North Egypt News

City of Benton City Council Met Oct. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Benton City Council Meeting Held At 6:00 P.M. Pursuant To The Governor’s Executive Order In Response To Covid-19 Issued March 16, 2020, This Meeting Was Held By Telephone Conference And Computer Attendance Only.

Mayor Kondritz Called The Meeting To Order. Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Messersmith, And Mayor Kondritz Were Present For Roll Call.

Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Approve The Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled City Council Meeting Of October 12, 2020. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Mayor Kondritz Asked The Council If Anyone Had Any Comments On The Resurgence Mitigation Issued By Governor Pritzker. The Council Had No Comment.

The Mayor Stated That He Would Like Pass An Ordinance Prohibiting The Use Of Atv’s On City Owned Properties. Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Direct Attorney Malkovich, Chief Of Police Mike Andrews, And David Garavalia To Prepare An Ordinance Prohibiting The Use Of Atv’s On City Owned Properties. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0. Commissioner Messersmith Abstained.

Mayor Kondritz Stated That He Would Like To Discuss Item (D) Discussion And/Or Approval Of Possible Purchase And Demolition Of Structure On Parcel #08-456-009 In Executive Session.

Commissioner Perkins Stated That He Wanted To Start His Report With Some Sunshine. Commissioner Perkins Stated That The Wastewater Treatment Plant Has Been Nominated For Wastewater Treatment Plant Of The Year.

Commissioner Perkins Made A Motion To Approve Pay Estimate #1 To Wiggs Excavating For The Route 37 Watermain Relocation In The Amount Of $135,549.42. Second By Commissioner Messersmith., Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Perkins Made A Motion To Pay Invoice |#4 To Brown And Roberts For The Airport Terminal Project In The Amount Of $4,448.71. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Perkins Made A Motion To Approve Payment Of A Partial Pay Estimate To Midwest Petroleum And Excavating For The Airport Terminal Project In The Amount Of $117,837.00. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Perkins Made A Motion To Approve A Change Order For The Airport Terminal Building Adding An Extension Of 60 Days To Complete The Contract From Midwest Petroleum And Excavating. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Discussion Was Held Regarding Approval Of Improvements To The Ford Garage Museum And The Franklin County Jail Museum Using Tif Funds. Motion To Table This Item Until Further Research Has Been Done Was Made By Commissioner Perkins. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Messersmith Stated That There Was A Project Status Report For The I-57 Interchange In Each Of The Council Members Packets. Commissioner Messersmith Also Stated That The 2020 Road Program Has Been Completed, The Sidewalk Grant Project Is 50% Completed, And That Samron Should Begin On The East Main Parking Lot Extension By The End Of The Week.

Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Approve Payroll For The General Fund In The Amount Of $62,752.22 And For The Water And Sewer Department In The Amount Of $27,177.55 For A Total Payroll Of $89,929.77. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Approve The Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Financial Audit Report Completed By Atlas. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Garavalia Started A Discussion Regarding The Creation Of A Hospitality Committee. During Discussion, Commissioner Messersmith Questioned As To Whether This Was Something That Was Needed Or Not As There Is A Rend Lake Tourism Board And The Benton/West City Chamber Of Commerce Whose Functions Also Are To Be A Sort Of Hospitality Committee. No Action Was Taken On This Topic.

Commissioner Garavalia Stated That She Wanted To Thank City Clerk Brook Craig For Preparing A Covid-19 Booklet For Each Department Head To Aid In An Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Attorney Malkovich Stated That A Counter Proposal On Bargaining Unit Negotiations For The Water, Sewer, And Street Departments Had Been Received On This Date. Attorney Malkovich Stated That City Clerk Brook Craig Would Provide Each Council Member With A Copy Of The Counter Proposal.

No Miscellaneous Business.

Under Old Business, Commissioner Garavalia Stated That Halloween Hours Have Been Set For October 31, 2020 From 5 P.M. To 9 P.M. She Asked That The Citizens Respect Social Distancing During Trick Or Treating.

No New Business.

No Matters From The Public Audience.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Go Into Executive Session For Item (A) Discussion Of Possible Acquisition And/Or Sale Of Real Estate. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

7:00 P.M.

Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Return To Regular Session. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

7:10 P.M.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Of Parcel #08-18-456-009 For Taxes In The Amount Of $825.00. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Perkins Made A Motion To Adjourn. Second By Commissioner Messersmith. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Messersmith, Commissioner Perkins, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.