MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 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 GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS, HE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE IS TIRED, HE KNOWS THE COUNCIL IS TIRED, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY HE KNOWS THE EMPLOYEES ARE TIRED.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT HE DOESN\u2019T HAVE A VOTE THAT COUNTS UNLESS IT IS A TIE, BUT THAT HE DOES HAVE CONTROL OF WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MEETING.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO SPEAK RESPECTFULLY TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND ALLOW BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED LIKE NORMAL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED KATHY THOMAS WITH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT THEY ARE SPENDING APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00 PER MONTH ON FOOD TO PASS OUT.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THERE ARE 150 PEOPLE PER DAY, 2 DAYS A WEEK (TUESDAY AND THURSDAY), THAT COME THROUGH THE MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE FOR FOOD DURING A 3 HOUR WINDOW.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS PLANNED A KIDS PARTY FOR DECEMBER 13, 2025 FOR KIDS 9 AND UNDER.\u00a0 THE PARTY WILL START AT 2 P.M.\u00a0 THERE WILL BE FOOD, DRINKS, SANTA, AND PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED MRS. THOMAS WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR A DONATION TO THE PROGRAM.\u00a0 MRS. THOMAS STATED THAT SHE WAS KNEW TO THIS AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $1,000.00 TO THE BENTON MISTRIAL ALLIANCE FOOD PANTRY.\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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COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS.\u00a0 NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2025 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE TYPO IN THE VOTE TAKEN REGARDING HIRING A PART-TIME POSITION IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND SPELLCHECK CHANGING \u201cIDNR\u201d TO \u201cDINER\u201d REGARDING AN AGREEMENT.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS: \u00a05.\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 ASKED IF ANYONE HAD ANY CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE TO THE CONTINUED MINUTES PLACED IN PACKETS.\u00a0 NO ONE HAD ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS THEN MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AS PRESENTED.\u00a0\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 0.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ABSTAINED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS OR PUBLIC PROPERTY USE PERMITS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE GENERATOR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR CITY HALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $830.00.\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 #00724 TO SANDNER ELECTRIC TO REBUILD THE BOWLING ALLEY LIFT STATION PUMP IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,565.93 PLUS FREIGHT.\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 #00705 TO X-CELL SPRAY FOAMING FOR 2 INCH SPRAY FOAM OF THE NEW BUILDING FOR THE STORAGE OF THE SEWER VAC TRUCK IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,650.00.\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 #00703 TO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DOOR COMPANY FOR ONE 12\u20192\u201d X 12 FLUSH PANEL DOOR AND ONE OPENER IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,384.00.\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 STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY OF BENTON HAS AN ASSET IN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AND THE KNOWLEDGE HE BRINGS TO THE JOB.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT WE WILL MISS MR. MILES, BUT HE BELIEVES IT IS TIME THAT WE LET HIM RETIRE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY AGREED AND STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH HE AND MR. MILES HAVE HAD THEIR DISAGREEMENTS, THEY HAVE BECOME BUDDIES.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF COMMISSIONER COCKRUM HAS SEEN ALL THE UPDATED NUMBERS FOR THE ERI.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THEM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF HE WAS PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RESOLUTION AND COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WAS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE ALLOW\u00a0 ING CRAIG MILES, JASON MILES, MELISSA HUNGATE, AND SHANNON TOIGO THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND RETIRE EARLY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY SECONDED THE MOTION.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 4.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ABSTAINED.<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HIS PREFERENCE WAS TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATER IN A CLOSED SESSION BEFORE COMING TO A DECISION.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY IS $732,000.00 OVER 5 YEARS.\u00a0 HE STATED IF ONE EMPLOYEE DOES NOT TAKE THIS IT WILL DECREASE THE LIABILITY TO $530,000.00.\u00a0 HE STATED IF TWO EMPLOYEES DO NOT TAKE IT, IT WILL BRING IT DOWN MUCH FURTHER.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD LININGS TO THE ERI, BUT THEY NEED TO TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS BEFORE AGREEING TO THEM.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PIECES TO THIS, BUT INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS TODAY, HE FELT MORE RESEARCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN VOTED ON AND THE COUNCIL NEEDED TO MOVE ON.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ASKED PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. MILES PRESENTED THE COUNCIL WITH PLANS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF MINES AND MINERALS DISCUSSING THE PLANS FOR A RECLAMATION\u00a0 PROJECT ON THE WARD MINE.\u00a0 MR. MILES STATED THAT THE MINE SHAFTS WILL BE FILLED IN DURING THIS PROJECT.\u00a0 MR. MILES STATED THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE DONE WITH IDNR, BUT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME ON ITEM (E) DISCUSSION AND\/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH IDNR.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00149 TO AMAZON FOR 6 BROTHER DESKTOP SCANNERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,964.04.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS WILL BE PAID THROUGH THE IMPOUND FUND.\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 A STORAGE SHED IS GOING TO BE NEEDED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AS WE SWITCH TO ANOTHER CALL CENTER, 7 YEARS OF CALL REPORTS WILL NEED TO BE STORED AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CRAIG MILES ASKED IF HE COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT SINCE THE WATER BARN IS EMPTY NOW THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS COULD BE MOVED TO THE WATER BARN AND THE STORAGE SHED, THEY ARE IN COULD BE USED FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT STORAGE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF THIS SHOULD BE A SECURE FACILITY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT IT SHOULD.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO BEGIN RESEARCHING WHAT WOULD BEST SUIT THE NEEDS FOR STORAGE AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.\u00a0 SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM.\u00a0 VOTE WAS TAKEN.\u00a0 YEAS:\u00a0 5.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ASKED WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON AND THEN VOTED YES ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA HANDED THE COUNCIL PAPERWORK SHOWING NOVEMBER RESPOND HOURS AND PAID ON CALL PAYROLL FROM JULY 9, 2026 TO OCTOBER 31, 2025.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS VERY BIG ON VOLUNTEERISM.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF 6 CAREER FIREFIGHTERS AND A WORKING SHIT AND THEREFORE THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY PAID WHEN THE BELL RINGS.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE POC SAVE THE CITY A LOT OF MONEY BY THEIR VOLUNTEERING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE IS MAKING A PLEA TO APPROVE GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS FOR THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN IN THAT DEPARTMENT FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS AND HE HAS SEEN THEM GO OUT ON HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT 99% OF THE PAID ON CALL RESPOND NO MATTER WHEN CALLED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS 1 PART TIME WORKER IN THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND HE WANTS HIM TO BE INCLUDED AS WELL.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT IT\u2019S THE HOLIDAYS AND THAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WHETHER THEY ARE FULL TIME OR PART TIME.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS DO NOT GET PAID FOR THEIR TRAINING.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT IT HURTS HEARTS FOR THEM NOT TO BE RESPECTED.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REGULAR EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE BETTER THAN THAT.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THEY ARE SPECIAL EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR $15.00 AN HOUR.\u00a0 SHE SAID THEY DESERVE OUR APPRECIATION AT CHRISTMAS TIME.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT WE COULD TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND AS WE GIVE OTHER MONIES FROM THIS FUND TO VOLUNTEERS WHO DO NOT DO AS MUCH AS THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION THAT THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS AND 1 PART TIME WATER DEPARTMENT WORKER BE GIVEN $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES.\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 KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2025 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,024.71 AND FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,565.67 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $109,590.38.\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 KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD NO PURCHASE ORDERS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IN UPDATES HE WANTED TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE HOME RULE SALES TAX OF 1% WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2026.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AUDIT HAS BEEN RETURNED AND THE ONLY FINDING WAS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SEPARATION OF DUTIES, BUT DUE TO OUR SMALL STAFF THAT ISN\u2019T POSSIBLE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS SHOWS THE NEED FOR A CITY ADMINISTRATOR.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE WEST MAIN PROJECT WILL BE LET SOON.\u00a0 ALSO, COMMISSIONER KAYS REMINDED THE COUNCIL THAT THE CITY CHOSE NOT TO PUT A GROCER TAX BACK ON FOR THE CITY OF BENTON.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ATTORNEY MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE HAS NO UPDATES FOR THIS MEETING.<\/p>\n
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UNDER PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS IS SLATED FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025, BUT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO LA GALERIE.\u00a0 MAYOR MESSERSMITH ALSO STATED THAT DISPATCH WILL BE SWITCHED OVER ON DECEMBER 1, 2025 AT 12:00 A.M.\u00a0 AND FINALLY IN UPDATES, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL HAVE TWO POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATING THE ACADEMY ON DECEMBER 5, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00557 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 11 MINI COMPUTERS WITH WINDOWS 11 PRO IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,450.00 DUE TO END OF LIFE FOR WINDOWS 10.\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 GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH.\u00a0 NAYS:\u00a0 0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00556 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR 17 OFFICE 2024 PRODUCT KEYS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,253.00.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA 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 NEEDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE POSITION OF GRANT ADMINISTRATOR.\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\u00a0 JOHN OWENS ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THEY ADVERTISED FOR THIS POSITION.\u00a0 THE MAYOR STATED THAT THIS POSITION IS DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND GRANT WRITER\/ADMINISTRATOR AND THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A DEPUTY CITY CLERK AND THEREFORE THE POSITION WAS NOT ADVERTISED.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER STOREY QUESTIONED THE AMOUNT TO BE PAID FOR DISPATCH.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE AMOUNTS ARE $135,473.84 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2026, $139,538.05 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2026 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2027, AND $143.724.19 FOR DECEMBER 1, 2027 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2028.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN GIVEN THIS AGREEMENT AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING AND THAT THESE NUMBERS WERE ALSO REFERENCED IN THE MEETING MINUTES APPROVED AT THE START OF THIS MEETING.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN IN WEST CITY.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT STATEWIDE TAKE ACTION TODAY HAS RECEIVED OVER $1,000,000.00.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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ALSO IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ELKS LIGHTS PARADE WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 7, 2025 AND THAT HE WANTED TO THANK THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR TAKING PART IN THIS EVENT.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WANTED TO THANK MAYOR MESSERSMITH FOR STARTING THE MEETING THE WAY THAT HE DID.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND \u201cSHAME ON US\u201d FOR HAVING TO BE TOLD TO DO SO.\u00a0 SHE STATED THAT THE COUNCIL JUST NEEDS TO AGREE TO DISAGREE ON SOME ITEMS.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT WHEN COMMISSIONER STOREY HAD PREVIOUSLY CALLED COMMISSIONER KAYS AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH SNAKES, HE DID SO IN A FIT OF PASSION.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT COMMISSIONER KAYS HAVING A NAME PLATE WITH \u201cSNAKE\u201d ON IT WAS THOUGHT OUT AND SHE FELT LIKE IT WAS UNCALLED FOR.\u00a0 SHE ASKED COMMISSIONER KAYS TO REMOVE THIS NAME PLATE.\u00a0 COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE THE NAME PLATE REMOVED BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO OLD BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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NO NEW BUSINESS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER JOHN OWNS CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.\u00a0 MR. OWENS STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN A PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF BENTON FOR 33 YEARS.\u00a0 HE STATED THAT HE APPRECIATED THE COUNCIL AGREEING TO GIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS, BUT HE IS WANTING TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY STIPEND.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.\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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5:51 P.M.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 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