Community News
Benld eyes $450,000 CDAP sewer grant
Jesse Maynard of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Engineers told council members that he and city maintenance worker Jim Savant identified area that could be included in the sewer project.
Benld city officials will soon conduct an income survey of residents on the northeast side of the city and those living west of the railroad track in hopes of qualifying for a $450,000 Community Development and Assistance Program grant to underwrite 75 percent of an estimated $600,000 sewer improvement project. To qualify for the grant, the city has to document that more than half the households in the areas benefitting from the project are low to middle income.
The grant program requires responses from at least 75 percent of the households affected by the project.
During the regular monthly meeting of the Benld City Council on Monday night, Jesse Maynard of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Engineers told council members that he and city maintenance worker Jim Savant had identified areas two weeks ago that tentatively could be included in the project. The preliminary proposal calls for replacing two sewer lines on the northeast side of the city, renovating two lift stations and improving up to 20 manholes. The city’s share of the cost would be about $150,000, plus $40,000 for preliminary engineering work.
Maynard said lift stations on Hickory and Chestnut streets are being considered for renovations that would include new control panels and new pumps.
“Some of the pumps are 20 years old, and that’s a long time for a pump,” he said.
Including the Hickory Street lift station will somewhat complicate the income survey, he said. “We’re basically talking about everything on the west side of the tracks,” he said. Otherwise, improvements to sewer lines on the northeast side of the community will involve a relatively small number of households that will have to be canvassed. The grant program requires responses from at least 75 percent of the households affected by the project. Getting that level of response from a mailed survey, he said, is unlikely.
“You’ll probably end up going door to door,” he said, though he noted the city could start with a mailed survey to see how many voluntary responses are submitted, then go door-to-door to households that do not respond.
The scope of the project is tentative at this time and could be expanded or cut back depending upon the level of grant fund the city is likely to receive. In addition to the income survey, eligibility for the grant also is contingent upon the city having an EPA permit in place to do the work. To apply for the permit, Maynard said his firm would have to do a preliminary design to be submitted to EPA at a cost of $40,000. Once the permit is granted, he said, it is good for two years.
No formal action was taken Monday night, but council members generally agreed to proceed with the income survey as a first step toward applying for the grant.
If the grant is awarded and the project proceeds, Maynard said it could have a significant impact on the city’s sewer problems.
“Hopefully we can get rid of some the infiltration into your system,” he said, “and get rid of some broken sewers that Jim (Savant) is having to jet now to clean out.”
ONLINE BILL PAY PROGRAM
In other action, the council approved expenditures for programs and equip to allow water customers to pay their utility bills online or through automatic deductions, accepted the resignation of a clerical worker, and approved a resolution to expand the duties and increase compensation for the City Clerk.
Over the objection of Ald. Teresa Tucker, the council voted 5-1 buy $2,000 worth of software from CUSI, the company that provides the software the city currently uses to prepare water bills. The measure includes $1,000 for software to enable online bill paying and $1,000 to prepare National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) files to enable customers to have their monthly payments automatically deducted from their bank accounts. The council also approved, with Ald. Tucker abstaining, a contract with First National Bank calling for the city to pay $12 per month to have automatic deductions deposited into the city’s bank account.
The measures have been under discussion for several months.
“We have belabored this for four months,” said Finance Chair Peyton Bernot.
He read from a letter submitted by Deputy City Clerk Gina Frensko indicating the new programs will cut office labor related to water billing issue in half.
They can go online, see their bill and make a payment online anytime 24 hours a day.
“They can go online, see their bill and make a payment online anytime 24 hours a day,” Bernot said.
Frensko, who attended the meeting, told council members she sent out a survey with the last round of water bills and received 86 responses from customers who said they would be interested in paying via automatic deductions or online. The survey also identified 27 to 35 customers who currently pay their water bill at the bank and would consider paying online or through automatic deductions. Bernot noted that participation in either program is voluntary and customers who want to continue to pay their bill at City Hall can do so.
“Out of 720 water users,” Bernot said, “that kind of response” shows there is a level of interest in the services.
CITY CLERK’S DUTIES
Council members unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Katina Weller, who had worked in the City Clerk’s office for the past three and a half years. Weller said she was leaving to accept a full-time position with benefits.
In a related matter, on a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to expand the duties of City Clerk Terri Koyne and to compensate her for the additional work. As an elected official, Koyne is paid a stipend of $125 per month for performing the duties of the City Clerk, which include taking minutes of meetings, signing ordinances and resolutions, and maintaining the city’s ordinance book. With Weller’s departure, Koyne also has been serving part-time in the city office during office hours. Under the newly approved resolution, Koyne will be compensated for those hours—not to exceed 45 hours per month—at the state-mandated minimum wage. Current minimum wage is $8.25
The city does not intend to replace Weller. Allowing Koyne to do office work at minimum wage, the city expects to save about $6,000 per year in salary costs.
Council members also voted to ratify Koyne’s appointment of Gina Frensko to continue serving as Deputy City Clerk.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The council took the unusual step of convening an executive session immediately after the regular meeting was called to order. During the 55-minute closed-door session, council members reportedly discussed legal issues and personnel but also heard a presentation regarding the city’s annual audit from Margaret Holt from Scheffel and Boyle CPAs, the city’s public accounting contractor. Audit reports normally are discussed in open session and no specific reason was given for hearing this year’s report in executive session. Mayor Jim Kelly told The BenGil Post the complete audit is available for public review online on the State Comptroller’s website.
Bernot reported that the audit showed revenue from state sources last year was down by $18,942.
On a motion by Ald. Bernot, the council voted unanimously in open session to accept the audit.
Later in the meeting, under committee reports, Bernot reported that the audit showed revenue from state sources last year was down by $18,942.
“If you haven’t read the audit, please do,” he told the aldermen. “It’s an important document. We have to make financial decisions here every month.”
LIQUOR LICENSES
The council adopted a revised liquor license ordinance that standardizes the start and finish dates for all annual liquor licenses. The newly amended ordinance establishes the term of an annual liquor license from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Kenny Herrin, the owner of The Cabin, a bar and restaurant on the city’s east side, appeared before the council to request an opportunity to purchase a liquor license in his own name. He told council members he had been advised to buy a license in order to hold it for whoever might buy or lease the property in the future. The business has been closed for several months and Herrin said he only recently became aware that the license expired on Dec. 31.
Mayor Kelly told Herrin that the license actually expired before Dec. 31 because the current ordinance calls for unused licenses to expire after 90 days. Kelly said it would not be a benefit for Herrin to maintain a license in his name because the licenses are not transferrable. Whoever buys or leases the building would have to apply for their own license if they intended to sell liquor at the establishment. If he were to buy a license in his own name, it would expire in 90 days unless Herrin reopened the business to activate the license, Kelly noted.
Bernot noted the city has a limited number of liquor licenses but there currently are unused licenses available. Even if the license quota was met, Bernot said the city could vote to establish additional licenses if needed.
“I can guarantee you this council is not going to turn down business,” Bernot said.
“We’re not even close to our limit,” Kelly said. “We would happily sell you a license, but you’d have to activate it to keep it from becoming void after 90 days, and any new owner would have to come in and get their own license.”
“It’s been a bar since it was built in the 60s,” Herrin said, explaining his anxiousness about the possibility of a new owner being unable to acquire a license. “I feel a lot more comfortable about it now.”
POLICE PROTECTION
The council voted unanimously to approve a contract between the city and the Village of Sawyerville to provide police protection in Sawyerville at a cost of $800 a month for one year.
Approval of a three-year contract to provide protection to the Village of Mount Clare at a cost of $1,200 per month, however, met with some resistance. Ald. Bernot noted that the contract allows the city to withdraw with 60-day’s notice to Mount Clare. However, he said, he had concerns about whether the City of Benld actually would invoke the clause if the cost of providing police protection increases.
“This contract has no increases for three years,” he said, adding he was not convinced the city would use the 60-notice clause of the contract to renegotiate the terms when needed. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in our finances. I don’t know what’s going to happen at the state level. In my opinion, this is fiscally irresponsible.”
“I guarantee you we will sit down with them every year,” Ald. Tucker countered.
Before the roll call, Ald. Jim Tilashalski announced he also would vote “no” on the contract for the reasons Bernot had cited. Brought to a vote, the measure was approved 4-2.
Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach appeared before the council to answer questions about overtime charges on his police report.
Earlier in the meeting, Police Chief Jim Zirkelbach appeared before the council to answer questions about overtime charges on his police report. He said some overtime charges occur because of the city’s 911 agreement requiring them to respond to 911 calls in neighboring communities when assistance is needed. For example, Benld police officers participated in the manhunt earlier this month in Gillespie for two suspects involved in an aggravated battery and robbery incident. Zirkelbach said he occasionally has to pull in an off-duty officer for patrol when another officer is required to travel to Carlinville to testify in court. Likewise, he said he sometimes needs to bring in off-duty officers to secure a crime scene or accident scene.
“There are times when I have to have a scene secured and I have to have people to do that,” he said. “Each situation determines how much manpower you need.”
While Benld police occasionally are called to other communities for special circumstances, Zirkelbach pointed out those communities are equally obligated to provide personnel to Benld when needed.
Also related to police protection, the council voted unanimously to spend up to $1,000 for a third refurbished laptop computer to be installed in a Benld Police Department squad car.
BIKE TRAIL
The council tabled action on sealing the city’s share of the Gillespie-Benld Bike Trail until city officials can determine the extent of the trail for which Benld is responsible. Gillespie Mayor John Hicks brought up the issue in a discussion last week at the Gillespie City Council meeting, saying the City of Gillespie and City of Benld should share the cost of resealing the asphalt surface on the hiking-biking trail between the two cities.
Mayor Kelly said the two municipalities had gotten pricing for the project from Macoupin Asphalt, Carlinville, which prompted Ald. Colin Overmeyer to voice an objection based on the company’s lack of union employees.
“I’m not in agreement with this,” Overmeyer said. “We have union workers here. They (Macoupin County Asphalt) are bringing people here and they’re not hiring out of the hall.” He asked if a clause could be inserted in the contract to require union workers on the job.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio said the city could not dictate that a contractor uses union labor. However, he pointed out, anyone doing business with the city must pay prevailing wages as established by the Department of Labor.
“Do we have to do it this year?” asked Bernot. “Can we put it off another year?”
“All we can do is talk to Gillespie,” Kelly replied.
Bernot then asked why Benld’s share of the trail is 1,400 feet longer than Gillespie’s. Kelly and council members generally agreed they had previously thought the cities’ shares of the trail were equal and agreed to delay a decision on resurfacing until the discrepancy could be explained.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Agreed to allow Robert McClain to install nets on the basketball hoops at Veterans Park and rest ripe the asphalt courts at his own expense. McClain made the offer in a letter to the council, noting the nets will be “red, white and blue because the park is in memory of veterans.” McClain also asked about safety issues associated with children playing on a military tank at the park.
- Accepted a bid from Josh Marinacci, Benld, to tuck point the rear wall of the Civic Center. There have been issues with moisture entering the building and the hope is that tuck pointing will resolve the problem.
- Approved expenditure of $1,600 to restock the city’s supply of culvert tubes. When the city installs culverts at private properties, the owner reimburses the city for the cost of the culvert used.
- Entered into a $3,230 year-long contract with Missouri Machinery and Engineering to maintain city-owned pumps.
- Agreed to start billing consumers for late charges on unpaid trash bills. Previously late fees were excluded from the city’s monthly water, sewer, and trash billing.
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The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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LITCHFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering service opportunities to area teens this summer through the 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1.
Applicants must be high school students maintaining at least a “C” average, be a minimum of 14 years of age by June 1 and be willing to volunteer at least two hours per week during the summer program. Junior volunteers will perform a variety of duties in various hospital departments.
Registration materials are available on the hospital’s website volunteer page at https://www.hshs.org/st-francis/community/volunteer.
All participants in the program will be required to present proof of immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chicken pox). An additional requirement includes attendance at a hospital orientation.
A limited number of positions will be available. For more information, contact HSHS St. Francis Hospital at 217-324-8200.
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