The Benld City Council accepted two $1,500 checks from Monte Jones from Maryan Mining LLC. The checks, totaling $3,000 together, was strictly a donation to the city. “I think the money should go into the city property fund since we have property we are going to have to address with bulldozers in the future,” Mayor Hendricks said, “This will benefit us most with that extra money handy, along with the money we already have there.” With no discussion or disagreement, the council voted 5-0 for the donation to rest in the city property fund. The City of Benld greatly thanks Maryan Mining.

Lynn Fraelle updates the council on the route signs for walking and jogging.
In other new business, the council hired part time police officers Levi Rosentreter and Joshua Carter. Both applicants have been working with the city for the time being since Mayor Hendricks temporarily appointed them until the next board meeting. The two officers were hired on a part time basis after a 4-1 vote with the only oblige from Tilashalski. “I only say no because the funds could be used in other areas of the police department,” Tilashakski went on to say.
The council voted 4-1 to accept First National Bank’s offering of the old Tarro Grocery Store on 208 East Central. Mayor Hendricks explained the City has a party that has expressed much interest over the property and has gone all the way to even have the property inspected. After inspection, the party said the mold issue was not nearly as bad as expected and could be cleaned up rather quickly. Mayor Hendricks said the city will call FNB and accept the offer and then go from there as far as demolition, leasing, or selling is concerned. Tilashalski expressed concerns about what the party’s intention of the building was and are they even going to buy it so the city will not be “stuck” with it. Tilashalski later voted no, but the motion was still carried out.
The council then heard from alderman Peyton Bernot about the Illinois Codification Services. The council has been under discussion to remove old ordinances and adding new ones after receiving notification from the company who has revised the ordinances in the past, which is Illinois Codification Services. “Basically, I asked what the procedure was,” Bernot explained, “They would come in, look at the book, and would cost the city around $6,000.” The $6,000 figure is negotiable, and the process would take nearly six months. Bernot went on to explain that there are ordinances that are mandated from the State and Federal governments for municipalities and the government agencies send out auditors to audit the city’s ordinance book. The mandated ordinances are not in Benld’s book. The city decided to address city attorney Rick Vertichio about the mandated ordinances and table the decision to revise the ordinance books.
Before listening to the public, the council set the Halloween trick-or-treat days and hours. The hours will be from 6:00-8:00pm on October 30 and 31. The council also approved 5-0 to adopt-a-class from Benld Elementary for $100.00. Mayor Hendricks suggested this was best for the council after reading a letter from Angela Turcol, Benld Elementary Principal.
The council heard from numerous residents of the city:
Gina and Mike Mendenhall addressed the council of burning in the city during hours that are not allowed. Burning is permitted in the City of Benld from 6:00am-6:00pm and is limited to just garden waste, but Gina went on to say that the burning in her neighborhood has been more than garden waste. “There is a lot more being burned in my area than garden waste,” Gina said, “It has been plastic and even aerosol cans popping. Other people bring their trash over to burn it.” To burn plastic and aerosol cans are against EPA regulations and also against the city ordinances. Mayor Hendricks advised her to call the police when she notices it and the police will handle it.
Lynn Fraelle from Build Benld showed the council the calendars that are for sale. The calendars can be purchased from Lynn or anyone else involved in Build Benld. The route for walking and jogging with be posted with signs in the spring rather than in the fall. The Macoupin County Department of Public Health, who donated the signs, has requested to wait until after the winter weather has passed. Lynn also stated that Build Benld would like a ‘bike path watch’ due to the number of complaints of small trafficking and even criminal activity.
Cathy Petrak advised the city some of the problems with the nutrition center. There has been much debate over the nutrition center and Fritz, the owner. Fritz owns the building right next to the nutrition center on the east side. Petrak went on to explain that there will be a Christmas Party this year and the event has already been booked at the Civic Center. Petrak would like to see the aldermen donate $25 each and also deliver food to the citizens who are unable to make it to the party.
Tom Hubert said there should be a note on the water bill concerning the burning issue. In the years past, there was space for two lines of text for announcements and other news, but that has been done away with. Bernot, the water commissioner, said there is a chance it can be reinstated. If not, he will consider running an ad in the newspaper to get the information out.

Cathy Petrak passes on a bid she received for the work to be done on the nutrition center.
In committee reports, all bills were paid under police, maintenance, and sewer. The finance committee paid all bills and went on to address that the audit from last year should be compete by the end of October. Water hydrants in the city will be flushed in the upcoming weeks, after Gillespie flushes theirs. All water bills were then paid.
City property chairman Mickey Robinson gave the report on the city property. Robinson said the four trailers sitting on the railroad track at central avenue will be taken out as agreed by Illinois EPA, United Pacific Railroad, and Norfolk & Southern Railroad. The trailers will be taken out per IEPA regulations. Robinson also presented that the city is in process of replacing the motion sensor on the light on the flagpole at Veteran’s Memorial Park as well as finding someone to look at the commode in the women’s restroom in the city park. The commode does not shut off.
The council then briefly discussed raising the rates of the rental of the Benld City Park of the Civic Center. Rates will be increased to $150 upon a vote, but the decision was tabled for a future meeting.
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