North Egypt News

City of Benton City Council met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Benton City Council Meeting Held Monday, September 23, 2024 At 5:00 P.M. In The Campbell Building Located At 901 Public Square Benton, Illinois.

Mayor Messersmith Called The Meeting To Order And Directed Roll To Be Call. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissione R Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith Were Present For Roll Call.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve The Minutes Of The Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting Held On Monday September 9, 2024 At 5 P.M. In The Campbell Building Located At 901 Public Square In Benton, Illinois. Seconded By Commissioner Storey. Vote Was Taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, And Commissioner Garavalia. Nays: 0. Mayor Messersmith Abstained.

Commissioner Garavalia Stated That She Had No Purchase Orders For Approval At This Meeting.

In Updates, Commissioner Garavalia Stated That Helitech Has Been To 1403 South Main For A Second Visit To Continue Their Proposal. Commissioner Garavalia Stated That The Garden Club Has Been To Twin Oaks To Look At Planting Flowers And Plants There. She Also Stated That The City Will Be Moving Forward With Renovations At Malkovich Park And That The Work Being Done By Helitech Will Soon Be Starting At The Police Department.

Commissioner Cockrum Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00710 To Northern Tool For A Husqvarna 18 Inch Concrete Saw And A Husqvarna Wet Diamond 18 Inch Blade For The Street Department In The Amount Of $6,144.99. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0. Commissioner Kays Asked If This Could Be Purchased Through The Motor Fuel Tax Fund. Commissioner Cockrum Stated That He Believed It Could Be.

Commissioner Cockrum Stated That He Had No Pool Adjustments Or Lake Lot Lease Transfers For This Meeting. Commissioner Cockrum Stated That The Northeast Municipal Parking Lot Renovations Are Almost Finished. He Stated That The Work Was Done By Our Street Department. Mayor Messersmith Stated That The Work Looks Amazing. Mayor Messersmith Also Stated That Double Lights Will Be Placed Won The Alleyway To Illuminate The Area. Commissioner Kays Asked If We Have A Number Of The Amount Of Parking Spots There Are In The Parking Lot Now. Commissioner Cockrum Stated That He Does Not Have A Number Yet, But Will Find Out.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00420 To Municipal Emergency Services For One Seek Tic Attack Pro Thermal !Magers, One Trunk Charger, And One Gear Keeper In The Amount Of $4,762.99 For The Fire Department. Second By Commissioner Cockrum. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve Purchase Order #00132 To Morrow Brothers Ford For A 2023 Police Interceptor Utility All-Wheel Drive In The Amount Of $42,390.00 For A New Squad Vehicle In The Police Department. Second By Commissioner Cockrum. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5.  

Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Storey Stated That All The Test Results Aren't Back On Dylan Palmer At This Time And Therefore The Merit Board Is Not Ready To Recommend Hiring For The Fire Department. Commissioner Storey Made A Motion To Approve A New 60 Day Appointment Of Dylan Palmer To The Fire Department As A Temporary Full Time Firefighter. Second By Commissioner Cockrum. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Made A Motion To Approve Payroll Dated September 27, 2024 For The General Fund In The Amount Of $78m666.82 And For The Water And Sewer Fund In The Amount Of $22,066.76 For A Total Payroll Of $100,733.58. Second By Commissioner Garavalia. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Stated That He Had No Purchase Orders Or Monthly Bills For This Meeting.

Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like To Create A Conflict Of Interest Ordinance For The City. He Stated That This Is Something That Should Have Been Done A While Ago. Commissioner Kays Stated That He Would Like Permission For He, The City Attorney, And Anyone Else Who Is Interested To Be On This Committee, To Begin Researching And Creating A Conflict Of Interest Ordinance. Commissioner Garavalia Made This Motion. Second By Commissioner Cockrum. Vote Was Taken: Yeas: 5. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, Commissioner Garavalia, And Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0.

Commissioner Kays Stated That The Water Department Has Begun Using Paystar To Receive Credit And Debit Card Payments. Commissioner Kays Stated That Numbers On This Have Been Good And It Seems To Be Successful. Commissioner Kays Stated That We Need To Discuss The Option Of Discontinuing Illinois E-Pay As It Is Still Open And Able To Receive Payments. Commissioner Kays Did Ask Our Citizens To Please Not Use Illinois E-Pay For Water Bills Though As It Creates A Problem And The City Is Not Able To See Those Payments Are Being Made. Commissioner Kays Also Stated That At Some Point He Would Like Other Departments To Be Able To Receive Credit/Debit Card Payments And A Decision Will Need To Be Made Regarding What System Will Be Used To Do This.

City Attorney Tom Malkovich Stated That He Had No Updates For This Meeting.

Mayor Messersmith Stated That The Illinois Municipal League Conference Was Attended By A Few This Past Week. He Stated That This Was A Good Conference Where Some Good Education Was Received. Also, Mayor Messersmith Stated That He Wanted To Remind Citizens That The Campbell Building Is Open 8 A.M. To 4 P.M., But The Telephone Hours For The City Are Still 7:30 A.M. To 4 P.M. If They Need To Speak With Someone.

Mayor Messersmith Stated That He Had No Purchase Orders For This Meeting.

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