Citing inadequate parking and probable wet grounds, the village board took no action on Monday night to become a co-sponsor of the event sponsored by the Benton Kiwanis Club.
Club spokesman Michael Brachear requested that village grounds be used for the April 26 event. Two Kelly Miller Circus shows are being planned on that date at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Brachear said the club would need at least 300 square feet for the event and requested the park grounds be used for the event. He anticipated an audience of about 500 for the two shows.
Village Attorney Ron Giacone recommended the village not become a co-sponsor of the event, citing liability issues, although Brachear said certificates of insurance could be produced through the club and circus officials.
In the end, village officials passed on providing the grounds after it was reported the village had no regulations in place for outdoor events.
Village officials suggested Brachear contact the Economic Development Commission or Benton airport officials, noting both groups had ample space for the circus and parking.
Rob Wielt of Affordable Gas & Electric, a broker for municipal aggregation addressed the Board concerning the possibility of providing electric and gas aggregation for commercial/business use. Residential aggregation was not included in the proposal, although Wielt said he would like to revisit that possibility in the future.
Village officials agreed to provide Wielt's company with the village's bills for gas and electric for a one month time period. The company will analyze the data and then report back to the village if savings is available through the "several suppliers" that AGE has at its disposal.
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
- Police Chief Scott Choisser was given authority to purchase four in-car cameras for squad cars. The Ten Eight video cameras will be purchased through Thinline Public Safety Equipment at a price not to exceed $8,500. As part of the motion, village officials agreed that Choisser would use $6,400 available from the department's DUI Fund.
- Choisser was also given authority to purchase four lidar (laser radar) batteries for the department. Village officials allowed for the purchase of approximately $700.
- Fire Chief Amos Abbott was allowed an additional $5,000 to equip the new fire truck which is expected to arrive to the village soon. The village had previously allowed $5,000 for this expense, however, the price of the truck had increased $5,000 and Abbott said it would take $10,000 to fully equip the truck.
- Board members, with Dale Watkins acting as President Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Ron House, also voted unanimously to discontinue the village's website since it is in non-compliance.
