MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 14, 2025 AT 5:05 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM JUNE 23, 2025 AS PRESENTED.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM JUNE 26, 2025 AS PRESENTED.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WERE STARTING THE MEETING WITH ITEM 9 (D) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF DONATION TO DO YOUR PART RECYCLING.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ANDY LAMONT OF DO YOUR PART RECYCLING TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KASEY AND LUCAS KONNEKER ON THIS DAY ASKING HOW LUCAS (WHO IS 7 YEARS OLD) COULD GET MORE INVOLVED IN RECYCLING.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED IT WAS A VERY FITTING LETTER TO RECEIVE WITH MR. LAMONT SCHEDULED TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.\u00a0 MR. LAMONT THANKED THE COUNCIL FOR THE DONATIONS THEY HAVE GIVEN TO DO YOUR PART RECYCLING OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS.\u00a0 HE DESCRIBED HOW HIS BUSINESS HAS GROWN AND THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT DONATIONS FROM PEOPLE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA TOLD MR. LAMONT THAT HE KEEPS HIS BUSINESS PRISTINE AND SHE REALLY APPRECIATES THAT.\u00a0 MR. LAMONT THANKS HER AND HE ALSO STATED THAT HE IS ABLE TO KEEP SOME COSTS DOWN BECAUSE HE HAS EARN FARE WORKER\u2019S FROM THE TOWNSHIP THAT COME AND HELP WITH THE WORK AND KEEPING EVERYTHING IN ORDER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED MR. LAMONT WHICH COMMUNITIES HE HAS RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM.\u00a0 MR. LAMONT SAID THAT THE BENTON TOWNSHIP HAS BEEN MATCHING WHAT THE CITY GAVE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IN THE PAST THE CITY HAD DONATED $1,200.00 AND THEN BUMPED TO $2,400.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE FELT THE CITY WAS ABLE TO DONATE $4,800.00 THIS YEAR AND THAT HE WAS SENDING OUT A CHALLENGE TO THE COUNTY AND WEST CITY TO NOT NECESSARILY MATCH THE CITY\u2019S DONATION, BUT TO DONATE TO THE CAUSE AS WELL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $4,800.00 TO DO YOUR PART RECYCLING.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE\u00a0 A BID FROM BAKERS PRESSURE WASHING FOR PRESSURE WASHING TWIN OAKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $600.00 FOR PRESSURE WASHING THE BUILDING, $150.00 FOR PRESSURE WASHING THE ROOF, AND $100.00 FOR PRESSURE WASHING SIDEWALKS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $850.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT PRESSURE WASHING THE ROOF AT TWIN OAKS KNOWING WE JUST HAD SOME LEAKING ISSUES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A SOFT WASH WITH CHEMICALS AND WILL NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THE MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS LOOKED INTO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO REMODEL THE CAPITOL PARK RESTROOMS AND ADDITION OF A POTTING SHED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAS LOOKED INTO PRICES AND BELIEVES A POTTING SHED COULD BE PURCHASED FOR $1,552.00 AND THE REMODEL DONE FOR $2,000.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE REMODELING THE CAPITAL PARK BATHROOMS AND THE ADDITION OF A POTTING SHED NOT TO EXCEED SPENDING $4,000.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00721 TO H&R AGRI-POWER FOR A STI G5461 16 STEEL SAW IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,250.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00691 TO LOWE\u2019S FOR 52\u201d BROWN PLASTIC EDGING BORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $658.98 FOR MALKOVICH PARK.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR REBECCA MAYBERRY, VINCE KELLEY, TERESA BAYLESS, DOROTHY VOICE, MICHELLE CUPREMIA, ELIZABETH CARNEY, AND TONYA THIELE AS THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n
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THE ADJUSTMENT FOR SHELIA TAYLOR WAS NOT APPROVED AS IT DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE A LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER FROM RICHARD AND AVA DARE TO JACOB AND ABBEY PARNELL FOR LOT #108B.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PARTIAL PAY ESTIMATE #2 TO WIGGS EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF $270,748.89.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MFT ROCK BID FROM BEELMAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,140.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MFT OIL AND CHIP BID FROM ILLINOIS ASPHALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $170,796.14.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE STREET RESURFACING BID FOR 2025 TO ET SIMONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $222,094.20.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MFT BAM BID TO ILLINI ASPHALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,380.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00141 TO NEWMANS FOR AMMO IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,362.00.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE MERIT BOARD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF HIRING 3 POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE ELIGIBILITY ROSTER.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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UNDER ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE FACEBOOK LIVE HE DID FOR THE CITY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE 1% HOME RULE SALES TAX INCREASE WAS VERY WELL RECEIVED.\u00a0 HE BELIEVES IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO DO ANOTHER IN THE FUTURE.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED JULY 3, 2025 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,914.93 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,648.64 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $104,212.42.\u00a0 SECOND BY STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MONTHLY BILLS FROM OTHER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,719.60, FROM MFT IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,284.84, AND FROM THE AP FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,072,399.22 FOR A TOTAL BILL AMOUNT OF $1,092,403.66.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HALF OF THAT AMOUNT IS TO BE PAID TO WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR THE WATER LINE REPLACEMENT AND THAT THE CITY HAS ALREADY RECEIVED THE CHECK TO COVER THIS FROM THE STATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED COMMISSIONER KAYS\u2019 MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO INCREASE THE HOME RULE SALES TAX BY 1% TO BE RESTRICTED TO INFRASTRUCTURE WITH NO SUNSET ON THE TAX.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN FOR RAISING TAXES, BUT HE WOULD BE A \u201cYES\u201d VOTE ON THIS MOTION AS HE BELIEVES THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO PAY FOR THESE PROJECTS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT THEY AGREED TO A 2% INCREASE IN WATER RATES AT THE APRIL 28, 2025 MEETING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS PRESENTED THE COMPLETED ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE #25-06, FOR APPROVAL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE NEW MINIMUM WATER BILLS WILL BE $60.35 AND $58.25 FOR SENIORS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-06 INCREASING WATER RATES.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 1.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE RANGER RODEO 2026 TO BE HELD AS A 2 DAY EVENT ON JULY 3 AND 4, 2026.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS YEAR\u2019S RODEO WENT VERY WELL AND HE FEELS LIKE IT WILL BE EVEN BETTER NEXT YEAR BY SCHEDULING THE DATE A BIT FURTHER INTO SUMMER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RANGER RODEO 2026 TO BE HELD ON JULY 3 AND 4, 2026 AT THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 PEGGY PAGE AND JUDY COURTER CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 THEY STATED THAT THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PUTTING ON A BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY AGAIN THIS YEAR.\u00a0 THEY STATED THAT THIS IS THEIR BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AND EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TIME.\u00a0 THEY SAID THAT THIS YEAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RAISE A LOT OF FUNDS AND WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DONATING TO THIS EVENT.\u00a0 MS. COURTER STATED THAT SHE HAS PUT TOGETHER AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT IT WOULD COST TO PUT THIS EVENT ON AND IT COMES TO SOMEWHERE AROUND $3,500.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM THE $3,500.00 FOR THE EVENT.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS EXPLAINED THAT THE CITY ONLY BUDGETED $5,000.00 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR FOR THIS LINE ITEM AND WOULD HATE TO USE IT ON JUST ONE EVENT.\u00a0 AFTER DISCUSSION, THE COUNCIL AGREED TO DONATE $750.00 TO THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS FOR THE BACK 2 SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BENTON AREA VOLUNTEERS THAT IF THEY HAVE ANOTHER EVENT, TO COME BACK AND PETITION FOR ANOTHER DONATION.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABSTAINED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 502 NORTH MCLEANS BORO STREET.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS IS A PROPERTY HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET DEMOLISHED FOR A WHILE NOW.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THE FAMILY WHO OWNS THIS PROPERTY DECIDED THEY WOULD RATHER DONATE IT TO THE CITY THAN TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEMOLITION THEMSELVES.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA ALSO STATED THAT THIS PROPERTY IS ZONED FOR BUSINESS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 502 NORTH MCLEANSBORO STREET.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO ADDRESS ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF BIDS TO REPAIR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, WE KNEW THERE WERE SOME COSMETIC ISSUES THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT BIDS WERE OBTAINED FROM WILKINS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,325.05 AND FROM WEEKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,426.26.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA RECOMENDED THAT THE CITY ACCEPT THE LOW BID FROM WEEKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,426.26.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (H) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY KASSIE LYNCH TO OPERATE A HAIR SALON IN HER RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 511 W. 6TH<\/sup> STEET.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE ZONING BOARD AND HE ALSO PERSONALLY RECOMMENDS THAT THIS BE APPROVED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT MADE BY KASSIE LYNCH TO OPERATE A HAIR SALON IN HER RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 511 WEST SIXTH STREET.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (I) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND SCHIRM U.S.A., INC.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH RECOMMEND AN AGREEMENT WITH 85% REIMBURSEMENT TO SCHIRM U.S.A., INC.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO HANDLE ITEM (J) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL TO AMEND SECTION 40-3-95 BUSINESS ACTIVITY \/USE SCHEDULE OF THE ZONING CODE AS IT RELATES TO MOVING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WAS APPROACHED BY SOMEONE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE OLD CAR WASH ON THE CORNER OF BAILEY LANE AND FRISCO STREET.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THE PROPOSED BUYER WANTED TO PLACE STORAGE UNITS ON THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY.\u00a0 UPON INVESTIGATING THE ORDINANCE ABOUT STORAGE UNITS, MR. CALCATERRA FOUND THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED IN THIS AREA.\u00a0 UPON EVEN FURTHER INVESTIGATION MR. CALCATERRA FOUND THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE STORAGE UNIT LOCATIONS IN THE CITY THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED BY ORDINANCE.\u00a0 MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO THE ZONING BOARD AND DISCUSS CHANGING THE ZONING CODE TO ALLOW THESE STORAGE UNITS TO BE IN COMPLIANCE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW MR. CALCATERRA TO BEGIN EXPLORING AMENDING SECTION 40-3-95 BUSINESS ACTIVITY\/USE SCHEDULE OF THE ZONING CODE AS IT RELATES TO MOVING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAS DRIVING BY 1106 HIGHLAND STREET TO CHECK THE PROCESS SINCE THE CITY HAS HIRED SOMEONE TO CLEAN UP THE PROPERTY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN CLEANED UP AND IS LOOKING SO MUCH BETTER.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS CONDEMNED A HOUSE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF JOPLIN AND MADISON AS IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR THEM TO ENTER ON A RECENT CALL.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO OLD BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n NO NEW BUSINESS<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, MR. TOM CARTER ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY WERE GOING TO UNRESTRICT THE FUNDS FROM THE 1% SALES TAX AND USE IT FOR OTHER THINGS.\u00a0 HE SAYS HE KNOWS THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AT OTHER ENTITIES.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6:17 P.M.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JULY 14, 2025 AT 5:05 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER.\u00a0 … Continue reading