City of Benton City Council met Monday, May 9.
The county seat of Franklin County, the City of Benton is governed under a mayor/commissioner form of government.
Here are the minutes as provided by Benton:
The City of Benton City Council is located at 500 W Main St, Benton, IL
City Council Meeting Minutes — May 9, 2016
Minutes of the regularly scheduled council meeting of the Benton City Council held Monday, May 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Benton Municipal Building located at 500 West Main Street, Benton, Illinois.
Mayor Kondritz called the meeting to order and roll was taken. Those present were Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller and Mayor Kondritz.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to waive reading and accept the minutes of the regularly scheduled April 25, 2016 meeting as presented. Second by Commissioner Wyant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to waive reading and accept the minutes of the april 25, 2016 public hearing as presented. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz addressed the audience. He stated that we have a crisis on our hands regarding the railroad crossing on south main. Mayor kondritz offered a phone number to Union Pacific railroad for citizens to call to complain. Police Chief Kyle Melvin and Fire Chief Shane Cockrum spoke to the audience and stated that this has become detrimental to the public health and safety of benton.
Commissioner Baumgarte asked zoning official Chris Flener to discuss item (b) discussion and/or approval of water/sewer deposit increase to $150.00. Mr. Flener stated that in the process of codifying our ordinances we had been told that our deposit amount was outdated and that it was recommended that the city of Benton increase their water/sewer deposit to $150.00. Commissioner baumgarte made a motion to increase the water/sewer consumer deposit to $150.00. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Baumgarte stated that Pandora Reyling had rented the Twin Oaks Lodge on April 30, 2016. Commissioner Baumgarte stated that unfortunately the sewer had backed up that weekend and caused problems at the wedding reception. Commissioner Baumgarte made a motion to return the rental monies and deposit to Ms. Reyling. Second by commissioner Miller. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to approve ordinance #16-09 for a stop sign at the intersection of Benton Camp Road and Alexander Drive for south bound traffic. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to approve ordinance #16-10 for a stop sign at the north end of Twin Oaks on Melody Lane. Second by Commissioner Miller. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to approve ordinance #16-11 for a 15 mph speed limit on Alexander Drive. Second by Commissioner Miller. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to approve ordinance #16-12 for a 20 mph speed limit on North Buchanan from Joplin to Crisp. Second by commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz stated that there were water and weed issues at the Lincoln Drive apartments. Commissioner Wyant stated he was aware of the issues. Commissioner Wyant stated that he would go look at the area and report back to the mayor on the situation.
Commissioner Storey made a motion to approve purchase order #001956 to Novacom for 12 mobile radios and testing of these radios in the amount of $4,548.00. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Storey made a motion to approve purchase order #002309 to Novacom for 11 portable radios, microphones, and leather carrying cases in the amount of $5,902.89. Second by Commissioner Wyant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Storey stated that the council had received a memo in their packet regarding increasing the paid-on-call rate of pay. Chief Cockrum stated that the pay scale is competitive with the current police auxiliary rates. Rates would be $9.50 for new hires, $10.50 for 5+ years, and $12.50 for 10+ years. Commissioner Storey made a motion to increase the paid-on-call pay rate for firemen. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Storey made a motion to table item (c) discussion and/or approval of proposal for fire department floor. Second by Commissioner Wyant. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve bills in the amount of $173,167.09. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve payroll for 04/22/16 for the general fund in the amount of $56,129.83 and water and sewer department in the amount of $29,944.32 for a total payroll of $86,074.15. Second by Commissioner Wyant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve sewer adjustments for Kelsey Ingram Lockhart of 802 North Commercial Street and William Jones of 905 North McLeansboro Street. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Miller introduced airport representative Michael Wyant to the council. Mr. Wyant gave an annual report of the airport. Mr. Wyant stated that the grants for land acquisition and Beacon relocation had been completed. Mr. Wyant also stated that the airport at $144,822.00 in revenue that included $23,000.00 from tax payers, $16,000.00 from farm leases, and $7,800.00 in hanger rental. Mr. Wyant also stated that the airport had $145,231.00 in expenses leaving a deficit.
As a matter of interest, Commissioner miller stated that our helper from Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market will now be working for the city 29 hours. All commissioners were in agreement that Mr. Tate has been an asset and is a hard worker.
Attorney Tom Malkovich stated that he has an item for executive session.
Under public affairs updates, Mayor Kondritz stated that he had done some rethinking and would like to move forward with the fencing grant at the airport. Commissioner Miller made a motion to move forward with the grant for a fence at the Benton Municipal airport. Motion died for a lack of second.
Mayor Kondritz stated that he would like to dispose of the propane tank at Twin Oaks since it is no longer in use. Commissioner Baumgarte made a motion to sell the propane tank no longer in use at the Twin Oaks Lodge. Second by Commissioner Wyant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz stated he would like to reappoint Dave Mitchell, Steve Browning, Mike Wyant, and Dennis Miller to the airport along with new appointments of Vernon “Rocky” Morris, Chris Hammonds, and Tom Carter. Commissioner Wyant made a motion to accept these appointments. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz stated that he would like to appoint city clerk Brook Craig to the Police Pension Board. Commissioner Wyant made a motion to approve this appointment. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz stated that he would like to appoint city clerk Brook Craig to the Fire Pension Board. Commissioner Baumgarte made a motion to approve this appointment. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz stated that he would like to table item (f) discussion and/or approval of change to municipal utility gas tax. Commissioner Miller made a motion to table item (f). Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor Kondritz asked zoning official Chris Flener to explain item (g). Mr. Flener stated that Garrett Coiler of Egyptian Technologies was willing to redo our website free of charge and change bentonil.Com to bentonil.Gov. Commissioner Wyant made a motion to table this item until a further date. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Mayor kondritz invited zoning official Chris Flener and Aaron Dauby from Shawnee Professional Services to speak before the council. It was stated that the zoning map for the city of Benton had to be updated by March of 2017. Mr. Dauby stated that the current map was done in 2008. Mr. Dauby gave the council options for map updates. The council thanked mr. Dauby for his presentation.
Mayor Kondritz invited Kevin Pyle with Futiva to do a presentation. Mr. Pyle stated that his company would like permission to bury fiber in the city of Benton. He offered the City Hall free installation and free service. Commissioner Wyant made a motion to table this matter until a further date. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
In miscellaneous business, Mayor Kondritz stated that the Rend Lake Water Festival went very well. He stated that he was proud of the chamber of commerce for the work they did.
Under old business, Mayor Kondritz stated that he would like to remind the public of the tire clean up days on 05/14/16 and 05/28/16.
No new business.
In matters from the public audience, Karen Mullens thanked the city and all who were involved for their work during the Rend Lake Water Festival. Ms. Mullens also stated that the chamber would be cohosting a shred day in june. She stated when she gets specifics she will convey those to the public.
Commissioner miller made a motion to go into executive session for:
A. Discussion of possible acquisition and/or sale of real estate
B. Discussion of possible and/or pending litigations
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 Wyant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
8:00 p.m.
Commissioner Storey made a motion to return to regular session. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
9:05 p.m.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to approve the police union contract for May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2020. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to contact an appraiser for the city owned property on Hudelson Street for the purpose of selling said property. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
Commissioner Wyant made a motion to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Baumgarte. Vote was taken. Yeas: 5. Commissioner Baumgarte, Commissioner Wyant, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Miller, and Mayor Kondritz. Nays: 0.
9:10 p.m.
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