City of Watseka City Council met Jan. 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Mayor Marcier present were Alderman Muench, Brault, Pence, Miller, Petersen, Garfield & Alderwoman Rohlfs, Absent Alderman Dewitt.
Public Comment: None
A Motion was made by Pence, seconded by Brault to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes from December 16th, 2025. Motion passed 7-0.
Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations
• Ordinance #2772- Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $3,027,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2018, of The City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2773-Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,535,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2774-Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,633,000 General Obligation Refunding Bond, series 2021, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2775- Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,551,645 General Obligation Bond, Series 2022A, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2776-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 811 West Franklin, Watseka Illinois
• Ordinance #2777-Rezoning Approximately 9.55 Acres of Real Property Known at the Muller Subdivision from “R-2” Single-Family Residential District to “R-4”Multi-Family Residential District
• Ordinance #2778-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 809 W. Lafayette, Watseka, Illinois
Consent Agenda
• Ordinance #2772- Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $3,027,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2018, of The City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2773-Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,535,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2774-Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,633,000 General Obligation Refunding Bond, series 2021, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2775- Abating the 2025 Tax Year Debt Service Tax Levy for the $1,551,645 General Obligation Bond, Series 2022A, of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois
• Ordinance #2776-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known at 811 West Franklin, Watseka Illinois
• Ordinance #2777-Rezoning Approximately 9.55 Acres of Real Property Known at the Muller Subdivision from “R-2” Single-Family Residential District to “R-4” Multi-Family Residential District
• Ordinance #2778-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 809 W. Lafayette, Watseka, Illinois
A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to set the Consent Agenda without Ordinance #2778. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to Accept the Consent Agenda without Ordinance #2778. Motion passed 7-0
• Alderman Garfield asked if the perspective adjacent property to it possible he purchases it, are they interested. Mayor Marcier shared they are interested but nothing was set, nothing was written down. A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Pence Ordinance #2778-Authorizing the Purchase of Real Property Commonly Known as 809 W. Lafayette, Watseka, Illinois. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Garfield voting no.
Standing Committee Reports
• Finance, Legal and Audit
A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Rohlfs Claims in the amount of $1,762,777.44, Mayor Marcier gave a breakdown of why the claims were so high this month. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Accept and place on the file the December Treasurers report. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Brault Transfer $100,000 from general Fund 1-10-8000 into Social Security Fund 3-10-9000. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Brault Transfer $122,000 from General Fund 1-10- 8000 into Liability Insurance Fund 8-10-9000. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Transfer $47,000 from General Fund 1-10-8000 into Audit Fund 9-10-9000. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Transfer $250,000 from general Fund 1-10-8000 into Street & Alley Fund 6-10-9000. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Brault, seconded by Rohlfs Fox Group Engagement Letter for fiscal year 2026-2027 $53,000. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Garfield Donation to Watseka Family Festival $50,000 with Next Years donation being less. Motion passed 7-0.
A Motion was made by Muench, seconded by Miller Discussion and Possible Action Repairing K9 Tahoe for $5500.00. Motion passed 7-0.
Public Works/Water Wastewater
Loren Public Works Director wanted to share with the council the recent snowfall regarding our city ordinance on how to handle parking on city streets, the ordinance reads no parking along city streets for 12 hours after 3 inches of accumulation of snow. Loren shared this is an accident waiting to happen he does not want that on his staff or on his record, he spoke to Fire Chief Ken Baier and fires increase with vehicles snowed in this is a safety issue. City Attorney Cainkar suggested having the signs posted on the main roads as you are coming into town. Discussion was had to put this on the city website, social media, the newspaper, and the radio so that citizens are aware. Loren suggested talking to the Police dept. to see how they can help also, Attorney Cainkar will update the current ordinance. Alderman Garfield asked about mailing a letter to all the addresses that we have on file for water bills.
Public Safety- None
Code Enforcement
A Motion was made by Rohlfs, seconded by Miller Discussion and Possible Action to Pass the bid from ICF Incorporated LLC (HMPG-4461 Grant Relocation Services) with a Cost of $5,000 plus $10,000 Per Unit (All of these costs are Covered by the grant). Motion passed 7-0.
Miscellaneous Business
Ketih with Robinson shared that the Oak St. bid is opening Monday and he is still working on the OSLAD Grant for more work to be done in Lakeview Park.
A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rohlfs to adjourn at 6:56pm. Motion passed 7-0.
https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4811
