{"id":6666,"date":"2026-02-24T18:16:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bentonil.com\/?p=6666"},"modified":"2026-05-15T18:16:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T18:16:42","slug":"city-council-meeting-minutes-february-9-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bentonil.com\/?p=6666","title":{"rendered":"City Council Meeting Minutes – February 9, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

City of Benton<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Regular City Council Meeting Minutes February 9, 2026 – 5:00 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

City Hall<\/p>\n

Public Square Benton, Illinois 62812<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mayor Messersmith called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.<\/p>\n

Roll Call<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Official\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Present <\/strong><\/p>\n

Commissioner Cockrum Yes Commissioner Storey\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes Commissioner Garavalia Yes Commissioner Kays\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes Mayor Messersmith\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes<\/p>\n

A quorum was present.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Approval of Minutes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Commissioner Kays made a motion to approve the minutes of January 26, 2026. Second by Commissioner Cockrum.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vote:<\/h4>\n

Yeas (4): Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Mayor Messersmith Nays (0)<\/p>\n

Abstain (1): Garavalia Motion carried.<\/p>\n

Commissioner Reports<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Public Property – Commissioner Storey<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    \n
  • No<\/em> purchase<\/em> orders<\/em> or<\/em> updates<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Mowing Bids (City Property & Nuisance Yards):<\/h4>\n

    Commissioner Storey requested to table discussion to review the current contract and explore assigning specific properties while separately bidding nuisance yards.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Attorney Malkovich advised tabling would allow time to review the contract terms.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Motion to table by Commissioner Storey. Second by Commissioner Cockrum.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Vote: <\/strong>Yeas (5), Nays (0). Motion carried.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Water Barn Demolition:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Commissioner Storey reported the structure is in poor condition and recommended demolition. Water Department staff will complete demolition with dumpsters ordered as needed.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Motion to begin demolition of the water barn by Commissioner Storey. <\/em>Second by Commissioner Kays.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Vote: <\/strong>Yeas (5), Nays (0). Motion carried.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Water, Sewer, Streets & Public Improvements – Commissioner Cockrum<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Water<\/strong> Barn<\/strong> Follow-<\/strong>Up:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Department equipment will be relocated to a building at the sewer plant.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Purchase Orders Approved:<\/h4>\n