Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met Feb. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor John Allhands at 7:25pm. Present were Aldermen Garfield, Barragree, Marcier, Cahoe, Miller, Rushbrook , & Alderwoman Ulfers.

Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to approve the City Council meeting minutes of January 26th 2021. Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment: John Anderson Chairman of the Watseka Planning Commission was in attendance with a few of the planning commission members: Doug Geiger, Mike Kiefer, and Brian Hasbargen to recommend a few changes to the City Council. Mr. Anderson shared that they would like to see TIF 3extended over the next 12 years growth will be to the east, south, and southeast it’s the best area right now. They would like to see an extension to Martin Ave. east to link up to the Courthouse road the reason for this is if there are activities at the high school or an issue at Heritage Woods it would be difficult to get a ladder truck back there and this could be a liability issue this would also take some of the traffic off of Lincoln Ave. the more its used the more tore up it gets, this could be a shared expense for the taxpayers. Mr. Anderson would also like to see the Council support the Unit 9 Referendum on April 6th 2021 since 1966 nothing has been done to improve our schools, this will allow for new doors, lighting, and a possible retention pond or ponds under the parking lot of the high school and last there are a few different organizations/vendors looking to bring a high speed internet service to Watseka, the planning commission feels that increasing internet speeds in Watseka can be enticing to attract people to want to come and move here this would help sell Watseka, they do not want to see this on the taxpayers dime they would like to see it privately funded. Mr. Anderson shared these four things the planning commission has tried to be proactive on and they would like to see the Council support these recommendations to help Watseka in the years to come better growth, better tax base he thanked the Council for their time.

Jenny Musk is running for 3rd Ward Alderwoman she says it has been brought to her attention that the Mayor wants to appoint Michael Yates to the 3rd Ward tonight, she asked why is this so urgent, there is no eminent need to fill this position, the election is in 6 weeks she stated she is familiar with Watseka’s current issues, she has been attending 6 months of meetings, I want to sit with you all is what she said, I did my paperwork, I filed like I was supposed to for some reason she stated the Mayor has opposition to her running and she wanted to know why? Why did he not approach her about filling that seat this has nothing to do with Mr. Yates or his family we are friends, Ms. Musk stated she wants what’s in the best interest for the City and its residents Ms. Musk read an ordinance from 11-13-2000 out load to everyone in attendance.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

· Ordinance #2601- Authorizing the sale and Conveyance of Surplus Personal Property to Christian Kotsiopoulos

· Ordinance #2602- Granting Variations to Allow for an Asphalt Driveway Width In Excess of the Maximum Width Permitted and to Allow For the Permanent Placement and Use of A Converted Cargo Container In the Rear Yard of the Property Commonly Known as 602 E. Elm St. Watseka, Illinois

· Ordinance #2603-Granting a Variation To Allow The Permanent Placement and Use of a Converted Cargo Container in the Rear Yard of The Property Commonly Known at 705 W Walnut St. Watseka ,Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2601- Authorizing the sale and Conveyance of Surplus Personal Property to Christian Kotsiopoulos

• Ordinance #2602- Granting Variations to Allow for an Asphalt Driveway Width In Excess of the Maximum Width Permitted and to Allow For the Permanent Placement and Use of A Converted Cargo Container In the Rear Yard of the Property Commonly Known as 602 E. Elm St. Watseka, Illinois

• Ordinance #2603-Granting a Variation To Allow The Permanent Placement and Use of a Converted Cargo Container in the Rear Yard of The Property Commonly Known at 705 W Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois

Ordinance #2602- Attorney John Devine asked the Council to Grant Variations to Allow for an Asphalt Driveway Width In Excess of the Maximum Width Permitted and to Allow For the Permanent Placement and Use of A Converted Cargo Container In the Rear Yard of the Property Commonly Known as 602 E. Elm St. Watseka, Illinois. Discussion was had amongst the Council with Mr. Devine and the property owner, Marvin from Public Works had a recommendation that Eric Brandt and himself are going to re- write the driveway ordinance the current ordinance is outdated and they can have an agreement with the property owners if they need to cross the property that the property owners would be responsible for 20% of any and all costs going forward. A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rushbrook to Grant Variation to the driveway NOT the container. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2601- Authorizing the sale and Conveyance of Surplus Personal Property to Christian Kotsiopoulos with a 90 day time limit. Motion passed 7-0.

Ordinance #2603-Granting a Variation To Allow The Permanent Placement and Use of a Converted Cargo Container in the Rear Yard of The Property Commonly Known at 705 W Walnut St. Watseka, Illinois Attorney John Devine spoke with the Corporate Office and asked if they would put screen or fencing around the container. A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Barragree Motion passed 7- 0.

Standing Committee Reports

· Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Rushbrook to pay claims in the amount $409,606.89. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Ulfers to Accept and Place on file the January Treasurer Report. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rushbrook S 5th St. Sewer Lining Project $88,578 pay from TIF 3. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Rushbrook, seconded by Garfield Fox Group CPA for fiscal year 2021-2022 $44,000.00. Motion passed 7-0.

· Public Works-NonePublic Safety-None

· Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Rushbrook, seconded by Ulfers Lee Farms aggregate bid of $11,700 to demolish in 445 E Walnut St. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Façade applications Faith Lutheran Church $1100.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Façade applications St. Edmunds Catholic Church $5,000.00. Motion passed 6-1 with Alderman Miller abstaining.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rushbrook Façade applications First United Methodist Church $5,000.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Garfield Façade applications 1st Presbyterian Church $3,124.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Rushbrook Façade applications Nichols Paint & Fab $4,487.50. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Garfield Façade applications Shorty’s Bar & Grill $3,250.00. Motion passed 7-0.

· Water/Wastewater ReportNone

· Personnel CommitteeNone

· Miscellaneous Business

3rd Ward Appointment- Mayor Allhands shared that Dave Mayotte resigned due to not living in the 3rd ward now he would like to appoint Michael Yates to that seat. Mr. Yates works at T&D Metal he has children in the school district he has worked with budgets, employees, etc. Mayor Allhands asked our City Attorney if he could proceed with the appointment .City Attorney Cainkar shared the council has 60 days to fill that seat or they can vote tonight whichever they choose to do. A Motion was made by Cahoe seconded by Ulfers to appoint Michael Yates to the 3rd Ward. Motion passed 5-2 with Alderman Garfield and Rushbrook voting no.

City Attorney Cainkar swore in Mr. Yates.

Alderman Rushbrook wanted it on the record that he doesn’t agree with what the Mayor just did “you just violated an ordinance” he said.

Reports from officers-None

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 8:11pm. Motion passed 7-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/council-meeting-2-23-21.pdf