Kankakee Times

City of Watseka City Council met May 25.

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 and Musk.

City Attorney Cainkar swore in the newly and reelected officials Mayor John Allhands, City Clerk Amanda Hibbs, Alderman Dennis Cahoe, Brandon Barragree, Alderwoman Mona Ulfers, Alderwoman Jenny Musk, and City Treasurer Marcia Craft.

Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Miller to approve the City Council meeting minutes of April 27th 2021. Motion passed 8-0.

Public Comment: None

Ordinances, Resolutions, Agreements & Proclamations

• Ordinance #2610-Authorizing and Providing for the Reissuance and Extension of $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2611-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article D, Vehicle Fuel Tax, of the Watseka City Code

• Ordinance #2612- Amending Title 1, Administration, Chapter 10, City Officers and Personnel, Section 1-10-1, Commencement of terms of Office, of the Watseka City Code

Consent Agenda

• Ordinance #2610-Authorizing and Providing for the Reissuance and Extension of $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois

• Ordinance #2611-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article D,, Vehicle Fuel Tax, of the Watseka City Code Effective July 1, 2021.

• Ordinance #2612- Amending Title 1, Administration, Chapter 10, City Officers and Personnel, Section 1-10-1, Commencement of terms of Office, of the Watseka City Code

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2610-Authorizing and Providing for the Reissuance and Extension of $1,000,000 General Obligation Taxable Note, Series 2019 of the City of Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Ordinance #2611-Amending Title 3, Finances and Taxation, Chapter 4, City Taxes, by Adding Article D, Vehicle Fuel Tax, of the Watseka City Code. Motion passed 8-0 with Alderman Garfield voting present.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Garfield • Ordinance #2612- Amending Title 1, Administration, Chapter 10, City Officers and Personnel, Section 1-10-1, Commencement of terms of Office, of the Watseka City Code. Motion passed 8-0.

Standing Committee Reports

• Finance, Legal and Audit

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Rushbrook to pay claims in the amount $387,978.02 Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Rushbrook to Accept and Place on file the April Treasurer Report. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Marcier Discussion and vote on approval of employment agreement with Gregory Marks as Water Superintendent. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Discussion and vote on approval of employment agreement with Dustin Standish as Water/Wastewater Foreman lots of discussion was had on this. Motion passed 6-2 with Alderman Garfield voting present, Alderman Rushbrook and Alderwoman Musk voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Discussion and vote on approval of compensation for Department of Public Works and Wastewater employees. Motion passed 7-1 with Alderman Rushbrook voting no.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Discussion and vote on approval of compensation for Police Chief from $48.06 to $51.90 8.5% increase. Motion passed 7-1 with Alderman Rushbrook voting no.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe Discussion and vote on approval of compensation for Police Secretary from $16.37 to $16.88 3% increase. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers Discussion and vote on approval of compensation for Administrative Assistant from $24.03 to $25.38 5.5% increase. Motion passed 8-0.

• Public Works

None

• Public Safety

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe Appoint Kenneth Baier as Fire Chief effective July 1, 2021 Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Barragree Fireworks display July 2nd 2021. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Ulfers, seconded by Cahoe Donate to Knights of Columbus $2500.00 for Fireworks. Motion passed 8-0.

• Code Enforcement

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Miller Crime Free Rental Class for Bill Stanley & Eric Brandt $275.00 each ($550.00) Motion passed 8-0.

• Water/Wastewater Report

A Motion was made by Miller, seconded by Cahoe New Era Spreading $20,000 to move sludge & grit from the Oxidation Ditch Paid for from the Bond. Motion passed 7-1 with Alderman Garfield voting no.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Ulfers Helm Mechanical $26,550 to replace 2 Valves Paid for from the Bond. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Barragree Suez $35,421.06 + $1800.00 (Yearly Maintenance Fee) for an In Tank Mixer at the West Water Tower paid from water and sewer fund the $1800.00 goes up every year over 6 years. Motion passed 8-0.

Van Calombaris with Robinson Engineering was in attendance to discuss possible road work, there is funding out there that is available. The Mayor shared a memo with the Council from Van. Discussion and options were discussed no action was taken a special called meeting will be needed to take action.

• Miscellaneous Business

-City Committees Appointments

- IMH Appointments-No action taken

- Library Appointments-No action taken

-Standing Committee Appointments Mayor Allhands shared the committees.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Musk, Personnel Committee Allhands, Garfield, Cahoe, Musk, and Ulfers. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Barragree, seconded by Garfield, Liquor Committee Allhands, Garfield, Cahoe, Marcier, and Ulfers. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Marcier, seconded by Rushbrook, Purchasing Committee Allhands, Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, and Ulfers. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Ulfers, Code Enforcement Committee Garfield Chairman and Co Chairman Rushbrook. Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield, Finance Committee Barragree, Chairman Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe, Water Wastewater Committee Cahoe Chairman and Marcier Co Chairman, Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Marcier, Public Safety Committee Ulfers Chairman and Barragree Co Chairman, Motion passed 8-0.

A Motion was made by Garfield, seconded by Cahoe, Public Works Committee Miller Chairman and Ulfers Co Chairman, Motion passed 8-0.

Reports from Officers- None

Open Discussion- Alderman Cahoe would like to see the Part-Time Administrative Assistant wages be increased to $18 an hour.

Alderwoman Ulfers shared that they are putting flags out for Memorial Day this Thursday at 5pm meet at City Hall and they will be taking them down Tuesday, June 1st at 5pm if anyone can help. Alderman Cahoe asked Marin, Public Works if they could mow before the flags were put out he said yes.

A Motion was made by Cahoe, seconded by Garfield to Adjourn at 8:26pm. Motion passed 8-0. Amanda Hibbs, City Clerk

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/council-meeting-5-25-21.pdf