Benton City Council met Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Here are the minutes as provided by Benton:
Special Called Council Meeting Minutes — 08/17/16
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALLED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17, at 8:30 a.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.
Mayor Kondritz turned the floor over to Commissioner Storey. Commissioner Storey stated that the fire department had visited Texas to look at a used truck. Chief Cockrum, former chief Gary Kasper, career firefighter Jeff Coleman, and paid on call firefighter John Owens went on the trip. Commissioner sStorey stated that the fire truck was in bad disrepair and they did not feel that this would be a good purchase for the city of Benton. Commissioner Storey stated that the firemen called him and asked if they could travel to Louisiana to look at another used fire truck. This truck was also in disrepair and not a good purchase. Commissioner Storey stated that Smeal Apparatus has a 100 foot ladder truck for $750,000.00 that is currently being built. Commissioner Storey stated that Smeal would loan us a fire truck to use until the one we would purchase would be finished. This truck would be built in Nebraska and our firemen would have to make four (4) trips during the construction, all travel paid for by Smeal apparatus. Commissioner Storey also stated that this truck would be ready in March, April, or May of 2017.
Commissioner Storey stated that if we purchased this truck, it would be good for a service time of 30 years.
Attorney Malkovich stated that bids had not been requested for building a fire truck, but that ordinance #10-29 allowed us to forego the bidding process if a 4/5 vote took place.
Commissioner Storey stated that he would like to finance this truck at one of our banks here in the city of Benton. He said that when he sought financing in the past he was able to get a rate or 2.29%. He also stated that Smeal would require no down payment from the city of Benton.
Mayor Kondritz stated that he was embarrassed that we are currently in this situation. He also stated that while he is grateful that the village of Buckner was able to loan us a truck, it was embarrassing to him that we had to have this happen.
Commissioner Baumgarte asked where the money to pay for this fire truck would come from. Commissioner Miller stated that he believed we could afford the payments.
Commissioners Baumgarte and Wyant also stated that they want to make sure that we continue to move forward with a police department. Commissioner Storey assured them that this was happening.
Commissioner Storey made a motion to move forward with the purchase of a 100 foot ladder truck from Smeal Apparatus pending Commissioner Miller obtaining financing.
Second by Commissioner Niller. 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.
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