On a 4-1 vote, the Benton City Council extended the contract of airport employee Charles Casey.
The action was taken following an executive session. The extension begins immediately and will expire on May 1, 2019, according to City Clerk Brook Craig.
During the regular portion of the meeting, the council rejected a Dennis Miller motion approving the extension on a 4-1 vote. Donald Storey requested the executive session to discuss details of the contract. Storey was the only councilman voting in opposition following the closed door meeting.
Also, Streets and Improvements Commissioner Don Wyant received approval for a collaborative plan with the Illinois Department of Transportation to paint center lines on several streets in Benton. Wyant provided an estimate of $1,854 for the work, although IDOT will be responsible for taking bids for the project.
Streets targeted for painting include McLeansboro Street from Bailey Lane to Wastena; Webster Street from South McLeansboro Street to West Main Street; Joplin Street from South McLeansboro Street to North Main Street; Huddleston Street from South Main Street to South Du Quoin; North Du Quoin from West Main to Airport Road; and Washington Street from North Main to North Du Quoin. The paint will be yellow in color about every 30 feet, Wyant said.
The Washington Street project will include a double center line from Carlton Street to Blue Ridge Tractor as a no-passing zone.
The council approved the proposal unanimously, with Wyant agreeing to pay for the work through the Road and Bridge Fund.
Wyant also provided concrete and asphalt estimates for the East Main Street parking lot. Two bids were quoted for concrete and one for asphalt. Wyant said his department would stripe the lot after the work is completed. The council took the bids under consideration although Wyant strongly recommended concrete for the lot.
The council tabled action on its recycling program. Commissioner Miller provided the council with a memorandum and photographs from its current provider, Republic Services, and asked the council to consider the information before its next meeting.
