MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010 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. THOSE PRESENT WERE COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE, COMMISSIONER WYANT, COMMISSIONER MILLER, COMMISSIONER WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT.

MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED A PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 1 THROUGH JUNE 14 AS NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING AT 7:00 ON APRIL 12 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONERS WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. ABSTAINED: 1. COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 8:30 ON APRIL 19 AS PRESENTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE REPORTED REGARDING AN EPA INSPECTION LETTER RECEIVED TODAY. WORK ON THE NEW INTERCEPTOR LINE THAT WILL RUN THROUGH KOA CAMPGROUND AND UNDER I-57 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER AND SENATOR FORBY HAS INDICATED THAT THE CITY WILL RECEIVE $740,000.00 TOWARD THIS COST. A NEW SEWER PLANT WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

AT THE LAST MEETING THE COUNCIL APPROVED TO DETERMINE THE COST FOR MILLING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE. COMMISSIONER WYANT REPORTED THAT ONE QUOTE WAS RECEIVED FROM E. T. SIMONDS FOR A TOTAL OF $68,309.00 FOR THE MILLING AND ASPHALT FOR 18,052 SQUARE YARDS. THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO USE PAINT TO CORRECT THE LINES UNTIL THE CITY’S FINANCIAL SITUATION IMPROVES.

COMMISSIONER WYANT REPORTED REGARDING THE NORTH DUQUOIN STREET PROJECT THAT HE MET WITH E. T. SIMONDS THAT MORNING TO CONFIRM THE DUMP SITE AND HAS ANOTHER MEETING TOMORROW TO CONFIRM THE START DATE OF THE PROJECT.

COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER 2151 PAYABLE TO GREG WEEKS BENTON, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,692.00 AFTER TRADE-IN ALLOWANCE FOR TWO 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA POLICE VEHICLES. THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE LIGHT BARS AND OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ADDITION OF JUSTIN D. WEST TO PAID ON-CALL FIRE PERSONNEL PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF ACTING CHIEF DAVID MOORE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER MILLER REPORTED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY APPLIED FOR AND WAS AWARDED A GRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIVE SCBA UNITS AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF A SECOND INSTALLMENT FOR POPE STREET RAILROAD CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,176.60 TO UNION PACIFIC. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED PAYROLL PAYABLE APRIL 16 FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $58,457.56; THE WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $27,152.48; CROSSING GUARDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $255.30; AIRPORT IN THE AMOUNT OF $750.00; AND AUXILIARY POLICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,625.50. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE SEWER ADJUSTMENT APPLICATIONS FOR ANITA LAMPLEY AT 1009 HIGHLAND STREET AND RANDY COOK AT 411 LAWRENCE STREET. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET ORDINANCE 10-15 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011. THE BUDGET HAS BEEN ON DISPLAY SINCE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL TWO WEEKS AGO AND HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER MILLER VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE MOSQUITO SPRAYING CONTRACT WITH WILLIAM KELLEY FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,960.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

ATTORNEY MALKOVICH REPORTED THAT HE IS DISCUSSING THE TWIN OAKS RENTAL AGREEMENT WITH RICHARD HART REGARDING THE ISSUE OF UTILITIES. MALKOVICH ALSO REPORTED THAT ALBERT SMITH FILED A PETITION FOR HEARING WITH THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT ON APRIL 16 AND MALKOVICH FILED AN ANSWER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY ON APRIL 23.

MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED RESOLUTION 10-08 APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ENTERPRISE ZONE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT. COMMISSIONER WYANT MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

MAYOR KRAFT PRESENTED ORDINANCE 10-16 TO ADD TERRITORY TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY-BENTON ENTERPRISE ZONE. COMMISSIONER WEBSTER MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WYANT. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE REPORTED THAT KIDS HAVE BEEN USING THE WOODEN BENCHES AT THE SCOUT CABIN FOR SKATEBOARD RAMPS. THE COUNCIL DIRECTED HIM TO REMOVE THE BENCHES FROM THE PROPERTY.

MAYOR KRAFT REPORTED THAT THE FINAL DECISION ON THE EDA APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FOR PETROFF ROAD/CENTRAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN SEPTEMBER.

MAYOR KRAFT REPORTED ON THE STATUS OF BUSINESSES THAT HAD BEEN TRYING TO FIND SPACE TO LOCATE IN THE AREA. STATE ELECTRIC HAS CHOSEN A FACILITY IN MARION AND INTERMOUNTAIN HAS CHOSEN A LOCATION IN CENTRALIA. THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY SHOWN THE GODFREY MARINE BUILDING AND THE AMEREN WAREHOUSE AS POSSIBLE LOCATIONS IN WHICH TO POTENTIALLY LEASE SPACE, BUT THE OWNERS WOULD NOT COMMIT TO A DEFINITE LEASE TERM.

UNDER OLD BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER REPORTED THAT THE NEW POLICE CHIEF WILL BEGIN WORK ON MONDAY MORNING, MAY 3. MILLER PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL A COPY OF THE POLICE CHIEF CONTRACT THAT HE AND ATTORNEY MALKOVICH DEVELOPED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT FROM NEW CHIEF CHARLSON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WEBSTER. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0.

COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE REPORTED THAT HE HAS BEEN CHECKING INTO COST AND DESIGN FOR AN AWNING TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE WATER DEPARTMENT WINDOW. THIS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED TO PROTECT THE WINDOW AND EQUIPMENT FROM DAMAGE. BAUMGARTE WILL REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL AT A FUTURE MEETING.

UNDER NEW BUSINESS, COMMISSIONER MILLER SAID THAT AN INFORMAL GATHERING BY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES IN HONOR OF CHIEF O’NEILL WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 4. A PUBLIC RECEPTION WILL ALSO BE SCHEDULED TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR O’NEILL AND GIVE THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE INCOMING CHIEF.

COMMISSIONER MILLER REPORTED THAT VNA-TIP HAS CONTACTED HIM REGARDING SCHEDULING OF ANOTHER FLU SHOT CLINIC IN OCTOBER.

COMMISSIONER WEBSTER PRESENTED AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 10-09 OPPOSING THE STATE’S PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTIVE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BAUMGARTE. VOTE WAS TAKEN: YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONERS BAUMGARTE, WYANT, MILLER, WEBSTER AND MAYOR KRAFT. NAYS: 0. COPIES WILL BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR, LEADERS OF BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR DISTRICT.

UNDER MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC, RESIDENTS WERE IN ATTENDANCE TO ASK FOR AN UPDATE REGARDING THE STATUS OF CLEANING UP OR DEMOLISHING THE ABANDONED RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 1503 NORTH MAIN. ATTORNEY MALKOVICH TOLD THEM THE CITY MUST GIVE NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS WITH AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY AND DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FAIRFIELD OFFICE, ONE PARTY HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVED. THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE NOTICE IS SERVED A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED.

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

TIME: 7:35

Laura Auten, City Clerk