Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor John Allhands at 7:00pm. Present were Aldermen Garfield, Barragree, Marcier, Cahoe, Miller, Rushbrook, & Alderwoman Ulfers , Absent Alderman Yates.

Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Barragree to approve the City Council meeting minutes of March 23rd 2021 Motion passed 7-0.

Public Comment: None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2607-Granting a Variation to Allow for Reduced Front Yard Set Back of Nineteen (19’) Feet Along Jackson Street For an Addition to the Residence Located at 806 North Chicago Street, Watseka, Illinois. Approval pending the receipt of documents awaiting.

• Ordinance #2608- Approving and Accepting A Dedication of Real Property Being Approximately 20’ x 676’ For A Public Street

• Ordinance #2609- Granting a Variation To Allow for Gravel Parking Areas And Driveways To Service A 20 Unit Self-Storage Building On The Property Located at 1223 Sugar Creek Court, Watseka, Illinois

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2607-Granting a Variation to Allow for Reduced Front Yard Set Back of Nineteen (19’) Feet Along Jackson Street For an Addition to the Residence Located at 806 North Chicago Street, Watseka, Illinois. . Approval pending the receipt of documents awaiting.

• Ordinance #2608- Approving and Accepting A Dedication of Real Property Being Approximately 20’ x 676’ For A Public Street

• Ordinance #2609- Granting a Variation To Allow for Gravel Parking Areas And Driveways To Service A 20 Unit Self-Storage Building On The Property Located at 1223 Sugar Creek Court, Watseka, Illinois

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Miller to set the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0. 

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Cahoe to accept the Consent Agenda. Motion passed 7-0. 

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to pay claims in the amount $740.647.76. Motion passed 7-0.

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

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield CliftonLarsonAllen $33,390.00 for Year End Audit Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe to accept a Balanced Budget for Fiscal Year 2021- 2022. Motion passed 7-0 with Alderman Rushbrook voting present. Alderman Barragree shared one change prior to the motions being made $50,000 out of the Demo Fund into the Promotions Account for downtown improvements.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Transfer $250,000 from 1-10-1000 into 1-10-1045 (Capital Equipment Purchase line item). Motion passed 7-0.

• Public Works

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Rushbrook Natures View Mowing Parks $48,096.00 payable from Parks Fund. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Natures View Mowing Open Areas $51,952.00 (Payable from Wastewater/fund for WWTP, Mulberry Lift Station, $7200.00 from water fund for Well 6 & 10, Oak St. & West Water Towers, $41,052.00 paid through Streets & Alleys). Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Precision Mowing City Owned Lots $19,260.00 paid from General Fund new Line item. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Precision Mowing Private Lots $23,700.00 paid from General Fund 1-10-6261. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Repair Traffic Controller & Cabinet @ 5th & Walnut St. to Ousten Electric $29,000.00. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Team Reil Inc. for Playground Equipment at Peters Park $64,685.00 from 7-80-6900. Motion passed 7-0.

Pay Increases for Public Works Laborers & Water Wastewater Labors to $19.00/Hour effective May 1, 2021 City Attorney Cainkar advised them not to proceed as we have not heard back from the Union, no action was taken.

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Increase Fire Department personnel to $18.00 hour across the board for all meetings, fire calls, etc. Effective 5-1-2021. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Increase Auxiliary Department pay rate to $18.00 Hour Effective 5-1-2021. Motion passed 6-0 with Alderman Garfield Abstaining. 

• Code Enforcement-None

• Water/Wastewater Report

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Garfield FIF Services $17,442.00 paid for from water & sewer bond to purchase 2 new pumps, electrical control panel and conduit parts. Motion passed 7-0.

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Cahoe Metropolitan Pump $48,790.00 paid for from water & sewer bond for the integration of the Metro Cloud at the wwtp. Motion passed 7-0. • Miscellaneous Business

-3 Ton Dump Truck Discussion & Possible Purchase- Some discussion was had if Volvo was Marvin’s top choice he said not really. No action was taken the Council asked Marvin to get some pricing on Peterbilts.

-Gas Tax Discussion- Alderman Cahoe shared that this gas tax option could help finance street repairs he asked City Attorney Cainkar to explain to the Council how the gas tax works, Attorney Cainkar shared a draft ordinance with Alderman Cahoe he explained the rate would apply per gallon and the Council sets the rate. No action was taken.

- 4th of July Fireworks- Alderwoman Ulfers shared that she got a call from Dick Arie that they would like to have Watseka’s fireworks on Monday, July 5th currently the City has a $2500 credit and more fireworks could be gotten for a better show on the 5th.

Reports from Officers- None

Open discussion- Alderman Garfield asked the Mayor about the 2 waste waters employees information that were in their mailboxes, Mayor shared that Dustin is on hold for the Council to review and get back to him.

Alderman Marcier asked about changing the current ordinance on seating new council members why is this done in May and not in April, City Attorney Cainkar shared that the Council may change the ordinance if they choose, no action was taken.

Alderwoman Ulfers shared she is needing help to put the flags out for Memorial Day she would like to have volunteers help on May 27th put them out and pick them up on June 1st, she would like for the set time to be kept so that everyone is helping at the same time a few volunteers last year were upset when they arrived that it was almost all done. Alderman Cahoe asked Marvin Public Works Director if the easements can be mowed a day or two before the flags are put out. Alderwoman Ulfers also shared the Family Festival Committee is having a Golf cart Scavenger Hunt but you do not need a golf cart you can use your own vehicle and that will happen July 3rd along with a Street Dance with the Watseka Elks Lodge.

Mayor Allhands said thank you for the card and angel statue in honor of his mother in laws passing.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller to Adjourn at 7:41pm.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/council-meeting-4-27-21.pdf