MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2025 AT 5:00 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 AUGUST 11, 2025 AS PRESENTED.\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\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDER #00345 TO BURKDELL MULCH FOR TWO 2,000 LB BAGS OF GREEN RUBBER MULCH FOR USE AT MALKOVICH PARK AROUND THE PLAYGROUND.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSION 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 GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR USE OF CITY STREETS, PARKS, OR PUBLIC PLACES SUBMITTED BY LOUISE JACKSON (FROM PASSION TO ACTION) FOR THE USE OF CAPITOL PARK FOR THE FALL-O-WEEN EVENT TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 18, 2025.\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 STATED THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS CLEANED UP THE NORTHWEST MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT.\u00a0 SHE STATED THEY HAVE ADDED GRAVEL TO THE AREAS WHERE TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE AREA LOOKS SO MUCH NEATER AND CLEAN NOW.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS, POOL ADJUSTMENTS, OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE WATER LINE PROJECT AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL IS STILL IN PROCESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00144 TO OC RUGGED LAPTOPS FOR 8 REFURBISHED TOUGHBOOKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,984.00.\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.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00145 TO AMAZON FOR 8 BROTHER 200 DPI PRINTERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,113.44.\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 STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00157 TO BOB JOHNSON\u2019S COMPUTER STUFF, INC FOR 8 HEADREST PRINTER MOUNTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,543.63.\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 STATED THAT THE COUNTY DISPATCH BUILDING WILL BE DONE AND THE CITY SHOULD BE SWITCHED OVER TO COUNTY DISPATCH BY DECEMBER 1, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR AUGUST 29, 2025 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,898.55 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,324.79 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $104,223.34.\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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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAD NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT NEXT WEEK\u2019S TRASH DISPOSAL SCHEDULE WILL BE BEHIND ONE DAY DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT A RELEASE WAS MADE BY AMEREN DESCRIBING A PROGRAM TO HELP CITIZENS WITH THEIR BILLS AND THAT IT WAS POSTED ON THE CITY\u2019S FACEBOOK PAGE AND AVAILABLE TO BE PICKED UP AT CITY HALL.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WANTED TO REMIND CITIZENS THAT THE ANNUAL CHAMBER CAR SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 AROUND THE PUBLIC SQUARE.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THIS YEAR THERE WILL ALSO BE RC DRAG RACING TAKING PLACE ON EAST WASHINGTON STREET.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT GUNNER BAILEY TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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 FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT LORI HOLMAN TO THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS 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 STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE APPROVE A PROCLAMATION\u00a0 FOR NATIONAL SEE TRACKS? THINK TRAIN\u00ae WEEK IN THE CITY OF BENTON FROM SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 TO SEPTEMBER 21, 2025.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION.\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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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED THE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BROWN AND ROBERTS FOR THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.\u00a0 ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT THIS IS THE SAME AGREEMENT WE HAVE SIGNED BEFORE.\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
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UNDER MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT MALKOVICH PARK HAS RECEIVED SOME GRAFFITI.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE GRAFFITI.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO OLD BUSINESS.<\/p>\n
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NO NEW BUSINESS<\/p>\n
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NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA 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 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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5:16 P.M.<\/p>\n
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6:00 P.M.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.\u00a0 SECOND BY\u00a0 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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NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\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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6:01 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 25, 2025 AT 5:00 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