SE Illinois News

The Benton City Council met Aug. 8 to provide updates on the status of the new police station build.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the city:

Council Meeting Minutes — August 8, 2016

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY AUGUST 8, 2016 AT 6 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR KONDRITZ CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 25, 2016 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 26, 2016 TOWN HALL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 27, 2016 CONTINUED COUNCIL MEETING AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE ABSTAINED.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE STATED THAT HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR TONIGHT.

COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE HAD NO BUSINESS FOR TONIGHT.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE HAD SOME UPDATES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE STATED THAT ENGINE #803 WAS IN ROXANNA BEING REPAIRED. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT HE WOULD BE SENDING THREE FIREMEN TO TEXAS ON TUESDAY 08/09/16 TO INSPECT A USED FIRETRUCK FOR POSSIBLE PURCHASE. COMMISSIONER STOREY ALSO STATED THAT WHILE WE ARE DOWN TO ONE FIRETRUCK, WE WILL NOT BE TAKING IT OUT OF TOWN.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH BUILDING A NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT. COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THEY HAVE MET WITH AN ARCHITECT.

COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT THE CITY HAS MULTIPLE PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE COSTING THE CITY MONEY TO MAINTAIN. COMMISSIONER STOREY SAID HE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY SELLING SURPLUS PROPERTY. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SELLING THESE SURPLUS PROPERTIES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (F) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF NEW HIRE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT. 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 JULY 29, 2016 FOR GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,201.21 AND FOR WATER AND SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,361.51 FOR A TOTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,562.72. 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 POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR BARRY BITTLE OF 115 WEST MCFALL, KIM CIMA OF 1302 SOUTH WILSON, AND MELANIE HAMILTON OF 208 NORTH BROWN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKED AARON DAUBY OF SHAWNEE ENGINEERING TO GIVE A PRESENTATION OF THE NEW GIS MAPPING. MR. DAUBY STATED THAT THE NEW GIS FOR THE CITY OF BENTON WOULD BE BETWEEN $7,000.00 AND $10,000.00. MR. DAUBY STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD MOVE TOWARDS STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM FOR TWO WEEKS. SECOND BY CO MMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THERE ARE STILL TWO BOXES OF ANNEXATION PAPERWORK THAT NEEDS TO BE GONE THROUGH. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO HIRE LAURA AUTEN TO WORK ON THESE. 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 HOST A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AFTER HOURS EVEN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 FROM 5 P.M. TO 7 P.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (G) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF J.W. REYNOLDS MONUMENT COMPANY ESTIMATE TO MOVE MONUMENTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY THOMAS MALKOVICH STATED THAT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOR WATER, SEWER, AND STREETS ARE MOVING FORWARD. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH ALSO STATED THAT HE AND THE MAYOR MET WITH RESIDENTS IN THE AREA OF POPE STREET TO DISCUSS THE ONGOING ISSUES. TWO MORE MEETINGS REGARDING THIS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT A FENCE HAS BEEN PUT UP AROUND THIS PROPERTY.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE IS STILL WAITING FOR PLANS FOR WHERE THE FENCE AROUND THE AIRPORT WOULD BE PLACED.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE WAS APPROACHED BY THOMAS J. PAYNE REGARDING THE PROPERTY AT 207 EAST PLUM STREET. MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT MR. PAYNE CURRENTLY USES THIS PROPERTY AS A RENTAL HOME, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SIGN THE DEED OVER TO TH E CITY OF BENTON. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL A LATER DATE. 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 THAT BILL BAKER, WEST CITY BOARD MEMBER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM. MR. BAKER WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE MONUMENTS FROM 500 WEST MAIN TO THE VILLAGE HALL IN WEST CITY. THE COUNCIL MADE NO DECISION AT THIS TIME.

MAYOR KONDRITZ STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A RESIGNATION FROM JIM PAGE FOR THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS RESIGNATION. 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 THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO APPOINT MIKE HOFFMAN TO THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY JIM PAGE. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE MADE THE MOTION TO APPOINT MIKE HOFFMAN TO THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT THE ANNUAL IML CONFERENCE IS COMING UP. COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKED THE COUNCIL MEN TO LET MAYOR KONDRITZ KNOW IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. ALSO UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT KEENER’S KLEANERS HAD SUBMITTED A BID OF $125.00 TO CLEAN 1403 SOUTH MAIN ONCE A WEEK. COMMISSIONER MILLER ASKED THE COUNCIL TO THINK THIS OVER AND STATED WE WILL REVISIT THIS AT THE NEXT MEETING.

UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT BRIAN PARK HAD BEEN HIRED TO DO SEASONAL WORK AND THAT HIS EMPLOYMENT AND COME TO AN END DUE TO THE 120 DAYS HAVING COMMENCED. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM UNEMPLOYMENT WHERE BRIAN PARK STATED HE WAS LAID OFF FOR LACK OF WORK. COMMISSIONER MILLER STATED THAT MR. PARK NEEDS TO CORRECT THE REASON ON THIS FORM FOR BEING OUT OF WORK. COMMISSIONER WYANT STATED THAT HE WOULD SPEAK WITH MR. PARK AND THAT THIS ITEM WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

IN MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE, RICK KNIGHT OF THE CIVIC CENTER BOARD AND DAVE BAUER OF THE PARK DISTRICT SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE CITY OWNED PROPERTY ON HUDELSON STREET.

MR. NELSON ENRIETTO SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL AND ASKED HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST THE CITY OF BENTON TO REPAIR THE PUMPER FIRE TRUCK THAT IS CURRENTLY OUT OF SERVICE. COMMISSIONER STOREY TOLD MR. ENRIETTO THAT IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $25,000.00 AND $30,000.00.ROCKY MORRIS STATED THAT HE FELT THAT IF A FENCE WERE TO BE PLACED AROUND THE BENTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, WOULD PROHIBIT BUSINESSES FROM COMING IN TO BENTON. COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PENDING LITIGATIONS AND 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 STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

7:25 P.M.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

7:58 P.M.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO FRIDAY, AUGUST, 12, 2016. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER MILLER, AND MAYOR KONDRITZ. NAYS: 0.

8:02 P.M.