITY DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE A LOAN TO PAY FOR THIS TRUCK AND HE CREDITED THAT TO THE SEWER SURCHARGE.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR UPDATES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY DID DISBURSE A DEPARTMENT REPORT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 THE REPORT SHOWED THAT FROM 11\/01\/2023 TO 11\/30\/2023 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 13 FIRES, 21 RESCUE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE CALLS, 4 HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WITH NO FIRE, 3 SERVICE CALLS, 4 GOOD INTENT CALLS, 5 FALSE ALARM CALLS, AND 1 SPECIAL INCIDENT TYPE.\u00a0 THIS TOTAL FOR 51 CALLS IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MERIT BOARD DOING TESTING FOR THE POLICE OFFICER LIST.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO WORK 10-HOUR DAYS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, 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 12\/08\/2023 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,043.02 AND WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,048.52 FOR A TOTAL OF $110,091.54.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO PAY BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $295,386.02.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE BREAKDOWN OF THESE BILLS IS $13,398.59 FROM THE TIF FUND, $27,101.65 FROM THE MFT FUND, AND $254,885.78 FROM THE AP FUND.\u00a0 SECONDING OF THIS MOTION WAS DONE BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, 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 THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 TAX LEVY, ORDINANCE #2023-20.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE LEVY AMOUNT WAS RAISED THE 5% ALLOWED WITHOUT A PUBLIC HEARING OR REFERENDUM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. STREAM ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEGINNING AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY 2024.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVAL FOR HIM TO ACQUIRE FUNDING FOR THE ACEI BORING PROJECT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS SPOKEN WITH PEOPLE\u2019S NATIONAL BANK IN THE PAST WITH ABOUT THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THE FUNDING THROUGH THEM AS THE WATER AND SEWER FUNDS ARE KEPT IN THIS BANK AND IT WOULD MAKE TRANSFERS LESS COMPLICATED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THE MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER KAYS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING FUNDING FOR THE ACEI BORING PROJECT THROUGH PEOPLE\u2019S NATIONAL BANK.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT A DRAFT VERSION OF THE CITY\u2019S AUDIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED OTHER THAN THE AUDITORS STATING OUR WORKFORCE IS TOO SMALL IN THE OFFICE AND WE NEED MORE SEGREGATION OF DUTIES, THE CITY RECEIVED A GLOWING REVIEW.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT AS AN UPDATE, CENTRAL DISPATCH HAS SENT A PROPOSED AMOUNT FOR DISPATCH SERVICES CONTRACT WITH AN INCREASE OF 15%.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT IF THE CITY CHOOSES TO STAY WITH CENTRAL DISPATCH THE PAYMENT WILL GO FROM $120,000.00 PER YEAR ($10,000.00 PER MONTH), TO $138,000.00 PER YEAR ($11,500.00 PER MONTH.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH WEST CITY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO OFFER US A BID FOR DISPATCH AS WELL.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE STATE HOW PLEASED HE IS TO SEE THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS BEING HELD AROUND TOWN.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT HE HOPES TO SEE MORE OF THIS IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00488 TO H&R AGRI-POWER FOR HYDRAULIC SYSTEM REPAIR ON THE TRACTOR AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $968.75.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE ORDER.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, 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 PURCHASE ORDER #00489 TO FW ELECTRIC FOR REPAIR OF BROKEN HANGAR\/PARKING LOT LIGHTS BY CONVERTING TO LED FIXTURES AND ADDING A LIGHT OVER THE FUEL STATION AT THE AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,075.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, 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 PURCHASE ORDER #00490 TO WWW.WESTTECHEQUIPMENT.COM<\/a> FOR ONE (1) AVIATION FUEL NOZZLE REPLACEMENT AND ONE (1) SEALANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $389.01.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDS A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #2023-21 REGARDING THE ILLINOIS PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEMS (D), (E), (F), (G), AND (H).\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE PROPERTY FORMERLY HOUSING BEN\u2019S LAWN SERVICE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PURCHASED.\u00a0 THE BUSINESS THAT IS BEING LOCATED TO THIS PROPERTY WILL BE OPERATING A BUSINESS THAT WILL BE DOING BODY AND FENDER WORK.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION AMENDING DIVISION XX-SCHEDULES OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES ALLOWING BODY AND FENDER WORK BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN THE B3- AND B-6 ZONING DISTRICTS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-22 AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE DIVISION XX- SCHEDULES, SECTION 40-3-95.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT THE PROPERTY HE JUST DESCRIBED ALSO MAY BE SELLING VEHICLES.\u00a0 THIS WOULD ALSO NEED AN ORDINANCE AMENDED IN ORDER TO ALLOW THIS.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GET A MOTION AMENDING DIVISION XX-SCHEDULES OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES ALLOWING AUTOMOBILE, NEW AND USED SALES, BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN THE B3- AND B-6 ZONING DISTRICTS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-23 AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE DIVISION XX- SCHEDULES, SECTION 40-3-95.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAS A SIMILAR SITUATION TO THE SITUATION ABOVE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT 618FIXMYRV WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN SELLING NEW CAMPERS AT HIS BUSINESS IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT IN ORDER TO DO THIS AN AMENDMENT NEEDED TO BE MADE TO CHAPTER 40, ZONING ORDINANCE, SECTION 40-3-117, BUSINESS ACTIVITY\/USE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, CAMPERS, ATVS, MOTORCYCLES, BOATS, AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION APPROVING ORDINANCE #2023-24 AMENDING SECTION 40-3-117 BUSINESS ACTIVITY\/USE SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, CAMPERS, ATVS, MOTORCYCLES, BOATS, AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A PETITION TO VACATE A 20-FOOT-WIDE ALLEY RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH A DISTANCE OF 280 FEET THAT IS SITUATED WEST OF LOTS 1, 2, 3, & 4 AND EAST OF LOTS 5, 6, 7, & 8, ALL IN BLOCK 6 IN LAYMAN\u2019S ADDITION TO THE CITY OF BENTON, SITUATED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT ALL FEES HAVE BEEN PAID AND IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #2023-5 VACATING THIS ALLEY.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE OPEN THE DISCUSSION REGARDING ADULT USE CANNABIS.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IT IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO BECOME LEGAL FEDERALLY AND IF WE DO NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE, IT WILL BE DICTATED TO US ON HOW TO HANDLE THE SITUATION.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE AGREED WITH MAYOR MESSERSMITH AND WOULD LIKE TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 40, ZONING, PERTAINING TO ADULT-USE CANNABIS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO ADULT-USE CANNABIS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAD RECEIVED INVOICE #2 FROM BROWN AND ROBERTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,301.46 REGARDING THE APRON PROJECT AT THE AIRPORT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS INVOICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,301.46.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT RECENTLY THE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED A FORM FOR CAPITAL PARK USE.\u00a0 ON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THIS FORM, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FORM WAS MADE FOR BUSINESS AND NOT FOR NONPROFIT.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS FORM MAKING IT WORK FOR USE BY NONPROFITS AS WELL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED AIRPORT MANAGER MATTHEW HARRISON TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON YEAREND UPDATES FOR THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.\u00a0\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE APRON PROJECT WOULD BE COVERED PARTIALLY WITH A GRANT AND THAT USUALLY THE GRANTS ARE 100% FULLY REIMBURSED TO THE AIRPORT.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE RECENTLY PURCHASED $33,000.00 WORTH OF FUEL FOR THE AIRPORT AND THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A GRANT FOR $26,000.00 REIMBURSING FUEL COSTS FOR THE AIRPORT.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT THE RUNWAY RODEO WAS A SUCCESS AND HE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR HAVING MORE EVENTS SUCH AS THIS ON AIRPORT PROPERTY.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND DRIVE EXPANSION AT THE AIRPORT AT THIS POINT.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT HE IS INTERESTED IN BUILDING A CORPORATE SIZED HANGAR AT THE AIRPORT AND THIS PROJECT WOULD RUN BETWEEN $1.2 AND $1.3 MILLION.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE DOES HAVE AT LEAST ONE BUSINESS INTERESTED IN COMING TO THE AIRPORT PROPERTY AT THIS TIME AND THAT IF THIS BUSINESS WERE TO LOCATE HERE, PEOPLE COULD TAKE FLYING LESSONS AT OUR AIRPORT.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO HAVE AN AIRLINE THROUGH THE BENTON AIRPORT, BUT HE DID BELIEVE THAT WITH THE CORPORATE HANGAR, CHARTER FLIGHTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED WHERE WE WERE WITH REGARDS TO RUNWAY EXPANSION.\u00a0 MR. HARRISON STATED THAT HE IS NOT EVEN ABLE TO TALK TO THE FAA REGARDING THIS SUBJECT UNTIL THE NEED FOR RUNWAY EXTENSION HAS BEEN SHOWN.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THERE WAS NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL IN NEED OF SWITCHING THEIR LIGHTING TO LED AS THEY ARE HAVING TO REPLACE LOTS OF BALLAST OF LATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD ADDRESS THIS AS AN AGENDA ITEM AT THE NEXT MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THERE WAS NO NEW BUSINESS.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO MATTERS OF FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.\u00a0 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS: 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:30 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY DECEMBER 11, 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