Community News
Benld Council debates time clocks for employees issue, approves $1.7 million appropriation
Published
9 years agoon
By
Dave A
Members of the Benld City Council on Monday night unanimously approved an appropriations ordinance totaling $1,171,337–nearly $117,000 less than last year’s appropriation–for the fiscal year that began June 1.
After several minutes of sometimes heated discussion, the council also agreed to purchase time clocks to monitor the amount of time city employees are on the job, but stopped short of recommending the type of time clocks to purchase. The issue of whether to buy standard mechanical time clocks using paper punch cards or “biometric” time clocks that use fingerprints for employees to clock in and clock out was referred to committee to return to the full council with a recommendation next month.
In other action, the council authorized Build Benld to pursue several specific civic improvement projects, took under advisement the possibility of using a realtor to sell a piece of city-owned property on Central Avenue and approved partial payment for the recently completed Shehorn Lift Station project.
TIME CLOCK CONTROVERSY
By a vote of 4-2, the council approved the purchase of time clocks to track the amount of time spent city employees spent on the job, but took no action regarding the type of time clocks the city should purchase. The city currently uses handwritten time sheets that are approved by employee supervisors. The issue has been the focus of debate in Benld for several months.
“A few years ago, I would not have been in favor of time clocks because you expect people to be trustworthy,” said Ald. Jim Tilashalski. But, he continued, there has been at least one instance when the veracity of an employee’s timesheet was called into question, prompting him to change his position on the issue.
We had a problem, we took care of it and I don’t think we’ve had a problem since then
“I think we’re doing something about a problem that may or may not exist, and, if it does exist, we have the means to take care of it,” Kelly added.
Mayor Gloria Sidar said she had contacted neighboring municipalities to see how many of them use time clocks.
“Gillespie uses time clocks for Public Works employees only and only because the number of employees; Staunton uses time clocks for Public Works employees only and only because of the number of employees,” she said. “Mount Olive does not use time clocks. Bunker Hill does not use time clocks and said, ‘Why do you want time clocks? It sounds like micro-managing’.”
Sidar noted that the city would have to buy a total of three time clocks to service all of its employees and she indicated she opposed using a “biometric” time clock that uses employee thumbprints to clock in and clock out and stores data in the internet cloud. She said she especially was concerned about the system’s capability for GPS tracking to monitor employee whereabouts. Ald. Bernot, however, said GPS tracking would only be possible if employees used a remote device to clock in and the Finance Committee was recommending an onsite device for clocking in and clocking out. The biometric aspect of the system, he said, would preclude the possibility of “buddy clocking in,” having someone clock in for an employee who was not on the job.
Ald. Kelly noted that the city’s union contract may preclude use of a biometric system. Unions, he said, while not opposed to time clocks, have been opposed to biometric systems due to privacy concerns.
A motion by Ald. Mickey Robinson to table the issue died for want of a second.
Ald. Tilashalski then moved to purchase three mechanical time clocks.
“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Sidar commented. “Let’s find out if we even want time clocks first.”
Tilashalksi then amended his motion to remove references to the type of time clock the city purchases, and Ald. Teressa Tucker seconded. Brought to a vote, Ald. Tilashalski, Bernot, Tucker and Brian Frensko voted in favor of the measure, while Kelly and Robinson cast dissenting votes.
Sidar then directed the Finance Committee to collect information about both types of timekeeping devices and report back to the council next month.
“I don’t have a problem with time clocks, but I want a lot more information,” she said.
APPROVAL OF NEW APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE
Finance Committee Chair Peyton Bernot said the new appropriations ordinance is nearly identical to last year’s ordinance. Though not technically a budget, the ordinance sets spending limits for specific city funds that cannot be exceeded without special action to amend the appropriation.
“We’ll revisit this in December and see if we have to make any amendments,” Bernot said.
Last year’s appropriation of $1,288,188, approved on July 20, 2015, was adjusted upward to $1,294,195 in the middle of fiscal 2015.
Bernot’s presentation included a recapitulation projecting that the city will end the current fiscal year with a total of $940,811.75 cash on hand in all funds, compared with the $884,326.05 cash reserves the city had on hand at the end of fiscal 2015
- Administrative $ 45,236
- Audit $ 3,780
- Legal Fees $ 19,000
- Band $ 1,260
- Cemetery $ 1,400
- Parks $ 7,000
- Unemployment $ 600
- City Property $ 62,868
- Maintenance $ 89,928
- Police $265,931
- Water $304,741
- Sewer $238,233
- Trash $101,400
- Motor Fuel Tax $ 30,000
Bernot’s presentation included a recapitulation projecting that the city will end the current fiscal year with a total of $940,811.75 cash on hand in all funds, compared with the $884,326.05 cash reserves the city had on hand at the end of fiscal 2015.
BUILD BENLD PROJECTS
Council members voted to authorize the Build Benld organization to pursue any of several projects the organization outlined for the council. The action essentially means the city is willing to accept the projects as donations from the organization if the organization has the funding and chooses to pursue them.
“It’s stuff we are considering doing if the city is okay with it,” said Norm Emmons, who appeared before the council as a Build Benld representative. He said the group may not do all of the projects, depending upon available funds, but group members wanted to get started on securing estimates for the projects the city would accept as donations from Build Benld.
On a motion by Ald. Frensko, seconded by Robinson, the council agreed to accept a diaper-changing station the group already has purchased for the women’s restroom in the City Park, and a second identical diaper changing station for the Civic Center women’s room if there is room to install it. The council also agreed to accept two metal picnic tables with at least one to be located at Veterans Park and one possibly to be located at the ball diamond. Additionally, the council agreed to accept two to four new trees, each three inches in diameter, to be planted at Veterans Park and at the ball diamond.
The council deferred action on accepting an eight-foot playground merry-go-round and a metal Christmas tree for the community.
Emmons said the group planned to have the same vendor build the merry-go-round that it is using for the picnic tables, but Ald. Tucker and Mayor Sidar expressed concerns about whether or not the equipment would meet mandatory safety requirements. The council also deferred action on the Christmas tree proposal pending confirmation of details regarding the size, design and type of metal.
Emmons said he would gather additional information on those specific items for the council’s consideration at a later date.
SHEHORN LIFT STATION PAYMENT
On motion by Ald. Kelly, the council voted unanimously to make a partial payment of $102,869.05 to Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, for work done on the recently completed Shehorn Lift Station. Justin Vonder Haar of Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende (HMG) Engineers recommended the making the initial payment, noting that the only work remaining to be done on the site involves grading and seeding. The remaining $7,914.16 on the contract will be paid once that work is done and accepted.
The original bid was for $108,875, according to Vonder Haar, but the contract was increased to $110,783 because of $1,908 change order required to reconnect to sewer services in the area of the project.
In related matters, the council approved Ald. Kelly’s motion to purchase a back-up pump for the Shehorn Lift Station from Vandeventer Engineering at a cost of $5,427. Kelly noted the city has back-up pumps for its other lift stations on hand in the event a pump should fail.
Council members also authorized Mayor Sidar to apply for a state-funded grant through the West Central Planning Commission for additional sewer work. Grant administrator Mike Cavanaugh had previously told the city the application has to be for projects for which engineering work has already been done. During Monday’s meeting, Sidar asked Vonder Haar if engineering documents were still available for a sewer improvement project for which the city previously applied for grant assistance. The Mayor told council members she would contact HMG Engineers this week to obtain those documents and submit a grant application before the Aug. 16 deadline.
The city applied for a $50,000 grant for sewer improvements last year through the same program but was unsuccessful.
CORDERA BUILDING PLANS
The council took under advisement Mayor Sidar’s proposal to retain a realtor to sell the city-owned Cordera building on Central Avenue near the public library. Last month, the council discussed a proposal from the Cordera family under which the family would purchase the building back from the city, then donate it to the library to house library archives. Since that time, Sidar noted, the library indicated it does not want the building because it doesn’t have the funds to pay for utilities, maintenance and staffing at a second building. In addition, Sidar reported that two people have approached the city about buying the building to house new businesses.
“Are these businesses that would bring in sales tax?” asked Tilashalski.
Sidar reported that two people have approached the city about buying the building to house new businesses
“If someone is interested in bidding on it (the building), and it’s going to bring in sales tax, I’m in favor of it,” Tilashalski said. “I can’t wait to see who it is.”
Sidar’s plan would call for the city declaring the property surplus and splitting the lot in half, with the south half to be developed as a parking lot for the library and using a realtor to
negotiate the sale of the building. Earlier in the meeting, Sidar asked attorney Gina Verticchio if the city could legally use a realtor to sell surplus real estate in lieu of seeking public bids. Verticchio said the city could handle the sale through a realtor since the sale would be public. In addition, Verticchio said, the city would be likely to realize a better sale price by listing the property with a realtor.
“I don’t want to take action tonight,” Sidar told city alderman, “but think about it and consider it for our next meeting.”
CENTRAL AVENUE TREES
The council tabled action on buying trees to plant along Central Avenue pending receipt of more information. Ald. Bernot reported that he and Frensko had looked into buying flowering cherry trees at a cost of $150 each for 10-foot trees that are two inches in diameter. He said the nursery representative assured them that the trees would be capable of withstanding strong east-west winds that basically destroyed all but one of the trees currently on the city’s main street.
Several years ago, the city removed trees along the avenue because they had grown too large and were damaging the sidewalk surrounding the openings in which they were planted. The replacement trees, however, lasted only briefly because of damages from prevailing winds.
“Our Central Avenue needs something,” Tilashalski commented, adding that September would be the earliest appropriate time for planting new trees.
Mayor Sidar suggested the possibility of some type of evergreen, and noted that if the city does not plant new trees the sidewalk openings will need to be filled in for safety.
“I think trees are great, but the first ones were too big and were cracking the sidewalks, and the second ones broke off,” Tucker commented. “Whatever we get, we want to make sure they are hardy enough.”
SEWER HOOK-UP ISSUE
Council members briefly discussed a letter prepared by Verticchio Law Office and sent to a resident in the 300 block of Park Avenue after the resident discovered she had been paying for sewer service to her late husband’s place of business next door even though there is no sewer tap for that building. The resident reportedly had demanded a refund for what had been paid for sewer service in the past, and that demand was denied. The gist of the letter informs the resident that a sewer hook-up is required for all buildings having city water service.
“She says she wants money back because she doesn’t have a sewer, and we say that if you have a water meter, you have to have a sewer,” said Ald. Kelly, answering a question from another alderman. “That water is draining somewhere and it’s not going into a septic system.
STAGNANT WATER ON RAILROAD PROPERTY
Ald. Robinson asked about using city workers to drain an area of standing, stagnant water along Dosey Street near the railroad tracks. The water, he said, poses a health risk in that it provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“That water is on the railroad’s property,” Mayor Sidar explained. “Our guys were hauling in dirt to fill that area and we got a call from the railroad telling us to stop.”
She said the area holding water is significantly lower that the surrounding terrain, precluding the possibility of cutting ditches to carry it to the ditch. She said she will contact the city attorney to see if the city can compel the railroad to address the issue.
NORTHWESTERN LINES MAGAZINE ARTICLE
Mayor Sidar called the council’s attention to an article by Charles Voyles schedule to appear in an upcoming issue of Northwestern Lines Magazine. The piece, titled “What Lies Beneath,” opens with a recapitulation of recent mine subsidence events in Benld, then delves into the history of coal mining in the area.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Voted unanimously to retain Scheffel Boyle CPAs to conduct the city’s annual audit at a cost of $9,800.
- Voted unanimously to prosecuted properties at 709 and 711 Rose Street as nuisance properties.
- Voted unanimously to remove two more dead trees from city property that are too large for city workers to cut down. The two trees will be selected by the committee from a list of trees targeted for removal earlier this year.
- Agreed to pay for mileage, lodging and registration fees for up to two city employees to attend an conference regarding the city’s water billing system scheduled for September in Arkansas. Cost of registration will be $100 per registrant.
- Declared a white Dodge pick-up truck formerly used by the Maintenance Department as surplus property and to accept bids for the sale of the vehicle.
- Rejected a request to install stop signs on Spruce Street at Illinois Street.
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Community News
Gillespie teen wins drive safe Chicago video contest
Published
7 days agoon
February 6, 2025By
BenGil Staff
Wins $2,000 Prize and Video She Created will Air on 160 TV Stations Nationwide
CHICAGO – Emily Bergen, 16, a student at Gillespie High School in Gillespie, has won the annual Drive Safe Chicago public service announcement contest. Antonio Knott, 15, of Merrillville High School in Merrillville IN, placed second in the voting, and Noelani Elizalde, 17, also from Merrillville High School, was third.
Sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Auto Show, teens from Illinois and surrounding states were invited to submit ideas for a 30-second PSA about sharing the road with other passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Three finalists were selected and each worked with an Emmy Award-winning producer to transform their PSA submissions into 30-second TV public service announcements. The public was then able to vote for their favorite online. More than 1,400 online votes were cast.
The winner received $2,000 and will be featured on nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. The first runner-up got $1,000 and the second runner-up won $500. All three finalists’ teachers received $100 gift cards.
Bergen’s winning PSA shows a young driver starting her car and pressing a “share the road” button. As she drives, an AI voice warns her of a bicyclist, a pedestrian and children in a school zone. The voice then reminds her, “Cars don’t come with devices like me, which is why you need to know how to share the road.”
“The carnage on our roads can be reduced if drivers remain aware of others who share the road,” said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes safe driving. “We think the creative ideas about sharing the road from our Drive Safe Chicago winner and runners-up convey that message effectively.”
“Although today’s new cars are safer than ever, with technological advances that are proven to help avoid crashes,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts, “drivers must still be aware of others they are sharing the road with, whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrians.”
The National Road Safety Foundation says driver error accounts for 94 percent of all fatal crashes, with speeding and driver distraction among the leading factors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40,990 people died on U.S. roads and highways in 2023, with hundreds of thousands of injuries and an estimated annual cost of more than $340 billion.
View Bergen’s winning video below:
Bergen’s video is also featured center on the National Road Safety Foundation’s website with the runners-up videos to the right and to the left: https://m.shortstack.page/NLxMqT
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Community News
L&C announces fall 2024 honors lists
Published
7 days agoon
February 6, 2025By
BenGil Staff
Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher out of a possible 4.0 are named to the President’s List. Those students earning a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.74 are recognized each semester on the Dean’s List.
Further requirements are listed in the college’s online catalog at http://catalog.lc.edu. All questions should be directed to the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222. Below is an excerpt containing students residing in Macoupin County.
President’s List
BENLD – Ryleigh L. Phillips; Zander E. Rieffer; Emily R. Schoen; Tristen B. Wargo;
BRIGHTON – Brandon M. Adams; Ike D. Austin; Lainie L. Behrends; Reagan Beilsmith; Ian C. Brantley; Tina M. Brass; Lane Cox; Madison P. Fenstermaker; Hunter D. Gillis; Hailey Gula; Alexis R. Harrop; Gavin Humm; Thomas D. Kunz; Nicholas O. McGee; Audrey A. Perkins; Ava J. Pulley; Alyssa J. Schuchman; Addison Strohbeck; Sydney A. Valdes; Abby Van Doren; Piper L. Voorhees; Madelyn E. Zarges;
BUNKER HILL – Alex Betts; Grant J. Burch; Kayleigh K. Butler; Abigayle L. Collins; Denise Deias; Braden T. Fulton; Dillon M. Guess; Maya R. Henfling; Hannah J. Herrmann; Madalynn Hilyard; Madelyn Landreth; William Manar; Kaylee L. Richert; Andrew Sanner; Abby N. Spraggs; Noah A. Thyer;
CARLINVILLE – Jack E. Beard; Matthew J. Eldred; Jack Goby; Stephanie K. Harding; Gabriel R. Henson; Alexsis A. Kalaher; Weston E. Kuykendall; Lillian McCurley; Emerald Ondrey; Joanna M. Roemer; Jessica N. Strubbe; Karleina J. Tipps; Samuel L. Wilson;
GILLESPIE – Lauren E. Bertagnolli; Ean L. Davis; Lanie G. Doty; Kennedy G. Helmkamp;
MEDORA – Aubrey M. Reno; Anneliese M. Shatley; Haleigh Sinclair;
SHIPMAN – Alyssa L. Beck; Gracie B. Darr; Addison A. Jeffers; Tyson Kahl; Josiah A. Schuette; Bailee A. Sorgea;
SOUTH ROXANA – Lyndsey M. Johansen; Caden O. Lara; Savanah M. Stogsdill;
STAUNTON – Julie A. Aloisi; Samantha R. Anderson; Zane P. Anderson; Shane Baker; Lilly M. Bandy; Grace Bekeske; Gianna Bianco; Carson G. Buffington; Kiersten L. Carlson; Karla J. Castillo; Izabella Claussen; Lillian Dothager; Olivia M. Favre; Eli J. Henke; Alexis A. Hester; Samantha D. Hoffman; Harold I. Irvin, III; Dylan Jarden; Korryn O. Keehner; Nicholas L. Raphael; Alexis P. Schaaf; Brady Seelbach; Carli L. Skinner; Cole Sternickle; Tyler J. Thompson; Lilly Trettenero; Lillyan S. Troeckler;
Dean’s List
BENLD – Ridge A. Braundmeier; Kaitlynn E. Conner; Elizabeth M. King; Alyssa S. McCollum; Marria D. Middleton; Alyssa F. Schuette;
BRIGHTON – Garrett R. Beuttel; Troy J. Brooks; Emily Y. Cambron; Jacob G. Carpenter; Lucy Childress; Olivia Cody; Logan T. Crane; Tristyn N. Ditterline; Kaylin G. Gerard; Cooper J. Hagen; Ashlyn K. Hall; Evan Hanold; Samuel J. Harshbarger; Amelia R. Hines-Pattan; Ella J. Kadell; Daylin M. King; Kayla A. Lemarr; Tucker Mayhew; Elizabeth L. Milford; Stacey M. Mynatt; Blythe E. Roloff; Jordan R. Short; Shiann Vinson; Grace A. Wylde;
BUNKER HILL – Cole T. Burch; Hanna N. Heeren; Madelynne K. Heflin; Taylor Miklavic; Katelyn J. Miller; Abigail G. Scott;
CARLINVILLE – Boedy E. Baker; Emily A. Barbre; Zachary Chapman; Ella R. Clevenger; Alana N. Dixon; Alison J. Dixon; Nathan Dyer; Addison Eldred; Saralynn I. Joiner; Henry S. Kalaher; William G. Meyer; Chloe A. Payne; Amy L. Pocklington; Jack Rives; Lanna P. Vanderpoel; Ella C. Wise; Braley M. Wiser;
GILLESPIE – Reese E. Bussmann; Regan E. Bussmann; Addie M. Hayes; Karter Mix; Adrianne B. Niemeyer; Grace J. Vandoren; Shannon L. Wright;
MOUNT OLIVE – Libbie M. Nowell;
PIASA – Anna C. Fink;
SHIPMAN – Kaden G. Cottingham; Rocky Darr; Kathryn M. Mueller; Sayuri Owada; Rocky J. Rose;
STAUNTON – Rylee K. Baugh; David S. Dann; Belle M. Darte; Jacob A. Dillon; Vivienne Dothager; Sean T. Fleming; Kennedy L. Legendre; Zander MacHota; Savannah M. Missey; Nicholas Monahan; Nicole M. Narup; Kelley Perrine; Christopher S. Pritchett; Alivia Royer; Katie N. Schalk; Lakesi Settles; Priya E. Siegfried; Justin A. Smith; Kylie A. Tomso; Whitney Weller;
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Community News
Gillespie to host blood drive on Feb. 17
Published
1 week agoon
February 4, 2025By
BenGil Staff
Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, February 17 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/23/24 are eligible to give at this drive.