\nCITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS
\nOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
\nMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
\nTuesday, September 1, 2026 \u2014 9:50 a.m.
\nBenton Council Chambers, Basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois 62812
\n1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
\nMayor Messersmith called this special meeting of the City Council to order at 9:50 a.m., noting that the meeting had been specially called for September 1, 2026, and that a couple of Commissioners were unable to attend. The City Clerk called the roll:
\nPresent: Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Mayor Messersmith
\nAbsent: Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays
\nA quorum being present, the Mayor declared the meeting open for business.
\n2. PUBLIC COMMENT
\nNo members of the public came forward for public comment.
\n3. PURCHASE ORDER \u2014 SOUND EQUIPMENT (FRONT ROW MUSIC)
\nMayor Messersmith reported that staff member Damien had been in discussions with Front Row Music regarding the City’s sound equipment needs for the car show, and that Front Row Music is expected to be able to supply most, if not all, of what is needed, with the possibility that one or two additional pieces may need to be purchased elsewhere.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the purchase of sound equipment in an amount not to exceed $6,786.00, with the majority expected to be sourced from Front Row Music, for use at the car show.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n4. FA\u00c7ADE GRANT \u2014 WORKHORSE PROPERTIES (LANA BAIN)
\nMayor Messersmith reported that a fa\u00e7ade grant application submitted by Lana Bain, d\/b\/a Workhorse Properties, for the property at 120 East Main Street, Benton, Illinois, had initially been misdirected upon submission but has since been properly received. The Mayor noted that the scope of the proposed project had been reviewed and approved by Zoning Administrator Brian Calcaterra.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the fa\u00e7ade grant as presented.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n5. RESOLUTION \u2014 ROAD CLOSURE FOR HOMECOMING PARADE
\nCommissioner Cockrum reported that the City’s annual homecoming parade is scheduled for September 18, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., requiring a resolution closing the affected roads for that period. This resolution number is #26-08.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the resolution as presented.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n6. INTERNAL POSTING \u2014 PUBLIC WORKS POSITION (WATER DEPARTMENT)
\nCommissioner Cockrum reported that Water Department employee Jason Miles is preparing to retire, and recommended that the resulting Public Works position be advertised internally.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve advertising the position internally.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n7. BID AWARD \u2014 MALKOVICH PARK FENCE PROJECT
\nMayor Messersmith reported that, following public solicitation of bids for the Malkovich Park fence project \u2014 posted on the City’s website and Facebook page, available for pickup at City Hall, and published in the newspaper \u2014 the City received a single bid, from C.R. Brinkmeyer, a sole proprietor with prior carpentry experience, in the total amount of $5,200.00 for materials and labor. Mr. Brinkmeyer offered the Council the alternative of accepting the bid in full, or amending it so that the City would purchase the materials only, with Mr. Brinkmeyer providing labor at no charge.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Storey moved to accept the amended arrangement, under which the City will purchase the materials for the fence and Mr. Brinkmeyer will provide labor at no cost.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Cockrum.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n8. DONATION \u2014 PICNIC TABLE TO BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 47
\nMayor Messersmith reported that Benton School District 47 had inquired whether the City had a spare picnic table to donate for use by school bus drivers, who currently have no seating near the bus parking area on McKenzie Street. The Mayor noted that an underused picnic table located on South Main Street has sat unused for approximately two years and could be donated for this purpose.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve the donation of the picnic table to Benton School District 47 as presented.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.<\/p>\n
9. ADJOURNMENT
\nThere being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Messersmith thanked those in attendance.
\nMOTION: Commissioner Cockrum moved to adjourn.
\nSECOND: Commissioner Storey.
\nVOTE: Ayes: Storey, Cockrum, Messersmith. Motion carried.
\n9:55 a.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, September 1, 2026 \u2014 9:50 a.m. Benton Council Chambers, Basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois 62812 1. … Continue reading