Community News
City of Benld purchases truck, tables action on building permit changes
The Benld City Council on Monday night agreed to purchase a new truck for the Maintenance Department at a cost of $54,111, retained an auditing firm for the upcoming city audit, and accepted the resignation of the Deputy City Clerk. Council members, however, tabled action on an amendment to the city’s building permit ordinance and tabled action on approving a business license application.
Mayor Jim Kelly opened the meeting by observing a moment of silence for the late Wanda Bernot who previously served the city as City Clerk.
In other action, council members heard a brief update regarding the status of redevelopment work for a sport and recreational park on the former site of the Benld Elementary School. Mayor Jim Kelly said Doug Ratterman of HMG Engineers had visited the site and plans to have a proposal for a new ball field on the site within the next five weeks, at which time the ball field project will be sent out for bids.
“They’ve staked it,” Kelly said, adding the engineers will give the city proposed plans soon. “They’re setting it up for the least amount of dirt moving,” he said.
In association with the non-profit Benld Sports Association, the city is developing the 11-acre site as a sports and outdoor recreation park. Community Unit School District 7 transferred the property to the city several years after a mine subsidence event destroyed the then seven-year-old Benld Elementary School. With the city acting as the sponsoring agency, the project was awarded a $600,000 Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development Grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Once construction is complete, maintenance and operation of the facility will be the responsibility of the Sports Association.
TRUCK PURCHASE
On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, the council voted to purchase a 2022 Dodge Ram truck from Victory Lane Ford. Mayor Kelly said that with the addition of a snow plow and required lighting, the cost of the truck comes to $54,111, which will be paid in full from the city’s general funds.
Kelly said the city is not earning enough interest on investments to make it cost-effective to secure a loan for the vehicle. Since Victory Lane is selling the truck under terms of a state bid contract, no bidding process was required.
CITY AUDIT
Council members agreed to retain Scheffel Boyle Certified Public Accountants to perform the city’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $17,450.
“It will be a regular audit since we didn’t spend more than $300,000 in grants,” said City Clerk Terri Koyne. She said the audit also is likely to be done early because the auditor assigned to Benld is expected to be leaving for maternity leave.
BUILDING PERMITS
The council took now action on approving an amendment to the city’s building permit ordinance, pending further revisions to be added by City Attorney Rick Verticchio. Essentially, the amendment will require building permits to be issued to the owner of the property, rather than the contractor retained to do the work.
“We have too many solicitor contractors seeking building permits,” City Clerk Koyne said. According to Koyne, the contractors applying for the permit sometimes turn out to be out-of-area contractors who solicited residents to secure a contract. Such solicitations, she said, are illegal without a soliciting permit issued by the city. “I’d love to be able to deny permits for contracts obtained illegally,” she said.
Mayor Kelly said the amendment also should address persons buying a house contract-for-deed. “I’d like for the actual property owner to be the one to apply for the permit,” he said.
Jono Verticchio, representing the Verticchio Law Firm, said the amendment can be written to require permits to be issued to the property owner only. A revised amendment will be presented at next month’s meeting.
BUSINESS LICENSE
The council also tabled action on a business license application submitted by Ed Rieffer. Mayor Kelly said he advised Rieffer to attend the meeting so aldermen could ask questions before approving the permit.
Essentially, council members voiced concerns about the nature of the business Rieffer is proposing. From his description on the application, there were indications Rieffer plans to open a pawn shop, while describing it as a loan business. Pawn shops are subject to additional restrictions and state licensing requirements, according to Verticchio.
“If it’s a pawn shop, it’s a pawn shop,” Verticchio said. “You can’t get around that by calling it something else.”
DEPUTY CLERK RESIGNATION
Council members voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Deputy City Clerk Carol Wood, effective May 24.
Mayor Kelly said Koyne and City Treasurer Cindy Crites will screen applicants for the job and forward their recommendations to the full council. The council will have an opportunity to interview recommended candidates before hiring a new Deputy Clerk. In the meantime, Koyne advised she may be working more than 60 hours per month.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
The council voted unanimously to add a Ford truck and Crown Victoria to the list of surplus property to be advertised and offered for sale to the highest qualified bidders.
NUISANCE PROPERTIES
On a motion by Ald. Jerry Saracco, seconded by Ald. Dustin Fletcher, the council voted to declare properties at 207 and 211 East Central Avenue as public nuisances. The property owners will be issued citations giving them 30 days each to abate the nuisance to avoid court proceedings.
CAT ISSUES
Ald. Balzraine reported that Macoupin County Animal Control recently trapped 18 feral cats in the city, and plans to return for more trapping programs. He advised city residents to stop feeding stray cats, noting that feeding feral animals is a violation of city ordinance.
STOP SIGN ORDINANCE
The council directed the City Attorney to draft a proposed ordinance making the intersection of Illinois at Kentucky streets a four-way stop. Ald. Fletcher said he asked Police Chief Jared DePoppe about the need for the additional stop signs, who agreed the ordinance is needed.
City aldermen are expected to formally act on the ordinance in June.
SUPPLIES PURCHASE
Council members unanimously approved the purchase of $3,055 in fittings from Schuette Supplies.
WATER REPORT
The council voted unanimously to pay $100 to post city water reports on the ILRWA website. City water customers can review mandated water quality reports at www.ilrwa.org/CCR/Benld.pdf.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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