MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR KRAFT CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND DIRECTED ROLL TO BE TAKEN. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR SESSION AT 7:00 ON NOVEMBER 24, 2008 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED PURCHASE ORDER 2198 TO JOHN DEERE INC. FOR LEASE OF A TRACTOR TO USE AT THE SEWER PLANT FROM 9-15-09 THROUGH 5-15-10 IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,896.50. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE ACCEPTING THE BID ON A NEW DUMP TRUCK FROM FORD SQUARE IN MT. VERNON IN THE AMOUNT OF $56,550.90 PLUS LICENSE AND TITLE FEES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER 1385 TO MT. VERNON COMMUNICATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,076.15 FOR TWO 2-WAY MOTOROLA RADIOS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE VACATION OF THE ALLEY IN BLOCK G AT G. C. CANTRELL’S ADDITION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF $27,595.00 IN MFT FUNDS TO THE GENERAL FUND. THIS WILL REIMBURSE THE GENERAL FUND OUT OF EQUIPMENT RENTAL ALLOWANCE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE CINDER SPREADER AND PICKUP TRUCK FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WYANT PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #08-22 ALLOCATING $240,000.00 FOR THE 2009 MFT PROGRAM. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THAT A FORMAL POLICY BE PUT INTO EFFECT THAT THE FOUR TOW SERVICES AVAILABLE TO BENTON BE UTILIZED ON A ROTATING BASIS. THESE CALLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE HANDLED BY FRANKLIN COUNTY DISPATCH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT THE MEETING WILL NEED TO BE CONTINUED UNTIL FRIDAY MORNING SO THAT BILLS CAN BE PAID.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED PAYROLL PAYABLE NOVEMBER 28 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $59,438.52 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED PAYROLL PAYABLE NOVEMBER 28 FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,641.92 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED PAYROLL PAYABLE NOVEMBER 28 FOR CROSSING GUARDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $260.98 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE A SEWER ADJUSTMENT FOR AARON KLINGAMAN AT 605 EAST WEBSTER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

THERESA BATES WAS IN ATTENDANCE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE FRANKLIN COUNTY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S “RELAY FOR LIFE”. THE KICKOFF FOR THIS ANNUAL EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 26, 2009. BATES REQUESTED THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL CHOOSE A WEEK DURING THE MONTHS PRECEDING THE RELAY EVENT IN JUNE TO PRESENT A PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF THE EVENT. BATES WAS ASKED TO REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH FURTHER DETAILS.

THE DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE TO THE DOWNTOWN TIF DESIGNATION AREA WAS TABLED UNTIL THE CONTINUED MEETING ON FRIDAY.

DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENTON AND BENTON SQUARE DEVELOPMENT LLC. THE AGREEMENT IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BE PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL AT THE CONTINUED MEETING ON FRIDAY.

MAYOR KRAFT REPORTED THAT BENTON/WEST CITY EDC REPRESENTATIVES HAVE INTERVIEWED SIX DIFFERENT ENGINEERING COMPANIES TO CONDUCT THE INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE INTERSTATE 57/PETROFF ROAD INTERCHANGE. AS PART OF THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS THE STUDY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO’S OFFICE BY MID-FEBRUARY. THE PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES FROM THE ENGINEERING COMPANIES FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT ARE BETWEEN TEN AND FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS. COST ESTIMATES FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FROM FOUR OF THE ENGINEERING COMPANIES RANGE FROM THIRTY THOUSAND TO TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH TWO OF THE COMPANIES PROPOSING TO CONDUCT THE STUDY AT NO CHARGE IN HOPES OF RECEIVING THE CONTRACT FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT IF IT IS APPROVED. MAYOR KRAFT REQUESTED THE SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS AND ALLOW BENTON/WEST CITY EDC TO PRESENT THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE HIRING OF THE ENGINEERING COMPANY FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AT THE CONTINUED MEETING ON FRIDAY.

MAYOR KRAFT REPORTED THAT HE HAS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION STATING THAT THE SOUTH DUQUOIN STREET TRESTLE PROJECT IS IN THE 2009-2013 PLAN. THE CANADIAN NATIONAL/ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY PREVIOUSLY STATED IN CORRESPONDENCE THAT THIS TRESTLE COULD BE CONSTRUCTED UNDER TRAFFIC BUT ARE NOW SAYING IT CANNOT. SCOTT RAKERS OF HMG SAYS THIS CHANGE WILL REQUIRE A RUNAROUND AT AN ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CITY OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS. RAKERS HAS SUGGESTED TWO OPTIONS: MEET WITH THE RAILROAD TO SEE IF THEY WILL AGREE TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN. IF NOT, A TWO TO FOUR MONTH PETITION PROCESS WITH ICC CAN BE INITIATED. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH WILL CONTACT SCOTT RAKERS TO SET UP A MEETING WITH THE RAILROAD FOR DISCUSSION.

MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL A PROCLAMATION DECLARING DECEMBER TO BE NATIONAL DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH. COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO CONTINUE THE REGULAR SESSION TO FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, AT 8:30 A.M. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

TIME: 8:25 P.M.

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2008 AT 8:30 A.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 500 WEST MAIN STREET, BENTON, ILLINOIS.

MAYOR KRAFT CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND DIRECTED ROLL TO BE TAKEN. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED MONTHLY BILLS FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,408.16 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED MONTHLY BILLS FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,105.37 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED OTHER FUND BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,440.02 AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED A BILL FOR THE AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007-08 IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,900.00 FROM GRAY HUNTER STENN AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH REPORTED THAT THE DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND BENTON SQUARE DEVELOPMENT LLC WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PRESENT.

MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED ORDINANCE #08-35 APPROVING THE 2008 AMENDMENT TO THE CENTRAL BENTON REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA. THE ORDINANCE AMENDS THE AREA BOUNDARIES BY REMOVING THREE PROPERTIES IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE SECTION OF THE TAX INCREMENT ALLOCATION REDEVELOPMENT ACT CONCERNING CONFLICT IN INTEREST. COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

STEVE WOODFIN AND JOHN HUFFMAN OF BENTON-WEST CITY EDC WERE IN ATTENDANCE TO PRESENT RESEARCH COMPLETED TO DATE ON THE PROPOSED INTERSTATE 57/PETROFF ROAD INTERCHANGE. EDC REPRESENTATIVES HAVE MET WITH SEVERAL ENGINEERING FIRMS TO HEAR PROPOSALS TO CONDUCT THE INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY AND RECEIVED COST ESTIMATES FROM EACH. THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL BASED ON THESE MEETINGS IS TO HIRE EITHER HANSON OR HMG. FINAL APPROVAL FOR HIRING OF AN ENGINEERING FIRM FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.

COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN THE CONTINUED SESSION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER, AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

TIME: 9:10 A.M.

Laura Auten, City Clerk