North Egypt News

City of Benton City Council met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Benton City Council Meeting Held Monday, May 13, 2024 At 5 P.M. In The Benton Municipal Building Located At 1403 South Main Street Benton, Illinois.

Mayor Messersmith Called The Meeting To Order. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith Were Present For Roll Call. Commissioner Cockrum Was Absent.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve The Continued Meeting Minutes Of April 15, 2024 Held In The Benton Municipal Building Located At 1403 South Main Street Benton, Illinois. Seconded By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Minutes Of The Public Hearing Held On April 22, 2024 In The Benton Municipal Building At 1403 South Main Street Benton, Illinois To Hear Testimony For Or Against The Proposed Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve The Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting Held On Monday On Monday April 22, 2024 April 9, 2024 At 5 P.M. In The Benton Municipal Building Located At 1403 South Main Street Benton, Illinois. Seconded By Commissioner Cockrum. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Garavalia Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00686 To Evapar For A Service Call For A Sounding Alarm On The Generator At City Hall In The Amount Of $1,767.99. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Garavalia Stated That She Has Met With Helitech Regarding The Benton Police Department Flooding Issue At 503 West Washington Street. She Stated That They Have Provided An Estimate Of $10,507.00 To Repair The Problems. Commissioner Garavalia Also Stated That Woods Basements Are Supposed To Be Coming To Provide An Estimate On Repairs As Well. After A Lengthy Discussion Regarding Forming A Committee To Address The Situation It Was Decided That A Call Needed To Be Made To Our Insurance Agent At S.C.D. Rea In An Effort To See If Insurance Would Cover The Damage. No Other Action Was Taken At This Time.

Commissioner Cockrum Was Absent For This Meeting And In His Absence, Attorney Tom Malkovich Handled His Report. Attorney Malkovich Asked For A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00709 To Velodyne For A Mixer Motor For The Sludge Press In The Amount Of $1,857.17. This Motion Was Made By Commissioner Kays. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Attorney Malkovich Presented A Swimming Pool Adjustment For Approval For Kelli Sullivan At 607 East Webster Street. Commissioner Garavalia Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Attorney Malkovich Presented A Pool Adjustment For Approval For Casey Garcia Of 508 West 6th Street. Commissioner Storey Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Attorney Malkovich Presented A Pool Adjustment For Denial For Melinda Rohrscheib At 307 North Buchanan Street. Commissioner Garavalia Made The Motion To Deny The Pool Adjustment. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Attorney Malkovich Stated That There Were No Lake Lot Lease Transfers For This Meeting.

Attorney Malkovich Stated That He Needed Approval Directing An Ordinance To Be Prepared For A Stop Sign On Gardner At East Taylor Street. Commissioner Kays Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00122 To Concepte Of Illinois For A Super Micro Serve In The Amount Of $5,495.95 For The Police Department. Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like This To Come From The Impound Fund. Commissioner Storey Stated That If We Keep Taking Things From The Impound Fund, It Will Be Empty. Commissioner Kays Stated That This Server Was Ordered Before A Purchase Order Was Filled Out, A Conversation Had, Or Any Approval Had Been Given. Chief Funkhouser Said He Was Under The Understanding That Commissioner Kays Was Aware It Was Needed For His Department. Commissioner Storey Again Made A Motion To Approve The Purchase Order For Payment From The General Fund. Commissioner Garavalia Seconded This Motion. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 2. Commissioner Garavalia And Commissioner Storey. Nays: 2. Commissioner Kays And Mayor Messersmith.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00123 To Ray O’herron For Uniforms, Duty Gear, And Equipment For The New Hire In The Police Department In The Amount Of $2,210.78. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00121 To Larry Fredricks, Llc For 1 Point Blank Ballistic Vest And 1 Point Blank Guardian Carrier For The New Hire In The Police Department In The Amount Of $890.00. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00126 To Ids Applications, Inc For Annual Lawman Software Maintenance And Annual Subscription To Lawman In The Amount Of $950.00. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00410 To Matt Warren For A Used Digital Radio For The Mini-Pumper In The Amount Of $575.00. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Stated That We Needed To Update The Golf Cart Ordinance Changing The Sticker Due Date And The Possibility Of A Temporary Tag Allowing Owners To Drive The Golf Cart To The Police Department For Inspection. Discussion Was Held Regarding These Topics As Well As When West City’s Due Date For Stickers Are Considering Stickers Work In Both Communities. Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Table This Item At This Time. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Hire Two Temporary Firefighters To Fill In The Gap Between Jeff Coleman’s Retirement And The Hiring Of A New Firefighter. Commissioner Storey Stated That He Would Like To Higher John Owens And Zack Halstead As Temporary Firefighters. He Stated They Would Be Splitting The Work 80/20 And That John Owens Has Been A Paid On Call Firefighter For The City Since 1992 And Zack Halstead Is The Candidate The Merit Board Is Looking To Hire For Full Time Firefighter. Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like To Discuss This Further In Closed Session.

Commissioner Kays Stated That He Wanted To Make A Note That Fire Department And Police Department Overtime For The Payroll That Included The Eclipse Festival Was $3,252.05. Commissioner Kays Stated That There Were 2 Fire Calls Also During This Time Period To Consider In Calculating The Overtime For The Event.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Payroll For April 26, 2024 From The General Fund In The Amount Of $80,430.83 And Water And Sewer Fund In The Amount Of $26,046.56 For A Total Payroll Of $106,477.39. Commissioner Garavalia Seconded This Motion. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Payroll Dated 05/01/2024 Which Consisted Of Clothing Allowance For The Street Department In The Amount Of $1,700.00. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Payroll Dated 05/10/2024 For The General Fund In The Amount Of $80,886.26 And For The Water And Sewer Fund In The Amount Of $23,743.43 For A Total Payroll Of $104,629.69. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Monthly Bills For This Meeting In The Amount Of $395,528.62 All From The Ap Fund. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Resolution #24-04, A Pay Resolution For Noncontractual, Nonunion Employees. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Stated That The Purchase Order Policy Is Not Being Followed Across The Board. In An Effort To Control This Better, Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like To Change The Purchase Order Amount From $500.00 To $400.00 And Take This From A Policy To An Ordinance. After A Lengthy Discussion Regarding The $400.00 Amount Being Too Low For Most Items, Commissioner Kays Stated He Would Change His Motion To $750.00 As Long As The Purchase Orders Are Being Filled Out. Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Direct An Amendment Be Written To Ordinance 1-2-34 (N) Purchase Order. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like To Make A Motion Amending The Fy-24/25 Budget To Include The Ford F550 Mini Pumper Paid From Municipal Utility Tax. Second By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like To Look Into Time Clocks For All Departments. A Long Discussion Was Held Regarding This Topic. No Action Was Taken At This Time.

City Attorney Malkovich Had No Updates.

In Updates Mayor Messersmith Stated That He Has Been Contacted About A Street Light Program And Will Bring More Information To The Council As He Gets It. Mayor Messersmith Stated That This Year’s Rend Lake Water Festival Was Really Good. Also, Under Updates Mayor Messersmith Stated That The Master Bike Plan Is Almost Finished And That The Path From The Schools To The Park Will Be Labeled The Steve Mccommons Bikeway. Mayor Messersmith Stated That He Had Lunch With Gary Williams From Rend Lake Conservancy And That It Was A Good Meeting.

Mayor Messersmith Asked For A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00707 To Monday.Com To Purchase 5 Seats On The Workflow Platform In The Amount Of $1,140.00. Commissioner Garavalia Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Mayor Messersmith Asked For A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00682 To Heartland Office Supply For An Ink Jet Printer To Be Used By Multiple Departments At City Hall In The Amount Of $257.00. Commissioner Garavalia Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Mayor Messersmith Asked Attorney Malkovich To Handle Items (C) And (D) Under The Public Affairs Report.

Attorney Malkovich Stated That He Would Need A Motion To Approve Item (C), Discussion And/Or Approval Of The Percentage For The Tif Reimbursement For The State Bank Of Whittington Redevelopment Project. He Stated That This Project Would Bring In 18-20 New Jobs And That Zoning And Tif Administrator Brian Calcaterra Has Recommended A Tif Reimbursement For The State Bank Of Whittington Of 80%. Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve An 80% Tif Reimbursement For The State Bank Of Whittington Redevelopment Project. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Attorney Malkovich Stated That There Would Be No Action On Item (D) Discussion And/Or Approval Of The Offer To Purchase The Surplus Real Estate Commonly Known As 308 Buchanan Street.

No Miscellaneous Business.

No Old Business.

In New Business, Commissioner Storey Stated That #806 (Mini Pumper) Has Arrived. He Stated That It Has Already Had More Calls Here Than It Had Before We Purchased It.

In Matters From The Public Audience, Fire Chief Shane Cockrum Stated That He Wanted To Thank Jeff Coleman For His 26 ½ Years With The Benton Fire Department. Chief Cockrum Also Stated That Mr. Coleman Has Started A Job As A Park Ranger With The Corps Of Engineers And Stated He Will Be An Asset To Them. Mr. Tom Carter Addressed The Council Next. Mr. Carter Stated That He Believed That The Previous Threshold For Purchase Orders Was Too Low At $500.00 And He Wanted To Suggest That If An Employee Didn’t Know What The Exact Amount Is, That They Should Estimate And Still Get A Purchase Order Filled Out. Mr. Carter Asked The Council If The Redesign Of Malkovich Park Will Include A Fence. He Stated That There Is A Vagrant Living In The Area And He Believes Without A Fenced In Area, This Situation Would Be Easier To Control. Mayor Messersmith Stated That There Will Not Be A Fence With The New Design.

Commissioner Kays 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. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

6:26 P.M.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Return To Regular Session. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

7:05 P.M.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Hire John Owens And Zack Halstead As Temporary Firefighters Not To Exceed A 60-Day Appointment. Second By Commissioner Kays. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Adjourn. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

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