Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Public Works/Water Wastewater Committee met March 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Cahoe, Marcier, Barragree, Muench, Miller, and Anderson

ABSENT: Alderwomen Rohlfs and Delahr and Mayor Allhands

GUEST: Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor

Alderman Cahoe opened the meeting at 6:35 pm. There was no public comment. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor reported on the following projects:

New Well #11: transmission watermain, valves, hydrant, flowmeter structure and electrical conduit is completed. Peerless Midwest and B&D Electric are currently working on electric. Loren stated by public works doing most of the work in house they saved about $275,000.

Well Locations: Loren stated he and Robinson Engineering are currently looking for 2 more new well sites, one could be off the county road but we would need an easement from the county and the other would be in the Heritage Woods subdivision on the dead end. The city could purchase a lot and tie into the dead end main and loop it on to Martin Ave. Loren is getting some numbers and agreements together, more information will be coming next month.

Meter Reading Improvements: 1107 radios installed as of 3-25-2024. 200 radios ordered and 100 have been received.

Fire Hydrants: there is a hydrant on South 10th St that is leaking and will be replaced. North St Watermain extension under Railroad: project completed waiting on asphalt and concrete repairs

Lead Service Line Inventory Grant: Robinson is working on a 3rd survey to be sent out Watermain Breaks: 244 W Fleming on March 3rd and it was a 4” watermain Wastewater Treatment Plant: 10 hp effluent pump failed from 1988 quote from Xylem for $13,613.35 to replace

SCADA installed at the high school, Herron Ct, Loveridge Ln, Westside Lift station and Oak and Westside water towers.

Kay St Storm & Sanitary: letting for this project is expected in April should have numbers for meetings next month.

Kingdons Storm Sewer Repair: this project should be finished next week if the weather holds.

Parks: Westside playground equipment was repaired on March 14th. Loren has quotes for the lights at Peters Park downhill from B&D Electric for $34,105.00. This is to replace 24 flood lights with LED an 8 cross arms. Loren stated the lights themselves are $1100 each. Loren also has a quote from B&D Electric for $4,832 to replace the lights at the tennis courts. There are 10 of them. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the proposals from B&D Electric for a total of $38,937 and to pay from the Park fund. Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried 6-0. Streets: MFT heat and recycle project is expected letting by the end of the month, along with the Martin Ave extension. Union Pacific is tentatively planning on repairing the Walnut St crossing in the middle of April for approximately 2 days. More information to come later. The street sweeper ran a full route including the downtown area in March. Staffing: one employee hired and starts 4-8-24 and currently still down 2 employees. One employee still out on work comp. 2 high school students have been hired to help with the yard waste facility.

Miscellaneous: tree trimming has started up again,

Equipment: wheel loader has been received, still waiting on the 4 in 1 bucket, should be here in April. April 16th will be training for the new spray patch machine.

Alderman Cahoe asked about the water main extension road work repair for asphalt and concrete. Loren stated North St and Kay St on the east side will be from curb to curb and on the westside from the tracks to the first hydrant curb to curb.

Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to adjourn at 7:10 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 6-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/public-works-water-wastewater-3-25-24.pdf